bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curvature Determination Method for Diverging Acoustic Lens of Underwater Acoustic Transducer
Authors: Li Minze , Xin Mingzhen , Yang Fanlin , Luo Yu , Liu Jinpeng , Wu Niuniu
Published: January 2025

Underwater acoustic transducers need to expand the coverage of acoustic signals as much as possible in most ocean explorations, and the directivity indicators of transducers are difficult to change after the device is packaged, which makes the emergence angle of the underwater acoustic transducer limited in special operating environments, such as polar regions, submarine volcanoes, and cold springs. Taking advantage of the refractive characteristics of sound waves propagating in different media, the directivity indicators can be controlled by installing an acoustic lens outside the underwater acoustic transducer. To increase the detection range of an underwater acoustic transducer in a specific marine environment, a curvature-determining method for the diverging acoustic lens of an underwater acoustic transducer is proposed based on the acoustic ray tracing theory. The relationship equation between the original directivity indicators of the underwater acoustic transducer and the emergence angle in the specific environment is constructed, and the slope of the acoustic lens at different positions of the underwater acoustic transducer is obtained by a progressive solution. Then, the least squares polynomial fitting of the acoustic lens slope at all the refractive positions is carried out to obtain the optimal curvature of the acoustic lens. Experiments are designed to verify the effectiveness of the curvature determination method for the diverging acoustic lens of an underwater acoustic transducer, and the directivity indicators of acoustic lenses under different materials and different marine environments are analyzed. The experimental results show that the acoustic lens can change the directivity of the underwater acoustic transducer without changing the acoustic unit array, and the curvature of the acoustic lens directly affects the directivity indicators after refraction, so the method proposed in this paper has important reference value for determining the optimal shape of the diverging acoustic lens.
A Label-Free Colorimetric Aptasensor for Flavokavain B Detection
Authors: Ke Sisi , Wang Ningrui , Chen Xingyu , Tian Jiangwei , Li Jiwei , Yu Boyang
Published: January 2025

Flavokavain B (FKB), a hepatotoxic chalcone from Piper methysticum (kava), has raised safety concerns due to its role in disrupting redox homeostasis and inducing apoptosis in hepatocytes. Conventional chromatographic methods for FKB detection, while sensitive, are costly and impractical for field applications. In this work, DNA aptamers were selected using the library-immobilized method and high-throughput sequencing. Three families of aptamers were obtained, and the best one named FKB-S showed a dissociation constant (KD) of 280 nM using microscale thermophoresis. To demonstrate its practical utility, a rapid and label-free colorimetric aptasensor was developed based on aptamer-induced gold nanoparticle aggregation. This assay achieved a detection limit of 150 nM (43.46 ng/mL) and provided results within 10 min. Compared to traditional chromatographic methods, the aptasensor offers a simple, cost-effective, and equipment-free approach for on-site FKB detection, making it a promising tool for the quality control and safety monitoring of kava-based products in diverse environments.
Difficulties Encountered by SMMEs in uMhlathuze Municipality Due to COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Phiri Esabel , Ramasimu Ntsieni Fitzgerald
Published: January 2025

An investigation of the difficulties that confronted SMMEs in uMhlathuze Municipality because of the COVID-19 crisis was the purpose of this research. Given the novelty and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research was motivated by the desire to obtain information that can be used by both the government and the SMMEs to prepare for future disasters. The research embraced a qualitative research design and a case study research approach and used semi-structured interviews to extract data from 12 purposefully sampled SMMEs. The thematic analysis technique and Atlas.ti software version 23.2.3.27778 were used to analyse the collected data. Research findings revealed that a loss of customers and income; disruption of business operations; health-related challenges; difficulties in accessing government aid; challenges in fulfilling financial obligations; business activities not compatible with power saving; government corruption and incompetency; increases in operating costs; losses due to stock which decayed; and supply chain disruptions were the challenges that confronted SMMEs during COVID-19. Basing on these findings, the researchers recommend that the government should equip SMMEs with disaster management skills to enable these entities to better circumvent future challenges. Additionally, in these volatile times, SMMEs should strive to set some savings aside to fall back on in times of need.
Promoting Sustainable Tourism Through Employee Skills: Contextualizing Quality Education and the Human Resource Management Perspective (SDG-4)
Authors: Bindawas Abdullah Mobarak
Published: January 2025

This research sought to establish the interdependent relationship between various factors concerning employee skills and sustainable tourism with the goal of achieving the targets set under the SDG-4. In this study, the soft and hard skills related to employability skills were the independent variables whereas sustainable tourism development was the dependent variable. The primary data were collected from 253 industry experts, including tour operators, hotel managers, travel agents, and destination marketers, offering significant perspectives on the operational intricacies and difficulties encountered within the tourism sector. Further, this research explored the importance of these factors using importance performance map analysis (IPMA). A measurement model was developed from the respondents specialized in the field of tourism. This research utilized statistical methodologies to assess the significance of various employee skills in promoting sustainable tourism. These findings demonstrate the significant impact of interpersonal, communication, competence, problem solving, and technological skills in promoting sustainable tourism. Further, it was found that competence skills had the highest importance and success in promoting sustainable tourism. These findings have significant implications for managers and stakeholders, encompassing strategic insights into workforce training, technological integration, and sustainability practices. Educational institutions should prioritize training programs that enhance the interpersonal, communication, competence, problem solving, and technology skills of their students to fulfill SDG-4. By investing in the development of these skills, educational institutions can develop a more adaptable and skilled workforce capable of promoting sustainable tourism. Novelty stems from this study’s comprehensive investigation of both soft and hard skills, yielding a holistic understanding of their collective influence. This study contributes to existing knowledge by examining the relationships between skill set requirements and the educational setup in the context of the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia.
Research on the Sustainability Strategy of Cogeneration Microgrids Based on Supply-Demand Synergy
Authors: Yin Zhilong , Wang Zhiguo , Yu Feng , Long Yue , Li Na
Published: January 2025

