bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge regarding Needle Stick Injury among Nursing Students of Selected Nursing Colleges in Pokhara
Authors: Khadka Sapana , Parajuli Shobha , Tiwari Sirjana
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Medical, paramedical and all health workers including nursing students are at high risk to exposed blood borne infection through sharp injuries. Worldwide prevalence of NSI in health workers ranges from (13 to 62) % and among nursing students was (12-85) %. Most incidents occurred during drug administration, drug preparation, recapping and carrying syringes. (Write or scenario or consequences of needle stick injury than definition in this portion) in the objectives of this study we to assess knowledge regarding needle stick injury among nursing students.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used among 141 nursing students of School of Health and Allied Sciences, Pokhara University and Gandaki Medical College. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for the data collection. Data was collected by using a semi-structured self- administered questionnaire after getting ethical approval from institutional review committee (IRC) of Pokhara University. The written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Data was coded and entered in Epi Data 3.1. and analyzed with statistical package for statistical software (SPSS) (use full form at first) version 23. Data was analyzed by using mean, frequency, standard deviation and chi-square test.
Results: The study found that nearly half of the respondents had history of needle stick injury. The mean score of respondent was 1.1064 ± 0.33171. Almost all of the respondents (90.10%) had adequate knowledge and 9.20 percent had moderately adequate knowledge regarding needle stick injury. There was a significant association of level of knowledge on NSI with father’s occupation (p=0.050) and mother’s occupation (p=0.018).
Conclusions: The study concluded that almost all respondents had adequate level of knowledge regarding needle stick injuries (NSI) among nursing students. There was a significant association of level of knowledge on NSI with respondent’s father’s and mother’s employment. Efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) by providing healthcare workers with periodic training, addressing emotional well-being in the workplace, and ensuring the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Tubos de Hormigón Reforzado con Fibras de Acero: Estudio Paramétrico de la Capacidad Resistente del Tubo Mediante un Modelo Material Bifase
Authors: Ferrado Facundo L. , Rougier Viviana C. , Faure Omar R.
Published: January 2025

El hormigón reforzado con fibras de acero (HRFA) posee cierta imprevisibilidad en cuanto a la distribución del refuerzo dentro de la masa del hormigón. Las diferentes orientaciones y distribuciones de las fibras, junto con otros factores, influyen en el desempeño mecánico del material compuesto. En este trabajo se realiza un estudio paramétrico de la capacidad resistente de tubos de HRFA mediante un modelo material de dos fases (hormigón + fibras) que considera la geometría de las fibras y su posición dentro del hormigón. Las variables analizadas en el estudio paramétrico son: tipo y dosaje de fibras y calidad de hormigón. Se estudiaron a su vez casos ideales de orientaciones de fibras. Para realizar dicho estudio, se simula el ensayo de tres aristas normalizado por la norma IRAM 11503, el cual es implementado en una herramienta de análisis por elementos finitos (ABAQUS©). Finalmente, se muestran los valores de carga última obtenidos de las simulaciones y se propone un método analítico para estimar dicha carga.
Evaluación del Desempeño Sísmico de un Edificio sin Diseño Sismo Resistente
Authors: Calderón Francisco , Bianco Juan Pablo , Moller Oscar , Ascheri Juan Pablo , Palazzo Gustavo , Guzmán Marcelo
Published: January 2025

La República Argentina se encuentra dividida en 5 zonas sísmicas (de 0 a 4). La zona 0 ha sido históricamente caracterizada como de “Muy Reducida” peligrosidad sísmica. En vista de esto INPRES-CIRSOC 103 parte 1 no da espectro de diseño para esta zona, aunque hay registro de actividad sísmica, principalmente en el Río de la Plata (año 1888). El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer el desempeño sísmico de un edifico que ha sido diseñado sin previsiones sismo resistente. Para esto se eligió un edificio de hormigón armado de siete niveles y un cuerpo emergente de dos niveles ubicado en la zona 0. El método aplicado para la evaluación del desempeño sísmico, es el de espectro de capacidad, donde se realiza un análisis estático no lineal incremental (Pushover) del edificio y se obtiene una curva corte versus desplazamiento de piso; la cual es comparada con la demanda (espectro de diseño). En vista de que en Argentina la zona 0 no posee espectro de diseño, se utilizó la zona 1 y espectros de sismos de baja magnitud, para distintos sitios (suelos). Esto da como resultado un punto de desempeño para cada espectro comparado con la curva de capacidad.  El análisis estructural se realizó con el programa de elementos finitos SeismoStruct, capaz de predecir el comportamiento de pórticos espaciales bajo excitación sísmica, considerando no linealidades geométricas y del material. Para el hormigón fue considerado el modelo no lineal de confinamiento constante propuesto inicialmente por Madas siguiendo las relaciones constitutivas propuestas por Mander. Para la armadura se usó un modelo de acero bilineal. Los elementos se modelaron con elementos tipo frame con inelasticidad distribuida. En los resultados se presenta las aceleraciones y desplazamientos capaz de ser resistido por este edificio sin previsiones sísmicas.
Analisis Penggunaan Media Sosial Dikalangan Mahasiswa UTD
Authors: Aulia Nurul , Setyani Wahyu Prasetyawati Aries
Published: January 2025

