bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How a Dictionary Became an Archive: Community Language Reclamation Using the Mukurtu Content Management System
Authors: Debenport Erin , Goeman Mishuana , Montenegro Maria , Wynne Michael
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT: Mukurtu is a "free, mobile, and open-source platform built with Indigenous communities to manage and share digital cultural heritage" developed by Waramungu people in Central Australia and Kimberly Christen, a scholar who conducted long-term fieldwork in this Aboriginal community (Mukurtu 2023). Users can archive images, videos, and texts, and most importantly, the platform requires community consultation and collaboration. Mukurtu responds to requests for tools to use in language revitalization projects that were not designed by and for linguists. The platform has fields for words, example sentences, parts of speech, and other typical lexicographic categories, but also the ability to link, relate, and establish relationships to non-linguistic materials, collectively called Dictionary . From the beginning, the Dictionary's capacities have exceeded the scope of the genre as it is usually depicted: a neutral, reference work designed to convey referential regularities within or across languages. In this paper, we explore how Indigenous communities are putting the Mukurtu Dictionary tools to use and how this points to local epistemologies as well as language ideologies concerning what dictionaries are and do. Using ethnographic and media examples taken from our experiences working with Indigenous community members, four themes offer insights into how the platform diverges from traditional dictionaries: 1) access, stewardship, and expertise; 2) relationality; 3) multimodality, multiplicity, and flexibility; and 4) pedagogy and publics. We conclude with shared challenges in using the Dictionary, and a discussion of what the analysis brings to understandings of Indigenous knowledge production, stewardship, and transmission, as well as the sociopolitical possibilities of community-controlled dictionary projects.
Peripheral Histories: Reflections on a Digital History Project in an Evolving Field
Authors: Gibson Catherine , Grunewald Susan , Hearne Siobhán , Laycock Jo , Matt Hanna , Thomas Alun
Published: December 2023

SUMMARY: This is a presentation of the publication and discussion platform Peripheral Histories? (https://www.peripheralhistories.co.uk). Organized and sustained by an international group of scholars and focusing on the study of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, it actively seeks international collaborators. Резюме: Этот материал представляет публикационную и дискуссионную платформу "Периферийная история?" ( Peripheral History? https://www.peripheralhistories.co.uk). Посвященный исследованиям постсоветских обществ проект был создан и поддерживается международной группой ученых, занимающихся изучением Восточной Европы и Евразии, активно привлекающих к сотрудничеству коллег из других стран.
Numerical study of a convective cooling strategy for increasing safe power levels in two-photon brain imaging
Authors: Roy Aditya , Ben-Yakar Adela
Published: December 2023

Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy has become an effective tool for tracking neural activity in the brain at high resolutions thanks to its intrinsic optical sectioning and deep penetration capabilities. However, advanced two-photon microscopy modalities enabling high-speed and/or deep-tissue imaging necessitate high average laser powers, thus increasing the susceptibility of tissue heating due to out-of-focus absorption. Despite cooling the cranial window by maintaining the objective at a fixed temperature, average laser powers exceeding 100–200 mW have been shown to exhibit the potential for altering physiological responses of the brain. This paper proposes an enhanced cooling technique for inducing a laminar flow to the objective immersion layer while implementing duty cycles. Through a numerical study, we analyze the efficacy of heat dissipation of the proposed method and compare it with that of the conventional, fixed-temperature objective cooling technique. The results show that improved cooling could be achieved by choosing appropriate flow rates and physiologically relevant immersion cooling temperatures, potentially increasing safe laser power levels by up to three times (3×). The proposed active cooling method can provide an opportunity for faster scan speeds and enhanced signals in nonlinear deep brain imaging.
Extracting causal impulse responses from baseband band-limited S-parameters of passive photonic integrated circuits for time-domain simulations
Authors: Feng Jiajun , Zhao Fusheng , Ye Yinghao
Published: December 2023

The dispersive characteristics and wavelength-dependent behaviors of passive photonic integrated circuits (PICs) can be well described by S-parameters. However, circuit-level simulations of PICs that commonly consist of both passive and active components have to be conducted in the time domain. Thus, S-parameters need to be converted into a time-domain representation without losing accuracy and violating physical properties (e.g., causality). To address this issue, this paper proposes an approach for extracting causal impulse responses of passive PICs by extrapolating their baseband band-limited S-parameters. The method is efficient and robust for a wide range of passive PICs.
Secure key generation and distribution scheme based on historical fiber channel state information with LSTM
Authors: Wang Danyang , Wang Hongxiang , Ji Yuefeng
Published: December 2023

