bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Redesign of a Master’s Course for Technology Teacher Students to Better Foster
Research-Inquiry Attitudes
Authors: Impedovo Maria Antonietta , Williams John
Published: September 2023

In this article, we document a framework for developing recommendations toimprove
a master's course for technology student teachers to better fosterresearch-inquiry
attitudes. A French case study of seven years of the master'steacher education course is
analysed. The study adopted a three-phaseeducational design research model: analysis and
exploration, design andconstruction, and evaluation and reflection. The data consists of
54 mastertheses (2014-2021), the degree coursework documentation, and
teachereducatorsnotes. In the end, a discussion is proposed on the practicesimplemented
in the teacher education master’s degree course oriented toresearch-inquiry attitude and
recommendations for potential enhancements totechnology teacher education.
Review of the book: The future of the professions: How technology will transform
the work of human experts, by Susskind & Susskind
Authors: Werse Nicholas R.
Published: September 2023

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Changes in Students’ Design-Thinking Mindsets after Design-Based Learning with Respect to Gender and Prior Experiences in Design 
Authors: Phothong Wilawan , Chaimongkol Jiraporn , Ladachart Luecha
Published: September 2023

This study examines the influence of design-based learning on 25 eighth-grade students’ design-thinking mindsets, that is, on the mental outlook that theyadopt habitually when they engage in design thinking. It also compares changesin design-thinking mindsets across individuals of different genders and differentlevels of experience in design. We collected data by using a self-reported Likert-scale questionnaire. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare thestudents’ design-thinking mindsets before and after design-based learning. Weutilized Mann-Whitney U tests to identify differences between male and femalestudents and between students with different levels of prior experience. Theresults indicate that the influence of design-based learning on design-thinkingmindsets depends on gender and prior experience Careful scaffolding isnecessary to enable all students to develop their design-thinking mindsets whenthey collaborate in design-based learning.
Embedding Safety in Integrative STEM Teaching Methods Courses for Pre-Service Elementary Educators
Authors: Love Tyler
Published: September 2023

Academic standards in the United States advocate for the integration of science, and technology and engineering (T&E) content and practices within the elementary grades (ITEEA, 2020; NGSS Lead States, 2013). However, elementary educators often receive limited preparation for developing and facilitating safer hands-on science and T&E learning experiences (Love, 2017a), which can contribute to their reluctance to integrate science and T&E instruction. This study addresses the issue by examining changes in elementary pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) views toward safety and perceived preparation to safely infuse design-based science and T&E instruction following participation in an integrative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education (Wells & Ernst, 2015) methods course. A cohort of 27 elementary PSTs were split into two class sections. The control group participated in a safety jigsaw lesson the first day of classes, whereas the experiment group participated in a safety warm-up activity at the beginning of every class throughout the 15-week semester. Findings indicate all participants reported significant gains in self-efficacy and expected outcomes toward safety, views about the percentage of time elementary integrative STEM lessons should include hands-on learning experiences, perceived knowledge of integrative STEM safety concepts, and perceived ability to safely teach integrative STEM lessons. Further analyses revealed no significant differences between the two class sections. Results suggest that, in addition to emphasizing and demonstrating required safety protocols before any activity, varying strategies used to embed safety instruction in methods courses can significantly increase elementary PSTs’ views toward safety in integrative STEM education.
Embracing Computational Thinking as an Impetus for Artificial Intelligence in Integrated STEM Disciplines through Engineering and Technology Education 
Authors: Asunda Paul , Faezipour Miad , Tolemy Joshua , Engel Milo
Published: September 2023

The scope and versatile nature of engineering and technology education as a discipline provide a platform for the integration of computational thinking (CT) into STEM education, accomplishing the goal of bringing not only computer science principles into the K-12 education but also the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) into the curriculum. Today, it is commonplace to say that artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies impact the workplace and continue to revolutionize as well as create new demands for solving daily world challenges. This article discusses the integration of computational thinking practices of decomposition, pattern recognition, algorithmic thinking, and abstraction as key to problem-solving practices that may enhance the development of AI and ML capabilities in high school students. The intent of this article is to contribute to ongoing discussions among educators, employers, parents, and all those concerned with how best to prepare a citizenry that is digitally revolutionized. Implications are offered for the assessment of CT integrated within STEM, curriculum, pedagogy, and professional development for STEM teachers.
Miscellany
Authors: Wells John
Published: September 2023

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Regenerative agriculture: increasing plant diversity and soil carbon sequestration on agricultural landscapes
Authors: McCauley Kate , Barlow Kate
Published: September 2023

