bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uma possível abordagem para o ensino introdutório de algoritmos em cursos de Computação
Authors: Castilho Marcos A. , Silva Fabiano , Weingaertner Daniel
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo discutimos uma possível abordagem para disciplinas introdutórias de algoritmos para o ensino superior em cursos de Computação e similares. Mostramos a experiência de 30 anos refinando conceitos, simplificando alguns pontos que nos permitem avançar em outros. Comentamos as motivações e as decisões tomadas ao longo de um curso de 60 horas. Estas decisões têm relação com o sequenciamento, com o uso de uma linguagem real como apoio e como é possível, ao final do curso, abordar assuntos relativamente avançados, mas de forma lúdica, até certo ponto.
Um Relato de Experiência sobre a Oferta da Disciplina Desenvolvimento de Software Livre para os Cursos de Ciência da Computação e Sistemas de Informação
Authors: Parreira Júnior Paulo Afonso , Alves Júlio César , Freire André Pimenta , Costa Heitor Augustus Xavier , Wiese Igor Scaliante
Published: March 2023

Além de ser uma excelente oportunidade de aprendizado, a participação em projetos de software livre pode ser um diferencial na carreira de um profissional, pois diversas empresas têm valorizado e buscado esse tipo de experiência nos currículos dos seus futuros colaboradores. Assim, torna-se importante que estudantes de Computação tenham contato com o universo do software livre, a fim de conhecerem suas potencialidades e desafios, bem como terem a oportunidade de lidar com problemas reais, vivenciados diariamente na indústria de software. Uma das formas de proporcionar esse contato é por meio da oferta de disciplinas com esta temática. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar o relato de experiência sobre a oferta da disciplina "Desenvolvimento de Software Livre" para os cursos de Ciência da Computação e Sistemas de Informação. Como principais destaques deste relato, têm-se que: (i) não houve desistências ao longo do semestre; (ii) o percentual de aprovação foi de 100%; (iii) a partir das respostas dadas em um questionário respondido por 20 estudantes, percebeu-se que 19 (95%) deles(as) recomendariam fortemente a disciplina a outras pessoas e 16 (80%) se sentiram mais confiantes e mais preparados(as) para contribuir com projetos de software livre, após terem cursado a disciplina; (iv) houve relatos de estudantes que, após terem cursado a disciplina, contribuíram com bibliotecas de software livre para resolverem problemas em seus locais de trabalho; entre outros.
Correlação Entre Complexidade e Dificuldade de Questões de Programação em Juízes Online
Authors: Fernandes Jackson , Carvalho Leandro S. G. , Oliveira David B. F. , Oliveira Elaine H. T. , Pereira Filipe Dwan , Lauschner Tanara
Published: March 2023

Ambientes de correção automática de código são cada vez mais usados no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de disciplinas de programação. Porém, um problema frequentemente enfrentado pelos professores que usam essa tecnologia é determinar a dificuldade das questões cadastradas no ambiente. Este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar uma análise de correlação entre métricas de complexidade de código e a dificuldade enfrentada pelos alunos, de maneira que seja possível prever automaticamente o nível de dificuldade de uma questão apenas conhecendo seu modelo de solução. Este estudo foi dividido em três etapas: i) análise da correlação de Spearman entre métricas de complexidade (extraídas da questão) e de dificuldade (extraídas da interação do aluno com a questão), ii) predição da classe de dificuldade de questões através de modelos de aprendizado de máquina para classificação e iii) predição de métricas de dificuldade usando modelos de regressão. Quanto ao item i), observou-se que 96% das correlações foram fracas ou inexistentes entre métricas individuais de complexidade de código e de dificuldade, 4% de casos de correlação moderada e nenhum caso de correlação forte. Para o item ii), o maior f1-score obtido foi de 88%, considerando classificação com dois níveis de dificuldade (“fácil” e “difícil”), e f1-score máximo de 67%, considerando classificação com três níveis (“fácil”, “médio” e “difícil”). Para o item iii), o melhor resultado obtido foi um coeficiente de determinação ajustado de 63%.
Um Recurso Educacional para Desenvolver a Habilidade da Percepção de Padrões de Equívocos com Aprendizes de Programação
Authors: Gomes Gabriel Sílverson , Nishi Ygor Takashi , Ramos Paula Bosse , Silva Leonardo Souza , Guerra Eduardo , Wiese Igor Scaliante , Bosse Yorah
Published: March 2023

