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Empirical testing of talent development models or contextual developmental models of giftedness is enhanced by longitudinal research that considers contextual factors as well as individual/psychological factors. Relying on findings from the longitudinal TALENT project in Flanders, we aimed to shed light on the role of social-contextual factors (i.e., relationships with teachers, peers, and parents) and psychological (i.e., motivational) factors in the developmental process of transforming high cognitive ability into high achievement levels. Also, we aimed to gain insight into which developmental processes are specific to high-ability students and which are generalizable across ability levels. The findings provided longitudinal evidence for the key role of social-contextual and motivational resources in the process of academic talent development. Overall, they call for further integration of giftedness models with general developmental theories and elaboration of the role of social-contextual factors.

This study examined the diversity in feelings of loneliness among high-ability students. Individual differences (intelligence level, giftedness label, and personality) and differences in the social context (peer acceptance, peer rejection, victimization, and friendship quantity) of adolescents were considered as predictors of loneliness. Additionally, gender differences were investigated in both the level of loneliness and in the effect of social-context characteristics on loneliness. The sample consisted of 403 students belonging to the top 10% of their age group in terms of cognitive ability (M[subscript age] = 12.4 years, 50.3% males). Variables were measured longitudinally across four time points during two consecutive school years using self-report and peer nominations. Multilevel growth curve analyses revealed that all predictors except giftedness label and peer rejection uniquely predicted loneliness over time. Gender differences were found for the effects of peer rejection and victimization. These findings highlight the diversity of social experiences among high-ability youth and emphasize the importance of both individual and contextual factors in shaping these distinct experiences.

As cognitively gifted students may be at risk for motivational problems and underachievement, it is critical to find effective ways to motivate them. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT) and the literature on teacher beliefs and mindsets, the present study examined whether teachers adapt their motivational teaching style as a function of the cognitive ability of students and which factors can explain the variability in teachers' use of (de)motivating styles among gifted versus typical students. Results of linear mixed modeling among 122 teachers in secondary education (73% female; M[subscript age] = 39.52 years) indicated that teachers made more use of autonomy-supportive and chaotic and less use of controlling and structuring practices towards cognitively gifted, relative to typical, students, with differences in the perceived effectiveness of teaching styles by type of student explaining this variability. Regardless of students' giftedness status, teachers' fixed mindset related positively to the use of a controlling and chaotic style and experience in giftedness education related positively to the use of autonomy support. Misconceptions regarding giftedness did not relate to teachers' motivating style. These results inform prevention efforts aimed at improving teachers' motivating styles, to the benefit of the motivation of both cognitively gifted and typical students.

Abstract Background Optimizing CS performance is a global health priority, given the maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with both underuse and overuse. This study aims to (1) determine the facility-based CS rate in Suriname and explore which women are most likely to undergo a CS and (2) classify all CS by the WHO Robson classification and analyze the perinatal outcomes. Methods An observational, cross-sectional study in Suriname, using nationwide birth registry data that included all hospital births in 2020 and 2021 (≥ 27 weeks of gestation). We used multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess maternal and perinatal characteristics associated with CS. We described cesarean births according to the Robson-10 classification and used descriptive statistics to analyze CS frequencies and perinatal outcomes. Results We analyzed the 18,917 women who gave birth in Surinamese hospitals, with an overall 23.9% CS rate (n = 4522/18,917). The highest CS rates were seen among women with a previous CS (69.3%, aOR 16.2, 95% CI 14.4–18.2), BMI > 40 (47.0%, aOR 5.1, 95% CI 4.0–6.5), newborn with a birthweight from or above 4,000 g (37.3%, 2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.0) and women giving birth at hospital IV (38.5%, aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6–2.0). Hindustani women were more likely to give birth by CS compared to Maroon women (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–2.0). The largest contribution to the overall CS rate was Robson group 5 (i.e. multiparous women with a previous CS and a singleton term pregnancy in cephalic presentation, 30.5%, n = 1,378). Robson group 2 and 4 (i.e. pre-labor CS, or CS after induction, among term women without previous CS and cephalic presentation) contributed to 21.8% (n = 985) of all CS performed. Robson group 1 and 3 (i.e. during spontaneous labor CS among term women without previous CS and cephalic presentation) accounted for 23.3% (n = 1,052) of all CS cases. Conclusion The facility-based CS rate in Suriname is 24%, with substantial intra-country and inter-hospital variations. These disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing both overuse and underuse of CS. Preventative measures should prioritize promoting safe VBAC, increasing assisted vaginal birth, preventing first-time CS and ongoing monitoring of trends and regular case audits.

