Search Results (634)

Heat stress induces metabolic adaptations in fish, including the regulation of triglyceride (TG) synthesis/degradation to preserve cellular lipid balance and energy homeostasis. Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) catalyzes the final step in TG synthesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which DGAT regulates TG metabolism in heat-stressed fish remain unexplored. Our previous study suggested that miR-10c regulates dgat2 expression in genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) under heat stress. Here, we characterized the GIFT miR-10c precursor as a 65-nucleotide transcript yielding a 22 nt mature miRNA (oni-miR-10c). A phylogenetic analysis revealed a high level of miR-10c sequence conservation across species. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed dgat2 as a direct target of miR-10c. Overexpression of miR-10c in vivo down-regulated dgat2 transcripts and DGAT2 protein. SiRNA-knockdown of dgat2 resulted in upregulation of cpt1α, fas, and lpl and downregulation of hsl, thereby reprogramming lipid metabolism in GIFT hepatocytes. Thus, the miR-10c-dgat2 regulatory axis facilitates TG hydrolysis and promotes fatty acid metabolism under heat stress. Our findings highlight miR-10c’s potential as a dgat2 inhibitor and its function in regulating lipid metabolism in heat-stressed GIFT. Our study reveals a key molecular pathway mediating thermal adaptation of energy metabolism in fish, providing novel targets for preventing heat-induced metabolic disorders. Full article

Twice-exceptional students, who are both gifted and present with characteristics of neurodiversity such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), possess distinctive academic and socio-emotional needs that necessitate individualized educational strategies. This qualitative case study explores the academic and socio-emotional experiences of Murat, an eighth-grade learner identified as gifted and diagnosed with ASD, from the perspectives of the student himself, his mother, and his teachers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that Murat achieved success in mathematics and science, particularly within enriched, strength-oriented environments that accommodated his sensory sensitivities. Despite challenges in social skills and group participation, he benefited considerably from teacher scaffolding and interactive pedagogies. His mother’s active engagement and strong family–school collaboration emerged as pivotal factors in his developmental progress. This study extends beyond individual challenges to highlight the potential strengths that arise from by the intersection of neurodiversity and giftedness. Additionally, it contributes to the limited body of literature exploring how the notion of twice-exceptionality manifests within underrepresented educational contexts. Future research could investigate diverse socio-cultural contexts and develop strategies to enhance teacher preparation and family engagement in supporting gifted learners with ASD. Full article

Male infertility is a global health concern, and many cases are idiopathic in nature. The development and differentiation of germ cells (Gcs) are supported by Sertoli cells (Scs). Differentiated Scs support the development of Gcs into sperm, and hence, male fertility. We previously reported on a developmental switch in Scs around 12 days of age onwards in rats. During the process of the differentiation of Scs, the differential expression of mitophagy-related genes and its role in male fertility are poorly understood. To address this gap, we evaluated the microarray dataset GSE48795 to identify 12 mitophagy-related hub genes, including B-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos). We identify Neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (Nor1) as a potential mitophagy-related gene of interest due to its strong regulatory association with two hub genes, Bcl2 and Fos, which were differentially expressed during Sc maturation. To validate this finding, we generated a transgenic rat model with the Sc-specific knockdown of Nor1 during puberty. A functional analysis showed impaired spermatogenesis with reduced fertility in these transgenic rats. Our findings suggest that Nor1 may be an important mitophagy-related gene regulating the function of Scs and thereby regulating male fertility. Full article

Twice-exceptional (2e) students, those who are both gifted and experience learning difficulties, are often overlooked in mainstream educational settings. This paper reports on a qualitative case study conducted in a secondary school in Western Australia, exploring the collaborative experiences of one 2e student, their educators, and their mother. Guided by the neurodiversity paradigm and a strengths-based approach, this study engaged the student, their mother, and educators in co-designing practices that addressed the student’s challenges while leveraging their interests and capabilities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, written correspondence, work samples, and analysis of school and specialist reports. While the study found that collaboratively developed, personalised practices can enhance student engagement and wellbeing, it also revealed practical challenges, including time constraints, systemic rigidity, and limited staff understanding of 2e students. This study demonstrated the value and potential of teacher-led inquiry in promoting bespoke, strengths-based educational planning for 2e students, while highlighting the challenges of implementing such approaches within traditional school structures. Full article

Personalized education, particularly for gifted students, has attracted increasing attention as digital tools expand opportunities to adapt learning to individual students’ needs, interests, and abilities. However, the conceptual ambiguity surrounding personalization, which is often conflated with differentiation or individualization, calls for a clearer understanding of its implementation in digital environments. This study presents a systematic literature review of research published between 2000 and 2024 on digital tools for the personalized education of gifted students. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in SCOPUS and Web of Science, yielding 257 initial records. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, a final corpus of 55 studies was analyzed through temporal, geographic, educational, and curricular perspectives. Thematic coding was also applied. The results show a marked increase in publications after 2020, with the United States and Russia as leading contributors, and a predominant focus on secondary education and STEM/STEAM disciplines. Across studies, digital tools were found to support personalization by fostering autonomy, creativity, collaboration, and advanced cognitive skills, though significant challenges remain in terms of equity, teacher training, and data security. Following this review, we conclude that although digital tools hold substantial promise for advancing personalized learning, their broader implementation requires integrative and context-sensitive strategies. Full article

