bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PMMA-Based Composite Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Plastic Crystal Adopted for High-Performance Solid ECDs
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Tang Yongkang , Li Gang , Xu Gang , Liu Yong , Han Gaorong
Published: July 2023

A PMMA-based gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) modified by a plastic crystal succinonitrile (SN) was synthesized using a facile solvent-casting method. The effects of SN additives upon lithium-ion dissociation and ionic conductivity were investigated primarily using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, accompanied by other structural characterization methods. The results show that SN is distributed uniformly in the PMMA matrix with a high content and produces vast dipoles that benefit the dissociation of lithium salt. Hence, the SN-modified GPE (SN-GPE) achieves an excellent ionic conductivity of 2.02 mS·cm−1 and good mechanical properties. The quasi-solid-state ECD fabricated using the SN-GPE exhibits stable cyclability and excellent electrochromic performance, in which the bleaching/coloration response time is 10 s/30 s. These results add significant insight into understanding the inter- and intra-molecular interaction in SN-GPEs and provide a type of practicable high-performance GPE material for solid electrochromic devices.
New Polyvinyl Alcohol/Succinoglycan-Based Hydrogels for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Jeong Jae-pil , Kim Kyungho , Kim Jaeyul , Kim Yohan , Jung Seunho
Published: July 2023

We fabricated new hydrogels using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and succinoglycan (SG) directly isolated and obtained from Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm 1021 via the freeze–thaw method. Both the composition of the hydrogels and the freeze–thaw cycles were optimized to maximize the swelling ratio for the preparation of the PVA/SG hydrogels. During the optimization process, the morphology and conformational change in the hydrogel were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, rheological measurements, and compressive tests. An optimized hydrogel with a maximum swelling ratio of 17.28 g/g was obtained when the composition of PVA to SG was 50:50 (PVA/SG 50/50) and the total number of freeze–thaw cycles was five. The PVA/SG 50/50 hydrogel had the largest pore with 51.24% porosity and the highest cross-over point (28.17%) between the storage modulus (G′) and the loss modulus (G″). The PVA/SG 50/50 hydrogel showed improved thermal stability owing to its interaction with thermally stable SG chains. The improvement in the thermal stability was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the PVA/SG 50/50 hydrogel showed differential drug release according to the corresponding pH under acidic conditions of pH 1.2 and slightly basic conditions of pH 7.4. Furthermore, the cell viability test on the HEK-293 cell line for that hydrogel demonstrated that the PVA/SG 50/50 hydrogel was non-toxic and biocompatible. Therefore, this hydrogel could be a potential scaffold capable of pH-responsive drug delivery for chronic wound dressing applications.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Medial Pivot Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence
Authors: Cacciola Giorgio , Giustra Fortunato , Bosco Francesco , Sabatini Luigi , Risitano Salvatore , De Meo Federico , Braconi Lorenzo , Cavaliere Pietro , Massè Alessandro , Solarino Giuseppe
Published: July 2023

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a popular treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Advances in understanding knee biomechanics have led to the development of medial pivot (MP) prostheses, which aim to replicate natural knee kinematics. While short- and mid-term studies have shown favorable outcomes for MP-TKA, long-term follow-up studies are limited. This systematic review aims to analyze the available evidence on long-term outcomes of MP-TKA, including survivorship, complications, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for English language studies reporting long-term outcomes of primary MP-TKA. Nine studies with an average follow-up of 12.4 years were included. Data on survivorship, complications, and PROMs were collected and analyzed. The overall survivorship of MP-TKA was 98.2% at an average follow-up of 12.4 years. Aseptic loosening and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) were the most common reasons for revision, with a revision rate of 0.4% for each. The overall complication rate was 6.6%, with secondary anterior knee pain and PJI being the most frequent complications. The reoperation rate was 3.1%, primarily due to PJI and knee instability. PROMs significantly improved postoperatively. MP-TKA demonstrates favorable long-term outcomes with high survivorship, low complication rates, and enhanced PROMs. The procedure provides reliable management for end-stage osteoarthritis, offering patients improved knee function and pain relief. Further research with standardized reporting and larger sample sizes is needed to validate and compare these findings to other implant designs.
The Crusades and the Latin East in the Memories of the Hispanic Hospitallers (14th Century)
Authors: Bonet Donato Maria
Published: July 2023

