bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Undergraduate Perspectives on Community-Engaged Service During COVID-19
Authors: Talmage Craig Allen , Flowers Kathleen , Budmen Peter , Cottrell Alexander , Garcia Jonathan , Webb-Pellegrin Jasmine
Published: February 2023

This chapter chronicles a rapid pivot in community engagement from in-person tutoring to remote (also called virtual) tutoring and a gradual shift back to in-person tutoring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter provides reflections from both staff members in a community engagement and service-learning office and college students who served as tutors of local children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Readers are encouraged to reflect upon two main areas of interest in this chapter. First, dynamics between parents and tutors altered during COVID-19 as children and youth received virtual tutoring from home. Second, the importance of training and professional development for tutors regarding how to use different technologies and engagement strategies for virtual tutoring is imperative. Lessons learned from the Tutor Corps program are shared via reflections from both staff and tutors in hopes that others will share their experiences in rapidly innovating their community engagement work during COVID-19.
Staging Sermon
Authors: Waterman Sally
Published: February 2023

This chapter provides a self-reflexive evaluation of the Sermon photographs from Waste Land (2005-2010), that was produced by the author for her practice-based PhD. T.S. Eliot's poem “The Waste Land” (1922) was used to examine her adaptation methodologies and self-representational strategies. Waterman visually translates her own experience of parental divorce through a close analysis of the text and literary criticism (Brooker and Bentley, Ellman, Miller, Parsons), acknowledging her biographical connections to Eliot's marriage to Vivienne Haigh Wood, to produce cathartic re-enactments, informed by phototherapy (Martin, Spence), memory and trauma studies (Barthes, Freud, Kaplan), feminine metaphors (Gilbert and Gubar, Horner and Zlosnik), and photographic self-portraiture (Chadwick, Lingwood). By interweaving these cross-disciplinary strands and reflecting on the actual process of making each photograph through a unique auto-criticism, Waterman demonstrates how her autobiographical literary interpretations offer a means of restaging memory through the creation of photographic narratives.
Identity Politics
Authors: Molloy Caroline
Published: February 2023

Drawing from a well-established interdisciplinary history that focuses on the affective power of photography when animated through oral narration, this chapter looks at how diasporic identity is mediated through family photographs. One case study that uses photo-elicitation as research method is referenced in order to consider the mnemonic value of photographs or what can be described as the ‘affect' of the image in evoking critical memories. In doing this, a sense of diasporic belonging to a new homeland, grief, trauma, and loss is investigated. This chapter concludes by highlighting that critical traumatic memories can be inter-generationally transferred into post-memories as the past is brought into the present through discussion and reflection.
The Impossible Remembering in Walid Raad's Artwork “Secrets in the Open Sea” (1994/2004)
Authors: Krapivina Ksenija
Published: February 2023

Walid Raad engages with the traumatic events of the Lebanese war (1975–1990) in a personal and poetic way in his artwork 'The Atlas Group: Secrets in the Open Sea' (1994/2004). He repeatedly calls it a document exploiting the inherent traits of the photographic media, and elaborate storytelling to expose the gap between verification and comprehension of historical knowledge. The possibility of verifying this artwork as a document shatters quickly under the inquisitive gaze of a spectator; yet reading it in relation to the ethical understanding of history, as expressed in the philosophical works of Giorgio Agamben, reinstates Raad's work as an ethical platform.
Nano(bio)sensors in Detection of Micropollutants
Authors: Quazi Sameer , Malik Javed Ahmad , Prakash Aman , Tiwari Pragalbh
Published: February 2023

The introduction of nanomaterials in biosensing technology has widened the applications of nano biosensors in several fields as in the precise detection of micropollutants. A huge burden has been driven out by the micropollutants in an environment that has resulted in an alarming situation for scientists to discover innovative methods for the precise or accurate detection of micropollutants that provides sensitivity and specificity at the same time. Apart from conventionally available methods, nano biosensors provide real-time analysis and high-frequency monitoring of pollutants without much sample preparation. Nano biosensors can detect and manipulate atoms or molecules by use of nanodevices resulting in the development of biosensor devices which in turn interact with small molecules named micropollutants. This chapter aims to glance over the advancement in the fields of nano biosensors-based functionalized nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanowires and their interaction with biorecognition materials such as enzymes, antibodies, or aptamers for the detection of aptamers.
The Impact of Nanomaterials on the Environment and Perspectives for Sustainable Energy Generation
Authors: Varella Rodrigues Aline , Romeiro Fernanda da Costa , Varella Rodrigues Caroline
Published: February 2023

