Infrastructure Issues Research Articles

Re-Engineering Nigerian Higher Education for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness

The study investigated re-engineering Nigerian higher education for sustainable development and global competitiveness. the study which adopted descriptive survey design was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. The population of the study consisted of the three thousand, six hundred and twenty (3, 620) lecturers in the three public universities in Rivers State. A sample of seven hundred and twenty-four (724) lecturers comprising of 408 male and 316 female lecturers. The sample size drawn through stratified random sampling technique represented 20% of the population. Data for the study was collected with a questionnaire entitled “Re-engineering Nigerian higher education for Sustainable Development and Global Competitiveness Questionnaire (RENHESDGCQ)”. The instrument which contained 18 items was properly validated and the test of reliability yielded 0.80 through Cronbach Alpha Method. Mean, percentages, standard deviation and mean set were used to answer the research questions while z-test was used to analyse the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the justifications for re-engineering Nigerian higher education for sustainable development and global competitiveness include among others the need to review higher education curriculum, address funding, infrastructural, and management issues. While the strategies that could be adopted for re-engineering higher education in Nigeria include among others reviewing of programmes and curriculum; internationalization of higher education; and addressing funding and other issues facing higher education in Nigeria. Based on the findings conclusion was drawn and the following recommendation was made among others: government should review academic programmes and curriculum of higher institutions in Nigeria in line with global demands for knowledge, skills and technology.

Newborn screening in South Africa: the past, present, and plans for the future

Worldwide, comprehensive newborn screening (NBS) now includes a clinical examination at birth, hearing screening, pulse oximetry measurement for congenital heart defects, and biochemical screening to identify congenital disorders early in life, preventing irreversible damage, early mortality and enhancing overall health outcomes. This article provides a comprehensive overview of biochemical NBS in South Africa, outlining the history, current status, and future plans for NBS expansion. In South Africa, NBS is fragmented, with some investigations included in neonatal health assessments. Historically, biochemical NBS pilot projects in the country in the 1960s and 1980s focused on phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism (CH). Despite showing initial promise, these programmes were discontinued, largely due to competing health priorities. The current status of biochemical NBS in South Africa is discussed, both for the state and private healthcare sectors, which collectively screen approximately 0.5% of births annually. While recent clinical guidelines provide for a national biochemical NBS programme, implementation has been limited, and guideline adherence remains a challenge. A brief report of a two-day meeting held in Cape Town in February 2023 focusing on biochemical NBS for South Africa is provided. The meeting addressed the importance of NBS, technology requirements, and the need for a comprehensive demonstration project for biochemical CH NBS. Key challenges identified included early newborn post-delivery discharge, technical, logistical, and infrastructure issues, as well as limited financial and human resources. Meeting recommendations included the establishment of a National Advisory Panel for Biochemical NBS, and the development and implementation of a demonstration project for CH biochemical NBS in two provinces.

Wymiar formalnoprawny infrastruktury krytycznej na poziomie krajowym i europejskim

After the russian Federation began its aggression against Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian critical infrastructure system was attacked with the aim of its complete or partial destruction. In response to these attacks, the Ukrainian authorities announced the reconstruction of the infrastructure protection system based on eU legal solutions. therefore, the article discusses the issues of critical infrastructure, both at the european and Polish level. the provisions of 2007 are in force in the Polish legal system, and the 2008 directive – in the european legal system. however, legal provisions were amended in 2022 and will be implemented into national legal systems in 2024. the aim of the article was to analyze the content of the provisions of legal acts in the field of critical infrastructure in Poland and the eU. the analysis is accompanied by research questions regarding how to define basic concepts and terms in both legal systems and the mutual relations of both systems. the article refers to the document examination method that allows for the analysis of legal acts and comparative analysis. eU Member States have gained a superior position over european bodies, but growing natural and anthropological threats and the process of deepening european political integration have resulted in a gradual change in the way of thinking about critical infrastructure. the position of EU bodies under 2022 directive has been significantly strengthened vis-à-vis member states.

