bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water-related diseases following flooding in South Asian countries – a healthcare crisis
Authors:   Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, Ahmed Syed Hassan , Shaikh Taha Gul ,   Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, Waseem Summaiyya ,   Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, Zahid Maha ,   Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, Mohamed Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien ,   Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan, Ullah Irfan ,   Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan, Hasibuzzaman Md Al ,   The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Published: March 2024

Introduction and aim. Industrialization and elevated greenhouse gas emissions pose significant threats to the environment, raising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and leading to climate change. Climate change may impact human health either directly via increasing extreme weather frequency and altering disease patterns or indirectly via social institutions and disrupted global supply chain resulting in consequences like undernutrition Material and methods. This review conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library, from inception to September 2022, using relevant keywords. Analysis of the literature. Massive flooding in South Asia is leading to a surge in water-related diseases. Cholera outbreaks have occurred in countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh following floods, and waterborne diseases like typhoid, rota virus, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis are prevalent in flood-affected regions. Additionally, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, Shigella, and Polio outbreaks are reported. Water-scarce diseases, including scabies, impetigo, and cellulitis, are also on the rise in flood-affected areas. Water-based diseases, such as dracunculiasis, schistosomiasis, and Leishmaniasis, pose significant risks. Vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, and Leishmaniasis, are becoming more prevalent due to flooded areas providing breeding grounds for disease vectors like mosquitoes and sandflies. These diseases are now more common in flood-af fected regions, affecting millions of people. Conclusion. Urgent measures are needed, including early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, drainage maintenance, and stricter land-use regulations, to reduce the impact of these natural disasters. International cooperation and immediate action at national and global levels are essential to mitigate the health crises caused by flooding and other natural disasters.
Assessment of preoperative anxiety and negative automatic thoughts in patients waiting for corneal transplantation
Authors:   Mardin Artuklu University Faculty of Health, Mardin, Türkiye, Tanrıverdi Seher , Şen Mehmet Ali ,   Dicle University Atatürk Vocational School of Health Services, Diyarbakır, Türkiye, Genç Hasan ,   Dicle University Atatürk Faculty of Health, Diyarbakır, Türkiye
Published: March 2024

Introduction and aim. In patients waiting for organ transplantation, increased waiting time can increase anxiety by creating negative automatic thoughts. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between corneal transplant recipients’ negative automatic thoughts and anxiety before organ transplantation. Material and methods. The population of this correlational descriptive study consisted of 108 patients waiting for cornea transplantation in the Eye Bank unit of a hospital in the south east region of Türkiye. The data were obtained from the patients presented to the ophthalmology clinic for transplantation between September and December 2022. A patient information form, the Negative Automatic Thoughts Scale, and the Trait Anxiety Scale were used to collect the data. Percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, logistic regression and correlation analysis were used in the data analysis. Results. It was determined that the mean score of the negative automatic thoughts of the transplant patients participating in the study was 100.69±47.83, and the trait anxiety mean score was 53.06±6.07. There was a positive relationship between neg ative automatic thoughts and trait anxiety at a moderate level, which was statistically significant (p<0.05, r=0.53). Conclusion. It was determined in the study that the patients’ negative automatic thoughts and trait anxiety were high, and their anxiety increased as the negative automatic thoughts increased.
Therapeutic advantages of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with schizophrenia – a systematic review
Authors:   College of Fishery Science, Wanaparthy, Telangana, India, Vityala Srilaxmi , Kanteti Krishna Priya ,   Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Secunderabad, Telangana, India, Vityala Yethindra ,   Department of Pathology, International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Tagaev Tugolbai ,   Department of Public Health and Healthcare, I. K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Damineni Ujwala ,   Maheshwara Medical College and Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Published: March 2024

Introduction and aim. In patients with schizophrenia, omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) treatment was found to ameliorate the cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory problems caused by antipsychotic medication and even reduce the need for medication by 20%. In this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation in patients with schizophrenia. Material and methods. The PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this systematic review. The Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched electronically. The first search yielded 50 papers in total. Subse quently, 43 publications that did not meet our eligibility requirements were removed, and seven articles were selected. Analysis of the literature. The analysis showed that n-3 PUFA supplementation and the placebo group both decreased their psychotic (PANSS and GAF scales) and Calgary Depression Scale symptomatology and boosted their functional ability (GAF) when used as an adjuvant to antipsychotic medication. When administered as a monotherapy with a metabolic antioxidant, n-3 PUFA supplementation proved beneficial for treating schizophrenia. In patients with schizophrenia, n-3 PUFAs have thera peutic benefits as adjuvant treatments to medications, although not for different variables or patient groups. Conclusion. In many studies, patients with chronic schizophrenia who received n-3 PUFA supplementation showed no improvement in their clinical condition.
Behaviors of pregnant women regarding travel – the case of Türkiye
Authors:   Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Türkiye, Erciyas Şeyma Kilci , Cirban-Ekrem Ebru Cirban Ekrem ,   Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bartın University, Bartın, Türkiye, Demir Rukiye ,   Aksaray Education and Research Hospital, Aksaray, Türkiye, Aköz Gizem ,   Foça Family Health Center no. 2, Foça, Türkiye
Published: March 2024

