bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Instructional Methods on Child Friendly School Environment in ECDE Centers in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya
Authors: Kattam Jebiwot , Barasa Peter L. , Kapkiai Moses , Bitok Ester
Published: March 2023

Education is fundamental to improving children's social and economic outcomes worldwide. The study sought to establish the influence of instructional methods on a child-friendly school environment among ECDE centres in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The study was informed by Constructivism instructional theory and Reggio Emilia's philosophy of educating young children. The study targeted 2151 Early Child Development Education (ECDE) teachers and heads in the 576 public ECDE centers in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya, comprising 1728 ECDE teachers, 422 head teachers, and one County Quality Assurance and Standards officer. A sample size of 271 respondents was used for the study. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out using Pearson's correlation coefficient on the quantitative data. It was used to determine the relationship between the effect of Instructional methods on supporting a child-friendly school environment in public ECDE Centres in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The findings further revealed that instructional style was positively and significantly associated with the school learning environment (r=.431, n=271, p<0.01), indicating that instruction style influences the school learning environment by 18.61%. Therefore, teachers should create an enabling learning environment that is inclusive to all learners and take care of social interactions among learners. The finding informs the best practices that could be employed to enhance the child-friendly learning environment.
Indonesia’s G20 Peace Communication over Russia-Ukraine War
Authors: . Zulham , M Deddy Satria
Published: March 2023

The phenomena that occurred in the war between Russia and Ukraine had a negative impact on the world economically, politically, and socially. This problem invites researchers to address peace communication to immediately negotiate and stop the war. This study uses a communication and peace approach using library research. The data used comes from library sources, both in the form of text in books, articles, papers, and other written sources. This research belongs to the descriptive-analytic research category which describes and analyzes Indonesian Peace Communication comprehensively. Data were obtained from primary and secondary literature. As for the primary data, the source is the literature on Peace Communication. As an additional reference, sources from the internet are used in this study. The research results were analyzed descriptively. The theory used was the theory of communication and peace. The results of the research show that the Indonesian Peace Communication invites Russia and Ukraine to quickly move towards peace; the two countries are neighbors and have many similarities in culture. In the war that happened no one won and no one lost. The 2022 G20 Summit invites Russia-Ukraine and the world to maintain peace and the non-nuclear use movement to protect humans.
Use of Signs and Symbols as Technique in Dayo Liadi's Selected Choreographic Creative Works
Authors: Lawal Yeside Dosumu
Published: March 2023

Contemporary Dance choreography is traceable to the contemporary dance genre in Nigeria and has produced various dance techniques and new sets of dancers. Dayo Liadi is one of the leading dancers/choreographers in the Nigerian dance industry. He uses signs and symbols as a medium of communication to convey significant personal and cultural messages through his choreographic works. However, the audience hardly responds appropriately to the dance presentations and techniques due to their lack of/or knowledge of the dance code in the form of signs and symbols. Hence the need to examine the use of signs and symbols in Dayo Liadi's creative works. This paper adopted the quantitative research method involving participant observation and case study content analysis through previews of selected choreographic films of Dayo Liadi. Major findings revealed that Dayo Liadi uses traditional elements in the application of signs, symbols, movements, space, costumes, props, and music to depict mood and emotion that brings self-fulfilment and self-discovery. The paper recommends that dance practitioners and scholars should replicate the use of signs and symbols as dance techniques to boost understanding and further expansion in the cultural and dance industries in Nigeria.
The Poverty and Its Implications among the South Sudanese Refugees in Uganda
Authors: Amol Kuol John Mabior
Published: March 2023

Uganda is one of the countries out of 54 countries in the African Union (AU). It borders Rwanda in the Southwest, Tanzania in the South, Kenya in the east, South Sudan in the north, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the west. Uganda is still suffering from poverty despite many struggles to fight it. Uganda is hosting South Sudan refugees of about 1.5 million people who fled the country due to 2013 and 2016 political wrangling over the leadership among South Sudanese leaders. Most of the displaced people fled and crossed to Uganda, seeking protection as a refugee in northern Uganda. The majority of the refugees were women and children. The districts occupied are Adjumani, Moyo, and Arua in northern Uganda, respectively. Being homeless they had to rely on a ratio that was insufficient to cater to the family.It is not that straightforward to measure the level or degree of poverty. According to Anna Miller (2013), measuring poverty among refugees requires long periods. If we were to count all people below a certain poverty line at a particular time, we would know only half of the story behind those poor. Someone can fall below the poverty line in one period but climb above it in the next. On the other hand, someone can be persistently below the poverty line. Therefore, it is not enough to take only one snapshot of the scenario. One has to take into account that people can be either chronically or transiently poor and that there are a lot of movements in and out of poverty.According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources, Uganda - Poverty gap at $1.25 a day (PPP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts, and projections were sourced from the World Bank in July 2022.
Assessment of aortic elasticity parameters in obese and overweight children
Authors: Noori Noor Mohammad , Nakhaei-Moghadam Maryam , Teimouri Alireza
Published: March 2023

