Diverse Group Research Articles

Elevational patterns of species richness and phylogenetic diversity in a Mediterranean island

Understanding the abiotic factors influencing biodiversity patterns on Earth is a crucial task for conservation scientists. At the regional level, meso-climate factors, primarily associated with elevational gradients, are of great importance. However, disentangling these factors can be challenging due to the influence of other variables, such as geological substrata. To address this issue and better understand elevational gradients, it is essential to study geologically homogeneous terrains, particularly in Mediterranean islands where such research is lacking. In this study, we investigated the distribution of plant species richness along the elevational gradient of the Limbara massif, which consists predominantly of granite rocks and ranks as the third-highest peak in Sardinia at 1,359 meters a.s.l. We employed generalized linear models to analyze richness patterns, considering various factors, including all plant species, functional species groups categorized by Raunkiær life forms, chorological groups of species, alien species and phylogenetic diversity. Our findings revealed a hump-shaped model of species richness along the elevational gradient, with lower elevations exhibiting the highest species richness. Additionally, endemic species richness increased with higher elevations, while alien species were predominantly found at lower elevations. These results indicate that the Limbara massif possesses a significant elevational gradient in species composition, likely reflecting a unique plant evolutionary history. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of published floras as valuable sources of biodiversity data for such studies.

Treatment Considerations to Overcome the Barriers Associated with Skin Cancer Targeting

: Skin cancer is a prevalent and diverse group of malignancies affecting the skin, with three primary types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Each subtype varies in terms of its histological origin, behavior, and potential for metastasis. Despite advances in treatment, skin cancer poses challenges due to biological barriers that hinder drug delivery, multidrug resistance mechanisms that limit treatment effectiveness, and the complex interplay of genetic alterations driving tumorigenesis. Current treatment strategies encompass a spectrum of approaches, including chemotherapies, immunotherapies, gene therapies, and innovative techniques such as photothermal therapy, iontophoretic therapy, electroporation therapy, microneedle array therapy, and nanotechnology- based treatments. The latter involves liposomes, niosomes, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, hydrogels, and gold nanoparticles, all tailored to enhance drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, herbal drug-based therapy harnesses the potential of natural compounds to target various aspects of skin cancer progression. This review provides an overview of skin cancer types, challenges in treatment, and an extensive exploration of current therapeutic strategies, highlighting the everevolving landscape of innovative approaches that promise to transform how skin cancer is managed.

The Prospects of Phytomedicines and Nanomedicines to Treat Leishmaniasis: A Comprehensive Review.

The global shift in lifestyle has prompted health agencies to redirect their focus from poverty-related diseases to the emergence of lifestyle diseases prevalent in privileged regions. As a result, these diseases have been labeled as "neglected diseases," receiving limited research attention, funding, and resources. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) encompass a diverse group of vector-borne protozoal diseases that are prevalent in tropical areas worldwide. Among these NTDs is leishmaniasis, a disease that affects populations globally and manifests as skin abnormalities, internal organ involvement, and mucous-related abnormalities. Due to the lack of effective and safe medicines and vaccines, it is crucial to explore alternative resources. Phytomedicine, which comprises therapeutic herbal constituents with anti-leishmanial properties, holds promise but is limited by its poor physicochemical properties. The emerging field of nanomedicine has shown remarkable potential in revitalizing the anti-leishmanial efficacy of these phytoconstituents. In this investigation, we aim to highlight and discuss key plant constituents in combination with nanotechnology that have been explored in the fight against leishmaniasis.

Biodiversity associated with a coralligenous build-up off Sicily (Ionian Sea)

Coralligenous is one of the most important habitats of the Mediterranean Sea hosting a very high biodiversity that, however, has not been fully investigated yet. The paper addressed the study of the biodiversity of a coralligenous bioconstruction collected at a depth of 36.7 m off Marzamemi (SE Sicily, Ionian Sea). The species diversity, composition and structure of the main associated taxonomic groups were investigated in order to identify possible differences between the communities of the hard framework (mainly built by calcified corallinales) and the canopy cover. The examined build-up showed significant species diversity for almost all groups. Bryozoans were the most diversified group and, together with foraminifers, also the most abundant both on the canopy and the frame. Further groups showed high species diversity (except for serpulids) and total abundance (except for molluscs) on the canopy rather than on the frame. Due to their different nature and microenvironmental parameters, the canopy and the frame hosted different communities. Besides juvenile specimens, the canopy mostly hosted unmineralized and weakly mineralized, small-sized, short-lived species well adapted to living on ephemeral and flexible substrates. On the contrary, the rigid and persistent frame mostly hosted highly mineralized, large, long-lived species, which usually contributed to the building and strengthening of the bioconstruction. Unlike mapping and monitoring, a thorough description of coralligenous biodiversity requires accurate naked eye and microscopical analysis assisted by SEM investigation due to the small size and cryptic behaviour of several species.

