Fundamental Knowledge Research Articles

Introducing circularity in early architectural design education

PurposeWith around 40% of global waste attributed to the built environment sector, architects play a significant role in how resources are consumed, produced and wasted. UK architectural educators have made good progress to embed climate emergency issues in design curricula but the challenges of resource use and waste, and the opportunities afforded by circular economy design principles are less well-considered. The purpose of this paper is to provide new insights on how to introduce circular design principles to early-stage architectural design students within university curricula.Design/methodology/approachThe study described took an experimental approach to designing design project briefs across several interlinked studio design projects for 1st-year Architecture students. Structured as a case study, each section describes the project, learning objectives, teaching methods and project reflections informed by a qualitative assessment of student development, outputs and feedback gathered through a questionnaire and focus group.FindingsIntroducing circular design early is highly beneficial to the development of knowledge on sustainability issues, critical design thinking and creative solution generation. Examples of beneficial teaching approaches include building systems thinking, facilitating collaboration, supporting learning-through-making, using simple analogies and referencing best-practice examples.Originality/valueThis research builds on limited existing circular design literature for built environment fields and through practical insights fills a significant knowledge gap on ways to introduce a complex and dynamic topic such as the circular economy to early-stage architectural design students as they develop fundamental discipline-specific knowledge, skills and competences.

Reproductive ecology of fire corals in the northern Red Sea

AbstractScleractinian corals, the principal architects of coral reefs, face substantial threats from ongoing and anticipated climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. This underscores the significance of investigating alternative reef-building organisms and their contribution to reefs’ resilience. Among these alternatives, colonial hydrozoans of the genus Millepora, commonly called ‘fire corals’, play substantial roles in contributing to coral reef structure and functionality by depositing calcareous exoskeletons. Despite the ecological importance of fire corals, fundamental knowledge gaps remain regarding their biology and reproductive ecology. Here, we present a comprehensive study on the population dynamics, reproductive ecology, phenology, and sex ratio of the three Red Sea fire corals—Millepora dichotoma, M. exaesa, and M. platyphylla—in the Gulf of Aqaba and Eilat. The abundance of M. dichotoma and M. exaesa seems to have remained consistent over the last 50 years across two of the three depth zones surveyed, indicating their potential resistance or resilience. However, at the third depth surveyed, their abundance appears to have decreased. Our extensive in-situ monitoring of breeding events over six consecutive years has revealed a previously undetected relationship between Millepora species breeding events and the lunar cycle. Histological analyses indicated remarkably short reproductive cycles of only 2–3 weeks, recurring multiple times within a single season, in both M. dichotoma and M. exaesa, which is a unique reproductive aspect compared to other reef-building corals. These results highlight the high reproductive and resilience potential of Millepora species. Consequently, fire corals could assume a more substantial role as keystone species in changing environments and future reefs, emphasizing their importance in reef conservation and management.

Interfacial properties and mechanical performance of hybrid graphene/carbon fibre composites

The interaction zone between the matrix and the reinforcing component within carbon fibre (CF) composites plays a crucial role in influencing their performance characteristics, as extensively documented in scientific literature. Building on this fundamental knowledge, this research focuses to the investigation of the interface of fibrous composites and the effect of the incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) into the epoxy matrix. Through the utilization of laser Raman spectroscopy, a significant increase of over 60 % in interfacial strength with just a 2 % weight fraction of GNPs, as expressed by the enhanced shear-lag parameter observed in single fibre model composites, has been observed on model composites indicating a stronger interfacial interaction between the matrix and fibres. The effect of the incorporation of GNPs on CF-graphene interaction has been also investigated on a macroscopic level. Hybrid carbon fibre epoxy resin composite produced, by the introduction of GNPs into the polymer matrix. A series of mechanical tests were conducted, including extensive tensile testing of epoxy/graphene nanocomposite films, thorough examination of bending characteristics, and meticulous measurement of interlaminar shear strength for hybrid GNP/carbon fibre composites. These evaluations provided a clearer understanding of how the GNP integration affects the interface parameters that govern the mechanical behaviour of both the resin and carbon fibre composites.

