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The purpose of these meta-analyses was to examine the effectiveness of home-based interventions aimed at improving literacy and mathematics outcomes for preschool-age children (mean age = 4.29 years; range = 3.07-5.32 years) and to develop an understanding of what home-based interventions work in different contexts. A total of 32 studies met the inclusion criteria for these meta-analyses; 30 studies included sufficient data for inclusion in the meta-analyses, and two studies did not contain sufficient quantitative data and instead were summarized in a narrative review. The average weighted effect size for interventions with literacy (d = 0.10; CI = [-0.17, 0.38]; n = 27) and mathematical outcomes (d = 0.18; CI = [-1.62, 1.99]; n = 8) were minimal. Hence, these meta-analyses showed that home-based interventions had minimal effect on literacy and mathematical outcomes for preschoolers. There were more home-based interventions with literacy (N = 28) than mathematical outcomes (N = 10). The heterogeneity showed no variability, indicating that all intervention impacted on children's outcomes to similar effect. Overall, many interventions were relatively light touch (i.e., time spent engaging in parent training), and the engagement requirement of the parent in some studies was minimal (e.g., reading a short text message). More in-depth research into the components of interventions (e.g., focus, training approaches) and evaluation of interventions before they are implemented is essential for ensuring that early interventions will be effective and lead to the development of the intended skills.

The purpose of the current study was to qualitatively explore the home mathematical environment across two regions in two different countries (i.e., Cuba and Mexico), replicating a qualitative study previously conducted in Northern Ireland (NI), United Kingdom (Cahoon et al., 2017). Semi-structured interviews with parents/caregivers of children (3- to 5-year-olds) in both Mexico (n = 13) and Cuba (n = 40) were completed to investigate their views, experiences and attitudes towards the home mathematical environment. Thematic analysis was used to explore themes relevant to the home mathematical environment. Three consistent themes were found in the Mexican and Cuban data: Numeracy Environment Structure, Expectations and Attitudes and Views of Technology. Two unique themes were found in the Mexico data: Interactions Related to Reading or Mathematics, and Child's Attitudes in Relation to Mathematics. One unique theme was found in the Cuban interviews: Interactions for Learning. Although diverse themes were identified, consistencies were also observed. This suggests that some home numeracy practices may be universal in nature. This research increases the understanding of human development in context.

This work proposes a simulation strategy of the lead sintering process assuming that it takes place in a horizontally moving packed bed with transverse air flow. Some local chemical reactions occur at rates that depend on the temperature, and chemical species formed in one volume stage will flow for further reaction in other stages. To simulate this process, the model reactor is divided into a number of sequential stages. Condensed species flow horizontally, and gaseous species leave each stage vertically. The compositions and temperatures of the species are calculated considering that the local thermodynamic equilibrium is reached in each stage without external heat transfer, apart from the gas flow, before moving on to the next stage. The model calculates the temperature profile along the sintering machine, the compositions of the sinter and the exhaust gas. The results of the proposed model were compared with sinter pot experimental trials and a reasonably good agreement was obtained. This model can be used to optimize the operating conditions of the lead sintering process.

Study abroad is often hailed as a unique and important learning experience that fosters students' ability to engage in effective and appropriate interactions in a variety of cultural contexts. Scholars, however, have not only questioned the learning that occurs in study abroad but have also highlighted problematic aspects such as the potential miseducation of participants and harm to host communities, particularly for short-term study abroad (STSA) experiences. Utilizing the lens of criticalhope, the purpose of this study was to critically assess the potential of STSA in fostering cross-cultural learning, while also examining its limitations and potential harm. Based on interviews with 18 participants 1 and 2 years after their STSA, we found STSA has the potential to be a catalyst for learning and growth related to the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed for effective cross-cultural interactions. However, when participants approached STSA with a colonial attitude and failed to connect learning to cross-cultural experiences after STSA, that learning was minimal and STSA reinforced ethnocentric viewpoints. Participants' race and ethnicity shaped their learning. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color participants who had positive experiences abroad felt inspired by STSA to seek out additional cross-cultural interactions, which led to further growth. The white participants who experienced more growth had passions and interests related to cultural learning prior to STSA and engaged in meaningful cross-cultural experiences after STSA. In our Implications section, we discuss ways to maximize the potential of STSA to foster cross-cultural learning and serve as a catalyst for social change.

