Search Results (1,068)

The purpose of this study was to engage high school science teachers as co-design partners in refining and extending instructional frameworks to support multiple-document reading and writing in science classrooms. Using a participatory mixed-methods design, the project adapted the InSPECT framework for secondary science, developed professional development (PD) materials to introduce the framework, and explored the role of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in lesson planning. Five virtual focus group sessions guided the co-design of PD activities, followed by a pilot implementation in one biology classroom. Data included focus group and interview transcripts, surveys, and student work artifacts. Analyses examined teachers’ perceptions of PD features, framework usability, and student engagement. Teachers valued PD that was practical, relevant, and feasible within classroom constraints and described the frameworks as clear, stepwise structures that supported lesson design and literacy integration. Student work showed that paraphrasing was an accessible entry point, while bridging, elaboration, and source evaluation required additional modeling. Teachers viewed generative AI as a promising planning aid but expressed concerns about accuracy and ethics. Findings informed revisions emphasizing discipline-specific exemplars, scaffolds for higher-order strategies, and AI-literacy modules, illustrating how participatory design can yield feasible, teacher-centered PD. Full article

Several studies have investigated airborne chemical exposures in university teaching laboratories, where activities are typically structured and supervised. University research laboratories typically involve greater autonomy, the use of more hazardous substances, and less oversight. This industry-embedded study aimed to develop a comprehensive guideline for occupational hygiene and health monitoring (OHHM) tailored to a university context, including both teaching and research laboratories. Guidelines and policies from the Western Australian mining sector and six Australian universities were analysed to identify common elements for a draft OHHM guideline. This draft was reviewed by an industry advisory group (IAG) of five Australian university health and safety managers. Their feedback was analysed and discussed with the Chief Safety Officer at Edith Cowan University (ECU). Following the incorporation of this input and final revisions, the guideline was ratified and implemented across ECU in April 2025. The guide adopts a risk-based occupational hygiene (OH) approach, in which OH monitoring results determine the need for health monitoring (HM). Implementation is supported by central coordination and external OH consultancy. The study presents the resulting guide document, which establishes a replicable framework that may inform similar initiatives in universities internationally (especially those with laboratories). Full article

The genus Eudius Schoenherr is classified in the broad-nosed weevil tribe Eudiagogini (Entiminae) and harbors two species, Eudius quadrisignatus Gyllenhal and Eudius jocosus Fahraeus, which are only known from their original descriptions. It is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is one of the most threatened biomes in the world despite being a biodiversity hotspot. In this contribution, and as part of a wider systematic and phylogenetic study on tribe Eudiagogini, we performed a taxonomic revision of the genus Eudius and made preliminary phylogenetic analyses of Eudiagogini based on morphology and molecular evidence. Specimens from seven collections in Argentina, Brazil, and Europe were examined. Diagnosis and redescription of the genus and its species are provided, along with photographs of habits, and illustrations of diagnostic characters and new geographic distribution data. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for each species. The morphology-based phylogenetic analysis was performed under maximum parsimony, using 60 characters from adults coded for representative species from eight genera of Eudiagogini and other related tribes of Entiminae. As a result, monophyly of the genus Eudius and its placement within the tribe Eudiagogini are confirmed, while placement of the genus Chileudius Kuschel in Eudiagogini is refuted. A first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the tribe was also designed, using DNA sequences (of the COI barcode and two ribosomal markers) available for some representatives of Eudiagogini and outgroup taxa, analyzed under parsimony and maximum likelihood. The molecular results are consistent with morphology in recovering a monophyletic tribe Eudiagogini, excluding the genus Chileudius, which is now placed as incertae sedis in Entiminae, pending further analyses. Informative characters within the tribe are discussed, with Eudius supported as a clade by the basally connate tarsal claws and by the sclerites present in the bursa of female genitalia. Synapomorphies justifying the revised concept of Eudiagogini as a natural tribe are highlighted, like the presence of a cavernous prementum and the metaventrite with a spine-like swelling anterior to each metacoxa. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sociocultural factors, including migration and acculturation, may influence the clinical profile and course of eating disorders (EDs). This study examined differences between immigrant and native-born Spanish patients with EDs in (1) clinical presentation and (2) treatment response. Methods: Consecutive outpatients from the Eating Disorders Unit at Bellvitge University Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) were assessed using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, ANOVA, Cox regression for dropout, and logistic regression for predictors of poor outcome, adjusted for ED subtype. Results: The sample included 1104 patients (947 native-born; 157 immigrants). Immigrant patients showed a distinct clinical profile, with lower drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction but higher interpersonal distrust, maturity fears, perfectionism, anxiety-related symptoms, and self-transcendence. They also presented a worse treatment response, including higher dropout rates, poorer outcomes, and lower remission rates. Predictive models identified different risk factors for poor treatment response in each group: among native-born patients, younger age of ED onset, higher novelty seeking, and lower self-directedness were associated with worse outcomes, whereas among immigrant patients, greater ED severity, lower harm avoidance, and lower self-transcendence predicted poorer results. Conclusions: Immigrant patients with EDs exhibit a differentiated clinical presentation and less favorable treatment response compared to native-born patients. The differential predictors of poor outcome highlight the need for culturally informed and individually tailored interventions that consider both sociocultural context and personality-related vulnerabilities. Full article

