Collection Of Resources Research Articles

IIIVmrMLM Provides New Insights into the Genetic Basis of the Agronomic Trait Variation in Chickpea

Chickpea is a staple crop for many nations worldwide. Modeling genotype-by-environment interactions and assessing the genotype’s ability to contribute adaptive alleles are crucial for chickpea breeding. In this study, we evaluated 12 agronomically important traits of 159 accessions from the N.I. Vavilov All Russian Institute for Plant Genetic Resources collection. These included 145 landraces and 13 cultivars grown in different climatic conditions in Kuban (45°18′ N and 40°52′ E) in both 2016 and 2022, as well as in Astrakhan (46°06′ N and 48°04′ E) in 2022. Using the IIIVmrMLM model in multi-environmental mode, we identified 161 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) with stable genetic effects across different environments. Furthermore, we have observed 254 QTN-by-environment interactions with distinct environment-specific effects. Notably, five of these interactions manifested large effects, with R2 values exceeding 10%, while the highest R2 value for stable QTNs was 4.7%. Within the protein-coding genes and their 1 Kb flanking regions, we have discerned 22 QTNs and 45 QTN-by-environment interactions, most likely tagging the candidate causal genes. The landraces obtained from the N.I Vavilov All Russian Institute for Plant Genetic Resources collection exhibit numerous favorable alleles at quantitative trait nucleotide loci, showing stable effects in the Kuban and Astrakhan regions. Additionally, they possessed a significantly higher number of Kuban-specific favorable alleles of the QTN-by-environment interaction loci compared to the Astrakhan-specific ones. The environment-specific alleles found at the QTN-by-environment interaction loci have the potential to enhance chickpea adaptation to specific climatic conditions.

Assessment and phenotypic identification of millet germplasm (Setaria italica L.) in Liaoning, China.

This study evaluated millet germplasms in Liaoning Province to support the collection, preservation and innovation of millet germplasm resources. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2020, involved the selection of 105 millet germplasm resources from the Germplasm Bank of the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (LAAS), the observation and recording of 31 traits, and the application of multivariate analysis methods to assess phenotypic diversity. From the diversity analysis and correlation analysis, it was found that the tested traits had abundant diversity and complex correlations among them. Principal component analysis (PCA) comprehensively analyzed all quantitative traits and extracted seven principal components. Grey relational analysis (GRA) highlighted the varied contributions of different traits to yield. Through systematic cluster analysis (SCA), the resources were categorized into six groups at Euclidean distance of 17.09. K-mean cluster analysis determined the distribution interval and central value of each trait, then identified resources with desirable traits. The results revealed resources that possess characteristics such as upthrow seedling leaves, more tillers and branches, larger and well-formed ears, and lodging resistance prefer to higher grain yield. It was also discovered that the subear internode length (SIL) could be an indicator for maturity selection. Four specific resources, namely, Dungu No. 1, Xiao-li-xiang, Basen Shengu, and Yuhuanggu No. 1, were identified for further breeding and practical applications.

Diversity of ecotypes of five species of ryegrass from Northwestern Spain by phenotypic traits and microsatellites

BackgroundThe Agricultural Research Centre of Mabegondo (Xunta de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain) conserves one of the most important collections of phytogenetic resources of ecotypes and natural populations of grassland species from northwestern Spain, among them populations of ryegrass (Lolium spp.), one of the most cultivated forage grasses in the world. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diversity among commercial cultivars and natural ryegrass populations with phenotypic traits and molecular markers.ResultsEleven polymorphic microsatellites loci were used to analyze 58 ecotypes and 10 cultivars (680 DNA samples in total) differentiating 673 genotypes. Two main groups were detected by the Structure analysis, one related to Lolium perenne and a second to Lolium multiflorum. The first group showed two subgroups and the second three. The cluster of L. multiflorum showed two subgroups not related with the third cluster including commercial varieties, one from the Canary Islands (with Lolium rigidum included) and a second one from northwestern Spain, which presented specific agromorphological characteristics, such as lower FES (number of days from 1 January, when three heads per plant were flowering per plot), CRE (growth in flowering, in g of dry matter), and AIN (number of inflorescences per plant).ConclusionsThis is the first time that a large amount of data on ryegrass from the Iberian Peninsula has been analyzed, obtaining a clear genetic differentiation of the autochthonous varieties from the commercial varieties analyzed. In addition, the genetic structure found in the ecotypes was related to the phenotypic variation analyzed. Being of interest in the conservation of biodiversity and in obtaining better adapted varieties of ryegrasses, due to their specific phenotypic traits, such as a lower FES, CRE and AIN.

