Major Areas Research Articles

Interrogating “political masculinities”

This article interrogates the concept of “political masculinities” in terms of its usefulness as an analytical category. The article covers four major areas associated with the concept. First, some critical questions concerning the dichotomy between studying “men in politics” and “political masculinities” are offered. Second, concerns are raised regarding specific terms used in the current definition of political masculinities. Third, probing queries are presented on the conceptual utility of political masculinities as an analytical category. Finally, the article closes with a discussion of ex-US President Donald Trump, illustrating his distinct type of dominating masculinity and how this masculinity illuminates the substance and meaning of his “politics.”

Evaluation of microstructural brain changes in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with neurological symptoms: a cross-sectional study.

Changes in both the vascular system and brain tissues can occur after a prior episode of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), detectable through modifications in diffusion parameters using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. These changes in diffusion parameters may be particularly prominent in highly organized structures such as the corpus callosum (CC), including its major components, which have not been adequately studied following COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate microstructural changes in whole-brain (WB) diffusion, with a specific focus on the CC. A total of 101 probands (age range from 18 to 69 years) participated in this retrospective study, consisting of 55 volunteers and 46 post-COVID-19 patients experiencing neurological symptoms. The participants were recruited from April 2022 to September 2023 at the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in Prague, Czech Republic. All participants underwent MRI examinations on a 3T MR scanner with a diffusion protocol, complemented by additional MRI techniques. Two volunteers and five patients were excluded from the study due to motion artefacts, severe hypoperfusion or the presence of lesions. Participants were selected by a neurologist based on clinical examination and a serological test for COVID-19 antibodies. They were then divided into three groups: a control group of healthy volunteers (n=28), an asymptomatic group (n=25) with a history of infection but no symptoms, and a symptomatic group (n=41) with a history of COVID-19 and neurological symptoms. Symptomatic patients did not exhibit neurological symptoms before contracting COVID-19. Diffusion data underwent eddy current and susceptibility distortion corrections, and fiber tracking was performed using default parameters in DSI studio. Subsequently, various diffusion metrics, were computed within the reconstructed tracts of the WB and CC. To assess the impact of COVID-19 and its associated symptoms on diffusion indices within the white matter of the WB and CC regions, while considering age, we employed a statistical analysis using a linear mixed-effects model within the R framework. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in mean diffusivity (MD) between the symptomatic and control groups in the forceps minor (P=0.001) and CC body (P=0.003). In addition to changes in diffusion, alterations in brain perfusion were observed in two post-COVID-19 patients who experienced a severe course. Furthermore, hyperintense lesions were identified in subcortical and deep white matter areas in the vast majority of symptomatic patients. The main finding of our study was that post-COVID-19 patients exhibit increased MD in the forceps minor and body of the CC. This finding suggests a potential association between microstructural brain changes in post-COVID-19 patients and reported neurological symptoms, with significant implications for research and clinical applications.

The Northern Immigration Policy in a North-South Economy Model

Wooton (1985) considered the immigration into Findlay (1980)’s North-South model and examined how the north’s relaxation of immigration policy influences income in both regions. Based on Wooton (1985), this paper has performed the same analysis assuming there to be a complete capital mobility between the north and the south. The major findings are as follows: In the long-run, the relaxation of the north’s immigration policy does not affect the per capita income of both the northern labour and immigrant workers. When the north practises a discriminative redistribution policy against the immigrant workers, the per capita income in the north will increase because redistribution of income from the immigrant workers to the northern labour as a result of the policy relaxation is taking place.

