bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forest and Natural Vegetation Cover Loss Over 2000 to 2020 in Sri Lanka; A Canopy Density Base Analysis
Authors: Kaushalya G. N.
Published: February 2024

As one of the most important biodiversity hotspot, forest and natural vegetation areas play an essential role in the global ecosystem. It provides an uncountable number of ecosystem services while controlling the adverse impacts of climatic changes. With the expansion of civilization and fulfilling the infinite needs of man, forests and natural vegetation areas were destroyed, especially for agricultural purposes, development projects and timber. Due to this, the accelerated growth of deforestation and loss of natural vegetation can be observed in Sri Lanka in the past few decades. This study aimed to identify the forest and natural vegetation area loss from 2000 to 2020 with a particular focus on the Canopy Density (CD) of tree cover (>25%, >50% and >75%) in Sri Lanka. The satellite estimated data (30 mx30 m resolution) was downloaded from the 2000 to 2020 time period from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) online platform conducted by the World Resource Institute were used. Spatial and temporal changing patterns of the forest and natural vegetation areas have been identified using descriptive analysis methods (percentage) using MS Excel 2019 software. Results of the study found that in 2000, 61.38 percent of the country was covered with above 25% tree cover CD, while 53.86 percent and 39.76 percent of areas have covered with the tree cover CD above 50% and 75%, respectively. However, when it has come to 2020, these areas have decreased by 52.78 percent (>25% CD), 44.27 percent (>50% CD) and 28.65 percent (>75% CD). During this period, 8.6 percent (>25% CD), 9.59 percent (>50% CD) and 11.11 percent (>75% CD) of the forest and natural vegetation areas of Sri Lanka have lost the country. Throughout this period, 2016 can be identified as a year at risk for deforestation due to its annual deforestation rate (>8.8 percent). The total area of forest cover lost in 2016 is 17799 ha (>25% CD), 15583 ha (>50% CD) and 9865 ha (>75% CD). This is nearly 13 percent of forest cover loss for all three types of CD tree cover areas. According to the calculations of the forest areas that have >75% of CD, Anuradhapura (12.06%), Kurunegala (9.82%), and Monaragala (8.49%) districts are the areas that contributed to forest cover loss in the country during 2000 to 2020. According to the study, the annual deforestation rate is still very high. Hence should be needed to monitor and take action to stop deforestation and achieve sustainability in natural resource management in Sri Lanka. 

Keywords: Deforestation, Canopy density, Tree cover, Natural resource management, Sri Lanka
Water Table Estimation in Attaragoda GN Division in Galle, Sri Lanka
Authors: Prabhashvi W.A.A.  , Senanayake S.A.M.A.I.K.
Published: February 2024

The fluctuation of the groundwater table depends on geology, topography, climate and human consumption pattern. Long-term reduction of groundwater table caused by global climatic changes and overexploitation. However, short-term fluctuation is caused by climatic variations such as rainfall patterns and evaporation. Groundwater consumption is increasing at an alarming speed due to the increasement in the population, and it directly affects the reduction of the water table. Attaragoda GN division is considered a rural area in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Most households utilize groundwater as their principal water source. There is no research conducted to assess the water table in the Attaragoda GN division. A preliminary study tried to determine the water table in Attaragoda GN division, Galle to fill this research gap. As a tropical country, the month of November is considered the second inter-monsoon season in Sri Lanka. Randomly selected 33 groundwater wells were considered as the sample size from 142/A Attaragoda GN division. The study was conducted in November 2021 from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. Elevation was recorded using ―My elevation mobile app,‖ and the depth of the wells was measured using the measuring rope at the field in November 2021. The water table was calculated using the standard formula for all 33 sampling locations (Z=h–X; Z=depth of water table, X=elevation, h=depth measured in well). Data analysis was done using plotting the water table graph against elevation. Regarding land elevation, the water table fluctuated in the 4 m-20 m range in the Attaragoda GN area due to geographic locations. The lowest water table was recorded at a well in the highland area, and the highest was recorded at a well in the lower land. Based on the results in a plotted graph indicated that the same elevation had different groundwater table levels. Main reasons for this different water table recorded in the same elevation identified as overused groundwater for maintaining a fish farm, watering flower nurseries, and animal husbandry practices. At the same elevation, the well that recorded the low water table caused overexploitation of groundwater than the well which had a higher water table level. Water table levels can change in the same area due to their native geographic features. However, at the same elevation water table might be adjusted according to the consumption pattern of the households. 

