bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Picture Book and its Role in Preschool Mathematics Education
Authors: Maričić Sanja , Stakić Mirjana
Published: September 2023

The paper examines the role of the picture book as a learning resource in preschool mathematics education and illustrates the possibilities for its application. The paper aims to examine whether preschool teachers use picture books in preschool mathematics education, what areas of mathematics they most use these for, and whether they recognize methodological advantages to their application. Results show that half of preschool teachers use the picture book as a teaching resource in preschool mathematics education, that it is mostly used to develop the concept of natural numbers and spatial relations, as well as that teachers clearly perceive methodological advantages.
Nota técnica sobre la formulación de la Estrategia Nacional de Bioeconomía en Costa Rica
Authors: Barboza Arias Luis Miguel
Published: September 2023

El artículo describe el contexto institucional en el que se formuló la Estrategia Nacional de Bioeconomía (ENB) en Costa Rica. Se discute su potencial de articulación con las Acciones de Mitigación Nacionalmente Apropiadas (NAMAs), al considerarse que una integración adecuada de estos instrumentos puede servir a una política de desarrollo de mayor alcance. Se realiza una descripción y recopilación de información de la política pública sobre bioeconomía en Costa Rica, basada en una revisión documental. Se concluye que la ENB puede contribuir al cumplimiento de los objetivos de transición sostenible, por lo que resulta necesario la incorporación de un marco operativo que estimule la creación de nichos  estratégicos de  bioeconomía, en consonancia con esquemas de gobernanza y de creación de capacidades locales.
Pengaruh Pembelajaran Integratif Dan Lingkungan Belajar Dalam Membentuk Karakter Religiusitas-Kebangsaan Pada Santri SMP Islam Bani Hasyim Malang
Authors: Munirul Abidin Hendra Jaya,
Published: September 2023

Kegagalan pendidikan dalam mencetak manusia berkarakter religius berkebangsaan dilatar belakangi oleh pola pendidikan dikotomi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyajikan data pengaruh pembelajaran integratif dan lingkungan belajar terhadap pembentukan karakter religius bekebangsaan pada santri SMP Bani Hasyim Malang. Dalam penelitian ini metode yang digunakan ialah metode kuantitatif deskriptif. Hasil menujukan bahwa pembelajaran integratif dan lingkungan belajar memiliki pengaruh terhadad pembentukan karakter santri yang religius berkebangsaan. Variable Pembelajaran Integritas dan Lingkungan Belajar secara simultan dan parsial memiliki pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap Pembentukan Karakter Religiusitas-Kebangsaan pada Santri SMP Islam Bani Hasyim Malang.
Addition of CaCO3 to culture media at the salinity of 3 g/L for freshwater tambaqui growth
Authors: Hastuti Yuni Puji , Yudistira Chandra , Nirmala Kukuh , Nurusallam Wildan , Faturochman Kurnia
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT Increasing of freshwater tambaqui Colossoma macropomum demand makes the farmers increase the production of the consumption fish and seed. Acceleration of the production cycle can increase total production level, and reduce the level of osmotic work can be used to improve fish growth. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the addition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the saline medium of 3 g/L on the growth of freshwater tambaqui juvenile. Tambaqui used has a body length of 1.93 ± 0.1 cm and weight of 0.26 ± 0.03 g. The experiment used 15 units of aquarium at size of 30×15×25 cm3 and filled with 9 L of saline water, then added lime CaCO3 according to treatment. The treatments were control (0 mg/L CaCO3), A (50 mg/L CaCO3), B (100 mg/L CaCO3), C (150 mg/L CaCO3), and D (200 mg/L CaCO3). The study was conducted for 30 days of maintenance. Fishes were fed on bloodworms ad libitum or provided three times a day. The results showed that survival, daily growth rate, and absolute length growth of the CaCO3 treatments significantly higher (P<0.05) that that of control.  Furthermore, survival, daily growth rate, and absolute length growth among the CaCO3 treatments were the same.  Thus, addition CaCO3 of 50 mg/L saline water of 3 g/L can be applied to increase culture performance of freshwater tambaqui. Keywords: freshwater tambaqui, CaCO3, salinity  ABSTRAK Permintaan terhadap ikan bawal air tawar Colossoma macropomum yang semakin meningkat membuat pembudidaya menambah produksi ikan konsumsi dan benih. Percepatan siklus produksi dapat meningkatkan total produksi budidaya, dan energi dari optimasi kerja osmotik dapat dialokasikan untuk pertumbuhan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh penambahan kalsium karbonat (CaCO3) pada media bersalinitas terhadap pertumbuhan benih ikan bawal air tawar. Benih ikan bawal yang digunakan memiliki panjang 1,93±0,1 cm dengan bobot 0,26±0,03 g. Akuarium yang digunakan berukuran 30×15×25 cm3 sebanyak 15 unit dan diisi air bersalinitas 3 g/L sebanyak 9 L, kemudian ditambahkan kapur CaCO3 sesuai perlakuan. Dosis setiap perlakuan terdiri atas kontrol (0 mg/L CaCO3), A (50 mg/L CaCO3), B (100 mg/L CaCO3), C (150 mg/L CaCO3), dan D (200 mg/L CaCO3). Penelitian dilakukan selama 30 hari pemeliharaan dengan pemberian pakan cacing sutra secara ad libitum atau diberikan tiga kali sehari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa derajat kelangsungan hidup, laju pertumbuhan harian, dan panjang mutlak pada perlakuan penambahan kapur CaCO3 lebih tinggi (P<0,05) daripada kontrol. Sementara itu, derajat kelangsungan hidup, laju pertumbuhan harian, dan panjang mutlak antarperlakuan penambahan kapur CaCO3 tidak berbeda. Dengan demikian, penambahan CaCO3 sebanyak 50 mg/L air dapat diterapkan untuk perbaikan performa budidaya ikan. Kata kunci: ikan bawal air tawar, CaCO3, salinitas
Sexual dimorphism related to growth in climbing perch Anabas testudineus
Authors: Hidayat Rahmat , Carman Odang , Alimuddin ,
Published: September 2023

