Search results for: Iran’s 2022 crisis

Authors: Vangelis Papadimitropoulos

Abstract:

The paper is part of the research project “Techno-Social Innovation in the Collaborative Economy'', funded by the Hellenic Foundation of Research and Innovation for the years 2022-2024. The research project examines the normative and empirical conditions of grassroots technologically driven innovation, potentially enabling the transition towards a commons-oriented post-capitalist economy. The project carries out a conceptually led and empirically grounded multi-case study of the digital commons, open-source technologies, platform cooperatives, open cooperatives and Distributed Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) on the Blockchain. The methodological scope of research is interdisciplinary inasmuch as it comprises political theory, economics, sustainability science and computer science, among others. The research draws specifically on Michel Bauwens and Vasilis Kostakis' model of open cooperativism between the commons, ethical market entities and a partner state. Bauwens and Kostakis advocate for a commons-based counter-hegemonic post-capitalist transition beyond and against neoliberalism. The research further employs Laclau and Mouffe's discourse theory of hegemony to introduce a post-hegemonic conceptualization of the model of open cooperativism. Thus, the paper aims to outline the theoretical contribution of the research project to contemporary political theory debates on post-capitalism and the collaborative economy.

Keywords: open cooperativism, techno-social innovation, post-hegemony, post-capitalism

Procedia PDF Downloads 66

Authors: Elham Alaee, Mousa Shamsi, Hossein Ahmadi, Soroosh Nazem, Mohammad Hossein Sedaaghi

Abstract:

Human face has a fundamental role in the appearance of individuals. So the importance of facial surgeries is undeniable. Thus, there is a need for the appropriate and accurate facial skin segmentation in order to extract different features. Since Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm doesn’t work appropriately for noisy images and outliers, in this paper we exploit Possibilistic C-Means (PCM) algorithm in order to segment the facial skin. For this purpose, first, we convert facial images from RGB to YCbCr color space. To evaluate performance of the proposed algorithm, the database of Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran was used. In order to have a better understanding from the proposed algorithm; FCM and Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithms are also used for facial skin segmentation. The proposed method shows better results than the other segmentation methods. Results include misclassification error (0.032) and the region’s area error (0.045) for the proposed algorithm.

Keywords: facial image, segmentation, PCM, FCM, skin error, facial surgery

Procedia PDF Downloads 586

Authors: Ren-Jye Lin, Li-Hsiung Lin, Bing-Cheng Liu, Ching-Len Liao

Abstract:

The human zinc finger protein 36-like protein family, containing zinc finger protein 36-like 1 (ZFP36L1) and zinc finger protein 36-like 2 (ZFP36L2), belongs to CCCH-type zinc-finger protein identified as an RNA-binding protein that participates in controlling posttranscriptional regulation via RNA decay pathways. Recently, we demonstrated that human ZFP36L1 showed potent antiviral activity against flavivirus Infection by both 5´-3´ XRN1 and 3´-5´RNA-exosome RNA decay pathways (Journal of Virology 2022 Jan 12;96(1): e0166521). However, another zinc finger protein 36-like protein member, ZFP36L2, in the host defense response against flaviviruses has yet to be addressed. Here, we also demonstrate that ZFP36L2 functions as a host innate defender against flaviviruses, including Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and dengue virus (DENV). Overexpression of ZFP36L2 reduced JEV and DENV infection, and ZFP36L2 knockdown significantly promoted viral replication. Distinct from the antiviral mechanism of ZFP36L1, ZFP36L2 inhibits flavivirus infection by only a 5´-3´ XRN1-mediated RNA decay pathway but not the 3´-5´RNA-exosome RNA decay pathway. Human ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 can restrict flavivirus replication by directly binding and destabilizing viral RNA. Thus, for the first time, human zinc finger protein 36-like family members, ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2, are identified as host antiviral factors that can bind and degrade flavivirus viral RNA by diverse antiviral mechanisms.

Keywords: ZFP36L1, ZFP36L2, 5'-3' exonuclease XRN1, antiviral mechansim

Procedia PDF Downloads 78

Authors: Shao Qi

Abstract:

The article uses the CiteSpace knowledge graph analysis tool to sort and visualize the journal literature on urban plants and habitats in the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Based on a comprehensive interpretation of the visualization results of various data sources and the description of the intrinsic relationship between high-frequency keywords using knowledge mapping, the research hotspots, processes and evolution trends in this field are analyzed. Relevant case studies are also conducted for the hotspot contents to explore the means of landscape intervention and synthesize the understanding of research theories. The results show that (1) from 1999 to 2022, the research direction of urban plants and habitats gradually changed from focusing on plant and animal extinction and biological invasion to the field of human urban habitat creation, ecological restoration, and ecosystem services. (2) The results of keyword emergence and keyword growth trend analysis show that habitat creation research has shown a rapid and stable growth trend since 2017, and ecological restoration has gained long-term sustained attention since 2004. The hotspots of future research on urban plants and habitats in China may focus on habitat creation and ecological restoration.

