bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the printability of food inks and the structural stability of 3D-printed food through additive food manufacturing
Authors:   , Yang Jung Mun
Published: October 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) food printing is an innovative application of additive manufacturing (AM) technology that enables the layer-by-layer deposition of food materials to achieve target objects, offering numerous advantages such as customization, personalization, design flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. 3D food printing offers personalized food for individuals with chewing and swallowing difficulties. It enables on-demand meal production and personalized nutrition for military and space applications. Moreover, it addresses food security and sustainability challenges by utilizing and optimizing alternative food sources to minimize food waste and costs. Initially, AM technology unitized non-food materials, which involved extreme conditions. However, recent advancements have introduced food materials suitable for 3D printing. Therefore, this research aimed to create starch-based foods that are suitable for extrusion-based 3D printing and can maintain their structure after extrusion. In this study, potato starch was used as the main ingredient, as it is one of the preferred polymers in 3D printing technology due to its unique physiochemical properties. Sodium alginate and kelp extract (Laminaria japonica) were selected as hydrocolloids to investigate their effect on printability and the structural properties of the 3D-printed samples. To assess the dimensional and structural properties of the printed samples, various infill densities (20 percent, 40 percent, and 60 percent) and designs (line, concentric, and grid) were employed. The addition of sodium alginate and kelp extract improved the rheological properties, and higher infill density enabled the samples to maintain their structure after being extruded. These results demonstrate the effect of printing material printability and the internal structure of printed samples on 3D printing behaviors.
COVID-19 perspectives, prevention behavior, and vaccine intention among health workers in Sierra Leone : a low-resource context
Authors:   , David Ifeolu John
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted health workers, who were already affected by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. However, there is limited research on health workers' COVID-19 experiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In this study, 24 in-depth interviews were conducted with health workers from three regions in Sierra Leone. The study analysis focused on examining COVID-19 experiences, prevention behavior, and vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in Sierra Leone while exploring the applicability of the 5-C model in understanding their vaccine attitudes, intentions, and uptake. The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the emotional and mental well-being of health workers. Their experiences during the 2014 Ebola outbreak shaped their perceptions of COVID-19. Health workers' COVID-19 prevention practices were influenced by their perception of the severity of the virus and their familiarity with preventive measures. Vaccine uptake decisions were influenced by their perceptions of other vaccines and the desire to protect themselves and set examples. To improve COVID-19 prevention behavior among health workers, interventions should focus on overcoming barriers such as limited access to protective equipment and addressing disapproval and conspiracy theories through community engagement.
Making the invisible, visible : photojournalism and the documentation of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   , Epping Shane
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] It has been argued that published photos by news agencies of COVID-19 were either too nuanced or too graphic. In either scenario, photojournalists were held accountable for what members of the public might see, and as a result, how viewers might react. The documentation of COVID-19 by photojournalists enabled viewers to see what was happening. But only if the photographers were allowed access to situations where the pandemic could be photographed. In an environment of social distancing and statewide stay-at-home orders to avoid contracting COVID-19, the ability of people to interact, beyond digital platforms, was significantly severed. News sources served as conduits of potentially life-threatening information, that sometimes evolved on a day-to-day basis, for an entire nation in lockdown. Considering the lethal impact of the coronavirus disease, media coverage was saturated with COVID-19 updates. For three consecutive years, 2020, 2021, and 2022, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in America; more than 1.1 million Americans died because of COVID-19 during this period, accounting for about 16 percent of the world's total fatalities. This study is twofold: 1) it explores 500 photographs published by an international news agency during the first 20 months of COVID-19, with a primary focus on images made in the United States, and 2) it analyzes semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 photojournalists, four photo editors, and one medical doctor. It finds that photographic themes principally included anonymity, health care, death, isolation, and community. To contextualize these themes, photojournalists were interviewed to help explain their process of primarily working with very xii limited access in highly contagious situations. In addition to health care as an all-encompassing backdrop, interview themes included professional and personal routines, creative ingenuity and specialization, access (denied and allowed), and a sense of purpose. The study emphasizes the importance of gatekeeping as either an impediment or a catalyst for photojournalists to communicate visual stories in a pandemic--specifically within organizations and institutions focusing on medical treatment. It explores the intersection of photojournalism and health care, and how an openness to allowing the documentation of the effects of a deadly virus can result in an informed populace readied with insight when living in isolation. Although the effects of photographs on viewers are not the focus of this research project, they were found to be sources of motivation for photojournalists to perform their jobs in life-threatening situations. The primary intent, as expressed by numerous photographers, was to inform the public.
Development and validation of the teacher SEC scale (T-SECS) using Item Response Theory
Authors:   , de Marchena Sarah Liz
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] The purpose of this dissertation study was to develop a comprehensive and effective self-report scale, Teacher Social-Emotional Competence Scale (T-SECS) using Item Response Theory (IRT) to measure social and emotional competence in teachers in order to facilitate future research regarding teacher SEC's predictive validity. The prioritization of social-emotional competence (SEC) has been primarily focused on students with little to no attention on teacher SEC (Jennings & Greenberg, 2009). The limited available research regarding teacher SEC suggests that it may be correlated with positive student and classroom outcomes such as healthy teacher-student relationships, effective classroom management, and effective implementation of SEL curricula (Jennings & Greenberg, 2009). There are no known and published assessments of teacher SEC. Several studies that have examined teacher SEC have used scales of well-being, efficacy, emotion regulation, physical symptoms, psychological distress, depression, and mindfulness (Jennings et al., 2017; Jennings et al., 2013; Jennings & Greenberg, 2011), which are all limited in their capacity to measure the social and emotional experiences of teachers. Based on the literature on scale development using IRT, a conceptual framework for the item pool was first identified through a thorough review of relevant content from SEC literature (Revicki, Chen, & Tucker, 2014). Consequently, a three-phase approach was used to meet the purpose of the study: (1) conceptual framework and item generation (2) item development and content validity, and (3) psychometric evaluation, scale refinement and validation. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) Do the data meet the IRT assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity? (2) When using a polytomous IRT model, do any items require removal due to poor statistical performance? (3) When using a polytomous IRT model, is the selfreport measure of teacher SEC reliable and valid? After running initial psychometric analyses, the item pool of twenty-six items was reduced to nine items. The final scale of T-SECS met all three assumptions without compromising content validity. Psychometrically, T-SECS discrimination parameters values indicated that all nine items were able to discriminate between participants well based on their levels of SEC. Results of the fit indices suggested that the Graded Response Model used to standardize the T-SECS appeared to be appropriate. Individual item fit showed that seven out of the nine items fell significantly above p value of .1, which indicates good item fit. At the overall test level, the final T-SECS scale was found to be most reliable at the left and middle ends of the scale, indicating that the scale could estimate SEC more precisely for participants with low and average-to slightly above average levels of SEC.
Bayesian and machine learning models for dependent data with applications to official statistics and survey methodology
Authors:   , Nandy Saikat
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] Small Area estimation has garnered much interest in recent times by both private entities as well government agencies as means of public policy guidance, formulating programs for regional and national planning, allocating government funds, and advocating investments. Small-area models are comprised of area-level models that relate direct estimators to area-specific covariates, and the alternative unit-level models that directly model survey responses. Both types of models have their advantages and their unique sets of challenges. In this dissertation, we address some of these challenges. Modern complex surveys collect and report data on a variety of topics, and often the response types are not continuous numeric responses but can be categorical, count-valued, or completely non-numeric like text and functional responses. Here we concentrate on multiple types of numeric responses. First, we extend the measurement error modeling paradigm to areal non-Gaussian data, that can be distributed from one or multiple classes of distributions (e.g. Gaussian, Poisson, Binomial etc.), when the covariates are measured with error and spatially correlated. Survey responses are prone to measurement error which can result from a host of different sources and failing to address this error can lead to a biased and erroneous inference. Second, traditional areal-level models tend to model spatial dependence structures based on the nearest-neighbor approach. These models assume that geographically connected areal units exhibit strong correlations and that the strength of this connection grows weaker as we move farther away. We propose a new neighborhood network where the probability of connection between two areal units is determined by not just their geographical proximity, but also their socio-demographic similarity. We embed this in a traditional spatial model, e.g., Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) model. Third, we address the issue of computational efficiency while working with data from complex surveys which can include millions of individuals. We introduce Bayesian data sketching algorithms to compress high-dimensional survey data at both the area level and the unit level onto a lower-dimension subspace using random projection matrices. This framework relies on the Bayesian pseudo-likelihood to accommodate the survey design, as well as the Bayesian hierarchical framework to model various dependence structures. We motivate the applications of our proposed frameworks with applications to public use data from American Community Survey (ACS).
Narrowing achievement gaps : essays on the impact of public policies on the academic achievement of English learners
Authors:   , Obadan Obofoni Ann
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] English Learners (ELs) represent a significant and growing proportion of students in US schools, from 3.8 million students in 2000 to 5.1 million in 2019, representing 10.2 percent of children enrolled in US public schools. There is a significant gap in the academic achievement of ELs compared to their English-only peers. They have lower math and English language arts test scores, are less likely to complete college preparatory coursework than their English-only peers and have lower graduation rates. The rapid growth of this student population has been associated with an increased policies and research on their education, including reclassification, language development, and finance. To contribute to the research on ELs, this dissertation uses public and restricted data, as well as quasi-experimental and descriptive analyses to evaluate how two public policies affect the education outcome of ELs. The first two essays focus on the effect of California's school finance policies on ELs academic outcomes, while the third essay examines the effect of Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act on ELs educational outcome. Together, these essays highlight the important role that public policies play in the academic achievement of disadvantaged students.
A qualitative exploration of the discrimination experiences, navigational strategies, and identity development of Black females attending predominantly white institutions
Authors:   , Rhames Alexis Shannon
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] The purpose of this study was to explore how Black females describe their school-based racial discrimination experiences and the navigational strategies used to cope with these experiences. Given its retrospective nature, the study emphasizes Black females' navigational strategies over time. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How do Black females describe their school-based racial discrimination experiences while attending a predominantly white high school and while attending a predominantly white postsecondary institution? (2) How do Black females describe the impact of school-based racial discrimination on their academic achievement and mental health? (3) What strategies do Black females use to navigate school-based racial discrimination experiences? (3a) How do Black females describe the influence of racial socialization messages on their navigational strategies? The study utilized Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST; Spencer, 1997) and Black Feminist Thought (Collins, 2000) as frameworks to explore how Black women describe their discrimination experiences and coping strategies while attending predominantly white academic institutions. A sample of 15 Black females between the ages of 18 - 23 were recruited through purposeful sampling methods, and data was collected through individual interviews. Using thematic analysis, findings of this study uncovered three themes that contribute to an understanding of how Black females perceive their school-based racial discrimination experiences, the navigational strategies they employ, and the impact of racial socialization on their navigational strategies. The three core themes provided a multidimensional narrative of how the strategies that Black females use to cope with experiences of racial discrimination shift over time. Limitations, future directions, and clinical and educational implications are also discussed.
Journey to the virtual realm : transforming student online orientations with 3D desktop virtual reality
Authors:   , Sadanala Gayathri
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] In the era of online education, student orientations hold a pivotal role in guiding students through the virtual learning landscape. However, traditional approaches often fall short in delivering interactivity and immersion. This dissertation investigates the transformative power of 3D desktop virtual reality (VR) technology in revolutionizing online student orientations. The systematic literature review delves into 64 selected studies, shedding light on emerging trends, the integration of VR in educational contexts, student performance, engagement metrics, and valuable user feedback. By addressing the research gap surrounding VR's specific benefits for online student orientations, this study uncovers the untapped potential of desktop simulations. Furthermore, the examination of learner attribute behavioral engagement in a 3D desktop VR new student online orientation reveals intriguing insights. While the impact of engagement on learning outcomes proves to be relatively weak, participants report high levels of perceived engagement during the VR experience. However, challenges arise in perceiving avatars as real individuals, necessitating further consideration of engagement factors in VR-based educational interventions. Additionally, the qualitative exploration of students' experiences in a 3D desktop VR-based orientation highlights its superiority over conventional methods, particularly for distance learners. The thematic content analysis of semi-structured interviews unveils valuable recommendations, such as minimizing in-world movements and incorporating optional breaks during the orientation. This comprehensive dissertation offers a deep understanding of the benefits, challenges, and educational potential of 3D desktop VR in online student orientations. The findings provide educators, policymakers, and instructional designers with valuable insights for leveraging this technology to develop impactful and effective orientation programs in higher education. By embracing VR experiences, institutions can transform student onboarding, fostering engagement, and enhancing the overall educational journey in the digital realm.
Telling an augmented story - how can web-based augmented reality be used in designing narratives for brands?
Authors:   , Tsou Ting-Hao
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] The advance of website-based augmented reality (Web AR) enables advertisers to create and lets consumers receive mobile AR (MAR) content easily, necessitating research on Web AR used to design advertising messages and on its effects on different consumer groups. This study examines how a brand story that is designed with high, low, and non- AR content matching through Web AR affects consumers with different levels of imagery ability and captures responses to the story and brand. The sample consists of 290 individuals - sampled to represent the major group of consumers who use AR - recruited by a Qualtrics panel in an online experiment. Results confirm Web AR used to design augmented stories with high levels of content matching outperformed those with low levels of content matching, particularly among those with high imagery ability. Narrative engagement and perceived persuasive intent are two serial mechanisms mediating the interaction between AR content matching and imagery ability on consumers' responses. These findings contribute to advertising theory by providing a constructive theory building block, boundary conditions, and both positive and negative mediating roles, contributing to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of AR advertising's effectiveness. This study also found that Web AR provides both potential benefits and drawbacks in practical brand storytelling, suggesting that nuanced strategies for effective design and potential care should be taken due to possible adverse effects of using Web AR in advertising.
Application of ultrasound to enhance functional properties of soy okara obtained after protein extraction of soy press cake
Authors:   , Fu Junjie
Published: October 2023

