bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning analytics in distance education: A systematic review study
Authors: Palanci Abdulkadir , Yılmaz Rabia Meryem , Turan Zeynep
Published: May 2024

This study aims to reveal the main trends and findings of the studies examining the use of learning analytics in distance education. For this purpose, journal articles indexed in the SSCI index in the Web of Science database were reviewed, and a total of 400 journal articles were analysed within the scope of this study. The systematic review method was used as the research methodology. The first study on the subject was published in 2011, and the publications continued to increase over the years. It was found that the publications on the subject were primarily found in “Computers and Education” and “Education and Information Technologies” journals. It was observed that China, USA, and Spain were the leading countries where the related studies were conducted. The studies primarily used the quantitative method, and university students were included as the sample. In addition, within the scope of learning analytics, it was observed that the data were mainly analysed with “regression analysis”, “correlation analysis”, “special algorithms-models”, “ANOVA”, and “cluster analysis” methods. It was determined that the most preferred platforms in the studies were learning management systems and MOOCs, learning behaviours were mostly examined, and log data were mainly used in this process. It was observed that the variables tested in the studies mainly consisted of students’ behaviours on the platform, learning performances, communication processes, dropout behaviours and course designs. Furthermore, in the studies examined, the advantages of learning analytics in the context of distance education are mostly related to the possibilities of improving the teaching process, and as disadvantages, it is stated that learning analytics is not suitable for use in some situations, negatively affect students’ performances, have limited interaction with students and are an expensive investment.
Optimal Ecosystem Change in the Presence of Ecosystem-Mediated Human Health Impacts
Authors: Lee Katherine D. , Finnoff David , Daszak Peter
Published: May 2024

A growing body of empirical evidence suggests that land use change, and the resulting decline in both the area and quality of natural habitats, contributes to an increased incidence of disease in humans. Despite calls to leverage conservation policy to address the burden of disease linked to ecosystem change, the potential benefits are unknown. Efficiently reducing the burden of infectious disease through land use policies and conservation initiatives is challenging because it requires balancing trade-offs that depend on ecological and socioeconomic factors. To assess some of these trade-offs, we developed a dynamic model of optimal land use when ecosystem change affects the overall incidence of infectious disease. We compared the net benefits and paths of optimal policy in which the increased cost of disease resulting from natural habitat loss is included in the optimization with a base case where it is ignored. We found that ignoring the linkage between habitat degradation and infectious disease incidence in the planner’s problem reduces the net benefits of land management, such as conservation efforts, and results in significantly higher rates of infection and health costs.
The relationship between CO2 emissions, renewable energy and economic growth in the US: evidence from symmetric and asymmetric spectral granger causality analysis
Authors: Zuhal Mustafa , Göcen Serdar
Published: May 2024

This study analyzes the relationship between renewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and economic growth for 1973:M01-2022:M06 in the USA. The study employs Spectral Granger Causality analysis symmetrically and asymmetrically. The symmetric causality test presents a bidirectional causality relationship between CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption, and economic growth. Regarding asymmetric causality results, there is bidirectional causality between positive and negative shocks of CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption, and economic growth. The results suggest that renewable energy consumption is essential in increasing sustainable economic growth and environmental quality for the USA.
Task completion without commitment
Authors: Freeman David J. , Laughren Kevin
Published: May 2024

We conduct an experiment where participants make choices between completing a task now or waiting to complete it in the future. We vary the dates when a task can be completed and the effort required at each date. We infer participants’ preferences for when to complete a task and their expectations about how their future preferences will differ from their current ones. Our findings indicate that most participants prefer to complete tasks immediately, even if it demands more effort than waiting. Their choices generally align with the principles of time consistency, monotonicity, and time invariance. We show that quasi-hyperbolic discounting, anticipatory utility, fixed costs, decision costs, and cost-of-keeping-track are all unable to provide a reasonable account of both our findings and related experiments.
Assessing educational inequality in high participation systems: the role of educational expansion and skills diffusion in comparative perspective
Authors: Araki Satoshi
Published: May 2024

A vast literature shows parental education significantly affects children’s chance of attaining higher education even in high participation systems (HPS). Comparative studies further argue that the strength of this intergenerational transmission of education varies across countries. However, the mechanisms behind this cross-national heterogeneity remain elusive. Extending recent arguments on the “EE-SD model” and using the OECD data for over 32,000 individuals in 26 countries, this study examines how the degree of educational inequality varies depending on the levels of educational expansion and skills diffusion. Country-specific analyses initially confirm the substantial link between parental and children’s educational attainment in all HPS. Nevertheless, multilevel regressions reveal that this unequal structure becomes weak in highly skilled societies net of quantity of higher education opportunities. Although further examination is necessary to establish causality, these results suggest that the accumulation of high skills in a society plays a role in mitigating intergenerational transmission of education. Potential mechanisms include (1) skills-based rewards allocation is fostered and (2) the comparative advantage of having educated parents in the human capital formation process diminishes due to the diffusion of high skills among the population across social strata. These findings also indicate that contradictory evidence on the persistence of educational inequality in relation to educational expansion may partially reflect the extent to which each study incorporates the skills dimension. Examining the roles of societal-level skills diffusion alongside higher education proliferation is essential to better understand social inequality and stratification mechanisms in HPS.
Risk–return preferences, gender inequalities and the moderating role of a counselling intervention on choice of major: evidence from a field and survey experiment
Authors: Fervers Lukas , Jacob Marita , Beckmann Janina , Piepenburg Joachim G.
Published: May 2024

