bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention Not Intervention: Stewarding Healthier Singers Into University Musical Theatre Programs
Authors: M. Moore, DMA Stephannie
Published: May 2024

In recent years, singing voice research has become increasingly inclusive of non-classical styles. Studies on the risky vocal demands of contemporary commercial music are readily available, but less available are suggested methods for addressing these challenges. Voice injury prevention is not nearly as studied as voice injury intervention...
To Bootleg or Not to Bootleg: How Does the Theatre Industry View Illegally Filmed Productions Today?
Authors: Stover James
Published: May 2024

The article examines the capturing and distribution of illegally filmed videos of Broadway and other professional theatrical productions. It includes interviews with Broadway producers and performers as well as students and instructors of musical theatre and discusses how, in many ways, these videos can have a positive effect on broadening the audience demographics for live performances and creating future generations of live theatregoers.
REAL-TIME PROCESSING STAGES OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SIGNAL: A REVIEW
Authors:   Electronic Engineering Department, Electronics Engineering College, Ninevah University, Mosul, Iraq, Waleed Rasha
Published: May 2024

Signal analysis is a multidisciplinary field that combines various processes to create robust pipelines for automating data analysis. Within the medical field, its application revolves around physiological signals. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal provides vital information concerning various cardiac conditions affecting the human heart. ECG analysis is a central pillar of medical research with the goal of detecting and preventing potentially fatal cardiac events. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of real-time processing techniques for electrocardiogram signals. It discusses the different methods and algorithms used for detecting and analyzing ECG signals in real-time, with a focus on their effectiveness and efficiency. Where, it evaluates the use of various techniques such as ECG signal preprocessing (denoising), ECG fiducial points detecting and ECG signal classification. It also highlights the challenges faced in real-time ECG signal processing, such as High-fidelity signal acquisition and noise reduction, and computational efficiency and resource constraints. Furthermore, the article presents an overview of the existing QRS-peak detection strategies, including methods such as Haar wavelet transform, and modified MaMeMi Filter.
Teachers’ Perception about Terrorism in Swat: A Qualitative Study
Authors: *Amir Zeb Khan  , Muhammad Illyas Khan
Published: May 2024

This qualitative study explored the perceptions of teachers about the causes and consequences of terrorism in Swat, Pakistan. Pakistan in general and Swat in particular havewitnessed terrorism on a large scale during the recent decades. Education has been a consistent target of terrorist attacks in Pakistan in recent years. Teachers are one of the most important elements in the education sector, therefore this study explored teachers’ perceptions regarding the issue. Data were collected from 20 teachers (10 men, 10 women) from district Swat.The sample was selected through purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the respondents to collect data.Thematic analysis method was used to analyzethe data. Findings indicatethat lack of education, lack of good governance, flawed security policies, corruption in the society, poverty and unemployment, religious extremism, economic inequality, weak judicial system, social injustice and lack of tolerance were major causes of terrorism in the area.The main consequencesof terrorism included fear, insecurity, economic hardships and psychological problems among the populace. The study has important implications for policy makers, educational leaders, academics in Pakistan and elsewhere.
Parenting Styles, Aggression and Alexithymia among Young Pakistani Adults
Authors: *Masha Asad Khan  , Zunaira Shabbir
Published: May 2024

The present study examined the relationship of parenting styles (permissive, authoritative, authoritarian) with aggression and alexithymia in emerging adult university students. Total 200 participants between ages 18 to 29 years (M=21.72; SD=1.53), 100 males between 19 to 29 years (M=21.87; SD=1.47) and 100 females between 18 to 26 years (M=21.58; SD=1.58) participated in this research. Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were used for assessment. Correlational research design was used. Group testing was done. The results showed that permissive and authoritarian parenting styles were positively correlated with aggression and alexithymia in the sample. On the other hand, authoritative parenting style was negatively correlated with aggression and alexithymia. Authoritarian mother and authoritative mother parental style significantly predicted aggression, permissivemother and authoritarian mother parental stylessignificantly predicted alexithymia. These results highlight the significance of impact of parenting on emotional and behavioral problems in adulthood. These findings have clear implications for developing cognitive therapy based programs with a special focus on positive parenting, reducing aggression and alexithymia, particularly for the psychoeducation of offspring, parents and guardians.
Psychosocial Stress, Resilience and Depression in Older Adults
Authors: *Rabia Dasti  , Hiba Naeem  , Faiza Amjad
Published: May 2024

