Scientific Research Research Articles

Influence of whole-body vibration and drop jump on the range of motion in the ankle joint and running parameters-Arandomized crossover study.

Warm-up (WU) is a commonly practiced technique aimed at preparing athletes for physical activity. Although coaches and athletes consider WU essential, there is still an ongoing debate about its effectiveness. This might be due to the fact that WU procedures often rely on experiences rather than scientific research. During WU, athletes may pursue intermediate goals such as ensuring proper ranges of motion in joints, which seem crucial particularly for runners' ankle joints. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate influence of whole-body vibration (WBV), drop jump (DJ), and a combination of both (WBV+DJ) in terms of ankle dorsiflexion and running parameters among recreational runners. Sixteen runners performed as a WU: five sets of 30s calf raises without WBV (CTRL), five sets of 30s calf raises during WBV, five sets of six DJ, five sets of 30s calf raises during WBV followed by 6 DJ. Range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint was measured in a prone position using an inclinometer for the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, separately. Measurements were conducted before and after WU, and after a 3000m run. There was no interaction for time and WU for left (p=0.926) and right (p=0.738) soleus muscle as well as for left (p=0.748) and right (p=0.197) gastrocnemius muscles. No difference (p=0.914) for the running time was found. WBV, drop jumps, or a combination of both did not affect ankle dorsiflexion and running time.

The Analysis of PLOICE Model Application to Develop Science Process Skills: On the Coffee Learning Process

The STEM approach is a learning approach that is in line with learning needs to face the challenges of the 21st century. Then, the use of the STEM approach is highly recommended. It is needed an innovation to facilitate the application of the STEM approach such as integrating the STEM approach with the learning model. So, an integration of the PBL model and the STEM approach is created and then arranged which is known as the PLOICE learning model. The PLOICE learning model is a learning model that has the following syntax: Problematize, Learn, Organize, Investigate, Create, and Evaluate. In this research, students will be involved in scientific investigations on the management of shade-grown coffee to increase coffee production. Student participation in determining the management of shade-grown coffee can help develop students' science process skills. The research implemented a quasi-experiment where two classes received different treatments, namely the experimental and control classes. The experimental class received treatment using PLOICE and control using conventional treatment. In the results that the application of the PLOICE model had a significant effect on the development of students' science process skills. In implementing the PLOICE model, students are more active in discussions and questions and answers.

Associations Between PrEP Stigma, PrEP Confidence, and PrEP Adherence: Conditional Indirect Effects of Anticipated HIV Stigma.

Research has linked stigma surrounding preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to poor HIV prevention outcomes, including PrEP adherence. However, there remains a limited understanding of the mechanisms through which PrEP stigma affects PrEP adherence, specifically among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. In this study, we aimed to investigate the indirect effect of PrEP stigma on PrEP adherence through PrEP confidence and the moderating role of anticipated HIV stigma. Participants included 235 SGM youth, assigned male sex at birth, aged 16-24, and self-reported HIV-negative, with an active PrEP prescription from the Prepared, Protected, emPowered randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from 9 clinics in the United States between 2019 and 2021. Using baseline data, we tested cross-sectional indirect and conditional indirect effects using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Process with confidence intervals and 2000 resamples. We found significant indirect effects, suggesting that PrEP stigma was negatively associated with PrEP confidence, which in turn resulted in both monthly and weekly optimal PrEP adherence (Indirect effects: B = -0.11, Standard Error [SE] = 0.05, CI: [-0.244 to -0.032]; B = -0.09, SE = 0.04, CI: [-0.191 to -0.014], respectively). Anticipated HIV stigma moderated these indirect effects (B = -0.11, SE = 0.08, CI: [-0.315 to -0.001]; B = -0.09, SE = 0.06, CI: [-0.245 to -0.001], respectively), suggesting that the conditional indirect effects were significant at high but not low levels of anticipated HIV stigma. Results suggest that SGM youth who are on PrEP anticipating HIV stigma experience a compounding effect of PrEP stigma on PrEP confidence, consequently leading to suboptimal adherence. Interventions addressing the intersectionality of PrEP and HIV stigmas and enhancing confidence could improve PrEP adherence, particularly among SGM youth.

