Perceptions of IUPUI Faculty and Staff Regarding the Center for Service and Learning Faculty/Staff Development Programs

The purpose of this evaluation was to understand perceptions of IUPUI faculty and staff regarding the influence of the Center for Service and Learning’s (CSL) programs and resources on respondents. Specifically, the evaluation was intended to deepen CSL’s understanding of respondents’ experiences as community-engaged professionals at IUPUI. Additionally, the evaluation sought to gather input on new ideas to strengthen CSL services and programming going forward. IUPUI faculty and staff who have participated in CSL workshops, trainings, and/or requested information from CSL were emailed during the fall of 2018 and asked to participate in the Qualtrics survey. The survey was anonymous. This report shares overall findings from the survey and provides general recommendations

Fundamental Challenges and Management Opportunities in Post Disaster Reconstruction Project

The study examines the root causes of delays that the project manager is unable to resolve or how the decision-maker can identify the best opportunities to get over these obstacles by considering the project constraints defined as the project triangle (cost, time, and quality) in post-disaster reconstruction projects to review the real challenges to overcome these obstacles. The methodology relied on the exploratory description and qualitative data examined. 43 valid questionnaires were distributed to qualified experienced engineers. A list of 49 factors causes was collected from previous international and local studies. A Relative Important Index (RII) is adapted to determine the level of importance of each sub-criterion in the four main criteria (scope, time, cost, and quality) to represent the causing changes in projects. The concluded 13 important factors represent the challenges faced by managers. This process requires active participation in the management role to overcome potential delays that face a great challenge and cause huge waves of displacement that affect the Iraqi economy and lead to social and environmental modifications. Reconstruction projects create jobs, improve the quality of life, and encourage people to return to their homes and rebuild their cities. So, unlocking local potential is the key to sustainable rebuilding in Iraq. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-09-05 Full Text: PD

Artificial Intelligence and the Silent Pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Comprehensive Exploration

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the 21st century has made it a worldwide disaster. Due to the fast spread of AMR illnesses and the lack of novel antimicrobials, the silent pandemic is well known. This issue requires a fast and meaningful response, not just speculation. To address this dilemma, deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) have become essential in many sectors. As a cornerstone of modern research, machine learning helps handle the many aspects of AMR. AI helps researchers construct clinical decision-support systems by collecting clinical data. These methods enable antimicrobial resistance monitoring and wise use. Additionally, AI applications help research new drugs. AI also excels at synergistic medicine combinations, providing new treatment methods. This paper summarizes our extensive study of AI and the silent epidemic of antibiotic resistance. Through deep learning and machine learning applications across multiple dimensions, we hope to contribute to the proactive management of AMR, moving away from its presentation as a future problem to present-day solutions

Active inoculation boosts attitudinal resistance against extremist persuasion techniques: a novel approach towards the prevention of violent extremism

The Internet is gaining relevance as a platform where extremist organizations seek to recruit new members. For this preregistered study, we developed and tested a novel online game, Radicalise, which aims to combat the effectiveness of online recruitment strategies used by extremist organizations, based on the principles of active psychological inoculation. The game “inoculates” players by exposing them to severely weakened doses of the key techniques and methods used to recruit and radicalize individuals via social media platforms: identifying vulnerable individuals, gaining their trust, isolating them from their community and pressuring them into committing a criminal act in the name of the extremist organization. To test the game's effectiveness, we conducted a preregistered 2 × 2 mixed (pre–post) randomized controlled experiment (n = 291) with two outcome measures. The first measured participants’ ability and confidence in assessing the manipulativeness of fictitious WhatsApp messages making use of an extremist manipulation technique before and after playing. The second measured participants’ ability to identify what factors make an individual vulnerable to extremist recruitment using 10 profile vignettes, also before and after playing. We find that playing Radicalise significantly improves participants’ ability and confidence in spotting manipulative messages and the characteristics associated with vulnerability

Establishment of Hymenolepis diminuta Life Cycle to Provide Parasite Mass Production

Background: The main object of this experimental work was to practise laboratory production both adult and the larval stage of Hymenolepis diminuta with conventional modification to make further studies easier.Materials & Method: Adults H. diminuta were collected from urban rats in Tehran, Iran. The beetles became infected using blended gravid segments with flour as bait. Cysticercoids have been saved after precise dissection of invertebrate hosts. The exposure of infected beetles to labora­tory rats was performed to establish the life cycle. Result: Out of 57 collected rats, three rats were infected with H. diminuta. Almost all exposed beetles found infected with the larval stage of parasite. About one-month later H. diminuta eggs were seen in stool examination of laboratory rats.Conclusion: Rare human occurrence of H. diminuta along with light level of clinical manifesta­tion of this parasite, underestimate the concerns toward its public health importance. Nowadays, various field of studies, such as biochemistry with special focuses on the capability of H. di­minuta tegument absorption have performed apart from parasitological views alone. In the pre­sent study, establishment of this parasite life cycle has practically provided the access of adult and cysticercoid stages of the tapeworm in further researches

GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in central Iraq

In many parts of the world, groundwater is considered to be a key source of fresh water for both the domestic and non-domestic sectors. Where groundwater extraction is implemented, systems to monitor water quality must ensure a safe and sustainable supply. Over the years, Iraq has suffered from surface water quality and supply problems, necessitating groundwater extraction in many regions. This study investigates groundwater quality in a region of central Iraq around Babylon city, covering an area of 5119 km2. The data gathered for this study included maps, well locations and water quality data and was sourced from the relevant governmental departments. A base map of the focussed region was initially prepared following data collection. The analysed water quality parameters were used as an attribute database to produce thematic maps using a geographical information system (GIS) environment. In this paper, the water quality index (WQI) and the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) were calculated for different groundwater samples using various parameters including the Electrical Conductivity (EC), Cl−, HCO3−, Na+ and pH. Moreover, the groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes has been assessed using indices such as Kelly’s ratio (KR), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and permeability index (PI). Water quality index maps have been developed using the GIS environment. The obtained results reveal that the groundwater in the study location requires specific treatments to be usable

Building our capacity for relational program planning in GSL: Lessons from an institution -community partner action research project

The research on service learning notes the under use of program planning theory as an instrument to improve outcomes in Service Learning, not only for students but for our aspirational goals in host communities. Program planning, particularly, when focused on relationships, power and positionality, can further the ethical integrity of SL/GSL programs. In this session, our community-academic working group will discuss an ongoing action research project that brings together multiple NGO partners, student, faculty and higher education staff to examine their relational practices across four case examples and adapting three tools to support our learning and practice: Sandmann et al [2009] Service Learning Program Planning Model [SLPPM], Bringle et al’s (2010) Transformational Relationship Evaluation Scale (TRES) and our working group´s principles for ethical global community engagement [adapted from Lasker (2016). We will introduce our processes, findings and lessons learned