Penelitian ini mengkaji penggunaan media sosial di kalangan mahasiswaUniversitas Teknologi Digital (UTD), dengan fokus pada pola pemanfaatan,preferensi platform, dan persepsi konten digital. Melalui metode surveikuantitatif terhadap 95 mahasiswa Program Studi D3 Manajemen Informatika,penelitian mendeskripsikan karakteristik penggunaan media sosial padapopulasi yang diteliti. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa mayoritasresponden adalah mahasiswa laki-laki semester pertama, dengan intensitaspenggunaan media sosial rata-rata 2-4 jam per hari. WhatsApp menjadiplatform dominan, dengan kecenderungan utama mengakses konten hiburan.Temuan menarik lainnya adalah sikap kritis mahasiswa terhadap informasidigital, yang ditunjukkan melalui penolakan mereka terhadap konten hoax.Studi ini memberikan kontribusi dalam memahami dinamika perilaku digitalmahasiswa, serta dapat menjadi referensi bagi pengembangan kebijakanakademik terkait literasi media sosial.
Rancang Bangun SIS AL (Sistem Informasi Alumni) SMA Takhassus Al-Qur'an Tarub Berbasis Website
Authors: Triono M. , Riyanto Riyanto
Published: January 2025

SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an terletak di desa Bulakwaru RT 08 RW 03Kecamatan Tarub, Kabupaten Tegal. SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an Tarub berdirisejak tahun 2018. Akan tetapi sangat disayangkan sekali belum adanya sisteminformasi alumni di SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an Tarub. Padahal sudah banyaksiswa yang menjadi alumni di SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an Tarub, sehinggasedikit menghambat tentang alumni yang ingin mendapatkan berbagaiinformasi tentnag alumni. Oleh karena itu saya akan membuat Rancang BangunSis Al (Sistem Informasi Alumni) SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an Tarub BerbasisWebsite, Sistem Informasi Alumni ini berbasis Website merupakan softwareyang berisi tentang berbagi Informasi yang berkaitan dengan para alumni,Sistem dikembangkan dengan menggunakan bahasa pemrograman PHP XAMPdan MySQL. Adapun tahapan-tahapan yang dilakukan dalam perancangansistem informasi tersebut menggunakan metode pengumpulan data yangmeliputi observasi, wawancara, dan library research. Kemudian metode analisadan perancangan data. Disimpulkan bahwa Rancang Bangun Sis Al (SistemInformasi Alumni) SMA Takhassus Al-Qur’an Tarub Berbasis Websitedirancang untuk membantu para alumni dalam mengakses sumber informasitentang sesama alumni.
Innovative Pedagogies in Indonesian Islamic Schools: Shaping Future Leaders for a Democratic and Just Masyarakat Madani
Authors: Susanti Sinta Ari , Murfi Ali , Hakim Ade Anggian , Pranata Mohamad Waskita Adi
Published: January 2025

Purpose – This study explores the pedagogical approaches and curricula adopted by Islamic schools in Indonesia to prepare students as future leaders of a civil society, known as "Masyarakat Madani." Given the critical role of education in shaping future leaders, the study investigates how these schools integrate democratic values, social justice, and active citizenship into their educational practices.
Methods/Design/Approach – Employing an exploratory case study design, this research examines selected Islamic schools renowned for fostering leadership qualities and civic engagement among students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Participants included teachers, school principals, and alumni from five Islamic schools.
Findings – The study identifies innovative pedagogical strategies that Islamic schools use to embed Masyarakat Madani principles in their curricula. These include integrating religious teachings with secular subjects and emphasizing collaborative learning and interactive discussions. Extracurricular activities such as debates, scouting, and student organizations play a significant role in developing leadership skills and active citizenship. However, challenges such as limited resources and insufficient government support were also noted.
Originality/Value – This research contributes to the literature on Islamic education by highlighting the potential of Islamic schools in Indonesia to produce leaders who are oriented towards civil society. The study offers practical insights into how these schools can overcome existing challenges and enhance their role in fostering inclusive and sustainable education.
Practical Implications – The findings suggest that Islamic schools could serve as models for integrating civic values into education. To optimize outcomes, increased financial support, teacher training, and community involvement are recommended. Effective use of technology in teaching could further strengthen the application of Masyarakat Madani values in daily life.
Keywords Islamic education, Masyarakat Madani, leadership development, civic education, Indonesia
Paper type Research paper
EFEITO DAS FAKE NEWS NAS ELEIÇÕES E SEUS RISCOS À DEMOCRACIA
Authors: SANTOS GLAUBER RIBEIRO DOS
Published: January 2025

