bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tafsiri kama Nyenzo ya Kutandawaza Utamaduni wa Mswahili: Mfano wa Siku Njema (1996) na A Good Day (2019)
Authors: Ngesu Sarah Ndanu M. , Mrikaria George
Published: March 2023

Lengo la makala hii ni kujadili mchango wa tafsiri katika kutandawaza utamaduni wa Mswahili kwa kuangazia riwaya ya A Good Day (Walibora, 2019) kama tafsiri ya riwaya ya Siku Njema (Walibora, 1996) iliyotafsiriwa na Dorothy Kweyu na Fortunatus Kawegere. Tafsiri imekuwa nyenzo muhimu ya kusambaza maarifa ambayo kinadharia yanahusu vipengele vya kiutamaduni kutoka lugha chanzi kwenda lugha lengwa. Makala hii inaangazia mwamko wa hivi karibuni wa kutafsiri kazi za fasihi kutoka Kiswahili kwenda Kiingereza. Kulingana na Kimutai (2016) na Ngesu na wenzake (2019), kumekuwa na mwamko mpya wa kutafsiri kazi za Kiswahili kwenda Kiingereza na lugha nyinginezo, kinyume na ilivyokuwa awali ambapo kazi mbalimbali zilikuwa zikitafsiriwa kwa wingi kutoka Kiingereza kwenda Kiswahili. Data za utafiti huu zilikusanywa kwa kusoma na kuchambua matini chanzi na matini lengwa. Makala hii ililenga kuangazia vipengele vya kiutamaduni vilivyohawilishwa kutoka utamaduni chanzi na kuingizwa katika utamaduni lengwa katika matini teule. Modeli ya Newmark (2003) kuhusu ubainishaji wa vipengele vya kiutamaduni iliongoza uchanganuzi wa data za makala hii. Aidha, mbinu linganishi ilitumiwa kuchanganua kiulinganishi matini chanzi na matini lengwa. Mkabala wa kitaamuli ulitumiwa katika uwasilishaji wa data katika majedwali. Matokeo yanaonesha kwamba kupitia njia ya tafsiri, vipengele vya kiutamaduni vimehawilishwa kutoka lugha chanzi kwenda lugha lengwa.
Uchangamani wa Muundo wa Majina ya Watu: Mifano kutoka Lugha ya Kihaya
Authors: Buberwa Adventina
Published: March 2023

Makala hii inaangazia muundo wa majina ya watu yanayotokana na lugha ya Kihaya. Mjadala kuhusu muundo wa majina hayo unaongozwa na madai kwamba majina ya pekee si nomino halisi (Coates, 2006). Makala hii inalishughulikia suala hili kwa mkabala wa kimofolojia ili kubainisha wazi muundo wa majina tajwa. Data ya makala hii ilikusanywa kwa njia ya usaili kutoka Wilaya ya Bukoba Vijijini, mkoani Kagera. Matokeo yanaonesha kwamba majina ya watu ni vipashio vyenye muundo changamani ambavyo vikirejelewa kama nomino kimofolojia husababisha mkanganyiko wa kidhana. Hoja hii inathibitishwa na miundo mbalimbali ya majina ya watu iliyobainishwa katika makala hii ambayo ni pamoja na majina yenye muundo wa kitenzi, muundo wa kivumishi, muundo ambatani, muundo wa kishazi kiulizi na muundo wa kishazi cha kusihi. Kwa ujumla, ni wazi kwamba si kila kinachotajwa kuwa nomino kisemantiki ni nomino kimofolojia. Hivyo, makala hii inatoa wito wa kuchunguza vipengele vya kiisimu kwa kuzingatia dhana zinazoendana na mkabala unaohusika ili kuepuka mkanganyiko.
Secondary School Teachers’ Beliefs about Learner-Centred Approach and their Practices in the Teaching of Kiswahili Literature in Tanzania
Authors: Emanuel Gaudensia , Vuzo Mwajuma , Maro Wadrine
Published: March 2023

Teachers’ beliefs and practices are part and parcel of components underpinning what transpires in schools and other educational organisations. The two are associated in the sense that teachers’ beliefs are a key factor that shape teachers’ practices in the classroom, and thus have a significant impact on any initiative or curriculum reform that aims to transform teaching practices. Based on that, a study was undertaken in Tanzania, to explore Kiswahili literature teachers’ beliefs in using the learner-centred approach (LCA) to teaching Kiswahili literature. Employing a qualitative research approach and a case study design, the study was conducted in Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam regions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and classroom observation and were analysed through thematic lenses. The study found out that the majority (five) of Kiswahili teachers believed in using LCA, whereas one teacher believed in using teacher-centred approach (TCA), and two teachers believed in blending TCA and LCA. All teachers blended TCA and LCA practices in their teaching. The findings partly imply that, in the selected regions LCA is yet to be fully adopted in teaching. As such, there was a need for a teachers’ continuous professional development programme that may reshape teachers’ beliefs towards embracing critical self-reflection and questioning as a foundation for the full adoption of LCA in the teaching of Kiswahili literature.
ASSESSMENT-FOR-LEARNING TO ENHANCE SPEAKING FLUENCY AT THE FOURTH SEMESTER STUDENTS OF MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF MAKASSAR
Authors: W. Simbala Muh. Nahwi Al-Bukhari , Eny Syatriana  , Firman
Published: March 2023

