Potential Challenges Research Articles

Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D and Zinc on Viral Infection.

Several nutrients are crucial in enhancing the immune system and preserving the structural integrity of bodily tissue barriers. Vitamin D (VD) and zinc (Zn) have received considerable interest due to their immunomodulatory properties and ability to enhance the body's immune defenses. Due to their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory properties, the two nutritional powerhouses VD and Zn are crucial for innate and adaptive immunity. As observed with COVID-19, deficiencies in these micronutrients impair immune responses, increasing susceptibility to viral infections and severe disease. Ensuring an adequate intake of VD and Zn emerges as a promising strategy for fortifying the immune system. Ongoing clinical trials are actively investigating their potential therapeutic advantages. Beyond the immediate context of the pandemic, these micronutrients offer valuable tools for enhancing immunity and overall well-being, especially in the face of future viral threats. This analysis emphasizes the enduring significance of VD and Zn as both treatment and preventive measures against potential viral challenges beyond the current health crisis. The overview delves into the immunomodulatory potential of VD and Zn in combating viral infections, with particular attention to their effects on animals. It provides a comprehensive summary of current research findings regarding their individual and synergistic impacts on immune function, underlining their potential in treating and preventing viral infections. Overall, this overview underscores the need for further research to understand how VD and Zn can modulate the immune response in combatting viral diseases in animals.

MOFs and MOF-Based Composites as Next-Generation Materials for Wound Healing and Dressings.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing innovative materials and therapeutic strategies to enhance wound healing outcomes, especially for chronic wounds and antimicrobial resistance. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a promising class of materials for next-generation wound healing and dressings. Their high surface area, pore structures, stimuli-responsiveness, antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and potential for combination therapies make them suitable for complex wound care challenges. MOF-based composites promote cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and matrix synthesis, acting as carriers for bioactive molecules and promoting tissue regeneration. They also have stimuli-responsivity, enabling photothermal therapies for skin cancer and infections. Herein, a critical analysis of the current state of research on MOFs and MOF-based composites for wound healing and dressings is provided, offering valuable insights into the potential applications, challenges, and future directions in this field. This literature review has targeted the multifunctionality nature of MOFs in wound-disease therapy and healing from different aspects and discussed the most recent advancements made in the field. In this context, the potential reader will find how the MOFs contributed to this field to yield more effective, functional, and innovative dressings and how they lead to the next generation of biomaterials for skin therapy and regeneration.

Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven User Interfaces

The integration of AI into user interfaces (UIs) has propelled technological advancements, enabling personalized experiences and improved efficiency. However, the ethical implications of AI-driven UIs cannot be overlooked. This research paper will analyze the ethical considerations regarding- transparency, accountability, fairness, privacy, and user consent. By exploring potential risks and challenges, we can advocate for the implementation of ethical design principles, regulatory frameworks, and user education initiatives. Through case studies and future directions, this paper highlights the importance of responsible and ethical AI UI development.
 The following questions and topics will be covered in this research paper-
 
 What is AI?
 Current capabilities and future scope of AI in User interfaces
 Where is AI being currently used?
 Concerns, Risks regarding AI
 Potential solutions, Creating Ethical principles
 How can AI be used ethically in UI design?
 Real-life examples

Inkjet printer prediction under complicated printing conditions based on microscopic image features

A novel technique is introduced to predict the printer model used to produce a given document. Samples containing only a few letters printed under varying conditions (i.e., different printing modes, letter types, fonts) were collected to establish a dataset of 41 inkjet printer models from common manufacturers, such as HP, Canon, and Epson. Morphological features were analyzed by extraction of image features using several algorithms in a series of microscopic images and a Wilcoxon test was used to measure the significance of variations between printed samples. Significant differences between various printing conditions might post potential challenge to questioned document examination. Discriminant analysis and the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm were also employed for source printer prediction under varying printing condition on 30% images with the rest images as training dataset. The results of a validation experiment demonstrated that while quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) achieved an accuracy of 96.3%, a combination of KNN and QDA reached 98.6%. As such, this technique could aid in the forensic examination of printed documents.

