bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intrusion Detection System with a Modified DASO Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Deore Bhushan , Bhosale Surendra
Published: May 2022

The Dolphin Atom Search Optimization (DASO) is modified in the proposed work. The Bayesian information gain model has the naïve-bayes classifier centered on the parameters, which include Information Gain (IG), Class-wide Information Gain (CIG), and mutual information. The information is fed to the ID phase for processing at the Deep RNN classifier and the performance is tested with the developed proposed algorithm. An optimization algorithm proposed, is based on the ‘Bayesian information gain model’ to tune the weights in order to generate effective detection decisions through the fitness measure. The updated information at the selection segment is processed. The performance is outlayed on the general metrics including accuracy, sensitivity, and selectivity and it is better than the results with the existing algorithms. Enhancement performance is observed with the machine learning and Deep Recurrent Neural Network techniques. The proposed DASO is developed by integrating the Dolphin Echolocation (DE) with the Atom Search Optimization (ASO).
Nanoporous Gas Transport in Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Ogoun Evans , Ogunlude Priscilla , Abunomah Ofasa , Gobina Edward
Published: May 2022

In more conventional gas reservoirs, gas flow is simple, uncomplicated, and described by simple flux pressure drop expressions. In shale reservoirs however, this relationship takes the form of a more complex and multiscale flow process involving special flow mechanisms. Shale gas reservoirs often contain a significant number of nanopores leading to an apparent permeability that depends on pore fluid type, pore structure and pressure differentials. The complex geometry of shale reservoirs has drastically stimulated basic research on the transport mechanisms involved in the extraction of gas from shale formations. This study is aimed at studying the gas flow in nano pores. In this paper, permeation experiments for methane flow through nanoporous membranes were conducted and the effect of the pore size and pressure on the behaviour of the gas was analysed. The results obeyed the criteria to divide the flow stage into Darcy and Non-Darcy flow. As the pressure increases, the reservoir permeability also increases, and the gas tends to move faster thereby increasing the rate at which it flows per unit area in the system regardless of the temperature difference which means pressure gradient establishes the direction and rate of flow of gas in a reservoir.
Developing Nature of Science Ideas and Orientations at the Graduate Level: Better Late Than Never
Authors: McClain Jessica , Cesljarev Claire , Zhong Qiu , Rahman Shukufe , Liu Conghui , Phillips Andrea , Ariyaratne Tulana , Akerson Valarie L.
Published: May 2022

This paper describes the improved science conceptions and orientations for teaching about Nature of Science that resulted in a group of doctoral students who took a Nature of Science graduate course. This paper was a result of a panel discussion at the 2021 International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (IConSES) in Chicago, IL. The format took a reflective view on the past course, and how the doctoral students made changes in their ideas about NOS and their teaching practices. Reflections were made across themes that included Early ideas about NOS, our orientations to teaching about NOS, the world outside our window, and teaching NOS, and teaching NOS, past, present and future. Recommendations are made for beginning NOS instruction as early as kindergarten and embedding it in science content throughout all science education, making it a part of instruction similar to how scientific practices are similar to instruction.
A Study on the Perceptions of EFL Students towards Using the Cambridge Unlock Classroom App
Authors: Zaid Mohammad , Shehada Suzan
Published: May 2022

This paper deals with the importance of integrating Cambridge Classroom App in the classroom. The researchers based the idea of the study upon the newly published second edition of Unlock Series titled Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking alongside Listening and Speaking and Critical thinking. Side by side with the online Cambridge accounts, students should download a mobile application known as “Cambridge Pocket”, which is easily accessible by students via App store and Android systems. In fact, this paper aims at analysing the attitudes of Birzeit University students towards the integrated mobile application within their English language curriculum (Cambridge Unlock). It precisely reveals important findings concerning how responsively, emotionally, motivationally and educationally this application works. All such hypotheses and questions have been clarified quantitatively and qualitatively. To achieve this purpose, 120 students were randomly selected from Unlock B1.2., Intermediate English and given a questionnaire. Concerning the qualitative data, it has been sought by analysing students’ responses to a set of open-ended questions within the questionnaire in order to reflect on their experience with the second edition of Unlock Books. Hence, this research shows the importance of integrating such apps within the English language classroom.
Effectiveness of Integrating Drawing in Teaching English Language in Intellectual Disability Classroom
Authors: Alhassan Bawa , Osei Mavis
Published: May 2022

