bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moodle
Authors: Guirette-Barbosa O. A. , Vargas-Hernandez José G. , Castañeda-Burciaga S. , García-Camacho M. A. , Reyes-Sánchez J. J.
Published: November 2023

This chapter consists of an investigation on the motivational factors that entail the use of the Moodle platform as an auxiliary tool within the teaching-learning process. The objective of the research was to recognize the student's perception of the use of virtual educational platforms (Moodle) as a motivational and influential factor in their learning process focused on the results it achieves. According to the results, it is possible to affirm that there is a high motivational level of the students regarding the use of the Moodle platform as well as an elevated level of motivational perception. In the same way, it was observed that there are five main components that summarize the variation between the items, motivational characteristics that were obtained and proposed as a conclusion for the effective obtaining of results when using the Moodle platform within the teaching-learning process.
Influence of Data Analysis Tools in Teaching and Learning Economics
Authors: Babu C. V. Suresh , Auroshaa A.
Published: November 2023

In this chapter, the authors outline a plan for implementing CBL in economics education and highlight some of the key tools and resources that can be used to enhance the learning experience. They provide access to data analysis tools for the students that can provide access to data analysis tools such as statistical software packages and online databases. This can enable them to analyze economic data more effectively and develop their data analysis skills. There is the platform to study all types of data analysis tools that may be useful to both educators and students for learning the economics. The chapter emphasizes the importance of conducting a needs assessment, developing digital resources, establishing the necessary technology infrastructure, providing faculty training, and implementing the CBL strategy across all economics courses. The chapter also highlights some of the tools and resources that can be used to support CBL in economics education, including Microsoft Excel, statistical software packages, geographic information systems, and business intelligence (BI) software.
The Hair Journey of a Professional Woman of African Descent
Authors: Walters Joanne
Published: November 2023

This chapter shares the personal experiences of the author as she worked her way up the corporate ladder while donning locs, aka dreadlocs. The goal of this chapter is to encourage Black women to embrace hairstyles that allow them to project confidence when being evaluated professionally instead of feeling pressured to conform to what the dominant culture narrowly defines as an acceptable professional appearance. The chapter discusses Black hair perceptions from pre-colonial Africa to the present, how these perceptions persist in corporate work settings in modern times, proposed legislation to police hair bias, and what leaders can do to influence their workplaces.
“People Are Watching”
Authors: Dickerson Kimalee C.
Published: November 2023

As more organizations encourage their employees to bring their authentic selves to work, this chapter explores the role of hairstyle among African American/Black women working in government organizations. This qualitative study draws from seven focus group interviews conducted in 2022 with 38 Black women employed by local or state governments in a southeastern state. Results indicate that like other industries, Black women working in government experience bias against natural hair and respond in various ways. Although hairstyle at work continues to be a “dilemma” for many Black women, they also view themselves as leaders and recognize the opportunity to influence the culture in their workplaces and communities through their hairstyle choices.
Hair Bias in the Educational Organization
Authors: Dirton Thea Henderson
Published: November 2023

Natural hair is both complex and simple. It so complex that legislation is required in order to protect its wearers from discrimination and bias, and it is so simple that the most controversial issues stem from the hair in its natural state. This chapter will explore the complexities and simplicities of wearers of natural hair and provide recommendations on how to move forward. Through an exploration of the legislation regarding Black hair and qualitative data, this chapter explores discrimination and hair bias and the negative effects that they have on the natural hair wearers.
Why Hair Isn't Just Hair
Authors: Boyd Khadija
Published: November 2023

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are used with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination, to promote the representation and participation of its employees. However, some white men feel that DEI policies are unnecessary and play an influential role in implementing DEI policies while simultaneously being a threat to them. For this chapter, the author will focus on the discriminatory definition of professionalism, its imposition on DEI, and the undermining of Title VII through hair discrimination. The author argues that white supremacy culture and its definition of professionalism engages in four mechanisms– devaluing and dehumanizing Blackness, removing Black identity and culture, forcing hegemonic ideologies rooted in anti-blackness, and controlling the bodily autonomy of Black women to answer the following research question: “Why is banning afro-textured natural hair and cultural Black hairstyles in the work environment a civil rights issue that contradicts DEI initiatives?”
A Survey of Data Mining and Machine Learning-Based Intrusion Detection System for Cyber Security
Authors: Ganesan Sangeetha , Shanmugaraj G. , Indumathi A.
Published: November 2023