In this chapter, the eco-friendly applications, disposal, and the risks of inorganic nanoparticles to human health and to the environment are discussed, including the advancements in the green applications of green nanomaterials for their sustainable and competitive energy systems. The first section summarizes an introduction with the importance of the nanomaterials in scientific and industrial applications. The second and third sections present green nanoparticles applications for energy generation (green electricity generation by wind and solar energies, luminescent solar concentrators, and photovoltaics and bioenergy production). In the fourth section, the effects of nanotechnology on the human health and ecosystems and also regulations to work with nanomaterials are presented. This chapter illustrates the main principles and progress of nanotechnology and their positive and negative impacts into the environment and human health.
An Overview of 3D-Printed Smart Polymers and Composites
Authors: Gajakosh Amithkumar , Erannagari Suresh , Kumar R. Suresh , Thyagaraj N. R.  , Mallaradhya H. M.  , Rudresha S.
Published: February 2023

This chapter highlights recent developments and provides an overview of the rapid application of fused deposition modelling (FDM) for polymeric smart and composites. The review is divided into sections that describe the processing conditions and characteristics of FDM components made of polymer and its composites as well as shape memory polymers/composites. The chapter covers a wide range of applications, including PVDF structures and components. While FDM adoption has been rapid in this field, more coordinated efforts in the areas of smart polymer feedstock synthesis, process tuning, and testing are required. This chapter provides an overview of 3D printed smart polymer materials and composites as well as their properties, performance, and potential applications. Additionally, this chapter discusses the motivation for future 3D printing research.
Development of High Performance Polymer Composites by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Pradeep Kumar G. S.  , Sachith T. S.  , Jangam Sasidhar , Shivakumar S.  , Hebbar Gurumoorthy S.
Published: February 2023

Additive manufacturing, often known as 3D printing, is a process that involves the manufacture of physical things in a manner that is similar to building them up layer by layer. As a result of its utilization of automated procedures to generate complicated three-dimensional forms, which are either difficult or impossible to produce using conventional methods, fused deposition modeling is a typical approach that uses heat to assist in the extrusion process. The term “high-performance polymer” refers to a group of polymer materials that are known to maintain their desirable mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties when subjected to harsh environments such as high temperatures, high pressures, and corrosive chemicals. This chapter starts off with a brief introduction of conductive and high-performance polymer composites, followed by a rundown of how these materials are utilized in the 3D printing process.
Mentoring Doctoral Students in Educational Leadership
Authors: Liang Jia Grace , Augustine-Shaw Donna
Published: February 2023

This chapter introduces a multifaceted approach to doctoral student mentoring, which emphasizes building learning communities, enabling practitioner-scholar identity formation, and disrupting conventional power structures and the binaries of faculty-vs-student, scholar-vs-practitioner, and knowledge production-vs-execution. The authors first briefly describe their educational leadership programs. Next, the community of practice (CoP), the theory-in-action, is discussed. The authors, then, showcase the key elements of the mentoring programming that have allowed the synergistic usage of resources within and across departments/units, the attentiveness to student needs and connected to what happens in the schools, and the strengthening of advocacy of students in scholarship and practice for equity and justice. The chapter concludes with key recommendations for establishing and sustaining mentoring programming in educational leadership preparation programs, particularly in a predominantly white institution (PWI).
Creating Reflective Peer Leaders
Authors: Winter Abigail , Grant-Smith Deanna
Published: February 2023

This chapter explores a mentoring intervention for a group of higher degree research students at an Australian university designed to develop their academic and reflective writing through skills-based instruction and the development of a student-driven community of practice. To analyse and evaluate this initiative, the chapter provides a detailed description and unpacking of the program's motivations, objectives, and outcomes using 16 mentoring design elements. The program is also evaluated using an extended application of the 3P presage, process, product model. Three data sets were used to evaluate the success of the program: doctoral participants' evaluations at the time of the workshops and 12 months after the workshop and the reflections of the mentor and educator expert response for the program. The chapter concludes by identifying key learnings and potential for further application of a revised model for delivering holistic and co-designed learning experiences for future leaders such as doctoral students.
Co-Constructing
Authors: Hodge Lynell S.
Published: February 2023

Mentorship is framed as a critical developmental relationship characterized by reciprocal learning, goal attainment, and personal growth. Therein, the mentor serves as a counselor and advocate, a coach who provides guidanc, to the mentee's career development. Relatedly, mentorship in post-secondary education has the opportunity to critically shape graduate students' research training, professional identity, and socialization into the academe. Thus, the purpose of this chapter was to explore as an implication of practice, establishing a taxonomy of mentoring professional graduate students. This chapter was guided by the following contemplative question: How can a taxonomy of mentorship enhance professional graduate students' educational experience? Drawing on existing literature, the author investigated the mentoring relationship, the potential impact on professional graduate students, then concluded with mentoring strategies and important implications for practice.
Reimaging Cybersecurity in Educational Practices
Authors: Simon Nicole , Jiménez José Luis , Strocchia Daniel
Published: February 2023

