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This paper argues for an integrated model of effective teaching which refers to teaching factors that emerge from two theoretical frameworks: the Dynamic Model of Educational Effectiveness and the Educational Dialogue Framework. Twenty-nine primary school teachers and their 489 students (aged 9–12) participated in the study. Student achievement using written tests in mathematics and the Greek language were collected both at the beginning and at the end of the school year. Classroom observation data on teaching behaviour were also collected. Multilevel regression analyses revealed that factors associated with both frameworks explain variation in student achievement in each subject. A model that considers factors from both frameworks explains more variance in student achievement in each subject than any other model. Implications for research, policy and practice are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational robotics activities have proven instrumental in creating a dynamic learning environment that provides students with hands-on experiences, aligning with the interdisciplinary principles advocated by STEM education. The integration of educational robotics into the educational process significantly impacts students of various age groups, fostering the acquisition and enhancement of diverse skills. However, the effective implementation of robotics hinges on teachers. This research aims to design a valid instrument (AKAER) to quantitatively capture teachers' attitudes, knowledge, and application of educational robotics. The six-phase development process, encompassing design, construction, quantitative evaluation, and validation, ensures the precision of the instrument. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on data from 307 preschool and primary school teachers extracts a 49-item, five-factor model. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) cross-validates the model, yielding satisfactory fits (CMIN/DF = 2.145, RMR =.60, PNFI =.683, PCFI =.784, CFI =.827, RMSEA =.061, SRMR =.0852). AKAER's reliability, assessed by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient (α =.929), indicates high internal consistency. Overall, these results affirm the reliability and validity of the constructed instrument, confirming its suitability for data collection. This validation positions the instrument as a potential catalyst for advancing research understanding and stimulating educational innovations in the teaching and utilization of educational robotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Soft tissue sarcomas comprise a diverse group of tumours. Their rarity and heterogeneity make the development of novel therapeutics challenging while the knowledge in this topic is fragmented. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on drugs that have recently gained regulatory approval and the most significant advances in investigational therapeutics. We give emphasis on the underlying biology that guide the development of these treatments and we provide our perspective for future progress. There has been noteworthy progress in molecular characterisation and therapeutics in soft tissue sarcomas. Novel agents have gained regulatory approval by the FDA. Examples are the tyrosine kinase inhibitors avapritinib and ripretinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), the immune check point inhibitor atezolizumab in alveolar soft part tissue sarcoma, the γ-secretase inhibitor nirogacestat in desmoid tumours, the NTRK inhibitors larotrectinib and entrectinib in tumours with NTRK fusions, the mTOR inhibitor nab-sirolimus in PEComa, and the EZH-2 inhibitor tazemetostat in epithelioid sarcoma. The FDA has also recently granted accelerated approval for autologous T-cell therapy with afami-cel in patients with HLA-A*02 and MAGE-A4-expressing synovial sarcoma. There are other promising treatments that are still investigational, such as MDM2 and CDK4/6 inhibitors in well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma, immune checkpoint inhibitors in the head and neck angiosarcoma and a subset of patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and PARP inhibitors in leiomyosarcoma. The challenges in drug development in soft tissue sarcoma are due to the rarity and the molecular heterogeneity of the disease and the fact that many subtypes are associated with complex karyotypes or non-targetable molecular alterations. We believe that progress maybe possible with a better understanding of the complex biology, the development of novel compounds for difficult targets such as proteolysis targeting chimeras (Protacs), the utilisation of modern clinical trial designs, and enhanced collaboration of academia with industry to develop treatments with a strong biologic rationale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a teaching scenario designed to introduce preschool children to electricity, structured around the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate). The study involves 18 children from an urban kindergarten with diverse backgrounds and learning needs. Over four weeks, children engage in interactive activities to understand electrical devices, electric current, static electricity, conductors, insulators, electricity generation, and safety. The curriculum integrates interdisciplinary learning, combining literacy and science, and uses hands-on experiments and digital tools to enhance engagement. Activities include constructing simple circuits, experimenting with static electricity, and role-playing. Emphasis is placed on practical applications and safety. Findings highlight the effectiveness of a constructivist approach, where children build understanding through exploration. The study underscores the need for resources, teacher preparedness, and inclusive strategies to address diverse learning needs. This scenario provides insights into effective early childhood science education, emphasizing the potential to build a strong foundation for future learning and curiosity in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the possible reversibility of PAH to a normopressoric state in SLE after induction immunosuppressive (IS) and predictors of response. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all SLE-PAH patients who underwent IS therapy at our center. PAH reversion was defined as the normalization of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), either by the presence of systolic PAP <40 mmHg on echocardiogram or mean PAP <20 mmHg on right heart catheterization (RHC). SLE patients were divided in Reversion and No-Reversion of SLE-PAH groups for comparative analysis at baseline and after IS. Results: Among 2,074 SLE patients, 28 SLE-PAH received IS therapy (1.3%). Ten patients (35.7%) achieved SLE-PAH reversion. Demographic data, disease duration, SLEDAI-2K, and SDI Damage scores were similar between Reversion and No-Reversion of SLE-PAH groups (p > 0.05). At baseline, Reversion of SLE-PAH had lower sPAP (p = 0.032), lower right ventricle dilatation (p = 0.003) and hypokinesia (p = 0.017) frequencies on echocardiogram, and also lower BNP levels (p = 0.041) and risk stratification score (p = 0.014). Hemodynamic parameters were similar among groups (p > 0.05). After IS, a significant decrease in CRP levels was identified only in Reversion of SLE-PAH (p = 0.013), although both groups had a significant reduction in SLEDAI-2K (p < 0.05). Both groups had significant improvement in risk stratification score (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001) with a better survival rate in Reversion of SLE-PAH (p = 0.047). Conclusion: This is the first study that identified that more than one third of SLE-PAH had a complete reversion of PAH after IS therapy with a significant impact on their survival. These findings strongly support the notion of an underlying inflammatory etiology of this condition, which reinforces the use of immunosuppressive treatment for all SLE patients at PAH onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is widely used in evaluating the effectiveness of a diagnostic test/biomarker or classifier score. A parametric approach for