In this paper, a scheme to realize unclonable physical-layer security key generation and distribution (PL-SKGD) based on historical fiber channel state information (HFCSI) is proposed. PL-SKGD schemes based on channel characteristics for enhancing the physical-layer security of optical networks have been proposed in recent years. However, there are potential disadvantages in these schemes, such as 1) low key generation rate (KGR): the slow frequency of the analog waveform change of the channel characteristic leading to low KGR; 2) incompatibility with existing infrastructure: active scrambling to increase the frequency of channel characteristic changes, or tracking changes of channel characteristics requires additional devices; 3) easy to be cloned: all of the optical channel state information is reflected in the signal transmitted inside the fiber, which makes it easy to reproduce by illegal eavesdropper through features analysis and other methods. In order to solve the above problems, a PL-SKGD scheme is designed which uses the chain structure composed of long short-term memory neural network (LSTM-NN) units to learn and store the unique mapping relationship between historical channel time series and provides unclonability based on the fundamental fact that the eavesdropper Eve can never obtain the full HFCSI. The simulation conducted in a quadrature phase shift keying point-to-point optical link system verified successfully that KGR = 0.82 Gbit/s error-free SKGD. The loss function of LSTM-NN drops sharply in the early stages of training and remains a small value. The security of the SKGD system is analyzed, which effectively improves the unclonability of the system. Finally, it is verified that the optimal fiber channel length for error-free SKGD of the proposed scheme is 150 km considering the error correction capability of information reconciliation and weighing key sequence error rate and valid bit generation rate.
Curved GaAs cantilever waveguides for the vertical coupling to photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Qvotrup Celeste , Liu Zhe , Papon Camille , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Midolo Leonardo
Published: December 2023

We report the nanofabrication and characterization of optical spot-size converter couplers based on curved GaAs cantilever waveguides. Using the stress mismatch between the GaAs substrate and deposited Cr-Ni-Au strips, single-mode waveguides can be bent out-of-plane in a controllable manner. A stable and vertical orientation of the out-coupler is achieved by locking the spot-size converter at a fixed 90∘ angle via short-range forces. The optical transmission is characterized as a function of temperature and polarization, resulting in a broad-band chip-to-fiber coupling extending over 150 nm wavelength bandwidth at cryogenic temperatures, with the lower bound for the coupling efficiency into the TE mode being 16±2% in the interval 900-1050 nm. The methods reported here are fully compatible with quantum photonic integrated circuit technology with quantum dot emitters, and open opportunities to design novel photonic devices with enhanced functionality.
Interleaved coding Janus metasurface with independent transmission and reflection phase modulation
Authors: Shang Guanyu , Li Guoyu , Zhao Weisong , Zhang Kuang , Wu Qun , Liu Jianxing , Burokur Shah Nawaz , Li Haoyu , Ding Xumin
Published: December 2023

An interleaved coding Janus metasurface is proposed, which can generate bidirectional functionalities with full phase control of the reflected and transmitted waves. By introducing rotation and geometric parameter changes into the meta-atoms, the reflection and transmission channels with required energy distribution and foci are realized. More remarkably, our approach is based on a single metasurface design that arranges two types of unidirectional propagating unit structures with simultaneous desired reflection and transmission properties into a checkerboard configuration to obtain four different holograms. The results verify the excellent performances of the multifunctional metasurface, laying a foundation for manipulation of EM waves with more degree of freedom, and promoting its applications in the entire frequency spectrum.
Highly sensitive self-focused ultrasound transducer with a bionic back-reflector for multiscale-resolution photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Zhao Manli , Zhang Qianyu , Li Dongfang , Tao Chao , Liu Xiaojun
Published: December 2023

In this study, we designed a self-focused ultrasonic transducer made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). This transducer involves a back-reflector, which is modeled after tapetum lucidum in the eyes of some nocturnal animals. The bionic structure reflects the ultrasound, which passes through the PVDF membrane, back to PVDF and provides a second chance for the PVDF to convert the ultrasound to electric signals. This design increases the amount of ultrasound absorbed by the PVDF, thereby improving the detection sensitivity. Both ultrasonic and photoacoustic (PA) experiments were conduct to characterize the performance of the transducer. The results show that the fabricated transducer has a center frequency of 13.07 MHz, and a bandwidth of 96% at −6 dB. With an acoustic numerical aperture (NA) of 0.64, the transducer provides a lateral resolution of 140µm. Importantly, the bionic design improves the detection sensitivity of the transducer about 30%. Finally, we apply the fabricated transducer to optical-resolution (OR) and acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (AR-PAM) to achieve multiscale-resolution PA imaging. Imaging of the bamboo leaf and the leaf skeleton demonstrates that the proposed transducer can provide high spatial resolution, better imaging intensity and contrast. Therefore, the proposed transducer design will be useful to enhance the performance of multiscale-resolution PAM.
Two-dimensional angle measurement with sub-arcsecond precision and MHz update rate using heterodyne interferometry with optical frequency comb
Authors: Lin Chen , Zhou Siyu , Shi Liheng , Yang Yuetang , Wu Guanhao
Published: December 2023

