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The task of creating innovative technologies for teaching Russian as a native, as a non-native and as a foreign language, taking into account the age of students, their cognitive abilities and features of the first language, is relevant. The solution of this problem requires a fundamental psycholinguistic study of the processes accompanying the formation of the language mechanisms of children and adults. The aim of this research is to specify the ideas about mastering the category of Russian case in various conditions of language acquisition. The method of comparative analysis of the processes of mastering Russian case in monolingualism, simultaneous child bilingualism, studying Russian as a foreign language and Russian language acquisition by a foreign-speaking child in the process of communication, was used. The material was collected during longitudinal observation of the speech of primary school students from St. Petersburg, who were native speakers of Turkic and Caucasian languages. The classification of errors in selecting and constructing case forms is proposed. The ways of access to the mental lexicon and the mechanisms of procedural grammar rules formation are described. The conclusion is that there is the imbalance between the cognitive and communicative development of a foreign child and the level of language proficiency, which leads to a detailed, but grammatically unformed statement, characteristic of a successive natural bilingual. When Russian-speaking child resorts to retrieving ready-made frameworks of prepositional case constructions from memory, the foreign child independently constructs them in speech, preferring to use basic and reduced forms. In the future, it is necessary to develop a unified toolkit for studying grammar mechanisms formation and to increase the empirical base of the study. The information about speech ontogenesis obtained as a result of the study must be taken into account for developing scientifically based methods of teaching Russian as a non-native language and as a foreign language.

Pollution from fossil fuel usage coupled with its unsustainability is currently instigating a global drive for affordable and eco-friendly alternatives. A feasible replacement seems to be microbial biofuels. However, the production cost is still high, partly due to the cost of substrates and media. Microalgae, yeasts, moulds and bacteria can grow on cheap and easily available agricultural waste substrates to produce bioethanol, biogas, biobutanol, acetone and/or lipids for biodiesel. Oleaginous microbes, such as several species of Chlorella, Schizochytrium, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Yarrowia, Aspergillus, Rhodococcus, etc., have been applied in the production of high and choice lipids for biodiesel. High bioethanol, butanol and acetone yields have also been achieved with several agricultural waste substrates either through separate hydrolysis and fermentation or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. The isolation or transformation of some microbial strains has shown the possibility of using only one microorganism to produce bioethanol from lignocellulose biomass in consolidated bioethanol production. High biogas/biomethane yield has also been recorded from different agricultural wastes, especially in co-digestion systems. Pre-treatment, detoxification, application of microbial co-cultures, co-substrate mixing ratios, organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time among others have been reported to affect the quantity and quality of different biofuels produced from agricultural wastes. Interestingly, these agricultural waste substrates were greatly degraded during fermentation and/or digestion to achieve high level of bioremediation. Therefore, this study presents a holistic review of various agricultural wastes adopted as biofuel substrates, the conditions to attain optimum biofuel productions and cases of simultaneous bioremediation of substrates obtained during biofuel production. The valorization of the biofuel by-products into other essential products to achieve a zero-waste and circular bioeconomy is also properly presented.

Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry identifier: PACTR202402642155729.

Abstract A highly extensible, tough, chemically crosslinked double-network (DN) hydrogel was synthesized from acrylamide. Three samples of this hydrogel were swelled using different solutions. One swelled in water, one in [...]

The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), one of the highly researched career theories, suggested that outcomes expectance and self-efficacy are crucial factors in the career selection process. The result of career outcomes expectancy (COE) and career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) may be pivotal in an individual's shunning or being more inspired in their career behaviour. Both factors together are important in career decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among COE and CDSE of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students at a South African university. The article is based on a quantitative study conducted among a sample of 322 STEM students, of which 203 responses were received. The career outcomes expectancy scale (COES) and career decision self-efficacy scale (CDSES) were used in the collection of data. Data were analysed with the IBM SPSS version 26 software and descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, linear regression and multivariate analytical tools were engaged. Findings show that age and race significantly associated with CDSE. Additionally, COE was found to have a statistically significant relationship with CDSE and that CDSE positively predicted COE. The environment of upbringing was also found to be influential in participants' CDSE and COE. In line with extant literature, the discussion of the findings is made to proffer recommendations that have implications for practice, policy and further studies.

Encouraging women to go into Science and Technology (S&T) careers should start with the young girls. In developing countries, such as Nigeria, girls experience challenges in studying science and technological subjects and pursuing careers in these professions. The study identifies factors that inhibit Nigerian girls from undertaking careers in S&T. A sample of 228 Nigerian Senior Secondary School girls was used for the study. A "Female Students Science and Technology Inhibitions Questionnaire" (FSSTIQ) was used to elicit responses from the girls on conceptual, psychological and physical inhibitions to their studying S&T subjects. Percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to describe the data obtained. The results reveal that the major conceptual, psychological and physical problems the girls encountered were mathematical concepts, perception of S&T subjects as being difficult, and inadequate time to study. A "Differentiated Mentoring" approach is recommended for engendering effective mentoring of school girls interested in pursuing science and technology careers.