Influence of Goji Berry EM Fermentation and Saccharification Products as Cosmetic Raw Materials on Hair Protection

Purpose: Recently, as the number of cases of side effects due to exposure to chemicals has increased, consumers' anxiety about chemicals has deepened, and interest in cosmetics using natural extracts that do not use chemical ingredients has increased. No-chemicals are being created and scientific research using natural extracts is expanding. Accordingly, Goji berry, which is a natural product handed down from the private sector and is rich in various functional ingredients such as carotinoids, choline, and zeatin, and is said to be excellent for antioxidation effects, was fermented and the active ingredients and effectiveness (in vitro) were investigated.
 Method: Goji berry, which has been found to contain large amounts of functional ingredients such as betaine and rutin, is extracted through double fermentation using EM (Effective Microorganisms) and malt to obtain total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, total sugar content, DPPH radical scavenging ability, and SOD. Effectiveness (in vitro) was examined through activity, catalase activity, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxidase verified.
 Results: As a result of the measurement, the sugar content increased when the EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermented product was enzymatically fermented after extracting Goji berry fruit with purified water. The difference depending on the enzyme fermentation temperature was also higher when the enzyme fermented at 60°C compared to immediately after fermentation. The sugar content increased by about two-fold. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid content decreased when the EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation product of the sealed pressurized hot water extract was enzymatically fermented at 60°C.
 Conclusion: The extract double-fermented from Goji berry fruit through EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation and malt enzyme fermentation has excellent antioxidant ability, suggesting the possibility of using Goji berry fruit and EM (Effective Microorganisms) fermentation as a natural antioxidant. I confirmed that it exists. In particular, it has antioxidant and antibacterial functions, and its feasibility as a natural raw material used in hair products was found.

Pregabalin Addiction: A Bibliometric Analysis

Objective: Bibliometric analyses allow determining the scientific research profile, revealing the current situation on the subject, and identifying new research areas. Pregabalin addiction is an addiction that has serious consequences for the individual, family and society. For this reason, taking photographs of studies related to this field can be a guide for researchers. In this regard, the aim of the research is to bibliometrically examine publications addressing the issue of pregabalin addiction.
 Method: The study was conducted in the Web of Science database. The keywords “pregabalin addiction” were used during the screening without any time limit. 
 Results: 150 publications were reached. Their publication dates were between 2003 and 2023, the average age of publication was 4.83, and the annual increase rate was 5%. The most active country was the United States of America, and the journal with the highest number of publications was “Frontiers in Psychiatry.” In addition, “gabapentin, abuse” was the most frequently used, “opioid, drug abuse” were the motor, “withdrawal” was niche, and “pain, substance” were emerging or disappearing themes. Besides, “neuropathic pain” was a basic theme, and “benzodiazepine” showed consistent development. 
 Conclusion: This is the first bibliometric study addressing pregabalin addiction and provided a comprehensive overview of pregabalin addiction over 20 years. From the quantitative perspective, the mean age of the study and the annual growth rate were low, and the number of studies was limited. Qualitative data showed that research topics mostly clustered on pregabalin addiction, addiction potential, abuse and taking with other drugs, and demonstrated a need for studies in addiction prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

A Review on Enhancing Crop Yield through Smart Irrigation

Improving irrigation efficiency is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural production. The rise of smart irrigation techniques, particularly with advancements in wireless communication systems, monitoring devices, and control techniques, has the potential to significantly enhance irrigation efficiency. This study explores a broad spectrum of scientific approaches to smart irrigation, comparing and analyzing various methodologies to understand the effectiveness of these technologies. The research spans a wide range of topics, including irrigation methods, decision-making processes, and the technologies employed in smart irrigation. The information was meticulously gathered from a variety of scientific papers, with a particular focus on documents published over the past four years by authors from around the globe. Special attention was also given to various irrigation initiatives that demonstrate the practical application of these techniques. The subsequent evaluation in this study focuses on the critical components of smart irrigation, such as real-time irrigation scheduling, the Internet of Things (IoT), the significance of a reliable internet connection, smart sensing technologies, and energy harvesting. These components are essential for developing efficient and sustainable irrigation practices that can meet the challenges faced by modern agriculture.