ABSTRCT The phenomenon that often occurs in climbing perch culture (Anabas testudineus, Bloch) is a significant size difference between individuals of male and female those lead to high variation in culture yields. In addition to genetic factors, the difference possibly reflects the sexual dimorphism in this fish; female grows faster than male. This research was conducted to examine sexual dimorphism related to growth quantitatively. Sixty individuals of 45-days old juvenile derived from mating of five pairs broods were randomly picked up and reared individually in 20×20×100 cm3 net cages for 135 days. Fish were fed on commercial feed (30% protein) three times a day at 10% feeding rate. Body weight and body length were individually recorded every 15 days, sex was determined at the end of the experiment by surgering the fish and gonad was weighed to calculate gonadosomatic index (GSI). The results showed that growth and specific growth rate of female were 1.17 and 1.48 fold respectively higher than male. This result indicates that female monosex culture of climbing perch is highly promising. Keyword: dimorphism, growth, climbing perch, Anabas testudineus  ABSTRAK Salah satu fenomena yang sering dijumpai dalam budidaya ikan papuyu (Anabas testudineus, Bloch) adalah perbedaan ukuran yang mencolok antara individu jantan dan betina yang menyebabkan hasil panen ikan sangat bervariasi. Selain faktor genetik, perbedaan ini diduga disebabkan oleh adanya dimorfisme seksual terkait pertumbuhan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menguji dimorfisme seksual terkait dengan pertumbuhan ikan papuyu secara kuantitatif. Benih ikan umur 45 hari hasil pemijahan lima pasang induk diambil secara acak sebanyak 60 ekor dan dipelihara selama 135 hari secara individu di dalam 60 unit hapa (20×20×100 cm3). Ikan diberi pakan komersial (protein 30%) tiga kali sehari sebanyak 10% bobot tubuh. Bobot dan panjang semua ikan dicatat setiap 15 hari sekali, jenis kelamin ditentukan di akhir penelitian dengan cara membedah, mengamati gonad, dan menimbangnya untuk menentukan indeks gonadosomatik (IGS). Hasil penelitian membuktikan adanya dimorfisme seksual terkait pertumbuhan pada ikan papuyu; pertumbuhan bobot mutlak dan laju pertumbuhan bobot harian ikan betina masing-masing 1,48 kali dan 1,17 kali lebih tinggi dibandingkan dengan ikan jantan. Hasil penelitian ini mengindikasikan bahwa pengembangan budidaya ikan papuyu monoseks betina prospektif untuk dilakukan. Kata kunci: dimorfisme, pertumbuhan, papuyu, Anabas testudineus
Trabajo social y emprendimiento social: posibilidades desde la formación
Authors: Boada Reyes Carol Stephanny , Arévalo Sabogal Laura Daniela , López Acosta Nicolás , Roa Mendoza Claudia Patricia
Published: September 2023

Este artículo se deriva de la investigación titulada “Emprendimiento social y trabajo social. Estudio de caso”, realizada en la Universidad de La Salle, Colombia, entre los años 2019 y 2022, la cual tuvo como objetivo analizar los tipos de emprenderos/as sociales y los estilos de emprendimiento con alto impacto social en Bogotá. Se desarrollaron tres acciones, principalmente: a) recopilación de información de emprendedoras/es sociales en Bogotá que representen la realidad de este proceso; b) identificación de las características de las/os emprendedores con formación en trabajo social; c) comparación de las diferencias y las similitudes de tipos de emprendimientos. De esta forma, a partir de un enfoque cualitativo, se implementaron estrategias de orden dialógico-interaccional y documental, y se dio cuenta, entre otros aspectos, de la estrecha relación entre trabajo social como campo disciplinar y profesional y el emprendimiento social como opción de desarrollo profesional y apuesta ética y política en clave de comunidad. Se presenta, entonces, un análisis alrededor del emprendimiento social como alternativa profesional y ocupacional para los trabajadores sociales y los retos del emprendimiento social en la formación de trabajo social, todo esto en perspectiva de la definición y los campos de trabajo del trabajo social en la actualidad.
Landscapes of (In)justice: Reflecting on Voices, Spaces, and Alliances for Just Transition
Authors: Newell Peter , Price Roz , Daley Freddie
Published: September 2023

