Access To Resources Research Articles

Multi-criteria-based evaluation of digital carbon footprint tools from a household user perspective

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions significantly impact the environment and human health, but many people are unaware of how their daily choices affect climate change. Carbon calculators estimate emissions in sectors like construction, digital health, transportation, and food production. However, they are still developing and face challenges that require attention from both industry and academia. Researchers highlight the absence of a unified framework for assessing these tools, leading to simplistic binary evaluations, which result in inaccuracies in household tool evaluations. In the current study, an assessment framework has been created by integrating existing binary frameworks and incorporating the MCDA method for weighted multi-criteria evaluation, offering a quantitative scoring system for qualitative criteria. This dual-criteria framework addresses both practical and academic aspects of the evaluated tools. The framework was used to evaluate 15 tools chosen for their prominence in search engine results and their impact on scientific publications. Findings revealed that tools such as Svalna, WWF calculator, and Carbon Savvy produce comparable results, while others, like the UN CF calculator, show deviations up to 136 tons. The study highlights challenges related to feasibility, availability of resources, and user engagement, noting that the criterion for accessibility for special groups received a score of zero across all CF tools. The work is expected to yield enhanced understanding that will aid in the selection of appropriate CF tools, foster sustainable practices, and offer developers direction to ensure their designs conform to established standards.

Rhythms in insect olfactory systems: underlying mechanisms and outstanding questions.

Olfaction is a critical sensory modality for invertebrates, and it mediates a wide range of behaviors and physiological processes. Like most living organisms, insects live in rhythmic environments: the succession of nights and days is accompanied by cyclic variations in light intensity and temperature, as well as in the availability of resources and the activity of predators. Responding to olfactory cues in the proper temporal context is thus highly adaptive and allows for the efficient allocation of energy resources. Given the agricultural or epidemiological importance of some insect species, understanding olfactory rhythms is critical for the development of effective control strategies. Although the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster has been a classical model for the study of olfaction and circadian rhythms, recent studies focusing on non-model species have expanded our understanding of insect olfactory rhythms. Additionally, recent evidence revealing receptor co-expression by sensory neurons has brought about an ongoing paradigm shift in our understanding of insect olfaction, making it timely to review the state of our knowledge on olfactory rhythms and identify critical future directions for the field. In this Review, we discuss the multiple biological scales at which insect olfactory rhythms are being analyzed, and identify outstanding questions.

Behavioral Observations of Free-Living Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) in Costa Rica, to Inform Ex Situ Management

The scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is a charismatic species that is native to Central and South America and commonly housed in captivity. Gaps in knowledge about these birds’ behavioral ecology in the wild hinders both in situ and ex situ management and conservation efforts for this species. We conducted seventeen days of observations of free-living scarlet macaws in two locations in Costa Rica, in February 2022, with the aims of (1) advancing our knowledge of this species’ natural behavioral ecology, and (2) generating data for comparison with captive macaws to help to inform their ex situ management (e.g., enclosure design and enrichment). Routes were walked within two locations—Bosque Escondido (BE), release area for captive-bred reintroduced individuals and no extant wild population, and Punta Leona (PL), an area of natural habitat within a resort inhabited by wild scarlet macaws—and focal interval sampling of multiple scarlet macaws in a group was used to record behavior and space use. The macaws at both locations were generally active, spent most of their time high in the tree canopy, relied on climbing to move within it, and used a wide variety of supports. The macaws at PL spent significantly more time feeding and locomoting, and less time perching, than those at BE, possibly due to differences in resource availability, rearing conditions, and age. Furthermore, the wild scarlet macaws at PL exhibited a variety of foraging strategies to acquire and manipulate food items within the tree canopy, including frequent use of their feet during manipulation. Despite limitations caused by a small sample size, a short period of observations, and differences between the two populations observed, this study provides insights into the behavioral ecology of scarlet macaws in the wild, which can be used for behavioral assessments of captive macaws while informing their ex situ management, with applications to animal welfare and captive breeding programs.

