bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avoiding Overfitting: new algorithms to improve generalization in Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Santos Claudio F. G. , Papa João Paulo
Published: February 2023

Deep Learning has achieved state-of-the-art results in several domains, such as im- age processing, natural language processing, and audio processing. To accomplish such results, it uses neural networks with several processing layers along with a massive amount of labeled information. One particular family of Deep Learning is the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which work using convolutional layers de- rived from the digital signal processing area, being very helpful to detect relevant features in unstructured data, such as audio and pictures. One way to improve results on CNN is to use regularization algorithms, which aim to make the training process harder but generate models that generalize better for inference when used in applications. The present work contributes to the area of regularization methods for CNNs, proposing more methods for use in different image processing tasks. This thesis presents a collection of works developed by the author during the research period, which were published or submitted until the present time, presenting: (i) a survey, listing recent regularization works and highlighting the solutions and problems of the area; (ii) a neuron dropping method to use in the tensors generated during CNNs training; (iii) a variation of the mentioned method, changing the dropping rules, targeting different features of the tensor; and (iv) a label regularization algorithm used in different image processing problems.
Transferring Human Motion and Appearance in Monocular Videos
Authors: Gomes Thiago L. , Martins Renato , Nascimento Erickson R.
Published: February 2023

This thesis investigates the problem of transferring human motion and appearance from video to video preserving motion features, body shape, and visual quality. In other words, given two input videos, we investigate how to synthesize a new video, where a target person from the first video is placed into a new context performing different motions from the second video. Possible application domains are on graphics animations and entertainment media that rely on synthetic characters and virtual environments to create visual content. We introduce two novel methods for transferring appearance and retargeting human motion from monocular videos, and by consequence, increase the creative possibilities of visual content. Differently from recent appearance transferring methods, our approaches take into account 3D shape, appearance, and motion constraints. Specifically, our first method is based on a hybrid image-based rendering technique that exhibits competitive visual retargeting quality compared to state-of-the-art neural rendering approaches, even without computationally intensive training. Then, inspired by the advantages of the first method, we designed an end-to-end learning-based transferring strategy. Taking advantages of both differentiable rendering and the 3D parametric model, our second data-driven method produces a fully 3D controllable human model, i.e., the user can control the human pose and rendering parameters. Experiments on different videos show that our methods preserve specific features of the motion that must be maintained (e.g., feet touching the floor, hands touching a particular object) while holding the best values for appearance in terms of Structural Similarity (SSIM), Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Fréchet Video Distance (FVD). We also provide to the community a new dataset composed of several annotated videos with motion constraints for retargeting applications and paired motion sequences from different characters to evaluate transferring approaches.
Musical Hyperlapse: A Multimodal Approach to Accelerate First-Person Videos
Authors: Matos Diognei de , Nascimento Erickson R.
Published: February 2023

With the advance in technology and social media usage, first-person recording videos has become a common habit. These videos are usually very long and tiring to watch, bringing the need to speed up them. Despite recent progress of fast-forward methods, they do not consider inserting background music in the videos, which could make them more enjoyable. This thesis presents a new method that creates accelerated videos and includes the background music keeping the same emotion induced by visual and acoustic modalities. Our approach is based on the automatic recognition of emotions induced by music and video contents and an optimization algorithm that maximizes the visual quality of the output video and seeks to match the similarity of the music and the video’s emotions. Quantitative results show that our method achieves the best performance in matching emotion similarity while maintaining the visual quality of the output video compared with other literature methods. Visual results can be seen through the link: https://youtu.be/9ykQa9zhcz8.
Iterative Optimum-Path Forest: A Graph-Based Data Clustering Framework
Authors: Aparco-Cardenas David , Falcão Alex X. , Rezende Pedro J. de
Published: February 2023

Data clustering is widely recognized as a fundamental technique of paramount importance in pattern recognition and data mining. It is extensively used in many fields of the sciences, business and engineering, covering a broad spectrum of applications. Despite the large number of clustering methods, only a few of them take advantage of optimum connectivity among samples for more effective clustering. In this work, we aim to fill this gap by introducing a novel graph-based data clustering framework, called Iterative Optimum-Path Forest (IOPF), that exploits optimum connectivity for the design of improved clustering methods. The IOPF framework consists of four fundamental components: (i) sampling of a seed set S, (ii) partition of the graph induced from the dataset samples by an Optimum-Path Forest (OPF) rooted at S, (iii) recomputation of S based on the previous graph partition, and, after multiple iterations of the last two steps, (iv) selection of the forest with the lowest total cost across all iterations. IOPF can be regarded as a generalization of the Iterative Spanning Forest (ISF) framework for superpixel segmentation from the image domain to the feature space. Herein, we present four IOPF-based clustering solutions to illustrate distinct choices of its constituent components. These are thereafter employed to address three different problems, namely, unsupervised object segmentation, road network analysis and clustering of synthetic two-dimensional datasets, in order to assess their effectiveness under various graph topologies, and to ascertain their efficacy and robustness when compared to competitive baselines.
Interactive Image Segmentation: From Graph-based Algorithms to Feature-Space Annotation
Authors: Bragantini Jordão , Falcão Alexandre Xavier
Published: February 2023