The study investigated the relationship between psychosocial stress, resilience and depression among older adults.It was hypothesized that 1) there will be a negative relationship between psychosocial stress and resilience among older adults, 2) there will be a negative relationship between resilience and depression among older adults 3) there would be gender differences regarding stress, depression and resilience among older adults among and 4) the age, religious inclination, physical condition, perceived stress, trait resilience and state resilience would predict depression among older adults. Cross-sectional research design was used.The sample comprised of 90 older adults including 54 men and 36 women (M=69, SD=4.3). The data were collected by employing purposive sampling technique from a suburban area of Lahore city. Elder Life Stress Inventory (Aldwin, 1990), Resilience State Trait Inventory (Hiew, 2002), Geriatric Depression Scale (Yesavage, 1996) and demographic information sheet were administered. Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Independent Sample t-test and BackwardMultipleRegression Analysis were used. Results revealed negative relationships between psychosocial stress, resilience and depression. It was also found thatperceived stress and resilience were predictors of depression among older adults. Findings call for the need to work on enhancing resilience and reducing psycho-social stressors in the lives of older adults by means of therapeutic interventions and policy-change.
Consideration of Future Consequences, Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy and Medication Adherence of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: *Ahmed Bilal  , Rukhsana Kausar
Published: May 2024

The present research investigated the effect of temporal decision and diabetesmanagement self-efficacy on medication adherence of individuals with type 2 diabetes. It was hypothesized that individuals with high considerationof future consequences are likely to adhere to diabetic medication. Correlational research design was used. The sample comprised of 143 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Consideration of Future Consequences-14 Scale (Strathman, Gleicher, Boninger, & Edwards, 1994), DiabetesManagement Self-Efficacy Scale (Bijl, Poelgeest-Eeltink, & Shortridge, 1999) and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (Morisky, Green, & Levine, 1986) were used. Data was collected through purposive sampling technique. The results indicated that consideration for consequences (immediate & future) were differentially correlated with domains of diabetesmanagement self-efficacy and medicationadherence. Further, all domains of diabetesmanagement self-efficacy showed positive relationship with adherence. Consideration of future consequences predicted adherence to Diabetic medication. Findings suggest that temporal orientation plays an important part in an individual’s medication adherence in Type 2 diabetes.
Overview and Treatment of Perceptual Distortions in Patient of Schizophrenia: A Clinical Case Study
Authors: *Hajra Fareed and Hira Fatima
Published: May 2024

The case highlights the management of Schizophrenia in a 35 year old married woman.In this case, assessment of the client was done informally through Baseline Charts, DSM-5 checklist, and Mental Status Examination while for formal assessment,Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Symptom Checklist-R was administered. Considering the scores and complaints, client was diagnosed with 295.90 (F20.9) Schizophrenia with first episodes currently in the acute phase. Seventeensessions were carried out with 45-60 minutes for each session. Techniques of Cognitive Behavior Therapy were found to be an effective improvement in the client’s hallucinations which can be seen through reduced frequency on baseline chart and hallucinatory behavior in the BPRS scale. The family was psycho-educated.It was concluded that CBT is effective in managing the symptoms of Schizophrenia.
Psychological Flexibility for University Students: Scale Development Employing Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses
Authors: *Nazish Idrees Chaudhary  , Dr. Muhammad Rafiq
Published: May 2024

The objective of the study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure psychological flexibility in university students. There has been a lack of relevant existing tools that provides the expressions from the local context of Pakistani culture among the study population. The data was collected from a private university in Lahore Pakistan. A pool of 43 items was generated with the help of 73 undergraduate students. The items were administered to (N=538) students, males (28%), and females (72%) with the mean age of 21.5years, (SD=3.64). The responses were equally divided to perform exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The results arrived at a five-factor solution of 42 items and a three-factor solution of 29 items. Among the two competing solutions, the three-factor model of 29 items was chosen as the final scale based on confirmatory factor analysis results which measures (a) compassion and moral values, (b) social adjustment, and (c) self-management in university students belong to the fields of natural, social or management sciences. The scale is named the "Psychological Flexibility Scale for University students (PFS-US)". This suggests that the tool would provide future directions for advancement in this area of assessment and prevention of mental health in university students.
Role of Parental Overprotection and Stressful Life Events in Occurrence of Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Sadaf Mansab  , Humaira Mohsin
Published: May 2024

The present study aimed to investigate the role of perceived parental overprotection during childhood and experiences of stressful life events, as possible risk factors for the development of anxiety disorder in adulthood. Retrospective Ex post Facto Design was used as research design. The sample consisted of 400 adults (age range = 18 - 53 years); divided into clinical group (n = 200) and control group (n = 200). Symptom Checklist-R Anxiety subscale (SCL-A), Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) were administered. Independent sample t-test and Regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. The results showed that clinical group perceived their fathers and mothers significantly more overprotective and less caring than control group. Clinical group scored significantly higher on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale as compared to control group. Regression analysis revealed that mother overprotection positively predicted and father care negatively predicted anxiety in clinical group.
Internet Addiction: Its relationship with Computer Anxiety and Loneliness
Authors: *Sabahat Naseem  , Nida Anwar  , Seema Munaf
Published: May 2024

