bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a Hybrid Machine Learning Base-Classifiers for Software Defect Prediction
Authors: Adam Hassan , Muhammad Abatcha , Aboaba Abdulfattah A.
Published: March 2023

Machine learning (ML) classifiers have attracted the research community's attention in the field of software defect prediction (SDP) in the last decade. Several comparative studies confirmed that algorithms like Naí¯ve Bayes, Decision tree, or Random Forest have been used with good performance. Recently, several hybrid classifiers were also introduced in SDP. However, many of those can only provide a category for a given new sample. Instead, this paper proposes a methodology to build a hybrid of four (4) ML Base-classifiers made up of Gaussian Naive Bayes, Bernoulli Naive Bayes, Random Forest, and support vector machine (SVM). The study carefully ensemble the selected machine learning models with efficient feature selection to address these issues and mitigate their effects on the defect prediction performance using dataset CM1 from PROMISE repository. The study outcome is expected to show promising SDP performance in terms of F1-score compared to the benchmark work.
Aesthetic Potting of Plant Sculpture (Topiary) at the Faculty of Applied Arts and Technology's Car Park, TTU-Ghana
Authors: Ankrah Owusu Ansah , Yiadom Fredrick Boakye , Donkor Evans Kwadwo
Published: March 2023

The unaesthetic state of environmental landscaping at the car park of the Faculty of Applied Arts & Technology (FAAT), Takoradi Technical University (TTU), and the discontinuous appearance of green art around the Art faculty have become a challenge to the beautification and identification as an art building. The focus of this study was to design and produce ping topiary, the article explores the aesthetic of plant sculpture in the following ways: scale, shape, planes, elements of space, and materials used in the production. The study used studio-based and descriptive research designs with a visual analysis tool focusing on techniques, procedures, and materials for the creation of work. The outcome of the study revealed that topiary creation enhances the beautification of the faculty's landscaping and is a solution to managing climate change. Therefore, it is recommended that greening at the FAAT and TTU campuses should include topiary design and landscaping manufacturing to manage climate change.
Impact of Animation Movies on Children's Behavioral and Language Development
Authors: Awinzeligo Harold Martin , Churcher Emmanuel Wiston , Wemegah Rolland , Narh Nene Tei-
Published: March 2023

The importance of the growing influence of media, especially television, on children's learning and behavior cannot be overemphasized. Being one of Africa's top countries with a free and thriving media space, Ghana has witnessed the proliferation of several television channels that continue to transmit a vast amount of cartoon content to children. While television viewing has been demonstrated to strongly influence the behavior of viewers of any age, children are fast becoming interested in cartoons which tend to influence their conduct and intellectual development in many ways. This study aimed to find out the influence that watching cartoons have on children's behavior and their language acquisition. A mixed method design was adopted using structured questionnaires, interviews, and observations to collect data from 100 sampled participants from Bolgatanga in Ghana. The study found that children spend an average of more than an hour daily watching cartoons and often without guidance or monitoring from parents or any adult persons. Overall, the study established that while cartoons may be a good medium to facilitate children's language development, they may also adversely influence their behavior.
Choice of Media of Instruction by Schools in Linguistically Diverse Areas in Uganda
Authors: Kabanda Muhammed Nyanzi- , Omulando Carolyne , Barasa Peter L.
Published: March 2023

The Language of Instruction (LIE) Policy in Uganda allows schools to choose the media of instruction (MOI) during the first four years of primary education. The policy provides that English should be used right from P1 only in the urban areas and indigenous languages be used elsewhere. In practice, many schools, including peri-urban and even rural ones, opt for English right from P1 or stop using the indigenous languages earlier than stipulated by the policy. This article identifies and evaluates the reasons for the choice of MOI by schools. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data from participants in purposively selected case schools. The identified reasons for the choice of MOI were informed by an interest in easing the teachers' work and improving the schools' general performance rather than enhancing individual learner comprehension for content assimilation. Recommendations are made for reviewing policy, changing teachers' attitudes toward using indigenous languages, and embracing multilingualism as a tool for achieving interactive comprehension-based learning.
Accelerating Healing and Recovery Process of Patients in Healthcare Facilities through Biophilic Design
Authors: Sulaiman Alamutu , Alagbe Taiye , Oyedele Olabode
Published: March 2023

