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Let (M,∂M,g)\left(M,\partial M,g) be a compact Riemannian manifold with boundary. As a generalization of the Yamabe invariant with boundary Y(M,∂M,g)Y\left(M,\partial M,g), we define the kth Yamabe invariant with boundary Yk(M,∂M,g){Y}_{k}\left(M,\partial M,g). We prove some of its properties and study when it can be attained by the generalized metric. We also prove a version of conformal Schwarz lemma on (M,∂M,g)\left(M,\partial M,g) by using the Yamabe flow with boundary.

Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure to secure a patient’s airways, which can be challenging in emergency situations due to an individual’s anatomy. Intubation blades can benefit from an adjustable design with shape memory alloys. We present a novel blade design with two degrees of freedom, continuously transforming a straight into a curved blade. Our demonstrators reached mean angular deflections up to 16∘ without exceeding outer blade temperatures of 40∘C. Mean forces of almost 24N were applicable. This approach has the potential to reduce the complexity of intubation procedures and increase the success rate, especially in time-critical emergency situations.

This work focuses on a dynamic electrical circuit whose dynamics are affine in the control input. Such dynamics are considered to be re-expressed in a canonical form, namely the port-Hamiltonian (pH) representation with dissipation, where the Hamiltonian is a quadratic function and has the unit of energy or power. On this basis, it allows revealing the transformation of energy (or power) inside the system, including the energy supply, storage and dissipation, thereby facilitating Lyapunov-based or energy-related control approaches for stabilization and optimization purposes. Two pH representations are proposed and compared; the first one is established with difficult-to-measure states while the second one is obtained with easier-to-measure states.

Association rule mining (ARM) is a technique for discovering meaningful associations within databases, typically handling discrete and categorical data. Recent advancements in ARM have concentrated on refining calculations to reveal connections among various databases. The integration of shuffled frog leaping optimization (SFLO) processes has played a crucial role in this pursuit. This paper introduces an innovative SFLO-based method for performance analysis. To generate association rules, we utilize the apriori algorithm and incorporate frog encoding within the SFLO method. A key advantage of this approach is its one-time database filtering, significantly boosting efficiency in terms of CPU time and memory usage. Furthermore, we enhance the optimization process's efficacy and precision by employing multiple measures with the modified SFLO techniques for mining such information.The proposed approach, implemented using MongoDB, underscores that our performance analysis yields notably superior outcomes compared to alternative methods. This research holds implications for fruit shape database mining, providing robust support for fruit class classification.

In median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), the median arcuate ligament compresses the celiac trunk and surrounding nerves leading to chronic functional abdominal pain and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. MALS can be effectively treated by dividing the arcuate ligament through open surgery or laparoscopy. This is a rare vascular condition and mostly encountered in adult patients. We hereby report a case of a pediatric patient diagnosed with MALS and treated successfully by laparoscopic approach. An 11-year-old girl presented with severe abdominal cramps for 3 months, accompanied by nonbilious vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) angiography demonstrated clear images of celiac trunk compression suggesting MALS. Laparoscopic surgery to cut the ligament and decompress the celiac artery was performed. The patient was discharged on day 7 postoperative with no recurrence of symptoms after 12 months of follow-up. This report suggested the diagnostic value of CT scan, and the safety and the feasibility of laparoscopic surgical techniques to treat MALS in children.

Summary: DNA-modifying enzymes are crucial in biological processes and have significant clinical implications. Traditional quantification methods often overlook enzymatic activity, the true determinants of enzymes’ functions. We present hydrogel Bead-based Isothermal Detection (BEAD-ID), utilizing uniform hydrogel bead-based microreactors to evaluate DNA-modifying enzyme activity on-bead. We fabricated homogeneous oligo-conjugated polyacrylamide (oligo-PAA) beads via droplet microfluidics, optimized for capturing and amplifying enzyme-modified nanosensors. By incorporating DNA oligos within the hydrogel network, BEAD-ID retains isothermally amplified products, facilitating in situ detection of enzyme activities on-bead. We validate BEAD-ID by quantifying human topoisomerase I (TOP1) and restriction endonuclease EcoRI, showing a direct correlation between enzyme concentration and fluorescence intensity, demonstrating the platform’s sensitivity (6.25 nM TOP1, 6.25 U/μL EcoRI) and reliability in food matrix (25 U/μL EcoRI). Additionally, a customized flow cytometry-mimicking setup allows high-throughput detection at 352 Hz with objective assessment. BEAD-ID, offering flexibility and scalability, is a promising tool for studying DNA-modifying enzymes.

Wang Chun Kwok,1 Terence Chi Chun Tam,1 James Chung Man Ho,1 David Chi Leung Lam,1 Mary Sau-Man Ip,1 Pak Leung Ho2 1Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Microbiology and Carol Yu Centre for Infection, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Pak Leung Ho, Department of Microbiology and Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China, Tel +852-2255-2584, Fax +852 2855 1241, Email plho@hku.hkIntroduction: Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV-r) and molnupiravir (MOL) were developed as out-patient anti-viral for mild COVID-19. There was limited data on their role in treating COVID-19 for hospitalized patients, especially among adult patients who are unvaccinated and had chronic respiratory diseases.Methods: A territory-wide retrospective study was conducted in Hong Kong to compare the efficacy of NMV-r and MOL against COVID-19 in unvaccinated adult patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and interstitial lung diseases presenting with moderate COVID-19 from 16th February 2022 to 15th March 2023.Results: A total of 1354 patients were included, 738 received NMV-r and 616 received MOL. NMV-r was more effective in reducing 90-day mortality with adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) of 0.508 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.314– 0.822, p = 0.006). Patients who received NMV-r also had significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) than those receiving MOL, with median LOS of 4 (Interquartile range [IQR] = 2– 7) for NMV-r and 6 (IQR = 3– 10) for MOL (p-value < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the development of respiratory failure and severe respiratory failure in the two groups.Discussion: NMV-r was more effective than MOL among unvaccinated adults with chronic respiratory diseases who were hospitalized for moderate COVID-19 without hypoxaemia on admission.Keywords: asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, COVID-19

Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is used for the treatment of hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but long-term use can cause osteoporosis. In this study, the effect of ADV on the osteocyte maturation process was evaluated at the level of undifferentiated cells using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts (MG63). First, MSCs and MG63 cells were treated with ADV at different concentrations, and then a Cell Counting Kit-8 analysis was performed to determine the effect on the proliferation of each cell. Additionally, crystal violet and Hoechst staining were performed for the morphological analysis of each cell and nucleus. To determine the cause of cell hypertrophy, the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression was investigated, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity were measured to determine the degree of differentiation of the MSCs and MG63 cells into mature osteocytes. The results confirmed that the ADV increases the expression of TGF-β in MSCs and MG63 cells, causing cellular and nuclear hypertrophy, and can cause osteoporosis by inhibiting cell proliferation and affecting the differentiation of mature osteocytes. Therefore, it is believed that these results can be used as a basis for understanding the adverse effects of ADV at a cytological level in basic medicine and clinical research.