A new crossognathiform fish (Teleostei: †Crossognathiformes) from San José de Gracia quarry reveals a great diversity in the Cretaceous outcrops of Mexico

We describe a new species, †Buapichthys gracilis gen. et sp. nov., based on two specimens from the Turonian deposits of the San José de Gracia quarry, Molcaxac, Puebla, central Mexico. Osteological features show this new species belongs to the order †Crossognathiformes, nesting within the suborder †Pachyrhizodontoidae. The combination of features, such as a slender body, the head with cephalic spines, three hypertrophied postcleithra, the pelvic fin posterior to the dorsal fin, the first and last dorsal pterygiophores modified into scutes, and the dorsal fin bony projections shows that †Buapichthys gracilis gen. et sp. nov. is different from other crossognathiform. This new taxon represents an increase in the group's diversity, constituting the seventh species of the order †Crossognathiformes reported in Mexico. Evaluating the crossognathiform biodiversity over time indicates that the great crossognathiform diversification occurred during the Albian until the Turonian. The Mexican fossil record significantly contributes to this diversity, with about 18% of the species recognized for this period.

A Comparative Study of Different Unorganized Sectors’ Workers in India to Identify Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevalence through Empirical Survey and Deep Learning Methods

Background:: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a group of non-fatal injuries that can occur as a result of various repetitive workplace activities, mainly in unorganized sectors. Workers who engage in highly repetitive activities involving constant hand effort, localized mechanical pressure, and vibration are more prone to developing these disorders. Objective:: The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of MSDs among workers in various unorganized sectors in India who perform hand-intensive occupations. Method:: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 340 workers from diverse groups such as sugarcane farmers, footwear industry workers, and tarpaulin weavers, to accomplish this goal. Data for the survey was collected using a questionnaire. Additionally, a comprehensive time study and a deep learning-based posture detection study were conducted on the different activities performed during the workers' occupational tasks. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between discomfort and work repetitiveness. Result:: The data analysis revealed that the working activities (especially cutting/harvesting, rubber cutting, etc.) of unorganized sector workers were repetitive, with more than half of each activity’s work cycle involving a similar usage pattern. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the level of discomfort and work repetitiveness among workers in different sectors (sugarcane farmers: p < 0.01, footwear industry workers: p < 0.05, tarpaulin weavers: p < 0.05). Consequently, it can be concluded that prolonged occupational activities involving repetitive and prolonged standing may contribute to the occurrence of MSDs. Conclusion:: Ergonomic interventions/modifications in the form of patent work will be necessary to prevent these issues in the near future.

Foraging Activity and Preference of Pollen Sources by Stingless Bee, Heterotrigona itama in Tropical Lowland Forest of Terengganu

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) are a highly diversified group of eusocial corbiculate bees distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. However, studies on the relation of stingless bee activeness with environmental parameters and pollen source preference are very limited particularly from the lowland forest of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to determine the relationship between stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama foraging activity with environmental factors (temperature, humidity, and light intensity) and preference of floral sources in a meliponiary of Marang, Terengganu. The foraging activities of five healthy colonies of H. itama were observed from 0700 to 1700 hours on hot sunny days for eight months of study period (August 2020 – September 2021). The foraging activity was enumerated using camera recording for 10 minutes at one-hour intervals (0700-1700 hours). In this study, the peak time for H. itama to go forage was observed at 0900 until 1100 hours in the early morning and declined rapidly from 1100 until 1700 hours. October 2020 recorded the highest activeness of stingless bees, followed by August 2021 and September 2021. There was a significant difference in the interaction of stingless bee activeness between time and months [F67,424 = 3.498, p<0.05]. However, temperature, humidity and light intensity did not significantly influence the activeness of stingless bees. Acacia mangium was the most frequent pollen grain collected by H. itama, followed by Melastoma malabathricum and other pollen types were considered minor pollen types (<15%). Findings from this study can help beekeepers to understand the foraging behaviour of stingless bee colonies and the preference of the available pollen resources for sustainable meliponiculture management practice.

