134125 research outputs found
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Exploring Hong Kong Kindergarten Teachers' Use of Technology (GenAI) to Support the Needs of L1 and L2 Chinese Language Learners
No full textThis study examined how Hong Kong kindergarten teachers integrate digital and non-digital technologies to support literacy development in L1 and L2 Chinese-speaking children, including perceptions of GenAI. Data from 108 teachers across 15 bilingual kindergartens revealed they primarily conceptualize language needs through basic literacy skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (70.37% L1, 59.26% L2), with significant perception differences between L1 and L2 learners regarding social integration and classroom support needs. Teachers predominantly used non-digital technology (70.2% of time), though younger teachers integrated digital tools more than senior colleagues. Key challenges were time constraints for non-digital tools (41.60%) and technical issues for digital tools (50.00%). While 54.4% expressed positive attitudes toward AI-powered technology, their understanding remained largely surface-level, not pedagogically transformative. The findings highlight a disconnect between teachers’ conceptual understanding of young L1/L2 learners’ needs and their teaching practices. This underscores an urgent need for professional development that bridges theoretical knowledge of L1/L2 learning with effective integration of both traditional and digital (AI-powered) technologies for pedagogical affordances in early bilingual education.No Full Tex
Unraveling the distribution and stability of deep soil organic carbon after long-term conservation tillage practices
No full textThe dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in deep soil layers (below 20 cm) represent a critical uncertainty in assessing the carbon sequestration potential of conservation agriculture. This study unravels the response of SOC distribution and stability to 15 years of no-till with straw mulching (NT) versus conventional tillage (CT) in a boreal agroecosystem. Our findings indicate that NT notably enhanced active SOC fractions in deep soil (DS), with increases observed in microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 104 %, particulate organic carbon (POC) by 112 %, light fraction organic carbon (LFOC) by 42 %, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 22 %. More importantly, NT fundamentally altered the composition and stability of the deep SOC pool. It enhanced the stability of microbial necromass carbon (MNC) in DS by elevating the fungal-to-bacterial necromass carbon ratio. Additionally, plant-derived carbon (PDC) demonstrated increased stability in DS under NT, indicated by a 58 % reduction in (Ac/Al)s values, a 28 % decrease in (Ac/Al)v values, and an 84 % increase in V-type phenols. In the 20–100 cm layer, FNC and MBC emerged as key factors influencing SOC contents. Our findings suggest that long-term NT farming fundamentally transforms the distribution and stability of SOC in DS. It not only enriches labile carbon pools but also promotes a shift towards a more persistent carbon pool dominated by fungal necromass and physically protected plant-derived compounds in deep soil. This demonstrates that long-term NT fundamentally affects SOC fractions, origins and stability in DS, providing new insights into carbon biogeochemical cycling under long-term conservation tillage and highlighting its potential to enhance carbon sequestration beyond the topsoil in agricultural systems.No Full Tex
Linking nitrous oxide emissions and soil urease kinetics with uratolytic microbial communities: effects of nano zero-valent iron and dicyandiamide
No full textUrease, encoded by the ureC gene, catalyzes urea hydrolysis and influences soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) might have non-target effects on soil urease kinetics and ureC-harboring microbial communities, potentially reducing the soil N2O emissions. Nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) enhances nitrogen (N) fertilizer efficiency and also affect soil urease kinetics. A field study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of nZVI and DCD on soil N2O emissions, urease kinetics, ureC-harboring microbial communities and chemical properties. At the end of the experiment, nZVI reduced the half-saturation constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (Vmax) of the soil urease by 46.28% and 56.00%, respectively. The DCD increased the diversity of the soil ureC-harboring microbial community. Combined nZVI and DCD reduced soil N₂O emissions but negatively affected the diversity and stability of the ureC-harboring microbial community. Urease Vmax was positively correlated with the nodes (r = 0.82) and edges (r = 0.85) of the ureC-harboring microbial co-occurrence networks. This study indicated that the use of nZVI was associated with lower Km and Vmax of soil urease, which coincided with decreases in soil pH and carbon and N availabilities. Furthermore, the extra DCD presence might strengthen the effect of nZVI on N2O mitigation and the toxicity of nZVI to soil urease kinetics and ureC-harboring communities.No Full Tex
Differentiating the Determinants of Ever Having Used a Vape Versus Use Frequency: A Hurdle Modelling Approach
