bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating social learning through learning design
Authors: Adachi Chie , Savage Julia , O'Donnell Marcus
Published: May 2024

In the field of technology-enhanced learning design, the rise of Web 2.0 has been the filip needed to accelerate the emergence of socially-connected global learners. These highly social learners now use the web to engage with knowledge and skill development and as such, online education has moved irrevocably beyond simply the finding and sharing of information among learners. The higher education sector is responding to this learning landscape. This is particularly relevant to the massive open online courses (MOOCs) environment where there is the potential for thousands of participants to learn through multiple open source tools with minimum intervention from educators. This social learning perspective can present a challenge for some educators. In this paper we present a work-in-progress collaborative project designed to respond to the professional development of teaching academics newly engaged in designing and teaching from a social learning perspective. We, in a central learning and teaching unit, designed and developed a professional development (PD) course that sought to build the capacity of academics going through this change: they were about to teach on a MOOC platform. Our purpose was to model the social learning framework as a method of capacity-building, but we also aimed to distil authentic social learning for the academics themselves. This resulted in creating a community of practice among educators. Further research is required to measure the impact of this capacity-building course in order to further enhance the learning experiences of academics preparing to teach on a MOOC platform.
Developing a technology enhanced learning framework to gain a snapshot of institutional successes and challenges
Authors: Bailye Mark , Steel Caroline , Sankey Michael
Published: May 2024

Across higher education, institutions continue to invest in technology enhanced learning (TEL) as it has the potential to transform and improve the quality of learning, teaching and the student experience. Despite the investment, many still struggle to identify and address the elements that are essential to enabling institutional success. This paper focuses on the iterative development of a TEL Framework that aims to provide a fast and efficient snapshot of institutional challenges and successes in TEL, alongside a set of actionable recommendations to move the institution forward. The Framework is based on a set of 8 themes the authors have identified as critical to the success of TEL. The themes are used as part of dialogic process, designed to gather perspectives on how TEL is being used across an institution. By June 2017, the TEL Framework was trialled in 6 institutions. Using a workshop format, participants engaged in a three-step guided process known as DIP – Discover, Interpret and Pitch. At the core of this process were cards that represented the 8 TEL theme. These were used to surface participant’s perceptions. Overall, most participants agreed, that the TEL Framework was a valuable process to use to uncover institutional successes and challenges in TEL and that the theme cards were useful in stimulating these insights. The TEL Framework is still a work in progress and so its effectiveness is still being determined. However, early indications are that it is a useful instrument for gathering perceptions, and in identifying TEL challenges and successes.
Understanding students’ views on feedback to inform the development of technology-supported feedback systems
Authors: Corrin Linda , De Barba Paula
Published: May 2024

In an increasingly expanding higher education system, students have routinely said that they don’t get enough access to feedback to support their learning. While this feedback loop is recognised as a critical issue, the growing use of technology as part of teaching and learning could provide some solutions to this problem. The emergence of the field of learning analytics has the potential to provide mechanisms for reducing some of the concerns students have about receiving feedback. However, a greater understanding of how learning analytics can be used to provide meaningful assessment feedback to students is needed. This paper presents the initial findings from a study that investigated students’ preferences for the delivery of assessment feedback to improve their learning. The findings show that there is a diversity of student perspectives on what feedback is most useful for their learning which is influenced by the type of assessment, the discipline in which the assessment takes place, the year level of the student and the ability to compare performance to others. The outcomes of this study provide evidence of what students want when it comes to analytics-based feedback which can be used to inform the development of guidelines for how such feedback can be designed and delivered in higher education.
Digital equity
Authors: Farley Helen , Willem Julie
Published: May 2024

ELearning has been touted as the way in which universities can enable participation by large numbers of students from non-traditional cohorts. There is no doubt that the flexibility of access that eLearning allows makes study accessible for a number of cohorts, including those engaged in full-time work or caring duties. However, cohorts such as incarcerated students and other students without Internet access, are sitting on the wrong side of the digital divide and are increasingly marginalised by the very technology anticipated to overcome their exclusion from study. This paper examines the fundamental issues of equity involved with eLearning, and particularly for incarcerated students. The very issue of access to the Internet is fraught with rates of access varying widely between different sectors of society. This discussion prompts higher education providers to think beyond business-as-usual when speaking of increasing participation in higher education.
The effect of digital game-based language learning mobile application on the development of complexity, accuracy, and fluency in foreign language monologic oral production among Chinese learners of English as a foreign language
Authors: Han Feifei , Wang Zehua
Published: May 2024