2D hollow leaf shaped mesoporous carbon derived from ZIF-L for efficient capacitive deionization

Electrochemical treatment of saline or brackish water by capacitive deionization (CDI) is a novel resource-saving solution to ensure the availability of freshwater resources in the environment. MOF (metal–organic framework) derived carbon as a novel carbonaceous material in CDI has received considerable research attention. Among them, ZIF-L-derived carbon (ZC) suffers from problems such as self-aggregation, poor mesoporous structure, and low electrical conductivity, which lead to poor CDI performance. In this paper, a strategy of ZIF-L coated with polydopamine (PDA) is proposed to solve the above problems. When the amount of PDA was 0.5 g, ZIF-L@PDA0.5-derived carbon composite (ZPC0.5) is obtained for efficient capacitive deionization. The ZPC0.5 composite not only maintains the 2D leaf shaped structure consistent with ZIF-L, exposing more active sites, but also has an elevated mesopore occupancy ratio to promote solution diffusion. Meanwhile, the interaction between PDA and ZIF-L makes the ZPC0.5 have a cavity structure, which improves the mass transfer capacity. The resulting ZPC0.5 composite has a specific capacitance (165.8F g−1) that is 3.86 times higher than that of ZC (42.9F g−1). Consequently, in 1.2 V, 500 mg/L NaCl solution, the symmetric CDI cell ZPC0.5//ZPC0.5 exhibits an excellent desalination capacity (29.6 mg/g), which is 2.69 times that of the ZC//ZC.

Identifying the origin, recharge, and salinity sources of the Romqan saline spring, causing intense salinization of the Shirinrud River in southern Iran

Salinization of originally freshwater rivers by saline springs is a growing threat to availability of water resources in the semiarid region of southern Iran. The problem is further complicated by persistent drought of recent years, which has resulted in prolonged periods of reduced streamflow. This issue has prompted research on possibility of finding practical techniques for flow stoppage of saline springs by investigating their recharge and salinization mechanisms as well as emergence time. To this end, the Shirinrud river in southern Iran is selected as a case study. While this river contains freshwater flow, it is intensively salinized due to annual discharge of ∼110000 tons salt from the Romqan saline spring. Study area streamflow gauges, water sampling, plus field observations and measurements have been used to provide the required data and information. Data analyses included evaluation of temperature variations of study area groundwaters, long-term salinity of the Shirinrud River, and isotopic and hydrochemical compositions of water samples. Results of thermal, isotopic, and hydrochemical tracing methods together with hydrogeological evidences in the Romqan spring site indicated that although the Romqan saline spring is recharging from a fresh groundwater flow, it becomes intensely salinized due to passage of ∼1.7 km of its recharging water pass inside the Romqan salt diapir. Furthermore, sudden drying of a freshwater spring at border of Romqan salt diapir just after the 1999 earthquake in spring site area, resulted in redirection of the fresh groundwater flow of the dried spring into the Romqan salt diapir, followed by emergence of the Romqan saline spring in the Shirinrud River bed. For flow stoppage of the Romqan saline spring, an interceptor drainage system is suggested, which would divert the spring fresh recharging groundwater flow at border of Romqan salt diapir and finally desalinize the Shirinrud River from Romqan saline spring.

Impact of organic carbon composition on bacterial taxa assembly upon phosphorus addition in organic and mineral soil layers of a Robinia pseudoaccacia plantation

Increasing phosphorus (P) inputs significantly affect the nutrient cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. The community structure and assembly processes of soil bacteria, which are the primary participants in nutrient cycling within terrestrial ecosystems, are affected by P inputs. However, the assembly processes and driving mechanisms of soil bacterial communities in artificial forest ecosystems in response to P inputs remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we conducted in situ experimental P additions (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 g P m-2 year-1) to artificial Robinia pseudoacacia forests on the Loess Plateau. We investigated the effects of P addition on the soil organic carbon (SOC) composition, bacterial community characteristics (total, abundant, and rare taxa), and assembly processes in the organic horizon (OH) and mineral horizon (MH) layers of the soil. The results showed that P addition significantly changed soil physicochemical factors, such as available P (AP), SOC content, and SOC composition in terms of the labile (LC) and recalcitrant carbon (RC) fractions. The proportion of the LC fraction increased in OH and decreased in MH, whereas the RC fraction showed the opposite trends. P addition increased the proportion of eutrophic bacteria in OH, whereas it decreased the proportion of oligotrophic bacteria. In contrast to those in OH, the changes in eutrophic and oligotrophic bacteria in MH exhibited the opposite trend. With increasing P levels, the diversity of the bacterial communities in the OH did not change significantly. In the MH, total and rare taxa diversity increased, while the diversity of abundant taxa decreased. During P addition, the total and rare taxa bacterial communities showed stochastic assembly, whereas the assembly of abundant taxa shifted from stochastic to deterministic processes in the OH and from deterministic to stochastic processes in the MH. The structural equation model revealed that during P addition, the assembly of total and rare bacterial communities in the OH and MH was regulated by AP and the LC fraction, respectively. Meanwhile, the assembly of abundant taxa in OH and MH was influenced by the LC fraction and RC fraction, respectively. Our findings highlight the critical role of SOC composition across different bacterial taxa, with abundant bacterial taxa exhibiting heightened sensitivity to environmental filtration and the availability of SOC resources. Our study provides new insights into the community assembly and driving mechanisms of soil bacteria in artificial forest soils during P addition.

