bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dashboards for Decision Making in Higher Education
Authors: Tang Yoke Wah , Toh Suiying , Leow Alex Shuangjie
Published: October 2022

Dashboards are used as a graphical user interface that provides at-a-glance views into key measures and trends to assist decision makers in the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to enhance learning support for students.

A student’s first contact with SUSS often starts at the point of application (i.e., applying for places in the University). Hence, the process of application, selection and offer has been identified as the business problem in this project. An effective dashboard will empower users to make more informed decisions with a visibility to data and ease in generating insights, ultimately streamlining the selection and offer process. The users in this project are the stakeholders who deploy the dashboard in the process of and decision making related to selection and offer.

Quality of information on the dashboard is highly dependent on the state of data, including their completeness and accuracy. Quality of a dashboard can be measured by how much impact it can make, which is directly related to actions taken by users with information extracted from the dashboard. With the right knowledge and skills in developing an effective dashboard, business objectives can be met and user requirements can be catered for. If every decision maker is able to customise his/her own dashboards that meet business objectives and user requirements, the University will be empowered at a functional level, with various departments supporting students through their respective roles and functions. Challenges in data and people issues will be discussed in this paper alongside the future directions in overcoming these issues.
Online Versus Face-to-Face: A Quantitative Study of Factors Influencing Students’ Choice of Study Mode using Chi-Square Test and Binary Logistic Regression
Authors: Yeung Sze-Kiu , Lee Wee Leong
Published: October 2022

For online learning in the January 2019 semester, students at the Singapore University of Social Sciences were able to choose whether they want to study in virtual or face-to-face mode in two courses. Virtual refers to full online learning whereby students study, in a six-week term, without the need to meet face-to-face with the instructor while face-to-face refers to blended e-learning whereby students received either six or three face-to-face lessons with e-learning resources. In full online mode, students will meet the instructor virtually via video conferencing on a weekly basis. Data were obtained to find out which variables actually had an effect of students’ choice of learning mode. 370 students were analysed and the variablesincluding gender, marital status, race, nationality, course, qualification, school, programme, intake, age (now), age (joint) and cumulative grade point average (CGPA) were examined. Each variable was compared with the students’ mode of study in order to identify if they are dependent (e.g. gender versus study mode, race versus study mode, etc.) based on a chi-square test. The significant variables were further investigated using a binary logistic regression model. It was found that qualification, intake and CGPA were found to be significant for students’ choice of learning.
Degree Design Thinking: integrated design frameworks for emerging online degrees in higher education
Authors: Adachi Chie , O'Donnell Marcus
Published: October 2022

This paper proposes a new conceptual framework for curriculum design that incorporates the principles of both educational and service design. Traditionally efforts in designing high quality online learning have relied on learning design and not on broader principles drawn from other fields of studies such as service design. This paper presents a case study of creating a quality online course on digital learning leadership to argue for the importance of an integrated approach to educational design. This new postgraduate degree in Digital Learning Leadership was aimed at the community of professionals working in the field of digital learning. The case study presents an integrated approach that combines design thinking and a Community of Inquiry framework as a way of cultivating a sense of belonging online for a network of digital learning professionals.
“Many hats one heart”: A scoping review on the professional identity of learning designers
Authors: Altena Sharon , Ng Rebecca , Hinze Meredith , Poulsen Simone , Parrish Dominique
Published: October 2022

Learning Designers are increasingly employed in universities to support institutional digital and pedagogical transformation agendas, which are posited to better meet the diverse and changing needs of a heterogeneous student body. Despite broad commitment to investing in these roles, surprisingly little is known about what learning designers in higher education actually do in practice. This paper reports on the preliminary findings of a scoping review that thematically analysed pertinent literature, to explore what is currently espoused about the professional identity of learning designers in higher education. The review identified 40 indicators of the knowledge, skills and attributes required of learning designers in the higher education sector. This research provides valuable insights for both individuals and institutions. The findings provide universities with an evidence-informed perspective of the learning designer, including an account of the unique capabilities of learning designers as transformative change agents to student learning. For individual learning designers the findings provide a comprehensive list of indicators to benchmark role responsibilities against, and a framework through which professional identity can be comprehended.
One system to examine them all: Defining the complexities of implementing an institution wide online exam model
Authors: Bryant Peter , Ruello Jacqueline
Published: October 2022

