bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of supervisors ‘feedback on development of pedagogical skills among prospective teachers during teaching practicum
Authors: Asim Ahmed  , Rizwana Muneer
Published: April 2024

The study examined the Impact of supervisors’ feedback on development of prospective teachers’ pedagogical skills during teaching practicum. for achieving this purpose. The researcher selected the prospective teachers as population of the study. he drew the 416 prospective teachers as sample for the research. He used cluster sampling for the sample selection. The instrument for the study was a closed-ended questionnaire based on five-point Likert scale. The researcher used quantitative approach for carrying out the research. He collected numerical data. He analyzed the data by using one-sample-t-test. He employed the SPSS for analyzing the data. The findings showed that the study's alternative hypotheses were accepted, indicating that supervisors’ feedback have an impact on the development of pedagogical skills among the prospective teachers during their teaching practicum. Prospective teachers perceived that their skill of setting expectations from students, skill of aligning the lessons with already set objectives, and skill of framing questions for teaching had been significantly improved because of timely feedback. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the use of supervisors’ feedback for developing prospective teachers’ pedagogical skills during teaching practicum.
Effect of implementing demonstration method on students' understanding and practical skills in Milling Machining Course
Authors: Putra Robby Eliga , Eko Indrawan  , Aprilla Fortuna
Published: April 2024

Mechanical engineering education plays a very important role in providing students with the knowledge and skills to become competent professionals in the industrialised world. This learning process involves the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and the demonstration method naturally helps to combine both aspects. The demonstration method has proved to be a promising approach to improving students' understanding and practical skills in the subject of milling machining techniques.  This study aims to improve the understanding and practical skills of Mechanical Engineering Class XI students at SMK Negeri 5 Padang through the application of the demonstration method. Using a quasi-experimental research design, the results showed that the use of the demonstration method significantly improved students' understanding and skills. The evaluation by a team of validators also showed that the method was valid in terms of materials, methods and instruments. There was a difference and an increase in scores between the control class and the experimental class. In the written comprehension test, the control class scored an average of 65, while the experimental class scored an average of 80.62. In the practical skills test using the evaluation sheet, the control class achieved an average of 48.87, while the experimental class achieved an average of 74.78. This indicates a positive influence and change in the students' understanding and practical skills after implementing the demonstration method.
The Original Technicality of the Human Being
Authors: Filetti Vincenzo
Published: April 2024

In this article I present the thesis of the original technicality of man proposed by the French philosopher Bernard Stiegler, who passed away in 2020. Stiegler's thought is undergoing continuous re-elaboration due to the singularity of the proposed theses deriving from studies of contemporary anthropology and philosophy. The research method used is subjective-argumentative and interpretive. Reading Stiegler's texts lends itself well to a functional interpretation of the thesis according to which digital technologies are natural prostheses for 21st century students. With the subjective-argumentative methodological approach I can reach a specific goal: demonstrating how the use of digital devices is to be considered an educational asset starting from Stiegler’s philosophy. He makes us understand how the original technicality is decisive for cognitive development. Moreover, the subjective-argumentative approach, as little objective as it may be, offers the flexibility to support a contemporary educational theory such as George Siemens’ Connectivism.
Insuring Data Risks: Problems and Solutions
Authors: Mamanazarov Sardor
Published: April 2024

The proliferation of valuable data assets and connectivity in the digital economy has been accompanied by intensifying cyber risks. However, systemic constraints including data ambiguities, legal uncertainty, and misaligned incentives have severely limited advancement of cyber insurance coverage relative to rising enterprise protection needs. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of key bottlenecks inhibiting cyber data risk insurability. It examines constraints stemming from historical data deficiencies, risk modeling complexities, opaque controls, and fragmented regulatory regimes. The study also evaluates internal challenges faced by insurers in advancing policies like claims ambiguities, talent gaps, and reliance on primitive actuarial techniques. It further proposes targeted legal, risk management and public-private partnership enhancements that can expand viable transfer of cyber data risks. These include graduated security frameworks, transparent data exchanges, resilience incentives, risk pooling structures and international cooperation. With balanced reforms, cyber insurance can systematically enable enterprises to secure data assets commensurate with their rising economic and societal value.
Leaning Into the Liminal: A Guide for Counselors and Companions (2024). Edited by Timothy L. Carson. ⁠The Liminality Press. ISBN: ‏9798989164004
Authors: Thāniyā Reid Willa
Published: April 2024

Liminality is a concept that straddles various domains of thought and practice. In the context of human suffering the concept has much to offer clinical practitioners who work with clients undergoing significant life changes. In Leaning Into the Liminal: A Guide for Counselors and Companions (2024a), editor Dr. Timothy L. Carson facilitates a range of voices exploring the meanings and uses of liminality. Carson is a pastor who completed his doctoral research on liminality and now heads the Liminality Project at the University of Missouri. The concept of liminality is treated in the text as a description of how people move through the disorientating passage from what is known, through unknowing, and into the new. Individuals traverse such passages when they experience key changes in life. Protocols for supporting this movement are a valuable part of the discussions in this book. The book is organised into sections dealing with liminality in clinical practice, recovery from war (including in Ukraine), spiritual direction, and dying. This exploration will be helpful to counsellors, psychotherapists, and practitioners who are unfamiliar with this liminal perspective on human experience. Some of the contributions to the book are tender and intimate in a way that supports a deepening engagement with these essential life transitions.
Analisis Stres Kerja pada Pengemudi Truk Pengantar Produk PT XYZ Tahun 2022
Authors: Oktaviana Riska , Hendra Hendra
Published: April 2024