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 8/1/2024] Soy okara is an insoluble byproduct from the production of soymilk, tofu, and soy protein extraction. Recently, there has been increasing interest in alternative processing of soy protein with the use of soy press cake as starting material instead of the traditional solvent-extracted soybean meal. While the utilization of okara has been studied, the literature is still limited, especially those that focus on okara from soy protein processing of soy press cake. This environmentally-friendly approach could become practical with an increasing demand of plant-based food and plant-based protein as well as environmental awareness. In this study, soy press cake was utilized as the initial material for protein extraction, and the resulting okara was subjected to freeze-drying. Okara dispersions were employed to create oil-in-water emulsions with different volume fractions ([phi]) of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6. The effects of sonication during protein extraction (with sonication: SOK; without sonication: UOK) and during the preparation of the okara dispersion (0, 10, and 20 minutes) on the physical and emulsification properties were comprehensively examined. This investigation resulted in the production of okara with varying yields, compositions, secondary structures, and functional properties. The application of sonication during protein extraction significantly decreased the yield, protein content, and fat content of the okara (e.g., SOK<UOK, P < 0.05). Okara obtained without sonication before protein extraction (UOK) exhibited smaller mean diameters (D[4, 3]). No significant effect of sonication on charge property or protein structure was observed (P > 0.05). Sonication during dispersion preparation could significantly enhance the physical and functional properties of both freeze dried UOK and SOK powders. Sonication reduced the size of the okara particles and modified the secondary structure of the okara protein, resulting in a notably higher content of [beta]-sheet and lower [alpha]-helix. The okara, which was predominantly composed of polysaccharides and protein, exhibited strong adsorption activity at the oil-water interface as well as excellent emulsification properties at different [phi]. Types of okara (e.g., UOK vs SOK), and sonication during dispersion preparation influenced droplet/particle sizes, rheological properties and stability. In conclusion, value-added okara from soy press cake can be prepared to have enhanced functional properties for food applications.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN MULSA DAN PUPUK HAYATI TERHADAP PRODUKSI TANAMAN BAWANG PUTIH (Allium Sativum L) VARIETAS LUMBU PUTIH
Authors: Etica Use , Novianto Novianto , Muhammad Muhammad
Published: October 2023