A significant majority of universities have engaged in piloting or implementing technology enabled forms of examination (online exams) in response to increasing pressures on space, resources and the demands of scale. Informed by analysis drawn from a series of consultative workshops and interviews with over 120 participants including academics, support and professional services staff and senior management at the University of Sydney, this paper will explore the tensions and challenges arising from the institutional demand to determine the requirements for the procurement of a single online exam system to replace the current spread of disparate pilots across the faculties. Using pain points, alleviations and mitigations that are felt within the existing exam system, we will identify two tensions that increase in importance the further any system moves away from the dominant models of exam facilitation and marking using technology.
Engaging students in a wide-scale educational technology implementation: Investigating student attitudes
Authors: Campbell Chris , Duffy Megan
Published: October 2022

University-wide implementations of various technology teaching tools have been occurring for many years. Often staff are trained in using the tool and students are thus required to use it in various ways in their courses and for assessment purposes. This paper outlines the implementation of a university-wide ePortfolio platform, PebblePad, and investigates student attitudes one year after its introduction. Although students are still getting used to the platform, they are learning to accept the tool and are using it in various ways in their courses to support their learning. Results also show numerous ways students can get support to use the platform and the types of assistance provided. It is hoped students will accept PebblePad in the future, learn to be less critical and that deep learning can continue to be supported. In conclusion, PebblePad is a wide ranging ePortfolio system that can, when used well, support student learning in a large variety of ways.
Enhancing Learning of System Modelling through 360 Degree Virtual Reality Video and 3D Printing
Authors: Muñoz Juan-Carlos , Cowling Michael , Birt James
Published: October 2022

New technologies like 360 degree virtual reality videos and 3D printing are creating philosophical shifts in approaches to teaching and learning in the classroom. However, most studies isolate new technology rather than study the benefits of using them in combination. Multiple representations support a variety of learning activities especially when students are learning new concepts or complex ideas. This study explores the blending of a 360 degree video-case study with 3D-printed haptic manipulations to enhance learning of ICT systems analysis and design. We hypothesize that the blending of both the virtual and physical can lead to improved learning motivation, engagement and enhance learning outcomes. The study follows a design-based research (DBR) methodology with this paper representing the second loop of the DBR approach focusing on both the usability and learning outcomes from a sample of 24 participants from an Australian University. The results of the study show positive impact on the measure of navigability and communication when compared to a traditional lesson leading to improved engagement and motivation among the learners.
MENTOR – Intelligent Mobile Online Peer Tutoring Application for Face-to-Face and Remote Peer Tutoring
Authors: Chung Sheng-Hung , Tan Seng Chee
Published: October 2022

E-learning platforms have been increasingly adopted by universities to extend and enhance learning. However, the literature review has shown that limited research has been conducted on the effects of electronic peer tutoring on student learning. Correspondingly, there is a lack of a suite of technological affordances to facilitate online peer tutoring sessions and appointments remotely. This paper describes the development of a novel smartphone app – Mobile Education Networked Tutoring On Request (MENTOR) – to facilitate face-to-face and remote peer tutoring. The MENTOR app aims to predict the tutoring needs of students using tutor-tutee matching, provides coordination of face-to-face tutoring sessions via the use ofsmartphones’ location data and online operation of remote tutoring sessions.
Using team-based learning in a problem-based learning medical course to improve transition from a pre-clinical to clinical learning environment
Authors: Dalziel Bronwen , Jensen Slade , O’Connor Elizabeth , McCafferty Charles , Gosbell Iain
Published: October 2022

Many medical schools choose between using either a problem-based learning (PBL) or a team- based learning (TBL) approach to curriculum to teach pre-clinical students the foundational sciences needed to understand disease processes. This study explores whether it is possible to combine the strengths of both approaches to better prepare medical students for the transition from a pre-clinical to a clinical learning environment. While PBL allows students to identify gaps in learning and then apply new knowledge to an established problem, TBL gives students the opportunity to apply their learning to multiple new clinical problems thus providing opportunities for knowledge transfer. We used the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) to run modified TBL sessions that were designed to fit within the normal lecture program. Iterative development of the intervention over five years based on staff and student feedback has delivered positive educational outcomes.
Students’ self-regulated learning skills and attitudes in online scientific inquiry tasks
Authors: De Barba Paula , Elliott Kristine , Kennedy Gregor
Published: October 2022

Teaching students to think and act as scientists through inquiry is at the core of recent science education. Although self-regulated learning (SRL) is acknowledged as crucial to performing scientific inquiry, much is yet to be understood about the specifics of students’ interactions with the scientific process. In the current study, we conducted an exploratory investigation of the role of students’ SRL and related attitudes when completing an online scientific inquiry- based task. A task with a Predict-Observe-Explain learning design was used to examine the role of students’ SRL and attitudes within specific phases of the scientific inquiry process. Participants were 233 students from an online undergraduate course. Four groups were identified with differing levels of SRL skills, challenge and confidence. We found that students with low SRL skills who also perceived a learning situation as challenging and had low confidence in their ability to learn, had difficulties designing effective experiments and correctly interpreting data. Implications and future studies are discussed.
“Okay, but what does it look like?” Building staff capacity in online learning design through role modelling
Authors: Elliott Joanne , Taylor Darci
Published: October 2022

