Integrating Digital Technologies Into Biochemistry Education: A Decade of Efforts, Pandemic Impacts, and Emerging Insights.

The study investigates the information sharing and use by legislators in the states house of assembly in Nigeria. Quantitative research methodology using cross sectional survey design was used to collect data for the study and all the (211) Two Hundred and Eleven members of states house assembly in the Northwest zone serves as the primary population of the study. The objectives of the study were to find out the different types of information shared and use by legislators in Nigeria, the medium use in sharing information by legislators, and the challenges associated by information sharing among legislators. The study found that Socio – economic conditions as their most shared type of information, the medium use in information sharing by legislators is through Consultations with constituents while the major challenges faced by legislators in information sharing is the executive dominance and lack of financial autonomy of the legislative arm. The study recommends that legislators should be encouraged to be using digital database and as well attending training on information and communication Technology/ information literacy training to develop their skills in exploring opportunities attach to ICT. And finally financial autonomy of state legislative arm is sacrosanct for effective legislative services.

The study investigates the information sharing and use by legislators in the states house of assembly in Nigeria. Quantitative research methodology using cross sectional survey design was used to collect data for the study and all the (211) Two Hundred and Eleven members of states house assembly in the Northwest zone serves as the primary population of the study. The objectives of the study were to find out the different types of information shared and use by legislators in Nigeria, the medium use in sharing information by legislators, and the challenges associated by information sharing among legislators. The study found that Socio – economic conditions as their most shared type of information, the medium use in information sharing by legislators is through Consultations with constituents while the major challenges faced by legislators in information sharing is the executive dominance and lack of financial autonomy of the legislative arm. The study recommends that legislators should be encouraged to be using digital database and as well attending training on information and communication Technology/ information literacy training to develop their skills in exploring opportunities attach to ICT. And finally financial autonomy of state legislative arm is sacrosanct for effective legislative services.

The evolution of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has enabled governments to deliver services to citizens more efficiently and effectively. This study conducts a literature review on electronic passports to examine the implications of biometric technology in their implementation. A qualitative methodology was adopted, based on documentary analysis of articles published in specialized academic journals. The findings indicate that biometric data used in electronic passports include facial recognition, fingerprints, and iris recognition. Additionally, continuous review and updating of technology are required to prevent potential forgery and identity theft.

Industry 4.0 emphasizes connectivity and digitalization, transforming business operations worldwide. In Brazil, however, the adoption of these technologies remains relatively limited, with only a small proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fully engaging in digital transformation initiatives. Such engagement is critical to the national economy, yet SMEs face substantial barriers, including high implementation costs and limited technical expertise. This study focuses on SMEs in the food sector in S\~{a}o Paulo, aiming to provide strategic guidance for adopting Industry 4.0 practices and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to support their technological transformation and improve digital maturity and competitiveness. To establish the theoretical foundation, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. This was followed by interviews with 10 food sector SMEs, using an online questionnaire of 21 questions organized into five categories: Technological Infrastructure, Automation, Management, Strategy, and Market. The results revealed that, while SMEs are interested in technologies such as QR codes, pagers, and social media, they face obstacles related to training, knowledge, and implementation costs. Nonetheless, they acknowledge the importance of digital transformation in their operations. Based on the data collected, a set of tailored recommendations was developed to support SMEs in planning and implementing effective digital transformation strategies.

This paper aims to make a presentation of the overall context about the debate sparked by the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in preschool educational institutions, especially regarding teaching practices. And so, our question problem is : which impact for the use of ICT and / or mobile ICT in preschhool on teaching practices of preschool teachers in Moroc ? To better situate our research problem, we conducted an exploratory quantitative survey in (public and private) preschhol institutions at the level of the Provincial Direction of Agadir Ida Outanane.