Permintaan (konsumsi) bawang putih yang terus meningkat dari tahun ke tahun karena pertumbuhan penduduk dan kesadaran masyarakat yang semakin meningkat akan pentingnya nutrisi pada komoditas ini, tidak memungkinkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemberian mulsa dan pupuk hayati terhadap produksi tanaman bawang putih (Allium Sativum L). Penelitian dilaksanakan di lahan percobaan Unit Pelaksanaan Teknis (UPT) Agroteknologi Universitas Darussalam Gontor, jenis tanah grumusol. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan januari sampai Mei 2022. Penelitian ini menggunakan RAK (Rancangan Acak Kelompok) faktorial yang terdiri dari 2 faktor dengan 9 kombinasi perlakuan dan diulang sebanyak 4 kali. Faktor perlakuan pemberian pupuk hayati yang terdiri dari 3 (tiga) taraf  perlakuan dan perlakuan pemberian mulsa yang terdiri dari 3 (tiga) taraf perlakuan.Perlakuan pemberian pupuk hayati yaitu : P0 = tanpa pupuk hayati, P1 = pemberian MA-11 dan P2 = pemberian EM-4. Perlakuan pemberian mulsa yaitu : M0 = tanpa mulsa, M1 = pemberian mulsa plastik hitam perak dan M2 = mulsa jerami padi. Pengamatan yang diamati pada penelitian ini adalah tinggi tanaman (cm), jumlah daun (helai), laju pertumbuhan (cm), berat basah umbi (cm), berat kering umbi (cm), jumlah siung (buah), berat basah per plot (kg/ha), dan berat kering per plot (kg/ha). Untuk melihat pengaruh perlakuan terhadap peubah yang diamati maka data diperoleh dianalisis secara statistik, menggunakan sidik ragam dan untuk melihat perbedaan antara perlakuan dilanjutkan dengan BNT pada taraf nyata 5%. Dari hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada kombinasi antara perlakuan pemberian mulsa dan pupuk hayati tidak terdapat interaksi yang nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun, jumlah siung perumbi, berat basah perumbi, berat kering perumbi, berat basah perplot, dan berat kering perplot. Secara mandiri pemberian mulsa jerami padi (M2) memberikan pengaruh yang sangat nyata terhadap parameter berat kering perplot (253.67) dan memberikan pengaruh yang nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman pada umur pengamatan 2 mst sampai dengan 7 mst tinggi tanaman. Perlakuan dengan pemberian MA-11(P1) memberikan pengaruh yang nyata terhadap berat basah perumbi (7.92). Perlakuan tanpa mulsa (M0) memberikan pengaruh yang sangat nyata terhadap parameter berat basah perplot (503.25).
EFEKTIVITAS PUPUK BOKASHI DAN PHOSPAT TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN MENTIMUN (Cucumis sativus L.) VARIETAS ZATAVI F1
Authors: Firmansyah Choirudin , Irawati Titik
Published: October 2023