Self-Reported Difficulty with and Assistance Needed by People with Spinal Cord Injury to Prepare Meals at Home

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience an increased risk for obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Recommendations to prevent and treat obesity for those with SCI follow those of the US Department of Agriculture to adopt a healthy eating pattern that includes eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein, plus limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Yet, people with SCI eat too many calories, fat, and carbohydrates and too few fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The study is based on secondary analyses of SCI participants (n = 122) who enrolled in a weight loss study to determine how SCI may impact their ability to prepare food at home. We hypothesize those with higher-level spinal injuries (specifically, those with cervical versus those with thoracic or lumbar/sacral injuries) experience significantly greater difficulty and are more likely to rely on others’ assistance to perform meal preparation tasks. Physiologic (weight, BMI, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c) and self-reported data (demographic plus responses to the Life Habits Short Survey and meal prep items) were collected at baseline and qualitative data were obtained from a subsample after the intervention during phone interviews. Participants’ average age was 50 ± 14.7 years old, they lived with SCI for an average of 13.0 ± 13.1 years, and their average BMI was 32.0 ± 6.5. Participants were predominantly white (76.1%) men (54.1%) who had some college education (76.3%), though only 28.8% worked. A substantial proportion of respondents (30% to 68%) reported difficulty across the 13 tasks related to purchasing and preparing meals, with a proxy reported as the most common assistance type used across all tasks (17% to 42%). Forty-nine percent reported difficulty preparing simple meals, with 29% reporting a proxy does the task. More than half reported difficulty using the oven and stove, though between 60% to 70% reported no difficulty using other kitchen appliances (e.g., coffee machine, food processor, can opener), the refrigerator, or microwave. There was a significant difference in kitchen function by injury level. Those living with cervical-level injuries had significantly greater limitations than those with thoracic-level injuries. Spouses, other family members, and caregivers were most likely to serve as proxies and these individuals exerted both positive and negative influences on respondents’ dietary intake, based on qualitative data obtained during interviews. The results suggest that many people living with SCI experience functional and environmental barriers that impact their ability to prepare food and use kitchen appliances. Future research should examine how SCI-related functional limitations, transportation access, accessibility of the kitchen, ability to use appliances, availability of financial resources, and assistance by others to prepare foods impact people’s ability to follow a healthy eating pattern.

The Formation and Preservation of Urban Heritage Through Urban Landscape Transformation: A Case Study of Pittsburgh

This study examines the potential of urban landscape transformation to generate and develop new heritage and the role of heritage urbanism in an industrial city. It explores whether the changeover of urban heritage districts in Pittsburgh (PA, USA) can give rise to a novel type of urban heritage. Pittsburgh experienced urban development primarily driven by the presence and accessibility of natural resources, rather than favorable geographical conditions: topography characterized by rugged hills, rock formations, rivers, and stream valleys. The integration of the American-style grid within this unique natural environment resulted in intriguing juxtapositions. Consequently, elements such as bridges, viaducts, stairs, tunnels, and historical inclines gained paramount importance in shaping the urban fabric. The city’s remaining preserved or transformed urban heritage is protected through historic districts designated by the Department of City Planning, which enforces specific planning and design guidelines. The study employs a multi-faceted approach combining the concepts of historic stratification (urban palimpsest), integrated urban morphology, space syntax (integration analysis), and heritage urbanism. During the personally conducted long-term fieldwork, the selected case studies described herein (historic districts, university campus, and traditional neighborhood) proved to be the most suitable for demonstrating urban heritage formation through urban landscape transformation.

