Scientific Issues Research Articles

Current developments in grain science. Review

An analytical review of publications on the most relevant and promising areas in the field of grain science is presented: innovative technologies for processing cereals, legumes and oilseeds, obtaining composite types of flour and cereals with a balanced composition and functional properties; assessment of their technological, biochemical, rheological and organoleptic indicators. The authors examined options for their use in the production of fortified flour and cereal products for both general and special purposes; enzymatic methods for modifying by-products (secondary products) of grain and grain mixtures processing; the use of microbial enzyme preparations with cellulolytic, proteolytic and phytase action as a tool for deep processing of by-products (secondary raw materials) to obtain grain hydrolysates and structurally modified bran — valuable components for increasing the nutritional and biological value of food products and feed, as well as a source of available nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition for yeast in fermentation technologies; development of methods for determining norms and duration of safe storage of grain and grain products — wheat flour and semolina, based on the acid value of fat; assessment of the quality and microbiological safety of grain; development of requirements for the targeted use of bakery, confectionery, pasta, and culinary flour; scientifically based approaches to measures to protect grain reserves from pests. An analysis of publications that reflect the most important and pressing issues in grain science demonstrates the close relationship between fundamental and applied research, which is generally aimed at ensuring food security and maintaining public health.

Nosiruddin Tusi’s Gnoseological and Logical Views as Well as the Author on these Issues Examples from his Works

This article analyzes the attitude of the famous representative of Arab-Muslim social thought, Nasiruddin Tusi, to the issue of epistemological and logical science. Abu Ja'far Muhammad Nasiruddin Tusi wrote works of great importance in Islamic philosophy and ethics. Philosophical views of the thinker continued the traditions of the ideas of Mashshoyiuna direction.

Naturally acquired microchimerism: clinical, scientific and ethical issues

Microchimerism (MC) is understood as the presence in the body of cells genetically different from the population of the individual, capable of existence and persistence, that is, reproduction and differentiation. This process is associated with the exchange of cellular material between mother and fetus. The consequences of the intrauterine acquisition of maternal MC (MMC) by the fetus are essentially different from the acquisition by the mother of fetal CM (FMC) in the mature state of the organism. Microchimerism has been implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases, but it also helps the body limit a particular disease. Since all these processes take place during the early development of the fetal immune system, the initial response of the immune system is the development of specific tolerance to maternal antigens. MMС can modify immune functions and reactivity through the nongenetic acquisition of cellular and subcellular material. Both FMС and MMС are quite common phenomena, which affects the body of the child and mother, the differentiation and functionality of the host cells. All this allows us to consider foreign cells as a potential target for drugs in the fight against autoimmune diseases or, conversely, stimulation of regeneration processes of damaged tissues. Issues of evolution and prospects for the prevention of various pathological conditions are considered from the standpoint of taking into account maternal and fetal chimerism syndrome.

Incorporating citizen science engagement in a vector surveillance undergraduate internship

Citizen science is recognized as an important tool to engage the public in important scientific and environmental issues that impact them. Mosquito surveillance-based citizen science in college curricula have not received much attention even though its usage has the potential to actively engage students in inquiry and elevate student support for science. FLAGG (Florida Aedes Genome Group) was a course-based internship where college students engaged in mosquito egg collections, learned about disease transmission, and gained an understanding of data collection in scientific research. This paper reports on a study comparing the outcomes of FLAGG participants with students in other college internships and students who had never done an internship. Findings show that participation in the citizen science mosquito control internship not only increased knowledge and skills in mosquito abatement, but also increased confidence and to a certain extent, sense of engagement, when compared to other groups. These results support the inclusion of citizen science methods in college-based curricula, where benefits extend beyond content learning.