Designing for online learning requires staff to rethink their approach to teaching and learning. A key challenge in this reconceptualisation is envisaging what this new teaching context might ‘look like’. In this paper, we describe the development of a self-paced online staff capacity building resource, which modelled good-practice online learning design principles and assisted staff to reconceptualise teaching through experiencing premium online learning.
Diverse Goals but One Heart with Mixed Reality in Information Systems
Authors: John Blooma , Rutherford Emily
Published: October 2022

The use of Mixed Reality (MR) in Information Systems learning and teaching pedagogies is becoming more widely accepted as providing a reflection of possible realities. The aim of using MR in learning design is to extend the student experience by helping them not only to ‘see the unseen’ through the capacity of MR but also to visualise and interact with complex and abstract concepts. This study expands on the current literature by applying design science to use, survey and evaluate Microsoft HoloLens, a MR device, in an Information Systems classroom. The significance of this study is the use of MR in an Information Systems class to understand and learn the technology and provide an authentic learning experience to prepare the students for technological disruption and the future of work. Student survey responses were positive, with high student satisfaction in the classroom, demonstrating critical and creative engagement with the technological limitations and challenges with the user experience. This paper concludes with suggestions of specific pedagogical models that could be used in Information Systems education.
Analysing student interactions in a flipped engineering course
Authors: Khoo Elaine , Ranger Gareth , Scott Jonathan , Peter Mira
Published: October 2022

Flipped classrooms can support more open, flexible and collaborative student-centred learning. There is evidence that flipping learning can result in more effective learning processes and outcomes. However, not much is known about students’ learning process in terms of their interactions while working collaboratively in a flipped class context. This understanding is essential to inform lecturers’ timely and relevant facilitation of student learning. This paper reports on the findings from a study focused on the interactions, specifically types of talk, first- year undergraduate engineering students engaged in while collaboratively solving problem tasks in their practical lab sessions as part of a flipped class learning approach in a New Zealand university. Data were collected from a six-week video observation of student interactions. Herrington and Oliver’s (1999) analytical framework on higher order, lower order, procedural, and social talk was used to analyse the video data. Findings revealed that the highest proportion of student interactions were procedural in nature followed by higher order, lower order, and finally, social talk types. These indicate the potential of the flipped class approach in fostering higher order talk in support of learning. Implications for practice are offered.
A Learning Analytics Approach to Model and Predict Learners’ Success in Digital Learning
Authors: Khor Ean Teng , Looi Chee Kit
Published: October 2022

Learning analytics methods are widely applied in the educational field to gain insights on hidden patterns from educational data. Methods like predictive learning analytics are used to identify and measure patterns in learning data and extrapolate future behaviours. It can be used to enable the learners to be more self-aware of their learning behaviours and to enable the instructor to take appropriate actions informed by the trace of data. Thus such methods can empower learners as they progress through online training, and allows them to be self-regulated in order to solidify their learning and develop positive habits that will enhance their learning experiences. This paper reports on the use of a popular decision tree classification algorithm using behavioural features from a public domain dataset to develop a predictive model for predicting learning performance. Among the five behavioural features, we find that the measure of visited resources provides the most discriminating rules in the classifier.
Educational Technologists, Universal Design and Transforming Higher Education
Authors: McNutt Larry
Published: October 2022

The field of educational technology continues to develop and grow in an era of unprecedented demand for the fruits of the higher education orchard. However, the persistent inequalities in relation to access and transfer opportunities remain. In parallel the field of universal design has evolved as a framework that allows us to reframe the ambition of enabling full participation for all citizens by adopting a whole systems approach. Educational technologists have articulated their desire to have an impact on all aspects of the higher education system – however current HE structures often relegate their work to marginalised or subsidiary roles with the HE hierarchy. Previous research capturing the values and beliefs of educational technologists resonates strongly with the emerging universal design for learning agenda. This paper will propose that personal and collective ambitions of educational technologists can be further realised by adopting the principles of universal design.
The semi-formal benchmarking of TEL practice: Helping the TEL community get its act together
Authors: Sankey Michael D , Campbell Chris , Poulsen Simone
Published: October 2022