Pengemudi merupakan salah satu kelompok pekerjaan dengan tingkat risiko tertinggi yang dapat mengalami stres di tempat kerja. Hal ini dapat terjadi salah satunya pada pengemudi truk yang memegang peranan penting dalam proses pengantaran produk PT XYZ. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk menjelaskan gambaran tingkat stres kerja pada pengemudi truk pengantar produk PT XYZ serta faktor risiko yang berhubungan dengan stres kerja tersebut. Adapun faktor-faktor yang diteliti meliputi faktor individu (usia, status pernikahan, tempat tinggal, jumlah anak, dan masa kerja), faktor psikososial terkait konteks pekerjaan (kontrol pekerjaan, dukungan sosial, dan home-work interface) dan konten pekerjaan (lingkungan fisik kabin, beban kerja, dan jam kerja). Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian cross sectional dan pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menyebarkan kuesioner online. Adapun kuesioner yang digunakan pada penelitian ini diadaptasi dari beberapa kuesioner yang telah ada yaitu kuesioner Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), NIOSH Generic Job Stress Questionnaire (GJSQ), dan Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) III. Sejumlah 76 pengemudi truk berpartisipasi dalam penelitian ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 60,53% responden mengalami stres sedang-berat. Ditemukan pula hubungan antara dukungan sosial, home-work interface, lingkungan fisik kabin, beban kerja, dan jam kerja dengan stres kerja. Dari kelima faktor tersebut, faktor yang paling dominan berhubungan dengan stres kerja adalah faktor jam kerja dengan nilai OR yaitu 11. Disimpulkan bahwa dukungan sosial, home-work interface, lingkungan fisik kabin, beban kerja, dan jam kerja memiliki hubungan yang signifikan dengan stres kerja. Beberapa upaya penanganan yang dapat dilakukan adalah mengidentifikasi kejadian stres kerja pada pekerja, mengembangkan program pengawasan dan pendampingan terkait stres kerja, meninjau ulang prosedur dan kebijakan mengenai jadwal kerja, menciptakan tempat kerja yang sehat dan selamat secara fisik, mengidentifikasi dan mengkaji ulang beban kerja, serta melaksanakan berbagai program intervensi untuk meningkatkan kemampuan mengatasi stres pekerja.
Analisis Faktor Risiko Kelelahan Kerja pada Kurir PT Tiki Jalur Ekakurir (JNE) di Wilayah Kecamatan Pondok Gede Kota Bekasi tahun 2022
Authors: Febriana Dinda Arsyah , Susilowati Indri Hapsari
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk melihat gambaran faktor risiko kelelahan yang dialami oleh kurir PT JNE di wilayah Kecamatan Pondok Gede Kota Bekasi tahun 2022. Penelitian dilakukan pada 31 orang kurir yang beroperasi di wilayah Pondok Gede dan sekitarnya pada Mei – Juni 2022. Penelitian ini menggunakan studi cross-sectional dengan metode kuantitatif. Variabel dependen penelitian ini adalah kelelahan kerja, dan variabel independen yaitu faktor risiko terkait pekerjaan (shift kerja, durasi kerja, waktu istirahat), faktor risiko non pekerjaan (masa kerja, commuting time, dan kepuasan terhadap sistem insentif dan reward), dan faktor individu (usia, status gizi, kualitas tidur, kuantitas tidur, ketakutan pada akan Covid-19, dan kebiasaan sarapan). Hasil menunjukkan bahwa 51,6% (16 orang) mengalami kelelahan sedang, 35,5% (11 orang) kelelahan ringan, dan 12,9%(4 orang) tidak kelelahan. Kelelahan sedang cenderung dialami oleh durasi kerja berlebih (39,3%), beban kerja rendah (75%), istirahat cukup (45%), shift kerja siang (41,7%), masa kerja >5 tahun (47,1%), commuting time lama (57,1%), puas dengan sistem reward (45%), puas dengan sistem insentif (47,4%), usia ≤35 tahun (37,9%), tidur kurang dari 7 jam (53,8%), status gizi berlebih (40%), dan ketakutan terhadap covid-19 yang ringan (40%).
Analisis Keluhan Non Auditory pada Pekerja Bagian Operasi yang Terpajan Kebisingan di Unit 5-7 Perusahaan Pembangkit Listrik PT X Tahun 2022
Authors: Putri Aisyah Raini Azzahra , Tejamaya Mila
Published: April 2024

