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Peer selection based on the similarity of a couple of institutional parameters, by itself, is insufficient. Several other considerations, including clarity of purpose, alignment of institutional information to that purpose, identification of appropriate statistical procedures, review of preliminary peer sets, and the application of additional metrics need to be part of the process. At the heart of the paper is a detailed description of a mixed-methods approach deployed to identify institutional peer and aspirant groups for a private nonprofit 4-year liberal arts college. As part of the methodology, an aspirant index is proposed and explained by the authors. This coefficient is applied to a preliminary set of institutions to further refine the aspirant list. This paper inventories the methods documented in other research and resources that can be used to select peers. This compendium is intended to inform customized amalgamation of methods that could potentially augment future peer selection endeavors and benchmarking studies. The following are appended: (1) Data Elements Used for Peer and Aspirant Selection: Time Frame, Indicator Type, and Source; (2) Data Element Used for Peer and Aspirant Selection: Descriptions; (3) Siena College Peers and Aspirant Lists; and (4) Peer Selection Websites. [For "Tracking the Discount: Tuition Discount Rates, Net Tuition Revenue, and Efforts to Inform Institutional Practices. Professional File. Article 133, Fall 2013," see ED573092. For "Unrealized Educational Expectations a Growing or Diminishing Gender Gap? It Depends on Your Definition. Professional File. Article 134, Fall 2013," see ED573090.]

This document consists of the first five volumes (10 issues) of the serial "Research in the Schools," a nationally refereed journal published by the Mid-South Educational Research Association and the University of Alabama. It publishes original contributions related to research in practice, topical issues in education, methods and techniques, assessment, and other topics of interest to educational researchers. Research in any area of education and involving any age group may be published. (SLD)

The article explores the role of the fungal mycobiome in skin health and aging, highlighting its significance alongside bacteria in maintaining skin balance and immunity. Topics include the pivotal role of Malassezia species in skin lipid metabolism, the association of fungal dysbiosis with various skin disorders, and the importance of integrating fungal data for precise dermatological insights, essential for innovative skincare product development.

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A recent study conducted by independent researcher Dai Ato challenges the prevailing narrative on climate change. Ato's multivariate analysis suggests that sea surface temperatures, rather than human activities, are the primary drivers of atmospheric CO2 levels. The study found no significant impact of human emissions on CO2 levels since 1959. These findings contradict the central argument of climate alarmism and raise questions about the credibility of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The article also highlights the financial interests and profit motives behind the climate change movement, suggesting that it is a wealth redistribution scheme rather than a genuine environmental concern. [Extracted from the article]

