bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a multi-dimensional scale to measure the factors influencing fintech firms’ capacity to impact digital financial inclusion
Authors: Ravi Roshan , Pandey Nirakar Nath
Published: February 2024

The purpose of the present study is to develop a multi-item scale to measure the factors that affect fintech firms’ capacity to impact digital financial inclusion. Fintech, or financial service delivery supported by advanced technology, has tremendously changed the financial services landscape. It has a potential to improve digital financial inclusion and help the poor. Digital financial inclusion is important since it ensures cost-saving digital mechanisms to provide financial services to the financially excluded and underserved populations. Following an inductive method, a qualitative study was undertaken among managerial staff in fintech firms. The scale development process involved the collection of primary data for pre-testing the questionnaire. The study identified four factors that affect a fintech firm’s capability of impacting digital financial inclusion: resources and capabilities, business models, networks and partnerships, and market and environment. Digital financial inclusion scale is composed of digital skills, access, and quality of access. The final scale consisted of sixty-four items. Though financial inclusion is usually measured from a demand-side perspective, this study provides a supply-side measure for digital financial inclusion. Thus, it can help in identifying and understanding the factors that may hamper fintech firms’ capability to attain desirable outcomes with respect to digital financial inclusion.
THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE FORMATION OF THE BLACK SEA ARMY IN THE BUGO-DNISTROV MEASURE
Authors: Lozheshnyk Oleksandr
Published: February 2024

The need for mobile fearless units that could oppose the Ottoman army in the last quarter of the 18th century contributed to the formation of an irregular formation from former Zaporizhia, which was later called the Black Sea Army. The army created for participation in the Russian-Turkish war of 1787–1791 left a noticeable mark in the history of the southern Ukrainian region, both in its military and socio-economic history.
This article, written on the basis of the analysis of unpublished and published documents by I. Dmytrenko, P. Korolenko and other researchers of the State Archives of the Krasnodar Territory, highlights the process of gathering former Zaporizhia by volunteers from across the Danube and various corners of the Ochakiv Steppe. The author drew attention to the problems that arose during the formation of the army and the benefits that were "generous" to Catherine II.
THE CRIMEAN KHANATE BEFORE AND AFTER THE ANNEXATION IN THE RUSSIAN-OTTOMAN DIPLOMATIC CONFRONTATION
Authors: Katerynko Igor , Sereda Oleksandr
Published: February 2024

The Crimean Khanate on the eve and after the annexation in the Russian-Ottoman diplomatic confrontation is a key factor in the further expansion of the Russian Empire in the Balkans. Understanding the possible loss of influence on the Crimean Khanate, the Russian government is resorting to the complete annexation of Crimea and the liquidation of the Crimean Khanate. All subsequent actions of the Russian government concerned only issues of preparation for the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula.
During the period of interwar relations – from 1774 to 1787, Russian-Ottoman relations continued to remain tense. The Ottoman state did not give up the fight for Crimea after concluding the Kyuchyuk-Kainardzhii Treaty, which it was forced to ratify due to internal difficulties. The Russian Empire intervened in the Crimean affairs, destabilizing the internal state of the Crimean Khanate. In 1779, the Ainaly-Kavak Convention was concluded, which obliged the Russian Empire not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Crimea. But even after that, the Russian Empire continued to take actions aimed at the complete annexation of Crimea. This fact, as well as the occupation of Georgia by the Russian Empire and the favorable foreign policy position of the Ottoman state, became the reason for the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the Ottoman government and the Russian Empire and the development of further Russian-Ottoman confrontation.
ACTIONS OF THE ENGLISH-FRENCH FLEET IN THE GULF OF ODESA IN APRIL 1854: FACTS AND MYTHS OF IMPERIAL PROPAGANDA
Authors: Honcharuk Taras
Published: February 2024

In the article the author examines the military actions of the English-French fleet in the Gulf of Odesa during the Eastern War (1853–1856) in April 1854. The main statements and assessments regarding the specified events in Russian, Soviet and modern Ukrainian literature and electronic media are identified. It is noted that starting from the Russian press in 1854, the aforementioned actions of the English-French fleet were evaluated as insidious, cruel and unsuccessful. The Allies were accused of staging a provocation in the gulf with the aim of shelling and capturing the peaceful city. Analyzing the facts and testimonies of contemporaries, the author of the article proves that the English-French fleet did not intend to capture Odesa and bombard the city. It is claimed that the Allies' aims were to avenge the Russians' shelling of a parliamentary boat and to destroy British, French and Russian merchant ships in the Gulf of Odesa (the extradition of which had previously been demanded by the Allies). These goals were generally achieved. Therefore, according to the author of the article, the actions of the indicated fleet on April 10 (22), 1854 in the Gulf of Odesa should be considered not a defeat, but a success (albeit a minor one). It is concluded that the use of the terms «defence of Odesa» and «bombardment of Odesa», which are quite common today, is inappropriate in relation to the events of April 1854 in the Gulf of Odesa. It is noted that too much attention has been paid to these events in the historical and local lore literature, although they did not have a significant impact on the course of events of the Eastern War (1853–1856). In the article the author also provides recommendations regarding transferring and changing inscriptions on monuments related to the events of April 1854 in Odesa (a trophy cannon and a monument to Archbishop Innocent), which should be done within the framework of decolonization.
PATH OF COFFEE TO UKRAINE
Authors: Poltorak Volodymyr
Published: February 2024