Gallbladder rupture caused by blunt abdominal trauma is an uncommon injury, particularly in children. This condition occurs even less frequently in children with common bile duct cysts. The history is difficult to obtain, the clinical symptoms are indistinct, and their assessment is obscured by a slew of other lesions. Radiography cannot produce clear images. Thus, the diagnosis is frequently delayed and confirmed only during surgery. Case reports of gallbladder injury after abdominal trauma are relatively rare and there are only 50 case reports in literature for 100 years. Herein, we present the case of an 18-month-old girl who had a ruptured gallbladder funnel due to blunt abdominal trauma caused by domestic violence, with an early clinical presentation of septic shock and chylous effusion. The patient underwent surgery after being diagnosed with chylous ascites that had not responded to medical treatment. Based on the findings, single-stage laparoscopic surgery is confirmed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder injury in the presence of a common bile duct cyst.

With the development of Computer Vision, we can effectively and accurately identify trees, fruit or object images. But to build a high-performance image dataset for tree identification problems in Agriculture is a challenge. Realizing that Vietnam is a country with strong agriculture with many tropical fruits grown widely such as Dragon fruit, Mangosteen, Mango, Orange, Lychee, Longan … We chose the Dragon Fruit tree for the data set. of my proposed images, all images will be collected using the close-up method, including tasks such as taking photos of Dragon Fruit trees from many angles and in different conditions (weather, temperature, light, …). In this article, we want to improve the data quality of the collected images so we have applied image processing techniques such as noise filtering (using Gaussian filter), image quality enhancement (image rotation), flip the image, zoom out, zoom in, etc.). From the collected Dragon Fruit tree data set, we will propose to use the Faster R–CNN model for this data set to build a tree and Dragon Fruit identification system.

Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid models are crucial for cancer research, offering more accurate insights into tumour biology and drug responses than traditional 2D cell cultures. However, inconsistent and low-throughput spheroid production has hindered their application in drug screening. Here, we present an automated high-throughput platform for a spheroid selection, fabrication, and sorting system (SFSS) to produce uniform gelatine-encapsulated spheroids (GESs) with high efficiency. SFSS integrates advanced imaging, analysis, photo-triggered fabrication, and microfluidic sorting to precisely control spheroid size, shape, and viability. Our data demonstrate that our SFSS can produce over 50 GESs with consistent size and circularity in 30 min with over 97% sorting accuracy while maintaining cell viability and structural integrity. We demonstrated that the GESs can be used for drug screening and potentially for various assays. Thus, the SFSS could significantly enhance the efficiency of generating uniform spheroids, facilitating their application in drug development to investigate complex biological systems and drug responses in a more physiologically relevant context.

Seifu M Abera,1,2 Colin O’Donnell,3 Taufiq Salahuddin,1,2 Krishna Prabhu,4 Carol E Simons,1 P Michael Ho,5,6 Stephen W Waldo,3,5,6 Jacob A Doll1– 3 1Section of Cardiology, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; 2Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 3Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program, VHA Office of Quality and Patient Safety, Washington, DC, USA; 4Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA; 5Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; 6Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USACorrespondence: Jacob A Doll, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S. Columbian Way, S111-CARDIO, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA, Tel +1 206-277-6199, Fax +1 206-764-2257, Email jdoll@uw.eduObjective: Adherence to anti-platelet medications is critical following coronary stenting, but prior studies indicate that clinician assessment and patient self-assessment of adherence are poorly correlated with future medication-taking behavior. We therefore sought to determine if integrated pharmacy data can be used to identify patients at high risk of non-adherence after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).Methods: Using Veteran Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking (CART) data linked with pharmacy records, we assessed adherence to cardiovascular medications from 2012 to 2018. Adherence was defined as the proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥ 0.80. We assessed the association of pre-PCI adherence with post-PCI adherence to P2Y12 inhibitors and clinical outcomes using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively.Results: Among 56,357 patients, 66.0% filled at least 1 cardiovascular medication within VA for the year prior to PCI and were evaluable for adherence. Pre-PCI non-adherence was 20.7%, and non-adherent patients were more likely to be younger and present non-electively. Non-adherent patients were less likely to adhere to P2Y12 inhibitor therapy after PCI (Adjusted OR 0.45 C.I. 0.41– 0.46), compared with adherent patients, and had a higher adjusted risk of mortality (HR 1.17 C.I. 1.03– 1.33).Conclusion: Adherence to cardiovascular medications prior to PCI can be assessed for most patients using pharmacy data, and past adherence is associated with future adherence and mortality after PCI. Use of integrated pharmacy data to identify high-risk patients could improve outcomes and cost-effectiveness of adherence interventions.Plain Language Summary: Why was the study done?: Non-adherence to anti-platelet medications is common following coronary stenting procedures and is associated with worse outcomes, but predicting non-adherence is challenging.What did the researchers do and find?: The researchers examined pharmacy fill-based adherence assessments before and after stenting procedures. Pharmacy data can provide adherence estimates for most patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention, and these estimates are associated with downstream medication-taking behavior and clinical outcomes.What do the results mean?: Health systems should seek to integrate pharmacy-based adherence estimates into routine care for patients with cardiovascular disease. Identification and targeting of patients at high-risk for non-adherence may improve the impact and cost-effectiveness of future research and health policy interventions aimed at improving adherence.Keywords: percutaneous coronary intervention, medication adherence

In mobile electric drive systems, the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) drive system is preferred for development because of its high efficiency, power density, and low maintenance cost advantages. The PMSM speed control method based on the active and reactive power control of the inverter eliminates the division of the control area based on the reference speed. In order to improve the ability to respond quickly to PMSM speed changes caused by load torque changes or reference speed changes, the article proposes a control method using an advanced Fuzzy PI controller instead of a traditional PI control in the speed control loop. The results obtained by simulation on MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the tracking control quality robustly remains at the working point in the steady state and simultaneously reduces the tracking error to the new reference speed and load torque values.