With regard to intrusion detection systems (IDS), several research communities have shown interest in cyber security in recent years. IDS software keeps an eye out for malicious activity on a single computer or a network of computers. It is becoming increasingly important to detect intrusions and prevent them. Several methods to avoid or find intrusion in a network have been proposed in the past. However, the majority of the IDS detection methods currently in use are ineffective at solving this issue. Accuracy is the key factor in how well an intrusion detection system performs. In recent works, various techniques have been employed to enhance performance. In addition to this, machine learning (ML) has been used in many applications to produce results that are accurate in the relevant field. Determining how machine learning and data mining can be used to detect IDS in a network in the near future is the focus of this work. This literature review focuses on ML and data mining (DM) techniques for cyber analytics to support intrusion detection.
Cloud-Based Malware Detection Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Nguyen Pham Sy , Cuong Nguyen Ngoc , Long Hoang Viet
Published: November 2023

Malware in the cloud can affect many users on multiple platforms, while traditional malware typically only affects a system or a small number of users. In addition, malware in the cloud can hide in cloud services or user accounts, making it more difficult to detect and remove than traditional malware. Information security solutions installed on servers (such as anti-malware solutions) are not considered very effective as malware (especially sophisticated solutions) can bypass the detection capabilities of these solutions. Moreover, these solutions often cannot detect new and unknown malware patterns. To address this issue, machine learning (ML) methods have been used and proven effective in detecting malware in many different cases. This chapter per the authors focuses on introducing malware detection techniques in the cloud and evaluating the effectiveness of machine learning methods used, as well as proposing an effective model to support malware detection in the cloud.
Identifying and Assessing Risk Factors to Lower Hazards in Cyber Security Penetration Testing
Authors: Selvaraj Mayukha , Vadivel R.
Published: November 2023

Penetration testing is a rapidly growing field. In today's technological exposure to cyber-attacks, there is a need for easily understandable metrics of cyber-attacks and the impact that it causes on enterprises. The measurement metrics are significant challenges in assessing a cyber-crime incident or a penetration testing audit. There are so many factors in the cyber security field that a penetration tester must consider determining the risk of a particular event or attack. Without any measurement or metrics, there is a chance that the pentesters or penetration testing can get stuck in a bottomless pit without arriving at a defined result. A tool called CVSS attempts to calculate risk based on specific parameters. There are complex technicalities involved in arriving at a risk index to be understood by the board members of an enterprise to make an informed decision about the enterprise's cyber security plan.
Managing Cyber Threats in the Age of Technology
Authors: Shobarani R. , Muthuveerappan Chitrakala , Sujiban I. , SuryaPrakhash K. , Pratheepa S. , Bharathi M. J.
Published: November 2023

This chapter highlights the importance of risk detection and cybersecurity in modern computing systems. As technology continues to advance, these components become increasingly critical for ensuring the successful operation of these systems. The chapter suggests that failure to properly address these issues can result in serious consequences, including the compromise of sensitive information and the disruption of critical systems. Therefore, it is essential for organizations to prioritize risk detection and cybersecurity as a foundational element of their computing infrastructure.
Securing the Future
Authors: Shobarani R. , Muthuveerappan Chitrakala , Priscilla G. Aarthy , Suganthi T. , SriVidhya Santhi S. , Surekha R.
Published: November 2023

Risk detection and cybersecurity are critical components for the success of contemporary computing systems. With the increasing reliance on technology and the Internet, cyber threats have become more complex and sophisticated, posing a significant challenge to the security of computer systems. In this chapter, the authors examine the importance of risk detection and cybersecurity measures in contemporary computing, highlighting the potential risks and threats that can impact system performance and integrity. They explore various techniques and tools used in risk detection and cybersecurity, including intrusion detection systems, firewalls, and encryption methods. Additionally, the authors discuss the role of risk management in identifying and mitigating potential threats to computing systems. They conclude that risk detection and cybersecurity measures are essential for the successful operation of contemporary computing systems and highlight the need for continued investment and innovation in this critical area.
Vulnerability Assessment in Contemporary Computing
Authors: Umamageswari  , Deepa S.
Published: November 2023

Vulnerability assessments are an important aspect of contemporary computing and cyber security. It is a process of distinguishing and assessing potential security weaknesses and vulnerabilities in a computing system or network. It involves using various tools and techniques to denote vulnerabilities and supply recommendations for mitigating them. The primary goal of a vulnerability assessment is to identify weaknesses that attackers could exploit to gain unauthorized access or cause damage to the system or network. By identifying vulnerabilities early, organizations can take proactive steps to address them and prevent attacks. Some of the key steps involved in vulnerability assessments include: It is important to note that vulnerability assessments should be conducted on a regular basis, as new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered. Additionally, organizations should consider conducting penetration testing in addition to vulnerability assessments, which involves simulating real-world attacks to identify potential weaknesses.
Contemporary Significance of Medieval Pilgrimages
Authors: Vidal-González Pablo , Capsí Josep
Published: November 2023

