bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Razón moral, razón política, razón ficcional: en torno a El monarca de las sombras (2017) de Javier Cercas y la ficción de archivo
Authors: Yosovitch Yael Natalia Tejero
Published: February 2024

La novela del escritor español Javier Cercas, El monarca de las sombras (2017), cierra un ciclo de ficciones de archivo inaugurado por su obra más célebre, Soldados de Salamina (2001). En la novela se reconstruye la vida del tío abuelo de Cercas, Manuel Mena, soldado falangista caído en la Batalla del Ebro, durante la Guerra Civil Española. Este artículo se propone analizar el modo en el que, a través de la constitución de dos tipos de narradores que se postulan como opuestos –en tanto que uno representaría al narrador ficcional y el otro, al narrador historiador–, se construye el entramado de documentos que conforma la ficción de archivo de El monarca de las sombras. Sostenemos que a partir de una concepción triádica que distingue historia, ficción y mito, se produce una inversión del dominio de cada tipo de narrador, siendo el narrador historiador el que ficcionaliza a través de la conjetura y el narrador literario el que desarma el dispositivo documental.
Blanc-seing pour les notes blanches
Authors: Sizaire Vincent
Published: February 2024

En choisissant de s’aligner sur la position du Conseil d’État pour valider le recours aux « notes blanches » des services de renseignement comme mode de preuve, la Cour de cassation laisse sans réponse les obstacles à l’exercice effectif des droits de la défense induits par une telle reconnaissance.
Beyond the Blackboard
Authors: Vetrivel S. C. , Mohanasundaram T.
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional education, resulting in the rapid adoption of remote learning and necessitating adaptation. Consequently, hybrid learning has emerged as a viable alternative, combining in-person instruction with online components. This chapter examines the shift from classroom-based education to hybrid learning environments, emphasizing its advantages, difficulties, and implications for the future of education. Hybrid learning leverages the strengths of both face-to-face teaching and online learning, offering flexibility and expanding educational opportunities. By incorporating digital technologies and online platforms, educators can enhance student engagement, collaboration, and personalized learning. The combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities enables students to access resources at their own pace while maintaining social interaction. Additionally, hybrid learning cultivates digital literacy skills, equipping students for the requirements of the modern workforce.
Transforming Higher Education With Microlessons
Authors: Torres Kelly M.
Published: February 2024

Microlessons have emerged as a pivotal tool in higher education due to their transformative impact on learning. These concise, focused lessons cater to modern students' preferences for digestible content and flexible learning. The condensed format promotes active engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration while fostering a deeper understanding of course materials. Their integration into existing curricula enhances teaching methods, serving as pre-learning, review, or supplementary resources. Furthermore, microlessons cultivate self-directed and lifelong learning habits by empowering students to control their pace and revisit concepts at their convenience. In an era where personalized, adaptable education is paramount, microlessons stand as a potent means to elevate the higher education experience.
Empowering Micro-Credentials Using Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: McGreal Rory
Published: February 2024

The recognition and transfer of credits is becoming essential for students, as an increasing number of them are studying at different institutions, often at the same time online, in both traditional and unconventional settings. Micro-credentials can aid in this process by providing easily accessible and transparent evidence of skills or knowledge, certified by an authority, based on small units of learning. The development of blockchain technology holds promise of becoming a useful enabler for supporting the storage and dissemination of micro-credentials on a global scale. Because of its immutability, blockchain can be used to attest to students' accomplishments securely and privately. Artificial intelligence (AI) can facilitate the maintenance and dissemination of micro-credentials, while ensuring that access is readily available for students under their control. So, AI can play a role in supporting blockchain-enabled micro-credentials. For educators, a basic understanding of the development of all three technologies is becoming essential.
Integrating Mindfulness and Addiction Awareness in Higher Education
Authors: Singha Ranjit
Published: February 2024

This chapter explored integrating mindfulness and addiction awareness within higher education. The journey uncovers these practices' profound potential in enhancing student resilience and well-being. The transformative impact of a mindful approach is underscored by examining their symbiotic relationship, individual benefits, and intersection with microlearning. From understanding addiction's prevalence among students to fostering a compassionate learning environment, the discussion navigates ethical considerations, cultural sensitivity, and challenges. A resounding call to action resonates, urging higher education institutions to embed these practices strategically, cultivating an environment prioritizing holistic student growth and development. The promise lies in a brighter future—a generation of self-aware, resilient individuals empowered to navigate challenges with poise, empathy, and well-being.
Public Education
Authors: Davis Clifford
Published: February 2024

