bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching and Learning with Technology: Effectiveness of usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Facilities in Public Primary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Aderonke Esther Olumoyo
Published: September 2024

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools is a worldwide requirements meant to replace traditional teaching methods with a technology- based teaching and learning tools and facilities which will assist teachers in their day to day activities of teaching, keeping of records among others. This study aims to analyze the importance of ICT usage to support teaching and learning process in the classroom and also to ascertain the Effectiveness of ICT usage for pupils learning. It also finds out the challenges of usage of ICT facilities in public primary Schools. The findings from the study revealed that computer and internet facilities affected the Educational system better than before. Usage of ICT facilities in public primary Schools will improve the teaching and learning process. The following challenges were revealed from the study: lack of technical support/ Skills, problem of electricity, network issues inadequate ICT facilities in schools among others. It was therefore recommended that the government should give utmost priority to training of teachers in ICT usage. ICT specialist should be recruited and posted to each public primary School to provide technical support to other members of staff, Electricity should be improved upon or solar panels to be provided to schools. Teachers and pupils should be provided with ICT facilities such as educational tablet to improve their ICT usage for teaching and learning.
Institutional Collaboration as a Panacea for Students’ Self-Employment in Tertiary Institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Koroye Ibinabo Stephen , Ogbolosingha Samuel Joseph
Published: September 2024

The study investigated institutional collaboration as a panacea for students’ self-employment in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Three research questions were answered in the study. The study adopted convergent mixed method approach while the population of the study as all private employers of labour in small and medium scale businesses in Bayelsa State as well as Directors, lecturers and students in the various Entrepreneurship Centres across all the State owned tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State. The sample size for the study was 192 respondents consisting of three Directors, 30 CEOs of STEAM industries, 15 lecturers and 144 students within and around the selected institutions. Primary sources of data which were questionnaire (quantitative) and Key Informant Interview (qualitative) were used for data collection. Data collected quantitatively was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of the study indicated that funding and research collaborations were the major forms of institutional collaboration expected for students’ self-employment. There existed a high extent of collaboration in the areas of capacity building and programmes implementation. The strategies identified as vital to improving these collaborations included the clear definition of the responsibilities of all collaborating partners for improved students’ self-employment. The study recommended regular business meetings between these educational institutions and industry experts to deliberate on emerging issues that will enhance students’ self-employment in these institutions.
Prevalence of Father–Daughter Incestuous Relationship as Perceived by Literate Adults in Nigeria
Authors: Idowu Shittu John
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study was to ascertain how common father-daughter incestuous relationships are among literate individuals in Nigeria. The study used the descriptive survey approach. All adults in Nigeria who were literate made up the target population. The study's sample was chosen by the application of a multistage sampling technique. Data were gathered using a study tool called the "prevalence of father-daughter incestuous questionnaire (PFIQ)". Counselling psychologists with expertise in the field established the instrument's content validity. Using a test-retest approach, the instrument's reliability coefficient was determined, yielding a coefficient of 0.75. The results showed that there is a significant prevalence of incestuous relationships between fathers and daughters (24.9%). Regarding the frequency of father-daughter incestuous relationships, there were notable variations among the participants according to gender [t(1198) =-5.13;p,0,05] and home type [t(1198)=2.23;p<0.05]. The results have implications for counselling practice and education, including the requirement that counsellors have training in managing father-daughter incestuous relationships. The sexuality and family life education programmes should cover techniques for managing father-daughter incestuous relationships. It is consequently advised that, in order to lessen the incidence of father-daughter incestuous relationships, religious organisations educate their followers about the risks involved. To raise public awareness of the need to combat this social threat in our society, the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON) ought to host conferences, workshops, and seminars on father-daughter incestuous relationships.
Causes of School Dropout among Public Secondary School Students in Ifakara Town Council, Tanzania
Authors: Kalamba Teo Gaitan , Mpiza Maua
Published: September 2024

This study aimed at exploring causes of students' dropout in public secondary schools in Ifakara Town Council, Morogoro. The study employed a mixed approach. The study involved 128 participants including 1 DEO, 7 heads of school, and 120 dropout students. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 while qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The findings of the study revealed that low economic status of the respondents’ family was the leading cause of school dropout in the study area; the parents failed to meet school expenses and support their children education. Also, students missed school to do home responsibilities like taking care of their young siblings while the parents were working. Parents’ low level of education made them to have low income and not to value the education of their children. Children from single parent families had challenges with their school requirements being met which led to some dropping out of school. Major recommendation was that, Tanzanian government, NGOs and other educational stakeholders should provide more assistance for poor students who cannot afford to pay for educational materials by creating special program from government in co-operation with the Ministry responsible for education.
N-Power Agro Programmes on Youths Empowerment in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Adaka Sunday Simeon
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the N-Power Agro programmes on Youths Empowerment in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. One research questions and One hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study, while stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 473 respondents. A 11 – item questionnaire titled: N-power Agro Programmes and Youth Empowerment Questionnaire (NAPYEQ) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated and the reliability estimate, using Cronbach alpha statistics, ranged from .68 to .74. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions, while the t-test statistic was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that N-power Agro programmes has significantly impacted Youths empowerment in Akamkpa to a great extent. Based on the findings of the study recommendations were made among others that more sensitization programmes should be conducted to expose youths on the scope of N-power Agro Programmes.
Optimalisasi Canva Sebagai Media Pembelajaran Berbasis Animasi 2D di Kalamullah Qur’an and Multilingual School, Pattani Thaland
Authors: Azim Fauzan , Anshari Khairul , Effendi Noverta , Farida Fitri , Ramadhani Witri , Hayati Zuqriva
Published: September 2024