This study examined the unique and interactive role of students' quality of motivation, as defined in self-determination theory, and their mindsets about intelligence, as conceptualized in Dweck's framework, in predicting a variety of learning outcomes (engagement, learning strategies, persistence, procrastination, and test anxiety) and achievement. Moving beyond past work, this study examined their effects both at the level of between-student differences and at the level of semester-to-semester fluctuations within students' own functioning, thereby controlling for students' cognitive ability. The study had a four-wave longitudinal design, following 3,415 seventh-grade students across a 2-year period with 6-month intervals (49.8% female; M[subscript age] = 12.65 years). Multilevel analyses demonstrated that autonomous motivation and effort beliefs had independent and favorable associations with most outcomes and that controlled motivation and a fixed mindset related more uniquely to maladaptive outcomes, findings that emerged at both levels of analysis. This pattern of associations was held after controlling for students' cognitive ability and applied to both students with high and low cognitive ability. The number of interactions between motivation and mindsets was quite limited. It can be concluded that the quality of motivation and mindsets about intelligence represent compatible resources for learning that help to explain between-student and within-student differences in learning and achievement.

ObjectiveAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant heterogeneity among patients. 23Na MRI maps abnormal sodium homeostasis that reflects metabolic alterations and energetic failure contributing to the neurodegenerative process. In this study, we investigated disease severity at the individual level in ALS patients using brain 23Na MRI.Methods1H and 23Na brain MRI were collected prospectively from 28 ALS patients. Individual map of abnormal total sodium concentration (TSC) was computed using voxel-based statistical mapping for each patient compared to a local database of 62 healthy controls. Clinical data included the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R), ALSFRS-R slope, ALSFRS-R at 6-month and survival time.ResultsIndividual maps quantifying voxels with TSC increase evidenced a high heterogeneity between patients consistent with clinical presentation. The main areas involved were the corticospinal tracts. Half of patients showed abnormal TSC increase within more than 1% of whole brain voxels. Patients with TSC increase had worse clinical severity: higher ALSFRS-R slope (p = 0.02), lower ALSFRS-R at 6-month (p = 0.04), and shorter survival (p = 0.04). ALS patients with limited TSC increase had slower progression of disability or predominant lower motor neuron phenotype or shorter disease duration.DiscussionThis study mapping sodium homeostasis disturbances at the individual level in ALS patients through 23Na MRI evidenced heterogeneity of TSC increase among patients associated with clinical presentation and disease severity. These findings suggest that TSC increase detected at the individual level by 23Na MRI may be a useful marker of the clinical heterogeneity of ALS patients, a factor that is likely to greatly influence the results of therapeutic trials.