In this study, we examine gender inequalities in educational decision-making. Specifically, we consider high school students selecting a higher education study programme and examine gender-specific risk and return preferences regarding monetary returns and the risk of failure in the programme. Moreover, we assess whether a counselling intervention can mitigate these gender inequalities. We employ a research design that combines a factorial survey and a field experiment to test our hypotheses. Consistent with our theoretical expectations, the results of the factorial survey confirm that girls are disproportionally deterred by the higher failure rates of possible study programmes, whereas boys are attracted more strongly by higher expected returns after graduation. Overall, the counselling intervention reduces the dissuasive effect of higher failure rates. Contrary to our expectations, the moderating effect is not stronger for girls but (if at all) is stronger for boys.
Differences in desiccation tolerance of two Australian freshwater mussel species with different life history characteristics is temperature dependent
Authors: Wright Daniel W. , Thiem Jason D. , Blackman Elka , Beatty Stephen J. , Lymbery Alan J. , Davis Sam
Published: May 2024

Mass die-offs, reduced species richness and local extinctions of freshwater mussels have resulted from river drying events, which often co-occur with high ambient temperatures. These events are predicted to increase in frequency and severity under the influence of climate change. We aimed to identify the desiccation tolerance of two freshwater mussel species (the river mussel Alathyria jacksoni and the floodplain mussel Velesunio ambiguus) across a range of temperatures by simulating river drying events in laboratory conditions. Freshwater mussels were buried in sediment heated to 29, 32, 35, 38 and 41°C. Lethal times and lethal temperatures at which 50% mortality occurred were used to infer species-specific tolerances. The lethal time for 50% of mussels to reach mortality at 29°C was shorter for A. jacksoni (14 days) than V. ambiguus (58 days) but did not differ markedly at higher temperatures. Lethal temperatures were also similar between species over short durations (e.g. 39–40°C at 1 day). Our results suggest that the difference in desiccation tolerance between species diminishes toward their upper thermal limit. Management interventions aimed at reducing sediment temperatures, such as providing shade via riparian vegetation and wetting from environmental flows, could help alleviate the impact of drying events and climate change on both freshwater mussel species.
Development of Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors from 2–19: Stability and Change in Repetitive Sensorimotor, Insistence on Sameness, and Verbal Behaviors in a Longitudinal Study of Autism
Authors: Masjedi Nina , Clarke Elaine B. , Lord Catherine
Published: May 2024

This study examined trajectories of repetitive sensorimotor (RSM), insistence on sameness (IS), and verbal RRBs from ages 2–19 in a well-characterized longitudinal cohort. We also tested the factor structure of the ADI-R restricted and repetitive behavior (RRB) domain at age 19 and the inclusion of a verbal RRBs factor, in addition to previously identified RSM and IS factors, at ages 9 and 19. The ADI-R was administered to 193 participants at five timepoints from 2 to 19. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of ADI-R RRB data. Change in RRB subtypes was examined using group-based trajectory modeling and multilevel modeling. RSM and IS behaviors generally decreased from 2 to 19, with some participants experiencing increases from ages 2–9. 46.46% of participants experienced increasing verbal RRBs from 2 to 9, followed by a plateau from 9 to 19. The remaining participants had few to no verbal RRBs throughout development. Multilevel modeling indicated ADOS CSS scores were associated with change in RSM trajectories only. Child IQ was not associated with change in any RRB trajectories. CFA indicated previously-derived RSM and IS factors fit age 19 ADI-R data well. The inclusion of a third factor, verbal RRBs, worsened goodness-of-fit statistics and was ultimately omitted. Our findings suggest the RRB factor structure of the ADI remains consistent into early adulthood and illustrate developmental continuity and change in RRBs. For autistic individuals with fluent speech, RRB presentation may be influenced by verbal ability in ways that are highly variable, but clinically meaningful.
Rigidity Results for the p-Laplacian Poisson Problem with Robin Boundary Conditions
Authors: Masiello Alba Lia , Paoli Gloria
Published: May 2024

Let $$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^n$$

Ω
⊂

R

n

be an open, bounded and Lipschitz set. We consider the Poisson problem for the p-Laplace operator associated to $$\Omega $$
Ω
with Robin boundary conditions. In this setting, we study the equality case in the Talenti-type comparison: we prove that the equality is achieved only if $$\Omega $$
Ω
is a ball and both the solution u and the right-hand side f of the Poisson equation are radial and decreasing.
Taking One for the (Other) Team: Does Political Diversity Lower Vaccination Uptake?
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Pelc Krzysztof
Published: May 2024

