Veritas

Relationships between approaches to learning and achievement in mathematics are well established in the foreign literature. However, studies on relationships between approaches to learning and achievement in mathematics in Nigerian mathematics education community are scarce. Thus, the goal of the present study is to showcase empirical evidence for a predictive association between approaches to learning and achievement in mathematics in Nigeria. The current study deploys a cross-sectional survey research design that includes 1260 senior secondary school year two students. Two valid and reliable instruments were used for data collection in the study. Two research questions were stated within the area of students’ learning approaches and answered using Pearson product moment correlation and step-wise regression analysis. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between approaches to learning and achievement in mathematics (r = 0.433, p < 0.05). Moreover, all associations were significant between deep approach (r = 0.673, p < 0.05), surface approach (r = −0.251, p < 0.05), strategic approach (r = 0.516, p < 0.05) and achievement in mathematics. The ANOVA regression analysis revealed a significant association between deep approach, surface approach, and strategic approach with achievement in mathematics (F(3, 1256) = 399.35, p = 0.000) and the three approaches to learning jointly contributed as much as 48.7% variance to achievement in mathematics. The deep approach recorded the greatest beta (β) value (0.549), trailed by strategic approach (β = 0.151), and the least was surface approach (β= −0.161). The equation of the regression analysis is depicted as: Achievement = −4.294 + 0.282 deep approach − 0.065 surface approach + 0.063 strategic approach. Findings were discussed, implications of approaches to learning were made and some recommendations for future studies stated.

This project is part of a need to define one or more annoyance indicators for construction site noise, which is a major source of nuisance for local residents. For the moment, the control values are the LeqA level, which is not sufficient to characterise noise annoyance, particularly because of the variability of sources. A mobile application has been developed, enabling local residents to report any disturbing noise. At the same time, site monitoring by Bureau Veritas makes it possible to identify the exact source. Pending development of the application on one or more sites, a laboratory experiment focused on a very noisy machine: the Hydraulic Rock Breaker, which produces repeated impulse noises. Recordings of different configurations were made and modified in the frequency domain (attenuation of certain bands) and time domain (variation in the periodicity of pulses). 56 stimuli were used in an experiment in which 63 participants assessed the unpleasantness of each stimulus. The results of this experiment show that the percentile loudness N5 (computed according to ISO 532-1 standard) can be a reliable indicator of annoyance. These results will be verified with recordings from other machines used on construction sites.

General transcription factor IIIC subunit 5 (GTF3C5) encodes transcription factor IIIC63 (TFIIIC63). It binds to DNA to recruit another transcription factor, TFIIIB, and RNA polymerase III (Pol III) to mediate the transcription of small noncoding RNAs, such as tRNAs. Here, we report four individuals from three families presenting with a multisystem developmental disorder phenotype with biallelic variants in GTF3C5. The overlapping features include growth retardation, developmental delay, intellectual disability, dental anomalies, cerebellar malformations, delayed bone age, skeletal anomalies, and facial dysmorphism. Using lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from two affected individuals, we observed a reduction in TFIIIC63 protein levels compared to control LCLs. Genome binding of TFIIIC63 protein is also reduced in LCL from one of the affected individuals. Additionally, approximately 40% of Pol III binding regions exhibited reduction in the level of Pol III occupancy in the mutant genome relative to the control, while approximately 54% of target regions showed comparable levels of Pol III occupancy between the two, indicating partial impairment of Pol III occupancy in the mutant genome. Yeasts with subject-specific variants showed temperature sensitivity and impaired growth, supporting the notion that the identified variants have deleterious effects. gtf3c5 mutant zebrafish showed developmental defects, including a smaller body, head, and eyes. Taken together, our data show that GTF3C5 plays an important role in embryonic development, and that biallelic variants in this gene cause a multisystem developmental disorder. Our study adds GTF3C5-related disorder to the growing list of genetic disorders associated with Pol III transcription machinery.