A aprendizagem de programação é vista como uma tarefa complexa, onde existem alunos com dificuldades em entender os conceitos, e outros que entendem mas possuem dificuldades em aplicá-los. As dificuldades juntamente com o desconhecimento da sintaxe das linguagens de programação, fazem com que aprendizes cometam erros durante o desenvolvimento de seus códigos. Pesquisadores analisaram e catalogaram os erros de programação mais frequentemente cometidos pelos aprendizes, os padrões de equívocos. A presença de padrões de equívocos podem tornar o aprendizado mais demorado, fazendo com que os alunos desistam da atividade que estão resolvendo ou até mesmo da disciplina. Nesse contexto, o objetivo geral deste trabalho é a construção de recurso educacional para desenvolver a habilidade da percepção de padrões de equívocos com aprendizes de programação, onde foi desenvolvido um conjunto de questões objetivas que abordam padrões de equívocos cometidos em C e em Python. Trabalhar com os alunos não só o que é correto, mas também os equívocos, poderá desenvolver essa habilidade tão importante para programadores, fazendo-os perceber os erros nos seus códigos, assim como corrigí-los. Neste estudo foram desenvolvidas 63 questões para trabalhar padrões de equívocos cometidos em C e 46 questões para Python. Essas questões estão disponíveis online, em diversos formatos, para professores e aprendizes utilizarem durante o ensino aprendizagem de programação.
Análise da inferência da Lógica Fuzzy no jogo The Sims
Authors: Santos Tatiana Nilson dos , Moro Francielli Freitas , Pozzebon Eliane
Published: March 2023

No ensino superior, o aprendizado da disciplia de inteligência artificial requer recursos que facilitem a assimilação de conceitos, por vezes tão complexos. Os jogos ultimamente são ferramentas muito utilizadas no contexto educacional, como forma de promover um ensino mais motivar, atrativo e significativo. Além disso, grande maioria dos jogos traz consigo uma ou mais técnicas de Inteligência Artificial (IA) aplicadas em seu desenvolvimento. Essas técnicas valorizam aspectos principais nos jogos, tais como: jogabilidade, dinâmica, interatividade, competição, entre outros. No jogo “The Sims”, caracterizado como um simulador de vida, a técnica Lógica Fuzzy apresenta influência direta em situações como no comportamento e tomada de decisões do personagem. Desta forma, o objetivo principal deste artigo, é detalhar de forma lúdica como o ensino de conceitos desta disciplina podem ser repassados aos alunos por meio de recursos que fazem parte do cotidiano deles, como é o caso dos jogos. Percebeu-se que este não teria a mesma atratividade caso a IA não existisse ou fosse limitada à pequenas situações e consequentemente o processo de ensino e aprendizagem não apresentaria resultados tão satisfatórios.
Fundamental Rights Concerns Regarding the European Arrest Warrant
Authors: Symeonidou-Kastanidou Εlisabeth
Published: March 2023

The European Arrest Warrant, adopted twenty years ago, has proved to be a useful instrument for strengthening transnational cooperation between EU Member States in the field of criminal law. Still, its implementation has revealed serious problems with regard to the protection of fundamental freedoms. This study highlights the relevant shortcomings of the European legislation. It also assesses the judgments issued by the EU Court of Justice to address the problems of the practical application of this legislation. The study concludes that only a significant amendment of the Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA could ensure effective protection of fundamental freedoms in the issuance and execution of the EAW.
Law of Evidence in Cross-Border EPPO Proceedings
Authors: Zerbes Ingeborg
Published: March 2023

Twenty-five years after the idea of establishing a European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) was mooted, the office became operational in June 2021. It was intended to provide for a paradigm shift in the prosecution of serious fraud against the EU budget. Although it is a supranational law enforcement agency, it basically investigates under the respective national legal systems in which it has to take measures. This means that EPPO is naturally confronted with all the (well-known) challenges associated with cross-border investigative work. How does it meet these challenges? Does the Regulation, which is the legal basis for EPPO's activities, offer better solutions than those found under existing instruments of intergovernmental cooperation?
BtOG - das neue Betreuungsorganisationsgesetz
Authors: Bürkel Ina , Plitzko Dennis
Published: March 2023

Betreuungsrechtsreform

Das neue Betreuungsorganisationsgesetz (BtOG) regelt seit 2023 die Stellung, Aufgaben und Pflichten von Betreuungsbehörden und Betreuungsvereinen sowie die öffentlich-rechtlich geprägten Vorschriften für ehrenamtliche und berufliche Betreuer; dies umfasst insbesondere die Registrierung sowie datenschutzrechtliche Aspekte. Die Betreuerregistrierungsverordnung (BtRegV) führt die Vorgaben zum Registrierungsverfahren und zum Sachkundenachweis näher aus.

