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The library is one of the contributing factors or a supporting tool in the educational process at schools, ranging from elementary to higher education levels. A school library is any library organized within a school, where it is essential to have books that support and serve as references for students, both to enhance their knowledge and to complete assignments given by their teachers, as books are the repository of knowledge. Therefore, a library fundamentally enhances its existence and students' interest in learning because, with a school library, students can learn independently and in line with the development of Science and Technology. Based on the context above, the author formulated the following problems: (1) Is there an influence of the school library on the mathematics learning achievement of Grade III students in the first trimester at Escola Básica Central Vasco Da Gama Manatuto in the 2014 academic year? and (2) Do students who utilize the library perform better in mathematics than those who do not use the library in Grade III during the first trimester at Escola Básica Central Vasco Da Gama Manatuto in the 2014 academic year? To address these problem formulations, the researcher conducted a population study of 112 and a sample study of 56 students. The prerequisite analysis results showed that the research data were normally distributed and linearly patterned, so the primary analysis used parametric statistics. The statistical test used was simple correlation with a determination coefficient of 36.72%, which means that the contribution of school library utilization to mathematics learning achievement is 36.72%, and the remaining 63.28% is influenced by other factors. The analysis results for the first hypothesis showed that the t-value was greater than the t-table value, or 5.598 > 2.006, indicating a significant influence of school library use on mathematics learning achievement for Grade III students in the first trimester at Escola Básica Central Vasco da Gama Manatuto, in the 2014 academic year. The analysis results for the second hypothesis also showed that the t-value was greater than the t-table value, or 2.91 > 2.007, indicating a difference where students who utilized the school library performed better in mathematics than those who did not utilize the school library in Grade III during the first trimester at Escola Básica Central Vasco da Gama Manatuto, in the 2014 academic year. Based on the research results and data analysis, the author suggests the following: (1) It is hoped that students or learners can maintain and utilize the facilities available in the school library, especially books and other collections deemed very useful to support the teaching and learning process; (2) The government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, especially the Ministry of Education, should give serious attention to school libraries from kindergarten to higher education levels so that they can help students learn independently; and (3) Librarians should serve visitors, especially students, with a cheerful and open heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explains the differences and ambiguities of the UAE Maritime Zones Laws with the International Convention on the Law of the Sea by comparing the UAE's 1993 Maritime Zones Law and other maritime laws of this state with the provisions of the 1982 International Convention on the Law of the Sea. The current research was fundamental-applicative in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of nature and method. The data collection has been done with the library research and the available documents. The maritime laws of the UAE, the text of the Convention on the International Law of the Sea, the statements of the United Arab Emirates based on the documents of the United Nations have been studied and reviewed. The findings of the research showed that most of the UAE laws were derived from the text and content of the convention. The UAE Maritime Law on how to draw straight baselines and in Articles (2) (Application of the law of internal waters for islands that are 12 miles apart), (5) (exceptions mentioned for innocent passage); (7) (expansion of the territorial sea in the exclusive economic zone); (10) (security jurisdiction in the contiguous zone), and (26) (imprisonment punish for violation of the provisions in maritime zones) of the Maritime Zones Act of 1993 are different from the Convention or are ambiguous and disputed by states. The way the UAE's baselines are drawn has an important impact on the maritime jurisdiction of opposite and adjacent states, including Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the relevance and prevalence of research that produced knowledge about stigmatised groups and communities throughout the 1980s and 1990s, in the United States, studies that investigated the relationship between HIV/AIDS, intersectional stigma, and health-illness status among groups considered hegemonic are incipient—i.e., heterosexual, and white groups, who did not suffer stigma due to sexuality and race/colour, for example. In this study, such a gap is examined in order to observe the effects of stigma in non-exposed communities. Additionally, the article (i) explores the formation of a pioneering group of caregivers in New York City, the Mothers of Patients with AIDS (MPWA), created in 1986; and (ii) analyses narratives about health disease from a collective care agenda established by middle-aged and elderly mothers dealing with the challenges and needs of adult children and people with moderate and high degrees of dependence. This study is part of a larger project that investigated the emergence of non-profit organisations and gerontology care groups in the context of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in New York in the 1980s and 1990s. Documentary research was developed in the Florence Rush collection, made available by the Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The selected materials bring together qualitative empirical sources from reports, personal histories, and interviews conducted by Florence Rush and other mothers, social workers, and health professionals. As the results attest, the narratives produced by Florence Rush’s interlocutors during the AIDS health crisis make it possible to understand how social and cultural dynamics of recognising the disease did not result in autonomous, individual, and objective processes for exposing the pathological state. The strategic use of the term “cancer” instead of “AIDS” as an umbrella definition, and one less demarcated by aspects involving