bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of a Simplified Methodology for Preliminary Blast-Resistant Design of Insulated Precast Concrete Wall Panels
Authors: Alawad Omar M.
Published: June 2024

A Blast loading history can be represented by the peak pressure value and the impulse. Combinations of pressure and impulse of various blast loading scenarios can be collected to draw a pressure-impulse (P-I) curve that corresponds to a level of damage of a blast-resistant structural component. The P-I curve is typically used for a preliminary design or assessment of blast resistance structural components. Generating a P I curve for a given structural component and level of protection requires repeatedly ru nning a single degree of freedom system (SDOF) model, which can be tedious for early design stages. Hence, a simplified approach (i.e., the normalization approach) was utilized to promptly generate the P- I curve for insulated precast concrete wall panels, which relies on shifting a control P I curve using normalization factors. The generated P-I curves using the normalization approach are validated with the traditional SDOF approach curves; 95% of the examined insulted panel configurations have an error between +/-7%. As a result of the reached low error percentages, a spreadsheet- design tool was developed using this approach. The tool can further enable rapid evaluation of the performance of insulated precast concrete panels under blast loading during the preliminary design phase.
Assessment of Liquefaction Potential by Comparing Semi-Empirical Methods Based on the CPT Test
Authors: Berkat Badr , Akhssas Ahmed , Ouadif Latifa , Bahi Anas
Published: June 2024

Liquefaction is a dangerous and temporary phenomenon whereby water-saturated soil loses all or part of its strength. Undrained conditions associated with cyclic loading increase water pressure in soil pores, thereby reducing effective stress. The aim of this study is, on the one hand, to report on the phenomenon of liquefaction of sand, clay and silt deposits in more or less water-saturated zones in the section located at the heart of the central alluvial plain of the Oued Sebou in the mio-plioquaternary Gharb basin and, on the other hand, to study the ability of semi-empirical methods to correctly assess liquefaction potential, while specifying the most appropriate method for the area studied. The study is based on data from experimental results of static penetrometer tests between the Mnasra - Ouelad Salama zone in the Oued Sebou alluvial plain of Morocco's mio-plio-quaternary Gharb basin, made up of sandy, sandy-clay, sandy-silt and silty-sandy formations, which are more sensitive to liquefaction due to their saturation and grain size. We present and discuss the results of Olsen's method, Juang's method and Robertson's method, which are based on the CPT static penetrometer test, as well as looking at the impact of dynamic loading and soil structure on liquefaction probability index values.
Application of Numerical Modeling and GIS for Simulating Inundation Under Dam Failure Scenarios
Authors: Hanh Dong Kim , Truong Dinh Duc , Bui Kien-Trinh Thi
Published: June 2024

Dam failure and unsafe dam reservoirs cause extremely serious flooding and affecting the environment and ecosystem in the downstream area. The study applied numerical modelling (MIKE 11, MIKE 21, MIKE FLOOD) combined with GIS technology to simulate flooding due to the collapse of Dong Be reservoir, Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, with flood scenarios of frequency P=1.5% and P=0.5%. The study calibrated and validated the MIKE FLOOD model for two historic flood events in 2010 and 2017. Assessment results show that they were relatively consistent with flood trace survey data. Inundation results in two scenarios show that the inundation area with the P=0.5% scenario tends to increase compared to the P=1.5% scenario. The evaluation of simulation results for flooding under two scenarios, when overlaid with administrative, population, and construction layers, will help assess the impact of dam failure and establish its consequences.
Stability Analysis of Waste Landfills on Potentially Unstable Territory
Authors: Chropeňová Dagmar , Slávik Ivan , Hruštinec Ľuboš
Published: June 2024

The article presents the stability analysis of two adjacent waste landfills located in a potentially unstable territory. One of the waste landfills is reclaimed and consists of ash. Municipal solid waste is actively deposited in the second landfill. In the space between the landfills, the expansion of the municipal solid waste landfill is planned, with a partial overlap of the reclaimed ash landfill. The instability of the area where the landfills are located is due to its susceptibility to the formation of landslides. The article presents the results of experimental verifications of the peak shear strength parameters of the ashes and the peak and residual shear strength of the soils forming the subsoil of both landfills and serve as input for stability analyses. The shear strength parameters of municipal waste are defined on the basis of literature research. The potential instability of both waste landfill territories was taken into account using the parameters of the residual shear strength of the subsoil. The stability analysis of waste landfills is expressed using both the peak and residual shear strength parameters of the subsoil of waste landfills. In addition, the effect of seismic loading on both landfills is considered in the stability analysis.
Assessment of Coarse Soil’s Stability Towards Internal Erosion Case of Biskra’s Dam Soil
Authors: Belmana Adel , Mellas Mekki , Cavaleiro Victor
Published: June 2024

