bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Video Enhanced Reflective Practice (VERP) for the continuing professional development of a team of music therapists: Evaluation and reflections
Authors: Craddock Miriam Sarah
Published: February 2024

In 2018, six music therapists undertook a short course on Video Enhanced Reflective Practice (VERP). A group goal was co-constructed for team development as part of the project, with application for individual casework. The training course was held over two 1.5-hour sessions where the principles for developing attunement were explained, individual goals for each practitioner’s development were decided upon, and casework discussion took place. The process for recording and analysing short film clips ahead of group supervision was also discussed. Target Monitoring and Evaluation (TME) was used to quantify the impact of the goals pre- and post-project. Other measures used included a self-rating scale of the Communication Principles before and after, and open ended questions on evaluation forms. TME data revealed a positive shift of 3 points for the group goal pre- and post-project, and an average shift of 3.6 points in a positive direction for individual goals. Furthermore, the self-rating scales of individual practitioners also showed increased frequency in their use of the Communication Principles in their interactions with children. This project builds on research that VERP is a professional development tool that enhances practitioner’s self-belief and agency through self-awareness and knowledge of skills used in everyday clinical practice. Additionally, it provided a mechanism for a team to think and work creatively and therapeutically together.
Penerapan Metode Pembelajaran Berbasis Proyek untuk Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berpikir Kreatif Siswa di SDN Cibentar II
Authors: Mufita Rina , Sariatin Imas
Published: February 2024

This study delves into the positive impact of implementing project-based learning methods on students' creative thinking skills at SDN Cibentar 2. Adopting a qualitative approach, the research involved participatory observation, in-depth interviews with teachers and students, and data analysis. The research findings indicate a significant improvement in student participation, collaboration skills, and problem-solving abilities. The theoretical analysis underscores the alignment of this method with constructivism and active learning approaches, providing a robust theoretical foundation for the observed positive outcomes. Practical implications of this research include recommendations to expand the integration of project-based learning methods in the curriculum and encourage students to design their own projects. The research conclusion emphasizes the positive achievements and provides a basis for continuous improvement in creative learning at the elementary school level. By highlighting the success of implementing project-based learning methods, this study offers insightful and relevant perspectives for the development of teaching practices at the elementary level. Subsequent research could explore the long-term impact of implementing these methods and involve more stakeholders.
Evaluasi Efektivitas Penggunaan Teknologi Pembelajaran Interaktif dalam Mata Pelajaran Matematika di Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Setra Lajuardi , Sopian Asep
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using interactive learning technology to enhance students' understanding in mathematics at SDN Genteng 1 elementary school. Employing a quantitative approach and an experimental research design, two groups of students (30 students per group) were involved in this study: an experimental group receiving instruction with interactive technology, and a control group receiving conventional instruction. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests as well as observation of student interaction with the interactive technology during the learning period. The results indicated that students in the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in understanding compared to the control group. The average post-test scores for the experimental group showed a greater increase compared to the control group. Thus, the use of interactive learning technology proved to be effective in enhancing students' understanding in mathematics at the elementary school level. This finding underscores the importance of integrating technology in education to create engaging and effective learning environments. Therefore, it is recommended that instructional approaches integrating interactive technology continue to be developed and implemented in teaching practices. Further steps are necessary to deepen understanding of how interactive technology can be effectively integrated into education and to identify the best strategies for optimizing its benefits for student learning outcomes. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the research findings and their implications for educational practice.
A Study of Nigeria Monthly Stock Price Index Using ARTFIMA-FIGARCH Hybrid Model
Authors: Umar Aminat Gogo , Dikko Hussaini Garba , Garba J , Tasi'u Musa
Published: February 2024

Long memory is a phenomenon in time series analysis that is exhibited by a slow decay of the autocorrelation function. It has been observed that the presence of long memory in both mean and volatility can complicate model fitting and compromise forecasting reliability. Meanwhile, the Autoregressive Tempered Fractional Integrated Moving Average (ARTFIMA) as a tempered fractionally differenced long memory mean model and the Fractionally Integrated Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (FIGARCH), which is a long memory variance model, could not independently and effectively address the challenges of time series data that displayed long memory in mean and volatility. To tackle this challenge, we introduce a hybrid model called the ARTFIMA-FIGARCH by combining ARTFIMA and FIGARCH models using the transformation method under the assumption that the residuals of the ARTFIMA model are non-normal, serially correlated, and heteroscedastic. To evaluate the effectiveness of this model, we employed the Nigerian Monthly Stock Price Index as well as simulated data sets as a testing ground and compared its performance against existing models like ARFIMA, ARTFIMA, and ARFIMA-FIGARCH. The selection of the most suitable model was determined using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and model performance was assessed through various forecast accuracy measures. Our findings demonstrated that ARTFIMA (0,1.06,1)-FIGARCH (1,0.15,1) emerged as the best candidate of the new model and outperformed ARFIMA (1,1.06,0)-FIGARCH (1,0.15,1). Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that ARTFIMA-FIGARCH is considered to be the most suitable model for studying the mean and volatility of the Nigerian monthly stock price index.
Adsorptive Removal of Phosphate from Agricultural Effluent using Thermally and Non-Thermally Activated Sepiolite Clay
Authors: Yerima Emmanuel Amuntse , Donatus Raymond Bwano
Published: February 2024

