bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive surgical correction of asymmetric keeled chest deformity in children
Authors: Razumovskiy A. Yu. , Alkhasov A. B. , Mitupov Z. B. , Elnur A. A. I.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The authors present their experience in the practical application of thoracoplasty technique in asymmetric keeled deformity of the chest in children.   Material and methods. 21 children with asymmetric keeled deformity of the chest were operated on with a new technique for thoracoplasty developed by the authors. A corrective plate was inserted directly under the sternum through the intermediate tunnel under visual control of the operational zone from an additional access at the edge of the sternum and adjacent deformed ribs.   Results. In the vast majority of cases (20 out of 21), good (excellent) results were obtained; in one case, the outcome was satisfactory because of a slight residual bulging of the sternum and adjacent ribs what made the patient feel slightly discomfortable among peers.   Conclusion. The developed technique of thoracoplasty in asymmetric keel deformity of the chest in children has resulted in optimal cosmetic outcomes in almost all the patients.
A comparative characteristics of bougienage techniques in children with cicatricial stenoses of the esophagus
Authors: Sharipov A. M. , Yusupov B. Kh. , Rakhmatova R. A. , Mazabshoev S. A. , Dodochonov Yu. T.
Published: July 2022

Introduction. The incidence of cicatricial esophageal stenoses in children after severe chemical burns is quite high. Bougienage is a preferred modality in cicatricial stenoses of the esophagus. The new technique of esophageal bougienage which is thought to be the most safe and effective is dilatation with a wire guide.   Purpose. To compare management of children with cicatricial esophageal narrowings using various dilatation techniques.   Material and methods. 481 patients with chemical burns of the esophagus were treated at the department of pediatric surgery in Abualiibni Sino Tajik State Medical University (Dushanbe). 236 (49 %) children had burns of degree I; 124 (25.8 %) – of degree II; 121 (25.2 %) – of degree III. Cicatricial narrowings in the esophagus in children are mostly of degree III; that is why such pathology was chosen as the object of the study. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the bougienage technique. The control group included 68 (56.2 %) patients: 47 (38.8 %) of them had “blind” bougienage; 21 (17.4 %) – “thread” bougienage. In 53 (43.8 %) patients from the studied group, bougienage of the esophagus was made with a guided bougie.   Results. 78 patients in whom cicatricial stenoses developed after tissue damage with the vinegar essence were admitted to the hospital. 28 (36.8 %) of them – one month and more after the injury. 4 children from the control group and 2 children from the studied group had esophageal perforation as a complication of esophageal dilatation. These patients had extended and subtotal cicatricial stenoses. 3 other patients developed cicatricial stenoses after accidental swallowing of batteries; one had thread bougienage after gastrostomy, and the other two had wire-guided bougienage. Two children had burn lesions caused by unknown reagent with the subsequent formation of cicatricial stenosis of the organ; they had thread and wire-guided bougienage. In the first case, outcome was successful; in the second one – not, because of extended stenosis.   Conclusion. The technique of wire-guided bougienage has been proven to be effective.
SEMIOTIKA DALAM LIRIK LAGU “INTERAKSI” KARYA TULUS
Authors: Hermawan Alwafa Shandy , Damayanti Rini
Published: July 2022

This article examines the semiotic meaning of the lyrics of the song "Interaksi" by Tulus through Roland Barthes' semiotic analysis. The meaning expressed is the meaning of denotation, connotation, and myth. The research method used is an interpretive qualitative method or an inductive way of thinking, namely a way of thinking from the specific to the general. The data collection technique used is document study, namely tracing and obtaining from various sources where the data is needed. The results of the semiotic study of the lyrics of the song "Interaksi" are as follows. The denotative meaning of the lyrics of the song "Interaksi" there are several words, phrases, or sentences that need to be known the denotative meaning, for example the word "Interaction". The word interaction means influencing, attracting, asking and giving. The connotation meaning of the lyrics of the song "Interaksi" can be interpreted as a romantic relationship, which positions Tulus as someone who hopes to fall in love with the person he likes. The connotative meaning obtained is related to the mythical meaning in the lyrics of this song. From the overall analysis of the song lyrics, the meaning of the myth is obtained, Tulus would like to convey that expectations are something that is needed by everyone who is in a romantic relationship. In this case, the expectations the songwriters experience so they can know if they still like each other or need each other. The existence of expectation or hope is to be able to find an answer in this case is a love relationship.
Novel Absorber Material Design Based on Thiazole Derivatives Using DFT/TD-DFT Calculation Methods for High-Performance Dye Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Nurrosyid Naufan , Fahri Mirad , Apriliyanto Yusuf Bramastya , Basuki Rahmat
Published: July 2022