Die Arbeitshilfe BtOG - Das neue Betreuungsorganisationsgesetz macht es leicht, sich schnell und fundiert in die neuen Regelungen einzuarbeiten und so den Umstieg in das neue Recht gut vorzubereiten:

Übersicht zu den Änderungen und Neuerungen

Kommentierung des neuen BtOG und der BtReGV auf Basis der vorliegenden Gesetzesmaterialien

Darstellung der Überleitungsvorschriften

Mit vielen Hinweisen aus und für die Praxis.
International Experience in Formation of Foreign Language Communicative Competence in Tourism Students in the Context of Blended Learning
Authors: Zhumbei Marianna , Savchuk Nadiia , Apelt Halyna , Kopchak Liliia , Pryimak Liliia
Published: March 2023

The modern formation of foreign language communicative competence in tourism students in the context of blended learning is a key issue for the effective organization of the educational process. The issue of using blended learning as a tool for improving the practical and professional skills of tourism students is subject to wide discussion, as it has many advantages and disadvantages. The proposed results of the study are aimed at improving the organization of the educational process, as well as creating the most effective means for the formation of foreign language communicative competence of tourism students. The study aims to conduct an analytical assessment of the theoretical aspects of the formation of foreign language communicative competence, as well as to find ways to practically develop it in future specialists. With the help of scientific research methods, the foundations of the functioning of universities are formed, taking into account the prospects of digital technologies and the needs of the tourism services market. The results of the article can be useful for improving the distribution of the educational process of educational institutions between traditional and distance learning. The article examines the components of foreign language communicative competence and their cultural, ethical, and semantic aspects as the main principles of professional communication of tourism professionals. The results of the study indicate the need to integrate the educational process into distance learning. However, the traditional form should not be excluded, as it can be useful for the development of verbal communication skills. The study is important from the point of view of theoretical peculiarities of the formation of foreign language communicative competence in tourism students.
Media Anti-Discriminatory Practices in War Conditions
Authors: Cherniavska Liudmyla , Tiapkina Nataliia , Bondarenko Iryna , Kostiuk Viktor , Usmanova Olena , Kostiuk Iurii
Published: March 2023

With the beginning of the full-scale military invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the media sphere became one of the priorities of the national struggle. In the conditions of a hybrid war, the Russian Federation actively used the media space for propaganda, inciting inter-ethnic enmity and forming electoral support among the population. However, with the beginning of a full-scale military invasion, propaganda and the creation of fake news were significantly activated, however, the official media resources of Ukraine by the formation of truthful and unbiased information, as well as the development of information policy. The fight against prejudiced attitudes towards Ukrainian refugees and forcibly displaced persons, attitudes towards the war and the political situation in Ukraine, psychological rehabilitation, and support for forcibly displaced persons both in Ukraine and abroad became new challenges. These priorities became the basis for the formation of an information policy on anti-discrimination measures in Ukraine and the international arena. The study developed a model for assessing priorities and a practical algorithm for their implementation in the face of new challenges. The research methodology is based on conducting a sociological survey to form a table of parameters of the results of factor evaluation. Based on the assessment, a priority function is formed, which can be displayed by implementing a graph-correlation model. The developed proposals have practical relevance in terms of searching for new forms of implementation of anti-discrimination policy in the media space in modern global challenges.
Rovesnícke učenie pri riešení problémovej úlohy u detí predškolského veku
Authors: Petrová Zuzana , Navrátilová Kateřina
Published: March 2023

Príspevok sa zaoberá výskumom spoločného riešenia úlohy u detí v pred­školskom veku v podobe tzv. rovesníckeho učenia (peer tutoring). V rámci empirické­ho výskumu sme sledovali dvojice detí, ktoré spolupracovali na riešení problémovej úlohy, ktorá spočívala v zložení skladačky podľa predlohy. Výskumný súbor tvorilo 20 detí, ktoré boli zaradené do dvojíc na základe veku, pričom každú dvojicu tvorilo jedno 4-ročné a jedno 6-ročné dieťa. Deti v spolupracujúcej dvojici mali stanovené rozdielne úlohy – staršie, skúsenejšie dieťa malo pomáhať mladšiemu, menej skúse­nému dieťaťu pri riešení úlohy vždy, keď toto dieťa potrebovalo pomoc. Pri analýze sme sledovali spôsob, ako mladšie dieťa pristupovalo k riešeniu úlohy, a tiež typy po­moci a spôsob ich komunikácie zo strany staršieho dieťaťa – pomocníka. Výsledky analýzy ukázali, že staršie deti volili tak neverbálne postupy pomoci (demonštrácie správneho postupu, napríklad v podobe odstránenia prekážky – nesprávne umiest­neného dielu skladačky, či správneho umiestnenia dielu skladačky, ktoré bolo potreb­né na uskutočnenie nasledujúceho kroku; ukázanie prstom), ako aj rôzne verbálne komunikačné stratégie pomoci (špecifické usmernenia v činnosti; povzbudenia k čin­nosti; potvrdenia správnosti vykonaného kroku). Mladšie deti sa snažili pristupovať k riešeniu problémovej úlohy samostatne, len zriedkavo využívajúc predlohu. Vý­sledky sú zaujímavé z hľadiska implementácie kooperatívneho učenia a vzdelávania v predškolskom vzdelávaní.
Paradigma Bela Negara dalam Surat An-Naml Ayat 1-66: Representasi Akronim Kata “AN-NAML”
Authors: Supardi Adi , Sona Zainal Walad  , Mida Hardianti  , Sabarudin Ikbal , Hamid Sidiq
Published: March 2023