This study assessed the use of thermally activated sepiolite clay (TASC) and non-activated sepiolite clay (NASC) as adsorbents for phosphate adsorption from agricultural effluent. The effect of pH, temperature, dosage, and time on the adsorbates was investigated at pH 4-11, temperature 298 - 318k, contact time 30 – 120 minutes, and adsorbent dosage 0.2 - 4 g in 100 mL of agricultural effluent. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques were used to determine adsorbent features. TASC and NASC exhibit an excellent capacity for adsorbing phosphate molecules. At equilibrium, the removal efficiency of phosphate at 4 different varying conditions of temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage, and time gave more than 100 % for TASC, while NASC also recorded over 100% adsorption of phosphate at 3 different varying conditions. The amount of phosphate adsorbed was found to decrease with an increase in temperature and contact time. The isotherm adsorption data fitted the Langmuir better than the Freundlich model, where the correlation coefficients of Langmuir and Freundlich were 0.9994 and 0.8901, respectively. The adsorption kinetics was better explained by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model with R2 values TASC (0.9999) and NASC (0.9999) than the second order with R2 value TASC (0.9984) and NASC (0.9820).
Quantification of Pollution Index of Selected Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils in Kafin Hausa Area, Northwest Nigeria
Authors: Adamu Suleiman Bashir , Aliyu Inuwa Faragai , Musa Lawan Yalwa , Kamil Katibi Kayode , Afeez Amoo Oladeji , Muhammad Idris Chiromawa , Mikailu Abdullahi , Rabiu Tafida Abubakar , Garba Ibrahim Shittu , Garba Sani Durumin Iya , Thomas Daniel Ojonugwa , Yakubu Yusuf Yusuf
Published: February 2024