Objectives DARWIN 3 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02065700) assessed the safety and efficacy of filgotinib in a long-term extension (LTE) of two phase II randomised controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials.Methods Eligible patients completing the 24-week DARWIN 1 (filgotinib plus methotrexate) and DARWIN 2 (filgotinib monotherapy) trials could enrol. Patients received filgotinib 200 mg/day, except 15 men who received filgotinib 100 mg/day. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, which were assessed by the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Safety and efficacy analyses included all enrolled patients who received ≥1 dose of filgotinib in DARWIN 3.Results 739 patients entered the LTE. The total patient-years of exposure (PYE) to filgotinib was 3706.3 years; the mean exposure duration was 259.8 weeks. 497 patients (67.3%) discontinued prematurely (including 266 TEAEs and 172 withdrawals due to the patient’s decision or ‘sponsor request’). Overall exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) was 67 (95% CI 62 to 72.2)/100 PYE for TEAEs and 3.8 (95% CI 3.2 to 4.5)/100 PYE for serious TEAEs. EAIR of infections was 23.3 (95% CI 21.2 to 25.6)/100 PYE, 1.3 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7)/100 PYE for serious infections and 1.3 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7)/100 PYE for herpes zoster. EAIRs of major adverse cardiovascular events (0.19 (95% CI 0.8 to 0.39)/100 PYE) and malignancies (0.6 (95% CI 0.4 to 0.9)/100 PYE) were low. Disease response assessed using non-responder imputation plateaued at LTE week 12 before slowly declining over time, with overall American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70 response rates of 26.9%/20.2%/14.7% at week 396.Conclusion Filgotinib was well tolerated in patients with RA for up to 8 years. Safety and efficacy profiles were maintained in patients previously receiving either filgotinib plus methotrexate or filgotinib monotherapy.

Background and purpose: For medial knee osteoarthritis (OA), operative and nonoperative treatment options are available. Two widely applied unloading therapies are a valgus unloader brace and a high tibial osteotomy (HTO). We aimed to compare the effects of a valgus unloader knee brace with an HTO on knee pain after 1 year in patients with symptomatic medial knee OA. Methods: We recruited patients from 9 Dutch hospitals between August 2014 and February 2019 for an open-labeled multi-center randomized controlled trial (Dutch Trial Register NL4200). Patients aged 18 to 65 years with symptomatic medial compartmental knee OA were randomized to either a valgus unloader brace or an HTO. The primary outcome was the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS) after 1 year. Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months. Results: 51 patients were included in the study, of whom 23 were randomized to the unloader brace and 28 to the HTO. The HTO, compared with the unloader brace, showed a significant and clinically relevant difference at 12 months of follow-up in KOOS pain of –28 (95% confidence interval –43 to –13). Conclusion: We found that, on group level, an HTO is more effective in reducing knee pain than an unloader brace after 12 months.

Objectives To investigate serum lipid profile in early, treatment-naïve psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and to determine whether changes in classical lipids or apolipoproteins are specific to PsA.Methods Total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), HDL-c, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) were compared in newly diagnosed untreated PsA patients (n=75) to sex- and age-matched controls (healthy control (HC)) (n=61) and early untreated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (n=50).Results Among classical lipid measurements, HDL-c levels were lower in PsA than in HC and RA (df 2, χ210, p=0.006, PsA vs HC p=0.013). Significant differences in ApoA1 and ApoB levels were observed between PsA, RA and controls. ApoB was higher in PsA than in RA patients but lower than in controls (df2, χ243.8; p

IntroductionThis study investigated the real-time variability of secondary school students’ academic emotions (i.e., enjoyment, enthusiasm, boredom, and frustration) in mathematics classes, examining their relation to the day of the week, time of the day, and teaching methods. Utilizing experience sampling methodology, the research captures the dynamic nature of emotions as states, providing insights into their situational dynamics.Methods440 students reported twice during their mathematics classes for a period of 10 school days on their real-time experiences of academic enjoyment, enthusiasm, boredom, and frustration. Additionally, their teachers indicated the teaching methods that were used on each measurement occasion.ResultsResults indicated students to have a more positive emotional pattern on Fridays (i.e., a “Thank God it’s Friday” effect) and Wednesdays, likely due to the anticipation of leisure time. Additionally, a “Frustrating Tuesday” effect was observed, while no evidence was found for a “Blue Monday” effect. Time of the day effects were less consistent, with frustration increasing throughout the day and boredom being higher in the afternoon, possibly due to postprandial somnolence (i.e., post-meal dip). Teaching methods differently related to emotions; during individual and group work students experienced more enjoyment and enthusiasm but also more frustration compared to whole-class instruction. During classroom discussion more frustration was experienced relative to whole-class instruction. Female students experienced less enthusiasm than male students, and higher ability students experienced more enjoyment, enthusiasm and less boredom than lower ability students.DiscussionThis study underscores the importance of considering temporal factors and teaching methods in understanding students’ emotional experiences in educational settings.

