Correlated Research Articles

An Intraoperative Ultrasound Evaluation of Axillary Lymph Nodes: Cassandra Predictive Models in Patients with Breast Cancer—A Multicentric Study

Background and Objectives: Axillary lymph node (ALN) staging is crucial for the management of invasive breast cancer (BC). Although various radiological investigations are available, ultrasound (US) is the preferred tool for evaluating ALNs. Despite its immediacy, widespread use, and good predictive value, US is limited by intra- and inter-operator variability. This study aims to evaluate US and Elastosonography Shear Wave (SW-ES) parameters for ALN staging to develop a predictive model, named the Cassandra score (CS), to improve the interpretation of findings and standardize staging. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three women diagnosed with BC and treated at two Italian hospitals were enrolled in the study. A total of 529 lymph nodes were surgically removed, underwent intraoperative US examination, and were individually sent for a final histological analysis. The study aimed to establish a direct correlation between eight US-SWES features (margins, vascularity, roundness index (RI), loss of hilum fat, cortical thickness, shear-wave elastography hardness (SWEH), peripheral infiltration (PI), and hypoechoic appearance) and the histological outcome (benign vs. malignant). Results: Several statistical models were compared. PI was strongly correlated with malignant ALNs. An ROC analysis for Model A revealed an impressive AUC of 0.978 (S.E. = 0.007, p < 0.001), while in Model B, the cut-offs of SWEH and RI were modified to minimize the risk of false negatives (AUC of 0.973, S.E. = 0.009, p < 0.001). Model C used the same cut-offs as Model B, but excluded SWEH from the formula, to make the Cassandra model usable even if the US machine does not have SW-ES capability (AUC of 0.940, S.E. = 0.015, p < 0.001). A two-tiered model was finally set up, leveraging the strong predictive capabilities of SWEH and RI. In the first tier, only SWES and RI were evaluated: a positive result was predicted if both hardness and roundness were present (SWES > 137 kPa and RI < 1.55), and conversely, a negative result was predicted if both were absent (SWES < 137 kPa and RI > 1.55). In the second tier, if there was a mix of the results (SWES > 137 kPa and RI > 1.55 or SWES < 137 kPa and RI < 1.55), the algorithm in Model B was applied. The model demonstrated an overall prediction accuracy of 90.2% in the training set, 87.5% in the validation set, and 88.9% across the entire dataset. The NPV was notably high at 99.2% in the validation set. This model was named the Cassandra score (CS) and is proposed for the clinical management of BC patients. Conclusion: CS is a simple, non-invasive, fast, and reliable method that showed a PPV of 99.1% in the malignancy prediction of ALNs, potentially being also well suited for young sonographers.

Correlates of Socio Demographic Factors with Utilization of ICT Gadgets by Rural Students

Aims: This study investigates the utilization of ICT gadgets by rural students, focusing on usage patterns and their correlation with socio-demographic factors. As the demand and usage of ICT is increased, it is necessary to identify the ICT gadgets used by rural students and their extent of utilization so they may not be lag behind as urban population increasing the digital divide. Study Design: The research design was descriptive correlational research in nature. Research targeted two government senior secondary schools, one each from the villages of Niyana and Bhiwani Rohilla. A total of 100 students from grades 9 to 12 participated in the study who were willing and interested to participate. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in the Hisar district of Haryana state. The collection of data was done through the self-constructed questionnaire in the month of May, 2022 by the researcher itself. Duration of the study was 6 months. Methodology: Utilization was the usage of the ICT gadgets to reveal which types of ICT gadgets were being utilized by the respondents and which were not utilized. The developed questionnaire was used to discover the most utilized ICT gadgets by the respondents. For calculating, Level of Utilization of ICT gadgets, an excel sheet was made with the responses of the students given on the self-developed questionnaire on the usage of number of gadgets (0-15). For Comparison of School-I and School-II, Significance of the Difference was used. Correlation between Socio-Demographic profile of the respondents and utilization of ICT gadgets by School-I and School-II was also analyzed with P=.05. Results: It was revealed that all students in School-I utilized smartphones and televisions, with most displaying a medium level of usage. In contrast, students in School-II exhibited a lower level of ICT gadget utilization, despite similar access to smartphones and televisions. The t-score analysis revealed a significant difference in usage levels between the two schools. Smartphones were the most utilized devices for a variety of purposes, including academics, entertainment, and online transactions, while laptops were the least used gadgets. The study also found a positive correlation between education level and ICT gadget usage, suggesting that students with higher education engage more with ICT tools. A negative correlation was observed between distance from urban centers and ICT usage, indicating that students farther from cities face greater challenges in accessing technology. The results of the research will be beneficial for government and policymakers to formulate programs to enhance the utilization of ICT gadgets by rural students of India to overcome digital gap. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the influence of socio-demographic factors on ICT usage and highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance technology access and utilization in rural education.

Relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and preeclampsia components and metabolic parameters among overweight and obese pregnant women

Background: Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can be related to the occurrence of preeclampsia. Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and preeclampsia and its related risk factors among obese or overweight pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted on 83 pregnant women referring to comprehensive health service centers in Makoo city. Anthropometric indices and biochemical factors including vitamin D serum level, glycemic indices and lipid parameters were investigated in these women. In addition, the food intake of the participants was evaluated using an FFQ. Results: The results showed that there is a direct correlation between vitamin D serum level and dietary fat level (r=0.269, p=0.007) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) (r=0.478, p<0.0001). Also, there was an inverse correlation between serum vitamin D level and pre-pregnancy body mass index (r=-0.625, p<0.0001), systolic blood pressure (r=-0.592, p<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.592, p<0.0001), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (r=-0.511, p<0.0001), proteinuria (r=-0.422, p<0.0001), triglyceride (TG) ( r=-0.225, p=0.020), total cholesterol (TC) (r=-0.428, p<0.0001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (r=-0.602, p<0.0001). Conclusion: There is a direct relationship between dietary fat intake and serum vitamin D level. There is also a positive correlation between serum levels of this vitamin and serum HDL-C. On the other hand, there is an inverse relationship between the serum level of this vitamin and systolic blood pressure, degree of proteinuria, pre-pregnancy body mass index and FBS, TC and LDL-C.

Contribution to the Statistical Mechanics of Static Triplet Correlations and Structures in Fluids with Quantum Spinless Behavior

The current developments in the theory of quantum static triplet correlations and their associated structures (real r-space and Fourier k-space) in monatomic fluids are reviewed. The main framework utilized is Feynman’s path integral formalism (PI), and the issues addressed cover quantum diffraction effects and zero-spin bosonic exchange. The structures are associated with the external weak fields that reveal their nature, and due attention is paid to the underlying pair-level structures. Without the pair, level one cannot fully grasp the triplet extensions in the hierarchical ladder of structures, as both the pair and the triplet structures are essential ingredients in the triplet response functions. Three general classes of PI structures do arise: centroid, total continuous linear response, and instantaneous. Use of functional differentiation techniques is widely made, and, as a bonus, this leads to the identification of an exact extension of the “classical isomorphism” when the centroid structures are considered. In this connection, the direct correlation functions, as borrowed from classical statistical mechanics, play a key role (either exact or approximate) in the corresponding quantum applications. Additionally, as an auxiliary framework, the traditional closure schemes for triplets are also discussed, owing to their potential usefulness for rationalizing PI triplet results. To illustrate some basic concepts, new numerical calculations (path integral Monte Carlo PIMC and closures) are reported. They are focused on the purely diffraction regime and deal with supercritical helium-3 and the quantum hard-sphere fluid.

