Selection Preferences Research Articles

Alternative Approach to Sequence-Specific Recognition of DNA: Cooperative Stacking of Dication Dimers─Sensitivity to Compound Curvature, Aromatic Structure, and DNA Sequence.

With the growing number and diversity of known genome sequences, there is an increasing opportunity to regulate gene expression through synthetic, cell-permeable small molecules. Enhancing the DNA sequence recognition abilities of minor groove compounds has the potential to broaden their therapeutic applications with significant implications for areas such as modulating transcription factor activity. While various classes of minor groove binding agents can selectively identify pure AT and mixed AT and GC base pair(s) containing sequences, there remains a lack of compounds capable of distinguishing between different AT sequences. In this work, we report on the design compounds that exhibit selective binding to -TTAA- or -TATA- containing DNA minor groove sequences compared with other AT ones. Several studies have shown that the -AATT- and -TTAA- sequences have distinct physical and interaction properties, especially in terms of their different requirements for recognition in the minor groove. Achieving strong, selective minor groove binding at -TTAA- sequences has been challenging, but DB1003, a benzimidazole-furan-furan diamidine, has demonstrated cooperative dimeric binding activity at -TTAA-. It has significantly less binding preference for AATT. To better understand and modify the selectivity, we synthesized a set of rationally designed analogs of DB1003 by altering the position of the five-membered heterocyclic structure. Binding affinities and stoichiometries obtained from biosensor-surface plasmon resonance experiments show that DB1992, a benzimidazolefuran-thiophene diamidine, binds strongly to -TTAA- as a positive cooperative dimer with high cooperativity. The high-resolution crystal structure of the TTAA-DNA-DB1992 complex reveals that DB1992 binds as an antiparallel π-stacked dimer with numerous diverse contacts to the DNA minor groove. This distinctive binding arrangement and the properties of diamidines at the -TTAA- minor groove demonstrate that benzimidazole-furan-thiophene is a unique DNA binding pharmacophore. Competition mass spectroscopy and circular dichroism studies confirmed the binding stoichiometry and selectivity preference of the compounds for the -TTAA- sequence.

Application of the PSI Method in Selecting Sustainable Energy Development Technologies

The development of renewable energy is not only an urgent solution for addressing climate change but also a driving force for sustainable economic growth. The transition to clean, inexhaustible energy sources not only helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment but also ensures national energy security, creates employment opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for individuals. Presently, various technologies exist for sustainable energy development, each characterized by multiple criteria, complicating the evaluation of their performance. This study presents a straightforward method for identifying the best option among eight sustainable energy development alternatives: hydropower, geothermal, biomass, wind, solar, concentrated solar power, coal technology, and oil-fired power plants, each of which is characterized by 17 distinct criteria. The simple method utilized is the Preference Selection Index (PSI) method, which eliminates the need for criteria weighting. This absence of criteria weight calculation in the PSI method distinguishes it from other ranking techniques that typically require such calculations. Therefore, the PSI method significantly simplifies the comparison of the available options compared to other ranking methods, as it bypasses the need for criteria weight calculations. The optimal option identified through the PSI method was also compared with the optimal option identified using 6 other methods: Multi Atributive Ideal Real Com parative Analysis (MAIRCA), Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), COmplex PRroportional ASsessment (COPRAPS), Multiobjective Optimization On the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA), Proximity Indexed Value (PIV), and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Notably, all employed methods consistently identified geothermal energy as the optimal choice.

Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods: Combination of Preference Selection Index Method with Faire Un Choix Adèquat, Root Assessment Method, and Proximity Indexed Value

This study presents an investigation into the hybridization of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods. The Preference Selection Index (PSI) method is used in two distinct ways: first, for its traditional purpose of ranking alternatives, and second, to calculate criteria weights. These criteria weights are utilized to rank the alternatives provided by other MCDM methods, including the Faire Un Choix Adéquat (FUCA), Root Assessment Method (RAM), and Proximity Indexed Value (PIV), resulting in the creation of three hybrid models: FUCA-PSI, RAM-PSI, and PIV-PSI. The effectiveness of these hybrid approaches is tested by ranking 20 Vietnamese cities based on their digital transformation efforts. The results demonstrate that the hybrid approaches produce a highly correlated ranking, as evidenced by the Spearman rank correlation coefficient found among these methods, with the lowest being 0.8571. Both the PSI method and the three hybrid models identified the same top alternative, confirming the reliability and accuracy of the rankings.

