bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of open-skill and closed-skill sports on executive functions: a systematic review
Authors: Lai Jinghan , Zhang Zhijuan , Ni Guoxin , Luo Yanlin
Published: July 2024

Aims/Background Open-skill sports are reportedly more effective than closed-skill sports in improving executive functions. However, it remains unclear as to its superiority in specific components of executive functions and specific populations. This review aims to explore the degree to which specific components of executive functions are affected by different sport types, open-skill sports and closed-skill sports, among different age groups.

Methods Relevant articles published from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2023 were searched and obtained from four databases, namely EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. These studies were selected through a carefully established article-filtering workflow, governed by a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality assessment was carried out independently by each researcher.

Results Out of the 30 studies included for this systematic review, eight studies demonstrated the beneficial impacts of open-skill sports on adults by improving three executive functions subcomponents, as compared with closed-skill sports. Six studies found that open-skill sports are conducive to inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility among children and adolescents, while four studies showed that open-skill sports greatly enhance inhibitory control in elderly individuals.

Conclusion Compared with closed-skill sports, open-skill sports have a favourable impact on inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in children, adolescents, and adults, marked by shorter response time in inhibitory control tasks, as well as shorter response time and lower switch costs in cognitive flexibility tasks. In addition, relative to closed-skill sports, open-skill sports heightens accuracy in working memory tasks among adults.
Influence of Spatially Varying Boundary Conditions Based on Material Heterogeneity
Authors: Ricketts Evan John , Cleall Peter John , Jefferson Anthony , Kerfriden Pierre , Lyons Paul
Published: July 2024

When conducting numerical analyses, boundary conditions are generally applied homogeneously, neglecting the inherent heterogeneity of the material being represented. Whilst the heterogeneity is often considered within the medium, its influence on the response at the boundary should also be accounted for. In this study, A novel approach to applying heterogeneous boundary conditions in the simulation of physical systems is presented, particularly focusing on moisture transport in unsaturated soils. The proposed method divides the surface into blocks or “macro-elements” and scales the boundary conditions based on the variation of material properties within these blocks. The principle of using overlapping kernel functions allows local effects to be considered, impacting neighbouring regions. To demonstrate the efficacy of the approach, a set of analyses were conducted that considered infiltration into a body of unsaturated soil, with various configurations of material properties and boundary conditions. The numerical simulations indicate that the application of scaled boundary conditions leads to a more natural and realistic response in the system. The applied method is independent on the numerical techniques employed in the simulation process, making it adaptable to existing computational codes, offering flexibility in capturing complex behaviours, and providing insights into how heterogeneity influences the system’s overall response.
Investigating Branched Cut-off Wall Effect on Seepage Using Numerical Modelling
Authors: Thomas Alex J. , Asr Alireza Ahangar
Published: July 2024

In this research, numerical modelling has been conducted to expand on existing research on cut-off walls mainly done by, [2] and [8]. This study is aimed at examining a unique geometric alignment that accommodates ‘branches’ on either side of a vertical 12-metre-deep cut-off wall and investigates the subsequent effect on seepage (discharge) and uplift force within the foundation of the dam. From the study conducted it had been observed that seepage was reduced with the inclusion of these branches whilst the cut-off wall was located at the centre base of a concrete dam. Subsequent testing of altering the branches’ angle presented a further reduction in seepage through the soil strata, with the optimum angle being around the range of 60–70 degrees. Further experimentation had shown that altering the position at two other distinct locations (dam’s heel and toe) has had a significant reduction in seepage with the heel being the most effective at reducing it. Uplift pressure has been evaluated to show that the best position for minimal uplift force is at the heel of the dam.
"Have You Ever Waited for Someone?": On Yehudit Hendel's Unpublished Novella "Kartisim le-Sammy Davis"
Authors: Ehrlich Guy
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The article unveils an unpublished novella by Israeli author Yehudit Hendel (1921–2014), "Kartisim le-Sammy Davis" (Tickets to Sammy Davis), which was discovered as part of her literary estate. This shelved novella was written during the early 1970s—following the publication of her second novel Ha-ḥaẓer shel momo ha-gedolah (The Courtyard of Momo the Great, 1969), and before the death of her husband, painter Zvi Meirovich, in 1974, which led to her famous 1984 book Ha-koaḥ ha-'aḥer (The Other Power). Strongly related to Hendel's poetics of melancholia and to her ongoing fascination with grief and bereavement in Israeli culture, "Kartisim le-Sammy Davis" addresses the question of the "endless waiting" for the missing loved one and is revealed as an important text in Hendel's oeuvre. Following Roland Barthes's discussion of the state of waiting for the loved object (which he views as a "minor mourning"), this article seeks to portray the (endless) waiting of the heroine of the novella as a melancholic one, which expresses a "major mourning." It also traces and examines the dominance of the loved one's voice, which becomes even more present after his death, turning him into a "living" specter. As suggested here, Hendel's shelved novella radically explores the melancholic state: not only as the only state possible for her protagonists (as also evidenced in her complete body of work), but also as a violent, consuming state in itself, that depletes both the anticipated (lost) object and the anticipating (living) subject.
Seeing Again, Seeing Anew: Documentary Reenactments in Contemporary Israeli Cinema
Authors: Yosef Raz
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This article examines the various forms of reenactment in contemporary Israeli documentary cinema. It argues that current documentary reenactments challenge—along the axes of nationalism, gender, class, and ethnicity—the traditional distinctions between past and present, documentary and fiction, reference and representation. They offer the possibility of bringing the past into the present, and simultaneously awarding a new aesthetic form to the historical event appearing on the screen for the first time. The reenactments give presence to the past, while at the same time showing the impossibility of returning to it in its entirety. They put into question the very borders of documentary cinema as well as raising ethical issues about the ontological status of documentary "truth." Moreover, through reenactments, contemporary documentaries aspire to retrieve lost voices and bodies, forgotten testimonies and histories of Israeli society's Others, and to give them new visual form so that they can find new listeners.
The Policing Animal: Towards a Critique of Punitive Humanism
Authors: Gorby Paul
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This article uncovers, analyzes, and critiques a common yet under-examined trend in the history of Western political thought: punitive humanism, the belief that human beings are "naturally" punitive. Engaging with different iterations of punitive humanist thought in the writings of John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and Jeremy Bentham, I argue that this belief has wide-ranging implications, and constitutes a particular challenge to abolitionist theory and practice. I use the work of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly his conceptualization of ressentiment , to elaborate a critique of punitive humanism, one which resonates with and provides valuable theoretical material for contemporary abolitionist thought.
Tocqueville on the Abolition of Slavery in the French Caribbean: The Preemptive Dispossession and Proletarianization of Black Workers
Authors: León Ricardo Vega
Published: July 2024