The study reported the effect of a digital game-based language learning (DGBLL) mobile application “Speaking English Fluently – An Automated Scoring Artificial Intelligent Tutoring System on Spoken English” on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency in foreign language (FL) monologic oral production among 31 second year Chinese university learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants’ monologic oral production was measured in the first (week 1) and last week (week 21) of a semester using the same narrative picture description task. The oral production was audio-recorded and transcribed. Both the transcripts and audio-files were analyzed on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency dimensions. The complexity was measured using the number of Mean (M) words per T-unit, the accuracy dimension was measured using the number of repairs and errors per 100 words; and the fluency dimension was measured via speech rate (i.e., number of words per minute), and M length of pauses. Students were required to download the mobile application and followed the monological practice section twice a week for 30 minutes each time. Using paired sample t-tests, we found that even though the participants’ repair rate and speech rate remained unchanged, they produced more complex monologic speech, had significantly fewer errors, and reduced average length of pauses after 20 weeks treatment using the mobile application, demonstrating a positive effect of the DGBLL mobile application on FL learners’ monologic oral production.
Transforming exams
Authors: Hillier Mathew , Fluck Andrew
Published: May 2024

This paper focuses on the 'IT' side of a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) based e-Exam system developed as part of an Australian government funded project. In short, students in the exam room boot their own laptops using a specially crafted USB stick that contains a standardised operating system and application suite. By giving teachers and students access to contemporary software tools we are providing the opportunity to greatly expand the pedagogical landscape of the exam room encouraging more authentic assessment practices. The roles for the 'Us' (organisations) and 'Me' individuals within the process of running an e-exam are also outlined in order to provide a richer description on the approach.
Social media in enabling education
Authors: Hopkins Susan
Published: May 2024

This paper argues that students from rural and low socio-economic status (LSES) backgrounds, who undertake enabling education, benefit from the social, cultural and network capital which digital, narrative and connective platforms may provide in pre-tertiary teaching and learning. In particular, this paper discusses the trial of the use of the social networking site Facebook as a learning management system within an enabling tertiary preparation program designed to raise the aspirations and widen the participation of economically and geographically disadvantaged young people. It also discusses the role of new media in an approach to Tertiary Preparation which recognises that to succeed in their university study, non-traditional students need to develop not only academic skills and confidence, but the skills and confidence to survive and thrive in the broader digital society.
The synergistic and dynamic relationship between learning design and learning analytics
Authors: Ifenthaler Dirk , Gibson David , Dobozy Eva
Published: May 2024

The synergistic relationship between learning design and learning analytics has the potential for improving learning and teaching in near real-time. The potential for integrating the newly available and dynamic information from ongoing analysis into learning design requires new perspectives on learning and teaching data processing and analysis as well as advanced theories, methods, and tools for supporting dynamic learning design processes. Three perspectives of learning analytics design provide summative, real-time, and predictive insights. In a case study with 3,550 users, the navigation sequence and network graph analysis demonstrate the potential of learning analytics design. The study aims to demonstrate how the analysis of navigation patterns and network graph analysis could inform the learning design of self-guided digital learning experiences. Even with open-ended freedom, only 608 sequences were evidenced by learners out of a potential number of hundreds of millions of sequences. Advancements of learning analytics design have the potential for mapping the cognitive, social and even physical states of the learner and optimise their learning environment on the fly.
What’s in a name
Authors: Mitchell Kate , Simpson Colin , Adachi Chie
Published: May 2024

With the growing ubiquity of educational technology, there has been an increased need for specialised practitioners to advise on and support technology enhanced learning within Higher Education. Academic developers, instructional designers and educational technologists are all examples of these skilled individuals typically working in ‘third space’ that crosses complex boundaries - between the pedagogical and technological, and the academic and professional. However, role titles and descriptions of duties are often unclear at best, with a lack of consistent terminology used across institutions and in the literature. This can lead to confusion and tensions when working with multiple institutional stakeholders who are uncertain about the abilities and knowledge of people in these roles; potentially exacerbating ‘the academic/professional divide’ in Higher Education and weakening the collaborative relationship between TEL workers and academics. This paper presents a synthesis of key literature related to contemporary TEL advisor and support roles in Higher Education alongside a preliminary analysis of 37 recent position descriptions of these roles. The application of social practice theory as our conceptual framework enables us to further explore the significance of practices in defining and differentiating these roles. This paper offers a step forward to the ways in which clarity and consistency of these roles might be sought. Future implications of this study are included for further consideration.
Using an e-authoring tool (H5P) to support blended learning
Authors: Singh Sarika , Scholz Kirstin
Published: May 2024

