Department Of Science Research Articles

Study on Sensory Analysis of Gulabjamun Prepared by Utilization of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Pulp

Present investigation was carried out at Dairy Science Laboratory of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture, Dr. BSKKV., Dapoli (M.S.) to study the Utilization of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) pulp for the preparation of gulabjamun. In present study, Khoa prepared from buffalo milk and sweet potato pulp was used in preparation of Gulabjamun. Sweet potato pulp was used at five levels i.e., 0,5,10,15,20 whereas khoa was used at 90,85,80,75 and 70 %. Maida was added 10 % at the five-treatment combination. Studied for its sensory properties such as colour and appearance, body and texture, flavour, overall acceptability was carried out by trained panelist using 9-point hedonic scale. It was found that Gulabjamun made from utilization of sweet potato pulp at 15% was best in present investigation and it may conclude that sweet potato pulp can be successfully utilized for preparation of gulabjamun.

Insights into Health Program Implementation and Evaluation in Iran: A Brief Review of National Healthcare Programs in Iran

Background: Healthcare program monitoring can play a key role in evaluating their implementation and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Methods: This study was performed with the exploratory sequential mixed methods design in 2023 at Tehran, Iran. The information was categorized into indicators, refining, analysis, interpretation, reporting, and proposed challenges and recommendations. Results: Medical Sciences Department of Public Health (TUMSDoPH) evaluation of its public health programs revealed a comprehensive approach covering a wide spectrum from disease management to health promotion, emphasizing electronic health records, targeted disease interventions, and strategies for non-communicable diseases, alongside efforts to enhance community health. Conclusion: There is a need for initiating “the monitoring committee” under the supervision of the deputy chancellor for public health to monitor key performance indicators and policies to discover the problems of each part of the health system and provide recommendations.

Students’ Perceptions on Chemistry Education Programme: A Qualitative Inquiry in Faculty of Education

This article examines the efficacy of the Chemistry Education program offered by the Department of Science and Environment Education, Central Department of Education, Tribhuvan University. It also explores students' perceptions and experiences regarding the program, focusing on its strengths and challenges. Using purposive sampling, ten students enrolled in the Science Education program were selected for data collection through face-to-face interviews and conversations. Verbatim and conversational analyses were employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that the culture of teaching and learning has shifted from traditional, teacher-centered approaches to student-centered pedagogies, with a strong emphasis on research-based and project-oriented learning. Students appreciated the comprehensive coverage of theoretical concepts in the Chemistry Education program. However, they expressed concerns about the limited opportunities for practical laboratory work, which they felt hindered their ability to fully grasp and apply the concepts learned in class. Additionally, the study found that while the program integrates theoretical constructs with real-world applications through experiential learning modalities, doubts persist regarding its effectiveness in cultivating skills essential for long-term professional success. It is strongly recommended to elevate the Chemistry Education program by integrating more dynamic and interactive pedagogical approaches to more effectively nurture the skills critical for sustained professional success.

Physical Properties of Soils in Selected Subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte

The study was conducted to analyzed and to determine the physical properties of soil such as texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, soil moisture content, pH, and organic matter content in selected subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte. Analysis of pH, texture, water holding capacity, and organic matter was at the Soil Research Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SRTPAL) Department of Agronomy and Soil Science (DASS) VSU Baybay, Leyte. While the bulk density, soil moisture content was computed using the standard formula. To analyzed the result Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS Program to determine whether soils from subdivisions categorized as waterlogged and mountainous, developed and developing subdivisions derived from their filling and parent materials were significant different. The results showed that soils from various categories from subdivisions had no significant effect on bulk density, water holding capacity, & soil moisture content. However, some properties such as soil pH were significant in the waterlogged and mountainous area. It is recommended that a further study be conducted to include all appropriate soil parameters and procedures such as liming for acid soils, cause of erosion, flooding, water drainage capacity, depth to water table and other significant soil quality parameters. Also recommend for in-depth study by the developers and engineers to ensure that the soil quality be suitable for housing and for the safety of the homeowners.

