bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SIMULATION TECHNIQUES ON BUSINESS STUDIES STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN UPPER BASIC SCHOOLS
Authors: MOHAMMED BELLO ISHOLA , RASHEED DAUDA
Published: July 2023

Teaching methods are regarded as processes and tasks designed to transfer knowledge, skills, and understanding at all levels of the education system from kindergarten to the university level. This study, therefore, examined the impact of the dynamics of the simulation and lecture method on students' performance in Upper Basic schools in Ilorin. The study used both the Simulation role-play method and the lecture methods for teaching at the basic level of education in the teaching/learning environment. The study aims to determine the best predictor between the two variables. Using quasi-experiments in the design of the study, a sample of ninety students was intentionally sampled across all 3 levels of upper basic schools. A tool called the business studies achievement test (BUSAT) was used as a guide to assess the academic performance of Business Studies students at the basic levels in both the assessment and control groups. Using t-tests of independent variation, the study found a more important simulation method as the normal performance of a student taught in a simulation role-playing game was much higher and better than that taught using a lecture method that resulted in the presentation of a lesson in their class. It was recommended, among others, that the teacher should make effective use of the simulation role-play approach in delivering lessons as it shows great promise in improving the academic performance of students at the basic level of education at Model Secondary School, Ilorin. Kwara State, Nigeria
EVALUATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: DANLAMI Dr. AUWALU
Published: July 2023

This study was carried out to evaluate inclusive education programmes for learners with special needs in Kano state, Nigeria. The researcher used a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised 38 respondents, which include special education teachers and head teachers of the inclusive schools under the study. The same 38 respondents were used as the sample size of the study. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the respondents of the study. A questionnaire and checklist were used for data collection. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and frequency distribution. The findings of the study include attitudes of teachers towards inclusive education programmes were positive and there were inadequate personnel for inclusive education programmes in Kano state. A conclusion was drawn and the study recommended that the Kano state government and proprietors of private inclusive schools should provide adequate personnel for inclusive education programmes and provide adequate teaching and learning facilities for inclusive education programmes in Kano State.
Discursive constructions of Gay(s), Homosexual(s) and Homosexuality in selected Nigerian and South African Newspapers: A Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Oyebanji Olubunmi Funmi
Published: July 2023

Same-sex relationship is a critical topic globally, especially as non-heterosexuals often get marginalized both overtly and covertly. Previous studies on same-sex sexualities in the African context have examined the discursive construction of non-heterosexuals, with little attention paid to the comparative reading of how gay people are discursively constructed in two contextually different African countries. Therefore, this study examines the usage patterns of three labels, gay, homosexual, homosexuality, that are commonly used to denote same-sex sexualities in selected Nigerian and South African newspapers. To do so, corpus-based critical discourse analysis is conducted to detect convergence and divergence of such usages since the countries have opposing laws on same-sex relationships. Similar semantic prosodies were found. However, differing prosodic features show that heteronomativity is mainly emphasized in the Nigerian corpus, while this is sometimes challenged in the South African corpus. The overall conclusion is that there could still be some homophobic tendencies in both the Nigerian and South African contexts as shown by the media representations.
Engineering Geological Properties of Subsurface Soils for Foundation Purposes in Parts of Bayelsa State, Niger Delta
Authors: Ashioba C. , Udom G. J.
Published: July 2023

The geotechnical properties of soil samples obtained from eight (8) boreholes from some parts of Bayelsa State were determined to assess their suitability as foundation materials. The geotechnical characteristics of the soils were determined from the laboratory and field works. The Atterberg limit results reveal that the liquid limit ranges from 46.5% to 98.3%, the plastic limit ranges from 23.5% to 56.3% while the plasticity Index values range from 17.1% to 51.3%. The clays are highly plastic (CH) in the USCS designation. The natural moisture content ranges from 35.9% to 91.3%, the moisture content is relatively high, this could be attributed to the wet season period of sampling. The particle size analysis disclosed that the cohesionless samples are predominantly fine to medium and medium dense sands. The triaxial test results shows that values of Cohesion (C) ranges between 16 – 40KN/m2 and the friction angle (ϕ) ranges between 3 – 6o. The result of the undrained shear strength of the clay ranges between 20Kpa and 24Kpa. The coefficient of consolidation (Cv) of the clay soil samples varies between 1.13 m2/yr and 2.89 m2/yr, the coefficient of volume compressibility, (Mv) for these same materials varies between 0.215 m2/MN and 6.338 m2/MN. Generally, indicating clay layers of high to very high compressibility. The calculated values for ultimate bearing capacity (qu) and allowable bearing capacity (qa) varies between 100.29KN/m2 to 151.49 KN/m2 and 33.42 KN/m2 to 50.50 KN/m2 respectively. The analyses showed that the values of ultimate bearing capacity increases with depth. The calculated settlement ranges between 69mm to 653mm with the thickness of clay of 7.5m and 30.0m respectively. Raft foundation is best suited for these weak, soft foundation materials for light structural loads but for heavy structural load, a pile foundation is recommended.
Surface Modification of Advanced Biomaterials for Applications in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Fields
Authors:   Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, BHU, Varanasi, India, Agrawal Ishita , Dua Piyush ,   Department of Engineering, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Suhar, Sultanate of Oman
Published: July 2023