Background. Aortic elasticity is a predictor and recognized factor for future cardiovascular events in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the aortic stiffness in obese and overweight children compared to healthy ones.
Methods. The study evaluated 98 sex matched children aged 4 to 16 years that were equally distributed in asymptomatic obese or overweight and healthy children groups. All the participants were free of any heart diseases. Arterial stiffness indices were determined using two-dimensional echocardiography.
Results. The mean ages in the obese and healthy children were 10.40±2.50 years and 10.06±1.53 years, respectively. Aortic strain was significantly higher in obese children (20.70±5.04%), compared to healthy (7.06±3.77%) and overweight children (18.59±8.08%, p < 0.001). Aortic distensibility (AD) was significantly higher in obese children (0.010±0.005 cm < sup > 2 < /sup > dyn-1x10-6), compared to healthy (0.0036±0.004 cm < sup > 2 < /sup > dyn-1x10 < sup > -6 < /sup > ) and overweight children (0.009±0.005 cm < sup > 2 < /sup > dyn-1x10 < sup > -6 < /sup > , p < 0.001). Aortic strain beta (ASβ) index, was significantly higher in healthy children (9.26±6.17). Pressure-strain elastic modulus (PSEM) was significantly higher in healthy children (7.52±4.76 kPa). Systolic blood pressure increased with body mass index (BMI) significantly (p < 0.001) but diastolic blood pressure did not change (p=0.143). BMI had significant effect on arterial stiffness (AS) (β=0.732, p < 0.001), AD (β=0.636, p < 0.001), ASβ index (β=-0.573, p < 0.001) and PSEM (β=-0.578, p < 0.001). Age had significant effect on systolic diameter of the aorta (β=0.340, p < 0.001) and diastolic diameter of the aorta (β=0.407, p < 0.001).
Conclusions. We concluded that aortic strain and aortic distensibility increased in obese children when aortic strain beta index and PSEM decreased. This result suggests that, as atrial stiffness is a predictor for future heart diseases, dietary treatment for children with overweight or obese status is important.
Correlation between anthropometric measurements of height and arm span in Indonesian children aged 7-12 years: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rahmayani Rahmayani , Rumapea Fernando , Tarigan Rodman , Fadlyana Eddy , Dhamayanti Meita , Rusmil Kusnandi
Published: March 2023

Background. Height is an anthropometric measurement that serves as the most constant indicator of growth. In certain circumstances, arm span can be used as an alternative to height measurements. This study aims to analyze the correlation between anthropometric measurements of height and arm span in children aged 7-12 years.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out from September to December 2019 in six elementary schools in Bandung. Children aged 7-12 years were recruited with a multistage cluster random sampling method. Children with scoliosis, contractures, and stunting were excluded from the study. Height and arm span were measured by two pediatricians.
Results. A total of 1,114 children, comprising 596 boys and 518 girls, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The ratio of height to arm span was 0.98-1.01. The regression equation used to predict height through measurement of arm span in male subjects was Height = 21.8623 + 0.7634 x Arm span (cm) + 0.0791 x age (month); R2 = 94%; standard error of estimate (SEE): 2.66 and that in female subjects was Height = 21.2395 + 0.7779 x Arm span (cm) + 0.0701 x age (month); R2 = 95.4%; SEE: 2.39. The predicted height and the average actual height were not significantly different. There is a strong correlation between height and arm span in children aged 7-12 years.
Conclusions. Arm span can be used to predict the actual height of children aged 7-12 years and as an alternative measurement for growth.
A rare case of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome presenting with chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Coşkun Çağrı , Aksu Tekin , Gümrük Fatma , Ünal Şule
Published: March 2023

Background. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is an overgrowth syndrome associated with capillary/venous/ lymphatic malformations with limb hypertrophy and cancer risk. Various cancers, mostly Wilms tumor, have been reported in patients with KTS, but not leukemia. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is also a rare disease in children, where there is no known disease or syndrome to predispose to CML.
Case. We report a case of CML incidentally diagnosed in a child with KTS when he was bleeding from surgery of the left groin for vascular malformation.
Conclusions. This case reflects the variety of cancer types that may accompany KTS and provides information about CML prognosis in such patients.
Comparison of urine bisphenol A levels in transient tachypnea of the newborn and healthy newborns
Authors: Büyükeren Melek
Published: March 2023

Background. To investigate the relationship between neonatal urine bisphenol A (BPA) levels and the prevalence and prognosis of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).
Methods. This prospective study was conducted between January and April 2020 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek Obstetrics and Pediatric Hospital. The study group consisted of patients diagnosed with TTN and the control group was made up of healthy neonates housed together with their mothers. Urine samples were collected from the neonates within the first 6 hours postnatally.
Results. Urine BPA levels and urine BPA/creatinine levels were statistically higher in the TTN group (P < 0.005). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the cut-off value of urine BPA for TTN to be 1.18 µg/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.667-0.889, sensitivity: 78.1%, and specificity: 51.5%) and the cut-off value of urine BPA/creatinine to be 2.65 µg/g (95% CI: 0.727-0.930, sensitivity: 84.4%, and specificity: 66.7%). Furthermore, the ROC analysis indicated that the cut-off value of BPA for neonates requiring invasive respiratory support was 15.64 µg/L (95% CI: 0.568-1.000, sensitivity: 83.3%, and specificity: 96.2%) and the cut-off value for BPA/creatinine was 19.10 µg/g (95% CI: 0.777-1.000, sensitivity: 83.3%, and specificity: 84.6%) among the TTN patients.
Conclusions. BPA and BPA/creatinine values were higher in the urine of newborns diagnosed with TTN which is a fairly common cause of NICU hospitalization, in samples collected within the first 6 hours after birth, which may be a reflection of intrauterine factors.
Do children present signs and symptoms consistent with a post-COVID-19 syndrome?
Authors: Barcelos Giovanna , Pinto Renata , Queiroz Paula , Rezende Adriel , Lousek Jordanna , Teixeira Mariana
Published: March 2023