The perpetration and negative consequences of green crime in West Africa are not a recent development. The recent emergence of discussions on the region's security has primarily focused on environmental security and climate change, with its incursion into discourses being a relatively recent development. Moreover, the discourse surrounding green crime frequently confines itself to topics such as the illicit trade of wildlife and illegal logging. Although the aforementioned concerns are of utmost importance, it is imperative to acknowledge that various other types of green crime, including but not limited to contamination of water, land, and air due to unlawful disposal of hazardous waste and unauthorized mining activities, pose substantial threats to human security and warrant due consideration. The objective of this study is to analyze the occurrence of environmental offenses in West Africa, specifically in Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal. The research will concentrate on the examination of green crimes in these countries. The study endeavors to offer an understanding of the frequency and consequences of green crimes in the aforementioned nations, with a specific focus on their implications for human security, through the use of secondary data sources. The purpose of this paper is to argue for the securitization of green crime in the region and provide a framework for both state and non-state actors to respond to this issue.

Economists originally developed methods to assess financial catastrophe using total or aggregate out‐of‐pocket health spending. Aggregate out‐of‐pocket health spending is financially catastrophic when it exceeds a fixed proportion (i.e., threshold) of a household's total income or expenditure in a given period. However, these methods are now applied to assess financial catastrophe in disease‐ or service‐specific rather than aggregate out‐of‐pocket health spending without using disease‐ or service‐specific thresholds. This paper argues that not using disease‐ or service‐specific thresholds for such assessments is misleading and underestimates the burden of financial catastrophe, especially among households from poorer backgrounds. It then proposed disease‐ or service‐specific catastrophic payment thresholds, applied them to Nigeria and found that financial catastrophe was underestimated for the five service groups considered. The paper stresses the importance of using disease‐ or service‐specific thresholds and avoiding unadjusted thresholds, which may leave poorer households behind as financially protected.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a metastrongyloid nematode that primarily infects the mesenteric arteries of wild rodents. This parasite is endemic in several regions of the American continent, and in humans, causes a disease known as abdominal angiostrongyliasis. Despite the important health implications of this nematode, there are limited studies investigating the involvement of wild animals in its life cycle. In this study, we present the clinical manifestations, pathologic findings, and molecular diagnosis, to the best of our current knowledge, of the first documented onset of cerebral angiostrongyliasis because of A. costaricensis infection in a juvenile free-ranging opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). Histopathological findings stress the presence of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with nematodes present within the lesions, and PCR was positive for cox1 and ITS1 reactions. The obtained sequences for a 279 bp fragment of ITS1 were 100% identical to A. costaricensis from Costa Rica. This case highlights the substantial difficulties in diagnosing neuroangiostrongyliasis, yet underscores the importance of considering A. costaricensis as a potential culprit behind neurological conditions in wild marsupials. It acts as an urgent call to action to improve surveillance programs tracking infectious and parasitic diseases causing mortality in wildlife populations.

Aim Biogeographic boundaries and genetic structuring have important effects on the inferences and interpretation of effective population size (Ne) temporal variations, a key genetics parameter. We reconstructed the historical demography and divergence history of a vulnerable coastal high‐trophic shark using population genomics and assessed our ability to detect recent bottleneck events. Location Western and Central Indo‐Pacific (IPA), Western Tropical Atlantic (WTA) and Eastern Tropical Pacific (EPA). Taxon Carcharhinus leucas (Müller & Henle, 1839). Methods A DArTcap™ approach was used to sequence 475 samples and assess global genetic structuring. Three demographic models were tested on each population, using an ABC‐RF framework coupled with coalescent simulations, to investigate within‐cluster structure. Divergence times between clusters were computed, testing multiple scenarios, with fastsimcoal. Ne temporal variations were reconstructed with STAIRWAYPLOT. Coalescent simulations were performed to determine the detectability of recent bottleneck under the estimated historical trend for datasets of this size. Results Three genetic clusters corresponding to the IPA, WTA and EPA regions were identified, agreeing with previous studies. The IPA presented the highest genetic diversity and was consistently identified as the oldest. No significant within‐cluster structuring was detected. Ne increased globally, with an earlier onset in the IPA, during the last glacial period. Coalescent simulations showed that weak and recent bottlenecks could not be detected with our dataset, while old and/or strong bottlenecks would erase the observed ancestral expansion. Main Conclusions This study further confirms the role of marine biogeographic breaks in shaping the genetic history of large mobile marine predators. Ne historical increases in Ne are potentially linked to extended coastal habitat availability. The limited within‐cluster population structuring suggests that Ne can be monitored over ocean basins. Due to insufficient amount of available genetic data, it cannot be concluded whether overfishing is impacting Bull Shark genetic diversity, calling for whole‐genome sequencing.