This study examined the relationship of Internet addiction with computer anxiety and loneliness. It was hypothesized that “Internet addiction would be negatively related with computer anxiety and positively related with loneliness”. The sample comprised of 66 private and public sector university students (30 males; 36 females) from Karachi with the mean age of 22.05. Through purposive sampling only those student were selected who were Internet users and had internet facility available at home. After taking consent, they were requested to fill Respondent Profile Form followed by the administration of Compulsive Internet Use Scale, Computer Anxiety Rating Scale, and Differential Loneliness Scale- Short Student Version. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient indicated that Internet addiction had a significant negative relationship with computer anxiety whereas non-significant positive relationship was found with loneliness. It indicates that computer anxiety may restrict one to become an Internet addict while loneliness doesn't seem to be a contributing factor for internet addiction. No significant gender differences were found in all three variables. However, computer anxiety was significantly higher in public sector university students.
Social Support, Locus of Control and Personality Traits as Predictors of Hopelessness among Patients with Depression and Those with Anxiety
Authors: Faryal Afzal Bajwa  , *Tehreem Arshad
Published: May 2024

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of social support, locus of control and personality traits among patients of depression and anxiety and to explore these variables as predictor of hopelessness. Purposive sampling was employedto gather data of 100 participants (Depression=60) and (Anxiety=40) from indoor and outdoor psychiatric wards of five teaching hospitals of Lahore. It was hypothesized that there is likely to be a relationship among social support, locus of controland personality traits. Moreover, social supports, locus of control and personality traits are likely to predict hopelessness among patients with anxiety and depression. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet, Dahlem & Farley, 1988), Levenson’s Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale (Levenson,1988), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975) and The Hopelessness Depression symptom Questionnaire (HDSQ; Metalsky & Joiner ,1997) were employed to assess social support, locus of control, personality traits and hopelessness respectively. The results revealed thatthere is a negative relationshipbetween locus of control and psychoticism (personality trait) and positive correlation between psychoticism (personalitytrait) and social support from family among depression patients. Among anxiety patients, there is a positive correlation between perceived social support and neuroticism (personality trait) whereas there is negative relationship between perceived social support and extroversion (personality trait). Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that neuroticism (personality trait) was strongest predictor of hopelessness among depressive patients. While among anxiety patients, none of these variables emerged as predictorsof hopelessness.
An Overview on Studies of Stress State Affect
Authors: Anurag Upadhyay
Published: May 2024

Stress is a multidimensional concept and it always shapes our performances. An individual strive to overcome with this stress by the help of technology. But in one hand where the technology has provided the acuity and sharpness to human performance on the other hand it has also engendered ample amount of stress for users.The current review focuses on stress and how it affects the human performance. The human experience of stress and the outcome of their task performance often are tightly linked because tasks itself create stress without the addition of any external stressor. So, present review clarifies this strain effect in term of transitory states of stress. This review comprises of effects of mind‟s transitory states on discriminability and prolongs awareness in tasks. Many researches had been done to explain the effect of task stress and individual‟s strain which induced by task, but none was able to present a general model that could account for all of the various results and prevent the performance decrement. Therefore the current review is an attempt to appraise these works which describes stress as multidimensional states of stress which play crucial role during performances.For each string, founding scientific articles, researches and contemporary empirical developments are quoted that demonstrate the range of novelty and technical innovations that has taken place.Many contemporary concepts like techno-stress, task stress, and strain effects are rooted in this manuscript. This review provides a new dimension to think. The relation between stress and performance is well-known to us but this literature review identified the strain factors during task.The current review represents the facts and strain importance in which the human performance takes place most accurate and robust. At last this review shed on the issues of stress-states and vigilance as well as automation and provides new perspective to vigilance researches because the technological intensification can be seen in various types of applied tasks for example transportation, medical monitoring, sonar and radar operations as well as in manufacturing industries sector etc.Moreover, this review is also to attract human factors and ergonomics researchers to design a system that to be stress-free as possible for the user.
Burden of Care, Mental Health and Subjective Well Being of Family Caregivers of Elderly Patients
Authors: Sidra Shakeel  , *Shabbir Ahmad Rana  , Najma Iqbal Malik
Published: May 2024