Thiazole derivative molecules with a low energy gap have been successfully designed using the DFT/TD-DFT calculation methods. The calculations were simulated by adding varied numbers of thiophenes (1, 2, 3, and 10) and electron donating molecules of –H, -NH2, -OCH3, and –COOH in the ethanol solvent. The best thiazole derivative was the molecule constructed using a long-conjugated bridge of 10-thiophenes, the carboxyl anchoring site, and an amine addition as the electron donating molecule with an energy gap of 1.66 eV and a strong UV-Vis absorption in the red light region (673.20 nm). These designed molecules are beneficial to be applied in the equator area such as Indonesia. Further, the profound effects of the thiophene bridge in terms of the structural and energy gaps, and the variation of electron-donating molecules affected the photonic properties have been demonstrated in this paper.
Análise socioambiental da morbidade da malária em Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil
Authors: De Almeida Rayane Brito , Aleixo Natacha Cíntia Regina
Published: July 2022

Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender a dinâmica socioambiental sobre a morbidade da malária em Manaus. Para isso, utilizou-se da fundamentação teórica-metodológica do ritmo climático e do Sistema Ambiental Urbano (S.A.U.). Foram analisados os dados das variáveis climáticas e hidrológicas obtidas no INMET e Porto de Manaus, dados socioeconômicos e ambientais urbanos obtidos na IMPLURB e os dados referentes aos casos confirmados de malária foram obtidos no SIVEPMALÁRIA.  Os dados foram tratados com técnicas estatísticas descritivas, regressão múltipla e o método das medianas para identificação da vulnerabilidade socioambiental da morbidade da Malária em Manaus. Os resultados mostraram que a ocorrência da malária apresenta padrão bimodal em Manaus, sendo que a precipitação pluvial mensal e as cotas fluviais influenciaram na epidemiologia da doença e apresentaram maior poder de explicação entre as variáveis. A análise rítmica demonstrou que os dias consecutivos com elevadas temperaturas do ar, com pouca ou nenhuma nebulosidade e pequenos volumes diários de precipitação pluvial se relacionam positivamente ao desenvolvimento do vetor. O risco e a vulnerabilidade socioambiental predominaram em bairros com saneamento ambiental precário, maior distância dos postos de saúde, baixa renda e taxa de alfabetização. Os resultados apresentados podem contribuir para a (re) formulação de políticas públicas visando a melhoria das condições socioambientais e do controle epidemiológico da doença.
Análise de associações entre internações de diabetes mellitus e condições atmosféricas no período de 2010 a 2020 no município de Santarém, Pará.
Authors: Freitas Beatriz De Souza , Da Silva Taiane Alves , Dos Reis Marco Antônio Godinho , Lima Laura dos Santos , Gomes Ana Carla dos Santos
Published: July 2022

O estudo da variabilidade do clima e sua interferência na saúde humana é de extrema importância e carece de mais informações, especialmente nos trópicos. O presente estudo investigou para o município de Santarém-Pará, a associação entre internações por diabetes mellitus (DM) e variáveis meteorológicas de precipitação pluvial, insolação, umidade relativa e temperatura máxima e mínima no período de 2010 a 2020. Para tanto foram utilizadas as técnicas de correlação cruzada, análise e regressão de componente principal, assim como estatística descritiva. A correlação cruzada entre temperatura máxima e internações por DM demonstrou associação positiva no lag 2 e 3, já a RCP evidenciou associação positiva entre as internações por DM e atuação sinergética da precipitação, insolação e temperatura máxima com peso 0,834, 0,519 e 0,149 respectivamente.
Lesser-known leafy vegetables of Southeastern Nigeria (Vitex doniana and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides)
Authors: AYOKA Thecla O. , NNADI Charles O.
Published: July 2022

Vitex doniana and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides are plants grown in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. They have been used traditionally as food and in medicine, also in teeth cleaning and as a mouth wash to reduce pain. The availability of these plants has sparked a surge in interest in knowledge about their supplements and contents, including nutrients, mineral components, and bioactive chemicals, which are critical for drug discovery and development. Compounds derived from them have been used as effective pharmaceuticals throughout human history. This review is aimed at providing a comprehensive report on the chemical constituents, traditional uses, biological and pharmacological activities of Vitex doniana and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides. Information was sourced from literatures using search engines such as Google, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, ResearchGate, and Semantic Scholar. The plants were found to contain natural products such as alkaloids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, glycosides, steroids, proteins, carbohydrates, anthraquinones, resins, lignans, lipids, allicins, balsams, hydroxycinnamic acid, oleanolic acid, esters, norisoprenoids, anthracene, essential oils and terpenes, which seem to correlate with their antioxidant potentials. They have gained interest recently due to the presence in them of varieties of their bioactive compounds. Biological and pharmacological studies revealed that they possess antioxidant, anti-cancer, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial activities and hepatoprotective properties. In addition, the alkaloidal content of V. doniana and Z. zanthoxyloides can enhance serum biochemical parameters, repair cellular damage and fibrosis in the liver, and control hepatocyte activity.
Effects of elicitors on secondary metabolite (SM) production and antioxidant activity in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cell suspension cultures
Authors: BATI AY Ebru , KOCAMAN Beril , KARACA ÖNER Emel , AÇIKGÖZ Muhammed Akif
Published: July 2022