Heterodyne interferometry is a powerful tool for achieving high precision and fast measurement. We developed an angle measurement system based on heterodyne interferometry by combining discrete equal-spacing longitudinal modes of optical frequency comb with an acousto-optic modulator. Using a self-designed grating-corner-cube sensor, this method can achieve a two-dimensional angle measurement with sub-arcsecond accuracy and megahertz (MHz) update rate. We experimentally demonstrate a precision of 0.073 arcsec under a 3 MHz update rate, and comparison residuals are kept within 0.063 arcsec over 300 arcsec when compared to a piezo stage. In the dynamic measurement of a 40 Hz frequency, the continuous sinusoidal motion of 0.05 arcsec can be clearly distinguished and reconstructed.
Pulsed laser deposition of a Ga2O3 thin film for an optoelectronic synaptic device
Authors: Su Longxing , Wu Sudong , Wang Xiaofei , Sun Ke , Yun Teng , Du Yongping , Lu Jianguo
Published: December 2023

With the rapid development of information era, the traditional von Neumann architecture faces the computing bottleneck, and integration of memory and perception is regarded as a potential solution. Herein, a Ga2O3/Si heterojunction based multi-modulated optoelectronic synaptic device is fabricated and demonstrated. As stimulated by ultraviolet (UV) optical spikes, the heterojunction device reveals typical synaptic functions of excitatory-postsynaptic current (EPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), and switch between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). In addition, stronger stimulations like higher reading voltage, stronger optical stimulated intensity, and longer pulse duration time can significantly prolong the attenuation of EPSC, which contributes to the improvement of the forgetting process. Our work provides a potential strategy for future neuromorphic computation through a UV light driven stimulation.
Surviving Death, Again
Authors: Johnston Mark
Published: December 2023

The paper begins by briefly engaging critically—on theological grounds—with Dean Zimmerman’s defense of Peter van Inwagen’s Christian Materialist idea that we are identical with our bodies, and so survive bodily death by not actually undergoing bodily death. Next, I consider the view of the mind-body relation that Dean himself is tempted by, namely Emergent Substance Dualism, arguing that it is best seen as a fig leaf that at most works to avoid offending contemporary anti-theistic “traducian” sensibilities. In displacing Emergent Substance Dualism, I set out a Neo-Aristotelian account of essence and embodiment that allows for—indeed entails—the possibility of our surviving the death of our bodies. Along the way a characterization of ontological reductionism is given, which avoids the incoherent thought that reduction goes by way of identity. The characterization makes evident why mental events and states are not reducible to physical events. Finally, two non-reductive relations between mental and physical events, namely subserving and implementing, are defined, and then used to characterize the relation of embodiment, and explain how certain mental acts can be “difference-makers” in the physical realm. I only aim to show that given the manifest failure of psycho-physical ontological reduction, this new account of survival adds no further mystery to the mind-body problem.
Investment Ability as a Source of the Company’s Competitive Advantage Based on Human and Financial Resources-Theoretical Outline
Authors: Bukvič Vladimir
Published: December 2023

In this paper, which is based on extensive research, the author provides a theoretical outline of the investment ability of companies. He understands investment ability as a type of knowledge that is necessary before the investment itself and also for its implementation. Investment ability is the ability of companies to correctly assess the feasibility and profitability of an investment project, and to define its detailed specifications, the required technology and the most favorable sources of financing, both internal and external. The purpose of this paper is to fill a gap in the field of studying the relationship between resources and investment ability. The author defines investment ability as a relatively new theoretical construct, from the point of view of resource-based theory. The aforementioned theory focuses on the company’s resources and dynamic capabilities and thus offers a suitable theoretical basis for determining how internal factors, which are also observed in the field of the company’s investment activity and which in a way help define its investment ability, represent a source of competitive advantage. In addition to the theoretical definition of a company’s investment ability, the aim of the author’s contribution is to investigate whether it is possible and feasible in practice to develop and/or adapt an instrument for measuring investment ability. Based on a thorough study of human and financial resources as key to defining investment ability, the author identifies a potential set of variables or indicators that can be used to assess and measure the investment ability of companies. The author included these measurement variables in the conceptual model of investment ability, which he developed and tested on the example of Slovenian companies.
Single-Spine Agricultural Extension System Governance Structures And Adoption Of Agricultural Technological Innovations
Authors: Mwambu Paul , Karyeija Gerald Kagambirwe , Mwesigye Edgar Kateshumbwa , Ramadhan Hizaamu
Published: December 2023