This research aimed to find out the improvement of students’ speaking fluency skill by using Assessment-for-learning approach. The sample of the research was the fourth semester students from UNISMUH MAKASSAR which consisted of 20 students. The sample was taken by using purposive sampling. The research findings showed that the fourth semester students of UNISMUH MAKASSAR had quite low score in pre-test. After treatment, their speaking skill was significantly improved. The result of the research was the mean score of speaking fluency obtained by the students pre-test was 44.75 and post-test was 70.25 with the significant score of the t-test is (0.00) or <(0.05). It means that there was significance difference between before and after giving the treatment. It indicated that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted and the null hypothesis (H0) was rejected. It was concluded that the use Assessment-for-learning approach  is effective in improving the students’ speaking fluency. Assessment-for-learning approach was one of the approach that can be considered in teaching English in order to help improved the students’ speaking fluency skill.
AN ANALYSIS OF MALE AND FEMALE STUDENTS’ STRATEGIES IN LEARNING SPEAKING SKILLS IN POST PANDEMIC CONTEXT
Authors: Fitriani Fitriani , Sangkala Ismail , Sastrawati Ika
Published: March 2023

The aimed of this research was to find out the strategies of male and female students in learning speaking skills during the post pandemic. The method used in this research was qualitative method in the type of phenomenological research. This research used a semi-structure interview as instrument to collect the data. The subjects in this research were 4th semester students of English Education Department, at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar. The research subjects were 10 students which consist of 5 female students and 5 male students. This research used purposive sampling technique. The results of this research showed that male and female students used all types of strategies; memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, affective strategies, and social strategies in learning speaking during the post-pandemic. The difference only lays the number of male and female students in using the methods of each group strategies and the difference in the method used in the group strategies by male and female students. Female students used each group learning strategies more than male students. Most of female students used memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies and social strategies. While most of male students used memory strategies, cognitive strategies, compensation strategies and metacognitive strategies.
Assessing the Relationship Between Race, Language, and Surgical Admissions in the Emergency Department
Authors: Rigney Grant , Ghoshal Soham , Mercaldo Sarah , Cheng Debby , Parks Jonathan , Velmahos George , Lev Michael , Raja Ali , Flores Efren , Succi Marc
Published: March 2023

Introduction: English proficiency and race are both independently known to affect surgical access and quality, but relatively little is known about the impact of race and limited English proficiency (LEP) on admission for emergency surgery from the emergency department (ED). Our objective was to examine the influence of race and English proficiency on admission for emergency surgery from the ED.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study from January 1–December 31, 2019 at a large, quaternary-care urban, academic medical center with a 66-bed ED Level I trauma and burn center. We included ED patients of all self-reported races reporting a preferred language other than English and requiring an interpreter or declaring English as their preferred language (control group). A multivariable logistic regression was fit to assess the association of LEP status, race, age, gender, method of arrival to the ED, insurance status, and the interaction between LEP status and race with admission for surgery from the ED.

Results: A total of 85,899 patients (48.1% female) were included in this analysis, of whom 3,179 (3.7%) were admitted for emergent surgery. Regardless of LEP status, patients identifying as Black (odds ratio [OR] 0.456, 95% CI 0.388-0.533; P<0.005), Asian [OR 0.759, 95% CI 0.612-0.929]; P=0.009), or female [OR 0.926, 95% CI 0.862-0.996]; P=0.04) had significantly lower odds for admission for surgery from the ED compared to White patients. Compared to individuals on Medicare, those with private insurance [OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13-1.39; P <0.005) were significantly more likely to be admitted for emergent surgery, whereas those without insurance [OR 0.581, 95% CI 0.323-0.958; P=0.05) were significantly less likely to be admitted for emergent surgery. There was no significant difference in odds of admission for surgery between LEP vs non-LEP patients.

Conclusion: Individuals without health insurance and those identifying as female, Black, or Asian had significantly lower odds of admission for surgery from the ED compared to those with health insurance, males, and those self-identifying as White, respectively. Future studies should assess the reasons underpinning this finding to elucidate impact on patient outcomes.
Emergency Physician Observations and Attitudes on Law Enforcement Activities in the Emergency Department
Authors: Khatri Utsha , Kaufman Elinore , Seeburger Emily , Alur Rucha , Richardson Lynne , South Eugenia , Jacoby Sara
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Law enforcement officers (LEO) interact with patients and clinicians in the emergency department (ED) for many reasons. There is no current consensus on what should comprise, or how to best enact, guidelines that ideally balance LEO activities in the service of public safety with patient health, autonomy, and privacy. The purpose of this study was to explore how a national sample of emergency physicians (EP) perceives activities of LEOs during the delivery of emergency medical care.

