bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Authorities Perspectives Towards the Implementation of Shariah-Compliant Hotel in Malaysia
Authors: Musa Azizah , Kadir Suhaila Abdul , Ibrahim Mazne , Jusoh Norzaliha , Tahrim Siti Nurzahira Che , Din Noormariana Mohd
Published: July 2019

Islamic products and services have high contribution to the economy recently. This contribution has inspired Malaysia to set its mission to become a global halal hub. Halal hub generally relies on the level of awareness among Muslim particularly the authority in understanding the main concept of Shariah-compliant products and services. This paper will principally discuss on Shariah-compliant hotel industry by elaborating the important criteria from the perspectives of the authority in achieving the Shariah-Compliant hotel status in Malaysia. Focusing on qualitative method, this study used in-depth and open-ended interviews with the authorities namely JAKIM and JAHEAIK. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. It is found that JAKIM and JAHEAIK stated very limited criteria to specify a Shariah-compliant hotel. However, through interviews, JAKIM and JAHEAIK have provided some insights on how to fully achieve the Shariah-compliant attributes. This paper is important as it can significantly provide much needed feedback from the authority perspectives for the use of interested industry players.
Structural Equation Modeling and Relationships Between Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Self-stigma
Authors: Thartori Voltisa , Nordin Mohamad Sahari
Published: July 2019

This study investigated mental wellbeing of postgraduate and undergraduate students of International Islamic University Malaysia. Precisely, the objective of this study was to verify the validity of a proposed mental wellbeing model that include resilience and self-stigma exogenous variables, another aim of the survey was to determine if gender, education level, material status, international and non-international student and location where they live moderated the associations between mental wellbeing and its predictors. The survey adapted existing instruments: Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being (WEMWB) Scale of 14-item questionnaire, Brief Resilience Scale of 6-item questionnaire and Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH) 10-item questionnaire and a demographic survey was developed for this study. The data were collected randomly from 315 student of International Islamic University Malaysia. To address the research objectives, the data were analyzed with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results obtained by this study shows that, the model had an excellent fit, because RMSEA .007 < .06, CFI .999 > .95, Based on these results it can be concluded that the proposed model is valid, approving the very first hypothesis for this study. Additionally, gender, educational, location when they live and International and Malaysian student, did not moderate the predictor-mental wellbeing relationships.
Studies on Earnings Management and Financial Statement Fraud in Corporate Firms
Authors: Nasir Noorul Azwin binti Md , Ali Muhammad Jahangir , Nawi Noorshella binti Che
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this paper is to explain the transformation of earnings management into financial statement fraud. Related papers on earnings management and financial statement fraud were intensively reviewed. Although there are some overlaps in both concepts, application of earnings management is not always related to financial statement fraud. Earnings management can occur for a number of reasons, including unintentional errors and legitimate disagreement over GAAP. Results of this study indicate that accounting records are allowed to be managed up to certain hedge. Crossing the hedge would lead the organization to be convicted in illegal financial reporting.
Identifying the Challenges of the Sarawak Malay Terubok Ikan Masin (Salted Fish) Entrepreneur: Qualitative Study
Authors: Kasuma Jati , Farhana Niena Nurul , Kamaruddin Hazami Mohammad , Rusuli Muhamad Saufi Che , Yacob Yusman
Published: July 2019

Sarawak Malay entrepreneur of terubuk ikan masin has become one of the successful entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial field. Even though the number of the entrepreneurs are still small, but the Sarawak Malay entrepreneur of terubuk ikan masin become one of the main contributor to the state tourism activities. Hence, those entrepreneurs still have to face a lot of challenges and obstacles in the business. Thus, this research aims are to identify the challenges faced and the framework with regards to the challenges faced by the Sarawak Malay entrepreneur of terubuk ikan masin. Using qualitative study to understand the challenges that they are faced in line with this business and finding shows the challenges they faced both personally and in business itself during the various stages of business development are location not strategic, economy problem, lack of business knowledge and financial support. Moreover, Sarawak Malay entrepreneur terubuk ikan masin also plays an important role in economic development and income growth because terubuk ikan masin is one of the best products in Sarawak besides multilayer cake. Terubuk ikan masin gives contribution especially in eco-tourism. Hence, these terubuk ikan masin are important estuarine fishes, both commercially and culturally in many Asian countries, including Malaysia. The information that generated from this research will be useful for further studies not only for the future researcher but also for sustainable on commercial fish.
Fund Management – An Exploratory Case Study of Several Mosques in Kelantan
Authors: Yasoa’ Mohd Rushdan , Ghazali Mohd Safwan , Alwi Mohd Afifie Mohd , Rahman Azira Hanani Ab , Abdullah Siti Salwani , Abdullah Ahmad Ridhuan , Ismail Mohammad , Yaacob Mohd Rafi
Published: July 2019