Digitalisation is the most significant shaping factor of today's economy, creating new opportunities and challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to explore the extent and structural differences in how SMEs in the European Union use cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and how these two technologies are interconnected in terms of digital maturity and competitiveness. The research is based on Eurostat data from 2018 to 2024, applying a descriptive statistical approach. According to the results, cloud computing is the foundation for the digitalisation of SMEs: in 2024, 41.7% of small companies, 59% of medium-sized companies, and 77.6% of large companies utilised cloud services. However, the use of AI is more limited, with 11.2% of small companies, 21% of medium-sized companies, and 41.2% of large companies having adopted AI-based solutions. The data indicate a strong complementary relationship between the two technologies: cloud infrastructure provides the data and computational conditions necessary for AI to operate. At the same time, AI enhances the business value of cloud use by evaluating and automating data. At the sectoral level, the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, along with other knowledge-intensive services, is at the forefront of both technologies. At the same time, the manufacturing and construction industries continue to lag significantly. At the regional level, the high adoption rates in Northern and Western European countries stand in stark contrast to those in Eastern and Southern Europe, where technological infrastructure, digital competencies, and investment opportunities are more limited. The study concludes that cloud and AI technologies are not only complementary but also form the basis of digital development for SMEs. The success of digitalisation is also a result of organisational and cultural adaptation. The long-term competitiveness of SMEs depends on their ability to integrate these technologies into their operations with a strategic approach and conscious innovation.

Virtual Education was born in 2002 from a joint project between the Center for Improvement, Experimentation and Pedagogical Research CPEIP and the Links Center for Education and Technology. CPEIP has developed a line of distance teacher training through the Internet, running several courses since 2002, and Links during the last For 15 years, it has dedicated its efforts to providing teachers and students with access to educational opportunities associated with new information and communication technologies. Both institutions decided to join forces and develop a joint project that integrates the CPEIP distance teacher training line, until now aimed at updating the curriculum, different strategies to support the appropriation of ICTs and their curricular integration.

BackgroundThe widespread use of digital technologies has raised growing concerns about their impact on mental health. While self-regulation has been proposed as a protective factor, little is known about how distinct psychological profiles based on self-regulatory and technology use patterns relate to psychological distress. Person-centered approaches, such as latent profile analysis, may offer deeper insights, particularly in underrepresented populations.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify latent psychological profiles based on self-regulation, nomophobia (fear of being without a phone), and problematic use of the internet and social media (defined by behavioral symptoms), to examine their associations with general psychological distress and the presence of emotional symptoms in a Colombian sample. Additionally, the predictive roles of age and gender in class membership were explored.MethodsParticipants were recruited through a convenience sampling strategy aimed at ensuring heterogeneity of the sample in terms of age and gender. A total of 453 participants aged 12 to 57 years (mean 21.03, SD 8.41 years; 257/453, 56.7% female) completed validated measures of self-regulation (Abbreviated Self-Regulation Questionnaire), nomophobia (Nomophobia Questionnaire), internet and social media use (MULTICAGE-TIC, a multidomain screening questionnaire based on the CAGE framework), and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12). Latent profile analysis was conducted using standardized scores of continuous variables. Model fit was assessed using the Bayesian information criterion, entropy, and bootstrapped likelihood ratio test. Differences in psychological distress scores across latent classes were examined through variance analysis (ANOVA) and regression models. A multinomial logistic regression tested the predictive value of age and gender for class membership.ResultsThe optimal solution revealed 4 distinct latent profiles (entropy=0.85). Class 1 showed high self-regulation and low problematic technology use, displaying the lowest psychological distress scores. Class 2 presented moderate levels across all indicators but the highest level of psychological distress. Classes 3 and 4 showed mixed patterns. Class 3 (higher information and communication technology [ICT] use and lower self-regulation) exhibited lower distress than class 2, whereas class 4 (younger individuals with low self-regulation and moderately high ICT use) showed higher distress than class 3. Psychological distress differed significantly across profiles (ANOVA, P<.001). Age and gender predicted class membership. Older males were more likely to belong to class 1, and younger females were more likely to be classified into classes 3 and 4.ConclusionsLatent profile analysis identified distinct configurations of digital behavior, self-regulation, and psychological distress. Self-regulation consistently differentiated profiles with lower distress scores, suggesting its relevance for understanding how individuals manage ICT use. These findings support the value of person-centered approaches to characterize heterogeneous patterns of technology-related behaviors. The study provides evidence from a Spanish-speaking sample, offering a novel perspective on psychological distress and problematic technology use in contexts that remain underrepresented in the literature.