Keywords: Elevation, Geology, Ground water, Water table
Striving Towards Independent Living: The Trials and Tribulations of Institutionalised Adolescents in Malaysia
Authors: Nur Syuhada Mohd Munir , Haniza Rais
Published: February 2024

This phenomenological study explores how five institutionalised Malay adolescents used adaptive strategies towards independent living upon being released from welfare institutions. Five 17-year-old Malay Muslim adolescents, three males and two females, were recruited via purposive sampling for a focus group discussion to gather insights into their plans and strategies to cope with life challenges after being released from their respective welfare institutions. Thematic analysis of the FGD data extracted six themes that portrayed the adolescents’ adaptive strategies for facing challenges in life. The themes include making personal preparations, acquiring personal strengths, setting a career direction, exploring the support of friends and outsiders, feeling of being complete, searching for personal necessities and having a sense of responsibility. The findings highlight the need for developing a comprehensive life skills intervention for institutionalised adolescents and psychoeducation counselling modules to alleviate the adolescents’ uncertainties in going through the adjustment phase outside welfare institutions.
Sibling Birth Order Among Undergraduate University Students and Its Influence on Personality Traits: Some Implications for Education
Authors: Chow Chiam Rong , Amzat Ismail Hussein
Published: February 2024

This cross-sectional survey explores the influence of sibling birth order on university students’ personality traits. The sample consisted of 184, predominantly Chinese, Malaysian undergraduates of a private university in Malaysia. The Big-Five personality questionnaire (John & Benet-Martinez, 1998) was used for data collection, while Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and path analysis from SEM were used to analyse the data. The CFA results show a significant interrelationship between the traits of extroversion and agreeableness but no significant direct effect of birth order on personality traits. The results are consistent with the previous studies in Malaysia and around the globe and suggest the likelihood of other factors (e.g., social culture and environment) possibly influencing student personality. Subsequent research that employs various Malaysian samples is needed to further test the applicability of Sulloway’s theory in explaining the influence or effect of sibling birth order in Malaysia.
Participation of local self-government bodies in licensing of individual entrepreneurial activities in the healthcare sector
Authors: Dyomin Ruslan
Published: February 2024

Political process management in the healthcare sector is one of the main factors influencing the economic, social, and cultural development of a country, its international prestige and competitiveness in the world, and requires constant development in search of new ways, mechanisms, and methods of improvement. The study aims to reveal and deepen the scientific, theoretical, and methodological foundations of licensing, and their role in the organisation of local self-government in terms of implementing the State policy in the healthcare sector. The object and subject of the study were selected using the dialectical method substantiating its purpose and objectives; the methods of analysis and generalisation were used to provide the necessary justifications for defining the essence and content of the State healthcare policy, clarifying the competence of public authorities and local self-government bodies about compliance with healthcare requirements, considering the powers of public authorities and local self-government bodies in the field of public healthcare, and considering the focus and specific features of the State healthcare policy in the field of healthcare. The problem of the issue has been studied and conceptual directions for its solution have been built by filling the relevant gaps in the legislative framework. Several Laws of Ukraine and resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regulating the management of the political process in the healthcare sector are analysed. The tendency of changes in legislation to ensure proper control over the quality of healthcare services is revealed. The author identifies several restrictions in the list of bodies authorised to issue relevant licences for individual entrepreneurial activity in the healthcare sector. The author outlines the structure of the system of regulatory management on the issue of exercising the constitutional right of citizens to independent individual economic activity. The author proves that licensing is a necessary instrument of state control over the quality of medical services and patient safety. The author proposes to grant representative local self-government bodies the right to consider and make decisions at their meetings on issuing or refusing licensing documents in the field of economic activity related to healthcare. Based on the results of the study, the author identified gaps in the current legislation of Ukraine relating to public health protection and formulated relevant recommendations for its improvement
Information and communication technologies legislation for self-government bodies
Authors: Uliutina Olena
Published: February 2024

The research relevance is determined by the fact that in Ukraine, digital and information processes are increasingly popularised in the activities of local self-government bodies, allowing for prompt resolution of certain community tasks. However, the legislation in this area does not fully meet the requirements for the use of information and communication technologies. The study aims to analyse the powers of local self-government bodies to use information and electronic resources in their activities. The main research method used was the systemic and structural one, which helped to determine the specifics of the use of information and communication technologies. The results of the study show that Ukrainian legislation fragmentarily regulates information and communication relations of local self-government bodies. It is proposed to adopt a specialised legislative act. It is determined that local self-government bodies have a fairly significant number of information and communication technologies and e-government tools. It is found that it is expedient for Ukrainian local self-government bodies to adopt the experience of the Republic of Poland in using the crowdsourcing tool, but for its implementation, it is necessary to adopt an appropriate legal act and allocate adequate funding. The author emphasises the importance of the opinion of the international European community in the field of information support for the activities of public authorities and local self-government within the framework of bilateral partnership. The author emphasises the need to consider the financial capacity of Ukraine to maintain and develop new information and communication technology tools under the legal regime of martial law. The practical significance of the results obtained is that they encourage the introduction of new information and communication technology tools in the work of local self-government bodies.
Veterinary defects as a subject of forensic veterinary investigation
Authors: Yatsenko Ivan
Published: February 2024

