The Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that aim at developing teachers' efficiency have been gaining popularity worldwide. Besides enhancing teachers' knowledge and skills, MOOCs bring a qualitative change in learning and teaching in the educational arena. This qualitative study investigated the difficulties teachers faced in taking MOOCs, the convenience of taking MOOCs by attending camps, and the notable changes in teaching after taking MOOCs. Out of thirty-nine EFL Teachers who in 2018 attended two MOOC camps sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, seventeen participated in this research. The findings reported that teachers' challenges were primarily technical, technological, procedural, and time constraints. However, taking MOOCs by attending camps was convenient for mutual support, motivation, and best learning practices. The results showed that MOOCs helped teachers raise learners' intercultural awareness, develop content knowledge, facilitate C.T. skills, and interact more in the EFL classroom. The findings will help policymakers and teacher educators to use MOOCs more effectively for teachers' continuous professional development. IIUC Studies, Vol.-20, Issue-1, June 2023, pp. 9-32
The Corona-virus (COVID-19) is an emerging disease responsible for infecting millions of people since the first notification until nowadays. Corona virus causes respiratory ailment like influenza with symptoms for example, cold, coughs, fatigue, fever and gradually increases the breathing problem. The disease and symptoms are changing frequently thus due to time constraints it is literally impossible to test. Analysis of Covid-19 data using machine learning paradigm is becoming a major interest of the researchers in this situation. The aim of this study is to develop a better predicting model for Covid-19 patients. Patients feature can be assessed statistically and traditionally. But with this day and age of advanced machine learning approaches Covid-19 can be predicted using machine learning techniques with better accuracy. In this work four well known machine learning approaches was used for better prediction in Covid-19. However, this study focuses on optimizing machine learning approaches. Two optimization approaches employed for Grid Search and Random Search are used for fine tune in prediction. IIUC Studies, Vol.-20, Issue-1, June 2023, pp. 167-186
Achyranthes ferruginea, a plant commonly used in Bangladeshi traditional medicine, was investigated in this study to uncover new therapeutic applications. The research focused on assessing it’s in vitro anti-inflammatory properties and in vivo analgesic effects using a methanol extract. In vitro, the methanol extract of Achyranthes ferruginea was examined for its anti-inflammatory effects through membrane stabilization and protein denaturation tests using Human Red Blood Cells (HRBCs). The results indicated a moderate dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect, with maximum inhibitions of 34.5% (protein denaturation) and 53.68% (membrane stability) at a concentration of 1000 μg/ml For in vivo assessments, Swiss albino mice were utilized, with Diclofenac Sodium as a positive control. The extract demonstrated significant dose-dependent analgesic effects in both chemically induced paw licking and writhing tests. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed a higher binding affinity of N-trans-feruloyl-4'-O-methyldopamine with COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Overall, Achyranthes ferruginea methanol extract exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity and robust analgesic properties, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications. IIUC Studies, Vol.-20, Issue-1, June 2023, pp. 109-120
Mikania micrantha (Asteraceae) has useful properties in the field of medicine. This study is aimed to elucidate the therapeutic potential of crude methanol extract of Mikania micrantha (MEMM) leave, on Swiss mice. The tests for antidepression potential were carried out using the model of both in-vivo forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Again, the anti-diarrheal efficiency was carried out through the castor oil-induced diarrheal model; the clot-lytic property was investigated by thrombus dissolution property. The test samples showed dose_dependent (200 mg/kg BW, 400 mg/kg BW) potentiality in antidepressant, anti-diarrheal and thrombolytic activities. MEMM demonstrated a significant increase in swimming tone and mobility in FST and TST. MEMM 400 (mg/kg; b.w.; p.o.) exhibited a significant reduction of diarrhoea over 4 hours. Besides, MEMM produced promising (400 (mg/kg; b.w.; p.o) 43.76 %) clot lysis activity. The observed results of this scientific investigation revealed the possibility of the suitable use of this plant and whether this plant is useful as a source of alternative medicine and new therapeutics. IIUC Studies, Vol.-20, Issue-1, June 2023, pp. 87-108