Soil carbon sequestration is a proposed method of mitigating climate change by removing atmospheric carbon dioxide and depositing it in soil. Sustainable agricultural systems such as regenerative agriculture are capitalizing on the opportunity for soil carbon sequestration to be a positive outcome of new land management practices. Regenerative agriculture is a soil-focused approach to farming with the goal of supporting soil health by increasing biodiversity and soil-focused practices. This article explores the possibility of regenerative agriculture’s land management practices to impact soil carbon sequestration via the promotion of plant biodiversity restoration. Examining studies testing the effects of three sustainable practices on soil carbon storage: agroforestry, crop diversification, and crop rotation, as well as native restoration efforts, a positive relationship is found between plant diversity and carbon sequestration. Agroforestry benefits carbon sequestration through stable deep-rooting systems and carbon storage in biomass. Crop diversification and rotation practices encourage nutrients to cycle into the soil and diversify soil microorganisms. The overall effectiveness of these practices in different environments, upper limits to carbon sequestration, and increased nitrogen requirements are possible limitations to these practices. However, the opportunity for plant diversity to restore soil health and carbon storage is critical. With Canada’s commitments to its 2030 emissions reduction targets, increasing sustainable agricultural action may present an opportunity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions substantially while remedying issues of biodiversity and food insecurity.
Global warming increases the chance of success of maize-wheat double cropping in Europe
Authors: Su Yang , Lauerwald Ronny , Makowski David , Viovy Nicolas , Guilpart Nicolas , Zhu Peng , Gabrielle Benoît , Ciais Philippe
Published: September 2023

Double cropping can help reduce the risk of food insecurity by harvesting two crops each year instead of one. By increasing the rate of plant development and shortening growing seasons, global warming is likely to favour this type of system in areas where it is not yet being applied. Here we assess the probability of success of double cropping maize and wheat in Europe under global warming. We compare the caloric productivity of this double cropping system with that of conventional single cropping systems with maize and wheat in rotation, using a hybrid modelling approach combining a process-based model and machine learning. Our results show that the decrease in caloric production of simple maize and wheat cropping systems due to climate change could be offset by the adoption of a double cropping system. We show that the geographical area where the double cropping system could be successfully applied will be 3.6 times higher in 2100 than the current level, due to the effect of warming (range from 2.6 to 4.8 Deg. C), leading to an increase in calorie production throughout Europe. In Southern Europe, the expected increase in calorie production reaches even 27.3% (19.2% for maize, 8.1% for wheat) compared to a single cropping system. Our study highlights the potential of double cropping as a relevant adaptation strategy for cropping systems in Europe.
In situ Forming Cryomicroneedles for Intradermal Cell Delivery
Authors: Xu Chenjie , Zheng Mengjia , Hu Tianli , Yang Huaxin , Zhang Yuyue , Zhang Qizheng , Yang Yating , Liu Wei , Yong Ken-Tye
Published: September 2023

Cryomicroneedles (cryoMNs) offer a convenient and minimally invasive way for the precise intradermal delivery of therapeutic cells in treating local and systematic diseases. They are manufactured by shaping and freezing the cell-containing cryogenic media in the microneedle template, allowing the package of cells in advance and direct usage in clinics. However, the current cryoMNs require cold-chain transportation and storage, and don’t permit the loading of the autologous cells in situ. This article introduces an in situ forming cryoMNs or the second generation of cryoMNs (S-cryoMNs) that address these limitations. Specifically, S-cryoMNs are made through dipping a porous MN scaffold in the cell suspension before cryopreservation. The porous scaffold can be transported at room temperature and researchers can load any cells with the optimized cryogenic medium. As a proof-of-concept, we examined the loading and intradermal delivery of three cell types in clinically relevant in vitro and in vivo models including mesenchymal stem cells for wound healing, melanocytes for vitiligo treatment, and antigen-pulsed dendritic cells for cancer vaccination.
Examining the factors affecting students' science success with Bayesian networks
Authors: KARABOĞA Hasan Aykut , DEMİR İbrahim
Published: September 2023

Bayesian Networks (BNs) are probabilistic graphical statistical models that have been widely used in many fields over the last decade. This method, which can also be used for educational data mining (EDM) purposes, is a fairly new method in education literature. This study models students' science success using the BN approach. Science is one of the core areas in the PISA exam. To this end, we used the data set including the most successful 25% and the least successful 25% students from Turkey based on their scores from Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. We also made the feature selection to determine the most effective variables on success. The accuracy value of the BN model created with the variables determined by the feature selection is 86.2%. We classified effective variables on success into three categories; individual, family-related and school-related. Based on the analysis, we found that family-related variables are very effective in science success, and gender is not a discriminant variable in this success. In addition, this is the first study in the literature on the evaluation of complex data made with the BN model. In this respect, it serves as a guide in the evaluation of international exams and in the use of the data obtained.
Adaptation of compulsive sport consumption scale into Turkish culture: CSCS-T
Authors: AYGÜN Murat , ÇÜM Sait
Published: September 2023

