bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding and Supporting the Whole Child
Authors: Tare Medha P. , Pape Barbara , Shell Alison R.
Published: May 2022

This chapter proposes that in order to support young children in meeting and adapting to the demands of the future workforce, an educational system that recognizes the whole child and supports each child's strengths and needs according to their learner variability is needed. The authors outline how learning sciences research has illuminated the interconnections among many different factors of early math and literacy development, including early experiences at home and social-emotional well-being. Further, evidence from partnerships between the Learner Variability Project and practitioners and educational technology developers provides examples of implementation of a whole child approach in different learning environments. The chapter concludes with recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders on how to build capacity to help every child reach their full potential.
Mitigating the Impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Authors: Ponciano Leslie , Gayle Zaid , Ponciano Jade
Published: May 2022

Peace4Kids, a community-based non-profit, developed their trauma-informed, strengths-based approach over two decades of applied practice with children in foster care. This approach consists of a daily mindfulness practice and a communication tool to facilitate a positive approach to creating safe spaces for all children who are coping with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The consistent use of these tools together builds awareness of the influence that mental models have on interactions between adult caregivers and children, increases empathy in those moments, and gives children agency. With a focus on the mindfulness of adult caregivers, rather than on changing the behavior of children, this approach can be integrated into any context, culture, curriculum, or teaching philosophy. The purpose of this chapter is to share these practices for use with all children who were adversely impacted by the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic during their development.
Playing for the Future
Authors: Herbst Elana , Cruz Tania , Bower Corinne A. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick
Published: May 2022

Spatial skills are fundamental for mentally manipulating objects, visualizing and remembering the locations of objects and their paths, reconstructing patterns, and recognizing locations from a variety of perspectives. Despite their link to children's performance in mathematics and to later success in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers, spatial skills are notably absent from most educational curricula. This chapter addresses key questions in the field of spatial development: What do we mean when we talk about spatial skills? How do they develop during early childhood? And why is it important to promote them early in life? This chapter reviews the available evidence for these general questions and discusses the efficacy of playful interventions and educational technology to incorporate spatial learning into homes, preschool classrooms, and community settings.
Supporting Meaningful and Equitable Early Learning Through Science and Engineering
Authors: Dominguez Ximena , Stephens Amy
Published: May 2022

Engaging young children in science and engineering learning experiences leverages their curiosity and interest in the natural and physical world. Recent initiatives at the national, state, and local levels have begun to elevate science and engineering as key domains of early learning. This chapter provides an overview of why science and engineering should be promoted early, including discussions of how current views of K-12 science and engineering align with whole-child approaches in preschool, how preschool science and engineering can support children's current and later learning, and how co-design efforts can make these early learning experiences relevant and meaningful. The chapter also reviews the evidence regarding science tools and resources, as well as the promise of curricula and professional development programs. Overall, greater alignment in preschool and elementary efforts is needed to create high quality, cohesive and coherent science and engineering learning experiences across time.
Promoting Change Agency in Early Education
Authors: Cahill Mary Ann , Eisenhauer Mary Jane , Gregory Anne E.
Published: May 2022

Reframing the preparation of early childhood educators from “training” to an induction into a profession of practice, this chapter outlines a blueprint for such a paradigm shift. Induction involves embedded structures and opportunities for preservice early educators to develop as professionals, including core foundational knowledge about child development as well as apprenticeship in practice. Professionalizing the field is grounded in early educators' deep understanding of the child's sociocultural milieu and the implications for development and learning. Further, to mitigate the effects of trauma that has become emblematic of the recent pandemic, aspiring early educators need explicit instruction and support as they co-construct the profession within their courses, field experiences, and co-curricular activities.
Using Public Media to Support Early Learning and School Readiness
Authors: Rosenfeld Deborah , Silander Megan , Kennedy Joy Lorenzo , Hupert Naomi
Published: May 2022

This chapter examines how intentionally designed public media supports young children's learning across domains and settings. Incorporating robust learning goals and building on rich research into how best to support learning with media, public media represents a free and scalable means of ensuring that children of all backgrounds have access to quality educational materials delivered in an entertaining format. The authors discuss the importance of context, content, curation, and adult mediation in children's learning from digital media, and provide specific examples from decades of research on the effectiveness of public media in improving children's learning outcomes. The authors discuss how public media fits within screen time conversations and recommend further research in the specific contexts of public media usage to further develop resources with embedded supports tailored to the reality of public media use by families and within the community.
Creating Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Digital Learning Platforms for Young Children
Authors: Bang Hee Jin , Fabienke Nika , Tyson Cynthia A.
Published: May 2022