What implications might rising animosity towards political out-partisans have for public health? Vaccination has a significant social aspect, protecting not only the vaccinated, but also those around them. While political ideology in the United States was an important driver of individuals’ willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with those on the political right displaying greater hesitancy, we examine the role that political diversity has on vaccine uptake across US states and commuting zones. Using data from the Cooperative Election Study fielded on over 20,000 respondents in November 2021, and controlling for individual partisanship, we find that those who are political outliers in their community are significantly less likely to get vaccinated. By contrast, we find no equivalent negative effect for ethnic diversity. In sum, the impact of affective polarization is not limited to encounters between non-partisans; it can lead to decreased pro-social behavior that harms political friends and foes alike. Yet these behavioral effects depend on how individuals relate to their community’s predominant political ideology.
Metabolic and enzymatic engineering strategies for polyethylene terephthalate degradation and valorization
Authors: Satta Alessandro , Zampieri Guido , Loprete Giovanni , Campanaro Stefano , Treu Laura , Bergantino Elisabetta
Published: May 2024

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most marketed aromatic polyesters in the world with an annual demand in 2022 of approximately 29 million metric tons, expected to increase by 40% by 2030. The escalating volume of PET waste and the current inadequacy of recycling methods have led to an accumulation of PET in the terrestrial ecosystem, thereby posing significant global health risks. The pressing global energy and environmental issues associated with PET underscore the urgent need for “upcycling” technologies. These technologies aim to transform reclaimed PET into higher-value products, addressing both energy concerns and environmental sustainability. Enzyme-mediated biocatalytic depolymerization has emerged as a potentially bio-sustainable method for treating and recycling plastics. Numerous plastic-degrading enzymes have been identified from microbial origins, and advancements in protein engineering have been employed to modify and enhance these enzymes. Microbial metabolic engineering allows for the development of modified microbial chassis capable of degrading PET substrates and converting their derived monomers into industrial relevant products. In this review, we describe several engineering approaches aiming at enhancing the performances of PET-degrading enzymes and we present the current metabolic engineering strategies adopted to bio-upcycle PET into high-value molecules.
Electrotrawling can improve the sustainability of the bottom trawl fishery for sole: a review of the evidence
Authors: Rijnsdorp Adriaan D. , Boute Pim G. , Tiano Justin C. , de Haan Dick , Kraan Marloes , Polet Hans , Schram Edward , Soetaert Maarten , Steins Nathalie A. , Lankheet Martin , Soetaert Karline
Published: May 2024

Between 2009 and 2021 almost the complete beam trawl fleet of the Netherlands switched from conventional beam trawls (BT) to pulse trawls (PT) using electrical stimulation to catch sole, Solea solea. Electric fishing, being banned in the EU in 1988, was made possible in 2006 under a derogation. Over the years stakeholders expressed concern about ecosystem effects. Here we review the research conducted. PT improved the selectivity of the fishery and reduced the ecological side effects. PT caught more sole per hour fishing but less discards and benthos than BT. The transition to PT reduced the surface area swept (lower towing speed), sediment depth of disturbance and associated benthic impacts, as well as fuel consumption. Laboratory experiments with 9 fish and 17 benthic invertebrate species showed that exposure to a commercial bipolar pulse stimulus did not result in harmful effects except in cod. Autopsy of cod sampled from PT revealed that 40% had an internal injury. Injury rates in other roundfish species was low (< 2%) and absent in flatfish. Electrical-induced impacts on biogeochemistry were not observed. The transition increased competition with other fishers which fed the resentment against PT. Governance arrangements under which the number of temporary licenses expanded, undermined legitimacy of the gear, resulting in a ban in 2021. Although questions about the ecological impact of electrical stimulation remain, adverse effects are considered negligible in comparison with the benefits.
Revealing risky mistakes through revisions
Authors: Breig Zachary , Feldman Paul
Published: May 2024