In this study, the level of heavy metals contamination in agricultural soils in Kafin Hausa, Nigeria, was investigated and characterised using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis technique via the Nigeria Research Reactor-1. Fifteen soil samples were collected from five different sampling sites and analysed for eight heavy metals: aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), holmium (Ho), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and rubidium (Rb).  Heavy metal pollution indices were estimated using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI).  The results showed that the mean Igeo indexes of                 Al (-3.09), As (-4.88), Ba (-0.89), Fe (-3.53), K (-2.20), and                 Mg (-4.95)  were lower than zero, indicating that the soil of the studied region was uncontaminated by these metals.  The mean EF of Ho was significantly higher than other metals, indicating that the soil is enriched with this metal.  As (0.40) and Mg (0.36) had the lowest EF values.  Similarly, the mean CF of all metals was lower than 1, suggesting minimal or low contamination.  In contrast, Ho (1.60) exhibits the highest CF value, signifying moderate contamination.  The PLI values for all metals were between 0.16 and 0.51, indicating that the studied area is unpolluted.  There are strong correlations between all the elements, with p-values at 0.01 level, particularly for K – Rb, Ba – K, and Ba – Rb, with values ranging from 0.94 to 0.94.  Hence, the results of this study suggest that the agricultural soils in Kafin Hausa are uncontaminated by heavy metals.
Pengaruh Lingkungan Sekolah terhadap Motivasi Belajar Siswa Kelas XI di SMK Dastamaco Kota Bekasi
Authors: Hazis Idfan Abu
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh lingkungan sekolah dan motivasi belajar pada siswa kelas XI di SMK Dastamaco Kota Bekasi tahun ajaran 2022/2023. Metode penelitian yang digunakan metode kuantitatif asosiatif, instrument didapat skala sikap dengan model likert. Teknik penelitian ini menggunakan random sampling jenuh dengan responden sebanyak 36 siswa SMK Dastamaco Kota Bekasi tahun ajaran 2022/2023. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan SPSS didapat hasil pengujian linearitas dan signifikansi persamaan regresi ditentukan berdasarkan Anova table yang telah diuji melalui program SPSS diketahui bahwa nilai Fhitung 34,605. Sehingga tingkat signifikan senilai 0,00< 0,05, sehingga model regresi signifikan yang dipergunakan untuk memperkirakan variabel lingkungan sekolah atau juga bisa dikatakan terdapat pengaruh variabel lingkungan sekolah (X) terhadap variabel motivasi belajar (Y). Berdasarkan analisis uji t dilakukan dengan membandingkan thitung dengan ttabel pada tingkat signifikan (α =0,05, df1 = 1, df2 84)= ttabel sebesar 3,95 dan diperoleh nilai thitung variabel lingkungan sekolah 5,883. Hal ini berarti thitung > ttabel yakni 5,883 > 3,95, artinya lingkungan sekolah (X) ada pengaruh yang begitu signifikan, lingkungan sekolah terhadap motivasi belajar dan hipotesis uji t diperoleh nilai signifikan sebesar 0,00. Karena nilai signifikan kurang dari 0,05 maka hipotesis diterima, yang menyatakan adanya pengaruh antara lingkungan sekolah sebagai variabel X terhadap motivasi belajar sebagai variabel Y siswa SMK Dastamaco Kota Bekasi. Sedangkan berdasarkan hasil perhitungan koefisien determinasi dalam model summary table, diperoleh besarannya (R squere=kd) =0,292, berarti lingkungan sekolah dan motivasi belajar siswa SMK Dastamaco Kota Bekasi sebesar 0,292 atau 29,2% sedangkan sisanya 70,8% (100%-29,2%) dipengaruhi oleh faktor-faktor lainnya yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini.
Impelementasi Evaluasi Pembelajaran Fiqih Di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Muhammadiyah Alamanda Kabupaten Pasaman Barat
Authors: Suharjo  , Remiswal  , Asril Zainal
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi dan menganalisis implementasi evaluasi pembelajaran fiqih di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Muhammadiyah Alamanda Kabupaten Pasaman Barat. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, dan analisis dokumen. Subjek penelitian melibatkan guru fiqih, siswa, dan kepala madrasah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa implementasi evaluasi pembelajaran fiqih di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Muhammadiyah Alamanda telah mencapai sejumlah prestasi, namun masih menghadapi beberapa tantangan. Evaluasi dilakukan secara holistik, mencakup aspek kognitif, afektif, dan psikomotorik siswa. Guru menggunakan berbagai metode evaluasi, seperti ujian tulis, observasi, dan proyek. Tantangan yang dihadapi melibatkan keterbatasan sumber daya, khususnya dalam penggunaan teknologi untuk evaluasi. Selain itu, penyesuaian kurikulum dengan perkembangan zaman dan kebutuhan siswa menjadi perhatian utama dalam meningkatkan efektivitas evaluasi pembelajaran fiqih. Rekomendasi penelitian mencakup perluasan penggunaan teknologi dalam evaluasi, pengembangan program pelatihan untuk guru terkait evaluasi, dan perbaikan kurikulum untuk memenuhi kebutuhan siswa yang terus berkembang. Dengan melakukan perbaikan ini, diharapkan evaluasi pembelajaran fiqih di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Muhammadiyah Alamanda dapat lebih efektif dalam menghasilkan mutu pendidikan yang optimal.
G-Priv: Um Guia para Apoiar a Especificação de Requisitos de Privacidade em Conformidade com a LGPD
Authors: Neves Camêlo Moisés , Alves Carina
Published: February 2024

A Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) visa proteger os dados pessoais, inclusive nos meios digitais, processado por pessoa natural ou por pessoa jurídica de direito público ou privado. Atualmente, as organizações precisam implementar várias medidas para garantir que seus sistemas de software estejam em conformidade com a lei. No entanto, a LGPD, assim como outras legislações é de difícil entendimento por parte de analistas de requisitos. Em particular, existem dificuldades para extrair e operacionalizar requisitos de privacidade. Este artigo propõe um catálogo de padrões de privacidade e um guia G-Priv, para auxiliar a especificação de requisitos de privacidade em conformidade com a LGPD. Finalmente, conduzimos um survey com 18 profissionais para avaliar o G-Priv.
Tecnologia Assistiva para auxiliar a interação entre pessoas com deficiência visual e sistemas computacionais: Um Mapeamento Sistemático da Literatura
Authors: Zen Eliana , Da Silveira Siedler Marcelo , Kruger da Costa Vinicius , Aires Tavares Tatiana
Published: February 2024

Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) refere-se a um conjunto de recursos e serviços destinados a auxiliar pessoas com deficiência, proporcionando ou ampliando suas habilidades, capacitando-as para a realização de atividades com conforto e autonomia. Para pessoas com deficiência visual, uma Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) pode garantir o acesso às TICs, já que recursos como tela e mouse podem não ser úteis. Neste sentido, este trabalho descreve um Mapeamento Sistemático da Literatura, buscando identificar trabalhos relacionados à TA desenvolvidos para auxiliar pessoas com deficiência visual no uso de sistemas digitais. Como resultado, foram obtidos 108 artigos relacionados a TA desenvolvidos para auxiliar pessoas com deficiência visual durante a interação com TICs. A leitura dos trabalhos permitiu selecionar 12 artigos relacionados ao aprendizado de programação de computadores e ao uso de ferramentas de desenvolvimento de software por pessoas com deficiência visual. Verificou-se que a maioria dos recursos de AT desenvolvidos focam apenas na extensão da interface visual.
Rastreabilidade Agrícola via Aplicativo NAmob: O Primeiro Ciclo de Avaliação sob Design Science Research
Authors: Reffatti Leonardo , Brietzke Porto Josiane , Victória Barbosa Jorge Luis
Published: February 2024