Just transitions seek to ameliorate the social and economic impacts of the global energy transitions that are essential to building an equitable low-carbon economy in the coming decades. Diverse groups of citizens need to be engaged in the design and implementation of transition policies across all scales and sectors for them to succeed and be socially acceptable. But how? And what lessons can we take from emerging practice to guide future action? This paper identifies insights from these experiences and struggles as they might pertain to contemporary attempts to ensure transitions are more socially just by drawing on a broad body of work on: (i) just transitions, energy justice, and energy transitions; (ii) contentious resource politics and attempts to democratise them; and (iii) social movement struggles for justice in the settings on which our project focuses. We focus on issues of voice (representation), spaces (for participation), and alliances (for change), paying particular attention to the three countries at the centre of this work: Colombia, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
Creating an infrastructure for cultured meat
Authors:   The University of Vermont, USA, Tahir Irfan , Stahn Miranda ,   Independent Consultant, Canada, Kawecki N. Stephanie ,   University of California Los Angeles, USA, Andriessen Vicky ,   Mosa Meat, The Netherlands, Datta Bianca ,   Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, Holmes Dwayne ,   Stichting New Harvest, The Netherlands, Gafour Lejjy ,   CULT Food Science Corp, Canada, Datar Isha ,   New Harvest Inc., Canada
Published: September 2023

Mass producing animal protein damages global ecosystems. To mitigate the environmental impacts of factory farming, one proposed alternative is producing animal protein using cultured meat technologies. Research in this field is rapidly evolving and requires the concurrent development of an infrastructure system to support it. The current lack of infrastructure critically limits education, resource sharing, and foundational research which are crucial for ongoing innovation and industry growth. Within this work, the authors examine the potential to build a robust infrastructure for the field of cultured meat by creating more opportunities for talent generation, closing the funding gap, promoting cooperation over competition, and mobilizing the ecosystem.
Al-Wasathiyah fî al-Iqtishâd al-Islâmî: Ârâ’u ‘ulamâ Jam’iyati “Nahdlatul Ulama” Bi Jawa al-Syarqiyah haula “al-Taraddud” bi Sya’ini Fatâwa al-Fawâid al-Mashrîfiyah
Authors: Abidin Zainal , Miftahul Ulum  , Cut Linda Marheni  , Umarul Faruq  , Khotibul Umam
Published: September 2023

Recently, there has been a massive innovation of online loans and good purchases using pay later with installment schemes. The phenomenon inevitably brings into controversies among the public recalling the old discussion about bank interest. Although Islamic scholars have formulated religious edict (fatwa) about bank interest, some look unfirm, such as that of NU (Nahdlatul Ulama’). This writing aims to portray the seemingly unfirm attitude of the organization relying on the assumption that it actually aims to campaign Islamic economic moderation a la NU. This is qualitative research using the phenomenological approach with the interview as the data compilation method. The opinion of 8 Kiais from the East Java NU insiders became the research subjects. The result shows how the dispute of bank interest has been becoming a continuously debatable topic. Among the three opinions about the bank interest, namely haram, halal, and shubhat, most informants choose the moderate one by neither considering it halal nor haram, including categorizing it as a part of riba type. This intersubjective opinion resonates with organizational opinion which reflects tolerance of the Indonesian monetary reality, such as Islamic banking and conventional banks which are respectively used by Indonesians. This sort of contestation takes a form of formalist and substantial moderation for bridging extreme opinions about the bank's interest.
Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire
Authors: ÖZDEN Fatih , ÖZKESKİN Mehmet
Published: September 2023

Aim: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire (GCEQ).

Materials and Methods: A prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out with 100 healthy young individuals. Participants were assessed with GCEQ. One week later, 39 individuals refilled the GCEQ. Reliability was evaluated with the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's α coefficient. Construct validity was determined by correlational and explanatory factor analysis. The cut-off value of GCEQ was discriminated with the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. On the other hand, the minimum detectable change (MDC95) and Standard error of measurement (SEM95) values of the GCEQ were calculated.

Results: A total of 100 individuals (21.1±2.9 years, 72% female) were included in the study. The alpha coefficient was >0.80 for the total and sub scores (except for the image sub score). On the other hand, all scores were scored above 0.80 in ICC analysis. The SEM95 and MDC95 values of the GCEQ were 4.83 and 13.3, respectively. The GCEQ total score had a correlation coefficient of >0.50 with all other sub scores (r=0.55 to 0.80, p
Polêmica sobre o fracionamento da burguesia no processo político brasileiro
Authors: Boito Junior Armando
Published: September 2023

