bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Going mobile
Authors: Albion Peter , Jamieson-Proctor Romina , Redmond Petrea , Larkin Kevin , Maxwell Andrew
Published: September 2024

Students are seeking flexible study opportunities. Smartphones have potential to support learning at times and places chosen by learners but their introduction presents challenges in negotiating the changes in the behaviour of learners and in the materials and activities provided by university courses. This project, funded by DEHub in two Queensland universities, explored how students used mobile devices with many characteristics of smartphones. This paper reports on the first phase that investigated the changes required to facilitate access to course materials and activities using the devices. Data have been viewed through the lens of activity theory. The results confirmed the need for developing skills and managing expectations of learners and academics and for adjustments to design of course materials and delivery systems to facilitate access.
Creating a Culture for Critical and Situated Technology Use Through Effective Learning Design
Authors: Wheeler Anne , Vlachopoulos Panos , Cope Sandy
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this concise paper is to propose, with evidence gathered through a systematic evaluation of an academic development programme in the UK, that training in the use of new and emerging learning technologies should be holistically embedded in every learning and training opportunity in learning, teaching and assessment in higher education, and not only as stand-alone modules or one-off opportunities. The future of learning in higher education cannot afford to allow Universities to disregard that digital literacy is an expected professional skill for their entire staff.
Twitter Learning Analytics in R
Authors: Walker Lyndon
Published: September 2024

There is presently no literature about the application of learning analytics to student learning activities that use Twitter beyond those describing the Twitter activities themselves and/or student survey feedback about these activities. This paper seeks to address this gap by examining the application of some data visualisation analytics to student activities on Twitter using the R statistics software programme. For those who already use Twitter as a teaching tool it illustrates some useful methods for analysing learner data in order to more effectively use Twitter in their teaching. For those who do not use Twitter in their teaching, they will hopefully still find the descriptions of various ways that Twitter is currently used, and the application of learning analytics informative for their teaching practice.
A Brave New World
Authors: Spence Natalie , Groom Dean , De Marco Orsola , Parker Robert , Ireland Michael , Wardle Mark
Published: September 2024

There are numerous challenges facing a class at university: limited access to tutorial rooms, fewer tutors and low student attendance in traditional lectures. A further challenge in science is the need to facilitate the learning—and develop the science literacy—of non-science majors, who in the case of this paper elect to study astronomy as part of their academic program. On moving a class online, the challenge includes finding, and becoming confident in using, effective methods and tools. This paper traces a process of review and collaboration between an educational development team and faculty academics to reconfigure an introductory astronomy unit. Part of the approach is to engage students using concept mapping to underpin enquiry-driven pedagogy using the university’s learning management system.
Virtual worlds
Authors: Meredith Grant , Achterbosch Leigh , Turville Kylie , Venkatraman Sita
Published: September 2024

Virtual worlds present frontiers of promise for the ever evolving venture of pedagogical development, trial and embracement. Of late there have been large pushes into these worlds in terms of health-based education for students and early practitioners. Virtual worlds seem to be the next logical jump into nursing education and can offer a range of simulation benefits. But these worlds do not appeal to all students, can be complex and expensive to develop and interact within. Other game-like avenues exist though and have not been explored thoroughly enough to date. Such genres like puzzles games, management style games and surprisingly first person shooters already have titles and game mechanics which have been somewhat adapted to nursing education but could easily be more thought out and developed to suit. This paper outlines the two major gaming audience types to be considered and then explores a range of options for nursing education beyond virtual worlds.
The road ahead
Authors: Martin Romana
Published: September 2024

eBooks have now become commonplace in the community and are used on a range of mobile devices such as eBook readers and tablet computers. In recent years, eTextbooks accessible on a range of mobile devices have provided an alternative to heavy and expensive print-based resources. Although some institutions have decided that eTextbooks and related resources are the preferred option for their students, research does not yet indicate that students actually favor eTextbooks. There is also little evidence to support whether the additional features offered in electronic resources increase engagement or improve learning outcomes. The author describes how a review of the literature revealed current issues related to eTextbooks and their accompanying resources. This preliminary exploration will guide research to investigate whether eTextbooks and complementary resources produced by publishing companies can lead to improved learning outcomes and student engagement in a business school context.
Pigeon pecks and mouse clicks
Authors: Lodge Jason , Lewis Melinda
Published: September 2024

Learning in higher education can be described as a series of complex tasks and stages of development requiring a range of multifaceted behaviours and ways-of-being. Understanding what contributes to teaching for quality learning and achieving quality learning outcomes in higher education has been the topic of much debate over many decades. The current paper intends to situate and contextualise learning analytics (LA) within a broader debate on quality and student experience, outlining the affordances and constraints of this data-driven approach to quality. Firstly, we acknowledge the current use of LA within higher education and early research outcomes reported within the literature. Secondly, drawing on our combined disciplinary knowledge within experimental psychology, health informatics and health science education, as well as our current roles within quality and student experience at our respective universities, we pose some directions for enhancing and building on current approaches to understanding and using LA in the higher education context.
Course Team Symposia
Authors: Hunter Carole
Published: September 2024