In June 2018, Congressman John Lewis tweeted, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble,” resonating with many leaders. Being unafraid to say something when observing inequity and injustice in society's institutions, especially schools, has become the mantra of these leaders. Over 60 years after the Supreme Court ruling on Brown v. Board of Education, schools have not achieved the fundamental goal of creating a racial, discrimination-free public educational system that provides equal opportunities for all students. This chapter questions how educational leaders can make noise and get into good trouble in creating classrooms and schools that provide equitable educational opportunities—especially for students of color and those who live in poverty. The author's experiences as a teacher, school leader, and district leader in schools and districts where race is a determining factor in the education of students of color inform this chapter.
Lessons From Myles Horton and the Highlander Folk School
Authors: Cooper Ashton R.
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores developing critical empathy through transformational leadership as pedagogy. Using the example of Myles Horton and the Highlander Folk School (HFS), the author expands Sergiovanni's (1998) pedagogy as leadership by combining social justice-oriented leadership models with an understanding of critical empathy. This demonstrates how educators can foster social change in all learning contexts. Pedagogical leadership, or as it will be discussed in this chapter; leadership as pedagogy, provides a break from traditional (i.e., White) forms of leadership in educational contexts and instead strives to develop human capital among students and educators alike.
From Traditional Math Students to Math Advocates
Authors: Porter II Elijah
Published: February 2024

An apprenticeship of students in self-regulation to engage and interpret mathematics as a language is key in getting students to attend to mathematics' constant referencing to other more simpler concepts. So, with this in mind, the theme ‘teaching as activism' becomes a bilateral phenomenon in the form of a cognitive apprenticeship in self-regulation. In this view, the teacher self-regulates, and is refined by the students in order to be an effective guide to them; and the students self-regulate and are refined by the teacher to be effective apprentices. In short, everyone in the classroom learning environment takes direct action to achieve one coherent goal – high quality teaching and learning of mathematics. In a country that is so perverse in its social inequities, especially in its educational institutions, there is no better example of ‘teaching as activism' than the construction of a learning environment that is capable of producing high quality teachers and learners of mathematics when not many people thought it was possible.
My Lens My Influence
Authors: Bradford-Humphrey Karla
Published: February 2024

Students with a specific learning disability (SLD) experience grave challenges with learning in the general education (GE) setting compared to their nondisabled peers. In the 2022 Condition of Education report, Black male students with disabilities (SWD) were among the highest percentage of students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The ‘pushing out' of SWD can organize experiences of learning disengagement resulting in a lack of proficient reading ability and knowledge. This chapter explores how Black male SWD are pushed out and denied equitable education access using radical critical schooling as the framework for investigation. Through this method of investigation, the chapter will present a transformative view into the world of a Black high school educator of Black SWD from disadvantaged backgrounds and high-need, Title I schools housed in poverty-stricken, underserved, urban communities.
A Case Study on Tools and Techniques of Machine Translation of Indian Low Resource Languages
Authors: Bose Anuraj , Majumder Goutam
Published: February 2024

India, celebrated for its vast linguistic diversity with 1,599 languages (including 122 prominent ones), exemplifies the richness of language variation. Indo-Aryan languages, spoken by 70% of the population, and Dravidian languages, used by 19%, create this diverse linguistic tapestry. Effective communication in this interconnected society is crucial, and machine translation plays a pivotal role in bridging language gaps. Speech is a cost-effective mode of interaction, particularly important in a globalized world. Machine translation, a part of natural language processing (NLP), aids in overcoming language barriers. This chapter presents enlightening case studies and valuable best practices, inspiring meaningful translation efforts for low-resource language communities. Together, we can break linguistic barriers, fostering a world of boundless communication and enduring cultural treasures. Challenges like limited linguistic resources, technological deficiencies, and community engagement issues persist.
Named Entity Recognition (NER) in Low Resource Languages of Ho
Authors: Dash Satya Ranjan , Biruli Bikram , Das Yasobanta , Mgimwa Prosper Abel , Kamaldeen Muhammed Abdur Rahmaan , Fernando Aloka
Published: February 2024

