bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput cultivation and identification of soil bacteria v1
Authors: Nguyen Nhu
Published: January 2024

This protocol uses a dilution to extinction technique to isolate bacteria from soil but also applicable to other substrates. The isolation takes place in 96-well plates, thus allowed us to replicate the isolation in a high-throughput manner. The second part of the protocol uses high-throughput DNA sequencing to identify the samples. We amplified and sequenced >900 isolates within one month working non-continuously. The estimated cost (without technician time) for each sample is approximately $3.50 and the cost will drop with more samples added to a single MiSeq run.
Code-barres natif des amplicons (plaques 96 puits) v1
Authors: Shaw Alex
Published: January 2024

Le protocole suivant concerne la préparation des amplicons pour le séquençage à l'aide du kit de codage à barres Oxford Nanopore Native version 14 avec 96 codes à barres (SQK-NBD114.96). Lorsque vous utilisez ce kit, vous devez vous assurer d'utiliser la Flow Cell appropriée (FLO-MIN114, R10.4.1), sinon vous rencontrerez des difficultés lors du démarrage de l'analyse et les résultats de séquençage ne seront pas précis. Nous fournissons des estimations de ng de matériel requis pour ce protocole lors de l'amplification de la région VP1 de la poliomyélite, de la région de la capside (PanEV) ou de l'ensemble du génome (PanPV). Si vous avez des amplicons d'une taille différente de ceux-ci, vous pouvez calculer le ng requis à l'aide d'un calculateur en ligne tel que celui-ci : Poids en quantité molaire (pour les acides nucléiques) (bioline.com). AVANT DE COMMENCER Préparez environ 40 ml d'éthanol frais à 80 % avant de commencer. Cela devrait être suffisant pour l'ensemble du protocole.
A Collaborative Online Learning Activity (COIL) Between Japan and United States of America on Culture and Language Studies
Authors: Shoji Shinichi , Okura Noriko
Published: January 2024

This paper reports on the outcomes of a Collaborative Online International Learning Activity (COIL), conducted between a Japanese and an American university. Both schools gave their students a total of eight weeks of activity. Sixty students from two institutions participated in this study. During each week, students received various cultural topics to discuss, and students from both schools exchanged opinions on Zoom. The Social Networking Approach (SNA) (“3x3+3”) was used to assess students’ competencies: the three content realms contain (1) linguistic; (2) cultural; and (3) global social domains, and within each of these three domains, three different skills: (i) “Can Understand”; (ii) “Can Do”; (iii) “Can Connect”, that need to be developed in language education. Our findings show that Zoom Talk provided a positive experience for the students by facilitating connectivity among the participants. However, Japanese students were more confident in their “can understand” than “can do” skills whereas the American data was entirely positive, making determination difficult.
Interpreting Buddhism’s Core Values in the Sri Lankan Ethnic Conflict: An Analysis of Arudpragasam’s The Story of a Brief Marriage
Authors: S Dinakaran , Mukherjee Soumen
Published: January 2024

The prolonged Sri Lankan conflict in Sri Lanka occurred between the majority Sinhala govt. and the minority Sri Lankan Tamils on the island. The discrimination of identity and ethnicity led to major ruins on the land. This paper emphasizes the role of Buddhist values in Sri Lanka during the ethnic conflict. The principles of Buddhism help people rehabilitate and restore peace in the war-torn nation. In particular, the paper attempts to examine the Buddhist values practiced by the people irrespective of their religious denominations during the Civil War, through the literary landscape of Anuk Arudpragasam’s The Story of a Brief Marriage. The noble precepts of Buddhism are four noble truths and the eightfold path, which teaches non-violence, selflessness, and tolerance. The doctrines of Buddhism restored humanitarian values at the height of the ethnic conflict in society. The current research paper helps to identify the influence of Buddhism on the people of the island nation in maintaining self-control, self-discipline, and morally upright behaviors. However, it proves the absence and ignorance of the Buddhist precepts which incited many ethnic clashes among the people. Further, it focuses on the causes of the major devastation and the collapse of the Sri Lankan socio-political system and the role of Buddhism in restoring peace in the war-torn nation.
Swedish Writing Exercises Assisted by Translation Software: A Case Study With a Japanese Learner
Authors: Uni Kazuhito
Published: January 2024

This study examined the benefits of writing exercises assisted by translation software for learning Swedish. The participant was a Japanese individual, an advanced-level English and French speaker, and an intermediate-level German user. Prior to the survey, he had taught himself Swedish for several months. He wrote 15 texts and received feedback from a native Swedish speaker after every exercise. To assess his progress, two tests were conducted. The first test included 100 fundamental Swedish words, and the second questioned the present, past, and passive forms of 50 verbs. He had known 30 out of the 100 words before the research, but correctly identified 97 after completion. Moreover, the participant correctly answered only 49 out of the 150 verb forms at first, but the writing practice enabled him to identify 144 forms correctly. From the abovementioned results, this study concludes that the writing exercises efficiently enrich the lexical and grammatical knowledge of Japanese learners of Swedish.
Exploring the Language Learning Beliefs of Thai Junior High School Students in Chinese Learning: A BALLI-Based Study
Authors: Pan Li , He Xianyue
Published: January 2024

