Contemporary Tools Research Articles

Integration of Technological Tools in English Literature Pedagogy: Enhancing the Teaching-Learning Experience

Digital technology has transformed English Language anad Literature pedagogy. The use of digital technology in English Literature pedagogy represents a significant advancement in Literature and Language learning, significantly enhancing both teaching and learning processes. Technology helps students learn more effectively, which helps educators improve their instruction. The method keeps developing to help teachers acquire a language more quickly for their students. Teachers choose software-based instructional systems that enhance students' positive interactions with their instructors and promote the acquisition of the English language in its entirety. This research aims to explore the integration of digital technological tools in English Literature and Language teaching and it endorses various methods to encourage the best possible instruction. It also investigates a variety of facets of teaching and technological resources that gives educators access to cutting-edge tools for effective and high-quality instruction. For this study, an explanatory qualitative methodod is opted (Creswell & Poth, 2018). For the survey of the literature, a linguistic and traditional description of the technology, and a thorough analysis of its relevance to currently used teaching techniques have all been conducted. The findings address key challenges by emphasizing the potential of digital and contemporary tools to enhance language education. The study advocates for the use of digital technological tools tools to improve Enlish language learning.

Contemporary Tools for Creating Customer Value

Contemporary Tools for Creating Customer Value

Regulation and Dynamics of IFN-β Expression Revealed with a Knockin Reporter Mouse.

IFN-β is a potent antiviral cytokine and the first member of the type I IFN family of cytokines to be induced during the antiviral response. IFN-β plays an essential protective role in host defense against virus infections, as well as a pathogenic role in numerous autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders. However, contemporary tools to study the induction, kinetics, and behavior of IFN-β are lacking. In this study, we describe a knockin Ifnb-IRES-TdTomato-Cre reporter mouse to track IFN-β-expressing cells. We demonstrate pathway-specific induction of the TdTomato reporter and show that the linked Cre recombinase enables permanent marking of cells that express IFN-β. We identify a robust MAVS-dependent IFN-β response in lung epithelial cells following Sendai virus infection invivo. Finally, we find that activation of RNase L in macrophages by RNA ligands of the RIG-I-like receptors prevents protein translation of IFN-β and the TdTomato reporter. Our mouse model provides a powerful tool to study the biology of type I IFN induction and the antiviral response.

The Applicability of The Pecking Order Theory in The Digital Economy

The Peck Order Theory (POT), proposed by Myers and Majluf in 1984, posits that firms prioritize their sources of financing based on the principle of least resistance, starting with internal financing, followed by debt, and ending with equity as a last resort. In the context of the digital economy—which is defined by new finance mechanisms and technical advancements like big data, blockchain, crowdsourcing, and artificial intelligence (AI)—this study investigates the applicability and relevance of POT. This study investigates how these contemporary tools impact conventional financing behaviors and preferences through an extensive literature review.The findings suggest that while POT remains a powerful framework, its application in the digital age needs to be modified to account for the reduced information asymmetry and increased efficiency brought about by digital innovations.

The status of professional autonomy and its predictors in clinical nurses in Iran.

The present study aimed to assess professional autonomy among clinical nurses and identify its predictors using a native and contemporary tool, which is in line with the recent advancement in nursing professionalism in Iran. The study used an analytical cross-sectional design. A total of 1601 nurses working in medical centres nationwide under the Ministry of Health participated in the study. The research instrument consisted of two parts, including individual and organizational characteristics and a questionnaire on clinical nurses' professional autonomy. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics as well as multiple logistic regression analysis using SPSS software. The results indicated that the total professional autonomy score among clinical nurses was 75.86 ± 12.03, with the majority (n = 1262, 78.9%) reporting high professional autonomy. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that nurses with 5-15 years of experience had 1.82 times higher odds (95% confidence interval: 2.47-1.35) of having high professional autonomy compared to those with less than 5 years of experience. Similarly, nurses with over 15 years of experience had 2.25 times higher odds (95% confidence interval: 1.56-3.26). Head nurses had 4.56 times higher odds (95% confidence interval: 2.60-7.99) of having high professional autonomy compared to clinical nurses. Educational interventions to enhance the professional autonomy of less experienced nurses, with more experienced nurses serving as role models, are recommended. Additionally, measures such as supporting nurses, providing effective communication training and empowering nurses are essential to promote professional mutual respect among nurses. This study explored professional autonomy in clinical nurses in Iran. No patient or public contribution was investigated.

