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Teaching Data Science to Diverse Learners: A Hybrid and Interdisciplinary Approach
Get PDFThis paper describes the development and delivery of an introductory data science course designed for interdisciplinary master's students studying in a hybrid format, without advanced mathematics prerequisites. The course addresses the increasing need for data science skills among non-specialists, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges. It focuses on a hands-on, problem-led approach that emphasizes practical applications of data analysis and supports engagement among students from diverse academic backgrounds. The course teaches Python programming through Jupyter notebooks as the core tool for analyzing data and employs additional support tools to aid learning and assessment. This structure aims to build foundational data science skills and foster students' confidence in working with data.</p
The potential bidirectional relationship between long COVID and menstruation
Get PDFWomen have reported menstrual changes following SARS-CoV-2 infection and variation in long COVID symptoms across the menstrual cycle. We examined (i) whether COVID is linked to abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), (ii) if long COVID symptoms vary with the menstrual cycle, and (iii) potential underlying mechanisms. Here we show long COVID was associated with AUB in a UK population. When compared to those never infected (n = 9423), long COVID participants (n = 1048) reported increased menstrual volume, duration and intermenstrual bleeding, while those who recovered from acute COVID (n = 1,716) reported minimal menstrual disruption. Long COVID symptoms examined in 54 women across the menstrual cycle revealed that severity was highest during the perimenstrual and proliferative phases. Serum and endometrial analysis revealed higher serum 5α-dihydrotestosterone and lower endometrial androgen receptors in long COVID versus no COVID. Other ovarian hormones showed no significant differences. Serum cytokine profiling indicated increased menstrual inflammation with long COVID and immune cell aggregates were observed in menstrual endometrium. In conclusion, long COVID was associated with AUB but not impaired ovarian function. Differences in peripheral and endometrial inflammation may contribute to AUB and long COVID symptom severity. We anticipate our findings will instigate exploration of new therapeutic strategies for women with long COVID.</p
Dry Soils Increase the Impact of Experimental Warming on Plant Community Composition in an Australian Subalpine Meadow
Get PDFAimsHow high-altitude plant communities will respond to climate change is unclear as studies often investigate warming effects in isolation. We asked how a species-rich subalpine meadow community responds to the combination of warmer, drier conditions using experimental manipulations. Specifically, we quantified responses to climate manipulation using Hill diversity, Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and abundance change at community, functional group and individual species levels.LocationSubalpine meadow, Tasmania, Australia.MethodsIn an orthogonal design, we used open-top warming chambers and rainout shelters to simulate warm, drought and heatwave conditions. Responses of the plant community were assessed through estimates of species cover taken at peak biomass using an array of 400 contiguous 25 × 25 mm cells in fixed-position quadrats.ResultsAfter 3 years of climatic manipulations, warmed plots were less diverse than their respective controls, whereas neither drought nor heatwave treatments influenced community diversity or composition. Community composition in warmed plots diverged substantially from controls, driven by a reduction in grass, moss and small rosette forb abundance and an increase in sedge abundance with warming, though species responses within functional groups varied. Furthermore, compositional changes caused by warming were most pronounced in drier conditions, indicating this system may be vulnerable to simultaneous changes in temperature and precipitation.ConclusionsExperimental warming caused a marked shift in community composition of this subalpine meadow, with the greatest response to warming occurring in dry sites. Our results indicate a crucial role of local soil water availability in mediating global climate change impacts on subalpine plant communities
Structural Polytypism in B-Site-Deficient Azetidinium-Based Pnictogen Halide Hexagonal Perovskites
Get PDFAzetidinium (Az+)-based antimony and bismuth organic-inorganic hybrid halide B-site-deficient perovskite analogues Az3B2X9 (B3+ = Sb, Bi; X- = Cl, Br, I) were systematically studied. All Az3B2X9 stoichiometries adopt hexagonal close-packed perovskite structures with the 6H (hcc)2 stacking sequence, differing only in the positions of the ordered B-site vacancies. In Az3Sb2Cl9 and Az3Sb2Br9 ordering of B-site vacancies in a single face-sharing octahedral layer leads to the formation of an unusual 2D layered polar structure with the P63mc space group. Variable-temperature single-crystal and powder XRD, DSC, DTA, and dielectric spectroscopy showed several successive phase transitions at low temperatures associated with distortions of the octahedral framework and order/disorder of the Az+ cation. In contrast, in Az3Sb2I9, Az3Bi2Br9, and Az3Bi2I9, the preferred arrangement of vacancies at corner-sharing octahedral sites generates a 0D “dimer” structure. This work highlights the flexibility for structural variations based on particular configurations of vacancy ordering in B-site-deficient halide perovskites.</p