Promoting Layered Oxide Cathodes Based on Structural Reconstruction for Sodium‐Ion Batteries: Reversible Phase Transition, Stable Interface Regulation, and Multifunctional Intergrowth Structure

AbstractLayered transition‐metal oxides (NaxTMO2) are one of the most promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries due to their high theoretical specific capacities, good conductivity, and environmental friendliness. However, several key scientific issues of NaxTMO2 cathode materials still persist in practical applications: i) complex phase transitions during the charge/discharge process owing to the slip of the transition‐metal layer; ii) the tendency for the interface to react with the electrolyte, resulting in structure degradation, and iii) reactions between active materials and H2O as well as CO2 on exposure to air in the environment to form alkaline substances on the surface. To understand electrochemical storage mechanisms and solve these problems, several modification strategies of NaxTMO2 have been reported recently, including bulk doping, concentration gradient structure design, interface regulation, and intergrowth structure construction. This review focuses on reversible phase transitions, stable interface regulation, and multifunctional intergrowth structure of the NaxTMO2 material from the inside to the outside. The future research directions for NaxTMO2 are also analyzed, providing guidance for the development of commercial layered oxides for next‐generation energy storage systems.

Investigation of landslide triggers on Mount Oku, Cameroon, using Newmark displacement and cluster analysis

BackgroundThe landslide inventory of the western flank of Mount Oku, Cameroon, includes spreads or complex landslides, indicating sudden soil weakening, possibly due to seismic activity or heavy rainfall causing groundwater rise. These landslides were likely triggered between 2009 and 2018 based on the dates of the aerial imagery. Identifying triggers for past landslides remains a major unresolved issue in landslide science. However, understanding these triggers is crucial for accurately assessing future landslide hazards.MethodologyIn this paper, we investigate the possibility of earthquakes to precondition landslide development or reactivation during climatic events. By assuming a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, an epicenter of 10 km from this area, and different wetness conditions, the factor of safety (FS) and Newmark displacement (ND) models were calculated for shallow and deep-seated landslides with sliding depths of 3 and 7.5 m. Afterward, the relationship between FS, assumed ND, and observed landslides was analyzed in a cluster analysis, to derive patterns of climatically and seismically triggered landslides.ResultsThe comparison of FS maps and FS values of the observed landslides revealed that especially for landslides at 7.5 m depth, most sites that are stable during dry conditions become instable under saturated conditions, indicating a climatic trigger. At 3 m depth, however, some landslide sites that are still marginally stable under saturated conditions, display relatively high ND values for the investigated hypothetical earthquake, indicating a possible seismic influence. In the cluster analysis, we clustered the observed landslides according to their distances to rivers and topographic ridges and obtained three clusters. Landslides from cluster 3 with 31% of the landslides display medium to high ND for the assumed earthquake, and were found near ridges and farther away from rivers, suggesting seismic triggering. Cluster 2, with 12% of landslides closer to rivers, suggested climatic origins. Thus, while climate is a critical landslide contributing factor, seismic events may also contribute, either by predisposing to landslides or by reactivating them alongside climatic factors. These results enable the establishment of more precise and effective landslide mitigating measures considering mostly rainfall but also earthquakes as possible triggers.

A New Framework for Food Catering Price Determination

This article aims to propose a reasonable quantitative (mathematical) expressions for the price calculation of food-manufacturing products. Little research has been conducted on the validity of food product pricing; thus we have identified a need for a thorough, systematic investigation in this area. The suggested three methods are also applicable for developing the artificial intelligence system to solve raw food material (resources) quantity management and other inventory issues in collaboration with the food suppliers. We consider the option of an appropriate pricing strategy in the profit-making catering and other food production firms to be a relevant scientific issue, which we have have addressed and proposed solutions for in this article. By analyzing different scientific assumptions and attitudes, informed quantitative decisions were made. We also developed and described quantitative expressions for determining the price of food products using mathematical formulas. Also, we found that a simple three-digit rule, based on logic and proportional modeling of actions, as the main instrument is the most effective approach for formulating these pricing models. Original and innovative mathematical methods for the price accounting of food production have been created and explained. We have also explained how each of the three suggested methods works, along with their advantages and disadvantages in certain situations. Using these recommended methods of pricing will allow food companies to achieve more appropriate commercial results and to make less expenditure for decisions regarding the pricing of food products. In the article, we explained how to calculate the prices of food and catering companies using simple math. The application of any of the three mentioned techniques regarding existing circumstance will enable food production companies to ensure a straightforward yet accurate determination of the product price that aligns with the current situation.

Quantifying convergence and consistency.