Thisstudyaimsto:1)Todetermine the interaction on thedosetreatment of bokashi and phospatefertilizersonthegrowthandproduction of cucumberplants(CucumissativusL.)varietyZataviF1.2)determine the effect of treatment on the doseofbokasifertilizeronthegrowthandproduction of cucumberplants(CucumissativusL.)varietyZatafiF1.3)determine the effect of treatment on thedose of phospateonthegrowthandproduction of cucumberplants(CucumissativusL.)varietyZatafiF1.3)determine the effect of treatment on thedose of phospatefertilizeronthegrowthofcucumberplantproduction(CucumissativusL.)varietyZatafiF1.Thisstudyused a FactorialGroupRandomizedDesign(RAK)withtwofactors.Thefirst factor is the doseoforganic fertilizer (bokashi) with 3 levels: 1.3 kg/plot, 1.9 kg/plot, 2.5kg/plot  and the secondfactoristheapplicationofHSPAstivaPhospatefertilizer with 3 levels: 20 gr/plant, 25 gr/plant,30gr/plantrepeated3timeswith27treatment plots.Theresultsshowedthat1).Thereisaverynoticeableinteractioninthegenerativephase of thevariableobservationoffruitlength.Therewasarealinteraction of vegetative phase observation variables of plant length and generativephaseobservationvariables of number of fruits/plants and fruit/plantweight on dosing of bokashi and phospatefertilizersonthegrowthandproductionofcucumberplants(CucumissativusL)varietyZataviF1.2) Therewasaverynoticeableeffectofdosingbokasifertilizerin the generativephase of the variableobservation of fruit/plantlengthonthegrowthandproductionofcucumberplants(CucumissativusL) varietyZataviF1.3) Thereisnoeffectofdosingphospatefertilizerin the vegetative and generativephasesonthegrowthandproductionofcucumbers(CucumissativusL)varietiesZataviF1.
DARWINIAN POND SYSTEM AS A MODEL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LIFE ON THE ARCHAIAN EARTH
Authors: Burgos-Salcedo Javier , Sierra Carolina
Published: October 2023