Understanding Post‐Release Dispersal and Habitat Selection Helps Refine Management of Translocated Populations

ABSTRACTTranslocation outcomes in connected habitats are often uncertain, as individuals dispersing outside managed areas are exposed to threats. Post‐release monitoring can reduce uncertainty by revealing how dispersal and habitat selection influences establishment and population growth which inform future translocations. We undertook post‐release monitoring to identify habitat selection patterns following a translocation of toutouwai (North Island robin, Petroica longipes) to a large, contiguous forest habitat. Post‐release monitoring aimed to estimate survival, dispersal, and territory establishment to inform management decisions and future release site selection. We created species distribution models using monitoring data to identify differences in habitat selection during the post‐release dispersal and territory establishment phases. Toutouwai dispersed across 1312 ha but established territories within only 113 ha and 1 km from the release location. Site fidelity was higher than predicted, and there was no difference in dispersal or habitat selection across demographic groups. Critically, high site fidelity suggested that the extent of managed habitat was sufficient to protect dispersing individuals. Habitat selection preferences were stronger during territory establishment and were associated with lower slopes, higher water deficit and proximity to water reservoirs. Species distribution modelling allowed for predictions of high‐quality core habitat where dispersal and territory establishment were more likely, resulting in targeted management to improve population growth. Our results show that initial dispersal in connected habitats may be much larger than suggested by territory data alone, and that management may need to protect larger areas to support successful establishment. We demonstrate how effective post‐release monitoring can inform predictions of habitat quality and dispersal and guide management actions to improve translocations outcomes.

Disruption of the odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco) reveals its critical role in multiple olfactory behaviors of a cosmopolitan pest.

The olfactory system of insects plays a pivotal role in multiple, essential activities including feeding, mating, egg laying, and host localization. The capacity of odorant receptors to recognize odor molecules relies on odorant receptor co-receptors forming heterodimers. Here we report the successful engineering a homozygous mutant strain of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in which the odorant receptor co-receptor PxOrco was silenced using CRISPR/Cas9. This insect is a globally important crop pest for which novel control methods are urgently required. Behavioral assays demonstrated that PxOrco knockout males exhibited abolished courtship behaviors, inability to mate, and loss of selective preference for P. xylostella's key sex pheromone components. Whilst female mating behavior and fecundity remained unaffected by PxOrco knockout, oviposition response to leaf alcohol, a key cue for normal oviposition behaviour, was lost. Electroantennography revealed drastically reduced responses to sex pheromones and plant volatiles in PxOrco-deficient adults but food location by larvae was unaffected. Moreover, expression analysis of PxOrco-deficient pheromone receptors (PRs) indicated varied regulation patterns, with down-regulation observed in several PRs in both sexes. These findings underscore the critical role of PxOrco in regulating multiple olfactory aspects in P. xylostella, including feeding, mating, and host location. Our study identifies the potential of disrupting the Orco gene in this and other pest species to provide novel avenues for future pest control.

Investigating the threat to Sitka spruce from Ips typographus: discrimination and colonization of Britain's principal commercial conifer by a damaging forest pest.

Ips typographus (L.), the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), has devastated European Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests in recent years. For the first time, I. typographus has established localized breeding populations in Britain, where Sitka spruce (P. sitchensis) is a critical component of plantation forestry. The interactions between Norway spruce and I. typographus are well understood, but relatively little is known about the susceptibility of Sitka spruce to the beetle. This study aimed to determine whether I. typographus would select Sitka, compared to Norway spruce, as a host for breeding, and to study the chemical ecology underlying these host preferences. Host choice assays were conducted in the laboratory using freshly cut spruce logs, and then verified in the field in an area with an endemic population of I. typographus. Overall, colonization and breeding success were found to be similar in cut Sitka and Norway spruce material. The response of I. typographus, reared on both Norway and Sitka spruce, to headspace extracts of aged and fresh Norway and Sitka spruce material was tested behaviorally using four-arm olfactometry. Odors of aged wood from the two species were equally attractive, and fresh Sitka was more attractive than fresh Norway spruce. Antennal responses to Norway Spruce and Sitka Spruce headspace extracts were located using GC-EAG and identified by coupled GC-mass spectrometry and GC co-injection with authentic standards. Norway- and Sitka spruce-reared beetles did not differentiate between synthetic Norway or Sitka spruce blends and responded similarly. These findings suggest I. typographus will select and colonize cut Sitka as readily as cut Norway spruce, with implications for its establishment risk in Sitka-growing regions. Whilst the susceptibility of live Sitka trees remains unclear, the study advances the understanding of the role of both host-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in primary host location and induced host preference in host selection by I. typographus. © 2025 Crown copyright and The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. This article is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the King's Printer for Scotland.

