bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Diversity in Online Learning
Authors: Kumi-Yeboah Alex , Dogbey James , Yuan Guangji , Amponsah Samual
Published: January 2022

This chapter explored the perceptions of minority graduate students about cultural diversity and the challenges they face in online learning environments. Thirty-five minority graduate students enrolled in online graduate programs in education in the Southeastern United States participated in the study. A qualitative research design using interviews and observations was used to collect and analyze the data. Findings revealed four themes: (1) the need to recognize and use multicultural resources for knowledge building in the online learning environment, (2) the need for more diversity inclusion in online learning, (3) collaborative learning activities as effective instructional strategy to promote cultural diversity in online environments, and (4) the lack of multicultural contents, communications, language barriers, and culturally relevant activities hinder online learning. The findings demonstrate the need for online instructors to recognize cultural differences of students and diverse cultural experiences they bring to the online learning environments.
Promoting the Representation of Historically Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Karkouti Ibrahim M. , Abu Rabia Hazza
Published: January 2022

This chapter highlights the importance of diversity, provides an overview of the historical plight that minorities suffered during the formation of the American history, describes the policies that aim at expanding educational opportunities for socially and economically disadvantaged groups, and presents a conceptual framework that guides educational leaders towards creating inclusive campuses. Also, it reports the findings of an empirical investigation that elicited minority students' views regarding the factors that enhance their persistence. Findings from this study could be of primary importance for university administrators and policymakers trying to enhance diversity on campus. The chapter ends with conclusions and recommendations for research and future practice.
Repressive Tolerance and the “Management” of Diversity
Authors: Brookfield Stephen D.
Published: January 2022

This chapter uses Herbert Marcuse's notion of repressive tolerance to examine the ways that higher education institutions manage diversity so as to ensure that the ideology of white supremacy stays in place. Instead of condemning challenge and trying to repress it head on, organizations in a society supposedly devoted to the project of becoming more open and tolerant appear to be engaged in substantive change whilst still maintaining the status quo. Repressive tolerance holds that all these measures can be taken without any fundamental change to the structures of power within the organization. Whites will still be overwhelmingly in positions of institutional power and authority and, ensnared by the ideology of white supremacy, will continue to act in racist ways. Institutions that create a diversity requirement for students often approve new courses on race and diversity and hire faculty of color to teach these. The problem is that very little changes at a deeper, structural level.
DACA-Mexico Origin Students in the United States-Mexican Borderlands
Authors: Dominguez Maggie , Frolow Miriam L.
Published: January 2022

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program enabled more than 700,000 undocumented youth and young adults since 2012 the chance to have a lawful presence in the United States for a 2-year renewable period. With DACA status, college students could have access to financial aid and possibly in-state tuition, as well as opportunities to work legally. A correlational study was conducted in 2016-2017 with 30 DACA college students of Mexican Origin who were residing in California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. They completed an anonymous online survey about their intent to persist to degree completion, their views on the college climate for diversity, and their sense of belonging on campus. The results of the study confirm the need for higher education faculty and staff to provide services and resources and to build trust with this vulnerable student population.
Liberty Needs Glasses
Authors: Lavette Williams Tanishia
Published: January 2022

This research investigates the outcomes of school communities who leverage an antiracist political agenda to address the racial achievement gap. In New York City, the Equity and Excellence for All agenda is a series of programs and mandates designed to improve student achievement through an antiracist, equity driven lens. This chapter examines policy implementation with an understanding of preexisting school culture conditions that impact policy efficacy. Toward this goal, this research is part of a larger body of work that prioritizes data from the vantage point of students, teachers, and school leaders. A multi-methods study, this research leverages a priori quantitative analysis to articulate distinction in school race culture and then qualitative analysis to capture the counter narrative of the marginalized who are situated in the educationally stratified spaces.
Multicultural Literature as Critical Literature
Authors: McCray Carissa
Published: January 2022

In traditional classroom literature, students of color are often left out prompting division, isolation, and discrimination among racial and ethnic groups. The purpose of this literature analysis is to argue the need for multicultural literature to develop identity and social capital for students of color. The literature analysis allows for research from multiple scholars to be used to argue for a particular action in education. The results suggest that an inclusion of multicultural literature demonstrates an increase in engagement, academic achievement, community engagement, and purpose. The need for multicultural literature has been discussed in academia for several decades; however, the implementation and incorporation has yet to manifest fully across educational programs, with stakeholders, or across districts. This review serves to illuminate both the necessity and strategies for multicultural literature.
COVID-19 and Education
Authors: Banerjee Nandini , Das Amarnath
Published: January 2022