The Ho tribe is an indigenous community that primarily inhabits the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, and Chhattisgarh. The Ho language, which belongs to the Austroasiatic language of Munda family, is their primary means of communication. Warang Chiti is the script for writing Ho language. Creating user-friendly tools, applications, and resources that support Ho language users in various aspects, such as typing, spell-checking, dictionary lookup, text conversion between UNICODE and 8-bit encodings, speech-to-text, and text-to-speech translation, this chapter discusses data augmentation techniques, transfer learning methods, domain adaptation strategies, and the importance of resource creation. It also emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts and community-driven initiatives to advance NER research in low resource language settings.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms for Green Computing
Authors: Choudhury Rajashri Roy , Roy Piyal , Ghosh Shivnath , Ghosh Ayan
Published: February 2024

Green computing is an innovative approach to making computer systems environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and low in carbon emissions. It uses advanced techniques from machine learning and deep learning to optimize real-time resource allocation, reducing energy consumption. This approach enhances workload patterns and uses methods like convolutional and recurrent neural networks to enhance architectural efficiency. The integration of ML and DL techniques allows for accurate temperature forecasting and alternative cooling strategies. Despite challenges, the synergistic fusion of ML and DL algorithmic software with green computing holds great promise for reducing energy consumption and enhancing environmental sustainability.
Strategies to Achieve Carbon Neutrality and Foster Sustainability in Data Centers
Authors: Gopi K. , Sharma Anil , Jhansi Rani M. R. , Praveen Kamath K. , Manickam Thirupathi , Thangam Dhanabalan , Ravindran K. , Chavadi Chandan , Pol Naveen
Published: February 2024

Data centers and transmission networks are crucial in the digital age, with the market expected to grow from $50 billion in 2021 to $120 billion by 2030. However, their extensive computing infrastructure and continuous operation generate significant heat, necessitating energy-intensive cooling systems. The IEA report revealed that data center power consumption surged by over 60% between 2015 and 2021, with transmission networks experiencing a 60% usage increase. Addressing these growing energy demands poses significant challenges for the industry, with some countries considering restrictions on new data center licenses due to environmental concerns. To mitigate the climate impact, the industry must prioritize the procurement of low-carbon or carbon-free electricity to reduce Scope 2 emissions related to electricity, heating, and cooling. Tech giants like AWS, Google, and Meta/Facebook have already adopted ambitious public targets, either running on carbon-free electricity or investing in global projects for cost-effective and large-scale emissions reduction.
Future Trends and Significant Solutions for Intelligent Computing Resource Management
Authors: Biswas Diya , Dutta Anuska , Ghosh Shivnath , Roy Piyal
Published: February 2024

Cloud providers place a high value on reducing energy consumption in cloud computing since it reduces operating costs and improves service sustainability. Cloud services are frequently replicated across providers to ensure high availability and dependability, which increases provider resource utilization and overhead. Finding the right balance between service replication and consolidation to lower energy usage and boost service uptime can be challenging for cloud resource management decision-makers. This chapter addresses this problem by presenting a ground-breaking technique known as “CRUZE,” which is based on cuckoo optimization and considers energy efficiency, dependability, and comprehensive resource management in cloud computing, encompassing cooling systems, servers, networks, and storage. Using cloud resources, effectively illuminating and executing a range of jobs, CRUZE has significantly reduced energy usage by 20.1% while improving dependability and CPU utilization by effectively illustrating and executing a variety of workloads on cloud resources that have been allocated.
Intelligent Healthcare Provisioning in Fog Using Grey Wolf Optimization
Authors: Moorthy Rajalakshmi Shenbaga , Arikumar K. S. , Prathiba Sahaya Beni , Pabitha P.
Published: February 2024

The increasing population rate plays a vital role in bringing challenges in the provisioning of health care. The data was initially collected and kept in the cloud, where the machine learning algorithm was run on the data and decisions were then transmitted back to the client device. This incurs a significant delay for transferring the data and getting back the result. Thus, in this chapter, fog layer is introduced between device layer and cloud layer for processing the sensor data. The introduction of fog layer tends to minimize the delay incurred by the cloud, as analyzing the health data is close to the device that generates the data. For conducting the best analytics on health data received from sensors, the grey wolf optimization (GWO)-based k-nearest neighbor (K-NN) is proposed. GWO K-NN is integrated in the fog nodes, which is close to the device generating the health data, thereby providing timely decisions. The proposed GWO K-NN works on the fitness of accuracy and misclassification rate of K-NN, and it models the hunting behavior of wolves.
Multi-Nodal Policy Innovation
Authors: Ramjit Dana-Marie
Published: February 2024