Implementation Performances of Green Open Space Policy in Makassar City, Indonesia

Makassar as one of Indonesia's largest cities, has seen a variety of environmental repercussions as a result of its rapid urbanization and population increase. The management of green open space is part of the city government's objective for a sustainable city vision. The policy implementation was delayed, according to an earlier study, by issues of facilities, infrastructure, and budgeting. It is necessary to do additional studies using different methods to measure implementation performance more precisely. Within three months, primary and secondary data were collected for a mixed methodology approach that focused on the administrative and technological viability of a policy while employing effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, and equality as research criteria. The percentage had increased to 3.52% during the last two years as a result of the budget increase, and there were now seven different types of GOS totaling 1,461 hectares located unevenly among 14 districts, where the distribution priority was not primarily based on population density as the main indicator. Performance throughout implementation was efficient and effective. Law, regulation, and guidelines that were thorough and clear, the involvement of the private sector, good coordination of implementer agencies, collaborative deliberation, the use of integrated licensing technology, and corporate social responsibility were noteworthy factors supporting performance. The performance in terms of adequacy and equality required additional improvement, necessitating more focus on low responsiveness, low budgeting, bad facilities, accuracy in prioritizing distribution, land conversion, and land price.

The role of digital information and communication technologies in modern education

This research examined the role and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in modern education, addressing how these technologies transform teaching and learning. The central problem focused on the integration and effectiveness of ICTs in the educational environment. The main objective was to investigate the contributions, challenges, and future trends of ICTs in education. A literature review methodology was employed, examining academic sources and specialized publications. The findings indicated that ICTs offer significant opportunities to personalize learning, enhance interactivity, and facilitate educational access. However, challenges related to infrastructure, teacher training, and access equity were identified as significant barriers. The analysis underscored the need for inclusive educational policies and continuous training for educators. It is concluded that ICTs are fundamental in contemporary education, but their effective implementation requires attention to infrastructure issues, teacher training, and equity.

TRENDS IN STUDIES ON EDUCATIONAL ROBOTICS IN RECENT YEARS: A CONTENT ANALYSIS

This study aims to analyze the general trends in educational robotics in recent years. The document analysis method was preferred in this research. Accordingly, the content of 100 articles published in the field of educational robotics in recent years was analyzed in terms of methodology, sample characteristics, robotic tools used, commonly covered topics, and findings. The study revealed that Lego Mindstorms, Arduino, Python, and Scratch are the most commonly used robotic tools in educational robotics. It was observed that students predominantly participated in the studies, with a focus on university and middle school levels. Moreover, the analysis indicated that quantitative studies mostly employed scales and questionnaires, whereas qualitative studies frequently used interviews and observation forms as measurement tools. The most frequently examined variables in these studies were computational thinking, problem-solving, creativity, academic achievement, collaboration, and motivation. While the findings generally emphasized the positive effects of educational robotics and its significance for integration into other domains, the challenges of educators’ knowledge and experience in robotics, infrastructure and technical issues, and difficulties in practical implementation were also identified as disadvantages.

The role of AI in individualizing learning and creating personalized programs

This article analyses the technical and methodological aspects of implementing individualised curricula using artificial intelligence in the educational process. The study deals in detail with the issues of technological infrastructure, data collection, and processing, as well as the integration of individualised programmes with existing educational platforms. The methodological aspect of the article includes an analysis of methods for determining the needs and capabilities of each student and the development of a methodology for assessing the success of individualised programmes. The study aims to uncover the potential and benefits associated with the utilization of personalized programs in contemporary education. This is done with the intention of enhancing the overall learning experience and attaining superior outcomes for every individual student and pupil. Future areas of research include further development of technical solutions for individualised programmes, studying methodological approaches to adapting programmes to the needs of different categories of student, and developing ethical standards for protecting personal data in education. This article will be useful for teachers, higher education institutions, researchers, and anyone interested in using artificial intelligence to individualise learning and improve education. It offers important discoveries and practical recommendations for implementing individualised programmes in the educational process.

Electronic Waste Problem in Developing Nations: Mismanagement, Health Implications, and Circular Economy Opportunities

Introduction: Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a global concern due to the exponential growth in electronic consumption and inadequate disposal practices, specifically in developing countries. Among the various dimensions of this problem, the contamination of soil with e-waste has garnered significant attention, owing to its profound implications for environmental integrity and human health. Discussion: The soil contamination leads to diverse ecological repercussions, encompassing disruptions in the cycling of nutrients and biodiversity, as well as the potential for contaminants to accumulate in the food chain. Effective management strategies are imperative to address this multifaceted challenge, the implementation of governmental regulations, the adoption of sustainable e-waste recycling practices, and the raising of public awareness campaigns. The circular economy holds great potential for addressing the environmental and economic challenges. To build a more resilient and eco-friendly urban future, collaborative solutions are necessary to address infrastructural, policy, and awareness issues. In many circumstances, waste management is not primarily the government's duty. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the business sector actively participate in trash management efforts through public education events and charity initiatives. This significant revolution has the potential to meaningfully advance smart city development through the use of technology-driven initiatives. Conclusion: By proactively addressing and reducing e-waste contamination in soil, we can mitigate the effects of environmental hazards and safeguard human health from the negative consequences associated with this burgeoning predicament.