Course Team Symposia are a funding opportunity provided by Charles Sturt University’s Flexible Learning Institute to help course leaders engage their teams in blended and flexible learning design. Initial findings from this preliminary study suggest that course leaders and their educational designers have used the symposium process to ‘try out’ leadership practices on the job by clarifying and developing a shared vision of blended and flexible learning, supporting collaborative planning, helping their teams reflect on their own practice and forming strategies to improve that practice. In doing so, they are building a repertoire of leadership strategies to use with their teams in the future. Further research involving more symposium recipients will shed additional light on how leadership is being supported through this initiative, and any implications for student outcomes.
Moving down Stream
Authors: Hay Kathryn
Published: September 2024

In 2009, Massey University introduced Moodle (aka Stream) as an institutional innovation to support and enhance teaching and learning. The social work field education (practicum) programme has embraced Stream as an opportunity to creatively advance current educative practices. The development of a meta-site for field education provides academics, students and field educators1 a forum in which field education can be advanced. This paper will outline the rationale for a research project that examines the perspectives of field educators and academic staff on the opportunities and challenges associated with on-line teaching and learning in the field education area. The research will assess the value of the Stream environment and consider ways in which the current innovation can be further developed.
The 5 C’s of Literacy and Literary Skills Development
Authors: Griffith Michael , Simmons Diana , Wong Wai-Leng , Smith Simon
Published: September 2024

The use of blogging has been explored on how it can enhance and extend support for student participation and learning: as collaborative learning spaces, for increased participation and interaction amongst students, as a valuable asset to the learning schedules of large cohort university teaching, for promoting writing skills. The limitations and lack of perceived benefits have also been acknowledged in some studies. At our university, blogging has been applied in a course to enhance the engagement of students in the study of literature, to extend community with peers, and to build skills for future employability. It is precisely because of the less formal nature of the blog, one more in harmony with students' own social networking practice, that this Web 2.0 tool segues so effectively from students' native skills into the academic arena. The increasing use of social media in academic contexts has however, raised the question of whether the largely informal nature of Web 2.0 can act as a pathway to develop students' writing or if this could hinder the development of competence in academic discourse.
Using reward contingencies in online activities to facilitate engagement in a statistics class
Authors: De la Piedad Garcia Xochitl
Published: September 2024

This paper presents the use of an online learning management system to establish a system of reward contingencies to facilitate student engagement in a statistics class. Based on a behaviourist framework, the proposed system uses immediate rewards for weekly studying. It also incorporates punishment to discourage breaking patterns of consistent weekly study. Student evaluations at the end of the semester showed students’ acknowledgement that the system led them to study more frequently and consistently than they otherwise would have, and that the feedback made the study more effective. However, some students reported feeling that the punishment system was unfair. An alternative system is suggested in response to this criticism.
The Sapphire Vortex
Authors: Butler Des , Matthew Anne
Published: September 2024

Traditional approaches to teaching criminal law in Australian law schools include lectures that focus on the transmission of abstracted and decontextualised knowledge, with content often prioritised at the expense of depth. This paper discusses The Sapphire Vortex, a blended learning environment that combines a suite of on-line modules using Second Life machinima to depict a narrative involving a series of criminal offences and the ensuing courtroom proceedings, expert commentary by practising lawyers and class discussions.
Living the new normal
Authors: Brown Mark , Keppell Mike , Hughes Helen , Hard Natasha , Shillington Sandi , Smith Liz
Published: September 2024

Significant challenges face traditional distance education. The conventional ‘pack and post’ model of distance education is under serious threat along with the performance of distance education providers as governments and funding bodies increasingly scrutinize retention, progression and completion rates. The objective of the current study was to contribute to the enhancement of services and resources available for first-time distance learners in the future. The study was framed around Design-based Research involving a mixed method approach over three phases. The third phase was the major component of the study, which involved gathering the lived experiences of 20 first-time distance learners, in their own words, using weekly video diaries for data collection. The research proposed seven key takeaways, alongside seven guiding principles aimed at distance education providers wanting to enhance the success of distance learners in the future.
An online community designed to support future makers in educational reform
Authors: Broadley Tania , Ledger Sue
Published: September 2024

Australian education is undergoing national reform at many levels. The school sector, where pre- service teachers will be employed, are adjusting to the demands of the National Curriculum and improving teacher quality through the National Professional Standards for Teachers. In addition, the university sector, where pre-service teachers are prepared, is undergoing its own education reform through the introduction of a demand-driven system and ensuring quality for tertiary education interns through the Higher Education Standards Framework. In moving to prepare pre- service teachers for the school system; universities are grappling with the double-barreled approach to teacher quality; quality within the university course and quality within the student teachers being prepared. Through a collaborative partnership including university lecturers, Department of Education central administration staff, school principals, school coordinators, practicum supervisors, mentor teachers and pre-service teachers; the stakeholders have formed an online community of learners engaging in reflective practice who are committed to improving teacher quality. This online community not only links the key stakeholders within the project, it facilitates the nexus between theory and practice often missing in our pre-service teacher placements. This paper reports preliminary data about an initiative to ensure final year pre-service teachers are aspiring to meet the graduate professional standards through the use of an innovative online community.
Over a decade of promising pedagogical models and technology for music teaching
Authors: Anderson Alan
Published: September 2024

