bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Anatomy of a Medico-Legal System. Medical Practitioners and the Investigation of Suspicious Deaths in Early Modern Flanders
Authors: Dekoster Kevin
Published: January 2023

During the early modern period, medical practitioners came to play an increasingly important role in criminal proceedings throughout continental Europe. Nevertheless, medico-legal procedures in the Southern or Habsburg Netherlands have hardly received any attention from historians of forensic medicine. The present article aims to address this issue by studying how suspicious deaths were investigated in the early modern County of Flanders. More specifically, three major aspects of the Flemish medico-legal death investigation system are analysed: the composition of the corps of medical practitioners on which the judicial authorities relied to conduct post-mortem examinations, the content of post-mortem reports, and arrangements for the remuneration of medical experts. Although surgeons initially constituted the principal group of medical examiners, university-trained physicians were increasingly required to participate in death investigations over the course of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Furthermore, this period also witnessed a gradual increase in the number of internal autopsies. However, arrangements for the payment of medical experts remained largely unchanged throughout the early modern period.
La prescription acquisitive de la qualité d’héritier sous le Code Napoléon
Authors: Van de Voorde Johan
Published: January 2023

Normalement, on devient héritier par l’opération de la loi ou du testament. Mais que se passe-t-il quand une personne prend possession d’une succession à laquelle elle n’a pas de vocation successorale en rang utile ? La doctrine belge écrit que dans ces cas, la prescription acquisitive a vocation de s’appliquer. Le possesseur de la succession deviendra ainsi véritablement héritier par la possession utile pendant le délai légal (qui est de 30 ans). Or sauf une exception remarquable, toute la jurisprudence qui reconnaît la prescription acquisitive de la qualité d’héritier date du 19e siècle. La présente contribution vise donc à analyser la prescription acquisitive de la qualité d’héritier sous le Code Napoléon : son existence, les tendances de la jurisprudence et les raisons de sa décadence.
Le théâtre de la guerre et la bataille d’Audenarde (11 juillet 1708)
Authors: Dhondt Frederik
Published: January 2023

La bataille d’Audenarde du 11 juillet 1708, une des nombreuses défaites françaises de la fin du règne de Louis XIV, semble bien éloignée de l’étude de l’histoire du droit. Pourtant, plusieurs niveaux d’analyse permettent de remonter au droit constitutionnel des belligérants impliqués dans la Guerre de Succession d’Espagne (1701/1702-1713/1714), tout comme au droit des gens. L’article présent traite d’abord le déroulement de l’affrontement entre deux armées de masse, représentant des souverains de Grenade à Königsberg, et la perception locale de ce déferlement de troupes, mise en scène dans une pièce satyrique exposant le ‘Français vantard et consterné’. Ensuite, la présence des alliés allemands de Louis XIV et de ses opposants mène au droit du Saint-Empire Germanique. Finalement, la bataille en elle-même n’étant pas décisive, il est important de souligner que les manœuvres diplomatiques entre les campagnes de 1707 et 1708 annonçaient les contours de l’accord qui a permis en 1713-1714 de terminer une guerre sanglante. Le caractère connecté de tous les « théâtres de la guerre » (Italie, Espagne, Allemagne, Pays-Bas, Ecosse) paraît également dans l’iconographie du Schouwburg van den Oorlog de Schenk.
Gérer les églises et tables des pauvres en Hainaut et Tournaisis, XVIe–XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Desmette Philippe
Published: January 2023

Cet article a pour premier objectif de déterminer qui, en Hainaut et Tournaisis du XVIe à la fin du XVIIIe siècle, assurait au quotidien la gestion des institutions paroissiales. Il s’agira de déterminer le rôle précis de ces personnes et la manière selon laquelle elles étaient désignées. Ensuite, sera envisagée la question de l’administration de ces institutions. En d’autres termes, nous examinerons quelles autorités étaient compétentes en la matière. Les situations rurales et urbaines seront distinguées en vue de pouvoir déterminer les spécificités en fonction des cadres institutionnels.
Apports, limites et enjeux des méthodes prosopographiques et biographiques appliquées à l’histoire contemporaine des avocats : le cas du stage au barreau de Bruxelles
Authors: Verslype Fanny , Delattre Julien
Published: January 2023