Digital technology and interactive media are increasingly popular tools that shape young children's perceptions. They can be used in developmentally appropriate ways to help young children learn about issues of race, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), especially considering that children's attitudes about people who are different from them begin to form at birth. One way in which digital programs for young children can offer significant benefit is by helping them develop the habit of inquiry and reflection that is the essence of cultural humility. A case study of how one organization is working to create DEI digital learning opportunities for young children designed to foster cultural humility is presented. Lessons learned from this innovative process of creating an early childhood curriculum focused on DEI are offered.
Impact of Open Innovation on the Competitive Advantage of Hospitality Sector SMEs
Authors: Rua Orlando Lima , Musiello-Neto Francisco Eugenio , Arias-Oliva Mario
Published: May 2022

This research is based on the premise that the open innovation model enhances the firms' competitive advantage. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationship between open innovation and competitive advantage. A quantitative methodology was adopted with a survey of 251 small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) top managers in the hospitality sector. The primary data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis treatments, highlighting the application of the structural equations model. The findings show that open innovation enhances hotel competitive advantage. In practical terms, this study will guide, on the one hand, the firms' top managers of the hospitality sector in the definition of open innovation strategies to develop the relevant resources and capacities for achieving competitive advantage. On the other hand, it can contribute to the meaning of effective government programs to support firms in this sector.
Comparison of Innovation Policies Between the European Union and the United States of America
Authors: Pires Carla
Published: May 2022

Innovation policies of the United States of America (USA) seem to be more effective and efficient than the innovation policies of the European Union (EU). In this work, a brief review about the innovation policies of the two regions is carried out, followed by their comparison and critical discussion. Unequivocally, the innovation policies of USA and EU support open innovation. In general, open innovation strategies lead to better economic performance, the growth of the number of jobs, and workers' better remunerations and quality of life than close innovation strategies. Both USA and EU recognize the importance of innovation to overcome the current pandemic crisis. In contrast with the innovation policies of EU, the innovation policies of USA support a higher investment in research and development (R&D), a more flexible regulation in some areas (e.g., copyright), and more coordinated agencies for the transposition of the laboratory inventions to the market (“Lab-to-Market”). This seems to contribute to a less fragmented market and a more effective promotion and marketing of new inventions in USA.
Africa's Electoral Systems and Their Impact on Promoting Democratic Governance and Development
Authors: Tshishonga Ndwakhulu Stephen
Published: May 2022

This chapter analyses democratic electoral systems and their impact on advancing democratic governance and development in Africa. This includes the dynamics and rationale for choosing a particular electoral system over the other(s) and the results of such decisions to the electoral and representative democracy. The electoral systems famous in political science are proportional representation (PR) and constituency based, as well as the mixed electoral system. In this chapter, various electoral systems have been deliberated on in the context of electoral democracy and its democratization process. Thus, considering the denial and exclusion of the majority to full citizenship and democratic governance during the colonial and apartheid regimes. The chapter uses country-based case studies to demonstrate the importance of the electoral democratic system in fostering democratic good governance and development in Africa.
The Rise and Fall of Liberation Movements
Authors: Tshishonga Ndwakhulu Stephen
Published: May 2022

This chapter traces the ascendancy of the dominant party system and its demise in South African politics. The chapter argues that internal instability within the ANC-ruling party and the emergence of appealing parties like the EFF and others have contributed to the decline of the ANC as the dominant party since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The voting participation has been declining, reflecting the general apathy in society towards the ANC-led government, its electoral systems and processes. Thus, the chapter uses ANC as a case study to demonstrate the ascendancy and demise of its demise as once a dominant party in South African politics. Socio-economic and political factors are cited to contribute to the demise of the ANC as once a dominant political party in South African politics. Fundamentally, both national and local government elections are used to trace ANC electoral dominance and its decline since the democratic dispensation in 1994.
Poverty and the Role of Institutions in Sub-Saharan African Countries
Authors: Kar Bahar Baysal
Published: May 2022

The main claim of this chapter is that political and economic institutions are the root cause of poverty in Sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, the role of institutions on poverty in the countries of Sub-Saharan African economies is investigated during the period 2002-2019. Voice and accountability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and rule of law are institutional measures used in empirical analysis. In addition to these institutional indicators, different instrumental variables are also used to control for endogeneity. Poverty as the dependent variable is measured as the proportion of the population living on less than $1.90 a day. The empirical results, based on the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) and augmented mean group (AMG) estimator, suggest that when institutional quality increases, poverty levels decrease in the long run. The policy implication of this chapter is that institutional development should be realized to combat poverty as a precondition for these countries.
Children's Rights and the Cultural Nexus in the African Context
Authors: Tshabangu Icarbord , Moyo Minenhle
Published: May 2022