The development of the BALLI scale and the five-factor model by Horwtiz has led to a surge in research on language learning beliefs. The present research explored the language learning beliefs of 300 junior high school students from three schools located in the Bangna region of Bangkok as they learned Chinese, utilizing the BALLI scale. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the researchers attempted to fit Horwtiz's five-factor model to the data, but this model did not receive sufficient support. Therefore, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to analyze the factor structure, resulting in the identification of five dimensions. However, the items included in these dimensions were considerably different from those in Horwtiz's five-factor model. As a result, a new measurement model was proposed for this study. Following this, the researcher conducted a CFA to assess the appropriateness of the newly proposed measurement model, and the findings suggested that the data matched the model effectively.
Interaction as a Mechanism to Enhance English Language Proficiency in the Classroom
Authors: Shawaqfeh Adawiya Taleb , Jameel Ali Sabah , Al-adwan Linda Ahmad Yousef , Khasawneh Mohamad Ahmad Saleem
Published: January 2024

Research has concentrated on the subject of acquiring the English language as a second language. Numerous things influence learning the English language. This current study focuses on the role that interaction strategies have in advancing the acquisition of English as a foreign language. The emphasis is on interaction methods, covering conceptions that have emerged in the investigation of interaction as a technique for second language acquisition, and providing an assessment of the practical implications of the views. The study used a straightforward qualitative methodology, and secondary sources were used to compile the results. The conversation was conducted in a detailed manner. The analysis produced several insights. The observation that interactions have continued to be an essential component of acquiring English as a foreign language is the basis for the analysis's key argument. It was determined that interaction will continue to be a fundamental strategy regularly used to improve learning in English language teaching (ELT) classrooms. The study also found that contact, particularly in the classroom, helps identify the actual difficulties that students face when learning a second language. It has been demonstrated that consistent engagement that directly involves classmates throughout classroom activities prompts teachers to respond quickly to use effective strategies to ingrain cognitive modifications in pupils.
Trauma, Haunting, and Representation: Rereading and the Translation Examination of Kokoro
Authors: Gu Qiushi
Published: January 2024

The Japanese novel, Kokoro (1914), offers a profound insight into early 20th-century Japanese society encompassing history, politics, and literature. Although this novel has been extensively explored in literary and translation studies, the convergence remains underexplored. This study advocates integrating literary criticism with translation practice for a more faithful representation of narratives. Applying trauma/PTSD studies theory, it meticulously analyzes Kokoro, particularly examining the English and Chinese renditions of the pivotal term “談判 (danpan; negotiation)”. The methodology involves constructing a trilingual database, incorporating the Japanese source text and seven translations in English and Chinese. By scrutinizing specific passages, the study delves into trauma-related responses and behaviors, revealing their impact on long-lasting changes in personality and relationships. Emphasis is placed on the translation of key terms, preserving cultural and linguistic nuances. This innovative approach advances both literary criticism and translation theory, emphasizing psychological elements for a nuanced portrayal of characters’ states of mind. The study underscores the significance of trauma narratives in comprehending personal and historical traumas, asserting that translators of trauma literature must blend theoretical knowledge with social responsibility. They serve as “secondary witnesses,” entrusted with accurately transmitting traumatic stories between languages, fostering empathy, and preventing the repetition of tragedies in history. This approach provides an innovative interpretation of Kokoro and its translations, bridging the realms of literary criticism and translation studies.
The Images of Rain and Spring in Ibn-Zaydoon’s and Wordsworth’s Poetry: A Comparative Stylistic Study of Selected Poems
Authors: Abuhammam Emad A. , Almazaidah Ismail S. , Al-Hajaya Atalla R.
Published: January 2024

This study examines the representation of rain and spring images in poetry, basically in Ibn-Zaydoon's and Wordsworth’s selected poems. This study relies on the analytical and theoretical aspects of Parallelism theory of the American School of Comparative Literature. It focuses on studying “the idea of similarities in humanity’s social and historical evolution, which means harmony in the process of literary development” (Enani, 2005, p. 42). The study is also based on the analytical approaches of Russian Formalism that focuses on studying “Similes, metaphors, structures, ironies, rhymes, and symbols” (Bressler, 2011, p. 49). The significance of the study is to introduce a comparative study between two poets whose languages, religions, and traditions are different. Ibn-Zaydoon and Wordsworth represent nature as the perfect place for pleasure, peace, and tranquility. These two poets glorify spring and rain specifically and their psychological influences on humankind.
“Where Everything Starts Unraveling:” Sensibility, Rupture and Possibilities in V.S. Naipaul’s Half a Life and Magic Seeds
Authors: Karim Mohammad Rezaul , Sharma Ramesh , Warda Wahaj Unnisa
Published: January 2024

