11 research outputs found
Changing role of library professionals in the digital environment
No full textThe information environment is greatly
changing throughout the world. Present rapid development
in communication system and recent innovation in
technology witnessed as changing emphasis in the role of
information and its management. The new technologies
have facilited the transformation of data into digital format.
This paper defines the digital library, and analyses the
changing role of the library professionals in digital
environment and need of new skills for library
professionals
Transitioning to zero emission buses for public transport in the Netherlands: Bringing together the Multilevel perspective and the Multiple Streams framework to explain sustainability transitions
No full textZero emission buses (ZEBs) have become an important part of the transition to sustainable urban transport. In 2016 the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment and 14 transport authorities signed a “Zero Emission Regional Public Transport by Bus” administrative agreement, stating that from 2025 onward all new buses must use 100% renewable energy and from 2030 all buses must be fully emission free. Since then the Dutch public transport system has added more than 1000 battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses to their bus fleet. These shifts towards increased sustainable mobility are influenced by policy changes and innovation in technology and institutions. In order to explain how such complex socio-technical transitions develop, it is therefore important to look at them from both a socio-technical and a policy perspective.Technological innovation and policy innovation are analyzed in different research fields, namely innovation studies and policy studies. In policy theory technological changes are considered as exogenous events, which can also be said about the multiple streams framework (MSF). It does not consider the differences in innovation patterns of technologies, which is the case in most policy literature. Meanwhile in technology transition theory policy changes are seen as a mere black box, which can be seen in the multilevel perspective (MLP) as well. It does not include the ways that policies develop. This makes it difficult to identify important policy-technology feedback links and dynamics in sustainability transitions. This research looks at the way in which the MLP and the MSF complement each other in order to provide a more holistic explanation of sustainability transitions and how this can be used in future research for theory synthesis. This will be done through a case study of the ongoing transition to ZEBs in the Dutch public transport sector. The aim of this research is to find ways in which the two frameworks strengthen one another, based on the findings of the case study. The results will then be used to generate a proposition to help synthesize and develop a conceptual framework in future research, which combines the MSF and MLP in order to have a more comprehensive explanation of sustainability transitions.Complex Systems Engineering and Management (CoSEM
The Role of School Uniform Policies A and B: A Comparative Analysis
No full textThis qualitative policy analysis capstone reviewed how two school uniform policies across two counties in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States impact student learning outcomes. The capstone explored the differences in implementing School Uniform Policies A and B across eight Title I public middle schools in Counties A and B. This author reviewed available scholarly articles to examine the features and limitations of school uniform policies and their impact on student learning outcomes. A comparative analysis methodology was used to investigate School Uniform Policies A and B. Secondary data examining School Uniform Policies A and B, demographic information of Counties A and B, and academic statistics of eight sites and how these policies impacted student learning outcomes were analyzed. The analysis was approached using themes of uniform policy implementation and enforcement, financial accessibility, socioeconomic status, cultural inclusivity, and academic performance and attendance. This author considers uniform policies important due to their effect on students’ school experiences and academic success. Understanding the role that school uniform policies play in educational learning outcomes is a primary reason to pursue how they impact learning environments. This research aims to evaluate policies and their impact on student outcomes, teachers, and other stakeholders’ evidence and insight into future research on the impact school uniform policies have through the lens of enforcement
La salud mental en tiempos de guerra: genocidio del pueblo palestino
No full textEl genocidio que está sufriendo la población palestina es un hecho actual que analizamos a través de la historia contada y vivida de algunos palestinos que han sido entrevistados por la Asociación Gaza Health. Gaza Health es una asociación y comunidad virtual de profesionales de la salud que prestan ayuda presencial y virtual a los afectados del genocidio que perpetra Israel sobre la población palestina. No es una guerra, es un genocidio como el ocurrido en Ruanda y en el Apartheid de Sur África. El equipo de salud de Gaza, con más de 50 especialidades médicas, brinda apoyo y atención a través de sus consultas telemédicas. También realizan viajes a Gaza con ayuda humanitaria, para la comunidad árabe parlante, con el fin de resolver las situaciones más emergentes de los distintos sectores de la franja. La autora se inserta en esta experiencia como. psicóloga virtual para apoyar en la atención de los casos y desarrolla una propuesta de atención a la luz de autores como Martín Beristain, Ignacio Martín Baro y propuestas de la línea de investigación de la autora.