Lately, there has been a great deal of emphasis on developing novel biomaterials for next generation biomedical technologies. Especially, research efforts have focused on biomaterials that meet the demand for precisely engineered three-dimensional structures. These research efforts seek to design advanced biomaterials that mimic the natural environments of tissues more closely, and thus enhance the functional performance of these materials. To this end, surface modification/functionalization of biomaterials is considered pivotal to achieve the goals. Recent progress in biomaterials fabrication techniques has shown huge promise for surface engineering of biomaterials leading to realization of devices that have complex surface geometries for various biomedical applications in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. These include next generation drug delivery, diagnosis and biosensors, to name a few. In this review, we have highlighted important surface modification processes that have been employed for surface engineering of biomaterials. Further, an overview of the cellular response of surface modified biomaterial is presented. We have also discussed precise engineering of three-dimensional surface modification of biomaterials by initiated chemical vapor deposition (i-CVD) method. Notable biomedical applications have been described. Finally, we have presented a brief future perspective.
Análisis de las Técnicas de Dramatización para desarrollar Destrezas del Cuidado del Medio Natural y Cultural en los Niños de 4 a 5 Años
Authors: Chazi Nacimba Fernanda Gabriela , Charro Domínguez Tatiana Lizbeth
Published: July 2023

El medio natural y cultural es un proceso importante para que los estudiantes adquieran nuevos conocimientos respecto a la preservación de su entorno, lo que es útil para el desarrollo personal y social. Por otra parte, la implementación de técnicas de dramatización les permite a los estudiantes dramatizar las soluciones alternativas sobre un problema en particular, confiriéndoles oportunidades para desarrollar su comprensión al colocarse en el lugar de otro/otros, así como, ser conscientes de las demandas de su entorno. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, en el presente artículo de investigación se analizan las técnicas de dramatización para desarrollar destrezas del cuidado del medio natural y cultural en los niños de 4 a 5 años de la Institución Educativa NM. Asimismo, el estudio da a conocer el nivel de conocimiento de los docentes en la implementación de las técnicas de dramatización para desarrollar destrezas del cuidado del medio natural y cultural. Por lo tanto, se aplican técnicas de recolección de información como la observación para los estudiantes, encuestas dirigidas a los docentes y entrevistas a expertos especialistas en el tema. Como resultado de la investigación, se destaca que las técnicas de dramatización mejoran significativamente el conocimiento y aprendizaje de los estudiantes, además de optimizar su relación social con el medio que los rodea.
nanto Implementasi Logika Fuzzy Inferensi Tsukamoto Pada Preventive dan Predictive Maintenance Sluge Separator Berbasis Smart Meter
Authors: Sunanto Sunanto
Published: July 2023

The clarifier station is also known as a purification station. Its main function is to obtain palm oil in a very pure condition. There are several machines ready to work to refine Crude Palm Oil from palm oil. One of the machines at the refining station is the Sludge Separator which has the function of extracting oil that is still contained in a centrifugal manner where water and NOS with a specific gravity greater than oil will be thrown out and oil will enter the interior. The Sludge Separator method separates oil from water and NOS, namely by rotating (spinning) the bowl that has been installed and released through the nozzle. This rotation is generated from the conveyor motor. To optimize the work of the clarification station, especially on the Sludge Separator machine, a tool and system was created to monitor traffic flow, record the start time of the active Sludge Separator conveyor motor and schedule Preventive and Predictive Maintenance according to the working conditions of the motor, to make the system use the method/algorithm Fuzzy Tsukamoto. And in this research implementation, testing and results will be carried out on a prototype that utilizes the NodeMCU microcontroller (esp32), current and web sensors using hypertext preprocessor
Effects of Fractional Order on Performance of FOSMC for Speed Control of PMSM
Authors: Fardila Mohd Zaihidee  , Saad Mekhilef  , Marizan Mubin  , Tang Jing Rui  , Ezrinda Mohd Zaihidee
Published: July 2023

Fractional order sliding mode control has been applied for speed control of PMSM. However, in many previous works, the effects of the controller's parameters have not been studied. This paper investigates the effects of fractional order on performance of FOSMC speed control of PMSM. In this work, fractional order, α and β of FOSMS-PID were varied, and their performances were compared. The simulation and experimental results show that variation of order of fractional order integration, α and order of fractional order differentiation, β can affect the performance of the FOSMC-PID controller. Selection of α and β values determines balancing strategies between integral and differentiation portion of the controller. Proper value selection and combination of these variables can further contribute to obtain optimum speed tracking, disturbance rejection and chattering reduction abilities.
Yus - A Deep Learning Algorithm for Collision Avoidance through Object and Vehicle Detection
Authors: Mohammad Sojon Beg  , Muhammad Yusri Ismail  , M. Saef Ullah Miah  , Mohamad Heerwan Peeie
Published: July 2023

