Science Talks最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the impact of bilingual education on student outcomes: A qualitative student-centric approach","authors":"Gnana Sanga Mithra S,&nbsp;Ananth Padmanabhan","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This qualitative study explores the impact of bilingual education in Tamil and English on student comprehension and academic performance from the perspective of students in Tamil Nadu. It investigates students' attitudes toward bilingual learning, language preferences, and the perceived effectiveness of teaching strategies within a dual-language framework. Using case studies, in-depth interviews, and focus groups, the study captures detailed insights into students' bilingual learning experiences. Grounded in the Tamil-English bilingual context, the literature review draws on key theories of bilingualism and language acquisition, including Cummins' Threshold Hypothesis, the Bilingual Interactive Activation Model, and Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory. The study also incorporates the concept of translanguaging—the fluid use of multiple languages to maximize learning—and cognitive flexibility, defined as the mental ability to switch between thinking about different concepts or languages. Data is analyzed through thematic analysis, identifying recurring patterns related to student engagement, comprehension, and learning outcomes. Findings indicate the need to refine bilingual education practices in Tamil Nadu to better align with students' language preferences, support cognitive development, encourage cultural integration, and promote effective, student-centered instruction. Such refinements could help bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and the practical realities of bilingual learning in regional educational settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100476"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144724780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the solidification and phase separation of calcium chloride hexahydrate with different water content by means of X-ray computed tomography","authors":"Dario Guarda ,&nbsp;Jorge Martinez-Garcia ,&nbsp;Benjamin Fenk ,&nbsp;Poppy O'Neill ,&nbsp;Rebecca Ravotti ,&nbsp;Damian Gwerder ,&nbsp;Anastasia Stamatiou ,&nbsp;Jörg Worlitschek ,&nbsp;Simone Mancin ,&nbsp;Philipp Schuetz","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a well-known technology that is quite new to the field of research of non-metallic phase change materials (PCMs) employed in latent thermal energy storages (LTESs). The current work demonstrate the value of XCT, opening unprecedent opportunities to obtain new insights on solid-liquid phase transition. XCT permits to measure accurately volumetric liquid fraction, observing the formation of voids and phase separation, also known as segregation, which is hindering the deployment of salt hydrates, a particular class of PCMs known for their relatively low cost compared to their quite high volumetric energy density. The capabilities of XCT could eventually lead to the understanding of the segregation phenomenon of salt hydrates and in the future, reliable salt hydrates-based LTES will be able to support the energy transition.</div><div>In the current study, the potential of XCT is shown during the analysis of calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl₂·6H₂O). XCT accuracy and rigorous protocol make it a potential benchmark for new measurement technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100475"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Binge-watching on porn tube sites: Understanding the role of motivations and individual traits","authors":"K. Shilpa ,&nbsp;Devadas Menon ,&nbsp;V.M. Saravanan","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the motivations underlying binge-watching behaviour on pornographic tube sites, using the Uses and Gratifications Theory as its foundation. This research identified five primary drivers of this behaviour: excitement seeking, diversion, fantasy, arousal, and habitual pastime. An online survey conducted among 380 participants in India sheds light on the importance of these factors in prompting extensive consumption of adult content on tube sites. Employing moderation and regression analyses, the research examines the influence of individual traits, such as sensation seeking and the need for cognition, in amplifying binge-watching tendencies. By analysing these interactions, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how personality differences and motivational factors converge to shape viewing behaviours in an Indian context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100474"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144680045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Against the current: Addressing climate-induced health disparities in India's transgender community","authors":"Gnana Sanga Mithra S","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study inspects the unique climate change insights and vulnerabilities experienced by transgender individuals, with an emphasis on how gender identity intermediates environmental awareness and adaptive capacity. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted between January and March 2025 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, involving 167 self-identified transgender individuals recruited through convenience and snowball sampling methods, accomplishing a response rate of 91 %. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, <em>t</em>-tests, and Pearson's correlation via SPSS v26. The results showed a health decline score among participants (M = 5.93, SD = 1.27) that was higher than general population norms (t (166) = 5.39, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), signifying a discriminating health burden attributable to climate-related stressors. Besides, 79.04 % of respondents articulated a lack of sureness in healthcare provider's' competency concerning transgender-specific health concerns, and 60.47 % reported recurrent or persistent experiences of social isolation. Pearson's correlation analysis identified a statistically significant positive relationship between transgender identity-related stressors and increased apprehension toward climate threats (<em>r</em> = 0.61, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.01).