Introduction and aim. With the development of transportation facilities and options, people can now travel easily. With women having a greater presence in the workforce, pregnant women can work until the eighth week before childbirth. This study was conducted to examine the behaviors of pregnant women regarding travel. Material and methods. The data for this cross-sectional and descriptive study were collected from 519 pregnant women who voluntarily participated in the research and met the research criteria. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 24 software package. Results. The average age of the participating pregnant women was 27.49±0.17, with 63.8% residing in urban areas, 74.8% be ing primiparous, and 47.6% being in the third trimester of pregnancy. A decrease in travel and car usage during pregnancy. The use of bus, train/tram/metro, taxi, bicycle/scooter, and motorcycle decreased during pregnancy, while use of car, plane, and ship/ferry increased. 81.9% of women always wore a seat belt during pregnancy. There was a statistically significant difference between the educational level of women and their car usage (p<0.005). It was found that women wore seat belts more frequently in the third trimester. As the number of pregnancies increased, the frequency of seat belt usage decreased. Conclusion. A decrease in the frequency of travel was observed among women during pregnancy. The levels of seat belt usage and correct seat belt fastening were unsatisfactory.
The Moderating Role of Gender in the Relationship Between Purpose in Life and Self-Confidence
Authors: Küçükşen Kübra , Yenel Nisa Nur
Published: March 2024

For people to reach their life goals, self-confidence is a critical component. Self-confidence can have a positive or negative effect on a person's ability to determine his/her goals and fulfill her life roles. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of self-confidence in identifying life goals and to reveal whether this role differs by gender and generation. Data for the study, which was designed as a cross-sectional study, were collected online between February and March of 2021. The study sample consisted of 396 participants between the ages of 18-60, 136 of whom were males and 260 of whom were females. A questionnaire consisting of the Demographic Information Form, Self-Confidence Scale, and Life Goals Scale was used as a data collection tool. In the data analysis, Spearmen's Product Moments Correlation Analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the scales. Subsequently, mediation analyses were conducted using Hierarchical Regression and Process Macro to investigate the predictive effects of gender, generational differences, and self-confidence on purpose in life. Results from the two-model Hierarchical Regression indicated that gender and self-confidence were significant predictors of purpose in life. Self-confidence accounts for 23% of the purpose in life. A 1-point increase in self-confidence leads to a 0.48-point change in life purpose. Self-confidence has less effect on the meaning of life in males than in females. As self-confidence increases, the purpose in life increases more in females than in males. The generation gap has not been found to be a predictive variable in the relationship between self-confidence and purpose in life. Given that self-confidence is formed later in life, particularly through the influences of familial and environmental factors, it is important to plan and implement strategies that will change social
Navigating the Challenges of 3D Printing Personalized Medicine in Space Explorations: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Katakam Prakash , Bhavaraju Madhavi Lakshmi Ratna , Narayana Tanniru Venkata , Bhandari Koushik , Sriram Nagarajan , Sisinty Vidya Sagar , Adiki Shanta Kumari
Published: March 2024

Space exploration has undergone a paradigm shift in recent years, with a growing emphasis on long-duration missions and human habitation on other celestial bodies. Private aerospace businesses are at the forefront of advancing the next iteration of spacecraft, encompassing a wide range of applications such as deep space exploration (e.g., SpaceX) and cost-effective satellite deployments (e.g., Rocketlab). One of the critical challenges associated with prolonged space missions is the provision of personalized medical care. 3D printing technology has emerged as a potential solution, enabling the on-demand production of personalized medical devices and medications. However, the unique conditions of space pose substantial challenges to the successful implementation of 3D printing for personalized medicine. Tremendous scope for research exists in terms of resource utilization and waste management in space ecosystem, robotic and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tool utilization, remote operability, interplanetary travel, space education and training tools, digital twins, space tourism and in many other aspects of 3D printing for personalized medicine in space explorations.
Efecto de la sequía y defoliación en el crecimiento de plántulas del bosque tropical seco en el occidente de México
Authors: Riaño Ospina Karolina , Muñoz Arreola María Alejandra , Mendoza Cuevas Itzael , Cuevas Guzmán Ramón , Zuloaga-Aguilar Susana
Published: March 2024