Linear Algebraic Nodal Analysis: An Applied Project for a First Course in Linear Algebra

Many students who enroll in a first course in linear algebra major in STEM disciplines other than mathematics. Teachers who serve such students may find it difficult to provide authentic problems from these broader areas that ignite students' interest in linear algebra. In this paper, we highlight an interdisciplinary learning activity that engages students in using linear systems of equations to model the behavior of practical electric circuits. This exercise fits nicely into standard introductory linear algebra curricula and is designed to excite students majoring in engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. We also include references to a collection of open-access resources to support instructors who want to use this material in project-based, flipped-learning, inquiry-oriented, or independent-study environments.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Approach to Assessing and Promoting Animal Welfare in Collaboration with Universities.

Good zoos have four aims-to conserve species, educate the public, engage in research, and provide recreation-all of which can only be achieved when underpinned by high animal welfare standards. In this paper, we share the approach that The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park take to animal welfare. We highlight the role that animal welfare research, in collaboration with universities, has had in enabling the zoo to take an evidence-based approach to welfare and to put findings into practice. We share the collaborative process through which we developed and piloted the current animal welfare assessment tools, how they were validated, and how they were tested for reliability as part of a long-term collaboration between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the University of Stirling: (1) the RZSS Welfare Assessment Tool, a 50-question animal welfare assessment adapted from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Toolkit; and (2) the Stirling Toolkit, a package of evidence-based resources for behavioural-data collection. Our aim is to facilitate standardised, evidence-based approaches to assessing animal welfare which, when finalised, can be used collaboratively across zoos.

Working deliberat(iv)ely with(in) wicked problems: The existential, epistemological and ethical nexus of imperfect knowledge

Our problem is to express intertwined existential, epistemological and ethical aspects of a scientific method for informing action under conditions of high stakes and urgency. Addressing situations where, taking Descartes at his word, “…the pressure of things to be done does not allow us to stop and make a meticulous check,” we set out a framework for multi-actor multi-criteria deliberative evaluation for building knowledge partnerships within wicked problems of action. With the metaphor of Borges' Library of Babel, we suggest a cataloguing process whose effect is to signal, or assign, the Qualities of a knowledge proposition along several axes of the context of their mobilisation. The protagonists in a controversy are actors de facto in a KQA deliberation process, contributors (willy-nilly) to a collective resource of putative knowledge claims, participants in Borges' eternally-unfinished Congress of the World. Finally, with urgency and high stakes is associated the passage - repeated, traumatic, ineluctable - through dilemmas. These passages, irreducible to rationalisation, are often painful and always transformative. Adopting a third Borges metaphor, The Garden of Forking Paths, we argue for a reflexivity accepting the ethical complexity of our status as vulnerable actors engaged hastily, in necessarily value-laden terms, in matters of life-and-death.

