Scientific Questions Research Articles

Docimological Quality Analysis of LLM-Generated Multiple Choice Questions in Computer Science and Medicine

Assessment is an essential part of education, both for teachers who assess their students as well as learners who may evaluate themselves. Multiple-choice questions (MCQ) are one of the most popular types of knowledge assessment, e.g., in medical education, as they can be automatically graded and can cover a wide range of learning items. However, the creation of high-quality MCQ items is a time-consuming task. The recent advent of Large Language Models (LLM), such as Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), caused a new momentum for automatic question generation solutions. Still, evaluating generated questions according to the best practices for MCQ item writing is needed to ensure docimological quality. In this article, we propose an analysis of the quality of LLM-generated MCQs. We employ zero-shot approaches in two domains, namely computer science and medicine. In the former, we make use of 3 GPT-based services to generate MCQs. In the latter, we developed a plugin for the Moodle learning management system that generates MCQs based on learning material. We compare the generated MCQs against common multiple-choice item writing guidelines. Among the major challenges, we determined that while LLMs are certainly useful in generating MCQs more efficiently, they sometimes create broad items with ambiguous keys or implausible distractors. Human oversight is also necessary to ensure instructional alignment between generated items and course contents. Finally, we propose solutions for AQG developers.

Assessing the impact of climate change on landslides near Vejle, Denmark, using public data

Abstract. The possibility of increased landslide activity as a result of climate change has often been suggested, but few studies quantify this connection. Here, we present and utilize a workflow for the first time solely using publicly available data to assess the impact of future changes in landslide dynamic conditioning factors on landslide movement. In our case we apply the workflow to three slow-moving coastal landslides near Vejle, presenting the first study of its kind on Danish landslides. We examine modelled water table depth (WTD) as a dynamic conditioning factor using the DK-HIP model (Danish Hydrological Information and Prognosis system) that simulates historic and future WTD. The data show a clear correlation with landslide movement as recorded by the interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time series for the period from 2015 to 2019. Movement of up to 84 mm yr−1 occurs during wet winter months when normalized WTD exceeds +0.5 m. During dry winters, no, or very little, seasonal landslide movement is observed. The DK-HIP model predicts an increase of up to 0.7 m in WTD at the study area by 2100 CE under the RCP8.5 (Representative Concentration Pathway) scenario (95 % confidence), which exceeds the levels this area has experienced in recent decades (mean increase of 0.2 m with a standard deviation of 0.25 m). This is likely to result in increased landslide activity and acceleration of movement. In a previous episode of increased landslide activity linked to extreme precipitation in the early 1980s, one of the examined landslides accelerated, causing damage to infrastructure and buildings. Our study clearly shows that these landslides are sensitive to climate change and highlights the potential of utilizing high-quality, publicly available data to address these complex scientific questions. The quality and quantity of such data are ever increasing, and so is the potential of this kind of approach.

Parent attitudes towards data sharing in developmental science.

Data sharing in developmental science is increasingly encouraged, supported by funder and publisher mandates for open data access. Data sharing can accelerate discovery, link researchers with high quality analytic expertise to researchers with large datasets and democratise the research landscape to enable researchers with limited funding to access large sample sizes. However, there are also significant privacy and security concerns, in addition to conceptual and ethical considerations. These are particularly acute for developmental science, where child participants cannot consent themselves. As we move forward into a new era of data openness, it is essential that we adequately represent the views of stakeholder communities in designing data sharing efforts. We conducted a comprehensive survey of the opinions of 195 parents on data sharing in developmental science. Survey themes included how widely parents are willing to share their child's data, which type of organisations they would share the data with and the type of consent they would be comfortable providing. Results showed that parents were generally supportive of curated, but not open, data sharing. In addition to individual privacy and security concerns, more altruistic considerations around the purpose of research were important. Parents overwhelmingly supported nuanced consenting models in which preferences for particular types of data sharing could be changed over time. This model is different to that implemented in the vast majority of developmental science research and is contrary to many funder or publisher mandates. The field should look to create shared repositories that implement features such as dynamic consent and mechanisms for curated sharing that allow consideration of the scientific questions addressed. Better communication and outreach are required to build trust in data sharing, and advanced analytic methods will be required to understand the impact of selective sharing on reproducibility and representativeness of research datasets.