This study analyzed the governance structures of the single spine agricultural extension system and their effects on adoption of technological innovations by farmer groups in Kiryandongo and Rukungiri Districts of Uganda. This was premised on the view that despite introduction of the single spine agricultural extension service as a policy intervention to increase adoption of innovations for agricultural production and productivity in 2016, four years down the road, these aspirations have not been realized. The research adopted a cross sectional case study design underpinned by the constructivism paradigm. A none-mathematical sampling method was used for key informants and focus group discussions. Data from documents review was triangulated with that from interviews and formed the basis for analysis of findings and report writing. The findings indicated that the limited attention given to the governance structures was one of the fundamental factors that negatively impacted on adoption of agricultural innovations. Failure to provide sufficient resources for monitoring policy implementation undermined the very essence for which it was contrived. It is recommended that the same Ministry strengthens partnerships with the private sector and other non-state actors by taking the lead role in delivery of extension services. This is premised on the notion that District Local Governments have the institutional mandate and structures while the private sector and non-state actors wield the needed resources for enhancing the adoption of agricultural innovations.
An Investigation of the Altman Z-Score Measure and Return on Equity (ROE) of Firms in the Airline Industry
Authors: Willey Thomas , Edwards Susan , Bhagwat Yatin
Published: December 2023

This research measures the relationship between the Altman Z-Score, a measure of a firm’s financial health, and the Return on Equity (ROE), a measure of a firm’s profitability for a sample of airline companies.  The period of the study covers 2014 to 2022 and uses linear regression to examine the relationship between ROE (dependent variable) and the Z-Score (independent variable).  Our data set contains sixty-five (65) airline firms traded on twenty-eight (28) stock exchanges.  Our initial hypothesis is that a positive and statistically significant relationship exists between the two variables over the examined period.  Further research will look at the relationship in other sectors of the markets.
Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Arrangements in Zambia’s Public Sector: Shifting Sands or a Solid Rock?
Authors: Kanyamuna Vincent , Siamabele Brivery , Phiri Million , Mubita Aurick , Kalonje Valentine
Published: December 2023

The paper asks a prime question: Are Zambia’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation arrangements Shifting Sands or a Solid Rock? The country, through its policy and legislative instruments has in the recent years articulated and adopted clear frameworks for national planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of public interventions. However, despite these efforts, there still remain a lot of critical questions unanswered.  Do the current planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation arrangements address Zambia’s development agenda? Are different development plans at national, line ministry, provincial and district level aligned towards a streamlined effort to alleviate the country out of abject poverty? Is there evidence that national annual budgets are directly derived from programmes and activities from various development plans at line ministry, provincial and district levels? Can we track programmes in national development plans (NDPs) within annual budgets? In the literature reviewed, answers to these questions are mixed. While other questions are in the affirmative, many of them have weak evidence. There are strong indications that Zambia’s frameworks for planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation would require restructuring to remove redundancies, repetitions and unnecessary bureaucracies. Even when the policies and legislation are clear on what plan needed to be developed and implemented at various levels, in many cases, these remain in draft forever or worse off non-existent. These challenges are more prominent at decentralised levels where plans and M&E practices are weak and fragmented a great deal. Many plans have been prescribed at provincial and district level, yet they are not actualised. They cause staff fatigue on one hand while crowding-out development evidence on the other hand. Therefore, it is recommended that a detailed study is undertaken, one that take the form of a readiness assessment to map out what plans, M&E arrangements and budget frameworks are working well, not working well and reasons why. Such a report will be a good starting point to reform the planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation architecture for Zambia. A focused approach will be sound and will lead to a predictable and sustainable development agenda for the country.
Deixa Meu Bloco Passar: Carnival Rhetoric and Its Meanings (São Paulo: 1968-1991)
Authors: Silva Zélia Lopes
Published: December 2023

This paper analyzes the carnival blocks exhibited in São Paulo city, from 1968 to 1991, based on their sambas-enredo [samba theme-songs] (or themes), following the rules of the formalization that took place in 1968 of carnivals and popular festivities in the city. This section ends with the inauguration of the Sambadrome in 1991, whose space became an icon for the parades of samba schools and blocks of Group 1. The period has its peculiarities in that it was marked by a dictatorial period (1968-1985) and a democratic one, which certainly had repercussions on the choice of parade themes. From a broader point of view, in addition to the changes in the country, there is an increasingly globalized world whose transformations affect carnivals, especially those practiced by the samba schools that exhibit parades marked by the monumentality of complex allegories and the chromatic explosion in the translation of the plots presented there, responding to media appeals for luxurious spectacles for their broadcasts. The blocks also underwent changes for their parades in the city streets. For this reflection, the sources used are the themes, the memories of the protagonists, the records of the Sociedade dos Amantes do Samba Paulista – SASP [Society of São Paulo Samba Lovers][1], which includes general information about the groups in the technical sheet, such as: the title of the block or school, the sambas-enredo (which bring each group together for the parades), the place chosen for each carnival performance; and news released by the press. Therefore, the question arises: what happens in the country and at Carnival during the period of this reflection? [1] On the Sociedade Amantes do Samba Paulista – SASP portal, information about these blocks (or schools) is precarious and incomplete, although the technical sheet contains several possibilities of data that would allow the profiles of these associations to be demarcated.
The Impact of the Cross Fit Program for 12 Weeks on the Maximum Oxygen Consumption and Some Body Components Among Students in the Military Sports Training Department at AL –istiqlal University for Security Sciences/Palestine
Authors: Dabeek Qasem Assad , Zakarnih Ismael Ahmad , Jomhoor Haifaa Abdallah , Benabderrahman Abderraouf
Published: December 2023