In recent years, machine learning algorithms that solve problems from a collection of examples (i.e. labeled data), have grown to be the predominant approach for solving computer vision and image processing tasks. These algorithms’ performance is highly correlated with the abundance of examples and their quality, especially methods based on neural networks, which are significantly data-hungry. Notably, image segmentation annotation requires extensive effort to produce high-quality labeling due to the fine-scale of the units (pixels) and resorts to interactive methodologies to provide user assistance. Therefore, improving interactive image segmentation methodologies with the goal of improving data labeling problems is of paramount importance to advance applications of computer vision methods. With this in mind, we investigated the existing literature on interactive image segmentation, contributing to it by introducing novel algorithms that perform the segmentation from markers, contours, and finally proposing a new paradigm for image annotation at scale.
Visual crime pattern analysis
Authors: Garcia-Zanabria Germain , Nonato Luis Gustavo
Published: February 2023

Studying and analyzing crime patterns in big cities is a challenging Spatio-temporal problem. The problem’s difficulty is linked to different factors such as data modeling, unsophisticated hotspot detection techniques, Spatio-temporal patterns, and study delimitation. Previous works have mostly focused on the analysis of crimes with the intent of uncovering patterns associated to social factors, seasonality, and urban activities in whole districts, regions, and neighborhoods. Those tools can hardly allow micro-scale crime analysis closely related to crime opportunity, whose understanding is fundamental for planning preventive actions. Visualizing different patterns hidden in crime time series data is another issue in this context, mainly due to the number of patterns that can show up in the time series analysis. In this dissertation, we propose a set of approaches for interactive visual crime analysis. Relying on machine learning methods, statistical and mathematical mechanisms, and visualization, each proposed methodology focus on solving specific crime-related problems. These proposed tools to explore specific city locations turned out to be essential for domain experts to accomplish their analysis in a bottom-up fashion, revealing how urban features related to mobility, passerby behavior, and the presence of public infrastructures can influence the quantity and type of crimes. The effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed methodologies have been demonstrated with a comprehensive set of quantitative and qualitative analyses, as well as case studies performed by domain experts involving real data from different-sized cities. The experiments show the capability of our approaches in identifying different crime-related phenomena.
Epileptic seizure detection with Convolutional Neural Networks and the Continuous Wavelet Transform
Authors: Cardoso Carlos E. R. , Díaz Aldo A. , Pansani Aline , Ntikawa Emerson , Colugnati Diego , Braga Pedro , Quintino Cláudio , Aureliano Marcos
Published: February 2023

The study of epileptic seizure often involves animal models to simulate the human behavior. Such models demand monitoring the evolution of the animal behavior continuously. Detecting seizure in this setup remains a challenge, because it typically requires trained personnel to annotate video sequences looking for the timestamps of seizure events. Deep Learning methods can help to solve this task in a more automatic and efficient manner due to their capacity of retrieving patterns from data. In this work, we conducted a pilot study to detect epileptic seizure from the images of small rodents using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). We used the Social LEAP Estimates Animal Poses (SLEAP) framework for animal recognition to extract the morphological skeleton. Then, our CWT-CNN method used information of the frequency, magnitude and temporal evolution of head and thorax displacements to classify the animal behavior. The results showed a mean accuracy of 82.7%in the classification of epileptic seizure events.
Towards a Computer Vision System for Monitoring and Stimulation of Rodents
Authors: Lima Renan Araújo de , Silva José Wanderson Oliveira , Gonçalves Luiz Marcos Garcia
Published: February 2023

The Behavioral Neurophysiology research area investigates the electrophysiological correlates of behaviors, normally using animals such as rodents as subjects. Examples of studies in the field include the investigation of neural processing dysfunctions and synaptic plasticity in animal models of autism and changes in synaptic plasticity in animal models of epilepsy. This area is in constant need of new equipment to aid research. With this goal, this work aims to develop a system capable of receiving video information in real-time using computer vision algorithms to define the positioning of the animal, plus the processing of ultrasound audio and brain electrophysiology signals. These data are to be represented in a user-friendly way and, from these data, we also aim to generate brain stimuli depending on the type of test being performed.
Explorando Poda de Transformada na Compressão de Imagens em 360º
Authors: Segala Enzo B. , Silveira Thiago L. T. da
Published: February 2023