Does Gender and Ethnic Diversity among Audit Partners Impact Office-Level Outcomes?

SUMMARY Accounting firms have invested significant resources in diversity initiatives related to recruiting, retention, and promotion. Audit regulators suggest these efforts can have positive repercussions on audit quality. This article summarizes the key findings by Condie, Lisic, Seidel, Truelson, and Zimmerman (2023) (CLSTZ) regarding the influence of a more diverse group of audit partners within an audit office on office-level outcomes. Specifically, CLSTZ examines whether gender and ethnic diversity among audit partners within an office influences audit personnel retention and audit quality. CLSTZ finds that greater diversity (greater changes in diversity) among an office's audit partners is associated with less (reduced) turnover among the audit professionals in that office and higher (increased) audit quality. These findings provide empirical evidence regarding the influence of a more diverse group of office audit partners on office-level outcomes and have important implications for accounting firms. JEL Classifications: M41; M42.

A Literature Review Focusing on the Antiviral Activity of [1,2,4] and [1,2,3]-triazoles.

Out of a variety of heterocycles, triazole scaffolds have been shown to play a significant part in a wide array of biological functions. Many drug compounds containing a triazole moiety with important antimicrobial, anticancer and antidepressant properties have been commercialized. In addition, the triazole scaffold exhibits remarkable antiviral activity either incorporated into nucleoside analogs or non-nucleosides. Many synthetic techniques have been produced by scientists around the world as a result of their wide-ranging biological function. In this review, we have tried to summarize new synthetic methods produced by diverse research groups as well as provide a comprehensive description of the function of [1,2,4] and [1,2,3]-triazole derivatives as antiviral agents. Antiviral triazole compounds have been shown to target a wide variety of molecular proteins. In addition, several strains of viruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus, SARS virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, influenza virus, Hantavirus, and herpes virus, were discovered to be susceptible to triazole derivatives. This review article covered the reports for antiviral activity of both 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazole moieties up to 2022.

Vaccine a promising immunotherapy option for head and neck cancer patients.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a diversified group of tumors arising from the upper aerodigestive tract, encompassing the oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx. Globally, this particular cancer ranks sixth in prevalence, resulting in an annual mortality rate above 325,000 individuals. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the primary therapeutic options for HNC, which are frequently used in combination. Despite their extensive use, these treatments are typically unsuccessful and can significantly impair patient quality of life. Therapeutic vaccinations are administered to cancer patients instead of preventative immunizations administered to a healthy population. The efficacy of this modality has considerably transformed the application and success of cancer management by providing an additional and effective therapeutic option for patients. Cancer treatment has been revolutionized by introducing Immune Checkpoint receptors inhibitors (ICR), such as anti-CTLA4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1.3. ICR have also established immunity against self-generated cancerous cells. Cancer vaccines have shown extraordinary synergistic potential with checkpoint inhibitors to maximize tumor-specific CD8+ expansion and activity, which detects and destroys tumor cells. Personalized neoantigen vaccination therapies can potentially combat the heterogeneity of each patient's tumor. The findings of this review suggest that recent advances in cancer immunology and genetics imply that cancer vaccination can be a promising alternative treatment for head and neck cancer patients. This review conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify relevant studies on immunotherapy options for head and neck cancer patients. The search strategy was designed to capture a wide range of peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and grey literature from 2013 to 2023. The databases searched to ensure comprehensive coverage of the literature included PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar; to include grey literature and articles not indexed in traditional databases.

From recession to pandemic: Displacement among workers with disabilities from 2007 through 2021

BACKGROUND: With at least one-quarter of the U.S. adult population reporting one or more disabilities in 2020, people with disabilities represent a large and diverse group of individuals who often face significant barriers in the labor market, especially job displacement - involuntary job loss due to external factors. OBJECTIVE: We examine how rates of job displacement varied for people with different types of disabilities from 2007–2021, a period that includes the 2008 Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We use data from six waves of Current Population Study Displaced Worker Supplement (CPS DWS, N = 344,729) and a series of logistic regression models to examine differences in displacement by disability status and type. RESULTS: People with disabilities were approximately twice as likely as those without disabilities to experience job displacement, but more during times of economic turmoil. Although displacement disparities by disability status were decreasing from a high of 6.5 percentage points during the Great Recession, the pandemic increased the gap to 5.8 percentage points. CONCLUSION: Involuntary job loss among people with disabilities is exacerbated by exogenous shocks. We extend work on disability and displacement, incorporating the COVID-19 pandemic in our discussion of explanations of both labor market disadvantage and precarity.