Individual behaviors play a crucial role in generating and mitigating plastic pollution. Understanding citizen knowledge and perceptions is therefore critical to inform effective public interventions. Surveys can provide this information, but they must use well-designed and culturally adapted tools to be reliable. We present the Italian cross-cultural adaptation of an Australian questionnaire identified via systematic review as meeting high-quality standards. The tool included 21 items (Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and open-ended). In accordance with literature indications, we performed forward and back translation and subsequent review by an Expert Committee, producing a pre-final version. A stratified sample of 43 citizens assessed clarity of each item and provided feedback, which guided further Expert Committee revision. Ten items showed comprehension problems, and seven of them were rephrased because they were confusing or redundant. Items with technical terms such as “bioplastics” and “biodegradable” proved challenging, leading to the addition of brief explanations in the introduction to the questionnaire. This process produced a rigorously developed, culturally appropriate instrument for assessing public understanding of plastic pollution in Italy. This standardized tool, if adapted in multiple languages, will enable international surveys and meta-analyses to guide global strategies. Psychometric validation is recommended before large-scale deployment of the tool. Full article

This study aimed to assess the impact and vulnerability of climate change by classifying 26 clusters of meteorologically homogeneous regions. To determine the optimal clustering method, both K-means and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering were analyzed using the effective storage capacity to watershed area ratio. The optimal number of clusters was derived based on several evaluation metrics, including the Silhouette Score, Calinski-Harabasz Index, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Ultimately, GMM clustering was identified as the optimal method, with the best clustering results obtained at k = 4 for an effective storage capacity of 100,000 to 400,000 tons and k = 5 for an effective storage capacity of 400,000 to 10,000,000 tons. Additionally, standard reservoirs applicable to agricultural production infrastructure design standards were identified based on homogeneous weather region clusters, the optimal clustering method, and centroid results. The findings of this study can serve as fundamental data for the development and revision of design standards, contributing to more climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure. Full article

Many countries have green building certification systems to rate a green building. They have played a pivotal role in promoting the adoption of green buildings. South Korea has also launched its green building certification, known as the Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design (G-SEED), to promote sustainable development. However international information and understanding of Korea’s green building certification were insufficient, and no technical assessments related to G-SEED have been conducted. Therefore, to address this knowledge gap, this study aimed to analyze the situation of G-SEED-certified buildings in South Korea and the limitations of G-SEED. In this paper, we focused on the certification status, regional distribution, types of certified buildings, and technical content of G-SEED. Additionally, we analyzed green building technologies applied to 48 sample buildings certified in 2020. Several proposals were formulated to promote the adoption of green buildings. All large cities and provinces in Korea have G-SEED-certified buildings, indicating that green building awareness is increasing. However, the number of green buildings remains less than the overall building stock. The government should revise the certification criteria and implement measures to disseminate green building technologies. Our findings will promote the development of green buildings and contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry. Full article

Structure of the study: Aims: The primary aim is to explore intergenerational clinical issues caused by the underdiagnosis of female autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in mental illness (MI) patients by calculating the proportion of patients with mental health conditions who are autistic. Secondary aims are to derive further values for the true prevalence of female ASD and to derive a mathematical model to estimate the improved efficiency of management based on the correct diagnostic formulation. Context: Review diagnosis problems and background issues relating to female autism which affect the diagnosis and management of ASD and associated MIs. Methodology: An inductive process using Bayes’ theorem including a novel form akin to a medical test with secondary data from peer-reviewed sources, and the key variable of the unbiased value for the prevalence of ASD in females. Derivation of a model for management efficiency based on the Pareto Principle. Results: Prevalence values for ASD in various mental illnesses and conditions consequent on or associated with ASD and MI. Further data for the prevalence of female ASD with a range of 19 values. Estimation of the efficiency gains as advocacy for the revision of methods of treatment. Discussion: The centrality of diagnosing ASD in mothers with mental illness, in particular perinatal depression, to break a common intergenerational cycle. Problems to overcome and aspects of effective management including environmental and therapeutic interventions. Summary: This paper will, for the first time, calculate the proportions of children and young women with a mental illness (MI) who are autistic, and consider the consequences. Recent information suggests female autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is much more common than previously thought, with a likely prevalence of 6% and with 80% undiagnosed at the age of 18. ASD then becomes a common comorbidity of female mental illness with nearly one in five women who develop a mental illness being autistic. ASD has heretofore been regarded as a pediatric condition and, though now thought to be lifelong, it is still not well recognized by adult health services. Most mental illness first presents in the teens and early twenties, although anxiety can begin even earlier. Comorbid ASD is more difficult to diagnose due to diagnostic overshadowing, and ASD comorbidity makes the mental illness more severe and more difficult to treat. The consequences of perinatal depression are particularly concerning due to their intergenerational effects. Recognized ASD is readily treatable with an approach empathetic to neurodiversity. Improving the transition from adolescence to young adulthood by increasing knowledge of autism in adult health services would dramatically improve female mental health at surprisingly little effort or extra cost. Full article