This chapter discusses the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the education system and tries to propose some necessary strategies to meet with the new challenges. It considers education one of the major areas of disruption due to global pandemic. The abrupt shifting to online learning from traditional learning module is without adequate planning and preparation, especially for countries like India, where the backbone for an online system is not ready and the design of curriculum is not according to such format. It has created major risk in knowledge flow. That's why the chapter tries to highlight the situations and menaces, as it considers the primary aim of education to be building the capacity of young minds and equiping learners with adequate skills to encounter challenges and drive their knowledge and productivity in the right direction for decades to come and ensure the overall progress of the nation.
Parental Role in Digital Education During COVID-19
Authors: Goswami Munmun
Published: January 2022

This study aims to understand the involvement of Indian parents in their children' online classes and the teachers' perception of such support and its impact on teachers' job satisfaction levels through work affect. In the pilot phase, a qualitative study was conducted to understand the parental intervention and the teachers' perception of such support (support/interference). The pilot study paved the way for the second quantitative study. It is posited that for teachers, perceived parental support (PPS) increased job satisfaction (JS) through the mediating role of positive affect (PA), while perceived parental interference (PPI) decreased JS through the mediating role of negative affect (NA). Empirical validation from 150 primary school teachers using SEM partially supported the model. PA did not mediate the relation between PPS and JS. PPI, however, did influence JS through NA. Women teachers reported lesser PA and greater NA. Joint family increased JS and NA while decreasing PA.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Primary Education in Bangladesh
Authors: Abusaleh Kazi , Haque Nazmul
Published: January 2022

The overall objective of this chapter was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on primary education in Bangladesh. Published government and non-government reports, books, research papers, and newspaper articles were reviewed to write the chapter. The chapter discusses the primary and general education system of Bangladesh and the overall measures that have been taken by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) considering the prolonged closure of schools for the COVID-19 outbreak. Analysis showed that GoB has introduced distant learning through various digital learning platforms, but the initiatives have proven ineffective. The chapter further discusses how poor access to technological devices has hindered the process of availing online education, and also the association of how the fall of parental income and rural and urban differentiation in facilities have affected primary children's education and led to learning poverty and multi-dimensional disparity. The analysis would be important in the creation of guidelines for policymakers, government officials, NGO managers, academicians, and researchers.
Leadership Challenges of the Institutional Heads of the Secondary Schools in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mondal Bhaskar , Behera Santosh Kumar
Published: January 2022

The present case study explores the views of the institutional heads about the academic and non-academic activities, leadership challenges that they are facing, and coping strategies they are taking in this current scenario in the government-sponsored secondary schools of Bhangore block, West Bengal. The study adopts a qualitative method. All the institutional heads of government secondary schools in the South 24 Parganas district comprised the population of the study. Twelve samples were selected through the purposive sampling technique. Unstructured interviews and focus group discussions were arranged through the conference call, telephonic conversation, video call, and meeting with four respondents for a face-to-face unstructured interview for data collection. The major findings of the study revealed that the challenges faced by the institutional heads are mainly concerned with two categories, organizational and instructional leadership challenges, and some recommendations are given to cope with the situations for the upcoming days.
Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education
Authors: Naibaho Lamhot
Published: January 2022

This chapter aims to obtain information about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. It is done at Indonesian Christian University using the library research method. The instrument used in writing this chapter is the researcher as a critical instrument. The author read sources related to the topic “COVID-19” and its impact on education in Indonesia. These documents are sourced from books, research journals, and other articles taken from the Google Scholar website. The results of this study are that there are several obstacles experienced by students, lecturers, and parents in online teaching and learning activities. They are 1) lack of mastery of technology; 2) the cost of internet quota; 3) the existence of additional jobs for parents in assisting children to learn; 4) communication and socialization between students; 5) fewer lecturers and parents; and 6) working hours become unlimited for lecturers because they had to communicate and coordinate with parents, other lecturers, and rectors.
The Recycling of Australian Offshore Structures in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Mohammad Zulfikar , Islam Nahid
Published: January 2022

The circular economy has emerged as a policy goal with respect to the trade relationships between developed and developing countries. The aim of the circular economy is to take responsibility for the costs involved in recycling by going away from the linear economic model, which is briefly stated as 'take-recycle-dispose' with unused materials in at one end and externalised the wastes at the other. Recycling numerous unused structures is a persisting problem for Australia that can be resolved following this circular economy approach. To that end, an underlying aim of this chapter is to propose a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Australia that aims at recycling offshore structures of Australian companies in Bangladesh's ship recycling industry (hereinafter referred to as recycling industry). This chapter also sheds light on the challenges for Bangladesh in recycling the offshore structures in a sustainable way but disputes that those offshore structures will only increase the waste burden for Bangladesh.
Exploring Partnerships Between Australia and South Asia for Crowdfunding Social Enterprises
Authors: Haq Chureerat , Bandias Susan E. , Shah Faiz , Sharma Rajeev
Published: January 2022