Pharmacovigilance in Ayurveda: Present & Future

Pharmacovigilance is an important element of contemporary healthcare systems, as it involves the detection and evaluation of risks associated with medications and devices. Though originally a construct linked to conventional medicine, pharmacovigilance is now embraced as crucial for Ayurvedic medicine that employs numerous herbal and mineral drugs. The main focus of this paper is to discuss how pharmacovigilance can be incorporated into Ayurveda to maintain the safety, efficacy, and credibility of Ayurvedic treatments. It provides an overview of how pharmacovigilance is currently practised, the issues related to Ayurveda, and the importance of implementing standard practices and guidelines. The future of pharmacovigilance in Ayurveda is presented as combining the holistic approach with contemporary tools, technologies, and global trends. Implementation processes customised for Ayurvedic treatments, measures regarding quality control, reporting mechanisms, and awareness creation are suggested to maintain the international acceptability and effectiveness of Ayurveda.

Mobile genetic elements define the non-random structure of the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi pangenome.

Bacterial relatedness measured using select chromosomal loci forms the basis of public health genomic surveillance. While approximating vertical evolution through this approach has proven exceptionally valuable for understanding pathogen dynamics, it excludes a fundamental dimension of bacterial evolution-horizontal gene transfer. Incorporating the accessory genome is the logical remediation and has recently shown promise in expanding epidemiological resolution for enteric pathogens. Employing k-mer-based Jaccard index analysis, and a novel genome length distance metric, we computed pangenome (i.e., core and accessory) relatedness for the globally important pathogen Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (Typhi), and graphically express both vertical (homology-by-descent) and horizontal (homology-by-admixture) evolutionary relationships in a reticulate network of over 2,200 U.S. Typhi genomes. This analysis revealed non-random structure in the Typhi pangenome that is driven predominantly by the gain and loss of mobile genetic elements, confirming and expanding upon known epidemiological patterns, revealing novel plasmid dynamics, and identifying avenues for further genomic epidemiological exploration. With an eye to public health application, this work adds important biological context to the rapidly improving ways of analyzing bacterial genetic data and demonstrates the value of the accessory genome to infer pathogen epidemiology and evolution.IMPORTANCEGiven bacterial evolution occurs in both vertical and horizontal dimensions, inclusion of both core and accessory genetic material (i.e., the pangenome) is a logical step toward a more thorough understanding of pathogen dynamics. With an eye to public, and indeed, global health relevance, we couple contemporary tools for genomic analysis with decades of research on mobile genetic elements to demonstrate the value of the pangenome, known and unknown, annotated, and hypothetical, for stratification of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (Typhi) populations. We confirm and expand upon what is known about Typhi epidemiology, plasmids, and antimicrobial resistance dynamics, and offer new avenues of exploration to further deduce Typhi ecology and evolution, and ultimately to reduce the incidence of human disease.

Virtually Reconstructing Bernhard Heine’s Osteotome

The osteotome was a hand-cranked medical chainsaw designed in 1830 by the German surgeon Bernhard Heine. Before Heine, surgeons used crude, manual tools, such as hammers, chisels, and handsaws. The osteotome was among the first mechanical tools used in orthopedic surgery, and it preceded the later use of the motorized chainsaw for woodcutting. Due to the small number of units manufactured, questions remain about the osteotome’s usage. To facilitate conservation and assist with investigation, Heine’s osteotome was digitally reconstructed. As with other digital reconstruction attempts in cultural heritage, assumptions were made to facilitate reproduction. To highlight the functional similarities and contrasts between early and contemporary tools, its parts were compared with contemporary chainsaws and surgical tools. Contemporary orthopedic surgeons have largely shifted away from medical chainsaws, such as the osteotome, in favor of reciprocating saws. Due to its small size and medical purpose, the osteotome was designed for greater precision than a modern industrial chainsaw. Based on the reproduction and comparative analysis, the device was likely used in a manner more similar to modern medical reciprocating saws than to its direct descendant, the industrial chainsaw. The Heine osteotome mechanized surgery and its descendants are still used in medicine and the industry. The osteotome model enabled an analysis of its function and use.

What does personality tell us about travellers’ social media use, social return, and travel intentions?