Information and communication Technology (ICT) nowadays have great impact on the construction industry and the way it works. The technology is viewed as crucial for effective and successful project delivery in construction organisations and the industry as a whole. ICT usage in most construction firms have often been described as relatively limited and ineffective compared to other sectors in most economies. The study brings to fore, the need for adequate adoption of ICT in building construction practice in Kaduna State, this research focuses on reasons hindering ICT usage by building contractors in Kaduna State. A survey based on structured questionnaire was used to elicit the relevant data from 45 contractors based on purposive sampling. While thirty-two (32) respondents completed the questionnaire and valid for use. The data was analysed using frequency analysis, mean score. The findings suggested that budget constraints for ICT investments form the financial sub- group, lack of commitment by firm’s management towards ICT form the human sub-group and lack of training and technical support for construction professionals in ICT form the technical sub- group with mean scores of 3.61, 3.53 and 3.49 respectively were the top most critical factors hindering use of ICT by building contractors in Kaduna State. The study has shown that there is a need for contractors’ financial support for ICT investments, construction client interest in contractors’ ICT capacity, improved training and management for ICT and improved ICT content in construction education at all levels to address ICT adoption barriers in building contractor firms in Kaduna and construction industry as a whole.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, technology integration is essential in developing 21st-century competencies among learners. This study examined the level of 21st-century teaching practices, attitudes toward technology, and technology-enhanced learning (TEL) integration among public secondary school teachers in the Division of El Salvador City. Specifically, it assessed teaching practices in learning and innovation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and life and career skills; gauged attitudes based on willingness, confidence, and perceived usefulness; measured TEL integration in instructional strategies, student engagement, and learning outcomes; and explored the relationships among these domains. Using a descriptive correlational survey design, data were collected from 134 teachers selected through stratified random sampling. A validated questionnaire was utilized, and data were analyzed using percentage and frequency for profiling, mean and standard deviation for assessing levels, and Pearson’s r for correlation analysis. Findings revealed a high application of 21st-century teaching practices, with Life and Career Skills rated highest, showing teachers’ focus on adaptability, collaboration, and preparing students for real-world challenges. ICT integration was strong, as teachers frequently used digital tools to enhance instruction. Attitudes toward technology were highly positive, particularly in confidence and willingness, though perceived usefulness was slightly lower. TEL integration was also high, marked by creative use of multimedia, simulations, and collaborative platforms to improve engagement and learning outcomes. In conclusion, teachers demonstrated strong 21st-century teaching practices and positive attitudes toward technology, reflecting competence, confidence, and adaptability to digital innovations. These factors significantly influenced the high level of technology-enhanced learning integration observed, underscoring teachers’ vital role in fostering digital transformation and student success in modern education. Significant positive correlations were found between teaching practices and TEL integration, as well as between attitudes and TEL integration. The study recommends promoting reflective practices, providing targeted professional development, and designing inclusive, interactive digital tasks to sustain engagement and support future-ready education.

With the advancement of digital and communication technology, modern critical infrastructure systems, e.g., power grids, tend to be controlled automatically and remotely through cyber systems. Such cyber-physical systems (CPS) promote more efficient operations but induce synergetic physical and cyber vulnerabilities in coupling network structures. These hybrid threats necessitate risk analysis and resilience enhancement of CPS from the cyber-physical perspective. We propose a stochastic defender-attacker-defender model with the consideration of both uncertain physical disruptions and malicious cyber attacks to secure CPS against hybrid risks. The developed model provides decision-makers with resilient allocating and operating strategies for distributed energy resources and intelligent firewalls in CPS. The most threatening cyber attack scenario, which targets the availability and integrity of information systems simultaneously, is formulated with the consideration of incomplete knowledge to realistically simulate cyber risks. A Column-Constraints-Generation based adaptive algorithm is developed to address the challenges that come from multi-level stochastic optimization and asymmetric information. Detailed case studies are conducted in the Hong Kong distribution system and Florida power grid with their communication systems to showcase the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The analytical results reveal the interactions and characteristics of concurrent cyber-physical threats and offer valuable managerial insights for decision-makers to deploy defense strategies.

