bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Attrition Rates of Diverse Teacher Candidates
Authors: Johnson Tonya , Lehner Edward
Published: January 2022

The National Center for Education Statistics has indicated that the vast majority of New York State teaching positions remain disproportionately reflective of and populated by members of the dominant culture even while student populations grow increasingly diverse. New York has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of racially and ethnically diverse students, including many immigrant groups, in nearly all regions of the state. Consistently, teacher education research has underscored the importance of having multilingual, multiethnic, and multiracial teacher candidates successfully enter the teaching profession. Yet it appears that too few teacher preparation programs have altered preparation practices to accommodate this need. While acknowledging the need for a more diverse teaching force, this chapter examines 5 years of teacher candidates' educational outcomes in an urban community college. The empirical data underscore a complicated and often exclusionary teacher preparation pathway. This pathway, inadvertently, often precludes racially and ethnically diverse teacher candidates.
Equity, Equality, and Reform in Contemporary Public Education
Authors: Grant Marquis Carter
Published: January 2022

Principles of equity have largely been overlooked in the field of education in favor of an acute focus on equality. Brown vs. Board of Education challenged practices of separate but equal, maintaining that equality was the foundation on which education should be built if all students were to benefit from education. Without a dual consideration for both equity and equality, practitioners are limited in their ability to provide an appropriate education to diverse populations of children. It is not enough to give students the same access to learning opportunities and resources. Educators must also create individualized pathways to the learning environment if all students are to benefit academically.
My Skin Color Is Not Mi Pecado
Authors: Barrón Daisy Indira
Published: January 2022

This chapter revealed itself as the title of the author's dissertation because of the binary mentality that thrives throughout our country and in our personal experience. On the author's first days after arriving in the United States, she was asked where she had her tanning done. She had never heard such a thing while she was growing up in Mexico nor did she think that she had dark skin because she had always considered herself Blanca/White. It did not mean that during her early twenties she could not see color, just that appearances did not matter as much as the treatment toward her. She was raised by those whose skin color also caused them to be labeled here in the United States as Moreno/Black. The ones who raised her were a Mexican medical pastor and a Güera/White Mexican, nurse, and housewife, and they referred to her, their precious youngster, simply as Brown or—as she likes to call her skin tone—café con leche/milk with coffee. The participants in the study also related that they have faced microaggressions and—in some instances—their professional tenure was in jeopardy.
WOKE
Authors: Sandifer Mariama Cook , Gibson Eva M. , Brant-Rajahn Sarah N.
Published: January 2022

Social justice advocacy is a term commonly utilized to describe action steps initiated to remove obstacles to success for underrepresented students. This chapter challenges school counselors and educators to adopt a “Woke” perspective (which integrates action and awareness) on behalf of African American students. Furthermore, these professionals should be equipped with culturally responsive tools to support African American students and engage in systemic advocacy on their behalf. Drawing from Critical Race Theory, this chapter will examine the historical and contemporary context of discriminatory practices, as well as the current impact on African American students. This chapter will also address specific strategies to inform professional practice and advocacy work, as well as implications for training programs.
COVID-19 and Social Sciences Research in Community Settings
Authors: Islam M. Rezaul
Published: January 2022

This chapter looks at the major challenges the social scientists and social researchers are facing in conducting social research during this COVID-19 pandemic due to their physical inaccessibility to the community. The chapter also provides some alternative ways to reduce these challenges using different techniques within the latitudes of social sciences research. This chapter is based on authors' empirical observations, and some evidence is obtained from the experts' opinions working in different disciplines in social sciences. Results found some practical challenges (i.e., many social researchers stop their research practices due to inaccessibility in the communities; many of them started their research, but could not finish it; some researchers are doing their research using alternative tools and techniques; and research funding has been frizzed due to this pandemic). Findings would be useful to the social sciences researchers, academics, research students, policymakers, and development practitioners.
Human Perceptions and Community Initiatives to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Islam M. Rezaul
Published: January 2022