Antecedentes: Aunque la sequía y la defoliación incremetan el riesgo de muerte de las plántulas en los bosques tropicales secos, pocos estudios han evaluado la respuesta de las especies forestales a la combinación de estos factores.
Preguntas: ¿Cuál es la estrategia de uso del agua de las plántulas y cómo afecta su crecimiento? ¿Cómo es el impacto de la combinación de Sequía×Defoliación sobre el crecimiento de las especies?
Especies estudiadas: Guazuma ulmifolia Lam y Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth.
Sitio y año de estudio: El estudio se realizó en Autlán, Jalisco, México, entre octubre del 2021 y febrero del 2022.
Métodos: En invernadero, las plántulas se sometieron a cuatro tratamientos combinados de disponibilidad de agua y defoliación. Se registró la conductancia estomática y el potencial hídrico de la hoja, y se calculó la tasa de crecimiento relativa, biomasa final y asignación de biomasa.
Resultados: G. ulmifolia mostró ser una especie anisohídrica, registró mayor crecimiento y fue más afectada por la sequía, mientras que P. dulce fue más isohídrica, registró menor crecimiento y la defoliación fue el principal estresor. El impacto de la Sequía×Defoliación fue de sinergia en la tasa de crecimiento relativa en las dos especies.
Conclusión: Independientemente de la estrategia de uso de agua, en las primeras fases de desarrollo, el impacto de la sequía y defoliación se magnificó cuando interactuaron los estresores. La Sequía×Defoliación puede limitar la regeneración de las especies dentro de los bosques, promoviendo la pérdida de la biodiversidad y el detrimento del funcionamiento de los ecosistemas.
The Significance of the French and Francophone Presence in North America in French Language Learning and Advocacy in the United States
Authors: Stein-Smith Kathleen
Published: March 2024

This article examines the significance of the French and Francophone presence in North America and its impact on French language learning and use, with a special focus on the linkage between Québec and French language advocacy. Within a context of heritage languages, the lack of opportunity to learn additional languages in US public schools, and declining enrollments in languages in US colleges and universities, the scope of both the historical and contemporary role of Francophones in the US is described, and a brief overview of French language advocacy is provided. Current trends, including Francoresponsabilité and Franco-Activisme, as well as the importance of advocacy partnerships and online learning, are also explored.
Expounding the Determinants of Learners' Active Participation in Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Almosa Abdulrahman
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses the characteristics that influence students' engagement in the Foreign Language classroom. The researcher employed a quantitative study methodology to collect data from 20 foreign language (FL) instructors from a variety of high schools and 130 learners. Students were chosen using "purposive sampling," while instructors were selected using "random sampling." For this study, an online survey was used to obtain the necessary data. Using charts and percentages, the researcher scientifically assessed the gathered data. Based on the results, it is clear that students have several challenges and difficulties to overcome, which leads to their underperformance in FL lessons. Students' inactivity in language courses was caused by variables like anxiety, lack of motivation and stimulation, fear of criticism by classmates, instructors' methods of instruction, classroom organization, the learning context, and other cultural influences. The research shows that there are significant differences in how teachers and students perceive the variables. Instructors believe that students' lack of comfort with speaking up in front of their peers is the most significant internal barrier to their success in the FL classroom. The majority of students report that anxiety prevents them from fully engaging in class discussions and other activities when learning foreign languages. Teachers believe that the learning setting or subject is the primary driving factor, while students believe that the teaching technique used by the instructor is a determining factor.
Out of Shadow: Tan Twan Eng in the Malaysian Literary Context
Authors: Jia Liu , Mohsen Hamoud Yahya Ahmed
Published: March 2024

In Malaysian literature, few contemporary writers have emerged as prominently and poignantly as Tan Twan Eng. His works not only explore the complexities of cultural identity, shed light on the historical, social, and political realities of the Chinese Malaysian experience, but also incorporate postcolonial ecocritical perspectives and elements of cross-cultural fusion. Through his narratives, he offers a unique perspective that resonates with readers and contributes to the broader discourse on postcolonialism, identity, and cross-cultural interactions. This paper embarks on a nuanced reading of Eng’s novels, endeavors to position his works within the larger framework of Malaysian literature, exploring their role in shaping and redefining the nation’s literary canon. It delves into specific aspects of Tan Twan Eng’s literary contributions, paying particular attention to his treatment of historical narratives, the exploration of cultural identities, and the integration of ecological elements. Through this analysis, we seek to unravel the unique qualities that distinguish Tan Twan Eng’s novels and their significance in the Malaysian literary context.
Brazilian Sinologist Reis’s Translation Strategy: Comparing His Portuguese Translation of Mo Yan’s Novel Wa With Goldblatt’s English Version
Authors: Yu Meng , Jiang Xiaohua , Yang Shu
Published: March 2024