Keywords: research trends, visual analysis, habitat creation, ecological restoration

Procedia PDF Downloads 61

Authors: Parveen Kundu, Nitika Chawla, Ruchi Agarwal, Swaran Kaur

Abstract:

Background: Mature cystic teratoma is a benign, most common tumor of the ovary occurring mostly in young and middle-aged females. This study consists of 19 cases of mature cystic teratomas which were received in the Department Of Pathology over a period of two years. There were malignant transformations observed in three cases, which makes it very important for pathologists to thoroughly examine the entire specimen of mature cystic teratomas. Material and Methods: Nineteen reported cases of mature cystic teratomas were received in Deptt. Of Pathology, BPS GMC Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, over a two-year period from November 2020 to October 2022 and reviewed retrospectively. Data regarding age, size, laterality, gross, morphological features, and surgery performed were retrieved from pathological archives. Results: In our study, the most common age of presentation was the 20-40 year age group. The most common presenting complaint was fullness in the abdomen or abdominal distension. Four out of 19 cases studied cases presented with bilateral ovarian cysts. Tumor size ranged from 6 to 20 cm in diameter. In seven cases, cysts were greater than or equal to 10 cm in diameter. Three cases showed malignant transformation. Conclusion: It is very important to thoroughly examine the contralateral ovary to rule out bilateral presentation. A furthermost thorough examination is advised in tumors of size >10 cm and in tumors with solid areas to rule out any malignant transformation.

Keywords: teratoma, ovary, malignant, transformation

Procedia PDF Downloads 87

Authors: Zahra Mirsanjari, Mohammad Reza Baradaran, Mehdi Rastegari Ghiri

Abstract:

Research in the field of education has widely documented that teachers’ sense of efficacy has strong impacts on various aspects of teaching and learning. The present study is an attempt to examine Iranian EFL teachers’ degree of self-efficacy for teaching English. The data required for the study was gathered from Iranian EFL teachers teaching English as a foreign language in different schools and language institutes in Iran. Data were collected using Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES). Results identified four dimensions of teachers’ English teaching-specific sense of efficacy: instructional strategies, classroom management, student engagement, and oral English language use. It was also found that teachers rated their self-efficacy in teaching English at a moderate level in the dimensions of instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Results have implications for language teachers and practitioners.

Keywords: Self-efficacy, teaching, EFL, teachers

Procedia PDF Downloads 530

Authors: Nidhal Mgadmi, Abdelhafidh Othmani

Abstract:

This article examines the causal relationship between stock indices and cryptocurrencies during the current war between Russia and Ukraine. The econometric investigation runs from February 24, 2022, to April 12, 2023, focusing on seven stock market indices (S&P500, DAX, CAC40, Nikkei, TSX, MOEX, and PFTS) and seven cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litcoin, Dash, Ripple, DigiByte and XEM). In this article, we try to understand how investors react to fluctuations in financial assets to seek safe havens in cryptocurrencies. We used dynamic causality to detect a possible causal relationship in the short term and seven models to estimate the long-term relationship between cryptocurrencies and financial assets. The causal relationship between financial market indexes and cryptocurrency coins in the short run indicates that three famous cryptocurrencies (BITCOIN, ETHEREUM, RIPPLE) and the two digital assets with minor popularity (XEM, Digibyte) are impacted by the German, Russian, and Ukrainian stock markets. In the long run, we found a positive and significate effect of the American, Canadian, French, and Ukrainian stock market indexes on Bitcoin. Thus, the stability of the traditional financial markets during the current war period can be explained on the one hand by investors’ fears of an unstable business climate, and on the other hand, by speculators’ sentiment towards new electronic products, which are perceived as hedging instruments and a safe haven in the face of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Keywords: causality, stock indices, cryptocurrency, war, Russia, Ukraine

Procedia PDF Downloads 67

Authors: Yuri Teterin, Lomali Generdukaev, Dmitry Blagovestnov, Peter Yartcev

Abstract:

Introduction: Under the definition "large biliary stones," we referred to stones over 1.5 cm, in which standard transpapillary litho extraction techniques were unsuccessful. Electrohydraulic and laser contact lithotripsy under SpyGlass control have been actively applied for the last decade in order to improve endoscopic treatment results. Aims and Methods: Between January 2019 and July 2022, the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care treated 706 patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis who underwent biliary stones removed from the common bile duct. Of them, in 57 (8, 1%) patients, the use of a Dormia basket or Biliary stone extraction balloon was technically unsuccessful due to the size of the stones (more than 15 mm in diameter), which required their destruction. Mechanical lithotripsy was used in 35 patients, and electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy under SpyGlass direct visualization system - in 26 patients. Results: The efficiency of mechanical lithotripsy was 72%. Complications in this group were observed in 2 patients. In both cases, on day one after lithotripsy, acute pancreatitis developed, which resolved on day three with conservative therapy (Clavin-Dindo type 2). The efficiency of contact lithotripsy was in 100% of patients. Complications were not observed in this group. Bilirubin level in this group normalized on the 3rd-4th day. Conclusion: Our study showed the efficacy and safety of electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy under SpyGlass control in a well-defined group of patients with large bile duct stones.