Pore-scale flame oscillations and patterns of upstream combustion wave propagation in a one-layer porous burner

Upstream propagation of filtration combustion wave in a one-layer porous burner is studied experimentally using thermal imaging and high-speed filming. The burner is the one-layer packed bed of spheres modeling porous media and providing optical access to the flame. This design allowed us to study macroscopic propagation of the combustion wave as well as non-stationary flame behavior at the pore scale. Experimental results demonstrate that upstream propagating combustion wave forms non-uniform porous medium temperature distribution in transverse direction which consists of hot areas separated by low-temperature regions. Macroscopic flame propagation can be accompanied by oscillations of some flame fragments at the pore scale. The mechanism of these pulsations is identical to the flames with repetitive extinction and ignition in narrow channels with external heating. Experimental results suggest that large scale evolution of the thermal wave affects the non-stationary behavior of the flame fragments at the pore scale and vice versa. The interplay between pore-scale and macro-scale processes manifests itself in the multiple repetitions of some patterns of the combustion wave propagation. Two most typical and common patterns are described and discussed. These patterns are step-wise transition of the flame fragment into the upstream pore and transition through the series of flame oscillations with repetitive extinction and ignition. It is shown that highly simplified one-dimensional model describes flame propagation in externally heated variable cross-section channel with heat conducting walls is capable to describe main features of these two patterns. Parametric study allows to predict the effect of problem parameters on the regions of existing of one or another pattern of upstream flame propagation.Novelty and Significance StatementThis paper presents new experimental data on temperature characteristics of upstream propagating filtration combustion wave in a one-layer porous burner. For the first time the patterns of combustion wave propagation uniting macro-scale processes of the thermal wave propagation and oscillations of the flame fragments at the pore scale are described on the basis of experimental data and numerical modeling. Results obtained for the one-layer burner can apparently be generalized to the case of combustion in three-dimensional porous media and packed beds. These results are significant because extend fundamental knowledge on porous media combustion by information on pore- and macro- scale flame dynamics as well as on the interplay of these scales. Experimental results can also be useful for validation of pore-resolved numerical simulations actively developed in the last decade.

Facile photopatterning of perfusable microchannels in hydrogels for microphysiological systems.

Perfusable hydrogels have garnered substantial attention in recent years for the fabrication of microphysiological systems. However, current methodologies to fabricate microchannels in hydrogel platforms involve sophisticated equipment and techniques, which hinder progress of the field. In this protocol, we present a cost-effective, simple, versatile and ultrafast method to create perfusable microchannels of complex shapes in photopolymerizable hydrogels. Our method uses one-step UV photocross-linking and a photomask printed on inexpensive transparent films, to photopattern both synthetic (PEG-norbornene) and natural (hyaluronic acid-norbornene) hydrogels in just 0.8 s. Moreover, these perfusable hydrogels are fully integrated into a custom-made microfluidic device that allows continuous fluid perfusion when connected to an external pump system. This methodology can be easily reproduced by professionals with basic laboratory skills and a fundamental knowledge of polymers and materials science. In this protocol, we demonstrate the functionality of our photopatterned hydrogels by seeding human endothelial cells into the microchannels, culturing them under dynamic conditions for 7 d, and exposing them to inflammatory stimuli to elicit cellular responses. This highlights the versatility of our platform in fabricating microphysiological systems and different microenvironments. The fabrication of perfusable channels within the hydrogels, including the fabrication of the microfluidic devices, requires ~3 d. The development of the cell-seeded microphysiological system, including the stimulation of cells, takes ~7 d. In conclusion, our approach provides a straightforward and widely applicable solution to simplify and reduce the cost of biofabrication techniques for developing functional in vitro models using perfusable three-dimensional hydrogels.