Research papers reporting the potential of new technologies and pedagogical models have a tendency to mushroom as educators disseminate the results of promising pilot studies. Some ideas and technologies gain traction and prove sustainable while others are superseded or fall by the way side in search of the next best thing. As a first step towards examining the sustainability of new models and technology for music teaching, this concise paper compares relevant themes in a selection of current publications with those in past publications around the turn of the millennium. In so doing, this paper also considers the ASCILITE 2012 “premise that what happened in the past is no longer a reliable guide to the future.”
Preparing to Teach Architecture Online
Authors: Walpole Helen
Published: September 2024

“Technology is transforming the practice of architecture and design from the conceptual stages right down to the actual construction” (Bender 2005). Recent technological developments in educational delivery have the ability to transform and redefine teaching in the discipline of architecture. To be able to offer a complete Architecture course online, the unique requirements of the practical design studio must be addressed and supported in the online environment. This poster sets out to illustrate what these features are and the process by which an Australian university has maintained the pedagogical requirements of the learning space.
5 innovative ways to use virtual classrooms in Higher Education
Authors: Spann David
Published: September 2024

With constant pressure for higher education institutions to increase (or at least retain) student enrolments across the sector, many institutions are opting to keep up with demand by offering alternate methods of education provision and facilitation. By providing tools and resources such as Blackboard Collaborate and Blackboard Mobile Learn, staff are able to engage and communicate with their students; anywhere and anytime. Encouraging staff to move away from the traditional lecture-theatre and tutorial based model and to instead embrace the opportunities provided by a virtual classroom is not always easy; however some staff have been re-invigorated by this teaching method and are trialing new and innovative ways to teach their students virtually.
Patterns of Instruction
Authors: Fraser Angela , Maclaren Peter
Published: September 2024

Rapid developments in technology over the last decade have enabled new processes for the printing of textiles. This has brought accompanying changes in textile design processes, and new challenges to the teaching of textile print design. Processes that traditionally involved hands-on physical interaction (e.g. screen-printing) have been transformed to become computer-mediated processes. Enabling students to acquire necessary software skills has proved a challenge in a time-constrained teaching environment. This poster illustrates the iterative development of screencasts that have allowed students to work independently on the acquisition of these software skills. Having students work at their own pace, with the ability to revisit material as required, has resulted in more advanced outputs than were obtained using a more traditional teacher-led approach.
Rejuvenation Island
Authors: Farley Helen , Jones Janice K. , Murphy Angela
Published: September 2024

Immersive natural environments provide a means of restoration for adults and may present benefits for pre-service teachers who are unfamiliar with the natural world. The use of restorative virtual environments could be extended to schools in urban areas in particular, allowing pupils and their teachers to undertake field trips, and to relax in a calming and restorative context. This paper reports on a project that investigates the potential restorative benefits of immersion in simulated natural environments in virtual worlds. A cohort of pre-service teachers were taken into the simulated environment and reported that the island produced strong positive feelings in respondents, akin to being in a natural environment. However, it was also clear that a lack of familiarity with virtual environments diminishes the beneficial impacts of this immersion.
An Informal Community of Practice
Authors: Farley Helen , Gregory Sue , Grant Scott , Butler Des , Jacka Lisa , Orwin Lindy , Jones Janice K.
Published: September 2024

The DEHub Virtual Worlds Working Group has an informal membership of nearly 200 members with an interest in education and virtual worlds within the Australian and New Zealand context. Members come from a variety of academic disciplines and may be teaching or research academics, Research Higher Degree candidates, project managers, virtual world builders and developers. The group acts as an informal Community of Practice, facilitating learning and the transfer of skills through social contact, opportunities to collaborate on projects and publications, and through the sharing of knowledge and experience. This poster provides a snapshot of the activity of this highly active group.
Researching around the world
Authors: Coleman Kathryn , Williamson Batson Judy , Batson Trent , Travers Nan
Published: September 2024

This poster presents the newly developed International Reference Group (IRG) for eportfolios in Higher Education as part of the work by The Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL) 2012 Research Committee. The purpose of the poster is to highlight this initiative, to share the AAEEBL mission, and to recruit interested individuals to join the IRG. AAEEBL is the international professional association for the eportfolio community with the mission to develop learners and to transform institutions with eportfolios. AAEEBL seeks to accomplish this by serving the global eportfolio community as a non-profit, service organization that offers membership benefits to institutional members and opportunities to corporates to share practices, research and industry developments supporting eportfolio implementation.
If we build it, will they come?
Authors: Coleman Kathryn , Flood Adele
Published: September 2024