The potential of FinTech algorithms to decrease gender bias in credit decisions is limited by the impartiality of the data used to train them. If the data is partial or biased, the algorithmic decision-making process may also be discriminatory, exacerbating existing inequalities. In this study, the effect of FinTech Firms on reducing gender inequality in bank loans in the USA is examined using a loan application from 60 U.S. banks from 2012 to 2022. We use a two-step system GMM approach to estimate the effect of FinTech algorithms on gender bias in credit decisions, focusing on female loan approval rates. Our results show that by controlling the other factor, banks with credit algorithms significantly increased the loan approval rates and thus reduced gender inequality in bank loans. Specifically, the female loan approval rates increased by 8% after banks adopted FinTech algorithms. We also find that the effect is more substantial for banks with higher baseline gender bias in credit decisions. We also performed the Difference in Difference analysis to analyse the policy shocks and FinTech adoption on bank loans’ gender inequality. Results of the study show that FinTech adoption and policy implications have significantly increased the loans for female borrowers. Our findings suggest that FinTech algorithms can potentially mitigate gender bias in credit decisions and promote gender equality in financial services.

This study aims to better understand differences in the decision-making process behind study choices for higher education by investigating the presence of exploration profiles and then explore the explanatory base. To achieve this, we first identified different exploration profiles of students transitioning to higher education (n = 5660), and then investigated whether they were predicted by different student variables (i.e., learning strategies, gender, and educational track) and linked with different outcomes of the decision-making process (i.e., the amount of information acquired regarding higher education, decisional status, and commitment). A latent profile analysis identified three exploration profiles based on the decisional tasks of orientation, self-, broad, and in-depth exploration: passive (35%), moderately active (52%), and highly active explorers (13%). Students' learning strategies (regulation and processing strategies) were associated with these profiles. Students with more effective regulation and processing strategies were more likely to be highly active than passive or moderately active explorers. Female students and students from the technical track were more likely to be found in the highly active profile compared to the moderately active and the passive or moderately active profile, respectively. Finally, highly active explorers had the most favorable outcomes, measured by decisional status, commitment, and amount of information. Based on a substantial dataset, our findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the explanatory base of important differences in the study choice making process of students opting for higher education. This may ultimately lead to more fitting support for students in less beneficial profiles.

Abstract Sarcopenia has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including cognitive dysfunction. However, its specific interrelationship with neurocognitive disorders such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other types of dementia has not been thoroughly explored. This meta‐analysis aims to summarize the existing evidence on this interrelationship. This systematic review was pre‐registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022366309) and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses 2020 guidelines. Databases, including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, SPORTDiscus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the data registry ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to 8 June 2023. Observational studies (cross‐sectional and cohort) and interventional studies reporting on the association and prevalence of sarcopenia in MCI, AD or other types of dementia in adults ≥50 years were included. For the meta‐analysis, pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the association of sarcopenia with the neurocognitive disorders using random‐effects/fixed‐effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneity. A total of 77 studies consisting of 92 058 subjects were finally included in the qualitative analysis (71 cross‐sectional, 4 cohort and 2 interventional studies). Studies were heterogeneous, using different diagnostic criteria to define both sarcopenia and cognitive status. The majority of studies (n = 38) included Asian community‐dwelling older adults. Most studies investigated the association of sarcopenia with AD (33/77) and MCI (32/77). For studies focusing on other forms of dementia, two studies included Lewy body dementia and one study included Parkinson's dementia, whereas the remaining studies did not specify dementia aetiology (n = 21). Three cohort studies explored the association between sarcopenia and incident MCI, whereas only one cohort study explored the association between dementia and incident sarcopenia. Two interventional studies investigated whether an exercise programme could prevent the progression of sarcopenia in older adults with dementia or AD. The information for the meta‐analysis was extracted from 26 studies. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with MCI (pooled OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.42–1.76) (n = 14), AD (pooled OR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.15–4.08) (n = 3) and non‐AD dementia (pooled OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.09–2.58) (n = 9). The significance and magnitude of the associations differed in subgroup analyses by study design, population, definition of sarcopenia or used tool to measure cognitive status. This meta‐analysis showed that sarcopenia is significantly associated with MCI, AD and other types of dementia. These findings suggest the importance of early screening and prevention of sarcopenia in older people with cognitive dysfunction, although further longitudinal research is needed to clarify the causal relationship.