With an increasing emphasis on blended learning at Victoria University (VU), all the units are to be redesigned and delivered in a blended approach by the end of 2020. This presentation will outline VU librarians’ experience in the use of an open source e-authoring tool (H5P) to support the University’s blended learning strategy. We will discuss using the H5P tool to enhance library instructional videos and create interactive learning objects to support a specific unit. By using these enhanced resources, students are actively engaged with the content and can easily revisit and review at any time and are able to complete self-assessment activities at their own pace and receive immediate feedback on their performance. Furthermore, this presentation will showcase various H5P learning objects created by librarians that are reusable and shared with all VU staff, who can access from the learning objects library in VU’s learning management system (VU Collaborate). Instead of duplicating learning resources, teaching staff and other librarians are able to save time through reusing the learning objects/activities. In addition, we will outline the data that were accessible through VU Collaborate and feedback received from the teaching staff. The benefits of the tool outweighs the limitations and future plans are suggested to continue utilising this tool for the University’s First Year Model.
Mobile learning and speech technology for language teachers’ professional development
Authors: Tran Tran Le Nghi
Published: May 2024

This study aims to investigate the use of mobile learning to provide pronunciation training for lecturers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) from Vietnamese provincial universities. Mobile learning offers a potential solution for the delivery of professional development to lecturers based outside major cities thanks to its capacity to enable learning anytime, anywhere. Mobile learning and speech technology are expected to facilitate lecturers’ self-direct learning to fulfil their professional development needs using their own devices. This paper reports results from a pilot study which serves as the first phase of an ongoing design-based research project. The pilot study was carried out to explore the feasibility of an online pronunciation course and identify potential problems for future course iterations in the context of participants living outside major cities in a developing country. The objectives of the project are to establish and test a set of fundamental principles for mobile learning to be an effective way of providing online professional development for lecturers based outside major cities and to shed light on the necessary adjustments in course design to make it a scalable model for future education planning. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected during two iterations of an online pronunciation professional development course for EFL lecturers from Vietnamese provincial universities.
Constructive alignment of materials in tertiary programs
Authors: Yoon Sook Jhee , Gruba Paul
Published: May 2024

With the increasing adoption of blended learning, tertiary programs are becoming ever more varied and complicated. Laying at the heart of a range of complex learning activities, the role of blended materials once again comes into discussions concerning learning outcomes. But how do contemporary educators design and use blended materials to support pedagogical goals? In this study, we examine the constructive alignment of blended materials with the learning outcomes of modern language programs. Using pedagogical claims analyses with data gathered in two case studies, we found that educators tend to align materials to the curriculum, student interests, a research agenda and contemporary culture. We conclude our work with a discussion of constructive alignment of materials design and use in tertiary blended learning.
Recipes for institutional adoption of a teacher-driven learning analytics tool
Authors: Liu Danny , Kondo Elsuida , Samnick Kevin , Liu Danny , King Deborah , Bridgeman Adam
Published: May 2024

The changing landscape of higher education is putting increasing strain on educators, leading to a diminishing ability to provide pedagogical and pastoral support to ballooning and diversifying cohorts. Learning analytics promises solutions to these challenges for educators, including by personalising learning support and experiences, streamlining data capture and analyses, and providing teachers with new, efficient teaching approaches. However, reports of these impacts, or widespread adoption of learning analytics, or even examples of cross-institutional collaboration are sparse. We argue that this may be because of a lack of educator-driven learning analytics tools that meet their felt needs, and present case studies from three Australian universities that have collaborated to implement such a tool. This tool, the Student Relationship Engagement System (SRES), empowers educators to collect, collate, analyse, and use student engagement and success data that they consider meaningful for their particular contexts. Developed by unfunded educators and widely adopted through collegiate recommendations, the SRES enables personalisation and targeting of student learning and support using relevant data, fostering positive student-teacher relationships and enhancing student engagement. Using the three case studies as a backdrop, we present a revised learning analytics adoption framework focussing on strategy, structure, support, and impact, and use this framework to systematically evaluate the implementation of the SRES at the three institutions to derive ‘recipes’ for adopting an educator-focussed learning analytics platform. We also discuss three core themes emerging from the case studies, around the needs of academics, the role of academic and educational developers, and flexible and agile information technology practices.
Addressing inconsistency in use of the LMS
Authors: Masterman Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

