bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of experimental studies on the efficiency of a new mixer for molding mixtures components for the production of premix lick blocks and the final product effect
Authors: Doudkin Mikhail , Kim Alina , Yakovlev Ivan , Vasilkov Dmitry , Asangaliev Yelibek , Moldakhanov Bekbolat
Published: February 2025

The study focuses on the design and modernization of a feed mixer and demonstrates the impact of what might seem like a non-primary machine in the technological line for producing vitamin-enriched salt lick blocks (SLB) on the quality of the final product, the salt block. Furthermore, it examines the effect of SLBs themselves on animal growth and productivity, including increased milk yields and weight gain. Original recipes and ingredients of the feed salt mixture with their granulometric composition, moisture content, and mass fraction in the composition of the vitamin-enriched salt premix lick block are provided. The design of the mixing shaft is shown, and the operation of the modernized mixer is described. Experimental equipment from the technological line for the production of premix lick blocks is presented. The results of statistical regression analysis are given, adequately describing the working process of the mixer and allowing the calculation of the specific productivity of the new mixer, energy consumption, and mixing homogeneity within the selected intervals of variation of input factors. The component composition ratios of the SBL were found, which allowed achieving maximum specific productivity and homogeneity, as well as minimum energy consumption in a wide range of input parameters of the mixing process in the new mixer. The effect of the final product, vitamin-enriched salt premix lick blocks, on the growth and productivity of animals was studied.
NEURORIGHTS AS A NEW MANIFESTATION OF THE PROTECTION OF THE DIGNITIY OF THE HUMAN PERSON IN BRAZIL
Authors: Possa Alisson , Schertel Mendes Laura
Published: February 2025

A neurociência e a neurotecnologia estão avançando em vários campos da vida humana, com tendência de dispositivos que interagem diretamente com a atividade neural chegarem ao mercado consumidor massificado para entretenimento como consequência dos investimentos de grandes empresas de tecnologias. Os neurodireitos surgem como proposta de novos direitos que buscam garantir mecanismos de defesa e mitigação de danos contra a ameaças que decorrem dessas tecnologias. O presente artigo realiza uma análise do atual cenário de discussões internacionais no tema e a relação com a defesa da dignidade humana no Brasil, concluindo pelo direito à liberdade cognitiva como uma nova proteção da personalidade no contexto de uma sociedade neurotecnologica.
GOVERNANÇA DE DADOS NA CONSTRUÇÃO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES:
Authors: Juliano Silva Daniela
Published: February 2025

Na sociedade da informação, as denominadas “cidades inteligentes” são o chamativo ideal para rotular essas urbes como centros de inovação, sob a bandeira de uma gestão democrática e sustentável. Essa “propaganda” atrai investidores e promove a sensação de que tais cidades são inclusivas e cada vez mais dialógicas quanto às necessidades de seus moradores.  As Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) têm no setor público seu grande incentivador e usuário, sendo instrumentos indispensáveis para uma maior efetividade na prestação dos serviços públicos e na construção de uma gestão mais participativa. Diante de um universo de probabilidades, muitos desafios emergem e impõem reflexões a respeito de sua padronização, segurança e regulação. O presente artigo pretende refletir acerca dos usos das novas tecnologias na construção dessas cidades, partindo-se de um método dedutivo, tendo como técnica de pesquisa, o referencial bibliográfico presente nas lições de Morozov e Bria (2019) e Reia (2021), bem como uma metodologia exploratória, com um olhar sobre a experiência do Município de Niterói/RJ, ranqueada como a quinta cidade mais inteligente do Brasil.
CÂMERAS CORPORAIS E TRATAMENTO DE DADOS PESSOAIS:
Authors: Moreira da Silva Horrara , Saliba Pedro , Augusto Ferreira Zanatta Rafael
Published: February 2025

O artigo busca analisar como a aplicação de câmeras corporais no Brasil sob a ótica da proteção de dados pessoais. Apesar de ser uma exceção de aplicabilidade à Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD), o tratamento na segurança pública deve respeitas os princípios e fundamentos da legislação, especialmente diante da proteção de dados enquanto um direito constitucionalmente garantido (art. 5º, LXXIX). Com o recorte definido em Polícias Militares de sete estados brasileiros, a pesquisa analisa de forma empírica se as finalidades do tratamento de dados estão adequados aos editais, termos de referência e portarias das políticas públicas. A partir de um conceito expansionista de dados pessoais (Bioni, 2021), a análise busca entender de que forma a proteção de dados afeta medidas de transparência e vigilância (Vituri, 2018), assimetria informacional (Wimmer, 2021) e governança de dados na segurança pública (Nunes et al., 2022), apontando caminhos para avançar no debate de novas tecnologias, segurança pública e salvaguardas a direitos fundamentais.
interpretação e desenvolvimento ecologicamente orientado do Direito Privado
Authors: Neuner Jörg
Published: February 2025

em breve
Editorial
Authors: Reis Emmanuel Rocha
Published: February 2025

Normas editoriais
Unification of General Relativity and Quantum Theory by the Free Dirac Equation
Authors: Dogra Rajan
Published: February 2025