This chapter investigates the phenomenon of medieval pilgrimages to mountain shrines and their contemporary revival as postmodern physical practices in rural settings. This growth encompasses both religious and secular pilgrimages, unveiling evolving social, economic, and cultural contexts. The research focuses specifically on the unique case of western Castellón and eastern Teruel in Spain, where pilgrimages to mountain shrines have been preserved. Fieldwork was conducted in the pilgrimages between 2017 and 2019, and the data were analyzed to find the motivations and meanings behind these pilgrimages. The findings shed light on the potential benefits that the recovery of pilgrimages can offer to rural communities, such as population stabilization and the promotion of cultural heritage.
Comparison of Light Field and Conventional Near-Eye AR Displays in Virtual-Real Integration Efficiency
Authors: Teng Wei-An , Yeh Su-Ling , Chen Homer H.
Published: November 2023

Most existing wearable displays for augmented reality (AR) have only one fixed focal plane and hence can easily suffer from vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). In contrast, light field displays allow users to focus at any depth free of VAC. This paper presents a series of text-based visual search tasks to systematically and quantitatively compare a near-eye light field AR display with a conventional AR display, specifically in regards to how participants wearing such displays would perform on a virtual-real integration task. Task performance is evaluated by task completion rate and accuracy. The results show that the light field AR glasses lead to significantly higher user performance than the conventional AR glasses. In addition, 80% of the participants prefer the light field AR glasses over the conventional AR glasses for visual comfort.
Smart Product Design Ontology Development for Managing Digital Agility
Authors: Benabdellah Abla Chaouni , Zekhnini Kamar , Bag Surajit , Gupta Shivam , Oberoi Sarbjit Singh
Published: November 2023

Digital agility is a critical dynamic capability that is becoming increasingly important in the context of collaborative product development processes (PDPs). This paper aims to address the complexity of today's PDPs by considering various quality aspects including safety, environment, and the entire lifecycle, along with diverse dynamic capabilities such as digital agility and circular economy. The authors employed a semantic web methodology and created an ontology-based knowledge model. The proposed ontology uses Design for X techniques, circular economy, digital agility, and the semantic web under the PDP perspective to increase performance and cooperation between designers and the project team. To validate the ontology, measures for domain ontology evaluation have been used. The paper presents a detailed guide for ontology engineering and evaluation for collaborative smart PDP, which incorporates digital agility as a critical dynamic capability. The proposed ontology can help boost PDP performance and increase customer satisfaction.
Intelligent Transformation and Customer Concentration
Authors: Mao Jinzhou , Zhao Yueyang , Yang Siying , Man Li Rita Yi , Abbas Jawad
Published: November 2023

With the gradual integration of artificial intelligence and production processes, will the traditional business model of enterprises change? Based on the data of China's manufacturing companies listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2008 to 2021, we study the impact of enterprise intelligent transformation on customer concentration. Using text mining and machine learning tools, this study measures the degree of enterprise intelligent transformation and constructs an index based on the relevant words in annual reports. A multiphase DID model results show that enterprise intelligent transformation reduces customer concentration. A series of robustness tests and endogeneity tests validate this finding. This study shows that enterprise intelligent transformation improves information disclosure quality, strengthens innovation ability, and expands business boundaries, thus reducing customer concentration. Our findings provide empirical evidence to strengthen enterprise intelligent transformation further and maintain robust supply chain relationships.
Manifestações religiosas durante a pandemia: o conservadorismo religioso no Brasil
Authors: Silva Claudia Neves da , Nalesso Ana Patrícia Pires
Published: November 2023

Por meio de pesquisa nas redes sociais (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) e sites de notícias, temos por objetivo analisar e entender as motivações que possibilitam a reatualização do conservadorismo religioso no Brasil. Esperamos que o artigo contribua para o debate sobre a reatualização do conservadorismo religioso e seu impacto nas esferas política, econômica, social e cultural.
Potential of molecular biophysical stimulation therapy in chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a narrative review
Authors: Žnidarič Matej , Kozinc Ziga , Škrinjar Dominik
Published: November 2023

Current treatment of chronic musculoskeletal diseases does not give sufficient results despite the implementation of novel drugs and techniques in orthopaedics and physical therapy. For instance, osteoporosis treatment is currently mainly limited to drug application, while the goal of osteoarthritis treatment is to mitigate pain symptoms through physical therapy. The main therapeutic principle in the management of osteoporosis is not only to increase bone mass, but also to improve bone and the cartilage quality, which depends on the biomechanical balance. Therefore, there is a strong demand for advanced technologies that would safely and non-invasively accelerate cartilage regeneration and improve bone density. Ten years ago, a new state-of-the-art technology - “Molecular biophysical stimulation therapy (MBST)”, specifically nuclear magnetic resonance therapy, emerged on the medical technology market and until now, it has shown successful results in the conservative treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, including back pain. The aim of this review is to provide an integrated, synthesized overview of the current evidence of efficacy of MBST for managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
The impact of soil-transmitted helminths infection on growth impairment: systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Sunarpo James Hadiputra , Ishartadiati Kartika , Al Aska Andra Agnez , Sahadewa Sukma , Sanjaya Ayling
Published: November 2023