Amilton Reis is the first Brazilian sinologist who translated Nobel Prize Winner Mo Yan’s novels from Chinese into Portuguese. He has translated Mo Yan’s Bian (Mudança/Change, 2013), Sanshi nian qian de yici changpao (Uma corrida há 30 anos/A long run thirty years ago) and Wa (As rãs/Frog, 2015). This paper, based on first-hand examples, takes his Portuguese translation As rãs as the research object, and examines his translation strategy from aspects of cultural replacement, cultural omission, cultural dilution, cultural interpretation, cultural annotation, cultural literal translation, language beautification, language dilution, and so on. In order to better understand the characteristics of his translation strategy, this article compares his Portuguese translation with the English translation Frog by American sinologist Howard Goldblatt. The study found that, while Goldblatt’s translation strategy is basically “reader-oriented”, Reis’s translation strategy is more “reader-oriented” or “reader-centered”.
Parental Support for Children to Learn English as a Second Language: Investigating Parents’ Perceptions, Involvement, and Their Issues in Hailakandi, India
Authors: Choudhury Rahim Uddin , Hossain Md. Mokbul , Rana Md. Masud , Rashid Amina
Published: March 2024

This article focuses on the parents’ perception of their involvement with children at home, the strategies they employ, and the challenges they encounter as they help teenagers learn English as a second language. This study is based on prior research, firsthand experience, and collected data on the basis of pre-arranged interviews with parents who have school-going kids and learning the English language and they are from different sectors of work, living in Hailakandi district in the North East of India. The study uses qualitative and interpretive approaches to determine its findings. Although there are some previous studies on this subject, it is crucial to do a new investigation to learn more about the parents' typical views, participations, and particular concerns in the study area. The study reveals serious flaws in parental perceptions, educational awareness, and involvement strategies in supporting children at home and suggests that parents or guardians manage their time and actively engage the children to create an environment with the aid of contemporary technology that would hasten the learning of English.
Unraveling the Human Characters Represented in Dutch Water Proverbs: A Cultural Linguistic Perspective
Authors: Widawati Rika , Darmayanti Nani , Indira Dian , Roosman Lilie Mundalifah
Published: March 2024

This article investigates the human character represented in Dutch proverbs related to water. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a content analysis design. Data were collected from Dutch proverb dictionaries published in the Netherlands and Dutch-Indonesian dictionaries published in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using cultural linguistic theory with associative-conceptual analysis techniques. The research results showed that the proverb of water in the Dutch language represents human characters which are divided into positive and negative categories. The positive characters found describe people who are optimistic, quiet, willing to compromise, brave, and honest which are the wisdom found in Dutch society. The proverbs of water also reveal negative human characters such as people who like to insinuate, who are exaggerative, who like to look for other people’s mistakes, and who seek opportunities from the suffering of others. These human characters are the view of the Dutch in understanding the world and are used as a reflection of life with social goals as advice, morals, and teaching.
A Pragmatic Study of Derogation in American Election Campaign Speeches
Authors: Al-Aadili Nesaem M.
Published: March 2024

Language is sometimes used for influencing people negatively. This is done via the use of various derogatory strategies. Therefore, the present study deals with derogation pragmatically in American election campaign speeches. Precisely, the current work attempts to answer the following questions: (1) How is derogation approached pragmatically in American election campaign speeches? (2) Through which impoliteness strategies is derogation realized? (3) What is the target of derogation? Is it the public face or the personal face? And what are the foci of derogation? The study aims to find answers to the previous questions through reviewing the literature related to derogation and adopting an eclectic model for analyzing the data under investigation. Besides, a statistical means represented by the percentage equation is used to calculate the results. The main conclusion is that American presidential rivals use different impoliteness strategies to derogate each other; through this derogation either the public face or the personal face is threatened.
Levels and Major Causes of Saudi Students’ Speaking Anxiety (SA) in EFL Classrooms
Authors: Alaqeel Sarah , Altalhab Sultan
Published: March 2024

The current study examined students’ levels of English SA and its major causes. It adopted a mixed-method approach that included both quantitative (structured questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data. Fifty first-year female Saudi secondary school students completed a structured questionnaire and 8 of them were interviewed. The findings revealed that students experienced a moderate level of anxiety when speaking English in the classroom. Moreover, students’ SA was caused by several causes, such as communication apprehension, low self-confidence, linguistic barriers, fear of negative evaluation, and fear of making mistakes. The study recommends that teachers should learn to detect and recognize the signs of students’ SA, motivate their students and help them to be more self-confident. Furthermore, they need to assure their students that making mistakes is an important part of the learning process and stress the significance of respecting classmates when they make mistakes. They also need to work on enhancing the linguistic components that cause hesitancy and anxiousness among students. Finally, teachers can consider requesting additional support, for example from the school principal, beyond what is available in the classroom.
Navigating Cultural Connotations in Translation: Blending Paradigms to Illuminate Diǎngù and Shúyǔ in Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's Government Reports
Authors: Sun Aina , Subramaniam Vijayaletchumy A/P
Published: March 2024

