Search Results (3,644)

Analyses of student mobility are typically conducted in an urban environment and are informed by socio-demographic or trip attributes. The prevailing focus is on individual modes of transport, different groups of commuters travelling to campus, students’ behavioural perceptions, and the totality of student trips. This paper starts with the identification of the determinants of student mobility that have received insufficient research attention. Utilising surveys, the study captures the mobility patterns of a sample of 1014 students and calculates their carbon footprint (CF; in kg/academic year) to assess whether the factors neglected in previous studies influence differences in the actual environmental load of student commuting. A regression analysis is employed to ascertain the significance of these factors as predictors of sustainable student mobility. This study exclusively focuses on the group of student commuters to campus and analyses the trips associated with compulsory activities at a suburban campus that is distant from the university centre and student facilities, which changes the mobility context in terms of commuting options. The under-researched factors identified in this research have not yet been quantified as CF. The findings confirm that only some of the factors neglected in previous research are statistically significant predictors of the local environmental load of student mobility. Specifically, variables such as student employment, frequency of class attendance, and propensity for ride-sharing could be utilised to forecast and regulate students’ mobility towards more sustainable patterns. However, all of the under-researched factors (including household size, region of origin (i.e., past experiences), residing at term-time accommodation while studying, and the availability of a family car) have an influence on the differences in CF magnitude in the studied campus. Full article

The snakes from the genus Bothrops are responsible for most of the ophidic accidents in Brazil, and Bothrops atrox represents one of these species. Envenomation by these snakes results in systemic effects and is often associated with early mortality following snakebite incidents. The present study investigates the pharmacological properties of Bothrops atrox venom (VBA), focusing specifically on its impact on renal blood flow. Following the renal perfusion procedure, kidney tissues were processed for histopathological examination. Statistical analysis of all evaluated parameters was conducted using ANOVA and Student’s t-test, with significance set at p < 0.005. Administration of VBA resulted in a marked reduction in both perfusion pressure and renal vascular resistance. In contrast, there was a significant elevation in urinary output and glomerular filtration rate. Histological changes observed in the perfused kidneys were mild. The involvement of nitric oxide in the pressor effects of Bothrops atrox venom was not investigated in renal perfusion systems or in in vivo models. Treatment with VBA led to elevated nitrite levels in the bloodstream of the experimental animals. This effect was completely inhibited following pharmacological blockade with L-NAME. Based on these findings, we conclude that VBA alters renal function and promotes increased nitric oxide production. Full article

Formative research is an essential component of higher education, aimed at developing research competencies in students, with an emphasis on critical thinking, academic autonomy, and analytical capacity. Its purpose is not the production of original knowledge but the systematic preparation for research activity. Within this framework, the objective of this study is to analyze how conceptual appropriation, which encompasses theoretical, methodological, procedural, and normative knowledge, is related to students’ perceived research skills. This study is grounded in the imperative of fostering higher education that cultivates critical, autonomous, and ethically responsible researchers. For this purpose, a quantitative methodology was used, with a non-experimental and correlational design, applying a census sampling to 10,536 students from a higher education institution. Data were collected through a structured survey on conceptual appropriation and perceived research skills. After the removal of inconsistent records, the data were processed statistically using non-parametric tests, particularly Spearman’s correlation, due to the non-normal distribution of the variables. The results reveal strong and significant correlations between conceptual appropriation and key research skills such as hypothesis formulation, critical thinking, and motivation for research, demonstrating that greater conceptual mastery promotes a more solid and engaged research training. These findings reinforce the need to systematically and progressively integrate research content into the university curriculum, fostering an authentic, reflective, and contextualized education. Full article

At the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, a significant component of the MD curriculum involves written narrative reflections on topics related to professional identity in medicine, with written feedback provided by their in-person longitudinal facilitators (LFs). However, it remains to be understood how generative artificial intelligence chatbots, such as ChatGPT (GPT-4), augment the feedback process and how MD students perceive feedback provided by ChatGPT versus the feedback provided by their LFs. In this study, 15 MD students provided their written narrative reflections along with the feedback they received from their LFs. Their reflections were input into ChatGPT (GPT-4) to generate instantaneous personalized feedback. MD students rated both modalities of feedback using a Likert-scale survey, in addition to providing open-ended textual responses. Quantitative analysis involved mean comparisons and t-tests, while qualitative responses were coded for themes and representational quotations. The results showed that while the LF-provided feedback was rated slightly higher in six out of eight survey items, these differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, ChatGPT scored significantly higher in helping to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as in providing actionable steps for improvement. Criticisms of ChatGPT included a discernible “AI tone” and paraphrasing or misuse of quotations from the reflections. In addition, MD students valued LF feedback for being more personal and reflective of the real, in-person relationships formed with LFs. Overall, findings suggest that although skepticism regarding ChatGPT’s feedback exists amongst MD students, it represents a viable avenue for deepening reflective practice and easing some of the burden on LFs. Full article