Keywords: contact lithotripsy, choledocholithiasis, SpyGlass, cholangioscopy, laser, electrohydraulic system, ERCP

Procedia PDF Downloads 80

Authors: Reza Samsami

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by proxy-acid method. The amounts of PAHs were determined in a silty-clay soil sample of an aged oil refinery field in Abadan, Iran. Proxy-acid treatment method was investigated. The results have shown that the proxy-acid system is an effective method for degradation of PAHs. The results also demonstrated that the number of fused aromatic rings have not significant effects on PAH removal by proxy-acid method. The results also demonstrated that the number of fused aromatic rings have not significant effects on PAH removal by proxy-acid method.

Keywords: proxy-acid treatment, silty-clay soil, PAHs, degradation

Procedia PDF Downloads 267

Authors: Kazi Rafikoddin

Abstract:

Conditionality refers to a precondition for getting external funds from IMF or WB by giving consent for implementation of the program of economic or political reforms especially relating to open economies. These are put forth under the label of structural adjustment. It is a kind of challenge on the part of borrowing government to exercise balance between the domestic obligations and the expectations of external funding agencies. Countries have to take loans under certain criteria and regulations because better loans are often not readily available. Therefore taking loans and renewing them to pay the same with new interest rates and conditions makes the governments entangled in the circle of debt. They are forced to compete with well-established multinational companies. If their access to industrialized countries' markets is impaired through protectionism, the developed world will be condemning the indebted nations to perpetual financial crisis. On the other hand, the ability to sell their goods free in the world market is reduced through the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programmes. Although there are examples of positive effects on certain economies like India, some Third World, and poor countries have experienced the ire of these remedies. This paper tries to find out the effects of SAPs on some borrowing countries.

Keywords: IMF, world bank, conditionalities, SAPs, Third World Countries

Procedia PDF Downloads 201

Authors: Samia Elfekih, Wee Tek Tay, Karl Gordon, Paul De Barro

Abstract:

Invasive species represent an increasing threat to food biosecurity, causing significant economic losses in agricultural systems. An example is the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, which is a complex of morphologically indistinguishable species causing average annual global damage estimated at US$2.4 billion. The Bemisia complex represents an interesting model for evolutionary studies because of their extensive distribution and potential for invasiveness and population expansion. Within this complex, two species, Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) have invaded well beyond their home ranges whereas others, such as Indian Ocean (IO) and Australia (AUS), have not. In order to understand why some Bemisia species have become invasive, genome-wide sequence scans were used to estimate population dynamics over time and relate these to climate. The Bayesian Skyline Plot (BSP) method as implemented in BEAST was used to infer the historical effective population size. In order to overcome sampling bias, the populations were combined based on geographical origin. The datasets used for this particular analysis are genome-wide SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) called separately in each of the following groups: Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso), Europe (Spain, France, Greece and Croatia), USA (Arizona), Mediterranean-Middle East (Israel, Italy), Middle East-Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Iran) and Reunion Island. The non-invasive ‘AUS’ species endemic to Australia was used as an outgroup. The main findings of this study show that the BSP for the Sub-Saharan African MED population is different from that observed in MED populations from the Mediterranean Basin, suggesting evolution under a different set of environmental conditions. For MED, the effective size of the African (Burkina Faso) population showed a rapid expansion ≈250,000-310,000 years ago (YA), preceded by a period of slower growth. The European MED populations (i.e., Spain, France, Croatia, and Greece) showed a single burst of expansion at ≈160,000-200,000 YA. The MEAM1 populations from Israel and Italy and the ones from Iran and Turkmenistan are similar as they both show the earlier expansion at ≈250,000-300,000 YA. The single IO population lacked the latter expansion but had the earlier one. This pattern is shared with the Sub-Saharan African (Burkina Faso) MED, suggesting IO also faced a similar history of environmental change, which seems plausible given their relatively close geographical distributions. In conclusion, populations within the invasive species MED and MEAM1 exhibited signatures of population expansion lacking in non-invasive species (IO and AUS) during the Pleistocene, a geological epoch marked by repeated climatic oscillations with cycles of glacial and interglacial periods. These expansions strongly suggested the potential of some Bemisia species’ genomes to affect their adaptability and invasiveness.