ABSTRACT While much has been written on the influence personality has over travel behaviour, few have researched the relationship between personality, social media usage, and intent to travel. This research note is one of the first to bring social media into the discussion to see how one’s personality influences their utilitarian and socially symbolic uses of social media, social return, and, ultimately, their intentions to travel. Data from 1,653 international tourists from the United States of America’s top 5 travel markets revealed the Big 5 Personalities had significant but divergent relationships on utilitarian and symbolic motivations for using social media suggesting marketers should use personality profiles in their social media marketing campaigns. ‘Social Return’ was also found to be a crucial element in the proposed framework, reinforcing the proposition that DMOs and other tourism industry practitioners should use social media as a contemporary tool to boost travel to their destinations.

Debating Decolonization: The Use of Postcolonial Metatheatre in Murray Carlin’s Not Now, Sweet Desdemona

This article considers Not Now, Sweet Desdemona (1967) by the South African playwright Murray Carlin as an intervention in the critical and performance histories of Othello, situating Shakespeare’s tragedy within contemporary postcolonial and apartheid-era debates. Carlin’s play reveals multiple interlocking layers of meta-commentary to illustrate the ways in which Othello is haunted by postcolonialism. This reading builds on Marvin Carlson’s notion of the haunted stage as well as Joanne Tompkins’s account of postcolonial metatheatre, in which an embedded counter-discourse assists in the rereading, restructuring, and resituating of a “base” play. In the case of Not Now, Sweet Desdemona, Carlin engages metatheatrically with racist and misogynist discourses as well as with fields that are less often mentioned in discussions of postcolonial metatheatre, such as literary criticism and theatre history. Through these engagements, Carlin positions Othello as both a historical vector for racist ideologies and a more contemporary tool for challenging and dismantling systemic oppression.

Mapping Temporal Experience: accounting for felt time in service design

A key aspect of service design practice is the utilization of diverse mapping methods to comprehend and depict service architectures. While a consensus exists regarding the importance of considering temporal experience as an aspect of service designing, the prevalent methods—customer journey maps, service blueprints, and system diagrams—fall short in capturing vital temporal dimensions. Contemporary tools spotlight physical touchpoints rather than address intricate narratives of more spontaneous customer/provider interactions. The task of documenting evolving temporal experiences necessitates a profound reorientation toward kairotic time, a dimension underrepresented in current discourse. This study explores alternative methodologies that elucidate time within the context of depicting evolving service experiences. Preliminary ventures into service design mapping attuned to temporality are also introduced.

Real-world data of radiofrequency catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Short- and long-term clinical outcomes from the prospective multicenter REAL-AF Registry

BackgroundThe safety and long-term efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation (CA) of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been well established. Contemporary techniques to optimize ablation delivery, reduce fluoroscopy use, and improve clinical outcomes have been developed. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the contemporary real-world practice approach and short and long-term outcomes of RF CA for PAF through a prospective multicenter registry. MethodsUsing the REAL-AF (Real-world Experience of Catheter Ablation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation; ClincalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04088071) Registry, patients undergoing RF CA to treat PAF across 42 high-volume institutions and 79 experienced operators were evaluated. The procedures were performed using zero or reduced fluoroscopy, contact force sensing catheters, wide area circumferential ablation, and ablation index as a guide with a target of 380–420 for posterior and 500–550 for anterior lesions. The primary efficacy outcome was freedom from all-atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 12 months. ResultsA total of 2470 patients undergoing CA from January 2018 to December 2022 were included. Mean age was 65.2 ±11.14 years, and 44% were female. Most procedures were performed without fluoroscopy (71.5%), with average procedural and total RF times of 95.4 ± 41.7 minutes and 22.1±11.8 minutes, respectively. At 1-year follow-up, freedom from all-atrial arrhythmias was 81.6% with 89.7% of these patients off antiarrhythmic drugs. No significant difference was identified comparing pulmonary vein isolation vs pulmonary vein isolation plus ablation approaches. The complication rate was 1.9%. ConclusionRefinement of RF CA to treat PAF using contemporary tools, standardized protocols, and electrophysiology laboratory workflows resulted in excellent short- and long-term clinical outcomes.

Better than Goodenough? Evaluating new computational techniques for finding diagnostic structure in children's drawings.