Exploration and exploitation: Which research strategy are you better at?

Abstract This study quantifies and analyzes the individual-level abilities of scientists utilizing either an exploration or an exploitation strategy. Specifically, we present a Research Strategy Q model, which untangles the coupling effect of scientists’ research ability (Qα) and research strategy ability (Eαπ) on research performance. Qα indicates scientists’ fundamental ability to publish high-quality papers, while Eαπ indicates scientists’ proficiency in terms of exploration and exploitation strategies. Five research strategies proposed by our previous study are employed. We generate synthetic data and collect empirical data as our experimental data set. We show that these research strategies present different benefit and risk characteristics. Adopting some exploitation strategies tends to stifle research performance, while exploration strategies are high risk and high yield. Qα and Eαπ have predictive power for research performance. Moreover, we find that, first, scholars who prefer to execute a research strategy, π, may not necessarily be better at executing π. Second, some scholars have differences in their abilities towards different strategies, while other scholars have differences in their abilities towards the same strategy. Third, exploration and exploitation are not contradictory but complementary from the perspective of proficiency, while they are mutually exclusive from the perspective of selection preference.

Voter Sophistication and Voting Behavior in Türkiye

The objective of this study is to test MacDonald, Rabinowitz and Listhaug’s (1995) argument suggesting a link between voter sophistication and two models of spatial theory of party competition: the proximity model and the directional model. They argued that as the proximity model is more cognitively demanding than the directional one, it provides a more eligible formula for sophistication of voters. Although they did not find support, we suggest that this finding may derive from their case selection and methodological preferences. In a non-Western country, where there are striking and widespread implications of differences between education levels, a different picture may emerge. We also decided to use an alternative measurement for political sophistication: multiplication of education and actual political knowledge, which we believe is a better proxy for sophistication. We employed Comparative Study of Election Systems (CSES) data of 2015 for Türkiye. The final dataset holds answers of 249 respondents, which are voters of the four most-voted political parties in Türkiye: the Justice and Development Party (JDP), the Republican People’s Party (RPP), the National Action Party (NAP), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The findings partly confirm the original argument to understand voting preferences of those who are politically sophisticated.

Public Vitality-Driven Optimization of Urban Public Space Networks—A Case Study from Nanjing, China

Spontaneous recreational activities in public spaces are a vital source of public vitality. Given the similarity between the walking patterns of recreational crowds in public spaces and the movement of electrons on a two-dimensional circuit surface, this study combines big data from various sources to create an “electrical conductivity surface” that attracts and aggregates recreational crowds. Using current flow simulation, we generate the path selection preferences of people as they move across public spaces. The results reveal an uneven distribution of public spaces in Nanjing’s main urban area, with high-vitality areas mostly concentrated in the urban center. The core demand for enhancing public vitality lies is improving connectivity between multiple spaces. Based on this, the public space plan for Nanjing’s main urban area emphasizes overall connectivity by aligning with the natural landscape, thus linking the city’s green and gray infrastructure. In this study, we have assessed current public space services and their development potential from a number of different angles, developing a digital approach for optimizing the urban layout. We aim to provide a human-centric, bottom-up perspective to complement the top-down city planning and management approach. This will enable urban planners to make informed decisions for creating and managing more vibrant cities.