Review on the book: Nechitaylo, P. (2022). Ottoman coffee house in Kamianets-Podilskyi. I.: Field Works, Ceramic Dishes, Pipes. Preventive Archeology in Ukraine, 1. Kyiv; Kamianets-Podilskyi: OASU, 296 p.
« Myxoma Of The Left Atrium Responsible For Fatal Cerebrovascular Accident »
Authors: ABDELBAKI M. , BENMESSAOUD H. , KHELAFI. N.
Published: February 2024

Left atrial myxoma is a rare tumor. The polymorphism of its clinical presentation is sometimes confusing for the clinician. Although its histologically benign nature is recognized by the majority of authors, its intracardiac location gives it a significant lethal evolutionary potential in the absence of surgical treatment. We report here the case of a 38-year-old patient who presented with a massive ischemic stroke.
Prognostic Factors for Morbidity and Mortality in Redux Valve Surgery
Authors: Boudiaf EH. , Abdelbaki M. , AMRANE. MO
Published: February 2024

Objectives: Redux valve surgery is increasingly common in Algeria, and the aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for hospital morbidity and mortality in this type of surgery.
Method :49 patients with a mean age of 51 years (20-67 years) and a sex ratio of 0.88 underwent redux valve surgery between January 2015 and december 2019. 79%), and in almost half of the cases (46%) the first operation was performed in our department; the most frequent reasons for repeat operations were mitral plasty dysfunction, expression of new valve damage and removal of mechanical prostheses due to infective endocarditis.
The Euroscore was used to predict operative risk.
Results: 80% of our patients were classified in the moderate risk group (score 3-5) with an expected mortality of between 2.90 and 2.94%. Our results show a mortality rate of 2.56% for these patients. The study of post-operative results revealed a number of cardiac complications (28.5% low output and 37% rhythm disorders), infectious complications (8% mediastinitis) and neurological complications (6%). The risk factors for operative mortality were multiple valve procedures (p=0.03), persistent atrial fibrillation or fibrillation that appeared postoperatively (p=0.05) and age over 70 (p=0.04).
Conclusion: Valvular redux surgery with a single-valve procedure has an operative morbi-mortality, actuarial survival and post-operative functional benefit that are entirely comparable to those of a primary intervention; whereas in redux surgery with a multi-valvular procedure, the operative morbi-mortality is significantly higher, but the actuarial survival and functional benefit are comparable to those of a primary intervention
Valve Surgery After the Age Of 70: Evaluation Risk Factors for Hospital Mortality
Authors: Boudiaf EH. , Abdelbaki M. , AMRANE. MO
Published: February 2024

Objective: Valve surgery after the age of 70 is increasingly common in Algeria. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality in this population.
Methods: 56 patients with a mean age of 72 years (70-81) underwent valve surgery between 2016 and December 2019. 32 patients (57.4%) had aortic valve replacement, 17 patients (29.7%) had mitral surgery and 07 patients (12.9%) had aorto-mitral surgery. 04 procedures (8%) were urgent. The Euroscore was used to predict operative risk. The mean additive Euroscore was 9.05 and the mean logistic Euroscore was 14.2%.
Results: Operative mortality was 3.8%. Preoperative risk factors were: NYHA III class, repeat operations, critical status according to the Euroscore,STS score , PAH, mitral surgery and tricuspid surgery. Post-operative complications were: low flow (12%), supra-ventricular arrhythmia (32.7%), renal dysfunction (14.6%), pulmonary (11%), intestinal (3.5%), infection (4%) and surgical re-exploration (6.5%). Post-operative risk factors for mortality were low flow, renal dysfunction, gastrointestinal complications and surgical re-exploration.
Conclusion: Valve surgery after the age of 70 is a low-risk procedure. Our data are correlated with the Euroscore.
The Making of Biobriquettes with Carbonization Method by Utilizing Sludge Cake and Wood dust from the Pulp Industry
Authors: Lintang Alnasyah Masnun , Renilaili  , Kusmindari Ch. Desi , Pasmawati Yanti , AR Hasmawaty
Published: February 2024

Sludge cake as a solid waste that is rarely used from residual sludge from Waste Water Treatment Plants is one source of biomass from the pulp and paper industry which has the potential to be used as renewable energy. Analysis of biobriquette characteristics includes: moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, bound carbon, and calorific value. The results of this research show that the best combination of biobriquettes is biobriquettes with a composition of 40% sludge cake, 50% Eucalyptus pellita wood dust, and 10% black liquor adhesive which has a moisture content of 2.12%, ash content of 19.33%, volatile matter 28 .99%, calorific value of 4915.69 kJ/gr, and fixed carbon content of 49.63%.
“Feridos e desamparados”: experiência vivida por enlutados da COVID-19
Authors: Simões Cristiane Helena Dias , Almeida da Silva Gustavo Renan , Américo Ribas Mayara de Souza , Américo Ribas Thaís , Aiello-Vaisberg Tânia Maria José
Published: February 2024