The research aims to investigate the impact of a 12-week Cross Fit program on the maximum oxygen consumption and some physiological components of the body among students of the Military Sports Training Department at University of AL-istiqlal for Security Sciences. The researchers utilized an experimental approach to achieve optimal results, focusing on the quality of the training program to understand its physiological effects on maximum oxygen consumption, various body components, and the performance of the students. The study examined the impact of two different training programs from The cross-fit program.The first program was applied on the experimental group, while the regular training program was implemented for the control group. The sample consisted of 40 military students from the Military Sports Training Department at AL-istiqlal University. They were purposively selected from the study population and were in good health The sample individuals were randomly assigned to two groups: control (20) and experimental (20). They were evaluated through measurements and physiological tests before and after a 12-week period of military training. The training program for the experimental group, known as Cross Fit, demonstrated a significant impact and improvement on maximum oxygen consumption and some body components "Where the improvement rate reached the maximum oxygen consumption (38.8%) milliliters/kg/min, the improvement rate on the body mass index (-9.95%) kg/m², and the improvement rate on muscle mass (9.67%) kg. The improvement rate on metabolic rate during rest for students was (5.55%) kcal/day. The experimental group showed a favorable outcome in the dimensional measurement. Researchers recommend the incorporation of diverse cross-fit exercises into daily military programs at AL-istiqlal University due to their numerous benefits on vital body functions and components."
Capital Structure and Sacco Growth: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Milambo Fidelity , Haabazoka Lubinda , Mwanaumo Erastus
Published: December 2023

Globally, countries are paying particular attention to the potential of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) as one form of enterprise with a meaningful impact on the economic empowerment of their citizens. Despite the growth of SACCOs being sparsely distributed across various countries, the growth of SACCOs driven by Capital Structure remains largely under-researched. Therefore, this paper seeks to address this problem and develop new insights into future research around SACCO growth and Capital Structure, through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of 17 articles, thereby problematizing the literature reviewed. The analysis utilizes secondary data from 17 peer-reviewed journals selected using renowned research databases including Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and Base, for the period 2011 to 2021. Findings show that 70.6% of articles were published in the last 4 between 2021 - 2018, while 29.4% were published between 2017 – 2011. Kenya accounted for the majority of articles at 58.8%, while the rest of Africa had 17.6% of articles, Europe accounted for 17.6% and Asia 5.9%. Financial performance was prominent at 48.4% as a major parameter in the measurement of SACCO growth, with capital structure at 35.5%, capital adequacy at 9.7%, and growth at 6.5%. The review found that all 17 articles that were analyzed lacked in the area of modeling the relationship between the study variables of capital structure and SACCO growth. A review and analysis of all 17 articles showed that none of the studies directly focused on capital structure and its impact on SACCO growth.
Unraveling immortality and the genesis of human soul in st. Augustine’s selected works
Authors: Warchał Robert Artur
Published: December 2023

The article intends to explore topics concerning the eternal nature and the origin of the human soul. Augustine’s ontological perspective on humanity upholds the truth of its existence. In ancient philosophy and Christian theology, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul and its origin has been an ongoing area of interest and debate. Saint Augustine, one of the most important theologians and philosophers in the history of the Catholic Church, addressed this issue in his works, considering both philosophical and theological aspects of the existence of the human soul. The author justifies his views by referring to the Holy Bible and to the vital functions of man. Also, he points to the dissimilarity between sensual and mental cognition. As part of its consideration, it relies on the Latin phrase anima rationalis which refers to the rational soul (animus). What speaks for immortality of the soul is the argument of evidence of the lack of a quantitative element, as well as the concepts of truth and life. The foregoing command gives grounds to believe that a human being remains a unique whole of physical and spiritual unity. Also, one of the the key thinks is the certainty of self-knowledge derived from the continuation of gnoseology, which proves that humans are capable of reflective, mind and abstract thinking, and the cognitive activity of the soul shows the ability to transcend the mortal body. This approach does provide a deeper understanding of the role of the soul in human life and in the context of eternity, an important topic in Christian theology and philosophy.
Bracia polscy a Oświecenie
Authors: Sztajer Sławomir
Published: December 2023