This study delves into the translation challenges of Premier Li Keqiang's Report on the Work of the Government (RWG), a notable piece in Chinese political discourse. It focuses on translating the cultural nuances embedded in Diǎngù 典故 (allusions) and Shúyǔ 熟语 (formulaic expressions) into English to enhance global comprehension. Using an interpretive qualitative methodology, the research identifies deficiencies in translating these cultural connotations from the RWG (2013-2022) and explores their root causes, considering translation strategies employed. It integrates Venuti's theories of domestication and foreignization with Aristotle’s concepts of logos and clarity in style. Thematic analysis uncovers key translation issues: loss of original imagery, disrupted logical flow, and verbose redundancy, primarily due to challenges in maintaining logos and stylistic clarity. The study's significance lies in pinpointing these translational gaps and introducing a novel approach that amalgamates diverse theoretical frameworks, offering unique insights and methods to effectively connect language, culture, and political communication in translation studies.
A Study of “AB Ren” From the Perspective of Construction Grammar
Authors: Xiao Yang , Yin Hui
Published: March 2024

The “AB Ren” construction such as 打工人da gong ren ‘wage earner’ is fast becoming one of the key instruments in a riot of social media. In this corpus-based study to explore the nature of the “AB Ren” construction from Goldberg’s construction grammar perspective, a total of 108 “AB Ren” expressions were retrieved from the Beijing Language and Culture University Modern Chinese Corpus (BCC), and social media network Weibo. The study aims to investigate the formal features, constructional meaning, social functions and implied cognitive mechanisms behind the “AB Ren” construction. From the standpoint of the formal composition, this construction consists of two parts, the variable part and the fixed part. It can be divided into three categories (verb, noun, and adjective compounds). The “AB Ren” construction has the independent constructional meaning, which is used to describe a certain group of people who are engaged with an occupation corresponding to the “AB” part and are fond of particular activities as well as individuals who are defined as possessing certain features. Because of the high frequency of occurrences, some expressions acquire new emotional meanings as far as constructional meanings are concerned. A group of commonly-appeared “AB Ren” expressions, combining the use of metaphorical and metonymical mechanisms, illustrate language simplicity and are a great way to express self-encouragement and mockery. This study reveals the common generation trends of popular language on the internet in today’s world and the
Higher Secondary Students' Performance in Math, English, and Other Science Subjects in Pre-COVID 19 and During COVID 19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study Using Mahalanobis Distance
Authors: Ahmed Eusob Ali , Karim Mohammad Rezaul , Banerjee Munmun , Sen Subir , Banu Sameena , Warda Wahaj Unnisa
Published: March 2024

The current study compared the achievements of higher secondary level students before and during the COVID 19 pandemic in five subjects-English, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. This study was conducted on higher secondary level students from Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam, India. Dichotomous variables like rural and urban, tribal and non-tribal are considered for sample collection. A stratified random sampling technique is used for data collection. When five subjects are considered as a unit, the Mahalanobis Distance (MD) is used to measure the difference in dynamical character of achievements. There is a significant difference in the achievement of students between pre-COVID 19 and during COVID 19 pandemic.
Presupposition Speech at the Tawur Kasanga Ceremony: A Pragmatic Study
Authors: Rasna I Wayan , Suandi I Nengah , Putrayasa Ida Bagus , Paramarta I Ketut
Published: March 2024

This research aims to analyze the types of presuppositions in the tawur kasanga ceremony as a pragmatic study. Pragmatics studies are always related to the problem of language use behaviour in its context. Pragmatic context includes the identity of the participant, the time parameters, and the place of the speech event, which includes the linguistic context and the physical context, which includes presuppositions. To achieve this goal, a descriptive qualitative approach was used. A qualitative approach to describe the meaning of Tawur Kasanga speech is based on pragmatic studies. The research population was taken from the narratives of a series of ceremonial activities. Considering that this event is an event that only occurs once a year, this population was immediately used as a sample. Data was collected through recordings and guided interviews. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive-qualitative techniques. The research results show: there are six presuppositions in speech, namely presuppositions: (a) existential 12 (24,489%), (b) factive 13 (26,530%), (c) lexical 11 (22,448%), (d) structural 11 (22.448%), (e) nonfactive 1 (2.040%), and (f) counterfactual 1 (2.040%).
The Phonological Features of Arabic Spoken by Non-Arabs in the UAE
Authors: Alsaifi Marwan Khalid
Published: March 2024