V.S. Naipaul is one of the widely read postcolonial writers. He was born in Trinidad in 1932, had roots in India, migrated to England for higher studies and took British citizenship. He died as a British citizen in 2018. His writings distinguish themselves in having a wider coverage of the postcolonial world, like the trajectory of his life, and accordingly larger experience with the problems of this world. In the same line, he has a world readership. However, the greater part of this readership sees him as a colonial and offensive writer rather than voicing their issues and suggesting solutions to them. However, the discourse of Naipaul, as it evolves in the texts like Half a Life and Magic Seeds, being explored in this paper, is quite different and tends to have a counter-discourse to such views; it is neither colonial nor offensive. It can be seen pointing to larger future possibilities beyond the crisis of the postcolonial world and this can be understood in the light of the terms like historical sensibility, mimicry, rupture and bildungsroman.
Investigating Problems Related to the Translation of Idiomatic Expressions in the Arabic Novels Using Neural Machine Translation
Authors: Aldelaa Abdullah S. , Malkawi Mai Abdel karim Mohammad
Published: January 2024

NMT systems encounter many challenges and problems when rendering Arabic idiomatic expressions into English. The current research tackled some examples selected from Arabic corpora and their English translations generated by the selected NMT systems and the English versions of the selected corpora. The research presents a qualitative analysis of the selected samples from three novels (The Season of Migration to the North, the Fall of the Imam and the Girls of Riyadh). The research is mainly focusing on the problems resulted when rendering Arabic idiomatic expressions into English.
A Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis of the Iranian People in the Corpus of Donald Trump’s Social Media Texts
Authors: Suhaili Ahmad , Suganda Dadang , Darmayanti Nani , Yuliawati Susi
Published: January 2024

Social media has provided many opportunities for people to express, obtain, and reproduce their views, thoughts, ideologies, and even their daily routines. Perhaps the most famous person to successfully take advantage of these opportunities and become a constant trending topic around the world is former American President Donald J. Trump. The style of language he uses on social media helps spread his ideology so that he has become known as the first president of America to use social media to get his ideas across. To evaluate the keywords in the corpus of Trump’s social media that dominated the topics of social media in Iran, a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis was used as the methodology for this study. The results show that the keywords “people”, “real”, “brave”, “suffering”, and “killed” are closely related to the oppressive conditions of the Iranian people. The results also show that people who are talked about as brave figures always get help and love from Trump.
Aspects of Successful Multilingualism
Authors: Santosa Bernadette
Published: January 2024

Multilingualism is always an interesting case, particularly regarding how multilingual individuals maintain their languages. Sometimes they are successful, but sometimes due to some factors, they fail to maintain their languages which leads to language attrition. This paper compares three multilingual Indonesians from two different generations in terms of how their languages were acquired, what those languages meant to them, and what has happened to those languages. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview results reveal that while attitude towards the second language is a factor not to be underestimated, the opportunity to use a second language also plays a significant role in one’s language maintenance. In addition, government policy is a critical factor. One alarming finding is that positive progress does not always result in positivity in attitude, particularly attitudes toward the first language.
Establishment of a Chinese Paremiological Minimum Based on International English Media
Authors: Huang Xiaofang , Nawi Abdullah Mohd
Published: January 2024

Paremiological Minimum (PM) is defined as a set of proverbs that all members of a particular speech community know or an average adult is expected to know (Ďurčo, 2015b). Acquiring such frequently used proverbs will lead to meaningful and effective communication by native speakers or foreign speakers (Mieder, 1993). The study of creating PM has been conducted in many countries globally for at least 50 years, but no researcher has engaged in PM for Chinese language. Classic Chinese proverbs are discourse symbols that embody Chinese values and represent traditional Chinese culture, and are frequently quoted by dignitaries from various countries and overseas media. This study proposes to build a Chinese Paremiological Minimum (CPM) by investigating Chinese proverbs in FACTIVA (2012-2021), from the media of English-language speaking communities with a view to identity the frequently quoted Chinese proverbs. Meantime, four selection criteria are placed emphases on the process of creating CPM: Currency, Internationality, Frequency and Authenticity, namely CIFA frame, different from the previous research approaches which merely focused on the frequency or familiarity for the PM creation. The establishment of CPM is bond to promote a further insight into the Chinese mind, language and culture, resulting in long-term benefits to speakers of other languages and English language learning and teaching in China, for the mastery of PM is an effective way to enhance language proficiency and understanding in intercultural communication.
Self-Framing and Other-(Re)framing in Institutional Political Discourse: The Case of Donald Trump’s Final Speech Before the UN
Authors: Altohami Waheed M. A.
Published: January 2024