This paper attempts to identify the mosques’ source of fund, distribution of fund, and parties responsible in managing the fund. This study was conducted using qualitative data through in depth interviews on three different mosques in Kelantan. The findings of this study further solidify results of previous research where it was found that the main sources of mosques’ fund were from public charity contributions. The fund was also found to be utilized optimally on operations and physical development of the mosques.
The Application of Shariah Principle in E-commerce Transaction: A Model Development
Authors: Muhammad Mohd Zulkifli , Amboala Tamrin , Salleh Muhammad Zulfaris Mohd , Abdullah Azwan , Tahrim Siti Nurzahira Che , Nawi Noorshella Che
Published: July 2019

Issues concerning purchasing on-line, the medium of transaction via on-line or Internet, e-payment mode are among new challenges that require Islamic scholars and researchers to broaden the scope of definition of Shariah compliance e-commerce transaction. As Malaysia is heading towards e-commerce and purchasing on-line has no longer a new trend; the challenges arise for solution in accordance with Shariah principles. This paper will propose a model that comprises several components namely, the core Shariah component itself, sound technological means and regulatory body that supports e-commerce transactions.
We are no Plural Subject
Authors: Jansen Ludger ,   ProtoSociology Project
Published: July 2019

In On Social Facts (1989) and subsequent works, Margaret Gilbert has suggested a plural subject account of the semantics of ‘we’ that claims that a central or standard use of ‘we’ is to refer to an existing or anticipated plural subject. This contrasts with the more general approach to treat plural pronouns as expressions referring to certain pluralities. I argue that (i) the plural subject approach cannot account for certain syntactic phenomena and that (ii) the sense of intimacy, which Gilbert cites as evidence for her plural subject account, has a different source than the existence of joint commitments constituting a respective plural subject. Moreover, (iii) there is a wide variety of phenomena in the linguistic record, which, while not constituting conclusive evidence against the plural subject account, nevertheless, are dealt with better by the plurality account. ‘We’ thus refers to pluralities, which may or may not be plural subjects. The precise analysis of ‘we’ thus reveals a multi-layered ontology of groups.
Joint Commitment
Authors: Smith Thomas H. ,   ProtoSociology Project
Published: July 2019

I defend some of Gilbert’s central claims about our capacity jointly to commit ourselves, and what follows from an exercise of it. I argue that, to explain these claims, we do not need to suppose, as Gilbert does, that we ever are jointly committed, that is, jointly in a state of being committed. I offer a diagnosis of why the gratuitousness of this supposition has been overlooked.
How We Feel
Authors: León Felipe , Zahavi Dan ,   ProtoSociology Project
Published: July 2019

This article engages critically with Margaret Gilbert’s proposal that joint commitments are necessary for collective emotions. After introducing Gilbert’s concept of joint commitment (Section 2), and the joint commitment account of collective emotions (Section 3), we argue in Section 4 that research from developmental psychology challenges the necessity of joint commitments for collective emotions. In that section, we also raise a more principled objection to Gilbert’s account, independently of developmental considerations. Section 5 develops a complementary line of argument, focused on the notion of mutual recognition. While we agree with Gilbert that mutual recognition has an important role to play in an account of collective emotions, we take issue with her attempt to analyse face-to-face based mutual recognition in terms of the concept of joint commitment. We conclude by sketching an alternative analysis of collective emotions that highlights the role of interpersonal identification and socially mediated self-consciousness.
Collective Emotions and Normativity
Authors: Salmela Mikko ,   ProtoSociology Project
Published: July 2019

There are two opposite views about the relation of collective emotions and normativity. On the one hand, the philosopher Margaret Gilbert (1997, 2002, 2014) has argued for years that collective emotions are by constitution normative as they involve the participants’ joint commitment to the emotion. On the other hand, some theorists especially in sociology (Durkheim 2009, 2013a; Collins, 2004) have claimed that the values of particular objects and/or social norms originate from and are reinforced by collective emotions that are intentionally directed or associated with the relevant objects or actions. In this chapter, I discuss these opposing views about the relation of collective emotions and normativity, defending the latter view. While collective emotions typically emerge in situations in which some shared value or concern of the participants is at stake, I suggest that collective emotions may also ontologically ground norms in the manner suggested by Durkheim. I present support for this view from a recent sociological case study on the emergence of punitive norms in the social movement Occupy Geneva.
Making Beautiful Music Metadata Together
Authors: Long Chris Evin , Bonjack Stephanie , Kalwara James
Published: July 2019