Developmental Perspectives on Transitions at Age 60: Individuals Navigating Across the Lifespan (TRAILS) – latest data collection in a longitudinal JYLS study

At around age 60, people are approaching late adulthood and are typically going through or anticipating life transitions such as grandparenthood, retirement, or changes in health and functioning. The timing and perception of transitions are individual and based on current circumstances and earlier life history and may link to well-being. The TRAILS (Developmental Psychological Perspectives on Transitions at Age 60: Individuals Navigating Across the Lifespan) study, which is presented in the current article, examines the diversity and underlying factors of different transitions at around age 60 and how they associate with mental well-being. It also investigates whether these transitions link to personality characteristics, contextual resources, and/or societal challenges. The role of earlier life history in the studied associations requires a prospective multiwave design where the same participants are followed over time. Only a few longitudinal studies have examined the developmental pathways from childhood to the beginning of late adulthood. The TRAILS study continues the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS). The JYLS was initiated in 1968 and includes earlier data collected from ages 8 to 50. At age 61, in 2020–21, 206 of the JYLS participants (of the initial 369 children) took part in TRAILS. The data collection included a Life Situation Questionnaire, a psychological interview, self-report inventories, a health examination and physical activity surveillance covering major areas of adult life. TRAILS extends the JYLS study to over 52 years of follow-up time and provides unique opportunities for studying individual development throughout the lifespan.

Association between computed tomography-quantified respiratory muscles and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective study

BackgroundThis study examined the association between chest muscles and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the relationship between chest muscle areas and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).MethodsThere were 168 subjects in the non-COPD group and 101 patients in the COPD group. The respiratory and accessory respiratory muscle areas were obtained using 3D Slicer software to analysis the imaging of computed tomography (CT). Univariate and multivariate Poisson regressions were used to analyze the number of AECOPD cases during the preceding year. The cutoff value was obtained using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsWe scanned 6342 subjects records, 269 of which were included in this study. We then measured the following muscle areas (non-COPD group vs. COPD group): pectoralis major (19.06 ± 5.36 cm2 vs. 13.25 ± 3.71 cm2, P < 0.001), pectoralis minor (6.81 ± 2.03 cm2 vs. 5.95 ± 1.81 cm2, P = 0.001), diaphragmatic dome (1.39 ± 0.97 cm2 vs. 0.85 ± 0.72 cm2, P = 0.011), musculus serratus anterior (28.03 ± 14.95 cm2 vs.16.76 ± 12.69 cm2, P < 0.001), intercostal muscle (12.36 ± 6.64 cm2 vs. 7.15 ± 5.6 cm2, P < 0.001), pectoralis subcutaneous fat (25.91 ± 13.23 cm2 vs. 18.79 ± 10.81 cm2, P < 0.001), paravertebral muscle (14.8 ± 4.35 cm2 vs. 13.33 ± 4.27 cm2, P = 0.007), and paravertebral subcutaneous fat (12.57 ± 5.09 cm2 vs. 10.14 ± 6.94 cm2, P = 0.001). The areas under the ROC curve for the pectoralis major, intercostal, and the musculus serratus anterior muscle areas were 81.56%, 73.28%, and 71.56%, respectively. Pectoralis major area was negatively associated with the number of AECOPD during the preceding year after adjustment (relative risk, 0.936; 95% confidence interval, 0.879–0.996; P = 0.037).ConclusionThe pectoralis major muscle area was negative associated with COPD. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the number of AECOPD during the preceding year and the pectoralis major area.

The complex landscape of intracellular signalling in protein modification under hyperglycaemic stress leading to metabolic disorders.

Hyperglycaemia is a life-threatening risk factor that occurs in both chronic and acute phases and has been linked to causing injury to many organs. Protein modification was triggered by hyperglycaemic stress, which resulted in pathogenic alterations such as impaired cellular function and tissue damage. Dysregulation in cellular function increases the condition associated with metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy. Hyperglycaemic stress also increases the proliferation of cancer cells. The major areas of experimental biomedical research have focused on the underlying mechanisms involved in the cellular signalling systems involved in diabetes-associated chronic hyperglycaemia. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress generated by hyperglycaemia modify many intracellular signalling pathways that result in insulin resistance and β-cell function degradation. The dysregulation of post translational modification in β cells is clinically associated with the development of diabetes mellitus and its associated diseases. This review will discuss the effect of hyperglycaemic stress on protein modification and the cellular signalling involved in it. The focus will be on the significant molecular changes associated with severe metabolic disorders.

