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Top 10 June reads from the KnE Publishing platform

Do you enjoy reading scientific research even when it is not directly related to your area of expertise? Would you like to read more free content written by professionals in varied fields? Our KnE Publishing platform offers you this chance!

From the current educational challenges that COVID-19 has posed and the history of literature with the Theatre of the Absurd, to infertility research and urban planning in Iraq, read some of the most insightful research recently conducted.

Inlcusive Learning - Kne Publishing

1. Inclusive Education in Indonesia: Equal Access to Education for Children With Disabilities

This article from KnE Social Sciences traces back the history of disability in Indonesia from governmental, legislative, educational, and social perspectives. It explores the current structure of the educational sector and its ability to cater for children with special needs (CWSN). It also explains the hesitation that some parents experience when considering sending their children to special schools because of the social stigma surrounding disability. The authors scrutinise some schools’ concerns regarding including CWSN in public schools by referring to an instance when one child with autism brought pride to their school by winning many national championships. School students can gain so much by having peers with diverse backgrounds and abilities. It can teach children to be empathetic and appreciate differences, resulting in a more peaceful future society.

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2. Social Condition Reflected in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot

Waiting for Godot, the play written by Irish playwright and university professor Samuel Beckett has gained widespread recognition for succeeding in capturing the absurdity of life. This paper from KnE Social Sciences describes the play from a sociological perspective. By referring to the play’s historical context, the authors suggest that Waiting for Godot is a metaphor for the passive waiting of people at that time for the Second World War to end. The paper refers to different facets of absurdity throughout the play especially relating to the four characters, stressing the verbal nonsense uttered by the two main characters and the state of passive ignorance depicted by both.

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3. E-Zakat: Redesigning the Collection and Distribution of Zakat

This conference paper from KnE Social Sciences discusses implementing a digital system for the collection and distribution of Zakat. After outlining the religious requirements and guidelines for collecting, giving, and distributing Zakat, the paper describes the people eligible for Zakat as dictated by Islamic Law (Sharia). It incorporates the opinions of various religious authorities while highlighting the growing need for a digital solution that can facilitate the Zakat giving process in modern times, especially since it is one of the pillars of Islam. The authors also suggest that once a process is put in place, it can also be applied to other forms of religious giving, particularly Islamic philanthropy such as shadaqah and waqaf.

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4. Towards a Sustainable Compact City: Najaf City From Traditional to Sustainable

This article from KnE Engineering dives into Najaf City as a hypothetical case study for shifting from a traditional to a more compact and sustainable city. The research details a set of common indicators between compact cities and traditional Arab cities, such as mixed-use of land, density and intensification, movement and transport, accessibility, harmony and diversity. The authors then utilise those indicators to create a framework for the transition of Najaf from a traditional to a sustainable compact city.

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Farmworkers

5. Differences Between Rainy and Dry Seasons in Levels of Cholinesterase Activities and Psychological Distress Due to Organophosphate Exposure Among Farmworkers 

This longitudinal study from KnE Life Sciences compares the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (EAChE) and plasma cholinesterase (PChE) activity levels due to organophosphate (OP) exposure between rainy and dry seasons among farmworkers. It also examines the potential relationship between OP exposure and levels of psychological distress. The study finds that most farmers suffered from mild inhibition of PChE, which could be attributed to OP exposure. However, discrepancies between levels of psychological distress could be related to other external factors such as weather, humidity, and economic factors.

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6. The Role of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) in Implementing International Flight Safety Standards

In the world of aviation, compliance with high safety standards is an absolute necessity. This article from KnE Social Sciences explains the role of the ICAO in ensuring the best safety measures are met. The article explains the particulars of the flight industry, defines flight safety, and describes how the ICAO came to be and how it operates.

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Ocular Manifestations of COVID-19

7. Ocular Manifestations of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comprehensive Review

Previous research has provided evidence for the presence of a relationship between COVID-19 and ocular symptoms and manifestations. In this article from the Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research, the authors review and categorise the different types of ocular symptoms exhibited by COVID-19 patients based on the part of the eye that is affected. Charting these findings is an important step that the authors hope will make ophthalmologists more aware of the possible implications of the virus.

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8. University Staff and Student Protection From COVID-19: Strategic Measures for Teaching and Learning in a Resource-Limited Setting

This editorial from the Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences examines the preventative measures and technical challenges that the Omdurman Islamic University faced because of the spread of COVID-19 in Sudan. In addition to the fact that adherence to preventative measures among the staff and students was not optimal, only 9.9% of the staff had experience with a learning management programme. This challenge was worsened by inadequate infrastructure like power outages and unreliable bandwidth for internet connection. Nevertheless, the university is looking into a blended form of learning to ensure the safety of students and staff members.

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9. The Production of Silicon Carbide and Achievements in the Field of Furnace Gases Collection and Purification

This conference paper from KnE Materials Science discusses the benefits of using silicon carbide in the production of technical silicon and how it can, as a reducing agent, significantly improve technical and economic performance (TEP) melting. According to the paper, one of the best systems in place for silicon production is gas recovery and disposal at the ESK-SiC plant in the Netherlands, which can capture elementary sulfur from the process, allowing it to be sold on the market.

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10. Follicular Fluid Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and ART Outcomes in PCOS Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Cross-Sectional Study

Infertility is a growing concern for many couples in our modern times. Studies have shown a relationship between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), tubal factors, pregnancy, and fertility rates. This article from the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine explores the possible role of oxidative stress in impeding the chances of a successful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or Artificially Assisted Therapy (ART) in women with PCOS.

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To discover more Open Access articles, visit the KnE Publishing platform: www.knepublishing.com