LIBRARIANS’ EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PROFICIENCY AS CORRELATES OF ELECTRONIC COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

The study examined librarians’ emotional intelligence and proficiency as correlate of electronic resources collection development (ERCD) in universities in North-central, Nigeria. The objectives considered were to: find out the relationship between librarians’ proficiency and ERCD in university libraries in North-central, Nigeria; and determine librarians’ emotional intelligence and ERCD in these university libraries. Correlational research design was used. The total population for study was 400 librarians. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to stratify the university into Federal, State and Private Universities. Questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS was used for the quantitative analysis and result were presented using frequency, mean, and standard deviation. The result of the study showed that proficiency skills in database, social media, online public access catalogue, e-document and e-book delivery, data management, storage of electronic resources, e-processing, and e-ordering by librarians has a relationship on electronic resources collection development in university libraries. The findings also revealed that librarians possessed self-awareness skills, self-regulatory skills, motivational skills, empathy skills, and social skills, and it has influenced the ERCD in the studied university libraries. The study concluded that addressing the identified deficiencies in proficiency, and emotional intelligence can lead to a more effective and efficient electronic resources collection development, thereby improving the overall academic and research experience for library users. Therefore, the study recommended that training that will boost the emotional intelligent of librarians by the management should be done regularly.

What medical students want from Mental Health Self-Help Resources: A focus group study

BackgroundMedical students frequently report higher levels of psychological distress than the general population, and emotional regulation skills learnt during their time of study underpin future psychological self-management. There have been few self-help mental health resources designed for this population, and it remains unclear what formats medical students prefer these resources to take on. Therefore, this study sought to understand what medical students want from self-help mental health resources. MethodsOtago Medical School students in their second, third, or Honors research years of study participated in focus groups where questions were posed to them about their preferences about format, perceived benefits, and interactions with self-help mental health resources. The data was recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to identify relevant themes. ResultsThirty-four participants took part in six focus groups which lasted an average of 34 min each. Themes emerged around format, usefulness, and engagement. Formats included passively used resources like podcasts, actively used like reflective journals and social group-based resources to strengthen communities. Useful resources included novel, targeted approaches that would assist with navigating specific struggles as opposed to previously taught academic content. Recommendations included advertising through trusted student bodies and providing short, gamified resources. ConclusionParticipants reported a strong preference for brief, visually appealing, and gamified resources. It is recommended that universities provide a diverse collection of these self-help mental health resources tailored specifically to at-risk student populations like medical students to increase their uptake and, in doing so, provide them with more effective mental health support.

First Report of Erwinia aphidicola Causing Bulb Rot of Onion in Chile.

During the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons (December to February), onion plants (Allium cepa L.) showing decay, leaf blight, chlorosis and water soak lesions were collected in Central Chile. Five symptomatic plants were sampled from 20 different onion fields. Brown rot of the external scales was observed in bulbs from two fields: one planted with the cv. Campero (20 ha; O'Higgins Region), and another with cv. Marenge (2 ha; Metropolitan Region). The disease incidence in these fields ranged from 2% to 5%. Isolations were carried out from symptomatic leaves and bulbs from these fields on King's B medium, resulting in small white colonies with smooth margin. Three isolates were selected, two from first field (QCJ3A & QCJ2B), and one from second field (EPB1). A preliminary identification based on 16S rRNA sequences was conducted. BLAST analyses of strains QCJ3A, QCJ2B and EPB1 (GenBank Accession No. PP345601 to PP345603) against the NCBI Database resulted in a match with strains (GenBank Accession No. ON255770.1 and ON255825.1) isolated from infected bulbs in Texas, USA identified as Erwinia spp. (Khanal et al. 2023), with 100% coverage and 100% identity (707 bp out of 707). To evaluate the pathogenicity of these three strains, onion bulbs were inoculated (Guajardo et al. 2023). Toothpicks previously immersed in a bacterial suspension at ~ 108 colony forming units (CFU)/mL were pricked at a 4 cm depth into the shoulders of onion bulbs bought from commercial store and incubated at room temperature. Bulbs inoculated with sterile water served as negative control. A known onion bulb rotting bacterial strain of Dickeya sp. was used as a positive control. At the end of the incubation period (20 days), bulbs were opened longitudinally across their inoculation site, showing that the external scales had a brown color. Negative control remained asymptomatic. Strains were re-isolated from damaged tissue and identified as Erwinia sp. This assay was repeated three times with the same results. For further identification, genomic DNA extraction was carried out using the Blood & Cell Culture DNA Kit (Qiagen), and genome sequencing was performed in the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The Whole Genome Shotgun project for strains QCJ3A, QCJ2B and EPB1 have been deposited at DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession JBANEI010000000, JBANEJ010000000 and JBANEK010000000. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 99.6% (EPB1), 98.2% (QCJ2B), and 99.6% (QCJ3A) and DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were 96.9% (EPB1), 83.7% (QCJ2B), and 97.1% (QCJ3A), when compared with the type strain Erwinia aphidicola JCM 21238 (GenBank accession No. GCF_014773485.1). The three strains were deposited in the Chilean Collection of Microbial Genetic Resources (CChRGM). Erwinia aphidicola has been previously described causing diseases in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and pea (Pisum sativum), in Spain (Santos et al. 2009) and in pepper (Capsicum annuum) in China (Luo et al. 2018). Its close relative E. persicina has been reported causing bulb rot in onion in Korea (Cho et al. 2019) and garlic in Europe (Galvez et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. aphidicola causing a bulb rot of onion in Chile. Although the distribution and prevalence of this bacterium in Chilean agroecosystems is not known, it can be a potential cause of losses in onions and other crops such as beans, peas, and peppers. Additional studies should be conducted to determine the host range of Chilean Erwinia aphidicola strains.