One of the safety features that can alert drivers to the presence of other vehicles and reduce the risk of collisions is vehicle detection. In this study, the objective was to create a system for detecting vehicles, motorcycles, and traffic signals on the roads in University Malaysia Pahang using object detection techniques. The video was taken through Go-Pro camera to capture video footage of traffic objects on the roads in the district, which was then analysed using the YOLO-V8 deep learning algorithm. The system was trained on a pre-existing dataset of 1,068 images, with 70% of the dataset used for training and 30% for testing. After conducting a performance validation, the system achieved a mean average precision of 88.2% on training dataset and was able to detect different types of vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and traffic lights. The results of this study could be beneficial for road safety authorities and researchers interested in developing intelligent transportation systems.
A Study on the Hydropower Energy Generation by Utilizing Domestic Water Supply
Authors: Julanda Al Riyami  , Girma Tadesse Chala  , Hashil Al Owaisi
Published: July 2023

Majority of households around the globe are connected to primary water supply grids that supply water for domestic use throughout the year. In many instances, the companies supplying water to these households maintain header pressure between the maximum and minimum as a guarantee for the water to reach the consumers. This paper is, therefore, aimed at investigating the potential of this pressure in driving turbines for power generation so that the energy could be stored in rechargeable batteries which can be utilized whenever needed. Two sets of experimental setups were developed with turbines arranged both in series and parallel. The experiments were conducted using three working pressures, such as 1.5, 3.2 and 5 bar. It was observed that the turbine mainly depends on the water flow rate, where the higher flow rate is achieved in working pressure of 5 bar which is 33 LPM and 6 Watt generated. The power produced was increased to 12 W with a slight pressure drop of 0.1 bar after the second turbine. However, the drop in pressure was observed to be slightly higher for the lower working pressure. The turbine cut-off pressure was 0.4 bar. Moreover, it was also evidenced that arranging the turbines in parallel has also resulted in an enhanced power generation.
Review of Active Circuit and Passive Circuit Techniques to Improve the Performance of Highly Efficient Energy Harvesting Systems
Authors: Liew Hui Fang  , Rosemizi Abd Rahim  , Muhammad Izuan Fahmi  , Junita Mohd Nordin  , Aini Syuhada Md Zain
Published: July 2023

In piezoelectric energy harvesting systems, energy harvesting circuits are the interface between piezoelectric devices and electrical loads. The conventional view of this interface is based on the concept of impedance matching. In fact, in the power supply circuit can also apply as an electrical boundary conditions, such as voltage and charge, to piezoelectric devices for each energy conversion cycle. The major drawback of piezoelectric power harvesting have low-power relationships in systems within (in the range of μW to mW), then system also have significantly reduced any potential losses in circuits that make up the EH system, whereas other condition into careful selection of circuits and components can enhanced the energy harvesting performance and electricity consumption. In the study of energy harvesting systems, it is an energy harvesting system approach that using active and passive electronic circuit to control voltage and or charge on piezoelectric devices as proposed and review to mechanical inputs for optimized energy conversion. Several factors in the practical limitation of active and passive energy consumption, due to device limitations and the power efficiency of electronic circuits, will be introduced and have played an important role into to enhance optimum and increase efficiency of energy harvesting system.
Analysis of Correlation of Induced Frequency and Cream Skimming Efficiency through Ultrasonic Technology
Authors: Arjun Asogan  , Norazlianie Sazali  , Wan Sharuzi Wan Harun  , Devarajan Ramasamy  , Kumaran Kadirgama
Published: July 2023

Ultrasonic cream separator is a very new technology especially in the dairy industry. Ultrasonic separator machine is an eco-friendly technology that could boost the separation process and it could act as supplement to heat-based technology. However, ultrasonic separators are well developed in other industries such as sludge separation, emulsion breaking, de-oiling and sewage disposal. This technology has been implemented in the food industries recently too. The primary function of an ultrasonic cream separator machine is to separate the milk into two products i.e., cream, and skimmed milk. It is an instantaneous process which saves up workload, manpower, time, and cost. This machine intends to coagulate the fat particles with one another once a certain frequency is induced in the milk. Cream, which is lighter molecule will coagulate and float, whereas the heavier molecules of milk such as protein and minerals will sink. Upon separation, the fat molecules can be scooped out or separated through flushing from below. This machine is at a very agile stage that leads to inefficient cream skimming which leads to fluctuation of fat particles coagulation that leads to inefficient cream skimming. The intention of this study is to evaluate the factors that have a direct relationship with low performance of cream skimming via ultrasonic cream separation and come up with an ideal possible solution to enhance the process of cream separation.
The Technology Adaptation Measures to Reduce Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Construction Industry
Authors: Iffah Sahira Bakeri  , Siti Rashidah Hanum Abd Wahab  , Adi Irfan Che Ani
Published: July 2023