Mídias omnidirecionais armazenam as informações de toda a cena e estão se tornando populares hoje em dia. Tais imagens têm alta resolução para atender aos requisitos de qualidade de novas aplicações, como navegação imersiva para realidade virtual. Este artigo propõe um método de compressão do tipo JPEG para imagens omnidirecionais representadas no formato equirretangular (ERP). Nosso método propõe usar poda de transformada para explorar a amostragem não-uniforme de imagens ERP, adaptando-se às latitudes dos blocos de imagem. Os resultados experimentais mostram que nossa abordagem pode reduzir os custos aritméticos aditivos e multiplicativos em 25,58% e 29,96%, respectivamente, em comparação ao JPEG, ao mesmo tempo em que alcança uma melhora na compressão de 3,85% a uma perda de qualidade de imagem 4,1%.
Deep Learning Utilized for Person Recognition Based on the Biometric Features of the Periocular Region
Authors: Nascimeno Leonardo Ferreira , Souza Jones Mendonça de
Published: February 2023

This article proposes the use of deep learning technologies to perform visual biometric recognition. The results obtained by convolutional neural networks trained to perform multi-class classification based on the visual features of the human periocular region are presented and discussed, in addition to being compared with results obtained using pattern recognition for biometric recognition from human iris textures.
Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Using Sensors to Prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes (SARS)
Authors: Bezerra Arthur Andrade , Santos Davi H. dos , Gonçalves Luiz M. G.
Published: February 2023

This work presents the development, calibration, and validation of a device capable of actively capturing data related to the measurement of air quality for future prevention. This data can then be compared with pandemic/endemic data indices by location using PM2.5, temperature, and humidity sensors, along with a microcontroller capable of sending all necessary information to a database. As it is a project that needs a large scale so that it is possible to capture air quality indices in as many points as possible in order to obtain data with very high granularity, the development is always being thought of, always viewing the cost-effectiveness of the components used for replicating is possible, and also the development is part of a larger project, which should provide the community with a complete platform capable of providing real-time air quality data.
Towards Measuring Air Quality Index with Country and States Granularity from Sentinel-5 Data
Authors: Cuno Jordan Salas , Conci Aura , Silva-Júnior Andouglas G. da , Gonçalves Luiz M. G.
Published: February 2023

One of the topics that have been recently discussed with greater emphasis is air quality, not only because it is a topic directly related to climate change and the greenhouse effect, but also because it has a strong link in the transmission of respiratory diseases. Low-quality indices of air can worsen the symptoms of patients with the COVID-19 pandemic, being one of the most recent examples. Being able to identify and monitor air quality in different geographic regions of Brazil will provide information on possible measures to be taken by authorities and citizens in general. Air quality indices are currently monitored by some entities using technology of sensors strategically installed at fixed points in cities. Another type of technology available is the high-resolution spectrometer system installed on satellites that constantly monitor the surface of the planet. Sentinel-5 is one of these satellites that generates a large amount of data for climate monitoring and that is used in this research. Basically, in this work, we propose a system that takes data from the Sentinel-5 in order to provide a measure of air quality to be used in the prediction of the pandemic dynamics.
Data Modelless Microservices to increase Multi-Tenancy in BaaS and SaaS Providers with Application to a Covid-19 Data-Lake
Authors: Costa Júlio G. S. F. da , Pereira Francinaldo A. , Santos Davi H. dos , Souza Samuel X. de , Gonçalves Luiz M. G.
Published: February 2023

This work is the result of the joint efforts of professionals encouraged to build a solution to predict the contagion and death curves of the Covid-19 pandemic, through the use of data-oriented solutions. This strategy is fundamentally dependent on collection. Regarding this particular aspect, the difficulty is manifested due to the fact that such data exist scattered in different repositories, in different formats, commonly available through files, in addition to being frequently updated. However, in this context, small data scientist teams with few resources suffer in this scenario forced to personally concern themselves with these difficulties. Here, we present a platform that helps these professionals to hide the complexities of having to deal with these issues themselves. This is done by creating and helping to manage, in an automated way, repositories for your users for simplified data consumption and distribution.
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry after the QuEChERS Method for Determining 20 Herbicide Residues in Wheat and Flour
Authors: R. Ghoniem Islam
Published: February 2023

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and social structure, and it plays a critical part in each country’s overall growth. Because of the significant food gap that exists in several vital crops, wars, and the continual expansion in the population, the role of agriculture products has recently become critical. The world is currently experiencing a severe food shortage, estimated to be over 60% of its strategic food requirements. As a result, there is a need to increase the area of farmed land in order to satisfy the growing population and raise food demand by eliminating weeds that can reduce agricultural output. Weed is an unwanted plant (one that grows in the incorrect area) that reduces crop output. Herbicides are a type of pesticides that are used to kill weeds and increase crop output. As a result, herbicide residues on food, particularly cereals, must be determined. In this study, the QuEChERS approach for determining herbicides in wheat and corn by direct injection to Exion HPLC coupled with a SciexQtrap API 6500+ LC–MS/MS system using an electrospray positive ionization (ESI+) at lower concentrations without utilizing acids or clean-up is evaluated, optimized, and validated in this work.
Bile Duct Stones
Authors: Rossi Kleinübing Diego , Alves Rodrigues Lailson , Luiz Brum Sarah
Published: February 2023