Mental health in times of war: genocide of the palestinian people
AbstractThe genocide that the Palestinian population is suffering is a current fact that we analyze through the story lived and told by some Palestinians who have been interviewed by the Gaza Health Association. Gaza Health is an association and virtual community of health professionals who provide help, virtually and in person, to those affected by the genocide perpetrated by Israel on the Palestinian population. It is not a war; it is a genocide as they did in Rwanda and apartheid South Africa. Gaza’s health team, with more than 50 medical specialties, is there to provide support and care through its telemedical consultations. They also make trips to Gaza with humanitarian aid to solve the most emerging situations in the different sectors of the strip. The author participates, virtually, in this initiative as a psychologist, in order to provide support in the treatment of cases, and develops an intervention proposal under the light of authors such as Martín Beristain, Ignacio Martín Baro and proposals stemming from own her line of research
Representation of Women in Mann O Salwa: A Case Study through Feminist Stylistic Analysis
No full textThis descriptive study makes an attempt to analyze Mann o Salwa from the perspective of feminist stylistics to investigate how Pakistani female author represents women in her novel Mann o Salwa by utilizing analysis of transitivity choices. This paper argues that the prevailing image of women in Pakistani society and literature is passive, negative, distorted, submissive, and dependent. This research aims to explore whether female authors have succeeded in abolishing the unenthusiastic negative and passive image of women in Pakistani society or their writings are also socially influenced because it is commonly believed that it is always a male author who portrays negative and distorted image of women, in this paper the researcher has tried explore whether female authors present a positive image of women or not. Analysis of mental and material process of female protagonists has proved to be useful in answering the question of negativity and passivity of women. The result revealed that female authors’ writings to some extent are socially influenced. They partially portray them passive and dependent on man. Their actions are actually the reaction of men’s action on them as they are equally exploited by men and other women in society. They are oppressed as well as oppressors. Being a feminist research this study enhances the awareness of the society. Most of the women in the novel are portrayed negative and oppressors.
Professor Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Leader in Library and Information Science Research in the South Punjab, Pakistan: Bio-Bibliometric analysis utilizing the Scopus database
No full textThe current study aims to evaluate the Scopus-indexed publications of Professor Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Chairperson, Department of Library and Information Sciences (LIS) at Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), Pakistan. She obtained her Master’s degree in LIS in 1991 from IUB, later she joined IUB as a Lecturer in the Department of LIS in 1993. She completed her Ph.D. at The University of Manchester, United Kingdom in 2003. She is the most productive LIS author belonging to the Southern part of Punjab province in Pakistan. The data of this study was retrieved from the Scopus database on January 2nd, 2023. The data analysis presented the periodic growth of papers, citation impact, authorship pattern, collaborative authors, frequently used sources of publications, topographic distribution of papers based on authors’ used keywords and characteristics of top-cited papers. The findings of this study would encourage the females of Pakistan through sincere hard work, commitment and dedication, any female can achieve success in her practical and professional career
SARCOPENIC OBESITY – A CLINICAL REVIEW
No full textPurpose of review: Sarcopenic obesity is a chronic condition, which is due to progressively aging populations, the increasing incidence of obesity, and lifestyle changes. The increasing prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in elderly has augmented interest in identifying the most effective treatment. This article aims at highlighting potential pathways to muscle impairment in obese individuals, the consequences that joint obesity and muscle impairment may have on health and disability, recent progress in management with attention on lifestyle management and pharmacologic therapy involved in reversing sarcopenic obesity. Recent findings: It has been suggested that a number of disorders affecting metabolism, physical capacity, and quality of life may be attributed to sarcopenic obesity. Excess dietary intake, physical inactivity, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and hormonal changes may lead to the development of sarcopenic obesity. Weight loss and exercise independently reverse sarcopenic obesity. Optimum protein intake appears to have beneficial effects on net muscle protein accretion in older adults. Myostatin inhibition causes favourable changes in body composition. Testosterone and growth hormone offer improvements in body composition but the benefits must be weighed against potential risks of therapy. GHRH-analog therapy is effective but further studies are needed in older adults. Summary: Lifestyle changes involving both diet-induced weight loss and regular exercise appear to be the optimal treatment for sarcopenic obesity. It is also advisable to maintain adequate protein intake. Ongoing studies will determine whether pharmacologic therapy such as myostatin inhibitors or GHRH-analogs have a role in the treatment of sarcopenic obesity.Corresponding Author: Dr. S. P. Srinivas Nayak
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacy Practice, Sultan-ul-Uloom College of Pharmacy, JNTUH, Telangana, India – 50007
Biology and management of blackleg disease of potato caused by Dickeya dianthicola (ME23)