Consuming sports products and services incessantly without being able to restrain oneself is characterized as compulsive sports consumption. The aim of this study is to adapt the Compulsive Sport Consumption Scale (CSCS) developed in English by Aiken et al. (2018) into Turkish utilizing a scientific scale adaptation process. The CSCS consists of six items and is graded on a seven-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Higher CSCS levels are affiliated with psychological and behavioral constructs related to the effects of sports consumption, such as time, money, coping, and psychological and behavioral neglect. The scale has been tailored via a group of English and Turkish linguists, sports scientist, and psychometrist. Parallel analysis has been performed on account of inspecting the dimensionality of the scale, and many statistics such as unidimensional congruence, explained common variance, mean of item residual absolute loadings, and robust fit statistics have been used. In accordance with parallel analysis, the scale was unidimensional, and all other statistics supported that as well. The unidimensional adapted scale (CSCS-T) explained approximately 83% of the total variance. Additionally, internal consistency, composite reliability, and test-retest reliability have been examined to determine the measurement's reliability. Cronbach's Alpha was .958, McDonald's Omega was .958, and Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient was .923 in the wake of the test-retest application. All of the findings propound that when investigating compulsive over-participation in sports consumption in Turkish-speaking populations, the CSCS-T can be used to acquire valid and reliable measures.
A bibliometric journey into research trends in curriculum field: Analysis of two journals
Authors: KAYA Suat
Published: September 2023

The field of curriculum is characterized by its porous and evolving boundaries, which are influenced by ongoing shifts in sociological, technological, scientific, and political domains. Given this dynamic context, the field necessitates continuous advancements to address these evolving trends. Consequently, its scope and prevailing research foci are subject to change, thereby shaping curricular adaptations. The primary objective of this study is to delineate the contemporary scope of curriculum studies by examining prevailing topics of discourse. Research articles published in two selected journals—Curriculum Inquiry and Journal of Curriculum Studies—were analyzed to achieve this. These journals were chosen for their alignment with the study's objective and were employed as primary data sources. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on data harvested from these publications, utilizing descriptive statistics through the Web of Science (WoS) system as an initial analytical step. Subsequently, VOSviewer software was employed for advanced bibliometric analyses. The study's findings offer both visual and descriptive insights into how the thematic focus within curriculum studies has shifted over time. Notably, recent discussions within the field underscore the exigency for democratic curriculum reforms. Moreover, the issues addressed by the selected journals closely align with current societal challenges.
The validity and reliability of the Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Report (JAFAR) in children/adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: The Turkish version study
Authors: BALİ Merve , GUR KABUL Elif , BAŞAKÇI ÇALIK Bilge , OTAR YENER Gülçin , EKİCİ TEKİN Zahide , YUKSEL Selcuk
Published: September 2023

The aim of the study was to describe the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Report (JAFAR) in children/adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Sixty-nine children/adolescents with JIA were included in the study. JAFAR(TR)-Child and Parent forms were applied to the patients with JIA and to their parents for test retest at one-week intervals, the patients did not receive additional treatment and his/her pharmacological treatment did not change for that week. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and internal consistency reliability of multi-item subscales was evaluated by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Correlations between JAFAR(TR)-Child and Parent with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0. Module Arthritis (PedsQL), the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), and the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score (JADAS) were evaluated to determine construct validity. The ICC value for the test/retest reliability of JAFAR(TR)-Child was 0.963 and of JAFAR(TR)-Parent was 0.576. JAFAR(TR)-Child total score had low to moderate correlations with PedsQL Child (r=-0.34; p=0.004), CHAQ (r=0.40; p=0.001), and JADAS total score (r=0.42; p=0.000). JAFAR(TR)-Parent total score had moderate to high correlations with PedsQL Parent (r=-0.55; p=0.000), CHAQ (r=0.72; p=0.000) and JADAS total score (r=0.53; p= 0.000). The Turkish version of JAFAR was found to be clinically valid and reliable in JIA.
Legal and Technical Features of the Preamble of Normative Legal Acts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Authors:   Belgorod Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after I. D. Putilina, Kotareva O. V.
Published: September 2023

The article discusses the technical and legal features of the use of the preamble in regulatory legal acts. The relevance of the topic lies in the unjustified belittling, both by the legislator and by the scientific community, of the meaning of the preamble in the structure of the normative legal act. The insignificant volume of the provisions of the preamble has a huge technical, legal, cultural and educational significance, determines the further mental activity of the subject, contributes to raising the level of legal awareness and legal culture, acts as a means of legal education. The motivational nature of the preamble determines the vector of not only normative and law enforcement, but also interpretative activity. The conducted research made it possible to identify the following technical and legal features of the design of the introductory part of regulatory legal acts: 1) the absence in the rules for the preparation of draft normative legal acts of various levels of imperative inclusion of the preamble in the structure of the document; 2) legislative consolidation of the provision that the preamble does not have the property of normativity; 3) the absence of motives for its adoption among the elements of the introductory part. The imperative provision on the presence of a preamble in the structure of normative legal acts having the highest legal force, as well as the indication in the preamble of the motives for issuing the act, seems theoretically overdue and practically justified.
Product Liability Law. Legal Practicies and Modern Tendencies of Development
Authors:   Belgorod State National Research University, Zemlyachenko Y. V.
Published: September 2023