Defects in veterinary activities often cause epizootics that pose a threat to animal and human life and cause economic losses to livestock facilities. To prove the guilt of a veterinary practitioner in the occurrence of professional defects, forensic veterinary examination is essential. The study aims to formulate and characterise the conceptual and categorical apparatus of the phenomenon of defects in veterinary practice, to identify the signs of these defects in terms of forensic veterinary examination, and to propose amendments to the criminal, administrative and veterinary national legislative framework. The methodological basis of the study includes a systematic approach which uses general and special scientific methods: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, analogy; logical-semantic and systemstructural methods; modelling method and comparative legal method. It is argued that it is appropriate to distinguish two groups of offences related to veterinary activities, including criminal offences (misdemeanours and crimes), administrative offences and civil torts. The author’s definitions are proposed: “crime in veterinary activity”, “fault in veterinary activity”, “nonperformance or improper performance of professional duties by a veterinary practitioner”, “engaging in illegal veterinary activity”, “illegal issuance of a veterinary prescription”, “illegal conduct of veterinary biological or other experiments on animals” and their features are outlined. The features of the objective side of criminal, administrative and civil law offences in the field of veterinary medicine are outlined. The author identifies the problematic aspects of defects in veterinary activities which should be emphasised by scientists and practitioners and suggests ways to solve them. The study became the basis for the development of a methodology for forensic veterinary research of defects in veterinary activities in criminal and administrative proceedings and civil cases
Accidental Falls Related to Physical and Environmental Risk Factors Among Older Hill Tribe Adults in Northern Thailand
Authors: Sutalangka Chatchada , Namkorn Ploypailin , Sitthipornvorakul Ekalak , Kongkratoke Sitang , Mee-inta Anongnad , Chaiut Wilawan
Published: February 2024

Objective: Falls remain a cause of disability in the elderly. The present study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of falls among the hill tribe elderly population in Northern Thailand and identify its associated factors.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in participants from 61 hill tribe villages in Chiang Rai province, Thailand aged more than 60 years. A simple random method was used to select the participants. A questionnaire was developed and validated for data collection. Timed-up and go test (TUGT) was used to assess the dynamic balance and risk of falls in the participants.  Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the study variables (p-value<0.05).Results: One hundred eighty-two participants were recruited into the study with a mean age of 69.54 years (S.D.=7.02). 59.9 % were women.  It was found that 17.6% of elderly who fell in the previous 6 months and 28.0% of elderly who risks of falls as assessed by the TUGT. The multiple logistic regression model showed that tribe (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=4.40, 95 confidence interval (CI)%=1.88 to 22.02), dizziness (aOR=3.40, 95 CI%=1.70 to 16.70), history of fall in the last 6 months (aOR=2.42, 95 CI%=1.06 to 8.64), location of falls (aOR=1.37, 95 CI%=1.02 to 18.22), and the 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS-15) (aOR=12.91, 95 CI%=1.07 to 84.85) were the associated risk factors for having a serious fall for hill tribe elderly.Conclusion: This study provides important determining factors associated with elderly falls, which can assist in developing and implementing an appropriate fall prevention program through environmental adjustments for the elderly.
PENGARUH WAKTU SIMULASI TRANSPORTASI TERHADAP KUALITAS BUAH TOMAT ( Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill )
Authors: Gultom Yulia Firanty , Gumaran Setyadi , Utari Ni Wayan Arya
Published: February 2024

Tomatoes have a short storage time and are easily damaged. Tomatoes have thin skin and high water content, so the commodity will quickly deteriorate after being treated with simulated transportation and storage processes. This research aims to analyze the effect of the simulation time on weight loss, mechanical damage, color, hardness, and total soluble solids of tomatoes and to explain the effect of simulation time treatment on weight loss, mechanical, damage, color, hardness, and total soluble solids of tomatoes during storage. This study used a completely randomized design using transportation simulation vibration times (30 minutes and 90 minutes) and controls not given vibration treatment using three repetitions and kept for 8 days. This research shows that the treatment of variations in vibration time affects mechanical damage and weight loss. Vibration time of 30 minutes on day 8 I had mechanical damage of 15,38%, weight loss of 5,77%, color L* 40,88, color a* 20,06, hardness 11,88, and total dissolved solids 4,25. Vibration time of 90 minutes has mechanical damage of 20,51%, weight loss of 7,53%, color L* 40,63, color a* 21,21, hardness 11,65 and total dissolved solids 4,33.
Gamification of consumer loyalty programs
Authors:   State University of Trade and Economics, KARMAZINOVA Viktoriia
Published: February 2024