A rastreabilidade de produtos vegetais é uma exigência do mercado e tornou-se obrigatória no Brasil, em 2018. Este artigo mostra resultados da transformação digital de documentos físicos das áreas de produção e o uso de lotes de colheita para rastreamento de cargas de frutas, via aplicativo móvel, sob Design Science Research, na Cooperativa Agroindustrial Nova Aliança. O ciclo de avaliação inicial oportunizou o uso desse aplicativo por 127 famílias, representando 30,97% na Safra 20/21. A solução substituiu registros em documentos físicos, melhorou a rastreabilidade da produção em 20 milhões de quilos de uvas, reduziu problemas de conformidade de carga, mostrou viabilidade na agricultura e tem sido amplamente usada pelos agricultores.
Zeitenwandel als Familiendrama
Authors: Weiershausen Romana
Published: February 2024

Im Theater der Aufklärung wird Familie politisch. Mit der Etablierung des Bürgerlichen Trauerspiels geht mehr als die Aufwertung des Privat-Menschlichen einher. Die deutschsprachige Bühne gewinnt ein emotional aufgeladenes Bezugssystem, das auch genutzt wird, um die großen politischen Themen der Zeit wie Herrschaft, Revolution und Sklaverei zu diskutieren. An Dramen bekannter sowie (heute) unbekannter Autoren offenbart sich ein diskursives Netz, das sich entlang des Paradigmas ‚Familie‘ entfaltet – wobei das Theater zum Verhandlungsort der bedeutenden gesellschaftspolitischen Umwälzungen im 18. Jahrhundert wird.
Arno Schmidt und die Heilige Schrift
Authors: Witt Hendrike
Published: February 2024

Provokativ, sarkastisch, anklagend: Arno Schmidt wendet sich in seinem Werk gegen Christentum, Kirche und den Glauben an die Bibel als sogenannte Heilige Schrift ‒ man denke an sein Manifest "Atheist?: Allerdings!" (1957). Die vorliegende Arbeit nimmt die Auseinandersetzung Schmidts mit der Bibel in den Blick: Systematisch werden Bibelzitate und Bezüge zum Christentum in seinem Frühwerk analysiert und die intertextuelle Verwendung diskutiert. Betrachtet werden Romane und Erzählungen Schmidts aus den Jahren 1949 bis 1960, ausgehend von seinem Debüt "Leviathan" bis zum Roman "Kaff", der einen Wendepunkt im Gesamtwerk markiert.
Design, Simulation, and Comparative Analysis of a Carbonating Tower
Authors: Alfonzo Irahola Ferreira Jaime
Published: February 2024

In many books, the Solvay process is mentioned as one of the most widely used processes for the production of sodium carbonate. However, on the contrary, no information has been found in the literature that allows for the availability of the functionality of thermodynamic, kinetic, physical, and physicochemical properties with temperature for the exothermic reactions that occur. As it is known, this type of reaction implies that the tower should be cooled. However, no information or heuristic has been found to assign or select the optimal stage for cooling. In this work, a carbonating tower is designed using a simulator to consider the aforementioned functionality, solely based on the input stream data. The beneficial effect of cooling on column performance is confirmed. Subsequently, a cooling mode is established, and the optimal stage to be cooled is determined. Additionally, a heuristic has been proposed to choose the best candidate stages to be cooled. Finally, a sensitivity study of sodium bicarbonate performance is conducted; the variation of concentration and temperature of the product stream is examined in response to changes in the temperature of the feed streams, and a nomogram is presented to solve the proposed study.
Membrane distillation process: Fundamentals, applications, and challenges
Authors: Boubakri Ali , Al-Tahar Bouguecha Salah , Hafiane Amor
Published: February 2024

Traditional thermal-based processes such as multistage flash and multi-effect distillation have been used for thousands of years to obtain freshwater from saline water. Recently, with the development of membrane-based technology, membrane distillation (MD) as a thermally driven membrane process has received significant attention. The driving force in MD is the vapor pressure gradient induced by temperature difference through hydrophobic microporous membrane pores. The membrane used for MD should be hydrophobic and microporous. In MD, the mechanism of transport involves simultaneously heat and mass transfers, which moves from the hot feed side to the cold permeate side. The performance of MD is evaluated based on various performance metrics including permeate flux, recovery ratio, thermal efficiency, gained output ratio, and specific thermal energy consumption. It has good ability for various industrial uses due to its moderate applied temperature and pressure, high rejection rate, less membrane fouling tendency and its ability to treat high-saline water. The water production cost still remains high compared to conventional processes. Therefore, MD can be cost-effectively when integrated with solar energy, geothermal energy and waste heat. Nevertheless, MD process requires focused research to improve its efficiency to become more mature and economically competitive at large scale.
Multivariate Analysis of Cranial Measurements of Cameroon’s Blue Duiker (Cephalophus monticola)
Authors: Fokam Olivier Miantsia , Meutchieye Felix , Tsi Angwafo Evaristus
Published: February 2024

The blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola) is exclusively an African wild Bovidae. It is a principal source of protein in the African forest zones and contributes to the nutrition of local populations. The methodology used is the opportunistic method which consists of taking the heads of blue duikers from carcasses encountered randomly and opportunistically in villages, urban markets, and checkpoints. Thus, 60 skulls were collected and measured from January to December 2018. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were done using SPSS version 21.0 software and XLSTAT-Pro version 7.5.2 software. The measures of the skulls (60 in total and in mm) point out that: the total length (117.36 ± 3.51; 118.23 ± 4.38 and 118.47 ± 4.09), the length of row of cheek teeth (35.35 ± 2.88; 36.39 ± 3.82 and 36.28 ± 3.67) the zygomatic arc height (10.40 ± 1.50; 11.06 ± 1.12 and 11.17 ± 1.10) in these three areas respectively indicate a significant difference (<0.05). The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) enables us to see the level of genetic variabilities of blue duiker through skull measurements. These variable measurements are close together from one to another where there is a high similarity between species. Grouping these biometric characteristics permitted us to identify three structures of the blue duiker, corresponding to the three sub-species found in Cameroon.
Transforming the Skies: Managing Remote Workforce at a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Aviation Company
Authors: Gonzalez Jr. Benito , M. Imroz Sohel
Published: February 2024

Remote work, also known as telecommuting, is a flexible working arrangement that allows employees to work from remote locations outside of corporate offices. Remote workforce management is the practice of effectively leading and managing remote employees and teams. While remote work has been steadily increasing, its demand, popularity, and usefulness have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic. To be successful or even survive in this post-pandemic era, organizations cannot overemphasize the importance of effectively managing remote workforce. This chapter presents a case study explaining various issues of managing remote workforce based on a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) company (Company A, pseudonym) in the aviation industry. The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, it presents the challenges experienced by Company A when managing remote workforce and how the company supports its remote workers. Second, it explains how Company A is adjusting to this new mode of employment, which impacts fully remote, fully onsite, and hybrid employees. The chapter concludes by recommending companies managing remote workforce to adopt HR Hybrid Guidelines tailored to their needs. The chapter should be beneficial for readers interested in understanding the impact of remote employment and managing remote workforce in MRO aviation companies.
Distribution of Cortisol in Human Plasma in vitro: Equilibrium Solutions for Free Cortisol Using Equations of Mass Conservation and Mass Action
Authors: I. Dorin Richard , R. Qualls Clifford
Published: February 2024

Cortisol is secreted by the human adrenal cortex and circulates in plasma as free or protein-bound cortisol. Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) and albumin are the principal binding proteins (BPs) for cortisol in human plasma. Plasma concentrations of total cortisol (sum of protein-bound and free cortisol) are typically measured in vitro. Determination of free cortisol adds clinical and diagnostic value to total cortisol concentration. However, direct measurement of free cortisol concentrations involves laborious separation methods, limiting clinical utility. The development and application of physiologic protein-ligand binding models and equations provide an alternative approach to assessment of free cortisol concentrations in vitro. In this chapter, we introduce a matrix notation to represent relevant mass action and mass conservation equations. The matrix notation is also used to summarize and compare several contemporary models of interest, including cubic, quadratic, and quartic polynomial equations. Second, we introduce Feldman’s equations for competitive ligand-protein binding interactions, which are represented by matrices for multiple ligands and multiple BPs, including illustrative 2 × 2 matrix; we also discuss iterative solution strategies for coupled polynomial equations. Third, we develop a theorem for albumin-cortisol binding and review related assumptions that have been used to simplify polynomial equations and their equilibrium solutions.
Biofeedback in the Management of Constipation
Authors: Naniksingh Kukreja Ajit
Published: February 2024

Constipation is the most common digestive ailment in the general population, it has a variety of etiologies. Defecatory dysfunction is a prevalent form of constipation in which the patient has discomfort during evacuation as a result of insufficient abdominal push and/or ineffective anal sphincter relaxation. The hallmark of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), chronic constipation is a problem that is widely seen in both general and specialist medical settings, including gastroenterology and geriatrics. Constipation is an issue that affects 30% of the population overall, with elderly persons and women being the most susceptible. However, a significant number of patients rely on alternative remedies, following recommendations made in pharmacies or herbalist shops, while a minority of patients (about 25%) use medical treatments. The goal of biofeedback therapy for constipation is to train a patient’s mind to regulate the function of their anorectum. Unfortunately, despite having a response rate of between 70 and 80% when used to treat constipation, biofeedback therapy is not generally available or recommended by doctors.
Modelling Extreme Tail Risk of Bitcoin Returns Using the Generalised Pareto Distribution
Authors: Mushori Providence , Chikobvu Delson
Published: February 2024