The presented article is devoted to the issue of protecting Russian consumers of imported goods in the context of large-scale, fundamental changes in the external economic environment against the backdrop of global geopolitical transformations. For the first time in the entire modern history of the Russian Federation, since the change in political and economic courses and the establishment in 1991 of a new market paradigm for the development of an independent state of the Russian Federation, the country has faced the problem of a “break” in cultural and moral ties. The current events of today demonstrate with a high degree of obviousness the extreme degree of neglect of this problem and, as a result, the unprecedented reactionaryness of now political opponents and business partners of Russia, originating from the territory of their countries. Under the veil of non-acceptance of the traditional values of Russian society, Western countries offer an extremely absurd foreign trade agenda - economic sanctions, often forcing national businesses to stop any trade and economic relations with Russian partners. In such conditions, the market, as a living social organism, is looking for options to overcome artificial, contrary to the conditions of healthy competition, barriers to meet consumer demand, including through parallel imports. Taking into account the current situation, there is a need for a legal analysis of the legal consequences for foreign manufacturers as a result of the supply of low-quality goods to the Russian market in the face of economic restrictions on their supply to the exporting country. Based on the basic principles of tort liability for damage caused by defects in goods, works and services, the manufacturer of the relevant product group, regardless of the terms of trade and the nature of the goods, must be liable to persons who have suffered damage as a result of the consumption of the goods produced by him.
Some Problems of the Participation of the Prosecutor in the Civil Process
Authors:   Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Mikhailova E. V.
Published: September 2023

The article raises the problem of the prosecutor's participation in the so-called «civil process». It is shown that in the framework of civil and arbitration proceedings, a significant number of cases are considered in which the subject of protection is the state interest. At the same time, traditionally, the participation of the prosecutor in the judicial review and resolution of civil cases is reduced to two forms: initiative (initiation of proceedings) and participation in the case for giving an opinion. The scientific literature usually focuses on the fact that in any case, the prosecutor does not protect the interests of a particular person, but implements the function of supervising the legality, including initiating civil cases and participating in them. However, when the State is a party to the case, and the subject of protection is the state interest, the procedural status of the prosecutor should be different. His role in the consideration and resolution of civil cases is similar to the role of the plaintiff, and in this case, being part of the state apparatus, its official, he acts not as a «procedural plaintiff», but as a participant in a legal conflict. It is proved that in civil cases with the participation of the state, the prosecutor should be considered as a «full-fledged» party in the case, with the granting of the whole complex of procedural rights, including special (administrative) rights. The current procedural and legal regulation of the status of the prosecutor's opinion in the civil process, the lack of the prosecutor's right to initiate proceedings in the arbitration court in defense of the rights and interests of subjects of entrepreneurial and other economic activity is criticized. In modern conditions, the interests of protection and state support of entrepreneurship require that small and medium-sized businesses, peasant (farmer) farms and other entities engaged in entrepreneurial and other economic activities can exercise their constitutional right to receive qualified legal assistance. At the same time, the Prosecutor's office should monitor compliance with the legislation regulating entrepreneurial activity, including when considering cases in court. Proposals have been made to improve the current procedural legislation in terms of improving the procedural and legal position of the prosecutor in arbitration and civil proceedings, as well as giving him the legal status of a party in cases involving the state.
Intermediate and Partial Solution Courts of the First Instance in a Civil Case
Authors:   Irkutsk Institute (Branch), All-Russian State University of Justice, Nestoliy V. G.
Published: September 2023

The article claims to be scientific novelty. The question is raised about the relationship between the concepts of partial and interim court decisions. A method is proposed to solve the problem: differentiation of the procedural form of a court decision and a court decision as an act of justice. It is emphasized that a court decision as a procedural document is not identical to a judicial decision as an act of justice: a procedural document may lack an act of justice, two procedural documents contain one act of justice, one procedural document may contain several acts of justice. The concept of an interim decision makes it possible to divide court proceedings into proceedings to protect the disputed or violated right to recover a sum of money and proceedings to determine the amount of the amount of money being recovered. Proceedings for the protection of the right to recover a sum of money is a lawsuit, since its task is the protection of a subjective right. The proceedings to determine the amount of the recovered amount are special proceedings, since its task is to establish the actual circumstances. The judicial claim proceedings are terminated by the adoption of an interim decision on the recognition of the right to recovery. After the interim decision comes into force, the interested parties may settle the differences amicably or initiate proceedings to determine the amount of the amount to be recovered. If an interim court decision is an act of justice, then a partial court decision is a procedural document that contains the court's answer to only one of the questions put before the court. The court answers other questions in another partial decision, or an additional decision. The best form of an interim court decision, from the author's point of view, is an interim decision to recover an advance against a monetary amount, the amount of which can be determined by the court in the future. The article names the functions of the advance collected by the interim solution.
PPlot, a webapp to partition geochemical data and isolate mixed subpopulations using probability plot modeling
Authors: Campos Francisco , Licht Otavio , Campos Nivaldo
Published: September 2023