Keywords: whitefly, RADseq, invasive species, SNP, climate change

Procedia PDF Downloads 126

Authors: Nutthawadee Jampanil, Kattareeya Kumthip, Niwat Maneekarn, Pattara Khamrin

Abstract:

Rotavirus A is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in children younger than five years of age, especially in low-income countries in Africa and South Asia. Two live-attenuated oral rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, have been introduced into routine immunization programs in many countries and have proven highly effective in reducing the burden of rotavirus-associated morbidity and mortality. In Thailand, Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines have been included in the national childhood immunization program since 2020. The objectives of this research are to conduct a molecular epidemiological study and to characterize rotavirus genotypes circulating in pediatric patients with acute diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 2020-2022 after the implementation of rotavirus vaccines. Out of 858 stool specimens, 26 (3.0%) were positive for rotavirus A. G3P[8] (23.0%) was detected as the most predominant genotype, followed by G1P[8] (19.2%), G8P[8] (19.2%), G9P[8] (15.3%), G2P[4] (7.7%), G1P[6] (3.9%), G9P[4] (3.9%), and G8P[X] (3.9%). In addition, the uncommon rotavirus strain G3P[23] (3.9%) was also detected in this study, and this G3P[23] strain displayed a genetic background similar to the porcine rotavirus. In conclusion, there was a dramatic change in the prevalence of rotavirus A infection and the diversity of rotavirus A genotypes in pediatric patients in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, in the rotavirus post-vaccination period. The finding obtained from this research contributes to a better understanding of rotavirus epidemiology after rotavirus vaccine introduction. Furthermore, the identification of unusual G and P genotype combination strains provides significant evidence for the potential interspecies transmission between human and animal rotaviruses.

Keywords: rotavirus, infectious disease, gastroenteritis, Thailand

Procedia PDF Downloads 68

Authors: Margarita Grushanina

Abstract:

After several prominent central banks including European Central Bank (ECB), Federal Reserve System (Fed), Bank of Japan and Bank of England employed unconventional monetary policies in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008-2009 the problem of identification of the effects from such policies became of great interest. One of the main difficulties in identification of shocks from unconventional monetary policy measures in structural VAR analysis is that they often are anticipated, which leads to a non-fundamental MA representation of the VAR model. Moreover, the unconventional monetary policy actions may indirectly transmit to markets information about the future stance of the interest rate, which raises a question of the plausibility of the assumption of orthogonality between shocks from unconventional and conventional policy measures. This paper offers a method of identification that takes into account the abovementioned issues. The author uses factor-augmented VARs to increase the information set and identification through heteroskedasticity of error terms and rank restrictions on the errors’ second moments’ matrix to deal with the cross-correlation of the structural shocks.

Keywords: factor-augmented VARs, identification through heteroskedasticity, monetary policy, structural VARs

Procedia PDF Downloads 348

Authors: Hamid Reza Mahdipoor, Mehdi Bahrami, Mohammad Bodaghi, Seyed Ali Akbar Mansoori

Abstract:

Nowadays, with stricter limitations to reduce emissions, considerable penalties are imposed if pollution limits are exceeded. Therefore, refineries, along with focusing on improving the quality of their products, are also focused on producing products with the least environmental impact. The duty of the sulfur recovery unit (SRU) is to convert H₂S gas coming from the upstream units to elemental sulfur and minimize the burning of sulfur compounds to SO₂. The Claus process is a common process for converting H₂S to sulfur, including a reaction furnace followed by catalytic reactors and sulfur condensers. In addition to a Claus section, SRUs usually consist of a tail gas treatment (TGT) section to decrease the concentration of SO₂ in the flue gas below the emission limits. To operate an SRU properly, the flow rate of combustion air to the reaction furnace must be adjusted so that the Claus reaction is performed according to stoichiometry. Accurate control of the air demand leads to an optimum recovery of sulfur during the flow and composition fluctuations in the acid gas feed. Therefore, the major control system in the SRU is the air demand control loop, which includes a feed-forward control system based on predetermined feed flow rates and a feed-back control system based on the signal from the tail gas online analyzer. The use of online analyzers requires compliance with the installation and operation instructions. Unfortunately, most of these analyzers in Iran are out of service for different reasons, like the low importance of environmental issues and a lack of access to after-sales services due to sanctions. In this paper, an SRU in Iran was simulated and calibrated using industrial experimental data. Afterward, the effect of the malfunction of the online analyzer on the performance of SRU was investigated using the calibrated simulation. The results showed that an increase in the SO₂ concentration in the tail gas led to an increase in the temperature of the reduction reactor in the TGT section. This increase in temperature caused the failure of TGT and increased the concentration of SO₂ from 750 ppm to 35,000 ppm. In addition, the lack of a control system for the adjustment of the combustion air caused further increases in SO₂ emissions. In some processes, the major variable cannot be controlled directly due to difficulty in measurement or a long delay in the sampling system. In these cases, a secondary variable, which can be measured more easily, is considered to be controlled. With the correct selection of this variable, the main variable is also controlled along with the secondary variable. This strategy for controlling a process system is referred to as inferential control" and is considered in this paper. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the sensitivity of other measurable parameters to input disturbances. The results revealed that the output temperature of the first Claus reactor could be used for inferential control of the combustion air. Applying this method to the operation led to maximizing the sulfur recovery in the Claus section.

