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A CRITIC-CODAS Approach for Ranking WirelessCommunication Technologies in Precision Agriculture: Application to Irrigation System
Get PDFThis study evaluates and ranks wireless communication technologies for agricultural irrigation systems using the CRITIC-CODAS multi-criteria decision-making method. Technologies including WSN, LPWAN, LoRa, 5G, IoT, and NB-IoT are compared based on range, power consumption, data rate, coverage, latency, battery life, and device density. The CRITIC method is used to objectively determine criteria weights, with data rate, latency, and battery life emerging as the most important factors. 5G ranks highest with its superior data rate and device density, but its high-power needs may limit suitability for remote agriculture. IoT offers a balanced option across multiple criteria, while WSN excels in power efficiency and battery life. LPWAN, LoRa, and NB-IoT provide excellent range and battery life for wide-area, low-power applications despite lower data rates. The analysis provides a framework for stakeholders to select appropriate technologies based on specific agricultural requirements. Matching wireless technologies to irrigation needs can enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity. Further research could explore technology combinations, cost factors, and real-world testing. This systematic evaluation approach can be extended to other smart agriculture applications to optimize technology adoption
Art therapy in the Global South: Now and next
Get PDFThis article describes the development of art therapy education and practice in Botswana, Chile, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, as discussed in a panel presentation, Art Therapy in the Global South, at the University of South Africa’s conference, Training Art Therapists for Social Justice. Panellists discussed the challenges and successes of varied educational paradigms, from paraprofessional training programmes to higher education courses and degree programmes. Among the panellists were citizens of the countries under discussion, as well as art therapy educators from the Global North, who worked as visiting professionals in these countries. The panellists touched on practices that have emerged from these trainings, ethical considerations for the development of Indigenous education and practice models, and questions of social justice related to the development of culturally relevant, context-specific art therapy. Included in the article are key questions identified by panellists prior to the conference, a summary of the conference presentation, and visual and written reflections from the panellists post-conference
Development of a public road works contract management framework for the Zambian construction industry
Get PDFIt is critical that the funds allocated towards public road infrastructure are utilized prudently to achieve value for money whilst meeting project objectives. Therefore, contracts which facilitate the attainment of significant value are utilized. However, these contracts are seldom reviewed. Furthermore, ineffective Contract Management is a frequent occurrence in Zambia. In view of the foregoing, the aim of this study was to develop a Public Road Contract Management framework for the Zambian Construction Industry (ZCI). The study adopted a sequential exploratory research design to identify and determine the associated challenges and critical success factors (CSFs), respectively, throughout the Contract Management cycle in the ZCI. This was achieved by ranking the challenges and CSFs based on the data collected through questionnaire surveys from 92 respondents. The major challenges in each phase of the cycle viz. Initiation, Planning/Procurement, Implementation/Administration, Monitoring & Control and Closure were that viability of strategic plans is affected by political regime changes, failure to allocate the contract with the required budget, lengthy payment processes, delay in payments for satisfactory performance and lack of reviews to document lessons learnt and best practices, respectively. The top CSFs in each phase were preparation of comprehensive feasibility studies; allocating the contract with the required budget; adequate funding during implementation; monitoring being carried out by qualified, competent, and experienced personnel; and enhanced record keeping, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data using the Spearman correlation coefficient showed that there was a strong positive relation between Contract Administration/ Implementation, and Monitoring and Control. The developed framework is expected to facilitate timely completion of roadworks that are executed to the desired quality at the budgeted cost and thereby achieve successful Public Road Works Contract Management
« Faire famille au-delà des frontières »: proximités et distances au cœur du processus de recherche sur les expériences de séparation et de réunification de familles réfugiées transnationales
Get PDFThis article takes a reflective look at the scientific approach at the heart of a doctoral thesis in social work aimed at studying the experiences of separation and reunification of members of transnational refugee families in Quebec/Canada. Through a "feminist memory work" it presents: 1) the problematic as well as the theoretical and methodological framework of the thesis; 2) a "situation" (Ahmed, 2024) that was decisive in the choice of doctoral research object; 3) an analysis mobilizing among other things the concept of intersectional praxis "in and outside" of one\u27s social class and racialized group (Bilge and Hill Collins, 2023; hooks, 2018) in order to reflect on the ways of conducting a scientific process whose mission is to learn about the experience of others and to transform the sources of oppression that affect them.Cet article pose un regard réflexif sur la démarche scientifique au cœur d’une thèse de doctorat en travail social visant à étudier les expériences de séparation et de réunification de membres de familles réfugiées transnationales au Québec/Canada. À travers un "travail de mémoire féministe" il expose: 1) la problématique ainsi que le cadre théorique et méthodologique de la thèse; 2) une « situation » (Ahmed, 2024) ayant été déterminante dans le choix d’objet de recherche doctorale; 3) une analyse mobilisant entre autres le concept de praxis intersectionnelle « dans et hors » de sa classe sociale et de son groupe racisé (Bilge et Hill Collins, 2023; hooks, 2018) afin de réfléchir aux façons de mener un processus scientifique ayant pour mission d’apprendre sur l’expérience des autres et de transformer les sources d’oppression qui les affectent.