Exploiting LSTM Neural Network Algorithm Potentiality for Early Identification of Delayed Graduation in Higher Education

Adoption of deep learning classification algorithms in the domain area of higher education provides exploratory predictive data analytics able to exploit students’ academic behavior. Concretely, student retention and success are critical concerns in higher education globally. Timely identification of potential delays in graduation is essential for universities to provide effective interventions and support, ensuring students’ progress efficiently and maintaining high graduation rates, thereby enhancing institutional reputation. This study examines data from a typical computer science department of a central Greek university, covering student performance for almost two decades (1999-2018). Through extended data preprocessing, we developed a robust dataset focusing on key courses indicative of students' likelihood to graduate on time or experience delays. We employed a deep learning Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Neural Network algorithm, leveraging this dataset to classify and predict students' final academic outcomes. Our findings reveal that early-semester performance data can successfully forecast graduation timelines, enabling proactive educational strategies to support student success during their studies at the university.

Student- Centered Learning, Teaching and Assessment – Student Opinion

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine Technical' subjective perceptions of the extent to which learning, teaching and assessment at the university are student-centered. Theoretical Framework: The study draws on Part 1.3 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) - Student-centered learning, teaching and assessment and the results of an empirical study regarding students' subjective perceptions of the implementation of this standard. Method: The methodology adopted for this study comprises a review of research related to the indicators that students use when assessing the degree to which learning is oriented to them and A Tool for Measuring Students' Opinions about the Degree in Which Learning and Teaching are Oriented to Student, created in 2021 at the Department of Social and Legal Sciences of the Technical University of Varna to assess the implementation of Part 1.3 of the Quality Standards for Higher Education. Research Implications: The research conducted shows that the newly developed tool can help in understanding the extent to which learning, teaching and assessment have been student centered. The application of the questionnaire can provide valuable insights into students' subjective perceptions as well as the areas where the implementation of ESG guidelines needs to be improved. Originality/Value: We believe that the main contribution of this study is in providing evidence for the use of a questionnaire directly aimed at assessing and self-assessing the extent to which ESG standards and guidelines relating to learning and teaching are being met.

Waste Analysis and Characterization Study in a Philippine Science and Technology Research and Development Institution

This paper presents the conduct of Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) in the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ITDI) in Taguig City, Philippines. The study was produced following the introduction of 2020 guidelines developed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the Philippines to determine waste generation and generation rate per source, as well as waste composition, per capita generation, and bulk densities of the generated wastes. This then provided fundamental data in the formulation of initial plans and programs for the proper management of solid wastes in the institution. From the gathered results, DOST-ITDI generates 91.56 kg/day of solid waste during the dry season, and 77.54 kg/day during the wet season. The generated waste is composed of residuals for disposal (35.93% and 37.75%, dry and wet season), biodegradables (27.80% and 21.46%), and recyclables (22.54% and 28.95%). Per capita generation rates of 0.21 kg/capita/day (dry season) and 0.18 kg/capita/day (wet season) were also recorded. The research and development cluster of divisions was determined as a major contributor of waste at 42.37 to 57.62 kg/day. Bulk density values varied between waste fractions, with the main residuals for disposal components being the bulkiest at 29.27 to 32.90 kg/m3. The data collected from the study provided significant information useful in efforts to initiate programs for diversion of biodegradables, recyclables, and residuals-with further potential for recycling wastes, reducing residuals for disposal through proper segregation and recovery, and determining gaps and opportunities in plans, policies, and programs to improve solid waste management of the institution.