This paper discusses how the Howard B. Waltz Music Library and the University of Colorado Boulder’s Metadata Services Department cooperated to resurrect and complete a long-dormant retrospective conversion cataloging project involving musical scores and vinyl records. It addresses the resources that both groups brought to the relationship; the collaborative process by which decisions were made; the implementation plan and challenges; and how fostering a culture of customer service within the Metadata Services Department contributed to the project’s success. It also contrasts Colorado’s project with two other cooperative music cataloging projects and explains how its approach can serve as a model to other libraries who have significant cataloging backlogs or hidden collections but may feel hindered by the lack of specialized in-house cataloging expertise.
Book Review: The Theory and Craft of Digital Preservation
Authors: Jones Katherine E.
Published: July 2019

Digital preservation is a challenging topic. The digital world evolves so quickly that it is hard to keep up with all the new developments, or understand the shelf life of various digital media because it has been changing exponentially fast.
The city in Soviet Lithuanian cinema
Authors: Vitkauskaitė Ilona
Published: July 2019

The article analyzes urban representations of Soviet-era Lithuanian cinema. Like any other object of reality, the city in cinema is a secondary reality, the fruit of artistic interpretation. At the same time, images of the city in film can reflect individual and collective consciousness of the period. The analysis of urban space of Lithuanian feature cinema reveals that cinematographic space can be treated as a composite construct, which creates and represents projections of identities and feelings, reflects demands, ideas, cinema fashions of its time and “hides” real sociocultural and sociopolitical discourses. Most of Soviet-style feature films much easier incorporate countryside spaces, images, landscapes and lifestyle. Meanwhile the city often not only creates an impression of a claustrophobic space, but even looks very decorative. It seems that most of filmmakers can’t identify cities with their own, Lithuanian, national living space. In search of identity or inspiration they turn to idealized village, agrarian culture and its images. Therefore, the city of Soviet Lithuanian cinema is more likely to become a space of collapsed hopes, prison, ideological repressive space, which is stuck between the present and the past. Filmmakers, like their characters, run to the shelter of nature, the mythologized, well-decorated farmstead, where archetypal father and mother figures or a calm, meditative landscape await. It seems that movie characters (and filmmakers), who have escaped from the socialist reality and its challenges to the landscapes of nature and village, have never returned.
Parto no Brasil: intervenção médica ou protagonismo da mulher?
Authors: Brasil Gisely do , Neves Débora Costa , Maciel Daniela Maristane Vieira Lopes , Figueredo Rogério Carvalho de
Published: July 2019

O parto é um evento historicamente natural que finaliza a gestação, transformando a mulher em mãe. A mudança de parto domiciliar para parto hospitalar, no Brasil, ocorreu no século XX, com a crescente evolução da assistência hospitalar, seguindo a tendência dos países desenvolvidos. Este artigo tem o objetivo de delinear a evolução histórica no Brasil da assistência à mulher no parto, a partir do século XIX e os principais tipos de parto protagonizados na atualidade. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica exploratória, através de documentos governamentais, livros e periódicos em sites oficiais do governo brasileiro e bases de dados eletrônicos como Google Acadêmico, LILACS e SciELO. As palavras-chave utilizadas foram: parto normal; parto humanizado; cesárea; e parteira, entre janeiro e abril de 2018. À seleção dos textos elegíveis e a avaliação de sua qualidade metodológica foi realizada independentemente por quatro revisores, sendo excluídos artigos que fugiam da temática proposta ou apresentassem data inferior ao ano de 2003. A partir deste estudo, foi possível identificar os principais tipos de parto e a evolução do nascimento contemplando, a problemática do processo de hospitalização do parto e as tentativas dos movimentos sociais e ações de políticas públicas, no intuito de frear este processo e redimensionar à assistência ao parto na ótica da humanização. Para que a mulher retomasse o empoderamento da sua vontade, e se deter no direito de escolher o tipo de parto que desejar para garantir uma experiência ímpar e intransferível na história da sua maternidade e para garantir este protagonismo da mulher no parto, é necessário que a equipe multiprofissional esteja preparada para adotar as boas práticas, diminuir a intervenção na assistência ao parto e coíba atos de violência à mulher.
Percepção de dor no parto normal em gestantes
Authors: Oliveira Amanda Cristielle Pereira da Mata , Sene Laize Batista de , Rodrigues Watanabe Luiz Aurélio
Published: July 2019