Elicitor treatments play an important role in inducing some protective signal transmitter enzymes in cells and regulating phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of elicitors [silver nitrate (AgNO3), salicylic acid (SA) and yeast extract (YE)], which were added individually or in combination to Ocimum basilicum L. cell suspension cultures, on the production and antioxidant activity of secondary metabolites (SMs). Calluses were obtained from the leaves of O. basilicum kept on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.5 mg/l kinetin (KIN) + 2.5 mg/l naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) and cell suspension cultures were initiated. Then elicitors were applied to the cell suspension cultures individually or in combination, and cells were harvested at the end of the second, fourth, and eighth days. Compared with the control culture, the maximum rosmarinic and chicoric acid production was obtained at the end of the 4th day from SA (24 µM) + YE (80 mg/l) treatment as 20.19 mg/g DW (118%) and 7.55 mg/g DW (123%), respectively. The maximum biosynthesis of isoquercetin and rutin compared with the control culture was 3.88 mg/g DW [YE (80 mg/l)] with a 1.6-fold increase and 6.35 mg/g DW [YE (80 mg/l) + AgNO3 (6 µM)] with a 1.76-fold increase, respectively. Estragole and linalool's highest values compared with the control culture were 4.50 μg/g DW [AgNO3 (6µM) + SA (24 µM)] and 3.02 μg/g DW [SA (24 µM)], respectively. Results clearly show that the elicitor treatment could enhance the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds and terpenoid content in cell suspension cultures of O. basilicum and may be used for commercial supply in the future for therapeutic applications.
Analisis persiapan guru dalam pembelajaran media manipulatif matematika di sekolah dasar
Authors: Farhana Syarifah , Aam Amaliyah  , Agustini Safitri  , Rika Anggraeni
Published: July 2022

This study aims to find out how mathematics teachers view the manipulative materials method. This research was conducted using qualitative, descriptive methods and using a naturalistic qualitative approach. The data were collected through observation, interviews and documentation. The subject was the teacher. The results of the study indicate that the teacher's view of the use of manipulative materials methods can improve student learning outcomes in understanding mathematical concepts and procedures. Thus learning mathematics using the manipulative material method needs to be applied as a good learning, which can activate students and increase the ability of students to understand concepts.
COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PRIVATE & PUBLIC SECTOR BANK’S EMPLOYEES OF DELHI -NCR WITH RESPECT TO EUSTRESS MANAGEMENT
Authors: Verma Rajanikant , Bajaj Nisha
Published: July 2022

Usually, the stress symbolises the negative meaning as it is that mental pressure & emotional instability which overpower an individual’s intellectual ability & critical thinking. This impacts their physical & mental health which in turn leads to inefficiency in accomplishment of organisational goals. Here, there is a need to shift in a perception from a negative stress to positive stress. The concept of Eustress becomes important in the present competitive era. It acts as a force that drives & stimulates the employees to fulfil the organisational goals along with their own holistic growth.
This is an exploratory study which aims to determine that how public sector & private sector bank employees perceives the circumstances that causes stress and to identify the effect of eustress on job satisfaction & organisational commitment. In this study, the primary data have been collected by using questionnaire method which had given to the employees of four banks in Delhi-NCR named as: State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Kotak Mahindra Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (HDFC) Bank i. e. two each from public sector and private sector banks. In this study, a total of 250 bank employees are as respondents, both from public & private sector banks. The various statistical tools have been used to test the hypothesis. The study concludes that pressure to complete task on time, increase in competence along with conscious efforts to reduce costs; job insecurity and internal competition will encourage the employees to enhance their capabilities & develop necessary skills for promotion & various other incentives.
A publicidade nas redes sociais como influenciadora da compra por impulso
Authors: Teixeira Teresa , Lima Ana , Pacheco Jorge
Published: July 2022

O comportamento do consumidor e a experiência de compra têm sofrido grandes alterações nos últimos anos, resultado do crescimento da internet, do e-commerce e das redes sociais. Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar como a publicidade nas redes sociais influencia o comportamento de compra do consumidor e, consequentemente, incentiva a compra por impulso. Nesse sentido, esta investigação assenta numa revisão sistemática da literatura focada na temática abordada. Os resultados deste estudo confirmam uma correlação entre a publicidade nas redes sociais e a compra por impulso. De acordo com esses mesmos resultados, os jovens portugueses são influenciados, direta e indiretamente, a realizar essa compra impulsiva como consequência de fatores emocionais, entre eles, as emoções positivas e o sentimento de pertença. Ao compreender este comportamento, as marcas poderão ajustar as suas campanhas e potencializar mais ainda o seu negócio.
Digitalização de Negócios: Vantagens e Desvantagens do Empreendedorismo Informal
Authors: Albino Raquel
Published: July 2022

O empreendedorismo informal representa uma grande parte dos negócios, pois existem barreiras à entrada no mercado, no setor formal, que levam os indivíduos a optar por este tipo de empreendedorismo. O presente artigo tem como finalidade perceber o contexto do empreendedorismo informal, entender quais os motivos para os indivíduos e as empresas escolherem esse caminho, assim como as vantagens e desvantagens do empreendedorismo informal. Desta forma, foi realizada uma pesquisa em várias bases de dados e aplicou-se certos fatores de inclusão e exclusão, até que ficámos com os artigos mais relevantes. Entre os principais resultados, pode-se destacar que o empreendedorismo informal é mais predominante em países em desenvolvimento e que está muito ligado às características sociodemográficas dos indivíduos. Conclui-se também que as plataformas online, principalmente, as redes sociais, são um canal facilitador do empreendedorismo informal, devido à diminuta necessidade de custos e infraestruturas para iniciar um negócio online.
O Impacto do Business Intelligence na Logística no Contexto do Negócio Eletrónico
Authors: Carvalho Diogo , Azevedo Ana , Luís Reis José
Published: July 2022

