Multifaceted System Research Articles

A Novel A105Y Mutant of CYP17A1 Exhibits Almost Perfect Regioselectivity in the Production of 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone.

17α-Hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OHP) is a steroid hormone with significant biological activity that can be obtained by catalyzing progesterone (PROG), the main product of sitosterol, through CYP17A1. However, increasing the catalytic specificity of HCYP17A1 for C17 hydroxylation of progesterone (PROG) poses a formidable challenge due to the close proximity of the C16 and C17 positions. In this study, a rational design was utilized to alter the spatial configuration of the substrate channel, leading to the complete abolition of its 16-hydroxylation activity. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the A105Y mutation heightened the rigidity of the G95-I112 region of CYP17A1, consequently regulating the direction of the entry of PROG into the catalytic pocket. Moreover, the establishment of hydrogen bonding between Y105 and R239, coupled with Pi-stacking of A105Y with F114, effectively immobilizes the substrate PROG in a fixed position, explaining the practically perfect regioselectivity observed in A105Y. Finally, a multifaceted enzymatic cascade system, incorporating A105Y, cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (ZWF) for NADPH cofactor regeneration, was constructed in Pichia pastoris GS115. The resulting biocatalyst produced 106 ± 3.2 mg L-1 17α-OHP, a 4.6-fold increase compared with A105Y alone. Thus, this study provides valuable insights for improving the regioselectivity and activity of P450 enzymes.

Pangolin scales as adaptations for innate immunity against pathogens

BackgroundPangolins are the only mammals that have overlapping scales covering most of their bodies, and they play a crucial role in the ecosystem, biological research, and human health and disease. Previous studies indicated pangolin scale might provide an important mechanical defense to themselves. The origin and exact functions of this unique trait remain a mystery. Using a multi-omics analysis approach, we report a novel functional explanation for how mammalian scales can provide host–pathogen defense.ResultsOur data suggest that pangolin scales have a sophisticated structure that could potentially trap pathogens. We identified numerous proteins and metabolites exhibiting antimicrobial activity, which could suggest a role for scales in pathogen defense. Notably, we found evidence suggesting the presence of exosomes derived from diverse cellular origins, including mesenchymal stem cells, immune cells, and keratinocytes. This observation suggests a complex interplay where various cell types may contribute to the release of exosomes and antimicrobial compounds at the interface between scales and viable tissue. These findings indicate that pangolin scales may serve as a multifaceted defense system, potentially contributing to innate immunity. Comparisons with human nail and hair revealed pangolin-specific proteins that were enriched in functions relating to sensing, immune responses, neutrophil degranulation, and stress responses. We demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of key pangolin scale components on pathogenic bacteria by antimicrobial assays.ConclusionsThis study identifies a potential role of pangolin scales and implicates scales, as possible determinants of pathogen defense due to their structure and contents. We indicate for the first time the presence of exosomes in pangolin scales and propose the new functions of scales and their mechanisms. This new mechanism could have implications for multiple fields, including providing interesting new research directions and important insights that can be useful for synthesizing and implementing new biomimetic antimicrobial approaches.

Interdependent Effects of Agro-input Node Interventions on the Adoption of Cattle milk Production Technologies among Smallholder Farmers in Kericho County, Kenya

Agricultural extension service delivery system is a vital component in agricultural development initiatives of any nation. Several extension approaches are used to achieve these initiatives. Globally, many Governments and development partners in rural agricultural development initiatives have gradually transitioned away from total state control of rural community and agricultural extension service delivery into adopting and supporting a more multifaceted system built on holistic participatory approach commonly referred to as Agricultural Value Chain Extension Approach (AVCEA). This AVCEA is relatively new in developing countries, including Kenya, and specifically in Kericho County where exploration on its impact on farm-level technology adoption has yet to be undertaken. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interdependent effects of agro-input node interventions on the adoption of cattle milk production technologies among smallholder farmers in Kericho, Kenya. This study adopted an ex-post-facto research design and systematic random sampling technique to select a sample of 132 farmers who previously exposed to AVCEA. Interviews were conducted for eight (8) dairy production experts and 6 Dairy organization representatives as key informants. The primary data were collected using interview schedules, questionnaires and focus group discussion tools. The data were analyzed for descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages and inferential statistics like Chi-square tests with the aid of SPSS version 26.0. The results of the study indicated that there was a significant interdependence between some agro-input value chain node interventions and the adoption of cattle milk production technologies. There was also Interdependence between ease of access to farmers ‘groups/cooperative societies and the adoption of cattle milk production technologies by the smallholder farmers. Based on findings of this study, Agricultural experts, stakeholders, and other concerned bodies should focus on developing strategies to strengthen interventions at the agro-input node, particularly by fostering cooperation among smallholder farmers to enhance collective actions.