This paper analyses the extreme tail behaviour of Bitcoin returns by fitting a Generalised Pareto Distribution (GPD). The GPD is used to model the extreme daily Bitcoin returns over the period 2008 to 2023. The returns above the chosen thresholds, for both Bitcoin gains and losses, are selected. The GPD is then fitted to the selected excess returns. The Anderson Darling (AD) and Kolmogorov Smirnov (K-S) goodness-of-fit tests reveal that the GPD captures the distribution of the Bitcoin excess returns. The Value at Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) under the GPD are used to measure the extreme tail risk of the Bitcoin returns. The upside risk (gains) is found to outweigh downside risk (losses), and this gives insight to investors interested in Bitcoin.
Rainfall’s Symphony: Understanding Its Influence on Communication Systems in Nigeria
Authors: Obiyemi Obiseye , Moloi Katleho
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the significant issue of rain-induced signal attenuation in satellite communication, specifically focusing on television receive-only (TVRO) stations operating in the Ku band across diverse Nigerian locations. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of point rain rate distribution and the ITU rain attenuation model, the study comprehensively assesses how rainfall impacts signal quality. The findings highlight that southern regions consistently display high decibel (dB) values, indicating increased susceptibility to signal disruptions during heavy rainfall, while a comparative analysis between two key satellites, EUTELSAT 36B and INTELSAT 20, consistently favors the former in terms of signal resilience during adverse weather conditions. In contrast, northern regions generally exhibit lower dB values, suggesting a higher degree of signal resilience during rainfall events. These insights underscore the importance of considering location-specific and satellite-specific factors when designing satellite communication systems, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and strategic satellite selection to mitigate the effects of rain-induced attenuation. This study provides valuable guidance to engineers and service providers, enabling them to make informed decisions to minimize signal disruptions and enhance overall network reliability, particularly in regions susceptible to rain-induced attenuation.
Constructing Doctoral Students’ Professional Identity: Based on the Perspective of Identity Theory
Authors: Zhang Huirui , Wang Xiaoqing
Published: February 2024

Professional identity (PI) is not only the goal of socialization of doctoral students, but also has a close relationship with their learning and practice. The PI establishment of doctoral students can promote their development. On the contrary, identity deficiency or conflicts struggling by doctoral students will bring a series of problems, such as students’ lack of self-confidence and scientific spirit, their inappropriate participation in academic competition, and their renunciation of pursuit in academic career. The identity theory directly derived from the structural symbol interaction theory explores the relationship between individuals and society, and is a powerful tool for analyzing the development of identity in doctoral education. This study defines doctoral students’ PI as the identity of two roles of “researcher” and “professional,” comprehensively using the identity theory of structural orientation and interactive orientation to analyze how to construct doctoral students’ PI, and proposes three countermeasures: (1) help doctoral students clarify the combination of salience hierarchy in social structure to provide reference for the PI; (2) create conditions to promote the role performance of doctoral students and provide possibilities for exploring the PI; and (3) promote the multi-subject interaction of doctoral students and seek role support to stabilize the PI.
Perspective Chapter: Challenges in the Durability of Superhydrophobic Coatings Pertinent to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Icing Mitigation
Authors: Zhang Zichen , Ou Junfei , Li Wen
Published: February 2024

Icing is a severe hazard to the flight safety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in cold climates. Great efforts have been put into developing a reliable and practical anti-/de-icing system for icing mitigation. Compared to the conventional thermal-based deicing systems, applying superhydrophobic coatings with excellent ice-repellent performance is a promising anti-icing technique with low weight and low energy input. However, the application of superhydrophobic coatings on UAV is hindered by the substandard durability. This chapter comprehensively reviews advances in durability tests of superhydrophobic coatings pertinent to UAV anti-/de-icing. This chapter specifically introduces the mechanism of degrading superhydrophobic coatings by droplet erosion, which is rarely discussed in previous studies but can cause severe damage to the surface topology by applying “water hammer pressure.” Consequently, recommendations are provided to facilitate a more systematic approach to conducting durability tests for superhydrophobic coatings.
Emerging Knowledge and Latest Applications of Rhizobacteria
Authors: Atuheirwe Maxine
Published: February 2024

This book chapter explores the emerging knowledge and latest applications of rhizobacteria in various fields, including agriculture, environmental remediation, and biotechnology. Rhizobacteria, a diverse group of bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere, has shown immense potential in promoting plant growth, enhancing nutrient uptake, and combating plant pathogens. This chapter provides an overview of the recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms of rhizobacteria-plant interactions and highlights their practical applications in sustainable agriculture, soil health improvement, and ecosystem restoration. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of rhizobacteria in the bioremediation of pollutants and their role in enhancing plant stress tolerance. The chapter concludes by identifying future research directions and the potential impact of rhizobacteria in addressing global challenges related to food security, environmental sustainability, and human health.
Perspective Chapter: The Place of Virtue Ethics in Public Service Delivery
Authors: Mendie John , Udofia Stephen
Published: February 2024