Despite improvements in the awareness and observance of children's rights as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, most parts of Africa have lagged far behind. There continues to be disproportionate maltreatment and lack of protection of children's rights compared to other regions in the world. This chapter explored childhood perceptions and experiences of their rights. The study explored several types of maltreatment encountered by children and the associated risk factors. Findings indicate notable recurrences of maltreatment among children and youth. These types of maltreatment included excessive child labour and exploitation, discrimination by family members, sexual and physical abuse, and voicelessness. The main associated risk factors were traditional paternalistic perceptions of childhood, poverty, living with non-biological caregivers, alcoholism, and substance abuse. The findings indicate a great need for awareness, prevention, and intervention initiatives aimed at curbing child abuse and neglect of children within communities.
Global Trends on Citizenship
Authors: Tshabangu Icarbord
Published: May 2022

This chapter examined the global political systems in history and what the inherent trends may mean for citizenship and leadership in Africa, both in the present and in the future. Within the main thrust of liberal democracy (polyarchy), citizenship is defined, and liberal democracy is posited as a compelling 21st-century alternative. Further trends in politics, economics, and education have been analysed given the changing global contexts and utilised to reimagine the leadership implications for Africa's future. It is also noted that strategies for leadership development, particularly in the practice of liberal democracy, may be instrumental in a sustainable democratic polity. Such could help citizens effectively address Africa's global challenges to meet future needs.
The Role of African Parliaments in Achieving the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Madikiza Lucky Diliza
Published: May 2022

In 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda as a roadmap to achieve global sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Various sectors, including governments, civil society, and business, are expected to contemplate ways to achieve the 2030 milestone. Parliaments have also been thrust into the fore to contribute to the 2030 Agenda. This chapter examines the role of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It touches on the parliamentary roles contemplated in various African national jurisdictions and the progress in parliamentary work being undertaken to support the SDGs.
Thermodynamics of the External Geodynamics of Mars Water Phases and Weathering Processes
Authors: Essefi Elhoucine
Published: May 2022

This chapter studies the thermodynamic parameters of the external geodynamics of Mars. As matter of fact, the thermodynamics on Mars surface are basically controlled by the solar forcing and the internal geodynamics of the planet. In relation to the physical and chemical characteristics of water on Mars, we can build the Martian chronology. First, the Phyllosian is the phyllosilicates thermodynamics era. Second, the Theiikian is the age of sulfate thermodynamics. Third, the Siderikian, according to siderikos (ferric in Greek), is the era of anhydrous ferric oxides thermodynamics. The Martian chronology may be also built on catering. So, the meteoritic bombardment is linked to increasing disorder in the solar systems. That is to say, it is quite linked to the thermodynamics of the solar system. As direct repercussions of variable thermodynamics during the Mars history, the authors investigate the sedimentology and stratigraphy in different localities on Mars: Arabia Terra, Meridiani Planum, Terby Crater, and Gale Crater.
Numerical Simulation on Renewable Solar Energy
Authors: G. Prasad , G. Reshma , K. N. Nikitha , B. Pooja Reddy , Tiwary M. Gourav Nand
Published: May 2022

Due to the significance in renewable energy and rising energy demand, solar energy is becoming increasingly important. Although many academics are interested in the development of photovoltaic panels, there hasn't been enough research done to identify the loads operating on these systems' supporting structures. In this chapter, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is largely used to simulate, analyze, and grasp the impacts of wind forces on solar panels utilizing high-speed computer capabilities. Furthermore, unlike previous studies in this field, this study focuses on the sequential arrangement of ground-mounted solar panels and the effects of the sheltering effect. The steady state SST k-omega turbulence model is used in the CFD analysis. 3D studies are carried out, and it is discovered that for the solar panel configurations investigated in this chapter, they give accurate findings with robust modelling and solutions in terms of computing time.
Energy and Exergy Analysis of Desiccant Cooling System Under Hot Dry Climate
Authors: Belguith Sarra , Meddeb Zina , Chaouachi Bechir
Published: May 2022