Technology in education is needed as a learning medium that is used as a communication link between students and teachers. One application that can be used is Canva. The aim of this service is to introduce the Canva application and provide training and assistance to students, teachers and education staff in using the Canva application so that the learning process is more interesting and better. Training/counseling activities are carried out using training and workshops using laptops and smartphones equipped with video tutorials that have been prepared on YouTube. Providing workshops and training was successful in using the Canva application for teachers, education staff and students at Kalamullah Qur'an and Multilingual School Pattani Thailand. Using the Canva application can make it easier to design learning media in the form of 2D animation.
 
Keywords: Learning Media, Canva Application, 2D Animation
The Impediments in Implementing Inclusive Education in Two Special Schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Impediments and Recommendations
Authors: Morelle Mokwena , Thakadu Matshidiso Ephraim , Bila Sindisa , Glory Morelle Maria
Published: September 2024

Background: The implementation of successful inclusive education our special schools is still a challenge as there are numerous impediments that hinders such implementation.  Objectives: To explore impediments in the implementation of inclusive education in two special schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.  Method: To archive stipulated objectives, a qualitative research approach was employed. The population of the study was made up of two special schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. Data was collected using semi- structured interviewed. Data was collected through interviews that were collected from learners who are identified with learning barriers and request for placement in special schools. The data was gathered from the participants and analysed in thematic manner.  Results: The study revealed that there are numerous impediments that hinders the implementation of inclusive education, inter alia, safety and security in schools, lack of parental involvement, learner’s drug abuse, shortage of therapists, teacher’s qualification, overage learners and shortage of special schools. The study also outlined factors curbing the implementation of inclusive education.  Conclusion: The study concluded that indeed the stipulated impediments hinders the successful implementation inclusive education.  Contribution: The suggested strategies will enhance the successful implementation of inclusive education in schools.
Computer Skills and Teacher Accomplishment in Private Secondary Schools in Kampala City
Authors: Isa Ssekandi , Musa Matovu , Bisaso Ssali Muhammad , Madinah Nabukeera
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the relationship between Computer skills and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; i) To assess the relationship between computer accessibility in teaching and teacher accomplishment, ii) To examine the relationship between computer utilization and teacher accomplishment, and iii) To examine the relationship between computer knowledge and skills and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. This investigation accepted the correlational research strategy coupled with a quantitative approach. A sample size of 35 respondents was considered constituting of head teachers and teachers from the five selected private secondary schools in the city. Both descriptive analysis and correlation analysis was employed to provide answers to the study phenomenon. The study revealed that there’s strong positive and important connection among computers accessibility in teaching and teacher accomplishment s in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. The study also revealed that there is a moderately positive and significant relationship between computer utilization and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. Further, Additionally, the investigation found a significant beneficial and substantial connection amongst computer knowledge and skills and teacher accomplishment within Kampala City private high schools, Uganda. Therefore, this investigation concludes that Computer skills constituting of computer accessibility in teaching, computer utilization, as well as computer knowledge and skills has a statistically significant relationship in regard to teachers' productivity at work within private high schools in Kampala City, Uganda in that an increase in the different aspects of Computer skills resultantly leads to an improvement in teacher accomplishment within private high schools within Kampala City, Uganda. This investigation recommends that the Education Ministry as well as policymakers ought to create interventions, policies, and programs that better support an enhancement in Computer skills among teachers in the different schools as this would improve teacher accomplishment outcomes in both government and private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda.
Advancements in Marketing Education: The Evolution of the API Model through Iterative Feedback
Authors: Martinović Maja
Published: September 2024