Increased competition in the digital enviro­nment leads to the search for effective tools to attract targeted traffic to websites. Search engine marketing (SEM), which includes search engine (contextual) advertising (SEA) and search engine optimization (SEO), allows toachieve this aim by means of technical settings and consideration of marketing aspects in creating user experiences. The effectiveness of search engine marketing is tested in practice with the help of web analytics, which allows real-time tracking of traffic, its sources, and user actions, which helps identify the most effective tools and advertising campaigns. In the context of the emerging impression economy, improving the user experience of potential and existing customers at every touchpoint depends on the speed and convenience of achieving user goals in the digital environment. Search engine marketing is based on users’ search queries in the face of actualized demand. Therefore, websites that are quickly accessible in search and contain a value proposition in accordance with the search queries of potential customers will be convenient for users, have a competitive advantage by providing positive impressions based on an improved customer experience. This approach ensures that the interests of both users and businesses are satisfied, thus achieving the goals of digital marketing and business efficiency in general. The aim of the recearh is to substantiate the relationship between search contextual advertising and search engine optimi­zation as search engine marketing tools and to identify their synergistic impact on creating positive user experiences, increasing targeted traffic and increasing website conver­sion. In the reseach, the general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, system-structural analysis, comparison, systematic, logical generali­zation were used. Based on the semantic mechanism of working with search queries, the article substantiates the relationship between search engine advertising and search engine optimi­zation as search engine marketing tools and reveals their synergistic impact on creating positive user experiences, increasing targeted traffic and increasing website conver­sion. The proposed algorithms for search engine adver­tising and internal search engine optimi­zation, taking into account the technical and marketing aspects of the implementation of these digital marketing tools, help in this regard.
Potential for the development of financial leasing in Ukraine
Authors:   State University of Trade and Economics, BELIANKO Lidiia
Published: February 2024

In modern conditions, the market of financial leasing services occupies a prominent place in the economy of developed countries. Financial leasing is a kind of symbiosis of lending and renting, it has a number of sig­nificant advantages for ensuring and expan­ding the activities of business entities due to the replenishment of their investment income, a convenient source of financing, the possibility of using modern and often expensive equipment without significant costs, modernization of production and normalization of the financial and economic state of business, which invi­gorates the development of the country’s economy as a whole. In Ukraine, despite 30 years of development, financial leasing has repeatedly encountered difficulties, including the problems of the origin and formation of the leasing services market (90s), imperfect legislation, the decline during the financial crisis and post-crisis recovery, and currently – fun­ctioning in the conditions of war. The economic instability of the past years and the conditions of the present significantly affect the pace of development of the leasing industry, and therefore its recovery is currently a matter of time. The growth of the financial leasing market in conditions of a pandemic, economic recession and martial law makes it necessary to have a clear mechanism for regulating leasing acti­vities. The priority reference point is the European experience, the study of which in the framework of strengthening the innovative focus of the development of the domestic economy will make it possible to choose a relevant model of the functioning of the modern financial leasing market. The aim of the article is to determine the regulatory requirements in the field of leasing activity, the key vectors of the development of the domestic market of financial leasing services in the context of European integration. To achieve the aim, scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, systematization, graphic and generalization were applied. It was established that, despite a number of problems, the leasing market of Ukraine still has all the prospects of becoming one of the powerful markets of the Central and Eastern Europe region. In this direction, it is urgent to strengthen financial literacy among the population and business entities regarding the understanding of leasing as an innovative way of purchasing equipment and a flexible business financing tool, ensuring an increase in the level of penetration of leasing into the domestic economy, expanding the spheres of attracting external financing, developing state programs, developing vendor financing.
Митна реформа ЄС: імплементація в Україні
Authors:   Державний торговельно-економічний університет, КАРАВАЄВ Тарас , КАЛУГА Ніна ,   Державний торговельно-економічний університет
Published: February 2024

Одним з основоположних інститутів Євро­пейського Союзу є Митний союз, який здійснює керівництво зовнішніми кордонами ЄС шляхом встановлення митних правил, заходів тарифного та нетарифного регулювання, що забезпечує провідну позицію ЄС як одного з найбільших торговельних блоків у світі. Проте в останнє десятиліття митні органи ЄС зіштовхнулися з багатьма викликами, які вказують на невідпо­відність наявної митної системи ЄС сучасним вимогам. ІТ-системи митних органів ЄС не можуть впоратися з величезним обсягом декларацій, особливо в електронній торгівлі. Незаконні та невідповідні товари продовжують надходити до ЄС і становлять загрозу безпеці громадян. Це стало поштовхом до оголошеної Єврокомісією у травні 2023 р. найбільш амбітної та комплексної реформи Митного союзу ЄС. Гіпотеза дослідження полягає у підтвердженні актуальності та доціль­ності проведення найбільш амбітної та комплексної Митної реформи ЄС та її імплемен­тації в Україні. Метою статті є окреслення основних передумов і сутності митної реформи ЄС, створення нової е-Митниці ЄС та перспек­тив її впровадження в Україні. Для досягнення мети використано методи аналізу, синтезу, наукового узагальнення та порівняння наукових джерел. Митна реформа ЄС базується на трьох опорах: нове партнерство з бізнесом; розумні­ший підхід до митних перевірок; більш сучасний підхід до електронної торгівлі. Основною метою реформи є створення нового Митного органу ЄС (EU Customs Authority), який функціонуватиме на основі нової е-Митниці ЄС (EU е-Customs) та контролюватиме Центр митних даних ЄС (EU Customs Data Hub). Для впровадження е-Митниці в ЄС створено Багаторічний стратегічний план для електронної митниці (MASP-C), що передбачає розроблення понад 40 митних ІТ-систем та графік їхнього впровадження. Відповідно до Національ­ної стратегії доходів до 2030 р. та Довгостро­кового національного стратегічного плану цифро­візації Держмитслужби в Україні планується розробити й запровадити 17 митних ІТ-систем, сумісних з відповідними європейськими. Отже, робота української митниці має бути синхро­нізована з новим Митним органом ЄС, що підтверджує невпинний рух України до ЄС, зокрема у митній сфері.
Встановлення місця проживання дитини Європейським судом з прав людини
Authors:   Навчально-науковий інститут Таврійського національного університету ім. В. І. Вернадського, ДОБРЯНСЬКА Наталія
Published: February 2024