Inclusive Education in Mauritius and Ontario, Canada: An Exploration of Policies and Practices

In this study, we examine inclusive education policies and practices in Mauritius and Ontario, Canada, through a comparative-case-study framework. We assess how policies are experienced by students with disabilities and consider the roles of various stakeholders in implementing these policies. Our research adopts a phenomenological case-study approach, focusing on the personal experiences of six students with different disabilities, supplemented by insights from four parents through interviews and focus-group discussions. The findings revealed a spectrum of experiences influenced by the presence of supportive environments, the availability of individual education plans, and the need for adapted materials and technology. Despite the commitment to inclusive education in both regions, gaps existed in policy awareness and application, suggesting a need for more informed and consistent practice. This study contributes to understanding the lived realities of students with disabilities and underscores the importance of multi-faceted support systems for effective inclusive education.

Delineating drought-induced antioxidative traits as potential mechanisms for climate resilience in Argania spinosa

Drought stress ranks among the most critical environmental challenges facing agriculture today, causing significant impairments to plant growth and development. In Morocco, these negative impacts are projected to intensify further under the combined pressures of climate change and the worsening water shortage crisis. The imperative need for sustainable arganiculture (cultivation of Argane trees) in dry lands necessitates the expeditious identification of drought-tolerant elite Argania spinosa trees. In this context, we investigated the drought tolerance of 2-year-old A. spinosa seedlings from two contrasting provenances Lakhssas (LKS) and Aoulouz (ALZ) under severe stress by evaluating their antioxidative defense mechanisms. A total of 24 parameters related to reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense were measured and compared between both provenances. The results showed that the drought-stressed conditions significantly increased the activity of enzymatic antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes, as well as the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants, including reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AsA), α-Tocopherols (α-toc), polyphenols, anthocyanins, and group thiols. The ability of A. spinosa trees to greatly enhance their antioxidant system to limit cellular damage caused by ROS production might be an important attribute linked to drought tolerance. Regarding the inter-provenance variation under drought stress conditions, LKS provenance exhibited superior antioxidative capacity through enhanced AsA-GSH cycle activity and elevated levels of AsA-GSH, α-toc, and polyphenols. However, ALZ demonstrated elevated anthocyanin levels and reduced peroxidative stress markers (hydrogen peroxide and malonyldialdehyde). Significant and positive correlations were recorded between studied ROS and antioxidants. Investigating the multifaceted antioxidative defense system underpinning drought tolerance in A. spinosa can facilitate the identification of drought-tolerant argane trees for the development of a future breeding program allowing sustainable arganiculture in dry lands.

A dual-pathway architecture enables chronic stress to disrupt agency and promote habit formation.

Chronic stress can change how we learn and, thus, how we make decisions. Here we investigated the neuronal circuit mechanisms that enable this. Using a multifaceted systems neuroscience approach in male and female mice, we reveal a dual pathway, amygdala-striatal neuronal circuit architecture by which a recent history of chronic stress disrupts the action-outcome learning underlying adaptive agency and promotes the formation of inflexible habits. We found that the basolateral amygdala projection to the dorsomedial striatum is activated by rewarding events to support the action-outcome learning needed for flexible, goal-directed decision making. Chronic stress attenuates this to disrupt action-outcome learning and, therefore, agency. Conversely, the central amygdala projection to the dorsomedial striatum mediates habit formation. Following stress this pathway is progressively recruited to learning to promote the premature formation of inflexible habits. Thus, stress exerts opposing effects on two amygdala-striatal pathways to disrupt agency and promote habit. These data provide neuronal circuit insights into how chronic stress shapes learning and decision making, and help understand how stress can lead to the disrupted decision making and pathological habits that characterize substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Power and positionality in the practice of health system responsiveness at sub-national level: insights from the Kenyan coast