The present study investigated the impact of a disability awareness program on the attitudes of university students at Al-Ahliyya Amman University towards people with disabilities. The study employed a randomized, two-group, pre- and post-test design. A total of 60 university students were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group. The results of a survey showed that those in the experimental group, in comparison with the control group, exhibited a statistically significant increase in the favorability of their attitudes towards people with disabilities following the implementation of the program. Based on the results of this study, we recommend implementing disability awareness programs inside universities and subsequently evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing student attitudes and interactions with people with disabilities, which in turn could lead to a more inclusive society and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by reducing social barriers and fostering greater understanding and acceptance. The limitations of this study include its restriction to a single university setting and its utilization of a rather small sample size. The study did not assess the long-term effects of the disability awareness program. Full article

Throughout the generations, traditional academic writing skills development has taught students in socio-human programs to express their knowledge and thoughts with an evidence-based foundation, helping them make a special connection with their professional fields. However, a lack of digital learning and writing resources in this process has been identified. This study of the social work field connects digital academic writing, social protection functionality, and research innovations, identifying and exploring open-access (OA) educational and social resources for social work higher education (SWHE). Applying content analyses to online documents and websites, we identified key terms characteristic of social work, following a standard approach on formulating research questions, identifying categories, creating a code book, sampling, and measuring information. The research questions were as follows: How is digital academic writing being developed in social work education programs in Romanian universities? Where do researchers, students, teachers, and professionals gather OA digital information and data for academic innovation? What kind of OA information and data are contained in websites for academic writing? We also used OA socio-educational resource analysis to derive digital, evidence-based, and academic writing codes. The frequencies of these elements in documents and websites were examined. Professional samples of four OA documents and five academic and non-academic Romanian websites with extensions were processed. Furthermore, information from a non-academic official website concerning social protection functionality was observed, identified, and measured. We concluded that academic writing is not included as an independent course in the curricula of Romanian social work programs at universities; this topic is rarely researched. Digital and evidence-based education is also a marginalized topic in socio-human scientific resources. OA information, laws, reports, and statistics were identified. Information on scientific research, academic–non-academic partnerships, descriptions of good practices, and human resources information was lacking. In conclusion, this study contributes to increasing productivity and developing digital academic skills in social work education and research. Full article

Background and Objectives: Immunodeficiency associated with aging comorbidities increases the vulnerability of geriatric patients to sepsis. Early recognition and management of sepsis are essential in this population. This study evaluated the relationships between RDW, MPV, and MPV/PLT ratios and mortality in geriatric sepsis patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between 2020 and 2024 in the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation at a university hospital. Patients aged ≥ 65 years with a SOFA score of ≥2 were included. Demographic data (sex, age, height, weight, and BMI), hemogram parameters (RDW, MPV, and PLT), blood gas, and biochemical values were analyzed. Furthermore, their comorbidities; site of infection; ICU length of stay; vital signs; and SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II scores, recorded within the first 24 h following ICU admission, were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Student’s t-test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Monte Carlo exact test, and ROC analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 247 patients were included, with 46.2% (n = 114) classified as non-survivors during the 28-day follow-up period. Among them, 64.9% (n = 74) were male, with a mean age of 78.22 ± 8.53 years. Significant differences were also found in SOFA, APACHE-II, and SAPS-II scores between non-survivors and survivors (SOFA: 7.64 ± 3.16 vs. 6.78 ± 2.78, p = 0.023; APACHE-II: 21.31 ± 6.36 vs. 19.27 ± 5.88, p = 0.009; SAPS-II: 53.15 ± 16.04 vs. 46.93 ± 14.64, p = 0.002). On days 1, 3, and 5, the MPV/PLT ratio demonstrated a statistically significant predictive value for 28-day mortality. The optimal cut-off values were >0.03 on day 1 (AUC: 0.580, 95% CI: 0.516–0.642, sensitivity: 72.81%, specificity: 65.91%, p = 0.027), >0.04 on day 3 (AUC: 0.602, 95% CI: 0.538–0.663, sensitivity: 60.53%, specificity: 60.61%, p = 0.005), and >0.04 on day 5 (AUC: 0.618, 95% CI: 0.554–0.790, sensitivity: 66.14%, specificity: 62.88%, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The MPV and MPV/PLT ratios demonstrated statistically significant but limited predictive value for 28-day mortality in geriatric patients with sepsis. In contrast, the limited prognostic value of RDW may be related to variability in the inflammatory response and other underlying conditions. The correlations found between SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II scores highlight their importance in mortality risk prediction. Full article