Revealing the origin of dendritic deposition regulated solid electrolyte interphase enabled by cation receptor in Zn-ion batteries

Aqueous Zn-metal batteries open up promising prospects for large-scale energy storage due to the advantages of ample components, cost-effectiveness, and safety features. However, the notorious dendritic development and unavoidable hydrogen evolution reaction of Zn have grown to be one of the main barriers inhibiting its further commercialization. Despite substantial studies, the mechanism of nucleation and deposition of Zn2+ ions on zinc layer surfaces remains elusive. Here, inspired by additive, the SnCl2 additive is introduced to initiate the in-situ formation of the ZnS-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the Zn anode, which creates a protective “shielding effect” that hinders direct contact between water and the zinc surface, suppressing the random growth of Zn dendrites in the whole process. The mechanism of Zn nucleation was revealed by employing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, consecutive electron diffraction coupled with finite element method (FEM) simulations. Moreover, spontaneously formed 3D architecture consists of micorsized hemispherical Sn particles not only suppresses the Zn dendrite growth by reducing the local current density, but also enables the lateral growth of Zn crystals by increasing the average surface energy. Such an electrolyte enables a long cycle life of over 2000 h in the Zn||Zn cell. Importantly, the assembled Zn||MnVO full cells with SnCl2 electrolyte also delivers substantial capacity (171.1mA h g−1 at 1 A h g−1), presenting a promising application. These discoveries not only deepen the comprehension of fundamental scientific knowledge regarding the microscopic reaction mechanism of the Zn anode but also offer significant insights for optimizing performance.

Bridging Innovations of Phase Change Heat Transfer to Electrochemical Gas Evolution Reactions.

Bubbles play a ubiquitous role in electrochemical gas evolution reactions. However, a mechanistic understanding of how bubbles affect the energy efficiency of electrochemical processes remains limited to date, impeding effective approaches to further boost the performance of gas evolution systems. From a perspective of the analogy between heat and mass transfer, bubbles in electrochemical gas evolution reactions exhibit highly similar dynamic behaviors to them in the liquid-vapor phase change. Recent developments of liquid-vapor phase change systems have substantially advanced the fundamental knowledge of bubbles, leading to unprecedented enhancement of heat transfer performance. In this Review, we aim to elucidate a promising opportunity of understanding bubble dynamics in electrochemical gas evolution reactions through a lens of phase change heat transfer. We first provide a background about key parallels between electrochemical gas evolution reactions and phase change heat transfer. Then, we discuss bubble dynamics in gas evolution systems across multiple length scales, with an emphasis on exciting research problems inspired by new insights gained from liquid-vapor phase change systems. Lastly, we review advances in engineered surfaces for manipulating bubbles to enhance heat and mass transfer, providing an outlook on the design of high-performance gas evolving electrodes.

How substrate surface area and surface curvature determine kinetics and titanate formation during non-hydrothermal alkali treatment of titanium microspheres

Titanium surface nanostructuring using alkali treatment gains significant attention in a wide range of fields, such as biomaterials, (photo)catalysis, (metal/ion) sorption, CO2 capture, electrochromism and sodium-ion batteries. Even though the physicochemical properties and application potentials of the surface nanostructures are fairly well understood, there is still debate about their exact formation mechanism, limiting knowledge based structural control through altered synthesis conditions. Moreover, this knowledge is largely focused on hydrothermal synthesis conditions, whereas non-hydrothermal conditions might provide benefits towards industrial application. Also the impact of substrate properties, rather than chemical reaction conditions, on the nanostructure formation is only limitedly reported in literature. This work reveals new fundamental knowledge of non-hydrothermal alkali treatment of titanium, using microspheres by implementing, for the first time, in-situ hydrogen measurement during alkali treatment in combination with the ex-situ determination of the sodium and oxygen content in the recovered alkali treated samples, providing critical information on the role of dissolution apart from the precipitation process. The effect of surface area and surface curvature on the dissolution and precipitation process, and the resulting impact on the physicochemical properties of the obtained titanate layer is studied. This shows the much larger impact on dissolution in contrast to precipitation, knowledge that is lacking in literature, but important when implementing alkali surface nanostructuring on complex (e.g. 3D printed) substrates, and considering the prospective shift from lab-scale to industry. The Ti dissolution step was found to be mainly controlled by the total surface area, while the rate determining step was found to be the titanate precipitation, not influenced by either surface area or particle size.The changes in oxygen content in the samples after transformation of titanate into TiO2 provided a novel method for its quantification. The microspheres were analysed chemically (Raman), structurally (XRD) and morphologically (SEM, MIP), screening the effect of surface area, particle size and reaction time on the growth behaviour of the titanate layer. The porous layer structurally corresponds to Na2Ti2O4(OH)2 for all evaluated conditions, with pores in the range of 10–600 nm. Increasing surface area and particle size results in local and non-uniform titanate growth, while titanate nanowire and strut formation between the microspheres were enhanced by reduced microsphere size and prolonged reaction times.