(NiZnMg)MoN with optimized d-band center enables industrial-level hydrogen production
Get PDFDeveloping efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant elements is critical for advancing sustainable energy technologies. However, existing catalysts suffer from suboptimal Gibbs free energy for hydrogen adsorption (ΔGH*), resulting in significantly lower catalytic performance compared to platinum-based catalysts. In this study, a novel electronegativity modulation strategy was applied to enhance catalytic activity. Inspired by the d-band center (Ed) theory, Zn and Mg were introduced into the catalyst system to regulate the electronic structure. The electronegativity difference induced strong local electronic interactions, which effectively tuned the d-band center of Ni active sites and optimized ΔGH*. As a result, the (NiZnMg)MoN catalyst exhibited outstanding HER performance with an overpotential of only 138 mV at 300 mA cm−2, surpassing commercial Pt/C catalysts. This study provides valuable insights into designing efficient doped electrocatalysts based on d-band tuning and electronegativity engineering. The findings offer a promising strategy to overcome performance limitations in HER electrocatalysis and accelerate the practical application of alkaline hydrogen production in sustainable energy systems. (Figure presented.)</p
EDA photochemistry using continuous flow
Get PDFIn recent years, electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes have emerged as sustainable, cost-effective, and inherently safer alternatives to traditional transition metal-based photocatalysts in photochemical processes. Formed via the association of neutral electron-rich and electron-deficient species, EDAs offer an environmentally benign route to radical generation across a broad spectrum of reactions. Concurrently, flow chemistry has gained prominence as a burgeoning area of scientific inquiry, enhancing reaction control, safety, mixing efficiency, and, critically, light penetration. In this mini review, we highlight recent works that have explored the use of EDA photochemistry with flow methodologies, while assessing both the promising practical advantages and current limitations in bringing these two fields together
Nutrient‐induced changes in root respiration in 10 woody plant species
Get PDFNitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are soil macronutrients that influence ecosystem productivity through strong impacts on plant metabolism. The influence of nutrient supply on the relationships between leaf respiration rate (R) and leaf N concentration ([N]) has been widely investigated. By contrast, how root R responds to variations in nutrient availability and whether there remains a general response across a wide range of species is less well known.We conducted an experiment assessing the effects of N and P supply on root R in 10 woody plant species, with root R being determined by the in vivo rate of oxygen (O2) consumption. Maximum R (Rmax) was also quantified by O2 uptake in the presence of an exogenous substrate and a respiratory uncoupler.Our results showed that high-N and high-P supply significantly stimulated mass-based root R in woody plants, with the effects of N supply significant only when P supply was high. The promoting effect of high-P treatment remained consistent despite N supply. Root R-[N] bivariate relationships were altered by nutrient availability across all species, with higher root R at a given root [N] under low- than high-N supply. Similarly, root R at a given P concentration ([P]) was higher under low- than high-P supply. Root Rmax was significantly higher than in vivo R for all nutrient treatments, showing that in vivo root R was limited by substrate supply and/or adenylates, with no significant difference in R/Rmax ratios among nutrient treatments.These results indicate that ecosystem models should consider different scaling relationships linking root R to root N or P concentrations for woody species when predicting the effects of nutrient availability on carbon cycle dynamics and climate–biosphere feedback
Amazonian trees functional adjustments to long term experimental drought are limited and species dependent
Get PDFWater availability influences the distribution and functioning of tropical forests, yet there is uncertainty about how species will respond to future drier conditions. The longest throughfall exclusion experiment (TFE) in tropical forest, eSecaFlor, which run for 22 years, showed long term soil water reduction resulted in a new eco-hydrological state with minimal drought stress due to reduced biomass, requiring the re-evaluation of species functional adjustments under this new state. In this study, we investigated whether Eastern Amazon tree species in the eSecaFlor TFE adjust their functional traits in response to long-term soil water deficit and whether these adjustments differ across species. We selected 9 species that occur in the control and TFE plots and we measured functional traits related to leaf water status (predawn and midday water potential), leaf and wood economics (specific leaf area and wood density) and xylem anatomical traits related to hydraulic efficiency (vessel diameter and number, and hydraulic specific conductivity). We found that species did not adjust most of their traits in response to the TFE. However, we found species-specific adjustments in predawn water potential and wood density, but those adjustments were not unidirectional, with some species increasing and others decreasing their trait values. Because of limited adjustments, there was no shift in tree functional space caused by the TFE. Our study highlights the need to further study what mechanisms controls species-dependent drought responses and how the Amazon forest species community may be affected given drought responses of species is not uniform