The paper discusses the philosophical and theological ideas of the Polish Brethren, a nontrinitarian reformed church in 16th Century Poland. Due to religious persecution, the Polish Brethren, also known as Socinians or Polish Arians, were forced to leave the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and seek refuge in other European countries. Their legacy had a significant impact on the development of Enlightenment thought in Europe and inspired legislators both in Europe and America. The ideas developed by the Polish Brethren had a significant impact on the formation of Enlightenment ideas and thought trends, such as rationalism and deism referring to rationalism, as well as tolerance, particularly religious tolerance, and secularism manifesting in the separation of religious and secular institutions. Moreover, the ideas of Polish Arianism, which fascinated Enlightenment thinkers, became part of the cultural mainstream and were reflected in modern Western state institutions.
Of Mountains, Rivers, and Oceans: Geographic Effects on Military Expenditures, 1961–2012
Authors: Millard Matthew C.
Published: December 2023

While much work has been completed analyzing the role of territory’s effect on conflict, less work has demonstrated how territory affects military budgets. I argue that a state’s defense spending is subsidized by clearly defined geographic focal points. Using geographic data, I show that states clearly defined by rivers and oceans spend less money on defense budgets as a proportion of GDP because the prospects of conflict are lower and internal social cohesion is higher, decreasing the need for large standing militaries for repression/expansion/defense. I contend that this effect is exogenous to threat. On the other hand, more mountainous states should spend more on defense due to increased costs of defense and decreased sense of identity among local populations. Situating this debate within the state development literature helps us answer important questions regarding state formation/consolidation and peaceful interactions with neighbors.
New Formats of Training Intending Teachers for Interaction with Parents of Schoolchildren and Preschoolers
Authors:   Saratov State University, Alexandrova Ekaterina A.
Published: December 2023

The article presents the experience of solving an urgent problem of pedagogical edu- cation which is connected with preparing intending teachers for interaction with students’ parents. The study shows inconsistency of the tradition when the content of pedagogical disciplines stud- ied by students is aimed at the development of their ability to interact exclusively with children, despite the fact that students’ parents act now as full subjects of the educational process. The purpose of the article is to attract the attention of lecturers engaged in professional teach- er-training programs to the issue of preparing teachers for interaction with parents. The methodological approaches used in the study include the emotional and value-based one, the dialogical, reflexive and the situational approaches, on which the author builds the original strategy of preparing students majoring in pedagogy for the interaction with parents. The results of the research comprise the technology of the strategy implementation. The essence of the technology is that students are consistently invited to carry out pedagogical observation of the parents’ behavior in natural or specially created conditions, including watching feature films and documentaries; then it is proposed to create a collection of situations and corresponding pedagogical reactions; after which the students are organized to resolve typical situations in the form of a game; during their pedagogical practice the students are admitted to fragmentary informative interaction with parents, and subsequently, to situational constructive interaction with them. In conclusion, it is determined by which methods and forms of work with students such a strategy will be effective.
Social Network as a Digital Educational Resource in Teacher Training
Authors:   Saratov State University, Burmistrova Marina N.
Published: December 2023