“Despite almost a century’s worth of study, it is still unclear how general relativity (GR) and quantum theory (QT) should be unified into a consistent theory. The conventional approach is to retain the foundational principles of QT, such as the superposition principle, and modify GR. This is referred to as ‘quantizing gravity’, resulting in a theory of ‘quantum gravity’. The opposite approach is ‘gravitizing QT’ where we attempt to keep the principles of GR, such as the equivalence principle, and consider how this leads to modifications of QT. What we are most lacking in understanding which route to take, if either, is experimental guidance. Here we consider using the Dirac–Pauli representation of free Dirac equation to search for the clues. In particular, we study how the double-slit diffraction experiment, when only one Dirac particle (‘say’ electron) at a time is in the apparatus, could test a gravitizing QT proposal in which the wavefunction collapse emerges on the detector screen from the Dirac–Pauli representation, as an objective process, resolving the measurement problem of QT.” [1] We found that the Dirac–Pauli representation is inherently a unified theory embodying a gravitizing QT proposal that Dirac–Pauli representation as wave nature is manifestation of inertial mass and the Foldy-Wouthuysen representation as particle nature is manifestation of gravitational mass such that the fact, that same physics is involved in these two representations, is simply the validity and exhibition of the principle of equivalence, of GR, in QT. [1] Richard Howl et al 2019 New J. Phys. 21 043047 DOI 10.1088/1367-2630/ab104a
A Geometric-Arithmetic Framework for the Critical Line of the Riemann Zeta Function II: Strengthened Invariants and Extended Proofs
Authors: Ariori Iyindamope Edward
Published: February 2025

We present a framework that rigorously bridges classical vesica piscis geometry witharithmetic invariants—specifically the divisor function—to explain the critical line ofthe Riemann zeta function.
IDENTIFICANDO CAMINHOS: A IMPORTÂNCIA DO DIAGNÓSTICO PARTICIPATIVO PARA COMUNIDADES LOCAIS.
Authors: Penna Maria Fernanda Affonso , de Souza Fernandes Renato , Rodrigues Luiza Figueira , Battezini Veronica Lago , RAJÃO PEDRO HENRIQUE MEDEIROS , Siqueira Angeline Maria Alvarenga , Trece Isabela Bandeira , Teixeira Gabriela Miranda , de Oliveira Leandro Barros
Published: February 2025

O diagnóstico participativo é amplamente reconhecido como um método essencial na inclusão das comunidades locais na identificação e resolução de problemas socioambientais. A diversidade de métodos empregados durante os diagnósticos participativos revela-se como uma característica marcante, refletindo a complexidade das realidades locais e os diferentes contextos em que são aplicados, o que garante debates frequentes sobre sua eficácia. Nossa proposta destaca a importância de uma abordagem que priorize a visão interna da comunidade na análise. Para alcançar esse objetivo, empregamos um conjunto de metodologias, como caminhadas transversais, diálogos coletivos, a matriz FOFA e o acompanhamento da rotina diária, visando consolidar um diagnóstico que possa orientar o desenvolvimento das potencialidades do território rumo a uma perspectiva de desenvolvimento econômico sustentável crítico. Os resultados do diagnóstico destacam desafios, como a falta de titulação de terras e infraestrutura precária, mas também oportunidades, como o potencial turístico e a participação feminina na política local. Com base nos resultados foram oferecidas capacitações visando o fortalecimento dos potenciais encontrados e a atenuação das fragilidades registradas. A discussão sobre metodologias participativas deve considerar suas limitações e potencialidades dentro do contexto hegemônico, promovendo abordagens que visem à autonomia das comunidades locais.
Singlehood: Unveiling Teachers' Self-Contentment in Their Professional Lives
Authors: Catama Bryan V. , Tagulao Susanne Lory Thea A. , Ariagaa Zyvynx Jhy A. , Coloma Jamel E. , Habungan Nathalie Joyce B. , Mangaoil Jean Vallen L. , Na-oy Jennylyn B. , Walsiyen Carl Jon G.
Published: February 2025

In recent years, singlehood has become increasingly prevalent among working professionals like teachers, whose relationship status may impact their professional lives. As educators play a vital role in shaping students' development, understanding the factors contributing to single teachers' self-contentment and job satisfaction is crucial. This qualitative study explores the experiences of 11 single teachers in the Philippines, examining how they find fulfillment within their professional roles. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, six key themes emerged: (1) Fulfillment through student impact and success, (2) Alignment of personal interests, values, and professional roles, (3) Continuous growth and learning, (4) Importance of supportive relationships and human connection, (5) Work-life balance and time for self, and (6) Overcoming challenges through resilience and perspective. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of single teachers' professional fulfillment, underscoring the interplay of intrinsic motivations, supportive environments, and personal resilience. These insights offer valuable guidance for educational administrators and policymakers in cultivating inclusive school cultures that empower single teachers to thrive, ultimately benefiting the educational community.
Evaluating Text-to-Image Platforms' Content Moderation During the 2024 US Presidential Election
Authors: Greene Kevin T. , Norton Sean T. , Shapiro Jacob N
Published: February 2025

How do generative AI platforms' content moderation policies handle the creation of political deepfakes? We evaluate how AI platforms mitigate this risk using an automated pipeline for politically diverse, externally valid evaluations of text-to-image (T2I) systems in the 2024 US Presidential election. Our system transformed media references to candidates into prompts for generative AI systems and sent prompts to three prominent T2I platforms each week for the final three months of the 2024 campaign. We first show that the platforms took fundamentally different approaches to content moderation, with little consistency in blocking behavior between platforms. We then show there is little consistency in the blocking behavior within platforms over time. Almost no prompts were blocked in every week of our collection and Stability AI allowed almost all prompts featuring political figures until a sudden change two weeks before the 2024 election. Our findings highlight the importance of developing scalable context specific approaches to monitoring T2I platforms.
The SoTL Knowing-Doing Gap: A Bayesian Analysis Across Reflection Levels in Chinese Universities
Authors: Tao Jun
Published: February 2025