In this chapter, in order to find the optimum coefficient of performance (COP) and exergy performance (COPex) of desiccant cooling system operating on ventilation and recirculation cycles under hot and dry climate, a simple theoretical model has been developed based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Then, the model was implemented in the MATLAB software. The obtained theoretical results were compared with those of the literature and showed a good agreement. Moreover, results showed that COP of ventilation and recirculation cycles are 1.89 and 1.13 respectively, greater than the corresponding COPex, which is equal to 0.7 and 0.38 respectively. In addition, the maximum destruction exergy percentages are provided by the desiccant wheel and the heat source, which are respectively 57% and 24.67% in ventilation cycle and 33.08% and 38.83% in recirculation cycle. Finally, the sensitivity of exergy destruction desiccant wheel and heat source with reference (dead-state) were explored.
Entropy Generation Minimization in a Vertical Porous Channel
Authors: Tayari Amel , Magherbi Mourad
Published: May 2022

This chapter is mainly focused on the minimization of the total entropy generation in a thermodynamic system, which concerns the heating of water when it passes through a saturated porous media. The heating process is assumed by an array of heating tubes immerged on the porous media and perpendicular to the water flow direction. This irreversibility calculation and minimization is carried out in dimensional form in order to have a real idea about the entropy production in the system. Also, the authors focus on several points regarding the rigor of entropy generation calculation, when they pass from dimensional form to dimensionless form.
Study of Foiling of Heat Exchangers in Phosphoric Acid Concentration Units
Authors: Meddeb Zina , El Aguel Saoussen , Jeday Mohamed Razak
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this work is to establish mathematical models for monitoring the fouling of heat exchangers and programming shutdowns for the cleaning of this equipment. To achieve this objective, the authors have adopted an approach comprising essentially the identification of the operating parameters involved in the fouling of the heat exchangers used in the concentration of phosphoric acid, collection of the technical characteristics of the heat exchangers studied, collection and sorting of the operational data of the exchangers studied over a period of two and a half years, establishment of a database on the cycles of operation/shutdown, for the cleaning of the heat exchangers studied, and development of preliminary models for monitoring the fouling and to help the operator decide when to shut down for cleaning the heat exchangers.
Lived Experiences of Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Authors: Singh Rajbala , Malik Anu
Published: May 2022

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study used an interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the lived experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs). Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with nine physicians and 11 paramedical staff. The analysis is summarized into five superordinate themes: initial reaction, perceived challenges, existential distress, the building of support mechanisms, and growth in adversity. While the first three themes broadly reflect the difficulties encountered by HCPs while serving COVID-19 patients, the last two themes demonstrate the scope of finding meaning in work and personal growth during this unprecedented public health emergency. This study also highlights the heavy toll of the physical and psychological burdens on HCPs due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The insights gained from this study can be utilized in designing an effective intervention program to promote resilience and well-being among HCPs.
Perceived Stress Levels of Medical and Non-Medical Staff in the Face of COVID-19
Authors: Rabipour Sajedeh
Published: May 2022

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 as a deadly disease worldwide has caused widespread psychological problems as well as physical problems. Due to the importance of prevention and control of psychological problems in exposed individuals, the present study was conducted to investigate the perceived stress of medical and non-medical staff in the face of the epidemic of COVID-19 disease. 90.2% of the subjects had moderate job stress and 4.2% had severe stress. The level of stress in students was higher than formal and contract employees. Also, women had more stress than men, and people with medication, people without medication, and people with medical occupations more than non-medical occupations. Vulnerable groups in society, such as women, students, and healthcare workers, need more prevention and care in the COVID-19 crisis, which should be strengthened over time as effective coping strategies and disease epidemic management, access to medical resources, and mental health systems also plan national strategies and first aid in crises through telemedicine and online services.
Conceptual Understanding of Provider Responses to the Complexity of Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Arnold Tracey C. , Polifroni E. Carol
Published: May 2022

This chapter introduces complexity science as a framework for understanding the healthcare delivery system and the inherent challenges it poses for healthcare providers. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement's triple aim, which focuses on the patient experience, population health, and decreased costs, served the health disciplines for a short period of time. It was then recognized that the healthcare provider, the worker at the point of care, was instrumental in the success of the triple aim. This concept, the health and wellbeing of the worker, came to be crystallized as meaning and joy in one's work. The chapter explores this positive affect concept as well as that of compassion satisfaction along with negative affect occupational-based strains occurring for the healthcare provider as they navigate working in the complex healthcare delivery system of the United States.
A Multi-Faceted Investigation of the Value of Sustainability in Logistics Services and the Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Lähdeaho Oskari , Vilko Jyri , Hilmola Olli-Pekka
Published: May 2022