The goal of this study is to provide a sociocognitive critical discourse analysis of Donald Trump’s 75th UNGA (The UN General Assembly) speech 2020 to demonstrate how Trump (re)framed America and other political actors. The study’s methodology has been divided into three stages: (a) identifying the speech’s macrostructures (major themes) embodying the speech’s global meanings, (b) analyzing the speech’s explicit and implicit local meanings, and (c) laying out Trump’s subjective context model. Findings revealed that (1) the semantic (cognitive) structure and textual arrangement of Trump’s speech are meant to draw attention to two ideologically opposed discourse worlds with skewed, hegemonic intergroup and outgroup representations; (2) a polarized context model, based on the WE/THEY schema, has motivated and controlled Trump’s speech for the purposes of persuading the audience, stigmatizing other social actors, and managing opinion formation; and (3) Trump’s context model has been shown to control the production of specific microstructures that correspond with a variety of discursive strategies.
The Pragmatic Functions of Ħalāl and Ħarām in Spoken Jordanian Arabic
Authors: Majali Bushra S. , Thenibat Amal A.
Published: January 2024

The current study investigates the pragmatic functions of the terms ħalāl and ħarām in Spoken Jordanian Arabic. The researchers compiled a number of contexts which include the words ħalāl and ħarām in different pragmatic functions. The scenarios were first judged by a panel of jury. Then the last version of the scenarios was given to 50 native speakers of Jordanian Arabic. The results show that ħalāl conveys several different pragmatic functions for example, expressing something religiously permissible, as a synonym of Cattle, possessions and money among others. On the other hand, ħarām is also used to convey several pragmatic functions such as something religiously forbidden, religious terms as the secret months, and oath and so on.
An Application of Causal-Chain Windowing Theory to the Teaching of Writing
Authors: Wang Ting
Published: January 2024

Causal-chain windowing is a kind of cognitive process of having the sense of causality in mind, and the cause and result are windowed and attract the attention. Given the appropriate context, the reader can infer the remainder of the event, and different expressions of the same scene, windowed in several different ways, may result in different effects on readers’ mind. Therefore causal-chain windowing theory is useful for the teaching of writing, relating to not only static descriptions as expositional writing, but also dynamic ones as narrative writing, through proper application of the theory. Although many previous linguists and teachers have applied many other theories to the teaching of writing from several angles, few have applied causal-chain windowing theory to the teaching of writing. And the author aims to find a relatively new angle in the old topic – teaching of writing. This paper sets about from some key notions and introduces causal-chain windowing theory, and applies the latter in two aspects, windowing of attention and causal chain. The paper attempts to illustrate the advantages of applying causal-chain windowing theory to the teaching of writing with some examples and claims that causal-chain windowing theory gives clues to writing “different” articles. The aspect of windowing of attention directs students to change sentence patterns and paragraph constructions, and the other aspect, causal chain, leads them to use proper words to express right causal relationship.
A Study of Gain and Loss in the Translation of the Qurʾānic Arabic Words of Glad Tidings Known as Al-Bush'rā (البُشْرَى ( Into English: An Islamic Professional Ethical Perspective
Authors: Alhaj Ali Albashir Mohammed , Alwadai Mesfer Ahmed. Mesfer
Published: January 2024

The substantial lexical and cultural challenges facing the translators of the Holy Qur’ān in rendering the Qurʾānic Arabic  words for glad tidings known as al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى) into English result in the gain or loss of meaning in translation - an issue that cannot be avoided. This study, conducted from an Islamic professional ethical perspective, examined that gain and loss through three well-known translations of the Holy Qur’ān which were sourced from The Qur’ānic Arabic Corpus, namely Abdelhaleem (2004), Al-Hilali and Khan (1996) and Pickthall (1930). A qualitative descriptive design was adopted together with Hervey and Higgins’s (1992) concept of loss of meaning in translation which is a critical aspect of any translation. The study found that, in terms of the loss and gain in the translation of the Qurʾānic Arabic al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى)  into English, the aforementioned translators utilized different translation strategies such as reduction and omission. The study concludes that any loss has a significantly negative impact on the reader’s understanding and interpretation of the Holy Qur’ān in general and the words found in the Qurʾānic Arabic al-bush'rā (البُشْرَى)  in particular.
Gender Representation in Indonesian Language Textbooks: Critical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Putri I Gusti Ayu Vina Widiadnya , Simpen I Wayan , Suparwa I Nyoman , Malini Ni Luh Nyoman Seri
Published: January 2024

This study aims to analyze the elements of discourse analysis regarding gender in the Indonesian Textbook. The data used in this study were texts in integrated thematic Indonesian textbooks for grade 2 elementary school. Gender representations based on micro and macrostructures of language analysis in Indonesian textbooks as the research problems of this analysis. This research uses data analysis methods with field methods with observations and interviews. The theory used in this study is the theory of discourse analysis by Dijk (1993). The results of this study indicated that there are discourse elements that show gender in texts such as microstructure and macrostructure. In the microstructure, grammatical elements are found which include references, omissions, and conjunctions. The macro elements found in integrated thematic textbooks for elementary school Indonesian are context, inference, and character values. Character values are implicitly described in the characters in the text. The micro and macrostructure in the data show the dominance of the female gender.
Mapping the Cultural Landscape of the Homeland: A Semiotic Analysis of Agha Shahid Ali’s Poetry Collection
Authors: Shah Akhter Habib
Published: January 2024