Methods: Members of the Emergency Medicine Practice Research Network (EMPRN) were recruited via an email-delivered, anonymous survey that elicited experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of policies that guide interactions with LEOs in the ED. The survey included multiple-choice items, which we analyzed descriptively, and open-ended questions, which we analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Of 765 EPs in the EMPRN, 141 (18.4%) completed the survey. Respondents represented diverse locations and years in practice. A total of 113 (82%) respondents were White, and 114 (81%) were male. Over a third reported LEO presence in the ED on a daily basis. A majority (62%) perceived LEO presence as helpful for clinicians and clinical practice. When asked about the factors deemed highly important in allowing LEOs to access patients during care, 75% reported patients’ potential as a threat to public safety. A small minority of respondents (12%) considered the patients’ consent
or preference to interact with LEOs. While 86% of EPs felt that information-gathering by LEO was appropriate in the ED setting, only 13% were aware of policy to guide these decisions. Perceived barriers to implementation of policy in this area included: issues of enforcement; leadership; education; operational challenges; and potential negative consequences.

Conclusion: Future research is warranted to explore how policies and practices that guide intersections between emergency medical care and law enforcement impact patients, clinicians, and the communities that health systems serve.
The Team Is Not Okay: Violence in Emergency Departments Across Disciplines in a Health System
Authors: McGuire Sarayna , Finley Janet , Gazley Bou , Mullan Aidan , Clements Casey
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Healthcare workers, particularly those in the emergency department (ED), experience high rates of injuries caused by workplace violence (WPV).

Objective: Our goal was to establish the incidence of WPV among multidisciplinary ED staff within a regional health system and assess its impact on staff victims.

Methods: We conducted a survey study of all multidisciplinary ED staff at 18 Midwestern EDs encompassing a larger health system between November 18–December 31, 2020. We solicited the incidence of verbal abuse and physical assault experienced and witnessed by respondents over the prior six months, as well as its impact on staff.

Results: We included responses from 814 staff (24.5% response rate) for final analysis with 585 (71.9%) indicating some form of violence experienced in the preceding six months. A total of 582 (71.5%) respondents indicated experiencing verbal abuse, and 251 (30.8%) indicated experiencing some form of physical assault. All disciplines experienced some type of verbal abuse and nearly all experienced some type of physical assault. One hundred thirty-five (21.9%) respondents indicated that being the victim of WPV has affected their ability to perform their job, and nearly half (47.6%) indicated it has changed the way they interact with or perceive patients. Additionally, 132 (21.3%) indicated experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and 18.5% reported they have considered leaving their position due to an incident.

Conclusion: Emergency department staff suffer violence at a high rate, and there is no discipline that is spared. As health systems seek to prioritize staff safety in violence-prone areas such as the ED, it is imperative to recognize that the entire multidisciplinary team is impacted and requires targeted efforts for improvement in safety.
Cultural Humility Curriculum to Address Healthcare Disparities for Emergency Medicine Residents
Authors: Tsuchida Ryan , Doan Jessica , Losman Eve , Haggins Adrianne , Huang Robert , Hekman Daniel , Perry Marcia
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Emergency medicine (EM) residency programs have variable approaches to educating residents on recognizing and managing healthcare disparities. We hypothesized that our curriculum with resident-presented lectures would increase residents’ sense of cultural humility and ability to identify vulnerable populations.

Methods: At a single-site, four-year EM residency program with 16 residents per year, we designed a curriculum intervention from 2019-2021 where all second-year residents selected one healthcare disparity topic and gave a 15-minute presentation overviewing the disparity, describing local resources, and facilitating a group discussion. We conducted a prospective observational study to assess the impact of the curriculum by electronically surveying all current residents before and after the curriculum intervention. We measured attitudes on cultural humility and ability to identify healthcare disparities among a variety of patient characteristics (race, gender, weight, insurance, sexual orientation, language, ability, etc). Statistical comparisons of mean responses were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal data.

Results: A total of 32 residents gave presentations that covered a broad range of vulnerable patient populations including those that identify as Black, migrant farm workers, transgender, and deaf. The overall survey response was 38/64 (59.4%) pre-intervention and 43/64 (67.2%) post-intervention. Improvements were seen in resident self-reported cultural humility as measured by their responsibility to learn (mean responses of 4.73 vs 4.17; P < 0.001) and responsibility to be aware of different cultures (mean responses of 4.89 vs 4.42; P < 0.001). Residents reported an increased awareness that patients are treated differently in the healthcare system based on their race (P < 0.001) and gender (P < 0.001). All other domains queried, although not statistically significant, demonstrated a similar t rend.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates increased resident willingness to engage in cultural humility and the feasibility of resident near-peer teaching on a breadth of vulnerable patient populations seen in their clinical environment. Future studies may query the impact this curriculum has on resident clinical decision-making.
Utility of Trichoscopy in Various Types of Alopecia - A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Krishnegowda Ranjitha , Pradhan Shekhar N , Gosavi Anil Prakash , Deshmukh Nitika S.
Published: March 2023

