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COVID-19 led college and university faculty to quickly shift courses online. With this shift came concerns regarding educational quality; thus, many faculty opted or were encouraged to offer synchronous and/or hybrid online courses in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. This led faculty to consider relying on webcams to engage students. Anecdotal and scholarly perspectives overwhelming called for faculty to not require webcams in synchronous and/or hybrid online classes due to student privacy concerns, stress/anxiety, lack of technological access, overlapping family responsibilities, and poor internet connections. However, faculty were left with a tough choice to require or not require webcams, as webcams are a primary means to engage students in online synchronous and/or hybrid courses. Thus, this study examined students' motivations behind turning on or off webcams during online synchronous and/or hybrid courses via the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). Data were collected via an online open-ended survey where participants reported their webcam usage and motivations during a recent synchronous and/or hybrid online course. Results indicated students were most motivated by needs for autonomy and relatedness but less motivated by needs for competence and extrinsic motivators in choosing to use webcams.

Abstract Background Plasmodium falciparum oocysts undergo growth and maturation in a unique setting within the mosquito midgut, firmly situated between the epithelium and the basal lamina. This location exposes them to specific nutrient exchange and metabolic processes while in direct contact with the mosquito haemolymph. The limited availability of in vitro culture systems for growth of the various P. falciparum mosquito stages hampers study of their biology and impedes progress in combatting malaria. Methods An artificial in vitro environment was established to mimic this distinctive setting, transitioning from a 2D culture system to a 3D model capable of generating fully mature oocysts that give rise to in vitro sporozoites. Results A two-dimensional (2D) chamber slide was employed along with an extracellular matrix composed of type IV collagen, entactin, and gamma laminin. This matrix facilitated development of the optimal medium composition for cultivating mature P. falciparum oocysts in vitro. However, the limitations of this 2D culture system in replicating the in vivo oocyst environment prompted a refinement of the approach by optimizing a three-dimensional (3D) alginate matrix culture system. This new system offered improved attachment, structural support, and nutrient exchange for the developing oocysts, leading to their maturation and the generation of sporozoites. Conclusions This technique enables the in vitro growth of P. falciparum oocysts and sporozoites.

ObjectiveChronic stress adversely affects cognition, in part due to stress-induced inflammation. Rodent models suggest females are more resilient against stress-related cognitive dysfunction than males; however, few studies have examined this in humans. We examined sex differences in the relationship between perceived stress, cognitive functioning, and peripheral inflammation over time among cognitively normal older adults.DesignLongitudinal observational study.SettingUniversity research center.Participants274 community-dwelling older adults (baseline age: M=70.7, SD=7.2; 58% women; Clinical Dementia Rating=0) who completed at least two study visits.MeasurementsNeurocognitive functioning and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) were assessed at each visit. Plasma was analyzed for interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in a subset of 147 participants. Linear mixed effects models examined the interaction between average PSS (i.e., averaged within persons across visits), sex, and time on cognitive domains and on inflammatory markers.ResultsThe interaction between stress, sex, and time predicted executive functioning (β = 0.26, SE = 0.10, p = 0.01) such that higher average PSS related to steeper declines in men, but not in women. Among the 147 participants with inflammatory data, higher average PSS was associated with steeper increases in IL-6 over time in men, but not in women.ConclusionConsistent with animal models, results showed older men were more vulnerable to negative effects of stress on cognitive aging, with domain-specific declines in executive function. Findings also suggest systemic immunological mechanisms may underlie increased risk for cognitive decline in men with higher levels of stress. Future work is needed to examine the potential efficacy of person-specific stress interventions.

Kenari (Canarium indicum L) belongs to the Burseraceae family and is one of the endemic fruits in Indonesia, especially Maluku. Walnuts have a tough shell that encloses the flesh, to get the flesh without damaging it careful effort is needed. This study investigated the strength of walnut shells through mechanical testing to determine the amount of impact force needed to break the walnut shell. The mechanical test carried out is a compression test and impact test. The values of these tests assist in determining, measuring, and analyzing the minimum and maximum force loads required to crack a walnut shell. Tests were carried out on walnut shells from 6 different villages on Ambon Island and Saparua Island. The impact test where the highest impact absorption energy value was found in walnut shells from Booi Village, namely 23.18 J/mm2, and the lowest in walnut shells from Morela Village, 22.40 J/mm2. In the compression test where the lowest value was found in walnut shells from Morela village with a value of 3.61 MPa while the highest value was found in walnut shells from Booi village, namely 5.24 MPa. Whereas the minimum compressive force is 16.22 kgf/mm2 and the maximum compressive force is 17.61 kgf/mm2.

Abstract Genomic tumor testing (GTT) is an emerging technology aimed at identifying variants in tumors that can be targeted with genomically matched drugs. Due to limited resources, rural patients receiving care in community oncology settings may be less likely to benefit from GTT. We analyzed GTT results and observational clinical outcomes data from patients enrolled in the Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI), which provided access to GTTs; clinician educational resources; and genomic tumor boards in community practices in a predominantly rural state. 1603 adult cancer patients completed enrollment; 1258 had at least one potentially actionable variant identified. 206 (16.4%) patients received a total of 240 genome matched treatments, of those treatments, 64% were FDA-approved in the tumor type, 27% FDA-approved in a different tumor type and 9% were given on a clinical trial. Using Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting to adjust for baseline characteristics, a Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that patients who received genome matched treatment were 31% less likely to die within 1 year compared to those who did not receive genome matched treatment (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.52–0.90; p-value: 0.006). Overall, GTT through this initiative resulted in levels of genome matched treatment that were similar to other initiatives, however, clinical trials represented a smaller share of treatments than previously reported, and "off-label" treatments represented a greater share. Although this was an observational study, we found evidence for a potential 1-year survival benefit for patients who received genome matched treatments. These findings suggest that when disseminated and implemented with a supportive infrastructure, GTT may benefit cancer patients in rural community oncology settings, with further work remaining on providing genome-matched clinical trials.