No full textBACKGROUND: The rising popularity of vaping among young people constitutes a significant public health concern, underscoring the need to identify factors that contribute to youth initiation and continued engagement in this potentially harmful behaviour. Investigation into the psychological mechanisms underlying vaping among young people remains relatively nascent and has, to date, seldom differentiated between the initial decision to try vaping (i.e., ever-use) and the regulation of sustained patterns of use (i.e., use frequency). METHOD: We surveyed 451 undergraduate students, collecting data on vaping use, attitudes toward vaping, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, harm perceptions, and behavioural automaticity. A hurdle modelling approach was used to examine two distinct processes: (1) the correlates of ever-use versus no vaping use, and (2) the frequency of use among individuals with prior vaping experience. RESULTS: Findings supported the application of hurdle modelling, revealing distinct correlates for ever-use and use frequency. Specifically, the former was associated with attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control, whereas the latter was associated solely with attitudes and behavioural automaticity. Notably, harm perceptions were not associated with either ever-use or the frequency of use. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that both ever-use of a vape and frequency of use are associated with beliefs of the outcomes and experiential experiences of the behaviour, rather than by cognitive evaluations of harm. Although conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional design, current results point to the possibility that the psychological determinants of initial experimentation with vaping may differ from those that sustain use frequency.Full Tex
Artificial intelligence–assisted drug discovery in 2025: Faster, but is it better? The robots are coming, look out!
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) has now transitioned from hype to clinical translation. Over the past 2 years, the field has delivered true milestones such as AI-designed therapeutics in phase II trials, mergers integrating phenomics with generative chemistry, and regulatory frameworks that define what trustworthy pharmacology means in practice.No Full Tex
Acinetobacter variabilis represents a diverse species with novel regions associated with antibiotic resistance and surface polysaccharides
No full textAcinetobacter variabilis is an opportunistic pathogen found in both clinical and environmental settings with the potential to harbour and disseminate clinically significant antibiotic resistance genes. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of NGHQLD-N1, an A. variabilis isolate recovered from a blood sample of a patient at Nambour General Hospital located on the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. The assembly was used as a reference to assess the diversity in available A. variabilis genome sequences and investigate the genomic context of surface polysaccharide biosynthesis genes and antibiotic resistance determinants in relation to the priority pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial diversity in the species, with a distinct NGH-QLD-N1 subclade containing multiple strains with important resistance determinants. We identified a novel transposon related to the Tn6022 family, designated Tn6929, that interrupted comM and identified multiple structural variants in A. variabilis genomes. Notably, some variants carried blaNDM and aphA6 in ISAba14-bounded regions, suggesting acquisition from diverse bacterial hosts. We also identified several integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) variants integrated into the chromosomal thyA gene, which differed in backbone structure and resistance gene content from our previously described A. baumannii ICE. The capsule and outer core loci for surface carbohydrate structures also had similar arrangements to those found in A. baumannii. This study provides a new understanding of the diversity of mobile genetic elements and ICEs carrying resistance genes, and surface polysaccharides associated with virulence, across the Acinetobacter genus.Full Tex
Needle-free injection of microparticle-laden suspension into soft hydrogel: jet penetration dynamics and particle dispersion patterns
No full textPolymeric microparticles have been widely used as carriers for encapsulating and delivering drugs into different regions under the skin, finding applications in management of skin diseases. Although needle-based injections have been extensively explored for microparticle delivery, they are associated with limitations such as pain, risk of infection, and formulation challenges. Alternative, patient-friendly transdermal delivery methods are therefore of significant interest. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using a needle-free injection system (Biojector® 2000) to deliver polystyrene microparticle suspensions into agarose hydrogel as a skin-mimicking substrate. We systematically investigated the effects of particle size, concentration, gel stiffness, and standoff distance on penetration dynamics and particle dispersion. We demonstrated that the injector successfully delivered particles up to 50 µm, with smaller particles producing denser dispersions, and higher particle concentrations (0.05% w/v) enhancing kinetic energy retention and full-penetration events. Gel stiffness had the most pronounced effect: stiffer gels slowed penetration, reduced initial jet tip velocity, and constrained particle trajectories, whereas softer gels allowed for faster penetration and wider dispersion. Variation in standoff distance had minimal impact on penetration or dispersion profiles. These findings can inform future efforts to optimise needle-free microparticle delivery in animal or human skin models, supporting the advancement of microparticle-based drug delivery toward clinical application.Full Tex