Through the Assessment AS Learning Toolkit, on the new Teaching Gateway at University of New South Wales (UNSW) educators and academics have the opportunity to find ideas, guidelines, and practical strategies on the holistic processes of designing online assessment as learning. This toolkit has been devised to collect and share resources and includes practical strategies for selecting technologies that suit the learning objectives and outcomes of courses and programs to support more effective and efficient assessment. The premise throughout this Toolkit is that assessment should focus primarily on learning and the achievement of intended learning outcomes. This poster seeks to showcase the range of online assessment practices being used at UNSW to enhance student learning.
Using a Learning Management System organisation as a resource site for blended learning
Authors: Askew Liz
Published: September 2024

The majority of universities in Australia provide learning and teaching resources to staff via their corporate website, or through their own intranet system. This is not possible at the University of the Sunshine Coast and so an alternative had to be provided. Rather than place many files in a central area, it was decided to utilise the organisation facility of the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS). This poster outlines the goals and processes of designing the site as well the future plans for its implementation.
Implementation of the eLearning Lifecycle Model to Develop Reflection in Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Roberts Pauline , Maor Dorit
Published: September 2024

This paper outlines the planned research into the use of an ePortfolio Environment to support the development of reflection in pre-service teachers. Reflection is a key skill for teachers to possess as they continue to learn into the future. It is a doctoral research project that involves the implementation of sections of the eLearning Lifecycle model (Phillips, Kennedy, & McNaught, 2011) within a PebblePad platform. The proposed environment will include examples, activities and interactions as part of an Enculturation Teaching Model (Tishman, Jay, & Perkins, 1993). The impetus for the activities will be the sections of the Framework for Teacher Reflection (Colton & Sparks-Langer, 1993). The implementation aims to develop a teaching environment that can be used in a variety of platforms to develop reflective abilities in pre-service teachers that will be used for continued professional development.
Investment in the education of children in 16th century Poland
Authors: Izydorczyk-Kamler Anna , Wyczański Andrzej
Published: September 2024

Polish historiography has been interested for many years in the history of education considered, however as the history of schools as institutions. Simultaneously the problem of the pedagogical ideas and the model of upbringing of children was the goal of numerous studies. Quite recently some historians have observed the level of literacy in Poland of the 16th century. Nevertheless nobody has tried to approach this problem from the social and economic point of view; the study of the functioning of schools, namely of the investment and rentability of child education. This investment and rentability are not the problems of our economic calculation in the meaning of our quantified notion, but obviously that of the reasoning of the people living in the 16th century Poland.
Eastern markets in historical perspective
Authors: Jezierski Andrzej , Leszczyńska Cecylia
Published: September 2024

"The Encyclopedia of Economic History of Poland till 1945," published 20 years ago, contains quite an extensive entry "Eastern markets," which begins in the following way: "Eastern markets, a common name given to an outlet for industrial goods manufactured in the Kingdom of Poland, situated east of the Polish territory, comprising Russia and, at a certain point in history, also China and Manchuria." As follows from the introduction such a concept of eastern markets was very appropriate for the late 19' and early 20 centuries, when the Russian Empire was the eastern neighbour of Poland. From the historical perspective, and - in particular - from the perspective of the year 2000 when Ukraine, Lithuania, and Belorussia became independent countries, the concept of the eastern market assumes a new meaning and it is worth taking a closer look at the range and nature of Polish export in modern times and in the 20th century. A tentative question that we would like to raise here is the following: "If and when in the Polish export to the east did the market outlet include the Ukraine, Belorussia, and Lithuania, and when did it include central Russia and the mythical China?"
Die Landwirtschaftspolitik der sowjetischen Besatzungmacht auf dem Gebiet des sog. westlichen Weißrußlands in den Jahren 1939-1949
Authors: Bonusiak Włodzimierz
Published: September 2024

Der vorliegende Artikel ist der erste in der polnischen Historiographie Versuch einer Charakteristik eines Abschnitts der ökonomischen Politik der UdSSR auf Gebieten, die sich nach dem 28. September 1939 in der sowjetischen Besatzungszone befanden. Obwohl er sich inhaltlich nur auf die Gebiete des sog. Westlichen Weißrußlands bezieht, erlaubt er jedoch auf das ganze unter sowjetische Verwaltung gekommene Gebiet zu schlußfolgern. Dies ergibt sich aus der Tatsache, daß die faktische Politik von Moskau, und nicht von Minsk oder Kiew bestimmt wurde. Die Quellengrundlage für diesen Bericht bildeten größtenteils Dokumente des Politischen Büros des Zentralkomitees der Kommunistischen Partei Weißrußlands (ZK KPW).
Using specific, validated vs. non-specific, non-validated tools to measure a subjective concept: application on COVID-19 burnout scales in a working population
Authors: Haddad Chadia , Hajj Aline , Sacre Hala , Zeenny Rony M. , Akel Marwan , Iskandar Katia , Salameh Pascale
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The first objective is to compare the psychometric properties of two scales, measuring COVID-19-related burnout in a general working population during an economic crisis. The second objective is to compare the relevance through the assessment of statistically significant associations between the independent variables and the validated (scale 1) or non-validated (scale 2) scales taken as dependent variables.