Internal erosion is a phenomenon that occurs in soils constituting hydraulic structures under the influence of internal flow. This erosion occurs because of pipe erosion which becomes widespread, leading in some cases to the rupture of the structure. Soils susceptible to piping, generally have particle size instability. This study aims to provide an empirical understanding of the initiation and development of erosion in coarse soil obtained near Biskra’s dam in Algeria. To assess the soil’s dispersiveness chemical analyses such as SAR and PS were conducted, as well as the particle size criteria were verified. The soil was examined in-depth using a double hydrometer test along with Crumb tests. A Hole Erosion Test (HET) device is developed to investigate the effect of certain parameters, such as the compaction degree and the hole diameter on internal erosion’s onset and progression. The results have shown the instability of the soil toward internal erosion given the considerably eroded particles. furthermore, an inverse relationship between the eroded particles mass and the degree of compaction and the initial hole’s diameter is observed.
Experimental Investigation of Bearing Capacity of Circular and Ring Footings on Geogrid-Reinforced Cohesionless Soils
Authors: Al-Sumaiday Hashim , Khalaf Wisam Dheyab , Muhauwiss Farouk Majeed
Published: June 2024

This experimental investigation describes an extensive series of reduced laboratory scale tests, conducted on circular and ring footing models rested on a geogrid reinforced cohesionless soil. The study examined the impact of several factors at different relative sand densities, such as the inner to the outer diameter ratio of the ring footing, the number of geogrid reinforcements, the depth of the initial reinforcement, and the vertical spacing between the geogrids, as well as the geogrid stiffness. The results indicated that the optimum diameter ratio of ring footings resting on loose or medium-dense cohesionless soil is 0.40 at which the maximum bearing capacity is reached, leading in a cost-effective design of the footings, while for the dense soil, a diameter ratio of 0.45 is the optimal ratio. Also, the results indicated that the optimum number of reinforcement layers which after the bearing capacity improvement can be considered negligible is three layers for the circular footing and four layers for the ring footing model. To achieve the maximum increase in bearing capacity, the study identifies optimal values for the depth of the first geogrid reinforcement layer and the vertical spacing between reinforcements, which apply to circular and ring footing. While the stiffness of the reinforcement has a significant effect on the bearing capacity, this effect is not proportional.
Behavior of Fatigue Damaged Reinforced Concrete One-Way Slabs Repaired With CFRP Sheets
Authors: Hameed Mohammed O. , Daud Raid A.
Published: June 2024

The results of experimental research involving nine one-way slabs are detailed in this report. The objective was to investigate the impact of different parameters on the structural performance of these slabs in their absence and with strengthening. Externally bonded CFRP sheets strengthened six of the nine slabs; the three remaining slabs served as control specimens. Before subjecting the specimens to monotonic loading, pre-fatigue damage of 50% and 70% repeated loading was induced. An exhaustive assessment was conducted on each slab, in which it was compared to its control slab. Several crucial elements were incorporated into the evaluation, including the ultimate load capacity, the reason for failure, crack patterns, and load-deflection curves. Examining these metrics was intended to provide insight into the efficacy and structural performance of the employed fortification technology. Compared to unenhanced reinforced concrete slabs (control slab), the highest stresses on slabs supported with bonded CFRP sheets are between 20 and 44% better. Compared to the control slab, an almost 70% reduction in deflection was observed. The flexural performance of compromised reinforced concrete slabs repaired with this technology can be brought up to date and enhanced.
Empirical Modeling of High-Performance Self-Compacting Concrete with Induction-Furnace Slag
Authors: Mark Oluwaseun , Ede Anthony , Arum Chinwuba , Jolayemi Kayode
Published: June 2024

This study led to the creation of empirical models of the properties of high-performance self-compacting concrete (HPSCC) with inductionfurnace slag (IFS) added as an extra cementitious ingredient. The ingredients were Portland cement, IFS ranging from 0 to 50% by cement weight, granite, river sand, water, and superplasticizer. Using a slump flow test, the filling-ability property of the newly produced HPSCC was investigated. Similarly, a compressive strength test was used to determine the hardened HPSCC's compressive strength. Using already established scientific ideas, the empirical model of the filling-ability characteristic of the fresh HPSCC was generated, on the basis of the slump flow and the volume of the paste of the fresh concrete. Likewise, the empirical model of the compressive strength of the hardened HPSCC was generated, based on the combination of the parameters of the strength developed over time, with the strength developed, due to the addition of the IFS. Based on these, the empirical model of the fillingability property of the fresh HPSCC was

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, while that of the compressive strength of the hardened HPSCC was