The reproducibility crisis highlights several unresolved issues in science, including the need to develop measures that gauge both the consistency and convergence of data sets. While existing meta-analytic methods quantify the consistency of evidence, they do not quantify its convergence: the extent to which different types of empirical methods have provided evidence to support a hypothesis. To address this gap in meta-analysis, we and colleagues developed a summary metric-the cumulative evidence index (CEI)-which uses Bayesian statistics to quantify the degree of both consistency and convergence of evidence regarding causal hypotheses between two phenomena. Here, we outline the CEI's underlying model, which quantifies the extent to which studies of four types-positive intervention, negative intervention, positive non-intervention and negative non-intervention-lend credence to any of three types of causal relations: excitatory, inhibitory or no-connection. Along with p-values and other measures, the CEI can provide a more holistic perspective on a set of evidence by quantitatively expressing epistemic principles that scientists regularly employ qualitatively. The CEI can thus address the reproducibility crisis by formally demonstrating how convergent evidence across multiple study types can yield progress toward scientific consensus, even when an individual type of study fails to yield reproducible results.

Tatars in the regular army during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaigns of 1813–1814

One of the topical issues of historical science in the Russian Federation is the analysis and popularization of historical information about the participation of the peoples of the country in military campaigns to protect the Fatherland from foreign intervention. The purpose of the study is to tell about the service of Tatars, both officers and lower ranks, in the regular army during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaigns of 1813–1814. Actualization of interest to the military history of the Tatar people during the period of the Russian Empire as a whole, with the search and bringing into the public space the names of heroes and participants of military campaigns, is also one of the tasks of this study. The leading method in studying this problem was an integrated approach based on the study of different types of sources. Research materials: the work involves special historical research (monographs and scientific articles), published and unpublished historical sources of the first quarter of the 19th century, reference publications. Results and scientific novelty of the work: the facts of the service of the Tatar people in the regular army during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaigns of 1813–1814 have been established, the personalities of Tatar officers, both from among the nobility and from the lower ranks, as well as soldiers and sailors from the Tatars who served in the regular army have been identified. Biographies of veterans of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaigns of 1813–1814 from the Tatars are given. For citation: Abdullin Kh.M. Tatars in the regular army during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaigns of 1813–1814. From History and Culture of Peoples of the Middle Volga Region. 2024, vol.14, no.3, pp.96–107. https://doi.org/10.22378/2410-0765.2024-14-3.96-107

Framing challenges and polarized issues in invasion science: toward an interdisciplinary agenda

Abstract In a hyperconnected world, framing and managing biological invasions poses complex and contentious challenges, affecting socioeconomic and environmental sectors. This complexity distinguishes the field and fuels polarized debates. In the present article, we synthesize four contentious issues in invasion science that are rarely addressed together: vocabulary usage, the potential benefits of nonnative species, perceptions shifting because of global change, and rewilding practices and biological invasions. Researchers have predominantly focused on single issues; few have addressed multiple components of the debate within or across disciplinary boundaries. Ignoring the interconnected nature of these issues risks overlooking crucial cross-links. We advocate for interdisciplinary approaches that better integrate social and natural sciences. Although they are challenging, interdisciplinary collaborations offer hope to overcome polarization issues in invasion science. These may bridge disagreements, facilitate knowledge exchange, and reshape invasion science narratives. Finally, we present a contemporary agenda to advance future research, management, and constructive dialogue.

Recent Research on the Optimization of Interfacial Structure and Interfacial Interaction Mechanisms of Metal Matrix Composites: A Review

Interfaces in metal matrix composites (MMCs) are crucial in determining the mechanical properties and functionality of MMCs. This article reviews recent scientific advances and issues related to MMC interfaces from four different perspectives: interfacial structural design, interfacial defect control, thermodynamics and kinetics of interfacial reactions, and interfacial microstructure properties‐based numerical simulation. The influence of interfacial microstructural features on interfacial strength–toughness trade‐offs and their functionality is given special attention. The interfacial problem is still one of the main challenges to be solved in the composite system, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects: interfacial microstructure–deformation mechanisms in complex systems, precise control of interfacial defects and interfacial reaction products, and the efficient and cost‐effective application of numerical simulation techniques. The integrated computation and intelligent design (artificial intelligence) of composites through multiscale computational simulation with the guidance of “interface design‐property prediction” will be the key area of MMC interface research in the future.