This research wants to describe the actualization of the state defense paradigm in the Qur'an. The concept is offered using the AN-NAML acronym, namely Attitude; Nationalism; nature; associations; manage; and Lovely. The AN-NAML concept is sourced from the contents of the letter An-Naml verses 1-66. The method used is descriptive qualitative through contextual analysis of the text of the verse, then finding correlations so that it can be applied as a standard of values ​​and knowledge. The results of this study indicate that the AN-NAML concept can help provide information on new findings and structured efforts to help the government actualize Al-Qur'an values ​​in the field of instilling state defense values. Attitude as a spiritual foundation, Nationalism as love for the motherland, Nature as an objective behavior, Association is able to socialize and work together, Manage has leadership, and Lovely so that love becomes the basis of attitude and speech.
Peran Ayah Terhadap Pendidikan Anak dalam Keluarga Perspektif Al-Qur’an: Studi Tafsir Tarbawi Q.S Luqman: 14-19
Authors: Kadri Raja Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The role of fathers in children's education in the family has received the spotlight because various studies have found that the high rate of father's disengagement in family education is found. In the discourse on children's education, it was found that most fathers consider children's education to be the duty and obligation of a wife. The role of the father is very important for the child's education and will have a negative impact on children who do not feel the role and involvement of the father in their education. The solution to this problem will be found in the Qur'an, namely by examining Q.S Luqman verses 13-19 which provides an overview of the important role of a father in educating his child. The type of research used in this research is library research with content analysis. This research is included in the category of qualitative research, which is to produce descriptive data in the form of words. In order to understand the verses of the Koran in this study, the Tarbawi interpretation style method was used. The results of the study show that there are three roles of the father in Q.S Luqman, namely: first, the role of the father in educating the child's faith in Q.S Luqman verses 13-19; second, the father's role in children's worship education in Q.S Luqman verses 13-19; third, the father's role in children's moral education in Q.S Luqman verses 13-19.
Development of RFID and mobile application based attendance management system: a case study of secondary schools in Tanzania
Authors:   , Sospeter Joseph
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the development of different technologies has opened new possibilities for different activities to be accomplished easily in a smooth way. The rapid development in mobile phone technologies especially mobile phone based information system has contributed much in facilitating automation of activities in different sectors like Education, Agriculture, Health, etc. Mobile phone technology has continued to evolve in terms of computation power, speed, memory capacity and screen size. Many mobile applications for different activities especially on the Android platform as the free software are being developed. Another technology which has shown tremendous development and application in the recent years is the Radio Frequency Identification. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and tracking tags attached to objects(wikipedia). It has been around for many decades but now days it is becoming the more relied technology in the area of tracking objects due to its low cost and accuracy as compared to other auto-ID technologies like biometric systems and barcodes. The most interesting and widely used applications of RFID include those for supply chain management, security, and the tracking of important objects and personnel(Weinstein, 2005). Based on the suitability, development and applicability of both RFID and mobile phone technologies, this research analyze and develop the low cost RFID and mobile application based attendance management system which is proposed to be used in ordinary level schools to efficiently manage student attendances. The system is proposed and designed in consideration of financial capacity and environmental challenges of educational institutions especially ordinary level schools in Tanzania. Currently, the attendance management of both students and employees is being done manually using attendance registers. Employees’ signs the attendance register book in the morning using attendance register books where for students, the responsible personnel call a roll call every day using attendance register books. Manual way of taking students and employees’ attendance using attendance registers and class journals is inefficient, time consuming and error prone. This system aims to replace the manual paper based system.
Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in coal slurry using white rot fungi isolated from east kalimantan
Authors:   , Wulandari Retno
Published: March 2023

Fifty specimens of white-rot fungi were identified and placed into 6 families and 30 species. Two new records of resupinate fungi (Basidiomycota) were discovered and reported for Indonesia: Ceriporia inflata and Ceriporia lacerata. Furthermore, a four-step screening protocol to select WRF has been conducted. These stepwise protocols have selected Trametes polyzona PBURU 12 based on its superior performance among the 30 isolates tested in this experiment with laccase as the major LMEs produced. Plackett-Burman’s design was used for screening multiple factors at a time. The result suggested that the highest positive effects influencing laccase production by PBURU 12 were glucose, peptone, CuSO4 and pH. Furthermore, the response surface methodology (RSM) showed that the optimized medium induced a nearly 3-folds increase in laccase activity compared to the basal medium. The optimum pH and stability were shown at pH 4.5 and 5.0, respectively. PBURU 12 acted in the broad temperature range of 20-70°C and stable at 20-40°C for 60 minutes. Cu2+ was showed a stimulatory effect on laccase activity, while Fe2+ and NaN3 were found to be potent inhibitors. Degradation of PAHs using crude laccase (1 U/ml) of PBURU 12 was able to degrade PAHs up to 50% within 24 hours. PAHs degradation were increased to 1-fold when ABTS was added, and up to 2-fold when laccase concentration was increased to 10 U/ml. The crude laccase was capable to degrade the PAHs mixture up to 70%. The genotoxicity experiment using Allium cepa L. revealed that the laccase-treated PAHs were less toxic compared to untreated. While the results of the AMES test with Salmonella typhimurium revealed that strain TA98 and TA100 showed different mutagenic activity toward untreated and treated-PAHs.
Microencapsulation of black cumin seed oil with hydrocolloids via spray drying
Authors:   , Santiworakun Najwa
Published: March 2023