El emprendimiento es un factor importante para el desarrollo económico que contribuye a la reducción de la tasa de desempleo y pobreza. El objetivo de la investigación fue estimar los costos de oportunidad de los emprendedores en la ciudad de Riobamba en el año 2022. Asimismo, se usó el método deductivo, con un enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo, y un nivel explicativo y diseño no experimental. Para la recogida de información se consideró la encuesta y como instrumento el cuestionario; se aplicó a una muestra de 162 emprendedores de un total de 277. La información tiene un índice de Cronbach de 70,4%. Los resultados muestran que el costo de oportunidad en promedio alcanza $453,62 e influye en la toma de decisiones, se concluye que los costos de oportunidad inciden en los emprendimientos

Amandeep Virk,1 Patrick-Julien Treacy,2 Ruban Thanigasalam,1– 3 Scott Leslie1– 3 1Department of Uro-Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2The Institute of Academic Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 3Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence: Amandeep Virk, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia, Tel +61421233369, Email amandeep.virk.21@gmail.comPurpose: This study aimed to evaluate what objectives are most important to men undergoing radical prostatectomy to allow treating physicians to personalize perioperative counselling and improve patient quality of life outcomes.Materials and Methods: A predefined search protocol of the Medline and Embase databases was performed from database inception to May 2023. The search was limited to English language and full text. All articles with a specific consideration of patient objectives, preferences or reasons for decision to undergo radical prostatectomy were included for review.Results: Ten articles out of 375 screened met inclusion criteria for review. All 10 articles utilized a qualitative design and originated across 5 countries across the developed world. A common theme of men placing importance on having their tumor physically removed was found. Methodologies allowing free response beyond predefined categories identified a breadth of considerations including personal circumstance, personal belief and current function in the decision-making process. An investigation on radical prostatectomy performed robotically found some men placed preference on the quicker treatment time with surgery compared to radiation therapy, reflective of shorter recovery times with the robotic approach.Conclusion: Variability in results across studies highlights the heterogeneity in patient preferences. Directed investigation of patient objectives with an open-ended questioning approach would personalize the perioperative experience and may improve patient satisfaction and quality of life outcomes.Keywords: prostate cancer, prostatectomy, robotic surgery, objectives, preferences, goals, quality of life

Amandeep Virk,1 Patrick-Julien Treacy,2 Wenjie Zhong,3,4 Norbert Doeuk,1 Celine Doeuk,5 Scott Leslie1– 3 1Department of Uro-Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; 2The Institute of Academic Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; 3Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; 4Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia; 5Rozelle Medical Centre, Ultimo, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence: Amandeep Virk, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia, Tel +61421233369, Email amandeep.virk.21@gmail.comBackground: Prostate cancer is often considered a disease of older men and this indeed fits with its peak incidence between 65– 79 years of age. Reports of prostate cancer in men younger than 40 years of age and the outcomes of this age group following treatment are few in the literature. Here, we present the case of an unusual diagnosis of high grade prostate cancer in a very young man and outline early outcomes following treatment with robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male, intermittently taking finasteride for hair loss, was found to have an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 12.5ng/mL leading to an incidental diagnosis of high grade prostate cancer. Targeted trans-perineal prostate biopsy found Gleason 4+5=9 acinar adenocarcinoma, without cribriform architecture but with features suspicious for extracapsular extension. Robotic radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection was performed and found Gleason 4+5=9 adenocarcinoma with focal cribriform architecture, extra prostatic extension and clear margins, stage pT3a N0 M0. PSA was undetectable at 12 months, continence was immediate, and the patient reported strong erections soon after surgery. Family history of prostate cancer and genetic testing were both negative.Conclusion: This case highlights that not all clinically significant cancers will be identified by following PSA screening guidelines starting at 50 years of age (or 40 years of age for men with a family history of prostate cancer). While high grade prostate cancer in a man less than 40 years of age is uncommon, the literature suggests the incidence is increasing. Our case alongside series in the literature indicate that these men have better functional outcomes and equal oncological outcomes with early surgical intervention for localized disease when compared to the older population.Keywords: prostate cancer, prostatectomy, robotic surgery, young men, outcomes, case report

Supporting the growth and retention of teachers in urban classrooms poses significant challenges to the education community. Student-centred instruction has demonstrated positive impacts on student academic growth and social development, facilitating acquisition of 21st century skills. However, implementing student-centred instruction is demanding for teachers, requiring high quality professional development. Teacher peer mentoring can be an effective and efficient component of professional development initiatives, but little is understood about ways to support and sustain the mentors themselves. This study employed qualitative methods to explore these issues over two summers of a professional development institute during which 10 teachers experienced in implementing a student-centred instructional model mentored 14 teachers new to student-centred instruction. The teachers and students in the summer institutes came from 13 urban secondary schools serving students underrepresented in STEM who had demonstrated economic needs. Embedded in a larger study of professional development, the current study focused on the experiences and perspective of the mentors as they provided feedback to their mentees. Findings suggested that teacher peer mentoring has the potential to change practice, but that effective mentoring required support and structures for the mentors as they grow into new roles and responsibilities.