bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementary Figure 1 from Acetalax (Oxyphenisatin Acetate, NSC 59687) and Bisacodyl Cause Oncosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Poisoning the Ion Exchange Membrane Protein TRPM4
Authors: Mizunuma Makito , Redon Christophe E. , Saha Liton Kumar , Tran Andy D. , Dhall Anjali , Sebastian Robin , Taniyama Daiki , Kruhlak Michael J. , Reinhold William C. , Takebe Naoko , Pommier Yves
Published: November 2024

Bisacodyl structure, effect on TNBC cell lines and similarity to Acetalax.
Adsorption of Sodiumoleate on Barite in Aqueous Solution: A Kinetics and Thermodynamic Study
Authors: Enajeme Agbaghare
Published: November 2024

Concern has been raised about the necessity of separating barite from other minerals. When barite needs to be separated from other minerals, sodiumoleate, also known as napoleate, works well as an adsorbate. The purpose of this work is to examine the impact of temperature, pH, and contact duration on different Na-oleate adsorption methods onto barite. The change in the oleate concentration was used to determine the adsorption of sodium oleate on barite. In a batch adsorption experiment, sodium hydroxide and NaOH solution were combined with oleic acid in different flasks to create sodium oleate. To flasks containing Na-oleate, 1g of purified barite was added. A mechanical shaker was used to shake the specimen flasks and their contents for one hour. After stirring, the contents of each flask were given another 30 minutes to settle. Filter paper was used to filter the contents of the flask. Following filtering, the concentration of each filtrate was red-marked from the calibration graph by measuring the surface tension of each filtrate using a traveling microscope. The investigation's findings demonstrate that the first-order reaction kinetics are followed by the initial rate of Na-oleate adsorption onto barite. This study indicates that adsorption of Naoleate onto calcite increases at low pH values than higher pH. The amount of Na-oleate adsorbed onto calcite increases gradually as temperature increases from 303K to 313K. Beyond optimum temperature 322K, adsorption of Na-oleate on barite decreases rapidly. This study indicates optimum contact time of 80 min on adsorption process of Na-oleate onto calcite. Also this study indicates that adsorption of Na-oleate onto barite is pH dependent. Barite-oleate formation first increases with increasing Na-oleate concentration. At low pH 4, adsorption of Na-oleate onto barite increases, whereas adsorption decreases at high pH 9. Result also demonstrates that pseudo 2nd order offered an excellent fitting in the adsorption of oleate on barite, furthermore, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm favors the interaction between oleate ions and barite more than the Freundlich's isotherm, with the Langmiur isotherm's correlation coefficient (0.9728) being greater than the Freundlich's isotherm (0.9626). The trend of decreasing ∆GO negative values as temperature rises suggests that a higher temperature will more effectively promote oleate adsorption on barite.
Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Pollution Indices and Human Health Risks Through Exposure to Trace Elements in the City of Kara, Togo
Authors: Akpataku Kossitse , Dougna Akpénè , Sodomon Agbessi , Ani Mozimwè , Mande Seyf-Laye , Bawa Limam , Faye Serigne
Published: November 2024

This study assesses the concentrations of trace elements in groundwater from Kara, focusing on their implications for water quality and health risks. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed during the dry and post-monsoon seasons for pH, TDS, and trace metals using standard methods and for calculating pollution indices and noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Groundwater was found to be fresh but more acidic during the dry season. Only As, Pb, Sb, Fe, and Mn exceeded acceptable limits in some samples, highlighting potential health risks. Based on the heavy metal pollution index, groundwater is unsuitable for domestic purposes for 16.67% and 4.17% of samples in dry and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. According to the degree of contamination, 37.5% in the dry season and 20.8% in post-monsoon fell in high pollution classes. Most samples presented a hazard index above the unity for the resident children and adults. Carcinogenic risk assessment scores exceeded 10 to 100-fold higher than the safe point of 10-6. Adequate access to treated and safe drinking water and regular monitoring are essential to mitigate these risks in the Kara region.
Modelling the Solar Intensity of Asaba Town in Nigeria Using Response Surface Methodology and Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Nicklette Akpenyi-Aboh , Clement Okafor
Published: November 2024