Las bibliotecas libres en Serena del Mar: Un estudio exploratorio desde Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

In the city of Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), a group of residents of Serena del Mar consolidated the Free Libraries project and consists of placing furniture with books in public sectors of this new urban project. This article describes the project implementation process from infrastructure and regulatory issues, evaluating the fulfillment of its objective around maintaining a cultural project from community self-management. The evaluation reveals the need to apply minimum library science activities to this type of initiatives, among which are classification, regulation and organization. From an exploratory investigation, a socio-critical analysis is carried out, which is based on qualitative methods of documentary analysis. The findings are a first starting point for the generation of future research on strategies to consolidate cultural projects self-managed by communities.

Facilitators and Barriers for Telemedicine Systems in India from Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives and Settings: A Systematic Review.

Background: Telemedicine is viewed as a crucial tool for addressing the challenges of limited medical resources at health care facilities. However, its adoption in health care is not entirely realized due to perceived barriers. This systematic review outlines the critical facilitators and barriers that influence the implementation of telemedicine in the Indian health care system, observed at the infrastructural, sociocultural, regulatory, and financial levels, from the perspectives of health care providers, patients, patient caregivers, society, health organizations, and the government. Methods: This review complies with the current Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols 2015. A total of 2,706 peer-reviewed studies published from December 2016 to September 2023 in the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycInfo databases were considered for the title and abstract screening, after which 334 articles were chosen for the full-text review. In the end, 46 studies were selected for data synthesis. Results: Analysis of the literature revealed key barriers such as data privacy and security concerns, doctor and patient resistance to information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure issues, and ICT training gaps. Facilitators included reduced health care delivery costs, enhanced patient access to health care in remote areas, and shorter patient wait times. The real-world experiences of Indian telemedicine practitioners and pioneers are also explored to complement literature-based perspectives on telemedicine implementation. Both stress the need for reliable internet connectivity, technological adoption, comprehensive ICT training, positive sociocultural attitudes, stringent data privacy measures, and viable business models as crucial for effective telemedicine adoption, with experts emphasizing practical adaptability alongside the literature-recognized facilitators.

MARKETING STRATEGIES AND AGRIBUSINESSES PERFORMANCE IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA: A MEDIATING ROLE OF PERSUASIVENESS

The study investigates the mediating role of persuasiveness in the relationship between marketing strategies and agribusiness performance in North-Central Nigeria through Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis. Leveraging a sample size of 338 from a population of 2,216 registered agribusinesses across five selected states, a cross-sectional survey design was employed to analyze the relationships between the variables of the study. Aligned with empirical reviews, the research identifies persuasiveness as a significant direct factor influencing agribusiness performance, resonating with broader understandings of persuasion in decision-making contexts. Specifically examining marketing strategies such as product and promotion, the study aligns with existing literature illustrating the positive impact of tailored persuasive approaches in various contexts. On the challenges faced by agribusinesses in North-Central Nigeria, financial constraints emerge as the foremost challenge, impacting 28% of surveyed businesses, echoing findings emphasizing the need for financial support and capital access. Infrastructure issues affect 26% of businesses, highlighting the crucial requirement for reliable transportation and technology. Political instability poses a significant obstacle for over 21% of agribusinesses, underscoring the need for stable governance and supportive policies. Competition is a pervasive challenge for nearly a quarter of businesses, emphasizing the importance of effective strategies. The study calls for addressing financial, infrastructural, political, and competitive challenges to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth, aligning with previous research on organizational constraints.

Assessing Preparedness for Smart Farming and Technology Adoption among Kenyan Farmers

Agriculture is crucial in reducing poverty, promoting economic prosperity, and ensuring food security for the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. This sector is vital to the global economy, contributing significantly to GDP and providing jobs for a large workforce. Precision agriculture and e-commerce advances have proven beneficial, boosting crop yields and rural incomes. Sub-Saharan Africa faces similar agricultural challenges as it anticipates a population of 2.1 billion by 2050. Although the region has made strides in expanding farmland and labour, improvements in crop yields have been limited. The digital revolution offers new opportunities to tackle issues such as undernutrition by improving access to information and technology. In Kenya, with a population projected to reach 95 million by 2050, expanding food production is a pressing challenge. Significant hurdles include declining soil fertility, inadequate water management, and a lack of technical support. While technologies like Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Machine Learning (ML) have the potential to enhance agricultural productivity, their adoption is constrained by infrastructure issues, high costs, and a shortage of technical expertise. Addressing these barriers and improving farmer education is essential to fully realising these technologies’ benefits.