Étudier une profession dans une perspective historique n’est pas exercice aisé. Le barreau ne déroge pas à la règle en s’incarnant dans une collectivité souvent personnifiée et surtout une multitude d’individualités. Comment dès lors s’attacher à l’étude de cette profession en considérant sa double dimension collective et individuelle ? La prosopographie est souvent envisagée comme un outil pour faire dialoguer ces deux dimensions. Toutefois, les écueils à éviter sont nombreux, en particulier pour la profession d’avocat : lissage des trajectoires, surreprésentation de certains réseaux, atténuation des effets d’influence, déterminisme, etc. Le recours ponctuel à la biographie neutralise ou nuance cette vision induite par l’utilisation de sources sérielles. Le croisement des deux approches met en relation les données socio-institutionnelles du barreau de Bruxelles d’une part, tout en prenant en compte les caractéristiques personnelles des avocats qui le composent d’autre part. Mais ce dialogue suffit-il à générer un savoir objectif sur la profession d’avocat ? Nous aborderons cette réflexion en envisageant la question du stage au barreau de Bruxelles au début du 20e siècle et en mobilisant la figure de Joseph Pholien.
Manière de voir : être un migrant européen en territoire colonial. Le procès d’un menuisier italien dans l’Égypte du début du 20e
Authors: Paonessa Costantino
Published: January 2023

À la question classique de savoir si l'historien ou l’historienne peut avoir connaissance du passé « tel qu'il a vraiment eu lieu » s'ajoute le problème du rôle de l'histoire en tant que « tribunal du monde ». À travers le cas du procès d’un charpentier italien dans le cadre du système capitulaire égyptien au début du 20e siècle, cet article vise à montrer comment le regard sur le passé est en constante évolution, stimulé par de nouvelles questions, approches et besoins, qui modifient la narration et en enrichissent la compréhension.
Quand les cloches se taisent. Acteurs et enjeux autour de la suppression d’une paroisse (Saint-Nicaise de Tournai, 1769-1773)
Authors: Vandermeersch Bernard
Published: January 2023

La suppression de la paroisse Saint-Nicaise de Tournai en 1769 rencontre des difficultés. Cinq acteurs s’opposent sur l’opportunité de cette suppression : l’évêque, le chapitre cathédral, le gouvernement, la municipalité et les paroissiens. Ils se divisent, pour ou contre la suppression, mais, paradoxalement, ils partagent les mêmes idées sur l’utilité d’une paroisse : plus qu’une institution religieuse, c’est une structure économique et sociale.
Between parish and municipality: the "conduct of charity" and legislation in the Netherlands from the 16th to the 18th century
Authors: Cauchies Jean-Marie
Published: January 2023

À la Renaissance, la mendicité étant de plus en plus perçue, et de même de façon générale le paupérisme, comme un fléau social, les premières mesures d’« État » – j’écris bien « d’État », pas « civiles » – relatives à la bienfaisance vont prendre place dans le concert de tout ce qui touche à la sûreté publique. Un édit bien connu de Charles Quint, en date du 7 octobre 1531, procure une référence de poids : « que les povres mallades et autres indigens non puissans gaignier leur vie puissent estre nourris et sustentéz a l’honneur et selon l’ordonnance de Dieu » par le canal, dans les villes et villages, d’une « commune bourse pour en faire distribucion aux povres ». On peut tenir cela pour une première tentative du pouvoir central – j’écris bien « central » – de s’attaquer aux racines du mal, d’organiser, autant que possible, uniformément l’assistance publique dans les Pays-Bas, l’inconvénient des pratiques en usage tenant à l’action certes méritoire mais dispersée de fondations de bienfaisance héritées du Moyen Âge. Le gouvernement ne partira pas de rien et s’inspirera notamment de réglementations communales existantes. Voilà énoncé le fil conducteur de cette contribution sans autre prétention que de proposer et de rassembler quelques repères qui sont loin d’être inconnus.
Folk taxonomical distinction between Irvingia gabonensis and I. wombolu (Irvingiaceae) in the Volta Forest region, West Africa
Authors: Vihotogbé Romaric , Avocèvou-Ayisso Carolle , Djikpo Rosos , Teka Oscar , Sinsin Brice , Kakaï Romain Glèlè
Published: January 2023

