Field Of Endeavor Research Articles

Handling the Imbalanced Problem in Agri-Food Data Analysis.

Imbalanced data situations exist in most fields of endeavor. The problem has been identified as a major bottleneck in machine learning/data mining and is becoming a serious issue of concern in food processing applications. Inappropriate analysis of agricultural and food processing data was identified as limiting the robustness of predictive models built from agri-food applications. As a result of rare cases occurring infrequently, classification rules that detect small groups are scarce, so samples belonging to small classes are largely misclassified. Most existing machine learning algorithms including the K-means, decision trees, and support vector machines (SVMs) are not optimal in handling imbalanced data. Consequently, models developed from the analysis of such data are very prone to rejection and non-adoptability in real industrial and commercial settings. This paper showcases the reality of the imbalanced data problem in agri-food applications and therefore proposes some state-of-the-art artificial intelligence algorithm approaches for handling the problem using methods including data resampling, one-class learning, ensemble methods, feature selection, and deep learning techniques. This paper further evaluates existing and newer metrics that are well suited for handling imbalanced data. Rightly analyzing imbalanced data from food processing application research works will improve the accuracy of results and model developments. This will consequently enhance the acceptability and adoptability of innovations/inventions.

Decolonizing the Academic Study of Science and Religion? Engaging Wynter’s Epistemic Disobedience

With roots in the early 1960s, decoloniality as a sub-sect of postcolonial studies made successful attempts at redefining and unearthing essentially Western conceptualizations of knowledge and knowledge formation across different fields of endeavor. Many academic disciplines have benefited from decolonial studies’ self-reflective theories and deconstructive approaches, and religion and science should not be an exception. Within religion and science as an academic field, Western and European intellectual frames have been overwhelmingly presented as definitive of globalized perspectives and knowledge, especially the definition of “religion” and “science” within the academic field. The subtle but evident impact of adopting Western epistemology as ‘the’ definitive reference frame for all peoples and cultures is the transposition of colonial and overtly Eurocentric conceptualizations and definitions of what religion and science mean as perfunctory for what religion and science should mean within non-Western frames as well as a disregard for the latter. This has led to the presentation (or overrepresentation, according to Sylvia Wynter) of a single homogenized perspective for meaning-making and interpretation of topics and themes within the field, a decision which has not only significantly impacted the field, in terms of ongoing dialectics about the relationship between religion and science, but which has also seen the exclusion of other forms of beneficial epistemic reference frames, which have been viewed as subaltern. Drawing from Wynter’s epistemic disobedience, this paper highlights decolonial approaches for engaging in the academic study of science and religion, and which will advance the path towards delinking the field from Euro-Western conceptualizations. This will unravel the rich epistemic formation within non-Western knowledge frames and the inclusion of which will greatly enrich and redefine the academic study of religion and science in the days ahead.

The post-independence Nigerian environment and economic development: An historical survey

Environment plays a vital role in shaping and determining the level of progress achievable by man, both individually and collectively in various fields of endeavour. Man, and his environment are inseparably bound together, as the environment provides him the platform for the expression and demonstration of his inherent potentials and skills as a gregarious and productive organism. Without environment, there will be no life because it is the environment that sustains life. Human environment should therefore be made conducive, enabling and salubrious for the sustenance of life and diverse activities. Thus, this paper begins, by a somber glance at the post – independence since 1960; effects of good environment on productivity and economic development, and the crushing influence of harsh environment on Nigerian economy. The paper concludes by highlighting an economic development-friendly environment as a must for our 21st century Nigeria. The paper employed participatory observation and historical methods in other to achieve its objectives. The paper recommends, among others, that the government should promptly and urgently rid our environment of the activities of insurgents, bandits, terrorist herdsmen, unknown gunmen, kidnappers, and criminals which constitute serious threats to life sustenance, peace, social stability, and economic development.

