Revealing trends in academic publishing on immersive journalism through a dataset analysis of metaverse and extended technologies from 2017 to 2022.

This article presents the data obtained from a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the use of metaverse and extended technologies for immersive journalism [1]. Boolean operators, both in English and Spanish, were used to retrieve scientific literature using Publish or Perish 8 software on Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar between 2017 and 2022. After finding all the scientific literature, a methodological process was carried out using selection criteria and following the PRISMA model to obtain a total sample of 61 scientific articles. The DESLOCIS framework was used for the evaluation and quantitative and qualitative analysis of the retrieved data. The first dataset [2] contains the metadata of the retrieved publications according to the phases of the PRISMA statement. The second dataset [3] contains the characteristics of these publications according to the DESLOCIS framework. The data offer the possibility to develop new longitudinal studies and meta-analyzes in the field of immersive journalism.

Challenging Pandemic Law: From Vaccine Mandates to Judicial Review of Vaccine Approvals.

Over recent years, dozens of legal challenges have been instituted in response to government action during the COVID-19 pandemic. While public health orders have been challenged on several grounds, few cases have succeeded. Fewer cases still have called into question decisions made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to approve the COVID-19 vaccines. This section provides a brief update on one recent, partially successful COVID-19 health directions case before examining two applications in the Federal Court of Australia seeking judicial review of the TGA's approval of the COVID-19 vaccines. The section argues that, while both TGA applications were dismissed for lack of standing, they illustrate how and why third parties will ordinarily not be entitled to challenge administrative decisions about therapeutic goods.

Holistic exploration of reading comprehension skills, technology and socioeconomic factors in Spanish teenagers.

The intricate relationship between teenagers' literacy and technology underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding, particularly in the Spanish context. This study employs explainable artificial intelligence (AI) to delve into this complex interplay, focusing on the pivotal role of reading comprehension skills in the personal and career development of Spanish teenagers. With a sample of 22,400 15-year-olds from the PISA dataset, we investigate the impact of socioeconomic factors, technology habits, parental education, residential location, and school type on reading comprehension skills. Utilizing machine learning techniques, our analysis reveals a nuanced connection between autonomy, technological proficiency, and academic performance. Notably, family oversight of technology use emerges as a crucial factor in managing the impact of digital technology and the Internet on reading comprehension skills. The study emphasizes the necessity for a balanced and supervised introduction to technology from an early age. Contrary to current trends, our findings indicate that online gaming may not contribute positively to reading comprehension skills, while moderate daily Internet use (1-4 h) proves beneficial. Furthermore, the study underscores the ongoing nature of acquiring reading comprehension and technological skills, emphasizing the need for continuous attention and guidance from childhood. Parental education levels are identified as partial predictors of children's performance, emphasizing the importance of a holistic educational approach that considers autonomy and technological literacy. This study advocates for addressing socio-economic and gender inequalities in education and highlights the crucial role of cooperation between schools and families, particularly those with lower educational levels.

Advancing cyanobacterial biotechnology: new frontiers in natural product discovery and production.

Cyanobacteria, as oxygenic phototrophs, offer significant potential for sustainable biotechnology applications. Cyanobacterial natural products, with antimicrobial, anticancer, and plant growth-promoting properties, hold promise in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental remediation. By leveraging advanced technologies, cyanobacteria can significantly impact various industries, supporting the green biotechnology agenda. Recent advancements in integrated omics, orphan gene cluster activation, genetic manipulation, and chemo-enzymatic methods are expanding their biotechnological relevance. Omics technologies revolutionize cyanobacterial natural product research by facilitating biosynthetic gene cluster identification. Heterologous expression and pathway reconstitution enable complex natural product production, while high-titer strategies like metabolic engineering enhance yields. Interdisciplinary research and technological progress position cyanobacteria as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, driving sustainable biotechnological practices forward.

Awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel.