Analysis of simulated dynamic loads of a ship propulsion system of a non-conventional power system

Unconventional approaches to propulsion system design are increasingly being explored to meet increasing demands for efficiency, environmental performance and reliability. This article focuses on the analysis of simulated dynamic loads on the propulsion system of ships equipped with unconventional power systems - reformed methanol fuel cells (RMFCs). The analysis is aimed at understanding the performance of these systems under dynamic maritime conditions, assessing their performance and identifying potential challenges and benefits associated with them (including military ones). According to military assumptions, an undeniable benefit is the minimization of the ship's physical fields and its independence from the base (i.e., in the future, obtaining hydrogen from seawater electrolysis).

Artificial intelligence adoption in public organizations: a case study

Purpose: The study explores the key factors influencing AI adoption by public organizations, and sought to understand the dynamics of AI adoption, aiming to identify the potential challenges of integrating AI with ESG considerations.
 Originality/value: This research addresses the gap in understanding AI adoption in the public sector at the firm level, emphasizing the challenges and risks of technology integration. The study discuss how AI can be used effectively, contributing to societal appropriation of technological progress.
 Methods: Methodology employs a multi-stage analysis of literature, followed by ten interviews and a case study on Brazil's Federal Revenue Service. Empirical data was probed through rigorous coding and thematic analysis, selecting the most impactful factors influencing AI adoption.
 Results: The conclusions highlight the role of AI in elevating public services performance and reach. However, the deployment of AI calls for vigilant oversight to mitigate adverse effects and inequalities and demands a multidisciplinary strategy addressing an interplay of challenges.
 Conclusion: The study provides a framework for effective AI adoption, offering insights for decision-makers on strategizing AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of factoring ESG concerns into de decision to adopt this technology.

Nanotechnology-enabled Advancements in Photovoltaics, Energy Storage, and Hydro-gen Production

Nanotechnology, with its unparalleled ability to manipulate matter at the atomic and molecular level, emerges as a pivotal technology in this transformation. This paper delves into the multifaceted applications of nanotechnology within the energy sector, offering a comprehensive analysis of its impact on solar energy conversion, energy storage solutions, and the exploration of next-generation energy sources. By critically examining the potential of nanomaterials to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of existing technologies, this paper paves the way for a future powered by clean and secure energy. Additionally, it acknowledges and explores potential challenges and ethical considerations surrounding the development and implementation of nanotechnology in this critical domain.

Enhancing English Language Teaching through Corpora Analysis

This article discusses the integration of corpora analysis into English language teaching. It highlights the benefits, methodologies, and potential challenges associated with incorporating corpora analysis in the classroom. The author explains that corpora, which are large collections of written and spoken texts, provide teachers and learners with authentic language data to facilitate language learning and teaching. The article presents various methods for implementing corpora analysis, including selecting suitable corpora, introducing learners to corpora tools and software, and incorporating corpus-based activities into the curriculum

Exploring The Utilization of Folktales as Reading Materials for EFL Students

This literature review examines the utilization of folktales as reading materials for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. Folktales have long been recognized as valuable cultural resources that can enhance language learning and promote cultural understanding. The purpose of this review is to explore the existing research on the use of folktales in EFL classrooms and identify their potential benefits and challenges. The review follows a systematic approach, gathering relevant studies from various sources such as academic databases, books, and journals. The selected studies cover a wide range of contexts, including different grade levels, language proficiency levels, and cultural backgrounds. The findings indicate that incorporating folktales into EFL instruction offers several advantages. Firstly, folktales provide authentic and engaging reading materials that can capture students' interest and motivation. They also expose learners to diverse language structures, vocabulary, and cultural aspects, promoting both linguistic and cultural competence. Moreover, folktales encourage critical thinking, imagination, and creativity through the exploration of themes, morals, and characters. Strategies such as pre-reading activities, vocabulary support, and post-reading discussions are suggested to overcome these challenges and maximize the benefits of using folktales. As a result, the literature review underscores the potential of folktales as effective reading materials for EFL students. It calls for further research and practical applications that consider context-specific factors to optimize the integration of folktales in EFL classrooms and facilitate language learning and cultural appreciation.Keywords: Folktales, reading materials, EFL classrooms

Potential Limitations and Effective Integration of Mobile Pronunciation Tools for English Language Learners