The social determinants of resilience: A conceptual framework to integrate psychological and policy research.

The psychological study of resilience has increasingly underscored the need for children and families to access material and psychological resources to positively adapt to significant stress. Redistributive policies-policies that downwardly reallocate society's social and economic resources-can offer economically disadvantaged families sustained access to these resources and mitigate the harmful impacts of adversity. This conceptual article builds upon and integrates insights from psychological and policy research to develop a unifying multilevel resilience framework, which we call the Social Determinants of Resilience. We examine four U.S. redistributive policies that have been extensively studied for their effects on child and family outcomes as case studies: (1) Medicaid expansion; (2) the Earned Income Tax Credit; (3) childcare subsidies; and (4) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Informed by a scoping review of each policy, we propose that redistributive policies promote children's resilience through three mechanisms by (1) increasing families' resource and service access; (2) reducing family stress; and (3) enhancing adaptive cognitions, emotions, behaviors, and interpersonal processes that protect against the development of psychopathology and promote positive mental health outcomes. Highlighting current evidence for these resilience mechanisms as well as gaps in knowledge, we conclude by setting a multidisciplinary research agenda that can leverage this conceptual framework to advance the science on how redistributive policies enable children and families to thrive. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Graph Attention-Based MADRL for Access Control and Resource Allocation in Wireless Networked Control Systems

Graph Attention-Based MADRL for Access Control and Resource Allocation in Wireless Networked Control Systems

Quantum Neural Networks: A New Frontier

Abstract. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in improving the availability of resources and refining algorithms for quantum computing. Since the late 1980s, the scientific community has been fascinated by the idea of harnessing quantum phenomena to tackle computational problems. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the foundational theories and practical applications of quantum neural networks (QNNs), highlighting their potential to transform machine learning through unique features like quantum parallelism and entanglement. It delves into various QNN architectures, such as quantum circuits and hybrid quantum-classical models, showcasing their effectiveness in handling intricate computational tasks more efficiently than traditional neural networks. Furthermore, the article examines the current challenges and future prospects in this rapidly advancing field, emphasizing the pivotal role of QNNs in driving forward research in both quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Quantum neural networks are poised to not only enhance computational capabilities but also pave the way for groundbreaking innovations in diverse technological domains.

Cooperative control of environmental extremes by artificial intelligent agents.

Humans have been able to tackle biosphere complexities by acting as ecosystem engineers, profoundly changing the flows of matter, energy and information. This includes major innovations that allowed to reduce and control the impact of extreme events. Modelling the evolution of such adaptive dynamics can be challenging, given the potentially large number of individual and environmental variables involved. This article shows how to address this problem by using fire as the source of extreme events. We implement a simulated environment where fire propagates on a spatial landscape, and a group of artificial agents learn how to harvest and exploit trees while avoiding the damaging effects of fire spreading. The agents need to solve a conflict to reach a group-level optimal state: while tree harvesting reduces the propagation of fires, it also reduces the availability of resources provided by trees. It is shown that the system displays two major evolutionary innovations that end up in an ecological engineering strategy that favours high biomass along with the suppression of large fires. The implications for potential artificial intelligence management of complex ecosystems are discussed.

Heuristic approaches for a multi-mode resource availability cost problem in aircraft manufacturing

A multi-mode time-constrained project scheduling problem with generalized temporal constraints arising in aircraft manufacturing is studied in the paper. We propose a priority rule-based heuristic (PRH) and a biased random-key genetic algorithm (BRKGA) for its solution. A serial generation scheme (SGS) is used for computing schedules from a priority order of the tasks with given resource capacities and mode assignments. The SGS cannot guarantee that the maximum project duration and maximum time lags are respected. Starting with the highest possible resource capacities, the PRH performs the SGS in a repeated manner, reducing the least used resource capacity by one unit until the schedule becomes infeasible. Different priority rules are used for determining both mode assignments and task priority orders. We encode these two decisions as well as the resource capacities in the BRKGA and apply the SGS for decoding. Project duration and maximum time lag violations are penalized in the fitness function. Extensive computational experiments based on problem instances motivated by settings found at a large aircraft manufacturer demonstrate that the BRKGA outperforms the PRH under almost all experimental conditions, especially for problem instances with more complex networks and shorter maximum project durations.