پرسە نێودەوڵەتییەکان لە ڕوانگەی تیۆری ڕیاڵیزمەوە: پرسی ژینگە وەک نموونە

Different directions of realism theory, as the most prominent theory for studying issues and international relations, are close in several hypotheses and general lines, but when coming to details, they are different. This study examines international questions and environmental issues in particular in terms of these theoretical directions. In general, realistic theories agree on the hypothesis that international issues can be classified into high politics and low politics. But because in today’s world, the dangers and consequences of environmental pollution on international and world security have considerably increased, for this study, main question is that is environment in the perspectives of different directions of realism theory still a minor issue or has its role and position to become a key issue risen, or is it possible to rise? By relying on reliable sources and using each of deductive method, qualitative method and case studies, efforts have been made to investigate and address this scientific question. In order to achieve the goals and giving attention to the cause and the major problem, the study is divided into two main sections, each section includes accurate enquiries. Finally, the study positively proves its hypothesis, which in the perspective of realism theories, issues related to national interest and security are placed at the top of high issues pyramid, while environmental issues are given less importance by the state and international actors. However, at the same time, some differences in the understanding of realism theories are noticed, particularly in defensive realism, which claims that environment should be dealt with as an important subject in some places and stages of time, yet the offensive realism is the most pessimistic one in this aspect.

Model Diagnostic Analysis in a Cold Basin Influenced by Frozen Soils With the Aid of Stable Isotope

AbstractUnderstanding the hydrological processes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) under climate change is an important scientific question. The frequent multiphase transfer exacerbates the complexity of hydrological processes on the TP, which brings equifinality problem to hydrological models and causes large uncertainties in quantifying the contributions of runoff components. Tracer‐aided hydrological models are helpful for improving model performances and have been adopted in cryospheric regions, but the influence of frozen soil has yet to be considered. This study adopted the Tracer‐aided Tsinghua Representative Elementary Watershed model (THREW‐T) in a typical cold basin with widespread frozen soil on the TP. The model structure was diagnosed with isotope by identifying the influences of frozen soil. A simplified catchment‐scale frozen soil module was incorporated into the model. Results showed that: (a) The THREW‐T model cannot simultaneously simulate baseflow and stream water isotope well. The imbalance of simulations on two objectives could be attributed to the influence of frozen soil, resulting in seasonal variation of soil‐related parameters, which was not considered in the model. (b) Incorporating the frozen soil module significantly improved the balance of baseflow and isotope simulation, simultaneously producing low baseflow and high contribution of subsurface runoff during wet seasons. (c) The frozen soil had little influence on the annual streamflow, but changed the runoff seasonality by reducing baseflow during dry seasons and increasing subsurface runoff during wet seasons. The frozen soil module was still simplified, and further work is needed to improve the physical representation of soil freeze‐thaw process. This study highlights the value of tracer‐aided hydrological modeling method on diagnosing model structure by identifying the influence of specific processes such as frozen soil.

Learning by Talking: Using Multimedia to Enhance Science Explanation Development of Neurodivergent Students

Becoming proficient in scientific discourse such as argumentation or developing explanations can be challenging for students, including neurodivergent students (e.g., autistic students, students with learning disabilities, students with ADHD). Students need to practice developing arguments and explanations as well as sharing their conclusions with others; however, these opportunities do not regularly occur. The use of multimedia technology shows promise in being an engaging and effective way to support student learning and discussion of science topics and phenomena. This study investigated the use of a multimedia presentation called Dialogic Instruction for Argumentative Learning in Science (DIALS) in supporting upper-elementary neurodivergent students to provide complete responses to science questions. DIALS provides a structured inquiry investigation to the student in which they learn about a phenomenon through completing scaffolded animated experiments, explicitly learning how to develop an argument and respond to others conclusions, and learning relevant content information to support their argument and explanation development. An adapted alternating treatments design approach was used in this study. The phenomena explored were counterbalanced between three options: DIALS, PowerPoint comparison lessons, or control probe slides. Results from this study show promise in the use of DIALS in enhancing student complete responding to questions and providing quality claims for why they think phenomena occur. Implications for the findings are discussed.