Humanity grows in intimate interaction with nature, and the quality of this relationship is reflected in the emotions, ideas, culture, and health that each individual or community expresses. However, in modern times, the built spaces have been created and designed by assigning nature a function that is minimal and irrelevant to humans' health and pleasure. The era of technology has enabled the belief that humans may neglect their relationship with their environment and that progress can be judged by the ability to modify the natural world. This delusion has aided environmental deterioration and the alienation of humanity from natural systems and processes. Biophilic architecture is a long-term solution to the unfortunate design of urban built environments where the deterioration of natural mechanisms has resulted in growing isolation between humanity and nature. Biophilic design promotes using natural processes and systems as design inspiration in the built environment. The application of biophilic concepts in healthcare facilities is one of the pillars of healthcare humanization. Healthcare facilities can create immense stress, anxiety, and fatigue depending on how they are designed. Hospital design tends to make the experience as pleasant as possible, and one approach to doing so is through Biophilic design. This study aims to examine the impact of Biophilic design on patients' recovery in healthcare facilities with a view to proposing a paediatric hospital that infuses natural elements in design in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Discursive Constructions of Power in Selected Nigerian Media Reports of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strikes
Authors: Nsungo David Peter , Orabueze Florence Onyebuchi
Published: March 2023

Power, dominance, and control are not exclusive and are always constructed, exercised, and sustained through overt acts/mechanisms of coercion. The subtle yet manipulative subtexts of language in discourse are, at times, more effective vehicles (modes) utilized by more powerful groups to build and ratify institutional dominance over less powerful ones. Based on the foregoing, this study examines discursive constructions of power in ASUU strike discourses between the FGN and ASUU, as reported in major Nigerian newspapers – The Punch, Vanguard, and The Nation – as well as on other credible media platforms. The research sought to unearth, among other things, the various discursive structures deployed in discourses by the parties for the ventilation of dominance and demonstration of resistance, as well as the group ideologies that underlie such language choices. The qualitative research approach and content analysis, based on a purposive sampling of discourse texts in the newspapers and other media sources, were adopted for the study. Twenty-two discourse texts from 2001-2009, 2013, and 2020 ASUU strikes were analyzed based on the analytical tools found within Van Dijk's (2001) Socio-cognitive model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Van Dijk's Socio-cognitive frame, over and above other models of CDA, contains a checklist of actual discursive cum ideological instruments of dominance and resistance relevant to this study. Our analysis revealed, among other things, that the FGN consistently focused on and deployed ideological strategies which tended toward legitimizing its control over ASUU, winning positive public perception, sympathy, and support for itself and away from the Union (a less powerful group). This was achieved through various forms of discursive propaganda and appeals to patriotism, ventilated through ideological instruments such as number games, vagueness, apparent empathy, and blame transfer, as well as through the FGN's strategically-more-pronounced media visibility. ASUU, on the other hand, instinctively and perpetually struggled, through the use of appropriate discursive mechanisms too, to detach from itself the government-ascribed negative public image. These ideological wrangling, incidentally, delayed and even stalled the resolution of the FGN/ASUU conflicts in each case. The study thus recommends, among other things, focusing on language that is truthful in public discourse instead of advancing a specific group's ideology over the public interest.
Influence of Electronic Payment Systems on Revenue Collection Performance in Trans Nzoia County Government Kenya
Authors: Wekesa Isaac Barasa , Abuga Isaac , Simotwo Peter
Published: March 2023

Trans Nzoia County, like other county governments in Kenya, has consistently failed to collect targeted revenue for the past three financial years, hence the need to evaluate factors affecting revenue collection efficiency. This study aimed to analyze electronic payment systems' influence on revenue collection performance in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: To determine the influence of electronic fund transfer payment systems, To investigate the influence of mobile payment systems, To establish the influence of electronic billing machines, and To identify the influence of online banking on revenue collection performance in Trans-Nzoia County Revenue Diversification and Resource Based View Theory guided the study. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study utilized the census technique to come up with a sample size of 57 respondents. A questionnaire was the main tool for data collection. Research experts ensured that the content, especially the questionnaire was relevant and appropriate for the study. The study used Cronbach's alpha coefficient to determine the questionnaire's reliability coefficient. The study findings were that: Electronic fund transfer payment systems had a positive and significant effect on revenue collection performance (β=0.170, P = .05), Mobile payment systems had a positive and significant effect on revenue collection performance (β=0.263, P = .05), Electronic billing machines had a positive and significant effect on revenue collection performance (β=0.231, P = .05), and Online banking had a positive and significant effect on revenue collection performance (β=0.213, P = .05) This study concluded that electronic fund transfer payment systems, mobile payment systems, electronic billing machines, and online banking had a positive significant effect on revenue collection performance. Therefore, the study recommended that management should make more attempts to carry out electronic fund transfer payment systems, mobile payment systems, electronic billing machines, and online banking to enhance revenue collection performance.
Effects of Digital Marketing Tools on the Performance of the Fashion Industry in Kisumu County, Kenya
Authors: Phenny Okongo , Jeremiah Samson Ntongai
Published: March 2023

