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Gamification and card games have gained increased popularity across diverse educational domains, particularly in the field of foreign language learning (FLL). They offer potent tools that can transform the learning process into an engaging, interactive, and enjoyable experience. Currently, numerous instances of gamified or card game-based language learning methods have demonstrated their significant impact on sustaining learners' engagement and advancing their proficiency levels. However, it is noteworthy that these approaches often prioritize the motivational aspect while neglecting the imperative need to enhance student learning outcomes (SLOs). The latter holds pivotal importance not only in determining the success of academic courses but also in evaluating the effectiveness of e-content. To address this gap, the primary objective of this work is to enhance the achievement of SLOs within the context of foreign language courses. A novel framework is proposed for learning foreign languages, harnessing the potential of gamification and card games. This framework, developed through the integration of contemporary technologies used in e-learning systems and foreign language applications, encompasses agent technology and the microlearning strategy. A case study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed framework. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in SLOs. This study contributes significantly to the advancement of both gamification and game-based learning, presenting a promising pedagogical paradigm for language teaching and learning., Author(s): Yasmeen Alomair (corresponding author) [1]; Salah Hammami [1] 1. Introduction Owing to technology's capacity to transcend geographical boundaries and facilitate universal access to information and interpersonal connections, there exists [...]

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) lists epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) as a disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by EHD virus (EHDV). EHDV is related to bluetongue [...]

Abstract Background Bluetongue (BT), a vector‐borne disease of wild and domestic ruminants, is responsible for severe economic losses in flocks. To reduce this impact, a surveillance and control plan was implemented in Tunisia. However, the epidemiological situation of BT remains incompletely understood, especially for the circulating serotypes. Objective The aim of this survey was to determine the seroprevalence, to identify the circulating serotypes and to identify the associated risk factors for bluetongue virus (BTV) circulation in Tunisia using risk‐based sampling (RBS). Methods A total of 3314 blood samples were randomly collected from 67 sectors using risk‐based sampling and screened by competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (c‐ELISAs). Out of the 1330 positive samples, 200 samples were analysed by serum neutralization test (SNT) to identify circulating BTV serotypes. Results Of 3314 sera, 1330 were c‐ELISA‐positive (40.1%) for antibodies against the BTV structural protein VP7. The result of SNT showed the presence of BTV‐1, BTV‐2, BTV‐3, BTV‐4 and, for the first time in Tunisia, BTV‐26. The logistic regression model revealed that older animals had nearly two times the odds of being infected with BTV compared to younger animals. Flocks with a history of BT were almost 1.5 times more likely to be at risk for contracting BTV infection. The flock size, housing indoors and intensive production system were significant protective factors. Conclusions High seroprevalence of BTV among sheep was highlighted in Tunisia. The neutralization test showed the presence of the following BTV serotypes: BTV‐1, BTV‐2, BTV‐3, BTV‐4 and, for the first time in Tunisia, BTV‐26. Age, production system and flock size were important variables associated with BTV infection in sheep. This finding is crucial, as it will allow the adjustment of the BT control programme in Tunisia.

