Cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) is one of the main features of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), which uses connectivity to improve the efficiency of adaptive cruise control (ACC). The addition of reliable communication systems to ACC reduces fuel consumption, maximizes road capacity, and ensures traffic safety. However, the performance, stability, and safety of CACC could be affected by the transmission of outdated data caused by communication delays. This paper proposes a Lyapunov-based nonlinear controller to mitigate the impact of time-varying delays in the communication channel of CACC. This paper uses Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals in the stability analysis to ensure semi-global uniformly ultimately bounded tracking. The efficaciousness of the proposed CACC algorithm is demonstrated in simulation and through experimental implementation. Full article

Orthodontic space closure following tooth extraction is often hindered by alveolar bone deficiency. This study investigates the therapeutic use of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides loaded with polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanospheres (PLGA-NfDs) to mitigate alveolar bone loss during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) following the bilateral extraction of maxillary first molars in a controlled experiment involving forty rats of OTM model with ethics approved. The decreased tendency of the OTM distance and inclination angle with increased bone volume and improved trabecular bone structure indicated minimized alveolar bone destruction. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and histomorphometric analysis demonstrated the suppression of inflammation and bone resorption by downregulating the expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cathepsin K, NF-κB p65, and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand while provoking periodontal regeneration by upregulating the expression of alkaline phosphatase, transforming growth factor-β1, osteopontin, and fibroblast growth factor-2. Importantly, relative gene expression over the maxillary second molar compression side in proximity to the alveolus highlighted the pharmacological effect of intra-socket PLGA-NfD administration, as evidenced by elevated osteocalcin expression, indicative of enhanced osteocytogenesis. These findings emphasize that locally administered PLGA-NfD serves as an effective inflammatory suppressor and yields periodontal regenerative responses following tooth extraction. Full article

Flavonoids and stilbenoids, crucial secondary metabolites abundant in plants and fungi, display diverse biological and pharmaceutical activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. However, conventional production methods, such as chemical synthesis and plant extraction, face challenges in sustainability and yield. Hence, there is a notable shift towards biological production using microorganisms like Escherichia coli and yeast. Yet, the drawbacks of using E. coli and yeast as hosts for these compounds persist. For instance, yeast’s complex glycosylation profile can lead to intricate protein production scenarios, including hyperglycosylation issues. Consequently, Corynebacterium glutamicum emerges as a promising alternative, given its adaptability and recent advances in metabolic engineering. Although extensively used in biotechnological applications, the potential production of flavonoid and stilbenoid in engineered C. glutamicum remains largely untapped compared to E. coli. This review explores the potential of metabolic engineering in C. glutamicum for biosynthesis, highlighting its versatility as a cell factory and assessing optimization strategies for these pathways. Additionally, various metabolic engineering methods, including genomic editing and biosensors, and cofactor regeneration are evaluated, with a focus on C. glutamicum. Through comprehensive discussion, the review offers insights into future perspectives in production, aiding researchers and industry professionals in the field. Full article

Microdroplets generated in microfluidic devices are attracting attention as a new chemical reaction field and are expected to improve reactivity. One of the effects of microscaling is that the ratio of the force that acts on the diffusion and movement of substances to gravity is different from that of ordinary solvents. Recently, we proposed a hypothesis for determining reaction acceleration through micro-miniaturization: If a reaction is inhibited by setting the volume and viscosity of the solution to conditions that are unfavorable to the reaction on a normal scale, that reaction can be promoted in microfluidics. Therefore, for the purpose of this verification, (1) we used an amino acid Schiff base copper(II) complex with an azobenzene group to demonstrate the polarization-induced orientation in a polymer film (the redirection that is mechanically maintained in a soft matter matrix). Numerical data on optical anisotropy parameters were reported. (2) When the reaction is confirmed to be promoted in laminar flow in a microfluidic device and its azo derivative, a copper(II) complex is used to increase the solvent viscosity or diffusion during synthesis on a normally large scale. We will obtain and discuss data on the investigation of changing the solvent volume as a region. The range of experimental conditions for volume and viscosity did not lead to an improvement in synthetic yield, nor did (3) the comparison of solvents and viscosity for single-crystal growth of amino acid Schiff base copper(II) complexes having azobenzene groups. A solvent whose viscosity was measured was used, but microcrystals were obtained using the diffusion method. Full article