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) is increasingly recognized as crucial for enhancing teaching quality in higher education, yet its effective implementation varies across contexts. In China, the "Double First-Class" initiative highlights the importance of teaching excellence, making SoTL a key priority. This study investigates the gap between faculty's SoTL perceptions (knowledge and beliefs) and behaviours (classroom practices) across three levels of reflection – content, process, and premise – using Bayesian repeated-measures ANOVA. Analysing data from 488 faculty members across 16 Chinese provinces, this study found a significant interaction between reflection type and the perception-behaviour gap. The gap was most pronounced for process reflection, indicating challenges in translating student-centred pedagogies into practice. Premise reflection showed a smaller, less conclusive gap, while content reflection showed minimal difference between perception and behaviour. This study identifies key contributing factors include institutional pressures (e.g., research-focused evaluations) and cultural influences (e.g., Confucian traditions). This study proposes targeted faculty development and systemic reforms to bridge this gap, advancing SoTL theory by integrating cultural and institutional perspectives and offering evidence-based strategies for improving undergraduate education in China and similar contexts.
Towards a Rigorous Proof of the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Jones Robert William
Published: February 2025

This preprint presents a novel and rigorous proof of the Riemann Hypothesis (RH), a longstanding open problem in mathematics. The authors integrate techniques from analytic number theory, wavelet analysis, fractal dimension estimation, and random matrix theory to demonstrate that all non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function lie on the critical line \(\text{Re}(s) = \frac{1}{2}\). Key contributions include extending the zero-free region, establishing the symmetry and density of zeros, and analyzing zero spacing using random matrix theory. The discovery of a dominant scaling law at 127 suggests a deep, fractal-like structure in prime number distribution, offering new insights into prime gaps and their connection to the zeta function. This work has significant implications for number theory, L-functions, and quantum chaos, marking a historic breakthrough in mathematical research.
Relating, orienting, evoking and motivating functions of musical stimuli in verbal remembering
Authors: bortoloti renato , Pereira Clesmânya Silva
Published: February 2025

This article describes an experiment designed to investigate the influence of musical pleasure and the level of musical hedonia on verbal remembering. Participants’ music-specific hedonia scores were assessed using the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire. They subsequently took part in a memory experiment involving the presentation of word blocks in different auditory contexts, including highly pleasant classical music, lowly pleasant classical music, and the absence of music (encoding phase). Immediately after and 24-hours after the encoding task, participants engaged in word recognition tasks for previously presented words. The presence or absence of musical stimuli did not significantly affect the overall performance of the different participant groups. However, when analyzed individually, participants with a high sensitivity to musical reward, for whom the orienting, evoking, and motivation functions of musical stimuli are likely more pronounced, exhibited better remembering performance when encoding occurred in a pleasant musical context. This study highlights the utility of the new RFT unit of analysis – the ROE-M – in predicting and analyzing such a pattern of results and in examining the fundamental behavioral processes involved.
Why do we engage less with art over time? Empirical investigations on the role of habituation and stimulus novelty in mitigating the decreased engagement from repeated art viewing
Authors: Mikuni Jan , Specker Eva , Brielmann Aenne , Leder Helmut , Rosenberg Raphael , Kawabata Hideaki
Published: February 2025

In museums and art galleries, visitors become less engaged per object over time. This study, comprising a pre-study (N = 31) and a main study (N = 73) in both laboratory and online settings, explores habituation as a potential cause. The primary aim is to reveal the underlying mechanism and propose strategies for its mitigation. Two research questions were set: (1) Is habituation one of the mechanisms behind the decline in engagement? (2) Can inducing novelty into the presented stimulus sequence counteract this decline? In our experiments, we prepared two sequences of art presentations. In one sequence, artworks were presented in sequential blocks by art category, introducing novelty when a shift between blocks occurred. In the other sequence, different categories were presented successively, introducing novelty within blocks. Each sequence was set as the BC (high between-novelty condition) and the WC (high within-novelty condition). Participants were randomly assigned to either one of the conditions. Participants’ engagement level was evaluated via viewing time for each stimulus. We found (1) no evidence for habituation as an underlying mechanism and (2) a mixed impact of introducing novelty between the two studies. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Relative Importance of Lexical Features in Word Processing During L2 Reading
Authors: Nahatame Shingo , Uchida Satoru
Published: February 2025

Word processing during reading is known to be influenced by lexical features, especially word length, frequency, and predictability. This study examined the relative importance of these features in word processing during L2 English reading. We used data from an eye-tracking corpus and applied a machine-learning approach to model word-level eye-tracking measures and identify key predictors. Predictors comprised several lexical features, including length, frequency, and predictability (e.g., surprisal). Additionally, sentence, passage, and reader characteristics were considered for comparison. The analysis found that word length was the most important variable across several eye-tracking measures. However, for certain measures, word frequency and predictability were more important than length, and in some cases, reader characteristics such as proficiency were more significant than lexical features. These findings highlight the complexity of word processing, the shared processes between L1 and L2 reading, and their potential to refine eye-movement control models in reading.
Retrieval from long-term memory does not bypass working memory
Authors: Mugno Michael , Vickery Timothy
Published: February 2025

Information retrieved from long-term memory (LTM) enters working memory (WM), and the amount of information that can be retrieved is constrained to the limits of WM (about 3-4 items; Fukuda & Woodman, 2017). Can LTM retrieval occur when WM is near capacity, without consequence to either the retrieved or maintained information? Liu, Li, Theeuwes, Wang (2022) presented evidence that even when WM is near capacity, LTM items could still be reported. They argue that retrieved LTM items can bypass WM. We investigated this further by introducing continuous reporting of retrieved information and WM contents to their paradigm. If retrieval bypasses WM, then there should be no impairment of report accuracy to either WM contents or LTM-retrieved information. In the first experiment, WM reports suffered when an LTM item was retrieved. In the second, we found that when WM was near capacity (4 items), the fidelity of LTM reports suffered compared to when WM was not (2 items or no items). Additionally, WM contents were reported with lower fidelity when an LTM item was retrieved compared to a WM-only condition, under both 2-item and 4-item WM load. We conclude that LTM retrieval does not bypass WM.
Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis for Developmental Cognitive Neuroscientists
Authors: Guassi Moreira Joao F , Silvers Jennifer A
Published: February 2025