Social enterprises have proven to be an effective mechanism for addressing economic, social, and environment problems in a number of countries. While conventional businesses have, in general, encountered difficult times during the COVID-19 pandemic, online businesses have tended to register success as a direct result of mobility constraints imposed on multinational or regional value-chains during this time. Social enterprises have continued to demonstrate their value as reservoirs of social and economic resilience during this unprecedented global crisis. Thought leaders like Muhammad Yunus see micro-economies, comprising locally focused social businesses linked digitally into distant value chains, as a viable strategy for economic growth in difficult times to achieve the SDGs. This chapter examines the potential of strategic business collaborations between social enterprises in Australia and South Asia that can leverage crowdfunding as a tool for mutual advantage and explores opportunities and challenges for Australian interests entering the financial services sector in South Asia.
Visual Feedback Control Through Real-Time Movie Frames for Quadcopter With Object Count Function and Pick-and-Place Robot With Orientation Estimator
Authors: Shao Lu , Nagata Fusaomi , Habib Maki K. , Watanabe Keigo
Published: January 2022

Previous studies have successfully identified results of searching the desired object in real-time movie frames using a template image prepared in color or shape. In every sample time of 40 ms, the center of gravity (COG) can be consecutively calculated by detecting and identifying the desired object. Hence, it is possible to have visual feedback (VF) control with the quadrotor by referring to the change of the COG as the relative velocity with respect to the desired object. In this chapter, a useful function is developed to enable the detection and counting of desired objects in real-time. This allows the quadrotor to monitor the number of individually selected objects in the frames of a movie such as cars, animals, etc. This supports high-speed counting while avoiding errors due to object overlapping. Also, the proposed VF controller is successfully applied to a pick-and-place robot, in which a transfer learning-based convolutional neural network can estimate object orientation for smooth picking.
Joint Use of Fuzzy Entropy and Divergence as a Distance Measurement for Image Edge Detection
Authors: Versaci Mario , Morabito Francesco Carlo
Published: January 2022

In the AI framework, edge detection is an important task especially when images are affected by uncertainties and/or inaccuracies. Thus, usual edge detectors are unsuitable, so it is necessary to exploit fuzzy tools as Versaci-Morabito edge detector proposing a procedure to adaptively construct fuzzy membership functions. In this chapter, the authors reformulate this approach exploiting a new formulation for adaptively fuzzy membership functions but characterized by a more reduced computational load making the approach more attractive for any real-time applications. Furthermore, the chapter provides new mathematical results not yet proven in previous works.
Entropy, Chaos, and Language
Authors: Lopez De Luise Daniela
Published: January 2022

Natural language is a rich source of information, with a complex structure and a kaleidoscope of contents. This arises from the flexibility that living languages exhibit in order to reflect the speaker's intention, and also due to communication needs. From computational linguistics, multiple strategies have been developed that allow detecting and interpreting textual contents, but there is an uncovered margin, an interpretive range that remains outside the scope of automatic processing, and that requires rethinking the scope and perspectives of these tools. This chapter aims to show this gap and its implications, exploring dialectical and technical reasons. It also proposes a new perspective of interpretation and scope of textual processing, a sort of thermodynamics of productions that involve the communication of certain types. As part of the scope, there is a bibliographic analysis and a statistical and heuristic exploration of the proposal applied to 20Q game.
Hyperspectral/Multispectral Imaging Methods for Quality Control
Authors: Liyanage Dhanushka Chamara , Tamre Mart , Hudjakov Robert
Published: January 2022

Product quality assurance is a vital component in any manufacturing process. With the advancement of machine vision, the product quality inspection has been vastly improved. This couldn't be achieved with human inspection otherwise when it comes to consistency, accuracy, and the speed. The advance sensor technologies and image processing algorithms are ensuring the product and process quality in various industries including pharmaceutical manufacturing, food production, agriculture, and waste sorting. In contrast to the RGB imaging technology, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging technologies carry more information about the objects under inspection. With the help of both spectral and spatial information, it is possible to discriminate the quality indices of various products with higher accuracy than RGB imaging methods. This chapter discusses the state-of-the-art product quality inspection applications using hyperspectral imaging and multispectral imaging using modern machine learning and other statistical algorithms.
Cybersecurity Issues in the Middle East
Authors: Aljuryyed Ahmad
Published: January 2022