Despite studies suggesting that digital marketing practices have wide usage globally, there is currently no evidence in Kenya's fashion industry linking digital marketing tools to performance. This paper presented the findings on the influence of social media marketing, m-commerce, and website marketing as facets of digital marketing on the performance of Kenya's fashion industry. The study was guided by a Resource Based theory in a correlational research design. The study population constituted 560 SMEs in the fashion industry, out of which 30% (169) sample constituting proprietors of SMEs in Kisumu city in Kenya was picked using a stratified sampling technique. The findings revealed that digital marketing tools such as social media marketing, m-commerce, and Website marketing collectively accounted for 70.2% (R2=.702, p=0.000) variation in the performance of firms in the fashion industry within Kisumu City. Therefore, the study recommends that the proprietors of firms in the fashion industry should adopt and integrate digital marketing practices such as social media marketing and m-commerce into their business as they were seen to influence firm performance in the study context positively. The study findings, therefore, can be useful in informing policy-making relevant to the fashion industry.
Burnout, Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment to Turnover Intention: Study on Private Hospital Nurses in Denpasar, Indonesia
Authors: Suriani Ni Nyoman , Martadiani A A Media , Suarka Ida Bagus Komang , Nitiwidari Dewa Ayu Putu
Published: March 2023

In general, managing an organization or company is optimizing various existing resources so that organizational goals are achieved properly. Human resources are the most important among existing resources because they will mobilize and optimize other resources. In hospitals, nurses are one such asset. So if the hospital wants its assets to remain good, then the hospital must maintain its assets. One of the causes of the desire to quit is the high workload and burnout among nurses. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of burnout on the turnover intention by moderating job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Data were collected through a questionnaire instrument (Likert Scale) which had been tested for validity and reliability. In contrast, the sample is determined to be as many as 70 people with an incidental sampling technique. Furthermore, the collected data were analyzed using the SEM-PLS analysis technique. The results of the study stated that: Burnout had a positive and significant effect on the turnover intention of nurses at Bali Royal Hospital Denpasar. Job satisfaction is not a moderating effect of burnout on the turnover intention of nurses at Bali Royal Hospital Denpasar. Organizational commitment is not a moderator of the effect of burnout on nurses' turnover intention at Bali Royal Hospital Denpasar. Job satisfaction is not a moderating effect of burnout on the turnover intention of nurses at Bali Royal Hospital Denpasar. Organizational commitment is not a moderator of the effect of burnout on nurses' turnover intention at Bali Royal Hospital Denpasar.
Work-Life Balance Practices and Teacher Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya
Authors: Matula Phylisters Daizy
Published: March 2023

The importance of Work-Life Balance (WLB) in organizations cannot be over-emphasized, for there is so much to lose or gain depending on whether the Work-Life Balance practices are available or not. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of work-life balance practices (administrative adherence to leave policies, supportive work environment by the school administration, make-up time, and job sharing) on teachers' performance in public secondary schools in Homa-Bay County, Kenya. The variables of the study were discussed in relation to spillover theory. The study used a descriptive survey design. The sample included 320 teachers from 74 schools. Simple and stratified random sampling techniques were used. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Content validity was tested through expert judgement. Test re-test was used to test reliability. The reliability of the questionnaire instrument was 8.5. The study used Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis in the data analysis. The study established that work-life balance leads to an increase in teachers' performance. The study concluded that WLB translates to productivity and that people who combine all aspects of their life in a balanced manner are satisfied with their jobs. The study recommended, among others, that institutions invest in more work-life balance practices to enable teachers to maintain a healthy balance between work and their private lives. It is also recommended that policies and structures that enhance the WLB of teachers should be promoted. Additionally, it is recommended that the Teachers Service Commission should support regulations on work-life balance practices to improve teacher performance.
Assessment of Consequences of Homicide Committed by Police Officers on Police Service Delivery in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Njiru Ali Gitonga , Muhindi Solomon Peter Kavai
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the study is to assess the consequences of homicides committed by police officers on police service delivery in Nairobi County, Kenya. The concentration will be a study on police officers attached to kamukunji sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya. In the recent past, law enforcement agencies across the globe have been facing the challenge of homicide among police officers. The rise in numbers has necessitated the need to research widely on the major issues leading to officers unlawfully killing fellow officers internationally and locally. The study objective was to assess the impact of the working conditions on homicide committed by police officers and its consequences on service delivery in Nairobi County, Kenya. The research will use the general strain theory by Robert Agnew (1992), complemented by conflict theory by Marxist (2000). The study intends to collect data through primary methods, such as questionnaires, interviews, and verified Secondary data like government publications. Descriptive research design and stratified random sampling will be involved. Quantitative and qualitative techniques will be used for better analyses of the research and interpretation. The reliability and validity of the data will be analyzed using the SPSS statistics 28, 2021. The Research anticipates that a substantial correlation between the working conditions, social aspects, police procedures, and homicide among law enforcement officers is inevitable. The study concludes that most of the respondents strongly agreed that the recent upsurge in cases of police homicide in Kenya raises concerns about the psychological well-being and well-being of the police service. The study recommends sharing feedback from supervisors to junior officers and vice-versa for effective communication to improve coordination and relationship, ensuring the controlled issue of firearms to officers suspected of psychological disorders, and training a support team comprised of counselors from within the service to support their peers in case they have stress and make it easier to open up to them than others.
Impact of School Community Relation and Development of Secondary Education in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Bridget Nemine Ebi-Bulami , Painya Sele Anderson , Tubolayefa Nanakumo, Peter
Published: March 2023