This article aims at sharing the preliminary literature review of the main developments related to Intersectional Identities in Colombian English Language Teaching and general educational contexts worldwide. First, I trace the research work concerning the topic at both national and international levels through a bibliometric analysis in Scopus to see the main developments regarding intersectionality from a decolonial perspective. Then, I show through a complementary bibliometric study, 50 articles that were collected from different databases, and the trends found as representation of intersectional studies. The analysis indicates two core trends: (1) Intersectional studies in general educational contexts and (2) Intersectional studies in ELT contexts. Finally, I present how this profiling research study shows that the topic of Intersectional Identities in Colombia seems scarce within the field of ELT.

This paper presents the results of the 2022 Groundwater Time Series Modelling Challenge, where 15 teams from different institutes applied various data-driven models to simulate hydraulic-head time series at four monitoring wells. Three of the wells were located in Europe and one was located in the USA in different hydrogeological settings in temperate, continental, or subarctic climates. Participants were provided with approximately 15 years of measured heads at (almost) regular time intervals and daily measurements of weather data starting some 10 years prior to the first head measurements and extending around 5 years after the last head measurement. The participants were asked to simulate the measured heads (the calibration period), to provide a prediction for around 5 years after the last measurement (the validation period for which weather data were provided but not head measurements), and to include an uncertainty estimate. Three different groups of models were identified among the submissions: lumped-parameter models (three teams), machine learning models (four teams), and deep learning models (eight teams). Lumped-parameter models apply relatively simple response functions with few parameters, while the artificial intelligence models used models of varying complexity, generally with more parameters and more input, including input engineered from the provided data (e.g. multi-day averages). The models were evaluated on their performance in simulating the heads in the calibration period and in predicting the heads in the validation period. Different metrics were used to assess performance, including metrics for average relative fit, average absolute fit, fit of extreme (high or low) heads, and the coverage of the uncertainty interval. For all wells, reasonable performance was obtained by at least one team from each of the three groups. However, the performance was not consistent across submissions within each group, which implies that the application of each method to individual sites requires significant effort and experience. In particular, estimates of the uncertainty interval varied widely between teams, although some teams submitted confidence intervals rather than prediction intervals. There was not one team, let alone one method, that performed best for all wells and all performance metrics. Four of the main takeaways from the model comparison are as follows: (1) lumped-parameter models generally performed as well as artificial intelligence models, which means they capture the fundamental behaviour of the system with only a few parameters. (2) Artificial intelligence models were able to simulate extremes beyond the observed conditions, which is contrary to some persistent beliefs about these methods. (3) No overfitting was observed in any of the models, including in the models with many parameters, as performance in the validation period was generally only a bit lower than in the calibration period, which is evidence of appropriate application of the different models. (4) The presented simulations are the combined results of the applied method and the choices made by the modeller(s), which was especially visible in the performance range of the deep learning methods; underperformance does not necessarily reflect deficiencies of any of the models. In conclusion, the challenge was a successful initiative to compare different models and learn from each other. Future challenges are needed to investigate, for example, the performance of models in more variable climatic settings to simulate head series with significant gaps or to estimate the effect of drought periods.