BackgroundHealth system responsiveness to public priorities and needs is a broad, multi-faceted and complex health system goal thought to be important in promoting inclusivity and reducing system inequity in participation. Power dynamics underlie the complexity of responsiveness but are rarely considered. This paper presents an analysis of various manifestations of power within the responsiveness practices of Health Facility Committees (HFCs) and Sub-county Health Management Teams (SCHMTs) operating at the subnational level in Kenya. Kenyan policy documents identify responsiveness as an important policy goal.MethodsOur analysis draws on qualitative data (35 interviews with health managers and local politicians, four focus group discussions with HFC members, observations of SCHMT meetings, and document review) from a study conducted at the Kenyan Coast. We applied a combination of two power frameworks to interpret our findings: Gaventa’s power cube and Long’s actor interface analysis.ResultsWe observed a weakly responsive health system in which system-wide and equity in responsiveness were frequently undermined by varied forms and practices of power. The public were commonly dominated in their interactions with other health system actors: invisible and hidden power interacted to limit their sharing of feedback; while the visible power of organisational hierarchy constrained HFCs’ and SCHMTs’ capacity both to support public feedback mechanisms and to respond to concerns raised. These power practices were underpinned by positional power relationships, personal characteristics, and world views. Nonetheless, HFCs, SCHMTs and the public creatively exercised some power to influence responsiveness, for example through collaborations with political actors. However, most resulting responses were unsustainable, and sometimes undermined equity as politicians sought unfair advantage for their constituents.ConclusionOur findings illuminate the structures and mechanisms that contribute to weak health system responsiveness even in contexts where it is prioritised in policy documents. Supporting inclusion and participation of the public in feedback mechanisms can strengthen receipt of public feedback; however, measures to enhance public agency to participate are also needed. In addition, an organisational environment and culture that empowers health managers to respond to public inputs is required.

DeepExtract: Semantic-driven extractive text summarization framework using LLMs and hierarchical positional encoding

In the age of information overload, the ability to distill essential content from extensive texts is invaluable. DeepExtract introduces an advanced framework for extractive summarization, utilizing the groundbreaking capabilities of GPT-4 along with innovative hierarchical positional encoding to redefine information extraction. This manuscript details the development of DeepExtract, which integrates semantic-driven techniques to analyze and summarize complex documents effectively. The framework is structured around a novel hierarchical tree construction that categorizes sentences and sections not just by their physical placement within a text, but by their contextual and thematic significance, leveraging dynamic embeddings generated by GPT-4. We introduce a multi-faceted scoring system that evaluates sentences based on coherence, relevance, and novelty, ensuring that summaries are not only concise but rich with essential content. Further, DeepExtract employs optimized semantic clustering to group thematic elements, which enhances the representativeness of the summaries. This paper demonstrates through comprehensive evaluations that DeepExtract significantly outperforms existing extractive summarization models in terms of accuracy and efficiency, making it a potent tool for academic, professional, and general use. We conclude with a discussion on the practical applications of DeepExtract in various domains, highlighting its adaptability and potential in navigating the vast expanses of digital text.

Матеріали до словника традиційних народних промислів (гончарська лексика подільських говірок)

The article analyzes lexical material for the Dictionary of Traditional Folk Crafts. The proposed materials reflect the peculiarities and regional differences of the pottery terminology of Podillia. The relevance of the article is due to the fact that many problems of dialect lexicology have not yet been solved, in particular, a national dictionary of dialects and a dictionary of individual regions of Ukrainian dialects have not been created. The nomination of phenomena and concepts of traditional folk culture is poly-informative, and their fixation and preservation remain an urgent task of modern dialectology. The sources of the factual material are recordings of live folk speech made by the author in 12 (twelve) settlements of Podillia in 1998-1999. The purpose of the research is to review the history of Podillia pottery as a folk craft, as well as to present a fragment of a dictionary of pottery terminology, and to introduce a name to denote the realities of pottery into scientific circulation. The article uses general scientific methods of research: analysis, synthesis and observation, which made it possible to identify and systematize colloquial material; the descriptive method was used in the process of analyzing the vernacular speech. Special linguistic methods of research: questionnaires and interviews contributed to the recording of dialect speech, contextual and interpretive analysis allowed to identify transformations of the semantic scope of lexemes functioning in the live speech of speakers of Podillia dialects, linguo-geographical method made it possible to illustrate the habitat of the recorded names. The result of the research is the introduction of lexical material collected during the expedition into scientific circulation. The work on the dictionary of pottery terminology is planned to be continued, streamlining the previously collected vocabulary. Originality. Studying the cultural characteristics of Ukrainians allows not only expanding general knowledge, but also passing on the nation's invaluable experience to future generations. The vocabulary of traditional crafts is a unique basis for enriching the language, a part of cultural and social memory. It is also important to compile dictionaries, as the recording of traditional folk culture concepts is an urgent issue not only for ethnology but also for linguistics. Conclusion. The pottery vocabulary of Podillia dialects is a complex multifaceted system with a clear structure. The study of this vocabulary proves that in terms of area, it shows tendencies towards spatial opposition: some of the lexemes are not found in neighboring dialects (brashne, bohonok, vedrovyi pot, veselce, etc.). We see the prospects for further research in the continuation of work on the compilation of the Dictionary of Podillia Dialects.

