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Multiple external representations (MERs) are useful for teaching complex content in science education. An open question is whether there is an especially effective way to sequence MERs. On the one hand, the so-called concreteness fading approach suggests starting instruction with more concrete representations and proceeding stepwise to more idealized representations. The effectiveness of this fading approach is, however, supported mainly by studies in mathematics education, while the results in physics are equivocal. On the other hand, presenting different representations simultaneously may support linking, that is, the comparison and contrast of representations, which may benefit learning. In an experimental classroom study (N = 187), we compared concreteness fading and simultaneous presentation of MERs for learning a challenging physics content in high school, namely, Faraday's law. We found no significant differences between conditions in posttest performance, and an equivalence test with bounds d = -0.5 to 0.5 showed that both approaches performed equally. The results align with previous findings questioning the superiority of concreteness fading over other ways of sequencing MERs. Therefore, facilitating students' understanding of a complex physics content may involve more than determining the optimal order of presenting MERs. We discuss limitations of the present study and implications for future research and practice.

In this study, we investigate how the accumulation of stressful life events and chronic stressors experienced in adolescence predict young adults' future self-identification (i.e., connectedness, vividness, and valence of the future self) in a sample of 1482 Swiss youth. Furthermore, we investigate future self-identification as a source of resilience mediating the association between accumulated stressful life events on the one hand, and increased delinquency and less educational attainment on the other. In line with our hypothesis, we found that experiencing more stressful life events predicted reduced future self-connectedness. This was not the case for vividness and valence of the future self. Furthermore, we found that future self-connectedness partially mediated the association between stressful life events and low educational attainment. Lastly, latent class trajectories revealed that there was no association between the timing of stressful life events -- whether in early or late adolescence -- and future self-identification.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) severity according to ethnicity. METHODS: Data were obtained from the UK MS Register, a prospective longitudinal cohort study of persons with MS. We examined the association between self-reported ethnic background and age at onset, symptom of onset and a variety of participant-reported severity measures. We used adjusted multivariable linear regression models to explore the association between ethnicity and impact of MS, and Cox proportional hazards models to assess disability progression. RESULTS: We analysed data from 17,314 people with MS, including participants from self-reported Black (n = 157) or South Asian (n = 230) ethnic backgrounds. Age at MS onset and diagnosis was lower in those of South Asian (median 30.0) and Black (median 33.0) ethnicity compared with White ethnicity (median 35.0). In participants with online MS severity measures available, we found no statistically significant evidence for an association between ethnic background and physical disability in MS in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. CONCLUSION: We found no association between ethnic background and MS severity in a large, diverse UK cohort. These findings suggest that other factors, such as socioeconomic status and structural inequalities, may explain previous findings.

Measuring the use of natural history collections is essential to understand their past and present impact on science, to underpin decisions about their management and to assist with deploying them optimally to address societal challenges. Using the vast natural history collections of Naturalis Biodiversity Center as an example, this paper assesses the significance and relevance of quantifying collection use. Four aspects are discussed: 1. standardisation, 2. relevance of having standardised metrics on collection use, 3. the level of detail and completeness of the information and 4. the interactions between digitisation of collections and physical collection use. Based on a set of transparent and objective parameters to describe collection use, it is proposed to further develop these into international standards.

Background: The target group of this study concerns young people with a mild intellectual disability. The central research question is: What evidence can be found in the literature for common and specific factors for a play therapy intervention for young people with a mild intellectual disability struggling with aggression regulation. Method: The criteria used for selecting articles are presented according to the PRISMA, and the PRISMA guidelines for writing a review have been applied. Results: Common factors have been found in the literature that relate to the relationship between therapist and client and the therapeutic skills of the play therapist. Clues have also been found for specific factors of play therapy, such as the use of play as a language and a connection with the child's inner world. In addition, certain factors have been found that are specific to the target group of this article. The non-verbal element of play therapy is an active part of this.

We developed and tested a smartphone-based intervention, FutureU, that aims to stimulate future-oriented thinking and behavior by strengthening the degree to which people identify with their future self. In order to examine the potential of this intervention prototype and opportunities for further optimization, we evaluated 1) the immediate and long-term efficacy of the intervention, and 2) intervention effects after each of three intervention modules. To this end, we conducted a randomized controlled pilot study among first-year university students (N = 176). Results showed a decrease in goal commitment immediately after the intervention. At 3-months follow-up, trends showed an increase in future orientation and in self-efficacy. During the intervention, there was a positive effect on vividness of the future self after the first module. Although there is scope for improvement, the findings highlight the potential of the intervention to increase people's future-oriented thinking and behavior.

