Impact of Virtual Reality on Modern Education

Virtual reality in education is at its center stage. For students to gain relevant skills there is a need to introduce a virtual world so that one can achieve the practical aspect needed in the workplace environment. Memorizing facts makes students bored; hence, the need for virtual reality that will help students gain expertise. The paper seeks to discuss the impact of virtual reality in modern education. To understand the effects of virtual reality in the education sector, the theoretical approach and quantitative research have been used. The results of the study show that virtual reality assists students with special education needs and ensure skills are obtained. Virtual reality improves student self-esteem

Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Shape eLearning

The paper seeks to highlight the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in eLearning. The research problem for analysis is how eLearning and the use of artificial intelligence make education more accessible and cost-effective. Therefore, the research investigates whether Artificial Intelligence in the e-learning will improve the quality of education offered in various universities. The method used to address the problem is a theoretical lens and quantitative research that investigates the significance of Artificial intelligence in e-learning. The study indicates that artificial intelligence in eLearning provides learners with skills without looking for an instructor. The artificial intelligence machine provides relevant information that prepares a learner in the workplace environment. The significance of the research project is making education more accessible and improving the lives of disabled persons

An eight-weeks resistance training programme with elastic band increases some performance-related parameters in pubertal male volleyball players.

The main aim was to evaluate the changes in dynamic, reactive, and power strength, and balance (as volleyball performance-related parameters) in pubertal volleyball players when a part of their normal inseason training regimen was replaced by an elastic band training (EBT). 27 male elite volleyball players were randomly allocated to intervention (N = 14; 14.86 ± 0.52 years) or control group (N = 13; 14.74 ± 0.36 years). The intervention consisted of an 8-week EBT program focused on the training of the lower limb, with different volumes and intensities. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) were used to assess the power strength, squat one repetition-maximum, and reactive strength index to assess dynamic and reactive strength, respectively. Also, the balance was assessed through different parameters of the foot centre of pressure (CoP) displacements obtained with a force platform. An ANOVA of repeated measurements and post-hoc tests evaluated differences between groups and between baseline and post-intervention. Dynamic and power (CMJ and SLJ) strength, and anteroposterior displacement of the CoP were improved after the intervention. The control group only improved the dynamic strength. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) were found in the rest of the variables. EBT improves jump performance and other volleyball performance-related parameters in adolescent male athletes and should be considered to complement regular volleyball in-season training

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Vers une méthodologie duale de qualification et de perception de paysages sonores : expérimentation dans le contexte urbain de Sidi Bou Saïd

The main objective of the study is to qualify the urban sonic ambiance by combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Starting with an analysis of current approaches leading to the appearance of a concept of soundscape, the present theoretical and experimental approach first develops and combines a series of acoustic and psychoacoustic measurements, and three-dimensional immersive analyses carried out in situ from a complementary range of multidimensional sound sensors. In order to enrich this quantitative approach, a qualitative socio-acoustic evaluation was carried out on human practitioners of an urban environment which makes it possible to confront the realities measured with those perceived.The experiments carried out in the municipality of Sidi Bou Saïd show the feasibility of the approach, the utility of combining quantitative measurements with perceived sound realities, as well as the possible operationalization of such a dual approach making it possible to qualify soundscapes in a rich urban environment. This research should contribute to promoting the potential offered by urban environment soundscapes and new perspectives for planners, decision-makers, and practitioners.La recherche développée dans cette thèse propose de qualifier les ambiances sonores d’un espace urbain en combinant des approches quantitatives et qualitatives. A partir d’une analyse des approches actuelles menant à l’apparition d’un concept de paysage sonore, notre démarche théorique et expérimentale élabore et combine dans un premier temps une série de mesures acoustiques, psychoacoustiques et des analyses immersives tridimensionnelles, réalisées in situ, à partir d’une gamme complémentaire de capteurs sonores multidimensionnels. Afin d’enrichir cette approche quantitative, nous construisons une évaluation qualitative socio-acoustique réalisée sur des humains praticiens d’un environnement urbain qui permet de confronter les réalités mesurées à celles perçues. Les expérimentations menées dans la commune de Sidi Bou Saïd montrent la faisabilité de la démarche, l’intérêt de combiner mesures quantitatives avec des réalités sonores perçues, tout comme l’opérationnalisation possible d’une telle approche duale permettant de qualifier les paysages sonores dans un riche environnement urbain. Cette recherche devrait contribuer à promouvoir le potentiel offert par les qualifications de paysages sonores en environnement urbain et de nouvelles perspectives pour les aménagistes, décideurs et praticiens