O presente trabalho aborda os efeitos das fake news nas eleições e seus riscos para a democracia. Apesar de ser possível afirmar que notícias falsas têm existido por muito tempo, a expressão "fake news" se destacou principalmente no cenário político devido à propagação deliberada de informações falsas por indivíduos e organizações com a intenção de beneficiar um determinado candidato ou difamar seu adversário. Isso ocorre principalmente através das redes sociais, contribuindo para uma polarização ainda maior na política. Buscando compreender o papel das novas mídias nas democracias modernas, este trabalho discute as consequências do ativismo digital na disseminação de fake news, usando como estudo de caso as eleições no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos. Dada essa problemática, é relevante debater se existem meios de reduzir essa atividade prejudicial à democracia e combater essas práticas, por meio de novas legislações específicas, principalmente aquelas relacionadas às eleições, com o objetivo de conter a criação e o crescimento de notícias falsas.
Integrasi Nilai-Nilai Islam Dalam Kurikulum Pendidikan Di SMP Al-Munawwir Sangatta Selatan
Authors: Juliana Juliana , Yasin Muhammad
Published: January 2025

The integration of Islamic values in the educational curriculum plays an important role in shaping students' character and behavior. This study aims to analyze the application of Islamic values in the curriculum at Al-Munawwir Sangatta Selatan Junior High School, the challenges faced, and its impact on student character. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method with data collection through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of the study show that the application of Islamic values is carried out through habits such as worship, honesty, and responsibility. The challenges faced include limited facilities, infrastructure, and inefficient teaching methods. The positive impact can be seen from the improvement of students' character, such as discipline, honesty, and good social relationships. This integration is not only important to form individuals of noble character, but also as a foundation for a moral and responsible society. Synergy between schools, families, and technology is the key to overcoming these challenges.
Dinamika Pendidikan Islam di Era Reformasi: Dari Tradisional ke Modern
Authors: Naila Syafiatu , Asiah Siti , Ifendi Mahfud
Published: January 2025

Pendidikan Islam di era reformasi mengalami transformasi signifikan, meliputi kebijakan, kurikulum, dan pendekatan pembelajaran. Kajian ini menganalisis dinamika pendidikan Islam di Indonesia pada era reformasi, dengan fokus pada tantangan dan peluang dalam memenuhi kebutuhan zaman modern. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan keberhasilan pendidikan Islam beradaptasi terhadap globalisasi dan modernisasi, sekaligus menjaga nilai-nilai keislaman. Namun, masih terdapat tantangan terkait kesenjangan akses dan kualitas pendidikan. Pendidikan Islam memiliki kontribusi strategis dalam membentuk karakter bangsa yang religius, toleran, dan multikultural.
Pemahaman Tentang Konsep Tubuh Orang Percaya Sebagai Bait Roh Kudus Berdasarkan I Korintus 6:12-20
Authors: Lengkong Ester
Published: January 2025

A deep understanding of the concept of the body of believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit is crucial in the context of Christian spirituality. This article examines phenomena involving behaviors detrimental to the body among Christian believers, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, homosexuality, prostitution, lesbianism, and pornography. Based on the analysis of 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, this study highlights the importance of comprehending the significance of the body of believers within the framework of God's truth. A lack of understanding of this concept can lead to behaviors deviating from religious teachings. The practical implications of a deeper understanding of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit are also discussed in this article.
Apologetika Di Era Revolusi Industri 4.0
Authors: Fitriani Kristiana
Published: January 2025

Christians are called not only to believe in the Lord Jesus and receive the gift of salvation, but are also called to account for their faith and belief to others, and even preach the gospel to everyone. In line with this call, apologetics becomes an effective means or tool to give an account of the Christian faith to everyone. Currently the world is entering an era known as the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era. This era brought significant changes to society. In this era, everything that is conventional begins to erode. This era will provide challenges as well as opportunities in the call of Christians to mission and apologetics. Seeing this phenomenon, it is necessary to formulate an apologetic model in relation to the 4.0 era. The purpose of this research is to produce an online Christian apologetics model that remains in accordance with Bible standards in the 4.0 era. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach with the type of phenomenological and theological research. Data collection was carried out using a literature study. This study resulted in the principles of online Christian apologetics in the 4.0 era which consisted of: apologetics actors, apologetics methods, and apologetics strategies.
A New Frontier: Palestinian English Teachers’ Experiences and Needs for Social-Emotional Learning Integration in EFL Classrooms
Authors: Hiwari Wafa , Abdel Razeq Anwar , Pentón Herrera Luis Javier
Published: January 2025

This qualitative case study explores the integration of social-emotional learning in Palestinian English as a foreign language classrooms. Ten Palestinian EFL teachers were interviewed, revealing a universal recognition of SEL’s importance but limited implementation due to challenges such as inadequate knowledge, curriculum demands, and lack of professional development. The study identifies a critical need for explicit SEL integration in curricula and teacher education. Findings highlight teachers’ eagerness to incorporate SEL, contingent on support and resources. We end by discussing the necessity for comprehensive SEL initiatives in Palestinian education, considering socio-political contexts and the pivotal role of teacher preparedness and resource availability.
Fostering Social-Emotional Learning during Resettlement: Learning with a Multilingual Refugee-Background Family
Authors: Karam Fares J. , Oikonomidoy Eleni
Published: January 2025

