bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial sector and economic growth amid external uncertainty shocks: Insights into emerging economies
Authors: Asafo-Adjei Emmanuel , Boateng Ebenezer , Isshaq Zangina , Idun Anthony Adu-Asare , Owusu Junior Peterson , Adam Anokye M.
Published: November 2021

The study aims to shed new lights on the lead-lag relationships between the financial sector (RFSI) and economic growth (GDP) in the midst of global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU) shocks for BRICS economies. Hence, the bivariate, partial, and wavelet multiple correlations techniques are employed. From the bivariate analysis, we document positive bi-directional causality between the RFSI and economic growth over the sample period. The partial wavelet reveals that GEPU shocks distort the significance and directional comovements between the RFSI and GDP. Moreover, the outcome from the wavelet multiple cross correlations (WMCC) indicates that the RFSI is a first mover at most time scales for the BRICS economies. This is followed by GEPU which either leads or lags for most scales, especially for South Africa. The impact of GEPU on RFSI and GDP is worst for South Africa in about four cases in the medium-, and long-terms. This signifies that South Africa’s financial markets and economic growth are vulnerable to GEPU. However, the impetus for GEPU to drive the comovements between the financial sector and economic activity was less pronounced in the pre-COVID analysis conducted with the WMCC. The study supports both the supply-leading and demand-following hypotheses. Our findings also underscore the need for policymakers, investors and academics alike to incessantly observe the dynamics between finance and growth across time and periodicity while considering adverse shocks from global economic policy uncertainty in tandem.
CicerSpTEdb: A web-based database for high-resolution genome-wide identification of transposable elements in Cicer species
Authors: Mokhtar Morad M. , Alsamman Alsamman M. , Abd-Elhalim Haytham M. , El Allali Achraf
Published: November 2021

Recently, Cicer species have experienced increased research interest due to their economic importance, especially in genetics, genomics, and crop improvement. The Cicer arietinum, Cicer reticulatum, and Cicer echinospermum genomes have been sequenced and provide valuable resources for trait improvement. Since the publication of the chickpea draft genome, progress has been made in genome assembly, functional annotation, and identification of polymorphic markers. However, work is still needed to identify transposable elements (TEs) and make them available for researchers. In this paper, we present CicerSpTEdb, a comprehensive TE database for Cicer species that aims to improve our understanding of the organization and structural variations of the chickpea genome. Using structure and homology-based methods, 3942 C. echinospermum, 3579 C. reticulatum, and 2240 C. arietinum TEs were identified. Comparisons between Cicer species indicate that C. echinospermum has the highest number of LTR-RT and hAT TEs. C. reticulatum has more Mutator, PIF Harbinger, Tc1 Mariner, and CACTA TEs, while C. arietinum has the highest number of Helitron. CicerSpTEdb enables users to search and visualize TEs by location and download their results. The database will provide a powerful resource that can assist in developing TE target markers for molecular breeding and answer related biological questions.

Database URL: http://cicersptedb.easyomics.org/index.php
Contextual interpretation of COVID-19 pandemic among public space users in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria: An ethnographic review
Authors: Omobowale Mofeyisara Oluwatoyin , Bamgboye Eniola Adetola , Akinyode Akinfemi , Falase Olugbenga Samuel , Ladipo Taiwo Olabode , Salami Olufunmilayo , Adebiyi Akindele Olupelumi
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of lives and has become a social problem as it continues to spread widely through the continuous interactions of people in public spaces where they earn a living. Curbing the spread of COVID-19 requires restrictions in these public spaces, however, the compliance to these measures depends largely on the understanding and interpretations of COVID 19 by users of these public spaces. This study examined the contextual interpretations of public space users about COVID-19 prevention in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State. The study was a rapid ethnographic survey in selected public spaces (markets and commercial motor parks) in Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected through participant observation, key informant interviews (3 females; 3 males) and in-depth interviews (30) with, traders, head porters, clients/buyers and commercial vehicle drivers in these public spaces. Interviews conducted were transcribed, sorted into themes using Atlas-ti 7.5.7 and subjected to interpretive-content analysis. Findings revealed that some respondents felt COVID-19 was brought into Nigeria by rich frequent global voyagers, others felt it was through “uncultured” sexual life or wrath of God. Some also doubted the existence of the disease and many of the respondents perceived COVID-19 as a disease reported by the government or a political propaganda to siphon funds. The users of the public spaces in Ibadan Metropolis have variegated perception about the existence and severity of this rapidly spreading virus and this has grave implications for COVID-19 control in the State. Thus, regular interaction with public space users are essential for control efforts.
Linguistic emergence from a networks approach: The case of modern Chinese two-character words
Authors: Cong Jin , Liu Haitao
Published: November 2021