Over the last year, two major sector-wide events were held that have brought together technology enhanced learning (TEL) professionals from across the country to semi-formally benchmark their practices in the use of new and emerging technologies. These events have focused on major trends with technologies such as virtual and augmented reality and the use of the Office O365 suite of tools with a special focus on the use of the Teams application. This paper reports on the findings of these two national Summits hosted and facilitated by Griffith University. The motivating force for these free Summits was to provide an open forum for the sharing of practice across Australian and New Zealand universities. The data gained through the formal evaluations of these activities indicated that the collegial nature of these events has assisted in stimulating an openness and willingness to share examples of good practice seen across the sector. This form of semi-formal benchmarking is both appreciated and highly valued as TEL professionals seek to push in to new territories and provide opportunities for this community to further share their practices.
The Power of Podcasts – sharing stories to transform teaching practices, learning experiences and academic cultures
Authors: Taylor Natasha , Curran Lisa
Published: October 2022

The presenters will tell the story of Open Classrooms, drawing on audio-visual resources to give the audience a multi-perspective understanding of the project and its impact. We will include a description of the practical approaches we have taken to recruiting interviewees, preparing them for the conversation, recording, publishing and marketing/advertising. Data from our on-going evaluation work will be used to tell our emergent impact story, including formal intended outcomes as well as some of the more surprising benefits to individuals and school cultures. Finally, we will reflect on the experience from our own perspective as academic developers with no previous experience of podcasting.
Client’s digital stories: Using the lived experience to personalise online learning
Authors: Taylor Darci , Hagger Virginia , McNamara Cath , Crawford Tim , Lane Peter
Published: October 2022

Clients’ stories of their lived experience of disease and illness are an important part of the nursing curriculum that fosters the development of a client-centered approach to healthcare. While opportunities for these types of learning experiences have historically been possible via placements or simulations, opportunities for such personalised interactions in the online context is more difficult. Digital stories offer a way to bring the lived experience to online learning. Digital stories are short multi-media clips that bring a character’s experiences to life, yet research into the impact of these stories on student learning is sparse. This paper presents a work in progress and preliminary findings from 20 students’ responses to client’s digital stories in a fully online course using the construct of empathy to identify themes in the students’ comments. Themes indicated that the digital stories helped student learning, assisted with the development of empathy, and stimulated engagement by tapping into the emotional dimension of learning. The study suggests that learning design incorporating client digital stories assists with the development of empathy, aids in understanding and stimulates engagement by inspiring students through personal connections with clients.
What learning means to you: Exploring the intersection between educational and digital lives of university students through digital narratives
Authors: Yu Tingting , Bryant Peter
Published: October 2022

The inclusive nature of the student experience in higher education has been recognised by a growing number of researchers (Arambewela & Maringe, 2012). Understanding how the whole experience is affected by students’ emotions, connections and use of technologies is essential for higher education providers and professionals in a post-digital context (Verdonck, Greenaway, Kennedy-Behr, & Askew, 2019). Conducted in 2018 and 2019, the Work. Live. Play. Learn (WLPL) project series collected digital stories from 143 university students about their technology empowered holistic learning experience. These stories covered topics around how students’ educational, digital and personal lives intersected with the use of social mediaand learning technologies. Apart from providing access to more expansive and accessible learning spaces, the use of technology also revealed the challenges in the transitive state many students are facing, such as social isolation, pressure and engagement with disciplines (Barnett, 2007). While exposing some complexity in their learning experience, the students also engaged in actively seeking for ways to better their own learning experience. The findings and digital narrative method in this study can be used sustainably in getting students’ feedback and understanding modern learning to design better educational experiences for students.
The challenge of learning analytics implementation: lessons learned
Authors: Beer Colin , Jones David , Lawson Celeste
Published: October 2022

Despite broad interest in learning analytics across the Australian Higher Education sector, there remains few examples of institution-wide implementations. Learning analytics implementation is currently under-theorised with little knowledge of the complexities that mediate the systemic uptake required for an institution-wide implementation. It has been established that approaches to learning analytics that are exclusively top-down or bottom-up, are insufficient for successful implementation across an enterprise. Drawing upon an award-winning and institution-wide learning analytics intervention that has been used across almost 5,000 unit offerings, this paper formulates an initial set of theory informed design principles that can help learning analytics practitioners mediate the complexities of institution-wide implementation.
Strategic competence, task complexity, and foreign language learners’ speaking performance: a hierarchical linear modelling approach
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Zhang Lawrence Jun , Wilson Aaron J.
Published: October 2022