Studies have shown how adopting social-emotional learning (SEL) approaches can help support newcomer multilingual learners of English in language classrooms. However, little is known about the role of SEL in supporting refugee-background families in out-of-school contexts. Framed within critical mindfulness and critical peace education, this study addresses this gap by asking: What role does SEL play in supporting two refugee-background parents’ resettlement and language learning efforts? and How do two refugee-background parents’ values influence weekly English tutoring sessions? The study documents different ways through which participants engage with SEL practices to negotiate their tutoring sessions and introduces “mujamalah” as an SEL practice in line with peace education. Findings underscore the importance of incorporating SEL approaches to support multilingual refugee-background families.
Exploring the Integration of Social-Emotional Learning in EFL Pre-Service Teacher Preparation in Morocco: A Mixed-Method Study
Authors: Elmeski Mohammed , Bentahar Adil
Published: January 2025

Morocco’s educational policy documents underscore social-emotional competence as an important learning outcome. This study examines how the prominence of SEL in Morocco’s educational reform policy is reflected in the pre-service preparation of EFL teachers. The researchers have conducted a mixed-methods study that examines SEL integration in pre-service teacher preparation programs, and the extent to which student teachers report evidence of social-emotional learning associated with their pre-service preparation programs. Findings indicate that while two thirds of EFL student teachers reported that their pre-service preparation programs incorporate SEL skills aligned with the CASEL framework, responding to stress, managing anxiety and emotions, and collaboration stood out as areas requiring further strengthening in EFL teacher education programs in Morocco.
Afterword: Building on Global Perspectives to Move Forward with SEL
Authors: Martínez-Alba Gilda
Published: January 2025

Afterword
What ‘Postdigital’ Means to Us: Roundtable with Members of the Centre for Postdigital Cultures
Authors: Adema 1 Janneke , Arnab Sylvester , Evans Adrienne , Jordan Mel , Lameras Petros , Maloney Marcus , Walker Kevin
Published: January 2025

Facilitated by the sixth author, this roundtable was conducted on 24 January 2024, at Coventry University. It brings together members of the Centre for Postdigital Cultures, Coventry University, from the centre’s five core research strands: Postpublishing; Postdigital Intimacies; ArtSpaceCity; Ludic Design; and AI and Algorithmic Cultures. Here we explore the multifaceted and interdisciplinary meaning to us of the concept of the ‘postdigital’ and unpack the salient characteristics that make it an important concept in future practice-research-theory.
Introduction
Authors: Uściński Przemysław , Pantuchowicz Agnieszka
Published: January 2025

Introduction
AI augmented edge and fog computing for Internet of Health Things (IoHT)
Authors: Rajagopal Deepika , Subramanian Pradeep Kumar Thimma
Published: January 2025

Patients today seek a more advanced and personalized health-care system that keeps up with the pace of modern living. Cloud computing delivers resources over the Internet and enables the deployment of an infinite number of applications to provide services to many sectors. The primary limitation of these cloud frameworks right now is their limited scalability, which results in their inability to meet needs. An edge/fog computing environment, paired with current computing techniques, is the answer to fulfill the energy efficiency and latency requirements for the real-time collection and analysis of health data. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution has been essential in changing contemporary healthcare systems by integrating social, economic, and technological perspectives. This requires transitioning from unadventurous healthcare systems to more adapted healthcare systems that allow patients to be identified, managed, and evaluated more easily. These techniques allow data from many sources to be integrated to effectively assess patient health status and predict potential preventive actions. A subset of the Internet of Things, the Internet of Health Things (IoHT) enables the remote exchange of data for physical processes like patient monitoring, treatment progress, observation, and consultation. Previous surveys related to healthcare mainly focused on architecture and networking, which left untouched important aspects of smart systems like optimal computing techniques such as artificial intelligence, deep learning, advanced technologies, and services that includes 5G and unified communication as a service (UCaaS). This study aims to examine future and existing fog and edge computing architectures and methods that have been augmented with artificial intelligence (AI) for use in healthcare applications, as well as defining the demands and challenges of incorporating fog and edge computing technology in IoHT, thereby helping healthcare professionals and technicians identify the relevant technologies required based on their need for developing IoHT frameworks for remote healthcare. Among the crucial elements to take into account in an IoHT framework are efficient resource management, low latency, and strong security. This review addresses several machine learning techniques for efficient resource management in the IoT, where machine learning (ML) and AI are crucial. It has been noted how the use of modern technologies, such as narrow band-IoT (NB-IoT) for wider coverage and Blockchain technology for security, is transforming IoHT. The last part of the review focuses on the future challenges posed by advanced technologies and services. This study provides prospective research suggestions for enhancing edge and fog computing services for healthcare with modern technologies in order to give patients with an improved quality of life.
An analysis of the 24-hour on-call experience and treatment decision of a dental resident, a retrospective study
Authors: Zheng Jiaoer , Xu Ji , Zhang Denghui
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To analyze the 24-hour on-call experience and factors influencing the treatment decisions of a dental resident for dental emergencies, particularly pulpitis, during on-call hours.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a public stomatology hospital from January 1 to December 30, 2023. Each consultation was documented, recording the date and time, patient age and gender, diagnosis, and any emergent interventions. Statistical analyses were conducted using univariate analysis to explore the association between various factors and the incidence of dental interventions for pulpitis, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