Implication of electromagnetohydrodynamic flow of a non‐Newtonian hybrid nanofluid in a converging and diverging channel with velocity slip effects: A comparative investigation using numerical and ADM approaches

AbstractThis study delves into the intricate interplay of magnetic and electric fields (EMHD) on the flow characteristics of a non‐Newtonian bio‐hybrid nanofluid, consisting of Ag+Graphene/blood, within converging and diverging geometries. The investigation takes into account the effects of velocity slip at the walls, offering a comprehensive examination of this complex fluid system. A novel bio‐hybrid nanofluid model was introduced, featuring a unique combination of Ag+Graphene/blood nanoparticles. To address this multifaceted problem, the research employed mathematical modeling based on nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs), encompassing continuity and momentum equations. These PDEs were then transformed into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through similarity transformations. The study explored both numerical and analytical solutions, with a particular focus on the application of the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). To validate the findings, the study compared the analytical results with those obtained using the HAM‐based Mathematica package and the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg 4th–5th order (RKF‐45) method in specific scenarios. Active parameters, including nanofluid volume fraction, slip factors, and the influence of magnetic and electric fields, were systematically examined to unveil their impacts on velocity and skin friction within this multifaceted nanofluid system. It is found that the skin friction coefficient decreases with the Increasing both the nanoparticle volume fraction, Hartmann number and the angle in both channels. Results obtained also reveal an in the converging section, higher Casson parameters lead to increased yield stress but are offset by the higher shear rates, resulting in a higher velocity profile. In the diverging section, the fluid resists flow due to the reduced shear stress, leading to a decreased velocity profile.

The Impact of an Individual Approach on the Development of the Pianist’s Performance Skills at a Higher Educational Institution

Studying the impact of an individual approach to teaching students’ performance subjects is relevant because of the brightness and diversity of creative thinking, artistic interests, and orientation of future specialists in the field of piano art. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of person-oriented music pedagogy. The research methods are: monitoring the process of training professional personnel and their activities after the completion of education; surveying students and young performers; comparison. The results of this study shed light on the problem of an individual approach to the development of musical performance as a whole multifaceted system — one of the modern pedagogical models consisting of several blocks: stages of training based on an individual approach; its components; principles. The prospects of research include the development of a modernized training programme oriented to student’s personality. This is determined by the need to create an individual method of mastering the profession of a performer in the current conditions, which contributes to the development of students’ unique abilities and serves as the basis for their successful realization as an artist. Keywords: Musical Pedagogy; Performance Skills; Methods and Principles of Education; Piano Teaching Techniques; Stage Performance.

Advanced Microfluidic Platform for Tumor Spheroid Formation and Cultivation Fabricated from OSTE+ Polymer

In the evolving landscape of cancer research, 3D cell cultures, particularly tumor cell spheroids, are increasingly preferred in drug screening due to their enhanced mimicry of in vivo tumor environments, especially in drug resistance aspects. However, the consistent formation of uniform spheroids and their precise manipulation remain complex challenges. Among various methodologies, droplet microfluidics emerges as a highly effective approach for tumor spheroid formation. This paper introduces a novel, multifaceted microfluidic system that streamlines the entire spheroid cultivation process: (i) generating tumor spheroids from cell suspensions within individual droplets, (ii) merging these droplets into a continuous aqueous phase once spheroid formation is complete, and (iii) transferring the spheroids to a specialized cultivation area within the chip, equipped with trapping elements for extended cultivation in perfusion mode. Remarkably, this process requires no hydrogel encapsulation or external handling, as all operations are conducted within the microfluidic chip. Fabricated from the innovative OSTE+ (off-stoichiometry thiol-ene epoxy) polymer, the chip is designed for repeated use. To show its efficacy, we successfully formed spheroids from MCF-7, GAMG, and U87 cell lines in our system and compared them with spheroids prepared by a traditional agarose microwell method. Additionally, our methodology has successfully enabled the in-chip release of spheroids from droplets, followed by their effective trapping for subsequent cultivation, a process we have exemplified with MCF-7 spheroids. To our knowledge, this research represents the first instance of a fully integrated droplet microfluidic platform achieving scaffoldless tumor spheroid formation and handling. Our method holds promise for improving high-throughput, automated procedures in the formation, transfer, and cultivation of tumor cell spheroids.Graphical abstract