Mobile pronunciation tools are a new way to acquire pronunciation skills through a combination of internet resources and mobile applications for English language learners (Abarquez, 2021). As English continues to be a widely spoken language worldwide, language learners are looking for new and innovative ways to improve their pronunciation skills. This article has reviewed studies on the potential limitations and effective integration of mobile pronunciation tools for English language learners. This review aims to explore and discuss the potential constraints and challenges of using mobile pronunciation tools for English language learning. Additionally, it examined how these tools can be effectively integrated into classroom instruction and self-directed learning. The articles for this review were discovered by using internet search engines such as Google Scholar, Scopus, and Research Gate, in the topic area of the potential limitations and integration of mobile pronunciation tools for English language learners. The retrieved data was carefully investigated using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The topic investigation involved collecting data from ten journals article, which were then analyzed by creating a grid table. The resulting table is used to analyze patterns, similarities, and differences that can help conclude. The results of the analysis show that although mobile pronunciation tools have the potential for helping English language learners improve their pronunciation, they also have some limitations that need to be addressed. For future research, especially for those who are interested in integrating mobile pronunciation tools as the topic of the study, this paper can be a good lesson for the next study.Keywords: Mobile pronunciation tools, English language learners, classroom instruction, self-directed learning

Pharmacists’ perspectives and perceived barriers to counselling patients with kidney stones

BackgroundThe global increase in kidney stone incidence and its complications emphasise the need for effective management. While pharmacists can play a significant role in counselling and guiding patients, their practices in managing patients with kidney stones remain unclear. Objective(s)To explore counselling practices and experiences of pharmacists when dealing with patients with kidney stones and to identify the barriers they face while providing counselling. MethodsA qualitative study was performed using semi-structured phone interviews with pharmacists practising in Jordan. Pharmacists were selected using quota sampling from those who took part in a previous study focused on pharmacists’ knowledge of kidney stone aetiology and treatment. The COM-B Model of Behaviour Change was used to develop the interview guide and the analytical framework. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a deductive thematic approach based on the pre-specified analytical framework. ResultsSeven pharmacists (85.7% female; 57.1% working in community pharmacies) were interviewed. Counselling practices of patients with kidney stones were categorised into five themes: (1) Pharmacists’ beliefs about patient counselling: perceived importance and desire to improve health through counselling; (2) Most priority patients: Types of patients mostly counselled; (3) Content of kidney stones-specific counselling: patient assessment and recommendations about kidney stones management; (4) Duration of the counselling sessions: time offered and influencing factors; (5) Barriers to patient counselling: patient-related, and pharmacist- and doctor-related challenges. ConclusionsPharmacists recognise the crucial role of kidney stones counselling but face gaps in their practices, including incomplete dietary education, limited knowledge of medication prescriptions, inconsistent patient-specific approaches, and potential communication challenges. These gaps can be overcome by enhancing training, standardising protocols of kidney stone treatment, promoting interprofessional communication, and improving communication strategies. Future research, including quantitative assessments, is needed to inform strategies that optimise patient counselling practices and facilitate improved outcomes.

Intergenerational Exchange: Connecting Learning Experiences Across Generations

Intergenerational exchange, defined as interaction and communication between different generations, offers the potential for synergy between life experiences and learning. This concept represents an essential dimension of social capital and social learning that goes beyond traditional forms of education. Within this multidimensional phenomenon, intergenerational mentoring is required, where older generations pass on their accumulated experiences to younger generations, thereby facilitating the development of critical thinking and complex social understanding. For the effective implementation of intergenerational exchange, adaptability and flexibility of educational programmes and strategies is a key factor to ensure that the needs of different generations are addressed comprehensively. In this context, it is important to clarify that intergenerational exchange is not just a one-way process but rather an interactive dialogue that can involve different forms of learning, including formal, non-formal and incremental learning. It also includes aspects of social capital and promotes community involvement. This pilot study focuses on theoretical and practical research that explores the impact on social cohesion and mentions potential challenges associated with this process. It also analyses the factors that influence the successful implementation of intergenerational learning and identifies strategies for promoting intergenerational dialogue and learning.

Data science essentials in business administration: A multidisciplinary perspective

This study presents an overview of data science, exploring the role of data scientists and the methods they employ to investigate analytical problems within business administration. It discusses the responsibilities of data scientists, emphasizing their multidisciplinary nature and the importance of technical skills, domain knowledge, and effective communication. The paper outlines commonly utilized methods by data scientists, drawing from computer science, statistics, and operations research. It illustrates the practical application of these methods in addressing analytical problems, including descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics. The paper also highlights potential pitfalls and challenges encountered in the analytic process, such as problem formulation errors and results interpretation.