Sustainability has emerged as central theme in logistics during the last decades. This is further pushed by legislation and stakeholder demand. The COVID-19 pandemic and related preventive measures have had enormous impacts on all logistics and transportation. The purpose of this research is to study value of sustainability as well as impacts of the ongoing pandemic, from perspective of logistics service providers representing different parts of intermodal transportation networks. The chosen approach is qualitative case study, comprising of interviews targeting 12 Finnish logistics companies. In addition, data from a survey on logistics companies' confidence during the pandemic is used to elaborate results in macro-level further. All transportation modes excluding aviation are covered in this study. The results show that value of sustainability (especially environmental) is increasing in intermodal transportation networks. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the sector heavily, but the examined companies seem to have survived the worst and are in the process of recovering.
Airline Customer Complaints During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gidener Nazlı Gülfem , Santos Itır Ceren Morcote
Published: May 2022

The unforeseen emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March 2020 made a huge impact both nationally and internationally in Turkey. One of the impacts of this disaster was on transportation services both for goods and passengers. Therefore, the focus of this study was determined to be on airline passengers' satisfaction and complaints in this bothersome period. The aim was to discover the problematic dimensions of the service provided and possibly minimize these incidents both for the sake of the airline companies and the passengers. The content analysis method was utilized, and 125 reviews containing 280 complaints were analyzed. It was discovered that the most criticized SERVQUAL dimension for Turkey-based airlines in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was reliability. These findings have the potential to guide professionals of passenger transportation services on which practices should be improved.
Quasi-Experiment to Assess the Role of Real-Life Tests for the Acceptance of Technology for Mobility as a Service
Authors: Nanchen Benjamin , Fragnière Emmanuel , Ramseyer Randolf
Published: May 2022

New technologies like autonomous vehicles (AVs), grouped under the concept of mobility as a service (MaaS), provide new experiences for users. To be considered as an innovation, these technologies must be accepted and adopted by users. AVs provide a public transport service in a new manner, without a service provider or driver. This kind of service is called self-service. For this research, the acceptance and adoption of AVs is investigated in a touristic ecosystem in the context of a post-COVID era. This chapter presents the result of a quasi-experiment conducted in Switzerland with students that testing an AV enhanced the user acceptance of this technology for the first and last mile of a journey (FMLM) in a touristic context. To this end, they used a revised model of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and administered the same questionnaire before and after the test of an AV. In the context of a post-COVID era, AVs could provide solutions for personal mobility for long distance as well. However, it will be necessary to provide a test-bench for these new services.
Effects of the Pandemic on the Performance of Publicly Traded Companies Within the Baltic States
Authors: Hilmola Olli-Pekka
Published: May 2022

During the coronavirus pandemic, the business and operating environment worsened rapidly in 2020, and effects lasted throughout the year. This chapter analyzed three countries of Baltic States and their publicly traded companies through longitudinal perspective (2010-2020). Examination is mainly made through revenue development, but profit and loss is briefly discussed. It is concluded that revenue declines were already in 2019 in many situations, reality and pandemic only accelerated this trajectory. The travel and service sector was of course in big trouble, but also textile production and sales were having similar effects as did also some energy industry actors. It could be said that apart of these branches, manufacturing was showing rather good performance. In general, banks in these countries also performed well during the pandemic. It is surprising that Lithuanian companies overall showed the highest profits of the examination period in year 2020, even in a situation that analyzed companies contained troubled sectors and the country was having worsening employment throughout the year.
COVID-19 and Its Effects in the Global Transportation System
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano Emanuel
Published: May 2022

At the end of December of 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 alerted the health authorities about the rise of a new pandemic. Although some voices have claimed that mass tourism as well as the public and private transport system are fertile ground for lethal virus propagation, governments systematically overlooked these alerts. In this respect, COVID-19 generated an unparalleled halt to the tourism industry and the transport system. The globalization world sets the pace to new fractured geography fraught with geopolitical tensions, chauvinist, and separatist discourses without mentioning the rise of global fears and anxieties. Having said this, the chapter discusses critically the effects of COVID-19 and the future guidelines of research for the next years. The chapter holds the thesis the world is being feudalized towards an atomized climate that marks a new form of production/consumption. Far from being a foundational event, COVID-19 reaffirms culturally and symbolically a trend initiated just after the War on Terror was declared during Bush´s administration.
Non-Aqueous Nanoemulsions
Authors: Virmani Tarun , Kumar Girish , Pathak Kamla
Published: May 2022