Over 1 year, 81 residents from seven specialties managed 2,717 consultations during 365 instances of 24-h call duty. The busiest months were October (n = 297). Most consultations occurred during extended hours (1,856 consultations) compared to normal hours (8:00–17:00) (861 consultations). The busiest consultation periods were between 20:00 and 22:00. Pulpitis was the most frequently diagnosed condition (n = 988). Univariate analysis showed no significant impact of patient gender (p = 0.896) or age (p = 0.632) on the likelihood of receiving a dental intervention. However, consultations during extended hours were twice as likely (OR = 2.028, 95% CI [1.510–2.723]) to result in no intervention compared to normal hours. Endodontics and pediatric dentistry residents were more likely to perform interventions compared to other specialties, with postgraduate year (PGY) six residents being less likely to perform interventions compared to PGY4 residents.

Conclusion

Residents exhibit lower willingness to perform dental interventions during extended working hours and in higher grade levels, with significant variability across different specialties. Enhanced training and fatigue risk management for residents may help to ensure effective patient care during on-call hours.
Freshwater sponges in the southeastern U.S. harbor unique microbiomes that are influenced by host and environmental factors
Authors: Keleher Jacqueline G. , Strope Taylor A. , Estrada Noah E. , Griggs Mathis Allison M. , Easson Cole G. , Fiore Cara
Published: January 2025

Marine, and more recently, freshwater sponges are known to harbor unique microbial symbiotic communities relative to the surrounding water; however, our understanding of the microbial ecology and diversity of freshwater sponges is vastly limited compared to those of marine sponges. Here we analyzed the microbiomes of three freshwater sponge species: Radiospongilla crateriformis, Eunapius fragilis, and Trochospongilla horrida, across four sites in western North Carolina, U.S.A. Our results support recent work indicating that freshwater sponges indeed harbor a distinct microbiome composition compared to the surrounding water and that these varied across sampling site indicating both environmental and host factors in shaping this distinct community. We also sampled sponges at one site over 3 months and observed that divergence in the microbial community between sponge and water occurs at least several weeks after sponges emerge for the growing season and that sponges maintain a distinct community from the water as the sponge tissue degrades. Bacterial taxa within the Gammproteobacteria, Alphproteobacteria, Bacteroidota (Flavobacteriia in particular), and Verrucomicrobia, were notable as enriched in the sponge relative to the surrounding water across sponge individuals with diverging microbial communities from the water. These results add novel information on the assembly and maintenance of microbial communities in an ancient metazoan host and is one of few published studies on freshwater sponge microbial symbiont communities.
Основные потоки энергии, обеспечивающие глобальное потепление Земли в присутствии антропогенных парниковых газов
Authors: Tetel'min Vladimir
Published: January 2025

Приводятся энергетические показатели наблюдаемого глобального изменения климата, вызванного выбросами антропогенных парниковых газов, а также функции зависимости потенциала радиационного усиления и максимальной (радиационно-равновесной) температуры глобального потепления от концентрации антропогенных парниковых газов в атмосфере. Рассчитан энергетический эквивалент выбросов объёмной единицы парниковых газов снижению расстояния от Земли до Солнца.Приводятся эмпирические функции зависимости интенсивности поглощения тепловой энергии (нетто-поглощения) от концентрации антропогенных парниковых газов в атмосфере, а также схемы энергетических потоков в климатической системе Земли и в системе “Земля - Космос” в их присутствии.Выполнены расчёты продолжительности и предельной температуры глобального потепления для трёх возможных сценариев декарбонизации мировой энергетики.Лучшие климатические условия, которые может обеспечить человечество будущим жителям Земли при современных технологиях - это глобальное потепление до радиационно-равновесной температуры +5 °С, которая будет достигнута примерно в 2270 г.
Biochemical Characterization of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Grown in Chad
Authors: Allamine Yacoub Mahamat , Allamine Hisseine Mahamat , Doutoum Abdelsalam Adoum , Nazal Alhadj Markhous , Djelassem Ferdinand
Published: January 2025