Thiazolidinedione as a Promising Medicinal Scaffold for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

Thiazolidinediones, also known as glitazones, are considered as biologically active scaffold and a well-established class of anti-diabetic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thiazolidinediones act by reducing insulin resistance through elevated peripheral glucose disposal and glucose production. These molecules activate peroxisome proliferated activated receptor (PPARγ), one of the sub-types of PPARs, and a diverse group of its hybrid have also shown numerous therapeutic activities along with antidiabetic activity. The objective of this review was to collect and summarize the research related to the medicinal potential, structure-activity relationship and safety aspects of thiazolidinedione analogues designed and investigated in type 2 diabetes during the last two decades. The mentioned objective was achieved by collecting and reviewing the research manuscripts, review articles, and patents from PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, google scholar and journals related to the topic from different publishers like Wiley, Springer, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, Indian and International government patent sites etc. Results: The thiazolidinedione scaffold has been a focus of research in the design and synthesis of novel derivatives for the management of type 2 diabetes, specifically in the case of insulin resistance. The complications like fluid retention, idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, weight gain and congestive heart failure in the case of trosiglitazone, and pioglitazone have restricted their use. The newer analogues have been synthesized by different research groups to attain better efficacy and less side effects. Thus, the potential of thiazolidinediones in terms of their chemical evolution, action on nuclear receptors, aldose reductase and free fatty acid receptor 1 is well established. The newer TZD analogues with better safety profiles and tolerability will soon be available in the market for common use without further delay.

Effective Motion Self-Learning Genre Using 360° Virtual Reality Content on Mobile Device: A Study Based on Taichi Training Platform.

Online fitness training, with its affordability and flexibility, offers a convenient way for individuals to engage in regular workouts that promote physical and mental health. Yet, learning fitness motions in this way presents various challenges and may not always be as effective as in-person training. To address the practical demands of motion learning, we conducted a systematic survey and accordingly proposed a four-stage self-learning genre that integrates immersive virtual reality (VR) environments with motion skill learning theories, strategies, and expert experience. Herein, we merged progressive structures and multi-level visual cues to enhance instruction, and proposed a fine-grained motion analysis method to provide adaptive correction feedback during training. Utilizing a Taichi training platform with the genre embedded, we systematically validated the effectiveness of the genre, and examined the potential impact of VR content presentation form on motion learning among different age groups, as well as their preferences and focus on VR fitness training genre design. Results from the quantitative analysis, qualitative evaluation, and case study showed that the 360° video-based VR content brought more positive motion learning performance and user experiences than the fully-simulated VR used in many previous studies. The proposed genre demonstrated outstandingly performance, experience, and usability, with each stage and design playing an effective role. Moreover, we offer several design considerations for VR fitness systems targeting diverse age groups, providing beneficial insights for VR development in the sports and health-related fields.

The Rediscovery of a Relict Unlocks the First Global Phylogeny of Whip Spiders (Amblypygi).

Asymmetrical rates of cladogenesis and extinction abound in the tree of life, resulting in numerous minute clades that are dwarfed by larger sister groups. Such taxa are commonly regarded as phylogenetic relicts or "living fossils" when they exhibit an ancient first appearance in the fossil record and prolonged external morphological stasis, particularly in comparison to their more diversified sister groups. Due to their special status, various phylogenetic relicts tend to be well-studied and prioritized for conservation. A notable exception to this trend is found within Amblypygi ("whip spiders"), a visually striking order of functionally hexapodous arachnids that are notable for their antenniform first walking leg pair (the eponymous "whips"). Paleoamblypygi, the putative sister group to the remaining Amblypygi, is known from Late Carboniferous and Eocene deposits but is survived by a single living species, Paracharon caecusHansen (1921), that was last collected in 1899. Due to the absence of genomic sequence-grade tissue for this vital taxon, there is no global molecular phylogeny for Amblypygi to date, nor a fossil-calibrated estimation of divergences within the group. Here, we report a previously unknown species of Paleoamblypygi from a cave site in Colombia. Capitalizing upon this discovery, we generated the first molecular phylogeny of Amblypygi, integrating ultraconserved element sequencing with legacy Sanger datasets and including described extant genera. To quantify the impact of sampling Paleoamblypygi on divergence time estimation, we performed in silico experiments with pruning of Paracharon. We demonstrate that the omission of relicts has a significant impact on the accuracy of node dating approaches that outweighs the impact of excluding ingroup fossils, which bears upon the ancestral range reconstruction for the group. Our results underscore the imperative for biodiversity discovery efforts in elucidating the phylogenetic relationships of "dark taxa," and especially phylogenetic relicts in tropical and subtropical habitats. The lack of reciprocal monophyly for Charontidae and Charinidae leads us to subsume them into one family, Charontidae, new synonymy.