In her 1926 book Measurement of Intelligence by Drawings, Florence Goodenough pioneered the quantitative analysis of children's human-figure drawings as a tool for evaluating their cognitive development. This influential work launched a broad enterprise in cognitive evaluation that continues to the present day, with most clinicians and researchers deploying variants of the checklist-based scoring methods that Goodenough invented. Yet recent work leveraging computational innovations in cognitive science suggests that human-figure drawings possess much richer structure than checklist-based approaches can capture. The current study uses these contemporary tools to characterize structure in the images from Goodenough's original work, then assesses whether this structure carries information about demographic and cognitive characteristics of the participants in that early study. The results show that contemporary methods can reliably extract information about participant age, gender, and mental faculties from images produced over 100 years ago, with no expert training and with minimal human effort. Moreover, the new analyses suggest a different relationship between drawing and mental ability than that captured by Goodenough's highly influential approach, with important implications for the use of drawings in cognitive evaluation in the present day.

Ac4C-AFL: A high-precision identification of human mRNA N4-acetylcytidine sites based on adaptive feature representation learning

RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is a highly conserved RNA modification that plays a crucial role in controlling mRNA stability, processing, and translation. Consequently, accurate identification of ac4C sites across the genome is critical for understanding gene expression regulation mechanisms. In this study, we have developed ac4C-AFL, a bioinformatics tool that precisely identifies ac4C sites from primary RNA sequences. In ac4C-AFL, we identified the optimal sequence length for model building and implemented an adaptive feature representation strategy that is capable of extracting the most representative features from RNA. To identify the most relevant features, we proposed a novel ensemble feature importance scoring strategy to rank features effectively. We then used this information to conduct the sequential forward search, which individually determine the optimal feature set from the 16 sequence-derived feature descriptors. Utilizing these optimal feature descriptors, we constructed 176 baseline models using 11 popular classifiers. The most efficient baseline models were identified using the two-step feature selection approach, whose predicted scores were integrated and trained with the appropriate classifier to develop the final prediction model. Our rigorous cross-validations and independent tests demonstrate that ac4C-AFL surpasses contemporary tools in predicting ac4C sites. Moreover, we have developed a publicly accessible web server at https://balalab-skku.org/ac4C-AFL/.

Opening the Black Box of Implementation: Developing the Creating Active Schools Logic Model

ABSTRACT Global guidance is driving systems thinking to the forefront of research, policy, and practice. To achieve this, we need to consider how things work to ensure successful implementation. The use of the implementation research logic model as a contemporary tool to aid the planning, reporting, synthesizing, executing, and evaluating of the novel Creating Active Schools (CAS) program is illustrated. A five-step iterative process, underpinned by the implementation research logic model, was undertaken to hypothesize and identify conceptual pathways between the CAS: 1) program determinants, 2) program components and actions, 3) implementation strategies, 4) mechanisms of action, and 5) outcomes. Throughout development, school-based and CAS stakeholders engaged in reviewing appropriate implementation theories, models and frameworks, terminology, and content. An in-depth CAS logic model was created to detail the CAS program and underpinning mechanisms. This article provides novel insights into how contemporary implementation tools can be applied and adapted to enhance the planning, reporting, synthesizing, executing, and evaluating of complex interventions and strategies. The CAS logic model provides a blueprint for future school-based interventions to develop evidence-based logic models and to increase the likelihood of acceptance, feasibility, and sustainability.

A Bird's-Eye View of Chromosomic Evolution in the Class Aves.

Birds (Aves) are the most speciose of terrestrial vertebrates, displaying Class-specific characteristics yet incredible external phenotypic diversity. Critical to agriculture and as model organisms, birds have adapted to many habitats. The only extant examples of dinosaurs, birds emerged ~150 mya and >10% are currently threatened with extinction. This review is a comprehensive overview of avian genome ("chromosomic") organization research based mostly on chromosome painting and BAC-based studies. We discuss traditional and contemporary tools for reliably generating chromosome-level assemblies and analyzing multiple species at a higher resolution and wider phylogenetic distance than previously possible. These results permit more detailed investigations into inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements, providing unique insights into evolution and speciation mechanisms. The 'signature' avian karyotype likely arose ~250 mya and remained largely unchanged in most groups including extinct dinosaurs. Exceptions include Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Cuculiformes, Suliformes, occasional Passeriformes, Ciconiiformes, and Pelecaniformes. The reasons for this remarkable conservation may be the greater diploid chromosome number generating variation (the driver of natural selection) through a greater possible combination of gametes and/or an increase in recombination rate. A deeper understanding of avian genomic structure permits the exploration of fundamental biological questions pertaining to the role of evolutionary breakpoint regions and homologous synteny blocks.