The unremitting challenges of healthcare access and equity are essential to our contemporary society. Acknowledging progress while underlining persistent disparities disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations is critical for health practitioners, policymakers, and global leaders. Against a geopolitical shift from a bipolar to a multipolar world characterized by increased connectivity and turbulence, the role of non-state actors in managing global health crises is indispensable. Recognizing the growing influence of these non-state actors, faith-based organizations emerge as essential partners. With their values, community ties, and dedication to service, these organizations compelled by faith-driven leadership are uniquely positioned to address global health disparities. This chapter thoroughly examines the roles and functions of faith-based organizations in healthcare, emphasizing their potential to bridge the access and equity gap in global health.
Exploring the Diverse Biomedical Applications of Hybrid Nanomaterials
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Kumar Pankaj
Published: February 2024

Hybrid nanomaterials, composed of multiple materials at the nanoscale, are driving innovation in biomedical research and technology. They offer unique properties and synergistic effects, making them versatile for various applications in biomedicine. They are currently being utilized in drug delivery, diagnostics, imaging, tissue engineering, cancer treatment, biosensors, gene therapy, antimicrobial agents, and vaccine delivery, among others. These materials also find applications in nano-immunotherapy, organ-on-a-chip systems, biomimetic designs, neuromodulation, targeted interventions, photothermal and photodynamic therapies, exosome engineering, and stem cell modulation. However, realizing their full potential requires rigorous research, safety evaluation, and regulatory approvals to facilitate their transition from advanced concepts to clinical practice. This chapter provides an overview of hybrid nanomaterials in biological and biomedical applications.
Business Transformation Projects
Authors: Trad Antoine Toni
Published: February 2024

This chapter presents the business transformation project (BTP) and the impact of over-the-top (OTT) based platforms and group work (OTTBGRW). The OTT supports employees' GRoup Work (GRW) in the context of complex collaborative professional or training-educational activities. A BTP can be supported by the OTTBGRW (BTPOTTBGRW) which uses the author's specific research project concept and artefacts like critical success factors and areas, authentic transformation framework, and an integrated decision-making system. The BTPOTTBGRW can be used in all BTP's levels, phases, and activities. The BTPOTTBGRW uses existing related standards, methodologies, cultural/technical specificities, innovation trends, and legacy business practices. A BTP includes domains, like information and communication systems (ICS), multimedia, business engineering, security, and many others. The OTTBGRW enables business organizations (simply Entity) to use agile cross-functional collaboration GRW based environments, and dynamic multimedia services'-based interaction/management concepts.
Research on Teaching Practice of English for Science and Technology Based on Multimedia Technology
Authors: Ding Yan , Dong Wei , Lu Liang , Lou Chunyi
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this paper is to study the practice of multimedia technology in the teaching of scientific and technical English. With the rapid development and popularisation of computer technology and the deepening of educational concepts, multimedia-assisted English teaching has become one of the most important foreign language teaching modes at present. This study firstly analyses the impact of multimedia technology on English teaching, secondly faces the advantages and challenges of multimedia technology in the teaching process, and finally explores the use and effect of multimedia technology in scientific and technological English teaching based on the data of the survey and research. The results of the study show that for college English teachers in colleges and universities, they should fully explore the advantages of multimedia technology in the process of using it and use it skillfully in teaching practice, which will have a positive effect on improving the quality of English teaching and deepening the reform of college English teaching.
KMS Infrastructure for KM Practice in Two Mobile Telecommunication Companies in Namibia
Authors: Mubuyaeta Mishake , Ngulube Patrick
Published: February 2024

Knowledge management system infrastructure is at the forefront of knowledge management practice. Knowledge must be identified, captured, and shared to improve KM practices; however, little is known about the successful implementation of KMS infrastructure by Namibian mobile telecommunications companies. This mixed-methods research study employed a convergent parallel design and parallel sampling techniques. Three hundred and nine online questionnaires were distributed to a representative sample, with a response rate of 57%. Computer software packages were used to analyse quantitative data quantitatively, and qualitative data from interviews with 11 participants and analysis of documents were analysed thematically. Findings showed that infrastructure, management support, and employee participation were necessary for a successful KMS infrastructure implementation for effective and efficient KM practices. The study provides MT companies with a foundational understanding of how the infrastructure for KMS is essential for effective and efficient KM practice.
An Assessment of Spatio-temporal Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics Using Landsat Time Series Data (2008-2022) in Kuliyapitiya West Divisional Secretariat Division in Kurunagala District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Withanage W. K. N. C. , Mishra P. K. , Jayasinghe B. C.
Published: February 2024

