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Difficulties of Learning English for Specific Purposes: The Case of Law Faculty Students
Get PDFEnglish for specific purposes is a term that was introduced for the teaching of English in professional fields, especially after World War II. Accordingly, English for legal purposes aims to teach the indented terms of English in the field of law. Therefore, just as the curriculum has been developed for these purposes, books have also been designed. However, there are some difficulties in teaching this aspect of English specific to professionals. In order to determine what these difficulties are, a Likert scale survey was conducted to students of the Faculty of Law studying at Tishk International University. Student complaints and teachers’ suggestions were taken into account when determining the points where students had difficulty and placing them in the questionnaire. This survey, classified accordingly, was conducted on 103 students and the results were evaluated with the inferential statistics method. As a result, it has been observed that students have difficulty in learning legal English, especially because the legal language of English is quite different and does not correspond to their own practices at many points
MODERATING EFFECT OF INCOME ON SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISEMENT AND CONSUMER BUYING BEHAVIOR
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to examine the moderating effect of income on the relationship between social media advertisement and consumer buying behavior. The study used survey research design and a total of 403 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students of Federal University Dutse. Valid responses were analyzed using SPSS version 22 for descriptive statistics and Smart PLS 4.0 applications for inferential statistics. Findings from the study supported two of the hypothesized main relationships, and the other two were not supported; more so three moderating relationships were rejected and two were accepted. Specifically, informativeness and credibility of social media advertisement were found to have significant effect on consumer buying behavior while entertainment and interactivity of social media advertisement effect on consumer buying behavior were found to be not significant. Interestingly, the moderating effect of income on the relationship between informativeness, credibility and interactivity and consumer buying behavior was found to be significant while the findings reveal weak moderating effect of income on the relationship between credibility and consumer buying behavior. The implications of the finding are discussed and the study recommended that organizations and marketers should prioritize informativeness and credibility in their marketing campaigns and tailor their campaigns based on income segments as well as maintaining a proactive and adaptive approach to harness the potential of social media as a powerful tool for driving positive consumer responses and enhancing overall business success
Exploring Geometrical and Hydraulic Influences on Frictional and Shear Strength in Earth Dams through Parametric Analysis with Geostudio Software
Get PDFEarth dams, essential hydraulic structures that form the link between water management and power generation, require careful examination of their structural and functional integrity. The essence of its stability lies in the dynamic response of soil structures used in construction to diverse operational stresses. To address this problem, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of various geometric and hydraulic factors. This study focuses on unraveling the complex dynamics governing the slope stability (D/S) of the proposed earth dam section. Pivotal indicators for this evaluation are the frictional and shear strength of the soil, which responds to the countless stresses encountered during the operation phases. Taking advantage of advanced Geostudio software, we examined the effect of different filter lengths, permeability coefficients, and operating heads on shear strength and friction. The findings highlight a consistent pattern in the behavior of both frictional and shear forces with respect to distance from the base of the dam. These strengths rise to peak values at a specific distance (65 m), after which a downward trend is observed towards the toe of the dam. Notably, the study emphasizes the critical role of the 30 m filter length, the permeability coefficient K3, and to some extent, K2, in amplifying the friction force values at storage levels ranging from 15 to 40. moreover, the peak friction force at 138.2 kPa and the maximum shear strength value at 158.2 kPa appear at an operating head (H) of 40 m. This optimal performance is intricately linked to the strategic use of a 30 m filter length and a permeability coefficient of m/s. However, this research not only highlights the delicate interplay between hydraulic and geometric factors within the stability of earth dams but also underscores the critical importance of specific configurations in fortifying against potential failure. The insights gained from this study contribute significantly to considerations related to the design, construction, and operation of earth dams, ensuring robust performance in the face of diverse challenges
Investigation of Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Production, and Detection of Virulence-associated Genes Among Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii
Get PDFAcinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii) is an opportunistic microorganism able to survive in harsh environments and develop resistance to antibiotics often used in hospitals, which makes it one of the most common and pervasive causes of infections in healthcare facilities.The currentstudy was conducted to investigate the existence ofA.baumannii and their antimicrobialresistantpattern, dispersion of Quorum Sensing(QS), and virulent related genes.In this investigation, the identification and susceptibility of 65non-repetitive A. baumannii isolates to antimicrobial drugs were evaluated. The QS encoding genes,and virulence-related genes were detected,and biofilm development was examined.In a total, 65 isolates of A. baumannii, 62 (95.38%) formed biofilm, with the vast majority being strong biofilm produces24(36.92%). The isolates showed a remarkable resistance to the antibiotics commonly used to treat A. baumanniias amikacin, which had a resistance rate of 100% among isolatesd.Results from virulence gene studies were as followscsgA (30.76%), iutA (24.61%), cnfI (16.92%), and cvaC (6.15%). The two QS genes were abal (90.76%) and abaR (87.69%).Our findings confirm that the QSrelated genes (abaI/abaR) were broadly dispersed across A. baumannii clinical isolates and were strongly associated with antibiotic resistance,andcsgA was apredominant virulence gene followed by ituA