Although post-traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare in adults and even more uncommon in children, this serious complication can result in life-threatening bleeding. Most case studies have recommended surgical or endovascular interventions for preventing rupture or managing the bleeding from a ruptured intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm. Some studies also reported pseudoaneurysms could resolve without intervention and advised conservative therapy. In this case study, we describe a 19-month-old boy diagnosed with an intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm, upper gastrointestinal bleeding from the biliary tract, and hematoma infection. The patient received successful conservative treatment. After 36 days, the patient was discharged without signs of gastrointestinal bleeding and the steady shrinkage of the hematoma surrounding the pseudoaneurysm. The pseudoaneurysm and hematoma vanished at follow-up 18 months after the trauma. Conservative treatment may be considered a viable option, particularly for cases of post-traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysms in children.

Wang Chun Kwok,1,&ast; Sze Him Isaac Leung,2,&ast; Terence Chi Chun Tam,1 James Chung Man Ho,1 David Chi-Leung Lam,1 Mary Sau Man Ip,1 Pak Leung Ho3 1Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Statistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Microbiology and Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Pak Leung Ho, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China, Tel +852 2255 2584, Fax +852 2855 1241, Email plho@hku.hkBackground: While different COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, there has been lack of data on the efficacy comparison between mRNA and inactivated whole virus vaccine among patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis.Methods: This was a retrospective case control study on the efficacy of BNT162b2 (mRNA vaccine) and CoronaVac (inactivated whole virus vaccine) against COVID-19 in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. A total of 327 patients were included, with 109 patients infected with COVID-19 matched with 218 patients without COVID-19. The co-primary outcomes were vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19, COVID-19-related hospitalization and COVID-19-related respiratory failure. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated using the formula (1-adjusted odds ratio) x 100.Results: Patients who received at least 2 doses of CoronaVac had lower risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 and developing respiratory failure than those who did not have vaccination, with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.189 (95% CI = 0.050– 0.714, p = 0.014) and 0.128 (95% CI = 0.026– 0.638, p = 0.012) respectively. Patients who received at least 2 doses of BNT162b2 had lower risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 and developing respiratory failure than those who did not have vaccination with adjusted OR of 0.207 (95% CI = 0.043– 0.962, p = 0.050) and 0.093 (95% CI = 0.011– 0.827, p = 0.033) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the risks of being hospitalized for COVID-19 and developing respiratory failure between patients who received at least 2 doses of CoronaVac or BNT162b2.Conclusion: BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines are effective in preventing hospitalization for COVID-19 and respiratory failure complicating COVID-19 among patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Patients with chronic respiratory diseases should be encouraged to have COVID-19 vaccination.Keywords: COVID-19, COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, vaccine

This study is aimed at assessing radiation hazards associated with natural radioactivity in common building materials used in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Thirty-six samples from eighteen types of building materials were collected to measure activity concentrations using the gross alpha/beta counting system and gamma-ray spectrometry. The gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations ranged from 94.7 ± 31.3 to 1045.1 ± 112.3 Bqkg-1 and 104.9 ± 4.7 to 834.4 ± 37.1 Bqkg-1, respectively. In addition, the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were also determined, which ranged from 4.1 ± 0.1 to 53.5 ± 0.4 Bqkg-1, 5.7 ± 0.1 to 83.6 ± 0.8 Bqkg-1, and 14.9 ± 0.8 to 664.9 ± 10.6 Bqkg-1, respectively. The indices including radium equivalent activity, external and internal radiation hazard, gamma and alpha indices, activity utilization index, and annual effective dose, were calculated to evaluate the radiological hazards of natural radioactivity. The results showed that these indices were below the recommended safety limits for most investigated samples except six brick samples, whose activity utilization indexes are slightly higher than the safety limit. Even so, all annual effective doses of the samples were found to be below the world average.

Objectives There are no real-world data describing infection morbidity in relapsed/refractory myeloma (RRMM) patients treated with anti-CD38 isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IsaPomDex). In this UK-wide retrospective study, we set out to evaluate infections experienced by routine care patients who received this novel therapy across 24 cancer centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods The primary endpoint was infection morbidity (incidence, grading, hospitalization) as well as infection-related deaths. Secondary outcomes were clinical predictors of increased incidence of any grade (G2–5) and high grade (≥G3) infections.Results In a total cohort of 107 patients who received a median (IQR) of 4 cycles (2–8), 23.4% of patients experienced ≥1 any grade (G2–5) infections (total of 31 episodes) and 18.7% of patients experienced ≥1 high grade (≥G3) infections (total of 22 episodes). Median time (IQR) from start of therapy to first episode was 29 days (16–75). Six patients experienced COVID-19 infection, of whom 5 were not vaccinated and 1 was fully vaccinated. The cumulative duration of infection-related hospitalizations was 159 days. The multivariate (MVA) Poisson Regression analysis demonstrated that a higher co-morbidity burden with Charlson Co-morbidity Index (CCI) score ≥4 (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 3, p = 0.012) and sub-optimal myeloma response less than a partial response (

Abstract Objective To estimate the costs from delaying major amputation in patients with concurrent diabetic foot ulcer and peripheral vascular disease. We seek to model economic benefits from saved costs from promoting timely major amputations among these patients. Methods Retrospective modeling using data from National University Hospital, Singapore. We identified patients who might have delayed major amputations by applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm. We then modeled the transitions of all patients over time with a Markov process using a number of relevant health states to enable estimation of cost outcomes. We next summarized the expected changes to the bed days used and cost outcomes arising from reassigning some patients who may have had a delayed amputation to timely amputation. The findings from the sample were scaled to reflect national incidence rates for this disease for the years 2014–2019 in Singapore. Results and Conclusions Nine of the 137 patients (6.57%) would be suitable for a major amputation at 3 months, yet in reality, their amputation was delayed. Based on this, and assuming a timely amputation is done for the entire population of patients in Singapore we expect annual savings of 264,791 bed days and $211 million in costs. These findings are preliminary and uncertain. The value of this paper is to show a method for estimating outcomes, report the findings from a small sample, and stimulate future research. New cohort studies might be designed to capture a wider range of outcomes and recruit a larger sample of individuals.