Research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) frequently incorporates organofluorine measurements, particularly because they could support a class-based approach to regulation. However, standardized methods for organofluorine analysis in a broad suite of matrices are currently unavailable, including a method for extractable organofluorine (EOF) measured using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Here, we report the results of an international interlaboratory comparison. Seven laboratories representing academia, government, and the private sector measured paired EOF and PFAS concentrations in groundwater and eel (Anguilla rostrata) from a site contaminated by aqueous film-forming foam. Among all laboratories, targeted PFAS could not explain all EOF in groundwater but accounted for most EOF in eel. EOF results from all laboratories for at least one replicate extract fell within one standard deviation of the interlaboratory mean for groundwater and five out of seven laboratories for eel. PFAS spike mixture recoveries for EOF measurements in groundwater and eel were close to the criterion (±30%) for standardized targeted PFAS methods. Instrumental operation of the CIC such as replicate sample injections was a major source of measurement uncertainty. Blank contamination and incomplete inorganic fluorine removal may introduce additional uncertainties. To elucidate the presence of unknown organofluorine using paired EOF and PFAS measurements, we recommend that analysts carefully consider confounding methodological uncertainties such as differences in precision between measurements, data processing steps such as blank subtraction and replicate analyses, and the relative recoveries of PFAS and other fluorine compounds.

Zinc-solubilizing bacteria (Zn-SB) form a significant part of the rhizosphere. These bacteria have the ability to dissolve Zinc (Zn) from insoluble substances, making it available for plant uptake. Through the action of transporters, transcription factors, and other molecular mechanisms, these bacteria produce various secondary metabolites that facilitate the availability of Zn and support proper plant growth. Crop-specific Zn-SB has been isolated and characterized from several locations throughout the globe. These bacteria have been found to secrete organic acids, chelating agents, phytohormones, and antibacterial agents. The genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas were found to be the most prevalent among the various Zn-SB isolated from the diverse soils. Other Zn-SB from Gluconacetobacter sp., Thiobacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Azotobacter sp., Micrococcus sp., etc. have also demonstrated the ability to enhance Zn phytoavailability and promote crop development and productivity. Researchers are eager to develop bacterial consortiums that can function in a wide range of crops and climates. The current review focuses on the extent of Zn deficiency in soil and the edaphic parameters that contribute to Zn accessibility and phytoavailability, as well as the molecular regulation of plant Zn absorption and translocation processes. Additionally, the mechanisms of Zn solubilization and the plant development-promoting properties exhibited by these rhizobacteria are also discussed.

The present study investigates the negative impact of a marine polluter on the marine environment. Plastics degraded into micro and macroplastics harm the environment in many ways. Finding their way to the oceans cause increase in temperature at the surface and cooling in deeper waters. Degrading macroplastics releases potent greenhouse gases. More importantly, they are implicated to cause climate change. Plastic in the ocean affects its ability to act as a carbon sink by decelerating the “biogeochemical cycle of carbon”. The ocean is the largest natural sink for anthropogenic greenhouse gases. Various short- and long-term measures are also proposed to curb the flow of plastic waste into the Oceans.