Statistical methods are mostly designed to handle datasets comprising statistically single normal or log-normal populations, but geochemical and geophysical surveys usually deviate from this expectation. A reason for this is the heterogeneity in the occurrence of geological objects, so the complete dataset may correspond to multiple mixed subpopulations. Specifically, multiple mixed subpopulations can refer to differences between mineralized and barren areas, different geochemical facies of a geological unit, or contaminated and healthy areas. This implies a restriction on using classical or even robust statistical estimates, unless the underlying subpopulations can be extracted from the dataset. The probability plot can be used to assess a dataset and to infer a possible combination of subpopulations, either normal or log-normal, whose combination may generate it. The web-based app PPlot, presented in this paper, allows the plotting of the probability plot of a dataset and modeling the underlying subpopulations present in it, either automatically or manually. After modeling the dataset by the application, the user will obtain numerical results and plots of the range of values that delimit each subpopulation, as well as the mean and standard deviation for each of them. Computer-generated and real datasets were used to validate the procedure and coding, and an example of usage is presented. The app was developed using HTML5 and JavaScript and it runs in any modern browser, and is freely available in https://pplotweb.firebaseapp.com/.
Addressing family mutism: Expert perspectives and intervention strategies in the context of excessive social media use in Saudi Arabian families
Authors: Trimeche Maher , Zidi Mongi , Al-Shalaki Turki , Alnair Alnair Mohammed Ali , SaadAshwal Elyas Saeed , Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamed Hassan , Megahed Ashraf Abd El-Hakim Mohamed , Helal Ibrahim El Husseiny Abdelmoneim
Published: September 2023

This study explores the perspectives of social science experts on the emergence of family mutism resulting from the misuse of social networking platforms. It also seeks to identify the most effective social intervention program to restore Saudi Arabian family bonds strained by excessive social media use. This research is theoretically grounded in the cognitive framework of clinical sociology. The researchers adopted a descriptive methodology and conducted directed interviews with 20 experts from different disciplines at Hail University in Saudi Arabia, during the months of October and November 2022. The study reveals that the experts reached a unanimous consensus on the goals of the therapeutic intervention program, emphasizing the enhancement of family members' awareness and the provision of guidance on the prudent use of social media. From a theoretical perspective, all experts agreed that ecological theory served as the most appropriate framework to inform professional practice and guide the social intervention program. In addition, the study found that individual and group interviews with family members, along with individual and group sessions, were the most effective social intervention strategies. Professionals reflected on the complex social and psychological issues associated with family mutism, particularly in children and adolescents who are enmeshed in technological addiction and excessive reliance on social networking platforms. According to these specialists, family structure plays a pivotal role in mitigating family mutism, as they assert their competence in identifying the problem. This study provides invaluable insights into the optimal goals, theoretical paradigms, methodologies, and tools to address family mutism resulting from the inappropriate use of social media.
Examining Our Roots
Authors: White-Farnham Jamie , Caffrey Carolyn
Published: September 2023

Analysis of historical milestones in the field of library studies reveals the changing values, purposes, and structures of outreach broadly construed within academic libraries. A timeline and narrative are presented that traces the effects of the national outlook on higher education from the mid-century to the current neoliberal reality on outreach milestones within the field, from 1958 to 2020. We contend that the present post-pandemic moment affords practitioners a chance to turn a critical eye toward the purpose and audience of outreach in order to re-orient our actions to reflect an original philosophy of outreach: inclusivity.
Launching a Virtual Study Hall Service for University Students During the Pandemic
Authors: Wheatley Amanda , Goodall Kristen
Published: September 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic forced libraries to reconsider their programming and services to be offered remotely. A series of Virtual Study Halls were developed at the McGill University Library as a way to connect with students during library closures. The Virtual Study Halls took on different formats and themes to mimic various study spaces on campus and were offered over the course of Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 on Zoom. The experience of coordinating this service offered new opportunities to collaborate with other departments on campus and create relationships with users.
Practical Witchcraft
Authors: Mowry Ruthann , Coker Cait , Wolske Madeleine , Allison Tracy
Published: September 2023