Kebisingan merupakan semua suara yang tidak dikehendaki atau tidak diinginkan yang bersumber dari benda atau peralatan dari proses produksi yang dapat menyebabkan gangguan kesehatan berupa gangguan pendengaran dan keluhan subjektif non pendengaran. Keluhan subjektif non auditory merupakan efek yang ditimbulkan akibat paparan kebisingan, namun bukan pada organ pendengaran melainkan efek yang mempengaruhi kesehatan dan kesejahteraan pada seseorang seperti gangguan fisiologis, gangguan psikologis, dan gangguan komunikasi. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh dari tingkat pajanan kebisingan, karakteristik pekerja, dan perilaku pekerja terhadap keluhan kesehatan non auditory pada pekerja di area unit 5-7 pada perusahaan pembangkit listrik PT. X Tahun 2022. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada bulan Maret – Mei dengan melibatkan 58 pekerja yang merupakan pekerja bagian operasi pada area unit 5-7. Desain yang digunakan pada penelitian ini ialah cross sectional dan pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menyebarkan kuesioner terkait keluhan non auditory. Variabel independen pada penelitian ini diantaranya tingkat kebisingan berdasarkan SEG, usia, masa kerja, penggunaan APT, pajanan kebisingan diluar aktivitas pekerjaan, dan pelatihan terkait bahaya bising. Berdasarkan penelitian yang dilakukan terhadap 58 pekerja bagian operasi, terdapat hubungan antara tingkat kebisingan berdasarkan SEG dengan keluhan psikologis dan keluhan komunikasi.
Analisis Hubungan Faktor Fisik dan Individu Terhadap Prevalensi Keluhan Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSDs) Pada Pekerja CV Bengkel Otomotif Tahun 2022
Authors: Fajri Hamzah Fansuri , Modjo Robiana
Published: April 2024

Keluhan musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) pada umumnya dapat terjadi karena adanya kontraksi atau pembebanan yang berlebihan pada otot ataupun tulang. Salah satu contoh aktivitas yang dapat memicu kejadian keluhan musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) adalah pekerjaan manual material handling. Pekerjaan manual material handling masih banyak ditemukan pada pekerjaan yang dilakukan pada CV Bengkel Otomotif. Penelitian ini berfokus pada melihat hubungan antara variabel fisik dan individu dengan keluhan musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) pada pekerja CV Bengkel Otomotif. Penelitian ini bersifat studi cross-sectional dengan instrumen quick exposure check dan nordic body map. Dari sebanyak 60 orang pekerja yang menjadi responden penelitian, didapati bahwa 38 orang pekerja (63.3%) mengalami keluhan. Bagian tubuh yang paling banyak mengalami keluhan adalah pada bagian pinggang (25 pekerja).  Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan antara variabel indeks massa tubuh (p value=0.004), dan kebiasaan olahraga (p value=0.004) dengan keluhan musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs).
Analisis Kasus Kecelakaan Pemboran pada Industri Migas di PT.X Berdasarkan Faktor Manusia Tahun 2022
Authors: Khodijah Siti , Wirawan Mufti
Published: April 2024

Kegiatan pemboran migas memiliki risiko tinggi terkait. 80% penyebab kecelakaan pemboran disebabkan oleh human performance. Tahun 2020, aktivitas pemboran di PT. X menyumbang sebesar 3 dari 8 kecelakaan dan penyebab umum yang terjadi karena faktor manusia. Unsafe acts dianggap menjadi penyebab utama dalam kecelakaan pemboran di industri migas. Penelitian ini membahas mengenai analisis kasus kecelakaan pemboran migas di PT.X dari sudut pandang faktor manusia. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu menganalisis faktor kontribusi dari kegagalan aktif dan laten serta menganalisis kasus kecelakaan kerja dari sudut pandang faktor manusia pada aktivitas pemboran di PT. X tahun 2022, dan menentukan rekomendasi untuk perbaikan kedepannya dari kegiatan pengeboran di PT. X. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan deskriptif analitik dari data sekunder dan hasil wawancara. Didapatkan hasil bahwa kondisi laten yang berkontribusi terhadap kecelakaan pemboran yang terjadi di PT. X pada tahun 2022 yaitu  gagal mengupdate regulasi terbaru, pengendalian yang dilakukan masih  bersifat administratif, dll. Sedangkan kegagalan aktif yang berkontribusi yaitu gagal menginterpretasikan peralatan yang rusak, pelanggaran SOP, dll. Sehingga ditemukan bahwa kondisi laten lebih banyak berkontribusi sehingga menimbulkan unsafe acts. Sintesa dari hasil analisis didapat bahwa safety value belum tertanam di PT. X. Sehingga rekomendasi yang diberikan penulis yaitu menjadikan K3 sebagai safety of work.
Teoria e Prática Trauma e Emergência - Edição XV
Authors: Barroso L. De Freitas Guilherme , da Silva Roberta
Published: April 2024

A ciência e aprendizado sobre situações de trauma e emergência evoluíram nas últimas décadas. Esse crescimento levou a um maior profissionalismo e ao aumento de desfechos de sucesso no atendimento ao paciente. A educação e treinamento passaram a
Using of Nanoparticles in treating of Hydatid Disease in Domestic Animals
Authors: Ismael Shameeran Salman , Mustafa Sherzad Ibrahim , Anwar Kawa Bassim
Published: April 2024