Common bile duct stones (CBDS) incidence is about 10–15%. Clinical signs and symptoms are nonspecific but when associated with biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasound, patients can be categorized into low, intermediate, and high risk of choledocholithiasis. These clinical, biochemical, and radiological predictors will direct the diagnostic approach through cholangio magnetic resonance, endoscopic ultrasound, laparoscopic ultrasound, or intraoperative cholangiography. Treatment options must consider technological availability, technical skills, stone size, and bile duct diameter. In general, it involves endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or surgery for CBDS clearance. For difficult stones, endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by large balloon dilation, mechanical lithotripsy, cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy are described, mainly as a bridge procedure.
Food Additives: Recent Trends in the Food Sector
Authors: M. Mwale Mary
Published: February 2023

Certain chemical substances have been recognized and used for centuries through different cultures and civilizations either to enhance or preserve flavor, freshness, appearance, taste, texture or keeping quality attributes of foods. Many of these substances are of little or no nutritive value, but are added in small quantities during food processing, seasoning, packaging, storage, or display of both human and animal foods for a specific desired effect. Food additives provide an opportunity to feed the world through sustaining availability of convenient nutritious and affordable food for human consumption, while also providing an avenue to minimize food loss and waste. Sustained research innovations and advancement in food technology that began in the 20th century have led to introduction of over 3000 natural and artificially made substances that are added to food during preparation or processing to impart specific desirable characteristics. However, although use of food additives has contributed to the rapid growth of the food industry, this has also brought other unwanted health consequences that are of public health concern. This chapter explores the important role of food additives in the food industry, recent developments and trends and in the food sector to uncover some health risks associated with certain food additives to promote safe use and minimize negative health consequences.
Perspective Chapter: African Higher Education Centers of Excellence – A Critical Reflection
Authors: Workie Ayele Bekele
Published: February 2023

There are different types of CoEs based on regional, national, and institutional needs, across different disciplines—health sciences, research, leadership, medicine, higher education, etc. Arguably, the conceptualizations of CoEs have been evolving as time goes by. It is imperative to critically examine the nuances of the challenges and opportunities of the African CoEs to enhance their capacity and potential to achieve their vision and mission. Therefore, the paper has twofold objectives: (1) What has been the strategic significances of the African CoEs? and (2) What are the perils of the African CoEs? These critical questions are examined from the perspective of Transformative Learning Theory. Although the strategic significances of the African CoEs included capacity development and academic collaborations and partnership, there have been also such perils as a lack of epistemic congruence within the African indigenous knowledge and skills bases and the compromisation of autonomy and academic freedom of the hosting HEIs of the CoEs.
Bioplastics against Microplastics: Screening of Environmental Bacteria for Bioplastics Production
Authors: S. Alwuhaib Aisha , Zinkevich Vitaly , Kartvelishvili Tamar , Asatiani Nino , Sapojnikova Nelly
Published: February 2023

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolymers produced by numerous bacteria and can be used in the production of bioplastics. PHAs are synthesized by microorganisms by fermentation of carbon sources. Due to the different monomer structures of PHAs, there are many kinds of PHAs, and their corresponding material properties are also very different. Thus, the search for bacteria producing the PHAs is of great interest. In this study, the bacteria isolated from the environment were analyzed for the presence of PHA. PHA production was tested with staining methods Sudan Black B, Nile Blue, and Nile Red. The presence of a PHA synthase gene (phaC) was confirmed by PCR amplification. PHAs were extracted from the strains and characterized by the FTIR spectroscopy method. A biochip for a fast screening of environmental samples for the presence of PHA-producing bacteria was designed. The biochip contained 11 probes for coding class 1, 2, and 3 PHA synthase genes.
Le gage dans les lois de Gortyne du Ve siècle avant J.-C.
Authors: Loginov Aleksandr Vladimirovič , Davydov Tichon Georgijevič , Zbarackij Bogdan Anatol'jevič
Published: February 2023

The paper deals with the pledge in the Gortyn Laws of the 5th century BCE. It demonstrates that the pledge in Gortyn had a possessory character, so it assumed the transfer of ownership of the pledge to the pledgee. The subject of the pledge could be both movable and immovable property. There is neither hypothec nor sale on condition of release in Gortyn law. This fact can be explained by the absence of a land cadastre.
Gymkana TIC
Authors: Blázquez Barrantes Fco. José
Published: February 2023