O presente artigo foi realizado com o objetivo de aferir como as ferramentas de Business Intelligence apoiam as tomadas de decisão dos gestores na logística e nos negócios eletrónicos. Para esse efeito, inicialmente foi abordada a definição de Business Intelligence e os seus sistemas, bem como a compreensão da sua implementação numa organização e as ferramentas utilizadas durante esse processo, com o objetivo de conseguir perceber quais as suas vantagens e os seus benefícios a longo prazo para as empresas. Além disso, foi abordado o tema do Business Intelligence na área da logística, de forma a verificar onde se insere e quais as suas vantagens nessa área. Por fim, é abordado o tema de avaliação de maturidade de Business Intelligence com o intuito de verificar como o BI está a ser implementado e aceite numa empresa.
Desafios da Privacidade nos Assistentes Virtuais Pessoais
Authors: Silva Diana , Curado Malta Mariana , Vasconcelos Paulo
Published: July 2022

Este artigo apresenta os desafios de privacidade existentes na utilização de dispositivos de assistentes virtuais pessoais. Como tal, foi realizada uma revisão de literatura utilizando as seguintes bases bibliográficas: EBSCOhost e Google Scholar (Google Académico). Constatou-se que existem vários riscos na utilização de dispositivos com assistentes virtuais pessoais, os quais podem ser desencadeados por vários motivos, desde falhas mecânicas; falhas de software; falhas na cloud, nomeadamente na conexão do dispositivo à Internet; falta de meios de autenticação e autorização fortes; falta de conhecimento e consciencialização dos utilizadores para os perigos e falta de transparência das empresas com os seus clientes na forma como são tratados e armazenados os seus dados e informações privadas. Em termos de implicações práticas, foi importante identificar que estratégias, comportamentos e atitudes é necessário implementar para superar os desafios apontados pelos autores identificados ao longo do documento.
O impacto da Quarta Revolução Industrial nas atividades comerciais e no negócio eletrónico
Authors: Luísa Gonçalves Ana
Published: July 2022

Neste artigo, são abordadas as origens da quarta revolução industrial ou indústria 4.0, falando das principais tecnologias que a mesma trouxe consigo e como esta revolucionou não só o trabalho, mas também a sociedade, a investigação e a economia. Foi feita também uma contextualização sobres as três revoluções industriais prévias a esta de modo a perceber a evolução da indústria ao longo dos tempos e porque a quarta revolução industrial é tão distinta das revoluções anteriores.
Generation Z approach to money
Authors: Olejniczak Martyna , Stadryniak Krzysztof
Published: July 2022

The main purpose of this article is to submit proposals to Generation “Z”’s approach to money. The article answers really interesting questions such as: “Have students ever invest their money?” and “What do they choose to invest in?”. Our article focuses primarily on the Generation Z’s "slice" as it concerns students aged 18-24. Furthermore, this paper attempts to give factors of investing among young people and summarise their entrepreneurial skills. It combines investment decisions with their personal features. To make the conclusions and research results from this article as reliable as possible, we decided to conduct our own research. Our study found that parents are a key factor in investing money among students. Interestingly, education does not play such a big role according to the respondents. The greatest motivator to invest money is to expand your wealth, and most often Generation Z invests in a bank deposit.
Social Networking Sites as Communication, Interaction, and Learning Environments: Perceptions and Preferences of Distance Education Students
Authors: Bozkurt Aras , Karadeniz Abdulkadir , Koçdar Serpil
Published: July 2022

The advent of Web 2.0 technologies transformed online networks into interactive spaces in which user-generated content has become the core material. With the possibilities that emerged from Web 2.0, social networking sites became very popular. The capability of social networking sites promises opportunities for communication and interaction, especially for distance education students who are separated from their teachers, learning resources and other students in terms of time and/or space. Within this perspective, the aim of the study is to investigate distance education students’ perceptions and preferences regarding use of social networking sites for communication and interaction purposes. In this context, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional methodology. Research findings were derived from a sample of 2065 distance education students and the data were gathered through an online questionnaire. The research findings indicate that social networking sites (SNSs) can be used to support social learning processes.
Enhancing ICT Adoption and Use through Change Leadership: Technology Stewardship Training for Caribbean Agricultural Communities of Practice
Authors: Gow Gordon , Chowdhury Ataharul , Ganpat Wayne , Ramjattan Jeet
Published: July 2022