Millions of human beings are affected COVID-19 worldwide, but the constellation of health and socioeconomic effects of the pandemic varies between developed and developing countries. While the crisis has drawn attention in media as life and livelihood hazard, the differences in human perceptions between developed and developing worlds remain under-documented. The authors explain how different human perceptions are embodied in Australia and Bangladesh in the pandemic by examining the countries' health measures and community initiatives. The rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths were consistently higher in Bangladesh than in Australia. While the Australian government and the Australians showed maturity in managing effects of COVID-19, erratic lockdown measures and imprudent policy decisions by the Bangladesh government together with its inadequate acute care services and income concerns influenced the people's psychosocial perceptions. The study highlights the importance of strengthening the health system and food and income security and investing in community programs in Bangladesh.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Work From Home (WFH)
Authors: Hussin Hanafi , Sulaiman Ainin , Taha Azni Zarina , Mohtar Mozard
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to examine university employees' academic and non-academic experiences while working from home during the movement control order (MCO) period (implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The study focuses on experiences related to four issues: communication, situational factors, believes and attitudes, and homework interference. It also examines the perceived outcomes (in terms of productivity) of working from home (WFH). Empirical data were collected from university staff using a survey questionnaire distributed online. The findings suggest that communication among family members increased during the MCO period. Employees have the basic resources necessary to work from home. They believe that WFH allowed them to enjoy flexible working hours and save travelling time and expenses. In addition, they believe that their productivity increased as a result of their family's support while working from home. These findings will help university management to plan future WFH arrangements beyond the MCO period.
Do Entrepreneurial Elements Make Learning From Home More Exciting?
Authors: Cahayani Ati , Gunawan Aristo Surya
Published: January 2022

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all learning activities must be done from home. The majority of students, lecturers, and universities are not ready to face these revolutionary and unplanned changes. Many problems arise in this circumstance from the lack of distance learning infrastructures, and also unpreparedness in terms of the lecturer's pedagogical aspects which cause the delivery of material not optimally delivered. In addition, the condition of learning from home sometimes does not work optimally because there is interference with the internet connection while learning is taking place that may cause the delivery of material to not be as clear as face to face, and this is worsened by student boredom because online learning is felt to be more monotonous. But, from the research, the authors found that students with entrepreneurial elements could make their learning from home activities more exciting. So, this chapter will describe the importance of entrepreneurial elements that the authors believe could make learning from home more exciting.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Education in India
Authors: Mandal Moon
Published: January 2022

Due to COVID-19, educational institutes across the world have closed, jeopardizing academic calendars. Most educational institutes have shifted to e-learning platforms to keep academic activities going. However, the questions about the preparedness, designing, and effectiveness of e-learning are still not clearly understood, particularly for a developing country like India, where the technical constraints like suitability of devices and bandwidth availability pose a significant challenge. To design and implement educational responses to the social and health crisis, all parties involved in education must be active participants during periods of lockdown and in the process of reopening schools.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Various Aspects of B.Ed. Student-Teachers in Odisha and West Bengal
Authors: Das Debranjan , Behera Santosh Kumar
Published: January 2022

The present study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of B.Ed. student-teachers (session 2019-2021) in Odisha and West Bengal. This study is based on the descriptive survey method. All the B.Ed. student-teachers in the states of Odisha and West Bengal comprised the population of this study. One hundred four B.Ed. student-teachers (51 in Odisha and 53 in West Bengal) were selected through a random sampling technique. A questionnaire (in Google form) was used for the collection of the data. The findings indicated that overall 73.56% B.Ed. student-teachers opened that they were affected negatively in their financial condition and essential resources respectively. 76.21% of B.Ed. student-teachers were badly affected by the novel coronavirus in their mental health. The result also showed that 70.96% B.Ed. student-teachers were conscious about the coronavirus, and 81.49% of B.Ed. student-teachers opined that their education was affected by COVID-19 in both states. It helps to understand the actual problems learners face in this pandemic situation.
The Perspective of the Bangladeshi Students About the Impact of COVID-19 on Higher Education
Authors: Akhtar Sharmin , Joy Ashikur Rahman , Suchi Sanjida Anjum
Published: January 2022

Today, there is usually a conflict about emergency remote learning (ERL) as a substitution for the formal education system. The goal of this chapter is to figure out the advantages and drawbacks of ERL, particularly for students and teachers, and assess the student's satisfaction levels on ERL due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This chapter revealed that more than 25% of the participants were satisfied with having online in real-time while 38% of participants were dissatisfied. This chapter exposed some drawbacks such as students are incompetent to focus on the study effectively from the house and the ERL is not as effective as blended learning. Furthermore, this chapter recommends that there still is a shortage of support services, a lack of technological expertise, deficiency of adequate internet connectivity, lack of proper practical work, and financial problems of the family associated with this ERL educational environment. The author concludes that students prefer campus life to the online classes.
Review of Opportunities in Collaboration Between Australia and Pakistan for the Education of Marketing Post COVID-19
Authors: Haq Farooq
Published: January 2022