The parasite Echinococcus granulosus is the cause of unilocular hydatid disease, which is a serious health risk to people and domestic animals worldwide. Livestock with hydatid disease suffers substantial financial losses due to the slaughterhouse's disapproval of the diseased animal parts, productivity losses (such as lowered live weight gain, milk yield, reproductive rates, and hide and skin value), and expenses related to caring for both humans and animals. Because of the parasite's complex life cycle and the difficulties associated with traditional treatment techniques, new strategies are needed to handle this crippling illness more successfully. In the treatment of hydatid illness, nanomedicine and nanoparticles have shown great promise, providing new approaches to medication distribution, focused therapy, diagnosis, and control measures. The possible roles and applications of nanomedicine and nanoparticles in treating hydatid illness in domestic animals are reviewed in this article. Owing to their distinct physicochemical characteristics at the nanoscale, nanoparticles enable tailored medication administration, enhancing anthelmintic agent potency while reducing systemic side effects. Therapeutic drugs like praziquantel or albendazole can be encapsulated in these nanoparticles, allowing for improved permeability and retention at the location of the parasite cysts. Additionally, imaging agents and diagnostic instruments at the nanoscale enable. 
Additionally, nanotechnology offers avenues for developing innovative control measures, including environmental disinfection and targeted delivery of parasiticides. Collaborative efforts between researchers, veterinarians, and experts in nanotechnology are crucial to harnessing the full potential of nanoparticles and nanomedicine in effectively managing the infection in domestic animals.
Recent Advances in Gastro Retentive Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Wafa Azimullah , Raihan Roshaan , Tyagi Swati
Published: April 2024

The issues with oral conventional dose forms can be resolved with the use of gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS). GRDDS is a way to prolong the stomach residence time, which allows for the release of drugs and the possibility of local or systemic effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract. To enhance treatment, some potent medications are employed with gastro-retentive dose forms for longer. By producing a high concentration of medication in the stomach that can be sustained for an extended amount of time, gastroretentive formulations (GRFs) greatly improve stomach pharmacotherapy. As a result, a wide range of dosage forms have been developed for medications that break down at alkaline pH but remain stable at acidic pH. Therefore, medications have limited absorption.
The Importance of Hyaluronic Acid in Biological Systems
Authors: Hejran Abdul Bari , Ashrafi Hafizullah , Baseer Abdul Qadeer , Sarwari Atiqullah , Monib Abdul Wahid , Hassand Mohammad Hassan , Sediqi Sayedwali , Kakar Uzair Mohammad , Niazi Parwiz , Rahime Mustafa
Published: April 2024

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a crucial component of the extracellular matrix, found abundantly in connective tissues, skin, and synovial fluid. Its unique properties, including hydration capacity and viscoelasticity, play pivotal roles in tissue hydration, lubrication, and wound healing. Despite its ubiquitous presence, the specific mechanisms underlying its diverse biological functions remain the subject of ongoing research. Studies have elucidated HA's involvement in various physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Its interaction with cell surface receptors modulates signaling pathways implicated in tissue repair and inflammation regulation. Moreover, HA's rheological properties contribute to joint lubrication, facilitating smooth movement and preventing cartilage degradation. Understanding the multifaceted roles of HA holds significant implications for biomedical applications. Its therapeutic potential spans from skincare formulations to regenerative medicine and drug delivery systems. Targeting HA metabolism presents novel strategies for treating conditions like osteoarthritis, dry eye syndrome, and dermal aging. Continued exploration of HA biology promises exciting avenues for scientific advancement and clinical innovation. Emerging technologies, such as biomaterial engineering and nanomedicine, offer opportunities to tailor HA-based interventions for enhanced efficacy and targeted delivery. Additionally, investigating HA's interplay with the immune system could uncover new immunomodulatory therapies. In conclusion, the importance of hyaluronic acid in biological systems is indisputable, given its indispensable roles in tissue homeostasis and repair. By deciphering its intricate mechanisms of action, researchers pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in medicine and biotechnology. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of HA stands poised to revolutionize healthcare, offering solutions to a myriad of pathological conditions and enhancing quality of life.
A Comprehensive Review of Impacts of Social Media and Information Technology on Decision Making of General People
Authors: Hera Jisan Hossain , Gafur Israt , Akter Moriom
Published: April 2024

Social media platforms and information technology have revolutionized the way individuals obtain, use, and share information in the digital age. This has affected people's decision-making processes in a variety of fields. This thorough analysis investigates the complex effects of information technology and social media on the way the public makes decisions. The impact of social media and information technology on decision-making in domains like politics, healthcare, education, consumer behavior, and interpersonal relationships is examined in this review, which draws on an extensive array of scholarly literature, empirical investigations, and theoretical frameworks. According to the research, information technology and social media can influence decisions in both favorable and unfavorable ways. On the one hand, these platforms give users access to a multitude of information, empowering them to take part in social movements, activism, and civic engagement with greater knowledge and understanding. Social media platforms also enable peer-to-peer communication, cooperation, and knowledge sharing, giving people the confidence to ask their social networks for guidance, affirmation, and support. In the digital age, the review emphasizes how psychological variables, cognitive biases, and sociocultural influences shape decision-making processes. In online environments, people's information processing, judgment-making, and decision-making processes are greatly influenced by social comparison, confirmation bias, FOMO, and social validation, among other factors. This thorough analysis advances our knowledge of the intricate interactions among decision-making, information technology, and social media. Informed decision making, digital literacy, and the moral application of social media and information technology in society are all goals of this review, which synthesizes the literature and highlights new trends to guide future research, legislative efforts, and hands-on interventions.
Comparative Analysis of Principal’s Managerial Practices for Teacher’s Retention in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Anachuna Obinna Nonso , Emegwa Uzoamaka Tina
Published: April 2024