Molecular kinetic modelling of non-equilibrium evaporative flows

Recent years have seen the emergence of new technologies that exploit nanoscale evaporation, ranging from nanoporous membranes for distillation to evaporative cooling in electronics. Despite the increasing depth of fundamental knowledge, there is still a lack of simulation tools capable of capturing the underlying non-equilibrium liquid–vapour phase changes that are critical to these and other such technologies. This work presents a molecular kinetic theory model capable of describing the entire flow field, i.e. the liquid and vapour phases and their interface, while striking a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. In particular, unlike previous kinetic models based on the isothermal assumption, the proposed model can capture the temperature variations that occur during the evaporation process, yet does not require the computational resources of more complicated mean-field kinetic approaches. We assess the present kinetic model in three test cases: liquid–vapour equilibrium, evaporation into near-vacuum condition, and evaporation into vapour. The results agree well with benchmark solutions, while reducing the simulation time by almost two orders of magnitude on average in the cases studied. The results therefore suggest that this work is a stepping stone towards the development of an accurate and efficient computational approach to optimising the next generation of nanotechnologies based on nanoscale evaporation.

Emerging Two-Dimensional Materials for Proton-Based Energy Storage.

The rapid diffusion kinetics and smallest ion radius make protons the ideal cations toward the ultimate energy storage technology combining the ultrafast charging capabilities of supercapacitors and the high energy densities of batteries. Despite the concept existing for centuries, the lack of satisfactory electrode materials hinders its practical development. Recently, the rapid advancement of the emerging two-dimensional (2D) materials, characterized by their ultrathin morphology, interlayer van der Waals gaps, and distinctive electrochemical properties, injects promises into future proton-based energy storage systems. In this perspective, we comprehensively summarize the current advances in proton-based energy storage based on 2D materials. We begin by providing an overview of proton-based energy storage systems, including proton batteries, pseudocapacitors and electrical double layer capacitors. We then elucidate the fundamental knowledge about proton transport characteristics, including in electrolytes, at electrolyte/electrode interfaces, and within electrode materials, particularly in 2D material systems. We comprehensively summarize specific cases of 2D materials as proton electrodes, detailing their design concepts, proton transport mechanism and electrochemical performance. Finally, we provide insights into the prospects of proton-based energy storage systems, emphasizing the importance of rational design of 2D electrode materials and matching electrolyte systems.

Analyzing the spatio-temporal pattern of urban growth and its influence on urban heat islands in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana

The rapid urbanization in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana has significantly transformed the land cover, resulting in the proliferation of impervious surfaces and a decline in vegetation. However, the influence of this urban growth on the development of urban heat islands (UHIs) in the metropolis remains understudied. This study aimed to fill this research gap by employing Landsat images to explore the influence of urban growth on urban heat islands in the metropolis from 1991 to 2023. The supervised random forest technique was utilized to map the land cover changes. Furthermore, the computed normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land surface temperature (LST), and urban thermal field variance index (UTFVI) were used to analyze the influence of urban expansion on UHIs. The findings revealed a 63.07 km2 increase in built-up areas and a 60.99 km2 decrease in vegetation cover during the study period. This dramatic land use change led to a 3.1°C rise in mean LST and a 19.38 km2 expansion of areas affected by the UHI effect. The UTFVI analysis further indicated a 33.63 km2 increase in the worst ecological zone due to the temperature rise. Statistical analysis between LST, NDVI, and NDBI revealed significant variability in explaining the intensity of LST and UHI in the metropolis over the study period. The study equips city authorities and planners with the fundamental knowledge needed to prepare a sustainable development plan that alleviates adverse effects of urban growth and elevated temperature-related issues. Also, the findings contribute to the global efforts in promoting more livable and climate-resilient urban environments.