The models of linguistic networks and their analytical tools constitute a potential methodology for investigating the formation of structural patterns in actual language use. Research with this methodology has just started, which can hopefully shed light on the emergent nature of linguistic structure. This study attempts to employ linguistic networks to investigate the formation of modern Chinese two-character words (as structural units based on the chunking of their component characters) in the actual use of modern Chinese, which manifests itself as continuous streams of Chinese characters. Network models were constructed based on authentic Chinese language data, with Chinese characters as nodes, their co-occurrence relations as directed links, and the co-occurrence frequencies as link weights. Quantitative analysis of the network models has shown that a Chinese two-character word can highlight itself as a two-node island, i.e., a cohesive sub-network with its two component characters co-occurring more frequently than they co-occur with the other characters. This highlighting mechanism may play a vital role in the formation and acquisition of two-character words in actual language use. Moreover, this mechanism may also throw some light on the emergence of other structural phenomena (with the chunking of specific linguistic units as their basis).
The Pokémon Go Phenomenon: Essays on Public Play in Contested Spaces, Jamie Henthorn, Andrew Kulak, Kristopher Purzycki and Stephanie Vie (eds) (2019)
Authors: Klass Jes
Published: November 2021

Review of: The Pokémon Go Phenomenon: Essays on Public Play in Contested Spaces, Jamie Henthorn, Andrew Kulak, Kristopher Purzycki and Stephanie Vie (eds) (2019)

Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 235 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47667-413-1, p/bk, US$39.95
Abertura da Consciência e Mudança de Civilização
Authors: Borges Paulo
Published: November 2021

Procuramos investigar se a crise ambiental contemporânea e algumas reacções ecológicas a ela não procedem de um mesmo modelo dominante de percepção da realidade, em que a Natureza e a Terra surgem como um objecto, a explorar ou a defender, perante o sujeito humano. Para tal, procede-se a um repensar da Natureza e da Terra a partir das três primeiras instâncias da teocosmogonia de Hesíodo - Caos, Gaia e Eros – e propõe-se que só uma abertura contemplativa e não-dualista da consciência pode originar uma verdadeira mutação civilizacional.
Implementation of Turkish Foreign Policies and Government Support as Driving Forces of Promoting International Students
Authors: Fadhil Nguluma Hamadi , Titrek Osman
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the implementation of Turkish foreign policies and the government support as the key drivers of promoting international students to study in Turkey. As a way of internationalization of higher education, the study also reviewed the recent development of migration policies and the Grand Student Projects Support as related to the trends of international student movement in Turkey as compared to the other countries in the world. In this literature review article, a search for required and reliable source of information has been made with regard to the subject area using computer and electronic databases; Organization for Co-operation and Development (OECD), Routledge, SAGE, Council of Higher Education of Turkey (CoHE) and The Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MoNE), UNESCO Institution for statistics, Turkish National Education Statistics and other reliable sources. The study findings indicate that the Turkish government and higher education institutions (HEIs) continue to recognize the importance of international students as their number increased more doubled than in the past two decades. The growing number of international students studying in Turkey has largely been driven by the Turkish scholarship initiative programs and migration policy reforms. Further, student immigration plays major role in strengthening peace friendly and the tie between Turkey and other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interest.
Assessing Frozen Section Surgical Margin Status in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Viswasini Deep R. , Don Kanchi Ravi , Sherlin Herald J. , Jayaraj Gifrina , Santhanam Archana
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND A key technique that is used by the pathologists during intraoperative consultation is frozen section evaluation. It is very important for the surgeons to know if the surgical margin is clear of malignant cells and the status of dysplasia during oncosurgery. There should be concordance between the frozen section margin and paraffin-embedded section. The purpose of the study was to evaluate and validate the accuracy of frozen section surgical margin status in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among 2 observers. METHODS A total of 25 histologically diagnosed OSCC cases from April 2018 to April 2019 were included in the study. A total of 122 surgical margin slides (61 frozen sections and paraffin-embedded slides) were retrieved. The interobserver agreement of frozen section margin status with paraffin-embedded was analyzed. RESULTS Interobserver agreement in frozen section margin was 73.80 % with a kappa value of 0.048 (slight) and P-value 0.344. The interobserver agreement for paraffinembedded margin was 93.40 % with a kappa value of 0.572 (moderate) and P-value 0.005. The concordance between frozen and paraffin section by observer 1 was 85.20 % and by observer 2 was 95.10 %. CONCLUSIONS The rate of discordant will get reduced by accurate sampling along with better communication between pathologist and surgeon and at times of uncertainty, a second pathologist’s opinion can be considered for re-evaluating the interpretations. KEY WORDS Frozen Section Margin Status, Interobserver, Paraffin Embedded Margin Status, OSCC
Preliminary evidence for the Matrix Matching Test as a valid and reliable measure of general cognitive ability in adolescents
Authors:   Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, Pluck Graham ,   Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador
Published: November 2021