Osteoporosis is a systemic and metabolic bone disease that usually occurs in postmenopausal women, which mainly manifests as bone loss and increased bone fragility that both facilitate fracture. However, few drugs for osteoporosis have shown good efficacy and limited side effects. Vaccarin has demonstrated its antiosteoporosis effects by inhibiting the formation and osteolytic activities of osteoclasts in our previous investigation. In this study, multivariate statistical analysis and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry were used to analyze the serum metabolites of ovariectomized mice treated with or without vaccarin. As a result, 9 serum metabolites were identified as biomarkers. The metabolic levels of 3 crucial biomarkers, namely, lysophosphatidylcholine [22 : 6, (4Z, 7Z, 10Z, 13Z, 16Z, 19Z)], 1-linoleoylglycerophosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-Sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, that were correlated with glycerophospholipid metabolism increased and then decreased significantly after vaccarin treatment. Molecular docking analysis and osteoclasts differentiation experiment further revealed that vaccarin may bind with phospholipase A2 and downregulated its activity to reduce the osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, the occurrence of osteoporosis is closely related with glycerophospholipid metabolism disorders, and vaccarin exerts antiosteoporosis effects by reducing the levels of glycerophospholipid metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to highlight the relevance of the factors that influence the satisfaction of e-commerce consumers in Romania and Moldova. The study aims to clearly define the main influence factors, so that the marketing managers of the online stores can adopt scientific well-founded decisions. Design/methodology/approach: The paper opted for a study including a large sample of 399 respondents from two countries. For the analysis of the factors influencing the e-commerce satisfaction, multiple linear regression analysis was implemented, and their differentiation within the two countries was highlighted by multivariate analysis of variance. Findings: The research conducted and the results obtained show that there is a differentiation of the factors that influence the level of satisfaction of e-commerce users in Romania and Moldova. Research limitations/implications: The research is still limited in terms of population studied to only two countries: Romania and Moldova. Although the study is intended to be exhaustive by analyzing no less than 11 factors influencing the satisfaction generated by e-commerce, it is still limited to this group of representative factors. Another limitation has to do with the limited number of demographic variables the authors have included. Practical implications: Based on the results, the managerial implications for e-commerce companies that want to uniquely address consumers in Romania and Moldova are related to the decisions of marketing and sales managers who must allocate budgets and resources to improve the eight aspects highlighted in the paper. Also, the e-commerce companies should not allocate resources for the implementation of functionalities such as in-app after sales services, the possibility to cancel an order or the live consultant support feature, because these aspects do not influence the satisfaction of e-commerce consumers in Romania and Moldova. Originality/value: This paper is the first in the scientific literature that implements a comparative study on the influence factors regarding the e-commerce satisfaction in Romania and Moldova. Also, it is important to mention that the present study is an exhaustive one because it includes many influence factors that were analyzed separately in the previous research papers from literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study conducted by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences analyzed risk factors for postoperative pulmonary hemorrhage in patients undergoing CT-guided lung biopsies. The research identified tumor size and puncture depth as key independent risk factors for hemorrhage, with smaller tumor size associated with lower risk and greater puncture depth linked to higher risk. The study emphasized the importance of preoperative evaluation focusing on these factors to reduce the risk of postoperative complications. The findings were published in the Zhongguo shuxue zazhi journal and provide valuable insights for clinicians in developing safer surgical plans. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, explored the feasibility of using clinical EEG to study music recognition in children aged 1-12 years. The research found distinct changes in EEG frequency components during music processing compared to speech or noise conditions. While the study had limitations due to a small sample size, it demonstrated the potential for collecting EEG data in clinical settings to study responses to ecologically valid stimuli in pediatric populations. Further research with a larger sample size is recommended to build on these initial findings. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the National Agrobiodivers Center in Jeonju, South Korea, analyzed the levels of major flavonoids, nutritional components, and antioxidant activities in 136 mung bean accessions, focusing on the impact of seed weight differences. The research found that vitexin and isovitexin were present in all mung bean accessions, with isovitexin being more concentrated regardless of seed weight. The study highlighted the diversity of key components in mung beans and how seed weight influences certain parameters, providing valuable insights for food industries and breeding programs. For more information, the full article can be accessed for free at the publisher's website. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences conducted a study comparing the chemical profiles and antioxidant activities of Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera, two traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Using advanced analytical techniques, they identified key chemical markers and found that S. sphenanthera exhibited higher antioxidant potential. The study provides valuable insights into the therapeutic applications and quality control of these species, offering new perspectives on their medicinal properties. This research contributes to the understanding of antioxidants and their potential benefits in treating various diseases. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara focused on drug use and risk factors among Latinx sexual and gender minority immigrants in the United States. The study found that transgender participants reported higher rates of substance use and lower levels of social support compared to cisgender participants. The research highlighted the need for further investigation and clinical interventions to address the unique challenges faced by this community. The findings were published in the Journal of Latinx Psychology and have been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Pontificia University Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia, focused on the clinical impact of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) in managing thoracic aortic diseases. The study included 66 patients who underwent TEVAR between 2012 and 2022, with findings indicating that TEVAR is a feasible option with adequate rates of mortality and morbidity. The research highlighted that underweight patients may have an increased risk of complications and endoleak post-surgery, suggesting the need for further prospective studies to validate these results. The study concluded that obesity and body mass index should not be considered high-risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality in TEVAR procedures. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the University of Southern Alabama examined age-related differences in semantic processing with linguistic and nonlinguistic masking using the N400 component. The research involved young and middle-aged adults with normal hearing sensitivity who were asked to determine the semantic relationship between word pairs in various listening conditions. The findings indicated that both age groups showed similar N400 amplitudes for semantically related word pairs, with linguistic and nonlinguistic masking significantly affecting semantic processing. The study concluded that linguistic masking effects were equivalent to nonlinguistic masking effects on semantic processing. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Washington State University conducted a study on the plasma metabolome of healthy and Rhodococcus equi-infected foals over time. The study aimed to understand how foal aging and infection with R. equi affected their metabolome. The findings showed that aging and R. equi infection induced changes in the plasma metabolome of foals, providing a basis for future identification of R. equi pneumonia biomarkers. The study was supported by the CVM Intramural Research Fund at WSU and has been peer-reviewed. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Gifu Pharmaceutical University in Japan compared the availability of pediatric-specific drug information between Japan and the United States. The research found that a higher proportion of drug indications included pediatric usage in the US compared to Japan. The study suggests that Japan may be experiencing pediatric-specific drug loss issues and recommends the introduction of frameworks to promote pediatric drug development in the country. The research has been peer-reviewed and highlights the need for further efforts to address pediatric-specific drug loss concerns in Japan. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by the Indian Institute of Public Health examined the prevalence and determinants of minimum diet diversity failure (MDDF) among children aged 6-23 months in India. The research found that overall MDDF in India decreased from 87.4% in 2005-06 to 77.1% in 2019-21, with the central region reporting the highest prevalence of MDDF. Factors such as maternal education, rural residence, lack of mass media exposure, birth order, and health check-ups were associated with a greater likelihood of MDDF. The study suggests that holistic actions, including improvements in the public distribution system and intensified child development programs, are needed to address the high prevalence of MDDF in India. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of North Dakota compared the stapled vs handsewn techniques for closing common enterotomies during bowel anastomoses. The research found that there was no significant difference in leak rates between the two techniques, with the stapled technique being faster on average. The study concluded that the stapled technique is an acceptable and potentially preferred method, especially in emergent settings. This peer-reviewed research provides valuable insights for surgeons performing these procedures. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Federal University in Brazil focused on applying the One Health Index (OHI) to countries in South America. The research highlighted the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health to address global health challenges, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. The study found a positive association between the OHI and the Human Development Index (HDI) in South American countries, emphasizing the need for effective One Health strategies that consider socioeconomic indicators and regional contexts. The researchers concluded that promoting sustainable economic growth in natural areas like the Amazon is crucial to maintaining environmental health without compromising human and animal health. [Extracted from the article]