This research work is on the impact of school community relation and development of secondary education in Sagbama Local Government Area Bayelsa State Nigeria. A survey design was adopted for this research work. A twelve item questionnaire was adopted as the main instrument for data collection of the study. This instrument was carefully administered to a sampled population of 1200 students from 20 secondary schools within the Sagbama Local Government Area. Three research questions were raised for the study. The reliability of the instrument was further determined by applying reliability test and chronbach alpha co-efficient value of 0.73 was realized showing the instrument as reliable for the study. Findings from the research show that the role of the community influences development of facilities in secondary schools within the community and also that community involvement opportunities contributes to the development of secondary schools in Sagbama LGA.
Examination of Documents in Irrevocable Documentary Credit in Accordance with the Unified Principles and Usages of Documentary Credit
Authors: Alsoufani Abdallah Khaled Ali , Alshra'ah Raja
Published: March 2023

This article aims to examine the documents in the irrevocable documentary credit according to the unified principles and uses of the documentary credit, as the documents, by virtue of their vitality, left trade outside the scope of one country to move towards globalization, which was necessitated by the necessity of dealing between countries. Several factors contributed to the growth of internal and external trade, which is unimaginable, at least from a financial point of view. Where each of the two parties to the commercial process performs its obligations at the same time, it was better to find a way that would be able to provide guarantees for two people who are far apart in the place. From them to implement their commitment without fear of non-fulfillment of the other party, and for these reasons and regarding documents was invented documentary credit technology. The documents are very important for the bank, as it must check and comply with the terms of the credit opening contract, before paying the credit value to the seller. On the other hand, he is responsible to the seller if he rejects documents that are valid and in accordance with the terms of the letter of credit. Where the importance of this study comes from the importance of the documentary credit and the seriousness of the document examination process, as the bank bears responsibility for the error in examining the documents and bears the payment of those affected. In the absence of a legislative regulation on documentary credit, the study attempts to define general principles agreed upon in examining documents, and to be guided by the national judiciary with the rules of unified customs and foreign judiciary, and to determine the responsibility of banks for violating the rules of examining documents and the responsibility of the beneficiary for committing fraud when submitting documents.
Methods of Adaptation of Irish Potato Farmers to the Effects of Climate Variability in Santa, Cameroon
Authors: Julliet Karba Nji , Anguh Nkwemoh Clement , Nkimih Chop Leonard , Antu Nkiene Valentine , Mariam Ngwateze
Published: March 2023

Climate change has greatly impacted global agriculture. This situation has aggravated the present burning issue of world food crisis. Santa Sub-Division epitomizes areas over the globe that are facing this problem. This study, therefore, stood out to research the specific adaptation strategies of Irish ptatao farmers. The Methodology that has been adopted entailed Classical and Impirrical approaches. This required the collection of data from secondary sources through the consultation of books, reports, thesis and dissertations, Journals from libraries, and topographic maps of the area. The collection of data from primary sources stemmed from fieldwork, including the administration of questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Data analyses were done with the assistance of SPSS Software and Microsoft EXCEL. The results were then presented in the form of figures, tables, graphs, and pictures.Findings reveal that adaptation strategies that have been adopted by Irish potato farmers were viewed at different levels. They include farm-level, plant-level, and farmer-level adaptation strategies. Improving soil fertility (21%) and ameliorating irrigational methods (39.7%) are the main adapting strategies used at the farm level. Meanwhile, the use of resistant (CYPIRAL), less resistant (SPUNTA), and the use of short cycle species (MONDIAL) are technics observed at the plant level. At the farmer's level, the common practices include: • Varying planting dates (50%), • Varying and ameliorating planting and conservation technics (46%), and • Associating different species (4%) We ended up with some barriers to adaptation, of which we made some recommendations regarding the reinforcement of extension workers, improvement of small credit schemes, farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of Meteorological Centers, and the promotion of agro-forestry.
Stakeholders’ Perceptions of ICT Integration on KCSE Chemistry Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kisumu County, Kenya
Authors: Otiang'a Ruth Atieno
Published: March 2023