Inconsistency in the use of the learning management system (LMS) by academic staff is a source of dissatisfaction among university students in the UK. One solution is to establish a set of minimum standards (or baseline) for LMS use within an individual institution. Another is to supply templates – frameworks for LMS course sites – with a view to providing students with a seamless experience in their interactions with the LMS. This paper describes how the issue of inconsistency was addressed at a leading research university in the UK through an exploratory project, WebLearn Improved Student Experience (WISE). The widespread devolution of responsibility for site management to administrative staff, together with the ‘maverick’ creation of course sites by those academics who chose to engage with the WebLearn LMS, had resulted in unevenness in students’ access to learning materials. The project team engaged in close collaboration with 19 departments in order to achieve the immediate purpose of improving uptake of, and consistency in, their LMS presence. The ultimate aim was to develop a support package comprising LMS templates and ‘best practice’ guidelines that would enable departments in the future to achieve the same objective, either unsupported or with minimal assistance from the central team of learning technologists. The project was evaluated using a modification of the Innovation Histories method, which included interviews with 13 participants. The evaluation findings additionally threw into relief the complex social and cultural factors at play that can inhibit a consistent student experience in an institutional LMS.
Synthesis and properties of novel degradable polyglycolide-based polyurethanes
Authors: Wang Jing-Jing , Zhou Ying-Guo , Zhang Qian-Qian , Zou Jun
Published: May 2024

Graphical abstract

Polyglycolide-based polyurethane was synthesized via chain extension reaction. As the hard segment content increases, its thermal stability and mechanical properties are improved; and the weight loss rate in PBS solution is reduced.
Which patients with chronic low back pain respond favorably to multidisciplinary rehabilitation? A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kjærgaard Claus , Schmidt Anne Mette , Larsen Josefine Beck , Laurberg Trine Bay , Mechlenburg Inger
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify prognostic variables at baseline associated with being responding favorably to multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods

A responder analysis was conducted based on data from a randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up including 165 patients with CLBP treated at a Danish multidisciplinary rehabilitation center. Patients were dichotomized into responders and non-responders based on the outcome of a minimal clinically important difference of six points on the Oswestry Disability Index. The associations between prognostic variables and responders were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 139 patients completed the study, of which 42% were classified as responders. Sex and employment status were statistically significant, with a decreased odds ratio (OR) of being a responder found for males compared to females (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02–0.48) and for being on temporary or permanent social benefits (OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.10–0.75) compared to being self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits. Statistically significant interaction (OR = 8.84, 95% CI = 1.11–70.12) was found between males and being on temporary or permanent social benefits.

Conclusions

In patients with CLBP, female patients as well as patients who were self-supporting or receiving retirement benefits were significantly more likely than male patients or patients on temporary or permanent social benefits to be a responder to multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
Karl Rahner’s Theology of the Diaconate: A Reappraisal
Authors: Pabel Hilmar M.
Published: May 2024

Both before and after the Second Vatican Council, Karl Rahner promoted the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order in the Catholic church. His theology of the diaconate has eluded sustained attention. After providing the historical context for his contribution, this reappraisal, in a close reading of Rahner, elaborates on three essential ecclesiological themes: the church’s exercise of its divine right to establish a discrete diaconate by dividing office, the graced nature of diaconal office, and the specialized function of deacons in the formation of ecclesial community.
Über die aktuelle Bedeutung des liberalen Kulturprotestantismus. Ein Vortrag in Tokyo 2019
Authors: Graf Friedrich Wilhelm
Published: May 2024

Der für japanische und auch einige koreanische Studierende, Doktorandinnen und Doktoranden sowie Universitätsprofessoren und -professorinnen unterschiedlicher kultur- und sozialwissenschaftlicher Disziplinen geschriebene Text wurde am 16. Oktober 2019 in Tokyo in englischer Sprache vorgetragen. Es ging um eine Einführung in zentrale Elemente des Denkens deutscher liberalprotestantischer Theologie seit der „Sattelzeit“ (Reinhart Kosselleck) um 1800 und um die Frage, inwieweit sich theologisch liberale Leitideen [normative ideas] im japanischen theologischen Diskurs rezipieren lassen. Die These: Darüber können nur japanische Theologen selbst entscheiden

The text, written for Japanese and some Korean students, doctoral students and university professors from various cultural and social science disciplines, was read in English on October 16, 2019 in Tokyo. It was about an introduction to central elements of the thinking of German liberal Protestant theology since the „Sattelzeit“ (Reinhart Kosselleck) around 1800 and the question of the extent to which theologically liberal guiding ideas [normative ideas] can be received in Japanese theological discourse. The thesis: Only Japanese theologians can decide this for themselves.
OCENA WPŁYWU METODY UTRWALANIA NA WYBRANE DETERMINANTY JAKOŚCI JABŁEK
Authors: HALAGARDA MICHAŁ , KOWA-HALAGARDA KATARZYNA , POPEK STANISŁAW
Published: May 2024