Cybersecurity has become increasingly important in all industries. Universities are developing academic programs in cybersecurity education in response to the demand for professionals with expertise in application areas of cybersecurity. Education should help students to deal with complex cybersecurity problems. We must ensure that cybersecurity education has a balance between breadth and depth, which integrates science, technology, management, and culture. When looking at cybersecurity education from a breadth perspective, it should provide the students with an understanding of the foundations of various components. Nevertheless, the debate can go further when taking into consideration the legal restrictions imposed on the subject. Law advocates to regulate and give a sense of order and peace for avoiding plausible controversies. Consequently, it seeks to regulate human behaviors for ensuring order, and in this case, it does so by stablishing regulations towards privacy and cybersecurity.
Using Smart Phones as Educational Technology to Promote Effective Learning
Authors: Manzoor Amir
Published: February 2023

Today, smartphones have become a very popular learning tool. More specifically, educators have been using smartphones to enhance their teaching and students' learning. Using smartphones, educators can ensure flexible course delivery and provide learners access to online learning resources. In this study, the author examines how smartphones can be used as an effective learning tool for distance education. This study utilized a survey of university students in Karachi, Pakistan to find the effects of using smartphones in their learning activities and what factors inhibit their use of smartphones in their learning.
Migration From Georgia and Ukraine in the Context of Russian Aggression
Authors: Abuseridze Giga , Agapova Olena , Paliani-Dittrich Inga , Grasis Janis , Kavelidze Eka
Published: February 2023

The authors examine migration as one of the urgent problems of the modern global world. The phenomenon of migration has been indispensable for human history, culture, and civilizations, the causes of which have always existed and still exist. All sorts of wars, confrontations/conflicts turn a group of society into refugees and push them to migrate from the source of conflict to neighboring or distant countries. Also, the underlying causes, such as social, political, economic, and other factors, which are inherent of the domestic and foreign policy of any country, are considered as an important aspect. The chapter also reviews the migration profile of Georgia and Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to migration as a result of conflicts/ethnic conflicts instigated by Russia, Russian occupation, as well as other migration inducing factors. It is concluded that the migration policy solves not only the problems of migration, but also the tasks of economic development, respect for human rights, etc.
Michael Walzer's Work and the Idea of Humanitarian Intervention in Syria (2011-Present)
Authors: Pietrzak Piotr
Published: February 2023

This chapter engages in a hypothetical deliberation on the potential applicability of the idea of humanitarian intervention during selected phases of the Syrian conflict (2011-present) as part of a broader systematic inquiry into the situation of endangered civilian populations from the perspective of Michael Walzer's theoretical contribution to the literature on the subject. It uses such theories as jus ad bellum, jus in bello, jus post bellum, the principle of last resort, the principle of proportionality, and the principle of fair treatment of prisoners of war to further deliberate on various aspects of this ever-changing situation in the local conflict zone.
As if in Their Shoes
Authors: Hassan Ragia H.
Published: February 2023

Intercultural competence is essential for faculty working closely with students from diverse backgrounds. There is a need to bridge the gap between faculty and students from different cultures and enable them to effectively work in a diverse place and speak to a global audience. This chapter proposes a framework consisting of empathy and self-reflection, and virtual reality (VR) training is currently being developed by the author based on this framework. This chapter argues that the proposed framework and VR training will enable faculty to integrate cultural competency and provide them with the essential tools to play their roles as responsible members of our worldwide community, which is aligned with the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The Mapping of Inclusion
Authors: Neuhaus Till , Pieper Marlene , Schäffer-Trencsényi Mark
Published: February 2023

Inclusion and inclusivity are concepts that underlie enormous degrees of change between different locations but also at different times. Knowing about these different traditions and potential pitfalls constitutes—at least in the educational science—a learning aim in and of itself. In order to facilitate learning in that regard, the authors designed and realized a project adhering to the name of the Mapping of Inclusion, in which students and faculty work collaboratively to collect, synthesize, and constantly improve knowledge about inclusion/inclusivity at different places and times. This chapter has three objectives: First, it outlines the problem statement. Secondly, it seeks to clarify its philosophical position regarding digitality and higher education while also tying these together with the specific realization (and embedding) of the Mapping of Inclusion. Third, the chapter will identify, illustrate, and explain power laws of digital teaching.
Blended Mode of Teaching and Learning and Its Implication on Undergraduate Class Attendance
Authors: Kariuki Damaris Wakigondi , Michubu Wilson Mutuma , Otieno Daniel Oketch
Published: February 2023