Introduction: In research, a simple measure of general cognitive ability is often required. One method is the Matrix Matching Test, a brief, free-to-use, language-free assessment of general cognitive ability or intelligence in adults, which taps both fluid and crystalized processes. We investigated its reliability and validity with adolescent participants. Method:The Matrix Matching Test was administered to 111 participants, aged 12 to 17 (46% female).Subsamples also completed two standard measures of cognitive ability: Vocabulary (crystalized) and Matrix Reasoning (fluid) tests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV (WISC-IV). Results: The Matrix Matching Test was found to have acceptable internal consistency and good retest reliability. Criterion validity was indicated by its ability to distinguish between psychosocially deprived participants living in foster care (n = 40) and controls, and by its positive correlation with grade point average. There were large positive correlations between the Matrix Matching Test and the standard measures of Vocabulary, and Matrix Reasoning, suggesting convergent validity. Conclusions: Our preliminary evidence suggests that The Matrix Matching Test is a reliable and valid measure of general cognitive ability for ages 12 to 17.
PLANCTation
Authors:   Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, Karlsen Nora Amalie
Published: November 2021

‘PLANCTation’ – The story about Aurelia Oline Ebeltoft is a story about how the power and ingenuity of female leadership and large-scale collaboration can help find solutions to the health and existential problems created by severe global environmental change. With a focus on solving air-pollution and its consequences for people’s health and lung function, Aurelia’s invention of PLANCTation – an algae farm for oxygen generation – has given people and planet a new lease on life. Algae farming is, in fact, being increasingly explored for a variety of health and environmental benefits, so this story is incredibly close to some very real developments. Woven into, however, is also a sense of getting fed up with resistance to change and a call to take responsibility, as people and healthcare professionals. To recognize and open ourselves to the many different possibilities to contribute to people’s health and wellbeing and take action.
Urban health then and now, a reflection
Authors:   Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, Nygård Silje Kristin
Published: November 2021

‘‘Urban health then and now, a reflection (Physiotherapist, 15.03.2150)’ takes its starting point in the development of human settlements and population throughout history. On this basis, it envisions a future in which a shift to greener urban cities has led to various improvements in people’s health and social conditions, both globally and locally. As more and more people are living in cities and the greening of cities is underway, this vision and its exploration all but a fantasy. With added collaboration from health professionals, urban planning and design could support the creation of even more green spaces and greener buildings, leading to cleaner air, more physical activity, natural insulation of homes, carbon sequestration, local food production, increased biodiversity and ultimately, a time with more social cohesion and healthier and happier people. By never loosing focus of people’s health, function and physical activity, it reminds us that it might not be wholesale change that is at stake, but that a broadening of our professional identity, roles and responsibilities could contribute more broadly than we have thought so far.
A new education program for the future
Authors:   Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, Kristiansen Camilla
Published: November 2021

‘´A new education program for the future´ is set in a time when, even though the SDGs have not been achieved in the time allocated for them, working towards the goals and aspirations expressed in them remains as important as ever. Insight into the interconnected nature of society, health and environment and the need for long-term, transdisciplinary thinking and action has led to the creation of a new health and sustainability Bachelor program. Transdisciplinary education and communication have become the new normal and one can feel an excitement growing from the exchange. The expanded understanding of healthcare that underpins this kind of education and practice amplifies critical question to physiotherapy as we move towards new healthcare futures: Will we hold on to physiotherapy as it always has been, or will we change it? Will we oppose or contribute to the creation of new approaches to healthcare practice and education? What will be our contributions to the complex social and environmental challenges of healthcare today and in the future? What futures are we willing to imagine, and which ones are we willing to help come to life?
En dagbok fra fremtiden
Authors:   Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, Eikrem Stine
Published: November 2021

´En dagbok fra fremtiden´ tar opp de sosiale, miljømessige og helsemessige effektene av en overgang til plantebasert kosthold. Blant disse er positive endringer for matproduksjon, -forbruk og -sikkerhet, og med det også sosial rettferdighet, utdanning, fattigdom og sameksistens med andre arter. Det har ikke vært vanlig å innlemme disse forholdene i fysioterapifaget. Fortellingen beskriver også hvordan frykt og mørke kan bli til håp, nysgjerrighet og optimisme for fremtiden. I fortellingen reflekterer forfatteren over mulighetene for å utvide vår forståelse av fysioterapi, behovet for, men også motstand mot endring, samt det kreative potensialet som frigjøres når denne motstanden overvinnes.
PLANKTasjen
Authors:   Universitetet i Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway, Karlsen Nora Amalie
Published: November 2021