No full text2021 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.Potato is the most commonly consumed vegetable in the United States, where people each an average of 49.2 pounds per person per year. About 80% of potatoes in the US are produced in Idaho, followed by Washington, Wisconsin, and Oregon. Potato is a vegetatively propagated crop, and progeny tubers serve as seed for cultivation the following year. Therefore, tuber-borne pathogens, such as bacteria that cause blackleg, result in serious economic losses when progeny tubers are contaminated by pathogens. Blackleg of potato is characterized by blackening of the basal part of stem and rotting of seed tubers. It is caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya species, which are in the Pectobacteriaceae family and are collectively referred to as the soft rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP). In 2015, multiples outbreaks of blackleg and soft rot occurred in Northeastern United Sates. This outbreak of the disease also impacted potato production all across the neighboring states, as well as other northeastern and mid-Atlantic states where Maine seed potatoes were shipped. It is most likely that prior to the Dickeya dianthicola (ME23) outbreak in the US in 2015, Dickeya was present in seed potatoes and farms in the affected states for at least a few years. However, rain in 2013 and 2014 spread the pathogen and cool temperatures caused the bacterium to remain latent in the tubers. Warm temperature in 2015 on commercial farms that used this Dickeya-infested seed resulted in significant outbreaks. The fields with outbreaks had no previous history of blackleg, the pathogen was suspected to have been present somewhere in the environment, then multiplied suddenly in response to favorable conditions, such as a heavy rain with subsequent surface pooling, and thus caused an outbreak. To prevent further spread of the disease, the primary infection source and the route of infection of the blackleg pathogen must be identified. Being able to discriminate exact subspecies of Dickeya from the others could help reduce the infection and to understand the epidemiology of the pathogen. Therefore, my research focused on development of reliable and accessible detecting tools for D. dianthicola (ME23). Unfortunately, many commercial potato varieties are susceptible to the diseases caused by SRP. Very few are tolerant, and production is compromised due to infection caused by D. dianthicola and high risk of spreading bacteria in other farms if potato seeds are infected. This led to an urgent need to screen for resistance against blackleg disease. There is insufficient information available for potato breeders on relative resistance or tolerance of commercial potato varieties to Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp. For the purpose of our work with SRP, we use the term resistance for plants that remain asymptomatic, or nearly so, after inoculation with Dickeya or Pectobacterium in typical temperature, humidity, and oxygen-level conditions. In addition, there is almost zero evidence of single gene resistance against this pathogen. Rather, disease resistance is quantitative and multigenetic, making it difficult for plant breeders to select for resistance. In addition, blackleg development is highly sensitive to multiple environmental factors including, plant age, availability of favorable environmental conditions and other bacterial pathogen present in the environment, making it difficult to screen varieties for resistance. The molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying these quantitative resistances are also poorly understood. Therefore, are not efficiently utilized in potato breeding programs, altogether this makes it difficult to achieve true blackleg disease resistance. Nevertheless, it has been previously reported that plant resistant relies on production of small molecules such as phytoalexins or phytoanticipins associated with core resistant pathways. For example, these pathways may induce plant hormones associated with resistance, or antimicrobial peptides or enhance cell wall modifications as a physical barrier against plant pathogens. Interestingly, some accessions of the wild diploid species of potato (Solanum chacoense) are resistant to blackleg and soft rot diseases caused by SRP. My research focuses on identification of resistant lines of wild diploid potato relatives using physiological, biochemical and metabolic profile. In my work, I found that the metabolic profile of resistant stem extracts of S. chacoense consists of small molecules including phenolics, alkaloids, lipids, amino acids and organic acids, some of which may play a significant role in antimicrobial and anti-virulence properties. I found that the biochemical assays including quorum sensing (QS) and plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDE) correlated with metabolites identified in metabolic profile of resistant accessions. Hence, these assays can be used as a less time consuming and easy tool for screening resistant lines against SRP. From these findings, I hypothesize that QS inhibiting molecules are responsible for triggering resistance against blackleg in S. chacoense and can be used as a potential tool in future breeding programs to achieve maximum resistance in our commercially grown potato varieties
Evaluation of the effect of hemodynamic factors on retinal microcirculation by using 3D confocal image-based computational fluid dynamics
No full textPurpose: To investigate local hemodynamic changes resulting from elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in different vasculature networks using a computational fluid dynamics model based on 3D reconstructed confocal microscopic images. Methods: Three-dimensional rat retinal vasculature was reconstructed from confocal microscopy images using a 3D U-Net-based labeling technique, followed by manual correction. We conducted a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis on different retinal vasculature networks derived from a single rat. Various venule and arteriole pressures were applied to mimic the effects of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a major glaucoma risk factor. An increase in IOP typically correlates with a decrease in venous pressure. We also varied the percentage of capillary dropout, simulating the loss of blood vessels within the capillary network, by reducing the volume of the normal capillary network by 10%, 30%, and 50%. Based on the output of the CFD analysis, we calculated velocity, wall shear stress (WSS), and pressure gradient for different vasculature densities. Results: Arteriolar pressure, venular pressure, and capillary dropout appear to be important factors influencing wall shear stress in the rat capillary network. Our study revealed that the pressure gradient between arterioles and venules strongly affects the local wall shear stress distribution across the 3D retinal vasculature. Specifically, under a pressure gradient of 3,250 Pa, the wall shear stress was found to vary between 0 and 20 Pa, with the highest shear stress observed in the region of the superficial layer. Additionally, capillary dropout led to a 25% increase or decrease in wall shear stress in affected areas. Conclusion: The hemodynamic differences under various arteriole and venule pressures, along with different capillary dropout conditions, could help explain the development of various optic disorders, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusion.National Research Foundation (NRF)Published versionThe author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research is supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) program under its Intra-CREATE Thematic Grant (Award No.: NRF2019-THE002-0006) and by the SERI-IHPC Joint Lab (PA: IHPC/CI/ C24-004)
Author Correction: Genomic insights into Yak (Bos grunniens) adaptations for nutrient assimilation in high-altitudes
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