Objetivo: investigar a experiência vivida de luto pela morte de pessoas infectadas pela COVID-19 em publicações na mídia. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, com o uso da psicologia psicanalítica concreta, no estudo de relatos de enlutados, entre março e maio de 2020, via Google. Resultados: Foram elencadas oito reportagens e 13 relatos, com temas impactantes de perdas de pessoas afetivamente significativas em óbito por COVID-19 ou por suspeita dessa. A consideração psicanalítica do material permitiu a criação/encontro de cinco campos de sentido afetivo-emocional, “Dor da perda”, “Dor do afastamento”, “Dor da negligência”, “Revelando a verdade” e “Feridos e desamparados”. Conclusão: os enlutados sofreram duplamente na pandemia de COVID-19, tanto pela perda de entes queridos como por se sentirem descuidados socialmente, inclusive por autoridades governamentais, mas, destes, poucos demonstram consciência de negligências no âmbito da saúde pública, reivindicando melhores condições sociais.
Estratégias para prevenção de quedas em idosos comunitários brasileiros
Authors: Costa de Oliveira Karina , Lobato Beatriz Cardoso
Published: February 2024

Objetivo: identificar e avaliar as intervenções realizadas para a prevenção de quedas em idosos comunitários no Brasil. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa, com recorte atemporal, realizada nas bases de dados Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), National Library of Medicine (PUBMED) e The Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). Resultados: na busca foram localizados 69 artigos, sendo selecionado 17 artigos publicados no período de 2013 a 2022, analisados de forma descritiva, tendo em vista a heterogeneidade dos estudos. Os estudos foram classificados de acordo com as intervenções propostas em intervenções únicas (11), intervenções múltiplas (5) e intervenção multifatorial (1). Houve um predomínio de intervenções na categoria de exercício em diferentes modalidades, seguido por estratégias educacionais. Conclusão: as intervenções propostas apresentam resultados clinicamente relevantes, com ênfase na melhora em componentes de desempenho como equilíbrio, marcha e estabilidade postural.
The Impact of Brand Equity Awareness of Visitors to a Local Festival Utilizing Traditional Martial Arts Culture on Local Image and Brand Attitude
Authors:   The World Society of Taekwondo Culture, Lee Byoung Soo
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between regional image and brand attitude on brand equity perception by participants through the value of a regional festival utilizing traditional martial arts culture. As a result, first, it was found that the higher the brand quality, brand image, and brand awareness factors of the festival brand assets, the higher the cognitive image and emotional image. Second, the higher all four factors of festival brand assets, in the order of brand quality, brand value, brand image, and brand awareness, were found to have a greater influence on brand attitude. Third, the higher both the cognitive image and emotional image factors of the regional image, the higher the brand attitude.These results confirmed that it is very important to discover, develop, and brand the traditional martial arts culture representing the region, and that brand assets are especially important for regional image and brand attitude.
A Study on the Economic Impact of Community Baseball Club Leagues in the Busan Province
Authors:   The World Society of Taekwondo Culture, Park Tae-Hyun , Lee Jae-Bin , Kim Jong-Back
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study aims to identify the economic impact value of the community baseball club leagues, a representative daily sport in Busan, and present basic data for the development and revitalization of the leagues. A survey was conducted on 404 individual participants in the baseball leagues, and based on the valid data the production-inducing effects, value-added effects, and employment-inducing effects were identified using the index of 2015 input-output analysis. The results of this study are as follows. The production-inducing effect of the community baseball club leagues was about 33.46 billion won, the value-added effect was about 13.4 billion won, and the employment-inducing effect was 368.7 people/1 billion won. The economic ripple effect analysis data of the community baseball leagues in Busan presented in this study, is considered meaningful in revitalizing the local economy as well as local sports.
The Mediating Effect of Growth Mindset on the Relationship between the Sensory Seeking and Exercise Flow of Taekwondo Poomsae and Gyeokpa(Breaking) Athl
Authors:   The World Society of Taekwondo Culture, Seok Ryu , Kwak Jeong-Hyeon
Published: February 2024

As a result of conducting a study to verify the mediating effect of growth mindset in the relationship between the sensory pursuit tendency and athletic commitment of taekwondo poomsae and demonstration athletes, the following results were obtained. First, the tendency to pursue senses had a significant influence on the growth mindset. Second, sensory-seeking propensity had a statistically significant effect on motor commitment. Third, the growth mindset had a significant influence on athletic commitment.Third, it was analyzed that the growth mindset had an indirect mediating effect in the relationship between sensory pursuit propensity and motor commitment.
Effect of Artemisia absinthium (Asteraceae) and Cobalt Supplementation on Rumen Bacterial Community in Cattle
Authors: Ryazanov V.A. , Duskaev G.K. , Sheida E.V. , Khlopko Y.A. , Plotnikov A.O.
Published: February 2024