Methods

This study enrolled 151 Lebanese participants, using a snowball sampling method. Two scales that measure burnout during COVID-19 were used.

Results

A significantly strong correlation was found between the validated COVID-19 burnout scale (scale 1) and the new pandemic-related burnout scale (scale 2) (r=0.796, p<0.001). A first linear regression on scale 1 (dependent) showed that increased concern about the impact of the economic crisis and COVID-19 (Beta=9.61) was significantly associated with higher COVID-19 burnout. However, higher financial well-being (Beta=−0.23) and working as a full timer (Beta=−7.80) were significantly associated with a lower COVID-19 burnout score. A second regression model on scale 2 (dependent) showed that higher financial well-being was only significantly associated with a lower pandemic-related burnout score (Beta=−0.72).

Conclusions

Our results showed that more specific scales have better psychometric properties while using non-validated, non-specific scales to evaluate an outcome might lead to biased associations and incorrect conclusions.
Supplantation and utility of aquatic bio-optical communication system at Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, India
Authors: Mishra Ankit , Raghuvanshi Chandrashekhar , Kumar Rajendra
Published: September 2024

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is famous for shallow water and an affluent diversity of aquatic plants and animals. It preserves the endangered mammals and marine life for global significance. Routine monitoring and surveillance of the fish and aquatic species is necessary without any type of disturbance to the natural environment as a protected area of the marine national park. An aquatic bio-optical communication system is a feasible method for transferring the data from the benthic of the park to the sea surface and terrestrial area using the natural resources and sediments. The physical and geographical conditions near the Ram-Setu bridge and the surrounding area of marine national park have shallow water, low water pressure, low salinity, availability of light at benthic, sediments of limestone, and presence of pumice stones that make it more reliable. The model is based on natural resources like optical light source, deployment of buoys for transceivers, and canals in the stone and will be used for providing messages and warning instructions to the fisherman, pilgrimage tourists, merchant ships, and in patrolling security forces.
Enhancing the signal efficiency and PAPR performance of FBMC waveform in optical communication
Authors: Kumar Arun , Rao Tallapragada Durga Naga Satya Srinivasa Sarveswara , Sudhakar A. V. V. , Nanthaamornphong Aziz
Published: September 2024

Filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) has become a favorable option compared to other advanced waveforms because it can reduce interference between symbols and carriers. This is especially advantageous in Rician optical channels prone to frequency-selective fading. The article proposed novel PAPR algorithms based on combining partial transmission sequence (PTS) and complementing methods to lower the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of the optical FBMC. High PAPR results in power amplifier performance degradation, which severely affects the optical FBMC framework’s performance and throughput. Compared to the original signal, the proposed PTS + Companding makes the PAPR much lower while keeping the bit error rate (BER) and power spectral density (PSD). This leads to enhanced efficiency and fewer nonlinear distortions in the transmission system. Simulation studies assess the efficacy of those approaches in terms of PAPR, spectral efficiency, and throughput. The results help improve the use of FBMC in optical communication systems by showing practical ways to boost performance metrics necessary for advanced radio systems to handle the needs of fast data transmission.
Comparing cranial suture interdigitation in humans and non-human primates: unearthing links to osteopathic cranial concept
Authors: Blumer Janice , Arney Irisa , Hardin Anna , Nichols Morgan , Arsenault Luke , Petrucci John
Published: September 2024

Context

Since William Garner Sutherland’s inception of osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM), osteopathic physicians have practiced with the knowledge that cranial sutures exhibit motion. We hypothesize that the complexity of suture interdigitation in humans may provide clues to elucidate the concept of OCMM.

Objectives

We compared the interdigitation of sagittal, coronal (left and right), and lambdoid (left and right) sutures in computed tomography (CT) scans of humans and five nonhuman primate species (Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Pan troglodytes, Hylobates lar, and Nasalis larvatus).

Methods

Human ages are evenly distributed between 10 and 65 years of age, with an equal number of males (n=16) and females (n=16) in the sample. Nonhuman primates are all females, and the sample includes juveniles (n=6) and adults (n=34). Sutures were evaluated on a scale ranging from 0 to 3 (0: fused sutures; 1: no interdigitation; 2: low complexity; and 3: representing the highest degree of interdigitation and complexity).