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{f_c}\left( t \right) = {t \over {4.52 + 0.78t}}\left( { - 0.0109{{\left( {{P_{ifs}}} \right)}^2} + 0.2632{P_{ifs}} + 52.446} \right)

. The empirical models were then validated using test data from this work. Strong links between the measured and the predicted values were identified by the empirical correlations, where the coefficient of determination (R2) value for the filling ability property, gave above 94% and the R2 value for the compressive strength, gave above 86%. The estimated slump flow and the compressive strength were approximately equal to the experimental values. The outcomes demonstrated that IFS may be utilized to produce an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable HPSCC. The models can be adopted in designing HPSCC containing IFS as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and in predicting its filling-ability and compressive strength, which will benefit the construction industry.
Performance of Zero-Slump Concrete Made with Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Authors: Abdulkareem Omar M. , Alshahwany Rana B. , Shlla Riffa D. , Ahmed Anas S.
Published: June 2024

Concrete with no slump that is typically used for prefabrication is known as zero slump concrete (ZSC). ZSC is sensitive to mixture proportion. Since coarse aggregate makes up the majority of the concrete volume, recycling concrete aggregates will be a great choice for reducing the amount of concrete waste. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of using coarse recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in ZSC properties. Five mixes were manufactured, each with a different percentage of coarse RCA (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). Compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), dry bulk density, and water absorption of recycled aggregate ZSC were conducted at 7, 28 and 90 days. Experiments revealed that the inclusion of coarse RCA in ZSC degraded the quality of manufactured concrete. At 90 days, in comparison to the control mix, the minor drop was at 25% coarse RCA incorporation, which resulted in a 6.2%, 4.1%, 2%, and 2.4% drop in compressive strength, flexural strength, UPV, and dry bulk density, respectively, while there was a 24.4% increase in water absorption. The highest drop of recycled aggregate ZSC at 100% incorporation resulted in a 41.7%, 19.1%, 8.6%, and 7.6% drop in compressive strength, flexural strength, UPV, and dry bulk density, respectively, while there was a 158.8% increase in water absorption.
Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Clay Brick by Using Stone Powder
Authors: Almusawi Jwad K. , Obaid Ahmed Hatif , Al-Khazraji Hayder , Zemam Sajid Kamil
Published: June 2024

Hundreds of studies have been written in the last several decades on the advantages of using stone powder as a raw material in the production of fired clay bricks. The durability and long-term behavior of the finished product, however, have received very little attention in the literature. Clay bricks are generally fired at high temperatures in developing countries, which reduces the mechanical performance of the bricks. This is especially evident in extreme environmental settings where weathering leads to significant damage. The evaluation of concrete waste (stone powder) used to make fired clay bricks is the main topic of this study. There are two sections: the first evaluates how adding stone powder to clay bricks improves their physical characteristics such absorption, efflorescence, density, and firing shrinkage. The impact of stone powder on the mechanical characteristics of specimens of burned clay bricks, such as compressive and flexural strengths, is covered in the second section. The percentages of stone powder in the clay bricks are 0 %, 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20%. While the ratio of dry soil to water content remains is 0.3. In this work three fire phases are used untel to the maximum temperature is reached. The first one is 300 °C, the second phase is 600 °C, and 900 °C for the third phase. The water absorption of specimens decreased as the quantity of stone powder increased, and efflorescence also decreased, according to the results for the physical attributes. The density does, however, somewhat rise with the amount of stone powder. Additionally, when the amount of stone powder was increased, the experimental results indicated that firing shrinkage decreased. Mechanically considered, clay brick specimens with 20% more stone powder showed stronger compressive flexural capabilities.
The Use of Up-to Date Analyses for the Temporary Bridges Application in the Present
Authors: Hlinka Richard , Farbak Matus , Odrobinak Jaroslav
Published: June 2024

Bridges are a critical element of the transport network. In case of neglected maintenance, war conflict or natural disaster, they may be damaged or destroyed. An alternative solution in the form of a detour is mostly feasible only in the case of ground communication. But even in this case, it can be a very difficult and lengthy solution. Therefore, temporary bridges are often used to replace the permanent bridge structure for a certain time. The history of temporary bridges is essentially as old as that of permanent bridges. The first patented temporary bridge was the Eifel Bridge, which had a span of up to 60.0 m in 1888. Before the Second World War, the most widespread structures were the German S-bridge with spans of up to 15.0 m, Herbert-brücke with a span of up to 25.0 m and the English Bailey bridge system. In the post-war era, the ŽM 60 temporary bridge was designed as a universal bridge structure, which was to serve to temporarily bridge obstacles of medium and long spans. As standard, it was to serve as a railway bridge with a span of up to 60.0 m and as a road bridge with a span of 84.0 m. The task of the study published in this paper is to approach the possibilities of deploying the ŽM 60 bridge at present in compliance with the requirements arising from currently applicable standards and regulations.
Numerical Study of Shear Behavior of Geopolymer Concrete Beam Without Stirrups
Authors: Hussein Mohammed J. , Mayyahi Taghreed H. , Domat Wassim B.
Published: June 2024

