Search Results (116)

In an era where digitalization shapes economic and social landscapes, the intersection of digital skills, ethics, and integrity plays a crucial role in understanding the vulnerability of youth classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). This study explores how risky internet use and digital skill gaps contribute to socio-economic exclusion, integrating a multivariate and spatial approach to assess regional disparities in Europe. This study adopts a systems thinking perspective to explore digital exclusion as an emergent outcome of multiple interrelated subsystems. The research employs logistic regression, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Promax rotation, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to examine the impact of digital behaviors on NEET status. Using Eurostat data aggregated at the country level for the period (2000–2023) across 28 European countries, this study evaluates 24 digital indicators covering social media usage, instant messaging, daily internet access, data protection awareness, and digital literacy levels. The findings reveal that low digital skills significantly increase the likelihood of being NEET, while excessive social media and internet use show mixed effects depending on socio-economic context. A strong negative correlation between digital security practices and NEET status suggests that youths with a higher awareness of online risks are less prone to socio-economic exclusion. The GIS analysis highlights regional disparities, where countries with limited digital access and lower literacy levels exhibit higher NEET rates. Digital exclusion is not merely a technological issue but a multidimensional socio-economic challenge. To reduce the NEET rate, policies must focus on enhancing digital skills, fostering online security awareness, and addressing regional disparities. Integrating GIS methods allows for the identification of territorial clusters with heightened digital vulnerabilities, guiding targeted interventions for improving youth employability in the digital economy. Full article

The increasing demand for data-driven decision making to maintain the innovations and competitiveness of organizations highlights the need for data science educations across academia and industry. At its core is a solid understanding of statistics, which is necessary for conducting a thorough analysis of data and deriving valuable insights. Unfortunately, conventional statistics learning often lacks practice in real-world applications using computer programs, causing a separation between conceptual knowledge of statistics equations and their hands-on skills. Integrating statistics learning into Python programming can convey an effective solution for this problem, where it has become essential in data science implementations, with extensive and versatile libraries. In this paper, we present a self-learning method for fundamental statistics through Python programming for data science studies. Unlike conventional approaches, our method integrates three types of interactive problems—element fill-in-blank problem (EFP), grammar-concept understanding problem (GUP), and value trace problem (VTP)—in the Programming Learning Assistant System (PLAS). This combination allows students to write code, understand concepts, and trace the output value while obtaining instant feedback so that they can improve retention, knowledge, and practical skills in learning statistics using Python programming. For evaluations, we generated 22 instances using source codes for fundamental statistics topics, and assigned them to 40 first-year undergraduate students at UPN Veteran Jawa Timur, Indonesia. Statistics analytical methods were utilized to analyze the student learning performances. The results show that a significant correlation ($\rho <0.05$) exists between the students who solved our proposal and those who did not. The results confirm that it can effectively assist students in learning fundamental statistics self-learning using Python programming for data science implementations. Full article

Background: Efforts have been joined to set the parameters for the reliability of glucometers, yet once they are on the market, they are not further tested for the maintenance of accuracy, specificity, or precision. Methods: This comparative analytical study investigated the precision of commonly used glucometers in Saudi Arabia, namely Accu-Chek Instant^®, On-Call Sharp^®, and ConTour^®, as well as the effects of vitamin C, acetaminophen, and maltose on glucose readings. Ten milliliters of blood was drawn in lithium heparin from healthy volunteers (n = 9). Six samples were divided into two groups of three. One group was designed for normal glucose levels. The second group was designed for high glucose levels by adding a dextrose solution. The last three samples were designed for low glucose levels by leaving the sample for 24 h at room temperature and then following with centrifuge and plasma extraction. Results: This study showed that only Accu-Chek Instant met the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for precision across all dextrose concentrations, along with intra-class correlation values ranging from 0.95–1 (p < 0.001). By spiking the plasma samples with sub-therapeutic, therapeutic, and overdose concentrations of the metabolites, we found that vitamin C had a more evident interference on glucose readings compared to acetaminophen and maltose. Conclusions: The ascertainment of the precision of glucometers and the effects of interferences on them are vital in preventing the improper administration of insulin, which can lead to serious complications. Full article