Since the discovery of oil in the UAE and the economic boom that has followed, the population structure has changed dramatically. It has witnessed unprecedented jumps that are unparalleled anywhere in the world. Immigrants from different countries have started to find jobs in this country. Asians particularly those who come from India, Pakistan, and Iran have almost dominated the services sector in the country. It has been estimated that the UAE nationals have become a minority that does not exceed 10% of the total population of the country. This research has aimed to find out to what extent this new variety of language that has emerged could be referred to as Pidginized Arabic. It is based mainly on fieldwork, as there have been interviews with 100 people who represent the sample of the study. Thus, the study is descriptive and analytic by nature. The data of the interviews has been studied. It has been expected for this variety of Arabic to be affected by the UAE dialect, but it has been found out that there has been no significant influence on it. This research is restricted to the phonological aspect of Arabic. It has revealed that many Arabic sounds have been pronounced in a distorted way; some of them have been mispronounced; others are converted into many other alternatives. This has created the possibility of a state of misunderstanding to emerge.
Mulan’s Cultural Journey to the West: From a Chinese Heroine to a Globalized Figure
Authors: He He
Published: March 2024

Disney’s live-action Mulan (2020) was adapted from the animated Disney film Mulan (1988) and has caused heated discussion after its release. The film successfully wins the Western market because it incorporates Western elements, such as the image of the Xianniang from the legendary story. However, Chinese audiences fail to fully accept the rewriting of traditional Chinese heroine in this live-action film because it partly subverts the content of Chinese legend. From the perspective of Said’s Orientalism, this paper discusses the interpretation of Chinese elements in the film, such as Phoenix, qi, and the traditional Chinese ethics of loyalty, courage, truth, and filial piety, intending to reveal the operation of cultural capital in the international cultural market of film and television in a more comprehensive way. This paper will further discuss that the canonization of Mulan sheds some enlightenment on how to introduce more Chinese literary works into the world as part of world literature.
Using National Literary Works to Foster Children’s Character Development Through Parents’ Language Intervention
Authors: Hasna Hasna , Retnaningdyah Pratiwi , Mustofa Ali
Published: March 2024

The effect of national literary works on children’s character development was investigated through both naturalistic observation and mixed methods data analysis. The children who took part in this study were, on average, eight years old. The findings demonstrate that: 1) language intervention through national literary works enhances children’s character development by appealing to them through the setting, action, characters’ appearance, expression, and colors; 2) parents play key roles in this process by selecting appropriate themes, enforcing viewing rules, accompanying their children while watching, and discussing the content of the stories with them; 3) the roles of teachers and individuals in the children surroundings include supporting the parents’ program which requires them to treat the children in line with the information provided by the parents regarding their children. This study concludes that language intervention through national literary works positively impacts children’s character development when supported by the roles of parents, teachers, and individuals in their environment. This study contributes to teaching character through literature.
Investigation on floor response spectra of a three-story building exposed to near- and far-field earthquakes
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Pesaralanka Vyshnavi , Burugapalli , Kameswara Rao ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Challagulla Surya Prakash ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation
Published: March 2024

Historical earthquakes highlighted structural collapses and non-structural component (NSC) failures. This study aims to analyze NSC behavior during near and far-field earthquakes in a three-story building by studying elastic and inelastic acceleration responses. The investigation delves into floor response spectra and analyzes how NSCs affect floor acceleration responses, aiming to understand the performance of these components. The findings from the analysis indicated that the Floor Response Spectra (FRS) consistently align peaks with elastic and inelastic modal periods. Inelastic FRS notably show reduced floor spectral accelerations compared to elastic FRS. Near-field earthquakes induce 25-30% higher floor acceleration demands in NSCs compared to far-field earthquakes. Peak Component Acceleration (PCA) values differ significantly between near and far field earthquakes, with near-field ones exhibiting notably higher values across all floors. Higher damping ratios in NSCs lead to decreased peaks in the Component Dynamic Amplification Factor (CDAF) spectrum. The inelastic model notably reduces peak values of CDAF by approximately 49.53% to 69.3% for near-field and 51.81% to 64.47% for far-field earthquakes compared to the elastic model. In summary, the examination of peak floor responses against the formulation based on building codes highlights variations, with instances where the formulation either underestimates or overestimates the peak response demands.
The effect of age and wear on the mechanical performance of HDPE 80 polyethylene pipes
Authors:   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics of New Materials Laboratory (LMANM), University 8 Mai 1945, BP 401,24000 Guelma, Algeria, Haddad Noureddine , Belbah Ahmed ,   Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics of New Materials Laboratory (LMANM), University 8 Mai 1945, BP 401,24000 Guelma, Algeria
Published: March 2024