CoDEA: A framework for extraction and augmentation of cooperative lane-changing scenarios from naturalistic driving data.

‘Smart’ mobile communication technologies have ushered in new patterns of human-machine enmeshment that fundamentally alter the way people perceive, remember, think, communicate, act, and play. Over the past 2 decades, especially, these algorithmically enabled devices have diffused into human culture at an unprecedented pace and scale. Any so-equipped person can attest to the powerful effects such technological relation entails. However, tweens and teens today are particularly susceptible to these alterations given the largely unconscious nature of their enmeshment. The article begins with an important piece of techno-cultural history that frames the current state of affairs, then details a thematic sampling of data drawn from a multi-year ethnographic inquiry into the relationships these young people develop with their favorite machines. The article concludes with some practical suggestions, including structured interventions that can help address various cognitive and corporeal imbalances incurred through a smartphone-mediated life as the 2026 mid-terms and 2028 general election come into view for this consequential segment of the population.

The increasing advancement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to the adoption of Health Information Systems (HIS) in healthcare settings to enhance service delivery. This study evaluated the effect of HIS implementation on the timeliness of medical claims submission within the National Catholic Health Service (NCHS) in Ghana. Using longitudinal data from 2010 to 2019, the study compared monthly claims submission times across facilities using both paper-based and electronic HIS. The number of days taken to submit claims each month was analyzed using a segmented Interrupted Time-Series approach, employing the Prais-Winsten method. This allowed comparison of claim submission times before and after HIS adoption. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the overall impact across facilities. Facilities using HIS submitted claims significantly faster than those using paper-based systems, with average submission times of 35.11 days versus 56.51 days, respectively (p < 0.0001). HIS implementation led to an immediate 5.84-day reduction in average submission time. Findings showed that over 75% of the facilities achieved timely submission of claims. In conclusion, HIS significantly improves the timeliness of medical claims submission. Scaling up HIS use for claims processing can enhance efficiency and promote prompt reimbursements from health insurers.

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is increasingly recognized as a driver for educational inclusivity and improved learning outcomes. This study investigated basic ICT literacy as a tool for educational inclusion in under-resourced public secondary schools in Nagazi–Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design adopting a mixed-methods approach was used. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 344 respondents comprising students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, alongside in-depth interviews with six senior school personnel. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests at the 0.05 level of significance, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that ICT facilities were largely inadequate and that ICT use during classroom teaching was minimal. Although ICT was widely perceived to improve understanding and increase students’ interest in learning, no significant relationship was found between ICT availability and educational inclusion. Although, basic ICT literacy showed a significant relationship with students’ engagement in teaching and learning. In addition, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, and limited training opportunities were found to significantly hinder effective ICT integration. The qualitative findings supported the survey results, highlighting infrastructural deficiencies alongside positive attitudes towards ICT. The study concludes that ICT has strong potential to enhance educational inclusion and learning engagement but remains constrained by systemic challenges. It recommends targeted government investment in ICT infrastructure, provision of alternative power sources, periodic ICT training for teachers, curriculum-based ICT integration, and strengthened multi-stakeholder partnerships.

ABSTRACT Wireless local area network (WLAN) communication technology is widely used in both civilian and commercial fields due to its high transmission rate, good compatibility, and support for simultaneous multidevice connections. WLAN receiver front‐end (RFE) with high dynamic range and high linearity helps improve information transmission distance and speed. Traditional WLAN RFEs are typically implemented using the CMOS process. However, compared with the GaAs pHEMT process, CMOS exhibits several disadvantages, including higher noise figures, lower output power, and increased insertion losses. To achieve better RF performance, this letter proposes a WLAN RFE structure based on the GaAs pHEMT process that eliminates the need for negative voltage. This design achieves better noise figure (NF) and dynamic range without increasing circuit complexity. Measured results show that the WLAN RFE chip using this topology not only supports the four operating modes required for WLAN but also exhibits a lower NF of 0.7 dB and a higher gain of 16 dB in the RX_LNA mode, along with a P1dB of 17 dBm, all within an area of only 1 × 1.05 mm 2 .