With the continuous adjustment of energy structure and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, combined heat and power microgrids (CHP-MG) have received widespread attention as an efficient and economical way of utilizing energy. The complexity of energy supply relationships and energy coupling within the microgrid system necessitates optimizing the power output of each equipment unit. In this paper, an optimization strategy for a multi-energy microgrid system is proposed based on the efficient energy supply of cogeneration microgrids: decoupling the thermoelectric connection by using the energy storage equipment on the supply side, utilizing the flexibility of the electrical loads and the diversity of the system’s heating methods, and reducing the electrical loads and changing the selection of the heating methods on the demand side. The optimization model in the paper is mainly based on mixed-integer linear programming and demand-side management theory, which simulates the system operation under different scenarios so as to find the optimal equipment output and load management strategies. Simulation results show that the optimized CHP-MG system can ensure a reliable power supply while effectively reducing operating costs, improving energy utilization and promoting sustainable operation of the energy system. The optimized microgrid system offers significant advantages in terms of economic efficiency and energy management when compared to conventional CHP systems. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, system operators, and researchers aimed at driving the development of efficient and sustainable energy management solutions.
The Impact of Adopting Renewable Energy Resources on Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative View
Authors: Benhacene Hakim Laid Mouloud , Hussien Asaad Mubarak
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effect of using renewable energy resources on sustainable development in Saudi Arabia. The research model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), with data collected from 180 respondents with expertise in energy and sustainability, using quantitative research design. The results suggest that hydropower and wind energy significantly contribute to sustainable development in the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Despite this, the scalability of hydropower is restricted by Saudi Arabia’s geographical and resource limitations. On the other hand, wind energy has become a realistic alternative, especially along the Red Sea coast, where there are consistent wind speeds. Despite the Kingdom’s high levels of solar insolation, solar energy is highlighted more for its potential than it is for its currently measurable impact. Interestingly, the contributions from the three renewable energy sources were not statistically different from each other, suggesting the need to interpret the findings with care and to recognize the specific sustainability tradeoffs of different energy sources. Hydropower is applicable within the Kingdom’s geographical and resource context, but solar and wind energies are scalable and contextually relevant solutions. Therefore, the findings of this study emphasize the strategic value of a balanced and diversified renewable energy strategy to help Saudi Arabia to achieve its Vision 2030 goals and foster sustainable development.
The Research on Strategic Choices of Food Supply Chain Considering Information Symmetry and Cost Sharing
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Xu Ji
Published: January 2025

In the digital economy era, information symmetry, transparency, and traceability in food supply chains have increasingly garnered consumer attention. To motivate supply chain members to engage in product traceability, this paper examines the competitive and cooperative dynamics among participants in the food supply chain over continuous time. By developing a differential game model involving manufacturers and retailers with three decision-making modes, we solve the model using the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation and perform a simulation analysis to assess the impact of different modes on overall supply chain profits. Additionally, we analyze how various parameters affect the profits of manufacturers and retailers. The key findings of this study indicate that centralized decision-making enhances the overall benefits of the food supply chain. Among the three decision-making models, the cost-sharing model proves to be the optimal approach, as it leads to a Pareto improvement in the profits of both manufacturers and retailers. These conclusions provide valuable insights for supply chain members seeking to optimize product traceability and enhance supply chain efficiency, as well as for government authorities involved in traceable supply chain governance.
Gravitational Wave and Quantum Graviton Interferometer Arm Detection of Gravitons
Authors: Moffat John W.
Published: January 2025

This paper explores the quantum and classical descriptions of gravitational wave detection in interferometers like LIGO. We demonstrate that a graviton scattering and quantum optics model succeeds in explaining the observed arm displacements, while the classical gravitational wave approach and a quantum graviton energy method also successfully predict the correct results. We provide a detailed analysis of why the quantum graviton energy approach succeeds, highlighting the importance of collective behavior and the quantum–classical correspondence in gravitational wave physics. Our findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about the quantum nature of gravity and its observable effects in macroscopic physics.
Geo-Ecological Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Flooding in the Western Region of Kazakhstan
Authors: Laiskhanov Shakhislam , Sharapkhanova Zhanerke , Myrzakhmetov Akhan , Levin Eugene , Taukebayev Omirzhan , Nurmagambetuly Zhanbolat , Kaster Sarkytkan
Published: January 2025