In this study, the detection rates of four enteric viruses, Human Astrovirus (HAstVs), Aichivirus (AiVs), Human Adenovirus (HAdVs), and Sapovirus (SaVs) are carried out to assess the virological quality of the treated wastewater. A total of 140 samples was collected from wastewater treatment plant WWTP of Tunis-City. Real-time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR results showed high frequencies of detection of the four enteric viruses investigated at the entry and exit of the biological activated sludge procedure and a significant reduction in viral titers after tertiary treatment with UV-C254 irradiation. These results revealed the ineffectiveness of the biological activated sludge treatment in removing viruses and the poor quality of the treated wastewater intended for recycling, agricultural reuse, and safe discharge into the natural environment. The UV-C254 irradiation, selected while considering the non-release of known disinfection by-products because of eventual reactions with the large organic and mineral load commonly present in the wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a Culicoides-borne viral disease caused by the epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) associated with clinical manifestations in domestic and wild ruminants, primarily white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and cattle (Bos taurus). In late September 2021, EHDV was reported in cattle farms in central/western Tunisia. It rapidly spread throughout the country with more than 200 confirmed outbreaks. We applied a combination of classical and molecular techniques to characterize the causative virus as a member of the serotype EHDV-8. This is the first evidence of EHDV- 8 circulation since 1982 when the prototype EHDV-8 strain was isolated in Australia. This work highlights the urgent need for vaccines for a range of EHDV serotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous e-assessments of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) is a central feature of education as it provides accurate and complete status of the students' outcome achievement. However. the exiting continuous e-assessment methods are inherently macroscopic as they do not persuade continuous improvement in SLOs during their study period of each student. In this paper, we propose a Multi-Agent Blended Learning System (MA-BLS) to support Continuous e-Assessment Method (CAM) of SLOs. A fully automated CAM will be presented to enable continuous monitoring and evaluation of the progress of each SLO achievement which is covered in different courses during the entire period of an educational level and thus identify and suggest adaptive actions of improvement. A periodic Cumulative SLO-Transcriptlike report (SLO-T) reflecting the progress of students' achievement is generated and delivered to the students accompanying their traditional transcript. This SLO-T will facilitate a microscopic status to learners, educators as well as employers thus enabling focus identifications of the capabilities and improvement opportunities for lifelong skills development. To validate the proposed method, we have conducted an experiment on a representative sample of 40 students representing 53% of a batch for two years of their study period. Both cumulative and perception assessments were conducted on the same sample. Finally. a students' perceptions and opinions collected through survey on self-confidence and motivation has revealed satisfactory results in collsistence with the conducted cumulative achievement of their SLOs. This study contributes to advancing the field of technology-enhanced continuous e-assessment method of SLO and enhance teaching, learning process and improve academic programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the antibiotic susceptibility of eighty Escherichia coli isolates from vegetables and food products of animal origin in Tunisia, and to study their genes encoding antibiotic resistance and in vitro biofilm forming capacity. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined, as well as PCR investigation of genes associated with antibiotic resistance. Biofilm formation was tested using four different methods: the microtiter plate-, MTT-staining-, XTT-staining-, and the Congo Red Agar assays. High antibiotic resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin (68.7%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (73.7%), gentamicin (68.7%), kanamycin (66.2%), nalidixic acid (36.2%), streptomycin (68.7%) and tetracycline (35%). The majority of isolates was multidrug resistant and biofilm producer. MTT testing showed that vegetables isolates were significantly higher biofilm producers compared to foods of animal origins. This study showed that E. coli isolates from food products were reservoirs of genes encoding antibiotic-resistance and have a high propensity to produce biofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 8 (EHDV-8) emerged in Europe for the first time in late 2022. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of EHDV-8 infection in cattle, sheep, and goats.  Following experimental infection with EHDV-8, four out of five calves displayed fever, while another calf exhibited ulcerative and crusty lesions of the muzzle. RNAemia peaked at day 7 post infection in all calves and remained relatively stable till the end of the study, at 78 days post infection. Infectious virus was isolated up to 21 days post infection in one calf. As far as small ruminants are concerned, one sheep experienced fever and two out of five had consistent RNAemia that lasted until the end of the study. Remarkably, infectious virus was evidenced at day 7 post infection in one sheep. In goats, no RNA was observed. All infected animals seroconverted, and a neutralizing immune response was observed in all species, with calves exhibiting a more robust response than sheep and goats. Our study provides insights into the kinetics of EHDV-8 infection and the host immune responses. We also highlight that sheep may also play a role in EHDV-8 epidemiology. Altogether, the data gathered in this study could have important implications for disease control and prevention strategies, providing crucial information to policy makers to mitigate the impact of this viral disease on livestock.