The present article offers a detailed analysis of helium jet velocity and vorticity intensity distribution using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. A gaseous fuel injector featuring an interchangeable tip was implemented. The test campaign involved the use of three nozzle patterns characterized by different orifices shape and orientations. The helium was injected into a constant volume chamber (CVC) and the delivery pressure varied, as well as that inside the chamber, in order to obtain pressure ratios (PRs) ranging from 2 to 20. The synchronization system was set to record two consecutive frames at different time-instants after the start of energizing (aSOE). Green light from a dual cavity Nd:YAG laser was used for illumination and a 4-megapixel PIV-camera for image capture. Vegetable oil particles were seeded into the chamber to trace the helium jet structure and cross-correlation methodology employed to measure their instantaneous displacements. The role of orifices size and orientations has been deeply scrutinized and related to the morphological outcomes. The least-oriented nozzle (first) exhibited the highest values of jet penetration and well-defined vortex structures. In contrast, the more the orifices are oriented, the wider the regions interacting with surrounding environment. Specifically, geometry with smaller orifice sizes (third) returned an overall absence of localized significant vortex structures. This deficiency is counterbalanced by a large distribution of small vortices that were observed to replace the main rings for each condition examined. Full article

An absolutely conflicting value for the incorporation of the Lode parameter into a fracture criterion was reported in the literature when predicting the ballistic resistance of metallic plates failing through shear plugging. In this study, a combined experimental–numerical investigation was conducted to understand the dynamic shear fracture behavior under compression–shear stress states. Flat-hat-shaped specimens of 30CrMnSiNi2A high-strength steel were loaded using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus, combining the ultra-high-speed photography technique, digital image correlation method, and microstructure observation. Parallel finite element simulations were performed using both a modified Johnson–Cook (MJC) fracture criterion or an extended Xue–Wierzbicki (EXW) fracture criterion with Lode dependence to reveal the value of the Lode parameter incorporation. It was found that deformed shear bands with a width of approximately 0.14 mm form at a critical impact velocity. The EXW criterion correctly predicts the critical fracture velocity and estimates the fracture initiation instants within an error of 5.3%, whereas the MJC fracture criterion overestimates the velocity by 14.3%. Detailed analysis shows that the EXW criterion predicts a combined failure mechanism involving ductile fracture and material instability, while the MJC fracture criterion attributes the failure exclusively to material instability. The improved accuracy achieved by employing the Lode-dependent EXW fracture criterion may be attributed to the compression–shear stress state and the accurate prediction of the failure mechanism of the dynamic shear fracture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kinematic measurements obtained from functional tests have been used to identify associated and risk factors for the development of lower limb dysfunction, allowing targeted interventions to reduce potential risks and guide rehabilitation. It is necessary to identify variables and tests with adequate reliability and with the capability to discriminate individuals with and without lower limb functional deficits. This study aimed to determine which single-legged test (single-leg squat and single-leg landing) and variables (angle at deepest instant and range of motion) present the best reliability and capability to discriminate individuals with and without lower limb functional deficits. Methods: The frontal plane kinematics of 86 adults, divided into 2 groups (43 with lower limb functional deficits and 43 without), as classified by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, were assessed during single-leg squat and single-leg landing tasks. The differences between groups in trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee ranges of motion and angles were tested using the independent T test or Mann–Whitney U test, and the test–retest, inter-rater, and intra-rater absolute (standard error of measurement and minimal detectable difference) and relative (intraclass correlation coefficient) reliability were calculated. Results: Trunk (r = 0.47), hip (r = 0.40), and knee (r = 0.35) angles at the deepest instant, as well as range of motion of the trunk (r = 0.33), pelvis (r = 0.47), and knee (r = 0.32) during the single-leg landing discriminated between groups (p < 0.05). For the single-leg squat, no variable discriminated the groups. Test–retest, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability ranged from poor to excellent, with minimal detectable differences remaining below 19°. Conclusions: The single-leg landing and pelvis range of motion were the most effective tests and variables for discriminating individuals with and without lower limb functional deficits. Most variables demonstrated moderate test–retest and excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Full article

As modern technology enables instant access to virtually limitless information, students may perceive memorization of information as lacking in practical importance. The current study investigated the relationship between attitudes toward remembering and metamemory as well as objective memory performance. University students (N = 108, M_Age = 19.39, 77% women) completed the Importance of Remembering questionnaire (IORQ) as a measure of attitudes toward remembering. Subjective components of memory were measured by immediate and delayed judgments of learning (JOLs), global judgments of learning (global JOLs), retroactive confidence judgments (RCJs), and subjective mental workload. Objective memory performance was measured using a cued recall test using word pairs and picture pairs. The IORQ was only significantly correlated with absolute accuracy of delayed judgments of learning for words and pictures such that higher IORQ ratings were associated with less accurate judgments about how well they learned the items. No other correlations were significant. This suggests that a student’s lack of belief in the importance of remembering, at least as conceptualized on the IORQ, may not affect most aspects of memory performance, including those related to academic outcomes. Full article