A gestação é um período em que o corpo feminino sofre variadas alterações, sendo elas físicas e psíquicas. O parto é um evento que desperta nos gestantes sentimentos de angústia, medo, ansiedade e dor. O presente artigo foi realizado através de um levantamento bibliográfico realizado por meio de uma revisão de literatura de caráter qualitativo, considerando a relevância do tema. Notou-se uma grande rejeição por parte das mulheres em optarem pelo parto normal, devido às dores sentidas no trabalho de parto e no parto. Porém, perceberam-se também pontos relevantes na optação pelo parto normal; ele traz benefícios para a mãe e para o bebê, pois minimiza os riscos para a saúde de ambos os envolvidos em gestações de baixo risco, além de o parto natural ser recomendado pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Notou-se, com esta pesquisa, que a fisioterapia pode auxiliar para a qualidade do trabalho de parto, facilitando em todas as suas fases, com técnicas que podem ajudar aliviando a dor, permitindo que a parturiente tenha melhor consciência corporal, prevenindo lesões no assoalho pélvico, e auxiliando na recuperação no pós-parto.  É papel do fisioterapeuta esclarecer às gestantes quanto aos tipos de parto e todas as possibilidades existentes. Percebeu-se também que o fisioterapeuta pode ser especializado em saúde da mulher, trabalhando com gestantes, auxiliando e orientando para que a mesma estimule a potencialidade do seu corpo no trabalho de parto e parto prevenindo complicações. A abordagem fisioterapêutica terá resultados benéficos sobre o bem-estar da gestante, ajudando e prevenindo maiores lesões na musculatura do assoalho pélvico nos partos normais.
Self-advocacy for Inclusion: A Case Study of Blind Students in the University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Abera Tadesse , Negassa Dawit
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-advocacy practice for inclusion of blind students in the University of Gondar. A case study design with qualitative inquiry approach was used. In-depth interview guide which was developed out of comprehensive review of literature was used as data gathering instrument. The in-depth interview instrument on its content and construct validity was checked by one blind special needs education professional who works as an instructor in the Department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education in the University of Gondar. There were only five blind students in the university; three were taken as the rest two were unwilling. The data collected through semi-structured interview guide was analyzed thematically in four dimensions of self-advocacy: knowledge of self, knowledge of rights, communication and leadership. Additionally, there was a theme that investigates how the blind students were self-advocating in fighting back their challenges. Results indicate that the blind students were not found to be self-advocates for their inclusion. Except in knowledge of self to some extent, they were found to have limitations in their knowledge of rights, communication and leadership. Recommendations such as improving knowledge of rights, communications and leadership have been forwarded.
Pre-test the Effect of Teaching Social Studies Course through Performing Arts on the Students’ Academic Achievement and Permanence of their Knowledge
Authors: Baş Kenan , Durmuş Esen
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of social studies teaching through performing arts on the academic achievement and permanence of knowledge of performing arts and students. The participants of this research consisted of 250 6th grade students studying at five secondary schools located in different educational regions within boundaries of the central Elazığ Province (from Turkey) in the 2015 and 2016 spring term. The study was conducted on 5 experimental (n = 125) and 5 control (n = 125) groups randomly selected. A mixed method involving qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Academic achievement test and an interview consisting of open-ended questions were used. On quantitative dimension of the study, pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design was used. On qualitative dimension, students were interviewed. During the study, while social studies course teaching was carried out with the experimental groups through performing arts, in the control groups, teaching activities stipulated by the current syllabus were carried out. The application period of the study lasted for eight weeks in total with three hours of teaching weekly in both groups. The statistical program (SPSS, version 21) was used analyzing the quantitative data obtained from the study. The N-VIVO-9 program was used for the analysis of qualitative data. As a result of the study, it was found that social studies teaching activities performed through performing arts were more successful in increasing student achievement than the activities stipulated by the current syllabus. However, as a result of the interviews, the results regarding the positive and negative aspects of the teaching activities performed in the experimental groups were obtained. It was found that the data obtained concerning the qualitative dimension of the study supported the data obtained concerning the quantitative dimension.
Crafting a Critical Literacy Skillset: An Improved Use of Visual Modalities
Authors: Barbre James O.
Published: July 2019

The goal of literacy development at schools is a standing feature of the curriculum. In spite of this, the means to develop critical thinking in students often comes up short. The development of literacy and critical thinking can be presented in engaging and memorable ways, but schools often defer to what they have done in the past; namely through textbooks and worksheets. This article will argue that the greater and structured incorporation of graphic novels and comic literature, but from a critical literacy perspective, will have the effect of increasing engagement of the subject matter. A closer engagement through visual means, coupled with a teaching pedagogy that directly supports critical literacy skill development builds the best experience and engagement of student learning.
Deploying Orature to Meet the Challenges of Unemployment in Nigeria
Authors: Tajudeen Opoola Bolanle , Aare Kadiri Razak
Published: July 2019

Nigeria in the last three decades has had to grapple with the perennial problem of unemployment. This is not uncommon among developing nations considering the legacy bequeathed by the colonial masters. The widespread exploitation and misadventure in the African continent, defective political structure and the political elites that continued the exploitative tendencies of their masters remain a sad commentary. It is on this premise that this study intends to interrogate the problem of unemployment from within. The literary theory is pluriversalism while the teaching learning theory adopted was the behaviouralist approach. A noteworthy realisation is that Orature is the verbal artistic product that encapsulates the sensibility and knowledge production of the African world view that shows that native intelligence can positively contribute to national development. The study concludes that Orature, if properly deployed could be a plausible solution to unemployment particularly among the Yoruba youths in Nigeria.
Teachers’ Knowledge of Diabetes and Attitudes towards Diabetic Students in the Primary Schools in Al Baha City in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alzahrani Mohammed Abdullah A.
Published: July 2019