Bridging The Gap: Promoting Faculty Diversity to Align With Student Demographics

In many kinesiology and health care science departments in the United States, there is a mismatch between the demographic composition of the student population and the faculty cohort. That is, although student populations are more diverse, the faculty cohort does not reflect this same diversity. The purpose of this paper is threefold: (a) Provide background information on the faculty–student mismatch, (b) discuss reactive strategies to increase diversity among a faculty cohort, and (c) discuss proactive strategies to increase diversity among a faculty cohort. Our approach is pragmatic and concise, which will give the reader various strategies they can incorporate to increase diversity in their faculty cohort.

Hispanic Faculty Trends in U.S. Medical Schools: A 50-Year Perspective

The U.S. Hispanic population has grown substantially over the past 50 years, and simultaneously, the number of U.S. medical schools and medical school faculty has increased. This study examines the trends for Hispanic faculty in clinical and basic science departments at U.S. medical schools. Method This retrospective, cross-sectional observational study analyzed data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Roster for faculty at all LCME-accredited medical schools from 1973 to 2022. Proportions of faculty were compared according to department, sex, rank, and Hispanic status using a 2-independent-sample t-test and simple linear regressions. Results The percentage of Hispanic medical school faculty increased from 1.7% in 1973 to 5.4% in 2022, with similar rates of increase in basic science and clinical departments. In 2022, departments with the highest representation of Hispanic faculty included family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. The departments with the lowest representation of Hispanic faculty were orthopedic surgery and otolaryngology. In 2022, only 1.5% and 3.1% of all full professors were Hispanic females and males, respectively. Conclusion There was a minimal increase in the percentage of Hispanic faculty in medical schools over the last 50 years, and the rank was disproportionally higher at the Assistant Professor level, particularly for females. The combination of a rapid increase in the U.S. Hispanic population and a slow increase in Hispanic faculty has resulted in Hispanic medical school faculty being more underrepresented in academic medicine in 2022 than in 1973.

A framework for training graduate students and campus communities in inclusive teaching.

While graduate student teaching assistants (TAs) contribute significantly to university education, many graduate programs across diverse disciplines offer limited formal pedagogical training. In turn, many researchers informally develop teaching and mentoring skills as they advance to faculty positions or related careers. This can perpetuate a lag in the implementation of inclusive educational environments despite the clear benefits demonstrated by recent pedagogical research. For instance, the integration of inclusive teaching strategies like universal design for learning, growth mindset feedback, and the use of relatable role models in curricula may help increase the persistence, success, and self-efficacy of traditionally underrepresented groups in the sciences. Additionally, research indicates that training graduate TAs in evidence-based practices may have benefits beyond teaching efficacy, such as greater confidence in research preparedness and science communication-skills applicable to any scientific field or career path. Here, we developed and implemented an inclusive teaching series for a marine science department that included: (i) campus-wide pedagogical journal article discussions and knowledge-sharing, (ii) expert-led interactive workshops on evidence-based teaching strategies, and (iii) a graduate TA professional development module on inclusive lesson planning with opportunities to teach and receive feedback. Based on our experiences, we share a framework and resources to facilitate a broader adoption of formalized TA training in inclusive teaching practices within graduate programs across a variety of fields.

Methodology Matters: Emplotting Interpretivism in Contemporary Political Science and International Studies

Abstract The visibility and adoption of interpretive research approaches in the post-Perestroika period have increased in the United States, yet common knowledge within political science (PS) and international studies (IS) departments still signals their marginality. This paper stems from the observation that interpretive scholars often share autobiographical narratives or “journey stories” describing how they came to embrace interpretive research despite socio-institutional obstacles. Based on semi-structured interviews and participant observation, it asks: What do the journey stories of both new and established scholars engaged in interpretivism reveal about the sociology of PS and IS academies? Our findings reveal a widespread perception that interpretivism is gaining a foothold in the United States while intimating the spread of neopositivist hegemony, to some degree, to academies abroad. We show how scholars make use of the label “interpretivism” and identify key diffusion pathways responsible for interpretivism’s wider recognition today. In addition, we find that despite shared assumptions of neopositivist hegemony, our interlocutors pursue interpretive research because it provides them with epistemological and experiential congruence. Their journey stories, we argue, point toward an evolving methodological landscape in PS and IS, which in turn shapes what forms of knowledge production are considered legitimate and valuable.