Development of Slow-Release Fertilizers with Function of Water Retention Using Eco-Friendly Starch Hydrogels

Over the past two decades, the development and commercialization of slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) have significantly advanced, with the primary aim of mitigating environmental issues associated with excessive fertilizer use. A range of methodologies, including chemical and physical reactions, incorporation into carriers with porous and layered structures, and coating techniques, have been explored and refined. On the other hand, global challenges such as drought and desertification further underscore the need for SRFs that not only control nutrient release but also improve soil moisture retention. This paper reviews the development and application of eco-friendly starch hydrogels as fertilizer carriers and water retention for SRFs, particularly starch-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) produced through grafting copolymerization with acrylamide. This review explores both scientific issues, such as the microstructures and releasing mechanisms of SAPs, and technical development, involving copolymerization technologies, multi-initialization processes, methods of loading fertilizer into hydrogel, etc. Starch, as both a biodegradable and renewable carbohydrate polymer, offers distinct advantages due to its excellent chemical stability and high reactivity. The fabrication techniques of SAPs have been developed from traditional batch polymerization in aqueous solutions to more efficient, solvent-free reactive extrusion. The benefits of SRFs based on SAPs encompass enhanced soil aeration, the prevention of soil deterioration, the minimization of water evaporation, environmental pollution control, reduction in plant mortality, and prolonged nutrient retention within soil. In this review, we summarize the current progress, identify limitations in existing technologies, and propose future research directions to further enhance the performance of starch-based SRFs.

Performance Evaluation of Pebble Concrete for Pavement: A Study on the Sucre Highway Project

Bolivia has abundant pebbles, while the supply of crushed stone is limited and unstable. Thus, the resource utilization of local pebble as a coarse aggregate and the guarantee of concrete durability are the key scientific issues in the Sucre Highway Project. In this paper, a comparative analysis was conducted of the performance of crushed stone concrete and pebble concrete. Additionally, the impact of fly ash on the water permeability resistance of concrete was investigated. The results indicate that the apparent density, bulk density, and void ratio of pebbles are lower than those of crushed stone, and the aggregate gradation of pebbles is dispersed. The type of aggregate is the primary factor influencing the splitting tensile strength of concrete, with the main failure modes of pebble concrete being slurry cracking, aggregate crushing, and interface debonding. While aggregate and fly ash have a minor effect on compressive strength, they significantly impact flexural tensile strength; however, all concretes meet the requirements for extra-heavy, very heavy, and heavy traffic load levels. In terms of impermeability, fly ash effectively mitigates the negative impact of aggregate type on the impermeability of concrete. These findings support the application of pebble concrete in the highway project.

Sustainable groundwater regulation in typical irrigation areas of inland river basins based on ecological indicators and the MIKE-SHE hydrological model

Study regionThe study area is located in the Nukus irrigation area on the lower reaches of the Amudarya River in Uzbekistan. Study focusThe extensive agricultural land development has introduced a substantial amount of water resources into the irrigation area, leading to a significant rise in regional groundwater levels. Quantifying regional groundwater resource issues and achieving sustainable groundwater management under conditions of high spatiotemporal heterogeneity are key scientific issues for regional ecological protection. Thus, this study used the concept of ecological water level to quantify groundwater issues, used the MIKE-SHE hydrological model to conduct scenario simulations, formulated and subsequently evaluated a groundwater regulation plan with spatiotemporal attributes. New hydrological insights for the regionRegional sustainable development groundwater level should be within the range of 1.78–2.78 m. During the irrigation and non-irrigation periods, the groundwater levels in approximately 84.3 % and 72.2 % of the study area respectively exceeded the upper and lower ecological water level limits. Under the background of gradually increasing groundwater fluctuations, it will pose a serious threat to regional ecology. Therefore, this paper established a monthly-scale groundwater zoning control plan, which can make the area of regional groundwater within the ecological water level reach 87.53 %. All research not only contributes to the protection of the local ecological environment but also provides valuable insights for water resources management in other regions.