Results

Based on ordinary least squares linear regression, we found no significant relationship between suture interdigitation and age in humans. Chi-square tests were utilized to assess sex differences within humans, species-level differences, and differences between humans and nonhuman primates across all five sutures. Humans exhibited a statistically significant greater degree of suture complexity than all five nonhuman species across all five sutures.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that human suture interdigitation is more complex than their closest living relatives (African apes) and other primates (Asian monkeys and apes). We theorize that this would enable subtle movement and serve to transmit forces at the cranial sutures from dietary or ethological behaviors, similar to the pattern observed in other mammals. While humans have a softer diet compared to other living primates, the uniqueness of human craniofacial growth and extended developmental period could contribute to the necessity for complex cranial sutures. More studies are needed to understand variation in human and nonhuman sutural complexity and its relationship to cranial motion.
Transperineal sonographic assessment of the angle of progression before the onset of labour: how well does it predict the mode of delivery in late-term pregnancy
Authors: Güner Gazi , Barut Adil , Okcu Nefise Tanridan
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Predicting the success of vaginal delivery is an important issue in preventing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study sought to examine whether measurement of the angle of progression (AoP) can predict a successful vaginal delivery following induction of labour (IoL) among late term nulliparous women with a low (4>) Bishop score.

Methods

This prospective study included consecutive nulliparous pregnant women whose gestational age was 41 weeks and 1–6 days (late-term). The AoP was measured at least three times and their means were calculated.

Results

During the study period, data of 150 women were included in the final analysis. Thirty-eight women underwent CS due to failure to progress (n=30) or NRGHR (n=8), while the remaining 112 women underwent NVD, with four women requiring vacuum extraction. The two groups were similar with respect to age, gestational age, BMI, estimated foetal weight, and birth weight. Women undergoing NVD differed significantly from those undergoing CS with respect to a greater ultrasonographic AoP (113.8±11.9° vs. 98.1±10.9°, p=0.0001), a shorter duration of dinoprostone use, shorter time to labour contraction, and a shorter duration of labour. In ROC analysis, the cut-off value for AoP was 100° for the prediction of successful IoL for NVD, with a sensitivity of 96 % and a specificity of 63 %.

Conclusions

AoP may be a useful sonographic parameter for predicting successful vaginal delivery among nulliparous women at late term undergoing IoL; an AOP wider than 100° is associated with a high rate of vaginal delivery.
Proaktives, reaktives und reziprokes Wohlwollen. Kants System der Liebespflichten
Authors: Schmidt Elke Elisabeth
Published: September 2024

Kant’s duties of love include the duties of beneficence, gratitude, and sympathetic participation. But what is it that allows Kant to bring such seemingly quite heterogeneous duties under one concept, especially under the concept of love? I will argue that it is benevolence as an essential element of love that takes on this unifying role. In order to understand this role of benevolence as the unifying element of the three duties of love, the concept of benevolence will first be analyzed (part 1). Against this background, all three duties of love are then reassessed. Beneficence will be shown to be a proactive form of benevolence (part 2), gratitude to be a reactive form of benevolence (part 3), and sympathetic participation is understood as a form of reciprocal benevolence (part 4).
The Moral Law as an A Priori Principle. Kleingeld and Willaschek on Autonomy
Authors: Sensen Oliver
Published: September 2024

According to a common reading of Kant, autonomy refers to the idea that pure reason gives the moral law to itself. Pauline Kleingeld and Marcus Willaschek reject this standard view both on textual as well as philosophical grounds. Instead, they argue that autonomy only selects mid-level principles, such as ‘help others,’ and that the moral law is a priori and not given. – In this paper, I first analyze on textual grounds what Kant means when he says that a principle is a priori. I argue that Kant does not conceive of a priori laws as permanently existing entities. Rather they are the product of how reason necessarily functions if it is prompted by sensibility. Kant also uses the word ‘autonomy’ in this context. I then argue that this non-standard view of autonomy as an activity can meet the philosophical objections that Kleingeld and Willaschek raise against autonomy as a giving of the moral law.
Electrospinning of MNZ/PLGA/SF nanofibers for periodontitis
Authors: Tang Lu , Liu Wanli , Wang Xinyi , Li Yu , Lan Hai , Wu Guohua , Dong Zhihong
Published: September 2024

In this study, the electrospinning technique was employed to create a nanofiber membrane by stretching an organic polymer into nanofibers under a high electric field. Metronidazole (MNZ) at a concentration of 3 wt% was loaded into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and silk fibroin (SF)-blended nanofiber membrane. This formulation aims to achieve effective and sustained drug release, enabling the eradication of bacteria for the efficient treatment of periodontitis. Results demonstrated that SF interacted with PLGA molecules, forming dense and uniform nanofibers with a diameter of 570 nm. Excessive SF molecules tended to aggregate, leading to an increased particle size, with the interaction between MNZ and SF contributing to adhesion. The composition of MNZ, SF, and PLGA formed a physical chimera without any chemical reactions. Moreover, as the SF content increased, the tensile properties of the membrane gradually improved. Concurrently, the in vitro degradation rate increased with higher SF content. Among the various groups tested, the 3 wt% MNZ/PLGA/SF 2:1 membrane exhibited superior drug release characteristics, with 71.76% release within 24 h. This formulation demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties, indicated by a bacterial inhibition diameter of 13.5 mm, noteworthy hydrophilicity with a contact angle of 44.3°, and favorable biocompatibility. The membrane holds significant application value in regenerative engineering and drug delivery systems, showcasing substantial potential for the treatment of periodontitis.
Study on dynamic and static tensile and puncture-resistant mechanical properties of impregnated STF multi-dimensional structure Kevlar fiber reinforced composites
Authors: Liu Yangshuo , Gao Xingyong , Han Mingjiang , Wei Huanan , Luo Hao
Published: September 2024

