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The aim of this study is to design and validate a tool to measure the three levels (knowledge, skill and attitude) of climate change competence in children aged 10–12 years (pre-teens). The scale was designed on the basis of an exhaustive literature review and the evaluation of a panel of CC experts. The initial model constructed was refined based on a pilot study with 67 children and a new evaluation by the panel of experts. The resulting scale was then validated using the confirmatory composite analysis using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (N = 459). The final scale consists of 30 items divided into the three dimensions of competence and the distribution of items is as follows: 14 in knowledge (three items in biophysical processes, three in causes, three in consequences and three in mitigation), nine in skill (three in consumerism, three in transport and three in energy saving) and nine in attitude (three in worry, three in hope and three in interest). Based on the high loadings obtained in the different sub-dimensions in the validation process, it is determined that the instrument "climate change competence scale in pre-teens" is reliable and suitable for the assessment of competence in students of this age range. • The title of the paper has been modified by revising the language. • First title: Validation of the three-dimensional climate change competence scale in preteens. • Second title: Evaluating Climate Change Competence in Preteens: Instrument Development and Validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NMRduino is a compact, cost-effective, sub-MHz NMR spectrometer that utilizes readily available open-source hardware and software components. One of its aims is to simplify the processes of instrument setup and data acquisition control to make experimental NMR spectroscopy accessible to a broader audience. In this introductory paper, the key features and potential applications of NMRduino are described to highlight its versatility both for research and education. [Display omitted] • Versatile, open-source pulse programmer and data acquisition unit for low-frequency magnetic resonance. • Leverages the extensive codebase and support community of the "Arduino" ecosystem. • Suitable for demonstrating magnetic resonance principles in teaching labs • Allows spin hyperpolarization control and detection in nT to mT fields [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Classical weed biological control is hardly practiced in Argentina today. • There is a small community of local experts that work mostly for overseas projects. • The National Strategy on Invasive Alien Species promotes biocontrol initiatives. • A prioritization process is developed to select the best target(s) for biocontrol. • Public awareness and outreach activities could help gain biocontrol public support. Argentina hosted pioneering classical weed biological control projects that were carried out by state institutions between the 1970s and 1990s, at a time when the practice was almost unheard of in Latin America. Despite the early development of these initiatives, the discipline did not prosper and all projects were discontinued. Notwithstanding, Argentina continued to provide biological control agents for the control of weeds in many other parts of the world, ensuring the expertise persisted. Although public concern about invasive plants and chemical-dependent agricultural practices has increased over time, it did not lead to a greater acceptance of classical biological control of weeds, which is still regarded with mistrust or ignored in many public and academic circles alike. Furthermore, there are no systems in place to reach a consensus on declaring weeds as targets for biological control in Argentina. In this paper we discuss different ways in which the community of researchers working in the field in Argentina can help relaunch the biological control of weeds, including the preparation of a prioritized list of target species. A list of this kind would not only reduce costs, but also help in developing trust in the discipline of biological control informing regulators and decision makers in this regard. Prospects are brighter today than a few years ago, but considerable communication and educational work on the benefits of this practice is still required to gain more support before it can effectively be re-implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]