</div><div>In addition to quantitative findings, qualitative insights from open-ended responses highlighted three emergent themes: (1) Intersecting Marginalities in Climate Vulnerability, reflecting the layered disadvantages faced during environmental disruptions; (2) Systemic Healthcare Exclusion, emphasizing institutional unpreparedness to meet transgender health needs during crises; and (3) Identity-Driven Climate Awareness, representing a delicate sensitivity to climate risks shaped by social and political marginalization. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing transgender individuals as a distinct demographic within climate vulnerability assessments. The study advocates for the combination of marginalized voices in climate adaptation approaches and public health guidelines to guarantee inclusive, equitable, and responsive frameworks in the aspect of mounting environmental challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100473"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An optimized mismatched filter for continuous emission ultrasound imaging","authors":"Axel Adam,&nbsp;Adrian Basarab,&nbsp;Hervé Liebgott,&nbsp;Barbara Nicolas","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100469","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100469","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current pulse-echo ultrasound imaging techniques provide direct insight into tissue structures but face two key limitations: an upper bounded imaging framerate and an inability to capture phenomena during most of the acquisition time due to a small duty cycle and a short wave-tissue interaction duration. To address these issues, we proposed continuous emission ultrasound imaging (CEUI), demonstrated for motion-mode imaging with a single-input-single-output device.</div><div>CEUI relies on the continuous transmission of an encoded signal, requiring decoding upon reception. Initial evaluations of pulse compression approaches revealed a critical limitation: interference from other emission segments during decoding, causing image quality loss.</div><div>This paper introduces a mismatched filter designed to reduce integrated sidelobe ratio (ISLR) of a specific point spread function of the imaging system. The latter incorporates the impact of emission segments that interfere on a single decoding step. Simulation results show a significant enhancement of the ISLR by 7 dB compared to the matched filter and 5.5 dB compared to classical mismatched filter, while reducing the mainlobe width by 60 % and respectively 25 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100469"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144307104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural empowerment and speaking up among overseas trained nurses in the United Kingdom, National Health Service","authors":"Roslyn Mattukoyya,&nbsp;Pamela Knight-Davidson,&nbsp;Chinenye Ubah","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Structural empowerment within workplaces plays a crucial role in enabling the overseas trained nurses' confidence to speak up against unsafe practice and be affected by adverse workplace culture. In this study levels of structural empowerment were explored utilizing the Condition for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire 2 and hypothetical vignettes to understand speaking-up practices among Overseas trained nurses.</div><div>Moderate levels of structural empowerment were perceived in the domains of <em>access to opportunity</em> (M = 4.05; SD = 0.09) and <em>access to information</em> (M = 3.52; SD = 0.77). Lower levels were perceived in the domains of <em>access to resources</em> (M = 3.04, SD = 0.88) and <em>access to support</em> (M = 3.49; SD = 0.91)<em>.</em> The majority (95.8 %) reported high levels of willingness to speak-up. Access to opportunity and information positively influenced speaking up.</div><div>Nurses perceive that opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge and information about the values and goals of the organization can empower them to speak up. These areas should be developed in NHS, messages reinforced, and initiatives taken to build confidence around patient safety practices. Their perceived inadequate access to support, through feedback and guidance from co-workers and inadequate access to resources, indicates a need to optimize strategies to address these areas to maintain and enhance patient safety culture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100472"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144271218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pre-treatment optimization to reduce membrane fouling during produced water treatment with an integrated FO-MD system","authors":"Muhammad Saqib Nawaz ,&nbsp;Sofiane Soukane ,&nbsp;Muhammad Bilal Asif ,&nbsp;Veerabhadraiah Gudideni ,&nbsp;Sultan Alrubaish ,&nbsp;Noreddine Ghaffour","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100467","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100467","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>During oil exploration, fresh water that is injected into underground reservoirs returns to the surface loaded with hydrocarbons, salts, and other contaminants. This complex solution is typically known as produced water (PW). Generally, different PW streams are generated at a given site, which, after suitable treatment, are sent for re-injection for enhanced oil recovery or to disposal wells. However, there is a potential for water recovery from this hypersaline contaminated stream. Forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD) are two low-pressure membrane treatment technologies successfully used in a single hybrid system for PW treatment. During operation, the key foulants on the FO membrane were CaSiO₃, CaSO₄, and NaCl, while for MD, they were SiO₂ and CaSO₄ plus emulsified oil, causing pore clogging. Some foulants were tightly bound and not removed by osmotic backwashing or hydraulic flushing, thus requiring pre-treatment. Different pre-treatment techniques, like ion exchange resins and polymeric and ceramic membrane-based ultrafiltration (UF), were assessed in this study. The resins were able to remove bivalent metallic ions successfully from lower concentration streams only and thus caused an increase in FO flux and a reduction in MD flux by disturbing the FO-MD system equilibrium. The higher concentrations of resins