The intensifying effects of climate change have led to increased flooding, even in desert regions, resulting in significant socio-economic and ecological impacts. This study analyzes the causes and consequences of flooding in the Zhem River basin using data from ground stations, including Kazhydromet, and satellite platforms such as USGS FEWS NET and Copernicus. Spatial analyses conducted in ArcGIS utilized classified raster data to map the dynamics of flooding, snow cover, vegetation, and soil conditions. This enabled a geoecological analysis of flood damage on the vital components of the local landscape. Results show that flooding in the Zhem River basin was driven by heavy winter precipitation, rapid snowmelt, and a sharp rise in spring temperatures. The flood damaged Kulsary city and also harmed the region’s soil, vegetation, and wildlife. In July 2024, the flooded sail area tripled compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, the area of barren land or temporary water bodies (pools) formed three months after the water receded also tripled, increasing from 84.9 km2 to 275.7 km2. This study highlights the critical need for continued research on the long-term environmental effects of flooding and the development of adaptive management strategies for sustainable regional development.
Variations in Sedimentation Rate and Corresponding Adjustments of Longitudinal Gradient in the Cascade Reservoirs of the Lower Jinsha River
Authors: Wang Suiji
Published: January 2025

The Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu reservoirs, as important components of the large cascade reservoirs in the lower Jinsha River, and the interactive changes in sediment trapping amounts, the differences in sedimentation dynamics, and the potential mutual influence mechanisms among them are scientific issues worthy of attention. Based on the multiple observed data of thalweg elevation before and after the completion of the dam construction, this study calculated the average sedimentation rates of all 20 km segments of the above-mentioned reservoirs in different periods. Meanwhile, the local mean gradients between adjacent segments and the regional mean gradients from the segments to the dam in the corresponding periods were calculated. The results show that the maximum and average sedimentation rates of the Xiangjiaba Reservoir, which was built earliest and is located downstream, were as high as 19.62 m yr−1 and 8.88 m yr−1, respectively, in the first half year after the dam closure. After the completion of the Xiluodu Reservoir, an adjacent cascade reservoir upstream, the average sedimentation rate of the Xiangjiaba Reservoir in the following seven years dropped to 0.67 m yr−1. The maximum and average sedimentation rates of the Xiluodu Reservoir were 9.07 m yr−1 and 4.15 m yr−1, respectively, within one year after the dam closure, and its average sedimentation rate in the following six years was 2.51 m yr−1. The spatial variations of sedimentation rates in these two reservoirs follow different changing patterns. There is an obvious correlation between the change in mean gradient and the change in sedimentation rate. The sequence of dam construction, the relative positions of the reservoirs, the differences in sediment trapping amounts, and operation modes are the key factors controlling the changes in sedimentation rate and gradient in the reservoir area. This study reveals the interactive changes in sedimentation rates among cascade reservoirs and the response mechanism of river channel morphology, and has a guiding role for the formulation of effective measures for the sustainable utilization of cascade reservoirs.
The Impact of the River Chief System on Corporate ESG Performance: Evidence from China
Authors: Mu Lan , Zhang Chuanzhen , Liu Haoying
Published: January 2025

This paper takes the implementation of the River Chief System (RCS) as a case study representing government-led environmental governance policies. Based on the sample of 11,654 observations of Chinese A-share-listed companies spanning the years 2009 to 2021, it empirically examines the effect of the RCS on corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and the macro- and micro-mechanisms utilizing a staggered Difference-in-Differences (DID) model, controlling for companies’ financial and organizational structure characteristic variables, cities’ economic characteristic variables, and firm-year two-way fixed effects. The results indicate that the implementation of the RCS significantly enhances corporate ESG performance, a conclusion supported by various robustness checks such as the parallel trend test and placebo test. Further investigation reveals that implementing the RCS, at the micro level, boosts corporate green technology innovation, increases environmental protection investment, and, at the macro level, heightens public environmental attention, thus improving corporate ESG performance. Heterogeneity analysis finds that the RCS has a more pronounced impact on enhancing ESG performance for enterprises in central and western regions of China, state-owned enterprises, enterprises with political connections, and enterprises in mature and declining stages. These research findings of this paper provide valuable insights for local governments seeking to enhance the RCS, enrich environmental governance frameworks, and facilitate corporate green transformation.
Adaptive Simplified Calculation of Algal Bloom Risk Index for Reservoir-Type Drinking Water Sources Based on Improved TOPSIS and Identification of Risk Areas
Authors: Ji Shuyi , Xia Jihong , Wang Yue , Zu Jiayi , Xu Kejun , Liu Zewen , Wang Qihua , Lin Guofu
Published: January 2025