This article argues for the usefulness of collaborations between academic and public libraries for community outreach and engagement. After an overview of the problematic history of special collections institutions as inaccessible gatekeepers of culture, the article argues that in the twenty-first century, special collections must become members of public communities and actively involve themselves in community work in order to foster mutual understanding and values. A case study of a shared event, a witchcraft lecture that went viral on the internet, is described.
Physicians’ Perspectives on AI in Clinical Decision Support Systems: Interview Study of the CURATE.AI Personalized Dose Optimization Platform
Authors: Vijayakumar Smrithi , Lee V Vien , Leong Qiao Ying , Hong Soo Jung , Blasiak Agata , Ho Dean
Published: September 2023

Background

Physicians play a key role in integrating new clinical technology into care practices through user feedback and growth propositions to developers of the technology. As physicians are stakeholders involved through the technology iteration process, understanding their roles as users can provide nuanced insights into the workings of these technologies that are being explored. Therefore, understanding physicians’ perceptions can be critical toward clinical validation, implementation, and downstream adoption. Given the increasing prevalence of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs), there remains a need to gain an in-depth understanding of physicians’ perceptions and expectations toward their downstream implementation. This paper explores physicians’ perceptions of integrating CURATE.AI, a novel artificial intelligence (AI)–based and clinical stage personalized dosing CDSSs, into clinical practice.

Objective

This study aims to understand physicians’ perspectives of integrating CURATE.AI for clinical work and to gather insights on considerations of the implementation of AI-based CDSS tools.

Methods

A total of 12 participants completed semistructured interviews examining their knowledge, experience, attitudes, risks, and future course of the personalized combination therapy dosing platform, CURATE.AI. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded manually. The data were thematically analyzed.

Results

Overall, 3 broad themes and 9 subthemes were identified through thematic analysis. The themes covered considerations that physicians perceived as significant across various stages of new technology development, including trial, clinical implementation, and mass adoption.

Conclusions

The study laid out the various ways physicians interpreted an AI-based personalized dosing CDSS, CURATE.AI, for their clinical practice. The research pointed out that physicians’ expectations during the different stages of technology exploration can be nuanced and layered with expectations of implementation that are relevant for technology developers and researchers.
Advancing Vocationalization of Open Schooling in Botswana: Addressing Critical Skills Gaps and Alleviating Unemployment
Authors: Hamaluba Tommie
Published: September 2023

Vocationalization of open schooling is paramount for Botswana, a nation dedicated to sustainable development and economic growth. This article emphasizes the urgent need to integrate vocational education within the open schooling framework, focusing on its potential to address skills gaps, empower marginalized groups, and contribute to Botswana’s knowledge-based economy. By equipping the youth with relevant skills, vocationalized open schooling offers a pathway to alleviate future unemployment challenges. This article estimates the demographic potential benefiting from this approach, particularly the youth population of Botswana. Vocational education stands as a strategic imperative for Botswana, aligning with its goals of inclusive growth and equipping learners with practical skills that match industry demands. The convergence of vocational education and open schooling holds transformative power, providing accessible and relevant education to those historically excluded while preparing a capable and adaptable workforce. In a nation of approximately 2.35 million people, the youth represent both its strength and promise. Vocationalized open schooling emerges as a conduit to empower this demographic, ensuring they possess skills that align with industry needs and fostering a generation poised to contribute to the nation’s aspirations for progress and prosperity. As Botswana navigates the complexities of a changing global landscape, the integration of vocational education into open schooling shines as a beacon, illuminating pathways to employability, innovation, and socio-economic advancement.
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS OF MICRO-AND NANOROBOTICS IN DRUG DELIVERY
Authors: DHYANI ARCHANA , BHATT JYOTSNA , SINGH NARDEV , DHYANI ASHISH
Published: September 2023

Micro-and nanorobotics is a new field of research that emerged from the fusion of micro/nanotechnology and robotics and has since acquired enormous importance. The advantages of micro-and nanorobots include their small dimension, lightweight, high flexibility, and high sensitivity. Micro-and nanorobots have sparked the scientific community's interest in research and opened up a broad variety of application areas, including medication delivery and disease diagnostics, due to their differences from macroscopic robots. Over the past 30 y, research on micro-and nanorobots has made major strides. This manuscript provides a detailed explanation of the development of these robots. Then, each of the primary robot components including their actuation, design, production, and control is discussed separately. Additionally, potential challenges in developing such robots are explored from the perspectives of intelligence and sensing, therapeutic applications, materials, and performance.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A TOPICAL GEL CONTAINING MINOXIDIL AND TOFACITINIB CITRATE FOR ALOPECIA AREATA
Authors: SHARANNAVAR BHUVANESHWARI , AMONKAR MONALI BHAGAT , INAMDAR POONAM , KULKARNI MRUNALINI
Published: September 2023