Статтю присвячено узагальненню правових підходів Європейського суду з прав людини до вирішення питання про встановлення місця про­живання дитини. Актуальність теми цього дослідження обумовлена процесами міграції, а також ускладненням правового регулювання сімейних правовідносин, зокрема у спорах, що виникають під час визначення місця проживання дитини. У таких умовах під час вирішення національними судами спорів про визначення місця проживання дитини важливим є ураху­вання практики Європейського суду з прав людини у відповідній категорії справ. В основу дослідження покладено гіпотезу про те, що відповідно до правової позиції Європейського суду з прав людини під час вирішення будь-яких питань, що стосуються дитини, має бути засто­сований принцип врахування найкращих інтересів дитини. Водночас застосування цього підходу не можна звести до якогось єдиного способу вирі­шення питання про встановлення місця прожи­вання дитини з одним із батьків – матірʼю чи іншим родичем, оскільки у кожному конкретному випадку національні суди мають зʼясовувати низку питань. Для перевірки зазначеної гіпотези автором проведено огляд низки рішень Євро­пейського суду з прав людини, що стосуються питання про визначення місця проживання дитини, неправомірного її перемі­щення через державний кордон країни походження тощо. У результаті проведеного дослідження частково підтверджено висунуту гіпотезу та виявлено, що хоча дійсно не існує універсальної правової позиції Європейсь­кого суду з прав людини стосовно порядку враху­вання принципу найкращих інте­ресів для дитини, проте дослідження такої прак­тики показує, що Суд дотримується позиції, від­повідно до якої національні суди повинні ретельно перевіряти всі обставини справи, залучати за необхідності до участі у справі педагогічних працівників, психо­логів з тим, щоб діяти дійсно у найкращих інтересах дитини.
Критерій повнофункціональності як детермінанта способу концентрації ринкової влади
Authors:   Державний торговельно-економічний університет, МАЗАРАКІ Наталія , ГЕРАСИМЕНКО Анжеліка ,   Державний торговельно-економічний університет
Published: February 2024

У статті досліджується інститут спільних підприємств у координатах конкурентного права. З огляду на обрану засновниками спільного підприємства стратегію взаємодії та фокус на відносинах контролю чи координації, спільні підприємства можуть генерувати різнорідні ризики для конкурентного середовища й повинні досліджуватися та контролюватися за різними процедурами: процедурою контролю за концентрацією субʼєктів господарювання або процедурою контролю за узгодженими діями субʼєктів господарювання. Керуючись інституційним аналізом способів концентрації ринкової влади та європейським досвідом конкурентної політики (правотворення та правозастосування), автори статті висувають, перевіряють і знаходять підтвердження гіпотези щодо спроможності критерію повно-функціональності господарської діяльності спільного підприємства визначити спосіб концентрації ринкової влади, обраний його засновниками, та зрештою детермінувати застосування відповідних йому процедур контролю. Зокрема повнофункціональність є ознакою концентрації субʼєктів господарювання на противагу їх узгодженим діям. Запровадження критерію повнофункціональності в українське законодавство про захист економічної конкуренції, з одного боку, є кроком його наближення до acquis ЄС, а з іншого – способом підвищення ефективності процедур антимоно¬польного контролю. У статті також пропонуються шляхи подальшого удосконалення практики застосування відповідного критерію як важеля перемикання режимів антимонопольного контролю залежно від способу концентрації ринкової влади.
Взаємодія Бюро економічної безпеки України з інститутами громадянського суспільства
Authors:   Ужгородський національний університет, ПИЛИП Вікторія
Published: February 2024