Abstract: This paper brings together Alexis de Tocqueville's writings on enslavement and emancipation in the United States and the French Empire to trace how his project to abolish slavery in the French Caribbean relied on the use of coercive state power to temporarily truncate the property rights of Black workers and steal part of their wages. Highlighting how Tocqueville proposed forcing ex-slaves into conditions of landlessness and partial wagelessness, I conceptualize these processes respectively as preemptive dispossession and preemptive proletarianization. Attention to Tocqueville's emancipation prescriptions underscores the transnational scope and entanglements of political economy and processes of racialization in his political theory of empire and slavery.
Aerial display system using hybrid geometric phase lens with both polarization diffraction and imaging functions
Authors: Sakamoto Moritsugu , Tobita Riku , Noda Kohei , Suzuki Masato , Sasaki Tomoyuki , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro , Ono Hiroshi
Published: July 2024

An aerial display system using a hybrid-geometric phase lens (HGPL) was proposed. Based on the HGPL function, which is integrated the functions of polarization diffraction and imaging, the proposed aerial display system has the advantages of a compact and simple design, along with high efficiency in generating aerial images. The scheme’s feasibility was demonstrated experimentally using an HGPL fabricated from photoalignable liquid crystal polymer film. The proposed system can be applied as a compact/high efficiency/clear aerial display.
Observation of spin precession resonance in a stirred quantum fluid of light
Authors: Gnusov Ivan , Baryshev Stepan , Sigurđsson Helgi , Sitnik Kirill , Töpfer Julian D. , Alyatkin Sergey , Lagoudakis Pavlos G.
Published: July 2024

External driving of spins by magnetic or optical fields in different systems underpins numerous applications ranging from magnetic resonance imaging to coherent state control in quantum computing. Here, we reveal the effect of an all-optically driven spin precession in microcavity polariton condensates. It is achieved through a radio frequency modulation of a spatially rotating, asymmetric exciton reservoir that both confines and actively replenishes the polariton condensate. The non-resonant stirring profile is realized by the beating note of two structured and frequency-detuned laser beams. We realize the GHz driven spin precession with striking phase stability, which occurs only in the resonance with the internal condensate self-induced Larmor precession frequency. From the shape of the revealed resonance, we estimate the spin coherence time (T2) for the polariton condensate. Our observations are supported by numerical simulations and evidence a quantum fluidic analogue of the nuclear magnetic resonance effect.
Demonstration of record sensitivity for water vapor detection by means of comb-locked cavity ring-down spectroscopy
Authors: Castrillo Antonio , Khan Muhammad Asad , Fasci Eugenio , D’Agostino Vittorio , Gravina Stefania , Gianfrani Livio
Published: July 2024