Personality Traits, Burnout, and Psychopathology in Healthcare Professionals in Intensive Care Units-A Moderated Analysis.

This study explored the associations between personality dimensions, burnout, and psychopathology in healthcare professionals in intensive care units (ICUs). This study further aimed to discern the differences in these relationships when considering the variables of critical care experience (less than 5 years, 5-10 years, and more than 10 years), profession (nurses versus intensivists), and the urban size of the city where the ICU is located (metropolitan cities versus smaller urban cities). This cross-sectional investigation's outcomes are based on data from 503 ICU personnel, including 155 intensivists and 348 nurses, in 31 ICU departments in Greece. Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment involving a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). To analyze the interplay among critical care experience, burnout status, and psychopathology, a moderation analysis was conducted with personality dimensions (i.e., psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism) serving as the mediator variable. Profession and the urban size of the ICU location were considered as moderators influencing these relationships. Male healthcare professionals showed higher psychoticism levels than females, aligning with prior research. Experienced nurses reported lower personal achievement, hinting at potential motivation challenges for professional growth. Psychoticism predicted high depersonalization and low personal achievement. Neuroticism and psychoticism negatively impacted ICU personnel's mental well-being, reflected in elevated psychopathology scores and burnout status. Psychoticism appears to be the primary factor influencing burnout among the three personality dimensions, particularly affecting intensivists. In contrast, nurses are more influenced by their critical care experience on their mental health status.

Assessment of the feasibility of a community-based mental health training programme for persons with disabilities by non-specialists from different stakeholders’ perspectives in Bangladesh

IntroductionBangladesh is a developing country where 11% of the population has at least one disability, but no community-level mental health service is available. There is limited evidence of the burden of mental health issues and health-seeking behaviour among this population. This study assessed the feasibility of a training intervention for persons with disabilities, where peer support providers provided community-based disability-inclusive mental health services.MethodsFour stakeholder groups participated in this qualitative study: peer responders (trained persons with disabilities), trainers, representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities and disability-specific organisations, and officials of international and national non-governmental organisations. Two types of qualitative interviews were used to collect data, and thematic analysis techniques were utilised.ResultStakeholders perceived the peer responder training programme as acceptable for persons with disabilities to develop themselves as peer support providers, with potential benefits including increased mental health literacy, ensuring accessible mental health services, and improving the well-being of persons with disabilities. Potential challenges included receiving training and delivering services. Increased training duration, more fieldwork, supervision opportunities, and refresher training were recommended to mitigate training challenges. Financial support and formal community recognition were deemed necessary for training delivery.ConclusionThe peer responder training programme was feasible to ensure accessible mental health services for persons with disabilities, build a workforce to screen for mental health conditions, and provide appropriate referrals. A multi-sectoral collaboration of government and non-governmental institutions is recommended to policy advocates to expand the peer responder training programme in the mainstream mental healthcare system.

Developing Integrated STEM Teacher Identity Using Guided Curation of K-12 Engineering Activities

Abstract This qualitative study examines how guided curation develops practicing teachers’ task perception as a dimension of integrated STEM teacher identity. Task perception is defined as teachers’ beliefs about their roles and responsibilities as integrated STEM educators. Analysis of teachers’ (n = 22) guided curation assignments from a graduate STEM education course revealed how teachers perceived their roles and responsibilities as integrated STEM educators and potential challenges to integrating STEM. These beliefs included the importance of centering the engineering design process, encouraging collaborative problem solving, providing productive mistake-making opportunities, and connecting mathematics and engineering. Teacher educators’ adaptation of a freely available STEM lesson specification tool scaffolded the collection and analysis of curriculum resources. This adaptation was instrumental in developing task perception. Implications for building elementary teachers’ capacity to implement and sustain innovative integrated STEM instruction are offered.