Understanding the intricate relationships among strategic competence, tasks and performance is an issue of perennial interest in the assessment of foreign/second languages especially in integrated speaking assessment, a field that is under-researched. Against this background, we investigated such complex relationships in the context of integrated speaking assessment of English as foreign language (EFL) learners, hoping to provide additional empirical evidence to address the problem. In the investigation, strategic competence was defined as metacognitive strategy use and was measured via an inventory administered on 120 Chinese university EFL students; task characteristics were conceptualised as task complexity and were measured on a self-rating scale by the students and five EFL teachers; and the students’ speaking performance was indicated by their scores on four integrated speaking assessment tasks. Data analysis through a hierarchy linear modelling approach led to two primary findings: Monitoring, one form of strategic competence, moderated the effect of task complexity on performance; strategic competence had no substantial effects on performance which had an inverse relationship with task complexity. These findings will add validity evidence for the foreign language speaking assessment literature and provide implications for speaking instruction and test development.
Application of intelligent logistics inventory optimization algorithm based on digital supply chain
Authors: Lin Dongming , Li Molin , Zhan Qinhui , Song Xinlei , Yang Yaming , Li Hui
Published: October 2022

Inventory is the core link of enterprise operation and an essential resource for enterprises to occupy the market. Therefore, optimizing the control and management of inventory is a necessary measure for enterprises to maintain their core competitiveness. However, at present, the optimization of the enterprise’s inventory is basically still at the single inventory level, which seriously shortens the life cycle of the enterprise’s products and reduces the speed of the enterprise’s capital flow. Digital supply chain is the digitization of traditional supply chain services, which can change the traditional thinking of inventory control and management, break down the barriers between enterprises and modern logistics, and build a complete management system for enterprises. Smart logistics is a product of the new era, and it is also a product of the development of the digital supply chain. To this end, this paper proposes an inventory optimization algorithm based on digital supply chain and smart logistics. The algorithm is optimized on the basis of the original inventory optimization scheme, so that the improved algorithm can be more suitable for actual inventory management needs. The experimental results of this paper show that the improved new inventory optimization algorithm improves the comprehensive benefit by 39.1% on the original basis, which can effectively reduce the error in the actual use process.
Time interval to delivery in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a short cervix at 23–28 weeks’ gestation
Authors: Gulersen Moti , Blitz Matthew J. , Lenchner Erez , Lal Tara , Rochelson Burton , Bornstein Eran
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the risk and timing of spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) in asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a short cervical length (CL≤25 mm) at 23–28 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective cohort study of asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a short CL between 23 and 28 weeks’ gestation within a university health system from 1/2012 to 12/2019. Cases were divided into 4 groups based on CL measurement (≤10 mm, 11–15 mm, 16–20 mm, and 21–25 mm). The primary outcome was time interval from presentation to delivery. Secondary outcomes included delivery within one and two weeks of presentation, and delivery prior to 32, 34, and 37 weeks, respectively.

Results

104 patients were included. The time interval from presentation to delivery was significantly different among the four groups (p<0.001), with the CL≤10 mm group having the shortest time interval to delivery. Regardless of the CL measurement, spontaneous PTB within one and two weeks was extremely uncommon and occurred in only one patient within the study cohort (1/104, 1.0%). The risk of spontaneous PTB was highest in the shortest CL group (CL ≤ 10 mm; 53.8% PTB<32 weeks, 61.5% PTB<34 weeks, 92.3% PTB<37 weeks).

Conclusions

Asymptomatic twin pregnancies with a CL ≤ 10 mm had the shortest time interval to delivery and thus represent a specifically high risk group for sPTB. Although all patients were at high risk of sPTB, only one delivered within 1 or 2 weeks of presentation.
Hologram imaging quality improvement by ionization controlling based on the self-trapped excitons with double-pulse femtosecond laser
Authors: Wang Feifei , Jiang Lan , Pan Changji , Wang Zhipeng , Lian Yiling , Wang Qingsong , Tao Wenpan , Sun Jingya
Published: October 2022

Holograms hidden inside transparent materials are important for information encryption storage because of their advantages of secrecy, and could completely avoid information loss caused by surface wear. Inside the transparent material, the modified filaments array was need for hologram fabrication to change the optical phase or amplitude of incident laser, which is sensitive to the change of refractive index. Then the uniformity of modified filaments inside transparent materials is highly required. In this study, by tuning the interval time of the double-pulse processing, holograms with improved imaging quality were fabricated by double-pulse femtosecond laser and the effect and mechanism of self-trapped excitons (STEs) on the ablation have been systematically studied. The imaging quality of the hologram fabricated with double-pulse laser was superior to that of the one fabricated with the single-pulse laser and 350 fs was verified to be the best time interval for double-pulse processing. The evolution of the electrons dynamics was investigated by using the pump-probe technology. With the double-pulse time interval increasing, the residual electrons, excitons, STEs, and defects caused by the first sub-pulse would become dominated sequentially. The results demonstrated the controllability of STEs and quality improvement of final structures by double-pulse femtosecond laser processing.
Quantitative and sensitive detection of alpha fetoprotein in serum by a plasmonic sensor
Authors: Xiong Yang , Hu Huatian , Zhang Tianzhu , Xu Yuhao , Gao Fei , Chen Wen , Zheng Guangchao , Zhang Shunping , Xu Hongxing
Published: October 2022