Shear thickening fluid (STF)-impregnated Kevlar fabric can be used as “Liquid armor” for the protection of weapons and equipment. The concentration of dispersed phase in STF and the fabric structure are important factors that affect the mechanical properties of composites. To obtain the mechanical properties of Kevlar fabric impregnated with STF, nano-sized silicon dioxide particles (SiO2) and Polyethylene glycol were used as dispersing phase and dispersing medium, respectively, by impregnating Kevlar fabrics with 2D planar and three-dimensional (3D) angular interlock structure, fiber-reinforced composite fabrics impregnated with STF with different physical structures were obtained. The results show that the shear thickening behavior of STF is the most obvious when the concentration of STF is 60%. In addition, fabric structure and STF concentration play an active role in the mechanical properties of STF/Kevlar fiber reinforced composites. Compared with pure Kevlar fabric, the maximum tensile load and the maximum puncture load of the three-dimensional angular interlocking structure of STF/Kevlar fiber reinforced composites are increased by more than 13,000 N and 120 N, respectively. The research results can provide theoretical support for the mechanical properties of STF/Kevlar fiber-reinforced composites and individual protection research.
Low thickness electromagnetic wave absorbing polyurethane and IIR composites by interfacial polarization of multi-layer structure
Authors: Yang Jinghui
Published: September 2024

Electromagnetic cooperative strategy has been proved to be an effective approach that can significantly decrease the matching thickness required for reflection loss. However, improving the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbing effectiveness with low matching thickness remains challenging for current single-phase absorbing materials. A layer-by-layer construction design is used in our study via a combination with iso-butyl isoprene rubber (IIR) and mixed polyurethane (MPU) as the matrix, with the single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and magnetic powder as fillers. This bilayer composite design resulted in a decrease in matching thickness and a shift in absorption bandwidth to higher frequencies by 40 %–50 %. Furthermore, the trilayer structure of MPU/IIR/MPU was found to stabilize permeability, enhance the thermal stability of the magnetism and improve the shielding effectiveness significantly. The thickness corresponding minimum absorption loss of the trilayer composites decreased and the absorption bandwidth of −10 dB widened by 50 % from 8.2 GHz–9.5 GHz to 10.2 GHz–12.4 GHz.
Perancangan Desain Karakter Violet 2 Dimensi Menggunakan Metode Design Thinking
Authors: Dwi Pritama Argiyan , Nabila Diah Ayu
Published: September 2024

Perancangan karakter 2 dimensi mencakup penentuan atribut visual dan aspek-aspek lain yang mempengaruhi identitas dan daya tarik karakter. Metode Design Thinking memberikan kerangka kerja yang berorientasi pada pemahaman pengguna dan iterasi berulang, memastikan bahwa desain karakter memenuhi kebutuhan audiens dan bertujuan untuk mempelajari dan menganalisis proses perancangan karakter 2 dimensi. Design thinking adalah pendekatan kreatif yang berpusat pada pemahaman mendalam tentang kebutuhan pengguna dan metode inovatif untuk memecahkan masalah. Langkah-langkah Design Thinking, yaitu Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype, dan Test. Desain karakter "Violet" yang dihasilkan mencerminkan integrasi aspek-aspek kunci yang diidentifikasi selama proses Design Thinking. Penekanan pada empati dan pengujian iteratif memastikan bahwa karakter ini bukan hanya estetis, tetapi juga dapat meresap ke dalam naratif yang berbeda dengan kohesi yang kuat. Perancangan desain karakter 2 dimensi “Violet” menggunakan metode Design Thinking menunjukkan bahwa pendekatan ini memberikan kontribusi yang signifikan dalam proses kreatif dengan mempertimbangkan kebutuhan dan preferensi pengguna.
DE ESTO NADA SE SABE Y OTROS DIBUJOS DEL ÁLBUM D DE GOYA
Authors: Cerón-Peña Mercedes
Published: September 2024