The current prevailing approaches to analyzing task fMRI data in developmental cognitive neuroscience are brain connectivity and mass univariate task-based analyses, used either in isolation or as part of a broader analytic framework (e.g., BWAS). While these are powerful tools, it is somewhat surprising that multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) is not more common in developmental cognitive neuroscience given its enhanced ability to both probe neural population codes and greater sensitivity relative to the mass univariate approach. Omitting MVPA methods might represent a missed opportunity to leverage a suite of tools that are uniquely poised to reveal mechanisms underlying brain development. The goal of this review is to spur awareness and adoption of MVPA in developmental cognitive neuroscience by providing a practical introduction to foundational MVPA concepts. We begin by defining MVPA and explain why examining multivoxel patterns of brain activity can aid in understanding the developing human brain. We then survey four different types of MVPA: Decoding, representational similarity analysis (RSA), pattern expression, and voxel-wise encoding models. Each variant of MVPA is presented with a conceptual overview of the method followed by practical considerations and subvariants thereof. We go on to highlight the types of developmental questions that can be answered by MPVA, discuss practical matters in MVPA implementation germane to developmental cognitive neuroscientists, and make recommendations for integrating MVPA with the existing analytic ecosystem in the field.
Developing and Piloting a QUick Evaluation of Research Integrity for Evidence Synthesis in Education (QUERIES-Edu)
Authors: Batinovic Lucija , Topor Marta , Hyltse Natalie , Danielsson Henrik , Carlsson Rickard
Published: February 2025

The threat to evidence synthesis is becoming more prominent with increasing worries that the unexpected amounts of retrieved studies, questionable data and inconsistent findings are beginning to overwhelm the publication system and potentially bias meta-analytic conclusions. This paper presents an integrity assessment checklist (QUick Evaluation of Research Integrity for Evidence Synthesis in Education; QUERIES-Edu) and a pilot study plan that provides an overview of research integrity status in special education research and assesses the feasibility of the checklist. The checklist consists of questions that evaluate the research integrity of a scientific study, as well as its journal and publisher. An expert panel will provide feedback and suggestions for the items, after which the final version will be implemented. The checklist will be evaluated by a user panel that will conduct the assessment on studies included in a large scoping review of educational interventions for students with intellectual disability. Our aim is that the checklist will enable authors of systematic reviews to conduct quick checks of studies before they are included in thorough quality appraisal, which in turn will facilitate evidence synthesis and ensure the trustworthiness of included studies.
After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon, By Greg Eghigian, Oxford University Press, 2024. 400 pp. $29.99 (cloth). ISBN: 978-0-19-086987-8
Authors: Flis Ivan
Published: February 2025

This is the postprint of the book review of Greg Eghigian's After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon. The review was published in the Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences.
Bilingualism modulates domain-general functional connectivity: insights from EEG and artificial grammar learning
Authors: Sheehan Alex , Saddy Doug , Krivochen Diego , Gupta Shruti , Pliatsikas Christos
Published: February 2025

Bilingualism is associated with distinct patterns of resting-state functional brain connectivity – a consequence of ongoing language control demands that do not apply to monolinguals. However, it is not well understood how these patterns affect, and are affected by, brain activation for domain-general cognitively demanding tasks. Here, we employ a novel task-driven resting-state electroencephalography design including an implicit Lindenmayer grammar learning task, which tracks aperiodic and hierarchical dependencies, to determine task-related functional connectivity changes in bilinguals. Quantified bilingual experience was used as a predictor of directional effects, using Generalised Additive Models to account for non-linear patterns. Our results revealed whole-brain post-task alterations to connectivity, including increased involvement of bilateral temporal and posterior regions and reduced involvement of frontal regions. Crucially, greater bilingual experience was associated with more distributed processing, suggesting enhanced efficiency. These findings have important implications for our understanding of how domain-general processing and connectivity are shaped by linguistic experience.
Exploring barriers to crisis support: Considerations for the design of automated digital suicide prevention interventions.
Authors: Ghosh Arka , Tack Emily Beth , Popowski Sarah , Lakhtakia Tanvi , Nguyen Theresa , Mohr David C , Van Orden Kimberly , Reddy Madhu , Meyerhoff Jonah
Published: February 2025

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors pose a major public health concern and are a leading cause of mortality in young adults. However, formal mental health care utilization remains limited due to attitudinal and structural barriers, including stigma. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) offer a promising alternative approach to help-seeking, especially for young adults who prefer self-managing their symptoms. Text messaging-based safety planning interventions can be a scalable approach to seek help that can mitigate many structural barriers and can be useful for young adults. In this study, we conducted two online focus groups (n=15 each) to understand what prevents young adults from seeking help for their suicidal thoughts and behaviors and what might prevent them from engaging with a fully automated text messaging-based safety planning intervention. Participants reported barriers to help seeking both within and outside crisis states. Outside crisis states, the major barriers to help seeking included an unwillingness to burden others, negative prior experiences, inability to verbalize distress, high cost of professional help, fear of repercussions, stigma, and inconsistency with self-image. During crisis, participants reported difficulty following through with a safety plan. Despite a preference for self-management, participants expressed skepticism towards a fully automated intervention, citing privacy concerns, doubts about effectiveness, and a desire for human support. Our findings highlight a key tension in designing DMHIs: while young adults prefer self-managing their problems, they may also disengage from DMHIs that lack human support. Understanding these barriers are critical for developing DMHIs that balance autonomy with perceived effectiveness and support.
Why pro-environmental attitudes don’t always translate in behavior: Exploring the role of moral disengagement
Authors: Demurie Nils , Dierckx Kim , Van Hiel Alain , Roets Arne
Published: February 2025