Background: Alopecia is one of the most common reasons for consulting dermatologists, and the clinical diagnosis can become confusing. In light of the inclination of patients and doctors toward non-invasive diagnosis, along with the vogue of non-invasive diagnostic modalities, trichoscopy has become a promising tool. Objectives: To study various dermoscopic patterns of alopecia. Methods: After obtaining informed consent, this cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients with alopecia attending a tertiary health care center. A detailed history and clinical photographs were taken. Relevant investigations were done whenever indicated. Dermoscopy was done using illuco IDS- 1100 with 10x magnification. Statistical analysis used: Data was analyzed using SPSS 22 version software. The chi-square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Shapiro-Wilk test was used for assessment with a significant P-value of < 0.05. Kappa statistics were used to assess agreement between the two modalities. Results: Overall, vellus hair (65%) and yellow dots (65%) were the most common findings among all types of alopecia. The most common findings on trichoscopy in androgenetic alopecia were vellus hair (90.48%); in alopecia areata, vellus hair, and exclamation mark hair (86.67% each); in tinea capitis, corkscrew hair, and black dots; and in trichotillomania, splaying of hair. Discoid Lupus erythematosus had absent follicular opening, scaling, and perifollicular pigmentation. Clinical and dermoscopic diagnoses were significantly associated with a kappa agreement of 0.776 (i.e., substantial agreement). Out of 15 cases of difficult-to-diagnose alopecia, further investigations showed that dermoscopic diagnosis was accurate in 7 cases (46.67%). Conclusions: Trichoscopy is a reliable, non-invasive, and faster method of diagnosis in ambiguous cases of alopecia.
Comparison of Priority Occupational Performance of Children with Cerebral Palsy from the Perspective of Children, Parents, and Occupational Therapists in Isfahan in 2021
Authors: Torkan Shima , Khanjani Mohammad Saeed , Abdi Kianoush , Vahedi Mohsen
Published: March 2023

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive complication of the developing brain that leads to movement problems and occupational performance limitations in the activities of daily living of children with CP. Therefore, getting a sense conception of the children, parents, and occupational therapists’ occupational performance priority to providing client-centered services in performing the activities of daily living of children with CP is extremely important. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the priorities of occupational performance from the perspective of children with CP, parents, and occupational therapists and compare their priorities with each other. Methods: This descriptive-analytical comparative study was conducted in Isfahan in 2021. The research population included 115 CP children aged 6 - 12 years, their parents, and occupational therapists in the occupational therapy department of rehabilitation clinics, rehabilitation centers, and occupational therapy department of hospitals in Isfahan city. Occupational performance priorities of children with CP, their parents, and occupational therapists were assessed through the valid and reliable Canadian occupational performance measurement (COPM). Results: In this research, 115 children with CP, their parents, and occupational therapists participated. Comparison of occupational performance priorities of children with CP from the perspective of children, parents, and occupational therapists showed that the most important occupational performance priority of children with CP from the perspective of these three groups is the same and related to self-care activities and includes activities, such as walking, going up and down the stairs, toileting, and going to the bathroom (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Children with CP, their parents, and occupational therapists reported occupational performance priorities in similar performance dimensions in the age groups of 6 to 12 years for children with CP, which are mainly focused on self-care activities. The attention of occupational therapists to the priorities of children and parents can increase their participation in the rehabilitation process of these children.
Interventional Effect of Quiet Time Protocol on the Physiological Parameters of Premature Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Sabagh Kimiya , Ghaljaei Fereshteh , Mahmoodi Nasrin , Kerman Saravi Fatihe , Robabi Hasan
Published: March 2023

Background: Premature neonates are a group of high-risk patients who need intensive medical care and hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for their survival. In the NICU environment, there are highly stressful stimuli that have a negative effect on the physiological parameters of premature neonates. One of the interventions that improve the physiological parameters of neonates is the implementation of the quiet time protocol. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the quiet time protocol intervention on the physiological parameters of premature neonates admitted to the NICU. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 62 premature neonates selected through a convenient sampling method out of the neonates admitted to the NICU. First, the samples of the control group were collected. A demographic data questionnaire was employed. Neonates in the two groups were examined for 60 min during three phases before, during, and after the intervention in the evening shift of 15 - 17 o’clock. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22 by the chi-squared test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA regarding arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) percentage showed that changes over time were significant (P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the groups in terms of intervention effect (P = 0.004). In other words, the changes in SaO2 percentage were not the same in the two groups, and the changes in the score of the intervention group were higher than the control group. The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that the changes in the heart rate and respiratory rate over time were significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The quiet time protocol is effective in reducing environmental stimuli and improving physiological parameters. Therefore, the implementation of these procedures during each 8-hour shift, that includes a specific period which light, sound, and bedside stimulation is controllably reduced, is recommended as a standard of care to reduce stress and improve the growth and development of premature neonates in the NICU.
Learning journeys for scalable AI education: an MIT - USAF collaboration
Authors: Bagiati Aikaterini , Salazar Gómez Andrés Felipe , Radovan John , Kennedy Kathleen , Breazeal Cynthia
Published: March 2023

