bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Proximate and Antinutritional Properties of Juice and Concentrate Produced from Black Plum (Vitex doniana) Fruit
Authors: AF Ofoedum
Published: January 2024

Black plum (Vitex doniana) juice has received limited attention in terms of comprehensive research on their proximate and anti-nutritional compositions. This study addresses this research gap by exploring the production of dry concentrate, single strength juice and 60% diluted seven juices samples (using different treatments). The investigation of their proximate and anti-nutritional compositions were performed, using standard analytical methods. Also the Juice samples were compared with commercial black currant juice drink. The results of proximate analysis of the dried concentrate revealed a moisture content of 18.85%, ash content of 4.47%, dietary fibre content of 30.14%, fat content of 2.07%, protein content of 8.69%, and carbohydrate content of 35.78%. The single strength juice had moisture content (59.88%), Ash (1.68%), Dietary fibre (11.08%), Fat (0.70%), Protein (2.36%) and Carbohydrate (24.30%). The juices with 60% dilution had moisture content ranging from 81.26% (SSI) to 86.81% (SSC), lower than the commercial juice CEX (90.68%). An increase in the mass of the pectinase enzyme significantly reduced the moisture content, increased the ash content, but increase in the incubation time had no significant difference in the ash content. Preheating (simmering) the fruit before processing did not affect the ash content too. Neither the mass of pectinase enzyme inoculated nor the length of the incubation significantly affected the total dietary fibre of the juice samples. Both increase in the mass of enzyme inoculated and the length of incubation time did not affect the fat content of the juices. The protein content of the juice decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) as the mass of the pectinase and the length of incubation and aslo the heating temperature and time increased. The carbohydrate content of the diluted juices was between 8.73% (SSC) and 14.37% (SSI). Statistically, SSC, SSD, SSE, SSF, SSG, and SSI have the same carbohydrate (in quality). SSI had a significantly higher carbohydrate (14.37%). The carbohydrate content of commercial juice (CEX) (9.18%) is much less and significantly lower than that of all processed juice samples. The result of the anti-nutrients showed the concentrate (SSA) and single strength juice (SSB) contain the Oxalate (10.64 and 3.75 mg/100g), followed by Saponin (5.31 and 1.96mg/100g), Tanin (4.82 and 1.95mg/100g), Phytate (3.91 and 1.94mg/100g) while Alkaloid (1.27 and 0.39mg/100g) respectively. The increase in pectinase significantly reduced none of the anti-nutrients. Simmering the fruit before obtaining the pulp used for the juices and increasing the preheating temperature had no significant effect on most of the anti-nutrients except for saponin, which was significantly decreased by the simmering. There were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in the anti-nutrients when the simmering temperature was increased from 43°C to 51°C. Almost no anti-nutrient was in the commercial juice sample (CEX).
Microbiological Composition of Fortified Foam-Mat Dried Yoghurt
Authors: T Paul
Published: January 2024

Yoghurt is a nutritional food substance with high medicinal importance. However, it is highly perishable. This work investigated the influence of different ingredients such as ginger extract, moringa seed flour and lemon on the microbiological quality of fortified foam-mat dried yoghurt. The research was conducted in two stages based on the experimental design. The first stage comprises the production of yoghurt which involves the water, powdered milk, starter culture and flavour kept at constant. Followed by addition of ginger extract and moringa seed flour. The second stage involved foam-mat drying of yoghurt using electric oven at stipulated drying temperature for each run respectively. The mixture-process design matrix carried out stipulates twenty five experimental runs including the control experiment. Microbiological properties evaluated are limited to total bacteria and fungi count while the data collected were analyzed using Design Expert 7.0.0 software package. 3D surface response was also used to display the response predictions of the mixture-process factors.
Anti-nutritional Composition of Protein Isolates from Two Varieties (DAS and BS) of Nigerian Cultivated Solojo Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp)
Authors: HO Chibudike
Published: January 2024