This paper investigates the information transmission performance of GIFT Nifty futures using high-frequency data, a novel area of study given their recent introduction. We employ Johansen cointegration tests, Granger causality tests, GARCH models, Hasbrouck’s Information Share (IS) model, and Gonzalo–Granger’s Component Share (CS) model to assess market integration, volatility, and price discovery dynamics. Our findings reveal significant bidirectional Granger causality and cointegration between the GIFT Nifty futures price and the Nifty index price, indicating a stable long-term equilibrium. Additionally, the GARCH model captures substantial volatility, reflecting the market’s responsiveness to new information. The IS and CS models confirm that the GIFT Nifty futures play a crucial role in the price discovery process, leading the Nifty index. This research is timely, within eight months of the first anniversary of GIFT Nifty futures trading since its launch. The findings highlight the information transmission performance and importance of the GIFT Nifty futures in enhancing market stability and transparency, offering valuable insights into market behaviour, integration, and forecasting abilities. Full article

In a large, urban US public school district that began a new identification system for gifted education focused on the equity and inclusion of twice-exceptional (2e) students, a need for the further training of educators involved with assessment, services, and planning with this unique group of students was warranted. After attending a professional learning (PL) event, 243 ancillary staff members (school psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, and speech/language pathologists) completed a survey with both closed- and open-ended responses. This study was guided by the research question: How does professional development on twice-exceptional (2e) students affect ancillary staff’s knowledge and confidence for supporting 2e students? The survey results provided valuable insights (themes) into participants’ perceptions of their understanding and ability to support 2e students after the PL session. Full article

The aim of this study was to examine pre-service teachers’ beliefs about the executive functions (EFs) of gifted and talented (G&T) students. To accomplish this, 580 pre-service teachers were asked to think of a hypothetical G&T child and a hypothetical non-G&T child and rate their EFs using the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI, Spanish version). We determined the mean differences between the EF ratings for G&T and non-G&T children. We also analyzed the differences according to the gender attributed to the G&T student, training in G&T, and familiarity with a G&T person. The results showed that G&T students were perceived as better than non-G&T students in working memory, planning, regulation, and inhibition, which is in line with previous outcomes when using performance tasks but not when using parents’ and teachers’ rating scales. Therefore, despite possessing theoretical knowledge, teachers may still fail to identify gifted students in real-life educational contexts. Full article

This study examines a specific section of the Symposium by Methodius of Olympus, a Church Father of the late 3rd and early 4th centuries, focusing on the critique of astrological fatalism. In Methodius’s Symposium, the virgin Thecla offers a series of rational arguments against the notion of an inescapable fate governing human events, emphasizing the primacy of human free will and responsibility. Notably, Thecla’s refutation of fatalism relies almost entirely on classical philosophical reasoning—citing Homer and echoing Platonic thought—rather than on Scripture, thereby engaging pagan cultural ideas on common ground. The paper highlights how Thecla’s excursus on fate, unique within the dialogue, underscores the centrality of human freedom in Methodius’s theology. Furthermore, a comparison with Methodius’s dialogue On Free Will suggests that the Symposium’s anti-fatalistic arguments are consistent with his broader defence of free will as God’s greatest gift to humanity, which requires the synergistic participation of human freedom alongside divine grace. Full article

This article proposes a pluralistic conceptual framework for fostering creativity in musically gifted students, exploring the complex and non-linear nature of creativity development and manifestation. It aims to address a core research question: what is the intersection between musical giftedness and creativity in education? The proposed framework integrates two prominent theoretical models—the systems theory of creativity and the ‘four C’ model of creativity. Together, these models offer a dynamic and developmental understanding of creative expression, ranging from everyday creativity to potential for eminent achievement, as it manifests in musically gifted learners. The role of the teacher is placed at the heart of the creative developmental process, and the teacher is conceptualised not merely as a knowledge provider but as a central catalyst for creativity. This framework argues that the teacher functions as an environmental mediator shaping classroom climates that support innovation and as a curator of meaningful musical experiences. The article considers how established gifted education strategies, including enrichment, acceleration, and differentiated instruction, can be oriented toward fostering creative musical growth. Implications for research and practice will be discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional fear memories are increasingly recognized as contributors to the development of specific fears and phobias. Despite this, relatively little dental fear research has specifically focused on patient memories or their potential role in the etiology of dental fear. Methods: This two-study paper employs qualitative thematic analysis of memories for dental visits among traumatized patients (study 1) and the general patient population (ranging from endorsing no dental fear to severe fear). Recollections were evaluated based on the characteristics (i.e., sensory descriptors, affectively laden, intrusive) of emotional fear memories (studies 1 and 2) and according to a modified cognitive vulnerability model of dental fear (study 2). Results: Characteristics of emotional fear memories were ubiquitous across recollections of individuals who endorsed traumatic dental visits in childhood. Among the general patient population, these characteristics and cognitive vulnerability themes (particularly perceptions of the visit and dentist as dangerous and untrustworthy) were more prevalent in the earliest remembered visits for fearful individuals. When individuals were asked to recall their worst dental visits, emotional fear memory characteristics and vulnerability perceptions were evident across the spectrum of current fear (none to severe). Conclusions: This study contributes to nascent work examining memory in specific fears and phobias and suggests that worst recollections across a general sample share many of the characteristics that might otherwise imply vulnerability for anxiety. We recommend that dental practices universally screen patients for fear, inquire about past negative experiences, partner with patients to minimize evoking their specific vulnerabilities, and diligently implement these personalized care plans. Full article