Updates in pelvic neuromodulation: the role of pelvic neuromodulation in pelvic disorders

Pelvic disorders affecting both male and female patients are major areas of concern for clinicians in cases where pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy are not effective. In such cases, pelvic neuromodulation has become an alternative therapy that could relieve chronic pelvic pain and enhance the quality of life. The goal of this paper was to present a summary of the current therapeutic applications of various pelvic neuromodulation techniques and their efficacy in treating patients with a range of pelvic illnesses. Based on the available literature, this review assessed the validity and significance of the last 10 years’ advancements in the fields of sacral neuromodulation (SNM), posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), and pudendal neuromodulation (PNM), including meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and observational, prospective, and retrospective studies.

Agricultural Solid Waste and its Management: An Overview

Waste is one of the most pressing issues of the present time. Its effects seemed so drastic that concerns about its proper management raised questions around the globe. The major areas of developing and underdeveloped countries are used for agriculture and allied activities. Most of the waste generated in a country comprisesd agricultural wastes, most of which are solid. There is an urgent need to manage this agricultural waste to avoid environmental degradation and mitigate its ill effects on human and animal health. It was found that vermicomposting seemed to be by far the most affordable and quickest method of agricultural solid waste management. It also describes the problem of crop residue burning, which is quite prevalent in developing countries like India. It was also seen that the respective central and state governments must frame specific policies and laws for agricultural waste management. As agricultural solid wastes have good re-use and conversion potential, and it was suggested that suitable measures that can be taken to implement sustainable management of agricultural solid wastes.

Dance Pedagogy used by Physical Education Teachers in Enhancing Skill Acquisition, Mastery and Self-Image

Effective teaching practices in dance cover a variety of theoretical and practical approaches and techniques and individual teaching and learning styles. This study focused on dance pedagogy used by physical education teachers in enhancing skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Specifically, the study investigated the extent of the use of dance pedagogy by physical education teachers in five teacher education institutions to enhance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. The total number of participants of the study was twenty-three (23) wherein fifteen (15) were females and eight (8) males and with experiences in teaching ranging from 1 to 25 years. A questionnaire comprising 65 items that exemplify the sixteen dance teaching guidelines for strengthening students' dance skill acquisition, knowledge, and self-image was used to gather data supported by classroom observation. The items were adapted from the sixteen guidelines for teaching and learning identified by Mainwaring and Krasnow, which were categorized into three major areas: process and goals, influences that affect dancers' progress, and structure and content of the class. The data were treated using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that the physical education teachers always practice dance pedagogies that enhance dance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Dance pedagogies are needed to maximize the potential of every learner who wants to progress and become their best.

Increasing Minimum Teacher Salaries: Opportunities and Drawbacks Across Geography and Race

Following record-high public support for improved teacher salaries, many states initiated a variety of pandemic-era reforms to teacher compensation policies to improve teacher morale and retention. In this article, we examine a minimum teacher salary reform in Missouri, a state home to a diverse geographic landscape including major metropolitan areas and large rural regions. On the one hand, we estimate eligible teachers would receive sizable salary increases averaging almost eight percent. Conversely, these teachers were located almost exclusively in the state's rural areas, effectively excluding most urban teachers and students and, due to the state's non-white ethnoracial concentration in urban metropolitan areas, virtually all of the state's non-White teachers and students. As states craft policy reforms to support their teacher workforces, attention must be devoted to the magnitude and the distribution of funding to ensure its equitable allocation across teacher and student characteristics and district urbanicity.

Policymaking in the dark: The impact of power outage information asymmetry on local government resilience efforts in Florida

Access to real-time and historical power outage data is often scarce, which can have a particular impact on local governments responsible for strengthening community resilience. When utilities withhold this information from local governments, it may be a form of information asymmetry. To evaluate the degree of information asymmetry present between local governments and utilities in Florida, we consider the heterogeneity of grid outages, current access to outage information, and the value of that information to local governments. We identify that there is spatial heterogeneity in electric grid reliability across Florida, with lower reliability in more rural regions. Based on 18 interviews with local government employees in emergency management, public works, and sustainability and resilience in major metropolitan areas, we discuss what power outage data local governments typically have and need to assist with community resilience. Typically, there is a desire for access to higher spatial resolution and historical power outage data. Emergency management and sustainability and resilience fields place a higher value on that information to assist with disaster response and planning and experience greater information asymmetry. As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of natural hazards that disrupt power systems, more effort is needed to provide policymakers with necessary information for improved resilience planning.