Background: One of the key tasks of livestock development is to reduce the amount of feed needed for raising and fattening cattle, as well as increase the efficiency of feed use. A possible solution to these problems are plant-based feed additives containing various phytochemical compounds, both individually and together with metallic trace elements, to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The aim of the study was to assess the effect on the microbiota of the cattle rumen of the vegetable feed components Artemisiae absinthil (bitter plant A. absinthium) and CoCl2 (cobalt II chloride). Methods: Study the effect of the herb Artemisia absinthium (A. absinthium) and CoCl2 (cobalt II chloride) on the microbiome of cattle rumen. The studies were conducted on a cannula animal model, Bos taurus (Kazakh white-headed cattle), after feeding an experimental feed additive, A. absinthium, either alone or in combination with CoCl2. The experiment was carried out in four repetitions using a 4 × 4 Latin square. Animals in the I experimental group were additionally given A. absinthium at a dose of 2.0 g/kg of dry matter (DM); in the II experimental group, A. absinthium at a dose of 2.0 g/kgDM with additional CoCl2 (1.5 mg/kgDM); and in the III experimental group, only CoCl2 (1.5 mg/kgDM). The contents of the scar were collected for further analysis, which was performed by high-performance sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene ampicons. Result: There was difference in the microbiome of the rumen of cattle between the control and experimental groups, both at the level of the phylum’s and at the genus level. The dominant phylum in all groups were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. A study of the microbiome of the rumen revealed groups of microorganisms capable of producing carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZyms) and destroying structural hydrocarbons. In the group using A. absinthium, a symbiotic link was established for the genus Akkermansia and the unclassified Bacteroidales linear regression (R2 = 0.93, p = 0.0435) and for the unclassified Ruminococcaceae and the genus Akkermansia (R2 = 0.75, p = 0.05).
Isolation, selection and characterisation of microorganisms with potential to form unique consortium for wine production
Authors: Dallos Adrienn , Juříková Jana , Paulíček Vít , Gajdošík Martin , Pavelková Vendula , Andrýsková Veronika
Published: February 2024

This paper focuses on a selection of microorganisms that should eventually form a Defined Consortium of Wine Microorganisms. The consortium might serve as a sophisticated oenological product for the production of wine with attractive organoleptic features.
The Defined Consortium of Wine Microorganisms was obtained from non-saccharomyces and saccharomyces yeasts and lactic acid bacteria isolated from places where autochthonous microflora can be expected to occur (grape berries, wine lees or cellar spaces). A total of 42 microorganisms were obtained by surface smears, fallouts from the air or isolation from fermented must. All isolates were then tested and the best strains were selected on the basis of technological and phenotypic characterization using standard microbiological techniques. The main criteria for the selection of strains were the ability to ferment and the production of organoleptically active compounds. Sulphur dioxide or ethanol tolerance, β-glucosidase activity, a taxonomic identification, the tendency to produce sulphane or the ability of lactic acid bacteria to perform malolactic fermentation were also considered. According to these results, the non-saccharomyces yeast Starmerella bacillaris, the saccharomyces yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the lactic acid bacterium Levilactobacillus brevis were selected as part of the Defined Consortium of Wine Microorganisms.
Effective Social Protection in Conflict: Findings from Sudan
Authors: Birch Izzy , Carter Becky , Satti Hassan-Alattar
Published: February 2024

This paper explores the conflict sensitivity of social protection in Sudan in its various forms since the present war started in April 2023, from locally led mutual aid to the social assistance programming of international agencies. It considers how these various interventions are both responding to, and being changed by, the conflict and associated humanitarian crisis, as well as how they interrelate. Provision of social assistance leans heavily on humanitarian actors for now, and lessons from their practice may inform and enrich a future state-led social protection system when this is rebuilt. Conflict sensitivity principles can be introduced through a number of entry points, then woven through the project cycle and the social protection delivery chain; they include systems of analysis, monitoring, and accountability to affected people, as well as capacity for adaptive management. Donors can reinforce this through their partnership, financing, and risk management strategies. Above all, external actors should recognise the fundamental importance of community-led crisis response and deepen their understanding of how it functions, and of the concerns and priorities of those involved.
PESAN DAKWAH DI ERA DIGITAL DALAM PERSPEKTIF UMMATAN WASATHON
Authors: Sihabuddin M. Amin
Published: February 2024