statistical inference on ROC curves based on a Box–Cox transformation to normality has frequently been discussed in the literature. Many investigators have highlighted the difficulty of taking into account the variability of the estimated transformation parameter when carrying out such an analysis. This variability is often ignored and inferences are made by considering the estimated transformation parameter as fixed and known. In this paper, we will review the literature discussing the use of the Box–Cox transformation for ROC curves and the methodology for accounting for the estimation of the Box–Cox transformation parameter in the context of ROC analysis, and detail its application to a number of problems. We present a general framework for inference on any functional of interest, including common measures such as the AUC, the Youden index, and the sensitivity at a given specificity (and vice versa). We further developed a new R package (named 'rocbc') that carries out all discussed approaches and is available in CRAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Es gibt ein zunehmendes Interesse an der Entdeckung und Anwendung von molekularen Gefäßen ‐ supramolekularen Wirtsstrukturen, die organische Reaktionen katalysieren können. Molekulare Gefäße, die an Enzyme erinnern, weil sie einen Hohlraum besitzen, der einer aktiven Bindungstasche ähnelt, können komplexe katalytische Mechanismen aufweisen und in vielen Fällen eine Selektivität ermöglichen, die in regulärer Lösung nicht erreicht werden kann. In diesem Übersichtsartikel versuchen wir, die immer vielfältigeren Beispiele durch eine zweiteilige Struktur zu organisieren. Im ersten Teil geben wir einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Beschleunigungsmodi, die in molekularen Gefäßen wirken, während wir im zweiten Teil anhand ausgewählter Beispiele die verschiedenen Arten von Selektivität aufzeigen, die durch den Einsatz von molekularen Gefäßen erreicht werden können. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf Beispiele gelegt, die für aktuelle Herausforderungen in der synthetischen organischen Chemie relevant sind. Wir sind der Meinung, dass diese Struktur das Gebiet zugänglicher macht und so die Entwicklung neuer Anwendungen von molekularen Gefäßen anregen wird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in the discovery and application of molecular flasks–supramolecular host structures capable of catalyzing organic reactions. Reminiscent of enzymes due to possessing a host cavity akin to an active site, molecular flasks can exhibit complex catalytic mechanisms and in many cases provide selectivity not achievable in bulk solvent. In this Review, we aim to organize the increasingly diverse examples through a two‐part structure. In part one, we provide an overview of the different acceleration modes that operate within molecular flasks, while in part two we showcase, through selected examples, the different types of selectivity that are obtainable through the use of molecular flasks. Particular attention is given to examples that are relevant to current challenges in synthetic organic chemistry. We believe that this structure makes the field more approachable and thus will stimulate the development of novel applications of molecular flasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to analyse factors affecting global trade in pork and poultry markets by examining trade flow determinants through gravity models. Our gravity model analysis focuses on non-tariff measures (i.e., sanitary and phytosanitary, technical barriers to trade, and other non-tariff measures) and climate change (i.e., temperature abnormalities, precipitation abnormalities, and climatological catastrophes). Our results confirm the theoretical ambiguity of the standards-trade effects. For pork trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures are more trade-restrictive than tariffs. For poultry trade, technical barriers to trade operate as a trade catalyst, while other non-tariff measures function as a trade barrier. Policymakers should aim for a balance between protecting public health and facilitating trade. Temperature abnormalities in importing countries harm pork and poultry imports, while precipitation abnormalities in exporting countries negatively influence poultry exports. Climatological catastrophes slightly decrease pork imports (poultry exports). Encouraging climate adaptation measures within the agricultural and food processing sectors can help mitigate production and trade disruptions for exporters and supply disruptions for importers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfolding item response theory (IRT) models are important alternatives to dominance IRT models in describing the response processes on self-report tests. Their usage is common in personality measures, since they indicate potential differentiations in test score interpretation. This paper aims to gain a better insight into the structure of trait personality, by investigating whether the dominance or alternatively the unfolding IRT model are better descriptors of the response processes on a personality measure constructed under the dominance response theorem. For the assessment of the dominant model, the Graded Response Model (GRM) is used; while for the unfolding model, the Generalized Graded Unfolding Model (GGUM) was examined. All analyses are conducted with the freely available R. A sample of 1340 Greek adults, employed in private and public organizations, fulfilled the Trait Personality Questionnaire 5 short-form (TPQue5). Findings contradict previous research on trait personality. In accordance to the construction method employed, the TPQue5 items are best understood by monotonically increasing item response functions (IRFs). Individuals responding to the TPQue5 increase their probability of endorsing its items as their trait level increases; this stands for all personality dimensions, although Openness to Experience exhibited mixed type of item response patterns. Further research directions, implications and limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision Agriculture Technologies (PATs) are providing a great potential in alleviating adverse impacts arising from climate change. This study evaluates the decision-making process of farmers regarding the adoption and implementation of PATs in potato agricultural cooperative in Northern Greece. For this purpose, a bio-economic model utilizing mathematical programming techniques was designed and applied to three different farms producing Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) potato of Kato Nevrokopi. The proposed model aims to incorporate the existing management methods of farming systems and their associated characteristics. Its objective is to analyse the aspirations of farmers to adopt new practices, considering agronomic, environmental, and policy limitations. Special focus was paid to two distinct scenarios: (a) subsiding PATs adopters or (b) penalizing the non-adopters. Results indicated that subsidy provision 594–650€/ha would have a greater impact on PATs profitability. Lastly, based on the results, further explanations of incentives towards promoting the adoption of novel practices, ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural systems, are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The global implementation of Electronic Health Records has significantly enhanced the quality of medical care and the overall delivery of public health services. The incorporation of Evidence-Based Medicine offers numerous benefits and enhances the efficacy of decision-making in areas such as prevention, prognosis, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to propose an architectural design of an Evidence-Based Medicine information system based on the Electronic Health Record, taking into account the existing and future level of interoperability of health information systems in Greece. METHODS: A study of the suggested evidence-based medicine architectures found in the existing literature was conducted. Moreover, the interoperability architecture of health information systems in Greece was analyzed. The architecture design reviewed by specialized