Deep learning in pulmonary nodule detection and segmentation: a systematic review.

The accurate detection and precise segmentation of lung nodules on computed tomography are key prerequisites for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of lung cancer. This study was designed to compare detection and segmentation methods for pulmonary nodules using deep-learning techniques to fill methodological gaps and biases in the existing literature. This study utilized a systematic review with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Library databases up to May 10, 2023. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 criteria was used to assess the risk of bias and was adjusted with the Checklist for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging. The study analyzed and extracted model performance, data sources, and task-focus information. After screening, we included nine studies meeting our inclusion criteria. These studies were published between 2019 and 2023 and predominantly used public datasets, with the Lung Image Database Consortium Image Collection and Image Database Resource Initiative and Lung Nodule Analysis 2016 being the most common. The studies focused on detection, segmentation, and other tasks, primarily utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks for model development. Performance evaluation covered multiple metrics, including sensitivity and the Dice coefficient. This study highlights the potential power of deep learning in lung nodule detection and segmentation. It underscores the importance of standardized data processing, code and data sharing, the value of external test datasets, and the need to balance model complexity and efficiency in future research. Deep learning demonstrates significant promise in autonomously detecting and segmenting pulmonary nodules. Future research should address methodological shortcomings and variability to enhance its clinical utility. Deep learning shows potential in the detection and segmentation of pulmonary nodules. There are methodological gaps and biases present in the existing literature. Factors such as external validation and transparency affect the clinical application.

Population genetic diversity and structure of Tephritis angustipennis and Campiglossa loewiana (Diptera: Tephritidae) based on COI DNA barcodes in the three-river source region, China.

Tephritis angustipennis (Diptera: Tephritidae)and Campiglossa loewiana (Diptera: Tephritidae) are phytophagous pests in China. Their damage has significantly impacted the collection and cultivation of germplasm resources of native Asteraceae plants. However, the genetic characteristics and structure of their population are unclear. This study focused on the highly damaging species of T. angustipennis and C. loewiana collected from the three-river source region (TRSR). We amplified the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene sequences of these pests collected from this area and compared them with COI sequences from GenBank. We also analyzed their genetic diversity and structure. In T. angustipennis, 5 haplotypes were identified from 5 geographic locations; the genetic differentiation between France population FRPY (from Nylandia, Uusimaa) and China populations GLJZ (from Dehe Longwa Village, Maqin County), GLDR (from Zhique Village, Dari County), and GLMQ (from Rijin Village, Maqin County) was the strongest. GLJZ exhibited strong genetic differentiation from GLDR and GLMQ, with relatively low gene flow. For C. loewiana, 11 haplotypes were identified from 5 geographic locations; the genetic differentiation between the Chinese population GLMQ-YY (from Yangyu Forest Farm, Maqin County) and Finnish population FDNL (from Nylandia, Uusimaa) was the strongest, with relatively low gene flow, possibly due to geographical barriers in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Only 1 haplotype was identified across GLDR, GLMQ, and GLBM. High gene flow between distant locations indicates that human activities or wind dispersal may facilitate the dispersal of fruit flies and across different geographic. Geostatistical analysis suggested a recent population expansion of these 2 species in TRSR. Our findings provide technical references for identifying pests in the TRSR region and theoretical support for managing resistance, monitoring pest occurrences, analyzing environmental adaptability, and formulating biological control strategies for Tephritidae pests on Asteraceae plants.