In this work, we studied the influence of accelerated aging in an aggressive environment of high-density polyethylene (HDPE 80) used for pipeline applications to distribute gas. Accelerated aging by ultraviolet irradiation of the wavelength lamps (λ = 365nm) for 240 hours at a temperature of 35°C exposed samples to solar radiation on the sand in southern Algeria for 12 months. The samples were subjected to weathering at -10 °C and 25°C for four different durations. To assess the weight loss capacity of semi-crystalline polymer behavior (HDPE 80) Under accelerated aging conditions, aging is carried out mainly according to three referenced methods: ISO 105 B02/B04, DIN 75202, and SAE J 1885. The Taguchi method and regression analysis were used. Several experiments were conducted on a vertical milling machine using a multi-factor L16 (4^1*2^3) orthogonal mixed matrix. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of treatment: corrosion, weight loss, and loss of thickness. The parameters are influenced by the sandpaper's grain diameter, cutting speed, and compressive strength continuity over two hours, with each trial lasting 15 minutes. Using S/N ratios, optimal control factors were determined to minimize lost weight (P) and thickness loss (∆L) due to abrasion of HDPE polyethylene pipes 80. At A3, B2, C2, D2 (i.e. degradation mode = UV, rotation speed = 355 rpm, load = 9.3 N, abrasive paper = 10.3 degrees) and A3, B1, C2, D1 (i.e. degradation mode = UV, rotation speed = 180 rpm, load = 4.65 N, and abrasive paper = 18.3 degrees), ideal conditions for weight and thickness loss were observed.
Seismic response prediction using a hybrid unsupervised and supervised machine learning in case of 3D RC frame buildings
Authors:   Laboratoire des Travaux publics, ingénierie de Transport, environnement, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics,, Abdellatif Benbokhari , Chikh Benazouz ,   Laboratoire des Travaux publics, ingénierie de Transport, environnement, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Travaux Publics,, Ahmed Mébarki ,   UPEC, CNRS, Laboratory Modélisation et Simulation Multi Echelle, University Gustave Eiffel, France 3Nanjing Tech University
Published: March 2024

The seismic vulnerability assessment represents an important step in monitoring the buildings’ capacity and checking their performance during and after earthquake events. The Nonlinear Time History Analysis (NL-THA) is considered the most reliable method that is used to calculate the exact structural behavior of any building. However, this sophisticated method is known for its complexity, the use of Finite Element (FE) software, and computational time consuming, especially in the case of tall buildings. For that reason, An Artificial Neural network (ANN) is used to develop a new model able to predict the essential Engineering Demand Parameters (EDPs), i.e., the Maximum Base Shear (MBS), the Maximum Inter-story Drift (MIDR) and the Maximum Roof Drift Ratio (RDR). Unsupervised algorithms such as the Principal Component Analysis PCA and the Autoencoder are coupled with the ANN to reduce the dimensionality, improve the dataset quality, and reduce the irrelevant features. More than 192,000 buildings are analyzed using the NL-THA and eighty artificial ground motions (GMs) to generate the dataset. The buildings’ characteristics are generated randomly from the selection range. The results showed that the Autoencoder-ANN model represents the highest performance compared to the PCA-ANN and ANN models. The Autoencoder-ANN model could quickly and accurately predict the seismic responses of unseen ground motions using only the building’s characteristics and the GM parameters without using any FE software.
Investigation of the influence of mineral fillers on the structural and mechanical characteristics of polyethylene high-density (PEHD) composites reinforced with alumina and talc
Authors:   Laboratory of Multiphase Polymeric Materials (LMPMP), Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Ferhat ABBAS University, Benabid Fatma Zohra , Salem Said Mohamed El Cheikh Mohamed ,   Laboratory of Multiphase Polymeric Materials (LMPMP), Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Ferhat ABBAS University, Mallem Oum Keltoum ,   Laboratory of Multiphase Polymeric Materials (LMPMP), Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Ferhat ABBAS University, Zouai Foued ,   Biopharmacy and Pharmacotechnics Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine,
Published: March 2024