OBJECTIVES: To carry out a systematic review of the clinical manifestations of long-term COVID in children. METHODS: The starting point was: “What are the clinical manifestations in children with long-term COVID syndrome?”. A systematic literature review was conducted in SCOPUS, Embase, NCBI, and MedRxiv databases. Articles on the clinical picture of long-term COVID in the pediatric population were included, with the cohort, case-control, cross-sectional studies, and case reports published in 2020 and 2021. The selection and analysis were performed by four researchers independently, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewers and Meta-analysis guidelines. RESULTS: Reviewers identified 6,279 potential articles, of which 8 met the inclusion criteria. The sampling in the selected publications ranged from 1 to 2,500 participants, whose age range ranged from 3 months to 18 years. The most reported symptoms in long-term COVID were: fatigue, upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, sleep disturbances, and neurological symptoms. The duration of these symptoms ranged from four weeks to eight months. Some articles also reported pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (SIM-P) in the long-term COVID. CONCLUSION: Long-term COVID affects on average 15.5% of children after infection, lasting from 4 to 32 weeks. The main symptoms were fatigue and dyspnea, followed by musculoskeletal, respiratory, neurological, and sleep disorders. Furthermore, it was impossible to elucidate these cases risk factors and outcomes in this study.
Structural Characteristics and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharide Extracted from Ulva fasciata Green Seaweed
Authors: Hang Cao Thi Thuy , Hieu Vo Mai Nhu , Trinh Phan Thi Hoai , Thuy Thanh Thi Thu , Thu Quach Thi Minh , Vy Tran Nguyen Ha , Thuan Nguyen Thi , Van Tran Thi Thanh
Published: March 2023

In this study, the structural characteristics of a polysaccharide extracted from the Ulva fasciata green seaweed were determined using the chemical composition analytical methods combined with IR, MS, and NMR spectra. The results showed that the polysaccharide consists of two major repeating disaccharide units designated as ulvanobiuronic acid 3-sulfate type A (A3s) [→4)-β-D-GlcA-(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha 3S-(1→] and type B (B3s) [→4)-α-LIdoA-(1 → 4)-α-L-Rha 3s(1→]. This kind of polysaccharide exhibited a significant in vitro antioxidant activity. This study demonstrated that the Ulva fasciata green algae can be considered as a source of bioactive ulvan.
Üniversite Yaşam Kalitesinin, Öğrenci Tutkunluğu ve Bilgi Ataleti Üzerine Etkisi: İİBF Öğrencileri Üzerine Bir Alan Araştırması
Authors: TAŞLIYAN Mustafa , YEŞİL Salih , ÖZBAĞIŞ Ayşegül , GÖKYAR Ayşe
Published: March 2023

Üniversite hayatı öğrencilerin aile ve mevcut arkadaş çevresinden ayrılması, yeni insanlarla tanışarak farklı bir çevreye girmesi, yeni bilgiler edinme ve öğrenme sürecinde değişiklikler gibi birçok yenilik ve zorluğu beraberinde getirmektedir. Bu bağlamda bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite yaşam kalitesinin, öğrenci tutkunluğu ve bilgi ataleti üzerine etkisini saptamaktır. Araştırmanın evrenini, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi, İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi öğrencileri oluşturmaktadır. Öğrencilere tabakalı örnekleme yöntemi ile yüz yüze anket uygulanmıştır. Toplanan veriler SPSS 25.0 paket programı ile analiz edilmiştir. Anket formundaki ölçeklerin geçerlilikleri ve güvenilirlikleri test edilmiştir. Çalışmanın amaç ve hipotezleri doğrultusunda güvenilirlik, frekans, korelasyon ve regresyon analizleri yapılmıştır. Analiz sonucuna göre; üniversite yaşam kalitesinin öğrenci tutkunluğunu ve bilgi ataletini pozitif yönde etkilediği belirlenirken öğrenci tutkunluğunun ise bilgi ataletini negatif yönde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar teorik kapsamda ve uygulama kapsamında tartışılmıştır.
Efficacy of a pre-specified timeline-based treatment protocol in children with acute repetitive seizures or seizure clusters
Authors: Sharawat Indar Kumar , Ramachandran Aparna , Kumar Vinod , Elwadhi Aman , Tomar Apurva , Panda Prateek Kumar
Published: March 2023