As a result of global climate change and human production activities, algal blooms are occurring in aquatic environments. The problem of eutrophication in water bodies is becoming increasingly severe, affecting the safety of drinking water sources. In this study, an algal bloom risk index model combining the Improved Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (IFAHP), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), and Game Theory (GT) was proposed for the Shanxi Reservoir based on the TOPSIS method. After the seasonal and spatial variability in algal bloom risk from 2022 to 2023 was analyzed, an adaptive simplification of the algal bloom risk index calculation was proposed to optimize the model. To enhance its practical applicability, this study proposed an adaptive simplification of the algal bloom risk index calculation based on an improved TOPSIS approach. The error indexes R2 for the four seasons and the annual analysis were 0.9884, 0.9968, 0.9906, 0.9946, and 0.9972, respectively. Additionally, the RMSE, MAE, and MRE values were all below 0.035, indicating the method’s high accuracy. Using the adaptively simplified risk index, a risk grading and a spatial delineation of risk areas in Shanxi Reservoir were conducted. A comparison with traditional risk classification methods showed that the error in the risk levels did not exceed one grade, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed calculation model and risk grading approach. This study provides valuable guidance for the prevention and control of algal blooms in reservoir-type drinking water sources, contributing to the protection of drinking water sources and public health.
Impact of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Aerobic Granular Sludge Structure and EPS Composition in Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Jachimowicz Piotr , Cydzik-Kwiatkowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2025

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. Granules have a compact microbial structure and a high potential for pollutant removal. Despite its advantages, the impact of microplastics (MPs) on AGS remains poorly understood, posing a potential risk to the stability and efficiency of biological wastewater treatment processes. This study investigates the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs on AGS structure and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) composition, providing new insights into the interaction between MPs and AGS. Four granular sequencing batch reactors (GSBRs) were operated with varying concentrations of PET MPs in the influent wastewater (0, 1, 10, 50 mg/L). Key findings include MP-induced changes in granule size distribution, with an increase in smaller granules (<90 µm) observed in reactors exposed to PET MPs. EPS concentrations (51–77 mg/L) exhibited significant differences among reactors, with notable shifts in protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) fractions. A higher PET MP dose resulted in an increased PN/PS ratio (from 1.96 to 5.40) and elevated hydrophobicity of AGS. These changes suggest that MPs can alter AGS structure and EPS composition, potentially affecting granule stability and treatment performance. This study provides novel evidence on the disruptive effects of MPs in wastewater treatment systems, emphasizing the need to address MP pollution in the context of biological treatment processes. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of the interactions between MP and AGS and form the basis for strategies to mitigate their adverse effects.
Trends in Flow Intermittency, Variability, and Seasonality for Taiwan Rivers
Authors: Chen Hsin-Yu , Fang Xi , Yeh Hsin-Fu
Published: January 2025

In Taiwan, rivers have steep slopes and short lengths, making it difficult to retain water in the rivers. Therefore, understanding the flow characteristics is essential. This study analyzes data from 65 flow stations with over 30 years of records to characterize the annual mean number of low-flow days, flow variability, and the seasonality of low-flow occurrences. The analysis uses indices such as the intermittency ratio, Richards–Baker flashiness index, and six-month seasonality of the dry period (SD6) and evaluates trends in these indices using the Mann–Kendall test. The results show that nearly 70% of the stations have an intermittency ratio of less than 0.1, although the number of low-flow days has significantly increased over time. Stations in the southwestern watersheds exhibit higher flow variability; however, the trends in flow variability are not statistically significant. Low-flow events predominantly occur during the dry season, with 68% of the stations experiencing them between January and March. The findings on flow characteristics and their long-term trends provide references for river management and water resource planning in the future.
Impact of Extreme Weather Events on the Surface Energy Balance of the Low-Elevation Svalbard Glacier Aldegondabreen
Authors: Prokhorova Uliana V. , Terekhov Anton V. , Demidov Vasiliy E. , Romashova Kseniia V. , Barskov Kirill V. , Chechin Dmitry G. , Vasilevich Igor I. , Tretiakov Mikhail V. , Ivanov Boris V. , Repina Irina A. , Verkulich Sergey R.
Published: January 2025

The summer of 2022 was notable for the Svalbard archipelago due to the occurrence of several longstanding heatwaves, making it one of the warmest summers on the regional record. This study used an energy balance model forced with in situ weather observations to investigate the influence of extreme weather events on the surface energy balance of the low-elevation Aldegondabreen glacier (5.2 km2), located near Barentsburg town, with a focus on the turbulent heat exchange. The annual mass balance for 2022 (−2.13 m w.e.) was one of the most negative on record for Aldegondabreen since 2002/2003 when glaciological monitoring was first initiated. We identified four heatwaves that lasted from 9 to 19 days, the most prominent of which were observed in May and in September–October, which resulted in an anomalously prolonged melt season. In addition, several shorter, 1- to 3-day extreme melt events were identified, representing up to 75 mm w.e. day−1 of glacier-averaged melt. These events were well correlated (r = 0.87, p < 0.01), with discharge from a stream originating from the glacier terminus, and all cases were associated with significant increases in mean daily wind speeds (up to 10.3 m s−1).
Establishment of Axenic Cultures for Two Marine Microalgae and the Effects of Antibiotics on Their Growth
Authors: Huang Jin , Liang Shuang , Liu Huiru , Li Yongren , Wang Xiaoyu , Guo Yongjun , Liang Jian
Published: January 2025