Children with intellectual disabilities have difficulties in language acquisition and learning in general and therefore demands specialized and effective instructional strategies. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to examine effectiveness of integrating drawing, as a specialized instruction, in teaching English Language to children with intellectual disabilities. Quasi-experiment was employed with which pre-test and post-test of both control and experimental groups were analyzed. The results saw the experimental group performing better in the post-test results as compared to the control group, proving that integrating drawing in teaching English Language is an effective instructional strategy. Therefore, the researchers recommend that teachers and other educational implementers working with children with intellectual disabilities should consider integrating drawing in teaching and learning of English Language.
Repositioning the Field of Socio-Cultural Foundations under the Efficiency-Driven Reform in Teacher Education
Authors: Jatuporn Omsin
Published: May 2022

This article examines how qualification frameworks for Bachelor of Education and the Thai Teachers Council regulations on teaching professional standard affect the status of knowledge of socio-cultural foundations in teacher education institutions. The researcher used document analysis, in-depth interview and field observations with 7 teacher educators from 7 teacher education institutions. Findings indicate that socio-cultural foundations courses are still present in the teacher education program, and there is integration of the subject matters of philosophy and sociology of education. In addition, the everyday life discursive practices of teacher educators are the implementation of the teacher education curriculum reflecting negotiation, resistance, or articulation process between policy and practices. As a critical active agent in their own cultural politics, teacher educators are the most important actors influencing the status of knowledge of the field of socio-cultural foundations in teacher education institutions.
Meta-Analysis on the Effectiveness of Using the Drama Approach in Social Studies Course
Authors: Yildirim Esat , Tikman Fatih , Senturk Mehmet
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to explore the effect size of the drama approach used in the social studies course on academic achievement through the meta-analysis method in the Turkish sample. The academic studies included in this study were searched at the following databases, namely, National Thesis Centre of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), ULAKBİM TR Index, Google Scholar, and Scopus by using the keywords “creative drama”, “drama”, and “dramatization”. As a result of the database search, the meta-analysis was carried out with 31 academic studies, including 26 master’s theses, 2 doctoral dissertations, and 3 academic papers, all conducted on the effect of drama approach on academic achievement in social studies course. The data related to the studies included in the meta-analysis were analyzed by entering them into the CMA (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis) and MetaWin software programs. Due to the fact that the studies included in our meta-analysis were heterogeneous to one another, effect sizes were calculated according to the random effects model. In addition to this, grade levels, the weeks of application, and the number of samples were identified and analyzed as moderator variables. The results showed that the drama approach used in the social studies course had a positive and significant impact on students’ academic achievement. Nevertheless, the moderator analyses indicated that the grade level, the week of application, and the number of samples led to no change in the effect size on academic achievement. No publication bias was found in the studies included in the analysis. Based on the results of the study, we have made a number of recommendations for future research to be conducted on the drama approach for teaching purposes in the social studies course.
Seeing the Invisible: A Retrospective Examination of Education during COVID-19
Authors: Atak Veli , Yaşar Hasan , Purzer Senay
Published: May 2022

In this article, we examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. We combined collaborative inquiry and photo-eliciting methods to examine education with a reflective lens and understand changes that occurred during the pandemic. A principal and a vice principal working in different public schools adopted the dual roles of being researchers and participants. The main data source was the conversation that emerged as we reviewed classroom and school photos taken by the participant researchers. The central theme that emerged from the analysis was that the COVID-19 pandemic made the invisible visible, along with two sub-themes: a) The teacher's source of motivation is the student, while the student's source of motivation is the teacher and b) Students care and grow when they can be a part of the history, culture, and story of their school. The pandemic made the importance of human connection in education evident. The findings of the study offer solutions and recommendations informing future education.
Development of the Estimation Skills Self-Efficiency Scale for Pre-Service Teachers
Authors: Er Zübeyde , Dinç Artut Perihan , Bal Ayten Pınar
Published: May 2022

Estimation skills matters most for both daily life and mathematics education. Teachers have great responsibilities in helping students acquire estimation skills. In this context, it can be said that investigating the pre-service teachers’ sense of efficacy about their estimation skills deems important. In this regard, in this study, it was aimed to develop a reliable and valid scale to determine pre-service teachers' self-efficacy for estimation skills. Accordingly, in this quantitative research, a 40-item draft scale was developed based on literature review and expert opinions. Psychometric properties of the scale was tested on data obtained from 158 pre-service teachers. While developing the scale, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, Guttman Split Half and Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficients were calculated. As a result of the analyses, the percentage of total variance explained for the scale consisting of 20 items and 4 factors was estimated as 69%. The model-fit-indices obtained from the confirmatory factor analysis were acceptable. Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient value for the entire scale was found.90. As a result of the research, a valid and reliable 5-point Likert-type Estimation Skills Self-Efficacy Scale was developed to measure the pre-service teachers’ sense of efficacy about their estimation skills. It is thought that this research will contribute to the relevant literature, considering that there is no scale aimed at measuring the self-efficacy perceptions of pre-service teachers in the related literature.
Action Research Skills Among Public School Teachers: A Cross-Cultural Study
Authors: Albalawi Aishah , Johnson Lynn Nations
Published: May 2022