This study examines the iterative development and testing of the API marketing model initially created in 2019. The model was tested with 188 participants from 2019 to 2022, leading to revisions based on feedback, particularly addressing issues of complexity and visual clarity. A revised version, tested with 142 participants from 2022 to 2024, demonstrated improvements in clarity, simplicity, and overall effectiveness. Key advantages of the API model include its ability to integrate strategic and tactical marketing elements through visual presentation, while its primary limitation remains the complexity of the material. Collaboration with participants proved valuable in refining the model and enhancing its functionality and user engagement. Despite these improvements, future research must address the model's limitations, including its complexity and adaptability across different educational contexts. This study contributes to marketing education by presenting the API model that effectively supplements traditional teaching techniques and enhances learning outcomes, with implications for educators and practitioners in marketing management.
Cash Incentive on Remittance Inflow and its Impact on Economic Growth in Bangladesh
Authors: Miah Md. Nurnabi , Bhattacharjee Puja
Published: September 2024

Remittances are crucial for driving economic growth in developing countries like Bangladesh, as they effectively influencenearly all macroeconomic indicators within the financial ecosystem. This study examines the impact of remittance inflow on economic growth in Bangladesh considering the cash incentive policy of the government. The ARDL Bound testing approach is employed for the analysis using a monthly dataset covering the period from January 2015 to April 2023. The evidence from the results provides a substantial and favorable influence of remittances on the economic growth of Bangladesh, both in the short term and the long term. According to the expected error correction term, it is projected that the economy will undergo a correction of its imbalances at an annual rate of 58%. Consequently, a strategic blend of short-term policy adjustments and long-term initiatives has the potential to enhance the influence of remittances in fostering sustainable economic growth and elevating the the quality of life for both expatriates and the nation as a whole.
Fairness-Aware Federated Learning with Real-Time Bias Detection and Correction
Authors: Yadav Vishal , Kale Shreeja
Published: September 2024

Federated Learning (FL) enables collaborative model training across decentralized devices while preserving user data privacy. However, disparities in data distributions among clients can lead to biased models that perform unfairly across different demographic groups. This paper proposes a fairness-aware Federated Learning framework equipped with real-time bias detection and correction mechanisms. Our approach adjusts model updates to address biases detected at local client levels before aggregating them at the central server. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method through empirical evaluations on multiple datasets, showcasing significant improvements in fairness and model accuracy. Our proposed framework involves a multi-tiered approach to ensure fairness in the model training process. Firstly, it employs local bias detection techniques at the client level to identify disparities in model performance across different groups. Clients then utilize bias correction mechanisms to adjust their model updates, addressing any detected biases before sending updates to the central server. The central server aggregates these bias-corrected updates, ensuring that the global model benefits from equitable learning while maintaining overall performance.
Model of Distraction and Therapy of Pain Due to Abscess Swelling
Authors: . Herawati , Santoso Bedjo , Fatmasari Diyah
Published: September 2024

Swollen gums and/or ulcers (abscess) are lumps or ulcers on the gums, accompanied by the presence or absence of pus exit, occurring due to chronic inflammation and bleeding in the root area of the tooth (periapical abscess). The origin of this disease is the occurrence of caries (cavities) in the teeth, usually in the molars, but it can occur in all teeth. One of the impacts of this abscess is the onset of pain. One of the efforts to overcome pain problems in children is easier and can be done by nurses. Techniques that can be done are by using distraction and therapy techniques. This study aims to produce a distraction and therapy model to reduce pain in swelling due to abscesses. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) with the Friedman Test effectiveness test. The distraction and therapy model is feasible as an effort to reduce the pain of abscess swelling in abscess patients. This is evidenced by the results of the feasibility test based on expert validation which shows that the p-value is 0.000. The distraction model and therapy are effective as an effort to reduce the pain of abscess swelling in abscess patients. This is evidenced by the results of the effectiveness test of paired variable data showing that the p-value of the compression and infrared intervention group is 0.000 (p <0.05), meaning that there is a difference before and after the distraction and therapy model is given to abscess patients.
The Function of Civil Engineers in Mitigating the Effects of Environmental and Social Changes in the Philippines
Authors: J.C. D. Bugay Engr. Jasper , T. Florencondia Engr. Noel , John Villar Engr. Michael
Published: September 2024

This examines how climate change is affecting the Philippines' harsh weather, rising sea levels, agricultural losses, and migratory pressures. Despite having low global per capita emissions, the people living in these Southeast Asian coastal or archipelago nations still face a few of the worst consequences of global climate change. The ethical issue is also addressed at the local level. It seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the contradictions of extra measures resulting from climate damage and explain how they should live their lives regardless of climate rules.
Ecological Diversity of Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato) Root Associated Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs)
Authors: Khan Javeria , Malik Naheed , Hameed Sohail
Published: September 2024