Information Communication Technology (ICT) integration is embraced in education to improve the quality of learning and performance globally. In 1996, the Ministry of Education in Kenya directed secondary schools to introduce computer studies into their curriculum. In 2006 (with studies having demonstrated a positive correlation between ICT integration and performance), under its national ICT policy, the ministry encouraged ICT integration in education using even basic infrastructure, including mobile phones and the Internet. It jumpstarted the program with grants for ICT equipment to 5 schools in every constituency in the republic. Chemistry is expected to benefit more because the versatile ICT tools concretize concepts and enhance the learning of its abstract content. This study aimed to assess stakeholders' perceptions of ICT integration on Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Chemistry performance. The study was anchored on the 'stimulus and response' theory involving Teacher Quality, Instructional Quality, and Student Outcome. A descriptive survey and a sequential exploratory design were used. Quantitative analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics that included frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Findings indicated that stakeholders had positive perceptions that ICT integration improves performance, but teachers seldom used it in instruction. The study concluded that all schools should have instructional websites and go digital with all their pedagogical activities.
Influence of Occupation on Credit Accessibility from MFIs by PWDs in Mombasa County, Kenya
Authors: Elowi John Lokuta , Ali Banafa A.
Published: March 2023

This research aimed to establish the factors determining credit accessibility from Microfinance institutions among persons with disabilities in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study was carried out to establish the effect of occupation on credit access from Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Mombasa County. The study tested the hypothesis on the above objectives to enhance the realization of the key factors that constrain credit accessibility by PWDs. The research was anchored on Credit rationing theory, Credit channel theory, and imperfect information theory. The study employed a descriptive survey research design, and a target population of 2037 was used in the study—a study of 204 PWDs. Primary data collection method was employed to gather the required information. The information gathered from this research was analyzed using SPSS V.26. The overall results indicated that all respondents agreed that the independent variable and occupation influenced credit accessibility. Pearson's correlation results indicated a positive relationship between gender, occupation, education, and credit accessibility. The null hypotheses were rejected at a confidence level of 95%. The study findings concluded that greater adoption of occupation greatly affects credit accessibility. The study recommends that National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) can use study results to advise PWDs on credit accessibility, promote integration between PWDs and the society around them in Kenya by facilitating the implementation of the existing policies and enhancing development to align with the arising needs of disabled persons.
Ecology and Its Influences on Land Use and Ownership in Pre-colonial Mwea
Authors: Gishobi Thomas Njiru , Kungu John Ndungu , Wagura Peter Waweru
Published: March 2023

For decades, land use and ownership has remained an emotive issue in the modern history of Kenya and more so in frontier areas like Mwea, whose land use and ownership contests date back to the pre-colonial period. The sensitivity of this topic has created interest among scholars of different disciplines who avail information, particularly on the current causes of land-related conflict in Kenya. However, these studies tend to overlook the key role of ecology and geographical features in influencing land use and ownership among African communities. The ecological uniqueness of Mwea was a key factor that not only influenced land use and ownership in the Plain but also land-related conflicts before the advent of British colonizers. In terms of geographical location, Mwea Plain stood attractive to diverse communities and its neighbourhoods. Surrounded by marginal lands, safe for the northern side, the plain with its unique environment of open grassland in some areas, and bushes in others, in addition to the many rivers and streams that watered most parts of the plain, served to attract many communities whose interest was not only to utilize the ecology but to put claim to the land with such a wonderful ecology. Therefore, this paper examines ecology's role in land use and ownership in Mwea in the pre-colonial era.
Prospect Analysis of Fish Cultivation Development in Mallusetasi Beach, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia
Authors: . Patang
Published: March 2023

This study aims to determine the prospects for developing fish farming on the coast of Mallusetasi Beach, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. This is an explanatory research that designs research for obtaining information about the prospects for developing fish farming on the coast of Mallusetasi Beach, Barru Regency, based on environmental aspects. A sampling of the location of the sample is carried out by observing and surmising that these locations have the potential and prospects for the development of fish farming. Station 1 is located around the hatchery in front of Dutungan Island, Station 2 is around the port or crossing point to Dutungan Island, and Station 3 is at the pier in front of Dungan Island. Water quality observations, such as current velocity, brightness, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, were carried out in situ. Furthermore, the data were collected, processed, and analyzed by descriptive analysis. The results showed that based on aquaculture requirements that refer to water quality data such as current speed, brightness, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, they are still appropriate and have prospects for development for marine fish farming, for example, green clams, blood/feather clams, oysters, seaweed, baronang fish, grouper and snapper.
Impact of Spatiotemporal Land Use Land Cover Change on Land under Maize Production in Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya
Authors: Shilibwa Henry Kangwana , Masibayi Edward , Neyole Edward
Published: March 2023