The advent of ChatGPT: Job Made Easy or Job Loss to Data Analysts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven valuable in almost every field of endeavour, including education, sciences, engineering, technology, medical sciences, and numerous other areas of application. Despite its widespread usefulness, concerns have arisen about AI potentially displacing jobs due to its highly advanced capabilities, commonly called the "god-man effect." One remarkable AI product is ChatGPT, a Chatbot developed by an open AI company in the USA that is capable of engaging in conversations that resemble human interactions. This study explores the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT for data analysis, with the primary objective of assessing whether ChatGPT poses a threat to the job of data analysts. An econometric dataset with a sample size of thirty (30), which consists of one dependent variable and three independent variables, was simulated. The dataset was intentionally generated with issues like multicollinearity, outliers, and heteroscedasticity. Subsequently, multiple tests were conducted on the datasets to confirm the presence of these problems. The ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 versions were then used to analyse the data to examine this chatbot's prowess in performing data analysis. ChatGPT 3.5 and 4.0 accurately predicted the suitable statistical tool for analyzing the simulated datasets. Both versions of ChatGPT emphasized that the expertise of a professional data analyst would be necessary. While they could offer guidance on data analysis, they cannot perform the analysis themselves as they are solely AI models. ChatGPT can help with what to do next when a data analyst gets stuck. However, they should not be recognized as an authority in making statistical decisions. Therefore, ChatGPT may not replace data analysts but could make their job easier by serving as a helpful resource to turn to when they encounter challenges.

Emerging Trends in Worker-Cooperatives in a Changing World of Work: Implication for Community Development in Nigeria

Worker-cooperatives are emerging as organizational structures responding to the trends within the world of work, ranging from technological, economical to social trends. They have a specific democratic governance structure of management and members being the workers and they are also in charge of decisions making in the enterprise. As part of the trends in a changing world of work, worker-cooperatives use different spectrums of technologies for local and international work performance. They buy out or take over business organizations that are failing as a result of the financial and economic crisis and transform the business organizations into productive enterprises. They also generate employment for members and non-members, provide financial assistance to members and non-members at a reduced interest rate and help to train community members to be proficient in different fields of endeavour. Obviously, in the Nigerian society today, worker-cooperatives are agents of bringing development in urban settlements and rural communities.

Relationship Marketing and Sustainable Competitive Advantage at Tema Branch of Zoomlion Ghana Limited

The competitive business environment shows that today’s business combat different and more complex factors to remain competitive in their field of endeavour. In the service industry, the emphasis is placed on customer identification, customer retention, customer satisfaction and fostering long term relationship. The purpose of the study was to identify how Zoomlion Ghana Limited can leverage on relationship marketing to create competitive advantage. The study adopted the qualitative research paradigm and a case study research design. The study was conducted in the Tema metropolises with the population being employees and customers of Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The sample procedure used was convenience and sample size comprised of 50 employees and 200 customers of the company. The data for the study was obtained primarily through questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. The study established employees understood their roles in adopting relationship marketing, however, employees lacked the necessary communication equipment to help facilitate the process. This also reflected in the challenges employees faced in establishing relationship with customers. Also, Zoomlions Company Ltd.’s working environment proved not to encourage innovation among employees. The study recommended that Zoomlion should invest in modern communication system that will enhance communication, trust, and commitment as a basis for establishing relationship marketing strategy.

“I Reserve the Right to Criticize My Friends”: The International Committee for Political Prisoners and Its Letters from Russian Prisons

AbstractCampaigns on behalf of Russian political prisoners stretch from the revolutionary “nihilists” of the 1880s to the dissidents of the 1970s. While the efforts of political émigrés and their Western sympathizers – to promote awareness, raise funds, and pressure governments – met with decidedly mixed success, there were several watershed moments. This article examines how one such breakthrough, the compilation and publication of Letters from Russian Prisons in 1925, resulted in the formation of the International Committee for Political Prisoners (ICPP) as the first ever transnational amnesty NGO. Along with 300 pages of harrowing accounts of Soviet prisons, camps, and exile, the book featured endorsements by “Twenty-Two Well-Known European and American Authors”. The disputatious process of this volume's compilation and the controversy greeting its issuance show the challenges of extending civil liberties advocacy to include criticism of the Soviet Union among left and liberal figures in the interwar period. In establishing a new field of endeavor – universalist transnational activism to aid political detainees – the ICPP navigated a complex network of relationships among a diverse array of political and intellectual figures.