The need to develop the concrete industry has increased with the increase in environmental damage resulting from building and construction operations. In the present research, the Numerical study of shear behavior of geopolymer concrete beams without stirrups by using the ANSYS program. It also includes concrete modelling to study the behavior of geopolymer concrete (GPC). The longitudinal reinforcements of beams (without stirrups) were "basalt fiber reinforced polymer bars". In order to enhance the shear behavior of the specimens, various types of fibers were added to geopolymer concrete (GPC): "steel fibers (SF), synthetic polypropylene fibers (PF), polyvinyl alcohol fibers (PVF), and carbon fibers (CF)". A numerical analysis was performed by the ANSYS version 15 program to study many parameters affecting the shear behavior of geopolymer concrete, such as longitudinal reinforcements,, and the inclusion of the opening. The results indicated that using steel fibers (SF) in geopolymer concrete increased the load failure of the tested specimens. On the other hand, using carbon fibers (CF) in the geopolymer concrete enhanced the ductility factor of these beams. The load capacity of the geopolymer concrete specimen is enhanced with longitudinal reinforcement by the CFRP bar compared to those reinforcements by BFRP bars. While the use of GFRP bars was less efficient than BFRP bars. Using FRP bars, and steel bars in strengthening geopolymer concrete beams with openings enhanced the failure load of these specimens.
Architectural Design Recommendations Based on Bioclimatic Features Using Climate Consultant and Mahony Tables Strategies
Authors: Elshafei Ghada , Zeleňáková Martina , Katunský Dušan , Negm Abdelazim
Published: June 2024

The aim of this research is to provide bioclimatic design suggestions to improve the thermal comfort of people in hot and humid climates according to the BWh (hot desert climate) Köppen climate classification. The city of Minia is considered one of Egypt’s hot desert regions. This study considered two main variables to achieve thermal comfort according to air velocity and temperature. To select the best bioclimatic design tactic, the findings are reviewed and plotted on the Climate Consultant (CC) Bioclimatic Chart and the Mahoney Table (MT). The proposed procedures are presented as figures relating to the approaches and are examined independently. We conclude that specific bioclimatic design strategies have been applied through the extensive study presented in this paper for Minia City, which can be exported to other regions with comparable climates. These strategies are practically and effectively considered functional architectural approaches that can improve thermal comfort for people. The two tools CC and MT are compared based on 27 recommended strategies that can be achieved according to the bioclimatic parameters that were studied. They agreed with 30% as good natural ventilation, passive solar heating with a high percentage that reached 10% for each. Where there is a difference of 20 recommendations to 70%, this represents other factors or recommendations such as shading with which it is proposed in MT as well as other parameters.
Preparedness training programs improved the emergency response and crucial outcomes among nursing students: a scoping review
Authors: Mulyana Budi , Pamungkas Rian Adi , Sari Widia , Sukarno Anita , Rosya Ernalinda , Wariani Wiwik
Published: June 2024

Objective

The study aims to review and discuss the outcomes of emergency preparedness training programs among nursing students.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted based on the guidelines of Arskey and O’Malley. Databases through PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were used to obtain the relevant articles within the scoping review.

Results

The researchers found 1175 articles. After manual review, 28 articles were identified and assessed. The review reported that the emergency preparedness training program significantly affects preparedness, knowledge, performance, self-efficacy, learning motivation, self-confidence, satisfaction, critical decision-making, and problem-solving.

Conclusions

Emergency training effectively increases knowledge, skills, confidence, satisfaction, and team performance.
A causal model of eating behaviors among Thai pregnant women working in industrial factories
Authors: Tachasuksri Tatirat , Ngamchay Chanapa , Nadarajan Sivasankari
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study aimed to examine the causal model of eating behaviors among pregnant women working in industrial factories.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 210 participants, attending 4 healthcare centers, at a tertiary care hospital in Chonburi province, Thailand. Data were collected using 7 questionnaires: demographic form, eating behavior questionnaire, perceived benefits of the healthy eating questionnaire, perceived barriers to the healthy eating questionnaire, perceived self-efficacy questionnaire, social support questionnaire, and accessibility to healthy foods questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and path analysis were used for data analysis.