The main doubt that exists about the appearance and subsequent development of life on earth, regardless of whether its origin is due to panspermia or abiogenesis processes, is related to the necessary conditions so that, once implanted or synthesized, life can be established and prosper. Following the idea proposed by Darwin in 1873 that the origin of life took place in "warm shallow pools" located on newly emerged land, a mathematical model of a Darwinian pond system is proposed, taking into consideration that, within the classification of fractional Brownian fractals, Mandelbrot addresses the study of the areas of islands, lakes and ponds, which in the present study will be called pond system, which will be understood as a set made up of a finite hyperbolic structure and connected to shallow hollows filled with warm seawater to the edge, which, upon receiving a small volume of additional water, will drain into other hollows, following a continuous downward path towards the sea. These geometric considerations turn out to be decisive for the establishment and subsequent development of emerging life forms on the archaic earth, whose predator-prey type dynamics are associated with a system of medium-sized ponds. The present study supports the theory that life on Earth first developed in small bodies of saline water located on dry land, and emerged through extensive geological processes 4 billion years ago, from where it subsequently flowed to the sea
Making sense of the American Collective Identity through Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): A Multi-method Analysis
Authors: Touihri Rabeb
Published: October 2023

American national identity has received much attention from multidisciplinary fields of research. Thus, this research deals with the role of heroes and villains in reflecting on post-9/11 events—specifically in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). The focus is directed toward the symbolic meanings of the main characters in the chosen movie. Through cinematic representations, this research highlights the nexus between heroization, villainization, and the American national identity. The confrontations between American heroes and foreign villains in entertainment reflect America’s global positioning as a superpower fighting “evil.” I chose a qualitative research method to prove this hypothesis. I conducted a thematic analysis that involves decoding the main characters by examining their binary opposition and representation of the U.S. and the foreign enemy and their connotations within the broad context of reasserting and repositioning the U.S. as a global power after 9/11. I also decoded the meanings of key events within the movies in relation to their historical contexts and their connotations in a post9/11 context. My theoretical framework relies mainly on Claude Levi-Strauss’s theory of Binary Opposition, Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities, Jeffrey Alexander’s Cultural Trauma, and Michael C. Frank’s Cultural Imaginary of Terrorism in post-9/11. This research suggests that the symbolism of Superheroes and Supervillains articulates their role in rebuilding national identity in post-traumatic times.
THE EFFECT OF OUTDOOR INQUIRY PROGRAM FOR LEARNING BIOLOGY USING DIGITAL TWIN TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Byeon Jung-ho , Kwon Yong-Ju
Published: October 2023