The lifestyle in Saudi Arabia has changed significantly during the last few decades since oil was discovered in 1938. This discovery led to an economic revolution in Saudi Arabia. However, this resulted in people changing their eating habits, which included eating fast food due to their new work responsibilities. Therefore, some chronic diseases such as diabetes, which is one of the most widespread chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia, became more common. This study aims to investigate teachers’ attitudes towards diabetic pupils and teachers’ knowledge of diabetes as a chronic disease in governmental primary schools in a city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a survey-based research study of the attitudes and teachers’ knowledge of diabetes and the research used a quantitative methodology to answer the research questions. The sample of the study consisted of 59 teachers in the governmental primary male schools with mixed background variables of, for example, majors, teaching experiences, and levels of education. The study used a questionnaire in order to achieve research questions. It included two scales: the teachers’ knowledge of diabetes and an attitude scale towards diabetic students as well as the items of these two-scale knowledge tests and attitude scale developed by the researcher. The findings demonstrate that there was not a statistical difference between the teachers’ knowledge test and their six different majors. On the other hand, the teaching experience had a positive impact on teachers’ attitude towards diabetic students. Although the negative correlation between teachers’ knowledge of diabetes and their attitude towards diabetic students was small, this value could still suggest a negative correlation. The current study can lead to increased awareness of teachers and educational policy-makers to take into consideration training teachers in some common chronic diseases such as diabetes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Encouraging enough? A Case Study on Parental Feedback on New Assessment in Finnish Basic Education
Authors: Loima Jyrki
Published: July 2019

This is a qualitative case study of the parental feedback about participatory assessment done during the first year (2016) of the implementation of the reformed Finnish basic education curriculum. It covered grades 1-6 and was a first time to have a broader, tri-angulated teacher-student-parent assessment on learning and schooling. Consequently, parents were selected from those grades, being of various ethnic backgrounds. This case study was conducted in a Southern Finland basic education school. Resulting trends were obvious: parents regarded this kind of participatory assessment meaningful. Second, the newer the whole schooling and curricula update was for parents, the better was the participatory feedback. As a result of this study, it is clear that while the discussion and longitudinal studies on learning and assessment are still on-going, there is no rush to return into an old system and heavy, centralized assessment instruction patterns. On the contrary, this study showed beneficial elements and development triggers towards even more collaborative and encouraging assessment.
Examining Reading Cultures of Pre-Service Teachers: A Case Study from an Education Faculty in Turkey
Authors: Türkel Ali , Özdemir Eylem Ezgi , Akbulut Serdar
Published: July 2019

In this study, it has been intended to examine reading cultures of pre-service teachers depending on multiple variables. The study group of this research consists of 377 pre-service teachers who are studying in fourth grade at Turkish Education, Psychological Counseling and Guidance, Primary School Mathematics Education, Computer and Instructional Technologies, Fine Arts-Music Education, English Education, and Special Education departments during the fall semester of 2017-2018 education year. “Reading Culture Scale”, which was formerly developed by the researchers, was carried out in order to designate the reading culture of pre-service teachers. With reference to the produced statistical analyses, the total average point on reading culture of pre-service teachers, who had attended the study, was found as medium. When variables affecting reading cultures of pre-service teachers were examined, a significant difference was observed in the variable of gender, and female pre-service teachers were identified to have higher average points in RCS comparing to male pre-service teachers. There are significant differences in RCS total points of pre-service teachers as regards to the variables of membership to the library, owning a bookcase, having a habit of reading. It has been designated that pre-service teachers with membership to the library, owning a bookcase and having a habit of reading had more RCS total average points than others. Through outcomes of this study, status evaluation, concerning reading cultures of pre-service teachers, had been conducted; and several suggestions were made upon adopting a reading culture to an individual with the aim of future studies.
Attitudes to English in the Kaleidoscopic Iranian Context: Second, Foreign or International?
Authors: Kiavar Negar , Yaghoubi-Notash Massoud
Published: July 2019

Today’s world seems to be quite overwhelmingly concerned with communication as an incontestable aspect of which is communicating with people lacking a shared linguistic background. A common language (or lingua franca) would, therefore, be needed which can cut across all local, national, and regional linguistic boundaries. This study aimed at exploring the attitudes of 400 bilingual and monolingual college students and EFL learners. It investigated English language status in the linguistically diverse context of Iran. For the purpose of the study, a standardized questionnaire containing 37 Likert-type items was distributed. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis revealing that learners from different linguistic backgrounds had significantly different reactions and attitudes to the issues such as: General perception to English, Status of English, text and content matter comprehensibility through English, job prospects, official status, culture learning, integrating with American or British cultures, religion and foreign language learning, English ownership, Adherence to British English, American English or English as an international language.
Views of Teachers and Students on the Problems of Syrian Children in a Refugee School in Turkey
Authors: Karakuş Mehmet
Published: July 2019