The high power laser facility at beamline ID24-ED at the ESRF

ABSTRACT This paper describes technical details and new scientific opportunities offered by the new High Power Laser Facility at the ESRF, opened to users since 2022. This facility enables laser-induced dynamic compression experiments probed by ultra-fast X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy at beamline ID24-ED. This capability allows to reach and probe more extreme pressure and temperature states and higher strain rates with respect to static compression, addressing open questions in fundamental, planetary and material science.

Estimating statistical power for structural equation models in developmental cognitive science: A tutorial in R

Determining the compositional structure and dimensionality of psychological constructs lies at the heart of many research questions in developmental science. Structural equation modeling (SEM) provides a versatile framework for formalizing and estimating the relationships among multiple latent constructs. While the flexibility of SEM can accommodate many complex assumptions on the underlying structure of psychological constructs, it makes a priori estimation of statistical power and required sample size challenging. This difficulty is magnified when comparing non-nested SEMs, which prevents the use of traditional likelihood-ratio tests. Sample size estimates for SEM model fit comparisons typically rely on generic rules of thumb. Such heuristics can be misleading because statistical power in SEM depends on a variety of model properties. Here, we demonstrate a Monte Carlo simulation approach for estimating a priori statistical power for model selection when comparing non-nested models in an SEM framework. We provide a step-by-step guide to this approach based on an example from our memory development research in children.

Fécondation in vitro : quel impact sur la santé à moyen et long terme des enfants conçus

Among the medical, scientific and ethical questions raised by in vitro fertilization (IVF), those concerning the medium and long-term health of children and young adults thus conceived are essential. Forty-five years after the birth of the first child and while more than 8 million people in the world have been conceived by IVF, the National Academy of Medicine has devoted a report to this theme, mainly analysing the results of numerous international studies. The published results are rather reassuring but they are not always consistent and many uncertainties remain. The Academy of Medicine calls for further epidemiological and clinical studies in better characterized populations and at later ages of life. The Academy also recommends developing basic research to better explain the potential effects of IVF.

Biochar Addition Increased Soil Carbon Storage but Did Not Exacerbate Soil Carbon Emission in Young Subtropical Plantation Forest

Forests play a crucial role in mitigating global warming, contributing approximately 46% of the global terrestrial carbon sink. However, it remains uncertain whether the addition of biochar to forests enhances the ecosystem’s carbon sink capacity. This study aims to address this scientific question by investigating whether biochar application increases carbon storage, potentially leading to an overall rise in carbon emissions by influencing soil respiration and identifying the underlying mechanisms. A controlled experiment was conducted in a young plantation forest that had grown for three years, where soil CO2 efflux rate and physicochemical properties, photosynthesis, and plant growth traits were measured across varying biochar addition rates (0, 5, and 10 t/ha) over five seasons. Then, statistical methods including one-way ANOVA, regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to assess differences in biological and abiotic factors among biochar addition gradients and understand the influencing mechanisms of soil CO2 efflux change. The findings revealed that biochar addition significantly increased the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), consequently promoting photosynthesis and plant growth (p < 0.05). Biochar addition accounted for 73.8% of the variation in soil CO2 efflux by affecting soil physicochemical properties, photosynthesis, and plant basal diameter growth. However, the net effect of biochar addition on soil CO2 efflux was found to be low. The positive effects of biochar addition on soil CO2 efflux via factors such as soil bulk density, total nitrogen (TN), MBC, and photosynthesis were counteracted by its negative impact through soil total phosphorus (TP), water content, pH, SOC, and plant basal diameter growth. Overall, our findings indicate that there was no significant increase in soil CO2 efflux in the short term (totaling 16 months) over the biochar addition gradient. However, we observed a substantial increase in soil carbon storage and an enhancement in the soil’s capacity to act as a carbon sink. Therefore, adding biochar to forests may be a feasible strategy to increase carbon sinks and mitigate global climate change.

Mechanisms of neuromodulatory volume transmission.