This study is aimed at identifying how the burden ofcare of theelderly patientssuffering from dementia and physical disabilities is related to mental health and subjective well-beingof the family caregivers. In this study, survey research design was usedand data were collectedthrough convenient sampling from 100 caregivers of elderly patients with dementia(n = 50)and physical disability(n = 50).Four tools were used; The Caregiver Strain Index (Robinson& Price, 1982); General Health Questionnaire(Goldberg,1978); and The Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirskyand Lapper, 1999).Correlation and t-test were carried out and findings showeda significantnegative correlation between burden of care and the caregiver’s quality of life. The caregivers of dementia patientsshowed a significant decline in their mental health as compared to the caregivers of patients with physical disability;however both the groups did not show any significant difference in terms of burden of care. Significant gender differences were noted interms of depression. Further results indicatedthat the caregiver’s education and occupation were significant predictors of burden of care. The importance of the study lies in the fact that the findings will be highly valuable in gaining insight into the psychological problems experienced by the family caregivers in Pakistan.
Personality Traits, Religiosity and Sensation Seeking Behavior among Homosexual Males
Authors: *Fareah Farooq  , Dr. Masha Asad Khan  , Dr. Tahira Jibeen
Published: May 2024

The present study aimed to investigate the personality traits (extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness & neuroticism), religiosity and sensation seeking behavior among homosexual males of Lahore. Through snowball sampling 100 male homosexuals,with an age rangebetween 19-59 years (M.A=27.01; S.D= 7.23) were included in thestudy. Majority of participants were middle born (39%), last born (34%), first born (12%) and only child (15%). Moreover, 3% had done Matric, 20% had done intermediate, 43%had completed their bachelors, 21%had done masters whereas, 13% had other education.Participants were administeredThe Sensation Seeking (SSS), Big Five Inventory (BFI),Salience in Religious Commitment Scale (SRCS)and Demographic Questionnaire. Ex-post Facto research design was used. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Coefficient of Correlation. Results showeda significantnegative relationship between sensation seeking behavior and agreeableness and neuroticism personality traits of homosexual males.Results showed that homosexual men are warm, friendly, helpful and they find it important to get along with people, furtherthey are also willing to put aside their interests for other people. Moreover, non-significantrelationship was ound between sensation seeking behavior andextroversion, conscientiousness,openness personality traits and religiosity amonghomosexual males.
EXPECTATIONS OF PATIENTS TOWARDS HEALTHCARE: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA AND CANADA
Authors: *Adeola Aminat Odebode  , Falilat Anike Okesina
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the expectations of patients in Nigeria and Canada towards healthcare. The relationship of age and gender with expectation of healthcare was also explored. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of two thousand and four hundred respondents who were selected from both countries (Nigeria and Canada) using simple random, purposive and systematic random techniques.A new questionnaire entitled“Expectations of Patients towards Healthcare Questionnaire” (EPHQ) was developed and used in the studytoaddress theresearch questions andhypotheses. Thevalidity of thescale was achieved through team of experts and the split half reliability of the instrument was .67. The data collected wasanalyzed using frequency counts, percentages,facto analysist-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that there wasa significant difference between expectations of patients in Nigeria and Canadatowards healthcare based onageandgender. It was concluded that Pan African and Canadian policies, processes and programs to further empower and sustain healthcare systems for the future,should be well structured to meet patients’ expectations.
Resilience, Hope, and Self-Efficacy in Mothers having Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Maria Kanwal  , Sara Asad
Published: May 2024

This research aimed to investigate resilience and hope as correlates and predictors of self-efficacy in mothers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Correlational research design was employed. Using purposive sampling strategy, a sample of 60 mothers having children with ASD with age range of between 4-12 years was selected from Children Hospital, Lahore. Three self-reported questionnaires were used for data collection that includes State Trait Resilience Inventory (Hiew, Mori, Shimizu, & Tominga, 2000), The Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991) and General Self- Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995). Results showed that a significant positive relationship existed between resilience and hope. However, resilience and hope didn‟t have any significant relationship with self-efficacy. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis showed that self-efficacy was not predicted by resilience and hope. Findings imply the importance of considering socio-demographic characteristics of mothers rearing a child with ASD to better understand their sense of self-efficacy.
Customer Related Social Stressors and Mental Health of Sales Girls: Moderating role of Sexual Harassment
Authors: *Muhammad Faran Ali  , Hira Sajjad
Published: May 2024

The current study explored the relationship between customer related social stressors and mental health among sales girls by analyzing the dynamics of functioning of sales girls at the job with thecustomer. The study was conducted using non-probability convenient sample consist of 200 sales girls including evening and morning shift, with the age range of 20 to 35 years (M= 24.86, SD= 3.59) with at least 6 monthssales job experience. The data collected from various Malls and shopping centers of Lahore. Customer Related Social Stressors (CSS) and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) were used as the data collection instruments. Pearson correlation and regression analysis was employed and the results showed that costumer related social stressors was found to be significantly negatively association with emotional wellbeing and social wellbeing whereas sexual harassment was found to be significantly negativelycorrelated with Social Wellbeing and Psychological Wellbeing. Sexual Harassment, Customer Related Social stressors and Interaction term of both were found to be negative and significant predictors of psychological wellbeing.
Enhancing Contemporary Envelope Design for Hot and Arid Climates: Integrating Vernacular Strategies for Window-to-Wall Ratios and Shading Devices
Authors: Camagni Sara , Goncalves Joana
Published: May 2024