We suggest to estimate a sparse parameter vector in multivariate models through the selection of marginal likelihoods from a potentially large set. The resulting estimator involves an adaptive thresholding mechanism, whereby the marginal estimates are set to zero according to their sequential contribution to the joint information computed along a path of increasingly complex models. The effectiveness of our proposal is illustrated via simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study conducted at Indiana University aimed to identify profiles of adults based on their reasons for engaging in physical activity. The study found four distinct clusters of individuals with different motivations for exercise, including positive, negative, autonomous-focused, and control-focused clusters. The research suggests that individuals with a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic goals for physical activity may have higher levels of motivation and engagement in physical activity compared to those with solely intrinsic goals. This study has been peer-reviewed and offers valuable insights into understanding the complex motivations behind physical activity participation. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Wisconsin focused on the well-being of Korean American undergraduates by examining the role of Asian cultural values. The research highlighted the importance of self-beliefs, support from others, and personal values in influencing well-being. Results showed that psychological and social dimensions were strong predictors of well-being, with cultural values playing a significant role. The study suggests implications for university personnel to support the well-being of Korean American undergraduates. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at the University of Belgrade-Faculty of Chemistry conducted a study on schizophrenia patients in Serbia, aiming to identify lipid biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapy. The study analyzed serum samples from 30 schizophrenia patients and 31 non-psychiatric individuals, revealing altered lipid metabolism in patients compared to controls. The research highlighted the importance of metabolic pathways in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, emphasizing the need for reliable biomarkers in mental health diagnostics. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences conducted a study on the relationship between emotional divorce and marital satisfaction, focusing on the moderating effect of gender roles. The study involved 539 women aged 18-65 years and used various questionnaires to analyze the data. The results indicated that gender roles play a significant role in marital satisfaction and emotional divorce, with a more balanced approach to traditional gender roles potentially improving marital satisfaction and reducing emotional divorce. The study was published in the Journal of Family and Reproductive Health. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Universidad del Atlantico conducted a study comparing two bone-substitute xenografts for preserving dental alveoli after tooth extraction. The study evaluated the effects of a bovine hydroxyapatite bone xenograft with collagen versus one without collagen on alveolar height, width, bone density, and tissue characteristics. Results showed an increase in bone density over time, with both xenografts promoting alveolar bone regeneration without significant differences. Further investigation is recommended to explore the potential impact of collagen density on bone regeneration. The study highlights the importance of using bone substitutes to minimize bone loss post-extraction for dental implant placement. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, conducted a study comparing the gut microbiota composition in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, pediatric monophasic demyelinating syndromes (mADS) patients, and healthy controls. The study found that there were no significant differences in gut microbiota composition, individual microbe abundance, or functional pathways between the three participant groups. However, the study did find that body mass index (BMI) was associated with differences in alpha diversity, beta diversity, and microbial abundance. The research suggests that host-related factors, particularly BMI, may influence gut microbiota variation in pediatric MS patients. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers from Shaanxi University of Technology conducted a study on the lipid profiles and flavor volatiles in giant salamander tails of different sexes using mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics and GC-IMS. They found that female salamander tails had higher levels of certain lipids and volatile compounds compared to male tails. The study also identified key differential fats and odor substances between sexes, with a 100% prediction accuracy for sex recognition using a random forest model. This research sheds light on the impact of sex on the lipid and volatile profiles of giant salamander tails and offers insights for gender recognition. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by Bar-Ilan University in Ramat-Gan, Israel, focused on the impact of red ginseng on equine physiology. The research utilized liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze horse plasma samples after administering red ginseng for three weeks. The study identified metabolites that decreased and increased significantly post-consumption, including compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This research contributes to a better understanding of the effects of red ginseng on health in equines. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by researchers at Kyungpook National University in South Korea examined the timing of endoscopic intervention for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). The study found that in low-risk patients, delayed endoscopy was sufficient for managing NVUGIB, while in high-risk patients, urgent endoscopy reduced comorbidity aggravation during hospital care. The research, published in The Korean Journal of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, analyzed data from 1554 patients with NVUGIB between February 2011 and December 2013. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences explores the impact of learner background factors on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. The study found that factors such as age, field of study, and professional status did not significantly affect motivation levels. Participants in the study were more intrinsically motivated, contrary to previous findings that EFL learners are more extrinsically motivated. The research suggests that motivation plays a crucial role in achieving learning goals and should be a focal point in educational settings. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System in Seattle, Washington, explored the impact of baseline learner characteristics on motivational interviewing (MI) skill acquisition with and without virtual standardized patient (VSP) supplementation. The research found that learners with minimal previous MI training benefited more from supplemented training with a VSP rather than traditional academic study alone. This study serves as an initial step in understanding which learners benefit most from simulation-based mental health care training using VSPs. [Extracted from the article]