Exploring Students’ Perceptions Towards 21st Century Skills Through Novel Applications: A Comparative Study among EFL Learners in Iraq
Get PDFMany initiatives have been seized to integrate 21st-century skills into the curriculum. They encompass specific competencies under five areas, which are vital subjects, 21st-century themes, innovation, career, and literacy skills. Accordingly, the present qualitative study was carried out at Tishk International University in Erbil, Iraq on 50 first-year students, aged between 18 and 23 in 10 departments through semi-structured interviews, according to the principles of phenomenological research design in the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of tertiary-level students toward 21st-century skills through the lens of practical reflections on their social, personal, and academic lives. Specifically, it aimed to address the following question: What 21st-century skills are more significant than others? The rationale for exploring university students’ perceptions of 21st-century skills and their practical applications was that students seemed perplexed regarding the significance of practical reflections in the Iraq context. Collected data were transcribed by the Go Transcribe application and classified based on the principles of content analysis. The findings revealed that reading, productivity, accountability, creativity, technology, and financial literacy were prioritized in each category by the participants, and they had novel ways to develop them regularly. The findings of this study can shed light on some points about the implementation of 21st-century skills with clear-cut strategies at educational institutions
The Positive Effect of the English Reading Circle Method on Students’ Reading Performance: Tishk University Case Study
Get PDFThis study aims to investigate how the reading circle, also known as the literature circle method, affects students’ reading performances and lessons. his study will be an example study in helping students who do not like reading gain a reading habit. In this study, a mixed research method was applied by collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. At the beginning of the study, control and experimental groups were created using the stratified sampling method, and a pre-test was applied by an expert staff to see the students’ reading performances at the beginning of the study. The reading circle method was followed in the experimental group, and the traditional text reading and answering method was followed in the control group. During this five-week study, weekly tests were applied to both groups, and their reading performances were monitored. At the end of the study, post-tests and semi-structured interviews were applied to the students. According to SPSS t-statistics analysis, a significant difference of .001 was observed between the reading performances of the experimental group and the control group. In addition, students’ positive feedback about the reading circle method was recorded from the interview analysis. As a result, this study revealed that the reading circle method made a positive contribution to students’ reading performance. This study will shed light on other studies on reading in Iraq
Synergistic benefits of dietary silymarin and selenium on growth, immune functions, antioxidants, and gut/liver health of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles
Get PDFThis study investigates the synergistic impact of silymarin (SI) levels combined with
inorganic selenium (sodium selenite: Se) on growth, feed utilization, biochemical
parameters, antioxidants, innate immunity, intestinal and liver histology, and gene
expression of Thinlip mullet (Liza ramada) juveniles. The experimental design involved thinlip mullets initially weighing 3.5±0.13 g, distributed in a completely
randomized design with 30 fish per hapa (0.5 × 0.5 × 1 m), and conducted in triplicate
over 60 days. Seven experimental diets were employed, including a control (without
SI and Se supplementation), a negative control (with only Se supplementation), and
four treatments with varying levels of silymarin (250, 450, 650, 850 mg/kg) alongside
selenium (0.5 mg/kg diet). The growth performance results highlighted significant
enhancements in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate, particularly
in the SI 850 mg/kg + Se treatment. Survival rates, feed intake, and feed conversion
ratios showed positive trends across the SI-Se supplemented groups. Biochemical
profiles of serum exhibited that the control diet-induced elevated concentrations of
glucose, cholesterol, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, and urea,
while Se or SI supplementation significantly mitigated these levels, with the lowest
concentrations observed in the SI-Se supplemented groups. Moreover, SI
supplementation increased serum protein content. Antioxidant enzyme activities,
represented by superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and catalase (GPx),
demonstrated notable improvements in the SI-Se fortified groups, with significantly
elevated GPx activity compared to the Se-supplemented and control groups. Immune
system responses, including lysozyme, bactericidal, Nitro-blue Tetrazolium (NBT%),
and serum alternative complement pathway (ACH50) activities, were highest in the
SI-Se augmented groups. SI and Se in L. ramada reduce liver pro-inflammatory gene
expression (il-1β, hepcidin) vs. control group. Histological examinations of the
intestine and liver depicted structural enhancements, especially at moderate and high
levels of SI with Se supplementation. The results indicate improved intestinal villi
morphology and hepatic architecture, supporting the positive influence of dietary
treatments on the health of thinlip mullet juveniles. In conclusion, the combined
supplementation of SI at 850 mg/kg diet and Se at 0.5 mg/kg diet positively
influenced the growth, biochemical profiles, antioxidant status, immune responses,
gene expression, and histological integrity of Thinlip mullet juveniles, providing
valuable insights for optimizing aquafeed formulations
Characterization of genes related to the efflux pump and porin in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with COVID-19 after secondary infection
Get PDFBackground
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a multidrug resistant opportunistic pathogen that can cause secondary bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of E. coli as a secondary bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19 and to assess the prevalence and characterization of genes related to efflux pumps and porin.