This chapter explores the cybersecurity issues experienced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also delves into the concept of cybersecurity and its use in the country. The chapter begins by discussing technology in the 21st century; its positive implications on countries, companies, and individuals; as well as the devastating consequences of cyber-attacks. The chapter explores the various cyber-attacks deployed upon Saudi Arabia, their impacts, and current cybersecurity initiatives geared towards a lasting solution; after presenting background information on the topic, the chapter expounds on internet penetration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2021 and the resultant cyber-attacks. Thereafter, the chapter discusses six different cyber-attacks in Saudi, challenges in Saudi's cybersecurity, and proposed solutions to the menace. The chapter concludes in a summary of the main points and an overview of the challenges of cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia.
Pecha Kucha Presentations
Authors: García-Sánchez Soraya
Published: January 2022

This comparative research analyses some reflections regarding the teaching and learning approaches designed to foster communicative English language skills under the modality of online education with real-time interaction and multimodal communicative mediation. Because of the global pandemic COVID-19, the higher educational community of three different subjects on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) modified their programs to full online education with different digital tools and interactive methods. A survey was used to analyze students' preferences regarding this abrupt change. Consequently, the delivery of communicative skills through mediated multimodal communication or interaction in English were explored with students' online speaking presentations, which followed the Pecha Kucha model. It is suggested that the multimodal Pecha Kucha speeches allowed participants to produce, receive, interact, and mediate their interpersonal communication with interactive comments, expressed synchronously via MS Teams or posted asynchronously on the forum via written or audio messages.
Digital Literacy in Language Education
Authors: Giannikas Christina Nicole , Tsagari Dina , Liontou Trisevgeni
Published: January 2022

The abrupt shift to online learning and teaching shocked the majority of the language education community who had to become familiar with online tools, resources, and adjust their teaching approaches overnight. Beyond the state of alarm, it is now evident that a nexus between innovation and ICT exists. The pandemic has highlighted the critical role of technology in language education. As part of a larger study, this chapter focuses on language education in Cyprus and examines the issues facing language teachers' digital literacy and competence through the lens of complex and unpredictable adaptive systems. The data displayed and discussed in the chapter contradicts teachers' confidence of their digital literacy and competence of delivering language lessons online and what was applied in practice, and concludes by making specific recommendations at policy making, pedagogical, and research levels.
Healthcare E-Learning Ecosystem for the Use of Ultrasound in Interventional Procedures
Authors: Curto Belen , Moreno Vidal , Serrano Francisco Javier , Hernández Felipe , Alonso Pablo , Blanco Francisco Javier , Garcia-Esteban Juan Alberto
Published: January 2022

Ultrasound imaging (USI) has become a disruptive element in medicine. To achieve a safer USI application, professionals need sound practical training. This chapter presents the keynotes in the development of a teaching-learning ecosystem, where students (future specialist physicians) and teachers participate, with the concrete educational contents. The ecosystem is supported by a LMS that includes recourses and activities for collaboration, implemented by a multidisciplinary team of health and ICT experts. Practical skills are acquired through a computer-based simulator for the training of the USI-based interventional procedures that the student can handle autonomously at any time and is highly realistic. As a main result, the ecosystem is applied to a real experience, focusing on the treatment of spasticity by botulinum toxin infiltration. Learning outcomes have been evaluated through academic grades and a survey of students who have participated in a specialist course.
Smart Splint Development
Authors: de Agustín Jose María
Published: January 2022

After suffering a fracture in an upper or lower limb, a plaster cast is placed on the affected limb. It is a very old and efficient technique for recovery from an injury that has not had significant changes since its origin. This project aims to develop a new, low-cost smart 3D-printed splint concept by using new sensing techniques. Two rapidly evolving advanced manufacturing (AM) technologies will be used: 3D scanning and 3D printing. This is possible thanks to the application of engineering on additive manufacturing techniques and the use of biocompatible materials available in the market. This study proposes the use of these materials and techniques, including sensor integration inside the splints. The main parameters considered to be studied are pressure, humidity, skin colour, and temperature. These aspects are combined and analyzed to determine any kind of unexpected evolution of the treatment. The goal of this study is to generate a smart splint by using biomaterials and engineering techniques based on the advanced manufacturing and sensor system for clinical purposes.
An ETL Approach to the Generation of Educational Resources From Digital Radiology Medical Collections
Authors: Buendia Felix , Gayoso-Cabada Joaquín , Sierra José-Luis
Published: January 2022

This chapter describes an ETL (extract, transform, load) approach for the generation of instructional resources from pre-existing collections of clinical data, in particular in the field of radiology. The approach advocates, on the one hand, the extraction of information from such sources and its representation in a unified and machine-processable format. On the other hand, the extracted information can be transformed to fit different instructional needs. This transformation process can involve both automatic transformations and transformations carried out by experts using specialized editors. Finally, the information resulting from the transformation process can be exported in standard formats in order to load it to learning management platforms (e.g., Moodle or Canvas). The chapter illustrates, with the help of a radiology clinical case collection, how this approach can be supported by a flexible digital collection management tool called Clavy.
Information Literacy Module
Authors: Abdul Majid Mayasari , Mohamed Shuhidan Shamila
Published: January 2022