Human helminthiasis, particularly soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, is a prevalent health concern in Indonesia, especially among children, often resulting in growth disorders, notably stunting. To examine the link between STH infections and childhood stunting, we conducted a comprehensive review of literature spanning 2012-2023, encompassing 40 selected articles from databases like PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Our analysis revealed a substantial association between STH infections and increased stunting risk in children, estimating a 44.407% rise in stunting risk due to STH infection. Stunting, a consequence of chronic malnutrition, profoundly affects a child's physical and cognitive development, with long-lasting repercussions on their future potential and quality of life. This study has significant implications. It underscores the urgent need for robust public health interventions targeting STH infections, especially in high-prevalence areas like Indonesia. Measures such as mass deworming campaigns, improved sanitation and hygiene practices, and health education can significantly alleviate the burden of STH infections and the resulting stunting. Moreover, the research emphasizes the intricate relationship between infectious diseases and malnutrition, highlighting the necessity for a holistic approach to child health. Addressing STH infections necessitates not only medical intervention but also efforts to enhance overall living conditions and nutritional status. Integrating these approaches into a comprehensive public health strategy can yield more effective and sustainable results in the fight against childhood stunting. In conclusion, this study underscores the paramount importance of addressing STH infections in the context of child growth and underscores the urgency of implementing effective public health interventions. This approach can enable children to reach their full physical and cognitive potential, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being and development of societies.
First Record of Leucistic Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striata) from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Sinha Ankit , Gupta Preeti
Published: November 2023

Leucism is a genetic trait caused by a lack of melanin pigment in an animal’s skin, feathers, or fur. Unlike albinism, which is defined by a total lack of melanin synthesis, leucism is characterised by a partial loss of pigmentation. The definitions of leucism and various aspects of albinism are exceedingly vague. This very first documented report of a leucistic Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striata) in Northern India was made in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. More study is needed to look at the additional places of occurrence of these leucistic individuals, as well as the genetic basis of leucism in Jungle Babblers.
Prioritizing tobacco control & its cessation under sustainable development goals with a focus on India
Authors: Gupta Rakesh , Bhatt Garima , Goel Sonu , Singh Rana Jugdeep
Published: November 2023

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) were meant to put each and everywhere ‘at par’. The tobacco epidemic globally is one major deterrent to their achievement. While it gets addressed under SDG 3 through the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - the World Health Organization (WHO) global treaty (the target 3.a of SDG 3), the progress made globally and by India is slow. As a result, many countries may fall short of achieving the target of reducing tobacco usage (taking 2016 as base year) by 30 per cent by the year 2030. India with its high burden of tobacco use and abysmally low quitting along with soaring economic costs of tobacco related diseases and deaths can do better with the engagement of multisectoral stakeholders to strengthen tobacco control under SDGs. Moreover, there is a need to emphasize that the goal of O - Offer to Quit of WHO MPOWER can be achieved through increasing ‘onus’ on policy makers, and strategists, and opportunities for masses, tobacco users, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and enforcers to have tobacco cessation delivered optimally. By doing so, the United Nations can significantly facilitate a reduction in tobacco use and the resultant economic costs. Furthermore, it will assist the WHO to fulfil the targets set for 2030 under SDG 3.a by the FCTC member countries. In addition, it will fulfil the vision and mission defined in the Chandigarh declaration of the 5th National Conference on Tobacco or Health for India to be tobacco free by 2030.
Development, validation & pilot testing of a questionnaire to assess healthcare seeking behaviour, healthcare service utilization & out-of-pocket expenditure of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha, India
Authors: Ghosal Jyoti , Dutta Ambarish , Kshatri Jaya Singh , Das Arundhuti , Kanungo Srikanta , Singh Aalapti , Kerketta Sushmita , Ghosal Shishirendu , Kaur Harpreet , Bal Madhusmita , Ranjit Manoranjan , Satpathy Sudhir Kumar , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: November 2023

Background & objectives:

Assessing healthcare seeking behaviour (HSB), healthcare utilization and related out-of-pocket expenditures of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India through a prism of the health system may help to achieve equitable health outcomes. Therefore, this comprehensive study was envisaged to examine these issues among PVTGs of Odisha, India. However, there exists no validated questionnaire to measure these variables among PVTGs. Therefore, a study questionnaire was developed for this purpose and validated.