Quantitative molecular detection based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is still a great challenge because of the highly nonuniform distribution of the SERS hot spots and the nondeterministic spatial and spectral overlap of the analyte with the hot spot. Here, we report a nanoparticle-on-mirror plasmonic sensor excited by surface plasmon polaritons for quantitative SERS detection of alpha fetoprotein in serum with ultrahigh sensitivity. The uniform gaps between the nanoparticles and gold film and the alignment of the gap modes relative to the excitation electric field endow this substrate with a uniform and strong SERS enhancement. The limit of detection reaches 1.45 fM, 697 times higher than that under normal excitation and 7800 times higher than a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. This approach offers a potential solution to overcome the bottleneck in the field of SERS-based biosensing.
NIR-II light-activated two-photon squaric acid dye with Type I photodynamics for antitumor therapy
Authors: Wang Kexin , Xu Yunjian , Chen Zhenjiang , Li Huixian , Hu Rui , Qu Junle , Lu Yuan , Liu Liwei
Published: October 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for hypoxic tumors has attracted wide attention owing to its noninvasiveness, easy maneuverability, and instantaneity. However, hypoxia in tumors and penetration depth of conventional ultraviolet light has greatly weakened its performance. To solve these problems, under NIR-II light irradiation, squaric acid nanoparticles (SQ NPs) with superior reactive oxygen, especially, hydroxyl radicals (•OH) production performance were first utilized for hypoxic tumor therapy. SQ NPs with intense light capture capability, intense NIR emission, and excellent photobleaching resistance show continuous •OH generation capabilities under NIR-II laser excitation. Through the superior PDT performance, the growth of hypoxic tumors was effectively inhibited, and the survival rate of mice was improved. This work highlights the application of NIR-II photoexcitation in deep tissue type I photodynamic therapy of hypoxic tumors, which will facilitate the development of hypoxic tumor PDT in deep depth.
Jones-matrix imaging based on two-photon interference
Authors: Yung Tsz Kit , Liang Hong , Xi Jiawei , Tam Wing Yim , Li Jensen
Published: October 2022

Two-photon interference is an important effect that is tightly related to the quantum nature of light. Recently, it has been shown that the photon bunching from the Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect can be used for quantum imaging in which sample properties (reflection/transmission amplitude, phase delay, or polarization) can be characterized at the pixel-by-pixel level. In this work, we perform Jones matrix imaging for an unknown object based on two-photon interference. By using a reference metasurface with panels of known polarization responses in pairwise coincidence measurements, the object’s polarization responses at each pixel can be retrieved from the dependence of the coincidence visibility as a function of the reference polarization. The post-selection of coincidence images with specific reference polarization in our approach eliminates the need in switching the incident polarization and thus parallelized optical measurements for Jones matrix characterization. The parallelization in preparing input states, prevalent in any quantum algorithms, is an advantage of adopting two-photon interference in Jones matrix imaging. We believe our work points to the usage of metasurfaces in biological and medical imaging in the quantum optical regime.
Investigation of optimized ELM using Invasive Weed-optimization and Cuckoo-Search optimization
Authors: Rathod Nilesh , Wankhade Sunil
Published: October 2022

In order to classify data and improve extreme learning machine (ELM), this study explains how a hybrid optimization-driven ELM technique was devised. Input data are pre-processed in order to compute missing values and convert data to numerical values using the exponential kernel transform. The Jaro–Winkler distance is used to identify the relevant features. The feed-forward neural network classifier is used to categorize the data, and it is trained using a hybrid optimization technique called the modified enhanced Invasive Weed, a meta heuristic algorithm, and Cuckoo Search, a non-linear optimization algorithm ELM. The enhanced Invasive Weed optimization (IWO) algorithm and the enhanced Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm are combined to create the modified CSIWO. The experimental findings presented in this work demonstrate the viability and efficacy of the created ELM method based on CSIWO, with good experimental result as compared to other ELM techniques.
Communication networks used by smallholder livestock farmers during disease outbreaks: Case study in the Free State, South Africa
Authors: Nwafor Christopher Ugochukwu , Nwafor Ifeoma Chinyelu
Published: October 2022