Organic matter accumulation encouraged K-strategy bacteria increase and metabolism variation in karst vegetation restoration

Vegetation restoration plays a critical role in terrestrial carbon sink increase, especially in subtropic Southwest China which has been the hotspot of vegetation restoration areas in recent decades. However, the variations in microbial community diversity resulting from this intervention remain unclear, and further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between microorganisms and soil nutrient elements. Soil samples were collected from three vegetation restoration stages in a karst rocky desertification (KRD) valley of Southwest China, which were named dry cropland (CL), 3–8 years grassland (WL), and afforestation land that recovered more than 20 years (AL), to investigate the soil nutrient and bacterial diversity variation during vegetation restoration course. The soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents are significantly higher in the afforestation land soil compared to the cropland and grassland soils, while the available nutrient contents decrease during the vegetation restoration course. The soil dominant bacteria genus shifts from R-strategy bacteria in cropland to K-strategy bacteria in afforestation land, and the relative abundances of R-strategy genera remain similar in the grassland and cropland soil. The dual-relative bacteria network evaluates from simple correlation net to very complex ones during the vegetation restoration, of which the core influenced factor alters from available nutrients to organic matter. The results of this study suggest that it will take a relatively longer period for the soil nutrient conditions and bacterial community to recover fully, although vegetation restoration could reduce the impacts of agricultural activities. This study refers to the ecological preservation and restoration strategies under the global climate change background, elucidating the nutrient metabolism variation induced by the accordance variation of organic matter accumulation and soil bacterial life strategy during the ecosystem restoration course.

Assessing nursing students’ e[formula omitted]health literacy and foresights to global health challenges during COVID[formula omitted]19 restrictions: A cross-sectional study with a machine learning approach

AimThis study aims to assess the e-health literacy and foresights to global health challenges of nursing students during the COVID19 restrictions. BackgroundAs the healthcare environment becomes more digitalized, understanding how nursing students perceive and prepare for global health challenges during the COVID19 restrictions and e-health literacy is crucial for customizing educational strategies to enhance their capabilities. DesignA descriptive and correlational study design was employed. MethodsThe study included 310 nursing students from six universities in Istanbul, Turkey, encompassing both state and foundation institutions. Data were collected via online surveys, including an Information Form, a Foresight Form for Global Health Challenges and an E−Health Literacy Scale. The study extended beyond conventional statistical analysis by incorporating a tree-based ML model, specifically a Random Forest classifier, to identify complex patterns and relationships affecting e−health literacy and global health perceptions. ResultsThe analysis indicated that e−health literacy levels among nursing students are significantly shaped by their academic year, participation in global health courses and engagement with international health organizations. ML techniques pinpointed the ability to discern high−quality online health resources as a pivotal skill, emphasizing the need for nursing curricula to focus on advanced critical evaluation skills. ConclusionsThe findings stress the necessity of integrating critical evaluation and information−seeking skills into nursing education to equip students for the complexities of a globalized health landscape.

Ultrasound treatment on commercial pea protein isolates systems: Effect on structure, rheology and gelling properties

Pea protein has attracted great attention due to its capability to meet the growing requirements from consumers for desired nutrition and texture from plant protein. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic treatment parameters (power and duration) on the gelling characteristics of commercial pea protein isolates (PPIc). The findings demonstrated that by manipulating the ultrasonic power and treatment duration, great enhancement of the solubility, adhesiveness and formation strength of PPIc gel can be realized. The reduction in particle size was positively correlated with higher power and longer treatment durations. Interestingly, no direct correlation between average particle size, solubility, turbidity, and ζ-potential was observed. Additionally, the ultrasound-modified PPIc in this study exhibited comparable characteristics to laboratory-prepared pea protein isolates, in terms of solubility, water-holding capacity, and gel strength. Overall, manipulating ultrasonic parameters presents a feasible method to customize the texture of pea-protein-based substitute.