Description of the subject. Irvingia gabonensis and I. wombolu produce edible kernels, with their fruit pulp tasting sweet and bitter, respectively. The overlap of their morphological and ecological traits creates taxonomic uncertainty. Objectives. This study assessed the efficiency of folk classification system for the separation between I. gabonensis and I. wombolu, in the Volta Forest region (Togo), where both species co-occur. Method. Interviews were conducted with 114 respondents of the five main sociolinguistic groups in the Volta Forest region, in order to identify distinctive traits between both species. Field reconnaissance and confirmation test were used to identify I. gabonensis and I. wombolu trees, which were evaluated against ecological features in folk classification system. Results. Variations existed within each species but were not botanically delimited. The folk classification system was mostly based on fruit pulp taste and some ecological traits. Old local residents only trusted fruit taste to separate these species. Only young Akposso men additionally considered ecology and leaf shape in classification. The reconnaissance survey confirmed the consistency of their folk classification system. Dendrometric parameters of I. gabonensis depended on environmental factors, while land use system and soil geomorphology significantly influenced the occurrence of I. wombolu. Conclusions. Fruit pulp taste and flowering seasons were widely used to distinguish between species, while young men used ecological and botanical features. This demonstrates their recent contact with these taxa. It is also likely that domestication is narrowing differences between I. gabonensis and I. wombolu.
Il disincanto del mondo e la sacralizzazione della natura
Authors: Filoramo Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Il contributo si propone di rileggere gli attuali processi di sacralizzazione della natura sullo sfondo di una storia plurisecolare del sacro tipica dell’Occidente che ha portato all’emergere di un sacro secolare distinto da un sacro religioso. Dopo aver riflettuto sul problematico concetto di natura/Natura (par. 2) e accennato alle fasi principali che il sacro ha conosciuto nella tradizione occidentale (par. 3 e 4), l’articolo si sofferma sugli attuali processi di sacralizzazione della natura (par. 5). Essi possono essere di due tipi, a seconda che si richiamino a un sacro religioso, come nel caso delle correnti neopagane che costituiscono una componente importante della spiritualità ecologica, o secolare, come nel caso dell’ambientalismo radicale non religioso.
Large Scale Docking in the Cloud
Authors: Irwin John , Tingle Benjamin
Published: January 2023

Molecular docking is a pragmatic approach to exploit protein structure for new ligand discovery, but the growing size of available chemical space is increasingly challenging to screen on in-house computer clusters. We have therefore developed AWS-DOCK, a protocol for running UCSF DOCK in the AWS cloud. Our approach leverages the low cost and scalability of cloud resources combined with a low-molecule-cost docking engine to screen billions of molecules efficiently. We benchmarked our system by screening 50 million HAC 22 molecules against the DRD4 receptor. We saw up to 3-fold variations in cost between AWS availability zones. Docking 4.5 billion lead-like molecules, a 7-week calculation on our 1000-core lab cluster, runs in less than a week in AWS for around $25,000, less than the cost of two new nodes. The cloud docking protocol is described in easy-to-follow steps and may be sufficiently general to be used for other docking programs. All the tools to enable AWS-DOCK are available free to everyone, while DOCK 3.8 is free for academic research.
Fabrication of 3D Oriented MOF Micropatterns with Anisotropic Fluorescent Properties
Authors: Velásquez-Hernández Miriam de J. , Linares-Moreau Mercedes , Brandner Lea A. , Marmiroli Benedetta , Barella Mariano , Acuna Guillermo P. , Dal Zilio Simone , Verstreken Margot F. K. , Kravchenko Dmitry E. , Carraro Francesco , Wolinski Heimo , Ameloot Rob , Doonan Christian , Falcaro Paolo
Published: January 2023

Micropatterning crystalline materials with oriented pores is necessary for the fabrication of devices with anisotropic properties. Crystalline and porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are ideal materials as their chemical and structural mutability enables precise tuning of functional properties for applications ranging from microelectronics to photonics. Herein, we design a patternable oriented MOF film: by using a photomask under X-ray exposure, the MOF film decomposes in the irradiated areas, remaining intact in the unexposed regions. The MOF film acts simultaneously as a resist and as functional porous material. While the heteroepitaxial growth from aligned Cu(OH)2 nanobelts is used to deposit oriented MOF films, the sensitivity to radiation is achieved by integrating a brominated dicarboxylic ligand (Br2BDC) into a copper-based MOF Cu2L2DABCO (L=BDC/Br2BDC). The lithographed samples act as a diffraction grating upon irradiation with a laser, thus confirming the quality of the extended MOF micropattern. Furthermore, the oriented MOF patterns are functionalized with fluorescent dyes. As a result, by rotating the polarization angle of the laser excitation, we demonstrate the alignment of the dye in the MOF. By controlling the functional response to light, this MOF patterning protocol could be used for the microfabrication of optical components for photonic devices.
Performance of common density functionals for excited states of tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene
Authors: Schrader Tim , Perlt Eva , Fritz Torsten , Sierka Marek
Published: January 2023

Time-dependent density functional theory is the method of choice to efficiently calculate excitation spectra with the functional and basis set choice allowing to compromise between accuracy and computational cost. In this work the performance of different functionals as well as the second-order approximate coupled cluster singles and doubles model CC2 is evaluated by comparing the results to experimental results of the example molecule tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP). Functional choice has a significant impact on the spectrum of DBP. The performance of a number of different functionals was evaluated, quantified, and, where possible, discussed. The best functional, tuned-CAM-B3LYP, is used to investigate DBP on a surface of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). The resulting spectrum shows excellent agreement with experimental results for a monolayer of DBP on h-BN.
Gender Gap in Asset Ownership: Tanzania State of Play.
Authors: Magambo E.F. , Nyamwesa A.M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This study, examined the gender gap that still exists in asset ownership and its associated factors.