We report on the development, characterization, and test of a
comb-locked cavity ring-down spectrometer (CL-CRDS) operating in the
spectral region around 1.39 µm. The system is based on the use
of a hemispherical optical resonator with a finesse as high as ∼507000, which gives an empty-cavity
ring-down time of about 285 µs. An Allan-Werle analysis on
repeated acquisitions of the ring-down time at a fixed laser frequency
suggests a minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 2×10−12cm−1 for the optimum integration time of
45 s. This limit can be exceeded by adopting the strategy of
long-term spectral averaging. Taking advantage of the frequency
stability guaranteed by the optical frequency comb, the CL-CRDS
spectra were averaged over more than two days, thus removing
efficiently the effect of mechanical, acoustic, and thermal noises. As
a result, we could achieve a minimum detectable absorption coefficient
as low as 3.7×10−13cm−1, which corresponds to a limit of
detection for H2O in N2 of nine parts per trillion and a H2O partial pressure of 2×10−8 Pa (or 2×10−10 mbar). The potentialities of our
approach are demonstrated by recording the absorption features of HD16O and HD18O in flows of ultra-high-purity N2 and ambient air, respectively.
Climate-resilient aquatic food systems require transformative change to address gender and intersectional inequalities
Authors: Adam Rahma , Amani Anamika , Kuijpers Rob , Danielsen Katrine , Smits Esther , Kruijssen Froukje , Moran Nicole , Tigchelaar Michelle , Wabnitz Colette , Tilley Alexander , Luzzi Matteo , Peerzadi Rumana H. , Ride Anouk , Rossignoli Cristiano , Allison Edward H. , Cole Steven , Zatti Irene , Ouko Kevin , Farnworth Cathy Rozel
Published: July 2024

The adverse impacts of climate change on aquatic food systems (AFS) and the people who depend on AFS for livelihood security are inequitably distributed between and within countries. People facing the highest risks and experiencing the severest impacts of climate change are those who already experience multidimensional inequalities in their lives, particularly because of their gender, class, age, indigeneity, ethnicity, caste, religion, and the physical and political conditions that can create additional vulnerabilities. In this paper, we conducted a scoping review of the literature that explores the links between climate change, gender, and other social identities, and AFS. The review was complemented by an analysis of representative data on women and men aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh from 2018 to 2019. We also analysed data from the 2019 Illuminating Hidden Harvest project. The study relied on the gendered agrifood system and aquatic food climate risk frameworks to guide on literature search, review, and data analyses. Our findings show that intersecting identities disadvantage certain AFS actors, particularly young women from minority ethnic groups, and create challenge for them to manage and adapt to climate shocks and stresses. Examples of gender-responsive and transformative interventions are highlighted from our review to showcase how such intersectional disadvantages can be addressed to increase women’s empowerment and social and gender equality.
Meiotic double-strand break repair DNA synthesis tracts in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hernández Sánchez-Rebato Miguel , Schubert Veit , White Charles I.
Published: July 2024

We report here the successful labelling of meiotic prophase I DNA synthesis in the flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Incorporation of the thymidine analogue, EdU, enables visualisation of the footprints of recombinational repair of programmed meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), with ~400 discrete, SPO11-dependent, EdU-labelled chromosomal foci clearly visible at pachytene and later stages of meiosis. This number equates well with previous estimations of 200–300 DNA double-strand breaks per meiosis in Arabidopsis, confirming the power of this approach to detect the repair of most or all SPO11-dependent meiotic DSB repair events. The chromosomal distribution of these DNA-synthesis foci accords with that of early recombination markers and MLH1, which marks Class I crossover sites. Approximately 10 inter-homologue cross-overs (CO) have been shown to occur in each Arabidopsis male meiosis and, athough very probably under-estimated, an equivalent number of inter-homologue gene conversions (GC) have been described. Thus, at least 90% of meiotic recombination events, and very probably more, have not previously been accessible for analysis. Visual examination of the patterns of the foci on the synapsed pachytene chromosomes corresponds well with expectations from the different mechanisms of meiotic recombination and notably, no evidence for long Break-Induced Replication DNA synthesis tracts was found. Labelling of meiotic prophase I, SPO11-dependent DNA synthesis holds great promise for further understanding of the molecular mechanisms of meiotic recombination, at the heart of reproduction and evolution of eukaryotes.
Learning interventions and training methods in health emergencies: A scoping review
Authors: Utunen Heini , Balaciano Giselle , Arabi Elham , Tokar Anna , Bhatiasevi Aphaluck , Noyes Jane
Published: July 2024

Background

Keeping the health workforce and the public informed about the latest evolving health information during a health emergency is critical to preventing, detecting and responding to infectious disease outbreaks or other health emergencies. Having a well-informed, ready, willing, and skilled workforce and an informed public can help save lives, reduce diseases and suffering, and minimize socio-economic loss in affected communities and countries. Providing “just in time” support and opportunities for learning in health emergencies is much needed for capacity building. In this paper, ‘learning intervention’ refers to the provision of ad-hoc, focused, or personalized training sessions with the goal of preparing the health workers for emergencies or filling specific knowledge or skill gaps. We refer to ‘training methods’ as instructional design strategies used to teach someone the necessary knowledge and skills to perform a task.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review to map and better understand what learning interventions and training methods have been used in different types of health emergencies and by whom. Studies were identified using six databases (Pubmed/Medline, Embase, Hinari, WorldCat, CABI and Web of Science) and by consulting with experts. Characteristics of studies were mapped and displayed and major topic areas were identified.