Introduction: Tracking of blood glucose levels by patients and care providers remains an integral component in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). Evidence, primarily from high‐income countries, has illustrated the effectiveness of self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in controlling DM. However, there is limited data on the feasibility and impact of SMBG among patients in the rural regions of sub‐Saharan Africa. This study is aimed at assessing SMBG, its adherence, and associated factors on the effect of glycaemic control among insulin‐treated patients with DM in northeastern Tanzania. Materials and Methods: This was a single‐blinded, randomised clinical trial conducted from December 2022 to May 2023. The study included patients with DM who had already been on insulin treatment for at least 3 months. A total of 85 participants were recruited into the study and categorised into the intervention and control groups by a simple randomization method using numbered envelopes. The intervention group received glucose metres, test strips, logbooks, and extensive SMBG training. The control group received the usual care at the outpatient clinic. Each participant was followed for a period of 12 weeks, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) being checked both at the beginning and at the end of the study follow‐up. The primary and secondary outcomes were adherence to the SMBG schedule, barriers associated with the use of SMBG, and the ability to self‐manage DM, logbook data recording, and change in HbA1c. The analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t‐tests, and logistic regression. Results: Eighty participants were analysed: 39 in the intervention group and 41 in the control group. In the intervention group, 24 (61.5%) of patients displayed favourable adherence to SMBG, as evidenced by tests documented in the logbooks and glucometer readings. Education on SMBG was significantly associated with adherence. Structured SMBG improved glycaemic control with a HbA1c reduction of −1.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) −1.39, −0.63) in the intervention group within 3 months from baseline compared to controls of 0.18 (95% CI −0.07, 0.44) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Structured SMBG positively impacted glycaemic control among insulin‐treated patients with DM in the outpatient clinic. The results suggest that implementing a structured testing programme can lead to significant reductions in HbA1c and FBG levels. Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry identifier: PACTR202402642155729. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: We undertook a Grand Challenges in Global Eye Health prioritisation exercise to identify the key issues that must be addressed to improve eye health in the context of an ageing population, to eliminate persistent inequities in health-care access, and to mitigate widespread resource limitations. Methods: Drawing on methods used in previous Grand Challenges studies, we used a multi-step recruitment strategy to assemble a diverse panel of individuals from a range of disciplines relevant to global eye health from all regions globally to participate in a three-round, online, Delphi-like, prioritisation process to nominate and rank challenges in global eye health. Through this process, we developed both global and regional priority lists. Findings: Between Sept 1 and Dec 12, 2019, 470 individuals complete round 1 of the process, of whom 336 completed all three rounds (round 2 between Feb 26 and March 18, 2020, and round 3 between April 2 and April 25, 2020) 156 (46%) of 336 were women, 180 (54%) were men. The proportion of participants who worked in each region ranged from 104 (31%) in sub-Saharan Africa to 21 (6%) in central Europe, eastern Europe, and in central Asia. Of 85 unique challenges identified after round 1, 16 challenges were prioritised at the global level; six focused on detection and treatment of conditions (cataract, refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, services for children and screening for early detection), two focused on addressing shortages in human resource capacity, five on other health service and policy factors (including strengthening policies, integration, health information systems, and budget allocation), and three on improving access to care and promoting equity. Interpretation: This list of Grand Challenges serves as a starting point for immediate action by funders to guide investment in research and innovation in eye health. It challenges researchers, clinicians, and policy makers to build collaborations to address specific challenges. Funding: The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Moorfields Eye Charity, National Institute for Health Research Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust, Sightsavers, The Fred Hollows Foundation, The Seva Foundation, British Council for the Prevention of Blindness, and Christian Blind Mission. Translations: For the French, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic and Persian translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is the seventh among the WHO’s top 10 threats to global public health, which has continued to perpetuate the transmission of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) in Africa. Consequently, this paper systematically reviewed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates (VARs)—including the vaccine uptake and vaccination intention—in Africa from 2020 to 2022, compared the rates within the five African regions and determined the context-specific causes of VH in Africa. Generally, COVID-19 VARs ranged from 21.0% to 97.9% and 8.2% to 92.0% with mean rates of 59.8 ± 3.8% and 58.0 ± 2.4% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Southern and eastern African regions had the top two VARs of 83.5 ± 6.3% and 68.9 ± 6.6% in 2021, and 64.2 ± 4.6% and 61.2 ± 5.1% in 2022, respectively. Based on population types, healthcare workers had a marginal increase in their mean COVID-19 VARs from 55.5 ± 5.6% in 2021 to 60.8 ± 5.3% in 2022. In other populations, the mean VARs decreased from 62.7 ± 5.2% in 2021 to 54.5 ± 4% in 2022. As of 25 October 2022, Africa lags behind the world with only 24% full COVID-19 vaccinations compared to 84%, 79% and 63% reported, respectively, in the Australian continent, upper-middle-income countries and globally. Apart from the problems of confidence, complacency, convenience, communications and context, the context-specific factors driving COVID-19 VH in Africa are global COVID-19 vaccine inequality, lack of vaccine production/maintenance facilities, insecurity, high illiteracy level, endemic corruption, mistrust in some political leaders, the spreading of unconfirmed anti-vaccination rumors and political instability. With an overall mean COVID-19 acceptance rate of 58%, VH still subsists in Africa. The low VARs in Africa have detrimental global public health implications, as it could facilitate the emergence of immune invading SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, which may spread globally. Consequently, there is a need to confront these challenges frontally and engage traditional and religious leaders in the fight against VH in Africa, to restore public trust in the safety and efficacy of vaccines generally. As the availability of COVID-19 vaccines improves, the vaccination of pets and zoo-animals from which reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported is recommended, to limit the evolution and spread of new variants of concern and avert possible SARS-CoV-2 epizootic or panzootic diseases in susceptible animal species.