Nigella sativa is one of historical and miracle herbs been used for many centuries in different civilizations.  Although its oil provides high nutritious values of fatty acids and phytochemicals, the strong odor and peppery taste limits its application in food products.  In additions, the black cumin seed oil also poor solubility and rapid deterioration.  A wise strategy to enhance organoleptic property and promote oil solubility is encapsulating the cold press black cumin seed oil with suitable wall materials via spray drying.  In this study, eight water soluble hydrocolloids were used for formulating the mixed microcapsules.  Only four formulations of microcapsules were successfully spray dried including gum arabic alone (GA) or in combinations with inulin (GI), maltodextrin (GM), or whey protein (GW) at a ratio of 50:50.  The microencapsulation efficiencies (ME) of all microcapsules were ranged from 75 - 88%.  The ME of GI was superior to those of GM and GW, respectively.  Based on the SEM image, the smooth and spherical shape microstructure was obtained from the GI microcapsule (mGI).  The TQ, tertbutyl-hydroquinone (TBHQ), and longifolene were the main phytochemicals available in the mNSO powders, respectively.  Amounts of TQ and TBHQ encapsulated by the GA, GI, and GW were no significant difference.  Similar fatty acid profiles were observed in all microcapsules.  The solubilities of the mixed microcapsules (87-93%) were significantly higher than that of mGA (P < 0.05).  Also, the wettabilities of mGI and mGW (11 & 14 mins) were significantly faster than those of mGA and mGM.  Based on the DPPH assay for antioxidant activity of microcapsules, the % inhibition of mGI was the highest at all concentrations.  The cytotoxicity of mGI on Caco-2 cells was 182.5 µg/mL. The trained panelists could significantly distinguish sensory attributes of soybean milk and low fat cow milk containing 10 mg of TQ from mGI or NSO per serving size (P < 0.05).  The overall mean acceptability scores of each fortified milk products were mild to moderate (5.9 – 6.6) but no significant difference among the samples.  Therefore, the fortification of mNSO into health food products should be further study to improve acceptability and nutrition.
Production of biodegradable UV protection film using cellulose and lignin extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch
Authors:   , Haqiqi Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The optimized process for cellulose extraction from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) consisting of acid pretreatment (0.5% (v/v) H2SO4), alkaline extraction (15% (w/w) NaOH), and chlorine-free bleaching (10% (w/v) H2O2) yielded pulp with the highest cellulose content at 83.42%. The EFB cellulose was then etherified into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) which was readily water-soluble (81.32%). The EFB CMC (2.5% (w/v)) was blended with glycerol (0.5 % (w/v)) to produce a composite film by a solution casting method. Lignin obtained from acid precipitation of the EFB black liquor was added into the film at different concentrations, and its influence on the UV-protection property was evaluated. Interestingly, the film without lignin incorporation completely blocked UV-B transmittance. The addition of lignin at all concentrations significantly improved the UV-A blocking and other physical properties, such as the surface roughness, thickness, and thermal stability, although the water vapor permeability and tensile strength were not significantly affected. The EFB CMC film supplemented with 0.2% (w/v) lignin was observed to be the optimized composition according to its total UV-A and UV-B protection capacity, highest antioxidant activity, and preferable mechanical performance.
Determinants of health promotion service consumption in Thailand
Authors:   , Vitidladda Pimpa
Published: March 2023

Despite being preventable, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) rank among leading causes of death in Thailand. Four main groups of NCDs involve cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. These chronic diseases worsen economic burden and the quality of life. To ease the burden, health promotion service is one of the tools that can directly cope with risk factors of NCDs. Therefore, increasing health promotion service consumption potentially leads to risk reduction of an individual to develop NCDs. Hence, this research aims to identify the factors influencing health promotion service consumption in Thailand along with marginal effects of each factors. The analysis applies backward stepwise logistic regression with the national-level data from National Statistical Office of Thailand (NSO) collected in 2015. Overall, factors affecting health promotion service consumption for Thai male and female are different. At 1 percent significance level, Thai male’s probability of utilizing health promotion services is positively influenced by status of having chronic diseases, education, better score of self-assessment on health comparing with others, and age. The unhealthy behavioral factors including preference of adding extra-seasoning, alcohol consumption, and smoking negatively impact the probability of health promotion service consumption. For Thai female, at 1 percent significance level, the prospect to utilize health promotion services increases when she owns a road vehicle, has worse self-assessment on severe health condition, and grows older. On the other hand, the probability of health promotion service consumption plunges for an additional score on problem of self-caring. The other negative determinants on the chance of using health promotion services are smoking, preference of adding-extra seasoning, and living in municipal district.
Preparation and characterization of rice husk ash filled natural rubber film: effect of cross-linking agents on mechanical and electrical properties
Authors:   , Sintharm Praewpakun
Published: March 2023