´PLANKTasjen´ – Historien om Aurelia Oline Ebeltoft er en fortelling om hvordan kraften og oppfinnsomheten ved kvinnelig ledelse og globalt samarbeid kan bidra til å finne løsninger på problemer skapt av alvorlige globale miljøforandringer. Med mål om å løse problemet med luft-forurensning og dens konsekvenser for folks helse og lungefunksjon, har Aurelias oppfinnelse av PLANKTasjen – algeoppdrett for oksygenproduksjon – bokstavelig talt blåst nytt liv i mennesker og miljø. Oppdrett av alger utforskes faktisk med håp om å oppnå en rekke fordeler innenfor helse, teknologi og miljø, og fortellingen ligger dermed nærmere nåtiden enn man skulle tro. Innvevd er imidlertid også en følelse av å bli lei av motstand mot endring og en oppfordring til å ta ansvar, som enkeltindivid, samfunn og helsepersonell. Å kjenne igjen og åpne oss for de mange forskjellige mulighetene for å bidra til folks helse og velvære.
Cultural transformation and translation
Authors: Güneş İskender
Published: November 2021

Along with the cultural transformation and renewal process of the world, the need for reinterpretation in the field of translation has come to the fore. The increase in cultural activities and transformations has led to the emergence of new dimensions in the communication and interaction of societies. Especially after the second half of the 20th century, the rapid social, economic and cultural mobility, which started to gain a new dimension, intensified the cultural interaction, and also led to the production of many written and oral works in this field. The dimensions of cultural data transfer, including these produced works, have begun to increase. The most important role in the transfer of these data between cultures and languages ​​is the translation institution, which has the importance of a cultural carrier beyond being a purely linguistic transmission tool. In this study, firstly, the concept of culture is examined within the general framework. Following this, the concept of translation and its relationship with the phenomenon of culture are discussed. In the study, an answer is sought to the question of what exactly is understood from the concept of culture. Finally, the complementarity effect of the concepts of translation and culture is emphasized.
​Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.
Özet
Dünyanın geçirdiği kültürel dönüşüm ve yenilenme süreci ile çeviri sürecini yeniden yorumlanma ihtiyacı ön plana çıkmaya başlamıştır. Kültürel faaliyetlerin ve dönüşümlerin yaşanmasındaki artış toplumların iletişim ve etkilişimde de yeni boyutların ortaya çıkmasına neden olmuştur.  Özellikle 20. yüzyılın ikinci yarısından sonra yaşanmaya başlayan hızlı sosyal, ekonomik ve kültürel hareketlilik yeni bir boyut kazanmaya başlayan kültürel etkileşimin yoğunlaşmasını sağlarken bu alanda birçok yazılı ve sözlü eserin üretilmesine de yol açmıştır. Üretilen bu eserler de dahil olmak üzere kültürel veri transferinin boyutları da artmaya başlamıştır. Bu verilerin kültürler ve diller arasında transferindeki en önemli rol ise salt dilsel aktarım aracı olmasından öte kültürel bir taşıyıcılık önemi de haiz olan çeviri müssesesindedir. Bu çalışmada ilk olarak kültür kavramı genel çerçeve içerisinde ele alınarak irdelenmektedir. Bunu müteakiben ise çeviri kavramı ve kültür olgusu ile olan ilişkisi ele alınmaktadır. Çalışmada kültür kavramından tam olarak neyin anlaşılmakta olduğu sorusuna cevap aranmaktadır. Nihai olarak ise çeviri ve kültür kavramlarının birbirine yaptığı tamamlayıcılık etkisi üzerinde durulmaktadır.
Women’s Voices and Patriarchal Hegemony of the Edo Period in Shinju Tenno Amijima (1720)
Authors: Ariefa Nina Alia
Published: November 2021

The Edo Period (1603-1868), known as the feudal era, lasted for nearly three centuries in Japan. Confucian teachings applied in all sectors of life had a great influence on the expansion of the patriarchal system in Japanese society at this time. Under the strict control of the Tokugawa shogunate government, the implementation of social class stratification was firmly established, including in the hierarchical relationship between men and women. The period of peace that occurred throughout the Edo period had contributed to a conducive situation for the rapid development of Japanese culture. Male artists were very dominant in the development of Japanese culture, and they were centred in big cities during this period. On the other hand, this era had become a dark age for women who did not get the opportunity to speak and create as men did. The female figures of the Edo period were presented in the works of male writers. This study focuses on examining women’s voices in the works of these male writers in the period. After exploring research on this period’s literary works, we found that these studies have various focuses related to the disclosure of women during the period, starting from the representation of women, their relationship with a male and other female characters, to their roles and positions. This research will contribute to discussions on gender, history, and literature, as well as on the way women's voices in this work serve a purpose in supporting the patriarchal hegemony that occurred in the period. We aim to reveal women’s voices in a male writer's play Shinju Tenno Amijima (1720) by Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) through a feminist critique approach. To explain women's voice and patriarchal hegemony, we apply the concepts of silence from Olsen (2003) and hegemony from Antonio Gramsci. The results of this study indicate that women’s voices raised in this play are the ones who support men's interests and are subject to patriarchal values. This play consistently displays the exclusion of women's voices of opposition and defiance. This work also shows its existence as a locus for the dominant values emphasized for women in the Edo period.
Zunz in Prag: Ein vergessenes Kapitel in der jüdischen Kultreform
Authors: Hecht Louise
Published: November 2021