Tulisan ini berjudul " Pesan Dakwah di Era Digital dalam Perspektif Ummatan Wasathon" .Permasalahan " Bagaimana pesan dakwah di era digital dalam perspektif UmmatanWasathon"? Era digital ditandai oleh kemajuan teknologi informasi ( revolusi industri 4. 0 )bersifat mengglobal dengan ciri. Peristiwa dan pesan dakwah dalam hitungan detik telahtersiar ke seantero jagat. Da'i baik individu maupun kelompok haruslah berhati-hati dancerdas dalam mengemas pesan dakwah sehingga pesan itu menjadi. Basyiran dan Nadziran.Ummat Islam oleh al- Qur'an disebut sebagai " Ummatan Wasathon", yaitu ummatpertengahan yang tidak memihak kekiri dan kekanan, hanya memihak kepada Al Haq (Kebenaran) hanya bersumber dari Allah. Pesan dakwah bil lisan, bilqolam haruslah bernuansaIslam, yaitu. Sadidan, Balighon, Makrufan, Kariman, Layyinan dan Maisura. Kata Kunci : Pesan dakwah, Era digital, Ummatan Wasathon.
SM STRATEGI DAN TAKTIK VISUALISASI INFOGRAFIS DALAM PENYAMPAIAN BERITA PADA AKUN INSTAGRAM
Authors: Mamis Subria
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau strategi dan taktik visualisasi infografis yang digunakan akun instagram @pinterpolitik dan meninjau perspektif followers pada akun Instagram @pinterpolitik dalam penyampaian berita. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif, yaitu mendeskripsikan tentang fenomena infografis pada akun Instagram @pinterpolitik.   Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis isi, data yang dikumpulkan melalui observasi dan studi dokumen. Data tersebut dianalisis menggunakan redukdi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa strategi dan taktik visualisasi infografis yang digunakan akun instagram @pinterpolitik dalam penyampaian berita melibatkan tiga tahap penting dalam strateginya, yaitu perumusan, implementasi, dan evaluasi. Tahap perumusan yaitu pemilihan jenis media sosial yang digunakan dan kemampuan searching atau pencarian isu. Kedua tahap implementasi yaitu menghindari informasi yang terlalu panjang dan membosankan, memaksimalkan aspek corporate branding atau institusional branding, pengunggahan produk pada jam-jam prime time dan menggunakan konten visual yang menarik. Ketiga tahap evaluasi yaitu melakukan analisa atau melihat dari data yang ada mengenai engagement yang terjadi diakun media sosial @pinterpolitik. Dalam menjalankan proses taktik visualisasi infografis, @pinterpolitik memanfaatkan produk produk yang menjadi ide pokok dalam penyampaian berita yaitu Indepth, celoteh dan video. Perspektif followers terhadap berita yang disampaikan oleh akun @pinterpolitik dapat dilihat dari bertambahnya followers seiring berjalanya waktu, ini membuktikan bahwa konten yang disuguhkan akun instagram @pinterpolitik bermanfaat dan menambah pengetahuan bagi pembaca. Selanjutnya informasi atau berita yang disuguhkan lebih banyak memiliki nilai kontroversial dan politik sehingga berpengaruh pada interaktivitas pembaca yang dapat dilihat melalui like, komentar dan share di setiap postingan.
Relative role of dynamic pressure forces and viscous stresses in tectonically active transition zones of the Earth
Authors: Gavrilov S. , Kharitonov A.
Published: February 2024

This article shows the role of dynamic non–hydrostatic pressure forces and viscous stresses in asthenosphere of tectonically active transition zones from the continent to the ocean. We have studied zones of active tectonic processes in the lithosphere and the underlying mantle, affecting the lithospheric blocks, the day surface of the Earth and the boundaries of density inhomogeneities. We showed the predominant influence of viscous stresses on the formation of mantle diapers and often associated hydrocarbon deposits. In subduction zones, in which a large-scale descending convective flow descends into the upper mantle as a sinking hard lithospheric block. We studied forces that determine the angle of subduction, depending on the age of the lithosphere, the rate of subduction and the rheological properties of the mantle material. We applied the method of analytical thermodynamic modeling of the tectonic structure of the upper mantle (lithosphere, asthenosphere) in the transition zone from the continent to the ocean. We concluded that the relative role of dynamic pressure forces prevailed in zones characterized by horizontally elongated asthenospheric movements in the mantle, as it happened under extended oceanic lithospheric plates. The novelty of the research is connected with the conclusion that under lithospheric micro-plates and near their boundaries, the roles of dynamic pressure forces and viscous stresses are comparable. In the areas of thermal diapirs associated with subduction zones and often located in transition zones from the continent to the ocean, the role of viscous stresses prevails. Thermal diapirs in subduction zones sometimes lead to the formation of hydrocarbon deposits due to mantle degassing processes.
Oxidation of oil shale kerogen by alkaline potassium permanganate
Authors: Burdelnaya N. , Sennikova Ya. , Bushnev Dmitry
Published: February 2024