In the context of various scenarios of global climate change and the imminent threats posed by escalating global temperatures, architects and urban planners must reflect on the lessons to be learned from the established model of vernacular architecture in arid climates. When closely examined and comprehended accurately, vernacular architecture offers a repository of readily applicable strategies that can be expanded upon and implemented in contemporary construction. This paper focuses on the benefits derived from incorporating height-to-width ratio (H/W) in urban settings, window-to-wall ratios and shading mechanisms inferred from vernacular architecture into envelope design for contemporary residential development. It employs the hot-arid climate of Cairo City, Egypt, as a reference context for this research proposed study. The paper elaborates on the methodologies and processes utilized to transform principles of vernacular strategies into quantifiable benchmark. This is accomplished through the integration of environmental performance simulations, including thermal and daylight conditions, which informed the exploration of potential architectural solutions. The outcome is a characterization of design elements inherent in vernacular architecture, leading to design recommendations for contemporary residential buildings in hot and arid climates, with emphasis on window-to-wall ratios and shading mechanisms.
Field Studies of Thermal Comfort in Heritage Hotel Buildings in warm humid climate of India
Authors:   School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India, Dasgupta Shalini , Singh Priyaleen ,   School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India, Manchanda Shweta ,   School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India, Natarajan Sukumar ,   University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom, Alnuaimi Abdullah ,   Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Published: May 2024

Heritage Buildings in India roughly constitute 20% of the existing built stock. Significant energy and carbon savings is possible if these heritage buildings are put to new use. However ‘Adaptive Reuse’ of heritage buildings is a challenging task where energy use is strongly influenced by occupant behaviour and conservation techniques keeping in mind the historic value and traditional construction techniques of the building. This paper showcases field study findings of occupant thermal comfort for a mixed mode heritage building put to new use as a hotel, located in the warm humid climate of West Bengal, India. A total of 205 subjects were surveyed spread over four seasons. The field data was collected through yearlong monitoring of environmental parameters along with occupant survey through spot measurements and questionnaires. This transverse survey showcases thermal preferences & thermal comfort behaviour of respondents spread over the year indicating roughly 80% of occupants as comfortable with a calculated comfort temperature of 26.7 °C. The indoor climatic data was collected by instruments which complied with the accuracy standards of ASHRAE Standard-55 and ISO 7726:2001. The questionnaire was based on standard ASHRAE format for thermal environment. The study showcases the extent of thermal comfort achieved in an adapted heritage hotel along with environmental adaptive design features for suitable thermal adaptation indicating that the environmental adaptive design features alter the outdoor temperatures by an average of 1.2 °C closer to comfort temperature across the summer and winter seasons.
Perceptions of IEQ, well-being and work performance in work-from-home settings
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, Manu Sanyogita , Rysanek Adam ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada,   School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Published: May 2024

In the final week of March 2020, approximately 4.7 million employees in Canada shifted to a work- from-home (WFH) arrangement in response to the pandemic. A similar transition occurred on a global scale. With the growing trend of remote work and the shift towards home offices, understanding the effects of objective and subjective indoor environmental quality (IEQ) on individuals' well-being and productivity is crucial. Much of the existing research has been conducted in traditional office environments rather than in WFH settings. This paper aims to provide an analysis of the subjective evaluation of IEQ conditions within WFH settings and their perceived influence on both work performance and well-being. The analysis is based on a field study conducted in the summer of 2022, which involved 94 participants. The most prevalent features available in the workspaces of these individuals included access to exterior views, operable windows, ample daylight, and sufficient workspace. Notably, these features not only received the highest satisfaction ratings from the participants but also appeared to exert a positive impact on both work performance and well-being. Conversely, the most frequently encountered challenges by WFH employees were associated with disturbances originating from street noise and family members, as well as unwanted interruptions. These issues were found to have a more pronounced effect on workers' well-being compared to their impact on work performance. Furthermore, the study revealed significant correlations between overall workspace satisfaction and performance, as well as between well-being and performance, underscoring the interconnectedness of these factors in the WFH context.
Assessment of the thermal performance of alternative wall and roof assembly in buildings: a case in Vijayawada
Authors:   School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, India, N. Yeswanth , Amirtham Lilly Rose ,   School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, India
Published: May 2024