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions (HEIs) adopted the blended mode of teaching and learning as a mitigation measure to ensure continuity in teaching and learning. Blended learning seems to be the new normal in most universities post COVID-19. Regrettably, it was observed that students in the regular mode of study who were predominantly taught through face to face are registering low attendance in online classes. This study aimed to establish the implication of blended mode of learning on online class attendance among fourth-year regular undergraduate students in the Department of Educational Management, Policy, and Curriculum studies at Kenyatta University. The findings showed that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected online class attendance and engagements through the learning management system. Face to face was the preferred mode of learning. Poor internet connectivity, high cost of bundles, and distractions from the home environment were identified as challenges.
International Students' Perceptions and Experiences of Higher Education for Global Citizenship
Authors: Islam Md Tariqul
Published: February 2023

Australia, with its universities, is participating as one of the leading countries and employing many strategies to compete for status and ranking in the global education market. This chapter explores the characteristics of higher education that expect to develop young students as future global citizens by analysing 18 Bangladeshi higher education students' experiences in two Australian universities. In this qualitative study, pre-interview, survey, semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis methods were used to collect data and discuss the ‘mobile' characteristics of Australian higher education. Moreover, through Bauman's critical lens, the chapter endeavours to unpack some distinctive features of globalised higher education. It claims to contribute to understanding Australian education's (mobile merchandise) neoliberal mobile characteristics that motivate young Bangladeshi students to be mobile and construct their future economic and moral aspirations as global citizens.
Applications, Modern Trends, and Challenges of Multiscale Modeling in Smart Cities
Authors: Mondal Dipannita , Ratnaparkhi Archana , Deshpande Abhijeet , Deshpande Vivek , Kshirsagar Aniruddha Prakash , Pramanik Sabyasachi
Published: February 2023

Megacities are intricate systems that struggle with difficulties including overcrowding, subpar urban design and planning, inadequate mobility and public transportation, subpar governance, problems with climate change, subpar water and sewage infrastructure, problems with waste and health, and unemployment. By maximising the use of available resources and space for the benefit of residents, smart cities have evolved as a solution to these problems. A smart city model sees the city as a complex adaptive system made up of residents, services, and resources that learn from one another and change across time and space. City planners must adopt a new methodical and modelling approach in order to address the fundamental concerns of dynamic growth and complexity. A method that may be utilised to comprehend complicated adaptive systems better is multiscale modelling (MM). To increase system efficiency and reduce computing complexity and cost, the MM strives to address complicated issues at several sizes, including micro, meso, and macro.
Broadcast System With Optimality for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications in Smart Cities
Authors: Kanodia Tarun , Chellam V. Vidya , Praveenkumar S. , Islam Shaziya , Pandey Deepak , Soni Anisha , Kaushik Dushyant
Published: February 2023

Here the authors provide a performance assessment survey of a straightforward broadcasting strategy in recently developed vehicular ad hoc networks. Due to the high degree of dynamicity in the network architecture, as well as distinct traffic and mobility patterns compared to typical mobile adhoc networks, VANETs need specific routing protocols. Broadcast data transmission is a crucial component of VANETs for applications involving safety and emergency messages. However, the performance of the system may be improved by designing relay nodes for optimum deployment in various network conditions. This study evaluates the throughput and latency of vehicular networks under various traffic conditions, taking use of inter-vehicular communication and the presence of established network equipment.
E-Commerce Business Modeling in Smart Cities
Authors: Chellam V. Vidya , Praveenkumar S. , Kumar Bhupendra , Rajput Namita , Yagnam Nagesh , Rajak Pappu Kumar , Dalal Tarun
Published: February 2023

The chapter's objectives include examining how e-commerce has affected the retail and delivery sectors, identifying key trends in last-mile delivery, and identifying the solutions that businesses are creating in response to these trends. With an emphasis on smart city logistics and a comparison of conventional and contemporary retail and delivery methods, the theoretical framework developed in the chapter gives an outline of the fundamental theoretical principles underlying the study issue. There are two significant qualitative research portions in the chapter's empirical portion. Firstly, the impact of e-commerce on the players in the retail delivery ecosystem is examined and secondly, disruptive technologies being developed to enhance the last mile delivery are examined.
Location-Based Analysis of Supply Chain Management Systems in Smart Cities
Authors: Shukla Kumar A. , Bhatta Anmol , Shourya Sanat , Lodha Nitin , Jain Rinisha
Published: February 2023