Background: Although the prevalence of dental caries in children has been decreasing in recent years, many patients still visit tertiary dental institutions with dental caries as their chief complaint. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred around the world in 2020 may have affected the lifestyle and oral condition of children. Methods: We investigated the oral condition of new patients whose chief complaint was dental caries, and compared the results for 3 fiscal years: 2013, 2018, and 2023. The caries status was evaluated using the dmft/DMFT index. Results: The number of subjects was 129 in 2013, 163 in 2018, and 127 in 2023. The number of preschoolers in 2023 was lower than in the other years, whereas the number of elementary school students was higher, showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). For the 3 years investigated, there was no change in the incidence of dental caries in primary teeth in elementary school children; however, the incidence in permanent teeth increased over time. Additionally, in the age group, the df and DMF scores were higher in 2023 than in the other years. Conclusions: At this tertiary dental institution, the number of elementary school patients, especially females, increased over the 10-year period, and the amount of dental caries in their permanent teeth also increased. It is important for dental professionals to understand this trend and focus on providing oral hygiene education to this age group. Full article

Nursing students often face emotional challenges related to death and dying, affecting their psychological well-being, emotional intelligence, and academic success. Cultural and educational factors may influence how they experience and manage these stressors. This study aimed to compare fear of death, emotional intelligence, coping with death, and academic burnout among second-year nursing students in Spain and Portugal to identify cross-cultural differences. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 second-year nursing students from the University of Extremadura (Spain) and the University of Évora (Portugal) during the 2023/2024 academic year. The instruments used included the Collett–Lester Brief Fear of Death Scale, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale—24 ítems, the Bugen’s Coping with Death Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and group comparisons were performed using independent samples t-tests and Welch’s t-tests, depending on variance homogeneity. A two-way ANOVA was also conducted to explore interactions between gender and nationality. The Spanish sample comprised 86 women and 21 men, and the Portuguese sample included 58 women and 9 men. The mean age across the sample was 21.5 years (SD = 4.15). No significant differences were observed in fear of death or emotional intelligence between the two groups. However, Portuguese students showed significantly better coping with death, but also higher academic burnout and cynicism. Spanish students reported greater perceived efficacy. Although emotional intelligence and death anxiety were similar, Portuguese students demonstrated stronger coping skills but experienced more burnout. This suggests that coping alone may not buffer academic stress, emphasizing the need for culturally tailored interventions to enhance emotional readiness and reduce burnout. Full article

Estimating the economic value of recreation and ecotourism is essential for sustainable ecosystem management and informed environmental policymaking. However, values derived from individual studies often vary because of subjective preferences and contextual variability, making it challenging to obtain generalizable estimates. To address this issue, this study employed a meta-regression analysis synthesizing 179 willingness-to-pay (WTP) observations obtained from 48 individual valuation studies conducted across various recreational and ecotourism sites in the Republic of Korea. Focusing specifically on national parks, which are prominent providers of cultural ecosystem services, we examined how site characteristics, study design factors, and valuation methodologies influenced estimated WTP values. Outliers were systematically identified and treated using statistical methods, with the random-effects model utilizing studentized residuals yielding the most robust results. Our findings revealed that national parks and studies employing the travel cost method (TCM) were associated with significantly higher WTP values. By applying the developed meta-regression model, we estimated that the total value of recreational and ecotourism services provided by national parks in the Republic of Korea was approximately USD 865.0 million in 2020. These results highlight the effectiveness of meta-regression analysis in synthesizing heterogeneous valuation studies, facilitating more accurate benefit transfers, and offering empirical insights to guide ecosystem service policy and management decisions. Full article