In 2021 the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Department of Defence (DoD) entered into a collaboration with multiple units within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop a new academic program focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) training. Given the size and the diversity within the body of USAF employees, the goal of this collaboration is to design and implement an innovative program that will achieve maximum learning outcomes at scale for learners with diverse roles and educational backgrounds. This program is now piloting and evaluating three different learning journeys addressing three different groups of USAF employees (USAF leaders and decision makers; technology developers; and daily frontend technology users). The learning journeys were designed based on each group’s specific professional needs and academic backgrounds, and they include combinations of online synchronous and asynchronous courses and face-to-face activities. The program’s pilot is currently underway and evaluation research findings are informing the next program iterations. The ultimate goal of this program is to formulate general recommendations on how to serve large numbers of diverse learners at scale in an optimum way. In addition to an evaluation pilot study, MIT experts on AI and the Science of Learning have been asked to review the program and their feedback will be integrated into the next program iteration. This paper presents the three learning journeys as originally designed to serve the three first diverse cohorts of learners, as well as the plan for future improvement and implementation of the program.
Challenges for engineering students working with authentic complex problems
Authors: Routhe Henrik , Winther Maiken , Nguyen Nhung Tuyet , Holgaard Jette , Kolmos Anette
Published: March 2023

Engineers are important participants in solving societal, environmental and technical problems. However, due to an increasing complexity in relation to these problems new interdisciplinary competences are needed in engineering. Instead of students working with monodisciplinary problems, a situation where students work with authentic complex problems in interdisciplinary teams together with a company may scaffold development of new competences. The question is: What are the challenges for students structuring the work on authentic interdisciplinary problems? This study explores a three-day event where 7 students from Aalborg University (AAU) from four different faculties and one student from University College North Denmark (UCN), (6th-10th semester), worked in two groups at a large Danish company, solving authentic complex problems. The event was structured as a Hackathon where the students for three days worked with problem identification, problem analysis and finalizing with a pitch competition presenting their findings. During the event the students had workshops to support the work and they had the opportunity to use employees from the company as facilitators. It was an extracurricular activity during the summer holiday season. The methodology used for data collection was qualitative both in terms of observations and participants’ reflection reports. The students were observed during the whole event. Findings from this part of a larger study indicated, that students experience inability to transfer and transform project competences from their previous disciplinary experiences to an interdisciplinary setting.
Departmental seminar series and journal club with enhanced learning outcomes
Authors: Rullmann Edward , Forbrig Christian , Rappsilber Juri
Published: March 2023

Listening to scientific presentations and reading scientific literature are core activities of any scientist, and frequent components of students' curricula. When employing these activities in teaching, finding the right balance between student instruction and autonomous learning is important for best learning outcomes and teachers’ workload. We here present our course design for a coordinated lecture series and journal club, that finds this balance by leveraging modern learning concepts in a digital environment. Participating students were tasked to read a landmark scientific paper every week ahead of a lecture by a scientist with practical experience on the topic of that paper, often an author of that week’s paper. Students then had to hand in written answers to three questions probing their understanding of the topic and the paper. In a subsequent seminar, activating questions were discussed by the students in break-out rooms and then answered by randomly chosen students in class, followed by a broad discussion that included the homework questions. Students gave weekly feedback on their learning progress and experience, and the course was then dynamically adapted accordingly. This yielded a course with largely increased course capacity, reduced teachers’ workload, and substantially enhanced learning outcomes, qualitatively and quantitatively compared to previous implementations of the course.
Boost I&E concept for urban mobility education
Authors: Sayrol Clols Elisa , Roncoli Claudio , Aba Attila , Banfi Miklos , Bloemer Alexander , Bragós Bardia Ramon , Estrada Romeu Miguel Ángel , Macario Rosario , Marques da Costa Nuno , Minner Stefan , Mohammadi Roozbeh , Pinhas Nathan , Shiftan Yoram , Ribas Vila Immaculada , Witlox Frank
Published: March 2023

Modern higher education needs to provide skills needed in working life, such as entrepreneurship, besides the more traditional technological competence. The Boost I&E Project2 was developed in 2020 and 2021 with the aim of generating a set of guidelines for innovation and entrepreneurship challenge-driven projects for master's programmes. The added value was created by collaborating and exchanging best practices among higher education institutions in seven different countries, with the aim of developing students' skills with an international perspective and exposure to the knowledge triangle. The implementation of Boost I&E would allow learning about the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in a practical way, while courses on urban mobility were provided. The activities involved more than 100 students over two years. The experience concluded with the adoption of a set of guidelines based on best practices, covering several aspects. Most emphasis was placed on the methodology of the course, on sharing activities and on finding best practices and implications for stakeholders. Our experience can be useful for universities that want to open up their students to I&E.
Active learning in mathematics for STEM: real-life engineering applications
Authors: Salim Salim M.
Published: March 2023