Investigating Atrocity Crimes: Between Advocacy and Justice
No full textCriminal justice investigators of atrocity crimes work in the same space as Non-Governmental Organisations. Even if having different objectives and mandates in crisis zones, numerous NGOs are also investigating or collecting evidence in the process of pursuing their other mandates, as was observed recently in Ukraine or Rohingya refugee camps. This can cause problems for the investigators of international crimes, and their work of collecting evidence on atrocity crimes in these contexts. This study is based on semi-structured interviews with sixteen experienced investigators from international and national justice institutions. Investigators raised this issue and discussed both benefits and problems of NGOs collecting evidence on atrocity crimes in conflict zones. A thematic analysis was conducted. In the results, investigators acknowledged positive effects of NGOs, such as their ability to quickly begin their operations, gather evidence and identify witnesses. Three problems and challenges of NGO involvement in the field were identified. First, NGO interviews do not always focus on establishing the facts and seeking accountability. Second, NGO involvement often meant that witnesses were interviewed multiple times, leading to inconsistencies in testimony and confusion. Third, NGO methods to interview witnesses can reduce the quality of evidence, for example by allocating insufficient time for thorough questioning, interviewing groups of witnesses simultaneously, or employing suggestive questioning techniques. Investigators described strategies for how they dealt with these problems, and recommended changes to the activities of NGOs. The findings underscore the need for improved collaboration between NGOs and justice institutions to safeguard the well-being of witnesses and the integrity of witness evidence on atrocity crimes.No Full Tex
Regulating ordered zinc deposition with trace salicylic acid derivatives for long-lived zinc metal anodes
No full textThe stability of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) is substantially compromised by anode interface side reactions and dendrite growth. These phenomena primarily stem from the non-uniform distribution of Zn2+ ions on the electrode surface as well as the detrimental effects of water. These phenomena primarily stem from the non-uniform distribution of Zn2+ ions on the electrode surface as well as the detrimental effects of water. Salicylic acid pentasulfonate (SC) was employed as an additive in 1 M ZnSO4 (ZSO) solution. Due to its high electronegativity, SC preferentially adsorbs on the Zn metal surface, disrupting the interfacial electric double layer structure. Therefore, the 3 mM SC + ZSO electrolyte enables the Zn//Zn symmetric cell to achieve a lifespan of ∼2900 h. Moreover, it endows the Zn//MnO2 full cell with excellent cycling stability, maintaining a stable capacity of 105 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work provides a feasible electrolyte modification strategy for enhancing the stability of AZIBs, laying a potential foundation for their further practical application.No Full Tex
High and stable nutrient homeostasis correlates with the invasion of Alternanthera philoxeroides
No full textCompared with other trait-based approaches, stoichiometric homeostasis (H) has enhanced capabilities for explaining the mechanism of plant invasive success, mainly due to its performance in quantifying plant competitive ability and quantitative characteristics. In view of that, we determined the leaf nitrogen homeostasis (HN), phosphorus homeostasis (HP) and potassium homeostasis (HK) of invasive alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb) along its latitudinal and longitudinal invaded ranges in China. The results highlighted that the leaf HN, HP and HK of the plant were higher than those shown in previous research and were not dependent on its dominance throughout its invaded stages. Leaf HK increased with latitude but not with longitude, although both HN and HP showed no significant differences along its latitudinal and longitudinal invaded ranges. These results suggested that the high and stable values of leaf HN, HP and HK of the plant made it super competitive for N, P and K nutrients throughout its invaded ranges. Moreover, the HK value of alligator weed increased with latitude rise but decreased with its invasion stages, which indicated that alligator weed could greatly resist biotic and environmental stressors, especially at the front edges of its invaded communities. As overall result, the high and stable leaf HN, HP and HK scores may promote the rapid expansion of the invasive plant in the investigated area of China. Accordingly, the here used H index could be a good potential tool for future studies dealing with “invasion ecology” due to the good performance in the current research.No Full Tex