personnel and their recommendations were incorporated into the final design of the proposed architecture. RESULTS: The proposed integrated architecture of an Evidence-Based Medicine system based on the Electronic Health Record integrates and utilizes citizens' health data while leveraging the existing knowledge available in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into consideration the recently established National Interoperability Framework, which aligns with the European Interoperability Framework, the proposed realistic architectural approach contributes to improving the quality of healthcare provided through the ability to make safe, timely and accurate decisions by physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of big data analytics in digital marketing has fundamentally transformed how organizations understand and influence consumer behavior. This systematic review explores the potential of big data to offer deep insights into consumer preferences and behaviors. The current literature on big data and consumer behavior showcases its potential in enhancing marketing and customer experiences. However, significant gaps exist, such as longitudinal studies on how continuous big data–driven personalization affects consumer trust and loyalty over time. Addressing these gaps will advance academic understanding and offer practical insights for optimizing marketing strategies and improving customer experiences ethically. Focusing on these areas will contribute to a holistic view of big data's responsible use in digital marketing. By utilizing large datasets, businesses can now tailor their marketing strategies to individual consumers, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement. Adopting the PRISMA methodology, this review synthesizes recent literature to evaluate the benefits of big data in digital marketing. The research was conducted through a rigorous five‐stage process, encompassing the identification of key research questions, database searches, and the critical analysis of selected articles: (1) defining the initial topic, (2) developing the appropriate research questions, (3) identifying the necessary keywords, (4) identifying and searching databases, and finally (5) accessing and reading the articles. The databases that were searched were as follows: Scopus, Web of Science, Emerald Insight, Springer Link, and ScienceDirect. The articles that were selected were 19, in a total sum of 265 identified articles. The findings consolidate current knowledge on how big data analytics can optimize marketing strategies and consumer experiences. Ultimately, this review underscores the transformative potential of big data in digital marketing, highlighting its role in enhancing customer insights and driving more effective marketing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dynamic Approach (DA) to Teacher Professional Development (TPD) stresses the importance of identifying specific needs and improvement priorities for each teacher. A framework measuring teacher assessment skills was used and teachers were classified into three stages. The skills identified at each stage were used to make decisions in relation to the focus and content of the TPD course. A study in four European countries (i.e. Belgium, Cyprus, Greece and the Netherlands) was conducted. Teachers (N = 206) were randomly allocated into two groups (experimental and control group). A questionnaire measuring teachers’ skills in assessment and tests measuring students’ learning outcomes in mathematics (cognitive and metacognitive) were administered at the beginning and the end of the course. The DA was effective in improving the assessment skills of teachers at all stages. Differential effects of DA on promoting student learning outcomes in mathematics were identified. Implications of the findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Recently, exoscope was introduced as a more ergonomic alternative to microscope, mainly in nerve and spinal surgery. Exoscope use in general surgery is still experimental and just few reports are present in literature. Here, we describe for the first time its application in transanal surgery, specifically during the transanal transection and single-stapled anastomosis in ileal-pouch anal anastomosis. Methods: After completing the proctectomy and pouch formation laparoscopically, two surgeons performed the transanal transection and single-stapled anastomosis using the vision provided by the ORBEYE™ exoscope system with a 3D 4K orbital camera and a 55-inches 3D screen. The transanal procedure was carried out with the surgeons looking at the 3D screen rather than at the operating field. Results: The system subjectively provided excellent operative view thanks to the magnification capacity and the high resolution. The ergonomics was improved compared to classical transanal surgery, allowing the operators and observers to have the same view in a comfortable position. In particular, the exoscope magnified vision allowed for clearer demonstration of techniques to trainees. Conclusions: This is the first report on the intraoperative application of the ORBEYE™ surgical exoscope in transanal surgery. The magnified vision allowed precise movements and the system appeared potentially a ground-breaking tool for surgical training. The ability to project high-quality images to observers make it ideal for teaching complex transanal procedures. Further studies are encouraged to validate this approach into standard colorectal practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 15 June and 20 September 2024, 75 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) and A(H7) virus detections were reported in domestic (16) and wild (59) birds across 11 countries in Europe. Although the overall number of detections in Europe continued to be low compared to previous epidemiological years, an increase in cases along the Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic coasts was notable, particularly an increase in the detection of HPAI viruses in colony‐breeding seabirds. Besides EA‐2022‐BB and other circulating genotypes, these detections also included EA‐2023‐DT, a new genotype that may transmit more efficiently among gulls. In Germany, HPAI A(H7N5) virus emerged in a poultry establishment near the border with the Netherlands. No new HPAI virus detections in mammals were reported in Europe during this period, but the number of reportedly affected dairy cattle establishments in the United States of America (USA) rose to >230 in 14 states, and HPAI virus was identified in three new mammal species. Between 21 June and 20 September 2024, 19 new human cases with avian influenza virus infection were reported from the USA (six A(H5N1) cases and five A(H5) cases), Cambodia (five A(H5N1) cases, including one fatal), China (one fatal A(H5N6) case and one A(H9N2) case), and Ghana (one A(H9N2) case). Most of the human cases (90%, n = 17/19) had reported exposure to poultry, live poultry markets, or dairy cattle prior to avian influenza virus detection or onset of illness. Human infections with avian influenza viruses remain rare and no evidence of human‐to‐human transmission has been documented in the reporting period. The risk of infection with currently circulating avian A(H5) influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe remains low for the general public in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). The risk of infection remains low‐to‐moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of a multiday heatwave on nocturnal physiology, behavior, and sleep under controlled conditions with comprehensive monitoring of environmental factors and participant activities. Seven young healthy males were confined for 10 days in controlled conditions that ranged between hot-to-warm (day: 35.4 °C, night: 26.3 °C) during nights 4–6 and temperate (day: 25.4 °C, night: 22.3 °C) before (nights 1–3) and after (nights 7–10) the heatwave. Measurements included core and skin temperatures, heart rate, sympathovagal balance, vasomotion indicators, urine samples, blanket coverage, subjective sleep assessments, and partial polysomnography. The average nocturnal core temperature was 0.2 °C higher during and after the heatwave compared to the pre-heatwave period, with this difference being more pronounced (+0.3 °C) in the first 2 h of sleep (p < 0.001). For every 0.1 °C rise in overnight core temperature, the total sleep time decreased by 14 min (pseudo-R2 = 0.26, p = 0.01). The elevated core temperatures occurred despite the participants exhibiting evident thermoregulatory behavior, as they covered 30% less body surface during the heatwave compared to pre- and post-heatwave periods (p < 0.001). During the heatwave, mean skin temperature at bedtime was 1.3 °C higher than pre-heatwave and 0.8 °C higher than post-heatwave periods (p < 0.001). No differences in other responses, including heart rate and vasomotion indicators, were observed. The paper details a 20-min sleepwalking episode that was coupled with marked changes in sleepwalker's thermophysiological responses. In conclusion, the simulated heatwave resulted in higher overnight core temperature which was associated with reduced total sleep time. Behavioral thermoregulation during sleep may serve as a defense against these effects, though more research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widely recognized potential of product‐as‐a‐service (PaaS) business models to contribute to the circular economy, many industrial case studies have reported that several systemic factors tend to hinder product manufacturers from effectively designing such solutions. More specifically, factors such as linear value chains, organizational structures, and market and financial conditions tend to restrict the freedom of product manufacturers to design circular PaaS solutions effectively. In this article, we take a novel approach to advance the body of knowledge concerning the interactions between policies and circular PaaS designing. We first explore the potential of the existing policy landscape to support designing for a circular economy in the manufacturing industry. The results suggest that the existing policy landscape is primarily focused on regulating product design outcomes and is thus deemed unsuitable for supporting circular PaaS designing. Subsequently, we investigate the literature to uncover how internal and external systemic factors may hinder the implementation of the key facets of circular PaaS designing in the manufacturing industry. Based on these findings, we propose a prospective policy framework that includes a mix of complementary policy interventions that systemically target the identified internal and external factors to support the implementation of the key facets of circular PaaS designing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In narrow anterior urethral strictures, the combined buccal mucosa graft (BMG) with pedicled penile skin flap (PSF) represents a well‐known effective alternative to staged urethroplasty. We hypothesized that if the native urethral plate and adjacent corpus spongiosum were preserved, a narrower flap would be needed, and reinforced ventral stability could be achieved without compromising the surgical outcome. Methods: Twelve patients with narrow penile urethral strictures underwent single‐stage augmentation urethroplasty using a combined technique. A BMG was quilted to the corpora cavernosa in a dorsal onlay approach, and a longitudinal ventral PSF was transposed ventrally and sutured to the scarred native urethral mucosa on one side and to the BMG on the other side to form a neourethra of triangular form. The preserved corpus spongiosum was wrapped and fixed around the flap ventrally. Results: The median age was 47 years (IQR 35–59), and the median stricture length was 5 cm (IQR 3, 8–7). The median surgical time was 205 min (IQR 172–236). The overall success rate (SR) was 91.7% without sacculation or diverticula formation after a median follow‐up period of 38 months (IQR 33–40). Three transient fistulas healed through prolonged urinary diversion. Five patients (41.7%) reported postvoid dribbling following urethroplasty. Conclusion: Preservation of the native urethral plate is a valuable adjunct to the combination of graft and flap for single‐stage augmentation urethroplasty for narrow urethral strictures, with satisfactory mid‐term success and an acceptable complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The explosion of data volume in the digital age has completely changed the corporate and industrial environments. In-depth analysis of large datasets to support strategic decision-making and innovation is the main focus of this paper's exploration of big data management engineering. A thorough examination of the basic elements and approaches necessary for efficient big data use—data collecting, storage, processing, analysis, and visualization—is given in this paper. With real-life case studies from several sectors to complement our exploration of cutting-edge methods in big data management, we present useful applications and results. This document lists the difficulties in handling big data, such as guaranteeing scalability, governance, and data quality. It also describes possible future study paths to deal with these issues and promote ongoing creativity. The results stress the need to combine cutting-edge technology with industry standards to improve decision-making based on data. Through an analysis of approaches such as machine learning, real-time data processing, and predictive analytics, this paper offers insightful information to companies hoping to use big data as a strategic advantage. Lastly, this paper presents real-life use cases in different sectors and discusses future trends such as the utilization of big data by emerging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues for establishing stronger links between educational effectiveness research and school improvement. It presents the results of a 3-year study investigating the impact of the dynamic approach (DA) to school improvement on promoting student achievement in mathematics. It explores duration (offering the DA for more than 1 year) and sustainability effects of the DA. A sample of 18 secondary schools in Cyprus participated in this study. Two experimental groups used the DA to develop their school improvement strategies. The first group employed the DA for the first 2 intervention years and was more effective than the control group in promoting mathematics achievement at the end of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year. Schools that made use of the DA for all 3 years were found to be the most effective at the end of the 3rd year. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Island biological communities are considered to comprise non‐random assemblages from surrounding source pools, but whether they converge towards predictable structural properties remains unclear. Here, we (i) test whether insular communities of land snails converge towards similar functional and/or taxonomic properties and (ii) evaluate whether island functional diversity is determined by island biogeographical characteristics such as area and distance to the pool as well as human‐related variables. Location: Sixty‐six continental Aegean islands. Taxon: Land snails. Methods: We compiled a database of two morphological traits with functional significance (shell height and width) for 163 island species and 1529 species from the major species pools. We quantified inter‐specific morphological dissimilarity between pairs of islands (turnover), using a modified index of the mean nearest taxon distance. We tested for functional and taxonomic convergence using null models and assessing whether overall mean turnover among islands and pairwise island‐by‐island turnover were lower than expected by chance. We performed multiple regression analyses to test whether functional diversity metrics scale with island biogeographical characteristics and human‐related variables. Results: Our analyses provide strong evidence that communities of land snails across the Aegean islands converge towards non‐random functional properties and taxonomic structure. At the island level, a wide range of different shell shapes is observed, indicating greater functional richness than expected by chance. Regression analyses showed that