У сучасних умовах у державному розвитку України неабияке значення відіграють інститути громадянського суспільства. Наразі проактивні громадяни використовують усі допустимі зако­ном засоби задля відновлення порушеного безпе­кового середовища, відсічі збройної агресії. Не менш важливою є їхня роль у забезпеченні економічної безпеки держави. Адже, як визначено Основним Законом України, економічна безпека є одним з важливих пріоритетних напрямів діяльності держави та справою всього українського народу. Однією з найсуттєвіших загроз для економічної безпеки держави є злочинність економічної спрямо­ваності. Вагому роль у протидії їй відіграє Бюро економічної безпеки України, у взаємодію з яким вступають також інститути громадянського сус­пільства. Неодноразово в юридичній літе­ратурі висвітлю­валися можливості взаємодії право­охоронних органів з інститутами грома­дянського суспільства, однак поза увагою зали­ша­лися форми їх взаємодії з Бюро економічної без­пеки України. Відсутність комплексних досліджень зумовила обрання метою статті визначення адмі­ністративно-пра­во­вих форм взаємодії Бюро еко­номічної безпеки України та інститутів гро­ма­дянського суспільства. Досягненню означеної мети сприяло використання таких методів дослідження: аналіз і синтез, системно-структурний, систем­ного аналізу. Проведено аналіз нормативно-пра­вових актів, що врегульо­вують порядок діяль­ності цього Бюро та Ради громадського конт­ролю, ство­реної при ньому. Зʼясовано, що взає­модія інсти­тутів грома­дянського суспільства та Бюро здійс­нюється у таких формах: участь інститутів громадян­ського суспільства у нормо­творчій діяльності; залучення представ­ників інститутів громадянського суспільства до участі в право­охоронній діяльності; участь у формуванні кадро­вого потенціалу, у тому числі у здійсненні громадського контролю за дотри­манням вимог конкурсного відбору.
Politics of Hate and Social Media: Thematic Analysis of Political Hate Discourses on Facebook
Authors: Akbar Muhammad , Safdar Aasima
Published: February 2024

This article documented the presence of politically motivated hate content in online political discourses and also explored major themes against political opponents in Pakistan. A total of 744 posts were collected from Facebook pages affiliated with two major political parties. The amount indicates the significant amount of politically motivated hate content presented in online political discourses. The data were thematically analyzed from which 3 major themes emerged. The data revealed that political discourses were filed with denigration of opposites through abusive and disgusted language followed by the dehumanization of opposites such as naming and comparing with different animals like dogs, pigs etc. It was also found that character assassination was done by framing opposites as morally and socially characterless, by accusing them as sexually corrupt, drug addictive, and as well homosexual etc. Lastly, the opposites were framed as "anti-state", "traitors" and "foreign agents who have become "threats" to national peace, cohesion and integrity of the state and as well to destabilize the country.
The Prominent Leftist Leaders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: An Appraisal
Authors: Ayaz Mohammad , Naz Shakila , Ali Fayyaz
Published: February 2024

The history of leftist politics in NWFP (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) draws significantly less attention in scholarly and academic journals on national and international politics than other topics do. This was because of Pakistan's alliance with the US-led capitalist camp right after independence in 1947, which made it difficult for its leftist leaders to carry out their program. Throughout the Cold War era (1945-93) the leftist political parties in Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular were incapable of consolidating their position in the post-colonial period and consequently remained marginalized in electoral politics. Despite severe state repression and cracks down, many of the notable leftist leaders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to carry out their work. However, the list of these leaders is very long and could not be covered by a single research paper. Therefore, this study aims at highlighting the family background, biographies, and political achievements of only selected Six leftist leaders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Comparative Study of Takagi-Sugeno-Kang and Madani Algorithms in Type-1 and Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Control for Self-Balancing Wheelchairs
Authors: Kiew-ong-art Manutsawee , Chotikunnan Phichitphon , Wongkamhang Anantasak , Chotikunnan Rawiphon , Nirapai Anuchit , Imura Pariwat , Sangworasil Manas , Thongpance Nuntachai , Srisiriwat Anuchart
Published: February 2024

This study examines the effectiveness of four different fuzzy logic controllers in self-balancing wheelchairs. The controllers under consideration are Type-1 Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) FLC, Interval Type-2 TSK FLC, Type-1 Mamdani FLC, and Interval Type-2 Mamdani FLC. A MATLAB-based simulation environment serves for the evaluation, focusing on key performance indicators like percentage overshoot, rise time, settling time, and displacement. Two testing methodologies were designed to simulate both ideal conditions and real-world hardware limitations. The simulations reveal distinct advantages for each controller type. For example, Type-1 TSK excels in minimizing overshoot but requires higher force. Interval Type-2 TSK shows the quickest settling times but needs the most force. Type-1 Mamdani has the fastest rise time with the lowest force requirement but experiences a higher percentage of overshoot. Interval Type-2 Mamdani offers balanced performance across all metrics. When a 2.7 N control input cap is imposed, Type-2 controllers prove notably more efficient in minimizing overshoot. These results offer valuable insights for future design and real-world application of self-balancing wheelchairs. Further studies are recommended for the empirical testing and refinement of these controllers, especially since the initial findings were limited to four-wheeled self-balancing robotic wheelchairs.
Dynamic Performance Enhancement of a Self-Excited Induction Generator Connected to the Grid Using an Effective Control Algorithm
Authors: Saleh Asmaa , Diab Ahmed A. Zaki , El-Gaafary Ahmed A. M. , A. Mossa Mahmoud
Published: February 2024