Methodology/Approach: This study employs an integrative review to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under study.  The purpose of this review is to establish whether findings are consistent and generalizable across different settings in Tanzania or whether they vary significantly by particular subgroups. All studies that were fit to be included were summarised and patterns of information collected were tabulated, itemised and discussed in a systematic review. Seven (07) current papers (2017-2021) related to the study were reviewed to establish factors attributed to the gender gap in asset ownership.

Findings: The findings show that there still exists a gender gap in asset ownership in Tanzania. Using Land as a measure of asset ownership the following factors are the source of the gender-based ownership gap; lack of knowledge and awareness Lack of income and Traditions and customary norms are the most critical factors limiting women from owning assets in Tanzania. Other factors include ineffective implementation of the existing land laws and regulations and symbolic violence.

Research Limitations: Further studies can be done by broadening the scope. This can be through clustering studies done in urban and rural areas to determine any locality factors attributing to the gender asset ownership gap.

Practical Implications: The findings from this study are useful to various groups. The government can use the findings to reduce the gender gap in asset ownership by addressing key factors identified. This will help them stay more focused on the most critical factors. Further, NGOs and the society at large can utilize the findings in creating awareness campaigns regarding women's asset ownership.

Value: the findings of this study provide a better understanding of the key factors that limit women from owning assets as it integrates findings of different studies at different times.
Constraints to Accessing Business Development Services and Support (BDSS) among The Urban Street Vendors in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania
Authors: Munishi E.J.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This study examined constraints to accessing Business Development Services and Support (BDSS) among the urban-based informal street vendors in Dar es Salaam- Tanzania.

Design/Methodology/ Approach:  This study employed qualitative methods with purposive and simple random sampling techniques being used to obtain 110 vendors and officials from various organizations who participated in this study. The researcher employed in-depth interviews, observations and the review of different documents. Collected data was later analysed through thematic analysis run through MAXQDA 10.

Findings: Findings revealed several issues constraining informal vendors to access BDSS services. These included financial constraints, lack of BDSS organisations and professionals, lack of relevant policies and regulations, vendors' inability to abide by policies and regulations, lack of vendors' involvement in BDSS decision-making, lack of physical address, vendors' informal and illegal status and lack of statistics on the street vendors.

Research Limitation/Implication: This study mainly focused on street vendors in the urban settings of Dar es salaam and specifically in the three municipalities of Ilala, Kinondoni and Ubungo.

Practical Implication: Mitigating the BDSS constraints among the vendors will guarantee an increase in sales and profitability in street vending hence protecting vendors' livelihoods and contribution to national development.

Social Implication: The study recommends improvement in policy options related to alleviating BDSS-related constraints among vendors including empowerment of vendors on financial matters as well as being provided with reliable sources of business capital, knowledge and skills. 

Originality / Value: Moreover, this study is more adds to more innovative and inclusive strategies for empowering urban street vendors on BDSS, considering that previous works on BDSS have not provided rich solutions to street vendors to access Business Development Services and Support. While some of these studies are quantitative, some other studies have only focused on only registered businesses leaving the informal street vendors unattended.
Demand Forecast Modelling of Vehicles as a Decision Support: The Case of Toyota Ghana
Authors: Addo K.D. , Sackey S.M.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical demand forecast model as an alternative to expert-intensive methods for decision support in automobile companies using Toyota Ghana as a case. The paper explores the challenges associated with reliance on experts’ judgment in demand forecasting. 

Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodology involved analysing stock reports, lost sales reports, and financial reports from Toyota Ghana to understand the effect of poor forecasting. Using data from two key managers and six sales staff, the project examines the perspectives of staff regarding the use of expert judgment for demand forecasting. Further data was collected via a questionnaire from five authorized automobile distributors and dealerships.

Findings: The results revealed the adverse effects of expert-opinion forecasting, which include irregular stock quantities leading to lost sales, vehicle quality challenges leading to deterioration, and long-term negative impact on profitability. Yet demand forecasting by reliance on experts was very prevalent in the automobile industry. The developed forecast model relies on Mean Absolute Percentage Error with a smoothing constant of 0.4. was validated using recent historical data revealing a 2% variance with actual demand values, while for expert judgment the variation margin was 14%. This strongly indicated that the model yielded more accurate predictions of demand than expert predictions.

Research Limitation: The case-study nature of the study means a more generalized study was still needed before the findings could be more widely applied across the automobile industry.

Practical implication: The study recommended further development of scientific forecasting models for predicting demand across the automobile industry since they carried positive implications for the smooth running of the industry. This could help mitigate the challenges associated with using expert opinions in demand forecasting. Beyond this, the model could serve to provide valuable information to vehicle manufacturers, thereby yielding efficiencies in their value chains.