Arising propensity in drug delivery techniques and combinatorial chemistry have prompted the development of new drug molecules having poor aqueous solubility and high lipophilicity, which is the primary hurdle in bioavailability. Therefore, a variety of techniques are used to improve the aqueous solubility of drugs among which nanoemulsion is an advanced and promising approach. Basically, oil in water and water in oil type nanoemulsion are used for improvement of aqueous solubility, but water instability, water insolubility, and susceptibility to oxidation and hydrolysis of some drugs insist to develop nanoemulsion without aqueous phase, which is termed as non-aqueous nanoemulsion or anhydrous nanoemulsion. Non-aqueous or anhydrous nanoemulsion is an innovative kinetically stable colloidal dispersion having size range of 10-100 nanometers, which is developed by substituting the aqueous phase with the non-aqueous polar phase having low oxygen amount.
Controlled Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Shukla Shiv Shankar , Pandey Ravindra Kumar , Kalyani Gunjan
Published: May 2022

The drug delivery system allows the active pharmaceutical ingredient to be released in order to elicit the desired therapeutic response. Traditional drug delivery systems (tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc.) have low bioavailability and are unable to produce continuous release due to changes in plasma drug levels. The therapeutic process can be rendered worthless without an effective delivery method. Furthermore, in order to achieve optimal efficacy and safety, the medicine must be administered at a precise controlled rate and to the target spot. Controlled drug delivery systems are being developed to address the issues with traditional drug delivery. Over the last two decades, there has been a great advancement in controlled drug delivery systems, ranging from macro to nanoscale to intelligent targeted delivery. This chapter covers the fundamentals of drug delivery systems, with a focus on the medication's pharmacokinetics and current major findings in controlled medication delivery.
Smart Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles
Authors: Malviya Neelesh , Malviya Sapna , Saxena Rajiv , Chauhan Vishakha , Dhere Manisha
Published: May 2022

Biodegradable polymers are defined as polymers that can be degraded by the micro-organism within a suitable period. Biodegradable polymers are degraded by enzymatic hydrolysis and oxidation to non-toxic small molecules, which can be metabolized by or excreted from the body. Biodegradable polymers and their degraded products do not cause any serious effects on the environment. Biodegradable polymers are also called smart biodegradable polymers because of their ability to respond to very slight changes in the surrounding environment. Smart biodegradable polymers have immense potential in drug delivery systems since they are able to release, at the appropriate time and site of action, entrapped drugs in response to specific physiological triggers. Smart polymeric materials respond with a considerable change in their properties to small changes in their environment: environmental stimuli like temperature, pH, chemicals, and light. In this chapter, synthesis, characterization, and various applications of smart nanoparticles are summarized.
Student Acceptance of Online Proctored Exams
Authors: Adanır Gülgün Afacan
Published: May 2022

This study aims to investigate the factors that have influence on students' acceptance of online proctored exams. The study was performed at a state university in Turkey during the spring semester of 2020-2021. The sample of the study covers 181 students participated in an online exam organized by the university. The research model of the study is based on the diffusion of innovation (DoI) model. Data of the study were collected by the use of a survey, which consists of items of relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, trialability, and observability of the DoI model. Multiple regression analysis was employed to investigate the structure of the research model. The results of the study demonstrated that relative advantage, compatibility, and observability factors have significant effect on students' acceptance of online proctored exams. On the other hand, ease of use and trialability factors were found to have no effect on students' acceptance of online proctored exams.
Digital Innovation With Social Impact
Authors: Carvalho Luisa Margarida Cagica , Barreto Bianca Marques , Cristina Margarida , Martins Margarida , Cristina Sofia
Published: May 2022

This chapter aims to discuss the concepts of digital innovation that bring social impacts. In order to develop this approach, this chapter presents a literature review with the main topics and a case study. The case fits in with digitalization with social impact and reports the case of ColorAdd, which is a tool with a revolutionary, simple, and universal language based on the concept of adding colors, to ensure that there is an accurate understanding of communication whenever color is an identification factor, guidance, or choice, reducing the limitations felt by color-blind people. This tool is used in metro maps, clothing labels, hospitals, catalogs, nutritional traffic lights, medicines, games, computer systems, among many others. As a color identification system, the target audience is people with difficulty in interpreting colors, mostly color-blind people, which are near 350 million individuals.
A Survey on the Deployment of Smart Factories in the Post-COVID-19 Era
Authors: Psyrris Alexandros , Kargas Antonios , Varoutas Dimitrios
Published: May 2022