Driving remote team success through knowledge management practices in the Jordanian high-tech industry

This study aims to investigate the influence of remote work on team effectiveness in high-tech enterprises in Jordan, specifically focusing on knowledge management as a mediator. The study utilized a quantitative research design, with 254 participants actively participating in remote work settings across high-tech firms in Jordan. The sample was chosen based on the participants’ personal experiences with remote work arrangements, which provide valuable insights into the interplay between remote working conditions and team dynamics. The paper designed a structured questionnaire to elicit responses from employees about the variables under investigation. The survey data were analyzed using SmartPLS4 to validate the theoretical framework and research hypotheses. The results show a significant positive relationship between remote work and team effectiveness, as well as an improvement in knowledge management practices under telework conditions. Knowledge management practices refer to communicative activities regarding the systematic collection, organization, sharing, and application of knowledge resources. The importance of effective knowledge management practices is realized in remote settings, primarily through increased team efficiency and productivity. These results are statistically significant (p = 0.000), which stresses the importance of effective remote teamwork with regard to knowledge management.

Protecting EU Financial Interests in the Collection of Tax-Based Own Resources

Protecting EU Financial Interests in the Collection of Tax-Based Own Resources

A political ecology of shifting commons in the Pyrenees: Shepherds on the edge of production and amenity-based capitalism after the reintroduction of bears

The brown bear reintroduction program in the Pyrenees was launched in 1996, once their population was considered extinct in the central parts of the mountain range. The increasing number of livestock casualties caused by bear attacks forced the public administrations to adopt a package of protection measures, which included hiring mountain shepherds to tend the local farmers' flocks during the summer grazing season. Although these measures were deemed to restore age-old communal shepherding practices that had recently been abandoned by bringing together bears, livestock, and shepherds in the high mountain pastures, the bear program has produced an overlap of communal and state-driven territorialities. Drawing attention to the ambiguous position of mountain shepherds within a new pastoralism-conservation network, situated between local farmers and bear program's decision-makers, this article argues that the commons must be taken into consideration as it persists in current times, even within a high-modern territoriality unfolded under different forms of environmentality. The shepherds epitomize the hybridization of different territorialities, situated on the edge of the production-based economy developed by the local farmers and the amenity-based economy behind the bear reintroduction program. There is a shared, though differentiated capitalist view of natural resources. Using the main theories of power in political ecology and taking the variables of 'format, management, governance, and institution' to frame the commons as an enduring local collective farming resource, this article scrutinizes the collision between the two types of capitalism, usually misidentified as a rural-urban divide. It also shows the extent to which the shifting existence of the commons, crystallized through the ambiguous position of the shepherds, may provide us with a fruitful toolkit to better understanding human-wildlife conflicts based on the cleavage between farming and conservationist sectors.

Promiscuous potato: elucidating genetic identity and the complex genetic relationships of a cultivated potato germplasm collection.