Objectives:

Acute repetitive seizures (ARSs) are one of the few commonly encountered neurological emergencies in children. There is a need for an appropriate timeline-based treatment protocol, which will be shown to be safe and efficacious in a clinical study.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review to determine the efficacy of a pre-specified treatment protocol for the management of ARSs in children aged 1–18 years. The treatment protocol was specifically applied in children with a diagnosis of epilepsy and not critically ill, who met the criteria for ARSs, with the exemption of new onset of ARSs. The first tier of treatment protocol focused on intravenous lorazepam, optimization of dose of existing anti-seizure medications (ASMs), and control of triggers like acute febrile illness, while second-tier focused on adding one or two additional ASMs, commonly used in cases with seizure clusters or status epilepticus.

Results:

We included the first 100 consecutive patients (7.6 ± 3.2 years, 63% boys). Our treatment protocol was successful in 89 patients (58 and 31 required first-tier and second-tier treatment). The absence of pre-existing drug-resistant epilepsy and the presence of acute febrile illness as a triggering factor (P = 0.02 and 0.03) were associated with the success of the first tier of the treatment protocol. Excessive sedation (n = 29), incoordination (n = 14), transient gait instability (n = 11), and excessive irritability (n = 5) were the most common adverse effects observed during the initial 1 week.

Conclusion:

This pre-specified treatment protocol is safe and efficacious in controlling ARSs in cases with established epilepsy who are not critically sick. External validation from other parts of the world/centers and a more diverse epilepsy population are required before generalizing the protocol into clinical practice.
Polymeric carbon nitride-based photocathodes for visible light-driven selective reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Braun Hanna , Mitoraj Dariusz , Kuncewicz Joanna , Hellmann Andreas , Elnagar Mohamed M. , Bansmann Joachim , Kranz Christine , Jacob Timo , Macyk Wojciech , Beranek Radim
Published: March 2023

Polymeric carbon nitrides (PCN) are sustainable, tunable, non-toxic and chemically stable materials that represent highly promising heterogeneous photocatalysts for light-driven hydrogen peroxide production via selective reduction of dioxygen. However, most of the studies on photocatalytic H2O2 production using PCN-based photocatalysts reported so far have used PCN powder suspensions and have been carried out in the presence of additional (sacrificial) electron donors, such as aliphatic or aromatic alcohols. Herein, we report the first multicomponent hybrid photocathode based on PCN that is capable of selective reduction of dioxygen to H2O2 under visible light irradiation (420 nm LED). A comparative analysis of various photocathode architectures is carried out using electronic absorption spectroscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy, open-circuit photopotential spectroscopy, and photocurrent measurements, including in-situ detection of formed H2O2 using microelectrodes. Notably, the ability of PCN-based photocathodes to catalyze the light-driven reduction of O2 to H2O2 in the absence of any additional electron donor is unambiguously demonstrated. Our study thus highlights the intrinsic nature of the photocatalytic activity of PCN in H2O2 production, and paves the way for the development of further PCN-based photocathodes in which PCN could be coupled with more effective light absorbers to increase the overall performance.
Analysis of Human Gut Metabolites as Sources for the Design of Gut-Targeted Drugs
Authors: Gil-Pichardo Alberto , Sánchez-Ruiz Andrés , Colmenarejo Gonzalo
Published: March 2023

The recent explosion in gut microbiome research has demonstrated the importance of metabolite-target interactions in the development of different pathologies. This suggest that gut-targeted drugs modulating these interactions would provide a new drug modality besides that of systemically bioavailable small molecules, that could tap from this growing knowledge, and would have little distribution and safety issues. In the present work we analyze a large set of gut metabolites in comparison with serum metabolites and drugs. We find structural and physicochemical similarity between the serum metabolites and the drug sets, and dissimilarity with the gut metabolite set. In addition, we find that the inclusion of chemical class is necessary in order to appropriately understand gut permanence, in contrast to classical oral permeation models (e.g. rule-of-five). To help in gut-targeted drug design, we provide a simple scoring scheme for use in medicinal chemistry, plus a machine learning model to use in cheminformatic applications.
Practical Synthesis of Dendritic Hyperbranched Polyacrylates and Their Topological Block Polymers by Organotellurium-Mediated Emulsion Polymerization in Water
Authors: Yamago Shigeru , Jiang Yuhan , Kibune Masato , Tosaka Masatoshi
Published: March 2023