Tomato member of family Solanaceae is one amongst the foremost important vegetable crop worldwide. It has its significance due to its nutritive, therapeutic and antioxidant properties. An ecofriendly approach to improve the crop yield is the use of PGPRs which improves the growth of plant through nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization and phyto-hormone production. The present study is to evaluate the biodiversity of such PGPRs and their potential role as biofertilizer for tomato crop. A total eight bacteria were isolated and purified from soil and rhizosphere of tomato plant collected from temperate and tropical rainfed regions of Pakistan including Rawalakot and Attock respectively. Soil texture of Rawalakot and Attock varied from sandy loam to loamy. Plant growth promoting traits like N2 Fixation, P-solubilization and IAA production were determined for all the eight isolates. Maximum P-solubilization was shown by isolates from Attock, AS4 (129.72 µg mL-1) and Rawalakot, RS3 (132.73 µg mL-1) and maximum IAA production was observed in Rawalakot isolates, RS2 (22.237 µg mL-1) followed by Attock isolates, AS3 (49.63 µg mL-1) and AS2 (62.86 µg mL-1). PGPRs were selected with multifunctional properties and were used in plant inoculation experiment to study enhanced growth of tomato plants. Bacterial isolates showed remarkable increase in all growth parameters as compare to uninoculated control. These PGPRs can be best developed for improved development of tomato plants with less dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Relation between the keV–MeV and TeV Emission of GRB 221009A and Its Implications
Authors: Zhang Yan-Qiu , Lin Haoxiang , Xiong Shao-Lin , Li Zhuo , Ge Ming-Yu , Wang Chen-Wei , Yi Shu-Xu , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Shuang-Nan , Song Li-Ming , Zheng Chao , Xue Wang-Chen , Liu Jia-Cong , Tan Wen-Jun , Wang Yue , Zhang Wen-Long
Published: September 2024

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are believed to launch relativistic jets, which generate prompt emission by internal processes, and produce long-lasting afterglows by driving external shocks into the surrounding medium. However, how the jet powers the external shock is poorly known. The unprecedented observations of the keV–MeV emission with Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor and the TeV emission with LHAASO of the brightest-of-all-time GRB 221009A offer a great opportunity to study the prompt-to-afterglow transition and the impact of jet on the early dynamics of external shock. In this Letter, we find that the cumulative light curve of keV–MeV emission could well fit the rising stage of the TeV light curve of GRB 221009A, with a time delay,

4.45

−
0.26

+
0.26

s, of TeV emission. Moreover, both the rapid increase in the initial stage and the excess from about T
ref + 260 s to 270 s in the TeV light curve are tracking the light-curve bumps in the prompt keV–MeV emission. The close relation between the keV–MeV and TeV emission reveals the continuous energy injection into the external shock. Assuming an energy injection rate exactly following the keV–MeV flux of GRB 221009A, including the very early precursor, we build a continuous energy injection model where the jet Lorentz factor is derived from the TeV time delay, and the TeV data are well fitted, with the TeV excesses interpreted by inverse-Compton scatterings of the inner-coming prompt emission by the energetic electrons in external shock.
An Accreting Supermassive Black Hole Buried in a Faint Dwarf Galaxy
Authors: Paswan Abhishek , Das Mousumi , Rubinur K
Published: September 2024

In the last decade, there have been several discoveries of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in dwarf galaxies including an AGN in an ultracompact dwarf galaxy with a black hole mass >106
M
⊙. However, finding a supermassive black hole (SMBH) in a dwarf low surface brightness (LSB) galaxy is rare. We report the discovery of a Seyfert type 2 class AGN that is associated with a nuclear SMBH of mass ∼6.5 × 106
M
⊙ in a dwarf LSB galaxy (μ
0,r
> 23.8 mag arcsec−2) that we denote by MJ0818+2257. The galaxy was previously thought to be an outlying emission blob around the large spiral galaxy LEDA 1678924. In our current analysis, which includes the detection of the optical counterpart of MJ0818+2257, we study its ionized gas kinematics and find that the dynamical mass within the ionized gas disk is ∼5.3 × 109
M
⊙. This is comparable to its stellar mass, which is ∼3 × 109
M
⊙, and suggests that MJ0818+2257 is moderately dark matter dominated within the stellar disk. The SMBH-mass-to-galaxy-stellar-mass ratio is M
BH/M(*) > 0.022, which is high compared to disk galaxies. Our detection of an SMBH in a bulgeless LSB dwarf galaxy raises questions about the growth of SMBHs in low-luminosity galaxies and suggests the possibility of detecting heavy seed black holes from early epochs in LSB dwarf galaxies in the low-redshift Universe.
Searching for a home: the bitter experiences of Afghanistani ‘returnees’
Authors: Abbasi Khadija
Published: September 2024