A total of 3,860 accessions from the global in trust clonal potato germplasm collection w3ere genotyped with the Illumina Infinium SolCAP V2 12K potato SNP array to evaluate genetic diversity and population structure within the potato germplasm collection. Diploid, triploid, tetraploid, and pentaploid accessions were included representing the cultivated potato taxa. Heterozygosity ranged from 9.7% to 66.6% increasing with ploidy level with an average heterozygosity of 33.5%. Identity, relatedness, and ancestry were evaluated using hierarchal clustering and model-based Bayesian admixture analyses. Errors in genetic identity were revealed in a side-by-side comparison of in vitro clonal material with the original mother plants revealing mistakes putatively occurring during decades of processing and handling. A phylogeny was constructed to evaluate inter- and intraspecific relationships which together with a STRUCTURE analysis supported both commonly used treatments of potato taxonomy. Accessions generally clustered based on taxonomic and ploidy classifications with some exceptions but did not consistently cluster by geographic origin. STRUCTURE analysis identified putative hybrids and suggested six genetic clusters in the cultivated potato collection with extensive gene flow occurring among the potato populations, implying most populations readily shared alleles and that introgression is common in potato. Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigena (ADG) and S. curtilobum (CUR) displayed significant admixture. ADG likely has extensive admixture due to its broad geographic distribution. Solanum phureja (PHU), Solanum chaucha (CHA)/Solanum stenotomum subsp. stenotomum (STN), and Solanum tuberosum subsp. tuberosum (TBR) populations had less admixture from an accession/population perspective relative to the species evaluated. A core and mini core subset from the genebank material was also constructed. SNP genotyping was also carried out on 745 accessions from the Seed Savers potato collection which confirmed no genetic duplication between the two potato collections, suggesting that the collections hold very different genetic resources of potato. The Infinium SNP Potato Array is a powerful tool that can provide diversity assessments, fingerprint genebank accessions for quality management programs, use in research and breeding, and provide insights into the complex genetic structure and hybrid origin of the diversity present in potato genetic resource collections.

Transformation of the mechanism of tax regulation in order to improve the standard of living of the population

Tax regulation is a crucial factor in driving economic growth and societal cohesion by effectively balancing fiscal responsibilities and incentivizing behavior. The collection of financial resources through taxation serves the dual purpose of meeting fiscal needs and facilitating strategic goals in public financial management. In today’s context, establishing a strong connection between tax regulation and the improvement of living standards is essential. Enhancing the framework of tax regulation mechanisms can significantly impact socio-economic dynamics by ensuring taxation is adaptable to evolving circumstances. Fiscal authorities must prioritize improving the quality of tax administration and refining models for managing state tax risks. This article seeks to refine the mechanisms involved in shaping and implementing tax regulation with the aim of improving living standards. The study proposes that providing accessible and reliable information about tax policies and budget allocations can foster greater societal tax responsibility. Transparency in government spending helps alleviate concerns about the prudent use of taxpayer funds, ultimately influencing people’s livelihoods positively. Keywords: tax regulation, standard of living, tax regulation, tax policy, taxes, economic development, social stability.

Подходы к взаимодействию бизнеса в условиях кластерных объединений субъектов малого и среднего предпринимательства

The scaling of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their gradual transition from one category to another has become one of the key priorities in the development of state policy in recent times. This process necessitates the development of targeted practical measures to stimulate the potential consolidation of small and medium-sized enterprises into various types of structures, such as cluster associations. The author substantiates the necessity of integrating small and medium-sized businesses into industrial clusters in order to enhance the visibility of products produced by SMEs and to foster the establishment and development of socially oriented investment projects. The article proposes a number of practical measures aimed at elevating the development of cluster associations in the regions of the Russian Federation to a higher level of interaction among representatives of businesses of various scales. The convergence of SMEs within cluster associations represents a strategic imperative for driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and enhancing global competitiveness. By embracing collaborative frameworks, leveraging synergies, and harnessing collective resources, SMEs can unlock new pathways for sustainable development and contribute to the resilience and dynamism of regional economies.