As yet, no study has investigated the use of a research magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to support undergraduate medical radiation science (MRS) students in developing their MRI knowledge and practical skills (competences). The purpose of this study was to test an innovative program for a total of 10 s- and third-year students of a MRS course to enhance their MRI competences. The study involved an experimental, two-week MRI learning program which focused on practical MRI scanning of phantoms and healthy volunteers. Pre- and post-program questionnaires and tests were used to evaluate the competence development of these participants as well as the program’s educational quality. Descriptive statistics, along with Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t-tests, were used for statistical analysis. The program improved the participants’ self-perceived and actual MRI competences significantly (from an average of 2.80 to 3.20 out of 5.00, p = 0.046; and from an average of 34.87% to 62.72%, Cohen’s d effect size: 2.53, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, they rated all aspects of the program’s educational quality highly (mean: 3.90–4.80 out of 5.00) and indicated that the program was extremely valuable, very effective, and practical. Nonetheless, further evaluation should be conducted in a broader setting with a larger sample size to validate the findings of this feasibility study, given the study’s small sample size and participant selection bias. Full article

Given that student entrepreneurship contributes to the intensification of economic activities and the improvement of the social well-being of the parties involved, evaluating and fostering students’ entrepreneurial intentions can be a step in moving from intention to action in the entrepreneurial process. From this perspective, the present study assesses students’ entrepreneurial intentions and measures the impact of the most important determinants based on online questionnaires addressed to students from two different fields of study: economics and engineering. Using the collected data (N = 392 students) and analysis methods based on correlation and stratified multiple regression as well as non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U), the study reveals that students’ entrepreneurial intentions are influenced by mindset and resilience. The study indicates that the influences can vary significantly when the analyses include control variables, such as gender, field of study, year of study, professional experience, age, and country of origin. It is also important to note that the statistical significance of the results regarding the impact of resilience varies depending on the specifics of the control variables. This study considered both analyses of resilience (as a synthetic indicator) and its subcomponents. The results of this study have both theoretical and practical utility. Full article

Lublin University of Technology has been offering computer science studies for over 25 years. From the beginning, computer graphics have played a crucial role in the studies program. The Lab3D international efforts aimed at cultural heritage 3D digitization allowed for enriching the regular introductory course of computer graphics with elements of digitized real-life heritage, without disturbing the regular didactic process, nor the scope of the course learning outcomes. Such an activity was aimed at increasing the students’ engagement in learning and fits into the contemporary trend of including real-life cases in the course of teaching. The article presents the curriculum (including the changes introduced) together with an extensive analysis of the effect of such changes on students’ achievements. In total, 3042 grades of 1522 students from the years 2018–2024 underwent statistical analysis in order to support answering placed hypotheses related to keeping the effects positive or neutral. Luckily, students’ achievements did not worsen, and in fact significantly improved. To the authors’ knowledge, such an analysis in relation to computer graphics courses has never been published before. Full article

This study investigates the implementation and impact of the Guided Personalised Learning (GPL) model, a structured pedagogical framework designed to operationalise personalised and student-centred learning in STEM higher education. The GPL model integrates three interconnected components: a three-dimensional knowledge and skill grid, Interactive Learning Progress Assessments (ILPA), and an adaptive learning resource pool. These components were embedded into two undergraduate engineering modules, Network Engineering and Software Engineering, at a UK university. A mixed-method evaluation, centred on student attainment data across two academic years, revealed statistically significant improvements among students who engaged with GPL, particularly those who completed ILPA activities. Participation was associated with higher mean grades, increased proportions of high achievers, and reduced failure rates. These findings demonstrate the GPL model’s effectiveness in supporting learner autonomy, formative assessment, and targeted feedback, while offering a scalable strategy for integrating personalised learning into mainstream STEM curricula. Full article

This study investigates the complex relationship between levels of religiosity and attitudes toward secularization among individuals receiving higher religious education in Türkiye. Secularization is defined as the diminishing influence of religion in public life and the rise of critical attitudes toward religious norms, a process that accelerated particularly during the modernization period following the establishment of the Republic. The primary aim of the research is to analyze whether there is a significant relationship between secular attitudes and the perceived influence of Islam among theology faculty students. The study employs a quantitative, descriptive survey design and includes a sample of 380 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from the faculties of theology at Kocaeli, Sakarya, Marmara, and Istanbul universities. Data were collected using the “Perceived Influence of Religion Scale” and the “Secular Attitude Scale,” both of which demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.70). Demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, parental education level, type of education (formal or distance), and economic status were also incorporated into the analysis. The findings revealed statistically significant differences based on marital status, parental education level, type of education program, and previous educational background. For instance, single students reported perceiving a higher influence of religion compared to their married counterparts, while students with fathers who held university degrees perceived a lower influence of religion. These results offer valuable insights into how modern social transformations influence religious attitudes and practices. Full article