Level of Participation to Sports and Its Implication to Academic Performance of High School Student-Athletes

Student participation in sports has a big impact in their academic performances that influence their studies and their future. The researchers of the study aim to investigate the significant relationship between level of sports participation and academic achievement of the 173 student-athletes in a private high school in central Pasig City, Philippines, SY 2022-2023. Quantitative correlation is the research design in order to assess a social phenomenon to establish and describe relationship between their sports participation and academic performance important to identify the areas to be assisted and to improve for better performances in both field of endeavour. Based on the significant findings of this study, the researcher recommends 1) the school administrators may orient teachers in preparing important tasks that will give merit to student-athletes, 2) the need for coaches and academic teachers to agree on scheduling of the training of the players, 3) the learning competencies in academic subjects to be align in physical activities and sports, 4) and this study be replicated and validated in the public schools and colleges; and further investigation be made on the effect of respondents perception of role and other factors on their level of participation in different team sports without jeopardizing their academic performances.

APPLICATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORTS FOR HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS. A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

As technology advances, virtual reality (VR) becomes more prevalent in various fields of endeavor. Virtual reality is frequently associated with entertainment for adolescents. This is not always the case, however. Military, medicine, education, and architecture could all benefit from virtual reality, and in these fi elds, with complete confidence, sports and physical activity could also be added. As the origins of virtual reality are examined, it could be confirmed that people have always desired to recreate reality, beginning with drawings and progressing through cinema and photography to modern technologies that attempt to recreate the environment, real objects, states, etc., as accurately as possible. This study aims to analyze the available and accessible literature that has examined the application of different types of virtual reality. In order to fulfill the set objective, access through the virtual library of SUNY Empire State College was used. The researched databases were ProQuest, MEDLINE (with Full Text), PloS ONE, JSTOR, Library and Information Science and Technology Abstracts with FullText, EBSCOhost, LearnTechLib, Sage Journals, and Science Direct. The PRISMA guidelines were utilized to guide the review’s conduct. The total number of sources studied was 2800, and through the PRISMA model, the final amount of analyzed articles was reduced to 11. According to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria, the articles considered comprehensively explained the methodology employed and delved into the effects of virtual reality on sports and physical activity among the participants. Virtual reality technology provides a personalized experience by adapting to the individual’s interests and abilities. It has been discovered that immersive VR exergames can result in the same or greater exercise intensity than conventional exercise conditions. Exergaming in virtual reality could be especially beneficial for promoting physical activity and overall societal health.

A Brief Overview on Applications of Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods in Web Application Security

Various fields of endeavours have seen the increasing application of multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, this includes web application security as new challenges arise in the sector. More MCDM methods are being created and existing methods are combined to give better solutions. This paper performs a review of selected works that are related to the use of MCDM in web application security, examining the methods used, applications and results. Twenty one works were reviewed, with ten papers critically analysed, all published between 2014 and 2023. They were analysed based on MCDM techniques used and security evaluation methods. Results from this review shows that combined MCDM methods were more effective in addition to AHP, TOPSIS and fuzzy-techniques being prevalent. The review carried out in this paper provides a clear insight on various potential applications of MCDM in web application security. Keywords: Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM); Web Application Security; Literature Review Proceedings Citation Format Abdulraheem, A.O., Adepoju, S.A., Ojerinde A.O. & Abisoye, O.A (2023): A Brief Overview on Applications of Multi Criteria Decision Making Methods in Web Application Security. Proceedings of the Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference. Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja, Nigeria. 11-12th July, 2023. Pp 59-66. https://cybersecurenigeria.org/conference-proceedings/volume-2-2023/ dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/CSEAN-SMART2023P8