Beginning in 2012, the University of Alberta in partnership with others has been undertaking participatory action research in Sri Lanka and, since 2017, in the Caribbean to foster inclusive innovation through a Joint Education and Training Initiative (JETI).  The JETI is developing and testing a set of open educational resources on “technology stewardship” for resource-constrained organizations and communities in developing countries.  The approach is a unique combination of social learning centred on communities of practice with action research methods intended to foster self-determination through improved “informational capabilities” as the primary outcome of development.  In this article, we describe the learning objectives, design, observations, and initial outcomes of a pilot technology stewardship training course offered at the University of the West Indies in March 2018.  Future plans and considerations for expanding technology stewardship training are discussed in the summary.
A Social Justice Framework for Understanding Open Educational Resources and Practices in the Global South
Authors: Hodgkinson-Williams Cheryl Ann , Trotter Henry
Published: July 2022

At the heart of the open educational resources (OER) movement is the intention to provide affordable access to culturally relevant education to all. This imperative could be described as a desire to provide education in a manner consistent with social justice which, according to Fraser (2005), is understood as “parity of participation”. Drawing on her concept of social justice, we suggest a slight modification of Fraser’s framework for critically analysing ways in which the adoption and impact of OER and their undergirding open educational practices (OEP) might be considered socially just. We then provide illustrative examples from the cross-regional Research on Open Educational Resources for Development (ROER4D) project (2014-2017) to show how this framework can assist in determining in what ways, if at all, the adoption of OER and enactment of OEP have responded to economic inequalities, cultural inequities and political exclusions in education. Furthermore, we employ Fraser’s (2005) concepts to identify whether these social changes are either “affirmative” (i.e., ameliorative) or “transformative” in their economic, cultural and political effects in the Global South education context.
Does collaborative use of the Internet affect Reading Comprehension in Children?
Authors: Mitra Sugata
Published: July 2022

This paper examines the effect of the Internet on the reading comprehension of children reading together in groups. First, we describe an experiment to determine if children reading together off the Internet from big screens, can read at a higher comprehension level than children reading the same text alone. The results from this small-sample study are then compared to the results from a larger study across many locations in India. We find that children with low reading comprehension levels to start with can read and understand text at a level higher than expected from them, if they are reading together and have the Internet available. Moreover, in the process of doing this kind of ‘self-organised’ reading, their individual reading comprehension increases. This way of reading may provide a simple and reliable method to improve the reading comprehension of children in their own, or foreign, languages.
Creating Open Online Courses with Learner Representative Partners to Widen Participation in Higher Education
Authors: Coughlan Tim , Goff Jenny
Published: July 2022

Open online courses could provide stepping stones for audiences that are under-represented in higher education (HE). However, there are concerns that these instead proliferate forms of exclusion and do not address known difficulties for widening participation. We explore how organisations that represent the perspectives of particular underserved audiences for HE can act as ‘Learner Representative Partners’ to support the creation of appropriate courses and to highlight practices that exclude. Six course development processes where a university worked with different partners are analysed using interviews, documentation of resource use, and data on learner behaviour. The analysis utilises previously identified challenges to widening participation and collaborative course creation. Getting partners to directly engage in authoring the course was particularly beneficial but all partners prompted critical thought and greater understanding of the intended audiences. We suggest principles to support such partnerships effectively. These include adapting to a variable capacity of partners to contribute, to encourage reuse or creation of resources by partners, and to facilitate partners to feel confident in expressing their views.
Recognising Achievement with Badges and Blockchain in a Connectivist MOOC
Authors: Downes Stephen
Published: July 2022

While previous work has recognized the potential for open badges and blockchain to play a role in online courses, this potential has yet to be realized in a fully decentralized cMOOC. This paper describes the design objectives of an application that integrates open badges and blockchain with a cMOOC. The work described was undertaken during the offering on an online course, and thus development took place in an actual course context with interaction with course participants. The full workflow from course content to storage on the blockchain is described, and some concluding comments are offered on the results of this course, and the potential for future applications.
Effectiveness of Multimodal Microlearning for In-service Teacher Training
Authors: Allela Melisa Achoko , Ogange Betty Obura , Junaid Muhammad Ibn , Charles Prince Brainard
Published: July 2022

To meet the growing demand for continuing professional development of practising teachers, the integrated in-service teacher training (INSET) programme aims at making permanent improvements on the quality of teaching and learning for Junior Secondary School (JSS) Teachers in Sierra Leone. Within this context, a toolkit for School-Based Teacher Development was created and microlearning identified as an ideal mode to deliver the toolkit content. In this paper, we present the design considerations that informed this decision as well as challenges and lessons learned from the first implementation of the INSET project for junior secondary school teachers in Sierra Leone. A multimodal approach was considered and implemented to mitigate Internet access challenges and to expand learning opportunities. These include a mobile app version of the Toolkit, offline access to microlearning resources on the TeacherFutures platform via the Moodle mobile app, a mobile app version of one INSET module, an e-portfolio to be used by participants in sharing their learnings as demonstrated and practised during a face-to-face  roll-out seminar, and finally, WhatsApp groups in which different schools engaged in discussions based on the questions on the Toolkit. Preliminary findings indicate a strong preference among participants for the use of WhatsApp as the main channel of communication within the communities of practice; and very limited use of the main e-learning Moodle platform and e-Portfolio. This necessitates a need to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the design of a multimodal approach for delivering microlearning content. From this, we seek to establish a set of design considerations, capacity building and technical support issues derived from analysis of data emerging from the ongoing project rollout. This will inform future integration of Microlearning resources in the teacher training project.
Notes from the Field: 'Nurses International' Uses OER to Support Nurse Educators
Authors: Ewing Helen , Chickering Miriam , Burner Lindsay , Keating Stacen A. , Berland Alex , Frank Erica
Published: July 2022