The widely renowned and exhaustively researched Kashmiri-American diasporic poet, Agha Shahid Ali, has received acclaim for his portrayal of themes such as loss, longing for the homeland, nostalgia, hyphenated identity, hybridity, and dislocation, among others. However, within the purview of new historicism, this paper intends to examine the interplay of literature, culture, and history. Using Clifford Geertz's framework of "thick description," the paper analyzes Agha's poetry as a cultural artifact with ethnographic value. Through a semiotic analysis of select poems based on Bakhtin's notion of chronotopes, the paper aims to unravel themes of fragmented identity, cultural memorialization, and the preservation of imaginary homelands. The paper also attempts to explore that Agha Shahid Ali, actively engaged with the socio-political turmoil in his homeland. He sought to reconcile the tensions between different traditions and religious communities, envisioning a personal utopia rooted in his privileged position. His poetry reflects his historical context, facilitating a symbolic exchange between the fragments of Kashmiri culture. Through intertextual references, religious symbols, and social emblems, Ali constructs a significant and experimental narrative about Kashmir.
Oaths in Jordanian Arabic: A Sociocultural and Translational Analysis
Authors: Al-Azzam Bakri H. , Ababneh Mohammad D. , Al-Qudah Isra Kh.
Published: January 2024

This study attempts to investigate Jordanian oaths from a sociocultural and translational perspective. The study shows that Jordanian oaths are insufficiently explored from such a perspective. The paper uncovers that Jordanian oaths have many formulas and are taken in many social and cultural aspects such as religion, body parts, honor, headdress, curse, and Arabic coffee, among many other things. In order to conduct the study, examples resembling these different aspects of oaths are suggested, and some social and cultural details are given before the examples. To make the Jordanian oaths clear, each oath example is contextualized in a social and cultural setting and then followed by a literal translation. Finally, the examples are analyzed and discussed, translationally, socially, and culturally in order to give a ground evidence that Jordanian oaths are difficult to translate from Arabic into English.
HOW DO HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OFFER ONLINE COURSES FOR ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS? PULL AND PUSH FACTORS INFLUENCING THEIR DECISIONS
Authors: USTUN Ayşin Gaye , KURSUN Engin , KAYADUMAN Halil
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study is to reveal the pull and push factors that influence the decisions of administrators and practitioners about online courses offered to students on campus in terms of teaching-learning, course content procurement, and assessment-evaluation dimensions. The study was carried out using nested multi-case studies as a qualitative research method. The sample of the study consisted of four Distance Education Centers (DEC) with at least five years of experience, selected by the snowball and maximum variation sampling methods. The data were obtained using individual semi-structured interviews, institution documents, and Learning Management Systems (LMS), with 24 people working as administrators, content development specialists, program coordinators, and IT specialists at these institutions. It was found that factors like the interaction between students and teachers, legislation, budget, human resources, and organized structuring helped the DECs decide which models to use in the teaching-learning, course content procurement, and assessment-evaluation dimensions.
FLIPPED CLASSROOM MODEL WITH YOUNG LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING IN PRIMARY ELT CLASSROOMS
Authors: SIK Pinar , ZEHIR TOPKAYA Ece
Published: January 2024

This mixed-method study explored the effect of the flipped classroom model (FCM) on vocabulary learning of young English language learners and their perceptions and experiences about FCM practices. Two intact groups of 4th-grade students in a state primary school in Turkiye were randomly assigned as experimental (N = 32) and control (N = 33) groups. The quantitative data related to vocabulary learning were collected through three measurement tests. The qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 19 volunteer students from the experimental group. The results revealed that the levels of vocabulary learning and retention for the experimental group students were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group students (p< 0.05). The qualitative data analysis also confirmed the effectiveness of the model for vocabulary learning and revealed its efficiency for language classes of young English language learners. Accordingly, suggestions were made for the FCM implementation.
CHANGE OF THE HORYN RIVER BASIN WATER BALANCE UNDER THE WARMER CLIMATE
Authors:   Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Chornomorets Y.O. , Lobodzinskyi O.V. ,   Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
Published: January 2024