On the Limits of Empirical Ecocriticism: Empathy on Non-Human Species and the Slow Violence of Climate Crisis

ABSTRACT The impact literature has on its readers has recently become a topic of interest to an increasing number of literary scholars who contemplate the relationships between environment and fiction. Empirical ecocriticism is a relatively young sub-area of ecocriticism where the empirical methods of social sciences are applied. This article discusses two major areas in empirical ecocriticism: the emotions evoked by both the representations of non-human species and climate literature. The focus is not solely on the premises of empirical ecocriticism but also on the often-conflicting results it has produced. By presenting critical observations on its limits so far, the article proposes outlines for further development of empirical research on environmental fiction.

Large language models in medical and healthcare fields: applications, advances, and challenges

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly recognized for their advanced language capabilities, offering significant assistance in diverse areas like medical communication, patient data optimization, and surgical planning. Our survey meticulously searched for papers with keywords such as “medical,” “clinical,” “healthcare,” and “LLMs” across various databases, including ACM and Google Scholar. It sought to delve into the latest trends and applications of LLMs in healthcare, analyzing 175 relevant publications to support both practitioners and researchers in the field. We have compiled 56 experimental datasets, various evaluation methods and reviewed cutting-edge LLMs across tasks. Our comprehensive analysis of LLMs in healthcare applications, including medical question-answering, dialogue summarization, electronic health record generation, scientific research, medical education, medical product safety monitoring, clinical health reasoning, and clinical decision support. Furthermore, we have identified the challenges, including data security, inaccurate information, fairness and bias, plagiarism, copyrights, and accountability, and the potential solutions, namely de-identification framework, references,counterfactually fair prompting,opening and ending control codes, and establishing normative standards,to address these open issues,respectively. The findings of this survey exert a profound impact on spurring innovation in practical applications and addressing inherent challenges within the academic and medical communities.

The complex affective and cognitive capacities of rats

For several decades, although studies of rat physiology and behavior have abounded, research on rat emotions has been limited in scope to fear, anxiety, and pain. Converging evidence for the capacity of many species to share others’ affective states has emerged, sparking interest in the empathic capacities of rats. Recent research has demonstrated that rats are a highly cooperative species and are motivated by others’ distress to prosocial actions, such as opening a door or pulling a chain to release trapped conspecifics. Studies of rat affect, cognition, and neural function provide compelling evidence that rats have some capacity to represent others’ needs, to instrumentally act to improve their well-being, and are thus capable of forms of targeted helping. Rats’ complex abilities raise the importance of integrating new measures of rat well-being into scientific research.

Ideas and Methods of Cognitive Science in the Studies of International Relations and Foreign Policy

Ideas and Methods of Cognitive Science in the Studies of International Relations and Foreign Policy

Некоторые аспекты развития функциональной грамотности обучающихся на уроках информатики

The article discusses some aspects of the development of functional literacy of students in computer science lessons. The author reveals the essence and content of functional literacy, the main components of functional literacy, and the signs of a functionally literate person. A solution to the problem of developing students' functional literacy within the framework of the implementation of the updated Federal State Educational Standard is proposed through the use of teaching methods and techniques, forms, tools, techniques and tasks aimed at developing students' functional literacy. This approach is possible when teaching computer science, since computer science is one of the subjects in which functional literacy can be most effectively developed. In computer science lessons, it is possible to use elements of a large number of educational technologies that make it possible to successfully develop the functional literacy of a future graduate who is able to adapt to the changing conditions of modern life. The purpose of the study is to identify opportunities for developing functional literacy of students in computer science lessons. The methodological basis of the article is a complex of general scientific, paradigmatic and instrumental approaches. The results obtained can be used as a resource for expanding the factual base in the application of various teaching methods for the development of functional literacy of students.