Seasonal scarcity of quality feed continues to be a bottleneck for agro-pastoralists and is the most important limitation to livestock production in agro-pastoral systems in the West African Sahel. In this regard, diverse promising technologies to increase the production and availability of quality feed have been introduced. Despite the introduction of various feed technologies in the region, the adoption rate by smallholder farmers is very low. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting the likelihood of using improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in two regions of Niger. A logit model was employed using data collected from randomly selected 218 agro-pastoral households between February and April 2023. The study revealed low awareness and use of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households. The findings suggested the positive impact of education level, membership of farmer groups and ownership of small ruminant on enhancing the probability of using improved livestock feed technologies. Households' geographical area was one of the determinant factors in using improved livestock feed technologies. The use of improved livestock feed technologies was also influenced by family size. The study provides guidance to inform strategies by the decision-makers to enhance the utilization of improved livestock feed technologies among agro-pastoral households in the West African Sahel. Suggested strategies may in turn alleviate the current problem of low productivity of livestock, contribute to improving household food security and nutrition among agro-pastoral communities.

A dataset of Vietnamese university lecturers' teaching skills: A TPACK model.

The dataset described Vietnamese university lecturers' teaching and was constructed using elements of the TPACK model. According to the model of Mishra and Koehler [1], the questionnaire was developed. It was delivered through online platforms. The data collection period was three weeks, from February 6 to February 24, 2024. The survey was conducted using the snowball sampling method, with 503 participants. The article analyzed the remaining 461 records after excluding 41 invalid ones. The dataset was referenced in the Mendeley Data repository [10]. University lecturers could use the data set to enhance their personal professional development. In addition, the dataset could assist higher education institutions in formulating plans and training programs, instruct teaching staff, and assist educational managers and policymakers in formulating policies that encourage technology integration in teaching, thereby enhancing the quality of education.

Measuring the adoption of internet and communication technologies among practitioners in routine disability services: a stepped inclusive approach.

PURPOSE: Existing measurements of the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among practitioners in disability services often treat ICT adoption as a monolithic concept, overlooking its multifaceted nature within the disability field. This study introduces a stepped, inclusive approach to capturing this complexity, elucidating disparities in the utilization of various ICT dimensions, the present vs. anticipated use, and variations among different clinical-demographic groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong, gathering valid data from 324 practitioners spanning diverse disciplines and disability services. RESULTS: Data analysis produced a three-factor model categorizing ICT tools into (1) information and communication tools, (2) screening and monitoring tools, and (3) treatment and rehabilitation tools. The first category was identified as the predominant ICT utilized currently, with significant projected growth in the latter two categories' usage. Variances in current ICT adoption were influenced by practitioners' roles, clientele, positions, affiliating agencies, and educational attainments. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides a deeper understanding of the key dimensions of ICT adoption within disability services. It underscores the importance of devising specific and customized strategies for the effective integration of ICTs, ensuring a more tailored approach to meeting the unique demands of the disability field.

Future studies focusing on information and communication technologies (ICTs) adoption or relevant concepts, such as e-health and telerehabilitation may consider employing similar methodological approaches accustomed to one's local context.Future attention and investment in ICT adoption in disability services should focus more on domains directly relevant to clinical and rehabilitation practice, tailoring strategies to the specific needs of the field.There exists an urgent imperative to enhance ICT training, especially for psychosocial and medical professionals, while also increasing investments in non-governmental organizations.Such support needs to be gender- and age-inclusive, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of practitioners at all organizational levels.

Potential clinical applications of advanced genomic analysis in cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) has historically been attributed to acquired insults, but emerging research suggests that genetic variations are also important causes of CP. While microarray and whole-exome sequencing based studies have been the primary methods for establishing new CP-gene relationships and providing a genetic etiology for individual patients, the cause of their condition remains unknown for many patients with CP. Recent advancements in genomic technologies offer additional opportunities to uncover variations in human genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes that have previously escaped detection. In this review, we outline the use of these state-of-the-art technologies to address the molecular diagnostic challenges experienced by individuals with CP. We also explore the importance of identifying a molecular etiology whenever possible, given the potential for genomic medicine to provide opportunities to treat patients with CP in new and more precise ways.

Transcervical uterine flushing and embryo transfer in sheep: Morphophysiological basis for approaches currently used, major challenges, potential improvements, and new directions (alas, including some old ideas).