In today’s dynamic business environment, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) serves as a pivotal force driving innovation, particularly in human resource management. One notable advancement is the emergence of smart resume applications, which are reshaping traditional recruitment practices. These systems utilize advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP) to facilitate the automation of resume screening and candidate evaluation processes. This paper presents the development of an Automated Resume Parsing designed to reduce the operational load on human resource professionals. By utilizing NLP techniques, the system extracts key candidate information including name, contact details, educational background, and skills from the resume documents. A custom Named Entity Recognition (NER) model is employed to enhance the accuracy and relevance of extracted data. The model was trained using the SpaCy NLP framework to achieve an overall accuracy of 92.4% and an F1-score of 0.90. The extracted data are presented through an interactive web interface for HR personnel, enabling structured and efficient review of applicant information. The results demonstrate that integrating NLP and machine learning in recruitment systems can significantly enhance automation, consistency, and fairness in candidate evaluation processes. The system's effectiveness was demonstrated through successful extraction and structured presentation of applicant information, aligned with organizational hiring criteria. Beyond technical functionality, this study highlights the potential of such human-centered technologies to enhance decision-making, increase recruitment efficiency, and transform the recruiter-applicant interaction by fostering transparency and fairness in the hiring process.

The use of computer technology and digitalization in the classroom has grown in importance, leading to research into how these tools affect students' ability to learn. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is central to Nigeria’s strategies for workforce development, technological innovation and poverty reduction. Globally, digital technologies and learner-centered electrical/electronic pedagogies have transformed how technical competencies are taught. However, information and communication technology (ICT) integration in electrical/electronic technology (EET) education is still at nascent stage throughout Nigeria, particularly in the government technical institutions of Ekiti State. This study therefore evaluates the pace of integrating information and communication technology-driven pedagogies in Ekiti state government technical colleges in Nigeria.&lt;br /&gt; Quantitative survey methodology of the descriptive type was employed. The study targeted all students enrolled in electrical and electronic technology programs at the government technical colleges in Ekiti State, and a stratified random sample technique was engaged to select 323 students. Descriptive statistics were used to answer the four research questions raised with the use of a validated questionnaire (r=0.91).&lt;br /&gt; The results show that ICT tools, are effectively absent from the instructional repertoire in these technical colleges; institutional integration of ICT in these technical colleges is profoundly deficient; ICT tools not only absence but also potential misalignment between tool availability and pedagogical implementation; with systemic obstacles to ICT-driven pedagogical innovation in these technical colleges.&lt;br /&gt; Implications of these to the government policy on ICT-driven pedagogy was discussed and swift stakeholders’ interventions was recommended among others.

Purpose As technology progresses, information and communication technology (ICT) is increasingly acknowledged as a vital component in mitigating provincial income inequality. This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of provincial competitiveness on the relationship between ICT and income inequality. Design/methodology/approach This study employs panel data at the provincial level in Vietnam from 2018 to 2022 to investigate the moderating effect of provincial competitiveness on the relationship between ICT and income inequality. The generalized method of moments, generalized least squares and Driscoll–Kraay methods for panel data analysis are utilized. Findings The findings reveal that ICT adversely affects income inequality, as confirmed by all three regression analyses. In addition, provincial competitiveness significantly contributes to reducing income inequality within provinces. The study also demonstrates that provincial competitiveness moderates the relationship between ICT and income inequality. Practical implications The insights emphasize the significance of ICT and the positive impact of provincial competitiveness on income inequality, providing strategic policy recommendations for the government to address provincial income inequality. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this pioneering study expands the literature on the knowledge economy by providing empirical evidence of how ICT and provincial competitiveness interact to influence provincial income inequality in emerging economies.