A set of memories forged an institutional history, disseminated for and by the Catalan, Aragonese, and Navarrese Hospitallers, that paid attention to the crusader past in the Latin East as justification for their functional and administrative features after the Order was re-founded in Rhodes. The translated versions of the statutes were a key means for transmitting the Order’s iconic references to the time of the crusades in the Holy Land. These images operated as a mirror that permitted Hospitallers to recreate identity functions and mythical characters in the most emblematic phase and places, after becoming the crusader Order par excellence in the eastern Mediterranean in Rhodes. Reports on military actions from the 12th to 13th centuries and other allusions stood out in a historiographical tour that extolled its mission and identified itself with symbolic places and people. All this was without forgetting the importance of their caring and religious roles in these narratives. This paper analyses the uses of the memory of the Eastern Hispanic priories of the 14th century found in the crusades and in the history of the Latin East fundamental arguments to affirm and guarantee the strong links between East and West in the headquarters in Rhodes.
The Science of Letters and Alchemy in Ibn ʿArabī’s Jesus
Authors: Flaquer Jaime
Published: July 2023

This article briefly presents what the science of letters and alchemy meant for Ibn ʿArabī and explains why this Sufi mystic attributes the highest degree of these sciences to Jesus. We will see how the science of letters is a knowledge of God’s creation, which He creates with His Word, where the existentiation verb, Kun (Be!), plays a fundamental role. This imperative pronounced by God when He wants something to exist appears in the Qurʾān in reference to Jesus. This prophet, being a word and a breath that have their origin in God, receives the knowledge of every word, which is formed by letters. Through this knowledge, Jesus can participate in God’s creative power with His permission, and with the knowledge of alchemy, he will have transformative and healing powers. As this is a science of healthy proportions, Ibn ʿArabī credits Jesus with the knowledge of alchemy due to the impeccable balance he maintained between his human and spiritual natures. This article results from reading his immense work, approached from both theological and religious science methodologies.
Culture Wars and Nationalism
Authors: Sánchez-Prieto Juan Maria
Published: July 2023

Culture war, as an analytical category, is a modern means of cultural struggle between antagonistic positions that seeks monopoly over the legitimate representation of one’s own identity. It constructs culturally contestable relations between substantive elements such as life, religion, nation, status or race, which are heavily invested with sacredness, turning the world of values into a fundamental battleground within the civil sphere. The culture war, more than a conflict of ideological interpretations, is a struggle for meaning, and therefore directly affects the question of identity, as particularly affected by the return of emotions. Hence its link with nationalism. From this perspective, and attending to the North American and European, more particularly French, spheres, the article has a bearing on the nature and characters of nationalism as fuel for cultural wars, with the aim of rethinking nationalism and its relationship with patriotism in order to arrive at a renewed idea of patriotism as an antidote to national-populism, constituted today as a privileged place for national worship and cultural warfare.
Gaze Point Tracking Based on a Robotic Body–Head–Eye Coordination Method
Authors: Feng Xingyang , Wang Qingbin , Cong Hua , Zhang Yu , Qiu Mianhao
Published: July 2023

When the magnitude of a gaze is too large, human beings change the orientation of their head or body to assist their eyes in tracking targets because saccade alone is insufficient to keep a target at the center region of the retina. To make a robot gaze at targets rapidly and stably (as a human does), it is necessary to design a body–head–eye coordinated motion control strategy. A robot system equipped with eyes and a head is designed in this paper. Gaze point tracking problems are divided into two sub-problems: in situ gaze point tracking and approaching gaze point tracking. In the in situ gaze tracking state, the desired positions of the eye, head and body are calculated on the basis of minimizing resource consumption and maximizing stability. In the approaching gaze point tracking state, the robot is expected to approach the object at a zero angle. In the process of tracking, the three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the object are obtained by the bionic eye and then converted to the head coordinate system and the mobile robot coordinate system. The desired positions of the head, eyes and body are obtained according to the object’s 3D coordinates. Then, using sophisticated motor control methods, the head, eyes and body are controlled to the desired position. This method avoids the complex process of adjusting control parameters and does not require the design of complex control algorithms. Based on this strategy, in situ gaze point tracking and approaching gaze point tracking experiments are performed by the robot. The experimental results show that body–head–eye coordination gaze point tracking based on the 3D coordinates of an object is feasible. This paper provides a new method that differs from the traditional two-dimensional image-based method for robotic body–head–eye gaze point tracking.
Smart Cities—A Structured Literature Review
Authors: Gracias Jose Sanchez , Parnell Gregory S. , Specking Eric , Pohl Edward A. , Buchanan Randy
Published: July 2023