With respect to a traditional point-to-point (P-P) network, a hub-and-spoke (H-S) network not only uses a smaller number of links/paths but also utilizes the scale economy advantage on consolidated flows on hub–hub links and at hubs. However, the inevitable delays through hubs have always been a critical concern. Therefore, this paper develops an H-S model considering flow delay costs and applies the model to a logistics case in Eastern China. The integer quadratic term in the model’s objective function is linearized using the algebraic method. Our model is applied to develop an H-S network for its 13-node express package delivery operation, using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The results show using the H-S can save more than 14.1% of the total cost annually. The model also provides an applied case to the H-S configuration, especially for urban express delivery logistics in China. Full article

Background: Wound healing competence is implied in the nursing profession, but there is no standardized content regulation for wound care in university curricula. The primary objective of this study was to identify the barriers to the acquisition of knowledge about skin integrity impairment. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test study with an ad hoc questionnaire involved 304 students (control: 165; intervention: 139) from June to July 2023. A 10-hour educational intervention focused on skin integrity assessment and treatment was conducted. Results: The control group, scoring 17 ± 0.22 out of a maximum of 61, achieved a significantly lower final test score (p < 0.001) compared to the wound care educational intervention group, with the pre-test group scoring 30 ± 0.76 and the post-test group scoring 43 ± 0.61. The educational intervention in wound care program improved nursing students' knowledge of prevention, assessment/diagnosis, treatment, lower limb wounds, and wound bed preparation by replacing the number of "Don't know" answers in the post-test group with correct answers. Conclusions: The barriers identified to the acquisition of knowledge about skin integrity impairment in nursing studies are the following: the transversality of teaching, the teaching and evaluation system, and the variability in the training of professionals and teachers in charge of their education. The educational intervention can be used to consolidate knowledge and to enhance students’ self-confidence in caring for patients with wounds. Full article

(1) Background: Various guidelines address patient preparation and its importance for venous blood sampling, such as the GP41 guideline issued by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the blood collection guidelines published by the World Health Organisation. Recommendations provided by national societies or international organisations in the field of radiology, such as The Contrast Media Safety Committee of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology, or in the field of laboratory medicine, such as the Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE) of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and the Latin American Working Group for Preanalytical Phase (WG-PRE-LATAM) of the Latin American Confederation of Clinical Biochemistry (COLABIOCLI), also guide this practice. There is a notable lack of understanding regarding the viewpoints held by non-laboratory healthcare professionals concerning the significance of patient preparation for laboratory testing and the impact of typical factors associated with patient preparation. This study endeavours to bridge this gap by assessing the attitude of non-laboratory healthcare professionals in Lithuania regarding these pivotal aspects. (2) Methods: A self-designed anonymous questionnaire was disseminated among 141 public healthcare institutions in Lithuania. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was evaluated by computing Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics were utilised for the variables, while comparisons of attitude among groups were conducted using Mann–Whitney U (for two groups) or Kruskal–Wallis (for more than two groups) for categorical and discrete indicators. The Kruskal–Wallis post-hoc test was employed for pairwise comparisons. A significance level of p-Value < 0.05 was applied to establish statistical significance. (3) Results: A total of 158 respondents constituted two distinct groups of healthcare professionals: nurses and physicians. Most of the participants either agreed or strongly agreed that patient preparation could introduce bias into laboratory test results. Professionals with less than 20 years of work experience or those who attended training in patient preparation for sampling within a 5-year timeframe exhibited stronger agreement regarding different preanalytical factors in patient preparation and their impact on laboratory test results compared to their counterparts. (4) Conclusions: Non-laboratory healthcare professionals who participated in this survey consider proper patient preparation for laboratory testing to be a significant step towards obtaining accurate test results. They also recognize the commonly acknowledged preanalytical factors as important for ensuring reliable test results. However, attitudes towards the importance of several preanalytical factors vary depending on whether non-laboratory healthcare professionals have more or less than 20 years of work experience, as well as whether they have attended any training on this topic within the last five years or have never attended such training. Full article

