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Spanish mackerel species are migratory species, also are highly commercially valuable in Taiwan. However, in recent years, climate change and variability have influenced oceanographic conditions, substantially impacting the population dynamics of pelagic species. This study developed weighted habitat suitability index models for three crucial Scomberomorus species—Scomberomorus commerson, Scomberomorus niphonius, and Scomberomorus guttatus—in the waters off Taiwan. Remote sensing data including sea surface temperature, sea surface chlorophyll-a, sea surface salinity, and sea surface height, along with voyage data records that included detailed catch data from Taiwanese drift gillnet fisheries were collected during 2011–2019. The primary fishing grounds for S. commerson are located in the central to southwestern Taiwan Strait, while S. niphonius and S. guttatus are mainly found in the coastal waters off western Taiwan. In autumn, the oceanographic factor preferences are relatively similar among Scomberomorus species, with sea surface temperature being the primary influencing factor. Sea surface height turns to the main influencing factor in winter. Based on the results of the weighted habitat suitability model, we found seasonal differences in habitat preferences and ranges. There is more pronounced overlap in potential habitat in autumn and partial separate condition in potential habitat in winter among Scomberomorus species. Further exploration of the spatiotemporal distribution dynamics of Scomberomorus species under different ENSO periods revealed that during La Niña periods, the potential habitat ranges are broader and extend further south. In contrast, during El Niño periods, and the potential habitat ranges contract northward. Habitat suitable index model may be a useful approach for evaluating possible changes in habitat suitability resulting from climate change or other oceanographic phenomena and in offering suggestions for fishery scientific management.

This study aimed to improve the attendance of 36 Grade 8 Santan students in Values Education classes during Catch-Up Fridays through Collaborative Game-Based Learning. Using a mixed-method design, the study evaluated attendance trends before and after the intervention. Quantitative data were collected from School Form 2 (SF2) to measure attendance, and a paired sample t-test revealed a significant increase in mean attendance values, from 3.47 to 4.47, with a p-value of less than 0.05, confirming the intervention's effectiveness. Qualitative data were gathered through a focus group discussion (FGD) and a thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's (2006) framework was used to examine how students find Collaborative Game-Based Learning as an intervention to improve attendance. Students’ responses from the FGD showed that Collaborative Game-Based fosters student engagement, enhances participation, and creates a fun and dynamic learning environment.

Abstract Background Depression is a common global mental health issue, affecting around 3.8% of the population. It significantly impacts quality of life and social functioning, posing a major public health challenge. Sleep is a key factor influencing depression, with both sleep quality and quantity linked to mental health. However, sleep deprivation is widespread, and many people compensate by “weekend sleep recovery.” The effects of sleep deprivation and weekend recovery on depression risk are unclear, as irregular sleep patterns may worsen depressive symptoms. This study introduces the “Weekend Catch-up Sleep Ratio” (CUS ratio) to better understand the relationship between sleep patterns and depression. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from individuals who participated in the 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had complete data on CUS and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the potential independent association between depression and the CUS ratio. Additionally, smoothing curve fitting, threshold effect analysis, subgroup analysis, and interaction tests were conducted. Results A total of 4,656 individuals were analyzed, categorized by depression symptoms (PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher), with an overall depression risk of 12.4%. In the adjusted model, the CUS ratio was significantly positively associated with depression risk (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.25–2.45), exhibiting a nonlinear threshold effect (inflection point at 1.11). When the CUS ratio ≤ 1.11, an increase in the ratio was associated with a reduced depression risk (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.89), whereas when the CUS ratio > 1.11, each unit increase in the ratio significantly increased depression risk by 187% (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.84–4.50). Individuals with education levels of less than 9th grade, some college or an Associate of Arts (AA) degree, those who are overweight (25 ≤ BMI 1.11, each unit increase in the ratio significantly increased depression severity (Aβ = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.24–0.49). In particular, individuals without diabetes appeared more sensitive to fluctuations in sleep patterns. Conclusions This study suggests that maintaining a balanced sleep pattern, with a CUS ratio between 1 and 1.11, may help reduce depression risk and promote better mental health.