Antinutrients or antinutritional factors are compounds or constituents which perform by reducing nutritional intake, digestibility, assimilation as well as usage, and could generate other detrimental problem when consumed. Anti-nutritional Composition of Protein Isolates from Two Varieties (DAS and BS) of Nigerian Cultivated Solojo Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) were studied before and after dehulling of the germinated seeds while the un-germinated portion of the seeds served as the control. Both varieties (DAS and BS) investigated were soaked in distilled water and germinated at varying periods i.e. 0, 6, 24, 36, 48 and 72hrs. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Significant (p ≤0.05) reduction in phytic acid content was experienced after Solojo cowpea was germinated. The decrease in quantity of phytate with germination may be attributable to upsurge in endogenous phytase enzyme action. It was also observed that both the anti-nutrients (phytate and tannin) were greatly reduced (p<0.05) after soaking and germination took place. This might also be as a result of increase in internal phytase enzyme activity, as well as draining of dissolvable tannin compounds when soaked which was further brought down by sprouting. Antinutrients generally occurring in vegetable food possess both detrimental effects and wellness benefits. Phytic acid forms insoluble complexes with Ca, Zn, Fe and Cu, thereby making them not to be readily available for the use of the body. Flavonoids, another group of poly-phenolic antinutrients, such as tannins, enzyme inhibitors (amylase and protease) and saponins, complex metals like Fe as well as Zn and diminish the assimilation of these elemental nutrients. They similarly restrict (Constrain) the activities of digestive enzymes and they can also precipitate proteins. Some of these antinutrients are now known to possess antioxidant properties having health promoting effect, such as phytic acid shown to have abundant sources of antioxidant, anticarcinogenics and hypoglycemic properties. Phenols and tannins also have these antioxidant activities. Therefore, it might not be necessary to totally eliminate all the antinutrients.
Stakeholder Environmental Concerns and Adoption of Green SCM Practices: Role of Stakeholder Characteristics
Authors: AK Al Sheyadi
Published: January 2024

Literature has widely recognized the influence of stakeholder pressures on the development and deployment of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. However, how firms perceive and prioritize environmental demands of different groups of stakeholders is not clear yet. This paper posits that not all stakeholder environmental concerns are equally important to firms; rather stakeholders' characteristics will be a main factor to determine the extent of attention allocated by firm to satisfy the environmental demands of a specific segment of stakeholders compared to others. It also argues that not all stakeholder environmental concerns are considered as antecedents to adoption of GSCM, rather characteristics of specific groups of stakeholders and their level of market-power play a key role in determining antecedent–consequent relations of stakeholder’s environmental concerns to the implementation of GSCM. This theoretical belief was confirmed in this study using structural equation modelling of data collected through a survey of 138 Omani manufacturing firms. Results of this study revealed that effect of market stakeholders pressure on firms’ willingness to adopt both internal and external types of GSCM is stronger than effect of non-market stakeholders pressure, and that environmental demands of market stakeholders is considered as antecedents to GSCM implementation while environmental concerns of non-market stakeholders is considered consequence in this process.
Recognition of Effectivity Waste Management in the Selected Urban-Rural Commune – Case Study from Poland
Authors: Przydatek Grzegorz
Published: January 2024

The analysis of waste management in the urban - rural commune in the mountain region in three years showed a difference between the declarations and the number of segregating inhabitants due to the development of internal emigration. The highest indicators determining the amount of generated waste occurred in the city, which was conducive to the amount of generated waste. The highest average mass of generated waste 262.93 Mg occurred in 2013. Generally in three years, there was an increase in collected municipal waste, which confirms the need to promote solutions conducive to the "zero waste" economy.
Investigating Effective Methods and Factors in the Production of Compressed Charcoal from Agricultural Waste
Authors: MR Zargaran Khouzani
Published: January 2024

More than 50,000 tons of charcoals are used annually in Iran, which will increase to 100,000 tons per year, taking into account the amount of charcoal exported to the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. In order to produce the charcoal needed by the country in the traditional way, more than 300,000 tons of wood are cut and collected from the trunks and branches of trees every year, which will lead to the destruction of the country's forests and green resources. Agricultural by-products, especially rice, cocoa, rubber, pineapple and sugarcane, are produced in large quantities all over the world. Asia alone produces 4.4 billion tons of solid waste annually. The amount of agricultural solid waste produced in Ahvaz city is 2,500,000 tons, almost all of this amount is related to sugarcane cultivation and industries that exist in this province. Wood waste, sugar cane and grass are the most prominent sources of biomass energy and if managed properly, they can be used as a raw material to produce charcoal and create renewable and sustainable energy. The general purpose of this article is to investigate different methods of producing compressed coal from agricultural waste and the factors affecting its production
Diclofenac Degradation by New AOP System Zero-Valent Aluminium–Acid (ZVAl/H+) Process and its Modifications
Authors: J Prousek
Published: January 2024