Public service delivery at any level refers to the delivery of public good, public safety, and public well-being in ways that are accountable, transparent and ethically defensible. This is done through the process of steering, directing and coordinating the affairs of the state, organization and any constituted body. But quite often, the consequences of this state of affairs is that there is, among other things, a ‘moral deficit’ in the public service delivery process which is suggestive of the dearth of moral excellence, virtue inculcation and discipline among the actors in public service. Based on the literature and in spite of the pursuit of effectiveness and the condemning of unethical behavior by public service managers, scandals still occur and allegations are still made. In this chapter, a brief description is given of some ethical concepts viewed as important in addressing the issue posed. Our approach is based on the concept of public service delivery making indirectly the necessary assertions for good administration. It is also suggestive of the sheer disregard for the character of the moral and political agent which actually provides the basis for appropriate action.
Automated data-driven and stochastic imputation method
Authors: Koren Michal , Peretz Or
Published: February 2024

Machine learning algorithms may have difficulty processing datasets with missing values. Identifying and replacing missing values is necessary before modeling the prediction for missing data. However, studies have shown that uniformly compensating for missing values in a dataset is impossible, and no imputation technique fits all datasets. This study presents an Automated and data-driven Stochastic Imputer (ASI). The proposed ASI is based on automated distribution detection and estimation of the imputed value by stochastic sampling with controlled error probability. The significant advantage of this method is the use of a data-driven approximation ratio for the stochastic sampling, which bound the samples to be, at most, one standard deviation from the original distribution. The ASI performance was compared to traditional deterministic and stochastic imputation algorithms over seven datasets. The results showed that ASI succeeded in 61.5% of cases compared to other algorithms, and its performance can be improved by controlling the sampling error probability.
Supportive Exercises For Cancer Patients
Authors: Alhinai Hajer
Published: February 2024

Cancer is a major health issue that significantly contributes to mortality worldwide. In 2023, an estimated 1,958,310 new cancer cases were projected in the United States. Individuals with cancer may suffer from physical impairments, fatigue, psychological and social issues that reduce their quality of life. Cancer treatments (post-operation, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy) can cause several side effects. Exercises or physical activity are safe and offer a positive impact before, during, and after cancer treatment, encompassing aerobic, resistance, balance, flexibility exercises and others. Exercises improve quality of life, muscle power, and cardiovascular fitness, while also preventing other diseases and reducing the risk of cancer recurrence and death. The aim of this chapter is to clarify exercises’ role in cancer patients. The choice of exercises depends on the diagnosis and patient tolerance, considering contraindications. Physical activity programs should be informed by guidelines, and individualized in intensity, duration, type, and frequency to achieve maximum positive impact.
Galling-Free Forming of Titanium and Titanium Alloys Using Carbon-Supersaturated Tool Steel Dies
Authors: Aizawa Tatsuhiko , Fuchiwaki Kenji , Kihara Takeshi , Shiratori Tomomi
Published: February 2024

Carbon supersaturation (CS) process was developed to prepare the CS-tool steel dies with massive carbon solute content toward the galling-free metal forming. The impinged carbon solutes diffused and agglomerated onto the hot spots at the die-work interface by stress gradient during the metal forming. This in situ formed free-carbon thin film worked as a tribofilm to reduce the friction and adhesive wear on the die-work interface. Titanium and titanium alloys were selected as a work material common to forging, near-net forming and fine blanking processes. The ball-on-disc method was employed to demonstrate the significant reduction of friction coefficient by CS-tool steels against the pure titanium ball. Upsetting process was used to describe the galling-free forging behavior even under the higher reduction of thickness than 50%. Pin-forming process was utilized to prove that taller pins than designed target were extruded and their height was preserved even with increasing the number of strokes. Fine blanking process was used to describe the integrity of CS-punch with higher grade of titanium gears. The in situ solid lubrication by formation of free-carbon tribofilm was discussed in each metal forming. In particular, the initial learning trial was proposed to shorten the incubation time for the free-carbon film coverage onto the hot spots.
Japanese Forest Conservation System: The Forest Environment Tax
Authors: Nakayama Keiko , Sakurai Katsuhiro
Published: February 2024