The main aim of the study is to detect the changes of land use land cover (LULC) in Kuliyapitiya West Divisional Secretariat division during 2008-2022. Following the download of Landsat images in the study area, several procedures were taken to pre-process the images. This included performing radiometric and geometric corrections to eliminate undesired sensor data and atmospheric noise. The Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) was used as the main technique of image post-processing to derive land use maps for the target years. To evaluate the accuracy of outputs 525 ground control points were verified using the Google Earth Pro engine. The classification accuracy of the study was 86% for 2008, 79 % in 2015, and 80 % in 2022. The results showed that over the past 15 years, settlements and built-up areas increased from 20.84% to 28.14% and 0.33% to 2.71%, respectively, whereas coconut lands decreased from 58.3% to 48.6%. The settlement, which showed an increase of land area of 11.9 km2 throughout the period, was identified as the main land use gainer while coconut was the main land use that lost 15.9 km2 of its land area over the past fifteen years. The built-up area showed a 3.96 km2 overall gain during the period due to urbanization and the expansion of the industrial, educational, and service sectors in the study area. The other four land use classes have not undergone any significant changes throughout the relevant time. The study highlights the importance of combining accuracy evaluation and image classification algorithms to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the LULC changes. Hence, our findings could assist decision-makers in land use planning to efficiently guide the sustainable land management.
Early interstitial ectopic pregnancy: A case report
Authors: Banagala C. , Weerasekera D. S.
Published: February 2024

No abstract available
Cervical cerclage
Authors: Dasanayake D. L. W. , Janakan S. , Rishard M. R. M. , Kadotgajan T. , Dodampahala S. H. , Marleen F. S.
Published: February 2024

No abstract available
Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices of COVID19 Among the Came-roonian Population
Authors: Njonnou Sylvain R.S. , Eloumba Esther A.M.S. , Edwige Men-do Edwige , Mboule Raissa M.E. , Sango Anne J.F. , Lekpa Fernando K. , Essomba Marie-Josiane N. , Balti Eric V. , Ouankou Christian N. , Djotah Justin , Bangbang Cedric F.E. , Sob-ze Martin S. , Choukem Simeon P.
Published: February 2024

Background: COVID19 is an emerging infectious disease that has spread all over the world and became a pandemic. Cameroon is the 7th most affected country in Africa, with most of the cases in metropoles. The main objective was to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practices of the Cameroonian populations about COVID19 infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 15th to July 15th, 2020; targeting all Cameroonians over 15 years old living in Cameroon. A standard Google Forms® questionnaire was submitted via social media (WhatsApp and Facebook particularly). The sampling was consecutive and not exhaustive. The data were processed on Excel 2016 and analyzed through EPI info 3.5. The questionnaire included knowledge, perceptions and practices about the disease’s existence, its functional signs, prevention and control. Knowledge, perceptions and practices were considered good for a response score ≥ 75% and poor for a score ≤ 25%. Intermediate scores were considered average and insufficient. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were performed to identify the factors associated with a significance level (p 0.05). Results: Of the 996 (507 males) participants, the median age was 26 ± 8 years. Health workers represented 20.8% of participants. A large proportion of the population (78.6%) had good knowledge, while more than half (56.5%) had good perceptions, but only (23.1%) had good practices. Having reached higher education (p = 0.007), and being a health worker (p = 0.0008) were associated with a good level of knowledge. High school education (p = 0.040) and being a health worker (p = 0.049) were associated mwith positive perceptions. Being employed (p = 0.003) and having secondary education level (p = 0.033) were associated with good practices. Conclusion: Knowledge and perceptions were good among the study population, but the practice level is still insufficient to effectively fight the COVID19 pandemic. Educational level, being employed or being healthcare workers were associated with good knowledge, perceptions and practices.
Role of detailed psychological evaluation and treatment in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Jacob Anna , Garg Kranti , Dutta Kashish , Saini Varinder , Aggarwal Deepak , Sidana Ajeet
Published: February 2024