Drugs and other pharmaceutical compounds are often used substances around the world. Diclofenac is one of the widely used anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. In recent years diclofenac was considered as a new emerging environmental contaminant of water and soil ecosystems. In the present work the new AOP system based on the ZVAl/H+ and its modifications was applied to degrade diclofenac water solutions with its initial concentration of 25 mg L−1. The effects of initial pH, dosage of Al0 , addition of hydrogen peroxide, ferrous, ferric and aluminium ions were studied in the dark experiments. In addition, effects of irradiation with sunlight lamp were also investigated. Finally, environmental toxicity studies were conducted according to OECD tests with terrestrial plants. Degradation efficiency was measured by UV-VIS spectroscopy. After all experiments the degree of resulting TOC removal was determined. Concentration of dissolved oxygen in reaction mixture during and after reaction was also monitored. The results showed that all used systems are able efficiently remove diclofenac. The best diclofenac removal reached 98 % efficiency at pH of 3.0 in 4 hours, with Al0 dosage used of 2.0 g L−1 and with addition of 10 mg L−1 of aluminium ions (Al3+). The best TOC removal (83 %) was achieved under experimental condition of ZVAl/H+ with Al0 dosage of 4.0 g L−1 at pH of 3.0 after 4 hours. Negative results with the utilization of radical scavenger for hydroxyl radicals (methanol) led us to conclusion that degradation process in the first steps of reaction proceeds parallel by both two different mechanisms – reductive dehalogenation and hydrogenolysis. Finally, before and after treatment processes toxicity tests according to OECD Guideline 208 were performed. Resulted toxicity values showed that diclofenac solutions in concentration range from 5 to 25 mg L−1 and solutions after treatment processes had only a low toxic effect on terrestrial plants.
L’action Apple, une opportunité de suivi de tendance: Zoom sur les ratios financiers et l’évolution boursière de 2019 à 2023
Authors:   Université Mohammed V Rabat - Maroc, Loubaris Rania , El Haddad Mohammed Yassine ,   Université Mohammed V Rabat - Maroc
Published: January 2024

This article aims to evaluate the performance and profitability of Apple Stock, as well as its trend following strategy, based on different financial ratios, over a period of five years, from 2019 to 2023. For this, it relies on the concept of trend following, a trading strategy that consists of following the direction of the market, without trying to anticipate changes. After a presentation of the literature review on the subject, we will present Indicators and tools to monitor a trend, then we will analyze the financial data of Apple, and its stock market behavior, over a period of five years. We will conclude our article by giving recommendations on whether or not to invest in Apple stock.
Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica, Syn. Emblica officinalis) on Growth and Health of Commercial Broiler Chicken (CARIBRO Dhanraja)
Authors: Dey Anshuman , Chatterjee J. K. , Rao Y. Vasudeva
Published: January 2024

The present research work was performed at Rathindra Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Palli Siksha Bhavana (Institute of Agriculture), Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal, during February–April 2022. The objective of the present study was to explore the effect of dietary supplementation of amla (Emblica officinalis) on the health and growth of broiler chicks (CARIBRO Dhanraja). A total of thirty-six (36) one-day old chicks were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups with three replicates for each treatment group and four birds in each replicate to conduct the proposed study. The three experimental dietary treatments were, Control group, fed with standard diet, i.e., without amla (E. officinalis) supplementation (T1), Test groups, fed with 1.5% amla (E. officinalis) supplemented diet (T2) and 2.5% amla (E. officinalis) supplemented diet (T3). From the results, the highest average body weight, highest weekly average body weight gain and better Feed Conversion Ratio were observed in T2 followed by T3. It was found that serum SGPT/ALT, SGOT/AST and ALP levels were found to be highest in the control group (T1), and were significantly reduced in amla-supplemented groups, least levels were observed in the T3 group. There was no significant difference observed in dressing yield among the treatments. However, in some carcass parameters, a significant difference was observed among the groups with different treatments. From the above study, it could be concluded that feed supplemented with amla (E. officinalis) improved the health and growth of the broiler chicken, which is economically profitable to the poultry farmers.
Pericardial Hydatidosis Revealed by Tamponade, A Case Report
Authors: Abdelbaki Mourad , Khellafi Dr N.
Published: January 2024

Hydatidosis or hydatid cyst is a Cosmopolitan Zoonosis, due to accidental tissue development in humans of the Taenia Echinococcus granulosus larva, an adult parasite of the small intestine of dogs.
Very widespread in Mediterranean countries, where it is generally maintained through a domestic cycle involving dogs and sheep. Algeria is a country with high endemicity, and parasitosis constitutes a major health problem.
Pericardial localization without cardiac involvement is extremely rare.
We report the observation of isolated intrapericardial hydatidosis revealed by tamponade.
The Entrepreneurial Process in a Remote Island Context: The Case of Madeira
Authors: Freitas Carmen
Published: January 2024