The paper addresses an under-researched chapter in the history of the Jewish Reform movement which is at the same time a commonly overlooked period in the biography of Leopold Zunz (1794–1886), one of the founding members of Wissenschaft des Judentums. By placing his eight-month appointment as a preacher to the Reform synagogue in Prague in its socio-political and biographical contexts, the article sheds new light at Zunz’s commitment for the religious renewal of Judaism. A schematic comparison between the development of the Reform movement in the German lands and the Habsburg Monarchy, at the beginning of the nineteenth century highlights the role of state involvement into internal Jewish affairs. Finally, the analysis of Zunz’s Synagogenordnung from 1836, according to the original manuscript from the National Library of Israel, allows a re-evaluation of the (Reform) synagogue as an institution for social disciplining of its members.
Jüdische Haarhändler – Die Geschichte eines in Vergessenheit geratenen Gewerbes
Authors: Jütte Robert
Published: November 2021

Studies in cultural, religious and social history reveal that hair has diverse socio-religious and symbolic value in Jewish society and tradition. The focus of previous studies has, however, lied on issues such as specific hairstyle or the halakhic justifications for religious wig-wearing The present paper sets out to illuminate a related yet uncharted topic: the social and economic history of the wig trade in which Jews played an important role. The focus is on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a period marked by great tensions within the Jewish community. It was these tensions that turned the question of wig-wearing and the dynamics of supply into an issue that reflected the general transformation that Jewish society was undergoing in this period. Hair fashion is, of course, not necessarily a matter of only halakhic interest, and indeed the history of the trade with human hair also reveals new aspects of the economic history of Jews.
Evaluation for development: the E.A.S.Y. model for empowering actors and stakeholders in curriculum development
Authors: Kohonen Susanna , Kosonen Jonna , Kettunen Sinikka
Published: November 2021

This report will discuss the process of evaluation for development in a collaborative project that integrated teaching between the Language Centre and the Law School at the University of Eastern Finland. The focus of this report will be on a model the authors devised for the purposes of developing teaching, called E.A.S.Y, Empowering Actors, Stakeholders and You (in Finnish: kehitysriihi), with its Nutshell Poster. The interactive and participatory model draws on the principles of evaluation for development instead of evaluation of development, steering away from the emphasis on making judgments, and exemplifies a novel, resource-efficient method for curriculum development in higher education in a manner that facilitates agency and implements the principles of a learning organisation. The authors propose that the model, albeit in the example project used within the context of Higher Education, could be widely adapted into other contexts, too.
Evaluating a collaborative and responsive project to develop language assessment literacy
Authors: Harsch Claudia , Seyferth Sibylle , Villa Larenas Salomé
Published: November 2021

We report on research conducted during a language assessment literacy (LAL) project set up for employees at a university language centre. Teachers, students and an external accreditation body requested a revision of the end-of-course exams to increase comparability, transparency and alignment to course aims. We used a collaborative approach where stakeholders involved in test development, quality control, use and interpretation brought their experiences, skills, knowledge and needs to the table, following Taylor’s (2013) view of differentiated LAL needs for different stakeholders. The project involves teachers (varying in numbers), five course/assessment coordinators and three researchers with a background in assessment (principal researcher, two research assistants, i.e. the authors). LAL training is needs-based, participant-driven, and evaluated in regular intervals. In response to these participant evaluations, delivery, content and focus of the training are adjusted. We present insights from five evaluation points gained during the first 3 years. We found that the collaborative and responsive LAL project was perceived as useful and effective by the participants, leading to learning gains and positive changes in assessment, teaching and coordination practices. Our insights contribute to a better understanding of the conditions that are conducive to designing and delivering effective LAL development projects.
Acquiring business knowledge through Business English reading materials: pre-experience students’ perspective
Authors: Łącka-Badura Jolanta
Published: November 2021

The paper investigates how the type of business content found in the reading materials offered by a popular Business English course book as well as the degree of the content’s relevance and usefulness, are perceived by pre-service students learning Business English as part of their university curriculum. Twelve groups of first year undergraduate students at the University of Economics in Katowice, with no prior experience of learning either Business English or the principles of business, were asked to compare pairs of texts related to three business topics: international marketing, management styles, and stock market investment. One of the texts in each pair was selected from the Student Book of the third edition of a widely used Business English course book (upper-intermediate or intermediate level), and the other, on the same topic, extracted from online repositories of business-related articles. The results of the student survey indicate that first year students, while appreciating the course book ‘real-life examples’ of successful companies, express strong preference for the Internet-based texts which provide them with the opportunity to acquire ‘basic knowledge’ related to specific business issues. The findings also appear to confirm the rationale behind integrating the two approaches: LSP (languages for specific purposes) and CBI (content-based instruction) in the tertiary education context, as well as the importance of properly selected professional content in fostering learners’ motivation and engagement.
CercleS survey: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on foreign language teaching in Higher Education
Authors: Zamborová Katarína , Stefanutti Isabella , Klimová Blanka
Published: November 2021