Firms increasingly offer non-complementary product bundles, yet marketing these ‘unlikely pairs’ effectively remains a significant challenge. This study investigates a solution by examining the psychological impact of promotional framing. Using a 2 × 2 between-subject online experiment (N = 342), we test how a ‘free gift’ versus a ‘price discount’ frame moderates the effect of bundle complementarity on purchase intention. Our findings reveal that while non-complementary bundles typically reduce consumers’ smart shopper feelings and purchase intentions, this negative effect is pronounced under a price discount frame but attenuated under a free gift frame. Specifically, the free gift framing prevented the decline in smart shopper feelings observed in the discount condition, resulting in non-complementary bundles being evaluated as favorably as complementary ones. These findings indicate that the challenge of marketing non-complementary bundles can be mitigated by using a free gift frame, which leverages a powerful psychological heuristic to sustain consumers’ feelings of savvy consumption and enhance the appeal of otherwise incongruent offers. Full article

Educators in America should be concerned about the failure of dialogue evident in television, newspapers, journals, and social media. Not only are people unable to talk and listen to each other, but some types of research are forbidden, stories are retracted in journals or newspapers because of a backlash, speakers are silenced on college campuses, and sometimes unfruitful conversations lead to violence. One is reminded of Raskolnikov’s dream in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, where the protagonist dreams of a plague that infects people with the idea that they alone have the truth, have the inability to understand each other, and end up destroying each other. The so-called “cancel culture” that we are suffering today is the fulfillment of this prophetic dream. It is rooted, not in modern technologies, but in the modern understanding of the person as an abstract, disengaged self that inevitably leads to empty conversations. What educators need today is to offer a richer metaphysics of the human person and an environment where students can learn what it means to grow in the truth together. In this paper, I will argue that (1) the failure of modern conversations is rooted in the flawed anthropology of modernity, (2) offer a richer metaphysics of the human person that can enable true dialogue, and (3) propose that Luigi Giussani’s Christian educational method can offer educators in the classroom a way to respond to cancel culture in a fruitful way. Full article

Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), a prebiotic derived from yeast cell walls, has been shown to enhance growth performance and health status in various aquatic species. As an exogenous antigen adjuvant, MOS modulates T-cell-mediated immune responses, thereby improving immune function and suppressing excessive inflammatory reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary MOS supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, muscle composition, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant and immune status, and the mTOR signaling pathway in juvenile GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Juveniles (initial body weight: 16.17 ± 1.32 g) were randomly assigned to six treatment groups (three replicate tanks per group) and fed diets supplemented with MOS at 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1% (equivalent to 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/kg of diet, respectively) for 60 days. Compared with the control group, fish fed MOS-supplemented diets exhibited significantly higher (p < 0.05) weight gain rates, specific growth rates, and protein efficiency ratios, along with a significantly lower (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio. Serum albumin, high-density lipoprotein, and lysozyme levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05), whereas triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In the liver, head kidney, and spleen, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and interferon γ) was significantly downregulated (p < 0.05), while the expression of antioxidant and protective genes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor β, and heat shock protein 70) as well as mTOR signaling pathway-related genes (mammalian target of rapamycin, akt protein kinase B, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase polypeptide 1) was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05). Overall, MOS positively affects tilapia’s growth, health, and immunity, with 0.60% identified as the optimal dietary level based on growth performance. Full article

This study investigates the influence of Cu addition on the nanostructural evolution and mechanical performance of a heavily drawn non-equiatomic CoCu_1.71FeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) wire. Through systematic microstructural and compositional analysis, we examine how Cu constituent affects phase separation behavior and promotes deformation-induced nano-twinning in another phase counterpart. The designed HEA wire exhibits an elongated ultrafine dual face-centered cubic (fcc) lamella structure (i.e., Co-Fe-rich and Cu-rich phases) that emerges through compositional segregation by spontaneous phase separation from the as-cast state. High-resolution electron microscopy reveals the dislocation wall boundaries stabilized by nanoscale phase interfaces. The cold-drawn CoCu_1.71FeMnNi wire features an impressive combination of strength and ductility, as well as an ultimate tensile strength of nearly ~2 GPa with an elongation of over ~6%. These findings highlight the critical role of compositional tuning in controlling the ultrafine lamella structure stabilized by spinodal-like phase decomposition, offering a pathway to engineering high-performance HEA wires for advanced structural applications. Full article