The practical synthesis of structurally controlled hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) by organotellurium-mediated radical polymerization (TERP) in emulsions is reported. Copolymerization of vinyltelluride, which induces controlled branch structure and is named evolmer, and acrylates in the presence of TERP chain transfer agent (CTA) in water afforded HBPs having den-dron structure. The structure of the HBPs, i.e., molecular weight, dispersity, branch number, and branch length (the number of monomer units between branch points), were controlled by changing the amount of CTA, evolmer, and acrylate monomers, and HB-poly(butyl acrylate)s (HBPBAs) with up to the 8th generation having an average of 255 branches were successfully synthe-sized. As the monomer conversion reached nearly quantitative and the obtained polymer particles were well dispersed in water, the method is highly suitable for the synthesis of topological block polymers, block polymers consisting of different topologies. Thus, linear-block-HB, HB-block-linear, and HB-block-HB-PBAs with the controlled structure were successfully synthesized just by adding the second monomer(s) to the macro-CTA. The intrinsic viscosity of the resulting homo- and topological block PBAs was systematically controlled by the degree of the branch, the branch length, and the topology. Therefore, the method opens the possibility of obtaining various HBPs with diverse branch structures and tuning the polymer properties by the pol-ymer topology.
Disequilibrating azoarenes by visible-light sensitization under confinement
Authors: Gemen Julius , Church Jonathan R. , Ruoko Tero-Petri , Durandin Nikita , Białek Michał J. , Weissenfels Maren , Feller Moran , Kazes Miri , Borin Veniamin A. , Odaybat Magdalena , Kalepu Rishir , Diskin-Posner Yael , Oron Dan , Fuchter Matthew J. , Priimagi Arri , Schapiro Igor , Klajn Rafal
Published: March 2023

The process of vision begins with the absorption of light by retinal, which triggers isomerization around a double bond and, consequently, a large conformational change in the surrounding protein opsin. However, certain organisms evolved different visual systems; for example, deep-sea fishes employ chlorophyll-like antennas capable of capturing red light and sensitizing the nearby retinal molecule via an energy-transfer process. Similar to retinal, most synthetic photochromic molecules, such as azobenzenes and spiropyrans, switch by double-bond isomerization. However, this reaction typically requires shortwavelength (ultraviolet) light, which severely limits the applicability of these molecules. Here, we introduce DisEquilibration by Sensitization under Confinement (DESC) – a supramolecular approach to switch various azoarenes from the E isomer to the metastable Z isomer using visible light of desired color, including red. DESC relies on a combination of a coordination cage and a photosensitizer (PS), which act together to bind and selectively sensitize E-azoarenes. After switching to the Z isomer, the azoarene loses its affinity to—and is expelled from—the cage, which can convert additional copies of E into Z. In this way, the cage⋅PS complex acts as a light-driven supramolecular machine, converting photon energy into chemical energy in the form of out-of-equilibrium photostationary states, including ones that cannot be accessed via direct photoexcitation.
Predicted Viscosity of Liquid HMX up to 40 GPa
Authors: Kroonblawd Matthew , Bastea Sorin , Springer H. Keo
Published: March 2023

Viscous flow serves as a significant heating mechanism during the formation of hot spots, but the shear viscosity which determines this response is poorly characterized for most high explosives. Recently, a model was proposed for the shear viscosity of liquid HMX (1,3,5,7- tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane) that was fit to pressures reaching 5 GPa, but this work uncovered uncertainties in the viscosity at 0 GPa and remains untested at higher pressures. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the Green-Kubo formalism to predict the temperature and pressure-dependent shear viscosity of HMX over the pressure interval 0 GPa <= P <= 40 GPa. Reassessment of the viscosity at 0 GPa rules out several potential explanations for discrepancies between earlier reports; we tentatively attribute these differences to details of MD trajectory integration and analysis protocols. The shear viscosity of HMX exhibits an Arrhenius temperature dependence at each pressure considered, with exponential prefactor and activation energy terms that are also strong functions of pressure. An analytic form for the viscosity is developed based on an extension of the well-known Andrade equation that simultaneously captures the temperature and pressure dependencies in the MD data up to 40 GPa. Comparison against a recently developed model for the viscosity of liquid RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane) shows that both materials exhibit similar functional dependencies with the viscosity of HMX being higher by roughly an order of magnitude at a given temperature-pressure state.
Зміни чисельності та розподілу ночівель воронових птахів роду Сorvus на зимівлях у м. Київ протягом 1977–2021 рр.
Authors: Шайда С. В. , Дупак В. С. , Мартюшева О. О. , Яніш Є. Ю.
Published: March 2023

У статті представлено результати проведеного нами дослідження багаторічної динаміки чисельності воронових птахів роду Corvus на зимівлях на території м. Київ. Матеріал дослідження включає власні польові дані, а також дані з літературних джерел, та охоплює період 1977–2021 років. Чисельність досліджуваної групи птахів взимку 2020–2021 впала до історичного мінімуму за всі роки досліджень та склала близько 90 000 особин. Таке катастрофічне скорочення ми пояснюємо зниженням частки грака (Corvus frugilegus L., 1758) у спільних зимових зграях воронових практично в два рази за останні 15 років: 70 200 особин взимку 2020-2021 р. порівняно із 137 300 птахів на зимівлі у 2004–2005 р. У той же час було відмічено зростання чисельності ворони сірої (Corvus cornix L., 1758) протягом останніх 40 років, а чисельність галки (Corvus monedula L., 1758) суттєво не змінилася. У попередні роки кількість ночівель зграйних воронових птахів на зимівлі у м. Києві коливалась від трьох до восьми, тоді як взимку 2020–2021 років залишилася лише одна. Ми припускаємо, що такі зміни можуть бути пов’язані зі зниженням чисельності грака на гніздуванні, а також зменшенням кількості птахів, які мігрують на зимівлю в Україну із північного сходу.
РОЗВИТОК ПАРАДИГМИ «КУЛЬТОВІ СПОРУДИ» У ТВОРЧОСТІ ДЖОНА ГОЛСУОРСІ
Authors: Оробінська М. В.
Published: March 2023