gender and sexual behaviour, evidenced the sociality of the illness. Conclusions show how negative representations were associated with AIDS—perceived as harmful, immoral, or deviant behaviours — and produced new meanings and demands among patients who feared stigmatising classifications in the midst of sexual panic until the commercial availability of the antiretroviral cocktail in 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the cloud-based solutions introduced in the university library is changing catalog management to be accessible, scalable, and resource-efficient. The following abstract debate discusses how the influence of cloud technologies has changed the catalog management system/CMS features of academic libraries regarding resource management, user access, and practice performance improvements. Cloud-based catalog management systems put libraries more squarely in control, with flexibility and adaptability, over their gargantuan collections. Compared with traditional, locally stored systems, cloud-based CMS is much more capable of handling growing digital and physical collections and ensuring that library resources are always available to users of the same libraries. This expansibility feature is vital for university libraries, which receive new materials constantly and have to keep track of large and complex collections. The vital benefit of cloud-based systems is that they will increase ease of access tremendously. This will further enable students, teachers, and academics to view library libraries from anywhere on any device-brilliantly making libraries open and end-users accessible. Better usability will mean users can locate materials fast and retrieve them a whole lot easier and enhance the experience for academic study and learning. Cloud-based stock management makes operations highly streamlined. Automation of upkeep and updating lightens the workload. This heavy load of library staff has been reduces, and this precious team will currently think more in scale with large projects and user support. Run advanced analytics tools that create reports, assisting librarians to gain a lot from patterns of resource use, including user behavioral patterns and the nature of allocation. The findings, therefore, make better decision-making possible and help in better utilization of resources so that service quality at the library is enhanced with time. Cloud-based solutions are crucial to ensuring easier collaboration amongst academic institutions regarding sharing resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to explain and analyze Indonesia's decision to buy the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from France in 2022. It is known that Indonesia will retire its old F-5 Tiger fighter aircraft and its outdated technology. Indonesia's purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft to increase air defense capabilities, strengthen bilateral cooperation and increase national military capabilities. Several options for Indonesia to choose which fighter aircraft to buy, namely Gripen from Sweden, Eurofighter from Austria, Dassault Rafale from France, and Sukhoi Su-35 from Russia. The theory used in this research is Rational Choice. This study used descriptive qualitative method. In this research, data collection techniques were carried out by collecting data through available literature and library materials, mass media, print media, electronic media, books, journals and related articles, as well as other open sources. The results of this research show that Indonesia's decision to buy the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from France was based on two considerations, namely economic considerations where maintenance costs are low, technology transfer, and the potential to increase the national defense industry, increasing independence in the production and maintenance of military defense equipment and political considerations, namely diplomatic relations, regional security and national strategic interests. This choice reflects efforts to strengthen defense and build close military collaboration with partner countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article from the Oregon Historical Quarterly discusses the work of photographer Al Monner, who documented mid-twentieth-century Oregon life through his job as a photojournalist for the Oregon Journal and the Oregonian. Monner's photographs captured a wide range of subjects, including local politics, festivities, and national news events. One notable photograph from 1946 features Floyd W. Osgood and his spaniel dog, Musical Sue, who was trained to play tunes on a musical instrument made from milk bottles. Monner's extensive collection of photographs, which includes over 40,000 images, is now held in the OHS research library, with a selection of over 3,600 photographs available digitally on OHS Digital Collections. [Extracted from the article]

The author partnered with the Harrison County Library System (HCLS) to create a multilevel program plan for expanding library services to the growing number of homeless people who seek refuge in the library’s facilities. The research for this program plan involved evaluating existing library resources such as collections, programming, and available staff resources; identifying the best practices for providing services to people experiencing homelessness; identifying staff perceptions of working with the homeless; and identifying potential partners for expanded service offerings. The author used document analysis to research data on the library system (IMLS 2021 and reviewed library policy to identify barriers to providing service for the homeless. The author applied qualitative and humanistic research methods involving personal narratives (scenarios) provided through two separate one-on-one interviews with the library director to discuss the library system in general, and one one-on-one interview with six library staff working in the three libraries with the highest use by people experiencing homelessness. This paper discusses the findings from this mixed methods research project and their application to expanding services for chronically homeless patrons who use the HCLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This institutional case study analyses 1723 sources referenced in five PhD theses awarded at Alphacrucis University College between 2017 and 2021. The purpose was to demonstrate that the library’s collection development policy is successfully guiding purchasing decisions in order to provide students with the resources they need to complete their research at high levels. Sources were extracted from each