Results

The participants had relatively high mean scores for eating behaviors. The final model fitted well with the data χ2 = 12.86, df = 10, P = 0.23; χ2/df = 1.29; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.98; goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.98; adjusted goodness-of-fit index (AGFI) = 0.95; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04. Four factors—perceived benefits (β = 0.13, P < 0.05), perceived self-efficacy in healthy eating (β = 0.22, P < 0.001), pregnancy planning (β = 0.28, P < 0.001), and accessibility to healthy foods in the factory (β = 0.12, P < 0.05)—positively affected eating behavior, while only perceived barriers to healthy eating had a negative effect on eating behavior (β = −0.24, P < 0.001). All the above factors explained 27.2% of the variance in eating behaviors.

Conclusions

Nurses or healthcare providers can apply these findings to create an eating behavior modification program, focusing on pregnancy planning, behavior-specific variables, and interpersonal and situational influence, to promote the nutritional status of pregnant women working in industrial factories.
Emerging and Disruptive Technologies – A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Mănescu Gabriel , Giurgiu Ioan-Tiberiu
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the concepts of Emerging Technologies and Disruptive Technologies have seized the attention of both scientists and public policy makers. The work aims to bring clarifications regarding the two concepts but also to identify their commonalities. To this aim, we considered that the best method for identifying common aspects is the bibliometric analysis. For this purpose, we used VOSviewer Software, a particularly useful tool, which allows making numerous correlations specific to bibliometrics. The results can be useful to those who want to deepen their knowledge about the two concepts, but also to identify connected areas.
Security Ontology in a Virtual University
Authors: Mocean Loredana , Vlad Miranda-Petronella
Published: June 2024

In this paper we propose a cybersecurity ontology model designed for universities, aiming to facilitate the management and protection of sensitive data and information within the context of the growing cybersecurity threats. The proposed ontology includes four distinct hierarchical levels: the basic level, the conceptual level, the instance level and the relationships level. At the basic level, it defines essential terms and principles of cybersecurity, including concepts like vulnerability, threat, cyber-attack, security policies and security rules. At the conceptual level, the ontology categorizes information and cybersecurity systems, embracing domains such as data protection, authentication, authorization, and auditing. At the instance level, the ontology describes specific examples of information and cybersecurity systems used in universities, such as the library management system or the accounting management system. At the relationships level, the ontology establishes links between different categories of information and cybersecurity systems, as well as between these systems and the entities that use them, such as students, professors and administrative staff. By implementing this cybersecurity ontology, universities can improve the management and protection of their sensitive data and information, as well as respond more efficiently to cybersecurity threats.
Socio-Ethical and Behavioural Aspects of Exoskeleton Implementation in Specific Military Missions
Authors: Talmațchi Maria-Lucia , Virca Ioan , Giurgiu Ioan-Tiberiu , Popa Ioan-Dan
Published: June 2024

The article explores different socio-ethical and behavioural aspects on the implementation of exoskeleton systems, providing an overview of current debates in this rapidly developing field. It examines the benefits and risks of implementing exoskeleton systems in specific military missions by improving soldiers' physical performance and endurance, reducing the risk of injury, and increasing operational effectiveness. Alongside these positive aspects, the socio-ethical and behavioural implications of the use of these technologies are also considered, with concerns relating to morality and accountability. The research presents a literature-based assessment of the impact these technologies may have on the psychology and behaviour of military personnel, including their sense of autonomy and control. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, a careful analysis of these socio-ethical and behavioural issues will be conducted and measures will be developed to minimize the risks of integrating exoskeleton systems into military missions through deployment strategies and regulatory frameworks that maximize the benefits of exoskeleton systems while reducing the risks and negative impacts on individuals and society as a whole.
Emerging Technologies in Conflict: The Impact of Starlink in the Russia – Ukraine War
Authors: Bojor Laviniu , Petrache Tudorică , Cristescu Cristian
Published: June 2024

This paper examines the role of technology on military communications, focusing on the impact of the commercial Starlink system on the battlefield. Utilizing the conflict in Ukraine as a case study, it will evaluate in detail how Starlink has influenced military actions, decision support, and the coordination of military efforts, offering a unique perspective on the transformation of communications in the context of modern conflicts. Furthermore, the study will analyze the essential role played by Starlink in supporting military morale and social resilience, highlighting how access to secure and rapid satellite communications has contributed to maintaining a positive mindset and cohesion under wartime conditions. By addressing these dimensions, the paper aims to capture the critical importance of emerging technologies not only in optimizing military actions but also in strengthening civil solidarity and social cohesion in times of crisis or war.
The Future of Warfare in the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity Context
Authors: Topor Sorin
Published: June 2024