The current study aims to present a comprehensive analysis of a control technique used for improving the dynamic performance of a grid connected self-excited induction generator (SEIG). All components in the control system are modelled and explained in details. The management of SEIG operation is achieved through controlling the machine side converter using a new formulated predictive voltage control scheme (PVC). The proposed (PVC) is compared to field oriented control (FOC), model predictive current control (MPCC) and model predictive direct torque control (MPDTC) systems. MPDTC and MPCC have several drawbacks like high ripple, high load commutation, and using a weighting factor in their cost function, While FOC systems depend on machine parameters for variable estimation factors, need to use PI regulators and co-ordinate transformations, which complicate the system and slow down the dynamic response. The results obtained indicate that the proposed PVC is effective, as the ripples are reduced by 43% when compared to the MPDTC-used one and by 30% when compared to MPCC. Additionally, PVC's time response is less than that of the FOC by 15%, MPCC by 9%, and MPDTC by 4%. Furthermore, PVC produces 38% fewer commutations than MPCC and 40% fewer commutations than MPDTC. Consequently, the generator's efficiency and dependability both increased as a result of its better performance.
Evolving Conversations: A Review of Chatbots and Implications in Natural Language Processing for Cultural Heritage Ecosystems
Authors: Suryanto Tri Lathif Mardi , Wibawa Aji Prasetya , Hariyono Hariyono , Nafalski Andrew
Published: February 2024

Chatbot technology, a rapidly growing field, uses Natural Language Processing (NLP) methodologies to create conversational AI bots. Contextual understanding is essential for chatbots to provide meaningful interactions. Still, to date chatbots often struggle to accurately interpret user input due to the complexity of natural language and diverse fields, hence the need for a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to investigate the motivation behind the creation of chatbots, their development procedures and methods, notable achievements, challenges and emerging trends. Through the application of the PRISMA method, this paper contributes to revealing the rapid and dynamic progress in chatbot technology with NLP learning models, enabling sophisticated and human-like interactions on the trends observed in chatbots over the past decade. The results, from various fields such as healthcare, organization and business, virtual personalities, to education, do not rule out the possibility of being developed in other fields such as chatbots for cultural preservation while suggesting the need for supervision in the aspects of language comprehension bias and ethics of chatbot users. In the end, the insights gained from SLR have the potential to contribute significantly to the advancement of chatbots on NLP as a comprehensive field.
DETERMINATION OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT TRENDS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY, THREATS AND RISKS
Authors: TULCHYNSKA Svitlana , KOZHEMIACHENKO Olga
Published: February 2024

The article examines the trends of changes in capital investment in industry and determines the trends of further investment in conditions of uncertainty, threats and risks. Capital investments in industry for 2010-2022 were analyzed. It was determined that the general level of capital investments in the industry of Ukraine in the period 2010-2022 increased, with the exception of 2020. The number of industrial enterprises that introduced innovations for the period 2013-2020 was analyzed as a percentage of the total number. During the period 2013-2016, there was an increase in enterprises that implemented innovative processes in their activities, in 2017 and 2019, there was a slight decrease in innovative activity compared to the previous period. It is substantiated that the main vectors of development among science-intensive types of industry and mechanical engineering should become: the development of the aviation industry, rocket and space technology, the production of new types of rolling stock, the development of the energy industry, the production of electronic equipment and the modernization of the defense complex. To ensure the security and competitiveness of the state, it is necessary to develop modern types of weapons and military equipment. Among the priorities: radar systems, high-precision weapons and means of their destruction, missile complexes of various ranges. In order to maintain competitive positions in the field of mining and metallurgical production, it is necessary to develop directions for the diversification of production, optimization of the structure according to the nomenclature range, development of new types of goods and services on the basis of existing production capacities. It is necessary to develop and attract new, more effective methods of development of natural reserves of mineral raw materials.
Revisiting classical concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics - Part II: Stretching finite strips weakened by single edge parabolically-shaped notches
Authors: Markides Christos , Kourkoulis Stavros K
Published: February 2024

This is the second part of a short three-paper series, aiming to revisit some classical concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics. Being the intermediate step of the analysis between infinite domains (discussed in Part-I) and finite bodies (that will be discussed analytically in the third part of the series), the present part offers an alternative theoretical approach for the confrontation of problems dealing with both infinite and finite bodies with geometrical discontinuities. The method is here applied to a stretched, single-edge notched strip. Assuming that the strip is made of a linearly elastic and isotropic material, the complex potentials technique is used. The solution is achieved by extending Mushkelishvili’s procedure, for the confrontation of the prob­lem of an infinite perforated plane. Closed form, full-field formulae are obtained for the stresses all over the notched strip. Using these formulae, the stress concentration factor at the base (tip) of the notch is quantified and studied in terms of the geometrical features of the notch and its dimensions relatively to the respective ones of the strip. The stress distributions plotted along characteristic loci, resemble closely, from a qualitative point of view, the respective ones provided by well-established analytical solutions. Preliminary numerical analyses in progress provide results in very good agreement with those of the present analysis.
Enhancement of punching shear behavior of reinforced concrete flat slabs using GFRP grating
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed , Mostafa Haitham , Mostafa Tarek , Khater Ahmed
Published: February 2024