This paper studies the entrepreneurial phenomenon on a remote island to assess the effects of the spatial location on the entrepreneurial process. A qualitative approach was adopted to conduct this research, through a multiple-case study of 8 entrepreneurs from the island of Madeira, an autonomous Portuguese region in the Atlantic. The primary goal of this study is to characterize the entrepreneurial process in remote islands. This study adopts Bygrave’s (2009) definition and model of the entrepreneurial process. The findings show that the geographical environment on remote islands influences most phases of the entrepreneurial process. The identification of business opportunities will vary greatly between sectors of activity. Additionally, island-based entrepreneurs were more motivated by push factors, which suggests that the entrepreneurial landscape in remote islands will be populated by necessity entrepreneurs. Moreover, findings also demonstrate that remote island entrepreneurs are more preoccupied with firm survival than they are with growth. Finally, this study also discusses the impact of advances in information technologies on the entrepreneurial process on small and remote islands.
Social Psychological Perspectives on Islandness: Identities, Vulnerabilities and Precarities
Authors: Matheson Kate , Pawson Chris , Clegg Peter
Published: January 2024

Although there are many widely perceived attractions to living on a small island, island life is not without its challenges. The physical aspects of these are well rehearsed. The psychological ones, less so. Drawing on social psychological theories, we analyse the experience of living on small islands, with a focus on two small British islands. Data were collected through ethnographic fieldwork, involving observations and interviews with small island inhabitants. We found a range of factors impacting them psychologically, including several that suggest identity and social identity theories may provide a useful psychological lens for understanding these communities. There were also other psychological features identified that suggest a self-perception of vulnerability. These were reflected in concerns around the precarity of employment, but also evident in islanders’ discourses around health (both physical and mental). These findings echo previous authors’ assertions concerning the existence of an ‘island psychology’ evident in the experiences of island residents, but also contribute to discussions around its origins and mechanisms of influence - which we argue have been hitherto, relatively atheoretical. Importantly, a better understanding of island experience, and the relevant theoretical frameworks, can assist in supporting the wellbeing of islanders and the sustainability of their communities.
Islandness and Appreciating the Importance of the Rule of Law in a 21st Century Island Context: The Case of the Isle of Man
Authors: Farrant Shaw Kate
Published: January 2024

Despite the vibrant and growing island studies scholarship exploring the unique characteristics of Islands and Islandness, which is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, there has been little research into the unique characteristics associated with the appreciation of the Rule of Law and island identity in an island context. Similarly, although within legal scholarship there has been much exploration at international, European, and national levels of the importance of appreciation of the Rule of Law and its role in helping to reduce the risk of arbitrariness, there has been little consideration in an island context of why the importance of the appreciation of the Rule of Law matters. Building upon both fields of scholarship, the present article uses the Isle of Man as a lens to explore, firstly, why the importance of the appreciation of the Rule of Law in an Island context matters from a legal perspective. Secondly, how exploring the unique characteristics associated with the appreciation of the Rule of Law in an island context provides a greater understanding of the uniqueness of island identity and islandness. The present article is therefore a novel contribution to legal scholarly literature and a timely addition to island study literature.
Effects of Lifelong Learning on the Readiness for Online Learning
Authors: TORUNLAR Serkan , ENGİN Melih
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Technological advancement, which started with the Industrial Revolution, accelerated by the end of the 20th century. These developments created radical changes not only in working life but also in our social and cultural lives. The need for people to constantly learn new things in order to keep up with these changes created the concept of lifelong learning. In addition, the concept of distance education has been in our lives in various forms for many years. Especially after the 2000s, internet-based distance education, ie., online education, has become quite common. Readiness for online learning emerged as one of the important factors affecting the efficiency of online learning. In this study, the relationship between lifelong learning and readiness for online learning was examined.

Design/Methodology/Approach: For this purpose, Lifelong Learning and Online Learning Readiness scales were administered to university students. In total, 390 students from different universities and departments participated in the research.

Findings: With the data obtained, it was tried to determine if lifelong learning had a significant effect on the sub-dimensions of readiness for online learning. In addition, determining if the gender and the type of education program had a significant effect on these two concepts constitutes the sub-objective of the research.

Highlights: The findings showed that there was a significant and positive relationship between the sub-dimensions of readiness for online learning and lifelong learning. On the other hand, it was observed that women were better than men and postgraduate students were better than other students in terms of both readiness for lifelong learning and online learning.
Ethical Issues in Educational Technology
Authors: AYDIN İnayet
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the ethical issues created by educational technology from the perspective of children and youth and to develop recommendations for addressing the ethical problems they face in educational technology based on ethical evaluations.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study utilizes the "Narrative Review" method.

