This study investigates students’ conceptions of hydrostatic pressure, aiming to identify misconceptions (MC) and differences in understanding based on gender. A quantitative method with a cross-sectional study approach was used as the design in this study to explore and measure characteristics involving 186 students with an average age of 17-18 years from three provinces in Indonesia. Data were obtained using a Four-Tier Test to explore students’ scientific understanding, MC, and ignorance of hydrostatic pressure. A gender-based differential item functioning (DIF) analysis was also conducted to evaluate any potential bias in concept understanding between male and female students. The results showed that MC about factors affecting hydrostatic pressure were prevalent among students, for example: i) believing that hydrostatic pressure is independent of depth; ii) thinking that fluid type does not affect it; and iii) assuming that gravity has no impact. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these fundamental MC. DIF analysis showed a significant variation in understanding between genders, where male students tended to show better results on several aspects of scientific conceptions (SCs). These results highlight the necessity for mapping students’ initial conceptions before teaching, to enable the development of targeted instructional strategies aimed at addressing MC and improving understanding of critical physics concepts such as hydrostatic pressure.

COVID-19 pandemic exhausted the learning resources in the educational system of the Philippines. This situation called for learning materials to supplement the teaching-learning process while in distance education. Hence, this paper utilized asynchronous video lectures (AVL) infused with online learning simulators (OLS) to supplement learning approaches in teaching cell division. Specifically, the goal of this study is to asses the students’ motivation as well as their common misconceptions in learning cell division. Using students’ motivation towards science learning (SMTSL) questionnaire, it was found that the learners are moderately motivated in general and are low to highly-motivated in other areas considered. These results may be associated to the absence of teacher and student interaction. Using the relational and structural scoring of concept maps, it was found that the concept map scores of the learners before and after the use of AVL with OLS were found to be significant. This implies that the misconception of the learners has significantly improved. With this, the AVL with OLS can be utilized as a learning supplement to teach cell division with recorded moderate levels of motivation among learners as well as the significant improvement in the misconceptions among them. Nonetheless, more improvements may be applied to boost the motivation levels among learners.

The study analyzes novel food bars formulated from yellow biofortified maize, Bambara groundnut, and Moringa oleifera, focusing on their nutritional composition, antioxidant activity, and glycemic modulation potential. Three bar formulations were produced using optimized composite ratios: P01 (61 g kg-1 maize, 23 g kg-1 Bambara groundnut, 11 g kg-1 Moringa); P02 (61 g kg-1 maize, 23 g kg-1 Bambara groundnut, 11.5 g kg-1 Moringa); and P03 (45 g kg-1 maize, 23 g kg-1 Bambara groundnut, 8.1 g kg-1 Moringa). Proximate composition indicated high protein (215.7-239.8 g kg-1) and moderate fat (92.0-113.0 g kg-1). Carbohydrate profiling showed high total starch (542.2-659.9 g kg-1) and low sugars (40.8-62.8 g kg-1), with amylose 96.3-160.2 g kg-1 and amylopectin 839.9-903.7 g kg-1. Bioactive contents were substantial (total phenolics 2.37-3.27 mg gallic acid equivalents g-1; flavonoids 1.23-1.32 mg quercetin equivalents g-1; carotenoids 29.76-31.27 μg g-1), with phytate 25.8-43.0 g kg-1. Total antioxidant capacity ranged from 6.88 to 8.73 mg ascorbic acid equivalents g-1. Based on SC₅₀ (lower = stronger activity), P01 showed the strongest radical scavenging (DPPH SC₅₀ = 4.02 mg mL-1; ABTS SC₅₀ = 4.01 mg mL-1) and the strongest enzyme inhibition (α-amylase IC₅₀ = 2.98 mg mL-1; α-glucosidase IC₅₀ = 5.40 mg mL-1). Overall, P01 emerged as the most promising formulation due to its balanced nutritional density, antioxidant performance, and glycemic-enzyme inhibition potential profile. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