Psychological co-morbidities are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but remain overlooked. Psychosocial interventions are deemed to promote mental health and optimize management. This study aimed to determine the role of detailed psychological evaluation and treatment in the comprehensive management of COPD. COPD patients after screening with the general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) for psychological co-morbidity were divided into three groups (26 patients each): i) group A [GHQ-12 score<3, received pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and standard medical management]; ii and iii) group B and C (GHQ-12 score>3, in addition, received management by a psychiatrist and counseling by a pulmonologist, respectively). At baseline and 8 weeks of follow-up, all participants were evaluated for respiratory [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), six-minute walk distance (6-MWD), St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), modified medical research council (mMRC) dyspnea scale], and psychological [GHQ-12, patient distress thermometer (PDT), coping strategy checklist (CSCL), World Health Organization-quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-Bref-26), and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS)] parameters. Psychological distress (GHQ-12>3) decreased significantly at follow-up, with 11.5% and 53.8% of patients having psychological distress in groups B and C, respectively, versus baseline (p<0.001). mMRC score, SGRQ score, FEV1 and 6-MWD significantly improved in all three groups. Improvement in mMRC and SGRQ was maximal in group B when compared with the other groups. PDT, CSCL, and WHO-QOL-Bref-26 scores improved significantly at follow-up in all three groups, with maximum improvement in group B, followed by group C, and then group A. The DASS score also improved maximally in group B. Patients should be screened for psychological co-morbidities using simple screening tools. PR plays an important role in improving the psychology of COPD patients. However, results are better with directed psycho-educative sessions by non-experts and best with definitive treatment by psychiatrists.
The Afrikaans of the Cape Muslims from 1815 to 1915
Authors: Groenewald Gerald
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
The status and political participation of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1960–2010): A critical historical reflection
Authors: Vyas-Doorgapersad Shikha , Lukamba Tshombe M.
Published: February 2024

One of the central demands of the feminist movement (which started in the 1880s globally [but first arose in France in 1870]) has been and continues to be women’s exercise of their full and active citizenship, which they consider was denied them as a result of not being recognised as equals at the moment of the definition and construction of citizenship in the eighteenth century. Since then, the women’s movement and feminist movement have denounced this exclusion, calling for equal citizenship for women. At first, between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth, the feminist movement demanded the right to vote along with other civic, civil, and political rights, considered as a first wave of feminism.1 The second wave of feminism during the 1960s and 1970s continued to demand the expansion of women’s citizenship in the case of the African continent as a whole, and called for a redefinition of the private sphere in which women were isolated. In this sphere they were excluded from certain human rights and were thus unable to fully exercise rights expressing an equal citizenship.2 In for example the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the focus for this discussion, the participation of Congolese women in the decision making of the country by 2011 was supported by the recently promulgated constitution of the DRC in 2006. The constitution promotes equal opportunity for men and women, but the current government has to date not yet achieved what was promised then. This paper is a critical historical reflection of women’s status and political participation in the DRC. It also argues that the DRC government should encourage women to become actively involved in political parties so that they are eventually able to achieve the highest office in the country in order to serve justice to human rights. Furthermore, the government should take the initiative to introduce a quota system for women in the different state structures. The paper also calls upon political parties of the DRC to encourage the participation of women in party politics.
The intersection of archaeology, oral tradition and history in the South African interior
Authors: Boeyens Jan C.A.
Published: February 2024

The historical entanglement of indigenous and colonial societies in South Africa created not only multiple points of social and cultural interaction, but also a repository of interconnected material, oral and documentary records. A multi-source, comparative approach across disciplinary boundaries is, therefore, essential to achieve a full and seamless account of late precolonial and early colonial African history. Oral tradition could serve as a bridge between archaeology and text-based history, thereby enabling historically known political lineages to be connected with the archaeological ruins of specific precolonial African towns. Similarly, documentary sources on African societies of the interior are often very limited in scope even deep into the nineteenth century, as a result of which the complementary use of archaeological methods and data becomes a methodological imperative. Three case studies from the South African interior, Marothodi, Kaditshwene and Magoro Hill, are presented to illustrate the explanatory potential of an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the more recent African past.
Swart stedelike behuisingsverskaffing in Suid-Afrika, ca. 1923-1948: “Wanneer meer minder kos” ― finansiële verliese versus welsyns- en gesondheidswinste
Authors: Sevenhuysen Karina
Published: February 2024