Smart Factory and 5th Generation Mobile Communication Systems gained much scientific and business attention during the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). Even though there are second thoughts about whether the pandemic crisis will slow up Industry's 4.0 implementation, there has been an acceleration in the use of intelligent and reliable communications solutions in all business aspects, leading to the need for deepening our understanding about digital transformation and digitalization strategies. The current chapter aims to describe the concept of Smart Factory as a key factor of the 4th Industrial Revolution and to deliver its most important factors for a successful implementation. Moreover, smart factory is interrelated with 5th generation of mobile communication systems (5G), which seems to offer the capabilities needed for the advanced industrial digitalization.
ICT Pandemic Time Adoption and Immersive Technologies
Authors: Yuce Ali
Published: May 2022

It was not until recently that we could imagine immersive technology's popularity would be raised and adaptability would reshape almost all businesses in the tourism landscape. Immersive technology has been a transition phenomenon from a traditional marketing strategy to a postmodern approach that encourages, motivates, and satisfies the potential consumers towards a particular tourism product or service. On the other hand, the tourism industry has been the hardest hit and most suffering sector due to the declaration of emergency measures such as travel bans which caused catastrophic consequences in the industry during the coronavirus pandemic. Hence, this chapter intends to present comprehensive reviews about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry through conceptualizing and contextualizing the remarkable aspects of innovation, digitalization, and digital transformation using immersive technologies.
Natural Products and Their Bioactive Compounds as Breast Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Rezacova Monika
Published: May 2022

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the Western world. It is cancer that is curable and has great life expectancy afterwards, but the treatment often combines surgery with chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy. This creates a need for more effective and less toxic therapeutic and preventive strategies for breast cancers as well as strategies to overcome increasing resistance to hormonal and targeted therapy. This chapter focuses on chemopreventative and anti-cancer activities of different bioactive compounds obtained from dietary sources, herbal approach, and use of natural compounds such as diindolylmethane, biochanin A, curcumin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, genistein, lycopene, shikonin, sulforaphane, and resveratol. Understanding the pathophysiology of action of these compounds and their potential preventive and therapeutic effects on cancer may provide a rationale for further studies.
Natural Products That Target Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Singh Devendra , Pandey Himanshu , Singh Virendra
Published: May 2022

The occurrence of tumor cells is generally governed by the cluster of cells known as cancer stem cells, which are based on the informative model of cancer tissue consisting of stem cells that do have characteristics like auto-renewal activity and also provide intrinsic mechanisms for survival which are responsible for resistance against tumor cells to most of the drugs used in chemotherapy to cure cancer. During the course of therapy, it is difficult to eliminate CSCs due to which recurrence of tumor and metastasis develops inside the cell. Ongoing studies provide significant information on the particular phenotypic characteristics of cancer stem cells from different tumor types, as well as the signaling system and molecules that undergo auto-renewal and drug resistance. NPs (natural products), which are derivative of botanicals and food sources, may alter important signalling pathways that are involved in the perpetuation of CSC phenotypic traits. The chapter deals with the use of plant products to cure CSCs and their functioning.
Flavonoids
Authors: Gălăţanu Mona Luciana , Panţuroiu Mariana , Sandulovici Roxana Colette
Published: May 2022

Flavonoids are a group of over 2000 phenolic compounds with many therapeutic properties. They are based on the flavan (2-phenyl-benzopyran) core and can be found in a free state or as glycosides. Flavonoids are presented in the vegetal world mainly as yellow, but also red, purple, blue, or brown pigments of the petals, leaves, stems, and fruits. This group of bioactive compounds is known for the inhibition of tumors. The chapter summarizes the most important flavonoids with anti-cancer properties, describing their chemical structure, their prevalence among medicinal plants, and their mechanism of action, based on the recent in vivo and in vitro studies.
Exemplars in eHealth Education Interventions
Authors: Dunn Patrick J. , Danawi Hadi
Published: May 2022

Digital health tools have been used in a wide variety of healthcare services including promoting healthy behaviors and improving health outcomes in people with chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease. However, there is no “one size fits all” approach for these digital health tools. The need for individualized designs in order to maximize usability, effectiveness, and sustainability of use among patients has been highlighted. Intelligent health solutions are used to guide the design of effective and personalized tools for patients with cardiovascular diseases. The integration of health behavior theories and well-defined care plans in the intervention/tool are key to ensure maximum effectiveness and benefits to the patients. To this end, this chapter aims to provide a background on digital health tools in cardiovascular health and a detailed overview of the various components of intelligent health solutions that guide the tool design process.
Telehealth Use in Interdisciplinary Health Professions Student Groups to Support Improved Outcomes
Authors: Etcher LuAnn , McHaney Donna Faye
Published: May 2022