Chronic wounds and burns are a worldwide healthcare problem that erodes patients’ well-being and healthcare systems. This silent and costly epidemic requires new, cost-efficient solutions to improve patients’ physical and economic welfare. Eschar-degrading vegetal and bacterial proteases have been utilized as a solution. However, these proteins are evolutionarily far from those present in human wound healing. Serine protease (SP) and annexin (ANX) proteins interact within the skin healing process. A homology-based identification pipeline can help in discovering selective human SP and ANX analogs in the epithelial tissue of the fast-healing species, Pangasius hypophthalmus. In the present work, we found 14 candidates for RT-PCR in P. hypophthalmus using homology inference. The genetically detected candidates were then structurally and sequentially analyzed to understand their possible relation to SPs and ANXs involved in human wound healing. A total of six TBLASTN/BLASTX candidates (four SPs and two ANXs) were detected in P. hypophthalmus skin. Structural analysis revealed that all SP candidates resembled human KLK4, KLK5, KLK6, and KLK8, whereas all ANX only resembled human ANXA4. Structure and sequence analysis revealed high conservation of ANX Ca2+ binding sites (GDXD) and SP catalytic triad (HDS) motifs. In addition, structural analysis revealed that SP substrate selectivity position 186 was the main difference between human KLK5 and P. hypophthalmus SPs. These findings may allow the proposal and testing of more selective formulations, broadening treatments beyond debridement.

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar la experiencia de aprendizaje implementada en una plataforma de experiencias de aprendizaje en los procesos de capacitación continua de personas incorporadas al Colegio de Profesionales de Orientación, desde el enfoque de aprendizaje activo. Se utilizó una metodología sociocrítica y un diseño de investigación-acción participativa en un grupo de 13 personas colegiadas. Además, se llevó a cabo un diseño tecno pedagógico a través de sus etapas de diagnóstico, diseño, implementación y evaluación de la experiencia; el cual se desarrolla por medio de un curso incorporado a la oferta del Programa de Desarrollo Profesional, que fortalece el tema en atención socioemocional en entornos educativos. Los resultados muestran que, por medio de la plataforma Perusall®, se alcanza a integrar características del enfoque de aprendizaje activo. Entre las conclusiones, destacan la necesidad de elaborar propuestas centradas en los ambientes personalizados de aprendizaje; se encuentra que la plataforma de experiencias de aprendizaje (LXP) es una herramienta innovadora en el ámbito pedagógico e integradora de tecnologías recientes, así como que el diseño de conocimiento técnico pedagógico del contenido (TPACK) favorece una planificación estratégica y ágil en la elaboración de propuestas didácticas. Así mismo, se identifican características deseables para futuros procesos de capacitación a partir del enfoque propuesto, como mayores espacios socio colaborativos, vinculación teórico-práctica con ambientes laborales y profundización del pensamiento crítico.