Finding changes within protected habitats: an assessment of landscape characteristics using geospatial techniques in the lower Shivalik landscape of the Western Himalayas

A GIS-based approach was used in this study to assess 10 years of land-use change in the lower Shivalik landscape of the Western Himalayas, India. The landscape encompasses two major protected areas which are home to a thriving population of large mammals. The main objective was to identify the changes in the land use pattern, specifically after forming a new tiger reserve in the landscape. Landsat 8 and 4 imagery were used for the time series analysis for the years 2018, 2013, and 2008, respectively. The change was calculated using nine land use classes, with mixed forest showing the highest change value, followed by agriculture, grassland, and scrub. The dense forest area increased immensely after the formation of the new tiger reserve. The results for dense and mixed forest classes also identified less fragmentation in the number of patches during the same time. Even though most of the landscape is within the boundaries of a protected area, the change in land use forms is noticeable. As development activities continue to expand, this region will face increased strain, which will impact the area’s natural biodiversity. To protect that, a long-term conservation management effort is required.

An evaluation of a Vision Zero traffic-calming intervention, an urban transportation safety policy

ABSTRACT Today over 40 major metropolitan areas in the United States have formally adopted a new “Vision Zero” road design framework to prioritize roadway safety and eliminate traffic-related fatalities. This policy framework diffused across much of Europe and, more recently, the United States. In 2019, the City of San Francisco, California, implemented a series of traffic-calming interventions designed to lower speeds on left-hand turns and thereby reduce severe pedestrian and bicyclist injuries. This study uses a quasi-experimental design to evaluate this innovation. Results show that these safety measures reduced speeds between 1.4 and 1.9 miles per hour and that these reductions were sustained for at least 1 year. A conservative cost-benefit analysis suggests that these interventions have a large, positive return on investment, and that they are justified for any intersection with 2.5 or more pedestrian- or cyclist-involved crashes over a 5-year window.

The After-Effect of Organic Fertilizer Varies among Climate Conditions in China: A Meta-Analysis

Organic fertilizer is utilized to improve the organic carbon levels in arable soils, which is helpful for soil quality improvement and crop yield increase. However, the after-effect of organic fertilizer varies among regions with different temperature and precipitation conditions, and the extent of the impact remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying temperature and rainfall conditions on the accumulation of soil organic carbon after organic fertilizer application. A meta-analysis of 168 peer-reviewed studies published between 2005 and 2022 involving a total of 464 trials was conducted. The following was discovered: (1) In the major grain-producing areas of China, there was a significant positive correlation (p &lt; 0.01) between latitude and soil organic carbon content. Meanwhile, temperature and precipitation had a significant negative correlation (p &lt; 0.01) with soil organic carbon content. (2) The increase in temperature inhibited the increase in soil organic carbon storage. The improvement effect of organic fertilizer application in the low-temperature areas was significantly increased by 60.93% compared with the mid-temperature areas, and by 69.85% compared with the high-temperature areas. The average annual precipitation affected the after-effect of organic fertilizer as follows: 400–800 mm &gt; 400 mm &gt; more than 800 mm. (3) The influence of climatic conditions on the after-effect of organic fertilizer was more significant depending on the specific tillage practice. To increase organic fertilizer use efficiency and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, liquid organic fertilizers with abundant trace nutrients and amino acids, which take advantage of releasing nutrients more swiftly and have a better fertilization effect, could be an alternative to traditional organic fertilizers.