island area is the only efficient predictor of functional diversity, indicating that available ecological/resource space is of central importance in driving the assembly of different shell shapes. Main Conclusions: Our findings, consistent with previous studies of other taxa from oceanic islands, highlight that island species communities are not randomly assembled and display convergence in their functional and taxonomic composition. Integrating functional diversity metrics within biogeographic analyses has the potential to further our understanding of island biodiversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary measures of biomarker accuracy that employ the receiver operating characteristic surface have been proposed for biomarkers that classify patients into one of three groups: healthy, benign, or aggressive disease. The volume under the receiver operating characteristic surface summarizes the overall discriminatory ability of a biomarker in such configurations, but includes cutoffs associated with clinically irrelevant true classification rates. Due to the lethal nature of pancreatic cancer, cutoffs associated with a low true classification rate for identifying patients with pancreatic cancer may be undesirable and not appropriate for use in a clinical setting. In this project, we study the properties of a more focused criterion, the partial volume under the receiver operating characteristic surface, that summarizes the diagnostic accuracy of a marker in the three-class setting for regions restricted to only those of clinical interest. We propose methods for estimation and inference on the partial volume under the receiver operating characteristic surface under parametric and non-parametric frameworks and apply these methods to the evaluation of potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic spinal cord injury is a major cause of disability for which there are currently no fully effective treatments. Recent studies using epidural electrical stimulation have shown significant advances in motor rehabilitation, even when applied during chronic phases of the disease. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of epidural electric stimulation in the motor recovery of rats with spinal cord injury. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor recovery. First, we improved upon the impact spinal cord injury model to cause severe and permanent motor deficits lasting up to 2 months. Next, we developed and tested an implantable epidural spinal cord stimulator device for rats containing an electrode and an implantable generator. Finally, we evaluated the efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation on motor recovery after spinal cord injury in Wistar rats. A total of 60 animals were divided into the following groups: (i) severe injury with epidural electrical stimulation (injury + stim, n = 15), (ii) severe injury without stimulation (group injury, n = 15), (iii) sham implantation without battery (sham, n = 15), and (iv) a control group, without surgical intervention (control, n = 15). All animals underwent weekly evaluations using the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale index, inclined plane, and OpenField test starting one week before the lesion and continuing for eight weeks. After this period, the animals were sacrificed and their spinal cords were explanted and prepared for histological analysis (hematoxylin–eosin) and immunohistochemistry for NeuN, β-III-tubulin, synaptophysin, and Caspase 3. Finally, NeuN-positive neuronal nuclei were quantified through stereology; fluorescence signal intensities for β-tubulin, synaptophyin, and Caspase 3 were quantified using an epifluorescence microscope. The injury + stim group showed significant improvement on the BBB scale compared with the injured group after the 5th week (p < 0.05). Stereological analysis showed a significantly higher average count of neural cells in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1783 ± 2 vs. 897 ± 3, p < 0.001). Additionally, fluorescence signal intensity for synaptophysin was significantly higher in the injury + stim group in relation to the injury group (1294 ± 46 vs. 1198 ± 23, p < 0.01); no statistically significant difference was found in β-III-tubulin signal intensity. Finally, Caspase 3 signal intensity was significantly lower in the stim group (727 ± 123) compared with the injury group (1225 ± 87 p < 0.05), approaching levels observed in the sham and control groups. Our data suggest a regenerative and protective effect of epidural electrical stimulation in rats subjected to impact-induced traumatic spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Text simplification is crucial in bridging the comprehension gap in today's information-rich environment. Despite advancements in English text simplification, languages with intricate grammatical structures, such as Greek, often remain under-explored. The complexity of Greek grammar, characterized by its flexible syntactic ordering, presents unique challenges that hinder comprehension for native speakers, learners, tourists, and international students. This paper introduces a comprehensive dataset for Greek text simplification, containing over 7500 sentences across diverse topics such as history, science, and culture, tailored to address these challenges. We outline the methodology for compiling this dataset, including a collection of texts from Greek Wikipedia, their annotation with simplified versions, and the establishment of robust evaluation metrics. Additionally, the paper details the implementation of quality control measures and the application of machine learning techniques to analyze text complexity. Our experimental results demonstrate the dataset's initial effectiveness and potential in reducing linguistic barriers and enhancing communication, with initial machine learning models showing promising directions for future improvements in classifying text complexity. The development of this dataset marks a significant step toward improving accessibility and comprehension for a broad audience of Greek speakers and learners, fostering a more inclusive society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mode is a fundamental descriptive statistic in data analysis, signifying the most frequent element within a dataset. The range mode query (RMQ) problem expands upon this concept by preprocessing an array A containing n natural numbers. This allows for the swift determination of the mode within any subarray A[a..b], thus optimizing the computation of the mode for a multitude of range queries. The efficacy of this process bears considerable importance in data analytics and retrieval across diverse platforms, including but not limited to online shopping experiences and financial auditing systems. This study is dedicated to exploring and benchmarking different algorithms and data structures designed to tackle the RMQ problem. The goal is to not only address the theoretical aspects of RMQ but also to provide practical solutions that can be applied in real-world scenarios, such as the optimization of an online shopping platform's understanding of customer preferences, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of data retrieval in large datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contemporary diagnostic frameworks in the realm of mental health have garnered criticism due to their categorical paradigm. Given the propensity of emotional disorders to manifest overlapping features, these frameworks fall short in comprehensively encapsulating their intricate nature. As a strategic response, Brown and Barlow introduced an innovative composite approach, amalgamating dimensions and categorical classifications, to adress this concern. Their strategic implementation hinged on the Multidimensional Emotional Disorder Inventory (MEDI), a transdiagnostic self-report instrument. Objective: this study undertakes the task of refining and validating the applicability of the MEDI within a non-clinical sample of Colombian university students (n = 808). Methods: This study employed Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to explore the structure of the measure. Results: ESEM