Effects of firefighters’ protective gloves on physiological responses, psychological responses, and manual performance in a cold environment

This study aimed to investigate the effects of firefighters' protective gloves on physiological responses, psychological responses, and manual performance in a cold environment through human trials. Twelve participants wearing firefighter protective equipment were exposed to a 16 °C environment, while their hands were exposed to a small chamber of 0 °C with (FPG) and without (CON) firefighting protective gloves. During the trials, physiological responses (core temperature (Tc), the mean skin temperature (Tsk), and heart rate (HR)), psychological responses (thermal sensation vote (TSV) and pain sensation vote (PSV)), and manual performance (handgrip strength, manual dexterity, maximum finger flexion, and tactile sensitivity)) were obtained. The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) between FPG and CON regarding Tsk. Furthermore, pain sensation occurred when the mean skin temperature of the hand was between 15 °C and 20 °C. Gloves significantly (p < 0.05) reduced handgrip strength, manual dexterity, and tactile sensitivity in the cold exposure. This study provides fundamental knowledge for cold strain assessment and high-performance protective glove development with the potential to improve firefighters’ safety and health.

Results in Engineering Experimental investigation of drag loss and plate separation behavior of wet clutches under external forces

Understanding the drag loss behavior of wet clutches is crucial for the development of low-loss clutch systems. For non-horizontal installation positions and non-stationary applications, external forces caused by the inclination or vehicle dynamics act on the plates. It has yet to be investigated how external forces influence the plate separation process and distribution and, subsequently, the drag loss behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to fundamentally investigate wet clutches' drag loss and plate separation behavior under the effect of external forces. The investigations were conducted in three steps. First, fundamental knowledge of the plate separation and drag loss behavior was gained. The effects of relevant design and operating parameters on the drag loss behavior were determined then. Separation springs were finally tested to avoid the influence of external forces. The drag loss and plate separation behavior were investigated on a drag torque test rig based on different clutch systems. The external forces were applied by inclining the test rig. The plate separation behavior was determined through image-based measurement of the plate movements. It was found that the plates separate under external forces and that the drag torque curve shows characteristics similar to wet clutches operated without external forces applied. The utilization of the set total clearance depends on the inclination angle. Hence, increasing the set total clearance does not generally imply lower drag losses, but increasing the inclination angle leads to higher drag losses. It was confirmed that the drag loss behavior is not influenced by external forces when using spacing elements. The findings of this study extend the existing body of literature and may support the development process of brake and clutch systems.

Rare earth based photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide production☆

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a versatile compound with widespread applications in various industries. In addition, it has attracted interest as a potential energy carrier due to its high energy density and ability to release oxygen upon decomposition. The development of photocatalytic technology has enabled sustainable production of H2O2. Various structural materials, including organic molecules, polymers, and metal coordination compounds, have been synthesized for investigating photocatalytic H2O2 production. Rare earth materials, in particular, are of interest due to their adjustable porosity and controllable metal active sites, making them valuable for research in this field. These materials have excellent photoelectric properties, making them promise for the photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2. Despite limited reports on systematic reviews of photocatalytic H2O2 production using rare earth materials, this study introduces the principles and advancements in this area. It reviews different methods of photocatalytic synthesis of H2O2, focusing on rare earth elements. Through comprehensive analysis and systematic studies in the existing literature, a deeper understanding of enhanced photocatalytic performance has been achieved. This research not only contributes to advancing fundamental knowledge but also provides a solid foundation for practical applications.