Gymkana TIC es una experiencia intrépida en la que los alumnos disfrutaron y aprendieron a trabajar en grupo a través del uso de las TIC, abordando inteligencias múltiples. Se realizó una gymkana con el fin de reforzar y afianzar contenidos referentes a las operaciones con fracciones; para ello se emplearon tablet y aplicaciones mó- viles que permitían descifrar códigos QR. Estos códigos QR contenían las operaciones a resolver en grupos cooperativos y una vez que terminaban la actividad se guiaban mediante pistas contenidas en un código QR a la siguiente ubicación, donde les esperaba la siguiente prueba. Finalmente, la actividad se evaluó a través de una aplicación móvil que fomenta la gamificación, llamada Kahoot, y que sirvió para comprobar la eficacia y buenos resultados de la actividad.
La comunicación en la familia a través de las TIC. Percepción de los adolescentes
Authors: Hernández Prados Mª Ángeles , López Vicent Patricia , Sánchez Esteban Sheila
Published: February 2023

La expansión y generalización de Internet a otros contextos de la sociedad ha promovido muchos interrogantes y ha suscitado investigaciones al unísono. Este trabajo plantea la integración de las TIC en el ámbito familiar, como punto de partida, y como punto de llegada, el análisis de los usos comunicativos que el adolescente hace de las TIC con otros miembros familiares, especialmente su padre y su madre. Se trata de un estudio basado en una metodología descriptiva, que responde a la realidad de un centro de secundaria, utilizando un cuestionario de elaboración propia validado a través de la Técnica Delphi. Los resultados seña¬lan una alta integración de las TIC en los hogares, un escaso uso de las mismas para comunicarse con sus progenitores, y una relación paterno-filial hacia las TIC caracterizada por el establecimiento de normas y la permisividad hacia las mismas.
Valoración de los estudiantes de bachillerato sobre los beneficios competenciales de un intercambio lingüístico-cultural
Authors: Mallol Macau Cristina , Alsina Tarrés Miquel
Published: February 2023

El aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras es actualmente tema de debate en nuestro país debido, principalmente, al bajo nivel de los alumnos españoles, que puede venir motivado por una desvinculación de su aprendizaje formal y la realidad diaria. El principal objetivo de la investigación presentada en este artículo fue analizar las percepciones de los estudiantes de primer curso de bachillerato que participaron en un proyecto de intercambio lingüístico-cultural. Se llevó a cabo una investigación acción participativa con 52 estudiantes de España y Holanda. Los resultados mostraron que la valoración de los alumnos respecto a su propia motivación, a la apreciación de la importancia de la cultura en una sociedad determinada y al uso de las TIC fue muy positiva. Apoyándonos en estos resultados reflexionamos sobre las ventajas e inconvenientes de los intercambios y posibles futuras líneas de investigación.
Experimentar la fotografía desde la ceguera. Un taller para “mirar y crear imágenes”
Authors: Peña Sánchez Noemí
Published: February 2023

Acercar la imagen fotográfica a personas con discapacidad visual es la propuesta desarrollada con el colectivo de afiliados de la ONCE. La experiencia que presentamos corresponde al diseño de un taller fotográfico para leer y crear imágenes como un modo integrado para la comprensión visual.

La relación entre fotografía y ceguera despierta interrogantes que ponen en evidencia la dificultad de superar ciertos conceptos aprehendidos culturalmente. Detenernos en comprender el significado de ceguera nos lleva a entender la estrecha vinculación que existe entre lo que percibimos y lo que pensamos. A partir del análisis de proyectos fotográficos de artistas invidentes comprenderemos que existen otros modos de pensar y de crear que amplían nuestra forma de concebir lo visual. De su estudio extraemos tres fases del proceso creativo que nos servirán para planificar nuestro taller.

La realización del taller nos lleva a definir un posible enfoque didáctico sobre cómo aproximar  la fotografía a personas invidentes. La experiencia didáctica refleja la importancia de entender la imagen a través del proceso creador secuenciando prácticas fotográficas que partan de los espacios de dominio y control de las personas ciegas y generen seguridad y confianza sobre sus capacidades para crear imágenes.
ЦИФРОВОЙ СПЕКТРАЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ПАРАМЕТРИЧЕСКИХ МОДЕЛЕЙ
Authors: Литюк Леонид Викторович
Published: February 2023

В статье рассматриваются параметрические модели для цифрового спектрального анализа, что позволяет получать приемлемую аппроксимацию реальных процессов.
ВЫЯВЛЕНИЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ РЕСПОНДЕНТОВ К АВТОТУРИЗМУ И РАЗРАБОТКА ТУРИСТСКО-ИНФОРМАЦИОННОГО ПРИЛОЖЕНИЯ (ПО МАРШРУТУ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ КОМСОМОЛЬСКОГО КЛАСТЕРА)
Authors: Теличева Елена Геннадьевна , Акишин Александр Александрович , Усольцева Надежда Сергеевна , Клышко Вероника Андреевна
Published: February 2023