Warmer climate caused a large complex of effects that appeared in every link of the global hydrological cycle. In most cases, these changes have a non-linear nature and occur with different intensity in hydrological and meteorological systems. Therefore, it is important to study such processes together, which will allow simultaneous detection of their mutual effects. The water balance method, when all components are calculated in the same dimensions (mm), and then compared with each other, is best suited for solving such a problem. The increase in air temperature by 1,2°C caused significant changes in the overall structure of the Horyn River basin water balance: an increase in the expenditure parts uncertainty for the water balance components for the modern period 1991-2020. The closure error increase occurs mainly due to the cost part and its main component of total evaporation. According to Mali Vykorovychi hydrological gauge notes a decrease in the annual precipitation by 18 mm, river runoff by 21 mm, and an increase in total evaporation by 35 mm in absolute values. In the 1961-1990 according to the calculation of climatic water balance, the moisture accumulation prevailed over its utilization almost in 5 times but now, due to the increase in air temperature, their ratio has almost leveled off. Today river water regime almost moved from the excessively moistened to sufficiently moistened, and there are trends indicating the moisture consumption processes dominance in the basin over its accumulation.
FEATURES OF THE APPLICATION OF IFRS FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES IN UKRAINE
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Zasadnyi B.А. , Kardash V.V. ,   Specialized program "Accounting, Taxation and Control"
Published: January 2024

The adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards for small enterprises (IFRS for small enterprises) has allowed to standardize accounting practice and systematize approaches to the formation of financial statements for small enterprises around the world. The article examines the process of implementing IFRS for small enterprises, identifies the specifics of using IFRS and considers the differences with national accounting standards of Ukraine. It is substantiated that the transition to the application of IFRS for small enterprises contributes to increasing the transparency, comparability and reliability of the financial statements of small enterprises and also facilitates the understanding and analysis of the financial statements of small enterprises by interested parties at the national and international level. The practical consequences associated with the introduction of IFRS for small enterprises in Ukraine are analyzed and it is proved that the formation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS can potentially expand the access of domestic small enterprises to global capital markets and increase their trust on the part of international investors and creditors. Emphasizing the need for harmonization between IFRS and national accounting standards of Ukraine, the expediency and advantages of implementing IFRS for small enterprises in the Ukrainian business environment are determined. It has been proven that small enterprises in Ukraine can use the implementation of IFRS not only to accord international reporting standards, but also to improve the financial management system, management structure and decision-making processes. The features of the adaptation of IFRS for small enterprises to Ukrainian realities, which will include staff training, the introduction of new accounting and reporting software, as well as the revision of internal control procedures are revealed. It is substantiated that the successful implementation of IFRS for small enterprises will contribute to the formation of a more transparent and effective system of financial management of the activities of small enterprises, which is crucial important in a competitive business environment.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT AND THE DYNAMICS OF ONLINE ACTIVISM: FAR-RIGHT MOBILIZATION ON FACEBOOK*
Authors: Davidson Thomas
Published: January 2024

Far-right activists have recently used social media to attract audiences of unprecedented scale. This paper argues that this online popularity can be explained by processes endogenous to social media, specifically engagement from online audiences such as likes, shares, and comments. A case study of the far-right, anti-Muslim group Britain First and its online activism on Facebook is used to test this hypothesis. The relationship between audience engagement and Britain First’s activity, recruitment, and support on Facebook is modeled using time-series regressions, controlling for other relevant factors, including protests, framing, and exogenous events. The results show that changes in audience engagement are associated with long-term shifts in online activism, resulting in feedback loops where engagement begets further engagement. The findings demonstrate how the incentive structures of social media platforms can enable and constrain contemporary activism and how activists can develop tactics to exploit these systems to their advantage.
Crustal Velocity Structure of the Sichuan–Yunnan Block Revealed by High-Quality Crustal Phase Travel Time
Authors: Hu Liya , Zhang Fengxue , Li Yu
Published: January 2024

The Sichuan–Yunnan block is located at the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, which is the key area as a transition belt from the active plate extrusion zone to the stable Yangtze Craton. Using a semiautomatic measuring method based on a graphical interface, we pick 81,585 precise travel times from 449 local earthquake records and finally obtain a crustal 3D P-wave velocity model of the Sichuan–Yunnan block. The model reveals an unexpected velocity contrast between the shallower and deeper crusts. It is summarized as weakly perturbed low-velocity belts encircling a high-velocity zone in the upper crust and strongly perturbed low-velocity anomalies in the mid-lower crust, respectively. The weak low-velocity anomalies are revealed along the major strike-slip faults, and their small perturbations may imply a slip-driven mechanism. The strong low-velocity anomalies are distributed extensively in the Sichuan–Yunnan block, and their great perturbations may be related to the partial melting of weak material extruded from Tibet. Besides, our result shows noticeable high-velocity anomalies in the core zone of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), which may be an indication of magma solidification from the ancient mantle plume. The result further exhibits an interesting pattern that the strong low-velocity anomalies are partially separated by the high-velocity anomalies in the ELIP. Such a specific pattern probably reflects that the stable zone in the ELIP leads to the bifurcation of weak Tibetan material.
Resolvability of Multiple Microseismic P-Wave Source Regions with Two Large Seismic Arrays in China and the United States
Authors: Liu Qiaoxia , Zhou Yong , Ni Sidao , Xu Min , Qiu Yong , Zhang Yayun , Yu Chuanhai , Chu Risheng
Published: January 2024