This study used a longitudinal person-oriented approach to examine whether two distinct developmental pathways of maladaptive motivation could be distinguished among high-ability students (intelligence quotient [IQ] [greater than or equal to] 120, N = 403, M[subscript age] = 12.2 years, 60.5% males), as proposed by the Pathways to Underachievement Model. Latent class growth analysis provided evidence for a three-class solution, including an adaptive class and two maladaptive classes, largely corresponding with the predictions of the Pathways to Underachievement Model. Furthermore, the classes related to the outcome variables in the expected ways, with the maladaptive classes showing higher disengagement and underachievement. These findings substantiate the Pathways to Underachievement Model and provide developmental insight into the multiple motivational pathways underlying disengagement and underachievement among high-ability students.

Background: Teachers may play a key role in reducing bullying by responding to incidents among students. Inspired by the theory of planned behaviour, several studies have investigated teachers' bullying-related cognitions as predictors of their responses to bullying. Aims: This study investigated whether six teachers' bullying-related cognitions (i.e., perceived seriousness, empathy, attitudes, self-efficacy and attribution of the bullying) predicted five student-perceived teachers' responses (i.e., Non-Intervention, Disciplinary Methods, Victim Support, Mediation and Group Discussion) over time. By examining this objective, more insight into student perceptions of teachers' responses to bullying could also be provided. Sample: In total, 999 upper elementary school students (M[subscript age] = 10.61 at Wave 1, SD[subscript age] = 0.90; 53.6% girls) and their 59 teachers (M[subscript age] = 39.61 at W1, SD[subscript age] = 11.60; 79.7% female) participated. Methods: A bullying questionnaire was administered in three waves to assess students' perceptions of the teachers' responses. Teachers reported bullying-related cognitions in the first wave. Multilevel analyses were used to investigate the relative contribution of the predictors on the teachers' responses over time. Results: None of the teachers' bullying-related cognitions significantly predicted the teachers' specific responses. Conclusions: The findings suggest that teachers' bullying-related cognitions are not reflected in their responses to bullying as perceived by students. Moreover, the findings indicate that students' perceptions of teachers' responses vary widely within classrooms and over time. Student- and teacher-reported teachers' responses might differ, and these possible differences should be taken into account.

In the face of technological advances, questions of communicative ethics seem to become more important than ever. This paper first introduces the notion of fragmented connectivity to explain major structural aspects of how public discourse can be seen to unfold today. Then we summarize two distinct studies, focusing on (i) the political weaponization of free speech, and (ii) academic complicity in politically driven historiography. Both point at the need to re-emphasize attention to communicative responsibility.