thesis and grouped according to type. Library holdings were then checked, revealing that, overall, 70.2% of all cited sources were available from the AC library collection. This research-in-practice paper shows that AC library’s shift in focus for its collection development policy is adequately providing required resources to research students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews how assessment has evolved in the past ten years at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. From having 1.5 people devoted to assessment to one person in charge of assessment while also being Head of Collections, it became imperative to integrate assessment into the day-to-day workings of the library to address the lack of dedicated time available. By examining the library's deployment of the Insync survey, reliance on external and internal university reports, assessment for strategic planning activities, and shifts in data collection practices, this paper will reveal how Carleton Library has reviewed the services, collection, and space given available resources. Partnering with other departments on campus and within the library is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document provides information on East Asian libraries in North American institutions for the fiscal year 2022-2023. It includes data on physical and electronic collections, fiscal support, staffing, and public services. The document highlights specific collections and acquisitions at certain institutions and mentions challenges faced by some libraries. It also provides contact information for libraries conducting research on East Asian studies. The document offers a comprehensive overview of the East Asian library collections and resources available at these institutions. [Extracted from the article]

The special collection on the Legacy of Dennis S. Mileti and the Future of Public Alert and Warning Research is available in the ASCE Library. The collection aims to assess Mileti's contributions to risk communication research and explore the future of public alert and warning research, policy, and practice. Mileti was a renowned expert in public alert and warning, with a 50-year career and over 100 publications. The collection includes contributions that build on Mileti's work and cover topics such as earthquake early warning, hurricane evacuation, messaging effectiveness, and communication with diverse populations. The essays in the collection advance the field and honor Mileti's impact. [Extracted from the article]

Harlow Gale is often depicted as the first experimentalist in advertising thought. This positioning elides influences which impacted upon his thinking. In this article, we outline Gale's involvement with psychical research and its implications for advertising. These narratives are situated within a genealogy of subliminal processes across advertising and marketing theory from the late nineteenth century through to social cognition studies today. Gale's connection with psychical research, in conjunction with early practitioner reflections on the unconscious, formed the enabling conditions for his major contributions to advertising. Psychical scholarship spotlighted the centrality of the "multiplex self" to human functioning. While psychical framings scaffolded Gale's empirical, conceptual, and theoretical work, it also limited greater engagement with his insights. However, subsequent modifications of advertising theory and practice are underwritten by levels of continuity and discontinuity that facilitate the identification of psychically indebted bodies of thought from Gale's time to the present day. Taken together, these analytic associations provide a substantive reorientation of historical and contemporary accounts of advertising theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the potential of the Gamified Metaverse as a platform for promoting library services. The study compares the effectiveness of a traditional library program with a Metaverse- based library program in terms of knowledge acquisition and library anxiety. The research also examines students' perceptions of implementing gamification within the context of the Gamified Metaverse platform. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, including pre- and post-test analysis, statistical analysis, and qualitative data collection. The results indicate that both the traditional and Metaverse-based library programs effectively increased the participants' knowledge, with no significant difference between the two approaches. However, the Metaverse-based program was found to be less effective in facilitating interaction with librarians and reducing library anxiety. Additionally, students expressed positive perceptions of implementing gamification in the Gamified Metaverse platform, finding it engaging and motivating. These findings contribute to the understanding of the effect of the Metaverse as a tool for promoting library services and enhancing knowledge acquisition. However, it is not as effective in reducing library anxiety, particularly in terms of interaction with librarians and staff. It should be noted that the platform may have limitations such as high costs and potential side effects of virtual reality, making it more suitable as an additional tool for promoting library services, taking into account its feasibility and potential benefits for specific student populations and larger libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology in libraries has played an essential role in serving today's communities. This study provides an overview of the integrated library systems/software (ILSs) used in libraries in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It aims to highlight the strengths and possibilities of ILSs and briefly explain their advantages and disadvantages along with the cost of implementation. The data was gathered from questionnaires sent via an online survey and from direct interviews with certain academic libraries over the period of 2019 to 2020. Fifty-three of 67 libraries that fulfilled the study have implemented an ILS. To deeply understand the application, a direct interview with some libraries was conducted to learn the advantages and disadvantages. The result of the study showed that the most used ILSs are SLiMS and INLISlite and other programs like Apollo, Athenium Light, Simpus, Spektra, Jibas, KOHA, and Openlibrary. The budget spent is an average of300 USD. While the ILSs have helped these libraries improve services, IT expertise and adequate resources are needed, especially when the systems present problems. An easy-to-use system that costs less will