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is grown for its seeds, which are used in human food as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In Chad, sesame is considered a promising sector. It is one of many plant resources that can be exploited for food and economic purposes. The general objective of this study is to evaluate the biochemical quality of sesame. The biochemical characteristics of seeds of local varieties with black seeds and S-42 with white seeds from Kournari (Sahelian zone) and Kélo (in the Sudanian zone) were evaluated from laboratory analyses. The moisture content of the samples was determined by differential weighing. Ash content was determined by differential weighing at room temperature. The crude protein content was calculated from the nitrogen contents obtained after mineralization of the samples by the Kjeldahl method. Total lipids are extracted by Soxhlet. Carbohydrate content was estimated by the FAO. The energy value per 100 g of the sample was also determined by the FAO method. The crude fiber content was determined according to the Weende method Wolf. The results were analyzed using the Excel spreadsheet XLAT and R software version 4.4.0. The results showed that the seeds of sesame varieties have average protein contents ranging from 22.195 and 26.397%. The lipid contents obtained varied from 48.679 to 52.769%. The carbohydrate content of sesame seeds varying between from 19.686 to 12.528%. The energy value of sesame varieties is greater than 400 Kcal. It is between 490.981 Kcal/100g (Kélo SN) to 508.126 Kcal/100g (Kélo S 42). This study showed that sesame seeds (local black seed variety and S 42 varieties) produced in Chad are an excellent source of nutrients and highly energetic. Soluble dietary fibers varied between 4.15 ± 0.22 and 3.37 ± 0.22 g/100g. Correlation analysis showed that energy value appears to be moderately influenced by ash (0.651) and crude fiber (0.654) content. Considering their biochemical composition, this oilseed could be exploited in nutrition and food formulation.
The Effect of High Carbon Dioxide and Temperature on the Total Chlorophyll Content in Grape Varieties
Authors: L Shruthi Reddy. , A Gopala Krishna Reddy. , M Vanaja. , V Maruthi. , K. Vanaja Latha.
Published: January 2025

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of eCO2 (550ppm), eT (+3ºC) and interaction of eCO2+ eT on chlorophyll content of three grape varieties (Thompson Seedless, Bangalore Blue, and Dogridge). The cuttings of these three varieties were grown in specially designed open-top chambers, Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) and Free Air Temperature Enrichment (FATE) facilities at ICAR-CRIDA. The experiment was laid out in two factorial RBD with varieties as one factor and treatments as another factor with six replications. Destructive sampling was done at 50 and 80 DAP and chlorophyll content (µg/g.fr.wt.) was analysed each time. At final sampling, all the three varieties have shown higher chlorophyll content under eCO2+ eT followed by eCO2. Among three varieties Bangalore blue has shown highest chlorophyll content (3.1±0.37) followed by Thompson Seedless (3.0±0.06) and Dogridge (2.4±0.08) under eCO2+ eT conditions. The plants under eT and ambient conditions have shown lower chlorophyll content than other treatments. The results from this experiment revealed that, the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (eCO2) and temperature associated with future climates are expected to affect positively on chlorophyll content which can stimulate photosynthetic rate and ultimately leads to increase in biomass of crop.
Menu Labeling and Calories Purchased in Restaurants in a US National Fast Food Chain
Authors: Rummo Pasquale E. , Mijanovich Tod , Wu Erilia , Heng Lloyd , Hafeez Emil , Bragg Marie A. , Jones Simon A. , Weitzman Beth C. , Elbel Brian
Published: December 2023

Importance

Menu labeling has been implemented in restaurants in some US jurisdictions as early as 2008, but the extent to which menu labeling is associated with calories purchased is unclear.

Objective

To estimate the association of menu labeling with calories and nutrients purchased and assess geographic variation in results.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design using actual transaction data from Taco Bell restaurants from calendar years 2007 to 2014 US restaurants with menu labeling matched to comparison restaurants using synthetic control methods. Data were analyzed from May to October 2023.

Exposure

Menu labeling policies in 6 US jurisdictions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was calories per transaction. Secondary outcomes included total and saturated fat, carbohydrates, protein, sugar, fiber, and sodium.

Results

The final sample included 2329 restaurants, with menu labeling in 474 (31 468 restaurant-month observations). Most restaurants (94.3%) were located in California. Difference-in-differences model results indicated that customers purchased 24.7 (95% CI, 23.6-25.7) fewer calories per transaction from restaurants in the menu labeling group in the 3- to 24-month follow-up period vs the comparison group, including 21.9 (95% CI, 20.9-22.9) fewer calories in the 3- to 12-month follow-up period and 25.0 (95% CI, 24.0-26.1) fewer calories in the 13- to 24-month follow-up period. Changes in the nutrient content of transactions were consistent with calorie estimates. Findings in California were similar to overall estimates in magnitude and direction; yet, among restaurants outside of California, no association was observed in the 3- to 24-month period. The outcome of menu labeling also differed by item category and time of day, with a larger decrease in the number of tacos vs other items purchased and a larger decrease in calories purchased during breakfast vs other times of the day in the 3- to 24-month period.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this quasi-experimental cohort study, fewer calories were purchased in restaurants with calorie labels compared with those with no labels, suggesting that consumers are sensitive to calorie information on menu boards, although associations differed by location.
Development of Deep Ensembles to Screen for Autism and Symptom Severity Using Retinal Photographs
Authors: Kim Jae Han , Hong JaeSeong , Choi Hangnyoung , Kang Hyun Goo , Yoon Sangchul , Hwang Jung Yeon , Park Yu Rang , Cheon Keun-Ah
Published: December 2023

Importance

Screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is constrained by limited resources, particularly trained professionals to conduct evaluations. Individuals with ASD have structural retinal changes that potentially reflect brain alterations, including visual pathway abnormalities through embryonic and anatomic connections. Whether deep learning algorithms can aid in objective screening for ASD and symptom severity using retinal photographs is unknown.