Pancreaticopleural fistula is an extremely rare complication of pancreatic duct injury. The reported treatments include conservative approaches, such as pleural drainage, and interventional approaches, such as sphincter stenting via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery. However, no specific consensus treatment has been defined. We present 2 cases of pediatric patients with pancreaticopleural fistulas due to pancreatic trauma and pancreatitis that were successfully treated surgically. The most prominent symptom in both cases was dyspnea caused by pleural effusion. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography scans showed large pleural effusions and visible fistulas from the pancreatic duct to the thoracic cavity through the esophageal hiatus and aortic hiatus. Following unsuccessful conservative treatment using pleural drainage, the 2 patients underwent surgical fistulo-jejunostomy and cystojejunostomy. Both patients were stable and were discharged on postoperative days 10 and 12. Conservative treatment for pancreaticopleural fistula often fails, and a surgical approach, such as fistulo-jejunostomy and cystojejunostomy, can serve as an efficacious management strategy when conservative treatment fails.

Background and Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, painful, degenerative inflammatory disease of the synovial joints. Regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease OA pain can have severe side effects, such as gastric irritation, ulcers, and heart problems. Natural products are extensively used to minimize OA-associated pain and inflammatory reactions. Lilium lancifolium is commonly used to alleviate several diseases through its anti-inflammatory effects. This study examined the impact of L. lancifolium extract on alleviating pain and inflammation associated with articular cartilage damage. Materials and Methods: Hydro-ethanol extracts of the L. lancifolium bulb were used. The experimental animals (adult beagle dogs) were divided into four groups: sham, which received neither treatment nor surgery; placebo, which received an empty gelatin capsule; glucosamine, which received glutamine (60 mg/kg); and L. lancifolium, which received an L. lancifolium extract-filled (60 mg/kg) gelatin capsule for 8 weeks. OA was induced by an expert orthopedic surgeon in 2-year-old dogs through resection of cranial cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament. Inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, lameness score, radiology, and histological changes were assessed. Results: Our experiments showed that long-term oral therapy with L. lancifolium alleviated inflammation and increased histological damage. L. lancifolium treatment effectively reduced cytokines, such as interleukin-6, metalloproteinase-9, leukotriene-4, prostaglandin, and cyclo-oxygenase in dogs with OA, suggesting the potential to minimize inflammatory reactions in OA. L. lancifolium showed anti-inflammatory qualities in dogs with OA. This effect was comparable with that of glucosamine OA treatment. Conclusion: L. lancifolium supplementation represents a possible therapeutic and management option in this model of OA.

This survey was performed to monitor the spread of specific mosquito-borne pathogens at Jeonbuk. The frequency of occurrence of mosquito borne pathogens including Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and yellow fever virus was assessed by collecting mosquitoes twice a month from March to December 2021 from various areas in Jeonbuk. A total of 15,975 mosquitoes from 15 species and 7 genera were collected. The highest number of 9,116 mosquitoes (trap index: TI, 506.4) were collected in the Wanju cattle pen, followed by the habitat for migratory birds and the downtown area in Jeonju. In the Gunsan habitat for migratory birds, 3,217 mosquitoes (TI, 178.7) were collected in the reed fields, 356 (TI, 19.7) in the men’s toilets, and 1,948 (TI, 108.2) in the women’s toilets. In Jeonju, 677 mosquitoes (TI, 37.6) were collected in the Deokjin park, 358 (TI, 19.8) in the Deokjin-gu office, and 303 (TI, 16.8) at the Jeonbuk National University. The largest population of mosquitoes was collected in the men’s toilets in Gunsan and the Deokjin Park in downtown Jeonju. The results of the RT-PCR confirmation to determine the pathogen infection of the collected mosquitoes were all negative. These results provide a basis for tackling integrated mosquito-borne diseases in the Jeonbuk region.

The process of decision making has been examined for several years. Additionally, the link between intelligence and decision making has found a negative correlation between impulsivity and intelligence. While relatively new, the scientific study of attitudes toward celebrities adds a plethora of information regarding the link between cognitive measures and celebrity admiration. To date, there is no known study determining how decision making styles relate to intelligence as well as if there is a relationship between decision making styles and celebrity admiration. The main purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the General Decision-making Scale (GDMS) and find out if any relationship exists between celebrity admiration and decision making. We administered the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS-D), brief measures of crystallized and fluid intelligence, and the General Decision- making Scale (GDMS) to 143 college students. We compared the five subscales of the GDMS to the celebrity and intelligence measures. As expected, Rational decision-making was negatively correlated with Avoidant and Spontaneous decision-making styles. Avoidant and Spontaneous decision-making styles were positively related to each other. Avoidant decision-making was positively correlated with attitude toward one’s favorite celebrity. Results were discussed and recommendations for further research were offered. These findings continue to contribute to the scientific conversation about influences on decision making.

The weighted Yamabe problem introduced by Case is the generalization of the Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequalities to smooth metric measure spaces. More precisely, given a smooth metric measure space (M,g,e−ϕdVg,m)\left(M,g,{e}^{-\phi }{\rm{d}}{V}_{g},m), the weighted Yamabe problem consists on finding another smooth metric measure space conformal to (M,g,e−ϕdVg,m)\left(M,g,{e}^{-\phi }{\rm{d}}{V}_{g},m) such that its weighted scalar curvature is equal to λ+μe−ϕ∕m\lambda +\mu {e}^{-\phi /m} for some constants μ\mu and λ\lambda , satisfying a certain condition. In this article, we consider the problem of prescribing the weighted scalar curvature. We first prove some uniqueness and nonuniqueness results and then some existence result about prescribing the weighted scalar curvature. We also estimate the first nonzero eigenvalue of the weighted Laplacian of (M,g,e−ϕdVg,m)\left(M,g,{e}^{-\phi }{\rm{d}}{V}_{g},m). On the other hand, we prove a version of the conformal Schwarz lemma on (M,g,e−ϕdVg,m)\left(M,g,{e}^{-\phi }{\rm{d}}{V}_{g},m). All these results are achieved by using geometric flows related to the weighted Yamabe flow. We also prove the backward uniqueness of the weighted Yamabe flow. Finally, we consider weighted Yamabe solitons, which are the self-similar solutions of the weighted Yamabe flow.