At present, the success of non-surgical embryo recovery (NSER) and transfer (NSET) hinges upon the cervical passage of catheters, but penetration of the uterine cervix in ewes is problematic due to its anatomical structure (i.e., long and narrow cervical lumen with misaligned folds and rings). It is a major obstacle limiting the widespread application of NSER and NSET in sheep. While initial attempts to traverse the uterine cervix focused on adapting or re-designing insemination catheters, more recent studies demonstrated that cervical relaxation protocols were instrumental for transcervical penetration in the ewe. An application of such protocols more than tripled cervical penetration rates (currently at 90-95 %) in sheep of different breeds (e.g., Dorper, Lacaune, Santa Inês, crossbred, and indigenous Brazilian breeds) and ages/parity. There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that even repeatedly performed cervical passages do not adversely affect overall health and reproductive function of ewes. Despite these improvements, appropriate selection of donors and recipients remains one of the most important requirements for maintaining high success rates of NSER and NSET, respectively. Non-surgical ovine embryo recovery has gradually become a commercially viable method as even though the procedure still cannot be performed by untrained individuals, it is inexpensive, yields satisfactory results, and complies with current public expectations of animal welfare standards. This article reviews critical morphophysiological aspects of transcervical embryo flushing and transfer, and the prospect of both techniques to replace surgical methods for multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) programs in sheep. We have also discussed some potential pharmacological and technical developments in the field of non-invasive embryo recovery and deposition.

Integrated catalytic systems for simultaneous NOx and PM reduction: a comprehensive evaluation of synergistic performance and combustion waste energy utilization.

The global transition towards sustainable automotive vehicles has driven the demand for energy-efficient internal combustion engines with advanced aftertreatment systems capable of reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. This comprehensive review explores the latest advancements in aftertreatment technologies, focusing on the synergistic integration of in-cylinder combustion strategies, such as low-temperature combustion (LTC), with post-combustion purification systems. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR), lean NOx traps (LNT), and diesel particulate filters (DPF) are critically examined, highlighting novel catalyst formulations and system configurations that enhance low-temperature performance and durability. The review also investigates the potential of energy conversion and recovery techniques, including thermoelectric generators and organic Rankine cycles, to harness waste heat from the exhaust and improve overall system efficiency. By analyzing the complex interactions between engine operating parameters, combustion kinetics, and emission formation, this study provides valuable insights into the optimization of integrated LTC-aftertreatment systems. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of considering real-world driving conditions and transient operation in the development and evaluation of these technologies. The findings presented in this article lay the foundation for future research efforts aimed at overcoming the limitations of current aftertreatment systems and achieving superior emission reduction performance in advanced combustion engines, ultimately contributing to the development of sustainable and efficient automotive technologies.

Developing digital competencies of nursing professionals in continuing education and training - a scoping review.

Introduction: The German health and care system is transforming due to advancing digitalization. New technological applications in nursing, such as social and assistance robotics, artificial intelligence and legal framework conditions are increasingly focused in numerous research projects. However, the approaches to digitalization in nursing are very different. When integrating technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence into nursing, it is particularly important to ensure that ethical and human aspects are taken into account. A structured classification of the development of digitalization in nursing care is currently hardly possible. In order to be able to adequately deal with this digital transformation, the acquisition of digital competences in nursing education programs is pivotal. These include the confident, critical and creative use of information and communication technologies in a private and professional context. This paper focuses on the question which specific training offers already exist at national and international level for nursing professions to acquire digital competences. Methods: A scoping review according to the PRISMA scheme was conducted in the PubMed and CINAHL databases. The search period for the scoping review extended from 2017 to 2024. Results: The selection of the studies took place by inclusion and exclusion criteria and the content-related orientation of the publications. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, eight studies were included. Of these, four were published in German-speaking countries and another four in international English-language journals. Discussion: The topic of digitization of the nursing professions and the question of how nurses can acquire digital competences is gaining international attention. Nevertheless, the research on explicit continuing education programs for nursing professions is still undifferentiated. No specific continuing education offer for the development of digital competences of nursing professionals was identified. Many authors remained at the meta-level when developing methodological concepts for the acquisition of digital competences. The systematic integration of digitalization into higher education and continuing vocational training is mentioned in the publications. The development of theory- and research-based educational frameworks, which can be used as a basis for curricula in nursing studies and continuing education, is highly recommendable.