The construction industry is one of the major growth engines of world economics. The recent occurrence of the Covid-19 pandemic has caused great threats to the construction industry. To prevent further damage occurring to the industry, identifying the consequences is necessary. This is to avert the worst level of economic deterioration in decades in the construction industry. However, the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction industry is still unclear and defined. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction industry with the main objectives of to analyze the current state of the construction industry, then to investigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction industry and lastly to develop technology adaptation measures to reduce the negative impact towards the construction industry. The study was conducted through the method of quantitative study with the use of a closed-ended online questionnaire survey as the research instrument. The data of the survey was collected from 64 construction personnel all over Sarawak and was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software which enables the data collected to be summarized in the nominal and interval scale. The findings of this study show that the outbreak of Covid-19 has caused drastic changes in the construction industry which has led to a few impacts such as delays in construction works, shortage of workers, financial problems, supply chain management issues as well as safety and health conditions. However, through the identification of appropriate technology adaptation measures such as technology development and application as well as e-monitoring site logistics and control, the impacts may be reduced and the adverse effect that is to suffer by the construction industry may be lessened.
Analysis on the Performance of Designed Fluidized Bed Dryer for Drying Coffee Beans
Authors: Kavin Klinsman Konsil  , Norazlianie Sazali  , Kumaran Kadirgama  , Wan Sharuzi Wan Harun  , Norazwina Zainol
Published: July 2023

Drying coffee beans is an important role in the process of making coffee. Most coffee producers dry their coffee beans under the natural sun, but it was found to be time-consuming and depended on the weather conditions. Fluidized bed dryer is found to be the most recent method to dry the coffee beans. However, not many reported on the performance of fluidized bed dryer in coffee drying. In the present research, the quality of the drying process using fluidized bed dryer was investigated by varying the streamline pattern and temperature distribution in the drying chamber. The result was compared with a different temperature and velocity applied. The simulation in ANSYS was conducted with three different velocities of 10 m/s, 20 m/s and 30 m/s with air temperature of 60 °C, 90 °C and 120 °C. The temperature supply was from the inside of the pipe to the end of the drying chamber. The streamline and the temperature distribution were absorbed between the difference of temperature and the velocity difference. The computational analysis of the simulation showed that the increase in velocity resulted in a temperature rise from 46.72°C to 49.04°C within the drying chamber for constant inlet temperature of 60 °C, and on the other hand the velocity in the drying chamber remains constant at average of 3.22 m/s for inlet velocity of 10 m/s despite the increase in temperature.
Bacterium with Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides
Authors: IAROVOI Liviu , HOLBAN Tiberiu , CHIRIACOV Galina , COTOS Viorica , COJUHARI Lilia , CIRSTEA Natalia
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Leukonostoc pseudomesenteroides, widespread in nature (soil, plants, milk, etc.), until recently was classified as a commensal microorganism, but from 1985 until now several sporadic cases of infection with this pathogen have been described in humans. Bacteremia with Leuconostoc spp. are increasingly reported. Unique cases of infection of other sites have also been described: in soft, lung, urinary, Central Nervous System tissues, etc. Most often, these cases have been reported in patients with cancer, and are often considered opportunistic for acquired immunodeficiencies. However, several cases have also been reported in immunocompetent patients, including in those previously treated with vancomycin, Leuconostoc spp. having a natural resistance to this antibiotic.

Material and methods. An analysis of the literature and the clinical case are presented here: the child of an 11-month-old with congenital malformation - rabbit lip, who underwent maxillofacial operation twice and had pneumonia 2 months before his admission to the Toma Ciorba Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital.

Results. Meningococcemia and meningitis were clinically established upon admission. The blood culture result was received a few days later, and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides was identified. The etiological treatment was corrected, after which the sterile result of the blood culture was obtained. The child was released in a satisfactory condition.

Conclusions: The clinical case presented is the first case of infection with Leuconstoc spp. described in the Republic of Moldova. The correct choice of the etiological treatment allows the eradication of this pathogen, with a satisfactory clinical result.
Prognostic value of D-dimers in patients with COVID-19: narrative synthesis
Authors: CERNEI Natalia , BALTAGA Ruslan , SANDRU Serghei , GHERASIM Olga , MOGHILDEA Victoria
Published: July 2023

