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We present SemEval-2026 Task 9, a shared task on online polarization detection, covering 22 languages and comprising over 110K annotated instances. Each data instance is multi-labeled with the presence of polarization, polarization type, and polarization manifestation. Participants were asked to predict labels in three sub-tasks: (1) detecting the presence of polarization, (2) identifying the type of polarization, and (3) recognizing the polarization manifestation. The three tasks attracted over 1,000 participants worldwide and more than 10k submission on Codabench. We received final submissions from 67 teams and 73 system description papers. We report the baseline results and analyze the performance of the best-performing systems, highlighting the most common approaches and the most effective methods across different subtasks and languages. The dataset of this task is publicly available.
We present the SemEval-2026 shared task on Dimensional Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (DimABSA), which improves traditional ABSA by modeling sentiment along valence-arousal (VA) dimensions rather than using categorical polarity labels. To extend ABSA beyond consumer reviews to public-issue discourse (e.g., political, energy, and climate issues), we introduce an additional task, Dimensional Stance Analysis (DimStance), which treats stance targets as aspects and reformulates stance detection as regression in the VA space. The task consists of two tracks: Track A (DimABSA) and Track B (DimStance). Track A includes three subtasks: (1) dimensional aspect sentiment regression, (2) dimensional aspect sentiment triplet extraction, and (3) dimensional aspect sentiment quadruplet extraction, while Track B includes only the regression subtask for stance targets. We also introduce a continuous F1 (cF1) metric to jointly evaluate structured extraction and VA regression. The task attracted more than 400 participants, resulting in 112 final submissions and 42 system description papers. We report baseline results, discuss top-performing systems, and analyze key design choices to provide insights into dimensional sentiment analysis at the aspect and stance-target levels. All resources are available on our GitHub repository.
Blood transfusions which save lives through their essential function bring infection risks to users especially in areas with limited medical resources. The research study aimed to determine the main factors that cause blood transfusion-transmitted infections in donated blood. This was a cross-sectional study among voluntary blood donors. Blood tests were conducted on samples from the study to detect common transfusion-transmitted infections which included Hepatitis B (HBV) Hepatitis C (HCV) HIV Syphilis and Malaria. Data on demographic characteristics and health history information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors for association with TTI. The study discovered that TTIs exist in low levels because they found Hepatitis B in 1.85
Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools is essential for children’s health, wellbeing and learning. However, data on school WASH in Kenya remain limited. This study aimed to assess the availability, functionality, and management of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in primary schools in Uasin Gishu County to inform policy and practice. A mixed-methods case study was conducted in 51 proportionally sampled primary schools (24 rural, 27 urban) out of 498 in the county. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and observation checklists administered to head teachers or their representatives. Qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions (FGDs) with teachers. Descriptive statistics were generated in R; qualitative data were thematically analyzed in NVivo. The mean school population was 586 pupils. 61
This study reviewed the use of hydrochars in the adsorption of methylene blue, a toxic dye, from aqueous phases. Journal articles published predominantly between 2020 and 2025 were assessed. The articles were mainly identified through keyword searches on ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science. The studies reported a high efficacy of hydrochars against the dye. Organic wastes were primarily used as a feedstock in the hydrothermal carbonization processes, aligning to the waste to resource principle, an efficient and cost effective route of synthesis of adsorbents. The pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and the Elovich model best described the kinetic data while the Freundlich, Sips and Langmuir isotherms best fitted the experimental data, with model predicted adsorption capacities in the range of 30-1060 mg g− 1. All the reviewed studies reported a spontaneous and feasible adsorption process (negative ΔG), while the entropy (ΔS) and enthalpy (ΔH) values varied with feedstock used, the specific modification routes and modification conditions. Several systems retained between 65 and 95