We carried out the analytical oxidation of kerogen samples from oil shales of Ordovician kukersite from the Baltic region, Domanik shales from Timan-Pechora and Upper Jurassic oil shales of the Kashpir deposit by potassium permanganate in an alkaline medium. We performed a single-stage oxidation with 3.5 % solution of potassium permanganate, followed by analysis of trimethylsilyl derivatives of carboxylic acids using chromatography-mass spectrometry, and multi-stage oxidation by 0.5 % solution of potassium permanganate and analysis of oxidation products using IR spectroscopy. Some n-alkyl structures are peripherally associated with the kerogen matrix in the kerogen of Domanik and Jurassic shales, while in the structure of kukersite kerogen, n-alkyl structures are mainly connecting links for larger fragments. Milder, in case of a multi-stage process, oxidation results in formation of large fragments of kerogen, generally repeating its carbon structure, but more oxidized.
On the Jajte Law of Large Numbers for Exchangeable Random Variables
Authors: Naderi Habib , Jafari Mehdi
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we prove an extension of the Jajte strong law of large numbers for exchangeable random variables, we make a simulation study for the asymptotic behavior in the sense of convergence almost surly for weighted sums of exchangeable weighted random variables.
Comparative Evaluation of Imbalanced Data Management Techniques for Solving Classification Problems on Imbalanced Datasets
Authors: Watthaisong Tanawan , Sunat Khamron , Muangkote Nipotepat
Published: February 2024

Dealing with imbalanced data is crucial and challenging when developing effective machine-learning models for data classification purposes. It significantly impacts the classification model's performance without proper data management, leading to suboptimal results. Many methods for managing imbalanced data have been studied and developed to improve data balance. In this paper, we conduct a comparative study to assess the influence of a ranking technique on the evaluation of the effectiveness of 66 traditional methods for addressing imbalanced data. The three classification models, i.e., Decision Tree, Random Forest, and XGBoost, act as classification models. The experimental settings have been divided into two segments. The first part evaluates the performance of various imbalanced dataset handling methods, while the second part compares the performance of the top 4 oversampling methods. The study encompasses 50 separate datasets: 20 retrieved from the UCI repository and 30 sourced from the OpenML repository. The evaluation is based on F-Measure and statistical methods, including the Kruskal-Wallis test and Borda Count, to rank the data imbalance handling capabilities of the 66 methods. The SMOTE technique is the benchmark for comparison due to its popularity in handling imbalanced data. Based on the experimental results, the MCT, Polynom-fit-SMOTE, and CBSO methods were identified as the top three performers, demonstrating superior effectiveness in managing imbalanced datasets. This research could be beneficial and serve as a practical guide for practitioners to apply suitable techniques for data management.
An Effective Randomized Algorithm for Hyperspectral Image Feature Extraction
Authors: Feng Jinhong , Yan Rui , Yu Gaohang , Chen Zhongming
Published: February 2024

Analyzing the spectral and spatial characteristics of Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) in a three-dimensional space is a challenging task. Recently, there have been developments in 3D feature extraction methods based on tensor decomposition, which allow for the effective utilization of both global and local information in HSI. These methods also explore the inherent low-rank properties of HSI through tensor decomposition. In this paper, we propose a new approach called variable randomized T-product decomposition (Vrt-SVD), which is a variation of Tensor Singular Spectral Analysis. The goal of this approach is to improve the efficiency of tensor methods for feature extraction and reduce artifacts of image processing. By using a randomized algorithm based on the variable t-SVD, we are able to capture both global and local spatial and spectral information in HSI efficiently, which enables us to explore its low-rank characteristics. To evaluate the effectiveness of the extracted features, we use a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to assess the accuracy of image classification. By conducting numerous numerical experiments, we provide strong evidence to show that the proposed method outperforms several advanced feature extraction techniques.
Social action and education for citizenship in Scotland
Authors: Fyfe Ian
Published: February 2024

The idea of active citizenship has become a key element in the ongoing democratic renewal of Scotland. The policy priorities of the recently devolved Scottish Government have placed a fresh focus on the role and agency of young people as the future political generation. This paper draws on practice-based experience of a pilot programme of education for citizenship engaging groups of students within a special school setting. The groupwork approach was informed by the social action model of practice that supported the participants in a critical analysis of their own interests, concerns and needs. The programme provided young people with an arena for collective political expression and a vehicle for the exploration of their role as active citizens. The outcomes of the learning process included the acquisition of the base knowledge and core skills necessary for their effective participation as well as the development of a collective agenda for change. The findings of the work point towards the possibilities for the development of a complementary curriculum approach based upon the lived experiences of the young people themselves.
A model for working with the group life cycle in each group session across the life span of the group
Authors: Birnbaum Martin L. , Cicchetti Andrew
Published: February 2024

Developmental stage theory has been well attended to by groupwork theorists. A neglected area in the group work literature is the stages, or phases, of group development in each group session. The paper provides a holistic model for sessional groupwork practice that includes tasks and skills in the beginning, middle and ending stages of individual sessions, problems typically encountered in sessional work, transition between sessional stages and connectedness between sessions.
Self-esteem workshops for mental health professionals
Authors: Carson Jerome , Hopkinson Patrick
Published: February 2024

This paper takes the form of an open letter between the groupwork researcher (the first author) and a commissioning manager (the second author). The first author conducted a randomised controlled trial of a series of self-esteem workshops for staff, using quantitative methods and detailed statistical analysis. While the outcomes of this research seem clear, the individual participants and the group processes are lost in this analysis. In his reply, the second author points out some of the problems with the quantitative approach to studying groupwork and makes a plea for the inclusion of more qualitative methods. He also outlines practical suggestions for teasing out process issues in groupwork.
The use of online groups to involve older people in influencing nursing care guidance
Authors: Kelly Timothy B. , Schofield Irene , Booth Jo , Tolson Debbie
Published: February 2024