The seeming teacher turnover in secondary schools in Nigeria necessitated this study on managerial practices of principals for teachers’ retention in public and private secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. Two research questions guided the study, while two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The population of the study comprised 650 principals in the 256 public and 394 private secondary schools in Anambra State. There was no sampling as the entire population was used for the study. A researcher’s developed questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts who are lecturers, two in Educational Measurement and Evaluation, Department of Educational Foundations and the other in Educational Management and Planning, Department of Educational Management and Policy all in the Faculty of Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State Nigeria. The Cronbach’s alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the items which yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.75. The researcher with the help of ten research assistants distributed and successfully collected 490 copies of the questionnaire administered. The research questions were answered using the arithmetic mean while the hypotheses were tested using t-test. It was found among others that principals in public and private secondary schools in Anambra state to a high extent apply managerial practices of collaborative school culture for teachers’ retention. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that principals of public and private secondary schools should provide an avenue for team teaching, peer coaching and formation of study group among teachers towards enhancing teachers’ retention.
The Deconstructing Econospeak App
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

I’m a fan of hands-on science. My philosophy is that you don’t really understand something until you play with the data yourself. With that in mind, I’ve made an app that lets you explore the data from my last post, Deconstructing Econospeak. A brief refresher. In that post, I used a word-counting bot to analyze the language found in undergraduate economics textbooks.
Is Human Probability Intuition Actually ‘Biased’?
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

According to behavioral economics, most human decisions are mired in ‘bias’. It muddles our actions from the mundane to the monumental. Human behavior, it seems, is hopelessly subpar.  1  Or is it? You see, the way that behavioral economists define ‘bias’ is rather peculiar.
Energy and Economic Development: Understanding the Role of Hierarchy
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

On Tuesday, I gave a talk to the University of Texas Energy Symposium about how societies become more hierarchical as they develop. Thank-you to Carey King for the invitation to speak. King, by the way, is the author of the excellent book  The Economic Superorganism  (which I recently reviewed). Below is the lecture recording on my end. You can watch the live-stream version here.
Energizing Exchange: Learning from Econophysics’ Mistakes
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

Let’s talk  econophysics  . If you’re not familiar, ‘econophysics’ is an attempt to understand economic phenomena (like the distribution of income) using the tools of statistical mechanics. The field has been around for a few decades, but has received little attention from mainstream economists. I think this neglect is a shame. As someone trained in both the natural and social sciences, I welcome physicists foray into economics.
Why Are Most Textbooks Still Proprietary?
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

Today a rant about  textbooks  . Every year governments spend billions of dollars on public education, teaching students knowledge that was itself created by publicly funded research. Yet each year, university students must pay anew for this information by purchasing high-priced textbooks. It needn’t be this way. Most university textbooks are written by tenured (or tenure-track) professors.
The Evolution of ‘Big’: How Sociality Made Life Larger
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

 The game I play is a very interesting one. It’s imagination in a tight straitjacket.  — Richard Feynman Like Richard Feynman’s game of science, evolution is stuck in a straitjacket. It is driven by chance. But evolution is not free to explore every path. Take, as an example, the evolution of organism size.
A Review of Carey King’s ‘The Economic Superorganism’
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

King, C. W. (2020).  The Economic Superorganism: Beyond the Competing Narratives on Energy, Growth, and Policy  . Springer Nature. If you are interested in the megatrends of the 21st century, then Carey King’s new book  The Economic Superorganism  should be on your reading list. It is a well-written, meticulously researched opus on how to understand the sustainability problems that face humanity.
Jesús Suaste Cherizola Wins the 2021 CASP Essay Prize
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

As some of you may know, I recently became the editor of the  Review of Capital as Power  (RECASP), a journal that publishes research on the power underpinnings of capitalism. Each year, RECASP hosts an essay competition. I’m proud to announce that the winner of this year’s prize is Jesús Suaste Cherizola.  1  His prize-winning paper is called From Commodities to Assets: Capital as Power and the Ontology of Finance.
The Quant Case for Open-Access COVID Vaccines
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

Around the world, rich countries are celebrating as their COVID numbers fall. Their success is no mystery — it’s because of a massive rollout of COVID vaccines. While we should celebrate the development of these vaccines, their  deployment  highlights the tyrannies of capitalism. Most of the basic research for COVID vaccines was funded by the public. Yet their manufacture is controlled by Big Pharma.
Unemployment and the Maturity of Capitalism
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

Download: PDF | EPUB In my last post, I discussed the underwhelming relation between interest rates and unemployment. In this post, I’ll look at a better way to connect unemployment to interest income. It turns out that if you take US net interest and divide it by corporate profit, you get a ratio that closely tracks unemployment.
Institution Size as a Window into Cultural Evolution
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

One of the challenges of studying the past is that time has a maddening way of erasing evidence. Take the origin of life — the ultimate cold case. Had the first organisms been wise enough to fossilize themselves, we would know exactly how life began. Fortunately, the first organisms  did  preserve themselves, at least in rough form. That’s because life is itself a kind of time capsule.
RECASP Back Catalogue Now in Full-Text HTML
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

Greetings readers. It’s been an interesting month for me, what with Toronto dealing with an explosive 3rd wave of COVID, and me trying to get work done while my 5-year-old daughter does ‘school’ from home. Life has been, shall we say, interesting. Then, two weeks ago my appendix decided it was time to rupture. That put me in the hospital for a few days, and then home in bed for a few more. I’m now almost fully recovered.
RNNs vs GRUs vs LSTMs
Authors: Gupta Dhruv
Published: April 2024