Faculty Members’ Perspectives on E-learning Use during COVID-19 among Teaching Faculty at KSAU-HS, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Introduction/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic's significant effects could alter education in the future. There was an unexpected but necessary transition to online education. This study aimed to examine faculty members' perspectives regarding e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as their level of preparedness for e-learning, considering the epidemic's complete lockdown. Methods: The study utilized a survey research (cross-sectional) design. The sample size was calculated to be a minimum of 106 faculty members. A validated electronic questionnaire was communicated to faculty members of four colleges at KSAU-HS, Jeddah. Its primary components addressed e-learning preparation, e-learning experience before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and demographic data. Results: A total of 112 faculty members, with a response rate of 25%, completed the survey. Females made up 50.9% of the sample, and about 30% were between 36-40 years of age with different academic rankings and teaching experiences. Faculty members revealed that more than half of them were novices with no prior experience in e-learning before the epidemic. Nonetheless, faculty members' perspectives of e-learning were favorable, and they significantly improved after COVID-19 (91.9%) compared to before COVID-19 (45.9%). Most participants were enthusiastic (82.3%) about and confident in using e-learning in teaching and learning. Yet, e-learning was only partially used as a substitute for hands-on skill training and assessment. Regarding the impact of the transition to online education during the pandemic, 87.5% of the participants in the survey expressed increased confidence in the efficacy of online learning and teaching. Additionally, the teaching/learning preference of the participants showed that (61.6%) preferred combining online with traditional face-to-face instruction, (35.7%) preferred traditional face-to-face instruction, and only 3 (2.7%) preferred online instruction alone. Conclusion: This study delivers informative viewpoints on the importance of e-learning and the teaching staff's willingness and competence with it. It calls for improving our institution's e-learning readiness and participation by addressing several individual and infrastructure issues. This is an excellent chance to remove obstacles in e-learning and teaching in medical and healthcare colleges.

Analyzing, Identifying & Alerting on Network Issues

Analyzing, Identifying & Alerting on Network Issues

Research on Problems and Countermeasures of Education Rights of Special Children Groups

This article explores the educational rights of children with special needs and the right to education for children with special needs is a crucial component of an inclusive society, advocating for inclusive education as a fundamental right, which delves into the unique psychological, physical, cognitive, and social needs of these children and emphasizes the importance of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), assistive technologies, and community support. It delves into the unique characteristics and educational priorities of children with special needs, identifies the problems and barriers they face in accessing education, and proposes strategies and recommendations for improvement, it also highlights the progress made in policy and societal attitudes, along with the challenges that remain, particularly in resource-poor areas. Meanwhile, it discusses legal and policy barriers, societal attitudes, and infrastructure issues, proposing policy reform, innovative educational strategies, and increased community and family involvement as solutions. The article concludes by calling for ongoing research and advocacy to ensure that the right to education for children with special needs is fully realized.

Current state of ICT integration in English proficiency education in Chinese schools: A quantitative study

This research seeks to find out the current situation of the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in English proficiency education in urban Chinese schools. Conducting quantitative research, questionnaires were administered to teachers and students and the data was statistically processed with the help of the SPSS system. Consequently, the performance identified on the impact of ICT on English learning is moderately positive though bears difficulties including the issues of inadequate infrastructure and socio-economic differences. Although ICT tools are being used in English language education, the study found that their application is uneven and frequently hampered by a lack of sufficient funding and differing degrees of facility support throughout schools. Despite these difficulties, when ICT was skillfully incorporated into the curriculum, both instructors and students reported increases in engagement and language competency. This implies that the beneficial effects of ICT on English language acquisition might be greatly increased with improved infrastructure and more equal resource distribution. The results highlight the necessity of focused funding and legislative changes to overcome these socioeconomic and infrastructure-related obstacles and maximize the advantages of ICT in learning environments.