Chaetoceros muelleri and Isochrysis zhanjiangensis, known for their rapid reproduction, small size, and rich nutritional content, are commonly used as feed microalgae in aquaculture. This study aimed to sterilize these microalgal species and assess the effects of antibiotics on their algal cell density. Phycospheric bacteria were isolated and identified using the spread plate method and 16S rDNA sequencing, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted using four antibiotics: ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin sulfate. A sterile system was established for C. muelleri using ampicillin, streptomycin, and gentamicin, and for I. zhanjiangensis using kanamycin, ampicillin, and streptomycin. Based on the results, antibiotics with sterilization effects were selected and added to the algal cultures. Their effects on cell density were evaluated during a six-day co-culture. Ampicillin and streptomycin effectively inhibited bacteria associated with C. muelleri, initially increasing algal cell density but later causing a decline. For I. zhanjiangensis, kanamycin and ampicillin were effective, with kanamycin significantly promoting growth throughout the cycle, achieving a 36.92% higher cell density on day six (p < 0.05).
Physical Vulnerability of The Gambia’s Coastline in the Context of Climate Change
Authors: Gomez Muhammad Leroy Albert , Gnandi Kissao , Ngouanet Chrétien , Pouye Ibrahima , Ntajal Joshua
Published: January 2025

The Gambia’s coastline, known for its unique ecosystems and vital role in the country’s economy through fisheries, tourism, and agriculture, is becoming increasingly vulnerable as a result of the combined effects of climate change and human activity. This coastline sustains an important portion of the population by providing livelihoods and contributing to food security, as well as housing critical infrastructure including ports, urban areas, and tourism hubs. However, as climate change intensifies pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as increased sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, these socio-economic assets are becoming more and more vulnerable. As a result, this study focused on investigating the physical vulnerability of the coastline in the context of climate change. The vulnerability assessment was conducted using the coastal vulnerability index approach, utilising a combination of oceanographic data, remote sensing, and field observations. The research outcomes supported the identification of key areas at risk and examined the contributing factors such as tidal ranges, storm surges, and human activities. The findings highlight the immediate and long-term threats to coastal communities, infrastructure, and natural habitats. Due to the vulnerability provided by geological and geomorphological factors, the average Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) score of 29 indicates a high level of exposure to coastal hazards from Buniadu Point to Barra. From Banjul to Cape Point, the average coastline dynamic rate is positive at 0.21 m/year, indicating some accretion. Despite this, the CVI score of 22 indicates significant vulnerability to coastal hazards from Bald Cape to Salifor Point. The study also explored potential mitigation and adaptation strategies to enhance coastal resilience to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and flooding. Integrated and sustainable strategies were outlined to support policy-making and community-based initiatives towards safeguarding coastal regions of The Gambia against the backdrop of climate change.
Gendered Participation in Resilience Building: Situating the Role of Women Leaders in Disaster-prone Communities
Authors: Sartorio Jayboy M. , Davalos Gellie Rose D.
Published: January 2025

As an archipelagic nation in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is highly prone to natural disasters such as tropical storms, typhoons, and earthquakes. A significant segment of the Philippine population who are vulnerable to these disasters are women, particularly those in disaster-prone communities. However, their integration towards disaster risk reduction and management remains a gap. This study sought to describe the role of women leaders in resilience-building efforts in the disaster-prone communities of Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City, Philippines. Key informant interviews were conducted using a case study approach to gather essential information from selected women leaders. The collected data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed to identify themes. Results indicate that traditional gender norms continue influencing community resilience-building efforts, shaping women's roles in disaster risk reduction and management. Despite these norms, women leaders often take on supportive roles in disaster management. It was also found that women have the potential to influence disaster-resilience initiatives. However, power structures and systemic constraints continue to limit women's participation.
How is the Environment Framed in the Philippines in the Two Quarters of 2024?: A Corpus-Assisted Study on Public Online Articles
Authors: Pandapatan Alican M. , Enopia Shella Mae C. , Latip-Yusoph Sorhaila L.
Published: January 2025

Discussions on environment are unending stories as long as the human existence is concerned. This study investigated articles that framing the environmental condition in the Philippines. Roughly eighty-two online articles as corpus. Descriptive method is employed and used corpus analysis. AntConc application was utilized to produce corpora which summed to 50, 495-token. The findings revealed that environment as perceived by most Filipinos are the actual meaning of environment which refers to nature and surroundings. Though scholars believed the definition is not fixed because it would depend on the context. Linguistically, environment appeared as a physical space and concrete. There are derived terms also from the environment that semantically rooted from it, namely: environmental, environmentalist, environmentalists, and environmetally. The associated terms to environment and frequently used in the articles are waste, climate, government, water, city, energy, local, change, management, sustainable, plastic, resources, natural, development, communities, mining, pollution, efforts, people, and global. These words are found in the top 100 frequent terms in the corpus. The environment is also framed into eight frames according to Gamson and Modigliani wherein these frames were presented in the statements from the articles. These frames as mentioned are social progress, economic development, morality, scientific uncertainty, runaway science, public accountability, alternative paths, and conflict. While environmental knowledge is seen in the articles, it is noticeably that the environmental deep issues are not evident in these frames.
حكم التعديات والجنايات الناتجة عن استخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي في المجال الطبي
Authors: الكندري مريم أحمد
Published: January 2025