The school library is recognized as an information center for learning, staffed by certified and professional school librarians, that collaborates with educators. This International School, known as IS1, offers library lesson periods for their primary and secondary students starting from January 2021 to assist and guide students equipping themselves with information literacy skills in supporting their academic purposes. The five information literacy modules were developed, namely Information Resources, OPAC & WEBPath Express (School Databases), Online Information Resources, Citation & References, and Basic Research Steps. After completing the information literacy modules, researchers interview the subject teachers about the perception of the implementation of the information literacy module with the students. Findings show that the implementation of the IL module was a good initiative to collaborate with school librarians to produce self-guided learning to boost student motivation and achievement.
Opportunities and Challenges of Academic Librarians in Offering Information Literacy Skills Training to Freshmen
Authors: Chigwada Josiline Phiri
Published: January 2022

The ‘catch them young' concept is a good foundation for developing lifelong learning skills that can be used beyond tertiary education. This is one of the ways of ‘making the book pay' in helping to create an informed society that would take part in the implementation of the Africa we want through the Africa Agenda 2063. A survey was undertaken on how libraries are supporting information literacy and research skills of students for a successful transition from primary and secondary to higher education. Twenty school libraries and 15 academic libraries were purposively selected to participate in the study. Telephone interviews were done with school, teachers, and academic librarians to understand the opportunities and challenges that they are encountering in imparting information literacy and research skills to students in preparing them for higher education in the digital era. The results revealed that there are information literacy programs in schools and universities and the modules are delivered by librarians.
Strength and Durability of Recycled Concrete Strengthened with Steel Fibers and Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex
Authors: Awchat Ganesh , Dhanjode Gopal
Published: January 2022

Demolition of any structure is costly, and simultaneously there is non-accessibility of land or disposal sites in nearby areas. Recycling such demolished concrete material and converting it into an appropriate size of aggregates can be further used for the following construction cycle. Prior exploration showed utilization of Steel Fibers (SF) and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) latex in Recycled Concrete (RC) independently for various strength and durability improvements. This experimental work cast RC as M25 & M40 grade to satisfy reinforced concrete and rigid concrete pavement concrete demand. Total 132 cubes, 198 cylinders, and 198 beams of Normal Concrete (NC), RC, and RC reinforced by SF with SBR latex cast and termed as Polymer Modified Steel Fiber Reinforced Recycled Concrete (PMSFRRC). The objective was to evaluate the properties due to SF and SBR latex blending and obtaining the optimum dosages of SF and SBR latex. A strength and durability study was carried out to find out cube compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, chloride attack, and sulfate attack. The concrete was modified with the SBR latex dosage range of 2.5% –7.5% by cement weight. SF was added as 0.5% – 1.5% by concrete mix volume at the average length of 25 mm and 0.5 mm in diameter. Experimental findings of PMSFRRC for grade M25 with SF 1% volume fraction of concrete and SBR latex 5% of cement weight improve NC in indirect tensile strength by 9.93% and 8.58%, flexural strength by 10.01% and 8.99% at 28 and 91 days, respectively. Similarly, there was an enhancement in indirect tensile strength by 13.18 % and 11.11 % and flexural strength by 12.88 % and 10.78 % at 28 and 91 days, respectively, for PMSFRRC of grade M40 compared to NC. Durability analysis shows that a combined dosage of SF 1.5% volume of concrete mix and SBR latex 7.5% of cement weight seemed to be excellent concrete additives for good resistance to acid and sulfate attack for both mixtures. The results exhibited improved hardened properties of modified concrete due to the combined addition of SF and SBR latex, improved cracking resistance, flexure resistance, and reduced acid and sulfate attack rate into the specimens. The study also demonstrated an effective way of preparing sustainable concrete with SF and SBR latex to improve strength and durability.
Design of a 30 nm Germanium FinFET by Parameter Optimization
Authors: Mogosetso Gofaone , Lebekwe Caspar , Ditshego Nonofo M.J.
Published: January 2022