potentially be used in this area of research. This study will be particularly helpful for any library in Indonesia. These findings may also be generalized to libraries in other countries facing economic and technological similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Environmental therapy theory has been applied in the research of disease prevention, and the effectiveness of using color and graphic designs to assist patients with spatial orientation has been confirmed. Visual-spatial impairments are common symptoms associated with cognitive decline. However, the interaction and driving factors between these impairments and spatial color and graphic designs remain unclear. Methods: This paper first discusses the correlation between the characteristics of visual-spatial impairments and environmental factors and then investigates the color preferences of such patients based on the CIE 1976 color system and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Subsequently, the paper explores spatial design strategies conducive to spatial orientation from the perspective of adaptability to pathological characteristics, utilizing case study analysis. Results: (1) Pathological characteristics of visual-spatial impairments (such as difficulties in spatial orientation and spatial neglect) are related to environmental factors; (2) Emotional attachment factors play a key role in patients' perception of satisfaction with environmental colors; (3) Color associations have the potential to strengthen spatial memory. Additionally, interface designs with high luminance, low saturation, and clear color differentiation facilitate patients' recognition of space. Discussion: This paper posits that spatial interface design is a feasible approach to assist with spatial orientation, and it achieves this through a mediating process that progresses from influencing visual stimuli to cognitive memory and then to behavioral orientation. The article provides insights into the operational feasibility of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear three dimensional (3D) folding of chromatin structure has been linked to gene expression regulation and correct developmental programs, but little is known about the 3D architecture of sex chromosomes within the nucleus, and how that impacts their role in sex determination. Here, we determine the sex-specific 3D organization of the model brown alga Ectocarpus chromosomes at 2 kb resolution, by mapping long-range chromosomal interactions using Hi-C coupled with Oxford Nanopore long reads. We report that Ectocarpus interphase chromatin exhibits a non-Rabl conformation, with strong contacts among telomeres and among centromeres, which feature centromere-specific LTR retrotransposons. The Ectocarpus chromosomes do not contain large local interactive domains that resemble TADs described in animals, but their 3D genome organization is largely shaped by post-translational modifications of histone proteins. We show that the sex determining region (SDR) within the U and V chromosomes are insulated and span the centromeres and we link sex-specific chromatin dynamics and gene expression levels to the 3D chromatin structure of the U and V chromosomes. Finally, we uncover the unique conformation of a large genomic region on chromosome 6 harboring an endogenous viral element, providing insights regarding the impact of a latent giant dsDNA virus on the host genome's 3D chromosomal folding. The 3D chromatin organisation of sex chromosomes within the nucleus remains elusive. This study determines the chromatin architecture of the brown alga Ectocarpus, linking sex-specific chromatin dynamics, histone modification and gene expression to the 3D structure of the U and V sex chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The ascendancy of modular offsite construction (MOSC) over traditional construction methods is well known. Despite the known potential of this construction approach, its adoption is minimal in New Zealand construction industry. This article investigates the potential benefits of using MOSC for delivery of high-rise buildings in New Zealand, underlying factors responsible for its low uptake and the measures that can facilitate its improved uptake. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilised a mixed research approach. An empirical questionnaire survey was carried out with New Zealand construction industry professionals with expertise in MOSC. Factor analysis of survey data was carried out using SPSS software. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with subject matter experts to get further insights and expand the survey findings. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Study identified benefits of MOSC, thus establishing potential of its uptake for high-rise building construction. Constraining factors were investigated, most pronounced being low level of skills in construction industry to design, manufacture and integrate supply chain of MOSC, high initial investment, high cost of importing modules and negative perception about offsite manufactured buildings. This study also highlighted the enablers to improve uptake of MOSC. These enablers included; loan and mortgage policies to suit MOSC paradigm, building regulations to support OSC industry, increased support from the government and awareness and acceptance of standardised building designs among the clients. Originality/value: Originality of this paper harps from little to no research carried out to investigate use of MOSC for high-rise buildings in New Zealand context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Library quality assurance systems are collaborative governances that facilitate the presentation of data on international accreditation of departments, which contains data on services, human resources, library facilities and infrastructure. This research analyzes the supporting and inhibiting factors and the advantages of the library quality assurance system in supporting international accreditation of departments at Sebelas Maret University (UNS) Surakarta, Indonesia using Talcott Persons' theory of structural functionalism. Design/methodology/approach: Primary data in exploratory research and action research obtained from the Quality Assurance Team at the university level under the Educational Quality Assurance and Development Institute (LPPMP), the Quality Assurance Unit (UPM) at the faculty level and the Quality Control Group (GKM) at the department, librarian and academic community levels. Supporting informants are international assessor practitioners. Data validation using source triangulation, namely information obtained through