Importance: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected youth mental health. Increases in site-specific eating disorder (ED) care have been documented; however, multisite studies demonstrating national trends are lacking. Objective: To compare the number of adolescent/young adult patients seeking inpatient and outpatient ED care before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, setting, and participants: Using an observational case series design, changes in volume in inpatient and outpatient ED-related care across 15 member sites (14 geographically diverse hospital-based adolescent medicine programs and 1 nonhospital-based ED program) of the US National Eating Disorder Quality Improvement Collaborative was examined. Sites reported monthly volumes of patients seeking inpatient and outpatient ED care between January 2018 and December 2021. Patient volumes pre- and postpandemic onset were compared separately for inpatient and outpatient settings. Demographic data such as race and ethnicity were not collected because this study used monthly summary data. Exposures: Onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Main outcomes and measures: Monthly number of patients seeking inpatient/outpatient ED-related care. Results: Aggregate total inpatient ED admissions were 81 in January 2018 and 109 in February 2020. Aggregate total new outpatient assessments were 195 in January 2018 and 254 in February 2020. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the relative number of pooled inpatient ED admissions were increasing over time by 0.7% per month (95% CI, 0.2%-1.3%). After onset of the pandemic, there was a significant increase in admissions over time of 7.2% per month (95% CI, 4.8%-9.7%) through April 2021, then a decrease of 3.6% per month (95% CI, -6.0% to -1.1%) through December 2021. Prepandemic, pooled data showed relative outpatient ED assessment volume was stable over time, with an immediate 39.7% decline (95% CI, -50.4% to -26.7%) in April 2020. Subsequently, new assessments increased by 8.1% (95% CI, 5.3%-11.1%) per month through April 2021, then decreased by 1.5% per month (95% CI, -3.6% to 0.7%) through December 2021. The nonhospital-based ED program did not demonstrate a significant increase in the absolute number of admissions after onset of the pandemic but did see a significant increase of 8.2 (95% CI, 6.2-10.2) additional inquiries for care per month in the first year after onset of the pandemic. Conclusions and relevance: In this study, there was a significant COVID-19 pandemic-related increase in both inpatient and outpatient volume of patients with EDs across sites, particularly in the first year of the pandemic. Given inadequate ED care availability prior to the pandemic, the increased postpandemic demand will likely outstrip available resources. Results highlight the need to address ED workforce and program capacity issues as well as improve ED prevention strategies.

Oral nutrition supplements (ONS) are widely recommended for the management of unintentional weight loss in patient populations, long‐term care residents, and community‐dwelling older adults. Most marketed ONS are ultra‐processed, with precision nutrition and aseptic composition, as well as convenience and availability, driving their selection. However, therapeutic effectiveness is mixed and the potential health risks of consuming ultra‐processed ONS long‐term in lieu of less‐processed foods have received little attention. A diverse and balanced microbiota supporting immunity and wellness is maintained by a diet rich in plant‐sourced foods. The implications of ultra‐processed ONS displacing plant‐sourced foods, and specifically the potential for undesirable impacts on the gut microbiota, require consideration. Most ONS are either devoid of fiber or are supplemented with isolated or purified fibers that may contribute to adverse gastrointestinal symptoms and appetite suppression. In contrast, the diversity of microbial‐available, nondigestible carbohydrates, together with the array of phytochemicals found in plant‐sourced foods, support microbial diversity and its resiliency. This review outlines the clinical dilemma of recommending commercial ultra‐processed ONS vs nutritionally adequate (eg, high‐energy/high‐protein) foods and beverages that contribute to diet quality, maintenance of a diverse and stable gut microbiota composition, and support nutrition status and health. Ultra‐processed ONS may fall short of expected health benefits, and overreliance may potentially contribute to the risk for patient and older adult populations because of the displacement of a variety of healthful foods.

Scholarly definitions of student success have become increasingly transactional and thereby reflect a specific form of modern utilitarianism. In this paper, we use a theological map to explore the terrain of contemporary student success scholarship and practice in an effort to re-imagine how the Christian faith might animate a vision of student success for scholar-practitioners. First, we review the current scholarly landscape, second, we show where it falls short. Third, we use the practical theological method to outline a theological vision of student success. Finally, we propose ways to bridge the gap between current practice and theological vision.