Tensile properties of R512E coated Nb[sbnd]C103 manufactured using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF)

C103 is a niobium based refractory alloy commonly used in the aerospace industry. To protect the metal from high temperature, oxidizing environments, C103 is often coated with an environmental barrier coatings. A common coating for this material is known as R512E, a disilicide slurry applied and cured with heat. This paper aims to determine the effects on mechanical properties of common post processing techniques used on C103 produced via laser powder bed fusion. Tensile specimens were produced in both horizontal and vertical orientations, post processed via hot isostatic pressing, coated, and further heat treatment to simulate a typical operating environment for the coated material. Tensile tests were then conducted at room temperature and compared to ASTM B654 standards for wrought C103. Strength decreased after HIP and coating but remained unchanged after further heat treat. Grain growth was evident after HIP and coat applications which is in direct correlation with decreasing strength and increasing ductility.

Controlled Crystallization of Tb3+/Yb3+ Co-Doped Silica-Hafnia Glass-Ceramic films deposited by spin coating

A comprehensive understanding of the crystallization process of sol gel-derived glass-ceramics and glasses is crucial, being this process critical for the optical properties of these materials.In this study, we provide the X-ray Diffraction (XRD) investigation of Silica-Hafnia co-doped Tb3+/Yb3+ luminescent layers synthesized through the sol-gel route and deposited via spin coating technique as a function of temperature. Notably, the crystallization starts after a heat treatment of 1000 °C with an increase in the crystallinity and in the crystallite size by increasing the temperature. Furthermore, a direct correlation between temperature-induced turbidity and crystallite radius was observed, which makes the samples grown at 1000 °C as transparent as those grown at lower temperature, surpassing 80 % transmittance. The materials' remarkable degree of transparency designates them as exceptionally viable contenders for implementation as light concentrators in photonic applications.

Carbon isotope composition of biomass and water use efficiency in young plants of Jatropha curcas L. under irrigated or water deficit conditions

Jatropha curcas L. is a non-food crop quoted as a promising natural feedstock for biodiesel production in tropical and subtropical regions. Although an efficient mechanism of drought avoidance through stomatal control of transpiration has been demonstrated in this species, low carbon assimilation and growth rates preclude any advantage of such strategy under water limitation. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with the objective of investigating varietal differences in water use as the trade-off between carbon isotope composition (δ13C) in different tissues and water use efficiency, in young plants of J. curcas. The first experiment was a survey with seven provenances of J. curcas under non-limiting water availability. There were no significant differences among provenances for leaf gas exchange rates, growth and whole-plant transpiration (T). However, significant effects of provenance and tissue (stem bark or leaf) in δ13C were demonstrated. The provenances CNPAE183 and CNPAE222 were selected for the second experiment, as variations in water use traits and δ13C between the two provenances were observed. Soil water deficit, imposed for 18 days, led to significant physiological, biochemical, and morphological changes. An early and sharp response to water deficit in CNPAE183 as compared to CNPAE222 was observed, as indicated by a 44% higher rate of decrease of T in the former. In addition, water deficit led to increase of δ13C, which was more pronounced in CNPAE222 (13% in young leaves) when compared to CNPAE183 (11% in young leaves). In both provenances, δ13C was less negative in young as compared to mature tissues. Significant and direct correlations between stem bark and leaf δ13C and leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency were observed. Contrasting results, particularly on T and δ13C, suggest the existence of genetic diversity for water relations and metabolic traits linked to drought tolerance in J. curcas. Using stem bark or leaf δ13C measurements as the basis for large-scale screening of water-use efficient genotypes should be considered.