Findings: This study reveals scientific findings on the inequalities created among students by educational technology, its impact on the child's privacy, values, and world of meaning, its effects on students' learning, cognitive functions, and creativity, its influence on students' emotional development and human relationships, as well as the negative effects of virtual reality and gamification, and the impact of technology on children's fundamental academic and physical skills.

Highlights: This research emphasizes the significant responsibilities that educational managers, decision-makers, policymakers, and teachers, especially those concerning "minors" under the age of 18, need to take on regarding the responsible, safe, and ethical use of technology in educational processes. The study delves into protecting children from potential harm and negative effects resulting from their use of educational technology.
The Effect of Preschool Teachers' Engagement in Collaborative Professional Practices on Pedagogical Practices
Authors: SAĞLAM Mehmet , ÇELİK Osman Tayyar , TUNÇ Yunus
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Preschool teachers are crucial in meeting children's needs and supporting their learning and development. This study explored the link between preschool teachers' engagement in collaborative professional practices and their pedagogical practices to meet children's needs.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This research used survey data from 1546 preschool teachers in Turkey who took part in the TALIS Starting Strong Survey 2018 by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis.
Findings: The findings indicated that preschool teachers' engagement in collaborative professional practices positively predicted their pedagogical practices regarding children's needs. Furthermore, engagement in collaborative professional practices accounted for approximately 7% of the variance in pedagogical practice.
Highlights: These results provide compelling evidence for the positive impact of teachers' collaborative professional learning on their pedagogical practices, which in turn can contribute to children's learning and development in preschool education. Collaborative professional practices in preschool education effectively support children's learning and development.
Game Experience of Primary and Preschool Pedagogy Students in a Gamified Mathematics Class
Authors:   Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University,, Zsoldos-Marchiș Iuliana , Opriș Edina-Timea ,   Doctoral School of Didactics. Tradition, Innovation, Development, Babes-Bolyai University, Illyés Magda ,   Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University
Published: January 2024

The paper presents a quasi-experimental study using gamification in Seppo during a mathematics course for primary and preschool pedagogy students. The aim of the investigation was to examine students’ game experience and their motivation during the game. The research tools were the Gameful Experience Scale [GAMEX] and the Game Experience Questionnaire (developed by the authors). The participants were 32 second-year students. The results show that students’ enjoyment and the feeling of creativity was high, but their activation, absorption in the game and feeling of dominance were low. Students’ self-reports show that they liked the game’s story, the teamwork, and the diverse nature of the assigned tasks. The perceived stress during the game was also relatively low. There was a strong negative correlation between enjoyment and perceived stress. The elements that contributed most to perceived stress were the difficulty of the tasks, the lack of time, and the competition between teams. The motivating elements mentioned frequently by the students were teamwork, collecting game money, and reaching higher levels of the game. A prevailing pattern among the students involved being influenced by both internal and external motivation throughout the course of the game. For one-third of the students, motivation increased at the beginning and decreased at the end of the game, while nearly another third’s motivation increased at the end of the game. Students preferred the version of the game with physical movement in the building and enjoyed the freedom of selecting the difficulty of the tasks when the game did not restrict the advancement to a higher level.
Private Sector Participation and the Development of University Education in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, 1999-2021: A Historical Analysis
Authors:   PhD, Department of History & International Studies, Osun State University, Adesote Samson Adesola
Published: January 2024

The main thrust of this paper is to historicise the involvement of the private sector in the development of university education in Nigeria in the Fourth Republic. While the first set of private universities began during the Second Republic, the year 1999 marked the commencement of the birth of the second set of private universities in Nigeria. The year 2021 was when the last batch of private universities was granted provisional licences of operation by the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission. There is no doubt that the history of educational development in Nigeria has its origin in the activities of the private sector, that is, Christian missions. Their involvement in the development of western education in the country between the late 19th and 20th centuries was mainly confined to the provision of primary and secondary education. Up to the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the provision of university education in the country was exclusively the responsibility of both the Federal and the State governments. Although an attempt was made during the Second Republic, 1979–1983, to encourage private sector participation, this eventually failed. The present paper argues that availability and accessibility to high-quality university education can be meaningfully achieved through public-private collaboration as seen in developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Western Europe. Active involvement of non-state actors would help the government to mobilize financial resources to meet more pressing public service needs. The methodology adopted for this work is historical, qualitative and quantitative, utilising materials from both primary and secondary sources.
Elements That Shape Slum Integration. A Systematic Literature Review
Authors:   Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Makassar, Sulawesi, INDONESIA, EKAWATI Sri Aliah , ASMAL Idawarni J. ,   Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Makassar, Sulawesi, INDONESIA, NADJMI Nurul ,   Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Makassar, Sulawesi, INDONESIA, AMIN Samsuddin ,   Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architecture, Makassar, Sulawesi, INDONESIA
Published: January 2024