Smallholder livestock farmers routinely use existing communication networks as their information sources. This study explored these information sources, the frequency of contacts, and perceived usefulness of livestock health-related information received from these sources. Respondents were randomly selected from two farming districts in the Free State province. Using a mix of descriptive and correlation analyses, it categorized respondents according to their total information scores (TISs) and explored the relationship between their scores and socioeconomic characteristics. Findings show that 65% of farmers scored a high reliance on fellow farmers and extension officials. Mass media sources such as radio and television scored low on perceived usefulness. The correlation coefficients for age (−0.228), farming experience (0.183), extension visits (0.002), and information contacts (0.214) were significant (p< 0.05). Level of education (0.256), herd size (0.067), and perceived usefulness of information contacts (0.252) were also significant (p< 0.01). Gender, household size, income, cooperative participation, and access to financial services were not correlated to the TISs of respondents. It was recommended that mass media sources in the area be supported by extension communication specialists to disseminate livestock health-related information.
Consumers, not Contributors? The Study of the Mesolithic and the Study of Hunter-Gatherers
Authors: Elliott Ben , Warren Graeme
Published: October 2022

This article examines the relationship between the archaeology of the Mesolithic and the broader archaeology and anthropology of hunter-gatherers. Bibliographic reviews of articles presented at past MESO conferences and recent high-ranking Mesolithic research publications are compared to content reviews of contributions towards previous Conference on Hunting and Gathering Societies conferences. The results of these are presented as evidence to suggest that, whilst Mesolithic archaeologists consume the results of the broader field of hunter-gatherer research, we do not contribute to this field as much as might be expected. We argue that this lack of engagement impoverishes both Mesolithic archaeology and hunter-gatherer studies and that closer collaboration between these fields would open up new avenues for interdisciplinary research with the capacity to address the challenges of hunter-gatherer societies living around the world today.
Cause analysis of the fluorescent displays on the guide vane platform
Authors: Zhang H. Y. , Lv C. , Qu S. , Dong C. , Wang X. , Zhang Z.
Published: October 2022

After surface grinding, linear and dotlike fluorescent displays were found on the blade platform of a gas turbine guide vane. Through detailed inspections of macro- and micro morphologies and the crack fracture, the fluorescent displays are fine cracks in nature, and the difference in morphology is related to the distribution of the fine cracks. The fine cracks should be shrinkage cracks in castings. The grinding force caused internal cracks to appear on the grinding surface.
Lumen & Colours: A journey into the world of science
Authors: Reiter K. , Wiljes S. , Engel F. , Ebinal I.
Published: October 2022

A metallographer is often rewarded with a beautiful image when looking through the microscope. These images deserve to be made accessible to the general public. Within the project “Lumen & Colours: Faces of a city – a participatory project combining media art and urban design” funded by the German Federal Cultural Foundation (German: Kulturstiftung des Bundes), the opportunity arose to map images recorded via light optical as well as scanning electron microscopy onto different building facades of the city.

A selection of images from research and failure analysis conducted at the Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT), for example, were projected onto the facade of the cleanroom. The appeal lies in the fact that an image is associated with a location, that matter is merged with imagination and natural sciences with art. On the cleanroom building, which is a work of art in itself as its structural design is modelled after a silicon wafer, the image and the facade merge to become one. Art and science are surprisingly close to each other. A new dimension is revealed on the huge 36-meter wide facade of the Fraunhofer ISIT by a giant video projector with a weight of around 100 kg and an output of 30 000 ANSI lumens. [1]

Moreover, the images were animated and projected onto different buildings in the city as part of a virtual presentation.

This contribution will explain the technical background of the images obtained in battery research and from the analysis of silicon wafers and solder joints and will show the different views offered by microscopic observation and how these images become one with different facades.
Alcohol intake during pregnancy and fetal alcohol syndrome
Authors: Bereda Gudisa
Published: October 2022

Alcohol intake during pregnancy is a major public health challenge because of the numerous deleterious effects on a developing fetus. A range of contextual and structural factors such as poverty, histories of trauma and violence, physical and mental health concerns, sociocultural and economic vulnerabilities, and child welfare involvement are influences the utilization of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Binge drinking; which means an intake of greater or equal to 5 drinks on a single occasion is the most hazardous pattern of alcohol drinking that can cause high blood alcohol concentration and injuries the unborn fetus by passing across the placenta. Fetal alcohol syndrome can be described by a specific pattern of abnormal facial features, growth retardation, and central nervous system abnormalities which frequently result in behavioral and/or cognitive disabilities. Teratogenic effects of fetal alcohol exposure may lead to actual and potential challenges, instantly after birth, at infancy, or even later, leading to anatomical abnormalities, behavioral problems, and mental impairment in life. Bilateral renal agenesis is occurred during the second month of pregnancy; if the pregnant women consume the alcohol heavily. The deformities of cardiac abnormalities demonstrated from prenatal alcohol exposure are plastic kidneys, dysplastic kidneys, ureteral duplications, hypoplastic kidneys, hydronephrosis, and horseshoe kidneys.
Clinical findings post hospital discharge in patients with covid-19: A telephone interview study
Authors: Oliva Marlon , Joy Renu , Gadhia Ruhee , Gbaje Ejiro , V. Bergasa Nora , Mercado Jonna
Published: October 2022