The Three Oldest Pillars of NLP

Author Dhruv Gupta (

ORCID

: 0009–0004–7109–5403) Introduction Natural Language Processing (NLP) has almost become synonymous with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, and fancy chatbots. With the ever-increasing amount of textual data and exponential growth in computational knowledge, these models are improving every day.
Living the Good Life in a Non-Growth World — The Talk Version
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

This week I had the good fortune to talk with Rok Kranjc and Michel Bauwens about my research on degrowth and hierarchy. The full discussion will be available in a month or so at the Seoul Platform for Initiating Discourses on an Equitable and Resilient Society (which supported this research). For now, here is my presentation. I discuss ideas from the paper Living the Good Life in a Non-Growth World: Investigating the Role of Hierarchy.
The Trouble With Human Capital Theory
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

In my last post, I skewered human capital theory by comparing it to the pseudoscience of eugenics. Here’s a follow up — a presentation called  The Trouble With Human Capital Theory  . It’s a talk I gave to the SEEFAR research center at the Kedge Business School. I thank Christophe Faugère for inviting me to speak.
Hierarchy, Zoom Bombed
Authors: Fix Blair
Published: April 2024

An artist’s enemy is obscurity … — Cory Doctorow Like art, the dirty secret of science is that much of it remains painfully obscure. A scientist might spend years collecting and analyzing data, only to have their paper read by a handful of people. Such is the nature of highly specialized work.
Enhancing RCF rail defect inspection on the Serbian railway network
Authors: Popović Zdenka , Brajović Ljiljana , Mićić Milica , Lazarević Luka
Published: April 2024

The interaction between the wheel and the running rails within the railway system introduces intricate stress patterns, resulting in the formation of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) rail defects. The magnitude of this stress is contingent upon factors such as track performance, vehicle characteristics, and service conditions. While advancements in rail metallurgy can mitigate the issue to some extent, no economically viable steel composition currently exists that can completely withstand the repetitive stresses associated with RCF. It is more cost-effective to properly maintain rails for longer use rather than replace them entirely. The paper emphasizes the importance of classifying and coding RCF rail defects in light of their potential adverse effects on rail transport safety. It provides an analysis of the available inspection methods for RCF rail defects and recommends the ones that should be implemented on the Serbian railway network. A combination of proposed inspection methods is preferred to increase detection efficiency for different types of RCF defects.
Cashflow Management Practices and Financial Performance of Small and Medium Business Enterprises in Kenya
Authors: Nasimiyu Annrita Esther
Published: April 2024

This comprehensive review examines cash management and its impact on the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The review covers theories, practices, and empirical evidence, providing insights into financial management strategies. Theoretical perspectives include the Dynamic Trade-Off Theory and the Free Cash Flow Theory, which shed light on the implications for SMEs' financial management strategies. Empirical evidence underscores the importance of cash accountability, internal controls, cash policy, cash budgeting, and financial performance metrics like profitability, liquidity, and solvency. Effective cash management is crucial for SMEs as it enables growth, optimizes investments, enhances profitability, and ensures financial stability. This synthesis offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and academics seeking to understand and enhance SMEs' financial performance through sound cash management practices.
Relaciones teóricas de los cantos de aves de Colombia: un contraste entre hipótesis
Authors: Trujillo Briceño Cristy Alejandra
Published: April 2024

Las señales acústicas representan una vía fundamental de comunicación para numerosas especies, enfrentándose a diversas presiones selectivas tanto abióticas como bióticas. Las condiciones ambientales, por ejemplo, pueden incidir en los atributos acústicos de los cantos, ya que la transmisión del sonido está estrechamente ligada a dichas condiciones (adaptación acústica). Especies con mayor tamaño corporal o longitud de pico podrían exhibir frecuencias acústicas más bajas debido a limitaciones estructurales y reverberación del sonido (adaptación morfológica). Alternativamente, la competencia interespecífica en una comunidad podría influir en los atributos acústicos de las especies al disputar el canal de comunicación (nicho acústico). Actualmente son escasos los estudios que contrastan estas hipótesis. Para abordar esta brecha, se utilizaron 1945 cantos de 448 especies de aves de Colombia depositados en la Colección de Sonidos Ambientales "Mauricio Álvarez-Rebolledo" del Instituto Humboldt – IAvH-CSA. Se analizó la frecuencia dominante de los cantos en relación con variables ambientales, tamaño corporal y riqueza de especies, controlando por la familia taxonómica. Los resultados revelaron que algunas familias seguían las predicciones de las hipótesis, destacando frecuencias dominantes menores en respuesta al incremento en índice de vegetación y la masa corporal. Sin embargo, la interacción entre elevación y masa corporal emergió como la relación más significativa, evidenciando el papel que la termorregulación (regla de Bergmann) puede tener en la expresión acústica de las aves colombianas en diferentes ambientes. Este estudio ofrece una perspectiva integral que vincula teoría y datos empíricos, enriqueciendo la comprensión de la comunicación acústica de las aves y su adaptación al entorno. Los hallazgos subrayan la estrecha relación entre factores ambientales abióticos y morfológicos para explicar la distribución de frecuencias dominantes en las aves de Colombia, contribuyendo al conocimiento general sobre este aspecto de la biodiversidad en un país megadiverso.
The radical flank: Curse or blessing of a social movement?
Authors: Dasch Sophia T. , Bellm Millicent , Shuman Eric , van Zomeren Martijn
Published: April 2024