Abstract Background Distributed statistical analyses provide a promising approach for privacy protection when analyzing data distributed over several databases. Instead of directly operating on data, the analyst receives anonymous summary statistics, which are combined into an aggregated result. Further, in discrimination model (prognosis, diagnosis, etc.) development, it is key to evaluate a trained model w.r.t. to its prognostic or predictive performance on new independent data. For binary classification, quantifying discrimination uses the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and its area under the curve (AUC) as aggregation measure. We are interested to calculate both as well as basic indicators of calibration-in-the-large for a binary classification task using a distributed and privacy-preserving approach. Methods We employ DataSHIELD as the technology to carry out distributed analyses, and we use a newly developed algorithm to validate the prediction score by conducting distributed and privacy-preserving ROC analysis. Calibration curves are constructed from mean values over sites. The determination of ROC and its AUC is based on a generalized linear model (GLM) approximation of the true ROC curve, the ROC-GLM, as well as on ideas of differential privacy (DP). DP adds noise (quantified by the $$\ell _2$$ ℓ 2 sensitivity $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$ Δ 2 ( f ^ ) ) to the data and enables a global handling of placement numbers. The impact of DP parameters was studied by simulations. Results In our simulation scenario, the true and distributed AUC measures differ by $$\Delta \text {AUC} < 0.01$$ Δ AUC < 0.01 depending heavily on the choice of the differential privacy parameters. It is recommended to check the accuracy of the distributed AUC estimator in specific simulation scenarios along with a reasonable choice of DP parameters. Here, the accuracy of the distributed AUC estimator may be impaired by too much artificial noise added from DP. Conclusions The applicability of our algorithms depends on the $$\ell _2$$ ℓ 2 sensitivity $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$ Δ 2 ( f ^ ) of the underlying statistical/predictive model. The simulations carried out have shown that the approximation error is acceptable for the majority of simulated cases. For models with high $$\Delta _2(\hat{f})$$ Δ 2 ( f ^ ) , the privacy parameters must be set accordingly higher to ensure sufficient privacy protection, which affects the approximation error. This work shows that complex measures, as the AUC, are applicable for validation in distributed setups while preserving an individual’s privacy.

Abstract Siderophores are specialized molecules produced by bacteria and fungi to scavenge iron, a crucial nutrient for growth and metabolism. Catecholate-type siderophores are mainly produced by bacteria, while hydroxamates are mostly from fungi. This study investigates the capacity of nine hydroxamate-type siderophores from fungi and Streptomyces to facilitate iron acquisition by the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Growth assays under iron limitation and 55Fe incorporation tests showed that all nine siderophores promoted bacterial growth and iron transport. The study also aimed to identify the TonB-dependent transporters (TBDTs) involved in iron import by these siderophores. Using mutant strains lacking specific TBDT genes, it was found that iron is imported into P. aeruginosa cells by FpvB for coprogen, triacetylfusarinine, fusigen, ferrirhodin, and ferrirubin. Iron complexed by desferioxamine G is transported by FpvB and FoxA, ferricrocin-Fe and ferrichrycin-Fe by FpvB and FiuA, and rhodotoluric acid-Fe by FpvB, FiuA, and another unidentified TBDT. These findings highlight the effectiveness of hydroxamate-type siderophores in iron transport into P. aeruginosa and provide insights into the complex molecular mechanisms involved, which are important for understanding microbial interactions and ecological balance.

Abstract People with intellectual disabilities experience overall poorer health and healthcare access than the general population. It is largely unknown how this applies to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management by general practitioners (GPs). In a 10-year retrospective matched cohort study, n = 34,429, we examined year prevalence of asthma and COPD in adult patients with and without intellectual disabilities and potential differences in the delivery of asthma and COPD disease management activities in Dutch general practices (2010–2019). We collected information on patient characteristics, comorbidity, consultation patterns, use and outcomes of asthma/COPD control questionnaires, spirometry measurement, pulmonology referrals, and prescribed medication. Asthma patients with intellectual disabilities suffered more frequently from obesity (53.2% vs. 39.5% without intellectual disabilities), and both asthma and COPD patients with intellectual disabilities were more frequently current smokers (45.2% vs. 22.1% without intellectual disabilities, and 76.6% vs. 51.4% without intellectual disabilities, respectively). Also, a statistically significant larger number of asthma patients with intellectual disabilities were prescribed antibiotics (69.9% vs. 54.5%). COPD patients with intellectual disabilities, compared with matched controls without intellectual disabilities, received significantly more often either no COPD-related practice consultation at all (respectively 20.8% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.004) or a large number of practice consultations (>31 consultations, respectively 16.7% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.004). For asthma, there was no statistical difference between patients with or without intellectual disabilities regarding the number and type of consultations. The asthma year point prevalence in patients with intellectual disabilities was, from 2014 onward, significantly higher, and in 2019 was 8.7% vs. 6.0% for people without intellectual disabilities. For COPD, it was comparable in both groups. Both asthma and COPD patients with intellectual disabilities appeared considerably younger in age than patients without intellectual disabilities. Our findings warrant further research into the causes of the differences found for asthma and COPD and whether they also infer differences in the quality or the effectiveness of GP disease management, especially for young adults with intellectual disabilities.