Smart cities are rapidly evolving concept-transforming urban developments in the 21st century. Smart cities use advanced technologies and data analytics to improve the quality of life for their citizens, increase the efficiency of infrastructure and services, and promote sustainable economic growth. Smart cities integrate multiple domains, including transportation, energy, health, education, and governance, to create an interconnected and intelligent urban environment. Our research study methodology was a structured literature review using Web of Science and Google Scholar and ten smart city research questions. The research questions included smart city definitions, advantages, disadvantages, implementation challenges, funding, types of applications, quantitative techniques for analysis, and prioritization metrics. In addition, our study analyzes the implementation of smart city solutions in international contexts and proposes strategies to overcome implementation challenges. The integration of technology and data-driven solutions in smart cities has the potential to revolutionize urban living by providing citizens with personalized and accessible services. However, the implementation also presents challenges, including data privacy concerns, unequal access to technology, and the need for collaboration across private, public, and government sectors. This study provides insights into the current state and future prospects of smart cities and presents an analysis of the challenges and opportunities they present. In addition, we propose a concise definition for smart cities: “Smart cities use digital technologies, communication technologies, and data analytics to create an efficient and effective service environment that improves urban quality of life and promotes sustainability”. Smart cities represent a promising avenue for urban development. As cities continue to grow and face increasingly complex challenges, the integration of advanced technologies and data-driven solutions can help to create more sustainable communities.
Civil Society and Social Integration of Asylum Seekers: The ‘Strength of Weak Ties’ and the Dynamics of ‘Strategic Action Fields’
Authors: Olsson Lennart , Jerneck Anne , Fry Claudia , Habib Anika Binte
Published: July 2023

The dramatic increase of asylum seekers entering the EU in 2015 profoundly changed migration politics in many EU countries. Not least in Sweden which accepted more migrants per capita than any other EU country but then swung abruptly to become among the strictest recipient countries. We use Sweden as a critical and extreme case to argue that the rapid shift in asylum politics and public opinion towards migration is not profoundly shared in society. Based on a local media analysis of three types of purposively selected rural municipalities followed by the analysis of a survey of civil society organizations sent to all 290 municipalities in Sweden, we find strong civil society support and willingness to both receive migrants and facilitate their integration into society. Despite increasing votes for political parties with anti-migration policies, we also find remarkably positive attitudes towards migrants in civil society organizations and among citizens in the EU27 barometer for Sweden. The upshot is optimism that civil society can balance the anti-immigration governance imposed by both left and right political regimes and that populism will succeed only if it has the capacity to thoroughly transform civil society attitudes—which we doubt.
Trade Liberalization, Distributional Coalitions and Economic Growth: A Case of Vietnam
Authors: Lee Woocheol
Published: July 2023

This paper examines the economic growth of Vietnam by focusing on trade liberalization and the strategies that the distributional coalitions have chosen in response to this reform. It analyses the tariff schedules annexed to six key free trade agreements that Vietnam signed. This paper finds that the distributional coalitions intentionally under-protect three groups of products to keep their benefits. Group 1 consists of products with high amounts of revealed comparative advantages (RCAs) and a strong presence in the state sector. Group 2 comprises products with low RCAs and a tenuous presence of the state sector. Group 3 represents products where the presence of the state sector is strong, but their production capacities cannot meet the massive domestic demand. The strategically administered under-protection has also allowed the distributional coalitions to preserve their privileges. While these strategies have been effective in achieving static efficiency, they have been considerably less effective in bringing about structural changes necessary for sustainable long-run economic growth.
The Innovative Research on Sustainable Microgrid Artwork Design Based on Regression Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Chang Shuang , Liu Dian , Dehghan Bahram
Published: July 2023

One of the most vital issues in electrical systems involves optimally operating microgrids (MGs) using demand-side management (DSM). A DSM program lowers utility operational costs in one sense but also needs policies that encourage financial incentives in the other. The present study formulates the optimum functioning of MGs using DSM in the form of a problem of optimization. DSM considers load shifting to be a viable option. There are operational limitations and executive limitations that affect the problem, and its objective function aims at minimizing the overall operational prices of the grid and the load-shifting prices. The major problem has been solved using an improved butterfly optimization scheme. Furthermore, the suggested technique was tested in various case studies that consider types of generation unit, load types, unit uncertainties, grid sharing, and energy costs. A comparison was made between the suggested scheme and various algorithms on the IEEE 33-bus network to demonstrate the proficiency of the suggested scheme, showing that it lowered prices by 57%.
Pumped Thermal Energy Storage Technology (PTES): Review
Authors: Rabi Ayah Marwan , Radulovic Jovana , Buick James M.
Published: July 2023

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of renewable energy resources, which has led to the need for large-scale Energy Storage units in the electric grid. Currently, Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) and Pumped Hydro Storage (PHES) are the main commercially available large-scale energy storage technologies. However, these technologies are restricted geographically and can require fossil fuel streams to heat the air. Thus, there is a need to develop novel large-scale energy storage technologies that do not suffer from the abovementioned drawbacks. Among the in-development, large-scale Energy Storage Technologies, Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage (PTES), or Pumped Heat Energy Storage, stands out as the most promising due to its long cycle life, lack of geographical limitations, the absence of fossil fuel streams, and the possibility of integrating it with conventional fossil-fuel power plants. There have been a number of PTES systems proposed using different thermodynamic cycles, including the Brayton cycle, the Rankine cycle, and the transcritical Rankine cycle. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of PTES concepts, as well as the common thermodynamic cycles they implement, indicating their individual strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, the paper provides a comprehensive reference for planning and integrating various types of PTES into energy systems.
A Dynamic Model of Profit Maximization for Carsharing Services: Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Authors: Amirgaliyev Beibut , Kuchanskyi Oleksandr , Andrashko Yurii , Yedilkhan Didar
Published: July 2023

