Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology

Swipe, Scroll, Spend: How Algorithms Shape Modern Consumption

Kevwe Onome-Irikefe — 2025-10-23

Aims: This study sets out to unravel the intricate mechanisms by which social media algorithms drive over-consumerism, with a specific emphasis on their role in promoting impulse buying and nurturing materialistic values. A key aspect of this exploration involves assessing the ethical implications of these algorithms. Furthermore, the study aims to delve into the societal impacts of these issues. Ultimately, the research will propose comprehensive solutions to mitigate these adverse effects and promote mindful consumption practices.

Study Design: This research adopts a comprehensive mixed-methods approach to investigate the influence of social media algorithms on consumer behavior, particularly in relation to impulse buying and materialism.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the digital landscape of major social media platforms over a period of eighteen months, from January 2022 to June 2023, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the algorithmic influences on consumer behavior. This extended timeframe allowed for the collection of comprehensive data across various temporal consumer patterns and campaigns, accounting for seasonal variations and major shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The research studied a diverse user base, focusing on key consumer markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, which enabled the capture of varied user engagement and advertisement exposure.

Methodology: To assess the impact of social media algorithms on consumer behavior, this research combined both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative aspect involved analyzing user interactions on social media platforms to understand how algorithms curate content, fostering engagement and influencing purchasing decisions. The quantitative component entailed administering surveys to a diverse demographic, collecting data on online shopping behavior, and ad interaction to identify patterns and tendencies. Additionally, in-depth interviews with experts in digital marketing and algorithmic design provided critical insights into the strategies behind personalized advertising.

Results: The study's findings enforce the strong relationship between social media algorithms and the escalation of over-consumerism, primarily through promoting impulsive buying and fostering materialistic values. These findings are of significant importance. By prioritizing engagement, these algorithms create a feedback loop where constantly refined content increases user interaction and, consequently, purchasing behavior. Of particular concern is the manipulative nature of personalization, which not only targets users' immediate desires but also influences broader consumer habits and societal norms.

Conclusion: In light of the study’s findings, both consumers and policymakers must reevaluate their interactions with social media platforms. For consumers, this necessitates an increase in digital literacy, fostering a discerning approach towards the algorithms that shape their online experience and purchasing behaviors. Policymakers are urged to develop regulations that mandate transparency in algorithms to foster a more ethical digital marketplace. As these measures are implemented, the potential for a balanced approach that considers both user engagement and ethical considerations grows, paving the way for a more conscientious online community.

Environmental Corrosion and Long-term Degradation of Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells: Mechanisms, Climate Effects and Mitigation Strategies

Solomon Atta — 2025-10-13

Crystalline silicon solar cells form the backbone of modern photovoltaic technology, yet their long-term performance is increasingly threatened by environmental degradation. This review examines the mechanisms of corrosion and chemical deterioration in crystalline silicon absorbers, focusing specifically on the silicon layer rather than broader module-level failures. The article integrates both laboratory-based accelerated testing and long-term field studies conducted in humid, coastal, and desert climates. Key stressors such as moisture ingress, ionic contamination, ultraviolet radiation, and thermal cycling were found to accelerate surface oxidation, dopant migration, shunting pathways, and microstructural damage. Microcracks and encapsulant defects further intensified corrosion by promoting localized degradation. Field evidence indicates that degradation patterns vary by climate, with salt-induced corrosion being dominant in coastal environments, while thermal cycling and dust effects are more critical in desert regions. The review also evaluates emerging mitigation strategies, including advanced passivation, corrosion-resistant metallization, and improved encapsulants, with emphasis on their relevance across different climates. By linking corrosion mechanisms with climate-specific impacts, this article provides a framework for predicting absorber-level degradation, guiding design improvements, and informing durability assessments for next-generation silicon photovoltaics.