The relevance and accuracy of an AI algorithm-based descriptor on 23 facial attributes in a diverse female US population.

The response of AI in situations that mimic real life scenarios is poorly explored in populations of high diversity. To assess the accuracy and validate the relevance of an automated, algorithm-based analysis geared toward facial attributes devoted to the adornment routines of women. In a cross-sectional study, two diversified groups presenting similar distributions such as age, ancestry, skin phototype, and geographical location was created from the selfie images of 1041 female in a US population. 521 images were analyzed as part of a new training dataset aimed to improve the original algorithm and 520 were aimed to validate the performance of the AI. From a total 23 facial attributes (16 continuous and 7 categorical), all images were analyzed by 24 make-up experts and by the automated descriptor tool. For all facial attributes, the new and the original automated tool both surpassed the grading of the experts on a diverse population of women. For the 16 continuous attributes, the gradings obtained by the new system strongly correlated with the assessment made by make-up experts (r ≥ 0.80; p<0.0001) and supported by a low error rate. For the seven categorical attributes, the overall accuracy of the AI-facial descriptor was improved via enrichment of the training dataset. However, some weaker performance in spotting specific facial attributes were noted. In conclusion, the AI-automatic facial descriptor tool was deemed accurate for analysis of facial attributes for diverse women although some skin complexion, eye color, and hair features required some further finetuning.

Study on endolichenic fungal assemblage in Parmotrema and Heterodermia lichens of Shivamoga, Karnataka.

Lichen is a symbiotic association of algae and fungi, recognized as a self-sustaining ecosystem that constitutes an indeterminant number of bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, and protozoa. We evaluated the endolichenic fungal assemblage given the dearth of knowledge on endolichenic fungi (ELFs), particularly from part of the Central Western Ghats, Karnataka, and conducted a phylogenetic analysis of xylariaceous fungi, the most diversified group of fungi using ITS and ITS+Tub2 gene set. Out of 17 lichen thalli collected from 5 ecoregions, 42 morphospecies recovered, belong to the class Sordariomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Leotiomycetes, Saccharomycetes. About 19 and 13 ELF genera have been reported from Parmotrema and Heterodermia thallus. Among the ecoregions EC2 showing highest species diversity (Parmotrema (1-D) = 0.9382, (H) = 2.865, Fisher-α = 8.429, Heterodermia (1-D) = 0.8038, H = 1.894, F-α = 4.57) followed the EC3 and EC1. Xylariales are the predominant colonizer reported from at least one thallus from four ecoregions. The morphotypes ELFX04, ELFX05, ELFX08 and ELFX13 show the highest BLAST similarity (> 99%) with Xylaria psidii, X. feejeensis, X. berteri and Hypoxylon fragiforme respectively. Species delimitation and phylogenetic position reveal the closest relation of Xylariaceous ELFs with plant endophytes. The observation highlights that the deciduous forest harness a high number of endolichenic fungi, a dominant portion of these fungi are non-sporulating and still exist as cryptic. Overall, 8 ELF species recognized based on phylogenetic analysis, including the two newly reported fungi ELFX03 and ELFX06 which are suspected to be new species based on the present evidence. The study proved, that the lichen being rich source to establish fungal diversity and finding new species. Successful amplification of most phylogenetic markers like RPB2, building of comprehensive taxonomic databases and application of multi-omics data are further needed to understand the complex nature of lichen-fungal symbiosis.

The iBelong Scale: Construction and validation of a measure of racial-ethnic-cultural belonging.

