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The ability to communicate effectively in writing and produce clear and cohesive text is a necessary skill in both educational settings and the workplace, yet many young students struggle to organize their thoughts and engage in deep thinking. To address these challenges, an augmented reality (AR) application titled "Explore Wild Animals" has been used to help students organize information; however, it may not accommodate different cognitive styles. Integrating formative peer assessment (FPA) strategy into AR-based instruction can enhance knowledge construction and address diverse cognitive needs. This study, conducted from May to June 2023, empirically investigates the effects of FPA in an AR environment on the writing performance of learners with field-independent (FI) and field-dependent (FD) cognitive styles. A total of 89 fifth-grade pupils from China were randomly assigned to two groups: one group adopting FPA in an AR environment (AR-FPA), and the other group adopting FPA in a conventional PowerPoint (PPT) version 2410 environment (FPA). The results of a two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicate that the AR-FPA group outperformed the FPA group in writing performance. Specifically, FI learners benefitted more from the AR-FPA approach, while FD learners performed better with the FPA approach. However, multiple linear regression analysis reveals that the peer feedback quality and features showed little to no significant correlation with feedback providers' writing performance, regardless of cognitive style. These results highlight the effectiveness of integrating AR and FPA in enhancing educational outcomes, providing practical insights for promoting the sustainability of technology-enhanced learning and teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) has demonstrated efficacy in patients with cognitive impairment. However, activation patterns and mechanisms of iTBS for post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remain insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the activation patterns and potential benefits of using iTBS in patients with PSCI. METHODS: A total of forty-four patients with PSCI were enrolled and divided into an iTBS group (iTBS and cognitive training) or a control group (cognitive training alone). Outcomes were assessed based on the activation in functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), as well as Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients completed the interventions and assessments. Increased cortical activation was observed in the iTBS group after the interventions, including the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), left frontopolar cortex (FPC) and left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Both groups showed significant improvements in LOTCA and MBI after the interventions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the iTBS group augmented superior improvement in the total score of MBI and LOTCA compared to the control group, especially in visuomotor organization and thinking operations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: iTBS altered activation patterns and improved cognitive function in patients with PSCI. The activation induced by iTBS may contribute to the improvement of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA (miR)-106b-5p is highly expressed in colon cancer; however, data on its expression levels in left-sided colon cancer (LCC) vs. right-sided colon cancer (RCC) is lacking. The present study aimed to assess the differences in miR-106b-5p expression in stage II LCC and RCC, as well as its relationship with patient prognosis. From August 2018 to February 2020, 40 specimens of primary stage II colon cancer were collected from Huizhou First Hospital (Huizhou, China), which included 20 cases of LCC and 20 cases of RCC. The miR-106b-5p expression levels in cancer tissues were compared with normal adjacent tissues, as well as between LCC and RCC tissues, and survival outcomes were assessed. miR-106b-5p expression was significantly higher in stage II LCC tissues compared with RCC tissues. However, no significant difference in 5-year survival was observed between the two groups. Notably, 5-year survival was significantly lower in the high miR-106b-5p expression group compared with the low expression group among patients with RCC. By contrast, there were no survival differences between the high and low miR-106b-5p expression groups in LCC. Multivariate analysis indicated that miR-106b-5p expression was an independent prognostic factor for patients with RCC. In conclusion, miR-106b-5p expression was significantly upregulated in colon cancer tissues, with higher expression levels demonstrated in LCC compared with RCC. High miR-106b-5p expression in RCC was identified as an independent prognostic factor, whilst its expression in LCC did not show a significant association with prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]