The aim of the study was to shed light on the situations of teachers and students and their perception of the atmosphere in a school where Turkish children were educated in the morning while Syrian refugee students were educated in the afternoon. In this study, the features of the school, and the scope of curriculum applied to Syrian children, and the problems within the education process were examined according to teachers’ as well as to students’ views. Interviews were conducted with 12 refugee students and 4 Syrian teachers at the school. It was found that teaching had not been the original job of most of the teachers who were teaching due to their economic difficulties. It was also ascertained that teachers had problems, especially with the curriculum as well as with teaching materials; their students had forgotten some part of what they had learned due to several years of gap in their education; and that most of these students carried with them the psychological effects of the war. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that refugees’ education be carried out along with the students of the hosting country, that the curricula be prepared according to their needs, and that teachers working at these schools be equipped with an acceptable level of teaching skills.
Extensive Reading and Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition: The Case of a Predominant Language Classroom Input
Authors: Alsaif Abdullah , Masrai Ahmed
Published: July 2019

A considerable body of research has investigated the effectiveness of extensive reading on incidental vocabulary acquisition in second language (L2) learners. However, we still know very little about the relationship between extensive reading and vocabulary development among Saudi learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) where language classroom is the predominant source of learning, if not the only one. In the present case study, a single participant was instructed to read extensively for eight weeks as an informal activity outside the classroom. The participant’s written receptive vocabulary knowledge was measured before and after the treatment. Results indicated that extensive reading contributed largely to the participant’s vocabulary gain, suggesting that a vocabulary uptake of about eight words from extensive reading intervention has occurred compared to about two words per contact hour from language classroom input where reading texts are short and scattered throught the textbook. Finding is interpreted in order to provide some pedagogical recommendations.
Relationship between Parental Involvement and Students’ Academic Achievement in Model Primary and Secondary School of Haramaya University, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Assefa Abate , Sintayehu Birhanu
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental involvement and students’ academic achievement in Model Primary and Secondary School of Haramaya University, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Correlational research design was employed to carry out the current study. Questionnaire interview and document analysis were employed to was employed to collect the data from selected respondents. The sample consists of 52 parents and 60 students purposively selected. The students were selected by their academic rank which means 50% were high achievers whereas below50% were lower achievers from the 8th, 10th and 12th grades. Parents of 30 top scoring and 30 low scoring students were selected purposively. Parental involvement was measured by using self-developed questionnaire with 10 items and eight interview guide questions were used, and students’ academic achievement was measured by their recorded scores by their respective grades in the past three years four interview guide questions were employed. The first finding was that there was statistically significant positive relationship between parental involvement and students’ academic achievement, (r=0.64, p<0.01). The second finding was that the portrayed students who ranked from 1st to 10th from grades 8, 10 and 12 were highly involved, supported and followed by their parents on their education. The third finding was that students who were scored below 50% and ranked last 10’s from perspective grades were children whose families were less encouraged and involved. In general, parents’ involvement in supporting their students to boost their academic achievement is moderate. It is recommended that more detailed studies can be conducted in the future in different areas as well as country wide.
Factors Affecting Iranian TEFL Postgraduate Candidates’ Research Productivity: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Yousefi Reihanne , Tahriri Abdorreza , Tous Maryam Danaye
Published: July 2019

Developing research performance has become an important theme in Iranian higher educational institutions as other national and international academic institutions across the world. However, the research performance of Iranian Teaching English as a Foreign Language postgraduate candidates has been argued to be limited. In order to increase their research productivity and develop their capacity in this regard, the first critical step is to understand the influences which are associated with their academic research performance. This qualitative study focuses on a group of TEFL postgraduate candidates from five major Iranian universities with the purpose of investigating the motivational influences in conducting research, their perception of research value, and their understanding of research environment which is required for research productivity. Interviews were conducted with 20 candidates from the sample universities. It was revealed that the research related activities and efforts of the participants were driven by both external and internal needs and motivations. A multi-dimensional value was accorded to research; however, the academic research environment and requirements were the subject of various concerns. The results of this study offer several future implications for departmental and institutional research administrators to further support TEFL postgraduate candidates’ research development.
The Mediating Role of School Engagement in the Relationship between Attitude toward Learning and Academic Achievement
Authors: Erdoğdu M. Yüksel
Published: July 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of school engagement in the relationship between attitude toward learning and academic achievement. The study was carried out on 438 high school students. The Scale of Attitudes Toward Learning and the School Engagement Scale were applied to the participants, and students’ academic achievement scores were obtained from the school administration. In the study, the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and the ordinary least squares regression-based approach and Bootstrap method were used to determine the effects of the mediation model. According to the research findings, a relationship between attitude toward learning, academic achievement, and school engagement was found. It was determined that school engagement plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between attitude toward learning and academic achievement. The results revealed the importance of school engagement in improving students’ attitude toward learning and academic achievement, and it was recommended to discuss and interpret the results.
Parents’, Teachers’ and Students’ Beliefs about the Use and Study of Mother-tongue in the Secondary Schools in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Ezeokoli Francis O. , Ugwu Eucharia Okwudilichukwu
Published: July 2019