Social implication: Accurate demand forecasting and management have positive implications for operational efficiency that minimizes customer disappointment.  

Originality / Value: The model offers a better alternative for predicting demand more accurately, promoting correct stock holding quantities, avoiding stock deterioration, and reducing expenditure on quality checks, thus ultimately increasing profitability.
Impact of Key Players in Providing Sustainable Water Services in Busega District, Tanzania
Authors: Ngusa D.A.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of key players in providing sustainable water services to rural women in Busega District, Tanzania. Triple-S (Sustainable Services at Scale) approach was adopted to analyse structures applied by key players/actors to deliver services and enable rural women to access water close to their households.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted through cross-sectional design to examine the existence of the situation at single visits. The sample size included 210 rural women who were visited in their households. A mixed research approach was applied to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. As such, primary data was collected by using household surveys, semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations and focus group discussions. Instruments used for collecting data were sets of questionnaire, interview guides or checklists and observations. In addition, documentaries were reviewed to collect secondary data. Content analysis was done to consolidate qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed through One-Way ANOVA to compute a five-point Likert scale, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.

Findings: Results revealed that only 35% of the respondents received sufficient water supplies from key players/actors due to weak structures and poor management of their services.

Research Limitation: The study involved rural women whereas during the household survey most of them were occupied by several duties that resulted in scheduling dialogues by considering their daily schedules.

Practical Implication: The article recommends that to ensure sustainable access to and use of water services in rural areas, the Ministry of Water and Energy need to construct reliable sources and facilitate local key players/actors to improve their services and meet the required demands.

Social Implication: The article provides knowledge to literature by creating awareness to water key players/actors to apprehend how their services were highly desired by rural women to reduce their workload of walking long distances.

Originality/Value: The article revealed that key players/actors who provided water services failed to ensure sustained access to fundamental supplies in rural areas.
Performance of Water Institutions in enhancing Water User Rights among Smallholder Farmers in Kiru Valley Tanzania
Authors: Menda F.P. , Kaswamila A. , Msongaleli B.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This paper intended to investigate the performance of water institutions using the primary roles of Water Resource Management.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed a qualitative research approach through multiple sampling techniques and stages. The sample involved 70 respondents from the basin villages registered in WUA model. Data were checked by content analysis and descriptive statistical procedures.

Findings: The findings revealed that the primary roles of Water Resource Management (WRM) Act No. 11 of 2009 and institutional targets of formal and informal institutions are relevant and reflective towards enhancing water user rights in the valley. The WUA model seemed to have a better performance on water management in Kiru Valley, Tanzania.

Research Limitation: The limitation of this study was the overlapped policies and programs which restricted the definition of the institutional roles of the water institutions in the valley

Practical Implication: This information is useful for key actors in water management in formulating effective institutions to engage the smallholder farmers in water use on a large scale by targeting serious water institutions which attract them.

Social Implication: Policy makers should institute the WRM Act No. 11 of 2009 relating to WUA model to improve water user rights.

Originality/Value: This is a relevant study that seeks to develop an effective institutional performance framework to monitor the water use procedures of the stakeholders.
Regulations Governing Student Internship Programme in Ghana: A Sequential Explanatory Multi-Stakeholder Approach
Authors: Arthur P. , Boampong G.T. , Dare G. A.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This paper seeks to ascertain the regulations governing students’ internship programmes in Selected Technical Universities in Ghana.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The sequential explanatory mixed methods approach was utilised. Two separate structured questionnaires were administered to 481 students and 299 senior members (lecturers and administrators) of six selected technical universities (TUs); whereas members of industry, executives of business associations and government regulatory bodies in the tertiary sector of Ghana’s education system were interviewed, using an interview guide. Data was analysed through descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and Constant Comparative Analysis.

Findings: There was no well-defined enforceable law requiring TUs to secure internship placement for students, although, some regulatory bodies insisted that TUs showed evidence of their ability to secure placements for their students for industrial training before awarding programme accreditation.

Research Limitation/Implication: The study focuses on regulations governing student internship programmes in Ghana. The study concentrated on selected Technical Universities in Ghana.

Practical Implication: The knowledge advanced in this study underscores the need for proper synergy between Technical Universities regarding regulation governing student internship which should be spearheaded by the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Education, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission acting as a facilitator, creating interfaces and providing funding and incentives.

Social Implication: The Government of Ghana can allow companies some tax exemptions or make the environment business-friendly for companies so that they can expand their operation to accept more interns.