Social movements often comprise a variety of actors employing differing levels of radicality. This study examines how collective action enables social change by studying the influence of the presence of a radical flank on public support for moderate and radical activists. We report two experimental studies investigating the reactions towards the protests of a movement in the United Kingdom opposing a university’s reduction in sustainable catering options (N = 485) and an anti-fracking movement in the US (N = 455). In both experiments, participants read a fake newspaper article about a: (1) completely nonviolent, (2) completely violent, or (3) mixed violent/nonviolent movement including a radical flank. The tested models reveal that identification with the activists drives effects on public support (i.e., intentions to participate and donate). Specifically, the presence of a radical flank caused an increase in public support for the moderates (Study 1) or a decrease in support for the radicals (Study 2). Study 2 additionally found that the magnitude of the effects is moderated by the participants’ sympathy for the movement’s cause. Observers who were sympathetic towards the advocated changes reacted more strongly towards the chosen tactics. Implications for theory, practice and future research are discussed.
Memórias encenadas: a proficiência histórica do Elenco de 'Flor do Deserto' sobre o Caldeirão
Authors: Marques Antônio Alison Vasconcelos , Souza Maria de Lourdes Macena de
Published: April 2024

Este artigo investiga o papel da produção artística na preservação histórica, destacando "Flor do Deserto", do Grupo Miraira do IFCE Campus Fortaleza. A peça aborda o Caldeirão da Santa Cruz do Deserto, marco na história cearense. A pesquisa explora o conhecimento prévio do elenco sobre o Caldeirão, sua interpretação de personagens e o impacto da obra na consciência pública sobre o massacre. Com 44 entrevistados, entre dança/cena e música, o estudo utiliza metodologias qualitativas para compreender a relação entre espetáculo, elenco e reconhecimento histórico.
Medeia Negra (2018): corpo feminino que canta e grita
Authors: Castillo José Ramón , Langaro Cleiser Schenatto
Published: April 2024

Medeia Negra (2018) concebida e interpretada por Marcia Lima, em Salvador, Bahia, baseada na reescritura do mito grego, concede voz ao corpo feminino negro, apagado pela violência da colonização/escravidão, na invisibilidade do sistema penitenciário. Nesta versão ela cria uma personagem feita de frases, vivências e depoimento de mulheres privadas de liberdade. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em revisar os conceitos e dispositivos cênicos usados para representar esse corpo forçosamente silenciado, que retorna transformado em fragmentos de histórias, barulhos, gritos, espectros e canções.
Sim, mulher brinca mamulengo: narrativas de mulheres brincantes
Authors: Silva Luanna Ferreira da , Resende Fabíola , Matos-de-Souza Rodrigo
Published: April 2024

Este artigo apresenta duas narrativas (auto)biográficas de mulheres brincantes do Distrito Federal do Teatro de Bonecos Popular, mais especificamente o Mamulengo. Ancorado nas perspectivas decoloniais e feministas, no contexto de periferia do Ocidente, o artigo se propõe a relatar como mulheres artistas brincantes ocupam o centro da roda, protagonizando brincadeiras.
Chaos, Verwirrung und republikanischer Kurswechsel
Authors: Sanger Carol
Published: April 2024

Das US-amerikanische Abtreibungsrecht ist schwer nachvollziehbar – für Schwangere, für Ärzt:innen, und auch für außenstehende Beobachter, die verstehen wollen, wie Abtreibung mit den Präsidentschaftswahlen 2024 verstrickt ist. Die Geschichte ist kompliziert, dynamisch und noch nicht vorbei. Eine Warnung in den Worten von Bette Davis: “Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night”.
Musikauswahlmethoden musikmedizinischer Studien
Authors: Matsukawa Luca
Published: April 2024

Die Existenz des Einflusses von Musik auf die Herzfrequenz ist ein umstrittenes Thema der Forschung. Ein möglicher Grund für die uneindeutige Evidenzlage ist die unreflektierte Musikauswahl. Um diese Hypothese zu überprüfen, werden 34 Studien auf die Methodik der Musikauswahl hin untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung umfassen: Musik wird häufig anhand kulturell und sozial begründeter Normen ausgewählt, die als universell gültig wahrgenommen werden, es aber nicht sind. Der Einfluss der subjektiven Musikperzeption- und rezeption wird nicht ausreichend berücksichtigt. Eine zusätzlich erkannte Problematik ist die ungenügende Beschreibung der Musikauswahl.
It's all about Authenticity
Authors: Kaiser Katrin
Published: April 2024

Authentizität ist sowohl in unserem Alltag als auch in der Musik allgegenwärtig. Doch so groß die Bedeutung zu sein scheint, die dem Begriff beigemessen wird, so groß sind auch die Fragezeichen, die sich bei einer Beschäftigung mit ihm auftun. Diese Arbeit setzt sich mit dem Authentizitäts-Begriff auf verschiedenen Ebenen auseinander und fokussiert sich anschließend auf seine Bedeutung im Independent und im Mainstream. Es handelt sich hierbei um zwei konträre Szenen, für die die Authentizität als Schlüsselelement der Abgrenzung gesehen werden kann, was ihre Gegenüberstellung umso spannender macht. Zudem unterliegen der Independent und der Mainstream wie auch die Authentizität einer Diskursivität. Mit diesem Umstand im Bewusstsein werden die Begriffe nach hermeneutischer Methode aufgearbeitet und durch die Behandlung ausgewählter Debatten in Beziehung gestellt. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse werden im letzten, empirischen Kapitel auf das Fallbeispiel „Max Giesinger“ angewandt.
Alfa-sipermetrin’in Davranışsal Toksisitesinin Drosophila melanogaster’de İncelenmesi
Authors: Kocaoğlu Cenkci Serap , Öz Selda
Published: April 2024