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation in the mucosal or submucosal layer of the colon. Previous studies have reported that obesity increases the prevalence of ulcerative colitis and aggravates the progression. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate whether curcumin inhibits the progression of ulcerative colitis caused by obesity. Mice were bred on a high-fat diet to induce obesity, and curcumin was administered with the high-fat diet to confirm the anti-inflammatory effect. To induce ulcerative colitis, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was administered orally, and clinical symptoms of colitis were subsequently observed. For histological evaluation of curcumin, the colon, liver and abdominal fat tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Our results confirm that consumption of curcumin resulted in decreasing the score of the disease activity index, and inhibited shortening of the colon length. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucosal damage were inhibited in the colon tissue of ulcerative colitis exacerbated by obesity. We further confirmed that exposure to curcumin significantly reduced the steatosis area of the liver and adipocytes of abdominal fat. In conclusion, we believe that curcumin can be applied as a therapeutic agent to treat ulcerative colitis, by inhibiting the progression of colitis caused by obesity.

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is rarely encountered, and published papers describing this etiology in adults and children typically include only case reports or small case series. We present a clinical case of PVA in a child associated with severe complications, including diffuse thrombosis of the portal venous system. A 10-year-old boy presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, resulting in an initial diagnosis of pancreatic head tumor based on suspicious images on abdominal grayscale ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed a diagnosis of occlusive PVA thrombosis (36 × 37 × 95 mm). Lacking drastic symptoms, the patient was treated with conservative anticoagulant therapy. On follow-up, the thrombosis appeared to shrink gradually and disappeared at 6 months based on Doppler ultrasound imaging. The PVA was reduced in size, and hepatopetal flow was restored. Surgeons and radiologists should be aware of this rare entity to ensure that a precise diagnosis can be established and to provide suitable treatment.

Objective: Previous psychological research has been made on the role of perceived stress on musculoskeletal pain among adolescents and people working in different job sectors. However, no research has been made on this subject toward the Chinese population and especially the Hong Kong population. Hence, the objective of this research is to evaluate the effects and relationship between perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain and identify the statistical reasoning results of the research through looking into the specific situation in Hong Kong. Methods: In this research, data from Perceived Stress Scale-14 and a self-made pain questionnaire on perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain were collected from the patients of a registered chiropractor in Hong Kong to provide an in-depth study of how musculoskeletal pain correlated with perceived stress and how an individual's mental health would further be affected by both subjects among the Hong Kong population. Results: The findings of the research indicated that perceived stress is correlated with a combination of rather than one type of musculoskeletal pain and there is a significant correlation between one's posture, musculoskeletal pain, and psychological distress. In addition, in terms of the situation in Hong Kong; the working lifestyle and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle may act as a risk factor on the results related to one's posture being correlated to musculoskeletal pain and perceived stress. Conclusion: It is hoped that this research could enlighten people working in the clinical psychology and chiropractor industries in Hong Kong on the subject of perceived stress and musculoskeletal pain and inform psychology researchers from other countries the situation regarding bodily pain and perceived stress in Hong Kong.

The recovery of biocompatible implantable biomaterials from biowaste is a significant method for protecting both human health and the environment concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using hydroxyapatite (HAp) granules derived from planktonic exoskeleton bone in the ocean (OceanBone-HAp) as a bone graft substitute. The morphology and physiochemical properties of the OceanBone-HAp were evaluated using SEM, XRD and FT-IR. In addition, the absence of heavy metals and abundance of trace elements in OceanBone-HAp was confirmed using ICP-OES analysis. Moreover, in vitro results showed that OceanBone-HAp improved cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and infiltration, compared to stoichiometric synthetic HAp granules (pure HAp). Additionally, OceanBone-HAp improved the expression of osteogenic related markers, by upregulation of ALP, collagen type-1αI(Col1αI), osteocalcin (OCN), and bone sialoprotein (BSP), which was confirmed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, in vivo bone regeneration was also evaluated using a rabbit calvarial defect model, and the results showed that the area of mature bone formation was significantly higher for OceanBone-HAp than pure HAp. These results demonstrated that OceanBone-HAp granules have good potential for use in bone healing as a bone graft material.

Previous research concerning religiosity and consumer behaviors highlights that consumers are possibly affected by religion in areas such as life satisfaction, faith, ethics, and materialism. Analysis, however, has yet to develop a systematic framework that examines the effects of particular religious commitments on consumer behaviors, such as life satisfaction, ethical decisions, and intentions of loyalty, which is the main incentive for us to conduct this research. This study which takes into account Catholic affiliation in the Vietnamese context intends to develop the literature on the relationship between religiosity and consumer behaviors. Specifically, aiming to explore potential mediators in the interrelationship between religious commitments and customer loyalty intentions at convenience stores, the research incorporates ethical judgements and life satisfaction. The Structural Equation Modeling method is utilized to analyze the surveyed data from 388 Catholics for hypothesis testing. According to the tested results, satisfaction with life plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between religious commitments and customer loyalty. On the other hand, ethical judgements serve as an important mediator that considerably enhances the impact of intrinsic religiosity on consumer loyalty. The findings also provide an insightful view of the sociology of religion regarding business enterprises.