This chapter presents opportunity for collaboration between Australian and Pakistani tertiary education for advanced teaching of marketing. The research presents a study suggesting innovating marketing education post COVID-19 based on class interviews with examples from the world of politics. University students studying marketing were interviewed in this qualitative study by conducting in-class focus groups. Respondents were inquired about their opinion on using various teaching strategies with politics as a case to explain elements of the marketing mix. Recommendations to use class discussions, role-play, and cold-call engagement are contributions of this chapter, presenting learning by applying politics as a marketing challenge to explain the marketing theory. Politics as a marketing example can be used by academic and industrial marketing trainers and educators, leading towards a strategic opportunity for collaboration between Australian and Pakistani education planners and institutions for stablishing strong institutions for peace and justice.
Digital Strategic Partnership for Australian and South Asian Enterprises
Authors: Sandhu Kamaljeet
Published: January 2022

This study aims to identify the important roles in digital strategic partnership for Australian-Asian enterprises. Research has shown that the world's two biggest economies in the coming years will be in Asia, and they are China and India. Australia's strategic location and close geographic proximity to Asia and its engagement in economic, business, education, health, cultural, and technological cooperation have led to opportunities in digital strategic partnership for Australian-Asian enterprises. A case study approach is used to analyse the strategic investment opportunities in digital and telecommunication technologies with Australia and Asian trading partners to develop a digital strategy. Over many years, Australia has demonstrated leadership for exchange of strategic information, ideas, and closer participation with Asia, which has led to building a strong relationship in terms of government-to-government, people-to-people, and business-to-business, which can be transformed for innovative digital strategic partnership in the South Asian region.
Australia as an Enabler to Sustainable Indian Ocean Island Economies
Authors: Gurrib Ikhlaas
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this study is to provide a deeper understanding of how Australia and Indian Ocean island economies of Mauritius, Maldives, and Sri Lanka can mutually benefit from each other to promote sustainability and economic output. Specifically, this study investigates what makes the three island economies attractive to promote regional and international trade and how Australia can help achieve a sustainable blue economy. The author initially provides some background of the current state in the island economies and Australia, post-COVID-19 crisis impact, the different financial and regulatory policies, bilateral trade agreements, and ministerial level organisations promoting trade partnerships. Key recommendations aligned with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 14, are provided. Active involvement from experienced nations like Australia to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is required, including some incentivized alliance between the private and public sector to achieve a sustainable ocean or blue economy, post COVID-19 crisis.
Post-COVID-19 Australian and Indian Collaboration for Enhanced Effectiveness in the Resource Sector for Renewable Energy
Authors: Nair Gayatri Gopidas , Mehta Rahul Vinit
Published: January 2022

India and Australia have a diverse range of ties, spanning from geostrategic collaboration and trade to global influence. An initial period of warmth followed by decades of coldness characterizes the relationship between Australia and India. This chapter makes a case for improving resource sector related bilateral relations between New Delhi and Canberra to aim for a sustainable future through strategic collaboration in climate change and the renewable energy sector. Trade and investment possibilities exist between the two countries, and over the years, the engagements between countries have been neglected. The worldwide focus on renewable energy adoption through technological innovation and collaboration is thriving. This research focuses on understanding if there has been a change in the relationship between the two since the pandemic. Through the analysis and observation of qualitative data, suggestions with the current scenario and the future scope of both countries, particularly in the resources and energy sector, have been discussed in this chapter.
New Trade Frontiers Between India and Australia
Authors: Khandelwal Risha , Gupta Princi
Published: January 2022

The rising geopolitical tensions between China and Australia can develop new trade frontiers between India, Australia, and the South Asian region as a whole. With this view, the chapter aims to study the present state of bilateral trade relations between India-Australia, identify obstacles that hindered the growth of trade relations between India-Australia in the past, understand the impact of comprehensive economic cooperation for free trade agreement between the two countries. The chapter further discusses the challenges that COVID-19 has posed for trade between Australia and China as well as the future opportunities for bilateral trade between India and Australia. The 2020-21 Australia-India Joint Statement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation agreement is a step forward in a positive direction in meeting many of the UN SDGs. This chapter is essential for understanding the complexities of “trade creation” between (India and Australia) and “trade diversion” between (China and Australia).
Quadruped Robots With Bio-Inspired Gait Generation Methods Using Sole Pressure Sensory Feedback
Authors: Takei Yuki , Morishita Katsuyuki , Saito Ken
Published: January 2022