The outdoor inquiry has a significant meaning in learning biology, but it has a problem that is difficult to be frequently implemented in the school garden due to causes. On the other hand, alternative activities using the virtual world have been proposed, but due to a lack of reality and passive use, the continuity of the activities is low, and there are doubts about the effect on the affective domain. Therefore, this study developed a class program in which students directly construct a virtual world and explore living organisms using the digital twin platform. Also, researchers checked the changes in students' affective domain according to the application of the learning program. A teaching and learning strategy for learning biology was composed through the review of research and statistical analysis performed changes of the affective domain. The experimental group changed more positively than the control group in the affective domain of learning biology due to replicating the school garden so that living organisms can be explored indoors and outdoors. Consequently, class programs for learning biology can positively affect the learner's affective domain when it is provided with improved realism by digital twin, self-directedness, and autonomy to compare real space and object.
Keywords: affective domain, digital twin, learning biology, outdoor inquiry, school garden, virtual world
CORRELATION BETWEEN ENERGY METAPHOR AND EMPATHY TENDENCY
Authors: Erdemir Mustafa , Kandil İngeç Şebnem
Published: October 2023

Creating a metaphor for the concept of energy can contribute to the determination of the mental structuring of the concept of energy. Pre-service teachers' metaphors about the concept of energy were classified according to traditional and scientific fields. The metaphors produced by the mathematics and science teacher candidates for the concept of energy consisted of structural and abstract concepts, approximately 60% of them were the continuity of life and 40% were science categories. While pre-service mathematics teachers mainly produce metaphors for biology, pre-service science teachers produce metaphors mainly for physics. Empathic tendency scores and levels of pre-service teachers were determined. Pre-service teachers have a high level of empathic disposition and predominantly see the other person's problem and emotion as their own. There was no quantitatively significant difference between traditional metaphor types and empathic tendencies. It is understood that the pre-service teachers have high empathic tendencies, and mostly in the sen stage, the concepts related to the continuity of life are primarily used in developing metaphors related to the concept of energy, and they tend to produce structural metaphors. Metaphor and empathy will contribute to the determination of mental models and the establishment of a connection between the fields of science.
Keywords: energy metaphor creation, empathic disposition and relationship identification
Using notifications data to increase hepatitis C testing and treatment rates in Queensland
Authors: Carpenter Morris , Selvey Linda A , Lambert Stephen B , Kemp Robert
Published: October 2023

Australia’s goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030 requires increases in uptake of and access to testing and treatment. As hepatitis C is a notifiable condition, health departments have access to information about people exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including the details of notifying clinicians who ordered their diagnostic pathology tests. Hepatitis C RNA testing confirms active infection that requires treatment, whereas a positive antibody test result only indicates prior exposure to the virus. We undertook a pilot project in Queensland to follow up hepatitis C notifications with clinicians, aiming to increase HCV-RNA testing and treatment uptake. For all individuals with a first-time hepatitis C notification in Queensland between 3 November 2020 and 28 May 2021, we sought information regarding hepatitis C RNA testing from laboratories, excluding those cases diagnosed in prisons. Cases who did not have RNA testing identified as part of or after their initial diagnostic tests were followed up via their notifying clinician. Interviews with selected clinicians were undertaken to improve our understanding of the follow-up process. There were 769 new hepatitis C notifications during our study period: 244 had no subsequent RNA test identified and were followed up for this study. Of these, 134 cases were lost to follow-up; 26 were already being effectively case managed; 22 reported previous treatment and no further risk; and 62 were eligible for HCV-RNA testing. Twenty-six cases subsequently started hepatitis C treatment. Thirty-four percent of notifications that required follow-up resulted from testing initially requested in hospital settings. Following up hepatitis C notifications can result in increased treatment rates; however, the process was resource-intensive and often failed to result in further contact between clinicians and patients. Our findings also highlight the importance of supporting better continuity of care between hospitals and community settings.
Impactos de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el desarrollo de microempresas del sector comercial minorista: Caso Parroquia de Tumbaco
Authors: Andino Sosa Edgar Patricio , Plúa Chele Neptalí Eráclito , Ortíz Armas Silvana Karina , Moncayo Alarcón Iván Eduardo , Díaz Salazar Víctor Josué , Mesías Nogales Vanessa Alexandra
Published: October 2023

La pandemia de COVID-19 tuvo graves consecuencias en la salud y economía mundial. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar los impactos del COVID-19 en el desarrollo de las microempresas del sector comercial minorista de la parroquia de Tumbaco en el período 2020-2021. La metodología utilizada fue de corte cualitativa, descriptiva y exploratoria. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una fuerte incidencia negativa del COVID-19 en la población económicamente activa de Tumbaco y zonas aledañas, además, la afectación a la gran mayoría de microempresas del sector de comercio minorista con apenas un par de categorías económicas que pudieron sostenerse en la pandemia. El estudio recalcó la importancia de investigar los impactos reales en sectores económicos y geográficos específicos, con el fin de tener una perspectiva más concreta a nivel micro territorial y la necesidad de diseñar políticas públicas que respondan mejor a las crisis de esas poblaciones.