Addressing the AI Skills Gap: A Multi-Level Framework for Integrating Prompt Engineering and Upskilling into U.S. Workforce Development Policy

Satyadhar Joshi — 2025-10-17

This paper presents a analysis of the AI-driven skills gap and examines prompt engineering and upskilling initiatives as strategic workforce development responses. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, across industries has created significant workforce disruptions, with estimates suggesting AI could impact 300 million jobs globally. The proliferation of generative AI necessitates a systematic policy response to the emerging workforce skills gap. This paper introduces a multi-level analytical framework examining the AI skills gap across technical, strategic, and operational dimensions. We evaluate the efficacy of prompt engineering as a foundational technical competency and analyze upskilling interventions across federal, state, corporate, and educational domains. Our analysis synthesizes implementation data, identifying critical bottlenecks in curriculum standardization, scalable delivery, and systems integration. This paper analyzes the AI-driven skills gap through a multi-level framework encompassing technical, strategic, and operational dimensions. It evaluates prompt engineering as a core technical competency and examines upskilling initiatives across federal, state, corporate, and educational domains. The analysis identifies critical bottlenecks in curriculum standardization, scalable delivery, and systems integration, concluding with policy recommendations for a coordinated national workforce development strategy. The paper concludes with a structured set of policy recommendations for establishing national AI competency standards, deploying scalable training infrastructure, and formalizing public-private partnerships to ensure workforce readiness for an AI-driven economy.

Development and Assessment of an Extra-early and Resistant Corn Variety for Sustainable Yield in Semi-arid Areas of Côte d'Ivoire

N’DA Hugues Annicet — 2025-10-08

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an essential food crop in sub-Saharan Africa, facing major challenges such as drought and infestation by the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica. This article details the development process and agronomic characteristics of FMB (Ferké Maïs Blanc / Ferké White Corn), a new composite corn variety resulting from a rigorous genetic improvement program conducted in Côte d'Ivoire by the Corn-Millet-Sorghum (CMS) program. Initiated in 2013 in Ferkessédougou by crossing two parental accessions with complementary characteristics, the program led to four intensive cycles of recurrent selection per half-sib families, stabilizing the variety in 2017. 'FMB' is distinguished by its extra-early maturity cycle of 80-82 days, with perfect synchronization of male and female flowering at 48 days. Trials conducted at three key sites in Côte d'Ivoire (Ferkessédougou, Korhogo, Boundiali) revealed a yield potential of 4.0 tons per hectare under optimal conditions, coupled with notable resistance to Striga and excellent drought tolerance. Estimate of genetic parameters confirmed the effectiveness of the selection, and analysis of genetic progress over selection cycles demonstrated consistent improvement in the targeted traits. These attributes make ‘FMB’ a promising solution for strengthening food security and improving the resilience of agricultural systems in regions of Côte d'Ivoire that are vulnerable to water and pest stress.

Transforming Teacher Education through Digital Innovation: A Moodle-Based Module for 21st-Century Literacies

Myra Luz M. Homillano — 2025-10-17

Aims: To highlight the practical significance of the study, consider a classroom scenario in which a pre-service teacher is required to integrate digital literacy skills to engage students in a lesson on global citizenship. Both current and future educators must navigate a rapidly evolving educational landscape that necessitates proficiency in 21st-century literacies. This study designed and evaluated a Moodle-based instructional module for Building and Enhancing New Literacies Across the Curriculum (BENLAC), a professional education course embedded in the revised higher education curricula. The purpose was to prepare pre-service teachers with essential skills required for effective future teaching, thereby addressing contemporary real-world classroom challenges.

Study Design: A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating qualitative document analysis for module development with a quantitative assessment through a descriptive survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional module.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in the Philippines.

Methodology: The Moodle-based instructional module was developed through a structured three-phase process: planning, design, and evaluation. Five doctoral experts in fields such as curriculum development, educational leadership, professional education, instructional materials development, and ICT reviewed the developed module using a modified 36-item checklist. The assessment covered four key areas: content, design/format, technical features, and pedagogical aspects, all evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 21 to calculate the weighted mean and standard deviation.