A wealth of neuromodulatory transmitters regulate synaptic circuits in the brain. Their mode of signaling, often called volume transmission, differs from classical synaptic transmission in important ways. In synaptic transmission, vesicles rapidly fuse in response to action potentials and release their transmitter content. The transmitters are then sensed by nearby receptors on select target cells with minimal delay. Signal transmission is restricted to synaptic contacts and typically occurs within ~1 ms. Volume transmission doesn't rely on synaptic contact sites and is the main mode of monoamines and neuropeptides, important neuromodulators in the brain. It is less precise than synaptic transmission, and the underlying molecular mechanisms and spatiotemporal scales are often not well understood. Here, we review literature on mechanisms of volume transmission and raise scientific questions that should be addressed in the years ahead. We define five domains by which volume transmission systems can differ from synaptic transmission and from one another. These domains are (1) innervation patterns and firing properties, (2) transmitter synthesis and loading into different types of vesicles, (3) architecture and distribution of release sites, (4) transmitter diffusion, degradation, and reuptake, and (5) receptor types and their positioning on target cells. We discuss these five domains for dopamine, a well-studied monoamine, and then compare the literature on dopamine with that on norepinephrine and serotonin. We include assessments of neuropeptide signaling and of central acetylcholine transmission. Through this review, we provide a molecular and cellular framework for volume transmission. This mechanistic knowledge is essential to define how neuromodulatory systems control behavior in health and disease and to understand how they are modulated by medical treatments and by drugs of abuse.

Ejection and dynamics of aggregates in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

The process of gas-driven ejection of refractory materials from cometary surfaces continues to pose a challenging question in cometary science. The activity modeling of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, based on data from the Rosetta mission, has significantly enhanced our comprehension of cometary activity. But thermophysical models have difficulties in simultaneously explaining the production rates of various gas species and dust. It has been suggested that different gas species might be responsible for the ejection of refractory material in distinct size ranges. This work focuses on investigating the abundance and the ejection mechanisms of large aggregates (gtrsim 1 cm) from the comet nucleus. We aim to determine their properties and map the distribution of their source regions across the comet surface. This can place constraints on activity models for comets. We examined 189 images acquired at five epochs by the OSIRIS/NAC instrument on board the Rosetta spacecraft. Our goal was to identify bright tracks produced by individual aggregates as they traversed the camera field of view. In parallel, we generated synthetic images based on the output of dynamical simulations involving various types of aggregates. By comparing these synthetic images with the observations, we determined the characteristics of the simulated aggregates that most closely resemble the observations. We have identified over 30000 tracks present in the OSIRIS images, derived constraints on the characteristics of the aggregates, and mapped their origins on the nucleus surface. The aggregates have an average radius of $ cm and a bulk density consistent with that of the comet's nucleus. Due to their size, gas drag exerts only a minor influence on their dynamical behavior, so an initial velocity is needed to bring them into the camera field of view. The source regions of these aggregates are predominantly located near the boundaries of distinct terrains on the surface.

Application of ChatGPT in soil science research and the perceptions of soil scientists in Indonesia

Since its arrival in late November 2022, ChatGPT-3.5 has rapidly gained popularity and significantly impacted how research is planned, conducted, and published using a generative artificial intelligence approach. ChatGPT-4 was released four months later and became more popular in November 2023. However, there is little study about the perception of scientists of these chatbots, especially in soil science. This article presents the new findings of a brief research investigating soil scientists' responses and perceptions towards chatbots in Indonesia. This artificial intelligence application facilitates conversation-based interactions in text format. The study evaluated ten ChatGPT answers to fundamental questions in soil science, which has developed into a normal science with a mutually agreed-upon paradigm. The evaluation was carried out by seven soil scientists recognized for their expertise in Indonesia, using a scale of 1–100. In addition, a questionnaire was distributed to soil scientists at the National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BRIN), universities, and Indonesian Soil Science Society (HITI) members to gauge their perception of ChatGPT's presence in the research field. The study results indicate that the scores of ChatGPT answers range from 82.99 to 92.24. ChatGPT-4 is better than both the paid and free versions of ChatGPT-3.5. There is no significant difference between the English and Indonesian versions of ChatGPT-4.0. However, the perception of general soil scientists about the level of trust is only 55%. Furthermore, 80% of soil scientists believe that chatbots can only be used as digital tools to assist in soil science research and cannot be used without the involvement of soil scientists.