There is still no artificial life with the same adaptability and flexibility as animals. Although artificial life will advance by acquiring nervous systems similar to those of animals, its role and mechanisms remain unknown. The authors have developed a quadruped robot with a bio-inspired gait generation method to realize robots that can behave like animals. The method could generate gaits using pulse-type hardware neuron models (P-HNMs). However, characteristics of the P-HNMs had large scatterings, and the robot could maintain gaits only a few cycles. This chapter explains the method and P-HNM integrated circuits (ICs) developed to improve P-HNMs' characteristics. In addition, dynamic simulations with a simplified method and discussions of the methods and ICs are provided. Although the proposed methods are simple, they could actively generate gaits using interactions between the body and the environment. Therefore, the methods will lead to the realization of a quadruped robot with flexible adaptability.
Deep Learning Models for Physiological Data Classification of Children During Computerized Auditory Tests
Authors: Erol Barkana Duygun , Kaşıkçı Itır , Kose Hatice , Toprak Elif , Yılar Selma , Demirpençe Seçinti Dilara
Published: January 2022

The chapter aims to classify the physiological data of hearing impaired (HI) and typically developed (TD) children using machine/deep learning techniques 1) to reveal if the physiological data of the HI and TD are distinguishable, 2) to understand which emotions of HI and TD are recognized, and 3) to investigate the effect of computerization in a subset of audiology perception tests. Physiological signals, which are blood volume pulse (BVP), skin conductance (SC), and skin temperature (ST), are collected using a wearable E4 wristband during computerized and conventional tests. Sixteen HI and 18 TD children participated in this study. An artificial neural network (ANN) and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model are used to classify physiological data. The physiological changes of HI and TD children are distinguishable in computerized tests. TD children's positive (pleasant) and negative (unpleasant) emotions (PN) are distinguishable on both computerized and conventional tests. HI children's neutral and negative (unpleasant) (NU) emotions are distinguishable in the computerized tests.
Behavior Classification of Egyptian Fruit Bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) From Calls With Deep Learning
Authors: Yılmaz Batuhan , Sen Melih , Masazade Engin , Beskardes Vedat
Published: January 2022

Sensing the environment with passive acoustic sensors has been used as a very useful tool to monitor and quantify the status and changes on biodiversity. In this chapter, the authors aim to classify the social calls (biting, feeding, fighting, isolation, mating protest, and sleeping) of a certain bat species, Egyptian fruit bat, which lives in colonies with thousands of others. Therefore, classification of their calls not only helps us to understand the population dynamics but also helps us to offer distinct environmental management procedures. In this work, the authors use the database previously presented in Prat et al. and present the social call classification results under both classical machine learning techniques and a convolutional neural network (CNN). The numerical results show that CNN improves the classification performance up to 20% as compared to the traditional machine learning approaches when all the call classes are considered. It has also been shown that the classes of aggressive calls, which can sound quite close to each other, can be distinguished with CNN.
Applications of the Bees Algorithm
Authors: Castellani Marco , Baronti Luca , Laili Yuanjun , Pham Duc Truong
Published: January 2022

The bees algorithm is a popular intelligent optimisation algorithm inspired by the foraging behaviour of honeybees. This chapter describes the application of two combinatorial variants of the bees algorithm to the optimisation of manufacturing processes. The first variant was created for minimisation of printed circuit board assembly times, whilst the second was devised for fast replanning of robotic disassembly of mechanical parts. In both cases, the bees-inspired paradigm proved effective in efficiently solving complex engineering optimisation problems. Compared to a number of state-of-the-art combinatorial optimisation algorithms, the bees algorithm excelled in terms of efficiency of the solutions.
Formalizing Model-Based Multi-Objective Reinforcement Learning With a Reward Occurrence Probability Vector
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Kawabuchi Yuto , Takahashi Shota , Ichikawa Yoshihiro , Takadama Keiki
Published: January 2022

The mission of this chapter is to formalize multi-objective reinforcement learning (MORL) problems where there are multiple conflicting objectives with unknown weights. The objective is to collect all Pareto optimal policies in order to adapt them for use in a learner's situation. However, it takes huge learning costs in previous methods, so this chapter proposes the novel model-based MORL method by reward occurrence probability (ROP) with unknown weights. There are three main features. First one is that average reward of a policy is defined by inner product of the ROP vector and a weight vector. Second feature is that it learns the ROP vector in each policy instead of Q-values. Third feature is that Pareto optimal deterministic policies directly form the vertices of a convex hull in the ROP vector space. Therefore, Pareto optimal policies are calculated independently with weights and just one time by Quickhull algorithm. This chapter reports the authors' current work under the stochastic learning environment with up to 12 states, three actions, and three and four reward rules.
East African Cybersecurity
Authors: Dawson Maurice , Walker Damon L. , Vassilakos Andreas , Chellasamy Harshini , Setor Tenace
Published: January 2022