Research indicates a significant gap between the individual’s pro-environmental attitudes and actual behavior. To explain this gap, the present paper integrates prominent models of ecological behavior with theories of cognitive dissonance and moral disengagement into the new Behavior Attitude Alignment Model (BAAM). This model suggests that behavioral barriers can create an inconsistency between pro-environmental attitudes and behavior, leading to negative affect. Individuals may resolve this negative affect either by acting more pro-environmentally or by adjusting their attitudes through moral disengagement. Two studies were conducted to test this extended model. The first study (n = 256) focused on behaviors with varying behavioral barriers (eating less meat vs. recycling), while the second study (n = 188) manipulated behavioral barriers for sustainable consumption with a product choice task. The results from both studies indicate that higher behavioral barriers induce moral disengagement, which negatively affects behavioral attitudes, leading to less pro-environmental behavior. However, barriers had no significant effect on negative affect. These findings suggest that moral disengagement plays a crucial role in explaining pro-environmental behavior and offers new insights for developing interventions to counteract this process. Consequently, the present work lays the groundwork for identifying new strategies to close the attitude-behavior gap, and therefore contributes to a more sustainable future.
Estimating death rates in complex humanitarian emergencies using the network survival method
Authors: Breen Casey , Rahman Saeed , Kay Christina , Smits Joeri , Azar Abraham , Ahuka-Mundeke Steve , Feehan Dennis
Published: February 2025

Reliable estimates of death rates in complex humanitarian emergencies are critical for assessing the severity of a crisis and for effectively allocating resources. However, in many humanitarian settings, logistical and security concerns make conventional methods for estimating death rates infeasible. We develop and test a new method for estimating death rates in humanitarian emergencies using reports of deaths in survey respondents’ social networks. To test our method, we collected original data in Tanganyika Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a setting where reliable estimates of crude death rates (CDR) are in high demand. Qualitative fieldwork suggested testing two different types of personal networks as the basis for CDR estimates: deaths among immediate neighbors and deaths among kin. We compare our network based estimates (0.44 deaths per 10,000 person-days) against a standard retrospective household mortality survey, which estimated a CDR nearly twice as high (0.81 deaths per 10,000 person-days). Given that both methods are equally plausible, our findings underscore the need for further validation and development of both methods.
Teachers’ Roles on Constructing English Medium Instruction Policy in Community Schools
Authors: Ghimire Nani  Babu , Pandeya Yam Prasad , Gurung Bhanu Bhakta
Published: February 2025

Community schools have adopted English Medium Instruction (EMI) policy in response to the increasing influence of the English language in the world including Nepal. This study investigates the roles of teachers in constructing EMI policy in community schools. Employing a qualitative ethnographic research design, the study examines the opinions and experiences of three Grades (VI-VIII) teachers from three EMI community schools in the Sindhuli district. We collected data through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and field notes, gaining rich insights into the contextual realities of the schools. We transcribed audio-recorded interviews, translated them into English, coded, and categorized the data to derive key themes, offering a nuanced understanding of the teachers’ experiences and practices. The study divulges that the effective execution of EMI policy in Nepal’s community schools is hindered by the limited involvement of teachers in policy construction. Moreover, the findings highlight that SMCs and head teachers predominantly adopt a top-down approach to EMI policy construction, treating teachers primarily as implementers rather than policy creators. To enhance the effectiveness of EMI policy, the study offers a more inclusive bottom-up approach needs to be followed by SMCs and head teachers with active engagement of teachers in the development, planning, and review of EMI policy.
Financial Intermediation and Economic Growth in Nepal
Authors: Subedi Khem Raj
Published: February 2025

This paper portrays the impact of financial intermediation especially domestic credit to the private sector and broad money supply on GDP growth in Nepal, using annual time series data spanning from 1974 to 2022. The main objectives of the paper are to examine the magnitude and direction of these financial intermediation variables in influencing economic growth of Nepal. The included time series data were a mix of stationary at level and after first difference. Hence, an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was employed to provide robust framework for analyzing both long-term relationships and short-term fluctuations while maintaining flexibility in lag selection and handling endogeneity. The findings indicate a nuanced relationship between financial factors and GDP growth of Nepal. Specifically, the coefficient of domestic credit to the private sector is positive but statistically insignificant, this suggests that the flow of domestic credit may be either insufficient or inefficiently allocated to significantly contribute Nepalese economic growth. But, the broad money supply as a percentage of GDP shows a strong positive and statistically significant effect. This indicate that increased money supply supports business activities, improves liquidity, spur investments, and eventually fostering economic growth. Moreover, other control variables also display significant relationships with GDP growth of Nepal. Labor force participation and trade openness demonstrate substantial positive effects, while government expenditure shows a modest positive impact. Furthermore, private consumption expenditure emerged as a critical driver of growth, emphasizing the importance of household expenditure in stimulating demand and economic growth. Therefore, these results underscore the necessity of a stable money supply, increased labor force participation, enhanced private consumption, and greater trade openness for sustained economic growth in Nepal. The findings also shed light to explore potential area for policy improvement to strengthen domestic credit allocation to enhance its contribution to economic growth.
पेसागत विकासमा नेपाली भाषा शिक्षकहरूका वैयक्तिक प्रयासहरू
Authors: बि.सी. भुपेन्द्र
Published: February 2025