Enhancing Irrigation Management: Unsupervised Machine Learning coupled with Geophysical and Multispectral Data for Informed Decision-Making in Rice Production

Integrating diverse data sources for site-specific management zones (SSMZ) in precision agriculture is a complex task. Soil surveys using apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) have proven effective in capturing field variability. However, relying solely on one sensing data type may not fully capture the intricate relationship between soil properties and crop physiological processes. This research assessed the effectiveness of applying multivariate geostatistical analysis and unsupervised machine learning (UML) to geophysical and multispectral data through ECa, NDWI and NDVI indices, for delineating and validating the SSMZ at different crop cycles in five rice field of Tolima department-Colombia. Lee´s correlation was conducted between ECa, NDWI and NDVI data. MULTISPATI-PCA was used to assess the autocorrelation in the input variables before SSMZ delineation. The correlation results revealed two field categories based on the direct or indirect relationship between ECa and the multispectral data. On one hand, ECa values showed an inverse correlation (p<0.01) with multispectral data (-0.25 to -0.45) for fields 1a, 1b and 4a. On the other hand, there was a direct correlation (p<0.01) between ECa and multispectral data (0.31 to 0.51) for fields 2b and 5a. For all rice fields, MULTISPATI-PCA explained a range between 75.01 % to 95.64 % of the total variability. UML results highlighted two, three and four SSMZ, with two SSMZ being the optimal management zones number. The validation suggests that the θ data showed a significant statistical difference for two SSMZs (p < 0.05), regardless of the water content ranges. This study emphasized the importance of integrating geophysical and multispectral datasets in precision agriculture for evaluating field variability and crop conditions.

Validation of the APOBEC3A-mediated RNA Single Base Substitution Signature and Proposal of Novel APOBEC1, APOBEC3B, and APOBEC3G RNA Signatures

Mutational signature analysis gained significant attention for providing critical insights into the underlying mutational processes for various DNA single base substitution (SBS) signatures and their associations with different cancer types. Recently, RNA single base substitution (RNA-SBS) signatures were defined and described by decomposing RNA variants found in non-small cell lung cancer. Through statistical association, they attributed Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing Enzyme, Catalytic Polypeptide 3A (APOBEC3A) mutagenesis to the RNA-SBS2 signature. Here, we provide the first validation of an RNA-SBS mutational signature by decomposing novel exogenous and endogenous APOBEC3A RNA editing signatures into COSMICv3.4 RNA-SBS reference signatures. Additionally, we have identified novel RNA-SBS signatures for APOBEC1, APOBEC3B, and APOBEC3G.

Testing the strength of thin feather-edge monolithic multilayered zirconia crowns: A pilot study with a novel acoustic test

Intoduction: Limited research has explored the mechanical characteristics of recently introduced multilayered monolithic zirconia (MZC) crowns with feather-edge margins design. Moreover, most of the conventional techniques for evaluating the mechanical behavior of brittle dental ceramics rely on destructive tests, making it impossible to precisely evaluate real strength values due to premature crack initiation detection failure. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the load capacity of translucent multilayered monolithic zirconia crowns with feather-edge margin thicknesses of 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm. Additionally, the research introduced a novel non-destructive acoustic emission testing (AET) technique in the laboratory to identify early cracks in dental ceramics. Methods: Forty multilayered zirconia crowns produced using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology were evenly divided into two groups, each with distinct feather-edge margin thicknesses: 0.5 mm (group 1) and 0.4 mm (group 2). These crowns were securely cemented onto customized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dies using a universal restorative glass ionomer. Subsequently, the crowns underwent a compressive axial loading test, controlled by an innovative AET crack detection system rooted in the principles of non-destructive laboratory testing. Fractographic analysis was conducted to determine the location of crack or eventual fracture. Results: The proportion of MZCs with a crack was statistically higher than the proportion with a fracture in the whole sample (p&lt;0.001). In addition, the results showed that the crowns in group 1 exhibited higher loading values than those in group 2. The mean loading capacity in group was 911.2 N ± 614.7 N. Two locations of crack and fracture were registered: occlusal and marginal. No statistical association was observed between the two groups for the location of cracks or fractures. Conclusions: The feather-edge crowns with a 0.5 mm margin thickness had a higher loading capacity than those with a 0.4 mm. However, the latter supports loads that exceed occlusal force in the oral cavity suggesting that 0.4 mm feathered edge MZCs may be a valid and less invasive alternative to thicker margins. The novel load-to-fracture AET setup proved effective in detecting early crack initiation, suggesting it as a promising method for assessing the mechanical properties of brittle materials prior to failure, potentially impacting the field of dentistry. However more advanced research is needed to enhance the accuracy of the proposed technique. Clinical implications: The examined MZC demonstrates the ability to withstand occlusal forces in a patient’s mouth, offering clinical practitioners the option of embracing minimally invasive dentistry through the use of 0.4 mm feather-edge MZC in their treatment options. Furthermore, the positive results from the innovative acoustic emission testing technique, facilitating early crack detection, indicate a promising future for studying the behavior of brittle materials in dental laboratory testing.