Implementation of the Partnering of the Faculty of Economics, UIN Malang with Madrasah Aliyah (MA) At-Taufiq Bogem Jombang in Increasing the Interest of Santri/Wati in Entrepreneurship

The aim of community service carried out by the Faculty of Economics at UIN Malang with the At-Taufiq Islamic Boarding School is; 1) to find out the results of the implementation of the Faculty of Economics UIN Malang partnership with the At-Taufiq Islamic Boarding School on the interest of santri and female students in entrepreneurship; 2) To find out what factors become obstacles in entrepreneurship. The community service activities the Faculty of Economics at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang carry out are seminars, interactive dialogues, and face-to-face group discussions. The number of participants who attended were 40 female students from the second and third grades of the Social Sciences Department Madrasah Aliyah. The results of this community service are; 1) To increase students' interest in entrepreneurship, this can be done by increasing the knowledge of students and female students related to the world of entrepreneurship; 2) To increase the motivation of santri and female students, provide material with displays in the form of pictures of someone successful in entrepreneurship as well as support from ustazd and ustazdah to the students.

The production study of Auger emitters in platinum group metal for radiotherapy

Targeted radioisotope therapy (TRT) is a type of internal radiotherapy that combines radiation therapy and targeted therapy to eliminate cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue. Radionuclides attached to targeting molecules travel to cancer cells and emit radiation in the form of beta-ray emitting nuclides and alpha nuclides. A third type of nuclide called Auger emitter can be used in a treatment called Auger therapy. Dr Tomoyuki Ohya, Department of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, Institute for Quantum Medical Sciences (iQMS), National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Japan, is interested in Auger therapy as a radiotherapy that only affects the tissues that require treatment. Challenges associated with this treatment are the short range of Auger electrons, meaning that they must be precisely targeted in order to be effective. With a view to overcoming this, Ohya is focusing on Pd-103 and Rh-103m as optimal nuclides for Auger therapy. He is working to develop a technology to facilitate high-quality, large-scale manufacturing that can be applied to the clinical use of Auger therapy, enhancing its efficiency and rendering its use on a wide scale possible. In one project, Ohya investigated the potential of developing an efficient and reliable method for producing Rh-103m. Due to its short half-life it needs to be produced by a generator for clinical use. As the anion-exchange resins used in previously developed generators are no longer commercially available, Ohya and the team prepared and tested generators using commercially available anion-exchange resins.

Building a treatment strategy for depression using antioxidant particles that improves the intestinal environment

Depressive disorder, or depression, is the most common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Yet, there remains much to be discovered about depression. There are existing treatment options but, in treatment-resistant depression, symptoms persist. There is a strong relationship between the gut and the brain and it is possible the gut holds answers for treatment-resistant depression. Dr Yutaka Ikeda, Department of Materials Science at the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, is interested in the effect of the intestinal environment on various diseases. He is working closely with Professor Yukio Nagasaki from the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, and Professor Ryo Inoe at Setsunan University, to investigate drug delivery systems and drug development, with a particular focus on polymer-based drugs. In one project, the researchers explored the involvement of intestinal reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the progress of depression via the gut-brain axis. This is an interesting aspect to investigate as in chronic stress ROS is overproduced and excessive levels disturb the intestinal environment. The researchers designed a novel polymer-based antioxidant called siSMAPoTN with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) shell. The team found that continuous administration of siSMAPoTN reduced oxidative stress in the colon and protected the mucosal layer and intestinal barrier function. This means that by removing excess ROS, it is possible to alleviate the damage caused by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in the intestine.