This study examined the dynamic between perceived authoritarian parenting style (PAPS), and subjective wellbeing (SWB) among purposively recruited 423 college students in China. Expectancy value beliefs (EVB), fear of failure (FOF), and competitiveness were taken as mediators. The data were analyzed using Bootstrap method of 5000 sample and 95% confidence interval. The results revealed a significant negative total effect of PAPS on SWB. Additionally, two indirect paths were found to be significant: the mediation of FOF (Path 2) and the serial mediation of FOF and competitiveness (Path 6). These findings suggest that the perception of authoritarian parenting style is a negative predictor of students' happiness, and that FOF and competitiveness played important mediating roles in this relationship. These findings have important implications for educators, parents, and policymakers who aim to promote positive academic and personal outcomes for college students. The results suggest the need for interventions that address the negative impact of PAPS on students' wellbeing, and the importance of fostering positive beliefs about the value of education and academic achievement, as well as reducing FOF and promoting healthy competition.

This study aims to investigate Vietnamese pain terms and pain descriptors with a focus on how the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) words are utilised by the Vietnamese patients. Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from twenty-six Vietnamese female cancer patients. The data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative content analysis. The findings indicated that dau (hurt), nh?c (ache), and dau-nh?c (hurt and ache) are three basic pain terms in Vietnamese, with dau being a super-ordinate pain term. In addition, Vietnamese pain descriptors can be systematically classified into MPQ-VN descriptors and Non-MPQ-VN descriptors, with the latter being used far more frequently than the former. The study also found that MPQ descriptors could not reflect the patients' pain experience comprehensively in the Vietnamese context although the Vietnamese employed the equivalents of MPQ descriptors of different categories. That the limitations of Melzack's (1975) inventory of MPQ descriptors have been validated in Vietnamese has contributed to Vietnamese healthcare professionals' understanding of how the patients communicate about their pain experience using language. The study has also shed lights on applied linguists' research directions which can be extended to areas beyond language education, such as health, therapy, and counselling.

The field of nutrition has seen a growing interest and demand in recent years, with more students choosing to study within the field. This demand has highlighted the importance of producing work-ready graduates with skills that enhance their employability and ability to contribute effectively to the workforce. This study investigated the role of work-integrated learning (WIL) on improving employability skills in nutrition undergraduates (n=41) at an Australian university. Perceived skill development was determined using the Employability Skills Cluster Matrix-Self Assessment Tool (ESCM-SAT). Significant improvements were observed across all 24 employability skills post-internship, with the greatest increase in the communication cluster and 'developing and managing my career' (p<0.01). Skill development was attributed to self-awareness, exposure to a professional environment, and mentorship. Undergraduate nutrition degrees should consider strategies to develop transferable skills and include WIL for the unique application of academic knowledge to diverse workplace settings within the industry.

Purpose: This study investigates middle school students' learning experiences through digital storytelling, applying a multimodal analytical framework to uncover patterns in digital stories. This study explores how participants engage in pedagogical activities, reflect on their learning experiences, and articulate their voices through digital stories. Design/Approach/Methods: Employing qualitative case study methods, we purposefully selected three 12-year-old female students at an urban school in the northern US. Analyses of digital stories and other data sources (interviews, classroom observations, and reflective journals) show that the students were engaged in both teaching and reflection. Findings: The findings describe (1) participants and their learning experiences, (2) students' representational and interpersonal constructs as used in their digital stories, and (3) their participation as teachers as well as learners. Originality/Value: Our multimodal analytical framework illuminates how students express themselves through digital stories. Our discussion focuses on students' learning, their identity development, the effectiveness of the analytical framework, and pedagogical implications.

Online teaching has become an imperative approach in today's society. However, as an essential approach, using live streaming to teach students in small groups, particularly rural primary school students, has not been extensively studied. To address this gap, an inquiry-based model, predict-do/observe-quiz/discuss-explain-transfer (P-D/O-Q/D-E-T), was adopted for live streaming with action, and its performance was analysed. Reflection by teachers can lead them to a deeper understanding to capture the profound impact of an educational program. In the present study, eight teachers who had experience assisting rural students in this experiment were invited to rate their points of view on immersion, social interactivity, humanness, and value perception. Examining the consistency of teachers' viewpoints using the hermeneutic method, the results showed that they highly supported viewing these four constructs using live streaming to conduct inquiry-based science learning with action. As expected, using live streaming to deliver teaching with the P-D/O-Q/D-E-T approach can enrich other online science teaching.

This study aimed to analyze common syntactic errors found in the argumentative essays of third-year English major students at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Vietnam. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to obtain data in this study. The quantitative approach involved counting and calculating the frequency, percentage, and ranking of syntactic errors, while the qualitative method was adopted to explain these errors. The instrument for collecting data was argumentative essays written by 37 third-year English majors enrolling in Writing-5 at Van Lang University. Microsoft Word was used to collect and analyze syntactic errors and sentence structures, while Microsoft Excel was employed to calculate the frequency and rank of these errors and structures. The results found that the five most frequent errors in their essays were at the noun phrase and sentence levels. These errors included run-on sentences, preposition errors, article errors, sentence fragments, and pronoun errors. Through error analysis, it was indicated that the majority of errors made by students were due to the negative transfer from their first language and the literal translation. Based on the findings, language teachers and syllabus designers could use these results as guidance to design appropriate teaching methods and materials.

Purpose: In Korea, private tutoring is considered a social evil that damages the capacity of public schooling and undermines social justice. Although the government has implemented various policies to reduce private tutoring, ranging from improving the quality of education to providing "quasi-private tutoring" programs and regulating the shadow education market, total spending on private tutoring has continued to increase. This study examines a little noticed but important cause of institutionalized private tutoring in Korea. Design/Approach/Methods: The study employed a socio-ecological perspective to analyze both education and socio-structural factors. An extensive review of the government's private tutoring reduction policies and related literature was conducted. Findings: Private tutoring functions as a means by which parents can help their children compete for admission to prestigious universities and pass on wealth and social status to their children. Participation in private tutoring has become a social norm that is taken for granted. The root causes of institutionalized private tutoring lie in both educational and socio-structural factors. Originality/Value: The study suggests that government policies, when ignoring the long-established "grammar" of parents about children's education, may either end in failure or produce unintended consequences.