Germanium (Ge) is envisioned as a suitable channel candidate for field-effect transistors (FET). Properties of Ge such as high carrier mobility, compatibility with Si and adaptability with high-k materials makes it comparable to silicon. This paper presents a detailed design of a 30 nm Ge based FinFET by parameter optimization using Silvaco software. Poisson and Schrodinger equation is used to come up with an analytical quantum model. The quantum model is developed based on theory of a double gate (DG) FET but the final design is a trigate (TG) device since they are more scalable. The quantum attributes of DG MOSFET are acquired by adopting the coupled Poisson–Schrodinger equation with the aid of the variational approach. The ratio of channel length (LC) to fin height (Hfin) to fin thickness (tfin) is 4:2:1. The channel length is taken as the gate length (LG) although they are slightly differ mathematically due to side diffusion of the implanted ions. Simulation results show that physical parameters such as dimensions influence electrical characteristics of the device such as threshold voltage (VTH). Much focus is on optimization of the on/off current ratio (ION/OFF) and VTH performances. ION/OFF≈ 106 is achieved at carrier concentration in the range 1 × 1018≤ nd≤ 1.22 × 1018 and in this scenario, VTH = 0.4V . Systematical investigation is presented using IV characteristics to demonstrate the sensitivity or how critical design parameters of Ge FinFET are to the device’s figure of merits. Device performs well at low voltages but breaks down at higher drain voltages (VDS≥ 4V). Gate source voltages (VGS) range between 0.05V≤ VGS ≤ 1V and conductance is dependent on it. Effects of DIBL, which is around 0.031, and velocity saturation are studied to determine how they can be suppressed during the design process.
Structural, Morphological and Optical Properties of (Mn, Al) Co-Doped ZnO Thin Films Prepared by Sol-Gel Dip Coating Method
Authors: Aounallah Hadia , Zaabat Mourad , Noua Abd Elouahab , Ounis Tarek Diab
Published: January 2022

In this study, Aluminum (Al) and Manganese (Mn) co-doped ZnO thin films were successfully synthesized into glass substrates by the sol-gel dip-coating method with different Al concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%). The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the obtained thin ﬁlms were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV–VIS spectroscopy. XRD pattern revealed that the films have a polycrystalline hexagonal structure with a preferred orientation along (101) for undoped ZnO thin films, further the co-doped ZnO thin films show a shift in the preferred orientation to (002) direction without any Mn or Al related phases. The morphological analysis showed that the films have a uniform and dense ZnO grains, without any voids and cracks, and it was found that the surface roughness (RMS) increases from 8,27 to 14,43 nm when the Al doping concentration increased from 1% to 3%; however, when Al doping concentration is 5%, the RMS value decreased to 2,80 nm. From the optical analysis, the higher average transmittance was found to be corresponding to 5% Al doping concentration.
A Framework for Bearing Prognostics in Changing Operating Conditions
Authors: Gituku Esther Wangui , Kimotho James Kuria , Njiri Jackson Githu
Published: January 2022

In this paper, a framework for conducting data-driven prognostics presence of a domainshift is introduced. Domain shift is brought about by factors such as changing operations which alterthe distribution of data thus degrading the performance of learned prognostic models. The use ofWeibull-based hazard functions of the kurtosis and shape factor time domain features are exploredand affirmed as not only being trendable and monotonic but robust across operating conditions; thus,desirable for prognosis. In the learning stage, the usual procedure is to use the designated training datawhich is full lifetime data. Unfortunately, a key characteristic of test data is that its truncated whichmay offer a serious impediment to the predicting model’s performance due to it being trained with fulllifetime data only. In this research, the learning data is extended by adding its truncated versions thussignificantly improving the model’s prediction accuracy for test data. In this work, it is demonstratedthat the proposed method results in over 95% accuracy of remaining useful life prediction for bearingsoperated in different operating conditions.
Modelling of Turkey’s Energy Consumption Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Şişman Nuri , Sofuoğlu Mehmet Alper , Aras Nil , Aras Haydar
Published: January 2022

Energy is one of the most important inputs to maintain social and economic improvement in the countries. It is necessary that energy demand should be performed at the right time economically and be of good quality and respectful if increasing environmental consciousness in order to preserve national development and a high standard of living. Turkey's energy use is expected to increase by 50% over the next decade. Turkey's installed capacity has exceeded 88 GW as of January 2019, representing a threefold increase in 15 years. For this reason, an accurate prediction of the consumed energy is critical. Predictions of energy demand in developing countries show more deviations than in developed countries. The essential scope of this study is to develop a new electricity prediction model for Turkey, which has not been used in the literature before. In the study, the global system for mobile communications (gsm) subscribers, fertility rate and cultivated land per capita have been used for the first time in the literature as variables. Factors resulting from health-ecological problems as well as cultural, social and economic changes and differences in Turkey were included in the model to obtain more realistic results. The model was developed between 1975 and 2016, and 73 different economic and social variables were evaluated using artificial neural networks (ANN). The model was established by reducing the number of variables according to the weight ratio. Then, two different cases have been created and tested. Turkey’s electricity consumption has been predicted accurately until 2023 using SPSS Clementine software.
Preparation and Photo-Catalytic Performance of ZIF-67@F-Ta2O5 Hetero-Structure
Authors: Wang Xiao Min , Yang De Quan , Su Yang , Chen Na , Guo Li Li , Li Zhen , Li Hong Gang
Published: January 2022