Objective

To develop deep ensemble models to differentiate between retinal photographs of individuals with ASD vs typical development (TD) and between individuals with severe ASD vs mild to moderate ASD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This diagnostic study was conducted at a single tertiary-care hospital (Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine) in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Retinal photographs of individuals with ASD were prospectively collected between April and October 2022, and those of age- and sex-matched individuals with TD were retrospectively collected between December 2007 and February 2023. Deep ensembles of 5 models were built with 10-fold cross-validation using the pretrained ResNeXt-50 (32×4d) network. Score-weighted visual explanations for convolutional neural networks, with a progressive erasing technique, were used for model visualization and quantitative validation. Data analysis was performed between December 2022 and October 2023.

Exposures

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule–Second Edition calibrated severity scores (cutoff of 8) and Social Responsiveness Scale–Second Edition T scores (cutoff of 76) were used to assess symptom severity.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcomes were participant-level area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity. The 95% CI was estimated through the bootstrapping method with 1000 resamples.

Results

This study included 1890 eyes of 958 participants. The ASD and TD groups each included 479 participants (945 eyes), had a mean (SD) age of 7.8 (3.2) years, and comprised mostly boys (392 [81.8%]). For ASD screening, the models had a mean AUROC, sensitivity, and specificity of 1.00 (95% CI, 1.00-1.00) on the test set. These models retained a mean AUROC of 1.00 using only 10% of the image containing the optic disc. For symptom severity screening, the models had a mean AUROC of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67-0.80), sensitivity of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.49-0.66), and specificity of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.67-0.82) on the test set.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that retinal photographs may be a viable objective screening tool for ASD and possibly for symptom severity. Retinal photograph use may speed the ASD screening process, which may help improve accessibility to specialized child psychiatry assessments currently strained by limited resources.
Engineering the Dielectric Constants of Polymers: From Molecular to Mesoscopic Scales
Authors: Chen Jie , Pei Zhantao , Chai Bin , Jiang Pingkai , Ma Lin , Zhu Lei , Huang Xingyi
Published: December 2023

Polymers are essential components of modern‐day materials and are widely used in various fields. The dielectric constant, a key physical parameter, plays a fundamental role in the light‐, electricity‐, and magnetism‐related applications of polymers, such as dielectric and electrical insulation, battery and photovoltaic fabrication, sensing and electrical contact, and signal transmission and communication. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been devoted to engineering the intrinsic dielectric constant of polymers, particularly by tailoring the induced and orientational polarization modes and ferroelectric domain engineering. Investigations into these methods have guided the rational design and on‐demand preparation of polymers with desired dielectric constants. This review article exhaustively summarizes the dielectric constant engineering of polymers from molecular to mesoscopic scales, with emphasis on application‐driven design and on‐demand polymer synthesis rooted in polymer chemistry principles. Additionally, it explores the key polymer applications that can benefit from dielectric constant regulation and outlines the future prospects of this field.
Recent Advancements of MXene/Nanocellulose‐Based Hydrogel and Aerogel: A Review
Authors: Ahmed Bulbul , Hossain Md. Jakir , Al Parvez Abdullah , Talukder Amit , Al-Amin Md. , Al Mahmud Md. Abdullah , Islam Tarikul
Published: December 2023

MXenes have been highly attractive to researchers owing to their layered nanostructure, excellent electrical conductivity, and abundance of functional groups. Meanwhile, nanocellulose materials, known for their biodegradability, renewability, compatibility with living organisms, and cost‐effectiveness, have emerged as a popular choice for material selection researchers. Recent research has discovered that combining nanocellulose with MXenes can improve the mechanical properties of MXenes, resulting in composite materials with remarkable electrical and mechanical properties. This article provides an overview of the three main types of nanocellulose: cellulose nanofiber, cellulose nanocrystal, and bacterial cellulose. It also discusses various synthesis methods for MXenes, including MXene/nanocellulose‐based hydrogel and aerogel. Additionally, the article highlights the multiple uses of MXene/nanocellulose composites in different fields, including flexible sensing materials, electromagnetic shielding, energy storage structures, and wearable health monitoring. This review covers distinctive characteristics and unique MXene/nanocellulose composite behaviors, their recent advancements in MXene/nanocellulose synthesis, and applications. Moving forward, the potential for these materials to be used innovatively with anticipation of taking the MXene/nanocellulose‐based research further steps across the respective scientific community.
The Effect of Transient Power Ramp‐Up on Structural and Optical Properties of CuO Thin Films Prepared by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Kumachang Cyril C. F. , Amune Daniel I. , Asuo Ivy M. , Sanni Dahiru , Olanrewaju Yusuf A. , Doumit Nicole , Koech Richard , Anye Vitalis , Ntsoenzok Esidor , Doumon Nutifafa Y.
Published: December 2023