The evaporation of soil water drives the upward movement of salt and its accumulation on the surface, which ultimately leads to soil salinization in agroecosystems. With the rapid development of remote sensing technology, the soil water and salt transport can be monitored accurately. Based on Landsat 8 satellite imagery and ERA5-Land reanalysis datasets, this study explored the variation characteristics of soil water and salt in the northeast Tibetan Plateau from 2013 to 2023, inferred by geostatistical methods like ridge regression, windowed cross correlation, and machine learning algorithms. The results show that the negative correlation effect between deep soil moisture (100–289 cm) and soil salinization is stronger. Moreover, soil water and salt also have a time lag effect compared with instant responses, meaning that the soil salinization caused by deep soil moisture may require longer transport times. As the potential driving factors, an increase in soil organic carbon and runoff is beneficial for alleviating salinization while abundant runoff also promotes soil humidification. This study has elucidated the specific regulation of soil salinization by soil moisture within different profiles, which is beneficial for understanding the ecological balance of soil water and soil salt in agroecosystems. Full article

Traditional methods for evaluating tennis technique, such as visual observation and video analysis, are often subjective and time consuming. On the other hand, a quick and accurate assessment can provide immediate feedback to players and contribute to technical development, particularly in less experienced athletes. This study aims to validate the use of a single inertial measurement system to assess some relevant technical parameters of amateur players. Among other things, we attempt to search for significant correlations between the flexion extension and torsion of the torso and the lateral distance of the ball from the body at the instant of impact. This research involved a group of amateur players who performed a series of standardized gestures (forehands and serves) wearing a sensorized chest strap fitted with a wireless inertial unit. The collected data were processed to extract performance metrics. The percentage coefficient of variation for repeated measurements, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Spearman’s correlation were used to determine the system’s reliability. High reliability was found between sets of measurements in all of the investigated parameters. The statistical analysis showed moderate and strong correlations, suggesting possible applications in assessing and optimizing specific aspects of the technique, like the player’s distance to the ball in the forehand or the toss in the serve. The significant variations in technical execution among the subjects emphasized the need for tailored interventions through personalized feedback. Furthermore, the system allows for the highlighting of specific areas where intervention can be achieved in order to improve gesture execution. These results prompt us to consider this system’s effectiveness in developing an on-court mobile application. Full article

Nowadays, enhancing campus environments through mitigations of air pollutions is an essential endeavor to support academic achievements, health, and safety of students and staffs in higher educational institutes. In laboratories, pollutants from welding, auto repairs, or chemical experiments can drastically degrade the air quality in the campus, endangering the respiratory and cognitive health of students and staffs. Besides, in universities in Indonesia, automobile emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and hydrocarbon (HC) have been a serious problem for a long time. Almost everybody is using a motorbike or a car every day in daily life, while the number of students is continuously increasing. However, people in many campuses including managements do not be aware these problems, since air quality is not monitored. In this paper, we present a real-time air quality monitoring system utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) integrated sensors capable of detecting pollutants and measuring environmental conditions to visualize them. By transmitting data to the SEMAR IoT application server platform via an ESP32 microcontroller, this system provides instant alerts through a web application and Telegram notifications when pollutant levels exceed safe thresholds. For evaluations of the proposed system, we adopted three sensors to measure the levels of CO, NO₂, and HC and conducted experiments in three sites, namely, Mechatronics Laboratory, Power and Emission Laboratory, and Parking Lot, at the State Polytechnic of Malang, Indonesia. Then, the results reveal Good, Unhealthy, and Dangerous for them, respectively, among the five categories defined by the Indonesian government. The system highlighted its ability to monitor air quality fluctuations, trigger warnings of hazardous conditions, and inform the campus community. The correlation of the sensor levels can identify the relationship of each pollutant, which provides insight into the characteristics of pollutants in a particular scenario. Full article

Chlorogenic acids (CGAs) play a key role in defining the quality and functionality of coffee products. CGA fingerprints of black instant coffee (BIC) and coffee bean extract (CBE) were profiled using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and analyzed by chemometrics. A total of 25 CGAs were identified. The BICs yielded higher levels of major CGAs than the CBEs. Furthermore, chemometrics methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS–DA), successfully classified the CBEs and the BICs. In vitro cellular antioxidant activity and viability assays between coffee products further confirmed the relationship between phenolic compounds and bioactivities. Compared to the CBEs, the BICs provided higher cellular toxicity and oxidant activity for hepatocellular carcinoma G2 (HepG2) cells. These results demonstrated that CGAs and their derivatives could be markers for studying coffee-related products. This study revealed the unique phenolic profiles of various coffee products, highlighting the differences between whole beans and soluble coffee. Full article