An opinion piece in Scientific American [1] discusses how a fraction of students ultimately complete a STEM degree and cites research [2] that disengagement with traditional calculus courses as one of the causes. It goes on to highlight examples of several promising calculus reforms and recommends that STEM faculty take the lead in introducing changes by collaborating and co-creating across disciplines to make mathematics more relevant and interesting to students. Feedback from module surveys indicate that students learn much better when the link between theoretical and practical knowledge is captured and echoes pedagogical literature. The author introduces past experiences of active learning approaches to enhance the teaching of mathematics to first-year engineering students. Class discussions incorporate real-life engineering applications highlighting example problems from a wide variety of core engineering modules such as Fluid Mechanics, Vibration, and Mechanics of Materials. The impact of this approach has not been directly measured and documented for the module being discussed here and is motivated by encouraging student feedback where they shared that they find the teaching interesting, fun, engaging, and interactive. The present concept paper therefore outlines how past pedagogical practice have influenced the enhancements in the delivery of engineering mathematics with a particular focus on interdisciplinary approach. It then goes own to demonstrate some examples of implementation and offers initial reflections based on student feedback. Finally, the author proposes future steps of detailing the effect on student learning experience via class surveys, interviews and making comparisons to comparably taught modules.
Experiential learning: integrating learning and experience in shaping the future of the engineers
Authors: Sangwan Devika , Singh Rajni , Sangwan Kuldip Singh
Published: March 2023

The industry demands skill-equipped engineering graduates who could be efficient enough to adapt to face the challenges of uncertainty posed by a lack of skills and resources. Accreditation boards have identified problem-solving, teamwork, communication, etc. as the workplace required skills. However, industry/employers feel that the engineers seem to lack problem-solving, teamwork, etc. To groom these skills, experiential learning (EL) platform provides hands-on practice. Thus, the study aims to gain insights into the need of experiential learning to integrate learning and experience. The study, qualitative in nature, focuses on the essential skills, specifically problem-solving skills, against the applicability of experiential learning. Experiential learning allows engineering students to get a hands-on approach to practise their acquired skills to understand industrial needs and constraints. In the given context, problem solving helps in knowing what is learnt and what needs to be learnt.
4I4U Concept citizen engagement of engineering students and high school students
Authors: Sayrol Clols Elisa , Monteil Thierry , Desjeux Benoît , Pérez Cambra María del Mar , Bruyère Nathalie , Aquilué Junyent Inés , Alarcón Cot Eduardo José , Julliot Mélanie
Published: March 2023

The 4I4U project, which runs through 2022, aims to engage the community of citizens made up of students between the ages of 15 to 23 in the urban mobility of the future while empowering them to become actors of change who can participate in the development and evolution of their city. Led by a European Consortium composed of two cities, Barcelona in Spain and Toulouse in France, as well as education entities from high school to universities and clusters of companies in the field of urban mobility, and co-funded by the EIT Urban Mobility, the main objectives of 4I4U focus on raising awareness among young citizens in the context of urban mobility, developing their capabilities to become actors, highlighting their needs and finally creating a methodology and an environment that help students from ideation to action for the mobility of the future. The objectives of 4I4U are achieved by planning a set of seminars, round tables and brainstorming sessions to raise awareness or understanding of different aspects of urban mobility. To move from ideation to action, small groups of students design and produce a first ideation to understand and be able to project themselves into the proposed solution. This activity will be carried out under the mentoring of cities and industrialists, using the means of training institutions.
Elements of simulated annealing in Pareto front search
Authors:   Department of Informatics, Faculty of Management Science and Informatics, University of Žilina, Slovakia, Kvet Marek , Janáček Jaroslav
Published: March 2023

Determination of the Pareto front of location problem solutions represents one of the very complex and computational time demanding tasks, when solved by exact means of mathematical programming. This paper is motivated by possible application of the metaheuristic simulated annealing to the process of obtaining a close approximation of the Pareto front by a set of non-dominated solutions of the p-location problem. Contrary to the other approaches, the suggested method is based on minimization of non-dominated solution set area, which directly describes quality of the approximation. Elements of the simulated annealing method are used for random breaking some limits imposed on local characteristics of the improving process. The presented results of the numerical experiments give an insight to relations among the simulated annealing parameters and optimization process efficiency.
A Catholic Ethical Analysis of Human Plastination
Authors: Bresnahan Christopher K. , Austriaco Nicanor ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: March 2023

Plastination is a relatively novel technique wherein human tissue is dehydrated and the water is replaced with a plastic-like substance. The process is valuable to educational institutions, because it preserves the body for a long period of time, allowing for prolonged anatomical study. However, a number of ethical issues have been raised regarding the process, particularly related to the procurement of human specimens and the act of displaying these bodies, even for educational purposes. This article explores both the process itself and the associated ethical pitfalls, particularly from a Catholic perspective.
Ethical Medical Decision-Making for a Child
Authors: Chetham Michele ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: March 2023