Massive urbanization is considered to be one of the causes of population density that eventually triggers the creation of slums in a city. Slums are synonymous with poverty, crime, low education, and lack of infrastructure, making the area segregated from the formal urban space. Settlement communities have difficulty accessing facilities in the formal urban space. This study aims to formulate the elements that form the integration of slum areas. The method used is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The four stages in this SLR method are (1) identification; (2) screening; (3) eligibility; and (4) inclusion. A total of 62 articles were reviewed in this study. The results of this study are nineteen elements that form the integration of slum areas seen from physical and socio-economic aspects. If physical aspects include road network, accessibility, distance, public transportation, visual, public open space, periphery, settlement pattern, infrastructure, topography, and orientation, the socio-economic ones refer to local wisdom, background, social networks, types of activities, community empowerment, the sense of belonging, economic networks, and local economic empowerment. It is presumed that the results of this study can be used as guidelines for structuring slums so that they do not become marginalized areas or separate from formal urban areas.
The Association Between Time Perspective and Death Anxiety in Elderly: a Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies
Authors:   Doctoral School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, POPOVICI Ramona ,   Department of Training for the Teaching Career and Social-Humanities Sciences, Politehnica University, Bucharest, Romania, ramona.popovici@drd.unibuc.ro, POPOVICI Alexandru-Filip ,   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest, Romania. Email: filip.popovici@unibuc.ro
Published: January 2024

"This systematic review aims to investigate the literature on the relationship between time perspective and death anxiety in the elderly population. Time perspective is a fundamental process by which the flow of personal experiences is categorized into temporal dimensions, while death anxiety refers to the fear associated with the inevitability of death. The review systematically assesses and critically discusses the literature on time perspective and death anxiety and highlights the implications for future research and practice. A comprehensive search of relevant databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct) was conducted to identify quantitative studies published up to date in this review. The initial search yielded a considerable number of studies (N=401). After applying rigorous inclusion criteria, a final selection of studies (N=5) was examined in detail. Results of our systematic review show that time perspective is related to death anxiety in some circumstances, but extensive research is needed to explore this relationship. Future research efforts should focus on refining assessment methodologies from time perspective and investigating potential interventions that can alleviate death anxiety among the elderly population. Understanding the interplay between time perspective and death anxiety may hold valuable implications for mental health interventions and geriatric care, promoting enhanced well-being and psychological resilience in later life. Keywords: time perspective, death-anxiety, elderly, old age"
Refining Our Understanding of the Influence of Culture on Human Development: a Situated Cognition Approach
Authors:   Developmental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,  ionutmone@psychology.ro, MONE Ionuț-Sergiu , BENGA Oana ,   Developmental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Published: January 2024

"In the present paper, we discuss the theoretical and methodological benefits of refining the current models which are focused on the influence of culture on human development based on theoretical models and empirical findings which stem from the situated cognition approach on culture. Firstly, to illustrate the current approach on culture and human development, we review the Ecocultural Model of Development, which focuses on the manner in which caregivers’ cultural models are associated with their parental beliefs (i.e., socialization goals and parental ethnotheories), their parental practices and ultimately with the child’s development. Secondly, we explore two models based on a situated cognition approach: the Cultural Task analysis model and the Culture as Situated Cognition approach. Based on the assumptions of these models and findings from our own lab, we discuss how we can theoretically refine current models which focus on the influence of culture on human development, and what methodological approaches these refinements can lead us to. In the paper we also outline several avenues for future research that stem from the reconceptualization of the influence of culture on human development, from a situated cognition perspective. Keywords: culture; human development; situated cognition; parental beliefs; cultural models"
Students’ Cognitive Load in Online Education, Under the Lens of Learning Theories
Authors:   Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, marius.banut@ubbcluj.ro, BĂNUȚ Marius , ANDRONACHE Daniel ,   Babes-Bolyai University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Published: January 2024

"There is a link between learning theories and online education in the sense that the use of certain e-Tools available in educational platforms could be biased by the epistemological beliefs of the teachers. The complexity of the educational message, in relation to the biased e-Tools selection for the learning task, together with the information processing that derives from the learning activity contributes to the intrinsic cognitive load. In order to optimize this cognitive load that can reach a high and an undesirable level for learning, this article aims to bridge online learning with the main theories of learning and cognitive load theory. The triangulation of these data, based on several sources from the specialized literature, provides an extended picture of the dominant cognitive processes determined by the tools used in the online learning space. This article could represent a source for the theoretical foundation of an online learning instructional design and for placing the online education closer to methodology, rather than technology. Keywords: online learning, instructional design, cognitive load, information processing, learning theories"
Academic Writing Needs of International Psychology PhDs in a South African University
Authors:   School of Applied Sciences University of KwaZulu-Natal. Email: samumo800@gmail.com, UMOH Samuel , MATOANE Matshepo Catherine ,   School of Applied Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Published: January 2024