Background and Objectives: Intertrochanteric femur fractures are very common, especially in the elderly population, and cause serious morbidity and mortality. Today, the most commonly used implants in the treatment of these fractures are proximal femoral nails (PFNs). This study aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological results of patients who underwent surgical treatment with a proximal femoral nail (PFN) for intertrochanteric femur fractures and later required revision surgery for various reasons. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent surgical treatment PFN due to intertrochanteric femur fractures between 2022 and 2025 were included in the study, and the patients were divided into revision and non-revision groups. Demographic information, postoperative radiological measurements, complications, and reasons for revision surgery were noted, and risk factors leading to revision were determined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 207 patients, 97 revision (46.9%) and 110 non-revision (53.1%), were included in this study. Cut-out was identified as the most common revision cause (n = 52, 53.6%), followed by loss of reduction (n = 15, 15.5%), implant failure (n = 14, 14.4%), nonunion (n = 6, 6.2%), infection (n = 4, 4.1%), cut-through (n = 3, 3.1%), and avascular necrosis of the femoral head (n = 3, 3.1%). When bivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for revision, it was observed that female gender (p = 0.004), presence of posteromedial comminution (p < 0.001), operation under spinal anesthesia (p = 0.023), surgery in supine position (p < 0.001), using closed reduction techniques (p < 0.001), presence of infection (p = 0.004), and higher Charlson comorbidity index values (p < 0.001) increased the risk of revision. Additionally, positive and neutral medial cortex support (p < 0.001) decreased the risk of revision. Multivariate analysis was also applied to the parameters found to be significant in bivariate analysis. As a result of this analysis, surgery in the supine position (p < 0.001), using closed reduction techniques (p < 0.001), and higher Charlson comorbidity index values (p < 0.001) remained significant. Conclusions: Careful evaluation of the fracture morphology, ensuring optimal reduction, and considering the accompanying comorbidities of the patients in the surgical planning of unstable trochanteric fractures stand out as key elements in increasing surgical success. Full article

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that leads to the progressive loss of motor and sensory functions. Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom that significantly affects quality of life and daily activities. The MS diagnosis involves progressive disability due to its neurodegenerative nature. Objective: to analyze the relationship between the Latin Norm Neuropsychological Assessment and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis (NLNAMS) battery and physical disability in patients with MS. Methods: A retrospective review of 100 medical records was conducted. Three sections of clinical information were analyzed: (1) sociodemographic data and medical history, (2) neurological examination including disability measures using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSS), and (3) neuropsychological assessment results obtained through the NLNAMS battery to evaluate cognitive functioning across multiple domains. Results: High correlations were observed between EDSS scores and performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised (HVLT-R), which assess attention, processing speed and memory. Strong correlations were also found between EDSS and performance on verbal fluency tests, Trail Making Test (TMT), Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure copy (ROCF), and the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST). No significant correlation with MSS was found. Conclusions: The neuropsychological evaluation conducted with the NLNAMS battery showed a relationship between physical disability in multiple sclerosis and the domains of attention, processing speed, and memory. Therefore, this battery may provide valuable information for disease monitoring and prognosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) present hematological abnormalities with multiple etiologies. As liver function deteriorates, these abnormalities become more evident, conferring a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the hematological alterations present in patients with compensated vs. decompensated liver cirrhosis. Methods: This study is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital with patients diagnosed with compensated liver cirrhosis monitored by the Gastroenterology Department, in addition to patients hospitalized for decompensated liver cirrhosis. Serum samples were taken after an informed consent form was signed, and clinical and biochemical data were recorded. Results: Seventy-three percent of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (DLC) suffered from anemia and thrombocytopenia at the start of the study. Patients with LC are at greater risk of developing leukopenia/lymphopenia if they are in a more advanced stage of the disease, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein levels are higher in this group than in patients with compensated LC. Twenty-eight percent (4/14) of patients with DLC were admitted due to evidence of acute gastrointestinal bleeding; the remaining 18 patients suffering from CLC and DLC were recorded as having an average hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL with no evidence of bleeding. Conclusions: Hematological abnormalities are common in patients with LC, particularly in the advanced stages of the disease, and these abnormalities increase the risk of morbidity and mortality. The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 Statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised in accordance. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence is reshaping students’ learning strategies, yet most definitions of “AI competency” rely on self-reports and prescriptive checklists. We analyzed data from N = 686 university students in Spain to uncover behavioral patterns of AI use and translate them into practical guidance for teaching and policy. Using unsupervised clustering (k-means) complemented with a topological summary (Mapper), we identified four coherent profiles along a continuum of engagement and self-regulation: Low-Engagement, Active–Cautious, Balanced–Confident, and High-Use–Vigilant. The profiles differ in how often students use AI, how they revise outputs, their reliance on AI, and their ethical awareness, and they show distinct emotional patterns (e.g., curiosity, motivation, stress). A continuous structure links profiles rather than separating them rigidly. Self-rated digital competence and studying in STEM fields were associated with higher-level profiles. Overall, the results support a layered, data-informed view of AI competency that prioritizes observed practices over single summary scores. We introduce AI CAR as a formative framework to help institutions (i) locate students on this continuum and (ii) design targeted supports that strengthen revision habits, ethical reflection, and self-regulation across the curriculum. Full article