The pandemic may well have totally changed the way foreign languages are now being taught. In March 2020 language centres (LCs) in universities needed to adjust abruptly to online teaching with minimal resources or training for teachers. Research on the topic of the impact of the pandemic on teaching started from Day 1 and to date there have been contradictions about whether online learning is effective. The CercleS survey aims to study teachers’ reflections on teaching during the pandemic and on the future of foreign language instruction in Higher Education (HE). Data were collected between March 30 and May 5, 2021, and the answers reflect the voices of 725 teachers from CercleS national associations. The findings indicate that the teachers moved flexibly into the online mode of teaching despite limitations in technological resources and the absence of training: 32.4% of the respondents declared no hardware was provided by their institution for working from home and 40.6% were not relieved from other duties. However, 66% of the teachers reported that the learning outcomes were met by modifying specific assessment criteria. Simultaneous group dynamics seemed difficult to achieve in the online format in comparison to face-to-face interactions in the traditional classroom. The acquisition of language skills, mainly speaking, was a challenge. Generally, the respondents see the benefits of a blended/hybrid mode of instruction. Implications for teaching practices and stakeholders are as follows: develop guidelines defining criteria for different formats of delivery in language education, develop workshops for teachers, negotiate conditions needed to carry out efficient and sustainable language teaching with university executive boards, offer training for sustainable online and hybrid teaching and maintain, and develop international collaboration between LCs in HE (e.g. virtual exchange, staff exchange, virtual international classrooms).
Sound symbolism in Chinese children’s literature
Authors: Wang Xiaoxi
Published: November 2021

Iconicity is a fundamental property of spoken and signed languages. However, quantitative analysis of sound-meaning association in Chinese has not been extensively developed, and little is known about the impact of sound symbolism in children’s literature. As sound symbolism is supposed to be a universal cognitive phenomenon, this research seeks to investigate whether iconic structures of Mandarin are embodied in native Chinese speakers’ language experience. The paper describes a case study of Chinese storybooks with the goal of testing whether phonosemantic association is prominent between name sounds and character features. A quantitative method was used to investigate the distribution of different phonological units in character denomination depending on their physical and emotional traits. The results show that phonemes and syllable combination patterns are closely related to perceivable character features. By comparing schematic mapping in Chinese with other languages, the study illuminates a cross-linguistic tendency in addition to a Chinese-specific iconic relation between sound and meaning.
Double Trouble: Gender Fluid Heroism in American Children’s Television
Authors: Lamari Lou , Greenhill Pauline
Published: November 2021

Gender fluidity makes only rare appearances on North American television, and remains almost completely absent from programming for children. In contrast, transgender characters are making inroads into mainstream North American TV for adults. Still, media depictions of transgender people in the late 1990s and early 2000s have largely shown them as aberrations, having illegible and/or unstable identities, joining mainstream Euro North American society which tends to medicalize and pathologize transgender identities. Thus, too often the representation provided serves only to reinforce binaries by making the character exceptional and noting their unconventionality, or to highlight gender fluidity as a problem. Examining the animated streaming TV series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020), we use scholarship on gender fluidity to critique the show’s representations of genders in addition to and beyond male and female. Looking at She-Ra through this lens, the show challenges assumptions about princesses, villains, helpers, and heroes. Ultimately transgressing traditional categories, the princesses and their allies, in their own distinct embodiments and self-presentations, use their differing magical and other skills to fight enemies in the Evil Horde to protect their planet, Etheria.
Design and construction of a scanning stand for the PU mini-acoustic sensor
Authors: Liptai Pavol , Piňosová Miriama , Kováč Juraj , Dolník Bystrík
Published: November 2021

The main objective of this work was to design and construct a device that would facilitate and reduce the intensity of work in the process of scanning surfaces with a Microflown PU Mini acoustic probe. Our proposed device will shorten the total time to scan the surface and improve the quality of data measurements. The device was designed to be able to perform movement along the X and Y axes, thus achieving scanning of the entire sound field. Some components of the device are manufactured strictly according to particular specifications to suit our requirements. The most important step in the design of the scanning device we prepared for the particular acoustic sensor was the design for the linear connection that fulfills a supporting function for the entire device as well as provides movement along the X and Y axes. The final step was the design for the automation of the entire system, for which we selected an Arduino Uno (ATmega328) controller. The actual device was tested in the final stages. The device is designed and tested as functional and able to work on what was intended for and is ready for further modifications or use in practice.
Von der formalen Soziologie zur formalen Literatursoziologie: Georg Lukács
Authors: Magerski Christine
Published: November 2021