We argue that a choice that is modified, absent any informational change, is revealed to have been a mistake. In an experiment, we allow subjects to choose from budgets over binary lotteries. To identify mistakes, which we interpret as deviations from an underlying “true” preference, we allow subjects to revise a subset of their initial choices. The set of revised decisions improves under several standard definitions of optimality. These mistakes are prevalent: subjects modify over 75% of their initial choices when given the chance. Subjects make larger mistakes when inexperienced and when choosing over lotteries with small probabilities of winning.
A study of entrepreneur and innovative university index by entropy-based grey relational analysis and PROMETHEE
Authors: Elevli Sermin , Elevli Birol
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the concept of entrepreneurial and innovative universities has gained widespread prominence. Many universities have been paying more attention to being entrepreneurial and innovative by improving their organizational systems, advancing their infrastructure, and increasing financial support. Since numerous criteria with different weights exist, ranking universities based on entrepreneurial and innovative performance can be considered a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. This article aims to investigate how different multi-criteria decision-making methods with different criterion weights can affect university rankings and to highlight the reasons that contribute to these differences. In this scope, Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) methods were used to rank and compare the universities in Türkiye according to the 2022 Entrepreneur and Innovative University Index (EIUI). In addition to the current weights of each EIUI dimension, entropy-based weights and equal weights were used in MCDM methods. Three ranking approaches with varying weights provided different rankings for universities. The effect of criterion weights was found to be more important in the ranking difference than the method used. The ranks for universities coded U1 and U2 as the most entrepreneurial and innovative universities remained the same. In addition, the performance of each university according to each dimension was evaluated graphically using the GAIA plane to enable them to identify areas for improvement in their rankings.
I Would Like to but I Cannot: What Influences the Involuntariness of Part-Time Employment in Italy
Authors: Busilacchi Gianluca , Gallo Giovanni , Luppi Matteo
Published: May 2024

Over the last two decades, involuntary part-time (IPT) employment has become a more and more pressing issue in Europe, especially in the southern countries, where IPT today constitutes most part-time employment. Using INAPP-PLUS data and different discrete choice model estimations, this paper aims to shed light on the factors that explain the IPT growth in Italy, focusing on what influences the IPT status at the individual, household and labour market levels. The main hypothesis is that what influences the IPT work derive from a combination of workers’ individual, household, and job characteristics which may engender limited power during the bargaining process. The empirical results, based on gender-specific models, highlight that characteristics associated with the IPT status significantly changed over time, reporting a convergent path between the gender profiles of IPT employment. However, IPT employment for women still appears to be mainly originated from the gendered division of domestic and care tasks, while this phenomenon seems to be mainly driven by the labour demand side for men.
The Lunar Environment Heliophysics X-ray Imager (LEXI) Mission
Authors: Walsh B. M. , Kuntz K. D. , Busk S. , Cameron T. , Chornay D. , Chuchra A. , Collier M. R. , Connor C. , Connor H. K. , Cravens T. E. , Dobson N. , Galeazzi M. , Kim H. , Kujawski J. , Paw U C. K. , Porter F. S. , Naldoza V. , Nutter R. , Qudsi R. , Sibeck D. G. , Sembay S. , Shoemaker M. , Simms K. , Thomas N. E. , Atz E. , Winkert G.
Published: May 2024

The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager (LEXI) is a wide field-of-view soft X-ray telescope developed to study solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. LEXI is part of the Blue Ghost 1 mission comprised of 10 payloads to be deployed on the lunar surface. LEXI monitors the dayside magnetopause position and shape as a function of time by observing soft X-rays (0.1–2 keV) emitted from solar wind charge-exchange between exospheric neutrals and high charge-state solar wind plasma in the dayside magnetosheath. Measurements of the shape and position of the magnetopause are used to test temporal models of meso- and macro-scale magnetic reconnection. To image the boundary, LEXI employs lobster-eye optics to focus X-rays to a microchannel plate detector with a 9.1$^{\circ }\times 9.1^{\circ }$×∘9.1∘field of view.
Validation of the Sleepiz One + as a radar-based sensor for contactless diagnosis of sleep apnea
Authors: Gross-Isselmann Jonas Alexander , Eggert Torsten , Wildenauer Alina , Dietz-Terjung Sarah , Grosse Sundrup Martina , Schoebel Christoph
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The cardiorespiratory polysomnography (PSG) is an expensive and limited resource. The Sleepiz One + is a novel radar-based contactless monitoring device that can be used e.g. for longitudinal detection of nocturnal respiratory events. The present study aimed to compare the performance of the Sleepiz One + device to the PSG regarding the accuracy of apnea–hypopnea index (AHI).

Methods

From January to December 2021, a total of 141 adult volunteers who were either suspected of having sleep apnea or who were healthy sleepers took part in a sleep study. This examination served to validate the Sleepiz One + device in the presence and absence of additional SpO2 information. The AHI determined by the Sleepiz One + monitor was estimated automatically and compared with the AHI derived from manual PSG scoring.

Results

The correlation between the Sleepiz-AHI and the PSG-AHI with and without additional SpO2 measurement was rp = 0.94 and rp = 0,87, respectively. In general, the Bland–Altman plots showed good agreement between the two methods of AHI measurement, though their deviations became larger with increasing sleep-disordered breathing. Sensitivity and specificity for recordings without additional SpO2 was 85% and 88%, respectively. Adding a SpO2 sensor increased the sensitivity to 88% and the specificity to 98%.

Conclusion

The Sleepiz One + device is a valid diagnostic tool for patients with moderate to severe OSA. It can also be easily used in the home environment and is therefore beneficial for e.g. immobile and infectious patients.