Methods
A total of 50 nonduplicate E. coli isolates were collected as secondary bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. The isolates were cultured from sputum samples. Confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted by Vitek 2. PCR was used to assess the prevalence of the efflux pump and porin-related genes in the isolates. The phenotypic and genotypic evolution of antibiotic resistance genes related to the efflux pump was evaluated.
Results
The E. coli isolates demonstrated high resistance to ampicillin (100%), cefixime (62%), cefepime (62%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (60%), cefuroxime (60%), and ceftriaxone (58%). The susceptibility of E. coli to ertapenem was greatest (92%), followed by imipenem (88%), meropenem (86%), tigecycline (80%), and levofloxacin (76%). Regarding efflux pump gene combinations, there was a significant association between the acrA gene and increased resistance to levofloxacin, between the acrB gene and decreased resistance to meropenem and increased resistance to levofloxacin, and between the ompF and ompC genes and increased resistance to gentamicin.
Conclusions
The antibiotics ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, tigecycline, and levofloxacin were effective against E. coli in patients with COVID-19. Genes encoding efflux pumps and porins, such as acrA, acrB, and outer membrane porins, were highly distributed among all the isolates. Efflux pump inhibitors could be alternative antibiotics for restoring tetracycline activity in E. coli isolates
Effects of Jerusalem artichoke-enriched diet on water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, proximate body composition, and hematology and biochemical parameters in common carp fingerlings
Get PDFThe purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of Jerusalem artichoke tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.), a natural prebiotic, on the growth performance, proximate body composition, feed utilization, hematology, and biochemical parameters in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings. Four JA-supplemented diets were formulated at 0.0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. Fish were reared for ten weeks in cages placed in concrete ponds. Based on the results, an increase in the levels of JA supplementation led to significant improvements in growth and feed parameters (P0.05). However, the fish fed with a JA-supplemented diet exhibited significantly lower levels of red cell distribution width, red cell distribution, monocytes, granulocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin in fL, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P<0.05). Biochemical indices revealed that fish in the experimental groups had significantly higher total protein, globulin, albumin, lipase, high-density lipoprotein, and amylase than the control-fed fish (P<0.05). The creatinine, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, urea, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and low-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased in JA dietary treatments than control diet (P<0.05). It was also found that dietary JA supplements promoted growth parameters, proximate body composition, hematology, and serum biochemical in common carp fingerlings
Chemopreventive approach of Indian spice “Curcumin” in the treatment of breast cancer
Get PDFOne of the primary concerns for women in good health is breast cancer. The most typical hazardous growth is this one. It spreads easily, and the clinical conditions are terrible. Bosom illness is the second‐most common type of malignant tumor that regularly causes women to pass away in the U.S. bosom malignant growth is the most well‐known disease among women worldwide, with 2.1 million cases reported in 2018 and more than 620,000 fatalities per year. Natural components are viewed as promising alternatives for the development of novel anti‐tumor drugs. Curcumin, also termed diferuloylmethane, is a yellow pigment made by the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa Linn. It is the curcuminoid and polyphenol present in the plant’s root that is most abundant. The antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory qualities of curcumin have been demonstrated, and it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine and cuisine. Due to its sophisticated pharmacological capabilities of chemoprevention and anticancer effects, curcumin, the main component of turmeric, has been linked to the treatment of breast cancer. The morbidity or mortality of the disease have not been significantly decreased by current breast cancer treatment options such as surgery, radiation, adjuvant chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. The expansion, estrogen receptor (trauma center), and human epidermal development factor receptor 2 (HER2) pathways are all involved in the activity of curcumin in illness. In breast cancer cells, curcumin is also known to regulate microRNA, cell stage-related characteristics, and apoptosis. This study reviews recent research on the atomic targets and anticancer effects of curcumin in breast cancer