Methods:

Questionnaire was constructed in four phases: questionnaire development, validity assessment, pilot testing and reliability assessment. Nine domain experts face validated questionnaire in two rounds, followed by a single round of quantitative content validity. Next, the questionnaire was pretested in three rounds using cognitive interviews and pilot-tested among 335 and 100 eligible individuals for the two sections healthcare seeking behaviour (HSB-Q) and maternal and child healthcare service utilization (MCHSU-Q). Internal consistency reliability was assessed for de novo HSB-Q.

Results:

On two rounds of expert-driven face validity, 55 items were eliminated from 200 items. Questionnaire showed moderate to high content validity (item-level content validity index range: 0.78 to 1, scale-level content validity index/universal agreement: 0.73; scale-level content validity index/average: 0.96 and multirater kappa statistics range: 0.6 to 1). During the pre-test, items were altered until saturation was achieved. Pilot testing helped to refine interview modalities. The Cronbach alpha and McDonald’s omega assessing internal consistency of HSB-Q were 0.8 and 0.85, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable to explore healthcare seeking behaviour, maternal and child healthcare utilization and related out-of-pocket expenditure incurred by PVTGs of Odisha, India.
Melanoma Skin Cancer Detection using SVM and CNN
Authors: Kothapalli Sai Pranav , Hari Priya Panchumarthi Sri , Sagar Reddy Vempada , Lahya Botta , Ragam Prashanth
Published: November 2023

In the field of cancer detection and prevention, doctors and patients are facing numerous challenges when it comes to cancer prediction. Melanoma skin cancer is a deadly type of skin cancer with a multitude of variants spread across the world. Traditional methods involved manual inspection followed by various tests of samples. This time-consuming work and inaccurate predictions sometimes risk the overall health of the patient. The two aspects of solving skin cancer detection problems utilising both conventional image-processing techniques and methods based on machine learning and deep learning are elaborated in this article. It gives a review of current skin cancer detection techniques, weighs the benefits and drawbacks of those techniques, and introduces some relevant cancer datasets. The proposed method focuses mainly on Melanoma skin cancer detection and its previous stages (Common Nevus and Atypical Nevus). The methods being proposed employ a blend of colour, texture, and shape characteristics to derive distinguishing attributes from the images. Using CNN (convolutional neural networks) and SVM (support vector machine) algorithms to identify the type of skin cancer the patient is affected with and achieved an accuracy of 92% and 95% respectively.
Mental Stress Classification from Brain Signals using MLP Classifier
Authors: Samarpita Soumya , Satpathy Rabinarayan , Kumar Mishra Pradipta , Narayan Panda Aditya
Published: November 2023

INTRODUCTION: The most common and widespread mental condition that unavoidably affects people's mood and conduct is stress. The physiological reaction to powerful emotional, intellectual, and physical obstacles might be viewed as stress. As a result, early stress detection can result in solutions for potential improvements and ultimate event suppression. OBJECTIVES: To classify mental stress from the EEG signals of humans using an MLP classifier. METHODS: We examine the EEG signal analysis techniques currently in use for detecting mental stress using Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP). RESULTS: The suggested technique has a 95% classification accuracy performance. CONCLUSION: In our study, the use of MLP classifiers for stress detection from EEG signals has shown promising results. The high accuracy and precision of the classifiers, as well as the informative nature of certain EEG frequency bands, suggest that this approach could be a valuable tool for stress detection and management.
Performance Analysis of Big Model Transmission under Double Rayleigh Fading
Authors: Sun Ying , Huang Jiajia , Wei Fusheng
Published: November 2023