The study is devoted to the relevant issue of educational resources that ensure the quality growth of the teacher training within the framework of the learning area of «Pedagogy». A virtual study group on the VK platform is considered as an effective digital resource. The study reveals the possibilities of the socio-digital environment as a component of blended learning in the professional teacher training within the subject “Pedagogy”. It also describes the forms of organizing interactive learning, determines the types of tasks for the students’ independent activity in the network, and clarifies the teacher’s role in the new conditions of interaction with students. As a result, the study shows that organization of academic interaction of students in a socio-dig- ital environment in the format of a virtual study group allows them to activate their independent cognitive and creative activities, to diversify the forms of educational activities by expanding the field of cooperative interaction of students. This compensates for the limited amount of classroom work and, consequently, increases the durability and meaningfulness of the pedagogical knowledge, ensures the formation of the student’s own system of pedagogical values and attitudes, their desire to continuously strive for professional self-development. The purpose of the study is to identify the educational potential of the socio-digital environ- ment in order to expand the field of academic interaction of students in the study of pedagogy. Methodology. The methods of included observation, survey, the study and analysis of the products of students’ activities, generalization of pedagogical experience made it possible to iden- tify the features and ways of productive interaction of undergraduate students in a socio-digital environment in order to advance in pedagogical knowledge and to understand it better. In conclusion, the capabilities of a virtual learning group in a social-digital environment as an educational resource are summarized and it is concluded that the introduction of new digital tools into the educational process of higher education ensures an improvement in the quality of pedagogical training of future teachers.
Self-regulation Development in Disabled People with Mental Disorders in the Process of Rehabilitation Using Auditory Correction
Authors:   Saratov State University, Pyatkina Ekaterina S. , Grinina Elena S. ,   Saratov State University, Shipova Larisa V. ,   Saratov State University
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the problem of self-regulation of young disabled people with mental disorders in the process of complex rehabilitation with the use of audio correction. Insufficient formation of various structural components of self-regulation of young people with mental disorders is noted. The importance of audio correction technologies for activating not only intellectual functions, optimizing mental state, but also the development of self-regulation of behavior and activity is emphasized. The purpose of the article is to study the dynamics of self–regulation of young people with mental disorders during complex rehabilitation with the use of audio correction. Methodology and methods of research. The study of self-regulation of young people with mental disorders was carried out during the implementation of the program of correctional and developmental assistance “Vozrozhdenie” using the technology of audio correction “RuListen” in a rehabilitation center. The study involved 72 people with mental disorders aged 18 to 40 years. To study the self-regulation of young people with disabilities, conversation, observation during a conversation and performing diagnostic tasks, a survey, an experiment, and a questionnaire of people from the immediate environment were used. At the ascertaining and control stages of the study of self-regulation of young disabled people with mental disorders, the following methods were used: “Well-being. Activity. Mood”, “Questionnaire of actual mental state”, “Test of color choices”. The results of the study. The results of the study indicate a positive dynamics of self-regulation in the disabled of working age in the process of applying the audio correction “RuListen” in combination with other methods of psychological correction in the process of complex rehabilitation in a specialized institution. Conclusion. The development of self-regulation among young disabled people of working age with mental disabilities will contribute to their positive socialization, integration into society, development of communication skills, successful self-realization in professional activities.
Implementation of Coaching Techniques to Provide Persons with Disabilities with Psychological and Pedagogical Support
Authors:   Saratov State University, Shchetinina Elena B. , Solovieva Olga V. ,   Saratov State University
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the prospects of implementing the basic coaching techniques to provide students with disabilities with psychological and pedagogical support. The purpose of the article is to identify and evaluate the potential to use coaching techniques to teach students with disabilities in higher educational institutions. Methods. Participant observation was used as the main research method. We have attempted to introduce coaching techniques while consulting students on research work, writing term papers and completing practical assignments during internships. Research Results. The research has shown that coaching techniques are instrumental in increasing the autonomy of students with disabilities; additionally, they help to form the necessary experience of independent scientific activity; this experience enables students to set and adjust research goals, select the methods and evaluate the research results. Also, the implementation of coaching techniques encouraged students with disabilities to engage in social interaction within the higher education environment; besides, it motivated them to build life plans and fulfil them. Conclusion. Thus, the research demonstrates that university instructors may use coaching techniques in individual counseling of students with disabilities; coaching techniques stimulate the personal and scientific activity of students with disabilities, they encourage students to participate in scientific conferences and prepare publications.
Study of the Psychological State of Mothers on the Basis of the Support Center for Families with Children Having Special Educational Needs
Authors:   Saratov State University, Konovalova Marina D.
Published: December 2023

The purpose of the research is to study the dynamics of anxiety manifestations, the tendency to depression and psychological stress in mothers, who are raising children with disabilities, during their participation in the activities of public parent associations. The study presents three stages in the development of a public parent organization functioning in cooperation with the Support Center for Families with Children Having Special Educational Needs. Methodology. Numerous studies of psychological conditions, behavioral and personal characteristics of mothers raising children with disabilities indicate the prevalence of prolonged psychological traumatization, which is accompanied by negative consequences for the mother’s personality and the family as a whole. However, there is evidence that an extreme traumatic situation can be considered not only as a source of personality problems, but also as an incentive to its growth and development. One of the conditions for post-traumatic personal growth is the social support factor, which should have a prolonged impact in the case under study. The results of the study. The implementation of such techniques as “The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale”, “PSM-25 Perceived Stress Scale”, “Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale” results in confirming the hypothesis of a relative decrease in the manifestation of anxiety, propensity for depression and susceptibility to stress in the studied subjects during the three years of their active participation in the work of a public parent association. This may indicate stabilization of their psychological state and possibilities of transition to a more optimal level of personal functioning. The conclusion is made about the possibility of using the data obtained in the system of psychological and pedagogical support for families raising children with disabilities.
Interaction Between School and University: Experience of the Department of Childhood Pedagogy based at Gymnasium no. 7
Authors:   Saratov State University, Zinovieva Maria P.
Published: December 2023