Flint community science leadership: co-production of knowledge around environmental and public health action

ABSTRACT At the ten-year anniversary of the Flint water crisis, Flint residents continue to work to improve the well-being of their community and advance community leadership in science. While the water crisis is remembered by most as just an egregious example of government mismanagement, a lesser told story is that of the ongoing leadership and mobilization of Flint residents. Our paper reflects on a collaborative project as part of a larger, sustained partnership in co-producing knowledge about Flint residents’ experiences with the water crisis, their expertise in responding to public health crises, and concerns and curiosities that may be explored as scientific research questions. We detail our investigative effort over five years focusing on understanding Flint residents’ expertise in responding to the water crisis and our processes of working with residents to connect personal experiences to explorable questions. We align the activities of our engagement (focus groups, workshops, a technology co-development pilot study, and interviews) with an iterative process of listening, dialogue, and action consistent with Paulo Freire’s processes for advancing collective consciousness. We position our work as an implementation of liberation sociology by working to explore scientific questions that are meaningful and impactful to disenfranchised populations.

Advances in Studying Cancer Immunology in Mice.

The recent rise in effective immuno-oncology therapies has increased demand for experimental approaches to model anticancer immunity. A variety of mouse models have been developed and used to study cancer immunology. These include mutagen-induced, genetically engineered, syngeneic, and other models of cancer immunology. These models each have the potential to define mechanistic aspects of anticancer immune responses, identify potential therapeutic targets, and serve as preclinical models for further therapeutic development. Specific benefits and liabilities are characteristic of particular cancer immunology modeling approaches. The optimal choice and utilization of models depends on the cancer immunology scientific question being addressed and can serve to increase mechanistic understanding and development of human immuno-oncology therapies.

The Science Behind Stress: From Theory to Clinic, Is Basal Septal Hypertrophy the Missing Link between Hypertension and Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy?

The modern theory of stress, initially proposed by Hans Selye in 1956, signifies an important development in our understanding of this phenomenon. Selye’s The Stress of Life serves as a foundational book for subsequent scientific questions. In this article, we focus on a comprehensive look at stress and use a literature review to explain its theoretical foundations as well as its clinical equivalent. Our research focuses on the complex mechanisms of stress, with a particular emphasis on the consequences of cardiac remodeling and adaptation processes. Myocardial remodeling might be seen as a response to increased stress in acute or chronic situations. Stressed heart morphology (SHM) is a very interesting description representing basal septal hypertrophy (BSH), which is detectable in both acute emotional stress and chronic stress due to increased afterload in hypertension. Acute stress cardiomyopathy (ASC) and hypertension in the same individuals could be clinically linked. Also, in this report, we mention the geometric and functional similarity of the left ventricle (LV) septal base in both acute and chronic clinical situations. Therefore, cardiac imaging methods are crucial to assessing LV segmental aspects in ASC patients. We propose a new paradigm that ASC may develop in hypertensive patients with SHM. We document the segmental progression of microscopic LV remodeling using a third-generation microscopic ultrasound and note that BSH takes a longer time to occur morphologically than an acutely developed syndrome. However, the majority of ASC events have a predominant base, and the absence of segmental remodeling details, including BSH and cardiac decompensation with apical ballooning, on echocardiographic reports may mask the possible underlying hypertensive disease. In fact, beyond ASC cases, previously undiagnosed hypertension is very common, even in developed countries, and is associated with masked target organ damage.

Micrometeorite collections: a review and their current status.

Micrometeorites are estimated to represent the main part of the present flux of extraterrestrial matter found on the Earth's surface and provide valuable samples to probe the interplanetary medium. Here, we describe large and representative collections of micrometeorites currently available to the scientific community. These include Antarctic collections from surface ice and snow, as well as glacial sediments from the eroded top of nunataks-summits outcropping from the icesheet-and moraines. Collections extracted from deep-sea sediments (DSS) produced a large number of micrometeorites, in particular, iron-rich cosmic spherules that are rarer in other collections. Collections from the old and stable surface of the Atacama Desert show that finding large numbers of micrometeorites is not restricted to polar regions or DSS. The advent of rooftop collections marks an important step into involving citizen science in the study of micrometeorites, as well as providing potential sampling locations over all latitudes to explore the modern flux. We explore their strengths of the collections to address specific scientific questions and their potential weaknesses. The future of micrometeorite research will involve the finding of large fossil micrometeorite collections and benefit from recent advances in sampling cosmic dust directly from the air. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dust in the Solar System and beyond'.

Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Sharing and Emerging Postdigital Meaning-Making Practices in the Astronomy Community

For decades, science communities have had digital technology embedded in their everyday work. However, new research infrastructures are amplifying the presence and use of digital technologies for scientists. In that respect, radio astronomy is undergoing a major transformation causing the community to enter a phase of postdigital work, due to the construction of the most sensitive telescope, the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), which scales the presence of digital technology and the amount of data generated. As new digital research infrastructure is set up, sociotechnical imaginaries—symbols and visions of a shared future—emerge, while others become obsolete thus impacting structures and practices of meaning-making. In this paper, we explore the disruptive potential of sociotechnical imaginaries and how astronomers using SKA pathfinder and precursor telescope data respond to these imaginaries and incorporate them into their meaning-making. The analysis shows that postdigital imaginaries related to data circulation, storage, archiving, and reuse have been amplified as SKA facilities and services are set up. Two changes are highlighted regarding a new postdigital condition within the astronomy community. Firstly, as astronomers engage in new postdigital forms of collaboration, they need to reach a consensus on what types of analyses to use by agreeing which methods are appropriate. This affects how scientific questions and research proposals are negotiated collectively, impacting the agency of astronomers. Secondly, as digital tools are increasingly part of astronomers’ daily work, they have to rely on new data analysis methods, which determine what evidence is uninteresting. Overall, these changes pose new questions regarding how meaning-making processes are altered and the way science is undertaken because of these new entanglements of human and non-human actors.

An interoperable software system to store, associate, visualize, and publish global open science data of earth surface system

Multi-source heterogeneous, multi-modal, and multi-type open scientific data (e.g., thematic sharing sites, metadata, journal articles, etc.) on earth surface systems (EES) provide important data sources for knowledge mining, discovery, and accurate recommendations, and also pose increasing challenges, resulting in the need to develop appropriate tools to address these challenges and support decision-making. This paper constructs an interoperable software system to store, visualize, and publish open science data of ESS. Utilizing an open scientific data catalogue repository encompassing EES information as foundational input and employing an integrated modeling methodology, this system endeavors to synthesize heterogeneous surface data of diverse linguistic, sourced, and typological origins. The objective is to facilitate multidimensional data retrieval and precise data auto-recommendation, thereby fostering the dissemination of scientific data and facilitating value-added services within EES domain. The tool may be used by stakeholders including researchers, data analysts, policymakers and national authorities to support decision-making on questions ranging from locating the location of open data related to the topic, to discovering high-quality data, selecting the data with the better overall evaluation. Along with a description of the system/platform design process, its structure, and the constituent models, key results are presented relating to the user interface, and several application examples. Software systems can help modelers to use the best features of a single software tool to answer open scientific data-related questions that seek to discovery, use, comparison or synthesis within or across topics of ESS.

Crystallography applications: A comprehensive review

Crystallography is an essential scientific technique profoundly influencing our understanding of atomic and molecular structures in materials, providing insights into the arrangement and interactions of atoms. This review highlights crystallographys extensive applications across chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science, emphasizing its critical role and adaptability. The paper traces crystallographys historical development, outlines its fundamental principles, and celebrates its significant milestones and contributions to science. By revealing the complex structures and functions of compounds, from simple molecules to complex macromolecules, crystallography has catalyzed advancements in drug development, material innovation, and fundamental scientific understanding. The paper asserts crystallographys continued prominence in scientific research, with its application and influence steadily growing. Its pivotal in enhancing our understanding of matter, driving technological and material advancements, and offering solutions to complex scientific questions. Moreover, the review addresses the current challenges and future directions of crystallography, pointing out potential areas for innovation and improvement. As technology advances, crystallographys significance in various scientific disciplines remains indispensable, solidifying its position as a cornerstone of scientific inquiry and discovery. The paper concludes by reinforcing the techniques vital role in pushing the boundaries of science and technology.