A Singular Disclosure Requirement Is Necessary For Patent Law

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s recent jurisprudence on 35 U.S.C. § 112 has selectively and severely curtailed innovation in the fields of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Specifically, the Federal Circuit’s shifting position on 35 U.S.C. § 112 and their evolving jurisprudence to combine expanding the application and scope of the written description requirement with a separate, heightened standard for enabling claims directed to innovation in a genus of therapeutic antibodies, or a genus of compounds having functional limitations, has caused havoc in the biopharmaceutical industry. Federal Circuit jurisprudence on how to interpret the disclosure requirements of the 35 U.S.C. § 112 contravenes the statute and Supreme Court precedent by mandating two separate disclosure requirements in place of one, namely that patent applications not only “enable” but also separately “describe” inventions. This recently developed and reactively evolving judge made approach raises the bar exceedingly high for obtaining any meaningful patent protection for new biomedical discoveries, goes against many decades of patent practice, and is proving to be a powerful impediment to the investment necessary for developing new and lifesaving medicines. This article examines patent law’s current disclosure requirements to highlight a failing judicial trajectory and proposes a return to a single 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) standard. By doing so, the great shock that has singled out and disrupted the biopharmaceutical industry will be removed and the law can once again encourage, in a technology-neutral manner, the private sector to innovate in all fields of endeavor, including encouraging the biopharmaceutical industry to develop new lifesaving medicines and treatments.

Reconciling Nature-Technology-Child Connections: Smart Cities and the Necessity of a New Paradigm of Nature-Sensitive Technologies for Today’s Children

There is a serious and problematic disconnection between children and the natural environment. This has been documented across various disciplines and fields of endeavour, including science, the creative arts, the social sciences, education, design, and the humanities. The nature–people disconnection is particularly concerning at this present juncture when understanding and advocating for the natural environment is necessary to address global environmental crises. Smart cities have, to date, focused on business and economic directions. In recent times, there has been an emerging awareness that such technologically advanced urban environments must link to and inspire an understanding and care for nature in more profound and meaningful ways. Therefore, this paper aims to identify opportunities and discuss how technology can improve this interaction through advancing and implementing nature-positive and nature-sensitive technologies through a critical review of the literature spanning smart cities, children, and nature-based technologies. Such linkages can serve as a driving force behind the transformation of cities as they adapt to support initiatives, such as the post-2020 biodiversity agenda.

The promise of autologous and allogeneic cellular therapies in the clinical trials of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a consortium of developmental conditions. As scientists have not yet identified the exact underlying cause for these disorders, it is not easy to narrow down a singular therapy to propose a reliable cure. The preponderance of research suggests that stem-cell therapy improves aspects of outcome measure scales in patients with ASD; therefore, future studies should give us more confidence in the results. This overview considers the data that have emerged from the small set of published trials conducted using different approaches in stem-cell therapy for ASD, evaluates their results and proposes additional steps that could be taken if this field of endeavor is to be pursued further.

New Zealand pharmaceutical care pioneer Bernard McKone honored by King Charles III.

Bernard (Bernie) McKone of Cromwell, Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, was appointed a 2023 officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit by King Charles III for service to patients and the pharmaceutical sector.1 In a career spanning more than 40 years, McKone has worked at the leading edge of the pharmacy profession. In 1994, McKone and four New Zealand colleagues traveled to the United States seeking to adapt the tenets of pharmaceutical care practice through collaborations with colleagues in Minnesota and elsewhere.2 These collaborations culminated in development of the Comprehensive Pharmaceutical Care program that remains viable in New Zealand. McKone’s dedication to his community, patients, and profession also earned him distinction as a 2021 Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) Gold Medal recipient, the highest honor bestowed by the society, often regarded as proportional to the American Pharmacists Association Remington Honor Medal.3 The New Zealand Order of Merit was instituted by royal warrant in 1996 to recognize those who, “in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nations or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits.”4

Celebrating 10 years of JBI Evidence Synthesis online.