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of racial-ethnic-cultural (REC) belonging for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC). The iBelong Scale was designed to assess the multidimensional components of REC belonging across diverse BIPOC groups. The scale was constructed based on a grounded conceptual framework of REC belonging, and the initial pool of items received feedback from community members and content experts. Validation of the iBelong Scale comprised data from 808 BIPOC participants collected across three interrelated studies for the purposes of initial validation, construct validity, and test-retest reliability. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis yielded a 25-item scale with five factors: (a) Home, (b) Connection, (c) Authenticity, (d) REC Thriving, and (e) Self-Definition. Results from Study 2's confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five-factor model was an acceptable fit of the data and the best fit among competing models. Measurement invariance was assessed, and results indicated that the iBelong Scale measures REC belonging similarly across differing BIPOC groups. The iBelong Scale was related to a range of measures in theoretically expected ways, including positive associations with general belonging, racial/ethnic identity, and general well-being, and negative associations with loneliness and REC nonbelonging. Findings from Study 3 indicated the test-retest reliability of the iBelong Scale over a 2-week period. Limitations of the studies and implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Women and Members of Socially Diverse Groups in a Sport Management Program: Key Lessons From Creating and Leading a Student-Led Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Club

This manuscript shares insights on the process of creating and operating a student-led equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) club centered in a sport management program through five reflective stories (i.e., three students and two faculty members). Sport Helps Everyone Make Allies is a student-led EDI club created at one of the largest sport-management-specific degree programs in North America. Based on critical reflections from the five stories, we identify key lessons for the creation and management of student-led EDI clubs: (a) resisting the chilly climate, (b) EDI initiatives within hierarchal systems, (c) EDI initiatives and the challenges of performative allyship, (d) EDI initiatives as agents of change, and (e) the essential role of faculty. By sharing our insights and reflections, we hope to help future social-justice-focused student groups navigate the development of a student-led EDI club.

Neurological Care within the Indian Health Service.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are the Indigenous peoples of the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 9.7 million people self-identified as AI/AN (alone or in combination with other races), representing 2.9% of the total U.S. population. These people represent diverse groups of discrete Tribes, each with their language, culture, and geographic home. As part of the conquest and settlement of North America, some Indigenous peoples signed treaties with the U.S. government, surrendering their lands in return for various government commitments, including health care. The Indian Health Service (IHS) was born out of these agreements. The IHS is an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the U.S. Public Health Service. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.7 million AI/AN who belong to 574 federally recognized Tribes/nations in 37 states. The aim of this paper is to make recommendations regarding the initiation of sustainable neurology care in marginalized or underserved populations by reviewing 40 years of neurology care provision within the IHS. We will discuss (1) the IHS, (2) neurological care provided within the IHS, including midlevel provider extension of neurology care and traditional medical care, and (3) select neurological diagnoses within AI/AN populations. Marginalized populations, including those in the United States that are rural, remote, or low socioeconomic status, lack access to specialty neurology care. This includes many AI/AN. The IHS has developed novel solutions to promote specialty care, including neurology. Notably, initial IHS investments in full-time neurology providers have led to more robust neurology care, often receiving attention from university programs. This suggests that an initial investment in stable on-site full-time neurology services provides a path to potential sustainable care for marginalized populations.

Enhancing mathematics education through collaborative digital material design: Lessons from a national project

This article offers insights into a national-scale project aimed at developing and disseminating digital learning materials for mathematics education in Austrian lower secondary schools. The design-phase and context of the project outline the noteworthy aspect of this project, namely the close collaboration of a diverse group of experts, including technology-experienced educators, GeoGebra developers, proficient GeoGebra users, and researchers specializing in technology’s role in mathematics education. This approach reveals the various needs and perspectives of all stakeholders for the designing process. To meet these needs the project design is utilizing three different research-related ideas, the didactic tetrahedron, the instrumental approach, and the didactical functionalities provided by digital technologies. We will present the resulting and constantly readjusted workflow and how such collaborative efforts ensure the quality of materials from different perspectives, aligning with best practices in technology integration in mathematics education. The comparison of five carefully selected materials for different learning scenarios brings out various possible technology-added values that can be achieved through collaboration. Selected qualitative methods such as thematic analysis of learning diaries, evaluation of a qualitative questionnaire and analyzing notes from the project team leader during the ongoing project let us extract diverse lessons learned in form of opportunities and drawbacks (e.g., discussions with experts, missing knowledge about GeoGebra). This project exemplifies potential for collaborative material design to enhance mathematics education at a wide scale, offering valuable lessons for similar endeavors in field.