Results

Of the 319 records that were included, contexts most frequently covered were COVID-19, disasters in general, Ebola and wars. Four prominent topic areas were identified: 1) Knowledge acquisition, 2) Emergency plans, 3) Impact of the learning intervention, and 4) Training methods. Much of the evidence was based on observational methods with few trials, which likely reflects the unique context of each health emergency. Evolution of methods was apparent, particularly in virtual learning. Learning during health emergencies appeared to improve knowledge, general management of the situation, quality of life of both trainers and affected population, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

This is the first scoping review to map the evidence, which serves as a first step in developing urgently needed global guidance to further improve the quality and reach of learning interventions and training methods in this context.
Triple-0: Zero-shot denoising and dereverberation on an end-to-end frozen anechoic speech separation network
Authors: Gul Sania , Khan Muhammad Salman , Ur-Rehman Ata
Published: July 2024

Speech enhancement is crucial both for human and machine listening applications. Over the last decade, the use of deep learning for speech enhancement has resulted in tremendous improvement over the classical signal processing and machine learning methods. However, training a deep neural network is not only time-consuming; it also requires extensive computational resources and a large training dataset. Transfer learning, i.e. using a pretrained network for a new task, comes to the rescue by reducing the amount of training time, computational resources, and the required dataset, but the network still needs to be fine-tuned for the new task. This paper presents a novel method of speech denoising and dereverberation (SD&D) on an end-to-end frozen binaural anechoic speech separation network. The frozen network requires neither any architectural change nor any fine-tuning for the new task, as is usually required for transfer learning. The interaural cues of a source placed inside noisy and echoic surroundings are given as input to this pretrained network to extract the target speech from noise and reverberation. Although the pretrained model used in this paper has never seen noisy reverberant conditions during its training, it performs satisfactorily for zero-shot testing (ZST) under these conditions. It is because the pretrained model used here has been trained on the direct-path interaural cues of an active source and so it can recognize them even in the presence of echoes and noise. ZST on the same dataset on which the pretrained network was trained (homo-corpus) for the unseen class of interference, has shown considerable improvement over the weighted prediction error (WPE) algorithm in terms of four objective speech quality and intelligibility metrics. Also, the proposed model offers similar performance provided by a deep learning SD&D algorithm for this dataset under varying conditions of noise and reverberations. Similarly, ZST on a different dataset has provided an improvement in intelligibility and almost equivalent quality as provided by the WPE algorithm.
Prevalence of alcohol use by gender and HIV status in rural Uganda
Authors: Wynn Adriane , Sileo Katelyn M. , Schmarje Crockett Katherine , Naigino Rose , Ediau Michael , Wanyenze Rhoda K. , Kiwanuka Noah , Martin Natasha K. , Kiene Susan M.
Published: July 2024

Background

Alcohol use is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity worldwide. Uganda has a high level of alcohol use per capita. Compared to men, women are less likely to consume alcohol globally; however, women who drink have increased risks for co-occurring conditions, including depression, intimate partner violence, and HIV. This study assessed the prevalence of alcohol use and correlates of harmful alcohol use by gender and HIV status in rural Uganda.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from a study among women and men aged 15–59 residing in rural, central Uganda and accepting home-based HIV testing (Nov 2017 to Dec 2020). We estimated the prevalence of levels of alcohol use (categorized as no alcohol use (score 0), low (score 1–3 for men; 1–2 for women), medium (score 4–5 for men; 3–5 for women), high (score 6–7), and very-high (score 8–12) use with the AUDIT-C), stratified by gender and HIV status. We assessed correlates of harmful alcohol use using multivariable logistic regression models for women and men.

Results

Among 18,460 participants, 67% (95% CI: 66–67%) reported no alcohol use, 16% (95% CI: 16–17%) reported low, 5% (95% CI: 4.8–5%) reported medium, 5% (95% CI: 4–5%) reported high, and 3% (95% CI: 2.8–3) reported very high alcohol use. Compared to women, men were more likely to report alcohol use (Chi-squared p-value<0.0001). People diagnosed with HIV (both newly diagnosed and previously aware of their status prior to home-based HIV testing) were more likely to report low, medium, high, and very high alcohol use compared to those who were HIV negative (Chi-squared p-value<0.0001). Among women, those who were newly diagnosed were more likely report alcohol use, compared to those who were HIV negative. In multivariable models, being newly diagnosed with HIV (compared to HIV negative) increased the odds of harmful alcohol use among women, but not men.