As minhas pesquisas sobre o processo político brasileiro, bem como as pesquisas de professores e de graduandos e pós-graduandos com os quais trabalho, têm destacado o papel importante desempenhado pelos conflitos entre as frações da classe capitalista na história política recente do Brasil. Um grande número de analistas e observadores têm considerado muito positivamente a nossa contribuição e têm usado os nossos trabalhos nas pesquisas que realizam. Realçam, particularmente, o uso que fazemos do conceito de grande burguesia interna que, sem negar a situação geral de dependência e de convergência do conjunto da burguesia brasileira face ao imperialismo, ressalva, contudo, que nem por isso seria correto afirmar que a relação dos diferentes segmentos da classe capitalista brasileira com o imperialismo seria desprovida de determinações particulares que imprimem nuanças na dependência que caracteriza o quadro geral. A nova onda de internacionalização da economia capitalista não criou uma burguesia mundial dotada de interesse único, ou seja, ainda há espaço para conflitos, maiores ou menores, dependendo da região do globo considerada, entre as burguesias de diferentes regiões e países. Outro mérito que tem sido reconhecido nas nossas pesquisas é o fato de elas se apoiarem em levantamento sistemático de informações empíricas originais. Como é normal, contudo, temos também recebido algumas críticas. Alguns dos nossos críticos rejeitam não somente a análise que fazemos do fracionamento da burguesia brasileira, mas também o próprio conceito de fração burguesa, ainda quando a rejeição do conceito não seja explícita e tematizada no texto. Esse é o caso dos artigos de Gabriel Kanaan e de Eurelino Coelho, cujas críticas lemos com grande interesse e que aqui pretendemos responder.
Bursa İlinde Tüketicilerin Kırmızı Et Tüketim Tercihlerinin Belirlenmesi Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: GÜRBÜZ İsmail Bülent , ER Simge , KADAĞAN Özgecan
Published: September 2023

Kırmızı et, insanların hayatını sağlıklı bir şekilde devam ettirebilmeleri için yeterli ve dengeli beslenme yönünden önemli bir hayvansal protein kaynağıdır. Tüketicilerin gelirleri doğrultusunda kırmızı et satın alma alışkanlıkları değişmektedir. Kırmızı et satın alımını, tazelik, lezzet, marka, kolay bulunabilirlik, ambalaj gibi faktörler yakından etkilemektedir. Bu unsurlar, tüketicinin geliri doğrultusunda esneklik gösterebilmektedir. Çalışmada tüketicilerin gelirleri doğrultusunda kırmızı et satın alma davranışlarını incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Tüketicilerin gelirlerine göre kırmızı et satın alma davranışlarının incelenmesi de diğer amaçlar arasındadır. Araştırmada, basit tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen 433 kişi ile yüz yüze anket yapılmıştır. Veriler SPSS 28 ile analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma sorularına cevap bulmak amacıyla Frekans analizi, One-Way ANOVA ve Korelasyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, tüketiciler kırmızı eti çoğunlukla haftada birkaç defa tüketmektedir (%49). Bu tüketiciler kırmızı eti en çok ayda birkaç defa satın almaktadır (%27). Ankete katılan bireyler öncelikli olarak tavuk (%40.9) ve sığır eti (%38.1) tercih etmektedir. Tüketicilerin küçükbaş hayvan tüketiminin oldukça az olması da kırmızı et tüketimini etkileyen bir diğer unsurdur. Gelir durumunun değişmesi, tüketicilerin satın alma sıklıklarını etkilemektedir. Özellikle 5.500 TL ve altı gelir grubu ile diğer gelir grupları arasında farklılıklar mevcuttur. Araştırmaya katılan tüketicilerin gelirleri arttıkça kırmızı et satın alırken tercih ve beklentileri de farklılaşma eğilimi göstermektedir. Gelirleri artan tüketiciler daha lüks markalara ve ambalajlara yönelmektedir. Bursa'da kırmızı et satın alma sıklığının artırılması için tüketiciler küçükbaş hayvanların besin ve sağlık yönünden olumlu katkısı konusunda bilgilendirilmelidirler. Ayrıca, üreticilere ve girdi temin edenlere daha fazla destek verilerek kırmızı et yetiştiricileri teşvik edilebilir.
A distributed multi-vehicle pursuit scheme: generative multi-adversarial reinforcement learning
Authors: Li Xinhang , Yang Yiying , Wang Qinwen , Yuan Zheng , Xu Chen , Li Lei , Zhang Lin
Published: September 2023

Multi-vehicle pursuit (MVP) is one of the most challenging problems for intelligent traffic management systems due to multi-source heterogeneous data and its mission nature. While many reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms have shown promising abilities for MVP in structured grid-pattern roads, their lack of dynamic and effective traffic awareness limits pursuing efficiency. The sparse reward of pursuing tasks still hinders the optimization of these RL algorithms. Therefore, this paper proposes a distributed generative multi-adversarial RL for MVP (DGMARL-MVP) in urban traffic scenes. In DGMARL-MVP, a generative multi-adversarial network is designed to improve the Bellman equation by generating the potential dense reward, thereby properly guiding strategy optimization of distributed multi-agent RL. Moreover, a graph neural network-based intersecting cognition is proposed to extract integrated features of traffic situations and relationships among agents from multi-source heterogeneous data. These integrated and comprehensive traffic features are used to assist RL decision-making and improve pursuing efficiency. Extensive experimental results show that the DGMARL-MVP can reduce the pursuit time by 5.47% compared with proximal policy optimization and improve the pursuing average success rate up to 85.67%. Codes are open-sourced in Github.
The effectiveness of community policing forum in crime prevention
Authors: Malatji Modjatji M. , Madima Khethiwe , Rakubu Kholofelo A.
Published: September 2023