ZIF-67@Ta2O5 graded hetero-structure material was designed and prepared using F-Ta2O5 as a raw material and Zeolite imidazole ester(ZIF-67) as framework structure material. The hetero-structure Ta2O5 and ZIF-67@Ta2O5 were annealing 6 hours at 900°C in nitrogen ambience. The photolysis properties of the Ta2O5 and ZIF-67@Ta2O5 materials as catalysts for photocatalytic decomposition of water to hydrogen were characterized. The results show that the heterogeneous composite structure formed by cobalt-tantalum oxide and tantalum pentoxide can significantly improve the hydrogen production performance of tantalum pentoxide samples, and the properties of samples obtained under nitrogen atmosphere are better. Among them, the N-50 sample (F-Ta2O5 is 50mg, Cobalt nitrate dosage is 6ml, annealing 6 hours at 900°C in nitrogen ambience) has the best hydrogen production performance, and the hydrogen production rate is 116μmol/g/h.
Expression Levels of Lamin A or C Are Critical to Nuclear Maturation, Functional Responses, and Gene Expression Profiles in Differentiating Mouse Neutrophils
Authors: Szymczak Klaudia , Pelletier Margery G H , Malu Krishnakumar , Barbeau Anna M , Giadone Richard M , Babroudi Seda C , Gaines Peter C W
Published: January 2022

Neutrophils mediate critical innate immune responses by migrating to sites of infection or inflammation, phagocytosing microorganisms, and releasing an arsenal of antimicrobial agents, including reactive oxygen species. These functions are shared by other innate immune cell types, but an interesting feature of neutrophils is their hallmark lobulated nuclei. Although why this bizarre nuclear shape forms is still being elucidated, studies of two intermediate filament proteins that associate with the nuclear envelope, lamin A and C, indicate that expression levels of these proteins govern nuclear maturation. These A-type lamins also modulate nuclear stiffness, the loss of which may be critical to the migration of not only neutrophils but also cancer cells that become prone to metastasis. We investigated whether increased expression of either lamin A or C affects neutrophil nuclear morphologic maturation, but more importantly we tested whether overexpression of either lamin also affects neutrophil functional responses, using two mouse myeloid progenitor models that can be induced toward functionally responsive neutrophil-like cells. Collectively, our results demonstrate that overexpression of either lamin A or C not only disrupts nuclear lobulation but also causes aberrant functional responses critical to innate immunity, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, the lamin A–overexpressing cells exhibit decreased expression of a critical NADPH oxidase complex factor, gp91phox, and transcriptomic profiling demonstrated differential expression of a number of myeloid differentiation and functional pathway components. Taken together, these data demonstrate that A-type lamin expression levels modulate not only nuclear morphologic features but also gene expression changes as neutrophils mature.
Phenotypic Drift in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice: Potential Roles of MicroRNAs and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Cabana-Puig Xavier , Bond Jacob M , Wang Zhuang , Dai Rujuan , Lu Ran , Lin Amy , Oakes Vanessa , Rizzo Amy , Swartwout Brianna , Abdelhamid Leila , Mao Jiangdi , Prakash Meeta , Sangmeister Constanza , Cheung Nathaniel , Cowan Catharine , Reilly Christopher M , Sun Sha , Ahmed S Ansar , Luo Xin M
Published: January 2022

MRL/lpr mice have been extensively used as a murine model of lupus. Disease progression in MRL/lpr mice can differ among animal facilities, suggesting a role for environmental factors. We noted a phenotypic drift of our in-house colony, which was the progeny of mice obtained from The Jackson Laboratory (JAX; stocking number 000485), that involved attenuated glomerulonephritis, increased splenomegaly, and reduced lymphadenopathy. To validate our in-house mice as a model of lupus, we compared these mice with those newly obtained from JAX, which were confirmed to be genetically identical to our in-house mice. Surprisingly, the new JAX mice exhibited a similar phenotypic drift, most notably the attenuation of glomerulonephritis. Interestingly, our in-house colony differed from JAX mice in body weight and kidney size (both sexes), as well as in splenic size, germinal center formation, and level of anti-dsDNA auto-IgG in the circulation (male only). In addition, we noted differential expression of microRNA (miR)-21 and miR-183 that might explain the splenic differences in males. Furthermore, the composition of gut microbiota was different between in-house and new JAX mice at early time points, which might explain some of the renal differences (e.g., kidney size). However, we could not identify the reason for attenuated glomerulonephritis, a shared phenotypic drift between the two colonies. It is likely that this was due to certain changes of environmental factors present in both JAX and our facilities. Taken together, these results suggest a significant phenotypic drift in MRL/lpr mice in both colonies that may require strain recovery from cryopreservation.
Knowledge management awareness in South African provincial government departments: The case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works, Pietermaritzburg
Authors: Nenungwi Fulufhelo , Garaba Francis
Published: January 2022