Correlates of perceived stress with anxiety symptoms sleep quality and academic performance among Moroccan students

IntroductionThe main objective of this study was to verify the association of perceived stress with anxiety, sleep quality, and academic performance among Moroccan medical students. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 222 students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez in Morocco. An online self-administrated questionnaire, for the sociodemographic characteristics, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Test Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire were used for the assessment. A descriptive and correlational design was used in this investigation. ResultsOne hundred and thirty-two students completed the survey. A high level of stress was found. A significant positive correlation was observed between the stress level among our population and their levels of anxiety. Stress was also positively correlated with the decrease of students’ sleep quality and academic performance. ConclusionThe results of this investigation present worthy data that highlight the need for this subset of students to anti-stress programs that must be integrated into their curriculum to help them to better manage this psychological issue.

Trust and Organizational Commitment in a Postpandemic Environment.

This study aimed to evaluate nurses' trust in their leader and organizational commitment, examining the relationship between these factors postpandemic and investigating if age, tenure, and specialty area predicted trust and commitment. The nursing shortage was intensified by COVID-19. Nonnursing studies have explored the relationship of employee trust with organizational commitment, illustrating sparsity in nursing literature. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design. An electronic survey was sent to more than 1000 nurses, with a final sample size of 135 over 6 weeks. Results demonstrated high levels of both trust and commitment. The correlation coefficients of all study variables were significant (P < 0.001). Organizational tenure predicted employee trust. Developing leadership skills in building trust with the nursing team contributes to increased organizational commitment. Interventions such as leader development in establishing trust and building relationships with their team members may improve nurse retention and organizational commitment.

How air pollution influences the difference between overweight and obesity: a comprehensive analysis of direct and indirect correlations

How air pollution influences the difference between overweight and obesity: a comprehensive analysis of direct and indirect correlations

Human embryos with segmental aneuploidies display delayed early development: a multi-centre morphokinetic analysis.

ObjectivesTo assess if segmental aneuploid embryos display unique morphokinetic patterns DesignRetrospective multicentre study including a total of 7,027 embryos cultured between 2016 and 2021 in 3 European IVF centres. Analysis was performed on aggregated multicentre data and separately for data from each centre. Embryos with no more than 4 chromosomal alterations were considered in the analysis, resulting in 3,040 euploids, 2,818 whole-chromosome and 697 segmental aneuploids. Overall, the dataset contained 3,742 distinct euploid-segmental sibling pairs. SubjectsStandard morphokinetic features were annotated using various time-lapse systems. Blastocysts were subjected to comprehensive chromosomal screening via PGT-A. ExposureMorphokinetic patterns were compared among euploid, whole-chromosome aneuploid, and segmental aneuploid embryos. Main outcomes measuresMorphokinetic timings across groups were compared using statistical analysis and associations with cleavage features were assessed. Multi-centre and centre-specific multivariate logistic regression models were calibrated, and their predictive performance was evaluated on independent test set data using Area-Under-ROC curve metrics. ResultsSegmental aneuploid embryos cleaved significantly slower than their euploid siblings across the first three cell cycles, with a delay reaching the blastocyst stage of development. Specifically during these early cell cycles, segmental aneuploid embryos were also shown to be significantly slower than their aneuploid siblings . A logistic model based on morphokinetic data from the multicentre dataset and regressed against type of aneuploidy displayed modest predictive performance on an independent test set (train-AUROC=0.58; test-AUROC=0.57). Predictive performance improved based on data from a single centre displaying adequate predictive performance on an independent test set from the same centre (train-AUROC=0.74; test-AUROC=0.64). However, the predictive value diminished when tested on data from other centres (AUROC=0.52-0.55). Finally, the presence of multinucleation and blastomere exclusion at cleavage stage, were associated with segmental aneuploidies. The combination of morphokinetic features and these discrete embryo morphological features into the logistic regression model (train AUROC=0.71) provided an improved prediction of segmental aneuploidy, supporting future investigations using more comprehensive annotation systems. ConclusionThe developed predictive framework might help improve decision-making in PGT-A cycles, helping in the evaluation of embryos showing segmental aneuploidy and distinguishing which embryos are more likely to not have lethal uniform aneuploidies for transfer.