This study aims to determine the degree of public school teachers’ skills regarding action research. The study sample included public school teachers from the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, US (n=20), and Tabuk, Saudi Arabia (n=30). The researchers adopted a descriptive approach to address the study’s open-ended questions; Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software was employed to analyze the data collected in this study. The results of the study showed that previously conducted action research played an important role in supporting qualitative educational research among Saudi Arabian teachers, contributing to the improvement of the teaching environment and helping teachers to solve students’ problems via action research.
Attitudes towards Sports Tourism and Perception of Negative Effects of Tourism: An Investigation of Teachers’ Views
Authors: Atilgan Davut , Tukel Yalcin
Published: May 2022

This study seeks to examine teachers' attitudes towards sports tourism as well as their perceptions of the negative effects of tourism. In order to determine the attitudes and perceptions of the teachers, the differentiation status of the participants in terms of some demographic variables was examined. As a result of the research, it was determined that the scores of participants' attitudes towards sports tourism were high and that the average score of the economic sub-scale was high in terms of the perceptions of the negative effects of tourism, while the average scores of the environmental and socio-cultural sub-scales were at a moderate level. Significant relationships were found in terms of branch and age variables included in the attitude scale towards sports tourism while there was no significant difference in terms of gender and marital status variables. Besides, while there was no statistically significant difference in the economic and environmental sub-scales in terms of gender and marital status variables in the perception scale for the negative effects of tourism, a statistically significant difference was found in the socio-cultural sub-scale. While there was no significant difference in the branch variable in the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural sub-scales of the perception scale for the negative effects of tourism, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of the age variable. As a result of the correlation analysis, a negative, low-level, and statistically significant relationship was found between the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural sub-scales in terms of independent variables under the perception scale of the negative effects of tourism and the scores of the attitude scale towards sports tourism. Thus, teachers' attitudes towards sports tourism and their perceptions of the negative effects of tourism were determined in terms of different variables.
Investigation of Gifted 5th Grade 'Students' Proof Skills
Authors: Er Zubeyde , Dinc Artut Perihan
Published: May 2022

This study investigates the proof skills of gifted 5th-grade students. The study was conducted using the document analysis method, a type of qualitative study. The study included 25 students, 11 females and 14 males, all diagnosed as gifted and attending fifth grade in the center of the city in southern Turkey. The sample of the group was selected by the method of convenient sampling. A sample proof test with 6 items was used as an instrument for data collection. The written and visual data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. Balacheff's proof levels were used to characterize the pupils' responses. According to the findings, 7.33 percent of the students' answers were at Level 4, 13.33 percent at Level 3, 32.66 percent at Level 1, and 46.66 percent at Level 2. The majority of the pupils' answers were deemed to be at Level 2 Crucial Experiment.
Towards a New Learning Ecology: A Critical Participatory Action Research for a Transformative Mission
Authors: Summak M.Semih
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study is to serve as a self-transformative process targeting undergraduate students’ professional perspectives, sayings, doings and meaning makings on the conventional classroom management thought by introducing them to the possibilities of Web 3.0 technologies. The study was designed as a critical participatory action research (CPAR) and conducted with the participation of 46 undergraduate students (29 female, 17 male) from English Language Teaching department during the first term of 2019-2020 academic year (just before the COVID-19 closures) in Gaziantep University. To guide participants, a Video Clip Assessment Rubric was developed collaboratively. Critical self-reflections and in-class discussions were the sources of data. A great majority of the participants reflected that flipped learning could be a promising alternative over conventional pedagogies. They also declared the need for a comprehensive preparation and professional guidance in video clip casting for flipped classes. The most outstanding actionable knowledge, on the part of participants, produced by this CPAR would be the internal transformation enabled through reinterpretation of the facts and first hand learning experiences they encountered. Some further suggestions are made for the redesign of conventional classroom management courses at undergraduate level.
Self-Leadership and Leisure Management of Sports Science Students in the Online Education Process
Authors: Karagöz Şeniz , Dinç Halime , Kaya Didem Gülçin
Published: May 2022