The world's climate, natural systems, and public health are all negatively affected by conventional building materials and construction methods. Buildings are highly resource-intensive, resulting in over exploitation of raw materials. The evolution and use of alternative building components to improve thermal performance has witnessed an increasing trend due to the growing awareness of energy efficiency and sustainable building techniques worldwide. This research paper focuses on a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of alternative wall and roof assemblies, such as natural materials, biomaterials, and salvaged materials. A wide range of alternative materials for the wall and roof assemblies were chosen for a residential building in Vijayawada based on their availability, featuring diverse combinations of insulation materials, thermal masses, and cladding options. Detailed modelling of heat transfer processes within the building envelope, including conduction, convection, and radiation, analysis is possible with software, while accounting for external weather conditions. The U-value, Time lag, decrement factor and heat gain / loss of the assembly were assessed through Opaque 3.0, developed by the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). A comparative analysis of alternate materials with conventional materials in the field of construction was performed to improve thermal performance for indoor occupant comfort to reduce energy consumption in a naturally ventilated residential building in Vijayawada. Further, suitable wall and roof assemblies based on their compliance with ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) standards were identified. The findings offer useful information on how different wall and roof systems perform in comparison to the conventional materials. Straw bale with mud and lime plaster of U-value of 0.17 W/m2.K performs best with a time lag of 9.9 hr among the various alternatives analyzed. Similarly, Mangalore tile with Palymra beam, which has an inclination of 45°, performs best comparatively, with a lowest U-value of 2.2 W/m2.K and a time lag of 11 hours. It provides insight into the efficiency of advanced methods of construction in improving interior comfort, lowering energy use, and developing sustainable building design. In order to satisfy the demands of a continuously changing and energy-conscious built environment, the outcomes of this study provide architects, engineers, and policymakers with invaluable insights into the selection of suitable building assemblies.
Study on the role of vegetation towards thermal comfort in outdoor urban areas
Authors:   Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan, Subedi Rupendra , Rijal Hom ,   Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan, Khadka Supriya ,   Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan, Aqilah Naja ,   Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan, Lamsal Prativa ,   Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Published: May 2024

Urban heat islands have a direct impact on the areas where people are suffering from heat stress during the hot climatic conditions. In order to get relief from heat stress, many researchers have explored various strategies that have given more importance to green spaces i.e. vegetation. Urban greenery such as parks, gardens, and street trees helps to improve outdoor thermal comfort. Several research in different countries have given approaches to vegetation as improving methods for outdoor thermal comfort of urban open spaces. The main goal of this study is to analyze the human perceptions of outdoor conditions in Ratna-park, Kathmandu, Nepal through field survey and to establish the relationship between meteorological parameters. 78% of the visitors voted for neutral which shows that they are highly satisfied with the park. Additionally, the mean comfort temperature was found to be 29.1oC. People are well adapted to the thermal environment of the urban park, and thus the comfort temperature was significantly high in summer.
Integrated evaluation for energy and comfort quantification of windows in a residential apartment of Mumbai
Authors:   Saint Gobain Research India, Chennai, India, Soi Vardan , Goswami Shailee ,   Saint Gobain Research India, Chennai, India
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to understand the energy and comfort performance of glazings for residential apartment in Mumbai. Firstly, an integrated workflow was developed on Ladybug tools to conduct thermal, energy and daylight simulations using a single model. Secondly, the developed workflow was deployed to simulate multi- comfort (visual & thermal & energy performance) for a 2 Bedroom, Hall and Kitchen (BHK) apartment as the case study. Two glazing types, clear (U-value 5.6, SHGC 0.85, VLT 0.85) and high performing (U-value 2.5, SHGC 0.27, VLT 0.34) were analysed. The results demonstrated that high performance glazing reduces the energy consumption by 37%, improves the thermally comfortable area from 34% to 85% and also provides better visual comfort (DGP <30%). Lastly, the research was extended to analyse 8 different types of glazings with incremental variation of SHGC and VLT to generate an integrated metric. This metric compares the performance of all glass options in terms of cooling consumption, thermally comfortable area and glare probability in the space, enabling the stakeholders to select an optimal window configuration for their project. The results demonstrate that use of ideal option (G8) is is providing highest thermally area comfortable (80%) and lowest DGP (27%) with reduced energy consumption (47 kWh/m2).
Enhancing net-zero energy buildings: a comprehensive critical review of Passivhaus design in the UK
Authors:   University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom, Singhal Harshul
Published: May 2024