Highly efficient removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on MgAl-LDH modified with carbon dots, citric acid and amino silane: Kinetic, isothermal and mechanistic studies

To increase active sites for Pb2+ and Cd2+ removal, MgAl-layered double hydroxide (MgAl-LDH) was modified with carbon dots (CDs), citric acid (CA) and 3-triethoxysilylpropylamine (APTES) via a step-by-step hydrothermal method. The resultant composite (LCC-NH2) exhibited excellent removal capacity of 511.5 mg/g and 166.0 mg/g for Pb2+ and Cd2+ at 298 K, which were 6-fold and 12-fold that of MgAl-LDH. Pb2+ and Cd2+ removal fits best to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. And thermodynamic studies indicated the adsorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on LCC-NH2 was spontaneous. In a multifaceted metal system, LCC-NH2 still demonstrated superior removal capacity for Pb2+ and Cd2+. However, it showed greater selectivity for Pb2+ than Cd2+. The mechanism studies indicated the efficient removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect encompassing isomeric substitution, chelation, and precipitation. Therefore, LCC-NH2 offers considerable potential for practical applications in environmental remediation efforts.

Non-monotonic variation in the streaming potential in polyelectrolyte grafted nanochannels mediated by ion partitioning effects

BackgroundPolyelectrolyte grafted ‘soft’ nanochannels are known to enhance electrokinetic energy conversion efficiency, paving the way for a sustainable energy harvesting mechanism. However, the true potential of their efficacy remains to be tapped, as attributed to a deficit in accounting for the interplay between solution pH and ion partitioning effect arising due to permittivity contrast between the coated layer and the bulk media, leading to predictions of an erroneous ionic distribution and a wrongly estimated electrokinetic response. ResultsWe unravel the electrokinetic behavior of a pH-regulated zwitterionic polyelectrolyte layer grafted nanofluidic system. To this end, we derive a detailed theoretical formulation that considers the nuanced interplay between solution pH and the ion partitioning effect through a thermodynamically consistent ionic distribution. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate a non-monotonic trend in the streaming potential with an increase in the ion partitioning effect, in contrast to a monotonic increase as reported previously. Additionally, we identify a critical permittivity ratio specific to the solution pH at which maximum streaming potential can be obtained. SignificanceWe shed light on the counterintuitive effect borne from the increased ion partitioning effect, unveiling a hitherto hidden facet of electrokinetics. By elucidating the delicate balance between solution pH, ion partitioning effect, and polyelectrolyte charge, our findings offer a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted interplay shaping soft-electrokinetic systems, thereby paving the way for transformative advancements in energy conversion technologies.

Changing Trends of Marriage: Emerging Complication, Paradoxical Thinking and Social Transformation

Marriage is one of the most ancient, indispensable, significant and universal social institution in all societies and cultures which has constructed since the beginning of human civilization. Marriage is a universal social phenomenon and it is a permanent bond between husband and wife which is intended to fulfill the economic, social, cultural, biological and emotional goals. Similarly, marriage establishes a new family which supports in giving facilities for the reproduction and upbringing of children. In changing context, individual freedom is greater matter rather than marital burden and partner’s ambiguity. In this modern era, there are various marriage allied complications, contradictions and changing trends. Sociological observations of marriage have brought out multifaceted marriage systems and its challenging transformations. Similarly, the change in gender relationship and independence between men and women has resulted in a considerable rise in the instability of marriage and its implication in the society. In this circumstance, this paper tries to analyze the conceptual and rational debates of orthodox and customary established marriage, marriage practice and its social, cultural, biological and emotional implications. Likewise, this study provides an analysis of contradictory thinking and declining trends of marriage in this contemporary society.