Performance analysis of a photovoltaic component integrated into a hybrid power plant in Southeast Mauritania

This study investigated the performance of photovoltaic components of the 1.3MW KIFFA hybrid power plant in Mauritania. Data from the plant's monitoring system (January-December 2021) was used to assess various performance metrics. The analysis revealed a high daily reference yield (5.60 h/d), indicating good solar resource availability. However, final and array yields (4.78 h/d and 4.86 h/d, respectively) suggested potential for improvement. System component efficiencies were within acceptable ranges, with particularly high inverter efficiency (98.31%). Array capture losses were moderate (0.74 h/d), and system losses were minimal (0.08 h/d). The annual performance ratio (86.33%) and capacity factor (19.91%) indicated good overall plant performance. These findings were then compared with data from similar installations in various climate zones to understand the impact of climatic variations on photovoltaic performance. Compared to installations in temperate zones with lower irradiation levels, the KIFFA plant's reference yield was significantly higher. However, the final and array yields were closer due to potentially higher operating temperatures in Mauritania affecting module efficiency. Interestingly, comparisons with installations in other desert regions with similarly high irradiation levels revealed lower performance, particularly in terms of final yield, (4.71 h/d) in Algéria (Adrar) and (4.10 h/d) in Oman (Muscat). This suggests that climatic factors beyond just sunlight availability, such as dust accumulation, may have played a significant role in their performance compared to the KIFFA plant.

Nature vs. nurture: Drivers of site productivity in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests in the southeastern US

Forest productivity is one of the most important aspects of forest management, landscape planning, and climate change assessment. However, although there are multiple elements known to affect productivity, most of them rely on the “nature” of the edaphic, climatic, and geographic conditions, and only some specific aspects can be modified through forest management or “nurture”. Through evaluation of site resource availability and an understanding of the main drivers of productivity, management can present solutions to overcome site resource limitations to productivity. Therefore, understanding the implications of a specific management regime requires understanding what drives productivity across large spatial extents and among different management regimes. In this study, we used data from over 1 million hectares of industrial forestland, covering over 6000 different soils and several management regimes of Pinus taeda L. plantations, as well as plot-based data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, facilitating a comparison of planted and natural Pinus taeda stands. Combined with US Geological Survey LiDAR data, we computed site index and generated wall-to-wall productivity maps for planted Pinus taeda stands in the southeastern US, as well as point-based site index estimates for the FIA dataset. We modeled site index using a random forest algorithm considering edaphic, geologic, and physiographic province information based on the Forest Productivity Cooperative “SPOT” system, and also included climate and management history data. Our model predicted site index with an R2 of 0.701 and RMSE of 1.41 m on the industrial data and R2 of 0.417 and RMSE of 1.84 m for the FIA data. We found that year of establishment of the forest, physiographic province, and geology, were the most important drivers of site index. The soil classification modifier indicating root restrictions were the most important soil-specific variable. Additionally, we found an average increase in site index of 3.05 m since the 1950s for all FIA data, and an average increase of 4.73 m for all industrial data since the 1970s. For the latest period analyzed (2000–2012), average site index in planted FIA plots was 1.2 m higher than naturally regenerated FIA plots, and site index in all industrial forestland had a site index almost 3 m greater than planted FIA plots. Overall, we believe this work sets the foundation for better understanding of forest productivity and highlights the importance of intensive silviculture to improve productivity, and as an additional tool to achieve the economic, environmental, and social objectives.