Palabras claves: Comercio minorista, COVID19, Ecuador, microempresas, Tumbaco 

Abstract

he COVID-19 pandemic had profound consequences for global health and the economy. The objective of this research was to identifythe impacts of COVID-19 on the development of microenterprises in the retail sector of the Tumbaco parish in the period 2020-2021.The methodology used was qualitative, descriptive and exploratory. The results obtained showed a strong negative incidence of COVID-19 in the economically active population of Tumbaco and surrounding areas, in addition to the affectation of many micro-enterprises in the retail trade sector; with just a couple of economic categories that could be sustained in the pandemic. The study stressed the importance of investigating the real impacts in specific economic and geographic sectors, to have a more concrete perspective at the micro-territorial level and the need to design public policies that better respond to the crises of these populations.Keywords: COVID 19, Ecuador, Micro business, Retail commerce, Tumbaco
Carbon-supported nickel catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide
Authors:   , Visser Nienke Laurian
Published: October 2023

This thesis describes the preparation, characterization and catalytic performance of nickel-based catalysts carbon dioxide hydrogenation. This reaction is of interest in the Power-to-Gas process, in which carbon dioxide and hydrogen are converted to methane, as a replacement for fossil natural gas. By making the required hydrogen with electricity from renewable energy sources, electricity can be stored in chemical bonds. Carbon dioxide conversion needs a lot of energy and can be accelerated with the use of a catalyst. The goal of the research described in this thesis was to find structure-performance relations of supported nickel catalysts for carbon dioxide hydrogenation. In order to do this, the effect of nickel nanoparticle size, support and promoters were disentangled and studied separately. The conversion and selectivity of carbon-supported nickel catalysts can be improved by changing the size of the nickel nanoparticles and by the addition of certain metal oxide promoters. Adjustments in the support material increase the stability of the catalyst, mainly by preventing the nanoparticles from moving and growing. In addition, experimental protocols were developed to visualize the catalysts under gas atmosphere in a closed nanoreactor in an transmission electron microscope. This novel technique was used to gain more insight into the growth of the nickel nanoparticles and hence their stability under reaction conditions. The fundamental knowledge obtained in this research can contribute to the further development of efficient catalysts for carbon dioxide conversion.
Facial Fracture Injury Criteria from Night Vision Goggle Impact
Authors: Davis Martin B. , Pang Derek Y. , Herring Ian P. , Bass Cameron R.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION: Military personnel extensively use night vision goggles (NVGs) in contemporary scenarios. Since NVGs may induce or increase injuries from falls or vehicular accidents, biomechanical risk assessments would aid design goal or mitigation strategy development.METHODS:
This study assesses injury risks from NVG impact on cadaver heads using impactors modeled on the PVS-14 NVG. Impacts to the zygoma and maxilla were performed at 20° or 40° angles. Risks of facial fracture, neurotrauma, and neck injury were assessed. Acoustic sensors and accelerometers
assessed time of fracture and provided input variables for injury risk functions. Injuries were assessed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS); injury severity was assessed using the Rhee and Donat scales. Risk functions were developed for the input variables using censored survival analyses.RESULTS:
The effects of impact angle and bone geometry on injury characteristics were determined with loading area, axial force, energy attenuation, and stress at fracture. Probabilities of facial fracture were quantified through survival analysis and injury risk functions. These risk functions determined
a 50% risk of facial bone fracture at 1148 N (axial force) at a 20° maxillary impact, 588 N at a 40° maxillary impact, and 677 N at a 20° zygomatic impact. A cumulative distribution function indicates 769 N corresponds to 50% risk of fracture overall.DISCUSSION:
Results found smaller impact areas on the maxilla are correlated with higher angles of impact increasing risk of facial fracture, neck injuries are unlikely to occur before fracture or neurotrauma, and a potential trade-off mechanism between fracture and brain injury.Davis MB, Pang
DY, Herring IP, Bass CR. Facial fracture injury criteria from night vision goggle impact. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):827–834.
Wire Strikes and In-Air Obstacle Collisions During Agricultural Aviation Operations
Authors: Baumgartner Hannah M.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION: Wire strikes and in-air collisions with obstacles are a leading cause of accidents in the aerial application industry. While some of these collisions occur due to unseen obstacles, some pilots report being previously aware of the obstacles that they collide with.
Whether or not pilots are aware of obstacles pre-collision is an important factor to inform methods of accident prevention.METHODS: Final reports from the National Transportation Safety Board were analyzed for Part 137 Agricultural Operation accidents that took place between January
2020 and December 2022. A deeper analysis of cases that involved an in-air collision with an obstacle was performed, excluding cases that were attributable to an external cause (e.g., aerodynamic stall). The pilot’s awareness of the obstacle pre-accident was inferred from accident narratives
if available.RESULTS: Nearly half of all accidents (N = 45 of 107) involved an in-air collision with an obstacle (e.g., wire, tree, pole) as the defining event. In cases where pilot awareness of the obstacle was determinable through the accident report, over half of pilots
(N = 21 of 39) had previously seen this obstacle yet still made contact with it.DISCUSSION: In-air obstacle collisions make up a substantial portion of accidents within Part 137 Agricultural Operations. Nearly half of pilots were already aware of the obstacle before collision,
indicating that inadequate preparation in scoping the field is not a predominant driver of these events. Instead, these findings suggest that other factors including distractions, high task difficulty, and errors in decision-making may contribute.Baumgartner HM. Wire strikes and
in-air obstacle collisions during agricultural aviation operations. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):852–856.
Application of Alkyletanolamide Surfactants Based on Nyamplung (Callophylum Inophylum L.) Seed Oil in Cream Base
Authors: Nurfalah Dita Auliya , Gunawan Erin Ryantin , Suhendra Dedy , Fajrin Wahidah
Published: October 2023