The aim of this research is to examine the self-leadership and leisure management of the students of the Faculty of Sports Sciences in the online education process. The sample group of the research is formed from the students studying in different departments of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, in the 2020-2021 academic year, a total of 195 students, including 97 female and 98 male.  As a data collection tool, "Self-Leadership Scale", "Leisure Management Scale" and "Personal Information Form" consisting of demographic variables were used in the research. In the data analysis, descriptive statistical methods, t test from independent samples, and one-way Variance Analysis (ANOVA) were used. In addition, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to determine the subdimensions of the relevant scales and correlation analysis to determine the relationship between the scales. In line with the findings of the study, it was determined that the self-leadership levels of the students of the Faculty of Sports Sciences during the online education process were close to perfect, and the levels of leisure management were close to good. In some subdimensions of the relevant scales; a significant difference according to gender, age and department variables has been found. A low-level meaningful relationship between self-leadership and leisure management has also been found. As a result of the research, it was determined that the Faculty of Sports Sciences students with formal education experience had a better level of self-leadership and leisure management than the students who participated directly in the educational process online.
Systematic Review of Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Hard Skills Training in Virtual Reality Environments
Authors: Laine Joakim , Lindqvist Timo , Korhonen Tiina , Hakkarainen Kai
Published: May 2022

Advances in immersive virtual reality (I-VR) technology have allowed for the development of I-VR learning environments (I-VRLEs) with increasing fidelity. When coupled with a sufficiently advanced computer tutor agent, such environments can facilitate asynchronous and self-regulated approaches to learning procedural skills in industrial settings. In this study, we performed a systematic review of published solutions involving the use of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) to support hard skills training in an I-VRLE. For the seven solutions that qualified for the final analysis, we identified the learning context, the implemented system, as well as the perceptual, cognitive, and guidance features of the utilized tutoring agent. Generally, the I-VRLEs emulated realistic work environments or equipment. The solutions featured either embodied or embedded tutor agents. The agents’ perception was primarily based on either learner actions or learner progress. The agents’ guidance actions varied among the solutions, ranging from simple procedural hints to event interjections. Several agents were capable of answering certain specific questions. The cognition of the majority of agents represented variations on branched programming. A central limitation of all the solutions was that none of the reports detailed empirical studies conducted to compare the effectiveness of the developed training and tutoring solutions.
A Bibliographic Perspective of Flipped Classroom Studies in Science Education
Authors: Çevik Aynur , Metin Mustafa , Kaya Hasan
Published: May 2022

The aim of study is to specify bibliographically analyses 72 articles published between 2010 and 2020 in the field of science regarding the flipped classroom model. In the study, bibliographic analysis variables such as the year of the studies, research areas, keywords, the most publishing journals, organizations, countries, cited studies, the cooperation network of the authors and the indexes scanned were determined and analyzed descriptively. According to the results of the study, the most publications regarding the flipped classroom model in science education were in the field of chemistry education between 2018 and 2020, and flipped classroom, chemistry, science education and STEM were used as keywords. In addition, it has been determined that the countries with the highest number of publications in this field are USA and Turkey, the most publishing organizations are Near East University and the most published journal is Journal of Chemical Education. Furthermore, it is seen that the most cited work in the reviewed studies was written by Jamie L. Jensen, the authors with the most author collaboration network were Marie Barnard and the indexes including the most publications were Scopus and Web of Science.
Development and Validation of Simulation-Based Instructional Materials on Central Dogma of Molecular Biology for Senior High School
Authors: Cano Junar S.
Published: May 2022

Despite the advantages proffered by technology in science education, little has been done to develop and validate innovative technology-based instructional materials on Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. It is imperative to test any newly generated instructional materials to validate their quality before being widely used. Hence, this study aimed to validate the developed simulation-based instructional materials on Central Dogma of Molecular Biology for Senior High School. This study utilized Research and Development (RD) design involving 50 Grade 12 STEM learners and 15 Biology education experts chosen through purposive sampling. Results revealed that experts strongly agreed that the developed simulation-based instructional materials on Central Dogma of Molecular Biology have content, technical, and instructional qualities. Meanwhile, the pretest and posttest results revealed that the learners demonstrated significant conceptual improvement from approaching proficiency to advanced mastery level in Central Dogma of Molecular Biology concepts. Further, the learners' pretest and posttest mean scores on the concepts differed significantly (p0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that the developed simulation-based instructional materials be used to complement in teaching Central Dogma of Molecular Biology.
Students' Opinions about the Educational Use of the Metaverse
Authors: Talan Tarik , Kalinkara Yusuf
Published: May 2022

This study aims to determine students' opinions about the educational use of the Metaverse. The study was conducted during the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The sample of the study consists of 34 second-year students at the Department of Computer Engineering of a state university in the Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey. The students participated in and evaluated the Metaverse. After the application, interviews were conducted with the participants to find out the students' opinions about Metaverse. In this study, a mixed-method in which both qualitative and quantitative research methods were considered together was used. As a result of the study, it was found that the majority of students had never used Metaverse before, but wanted to use the Metaverse environment in the classroom. Students indicated that Metaverse can be used in many fields and disciplines. However, they were hesitant to use Metaverse in all faculty courses. Students believe that the Metaverse can enhance their knowledge of the subject. In addition, students consider that Metaverse can make the course content more enjoyable and increase their motivation for the course. They also believe that Metaverse has pedagogical advantages and will be used in the classroom in the near future. As for the disadvantages, they mentioned that Metaverse makes learning difficult and distracted, students disconnected from real life, and violates class discipline.
IMPLEMENTASI PERATURAN MAHKAMAH AGUNG NOMOR 1 TAHUN 2016 TENTANG MEDIASI DALAM PERKARA PERCERAIAN DI PENGADILAN AGAMA SELONG
Authors: PutraAdi Krisna
Published: May 2022