Natural rubber (NR) is one of the most important polymers produced by plants and is widely utilized as raw material for many products due to its excellent flexibility. Rice husk ash (RHA) is one of the major agricultural residues generated from the rice milling plant. In order to add value to NR and RHA, this study aims to use different types of RHA (black rice husk ash (BRHA), white rice husk ash (WRHA) and BRHA treated by acid washing (BRHAT)) as filler in NR composites.  By the addition of alginate as a thickening and dispersing agent, a maximum of 100 per hundred rubbers (phr) of RHA could be integrated in NR matrix without phase separation. In addition, this study investigated the effects of crosslinking NR composite by CaCl2 compared to the common crosslinking process by sulfur vulcanization on mechanical and electrical properties of NR composites. Mechanical properties of the composite films with RHAs in terms of tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break were considerably enhanced, compared to the neat NR film. The composite films reinforced with WRHA demonstrated relatively better mechanical properties than those reinforced with BRHA and BRHAT, respectively. The crosslinking by CaCl2 was achieved on NR–WRHA, in which tensile strength and chemical resistance of the composite films were improved close to properties of sulfur vulcanized NR films. The NR composites were biodegradable in soil, with weight loss of 7.6–18.3% of the initial dry weight after 3 months. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss factors and electrical conductivity of the composites were enhanced with RHAs loading. However, dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor and electrical conductivity of NR composites with RHAs had dropped significantly after crosslinking the composites by CaCl2 or by sulfur vulcanization. Moreover, bacterial cellulose (BC) reinforced with skim/fresh natural rubber latex (SNRL/FNRL) were future developed by combining the prominent mechanical properties of multilayer BC nanofibrous structural networks and the high elasticity of NR. As compared to FNRL, SNRL could easily diffuse through the pores of a BC network. Many good benefits were obtained for the reinforcement with SNRL, including good mechanical properties, chemical resistance and noticeably improved dielectric properties. The SNRL-BC films are biodegradable and could be mostly or totally decomposed in soil within 6 weeks. The composite films developed in this study display potential for further application as semiconducting polymer films and flexible electronic devices for electronic applications.
Deoxygenation of palm fatty acid distillate to green diesel over molybdenum nitride and carbide-based catalysts in a trickle-bed reactor
Authors:   , Leangsiri Wanwipa
Published: March 2023

In this present work, the deoxygenation of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) to green diesel over γ-Al2O3 supported bimetallic CoMo and NiMo carbide and nitride catalysts was conducted in a trickle bed reactor. The catalysts were prepared by a single-step decomposition method of mixture containing hexamethylenetetramine and corresponding metal salts in presence of hydrogen and nitrogen for carbide and nitride forms, respectively at 700 oC. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, XPS, N2-sorption, SEM/EDX and TGA techniques. The catalyst performance was evaluated at a temperature of 330 °C, hydrogen pressure of 5 MPa, LHSV of 1 h−1, and H2/feed ratio of 1000 N(cm3·cm-3). It was found that the carbide catalysts exhibited the superior performance that those of nitride catalysts. The bimetallic CoMoC showed higher diesel yield than monometallic Mo carbide and bimetallic NiMoC catalysts. Thus, the CoMoC and NiMoC catalysts were selected for further investigations. The catalysts prepared by a single-step decomposition method exhibited higher catalytic activity than that of catalysts prepared by temperature-programmed reduction method due to higher catalyst surface area. In order to optimize the operating conditions, the operating temperatures were varied from 300 to 390 °C under 3-5 MPa of hydrogen pressure. The operating temperature of 330 °C and 5 MPa of hydrogen pressure was found to be a suitable condition for CoMoC and NiMoC catalysts. In the stability test, the CoMoC catalyst exhibited complete PFAD conversion with diesel yield 82.0% for 72 h. time on stream. However, the catalytic activity of CoMoC catalyst gradually decreased after 72 h. and PFAD conversion of 81% with diesel yield of 68.5% were obtained after 102 h. time on stream.
Accountability through integrity : toward a balanced education
Authors: Stückelberger Christoph
Published: March 2023

Academic integrity is based on values and virtues. It requires education not only in knowledge, but in character and ethical bearings. The article shows that there are ethical methodologies to clarify values and virtues, also in cultural, religious and philosophical differences. It shows how conflicts of values can be managed to reach common standards e.g. in a university. It shows integrity as the virtue of virtues and as a universal and institutional reference in all areas of society including the academic world. There is sometimes a price to pay for integrity.
Slow and uncertain justice in matters of academic integrity
Authors: de Gourcuff Catherine
Published: March 2023