In the effort to reach the UK's goal of having zero carbon emissions by 2050, this study offers a detailed review of Passivhaus designs in the UK's housing area. This research tries to fill in the gaps in existing studies by closely looking at how much energy and carbon Passivhaus homes use compared to other homes in the UK. Focusing on energy efficiency and carbon emissions, this research plans to set a strong basis for further study stages, including creating a user-friendly online tool for easy access and understanding of the results. Using a step-by-step approach, the study gathers information from a wide range of scholarly articles, showing the Passivhaus design as a new way to create energy-saving homes. Initial findings highlight the great potential of Passivhaus designs in significantly lowering the need for space heating compared to the average UK homes. However, the review also points out the lack of research on indoor air quality and the comfort of residents, marking an important area for further study. Additionally, the study emphasizes the urgent need to update current databases and approach to include a broader view of the energy embodied in materials and its related carbon emissions. As this PhD research moves forward, it plans to deepen the understanding of the sustainability of Passivhaus homes in the UK, with the goal to suggest changes in current Passivhaus standards to fully address the carbon emissions from embodied energy, leading the way towards a cleaner, more sustainable future in the UK's building industry.
The THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND AVAILABLE SERVICES FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN; A GAP IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION HEALTH POLICY
Authors: Tahir Ayesha , Nasar Almas , Sarwar Huda , Saleem Maria , Mazhar Marium , Younis Rabia , Badiuzzaman Sadaf , Rameez Sahar
Published: May 2024

We have explored the literature to evaluate the status of mental health among post-secondary students at the global and local levels with a special interest in medical students along with the detrimental effects on mental health caused by the CoVID-19 pandemic. The implementation strategies already developed and in the process by some countries to improve the mental health of post-secondary students are also covered in this review. The results of this literature review have brought to light the presence of a high number of mental health disorders among post-secondary students throughout the world including Pakistan which is further deteriorated by the negative effects of CoVID 19 pandemic. Several challenges and treatment gaps have been identified globally, especially in LMIC including Pakistan which shows a lack of data as well as a lack of services which warrants a need for a framework that will use a holistic approach to tackle these issues in post-secondary students.
TOLERANCE AND ACCEPTABILITY OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY FOR TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION: A MIXED METHODS ASSESSMENT
Authors: Mansoor Sawera , Khan Khalid Hayat , Faridi Manzoor Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the response of treatment resistant depression to IV ketamine therapy protocol and explore the perspectives of patients regarding the acceptability of this treatment modality.
Study Design: Mixed methods assessment including Quasi experimental design and Qualitative interviews.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Department of Psychiatry, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from Jan to Jun 2022.
Subjects and Methods: Through purposive sampling, 14 patients of treatment resistant depression were made part of the sample. Hamilton Rating scale for Depression (HAM-D) was used to measure response to 6 Ketamine infusions administered over 2 weeks. Paired t-test was applied to analyze changes in HAM-D scores compared to pretreatment baseline at 1 hour, 2 weeks and 1 month after last dose of ketamine using SPSS 26.0. Semi structured interviews were conducted to explore the attitudes of patients regarding ketamine treatment. Thematic analysis was carried out and data driven themes were identified.
Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in severity of depression scores at 1 hour and 2 weeks after the last dose of ketamine. This effect was not significantly sustained at 1 month after the last dose. Some patients expressed initial hesitation related to safety of this treatment, citing comparisons with General anesthesia. By the end of treatment, most patients were keen to be advocates for the access to Ketamine therapy due to experiencing rapid transformational effects on severe depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: IV Ketamine therapy was found to be a rapid, effective and acceptable tool for treatment resistant depression; however its longer-term effects could not be established.
A CLOSER LOOK AT SELF ESTEEM AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT: THEIR ROLE IN DEPRESSION AMONG WOMEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AND CARDIAC ILLNESS
Authors: Bano Nasreen , Shahzad Salman , Ali Shafaq
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES
Chronic illnesses such as, cancer and heart diseases are among those illnesses which are quite prevalent and tax one’s resources to fight with illnesses. Patients with these illnesses have to take the burden of disease both physically and psychologically. Mental health conditions with these illnesses have not been much studied in Pakistan. So, the present study aims to find the predictive association of depression with self-esteem and perceived social support among women with chronic illness (breast cancer and angina).
STUDY DESIGN
Cross-sectional study design
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
Present study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan from April- July, 2016.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A sample of 102 women diagnosed with breast cancer (51) and Angina (51) with the age ranges between 30-60 years (Mean age = 47.6, SD=10.68), were taken. They were recruited from different hospitals including Sindh Government Hospital, Dar-ul-Sukoon and Dow university Hospital Karachi, Pakistan using purposive sampling technique. Patients’ Health Questionaire-9, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, and Multidimensional Perceived Social Support was administered.
RESULTS
Findings show that self-esteem has contributed to lowering depression in women diagnosed with cardiac illness (Angina) as well as cancer (breast Cancer).Perceived social support has a significant effect on depression in women with cardiac illness (Angina) however it has a non-significant contribution in the reduction of depression in women with cancer (breast cancer).
CONCLUSION
Chronic illnesses not only bring physical strains but also affect one's psychological health. Long-term treatments and variations in severity demand psychological resources to cope up with these illnesses. Findings of present study can add in literature and further assist health care professionals in considering the psychological cost of these illnesses and to design and implement evidence based treatment intervention, before, during and after the treatment services for women with chronic illnesses.
THE EFFECT OF BODY DISSATISFACTION ON DISORDERED EATING ATTITUDES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF NEGATIVE AFFECTS IN ADOLESCENTS
Authors: Zainab Wajeha , Ahmed Shoaib , Kumar Anil , Ali Shafaq
Published: May 2024