Negotiating the language, culture and social norms of one’s ‘homeland’ can be a painful and difficult experience In 2004, Khadija Abbasi became part of the generation forced by the Iranian state to ‘return’ to Afghanistan, though they had been born
in Iran. Negotiating this ‘voluntary return’ ‐ one of the UNHCR’s ‘preferred’ options for refugees ‐ proved extremely difficult. The Iran-born and Iran-raised ‘returnees’ had to re‐learn ‐ through a complex process of socialisation
that was accompanied by local rejection and stigmatisation ‐ how to construct an attachment to their new country. Abbasi describes difficulties of language, culture, religious practice and social norms ‐ made all the more complex by her Hazara identity and questions of gender.
In Iran refugees had simply been ‘Afghan’; after arrival in Afghanistan people realised they were Hazara. In a country that was overshadowed by ethnic politics, they had to adapt to processes of re-ethnicisation. Moreover, in Afghanistan patriarchy was inflected differently, sometimes
in ways which intersected with ethnic identity. Eventually Abbasi was forced to leave her job with an NGO because she was perceived to have behaved in a way that ???disrespected??? Afghan traditions.
Resisting racial police warfare through radical history
Authors: Nijjar Jasbinder S.
Published: September 2024

This piece foregrounds the critical role of historical knowledge in animating and determining contemporary strategies to resist institutional racism and militarised policing. Modern (neo)liberal myths about the post-racial and non-martial character of policing in Britain rely heavily
on historical erasure. This is evidenced by recent policy‐based drives to enforce ‘impartiality’ and ‘inclusion’ when teaching history in schools. A resulting politics of forgetting renders invisible the routinised and normalised status of racially determined
forms of militarised policing, thus enabling contemporary expression of racial police warfare to be downplayed as exceptional, marginal and aberrational. Southall Resists 40 (SR40), a community-led project in Southall, West London, challenged such forgetting by publicly narrating Southall’s
history of racism and resistance in a way that showed how it speaks to the now. The historical work of SR40 unsettles hegemonic myths about the police as an ‘impartial service’.
Change! (in moderation): Labourism, Starmer and the conjuncture
Authors: Clarke John
Published: September 2024

This article approaches the rise of a Starmer-led Labour Party as part of the unfolding current conjuncture. It begins from the fragmentation of the electoral alliance around the Conservatives that had for a long time sustained the dominant bloc in the face of proliferating crises and
conflicts. It then turns to the question of Labourism and explores what Starmer’s leadership adds to the familiar mixture of co-option and containment of popular disaffection and desire. Four themes stand out: fiscal realism; a ‘value-led’ project; Starmer’s version
of managerialism; and the celebration of ‘working people’. At the same time, an emergent set of antagonisms, operating internationally, not least through multiple diasporas, are reworking familiar Labour tensions around ‘race’. Finally, the article returns to wider
framings of the conjuncture, through Gramsci’s idea of ‘passive revolution’ and Hart’s exploration of the dominant political responses to popular antagonisms.
Reviews
Authors: Makin-Waite Mike , Curran-Troop Hannah , Littler Jo
Published: September 2024

Mike Waite on Britain in Fragments: Why things are falling apart Hannah Curran-Troop on This is not a Feminism Textbook Jo Littler on The Battle for Britain: Crises, Conflicts and the Conjuncture
Properties and applications of natural, synthetic and hybrid fiber reinforced polymer composite: A review
Authors: Jeff Jomboh Kator , Dzikwi Garkida Adele , Majiyebo Alemaka Emmanuel , Kabir Yakubu Mohammed , Cephas Alkali Vershima , Uzochukwu Eze Wilson , Lawal Nuhu
Published: September 2024

Environmental challenges associated with synthetic reinforcement in polymer composites, such as non-biodegradability and poor recyclability, require the exploration of various natural materials, especially from waste streams, to fully or partially replace such reinforcements. However, these natural fibers also present challenges such as high water absorption, low thermal stability, and average mechanical properties. To circumvent these problems, natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites, which contain one or more types of natural reinforcement, are gaining increasing research interest. This paper presents a review of natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites. Both thermoplastics and thermosets reinforced by natural and synthetic fibers (hybrid fibers) are reviewed. The properties of fibers and the resulting composites and processing techniques are summarized.
Multicomponent thermodynamics with instabilities and diffuse interfaces fluids
Authors: Giovangigli Vincent , Le Calvez Yoann , Ribert Guillaume
Published: September 2024

We investigated the mathematical structure of Gibbsian multicomponent thermodynamics with instabilities. We analyzed the construction of such thermodynamics from a pressure law using ideal gases as the low density limit. The fluid mixtures were allowed to have mechanically and chemically unstable states that were excluded in previous work on supercritical fluids, and the Soave-Redlich-Kwong cubic equation of state was specifically considered. We also investigated the mathematical structure of extended thermodynamics in the presence of cohesive forces—capillary effects—for a simplified diffuse interface fluid model. The thermodynamic formalism was validated by comparison with experimental data for mixtures of ethane and nitrogen. Very good agreement with experimental data was obtained for specific heats, multiphase equilibrium, and critical points, and we also analyzed the structure of strained jets of ethane.
A multi-player game equilibrium problem based on stochastic variational inequalities
Authors: Li Cunlin , Zhang Wenyu , Yang Baojun , Yee Hooi Min
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we studied a generalized Nash equilibrium problem where the constraint conditions were limited to a certain probability. The existence of an equilibrium solution for the vector-valued optimization problem was verified using Ky Fan's inequality and Lusin's theorem, considering the conditions of lower semi-continuity and concavity. Based on the study of the variational inequality method, we proposed a new algorithm to solve the problem. Furthermore, we analyzed the convergence of the algorithm. Finally, we applied the model to examine the economic benefits of digital currency issuance, corroborating the algorithm's effectiveness with a concrete numerical example.
China primary school students' STEM views, attitudes, self-concept, identity and experiences: A pilot study in Shandong province
Authors: Wang Feiyue , Teo Tang Wee , Gao Shoubao
Published: September 2024