Effect of Institutional Resources on Student Academic Achievement in Kakamega County, Kenya

The school environment has a substantial impact on the quality of education. A well-resourced, supportive, and positive environment can result in enhanced student outcomes, both academically and personally. This study sought to investigate the effect of institutional resources on student academic achievement Kakamega County, Kenya. The research employed the production function theory. The study was conducted using a descriptive correlational research design. This study took place in Kakamega County, which has thirteen sub-counties. The study focused on 423 secondary schools, which included 2 national schools, 2 national special schools, 28 extra county schools, 45 county schools, and 346 sub county schools. The target population included 423 Principals, 5514 teachers, and 182,893 learners, for a total of 188,830 respondents in Kakamega County secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to choose special and national schools. The Yamane formula was used to determine a sample of 440 respondents. The study gathered data through interviews and questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in Bungoma County to test the instruments' validity and reliability. Cronbach's alpha was employed as a statistical tool to assess reliability. The study analyzed quantitative data using Regression analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. The results indicated that most of the institutions have resources that included classrooms, laboratories, libraries and others however they were not adequate. The results further revealed that most of the schools have adequate number of teachers while a sizeable were still struggling with fewer teachers. On the study’s hypothesis, H01 that states that there is no statistically significant effect of institutional resources on student academic achievement in Kakamega County, Kenya was rejected at p=0.003. The study concluded that there is a significant positive relationship between institutional resources and student academic achievement in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study thus recommends that the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to enhance funding for school infrastructure, learning materials, and teacher training to improve student achievement. Implement strategies to boost student achievement and optimize teacher-student ratios like recruiting more teachers and teacher interns to fill the gaps.

Modeling of the leader-follower satellite formation for long baseline

Abstract Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) represents a crucial component of synthetic aperture radar technologies, with the accuracy of measurements significantly improving as the baseline length increases. In comparison with the traditional Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire (HCW) equations, the application of curvilinear coordinate systems for modeling satellite formations in circular orbits has demonstrated enhanced precision, especially when the formations span larger distances. However, these improvements were initially limited to circular orbits. Addressing this limitation, this study introduces a novel approach by incorporating elliptical orbits into the model, thereby refining the state transition matrix through the incorporation of eccentricity factors and maintaining the direct correlation with the temporal dynamics of satellite motion in three dimensions. Through rigorous numerical simulations, it has been established that this refined model substantially improves accuracy in leader-follower satellite formations.

The moderating role of efficacious board leadership in high tech startups

Firms not only need to access and mobilize external resources, but they also need to deploy them in a useful manner. Board leadership may enable such services from outside directors embedded in the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the current study, we find that board interaction dynamics explain the lack of substantive relationships between outside directors and firm performance in past studies. Although we do not find a direct correlate from external directors on the effectiveness of venturing teams, we do find that efficacious board leadership interacting with external directors indeed impacts the performance of such teams.