The Impact of Group Psychological Counseling on Counseling Self-Efficacy: A Mixed-Methods Study

This study aims to examine the impact of group counseling practice conducted with undergraduate psychological counseling and guidance (PCG) students on their counseling self-efficacy levels. The study group consisted of 36 third-year students enrolled in the Group Counseling Principles and Techniques course in the spring semester of 2019 at the Department of PCG at Atatürk University. Since the course content was theoretical and students needed to have fundamental knowledge related to the course, it was taught theoretically for the first 7 weeks (until the midterm exam). After the midterm, group counseling practice was conducted with students divided into three groups for the remaining 7 weeks. The researcher led the sessions, and the students participated as group members. The Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scales was administered immediately before and one week after the practice. After the practice, students were also asked to fill out a semi-structured form to evaluate their group experiences. This study was designed using the explanatory sequential design, one of the mixed research methods. The quantitative aspect of the research was conducted as a single-group pretest-posttest design, one of the weak experimental designs. In analyzing the quantitative data, the Paired Samples t-Test was used for pretest-posttest comparisons. For the qualitative aspect, content analysis was performed on the forms filled out by the students. The study found that group counseling practice significantly increased the counseling self-efficacy of the counselor candidates, and the students’ qualitative responses supported this finding. Furthermore, students indicated that the practice contributed to their development in both professional skills and personal relationships. It is observed that individual counseling practices are generally emphasized in psychological counselor education. Considering the inadequacy of group counseling practices in counselor education and the lack of research addressing the contributions of these practices to the personal and professional development of psychological counselors, it is evaluated that the results of this research will contribute to the field.

MRNA Vaccination: An Outlook on Innate Sensing and Adaptive Immune Responses.

Vaccination has led to significant dismantling of infectious diseases worldwide. Since the dawn of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been increased popularity in the usage and study of the mRNA vaccine platform. Here, we highlight fundamental knowledge on mRNA vaccine pharmacology, followed by the immunity conferred by innate sensing and adaptive responses resulting from exposure to the mRNA vaccine construct and encapsulation materials. A better understanding of these immune mechanisms will shed light on further improvements in mRNA vaccine design, aiming to improve efficiency and optimize immune responses upon inoculation.

Current Trends in Biophysical Modeling of eDNA Dynamics for the Detection of Marine Species

ABSTRACTMarine pest introductions continue to occur and increase at accelerated rates, threatening the marine environment and blue economy. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a tool for determining the presence of both indigenous and nonindigenous species, via the detection of genetic material that is shed into the local environment. Although eDNA approaches have gained widespread adoption in the last decade, fundamental knowledge gaps remain around factors that can influence the probability of detection, and how to optimize eDNA sampling in aquatic environments. Here, we partition eDNA research into four major research themes: eDNA concentration (shedding and decay), transport (advection and mixing), sampling design strategies, and the modeling of these dynamics. We review current developments and challenges in each theme with a focus on field sampling strategies and the use of biophysical models for understanding the movement of modeling eDNA in complex aquatic environments. We then introduce three modeling case studies from a large embayment where we (1) quantify the spatial and temporal variability of eDNA dispersion, (2) use biophysical models to inform a field sampling strategy, and (3) demonstrate a backtracking modeling technique to identify upstream DNA sources to an existing sample (monitoring) site. We conclude by identifying specific recommendations to help improve future eDNA studies. This work highlights how biophysical models can be applied to improve early detection and informing response and management decisions.

ФИЗИКАЛЫК ПРОЦЕССТЕРДИ КОМПЬЮТЕРДИК МОДЕЛДӨӨ

The article studies the processes of using modern pedagogical technology of computer modeling of physical processes in teaching the subject of physics and presents its main results/ In the experiment, the skills of activating students' knowledge in the physics profile were implemented in computer science lessons with the help of modern pedagogical technologies. As research methods, it was proposed to use computer programs capable of accurately and clearly modeling physical processes and phenomena. The results obtained are the conditions for obtaining visual dynamic illustrations of physical phenomena in nature using computer programs of its simplified model. The scientific novelty of the results obtained allows us to explain to students and improve their fundamental knowledge through modeling physical processes. The practical significance of the results obtained is that with the help of computer simulation it is possible to explain physical phenomena and processes, i.e. ranging from the magnetic field in space to the structure of a single atom. Practical recommendations - development of didactic conditions for interdisciplinary communication of special disciplines in the formation of students' professional competence in the direction of physics and mathematics education.

