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Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) studies have surged over the past few years, however, there is a lack of studies that have comprehensively reviewed and synthesized data on teachers' TPACK self-efficacy. The present review aimed to provide data on research methods, study samples, subject domains, and evaluation approaches used in the TPACK studies to date. The review also aimed to analyze teachers' TPACK self-efficacy, self-efficacy beliefs, computer self-efficacy, and technology support concerning professional development. Five best bets (most searched databases) were selected on the Electronic Business Source Complete (EBSCO) host platform. An abstract level screening was conducted for 136 peer-reviewed articles, and 75 articles were selected for the detailed screening. The analyses were focused on year-wide appearance of TPACK studies, research methods, study samples, subject domains, and evaluation approaches used. The growth and development of TPACK self-efficacy was examined using the narrative approach. Results indicated that professional development interventions were effective in improving teachers' TPACK self-efficacy. Also, TPACK-based argumentation practices helped participants strengthen their perceptions toward the integration of technology in classrooms. The implications of the findings for teacher preparation programs and other professional development activities were presented.

Abstract Background Despite serious health and social consequences, effective intervention strategies for habitual alcohol binge drinking are lacking. The development of novel therapeutic and preventative approaches is highly desirable. Accumulating evidence in the past several years has established associations between the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites with drinking behavior, but druggable targets and their underlying mechanism of action are understudied. Results Here, using a drink-in-the-dark mouse model, we identified a microbiome metabolite-based novel treatment (sodium valerate) that can reduce excessive alcohol drinking. Sodium valerate is a sodium salt of valeric acid short-chain fatty acid with a similar structure as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Ten days of oral sodium valerate supplementation attenuates excessive alcohol drinking by 40%, reduces blood ethanol concentration by 53%, and improves anxiety-like or approach-avoidance behavior in male mice, without affecting overall food and water intake. Mechanistically, sodium valerate supplementation increases GABA levels across stool, blood, and amygdala. It also significantly increases H4 acetylation in the amygdala of mice. Transcriptomics analysis of the amygdala revealed that sodium valerate supplementation led to changes in gene expression associated with functional pathways including potassium voltage-gated channels, inflammation, glutamate degradation, L-DOPA degradation, and psychological behaviors. 16S microbiome profiling showed that sodium valerate supplementation shifts the gut microbiome composition and decreases microbiome-derived neuroactive compounds through GABA degradation in the gut microbiome. Conclusion Our findings suggest that sodium valerate holds promise as an innovative therapeutic avenue for the reduction of habitual binge drinking, potentially through multifaceted mechanisms. Video Abstract

The Maple-leaf oak, Quercus acerifolia (E.J.Palmer) Stoynoff & Hess, is listed as Critically Imperiled by the State of Arkansas and considered endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Oak Species. It is endemic to the interior highlands of the Ouachita Mountains in west-central Arkansas, where it is reported to occur in only four isolated locations. No specific research exists regarding predicted climate change impacts on the Q. acerifolia, but given its small range and habitat specificity, such climate change-driven impacts will likely pose significant risks to remaining populations. We used an ensemble species distribution modeling (SDM) approach to predict climatically suitable habitat for Q. acerifolia within its native range. We investigate how future changes in climate may impact habitat suitability. Currently, the estimated area of climatically suitable habitat area for Q. acerifolia is 2,523 km2. By 2050, the predicted climatically suitable habitat area is 749 km2, a 70% reduction in habitat extent. By 2100, the model ensemble predicts a suitable habitat of only 285 km2 or an 89% loss of present suitable habitat. The model ensemble also predicted climatically suitable habitat area in 20 counties (14 in Arkansas and six in Oklahoma), including the currently known four locations in Arkansas. Although Q. acerifolia is rare and is at risk of extinction due to potential climate-change driven habitat reduction, the SDM ensemble identified several new habitat areas for the species. New habitat information can be used to search for existing Q. acerifolia populations or guide reintroduction efforts, leading to enhanced focus on long-term management, conservation, and restoration of this critically-imperiled species.

In the present work, a new protocol was developed for the synthesis of 2,4,5-triaryl imidazoles via three component condensation of aryl aldehyde, benzil and ammonium acetate in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluoro phosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) as a catalyst under reflux in ethanol. The present protocol has many beneficial advantages such as excellent yields, easy workup procedure, green catalyst and purification of the targeted molecules without the use of column chromatography which increases the green chemistry value of the present work.

Abstract In this paper we study the shear free spherical symmetric gravitational collapse of a charged radiating star. All the physical quantities including pressure, density are regular. Energy conditions are satisfied throughout the interior of the matter configuration. The luminosity is time independent and mass is radiated linearly. The causal and non causal temperature remain greater than that of the uncharged collapsing scenario.

With the massive potential for nanofiber applications within the expanding field of functional materials and green energy materials, electrospinning has become an increasingly interesting method of fabrication, generating many different methods to fabricate different nanofiber types. However, due to limitations, either chemical or instrumental, some polymeric nanofibers can only be synthesised using co-axial or emulsion electrospinning methods. To date fabrication of poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers via electrospinning have been limited to coaxial method. These nanofibers have found use in medical fields as well as environmental remediation efforts as membranes and filters and also in new age wearable electronics. In addition, there have been no systematic studies documented on the parametric optimisation of PDMS/PMMA nanofibers using electrospinning, particularly concerning applied voltage, flow rate, and collector distance. In this work, a PDMS/PMMA co-polymer nanofiber, synthesised through an optimised emulsion electrospinning method, was fabricated and characterised. A systematic examination of electrospinning parameters was conducted and optimised parameters of 18.5 kV supplied voltage, 10 cm tip-collector distance and a flow rate of 0.2 mL/h resulted in the fabrication of nanofibers with an average diameter of ∼199 nm and super-hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of ∼162°, is reported on.

Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) exhibits a direct bandgap characterized by strong visible photoluminescence, high on/off ratio, high optical transparency, low dissipation rate, and light absorption in a wide energy spectrum. The influence of different deposition voltages and durations on the optical and photoluminescent characteristics was investigated using Raman spectroscopy, UV–visible spectrophotometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. All samples were analyzed for optical properties to confirm their suitability for optoelectronics. The energy band gap and Urbach energy (band tail width) of all films were 1.87 to 2.52 eV and 0.31 to 0.49 eV, respectively. The findings reveal a correlation between enhanced absorption properties and a decrease in the bandgap of the semiconducting film layers, implying the potential utility of the deposited films as efficient solar absorbers. Furthermore, the improved transmittance observed within the visible wavelength range suggests their applicability as effective window layers in thin-film photodiodes. It was established that varying the voltage and time of deposition alone can enhance the optoelectronic performance of the material in any device.

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is one of the most responsible periodontopathogenic bacteria in the development of periodontal disease (PD); however, its role in the development of other diseases still needs to be understood, specially its implications in the causation of cardiovascular pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a direct association between P. gingivalis-induced PD with that of the development of cardiovascular disease, and whether a long-term administration of probiotic(s) could help improve the cardiovascular disease outcome. To test this hypothesis, we employed four different experimental groups of mice, designated as: Group I: Wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6J); Group II: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) (WT mice treated with a probiotic; LGG), Group III: PD (WT mice treated with P. gingivalis), and Group IV: PD + LGG (WT mice treated with P. gingivalis and LGG). PD was created by injecting 2 [micro]L (i.e., 20 [micro]g) of P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intragingivally between the 1st and 2nd mandibular molars, two times a week for a total period of 6 weeks. The PD (LGG) intervention was done orally employing 2.5 * [10.sup.5] CFU/day for a continuous period of 12 weeks. Immediately before the mice were sacrificed, echocardiography of the heart was performed, and after sacrifice, we collected serum samples, hearts, and the periodontal tissue. Histological assessment, cytokine analysis, and zymography of the cardiac tissue were performed. Results revealed inflammation of the heart muscle in the PD group that was marked by infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes, followed by fibrosis. Cytokine analysis of the mice sera revealed significantly elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha], IL-1[beta], IL-6, and IL-17A in the PD group along with LPS-binding protein, and CD14. Most importantly, we observed elevated levels of P. gingivalis mRNAs in the heart tissues of PD mice. Zymographic analysis demonstrated matrix remodeling as revealed by increasing content of MMP-9 in the heart tissues of PD mice. Interestingly, LGG treatment was able to mitigate most of the pathological effects. The findings suggest that P. gingivalis could lead to cardiovascular system disorder and that probiotic intervention could alleviate, and most likely prevent bacteremia and its harmful effect(s) on the cardiovascular function. Key words: periodontal disease, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, MMP, bacteremia, echocardiography, Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontal disease (PD) are very common diseases in the world and represent a serious global health problem (Khalighinejad et al. 2016; Berlin-Broner et al. 2017; [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus showed acute and prolonged effects on human health. In addition, over the past four years, there has been a tremendous surge in COVID-19-related scientific publications, as shown by bibliometric and scientometric studies. However, such analysis of the scientific literature is lacking in the area of male reproduction. The current scientometric study analyzes publication characteristics of articles related to male reproduction and COVID-19 infection. We used the Scopus database to analyze scientometric data (the number of publications, journals, countries, type of documents, and subject area) related to COVID-19 and male reproductive research. Our literature search identified 345 articles related to COVID-19 and male reproductive research. Most of the articles were published in the USA (n = 72), Italy (n = 55), and China (n = 51). Such research was mainly focused around medicine (57.1%), followed by biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology (25.7%). Also, in the area of male reproduction, only 37.1% (n = 128) of the articles contributed towards original research, whereas 52.8% (n = 182) were review articles and editorials focusing more on sexual dysfunction than infertility. Such a small number of studies published on COVID-19-related effects on male reproduction warrants a significant increase in research, which is required to decipher the mechanism(s) underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated impairment of male reproductive function.

Heart failure (HF) is a significant global healthcare burden with increasing prevalence and high morbidity and mortality rates. The diagnosis and management of HF are closely tied to ejection fraction (EF), a crucial parameter for evaluating disease severity and determining treatment plans. This paper emphasizes the urgent need to maintain EF during heart failure, highlighting the distinct phenotypes of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It discusses the complexities of HFrEF pathophysiology and its negative impact on patient outcomes, stressing the importance of ongoing research and the development of effective therapeutic interventions to slow down the progression from preserved to reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, it explores the potential role of renal denervation in preserving ejection fraction and its implications for HFrEF management. This comprehensive review aims to offer valuable insights into the critical role of EF preservation in enhancing outcomes for patients with heart failure.