Trial registration number and date of registration for prospectively registered trials

This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04670848) on 2020–12-09.
Multi-night acoustic stimulation is associated with better sleep, amyloid dynamics, and memory in older adults with cognitive impairment
Authors: Zeller Céline J. , Wunderlin Marina , Wicki Korian , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Nissen Christoph , Züst Marc A. , Klöppel Stefan
Published: May 2024

Sleep is a potential early, modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Impaired slow wave sleep (SWS) is pronounced in individuals with cognitive impairment (CI). Cognitive decline and impairments of SWS are bi-directionally linked in a vicious cycle. SWS can be enhanced non-invasively using phase-locked acoustic stimulation (PLAS), potentially breaking this vicious cycle. Eighteen healthy older adults (HC, agemean±sd, 68.3 ± 5.1) and 16 older adults (agemean±sd, 71.9 ± 3.9) with CI (Montreal Cognitive Assessment ≤ 25) underwent one baseline (sham-PLAS) night and three consecutive stimulation nights (real-PLAS). EEG responses and blood-plasma amyloid beta Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio were measured pre- and post-intervention, as was episodic memory. The latter was again evaluated 1 week and 3 months after the intervention. In both groups, PLAS induced a significant electrophysiological response in both voltage- and time–frequency analyses, and memory performance improved in association with the magnitude of this response. In the CI group, both electrophysiological and associated memory effects were delayed compared to the healthy group. After 3 intervention nights, electrophysiological response to PLAS was no longer different between CI and HC groups. Only in the CI sample, stronger electrophysiological responses were significantly associated with improving post-intervention Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios. PLAS seems to improve SWS electrophysiology, memory, and amyloid dynamics in older adults with CI. However, effects on memory require more time to unfold compared to healthy older adults. This indicates that PLAS may become a potential tool to ameliorate cognitive decline, but longer interventions are necessary to compensate for declining brain integrity. This study was pre-registered (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04277104).
Dual-energy CT in musculoskeletal imaging: technical considerations and clinical applications
Authors: Albano Domenico , Di Luca Filippo , D’Angelo Tommaso , Booz Christian , Midiri Federico , Gitto Salvatore , Fusco Stefano , Serpi Francesca , Messina Carmelo , Sconfienza Luca Maria
Published: May 2024

Dual-energy CT stands out as a robust and innovative imaging modality, which has shown impressive advancements and increasing applications in musculoskeletal imaging. It allows to obtain detailed images with novel insights that were once the exclusive prerogative of magnetic resonance imaging. Attenuation data obtained by using different energy spectra enable to provide unique information about tissue characterization in addition to the well-established strengths of CT in the evaluation of bony structures. To understand clearly the potential of this imaging modality, radiologists must be aware of the technical complexity of this imaging tool, the different ways to acquire images and the several algorithms that can be applied in daily clinical practice and for research. Concerning musculoskeletal imaging, dual-energy CT has gained more and more space for evaluating crystal arthropathy, bone marrow edema, and soft tissue structures, including tendons and ligaments. This article aims to analyze and discuss the role of dual-energy CT in musculoskeletal imaging, exploring technical aspects, applications and clinical implications and possible perspectives of this technique.
Bringing cell biology into classroom: tips to culture and observe skeletal muscle cells in high school and college
Authors: Matsuda Ryoichi , Okiharu Fumiko
Published: May 2024

Watching living cells through a microscope is much more exciting than seeing pictures of cells in high school and college textbooks. However, bringing cell cultures into the classroom is challenging for biology teachers since culturing cells requires sophisticated and expensive instruments such as a CO2 incubator and an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Here, we describe easy and affordable methods to culture and observe skeletal muscle cells using the L-15 culture medium, tissue culture flask, standard dry incubator, standard upright microscope, and modified Smartphone microscope. Watching natural living cells in a “Do-It-Yourself (DIY)” way may inspire more students’ interest in cell biology.
The Influence of Residual Stress on Fatigue Crack Growth Rates in Stainless Steel Processed by Different Additive Manufacturing Methods
Authors: Smudde Christine M. , San Marchi Christopher C. , Hill Michael R. , Gibeling Jeffery C.
Published: May 2024

The properties and microstructure of Type 304L stainless steel produced by two additive manufacturing (AM) methods—directed energy deposition (DED) and powder bed fusion (PBF)—are evaluated and compared. Localized heating and steep temperature gradients of AM processes lead to significant residual stress and distinctive microstructures, which may be process-specific and influence mechanical behavior. Test data show that materials produced by DED and PDF have small differences in tensile strengths but clear differences in residual stress and microstructural features. Measured fatigue crack growth rates (FCGRs) for cracks propagating parallel to and perpendicular to the build directions differ between the two AM materials. To separate the influences of residual stress and microstructure, K-control test procedures with decreasing and constant stress intensity factor ranges are used to measure FCGRs in the near-threshold regime (crack growth rates ≤ 1 × 10−8 m/cycle). Residual stress is quantified by the residual stress intensity factor, Kres, measured by the online crack compliance method. Correcting the FCGR data for differences in Kres brings results for specimens of the two AM materials into agreement with each other and with results for wrought specimens, when the latter are corrected for crack closure. Differences in microstructure and tensile strength have an insignificant influence on FCGRs in these tests.
MicroRNA mmu-miR-511-5p: A promising Diagnostic Biomarker in Experimental Toxoplasmosis Using Different Strains and Infective Doses in Mice with Different Immune States Before and After Treatment
Authors: Mady Rasha Fadly , El-Temsahy Mona Mohamed , Issa Yasmine Amr , Zaghloul Aya Saied , Khedr Safaa Ibrahim
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Searching for a novel early diagnostic biomarker for toxoplasmosis, real-time-PCR was currently used to measure the serum mmu-miR-511-5p level in male Swiss-albino mice infected with either; ME49 or RH Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) strains.