Conclusion

While alcohol use was higher among men and people living with HIV, being newly diagnosed with HIV had a stronger relationship with harmful alcohol use among women than men. More research is needed to understand how alcohol use may increase the risks of HIV acquisition among women and to identify gender-responsive services to address harmful alcohol use and increase access to HIV testing and linkage to care for women who use harmful levels of alcohol.
Real-world effectiveness of sotrovimab in preventing hospitalization and mortality in high-risk patients with COVID-19 in the United States: A cohort study from the Mayo Clinic electronic health records
Authors: Bell Christopher F. , Gibbons Daniel C. , Drysdale Myriam , Birch Helen J. , Lloyd Emily J. , Patel Vishal , Carpenter Corinne , Carlson Katherine , Calay Ediz S. , Puranik Arjun , Wagner Tyler E. , O’Horo John C. , Razonable Raymund R.
Published: July 2024

Background

To describe outcomes of high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated with sotrovimab, other monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), or antivirals, and patients who did not receive early COVID-19 treatment. We also evaluate the comparative effectiveness of sotrovimab versus no treatment in preventing severe clinical outcomes.

Methods

This observational retrospective cohort study analyzed Mayo Clinic electronic health records. Non-hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from May 26, 2021 and April 23, 2022 and at high risk of COVID-19 progression were eligible. The primary outcome was 29-day all-cause hospitalization and/or death. Outcomes were described for patients treated with sotrovimab, other mAbs, or antivirals, and eligible but untreated patients, and compared between sotrovimab-treated and propensity score (PS)-matched untreated cohorts.

Results

We included 35,485 patients (sotrovimab, 1369; other mAbs, 6488; antivirals, 133; high-risk untreated, 27,495). A low proportion of patients treated with sotrovimab (n = 33/1369, 2.4%), other mAbs (n = 147/6488, 2.3%), or antivirals (n = 2/133, 1.5%) experienced all-cause hospitalization or death. Among high-risk untreated patients, the percentage of all-cause hospitalization or death was 3.3% (n = 910/27,495). In the PS-matched analysis, 2.5% (n = 21/854) of sotrovimab-treated patients experienced all-cause hospitalization and/or death versus 2.8% (n = 48/1708) of untreated patients (difference, –0.4%; p = 0.66). Significantly fewer sotrovimab-treated patients required intensive care unit admission (0.5% vs 1.8%; difference, –1.3%; p = 0.002) or respiratory support (3.5% vs 8.7%; difference, –5.2%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in the proportion of sotrovimab-treated and PS-matched untreated patients experiencing 29-day all-cause hospitalization or mortality, although significantly fewer sotrovimab-treated patients required intensive care unit admission or respiratory support.
Synthesis and characterization of cerium doped NiZn nano ferrites as substrate material for multi band MIMO antenna
Authors: Asif Raees Muhammad , Aziz Abdul , Akhtar Majid Niaz , Khan Muhammad Azhar , Abbasi Muhammad Nawaz , Abdul Muqeet Hafiz
Published: July 2024

In addressing issues related to electromagnetic interference, the demand for ferrite materials with exceptional magnetic and dielectric properties has escalated recently. In this research, sol-gel auto combustion technique prepared Nickel zinc ferrites substituted with cerium, denoted as Ni0.5Zn0.5Ce0.02Fe1.98O4.X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), and Field Emissions Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were used to investigate the structure, magnetic properties, and morphology of Cerium doped NiZn Nano ferrites, respectively. The magnetic and dielectric properties of the sample was examined within a frequency range of 2.5–5.5 GHz. Sample exhibits low permittivity (2.2), high permeability (1.4), low dielectric (0.35) and magnetic loss tangent (-0.5) and highest saturation magnetization measuring 30.28 emu/g. A Novel Double-band, 4x4 MIMO window grill-modeled antennas operating on 3.5 GHz and 4.8 GHz frequency bands for 5G smartphones is designed using the CST microwave studio suite. The performance of window grilled 4x4 MIMO antenna model with Cerium doped NiZn nano ferrites as substrate, is investigated and found the return loss of -35 and -32 dB, with the bandwidth of 200MHz, gain (1.89 & 4.38dBi), envelope correlation coefficient (0.00185), channel capacity loss (0.2bps/Hz), and interterminal isolation of (22& 19dB).The results show that the antenna size is reduced with improved bandwidth, higher isolation and better diversity gain performance using Cerium doped NiZn nano ferrite substrate compared to conventional dielectric substrates.
Functional diversity of bacterial microbiota associated with the toxigenic benthic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum
Authors: Martínez-Mercado Miguel A. , Cembella Allan D. , Sánchez-Castrejón Edna , Saavedra-Flores Anaid , Galindo-Sánchez Clara E. , Durán-Riveroll Lorena M.
Published: July 2024