Results: The expert evaluation revealed that the Moodle-based instructional module consistently received "very good" ratings across all assessment criteria. Content validation achieved a score of 4.6, design and format validation received a score of 4.63, technical and technological aspects were rated at 4.73, and pedagogical parameters obtained a score of 4.57 on a 5-point scale. The developed instructional module integrates key learning material, offers a user-friendly navigation, accommodates diverse learning styles, and demonstrates alignment with the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers and 21st-century literacy skills.

Conclusion: The Moodle-based instructional module, developed through a rigorous design and testing process, proved to be a valuable and pertinent resource for professional education courses. It is particularly suited to the shift in instructional delivery brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that well-constructed Moodle-based instructional modules can effectively support high-quality teaching and learning in higher education environments. Furthermore, such modules help prepare pre-service teachers with the vital 21st-century skills and literacies relevant to contemporary educational settings. These results provide practical guidance to institutions transitioning to blended and online learning, especially in contexts with limited resources. The paper presents evidence-based models to inform institutional LMS adoption policies and support the formulation of guidelines for integrating digital literacy into pre-service teacher education programs.

Isolation, Characterization and Development of Starter Culture from Traditional Djibna baida Cheese

Adam Ahmat Moussa — 2025-10-18

Aims: To characterize the technological capabilities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional cheeses coagulated by Jibben with a view to optimizing their use as starters in the manufacture of local cheeses.

Study Design: Descriptive study based on analyses, property tests and interpretations of results.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the city of N'Djamena at the food microbiology laboratory of the Institute for Research in Livestock for Development (IRED), between January, 2023 to June, 2024.

Methodology: Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 9 samples of artisanal cheeses produced from cow's milk coagulated by Jibben (Solanum dubium). The identification of lactic acid bacteria isolates were carried out using classical microbiological techniques, such as evaluating their morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Technological capabilities and interactions studies were carried out, followed by fermentation profiling.

Results: The results showed that the microbial population of selected cheese is dominated by Lactococcus (32.06%), mesophilic Lactobacillus (26.77%), and Leuconostoc (16.03%) bacteria. The study revealed the ability of some of the selected strains to rapidly produce lactic acid and cause a drop in pH. The interaction studies between the previously identified strains reflect to compose two mesophilic ferments FI and FII. The FI ferment is composed of four strains of the genus Lactococcus (Lc7, Lc8, Lc11 and Lc12) and one belonging to that of Leuconostoc (Leuc4). The second FII ferment contains two strains of Lactococcus (Lc15 and Lc16) and two others belonging respectively to the genus Leuconostoc (Leuc6) and mesophilic Lactobacillus (LbI1). The interaction between the strains was positive through the technological evaluation. The acidification and proteolysis rates as well as the lipolysis and texturizing power also gave interesting results.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the satisfactory technological characteristics of ferment I consisting of lactic acid bacteria isolates. These strains, after further characterization and investigation, could be used as starter cultures to improve the traditional cheese-making process.

Phytochemical Screening and Thin Layer Chromatography of Citrus reticulata Peel Extract

Poonam Sharma — 2025-10-24

Citrus reticulata also known as mandarin and belongs to Rutaceae family. The peel of Citrus reticulata contains various bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioavailability of these compounds in the crude and Petroleum ether extract by performing biochemical tests and thin layer chromatography. To determine whether specific bioactive compound were present or absent in crude and solvent extraction, a phytochemical analysis was performed. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of reducing sugar, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannin, saponin, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and absence of anthraquinones in crude extract while in petroleum ether extract showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and absence of anthraquinone, tannin and reducing sugar. Monoterpenoid and saponin show repellent activity against insect while alkaloids show insecticidal property. The thin layer chromatography performed in 5 different solvent systems such as1).n-butanol: acetic acid: water (4:1:5), 2).chloroform: ethyl acetate: methanol: water (15:8:4:1), 3). Hexane: ethylacetate (8:2), 4).chloroform: methanol (15:1) and 5). Hexane (100%). TLC plates were analysed in visible, short UV and long UV light. Obtained values of Rf were analysed and bioactive phytochemicals were identified as essential oil, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids. These findings support the presence of insecticidal bioactive secondary metabolites in orange peel extracts.