The stigma attached to substance use disorder (SUD) can prevent entry into, and engagement with, treatment services. This paper provides an initial exploration into what could be an emerging trend using a case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women who have used, or were currently using, residential or community-based addiction services in Cork (Ireland). Some participants reported the well documented stigma attached to SUD as a barrier for entry into, and engaging with, the recovery process. Two participants reported feeling ashamed of being unable to identify specific traumas that could account for their substance use. They felt the stereotype of 'the addict' having had a traumatic life did not map onto their experiences, and felt stigmatised by others within recovery for this. Consequently, they questioned whether they had a SUD and should access treatment, and this initially prevented them from engaging in therapy. This paper does not refute the association between trauma and SUD. Rather it argues that common misunderstandings of trauma and substance use, and increased use of trauma talk, may have contributed to a new form of stereotype that some with SUDs must navigate.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the mechanism by which Phyllanthi Fructus polyphenol extract ameliorates high sugar diet-induced developmental defects

This review synthesizes current evidence on free sugar intake among European children and adolescents, emphasizing recent trends in consumption, key determinants, associated health outcomes, and implications for preventive strategies. Despite modest reductions in some countries, sugar consumption in youth continues to exceed international recommendations, particularly during adolescence. Longitudinal studies highlight persistent high intakes, with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and confectionery as primary contributors. Socioeconomic disparities, parental behaviours, screen exposure, and individual traits significantly influence consumption. High sugar intake is linked to increased risk of adiposity, cardiometabolic disturbances, and dental caries, with early exposure potentially impacting long-term disease risk. Recent policy efforts, such as taxation and reformulation, show promise but remain inconsistently implemented across Europe. Free sugar intake in childhood remains a critical nutritional concern in Europe. Evidence supports the need for multilevel approaches, including early-life interventions, updated guidelines, and policy measures targeting the broader food environment. Healthcare professionals play a key role in supporting families through nutrition education and consistent messaging. Coordinated action is essential to reduce sugar intake and prevent chronic diseases across the life course.

Spore-forming bacteria are widely distributed in the environment and present a major challenge in healthcare settings due to their resistance to alcohol-based disinfectants. Understanding this resistance is essential for infection control education, especially in medical fields. Here, we propose a simple, low-cost laboratory exercise that combines hand hygiene training with a visual demonstration of microbial persistence using soil as a source of spore-forming bacteria. In this exercise, students imprint their hands on agar plates under three conditions: unwashed, soap-washed, and alcohol-disinfected. After 48 h of incubation, the plates reveal clear differences in microbial growth, highlighting the limited efficacy of alcohol-based sanitizers against spores. Gram staining of colonies provides presumptive evidence of the presence of spore-forming bacteria. This exercise addresses a common misconception among healthcare trainees-that alcohol sanitizers provide complete protection-and emphasizes the importance of proper handwashing with soap and water. Its simplicity, safety, and strong visual impact make it an effective and adaptable tool for microbiology education and healthcare professional training.

The TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee for Therapeutics (TACT) provides academic and industry applicants involved in therapy development in the neuromuscular disease (NMD) space with constructive, multidisciplinary expert advice in order to help derisk NMD drug development and avoid potential therapies entering clinical trials prematurely and to improve trial design. The ultimate goal of TACT is to reduce the risk of type 1 errors (concluding a treatment is effective, while it is not), type 2 errors (concluding a treatment is not effective, while it is), or risks of questions and regulatory rejections later on in development.TACT celebrated its 15th birthday in 2024. From 2009-2024 TACT reviewed 90 applications, 68 from Industry and 22 from Academia. This perspective paper summarizes how TACT has evolved from its initiation. Furthermore, based on our experience, we list recurrent mistakes, such as not collecting sufficient information in pre-clinical studies, omitting wild type references in animal studies and choosing the wrong or too many outcome measures in clinical trials. By sharing common errors in preclinical and clinical trial design and providing lessons learned we aim to further improve therapy development in the NMD space.