शैक्षिक कार्यलाई उद्देश्यमूलक बनाई सफल शिक्षकका रूपमा स्थापित हुनका लागि निरन्तर गरिने कार्य नै शिक्षक पेसागत विकास हो । नेपाली भाषा शिक्षकहरूले आफ्नो पेसागत विकासका लागि गरेका वैयक्तिक प्रयासहरू पहिचान गर्ने उद्देश्यमा आधारित भई प्रस्तुत लेख तयार गरिएको छ । पाँच बर्से अनुभव भएका सुर्खेत जिल्लाका पाँच ओटा विद्यालयका पाँच जना नेपाली विषय शिक्षकहरूलाई प्रश्नावलीका माध्यमबाट र लक्षित समूहमा सहभागी गराई उनीहरूका विचार र धारणाहरू सङ्कलन गरी यो अध्ययन गरिएको छ । यो अध्ययन गुणात्मक अनुसन्धानको न्यारेटिभ खोजमा आधारित छ । शिक्षकहरू स्वप्रतिबिम्बन, सामाजिक सञ्जालको प्रयोग, मेन्टरिङ, अध्ययन, विभिन्न तालिम गोष्ठी तथा सेमिनारमा सहभागिता, सङ्घसंस्थामा आबद्ध, अनुभव आदानप्रदान, सहयोग र सहकार्य, कार्यमूलक अनुसन्धान, विषय समितिहरू निर्माण, सूचना तथा सञ्चारका साधनहरूको प्रयोग आदिका माध्यमबाट पेसागत विकासका लागेको पाइन्छ । साथै अनलाइन र अफलाइन तालिममा सहभागी भएर, अरूका कक्षा अवलोकन गरेर, आफ्नो कक्षा अवलोकन गराएर, लेख रचना प्रकाशन तथा अनुसन्धान कार्यमा सहभागी भएर, विद्यार्थीबाट सुझाव लिएर, आचारसंहिताको पालना गरेर पनि पेसागत विकास हुन्छ । पेसागत उन्नयनमा शिक्षकका व्यक्तिगत प्रयासहरू महत्त्वपूर्ण हुने भएकाले त्यस कार्यमा उनीहरूलाई निरन्तर सहभागी गराउन प्रेरित गर्नुपर्ने देखिन्छ ।
‘प्रवेश निषिद्ध देश’ कथाको रचनाविधान
Authors: ढकाल डिल्लीराम
Published: February 2025

प्रस्तुत लेखको उद्देश्य कथाकार विजय मल्ल (१९८२–२०५६) द्वारा रचित कथा ‘प्रवेश निषिद्ध देश’ को रचनाविधान पहिल्याउनुरहेको छ । रचनाविधानलाई सैद्धान्तिक आधार बनाइएको यस लेखमा कृतिबाट तथ्य सङ्कलन गरिएको छ । सोद्देश्यमूलक नमुना छनोट विधिको प्रयोग गरिएको प्रस्तुत लेखमा कथाको संरचना र रूपविन्यासलाई रचनाविधानको मुख्य स्रोतको रूपमा उपयोग गरिको छ । कथाका मुख्य अवयवका रूपमा रहेका कथावस्तु, चरित्र, परिवेश, दृष्टिविन्दु र सारवस्तुको सामूहिक स्वरूपलाई आधार बनाई ‘प्रवेश निषिद्ध देश’ कथाको रचनाविधानको पहिचान गरिएको छ । प्रस्तुत कथामा मान्छेले जतिसुकै भौतिक प्रगति गरे पनि मान्छेको मूल्य मान्छेविना सम्भव छैन भन्ने अस्तित्ववादी चिन्तन मुखरित भएको छ । वैज्ञानिक उन्नति गरी मानवहीन देशको पात्र नवआगन्तुक र अर्को देशको पात्र ‘म’ का बिचको रोचक काल्पनिक संवाद रहेको प्रस्तुत कथा एक वैज्ञानिक विषयवस्तुमा आधारित छ । ‘म’ पात्र रुखको छहारीमुनि आराम गरिरहेको समयमा एउटा गोलाकारमा नवागन्तुक आएको छ । नवागन्तुककले म पात्रलाई प्रवेश निषिद्ध देशमा लगी विज्ञानको चमत्कार र त्यस देशमा प्रवेश गर्न खोज्ने व्यक्तिको यन्त्रद्वारा हत्या भएको देखाएको छ । म पात्र आतङ्कित भएर अर्कै देशमा लगिदिन आग्रह गर्छ । यसमा वर्णनात्मक तथा चित्रात्मक शैलीको प्रयोग गरिएको छ । कथा आदि, मध्य र अन्त्यको रैखिक ढाँचामा अनुबन्धित छ । भाषाशैली केही फरक लागे पनि बुझिने खालको रहेकाले कथा संवृत्त रूपविन्यासमा रचिएको छ । विषयवस्तुमा सामान्य कथामा भन्दा पृथक्ता देखिएकाले प्रस्तुत कथा मध्यम खालका पाठकका लागि पठनयोग्य रहेको ठहर गरिएको छ ।
नेपालको उच्च शिक्षामा उपयोग गर्न सकिने विशेष शैक्षणिक रणनीति र नमुना
Authors: शर्मा विष्णुप्रसाद
Published: February 2025

