Student-Centred Studio Environments: A Deep Dive into Architecture Students’ Needs

/in /by

Architectural education has long placed a strong emphasis on the studio, which serves as a crucial place for teaching and learning. The architecture studio is a dynamic and lively place where students can engage in design discussions, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from instructors and peers. Despite recognising the vital role architecture studios play in shaping the learning experience of architecture students, limited research has explored which specific attributes of the studio environment are most important to students. This research aims to address this gap by determining the priorities of architecture students regarding key studio attributes. The research employs a quantitative approach using the Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) model and a questionnaire survey. A pilot study was conducted with undergraduate architecture students. The results reveal the ranking and relative importance of key studio attributes, organised into five categories: Physiological Facilities, Information and Communications Technology, Indoor Environment Quality, Territoriality, Furniture, and Reference. This research provides a valuable reference for designing student-centred studio environments and demonstrates the viability of using the BWS method to determine students’ priorities for studio attributes.

The Effect of Salinity on the Initial Growth of Soy Varieties

/in /by

The article presents the data obtained on the study of the characteristics of soil salinity on the initial growth of different soybean varieties in the conditions of the Bukhara region. During the experiments, it was found that during the first 21 days of the plant, stem and root growth and dry mass accumulation. Based on the above results, it was noted that the above indicators vary in different degrees depending on the soil salinity and the biological and various characteristics of the varieties.

Proposed Digital Marketing Strategy Using Existing Customer Journey Analysis Case Study: PT SS

/in /by

PT SS is an Indonesian electricity provider that has been in operation for over 25 years. PT SS has a primary client in the utilities industry. In 2018, the government implemented a regulation that decreased the company’s revenue. In order to boost revenue, market penetration must be increased. With digital marketing, the objective is to expand the market to non-utility industries.Currently, the internet serves as a medium for discovering information anywhere and for connecting individuals with one another. In addition to this, it can also be utilized for media marketing. Digital marketing is a sort of business in which a person or company engages in internet-based marketing. Both B2C and B2B companies can utilize digital marketing media to promote their products.This paper provides an overview of PT SS’ issues, specifically unsuccessful digital marketing. The analysis is conducted utilizing internal analysis, namely Marketing Mix and STP, external analysis, including PESTLE, Five Porter Analysis, and competitor analysis, followed by SWOT analysis. Then, customer journey analysis is utilized to determine the consumer’s journey when dealing with PT SS via the Internet. To create a digital marketing plan, the writers use the RACE framework to develop marketing strategies for new and existing PT SS customers. Utilizing this approach, the right use of social media and digital marketing methods to handle PT SS’s issues is determined.

Proposed Marketing Strategy for Honda WR-V to Improve Brand Awareness and Customers’ Purchase Intention in Central Java and Yogyakarta

/in /by

Honda WR-V was officially launched in Indonesia in November 2022. This Small SUV car is now being promoted around Indonesia, including Central Java and Yogyakarta area. As a new released car, this car should be promoted routinely by the company who represents Honda for Central Java and Yogyakarta. However, that did not seem to be the case as the company was focused on other unit marketing campaign and only relied on uploading simple social media content as well as displaying the car in dealers’ exhibitions. The company’s marketing team needed to create a well-planned marketing strategy to further improve customers’ brand awareness towards this car and to convince them that this car is superior compared to its competitors in the same segment. Thus, it could eventually lead to increase customers’ purchase intention. This study is conducted to understand customers’ brand awareness and perceptions towards Honda WR-V in Central Java and Yogyakarta, and to understand customers’ complex buying behaviour to purchase a car. Focus group discussions were conducted with 20 respondents to gain insights from their point of views. The proposed strategy was developed from internal and external analysis which was summarized into SWOT analysis and TOWS matrix. These findings then were developed into an integrated marketing communication plan as the final proposed marketing strategy for the company to further improve brand awareness and customers’ purchase intention towards Honda WR-V.

Role of CT in Early Diagnosis of Small Bowel Lymphoma in a Patient with Presumptive Diagnosis of Adhesive Bowel Obstruction- A Case Report

/in /by

Small bowel obstruction is one of the commonly encountered disease state by surgeons all over the world and postoperative adhesions remain the most common cause of small bowel obstruction till date. Other rarer causes of small bowel obstruction include small bowel malignancies like lymphomas and adenocarcinoma, foreign bodies, intussusception, volvulus, hernias etc. Even though adhesions are the commonest cause behind bowel obstruction, these patients are also equally susceptible to be diagnosed with other rarer causes of small bowel obstruction. In such situations, a CT scan can aid in early diagnosis of these rarer causes and prevent unnecessary delays in surgical management. Here we report a case where a presumptive diagnosis of adhesive obstruction was made but a CT scan early in the course of treatment helped us diagnose small bowel malignancy immediately, to terminate conservative management and proceed with immediate laparotomy.