The Night Nurse: A reflection on On Being Sane in Insane Places by D. L. Rosenhan (1973)
No full textIn this poetic reflection, The Night Nurse draws inspiration from D.L. Rosenhan\u27s influential 1973 study to probe the complex relationship between personal identity and the structural confines of higher education (HE). The poem presents a rich tableau that contrasts indigenous knowledge with Western educational paradigms, shedding light on the friction and marginalisation that arise at the intersection of these worldviews. It embodies the struggle for self-definition amidst a backdrop that often favours uniformity and compliance. By examining the similarities between psychiatric labelling and academic evaluations, the narrative challenges the reader to consider the authenticity of understanding and the significance of diverse perspectives in scholarly environments
Situating pluralism in biomedical healthcare practices: Lessons from the ethnomedical approach
Get PDFHealthcare interactions have become increasingly varied, prompting the need for revised person-centred approaches that call for curriculum reform. This paper describes the perceived impact of the intentional insertion of medical pluralism into an inclusive, interprofessional health sciences module. A phased multi-method research design was applied. Phase 1 gathered data for an early curricular review. Phase 2 implemented a revised approach focusing on medical plurality. Phase 3 collected qualitative data through structured reflective journaling. Descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data and thematic analysis of the qualitative data were performed. 41 2022 first-year students (30%) participated in Phase 1, with 83% indicating that engagement was encouraged (83%) within a space of mutual respect (83%). Structured reflective journaling was employed in 2023 with 121 (97%) first-year students participating in Phases 2 and 3 to describe the impact of the revised approach on student learning. Five themes emerged from this experience: uncertainty, fear, overwhelm, gratefulness, and personal impact. Through creating a practically orientated and inclusive curricular space founded on medical pluralism and pedagogy of care, cross-cultural graduate attribute training was transformed to be more contextually relevant and future-focused to effectively steer students towards developing the attributes of desirability, ethics of care, and responsible citizenship
Religious Collaboration Enhances Patient Satisfaction among Faith-Based Groups and Health Facilities in Western Kenya
Get PDFHIV and AIDS continue to be a major challenge in Kenya, especially in the Western region where, coincidentally, public and private health facilities are sparse, but with a relatively high number of faith based health facilities. This study seeks to examine whether and how collaboration among faith-based groups and health facilities in the provision of HIV prevention and treatment services for women ages 15-49 years is associated with high patient satisfaction. Using an embedded multiple-case study design, we purposively selected seven faith-based health facilities in Kakamega County. We conducted 33 in-depth interviews with HIV-positive individuals, 14 key informant interviews with health providers; and 8 focus group discussions with members of the community in the health facility catchment area. The findings indicated that, when health facilities demonstrated collaboration, there was a positive impact on patient satisfaction. Specifically, collaborations between faith-based organisations resulted in the improvement of HIV services
Is Contemporary Christianity Promoting or Hindering Mental Health in Africa? An Exploration of the Impact of Charismatic Church Activities and Doctrines on the Mental Well-Being of Selected Ghanaian Congregants
Get PDFContemporary Christianity in Africa has seen an increase in Pentecostalism/ Charismatism, whose activities include performing miracles, prophecies and exorcism. Although it is acknowledged that the charismatic movement has its roots in Pentecostalism, clear differences can be identified between Pentecostalism and Charismatism. Given this distinction, this study focused on exploring the effects of the activities of charismatic churches on the mental health of their church members. Eightysix respondents from six charismatic churches in Accra and Kumasi participated in the study through individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observations of church activities. Our results show that church practices such as prophecies and miracles, as well as other activities such as prayer meetings and fellowship groups, had both positive and negative impacts on mental well-being. Church doctrines and teachings similarly had both positive and negative impacts on participant well-being. Positive impacts included building of resilience, comfort and hope in difficult times, developing self-efficacy and positive self-regard, as well as positive behavioural and lifestyle changes. Negative impacts included fostering feelings of guilt, shame and fear, increased paranoia and suspicion, as well as potential exclusion and the resultant despair from flouting church rules or expectations. These impacts are discussed with emphasis on their implications for mental well-being and interventions
Leadership and Intellectual Humility in the Coptic Orthodox Church: Bishop Athanasius of Beni Suef (1962-2000) and the Papal Committee
Get PDFThis essay explores the concept of intellectual humility in the context of religious and communal leadership within the Coptic Orthodox Church, the indigenous Church of Egypt. The focus is on the strategies employed by Athanasius, the Bishop of Beni Suef and Bahnasa (1962- 2000) during a period of inner Coptic strife caused by the existence of the so-called Papal Committee (1981 to 1985). The root of the conflict was a head-on collision of ideas between the Coptic Pope, Shenouda III (1971-2012) and President Sadat (1970-1981) that resulted in the Pope being banned to a remote desert monastery. One of the main arguments in this essay is that the character trait called “intellectual humility” was foundational to Athanasius’ leadership style and instrumental in saving the Coptic Church from being torn apart by inner conflicts
Healing Culture, Healing AIDS: A Review of some African Cultural and Religious Beliefs and Practices in Contexts of HIV and AIDS
Get PDFThis essay sees culture as a two-edged sword in HIV and AIDS response. It argues that while scholarly attention has mainly been on how certain cultural practices facilitate the spread of HIV and stand in the way of prevention, treatment and care, there are some ethno-cultural and religious beliefs and practices that can be used for positive HIV and AIDS response. The essay thus identifies and discusses some ethno-cultural and religious factors that contribute to the spread of HIV with the aim of ‘healing’ those that fuel the spread of HIV and promoting those that can be used for positive response.