Due to its large-scale production of maize seeds, Likuyani Sub-County is regularly known as Kenya's bread basket. The favorable soil and weather conditions are good for agricultural production and, more explicitly, maize, which is Kenya's staple food. Therefore, this study sought to understand the impact of land use land cover changes on land under maize production in Likuyani Sub-County, Kenya, between 1997 and 2017. Landsat 7 ETM+, Landsat 8 OLI/ TIRS, and Sentinel 2A satellite images for the years 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017 were analyzed using pixel-oriented supervised image classification technique to produce LULC maps and detect the associated changes. Analysis of remote sensing data on the six categories revealed that land under maize cultivation was reduced by 8.92%, which translated to an annual reduction rate of 0.45%, while land under buildings increased by 10.87%, an annual rate of 0.54% between 1997 and 2017. Grass/Shrub category cover had an annual decrease rate of 0.31%. Forest and swamps were the least affected during the study period. Through the use of statistical package for social science (SPSS version 25) software, data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like percentages, frequencies, and means. Quantitative data were summarized to determine the strength of the connection between the variables; the researcher conducted a regression analysis to establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The results were presented in tables, graphs, and pie charts. It was established that land change influenced maize production negatively. Fluctuating market prices (2%), population increase (30%), land subdivision (52%), and introduction of sugarcane farming were the main drivers of land use change. The findings from the research suggest that spatiotemporal land use land cover change had reduced the area of land under maize cultivation, thus negatively impacting the production of maize. The study recommends that there is a need to identify and implement best management practices to sustainably manage land in Likuyani Sub-County. This ought to include all key partners remembering nearby networks for recognizing, planning, and executing supportable methodologies for landing the executives.
Phenotypes of persistent hen`s egg allergy in children and adolescents
Authors: Ünsal Hilal , Dal Sevda Tüten , Akarsu Ayşegül , Şahiner Ümit Murat , Soyer Özge , Şekerel Bülent Enis
Published: March 2023

Background. Optimum management of food allergy (FA) includes consideration of co-allergies and multimorbidities and tolerance assessment. Documentation of FA practices may pave the way for better practice.
Methods. Patients aged 3-18 years, with persistent IgE-mediated hen`s egg allergy were reviewed.
Results. A total of 102 children with a median age of 59 months (IQR= 40-84) (72.2% males) were included. All were diagnosed during infancy and the initial symptoms were atopic dermatitis (65.6%), urticaria (18.6%), and anaphylaxis (5.9%). Of the total population, 21 (20.6%) experienced anaphylaxis with hen`s eggs, and 79.4%, 89.2%, and 30.4% had multiple FAs (≥2 food categories), ever atopic dermatitis, and asthma, respectively. The most common co-allergies were tree nuts, cow`s milk, and seeds, respectively. From 52 heated egg yolk and 47 baked egg oral food challenges, 48 (92.3%) and 41 (87.2%) were found as tolerant, respectively. The baked egg nontolerant group had a greater egg white skin prick test diameter [9 mm (IQR: 6-11.5) vs. 6 mm (IQR: 4.5-9); (p=0.009)] and specific IgE [12.6 kU/L (IQR: 4.11-45.4) vs. 6.2 kU/L (IQR: 1.9-12.4) (p=0.009)], respectively. In the multivariate analysis, baked egg tolerance was more likely in those with egg yolk-tolerant subgroup (OR: 6.480, 95% CI: 2.524-16.638; p < 0.001) and heated egg tolerance in those with baked egg tolerance (OR: 6.943, 95% CI: 1.554-31.017; p=0.011).
Conclusions. Persistent hen`s egg allergy is characterized by multiple food allergies and age-related multimorbidities. Baked egg and heated egg yolk tolerance were more likely to be considered in a subgroup with a high expectation for finding a way to eliminate their allergy.
Mercury exposure mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus in a thirteen-year-old girl
Authors: Kısaoğlu Hakan , Baba Özge , Kalyoncu Mukaddes
Published: March 2023

Background. The clinical presentation of mercury (Hg) intoxication may mimic rheumatic diseases. Hg exposure is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like disease in genetically susceptible rodents and Hg is among the environmental factors in the development of SLE in humans. Herein, we presented a case with clinical and immunological features suggestive of SLE but diagnosed with Hg intoxication.
Case. A thirteen-year-old female with myalgia, weight loss, hypertension and proteinuria was referred to our clinic for the evaluation of possible SLE. Physical examination of the patient was unremarkable except for a cachectic appearance and hypertension, laboratory investigation revealed positive anti-nuclear antibody, dsDNA antibody and hypocomplementemia with nephrotic range proteinuria. Inquiry for toxic exposures revealed a continuous exposure to an unknown silverly shiny liquid for a month which was thought to be Hg. Due to the fulfillment of Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria for SLE, a percutaneous kidney biopsy was performed whether proteinuria resulted because of the Hg exposure or flare of lupus nephritis. Blood and 24-hour urine Hg levels were high, and no findings associated with SLE were observed in the examination of the kidney biopsy. The patient was diagnosed with Hg intoxication and, clinical and laboratory findings, including hypocomplementemia, positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibody, improved with chelation therapy. Also, no findings associated with SLE were observed in the follow-up of the patient.
Conclusions. In addition to the toxic effects, Hg exposure may cause autoimmune features. As far as we know, this is the first-time Hg exposure was associated with hypocomplementemia and anti-dsDNA antibody in a patient. Also, this case highlights the inconvenience of the use of classification criteria for diagnostic purposes.
Expanding the clinical and molecular features of trichorhino- phalangeal syndrome with a novel variant
Authors: Öztürk Nuray , Karamık Gökcen , Mutlu Hatice , Bayer Öznur Yılmaz , Mıhçı Ercan , Çetin Gökhan Ozan , Nur Banu
Published: March 2023

