SUBJECT CATEGORY: ZOOLOGY | April 2, 2024
Edible Insects: A Sustainable Solution for the Future Food and Feed Security
Sachdeep Kour, Wahied Khawar Balwan, Puneet Kour
Page no 108-120 |
DOI: 10.36348/sb.2024.v10i04.001
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed that we as a global society are not prepared enough to deal with food security amid unexpected situations. The global population is steadily increasing, posing significant challenges to food and feed security. With the world's population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, finding alternative protein sources that are environmentally friendly and economically viable is becoming increasingly important. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using insect protein as a sustainable alternative to traditional meat production. This interest stems from several factors, including the increasing global population, the environmental impact of meat production, and the need for more sustainable practices in the food and feed industry. This paper will explore the potential advantages and limitations of edible insects as a source of protein for future food and feed security.
SUBJECT CATEGORY: FOOD TECHNOLOGY | April 4, 2024
Flaxseed as an Inimitable Functional Food: A Comprehensive Review
Mudasir Ali, Asif Ahmad, Rai Muhammad Amir, Abdus Samee, Mahum, Muhammad Arslan, Rida Anwaar, Muhammad Zeeshan, Rabia Munir
Page no 121-128 |
DOI: 10.36348/sb.2024.v10i04.002
Flaxseed, derived from the humble flax plant (Linum usitatissimum L.), has gained substantial recognition as a nutritional powerhouse in recent years. This abstract delves into the multifaceted attributes that make flaxseed an inimitable functional food for the human diet. With its rich history dating back to ancient civilizations, flaxseed has undergone a remarkable resurgence due to its exceptional health benefits. One of the standout features of flaxseed is its remarkable nutritional profile. It is renowned for being an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid crucial for heart health. Furthermore, flaxseed is abundant in dietary fiber, lignans, and various essential vitamins and minerals, making it a versatile ingredient for promoting overall well-being. The advantages of flaxseed for health are numerous. It is known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Its high fiber content aids in digestive health and weight management. Moreover, the lignans found in flaxseed exhibit powerful antioxidant properties, helping to combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Flaxseed's versatility extends to its culinary applications. It can be easily incorporated into a myriad of dishes, including smoothies, baked goods, and salads, enhancing both flavor and nutrition. In conclusion, flaxseed stands out as an inimitable functional food for the human diet, offering a potent combination of essential nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Incorporating this humble seed into daily nutrition holds the potential to transform health outcomes and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant future for individuals worldwide.
INTERNAL MEDICINE | April 8, 2024
A Case Study of Spontaneous Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture in an Elderly Man, Misdiagnosed in Initial Visits: Case Report
Alyaa Alouthmani, Ashraf ALakkad, Alia Al Sakkal
Page no 129-135 |
DOI: 10.36348/sb.2024.v10i04.003
Background: Compression fractures are common among osteoporotic patients and can be a significant source of pain and disability. Patients who suffer a compression fracture are most often treated conservatively. Case Presentation: This report presents the case of an 80-year-old non-hypertensive, non-diabetic male who presented to the hospital with severe acute lower back pain for one week previous. There was no associated past history of trauma. Initially, the patient was misdiagnosed as a case of simple musculoskeletal lower back pain, for which he received treatment, but the pain intensified over the following two weeks, prompting consultation with a neurologist. A physical examination and lumber x ray indicated signs of lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, for which the patient was prescribed paracetamol and non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs. However, no improvement was noted. Later, after three weeks, an MRI investigation was conducted. The findings revealed multiple disc narrowing levels throughout the lumbar spine. Based on these investigations, treatment was initiated with pregabalin. Tramadol was discontinued and visible improvements in the patient's condition were noted within a week. Later, the patient sought consultation from an orthopedic specialist. The doctor recommended additional imaging scans. Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast and computerized tomography scans were performed. Based on these imaging scans, a diagnosis of lumbar spine scoliosis and osteoporotic compression fracture at D12 was made, prompting the initiation of osteoporosis treatment with zoledronic acid. Conclusions: Initial diagnosis and management of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are important in preventing continued pain and preserving the quality of life in older patients. This case highlights the need for comprehensive evaluation, including MRIs, to discriminate acute fractures from other pathologies, facilitating appropriate intervention and osteoporosis management.
SUBJECT CATEGORY: NATURAL SCIENCE | April 17, 2024
Current Advances with Potential Role of Nanotechnology in Generation of Fuel Cells and Solar Cell Batteries
Majid Naseem, Sadia Anjum, Saima, Ghulam Baqar, Mahpara Jabeen, Iqra Nawaz, Muhammad Imran, Usama Aslam, Muhammad Ibrahim
Page no 136-142 |
DOI: 10.36348/sb.2024.v10i04.004
Batteries are becoming an essential component of many different applications, such as memory backup, clocks, calculators, lighting, portable electronic devices, and photographic equipment, advancements in the electronics sector. Pure metal nanoparticles can be created either destructively or constructively using metal precursors. Because of the plasma resonance feature, it has special opto-electrical properties. Size, shape, and fact govern the metal nanoparticles replicate. Silver, gold, iron, cobalt, zinc, copper, and cadmium nanoparticles are the most prevalent metal nanoparticles. The electrical characteristics of the flower-shaped nanostructure when connected to the Pt nanoparticles are noticeably better than the typical electro-catalytic characteristics of the spherical nanoparticles. Transitional metal oxides are considered vital materials in industry because of their vast variety of magnetic, thermal, chemical, and electrical characteristics, as demonstrated by the evaluation of functional inorganic solids. The corrosive resistance of the metal at high voltages should be taken into account. Al and Ti are therefore excellent options because of the inert layer that forms on their surfaces at high potential. Building a porous metal current collector is therefore crucial to stabilizing alkali metal anodes with improved cycle and safety performance.
SUBJECT CATEGORY: EDUCATION | April 27, 2024
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges for the Social Education and Profession
Laxman Toli, Gouri Manik Manasa
Page no 143-147 |
DOI: 10.36348/sb.2024.v10i04.005
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and holds both opportunities and risks for the social work profession. This review article provides an analysis of the potential applications and implications of AI technologies for social work practice, education, research, and ethics. The article highlights promising uses of AI tools like predictive risk models, virtual simulations, chatbots, and data analytics to enhance social work services and training. However, it also critically examines the ethical considerations and social justice concerns related to the integration of AI in social work, including issues of privacy, transparency, accountability, consent, bias, displacement of roles, and threats to human dignity. To responsibly leverage AI's benefits while mitigating its risks, the article offers recommendations for social workers to collaborate on AI design, follow ethical protocols, pursue education on AI, and conduct further research. Key areas for future research identified include studying client perspectives on AI, testing the efficacy of AI systems for social work tasks, auditing algorithms for bias, and analyzing AI's impact on social work employment. In conclusion, while acknowledging AI's significant potential, the article emphasizes that purposeful oversight, participatory design, and adherence to social work values must remain priorities to ensure AI promotes dignity, autonomy, and justice. This review provides a balanced, evidence-based analysis to inform discussions on optimizing AI's integration in the social work profession.