Cream preparation is cosmetic preparation consisting of aqueous and oil phases that immiscible. Thus, a surfactant with hydrophilic and lipophilic groups is needed to reduce the interfacial tension between the two phases. Petroleum-based surfactants such as Triethanolamine (TEA) are often used in the cosmetic industry. In this study, however, alkyletanolamide surfactant synthesized from vegetable oil was used. Nyamplung, Callophylum inophylum L. (C. inophylum) oil is one of non-commercial vegetable oil that can be used as a substitute to produce surfactants. The aims of this study was to apply surfactant synthesized from C. inophylum oil on the cream preparation and to characterize the alkylethanolamide surfactant by determining the value of hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). Four different surfactant concentration, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 0% were tested as base for the cream preparation. The best surfactant concentration for the cream-based formulation obtained in this study was 2.5% and the surfactant HLB value obtained was 14.40 indicating that alkyletanolamide surfactants can be applied to the oil-in-water (O/W) type of cream base formula.
Antioxidant Activity of Passiflora edulis (Passion fruit) Seed Extracts Obtained from Maceration and Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction Method
Authors: Ahmad Aktsar Roskiana , Malik Abd.
Published: October 2023

Passion (Passiflora edulis) fruit belongs to the Passifloraceae family and has high-value economics. The extraction efficiency is affected by the phytochemical’s properties of plant, the solvent and extraction method used to extract the desired compounds.  The seeds of passion fruit exhibit an oil content, the valuable bioactive compound as antioxidant activity. The passion fruit seed were the waste obtained from the passion fruit syrup company in Makassar City. This study aims to determine the effect of different extraction methods on antioxidant activity of passion fruit seed extracts. The seed was macerated with methanol at room temperature for 5 days, and the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) process was performed for 30 minutes. The antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The results showed that the percentage yield of extract from UAE was 6.45% and the extract yield from maceration method was 5.458%. The result of antioxidant activity (IC50 value) revealed that the methanol extract obtained from UAE and maceration were 71.672 ug/mL and 144.901 ug/mL, respectively.  These results indicate that the UAE method is a suitable extraction method to produce strong antioxidant activity from Passiflora seed extract.
Analysis of Urinary Fibronectin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Non-Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: J Muh Anshar , Kurniawan Liong Boy , Nurahmi Nurahmi , Zainuddin Andi Alfian , Umar Husaini , Arif Mansyur
Published: October 2023

Diabetic nephropathy is a microvascular complication associated with high glucose levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Fibronectin, an early marker of diabetic nephropathy, can indicate the occurrence and progression of renal damage. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare urinary fibronectin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus. A sample of 50 DM patients was divided into two groups: the DM group and the non-DM group. Urinary fibronectin levels were measured using the ELISA method, while albuminuria levels were determined by the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between urinary fibronectin levels and urine albumin. Results: The average urinary fibronectin level in DM patients was 2.07 ± 3.04 ng/mL, which was slightly higher than the level observed in non-DM patients (1.09 ± 0.56 ng/mL). However, this difference was not statistically significant (p 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant relationship found between urinary fibronectin levels and urine albumin (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that urinary fibronectin levels in individuals with DM were slightly higher than those without DM. However, this difference did not reach statistical significance. The lack of a significant relationship between urinary fibronectin levels and urine albumin suggests that fibronectin may provide additional information about renal damage in DM patients, independent of albuminuria. Further research is necessary to explore the clinical significance of urinary fibronectin as a potential biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.