The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), one of the highly researched career theories, suggested that outcomes expectance and self-efficacy are crucial factors in the career selection process. The result of career outcomes expectancy (COE) and career decision-making self-efficacy (CDSE) may be pivotal in an individual’s shunning or being more inspired in their career behaviour. Both factors together are important in career decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among COE and CDSE of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students at a South African university. The article is based on a quantitative study conducted among a sample of 322 STEM students, of which 203 responses were received. The career outcomes expectancy scale (COES) and career decision self-efficacy scale (CDSES) were used in the collection of data. Data were analysed with the IBM SPSS version 26 software and descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, linear regression and multivariate analytical tools were engaged. Findings show that age and race significantly associated with CDSE. Additionally, COE was found to have a statistically significant relationship with CDSE and that CDSE positively predicted COE. The environment of upbringing was also found to be influential in participants’ CDSE and COE. In line with extant literature, the discussion of the findings is made to proffer recommendations that have implications for practice, policy and further studies.

PurposeTo evaluate optic nerve diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in glaucoma patients and controls, and to correlate DTI parameters with the rim area obtained with Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT) and with the severity of glaucomatous damage using the Glaucoma Staging System.DesignPilot study.MethodsTwenty-seven patients with glaucoma and 12 control subjects underwent DTI and HRT imaging. Main outcome measures included: fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, HRT rim area, and Glaucoma Staging System stage.ResultsIn group comparison, mean diffusivity (1.33 vs. 0.91 μm/ms, P=0.0002), axial diffusivity (1.70 vs. 1.43 μm/ms, P=0.036), and radial diffusivity (1.24 vs. 0.71 μm/ms, P0.05).ConclusionsDTI may be a useful technique for detection and evaluation of glaucomatous damage in the optic nerve, particularly for patients in whom conventional imaging and perimetry are not possible. Future studies are needed to evaluate how DTI parameters change longitudinally with glaucomatous damage within the visual pathways and address cerebrospinal fluid partial volume effects in diffusion tensor quantification, especially for patients with advanced glaucoma stage.

There is an emerging need for high-rate underwater acoustic (UW-A) communication platforms to enable a new generation of underwater monitoring applications including video streaming. At the same time, modern UW-A communication architectures need to be flexible to adapt and optimize their communication parameters in real time based on the environmental conditions. Existing UW-A modems are limited in terms of achievable data rates and ability to adapt the protocol stack in real time. To overcome this limitation, we present the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of a new high-rate software-defined acoustic modem (SDAM) with real-time adaptation capabilities for UW-A communications. We introduce new physical-layer adaptation mechanisms that enable either joint adaptation of communication parameters such as modulation constellation and channel coding rate or seamless switching between different communication technologies such as orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing and direct-sequence-spread-spectrum. The performance of the proposed SDAM has been evaluated in both indoor (water tank) and outdoor (lake) environments. We demonstrated that the SDAM achieves 104 kbit/s with bit-error-rate (BER) of 2 × 10-5, 208 kbit/s with BER of 10-3, and 260 kbit/s with BER of 10-2 in real time over a 200 m horizontal link at a very-shallow lake environment.

We design, develop, and experimentally validate a complete integrated software/hardware platform for airborne cognitive networking in both indoor and outdoor environments. We first present the concept of all-spectrum cognitive networking and describe a distributed algorithm for maximizing network spectral efficiency by jointly optimizing channel access code-waveforms and routes in a multi-hop network. We then discuss system design parameters and implementation details for setting up a software-defined radio (SDR) testbed that enables reconfigurability at the physical (PHY), medium-access control (MAC), and network (NET) layers of the network protocol stack, either by a user or by means of autonomous decisions. Our algorithmic developments toward spectrally-efficient cognitive networking are software optimized on heterogeneous multi-core general-purpose processor-based SDR architectures by leveraging the design of a novel software-radio framework that offers self-optimization and real-time adaptation capabilities at the PHY, MAC, and NET layers of the network protocol stack. We verify our system design approach in a large-scale testbed deployment of ten terrestrial and one airborne SDR platforms at the Stockbridge Controllable Contested Environment at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, NY, USA. Proof-ofconcept experimental results from both indoor and outdoor testbed deployments show that the proposed system can be used to build all-spectrum cognitive networks that withstand intentional interference at PHY and NET layers and can cognitively coexist with non-cross-layer optimized networks.