The National Peace Accord, signed by all major political parties in 1991, created various structures through which police accountability could be sought. In 1993, the Interim Constitution of South Africa Act 200 of 1993 formalized the establishment of the Community Police Forum (CPF) at police stations. The SAPS Act 68 of 1995 made a formal provision for a partnership between the police and the community in fulfilling the needs of the community regarding policing. CPF aims to ensure police accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in the community, promoting cooperation between the service and the community in fulfilling the community's needs regarding policing and promoting communication between the police and the community. It was established to maintain a partnership between the police and the communities, to jointly identify priorities and solve problems related to crime, disorder, fear, poor police-community relations and service delivery. Therefore, the police's new vision of policing was introduced by setting up CPF at police stations throughout the country. The implementation of community policing through CPFs has brought to bear the complexity, dynamics, and of social and political relationships at both the provincial and local levels. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CPF in crime prevention. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed, and data were collected from 40 community members through face-to-face survey interviews. The research revealed that CPF is ineffective in reducing crime due to the lack of resources to support its functioning. The study recommends proper and frequent communication between the police, CPF and the broader community.
Examining the effects of remote work arrangements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the overall wellness of employees at Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS)
Authors: Chiguvi Douglas , Keneilwe Bakani  , Thuso Sepepe
Published: September 2023

During the initial years of the 1990s, there was an expectation that the practice of working from home (WFH) would become a customary mode of work, offering advantages to organizations in terms of job performance and employee contentment. The concept of working from home (WFH) has gained significant traction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily because to its potential to ensure the continuity of organizations under certain circumstances. The primary objective of this study is to examine the effects of remote work arrangements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on the various dimensions of employee well-being in Botswana. Specifically, the case of the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) will be utilized as a focal point for analysis. The study utilized a descriptive qualitative research approach, including in-depth interviews to collect data from a sample of 18 employees of BURS who were engaged in remote work during the COVID-19 lockdown. The researchers employed a non-probability sampling technique and conducted a theme analysis to analyze the data. The findings of the research suggest that working from home (WFH) offers several advantages, including the ability to sleep for extended periods and enhanced concentration. Additionally, the flexibility and autonomy provided by working from home allow individuals to avoid distractions commonly encountered in open-office environments. However, the study also highlights certain challenges associated with WFH, such as disruptions caused by family members and feelings of isolation. The study suggests the need for further research to be conducted on the effects of remote employment in Botswana. This research would provide valuable insights for policymakers in navigating the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Unveiling humorous resistance: Incongruity and critical discourse analysis in "Born a crime: Stories from a South African Childhood”
Authors: Ngcobo Sandiso , Roya Witness
Published: September 2023

“Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” is a bestselling memoir that was written by Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian of global acclaim. In the book, Noah relives his upbringing in South Africa, when apartheid policies and legislation were designed and harshly implemented to keep the country’s citizens apart based on race and ethnicity. Yet, in relieving this oppressive and traumatic period and proceeding to the 1994 democratic era, Noah applies humor as a storytelling strategy to downplay this harsh period. Hence, this paper adopts the incongruity theory to present the juxtaposition that is evident in the form of surprises and tensions in the narrative, which the readers may find humorous. In addition, the paper draws on Apartheid Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as theoretical frameworks to conduct this qualitative study. CDA is used as a research tool to indicate how a text authored by a comedian from the global south is used to humorously resist political and social power relations. It is found that Noah manages to criticize the segregation that was there in a subtle manner and to educate the audience through humor about socio-economic challenges in the country. Even though his writing is mainly in a language of the global north for possible economic reasons, he draws from the languages of the global south to correctly represent the culture of the South African people he is part of.
Corporate social responsibility practices: insights from North Mara gold mine, Tanzania
Authors: Gillo Immaculate , Bilame Odass , Anthony Assenga Emiliana
Published: September 2023

The CSR practices of privately owned mining businesses have the capacity to foster the development of communities residing in proximity to the mining operations. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by mining businesses in Tanzania that are partially owned by the government. The focus of this study was to analyze the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives implemented by the North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania, which is partially controlled by the government. The primary aims of this study were to assess the level of community awareness regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and to analyze the CSR initiatives performed by North Mara Gold Mine among the surrounding regions. The research had a cross-sectional design and included a sample of 358 houses, which were chosen through the utilization of a systematic random selection method. The data collection process involved the utilization of many methods, including household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group talks, and documentary reviews. The data underwent examination through the utilization of descriptive statistics and content analysis techniques. The primary outcomes of the investigation indicated that a majority of the participants exhibited knowledge regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR), and demonstrated the ability to articulate and elucidate the CSR initiatives implemented by North Mara Gold Mine within their respective localities. The findings indicate that the key informants have the ability to articulate corporate social responsibility as the responsibilities of companies towards the local community residing in the vicinity of the mining operation, with the objective of enhancing the overall welfare of the community. Additionally, it was discovered that the North Mara Gold Mine has been actively engaging in the implementation of corporate social responsibility initiatives. These initiatives primarily involve providing support to the local populations residing in close proximity to the mine. The support encompasses several areas such as education, infrastructure development (including roads and sanitary facilities), healthcare, and employment opportunities. Hence, it is advisable for mining enterprises to include corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies into their business operations and establish a dedicated CSR Foundation to oversee and manage CSR initiatives.
Analisis Efisiensi Lintasan Produksi Tahu Dengan Metode Ranked Positonial Weight di Pabrik Tahu XYZ
Authors: Sibarani Ayu Anggraeni , Yudityaningsih Bilqis Adilah , Kirana Fanny Mulya , Triyanto Rafi , Putri Reina Stevani , Asshafly Rasyad Nursyaban
Published: September 2023