Artificial intelligence as enabler of future library services: how prepared are librarians in African university libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate artificial intelligence (AI) as enabler of future library services, with consideration to how prepared are librarians in African university libraries.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied the interpretive content/document analysis of literature harvested from different databases of Scopus and Web of Science. AI could be used to perform daily routines in circulation, serial, reference and selective dissemination of information among others. It could also be applied to the provision of innovative services of recognition of library activities such as answering research quarries, cataloguing and classification of library materials and management of library system software of different databases within the library systems.FindingsIt could be deduced from the study that AI would continue to serve as a panacea to future library services irrespective of its geographical context. Due to the evolving nature of knowledge growth, AI having its roots in the field of engineering has been found useful to support future library services. The support accrued from library service delivery in the library profession has made librarians continue to interact with other intelligent machines that can demonstrate human behaviour even though they are not real human beings. The behaviour of machines and AI where human beings play a significant role has brought many renovations in the management of complex tasks of processing, communication, knowledge representation, decision making and suggestions, on potentials of diverse work operations.Practical implicationsThe understanding that the present paper portrays in the context of future library services is that there is no way the AI could function without a human interaction perspective when drawing an analogy from computer science, information science and information systems fields of study.Social implicationsThe interest of users across their background would be strengthen if AI advances transformed the handling complex tasks of processing, communication, knowledge representation, decision-making and giving suggestions, among other things. The possibilities of diverse work operations from empirical evidence of studies consulted in recent times gave the authors the impetus to consider AI as the enabler of future library services.Originality/valueThe increasing demands from library patrons have prompted librarians to adapt their methods of delivering services. These emerging technologies have also brought about shifts in approaches to teaching and learning. Consequently, the recent surge in digital technology-driven service innovations has ushered in a fresh paradigm for education and research. In response to these changes, librarians are actively seeking novel and innovative technologies to enhance user experiences within their libraries. They serve as catalysts for introducing modern and advanced technologies, consistently adapting to contemporary tools that enhance their offerings.

ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF POLITICAL CHANGE: ARMENIA BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE FUTURE

Currently the Armenian government is trying to change the foreign policy vision and make a shift from strategic partnership with Russia to a partnership with the European Union and the United States. However, this political move contradicts to economic trends and existing drivers of economic growth in Armenia. The impressive economic growth of last decade clearly indicates the growing dependence of Armenia from economic integration in the Eurasian Economic Union. According to many leaders of today’s political elite in Armenia, there is no alternative to the strategic partnership with Russia to ensure economic security, economic growth and to the improvement of social welfare in Armenia. In addition, no concrete resources are generated to maintain the same path of growth and economic resilience of the nation while making a transition to the partnership with the West. Thus, we may conclude that the national interests of Armenia require gradual diversification of economic and political partners, not an overnight shift from one polar to another. Also, contemporary tools and methods of economic diplomacy might be extremely demanded to coordinate existing human, financial and other resources of the nation to improve the level of competetiveness of the Armenian economy and ensure proper level of economic security.

Forensic examination of digitally captured handwriting- A review of contemporary tools and techniques

Forensic examination of digitally captured handwriting- A review of contemporary tools and techniques

SIMULATION MODEL OF A MISSILE STRIKE

Abstract. As modern naval warfare systems and tactics continue to evolve, it is crucial to employ contemporary tools capable of assessing their potential across various combat scenarios. This study model simulates interactions between anti-ship missiles and naval forces during landing operations. Our research seeks to develop a robust method for quantitatively analyzing the impact of anti-ship missiles on naval vessels under diverse combat conditions. The model's scalability allows for the incorporation of emerging naval tactics and procedures, maintaining its relevance and utility in dynamic strategic environments. It supports enhancements in precision through statistical analysis and ongoing assessments of new weaponry and technological advancements. By simulating a broad range of missile types, naval strategies, warship classes, aircraft, reconnaissance systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, the model provides insights into the strategic utility of anti-ship missiles. Our findings aim to optimize the allocation of military resources by accurately determining the necessary missile quantities to thwart enemy naval landings, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of defensive operations. Keywords: Anti-ship missiles, missile guidance, naval landing, simulation framework, missile damage estimation.