Study on the Mechanism of Water and Sand Leakage in a Foundation Pit Retaining Structure Based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Element Method

The existence of defects in the enclosure structure is the primary cause of water and sand leakage in foundation pits, as well as being a significant source of danger in pit construction, but current research lacks an in-depth investigation of the generation mechanism and gestation process. In this paper, which comprehensively considers the microscopic particles and macroscopic level, the development mechanism of a water and sand leakage disaster in a foundation pit with a water-rich sand layer was studied using the principle of computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method coupled analysis (CFD–DEM); moreover, based on the anisotropy of the particle force and fluid energy analysis, the deformation of the stratum and ground stress field were analyzed. The results show that the stress field will produce a plugging effect at a certain distance from the defect, and the strata exhibit a dominant displacement tendency in the vertical direction, resulting in the emergence of a gradually concave stress relaxation zone and an elliptical contour in the strata displacement map near the defect. The fluid energy describes the displacement of the sand layer very well, and it is separated into the sand layer’s centralized loss region and the major loss area based on the high and low levels of the fluid energy class. The impact of fluid at the defect reaches the maximum kinetic energy, which penetrates the structural weakness and causes the loss of sand particles, and the cross-section of the water influx near the defect gradually expands with the loss of particles, indicating that there is a danger of further expansion of the defect under the impact of water flow. These results have technical implications for the management of water and sand leakage disasters in foundation pit engineering.

Stratigraphic paleobiology

Abstract Stratigraphic paleobiology uses a modern understanding of the construction of the stratigraphic record—from beds to depositional sequences to sedimentary basins—to interpret patterns and guide sampling strategies in the fossil record. Over the past 25 years, its principles have been established primarily through forward numerical modeling, originally in shallow-marine systems and more recently in nonmarine systems. Predictions of these models have been tested through outcrop-scale and basin-scale field studies, which have also revealed new insights. At multi-basin and global scales, understanding the joint development of the biotic and sedimentary records has come largely from macrostratigraphy, the analysis of gap-bound packages of sedimentary rock. Here, we present recent advances in six major areas of stratigraphic paleobiology, including critical tests in the Po Plain of Italy, mass extinctions and recoveries, contrasts of shallow-marine and nonmarine systems, the interrelationships of habitats and stratigraphic architecture, large-scale stratigraphic architecture, and the assembly of regional ecosystems. We highlight the potential for future research that applies stratigraphic paleobiological concepts to studies of climate change, geochemistry, phylogenetics, and the large-scale structure of the fossil record. We conclude with the need for more stratigraphic thinking in paleobiology.

The impact of the digital economy on high-quality agricultural development--Based on the regulatory effects of financial development.

The digital economy, as a new economic form with high information density, provides a new driving force for the realization of high-quality agricultural development. Panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 were selected for analysis. The static panel data interaction effect model and panel threshold model were used to verify the nonlinear influence mechanism and heterogeneity of financial development in the process of the digital economy affecting high-quality agricultural development. The findings are as follows. (1) During the study period, the high-quality development of China's agriculture showed a steady upward trend; however, the regional differences were significant, and the eastern part was larger than the central and western part. (2) The digital economy can promote high-quality agricultural development. (3) The digital economy has a double threshold effect in the process of affecting high-quality agricultural development, which depends on the level of financial development. When the threshold is exceeded, the digital economy has a more significant promoting effect on high-quality agricultural development. (4) The impact of the digital economy on high-quality agricultural development is heterogeneous. From the perspective of different regions, the impact effect is greatest in the eastern region, while the effect is smaller in the central and western regions. From different resource endowments, the positive impact effect is greatest in the major grain-selling areas, followed by the major grain producing areas, but the positive digital economy driving effect is not significant in the balance of production and sales areas. Finally, three policy suggestions are proposed. First, the Chinese government should increase investments in and support for digital technology to promote the integration of the digital economy and agriculture. Second, the Chinese government should promote the development of digital inclusive finance in areas with financial development below the threshold. Third, different regions should implement differentiated digital economies to promote high-quality agricultural development.