Ethical medical decision-making for a child is generally navigated with various standards and models that have been developed to address its complexities. A case is presented of the parents’ refusal of a surgical procedure for their child considered by medical providers as essential and potentially lifesaving, along with the ethical debate of whether the parents’ decision was in the child’s best interest and whether their refusal reached a threshold to report and seek state intervention. Utilizing the best interest standard and additional ethical decision-making tools, the ethicists helped the medical team accept the parents’ decision as reasonable, thus avoiding involvement with Child Protective Services. It is my goal to clarify the parents’ decision as reasonable and as honoring their child’s best interests and inherent dignity through the lens of Catholic anthropological and moral principles. These strengthen the ethical and moral arguments for the parents’ decision and the opposition to state intervention.
Evangelium Vitae and the Definition of Abortion
Authors: Arias Joseph ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: March 2023

The moral permissibility of certain acts traditionally considered abortion has become a subject of much debate in recent years. One of the main points in this debate is the question of whether there exists a difference between “abortion as removal” and “abortion as killing.” This essay strives to present readers with an orthodox interpretation of Church documents regarding abortion, giving clear and well-supported evidence that this distinction is not found in Catholic teaching
The Perverted Faculty Argument Is Still Sound
Authors: Skalko John ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: March 2023

In a 2019 article and a 2022 article published in this journal, Melissa Moschella argues that new natural law (NNL) sexual ethics is sound and that old natural law sexual ethics fails. In her view, all non-reproductive type sexual acts are morally wrong because they are both contrary to the basic good of marriage and involve degrading the body as a mere instrument for pleasure. She also critiques the perverted faculty argument (PFA) as found within the work of Edward Feser as unsound. Here I argue that a proper understanding of the PFA as found within the writings of Thomas Aquinas easily avoids her objections and that the argument of Thomas has a distinct advantage over the pleasure argument insofar as it can ground the badness of such actions universally
The Complex Relationship Between Obesity and Depression
Authors: Tzenios Nikolaos , tazanios Mary , Chahine Mohamad , Binti Jamal Poh Omasyarifa
Published: March 2023

The relationship between obesity and depression has been the subject of significant research over the years. This article aims to systematically review the existing literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between obesity and depression. By examining both epidemiological and experimental evidence, this article highlights the bidirectional nature of this relationship, while also considering potential mediators and moderators. The implications of these findings for prevention and treatment are discussed, with a particular focus on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address both conditions simultaneously.
The Relationship between Fat Consumption and Mood Enhancement: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Tzenios Nikolaos , tazanios Mary , Chahine Mohamad , Binti Jamal Poh Omasyarifa
Published: March 2023

Background: The role of fat consumption in human health has been the subject of much debate and research. While the association between fat intake and cardiovascular health has been well-established, the relationship between fat consumption and mood remains relatively underexplored. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature examining the link between dietary fat intake and mood enhancement. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on studies that investigated the effects of different types of dietary fat on mood states. Studies were included if they were published between January 2000 and September 2021, and reported on the relationship between fat consumption and mood outcomes in humans. Results: The review identified a number of studies suggesting a positive association between dietary fat intake and mood enhancement. The consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, was found to have a strong association with improved mood, reduced depression, and enhanced cognitive function. The evidence for saturated fat and mood outcomes was less consistent, with some studies indicating potential detrimental effects on mood. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that fat consumption, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, may play a role in mood enhancement. However, further research is needed to establish causality and the potential implications for public health and nutrition recommendations.
An Assessment of the Traumatic Experiences of Women Victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in Michika
Authors: Vandi Roseline, Luka , Ndung'u Ikenye , Kithinji Julius
Published: March 2023

Terrorism in the twenty-first century is a major cause of global trauma. It has hit almost every nation with Nigeria being adversely affected by the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency, more prevalent in the North-Eastern part of the country. Michika, the local government of Adamawa State is one such place that has been destabilised economically, socially, spiritually, and structurally. Women have been traumatised because they are a major target. This paper assesses the traumatic experiences of women victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Michika. The paper further delineates the role of the church, government, and other relevant stakeholders in response to the plight of women. The study adopted a qualitative approach, collecting data through interviews, focused group discussions, and secondary sources. Data analysis was then done thematically. It was established that women experienced the insurgency differently than men because they are targets for sexual exploitation, sex slavery, forced marriage, and conscription. Their businesses and other sources of livelihood have been affected, thus leaving them in abject poverty, a situation that only little can be accomplished by the government, church, and other organizations’ sporadic interventions. More so, a single approach to counseling will fall short of addressing the issues and reintegrating them into society. Therefore, this paper recommends that the church should reposition itself to facilitate collaborative efforts in providing a long-lasting intervention that seeks to heal, empower, and reintegrate women into society so they can live normal lives again.
Uluslararası Hukuk Perspektifinden Kadına Karşı Şiddetin Önlenmesi Konusundaki Bölgesel ve Küresel Düzenlemeler ile Yeni Çareler
Authors: Ulutaş Ahmet
Published: March 2023