Growing concerns about the health risks of melamine adulteration in food products highlight the urgent need for reliable detection methods. However, the long-term effects of chronic low-level melamine exposure remain inadequately explored. This study introduces THE ONE InstantCare platform, a portable immunoassay analyzer integrating a SpectroChip-based spectral processing unit (SPU) with lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for sensitive and accurate quantification of melamine in human urine. This platform provides a cost-effective, rapid, and user-friendly point-of-care (POC) solution for melamine detection. Analytical evaluations across eight melamine concentrations (0–100 parts per billion, ppb) achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.91 ppb. Validation with 24 human urine samples demonstrated strong concordance with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), yielding an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.9220, a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.9389, and 95% agreement in Bland–Altman analysis. High reproducibility was observed, with an intraday coefficient of variation (CV) of 6.53% and acceptable interday CV values, while interference studies confirmed reliability in the presence of common biological substances. By delivering results in approximately 10 min, THE ONE InstantCare platform significantly reduces analysis time compared to LC-MS, which typically requires several hours. This novel platform enhances food safety surveillance and advances human health risk assessments, particularly for evaluating melamine-linked kidney damage. Its versatility and robust performance make it a promising tool for environmental monitoring and clinical diagnostics, enabling the detection of diverse biomarkers with high sensitivity and reproducibility. Full article

With the constant evolution of information and communication technology (ICT), smart classrooms have profoundly influenced Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by presenting advanced ICT that markedly improved the effectiveness and quality of teaching and learning. Teacher communication technology teaching and immediacy behaviors are crucial for leading and reforming the teaching and learning process in smart classrooms. Meanwhile, teacher–student rapport and student engagement are also key factors that influence ESD. This study aims to investigate the correlation among teacher ICT teaching, teacher immediacy behaviors, teacher–student rapport and student engagement in smart classroom teaching. We surveyed 1032 Chinese university students using the questionnaire method and analyzed the data using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings revealed that teacher ICT teaching and immediacy behaviors exerted a noteworthy positive impact on student engagement and teacher–student rapport. Meanwhile, teacher ICT teaching markedly positively correlated with verbal immediacy but markedly negatively correlated with nonverbal immediacy. These findings have practical implications for ESD: in smart classrooms, teacher ICT teaching and their immediacy behaviors serve as vital factors in augmenting teaching quality, encouraging student engagement and fostering harmonious teacher–student rapport. Thus, teachers must harness their ICT teaching skills, flexibly assimilate instant behaviors into the teaching process and interact with students in a richer and more diversified manner to effectively augment teaching quality and promote the overall and sustainable growth of students. Furthermore, this study can inform the expansion of smart classrooms, which in the future should not only offer teachers a convenient teaching and learning environment but also evade ICT that limits teacher nonverbal immediacy behaviors. Full article

Training in team sports such as soccer requires advanced technical and tactical skills for effective decision-making, particularly when executing a shot. This study validates an innovative instrument, a training platform (TP), designed to measure and enhance decision-making in dual-task scenarios. The TP aims to improve visual–motor reactions in multitask environments that simulate real game conditions. Equipped with an LED panel, main circuitry, ball sensor, and targets, the TP challenges players to kick the ball in response to the illumination of the final LED array on the panel while hitting a designated target. The study evaluated three parameters: reaction time (RT), ball speed (BS) and accuracy. To validate the TP against a gold standard (GS), we conducted correlation analyses. The results exhibited very strong correlations for both RT (r = 0.997) and BS (r = 0.994). The mean differences between TP and GS measurements were 13 ± 15 ms for RT and 0.1 ± 0.5 km/h for BS. Bland–Altman plots revealed trend lines obtained by a simple linear regression of r = −0.507, p = 0.307 for RT and r = 0.134, p = 0.077 for BS. The TP effectively simulates game scenarios, offering advantages such as low-cost components, installation flexibility, test variability, instant feedback, and integration of physical and cognitive components of sports performance. Full article

The main objective was to evaluate the use of common bean flour (CBF), corn flour, and semolina to obtain instant noodles by means of a hot dry and frying process. The hot drying process was conducted at 60 °C for 4 h, and frying was conducted at 140 °C and 160 °C for 1 and 3 min. Proximate analysis, total phenolic content (TPC), the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, phenolic acids and flavonoids profile by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, the optimal cooking time (OCT), and color and texture analysis (TPA) were conducted. The general linear model and regression analysis were used. The incorporation of CBF resulted in an elevated protein content and TPC of the noodles. The noodles (hot dry) with CBF exhibited an enhanced antioxidant capacity. The adhesiveness has a direct correlation with the cinnamic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acid content (r² = 0.95 or higher), as well as an inverse relationship with the vanillic, ferulic, and sinapic acids (r² = −0.80 to −0.85). The dry hot noodles exhibited the lowest value of hardness (31.0 ± 1.5 N). The incorporation of common bean flour and corn flour enhances the nutritional profile of noodles. However, hot dry process affects their mechanical characteristics in comparison to the frying process. Full article