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the peer teaching strategy (peer learning) in improving the mastery of Malay verb affixation meN-kan among Year Five students of Chinese National-Type Primary Schools. A quantitative design was used in this study. Data was collected using an experimental method. The study sample consisted of 224 Year Five students from Chinese National-Type Primary Schools in South Seberang Perai. The sample was divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group underwent intervention with the peer teaching strategy. The instruments used in this study were pre-tests and post-tests. Test data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, namely mean, median and mode to determine the probability of the sample representing the total student population. The findings of this study prove the effectiveness of the peer teaching strategy in improving the mastery of Malay verb affixation, specifically meN-kan. The most common error made by the experimental group in the pre-test was the meN-kan affix, accounting for 31%. The errors made by the experimental group in the post-test decreased to 22%. In conclusion, the use of effective teaching techniques not only attracts students' interest in learning Malay verb affixation but also improves their mastery of Malay affixation Click or tap here to enter text.

High-sugar driven microbial dynamics in spontaneous fermentations of Lebanese cooked wines.

The medical expert witness plays a crucial role in providing objective, informed opinions that can influence the outcome of court trials and disciplinary proceedings. It is critical for physicians and surgeons with specialised knowledge in the local setting to provide relevant opinions to ensure fair and consistent outcomes when medical disputes occur in Singapore. This commentary draws from the author’s experience to highlight common errors and potential pitfalls which doctors may face in their capacity as an expert witness.

Abstract: This report describes an artificial intelligence based real time facial recognition system, implemented using the open source Dlib library, to assist in attendance tracking. Traditional systems for managing attendance (manual register and biometric) are labor intensive and prone to errors. One common error is proxy attendance. Computer vision techniques can be utilized to automatically identify a person in real time using facial detection and recognition. Facial landmarks and facial encoding within the Dlib library will be used by the system to facilitate facial recognition. Image processing will be performed using OpenCV. The system will create a 128-dimensional vector for each facial feature extracted from images. Each vector will be matched with an existing encoding to identify a person. When a person is successfully identified by the system, the time and date will be recorded and attendance will be marked in real-time. In an experimental environment, the system successfully identified individuals with high accuracy. Manual effort was also significantly reduced. This technology will provide educational institutions and organizations with a contactless, reliable, efficient and scalable attendance management system. Keywords: Face Recognition, Dlib, Artificial Intelligence, Attendance System, Computer Vision, OpenCV

Objectives: To determine whether a 50% reduction in daily sugar intake increases sweet taste intensity among Thai adults, and whether changes in taste perception and dietary sugar intake persist after the restriction period ends.Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted over 12 weeks among 52 healthy Thai adults. Participants were assigned to either a sugar-reduction group instructed to halve their daily sugar intake (n = 25) or a control group that maintained their usual diet (n = 27). Sweet taste intensity was evaluated using the general labeled magnitude scale at baseline, week 16 (end of restriction), and week 24 (after resumption of regular diet). The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with increased sweet taste intensity at week 16, while secondary outcomes included sweet taste intensity at week 24 and changes in dietary sugar intake.Results: At week 16, significantly more participants in the intervention group reported heightened sweet taste intensity compared with the control group (64% vs 33.3%, p = 0.027). After participants resumed their usual diets at week 24, this difference was no longer statistically significant (44% vs 38.5%, p = 0.688). Dietary sugar intake significantly decreased during the intervention period, but partially rebounded after restriction was lifted. No significant between-group differences were observed in total energy intake or anthropometric outcomes.Conclusion: A 12-week 50% sugar-reduction intervention increased sweet taste intensity. However, both taste perception and dietary behaviors partially reverted after the restriction was lifted, suggesting that sensory adaptation alone may not sustain long-term change.

The inclusion of legumes in silage mixtures provides nutritional benefits but presents a fermentation challenge due to alfalfa's high buffering capacity and low soluble sugar content. A completely randomized design with four treatments was used: T1 (100% corn), T2 (5% alfalfa), T3 (10% alfalfa), and T4 (15% alfalfa), with five replicates. The silages were stored for 30 days. Mesophilic aerobes, molds, and yeasts were evaluated, as well as initial and fermentation kinetics LAB. Biochemical tests (catalase, amylase, urease, and Gram staining) were also performed, and metabolites, including acetic acid and ethanol, were quantified. The results showed that mesophilic aerobes reached 1,260 CFU/g in T4, while molds and yeasts reached 418.6 CFU/g in the same treatment. Initial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels were highest in T1 (497.4 CFU/g). Acetic acid reached 5.10 g/L in T3, while ethanol was highest in T2 (2.10 g/L). Fermentation kinetics peaked in T2, with 7.11 × 10⁸ CFU/mL at 32 h, exhibiting longer logarithmic phases at lower alfalfa inclusions. T4 showed lower fermentative stability, likely due to its buffering capacity. Overall, including alfalfa up to 10% promotes LAB and acidification without compromising microbiological stability, providing criteria for optimizing mixed silages for ruminants and the sustainability of forage systems