A Study on the Multifaceted Evaluation System for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Classroom Quality in a Digital Context

A Study on the Multifaceted Evaluation System for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language Classroom Quality in a Digital Context

The impact of the digital economy on environmental pollution: a perspective on collaborative governance between government and Public

The rapid development of the digital economy is driving transformative changes in a multifaceted collaborative environmental governance system. From the perspective of collaborative governance between government and the public, this study employs double fixed-effects models, spatial econometric models, and instrumental variables methods to empirically explore how the digital economy influences environmental pollution, using panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning 2011 to 2022. The results demonstrate that the digital economy significantly lowers environmental pollution. The primary mechanism is through the government’s environmental governance behaviors, which are positively moderated by public environmental concerns, enhancing effectiveness. Additionally, the digital economy induces a spatial spillover effect on environmental pollution. This promotion of collaborative management between the government and the public is poised to become a pivotal direction in future environmental governance.

To Continue or Quit Business? Mediating Roles of Resilience and Quality of Life in Forming a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intention

The dynamics and volatility of market conditions require entrepreneurs to exercise their utmost perseverance and fortitude to progress forward. Despite the emerging evidence that associates their motivation with business continuity, little is known about whether quality of life and resilience bear any mediating effects on this connection. Guided by the self-determination theory, this study examines the indirect effects of resilience and quality of life on sustainable entrepreneurial intention. Structural equation modeling via SmartPLS was utilized to examine the cross-sectional survey data involving 102 Malaysian small business entrepreneurs and test the hypotheses. The results suggested that goal attainment motivation has a direct positive effect on sustainable entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, goal attainment motivation via resilience indirectly predicts quality of life, and quality of life mediates the relationship between resilience and sustainable entrepreneurial intention. The main theoretical implication of the findings suggests that the relationship between goal attainment motivation, resilience, quality of life, and sustainable entrepreneurial intention is more nuanced and mediated than previously assumed. Practically, stakeholders and policymakers should develop multifaceted support systems that address psychological resilience and quality of life factors alongside goal-oriented strategies to cultivate a conducive environment for sustainable entrepreneurship.

Myths and Methodologies: Standardisation in Human Physiology Research-Should We Control the Controllables?

The premise of research in human physiology is to explore a multifaceted system whilst identifying one or a few outcomes of interest. Therefore, the control of potentially confounding variables requires careful thought regarding the extent of control and complexity of standardisation. One common factor to control prior to testing is diet, as food and fluid provision may deviate from participants' habitual diets, yet a self-report and replication method can be flawed by under-reporting. Researchers may also need to consider standardisation of physical activity, whether it be through familiarisation trials, wash-out periods, or guidance on levels of physical activity to be achieved before trials. In terms of pharmacological agents, the ethical implications of standardisation require researchers to carefully consider how medications, caffeine consumption and oral contraceptive prescriptions may affect the study. For research in females, it should be considered whether standardisation between- or within-participants in regards to menstrual cycle phase is most relevant. The timing of measurements relative to various other daily events is relevant to all physiological research and so it can be important to standardise when measurements are made. This review summarises the areas of standardisation which we hope will be considered useful to anyone involved in human physiology research, including when and how one can apply standardisation to various contexts.

Survival and social support networks: visual narratives of labour market integration among highly skilled African immigrants in Quebec

Despite the growing presence of highly skilled African immigrants in Quebec, Canada, there is a paucity of research on their adaptation processes, specifically regarding survival and social support. This study addresses this gap by investigating the survival strategies of highly skilled African immigrants (HSAI) in Quebec, utilising photovoice to vividly capture their social support systems and survival cultivation. Drawing on Ungar's (2012. The Social Ecology of Resilience: A Handbook of Theory and Practice. Springer) ecological perspective of survival, and Tardy’s model (1985. “Social Support Measurement.” American Journal of Community Psychology 13 (2): 187–202) of social support, this research elucidates the strategies employed by HSAIs to thrive. Data collection involved respondents sharing photographs that symbolise their survival while assimilating into Quebec's labour market, revealing that family, cultural groups, religious organisations, recreational activities, and professional networks play pivotal roles in their adaptation. These findings highlight the importance of a multifaceted support system in fostering survival and successful integration, suggesting that policymakers should focus on enhancing these networks to aid HSAIs’ adjustment to life in Quebec.