Originality/Value: This paper synchronises the perspectives of multiple actors on the regulations governing student internship programmes.
Anatomy of Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
Authors: Onyekpe J.G.N.
Published: January 2023

The economic and social crisis in Nigeria cannot be adequately understood outside the organisation of the political economy as a dependent capitalist one.  Political independence did not lead to economic liberation from imperialism as the structural and institutional foundations of imperialism were strengthened at independence and over the post-independence period.  The crisis is aggravated by the continuous haemorrhage of resources from the country to the metropolitan world, lack of perspective macro-economic planning, non-diversification of the economy, and the use of the state and its organs and agencies by the ruling political elite to plunder the resources of the state.  All efforts towards resolving the crisis have been a disastrous failure because most of the blueprints are formulated by the metropolitan states and their agencies with the ultimate aim to keep the state in unequal relations with the metropolitan states.  Internally formulated policy instruments and economic measures have had little or no impact because they have mostly been wrongheaded.  It is our argument in this paper that, the choice before the ruling elite is between the minimum programme of reforms to expand production and meet the basic needs of the people or the maximum programme of popular democratic revolutionary change of the existing political and social order.
The Contribution of The Language Use in The Outdoor Advertisements: Evidence From SMEs in Dar Es Salaam
Authors: Ojwang’ E.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This study focused on the contribution of language use in outdoor advertisements through analysis of both linguistics and paralinguistics features.

Design/Methodology/Approach: An explanatory research design was employed to enable the researcher to integrate both quantitative and qualitative data to explain the contribution of language use for effective outdoor advertisements. Data were collected through observation, questionnaires, and interviews. The sampling technique was stratified where forty outdoor advertisements were identified from four clusters of SMEs: macro, micro, medium, and large enterprises, and 12 respondents for both interviews and 108 respondents for questionnaires.

Findings: The findings prove that both small and micro enterprises place their outdoor advertisements along the road and near their working place (bus stands), while medium and large enterprises go for billboards and wall painting. Linguistic features found are adjectives, exaggeration, repetition, assonance, slogans, commands, and catchy phrases. While paralinguistics founds were colour, images, names, size, and numbers. The appropriate use of language attract, influence, assure, and encourage customers to act by purchasing, seeking clarity, concentrating, or others. Finally, the study established that language uses contribute to the effectiveness of outdoor advertisements by enabling a message to be well sent to the customers.

Research Limitation: The researcher found some problems such as unwillingness to respond to the questions which reduced the number of respondents.

Practical Implication: The findings will encourage SMEs to use appropriate language for better output and customers will have the assurance of the product. 

Social Implication: This study will add new knowledge to producers, suppliers, and customers.

Originality/Value: This study assessed the contribution of language use in an outdoor advertisement by focusing on both linguistics and paralinguistic features. The finding provides evidence of the influence of language use on attracting customers to purchase or ignore the product or service.
Fetal-Maternal Outcomes of Induction of Labour Among Women Delivered at Regional Referral Hospitals In Dar Es Salaam Tanzania
Authors: Chuwa S. , Chiduo M. , Sylvester B.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Africa has a very low rate of induction of labour with high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. However fetal-maternal outcomes following induction of labour are not well documented in Tanzania. This study aimed to assess fetal-maternal outcomes following induction of labour among women delivered at Dar es Salaam regional referral hospitals in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/Approach: A total of 301 expectant mothers were recruited in a prospective observational study conducted at all regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data on fetal-maternal outcomes were collected using a pre-designed clinical sheet. Demographic data, obstetric history, methods as well as outcomes of labour induction were recorded. The continuous variables were summarized using the median and corresponding interquartile range. Categorical variables were summarized using frequency and proportions and the significance of differences were assessed using Chi-square at P<0.05.

Results: The leading methods for induction of labour were Oxytocin (48.5%) and a combination of Folley’s catheter with Oxytocin (28.4%). Induction of labour significantly improved fetal outcomes at birth P<0.05. Induction of labour associated with improved Apgar scores in newborn babies. Failure of induction of labour was the largest contributor to the increased Caesarean Section rate observed in this study.

Research limitation/Implication: This study has therefore explored the fetal-maternal outcomes following induction of labour in Tanzanian regional referral hospitals.

Practical implication: Induction of labour improves and minimizes neonatal complications in referral regional hospitals in Dar es Salaam.