Interactions between bacterial microbiota and epibenthic species of the dinoflagellateProrocentrummay define the onset and persistence of benthic harmful algal blooms (bHABs). Chemical ecological interactions within the dinoflagellate phycosphere potentially involve a complex variety of organic molecules, metabolites, and toxins, including undefined bioactive compounds. In this study, the bacterial diversity and core members of the dinoflagellate-associated microbiota were defined from 11 strains of three epibenthicProrocentrumspecies, representing three geographically disjunct locations within Mexican coastal waters. Microbiota profiles in stable monoclonalProrocentrumcultures were obtained by sequencing amplicons of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Thirteen classes of bacteria were identified among dinoflagellate clones, where Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacteroidia were consistently dominant. The bacterial community structure exhibited significantly different grouping by the location of origin of dinoflagellate clones. No significant diversity difference was found among free-living or unattached bacteria in the dinoflagellate culture medium (M) compared with those in closer association with the dinoflagellate host cells (H). Twelve taxa were defined as core members of the bacterial assemblage, representing the generaAlgiphilus,Cohaesibacter,Labrenzia,Mameliella,Marinobacter,Marivita,Massilia,Muricauda,Roseitalea, and an unclassified member of the Rhodobacteraceae. The core members are inferred to significantly contribute to primary and secondary metabolic functions, but no direct correlation with dinoflagellate toxigenicity was apparent. Overall the bacterial profile and implied gene functionality indicated a suite of positive interactions, suggesting either mutualism or commensalism with the dinoflagellate. The further characterization and interpretation of specific gene functions and interactions between bacteria and dinoflagellates, such as epibenthic members of genusProrocentrum, are key to understanding their role in toxigenesis and bHAB development.
Induction of apoptosis by double-stranded RNA was present in the last common ancestor of cnidarian and bilaterian animals
Authors: Kozlovski Itamar , Jaimes-Becerra Adrian , Sharoni Ton , Lewandowska Magda , Karmi Ola , Moran Yehu
Published: July 2024

Apoptosis, a major form of programmed cell death, is an essential component of host defense against invading intracellular pathogens. Viruses encode inhibitors of apoptosis to evade host responses during infection, and to support their own replication and survival. Therefore, hosts and their viruses are entangled in a constant evolutionary arms race to control apoptosis. Until now, apoptosis in the context of the antiviral immune system has been almost exclusively studied in vertebrates. This limited phyletic sampling makes it impossible to determine whether a similar mechanism existed in the last common ancestor of animals. Here, we established assays to probe apoptosis in the sea anemoneNematostella vectensis, a model species of Cnidaria, a phylum that diverged approximately 600 million years ago from the rest of animals. We show that polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic long double-stranded RNA mimicking viral RNA and a primary ligand for the vertebrate RLR melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5), is sufficient to induce apoptosis inN.vectensis. Furthermore, at the transcriptomic level, apoptosis related genes are significantly enriched upon poly(I:C) exposure inN.vectensisas well as bilaterian invertebrates. Our phylogenetic analysis of caspase family genes inN.vectensisreveals conservation of all four caspase genes involved in apoptosis in mammals and revealed a cnidarian-specific caspase gene which was strongly upregulated. Altogether, our findings suggest that apoptosis in response to a viral challenge is a functionally conserved mechanism that can be traced back to the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria.
Ensimismado en el mercado. El periodismo chileno en la serie de ficción audiovisual “Bala Loca” (chilevision, 2016)
Authors: Faure Antoine , Lagos Lira Claudia , Santa Cruz Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Los periodistas, fotógrafos, corresponsales de guerra o dueños de medios de comunicación resultan personajes atractivos para la ficción audiovisual. La televisión y las plataformas de streaming los han representado como héroes o villanos, así como también han construido imaginarios audiovisuales sobre casos iconos (como Watergate o los abusos en la Iglesia Católica en Estados Unidos) o en tanto engranaje de las elites del poder. Sin embargo, tanto la producción como el análisis de este tipo de obras está concentrada en industrias robustas, como la hollywoodense o la de algunos países europeos. Conocemos menos sobre el retrato audiovisual del periodismo en las producciones audiovisuales para televisión o para plataformas realizadas en América Latina. El análisis de la serie chilena para televisión abierta, Bala Loca (Chilevisión, 2016), permite explorar los imaginarios – complementarios y contradictorios, al mismo tiempo - sobre el periodismo y los medios en una sociedad postdictatorial y neoliberal.Esta lectura se ancla en los estudios audiovisuales y culturales y en metodologías cualitativas centradas en las condiciones de producción, la narrativa, su estética e intertextualidad. Sobre la base del cruce entre estos distintos ejes analíticos, este artículo describe, analiza y discute los tipos de periodistas y periodismos (re)construidos en la serie chilena Bala Loca a partir de su estrategia de comunicabilidad. Se concluye que el periodismo es heterogéneo en Bala Loca, sin embargo, tiene una fuerte referencialidad histórica, refleja la orientación de la profesión al mercado heredada de la dictadura (1973-1990) y pone en escena un periodismo sin dimensión pública, tanto en un sentido simbólico como material.
Moisture buffering and mould growth characteristics of naturally ventilated lime plastered houses
Authors: Paralkar Vismaya , Damle Rashmin
Published: July 2024