В рамках научного исследования авторами проведено анкетирование, с целью выявления отношения респондентов к самодеятельному виду туризма - автотуризму. Анкетирование является одним из этапов в рамках проекта. Разработано туристско-информационное приложение по маршруту на территории Комсомольского кластера и определены преимущества интерактивного инструмента.
The Anti-Vaxxer as a Moral Equal
Authors: Matose Takunda ,   DePaul University
Published: February 2023

In this article, I argue that in portending potentially fatal harm to immunocompromised others, certain vaccine-hesitant views create a paradox for democratic deliberation on public health matters. In this paradox, either vaccine-hesitant views entailing potential harm to others are entertained as legitimate public health policy, or these views are disallowed, excluding discussion of competing harms from the deliberative process. In either case, the result is a deliberative process in which some group is not treated with the consideration owed to free and equal persons as required by the terms of democratic membership. I argue for capitalizing on and refining certain epistemic traits exhibited by anti-vaxxers to address vaccine-hesitant views and minimize this paradox. However, I make the case that this paradox cannot be completely resolved, so we should focus on certain demands of justice to protect the most vulnerable.
Teaching Innovations in Principle-Based Ethics Education
Authors: Driver Michaela , Hoffman James J. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: February 2023

This article discusses the integration of principle-based ethics into business ethics education. It explains how several pedagogical innovations were successfully undertaken in over 20 business ethics courses taught since 2018 to enhance active student engagement with a principle-based ethical framework central to decision making in the complex environment that many organizations face on a day-to-day basis. The teaching initiatives used include case-based projects and discussions, a personal code of ethics developed by each student, and an arts-inspired presentation as well as a student integrity and citizenship rubric assessing students’ ethical conduct throughout each course. To date, this approach to principle-based ethics education seems to deliver very promising results.
Forensic Examination of Critical Special Geotechnical Measures: Soil Nails Information Note
Authors:   Coffey Geotechnics Ltd, Duffy-Turner M. , Nettleton I. M. , Winter M. G. , Webber I. ,   Winter Associates Limited
Published: February 2023

The effective design, specification and construction of Special Geotechnical Measures (SGMs) is critical to the efficient operation of the National Highways Strategic Road Network (SRN). Given the required performance of the SRN in terms of resilience, reliability, redundancy and recovery it is essential that SGMs are themselves reliable in terms of performance and life; resilient to external conditions such as earthworks deterioration and extraordinary conditions (e.g. climate change). Around 100 different types of SGMs are used on the SRN and the early installations of some SGMs are approaching the end of their design life and the design, specification and application of many of these techniques is based on limited studies. This Information Note on Soil Nails is part of a series that reports on investigations of specific SGMs and makes recommendations on their future use
In-Vitro Evaluation of The Anti-Bacterial Effect of Gossypium Barbadense Extracts on Isolates of Salmonella Typhi
Authors: K.O. Iyevhobu
Published: February 2023

Gossypium, commonly known as “cotton plant” is well known for its versatile significance in traditional medicine. Salmonella is a genus of gram-negative, motile bacilli belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. The study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial potential of leaf extracts of Gossypium barbadense against Salmonella typhi isolates. Extracts at varying dilution concentrations were prepared from the infusion of Gossypium barbadense leaves (with stalk) in three different aqueous extraction solvents (7up, distilled water and ethanol). The plant extracts were studied for their antimicrobial activities against a clinical isolate and Salmonella typhi.7up extract showed resistance at all the dilution concentrations to both isolates. From the activity of the distilled water extract in this study, Gossypium barbadense showed innate anti-salmonella properties and it was observed that distilled water seemed to be a better vehicle for the extraction of the anti-salmonella properties of Gossypium barbadense leaves than 7up.
Criminal law regulation of traditional medicine methods of healing according to the legislation of Russia
Authors: Sumachev Alexey Vitalievich
Published: February 2023

It is worth noting that in modern society, traditional medicine methods are still used. In this regard, a detailed definition of the criminal-legal limits of the practical implementation of healing methods within the framework of traditional medicine should be determined not only at the level of medical rules, but also in the relevant, in our case, criminal legislation. The article describes the practical methods of healing in the framework of traditional medicine, such as herbalism, the use of mineral waters and therapeutic mud, bloodletting, folk hygiene, etc. It is also noted that healing based on folk medicine methods can be socially harmful. Accordingly, the criminal legal limits of the implementation of appropriate medical manipulations on the basis of Russian criminal legislation are considered here.
Value of Increasing the Reliability of Diagnosis of Nonclassical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia with Use of LC- MS/ MS in escalating the Diagnostic Capacity of Women with Clinical hyperandrogenism-A Short Communication
Authors: Kochar Kaur Kulvinder
Published: February 2023