Celebrating 10 years of JBI Evidence Synthesis online.

РОЛЬ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ИСКУССТВЕННОГО ИНТЕЛЛЕКТА В ЦИФРОВОЙ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИИ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ ОТРАСЛИ

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an increasingly common technology in various fields of endeavour. One of the areas where its use is finding increasing application is in the transport industry. The development of AI in the transport industry should improve the safety, efficiency and comfort of journeys. The article presents the results of the research on the application of AI technology in the transport and logistics industry. The advantages, attractiveness and significance of the implementation of this technology for the competitiveness of transport companies are considered. The authors’ attention is focused on the problems of using artificial intelligence for effective management of transport infrastructure objects.

Innovation and Adaptation

Innovation has been the cornerstone for advances in any field of endeavor throughout the history of man and has driven the relentless forward journey of the human race. This special Orthopedics issue highlights a number of articles that showcase innovations – ideas, devices, and systems.
 The article by Aljibe, et al. showcases a novel method of producing patient-specific templates. While it is still in its infancy, the in vitro model is a first step towards a goal of translating this technology into surgical applications. This is an example of innovation driving medicine forward. 3-D printing has evolved from a hobbyist’s dream to an important tool in prosthetics, industry, drug delivery, and medicine.1-3 It is certainly exciting that scientists, engineers, and medical practitioners in our country are beginning to engage in this trailblazing field.
 The article by Gavino, et al. combines two highly specialized procedures – brachial plexus reconstruction and markerless motion analysis, the latter an innovation in itself, and creates a novel method of evaluating results of surgical procedures.4,5 Treatment of brachial plexus injuries, which bring catastrophic damage to the nerve supply to the upper extremity, need accurate evaluation of their outcomes. Only by knowing what is achieved by current treatments can we hope to better the plight of these patients.
 Genuino, et al. present a paradigm shift in delivery of services in a tertiary hospital whose main client base are the indigent. An innovation in the provision of necessary orthopedic implants to patients who have no capacity to pay for these themselves allows the bypass of charitable donors and puts the responsibility of supplying and paying for these implants on the government. This is a small but vital cog in the journey towards universal health care.
 Adaptation is highlighted by the changes forced upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic. The treatment of fragility fractures, a fraught process in the best of times, was further complicated with the restrictions that came with the lockdown. Risks already present in this elderly population were compounded by risks of transmission of this modern plague.6,7 Tabu and Cortez present in their article the adaptations instituted and the short-term results of fragility fractures managed during this period. Education also needed to adapt to the changing milieu.8 Online and distance education became a mainstay in medical education and training. Garduce, et al. present their evaluation of a hybrid method of residency education.
 The rest of the articles included in this Orthopedics special issue represent continuing efforts in scientific research in our field. They showcase contributions to the body of knowledge and experience that should prove useful to our readers and ultimately, to our patients.
 Tammy L. Dela Rosa, MD, MMedScDepartment of Orthopedics,Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines ManilaDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila
 