P-wave microseisms are useful for understanding ocean waves. Resolving and locating multiple P-wave source regions using seismic data can provide valuable information about ocean waves. The resolvability of multiple microseismic P-wave source regions depends on the location accuracy and resolution, which can be improved using multiple large seismic arrays. In this article, we investigate the source locations of P-wave microseisms at the period of 5–10 s by combining the backprojection results from two large dense seismic arrays located in China (ChinArray) and the United States (USArray). We independently process data recorded by ChinArray and USArray during a two-year period (2014–2015) that border both the North Pacific and North Atlantic. Then the results are normalized and summed or intersected in the source region to improve the accuracy of the P-wave microseism source locations by reducing the deviation from the velocity structure model and the array response function. The results show that we can resolve two to three sources with a scale of ∼500–1000 km within one large P-wave source region. We also investigate how array parameters such as aperture, interstation spacing, and geographic position affect the detectability and accuracy of the P-wave microseism sources. The discrepancy in P-wave microseism source locations between backprojection observation and ocean model predictions in source number, source scale, and source region scope imply that the ocean model needs to be improved.
Improved treatment success rate in a cohort of TB patients supported by Nikshay Mitra in CSR–NGO Mix model in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand
Authors: Singh Pankaj Kumar , Chaudhary Prashant , Pandey Vikas Kumar , Negi Anil , Kumar Avneesh , Singh R K , Dutt Manish
Published: January 2024

Under the aegis of Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)–NGO Mix model demonstrated the improved treatment success rates among tuberculosis (TB) patients in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand.

The initiative, launched by the Government of India, addresses the bidirectional relationship between undernutrition and TB, emphasizing the need for holistic support beyond medical interventions.

The Nikshay Mitras, acting as companions, not only provide nutritional assistance but also contribute to reduce the stigma associated with TB and offer comprehensive support, including job opportunities.

Uttarakhand has actively implemented the initiative, with various support models, including individual Nikshay Mitra, NGOs, and Corporate Sectors contributing through CSR support.

The editorial focuses on the impact of CSR initiatives on TB treatment success rates, presenting data from Haridwar district. The unique CSR-NGO model, showcased a significant improvement in the treatment success rate, reaching 94% for a cohort of 304 TB patients. No mortality or loss to follow-up was reported, highlighting the effectiveness of this collaborative approach.

The success in Haridwar district demonstrates the positive outcomes of engaging NikshayMitra, blending corporate support, NGO facilitation, and government oversight.
Spontaneous remyelination following dimethyl sulfoxide-induced demyelination is accompanied by behavioral and neurological alteration in mice
Authors: Kudryashov Nikita V. , Gorbunov Alexander A. , Sviridkina Nadezhda B. , Mironov Sergey E. , Tikhonov Dmitriy A. , Nedorubov Andrey A. , Fisenko Vladimir P.
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a commonly used solvent that can be applied in experimental studies for preparation of hydrophobic solutions as well as in capacity of a cryopreservative in transplantology. According to modern data acquired from in vitro experiments, DMSO is able to change the structure of myelin by decreasing synthesis of its main components and inhibiting oligodendrocyte genesis.
Aim of the study: We studied influence of DMSO on anxiety and compulsive-like behavior, pain perception, motor coordination and myelin quantity in the corpus callosum of the C57BL/6 mice brain after prolonged oral administration of the solvent and 4 weeks after administration was stopped.
Materials and Methods: All the experiments were conducted on male inbreed C57BL/6 mice. DMSO was added to drinking water to achieve 0.01% concentration, and the obtained solution was administered ad libitum for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of administration of DMSO and 4 weeks after administration of DMSO was stopped, anxiety-like behavior in open field test, compulsive-like behavior in marble burying test, motor coordination in rotarod test, pain perception in tail-immersion test, as well as myelin quantity in the corpus callosum were evaluated.
Results: It was established that DMSO consumed for 6 weeks was associated with decrease in the myelin quantity in thecorpus callosum and thermal hyperalgesia in tail-immersion test. During 4-week period after DMSO administration was stopped, attenuation of demyelination was observed, followed by an increase in thermal hyperalgesia in tail-immersion test, as well as vertical locomotion and exploratory activity in open field test.
Conclusions: 6-week ad libitum administration of 0.01% DMSO solution was associated with demyelination in corpus callosum of С57BL/6 mice, followed by thermal hyperalgesia. Cessation of DMSO led to spontaneous remyelination with an increase in thermal hyperalgesia, vertical locomotion and exploratory activity of mice.
Substance Abuse and Its Association with Adherence to ART Drugs Among HIV-positive Pregnant Women at Selected Hospitals of East Ethiopia
Authors: Sosengo Teshome , Mathewos Eyassu
Published: January 2024