Catherine de Gourcuff, a lawyer at the Paris Bar, invites us to understand the ways in which justice intervenes in matters of academic integrity in court or in disciplinary proceedings. She observes how little the academic order is equipped, by virtue of its professional standards, to make its procedures legally admissible. As a result, many academic situations cannot be dealt with by the courts. An example? The term 'plagiarism' does not exist in law, it is called 'forgery', a term that does not exist in the world of academic writing. Justice has difficulty in using codes of research ethics, because the legal and the academic do not identify in the same way the facts that the laws have provided for. And what about the real obstacle course that awaits the plaintiff who has to face a criminal trial? What researcher, what author, is prepared to devote two to ten years of his or her life to these procedures?
"Ideas can be freely used" : a victim of plagiarism reflects on a legal maxim and other legal usages
Authors: Durand Béatrice
Published: March 2023

When French academics take plagiarizing colleagues to Court, they often are disappointed by the reluctance of the judges to acknowledge the full dimension of the plunder. Often the judges refuse to qualify many of the alleged text passages as counterfeiting. Two main principles guide them: “Ideas are free” and can therefore not be protected as intellectual property; only “the form” (the wording) may be. Since scholarly work aims to produce intellectual contents – ideas –, its productions would be, as a matter of principle, excluded from legal protection. In addition, the first work must also be “original” in order to be protected. Scholarly work always includes a more or less important empirical part. Since primary sources are regarded as belonging to the public domain, empirical (data based) work cannot be protected. Based on a personal trial experience this paper explores the semantic misunderstanding (“ideas”) and the inappropriate conception of empirical data as “public”, which lead to legal decisions unfavorable to the protection of research work.
Academic integrity at the University of Montenegro : pathway to certification
Authors: Peković Sanja , Janinović Jovana , Vučković Dijana
Published: March 2023

Academic dishonesty is one of the major challenges in higher education. In developed countries, higher education institutions have, for some years now, begun to put in place strategies and mechanisms to combat academic misconduct. In developing countries, such as Montenegro, the formalisation of processes to strengthen academic integrity is a relatively new concern. In this paper, we will analyse the framework for the development of a determined academic integrity strategy, which resulted in the international certification of the University of Montenegro. Based on the literature review on academic integrity and using the case analysis method, we highlight the steps in the certification process. We will show how the holistic approach that has been adopted strengthens the culture of academic integrity.
Rethinking research integrity : a dialogical and reflective approach
Authors: Magalhães Susana
Published: March 2023

In this chapter, we reflect on responsible conduct in research and the need to complement a top-down normative approach with a bottom-up dialogical approach, giving the example of the training sessions organised since October 2019 at the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences - i3S based in Porto, Portugal. Research integrity has been the main concern of universities and other research institutions due to the increasing number of cases of research misconduct every year. Although scientific governance documents aim to promote the integrity and accountability of researchers, rather than focusing exclusively on cases of misconduct, they tend to be interpreted as warnings to avoid fabrication, falsification and plagiarism, emphasising the need for sanctions. However, the meaning of integrity for researchers is not homogeneous and can be determined by context. We argue that the integrity of researchers should be promoted in a positive bottom-up approach, without neglecting open, transparent and clear standards and guidelines for responsible conduct.
Implementation of an e-proctoring solution for online exams : stumbling blocks for trust
Authors: Ajmi Oumaima
Published: March 2023

The case illustrates the difficult, but successful, journey of choosing and implementing an e-surveillance tool in a Swiss public university during the COVID-19 health crisis. The importance of this case is to show the difficulty of using new technologies in the public administration, given the conjuncture of several aspects in this type of project, especially for academic projects. This feedback also shows the technical, pedagogical and ethical challenges to be consolidated in order to maintain academic integrity in times of crisis.
Distance exams : can targeted warnings discourage cheating?
Authors: Humbert Marc , Lambin Xavier
Published: March 2023