*تم دعم وتمويل هذا العمل من قبل جامعة الكويت، مشروع بحث رقم (23/ 03HH)
فكرة البحث: تناوُلُ موضوع الجنايات والتعديات المتعلقة بالذكاء الاصطناعي في المجال الطبي من الناحية الشرعية، وتكمن أهمية البحث: في تسليط الضوء على صلاحية الشريعة الإسلامية لكل ما هو جديد، مما يوافق مقاصدها الشرعية، وتتمثل إشكالية البحث: في حكم التعديات والجنايات المتعلقة بالذكاء الاصطناعي في المجال الطبي، يهدف هذا البحث إلى بيان بعض الأحكام الفقهية المتعلقة بالتعديات والجنايات الناتجة عن استخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي. وقد استخدمت الباحثة لبيان ذلك المنهج الاستقرائي والتحليلي، والمقارن، ومن أبرز النتائج التي توصلت إليها الباحثة: يجب دراسة ما يقدمه الذكاء الاصطناعي من نتائج، وعدم أخذها كمسلمات، وتحري مدى انطباقها للأخلاقيات الطبية، وموافقتها لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية ومقاصدها، ويحرم قرصنة برمجيات الذكاء الاصطناعي والاعتداء عليها ويجب ضمانها، ويختلف حكم جناية الطبيب الذي استخدم الذكاء الاصطناعي عند معالجة المريض بحسب قصده، ويجب الضمان على المبرمج أو المصنع إن وقعت جناية نتيجة لخطئهم المتعمد، ولا يجب الضمان إن وقعت جناية الذكاء الاصطناعي نتيجة عيب طارئ لا دخل لأحد فيه، ويجب الضمان على الطبيب إذا استخدم الذكاء الاصطناعي وهو على علم بعطله، وإلا فالضمان على المؤسسة الصحية، ويجوز أن يجعل للذكاء الاصطناعي شخصية اعتبارية وذمة مالية يمكن من خلالها ضمان الجنايات المترتبة عن تصرفاته المنفردة، وترى الباحثة أهمية أن يتصدى الباحثون لدراسة أهم المستجدات المعاصرة للذكاء الاصطناعي وبيان مدى مطابقتها لمقاصد الشريعة الإسلامية.
توظيف أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي التوليدي في تطوير المهارات الفقهية وإشكالاته: دراسة فقهية تطبيقية
Authors: العنزي منال علي
Published: January 2025

تتضمن فكرة البحث: أثر الذكاء الاصطناعي على التعليم، وكيفية توظيف أدوات (AI) التوليدي في تطوير المهارات الفقهية لدى المتعلمين، مع عرض أهم الإشكالات والتحديات، وتكمن أهمية البحث في مساهمته في رفع مستوى مخرجات التعليم، وتنمية المهارات الفقهية لدى طلاب الدراسات الفقهية، وتتمثل إشكالية البحث في مدى إمكانية توظيف أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي التوليدي كبرامج مساعدة في تطوير مهارات التفكير الفقهية، والوقوف على الإشكالات والتحديات التي قد يواجهها المستخدم مع تلك الأنظمة، ويهدف البحث: إلى بيان مختصر لمعنى المهارات الفقهية والذكاء الاصطناعي التوليدي، والتعريف بأشهر أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي (Ghatgpt)،(claude ai)،( perplexity)، وكيفية الاستفادة منها في تطوير مهارات التفكير الفقهية من خلال عرض تطبيقات عملية لأهم مهارات التحليل والاستنباط في المسائل الفقهية، متبعة المنهج الوصفي الاستنباطي والاستقرائي في جمع أكثر الأدوات فاعلية في تنمية المهارات، وخلص البحث إلى نتائج عدة: أهمها أن الذكاء الاصطناعي إضافة جيدة في تطوير مهارات التفكير الفقهية، ويساهم بشكل كبير في تعزيز القدرات التحليلية والاستدلالية لدى المتعلمين والباحثين، وهذا يقتضي ضرورة استثمار هذا التقدم في تطوير التعليم في المؤسسات الشرعية، وتوصل الباحث: إلى أنه يمكن الاستفادة من أدوات الذكاء الاصطناعي التوليدي وتوظيفها في تطوير المهارات الفقهية؛ لما تتميز به تلك الأدوات من قدرات في توليد محتوى يضاهي العقل البشري، وأن هذه الأدوات مساعدة ولا يمكن الاعتماد عليها بشكل رئيس؛ لاشتمالها على إشكالات عديدة، منها: الخطأ في توثيق المصادر ونسبة الأقوال ودقة المعلومات، استعمالها بشكل كبير لغة معاصرة بعيدة عن لغة الفقهاء المتقدمين، أثرها السلبي حال الاستعمال المفرط، تفاوتها في دقة النتائج وجودتها؛ وعرض البحث علاج تلك الإشكالات من جانبين: الأول: يتعلق بالمستخدم، والثاني يتعلق بمهندسي ومطوري برامج الذكاء الاصطناعي.
استنباط الأحكام الشرعية من خلال دلالات الألفاظ وتوظيفها في الذكاء الاصطناعي: جيميناي نموذجا
Authors: العبدالهادي عواطف محمد
Published: January 2025