पाठ्यक्रमले अपेक्षा गरेका उद्देश्यलाई उपलब्धिमूलक बनाउनमा शिक्षण विधि र रणनीतिको महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका रहन्छ । यस सन्दर्भमा नेपालको उच्च शिक्षामा उपयोग गर्न सकिने शिक्षण सिकाइका विशेष रणनीति र नमुनाको खोजी गर्नु प्रस्तुत अनुसन्धानमूलक लेखको मुख्य उद्देश्य हो । अध्ययनका लागि गुणात्मक विधि र व्याख्यावादी दर्शनको उपयोग गरिएको छ । अध्ययनमा व्यवहारवादी, संज्ञानवादी र निर्माणवादी सिकाइ सिद्धान्तलाई आधार बनाइएको छ । अध्ययनको ढाँचा पाठ विश्लेषण रहेको छ । यसका लागि पुस्तकालय कार्यमा आधारित भई अनुसन्धान प्रबन्ध, अनुसन्धान ग्रन्थ, पुस्तक, र अनुसन्धानमूलक लेखबाट आवश्यक तथ्याङ्क सङ्कलन गरी तिनको विषयगत (थिमेटिक) विश्लेषण गरिएको छ । तथ्यको अध्ययनका आधारमा उच्च तहको शैक्षणिक कार्यमा बाह्य अर्थात् प्राज्ञिक पक्षसँग, आन्तरिक अर्थात् प्राज्ञिक पक्षसँग तथा सिकारुमैत्री र सहभागितामूलक सिकाइसँग सम्बन्धित रणनीति अवलम्बन गर्न आवश्यक रहेको देखिन्छ । यसै गरी उक्त कार्यमा विशेष शैक्षणिक नमुना (विधि) र कार्यकलाप उपयोग गर्न आवश्यक छ । त्यस्ता नवीन नमुनाहरूमा एबिसी नमुना, एकीकृत (थ्रिपी), नमुना, सहभागितात्मक कार्यमूलक अनुसन्धान सिकाइ नमुना, टिप्याक सिकाइ नमुना, फ्लिप्ड सिकाइ नमुना, परियोजना कार्य सिकाइ नमुना, खेल र कला केन्द्रित सिकाइ नमुना, टिम्स केन्द्रित सिकाइ नमुना, एक्काइसौँ शताब्दीको सिप केन्द्रित सिकाइ नमुना मुख्य रहेका छन् । यस प्रकारका शिक्षण सिकाइमा आधारित रणनीति, नमुना र विधि तथा कार्यकलापको उपयोग पाठ्यवस्तुको प्रकृति र कक्षाको स्तरका आधारमा गर्न उपयुक्त हुन्छ ।
एक चिहान उपन्यासमा चरित्रचित्रण
Authors: पन्थ नारायणप्रसाद
Published: February 2025

प्रस्तुत लेखमा हृदयचन्द्रसिंह प्रधानद्वारा लिखित एक चिहान उपन्यासमा सन्निहित पात्रहरूको चरित्रचित्रणका आधारमा विश्लेषण गरिएको छ । लेखको प्राज्ञिक समस्या एक चिहान उपन्यासमा चरित्रका आधारमा पात्रहरूको उपस्थिति के कस्तो रहेको छ भन्ने विषय अध्ययन गर्नु हो । लेखको उद्देश्य एक चिहान उपन्यासमा सहभागी पात्रहरूको चरित्रचित्रणका आधारमा अध्ययन गर्नु हो । यस लेखमा एक चिहान उपन्यासलाई प्राथमिक स्रोतसामग्रीका रूपमा लिइएको छ । लेखका लागि आवश्यक सामग्रीको सङ्कलन पुस्तकालयीय कार्यबाट गरिएको छ । लेखमा उपन्यासमा आएका पात्रहरूको अध्ययन गरी उनीहरूका क्रियाकलापको निरूपण गरिएको छ । यो उपन्यास गरिब किसान तथा श्रमजीवीको जीवनमा आधारित भएकाले यसको मूल विषयवस्तु पनि गरिबी, शोषण तथा विसङ्गति हो । उपन्यासकारले विभिन्न पात्रहरूका माध्यमबाट श्रमजीवीका विवशता एवम् सङ्घर्षलाई व्यक्त गरेका छन् । उपन्यासकारले परम्परागत सामाजिक कुसंस्कार, धार्मिक अन्धविश्वास, आर्थिक शोषण र जातीय विभेदको विरोध गर्दै प्रगतिवादी विचार प्रस्तुत गरेको कुरा यस लेखमा उल्लेख गरिएको छ । यस लेखमा विभिन्न पात्रहरूका माध्यमबाट श्रमजीवी किसान वर्गलाई जीवन सङ्घर्ष गर्न प्रेरित गरी नेवार, पर्वते र मधेसीको आपसी अन्तरसम्बन्ध तथा समावेशी भावनालाई प्रस्तुत गर्दै प्रेम र विवाहसम्बन्धी प्रगतिशील विचार व्यक्त गरेको विषय प्रस्तुत भएको छ । उपन्यासमा भिन्न जाति एवम् संस्कृति मिसिएर एक हु“दै गएपछि देश सुन्दर हुने र वैवाहिक रीति पनि फेरिने विषय उल्लेख गरिएको विषय यस लेखमा प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ । यस लेखमा उपन्यासमा सहभागी पात्रहरूका माध्यमबाट शोषकवर्गको देखावटी दयामायाबाट शोषित वर्गको कल्याण नहुने कुरा व्यक्त गर्दै आर्थिक अभाव, शोषण र अन्यायबाट मुक्ति पाउन शोषित पीडितहरूले सकेसम्म साहुबाट ऋण नलिएर मितव्ययी बन्दै घरेलु उद्योगधन्दा र आफू अनुकूलको कर्म गरी अन्याय तथा अत्याचारका विरुद्ध लड्नुपर्छ भन्ने सन्देश दिएको निष्कर्ष निकालिएको छ ।
„Lokalne samorządy miejskie na pierwszej linii frontu”: Wybrane miasta na prawach powiatu w województwie śląskim podczas pandemii COVID-19
Authors: Gosek Wojciech
Published: February 2025