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) represents a disorder that takes place secondary to the deficiency of the adrenal enzymes, most commonly 21 hydroxylases (21OH) along with the commonest autosomal recessive condition in humans. In case of milder non canonical type (NCCAH), normal quantities are generated at the cost of adrenocorticotropic hormone quantities that in turn results in Clinical hyperandrogenism that gets presented from childhood via early adult period. A remarkable resemblance of signs along with symptoms with those of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hence NCCAH constitutes a significant differential diagnosis, in case of women manifesting acne, hirsutism, menstrual aberrations along with infertility
Exploratory model of institutionalism in the COVD-19 era
Authors: Garcia Lirios Cruz
Published: February 2023

Institutionalism has been studied from an isomorphic approach, which supposes the reflection of state policies in institutional procedures, as would be the case of flexibility (intensive division of labor), informality (runaway job protection) and multilateralism (process synchronization). The objective of this article was to specify a model for the study of the phenomenon, by establishing the reliability and validity that measures three of the dimensions in question. A non-experimental study was carried out with a non-probabilistic selection of 100 teachers, administrators and students from a public university in central Mexico subject to certification processes. From a structural model it was found that flexibility was established as the reflecting factor of the new institutionalism construct, recommending the contrast of the construct that was explained by three factors up to of its variance.
Research Management and Research Productivity among Lecturers at Kyambogo University, Uganda
Authors:   Kyambogo University, KANAABI MOSES , WILSON KASULE GEORGE ,   Kyambogo University, OWINO PHILIP ,   Kyambogo University
Published: February 2023

Management is a critical factor for the performance of every organisation. Research management has thus become highly professionalised, with universities instituting systems, practices and structures to manage their research function. Universities also appoint high-level academic and administrative staff to coordinate, oversee and promote research activities to meet their research objectives. However, most universities in Uganda, Kyambogo, inclusive have not instituted functional research management. They still lack well-managed formal research teams, collaborations and partnerships, besides effective research training programmes, research monitoring, research ethical committees, journals and university press. This mixed-method study was, therefore, intended to investigate the effect of research management on research productivity at Kyambogo University. The study used self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data from 127 PhD-holding lecturers and interviews with seven key informers. The study applied structural equation modelling to analyse quantitative data and content thematic analysis for qualitative data. The results revealed weak research management in the university, and a positive and significant effect of research management on research productivity, with a Beta value of .402 and a P value of .000. The results imply that the near-absence of research management systems, practices and structures prevents lecturers from conducting research. The study thus recommended the institution of supportive research management systems, practices and structures in the university for increased research output among their academic staff.
University Sustainable Development and Management of Academic Staff in Higher Institutions of Learning in Central Uganda
Authors:   Muteesa I Royal University, NABAKIIBI AGNES
Published: February 2023

The study aimed at university sustainability development and the management of academic staff in Uganda. The sample comprised 80 respondents, including the teachers, heads of department and top managers in the universities. Data was analysed using one-way ANOVA by way of Excel statistical data analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using descriptions in themes deciphered in the course of the study. The majority of the academic staff lacked adequate knowledge about what was required of them in connection with university sustainability development. There was a significant relationship between university sustainability development and the management of academic staff in Uganda. It was concluded that many universities do not promote cross-campus collaborations that connect campus administration and students, which has resulted in inadequacy of funds to sufficiently train and manage staff. The study concluded that the majority of universities are still young in their sustainability effort of fully engaging the academic staff in a number of planned activities. It was also concluded that the majority of the academic staff are hesitant to get involved in university sustainability development due to lack of equity accorded to some of the staff. There is need to strengthen training of the academic staff in all areas that the universities feel are appropriate in order to greatly maintain and boost its sustainability development. There is also need to encourage a bottom-top approach for effective and sufficient communication and to provide appropriate and well-informed criteria to everyone on the mechanism used to reward the best academic staff as a way of increasing the positive impact of university sustainability development.
Information Communication Technologies and Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education in Uganda: A case of Busitema University
Authors:   Busitema University, STELLA UJEYO MARGARET , NAJJUMA ROVINCER ,   Makerere University, BISASO RONALD ,   Makerere University
Published: February 2023

Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) play an important role in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), one of the multiple approaches advanced in the last two decades to address the global sustainability crisis. The role of higher education, especially as a main driver of change, in ameliorating the immense sustainability challenges is widely acknowledged. Educators in higher education institutions must strategically engage in profound transformative programmatic, pedagogical and organisational shifts in order to play this role. ICTs are important in enabling educators to make the necessary modifications to effectively promote themes, skills, knowledge, values and attitudes in learners that will foster sustainable development. This study adopted a concurrent mixed strategy to investigate the use of ICT in the implementation of ESD practices by academic staff of Busitema University in Uganda. It sought to find out the dominant ICT activities that staff used for implementing particular ESD practices. The sample consisted of 134 academic staff and students selected using simple random and purposive sampling. The study employed a questionnaire, interview and focus group guides as primary data collection instruments. The results point to a low level of ICT use, with the dominant ICT activities being of communication and sharing information, information creation and management, which did not add much value to the educational experiences of the learners in ESD. The study recommends staff training in ICT skills to address the challenge that comes with the use of new digital technologies, addressing the issues of access to ICTs and internet infrastructure.
Corporate Capital Structure Practices and Shareholder’s Wealth of Shariah Compliant Firms of Pakistan
Authors: Ghaffar Abdul , Syed Shabib – Ul - Hassan
Published: February 2023