The war of the future represents an increasingly difficult concept to model through the implementation of emerging and disruptive technologies in a Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity (VUCA) context. The study of wars is essential in conflict prevention and peace building. In our paper we analyze the determining parameters of the contemporary operational environment against which we estimate possible directions of evolution of this phenomenon. The technological approach to war allows the identification of indicators of the development of emerging and disruptive technologies in an ethical framework and reinforces the strategies of forming a security culture through the mass education of citizens. The results of the research and the conclusions formulated can also constitute priorities for the strategies to strengthen the resilience of the national security and defense infrastructures.
It's Ok To Coddiwomple: Anthropology, Peacebuilding and (Em)Bracing the Vague
Authors: Warner Charles O.
Published: June 2024

This white paper takes the unknown and the vague and movement towards/in those realms – as frames for a discussion of present practice and emergent potentiality of anthropological engagement with peace (building) studies. Arguably, embracing the unknown or vague as generative constants as well as fundamental elements of non-linear peacebuilding further open collaborative, communicative spaces of possibility. Aspects of this discussion are drawn from broader conceptual/methodological considerations in both peacebuilding and social anthropology so as to contribute to an interdisciplinary alignment. Furthermore, the positions and persuasions in this work are (in)formed by extensive, on-going examinations of research and narratives active in Southeast Europe today. By looking to emergent concepts in peace studies via anthropology while moving with regional-specific ethnographies that speak back against North Atlantic hegemonies, there is offered a discussion that brings local realities into transnational (socio-academic) deliberations.
Comparative Analysis of Property Rights of Non-Marital Partners in North Macedonia and Selected European Union Countries
Authors: Metaj-Stojanova Albana
Published: June 2024

In recent years in North Macedonia, there has been a noticeable and steady rise in the prevalence of non-marital unions or domestic partnerships, alongside a decline in the number of marriages and an increase in divorces. This trend mirrors developments seen across Europe, signaling significant shifts in the perception, function, and role of the institution of marriage and family over recent decades. Across European nations, various models of legal frameworks govern non-marital unions. These differences encompass conditions for existence and legal recognition, the legal consequences of domestic partnership, and procedures for its dissolution. While some countries require registration and fulfillment of specific criteria for legal recognition and effects of non-marital unions, others, like North Macedonia, do not impose such prerequisites.

In certain jurisdictions, the legal ramifications of non-marital unions closely resemble those of marriage, encompassing both personal and property rights between non-marital partners. However, in the Republic of North Macedonia, the law predominantly focuses on regulating property relations between such partners, granting them certain rights—a focal point of this research paper.

The legal framework governing the property relations of non-marital partners holds significant importance, particularly in safeguarding the financial security of economically vulnerable partners and ensuring the protection of any shared children.

The methods employed in this research include theoretical analysis and the comparative method, drawing upon the legal frameworks and practices of Croatia, France, and Italy alongside North Macedonia. Through these analytical approaches, we aim to elucidate the intricate dynamics of domestic partnerships and their implications for individuals and families in contemporary society.
EFL Students’ Familiarity with Howard Gardner's Theory: A Case Study at South East European University
Authors: Tahiri Zylfije
Published: June 2024

This research paper explores the awareness, perceptions, and beliefs of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at the South East European University regarding Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory. Focusing on the dynamic landscape of contemporary education, the study aims to understand the extent to which students acknowledge and identify with different intelligences and the potential implications for language learning strategies and overall educational experiences. The research employs an exploratory mixed-methods approach, including a case study design, surveys, and qualitative analysis, to gather insights from bachelor's and master's-level students. Findings indicate a moderate level of familiarity with MI theory among the participants, with significant agreement on the utility of the theory in understanding learning abilities. The study underscores the importance of recognizing linguistic intelligence and suggests implications for pedagogical practices, curriculum development, and the creation of inclusive learning environments. Recommendations include fostering collaboration among educators to share best practices and seeking institutional support for initiatives related to MI theory integration in teaching. The research contributes to the ongoing discourse on effective language education and its alignment with theories of cognitive diversity, providing actionable insights for educators and institutions.
Determinants of Economic Growth in the Republic of Kosovo
Authors: Markaj Arta Krasniqi , Haxhimustafa Shenaj
Published: June 2024

This paper examines the factors influencing Kosovo's economic growth from 2009 to 2022, specifically investigating the relationship between export, capital formation, consumption, and economic growth using co-integration analysis and the Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR). The findings indicate that exports of goods and services, as well as household consumption, negatively affect economic growth. Conversely, gross capital formation positively impacts economic growth. The study underscores the complexity of economic growth, highlighting the varied significance of different determinants in different contexts. Key findings reveal that while export and gross capital formation are significant contributors to economic growth, household consumption shows an insignificant relationship to GDP. This research contributes to the ongoing debate on the critical factors influencing economic growth, providing empirical evidence from the context of Kosovo and enhancing our understanding of these dynamics, thus offering new insights for policymakers.
Prescription: Types, Prescription Deadline and the Legal Consequences of Prescription
Authors: Pjetri Ana
Published: June 2024

Prescription as an institution of law throughout the history of its development from the Roman era to the present day has reflected the development of economic relations in society, thus serving the security and clarity of legal-civil relations.