This article reports the survey findings of a pilot study on primary students' views, attitudes, self-concept, identity, and experiences toward STEM education. This survey was held in China Shandong Province. Applying a mixed-method approach, we administered the survey to 332 students and interviewed 8 students to learn about their views about STEM education after the activity. The survey data was analyzed using Rasch on five constructs, namely views, attitudes, self-concept, identity, and experiences in STEM learning. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using emergent coding. The findings showed that students generally responded positively to the five constructs. Students thought that problem-solving was essential, but it was still difficult for them to solve a real-world problem. They agreed that joining STEM activities could enhance their interest in STEM jobs, but they still had less confidence in pursuing a STEM job. The findings provide some insights into a pilot STEM curriculum work in a province and open up possibilities for broadening and deepening knowledge about STEM teaching and learning in China, which is at its nascent stages.
Multimodal Imaging and Visual Evoked Potentials Reveal Key Structural and Functional Features That Distinguish Symptomatic From Presymptomatic Huntington's Disease Brain
Authors: Thota Sai Manohar , Chan Kimberly L , Pradhan Sai Sanwid , Nagabushana Bhavana , Priyanka GB , Sunil H V , Kanneganti Vidyasagar , Vasoya Pavan , Vinnakote Krishna Murthy , Viswamitra Sanjaya , Thambisetty Madhav , Kumar Dileep , Tiwari Vivek , Joshy E V , Sivaramakrishnan Venketesh
Published: September 2024

Background:

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric abnormalities. Currently, matched analyses of structural and functional differences in the brain from the same study cohort and, specifically, in HD patients from an ethnically diverse Indian population are lacking. Such findings aid in identifying noninvasive and sensitive imaging biomarkers.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to understand the structural and functional differences between HD and control brain, and presymptomatic and symptomatic HD brain in the Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

Seventeen HD (11 symptomatic HD [S-HD] and six presymptomatic HD [P-HD], with comparable CAG repeats), and 12 healthy controls were examined. Macrostructural (volume), microstructural (diffusivity), and functional (neurochemical levels and glucose metabolism) imaging of the brain was done along with the determination of visual latencies.

Results:

HD brain showed increased intercaudate distance; significant subcortical volumetric loss; reduced fractional anisotropy; increased mean, axial, and radial diffusivity; lower levels of total N-acetyl aspartate; elevated total choline levels; and reduced glucose metabolism compared with control brain. Interestingly, compared with P-HD, S-HD patients demonstrated a strong inverse correlation between age at onset and CAG repeat length, and prolonged P100 latency. In addition, caudate and putamen in S-HD brain showed significant volumetric loss and increased diffusivity compared with P-HD brain.

Conclusions:

HD brain showed distinct macrostructural, microstructural, and functional differences compared with control brain in the Indian population. Interestingly, patients with S-HD had a significant volumetric loss, increased diffusivity, altered neurochemical profile, and delayed P100 latency compared with P-HD patients. Examining these alterations clinically could aid in monitoring the progression of HD.
Unilateral External Anal Sphincter MEP Monitoring in a Case of Conus Medullaris Tumor
Authors: Manohar Nitin , Palan Astha , Manjunath ST , Manchala Ravi Kumar
Published: September 2024

The use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is a helpful tool during surgeries of conus medullaris tumors and helps in reducing the risk of post-operative functional compromise like paraparesis, sensory deficits, or urological dysfunctions. External anal sphincter (EAS) motor evoked potential (MEP) monitoring is usually done for monitoring sacral nerve roots and to prevent post-operative neurological deficits. Here we describe a case where unilateral motor cortical stimulation aided us to differentiate the laterality of TcMEP responses in EAS.
Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis in Highly Active Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ng Chen Fei , Remli Rabani , Tan Hui Jan
Published: September 2024