Keywords: sulfur recovery, online analyzer, inferential control, SO₂ emission

Procedia PDF Downloads 75

Authors: Nabi Ullah

Abstract:

The energy crisis of the current society has attracted research attention for alternative energy sources. Methanol oxidation is the source of energy but needs efficient electrocatalysts like Pt. However, their practical ability is hindered due to cost and poisoning effects. In this regard, an efficient catalyst is required for methanol oxidation. Herein, high temperature, pressure, and diethylenetryamine (DETA) as reaction medium/structure directing agent during the solvothermal method are used for nanobelt Cu₃Se₂/Cu₁.₈Se (mostly hexagonal appearance) formation. The electrocatalyst shows optimized methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) response in 1 M KOH and 0.5 M methanol at a scan rate of 50 mV/s and delivers a current density of 7.12 mA/mg at a potential of 0.65 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The catalyst exhibits high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) (0.088 mF/cm²) and low Rct with good stability for 3600 s, which favors its high MOR performance. This high response is due to its 2D hexagonal nanobelt morphology, which provides a large surface area for reaction. The space among nanobelts reduces diffusion kinetics, and the rough/irregular edge increases the reaction site to improve the methanol oxidation reaction overall.

Keywords: energy application, electrocatalysis, MOR, nanobelt

Procedia PDF Downloads 67

Authors: Z. Nurzaireena, K. Azalea, T. Azirawaty, S. Jameela, G. Muralitharan

Abstract:

The aim of this study is the review of the management practices of sickle cell disease patients during pregnancy, as well as the maternal and neonatal outcome at Ampang Hospital, Selangor. The study consisted of a review of pregnant patients with sickle cell disease under follow up at the Hematology Clinic, Ampang Hospital over the last seven years to assess their management and maternal-fetal outcome. The results of the review show that Ampang Hospital is considered the public hematology centre for sickle cell disease and had successfully managed three pregnancies throughout the last seven years. Patients’ presentations, managements and maternal-fetal outcome were compared and reviewed for academic improvements. All three patients were seen very early in their pregnancy and had been given a regime of folic acid, antibiotics and thrombo-prophylactic drugs. Close monitoring of maternal and fetal well being was done by the hematologists and obstetricians. Among the patients, there were multiple admissions during the pregnancy for either a painful sickle cell bone crisis, haemolysis following an infection and anemia requiring phenotype- matched blood and exchange transfusions. Broad spectrum antibiotics coverage during and infection, hydration, pain management and venous-thrombolism prophylaxis were mandatory. The pregnancies managed to reach near term in the third trimester but all required emergency caesarean section for obstetric indications. All pregnancies resulted in live births with good fetal outcome. During post partum all were nursed closely in the high dependency units for further complications and were discharged well. Post partum follow up and contraception counseling was comprehensively given for future pregnancies. Sickle cell disease is uncommonly seen in the East, especially in the South East Asian region, yet more cases are seen in the current decade due to improved medical expertise and advance medical laboratory technologies. Pregnancy itself is a risk factor for sickle cell patients as increased thrombosis event and risk of infections can lead to multiple crisis, haemolysis, anemia and vaso-occlusive complications including eclampsia, cerebrovasular accidents and acute bone pain. Patients mostly require multiple blood product transfusions thus phenotype-matched blood is required to reduce the risk of alloimmunozation. Emphasizing the risks and complications in preconception counseling and establishing an ultimate pregnancy plan would probably reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality to the mother and unborn child. Early management for risk of infection, thromboembolic events and adequate hydration is mandatory. A holistic approach involving multidisciplinary team care between the hematologist, obstetricians, anesthetist, neonatologist and close nursing care for both mother and baby would ensure the best outcome. In conclusion, sickle cell disease by itself is a high risk medical condition and pregnancy would further amplify the risk. Thus, close monitoring with combine multidisciplinary care, counseling and educating the patients are crucial in achieving the safe outcome.

Keywords: anaemia, haemoglobinopathies, pregnancy, sickle cell disease

Procedia PDF Downloads 258

Authors: Zahra Mirsanjari

Abstract:

Research in the field of education has widely documented that teachers’ sense of efficacy has strong impacts on various aspects of teaching and learning. The present study is an attempt to examine Iranian EFL teachers’ degree of self-efficacy for teaching English. The data required for the study was gathered from Iranian EFL teachers teaching English as a foreign language in different schools and language institutes in Iran. Data were collected using Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES). Results identified four dimensions of teachers’ English teaching-specific sense of efficacy: instructional strategies, classroom Management, Student Engagement, and Oral English Language Use.It was also found that teachers rated their self-efficacy in teaching English at a moderate level in the dimensions of instructional strategies, classroom management, and student engagement. Results have implications for language teachers and practitioners.