Penelitian ini membahas pengaturan line balancing pada Pabrik Tahu XYZ menggunakan metode ranked positional weight. Metode pengamatan dilakukan secara langsung melalui proses observasi dan wawancara untuk mendapatkan data pengamatan. Data yang telah diperoleh kemudian akan diolah untuk mendapatkan nilai idle time, line efficiency, balance delay, smoothness index dan jumlah stasiun usulan. Berdasarkan perhitungan data didapatkan nilai line efficiency awal sebesar 63,07%, balance delay 36,93%, smoothness index 51,729 dengan total idle time 421,2 menit untuk 11 stasiun. Setelah dilakukan penyeimbangan lintasan dengan menghitung jumlah stasiun maksimal, maka didapatkan nilai line efficiency, balance delay, serta smoothness index, secara berturut sebesar 76,07%, 23,93%,  36,40, dan idle time sebesar 121,22 menit dengan jumlah stasiun sebanyak 6 stasiun. Data tersebut menunjukkan bahwa terdapat peningkatan efisiensi pada line balancing yang terdapat pada pabrik tahu tersebut.
Pediatric Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: The Current and Future Prospects for Management and Prevention
Authors: Dharmapalan Dhanya , Mane Sushant
Published: September 2023

In the continued battle against one of the oldest enemies known to mankind, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the emergence of drug resistance among children poses multiple challenges for early detection and treatment. Molecular diagnostics and newer drugs like bedaquiline and delamanid have strengthened the armamentarium and helped design convenient, safe and child-friendly therapeutic regimens against drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Preventive strategies like treatment of TB infection among children living in close contact with patients with drug-resistant TB and effective vaccines against TB are currently in the investigative stages of development and implementation. In addition to the implementation of recent novel diagnostics and treatment modalities, effective psychosocial and nutritional support, as well as dedicated monitoring for compliance and adverse effects, are crucial determinants for successful treatment outcomes in these children.
Effect of Nitrogen Levels to Methanogen and Methanotroph Population on Rice Paddy
Authors: Kwon Youngho , Lee So-Myeong , Kang Ju-Won , Cha Jin-Kyung , Park Hyeonjin , Park Dong-Soo , Kabange Nkulu Rolly , Kwak Youn-Sig , Oh Ki-Won , Lee Jong-Hee
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Rice production is a significant contributor to methane emissions, accounting for approximately 11% of global anthropogenic emissions. However, there is potential for effectively reducing methane emissions from rice fields through the implementation of proper management practices and careful cultivar selection. The impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on methane (CH4) emissions is multifaceted, as these fertilizers not only en-hance crop growth but also influence the activity of methane-producing microbes (Meth-anogens) and methane-consuming microbes (Methanotrophs), leading to complex out-comes in CH4 emissions. In this study, we utilized qPCR to quantify methanogens and methanotrophs using mcrA (methanogenesis-related gene) and pmoA (methane oxida-tion-related gene) primer sets under different nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100%) and rice varie-ties. The results revealed that higher nitrogen inputs led to higher methanogen inhabita-tion in the rhizosphere. Additionally, the abundances of methanogens and metha-notrophs varied among different rice varieties. Furthermore, through the analysis of two-way ANOVA, it was observed that there may be an additive effect between rice variety and nitrogen level. Furthermore, enhancing agronomic traits related to yield can reduce methanogen inhabitation. These findings suggest that future breeding efforts should in-volve the screening of methane-related microbes in rice cultivars adapted to low nitrogen conditions. By identifying and selecting rice varieties that promote lower methanogen lev-els and higher methanotroph inhabitation, we can take significant steps towards mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation.
Prediction of Heat and Cold Load of Factory Mushroom House Based on EWT Decomposition
Authors: Zuo Hesen , Zheng Wengang , Wang Mingfei , Zhang Xin
Published: September 2023