Since 1923, urban local authorities in South Africa were legally obliged to provide housing to urban black workers within their areas of jurisdiction. Urban black workers were “cheap” workers, resulting in local authorities to be confronted by financial obligations and problems, which completely overwhelmed them. Therefore, many authorities neglected their housing obligations and unhygienic conditions, and slums were a common sight in urban black townships. This was detrimental to the health of black workers as well as their white co-workers. Furthermore, this situation affected the economy negatively, as well as the relationships between whites and blacks. This article investigates the housing and financial legislation urban local authorities had to comply with in order to provide urban blacks with housing; the assistance, if any, that local authorities received from the central authority (state); the financial implications if local authorities fulfilled their obligations; and the eventual profits and losses this fulfilment held for such local authorities and the black inhabitants in their municipal townships. The actions of the Port Elizabeth local authority will be discussed as a case-study: this authority managed, despite enormous financial losses, to fulfil their obligations, resulting in the realisation that more actually cost less, and that financial losses resulted in lasting social and health gains.
Geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika van voortye tot vandag
Authors: De Klerk Pieter
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
Navigating the hills and voluntary confinement: Magweja and the socio-economic and political negotiation for space in the diamond mining landscape of Chiadzwa in Zimbabwe, 2006-2009
Authors: Nyamunda Tinashe , Mukwambo Patience , Nyandoro Mark
Published: February 2024

This article focuses on the socio-economic and political experiences of the artisanal diamond miners and the various communities within the hills of Chiadzwa situated in the Marange area of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. The diamond rush by Magweja which can be traced back to 2006 ended in 2009 with the violent expulsion of Magweja in January 2009 under operation “dzokera kumusha”. This phase in the country’s mining history has popularly been characterised by the miners as a “free for all” period. Although there is a lot of emerging literature focusing on different aspects of Chiadzwa and indeed the activities of magweja, none has focused on the physical and corporeal dimensions operating within that landscape and how this was informed by shifting political, economic and social conditions. Using at different times, law enforcement, state security and military apparatus, the state increasingly assumed a secure hold over the area as a way of protecting the natural resources of the country from exploitation. The magweja felt they were not only being subordinated to a strong and powerful state, but they were being deprived, since the inception of Chiadzwa, of the right to enjoy the wealth that naturally flows from a diamond mining activity located in their district. This is what propelled the miners to devise adaptation and survival strategies which in turn engendered the relationship of conflict between the state and the artisanal mining community in Chiadzwa from 2006 to 2009. The article explores this interaction and its intricacies with particular reference to the material conditions that affected the magweja as part of their negotiation for space within the diamondiferous landscape. In the beginning, entry into this lucrative mining enterprise was relatively easier, but later it became increasingly difficult culminating in the eventual expulsion and exclusion of magweja from diamond extraction. In the entire period from 2006 to 2009, magweja could not construct any settlement or living structures in this habitat which had become a home for many of them. Ironically, for a place that had vast economic potential for all involved, Chiadzwa came to be identified simply as “musango” (bush or thicket) or “kumunda” (the field) where the artisanal miners sought to eke out a living under the literally open, unsheltered landscape. The article thus characterises magweja’s entry into the highly policed and increasingly militarised Chiadzwa fields as acquiescing to voluntary confinement. It also traces the trajectory of individual and collective experiences and memories of magweja as a specific and important factor in the early diamond extraction narratives. State involvement is perceived and portrayed as a bane to the economic well-being of the local community.
Suid-Afrika buite die Kaapkolonie in die tydperk 1650-1800 – interpretasies van vakhistorici
Authors: De Klerk Pieter
Published: February 2024

During the period 1650 to 1800 the Dutch colony at the Cape expanded gradually, to include, ultimately, almost the western half of South Africa. Studies about this period in South African history deal mainly with the Cape Colony. Research on developments in the eastern half of South Africa during the same period has been done by archeologists and anthropologists, but also by a small group of historians. In order to have a good understanding of the major trends in South African history, academic historians have to be familiar with developments in the region to the east and the northeast of the Cape Colony before 1800. In this article published texts by professional historians about aspects of the history of the eastern half of South Africa during the period 1650 to 1800 are examined. The article focuses on three issues: the general characteristics of these studies; the importance that historians attach to Western influence on developments in this area; and the integration of these developments by writers of historical overviews within the broader context of general South African history. It is concluded that academic historians have not been able to provide more than a vague outline of the history of this area before 1750. On the period after 1750 more research has been done, and scholars have pointed out that direct and indirect contact with European traders, and also with travellers and invaders with a partially European background, had a strong impact on the Bantu-speaking peoples. The history of the eastern half of South Africa during the period 1650 to 1800 does not figure prominently in recent historical overviews. There are, however, a few notable exeptions. The texts of Van Aswegen, Parsons and Giliomee Mbenga can be regarded as examples of a new effort to treat developments in the area outside the Cape Colony before 1800 as important elements in describing and interpreting the main trends in the history of South Africa.
Mental health issues and lifestyle changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescents: A cross-sectional study in selected schools of Eastern India
Authors: Gupta Medha , Sarangi Rachita , Sharma Sumita , Patnaik Lipilekha
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), adolescents from all over the world have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. This study attempts to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent mental health and lifestyle issues. The study also focuses on coping strategies adopted by the participants during the pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