Background: Knowledge management (KM) holds a major influence on the effective delivery of services in government departments as it is tactically affiliated to the formation, composition, and sharing of information to prevent ‘reinvention of the wheel’ by staffs when performing their jobs. However, few government departments within the South African context have implemented formal KM initiatives.Objectives: This research sought to examine the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works (Pietermaritzburg) employees’ awareness of any KM initiatives, their benefits, and barriers that are preventing the successful implementation of a formal initiative.Method: A survey research approach was utilised in which structured questionnaires were administered to respondents. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS).Results: The research established that KM initiatives are being practiced informally within the Department and there is a reasonably high level of awareness of these initiatives together with the benefits associated with them. The lack of a dedicated unit for KM and KM professionals are some of the barriers to the successful implementation of formal initiatives.Conclusion: The research concluded that the Department is in dire need of a formal KM initiative to reap the potential benefits and improve service delivery.
Immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells expression in the tumor microenvironment of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Teng Qi-Liang , Yang Xin-Rui , Wen Shuang , Dai Zhi-Hong , Wang Hong-Long , Liu Tian-Qing , Wang Liang , Fan Bo , Liu Zhi-Yu
Published: January 2022

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the prostate is a rare neoplasm. However, its potential tumorigenic mechanism, clinicopathological features, and prognostic outcome have not been systematically described. To determine the pathogenic mechanism, we detected distributions of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed death 1 (PD-1), and cellular components in the tumor microenvironment, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD4 and CD8), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs; CD163 and CD68), and tumor-associated fibroblasts (vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]), in tumor tissues from four patients with primary prostatic SRCC compared with corresponding adjacent tissues and tumor tissues from 30 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) by immunohistochemical staining. We found higher expression of PD-L1, CD163, and CD68 in primary SRCC specimens than that in both corresponding adjacent nontumor specimens and PCa specimens with different Gleason scores, indicating that TAMs may participate in the malignant biological behavior of primary SRCC of the prostate. For further analysis, we searched electronic journal databases and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) to identify 200 eligible patients including our four cases. According to Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis, patients <68 years old, with radical prostatectomy (RP), Gleason score of 7–8, and lower clinical stage had longer overall survival (OS). Moreover, Cox multivariate analysis indicated that race (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.422), surgical approach (HR = 1.654), and Gleason score (HR = 2.162) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Therefore, primary SRCC of the prostate represents a distinct and aggressive subtype of prostate cancer associated with a higher distribution of PD-L1 and TAMs, which warrants further clinical investigation.
Association between parental psychiatric illness and psychological well-being of their children
Authors: Mina Shaily , Dhiman Rupam , Yadav Abhilasha , Kumar Kuldip
Published: January 2022

Background:

Children and adolescents are the pillars of a healthy society. Researches have explored significantly higher rate of psychopathology in children whose parents (either) have psychiatric illness in comparison to the general community (25%–50% v/s. 20%). Parental psychiatric illness (PPI) has significant long-term consequences on child's development-general health, cognitive stimulation, social, emotional, and behavioral maturity.

Objectives:

The objective of this study is to assess the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems of children of parents with psychiatric illness.

Methodology:

The present cross-sectional study attempted to evaluate the factors linked with the PPI and overall child's development. Two hundred and six parents with psychiatric illness (>1-year duration) were included in the research.

Results:

A total of 206 families (either mother/father) and their children 353 in number (<18 years) were included in the study. Slightly higher percentage of mother as participant was observed (56.8% v/s. 43.2%). In 80% of the families, mother was the primary caregiver of the children. Marital discord was prevalent in these families (17.9% reported by mother v/s. 31.5% reported by father).

Conclusion:

Early identification of the soft indicators of the children of PPI should be identified along with the treatment of their parents. Schools should be oriented to initiative an early assessment by the evaluation of the children with psychiatrist/psychologist.
Young Lady with Respiratory Failure
Authors: Haridas Nithya , Mehta Asmita , Kunoor Akhilesh , George Richie
Published: January 2022

Respiratory failure in a young adult presenting with community-acquired pneumonia usually suggests a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here, we discuss the case of a young female with pneumonia whose respiratory failure persisted despite treatment of pneumonia and ARDS.