different sources, and method triangulation through different methods. Data obtained from library studies, observations, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), documentation and interviews with staff, library leaders, lecturers from departments that have and will carry out international accreditation and UNS students and analyzed interactive analysis models, namely data reduction, data presentation and concluding. Findings: The research results show that the UNS Library quality assurance system facilitates higher education organizations, such as bachelor's, master's and doctoral departments at UNS; search and presentation of international accreditation data. Supporting factors include the availability of digital library systems, online catalogs (UNSLA), e-journal and e-book databases, library websites and library data links for accreditation; facilities and infrastructure consist of indoor-outdoor study rooms; library social media; Self Access Terminal room; facilities for international students; involvement of librarians in international internships/conferences, librarians who have had competency tests and certification; librarians pursuing doctoral degree and support for student interns in system development. Inhibiting factors include the unavailability of programmers and dependence on UNS Information and Communication of Technology Unit. The benefits of the department quality assurance system include accelerating and improving the organization's quality and presentation of international accreditation data for departments at UNS. Originality/value: This type of qualitative research with an exploratory approach takes library study data, observations and in-depth interviews with library staff and quality assurance of departments. The informants were selected using purposive sampling, which was adjusted to the needs and interests of the research. It also uses the action research method, a collaboration between the quality assurance unit, librarians and academics. Action research is a form of collective self-reflection that involves a series of daily activities, which include the processes of research, diagnosis, planning, implementation, monitoring and establishing the necessary relationships between evaluation and self-development. The research object is something that will be subject to conclusions resulting from something that will be discussed in the research. The object of this research is the quality assurance of the UNS Library. Primary data was obtained from the Quality Assurance Team at the university level under the LPPMP, the Quality Assurance Unit (UPM) at the faculty level and the Quality Control Group (GKM) at the department, librarian and academic community levels. Supporting informants are international assessor practitioners. Data will be collected using observation, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and documentation. To ensure the validity of the data, source triangulation is used, namely, information obtained through different sources, as well as method triangulation through different methods, for example, interviews with observation or FGD. Data analysis using an interactive analysis model, namely data reduction, data presentation and concluding. This research was conducted at the UNS Library, with the research object being all departments at Sebelas Maret University, which have and will undergo international accreditation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The proliferation of digital tools and instant access to information has diversified reading habits among Generation Z (Gen Z) students. The primary objective of this study is to examine the reading habits of Gen Z students at Dhaka University. Design/methodology/approach: A survey questionnaire method was employed to collect data from 354 university students. We collected research data through printed questionnaires, and randomly selected students to answer survey questions. A total of 500 printed questionnaires were distributed to the seminar library, university hall library and Dhaka University library. Additional efforts made to engage students in classrooms. Findings: Students prefer printed materials, particularly fiction and enjoy reading at home. The majority have emerged as dormant readers and prefer using mobile phones for reading. Hobbies and interests have been identified as significant influencers in shaping reading habits. Promoting a reading culture, improving access to books, integrating technology, expanding fiction collections, creating engaging content and tailoring outreach strategies are key steps to enhancing the reading habits of the Gen Z students in Bangladesh. Social implications: These findings provide valuable guidance for policymakers and educators seeking to foster effective reading habits among students by aligning strategies with their preferences and needs. Originality/value: This study offers original insights into the reading habits of Gen Z students at Dhaka University, focus on enhancing library collections, particularly in fiction literature, addresses challenges such as space constraints and reflects innovative approaches to fostering improved reading habits among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the preparedness and responsiveness of Malaysian academic librarians in handling disruptions in library services during a disaster. Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative approach involved semi-structured interviews with decision-makers, chief librarians and library managers from five selected public universities. Findings: Thematic and qualitative data analysis produced several key themes based on (1) disaster preparedness involving policies, plans, asset protection, risk management, coordination of disaster management and preparative measures; and (2) disaster response involving strategies for information and communication access, community engagement, emergency response teams and procedures, and resource availability. Practical implications: The findings are expected to be useful for policymakers in formulating policies and guidelines for library disaster management plans. Social implications: The interruptions of academic library services during a disaster may result in the disruption of the information sources and social information networks of students, academics and researchers alike. Effective disaster management is also the library's responsibility to protect collections that belong to society at large. Originality/value: This is one of the first attempts in disaster management research to focus on the preparedness and responses of academic libraries in Malaysia in the face of