Transition metal oxides have found application as charge transport materials (CTMs) in perovskite solar cell devices due to their better environmental stability and superior electronic properties compared to organic CTMs. Many researchers have used radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to deposit inorganic CTMs on inorganic layers. However, such efforts on perovskites have been limited by the distortion of high‐energy ions of the sputtering gas energized by the RF power and temperature. The ions may also distort the interface between transparent conducting oxides and the charge transport layers, thereby increasing optical scattering. Thus, the effect of ramp power during RF magnetron sputtering deposition on the structural and optical properties of copper oxide thin films is investigated. While the optical transmittance of the films decreases with increased RF power, it remains the same for all ramped power films; however, it has a similar profile as the highest RF power film. As the ramp power increases, the X‐ray diffraction shows that the films become more polycrystalline with a monoclinic crystal structure. The energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy results reveal that the atomic concentration of copper slightly increases with the RF power, whereas oxygen concentration slightly decreases.
Unidimensional Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution under Fast Fading Channel
Authors: Zhao Runbo , Zhou Jian , Shi Ronghua , Shi Jinjing
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the performance of a unidimensional continuous variable quantum key distribution protocol is analyzed using Gaussian modulated coherent state under fast fading channel. In the fast fading channel, both parties are connected in free space, resulting in a harsh propagation environment and pollution caused by atmospheric turbulence. This pollution makes it difficult for the communicators to determine the channel transmittance, which can only be estimated based on a probability distribution. To address this, only one modulator is used to code, which demonstrates performance equivalent to that of the symmetric modulated Gaussian coherent state protocol. The security of the protocol in the face of collective attacks is analyzed and it is proved that it can accept a certain amount of excessive channel noise while simplifying operations. Simultaneously, the impact of finite‐key length effects on the protocol is analyzed. It is also demonstrated that this protocol can reduce costs within an acceptable range of performance losses, making it more practical.
Anchoring Fe Species on the Highly Curved Surface of S and N Co‐Doped Carbonaceous Nanosprings for Oxygen Electrocatalysis and a Flexible Zinc‐Air Battery
Authors: Wang Yanzhi , Yang Taimin , Fan Xing , Bao Zijia , Tayal Akhil , Tan Huang , Shi Mengke , Liang Zuozhong , Zhang Wei , Lin Haiping , Cao Rui , Huang Zhehao , Zheng Haoquan
Published: December 2023

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of critical significance in the advancement of fuel cells and zinc‐air batteries. The iron‐nitrogen (Fe−Nx) sites exhibited exceptional reactivity towards ORR. However, the task of designing and controlling the local structure of Fe species for high ORR activity and stability remains a challenge. Herein, we have achieved successful immobilization of Fe species onto the highly curved surface of S, N co‐doped carbonaceous nanosprings (denoted as FeNS/Fe3C@CNS). The induction of this twisted configuration within FeNS/Fe3C@CNS arose from the assembly of chiral templates. For electrocatalytic ORR tests, FeNS/Fe3C@CNS exhibits a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.91 V in alkaline medium and a E1/2 of 0.78 V in acidic medium. The Fe single atoms and Fe3C nanoparticles are coexistent and play as active centers within FeNS/Fe3C@CNS. The highly curved surface, coupled with S substitution in the coordination layer, served to reduce the energy barrier for ORR, thereby enhancing the intrinsic catalytic activity of the Fe single‐atom sites. We also assembled a wearable flexible Zn‐air battery using FeNS/Fe3C@CNS as electrocatalysts. This work provides new insights into the construction of highly curved surfaces within carbon materials, offering high electrocatalytic efficacy and remarkable performance for flexible energy conversion devices.
Delving into the Variability of Supramolecular Affinity: Self‐Ion Pairing as a Central Player in Aqueous Host‐Guest Chemistry
Authors: Gómez‐González Borja , Basílio Nuno , Vaz Belén , Pérez‐Lorenzo Moisés , García‐Río Luis
Published: December 2023

The determination of binding constants is a key matter in evaluating the strength of host–guest interactions. However, the profound impact of self‐ion pairing on this parameter is often underrated in aqueous solution, leading in some cases to a misinterpretation of the true potential of supramolecular assemblies. In the present study, we aim to shed further light on this critical factor by exploring the concentration‐dependent behavior of a multicharged pillararene in water. Our observations reveal an extraordinary 1‐million‐fold variability in the affinity of this macrocycle toward a given anion, showcasing the highly dynamic character of electrostatic interactions. We argue that these findings bring to the forefront the inherent determinism that underlies the estimation of affinity constants, a factor profoundly shaped by both the sensitivity of the instrumental technique in use and the intricacies of the experimental design itself. In terms of applications, these results may provide the opportunity to optimize the operational concentrations of multicharged hosts in different scenarios, aiming to achieve their maximum efficiency based on the intended application. Unlocking the potential of this hidden variability may pave the way for the creation of novel molecular materials with advanced functionalities.