Objective: The objective of the present study is to formulate and evaluate a topical gel containing Minoxidil and Tofacitinib citrate for alopecia areata.
Methods: Six gels were formulated using the direct-dispersion method by using polymers in the ratio of Carbopol 934: HPMC and Carbopol 934: HPC in three different concentrations each. All the prepared gels were then characterized for its drug content, pH, Rheological measurement, Spreadibility, skin adhesion study, In vitro drug release, Ex-vivo skin permeation study and stability studies.
Results: All the six formulations were evaluated for various parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadibility, and drug content and in vitro drug release. The pH of all the formulations was in the range of 6.3-6.8 which was optimum for the skin. As the concentration of the polymer increased the viscosity also increased, F6 had the highest viscosity among all of 1082 cps. F5 had the highest spreadibility of 4.3±0.15 cm and the drug content of all ranged between 88-96% of Minoxidil and 86-97% for Tofacitinib citrate with F5 giving the best result drug release across a cellulose membrane for a period 8 h of 94.22±0.19% for Minoxidil and 93.62±0.49% for Tofacitinib citrate. Formulation F2 and F5 were subjected to skin adhesion studies by the use of wistar rat skin with F5 giving the highest bioadhesion of 108 g/cm2. Formulation F5 was selected as an optimized formulation among the six as it gave the best results for all the parameters. Then the optimized formulation was subjected to an ex-vivo permeation study for a period of 8 h and by using wistar rat skin as a permeation barrier and the drug release for Minoxidil and Tofacitinib citrate was found to be 71.94±0.78% and 69.49±0.47%. The stability study was carried out for two months at accelerated condition i.e., 40 °C±2 °C/75±5% RH proved that the formulated gel was Stable.
Conclusion: The formulated topical gel containing Minoxidil and Tofacitinib citrate were found to be a promising approach for the treatment of alopecia areata.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF RAMOSETRON HYDROCHLORIDE MOUTH DISSOLVING THIN FILM FOR ENHANCED THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY AND PALATABILITY
Authors: GUNDE MAHENDRA C. , PIMPALE AVDHOOT D. , GAIKWAD CHETAN , GODBOLE MANGESH D.
Published: September 2023

Objective: Many people have difficulties in swallowing traditional dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. The goal of this study was to develop the mouth-dissolving thin film of Ramosetron HCl (RH) for quick onset of action in the treatment of vomiting and irritable bowel syndrome, with the added benefit of disguising the bitter taste of RH.
Methods: The solvent-casting approach was employed to formulate mouth dissolving thin film. The effect of variable concentrations and different grades of hydrophilic polymer HPMC (E5, E15 and E50), and plasticizers like glycerol and PEG 400 on disintegration time, drug release, thickness, tensile strength, percent elongation, folding endurance, and on appearance were studied. The optimized batch was kept for stability study at40±2 °C/75±5% RH for 30 d.
Results: The formed films were transparent with a smooth surface texture. The thickness, weight variation, drug content and pH of the surface were within acceptable limits. Tensile strength and folding endurance values demonstrated adequate mechanical strength. In 45 seconds, the formulation F6 comprising HPMC E5 (150 mg) and HPMC E15 (150 mg) with PEG 400 (0.4 ml) disintegrated. The F6 formulation released 98.78±0.96 %drug in 8 min and considered as optimal formulation. The taste masking of drug was evaluated by a taste perception study using volunteers. The optimized batch was found to be stable at 40±2 °C/75±5% RH for 30 d.
Conclusion: The concentration of hydrophilic polymers and plasticizers had a significant effect on the formulation and assessment characteristics of thin film. Mannitol assisted in masking the bitter taste of RH.
THE DEVELOPMENT FORMULATION OF ELEUTHERINE PALMIFOLIA EXTRACT-LOADED SELF NANOEMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM (SNEDDS) USING D-OPTIMAL MIXTURE DESIGN APPROACH
Authors: ANNISA RAHMI , MUTIAH ROIHATUL , YUWONO MOCHAMMAD , HENDRADI ESTI
Published: September 2023