disasters. Therefore, the results of this study can be used as a baseline for policymakers to prepare policies, guidelines and manuals for management in the event of a disaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is crucial in aquatic ecosystems, influencing light penetration and biogeochemical processes. This study investigates the CDOM variability in seven oligotrophic lakes of North Andean Patagonia using Landsat 8 imagery. An empirical band ratio model was calibrated and validated for the estimation of CDOM concentrations in surface lake water as the absorption coefficient at 440 nm ( a c d o m 440 , m−1). Of the five atmospheric corrections evaluated, the QUAC (Quick Atmospheric Correction) method demonstrated the highest accuracy for the remote estimation of CDOM. The application of separate models for deep and shallow lakes yielded superior results compared to a combined model, with R2 values of 0.76 and 0.82 and mean absolute percentage errors (MAPEs) of 14% and 22% for deep and shallow lakes, respectively. The spatio-temporal variability of CDOM was characterized over a five-year period using satellite-derived a c d o m 440 values. CDOM concentrations varied widely, with very low values in deep lakes and moderate values in shallow lakes. Additionally, significant seasonal fluctuations were evident. Lower CDOM concentrations were observed during the summer to early autumn period, while higher concentrations were observed in the winter to spring period. A gradient boosting regression tree analysis revealed that inter-lake differences were primarily influenced by the lake perimeter to lake area ratio, mean lake depth, and watershed area to lake volume ratio. However, seasonal CDOM variation was largely influenced by Lake Nahuel Huapi water storage (a proxy for water level variability at a regional scale), followed by precipitation, air temperature, and wind. This research presents a robust method for estimating low to moderate CDOM concentrations, improving environmental monitoring of North Andean Patagonian Lake ecosystems. The results deepen the understanding of CDOM dynamics in low-impact lakes and its main environmental drivers, enhance the ability to estimate lacustrine carbon stocks on a regional scale, and help to predict the effects of climate change on this important variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of an oroantral communication (OAC) or fistula (OAF) is a rare complication resulting from the presence of processes in the lateral parts of the maxilla or for iatrogenic reasons. The most common causes of OAC or OAF are tooth extraction with periapical lesions. The aims of this systematic review were to assess the use of platelet-derived preparations rich in growth factors in the treatment of OAC or OAF, to determine the success of treating the communication or fistula, as well as impact on postoperative complications and the course of healing. The study was performed following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024570758). The inclusion criteria were as follows: at least ten patients, the presence of oroantral communication or oroantral fistula, treatment with platelet-derived preparations rich in growth factors, and information regarding the response to treatment. In order to find relevant studies, international databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science Core Collection, MDPI, Wiley, and Cochrane Library were searched. The last search was performed on 31 August 2024. Seven articles were included in the systematic review. In total, platelet-derived preparations rich in growth factors were used in 164 patients. Only studies in which OAC was treated and with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) met the inclusion criteria. Only PRF was used as the sole treatment method in three studies. When OAC is greater than 5 mm, platelet-derived preparations rich in growth factors should be considered adjuncts to treatment, not the sole treatment method. The success rate of OAC treatment was 90–100%. The use of blood products to close OAC may be an effective therapeutic alternative. Proper patient qualification and the use of an appropriate protocol are crucial. There is a need for future well-designed case-control or cohort studies as well as randomized controlled trials to provide the required level of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I read Hilgard Hall as a text of whiteness to explore how one campus building at the University of California, Berkeley renders racial power relations in the academy. Through the lens of critical whiteness studies, I examine Hilgard Hall's namesake, architecture features, and weighty epigraph, to rescue for human society the native values of rural life. Specifically, I analyse Hilgard Hall's identity as a building dedicated to agricultural research and education through its entanglement with Berkeley's history as a land-grant institution. I offer a possible vision for Hilgard Hall that attempts to enable the building to become a 'spatial race traitor' through renovation and occupation. This article speaks to the current debates on removing monuments and building names and how agricultural programmes might approach addressing the ways white supremacy is literally constructed in(to) their teaching and research spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social capital (SC) is a key factor of social resilience and is crucial for effective crisis response and recovery. The unprecedented levels of social distancing measures during the global Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic limited social interactions and restricted traditional support channels. This has raised the question of whether such measures may have negatively impacted SC. However, few studies have analyzed SC changes over time, in representative samples and during pandemic contexts. This study assessed SC changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among representative groups of adults living in Singapore (total n=3,774) and Switzerland (total n=4,115), respectively. We assessed changes in SC, specifically in horizontal SC (i.e., ties between individuals) and vertical SC (i.e., ties between individuals and decision makers), between June 2020 and July 2021. Respondents were recruited from Qualtrics' panels by employing quota sampling according to Singapore's and Switzerland's population censuses. Key results show that the overall horizontal SC increased significantly (although modestly) in both countries. Overall vertical SC increased significantly (also modestly) in Singapore and had no significant change in Switzerland. All analyses were