Applications of Biosensors in Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth most common cancer globally, predominantly affecting men. Early detection and treatment are crucial due to high recurrence rates and poor prognosis for advanced stages. Traditional diagnostic methods like cystoscopy and imaging have limitations, leading to the exploration of noninvasive methods such as liquid biopsy. This review highlights the application of biosensors in BC, including electrochemical and optical sensors for detecting tumor markers like proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, noting their clinical relevance. Emerging therapeutic approaches, such as antibody-drug conjugates, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy, are also explored, the role of biosensors in detecting corresponding biomarkers to guide these treatments is examined. Finally, the review addresses the current challenges and future directions for biosensor applications in BC, highlighting the need for large-scale clinical trials and the integration of advanced technologies like deep learning to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.

Discovering the nucleus in a world of biomaterials.

The nucleus serves as the central hub for cellular activity, driving cell identity and behavior. Despite its crucial role, understanding how biomaterials influence the nucleus remains an underexplored area of research. In our opinion, this is an overlooked opportunity, particularly in regenerative medicine - a field where cellular control is not just beneficial, but essential. As such, we emphasize the need to recognize nuclear characteristics as a key metric for evaluating material functionality. In this leading opinion article, we discuss how state-of-the-art technologies can help reveal biomaterial-driven nuclear alterations, offering crucial insights that will advance the field of regenerative medicine.

One-pot, microwave (MW)-assisted production of furfural from almond-, oil-, and wine-derived co-products through biorefinery-based approaches.

This work outlines the first microwave (MW)-assisted protocol for the production of biofuel precursor furfural (FF) from the raw agricultural waste almond hull (AH), olive stone (OS), and the winemaking-derived grape stalk (GS), grape marc (GM) and exhausted grape marc (EGM) through a one-pot synthesis process. To enhance the overall yield, a catalytic process was firstly developed from xylose, major constituent of hemicellulose present in lignocellulosic biomass. This method afforded FF with 100 % selectivity, yielding over 85 % in isolated product when using H2SO4, as opposed to a 37 % yield with AlCl3·6H2O, at 150 °C in only 10 min. For both catalysts, the developed methodology was further validated, proving adaptable and efficient in producing the targeted FF from the aforementioned lignocellulosic raw materials. More specifically, the employment of AlCl3·6H2O resulted in the highest selectivity (up to 89 % from GM) and FF yield (42 % and 39 % molar from OS and AH, respectively), maintaining notable selectivity for the latter (61 and 48 % from AH and OS). At this regard, and considering the environmental factor of sustainability, it is important to point out the role of AlCl3·6H2O in contrast to H2SO4, thus mitigating detrimental substances. This study provides an important management of agricultural waste through sustainable practises for the development of potential bio-based chemicals, aligning with Green Chemistry and process intensification principles.

Association of Anti-Müllerian Hormone on Oocyte Maturation, Fertilization, and Pregnancy Rates in Patients under Assisted Reproductive Technology Cycles: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian reserve is one of the most important factors that influences the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Recently, the role of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in ART has been investigated as a marker for the prediction of ovarian response. We aim to examine this relationship within a large Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we obtained data from 1000 infertile couples who referred to the Research and Clinical Centre of Yazd Infertility Clinic for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Serum AMH levels, oocyte count, numbers of fertilised oocytes, endometrial thickness, and percentage of mature oocytes were measured. The relationship between AMH serum levels and the number and quality of oocytes and embryos in ART cycles was analysed. RESULTS: In the linear regression model, the log of the variables total dose of gonadotropin, two pronuclei (2PN), log oestradiol, total embryos, duration of stimulation, number of embryos transferred, protocol, and cause of infertility were significant predictors of log AMH. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a relationship between serum AMH levels in the early follicular phase and ovarian reserve. Higher serum AMH levels were also associated with shorter ART cycles.

Biodegradable biopolymers: Real impact to environment pollution.

Biobased biodegradable polymers (BBP) derived from different renewable resources are commonly considered as attractive alternative to petroleum-based polymers, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. It is because they can address the issues of serious environmental problems resulted from accumulation of plastic wastes. In the review current methods of obtaining of most abundant BBP, polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), have been studied with an emphasis on the toxicity of compounds used for their production and additives improving consumer characteristics of PLA and PHB based market products. Substantial part of additives was the same used for traditional polymers. Analysis of the data on the response of different organisms and plants on exposure to these materials and their degradation products confirmed the doubts about real safety of BBP. Studies of safer additives are scarce and are of vital importance. Meanwhile, technologies of recycling of traditional petroleum-based polymers were shown to be well-developed, which cannot be said about PLA or PHB based polymers, and their blends with petroleum-based polymers. Therefore, development of more environmentally friendly components and sustainable technologies of production are necessary before following market expansion of biobased biodegradable products.

Artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare: Opportunity and/or threat.

The aim of the article to present the development of artificial intelligence (AI) methods and their applications in medicine and health care. Current technological development contributes to generation of large volumes of data that cannot be evaluated only manually. We describe the process of patient care and its individual parts that can be supported by technology and data analysis methods. There are many successful applications that help in the decision support process, in processing complex multidimensional heterogeneous and/or long-term data. On the other side, failures appear in AI methods applications. In recent years, deep learning became very popular and to a certain extend it delivered promising results. However, it has certain flaws that might lead to misclassification. The correct methodological steps in design and implementation of selected methods to data processing are briefly presented.

Recent developments on sustainable biobutanol production: a novel integrative review.

Renewable and sustainable biofuel production, such as biobutanol, is becoming increasingly popular as a substitute for non-renewable and depleted petrol fuel. Many researchers have studied how to produce butanol cheaply by considering appropriate feedstock materials and bioprocess technologies. The production of biobutanol through acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) is highly sought after around the world because of its sustainable supply and lack of competition with food. The purpose of this study is to present the current biobutanol production research and to analyse the biobutanol research conducted during 2006 to 2023. The keyword used in this study is "Biobutanol," and the relevant data was extracted from the Web of Science database (WoS). According to the results, institutions and scholars from the People's Republic of China, the USA, and India have the highest number of cited papers across a broad spectrum of topics including acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation, biobutanol, various pretreatment techniques, and pervaporation. The success of biobutanol fermentation from biomass depends on the ability of the fermentation operation to match the microbial behaviour along with the appropriate bioprocessing strategies to improve the entire process to be suitable for industrial scale. Based on the review data, we will look at the biobutanol technologies and appropriate strategies that have been developed to improve biobutanol production from renewable biomass.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the Indian agriculture sector and mitigation by best management practices and smart farming technologies-a review.

The growing demand for agricultural products, driven by the Green Revolution, has led to a significant increase in food production. However, the demand is surpassing production, making food security a major concern, especially under climatic variation. The Indian agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to extreme rainfall, drought, pests, and diseases in the present climate change scenario. Nonetheless, the key agriculture sub-sectors such as livestock, rice cultivation, and biomass burning also significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a driver of global climate change. Agriculture activities alone account for 10-12% of global GHG emissions. India is an agrarian economy and a hub for global food production, which is met by intensive agricultural inputs leading to the deterioration of natural resources. It further contributes to 14% of the country's total GHG emissions. Identifying the drivers and best mitigation strategies in the sector is thus crucial for rigorous GHG mitigation. Therefore, this review aims to identify and expound the key drivers of GHG emissions in Indian agriculture and present the best strategies available in the existing literature. This will help the scientific community, policymakers, and stakeholders to evaluate the current agricultural practices and uphold the best approach available. We also discussed the socio-economic, and environmental implications to understand the impacts that may arise from intensive agriculture. Finally, we examined the current national climate policies, areas for further research, and policy amendments to help bridge the knowledge gap among researchers, policymakers, and the public in the national interest toward GHG reduction goals.

A Novel Two-Step Method for Converting Lumbar Cortical Screw to Pedicle Screw: A Case Report.

The cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique has emerged as a minimally invasive approach for lumbar fusion but may result in pseudoarthrosis and hardware failure. This report presents a case of successful pedicle screw revision in a patient with previous failed L2 and L3 fusion using a novel "two-step" technique, including (1) drilling a new trajectory with Medtronic EM800N Stealth MIDAS Navigated MR8 drill system (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) and (2) placement of Solera 4.75 ATS (awl-tapped screws) with navigated POWEREASE™ (Medtronic), described here for the first time. This method involves utilizing neuronavigation and specialized instruments to safely place pedicle screws through the path of the old cortical screw trajectory, addressing the challenges associated with CBT hardware failure.