Introduction. Contemporary researchers have suggested and demonstrated the hypothesis that the elevated level of D-dimers, which is a valuable marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation, can predict the severity of COVID-19, pulmonary complications, and thromboembolic events before they occur.
Material and methods. The bibliographic resources were analyzed and selected from databases such as PubMed, Hinari, SpringerLink, and Google Search using keywords such as “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “coronavirus,” “D-dimers,” “biomarkers,” and “severity prediction,” which were used in various combinations to maximize search efficiency. Therefore, the manuscript contains 51 representative articles for the purpose of this synthesis article.
Results. The D-dimer levels are significantly higher in patients with severe forms of COVID-19 compared to those with non-severe forms, in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome compared to those without acute respiratory distress syndrome, and in deceased patients compared to those who have survived. D-dimers positively correlate with the degree of severity and the increased risk of progression to severe disease, inversely proportional to the survival rate. They can predict prognosis, determine therapeutic strategies, prevent complications, positively influence the disease’s course, and monitor the prognosis.
Conclusions. D-dimers should be used as a pre-radiographic screening tool as early as possible after admission and as an indicator for risk stratification of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Based on the increase in D-dimer levels, adjusting therapeutic doses of anticoagulants is more beneficial for patients compared to administering prophylactic doses.
Recomendaciones para el mes de Enero
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: July 2023

Los valores negativos de la temperatura superficial del mar y el fortalecimiento de los vientos del Este en el Pacífico Tropical, indican el desarrollo de condiciones La Niña, las cuales se espera que continúen con probabilidades por encima del 90%, hasta el trimestre marzo - abril - mayo de 2022. Para enero de 2022 se esperan aumentos de las precipitaciones entre 20% y 30% en gran parte de la región cafetera; sin embargo, en el norte y centro de esta región, las cantidades de lluvia serán mucho menores a los registrados en los meses anteriores ya que igualmente se empieza a transitar por la temporada de menores lluvias para dichas zonas del país.
Recomendaciones para el mes de Abril
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: July 2023

Para abril de 2022 se prevén incrementos de las precipitaciones, entre 20% y 30%, con respecto a la climatología, en Bolívar, Centro Sur del Cesar, Sur de La Guajira, Centro y Norte del Huila, y algunos sectores de los departamentos de Norte de Santander, Boyacá, Cundinamarca y Tolima. Para el resto de la región cafetera se esperan valores cercanos a los promedios climáticos. Hasta el trimestre abril - mayo - junio de 2022, se espera continúen las condiciones débiles de La Niña, con probabilidades por encima del 60%.
Recomendaciones para el mes de Junio
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: July 2023

Para junio de 2022 se predicen lluvias entre el 20% y 60% por encima de lo normal en gran parte de las regiones cafeteras, exceptuando el norte de la región cafetera del Casanare, Centro de la región cafetera de Magdalena y Sur de la región cafetera de Norte de Santander donde se prevén precipitaciones entre el 20% y el 40% por debajo de los promedios climatológicos. Hasta el trimestre octubre - noviembre - diciembre de 2022 se espera continúen las condiciones débiles de La Niña, con probabilidades por encima del 60%. Así mismo, la NOAA prevé que la temporada de huracanes que inició a mediados de mayo esté por encima del promedio.
Recomendaciones para el mes de Agosto
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: July 2023

Para agosto de 2022 se prevén lluvias entre 30% y 90% por encima de los registros históricos, en amplios sectores de las regiones Cafeteras Norte, Central y Sur. En sectores del piedemonte de la Orinoquia y Amazonia se pronostican reducciones entre un 20% y 40%. Hasta el trimestre noviembre - diciembre de 2022 y enero de 2023 se espera continúen las condiciones débiles de La Niña, con probabilidades por encima del 60%.
Recomendaciones para el cultivo abril
Authors:   Centro Nacional de Investigaciones de Café
Published: July 2023

Abril hace parte de la primera temporada lluviosa del año, se prevén valores cercanos a la climatología de referencia 1991-2020; sin embargo en algunos sectores de Cesar, Norte de Santander, Bolívar, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Tolima y Huila se estima una disminución de las precipitaciones entre el 20% y 40%, con respecto a los promedios históricos. Las condiciones Neutras están presentes en el Océano Pacífico Ecuatorial.
The Correlations of Stellar Tidal Disruption Rates with Properties of Massive Black Holes and Their Host Galaxies
Authors: Chen Yunfeng , Yu Qingjuan , Lu Youjun
Published: July 2023