Commonality vs. Cultural Specificity of Anger Metaphors and Metonymies in Chinese and Russian Idioms

Based on the conceptual metaphor theory, this study explores the conceptualization structure and actual use of anger metaphors and metonymies in the cultural context of the two countries. The research materials come from Russian and Chinese idiom dictionaries and practical investigations on anger idioms. The study found that the conceptualization of anger between the two nations has similarities and differences. The similarities are reflected in the fact that Chinese and Russians conceptualize anger based on personal experience and cultural patterns. The main differences are concentrated in Chinese idioms influenced by traditional Chinese medicine and the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. Anger is metaphorically represented as "qi" (gas) rather than liquid, and visceral metaphors are often used. The Chinese Peking Opera mask culture also influences it.In contrast, anger is regarded as two liquid forms in Russian idioms, represented by blood elements as containers and water elements that boil after heating, accompanied by the appearance of animal nouns, and have a specific religious color. The practical investigation found that although dozens of idioms express anger for daily selection, cultural background, and cultural preferences limit the tendency to use metaphors and metonymies. The results of this study can provide a reference for cognitive linguistics research, language teaching, and actual communication.

Intermittent upwelling impacts zooplankton and their gray whale predators at multiple scales

Coastal upwelling dynamics influence the abundance and distribution of marine zooplankton; however, knowledge of how intermittent upwelling patterns impact nearshore prey retention and predator foraging is limited. The Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) of gray whales forage between northern California and southern British Columbia from early June through the end of November. In Port Orford, Oregon, a subregion of the PCFG foraging range, gray whales demonstrate selection preference for prey patches consisting of elevated zooplankton abundance. Using a 6 yr data set, we characterized the influence of oceanographic conditions on zooplankton relative abundance and gray whale foraging effort in this subregion. Here, we tracked gray whale movements using a theodolite (263 tracklines) and simultaneously quantified prey availability through GoPro camera drops (n = 520) off a research kayak between July and August from 2016-2021. Boosted regression tree models assessed the influence of broad (seasonal) and fine (days to weeks) temporal scale upwelling metrics, sea surface temperature, and kelp condition on daily zooplankton abundance and gray whale foraging effort. Results show that at both temporal scales, environmental factors impact ecological response, with zooplankton abundance and gray whale foraging effort maximal at moderate values of upwelling and relaxation, highlighting the importance of intermittent upwelling. These findings document the role of intermittent upwelling on zooplankton availability and whale foraging effort in a nearshore system, which can improve conservation management of this region.

An Investigation of Site Selection Decisions of Residential Development Projects in Hangzhou Based on Potential Market Segmentation

Since 2016, strict regulatory policies have limited the size and financing channels of China’s urban real estate market. To adapt to the new situation, real estate developers need to adjust their development strategies and adopt more precise investment methods. In this respect, cost reduction, an accurate market positioning, and conducting detailed market research are particularly crucial. Given that the uneven development of the urban housing market has exacerbated urban segregation, urban residential space was subdivided into multiple potential submarkets. This study focuses on the land acquisition and the development of commercial residential projects in Hangzhou, China, from 2003 to 2022. Using the latent class analysis method based on the discrete choice model, the potential submarkets of Hangzhou’s housing development market are identified, and the project positioning and land selection preferences of developers are assessed. The results show that Hangzhou’s residential projects can be divided into five potential market categories: high-rise basic demand dwellings, high-end-improvement-type dwellings, luxury low-density dwellings, primary-improvement-type dwellings, and large-scale mixed-density dwellings. The importance of different land elements for developers when developing various types of projects is evaluated by calculating the willingness-to-pay coefficient. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive perspective for the government, real estate developers, and property owners to better understand the development dynamics on the supply side of the real estate market.

Large Language Models in Otolaryngology Residency Admissions: A Random Sampling Analysis.