Keywords: self-efficacy, English Language teaching, EFL teachers, language teachers and practitioners.

Procedia PDF Downloads 459

Authors: I. O. Oladipo, Olusegun Adewale Ajayi, Omoniyi Oladipupo Adigun

Abstract:

Information Communication Technology (ICT) have the potential to contribute to different facets of educational development and effective learning; expanding access, promoting efficiency, improve the quality of learning, enhancing the quality of teaching and provide important mechanism for the economic crisis. Considering the prevalence of unemployment among the higher institution graduates in this nation, in which much seems not to have been achieved in this direction. In view of this, the purpose of this study is to create an awareness and enlightenment of ICT for empowerment opportunities after school. A self-developed modified 4-likert scale questionnaire was used for data collection among Colleges of Education, Physical and Health Education students in Oyo State. Inferential statistical analysis of chi-square set at 0.05 alpha levels was used to analyze the stated hypotheses. The study concludes that awareness and enlightenment of ICT significantly influence empowerment opportunities and recommended that college of education students should be encouraged on the application of ICT for job opportunity after school.

Keywords: employment, empowerment, information communication technology, physical education

Procedia PDF Downloads 390

Authors: Inas S. Khayal, Weiping Zhou, Jonathan Skinner

Abstract:

Healthcare delivery systems around the world are in crisis. The need to improve health outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs have led to an imminent call to action to transform the healthcare delivery system. While Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering have primarily focused on biological level data and biomedical technology, there is clear evidence of the importance of the delivery of care on patient outcomes. Classic singular decomposition approaches from reductionist science are not capable of explaining complex systems. Approaches and methods from systems science and systems engineering are utilized to structure healthcare delivery system data. Specifically, systems architecture is used to develop a multi-scale and multi-dimensional characterization of the healthcare delivery system, defined here as the Healthcare Delivery System Knowledge Base. This paper is the first to contribute a new method of structuring and visualizing a multi-dimensional and multi-scale healthcare delivery system using systems architecture in order to better understand healthcare delivery.

Keywords: health informatics, systems thinking, systems architecture, healthcare delivery system, data analytics

Procedia PDF Downloads 348

Authors: Philip Eappen, Narasimha Rao Vajjhala

Abstract:

This chapter examines how healthcare organizations harnessed innovative healthcare informatics to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pan-demic, addressing critical needs and improving care delivery. The pandemic's un-precedented demands necessitated the adoption of new and advanced tools to manage healthcare operations more effectively. Informatics solutions played a crucial role in facilitating the smooth functioning of healthcare systems during this crisis and are anticipated to remain central to future healthcare management. Technologies such as telemedicine helped healthcare professionals minimize ex-posure to COVID-19 patients, thereby reducing infection risks within healthcare facilities. This chapter explores a range of informatics applications utilized worldwide, including telemedicine, AI-driven solutions, big data analytics, drones, robots, and digital platforms for drug delivery, all of which enabled re-mote patient care and enhanced healthcare accessibility and safety during the pan-demic.

Keywords: healthcare informatics, COVID-19 Pandemic, telemedicine, AI-driven healthcare, big data analytics, remote patient care, digital health platforms

Procedia PDF Downloads 8

Authors: Ivonne Tshuma, Ralf Cord-Ruwisch, Wendell Ela

Abstract:

Water crisis is a world-wide problem because of population growth and climate change. Hence, desalination is a solution to water scarcity, which threatens the world. Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most used technique for desalination; unfortunately, this process, usually requires high-pressure requirement hence requires a lot of energy about 3 – 5.5 KWhr/m³ of electrical energy. The pressure requirements of RO can be alleviated by the use of PRO (pressure retarded osmosis) to drive the RO process. This paper proposes a process of utilizing the energy directly from PRO to drive an RO process. The paper mostly analyses the PRO process parameters such as cross-flow velocity, density, and buoyancy and how these have an effect on PRO hence ultimately the RO process. The experimental study of the PRO with various feed solution concentrations and cross-flow velocities at fixed applied pressure with different orientations of the PRO cell was performed. The study revealed that without cross-flow velocity, buoyancy effects were observed but not with cross-flow velocity.

Keywords: cross-flow velocity, pressure retarded osmosis, density, buoyancy

Procedia PDF Downloads 137

Authors: Samaneh Abolli, Mahmood Alimohammadi

Abstract:

The survey analyzed 71 bottled water brands in Tehran, Iran, examining 10 physicochemical parameters and 16 heavy metals. The water quality index (WQI) approach was used to assess water quality, and methods such as carcinogen risk (CR) and hazard index (HI) were employed to evaluate health risks. The results indicated that the bottled water had good quality overall, but some brands were of poor or very poor quality. The study also revealed significant human health risks, especially for children, due to the presence of minerals and heavy metals in bottled water. Correlation analyses and risk assessments for various substances were conducted, providing valuable insights into the potential health impacts of the analyzed bottled water.