Stars can be either disrupted as tidal disruption events (TDEs) or swallowed whole by massive black holes (MBHs) at galactic centers when they approach sufficiently close to these MBHs. In this work, we investigate the correlations of such stellar consumption rates with both the MBH mass M
BH and the inner slope of the host-galaxy mass density distribution α. We introduce a simplified analytical power-law model with a power-law stellar-mass density distribution surrounding MBHs and separate the contributions of two-body relaxation and stellar orbital precession for the stellar orbital angular momentum evolution in nonspherical galaxy potentials. The stellar consumption rates derived from this simplified model can be well consistent with the numerical results obtained with a more realistic treatment of stellar distributions and dynamics around MBHs, providing an efficient way to estimate TDE rates. The origin of the correlations of stellar consumption rates with M
BH and α is explained by the dependence of this analytical model on those MBH/host-galaxy properties and by the separation of the stellar angular momentum evolution mechanisms. We propose that the strong positive correlation between the rates of stellar consumption due to two-body relaxation and α provides one interpretation for the overrepresentation of TDEs found in some rare E+A/poststarburst galaxies. We find high TDE rates for giant stars, up to those for solar-type stars. Understanding the origin of the correlations of the stellar consumption rates will be necessary for obtaining the demographics of MBHs and their host galaxies via TDEs.
Continuous Gravitational Waves from Galactic Neutron Stars: Demography, Detectability, and Prospects
Authors: Pagliaro Gianluca , Papa Maria Alessandra , Ming Jing , Lian Jianhui , Tsuna Daichi , Maraston Claudia , Thomas Daniel
Published: July 2023

We study the prospects for the detection of continuous gravitational signals from normal Galactic neutron stars, i.e., nonrecycled stars. We use a synthetic population generated by evolving stellar remnants in time, according to several models. We consider the most recent constraints set by all-sky searches for continuous gravitational waves and use them for our detectability criteria. We discuss the detection prospects for the current and the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. We find that neutron stars whose ellipticity is solely caused by magnetic deformations cannot produce any detectable signal, not even by third-generation detectors. The currently detectable sources all have B ≲ 1012 G and deformations that are not solely due to the magnetic field. For these, we find in fact that the larger the magnetic field, the higher the ellipticity required for the signal to be detectable, and this ellipticity is well above the value induced by the magnetic field. Third-generation detectors such as the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer will be able to detect up to ≈250 more sources than current detectors. We briefly treat the case of recycled neutron stars with a simplified model. We find that continuous gravitational waves from these objects will likely remain elusive to detection by current detectors, but should be detectable with the next generation of detectors.
A Modeling Strategy for the Verification of Context-Oriented Chatbot Conversational Flows via Model Checking
Authors: Silva Geovana Ramos Sousa , Rodrigues Genaína Nunes , Canedo Edna Dias
Published: July 2023

Verification of chatbot conversational flows is paramount to capturing and understanding chatbot behavior and predicting problems that would cause the entire flow to be restructured from scratch. The literature on chatbot testing is scarce, and the few works that approach this subject do not focus on verifying the communication sequences in tandem with the functional requirements of the conversational flow itself. However, covering all possible conversational flows of context-oriented chatbots through testing is not feasible in practice given the many ramifications that should be covered by test cases. Alternatively, model checking provides a model-based verification in a mathematically precise and unambiguous manner. Moreover, it can anticipate design flaws early in the software design phase that could lead to incompleteness, ambiguities, and inconsistencies. We postulate that finding design flaws in chatbot conversational flows via model checking early in the design phase may overcome quite a few verification gaps that are not feasible via current testing techniques for context-oriented chatbot conversational flows. Therefore, in this work, we propose a modeling strategy to design and verify chatbot conversational flows via the Uppaal model checking tool. Our strategy is materialized in the form of templates and a mapping of chatbot elements into Uppaal elements. To evaluate this strategy, we invited a few chatbot developers with different levels of expertise. The feedback from the participants revealed that the strategy is a great ally in the phases of conversational prototyping and design, as well as helping to refine requirements and revealing branching logic that can be reused in the implementation phase.
Cooperative Swarm Intelligence Algorithms for Adaptive Multilevel Thresholding Segmentation of COVID-19 CT-Scan Images
Authors: Sabha Muath , Thaher Thaer , Emam Marwa M.
Published: July 2023

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is widespread throughout the world and poses a serious threat to public health and safety. A COVID-19 infection can be recognized using computed tomography (CT) scans. To enhance the categorization, some image segmentation techniques are presented to extract regions of interest from COVID-19 CT images. Multi-level thresholding (MLT) is one of the simplest and most effective image segmentation approaches, especially for grayscale images like CT scan images. Traditional image segmentation methods use histogram approaches; however, these approaches encounter some limitations. Now, swarm intelligence inspired meta-heuristic algorithms have been applied to resolve MLT, deemed an NP-hard optimization task. Despite the advantages of using meta-heuristics to solve global optimization tasks, each approach has its own drawbacks. However, the common flaw for most meta-heuristic algorithms is that they are unable to maintain the diversity of their population during the search, which means they might not always converge to the global optimum. This study proposes a cooperative swarm intelligence-based MLT image segmentation approach that hybridizes the advantages of parallel meta-heuristics and MLT for developing an efficient image segmentation method for COVID-19 CT images. An efficient cooperative model-based meta-heuristic called the CPGH is developed based on three practical algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO), grey wolf optimizer (GWO), and Harris hawks optimization (HHO). In the cooperative model, the applied algorithms are executed concurrently, and a number of potential solutions are moved across their populations through a procedure called migration after a set number of generations. The CPGH model can solve the image segmentation problem using MLT image segmentation. The proposed CPGH is evaluated using three objective functions, cross-entropy, Otsu’s, and Tsallis, over the COVID-19 CT images selected from open-sourced datasets. Various evaluation metrics covering peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and universal quality image index (UQI) were employed to quantify the segmentation quality. The overall ranking results of the segmentation quality metrics indicate that the performance of the proposed CPGH is better than conventional PSO, GWO, and HHO algorithms and other state-of-the-art methods for MLT image segmentation. On the tested COVID-19 CT images, the CPGH offered an average PSNR of 24.8062, SSIM of 0.8818, and UQI of 0.9097 using 20 thresholds.
Efficacy and safety of 1 L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid for bowel preparation in elderly: comparison with oral sulfate solution
Authors: Lim Ki Young , Kim Kyeong Ok , Kim Eun Young , Lee Yoo Jin , Jang Byung Ik , Kim Sung Kook , Yang Chang Heon ,   on behalf of Crohn’s and Colitis Association in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (CCAiD)
Published: July 2023