Background. Metabolic processes, along with microbial activity, affect the quality of fruit, and con sequently, lead to product spoilage, resulting in waste and an economic loss. This also applies to apples, even though they are stored under refrigerated conditions. Therefore, research on the possibility of using other methods to extend their shelf life is currently being conducted. However, treatments used may, in addition to enhancing durability, affect other aspects of quality, in particular, nutritional value and sensory parameters. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the impact of the preservation method (convec tion drying, freeze drying and freezing) on sensory quality and chemical composition of apples. The chem ical composition assessment involved the determination of the contents of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C. Differences between preservation methods were analyzed statistically using linear mixed models. To identify the most similar samples subjected to the three preservation methods, a two-dimensional sample map was developed by means of a principal component analysis (PCA). Results and conclusions. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the most preferred method of preservation was freezing. Both convection and freeze-drying had a negative impact on the content of vitamins, dietary fiber and protein in apples, with greater changes in the levels of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and odor being noted in the case of freeze-dried samples. The results of the PCA analysis confirmed that frozen fruit had the closest nutritional value to fresh apples and the highest sensory quality.
WIEDZA PRACOWNIKÓW I WŁAŚCICIELI RESTAURACJI W ZAKRESIE WDROŻENIA I FUNKCJONOWANIA SYSTEMÓW ZAPEWNIENIA BEZPIECZEŃSTWA ŻYWNOŚCI I JEJ DETERMINANTY
Authors: CZERNYSZEWICZ EUGENIA , KRÓL, JOLANTA , SIKORA TADEUSZ
Published: May 2024

Background. In Poland, more and more people are using catering services. Only the conduct compli ant with requirements currently in force, proper hygiene and the use of safety assurance systems guarantee the preparation of meals of adequate health quality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and activi ties of employees of different levels and work experience employed in restaurants concerning basic issues related to the principles of GHP, GMP and the HACCP system, as well as their implementation and appli cation. The research tool was a survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted in 2022 among employ ees and owners of 20 restaurants in the Lublin province. Correlations between seniority and position in the restaurant and the surveyed variables were examined, whereas one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was conducted to investigate the significance of differences in the opinions of employees and restaurant own ers. Results and conclusions. The knowledge of employees about the principles, implementation and op eration of food safety assurance systems in the surveyed restaurants can be described as medium. The respondents’ position was significantly correlated with the evaluation of knowledge of food safety assur ance systems, trainings in the HACCP system and the opinion that if the HACCP system was not imple mented, nothing would change. The perception of the HACCP system by the groups of employees having seniority of up to 5 years was significantly different compared to employees having longer seniority. Respondents believed that implementing a HACCP system would guarantee food safety (67 %) and high product quality (53 %).
ZANIECZYSZCZENIA ŻYWNOŚCI – CHARAKTERYSTYKA I REGULACJE PRAWNE. CZĘŚĆ I – TOKSYNY ROŚLINNE
Authors: GAŁKOWSKA DOROTA , PYCIA KAROLINA , KAPUŚNIAK KAMILA , JUSZCZAK LESŁAW
Published: May 2024

Food health safety is a set of conditions that must be met and actions that must be taken at all stages of production of or trade in food in order to ensure human health and life.. Food safety is guaranteed by appropriately shaped food law, and the food safety policy pursued by the European Union institutions covers all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption, and guarantees the clarity of infor mation on the origin and composition of food and its labelling. However, not all hazards can be completely eliminated from food, which is why their residues are strictly regulated by law. The key solution in this area was Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting the maximum levels of certain contaminants in foodstuffs. This legal act, which had been supplemented and amended many times, was replaced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on the maximum levels of certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006. The aim of the work was to characterize plant toxins as contaminants in food, the highest permissible levels of which were introduced by amendments to Regulation EC 1881/2006 and included in the current EU Regulation 915/2023. Results and conclusions: Numerous amendments to Regulation 1881/2006, and consequently Regula tion 2023/915, introduced the highest permissible levels for the following plant toxins: erucic acid, tropane and pyrrolizidine alkaloids and opium alkaloids, hydrogen cyanide and cyanogenic glycosides, and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol equivalents. Due to the potential threat of these substances, their highest residues in individual foodstuffs must be regulated and monitored as part of official food control activities, while when obtaining raw materials that may contain this type of substances, it is necessary to follow appropri ate recommendations and good practices.
Participatory, Multimodal Approaches to Child Rights Education in Global Contexts: Reflections on a Study with Schoolchildren in Uganda and Canada
Authors: Jones Shelley , Manion Kathleen
Published: May 2024