Стаття присвячена аналізу творчості Джона Голсуорсі, зокрема парадигмі Культових споруд. Аналіз проводиться в рамках функціональної лінгвістики, що розглядає текст як дію, у якій беруть участь як автор, так і читач. Аналіз парадигмальної організації претендує на представлення моделі сприйняття тексту. У ході розуміння тексту реципієнт переходить від текстової синтагматики (слова розташовані в тексті послідовно) до ментальної парадигматики («предметні» образи зв’язуються за законами логіки й асоціацій). Розуміння тексту залежить від характеристик парадигм і міжпарадигматичних зв’язків. Аналіз парадигмальної організації тексту включає розрізнення окремих парадигм; характеристику складу, функцій, способу вираження та конфігурації парадигм і міжпарадигмальних зв’язків. Джон Голсуорсі – відомий англійський письменник і драматург, який здобув славу трилогією «Сага про Форсайтів». Парадигма «Культові споруди» не є основною для автора концепцією. Вона радше розкриває важливіші поняття (мораль у кінці віку, неповноцінність законів про шлюб і власність, природу тощо). Еволюцію парадигми «Культові споруди» можна чітко простежити в роботах Джона Голсуорсі. Спочатку Джон Голсуорсі зосереджується на чуттєвих аспектах, коли описує культові споруди («сірий», «чорний», «задушливий», «м’яка темрява», «легко пахло віком і пахощами», «холодний» тощо). Культові споруди автор протиставляє природі, перетворює цей антагонізм на опозицію «життя – смерть». Але ситуація кардинально змінюється з розвитком індивідуального стилю романіста. Собор описується як «дуже багатий»; «ці старі будівлі викликали почуття»; «особливе відчуття, не неприємне»; «королівська англійська» (Дж. Голсуорсі підтримував дітей, які навчалися говорити та писати правильно англійською мовою); «лише ледь помітно пахло віком та фіміамом»; «нічого не було некрасивого», і це дає «відчуття втечі». Усе ще акцентуючи на чуттєвому аспекті, Дж. Голсуорсі усуває опозицію.
КЛАСИФІКАЦІЯ ВИЗНАЧЕНЬ ПОНЯТТЯ «МОВНА СВІДОМІСТЬ» МЕТОДОМ КЛАСТЕРНОГО АНАЛІЗУ
Authors: Куцос О. І.
Published: March 2023

Мовна свідомість є психолінгвістичним феноменом, який, з одного боку, є досить уживаним у сучасній науці, а з іншого боку – досі не має загальноприйнятого визначення. Аналіз досліджень, присвячених мовній свідомості, демонструє, що автори зосереджуються на різних аспектах цього феномену. На наш погляд, найбільш адекватну класифікацію визначень аналізованого поняття можна створити за допомогою кластерного аналізу. Для реалізації задуму методом суцільної вибірки було дібрано та проаналізовано різноманітні інформаційні джерела – наукові статті, монографії, дисертації, автореферати дисертацій, словники, енциклопедії, підручники та посібники. У рамках здійсненого аналізу було виділено 8 смислових компонентів, що так чи інакше характеризують сутність поняття «мовна свідомість»: когнітивний, лінгвістичний, комунікативний, культурний, етнічний, історичний, соціальний, психологічний. Дослідження виявило, що сукупність дефініцій мовної свідомості може бути розподілена за двома кластерами. Так, перший кластер охоплює 75 % визначень. Їхня особливість полягає в тому, що основними складовими частинами феномену мовної свідомості постають два компоненти – когнітивний і лінгвістичний. Другий кластер включає 25 % визначень поняття «мовна свідомість». Їхня найважливіша особливість полягає в тому, що основними визнаються три компоненти – когнітивний, лінгвістичний і культурний. Отже, у чверті наявних трактувань аналізований феномен базується не тільки на психічному фундаменті, що по суті є первинним, а й на соціально-культурному, вторинному щодо когнітивної сфери. На базі проведеного аналізу пропонується авторське визначення досліджуваного феномену: мовна свідомість – це опосередкована культурою когнітивна свідомість, що забезпечує механізми оперування мовою. З наведеного визначення випливає, що мовна свідомість постає як культурно зумовлений феномен, що включає, зокрема, національно та соціально зумовлені характеристики. Цей факт особливо важливий у гуманітарних дослідженнях етнокультурної специфіки. Отримані результати дозволять надалі викристалізувати визначення поняття мовної свідомості з урахуванням ступеня вираженості того чи того компонента.
Achievements and Challenges of the Regulatory Compliance Program in a Large Philanthropical Hospital Institution
Authors: Silva Evelyn Lopes da , Lima Gabriela Cristina de Araújo , Veiga Cássia Rita Pereira da
Published: March 2023

Objective: The objective of this work was to do a self-assessment of the Regulatory Compliance (RC) program of Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Group (SCBH) using the methodology validated nationally by the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) for detailing the achievements and challenges in six primary areas of RC.