The article identifies the main trends of pedagogical education, including the relevance of school-based university departments. The study underlines the significant role of school-based university department in providing interaction between schools and universities, primarily in organizing lifelong learning in the field of pedagogy, and enhancing practice-oriented pedagogical education. The purpose of the study is to analyze and justify the activity content of the school-based Department of Childhood Pedagogy in the areas of university-and-school interaction. Methodology and methods of the study. Based on the research of V. M. Anikina, O. V. Volokh, I. P. Gerashchenko, A. G. Zhukova, A. A. Radionova, A. D. Rulevsky, T. O. Solovyova, the conditions for the functioning of basic departments were determined, specific types of departments based on educational organizations were identified: with unilateral and bilateral cooperation; subject and interdisciplinary. The study is based on theoretical and empirical methods: review of scientific literature in the fields of psychology and pedagogy, analysis of the experience of the Department of Childhood Pedagogy based at the Municipal Educational Institution “Gymnasium No. 7”, which determines the importance of interaction between school and university in teacher training. The results of the study. The article presents the experience of Saratov State University in organizing industry-based departments. The main areas of activity of university departments based on educational organizations are identified. Particular attention is paid to the work of the Department of Childhood Pedagogy basedat Gymnasium No. 7. The text of the article lists the purpose and the main tasks and functions of the school-based department. It also presents the forms and methods of interaction between the school and the university. The work of the school-based Department of Childhood Pedagogy, its content and results are given in accordance with the following areas: educational and methodological, scientific and methodological, career guidance, etc. In the conclusion the paper states that the work of the school-based Department of Childhood Pedagogy contributes to the development of practice-oriented teacher training.
Properties of Metal Oxide and Pineapple Fiber Reinforced Dental Composite Resin
Authors: Asri R.I.S. , Sunendar B. , Dwiandhono I. , Harmaji A.
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to synthesize fillers in the form of alumina-zirconia-carbonate apatite and pineapple leaf fiber (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr) as matrix reinforcement consisting of UDMA, TEGDMA, and DMAEMA for direct dental restoration applications. The sample consisted of four composite groups with the addition of 0-5% fiber. All composite samples were then tested for hardness, flexural strength, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results of the composite hardness test without the addition of fiber were 30.31 VHN. With the addition of 1%, 2.5%, and 5% fiber, the composite has a hardness value of 31.13 VHN, 34.02 VHN, and 27.22 VHN, respectively. The results of the three-point bending test showed that the flexural strength of the sample without the addition of fiber was 1.6 MPa, while the addition of 1%, 2.5%, and 5% fiber resulted in the flexural strength of 2.1 MPa, 2.3 MPa, and 1.8 MPa, respectively. The SEM results show a homogeneous particle dispersion morphology, with various agglomerations and gaps. Composites with the addition of 1% and 2.5% fiber have a narrower gap than without the addition of fiber. This explains the increase in the hardness and flexural strength of the composite.
Experimental investigation and thermodynamic assessment of phase equilibria in the GaTe–AgGa5Te8–Te system below 600 K
Authors: Moroz M. , Demchenko P. , Tesfaye F. , Prokhorenko M. , Prokhorenko S. , Reshetnyak O.
Published: December 2023

Equilibrium T–x space of the Ag–Ga–Te system in the GaTe–AgGa5Te8–Te part was divided below 600 K into three-phase regions Ga2Te5–AgGa5Te8–Te, Ga2Te3–AgGa5Te8–Ga2Te5, Ga7Te10–AgGa5Te8–Ga2Te3, Ga3Te4–AgGa5Te8–Ga7Te10, and GaTe–AgGa5Te8–Ga3Te4 by the electromotive force (EMF) method. To accomplish accurate experimental data, the following electrochemical cells (ECs) were assembled: (−)IE|NE|SSЕ|R{Ag+}|PЕ|IE(+), where IE is the inert electrode (graphite powder), NE is the negative electrode (silver powder), SSE is the solid-state electrolyte (glassy Ag3GeS3Br), PE is the positive electrode, R{Ag+} is the region of PE that contact with SSE. At the stage of cell preparation, PE is a nonequilibrium phase mixture of the well-mixed powdered compounds Ag2Te, GaTe, Ga2Te3, and tellurium, taken in ratios corresponding to two or three different points in each of the mentioned regions. The equilibrium set of phases was formed in the R{Ag+} region at 600 K for 48 h with the participation of the Ag+ ions. Silver cations, displaced for thermodynamic reasons from the NE to the PE of the ECs, acted as catalyst, i.e., small nucleation centers of equilibrium phases. The spatial position of the established three-phase regions relative to the silver point was used to assign the overall potential-determining reactions of synthesis of the ternary AgGa5Te8 and binary Ga2Te5, Ga7Te10, Ga3Te4 compounds. For the first time, the values of the standard thermodynamic functions (Gibbs energies, enthalpies, and entropies) of these compounds were determined based on the temperature dependences of the EMF of the ECs.