Abstract Background To reduce the impact of chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and chronic lung disease (asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), it is imperative that care is of high quality and suitable to patients’ needs. Patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) differ from the average patient population in general practice because of their limitations in adaptive behaviour and intellectual functioning, and concomitant difficulties recognising and reacting to disease symptoms, proactively searching health information, and independently managing diseases effectively. Because of these differences, information on their care needs is essential for suitable chronic disease management (CDM). Inadequate recognition of the care needs of this vulnerable population may hamper the harmonisation of evidence-based and person-centred care, compounded by issues such as stigma, misconceptions, and diagnostic overshadowing. This study therefore aimed to explore the needs of patients with ID from perspectives of both patients and of healthcare providers (HCPs) in the context of CDM in general practice. Methods This qualitative study recruited patients with ID for face-to-face individual interviews and HCPs for focus groups. With the Chronic Care Model as the underlying framework, semi-structured interviews and focus-group guides were defined to explore patients’ care needs and HCPs’ perspectives. All interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using Atlas.ti software, data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Between June and September 2022, 14 patients with ID and cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, and/or asthma/COPD were interviewed; and 32 general practitioners and practice nurses participated in seven focus groups. We identified six care needs underpinning suitable CDM: trusting relationship between patient and HCP; clear expectations about the CDM process; support in disease management; directive decision-making; support in healthy lifestyle; accessible medical information. Conclusions This vulnerable patient population has complex care needs that must be acknowledged for suitable CDM. Although HCPs largely recognise these needs, organisational factors and lack of training or experience with patients with ID hamper HCPs’ ability to fully adjust care provision to these needs. Access to, and knowledge of, easy-language information on chronic diseases and communication guidelines could aid HCPs to facilitate patients in managing their diseases more adequately.

Abstract Fungi constitute the Earth’s second most diverse kingdom, however only a small percentage of these have been thoroughly examined and categorized for their secondary metabolites, which still limits our understanding of the ecological chemical and pharmacological potential of fungi. In this study, we explored members of the co-evolved termite-associated fungal genus Xylaria and identified a family of highly oxygenated polyketide-terpene hybrid natural products using an MS/MS molecular networking-based dereplication approach. Overall, we isolated six no yet reported xylasporin derivatives, of which xylasporin A (1) features a rare cyclic-carbonate moiety. Extensive comparative spectrometric (HRMS2) and spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR) studies allowed to determine the relative configuration across the xylasporin family, which was supported by chemical shift calculations of more than 50 stereoisomers and DP4+ probability analyses. The absolute configuration of xylasporin A (1) was also proposed based on TDDFT-ECD calculations. Additionally, we were able to revise the relative and absolute configurations of co-secreted xylacremolide B produced by single x-ray crystallography. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis allowed us to deduce the putative biosynthetic assembly line of xylasporins in the producer strain X802, and could guide future engineering efforts of the biosynthetic pathway.

Music is core to human experience, yet the precise neural dynamics underlying music perception remain unknown. We analyzed a unique intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) dataset of 29 patients who listened to a Pink Floyd song and applied a stimulus reconstruction approach previously used in the speech domain. We successfully reconstructed a recognizable song from direct neural recordings and quantified the impact of different factors on decoding accuracy. Combining encoding and decoding analyses, we found a right-hemisphere dominance for music perception with a primary role of the superior temporal gyrus (STG), evidenced a new STG subregion tuned to musical rhythm, and defined an anterior-posterior STG organization exhibiting sustained and onset responses to musical elements. Our findings show the feasibility of applying predictive modeling on short datasets acquired in single patients, paving the way for adding musical elements to brain-computer interface (BCI) applications.

Context modulates sensory neural activations enhancing perceptual and behavioral performance and reducing prediction errors. However, the mechanism of when and where these high-level expectations act on sensory processing is unclear. Here, we isolate the effect of expectation absent of any auditory evoked activity by assessing the response to omitted expected sounds. Electrocorticographic signals were recorded directly from subdural electrode grids placed over the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Subjects listened to a predictable sequence of syllables, with some infrequently omitted. We found high-frequency band activity (HFA, 70-170 Hz) in response to omissions, which overlapped with a posterior subset of auditory-active electrodes in STG. Heard syllables could be distinguishable reliably from STG, but not the identity of the omitted stimulus. Both omission- and target-detection responses were also observed in the prefrontal cortex. We propose that the posterior STG is central for implementing predictions in the auditory environment. HFA omission responses in this region appear to index mismatch-signaling or salience detection processes.

Science communication is increasing through the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones. Within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU), UASs such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic Mini2 drones were used by students and faculty to study mistletoe, crepemyrtle and fire ants and then drone images were uploaded to iNaturalist, the largest repository for flora and fauna specimens to share with the scientific community and general public. The benefits of using a UAS is that nadir (directly above) images of the specimens increase the locational accuracy of each specimen compared to distance images acquired from a smartphone. By incorporating drones into course works at SFASU, faculty are increasing the technological abilities of students to communicate natural resource information to a greater audience as a citizen scientist. With ever increasing capabilities and lower cost, UAS are becoming a viable alternative to smartphones for communication of science, especially for iNaturalist. The ability to communicate science information and display images adds a dimension for the citizen scientist to use a UAS in teaching and information exchange while creating a well-rounded, better informed, and more employable student upon graduation.