Educating nurses in developing countries is challenging due to limited resources. Nurses International advances nursing education through the use of Open Educational Resources which provides a unique model to teach and mentor nurse educators globally. Using current resources and materials that are free online and teacher-facing, an innovative program has been established that can be employed to scale up education of the healthcare workforce through teaching the teachers and enhancing the education of nurses.
Technology Enabled Delivery of Medical Programmes through ODL : A Case of Training Medical Doctors in Geriatric Medicine
Authors: Kuba Ruchika
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 provided an opportunity to experiment with alternative delivery mechanisms for a medical education programme offered through open and distance learning with face-to-face training as an essential component of the programme. Non-availability of hard copies of the course material (92%) and lack of communication from the university (32%) as well as training centres (42%) were some of the challenges faced by students of the Geriatric Medicine programme of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) during the COVID pandemic. Around 90% were willing to attend online classes and 65% to 77% were willing to present cases online for discussion. A programme-specific web portal containing all resource material and information was visited by 85% of students. Most students attended the online classes and 68% attempted the formative assessments based on the online classes. Online classes were recorded and uploaded and were found useful by 90% of students. The experiment successfully demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of delivering practical skills using online technological tools. Further integrating technology to complement some of the face-to-face component could be used as a permanent and effective delivery strategy, which could also reduce resource requirements.
Postgraduate Students’ Perception of the Use of E-portfolios as a Teaching Tool to Support their Learning in an Open and Distance Education Institution
Authors: Modise Mphoentle Puleng
Published: July 2022

E-portfolios have been used for decades in education; however, it is still a new trend in some developing countries as they continue to adopt e-learning practices. The study investigated postgraduate students’ experiences and perceptions of using an e-portfolio as a teaching tool to support their learning in an open and distance e-learning (ODeL) university in South Africa. A sample of 74 students registered for an online module were selected and an online questionnaire administered via Lime Survey. The results show that more than half of the respondents (71%) were using the e-portfolio for the first time. The study also revealed the contrasting views of the support received from the lecturer and institution for the e-portfolio platform, especially with technical issues. This study suggests that distance education institutions that are using e-portfolios need to strategically choose user-friendly technology tools and design appropriate student support strategies for delivering online modules. Higher education institutions that are planning to implement e-portfolios may find the results of this paper useful; however, further investigation of the learners’ needs, and available tools may assist with creative and appropriate designs of support strategies for their contexts.
Open Pedagogy: A Systematic Review of Empirical Findings
Authors: Clinton-Lisell Virginia
Published: July 2022

Open licensing used in open educational resources allows for teaching and learning practices that are not possible with traditional copyright. There is a growing body of empirical research on open pedagogy. However, definitions and instantiations of open pedagogy vary in the literature. The purpose of this review was to systematically search and synthesize empirical findings on open pedagogy. In this, the definitions of open pedagogy across empirical reports were examined. Generally, open pedagogy was defined in the context of open licensing affordances; however, there were exceptions particularly when examining faculty experiences with open pedagogy. Synthesized findings may be used by faculty to inform use of open pedagogy especially when considering issues with student confusion and changing power dynamics.
The Global Micro-credential Landscape: Charting a New Credential Ecology for Lifelong Learning
Authors: Brown Mark , Nic Giolla Mhichíl Mairéad , Beirne Elaine , Mac Lochlainn Conchúr
Published: July 2022

This article offers a global overview of the burgeoning field of micro-credentials and their relationship to lifelong learning, employability and new models of digital education. Although there is no globally accepted definition of micro-credentials, the term indicates smaller units of study, which are usually shorter than traditional forms of accredited learning and courses leading to conventional qualifications such as degrees. The paper aims to provide educators with a helicopter view of the rapidly evolving global micro-credential landscape, with particular relevance to higher education leaders, industry stakeholders and government policy-makers. It addresses five questions: (i) what are micro-credentials? (ii) why micro-credentials? (iii) who are the key stakeholders? (iv) what is happening globally? and (v) what are some of the key takeaways? Drawing on a European-wide perspective and recent developments in The Republic of Ireland, the paper concludes that micro-credentials are likely to become a more established and mature feature of the 21st Century credential ecology over the next five years. While the global micro-credential landscape is currently disconnected across national boundaries, more clarity and coherence will emerge as governments around the world increasingly align new credentialing developments with existing national qualification frameworks. The micro-credentialing movement also provides opportunities for governments and higher education institutions in partnership with industry to harness new digital learning models beyond the pandemic.
Effects of Demo Kit on Remediating Senior School Students’ Misconceptions in Mitosis and Meiosis in Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors: Luwoye Akindeyi , Bello Ganiyu , Adeoye Gabriel Ademakinwa
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the effects of demo kit on remediating misconceptions held by senior school students’ in mitosis and meiosis. The quasi-experimental design of the pre-test, post-test, non-equivalent control group was adopted for the study. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 60 male and female biology students from two senior secondary schools in Ilorin metropolis. The instruments used for data collection was Mitosis and Meiosis Achievement Test (MMAT). Frequencies and chi-square were used to answer the research questions and test the null hypothesis respectively. The findings revealed that biology students’ held misconceptions on mitosis and meiosis before and after instructions. However, there was a significant difference in the number of misconceptions held by students taught using demo kit and those taught with the conventional method. It was recommended that biology teachers adopt the use of the demo kit for remediating students pre- and post-instructional misconceptions on mitosis and meiosis.
Exploring the Use of Tweets and Word Clouds as Strategies in Educational Research
Authors: Cooshna-Naik Dorothy
Published: July 2022