This study considers building a dynamic model of profit maximization for a carsharing system and its verification based on the case of implementing such a system in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The region, bounded by the administrative boundaries of Astana, was divided into subregions that covered the region with regular hexagons placed side by side. A dataset was built with information on 1168 trips to Astana from January to March 2023. The Kepler visualization service constructed maps of the beginning and end of the trips to the region and a map of trips binding to the hexagonal grid cells. Each cell of the grid corresponds to a specific subregion, for which the quantitative parameters necessary for solving the profit maximization problem in the carsharing system are calculated. Stations with cars are placed in the cells of the grid, which are available to carsharing service customers. Based on the collected data, dynamic (four periods per day) and static profit maximization models in the carsharing system were built. Modeling was carried out based on the built models in the case of Astana. It was established that using a dynamic profit maximization model in the carsharing system increases profit by 3.7%. The obtained results are important for the development of the infrastructure of the capital of Kazakhstan and for finding a solution to the problems of urban science in this region.
The Development of Methods for the Production of New Molecular Vaccines and Appropriate RNA Fragments to Counteract Unwanted Genes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Sainova Iskra , Kolyovska Vera , Ilieva Iliana , Markova Tzvetanka , Dimitrova-Dikanarova Dimitrina , Hadjiolova Radka
Published: July 2023

The potential of viruses as appropriate vectors for the development of new therapeutic strategies, as well as for the design of molecular (DNA, RNA, and/or protein) vaccines via substitution of nucleotide sequences, has been proven. Among the most appropriate DNA and/or RNA fragments, members belonging to families Parvoviridae (particularly adeno-associated virus, AAV) and Poxviridae have frequently been suggested for this purpose. In previous studies, the vaccine avipoxvirus strains FK (fowl) and Dessau (pigeon) have been proven able to infect mammalian cells (as well as avian cells), and to replicate productively in a small number of them; thus, we may be able to adapt them using incubation, and in these conditions. Additionally, we have previously proved, based on AAV recombinant DNA vectors, that it is possible to transfer appropriate genes of interest via mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). In the current study, we develop methods for the application of the same vaccine avipoxviral strains, based on the AAV DNA genome recombinant constructs, to be used for gene transfer in cells, for the transfer of DNA and/or RNA fragments (for the suppression of unwanted viral and/or cellular genes), and for the production of molecular (DNA, RNA, and/or protein) anti-cancer and anti-viral vaccines. To this end, sub-populations of embryonic mammalian cells infected with the two forms of both vaccine avipoxviral strains were frozen in the presence of cryo-protector dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), subsequently thawed, and re-incubated. In most cases, the titers of the intra-cellular forms of the two strains were higher than those of their extra-cellular forms. These data were explained by the probable existence of the intra-cellular forms as different sub-forms, including those integrated in the cellular genome proviruses at a given stage of the cellular infection, and suggest the possibility of transferring nucleotide (DNA and/or RNA) fragments between cellular and viral genomes; this is due to the influence of activated fusion processes on DMSO, as well as drastic temperature variations.
A Case of Acquired Aplastic Anemia after Severe Hepatitis- Probably Induced by the Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Kmira Zahra , Sabrine Khirallah , Monia Guermazi , Imen Akkari , Dorra Chiba , Rania Bannour , Neila Fathallah , Walid Bouteraa , Monia Zaier , Yosra Ben Youssef , Haifa Regaieg , Abderrahim Khelif
Published: July 2023

Introduction: An important but rare adverse effect of vaccines is their association with autoimmune events, including hepatitis and aplastic anemia (AA). In this paper, we report a case of hepatitis followed by AA that occurred after the COVID-19 vaccine was administered. Case report: This paper focuses on a 30-year-old female who presented with acute hepatitis three weeks after receiving the second dose of the coronavirus Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. After an extensive diagnostic evaluation was conducted that did not discover a specific cause, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was suspected and the patient was treated with corticosteroids. One week after the onset of a liver disorder, the patient presented with gum bleeding and pancytopenia, and the diagnosis of AA was established via laboratory testing and bone marrow biopsy. After the diagnosis, the patient received immunosuppressive therapy using anti-lymphocyte serum (ATGAM) and CYCLOSPORINE A with progressive improvements in cytopenia. The important issue is whether AA is related to acute hepatitis or the coronavirus vaccine. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of the risk of both the possibility of acute hepatitis, AA, or both after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. It is very hard to distinguish the cause of AA between vaccine- and hepatitis-related AA. Predicting who develops hepatic or myelo-complications after vaccination is difficult.
Self-Adjuvanting Calcium-Phosphate-Coated Microcrystal-Based Vaccines Induce Pyroptosis in Human and Livestock Immune Cells
Authors: Corripio-Miyar Yolanda , MacLeod Clair Lyle , Mair Iris , Mellanby Richard J. , Moore Barry D. , McNeilly Tom N.
Published: July 2023