Lime plaster is a sustainable building material that can be an effective passive cooling strategy. The moisture buffering quality of lime causes adsorption and desorption of moisture which moderates the indoor relative humidity. Its vapour permeability is also influential in moisture transfer across the building envelope. Lime plaster also has a self-healing quality which prevents the formation of inner cracks. Moreover, its strength increases with time leading to a longer life span. In old structures, an important function is the breathability of ceilings and walls. Hence, it is often used in conservation projects where it improves the appearance and durability of old buildings. Often organic additives employed to impart certain qualities to the lime mortar/plaster led to mould growth. Mould growth degrades indoor air quality, and the occupant health is compromised. To avoid mould related problems, it is necessary to understand the behaviour of lime plaster with respect to the indoor relative humidity and surface moisture content. This paper focuses on the hygrothermal performance of lime plaster in naturally ventilated residential spaces. Surveys were carried out in 45 traditional buildings in Ahmedabad in India with measurements of ambient variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, wall moisture content, etc. The mould growth patterns of these spaces are related to the measured variables and wall characteristics. Hygrothermal simulations of some spaces were also carried out to observe the moisture buffering of lime plaster. Experimental observations were then compared to simulation results to see if the predictions of the hygrothermal models were realistic.
How parents make decisions about PreK enrollment
Authors: Graue M. Elizabeth , Woo Moonjoo , Lee Jiyeon
Published: July 2024

Public PreK programs are an increasingly popular policy tool to equalize early learning opportunities. Programs can be universally available or targeted to support children’s readiness. At the intersection of early childhood and K-12 education, their hybrid status can be difficult for families to negotiate. Based on interviews completed in 2018, we describe how parents in a universal PreK program decided whether and where their child would attend PreK, comparing parents who chose school sites with those who did not. The part-time nature of the program was a barrier to many families, prompting us to ask whether a program is authentically universal if it is not accessible to all.
Attrition patterns amongst participant groups in Massive Open Online Courses
Authors: Glance David , Barrett P. Hugh R.
Published: July 2024

In their current instantiation, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) represent a form of educational delivery with little barrier to entry. In part due to the ease of enrolling, low completion rates have been a notable characteristic of MOOCs with as few as 5 - 10% of enrolled students gaining a certificate of completion. Beyond these observations, little is known about the patterns of attrition, nor how they may vary amongst different groups of MOOC participants. Activity data was analysed from log records collected from 42 MOOCs run by Stanford University between 2011 and 2013 on Coursera. A novel analysis was applied to the data which showed that attrition varies little between those that audited the course and those that actively participated in assessments. The results indicate that attrition is not influenced by levels of participation in a MOOC and attrition is further not greatly influenced by attributes of the course.
“The game is in the tutorial”
Authors: Mason Glenn , Langendyk Vicki , Wang Shaoyu
Published: July 2024

An e-portfolio system was introduced into the personal and professional development curriculum at the University of Western Sydney School of Medicine (UWSSoM) during 2011 and 2013. Adopting the methodology of Design-Based Research and an interpretive framework informed by Activity Theory we developed a set of educational design principles based on the analysis of the use of the e-portfolio system by students and tutors. These principles contain a range of insights applicable to the local context and may also be of interest to curriculum designers working in other domains.
Experimental study on consumer-technology supported authentic immersion in virtual environments for education and vocational training
Authors: Reiners Torsten , Wood Lincoln C. , Gregory Sue
Published: July 2024

Despite significant and rapid technology improvements, educators have frequently failed to make use of the new opportunities to create more authentic learning scenarios. Virtual worlds offer an attractive proposition to create 3D representations of real business environments to provide an authentic learning activity for higher education students to take part in. However, the controls and displays are still clunky and unnatural, reducing the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the event and focus on experiential learning. To overcome this challenge we examine the role of using a headset display that allows the user to change perspective with a flick of the head, improving their ability to ‘feel’ part of the environment, and thus increase their immersion in the activities that they are engaged in through more realistic control and improved perspective in the virtual environment. A series of experiments are conducted comparing the technology to established technologies and the level of control exerted by the learner (e.g., they either ‘control’ or they ‘passively observe’ as someone else controls). These experiments provide evidence that consumer-technology can improve immersion and equip educators with an affordable instrument to present classes that learners ‘take more seriously’.
Effective practice of using digital portfolios
Authors: Smart Vicky , Sim Cheryl , Finger Glenn
Published: July 2024

Portfolios have been a popular tool to enable teachers to provide evidence of their teaching practice (Elbow & Belanoff, 1986) and with technology there has been a move to online digital portfolios. This research provides empirical evidence of Queensland teachers who have completed a digital portfolio as part of the Smart Classrooms Professional Development Framework. These digital portfolios provide rich descriptions of evidence that demonstrate a teacher’s values, relationships, knowledge and practice in using technology. This paper describes one teacher’s digital portfolio as part of the wider research project investigating the development of Technological Pedagogical Reasoning. The paper concludes with a discussion of how this type of digital portfolio can inform teacher education. A key message is to use an evidenced based portfolio, which captures snapshots of a pre-service teachers practice with links to professional standards mingled throughout the discussion of their practice.
MOOC
Authors: Warusavitarana Priya Amali , Dona Kulari Lokuge , Piyathilake Harshani Chandrika , Epitawela Dilani Dilrushi , Edirisinghe Madhawi Uthpala
Published: July 2024