Main objective of the research is to investigate the impact of corporate capital structure practice on the shareholders wealth of sharia-compliant companies that are quoted in the Pakistan Stock Exchange. For the purpose of determining the impact, the company’s shareholders wealth has been used as the dependent variable, represented by return on assets. The capital structure is used as the independent variable, and its proxies are the debt-to-equity ratio for long-term financing and the current asset to current liability ratio for short-term financing, respectively. Size, tangibility and growth were taken as control variables and determined by the sales-to-assets ratio, fixed asset to total asset ratio, and percentage change in sales respectively. Panel data of 22 shariah complaint firms according to screening criteria established by Al Meezan investment limited for the period of June 30,2008 to June 30, 2020, has been taken from listed firms in Pakistan stock exchange. All descriptive analysis, diagnostics tests and regression were applied for comprehensive data analysis. This study reveals that, for sharia-compliant businesses, sales growth is more important than tangibility or size when it comes to firm shareholders wealth. Due to the type of research that has been conducted, firms which are not shariah compliant, excluded from the panel and focus has only been given on the shariah compliant firms specifically listed in Pakistan stock exchange. The findings of this study may be applicable only shariah compliant firms as per criteria established by Pakistani shariah board. This study is explicitly completed about the capital constructure of shariah consistent firms since shariah agreeable firms are confined by interest bearing debt up to a specific cutoff, so it is consuming contemporary corporate finance issue to investigate explicitly the effect of corporate capital structure of shariah agreeable companies’ shareholders wealth in Pakistani capital market.
Peran Maqashid al-Syari’ah dalam Pencegahan Kekerasan Seksual dan Pergaulan Bebas
Authors: Hidayanti Sri , Herdiansyah
Published: February 2023

This paper analyzes the role of maqashid al-syariah by maintaining five main points in relation to sexual violence and promiscuity that occurs in society. To find the answer to the analysis, the library research method was used by reviewing and referring directly to primary and secondary references in the study of Maqashid Syari'ah. The results of the analysis show that maqashid al-syariah has a role in maintaining five main things to review as a preventive in sexual violence and promiscuity. Maqashid al-Sharia is a concept that emphasizes the purpose of establishing Islamic law in an effort to maintain the benefit of human life, with the aim of bringing benefits and avoiding harm. To maintain the continuity and dynamism of Islamic Shari'a in the present context, maqashid al-Sharia is absolutely necessary.
Pendampingan Guru Sekolah Menengah Atas Mathla'ul Anwar Pandeglang Untuk Persiapan Pembelajaran Daring
Authors: Yusta Afrasim , Hendriyati Penny
Published: February 2023

Kehidupan sekarang ini sudah mulai terjadi perubahan atas kegiatannya sehari hari. Mulai kegiatan bisnis sampai kegiatan pendidikan mengalami pembatasan besar akibat dampak dari pandemi covid19 sehingga masyarakat harus beradaptasi terhadap perubahan ini.  Kegiatan belajar mengajar, yang semula tatap muka sekarang dituntut harus menggunakan media internet atau daring dengan alasan pembatasan. Proses belajar mengajar juga ikut dibatasi dan dituntut harus menggunakan internet atau daring. Melalui kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ini bertempat di SMA Mathla`ul Anwar dengan tema Program Pendampingan Penggunaan learning management system (LMS) E-learning system bagi guru, siswa dan bagian akademik pada sekolah menengah atas, dengan tujuan mengenalkan sistem e-learning menggunakan LMS Claroline, Pengenalan Aplikasi Claroline pada kegiatan PKM ini diharapkan memudahkan dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar secara daring, sehingga kegiatan belajar mengajar tetap terpenuhi. Pelatihan ini membahas tentang pengenalan sistem daring, pengenalan aplikasi claroline, konten apa saja yang ada pada apikasi claroline dan persiapan apa saja yang harus dipersiapkan dalam aplikasi ini. Materi yang disampaikan saat pelatihan selama kegiatan PKM mendapatkan respon positif dari peserta pelatihan, Kegiatan pelatihan ini diukur dengan Kuesioner yang disebarkan sebelum dimulai penyampaian materi dan sesudah penyampaian materi, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa peserta ada perubahan dalam pemahaman tentang pengenalan sistem pembelajaran daring setelah mengikuti pelatihan.