The pattern of seaborne trade and goods transportation is changing and ships need to adapt to changes of customer and market requirements, cargo volumes, and new legislation for the safety of ships and nowadays, even more, to the strict regulatory requirements for the protection of the environment. Responding to the urgent needs for substantial reduction of GHG (Green House gas) emissions from marine operations in line with the ambitious targets set by the International Maritime Organisation and the European Commission, a series of research and development works were initiated in the maritime sector for the ships designed and built today and be operating in the next decades to meet future environmental requirements. Responding to these needs, the recently completed Horizon 2020 European Research project – HOLISHIP – Holistic Optimisation of Ship Design and Operation for Life Cycle (2016-2020) has developed suitable tools and software platforms, as necessary for the creation of innovative design solutions meeting the set low emission strategic objectives. The present paper is presenting the HOLISHIP, multi-objective optimisation approach to green shipping and demonstrates a subset of its functionality by two green design RoPAX case studies.

Background Real‐life validation is necessary to ensure our artificial intelligence (AI) skin diagnostic tool is inclusive across a diverse and representative US population of various ages, ancestries and skin phototypes. Objectives To explore the relevance and accuracy of an automated, algorithm‐based analysis of facial signs in representative women of different ancestries, ages and phototypes, living in the same country. Methods In a cross‐sectional study of selfie images of 1041 US women, algorithm‐based analyses of seven facial signs were automatically graded by an AI‐based algorithm and by 50 US dermatologists of various profiles (age, gender, ancestry, geographical location). For automated analysis and dermatologist assessment, the same referential skin atlas was used to standardize the grading scales. The average values and their variability were compared with respect to age, ancestry and phototype. Results For five signs, the grading obtained by the automated system were strongly correlated with dermatologists' assessments (r ≥ 0.75); cheek skin pores were moderately correlated (r = 0.63) and pigmentation signs, especially for the darkest skin tones, were weakly correlated (r = 0.40) to the dermatologist assessments. Age and ancestry had no effect on the correlations. In many cases, the automated system performed better than the dermatologist‐assessed clinical grading due to 0.3–0.5 grading unit differences among the dermatologist panel that were not related to any individual characteristic (e.g. gender, age, ancestry, location). The use of phototypes, as discontinuous categorical variables, is likely a limiting factor in the assessments of grading, whether obtained by automated analysis or clinical assessment of the images. Conclusions The AI‐based automatic procedure is accurate and clinically relevant for analysing facial signs in a diverse and inclusive population of US women, as confirmed by a diverse panel of dermatologists, although skin tone requires further improvement.

PURPOSE There are growing efforts to integrate patient-reported outcome (PRO) data into electronic health records (EHRs) to bring together disparate sources of patient information and improve medical care. PRO measures can be used to assess cancer symptom presence and severity. Integrating PRO tools in EHRs can alert providers to address symptoms, which is an essential component of comprehensive oncology care. METHODS We modified a PRO used to measure cancer and end-of-life symptoms, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System to create the Veteran Symptom Assessment System (VSAS). VSAS was implemented as an integrated PRO as part of the Veterans Administration EHR system and was used at hematology-oncology clinics in Veteran Administration (VA) medical centers in the Southeast. RESULTS From 2013 to 2014, VSAS was introduced, underwent usability testing and modifications, and was finally implemented in the EHR. Between 2015 and 2019, VSAS was administered 43,883 times in 9,058 patients. Eighty-nine percent of Veterans were male, 11% were female, 52% identified as non-Hispanic White, and 43% identified as African American. Fatigue, shortness of breath with exertion, and pain were most frequently reported initially (68%, 48%, and 45%, respectively) and were most frequently rated as severe (27%, 16%, and 17%, respectively). In patients diagnosed with stage IV cancer, higher symptom burden was significantly associated with shorter overall survival. The majority of Veterans with longitudinal measurements experienced improvement in symptoms, most frequently in severe symptoms. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale implementation of a PRO system, integrated in the VA EHR, in ambulatory patients with cancer and blood disorders. The integration of VSAS within the VA EHR is a significant demonstration and a necessary requirement for current and future systemic initiatives in cancer symptom management.