Methods

Three mice groups were used; (GI) constituted the non-infected control group, while (GII) and (GIII) were experimentally infected with ME49 or RH strains, respectively. GII mice were orally infected using 10 or 20 ME49 cysts (ME-10 and ME-20), both were subdivided into; non-treated (ME-10-NT and ME-20-NT) and were further subdivided into; immunocompetent (ME-10-IC and ME-20-IC) [euthanized 3-days, 1, 2, 6 or 8-weeks post-infection (PI)], and immunosuppressed using two Endoxan® injections (ME-10-IS and ME-20-IS) [euthanized 6- or 8-weeks PI], and spiramycin-treated (ME-10-SP and ME-20-SP) that received daily spiramycin, for one-week before euthanasia. GIII mice individually received 2500 intraperitoneal RH strain tachyzoites, then, were subdivided into; non-treated (RH-NT) [euthanized 3 or 5-days PI], and spiramycin-treated (RH-SP) that were euthanized 5 or 10-days PI (refer to the graphical abstract).

Results

Revealed significant upregulation of mmu-miR-511-5p in GII, one-week PI, with gradually increased expression, reaching its maximum 8-weeks PI, especially in ME-20-NT group that received the higher infective dose. Immunosuppression increased the upregulation. Contrarily, treatment caused significant downregulation. GIII recorded significant upregulation 3-days PI, yet, treatment significantly decreased this expression.

Conclusion

Serum mmu-miR-511-5p is a sensitive biomarker for early diagnosis of ME49 and RH infection (as early as one-week and 3-days, respectively), and its expression varies according to T. gondii infective dose, duration of infection, spiramycin-treatment and host immune status.

Graphical abstract
A scoping review evaluating physical and cognitive functional outcomes in cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy: charting progress since the 2018 NCI think tank on cancer and aging phenotypes
Authors: Mohamed Mostafa , Ahmed Mustafa , Williams AnnaLynn M. , Gilmore Nikesha , Lin Po-Ju , Yilmaz Sule , Jensen-Battaglia Marielle , Mustian Karen , Janelsins Michelle , Mohile Supriya
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The primary goal of this scoping review was to summarize the literature published after the 2018 National Cancer Institute think tank, “Measuring Aging and Identifying Aging Phenotypes in Cancer Survivors,” on physical and cognitive functional outcomes among cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy. We focused on the influence of chemotherapy on aging-related outcomes (i.e., physical functional outcomes, cognitive functional outcomes, and frailty), given the known associations between chemotherapy and biologic mechanisms that affect aging-related physiologic processes.

Methods

A search was conducted across electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, for manuscripts published between August 2018 and July 2023. Eligible studies: 1) included physical function, cognitive function, and/or frailty as outcomes; 2) included cancer survivors (as either the whole sample or a subgroup); 3) reported on physical or cognitive functional outcomes and/or frailty related to chemotherapy treatment (as either the whole sample or a subgroup); and 4) were observational in study design.

Results

The search yielded 989 potentially relevant articles, of which 65 met the eligibility criteria. Of the 65 studies, 49 were longitudinal, and 16 were cross-sectional; 30 studies (46%) focused on breast cancer, 20 studies (31%) focused on the age group 60 + years, and 17 (26%) focused on childhood cancer survivors. With regards to outcomes, 82% of 23 studies reporting on physical function showed reduced physical function, 74% of 39 studies reporting on cognitive functional outcomes found reduced cognitive function, and 80% of 15 studies reporting on frailty found increasing frailty among cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy over time and/or compared to individuals not treated with chemotherapy. Fourteen studies (22%) evaluated biologic mechanisms and their relationship to aging-related outcomes. Inflammation was consistently associated with worsening physical and cognitive functional outcomes and epigenetic age increases. Further, DNA damage was consistently associated with worse aging-related outcomes.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy is associated with reduced physical function, reduced cognitive function, and an increase in frailty in cancer survivors; these associations were demonstrated in longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. Inflammation and epigenetic age acceleration are associated with worse physical and cognitive function; prospective observational studies with multiple time points are needed to confirm these findings.