Originality/Value: These findings fill a gap of information which was missing on the fetal-maternal outcomes following induction of labour among expectant mothers in Dar es Salaam regional referral hospitals.
Concept of Equivalent Stress Criterion For Predicting Failure of Brittle Materials
Authors: Sackey S. M. , Ngewana T. Z.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: A paucity of proven failure criteria for brittle engineering materials exists, and this paper intends to present and validate a novel concept of equivalent stress criterion for predicting the failure of brittle isotropic homogeneous materials based on the concept of effective causative failure stress.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Mathematical modelling is first performed based on strain-state equivalence, followed by conversion to the equivalent causative stress. The model is then validated with experimental and other data and with comparisons to traditional models. The material studied is BS 1452 Grade 250 continuous-cast grey cast iron with a Young’s Modulus of 39 000 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 290 MPa. The test samples were prepared square in shape 12 mm x 12 mm to enable stresses in two perpendicular directions. Data is generated from uniaxial and bi-axial tests, performed using a standard universal testing machine, INSTRON 880, improvised to enable bi-axial recordings.

Findings: Results point consistently to higher fidelity and transparency of the new model in representing the state of stress, especially in the second and fourth quadrants of the principal stress diagram, where Rankine’s criterion completely ignores stress differences and Mohr handles shear stresses in a suboptimal fashion. Both the maximum principal stresses and maximum shear stresses predicted by the proposed model are found to be somewhat greater than those from the traditional models, indicating higher accuracy and greater aggressiveness in prediction. The findings have further revealed that shearing effects play a greater role in the failure of engineering brittle materials than traditional failure theories have considered.

Research Limitation: The study involved improvisation to enable biaxial stress recordings. This process was not perfect, resulting in smaller-than-ideal values of the lateral stresses.

Practical implication:  The study recommended process and equipment development toward perfecting multiaxial tests.

Social implication: The survey will enrich the literature with pertinent design methodology to help in product design, including social-interest products. 

Originality / Value: Since truly homogeneous materials are known to withstand very high hydrostatic pressures, direct stresses alone do not constitute valid failure criteria for all loading conditions.
Friendship and Courtship in The Era of Smartphone: Experience from Youths in Higher Learning Institutions in Dodoma Municipality Tanzania
Authors: Churk J. P.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: As technological advancement in terms of digital communication is increased, the use of smartphones among individuals as a source of information and community practices also increased. The study examined the role of the smartphone in building friendships and courtships among youth in public academic institutions in Dodoma Municipality.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study used mixed methods including surveys and interviews to understand the way youths utilise smartphones in building friendships and courtship. Descriptive and content data analysis were used to analyse the data.

Findings: The findings revealed that smartphone has significantly enabled youth to access valuable information about their intimate friends and courting partners. It also revealed that functions provided by smartphone enabled youth to keep their partners closer by utilising social media networks.

Research Limitation: The study focused only on youths in Higher Learning Institutions in Dodoma City, Tanzania thus limiting generalisations.

Practical implications: The study recommends the need for a policy that protects personal information shared through a smartphone for the wellbeing of youths and society’s digital practices.

Social implications: The personal data protection policy will help to protect the privacy rights of youths and all members of the community in general, against any possible abuse which has gained unprecedented attention, especially in the current information age.

Originality/ Value: The study will contribute to improving policy decisions to protect the current digital generation against the violation of personal data shared via digital communication.
Assessing The Acceptability of Packaged Yam Strips as Convenient Food
Authors: Kplorlanyuie D. M. , Cowther S.
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The aim of the study was to process, package and store yam strips as frozen food for use as convenient food. Two cultivars of white yam (Discorea rotundata), were used for the study.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The cultivars were processed into strips and packaged in a 1.5kg polyethylene bag which was designed and labelled for the purpose. The packaged product was frozen using an Ocean freezer at a temperature of -18oC for storage studies over four weeks at the chemistry laboratory of the CSIR- Food Research Institute Accra. The frozen yam strips were fried and presented to 50 evaluators every week for four weeks for assessment in order of preference concerning their sensory attributes (size, colour, aroma, taste, moistness, hardness, crispiness, sogginess and overall acceptability). Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed in selecting the respondents.

Findings: The result of the sensory evaluation showed that fried yam strips were found to be acceptable as most of the evaluators indicated that they were satisfied.

Research Limitation: Due to time factors and finance the laboratory analysis was carried out for only four weeks. However, it is ideal to conduct the storage studies over a year to determine the shelf life of the yam samples for at least one year.

Practical implication: Hotels, restaurants, and takeaway food operators including domestic users can benefit a lot since the yam is minimally processed and require no preparation before frying. It saves time and labour.

Social implication: The development of yam into a convenient food product and high-quality packaging can contribute immensely by adding value to the crop thereby increasing yam availability in all seasons. This can boost yam production and improve the livelihood of the people in rural and urban centres.