The study explored parents, teachers, and students’ beliefs about the use and study of mother tongue (MT) in selected secondary schools in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted. Twelve public senior secondary schools were randomly selected. Purposive sampling technique was used to select at least 15 literate parents, 12 teachers from different subject areas, and 20 students from each school. Overall, 211 literate parents, 195 teachers and 237 SSII students participated. Three instruments used were: Parents’ Questionnaire (r=0.87), Teachers’ Questionnaire (r=0.90) and Students’ Questionnaire (r=0.87). Data were analysed using frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results show that parents, teachers and students have strong beliefs that using the MT to teach will facilitate the learning of English and other subjects and enhance participation in lessons. They also believe that studying the MT as a school subject would promote students’ sense of identity and positive attitude towards the Nigerian culture. Students believe that the MT remains the best language to learn with. The study has shown that the participants have strong beliefs about the pedagogical and sociocultural relevance of the MT in education. There is a positive indication that the main stakeholders (parents, teachers and students) are ready to embrace the study of MT as a subject in the secondary school. It is therefore recommended that the governments should endeavour to invest in the development of the orthographies of the Nigerian languages to make them usable in education.
Using Hybrid Problem-based Learning (HPBL) Approach to Enhance Libyan EFL Students’ Engagement with English Language
Authors: Baresh Eman Fathi , Ali Suraini Mohd , Darmi Ramiaida
Published: July 2019

This article explores how the Hybrid Problem-Based Learning (HPBL) approach can improve the Libyan EFL learners’ performance in English language speaking. The paper employed the case study research design in which qualitative data through observation and interview were collected and analysed thematically. The participants involved in the study were 30 first-year undergraduate students in one of the Libyan public universities. The study was conducted in the period of 9 weeks. The course was conducted alternatingly between traditional and PBL lessons. The PBL lessons were based on 7 steps of Schmidt, Dauphinee and Patel (1989). At the end of each PBL lesson, students presented their possible solutions for the problem presented in a form of oral presentation (OP). It was found that after undergoing the HPBL process, the speaking ability of the learners improved in fluency, grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, confidence level, intonation skills and pronunciation. It is, thus, concluded the HPBL approach is a worthwhile alternative for English lecturers for the transformation of the stagnant approach to the teaching of English language in the Libyan EFL context.
Resistance of Malpighia emarginata DC. Genotypes to Meloidogyne enterolobii Parasitism
Authors: Silva Allan Deyws Francisco da , Musser Rosimar dos Santos , Martins Luiza Suely Semen , Silva Flavio Carrazzone De Carvalho , Bovet Mateus Bernard , Filho Rômulo Maciel De Moraes
Published: July 2019

Aims: Considering the inexistence of M. emarginata cultivars resistant to M. enterolobii available for cultivation, and the scarcity of information about the severity of its parasitism in M. emarginata, the present study investigated the response of genotypes from the active germplasm bank of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco to M. enterolobii parasitism, aiming the selection of resistant genotypes for use as rootstocks for commercial varieties.

Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomized, with 21 genotypes and one independent matrix (control), with six replicates each. The experimental unit was represented by one plant per plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Agronomy, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco – UFRPE - Brazil between June 2013 and July 2014.

Methods: In the experiment, completely randomized design was adopted, with 21 genotypes from the AGB and one as a control for susceptibility. The M. emarginata cuttings were inoculated with 10,000 nematode eggs, and after 150 days, they were evaluated for the following parameters: Egg mass index, gall index, reproduction factor, number of eggs per gram of root, number of eggs per root system.

Results: Twenty out of the twenty-two genotypes analyzed were susceptible. The genotypes 021-CMF and 037-CMF were considered resistant. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of M. emarginata genotypes resistant to M. enterolobii.