Tree-killing bark beetles are important pests severely affecting forests worldwide. An understanding of their spatio-temporal swarming intensity, typically assessed with pheromone traps, is crucial to guide management actions. While multiple factors have been shown to affect trap catches, we lack knowledge of the effects of inherent dispenser-dependent variations in pheromone release and of local trap position. In a laboratory experiment, we assessed the influence of filling level and temperature on the release rate (Rr) of three commonly used pheromone dispenser products for bark beetles (Pheroprax®, Chalcoprax®, Curviwit®). By conducting a complementary field study at two sites in Germany, we quantified the effect of varying Rr of Pheroprax® and trap position on the number of Ips typographus trapped. Rr of all three products correlated with temperature and strongly declined during the application period in Pheroprax® and Chalcoprax®. In the field, both the temporal variability in filling level and the ambient temperature similarly affected Rr, which in combination led to a fivefold change in trap catches. Additionally, catches varied by a similar magnitude due to local trap position, partly explained by the distance from the forest edge. The large uncertainties found in pheromone trap catches, which may also apply to other pest species, highlight the need for careful interpretation (or correction) of trap data. As a potential improvement of monitoring, we propose swarming models to facilitate more accurate predictions of infestation risk by (i) incorporating uncertainties arising from trap-related factors and (ii) providing continuous information on the spatio-temporal abundance of pest species.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various operational and environmental factors on the ghost fishing efficiency of Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gears (ALDFGs). A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was employed to estimate the influence of selected operational and environmental variables on ALDFG catch rates. In the experimental ALDFGs, crustaceans represented the majority (86%) of caught by weight. In terms of catch quantity, no significant difference was found between monofilament and multifilament nets, or between gill nets and trammel nets (P > 0.05). However, soak time had a statistically significant effect on fish catch rates. For crustaceans, fyke nets yielded significantly fewer individuals compared to set nets. When considering the total catch, no significant difference was observed between gill nets and trammel nets or between mono and multifilament nets. However, fyke nets again produced significantly lower catch rates than the other gear types. These findings indicate that ALDFGs continue to pose a substantial threat to aquatic ecosystems, with the level of impact varying depending on species composition, gear type, and net rigging technique, despite their diminishing effectiveness over time.

In this paper, TNTP reveals five interconnected factors of mobility that young people need in order to thrive: a strong academic foundation, career-connected learning, opportunities to build social capital, personal support in their lives, and civic engagement in their community. These five factors do not work in isolation. Instead, they must be woven together into coherent support for young people, with coordinated efforts from the many systems that shape young people's lives. TNTP's new Research Center of Excellence is currently studying each factor of mobility and, critically, exploring the connections between them. This report, "The Opportunity Makers," is the first chapter of ongoing mobility research. It identifies how to build a strong academic foundation for all students, particularly for historically marginalized groups like students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with learning and thinking differences.

Classifying, naming, and identifying insects have been complicated topics among science teachers and students. This problem is due to the highly technical collection protocols, safekeeping procedures, the unavailability of appropriate learning resources, and the closure of school laboratories and facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the remote learning setup, this study utilized Improvised Insect Traps (IITs) to provide an authentic learning experience in teaching and learning insect taxonomy at home. The study aimed to determine the effects of using IITs on students' self-efficacy beliefs and perceived levels of engagement. In this quasi-experimental study, 42 students designed and developed their improvised insect traps. Insect collection and classification were accomplished within four weeks. A 20-item validated survey questionnaire on self-efficacy and engagement levels was administered via Google Forms. Students' feedback was gathered using virtual focus group discussions and open-ended questions. Results revealed that IITs effectively improved students' self-efficacy beliefs (Z=0.033, p-value=0.022, g=0.68), while no improvement was noted in students' perceived levels of engagement (Z=0.143, p-value=0.188, g=0.07) in teaching and learning insect taxonomy. Moreover, students' feedback and responses were classified as Affordances or Constraints. Subthemes such as motivation, satisfaction, authentic learning, safety, and parental involvement were generated in the thematic analysis. Overall, this study found that the IITs activity is relevant in teaching insect taxonomy and delivering practical learning experiences among students in a distance learning modality.

This is the story of a series of writing workshops with four undergraduate final year students, in a non-formal, non-graded, non-curriculum space. Students were introduced to 'writing for wellbeing' (WfW), using expressive writing strategies adapted from poetry/bibliotherapy practice. Initially intended as a research method for their dissertation projects, the writing workshops evolved into a significant creative space for the students' own personal development. Shared reflections about our experience of writing together sheds light on the broader potential of WfW as a participatory research method, and as a compassionate approach for writing the self in higher education.

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Growing catch crops can improve soil health by enhancing microbial diversity, but their impact may be constrained by how they are managed. This study examined the effects of different catch crop species and soil cultivation methods on bacterial and fungal diversity, and total soil microbial biomass. A 3-year field experiment on Luvi-haplic Chernozem included two catch crop species and five mixtures (further catch crop species) and three cultivation methods (ploughing, reduced tillage and no tillage), resulting in 21 treatments (7 catch crop species x 3 soil cultivations). Soil samples (0–15 cm depth) were collected annually in autumn and spring since 2021 to 2024. Microbial biomass was assessed using the chloroform fumigation extraction method, while fungal and bacterial diversity was analysed by amplifying and sequencing the ITS2 region of rDNA and the V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene for fungi and bacteria, respectively, via Illumina paired-end amplicon sequencing. Soil cultivation methods affected bacterial diversity, with reduced tillage showing higher diversity and evenness than ploughing, though neither differed from no-till. However, no effect was observed on fungal diversity, including AM fungi, or microbial biomass. Catch crop species did not significantly impact microbial diversity or biomass. Neither cultivation method nor catch crop species influenced the ratios of functional trophic groups, such as pathogens, saprotrophs or symbionts. This study underscores the critical role of soil management practices—especially reduced tillage—in promoting soil health, primarily through the enhancement of bacterial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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