and chemicals required for their regeneration make them unsuitable for such applications. On the contrary, PW pre-treated with polymeric and ceramic UF membranes led to increased FO and MD fluxes without any chemical requirement and proved suitable for pre-treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100467"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144185269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Clinical Placement Education Unit (CPEU) experiences from the nursing bachelor's degree program at the University of Parma","authors":"Pierangela Pompini ,&nbsp;Maurizio Beretta ,&nbsp;Nunzia Montesanto ,&nbsp;Chiara Canini ,&nbsp;Girolama Gaia Carlucci ,&nbsp;Giovanna Casella ,&nbsp;Massimo Guasconi ,&nbsp;Andrea Contini ,&nbsp;Maria Gaetana Droghi ,&nbsp;Vittorio Casati ,&nbsp;Simona Galante ,&nbsp;Rachele La Sala ,&nbsp;Pasquale La Torre ,&nbsp;Davide Lazzeroni ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Marletta ,&nbsp;Samantha Grimaldi ,&nbsp;Antonio Bonacaro ,&nbsp;Cinzia Merlini","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100465","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100465","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Clinical placement is a vital component of nursing education, offering the opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. Among the factors that significantly influence this experience, clinical tutoring models plays a crucial role in the development of key competencies.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To evaluate the impact of Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) on the quality of nursing students' teaching and learning experiences at the Piacenza Teaching Hospital and to explore its effect on job satisfaction.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024 included nursing students and nurses from the neuro-rehabilitation unit. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed according to the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis model. Quantitative data were collected via two validated questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistical methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The qualitative findings reveal that this innovative placement model promotes autonomy, team integration, and the development of interpersonal skills. Quantitative results show that the absolute median values for both questionnaires were higher among participants in the DEU group compared to those exposed to the traditional clinical placement experience.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The DEU model seems to be effective in enhancing learning and in bridging theory with practice. Challenges related to high student numbers and resistance to change were identified.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100465"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proposal for a global quality indicator for the municipal public health system – GQIMPHS","authors":"André Gomes Coimbra ,&nbsp;Otil C.D. dos Santos ,&nbsp;Angélica C.G. Santos ,&nbsp;João B. Mendes ,&nbsp;Marcos F.S.V. D'Angelo ,&nbsp;Matheus P. Libório ,&nbsp;Reginaldo M. Macedo ,&nbsp;Elisa Fusco ,&nbsp;Petr Ekel","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100466","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100466","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The evaluation of composite indicators is essential for improving health systems. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Benefit of the Doubt method are two approaches widely used in this context. Data Envelopment Analysis assesses the relative efficiency of production units, while the Benefit of the Doubt recognizes the uncertainty of composite indicators, allowing for more flexible analyses. Together, these approaches provide a comprehensive view, identifying areas for improvement in health systems and considering both efficiency and the complexity and uncertainties associated with composite indicators. Based on this, this work proposes a framework to generate a single indicator in the health system of 57 counties in the state of Minas Gerais with more than 30 thousand inhabitants, considering three dimensions: infrastructure, service and health status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100466"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144196296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reflecting on practice: Exploring how students learn to be reflective practitioners in an undergraduate nursing curriculum","authors":"Caroline Browne,&nbsp;Helen Dugmore","doi":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100468","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100468","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing reflective practice in undergraduate nursing students is an important outcome of any Bachelor of Nursing (BN) program. Integrating reflection helps students: understand their values and expectations; link theory to practice; improve professional competence; and manage the stress and anxiety of transitioning to practice. Undergraduate students often engage with reflective practice at a descriptive level, and for reflection to be effective it must be purposeful and linked to practice. A Digital Storytelling Workshop was integrated into a final semester nursing unit to provide students with a creative way to reflect on their experiences and motivations across the degree.</div><div>Final Semester BN students completed an online survey (<em>n</em> = 117) evaluating their experience with reflection, including a depth of reflection questionnaire. Additionally, three students participated in interviews exploring their experiences with reflection across the curriculum. Findings suggest that students used reflection, and even critical reflection, to help them understand their practice. Offering alternate methods to develop reflective practice early in the BN curriculum may allow more students to engage with the reflective process and achieve a deeper level of reflection. The timing of the reflective activities in their final semester provided an opportunity for enhancing confidence prior to transition into professional practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101148,"journal":{"name":"Science Talks","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100468"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}