ICT has become an essential factor in Ethiopia and other East African countries to transform their economies. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector is still the primary driver of economic development. The difference between the past and present years is the injection of technology to further drive this business. For Ethiopia, this means using a database to support countrywide micro-financing to farmers in seeking capital for leasing land, purchasing needed materials, and hiring workers. The objectives of this chapter were to redesign and harden the database architecture of the researched micro-financing organization. The researchers performed an assessment of the organization's information systems. After identifying weaknesses, they followed controls identified in the NIST SP 800-53. This chapter describes the security faults within the database, showing the lack of baseline cybersecurity controls to ensure a hardened system. The authors proposed a security-centered database architecture after auditing the researched organization's IT infrastructure and information systems.
Realizing a Multi-Layered Mobile Strategy for Underserved Areas for Cybersecurity Leadership
Authors: Burton Sharon L.
Published: January 2022

This chapter shows the value of grasping a mobile strategy deploying multiple layers of security. Data shows a void in leader understanding regarding safe m-learning, m-learning's safety cost requirements, and enduring sustainability in a cybernated world. Cybersecurity must be infused into processes encompassing m-learning strategy to include international and national insights in underdeveloped areas. Cybersecurity leaders must increase their overall abilities to guide the growth and operation of a cyber-secure mobile strategy. This chapter infuses cybersecurity into processes encompassing m-learning strategy by probing the insights for cybersecurity's influence on m-learning in this 21st century. Cybersecurity leaders and faculty members should amass knowledge to disambiguate obstacles that block secure m-learning realization. Further, procurement leaders should learn information to help them analyze the need to procure m-learning systems enfolded in long-term overall strategic plans applying cybersecurity while balancing economic value and essential controls.
The Increased Need for Cybersecurity in Developing Countries
Authors: Dingalo Lere Thuto
Published: January 2022

With the coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) having such an immense impact on the world, a global reliance on communication through ICTs and digital formats has been forced. This means that more people are forced to use technologies for activities that they otherwise would not (i.e., banking), thusly increasing the traffic on cyberspace and advancing the risk of people being victims to cybercriminals. This is particularly problematic for developing countries due to their lack of institutional and legal frameworks to combat cybercrime as well as a lack of education and awareness of the dangers that are present in the cyberspace or how to combat them, a lack of training in governmental institutions to detect and deter such crimes and the lack of cooperation between the public and private sectors. The need for cybersecurity in developing countries, with the current pandemic particularly, is therefore at an all-time high.
Accommodating New Challenges
Authors: Neokleous Georgios
Published: January 2022

The importance of technology was cemented amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with virtual learning environments (VLEs) and social networking sites being adopted as education switched to distance learning and meetings took place online. Despite research focusing on learning in times of COVID-19, the effectiveness of transferring language teaching from face-to-face to online settings in teacher education programs remains underexplored. The purpose of this chapter is to delve deeper into student teachers and their instructors' attitudes to explore how the field of language teaching adapted to changes that have derived from the pandemic. The overarching research question the study attempted to address was: What are the pre-service teacher attitudes and their instructors toward digital learning of EFL teacher-training amidst the global pandemic? The findings offer insights into how to adequately prepare and design online teaching and activities for teacher training programs in the future.
Building a K-12 Educator Community of Learners During Emergency Remote Learning
Authors: Wong Melanie M.
Published: January 2022

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the ways that Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) educators support their English Language Learners (ELLs) have changed. These circumstances have brought on unprecedented challenges as educators attempt to make learning relevant and learn a new digital terrain. The lingering question is how teacher leaders can support colleagues to teach during global crises and post-pandemic times. This autoethnography explores experiences of a K-12 teacher leader. Using multiliteracies and learning by design, the knowledge processes employed are explored. Using digital technologies, such as Microsoft Skype, educators were able to collaborate as a community of learners to exchange teaching ideas and best ELL practices at daily K-12 teacher drop-in sessions.
Understanding Teacher Burnout Coping Strategies During a Global Pandemic
Authors: Powers Caleb J.
Published: January 2022