Mechanical Properties of Full-Scale Wooden Beams Strengthened with Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Sheets

The strengthening, rehabilitation and repair of wooden beams and beams made of wood-based materials are still important scientific and technical issues. This is reflected, among other things, in the number of scientific articles appearing and the involvement of research centres around the world. This is also related to society’s growing belief in the importance of ecological and sustainable development. This article presents an overview of the latest work in this field and the results of our own research on strengthening solid wooden beams with carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. The tests were carried out on full-size solid beams with nominal dimensions of 70 × 170 × 3300 mm. A 0.333 mm thick CFRP sheet was used for reinforcement. The research analysed various reinforcement configurations and different reinforcement ratios. For the most effective solution, a 46% increase in load capacity, 35% stiffness and 249% ductility were achieved with a reinforcement ratio of 1.7%. Generally, the higher the reinforcement ratio and coverage of the surface of the wood, the higher the strengthening effectiveness. The brittle fracture of wood in the tensile zone for unreinforced beams and the ductile crushing of wood in the compressive zone for reinforced beams were obtained. The most important achievement of this work is the description of the static work of beams in previously unanalysed configurations of strengthening and the confirmation of their effectiveness. The described solutions should extend the life of existing wooden buildings and structures and increase the competitiveness of wooden-based structures. The results indicate that, from the point of view of optimizing the cost of reinforcement, it is crucial to develop cheaper ways of combining wood and composite than to verify different types of fibres.

Identification of Peptide Binding Motifs for Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate UsingPhage Display.

Selective control over crystallization in complex multicomponent systems such as hydrating cements is a key issue in modern material science. In this context, rational selection-based approaches appear highly promising in the quest for new additive chemistries. Here we have used phage display to identify peptide structures showing high affinity to adsorb on the surfaces of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (also referred to as bassanite), an important hydraulic binder employed in large scales by the construction industry. The results suggest a triplet of amino acids consisting of aspartic acid, serine and leucine, to maintain strong interactions with the surfaces of hemihydrate particles. This notion is confirmed by actual hydration experiments, in which the identified peptide motif provides strictly selective effects during the transformation of bassanite into more stable gypsum. Our work thus contributes to a better understanding of hydraulic binders and their required improvement for a sustainable future.

Microstructure formation mechanisms and property regulation methods during ceramic additive manufacturing

Anisotropic surface lamellar defects, dimensional shrinkage, and bending strength are important scientific issues that constrain vat photopolymerization additive manufacturing of biological, electronic, and core ceramics with high precision and complex structures. Through the single-factor experiment of photoinitiator concentration, average particle size, volume fraction, and refractive index constant in ceramic-resin slurry, this work studies the photopolymerization characteristics and profile curves, surface lamellar defects, and crosslinking density, verifies the reliability of the photopolymerization profile equations affected by the slurry composition, and acquires the anisotropic property formation mechanisms and control methods. The single-point scanning photopolymerization profile shape is parabolic, resulting in x-, y-, and z-direction lamellar defects before and after sintering (1550 °C), with no obvious weakening. After the quantitative description of the lamellar defects, the average surface roughnesses before and after sintering of the green body are 6.82 and 4.92 μm, respectively. Additionally, the laser energy attenuation along the penetration direction induces a gradient distribution of crosslinking density in the photopolymerization profile region. The crosslinking density gradient distribution of the decay from the slurry surface toward the depth direction is influenced by the slurry component concentration, leading to a gradient of cured powder concentration, which induces anisotropic behaviors. Through the crosslinking density controlling, the average bending strength in x(y) and z directions is increased by 63.19 % (46 %), the difference in anisotropic strength is reduced by 22.55 %, and the dimensional shrinkage difference of x and z directions is reduced by 48.32 %. This provides a theoretical and experimental research basis for ceramic vat photopolymerization with high dimensional accuracy, excellent performance, and morphology control.