The use of solar energy devices and machines such as solar pumps, heaters, solar cars, solar air conditioners, solar refrigerators, etc. has been the trend in most developed countries in the world owing to the green nature of solar technology. Based on the vast areas of application of solar technology, the knowledge of the solar intensity of a geographical location and having an estimation model to reduce the frequent measurement of solar-dependent factors are very imperative and helpful to the designers of solar devices and machines. This concern necessitated this research that was centered on determining the optimal value of the solar intensity of Asaba town, Delta state, and developing a mathematical model for estimating the solar intensity of the region. Meteorological data of the region was collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for ten years (2011-2020). The data obtained from NIMET were: rainfall amount, relative humidity, mean temperature, and solar intensity. A multiple linear regression (MLR) model was developed using the collected data and the artificial neural network (ANN) model was also used to estimate solar intensity of the region. Response surface methodology (RSM) tool was employed to perform numerical optimization using the collected data of the region in quest of getting an optimal value of the solar intensity of Asaba town and the combinatorial best factor levels- rainfall, relative humidity, and mean temperature that would yield the optimum value of the response variable- solar intensity. Statistical tools such as mean bias error (MBE), mean percentage error (MPE), root mean square error (RMSE), Nash-Sutcliffe equation (NSE), correlation coefficient, test- statistics, and coefficient of determination (R2) were used to evaluate the estimation performance of the Quartic polynomial model developed from the optimization process, multiple linear regression, and the artificial neural network models. From the results obtained, the optimal value of solar intensity was 759.687w/m2 at the factor levels of: rainfall-194.58 mm, relative humidity-28.7989 mmHg and mean temperature of 25.7288°C. Also, the statistical validation tools applied revealed that the Quartic polynomial model had a much better performance characteristic than the other estimation models. This study would find application in the field of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) solar systems by aiding the designers of such systems in knowing and estimating the value of the solar intensity of Asaba and other geographical regions that have similar climatic conditions.
"Culture's Echo: The Bi-Directional Influence of Language and Cultural Dynamics"; Contrastive Study
Authors: Al-Shawi Muna
Published: November 2024

The study investigates the cultural influences into the linguistic structures of English and Arabic. These cultural influences shape communication styles and identities within each community. The founding reveals that English speakers prioritize clarity, mirroring individualistic values, while Arabic speakers emphasize politeness and respect, reflecting communal values and it shows that both languages exhibit cultural nuances that affect communication and identity formation. As for the second question, individuals proficient in both languages employ various strategies to navigate cultural and linguistic differences, including adapting language use, active listening, and cultural sensitivity. These tactics facilitate intercultural understanding and respect. However, to carry out this study Modern linguistic approach is utilized for qualitative comparative analysis to explore the reciprocal impact of culture on language and vice versa in both English and Arabic. Therefore, this study is constrained to linguistic instances, encompassing expressions, idiomatic phrases, and cultural notions extracted from English and Arabic materials, including literature, media, and everyday dialogues. The findings show that cultural values and beliefs appear in the linguistic structures and expressions of English and Arabic, and how does this affect communication and identity formation within these language communities. Though, various strategies utilized by speakers of English and Arabic to manage cultural and linguistic variances in communication.
Suborbital Graphs Involving the Action of the Direct Product of Alternating and Cyclic Groups on the Cartesian Product of Two Sets
Authors: Orina Morang’a , Namu Nyaga , Muriuki Gikunju
Published: November 2024

The combinatorial properties and invariants which includes transitivity, primitivity, ranks and subdegrees of direct product of Alternating group and Cyclic group acting on Cartesian product of two set have been extensively studied. However, the construction of suborbital graphs for this group action remains largely unexplored. As a result, this research paper addresses this gap by constructing suborbital graphs involving direct product of the Alternating group and Cyclic group acting on the Cartesian product of two sets where their respective properties such as connectivity, self-pairedness, girth and vertex degree are analyzed in detail. First, the result shows that all suborbits are self − paired implies that the vertex sets are undirected to each other. Secondly, the constructed suborbital graphs are classified into three parts for any value of n ≥ 3. In part A, it is proven that the constructed suborbital graphs Γ1, Γ2, Γ3,..., Γ(n−1) are undirected, regular of degree (n−1), disconnected with n−connected components and has a girth of 3. In part B, the constructed suborbital graph Γ(n−1)+1 is found to be undirected, regular of degree (n − 1), disconnected with n − connected components and has a girth of 3. Lastly in part C, the graphs Γ(n−1)+2, Γ(n−1)+3, Γ(n−1)+4,..., Γ(n−1)+n are found to be undirected, regular of degree (n − 1)2, disconnected with n2− connected components and has a girth of 3.
Exploring the Causal Effect of Cash Conversion Cycle Signals on Profitability of Tanzanian Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Tago Gwatako , Sumawe Sadiki
Published: November 2024