suggested that the 8-dimension model with 48 items was the best-fitting solution, aligning with most dimensions identified by the original MEDI validation. Reliability was adequate for almost all dimensions (α: 0.69 – 0.92). An 8-dimension model with 48 items emerged as the most fitting solution, aligning with most dimensions identified by the original MEDI validation. Conclusion: The ensuing validation and contextual adaptation of the MEDI for use in the Colombian population augments the transdiagnostic evaluation of emotional disorders, with potential implications for enhanced stratification of targeted therapeutic interventions. By optimizing the assessment of both dimensional and cross-diagnostic paradigms, the MEDI portends a noteworthy impact in realms encompassing both academic inquiry and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 16 March and 14 June 2024, 42 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus detections were reported in domestic (15) and wild (27) birds across 13 countries in Europe. Although the overall number of detections in Europe has not been this low since the 2019–2020 epidemiological year, HPAI viruses continue to circulate at a very low level. Most detections in poultry were due to indirect contact with wild birds, but there was also secondary spread. Outside Europe, the HPAI situation intensified particularly in the USA, where a new A(H5N1) virus genotype (B3.13) has been identified in >130 dairy herds in 12 states. Infection in cattle appears to be centred on the udder, with milk from infected animals showing high viral loads and representing a new vehicle of transmission. Apart from cattle, HPAI viruses were identified in two other mammal species (alpaca and walrus) for the first time. Between 13 March and 20 June 2024, 14 new human cases with avian influenza virus infection were reported from Vietnam (one A(H5N1), one A(H9N2)), Australia (with travel history to India, one A(H5N1)), USA (three A(H5N1)), China (two A(H5N6), three A(H9N2), one A(H10N3)), India (one A(H9N2)), and Mexico (one fatal A(H5N2) case). The latter case was the first laboratory‐confirmed human infection with avian influenza virus subtype A(H5N2). Most of the human cases had reported exposure to poultry, live poultry markets, or dairy cattle prior to avian influenza virus detection or onset of illness. Human infections with avian influenza viruses remain rare and no human‐to‐human transmission has been observed. The risk of infection with currently circulating avian A(H5) influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe remains low for the general public in the EU/EEA. The risk of infection remains low‐to‐moderate for those occupationally or otherwise exposed to infected animals or contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the potential of using international large-scale assessment studies for conducting follow-up studies testing models of educational effectiveness. The impact of teacher factors coming from the dynamic model of educational effectiveness and the dialogic education theory on student literacy achievement is examined. Modern Greek teachers from secondary schools that participated in PISA 2018 (Accessed on ) in Cyprus were recruited. Two Grade 11 classes per teacher were selected, giving 392 students in total. Observation data from Greek lessons and student literacy achievement data were collected. Two multilevel regression analyses were conducted: one with the whole student sample and one with only students from whom PISA prior achievement measure was identified. When prior achievement (i.e., PISA measure) was considered, additional and larger effects of factors on student final achievement were detected. Both analyses reveal that when factors from both frameworks were considered, larger variance in student achievement was explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic structural equation models (DSEM) are designed for time series analysis of latent structures. Inherent to the application of DSEM is model parameter estimation, which has to be addressed in many applications by a single time series. In this context, however, the methods currently available either lack estimation quality or are computationally inefficient. Given the era of big data, the necessity for a trade-off between these properties may be detrimental to the applicability of DSEM. The paper is aimed at tackling this trade-off by proposing a novel estimator recursioning technique (ER technique) that facilitates the development of computationally efficient raw-data maximum likelihood estimation algorithms through data transformation, covariance matrix block decomposition, likelihood function reduction, and estimator recursioning steps. The ER technique is introduced by applying it to a special case of the general dynamic structural equation model that encompasses a noisy Wiener-process-type structure with input from the factor-analytic model. The resulting algorithm has been verified through a number of numerical experiments as well as implemented in a brand new R package EMLI, which is available on CRAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore whether particular aspects of quality of teaching belong to a single scale and identify those aspects which are more difficult to master for student teachers (STs) in the context of early field placement. It also examines whether these aspects could be grouped in stages according to their difficulty. The participants of the study were 154 STs enrolled in an early field placement program at the University of Cyprus. Real-time classroom observations were conducted in different subject areas, corresponding to the STs’ teaching efforts. Analysis of data using the Rasch and the Saltus models revealed that the eleven aspects of teaching are structured in four stages with a diverse transition, in terms of difficulty, from one stage to the other. Such findings stress the importance of a research-based coursework design during practice, based on the challenges STs face during early field placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The research criteria for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) exclude mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but do not stipulate the use of specific MCI criteria. This study compared different approaches to defining (i.e., excluding) MCI during the ascertainment of SCD, focusing on the impact on dementia incidence rates in SCD. Methods: This cohort study utilized routine healthcare data collected in the Essex Memory Clinic from 1999 to 2023. Two different operationalizations of the SCD criteria were used to categorize the cohort into two SCD patient samples. One sample was based on local clinical practice – MCI was excluded according to the Winblad criteria (this sample was termed SCDWinblad). The other sample was created via the retrospective application of the Jak/Bondi criteria for the exclusion of MCI (termed SCDJak/Bondi). Only patients aged ≥ 55 years at baseline with ≥ 12 months follow-up were considered for inclusion. The initial clinical/demographic characteristics of the samples were compared. Rates of incident dementia were calculated for each sample, and unadjusted and Mantel-Haenszel-adjusted incidence rate ratios were calculated to compare dementia incidence between the SCD samples. Results: The Essex Memory Clinic database included 2,233 patients in total. The SCD and study eligibility criteria were used to select SCDWinblad (n = 86) and SCDJak/Bondi (n = 185) samples from the database. Median follow-up (3 years) did not differ between the two samples. The SCDJak/Bondi sample was significantly older than the SCDWinblad at first assessment (median age: 74 versus 70 years) and had poorer scores on tests of global cognition, immediate and delayed verbal recall, and category fluency. Following adjustment for age, the dementia incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval] was 3.7 [1.5 to 9.3], indicating a significantly greater rate of progression to dementia in SCDJak/Bondi. Conclusions: This study highlights that the approach used to ascertain SCD has important implications for both SCD phenotypes and prognosis. This underscores