Background. Tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by typical craniofacial features, ectodermal and skeletal findings. TRPS type 1 (TRPS1) is caused by pathogenic variations in the TRPS1 gene, which relates to the vast majority of cases. TRPS type 2 (TRPS2) is a contiguous gene deletion syndrome involving loss of functional copies of the TRPS1, RAD21, and EXT1. Herein, we reported the clinical and genetic spectrum of seven TRPS patients with a novel variant. We also reviewed the musculoskeletal and radiological findings in the literature.
Methods. Seven Turkish patients (three female, four male) from five unrelated families aged between 7 to 48 years were evaluated. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by either molecular karyotyping or TRPS1 sequencing analysis via next-generation sequencing.
Results. Both TRPS1 and TRPS2 patients had some common distinctive facial features and skeletal findings. All patients had a bulbous nose with hypoplastic alae nasi, brachydactyly, short metacarpals and phalanges in variable stages. Low bone mineral density (BMD) was identified in two TRPS2 family members presenting with bone fracture, and growth hormone deficiency was detected in two patients. Skeletal X-ray imaging revealed cone-shaped epiphysis of the phalanges in all, and multiple exostoses were present in three patients. Cerebral hamartoma, menometrorrhagia and long bone cysts were among the new/rare conditions. Three pathogenic variants in TRPS1 were identified in four patients from three families, including a frameshift (c.2445dup, p.Ser816GlufsTer28), one missense (c.2762G > A), and a novel splice site variant (c.2700+3A > G). We also reported a familial inheritance in TRPS2 which is known to be very rare.
Conclusions. Our study contributes to the clinical and genetic spectrum of patients with TRPS while also providing a review by comparing with previous cohort studies.
Apología de la visión sintáctica frente a los modelos mudos
Authors: Monroy Pérez Óscar Antonio
Published: March 2023

El presente trabajo busca poner al frente y cuestionar uno de los supuestos que incorporan las formalizaciones de García de la Sienra, a saber, que las teorías han de ser reconstruidas de acuerdo con la visión semántica. Caracteriza brevemente las visiones sintáctica y semántica exponiendo el debate entre el enfoque sintáctico y el semántico. Se trata de enfoques distintos que facilitan el estudio de las teorías ante ciertos problemas filosóficos. Habrá problemas y niveles de análisis para los que una visión será apropiada y otros en los que resulte muy limitada.
A Social Semiotic Analysis of Gender Representations in Biology Textbooks for Upper Secondary Schools in China
Authors: Yang Daihu , Zhou Minghui
Published: March 2023

The gender gap remains an issue in the biological education community. This study explores the extent to which an egalitarian gender ideology, encapsulated in five biological science textbooks for upper secondary schools in China, manifests through representational, interactive and compositional meanings of social semiotic theory. The findings reveal that females in the textbooks tend to be depicted as passive and inferior to males. More males are represented as playing pioneering and leading roles, as opposed to females, who are cast in assistant and subordinate roles in professional activities. The gendered messages delivered have the potential to disempower female students’ career aspirations and adversely regulate their perceptions and projections of gender identities in biological science.
Testing the Adaptive Market Hypothesis in Equity Markets in Global Financial Crisis Periods: An Application on Borsa Istanbul Indices
Authors: AYTEKİN Sinan , DOĞAN Sermet
Published: March 2023