Approximately 42% of the world's cocoa is produced in Côte d'Ivoire, although only 30% of it is processed there. A significant portion of the nation is dependent on the cocoa industry's economic advantages and supply network. In this study, the authors study a simulation model to evaluate the efficiency of the cocoa supply chain's logistics in Côte d'Ivoire. By highlighting inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and barriers that impede the efficiency and performance of the cocoa supply chain, the simulation model sheds light on the possibility of logistical improvements in the supply chain. According to simulation results, removing checkpoints off the roadways would enhance production by 30%. Investments in secondary and tertiary road improvements will boost productivity by 9% and value by 1%. In this study, further significant findings are provided together with recommendations for improvement in order to improve the logistics of the cocoa supply chain, boost the industry's profitability, and ultimately enhance the quality of life and welfare of the nation's farmers.
Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Smart Cities
Authors: Efthymiou Iris-Panagiota , Egleton Theocharis Efthymiou
Published: February 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) enables ‘smart' solutions and brings multiple benefits, including the more efficient provision of energy and water, combined with better waste management and reductions in pollution, noise, and traffic congestion. Achieving the goal of universal AI implementation in smart cities is not a simple task. There are substantive challenges and both political and practical actions to slow progress. Practical issues often enter around the fundamental lack of infrastructure surrounding a potential AI revolution with a realignment of educational goals that is seemingly inevitable, something also necessary for the long-term politically and ethically sustainable application of artificial intelligence in social and civil settings. This chapter aims to address the associated regulatory and practical issues, both through de jure and de facto means.
An Artificial Intelligence Approach to Enabled Smart Service Towards Futuristic Smart Cities
Authors: Reddy K. Hemant Kumar , Goswami Rajat Subhra , Roy Diptendu Sinha
Published: February 2023

The rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT)-based solutions in the field of smart city applications becomes essential to cope with the ever-increasing urbanization requirements globally. These ever-increasing demands pose a great challenge to city infrastructure, particularly smart cities, and thus a sustainable approach is needed for the future smart cities. The ever-increasing service demand of the smart city archetype is prone to monitoring and managing such constrained smart city infrastructures in an effective way and to maintain the QoS (smart applications like transportation, healthcare, road traffic, and other utility services). In this work, the authors envisioned improving the QoS of smart transportation while employing a context-aware computing approach that helps to alleviate fog node data transfer, and a distributed smart transport service (DSTS) model is proposed that manages intelligent vehicles and road traffic of the traditional vehicles in an effective way to improve the QoS of the smart city.
Role of Quantum Computing in a Data Analytics Environment
Authors: Tripathy B. K. , Singh Apoorv
Published: February 2023

There is a strong consensus that quantum computers are likely to solve previously intractable problems, especially in data science and AI. Nowadays, processing power of machine learning algorithms is limited by that of conventional computers. Quantum computing (QC) is one of the digital trends with the quickest rate of growth, and it seems to provide an answer to large data problems. It is a combination of the fields of computer science, information theory, and quantum physics. Quantum computers use the ability of subatomic particles to exist in more than one state at once to solve complex problems. In spite of its recent origin, quantum computing is already being used in the field of data analytics. QC can process huge datasets at much quicker rates and can provide data to AI models. By comparing schemas to swiftly assess and comprehend the link between two counterparts, QC can also aid in the integration of data. The ability to perform more sophisticated analysis and build machine learning models is a benefit of employing quantum computers.
Digital Twin Understanding, Current Progressions, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Gupta Megha , Khan Nida
Published: February 2023

The digital twin is a burgeoning technology that has just recently gained popularity. The term “digital twin” refers to a virtual twin that is put on site with sensors that collect real-time data. Hard real-time embedded operating systems are required for operating systems that enable digital twins, which use real-time data. Digital twin indicates a virtual replica that takes into account both device dynamics and individual component parts. The digital twin's primary dynamic is represented by each and every component or gadget. Regardless of the gadget's physical, internal, or functional aspects, the physical device handles them all. The use of digital twins has grown around the globe. Different technologies, such as IoT, AI, ML, data mining, cloud computing, and others, benefit from this technique. This chapter presented the detailed view of this rapidly expanding field of study along with several digital twins application fields, emerging concerns, and future prospects. Also, this chapter discussed the relation between digital twin and latest technologies such as IoT, AI, etc.
Experimental Investigations on the Tensile and Bending Behaviour of Natural filler Particles Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Senthilkumar S. , Raja V.L. , Gaur Piyush , Patil Pravin P. , Natrayan L. , Kaliappan S.
Published: February 2023

In recent years, the emphasis has shifted toward more precious minerals and composite structures to produce thinner, cheaper, more suitable materials for specific applications. The primary purpose of this study would be to determine how any walnut fillers perform in a vulgare biocomposite. The nanocomposite was created employing the most economical manual lay-up method. To accomplish the legitimate goal, the following descriptions have been levied: At different levels, (i) volume ratios of luffa thread, (ii) weight ratios of walnut powder, as well as (iii) freezing processing durations, all are accessible. The multilayer aggregates are in a freezing room set to 77 degrees Celsius. Tension and elastic modulus were tested mechanically. The morphological properties of powdered particles were detected using a scanning electron microscope. The mechanical integrity of 10% walnut shell powder, 40% luffa fabric, as well as 15-minute freezing treatments, surpasses 5 and 15% walnut shell granules.
Fetal cerebroplacental ratio at term gestation in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome
Authors: Alwis K. G. S. , Dissanayaka D. M. A. K. , Hettigama N. P.
Published: February 2023