Objective To discover antibody biomarkers that can predict a lack of response to first-line therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods Two RA cDNA phage display libraries were screened for novel antibodies in baseline RA sera from the Care in early RA (CareRA) trial, differentiating between patients who did or did not reach remission after first-line therapy (n=20 each). Antibody reactivity to identified University Hasselt (UH)-RA antigens was validated in baseline samples from 136 additional CareRA participants. The novel antibodies’ potential to predict failure to reach remission or low disease activity (LDA), according to the Disease Activity Score 28-joint C-reactive protein/erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28CRP/ESR) and Clinical/Simplified Disease Activity Index (CDAI/SDAI), was studied by multivariate analyses. The presence of the antibody targets in RA synovial tissue and the fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) cell line SW982 was determined by immunofluorescence.Results We identified antibodies to 41 novel antigens. Antibodies against any of three antigens, UH-RA.305/318/329, discriminated between RA patients not reaching week (w)8 DAS28CRP remission and those that did (36% vs 13%,p=0.0031). In all patients, anti-UH-RA.305/318/329 antibody reactivity was associated with failure to reach week 8 DAS28CRP and DAS28ESR remission (OR 3.63,p=0.0031; OR 2.92,p=0.016; respectively), SDAI/CDAI sustained remission (OR 5.59,p=0.039 for both) and DAS28CRP and DAS28ESR sustained LDA (OR 3.7,p=0.009; OR 2.76,p=0.042; respectively). In rheumatoid factor/anti-citrullinated protein antibody (RF/ACPA) seronegative patients, these antibodies were strongly associated with failure to achieve week 8 DAS28CRP remission (OR 17.3,p=0.0029). Anti-UH-RA.305/329 antibodies were shown to target FLS in RA synovial tissue and SW982 cells.Conclusion We identified three antibody biomarkers that are associated with failure to achieve remission/LDA after first-line RA therapy.

Introduction Differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation (DTM SCS) is a new stimulation paradigm for chronic pain management with the aim of modulating glial cells and neurons in order to rebalance their interactions. Animal studies revealed positive effects of this type of stimulation; however, studies in humans are still scarce, pointing towards the need for an evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of DTM SCS in clinical settings. Furthermore, the differential target multiplexed (DTM) algorithm consists of a combination of several programmes, which will presumably consume more energy from the spinal cord stimulation (SCS) battery. Therefore, the objective of DETECT is to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of DTM SCS in patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II through a longitudinal cohort study.Methods and analysis DETECT is a prospective multicentre cohort study (n≥250) with a follow-up until 12 months after receiving DTM SCS. The study initiated in October 2021 and is currently still recruiting patients. Self-reporting outcome variables were evaluated at baseline (before SCS) and at 1, 6 and 12 months of DTM SCS. The primary effectiveness endpoint is overall pain intensity, measured with the visual analogue scale. Secondary effectiveness outcome measures are back pain intensity, leg pain intensity, disability, health-related quality of life, pain medication use, functional disability, clinical holistic responder status, self-management, impression of change, work status, pain catastrophising, symptoms of central sensitisation, anxiety, depression and healthcare utilisation. Time spent in different body postures and SCS stimulation parameters will be read out from the pulse generator. The prevalence of technical issues, recharge frequency, (serious) adverse events and the proportion of successful DTM trials will be collected as well. Longitudinal mixed models will be calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of DTM SCS over time.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was approved by the central Ethics Committee of the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (B.U.N.1432021000563) and the Ethics Committees of each participating centre. Research findings will be disseminated to key stakeholders through peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals and presentations to clinical audiences.Trial registration number NCT05068011.

Background Janus kinase inhibitors are an effective option for achieving sustained remission or low disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) following inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Filgotinib is a Janus kinase 1–preferential inhibitor available in two doses for moderate-to-severe RA. We report the long-term efficacy and safety of filgotinib.Methods In the ongoing long-term extension study FINCH 4 (NCT03025308), patients continue filgotinib 200 mg or 100 mg from FINCH 1, 2 or 3 or receive filgotinib 200 mg or 100 mg de novo. Efficacy assessments up to week 156 include American College of Rheumatology 20% response (ACR20), Disease Activity Score 28 using C-reactive protein of