Keywords: bottled wate, rwater quality index, health risk assessment, contamination degree, heavy metal evaluation index

Procedia PDF Downloads 53

Authors: Arniyati Ahmad, Christopher Johnson, Timothy Storer

Abstract:

Cyber exercises used to assess the preparedness of a community against cyber crises, technology failures and critical information infrastructure (CII) incidents. The cyber exercises also called cyber crisis exercise or cyber drill, involved partnerships or collaboration of public and private agencies from several sectors. This study investigates organisation cyber resilience (OCR) of participation sectors in cyber exercise called X Maya in Malaysia. This study used a principal based cyber resilience survey called C-Suite Executive checklist developed by World Economic Forum in 2012. To ensure suitability of the survey to investigate the OCR, the reliability test was conducted on C-Suite Executive checklist items. The research further investigates the differences of OCR in ten Critical National Infrastructure Information (CNII) sectors participated in the cyber exercise. The One Way ANOVA test result showed a statistically significant difference of OCR among ten CNII sectors participated in the cyber exercise.

Keywords: critical information infrastructure, cyber resilience, organisation cyber resilience, reliability test

Procedia PDF Downloads 359

Authors: Nyumbaiza Tambwe

Abstract:

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that hybrid urban agriculture as the most practiced type of urban agriculture in the majority of cities in sub-Saharan Africa can be taken as an alternative strategy in fighting food insecurity. The practice not only provides food, generates income and fights against unemployment; it constitutes a true back-up for households during crisis linked to the nature of capitalism system. African cities are mostly characterized by rapid population growth, rampant poverty, and high level of unemployment and food insecurity. Those factors and many others are at the origin of the emergence of urban agriculture in many African cities. Based particularly on results of research undertaken in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but also in comparison with those realized in other parts of the African continent, the paper is a case study. Therefore, the paper firstly describes the situation of food in Africa, secondly, presents hybrid urban agriculture as a household strategy in fighting food insecurity and finally shows possibilities and limits of this practice.

Keywords: alternative strategy, food security, household strategy, hybrid urban agriculture

Procedia PDF Downloads 326

Authors: Seyed Mohammad Mousavi Shalheh, Elham Rostami, Seyed Majid Mousavi, Somayeh Shirin Jani

Abstract:

The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential of Rogbeh village located in Khanafereh, Shadegan city functions in Khuzestan also is the feasibility to build infrastructure and appropriate spaces to attract tourists as well as creating jobs and transforming the village institute of ecotourism in the region. It seems that the village has the potential for developing rural tourism with careful planning, and with regard to job creation and economic recovery programs, social-cultural and environmental-ecological accompanied will be welcomed by the people. Therefore, we can provide a strategy for developing tourism and achieving sustainable advancement of rural tourism. Based on researches carried out and according to regional climate differences and the position of the Rogbeh Village toward the lagoon, this research can be used by other researchers to develop and manage tourism.

Keywords: Shadegan Lagoon, Iranian villages, tourism industry, local architecture, Rogbeh village, landscape design, ecology

Procedia PDF Downloads 173

Authors: Reza Dehghani Bidgoli

Abstract:

Although Artemisia species are one of the most important medicinal plants, there are a few reports on chemistry or activity of their essential oils because of low amounts of the oils in this genus. In this study, chemical composition of essential oils leaves and stems of Artemisia sieberi and Artemisia aucheri growing wild in Kashan rangelands, central Iran, have been analyzed using GC–MS technique. Analysis revealed 50 identified compounds, representing 96.55% of the oil and 23 identified compounds representing 97.83% of the oil on Artemisia sieberi and Artemisia aucheri respectively. The yield of essential oil extraction is very higher than those of previous reports. In both plants α-thujene is the main component in both of them, with an extra value, 74.42%, in aucheri species. Several compounds (some with significant compositions), were found in these varieties of Artemisia which are not recorded in previous literature. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils were evaluated for the first time in this research work using β-carotene/linoleic acid assay and found to be surprisingly attributed directly to α-pinene contents in them.