Empowerment and gender norms among Yoruba women and men cassava producers

Yoruba women have gained a reputation as empowered traders, but their empowerment in agriculture has received less attention. This study examines the empowerment of Yoruba men and women cassava producers in Nigeria's Southwest geopolitical zone. It combines data from an Abbreviated Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) survey with results from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. An additional focus is on how norms that foster balanced household gender relations interact with those that produce inequalities. Yoruba men farmers appeared more empowered than their wives in all the domains measured by the A-WEAI in spite of women's high involvement in processing and trade. The fact that the same domains contributed most to men and women's disempowerment points to structural issues that affect men and women unevenly. The study finds signs of emerging shifts in gender norms: women demanded to be acknowledged as farmers and indicated first moves into land ownership. However, the most asymmetric effect of normative constraints experienced by women as a result of unpaid labor, alongside their own income-generating activities tend to neutralize these gains. Hence, the embeddedness of pockets of potentially symmetric institutions in a larger asymmetric patriarchal system of imbalanced resource access and agency does not produce equitable outcomes. Future research should address men's and women's participation in cassava trade and production and their benefits from it more holistically.

Redefining Social Norms With Firearm Safety in Children: A Framework to Influence Change

Pediatric firearm violence is the number one cause of death in all children and a threat that must be addressed. Applying a harm reduction framework to this growing crisis recognizes that firearms exist and incorporates evidence-based practice actionable strategies for pediatric-focused Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to follow to address this public health crisis. This harm reduction framework encompasses several strategies, including an understanding of the physical and mental health care impact that pediatric firearm violence has on survivors, as well as recognizing the inherent health inequities associated with it. This framework also includes strategies to implement firearm safety education at the community level, discusses key laws and policies that pediatric-focused APRNs can advocate for to effect change, and raises awareness of accessible resources and funding for pediatric-focused APRNs to utilize.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Pros, Cons, and Future Expectations

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly become a globally accessible resource for organizing and processing information, improving efficiency, and increasing effectiveness. In healthcare, AI has shown the potential to identify health risks at early stages and enhance current treatment processes. As AI becomes more widely integrated, it is essential to consider the benefits and risks associated with this largely unproven technology to create an environment where patients and providers universally and equitably experience its advantages.

Evaluation of focused antenatal care services quality at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Central Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Antenatal care is the care that women receive during their pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and her baby. The provision of information on birth preparedness in Ethiopia is still low, which implies identification of pre-existing health conditions that may affect the outcome of pregnancies was not provided. Even if the Focused Antenatal Care service was provided in our setup, maternal death was still high. In addition, as far as our search, the quality of antenatal care service in this facility has not yet been evaluated. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the quality of focused antenatal care services at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. A mixed method case study evaluation design was employed at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from February 29 to March 29, 2020. Quantitative data was collected through exit interviews of 411 mothers who attended antenatal care follow-up and review of 422 clients' cards 2 months prior to the study period. Similarly, 35 items of resources inventory, 10 direct observations, and 12 key informant interviews were conducted. The data were entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 and it was analysed with the Evaluation judgment matrix analysis method. Qualitative data were transcribed, translated and analysed by using thematic analysis. The evaluation focused on availability, compliance, and satisfaction dimensions with 25 indicators to judge the quality of antenatal care services. The overall quality of focused antenatal care services was judged as good, based on pre-set judgment criteria (76.7%), to which availability of resources, healthcare provider's compliance with the national guideline, and maternal satisfaction contributed, 73.3, 77.75, and 78.8%, respectively. Auditory and visual privacy were practiced which enhances patient confidentiality and personal dignity. The waiting area was perceived to be satisfactory by the majority (89%) of ANC clients, but there is no separate waiting area for ANC clients. Ten (10) client/provider interactions were observed, demonstrating that all clients were counseled about pregnancy danger signs. The overall focused antenatal care services quality was relatively good, although the availability of resources was fair. Some essential drugs and medical equipment were out of stock. Therefore, the hospital had better fulfill crucial medicines and equipment for better service quality.

Conceptualizing Mathematics Student Teachers' Approaches towards Responding to Availability of Tools and Resources in the Context of Knowledge Quartet

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize the approaches of secondary mathematics student teachers towards contingencies encountered during the teaching process within the context of responding to availability of tools and resources. In order to achieve the goal of the study based on the grounded theory, the nine secondary mathematics student teachers’ lessons were observed, and recorded using a video camera, and semi-structured interviews were performed. The data collection process ended after 54 lesson hours of observation, that is, when code saturation was reached. As a result, four sub-codes in the context of responding to availability of tools and resources were identified within the approaches of participants in relation to contingent moments. It is thought that conceptualizing the approaches of participants towards unplanned situations encountered during lessons in real class environment would prove to be beneficial in teacher training.