Golf coaches’ perceptions of the role and use of player errors in motor learning:An exploratory survey
Get PDFBackground: As coaching science has improved, there is increasing recognition that all aspects of a learner’s experience can be utilized beneficially when coaches make effective decisions about what should and should not be addressed. In this regard, learners’ mistakes are potentially confusing for applied sport practitioners, given their seemingly beneficial role in long-term learning, however, at the expense of short-term performance. Recent research has promoted a nuanced Professional Judgement and Decision Making (PJDM) approach towards addressing learners’ mistakes by employing a more applied perspective within practice environments. Specifically, research has encouraged coaches to consider the aims of practice design to meet different players’ needs based on skill status and contextual factors (e.g., developing or maintaining skills). Moving forward, these recommendations may be better operationalized with an understanding of current applied perspectives towards learners’ mistakes.Purpose: This study aimed to develop applied knowledge and make practically meaningful recommendations for coaches and coach educators on this topic by, a) exploring golf coaches’ perceptions of the role and use of player errors in learning, b) testing coaches’ perceptions when applied to two distinct player populations based on skill level, and c) assessing the perceived relevance and utility of the PJDM approach for coaching practice when applied to errors.Methods: Taking golf as an exemplar sport where coaches’ decision-making skills are applied across a range of player needs, an online survey was used to explore the beliefs, behaviors and interest in the role and use of player errors amongst 78 international professional golf coaches (Mage 44.4 years, SD = 13.1, Mexperience = 17.6 years, SD = 12.8). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (chi-squared, t-tests and MANOVA) statistics.Findings: Findings indicated that coaches recognized the potential benefits and limitations of errors, shown by a significant (p < .01) difference in chi-squared distribution for statements related to errors supporting long-term learning and short-term performance. Coaches were more likely to encourage errors when coaching experienced players than when coaching beginner players, indicated by the MANOVA result when comparing responses pertaining to the skill level of golfer (F = 24.21, p < .001). Coaches overall somewhat agreed that the PJDM approach was relevant and potentially valuable to their coaching, as shown by a significantly different chi-square distribution across all statements (p < .001). However, neither agreed nor disagreed that they would consider using errors differently in their coaching by using the PJDM approach. Notably, statistics revealed no significant difference in responses for any of the findings based on coaches’ level of experience.Discussion: This study revealed an interesting narrative regarding coaches’ understanding of errors within player development that carry both theoretical and applied implications. Specifically, while coaches were aware of the potentially beneficial and detrimental implications of errors on players long-term learning and did adjust their use depending on players’ skill level, there remains scope for a more structured and strategic implementation of errors as a pedagogic coaching tool. Accordingly, recommendations are made for coaches, coach educators and future research in this regard
Positive and Negative Retrograde Computed Tomographic Vaginography Studies Offer Similar Visibility of the Anatomy of the Lower Urogenital Tract in Female Dogs with Urogenital Signs:Comparison between positive and negative CT vaginography
No full textComputed tomography is commonly used to investigate pathologies of the lower urogenital tract in female dogs. Even though a positive contrast medium is commonly used, negative contrast has proven to be a valuable tool in the assessment of urinary pathologies. This study aims to compare the use of negative with positive retrograde CT vaginography in the assessment of the lower urogenital tract in female dogs. This retrospective method comparison study gathered 30 cases retrieved from the database of three referral hospitals and equally divided them into two groups: positive CT vaginography group and negative CT vaginography group. Criteria for inclusion were CT images of the entire urogenital tract before and after intravenous contrast agent injection, followed by retrograde vaginography. The degree of visibility of seven anatomical structures from the fossa clitoridis to the cervix was blindly scored from 0 (nonvisible) to 2 (well visible) by two board-certified radiologists. The agreement between the two readers was assessed using Cohen's kappa statistics. Positive and negative vaginographies were compared using Wilcoxon tests. The agreement between readers varied between structures. A significant difference in grading was observed for the cervix, which was better visualized with positive vaginography (p-value =.0006), and the ostium of the urethra, which was more conspicuous on negative vaginography (p-value =.02). Both techniques offer similar visualization on most of the structures analyzed. Negative retrograde computed tomographic vaginography is a valuable and alternative technique to positive CT vaginography to assess the lower urogenital tract in female dogs.</p
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