performed in R software (version 4.2.2). Thus, despite social distancing measures, horizontal SC and vertical SC indicators remained stable in both countries. Further studies may be warranted to determine the causal pathways involved in retaining SC in pandemic settings. Practical Applications: During the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing measures, horizontal and vertical social capital remained stable, with no losses, in both Singapore and Switzerland. This may potentially indicate sustained social resilience. Evidence-based measures tailored to the value system of a country and the innovative, adaptive capacities of residents may have partly contributed toward the stability of social capital. Policymakers and relevant agencies working in social resilience could potentially benefit from increasing tailored communication and messaging efforts to maintain social capital, which may serve as important insurance in case of future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Nonsuicidal Self-injury Inventory (K-NSSI) through the Deliberate Self-harm Inventory (DSHI) developed by Gratz for the Korean context and confirm its reliability and validity for clinical application. Methods: A total of 188 participants were analyzed utilizing the DSHI, the Korean version of the Self-harm Inventory, the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Features (PAI-BOR), and the DSM-5 Level-2-Depression scale (Level- 2-Dep). Cronbach's α assessed their reliability, while frequency analysis examined the items of the K-NSSI scales. Validity of the K-NSSI was confirmed through correlation analyses between K-NSSI (tendency for and frequency of nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI] behavior) and SHI, PAI-BOR total scale, four subscales of PAI-BOR, and Level-2-Dep scale. Polyserial correlations analyzed the correlation between the presence of NSSI behavior and other scales. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling explored the relationship between borderline personality features and self-harm. Results: Cronbach's α was 0.71, indicating an "acceptable" level of reliability. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the presence of NSSI behavior and the total scores of SHI and PAI-BOR, and the four subscales of PAI-BOR. The frequency of NSSI showed statistically significant correlations with the total score of SHI and PAI-BOR, and its four subscales. Notably, 13.8% of participants reported engaging in self-harm behaviors, 26.9% reported a single occurrence, and 73.1% reported two or more instances. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that self-harm adequately predicted borderline personality traits. Conclusion: This study successfully validated the adaptation of DSHI into K-NSSI. The K-NSSI can facilitate interventions for self-harm incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "Long-COVID" (LC) is characterized by the aftereffects of COVID-19 infection. Various studies have suggested that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation is among the significant reported causes of LC. However, there is a lack of in-depth research that could largely explore the pathogenic mechanism and pinpoint the key genes in the EBV and LC context. This study mainly aimed to predict the potential disease-associated common genes between EBV reactivation and LC condition using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and reported naturally occurring biomolecules as inhibitors. We applied the bulk RNA-Seq from LC and EBV-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the Protein-Protein interaction (PPI) network using the STRING database, identified hub genes using the cytoscape plugins CytoHubba and MCODE, and performed enrichment analysis using ClueGO. The interaction analysis of a hub gene was performed against naturally occurring bioflavonoid molecules using molecular docking and the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. Out of 357 common genes, 22 genes (CCL2, CCL20, CDCA2, CEP55, CHI3L1, CKAP2L, DEPDC1, DIAPH3, DLGAP5, E2F8, FGF1, NEK2, PBK, TOP2A, CCL3, CXCL8, DEPDC1, IL6, RETN, MMP2, LCN2, and OLR1) were classified as hub genes, and the remaining ones were classified as neighboring genes. Enrichment analysis showed the role of hub genes in various pathways such as immune-signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT signaling, interleukin signaling, protein kinase signaling, and toll-like receptor pathways associated with the symptoms reported in the LC condition. ZNF and MYBL TF-family were predicted as abundant TFs controlling hub genes' transcriptional machinery. Furthermore, OLR1 (PDB: 7XMP) showed stable interactions with the five shortlisted refined naturally occurring bioflavonoids, i.e., apigenin, amentoflavone, ilexgenin A, myricetin, and orientin compounds. The total binding energy pattern was observed, with amentoflavone being the top docked molecule (with a binding affinity of -8.3 kcal/mol) with the lowest total binding energy of -18.48 kcal/mol. In conclusion, our research has predicted the hub genes, their molecular pathways, and the potential inhibitors between EBV and LC potential pathogenic association. The in vivo or in vitro experimental methods could be utilized to functionally validate our findings, which would be helpful to cure LC or to prevent EBV reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk aversion is one of the investment theories in which the price-performance ratio reacts to the investor’s risk tolerance and is guided with due attention to its changes. These settings allude to changes in the investor’s activity in response to global economic patterns. According to this theory, investors tend to have higher-risk investments when the market risk is low. However, investors tend to invest in a safe asset when a high market risk is felt. The investor’s tendency to avoid risk increases and decreases over time. Occasionally, investors invest more in higher-risk instruments than in other periods, such as economic prosperity in 2009. The primary purpose of this research study is to present a model for identifying the risk aversion of shareholders depending on the influence and role of the government’s monetary and fiscal policies and the mass behavior of shareholders. This is applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive survey research in terms of method. The statistical population of the research is the country of Iran. The study’s participants include managers, shareholders, and investors with associated scientific backgrounds and experience in the stock exchange. Thus, the managers, shareholders, and