Development of the Oil and Gas Potential of the Arctic Region: Issues of Methodology and Practical Implementation

In the development of methodological provisions for the integrated development of hydrocarbon resources are considered issues of improving the subsoil use of the Arctic and continental shelf of Russia. State support measures provide for the introduction of advanced technological solutions, that meet the highest environmental requirements, in all stages of the production processes of oil and gas enterprises. The application of various methodological tools to shelf projects taking into account internal specifics are justified. This contributes to formation of oil and gas centers in the Arctic region, becoming of the Northern Sea Route as a global transport route. The key areas of practical implementation of the state Arctic policy are related to the solution of infrastructure, logistics and socio-economic issues in the Arctic regions, the development of related industries. Strengthening the energy potential of the region provides the adoption of verified state and management decisions, the creation of special legal conditions for the integrated development of oil and gas fields, aimed at stimulating internal mechanisms of economic growth, preserving the unique ecosystem and biological diversity in the Arctic. To a certain extent, this is facilitated by the cluster form of development, the involvement of the largest scientific and industry institutions in the implementation of Arctic projects, which leads to improving professional competencies, and the implementation of a flexible technological policy. The complex development of hydrocarbon reserves of the Arctic and continental shelf makes a significant contribution to the achievement of technological sovereignty of the domestic economy and the advanced technological development of the oil and gas complex.

Cartografia das controvérsias da telemedicina no Brasil

Abstract This research aimed to identify, describe, and connect the actors and controversies of telemedicine in Brazil, based on the regulation of the practice by the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM). With the support of actor-network theory (Callon, 1987; Latour, 1987; Law, 1992) and using the methodology of controversy mapping, the methodological path involved collecting and analyzing newspaper news, data from the first public consultation of CFM on telemedicine, and interviews with 15 doctors. In the analysis, the actors-network who spoke on behalf of telemedicine and a map of the controversies found were identified. The study concluded that the controversies of telemedicine originate from the association of corporatism with the possibilities of materiality, with the doctor-patient relationship, and in the intersections of these controversies. Other controversies take shape and relate to civil responsibility, ethics, financial, infrastructure and geographical issues.

An Artificial Neural Network for the prediction of the structural and foundational attention class of bridges according to the Italian Guidelines

The state of conservation, maintenance and monitoring of bridges has gained attention in the last decade over the world especially in Italy, where a large number of structures are present and, multiple cases of collapses of bridges have recently occurred. To address this problem and to provide a prioritization on bridges where detailed safety assessments are necessary, in 2020 the Italian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure issues Guidelines, based on a multi-level and multi-risk approach. Six levels of assessment are foreseen: the first three must be applied to all bridges (Levels 0-2), while the last three (Levels 3-5) only for the bridges which are characterized by high risk deriving from the analyses of the previous levels. Focusing on the first three levels, Level 0 consists of a census of all the existing bridges, collecting registry data mainly deriving from the existing documentation. Level 1 consists of visual inspections, which are used to point out the conservation status of the bridge and the surrounding area. Level 2 provides for a risk-based classification starting from the data previously collected. Levels 0-2 must be applied indiscriminately to all bridges. Thus, to prioritize inspections, it could be helpful to have a tool capable to predict the state of conservation of bridge and to assess the associated risks, starting from data gathered with census. For this reason, this paper proposed an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) capable to assess the level of degradation and structural and foundational risk level of existing bridges, using a reduced set of information derived from Level 0 activities. This tool can be used to: I) rationally schedule the inspections, starting from structures that could have a higher probability to be heavily degraded, II) support managing and planning activities at territorial level, promptly furnishing information about the structural and foundational risk of the bridges.

Medical Access and Care Continuity: Qualitative Assessments of Patients with Breast Cancer and Family Members' Experiences Following the 2011 Triple Disaster in Fukushima, Japan.

While studies have examined the effects of large-scale disasters on disaster-vulnerable individuals, these analyses may not capture the full impact. This study qualitatively explored the impacts of the March 2011 Fukushima triple disaster on patients with breast cancer and their families, aiming to highlight the importance of incorporating family narratives to grasp the full effect of large-scale disasters. Utilizing the medical records from two hospitals, deceased patients with breast cancer from the disaster period were identified. Relatives were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Thematic analysis was conducted via the Braun and Clarke method and Taguette transcription software. Interviews with seven family members of six patients revealed three main themes: the family's caregiving burden and their deepened bonds with the patient, the patients' extensive medical challenges and their physical and mental decline, and the shared confusion during the disaster due to resource shortages and evacuation dilemmas. This study uncovered significant infrastructural issues such as reduced medical support and the heavy caregiving load on families, amidst some strengthened relationships during a time of crisis. Future research should investigate these issues across various disaster contexts, and proactive measures should be implemented to prevent exacerbation of these challenges.