Implications for cancer survivors

This scoping review highlights the need for interventions to prevent declines in physical and cognitive function in cancer survivors who have received chemotherapy.
Assessing the impact of hurricane Fiona on the coast of PEI National Park and implications for the effectiveness of beach-dune management policies
Authors: Davidson-Arnott Robin , Ollerhead Jeff , George Elizabeth , Houser Chris , Bauer Bernard , Hesp Patrick , Walker Ian , Delagado-Fernandez Irene , van Proosdij Danika
Published: May 2024

The impact of waves, storm surge, and aeolian transport associated with Post-tropical Storm Fiona (offshore significant wave height ∽ 8 m, storm surge up to 2 m) on the sandy beaches and foredunes of the north shore of Prince Edward Island National Park (PEINP), Canada, are assessed. Management policies and practices, as they apply to sandy beach systems within PEINP, are reviewed in the context of the shoreline changes attributed to Fiona. The effectiveness of these policies and practices are evaluated to inform the potential performance of beach-foredune systems as natural protection measures that mitigate the impacts of large-magnitude storms and relative sea-level rise (RSLR) on shoreline change. The analyses utilise survey data, ground photography, and unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery collected before (October 2021 to July 2022) and after (October 2022 and May 2023) Fiona. In general, the largest dunes were characterised by erosion of the stoss slope, with landward retreat of the dune toe by < 6 m and minimal impact on crest height and position. Small foredunes (< 5 m in height) generally showed significantly greater erosion in terms of dune profiles, with dune breaching occurring at some locations. Foredunes perched on bedrock and till, which were typically smallest in size, were subject to complete erosion, thereby exposing the hard underlying surface. Overall, the impact of Fiona on sandy beach systems in PEINP was relatively modest in many locations, reflecting the success of existing management policies and practices that protect and maintain the integrity of foredunes by minimizing human impacts and avoiding ‘coastal squeeze’.
Anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection system for airports: aviation and national security perspective
Authors: Anghuwo John Shivute , Imanuel Peter , Nangolo Sam Shimakeleni
Published: May 2024

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles gained significant popularity in the last decade as demonstrated by their wide usage in various fields. From around the year 2001, the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles’ technology was mainly confined to law enforcement agencies such as the military, police, and customs. In the contemporary, terrorists have also been observed to be using unmanned aerial vehicles to attack aviation facilities. The current paper examines the levels of vulnerability of the Namibian airports to possible intrusion and attack from unmanned aerial vehicles, a situation that could pose a serious threat to aviation and national security. Adopting a qualitative research approach, the study made use of a questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide to collect primary data from the participants. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse the data. The study establishes that Namibian airports are prone to attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles as there are no anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems installed at all airports in the country. Thus, there is clear evidence that the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority and the Namibian Airport Company’s regulations and policies on aviation safety and security did not prioritise the installation of anti-unmanned aerial vehicle detection systems at all airports in Namibia. The paper suggests that, in order to enhance aviation safety and security, a joint civil/military Information Technology Unit, responsible for spoofing, detection, and the monitoring of illicit unmanned aerial vehicle operations should be set up and operations activated at all airports and other public infrastructures in Namibia.
Physical contact stress can trigger larval release in the brooding coral Siderastrea stellata
Authors: Grillo Ana Carolina , Longo Guilherme Ortigara
Published: May 2024

Abiotic and biotic stressors are known to trigger reproductive activities in several aquatic organisms. In reef environments, physical contact as a response to competition for space on the benthos is a common stressor among sessile organisms, often leading to severe tissue damage and even mortality due to biological and chemical mechanisms. However, the effect of physical stress on coral reproduction has received less attention. In this study, we observed colonies of the scleractinian coral Siderastrea stellata releasing larvae in response to physical contact with the zoantharian Palythoa caribaeorum. Organisms were collected from reefs in Brazil and taken to the laboratory, where competition through physical contact was simulated in tanks by placing the two species in direct contact for 72 h. During this period, seven out of eight corals that were in physical contact with the zoantharian released larvae, showing tissue discoloration and a marked decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. Only one of the other eight colonies held as a control with no physical contact released larvae, indicating that physical contact may have been the trigger for larval release. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of physical contact-induced larval release in a scleractinian species, providing grounds for further investigating the potential mechanisms involved in this phenomenon.
Breast Cancer Knowledge Among Amish and Mennonite Women
Authors: Thomas Melissa K. , Gilligan Ashleigh , Lawson Jenna , Lau Ted
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis for women in the USA and ranks second in cancer-related deaths. Disproportionately higher breast cancer rates can be found in rural and Appalachian regions due to several social drivers of health, including poverty, access to healthcare, and lack of culturally sensitive health education. Amish and Mennonite communities, religious groups with distinct cultural practices and beliefs, experience lower mammography screening and higher breast cancer mortality rates (among Amish women). This study focuses on knowledge about breast cancer and causes of cancer among Amish and Mennonite women. A total of 473 women participated in the study at 26 separate women’s health clinics throughout Ohio, consisting of 348 Amish and 121 Mennonite women, the largest study conducted on breast cancer knowledge spanning dozens of communities. Statistically significant differences were found in total knowledge scores between Amish and Mennonite women (rpb = .178, n = 466, p = .007), with Amish women having lower scores and stronger beliefs in myths associated with breast cancer cause and symptoms (χ(1) = 7.558, p = .006). Both groups often provided scientifically accurate descriptions of cancer etiology. The majority of participants underestimated breast cancer risk, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate health education programs that consider numeracy and health literacy. By implementing targeted interventions and fostering partnerships with community stakeholders using a multifaceted approach that incorporates cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and collaboration, significant progress can be made towards reducing breast cancer disparities and improving health outcomes.
Using Density and Fuzzy Clustering for Data Cleaning and Segmental Description of Livestock Data
Authors: Skjerve Torgunn Aslaug , Klemetsdal Gunnar , Åby Bente Aspeholen , Sommerseth Jon Kristian , Indahl Ulf Geir , Olsen Hanne Fjerdingby
Published: May 2024