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a relatively recent online learning phenomenon that has developed in the last five years. The opportunity that MOOCs offer to developing countries has generated significant interest from higher education as it has opened doors to step into territories that were never available before this era. This paper reports on the research findings of the impact of MOOCs in developing countries. The key challenges and opportunities identified by the researchers in using the MOOC concept within the Sri Lankan higher education context is discussed. It also highlights how developing countries can transform education, and provide lifelong learning opportunities which will give access to learning resources, innovative learning technologies, higher engagement and collaborative learning opportunities with international experts.
Creepy Analytics and Learner Data Rights
Authors: Beattie Scott , Woodley Carolyn , Souter Kay
Published: July 2024

Enthusiasm for the potential of learning analytics and big data technologies must be tempered with caution for fundamental learner rights to that data and concern for the ways in which these re-shape the learning environment and the learner-teacher-university relationship. This paper argues that there is a legitimate distrust of 'creepy' analytics that misuse surveillance technologies and that a Charter of Learner Data Rights would be a strong foundation on which to build analytic technologies that are open, personalised, portable, adaptive and engaging for learners.
Improving existing resources for interactive learning activities using tablets and touch screens
Authors: Robson Daphne , Kennedy Dave
Published: July 2024

As creating resources for interactive technology-based learning activities can be a huge task, we investigated how existing resources can be used and modified. Data were collected from students, an observer, and a teacher for several problems in a mathematics course on a computing degree that were part of interactive learning activities using touch screen technologies. It was found that existing problems could become effective resources in these activities simply by modifying them with suitable formatting, and that locating related elements together helped students start a problem. However, it is also important that pedagogical principles are followed.
Do we need a discussion forum?
Authors: Swann Jennie , Salmon Rhian
Published: July 2024

This paper is a response to an issue that arose during a 2013 ascilite Community Mentoring Project (CMP) in which the (social scientist) mentor and the (physical scientist) mentee discovered that they had very different assumptions about the ways in which people learn online. This paper begins a process of unpacking the complex relationships between discussion forum behaviour and the ways in which lecturers and students think about higher education and their disciplines. A multiple case study approach is described in which discussion forum data is compared with themes emerging from survey and interview data in two different disciplines in two universities. It is suggested that the roots of these differences may lie not so much in the nature of the disciplines themselves but more in the ways in which people think in these disciplines. These findings will be of use in course and curriculum design.
Mixed media visualization effect on student perceptions and learning outcomes
Authors: Birt James
Published: July 2024

This paper presents a methodology and pilot study rationale to examine the effect of mixed media visualization on learning outcomes in three dimensional (3D) modeling. The context for this study is a university first year undergraduate interactive media and design course. Meta analytic studies in the use of visualizations show positive improvements in learning outcomes among low and high spatial learners. But often these studies are focused on single media and virtual representations. Many multimedia learning studies do not take into consideration important factors that could influence the appropriate selection of media. This exploratory study aims to address this through the evaluation of physical and virtual media using 3D printed, virtual reality and two dimensional (2D) projections. A design science research methodology is proposed outlining several core guidelines evaluating the technology media method through learner blogs. The aim is improved learner engagement and outcomes through more meaningful learning activities.
Using Echo360 Personal Capture software to create a ‘flipped’ classroom for Microbiology laboratory classes
Authors: Mellefont Lyndal , Fei Jiangang
Published: July 2024

Educators are under increasing pressure to engage with students that have grown up with digital technology. The ‘flipped’ classroom utilises digital technology, usually pre-recorded lectures, to free class time from lecture by assigning students with preparatory instructional content as homework. This model is often used successfully in lecture based classes and is finding increasing adoption in laboratory settings. In this study we employed digital educational technology and applied the ‘flipped’ model in microbiology laboratory classes. Echo360 personal capture software was used to prepare introductory lectures for students to use in preparation for laboratory classes. The built-in analytics of Echo360 were used to quantitatively monitor student usage. More than half the class engaged with the lectures and used them for their intended purpose, i.e. preparation. Students did not engage with the lectures to the same degree for revision purposes. No correlation was found between student lecture usage and their exam grade.
Medical students’ reflections in online discussions
Authors: Furnari Mary
Published: July 2024

In an online environment ‘teacher presence’ provides the structure, design and facilitation for students to engage in higher-order thinking and reflection. Reflective thinking involves critical analysis and evaluation of an issue or practice in order to understand and make sense of new information and relate it to prior knowledge and experience. This paper, which is part of a larger study, examines the quality of students’ reflections in online discussions when teacher facilitation is minimal or absent. Participants were 80 second year undergraduate medical students at a New Zealand university. Two online discussion assignments with different tasks were qualitatively analysed for levels of reflection. The findings suggest that students engaged in reflection despite lack of facilitation or minimal direction by teachers. Results indicate that online discussion can be an effective tool to encourage reflection in medical students irrespective of teacher facilitation.