The recent big model such as GPT-3.5 possesses an extensive understanding of natural language, and it can perform a wide range of tasks, making it a significant advancement in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). A critical challenge in the design and implementation of big model is that it imposes a heavy load on the wireless transmission due to a huge size of the network parameters, especially for the distributed implementation. To tackle this challenge, we investigate big model transmission under practical double Rayleigh fading environments, where the big model is simultaneously distributed to multiple training nodes. To evaluate the system performance, we study the system outage probability (OP) based on the transmission latency, where an analytical expression is derived for the OP. Finally, we present some simulations under double Rayleigh fading environments, in order to show the validity of the proposed big model transmission.
Predictive factors of involuntary weight loss in patients with smell and taste disorders
Authors: Daskalou D , Hsieh J W , Hugentobler M , Macario S , Sipione R , Voruz F , Coppin G , Rimmer J , Landis B N
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Chemosensory dysfunction (olfaction, taste, and trigeminal) affects quality of life, potentially impacting eating behaviors. We investigated which factors are associated with weight loss in patients with smell and taste disorders. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive adult patients seen in the smell and taste clinic during a 10-year period. Patients were asked about smell, flavor and taste impairment. Psychophysically, smell was assessed with Sniffin' Sticks, flavor with a retronasal test, and taste with Taste Strips. RESULTS: A total of 554 patients (313 females) were included with a median age of 51 years (IQR 23). Seventy-six (13.7%) reported involuntary weight loss (median 6 kg, IQR 6) due to chemosensory disorders. The odds of losing weight were 2.1 times higher when patients reported subjective changes in flavor perception. Parosmia was a significant predictor of weight loss. Patients with symptoms lasting longer than two years were less likely to present with weight loss. Post-traumatic chemosensory dysfunction was a significant predictor of losing weight. On psychophysical testing, the probability of a patient losing weight increased by 8% for every 1-unit reduction in Taste Strips score. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with weight loss were self-reported changes in flavor perception, parosmia, duration of symptoms for less than two years, head injury, and psychophysically measured low Taste Strips score. These data help to identify patients at risk of weight loss from smell or taste impairment.
Association of gustatory dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kwak I-Y , Kim K S , Min H J
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND: Chemosensory dysfunction (olfaction, taste, and trigeminal) affects quality of life, potentially impacting eating behaviors. We investigated which factors are associated with weight loss in patients with smell and taste disorders. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive adult patients seen in the smell and taste clinic during a 10-year period. Patients were asked about smell, flavor and taste impairment. Psychophysically, smell was assessed with Sniffin' Sticks, flavor with a retronasal test, and taste with Taste Strips. RESULTS: A total of 554 patients (313 females) were included with a median age of 51 years (IQR 23). Seventy-six (13.7%) reported involuntary weight loss (median 6 kg, IQR 6) due to chemosensory disorders. The odds of losing weight were 2.1 times higher when patients reported subjective changes in flavor perception. Parosmia was a significant predictor of weight loss. Patients with symptoms lasting longer than two years were less likely to present with weight loss. Post-traumatic chemosensory dysfunction was a significant predictor of losing weight. On psychophysical testing, the probability of a patient losing weight increased by 8% for every 1-unit reduction in Taste Strips score. CONCLUSION: Factors associated with weight loss were self-reported changes in flavor perception, parosmia, duration of symptoms for less than two years, head injury, and psychophysically measured low Taste Strips score. These data help to identify patients at risk of weight loss from smell or taste impairment.
Contribution to the Ostracoda (crustacea) Fauna of the karstic region of Texas with the description of a new species
Authors: Külköylüoğlu Okan , Tuncer Alaettin
Published: November 2023

A total of 27 ostracod taxa were collected from 1995 to 2017 from 61 aquatic bodies in the karstic region of Texas (USA) and 1 in Mexico, including from caves, springs, spring-fed pools, and springs/drips in karstic rock-shelters. Among these taxa, Dolerocypris reyesi sp. nov. is a new species collected from a shallow pool connected to the springs above a rock-shelter. Three species (Penthesilenula aotearoa, P. incae, and Vestalenula marmonieri) are reported for the first time from North America. In addition, Typhlocypris cf. prespica and 4 taxa (Microdarwinula zimmeri, Cypridopsis cf. herpestica, Pseudocandona cf. parallela, P. cf. pratensis) are new records of ostracod fauna of the US and Texas, respectively. The phylogenetic results based on 31 taxa and 30 morphological characters revealed 4 subgroups belonging to 6 main clustering groups within the family Darwinulidae. Including the new species reported here, the total number of non-marine ostracods in Texas is increased to 115 species. The results indicate that the total number of species is far below the true diversity and richness of the state.
Honouring Uncelebrated Heroes in Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King and Beneath the Lion’s Gaze
Authors: Mkumba Chrispin
Published: November 2023

This paper examines literary representations of marginalised, uncelebrated heroes in two novels by Maaza Mengiste: The Shadow King  and Beneath the Lion’s Gaze. The central argument is that Mengiste excavates and portrays the overlooked heroic contributions of select male and female protagonists to honour their legacy and illuminate their vital yet under-recognised roles in constructing Ethiopian  national identity. By adopting close textual analysis, the paper examines the conception of ‘heroism’ to characters derived from  Mengiste’s fictionalised historiography centred upon Ethiopia. Furthermore, the sociocultural and ideological factors engendering the  marginalisation of these heroic figures shall be scrutinised within the novels’ specific narrative contexts. Incorporating critical theoretical  perspectives, the efficacy of violence as a liberating praxis against political oppression shall be evaluated through the lens of Frantz  Fanon. At the same time, Marxian theories of alienation are employed to elucidate the subjective motivations compelling certain  protagonists towards heroic but uncelebrated deeds. Methodologically, the paper is grounded in a close literary analysis of the theme of  unheralded heroism within the two primary texts. A synthesis of supplementary scholarly perspectives bolsters this paper’s central thesis  regarding unrecognised heroic narratives. The paper argues that despite contributing substantially to anti-oppressive struggles, Mengiste’s marginal protagonists remain uncelebrated within Ethiopia’s dominant historical discourses due to their race, class, gender,  and ideological positionality.
Contribution of Participatory Forest Management Program in Non-Timber Forest Products to balance Livelihood Improvement and Conservation: a case of Sera Forest, Amigna District, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Kidane Leul , Balke Abu , Backéus Ingvar
Published: November 2023

