Factors Influencing Instructors’ Adoption and Continued Use of Computing Science Technologies: A Case Study in the Context of Cell Collective

Acquiring computational modeling and simulation skills has become ever more critical for students in life sciences courses at the secondary and tertiary levels. Many modeling and simulation tools have been created to help instructors nurture those skills in their classrooms. Understanding the factors that may motivate instructors to use such tools is crucial to improve students’ learning, especially for having authentic modeling and simulation learning experiences. This study designed and tested a decomposed technology acceptance model in which the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use constructs are split between the teaching and learning sides of the technology to examine their relative weight in a single model. Using data from instructors using the Cell Collective modeling and simulation software, this study found that the relationship between perceived usefulness– teaching and attitude toward behavior was insignificant. Similarly, all relationships between perceived ease of use–teaching and the other variables (i.e., perceived usefulness– teaching and attitude toward behavior) became insignificant. In contrast, we found the relationships between perceived ease of use–learning and the other variables (i.e., perceived usefulness–teaching, perceived usefulness–learning, and attitude toward behavior) significant. These results suggest that priority should be given to the development of features improving learning over features facilitating teaching. Supplement attached below

Smoking and pancreatic cancer: a sex-specific analysis in the Multiethnic Cohort study

Purpose To examine whether the detrimental smoking-related association with pancreatic cancer (PC) is the same for women as for men. Methods We analyzed data from 192,035 participants aged 45–75 years, enrolled in the Multiethnic Cohort study (MEC) in 1993–1996. We identifed PC cases via linkage to the Hawaii and California Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program cancer registries through December 2017. Results During a mean follow-up of 19.2 years, we identifed 1,936 incident PC cases. Women smokers smoked on average less than men smokers. In multivariate Cox regression models, as compared with sex-specifc never smokers, current smokers had a similar elevated risk of PC for women, hazard ratio (HR) 1.49 (95% CI 1.24, 1.79) and as for men, HR 1.48 (95% CI 1.22, 1.79) (pheterogeneity: 0.79). Former smokers showed a decrease in risk of PC for men within 5 years, HR 0.74 (95% CI 0.57, 0.97) and for women within 10 years after quitting, HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.50, 0.96), compared with their sex-specifc current smokers. Both sexes showed a consistent, strong, positive dose–response association with PC for the four measures (age at initiation, duration, number of cigarettes per day, number of pack-years) of smoking exposure among current smokers and an inverse association for years of quitting and age at smoking cessation among former smokers (all ptrend’s<0.001). Conclusion Although MEC women smoke on average less than their men counterparts, the smoking-related increase in PC risk and the benefts of cessation seem to be of similar magnitudes for women as for men

Long-term use of antibiotics and risk of colorectal adenoma

Objective—Recent evidence suggests that antibiotic use, which alters the gut microbiome, is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. However, the association between antibiotic use and risk of colorectal adenoma, the precursor for the majority of colorectal cancers, has not been investigated. Design—We prospectively evaluated the association between antibiotic use at age 20–39 and 40–59 (assessed in 2004) and recent antibiotic use (assessed in 2008) with risk of subsequent colorectal adenoma among 16,642 women aged ≥60 enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study who underwent at least one colonoscopy through 2010. We used multivariate logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results—We documented 1,195 cases of adenoma. Increasing duration of antibiotic use at age 20–39 (Ptrend=0.002) and 40–59 (Ptrend=0.001) was significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma. Compared to non-users, women who used antibiotics for ≥2 months between age 20–39 had a multivariable OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.03–1.79). Women who used ≥2 months of antibiotics between age 40–59 had a multivariable OR of 1.69 (95% CI: 1.24–2.31). The associations were similar for low-risk vs. high-risk adenomas (size ≥1 cm, or with tubulovillous/villous histology, or ≥3 detected lesions), but appeared modestly stronger for proximal compared with distal adenomas. In contrast, recent antibiotic use within the past 4 years was not associated with risk of adenoma (Ptrend=0.44). Conclusions—Long-term antibiotic use in early to middle adulthood was associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma

RAMPART: RowHammer Mitigation and Repair for Server Memory Systems

RowHammer attacks are a growing security and reliability concern for DRAMs and computer systems as they can induce many bit errors that overwhelm error detection and correction capabilities. System-level solutions are needed as process technology and circuit improvements alone are unlikely to provide complete protection against RowHammer attacks in the future. This paper introduces RAMPART, a novel approach to mitigating RowHammer attacks and improving server memory system reliability by remapping addresses in each DRAM in a way that confines RowHammer bit flips to a single device for any victim row address. When RAMPART is paired with Single Device Data Correction (SDDC) and patrol scrub, error detection and correction methods in use today, the system can detect and correct bit flips from a successful attack, allowing the memory system to heal itself. RAMPART is compatible with DDR5 RowHammer mitigation features, as well as a wide variety of algorithmic and probabilistic tracking methods. We also introduce BRC-VL, a variation of DDR5 Bounded Refresh Configuration (BRC) that improves system performance by reducing mitigation overhead and show that it works well with probabilistic sampling methods to combat traditional and victim-focused mitigation attacks like Half-Double. The combination of RAMPART, SDDC, and scrubbing enables stronger RowHammer resistance by correcting bit flips from one successful attack. Uncorrectable errors are much less likely, requiring two successful attacks before the memory system is scrubbed.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures. A version of this paper will appear in the Proceedings of MEMSYS2

Risk of a Second Primary Cancer after Non-melanoma Skin Cancer in White Men and Women: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Previous studies suggest a positive association between history of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and risk of subsequent cancer at other sites. The purpose of this study is to prospectively examine the risk of primary cancer according to personal history of NMSC. Methods and Findings: In two large US cohorts, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) and the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), we prospectively investigated this association in self-identified white men and women. In the HPFS, we followed 46,237 men from June 1986 to June 2008 (833,496 person-years). In the NHS, we followed 107,339 women from June 1984 to June 2008 (2,116,178 person-years). We documented 29,447 incident cancer cases other than NMSC. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A personal history of NMSC was significantly associated with a higher risk of other primary cancers excluding melanoma in men (RR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.05–1.18), and in women (RR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.15–1.25). Age-standardized absolute risk (AR) was 176 in men and 182 in women per 100,000 person-years. For individual cancer sites, after the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (n = 28), in men, a personal history of NMSC was significantly associated with an increased risk of melanoma (RR = 1.99, AR = 116 per 100,000 person-years). In women, a personal history of NMSC was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast (RR = 1.19, AR = 87 per 100,000 person-years), lung (RR = 1.32, AR = 22 per 100,000 person-years), and melanoma (RR = 2.58, AR = 79 per 100,000 person-years). Conclusion: This prospective study found a modestly increased risk of subsequent malignancies among individuals with a history of NMSC, specifically breast and lung cancer in women and melanoma in both men and women. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summar

Nanotechnology– balancing accident reduction with potential health risks in construction

Nanotechnology involves working at a sub microscopic level with particles or structures which are 1-100 nm in size – one nanometre being a billionth of a metre. Nanotechnology has the potential to reduce certain health and safety risks in the construction industry. It also offers improved material functionality and performance. However, there are unresolved concerns regarding the health risk from some nanomaterials. It is important that the adoption of these new materials does not increase the risk of occupational ill-health, described by Gibb et al (2006) as a ‘slow accident’. The IOSH-funded research on which this paper is based is assessing the use and benefits of nanomaterials in construction through literature review and interviews with industry stakeholders. The research is also exploring the potential for harm, particularly during demolition and recycling at end of life, by testing nano-enabled construction products in a laboratory environment

Nanomaterials in construction and demolition-how can we assess the risk if we don't know where they are?