"The paper examines the academic writing experience amongst international psychology PhD students at a South African public university. The paper also discusses the challenges of academic writing and the support structures of academic writing. Sixteen (16) international students studying at PhD level in psychology were selected by purposive sampling from a public South African university in KwaZulu-Natal. Drawing from generated by iproposalss, findings suggest that participants experienced academic writing challenges in drafting PhD proposal, supervisor’s feedback and plagiarism. Academic writing challenges were aggravated for international PhD students from non-native English-speaking countries. Findings also suggest that university support structures such as academic writing retreats improved the academic writing of participants and exposed them to the rigors of academic writing. Keywords: academic writings, PhD doctoral program, analytical, research, and communication skills"
Political and Educational Messages in Serambi Indonesia: A Framing Analysis
Authors: Akmal Saiful , Usman Abdul Rani , Qamaruzzaman Qamaruzzaman
Published: January 2024

The existence of the media in social life is essential. Apart from providing a forum for distributing information, the media also play an important role to control the government performance. However, the media often frames reality and at the same time, published news from multiple angles; as this can affect the process of defining the truth constructed in their framing. This study analyzes the news framing published the Kuta Raja rubric, Serambi Indonesia daily in Aceh, especially those contain political and educational message. This present study employed a qualitative descriptive approach with the data collected from July to September 2020. The data were analyzed thematically and analytically in descriptive stages. The results indicate that the Kuta Raja rubric is often f shown by highlighting certain aspects of the news, such as displaying dominant political figures. In contrast, the educational information is not very significantly emphasized. Thus, it is necessary to have a balance in the reconstruction process of an event in order to avoid framing bias.
Privacy Concerns in Digital Journalism: Balancing Transparency and Ethical Reporting
Authors: Sultan Moehammad Iqbal , Amir Andi Subhan
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the ethical dimensions of digital journalism with a focus on privacy, aiming to shed light on the challenges faced by journalists in balancing transparency with the protection of individual privacy rights. A qualitative analysis was conducted, incorporating case studies and an examination of legal frameworks to understand the ethical dilemmas digital journalists encounter. Additionally, established best practices were analyzed to ascertain effective strategies for addressing privacy concerns. The study revealed that journalists encounter multifaceted ethical challenges when handling personal information. Case studies underscored instances where inadequate privacy considerations led to real-world harm. Legal frameworks, including GDPR and COPPA, impose responsibilities on journalists to responsibly handle personal data. In conclusion, this study underscores the critical role of ethical reporting in the digital journalism landscape. By prioritizing privacy considerations, journalists can navigate the complex landscape, ensuring that their work upholds both journalistic integrity and individual privacy rights.
The influence of zinc deficiency on taste disorders in selected medical aspects
Authors: Kędziora-Ciechańska Aleksandra , Chałas Renata
Published: January 2024

Taste disorders are a serious impediment to the process of eating meals. There are many mechanisms that determine the development of taste disorders. One of them is believed to be zinc deficiency. Zinc is responsible for the processes of regeneration of taste and smell centres. It plays a significant role in the cells of the taste bud. Our study aims to present the role of zinc deficiency on the occurrence of taste disorders in selected medical aspects, such as in the course of diabetes, as a result of radiotherapy and chemotherapy of head and neck cancers, resulting from old age, and in the course of oral cavity halitosis. The study analyzed articles available in the PubMed database. The consequence of the reduced zinc content is its incorrect amount in the epithelium of the tongue, which may be the result of a reduced ability of cells to regenerate after the destructive effects of pathological factors. The result of zinc deficiency is its reduced amount in the salivary glands, which results in reduced activity of carbonic anhydrase 6 (gustin), which is a component of saliva. Zinc is also involved in the process of experiencing taste by affecting neuronal processes. Zinc ions inhibit oral malodor by binding directly to hydrogen sulfide gas and by inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds. In the study, we focus on the mechanisms that determine the abnormal perception of taste and potential therapeutic possibilities based on current scientific reports.
GPGPU Programming for Dipolar Field Calculation
Authors: Pricop Sebastian , Ababei Răzvan Vasile
Published: January 2024