In the beginning of 2020, the impromptu conversion to distance learning forced administrators to consider alternatives to providing quality education which often neglected to consider the toll asked of the teachers. Subsequently, these conditions contributed to an unprecedented surge in teacher burnout. This chapter explores the strategies of 165 U.S. world language teachers for coping with teacher burnout during the pandemic: 76.7% of respondents indicated an increase in burnout after the pandemic started. The most alarming trends in the data are the reduction of access to certain coping strategies, the degradation of effective strategies into ineffective ones, and the severe reduction of the time and energy available to engage in these strategies. These data indicate that teacher burnout should be a priority concern to prevent any further damage to our education systems.
Skin Tribology
Authors: D'Amato Roberto , Ruggiero Alessandro
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to give an outline and interpretation of the experimental findings for the in vivo and in laboratory experiments about frictional behavior of human skin. The scientific literature framework will be illustrated, and the different factors affecting human skin's friction behavior will be explored considering the theoretical aspects which were summarized and discussed connected to the friction mechanisms, with an emphasis on the analysis of the adhesion and deformation component in different skin conditions. Moreover, the chapter highlighted some technical concepts considering different techniques and measurement parameters used to investigate the friction of human skin in different human body parts and in different contact conditions.
Tridimensional Vectorial Modeling of the Human Body From Anatomical Slices
Authors: Uhl Jean François , Delmas Vincent , Burgade Rodolphe , Prat Guillermo Daniel , Lorea Barbara Constanza , Ruiz Camillo , Jorge Joaquim Armando
Published: January 2022

Digital anatomy has emerged as an essential subfield of anatomy that processes the human body with the help of a computer. 3D reconstruction tools have been developed over the years, being always complementary to cadaver dissection. Teachers' main goal is to provide a greater understanding of the spatial structures of the body and its internal organs thanks to 3D reconstruction techniques. Manual segmentation and creation of 3D vectorial models is probably the best anatomy learning tool for beginners and students. The aim of this chapter is to show how to create vectorial models from anatomical slices with Winsurf® software, highlighting their educational value. Resulting 3D models could also be used through the interface of virtual dissection, which has been proven to be immensely valuable for anatomy education, particularly by using immersive reality techniques. It could also be the basis of future simulation tools for surgeon training.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Simulator
Authors: de Luis-García Rodrigo , Treceño-Fernández Daniel , Calabia-del-Campo Juan , de Paz-Fernández Félix Jesús , Alberola-López Carlos
Published: January 2022

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful medical imaging modalities available. From an educational perspective, MRI faces a difficult challenge. Operating an MRI scanner is a complicated task due to the fact that it is based on advanced concepts borrowed from physics. A large number of parameters are involved and hands-on training for practitioners is usually scarce due to the high costs of the equipment and the increasing clinical demands, which make MRI scanners intensively exploited facilities. In this context, the development of computerized simulations for MRI seems a natural alternative. This chapter reports an actual experience on the creation and evolution of an MRI simulator for educational purposes, thus obtaining an increasingly refined set of functional and usability requirements that such a system must fulfill in order to make an impact in MRI education, quantifying the usefulness of the simulator in realistic settings and providing technological solutions and strategies to overcome its limitations.
3D Printing in Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Barrutia Barreto Israel , Ferrer Peñaranda Lucio Arnulfo , Del Carpio Delgado Fabrizio , Seminario Córdova Renzo Antonio , Chero Arana Brian Alberto
Published: January 2022

This chapter seeks to explore the current state of 3D printing technology in bone tissue engineering from the reflectibility approach, analyzing in more detail what this field consists of, as well as the materials and techniques mainly used nowadays in 3D printing. Likewise, the potential of this technique in the future is analyzed with the possibilities of improvement in the short and long terms. The research methodology used was non-experimental, documentary, and descriptive. The information was collected from indexed journals and web platforms using keywords such as “bone tissue engineering” and “3D printing” in search engines. Therefore, this chapter represents a very important and necessary source of bibliographic information to be able to carry out new research in this field.
Medical Learning Through Simulations With Immersive Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Devices
Authors: Juanes-Méndez Juan Antonio , Marcos-Pablos Samuel , Velasco-Marcos M Auxiliadora , Izard Santiago González
Published: January 2022

Different examples of the use of recent technologies, based on virtual reality and augmented reality techniques, for the learning of medical students are presented. The use of different glasses, both virtual reality and augmented reality, as well as gloves with movement sensors, allow the user to enter a scenario very close to the real one, resulting in an improvement and optimisation of their learning. The use of these resources in different areas of medicine facilitates the acquisition of skills, for example in cardiac auscultation training in more dynamic learning of human anatomy, with three-dimensional images, or learning protocols for virtual surgical approaches, among many other possibilities. The satisfaction of the users who handled these devices was excellent, acquiring, in very short periods of time, practical skills in many of the actions carried out with these technologies.
The Tele-Reference Model
Authors: Avila Sandra , Norris Sarah A. , Murphey Rebecca M. , Tong Min , Harrison II Richard H.
Published: January 2022