Body dissatisfaction is considered as the most primitive risk factor for developing eating disturbances. Despite the fact that body dissatisfaction is also found in normative population as well, making sense out of it this study aimed to determined the interacting variables which possibly influence the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating pathology. The study aimed to explored the following mediators: social anxiety and depression and the effects they had on disturbed eating attitudes  among individuals with body dissatisfaction. A total of 300 students were approached aged 15-20 years (mean age = 17.23 years, SD = 1.42 years) who completed the Body Area Satisfaction Subscale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire–Appearance Scales, Social Anxiety subscale of self consciousness scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9  and  Eating, Attitudes Test-26. Based on the research findings, the serial-multiple mediation of social anxiety and depression in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disturbed eating attitudes was found to be statistically significant. Study findings highlights how body dissatisfaction and eating pathology are linked and what the fundamental mediators are in the chain. Adolescents with disturbed eating, along with the body image issues fear of negative evaluation and negative affects should also acknowledged by the mental health practitioner in order to design effective treatment plans.
IMPACTO DOS MAPAS CONCEITUAIS DIGITAIS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DE ESTRATÉGIAS METACOGNITIVAS EM ESTUDANTES DE CIÊNCIA DA COMPUTAÇÃO E ENGENHARIA DA COMPUTAÇÃO
Authors: Da Silva Celso Barreto da Silva , Fonseca Barbosa Gomes Fabio , Vicente Cardoso Santos José , Santos e Santos Cevaldo
Published: May 2024

Este estudo investiga o impacto dos mapas conceituais digitais no desenvolvimento de estratégias metacognitivas em estudantes de Ciência da Computação e Engenharia da Computação. O objetivo geral é explorar a eficácia dos mapas conceituais digitais como ferramentas para melhorar a metacognição dos estudantes. Especificamente, o estudo visa, a) Analisar como os mapas conceituais digitais facilitam a compreensão e a integração do conhecimento em funções matemáticas, b) Avaliar a capacidade dos estudantes de mobilizar estratégias metacognitivas durante a criação e utilização dos mapas conceituais, c) Investigar o impacto das estratégias metacognitivas na qualidade do processo de aprendizagem e na autoregulação dos estudantes. Adotando uma metodologia qualitativa fundamentada na Engenharia Didática de Artigue, o estudo foi conduzido através de três fases principais: planejamento de atividades didáticas baseadas na Teoria das Situações Didáticas de Brousseau, implementação destas atividades em um ambiente de aprendizagem assistido por computador, e análise qualitativa dos dados coletados. Os resultados indicam que o uso de mapas conceituais digitais, em sinergia com abordagens teóricas sólidas, promove significativamente o desenvolvimento de estratégias metacognitivas, melhorando a compreensão conceitual e a autoregulação dos estudantes. Este estudo contribui para a integração de tecnologias digitais no ensino de disciplinas complexas, enriquecendo a experiência educacional com habilidades críticas de pensamento e autorreflexão
QUEM SÃO ESSES JOVENS?
Authors: Oliveira Amós Weslley Gonçalves
Published: May 2024

As juventudes, suas culturas e identidades vivem em constante tensionamento com a cultura escolar. Sendo a música um elemento central em suas subjetividades e coletividades, este trabalho traz algumas reflexões sobre o trinômio juventudes – música – escola, especialmente no ensino médio. Para tanto, compreendemos as juventudes como uma categoria histórica, socialmente produzida, mas que também produz socialmente seus símbolos e culturas, atravessada por marcadores de vida e sociais. Sendo a música uma importante expressão presente nas suas vidas dentro e fora da escola, suas práticas musicais formam um núcleo que os atraem para construção de seus pares e agrupamentos. Portanto, este texto traz algumas reflexões sobre a importância de construir práticas pedagógicas em música que observe quem são este jovens que chegam a escola, suas semelhanças e diferenças.