The primary purpose of educational programs is to enhance students' knowledge and skills through pedagogical training activities. However, preschool teachers in Vietnam face limitations in their professional capacity. Thus, this study aimed to address issues by evaluating the level of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The study used a scale for students' pedagogical practice activities to gather quantitative data from 629 participants (managers, lecturers and preschool teachers) in Dong Thap province in Vietnam to assess the extent of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The results showed that preschool teachers may not possess the essential knowledge of pedagogical practices. Pedagogical training uses conventional work-and-activity techniques despite the fact that it prioritizes innovation. Moreover, all school managers, teachers and students recognized the necessity of developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers. These findings illustrate the critical need for revitalizing educational approaches that are consistent with Vietnam's developing preschool teacher professional development context. The present study proposes some measures to innovate pedagogical practice activities in order to meet the requirements for developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers in Vietnam. Such initiatives hold promise for reshaping the educational landscape and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the primary education sector of Vietnam.

In the realm of AI-driven education, it is pivotal to evaluate the viability of ChatGPT as a substitute for human teachers in English classrooms. This study aims to explore learners' behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes to ChatGPT usage in English language learning. Participants were 120 I.T. students in Vietnam -- the Korea University of Information and Communication Technology and the University of Da Nang- who were learning English as a non-specialized subject. Data collection was conducted with multiple choices, a 4-point Likert scale questionnaire, and in-depth interviews. The findings highlight students' need for teacher's instruction and physical classroom despite recognizing ChatGPT's efficacy for ESP vocabulary acquisition, translation, grammar checking, and paraphrasing. Students predominantly exploited ChatGPT to find instant solutions to English learning difficulties. The research underscores the importance of guiding learners to appropriately utilize ChatGPT, emphasizing the need for further investigation into plagiarism-detecting tools to mitigate potential misuse of the technology.

Real-world data on the efficacy and tolerability of isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (IsaPomDex) in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients have not been reported. In this UK-wide retrospective study, IsaPomDex outcomes were evaluated across 24 routine care cancer centers. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR) for patients who achieved an objective response (≥partial response [PR]), and adverse events (AEs). In a total cohort 107 patients, median follow up (interquartile range [IQR]) was 12.1 months (10.1–18.6 mo), median age (IQR) was 69 years (61–77). Median (IQR) Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score was 3 (2–4); 43% had eGFR

This study provides evidence connecting two aspects of visual-orthographic skills (orthographic awareness and delayed copying) to the common variance shared by Chinese word reading and arithmetic calculation, as well as in identifying positional knowledge of numbers as a potential mediator of these connections in Chinese primary school students (N = 155, 81 boys). Nonverbal Intelligent Quotient (IQ), socioeconomic status (SES), working memory, and attentional control were included as covariates. Path analyses demonstrated that both orthographic awareness and delayed copying significantly explained the covariance of word reading and arithmetic calculation. Furthermore, there is an indirect effect via positional knowledge of numbers as indicated by number line estimation and strategic counting on the relations between orthographic awareness and the common variance shared by word reading and arithmetic calculation. In contrast, delayed copying had a direct effect on the common variance. Results suggest that early visual-orthographic skills may be helpful in the development of both word reading and arithmetic ability among Chinese students.

This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of student engagement in online learning by exploring the effects of salient online learning environment conditions on student engagement and the motivational pathways through which they affect engagement. Survey data were collected from 351 undergraduate students enrolled in various online undergraduate programs at a large open university in Vietnam. Results of structural equation modelling revealed that course clarity and task relevance had significant indirect effects on students' behavioural, cognitive, and affective engagement via their expectancy and task value beliefs. Teacher support was found to have indirect effect on student engagement only via expectancy beliefs whereas student connectedness predicted neither students' motivation nor engagement in online learning. Results of the study are discussed in light of existing theoretical and empirical evidence on the intricate relationships between learning environment, motivation, and student engagement. Implications for practice are also offered to help create an online learning environment that has potential to foster student engagement and alleviate disengagement and dropout.

There is a global trend in the increased adoption of e-assessment in school classrooms to enhance learning. Teachers, as classroom-based assessment designers and implementers, play a vital role in such assessment change. However, little is known about school teachers' classroom-based e-assessment practices and the underlying reasons. To address this research gap, this study identified the factors influencing Hong Kong primary school teachers' e-assessment practices underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A large-scale survey was issued to 878 teachers via Qualtrics. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis shows that primary school teachers' intentions of using e-assessment and perceived behavioural control of it were the two strongest factors predicting their e-assessment practices in a general way. Specifically, teachers' intentions outweighed perceived behavioural control in determining their use of alternative e-assessment tasks and e-feedback, but this reversed for e-tests/exercises. The impact of perceived behavioural control was consistent across the three types of e-assessment practices. Furthermore, teachers' attitudes significantly influenced their intentions to use alternative e-assessment tasks, while subject norms primarily predicted their intentions to use e-feedback. The findings have implications for primary schools to take countermeasures to facilitate the successful implementation of e-assessment at the classroom level.

While it has been recognized that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education requires an interdisciplinary approach, integrating multiple subjects in a meaningful way remains challenging for teachers. This study aimed to design a STEM curriculum, emphasizing explicit and continuous scaffolding of students' reflection on scientific and engineering knowledge. The primary goal was to foster knowledge integration in their engineering designs and enhance their attitudes toward STEM. The study involved fifty tenth-grade students who were guided to discuss and reflect on relevant scientific and engineering knowledge and to apply mathematics for data collection and analysis during the design of their technology products. The research instruments included an assessment of the progression of knowledge integration in students' engineering designs through student journals and pre- and post-test surveys on attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and the learning environment. The results reveal that the introduction and explicit scaffolding students' reflection on scientific and engineering knowledge led to a gradual improvement in knowledge integration within their engineering designs. Students also significantly enhanced their attitudes toward STEM and the learning environment compared to the general school curriculum. This study contributes to interdisciplinary learning that promotes the integration of scientific and engineering knowledge in students' engineering design processes, and to interdisciplinary assessment that evaluates students' knowledge integration across learning progressions and outcomes.