 

Theoretical framework: The RC program was established at the end of 2018 in the SCBH to ensure the compliance and ethics of the processes performed by all people who participate or perform their professional activities in any of the units that make up the institution. Different methodologies for evaluating RC programs are available in the non-academic literature; to our knowledge, they have not been applied in a structured empirical way in philanthropical hospitals.

 

Design/methodology/approach: The present work used a methodology validated nationally by the CGU within an exploratory and documentary approach. SCBH's profile was evaluated by verifying the company's degree of exposure to compliance and integrity risks (acts of corruption or misconduct). Evidence documents demonstrating SCBH's performance in six significant themes were also evaluated. Finally, the achievements and challenges of the RC were discussed based on the SCBH performance in all estimated items.

 

Findings: The RC program was created in 2018 and is in a consolidated stage of maturity in the primary criteria evaluated by the CGU: a score greater than 70 points and at least 40% of the score in each area assessed.

 

Research, Practical & Social implications: This research brings practical and managerial contributions. From a practical perspective, this work shows the consolidation of the RC area as a strategic part of the business environment, seeking coherence between thought, speech, and action. From a managerial perspective, this work confirms the importance of shared responsibility among the entire institution in building a culture of ethical and legal compliance.

 

Originality/value: This is the first RC self-assessment work carried out by a philanthropic institution. The healthcare market has driven the establishment of an RC area in Brazilian institutions. Regardless of regulation and external audit processes, healthcare institutions have sought to improve business relations and create a critical organizational mass.
The Mediating Role of the Balanced Scorecard in the Relationship Between Internal Control and the Financial Reports Quality
Authors: Hammood Adnan Mustafa , Dammak Saida
Published: March 2023

Purpose: this study aims to measurement the role of the mediating of performance evaluation according to the Balanced Scorecard (BS) in the relationship between internal control (IC) and the financial reports quality (FRQ) in Iraqi commercial banks.
 
Theoretical framework: The general framework of the study includes three variables, including performance evaluation according to the BS, in the relationship between IC and the FRQ.
 
Design/methodology/approach: We are used the descriptive-analytical approach. Iraqi commercial banks were identified as a research community, Banks (Bank of Baghdad, Commercial Bank of Iraq, and the Iraqi Investment Bank). It required a survey of the opinions of managers and workers in the banks under study from accountants and auditors, the research sample was represented (managers in all banking departments, consultants, accountants, auditors), (245) forms were distributed and retrieved from them (224) valid for analysis.
 
Findings: The results showed existence of a significant effect of internal control system (ICS) in enhancing the FRQ.
 
Research, Practical & Social implications: The use of the BS as a tool can enhance IC and improve the quality of financial reporting for the banks under study.
 
Originality/value: A few studies investigated the relationship between the studied variables, our study contributes to filling part of the research gap related to the research variables.
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills Among University Students: a Case of Student Entrepreneurial Attachment Project
Authors: Mohamad Armanurah
Published: March 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to explore entrepreneurial skills possess among university students after taking entrepreneurship subject, namely, Entrepreneurial Networking Management, where students have to run business under the Student Entrepreneurial.
 
Theoretical framework: This study focused on three groups of SEAP students consisting of five to six members for each group who were attached with Campus Student Enterprise (CSE) which is the SINTOKYO business for a period of one semester.
 
Design/methodology/approach: The study used a qualitative approch where document analysis were use to collect the data from the three group project reports and the students individual evaluation of SEAP at the end of semester.
 
Findings: The study found that students undergone the hands-on business experience through SEAP have acquire entrepreneurial skills of know-who, namely entrepreneurial networking skills. In addition, students also acquired entrepreneurial skills of know-how, which is teamwork skills, communication skills, marketing skills, customer service skills, problem solving skills and time management skills. All these entrepreneurial skills are related to entrepreneurial networking skills in managing Sintoko business.
 
Research, Practical & Social implications: The implication of this study showed that SEAP can be used as transformative teaching for Entrepreneurial Networking Management subject and other entrepreneurship subjects in developing entrepreneurial skills of know-who and know-how among university students. 
 
Originality/value: By exposing university students with real business experience, SEAP have potential to groom university students to be entrepreneurs during their study, thus helping university in producing graduate entrepreneurs and reducing unemployed graduates for the country.
The Effect of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) in Enhancing Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Bahia Taher Hameed Abbas , Idan Afrah Raheem , Athab Khawlah Radhi
Published: March 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of the quality function deployment as a philosophy of quality assurance based on listening to the customer’s voice and transforming his demands into technical requirements in order to achieve customer satisfaction. In addition, the tool opens the doors for continuous improvement of the organization’s operations to reach a competitive position that gives it success and sustainability.
 
Theoretical framework: The study is concerned with the quality function deployment as a new way of the higher administration to replace the traditional focus on findings by adopting new approach throughout the reducing the efforts and time to redesigning and presenting the product that satisfy the actual need of the customer.
 
Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve the aims of the study, a questionnaire of  24 item has been used. The sample included 60 individuals from various parts of the organization. According to the purpose of the study, two main hypotheses were formulated. A set of statistical methods of the SPSS vr.24 has been used.
 
Findings: It is concluded that there is a significant impact relationship between the  quality function deployment and customer satisfaction.
 
Research/Practical/Social Implications: The study is regarded as a an administrative, social and technical system in order to achieve customer's satisfaction.
 
Originality/Value:  The value of the study is that it is an attempt to draw attention to the necessity of adopting the quality function  deployment as a philosophy of quality assurance and reinforcing it as a part of the organization culture for the sake of the improvement and supporting the competitive aspect.
Entrepreneur’s Personality Traits and Firm Performance of Malaysian Smes: Mediated by Market Orientation
Authors: Bahari Norzalizah , Saufi Roselina Ahmad , Zainol Noor Raihani , Samad Nur Syafiqah A. , Yaziz Mohd Fathi Abu
Published: March 2023

Purpose: This study aims to recognize crucial factors related with entrepreneurs, based on the Malaysian SMEs. The study also explores the factors affecting entrepreneurs and their success. Understanding their crucial success factors and challenges can help us better understand entrepreneurs' personality traits and strategic orientation needed by them.

 

Theoretical framework:  This study indicates the remaining ideas, particularly those related to resource acquisition, entrepreneurship strategy, and organization, may be helpful in analyzing how, why, and when opportunities are taken advantage of. This study demonstrates that strategic decisions act as a mediator in the relationships between resource endowments and company performance.

 

Design/methodology/approach: Data from SME’s owners and senior managers Malaysian businesses were gathered through a countrywide survey. The Malaysian Statistical Department's database provided the sample frame from which SMEs' population was counted. These SMEs were chosen at random; they worked in the manufacturing sector. The final group of SMEs to which the surveys were sent out consisted of 800 people, and 412 of them responded, or 64% of the total number. A 7-point Likert scale was used to create the questionnaire.

 

Finding: The study has discovered that relationship of need for cognition (NFC) and firm performance (FP) are partially mediated by market orientation (MO). Meaning, MO is partially mediated in the decision of NFC towards FP. It is strongly suggested that business owners who have NFC may have carefully considered the advantages of MO before deciding to implement MO as their strategic orientations. In actuality, the organization favors and emphasizes tasks that require developing original solutions to challenges. Additionally, they excel at solving complicated issues.

 

Research,  Practical  &  Social  Implication: The  study  contributes  to  a  better understanding entrepreneurs crucial success factors and challenges can help us better understand entrepreneurs' personality traits and strategic orientation needed by them.

 

Originality/value: This finding might serve as a guide for how strategic orientations should be implemented in any organization. The choice of a suitable orientation within the business is essential in a collectivist society like Malaysia since the employer-employee connection is viewed as a "family link" where it is crucial that there be confidence between the two parties and encourages both sides to take initiative at work.
Accounting Information Quality, Tax Avoidance and Companies' Performance: the Moderate Role of Political Connection
Authors: Alsmady Ahnaf Ali
Published: March 2023

Purpose:  This study examines the relationship between the accounting information quality, tax avoidance, and political connection in all Jordanian companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange. The current study also investigates the moderating effect of political connections on accounting information quality and company performance relationships. Further, the study examines the moderating effect of political connection on tax avoidance and company performance relationship.
 
Theoretical framework:  Political connections, tax avoidance, and the quality of accounting information affect a company's performance. According to the agency theory, reliable accounting information improves business performance and resources’ allocation efficiency by reducing information asymmetry. Additionally, the adverse effects of politics on companies are mitigated by accounting information quality. As a result, the cash flow is allocated effectively, improving the business's overall performance.
 
Design/methodology/approach:  The study uses the ordinary least squares (OLS) and applied moderated multiple regression (MMR). The sample data of this study includes 2266 company-years observations over the period 2008-2018 for all Jordanian companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange. The study compares accounting and market-based measurements of companies' performance (ROE, Tobin's Q).
 
Findings:  The study reveals consistent results among the measure. The results support the agency theory and found that accounting information quality reduces information asymmetry and positively affects companies' performance. Also, tax avoidance helps the companies to have more cash, and the results indicate a significant positive effect on companies' performance. In addition, the results support the agency theory argument and found that politics increase agency costs and negatively affect companies' performance. However, further analysis found that political connections sustain the positive effect of accounting information quality, which is a robust governance mechanism in Jordanian listed companies. Finally, the results found that tax avoidance with more political connections harms companies' performance.
 
Research, Practical & Social implications: This study helps policymakers increase the governance mechanisms function in Jordanian listed companies. Also, the higher political relationship with the companies could be affected negatively on the Jordanian companies' achievement.
 
Originality/value: The findings suggest several consequences for the fields of accounting and corporate governance. Additionally, the Middle East nations, including the Jordanian market, have had numerous economic difficulties that this study aids in resolving. For example, antagonistic political ties, information asymmetry, and insufficient allocation of financial resources.