To investigate potential demographic bias in artificial intelligence (AI)-based simulations of otolaryngology, residency selection committee (RSC) members tasked with selecting one applicant among candidates with varied racial, gender, and sexual orientations. This study employed random sampling of simulated RSC member decisions using a novel Application Programming Interface (API) to virtually connect to OpenAI's Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPT-4 and GPT-4o). Simulated RSC members with diverse demographics were tasked with ranking to match 1 applicant among 10 with varied racial, gender, and sexual orientations. All applicants had identical qualifications; only demographics of the applicants and RSC members were varied for each simulation. Each RSC simulation ran 1000 times. Chi-square tests analyzed differences across categorical variables. GPT-4o simulations additionally requested a rationale for each decision. Simulated RSCs consistently showed racial, gender, and sexual orientation bias. Most applicant pairwise comparisons showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). White and Black RSCs exhibited greatest preference for applicants sharing their own demographic characteristics, favoring White and Black female applicants, respectively, over others (all pairwise p < 0.001). Asian male applicants consistently received lowest selection rates. Male RSCs favored White male and female applicants, while female RSCs preferred LGBTQIA+, White and Black female applicants (all p < 0.05). High socioeconomic status (SES) RSCs favored White female and LGBTQIA+ applicants, while low SES RSCs favored Black female and LGBTQIA+ applicants over others (all p < 0.001). Results from the newest iteration of the LLM, ChatGPT-4o, indicated evolved selection preferences favoring Black female and LGBTQIA+ applicants across all RSCs, with the rationale of prioritizing inclusivity given in >95% of such decisions. Utilizing publicly available LLMs to aid in otolaryngology residency selection may introduce significant racial, gender, and sexual orientation bias. Potential for significant and evolving LLM bias should be appreciated and minimized to promote a diverse and representative field of future otolaryngologists in alignment with current workforce data. NA Laryngoscope, 135:87-93, 2025.

Post-COVID-19 Sojourn Choices: Exploring the Distribution and Preferences of Chinese Digital Nomads Based on the Lifestyle Migration Theory

With the advancement of digital technologies and the gradual waning of the pandemic’s impact, digital nomads have attracted significant attention from academia and industry as an emerging social group. Existing studies regarding the distribution and destination selection preferences of digital nomads remain lacking. This study aims to investigate the distribution patterns and destination selection preferences of Chinese digital nomads, guided by the lifestyle migration theory. Specifically, we address the following research questions: Where do Chinese digital nomads choose to sojourn post-pandemic, and what factors influence their destination preferences? Using a qualitative approach based on grounded theory, we analyze text data from China’s largest video-based social platform to uncover key factors shaping digital nomads’ choices. The findings reveal that Chinese digital nomads consider five key dimensions when selecting a destination: basic living conditions, social environment, work opportunities, travel experience, and local integrated environment. Notably, compared to traditional migrant groups, digital nomads demonstrate stronger online and sharing behaviors in work and social interactions. Additionally, “travel” is identified as a new category. This study makes a theoretical contribution by expanding the application of lifestyle migration theory to digital nomadism, offering new insights into contemporary migration behaviors. It also provides practical guidance for travel destination planning and management to better accommodate the preferences of this emerging group.

OPTIMIZING SPORTS SHOES SELECTION: AN AHP APPROACH FOR EVALUATING PREFERENCES AND DECISION-MAKING FACTORS

With increasing awareness of a healthy lifestyle, daily workouts have become essential for the lives of young adults in university. Consequently, sports shoes have become a necessary requirement in this situation. This paper explores the preference for sports shoes among Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) students. This study aims to analyse the attributes or important criteria that influence their choices and how much influence these factors have on students’ preferences in sports shoe selection. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was employed to evaluate the important factors and alternatives and identify the criteria and alternatives that best represent the preferences of UUM students. The four key criteria examined were price, comfort, design, and brand loyalty, with the three alternatives being Nike, Adidas, and Skechers. The results indicated that design is the most influential factor, followed by price, comfort, and brand loyalty. Among the brands, UUM students preferred Adidas, while Skechers was the least favoured. This study significantly enhances our understanding of the factors influencing UUM students’ sports shoes selection preferences, providing insight for better catering to the needs of this demographic.

Fashion Sector and Artificial Intelligence Applications

Artificial intelligence is one of the technologies that has been used in different stages of the fashion sector for a long time. Recently, with the emergence of new artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, the fashion sector has begun to become one of the centers of these applications. The industry's picture of using artificial intelligence applications has strengthened the idea that artificial intelligence, which is on the agenda of fashion, may be the technology that will draw the future of fashion. Artificial intelligence technologies can be used in different areas in the fashion sector. In this field, it provides benefits in its processes and methods, especially in fashion design. Artificial intelligence technologies are used more intensively in the fashion sector in areas such as the design process, demand forecasting, selection (preference determination), and communication. Artificial intelligence applications, which have been one of the most frequently discussed topics of recent times with the advantages they offer to the sector, have managed to become one of the most important topics of today. In this context, in this article, artificial intelligence applications used in the sector are included and sample model analyzes are made with ChatGPT. In this context, the study aimed to reveal the situation of artificial intelligence applications in the fashion sector and emphasized the advantages it offers to the sector by presenting some examples.