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 1. Lambert KF, Whitehead M, Betz M, Nutt J, Dubose C. An overviewof 3-D printing for medical applications. Radiol Technol. 2022Mar;93(4):356-67.2. Zeeshan F, Madheswaran T, Pandey M, Gorain B. Three-dimensional(3-D) printing technology exploited for the fabrication of drugdelivery systems. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(42):5019-28. doi: 10.2174/1381612825666190101111525.3. Pehde CE, Bennett J, Lee Peck B, Gull L. Development of a 3-Dprinting laboratory for foot and ankle applications. Clin PodiatrMed Surg. 2020 Apr;37(2):195-213. doi: 10.1016/j.cpm.2019.12.011.4. Rammer J, Slavens B, Krzak J, Winters J, Riedel S, Harris G.Assessment of a markerless motion analysis system for manualwheelchair application. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2018 Nov;15(1):96.doi: 10.1186/s12984-018-0444-1.5. Huber ME, Seitz AL, Leeser M, Sternad D. Validity and reliabilityof Kinect skeleton for measuring shoulder joint angles: a feasibilitystudy. Physiotherapy. 2015 Dec;101(4):389-93. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.02.002.6. Cortez KA, Lai JGL, Tabu IA. Economic burden and the effectsof early versus delayed hospitalization on the treatment cost ofpatients with acute fragility hip fractures under the UPM-PGHOrthogeriatric Multidisciplinary Fracture Management Model andFracture Liaison Service. Osteoporos Sarcopenia. 2021 Jun;7(2): 63–8.doi: 10.1016/j.afos.2021.05.004. 7. Pouramin P, Li CS, Busse JW, Sprague S, Devereaux PJ, Jagnoor J, et al.Delays in hospital admissions in patients with fractures across 18 lowincome and middle-income countries (INORMUS): A prospectiveobservational study. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 May; 8(5): e711-20.doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30067-X.8. Dedeilia A, Sotiropoulos MG, Hanrahan JG, Janga D, Dedeilias P,Sideris M. Medical and surgical education challenges and innovationsin the COVID-19 Era: a systematic review. In Vivo. 2020 Jun;34(3 Suppl):1603-11. doi: 10.21873/invivo.11950.

TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA: APPLICATIONS IN LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS (TEFL, TESL & TESOL)

Today, our life is deeply immersed in web-based technologies. Digital media have dramatically affected almost every aspect of human life. The field of education has been slower to integrate new technologies than many other fields of endeavor, but that is now changing. The role of digital media in language and learning is especially important, given how new technologies are transforming reading, writing, and communication. For many language learners around the world, new digital environments represent not only a useful means for learning language, but also the main medium in which they will actual use their second language in everyday life. Teachers and educators use web-based technologies in their classrooms to enhance their teaching and students’ learning. Language-related field of studies such as TEFL, TESL and TESOL are connected to these technology-based platforms. We can assume many benefits to technology-based teaching and learning, but research shows that psychological aspects are much more dominant than others are.

Uses and purpose of the information and communication technology and its impact on women library professionals in Bhopal

In addition to creating new possibilities for social and economic development, the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution has also created issues and hurdles. It has an impact on all facets of society and can shape and improve a wide range of developmental applications in the social, industrial, and agricultural sectors. ICT offers special chances for human development. ICT has been expanding inequities between and between countries, regions, gender, rich-poor, elite disregarded, and also within the many categories of women in various fields of endeavour. At the same time, ICT has been enlarging these gaps. Building up women's capacities is important so that they can participate in productive endeavours, institutional development, family and societal change, decision-making, political representation, trade and commerce, entrepreneurial growth, and social leadership. In order for women to own, manage, and control businesses in all sectors of the economy, including IT- based ones, there is a need to expand their prospects.

Clinical translation of nanomedicines: Challenges, opportunities, and keys.

Despite the massive interest and recent developments in the field of nanomedicine, only a limited number of formulations have found their way to the clinics. This shortcoming reveals the challenges facing the clinical translation of this technology. In the current article, we summarize and evaluate the status, market situation, and clinical profiles of the reported nanomedicines, the shortcomings limiting their clinical translation, as well as some approaches designed to break through this barrier. Moreover, some emerging technologies that have the potential to compete with nanomedicines are highlighted. Lastly, we identify the key factors that should be considered in nanomedicine-related research to be clinically-translatable. These can be classified into five areas: rational design during the research and development stage, the recruitment of representative preclinical models, careful design of clinical trials, development of specific and uniform regulatory protocols, and calls for non-classic sponsorship. This new field of endeavor was firmly established during the last two decades and more in-depth progress is expected in the coming years.