Successful vaccines require adjuvants able to activate the innate immune system, eliciting antigen-specific immune responses and B-cell-mediated antibody production. However, unwanted secondary effects and the lack of effectiveness of traditional adjuvants has prompted investigation into novel adjuvants in recent years. Protein-coated microcrystals modified with calcium phosphate (CaP-PCMCs) in which vaccine antigens are co-immobilised within amino acid crystals represent one of these promising self-adjuvanting vaccine delivery systems. CaP-PCMCs has been shown to enhance antigen-specific IgG responses in mouse models; however, the exact mechanism of action of these microcrystals is currently unclear. Here, we set out to investigate this mechanism by studying the interaction between CaP-PCMCs and mammalian immune cells in an in vitro system. Incubation of cells with CaP-PCMCs induced rapid pyroptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells from cattle, sheep and humans, which was accompanied by the release of interleukin-1β and the activation of Caspase-1. We show that this pyroptotic event was cell–CaP-PCMCs contact dependent, and neither soluble calcium nor microcrystals without CaP (soluble PCMCs) induced pyroptosis. Our results corroborate CaP-PCMCs as a promising delivery system for vaccine antigens, showing great potential for subunit vaccines where the enhancement or find tuning of adaptive immunity is required.
Free Radical and Viral Infection: A Review from the Perspective of Ferroptosis
Authors: Chen Jun , Fu Jinping , Zhao Sha , Zhang Xiaoxi , Chao Yuyang , Pan Qunxing , Sun Huawei , Zhang Jingfeng , Li Bin , Xue Tao , Li Jingui , Liu Chuanmin
Published: July 2023

Free radicals, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), play critical roles in various physiological activities such as cell differentiation, apoptosis, and vascular tension when existing in cells at low levels. However, excessive amounts of free radicals are harmful, causing DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, protein degeneration, and abnormal cell death. Certain viral infections induce cells to produce excessive free radicals, which in multiple ways help the virus to replicate, mature, and exit. Iron is a necessary element for many intracellular enzymes, involved in both cellular activities and viral replication. Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death mode distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis, is characterized by lipid peroxide accumulation and damage to the antioxidant system, affecting many cellular processes. Viral infection commonly manifests as decreased glutathione (GSH) content and down-regulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, similar to ferroptosis. Recent studies have suggested a possible relationship among free radicals, viral infections and ferroptosis. This review aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism linking free radicals and ferroptosis during viral infections and provide a new theoretical basis for studying viral pathogenesis and control.
Knowledge, Propensity and Hesitancy among Pregnant Women in the Post-Pandemic Phase Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination: A Prevalence Survey in Southern Italy
Authors: Genovese Cristina , Biondo Carmela Alessia , Rizzo Caterina , Cortese Rosaria , La Spina Isabella , Tripodi Paola , Romeo Bruno , La Fauci Vincenza , Trimarchi Giuseppe , Prete Vanessa Lo , Squeri Raffaele
Published: July 2023

The vaccination of pregnant women against influenza and COVID-19 may reduce the risk of severe illness in both the women of this population and their babies. Although the risks of non-vaccination are more serious than the side effects, maternal immunization is still the least-used method of prevention due to a lack of information leading to concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, resulting in a low prevalence rate among pregnant individuals. Our study investigates vaccination coverage and the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of COVID-19 in pregnant women at a university hospital. A questionnaire was created with the following three scores: a vaccination propensity score, a knowledge score and a hesitancy score. The first observation in the results was the very low number of immunized women (only 4.7% received their first dose). The main barrier towards vaccination was found to be fear of adverse events. We noticed a low percentage of influenza and diphtheria tetanus pertussis vaccination compared to other studies. Vaccination propensity was higher when healthcare workers educated their patients. As immunization is a crucial part of public health policy, measuring coverage to identify gaps and monitor trends, especially for individuals considered at high risk, and developing new strategies in order to increase awareness of vaccination during pregnancy is particularly timely and relevant.
Competencias digitales en la educación superior
Authors: Candia López Juan Carlos
Published: July 2023