If the legal relations of the civil circulation due to the inaction of the holders of subjective rights would remain in a state of uncertainty or a prolonged wait, this would cause negative consequences for third parties if it were not for the prescription institute. Given that this institute expresses the important principle that legal-civil conflicts must come to an end and their resolution avoids the difficulty in the judicial process due to the passage of a long time from the time of committing the violation of the right object of the conflict, the question logically arises: Can an institute that deprives the owner of the right only because another person has possessed it for a long time be legally justifiable?

In the Albanian legislation, which is based on the Italian and French legislations, there are shortcomings in terms of this institution, where it is presented as the least analyzed by the doctrine in terms of the justification of the reason for its existence and creation, as well as the terms of execution.
Exploring the Role of the Migration Policy Resolution in Enabling Anticipatory Governance in North Macedonia
Authors: Ashkapova Vanja
Published: June 2024

The migration landscape is a dynamic phenomenon shaped by geopolitical shifts, economic transformations, and climate change. North Macedonia, located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, serves as a critical transit country for significant migration patterns due to its strategic location and political aspirations towards Europe. Facing internal demographic challenges such as population decline and aging, the country is transitioning towards attracting immigration and becoming a destination for migrants. The Mediterranean Crisis of 2015 highlighted North Macedonia's pivotal role in migration routes, with over 800,000 individuals crossing its borders amid Europe's refugee and migrant influx. Despite containment efforts, the country remains part of mixed-movement routes, with significant border crossings observed in subsequent years. The long-term suspicions of brain drain were confirmed when the demographic census of 2021 revealed a startling 10% population decline over nearly two decades, emphasizing persistent outmigration and aging trends. To address migration challenges, North Macedonia adopted the Resolution on Migration Policy 2021-2025, aiming to establish a robust framework for managing both legal and illegal migrations.

Anticipatory governance emerges as a proactive approach to navigating migration complexities, incorporating foresight and policy integration to shape sustainable migration policies in the country. The development of an Anticipatory Migration Governance model that seeks to foster transformative mindset shifts among stakeholders and institutionalize forward-looking planning, ensuring the effectiveness of migration management strategies. Through capacity development, improving of data collection, and decisions based on data, North Macedonia aims to navigate migration dynamics and achieve economic development with future-looking inclusive policies and collaboration.
Comparative Symbolic Analysis of the Ethno-Fusion Genre: Insights and Perspectives
Authors: Kamberaj Valton , Kadriu Arbana , Besimi Nuhi
Published: June 2024

This study explores the integration of music and technology, illustrating their potential to collaboratively push the boundaries of musical exploration. Despite traditionally being viewed as unrelated, the combination of these two fields can significantly contribute to the progress of musical development. This study uses advanced computational methods to build a dataset filled with symbolic musical sequences that belong to a specific genre. This dataset is shown to be highly accurate and provides a detailed analysis of frequencies when examined closely, highlighting its quality and depth. We subject our dataset to comparative analysis with the renowned MAESTRO dataset, employing chromagrams to examine audio signals, rhythms, chords, solos, and note patterns in MIDI format through a variety of methods. This comparison underscores the superior quality of our sequences relative to those in the MAESTRO dataset, emphasizing the meticulousness of our sequence creation process. Moreover, we conduct internal evaluations of our dataset using both three-dimensional and two-dimensional approaches to melody representation, confirming its viability for future scholarly work. This effort seeks to enhance the music field by integrating computer science insights and methodologies, expanding the scope for future music technology research. It highlights the collaborative potential between musical creativity and technological advances in ongoing studies.
Statistical Analysis of Occupational Fatal Accidents for Risk Assessment
Authors: Zermane Hanane , Zermane Abderrahim , Tohir Mohd Zahirasri Mohd
Published: June 2024

According to Malaysia's Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), workplace accidents have increased dramatically as the country's economy has grown rapidly. The purpose of this study is to identify the trends that lead to fatal workplace accidents in Malaysia. This study investigated 505 fatal accident instances from fifteen industries, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The DOSH discovered and reported these fatalities (2010-2020). Data was organized and coded, then analyzed using Spearman's rank order correlation, frequency analysis, Eta squared, Cramer's V, and Chi-square. Moreover, neurolinguistic programming was used to generate the word cloud and sentiment analysis. Furthermore, light gradient-boosting machine learning was used to better understand the causes of fatalities. The outcomes indicated that fatal falls from heights were the leading cause of fatal accidents (32%). General laborers were the most susceptible to fatal accidents (60%). Contract workers were more likely to die in construction accidents (64%). The findings of this study gave useful insights into workplace fatal accident trends and preventive measures throughout sectors.
The diet of the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) in various natural environments across Eurasia
Authors: Obuch Ján
Published: June 2024