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have a significant role as a local source of medicine, fiber, forage, and sustenance and offer income opportunities mainly in rural families. As sustainable use of NTFPs is imperative to provide ecosystem services and biological resources, this study focused on the identification and documentation of plant species used for NTFPs, their availability, and conservation status in Sera Forest, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The study applied a combination of plant ecological and ethnobotanical methods. Ethnobotanical data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews which involved 206 randomly sampled general and 24 purposively selected key informants, group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys. Data were analyzed and presented using analytical methods of ethnobotany, including descriptive statistics, informant consensus factor (ICF), and ranking. Species diversity, richness, and evenness were also computed using Shannon–Wiener diversity indices. A total of 137 plant species belonging to 49 families used as a source of NTFPs were documented from the study area. Eleven major use categories of the NTFPs were identified. Out of these, medicine, firewood, charcoal making, and construction materials were the most dominant uses requiring large volumes of NTFPs. Direct matrix ranking of plant species with multipurpose use revealed, that Hagenia abyssinica was ranked highest, followed by Olea europaea ssp cuspidata, Grewia mollis, Croton macrostachyus, Ximenia americana and Carissa spinarum. Local communities of the study area possess rich indigenous knowledge in the regulation of grazing and extraction of forest products, forest patrolling, firebreak clearance and maintenance, selective preservation of tree species and nursery activities focused on the restoration of indigenous woody species, which all help in using their natural resources for sustainable livelihood. Sera forest is rich in NTFP-bearing plants and associated indigenous conservation knowledge. However, nowadays illegal timber extraction, grazing, over-harvesting of NTFPs, farm expansion, and fire hazards are found to be threatening the plant resources, irrespective of the Participatory Forest Management (PFM) principles. Therefore, it is important to have strong evaluation and monitoring mechanisms for setting harvesting quantities and regulating types of collection. Besides developing a sense of ownership, and responsibility, integrating their traditional forest management practices with modern conservation approaches is desirable for higher livelihood outcomes with lower environmental impacts.
The Causal Links between Urbanization, Energy Use and Carbon Emissions: A Case of SADC Region
Authors: Kivyiro Pendo T
Published: November 2023

The study aimed at examining the causal links between urbanization, energy consumption and carbon emissions in the case of selected SADC countries. The study employed annual time series data spanning from 1988 to 2020 extracted from the World Bank Development indicator Databank. A Pedroni cointegration test was employed to test whether the variables of interest move together in the long run. Granger causality backed with Full Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was used to detect the direction and the nature of causality among the variables of interest. The results from Pedroni cointegration test revealed that the variables move together in the long run. Granger causality results indicate bidirectional causality among the three variables in the short-run and one way Granger causality running from both energy consumption and urbanization to carbon emission in the long-run. Furthermore, the FMOLS shows the positive contribution of both energy consumption and urbanization to carbon dioxide emissions. The results from the empirical work make some significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge and to the policy makers and urban planners of SADC region. Policies in this region should focus on finding coherent ways of discouraging movements of people from rural areas to urban areas. This can be done by making rural environment conducive enough to motivate people to engage in agricultural activities.

Keywords: Urbanization; Energy Consumption; Carbon Emissions, SADC region
Genetic Analysis Reveals Substantial Proportion of Non-targeted Tilapias among Farmed Stocks in Kilosa and Kibaha, Tanzania
Authors: Mbilinyi Winifrida L , Rumisha Cyrus , Mwandya Augustine W , Msalya George M
Published: November 2023

Nile tilapia farmers in Tanzania have been complaining about slow growth and low yields. Since some farmers obtain their seeds from unreliable sources, they may potentially be dealing with various non-targeted tilapias that require different environments and treatments to enhance growth and yields. Thus, this study analysed fragments (600 base pairs) of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) from 74 farmed tilapias in Kilosa and Kibaha, Tanzania to determine the presence of non-targeted tilapias. An additional 42 samples from the Magadu Fish Farm, Mindu dam, and Lake Victoria were included for comparison. The findings revealed that non-targeted tilapias accounted for 22.22–31.41% of the farmed stock, supporting the hypothesis that farmers are unknowingly dealing with a variety of non-targeted tilapias. Furthermore, pairwise FST comparison indicated genetic relatedness among the farmed fish, suggesting the sharing of fingerlings from the same broodstock or collection from the same wild locality. Therefore, farmers are advised to ensure they source seeds from certified hatcheries to minimize the risk of stocking non-targeted species. Additionally, due to the observed low genetic diversity in Kilosa samples, it is recommended that the country should establish a national breeding program for tilapia to provide farmers with access to high-quality seeds.
Feeding Habits and Diet Composition of the African Sacred Ibis in Selected Water-Logged Sites in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Bakuza Jared S. , Ndinadyo Joyce
Published: November 2023