A “rotating menu” of medical uncertainty for families affected by telomere biology disorders: A qualitative interview study

BackgroundMedical uncertainty may cause distress and challenge medical decision-making for patients with rare diseases and their caregivers. Few studies have examined the experience and management of medical uncertainty in rare disease and the dynamics of multiple medical uncertainty sources, issues, and management strategies. ObjectiveWe explored the experience and management of uncertainty in individuals with telomere biology disorders (TBDs), a set of rare cancer-prone bone marrow failure syndromes, and their caregivers. DesignParticipants (N = 32) in this qualitative-descriptive study were individuals with a TBD (n = 17) and/or their caregivers (n = 15). We thematically analyzed transcripts to describe the presence and dynamics of medical uncertainty in TBDs using categories from a previously published taxonomy. ResultsIndividuals with TBDs and caregivers described medical uncertainty as a chronic burden embodied amidst a range of interrelated sources and issues. Scientific uncertainty included diagnostic and prognostic ambiguity. Practical uncertainty focused on logistical challenges of building and maintaining medical care teams. Personal uncertainty included difficulty realigning self-identity, goals, and relationship expectations post-diagnosis. Scientific, practical, and personal uncertainty issues were entangled. The rarity of TBDs resulted in limited scientific knowledge, which gave rise to practical and personal uncertainties affecting medical decision-making and relationship formation (e.g., creating trusted care teams where patient knowledge of TBDs may exceed that of clinicians). Participants used multiple strategies for uncertainty management, particularly information-seeking and community-building. However, these management strategies could intensify, rather than resolve, participants’ medical uncertainty. ConclusionIn TBDs, medical uncertainty manifests as a network of multiple, interrelated, sources and issues, which require evolving management strategies. Researchers must be mindful that complex, synergistic uncertainty networks contribute to psychosocial challenges in TBDs. Additional research is warranted to address scientific uncertainty in TBDs, including clinical manifestations and underlying biology, and to develop psychosocial interventions that recognize and anticipate evolving uncertainty.

Transforming science literacy: assessing the ability of chemistry teacher candidates through the viewpoint of Islamic values

Science literacy assessment is important to familiarize students with literacy questions based on aspects of science knowledge and its interaction with the environment, technology, and society. Students' low science literacy is often caused by teachers' low science literacy. This study aims to analyze (1) the science literacy skills of chemistry education students in basic chemistry courses; and (2) the science literacy skills of chemistry education students based on competency aspects which are divided into three achievement indicators. This research is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, with subjects 21 semester 6 students of the chemistry education study program at UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung. The instrument used was a scientific literacy test in the form of an essay test with 22 questions which have been validated by 2 chemistry education lecturers, and the test results with a test reliability of 0.629, as well as a difficulty level of 1 easy question, 19 medium, and 2 difficult. The results showed that (1) students' science literacy skills were in the "sufficient" category with an average score of 43.9. (2) Analysis based on competency aspects shows the ability to explain phenomena scientifically and identify scientific issues is in the sufficient category, but the use of scientific evidence is low. The findings are expected to provide input to improve learning and practice of science literacy in preparing students as future educators.

Development of Student Worksheets (LKPD) Based on Socio-Scientific Issue (SSI) on Flat Form Topics to Improve Reading Literacy and Numeration Skills

This study explores the development and effectiveness of student worksheets (LKPD) based on Socio Scientific Issues (SSI) to enhance reading literacy and numeracy skills among fifth-grade students. Conducted at SDN Jabontegal, SDN Lebaksono, and SD Islam Nahrul Ulum, the research identifies the challenges faced by students in implementing independent learning policies and the inadequacy of existing teaching materials in improving literacy and numeracy. The LKPD was designed to integrate reading and numeracy skills through contextual issues related to the students’ environment, such as historical events and objects in Mojokerto. Validity and reliability tests, involving expert validators in material, language, and media, confirmed the LKPD’s high validity and reliability, with scores of 86%, 83%, and 90%, respectively. The effectiveness of the LKPD was demonstrated through significant improvements in students’ literacy and numeracy skills, as evidenced by N-Gain scores of 0.82 in the experimental class, compared to 0.65 and 0.47 in control classes. Student and teacher responses indicated high levels of agreement on the practicality and readability of the LKPD, with percentages ranging from 72% to 100%. These findings suggest that the SSI-based LKPD is a practical and effective tool for enhancing literacy and numeracy skills in primary education. Keywords: Socio Scientific Issues, Literacy, Numeracy, Student Worksheets, Primary Education, Teaching Materials