En este artículo se proponen nuevas interpretaciones de varios dibujos incluidos en el denominado «Álbum de viejas y brujas», o Álbum D, de Francisco de Goya, fechado hacia 1820-1823. Su análisis a la luz de la prensa de la época permite relacionar estas imágenes con el cúmulo de referencias históricas y culturales dentro del cual habrían sido producidas y percibidas. Los dibujos presentan distintos niveles de significación, algunos de los cuales se ponen de manifiesto al considerarlos con respecto a los debates y polémicas de la época, especialmente de carácter político y social, recogidos por las numerosas publicaciones surgidas durante el Trienio Liberal. Este tipo de análisis, que en el presente artículo se centra en los dibujos De esto nada se sabe, Dispierta dando patadas y en las imágenes de «visiones» y «pesadillas», podría facilitar la comprensión del proceso de creación y del uso original de éste y otros álbumes del artista.
İDARİ YARGILAMA HUKUKUNDA KESİN HÜKMÜN OLUMLU ETKİSİ
Authors: Aktaş İnam Alkım
Published: September 2024

Uyuşmazlıkların nihayete kavuşmasını sağlayan kesin hüküm, hukuk devletinin olmazsa olmazı olarak hukukun temel prensipleri içinde karşımıza çıkmaktadır. İdari Yargılama Usulü Kanunu’nda kesin hüküm ile ilgili bir düzenleme bulunmamaktadır. İdari Yargılama Usulü Kanunu içerisinde genel hükümlere dair bir düzenleme mevcut olmadığında ilk akla gelen Medeni Usul Kanunu’na atıf yapılıp yapılmadığının değerlendirilmesi olup, kesin hüküm konusunda atfa yer verilmemiştir. Bu sebeple idari yargı alanında kesin hükmün sonuçları konusunda belirsizlik hali sürmektedir. Kesin hüküm olumlu ve olumsuz olmak üzere iki etkiye sahiptir. Çalışmanın asıl konusu, kesin hükmün olumlu etkisi olan bağlayıcılık unsurudur. Çalışmada kesin hükmün olumlu etkisinin hukuki niteliği ayrıntılı olarak değerlendirilmiş olup, bağlayıcılığın sonuçları diğer yargı alanları ile mukayeseli olarak incelenmiştir. Değerlendirme yapılırken, idari yargılama alanında kesin hükmün bağlayıcılığının delil ve karine niteliği tartışılmış ve mahkemelerin verdiği kararların aynı yargı ve farklı yargı kolları üzerindeki sirayetine kapsamlı bir şekilde yer verilmiştir.
L’abile costruzione di sé: arte e cerimonie durante la reggenza di Cristina di Francia, duchessa di Savoia e prima Madama Reale
Authors: Varallo Franca
Published: September 2024

Cristina di Borbone (1606-1663), duchessa di Savoia e prima Madama Reale, ebbe un ruolo centrale sul piano politico e culturale della corte sabauda tra il 1620, anno del matrimonio con Vittorio Amedeo I e la sua morte avvenuta nel 1663.
Figlia di Maria de’ Medici e di Enrico IV, interpretò la sua funzione di sovrana consorte e di reggente ostentando una idea di regalità ben oltre l’effettiva autorità che la posizione dello Stato Sabaudo nel quadro geopolitico europeo, e di conseguenza la sua condizione, le avrebbe accordato di esercitare. La costruzione di palazzi e ville, la committenza di dipinti, l’accorto impiego delle immagini, motti e allegorie, il denso programma di feste e balletti, erano in egual misura parte di un progetto di governo del quale l’educazione del principe ereditario minorenne e l’avveduta strategia matrimoniale delle figlie costituivano la struttura portante e, come tale, la chiave di volta della solida impalcatura celebrativa. L’articolato disegno politico e culturale di Cristina di Francia trovava, dunque, nelle cerimonie, nella ritrattistica e nel richiamo all’immagine della femme forte, sovrana giusta e benevola, ma all’occorrenza ferma come il diamante, Plus de fermeté que d’esclat, gli strumenti efficaci attraverso i quali veicolare l’immagine dello stato, qui indagati in alcuni aspetti peculiari.
Cristina de Borbón (1606-1663), duquesa de Saboya y anteriormente Madama Real, tuvo un papel central en el plano político y cultural de la corte saboyana entre 1620, cuando contrajo matrimonio con Amadeo I y su muerte acaecida en 1663.
Hija de María de Medici y Enrique IV, interpretó su función de soberana consorte y de regente ostentando una idea de realeza más allá de la efectiva autoridad que la posición del Estado Sabaudo en el cuadro geopolítico europeo, y por consecuencia su condición, le habría permitido de ejercer. La construcción de palacios y villas, los encargos de pinturas, el adecuado empleo de las imágenes, motes y alegorías, el denso programa de fiestas y bailes, eran en igual medida parte de un proyecto de gobierno del cual la educación del príncipe heredero menor de edad y la inteligente estrategia matrimonial de las hijas constituían la estructura sustentante y, como tal, la clave de la bóveda del sólido despliegue celebrativo. El articulado diseño político y cultural de Cristina de Francia encontraba por tanto en las ceremonias, en la retratística y en el reclamo a la imagen de la mujer fuerte, soberana justa y benévola pero, cuando era necesario, firme como el diamante, Plus de fermeté que d’esclat, los instrumentos eficaces a través de los cuales vehicular la imagen del estado, analizados en este trabajo en algunos aspectos concretos.