Introduction: The analysis of the core biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is recommended in the clinical units where it is available. Because of the absence of universal validated values, the determination of specific cut-off points for each center and its population is recommended. The main objective of the CORCOBIA study was to determine the cut-off points of core AD CSF biomarkers for several centers (Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona and Hospital General de Granollers), which work with the same reference laboratory (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Methods: Prospective study including cognitively unimpaired individuals (CU, n = 42), subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, n = 35) and patients with dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD, n = 48), in whom clinical and neuropsychological assessment, neuroimaging, APOE genotyping and lumbar puncture to analyse amyloid beta peptides (Aβ42, Aβ40), total tau (tTau) and phosphorylated Tau (pTau181) using the Lumipulse G600II (Fujirebio) was performed. The values of sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), predictive values and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated, determining the cut-off point according to the Youden index by comparing the CU and AD groups. Results: The resulting cut-offs and their AUC were the following: Aβ42 750 pg/mL (AUC 0.809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0.062 (AUC 0.78); pTau181 69.85 pg/mL (AUC 0.81); tTau 522.0 pg/mL (AUC 0.79); Aβ42/tTau 1.76 (AUC 0.86); Aβ42/pTau181 10.25 (AUC 0.86). Conclusions: The determination of cut-off points of core AD CSF biomarkers for the participating centers allows a better diagnostic accuracy. The ratio CSF Aβ42/pTau181 shows the highest AUC and better balance between sensitivity and specificity. Resumen: Introducción: El análisis de biomarcadores bioquímicos de Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) en líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) se recomienda como parte del diagnóstico en los centros en los que está disponible. Ante la ausencia de valores universales validados, se recomienda la determinación de puntos de corte (PdC) específicos para cada centro y su población. El objetivo principal del proyecto CORCOBIA fue determinar los PdC de biomarcadores de EA en LCR para varios centros (Parc de Salut Mar de Barcelona y Hospital General de Granollers), que trabajan con el mismo laboratorio de referencia (Laboratori de Referència de Catalunya). Métodos: Estudio prospectivo incluyendo sujetos cognitivamente sanos (CS, n = 42), con deterioro cognitivo ligero amnésico (DCLa, n = 35) y con demencia tipo Alzheimer (DTA, n = 48), realizando valoración clínica y neuropsicológica, neuroimagen, genotipado APOE y punción lumbar para analizar los péptidos beta amiloides (Aβ42, Aβ40) y las proteínas tau total (tTau) y tau fosforilada (pTau181) mediante el autoanalizador Lumipulse G600II (Fujirebio). Se calcularon los valores de Sensibilidad (S), Especificidad (E), valores predictivos y área bajo la curva (ABC), determinando el punto de corte según índice de Youden comparando los grupos de CS y DTA. Resultados: Los PdC y ABC fueron los siguientes: Aβ42 750 pg/mL (ABC 0.809); Aβ42/Aβ40 0.062 (ABC 0.78); pTau181 69.85 pg/mL (ABC 0.81); tTau 522.0 pg/mL (ABC 0.79); Aβ42/tTau 1.76 (ABC 0.86); Aβ42/pTau181 10.25 (ABC 0.86). Conclusiones: La determinación de PdC para biomarcadores de EA en LCR para los centros participantes permite una mejor precisión diagnóstica, siendo la ratio Aβ42/pTau181 en LCR el parámetro con mayor ABC y mejor balance entre sensibilidad y especificidad.

Abstract Background Despite the importance of community involvement in research, little formal training in community outreach and engagement (COE) is offered to cancer research trainees. A collaboration between the Office of COE and the Office of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson led to the COE-CRTEC Trainee Working Group, a unique program in which trainees in cancer research each created a novel COE initiative. Methods Four cancer research trainees were selected to serve as COE Program Liaisons (CPLs), each aligned with one of the four cancer center research programs. Each CPL developed, implemented, and evaluated a project that enhanced the bidirectional relationship between their research and the community. Trainees were provided a modest budget, support from the Office of COE, and a requirement to complete the project within one academic year. Results Projects included a cancer education seminar for older adults at a senior center, a prostate cancer education and screening event at a predominantly African American church, a video demonstrating a day in the life of a skin cancer researcher, and a podcast that featured SKCCC investigators answering research questions from community members. Conclusion Students who would not typically be exposed to COE training gained experience developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based initiatives. Projects were diverse in topic and approach, reflecting the diversity of the trainees and the community. Allowing trainees, those who are the next generation of cancer researchers, to design community-based research may lead to more patient-centered research in the future.

Herein, we describe the genus Dentotibium gen. nov. and the species D. ramucantoris sp. nov, a toothed foretibia katydid within the subfamily Pseudophyllinae from Colombia. This new katydid is a forest dweller inhabiting oak woodlands between 1600 and 2300 m above sea level, only found in the western slopes of the Eastern Andes of Boyacá Department, Colombia. This new species burrows in woody branches and shows big heads in both sexes. The appearance of Dentotibium gen. nov. is similar to that of Trichotettix Stål, 1873 but differs in having tubercles over the dorsal margin of the foretibiae. It is also close to Nastonotus Bolívar, 1890, but differs from in lacking the three black stripes in the vertex and having a less marked frontal suture and smoother face. Males sing all night long, and their calling song consists of periodic syllables with three differentiable phases. Seasonal calling activity lowers remarkably during the dry season (Jun–Aug). DNA barcoding sequences for the paratypes made available in a previous study are included here.