An approach based on deep learning methods to detect the condition of solar panels in solar power plants

Solar panels are increasingly popular due to global energy shortages and rising costs. However, managing large or elevated panel systems requires regular oversight, leading to potential time and cost challenges. This study was focused on developing an AI-based drone for panel detection to address these issues and facilitate the control process. A low-cost system for AI-based identification of dusty, broken, and healthy solar panels was created using a Raspberry Pi 4B board and camera. The study proposed a Histogram Equalization (HE)-based preprocessing technique to improve the AI model. Firstly, the trainings were performed with YOLOv5 without the proposed method at epoch values of 100, 150, and 200 in order to see the effectiveness of the proposed method more clearly. As a result of these trainings, the highest F1 score was obtained as 80 %. In the second step, three deep learning algorithms - YOLOv5, YOLOv7, and YOLOv8 - with epochs of 100, 150, and 200 respectively, were used for training with the proposed method. A detailed comparative analysis of the developed models was carried out regarding their performance metrics. The YOLOv5l was obtained as the most successful panel detection model with an F1 score of 97 % at 150 epochs. The model with the best performance metrics was used in a real-time test application with an AI-based drone. F1 score results were obtained between 90 % and 97 %, mainly supporting the success rate obtained in real-time application. The results strongly support the effectiveness of this proposed method for panel detection tasks, showcasing its high efficacy and promising potential.

Role of Medical Education in Pandemic Preparedness

Every pandemic that has been reported to date has impacted different domains of human life and civilization. The training imparted to medical students during their medical education is expected to enhance their competence and deal with the potential challenges that every pandemic places on human mankind. Medical education is expected to influence our pandemic preparedness in a multiple number of ways and it becomes our responsibility to expose medical students to different aspects during their training period in an incremental manner. Considering the wide extent to which pandemics can account for the loss of lives, human suffering, impairment of different sectors, and the potential that medical education can bridge the existing gap, there is an immense need to integrate topics pertaining to the pandemic and their preparedness in the medical curriculum. In conclusion, there is an immense need to ensure pandemic preparedness in medical education to produce resilient and adaptable health professionals. The need of the hour is to adopt a curriculum that has components of pandemic-related topics in a structured and systematic manner. This calls for the need to adopt a flexible curriculum and expose students to a structured training program, and effective communication skills.

Potential and challenges of utilizing Artocarpus odoratissimus (Binturung) fruit in Kalimantan

Kalimantan possesses diverse local fruit potentials, including the genus Artocarpus (local name: Tarap). There are approximately 13 Artocarpus species in Kalimantan, two of which are endemic to the region: Artocarpus nitidus Trecul ssp. borneensis (Merr.) Jarrett and Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco. A. odoratissimus, commonly known as Binturung in South Kalimantan, is a less frequently encountered local fruit than other Tarap species. The destruction of natural habitats, mainly due to land use conversion from natural forests to other purposes, has led to a decline in Binturung populations in the wild. This study comprehensively reviews relevant literature on A. odoratissimus, encompassing fruit characteristics, potential benefits, and conservation status. Expert interviews, including botanists and biodiversity specialists, are conducted to gather additional information on the commercial potential and conservation challenges associated with Binturung fruit in Kalimantan. This research provides a comprehensive overview of the potential and challenges in utilizing A. odoratissimus fruit in Kalimantan. The findings are expected to serve as a foundation for sustainable conservation strategies and commercial utilization, promoting the conservation of natural resources and enhancing the well-being of local communities.

Decentralizing Healthcare and Securing with Blockchain Technology

It has been shown in recent years that the safe interchange of medical data improves people's care and treatment, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Blockchain technology has the power to revolutionize healthcare management systems by improving data security, interoperability, and integrity, thanks to its decentralized and unchangeable structure. As an emerging option for achieving balance in the healthcare ecosystem, blockchain technology facilitates interoperability between diverse healthcare systems through the use of smart contracts and standardized data formats. Despite its potential advantages, interoperability remains an ongoing challenge in the healthcare environment. From an architectural perspective, trade-offs must be considered in the design of a blockchain-based system. However, obstacles such as user acceptance, scalability issues, and regulatory compliance impede the implementation of blockchain in the healthcare industry. This study provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare data management by highlighting the potential advantages and challenges associated with integrating blockchain technology into healthcare management systems. Additionally, it suggests a Blockchain-based electronic healthcare management (EHR) model that could address some of the limitations of the existing systems. Keywords: Decentralization, Security, Blockchain, Electronic Health Record, Health Care Management