Bu çalışmada, esas itibarıyla kadına karşı şiddetin önlenmesi konusundaki, bölgesel ve küresel uluslararası hukuk düzenlemeleri ele alınarak incelenmiştir. Bu yapılırken mesele bölgesel ve küresel perspektiften değerlendirilmiştir. Bu kapsamda, esas itibarıyla “Kadına Yönelik Şiddetin Önlenmesi, Cezalandırılması ve Ortadan Kaldırılmasına İlişkin Amerikalılararası Sözleşme” ele alınmıştır. Söz konusu Sözleşme, Amerikan Devletler Örgütü (OAS) bünyesinde hazırlanarak 9 Haziran 1994 tarihinde imzaya açılmış, 3 Mayıs 1995 tarihinde yürürlüğe girmiştir (m.21). Sözleşme, bölgesel düzeyde kadına karşı şiddet konusunda hazırlanmış ilk Sözleşme niteliği taşımaktadır. Aşağıda ana hatları ve maddeleri itibarıyla getirdiği hükümler incelenen Sözleşme, anılan Örgüte üye olmayan devletlerin de katılımına da açıktır (m.17). Sözleşme toplam 5 Bölüm ve 25 maddeden oluşmaktadır. Buna göre, Sözleşmenin 1’inci Bölümü’nde Tanım ve Kapsam’a, 2’nci Bölümü’nde korunan haklara, 3’üncü Bölümü’nde Taraf Devletlerin görev ve sorumluluklarına, 4’üncü Bölümü’nde Amerikan Devletleri Koruma Mekanizmalarına ve son olarak 5’inci Bölüm’de ise genel hükümlere yer verilmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında ayrıca Türkiye’nin kadına karşı şiddet konusundaki ulusal mevzuatı ve uluslararası hukuk bakımından taraf olduğu sözleşmeler ile tanıdığı bireysel başvuru yollarına da işaret edilerek önümüzdeki dönemde bu alanda küresel düzeyde yapılabilecekler konusunda öneriler ortaya konulmuştur.
Evlenmeden Önce Mirastan Feragat Sözleşmesi Yapılabilir mi?
Authors: Aydıncık Midyat Şirin
Published: March 2023

Bilindiği üzere mirastan feragat sözleşmesi, mirasbırakan ile müstakbel ve muhtemel mirasçısı arasında yapılan ve bu mirasçının mirasbırakana karşı ileride doğabilecek olan miras hakkından vazgeçmesini konu alan bir sözleşmedir. Ülkemizde özellikle ikinci evliliklerini yapan kişilerin, müstakbel eşleri ile evlenmeden önce mal rejimi sözleşmesi ve bununla birlikte mirastan feragat sözleşmesi yapmak istedikleri görülmektedir. Böylelikle eşler evlilik ilişkisinde maddi meseleleri bir kenara bırakmak ve önceki evliliklerinden olan çocuklarını, ileride ortaya çıkabilecek miras uyuşmazlıklarına karşı ekonomik açıdan garanti altına almak istemektedir. Bununla birlikte son yıllarda, evlenmeden önce yapılmak istenen bu tarz mirastan feragat sözleşmelerinin geçerliliği tartışma konusu olmuştur. Uygulamada bazı noterler ileride bu sözleşmelerin geçersiz sayılma ihtimali karşısında kendi sorumluluklarının da doğabileceği kaygısıyla bunları düzenlemekten kaçınırken diğer bir grup, bu tarz sözleşmeleri düzenlemeye devam etmiştir. Türk hukuk doktrininde ise genel olarak, müstakbel eşlerin de evlenme öncesinde evlenme sözleşmesiyle birlikte veya ondan bağımsız olarak mirastan feragat sözleşmesi yapabilecekleri kabul edilmektedir. Bununla birlikte doktrinde aksi yönde düşünceler de ileri sürülmüştür. Nitekim Yargıtay yakın tarihli bir kararında, evlenmeden önce yapılan bir mirastan feragat sözleşmesinin mirastan feragat eden müstakbel eşin feragat tarihi itibariyle mirasçı sıfatının olmaması dolayısıyla TMK m.528 anlamında bir feragat sözleşmesi sayılamayacağını, doğmamış haktan feragat edilemeyeceğini, bu sebeple bu beyana hukuki sonuç bağlanamayacağını kabul etmiştir (Yarg. 1. HD. 15019/14670, 20.11.2018, (Kazancı İçtihat ve Bilgi Bankası). İşbu çalışmada doktrin ve uygulamadaki farklı görüşler ve Yargıtay’ın bu konuda vermiş olduğu yakın tarihli kararı da dikkate alınarak evlilik öncesi müstakbel eşler arasında yapılan mirastan feragat sözleşmesinin geçerliliği meselesi ele alınacaktır.