Purpose This review aims to investigate the impact of excessive sugar consumption on accelerated aging, highlighting the underlying mechanisms, clinical evidence and public health implications. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted, encompassing recent studies and clinical evidence related to sugar-induced aging. Key mechanisms were analyzed, focusing on glycation processes, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The review also examines public health strategies to mitigate these effects and evaluates their effectiveness. Findings Excessive sugar intake significantly contributes to accelerated aging through various biochemical pathways. Advanced glycation end-products generated from high sugar consumption lead to cellular damage and oxidative stress, which in turn exacerbate inflammatory responses. Clinical evidence indicates a correlation between high sugar diets and markers of aging, such as reduced skin elasticity and increased incidence of age-related diseases. Public health strategies, including dietary guidelines and awareness campaigns, have shown promise in mitigating these effects, though further research is needed to optimize these interventions. Originality/value This review provides a detailed synthesis of current knowledge on the relationship between sugar consumption and aging. By integrating mechanisms, clinical evidence and public health implications, it offers a holistic perspective on how excessive sugar impacts aging and suggests actionable strategies for prevention and intervention. The findings underscore the importance of dietary regulation and inform future research directions to address the growing concern of sugar-induced aging.

Slide-based lectures remain the primary means by which undergraduate students learn about the mathematical, physical, and systems-level foundations of medical imaging. However, despite their central educational role, no openly available dataset pairs imaging lecture slides with clean, well-aligned explanatory narration suitable for scientific and educational research. The authors introduced MEDI-SLATE: medical imaging slide-lecture aligned teaching ensemble, constructed from a complete undergraduate biomedical engineering medical imaging course. The dataset contains 1117 high-resolution slides paired with refined narration derived from classroom audio through automatic speech recognition, followed by careful manual cleanup. MEDI-SLATE encompasses linear systems, Fourier analysis, signal processing, X-ray physics, computed tomography, positron emission tomography/single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging , ultrasound, and optical imaging. In addition to the slide-text pairs, the dataset includes lecture-level difficulty tags, key ideas, common student misunderstandings, and practice questions sourced directly from the instructor's materials. A fully reproducible preprocessing pipeline covering slide extraction, narration refinement, alignment, and corpus-level analyses is provided. MEDI-SLATE offersa high-fidelity, openly available resource for medical imaging education, curriculum development, multimodal learning research, and creation of artificial intelligence-assisted instructional tools, with all data and codes released for transparent use and future extension.

Abstract In recent years, palaeogenomics has significantly advanced our understanding of human population history and evolution. Emerging studies now employ ancient genomic data to explore biological relatedness in archaeological contexts, with a growing number of studies on the topic. These investigations probe, for instance, the role of biological kinship in burial organization and mortuary practices, shedding new light on the complexities of ancient and historical human societies. Our review surveys a few examples of these studies, scrutinizing the methods and interpretations of DNA-based kinship research. We discuss the overlap between biological relatedness and other forms of kinship, acknowledging the complexity of human relationships across time and cultures. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, we advocate for integrating theoretical frameworks from sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, and Indigenous studies into palaeogenomics for a more thorough understanding of kinship in past societies. Additionally, we offer guidance throughout for newcomers venturing into using ancient DNA to study relatedness, reviewing key methodological aspects involved in biological relatedness inference and addressing common misconceptions, potential pitfalls, and methodological limitations.

Fracture-related infections are among the most serious complications following osteosynthesis. They jeopardize fracture healing, prolong treatment duration, and can lead to loss of function or even amputation. Despite established standards, avoidable errors continue to occur in clinical practice. Fracture-related infections not only compromise healing but also significantly reduce life expectancy, and increase morbidity and mortality. The standardization of procedures is essential to improve outcomes and ensure consistent high-quality care. This article describes 20 common errors in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fracture-related infection. For each error, the clinical consequences and practical recommendations are provided. The aim is to improve treatment quality and patient safety by identifying and avoiding typical decision-making pitfalls. Consistent standardization of surgical and microbiological procedures, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured follow-up care are essential prerequisites for successful infection management.