During the COVID-19 sanitary crisis of 2020, many exams were hastily moved to online mode. This revived a much-needed debate on the privacy issues of online proctoring of exams, while the validity and fairness of unproctored exams were increasingly questioned. In a randomized control trial, we send a targeted warning to half of the students who were identified as cheaters in previous exams. We then compare their cheating behavior at the final exam to the group of unwarned cheaters. Preliminary results show that the warning proves effective but does not completely annihilates cheating as the cheating strategies of some students become more sophisticated. We conclude that switching traditional exams to online mode should come with proctoring. When proctoring is not possible, credible and effective anti-cheating technologies should be deployed, together with adequate warnings.
Basic Capital of Creative Economy: The Role of Intellectual, Social, Cultural, and Institutional Capital
Authors: Ausat Abu Muna Almaududi , Al Bana Tareq , Silvy Sondari Gadzali
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the creative economy's vital role in riding the wave of economic recovery caused by the pandemic has come to the fore. As a result, lawmakers and regulators are focusing on revitalizing the creative economy through initiatives like the online marketplace. However, the public still lacks understanding of the creative economy and what is the basic capital for the development of the creative economy. This research aims to explain the answers to the ignorance above in full. Thus, it can be used as a basis for decision making to contribute to the creative economy. This research is qualitative. Data collection techniques include listening and recording important information to conduct data analysis through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The study arrived at the conclusion that the creative economy is a concept that aims to achieve sustainable economic development based on creativity. Human capital, social capital, cultural capital, and structural institutional capital are the four types of capital that form the foundation of the creative economy. These results are expected to be an insight for the community to be more sensitive to opportunities in modern times. Because, one of the goals of the creative economy is not only to increase GDP, but also to create jobs.
Banks' credit to the private sector and economic growth in Nigeria: The moderating role of digitalization
Authors: Amali Ebele , Alymkulova Nargiza , Ejila Solomon Ali
Published: March 2023

Inspired by the desire to take a unique trajectory with the greater goal of new knowledge addition, this study examined the moderating effect of digitalization on the triangular relationship between digitalization, banks’ credit to private sector and economic growth in Nigeria for 2009 – 2021. The highly debatable direction of the relationship between credit to the private sector and economic growth in Nigeria has remained unresolved; by throwing digitalization in the mix, this study seeks to ascertain if there is a substantial shift in the direction of the subsisting argument with refence to Nigeria. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach was applied due to the mixed order of integration results obtained from the Unit Roots Test, which accounted for some structural breaks. For this study, the long-run results carry more prominence than the short-run since there is inherent room for adjustments. The empirical results show that private sector credit has a positive and significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria in the short run. However, in the long run, credit to private sector has a positive and insignificant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. The results also revealed that ddigitalization does not moderate the effect of banks' credit to the private sector on economic growth in Nigeria for the period reviewed. Because of the strategic role of financial intermediation played by deposit money banks, the paper supports the ongoing efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in deepening the integration of digitalization into the financial services sector.
Moderating effects of gender on financial literacy and loan repayment behaviour of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Alfa Henson , Aliyu Mukhtar Shehu , Maiyaki Ahmed Audu , Barwa Talatu Muhammad
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this research is to examine the moderating effect of financial literacy and loan repayment behavior of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kano State Nigeria. Previous studies suggested that many SME owners lack the financial literacy skills needed to run their business effectively and make accurate financial decisions and yet financial literacy skills help individuals to navigate the financial world and make informed decisions about their money and minimized the chances of   being misled on the matters. Borrowers and business characteristics were used as indicators of loan repayment behavior. Financial literacy which is the independent variable for the study was analyzed in terms of book-keeping literacy, budgeting literacy and debt management literacy. Beneficiaries of financial literacy programme of three microfinance banks namely; Bichi MFB, Dawakin-Tofa MFB and Ungogo MFB were used. The population of the study is 900 beneficiaries that participated in financial literacy programmes but the sample size is chosen to be 90using Kothra technique of determining sample size. Convenient sampling technique was used to access the subjects in administering questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Model (SEM). In line with the expectation, the study established that gender has a positive moderating effect with book-keeping literacy while gender has negative moderating effect on budgeting literacy and debt management literacy in Kano State. On the basis of the findings, it can be concluded that financial literacy awareness need to be intensified to enable SME owners key into it to achieve their business objectives. Thus, it recommended that SME owners should consider enrolling in financial literacy programmes and other related programmes in and outside MFBs so as to enjoy the benefits of financial literacy.
Safety culture maturity at work in a plastic packaging factory
Authors: Silva Mygre Lopes da , Borba Vinícius dos Santos , Pauletti Iana Suertegaray , Silva Rodrigo Abbade da
Published: March 2023

Purpose: This study aims at analyzing the stage of the safety culture maturity at work in the logistics sector of a flexible plastic packaging company located in the South of Minas Gerais. This research aims to answer the following question: what is the stage of the safety culture maturity at work in Alfa’s organization unit?
Design/methodology/approach: The research is characterized as descriptive and quantitative. The method used is the survey, based on a questionnaire developed by Gonçalves Filho, Andrade and Marinho (2011). The study sample consisted of 32 operational employees and three managers responsible for occupational safety in the sector. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, based on relative frequency.
Findings: It was observed that the information, communication, and commitment factors are in the constructive stage, in the highest maturity level of the safety culture at work. The other factors are in the proactive stage, transitory to the constructive stage. There is an efficient management system for work security and an effective workplace safety culture.
Originality/value: This research sought to contribute to the discussion on the maturity of the safety culture at work, due to the scarcity of research in the plastics industrial sector. The research analyzes the organization's logistics sector, the sector that has the highest incidence of accidents, allowing comparisons between the perception of the shop floor and the management.