Introdction: Assessment of impedance to blood flow in fetal umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) with Doppler ultrasonography is commonly used in surveillance of fetuses at high risk. Although high UA pulsatility index (PI) and low MCA PI, themselves are predictors of adverse perinatal outcome, combining these two parameters calculating the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) further improves the predictive value. Objective: To find the association between the cerebroplacental ratio and adverse perinatal outcome. Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted in Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura. 354 singleton pregnancies at 37-41 weeks gestation were included. Ultrasound scanning performed measuring fetal UAPI and MCAPI and CPR was calculated. Fetuses were followed up for intrapartum adverse outcome categorized as NNU admission, perinatal death, fetal distress, Apgar score < 7 at 5 min and any adverse outcome. Descriptive statistics and the statistical applications for diagnostic test accuracy were used for data analysis. ROC curve were plotted to analyze the predictability of CPR for each category. Results: CPR has a significantly positive ability of predicting any type of adverse event. (AUC=0.501-.623, 95%CI) An overall predictability is shown by the other variables used in the study such as MCAPI (AUC=0.505:95%CI=0.444-0.567) and UAPI 0.518 (95% CI=0.457-0.579). But the predictability of CPR value is more superior to the MCAPI and UAPI values. Identified best cut off value for CPR is 0.8533 for predicting adverse events with 80.3% sensitivity. Conclusion: More reliable predictions to detect adverse perinatal outcomes can be achieved by the CPR value than the UAPI and MCAPI values.
Acute biliary pancreatitis in pregnancy: Ten year retrospective study
Authors: Abeysuriya V. , Dodampahala S. H. , Chandrasena L.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The prevalence of pregnancy-related acute biliary pancreatitis (ABPP) is not infrequent especially in the third trimester. Timely intervention of ABPP will reduce the maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Methods: A single center retrospective study was carried out. Randomly selected 1000 medical records of the pregnant mothers who were hospitalized from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved. Selection of patients who had ABPP were done according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. The following parameters were reviewed: the patient’s age, pregnancy trimester, ABPP severity, risk factors for ABPP, imaging modalities, biochemical tests, treatment methods, length of hospital stay (LOS), and maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality. Ethical approval was granted by Nawaloka Hospital Research and Education Foundation. No conflict of interest. Results: In total of 7 with ABPP were identified [0.7% (7/1000)]. Epigastric pain was the main complaint of all ABPP patients. Biliary pathology were detected in abdominal ultra sonography (USG). Majority were in the third trimester [57.1% (4/7)]. The mean age of the patients was 27.6±5.3 (range, 18-44) years. The most of the women were multiparous [71.4%(5/7)]. Out of 7 patients 4 (57.1%) had mild symptoms and 3 (42.8%) had moderate symptoms of pancreatitis. The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was 4.6±1.5 (range, 3-7) days. All patients were conservatively managed. None reported with a recurrent episode of ABPP during pregnancy. 5 (71.4%) patients in the pregnant group underwent planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the first 6 to 12 months after delivery. Conclusion: This study sample highlighted that mild to moderate ABPP can be managed with conservative treatment. The recurrence and their severity are unpredictable. Therefore following initial management, early cholecystectomy can be considered as a treatment modality. To generalize these findings further studies are recommended.
Micro-emboli secondary to deep vein thrombosis as a cause of oxygen desaturation in COVID-19 in pregnancy
Authors: Senevirathne J. T. N. , De Silva P. H. P. , Amarasekara D. , Costa Y. J.
Published: February 2023

COVID-19 infection in pregnancy has become a management challenge when it gets complicated with multi-system involvement. Multi-disciplinary inputs with expert opinion play a vital role in managing such patients and to decide the best time for the delivery. In the context of desaturation with absence of deterioration of the pneumonia, micro-emboli from deep vein thrombosis should be suspected early and treated promptly to improve the maternal outcome. In this article, we hope to report a case of SARS-COV2 infection in pregnancy with multi-system involvement and to discuss our approach to the challenges we faced.
Maternal near miss reviews at facility level: “beyond the numbers”
Authors: Rishard M. , Abdul-Raheem J.
Published: February 2023

No abstract available
Management of candida vulvovaginitis
Authors: De Silva P. H. P. , Lanerolle S. , Dodampahala H. S. , Galapaththy W. , Mathota C. , Karunananda S. A.
Published: February 2023