Trends in Urology Residency Applications: Results from The Society of Academic Urologists Program Director Survey from 2022 to 2024.

To provide a cross-sectional view of the current opinions surrounding the urology match by analyzing data from the annual Society of Academic Urologists Program Director Surveys conducted between 2022 and 2024. Data collected through surveys distributed to all urology program directors consisting of questions covering program demographics, applicant selection criteria, preference signals, virtual interviews, and other relevant topics. 89, 90, and 89 program directors participated in the surveys for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. The analysis revealed shifts in application review criteria, with increased emphasis on subinternship performance, letters of recommendation, and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scores. Preference signals were widely adopted and viewed positively by program directors, with a majority supporting the continuation in a large-volume format. Virtual interviews were met with mixed sentiments, with concerns raised about their effectiveness in assessing candidates and replicating in-person experiences. However, they were recognized for their potential to level the playing field. This study underscores the evolving landscape of urology resident match. The adoption of virtual interviews, preference signals, and other changes co-occurring in medical education have altered the means through which applicants have been historically assessed. The findings highlight the need for ongoing feedback and transparency to ensure equitable practices for both applicants and residency programs.

The MCDM-based Assessment of Solutions for Transition to Sustainable Industry 4.0: The Case of Serbia

Industry 4.0 implies the transformation of organizations into digital entities (Sony &amp; Naik, 2020). It represents a new level of industrial development that has changed demands, competition, industry structure, and sustainability awareness (Dalenogare et al., 2018). The primary objective of this paper is to use Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) to identify the principal obstacles and solutions for successfully adopting the technologies that will facilitate a transition of the Serbian industry to sustainable Industry 4.0. The barriers' significance was defined using the Preference Selection Index – PSI (Maniya &amp; Bhatt, 2010). The assessment of the solutions was performed by three decision-makers using the following MCDM methods: PSI, Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to Ideal Solution – CRADIS (Puška et al., 2022), and Integrated Simple Weighted Sum-Product Method—WISP (Stanujkic et al., 2021). The results revealed that logistics, reverse logistics management, and technology integration are the most significant barriers. The significance of logistics and warehousing management lies in their role as crucial facilitators for the sustainable development of industries, ensuring efficient and responsible movement, storage, and distribution of goods. Also, the application and development of new technologies can improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the Serbian industry. Based on the MCDM methods, the framework enabled the assessment of the barriers and solutions for technology adoption in light of the current business conditions in the Republic of Serbia. The managers and policymakers could easily perceive the main obstacles and optimal actions to fulfill the requirements of Industry 4.0 and promote sustainable operation.

Solutions to Teaching Reform Challenges of Elective Courses under the Background of New Liberal Arts: Taking International Trade in Services Course as an Example

Variations in the allocation of university resources, teachers’ course selection preferences and teaching commitment levels, as well as students’ course preferences and assessment requirements, create subjective differences. These differences, compounded by the demands of the new liberal arts reform, place significant challenges and pressure on elective course instructors. To meet these demands, elective course teachers should enhance their teaching methods and explore new instructional models. The International Trade in Services course, for instance, has implemented six areas of curriculum reform, enriching the practice of elective course improvement.

The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students

This study investigates the intricate relationship between music listening habits and the concentration and academic performance of Cairo University students. Building on established research, including the well-known &amp;quot;Mozart effect,&amp;quot; we examine both the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating music into study routines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we distributed quantitative surveys to 200 students and conducted qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights. The study focuses on key areas: frequency of music listening while studying, preferred genres, and perceptions of music&amp;apos;s effects on focus, stress reduction, and overall academic performance. Our findings reveal that while certain genres, such as classical music, significantly enhance concentration and reduce anxiety, others may prove distracting, underscoring the importance of personal preferences in music selection. By correlating students’ perspectives with historical and contemporary research, this study elucidates how various music genres influence cognitive processes and learning outcomes. The results offer actionable strategies for both educators and students to optimize learning environments and enhance academic success, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of music&amp;apos;s role in educational contexts. This research underscores the need for a tailored approach to music in study routines, advocating for informed choices that align with individual learning styles to foster a harmonious balance between music and academic performance.