The paper reconstructs a crucial moment in the history of literary studies: the transference of formal sociology, as developed by Georg Simmel around 1900, into literary studies by his pupil, the young Georg Lukács. First, formal sociology will be explained in order to outline the ways in which Lukács adapts it. Then the formal method Lukács developed will be illustrated using the drama as an example. Finally, the paper will analyze Caroline Levine’s highly acclaimed study Forms (2015) in the context of the history of the formal method outlined, and briefly discuss the impasse in which this method currently finds itself.
Verhandlungen über eine Soziologie der Literatur auf den Deutschen Soziologentagen 1926 und 1930: Hanna Meuter, Leopold von Wiese und Erich Rothacker
Authors: Bomski Franziska
Published: November 2021

The article examines the relationship between young sociology and the approaches of a sociological contemplation of literature, which is constituted in a movement of delineation motivated not only in terms of content, but also in terms of discipline and institution. This is exemplified by selected contributions to the German Sociologists’ Days (Deutsche Soziologentage) in 1926 and 1930, which present innovative (Hanna Meuter), and central (Leopold von Wiese, Erich Rothacker) positions in the contemporary debate on the sociology of art.
Jordan permutation groups and limits of 𝐷-relations
Authors: Almazaydeh Asma Ibrahim , Macpherson Dugald
Published: November 2021

We construct via Fraïssé amalgamation an 𝜔-categorical structure whose automorphism group is an infinite oligomorphic Jordan primitive permutation group preserving a “limit of 𝐷-relations”. The construction is based on a semilinear order whose elements are labelled by sets carrying a 𝐷-relation, with strong coherence conditions governing how these 𝐷-sets are inter-related.
New reference intervals for endocrinological biomarkers in pediatric patients: what can we learn from the LIFE child study?
Authors: Kratzsch Juergen , Vogel Mandy , Poulain Tanja , Kiess Wieland
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We established reference intervals for serum concentrations of hormones from healthy pediatric subjects and investigated their associations with gender, body mass index (BMI), puberty and oral contraceptives (oC).

Methods

We calculated reference intervals for the thyroid parameters thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and calcitonin (Ct); the bone markers osteocalcin, procolagen type 1 N-propeptide, and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen; the calciotropic hormones 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone and the steroids cortisol, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and aldosterone. Up to 10,002 blood serum samples from 3,229 healthy children and adolescents (age interval: 3 months to 20 years) were measured. To investigate the associations between the hormone levels with age, sex, weight status and the role of puberty-based changes, the measurement and BMI values were transformed into standard deviation scores.

Results

Most of the hormones depended on age- and gender. Puberty was linked to a, in part, temporary decrease in TSH, FT3 (for females), FT4, Ct, cortisol (for girls) and aldosterone (for boys) and peak in the bone marker and calciotropic hormones (excluding 25(OH)D) and nearly all remaining steroids. BMI had effects on the thyroid, bone, and calciotropic parameters, whereas oC led to increased cortisol, suppressed progesterone and estradiol values.

Conclusions

Age- and gender-specific reference intervals are essential for the interpretation of pediatric patients’ hormone measurements. Influencing factors as puberty, BMI, or oC should be taken into consideration for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Foot-based allomorphy in Tlapanec (Mè’phàà)
Authors: Uchihara Hiroto , Tiburcio Cano Gregorio
Published: November 2021

Tlapanec (Mè’phàà), an Otomanguean language spoken in Mexico, has several allomorphic alternations which are sensitive to the number of syllables of the stem (monosyllabic vs. disyllabic). We argue that these alternations are motivated by the foot structure which consists of two syllables, and that such alternations can be captured by subcategorization frames. An alternative, P » M analysis is also provided, where the allomorphic alternations are motivated by markedness constraints, namely *(tV.ˈσ), which avoids [t] in the weak position of the foot. These two approaches will be compared, and it will be argued that a subcategorization approach is more adequate than a P » M analysis.
Additive particles, prosodic structure and focus sensitivity in Hungarian
Authors: Balogh Kata , Langer Corinna
Published: November 2021

The main aim of this article is to investigate the prosody-information structure interface in the analysis of the Hungarian additive particleis‘also, too’. We present a prosodic study of narratives, collected through guided elicitation, and provide a prosodic basis for a focus-based analysis ofis. Standard formal semantic approaches to the interpretation of additive particles regard additive particles asfocus sensitive, hence the associate of the particle is focal and the focus interpretation (in terms of alternatives) is a significant part in its semantics. This view is considered crosslinguistically valid, although the discussion mostly concerns English. In Hungarian, the focus sensitivity of the additive particle is not directly transparent and needs more elaboration. In the relevant literature, the issue of focus marking with respect to the additive particleishas been insufficiently studied or merely stipulated. In this article, we argue for the importance of a more elaborate study of the prosody-information structure interface in the analysis of Hungarian additive particles. Accordingly, we provide data and its analysis to support our core argument and claims. Our study contributes to the overall understanding and analysis ofisand to the general claims about focus marking and focus types in Hungarian. We aim to complement the standard semantic analyses by providing a prosodic analysis supporting the focus-sensitive analysis ofisinstead of merely stipulating an association with focus. On a more general level, we show that the various readings of additive particles can be explained by taking the prosodic patterns of the relevant constructions into account.
miR-654-5p promotes gastric cancer progression via the GPRIN1/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Zhou Weidong , Li Peifei , Jin Peihua
Published: November 2021