Antiinflammatory Activity of Polyherbal Gel Formulation

/in /by

The present study has been undertaken with the aim to formulate and evaluate the new polyherbal gel formulation containing 0.3 % hydroalcoholic  extract from Trigonellafoenum-graecum and Glycyrrhiza glabra for its topical anti inflammatory activity against carrageenan induced rat paw edema method .The studies were conducted on Wistar rats of either sex (150-180g).The polyherbal gel formulation was designed by using Carbopol 934, SodiumCMC, Trigonellafoenum-graecum, Glycyrrhizaglabra  extract, Ethanol, propylene glycol 400,  methyl paraben, propyl paraben, and required amount of distilled water. The skin ph (6.8-7) was maintained by drop wise addition of tri- ethanolamine. The prepared polyherbal gels were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, skin irritation to observe side effect. It was inferred from the results that polyherbal gel formulations were good in appearance and homogeneity. The overall result of this research the prepared poly herbal gel formulation shows significant anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Status, Physical Activity and Sunlight Exposure on Bone Mineral Density in Women: A Systematic Review

/in /by

Osteoporosis is a condition or disease that can cause bones to become brittle and break easily. The risk of osteoporosis in women is greater than in men, which is four times greater. Bone mineral density (BMD) or bone density is the total mineral present in bone. Measurement of BMD is important to show the degree of bone mineralization associated with osteoporosis. There are factors associated with reduced bone density. Thus, this systematic review aimed to analyze several factors related to BMD in women including nutrient intake, nutritional status, physical activity, and sunlight exposure. Studies in this systematic review were gathered by the (PRISMA) guidelines and identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases from 2017 until 2022. A total of 17 articles passed the eligibility and were analyzed in this systematic review. Studies found the effect of nutrient intake, BMI, physical activity, and sunlight exposure on BMD in women from different age groups. So it is necessary to make eating habits with good nutritional intake and have a lifestyle that routinely carries out sufficient physical activity and gets sufficient sunlight to improve and maintain bone health until old age.

Utilization of Antenatal Care and Pregnancy Outcomes of Women in Advanced Maternal Age at a Tertiary care Hospital in Sri Lanka

/in /by

Introduction: Childbearing in latter part of reproductive age is challenging. Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase with advanced (>35 years) maternal age (AMA) and comprehensive antenatal care (ANC) usage by AMA women improves their pregnancy outcomes. However, no recent local data are available on the AMA and pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: To describe utilization of ANC and pregnancy outcomes of AMA women delivering at North Colombo Teaching Hospital and assessed the association between utilization of ANC services and selected pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 women aged >35 years delivered at Colombo North Teaching Hospital selected using a non-probability consecutive sampling method. Women were interviewed within 7 days postpartum inward using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Selected data were extracted from clinical records. Key elements of ANC (booking visit, type, frequency, services etc.) were scored and their association with pregnancy outcomes were assessed.

Results: A total of 216 AMA postpartum women (age range 35–45 years, mean 37.8 (SD=2.4)) were recruited (response rate 100%). Majority (91.7%, n=198) were multiparous. The current pregnancy was planned in 77.8% (n=168) and 52.7% (n=114) experienced antenatal morbidities. Adverse maternal (8.3%, n=18) and newborn (37%, n=80) outcomes were noted. Majority (75.9%, n=164) optimally utilized ANC. Sinhalese (OR=2.98, 95%CI 1.29–6.87, p=0.008), Buddhist (OR=2.53, 95%CI 1.33–4.80, p=0.004) women with intended pregnancies (OR=5.67, 95%CI 2.81–11.43, p<0.001) well utilized ANC. Women educated <10 years of formal education (OR=0.4, 95%CI 1.33–4.80, p=0.027), had contraceptive issues (OR=0.27, 95%CI 0.10–0.74, p=0.007) and had adverse newborn outcomes (OR=0.32, 95%CI 0.16–0.61, p=0.001) reported low tendency to utilize ANC.

Conclusions: Many AMA women are multiparous and with planned pregnancies. Presence of adverse maternal & newborn outcomes is substantial. Majority well utilized ANC and it reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes. Effective strategies should be formulated to promote well-planned pregnancies in early reproductive ages of women.

Acinetobacter Baumannii: An Emerging Threat to Public Health – A Review of Literature

/in /by

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a microbe that is fast becoming a danger or threat to public health. Studies have described a rapidly changing epidemiology of the opportunistic pathogen and credited it with increasing importance in the community and healthcare-associated infections. The threat of A. baumannii is considered to be of public health significance due to its recent association with increased length of hospital admission, increased mortality, and morbidity, particularly among patients in the intensive care units. The objective of this review is to highlight the characteristics of this emergent pathogen to better understand and curtail it.

Methodology: This review comprises a literature search of chapters in books and journals which gives an insight into the peculiarities of A. baumannii. It centers on evolving pathogenesis, epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, laboratory investigations, the molecular basis of resistance, and management of infections caused by the pathogen.

Conclusion: Due to the public health significance of the pathogen, there is an urgent call for increased vigilance and improved knowledge/research-driven approaches to the diagnosis and management of A. baumannii infections.