The aim of this work was the investigation of novel organocatalysts for the Michael addition of diethyl malonate to β-nitrostyrene. The methodology of the study included NMR titration, reaction monitoring by NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), product characterization by MALDI, IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. As a result, evidence of supramolecular interactions between two pairs of components of the reaction was found. In addition to the supramolecular complexes, an unusual reaction, i.e., the Michael addition of NH-bispidines to β-nitrostyrene, was found, which led to previously unknown oligomers of β-nitrostyrene. A new mechanism for the catalytic action of NH-bispidine was proposed, which involved catalysis not by the initial organocatalyst but rather by its adduct with β-nitrostyrene. Thus, in this reaction, N-benzylbispidine acted as an initiator, and the real catalyst was the betaine formed during the initiation stage. Full article

Tidal flat plays an important role in coastal development because of its ecological and spatial resources. We take the southern tidal flat in the macro-tidal turbid Hangzhou Bay as an example to study the long-term (1990–2020) evolution of the muddy tidal flat, using remote sensing data and field observational data. The detailed bathymetric elevation of the tidal flat is obtained, using remote sensing images of Landsat and Sentinel-2, combined with the real-time kinematic (RTK) data. The correlation coefficient between the remote sensing data and the RTK data is 0.73. The tidal flat and vegetation areas are affected by reclamation. The total tidal flat area decreased by 467.78 km². The vegetation area declined from 64.98 km² in 2000 to 13.41 km² in 2015 and recovered to 41.62 km² in 2020. The largest change in tidal flat slope occurs in the eastern and western sides of the tidal flat, compared with the wide middle part. The total length of tidal creeks decreased to 45.95 km in 2005 and then increased to 105.83 km in 2020. The middle- and low-grade tidal creeks accounted for 91.4%, with a curvature slightly larger than 1 in 2020. High-grade tidal creeks occur inside the vegetation areas, with less bending and fewer branch points. Vegetation promotes the development of tidal creeks but limits the lateral swing and bifurcation. These results provide a basis for the management of global tidal flat resources and ecosystems. Full article

Satellite remote sensing plays a significant role in the detection of smoke from forest fires. However, existing methods for detecting smoke from forest fires based on remote sensing images rely solely on the information provided by the images, overlooking the positional information and brightness temperature of the fire spots in forest fires. This oversight significantly increases the probability of misjudging smoke plumes. This paper proposes a smoke detection model, Forest Smoke-Fire Net (FSF Net), which integrates wildfire smoke images with the dynamic brightness temperature information of the region. The MODIS_Smoke_FPT dataset was constructed using a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the meteorological information at the site of the fire, and elevation data to determine the location of smoke and the brightness temperature threshold for wildfires. Deep learning and machine learning models were trained separately using the image data and fire spot area data provided by the dataset. The performance of the deep learning model was evaluated using metric MAP, while the regression performance of machine learning was assessed with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The selected machine learning and deep learning models were organically integrated. The results show that the Mask_RCNN_ResNet50_FPN and XGR models performed best among the deep learning and machine learning models, respectively. Combining the two models achieved good smoke detection results (Precision_smoke = 89.12%). Compared with wildfire smoke detection models that solely use image recognition, the model proposed in this paper demonstrates stronger applicability in improving the precision of smoke detection, thereby providing beneficial support for the timely detection of forest fires and applications of remote sensing. Full article

To ensure efficient inspection using the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method, generating a flux density near the saturation level within the tested material is essential. This requirement brings high flux density conditions in the system’s pole regions. Hence, leakage flux within the slot is excessively triggered, leading to distortion of the defect signal. In this context, the system dimensions stand out as one of the most significant factors affecting the mentioned flux distributions. Therefore, various alternative solutions with different system dimensions arise in the design process of the MFL system. This study proposes a magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) model to achieve optimal system design. The proposed MEC model is designed considering the nonlinear behavior of the material, leakage flux, and fringing effects. Verification results demonstrate that the MEC model consistently tracks the finite element analysis (FEA) results in calculating the flux densities. Furthermore, the relative errors in the flux density calculations of the tested material are at a maximum level of 10.2% and an average of 5.2% compared to the FEA. These findings indicate that the proposed MEC model can be effectively utilized in rapid prototyping and optimization procedures of MFL system design by providing fast solutions with reasonable accuracy. Full article