Background

Gastric carcinoma (GC) ranks the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. Numerous microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-654-5p, have been implicated in the pathophysiological processes of tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, the mechanism of miR-654-5p in GC is unclear.

Objectives

Our study is devoted to exploring the function and molecular mechanism of miR-654-5p on the malignant cell behaviors of GC.

Methods

The gene expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. GC cell proliferation and motion were assessed by colony formation assay and transwell assay. The binding capacity between miR-654-5p and G protein-regulated inducer of neurite outgrowth 1 (GPRIN1) was explored by luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays. The protein levels were detected by Western blotting.

Results

miR-654-5p expression was higher in GC cells and tissues than control cells and tissues. miR-654-5p promoted GC cell growth and motion. Moreover, our findings showed that miR-654-5p was bound with GPRIN1. Importantly, downregulation of GPRIN1 rescued the inhibitory influence of miR-654-5p knockdown on GC cell malignant behaviors. Additionally, miR-654-5p activated the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway by regulation of GPRIN1.

Conclusions

miR-654-5p facilitated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC via targeting the GPRIN1 to activate the NF-κB pathway.
Highly suppressed solar absorption in a daytime radiative cooler designed by genetic algorithm
Authors: So Sunae , Yang Younghwan , Son Soomin , Lee Dasol , Chae Dongwoo , Lee Heon , Rho Junsuk
Published: November 2021

Here, we report a selective multilayer emitter for eco-friendly daytime passive radiative cooling. The types of materials and thickness of up to 10 layers of the multilayer structure are optimized by a genetic algorithm. The passive radiative cooler is designed to mainly target low solar absorption, which allows sub-ambient cooling under direct sunlight. We used a custom objective function in the solar region to achieve high-performance daytime radiative cooling to minimize solar absorption. The designed structure minimizes solar absorption with an average absorptivity of 5.0% in the solar region (0.3–2.5 μm) while strongly emitting thermal radiation with an average emissivity of 86.0% in the atmospheric transparency window (8–13 μm). The designed and fabricated structure achieves daytime net cooling flux of 84.8 W m−2 and 70.6 W m−2, respectively, under the direct AM 1.5 solar irradiation (SI) (total heat flux of 892 W m−2 in the 0.3–2.5 μm wavelength region). Finally, we experimentally demonstrate a passive radiative cooling of the fabricated selective emitter through a 72-hour day-night cycle, showing an average and maximum temperature reduction of 3.1 °C and 6.0 °C, respectively. Our approach provides additional degrees of freedom by designing both materials and thickness and thereby is expected to allow high-performance daytime radiative cooling.
Bracketing paradoxes: A dependency grammar analysis in terms of morph catenae
Authors: Osborne Timothy , Groß Thomas
Published: November 2021

This manuscript examines various types of bracketing paradoxes: classical “personal noun” constructions, parasynthetic compounds, agentive deverbal nouns, compound denominal adjectives, plural nouns with lexicalized modifiers, multiple auxiliary constructions, and German particle verb constructions. We argue that given a dependency-based view of both sentence and word structure, these bracketing puzzles become non-paradoxical. The morph catena is taken to be the fundamental unit of morphosyntax. A morph catena is A MORPH OR A COMBINATION OF MORPHS THAT ARE CONTINUOUS WITH RESPECT TO DOMINANCE. This notion is derived from its syntactic equivalent, the catena, which is defined as a word or a combination of words that are continuous with respect to dominance. Given an understanding of morphosyntax that acknowledges morph catenae, bracketing paradoxes are resolved by the ability of morph catenae to reach across words to include parts of words.
Storie di gesuiti, popolazione civile e truppe militari nell’Italia occupata (1943–1945)
Authors: Fabio Laura Di
Published: November 2021

This piece of research aims to present a historiographical and methodological review of the history of the Jesuits, the civilian population and the military troops during the German military occupation in Italy between 1943 and 1945. The analysis of hitherto unexplored sources, accessible since 2 March 2020, allows historians to explore the archival heritage that was produced by the different religious communities of the Society of Jesus present in rural and urban territories, which carried out functions of education, pastoral care and assistance in the communities of reference. The analysis of the role and function of the religious orders as observers of ‚Great History‘ to tell the story of the life of the civilian population in the years of the Second World War and under military occupation represents a privileged point of view that still awaits investigation.