Aker (Norway)

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in education, offering personalized feedback, adaptive learning, and data-driven instructional strategies. While individual studies have explored its role in mathematics, findings remain fragmented. This study employs a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the overall effect of AI applications on students’ mathematics performance. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, ERIC, Web of Science, and SCISPACE) for peer-reviewed quantitative studies published between 2017 and 2025. A total of 1,042 articles were identified, and after applying strict inclusion criteria guided by the PRISMA framework, 7 studies were retained. Data extraction followed a standardized protocol, and methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Statistical analyses were performed with JASP, including effect size estimation, heterogeneity testing, and publication bias diagnostics. Results: The pooled effect size was g = 0.603 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.393–0.813), indicating a moderate-to-large positive impact of AI on mathematics performance. Heterogeneity was substantial (Q(6) = 52.41, I² = 90.08%), suggesting variability across contexts and intervention types. However, fail-safe N analysis (N = 520.124) confirmed robustness against publication bias. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that AI significantly enhances mathematics learning, supporting constructivist and socio-cultural theories of education where AI scaffolds learner self-efficacy and engagement. Policymakers and educators are encouraged to strategically integrate AI into curricula and teacher training to maximize its transformative potential in mathematics education.

There is no conflict of interest.

Maximum allowable stem torque/thrust (MAST) is defined as the maximum torque/thrust that can be applied to the valve train without risk of damage, as defined by the valve manufacturer/supplier. The valve train consists of all parts of the valve drive between the operator and closure member, including the closure member but excluding the valve operator such as the gearbox. The important point is that the actuator maximum output torque/thrust based on the maximum supply voltage or operating pressure generated by the actuator should not exceed the valve MAST at any point of travel. The actuator is a component or machine installed on the valve that is responsible for moving (e.g., opening or closing) the valve. This paper provides a formula for calculation of MAST in different sections of a valve stem installed on an oil export pipeline. The result of this calculation shows that the MAST in rectangular section of stem is less than the actuator torque. Two solutions are proposed in this paper; one is to increase the rectangular section diameter, and the second is to upgrade the material to a higher strength option such as Inconel 718. The second solution, which is more expensive, improves the MAST of the stem in all four sections of the circular section with stem keys, stem keys, the circular section, and the rectangular section.

To assess brain activation patterns in response to fun-rated and neutral-rated movies we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a humor-paradigm in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients with cataplexy (muscle atonia triggered by emotions) and controls. The fMRI-humor-paradigm consisted of short movies (25/30 with a humorous punchline; 5/30 without a humorous punchline [but with similar build-up/anticipation]) rated by participants based on their humor experience. We included 41 NT1 patients and 44 controls. Group-level inferences were made using permutation testing. Permutation testing revealed no group differences in average movie ratings. fMRI analysis found no group differences in brain activations to fun-rated movies. Patients showed significantly higher activations compared to controls during neutral-rated movies; including bilaterally in the thalamus, pallidum, putamen, amygdala, hippocampus, middle temporal gyrus, cerebellum, brainstem and in the left precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, and caudate. We found no brain overactivation for patients during movies without a humorous punchline (89.0% neutral-rated). Group analyses revealed significantly stronger differentiation between fun-rated and neutral-rated movies in controls compared with patients (patients showed no significant differentiation), including bilaterally in the inferior frontal gyrus, thalamus, putamen, precentral gyrus, lingual gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, occipital areas, temporal areas, cerebellum and in the right hippocampus, postcentral gyrus, pallidum, and insula. Patients showed significantly higher activations in several cortical and subcortical regions during neutral-rated movies, with no differentiation from activations during fun-rated movies. This lower threshold for activating the humor response (even during neutral-rated movies), might represent insight into the mechanisms associated with cataplexy.

To assess white matter involvement in H1N1-vaccinated hypocretin deficient patients with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) compared with first-degree relatives (a potential risk group) and healthy controls. We compared four diffusion tensor imaging-based microstructural indices (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], radial diffusivity [RD], and axial diffusivity [AD]) in 57 patients with NT1 (39 females, mean age 21.8 years, 51/57 H1N1-vaccinated, 57/57 HLA-DQB1*06:02-positive, 54/54 hypocretin-deficient), 54 first-degree relatives (29 females, mean age 19.1 years, 37/54 H1N1-vaccinated, 32/54 HLA-DQB1*06:02-positive), and 55 healthy controls (38 females, mean age 22.3 years). We tested for differences between these groups, for parametric effects (controls > first-degree relatives > patients) and associations in patients (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] hypocretin-1 and disease duration) and first-degree relatives (HLA-DQB1*06:02 and H1N1-vaccination). We employed tract-based spatial statistics and used permutation testing and threshold-free cluster enhancement for inference. Patients with NT1 had a widespread, bilateral pattern of significantly lower FA compared with first-degree relatives and healthy controls. Additionally, patients with NT1 also exhibited significantly higher RD and lower AD in several focal white matter clusters. The parametric model showed that first-degree relatives had intermediate values. Full sample of patients with NT1 showed no significant associations with disease duration or CSF hypocretin-1. Our study suggests widespread abnormal white matter involvement far beyond the already known focal hypothalamic pathology in NT1, possibly reflecting the combined effects of the loss of the widely projecting hypothalamic hypocretin neurons, and/or secondary effects of wake/sleep dysregulation. These findings demonstrate the importance of white matter pathology in NT1.

ObjectiveLow serum 25(OH)D levels are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and some of its risk factors. However, in interventional studies, the effects of vitamin D supplementation have been uncertain, possibly due to inclusion of vitamin D-sufficient subjects. Our aim was therefore to examine effects of vitamin D supplementation on CVD risk factors in vitamin D-insufficient subjects.DesignDouble-blinded randomized controlled trial.MethodsA 4-month interventional study with high-dose vitamin D (100,000 IU loading dose, followed by 20,000 IU/week) or placebo with measurements of blood pressure, lipids (total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B), and glucose metabolism parameters (blood glucose, HbA1c, serum human receptors for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), insulin, C-peptide and HOMA-IR).ResultsA total of 422 subjects with mean serum 25(OH)D level 34 nmol/L were included, with 411 subjects completing the study. Serum 25(OH)D levels increased with 56 nmol/L and decreased with 4 nmol/L in the vitamin D and placebo group, respectively. We found no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the measured CVD risk factors, except for a minor increase in sRAGE in the vitamin D group. Stratified analyses of subjects with low baseline serum 25(OH)D levels alone, or combined with blood pressure, lipid and HOMA-IR values above the median for the cohort, did not skew the results in favour of vitamin D supplementation.ConclusionSupplementation with vitamin D in subjects with baseline vitamin D insufficiency does not improve CVD risk factor profile.