Globally, we have much to learn about fulfilling international child education rights, particularly in times of crisis, as evidenced during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Although the right of children to know their rights is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other documents, such as the African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child, child rights are rarely introduced to children as part of their formal learning experience in school, because children are deemed unable to understand the concepts of rights (and responsibilities) (Alderson, 2008; Jerome, 2018). This lack of child-rights education means children are denied opportunities for empowerment: e.g., awareness and knowledge needed for self-advocacy, advocacy for other children with respect to the ability to claim and exercise their rights (Covell et al., 2017; Wabwile, 2016). Drawing on a case study conducted in Uganda and Canada, this paper discusses how participatory, empowering, multimodal, and contextually-responsive/sensitive approaches to child rights education enables children to engage meaningfully in learning about their rights.
Service-Learning as the Violence of Mercy after the 2010 Haitian Earthquake
Authors: Bailey Megan
Published: May 2024

This article draws on La Paperson’s (2010) notion of the “violence of mercy” to demonstrate how the service-learning response to the 2010 Haitian earthquake fits into an ongoing neocolonial mission that harms communities served (p. 25). This is done by investigating the best practices of the Haiti Compact, a cohort of American colleges and universities operating service-learning initiatives in Haiti after the earthquake in thoughtful ways intending to help with the recovery efforts while meaningfully contributing service via the ritual presence of international volunteers. Despite good intentions, their material practices of service-learning risk harm for community partners and fail to meet established best practice goals. By examining the work of service-learning educators who commit to best practices, place ethics, community, and social justice, we can understand the limits of possibility for a pedagogy that is predicated upon students entering communities as outsiders intent upon meeting community needs.
EXPLORING THE WETTABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF ARGILLACEOUS SILTSTONE WITH IMBIBITION AND NMR TECHNIQUE FOR MARINE RESERVOIR EXPLOITATION
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhang Zhengyan , Xu Huijin , Gao Jingwei
Published: May 2024

The argillaceous siltstone reservoirs in South China Sea involves a wide variety of fossil resources, such as gas hydrate, marine oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources. The argillaceous siltstone with mixed wettability characteristics is easily dispersed in water, and it is difficult to study the wettability of argillaceous siltstone based on water imbibition technique. In this work, an innovative method is proposed to demonstrate the mixed wettability based on imbibition and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. The contact angle results show that the affinity of argillaceous siltstone for oil is stronger than that for water. However, the imbibition volume of water is much larger than that of oil.
The oil imbibition curve is linear, while water imbibition curve has a two-stage feature. This difference can be explained by the expansion of clay, where more water wet surfaces are exposed to the liquid, leading to changes in wettability. In addition, the coexistence of organic matter and inorganic clay minerals results in a mixed wetting characteristic. Based on NMR technology, a micro wettability index is proposed to quantitatively characterize the micro wettability heterogeneity. The micro water (or oil) wettability index of micropores (0.01-10 ms) is approximately equal to 0.5, indicating the mixed wettability. The micro water wettability index of mesopores (10-500 ms) is approximately equal
to 1.0, indicating strong water wettability. These pores or cracks may be induced by clay minerals expansion. The
micro oil wettability index of macropores (> 500 ms) is approximately equal to 1.0, indicating strong oil wettability, which is resulted from significant accumulation of organic debris enrichment. It is of great significance to improve the exploration and exploitation efficiency of mineral resources in the South China Sea.
Effects of jet grouting on adjacent ground through numerical modelling
Authors: Feizi Siamak , Nilsen Eirik , Tsegaye Anteneh B. , Karlsrud Kjell , Fornes Petter , Ritter Stefan
Published: May 2024

When using jet grouting for soil stabilisation, effects of the installation process need to be evaluated. This could be particularly important for applications in challenging ground conditions and low initial ground stability. This study investigates such effects in soft marine clays using numerical finite-element (FE) simulations for both flat and sloping terrains. Additionally, an analytical solution using the modified Hagen–Poiseuille equation was developed to (a) assess the pressure induced by the grout at any installed depth and (b) illustrate the importance of maintaining a proper amount of return flow to avoid build-up of excessive pressures in the ground during the jet-grouting process. Combining the analytical and the FE simulations, jet-grouting induced soil displacements, were determined. For flat terrain, the area affected by jet grouting was approximately three to four times the column radius. By contrast, for the studied slope (inclination of 1 : 3), the influenced area increased to about ten times the column radius. The obtained displacement magnitude was also considerably larger for sloping terrain than for flat terrain. The reported findings relate to jet grouting in marine clays (which is not the normal application of this technology) and cannot be extrapolated to other soils.
Mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete containing brick particles
Authors: Zhang Yafei , Dang Faning , An Xinzheng
Published: May 2024