investors active in the stock exchange were selected as the participants of the present study. Besides, the purposeful sampling method and theoretical sampling strategy with maximum variation were used. The researcher reached theoretical saturation by interviewing nine people, and the interviews continued with 11 people to become confident about the results. Data analysis was done using MAXQDA OLS, pls software. The research results have been to identify the role of the government’s monetary and fiscal policies and the shareholders’ mass behavior in presenting the model of identifying the risk aversion of the shareholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gala'pagos archipelago is a vast reservoir of terrestrial and marine biodiversity and is particularly susceptible to human, animal, and environmental impacts. Climate change, globalization, and the blurring of human-domestic animalwildlife interfaces are poised to bring new threats and challenges to the region. A One Health perspective that simultaneously considers human, animal, and environmental health is imperative in assessing and mitigating the challenges facing the Gala'pagos Islands. Many challenges facing biodiversity in the Gala'pagos Islands can ultimately be linked to anthropogenic factors. In Part I of this review, we reviewed the impacts of invasive species and identified infectious diseases of importance. In Part II of this review, we discuss the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification, and highlight the effects of several direct anthropogenic activities, including tourism, overfishing, pollution, land use, and human-wildlife conflict. We also review the socioeconomic and political context of the Gala'pagos Islands, including current challenges in water and energy use, sanitation, and economic stability. We examine the importance of investment in local development for building resiliency and sustainability in the archipelago. Finally, we discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. Throughout this two-part review, we build a cohesive picture of One Health in the Gala'pagos Islands by integrating past work, current needs, and emerging threats. We also consider overarching goals for conservation, ecosystem management, and socioeconomic sustainability that have been previously defined by both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, and identify discrete, implementable, and interdisciplinary recommendations that will facilitate achievement of those goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The benefits of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) have become increasingly popular. While there is an emerging evidence base on the effectiveness of applying positive psychology in curriculum as preventive, early mental health intervention for higher education students, little is known about the content and pedagogy in these promising courses. Objective: This article describes (a) the rationale for and development of a positive psychology course embedded into the curriculum that aims to foster posttraumatic growth, psychological flexibility, and socio-emotional competencies for higher education students; and (b) a mixed-method non-randomised pre-post study to evaluate the effectiveness of the positive psychology course in achieving positive participant outcomes. Methods: Higher education students from different disciplines will be enrolled to a general education course, "Positive Psychology and Personal Growth", where they will learn progressive topics and complete summative assessments related to key areas in positive psychology. In addition to lectures, participants will engage in constructivist-based experiential activities that are guided by research on PPIs, life-design interventions and constructivist learning principles. The primary outcome is posttraumatic growth, and the secondary outcomes are psychological flexibility, and socio-emotional competencies. Expected results: We hypothesised that after the curriculum-embedded PPI, participants will have significantly higher levels of posttraumatic growth, psychological flexibility, and socio-emotional competencies. Results derived from the questionnaire survey will be supported by corroborating evidence identified from qualitative analysis of participants' summative assessments and follow-up semi-structured interviews on their perceptions of the present course. Discussion: The current study will fill in a gap in existing intervention research and practise in curriculum-embedded PPIs and promote research transparency and pedagogical advancement. The intervention provides guidance and recommendations for educators to consider embedding positive psychology into the formal curriculum as cost-effective, low-intensity, structured, and sustainable educational interventions for higher education students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Consumers often prefer sustainable goods and services but fail to follow through with purchases that reflect these espoused values. The green intention–outcome gap is studied in many contexts but has yet to inform deathcare decisions. Industry reports suggest that most Americans prefer sustainable deathcare options, yet unsustainable corpse dispositions dominate the market. The purpose of this paper is to understand how history informs this phenonea. Design/methodology/approach: This study looks to the past – using historical narrative analysis of deathcare trends and influential intermediaries – to understand the future of sustainable deathcare and the prospective role that marketers can play in bridging the gap between decedents' preferences and survivors' purchase outcomes. Findings: Historical ritualization, medicalization and commercialization have resulted in the monopolization of traditional deathcare services. Mortuary professionals remain unresponsive to consumer preferences for sustainable alternatives. Social implications: Socioeconomic shocks can allow humanity to reflect and transition from consumerism to sustainability. COVID-19 has led to greater awareness of self-mortality, and death has become less taboo. The slow market penetration of sustainable deathcare services suggests a lack of communication between a decedent and their survivors. Marketing scholars need to help marketing practitioners bridge the preference-outcome gap. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is amongst the first to examine how history informs the sustainable action–outcome gap for deathcare preferences in a post-COVID environment and the role that marketers can play in perpetuating change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]