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan menganalisa penerapan Peraturan Mahkamah Agung Nomor 1 Tahun 2016 tentang Mediasi pada penyelesaian sengketa perceraian dan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi keberhasilan mediasi pada penyelesaian sengketa perceraian di Pengadilan Agama Selong.
Diabetes y obesidad. Dos enfermedades enlazadas
Authors: Bragagnolo Julio César , Frechtel Gustavo , Mazza Carmen Sylvia
Published: May 2022

La obesidad es una enfermedad crónica, progresiva y recurrente. Es esta la descripción sencilla, firme y basada en la evidencia que organizaciones y sociedades cientí cas de renombre y relevancia global usan en la actualidad. La obesidad migró en su consideración desde un factor de riesgo a una enfermedad primaria. No solo es una condición subyacente a enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles -como la enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV), la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) o el cáncer, entre otras- sino que es una enfermedad perse que afecta a la población en forma epidémica, universal y a cualquier edad.
Exploring gender relations in Shamsie’s Home Fire: A symbolic interaction perspective
Authors: Akbar Maryam , Qasim Zareena
Published: May 2022

The present study examines Kamila Shamsie’s novel Home Fire (2017) for gender roles and demonstrates how gender roles determine the characters’ individuality in the text. The study has employed symbolic interaction theory to explore gender roles in the selected text. Mead (1964) and Blumer’s (1969) concepts of interaction and interpretation have been adopted to analyse gender roles. The probe into the text finds Home Fire an objective example of gender equality in terms of behaviours, professions, power, and appearance. The novel presents gender roles in natural and unique situations rather than in stereotypical ways. Shamsie has portrayed modern men and women performing distinct roles in society without engendering them. All characters behave according to their circumstances and individual personality patterns. Shamsie has maintained a terrific balance between male and female characters and has not presented women as victims or overburdened with the duties or responsibilities; nevertheless, she has presented genuine people who act differently in varying situations according to their temperaments.
IMPACT OF HYDROLYZED CAMEL´S WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE ON SOFT CHEESE QUALITY
Authors: Adel Ekbal , Nafei Eman , Elbarbary Hend , Mohammed Hamdi
Published: May 2022

Purpose: The current study’s aim is to investigate the effect of hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate (WPC) derived from camel’s milk on quality and organoleptic properties of soft cheese during refrigerated storage.

Methodology:  Two concentrations (10 and 20 mg/g) of camel´s WPC and its hydrolysates [pepsin (P) and pepsin-trypsin (P-T) hydrolysates] were incorborated in to soft cheese and their effects on total bacterial, phsychrophilic, aerobic spore formers, coliforms and yeast & mold counts were calculated till end of refrigerated storage peroid. Also, flavour, texture and appearance of treated cheese groups were evaluated compared to control one.                                                        

Findings: The results revealed that the higher concentration of WPC and its hydrolysates, the more significant decrease in the microbial load and increase the shelf life up to 34th days with P-T hydrolysate (20 mg/g) compared with the control with               a shelf-life of 18th days only at refrigerated temperature (4oC).This hydrolysate showed also the highest degree of hydrolysis (DH%) of 34.06% ± 1.53 and protein concentration of 30.72%± 3.16. The maximum score for body, and texture and appearance was recorded for the cheese sample containing P-T hydrolysate (20 mg/g), while the maximum flavour score was recorded to pepsin (P) hydrolysate (10 mg/g), compared with unhydrolyzed WPC concentrations and control soft cheese groups.  

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study was conducted to elaborate antimicrobials from camel´s WPC after enzymatic hydrolysis which could serve as a potential natural presrvatives in soft cheese without altering the sensory characteristics.
A szervezeti kultúra és a vezetés kapcsolata
Authors: Szabó Tamás , Molnár Edina
Published: May 2022