In view of the problem that the hot and cold loads of mushroom houses are affected by multiple factors such as environment, mushrooms, and equipment, which are difficult to accurately model, this paper proposes a short-term load prediction method based on empirical wavelet transform (EWT) and mixed autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and convolutional bi-directional short- and long-term attention mechanism (CNN-BiLSTM-Attention). The method first uses the Boruta algorithm to filter the input characteristics, and then uses the EWT method to decompose the mushroom house load data into 4 modal components. Then the Lempel-Ziv method is introduced to divide the modal components into two categories of high and low frequencies, and the CNN-BiLSTM-Attention and ARIMA prediction models are constructed separately. Finally, the two types of prediction results are superimposed and reconstructed to obtain the final load prediction value. The test results show that the Boruta algorithm can effectively filter out the characteristics of key influencing factors. Compared with the Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient methods, the mean absolute error (MAE) of the prediction results is reduced by 14.72% and 3.75%, respectively; compared with the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method, the EWT method can increase the decomposition and reconstruction error by 103 orders of magnitude, which can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of the model; compared with the individual neural network model, the prediction effect of the model proposed in this paper has obvious advantages, and the MAE, root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the prediction results are reduced respectively. 31.06%, 26.52% and 39.27%.
SLC38A5 Modulates Ferroptosis to Overcome Gemcitabine-Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kim Myeong Jin , Kim Hyung Sun , Kang Hyeon Woong , Lee Da Eun , Cheong Jae-Ho , Kim Hyo Jung , Park Joon Seong
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with its five-year survival rate lower than that of any other cancer type because it is difficult to detect in the early stages. Gemcitabine, a standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, often has poor outcomes for patients as a result of chemoresistance. Therefore, novel therapeutic targets must be identified to overcome gemcitabine-resistance. Here, we found that SLC38A5, a glutamine transporter, is more highly overexpressed in gemcitabine-resistant patients than in gemcitabine-sensitive patients. Furthermore, the deletion of SLC38A5 decreased the proliferation and migration of gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. We also found that the inhibition of SLC38A5 triggered the ferroptosis signaling pathway via RNA sequencing. Also, silencing SLC38A5 induced mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced glutamine uptake and glutathione (GSH) levels, and downregulated the expressions of GSH-related genes NRF2 and GPX4. The blockade of glutamine uptake negatively modulated the mTOR-SREBP1-SCD1 signaling pathway. Therefore, suppression of SLC38A5 triggers ferroptosis via two pathways that regulate lipid ROS levels. Similarly, we observed knockdown of SLC38A5 restored gemcitabine sensitivity by hindering tumor growth and metastasis in the orthotopic mouse model. Altogether, our results demonstrated that SLC38A5 could be a novel therapeutic target to overcome gemcitabine-resistance in PDAC therapy.
On the Jahn-Teller Effect in Silver Complexes of Dimethyl Amino Phenyl Substituted Phthalocyanine
Authors: Breza Martin
Published: September 2023

The structures of Ag complexes with dimethyl amino phenyl substituted phtalocyanine m[dmaphPcAg]q of various charges q and in two lowest spin states m were optimized using the B3LYP method within the D4h symmetry group and its subgroups. The most stable reaction intermediate in the supposed photoinitiation reaction is 3[dmaphPcAg]-. Group-theoretical analysis of the optimized structures and of their electron states reveals two symmetry-descent mechanisms. Stable structures of maximal symmetry of complexes 1[dmaphPcAg]+, 3[dmaphPcAg]+, 2[dmaphPcAg]0 and 4[dmaphPcAg]2- correspond to the D4 group as a consequence of the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect within unstable D4h structure. Complexes 4[dmaphPcAg]0, 1[dmaphPcAg]-, 3[dmaphPcAg]- and 2[dmaphPcAg]2- with double degenerate electron ground states in D4h symmetry structures undergo a symmetry descent to stable structures corresponding to maximal D2 symmetry not because of a simple Jahn-Teller effect but due to hidden pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect (strong vibronic interaction between excited electron states). The reduction of the neutral photoinitiator causes symmetry descent to its anionic intermediate because of vibronic interactions that must significantly affect the polymerization reactions.
Characteristics of Unilaterally Impacted Maxillary Canines and Effect on Environmental Tissues: A CBCT Study
Authors: Kucukkaraca Ebru
Published: September 2023

(1)Background: The prognosis of orthodontic treatment for a patient with impacted canine teeth can be affected by many factors and understanding some of the characteristics of impacted teeth can increase the effectiveness and reduce the duration of treatment. This study aims to explore the effects of positions and dentoalveolar morphological characteristics of impacted maxillary canines on the prognosis of orthodontic treatment. (2)Methods: In this study, a total of 46 adolescent individuals were divided into 3 groups: CC(no impaction), BC(unilateral maxillary buccal canine impaction), and PC(unilateral maxillary palatal canine impaction). The impacted canine and adjacent teeth were evaluated in terms of position, angulation, inclination, MD and BL widths, root length, dilaceration angle, root resorption. (3)Results: The mean values of U3Ang and U3/U2 angles were statistically significantly higher in the BC and PC groups(p<0.001). The mean values of U2RL(U3root length) and U3RD (U3root dilaceration) angle were statistically significantly lower in the BC and PC groups. (4)Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that shorter lengths and reduced volumes of the maxillary lateral incisors may lead to the ectopic eruption of canines. The higher canine angulations in the PC group make treatment more difficult and increase the degree of root resorption.
Exploring the Literature on Narcolepsy: Insights into the Sleep Disorder That Strikes during the Day
Authors: Severin Emilia , Mațotă Ana-Maria , Bordeianu Andrei , Jidovu Alexandra
Published: September 2023