Past and Present of Social Inequality: Analysing Structure and Future Trends

The purpose of the article is to highlight the peculiarities of fundamental and applied forms of social inequality in the context of cultural and historical experience and prospects of civilisational development. Social differentiation has a diverse character, which forms the diversity of parameters of this socio-cultural phenomenon. The purpose of scientific research is to unify social indicators that activate and determine the level of inequality in society. Social processes are marked by contradictions in the worldview and mental understanding, so the issue of inequality is regulated by clear and understandable theoretical, methodological, legal, and socio-cultural guidelines. The research methodology is focused on the scientific and sociological methodological cluster. A sociological study based on content analysis, monitoring, and expert opinions allows us to determine the structure and manifestations of social inequality. Long-term sociological observations and in-depth analytical descriptions form the constants of the fundamental nature of social inequality. The results of the study emphasise the need to correlate the fundamental understanding of social inequality and the applied manifestation of this phenomenon in the socio-cultural space. In today's dynamic world, traditional and sustainable interpretations of inequality are hardly accepted, since the current principles of social development involve rapid permanent changes that determine the parameters of social inequality almost online. Under such conditions, society needs new flexible parameters that will determine the quantitative and qualitative parameters of social inequality. Thus, social inequality is an integral element of cultural and historical experience, having formed the fundamental dimensions of this phenomenon, while its prospects require regulation by society to avoid and mitigate the negative impact of social inequality in the form of injustice, discrimination, chauvinism, etc. Promising areas of research on the problem of social inequality include focusing on the dynamics of the social structure, which fundamentally changes the fundamental and targeted understanding of social inequality, leading to inadequate assessments of threats associated with the direct manifestation of social inequality in society.

Анализ теории и практики адаптации обучающихся к интерактивным технологиям обучения

The article provides a retrospective analysis of various approaches to the adaptation of students in an interactive educational environment. The characteristics of each of the analyzed approaches highlight the specifics of students' adaptation to the conditions of an interactive learning environment. The purpose of the article is to analyze the theory and practice of students' adaptation to an interactive educational environment. A comparative analysis of various scientific approaches to the adaptation of students to the educational process has allowed us to define pedagogical processes as synergetic systems in which unstable, unexpected and unpredictable situations are constantly created that require an adequate operational response from students. Consideration of pedagogical processes as synergetic systems leads to the need to use interactive educational technologies in the educational process. In an interactive educational environment, adaptation does not manifest itself in a traditional academic form, but takes the form of preadaptation, which requires students to quickly search, build and regulate their attitude and behavior, adequately changing the conditions of the educational environment. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of the development of interactive learning technologies in the study, meaning-creating educational technologies have been experimentally developed and substantiated, allowing creating conditions in the educational process for the openness of thoughts, ideas and meanings of students and the phenomena studied and knowledge about them. The educational technologies proposed in the article are a new direction in the development of an interactive educational environment, and their use in educational practice can significantly increase the adaptability of students to the educational environment.

Maximizing Machining Efficiency and Quality in AA7075/Gr/ B4C HMMCs through Advanced DS-EDM Parameter Optimization Strategies

Abstract Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites (HMMC) offer improved mechanical properties crucial for various industrial applications. However, machining these composites via traditional methods is arduous due to their inherent hardness and abrasive nature. The optimization of the Die-Sinking Electrical Discharge Machining (DS-EDM) process presents a viable solution to overcome these machining challenges and unlock the full potential of HMMCs. Despite the potential benefits of HMMCs, the lack of optimized machining strategies hampers their widespread adoption in industrial applications. Traditional machining approaches often result in excessive tool wear, poor surface finish, and suboptimal material removal rates (MRR) when applied to HMMCs. Additionally, the complex interplay between DS-EDM process parameters and material properties necessitates a systematic investigation to identify optimal machining conditions. This study proposes a multi-step methodology to systematically optimize the DS-EDM process for machining HMMCs comprising AA7075 alloy, 5% of graphite (Gr), and 5% of boron carbide (B4C) particles, which is termed as (AA7075-GR-B4C). Beginning with the formulation of the composite material through stir casting, the research progresses to an L16 Orthogonal Array (L16-OA) based Design of Experiments (DoE) to investigate the effects of key process parameters on machining performance. Experimental testing is conducted to measure mechanical properties, followed by statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Regression Analysis to identify significant factors influencing machining outcomes. Furthermore, an Artificial Neural Network with Black Widow Optimization (ANN-BWO) approach is employed to optimize machining performance metrics such as MRR, Surface Roughness Rate (SRR), and Tool Wear Rate (TWR). The relative error (RE) was estimated between experimental MRR (E-MRR), experimental TWR (E-TWR), experimental SRR (E-SRR), and predicted MRR (P-MRR), predicted TWR (P-TWR), predicted SRR (P-SRR) generated by ANN-BWO shows effectiveness of AA7075-GR-B4C.