Napjainkban a szervezetek hatékony és a sikeres működéséhez elengedhetetlen a megfelelő szervezeti kultúra kialakítása és fenntartása, amely elsősorban a vezető feladata és felelőssége. Tanulmány célja, kvantitív és kvalitítv módszerek segítségével meghatározni a szervezeti kultúra és a vezetés között meghúzódó kapcsolatotokat. Kvantitatív kutatás során áttekintjük a téma szempontjából releváns hazai és nemzetközi szakirodalmak széles skáláját. A szakirodalmi áttekintést követően a kutatók által gyakran alkalmazott OCAI kérdőív segítségével próbáljuk meghatározni a munkavállalók szervezetére jellemző kultúra-típust illetve a dolgozók számára ideális kultúra-típust. A kérdőív leadership dimenzióját külön vizsgáljuk, ugyanezen elvek szerint. Az eredmények alapján megállapíthatóvá válik a munkavállaló jelenlegi illetve a számára ideális vezetés jellemzői.
Mathematical Models for Predicting the Mechanical Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid) for Load-Bearing Applications
Authors: Aworinde Abraham , Ajewole Titus , Olukayode Olakunle , Dirisu Joseph
Published: May 2022

In order to widen the areas of application of poly (lactic acid) (PLA), there has been a multiplicity of experiments. This study attempts to develop mathematical models for predicting the mechanical properties of PLA to reduce the number of experimental runs and material wastage. The melt-cast method produced unreinforced PLA samples with different slenderness ratios (λ) in triplicate using. The samples were subjected to a compression test to obtain the mechanical properties captured at three main points on the stress-strain curve: yield, ultimate stress, and fracture. Regression models were developed from the data obtained at the three points, and their validity was examined by testing them against the previous relevant experimental studies from various authors. The coefficient of determination (R2) and coefficient of correlation (ρ) was also examined for each model to establish their degree of correctness further. Analyses show that the developed models give reasonable approximations of some of the properties examined. The mass (M) and the modulus of elasticity (E) were the most accurately predictable properties with [R2, ρ] of [99.97%, 0.9998] and [91.55%, 0.9568], respectively. Results also show that apart from the melt-cast method, the compressive modulus of PLA (both circular and rectangular cross-sections test samples) produced via injection molding and fused filament fabrication can be predicted with near accuracy using the model developed in this study. This study gives researchers the tools needed to avoid material wastage by having close-to-real values of the mechanical properties of PLA through prediction before carrying out any experiment.
External Skeletal Fixator to Stabilize the Orthopedic Conditions in Avian Species: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series
Authors: Taiyari Hossein , Abu Jalila
Published: May 2022

Orthopedic conditions are among the most frequent avian emergency cases admitted to veterinary hospitals and clinics. An external skeletal fixator is commonly used as surgical treatment in avian orthopedics. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the use of external skeletal fixator (ESF) in published cases of avian orthopedics. Four electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant case reports and case series. Altogether, 24 primary reports met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 16 reports were case reports; and eight were case series. In total, 166 avian patients with different orthopedic conditions were undergone ESF stabilization techniques; and raptor species formed the majority of the patients. The characteristics of the fractured bone were the key factor in the suitability of different ESF techniques. In addition, other factors such as type, location, and severity of the orthopedic condition should be considered. ESF implants are promising techniques for treating avian orthopedic conditions, as the complications related to the fixators were few, and the percentage of successfully released raptors was high. Unfortunately, there are so many cases of avian orthopedics that were not published. Considering this caveat, it is not easy to draw a firm conclusion on this topic. However, this paper can serve as a guiding principle for clinicians.
Esterification of Acetin Production from By-Products of Biodiesel Industry Using Heterogeneous Catalysts Based on Wetland Commodities
Authors: Heryani Hesty , Ghofur Abdul , Chairunnisa Nursiah
Published: May 2022

The peculiarities of wetland commodities are unique and can produce new materials which function as catalysts. The objective was to determine the best catalyst components, crystalline properties, pore size, catalyst morphology, and selectivity in producing acetin. The research started with sampling, sorting, purification, extraction, catalyst synthesis, characterization, and determining the molar ratio between glycerol sourced from biodiesel industry by-products and CH3COOH. Determination of catalyst components by XRF spectrometry, crystallinity by XRD, pore size by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and morphology of the resulting catalyst used SEM/EDS. Selectivity of the target compound in the form of acetin, either monoacetin, diacetin, or triacetin, used GC-MS. The catalyst of orange peels obtained silica 29.201% and alumina 4.115%, pineapple leaves obtained silica 34.072% and alumina 0.074%, and sugar palm peels obtained silica 40.017% and alumina 0.953%. The diffractogram results showed that all heterogeneous catalysts had sharp-narrow peaks, meaning the crystallinity of the sample was high according to the typical peak of SiO2. The pore size of the orange peel catalyst was 4.328 nm with a surface area of 263.475 m2 g-1, the pineapple leaf catalyst was 4.850 nm and 35.983 m2 g-1, and the sugar palm peel catalyst was 5.658 nm and 10.884 m2 g-1. The results of the morphological test of orange peels were composed of a very heterogeneous dense porous structure; pineapple leaves were amorphous, while sugar palm peels were composed of small, irregular pores. All the resulting heterogeneous catalysts met the characteristics of standard SiO2 silica catalysts. The best acetin selectivity result is a 1:9 molar ratio.
DFT-Based Reversible Watermarking Method for Image Ownership Protection
Authors: Abdulmajeed Ansam Osamah , Mohamed Sundus Abdulmuttalib
Published: May 2022