The objective of this literature review was to provide an up-to-date overview, and an analysis of the current knowledge on narcolepsy.
A systematic search was conducted in different databases to identify relevant studies on various aspects of narcolepsy. The search terms included "narcolepsy," "excessive daytime sleepiness," "cataplexy," and related terms. The search was limited to studies published up until 2022. The initial screening of studies was performed based on titles and abstracts to identify potentially relevant articles. Full-text assessment was then conducted to determine the eligibility of each study for inclusion in the review. Studies were included if they provided information on the symptoms, classification, genetic aspects, impact on daily life, and gaps in knowledge regarding narcolepsy.
The review reveals several important findings regarding narcolepsy:
1. the classification of narcolepsy - Type 1 narcolepsy, previously known as narcolepsy with cataplexy, and Type 2 narcolepsy, also referred to as narcolepsy without cataplexy.
2. the genetic component of narcolepsy and the complex nature of the disorder, which is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, disrupted sleep patterns, and potential impacts on daily life activities and social functioning.
3. the important implications for clinical practice in the management of narcolepsy. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the different types of narcolepsies and their associated symptoms, as this can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The review underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to narcolepsy management, involving specialists in sleep medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and psychology. Clinicians should consider the impact of narcolepsy on a person's daily life, including their ability to work, study, and participate in social activities, and provide appropriate support and interventions.
There are several gaps in knowledge regarding narcolepsy. Future research should focus on further elucidating the genetic causes of narcolepsy and exploring potential biomarkers for early detection and diagnosis. Long-term studies assessing the effectiveness of different treatment approaches, including pharmacological interventions and behavioural therapies, are needed. Additionally, there is a need for research on strategies to improve the overall well-being and quality of life of individuals living with narcolepsy, including the development of tailored support programs and interventions.
Factors Related to Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Adult Male Inmates: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Yoon Hae-Soo , Kim Kyoung-Sun , Jang Jong-Hwa
Published: September 2023

The health of inmates living in a restricted environment are affected by oral health behaviours and is related to their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). We investigated oral health behaviours and oral symptoms among male inmates and analysed factors related to OHRQoL. Three hundred and seventy-six male inmates in two prisons were investigated using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey items included oral health behaviours, oral symptoms, self-esteem, and OHRQoL level. We analysed cross-correlations and factors related to OHRQoL. Toothbrushing after lunch and dinner was practiced by 83.5% of male inmates. ‘Food impaction’ was experienced by 45.4%. The OHRQoL level among male inmates was low, at 39.90 points. A hierarchical multiple regression model that controlled for general characteristics identified the following OHRQoL factors, in order of significance: trouble biting/chewing (β = -0.307), toothache (β = -0.154), temporomandibular joint disorder (β = -0.099), and periodontal health (β = 0.089). Self-esteem and OHRQoL were not significantly correlated. To ensure oral health in male inmates, the results of this study suggests that an oral health education programme, as well as provision of adequate dental care services, is required to increase appropriate oral health practice rates.
Prevalence and New Host Records of Avian Blood Parasites in Songbirds from the West of Iran: Insights into Haemosporidian Infections and the Impact of Humidity
Authors: Aljehni Mohammad , Mirshamsi Omid , Aliabadian Mansor
Published: September 2023

Haemosporidian parasites, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, are intracellular parasites found in the blood and tissues of birds worldwide. The prevalence of these parasites varies depending on bird species and habitats. Humidity, influenced by water availability, is one of the factors affecting their prevalence. In this study, we collected 145 blood samples from wild songbirds in the western region of Iran from April to November 2021-2022. Blood smears were prepared using the push-slide method and stained with Giemsa. The stained smears were examined under a light microscope. Among the seven songbird families sampled, blood parasites were detected in 31 individuals from five families. Of these, 23 individuals (15.86%) were from humid areas, while 8 individuals (5.51%) were from dry areas. The highest infection rates were observed in the Paridae (9.65%) and Motacilliidae (4.82%) families, while the lowest infection rates were found in the Corvidae (1.37%) and Acrocephalidae (1.37%) families. We recorded two new hosts for Leucocytozoon spp. (Motacilla flava and Acrocephalus melanopogon) for the first time in the world and four new host records (Motacilla flava, Pica pica, Acrocephalus melanopogon, and Acrocephalus agricola) for blood parasites in the west of Iran. Our findings highlight the high prevalence of avian blood parasites in songbirds inhabiting humid areas, suggesting that these environments provide suitable conditions for the growth and reproduction of invertebrate hosts.
The Phenotypic Characterization of the Oldest Italian Men from December 28, 2020 to September 23, 2021, Antonino Turturici, Suggests a Role for Immune System in the Attainment of Extreme Longevity
Authors: Accardi Giulia , Aiello Anna , Aprile Stefano , Calabrò Anna , Caldarella Rosalia , Ciaccio Marcello , Caruso Calogero , Dieli Francesco , Ligotti Mattia Emanuela , Meraviglia Serena , Candore Giuseppina
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we present demographic, clinical, anamnestic, cognitive, and functional data, as well as haematological, haematochemical, immunological and genetic parameters of an exceptional individual: Antonino Turturici, a semi-supercentenarian who held the title of the oldest living Italian centenarian from December 28, 2020, to September 23, 2021. The purpose of this study is to offer fresh insights into extreme phenotypes, with a particular focus on immune-inflammatory parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first phenotypic investigation of a semi-supercentenarian, illustrating both indicators of age-related immune phenotype (ARIP) recognized as significant gauges of biological ageing and INFLA-score, a metric designed to assess the cumulative impact of inflammatory markers. The aim of this study was, indeed, to advance our understanding of the role of immune-inflammatory responses in achieving extreme longevity. The results bolster the idea that the immune system can play a role in promoting extreme longevity. However, this does not exclude the involvement of other body systems or organs in achieving extreme longevity.