The intervention is presented within an academic setting. Clinical site shortages for all health professions students has been compounded by the recent pandemic, with a logical desire to leverage and expand the use of telehealth in this regard. The overarching purpose was to provide clinical encounters for a blend of interdisciplinary health professions students via telehealth care, while improving healthcare access and outcomes in underserved populations. A systematic instructional design approach was utilized. The approach included a needs analysis for gathering background information, followed by the design phase will commence where the project model can be initially designed and reviewed prior to launch. In the development phase, the project is finalized, implemented, and then evaluated for necessary changes to improve outcomes and foster sustainability. A discussion of challenges and recommendations for improved practice is included.
Developmental Approaches for Supporting Students in the Application Essay Writing Process
Authors: Tolen Rachel
Published: May 2022

This chapter provides guidance on how pre-health advisors can use a variety of developmental approaches informed by narrative theory to effectively support students in writing application essays while fostering their personal growth. Intentional reflective writing practices can counter disempowering forces for students, refocusing them on their personal development and putting patients at the center of their future careers. Through writing workshops, exercises, and individual work with students, advisors can provide a space for students to reflect on their experiences, themselves, and future careers. Advisors can help students build the empathic engagement and reflective skills necessary to become skilled, compassionate caregivers. The work that pre-health advisors do with students as they develop their application essays is vital as a means of helping them construct the central guiding narrative for their future careers in caring for patients.
A Comparative Institutional Analysis on the Integration of E-Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Wang Hanshu , Zhang Chenyang
Published: May 2022

This chapter discusses and compares the different approaches of integrating e-learning into higher education in three countries: China, Singapore, and Japan. The analytical framework of comparative institutional analysis is utilised to systematically present and compare the different e-learning strategies in the three contexts. Through analysis, the authors found that the resource-sharing mode—encouraging students to use the internet to share and acquire knowledge—has been widely applied in Chinese higher education; the (a)synchronous learning mode—making teaching progress innovative in class and prompting students to use information and communication technology (ICT) after class to continue their learning—has been developed in Singapore; and the education-expanding mode—increasing the number of potential learners to acquire higher education through online courses—is being constructed in Japanese higher education.
Student Engagement in Online Teaching in South African Higher Education
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: May 2022

This study assesses student engagement in an online teaching platform at South African universities. Online teaching and learning have expanded drastically in South Africa during the outbreak of COVID-19 despite few universities offering online teaching before the pandemic. The author found that most historically Black universities were affected mostly to offer online teaching and learning. This is because they lack access to social media platforms and information communication technology. While students from historical white universities enjoy access to data to conduct online teaching and learning, most students were discouraged to continue online teaching and learning because they felt isolated and fewer resources were allocated to online teaching activities. This chapter recommends the Department of Higher Education and Training in South Africa bridge the gap between rural and urban students by ensuring that all students are allocated data in order to embark on school assessments and homework.
Designing and Randomising Multiple-Choice Questions for E-Learning in Mathematics Using MVGEN
Authors: Brito Irene , Machado Gaspar J. , Almeida José João
Published: May 2022

MVGEN is a multi-version question generation tool that allows creating multiple-choice questions with a large number of versions and multi-version tests using different randomisation techniques. These techniques include simple randomisation through shuffling of lists with keys and distractors or random selection of options from lists with several keys and distractors, but also more complex randomisation of parameters and variables using association tables. In this chapter, examples of multiple-choice questions in higher education mathematics are presented, and the design and randomisation techniques are explained.
The Refugee Experience and Peace Leadership Education
Authors: Topuzova Lazarina , Horsman John H.
Published: May 2022

Of the 82.4 million forcibly displaced people in 2020, 26.4 million are refugees, a number that represents a two-fold increase compared to a decade ago. Many leaders and organizations have been and continue to work with refugees and for the causes of peace, but are refugees receiving education consistent with peace leadership competencies? The authors propose that what most influences the institutions and structures that create and sustain positive peace is leadership. Further, peace leader training and development for those displaced, living on the margins, and in refugee camps is perhaps the greatest challenge for leadership educators. This chapter describes a Peace Leader Certificate program for refugees that construes a peace leader as a servant-leader focused on creating and nurturing a culture of peace.