Intersex people continue to face barriers in healthcare. Despite notable ethical and legal advances, the role of socio-cognitive factors influencing clinical decision-making remains insufficiently understood. Critical perspectives call for revising the epistemological and normative foundations of medical practice, as clinical judgments may still be shaped by professionals’ beliefs and limited access to accurate information. Objective: This study examined how levels of knowledge, beliefs about gender determinism, and adherence to gender roles influence healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward intersex people. Methods: A total of 210 healthcare professionals from Spain participated in a cross-sectional survey. Participants completed the Intersex Knowledge Questionnaire, the short version of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, and the Gender Determinism Scale. Data were analyzed using χ² tests, one-way ANOVA, and t-tests. Results: Higher levels of knowledge (conceptual, procedural, and legislative) were associated with more affirmative and non-normative attitudes toward intersex healthcare. Neither gender determinism nor adherence to traditional gender roles was associated with professionals’ attitudes. Participants with prior contact with intersex people demonstrated higher conceptual knowledge and lower support for corrective surgeries. Significant disciplinary differences were also found: physicians tended to display more corrective and ambivalent attitudes, whereas psychologists and social workers were more frequently aligned with affirmative and diversity-respectful perspectives. Conclusions: Intersex healthcare attitudes may be influenced by limited training opportunities and the low visibility of intersex topics in medical education. Knowledge appears to be an important factor associated with more affirmative professional attitudes. Future studies using larger samples are needed to confirm these associations and explore underlying causal mechanisms. Full article

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted social interactions, family dynamics, and economic stability, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Tuberculosis and leprosy perpetuate poverty and, once manifested, hinder socioeconomic development due to their high potential for disability. Methodology: This study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using DATASUS health data and assessed the influence of socioeconomic interventions (SAGICAD data) on tuberculosis and leprosy case notifications in Brazil. A correlation analysis was performed between regional diagnoses and variables such as Bolsa Família (a national social welfare program), BCG vaccination coverage, and COVID-19 immunization rates, applying Pearson’s correlation test. Results: No significant correlations were found between COVID-19 vaccination rates and tuberculosis/leprosy diagnoses. However, a strong negative correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccination coverage and leprosy incidence in the Northern region. The findings also suggest that social assistance programs such as Bolsa Família play a pivotal role in preventing infectious diseases in vulnerable areas. Conclusions: Understanding the complex interplay between socioeconomic determinants and public health outcomes is essential for guiding future research and informing health policies, including potential revisions to social programs and vaccination protocols. Full article

This paper presents a new derivative-free method with a symmetric rank-one (SR1) update for handling constrained nonlinear systems of monotone equations. Distinctively, the approach employs a revised SR1 update formula that leverages information from the latest three iterates and their corresponding function values—a key improvement over existing SR1 variants relying only on two-point information. Derived from this revised formula, the approach integrates projection techniques for performance enhancement. One of its key advantages lies in the search direction: it exhibits sufficient descent and trust-region properties while eliminating the need for line search techniques. Theoretical analysis shows that the algorithm converges globally under specified conditions. Furthermore, numerical experiments are conducted to compare the proposed algorithm with two other existing approaches; results demonstrate that it exhibits superior reliability and robustness in terms of the number of iterations, function evaluations, and CPU runtime. Full article