Mesocarnivores fill important roles in ecological communities globally, but their distribution and abundance are often understudied. Many species have historically been regarded as vermin and subject to lethal control due to their role in livestock predation. Identifying the factors influencing mesocarnivore populations can help disentangle their relationship within ecological communities and inform conflict mitigation and conservation priorities. To help identify these factors, we used camera traps to study the community of medium and large mammals in four communal conservancies of northeastern Namibia covering the wet and dry seasons using 99 and 97 camera trap stations, respectively. We modelled black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) abundance using the robust Royle-Nichols model. Black-backed jackal were widespread, with a mean per site abundance of 2.01 (SD=0.66) in the wet season and 2.41 (SD=0.49) in the dry season. Black-backed jackal showed seasonally contrasting covariate associations, with lower abundance in areas with medium and large-sized wild prey during the wet season, and higher abundance in areas with more villages and close to African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) dens in the dry season. We identified localized hotspots of black-backed jackal abundance during the dry season, which may indicate that when resources are scarce, black-backed jackals rely on anthropogenic food sources despite an elevated risk for conflict, and on carcass remains from African wild dog kills. These findings highlight potential drivers of mesocarnivore abundance that would be obscured in a conventional occurrence modelling framework, and illustrate how local abundance may be influenced by seasonal variability, wild and anthropogenic food sources, and a likely facilitative relationship with a large carnivore. Further investigations in areas with more complex carnivore guilds and higher density of dominant predators are needed to understand black-backed jackal-African wild dog interactions and impacts on population dynamics.

Background: Precision oncology is gaining momentum in managing patients with gastrointestinal cancers. This study examines the implementation of personalized medicine technologies in upper gastrointestinal (UGI) oncology across European academic centers. Material and methods: Forty-five oncology specialists from 41 European institutions completed a survey designed by the Personalized Medicine Task Force of the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Gastrointestinal Tract Cancer Working Group, providing insights into molecular testing, timing, availability of targeted therapies, funding sources, and utilization of molecular tumor boards (MTBs) for patients with UGI cancers. Frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results: Routine testing for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, 100%), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, 89%), and DNA mismatch repair (MMR, 91%) is implemented in most centers. Comprehensive gene panels on tumor tissue are frequently utilized, especially in biliary tract cancer, with almost all centers incorporating them into routine practice. Blood-based sequencing is increasingly employed, and half of centers carry out comprehensive gene panels for circulating tumor DNA analyses. MTBs are regularly held in 76% of centers, predominantly utilizing ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets (ESCAT)-based recommendations for tissue molecular alterations. The translation of genomic information into prescribed treatments remains limited, however, with the majority of centers reporting ∼25% of molecularly stratified treatment decisions following comprehensive genetic testing. Conclusion: This survey provides important insights into current personalized medicine practice in European academic clinical centers for UGI oncology. Despite widespread adoption of molecular testing and implementation of MTBs, further efforts are needed to optimize the integration of personalized medicine into clinical practice.

Since there has been no clear overview of educational practices that benefit high-ability students in mixed-ability classrooms in grades one to six, this review aims to provide insight into the effects of educational practices on the cognitive and affective-motivational learning outcomes of high-ability students. In order to identify these educational practices, we conducted a review of the existing literature, comprising a systematic search of the Education Resources Information Center and Web of Science databases for studies from the last 25 years. Only empirical studies that investigated the impact of interventions were included. Applying these criteria resulted in the inclusion of seventeen studies. Four different educational practices were shown to have a positive impact on cognitive learning outcomes: providing dynamic feedback, enhancing self-regulated learning, adjusting the curriculum and providing differentiated instruction. The impact of educational practices on affective-motivational learning outcomes was inconclusive. Based on this review, we conclude that teachers can help high-ability students in mixed-ability classrooms in grades one to six across various educational contexts using the educational practices reported in this study.

Objectives To investigate if patients with early rheumatoid arthritis responding insufficiently to initial methotrexate (MTX) and bridging glucocorticoids (GCs) could benefit from early but temporary etanercept introduction as a second remission-induction attempt.Methods CareRA2020 (NCT03649061) was a 2-year, open-label, multicentre, pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Treatment-naïve patients started MTX and GC bridging (COBRA-Slim: CS). Within a time window from week (W) 8 until W32, early insufficient responders (28-joint Disease Activity Score – C-reactive Protein (DAS28-CRP) >3.2 between W8 and W32 or ≥2.6 at W32) were randomised to a Standard-CS strategy (adding leflunomide first) or Bio-induction-CS strategy (adding etanercept for 24 weeks). Additional treatment adaptations followed the treat-to-target principle. Longitudinal disease activity (DAS28-CRP) over 104 weeks (primary outcome), achievement of DAS28-CRP