No abstract avaialble
Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Quality of Life, Depressive Mood and Metabolic Syndrome in Obstructive Lung Disease Patients: Analysis of Data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 and 2016
Authors: Heo I Re , Kim Tae Hoon , Jeong Jong Hwan , Heo Manbong , Ju Sun Mi , Yoo Jung-Wan , Lee Seung Jun , Cho Yu Ji , Jeong Yi Yeong , Lee Jong Deog , Kim Ho Cheol
Published: February 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether alcohol consumption might affect the quality of life (QOL), depressive mood, and metabolic syndrome in patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD).Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 and 2016. OLD was defined as spirometry of forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity <0.7 in those aged more than 40 years. QOL was evaluated using the European Quality of Life Questionnaire-5D (EQ-5D) index. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess the severity of depressive mood. Alcohol consumption was based on a history of alcohol ingestion during the previous month.Results: A total of 984 participants with OLD (695 males, 289 females, age 65.8±9.7 years) were enrolled. The EQ-5D index was significantly higher in alcohol drinkers (n=525) than in non-alcohol drinkers (n=459) (0.94±0.11 vs. 0.91±0.13, p=0.002). PHQ- 9 scores were considerably lower in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers (2.15±3.57 vs. 2.78±4.13, p=0.013). However, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption was not associated with EQ-5D index or PHQ-9 score. Body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, triglyceride ≥150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women, and blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg were significantly more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers (all p<0.05).Conclusion: Alcohol consumption did not change the QOL or depressive mood of OLD patients. However, metabolic syndrome-related factors were more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-alcohol drinkers.
Immune Erythrocyte Alloantibodies among Pregnant Women Attending an Antenatal Clinic in a Tertiary Health Facility, Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Adewoyin Ademola Samson , Adeyemi Oluwafemi , Ande Adedapo Babatunde , Awodu Omolade Augustina
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND:

Maternal alloimmunization is associated with adverse outcomes such as hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. At-risk pregnant women include those with previous multiple gestations or multiple blood transfusions. This study aimed to determine the proportions and specificities of irregular maternal alloantibodies among antenatal attendees at a federal teaching hospital in Nigeria. An understanding of the pattern of alloimmunization, associated morbidities, and attendant risk factors will guide improved antenatal/perinatal health planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A hospital-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 pregnant women. Data on parity, transfusion history, and other clinical details were obtained with an interviewer administered questionnaire. ABO/Rh D blood groups and hemoglobin phenotypes were retrieved from their antenatal records and confirmed during the study. Alloantibody screening and identification and other serological tests were subsequently performed. Association of independent parameters with other variables was tested using Chi-square analysis or Fisher's exact as appropriate. Level of statistical significance was set at 5% confidence (P = 0.05).

RESULTS:

Most of the participants (60%) were in their third trimester, while 9.3% were in first trimester of pregnancy. Ninety-one percent of the participants (90.7%) were blood transfusion naïve. Seven of the participants (4.7%) had positive alloantibody screens, of which two (1.33%) were clinically significant maternal alloantibodies (Anti-D and Anti-Lub). No statistically significant association was observed between alloimmunization and variables such as gestational age, parity, hemoglobin phenotype, previous blood transfusions, and Rh D negativity.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors recommend routine alloantibody screening for at risk pregnancies.
Fourier transformable measures with weak Meyer set support and their lift to the cut-and-project scheme
Authors: Strungaru Nicolae
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we prove that given a cut-and-project scheme
$(G, H, \mathcal {L})$
and a compact window
$W \subseteq H$
, the natural projection gives a bijection between the Fourier transformable measures on
$G \times H$
supported inside the strip
${\mathcal L} \cap (G \times W)$
and the Fourier transformable measures on G supported inside
${\LARGE \curlywedge }(W)$
. We provide a closed formula relating the Fourier transform of the original measure and the Fourier transform of the projection. We show that this formula can be used to re-derive some known results about Fourier analysis of measures with weak Meyer set support.
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies of Cassava Farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Osuji Emeka Emmanuel , Igberi Christiana Ogonna , Ehirim Nnamdi Chukwuemeka
Published: February 2023

The study evaluated the climate change impacts and adaptation strategies of cassava farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 419 cassava farmers who administered the questionnaire. Data were collected using primary and secondary means and were analysed using mean, frequency, percentage, beta regression model, and ordinary least squares multiple regression techniques. Factors influencing cassava production are meteorological information (95.7%), tradition and culture (94.5%), improved technology utilization (93.1%) and low access to credits (71.8%). Climate change effects on cassava production were reduced biodiversity (95.2%), increased crop failure (97.6%), decreased yield (100%) and increased soil salinity (92.6%). Cassava farmers adapted to various practices such as planting improved cassava varieties (95.9%), insurance (3.3%), planting different crops (96.9%), and livelihood diversification (94.9%). Age, education, household size, farm size and extension contacts were significant determinants of climate change adaptation strategies of cassava farmers. Variables such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and sunshine had both positive and negative impacts on cassava production. The study recommends cassava farmers seek early warning signals and information on climate change before embarking on their farming operations to avert possible negative consequences.
Réutilisation de code et modularité
Authors: Turkel William J. , Crymble Adam
Published: February 2023