At the University of Central Florida Libraries, a new alternative to traditional reference service was adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic as a remote solution for safely staffing the Research and Information Desk (RAID) at the John C. Hitt Library. Due to the challenges of a partial library re-opening at the height of COVID-19 variant infection rates in Florida, a safe alternative to physically staffing RAID was conceived and coined “Tele-Reference.” Utilizing a Zoom institutional license and readily available work equipment with audio and video capabilities, the Tele-Reference service model was developed by our research and information services librarians. The implementation, challenges, assessment, and future directions of using Tele-Reference at the University of Central Florida Libraries, as well as possible applications at other institutions, are explored herein.
Knowledge Services Development in Unprecedented Circumstances
Authors: Zhao Ruixue , Li Jiao , Zheng Jianhua
Published: January 2022

Libraries are seeing a significant shift in acquisition habits as physical libraries and their workers, services, and users are deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Users now look to libraries to assist them by providing digital resources, tools, or knowledge products via knowledge service platforms for learning and research. The trend reflects how the library's role as an online solution provider widens and they are required to be more adept at managing repositories and innovative services development. This chapter is to share the endeavors and experiences of the National Agricultural Library of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in knowledge services during the unprecedented and uncertain time, which is a process full of change and perseverance, with the hope that it will inspire library colleagues and exchange ideas.
Library Consumer Engagement Practices
Authors: Twum Kojo Kakra , Korkuvi Pearl Joan , Budu Stephen
Published: January 2022

Academic libraries over the years have adopted proven business management and marketing strategies that have enhanced service delivery and attainment of objectives. Consumer engagement activities such as online communities of library users have become an emerging trend. This chapter uses an integrative literature review to identify consumer engagement practices that libraries can adopt. The consumer engagement activities identified are enthusiasm, enjoyment, attention, absorption, sharing, learning, and endorsing. In the library context, the main consumer engagement practices relate to user engagement, a form of interaction using technologies. It is expected that the adoption of these consumer engagement activities will enhance the cognitive, affective, and behavioural engagement of library users. Consumer engagement activities have implications for promoting library value perception, benevolence perception, future patronage intention, and affective commitment.
Open-Source Software Use in Libraries in Developing Countries
Authors: Chigwada Josiline Phiri
Published: January 2022

Libraries have been experiencing budget cuts over the years that affected subscriptions to various software. This was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected all the library services and products. A survey was done on how libraries in developing countries are using open-source software. An online questionnaire was administered to librarians who took part in the Advanced Course in Modern Library Practices in India and those who attended the International Training Programme on Management of Electronic Information and Digital Libraries at the University of Antwerp in Belgium. The data was collected from 31 librarians to find out if they implemented what they learned during the programs. The results showed that the librarians adopted the software they were introduced to during the training programs to offer efficient services during the automation process. The author recommends the need to upgrade skills and participate in continuous professional development programs to successfully use the various open-source software.
Characterization of Sulfur/Graphitized Mesocarbon Microbeads Composite Cathodes for Li-S Batteries
Authors: Xu Yong Gang , Yan Xiang Yu , Xiang Jing , Ou Han Wen , Yang Wen Yao
Published: January 2022

Cathode optimization is vital for improving the performance of Li-S batteries. Various carbon materials with special morphologies have been proposed and verified to form optimized sulfur/carbon (S/C) cathodes owning high cycling and rate performances. However, the high cost and complexity of material preparation processes hinder their commercialization. Herein, graphitized mesocarbon microbeads (g-MCMB) were used to form sulfur/carbon cathodes for Li-S battery. By simply dry-mixing sulfur powder with g-MCMB, S/g-MCMB cathodes were formed and characterized by galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Compared with S/C cathodes using acetylene black, S/g-MCMB cathodes show better cycling performance, but worse rate performance, which can be attributed to the size and morphologies of g-MCMB particles.
The Idd2 Locus Confers Prominent Resistance to Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Lombard-Vadnais Félix , Collin Roxanne , Daudelin Jean-François , Chabot-Roy Geneviève , Labrecque Nathalie , Lesage Sylvie
Published: January 2022