Keywords: essential oil, artemisia aucheri, artemisia sieberi, α-thujene, antioxidant activity

Procedia PDF Downloads 452

Authors: Milena França Marques

Abstract:

Due to the climate crisis, several countries such as Brazil began to look for energy alternatives, finding green hydrogen as a possible solution. In addition to not emitting polluting gasses, it also has a large energy capacity, being an excellent alternative for the transport sector, the third sector that emits the most Greenhouse Gases (GHG) in Brazil. Therefore, this work aims to suggest a route for using green hydrogen, through the analysis of plans implemented in other countries, the Brazilian situation, and its difficulties in the development of hydrogen and electromobility, aiming to understand how its value chain works, as well as how to make the Brazilian fleet more efficient and decarbonize. As a result, 68 structuring measures were suggested for the first 5 axes of the National Hydrogen Program (PNH2) using the Three-Year Plan as a basis. Categorizations of measures were also made, definitions of those responsible for their development and implementation, as well as deadlines for them to be met. It is concluded that the study has the potential to promote national energy-environmental mobility transition planning realistically, capable of developing hydrogen and electromobility in Brazil, in addition to contributing to achieving the goals established by its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Keywords: climate change, electromobility, hydrogen, roadmap

Procedia PDF Downloads 58

Authors: Pasquali Frederique, Manfreda Chiara, Crippa Cecilia, Indio Valentina, Ianieri Adriana, De Cesare Alessandra

Abstract:

Microbiological hazards can be transmitted to humans through milk. In this study, we compared the microbiome composition and presence of foodborne pathogens in organic milk (n=6), organic hay milk (n=6), standard milk (n=6) and high-quality milk (n=6). The milk samples were collected during six samplings between December 2022 to January 2023 and between April and May 2024 to take into account seasonal variations. The 24 milk samples were submitted to DNA extraction and library preparation before shotgun sequencing on the Illumina HiScan™ SQ System platform. The total sequencing output was 600 GB. In all the milk samples, the phyla with the highest relative abundances were Pseudomonadota, Bacillota, Ascomycota, Actinomycetota and Apicomplexa, while the most represented genera were Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Geotrichum, Acinetobacter and Babesia. The alpha and beta diversity indexes showed a clear separation between the microbiome of high-quality milk and those of the other milk types. Moreover, in the high-quality milk, the relative abundance of Staphylococcus (4.4%), Campylobacter (4.5%), Bacillus (2.5%), Enterococcus (2.4%), Klebsiella (1.3%) and Escherichia (0 .7%) was significantly higher in comparison to other types of milk. On the contrary, the relative abundance of Geotrichum (0.5%) was significantly lower. The microbiome results collected in this study showed significant differences in terms of the relative abundance of bacteria genera, including foodborne pathogen species. These results should be incorporated into risk assessment models tailored to different types of milk.

Keywords: raw milk, foodborne pathogens, microbiome, risk assessment

Procedia PDF Downloads 25

Authors: Ali Bagherpour, Masoud Soltanialvar

Abstract:

Campylobacter species are common bacterial pathogens associated with human gastroenteritis which are generally transmitted through foods of animal origin. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species in poultry meat and by products in the city of Dezful in Iran. Since April 2012 to July 2013, a total of 400 samples including meat (n = 100), liver (n = 100), gizzard (n = 100), and poultry heart (n = 100), were randomly collected from Dezful industrial poultry abattoir and were experimented in order to investigate presence of Campylobacter species. According to culture test, 251 samples out of 400 samples under study (69%) were contaminated with Campylobacter species. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter species was observed in poultry's liver (78.3%) and then in gizzard (75.8%), heart (65%) and meat (56.7%). The most common isolated Campylobacter were C. jejuni (90.9%) and the rest were C. coli (9.1%). There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of Campylobacter species between the meat samples taken in the summer (86.7%). The results of this study indicate the importance of edible offal of poultries as the potential source of Campylobacter infections.

Keywords: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, poultry, meat, products

Procedia PDF Downloads 613

Authors: Ivannys Cappas Perez

Abstract:

Worldwide the population of older adults is increasing. The World Health Organization (2022) estimates that it will double by 2050. Informal caregivers of older adults may experience contradictory impulses, overload, and multiple losses before the death of the older adult in their care. The general purpose of research was to identify and describe the affective ambivalence in informal caregivers of older adults in the face of loss and grief processes. The dimensions under study were affective ambivalence, informal caregivers of older adults, loss processes and the grieving process. A qualitative approach methodology and an empirical phenomenological design were used through Clark Moustakas' Multiangulation Model to describe, categorize and interpret, intentionality, temporality and intersubjectivity a problem never studied. Among the findings was the feminization of the role. Affective ambivalence is manifested through emotions, feelings, thoughts and behavior, including non-verbal language. The assumption of the role is highly influenced by an affective and moral factor, where a minimum of 35 hours per week are invested in without family and financial support. It was found that the participants experience objective and subjective overload. Furthermore, because of the role, they experienced loss of life, loss of aspects of themselves, loss of objects, emotional losses, and losses linked to development. On the other hand, up to two types of grief were found simultaneously. Finally, the presence of affective ambivalence was found with the same intensity 13 years after the loss of the older adult under care.

Keywords: affective ambivalence, informal caregivers of older adults, loss processes, grief processes

Procedia PDF Downloads 36