Transverse myelitis in multiple sclerosis is typically a short cord lesion with patchy distribution. Rarely, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis can be seen in those with highly active disease or frequent relapses. The recognition of this uncommon phenotype in multiple sclerosis is important as the treatment is largely different from other demyelinating diseases. We describe a patient with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on interferon beta-1a who developed LETM after multiple relapses.
En-bloc Resection of A Giant Solid Hemangioblastoma of The Vermis
Authors: Goda Revanth , Dey Subhashish , Doddamani Ramesh Sharanappa , Gaikwad Shailesh , Chandra Poodipedi Sarat
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Hemangioblastomas (HMB) are extensively vascularized and benign neoplasms that are diagnosed predominantly in adults. The solid type of HMB is technically challenging to operate. The piecemeal resection of the tumor has been shown to have devastating intraoperative complications. Therefore, en-bloc tumor resection was shown to be the safest procedure to reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding and facilitate the removal of large solid tumors. Unfortunately, most of these tumours are also not amenable for embolization, as they are fed by multiple pial vessels. However, the large arterial feeders may be embolized.

Objective:

This video abstract presents a case of en-bloc resection of a giant solid type of Vermian HMB.

Surgical Technique:

A 38-year-old male patient presented with headache and vomiting for 1 year, imbalance during walking for 6 months, and hoarseness of voice for 2 months. He underwent a CSF diversion procedure in another hospital and was referred to our center for definitive surgery. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed a large heterogeneously enhancing solid lesion of size 46 × 33 × 40 mm3 with central necrotic area in the posterior fossa with perilesional edema and several large flow voids on T2-MR sequence. Preoperative embolization was performed; however, there was no significant reduction in the vascularity of the lesion. The patient underwent a wide midline suboccipital craniotomy with C1 laminectomy and gross total en-bloc resection of HMB.

Results:

The patient had an uneventful recovery in the postoperative period.

Conclusions:

The safest approach in the resection of giant solid HMB involves proper preoperative planning and understanding the vascular pattern of the lesion, wide exposure, circumferential dissection, and the en-bloc delivery of the tumor.
CARASIL – A Review of Patients from India
Authors: Khandelwal Dinesh , Mathur Vaibhav , Vyas Arvind , Ghunawat Jaypalsing , Bagaria Amit K
Published: September 2024

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a well-known cause of vascular dementia. Though a majority of these cases are sporadic, familial monogenic causes are being frequently identified as well. Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) is a rare autosomal recessive CSVD, caused by mutation in HTRA 1 gene on chromosome 10q (10q25.3-q26.2) in homozygous or compound heterozygous form. Indian literature has been quite scant with very few case reports of CARASIL, and only three familial cases were confirmed with mutational analysis. Testing facilities of HTRA 1 genetic mutation are now more widely available in India than before, and should be encouraged for appropriate patients. This would help in diagnosing, prognosticating and avoiding unnecessary further investigations and medications for these patients. We herein review the Indian scenario and our previously reported experiences of this disorder, while adding a case from north India with a befitting clinical history, family history, neuroimaging and documented HTRA1 genetic mutation.
The Rationale of Yoga in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mailankody Pooja , Varambally Shivarama , Thennarasu K , Pal Pramod Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background:

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly use complementary and alternative medications. Yoga is a mind-body intervention that is being increasingly explored as a tool in the therapeutic armamentarium of PD.

Objective:

To critically evaluate the studies and summarize the utility of Yoga in PD.

Material and Methods:

We performed a systematic literature search in the Medline and Cochrane databases and included randomized controlled trials (RCT) of Yoga in PD. The studies were evaluated for internal validity and the relevant data were extracted.

Results:

A total of seven studies were included in the analysis. We collated the data on the changes in motor function, gait and balance parameters, anxiety, depression and quality of life scores observed after intervention (Yoga) in patients with PD and highlighted the limitations of these studies.

Conclusion:

Anxiety, depression, and balance issues in PD may benefit from Yoga. Yoga has potential as an add-on therapy in PD.
Paraclinoid Segment Aneurysms of the Internal Carotid Artery
Authors: Behari Sanjay , Dikshit Priyadarshi , Singh Suyash , Singh Gagandeep , Singh Vivek , Phadke Rajendra V , Bhaisora Kamlesh S
Published: September 2024

Background:

Paraclinoid segment aneurysms arise from the internal carotid artery (ICA) between the distal dural ring and the origin of the posterior communicating (PComm) artery.

Objective:

This pictorial study presents videos showing clipping of paraclinoid segment aneurysms.

Materials and Methods:

The various subtypes of these aneurysms, the nuances in the technique of clinoidectomy, and methods of proximal control are presented.