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) has adapted to hunt local fauna that are subject to the influence of human agricultural activities. In the sparse forests, marshes and lakes of the mountainous regions of central Norway, the eagle-owl’s diet is dominated by small mammals and gallinaceous birds, but the common frog Rana temporaria features more frequently in regions near the fjords, with various species of seabirds predominating on some islands. The eagle-owls, breeding in several protected regions of the Czech Republic, hunting in agricultural areas small mammals and game animals in addition to waterbirds nesting by fishponds. In Slovakia, the majority of the eagle-owl population nests on the edges of mountain valleys. In the past, they hunted small mammals and amphibians on pastureland located deep in the mountains, but they have adapted to hunting larger prey in more intensively farmed valleys. Predominantly in the eastern part of Turkey, the diet of Eurasian eagle-owl hunting on natural mountain steppes has been studied, where mammals of the family Cricetidae dominate. In the arid conditions of the southern countries of Syria, Jordan and Israel, mammals of the Gerbillinae sub-family predominated in addition to a higher proportion of birds. In the more variable areas of Iran, eagle-owl diets feature a wide range of indigenous mammals and birds, with different species represented in several territories. Studies from the edges of the Fergana Valley in southern Kyrgyzstan found differences in the diets of eagle-owls living at lower elevations and those living higher in the mountains, while birds were the predominant prey in the Kalek site. Smaller samples of eagle-owl diets were also collected in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia, the Barguzinsky Mountains to the east of Lake Baikal and the Vaida Mountain on Sakhalin Island. The results presented in this study can also contribute to our knowledge about the fauna of the above-mentioned regions.
Off-Grid Electric Vehicle Charging Station with Integrated Local Server OCPP Protocol as a Management System
Authors: Sholihul Hadi Mokh. , Argeshwara Dityo Kreshna , Sendari Siti , Mizar Muhammad Alfian , Sanjaya Eli Hendrik , Irvan Mhd.
Published: June 2024

Electric vehicles are widely regarded as pivotal in driving the sustainability of transportation networks forward, thanks to their capacity to diminish carbon emissions, enhance air quality, and bolster the robustness of electricity grids. The accessibility of charging infrastructure and the subjective norms that endorse electric mobility actively shape the electric vehicles acceptance. In this study, Our main goal is to provide off-grid electric vehicle charging infrastructures and the data communication protocols that connect to servers. We analyze the specifications of the OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) with an emphasis on its applicabillity for electric charging stations for vehicles. Our research concludes that off-grid electric vehicle charging systems can be effectively applied to small electric vehicles such as electric motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles. The OCPP data communication protocol can also support interactions between small electric vehicle charging stations and central server management systems (CSMS). Furthermore, we tested the electric vehicle charging process for a duration of two hours, and the charging station consistently produced stable voltage, current, and power output, matching the inverter outputs and fulfilling the specifications required by electric vehicle charging adapters. Analysis of throughput data indicates a positive correlation between the number of operational ports at a charging station and the volume of data processed by the server. However, beyond a certain threshold a decline in data transactions was observed, attributable to data loss.
The Early Stage of Applying Environmental, Social, and Governance in an Asian Emerging Economy
Authors: Dung Nguyen Thi Phuong , Tuyet Nguyen Thi Bach , Anh Nguyen Thi Mai , Hung Vu Dinh Nghiem , Giang Ngo Thu , Lan Nguyen Hoàng
Published: June 2024

Purpose: This article aims to clarify the current situation and the factors influencing the early stages of applying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in the Vietnamese economy.   Design/methodology/approach: We employed a large-scale survey with 130 responses from November 2023 to January 2024 and statistics analysis using SPSS 26.0.   Findings: We found that awareness of leaders, accountants' levels, pressure on ESG, state guidance, management process, information base, and women on boards, respectively, influence the early stages of applying environmental, social, and governance in Vietnamese enterprises.   Research, Practical & Social Implications: This study illuminates the factors that influence the early stages of ESG performance in Vietnam, an emerging Asian economy. The findings highlight the crucial role of leaders' awareness and accountants’ levels in this process. This understanding can guide the country's leaders and policymakers in formulating strategies to promote ESG adoption for the sustainable development of the whole economy.   Originality/value: This study stands out for its originality. It comprehensively analyzes the early period of ESG adoption in an emerging Asian country, particularly Vietnam. Its findings offer objective evidence to understand the situation and impacted factors on ESG application, aiding governments and related parties in formulating appropriate policies for sustainable development with ESG.