The Performance of Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)-based watermarking methods has been carefully examined in the literature. Although the watermark in most of the literature was embedded in the DFT magnitudes using bit plane embedding, it was recently embedded in the Direct Current (DC) coefficient in the spatial domain. However, data loss due to rounding and replacement operations are still evident. Therefore, the objective of the method proposed here was to combine previous literature designs to implement a reversible DFT-based watermarking method for image ownership protection using bit plane embedding in the DC coefficient. The watermark was embedded in a middle bit plane of the DC coefficient for each DFT-transformed image block. In order to ensure reversibility and improve the security level, a combination of double Feynman and XOR gates was used to shuffle the watermark bits. The results revealed that the 8th (PSNR/SSIM = 32dB/0.8826), the 9th (PSNR/SSIM = 38dB/0.0.9587), and the 10th (PSNR/SSIM = 44dB/0.9917) bit planes for block sizes of 4×4, 8×8, and 16×16, respectively, were the best bit planes showing good imperceptibility and resistance to compression, filtering, and noise attacks. In conclusion, embedding the DC coefficients rather than all the magnitudes has influentially increased the watermarking robustness. In contrast, embedding the DC coefficients in the frequency domain rather than the spatial domain reduced the image’s structural contents distortion. Furthermore, the proposed method for grayscale images is effective in applications where reversibility is desired. However, further studies to find colored images’ reversible methods are recommended.
Assessment of Clinical Reasoning Skills among BSc Nursing Students: Script Concordance Test
Authors: Kaur Gurleen
Published: May 2022

A quantitative research approach and non- experimental descriptive survey research design was used to assess clinical reasoning skills among BSc nursing students. A structured Script Concordance Test (SCT) was developed; it consisted of 20 case vignettes and each case vignette was followed by 3 questions which was administered to a sample of 150 BSc nursing 4th year mental health nursing students in nursing colleges. Reference panel consisted of 10 experts and based on their responses, À nal scoring key was formulated. Data was collected by using non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was tabulated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority (90.6%) of the students were from 21-22 years, female with mean age 21.46±0.82 years, residing in urban area, staying at hostel and had obtained 60-70 percent marks in their previous year academic performance. Majority (89.3%) of the students had average clinical reasoning skills and 10.6 percent had poor clinical reasoning skills. None of the student had good clinical reasoning skills. No signiÀ cant association was found between socio demographic variables and clinical reasoning skills of nursing students. Clinical reasoning skills of the students was not adequate for identifying patient issues, diagnoses, implementation, evaluating and modifying care. Script concordance test is a valid, reliable tool for assessing clinical reasoning skills.
Effectiveness of Virtual Teaching on Knowledge Regarding Electrocardiogram Interpretation Among Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: K Radha , Alex Mini , Agnibhoj Prabha , Patidar Anurag Bhai
Published: May 2022

A nurse' s ability to interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm quickly and accurately is vital for good clinical outcome among critically ill patients. Improved knowledge of ECG interpretation will allow nurses to initiate appropriate interventions, which will save lives and improve the quality of healthcare delivery. COVID-19 pandemic has changed the mode of teaching and online teaching will be a norm in future. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual training programme on knowledge of ECG interpretation among nursing students. The research design for the present study was pre-experimental, one group pre-test/post-test design; 100 student nurses were recruited conveniently from the selected nursing colleges. Structured knowledge questionnaire containing 30 items was prepared in Google Forms for data collection. Virtual training was carried out through Zoom online platform. Online pre-test through Google form was carried out followed by virtual training and post test was conducted on day 7 after the training. Majority of students belonged to the age group of 19-21 years (84%). Pre-test revealed that 5 percent of nursing students had good ECG knowledge followed by 58 percent had average and 38 percent with poor knowledge Whereas in the post-test 29 percent had good knowledge, 63 percent had average and only 8 percent had poor knowledge. Virtual training signi'Agrave; cantly improved (p'lt;0.05) the mean post-test knowledge score (16.89'plusmn; 5.27) as compared to mean pretest knowledge score (12.78'plusmn;4.34). Further, there was no signi'Agrave;cant association between pre-test knowledge score and demographic variables. The results indicate that virtual training was effective in enhancing the knowledge on ECG interpretation among nursing students. Since these students will make up the future nursing workforce, improved interpretation of electrocardiogram will help improve the quality of health care delivery among critically ill and cardiac patients.
Novel insights in biomarker discovery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors:   , González Borja María Iranzu
Published: May 2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered one of the most aggressive types of cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of tumors with pancreatic origin. Although its incidence is lower than in other cancer entities, it is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 10.8%. These numbers would be improved with the implementation of a truly effective early diagnosis programme, although this is undoubtedly hampered by the absence of specific symptoms and diagnostic biomarkers to facilitate an early diagnosis, which unfortunately means that in the majority of cases diagnosis is delayed. This complicated situation highlights the importance of identifying biomarkers with greater sensitivity and specificity to improve the prognosis of patients with PDAC. This doctoral thesis has aimed to identify new biomarkers, not only diagnostic but also prognostic and predictive for PDAC, in peripheral blood and tumor samples. For this purpose, a total of 47 patients with borderline disease and 17 patients with resectable tumors were recruited, in addition to a cohort of 22 healthy subjects.
Impact on Human Resource Practices during Covid 19: A Review
Authors: Rai Shailendra K , Rana Priyanka
Published: May 2022