جيميناي عبارة عن نظام ذكاء اصطناعي قوي تم تطويره من قبل شركة ‫جوجل يقدم تجربة تفاعلية أكثر ذكاءً في المحادثات النصية فهدف البحث استكشاف إمكانية استخدام نظام الذكاء الاصطناعي جيميناي في استنباط الأحكام الشرعية بقواعد دلالات الألفاظ لضمان دقة وموضوعية الفتاوى التي تصدر عنه، وأهمية البحث تكمن في محاولة مواكبة التطور التكنولوجي المتسارع والبحث عن طرق جديدة لدعم عملية استنباط الأحكام الشرعية، مع الحفاظ على الدقة والموضوعية والانضباط، وقد اقتضت طبيعة البحث أن أتبع المنهج التأصيلي والاستنباطي للأحكام الشرعية بدلالات الألفاظ، مع ضرب بعض الأمثلة التطبيقية على ذلك، بالإضافة إلى المنهج التحليلي بالتعرف على مكونات النظام وتتبع مزاياه للاستفادة منها في الموضوع محل البحث، ومشكلة البحث تكمن في محاولة تجنب السلبيات التي تشكل تحديات كبرى في مواجهة الواقع التقني الذي فرض نفسه لضرورة التفاعل مع أي سؤال يوجه إليه حتى ولو كان فتاوى شرعية. وأظهرت النتائج أن نظام جيميناي يمتلك إمكانات كبيرة في فهم النصوص الشرعية واستنباط الأحكام، مع مزيد من التطوير والتحسين لضمان دقة الفتاوى، كما أبرزت الدراسة أهمية دور العلماء في الإشراف على هذه الأنظمة وضمان سلامة الفتاوى الصادرة عنها. وأوصت الدراسة بضرورة الاستمرار في تطوير أنظمة الذكاء الاصطناعي وتدريبها على كميات كبيرة من البيانات الشرعية، مع التركيز على تعزيز فهمها لقواعد دلالات الألفاظ، ويرى الباحث ضرورة وجود إشراف علمي مستمر على هذه الأنظمة وإنشاء ذكاء اصطناعي شرعي متخصص من قبل مؤسسات الدولة الشرعية كوزارة الأوقاف وكلية الشريعة لضمان دقة وموضوعية الفتاوى الصادرة عنها.
PENGARUH INOVASI PRODUK DAN ORIENTASI PASAR TERHADAP KINERJA PEMASARAN PADA PT ASURANSI PRUDENTIAL SYARIAH KOTA MEDAN
Authors: Armando Nasution  , Nurwani  , Imsar
Published: January 2025

The aim of this research is to determine the influence of product innovation and market orientation variables on improving the marketing performance of PT. Prudential Sharia Insurance Medan Branch. The type of research used by the author is quantitative descriptive. The results of this research are that the product innovation variable on increasing marketing performance shows that the calculated t is greater than the t table. This can be interpreted as saying that product innovation has an effect on marketing performance, and so H1 is accepted. This can mean that there is a significant influence between product innovation and marketing performance. The market orientation variable on marketing performance shows that t is greater than t. Table H2 is accepted. This can be interpreted as market orientation influencing marketing performance. Based on table 5, the calculated F value is greater than table F, so H4 is accepted. It can be concluded that the independent variables, namely product innovation and market orientation, simultaneously influence the dependent variable, namely marketing performance.
Millennium-Scale Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and Soil Moisture Influence on Western Mediterranean Cloudiness
Authors: Diodato Nazzareno , Seftigen Kristina , Bellocchi Gianni
Published: January 2025

Understanding long-term historical changes in cloudiness is essential for elucidating Earth’s climate dynamics and variability and its extremes. In this study, we present the first millennial-length reconstruction of the annual total cloud cover (TCC) in the western Mediterranean, covering the period from 969 to 2022 CE. Based on a comprehensive set of hydrological and atmospheric variables, our reconstruction reveals a nuanced pattern of cloudiness evolution over the past millennium. We observe an initial increase in cloudiness until 1600 CE, followed by a substantial decrease in TCC. This shift was driven by a confluence of factors, including the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815, increased solar forcing, and a positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. These complex dynamics have brought modern warming cloud patterns closer to those observed during the medieval period before c. 1250, exceeding the background variability of the Little Ice Age (c. 1250 to 1849). In particular, recent decades have witnessed an unprecedented coupling of intense solar activity, high temperatures, and the lowest cloud cover on record. Our results highlight the importance of inter-oceanic-scale relationships between Atlantic forcing mechanisms and the TCC in shaping future trends in western Mediterranean cloudiness. This study provides valuable insights into the long-term dynamics of cloudiness and its implications for regional climate trends in the western Mediterranean and beyond.
Spring-assisted cranioplasty for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis: a retrospective review
Authors: Lim Jacqueline R , Fried Frederik , Gao Antony , Forrest Christopher R , Marucci Damian D
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Premature fusion of the sagittal suture is the most common form of non-syndromic single-suture craniosynostosis. Surgical correction in infancy is recommended to normalise skull morphology and allow normal brain development, but the optimal approach is controversial. We present our experience with spring-assisted cranioplasty (SAC) for the management of isolated sagittal craniosynostosis.
Methods: A retrospective review of 104 consecutive patients with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis managed with SAC at a tertiary referral craniofacial centre between 2008 and 2021.
Results: Mean operative time was 63 minutes for spring insertion and 39 minutes for spring removal. Blood transfusion was required in 52.9 per cent of patients, with a mean total volume of 80.3 mL. The complication rate was 22.1 per cent, with spring exposure in two patients (1.9%) and surgical site infection requiring early spring removal in four patients (3.8%). Mean spring expansion was 2.89 cm anteriorly and 3.12 cm posteriorly. Revision vault expansion was required in four patients (3.8%), due to interval development of other synostosis (n = 2), raised intracranial pressure (n = 1), and interval development of other synostosis with raised intracranial pressure (n = 1).
Conclusions: Isolated sagittal craniosynostosis can be safely and effectively managed using SAC, with short operative times and hospital stays, manageable associated complications and acceptable long-term outcomes.
PROBIOTICS AS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. A REVIEW.
Authors: Ibraeva A.K. , Latypova N.A. , Kushugulova A.R. , Meiramova A.M. , Adilbekova B.B. , Isilbaeva A.A. , Kozhakhmetov S.S.
Published: January 2025