Objective: The develop a delivery system for extracting E. palmifolia as a model of medicinal ingredients in SNEDDS using a D-optimal design approach.
Methods: D-optimal mixture design optimizes E. palmifolia loaded SNEDDS by selecting SNEDDS composition as an independent factor (X) and characterizing SNEDDS as a response (Y). SNEDDS characterization in the optimal formula includes transmittance, emulsification time, pH, viscosity, particle size, and particle morphology. After obtaining one optimal formula, stability testing compares the initial characteristics (day one) with those of E. palmifolia-loaded SNEDDS.
Results: The SNEDDS was after storage for three months, namely day 30, day 60, and day 90. Miglyol 812, Tween 80, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 were selected as oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant phases because they had the highest ability to dissolve E. palmifolia extract. The formula design with the D-optimal mixture design approach formulated E. palmifolia loaded SNEDDS with Miglyol 812, Tween 80, and PEG 400 components at an oil concentration of 2.13%, surfactant 5.81%, and co-surfactant 2.06% with stable characteristics in the storage period of 3 mo. Transmittance results in 96.75-98.74%, emulsification time 19.21-22.77 seconds, pH 6.69–7.71, viscosity 43.97-45.99 (cP), particle size 19.14-22.19 nm, spherical particle morphology.
Conclusion: The optimal formula for SNEDDS extract of E. palmifolia using the D-optimal design approach has physical and chemical characteristics that follow the SNEDDS specifications that have been determined.
FIXED DOSE COMBINATION THERAPY OF IBRUTINIB AND QUERCETIN BY SNEDDS-DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION BY DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT
Authors: BAGRI RASHMI , NAGARAJU RAVOURU
Published: September 2023

Objective: Self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) comprising quercetin and ibrutinib as a fixed dosage combination therapy is being investigated to increase drug solubility and dissolution rate.
Methods: On the basis of preliminary solubility tests, castor oil, Kolliphor® RH 40, and PEG600 were utilised to construct ternary phase diagrams. The effect of the amount of Castor oil (A), Kolliphor® RH 40 (B), and PEG600 (C) on the particle size and encapsulation efficiency of ibrutinib and quercetin was evaluated and statistically analysed using multiple regression in 17 trials planned using a 33 Box-Behnken design. FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM, and stability experiments were employed to characterise the optimised formulation. The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release of ibrutinib and quercetin were also investigated.
Results: Ibrutinib and quercetin had encapsulation efficiencies of 61.56-87.22% (Y3) and 60.12-87.12%, respectively, according to the size range of SNEDDS formulations (1-17) of 70.18-200.56 nm. The optimised SNEDDS formulations (S1–S3) showed a particle size range of 71.12–76.38 nm, PDI of 0.126–0.312, zetapotential of-24.6–28.4, and encapsulation efficiencies of 88.98–90.22% and 84.96–86.78% for ibrutinib and quercetin, respectively. According to in vitro testing, the medication released from SNEDDS was released more quickly (>90% 600 min). The formulation was further evaluated using FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM, and stability investigations, which validated the complexation of ibrutinib and quercetin in the drug's amorphous state and stability for six months.
Conclusion: This study revealed that SNEDDS could be used as a drug carrier for ibrutinib and quercetin due to their improved solubility and dissolution rate.
D-OPTIMAL MIXTURE DESIGN: OPTIMIZATION, FORMULATION, AND EVALUATION OF BIOSYNTHESIS NANOGOLD GELS
Authors: PERTIWI RATIH DYAH , SETYOWATI ERNA PRAWITA , MARTIEN RONNY , SUWALDI
Published: September 2023

Objective: The aim of this research is the Optimization, formulation, and evaluation of biosynthesis nanogold gels by using experimental design. Investigations were provided to optimize the biosynthesis of nanogold gels on a compound of two gelling agents and develop the biosynthesis of nanogold gels.
Methods: The optimization of the formula of gels utilizing the D Optimum Mixture Design method to discover the optimum result with the ratio of carbopol (X1) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/HPMC (X2) as a gelling agent and responses in the form were particle size (Y1), zeta potential (Y2) and spreading capacity (Y3). The 8-run formula assessed the impact of carbopol (X1) and HPMC (X2).
Results: The ANOVA results for particle size showed that the model is highly statistically significant (P<0.05). Both Carbopol and HPMC coefficients enhanced the particle size (+118.91 and+594.73). The interaction of Carbopol with HPMC has increased the particle size (+441.73). The HPMC has the most dominant effect in increasing the particle size, and exchanging the two gelling agents will increase the particle size. Both Carbopol and HPMC coefficients are negative (-7.94 and-10.96), which means that these components contribute to a decrease in the zeta potential. The interaction of Carbopol with HPMC does not affect both increasing or decreasing the zeta potential HPMC has the most dominant effect in reducing the zeta potential, and the exchange of the two gelling agents will not increase and decrease the zeta potential. Carbopol and HPMC coefficients are positive (+6.41 and+4.58), meaning these components enhance the spreading capacity. The interaction of Carbopol with HPMC has decreased (-1.58). The prediction value was obtained from a solution that has the highest desirability. The chosen desirability of certain balances was 0.572.
Conclusion: This study has shown that a well-balanced mixture of matrix ingredients could improve nanogold biosynthesis gel. Optimization was possible by applying D optimal mixture design, which confirmed efficiency in designing the nanoparticles gels of gold dosage forms.