Pilgrims or project managers: premodern challenges for contemporary students

Presenting an alternative to the prevailing emphasis on what constitutes knowledge – knowledge as the fruit of scientific method, something that is objective and detached from the self – I argue for a critical retrieval of premodern approaches to knowledge that were promoted within the Eastern and Western Christian tradition, approaches that are spiritual in nature. I propose that spiritual modes of knowing should be considered alongside other forms of knowing, in service of a richer, more holistic approach to higher education, one that does justice to the multidimensional aspects of human nature, development, formation and flourishing. While not denying the necessity and value of many current forms of knowledge, I propose that students should also be offered opportunities to become familiar with complementary modes of knowing that are likely to extend the repertoire of the ways they read and respond to the world, other people and their experience of life. Such premodern Christian approaches privileged self-giving and self-control, rather than mastery over or control of what was investigated. Their epistemology viewed intellectual, moral and spiritual virtues as intimately interconnected. They considered knowledge to be something revealed and given rather than constructed or exposed by our methodology. The paper considers the educational potential for students today of learning from the premodern emphasis on knowledge as dependent on both ascetic training and affective formation, as entailing capacitation (being attuned to or fitted for external reality), and as promoting self-knowledge and transformation. I contrast premodern and contemporary approaches to knowledge through the metaphors of pilgrim and project manager.

К вопросу о жизненном предназначении человека как психологической категории

The presented article is devoted to the problem of human purpose in life as a psychological category. The importance of addressing the study of this issue is associated with the transformations taking place in society, leading to a sharp increase in cases of escapism and the desire for hedonism, as fundamental life guidelines of a modern personality, preventing a person from finding his true purpose in life, its meaning. However, despite the fact that interest in this issue has been growing lately, it is difficult to consider it finally resolved. The objective of this study is to determine the content of some aspects of the issue of human purpose in life as a psychological category. The method of this study is a theoretical analysis and generalization of existing scientific studies that reveal the main content of the category "human purpose in life", as well as related concepts. It has been established that a person's life purpose is a characteristic of the basic level of personality (the core of personality) and represents the initially given natural orientations of a person, his general life direction, expressing a predisposition to a certain type of functioning, style of activity, type of relationship with oneself, people and the world as a whole; a person's purpose is to become oneself, to self-determine in being, freely realizing (or freely refusing to realize) the plan for oneself. All individual callings of a person are particular ways of realizing the universal calling. The purpose of life for people gives vector certainty and programmatic nature to a person's life intentions, his ideals, dreams, life goals, life results. Values act as universals of the meaning of life, which crystallize in situations typical for society, humanity as a whole; the desire to search for and realize the meaning of life by a person is a need of a person and characterizes him as a subject of life activity. The meaning of human life is a complexly organized system of meanings, including multi-level semantic structures and functioning as a single whole.

Potential Utilization of Defective Fruit Juice Products for Black Soldier Fly Cultivation to Reduce Waste Generation in the Beverage Industry

The waste of fruit juice and tea defective products has organic content that conventionally has the potential to be utilized as a medium or place for maggot growth, but until now it has not been equipped with supporting scientific studies. Therefore, the objectives of the study are: 1) Assessing the characteristics of fruit juice and tea product waste, 2) Assessing the effectiveness of maggot in reducing fruit juice and tea product waste. This research is experimental in nature using variations in the composition of fruit juice and tea product waste as a source of nutrition for maggot which is carried out for 12 days. This variation uses the Complete Randomized Design method with 3 (three) treatments, namely variations in the composition of 60% tea + 40% fruit juice waste (S1), 50% tea + 50% fruit juice waste (S2), and 40% tea + 60% fruit juice waste (S3) in duplo. In addition, this study was completed with a control treatment. The results showed that the characteristics of fruit juice and tea waste containing protein (3.78-4.59%), fat (0.90-1.31%), carbohydrates (28.15-29.15%), crude fiber (2.42-3.12%) can be used as maggot cultivation media. The highest protein and crude fiber contents were found in the S3 composition waste at 4.59% and 3.12%. Maggot cultivation results that showed the highest fat and carbohydrate content were found in S1 composition waste at 1.31% and 29.15%. The recommended composition variation is S1 composition with the highest substrate consumption value and waste reduction index of 57.47% and 20.06%.