The literature review showed insufficient relevant research on the application of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Polymers (GFRP) gratings in the structural elements, while GFRP bars, laminate, sheets, and strips, have been extensively explored. This research aims to present a proposal for a new reinforcing system using GFRP gratings to improve the punching shear resistance of RC flat slabs. Results of seven specimens tested experimentally under vertical static loading are displayed, taking into account the influence of the gratings variables. Test results revealed an improvement in the ultimate load ranging between 9.03% and 27.67% for the specimens strengthened by the proposed GFRP grating system. A Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (NLFEA) was carried out using the ANSYS program with correlational evaluation using load-deflection response and cracking pattern, which resulted in a good convergence of numerical simulations and experimental performance results ranging from 1.0% to 8.0%. Key parameters, namely the concrete compressive strength, steel reinforcement yield strength, main steel reinforcement ratio, secondary steel reinforcement ratio, column dimensions, slab thickness, concrete cover, and GFRP gratings characteristics, were investigated through a parametric study adopting NLFEA by the ANSYS program, where the output results were compared to the recent code provisions.
Uniaxial fatigue study of a natural-based bio-composite material reinforced with fique natural fibers
Authors: Chaves Garcia Maria Camila , Castro Bermudez Juan Dayal , Pertuz Comas Alberto David
Published: February 2024

This research addresses environmental concerns by exploring environmentally friendly composite materials as substitutes for non-biodegradable synthetic fibers. The study proposes the development of polymer matrix composites reinforced with natural fique fibers, sourced from a plant cultivated in Colombia. A BioPoxy 36 polymer matrix with a high carbon content was used and reinforced with fique fabric using the vacuum-assisted lamination method. To improve the adhesion between the fibers and the matrix, an alkaline chemical treatment was applied to the fiber using 2% sodium hydroxide by weight. Mechanical properties were assessed through ASTM D3039 tensile and ASTM D3479 fatigue tests. A fractographic analysis was also conducted to identify the different modes of failure present. In terms of material degradation, distinct stages were observed, characterized by stiffness loss and loss factor indicators. The Coffin-Manson model was used to obtain the strain life curve for R = 0.1, using these factors as criteria. The static properties of the composite reinforced with fique fibers indicate an increase of 45% in ultimate strength, 145% in strain, and 27% in Young's modulus compared to the unreinforced matrix. In terms of dynamic properties, the elastic modulus showed a maximum variation of up to 7.88%. Electron microscopy reveals the failure mechanism, a distinct separation between the matrix and the fiber can be observed as a result of mechanical stress. The analysis reveals the brittle fracture of the hard fique fiber and some matrix separation, as well as possible fractured bubbles that may have occurred during the manufacturing process.
Interleaving Carbon-Glass Veil in Glass Epoxy Composite for Improved Mode-I Fracture Toughness – A Hybrid Approach
Authors: Uppin Vinayak , Gouda Shivakumar , Sridhar I. , M. A. Umarfarooq , Muddebihal Aravind , Edacherian Abhilash
Published: February 2024

The present study investigates the influence of hybrid interleaving technique using Glass and Carbon veils to improve the mode-I fracture toughness in Glass epoxy laminates. Commercially available non-woven Carbon and Glass veils with different areal densities were used to develop hybrid interleaved composites. Two approaches of interleaving, namely inter-ply and inter-weaved veils, were followed to manufacture the interleaved composite laminates using the hand layup technique. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) samples were tested to estimate the interlaminar fracture toughness (IFT). Test results indicate that the inter-ply interleaved composite (I-C30G30) exhibited an improved initial and propagation fracture toughness of about 16.98% and 3.08%, respectively. A decreased IFT during initiation and propagation was observed for I-C15G30 and I-C20G30 when compared to plain samples. In case of inter-weaved veil interleaving approach, an improved fracture toughness (GIC and GIP) of about 7.96% and 12.94%, respectively, was observed for W-C15G30 sample, nevertheless W-C20G30 and W-C30G30 showed a drop in fracture toughness (GIC) of an about 12.15% and 9.22%, respectively, and an improvement in fracture toughness (GIP) of about 12.37% and 13.82%, respectively, when compared to plain sample. Scanning electron photo images (SEPI) of cracked laminates witnessed the fracture mechanisms involved in hybrid ply interleaved and non-interleaved composite laminates.