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by pancreatic β cell destruction. It is a complex genetic trait driven by >30 genetic loci with parallels between humans and mice. The NOD mouse spontaneously develops autoimmune diabetes and is widely used to identify insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) genetic loci linked to diabetes susceptibility. Although many Idd loci have been extensively studied, the impact of the Idd2 locus on autoimmune diabetes susceptibility remains to be defined. To address this, we generated a NOD congenic mouse bearing B10 resistance alleles on chromosome 9 in a locus coinciding with part of the Idd2 locus and found that NOD.B10-Idd2 congenic mice are highly resistant to diabetes. Bone marrow chimera and adoptive transfer experiments showed that the B10 protective alleles provide resistance in an immune cell–intrinsic manner. Although no T cell–intrinsic differences between NOD and NOD.B10-Idd2 mice were observed, we found that the Idd2 resistance alleles limit the formation of spontaneous and induced germinal centers. Comparison of B cell and dendritic cell transcriptome profiles from NOD and NOD.B10-Idd2 mice reveal that resistance alleles at the Idd2 locus affect the expression of specific MHC molecules, a result confirmed by flow cytometry. Altogether, these data demonstrate that resistance alleles at the Idd2 locus impair germinal center formation and influence MHC expression, both of which likely contribute to reduced diabetes incidence.
Control of Memory Phenotype T Lymphocyte Homeostasis: Role of Costimulation
Authors: Panda Abir K , Kim Yong-Hee , Shevach Ethan M
Published: January 2022

Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), CD4+Foxp3− T cells, and CD8+ T cells are composed of naive phenotype (NP) and memory phenotype (MP) subsets. Ten to 20% of each MP T cell population are cycling (Ki-67+) in vivo. We investigated the contribution of costimulatory (CD28) and coinhibitory (CTLA-4, PD-1) receptors on MP T cell homeostatic proliferation in vivo in the mouse. Blockade of CD28-CD80/CD86 signaling completely abolished MP Tregs and profoundly inhibited MP CD4+Foxp3− T cell proliferation, but it did not affect MP CD8+ T cell proliferation. Marked enhancement of homeostatic proliferation of MP Tregs and MP CD4+Foxp3− T cells was seen after blocking CTLA4-CD80/CD86 interactions and PD-1-PD-L1/2 interactions, and greater enhancement was seen with blockade of both pathways. The CD28 pathway also played an important role in the expansion of Tregs and MP T cells after treatment of mice with agonistic Abs to members of the TNF receptor superfamily, which can act directly (anti-GITR, anti-OX40, anti–4-1BB) or indirectly (anti-CD40) on T cells. Induction of a cytokine storm by blocking the interaction of NK inhibitory receptors with MHC class I had no effect on Treg homeostasis, enhanced MP CD4+ proliferation, and expansion in a CD28-dependent manner, but it enhanced MP CD8+ T cell proliferation in a CD28-independent manner. Because MP T cells exert potent biologic effects primarily before the induction of adaptive immune responses, these findings have important implications for the use of biologic agents designed to suppress autoimmune disease or enhance T effector function in cancer that may have negative effects on MP T cells.
Is Li-ESWT effective in diabetic patients with severe erectile dysfunction?
Authors: Ergün Müslüm , Akyüz Osman
Published: January 2022

Noninvasive low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave treatment (Li-ESWT) has been widely used to treat erection disorders. There is no clear information regarding either the selection of patients for the treatment or the treatment protocol. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in diabetic patients with severe erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function-5 [IIEF-5] scores of 5 to 7). Sixty-three diabetes mellitus patients with erectile dysfunction having IIEF-5 scores of 5 to 7 and not showing a recovery of potency despite phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy for the past 6 months were included in the study. The patients were evaluated based on their IIEF-5 scores and Erection Hardness Scale scores. The IIEF-5 score (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) increased from 5.29 ± 1.67 to 5.56 ± 1.85, with a difference of 0.27 ± 0.18 (P > 0.05). The Erection Hardness Scale scores (mean ± s.d.), on the other hand, increased from 1.46 ± 0.50 to 1.48 ± 0.50, with a difference of 0.02 ± 0 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the response to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors did not change after extracorporeal shockwave treatment in diabetes mellitus patients with severe erectile dysfunction (IIEF-5 scores of 5 to 7).
Rare Tracheobronchial Anomalies and their Clinical Significance
Authors: Puvvada Charitha , Nazim Mohammed , Murali Manish , Chetambath Ravindran
Published: January 2022

Tracheobronchial anomalies are often congenital and do not cause much symptoms to the individual. Majority of them are branching anomalies. Most of them are incidentally detected during bronchoscopy for unrelated diseases. However, rarely abnormal bronchi may present with symptoms. He we present two rare bronchial anomalies presenting with clinical symptoms attributed to them.
When COVID rules…. Severe Acute Respiratory Illness Due to Another Virus
Authors: Kathim Rayees , Gangaprasad G. , Kumar Anoop , Chetambath Ravindran
Published: January 2022

This is a case of a 49-year-old male alcoholic who developed severe breathlessness, desaturation, and loss of consciousness following an alcoholic bout. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, he was suspected to be having COVID-19 infection. His clinical and radiological presentations were atypical for COVID-19. On investigations, it was found to be due to another rare viral pneumonia. The case is being reported due to its rarity.