This study, conducted by searching keywords such as “maternal lupus”, “neonatal lupus”, and “congenital heart block” in databases including PubMed and Scopus, provides a detailed narrative review on fetal and neonatal lupus. Autoantibodies like anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB may cross the placenta and cause complications in neonates, such as congenital heart block (CHB). Management options involve hydroxychloroquine, which is able to counteract some of the adverse events, although the drug needs to be used carefully because of its impact on the QTc interval. Advanced pacing strategies for neonates with CHB, especially in severe forms like hydrops, are also assessed. This review emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary care by rheumatologists, obstetricians, and pediatricians in order to achieve the best maternal and neonatal health in lupus pregnancies. This multidisciplinary approach seeks to improve the outcomes and management of the disease, decreasing the burden on mothers and their infants. Full article

Working memory impairments are common in neurodevelopmental conditions, potentially impacting how neurodivergent students experience cognitive load during learning. We conducted a survey with 231 participants focused on students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia. Parametric tests and a regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between neurodiversity and perceived cognitive load in online learning. Neurodivergent students reported significantly higher extraneous cognitive load (ECL) in online learning compared to their neurotypical peers. However, no significant differences in perceived intrinsic and germane cognitive load were found between the two groups. Neurodiversity, and specifically ADHD, positively predicted perceived ECL in online learning. This study provides novel insights into the association between neurodiversity and cognitive load in online learning, suggesting a need for targeted support to help neurodivergent students reduce ECL in online learning environments and highlighting the importance of promoting inclusive educational practices that meet the needs of all students. Full article

Elevated atmospheric reactive nitrogen (Nr) emissions and the subsequent nitrogen (N) deposition have negatively impacted the global environment, particularly in China. In order to assess the long-term trends in atmospheric N deposition in the south of China, Taojiang County in Hunan Province was selected as a representative rural area for study. We analyzed interannual variation in atmospheric Nr, including gaseous ammonia (NH₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitrate acid (HNO₃) vapor, particulate ammonium (NH₄⁺), and nitrate (NO₃⁻) in air and NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N in precipitation from 2011 to 2020. The 10-year average atmospheric wet-plus-dry N deposition was 41.9 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, which decreased by approximately 24% after 2012, indicating that NH₃ and NO_x emissions were effectively reduced by emission controls introduced in 2013. Wet deposition accounted for approximately 74% of the total N deposition and was significantly influenced by annual precipitation amount. Reduced N (NH₃, pNH₄⁺, and NH₄⁺ in rainwater) was the dominant form, comprising approximately 58% of the total N deposition, while oxidized N (pNO₃⁻, NO₂, HNO₃, and NO₃⁻ in rainwater) accounted for 42% of the total N deposition. Atmospheric HNO₃, NO₂, and NH₃ concentrations and deposition declined by 30–80% over the decade, while particulate NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations and deposition remained at relatively stable levels, which suggests that ongoing research and policy should focus on rural particulate pollution. Future strategies must concentrate on the integrated control of NH₃ and NO_x emissions to mitigate air pollution and protect human health, particularly in rural areas because current abatement efforts are primarily directed toward urban areas and the industrial sector, whereas non-point source NH₃ pollution, influenced mainly by agricultural activities, dominates in rural regions. Full article

High-entropy alloys are promising candidates expected to be applied in transportation equipment serving in extreme environments due to their excellent properties. CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy is a typical representative of them, and its low temperature performance is excellent. In this study, to evaluate the feasibility of forming HEA shells, the deformation behavior of CoCrFeMnNi under a plane-stress state at lower temperatures was thoroughly studied. Firstly, a thin-walled HEA tube was fabricated using hot extrusion and further formed into a thin shell for uniaxial tensile and biaxial bulging tests. Subsequently, uniaxial tensile tests at cryogenic temperatures were conducted. Both the strength and the ductility improves as the temperature decreases from −160 °C to −196 °C. Then, a systematic low-temperature bulging test was performed using isothermal dome tests and the thickness uniformity analysis of the bulged specimens was carried out. In addition, grain microstructural observation using EBSD was characterized analyze the possible deformation mechanism at the cryogenic temperature under the biaxial stress state. This study, for the first time, investigated the biaxial deformation behavior of HEA. Considering the plane-stress state deformation is the dominant type in the thin-walled shell deformation, this study enables us to provide direct guidance for various sheet-forming processes of HEAs. Full article