Background/Aims: Recently, 1 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) plus ascorbic acid (Asc) has been introduced in Korea as a colonoscopy preparation agent. Data on its efficacy and safety in older adults have been limited. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1 L PEG/Asc in older adults by comparing it with oral sulfate solution (OSS).Methods: A prospective multicenter randomized study was conducted with subjects aged ≥ 65 years who underwent colonoscopy. The participants were randomized to receive 1 L PEG/Asc or OSS. The primary endpoint was successful bowel preparation, defined as total Boston Bowel Preparation Scale ≥ 6, and ≥ 2 at each segment. Patient satisfaction, adverse events, and renal function changes were compared between the groups.Results: Among the 106 patients, 104 were finally included in the analysis. Overall, successful bowel preparation was achieved in 96.2% of both 1 L PEG/Asc and OSS groups. The satisfaction scores for taste, total amount ingested, overall feeling, and willingness to repeat the same regimen were not significantly different between the groups. Adverse events of moderate or higher severity occurred in 16 and 10 cases in the 1 L PEG/Asc and OSS group, respectively. There were no significant changes in electrolyte levels or renal function from baseline.Conclusions: The successful bowel preparation rate was > 90% in both groups without severe adverse effects and significant changes in renal function. As a new low-dose preparation regimen for colonoscopy in older adults, 1 L PEG/Asc, is as effective and safe as OSS.
Physiological response of exercise as modulation of lipid profile in young adults
Authors: Sugiharto  , Merawati D. , Susanto H. , Taufiq A. , Pranoto A. , Angga P.D.
Published: July 2023

Lifestyle modification based on exercise combined with listening to music is a physiological-therapeutic approach, interesting to study to improve the lipid profile. Considering the lipid profile is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which will have an impact on increasing morbidity and mortality. This study aims to analyze the physiological response of moderate-intensity exercise by listening to music as a modulator of improving lipid profile in young adult men. This study involved 45 young adult men aged 19–21 years, body mass index 19.5–24.0 kg/m2, and met other criteria that have been determined. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: HIPE (high-intensity exercise, n=15), MIPE (moderate-intensity exercise, n=15), and MIPEM (moderate-intensity exercise + music, n=15). Examination of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-C), which is a picture of the lipid profile using the COBAS MIRA system method, was carried out before and after the intervention. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test were used to analyse the data. The results showed that there were significant differences in the levels of LDL, HDL, TG, T-C and blood glucose concentrations between the three groups (HIPE, MIPE, and MIPEM) (P<0.05). The results of the Tukey’s HSD post hoc test showed that MIPEM increased HDL concentrations and decreased LDL, TG, T-C and higher blood glucose compared to HIPE and MIPE, which is effective and without causing an increase in cortisol secretion and blood pressure. Therefore, MIPEM deserves to be recommended for a physiologic therapeutic approach as a lipid profile modulator.
Long-term effects of resistance exercise with and without vascular occlusion on TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-15 secretion in non-athletic women
Authors: Jahandarlashaki T. , Abbassi Daloii A. , Shirvani H. , Samadi M. , Arabzadeh E.
Published: July 2023

Resistance training is associated with reduced risk of low-grade inflammation related diseases. This study aimed to consider the effect of two methods of resistance training with and without vascular occlusion on changes in some serum cytokines in young non-athlete women. Thirty non-athlete women (20 to 30 years of age) were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 in each): resistance training without vascular occlusion (traditional), resistance training with vascular occlusion, and a control group. Resistance training was conducted three sessions for 8 weeks. In the vascular occlusion group, prior to the main exercise, the proximal part of both thighs was closed with a rubber tourniquet and the resistance exercise was performed with an intensity of 20–30% 1-repetition maximum (1RM) until fatigue. In the group without vascular occlusion, the same exercise were performed with similar intensity (with 70–80% 1RM until fatigue). Serum interleukin (IL)-15, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA method. One-way ANOVA was employed to compare the changes in the studied variables. The results show that serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and IL-15 do not have a significant change in groups with and without obstruction (P>0.05). Numerous studies have evaluated the positive effects of vascular occlusion on muscle hypertrophy and strength during rehabilitation. According to the results of the present study, it seems that the use of vascular occlusion exercise has less effect on inflammatory or IL-15.
Amplifying and Centering Indigenous Pedagogies in Post-Secondary Education
Authors: Cote-Meek Sheila L. , Moeke-Pickering Taima
Published: July 2023