Aconitine in Synergistic, Additive and Antagonistic Approaches

Aconitine is a highly poisonous C19-diterpenoid alkaloid identified and isolated from the species of the genus Aconitum. Aconitine is indicated in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and, due to its neurotoxic effects, is a very effective drug in pain release. A total of 101 relevant scientific papers were manually searched on the Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed and Dovepress databases and in the books available in the library of the Department of Natural Sciences, the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Pitesti University Centre, Romania. In combination treatments, aconitine shows antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory activity, a synergistic antiproliferative effect and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, an improved biodistribution and bioavailability. Additionally, the entrapment of aconitine in engineered nanoparticles represents a promising method for reducing the toxicity of this alkaloid. This review provides, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the knowledge and research on the synergistic, additive and antagonistic effects of aconitine in combination treatments applied in vivo or in vitro. The summarized studies represent important clues in addressing the multitude of knowledge, which can find their utility in practical and clinical applications.

Teachers’ Perceptions of the Degree of Practicing Organizational Justice among Physical Education and Sports Sciences Department Heads in Selected Universities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The research aims to prepare a measure of organizational justice among department heads of colleges of physical education and sports sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view of teachers, and to identify the level of organizational justice among department heads of colleges of physical education. Physical education and sports sciences in some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view of teachers. The descriptive approach using the survey method for its suitability and the nature of the study. The research community was identified using the intentional method of teachers in the College of Religious Education and Sports Sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq for the academic season (2023-2024), numbering (5) colleges. The researchers used the following statistical parameters to find the results of their research. Using the statistical package (SPSS) (percentage - arithmetic mean - standard deviation - simple correlation coefficient - Spearman Brown), the results were obtained by preparing a measure of organizational justice among heads of departments and colleges of physical education and sports sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view Teachers through scientific procedures. The number of items in the scale was (28) items, distributed over (4) dimensions. The heads of departments of the faculties of physical education and sports sciences of some universities in the Kurdistan Region have a high level of practicing organizational justice.

Undergraduate Research Science Capital: Measuring capacity to engage in research.

Undergraduate research has been identified as a high-impact educational practice. However, despite the body of evidence on the outcomes of undergraduate research, few studies have focused on the influences students face regarding participation. Developed using Science Capital and Social Cognitive Career Theory, a survey comprised of potential influences to undergraduate science research participation was disseminated to science majors at four R1 institutions in the Southeastern United States. Participation rates across several demographic factors and effect of participation influences were analysed. Results reveal a significantly greater proportion of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) and disability communities indicating participating in research than their peers. Additionally, fourteen participation influences were identified as having a significant difference in their level of influence to the ability to participate in research between researchers and non-researchers. These include professor influence, interest in research, interest in science, coursework in the major, and major all being rated as opportunities with a significant difference of effect between researchers and those who have not yet participated in research. The results of this study will be beneficial for science departments and their respective institutions to improve the equity of access to their undergraduate research experiences.

A Culturally Sensitive Mobile App (DiaFriend) to Improve Self-Care in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Development Study.