By using information technology, science learning can be widely disseminated, including, for example, to rural schools. However, the implementation of inquiry-based science learning with action-to-ground science concepts for rural learners needs to be explored. To address this purpose, the present study adopted "live stream" technology with a science inquiry model for rural students to learn four science concepts. Using different science knowledge representations, the predict-do/observe-quiz/discuss-explain-transform (P-D/O-Q/D-E-T) inquiry model was designed to be implemented via live streaming with local teachers' facilitation. Drawing on the cognitive-affective theory of multimedia learning and triadic reciprocal determinism, the present study focused on exploring how the live-streaming presence and external cognitive load can predict participants' flow and learning performance. A total of 45 participants completed the questionnaire, pre-test, and post-test, and structural equation modeling was adopted to test the hypotheses of this study. The results showed that live-streaming presence could positively predict flow, but external cognitive load can negatively predict flow, while flow can positively predict learning performance. This live-streaming method uses inexpensive and affordable educational technology that can be implemented at any rural elementary school to enable rural students to learn science remotely.

Many scientific concepts and theorems are often abstract and challenging to relate to real-life problems, making it difficult for students to grasp them. Therefore, some researchers have attempted to enhance students' understanding by employing a contextual learning approach, which allows students to apply scientific knowledge to real situations in their daily lives. The aim is to improve students' learning experiences by moving away from rote memorization. However, if a contextual gaming approach is offered without encouraging deep reflection, students may focus solely on the game itself and overlook the importance of fully understanding the knowledge and contemplating the meaningful relationships between scientific concepts. To address this issue, for this study we developed a Concept Mapping-based Digital Game-Based Learning for Complex Chemistry Problems (short for CM-DGBL-CCP) learning system to assist students in understanding complex chemistry problems. To verify the effects of the proposed approach, the experiment was conducted in a secondary school with two groups. The experimental group with 49 students adopted the CM-DGBL-CCP learning model, while the control group with 56 students utilized the traditional digital game-based learning for complex chemistry problems (T-DGBL-CCP) learning model. The experimental results revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups of students in terms of learning achievement and cognitive load. However, the experimental group students outperformed the control group in areas such as problem-solving tendency, scientific self-efficacy, scientific learning strategies, and the ability to use deep-level strategies to solve problems.

In the last few years, international student mobility has been disrupted not only by the global health crisis resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but also adversely affected by the rise of geopolitics. The worsening relationship between China and its western counterparts led by the United States and its allies has significantly influenced students' motivation and plan for overseas education. Based upon interviews with 75 students from leading universities in mainland China, this article examines how Chinese elite students evaluate the impact of the new geopolitics on their overseas study plans and opportunities. The study found that, due to the influence of scientific internationalism ideas and institutional habitus, interviewees underestimated the impact of geopolitical factors. Furthermore, unpleasant environmental factors (such as racial discrimination) caused by geopolitical changes are tolerable because most of the interviewees plan to return China after studying abroad. On the other hand, deterioration of Sino-US relations has substantially affected Chinese students' international mobility. Many interviewees, especially those majoring in science and engineering, were unable to obtain visas. Some of them gave up their study abroad plans, while others transferred to other study abroad destination countries such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. We also find that the perception of the power shift in the field of higher education shapes the students' decision making. This article critically reflects upon the international student mobility from the broader political economy perspective, discussing policy implications for future international education.

Friendships and social relationships are central to wellbeing but the friendships of those with complex needs are often ignored. This study explored the friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs (CCN) in and outside of special school settings, to understand how they view and experience them. There were 20 participants -- 6 students, 8 of their parents and 6 of their teachers. The research was conducted in two stages: Stage 1 included semi-structured interviews with adults and unstructured observations of students in class and at breaktimes. Stage 2 included working with students through a Mosaic approach, using six tools (pyramid ranking activity, preferred activity with friends cards, best friends activity, school tours, collections from home and book-making). Transcripts of recordings were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The four themes generated highlight how students with CCN have more accurate views of their social lives than adults, students and adults have differing views about what makes a good friend, students with CCN find ways to enact meaningful social contact through a connection beyond words, and reciprocity in friendships means no distinction between 'helper' and 'needing help'. Strengths and limitations are highlighted and implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

I review opportunities and threats that widely accessible Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered services present for educational statistics and measurement. Algorithmic and computational advances continue to improve approaches to item generation, scale maintenance, test security, test scoring, and score reporting. Predictable misuses of AI for these purposes will result in biased scores, construct underrepresentation, and differential impact over time. Recent efforts to develop standards for AI use in testing like those of Burstein are promising. I argue that similar efforts to develop AI standards for educational measurement will benefit from increased attention to the context of test use and explicit commitment to ongoing monitoring of bias and scale drift over time.

Contribution: This study provides an implementation of a partially flipped classroom with gamification aspects that has shown a statistically significant increase in student performance relative to traditional lecture. Background: Electronic Circuits is a challenging required course for first-year students in the Electrical Engineering degree program at National Taiwan University. Students taking the English section have historically performed lower than other Chinese sections, likely due to their diverse backgrounds and less familiarity with Taiwanese-style exams. Intended Outcome: This study applied flipped-learning-with-gamification teaching methods to evaluate their effectiveness in improving students' motivation to solve ungraded practice problems and increase student performance. One-third of the class was a condensed in-class lecture with supplemental online videos, while two-thirds was a problem-solving session with students in teams. A class gameboard (leaderboard) and weekly concept cards (badges) were used to motivate the students to complete weekly ungraded practice problems. Findings: The results showed that the flipped-learning-with-gamification approach increased the average of the English section's normalized quiz and exam grades by 11.6% compared to the previous year, such that the section's average performance matched that of the other sections (control groups). Results also found that higher grades were most strongly correlated with higher completion rates of in-class problems and were uncorrelated with lecture attendance. Survey results showed that students liked the gamification aspects of working in teams, receiving concept cards, and completing challenge problems more than the course gameboard.

This study examined the developmental process of children's computational thinking using block-based programming tools, specifically algorithmic thinking and debugging skills. With this aim, a group of children (N = 191) from two primary schools were studied for two years beginning from the fourth grade, as they engaged in our block-based programming curriculum in their primary schools. A mixed-methods multiple case study was designed with pre- and posttests, classroom observations and postintervention interviews. The statistical results showed that students' algorithmic thinking and debugging skills significantly increased through our intervention, with girls gaining more on algorithmic thinking. During the students' learning process, we found that they demonstrated behavioral, affective, and cognitive engagement while acquiring these skills in schools. This study presents the key to student engagement contributing to the process of computational thinking development, with implications for the design of future computational learning in primary school.