Relevance. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition with an unclear cause, marked by inflammation affecting the synovial tissue of joints, cartilage, and bone. RA can extend to areas outside the joints,autoantibodies production and progressive disability. Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 0.24% to 1% of adults globally, with women being affected 2 to 3 times more frequently than men. In recent years numerouse studies showed the significant role of micribiome in RA developement. Regardless of using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic therapies, a significant number of patients with RA fail to achieve remission. These two facts have prompted interest in targeting the microbiome as a therapeutic strategy for RA. Aim: To analyze the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment of RA according to contemporary literature. Search strategy: A search for scientific publications was carried out in the following databases of scientific publications and specialized search engines: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library. A number of original publicly available publications on the research topic were analyzed. The search depth was 10 years. As a result of the search, we studied 579 foreign publications, of which 84 publications were included in this review. Inclusion criteria: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, cohort and cross-sectional studies. Exclusion criteria: short reports, newspaper articles and expert opinion in the form of short reports. Results and conclusions: The review revealed that probiotics can influence the microbiome and immune system of RA patients through various mechanisms of action. In addition, it has been found that the use of L. Casei alone and in combination with L. acidophilus, L. Lactis, B. Lactis and B. bifidum, as well as Bacillus coagulans can improve the course of RA, reduce the level of inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Given the conflicting evidence regarding the effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment of RA, further research is needed.
Employee Performance Determination: The Effect of Transformational Leadership, Self-Efficacy, and Competence: Organizational Citizenship Behavior As A Mediating and Work Environment As A Moderating
Authors: Fadhil Fadhil Roif , Havidz Aima  , Yulasmi Yulasmi
Published: January 2025

This study aims to analyze the determinants of employee performance through the influence of transformational leadership, self-efficacy, and competency, with Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) as a mediating variable and the work environment as a moderating variable. The research was conducted at the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BBPOM) in Padang, West Sumatra. Data was collected through survey of BBPOM employees to assess the direct and indirect effects between these variables. The results show that transformational leadership, self-efficacy, and competency have a significant impact on employee performance, both directly and through the mediation of OCB. Furthermore, the work environment plays a crucial role in moderating the relationships between these variables. In conclusion, the combination of transformational leadership, self-efficacy, competency, OCB, and conduciveness work environment significantly enhance employee performance. This research contribute to the development of human resources management in the public sector, significantly in improving organizational performance through leadership and fostering organizational citizenship behavior
Reflection and Action in the Actor’s Work
Authors:   Faculty of Theatre and Film, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca, COZMA Diana
Published: January 2025

The actor, creator of the role, and, in this respect, co-author of the theatre performance, invests time not only to gather the necessary material to structure the role, to document, recall or bring to the present certain memories relevant to the study of the character, to decant the information, reflect on the material in its entirety, but also to create scenic actions. Reflecting on the role and inventing scenic actions, which accompany the creative process, influence and enhance each other. What is a scenic action? What is at the basis of the manifestation of a scenic action? In our brief analysis of reflection and action in the work of the actor, we propose to approach this issue from the perspective of Eugenio Barba.
Michael Haneke’s Glaciation Trilogy: A Pessimistic Vision of Contemporary European Society
Authors:   Faculty of Lettres and Arts, Lucian Blaga University from Sibiu, NECHIT Diana , ȘERBAN Andrei C. ,   Faculty of Lettres and Arts, Lucian Blaga University from Sibiu
Published: January 2025

Cinema is par excellence a medium that captures the social and political mutations of an era, while observing the individual facing the historical mechanisms of their times. This article proposes a brief analysis of how Michael Haneke depicts some of the main identity mutations of modern bourgeois society in his debut films, the so-called Glaciation Trilogy: The Seventh Continent, Benny’s Video, 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance. Concerned with the ways media and the capitalist principles alter the perception of the individual and their relationship with their domestic and social environment, Haneke adopts in his cinema a bleak perspective on the programmatic dehumanization of the 20th century’s last decades. Our analysis departs from the concept of “reification of life”, while eventually tackling the way the media and “hazard” structurally influences the cinematic narrative, in order to illustrate a cynical and pessimistic x-ray of the modern family crisis.