This paper presents personal insights and discussions on the exploration of specific strategies which relate to data collection and analysis used to support the focus group discussion data collection and preliminary analysis of a doctoral research entitled Undergraduate students’ experiences of learning with digital multimodal texts. The main objective of the doctoral research was to understand the different ways undergraduate students experienced learning with digital multimodal texts (DMTs) within the context of a history module included in their first-year programme of studies both as readers (consumers) and authors (producers). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, written reflection accounts, a focus group discussion and consideration given to the DMT (a video) produced by the participants. The focus group discussion event included a hands-on task whereby participants were requested to write their views in response to a given prompt question in the form of tweets. Also, the written tweets were visualised as word clouds for the purpose of initial analysis. The findings reported in this paper, which are based on observation notes and investigation of the word clouds, suggest that the tweet-related, hands-on task acted as a good ice breaker, making the participants feel at ease and more relaxed about sharing their views amongst each other while eliciting discussions and fostering deeper thinking. Also, the word clouds were revealed to be an effective data visualisation tool allowing emerging and salient themes to stand out from the participants’ written tweets and reflections.
Virtual Community Mentoring Models for Middle School Underachievers Psychosocial Development and Well-Being During COVID-19
Authors: Gomes Roseline Florence , Thomas Lijo
Published: July 2022

Recent studies highlight the outcomes of COVID-19 on the psychosocial skills of early adolescents. It shows the unavailability of virtual community mentoring models for teenagers' individual and interpersonal growth in the virtual scenario. Hence, there emerges a need to explore and apply the available virtual communication resources by facilitators, families, and other community professionals for teenagers’ self-development. This article reports the application of virtual resources like WhatsApp, graphic design platforms (CANVA and Adobe), graphic interchange formats (GIPHY App), all-in-one visual content editing forums (InShot App), and memes (Meme Generator App) in engaging and supporting community mentoring capacities leading to psychosocial development and well-being for teenagers during COVID-19. Through this article, contemporary virtual models are explored and executed with community guidance to integrate the personal developmental skills of middle school underachievers. There is also a need to work with community interventions by using virtual mentoring skillsets for positive youth development.
Impact of Al on ZnO Electron Transport Layer in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Mohd Alias Nur Syafiqah Nadiah , Arith Faiz , Mustafa Ahmad Nizamuddin , Ismail Mohd Muzafar , Azmi Nur Fatihah , Saidon Mohd Saifizi
Published: July 2022

Perovskite solar cells have shown remarkable performance and improvements in terms of solar cell efficiency. The ETL material is one of the important components in perovskite solar cells in conducting electrons to produce current. Here, ZnO was used as ETL material in a perovskite solar cell using the SCAPS 1D simulation software. The ZnO ETL showed poor cell efficiency due to its reaction with the perovskite material. A small amount of Al doped into ZnO was introduced to enhance the physiochemical properties of the ZnO against perovskite materials. Al concentrations were varied between 1 and 4 mol% to observe the effect on cell efficiency. Compared with a conventional ZnO ETL solar cell with 0 mol% Al perovskite, the Al-doped based solar cell showed better performance. Meanwhile, perovskite solar cells with 1 mol% Al-doping and appropriate layer thickness showed the best cell performance in improving the charge transport mechanism, resulting in increased cell efficiency. Thus, the parameters studied can be a guide in the fabrication process.
PENGUATAN KELEMBAGAAN DAN TATA KELOLA PENGURUS DESA WISATA TERITIP
Authors: Mulyani Yogiana , Mahfud Tuatul , Winnarko Henry , Gafur Abdul , Rustika Ranti , Nurdin Ishak
Published: July 2022