Piretroidler toksik etki potansiyellerinin düşük olması nedeni ile kullanımı tercih edilen insektisitlerdir. Alfa-sipermetrin tarım, halk ve hayvan sağlığı uygulamalarında yaygın olarak kullanılan tip 2 piretroid grubuna ait bir insektisittir. Bu çalışmada alfa-sipermetrin’in Drosophila melanogaster’de davranışsal toksisiteye etkisi araştırılmıştır. Drosophila Oregon R+ hattına ait bireylerin yumurtalarından gelişen 724 saatlik larvalara 0,01; 0,05; 0,1 ve 0,3 ppm dozlarında uygulanan alfa-sipermetrin’in pupa oluşturma ve pupadan çıkış başarısı, ergin birey kütle ölçümü ve negatif jeotaksis deneyleri ile davranışsal toksisitesi değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar alfa-sipermetrin’in subletal dozlarının larvaların pupa oluşturma ve pupadan çıkış başarısı üzerinde ve ergin bireylerin kütleleri üzerinde anlamlı değişikliğe neden olmadığını göstermiştir. Negatif jeotaksis deneyinden elde edilen sonuçlar ise alfa-sipermetrin’in uygulanan tüm dozlarda ergin bireylerin uçuş kabiliyetlerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı azalmaya neden olduğunu göstermiştir.
Bentuk Tari Dedari Dalam Tradisi Makenak-Kenakan Di Pura Desa, Desa Penatahan, Penebel, Tabanan
Authors: Yustia Hani , Kustiyanti Dyah , Suminto Suminto
Published: April 2024

Tradisi Makenak-kenakan merupakan simbol persembahan, rasa suka cita, dan perwujudan sebagai ungkapan rasa syukur kepada Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa atas diberikan kelimpahan hasil bumi, terhindar dari bencana, dan harapan untuk terhindar dari wabah penyakit. Tradisi Makenak-kenakan ini dilakukan oleh prasayang Ida Batara (sekelompok sutri panyungsung) Pura Desa Adat Penatahan dengan menggunakan serentetan proses ritual yang dibawakan dengan rasa tulus ikhlas. Tari Dedari memiliki simbol-simbol tertentu yang bermakna. Simbol merupakan komponen utama dalam kebudayaan. Segala sesuatu yang dilihat dan dialami oleh manusia bisa diterjemahkan ke dalam simbol yang kita semua bisa mengerti. Tari Dedari ditarikan oleh tujuh orang penari yang pada kehidupan niskala menyimbolkan tujuh widyadari yang turun dari kahyangan. Tari Dedari adalah salah satu tari dalam tradisi Makenak-kenakan, merupakan tarian sakral yang dipentaskan dalam upacara dewa yadnya di Desa Penatahan. Tari ini diiringi oleh gamelan gong kebyar. Adapun bentuk yang diuraikan adalah mengenai struktur, penari tari Dedari, ragam gerak tari Dedari, tata rias dan tata busana, musik pengiring, tempat pementasan tari Dedari, serta simbol tari Dedari. Penelitian tari Dedari ini disusun berdasarkan teori Estetika, dengan menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif, melalui teknik wawancara, teknik dokumentasi, dan studi kepustakaan.Kata Kunci : Tradisi Makenak-kenakan, Tari Dedari, Bentuk.
Eco-Friendly Approach to Palm Oil Biodiesel Production: Torrefied Palm Frond Carbon as a Source for CaO/C/NaOH Catalysts
Authors: Helwani Zuchra , Amraini Said Zul , Asmura Jecky , Othman Mohd. Roslee , Peliciamanuela Samantha , Anggriani Rara Dewi
Published: April 2024

Biomass-based sources for energy generation have attracted much attention recently due to its environmental benefits. These days, using edible oils and alkali catalysts, such as CaO, is standard practice for the transesterification step of the biodiesel synthesis process. Glycerine and methanol will form hydrogen bonds with the oxygen ions on the CaO surface, increasing the viscosity of the glycerine and causing CaO to suspend. Even though CaO was utilized directly as a catalyst in the transesterification process, extracting the CaO and glycerine from the final product will be challenging. To solve this issue, any extra metal oxides or catalyst supports ought to be impregnated into the CaO. This work has investigated the possible use of eggshells and palm fronds in developing bifunctional catalysts for biodiesel production. A series makes the processes' catalyst, including impregnation, calcination, and torrefaction. To assess the catalyst's performance, the esterification and transesterification of palm oil with a 2.9% free fatty acid content were investigated at a methanol/oil ratio of 6:1, catalyst concentration of 1-3% by weight, reaction temperature of 70 °C, and duration of 3 hours. The catalyst was found to have a specific surface area of 8.266 m2/g. There was an 89.4% yield of biodiesel produced. A viable, economical, and ecologically friendly method of producing biodiesel is to use eggshells and palm fronds in catalyst synthesis.