Results:

Cavernous ICA is designated as C4, clinoidal segment (between the proximal and distal dural rings) as C5, and supraclinoid segment (between the distal dural ring up to the PComm artery as C6 segment. The techniques used for clipping various aneurysms are based upon their subtypes and location. In the first case, in a giant superior hypophyseal artery aneurysm directed toward the suprasellar region, an intradural clinoidectomy helped in accessing the neck of the aneurysm encroaching into the clinoidal segment of ICA. In the second case, concurrent bilateral “kissing” paraclinoid segment aneurysms were clipped using a unilateral approach. In the third case, clipping of a dissecting paraclinoid segment aneurysm is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

Surgery still represents the most definitive form of treatment. It may also be used to evacuate an intracerebral hematoma, with an extremely tortuous proximal vessel or in an aneurysm with complex anatomy, with blister aneurysms, or following aneurysm regrowth following a failed endovascular procedure. Assessing the three-dimensional anatomy of various segments of ICA is an important step.
Home Rehabilitation System in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Saggini Raoul , Veraldi Roberto , Carmignano Simona Maria , Palermo Tommaso , Russo Chiara , Barassi Giovanni , Bellomo Rosa G
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

By 6 months following a stroke, approximately 65% of stroke survivors cannot incorporate into daily activities, resulting completely dependent. The aim of this study is to assess the overall outcome in psychological and physical well-being, increase in residual abilities, reintegration and social inclusion for people with chronic disabilities resulting from stroke, after home rehabilitation.

Materials and Methods:

We assessed the functional outcome of a group of 600 patients with disability related to several pathological conditions and undergoing home rehabilitation therapy (twice a week for 40 sessions per year) as granted by the Public Health. We evaluated the outcome with Barthel and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scales. Furthermore, in a group of 73 persons with chronic stroke we also carried out an overall evaluation, by using specific rating scales (FIM, Stroke Impact Scale, Motricity Index, Tinetti Balance Scale, 10-m Walking Test, 6-min Walking Test, 5 Repetitions Sit-to-Stand Test, and Hamilton Depression Scale) after 120 days (114 ± 6) from the end of the home rehabilitation program.

Results:

The results highlighted a statistically significant improvement between T0 and T1 and a significant worsening between T1 and T2 (follow-up at 3 months). Hamilton Depression Scale is the only parameter that significantly improves both at the time T1 and T2.

Conclusions:

Territorial rehabilitation system should consider some fundamental aspects: centrality of the person and the individual health project; identification of specific and personalized rehabilitation plan and prognosis based on the results of a follow-up; ultra-specialization of interventions; multidisciplinary team; highlight of the emerging needs; and coordination of the different care pathways.
IgG4-Related Disease in Intradural Extramedullary Location- Detailed Case Illustration and Literature Review with Special Emphasis on Role of Surgery in its Management
Authors: Sharma Rajeev , Kaur Kavneet , Sasidharan Anju , Gupta Ranjan , Laythalling Rajinder Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background:

IgG4-related disease (IgG4RD) is a multisystemic progressive fibroinflammatory and lymphoproliferative autoimmune disorder of unknown etiopathogenesis; and its occurrence in intradural extramedullary (IDEM) location is extremely rare.

Aim and Objective:

The aim of this study was to review all IDEM IgG4RD cases described in English literature and to signify the role of surgery in its management at this rare location along with the surgical technique and intraoperative findings.

Methods:

An Internet-based search (PubMed) for the published reports describing spinal cases of IgG4RD with IDEM involvement was done using the keyword: spinal IgG4-related disease. An illustration of a case of cranial IgG4-related disease in a young man who developed metachronous cervical involvement in intradural extramedullary (IDEM) location is also presented.

Results:

Amongst 45 spinal IgG4RD cases reported in English Literature, only 3 cases were IDEM IgG4RD. In the illustrated case, portion of the cervical lesion causing cervical cord encasement was intradural but extraarachnoidal- located between arachnoid and dura, without any pial involvement. All these 4 cases improved following surgery.

Conclusion:

Timely meticulous resection of mass lesion in situations of medical treatment failure or progressive neurological decline can lead to reversibility of mass effect-associated neurological manifestations of IgG4RD.
Innovative Microscope Drape to Mitigate Particulate Dispersion During High-Speed Drilling
Authors: Tandon Vivek , Raheja Amol , Garg Kanwaljeet , Kale Shashank S
Published: September 2024

Background:

High-speed drilling during neurosurgical procedures lead to aerosol generation. Contaminated particles when dispersed can lead to transmission of disease in healthcare workers via air-borne route. We designed and validated the utility of an innovative microscope drape, in mitigating the dispersion of aerosol, while drilling on an ex-vivo model.

Methods:

Two consecutive high-speed drilling operative simulations were performed using a dry-model under operative-microscope with and without drape, respectively, to demonstrate the degree of particulate dispersion while high-speed drilling using a 10% Povidone-Iodine solution for irrigation.

Results:

There was significantly lower particulate dispersion and soiling of surgeon's gown, mask, and surrounding drapes outside the immediate operative field using the customized microscope mounted drape.

Conclusions:

Customized microscope mounted drape is effective in containing the widespread particulate dispersion associated with high-speed drilling under a microscope. The benefits of this specialized drape can translate into a safer micro-environment for operating surgeons during drilling procedures.