Pengembangan desa wisata menjadi salah satu program strategis dalam pembangunan nasional khususnya pada sektor pariwisata. Pengelolaan desa wisata yang baik akan mendorong pelaksanaan pariwisata berkelanjutan dan peningkatan ekonomi masyarakat. Meskipun pengurus desa wisata teritip telah memiliki legalitas kepengurusan dari dinas pariwisata Dinas Pemuda, Olahraga dan Pariwisata (Disporapar) Kota Balikpapan, namun masih memiliki keterbatasan terkait tata kelola dan kelembagaan pengurus desa wisata. Oleh karena itu, program bina desa ini bertujuan untuk meberikan penguatan tata kelola dan kelembagaan pengurus desa wisata teritip. Metode bina desa pada kelurahan teritip ini meliputi penyuluhan, pemberian keterampilan teknis (technical assistance/TA), dan pendampingan pasca keterampilan teknis (pasca TA) pengelolaan desa wisata. Hasil program bina desa ini menghasillkan luaran dalam bentuk tersedianya struktur organisasi pengurus desa wisata dan Pokdarwis beserta tugas dan fungsi masing-masing. Selain itu, hasil analisis SWOT pengurus desa wisata sebagai acuan pengembangan bina desa pada tahun berikutnya. Kegiatan ini memberikan implikasi terhadap model program pendampingan pengelola desa wisata yang berfokus pada penguatan tata kelola dan kelembagaan.
PENDAMPINGAN MASYARAKAT JAWA TONDANO (JATON) DESA REKSONEGORO DALAM IDENTIFIKASI KEASLIAN RUMAH JATON SEBAGAI BENDA CAGAR BUDAYA
Authors: Heryati Heryati , Abdul Nurnanigsih N. , Abbas Amir
Published: July 2022

Di era globalisasi ini masyarakat kurang memiliki hasrat kepedulian dengan arsitektur tradisional membuat banyak arsitektur tradisional dibongkar dan disulap menjadi arsitektur modern karena mengikuti perkembangan zaman, demi kepentingan bisnis dan kekuasaan, padahal sejatinya sejarah adalah kenangan yang terindah yang syarat dengan nilai sebagai penciri identitas. Oleh karena itu sangat penting pendampingan masyarakat Jawa Tondano Desa Reksonegoro dalam identifikasi keaslian rumah Jaton. Kegiatan ini diharapkan mampu mencapai hasil berupa: 1. Teridentifikasinya keaslian (tangible dan intangible) rumah Jaton pada rumah Jaton baik yang sudah tercatat sebagai benda cagar budaya maupun yang masih dalam proses pendataan oleh tim BPCB, selanjutnya dapat menjadi masukan tim BPCB dalam menentukan kriteria penetapan benda cagar budaya kedepannya; 2. Teridentifikasinya kesadaran masyarakat Jaton terhadap pemahaman nilai-nilai sejarah dan budaya yang terekspresi pada rumah tinggalnya, sehingga dari hasil kegiatan ini diharapkan dapat menumbuhkan/meningkatkan kesadaran dan kecintaan terhadap artefak rumah Jaton sebagai bekal menghadapi era globalisasi.
SOSIALISASI.PEMBENTUKAN BINAAN DESA.CIHIDEUNG UDIK MENJADI DESA.WISATA
Authors: Djunaid Ika Suryono , Sofiani Sofiani , Ardiansyah Imam , Sofiani Sofiani , Fachrureza Dewantara , Soeprapto Vishnuvardhana , Paulina Paulina
Published: July 2022

Desa Cihideung Udik merencanakan untuk berkembang menjadi desa wisata, seluruh desa beserta sistem kehidupannya. Wisata pedesaan akan menghadirkan pengalaman yang unik, dengan cara kegiatan pedesaan, menghirup udara yang jernih, jauh dari kota besar dan tingkat kebisingan yang tinggi, merasakan dan terlibat dalam aktivitas masyarakat setempat. Dari pertimbangan tersebut, maka diadakan sosialisasi mengenai desa wisata”. Dari kegiatan tersebut tujuan yang ingin dicapai adalah: 1. Agar dapat mengembangkan kepariwisataan yang berkelanjutan untuk masyarakat. 2. Bermanfaat kepada masyarakat, yaitu dapat meningkatkan pendapatan warga. 3. Dapat menjaga kebersihan Desa Cihideung Udik dan untuk menghindari alih fungsi lahan yang tidak terkendali. Selain tujuan tersebut juga ada beberapa manfaat yang ingin dicapai adalah: 1. Berperan aktif di dalam menjaga kelestarian alam dan lingkungan Desa Cihideung Udik. 2. Menggairahkan kesenian dan budaya yang dimiliki masyarakat Desa Cihideung Udik untuk menunjang perkembangan Desa Cihideung Udik sebagai Desa Wisata. 3. Untuk tetap dapat mempertahankan keunikan Desa Cihideung Udik, khususnya Bendungan Cihideung Udik yang diwariskan secara turun-temurun, sehingga keharmonisan, kesejahteraan, dan keselamatan dapat tetap terjaga. 4. Dengan dikembangkannya Desa Cihideung Udik sebagai Desa Wisata, maka akan dapat meningkatkan pendapatan masyarakat Desa Cihideung Udik dan membuka lapangan pekerjaan serta menunjang Pariwisata Kerakyatan Berkelanjutan. Cara yang diterapkan dalam pengabdian ini adalah melalui perbincangan dengan warga dan kepala desa. Ketercapaian kegiatan pengabdian ini dapat diukur dari banyaknya jumlah warga yang mengikuti kegiatan dan memberikan saran dalam diskusi.