Un programme informatique peut vite devenir un très long fichier et ainsi devenir peu commode à maintenir, notamment quand aucune stratégie n'a été mise en place afin de contrôler cette complexité. Cette leçon sera l'occasion de vous expliquer comment réutiliser des parties de votre code à l'aide de l'écriture de fonctions, mais aussi comment organiser un programme en modules, de manière à rendre celui-ci plus concis et plus facile à débugger.
Efficacy of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines in patients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Taştekin Fatih , Taşbakan Meltem , Çiçek Candan , Soylu Mehmet , Yargucu Zihni Figen
Published: February 2023

Objectives: In this study, we report the immune response to the BNT162b2 vaccine and CoronaVac vaccine after a two-dose vaccination and the effects of conventional drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, and new-generation therapies on vaccine responses in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

Patients and methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted with 94 patients (65 males, 29 females; mean age: 42.7±12.1 years; range, 19 to 69 years) between May 2021 and January 2022. The immunogenicity of the two-dose regimens of the BNT162b2 and CoronaVac vaccines in adult patients with RMD was analyzed according to disease and treatments. Serum immunoglobulin G antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) spike proteins were measured four weeks after the second dose of vaccines.

Results: Patients on regimens including mycophenolate, rituximab, and steroids were less likely to develop an antibody response (p=0.001, p=0.06, and p=0.001, respectively). Impairment of vaccine response by other conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and by anti-tumor necrosis factor treatments was not shown. Younger participants appeared more likely to develop an antibody response. The CoronaVac vaccine was less likely to develop an antibody response compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine (p=0.002). Systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitis had the lowest antibody titers compared to other RMDs.

Conclusion: Patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, and steroids should be warned about the risk of a suboptimal vaccine response. If possible, vaccination strategies should be changed, and the dose modification of drugs should be made during the vaccination. Further studies are required to determine the responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and optimization of vaccine response in patients with RMDs.
Detection of Diseased Plant Leaf Using Deep Learning
Authors: H.C Ravikumar , V Dimpal Raj , G H Sai Shreyas , S Karthik , S Keerthana
Published: February 2023

The detection of illness in crops is one of the laborious and crucial duties in agricultural activities. It requires a lot of time and requires specialized labor. Detection of plant disease by use of the automatic technique is beneficial and it requires a huge amount of work, monitoring in the large farm of crops, and at an early stage itself to detect symptoms of diseases affected means where they appear on the plant leaves. A more recent, cutting-edge method for processing images that produce exact outcomes is deep learning. Leaf detection of disease and categorization employ a variety of deep learning and image processing approaches. For disease detection, image processing methods including image pre-processing, segment, feature extraction, etc. are employed along with deep learning methods like CNN, Fast RCNN, Faster RCNN, and Mask RCNN. Furthermore, deep learning technologies offer greater precision than image processing technology. Application areas for the detection of plant leaf diseases include biological research and agricultural institutes, among many others. The economy heavily depends on agricultural output. In this study, an effective method for crop disease identification by the use of machine learning and image processing techniques is proposed. This proposed approach has a 75% accuracy rate for detecting 20 distinct illnesses in 4 popular types of plants. We are using integrated techniques to improve the accuracy above 75% through this model.
institución jurídico laboral del despido colectivo
Authors: Bohigues Esparza Maria Desamparados
Published: February 2023

El objeto de este estudio consiste en discernir si el papel que ostenta en la actualidad la autoridad laboral como órgano residual tutelador de la legalidad del expediente del procedimiento de despido colectivo, tras la desaparición de la autorización administrativa, ha contribuido a reducir o potenciar el control judicial, en cuanto a la constatación de las causas, y su concreción, y por ende, la seguridad jurídica y la celeridad del procedimiento a seguir, pues la mayoría de las resoluciones judiciales dictadas en esta materia, se han centrado en la negociación en el periodo de consultas, soslayando en cierto modo, la acreditación de las causas alegadas por el empresario en la decisión extintiva, especialmente cuando ha habido acuerdo en el periodo de consultas.

En este sentido, cabría preguntarse si se han de corregir determinadas desviaciones que se han producido tras la desaparición de la autorización administrativa, pues el papel que debe cumplir en el periodo de consultas, a mi juicio, se ha desnaturalizado, al otorgar a este, un protagonismo relevante en la calificación de los despidos colectivos,  infravalorando la concurrencia de la causa y sus consecuencias, y por ende, el enaltecimiento del cumplimiento de los requisitos formales como eje central del control judicial de los despidos colectivos, siendo el papel de la autoridad laboral en el procedimiento de despido colectivo, meramente instrumental.