Las competencias digitales permiten a los estudiantes acceder y evaluar información de manera crítica, comunicarse y colaborar en entornos virtuales, utilizar herramientas tecnológicas para el aprendizaje y resolver problemas de forma creativa. De esta forma, el objetivo del artículo fue identificar los efectos y beneficios de la integración de las competencias digitales en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje en la educación superior a través de la revisión sistemática de literatura de los últimos 5 años, tomando en cuenta los trabajos publicados en las bases de datos Scopus, Dialnet, Google Scholar y Ebsco. Se concluye en que las competencias digitales son cruciales para el éxito académico y profesional de los estudiantes en la educación superior. La integración efectiva de estas competencias en el currículo promueve un aprendizaje más relevante y enriquecedor, preparando a los estudiantes para enfrentar los desafíos de la sociedad digital.
The Reality of the Teaching Performance of Faculty Members at the Faculty of Education in Shaqra in the First Lecture from the Perspective of its Students
Authors: Al Jar Thuraya
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to reveal the reality of the teaching performance of faculty members at the Faculty of Education in Shaqra in the first lecture from the perspectives of its students. A 48- item questionnaire was distributed to (215) female students from three academic disciplines: Kindergarten, Psychology, and Special Education in the College of Education in Shaqra. The results of the study showed that the teaching performance of the faculty members in the first lecture is generally moderate. The field of communication the professor alone got a high evaluation level, while the rest of the fields got moderate evaluation level. They also showed that there were statistically significant differences in the responses of the sample members in the field of starting teaching the course in the first lecture due to the academic specialization in favor of the Psychology specialization. In the field of introducing the course, its objectives, and the content area of the course plan for the benefit of Special Education.
The Degree of Effectiveness of the Application of Total Quality Management in the Center of the Jordanian Ministry of Education from the Point of View of Its Employees
Authors: Al-Zoubi Abdullah
Published: July 2023

The study aimed to identify the degree of effectiveness of the application of total quality management in the center of the Jordanian Ministry of Education from the point of view of its employees and to detect whether there are statistically significant differences in the degree of application of total quality management due to the variables of gender, educational qualification and years of experience. The descriptive approach was used, and to collect the study data, a questionnaire consisting of (24) items was developed, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. The study sample consisted of (306) male and female employees. With a percentage of (20%) of the total study population, they were selected using the random stratified method. The results of the study indicated that the degree of effectiveness of the application of total quality management in the center of the Jordanian Ministry of Education from the perspective of employees was medium. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences when Significance level (α = 0.05) between the averages of the study sample's estimates of the degree of effectiveness of applying total quality management in the Jordanian Ministry of Education center due to the variables of gender, educational qualification and years of experience for the total degree. In light of the results, the study recommends a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: Organizing training courses and workshops for employees at the Ministry of Education Center in the field of total quality management. And work to qualify the administrative staff in the center of the Ministry of Education through scholarships to complete postgraduate studies Keywords: Reflection, Art, and Contemporary.
Sur la structuration biochimique des formations végétales secondaires méditerranéennes
Authors: Lebreton Philippe , Nader Souhel , Barbero Marcel , Gallet Christiane , Hubert Bernard
Published: July 2023

Chemical analysis (about 20 parameters) of the leaves of 37 plants representative of the Mediterranean mattoral reveals a clear biochemical and ecological structuration. This phytochemical organization could be dependent on the synecological relationships between plants and herbivores («T» and «a» tactics). Even if the tannin plant frequency is here relatively low (about half of the species), these defensive molecules are particularly effective owing to the development of the phenyl-trihydroxylation. Tanniferous plants are significantly richer in total phenols and cellulose, but reversely poorer in proteins, soluble sugars, potassium and magnesium. On an other defensive level, the most sclerophyllous plants are significantly poorer in proteins, potassium and phosphore and somewhat richer in lignin.

Multivariate analysis firstly opposes the plants rich in phenolic substances (Ericaceae) to those rich in nitrogen and potassium (Papilionaceae). Both sclerophylly and - with opposite signs - alimentary value are found on the same structuring axis, which confirms the synecological determinism of the recorded organization. Moreover, the classic C/N ratio appears as a common feature of this phytochemical gradient and links this part of the ecosystem to its pedological substrate. A short comparison is made with other phytocenosis, located in severe or not severe environments, initiating a more general approach of the structuration of the phytocenosis in the frame of the bioenergetic allocations.
Rôle des oiseaux sur la régénération du ligneux Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. en savane sahélienne au Nord Sénégal
Authors: Treca Bernard , Tamba Seynabou
Published: July 2023

En savane sahélienne, Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. est l’espèce ligneuse qui se régénère le mieux, surtout sous le couvert des Acacia. Les oiseaux, mais pas les mammifères, consomment abondamment ses fruits et, sauf quand ils mangent la pulpe sur place, dispersent les graines soit par transport du fruit dans le bec soit par ingestion. Les graines sont alors régurgitées ou déféquées après digestion de la pulpe, sous le couvert des arbres où perchent les oiseaux, des Acacia dans 2/3 des cas, sites au préalable enrichis en fertilisants par les déjections de nombreux oiseaux.