It was a cross-sectional study performed among school-going adolescents studying from classes VII to X of selected schools in Bhubaneswar. A semi-structured questionnaire was formed and validated by faculty members of the Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Community Medicine, IMS and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, to obtain a detailed history regarding lifestyle changes, mental health issues, and coping strategies. Randomly, three schools were selected in Bhubaneswar. Permission from the principal, informed written consent from parents, and assent from students were obtained before the study. A total of 711 participants were enrolled in the study. All data were entered in an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26.

RESULTS:

Middle and high school students also experienced lifestyle changes; however, it was revealed that high school students experienced higher mental health problems, such as mood swings. Additionally, compared to males, girls substantially more frequently experienced academic stress, sleep difficulties, and worry, as well as the development of unhealthy habits. Various coping strategies developed by the students included development of a new hobby (45.4%), spending time with family members (12.8%), learning by playing indoor games (8.4%), computer skills (3.9%), and meditation (2.25%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The lockdown, apprehension of pandemic and associated morbidity, fear of losing loved ones, academic and peer pressures, and sudden adjustment to new study methods contributed to the changes experienced by adolescents physically and mentally; hence, all of these issues were addressed in this study. This study pointed toward the need for the propagation of adolescent mental health awareness during pandemics.
Migraine and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lim Camelia Qi En , Teo Yao Neng , Li Tony Yi-Wei , Teo Yao Hao , Syn Nicholas Li-Xun , Leow Aloysius Sheng-Ting , Ho Jamie Sin-Ying , Lim Toon Wei , Seow Swee-Chong , Chan Mark Yan Yee , Wong Raymond Ching Chiew , Chai Ping , Chan Amanda Chee Yun , Sharma Vijay Kumar , Tan Benjamin Yong-Qiang , Yeo Leonard Leong Litt , Ong Jonathan Jia Yuan , Sia Ching-Hui
Published: February 2024

Background:

Patients with migraines, particularly those with auras, may present with stroke. Atrial fibrillation is a known risk factor for stroke. With common pathophysiological factors between migraines and atrial fibrillation, we aimed to clarify the association between migraine and atrial fibrillation in this systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods:

A literature search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane electronic bibliographic databases from inception to 5 September 2022 with the following inclusion criteria: (a) cohort or cross-sectional studies; (b) studies that included only patients aged ≥18 years; and (c) studies that examined the association between atrial fibrillation and migraines. Exclusion criteria were case–control studies and the studies that included patients with previous diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or nonmigrainous headache. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies.

Results:

Six studies were included, demonstrating a pooled prevalence of atrial fibrillation of 1.61% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51, 3.29) in migraine with aura and 1.32% (95% CI 0.17, 3.41) in migraine without aura. The overall prevalence of atrial fibrillation in migraine was 1.39% (95% CI 0.24, 3.46).

Conclusion:

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with migraine was low. Further studies are needed to clarify this relationship.
Highly Efficient Maximum Power Point Tracking Control Technique for PV System Using Different Controller and Converter with Modular Multilevel Inverter
Authors: C Pavithra , R Partha Sarathy , M P Palanivelrajan , S Ladika , R K Prijith Nagaraj
Published: February 2024

In order to operate photovoltaic (PV) systems using maximum power point tracking (MPPT), three distinct combinations of controllers and converters are proposed in this research and compared. Using MATLAB/Simulink simulation, these strategies are assessed based on the output parameters of time, power, and current. The demand on power production has increased manifold in recent years and on the other hand, the conventional resources utilized for it will be vanished in near future. The requirement of PV based generation is getting increased.  The procedure of getting solar energy from a solar panel is common. With MPPT, here the output obtained must be the same quantity of energy even when the source of that energy is partially available. Climate change and other issues could be to blame for this inefficiency.  In this project three distinct converters and three distinct controllers have been compared. All three converters are linked to each controller individually, and measurements of current, voltage, and power are analysed. By which the result is obtained. After the comparison of nine outputs, the most powerful and efficient combination is identified. By doing this, the converters and controllers produce high D.C voltage. Direct voltage transmission to the MMI. A.C. voltage is created by converting D.C. voltage. Increase the MMI's output by doing this. The voltage generated by the MMI is sent to the grid for domestic usage. Even when the source is not readily available, the solar panel's voltage can still be used.