the importance of how MCI is operationalized within SCD studies. More broadly, the findings add to a growing body of work indicating that objective cognition should not be overlooked in SCD, and offer a potential explanation for the heterogeneity across the SCD prognostic literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case report of a 54-year-old male with a metastatic testicular sex cord tumor harboring a EWSR1::ATF1 gene fusion. The tumor displayed a solid and nested architecture with sclerotic stroma and variable inflammatory infiltrate, and was positive for SF-1, inhibin, EMA, CD30, and WT1 expression. Further genetic analysis identified a EWSR1::ATF1 gene fusion. Overall findings were consistent with an "inflammatory and nested testicular sex cord tumor," a recently described testicular neoplasm characterized by EWSR1::ATF1 gene fusion and aggressive clinical behavior. Due to the aggressive nature of this entity and the limited response to current treatment options available, identification of potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and targeted therapies are critical. This case report provides important insights into the genomic landscape of testicular sex cord-stromal tumors, especially within the CTNNB1 -negative subset of patients with an aggressive clinical course, and further supports the distinction of "inflammatory and nested testicular sex cord tumor" as a separate entity from Sertoli cell tumors due to its characteristic morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular, features and clinical behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Microvesicles (MVs) are essential for inter-cellular signaling in health and disease. We analyzed MV levels in colorectal cancer patients and assessed their release in early-stage colorectal cancer and survival. Considering that all types of MV were elevated beginning in the very early stages of the disease, we believe that the study of circulating MV levels could provide evidence for their use in the early detection of colon cancer in patients. Background: The release of microvesicles (MVs) is an essential phenomenon for inter-cellular signaling in health and disease. The role of MVs in cancer is multidimensional and includes cancer cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. In this prospective study, we analyzed MV levels in colorectal cancer patients and assessed the importance of MV release in early-stage colorectal cancer and survival. Methods: This study included 98 patients and 15 controls. The characterization of MVs from human plasma was performed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Results: The levels of total MVs and MUC-1-positive, tissue factor (TF)-positive, and endothelial cell-derived MVs (EMVs) were statistically significantly higher in the colon cancer patients than in the controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the subgroup of patients with very early-stage colorectal cancer also had statistically significant differences in the levels of the abovementioned MVs compared to the controls (p < 0.01). Highly differentiated tumors had lower levels of MUC-1-positive MVs (p < 0.02), EMVs (p < 0.002), and EMV/TF combinations (p < 0.001) versus those with tumors with low/intermediate differentiation. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the analysis of circulating MV levels in plasma could possibly become a tool for the early diagnosis of colon cancer at a very early stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cruise ships carrying COVID-19-vaccinated populations applied near-identical nonpharmaceutical measures during July-November 2021; passenger masking was not applied on 2 ships. Infection risk for masked passengers was 14.58 times lower than for unmasked passengers and 19.61 times lower than in the community. Unmasked passengers' risk was slightly lower than community risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) in the past decade has challenged our imagination to discover new, innovative and disruptive solutions to problems in domains ranging from finance and healthcare to supply chain and Smart Cities. However, the enormous energy consumption that has been observed in some of the most successful DLT applications raises the question of their long term sustainability. This article reviews the standardization efforts of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to provide guidelines to regulators and policy makers for making informed decisions on the applicability and sustainability of DLT architectures from the point of view of energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Headache disorders have been associated with anxiety and depressive disorders. The aim of this study was to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression in a large sample of individuals with different headache disorders (HDs) in order to determine whether their frequency differs by headache type. Methods: Consecutive individuals with headache attending a headache outpatient clinic were interviewed with the HAM-D and HAM-A, along with age, sex, and education matched non-headache individuals. Results: Individuals numbering 2673 with headache (females 71.2%) and 464 non-headache individuals (females 70.9%) were interviewed (with participation rates of 98.3% and 91.0%, respectively). Migraine was diagnosed in 49.7%, tension-type headache in 38%, cluster headache 5.2%, and medication overuse (MO) in 21.8%. Participants with HD scored more in HAM-A (OR = 4.741, CI95%: 3.855–5.831, p < 0.001) and HAM-D scales (OR = 2.319, CI95%: 1.892–2.842, p < 0.001) than non-headache individuals. Participants with chronic HDs (≥15 days with headache for ≥3 consecutive months; 52.5%) scored higher for both HAM-A (OR = 1.944, CI95%: 1.640–2.303, p < 0.001) and HAM-D (OR = 1.625, CI95%: 1.359–1.944, p < 0.001) than those with episodic HDs (33.1%), as did participants with MO vs. participants without MO (OR = 3.418, CI95%: 2.655–4.399, p < 0.001 for HAM-A, OR = 3.043, CI95%: 2.322–3.986, p < 0.001 for HAM-D). Female and low-educated participants scored higher on both scales. Conclusion: Because symptoms of anxiety and depression are substantial in people with HD, the treating physicians should look out for such symptoms and manage them appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarayaku, an Amazonian Kichwa community in Pastaza province, Ecuador, is suspected to be rich in oil reserves. This fact has generated outside interest in the region and in turn pushed Sarayaku Runa (Sarayaku people) to defend their territory against state‐led extractivist projects. In this context, the conflict in Sarayaku territory, among the state, multinational oil companies and the Indigenous Peoples who inhabit it, goes beyond natural resources. In an effort to distance themselves from the current use of terms such as buen vivir and Pachamama rights, Sarayaku Runa are now inventing new legal and social concepts, such as Kawsak Sacha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood is a fundamental stage in the development of the human being and early stimulation has become generalized as a strategy capable of strengthening capacities in this period, for this reason this research seeks to analyze the perception of initial education teachers about the programs of early stimulation, investigating knowledge, work areas and limitations in teaching practice. This research will get to know the insights about early stimulation programs. Teachers agree that stimulation has multiple benefits when applied in 30-minute sessions in children's centers and therefore a comprehensive stimulation is prioritized, however, the greatest limitation is the accompaniment of parents, since there is no adequate commitment to work on these activities, therefore, it is considered important to unify the acting roles that parents and teachers have in the face of early stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of individual biomarkers in discriminating between two groups, typically the healthy and the diseased, may be limited. Thus, there is interest in developing statistical methodologies for biomarker combinations with the aim of improving upon the