Observations of Kappa Distributions in Solar Energetic Protons and Derived Thermodynamic Properties

In this paper, we model the high-energy tail of observed solar energetic proton energy distributions with a kappa distribution function. We employ a technique for deriving the thermodynamic parameters of solar energetic proton populations measured by the Parker Solar Probe Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun EPI-Hi high-energy telescope, over energies from 10 to 60 MeV. With this technique, we explore, for the first time, the characteristic thermodynamic properties of the solar energetic protons associated with an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) and its driven shock. We find that: (1) the spectral index or, equivalently, the thermodynamic parameter kappa of solar energetic protons (κ EP) gradually increases, starting from the pre-ICME region (upstream of the CME-driven shock), reaching a maximum in the CME ejecta (κ EP ≈ 3.5), followed by a gradual decrease throughout the trailing portion of the CME; (2) the solar energetic proton temperature and density (T EP and n EP) appear anticorrelated, a behavior consistent with subisothermal polytropic processes; and (3) values of T EP and κ EP appear to be positively correlated, indicating an increasing entropy with time. Therefore, these proton populations are characterized by a complex and evolving thermodynamic behavior, consisting of multiple subisothermal polytropic processes, and a large-scale trend of increasing temperature, kappa, and entropy. This study and its companion study by Livadiotis et al. open up a new set of procedures for investigating the thermodynamic behavior of energetic particles and their shared thermal properties.

Creativity, embodiment, and COVID-19: Discovering new research horizons under methodological and environmental constraints

COVID-19 has been a powerful reminder of the role that our bodies and physical context play in our lives. The pandemic revealed that human embodiment and many ways creative cognition is affected by the physical world and environmental constraints remain among the least understood aspects in the psychology of creativity, where creativity tends to be presented as an individual’s mental ability. In this autoethnographic article, I reflect on how restrictions and methodological constraints that I, as a researcher, experienced during the pandemic have informed five insights about the domain of my scientific inquiry. Through these five takeaways from the pandemic, I sketch a new picture of the creative process—a process that is situated, embodied, tool-mediated, and collaborative. I emphasize the importance of acting on opportunities amid a crisis and outline promising research directions for future creativity scholars across disciplinary borders.

Self-Presentational Communication in Context Digital Realities of Modern Society

Introduction. In the age of the digital economy and hyper-competition, self-presentation communication as a type of self-promotion, as the ability to present oneself to a communication partner, employer, business partner or target audience, is considered by experts as a key skill of the 21st century. It is also considered as one of the significant factors of competition both in the modern highly competitive labor market and in the consumer market, both global and local. The article discusses the theoretical foundations of self-presentational communication in its historical retrospective, traditions, innovations and development trends in the conditions of new realities.Methodology and sources. The methodology of philosophical, sociological and interdisciplinary approaches is used. The article uses the following sources: specialized literature from domestic and foreign authors, scientific research, publications and websites that allow one to explore the specifics of digital self-presentation, its new formats and current practices.Results and discussion. Digital society is a society whose distinctive feature is the electronic-digital method of receiving, storing and distributing information, as well as the electronic-digital mediation of social relations and communicative interaction. One of the ways of such interaction is digital self-presentation, which combines the traditions of this content and innovations caused by the development of new technologies.Conclusion. Self-presentational communication, like the entire communicative component of modern society, including the «human-AI» interface, is carried out in three spatial dimensions: real/offline/Physics, virtual/online/Digital, as well as in their interaction offline online/Phygital. In each dimension, self-presentational communication has its own specifics and could can be considered both as a separate phenomenon and in the process of continuity and development.