Japan is a forest-rich country, with forests covering approximately 70% of its land. It is a well-known fact that forests have a wide range of public functions, including prevention of global warming, conservation of national land, and cultivation of water sources. However, owing to low prices for domestic timber due to cheap imports, a decline in forestry workers, a lack of funds, and an aging population, poorly maintained and degraded forests have become a nationwide problem. Since the 1990s, several local governments have established funds for water resources for forest replenishment as a gesture of gratitude to upstream regions that provide a safe water supply. Furthermore, in 2003, 37 of Japan’s 47 prefectures imposed a forest environment tax on prefectural residents, starting with Kochi Prefecture. In 2019, the law of forest environment tax and forest environment transfer tax was enacted, and due to be levied as a national tax in 2024. A unique initiative in the world is a Japanese fund for forest replenishment that began out of gratitude to the upstream regions that provide water. This paper examines the funds and taxes for forest cultivation in Japan, focusing on how they were introduced, accumulated, and collected.
Perspective Chapter: Trauma and Depression – An Overview about Comorbidity
Authors: Durbano Federico , Marchesi Barbara , Irtelli Floriana
Published: February 2024

There are various types of trauma, some of which can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): they are those involving death, or the threat of death, or serious injury, or the threat to the physical integrity of oneself or others. PTSD often appears associated with other disorders such as depression anxiety disorders and dissociation, and trauma can also increase the possibility that depression and anxiety become autonomous. However, it has long been observed that depression is the disorder that occurs most frequently associated with PTSD. This theme was also explored for the age groups under 18. The need to take into account the complexity of post-traumatic stress disorder and possible comorbidity was then underlined, therefore the use of multiple diagnoses is a valuable element. The diagnosis of PTSD, like that of depression, is a complex diagnosis, articulated on multiple phenomenological levels and it is therefore important in the diagnosis to have clear knowledge of the syndromic grouping of these disorders. The topic of psychodiagnostics was therefore introduced in this area. Finally, the therapeutic objectives common to the various orientations in the treatment of traumatized adults were exposed, and it was specified that the future of research in the field of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy can no longer be represented by a sterile struggle for its affirmation but turns toward the study the best integration of the two approaches.
A Miracle Food Supplement Obtained from Beehives: Propolis
Authors: Kolayli Sevgi
Published: February 2024

In recent years, propolis has garnered substantial global attention as a dietary supplement, owing to its multifaceted nature and diverse biological properties. Derived from beehives, this natural product, characterized by its sticky, waxy consistency, and aromatic scent, is a complex amalgamation of plant and animal origins. Produced by honeybees through the enzymatic processing of resinous substances from herbal extracts, propolis serves an array of structural and functional roles, from insulating beehives to fortifying their defense against diseases. Raw propolis, collected from hives, is harnessed for various formulations as a food supplement following extraction using different solvents. Ethanol (70%) stands as the preferred solvent for propolis extraction, with oil-based and water-based extracts also viable options. Non-toxic propolis extracts are commonly consumed, often encapsulated within natural polymers like chitosan, pectin, alginate, and dextran. Renowned for its diverse array of biological activities, propolis showcases a broad spectrum of functionalities. These encompass antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, anti-diabetic, immuno-modulating, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. This book chapter aims to delve into propolis’ composition and its widespread popularity as a dietary supplement. Furthermore, it will explore the multifaceted impact of propolis on human health.
Effects of student-centered learning and formative assessment on first year students of a non-government college in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Anisur
Published: February 2024

Background: In the evolving landscape of education, student-centered learning approaches and formative assessments have gained prominence as key to enhancing the quality of higher education. This is particularly pertinent in Bangladesh, where traditional teaching methods are still prevalent, underscoring the significance of these strategies.Aim: This research aims to explore the impact of implementing student-centered learning and formative assessment on first-year university students at a non-governmental university in Bangladesh, highlighting how these methods influence the learning process.Method: Employing a qualitative approach, data was gathered through surveys conducted among fifteen first-year political science students at a non-governmental higher education institution in Bangladesh.Results: The study revealed increased student engagement in understanding material and improved academic performance in classes that adopted student-centered approaches and formative assessments.Conclusion: This research confirms that student-centered learning combined with formative assessment contributes positively to enhancing the quality of learning at the higher education level. It underscores the need for pedagogical improvements in Bangladesh to encourage broader implementation of these methods, which in turn could enrich the learning process and educational outcomes for students.
Augmented reality in the teaching of geometric solids for elementary school: Experience report in a public school
Authors: Santiago Paulo Vitor da Silva , Zahroh Umy , Darmayanti Rani
Published: February 2024

Background: Augmented Reality (AR) integrates virtual objects with the real world on smartphone screens, creating a seemingly seamless blend of both. Aim: This research aimed to explore the use of AR in teaching geometric solids to final-year elementary school students. An interactive tool, RA Solids, was employed, originating from a 2023 research experience in a 6th-grade class. Method: The study was conducted in a public school with students mostly classified as digital immigrants. The Didactic Engineering methodology was utilized for research. Result: The outcomes were positive, showing that the school environment was conducive to implementing the teaching and learning process of geometric solids using digital technology. Conclusion: The use of AR in education, specifically in teaching mathematics, demonstrates promising results in enhancing student engagement and understanding, particularly in the context of geometric solids.