Double-layer primary support is proposed to control the deformation of surrounding rock in tunnels within weak geological conditions, where engineering challenges such as large deformations, tunnel faces, and arch collapse are encountered. This approach is based on the principle of combined resistance and release. A combined approach of numerical modeling and on-site surveillance was utilized to analyze the displacement and stress state of the tunnel support structure at different construction stages of primary support for the second layer, using Xiejiapo Tunnel as an engineering case. The findings indicate that the implementation of two-layer primary support can mitigate the progression of large deformations effectively in weak surrounding rock; the sooner the primary support for the second layer is applied, the better the deformation control, and the later the application takes place, the more effectively the tension in the surrounding rock is diminished, whereby the self-supporting capacity of surrounding rock comes into its own. The force of the shotcrete is reduced. Considering the structural deformation and stress state, as well as combination of resistance and release, it is best to implement the primary support for the second layer 10 feet behind the primary support for the first layer. Full article

This study aspires to evaluate the antibacterial and inhibitory effects of carbohydrate digestive enzymes in tree leaves that are widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. Leaves were sequentially extracted with solvents of increasing polarity. The results demonstrated a wide range of phenolic (3.5–770.7 mg gallic acid equivalent g⁻¹) and flavonoid (0.2–321.3 mg catechin equivalent g⁻¹) contents in leaf extracts. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of leaf extracts was determined for six bacteria using the broth microdilution method. The polar extracts of carob, lentisk, and white mulberry leaves exerted strong antibacterial potency against Gram-positive bacteria, while the susceptibility of Escherichia coli on relative apolar extracts of carob, fig, and olive leaves was also observed. In parallel, the inhibitory effects of leaf extracts on carbohydrate digestive enzymes were evaluated. A robust inhibition of α-glucosidase was found for carob and lentisk leaf extracts, followed by extracts produced by white mulberry and olive leaves. Carob and lentisk leaves also act as a-amylase inhibitors at high concentrations. Overall, this study provides valuable data for the nutraceutical value of the “forgotten” treasure of Mediterranean tree leaves and assesses these plants as potential sources of antibacterial and carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitory agents for drug discovery. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden shift to virtual platforms. Physical distance and limited experience with both synchronous and asynchronous teamwork at work and school hampered problem-solving and the development of critical thinking skills. Under these circumstances, the implementation of team-based and problem-based learning (TBL, PBL, respectively) required a reevaluation of how teams collaborate and engage in problem-solving remotely. The research team conducted a systematic review to identify health services studies, themes, and attributes of learning initiatives associated with the success of TBL and PBL conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The review results identified three themes associated with TBL and PBL learning initiatives in health services: (1) TBL and PBL have transformed health services education with modified TBL (mTBL) and modified PBL (mPBL) as the new norms; (2) the amplification of age-appropriate principles for professional motivation in healthcare; and (3) active learning impacts practical abilities for professional success and future leadership roles. The pandemic underscored the importance of flexibility, resilience, and innovation in TBL and PBL approaches in health services education. Despite the superiority of mPBL and mTBL, the barriers to implementation and student acceptance of active learning include inadequate resource and space allocation, and student preferences for passive, traditional lecture. Further, online learning required increased facilitator training, administration time, and time to provide feedback. Full article

The transition from school to university brings significant adjustments in lifestyle, body weight, and living environment for young adults, potentially impacting their quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have exacerbated these changes. This cross-sectional study involved 361 young adults (18–25 years) from Malaysian tertiary institutions, aiming to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) post-COVID-19 restrictions. Data were collected online between April and July 2022, utilizing the WHOQOL-BREF for HRQOL assessment. Participants, with a median age of 23, scored highest in the physical health domain (mean: 63.2, SD = 16.2) and lowest in psychological health (mean: 58.2, SD = 16.9). Physical health domain scores varied by ethnicity, the field of study, weight category, and prescription medicine usage; environmental health scores by ethnicity and household income; and social health scores by age. Moderate perceived stress and low perceived support were significant predictors of poor HRQOL. Across the weight categories, sleep quality, perceived stress, and support have consistently impacted the HRQOL domain scores. This study underscores the multifaceted influences on young adults’ quality of life during the transition to university, especially in post-pandemic adjustments, highlighting the importance of addressing factors such as perceived stress and support to enhance overall well-being. Full article