To investigate the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete containing brick particles (RACB), compressive strength tests were conducted on RACBs with different water/cement ratios and recycled fine aggregate substitution rates. The changes in compressive strength, elastic modulus and peak strain of RACB were analysed as a function of the proportion of substituted recycled fine aggregate, and a stress–strain equation was established. A damage model was established using ultrasonic non-destructive testing technology to reveal the damage mechanism of RACB. Results show that the basic mechanical properties of RACB are best when the replacement proportion of recycled fine aggregate (r) is 30%. The model parameter a of the stress–strain curve equation is consistent with the change of elastic modulus with r. The model parameter b has a quadratic function relationship with r, reflecting the brittleness of RACB. The initial damage of RACB is relatively large, and cracks penetrate the recycled coarse aggregate, leading to specimen failure.
Disinfectant activity of compound VG1: Part-IV
Authors: Nerkar Amit G. , Ingawale Deepali Gaikwad , Gaikwad Vijay
Published: May 2024

Earlier we had reported the synthesis of compound VG1 in part 1 of the paper. We here report the disinfectant activity of the compound VG1 conducted at Laboratory Level through advanced techniques.
A prospective study on the causes of hyperbilirubinemia and its clinical markers in term and near-term newborns admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Patna, India
Authors: Kumari Manisha , Mishra Pooja
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to investigate the root causes, prognostic factors, and therapeutic strategies for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia among term and near-term infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at IGIMS, Patna. Furthermore, the research aimed to analyze the clinical progression of these infants throughout their NICU stay.

Conducted within the NICU at IGIMS, Patna, Bihar, this study encompassed term and late preterm infants admitted with serum bilirubin levels exceeding 12 mg/dl. The primary focus was on identifying risk factors, etiological factors, and the clinical profile of these infants during their NICU tenure.

The study examined birth weight distribution and concurrent medical conditions. Parameters included the initiation of phototherapy based on bilirubin levels and treatment methodologies. Out of the 210 infants studied, 27.14% and 47.62% weighed between 2001 and 2500 grams. The most prevalent causes were physiological (129 cases), fetal prematurity (30 cases), birth asphyxia (7 cases), and prolonged labor (18 cases). Idiopathic causes were observed in 28 instances, ABO incompatibility in 7 cases, and Rh incompatibility in 7 cases. G6PD deficiency was identified once. At the commencement of phototherapy, 19.52% had bilirubin levels between 12 and 15 mg/dl, 58.57% between 15.1 and 18 mg/dl, 11.91% above 20 mg/dl, and 10% between 18.1 and 20 mg/dl.

Physiological causes emerged as the most frequent contributors to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, followed by septicemia and idiopathic factors. Infrequent causes included blood group incompatibility. Phototherapy was established as a cost-effective and efficient method for reducing bilirubin levels in neonatal jaundice. Exchange transfusion proved to be a safe therapeutic measure in cases of severe hyperbilirubinemia. Blood group incompatibility was the main determinant requiring exchange transfusion.
A study of asymptpmatic hypoglycemia in at risk newborn babies admitted at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Kamat Raksha Rohidas , Shaikhjiwala Razin , Shanmugam Gobinath , Bulsara Panna
Published: May 2024

: Babies often have blood glucose levels that are 70% of their mothers at birth. Within an hour, it reaches its lowest point, which can be as low as 20 to 25 mg/dl. All healthy newborns experience this low point and have lower than average blood glucose levels. These are just temporary, and they gradually increase in the first few days of a newborn's life.

: To determine the proportion of asymptomatic hypoglycemia in at risk newborn babies. To study plasma sugar level at various time, point during first 48hr of life and the effect of risk factor associated with asymptomatic hypoglycemia.

: A Hospital-based longitudinal observational study was conducted among 303 patients at Department of Pediatrics of tertiary care Hospital during June 2021 – July 2021.

: Total 159 were males and 154 were females. Among the study participants, 203(83%) cases were from Urban area, while 50(17%) were from Rural area. No. of 114(37.6%) babies had asymptomatic hypoglycemia, identified by routine screening. In total various risk factors was found in which among 29% cases had LGA, 41% had preterm and 30% had weight less than 2 kg.

