Search

Reading aloud is recommended as a simple technique to measure speaking ability (Hughes & Hughes, 2020; Madsen, 1983). Reading aloud is currently used in the Pearson Test of English and a couple of other international English as a second language proficiency tests. Due to the simplicity of the technique, it can be used in conjunction with other techniques to measure foreign and second language learners' speaking ability. One issue in reading aloud as a testing technique is its psychometric modeling. Because of the peculiar structure of reading-aloud tasks, analyzing them with item response theory models is not straightforward. In this study, the Rasch partial credit model (PCM) is suggested and used to score examinees' reading-aloud scores. The performances of 196 foreign language learners on five reading-aloud passages were analyzed with the PCM. Findings showed that the data fit the RPCM well and the scores are highly reliable. Implications of the study for psychometric evaluation of reading aloud or oral reading fluency are discussed.

The study of the role of antioxidant enzymes in response to abiotic and biotic stress is of great importance in understanding plant responses to stress, biochemical changes, and their role in the formation of resistance to various factors. Studying these aspects will contribute to the implementation of targeted therapy in the event of exposure to a stress factor. The use of a plant model in this case is particularly acceptable, since oxidation processes under various types of stress, along with plants, are also found in the body of animals and humans. Oxidative stress caused in response to stress is caused by increased production of reactive oxygen species, which are represented as radicals. Under abiotic or biotic stress, the antioxidant system cannot cope with reactive oxygen species due to their insufficient synthesis, which leads to the death of individual parts of the plant or the entire organism. In any case, the protective response covers the entire plant, i.e. it is systemic and is aimed, on the one hand, at damage repair, on the other – at chemical self-defense. Secondary metabolism is activated in plants, phenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids accumulate, and intensive lignification and synthesis of structural cell wall proteins are observed. As a result of the analysis, the main aspects of the influence of stressors on the activation of the enzymatic antioxidant system, and, in particular, the enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase and their role in the primary immune response of plants to stress are highlighted. It can be concluded that a more thorough study of the cascade of enzymatic reactions of plants to stress will make it possible to effectively select methods for the prevention and control of abiotic and biotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of biology education, adaptive learning has been tested through a case study, serving as a crucible for innovative teaching methodologies designed to provide tailored, engaging, and effective learning experiences. This paper meticulously explores the implementation of select innovations in adaptive learning and reports on the outcomes derived from our fictitious case study. Our research underscores the efficacy of personalized learning pathways, where advanced algorithms dynamically customize content delivery based on individual students' needs and learning styles. Through our case study, we present compelling numerical evidence of a 25% improvement in learning outcomes and a notable 20% increase in student engagement. The strategic integration of real-time feedback and assessment mechanisms plays a pivotal role in enhancing the comprehension of biological concepts, as reflected in a 30% increase in student performance and a 15% boost in knowledge retention. Another simulated innovation involves the incorporation of gamification elements, resulting in a statistically significant 18% increase in student participation and a remarkable 22% surge in enthusiasm for biology studies. Our simulated findings accentuate how these elements can make biology education more enjoyable and motivating in a controlled environment. Furthermore, the simulated utilization of multimodal learning resources, such as videos, simulations, and interactive models, showcases a 28% improvement in students' ability to grasp complex biological concepts. This translates into a tangible 25% enhancement in student performance in assessments. The simulated investigation into the potential of AI-enhanced assistance, with AI chatbots and virtual tutors, reveals a simulated 35% increase in student satisfaction and a 27% improvement in performance. These simulated innovations demonstrate the positive impact of AI integration on student support. In addition, our simulated data-driven insights inform content and platform improvements, resulting in a simulated 20% increase in the adaptability of the learning system. These simulated results provide crucial insights into the optimization of adaptive learning in biology education. Through the presentation of these simulated innovations and their associated numerical results, this paper underscores the transformative potential of adaptive learning in the simulated context of biology education. These simulated innovations not only offer tailored learning experiences but also yield concrete, positive outcomes in terms of student understanding and performance. The simulated implications of our research are discussed in detail, emphasizing the promising future of these innovations in shaping simulated biology education. Furthermore, we suggest avenues for future research to continue improving adaptive learning methods, ensuring the simulated advancement of biology education in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, and xylene are toxic air pollutants which are released into the atmosphere by various human activities such as gasoline production and use, chemical manufacturing and incineration of certain waste. These pollutants are also harmful to the environment, causing harm to plants, aquatic life, and soil quality. Therefore, it is important to implement measures to reduce emissions from these substances. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the air pollutants caused by benzene, toluene, and xylene at Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP in 2021–2022. In order to calculate the sample size for this crosssectional study, the preliminary evaluation findings from a related study that measured the concentration of hydrocarbons in petrochemical facilities were employed. 281 samples were gathered between the winter and summer of 2022. The national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH) methods of 1501 was applied to conduct the sampling and analysis of pollutants. The air was sampled using a charcoal tube sampler that was attached to a pump. The chemicals were then extracted using the solvent carbon disulfide (CS2 ), and samples were then analyzed using a capillary-equipped gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23.0. The findings demonstrated that benzene concentrations in the sampling areas throughout the winter and summer were higher than the recommended value advised by the American conference of governmental industrial hygienists (ACGIH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to study the casein complex of camel milk and their amino acid composition. including the chemical composition and physico-chemical properties of milk of single-humped and double-humped camels, as well as the fractional composition of milk proteins of two types of camels and combined milk, followed by the amino acid composition of the casein complex of milk. The protein composition of the casein complex and whey proteins can be used in breeding work in dairy camel breeding to select the most desirable types of animals. The electrophoretic picture of casein fractions on polyacrylamide gel can serve as a reference in the study of camel milk proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In routine physiological procedures and/or pathological conditions, the living tissues produce free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been well documented that the primarily responsible mechanism for cell damage and destruction would be the lipid peroxidation conducted by ROS. It is approved that human articular chondrocytes actively lead to significant ROS production. DNA damage and telomere shortening have been known as the most important consequences of any increase in ROS production. Therefore, the current research was designed to investigate the effect of pre- and post-osteoarthritis administration of glucosamine on induced osteoarthritis in rabbits. In this experiment, 20 adult female New Zealand white rabbits with an average weight of 2.14 ± 0.45 kg were used. Visual inspection evaluated the animals to be free of any joints and muscular disorders. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 5); Group A was ovariectomized without any treatments, while rabbits in Group B were ovariectomized, and after radiographic confirmation of OA, they were administered 75 mg kg-1 glucosamine. Rabbits in Group C were neither ovariectomized nor administered glucosamine, while rabbits in Group D were ovariectomized and administered glucosamine immediately after ovariectomy. Rabbits' gaits were scored before ovariectomy and at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-ovariectomy (PO). Stifle joints radiographs and blood samples were obtained at 12, 18, and 24 weeks PO. Gait assessment score (GAS) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group A than in groups B, C, and D. Plasma concentration of TBARS was higher in groups A and B than in groups C and D, while plasma SOD decreased significantly (p < 0.05) between weeks 4 and 12 PO in all the groups. However, there were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of GSH, GPx, GST, tCHOL, TRIG, HDL, and LDL in all the groups. It was concluded that glucosamine inhibits lipid peroxidation; its prophylactic use has no significant advantage over its post-OA use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting is one of the urban waste management techniques that aims to lessen the amount and weight of trash that needs to be removed, as well as the spread of flue and fat, resource recycling, and disposal costs. Composting facilities must have an environmental impact assessment (EIA) strategy in place in order to adhere to environmental laws and regulations within the context of the adaption of an environmental development plan. The environmental evaluation of the Baghdad composting plant was therefore utilized Leopold's modified matrix and checklist methodologies. At the outset of this study, the local ecosystem was examined. The effects of constructing the Baghdad compost plant on the environmental components were examined by dividing the construction and operation phases and selecting evaluation alternatives based on the properties and types of pollutants anticipated for the aforementioned facility. The three immediate, direct, and indirect effects, and the three-time intervals--short, medium, and long term--were all examined in this study. In this study, the Leopold matrix was expanded into a four-part matrix and evaluated separately from the importance and range of impacts in addition to taking into account how long the effects will last in the environment. The findings and accomplishments of this study have been examined and given in two options: project implementation without environmental considerations and project implementation with the use of techniques to lessen negative effects by separating the construction from the operational phases. The project's implementation was deemed unacceptable based on the predicted effects of the non-implementation option (-303). After minimizing the negative impacts, the implementation option was approved, producing the desired outcome (421). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]