individual discriminatory performance. There is extensive literature referring to biomarker combinations under the two-class setting. However, the corresponding literature under a three-class setting is limited. In our study, we provide parametric and nonparametric methods that allow investigators to optimally combine biomarkers that seek to discriminate between three classes by minimizing the Euclidean distance from the receiver operating characteristic surface to the perfection corner. Using this Euclidean distance as the objective function allows for estimation of the optimal combination coefficients along with the optimal cutoff values for the combined score. An advantage of the proposed methods is that they can accommodate biomarker data from all three groups simultaneously, as opposed to a pairwise analysis such as the one implied by the three-class Youden index. We illustrate that the derived true classification rates exhibit narrower confidence intervals than those derived from the Youden-based approach under a parametric, flexible parametric, and nonparametric kernel-based framework. We evaluate our approaches through extensive simulations and apply them to real data sets that refer to liver cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional agricultural techniques cannot fulfill the requirements of a sustainable food value chain. Agroecology can be a great alternative practice for transforming the current agricultural systems. This approach combines ecology and agriculture, considering different stakeholders' opinions. An assessment of the current literature about "agroecology practices" using the Web of Science database was made, and 1235 results were collected and unified into a bibtex file using R studio. The final results were extracted through the bibliometix library. The acquired results show that annual scientific production on the aforementioned term was limited between the 1990s and 2010s and has recently increased due to increased interest in the topic. Additionally, the terms "agriculture", "management biodiversity", and "conservation" are frequently correlated with agroecology, covering all three dimensions of sustainability. Agroecology as a trending topic has great potential to serve North African countries, increasing food security levels while assuring sustainability standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food fraud poses a significant challenge within the global food supply chain, with apprehensions regarding safety, authenticity, and efficiency. This study conducts a brief review of the literature by utilizing the Web of Science database, analyzing 2331 outcomes pertaining to the subject of food fraud. The analysis results demonstrated a noteworthy surge in scientific publications after 2013, which was propelled by events such as the horsemeat scandal and the formation of the European Food Safety Authority. Utilizing Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), the study identified significant clusters pertaining to food transformation, safety, traceability, and distinct meat sources. In addition, trending topics shifted towards a holistic approach to food safety and the implementation of technologies like Blockchain (BC), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data (BD). These technologies offer enhanced traceability, authentication, automation, and decision-making capabilities. The present research offers valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of food fraud research and the potential of nascent technologies to tackle these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in biological wastewater treatment with sustainable and circularity approaches have a wide scope of application. Biological wastewater treatment is widely used to remove/recover organic pollutants and nutrients from a diverse wastewater spectrum. However, conventional biological processes face challenges, such as low efficiency, high energy consumption, and the generation of excess sludge. To overcome these limitations, integrated strategies that combine biological treatment with other physical, chemical, or biological methods have been developed and applied in recent years. This review emphasizes the recent advances in integrated strategies for biological wastewater treatment, focusing on their mechanisms, benefits, challenges, and prospects. The review also discusses the potential applications of integrated strategies for diverse wastewater treatment towards green energy and resource recovery, along with low-carbon fuel production. Biological treatment methods, viz., bioremediation, electro-coagulation, electro-flocculation, electro-Fenton, advanced oxidation, electro-oxidation, bioelectrochemical systems, and photo-remediation, are summarized with respect to non-genetically modified metabolic reactions. Different conducting materials (CMs) play a significant role in mass/charge transfer metabolic processes and aid in enhancing fermentation rates. Carbon, metal, and nano-based CMs hybridization in different processes provide favorable conditions to the fermentative biocatalyst and trigger their activity towards overcoming the limitations of the conventional process. The emerging field of nanotechnology provides novel additional opportunities to surmount the constraints of conventional process for enhanced waste remediation and resource valorization. Holistically, integrated strategies are promising alternatives for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of biological wastewater treatment while also contributing to the circular economy and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the extent to which teacher factors of the dynamic model of educational effectiveness can explain variation in student achievement in mathematics. It also searches for the extent to which any of these factors matters more for academically resilient students than for all the other low-socioeconomic-status students. Participants were all teachers (N = 66) of 14 schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas who teach mathematics to students of Grades 4–6 (N = 904). Teacher factors were measured through a student questionnaire, whereas mathematics achievement at the beginning and the end of the school year was measured through written tests. Student background characteristics were measured through a student questionnaire. Information on parents' occupational status was also collected. Multilevel modelling analysis revealed that all teacher factors explain variation in mathematics achievement. Differential effects for all factors but modelling and assessment were identified. Implications of findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibroacoustic signalling is one of the dominant strategies of animal communication, especially in small invertebrates. Among insects, the order Hemiptera displays a staggering diversity of vibroacoustic organs and is renowned for possessing biomechanically complex elastic recoil devices such as tymbals and snapping organs that enable robust vibrational communication. However, our understanding of the evolution of hemipteran elastic recoil devices is hindered by the absence of relevant data in the phylogenetically important group known as moss bugs (Coleorrhyncha), which produce substrate-borne vibrations through an unknown mechanism. In the present work, we reveal the functional morphology of the moss bug vibrational mechanism and study its presence across Coleorrhyncha and in extinct fossilised relatives. We incorporate the anatomical features of the moss bug vibrational mechanism in a phylogeny of Hemiptera, which supports either a sister-group relationship to Heteroptera, or a sister-group relationship with the Auchenorrhyncha. Regardless of topology, we propose that simple abdominal vibration was present at the root of Euhemiptera, and arose 350 million years ago, suggesting that this mode of signalling is among the most ancient in the animal kingdom. Therefore, the most parsimonious explanation for the origins of complex elastic recoil devices is that they represent secondary developments that arose exclusively in the Auchenorrhyncha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]