Conclusions: These results are of great importance for the breeding and cultivation of the species since these two genotypes can be indicated for use as rootstocks and for breeding programs aimed at transferring resistance to other cultivars with desirable production characteristics that are susceptible to the phytonematode.
Effect of Water Stress on the Development of Soybean Crop
Authors: Pereira Pedro Silvério Xavier , Daros Rodrigo Fernandes , Silva Ana Lucia da , Campos Arnaldo Gonçalves de , Bianchini Aloisio , Júnior José Holanda Campelo , Campelo Júnior José Holanda , Santos Matheus Azevedo dos , Santos Matheus Azevedo dos , Pereira Thalles Alexandre Xavier , Pallaoro Dryelle Sifuentes
Published: July 2019

The present work had the objective of evaluating the effects of the spatial variability of the main meteorological elements on soybean yield, variety M7739 IPRO from Monsoy, with an early cycle of 105 days, with sowing at the beginning of October and harvesting at the beginning of the month in February, in two agricultural years (2013/14 and 2014/15) at Santa Luzia farm, located in the municipality of Campo Verde - MT (15º42'28 ''S, 55º19'59'' W, 736 m). The meteorological data of the region were obtained through the 9th district of meteorology (9th DISME) of the National Institute of Meteorology - INMET. The coefficient of culture (kc) was defined following the development stages of the culture. The estimates of evapotranspiration (potential and crop) were determined by the water balance method and the sensitivity coefficients (ky) of the soybean crop were estimated by the expression Ky=(1-Yr/Ym)/(1-ETr/ETm), in which ky = yield response factor; Yr = actual yield of the crop; Ym = maximum yield of the crop; ETr = actual evapotranspiration e ETm = maximum evapotranspiration. The values of Ky were all lower than 1, both for the crop cycle in the 2013/14 crop year and for the crop cycle 2014/15, indicating that the soybean crop is adaptable to water deficit.
Learning Curves for Robotic-Assisted Ventral Hernia Repair
Authors: Loh Wei San , Howard Ryan A. , Fry Brian T. , Thumma Jyothi R. , Norton Edward C. , Dimick Justin B. , Sheetz Kyle H.
Published: December 2024

Importance

Although the use of robotic-assisted ventral hernia repairs has increased significantly over the last decade, the experience surgeons need to achieve comparable outcomes with more established laparoscopic and open approaches has not been well characterized.

Objective

To estimate the learning curves for robotic-assisted ventral (incisional and umbilical) hernia repair.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included Medicare fee-for-service patients (≥18 years) enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B with no managed care undergoing ventral hernia repairs between 2010 and 2020. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate reoperation rates for hernia recurrence, adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, mesh placement, and hospital characteristics. Analyses were conducted from October 2023 to July 2024.

Exposure

Incremental robotic-assisted hernia repair volume.

Main Outcome and Measure

Reoperation for hernia recurrence within 7 years of index hernia repair.

Results

This study comprised 160 379 Medicare patients (mean [SD] age, 69 [11] years), of whom 93 272 (58.2%) were female, 13 799 (8.6%) were Black, 3124 (2.0%) were Hispanic, and 138 311 (86.2%) were White. Among these patients, 12 609 (7.9%) underwent robotic-assisted hernia repairs, 32 337 (20.2%) laparoscopic repairs, and 115 433 (71.9%) open repairs. This study also included 23 580 surgeons, with 5074 performing robotic-assisted hernia repairs. The national reoperation rates for hernia recurrence after laparoscopic and open repairs were 12.5% (95% CI, 12.06%-12.94%) and 12.9% (95% CI, 12.70%-13.15%), respectively. Reoperation rates decreased as the number of robotic-assisted cases increased, from 14.2% (95% CI, 13.34%-14.97%) at 10 cases to 7.6% (95% CI, 6.75-8.37) at 50 cases. Surgeons needed at least 19 (95% CI, 16-22) robotic-assisted hernia repairs or 16 (95% CI, 13-19) repairs to achieve outcomes equivalent to those of laparoscopic and open procedures. Few surgeons (285 surgeons [5.7%]) performed enough robotic-assisted ventral hernia repairs to achieve necessary volume nationally to overcome the learning curve.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of 23 580 surgeons who performed ventral hernia repairs between 2010 and 2020, increasing experience with robotic-assisted hernia repairs was associated with improved long-term reoperation rates for hernia recurrence. However, the majority of surgeons did not perform enough cases to reach reoperation rates equivalent to more established laparoscopic and open approaches.
Altered Empathy Processing in Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Lindberg Olof , Li Tie-Qiang , Lind Cecilia , Vestberg Susanna , Almkvist Ove , Stiernstedt Mikael , Ericson Anita , Bogdanovic Nenad , Hansson Oskar , Harper Luke , Westman Eric , Graff Caroline , Tsevis Theofanis , Mannfolk Peter , Fischer Håkan , Nilsonne Gustav , Petrovic Predrag , Nyberg Lars , Wahlund Lars-Olof , Santillo Alexander F.
Published: December 2024

This case-control study examines differences in empathetic response of patients experiencing behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia using functional magnetic resonance imaging.