Les expériences de germination en conditions contrôlées de différents lots de graines de Boscia senegalensis ont montré que le transit par le tractus digestif des oiseaux accroît la capacité et la vitesse de germination. Lamprotornis chalybaeus favorise plus la régénération de cette espèce que les autres oiseaux ayant consommé des fruits, en raison (1) d’un fort taux de consommation des fruits tout au long de la saison de fructification, (2) d’une dissémination des graines à plus grande distance, et (3) du fait que les graines régurgitées par cet oiseau bénéficient d’une plus grande augmentation de leurs capacité et vitesse de germination et d’un délai de germination plus court que celui des fruits consommés par les autres espèces d’oiseaux.

Parmi les autres espèces qui peuvent jouer un rôle important dans la régénération de Boscia, citons Spreo pulcher, Tockus erythrorhynchus et Colius macrourus.
Enhancing Volunteer Effectiveness with Google Apps
Authors: Terry Bryan , Harder Amy , Zyburt Tonia
Published: July 2023

Today's Extension volunteers provide many services once provided by professional staff. Volunteers need the same communication tools that Extension professionals use. For many land-grant institutions and county Extension offices, this is logistically difficult and cost prohibitive. Google Apps gives all Extension volunteers free access to email, instant messaging, telephone services, voice mail, and file storage and retrieval. These tools will enhance every volunteer's ability to plan, execute, and assess results of any event or activity. Extension professionals should explore the technology needs of volunteers, encourage volunteers to explore Google Apps, and help volunteers use these tools in their volunteer roles.
Positive Quality of Life Factors Identified from EFNEP Participant Stories
Authors: Koszewski Wanda , Hlavacek Megan , Yerxa Kathryn , Procter Sandra
Published: July 2023

EFNEP collects stories from participants and educators regarding the program's impacts. The objective of the study reported here was to qualitatively analyze these stories in the context of quality of life. Researchers analyzed 1,057 stories by identifying key words and developing codes to best describe the information. After analysis, codes were grouped into themes. The research demonstrated that EFNEP is perceived to have positively affected the quality of life of participants. These results not only confirm broader EFNEP benefits, but suggest an additional variable (quality of life) to consider as a measureable outcome.
Hybrid Food Preservation Program Improves Food Preservation and Food Safety Knowledge
Authors: Francis Sarah
Published: July 2023

The growing trend in home food preservation raises concerns about whether the resulting food products will be safe to eat. The increase public demand for food preservation information led to the development of the comprehensive food preservation program, Preserve the Taste of Summer (PTTS). PTTS is a comprehensive hybrid food preservation program comprised of online lessons and corresponding in-person workshops. PTTS participants reported increases in knowledge about food preservation food safety and recommended food preservation techniques after participating.
Low Vitamin D Status and Inadequate Nutrient Intakes of Elementary School Children in a Highly Educated Pacific Northwest Community
Authors: Frei Simone , Frei Balz , Bobe Gerd
Published: July 2023

Are Extension healthy youth programs needed in highly educated U.S. communities? To answer this question, 175 children from four public elementary schools in Corvallis, Oregon, self-reported in a cross-sectional study their dietary intake, and 71 children provided a blood sample for measuring vitamin D concentrations. Most children had insufficient blood vitamin D and reported a diet insufficient in fiber, essential fatty acids, potassium, and vitamin E and excessive in saturated fatty acids and sodium. Our data indicate a need for Extension to provide youth programs in highly educated U.S. communities to improve nutrient intakes and vitamin D status in children.
Forestry Tour Educates Youth in North Central Idaho
Authors: Brooks Randall , Moroney Jillian
Published: July 2023

The Clearwater County Sixth Grade Forestry Tour is a unique 3-day, 2-night program that provides participants an objective view of the importance and impact of natural resource-based industries while promoting an understanding of issues regarding natural resource uses. The targeted audience is 6th grade youth, but others interested in natural resources also attend. The tour is sponsored by monetary donations from the logging industry, businesses, and private individuals. Participants camp in the woods, tour the Clearwater Bioregion, and engage with natural resource professionals who use visual aids and hands-on educational approaches. Outcomes indicate a 32% increase in knowledge.
Parenting Needs as Perceived by Agency Personnel Working with Parents and Young Children in Southern Nevada
Authors: Kim YaeBIn
Published: July 2023