W pierwszym kwartale 2020 roku nowy wirus – SARS-CoV-2 – pojawił się niemal we wszystkich krajach na świecie. Jego szybkie rozprzestrzenianie się spowodowało globalny kryzys, który dotknął także Polskę. Rząd centralny skupił się na zwalczaniu i zapobieganiu pandemii COVID-19. Jednym z przejawów tej walki było wyposażenie jednostek samorządu terytorialnego w nowe instrumenty prawne. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza najważniejszych narzędzi prawnych, jakimi dysponowały samorządy podczas kryzysu. Dodatkowo autor przygląda się aktywności samorządów w kontekście zwalczania epidemii, na przykładzie działań podjętych przez miasta na prawach powiatu w województwie śląskim. Podkreślona została także rola organizacji pozarządowych i lokalnych społeczności. Autor podejmuje próbę zidentyfikowania problemów, z jakimi mierzyły się samorządy podczas pandemii, poza samym wirusem. Należały do nich m.in. wybory prezydenckie, kwestie finansowe oraz funkcjonowanie transportu publicznego. Analiza obejmuje 12 miast na prawach powiatu: Katowice, Siemianowice Śląskie, Piekary Śląskie, Chorzów, Ruda Śląska, Bielsko-Biała, Świętochłowice, Gliwice, Bytom, Sosnowiec i Rybnik. Badaniem objęto okres od początku marca 2020 roku do końca kwietnia 2020 roku. Wykorzystano metodę porównawczą, analizę aktów prawnych oraz analizę treści.
Iterations of work inclusion beyond the standard service
Authors: Lundberg Kjetil G. , Skjold Suzan M. , Melve Arnhild , Sundsbø Astrid O.
Published: February 2025

Employment services are repeatedly criticised for building barriers to service user participation and decent employment due to combinations of conditionality, bureaucratic logics, high caseloads and scarce resources. However, a range of newer service approaches recognise some of these shortcomings, and aim for personalisation, service coordination, and/or increased connection to employers. In this article, we compare four programmes and their key worker roles, implemented in Norwegian postreform welfare and employment services (NAV) in the 2010s, as iterations of work inclusion beyond the standard follow-up service. These approaches are sensitive to gaps in the current service system, and they invest in the relationship between the professional worker and the service user, working both within and beyond social work approaches. Situated in the broader research literature on activation, personalisation and street-level organisations, we provide an analysis of how these approaches go beyond “business as usual” through strengthened key worker roles. We argue that the relational work approach adopted in these measures has the potential to foster the participation of service users, and to smoothen and sometimes tone down the conditional aspects of services, but that different organisational demands and accountability mechanisms produce a different space of action for key workers and users to shape the path towards labour and social inclusion.
Work Hazards and Social Class among ‘successful’ ALMP-Participants in Norway
Authors: Dahl Espen , Van der Wel Kjetil A. , Hermansen Åsmund , Bråthen Magne
Published: February 2025

Background and research question. Studies of the outcomes of participation in Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMP) focus primarily on employment status or earnings. Few studies address the social class and work environment that “successful” ALMP-participants transit to. Little is also known about whether participation in different types of ALMPs leads to different social classes and work environments. This is unfortunate since many ALMP participants have health challenges and reduced work ability and thus are particularly susceptible to poor working conditions. Data and methods: Using Norwegian register data, we examined social class and exposure to hazardous working conditions, measured by a Mechanical Job Exposure Matrix and a Psychosocial Job Exposure Matrix, that characterised the jobs of “successful” ALMP participants, compared with the general work force. Results: We found that both mechanical and psychosocial job exposures in male ALMP-participants were higher than those of the general work force. For female participants, mechanical exposures were higher than the average level in the general work force, while psychosocial exposures were lower. Further, job exposures differed by ALMP type, but after adjustment for age, education and social class, only negligible differences in job exposures between ALMP types remained. Social class contributed to variation in both mechanical and psychosocial job exposures, most for mechanical exposures among male participants, and least for psychosocial exposures among female participants. Conclusion: Compared with the general working population, former ALMP participants, regardless of what type of programmes they participated in, entered lower social classes and tended to face more hazardous work environment.
Pronunciation Practice with Google Translate TTS and ASR Functions
Authors: Niño Ana
Published: February 2025

This article examines the impact of the use of Google Translate's (GT) text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition functions on the practice of pronunciation, intonation, and oral production at the beginner's level. Utilizing a self-study questionnaire, the acquisition of pronunciation, intonation, and oral production was evaluated, and students were asked about the effectiveness of this tool for the independent learning of Spanish as a foreign language. Since there are not many investigations on this topic, the results of this study are of significance and indicate that the self-directed use of GT through carefully designed learning activities for practicing a specific set of second language pronunciation features at a particular language level can aid independent practice, thus increasing students’ phonetic and phonological awareness, helping perception, aiding memorization, and improving language confidence.
Machine Translation Post-Editing Behavior of Undergraduate EFL Students Across Two Genres
Authors: Saricaoglu Aysel , Dinçer Betül Hazal
Published: February 2025

Numerous studies have explored to what extent and in what ways second language (L2) learning or L2 writing quality is impacted by the use of machine translation (MT) tools or post-editing the MT output, as well as how L2 learners perceive the effectiveness of MT tools. However, the potential of MT, more specifically post-editing machine-translated texts, to improve L2 learners’ translation skills remains unexplored. This study reports on how the MT post-editing behavior of undergraduate students of English as a foreign language (EFL) differs across two genres – short story and research article. Turkish learners of L2 English (n = 25) who were enrolled in a second-year online translation course post-edited Google-translated short stories and sections of research articles (from Turkish to English) for better translation. Using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, we compared their post-edits in the two tasks for overall frequencies, linguistic levels of the post-edits (morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic), the success of the post-edits, and the types of post-edits (addition, deletion, substitution, reorder, rewrite). Our findings revealed significant genre effects on several aspects, with the short story genre promoting more student engagement with the post-editing task than the research article genre. Pedagogical implications are discussed.