Assessing the ChatGPT aptitude: A competent and effective Dermatology doctor?

BackgroundThe efficacy and adeptness of ChatGPT 3.5 and ChatGPT 4.0 in the precise diagnosis and management of conditions like atopic dermatitis and Autoimmune blistering skin diseases (AIBD) remain to be elucidated. So this study examined the accuracy and effectiveness of the ChatGPT responses related to understanding, therapies, and specific cases of these two conditions. MethodFirstly, the responses provided by ChatGPTs to a set of 50 questionnaires underwent evaluation by five distinct dermatologists, with complete adjudication of the third-party reviewer. The comparative analysis included the evaluative efficacy of both ChatGPT3.5 and ChatGPT4.0 against the diagnostic abilities exhibited by three distinct cohorts of qualified clinical professionals. And then, an examination was conducted to assess the diagnostic proficiency of ChatGPT3.5 and ChatGPT4.0 in the context of diagnosing specific instances of skin blistering autoimmune diseases. ResultsIn assessing the proficiency of ChatGPTs in generating responses related to fundamental knowledge about AD it is noteworthy that both versions of ChatGPTs, despite their lack of specialized training on medical databases, exhibited a commendable capacity to yield solutions that exhibited a substantial degree of concurrence with evidence-based medical information. Accordingly we observed that the performance of ChatGPT-4.0 beyond that of the ChatGPT-3.5. However, it it crucial to emphasize that ChatGPT-4.0 did not show the ability to offer answers surpassing those provided by associate senior, and senior medical professionals. In the assessment designed to determine the proficiency of ChatGPTs in recognizing particular type of AIBD, it is evident that both ChatGPT-4 and ChatGPT-3.5 demonstrated inadequacy in providing responses that are both precise and accurate for each individual occurrence of this skin condition. ConclusionBoth ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4.0 satisfactory for addressing fundamental inquiries related to atopic dermatitis, however they prove insufficient for diagnosing AIBD. The progress of ChatGPT in achieving utility within the professional medical domain remains a considerable journey ahead.

Horse Owners' Knowledge of Fundamental Care and their Perceptions on the Implementation of a Mandatory Certificate of Knowledge.

The aims of this study were to first determine the extent of owners' fundamental knowledge of equine care, second, gain their opinions on the implementation of a mandatory certificate of knowledge and third, to investigate the association of certification on horse owner knowledge. An online survey comprising 23 questions (18 closed, 5 open) was distributed worldwide via snowball sampling, and completed by 1847 horse owners who were all ≥18 years old from 17 different countries. Almost all (96%, n = 1781) completed surveys were usable. Just over half (52%) of participants held a current equine knowledge certification, and 59% believed a mandatory certificate of knowledge should be necessary to buy, own, or sell a horse. Horse owners with an equine certificate of knowledge were more likely to be in favor of a mandatory certificate (Pearson's Chi-squared = 50.79, df = 1, p < 0.0001). The mean correctly answered knowledge questions was 68%, indicating that approximately 1/3 of horse owners lacked fundamental horse care knowledge. Further examination indicated that participating horse owners showed the least understanding in the behavioral interactions domain (ANOVA F(4, 24) = 4.98, p < 0.01), specifically in relation to pain recognition and learning theory terminology. Arguably, this deficit in knowledge and likely correct application increases the risk of owners using misinformed or inappropriate techniques to manage horse behavior and training, predisposing the horse to experiencing a sub-optimal quality of life. Overall no significant difference was found between the total correct scores of horse owners with or without a certificate (ANOVA F(1, 56) = 0.78, p > 0.05); however, a series of Chi-squared tests revealed that for the more complex questions, horse owners with a certificate scored better than those without (all p < 0.05). Further work is needed to develop an evidence-based assessment framework if mandatory certification of horse owners is to become an effective tool for improving horse welfare and quality of life.