The cluster algorithms density-based clustering with noise and fuzzy c-means were used to edit and group a large, noisy data set from a livestock herd recording scheme consisting of slaughter records on 73,743 bulls. Density-based clustering with noise was used for data selection with $$\epsilon =0.06$$

ϵ
=
0.06

and minPts $$=$$
=
 8. The remaining data ($${n} = 65{,}446$$

n
=
65
,
446

) was exposed to a fuzzy c-means analysis to partition data based on three variables: Age at slaughter, carcass weight, and average daily carcass gain. Appropriate number of clusters was chosen by the maximum value of the modified partition coefficient ($${k} = 3$$

k
=
3

clusters). Cluster validation for both hard cluster assignment and cluster membership was performed with linear models and a permutation test. The three clusters had centroid values for slaughter age and carcass weight interpreted as: Part of production systems characterized by high bull turnover (Cluster 1), production systems aiming for heavy slaughter weights (Cluster 2), and a less intensive system with higher roughage proportions (Cluster 3). The results show that the approach can be successfully combined to segment meaningful groups from large, noisy industry data, exemplified by the description of slaughter performance records. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
Vertical Strength Transfer Phenomenon Between Upper Body and Lower Body Exercise: Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Curovic Ivan , Rhodes David , Alexander Jill , Harper Damian J.
Published: May 2024

Background

There are a myriad of exercise variations in which upper body (UB) and lower body (LB) exercises have been intermittently used. However, it is still unclear how training of one body region (e.g. LB) affects adaptations in distant body areas (e.g. UB), and how different UB and LB exercise configurations could help facilitate physiological adaptations of either region; both referred to in this review as vertical strength transfer.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the existence of the vertical strength transfer phenomenon as a response to various UB and LB exercise configurations and to identify potential mechanisms underpinning its occurrence.

Methods

A systematic search using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) for Scoping Reviews protocol was conducted in February 2024 using four databases (Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus and CINAHL) to identify peer-reviewed articles that investigated the vertical strength transfer phenomenon.

Results

Of the 5242 identified articles, 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest that the addition of UB strength training to LB endurance exercise may help preserve power-generating capacity for the leg muscle fibres. Furthermore, systemic endocrine responses to high-volume resistance exercise may beneficially modulate adaptations in precedingly or subsequently trained muscles from a different body region, augmenting their strength gains. Last, strength training for LB could result in improved strength of untrained UB, likely due to the increased central neural drive.

Conclusions

Vertical strength transfer existence is enabled by neurophysiological mechanisms. Future research should involve athletic populations, examining the potential of vertical strength transfer to facilitate athletic performance and preserve strength in injured extremities.
The role of contextual and individual factors in successful e-learning experiences during and after the pandemic – a two-year study
Authors: Maican Cătălin Ioan , Cazan Ana Maria , Cocoradă Elena , Dovleac Lavinia , Lixăndroiu Radu Constantin , Maican Maria Anca , Cocoradă Sorin Alexandru
Published: May 2024

The main aim of this study is to examine university students’ satisfaction with remote learning, analysing their socio-demographic and personal factors, the perception of online interactivity and of the online means used by academics considering two important moments: one academic year from the pandemic period (2020–2021) and one from the post-pandemic period (2022–2023). The sample included 1493 university students in a cross-sectional correlation research design. We found significant direct effects of techno-creators and techno-inhibitors on satisfaction, and of e-learning use on satisfaction. Technostress inhibitors have significant positive effects on e-learning use, learning engagement and negative effects on technostress creators. The relationship between technostress creators and satisfaction is partially mediated by learning engagement and e-learning use. Uncertainty has mediated effects on e-learning satisfaction. The results show that students expected almost all the features of the platforms to be used more in 2022–2023, when classes became preponderantly face-to-face. The results are slightly different during the two years of the analysis.