Extension educators have used different methods to collect information for a needs assessment, including advisory committees, survey questionnaires, focus groups, interviews with key informants, or a combination of the former. This article describes the use of key informant interviews (agency personnel working with parents and young children) that investigated concerns about parents and needs of parents in their community, and summarizes issues uncovered related to family, agency, and community. Results identify important implications for the development of parenting programming with parents of young children and more in-depth future parenting education research.
Training Materials Developed for Latino Entrepreneurs
Authors: Abreo Christina , Miller Wayne , Farmer Frank , Moon Zola
Published: July 2023

This article describes the materials and training program that Extension created to assist current and potential Latino immigrant entrepreneurs in starting businesses in Arkansas. The content-based educational materials describe the process for starting a new business, government regulatory requirements, start-up costs and considerations, and how to organize important documents. All items were designed with the ultimate goal of providing business owners with worksheets and an organizational system that can be used to write a business plan.
Should Physical Activity Be Included in Nutrition Education? A Comparison of Nutrition Outcomes With and Without In-Class Activities
Authors: Keenan Debra , Corda Kirsten
Published: July 2023

Limited-resource adults' dietary intakes and nutrition behaviors improve as a result of Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) participation; however, physical activity education is needed for improved health. The experimental study reported here assessed if spending time doing physical activity education affected dietary impact results and activity among participants. Standard dietary assessments showed no significant differences between groups, and interviews showed greater physical activity improvements/intentions by the experimental group, which suggests that nutrition education can be shortened 15-20 minutes for physical activity demonstrations to improve activity behaviors without adversely affecting nutrition-related behavioral improvements outcomes.
Developing an On-Farm Research Network: Published Work for Peers and Producers
Authors: Clevenger Bruce , Watters Harold
Published: July 2023

The Ohio State University Extension Agronomic Crops Team has a committee providing leadership to coordinate an on-farm research network. The network has been developed to provide needs assessment, peer review, and reporting of on-farm research. The research protocols originate from locally driven needs and stakeholder focus groups. The network includes county-based Extension professionals working with cooperating farms, county-owned farms operated by Extension professionals, and university-owned research facilities. The network uses team members for their strengths and specializations to fortify the research effort. The research results are online and searchable by Extension professionals and farmers. The team website is: http://agcrops.osu.edu
Benchmarking Professional Development Practices Across Youth-Serving Organizations: Implications for Extension
Authors: Garst Barry , Baughman Sarah , Franz Nancy
Published: July 2023

Examining traditional and contemporary professional development practices of youth-serving organizations can inform practices across Extension, particularly in light of the barriers that have been noted for effectively developing the professional competencies of Extension educators. With professional development systems changing quickly, particularly through online education and blended learning opportunities, benchmarks need to guide new research around best practices in professional development. Although many program providers have not established benchmarks for professional development, a few cases exist. This article examines the current state of professional development practices of youth-serving organizations and offers recommendations for improving Extension professional development practices.
The Cooperative Extension System's Use of USDA's Online Food and Physical Activity Tracker–SuperTracker
Authors: Hongu Nobuko , Martinez Cathy , Billias Natalia , Wyatt Melissa
Published: July 2023

Nutrition professionals within the Cooperative Extension system use the USDA's interactive online tool SuperTracker, which is designed to help individuals track diet and physical activity (PA) to apply healthy eating patterns and improve PA. An investigation of all 50 states' Extension websites and interviews of Extension of educators revealed that SuperTracker information was posted at state or county level Extension websites. SuperTracker is being used for nutrition workshop, nutrition educators' training, weight management, and PA planning and assessment in community based programs.
The Impact of Tour-Based Diversity Programming on County Extension Personnel and Programs
Authors: Shaklee Harriet , Luckey Brian , Tifft Kathee
Published: July 2023

This article explores the effect that planning and conducting an intensive multi-day, tour-based diversity workshop can have on the professional development and Extension work of the county Extension educators involved. Survey data was collected from the county Extension educators who planned workshops throughout Idaho. Educators reported that the process of hosting the workshop led to significant advances in their professional development, strengthened relationships with underserved groups, and facilitated greater inclusiveness in Extension programming. Planning and conducting intense training programs can be an effective way to promote more tailored and appropriate Extension responses to a community's distinct issues.
Extension Clientele Preferences: Accessing Research-Based Information Online
Authors: Davis Jamie
Published: July 2023

Research has indicated there are a number of benefits to Extension educators in delivering educational program and content through distance technology methods. However, Extension educators are commonly apprehensive about this transition due to assumptions made about their clientele, because little research has been conducted to examine clients' preference for engaging in Extension educational programs. The research reported in this article examined clientele's preferences in how they access Extension research-based information, particularly when compared to traditional methods of delivering educational programs. The reported results support the movement of using distance technology methods to disseminate educational programs based on client's preferences.