Because of COVID-19, every business has got affected; Human resource management is a core part of the corporate world. Proper functioning of Human resources is very crucial for optimum yield in any organization, especially during pandemics. Organizations have to adopt new practices after COVID distress about which many of them were not aware of. Therefore HRM practices of all sectors need to be modified and upgraded to meet the need of the hour. HR departments must be ready and conscious about what they are going to imply to cope up with new circumstances. The objective of the study is to gain theoretical possibilities and required changes in HRM practices i.e. in selection, training, promotion, and performance appraisal. After a review of various literature, it is found that HRM practices dropped down drastically during the ongoing pandemic. Training programs that were planned earlier to make employees skillful are revoked to safeguard employees. Because of the unavailability of optimum resources in many organizations, digital training could not take place effectively in many organizations. During this global crisis, all the human resource departments should adopt e-HRM practices access and perform all HRM practices unbiased.
Green Training and Development Practices on Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from WAMCO PLC
Authors: Moradeke FAPOHUNDA Tinuke , Ishola GENTY Kabiru , Okikiola OLANIPEKUN Lateef
Published: May 2022

Green training and development practices have been acknowledged as veritable tools for addressing environmental challenges; it is also a key ingredient for promoting the acceptance of environmental conservation in the workplace because in the long run, it helps to creating a win-win situation for both management and employees. To this end, this study examined effect of green training and development practices on environmental sustainability with the objective of examining the effect of developing green abilities on environmental awareness; and examining the relationship between green knowledge and employees’ commitment towards the environment. Data was collected through the quantitative means from 175 employees of WAMCO Nigeria plc. 5Findings revealed that developing green abilities accounts for only 93.7% of variations in environmental awareness. This implies that developing green abilities have positive significant effect on environmental awareness as an indicator of environmental sustainability; in the same vein, there exists a positive and significant relationship between Green Knowledge and Employee Commitment towards the Environment which is a component of Environmental Sustainability with (r=0.942, p-value<0.05). The study concluded that green training and development practices are veritable tools for promoting employees’ consciousness towards the overall achievement of sustainable development goals. Thus, employee engagement and involvement in green activities should be prioritized and strengthened through periodic training and development centered on the attainment of green goals.
US, Israel and Iran Perspectives on Enforceability of Contract of Surrogacy: Time to Enforce Surrogacy Contracts in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Rais Nouman , Khokhar Farqaleet
Published: May 2022

The research article with comparative surveys of US, Israel and Iran discusses that the Pakistani courts’ judicial approach requires an adjustment towards the enforcement of surrogacy contract as the grounds to assume the surrogacy and its contract invalid does not sit well with Contract Act 1872, Constitutions of Pakistan and International Human Rights Laws. The qualitative research approach has been utilized in this paper. The article concludes that the Pakistani judicial approach needs reforms to formalize and ascertain the enforceability of surrogacy contracts in alignments with the international standards. This will help the courts to evaluate the enforceability of surrogacy contracts on the basis of the “best interest of the surrogate child.”
Leadership Behaviour in Initiating and Managing Organizational Change Evidence from Poultry Cooperatives, a Rural Enterprise of Jharkhand, India
Authors: Bhaskar Prem , Kaushik Madhulika
Published: May 2022

The study was done to look into different organizational change models and leadership behaviours in the change process. The case of poultry cooperatives of Jharkhand India was studied to look into the aspects of initiating and managing the organizational change process. A mixed approach of literature review and mapping behavioural aspects through unstructured interviews with the group of leaders and managers was done. The exploratory study helped find the crucial behaviours and role play by the governing board members and managers of the case cooperatives in organizational change management. Further research is needed to establish the leader’s behavioural contribution in collective enterprises run by the rural community of India. The study provides ample opportunity to do a detailed study of the subject matter.