This study explores the impact of incorporating a blend of alumina and talc, ranging from 1 to 7%, into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to modify its structural, rheological, and mechanical properties. Comparative evaluations with HDPE/Alumina and HDPE/Talc composites were conducted. The dual-filler combination was achieved through dry grinding, followed by melt processing with a Brabender plastograph. FTIR spectroscopy analysis of HDPE/ (alumina + talc) composites revealed interactions between aluminum and oxygen, with a peak at 700 cm-1 indicating alumina integration into the HDPE matrix, influencing composite properties. Impact strength decreased with talc inclusion but significantly improved with alumina. Notably, a 5% blend of HDPE/(alumina-talc) fillers exhibited the highest impact resistance. Tensile stress showed peaks at 1% talc content and a 3% filler mixture, emphasizing synergistic effects and talc's superiority over alumina. Synergism in elongation at break was observed for HDPE/ (alumina + talc) composites. Additionally, HDPE/Alumina composites displayed the highest modulus of elasticity, while HDPE/(Alumina + Talc) composites had the highest melt flow index. Surface treatments promoted uniform filler dispersion within the HDPE matrix, enhancing mechanical properties. Overall, composites with binary fillers harnessed synergistic effects, combining advantages from both components
Logistics of technologies in the framework of personalized rehabilitation of patients with chronic back pain
Authors: Mitkovskiy Sergey V. , Kiparisova Elena S. , Ekusheva Eugenia V.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: Lower back pain covers a large part of the population and is common in all age groups. Scientific research shows not only significant medical and social, but also high economic costs associated with this problem.
AIM: optimization of diagnostic and rehabilitation approaches in the management of patients with chronic back pain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 126 patients participated in the ongoing single-center prospective cohort study. The assessment of neuroorthopedic examination and neuropsychological status, laboratory, neuroimaging (magnetic resonance tomography) and neurophysiological studies of patients, filling out scales and questionnaires, consultations of related specialists were carried out. 42 patients with a clinical picture of neuropathic pain underwent electromyography stimulation, and 16 of them underwent a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. Within the framework of the pilot project, 22 patients with identified undesirable side reactions when taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugss underwent pharmacogenetic research and consulting by a medical geneticist to select personalized non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs pharmacotherapy. Based on the results of the examinations, taking into account the nature of the course of the disease and the prevailing pathogenetic variant of pain, an individual rehabilitation program was developed. To assess the individual rehabilitation program, the data obtained within each group were compared with the results of treatment of patients with the traditional approach (retrospective analysis of medical histories).
RESULTS: The study included 126 patients (67 men and 59 women) with lower back pain persisting for more than 3 months. The average age was 50.06±1.25 years. The average duration of the disease was 10±2.19 months. The patients were divided into 3 groups: the first group of 30 patients with back pain and the predominance of a dysfunctional component; the second group of 78 patients with neuropathic pain syndrome (radiculopathy); the third group included 18 patients with nociceptive variant of back pain. As a result of the pathogenetically directed rehabilitation program, it was possible to increase patients' adherence to treatment and compliance with recommendations (p 0.05) and reduce the need for surgical treatment in patients with discogenic radicular syndrome (p 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The multi-vector multidisciplinary approach with a pathogenetic focus on identifying and treating clinical and pathogenetic variants of pain and the causes of its persistence is the most effective, and physical rehabilitation methods are well combined with each other and with pharmacotherapy, potentiating each other's effects.
The effectiveness of using pulsed electromagnetic fields for osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Authors: Byalovsky Yury Yu. , Ivanov Aleksey V. , Rakitina Irina S. , Mareeva Marina Yu.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of pathology of the musculoskeletal system with significant impairment of motor function, which is one of the main causes of disability in the population.
AIM: This study was aimed at testing the effectiveness of the portable device "ALMAG+" with pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial included patients with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis and persistent pain greater than 40 mm on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The study included daily treatment with pulsed electromagnetic fields from the ALMAG+ device for 1 month in 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis. The primary outcome measure was reduction in pain intensity assessed by VAS and WOMAC scales. Secondary outcomes included the 36-item Short Form Medical Outcomes Study version 2 (SF-36 v2) quality of life, pressure pain threshold, and changes in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug/analgesic use.
RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were enrolled in the study, and 60 completed the study. After 1 month of treatment, pulsed electromagnetic fields caused a significant reduction in pain VAS and WOMAC scores compared to placebo. In addition, patients receiving pulsed electromagnetic fields improved pain tolerance, which was reflected in changes in pain threshold, and physical condition. We obtained a significant and statistically significant effect of the organized pulsed electromagnetic fields factor on VAS pain scores (F=47.6; p=0.00006); assessments of the severity of pain, joint function and stiffness on the scales of the WOMAC questionnaire also significantly changed under the influence of the pulsed electromagnetic fields factor (F=14.7; p=0.001). 26% of patients in the pulsed electromagnetic fields group discontinued non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug/analgesic therapy. No adverse events were identified during treatment.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that pulsed electromagnetic fields therapy is effective in relieving pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis and also affects pain threshold, stiffness, and physical functioning. In the future, it is desirable to conduct larger studies, including those comparing the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields therapy with standard pharmacological approaches for osteoarthritis.