Accelerating computational processes is paramount in numerical infrastructure development, particularly in applications such as the finite element method (FEM) and extensive calculations for simulating 3D processes in materials. In this work, we introduce a novel technique for computing the magnetostatic field of an ellipsoid particle, leveraging CUDA on a graphical card for parallel processing. The implementation on a GPU resulted in a remarkable 20-fold improvement in calculation speed. This achievement not only expedites research tasks, but also enables the exploration of larger and more intricate simulations, facilitating quicker model refinements and deeper insights into material behaviours under various conditions. The utilization of GPU computing aligns with the broader trend in scientific research and engineering, offering a versatile solution for diverse computational challenges beyond this specific task of magnetism. Overall, our work contributes to the ongoing effort to harness high-performance computing (HPC) technologies for accelerated and more efficient simulations in materials science and related fields.
Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disorders in rheumatoıd arthritis: relationship wıth disease activity
Authors: Karakiliç Gülseren Demir , Borman Pinar , Kocaoğlu Seher , Büyük Ferda , Bakirci Esra Şahingöz
Published: January 2024

Background and aims:
Thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies have previously been described in rheumatoid arthirits (RA) with limited data. In some studies, a relationship was found between thyroid autoantibodies and RA disease activity. However, there are not strong studies in the literature indicating the relationship between thyroid diseases and RA. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of hypothyroidism and to investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone levels, autoantibodies and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods
: 1017 patients with the diagnosis of RA were recruited. This observational study was conducted between January 2014 and July 2015. Demographic variables were recorded. Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-cyclic citrulli-nated peptide antibody (anti-CCP), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), C reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), anti-microsomal antibody (anti-TPO )and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) were determined. Visual analog score and Disease Activiy Score 28 (DAS-28) ESR and DAS-28 CRP were recorded. The relationship between thyroid hormone levels and thyroid antibodies and disease activity parameters were determined.

Results:
98 (%9,7) patients had hypothyroidism and 61 (%6) patients had hyperthyroidism. 210 (20,7%) patients with RA was positive for TPOAb and 165(16,3%) for anti-TG. Positive correlation was detected between anti-TPO positivity and anti-CCP levels (p:0.005, r:0,274). In anti-TG antibody positive patients, there was a significant positive correlation of thyroid hormone levels with CRP and DAS 28-CRP (p:0.01, r:0,120; p:0.01, r:0,169).

Conclusion:
Thyroid autoantibodies were found to be positive in 16-21% of patients with RA. Though hypothyroidism is not very frequent in RA patients, autoimmune thyroid disease is quite common, which may be related to disease activity.
Role of IL-33 and IL-35 in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Jocic Jasmina , Pavlovic Sladjana , Lucic Aleksandra Tomic
Published: January 2024

Cytokine-mediated immunity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the rheumatoid arthritis. Interleukins IL-33 and IL-35 are closely associated with various rheumatic diseases. The effect of IL-33 on rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be mediated by induction of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17), activation of mast cell degranulation, and mobilization of neutrophils in the joints. However, in addition to the pro-inflammatory, its anti-inflammatory role in rheumatic diseases has also been noticed. The potential mechanism of its anti-inflammatory action can be explained by IL-33-induced mast cell activation that can affect rheumatoid arthritis. IL-35 is a heterodimeric protein and has a significant anti-inflammatory effect. This inhibitory cytokine can express its therapeutic potential through the suppression of osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis. This review presents current knowledge on the role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Sistem Monitoring Debit Air Berbasis Internet of Things pada Saluran Air
Authors: Sutikno Tole , Susanto Defri Rahmad , Purnama Hendril Satrian
Published: January 2024

Pengukuran dan pencatatan debit air yang dilakukan secara manual memiliki banyak kekurangan, diantaranya tidak akurat, tidak efisien waktu dan membutuhkan banyak tenaga manusia. Seiring dengan perkembangan teknologi, Internet of Things (IoT) menjadi opsi yang tepat untuk mengurangi interaksi manusia dengan perangkat keras dalam hal pemantauan yang berkelanjutan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang prototipe sistem pemantauan debit air dengan nilai akurasi yang tepat dan penggunaan energi listrik yang efisien. Sistem perangkat monitoring debit air yang dirancang berbasis IoT dengan NodeMCU sebagai prosesor utamanya, sedangkan water flow sensor digunakan sebagai tranduser yang bertugas mengumpulkan data. Selanjutnya, data yang dikumpulkan oleh perangkat keras akan dikirimkan ke server dengan protokol IoT melalui aplikasi Blynk. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sistem yang dirancang telah bekerja dengan baik, dapat mengirimkan data via IoT dari jarak jauh, dan memiliki akurasi yang relatif tinggi.