This research, funded by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health in the United Kingdom, has used a combination of literature review, web searching and unstructured interviews with a range of industry professionals to compile a list of products used in construction and the built environment which might contain nanomaterials. Samples of these products have been analysed using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive XRay Spectroscopy to investigate whether nanomaterials are actually present and to what extent. Preliminary results of this testing are presented here. It is concluded that there is a discrepancy between the academic literature and the reality regarding the current application of nanomaterials in the construction industry and the built environment. There are also inaccuracies and deficiencies in the information provided by manufacturers which makes it difficult to accurately assess the location and application of nanomaterials within the industry. Further testing is planned to evaluate the risk of nanoparticle release from nano-enabled building products at their end of life by reproducing common demolition and recycling processes such as crushing, grinding, burning and melting. Results of this will form the basis of practical guidance for the construction, demolition and recycling industries to help them identify where particular protection or control measures may be appropriate as well as providing reassurance where no additional action is required

Nanomaterials in construction - what is being used, and where?

Identifying where nanomaterials are present in construction materials is challenging. Academic literature reports what nanotechnology can offer construction, but this can differs from the reality of what is currently in use. Furthermore, it is difficult to source accurate information regarding nano-enabled products on the market; under current legislation, the declaration of nano content is voluntary and there is no requirement to provide details within safety data sheets. Although publically available information remains opaque and incomplete, several studies and reports have attempted to clarify this situation. This research builds upon this information, presenting an overview of nano-enabled products currently available for use in construction. This is based upon literature, manufacturers’ published information and on discussions with suppliers and end users. Concrete, glass and coatings are the most widely available nano-enabled products, together with insulation and special steels. The precise nanomaterial used in each case however, and the form and quantity involved, can be difficult to identify. This makes assessing the risks difficult, which is problematic as some nanomaterials are considered to be hazardous. More detailed information regarding commercially available products will be important if risks are to be managed, enabling the industry to take full advantage of the benefits of nanotechnology

Designing for safe demolition - the hazard potential of nanomaterials

When specifying products, designers should consider the health and safety of those working with the materials, either during construction or during decommissioning and demolition of a building or facility at the end of its life. The use of nanomaterials (those with at least one dimension less than 100 nm) in construction is reported to be on the increase, but it is difficult to identify exactly which products contain them; and there are uncertainties regarding their hazard potential. This paper is based on an ongoing IOSH-sponsored study to catalogue nano-enabled construction products through review of the literature, and consideration of manufacturers' data; and interviews with construction professionals to assess how widely they are used. The study is also using material characterisation techniques to identify the nanomaterials involved and assess the potential for particle release from products at end of life. The study has found wide variation in the hazard profiles of the different materials and products currently available. Some specialist concretes for example, are enhanced with silica fume which has been widely used for around 40 years and is a relatively low-risk nanomaterial. Other forms of nanosilica are used in insulation materials and surface coatings. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are a nanomaterial which are hazardous in some forms. CNTs are not yet used commercially in concrete but are forecast to appear in the marketplace in a limited capacity by 2016. They are also used in very specialised surface coatings. Further information is needed to assess whether they could pose a health risk at end-of life from the combined impacts of material degradation over time and the destructive techniques commonly applied in building demolition and recycling (e.g. crushing, cutting, drilling etc)

Re-thinking Education for Sustainable Development: Key Learning Insights from the SDSN USA Transformative Education Summit 2023

This paper summarizes key learning insights from the 2023 U.S. Summit on Transformative Education organized by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network USA. Over 400 members from higher education institutions, non-governmental organizations, think tanks, students, and teachers, joined the online event held February 23-25. The Summit created a bridge between social justice issues with an historical lens and sustainable development. Learning insights include those shared by session speakers, dialogue among participants during thematic conversations and regional networking forums, comments made by attendees on session Jamboards and the Zoom Chat function, and post-Summit feedback. A high-level thematic review was undertaken to cluster emergent themes and develop a rubric that might help education facilitators create curriculum, lesson plans, and activities together with signposting resources to support the global movement towards a more just and sustainable world. It is clear that higher education is embracing transformation, undertaking intentional self-disruption with a focus on action, ethics, and mindfulness. The Summit shows the sector is becoming more connected to the society it serves, engaging in radical collaboration with stakeholders, with sustainable development activities fueled by the convening power of universities and colleges and the agency of students