The drive to involve service users in policy and practice decisions is occurring on an international basis, yet meaningful involvement is not as commonplace as it should be. There are numerous barriers to meaningful involvement of service users, and groupwork offers a potentially empowering approach to helping service users influence the policy and practice decisions that impact their lives. This paper describes a model of service user involvement based on an online communities of practice approach. Twenty-one older people and carers were recruited to take part in a project aimed at influencing the policy and practice of nursing older people on a national level (Scotland). Participants were taught IT skills and worked as an online group to articulate what they thought constituted good nursing care of older people. Together they produced two statements concerning prevention of depression and ensuring adequate nutrition for older people in care. This paper reports on one aspect of a larger evaluation of the project, namely the role of groupwork in the involving model. Content analysis of the groupwork records highlights the importance of groupwork and mutual aid in achieving group goals. The combination of groupwork, service user involvement, and interactive computer technology has much potential.
Twenty-five years in Parents Anonymous
Authors: Liles Ray E. , Wahlquist Lugena
Published: February 2024

In this article, the authors describe the beginning stages and ongoing development of a Parents Anonymous group that has been in existence for over 25 years. Particular attention is paid to agency support, child care services, characteristics of parent members, parent training, peer leadership, and the role of the professional facilitator in self-help mutual/aid groups for parents who have experienced, or are experiencing, child abuse and neglect related problems in their lives.
Psychodynamically-informed discussion groups on acute inpatient wards
Authors: Radcliffe Jonathan , Diamond Debora
Published: February 2024

This paper outlines the use of weekly psychodynamically-informed groups on inpatient acute wards. The authors run inpatient groups with nurses as co-therapists. The structure of such psychodynamic groups is outlined along with the use of ‘here and now’ interpretations and enactments. Psychodynamic concepts such as projection, denial and counter-transference are described and their use in working with paranoia and grandiosity. The authors illustrate the use of these concepts within their groupwork and provide case material that shows how these concepts can be applied in the inpatient setting.
Interpersonal group therapy on acute inpatient wards
Authors: Hajek Katja
Published: February 2024

The present paper describes the therapeutic application of Yalom’s interpersonal model to inpatient groups. The basic characteristics of the model are outlined, followed by goal formulation. A good ward group engages patients, reduces their sense of isolation, helps deal with anxiety caused by hospitalisation and provides the experience of ‘universality’ and of being helpful to others. Structured group tasks are utilised to facilitate disclosure, acceptance, feedback and personal change. Finally, a case study is described on the use of the Yalom groupwork method on an acute inpatient ward. While these groups have been found to be very helpful by patients, further work is needed on their evaluation.
Voices talk, hands write
Authors: Pollard Nick
Published: February 2024

People with learning difficulties are generally a marginalised section of the community whose care environment often segregates them from other people. One way of broaching this invisibility is by developing a writing and publishing group which can present at community events and may be a means of educating others. However, such groups can be difficult to sustain.This article, based in part on a keynote address at the 2006 Groupwork Symposium (Pollard, 2006a), explores the origin and continuing development of a community publishing project with people with learning difficulties in Grimsby. Taking account of the difficulties of recording community based action, it reviews the outcomes 3 years after the initial set up project ceased.
It is possible for people diagnosed with schizophrenia to recover
Authors: Valinejad Carol , Smith Jan
Published: February 2024

Services that support individuals with a diagnosis of Serious Mental Illness are called upon to deliver services that seek to promote their recovery.The National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE, 2005), have been working towards defining the key features of what a recovery oriented service should look like. Optimistic as it may seem, services are a long way to undoing the effects of institutionalisation in the lives of many service users. This article provides an account of an evaluation of a Recovery Group designed to introduce participants to the recovery paradigm, in an attempt to help enhance their hopefulness about their future. It was hypothesised that when people are hopeful about achieving their goals, then they will become more motivated to pursue meaningful activities. An eight week group was conducted using outcome measures such as the Beck Hopelessness scale (1974), Lancashire Quality of Life scale, Bradburn Affect Scale and Cantill’s Life Ladder. Seven mental health service users from a Rehabilitation Inpatient Unit, and Community Team participated in the Recovery group, of whom four service users completed the programme. Despite methodological limitations of this evaluation some improvements were noted for the service users in terms of improved quality of life, a sense of optimism for the future and improved psychological well-being.
Helping victims of prostitution and trafficking
Authors: Williamson Celia , Baker Lynda M.
Published: February 2024

Child sex trafficking and adult women involved in street-based prostitution are two problems affecting the city of Toledo, Ohio. While various agencies worked independently to address these problems, there was no collaborative effort. We decided to organize a year-long roundtable that included people from Toledo-based social service, criminal justice, and health care systems, as well as concerned citizens, church groups, and survivors of prostitution. Our intent was to develop responses that were specific and sensitive not only to the needs of prostituted women and trafficked teens, but also to service providers and members of the community. In this article, we report on our project, its accomplishments, and lessons learned.
Supporting fathers who have a child with a disability
Authors: Beatty Dianne , King Andrew
Published: February 2024