As the global aviation sector expands to accommodate increasing air travel demand, the subsequent rise in flights exacerbates carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, challenging the sector’s environmental sustainability. Targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, international aviation agencies are stressing the imperative of reducing emissions directly at their source. While the literature provides abundant estimates of aviation emissions from airline flights, there has been a lack of work aimed at quantifying CO₂ emissions specific to the general aviation sector. This study investigates CO₂ emissions attributed to the pilot training sub-sector within Canada’s general aviation sector. It specifically examines the initial phase of pilot training, known as ab initio training, extending through to the attainment of a commercial pilot license. Utilizing a mathematical framework alongside assumptions, combined with data on license issuances over a 23-year period, it estimated that each hour of flight training emits about 70.4 kg of CO₂, varying between 44.9 kg and 94.9 kg per hour. Annual CO₂ emissions from Canada’s ab initio pilot training are estimated at approximately 30,000 tons, with a possible range of 19,000 to 40,000 tons. The study also explores mitigation opportunities, such as flight simulation training devices and electric aircraft. Though focusing on Canada’s ab initio pilot training, the findings have international relevance. Full article

Truancy among in-school adolescents has long been established as a major issue that negatively impacts educational attainment or goals and mental health-related issues. However, research on subjects such as physical education (PE) truancy and its correlates is somewhat limited. This study estimated the prevalence of PE and assessed the factors associated with PE truancy in Benin among in-school adolescents. The 2016 Benin’s Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) data from a sample of in-school adolescents (n = 2496; 13–17 years) were used for data analysis. The overall prevalence of past 30-day truancy in PE class was 15.4%, with female adolescents reporting a higher prevalence of PE truancy than their male counterparts. Stratified by gender, the regression analyses showed that males in 3rd–6th grade (aOR = 0.69, CI = 0.50–0.96) experiencing hunger (aOR = 0.51, CI = 0.32–0.81) and having suicidal ideations (aOR = 1.64, CI = 1.07–2.53) predisposed adolescents to PE truant behaviour. For female in-school adolescents experiencing hunger (aOR = 1.75, CI = 1.15–2.65), drinking alcohol (aOR = 0.62, CI = 0.44–0.87), having sedentary lifestyles (aOR = 0.62, CI = 0.40–0.96), and being physically attacked (aOR = 0.53, CI = 0.33–0.87) were significantly associated with PE truancy. However, understanding and supportive parents [aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.41–0.91] was a protective factor against PE truancy. The present findings suggest the design of gender-sensitive school-based interventions to help minimise or prevent PE truancy among in-school adolescents in Benin based on the predisposing factors while emphasising the protective influences. Full article

Let X be a Tychonoff topological space, $B_1(X,\mathbb{R})$ be the space of real-valued Baire 1 functions on X and ${\tau }_{UC}$ be the topology of uniform convergence on compacta. The main purpose of this paper is to study cardinal invariants of $(B_1(X,\mathbb{R}),{\tau }_{UC})$. We prove that the following conditions are equivalent: (1) $(B_1(X,\mathbb{R}),{\tau }_{UC})$ is metrizable; (2) $(B_1(X,\mathbb{R}),{\tau }_{UC})$ is completely metrizable; (3) $(B_1(X,\mathbb{R}),{\tau }_{UC})$ is Čech-complete; and (4) X is hemicompact. It is also proven that if X is a separable metric space with a non isolated point, then the topology of uniform convergence on compacta on $B_1(X,\mathbb{R})$ is seen to behave like a metric topology in the sense that the weight, netweight, density, Lindelof number and cellularity are all equal for this topology and they are equal to $\mathfrak{c}=|B_1(X,\mathbb{R})|$. We find further conditions on X under which these cardinal invariants coincide on $B_1(X,\mathbb{R})$. Full article