Originality/Value: This study is the creative work of the authors and it has not been conducted and published by any Technical university in Ghana. We are in an era where consumer demand for minimally processed food is high and the need for reduced preparation and cooking time of food, it is becoming unattractive to sell whole yam tubers to the working class since the yam could be processed and used as convenient food.
Navigating and Creating Virtual Art Exhibition
Authors: CSEA Contributors
Published: January 2023

During the various stages of the Covid 19 pandemic, artistic practices have become increasingly important in managing the complexity of the impacts of the pandemic (Sabol, 2022). From simple rainbow drawings to musicians performing from their balconies, creating art has been essential to navigating these unprecedented times as we encounter our lives through different lenses due to new and shifting realities. In 2021, Dr. Julie Ethridge, Vice President of the CSEA/SCÉA invited artists of all artistic backgrounds to submit work that was shaped and created during the first 12 months of the global pandemic that addressed how (if) the pandemic intersected with their artistic practice.  The works that were included in the virtual exhibit that ran from July to October 2021 are shown here, with the artist’s statements.
Bayesian modeling of time-varying parameters using regression trees
Authors: Hauzenberger Niko , Huber Florian , Koop Gary , Mitchell James
Published: January 2023

In light of widespread evidence of parameter instability in macroeconomic models, many time-varying parameter (TVP) models have been proposed. This paper proposes a nonparametric TVP-VAR model using Bayesian additive regression trees (BART). The novelty of this model stems from the fact that the law of motion driving the parameters is treated nonparametrically. This leads to great flexibility in the nature and extent of parameter change, both in the conditional mean and in the conditional variance. In contrast to other nonparametric and machine learning methods that are black box, inference using our model is straightforward because, in treating the parameters rather than the variables nonparametrically, the model remains conditionally linear in the mean. Parsimony is achieved through adopting nonparametric factor structures and use of shrinkage priors. In an application to US macroeconomic data, we illustrate the use of our model in tracking both the evolving nature of the Phillips curve and how the effects of business cycle shocks on inflationary measures vary nonlinearly with movements in uncertainty.
Exploration of hybrid deep learning algorithms for covid-19 mrna vaccine degradation prediction system
Authors: Ing Soon Hwai , Abdullah Azian Azamimi , Mashor Mohd Yusoff , Mohamed-Hussein Zeti-Azura , Mohamed Zeehaida , Ang Wei Chern
Published: January 2023

Coronavirus causes a global pandemic that has adversely affected public health, the economy, including every life aspect. To manage the spread, innumerable measurements are gathered. Administering vaccines is considered to be among the precautionary steps under the blueprint. Among all vaccines, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines provide notable effectiveness with minimal side effects. However, it is easily degraded and limits its application. Therefore, considering the cruciality of predicting the degradation rate of the mRNA vaccine, this prediction study is proposed. In addition, this study compared the hybridizing sequence of the hybrid model to identify its influence on prediction performance. Five models are created for exploration and prediction on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dataset provided by Stanford University and made accessible on the Kaggle community platform employing the two deep learning algorithms, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) as well as Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The Mean Columnwise Root Mean Square Error (MCRMSE) performance metric was utilized to assess each model’s performance. Results demonstrated that both GRU and LSTM are befitting for predicting the degradation rate of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Moreover, performance improvement could be achieved by performing the hybridization approach. Among Hybrid_1, Hybrid_2, and Hybrid_3, when trained with Set_1 augmented data, Hybrid_3 with the lowest training error (0.1257) and validation error (0.1324) surpassed the other two models; the same for model training with Set_2 augmented data, scoring 0.0164 and 0.0175 MCRMSE for training error and validation error, respectively. The variance in results obtained by hybrid models from experimenting claimed hybridizing sequence of algorithms in hybrid modeling should be concerned.
Identifying threat objects using faster region-based convolutional neural networks (faster R-CNN)
Authors: Galvez Reagan , Dadios Elmer Pamisa
Published: January 2023

Automated detection of threat objects in a security X-ray image is vital to prevent unwanted incidents in busy places like airports, train stations, and malls. The manual method of threat object detection is time-consuming and tedious. Also, the person on duty can overlook the threat objects due to limited time in checking every person’s belongings. As a solution, this paper presents a faster region-based convolutional neural network (Faster R-CNN) object detector to automatically identify threat objects in an X-ray image using the IEDXray dataset. The dataset was composed of scanned X-ray images of improvised explosive device (IED) replicas without the main charge. This paper extensively evaluates the Faster R-CNN architecture in threat object detection to determine which configuration can be used to improve the detection performance. Our findings showed that the proposed method could identify three classes of threat objects in X-ray images. In addition, the mean average precision (mAP) of the threat object detector could be improved by increasing the input image's image resolution but sacrificing the detector's speed. The threat object detector achieved 77.59% mAP and recorded an inference time of 208.96 ms by resizing the input image to 900 × 1536 resolution. Results also showed that increasing the bounding box proposals did not significantly improve the detection performance. The mAP using 150 bounding box proposals only achieved 75.65% mAP, and increasing the bounding box proposal twice reduced the mAP to 72.22%.