Výuka geověd včera, dnes a zítra – reflexe učitelů a žáků

This article focuses on the historical development, current state, and future perspectives of geology education in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part of the article presents analysis of the evolution of the geology curriculum and its position within the Czech educational system. It highlights significant personalities and events in geological sciences and describes the changes in geology education since the 18th century to the present. The empirical part of the article employs qualitative research through focus group interviews to reflect on current approaches to geology education in lower secondary schools (ISCED 2). The respondents included ninth-grade students from primary schools, teacher education students at the Faculty of Science of Charles University, and science teachers. Based on their statements, SWOT analyses were created to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with geology education. Strengths include practical field exercises and field trips that provide students a direct contact with geological materials and demonstrate interdisciplinary connections between geology, chemistry, physics, and geography. Weaknesses involve low student interest, lack of teaching aids, and the complexity of integrating geology into other subjects. Threats include low teacher motivation and inadequate resources in school natural science collections, while opportunities lie in tandem teaching and collaboration with research and educational institutions. The article emphasizes the need to strengthen interdisciplinary connections, increase teacher support and motivation through further education, and improve school collection. Emphasis is also placed on popularizing geology to make it more attractive not only to students but also to the broader public. Overall, it is essential for geology education to respond to current challenges and trends, thus contributing to the formation of comprehensive scientific education that will inspire students to further study and interest in natural sciences.

User Preferences and Needs for Health Data Collection Using Research Electronic Data Capture: Survey Study.

Self-administered web-based questionnaires are widely used to collect health data from patients and clinical research participants. REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University) is a global, secure web application for building and managing electronic data capture. Unfortunately, stakeholder needs and preferences of electronic data collection via REDCap have rarely been studied. This study aims to survey REDCap researchers and administrators to assess their experience with REDCap, especially their perspectives on the advantages, challenges, and suggestions for the enhancement of REDCap as a data collection tool. We conducted a web-based survey with representatives of REDCap member organizations in the United States. The survey captured information on respondent demographics, quality of patient-reported data collected via REDCap, patient experience of data collection with REDCap, and open-ended questions focusing on the advantages, challenges, and suggestions to enhance REDCap's data collection experience. Descriptive and inferential analysis measures were used to analyze quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used to analyze open-ended responses focusing on the advantages, disadvantages, and enhancements in data collection experience. A total of 207 respondents completed the survey. Respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the data collected via REDCap are accurate (188/207, 90.8%), reliable (182/207, 87.9%), and complete (166/207, 80.2%). More than half of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that patients find REDCap easy to use (165/207, 79.7%), could successfully complete tasks without help (151/207, 72.9%), and could do so in a timely manner (163/207, 78.7%). Thematic analysis of open-ended responses yielded 8 major themes: survey development, user experience, survey distribution, survey results, training and support, technology, security, and platform features. The user experience category included more than half of the advantage codes (307/594, 51.7% of codes); meanwhile, respondents reported higher challenges in survey development (169/516, 32.8% of codes), also suggesting the highest enhancement suggestions for the category (162/439, 36.9% of codes). Respondents indicated that REDCap is a valued, low-cost, secure resource for clinical research data collection. REDCap's data collection experience was generally positive among clinical research and care staff members and patients. However, with the advancements in data collection technologies and the availability of modern, intuitive, and mobile-friendly data collection interfaces, there is a critical opportunity to enhance the REDCap experience to meet the needs of researchers and patients.

Comparison of Secondary Education Literature Textbooks Taught in Countries Members of the Organization of Turkic States

The Organisation of Turkic States is an international organisation in which Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are members and Hungary, the Turkic Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkmenistan are observers. Recently, serious studies have been carried out on these states, which have common aspects in religion, culture, literature, art, language and many other issues. One of the studies conducted in many disciplines is related to secondary school literature textbooks. It is essential to carry out these studies in order to create a common content and to identify similarities and differences. Based on this idea, we aimed to evaluate the literature textbooks taught at the secondary education level in the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States. However, taking into account the content of the article, we should first study; We deemed it appropriate to limit it to literature textbooks taught at secondary school level in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Although there have been previous studies on teaching literature at the secondary school level in the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States, we thought of creating a collective resource for researchers and contributing to Turkish literature studies by conducting a content analysis in our study, which deals with this issue with a holistic approach for the first time. The design and content of the textbooks form the basis of our study.