The African Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus are generalist birds that feed on many invertebrates and some vertebrates. However, the diet composition of local T. aethiopicus populations in wetland areas in Dar es Salaam Tanzania was unknown. Sacred Ibises from eight water-logged areas in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania were studied to determine their feeding habits and diet composition using direct observations and molecular analysis of faecal samples. Snails species identified from sites frequented by T. aethiopicus included Lymnaea natalensis (61.62%), Melanoides tuberculatus (20.64%), Bulinus sp. (17.66%) and Anisus sp. (0.08%), while molecular analysis of the birds’ diet revealed presence of mostly non-native invasive molluscs (Physa acuta, Planorbella trivolvis and Radix natalensis), fungus (Candida parapsilosis) and protozoan ciliate (Vorticella striata). There was no significant association between bird and snail abundance (r = 0.2141, p > 0.05, ns) although snail diversity showed strong negative relationship (r = -0.7904, p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that the African Sacred Ibises do not preferentially feed on snails, but do so as part of their broader diet. The results confirm that the African Sacred Ibis is a generalist feeder and therefore, ecological impacts of its feeding strategies particularly on invasive snails should be further investigated.

Keywords: African Sacred Ibis, feeding, diet, molluscs, generalist
Phytochemical Constituents of Cissus oliveri growing in Pwani Region, Tanzania
Authors: Estomini Fadhili S. , Nnungu Stephen I. , Buriyo Amelia S.
Published: November 2023

Cissus oliveri (Engl.) Gilg ex Engl. is among the plant species of the family Vitaceae widely used in traditional medicine for management of different ailments. This study aimed at assessing the phytochemicals of C. oliveri parts in order to provide scientific validation for its use as a therapeutic agent. Qualitative analysis of water and ethanolic extracts was conducted by using standard methods and the results revealed that all the parts possess alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and tannins. Similarly, glycosides and saponins were only present in leaf and root. Quantitative analysis performed by gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods showed that all parts contain alkaloids, phenol, and tannins in large quantities. The largest amount was found in leaf for alkaloids (6.47 ± 0.41 mg/g DW) and phenols (4.85 ± 0.90 mg/g DW) compared to stem and root. Alkaloid content was higher in root than in stem (P < 0.01), whereas phenol content was the same in root and stem (p > 0.05). Further, there was no significant difference in tannins content among all the plant parts assessed. The presence and quantities of active phytochemicals in C. oliveri call for further investigations on the bioactivities of the extracts and isolated chemical constituents for potential pharmacological applications.
Broadening the application of hysteresis in economics: institutions, policy lock-in, psychology, identity, and ideas
Authors: Palley Thomas
Published: November 2023

This paper argues for broadening the application of hysteresis to institutions, policy lock-in, psychology, identity, and economic ideas. Hysteresis is an element of historical processes, and the real world is historical. That explains why hysteresis is pervasive and important. Hysteresis should be a fundamental building block of political economy. Expanding its application in economics is both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is that it provides a means for incorporating political, sociological, and psychological forces, which economics tends to neglect. That will enrich economics and can also provide a mutually enriching bridge to other social sciences. The challenge is introducing such concerns raises questions about the character of economics’ knowledge claims, which is likely to trigger resistance from economists.
MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA MUATAN IPS MENGGUNAKAN MODEL MERDEKA DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: DONI MUHAMMAD , PURWANTI RATNA
Published: November 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan perbaikan kualitas pembelajaran melalui aktivitas guru, aktivitas siswa, dan menganalisis peningkatan hasil belajar siswa dengan menggunakan kombinasi model pembelajaran MERDEKA. Jenis penelitian yang dilaksanakan adalah penelitian tindakan kelas (PTK) dan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Subjek penelitian dilaksanakan di kelas V SDN Pangeran 1 Banjarmasin dengan jumlah siswa sebanyak 25 orang pada tahun ajaran 2022/2023. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa dengan menerapkan model pembelajaran MERDEKA (Problem Based Learning, Numbered Head Together, dan Make A Match) dapat meningkatkan aktivitas siswa dalam mengikuti pembelajaran mencapai 92% siswa yang berkategori aktif dan sangat aktif dan hasil belajar siswa pada aspek kognitif mencapai 84%, aspek afektif mencapai 88%, dan aspek psikomotorik mencapai 84% siswa berada pada kriteria tuntas.