: Screening of at risk newborn helps in the early detection of asymptomatic hypoglycemia which will help in the prevention of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Routine screening helped to decrease morbidity and mortality due to hypoglycemia. The first 24 hours of life is a crucial part, at - risk babies are more prone to hypoglycemia hence routine screening is recommended in high-risk babies.
Management of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy in India: A review of current practices and challenges
Authors: Zinzuwadiya Shreya Ghanshyambhai , Modi Nimesh P , Dhande Keshini S
Published: May 2024

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a major global health concern that can lead to difficulties for both the mother and the foetus, especially in pregnant women. The physiological demand of iron during pregnancy increases threefold to support fetoplacental development and maternal adaptation to pregnancy. This study aimed to identify gaps in current IDA management, limitations of conventional oral iron therapy, and the need for effective and well-tolerated treatments.

The objective of this study was to understand the gap of current treatment options in IDA management, its limitations, and possible effective strategies for better management.

A questionnaire-based opinion survey involving top gynecologists across India was conducted. The survey aimed to gather data on the challenges faced with conventional oral iron therapy, the desire for a change in oral iron salts, and the preference for novel oral iron prescriptions for their patients.

Data obtained from the survey showed that 82% of gynecologists and obstetricians noticed challenges with conventional oral iron therapy. 86% wanted to change the oral iron salts, and 70% would like to prescribe novel oral iron for their patients. Ferric maltol, a novel form of chelated oral iron, was introduced as a potential solution for IDA management. It has been studied in various clinical indications, such as IDA associated with inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney disease, and pulmonary hypertension, showing significant improvements in hemoglobin and iron indices with good tolerability throughout treatment duration.

The study results demonstrate that ferric maltol is a suitable and convenient treatment option for individuals seeking long-term, convenient, and well-tolerated management of IDA.
The role of color doppler in high risk pregnancies: A prospective comparative study
Authors: Wadekar Pooja Shivaji , Sonak Mangala
Published: May 2024

Pregnancy can be considered as the most beautiful period of a woman’s life. The recent medical advances are helpful in taking very good care of the female throughout her pregnancy. The pregnancy is constantly observed by clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and radiographic examinations at specific intervals throughout its course.

To study the role of doppler ultrasound in high-risk pregnancies.

This is a prospective comparative study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Government medical college, Nagpur. The study period was 12 months. 232 patients were included in this study.

In our study, 2 patients had Chronic hypertension, 2 patients had GDM, 1 patient had Gestational hypertension, 3 patients had Anaemia, 6 patients had Heart Disease, 5 patients had HIV positive,15 patients had Hypothyroidism, 2 patients had Increased BP, 1 patient had Overt DM,6 patients had Pre-eclampsia,1 patient had previous abortion, 4 patients had Rh negative, 5 patients had Sickle Cell Disease(SS) and 15 patients had Sickle Cell trait(AS). Distribution of normal doppler changes in cases according to high risk factor was statistically significant (p<0.0001).

In our study, NICU Admission with doppler changes was statistically significant and Association of Baby weight in cases according to doppler changes in uterine artery and Baby weight in cases according to doppler changes in umbilical artery was not statistically significant.
Endometrial thickness by ultrasonography and its correlation with histopathology in abnormal uterine bleeding among peri and post menopausal women
Authors: Jena Pramila , Mishra Priti , Panda Somya Ranjan , Panda Jyochanmati , Padhee Sourav , Rath Sibanarayan
Published: May 2024

The endometrium constitutes a dynamic organ in female reproductive years, as it is subjected to hormonal variations in every cycle. Present study was conducted with the aim to correlate the endometrial thickness with the histopathology in the peri-menopausal females presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and to identify cut off value of endometrial thickness in order to reach at some consensus regarding when to intervene so that not a single endometrial pathology will be missed.

This was an observational study conducted on 242 peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women ≥40 years of age presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

: Based on the ROC curve, the cutoff point that delineates the abnormal histology and normal histology for endometrial thickness was 14.20 mm. Area under the curve (AUC) was 0.783 with 95% CI as 0.686 - 0.880 having sensitivity 71% and specificity 90% (p < 0.001).

Heavy menstrual bleeding and frequent cycle were found to be commonly associated with gynecological pathology in these age groups. In all post and peri-menopausal AUB trans vaginal sonography for endometrial thickness is the initial best modality of investigation. Endometrial thickness cutoff in the range of ≥ 14 mm is of prime importance.