A research study conducted at Sam Houston State University explored the resistance of domestic canine skin-derived fibroblasts to oxidative and non-oxidative chemical injury, focusing on the implications of breed and body size. The study found that cellular stress resistance did not differ among domestic dogs based on size or age, suggesting that other cellular pathways may account for differences in lifespan. The research was peer-reviewed and provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying aging rates and lifespan disparities in dogs of different breeds and sizes. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom focuses on the impact of climate change on water quality and the development of climate-resilient water safety plans. The research presents a risk-screening framework for drinking water source protection, emphasizing the need for prioritization and adaptive intervention at regional or national scales. By integrating climate and land-use projections, the framework aims to identify potential risks to water quality, such as increased organic carbon production and agricultural intensification, in order to support the targeted development of water safety plans. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted by researchers at Gansu Agricultural University in Lanzhou, China, examined the volatile flavor of yak meat and its relationship to different breeds, feeding methods, and parts of the animal. The researchers used gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) and multivariate analysis to analyze the volatile organic components (VOCs) in yak meat. They identified 71 volatile compounds, including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, alkenes, esters, acids, and furans. The study found that breed had the most significant impact on yak meat VOCs, followed by feeding method and part of the animal. The research provides insights into the flavor profile of yak meat and demonstrates the effectiveness of GC-IMS and multivariate analysis in characterizing and distinguishing meats. [Extracted from the article]

A report from Chengdu Medical College in China explores the career adaptability and correlating factors among secondary vocational nursing students. The study surveyed 1,414 students and found that career adaptability significantly affects students' future career happiness. Factors such as locus of control, meaning in life, and career adaptability were closely correlated with individual differences in career adaptability. The research suggests that targeted intervention measures based on these factors can promote the development of students' career adaptability and help them better adapt to future clinical work. [Extracted from the article]