Abstract Introduction Doctors report lack of preparedness for prescribing,[1] with prescribing errors prevalent amongst Foundation doctors. Simulation based training (SBT) is widely used to support skill development with potential to support prescribing education.[2] To support preparation for prescribing practice, a SBT programme was developed for Year 5 student doctors. Aim To determine the impact of SBT on prescribing confidence, knowledge, and student perceptions of SBT in supporting prescribing practice. Methods A SBT event was designed with five simulation exercises reflecting common clinical scenarios, challenging non-technical skills, clinical reasoning and justification of relevant investigations (e.g. ECG due to chest pain presentation). All students participated in tabletop exercises, with one student leading the high-fidelity SBT whilst others observed via live stream. A debrief, facilitated by a Safe Prescribing pharmacist discussed the case, including justification of diagnosis and treatment plans. Within the tabletop SBT, to ‘game-ify’ learning (based on the TV show ‘The Traitors’), two ‘Disruptors’ were selected and briefed in advance to provide common error provoking situations, including incorrect information handover, incorrect prescriptions and plausible differential diagnosis. This was a key feature to determine if the remainder of the group would challenge this and further justify their own clinical reasoning. Students worked in teams, presenting diagnosis and treatment plans to their colleagues and Safe Prescribing pharmacists. During the debrief, students were informed of the ‘Disruptors’ and challenged to identify them. A 27-item post-session survey was provided, including demographic questions and prescribing confidence agreement statements using a five-point Likert scale (5-strongly agreed to 1-strongly disagreed), with additional open-ended questions to evaluate how the event will influence future prescribing practice. The qualitative data were thematically analysed to determine preparedness for prescribing post-session. Results Eleven students attended and undertook all activities within the SBT event and invited to participate in the evaluation. Nine students completed the post-session evaluation (81.8%). Median post-session prescribing confidence scores were 5 (IQR 4–5) for ability to write inpatient prescriptions, formulate management plans, access appropriate guidelines and justify appropriate investigations. All students strongly agreed/agreed the event was useful, interactive, practical, relevant and prepared them for Foundation prescribing. All agreed that teaching had supported decision making and pharmacists were appropriate teachers for prescribing practice. Students described the SBT as tiring but realistic, with increased awareness of common prescribing errors and that they desire more SBT. The group presentation, ‘Disruptor’ identification and pharmacist-led debrief were highly valued. Conclusion A contextualised SBT provides a realistic, safe environment to support prescribing education and is an interactive and useful method to prepare for Foundation year. Utilising the ‘disruptor’ design appears to be a novel and engaging approach to learning. It is highly valued and positively reviewed by students for the interactive and enjoyable learning modality. Whilst this modality can improve student confidence and ability, the impact on preparedness for practice is unknown and therefore further work is required to explore this educational modality on prescribing quality. The small sample size was a study limitation, but this was reflective of the small final year cohort.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels due to abnormalities in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Neuropathic ulcers should be regularly debrided. Debridement is a way of cleaning diabetic ulcers that involves controlling the moisture in the wound. When removing necrotic tissue, the client feels pain. Efforts to overcome pain can be made with non-pharmacological therapy, with the NASON relaxation technique, namely the effort of taking deep breaths and repeating ritual phrases repeatedly, which is the best way to relieve pain, where the body naturally releases endorphin hormones. Objectives: to determine the effect of NASON treatment on pain scores in patients with diabetic ulcers. Methods: This research applies a quantitative approach using the cross-sectional method. The application of the total sampling technique resulted in a sample size of 50 people. Data analysis is done through univariate and bivariate analysis. Results: This type of research is quantitative. The study population consisted of patients receiving treatment for diabetic ulcers. The sampling technique in this purposive sampling with a total of 30 participants. Discussion: Administration of NASON relaxation therapy has an effect on the pain scale in diabetic ulcers.