Towards a dual methodology of qualification and perception of soundscapes : experimentation in the urban context of Sidi Bou Saïd

La recherche développée dans cette thèse propose de qualifier les ambiances sonores d’un espace urbain en combinant des approches quantitatives et qualitatives. A partir d’une analyse des approches actuelles menant à l’apparition d’un concept de paysage sonore, notre démarche théorique et expérimentale élabore et combine dans un premier temps une série de mesures acoustiques, psychoacoustiques et des analyses immersives tridimensionnelles, réalisées in situ, à partir d’une gamme complémentaire de capteurs sonores multidimensionnels. Afin d’enrichir cette approche quantitative, nous construisons une évaluation qualitative socio-acoustique réalisée sur des humains praticiens d’un environnement urbain qui permet de confronter les réalités mesurées à celles perçues. Les expérimentations menées dans la commune de Sidi Bou Saïd montrent la faisabilité de la démarche, l’intérêt de combiner mesures quantitatives avec des réalités sonores perçues, tout comme l’opérationnalisation possible d’une telle approche duale permettant de qualifier les paysages sonores dans un riche environnement urbain. Cette recherche devrait contribuer à promouvoir le potentiel offert par les qualifications de paysages sonores en environnement urbain et de nouvelles perspectives pour les aménagistes, décideurs et praticiens.The main objective of the study is to qualify the urban sonic ambiance by combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Starting with an analysis of current approaches leading to the appearance of a concept of soundscape, the present theoretical and experimental approach first develops and combines a series of acoustic and psychoacoustic measurements, and three-dimensional immersive analyses carried out in situ from a complementary range of multidimensional sound sensors. In order to enrich this quantitative approach, a qualitative socio-acoustic evaluation was carried out on human practitioners of an urban environment which makes it possible to confront the realities measured with those perceived.The experiments carried out in the municipality of Sidi Bou Saïd show the feasibility of the approach, the utility of combining quantitative measurements with perceived sound realities, as well as the possible operationalization of such a dual approach making it possible to qualify soundscapes in a rich urban environment. This research should contribute to promoting the potential offered by urban environment soundscapes and new perspectives for planners, decision-makers, and practitioners

’’DU KAN JU INTE VARA BEROENDE AV MIG’’ : - Unga vuxnas upplevelser av att förmedla åt sina föräldrar

The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to highlight a problem that is very relevant for young adults of foreign-born parents in Sweden. By conducting in-depth interviews with young adults who have experience of brokering during their childhood, we get a better understanding of how the role impacts immigrant families. In our analysis we use sociopsychological theories to illustrate on how the role of brokering contributes to an inner conflict, conflicts between parent and child, and changes in family dynamics. Conflicts arise from the child trying to define him-/herself from being seen as a child while also having increased responsibilities compared to its peers. These responsibilities increase with time, and as such lead to conflicts between the parent and the child, as the role dissolves traditional power hierarchies in families. The child however is not limited to only brokering for their own parents. They also act as brokers for other family members. Our central analysis is that while children act as brokers, they are progressively assigned more tasks by the parents. With time, these tasks lead to increased power for the child and makes the parents more dependent on the child. We define this process as spiral of power.

’’DU KAN JU INTE VARA BEROENDE AV MIG’’ : - Unga vuxnas upplevelser av att förmedla åt sina föräldrar

The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to highlight a problem that is very relevant for young adults of foreign-born parents in Sweden. By conducting in-depth interviews with young adults who have experience of brokering during their childhood, we get a better understanding of how the role impacts immigrant families. In our analysis we use sociopsychological theories to illustrate on how the role of brokering contributes to an inner conflict, conflicts between parent and child, and changes in family dynamics. Conflicts arise from the child trying to define him-/herself from being seen as a child while also having increased responsibilities compared to its peers. These responsibilities increase with time, and as such lead to conflicts between the parent and the child, as the role dissolves traditional power hierarchies in families. The child however is not limited to only brokering for their own parents. They also act as brokers for other family members. Our central analysis is that while children act as brokers, they are progressively assigned more tasks by the parents. With time, these tasks lead to increased power for the child and makes the parents more dependent on the child. We define this process as spiral of power.