Mobile apps designed with cultural sensitivity have demonstrated higher user acceptability and greater effectiveness in enhancing self-care skills. However, a significant gap exists in developing such apps for specific populations, such as Portuguese Americans living in southern Massachusetts, home to the second-largest Portuguese community in the United States. This group possesses unique cultural traditions, particularly in dietary practices, including a tendency toward high carbohydrate intake. Tailoring diabetes self-care apps to address these specific cultural requirements could substantially improve diabetes management within this population. The aim of this app development project was to develop a prototype diabetes management app for Portuguese Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus using the design thinking methodology, incorporating user-centered design principles and cultural sensitivity. This paper describes the phase-2 results, focusing on app design and development. Phase 2 of this app development project adhered to the design thinking methodology delineated by the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University, focusing on 2 critical steps: ideation and prototyping. This phase started in March 2022 and continued until April 2024. The project was driven by a multidisciplinary team consisting of 2 nurse educators; an app development specialist; and 2 graduate research assistants from the university's Computer and Information Sciences Department, both well-versed in mobile app development. Data collected during phase 1, which will be published separately, informed the app design and development process. The prototype of the DiaFriend app (version 1) was designed and developed. The app comprises five features: (1) blood glucose monitoring, (2) weight tracking, (3) carbohydrate tracking, (4) exercise log, and (5) medication reminder. The carbohydrate tracking feature was explicitly tailored to correspond to Portuguese food culture. This paper presents the front-end interface flowchart, demonstrating how the user navigates through each screen. It also discusses the challenges faced during the backend development, such as data not being able to be stored and retrieved. The DiaFriend app (version 1) distinguishes itself from conventional diabetes self-care apps through its emphasis on cultural sensitivity. The development of this app underscores the importance of cultural considerations in health informatics. It establishes a foundation for future research in developing and evaluating culturally sensitive mobile health apps. The adaptation of such technologies has the potential to enhance self-care practices among Portuguese Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with improved glycated hemoglobin levels as a potential outcome. The last step of the design thinking methodology, testing the app, will be conducted in phase 3 and the results will be published elsewhere.

Distomolars – Exploring the Rare Clinical Entity in a Northern Nigerian Population

Background: Distomolars are supernumerary teeth erupting distal to the maxillary or mandibular third molars. This present study explored the clinical significance of distomolars in a Nigerian population. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence, clinical significance, and pathologies associated with distomolars in a population of Northern Nigerian adults using dental pantomograms. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria, and it included the extraction of images from the central computer attached to the Planmeca Promax machine. The sampling frame included patients who had dental pantomograms during the two-year period under review. The images were viewed on Planmeca Romexis 4.3.0 R software to identify relevant study variables. Results: Of 4,932 pantomograms reviewed, 107 distomolars were identified. The prevalence of distomolars was 2.17%. The mean age of subjects with a distomolars was 36.25 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.6. Majority of the distomolars were identified in the maxilla (60.75%) and had typical forms (67.3%) and 72.9% of them were seen unerupted. Conclusion: Distomolars occurred more frequently in females in the Nigerian population, commoner in the maxilla, and were predominantly unerupted and smaller in size than the normal adjacent teeth.

Radiographic Study of the Prevalence and Pattern of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars in a Northern Nigerian Population.

Background: The incidence of impacted mandibular and maxillary third molars has become a global public health concern. This study reports a radiographic prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars among a Nigerian population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars in a Northern Nigeria population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Oral Diagnostic Sciences Department of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Digital diagnostic images of patients of record on Planmeca Promax® within the sampling frame and acquired during the two years under review, were included in the study. The images were analyzed on Planmeca Romexis 4.3.0 R software to identify relevant study variables. Descriptive statistics was done using SPSS for windows software version 23.0 (IBM, Chicago IL., USA). Also, Pearson’s Chi‑square (χ2) statistical test was applied while confidence interval and P-value were set at 95% and ≤0.05, respectively. Results: A total of 4,932 pantomographs were reviewed and 576 were selected for the study. There were 824 impacted mandibular third molars within the age range of 18-65 years (mean age±SD = 32.67±9.69). 297 (51.6%) were males, and 279 (48.4%) were females. The prevalence of impacted mandibular third molar was 16.71%. Impacted mandibular third molar occurred more frequently in the 26-35 years age range. The most frequent angle of impaction was horizontal, followed by mesioangular, and the least frequent angulation was distoangular. Conclusion: The prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars among Northern Nigeria population are almost similar to other racial populations with minor variations, and the prevalence decreases with increasing age. A proper radiographic evaluation of the patterns of third molars impaction is, therefore, essential to assist dental surgeons in making decisions with regard to surgical planning and treatment. Key Words: Impacted teeth, panoramic radiograph, third molar.