Background: Substance abuse among Human Immune Deficiency Virus-positive patients causes depression, carelessness, and anxiety, which in common results in a decrease in adherence to antiretroviral treatment. The purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence of substance abuse and its association with adherence to ART drugs.
Methods: The current study was conducted at three hospitals (Hiwot Fana Comprehensive University Hospital, Dillchora Hospital, and Jugal Hospital) located in East Ethiopia. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association of independent variables with the dependent variables.
Results: In this study, 119 HIV-positive pregnant patients were included. While 74.8% of the patients were adherent to their medication, the remaining 25.2% were nonadherent. The major reasons for nonadherence to ART medications prescribed were getting better (73.3%) and finishing medication (16.7%). Moreover, 96 (80.7%) respondents abused alcohol while 36 (30.3%) and 75 (35.6%) abused opioids and cigarette smoking, respectively. Mothers who abused alcohol were 38.1 times more likely to be nonadherent to ART medications for PMTCT [AOR = 38.1% CI: 21.47–56.54] compared to their counterparts. Additionally, mothers who abuse opioids were 19 times more likely to be nonadherent to ART treatment medication [AOR = 19, 95% CI: 2.46– 19.46] than their counterparts. Furthermore, mothers who smoked cigarettes were 43.1 more likely to be nonadherent [AOR = 43.19, 95% CI: 8.42–187.84] than nonsmokers. Unemployment was also found to be associated with nonadherence to ART medication to PMTCT of HIV [AOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 2.8–5.7]. Smoking of marijuana/cannabis/hashish was not significantly associated with nonadherence to ART [AOR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.084–0.355].
Conclusion: Abuse of alcohol, cigarette smoking, abuse of opioids, and joblessness were found to be significantly associated with nonadherence to ART medications prescribed to PMCT of HIV. Wheareas, smoking of marijuana/cannabis/hashish was not significantly associated with nonadherence to ART medications.
Assessment of Vitamin D Level and Its Relation to Glycemic Control Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Khartoum State
Authors: Abdoalnasir Abdoalrasol Abdallah Ola , Ahmed Elrheima Ahmed Hafsa
Published: January 2024

Background: Type II diabetes is a chronic hyperglycemic disorder. Vitamin D appears to be associated with chronic disease prevention and modulation of immunity. This study was designed to associate vitamin D levels with glycemic control among type 2 diabetes mellitus in Khartoum state.
Methods: This was a prospective case-control study conducted between June and November 2021 in Khartoum, Sudan. In total, 80 individuals were included in the study, of which 40 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, while the other 40 were normal, apparently healthy individuals. Vitamin D was measured by ELISA.
Results: SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that 20% of the case group (patients with diabetes mellitus) had suboptimal vitamin D levels, whereas 80% had vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D levels were significantly decreased among the case group when compared to the control group (P-value = 0.00). The glycated hemoglobin was negatively correlated with vitamin D level (P-value = 0.017, R = –0.376).
Conclusion: In this study, a significant decrease in vitamin D was seen among people with type 2 DM. There was a weak negative correlation between hemoglobin A1C and vitamin D levels, and no significant difference in Vitamin D levels among gender and different types of treatment.
Primary School Teachers’ Perspectives on ADHD in Alkadrow, Khartoum, Sudan
Authors: Taha Ali Omer Zeinab , Hassan Abu Alhassan Aya , Mohammed Hassan Ahmed Manal , Ahmed Fadlala Ahmed Aida , Ahmed Suliman Omer Suaad , Mohammed Gomaa Salma , Alqubati Sameer , Abdalla Jarelnabe Ahmed , Abdalla Eltahir Hassan Mohamed , Abdelgadir Ali Mohamed Amal , Mohamedahmed Eltayeb Mudathir , Mohammed Idris Amna , Ahmed Waled
Published: January 2024

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition, commonly manifests during early childhood and has the potential to adversely affect an individual’s social, academic, and occupational performance in multiple settings. Students with ADHD may struggle with attention, focus, listening, and completing schoolwork. Additionally, they may exhibit restless or disruptive behavior in class and may have learning disabilities that affect their academic performance. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of primary school teachers on ADHD in Alkadrow, Khartoum, Sudan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Alkadrow-Bahri locality, Sudan, over a period of three to six months in 2022. The study population included primary school teachers who had taught for at least one year and encountered at least one student with ADHD. A convenience sampling technique was used to select a minimum of 59 participants, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis.
Results: The study had 59 participants, with the majority being female and in the age group of 41–45 years. The participants were mostly married and had obtained psychology courses, with a bachelor’s degree being the most common level of education. Many participants had over 20 years of teaching experience. Regarding the attitude toward attention deficit hyperactivity, most participants strongly agreed that they did have a negative/positive attitude toward it, and a majority agreed or were neutral toward ADHD. However, in the case of attention deficit hyperactivity, a significant percentage of participants disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement.
Conclusion: The study found that most participants had a negative attitude toward student referrals for medical care and believed that most symptoms of ADHD can be lowered by aging. Additionally, more than half strongly disagreed that punishment has a positive effect on ADHD.