Fathers of children with a disability report both in Australia and elsewhere that they feel marginalised from communication about, and the design and implementation of, formal support for their children. They also report having few if any avenues via which they can receive support and share and discuss their concerns about the disability of their children. This article describes a new groupwork program to fill this gap – to engage and support such fathers and to complement existing support services: Hey, Dad! For fathers who have a child with a disability. Findings from an initial evaluation of a pilot of the program involving 83 fathers are also described.
Craft groups
Authors: Maidment Jane , Macfarlane Selma
Published: February 2024

This article reports on a qualitative research project conducted in Victoria, Australia, with nine older women. The purpose of the research was to explore the women’s experience of involvement in craft groups, and specifically, the impact of this involvement on their sense of well-being. Traditionally the health of older people has been examined in relation to medical markers of physical well-being, and often, decline. We were interested to widen this perspective to understand the impact of social connection, belonging and ongoing learning and development on the ageing experience. While the focus of the groups was on domestic craftwork, the process of coming together as a collective appeared to have significant bearing on the holistic health of the women involved. Consistent with feminist groupwork literature, the findings indicated that the women we interviewed experienced the group setting as affirming and generative in a number of ways. These include providing an avenue for mutual aid, addressing isolation, affirming individual and collective strength and wisdom, while acquiring new skills, and normalising concerns regarding health and family.
Student perspectives on groupwork
Authors: Rees Paul
Published: February 2024

The educational system has a crucial role in developing groupwork skills in children and young people which will, in time, assist in the broader use of groupwork within society. Many educational establishments have for some years routinely employed groupwork pedagogy yet there has been limited research on how students actually perceive groupwork. This paper reports on student attitudes toward groupwork (n=248) within the context of a school improvement initiative. Staff from three schools met to reflect on their own practice of classroom groupwork. A questionnaire was subsequently developed and administered to elicit the general attitude of the students towards groupwork as well as their views on competition, interdependence, accountability, learning outcomes, group composition, teacher involvement, citizenship, and learning styles. Overwhelming support for groupwork was found within the cohort. Groupwork is viewed as enjoyable, preferable to individual work, a teaching strategy that can be engaged with, beneficial to learning, an aid to concentration during learning, helpful for memorising learning objectives and beneficial for life post-school. The paper discusses emerging themes and implications for the future.
Occupational narratives, community publishing and worker writing groups
Authors: Pollard Nick
Published: February 2024

Many different kinds of groups are spontaneously developed through community based activities. Some of these groups may contribute to the life and culture of a particular locality for years but can easily be overlooked because their activity is largely unknown, sustained along the margins of mainstream culture. Informal and organic structures, very local organisation and the ephemeral nature of the materials which record their actions, contribute to their lack of visibility. Some examples are to be found amongst the groups which belong to writers group networks. This article, which is based on focus group interviews with members of worker writing and community based publishing organisations, explores how such groups organise, maintain themselves, and meet the challenges which arise from their marginalisation.
The Personal Synthesis Programme
Authors: Popovic Nash
Published: February 2024

The Personal Synthesis Programme (PSP) is a comprehensive programme of personal development that addresses universal areas of human life such as emotions, thinking, self-regulation, confidence, coping, motivation, communication, relationships etc. Each of these areas is approached on theoretical, practical, reflective and interpersonal levels. The aim of the programme is to increase the sense of control and self-direction in participants’ lives. The programme has been run with HIV+ participants for the last six years. It has consisted of weekly two-hour sessions throughout an academic year. PSP has been evaluated using a triangulation method. The evaluation has shown significant gains in the areas of self-awareness, internal control, emotional control, optimistic outlook, confidence, awareness of others and relationships.
The Parent to Parent Group
Authors: Madden Sarah
Published: February 2024

This piece of writing endeavours to display how Groupwork is a valued and tangible approach to exploring many sensitive issues in social work practice. In particular the author reflects on her experience of co-facilitation of a mutual support group. This group was developed by an innovative Young Person’s Probation Team, who acknowledge that, in order to enable young offender’s desistance from deviant, criminal behaviour, parents require mutual support and acknowledgement. This paper begins with exploring definitions and descriptions of Groupwork and considers its application in the practice context of probation with young offenders. This piece of writing which accounts for the author’s experience of co-facilitation explores the theoretical perspective being utilised and reflects on the process and outcomes of this experience of .groupwork.
The role of groupwork in social action projects with youth
Authors: Arches Joan
Published: February 2024

This article presents a case study, and puts forth an approach to social justice work with young people, that impacts youth development, empathy, and social change by applying two social work models, Self-directed groupwork, and its model for stages of group development, along with concepts of expressive and instrumental social roles in groups.The personal growth for the youth was demonstrated by their increased confidence, greater academic interest, and more positive perceptions by teachers. Socially they exhibited heightened understanding of others, communication skills, and teamwork. The result for the community was seen in the social change skills they acquired and the project they implemented.