Importance:Active COVID-19 symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat and others are well established. However, there is limited information on the persistence of symptoms post infection. Objective:To identify the post discharge symptoms amongst adult patients discharged from the hospital after having been hospitalized and treated for COVID-19 from March to the end of May of 2020. Design, setting, and participants:Adult patients discharged from the hospital after admission for COVID-19 infection were contacted via a telephone encounter as a post-discharge follow-up, which ranged from 9 to 92 days with an average of 57 days post discharge. A standardized questionnaire was used during post discharge telephone encounter for the patients to assess presence or absence of symptoms following discharge. Main outcomes and measures:Chi-square statistics were used to calculate unadjusted associations between predictors and the symptom status outcome, and Fisher’s exact statistic was used in the case of rare events/low cell counts. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine any association between the predictors and the outcome of still being symptomatic versus having improved symptoms at follow-up date. Firth’s logistic regression was applied to the analysis in order to handle sample bias as well as low cell counts. Results:Out of the 337 patients who were discharged after COVID-19 hospitalization, 180 had successful post discharge telephone encounters. The majorities of the patients were male, 108 (60%) and belonged to the age group, 35-64 years. Out of 180 patients, 151 (83.88%) were asymptomatic and 29 (16.11%) were still symptomatic. Of the 29 symptomatic patients, the most common symptoms reported were persistent fever, 19 (65.52%), shortness of breath, 19 (65.52%) and cough, 25 (86.21%). Conclusion and relevance:The majority of patients discharged from the hospital where they had been attended for COVID-19 were asymptomatic post discharge. Our study identified that a proportion of patients could remain symptomatic after COVID 19 hospitalization. The importance of follow up post hospital discharge is highlighted in this study.
Nosocomial infection causing bacteria identification in tertiary care hospital of saidu sharif, Swat, Khyber pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Khan Muddasir , Nazir Uddin Muhammad , Hussain Shah Syed
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Nosocomial infection is global problem and more severe in under-developed countries. The chances of these infections become more increased in the immune compromised patients that may cause mortality or morbidity. The aim of the current study was isolation of bacterial isolates associated with Nosocomial infections from tertiary care hospital Saidu Sharif, Swat, Pakistan. Methods: The study was conducted in the tertiary care hospital Saidu Sharif, Swat, Pakistan from August-December 2017. The samples were collected from medical, surgical, gynea wards and operation theater environment of the hospital. On the basis of colony morphology and biochemical test total eleven different bacterial isolates were identified. Results: These isolates are Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aurous, Bacillus subtilus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogens, Micrococcus luteus, and Rhodococcus equi. The data revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present in maximum amount in floor, wall, bed sheet, instruments, and hands before and after dressing, followed by Staphylococcus aureus present in floor, wall, bed sheet, instruments, before and after nurse hands. Conclusions: Hygienic sanitation of the hospital and improve the hospital equipment and public awareness about nosocomial infection is needed.
Die Reformation ist zu Ende – die Reform geht weiter
Authors: Hilberath Bernd Jochen
Published: October 2022

Um meine These vom Ende der Reformation theologisch zu belegen, gehe ich die aufeinanderfolgenden Fragen durch, die mir die Menschen in den Gemeinden stellen: Was hindert uns daran, gemeinsam zum Tisch des Herrn zu gehen? Das Eucharistieverständnis (Realpräsenz, Opfercharakter)? Das Amt? Die Lehre von der Kirche und der apostolischen Sukzession? Oder doch die Rechtfertigungslehre? Und last but not least: Wenn die kirchenspaltende Reformation doch zu Ende ist, welche Reformen stehen an?

A Reforma está terminada – a Reforma continua

Para provar teologicamente minha tese sobre o fim da Reforma, tratarei das seguintes questões que as pessoas me fazem nas comunidades: o que nos impede de participarmos juntos da Ceia do Senhor? A compreensão da Eucaristia (presença real, caráter sacrificial)? O ministério? A doutrina da Igreja e a sucessão apostólica? Ou a doutrina da justificação? E, por último, mas não menos importante: se a Reforma Divisória da Igreja chegou ao fim, que reformas estão previstas?

Palavras-chave: teologia ecumênica; reforma; eucaristia; ministério; justificação.