Rare earth elements distribution in the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain): geogenic vs. anthropogenic influence

There is a current interest in the study of the geochemical behavior of the rare earth elements (REE) in aquatic systems since their identification as potential microcontaminants in natural waters. In this context, here we report the concentrations and patterns of dissolved REE (dREE) in the waters of the Gulf of Cádiz (GoC) and its major estuaries (Guadiana, Tinto-Odiel and Guadalquivir). Contamination in this area by metals has been extensively reported, linked to acid-mine inputs resulting from the mineralization of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, discharged mainly to the Tinto-Odiel river. However, the impact of these inputs on the concentrations and distribution of the dREE in the coastal waters of the GoC has not been addressed yet. Accordingly, elevated concentrations of dREE were obtained in the Tinto-Odiel estuary compared to the Guadiana and Guadalquivir, reflecting the impact of acid-mine drainage on this system. Only a significant fraction of anthropogenic gadolium (Gd) was observed in the Guadalquivir estuary, as a result of the input from major urban areas, where anthropogenic Gd fractions higher than 70% over the total dissolved pool were obtained for the freshwater end-member. Regarding the surface waters of the GoC, typical NE Atlantic distribution patterns of dREEs were obtained, but modified by two different end-members within this region. Accordingly, and despite the low water discharge of the Tinto-Odiel river, its elevated concentrations lead to an increase in the concentrations of dREEs in the nearshore waters of the GoC and producing a distinctive signature as observed for the MREE anomalies and HREE/LREE ratios. At the easternmost stations, close to the Strait of Gibraltar, these signals are also impacted by the inflow of Mediterranean waters and also by the discharge of the Guadalquivir river.

Use of GIS and RS Tools for Analysis of Land Use Land Cover and Land Surface Temperature: A Case Study of District Khairpur, Pakistan

Land use and land cover (LULC) monitoring plays an important role in sustainable planning and management of resources. This research focuses on analysing historical LULC changes over the Khairpur district of Sindh province of Pakistan. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (RS &amp; GIS) tools have been employed using the maximum likelihood algorithm of the supervised classification method. Temporal data of the latest high-resolution satellite imagery provided by NASA GLCF (Global Land Cover Facility), Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), and Landsat 4, 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) for 2001, 2010, 2015, and 2020 were acquired from Earth Explorer of United States Geological Survey (USGS). The study area is classified into four major classes namely Barren Land, Vegetation, Built-up areas, and Water Bodies. Analysis revealed that for 2001 and 2005 there was no change in barren land area, whereas in 2010 slight decrease in barren land was found which further decreased for the analysis period of 2020, overall barren land class decreased at a rate of 07% (i.e., 74% to 67%) during the analysis period. Also, vegetation and water bodies classes experienced variations throughout the analysis period, however built-up areas showed constant increase throughout the analysis period where built-up area classes increased from 9% to 15%. Whereas land surface temperature (LST) throughout the analysis period showed increasing trends, for both high ranges and low ranges. It was analysed that the areas having dominancy of the barren land class experienced the highest temperature ranges whereas low temperature ranges were discernible in the areas having vegetation covers. It can be concluded from the study that barren land covers the major area of the study area and there is an increase in built-up areas which can further enhance the LST in the study area.

Multimedia-Based Instruction in Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLED) Home Economics

This research determined what multimedia the home economics professors prefer in teaching the competencies needed in the BTLEd home economics program. Also, it shows what competencies students need in the identified areas of home economics and the challenges students encounter in using various multimedia for instruction. Data was retrieved from (N=42) BTLEd Home Economics students' day and evening sessions and the (N=7) professors teaching home economics subjects. The study made use of mixed-method research. For the quantitative part, students and professors completed a questionnaire using Google Forms. Where Students Needed Competencies in the Identified Major Areas in Home Economics was presented, followed by the Preferred Multimedia-Based Instruction Used by the Home Economics Professor. A qualitative research design was used to determine the challenges encountered by the students in using multimedia in the identified major areas in Home Economics. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke's (2006) model was applied to analyze the qualitative data on the challenges encountered using multimedia in Home Economics. Findings revealed four major themes of student challenges encountered in multimedia: no internet access, lack of computers and gadgets, lack of familiarity with multimedia, and computer Illiterate. To ensure that every student has fair access to digital resources and the necessary skills to use them, the school has to develop a comprehensive Digital Inclusion Program. The school will be able to handle internet access, device shortages, and digital literacy in a thorough and organized way by putting this approach into place. Providing students with the necessary skills and resources for multimedia-based learning would also promote an inclusive and fair digital learning environment.&#x0D; &#x0D; Received: 1 October 2023 / Accepted: 29 February 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024