Indigenous traditions and worldviews inform how we come to know, how we learn, and how we share. Relationships encompass all living entities, the land, the sacred, the knowledge, and the legacies of our ancestors. These are meaningful components in Indigenous teachings and pedagogies. The disruption of colonization and its impact is necessary for critical analyses. Therefore, indigenizing and decolonizing are mutually intertwined processes that inform a critical lens in education. It is the desire by generations of Indigenous peoples to retain their cultural values and knowledges in education, thus ensuring a continuity into the future. This educational envisioning “creates a shared and collective vision for not only sustainability but for resisting ongoing colonialism” (Cote-Meek & Moeke-Pickering, p. 31). It is in this resistance that clues can be found on how to transform educational institutes that better inform teaching and research practices, so they are conducive to Indigenous self-determination.
The University as a Site for ȻÁȾ
Authors: Horne Jack
Published: July 2023

When the author began conducting this research in 2015, he was surprised by the lack of Indigenous writing critical of the academy. He conducted extensive research to identify peer-reviewed academic journals and book chapters written by Indigenous scholars in the years up to and including 2016. The author expected to find a wealth of information but was instead confronted with the limited content that only highlighted the lack of progress that has been made toward integrating true Indigenous knowledge into the academy. The research was intended to support the argument that Indigenous knowledge had already secured a place in the academy. Instead, the author discovered that additional Indigenous academic writing was needed on the subject. The author hopes this chapter will save current and future Indigenous scholars from repeating research the author has already done. In the W̱SÁNEĆ language dialect of SENĆOTEN, the word ȻÁȾ translates as “being difficult” or “a difficult situation.” This chapter will explore the difficulties the author has experienced through his academic journey while employing the Indigenous practice of storytelling as pedagogy.
Indigenous Pedagogies and the Implications of EdTech, Data, and AI in the Classroom
Authors: Rowe Robyn K. , Shawanda Amy
Published: July 2023

The increased integration of educational technologies (EdTech) in recent history, combined with modern wireless connectivity and cloud potential, has led to a surge in data being extraction from the educators and learners who use them. Consequently, scientific innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) systems trained by large volumes of data are changing the educational landscape. Naturally, pedagogical approaches to education are evolving in line with philosophical, ideological, and theoretical understandings of technology, its uses, and its applications. This chapter explores the complex and evolving role of EdTech, its design, development, and deployment through Indigenous Pedagogies. In it, the authors weave through discussions that embrace Indigenous epistemologies, worldviews, cultures, and traditions. At the same time, they consider the transformative potential of embedding Indigenous Pedagogies into the ways we think about technology, beyond present understandings of EdTech. In doing so, the authors generate a discussion that aims to empower, educate, and lead to meaningful EdTech action.
Use of Scenario-Based Language Learning to Develop English Language Speaking Skills in Online Classrooms
Authors: Köroğlu Zeynep Çetin , Yüce Erkan
Published: July 2023

Developing EFL/ESL learners' speaking skills plays a crucial role to make them capable communicators of target language in a real- life situation. As a recently developing frame or approach, scenario-based language learning may be utilized to foster English language speaking skills of language learners. In this respect the current study contains sections to discuss scenario- based language learning, to present how to use this approach to develop language learners' speaking skills development, to present implementation of scenario-based language learning in online classrooms and propose a sample scenario based speaking task series for EFL learners.
Designing Goal-Oriented Online Speaking Activities for EFL Learners in a Post-Pandemic World
Authors: Yüce Erkan , Köroğlu Zeynep Çetin
Published: July 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect every aspect of life. English language education has been shifted from face-to-face education to online education as a result of sudden decisions. English language teachers and learners are expected to adapt to this sudden change and manage the process effectively, without considering their technological competence and knowledge about technology's integration into foreign language pedagogy. In the process of teaching English as a foreign language, speaking skills teaching, which is often neglected compared to other skills, has become more limited in online education due to various reasons. There is not enough study in the existing literature on the design of digital speaking activities. Therefore, the current book section deals with the design of goal-oriented digital speaking skills activities within the framework of the CEFR CV. Additionally, examples of goal-oriented digital speaking activities are presented in the present book chapter. The chapter will guide language teachers to design digital speaking activities appropriate to CEFR CV.