We aim in this study to investigate the existence of the Adaptive Market Hypothesis in the Turkish stock market during the global crisis periods. In other words, it has been investigated whether there are periods in the stock market in Turkey is both efficient and inefficient. For this purpose, Borsa Istanbul's main index (XU100) and selected sector indices (XBANK, XGIDA, XTEKS, XTRZM) were tested in the crisis environments, the Asian Financial Crisis, the American "Dotcom" crisis, the Mortgage crisis, the European debt crisis and finally the Covid-19 crisis. Automatic Portmanteau and Wild Bootstrap Automatic Variance Ratio tests were used in the research. According to the results obtained, findings compatible with the Adaptive Market Hypothesis were reached in all Borsa Istanbul indices within the scope of the research. It has been observed that there may be fluctuations in market efficiency at different frequencies and durations in relation to the nature of the crisis and the source of its output. It is thought that the study is original and will contribute to the literature for the following reasons; the Adaptive Market Hypothesis for the Turkish stock market has been tested for all crisis periods in the recent history and the effects of the crises on the sectors are also examined in terms of effectiveness.
Ants to sniff out cancer?
Authors: Lam Mélanie
Published: March 2023

Has it ever crossed your mind that ants could detect cancer? That’s what a French study suggests. Cancer screening is a major challenge for public health and detection methods like mammograms or MRIs are not only expensive, but also invasive. A team of scientists may have discovered a new non-invasive method using the ants’ sense of smell.
Judge Juan Manuel Padilla Garcia, ChatGPT, and a controversial medicolegal milestone
Authors: Parikh Purvish M. , Shah Dinesh M. , Parikh Kairav P.
Published: March 2023

Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) has revolutionized how we perceive artificial intelligence (AI).: Judge Juan Manuel Padilla Garcia created history by mentioning its use while passing judgment about an autistic child and payment for his medical treatment by his insurance company. The use of AI is not new and is helping the judiciary system in many ways. However, this judgment given on January 30, 2023, has ignited controversy among Judge Garcia’s peers and the global community (a Google search produced more than 70 million hits on February 5, 2023). EU has established guidelines that are to be followed before calling any AI tool trustworthy. This requires stringent compliance with the verification and due diligence process. In this instance, ChatGPT was used within 2 months of its launch, even when it has been shown to give incomplete, incorrect, and misleading answers in many instances. Hasty adaption of unproven technology, however good it may be, should not be our path. This might fuel the misguided fear amongst people about robots taking over from human judges.
EXAMINATION OF CORONAVIRUS ANXIETY AND SLEEP QUALITY OF NURSES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Akça Kamile , Özcan Meltem , Gülhan Güner Seçil
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Nurses are health professionals who are in contact with patients for a long time, communicate and play an active role during the pandemic period. It is necessary to evaluate the anxiety levels and sleep quality of nurses during the pandemic process. Aim: This study was carried out to examine the coronavirus anxiety and quality of sleep of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was completed with 384 nurses. We collected data using the "Introductory Information Form", "Coronavirus Anxiety Scale" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)". The analysis of the obtained data included numbers, percentile distributions, mean and standard deviation, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis, Dunn test and Spearman correlation test. Results: The total Coronavirus anxiety scale score of the nurses included in the study is 3.14 ± 3.85 (min: 0, max: 20), and the total point average of PSQI is 13.29±2.57 (min: 7, max: 20). There is also a positive significant relationship between the coronavirus anxiety scale and PSQI (p<0.001, r=0.318). Conclusion and Suggestions: Participants were found to have poor sleep quality and with low levels of anxiety about COVID-19. Nurses should be strengthened through sustainable physical and psychological initiatives in order to reduce coronavirus anxiety and improve sleep quality in the COVID-19 pandemic.
High Throughput Determination of Stern Volmer Quenching Constants for Common Photocatalysts and Quenchers
Authors: Motz Rachel , Sun Alexandra , Lehnherr Dan , Ruccolo Serge
Published: March 2023

Mechanistic information on reactions proceeding via photoredox catalysis has enabled rational optimizations of existing reactions and revealed new synthetic pathways. One essential step in any photoredox reaction is catalyst quenching via photoinduced electron transfer or energy transfer with either a substrate, additive, or co-catalyst. Identification of the correct quencher using Stern-Volmer studies is a necessary step mechanistic understanding; however, such studies are often cumbersome, low throughput and require specialized luminescence instruments. This report describes a high throughput method to rapidly acquire series of Stern-Volmer constants, employing readily available fluorescence plate readers and 96 well-plates. By leveraging multi-channel pipettors or liquid dispensing robots in combination with fast plate readers, the sampling frequency for quenching studies can be improved by several orders of magnitude. This new high-throughput method enabled the rapid collection of 220 quenching constants for a library of 20 common photocatalysts with 11 common quenchers. The extensive Stern-Volmer constants table generated greatly facilitates the systematic comparison between quenchers and can provide guidance to the synthetic community interested in designing and understanding catalytic photoredox reactions
Increasing the (female) labor supply
Authors: Loewenstein Lara P.
Published: March 2023

In the United States, women's labor force participation has been persistently below that of men's for decades. This Commentary describes three contributors to this divide -- the way in which the United States taxes opposite-sex married couples, how social security benefits are allocated, and the cost of childcare -- and reviews the economic literature quantifying their impact on the labor force participation of women.