Management of Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) components is piercing for firms’ profitability. Financial Managers world-wide, adopts cash conversion cycle in measuring and estimating the level of risks and return of their firms for profit and wealth maximization. As a result, managers keep an eye on the drivers and derailers of profitability. The study focused on establishing the causal effect of cash conversion cycle on profitability while exploring whether single or double digit indicators matter for profitability determination of manufacturing firms. Theoretical and extant empirical literature reviewed guided the scholar foundations for gap identification. The findings were elicited from annual audited financial statements of companies enrolled on DSE from 2008 to 2022 with a sample of 8 manufacturing firms for 15 years, aggregating to a total of 120 observations. Profit was estimated using Profit-After Tax (PAT) and the Cash Conversion Cycle was measured through Inventory Turnover Days (ITD), Debt Collection Days (DCD) and Credit Payment Days (CPD). In model selection, Hausman test was adopted to pick between fixed effect and random effect model while Panel Regression was favored in estimating the causal effect of CCC and profitability. Based on regression analysis, Inventory Turnover Days (ITD) has a negative impact on firms’ profitability and Debt Collection Days (DCD) revealed an insignificant positive relationship between DCD and profitability. Furthermore, the study found a negative relationship between Credit Payment Days (CPD) and profitability. On the other hand, the research found that profitability of most firms with double digit cash conversion cycle proved to be higher than those firms with single or triple cash conversion cycle. The research findings unveiled that CCC correlates positively with profitability and significantly impacts manufacturing firms’ profitability. So, for DSE firms to increase their profitability and firm value under modern competitive era, concentration on double digit cash conversion cycle is paramount ought to the nature of business and assets invested in. Therefore, we conclude that there is a significant causal-relationship of cash conversion cycle on profitability for firms in Tanzania, indicating the necessity of managing appropriately the CCC components.
Cubic Transmuted Ailamujia Distribution - Type I: Statistical Properties and Application
Authors: Manu Jones , Darkwah Samuel
Published: November 2024

This study introduces and evaluates the Cubic Transmuted Ailamujia Distribution (CTAD), a novel distribution developed using CRT-type I as a generator and the Ailamujia distribution as a baseline. We derived several statistical quantities, including density and distribution functions, hazard and survival functions, moments, and order statistics. The performance of the CTAD was compared against several established models using three distinct datasets: exceedances of flood peaks from the Wheaton River (Dataset I), cumulative COVID-19 death counts for Ghana (Dataset II), and daily confirmed COVID-19 cases for Ghana (Dataset III). The CTAD showed competitive performance, often outperforming traditional models such as the QTAD and Ailamujia distributions in Dataset I, and demonstrating strong performance relative to the CTGD, CTFD, and CTWD distributions in Dataset II. In Dataset III, while the CTAD was competitive, it was outperformed by the EWD and GGD in terms of AIC and BIC. Overall, the CTAD proves to be a robust and flexible distribution for modelling complex data patterns, though alternative distributions may offer better fits in specific scenarios. These findings underscore the CTAD’s potential as a valuable tool in statistical modelling and suggest opportunities for further research and refinement.
International Responsibility of States for Wrongful Acts and Non-Prohibited Acts
Authors: Karimi Abdulrahman
Published: November 2024

The international responsibility of states is a key concept in international law that refers to how states are accountable for unlawful or wrongful acts and non-prohibited actions. Given the complexities of international relations and the profound impacts of state actions on global security and welfare, this issue holds special significance. The aim of this article is to closely examine the international responsibility of states concerning wrongful acts as well as lawful and non-prohibited actions that may harm other states and individuals. This article analyzes the criteria for identifying wrongful and non-prohibited acts of states and explores the methods for determining international responsibility. The research question is how to identify and determine the responsibility of states regarding wrongful and non-prohibited acts, and what methods exist for compensating for incurred damages. The findings of this research indicate that even when actions are lawful, states must be accountable for their consequences. Additionally, the role of international institutions in supervising these responsibilities and determining compensation in cases of violations of international obligations is crucial. This research utilizes a descriptive-analytical method and contributes to a better understanding of the international responsibilities of states.
Evaluation of Seed Dressing Fungicides Against Barley (Hordeum vulgare L) Loose Smut (Ustilago nuda L) in the Bale Zone, Oromiya
Authors: Eshetu Zerihun , Mideksa Tamene
Published: November 2024

Biotic factor is the main factor that reduce the quality and production of Barley in Ethiopia. Among biotic factors loose smut (Ustilago nuda) is the one factor. This study was commenced to determine the effects of seed dressing fungicides on loose smut incidence and yield and yield components. The field experiment was conducted at two locations namely Sinana and selka by using a randomised complete block design with two replications. Susceptible Barley seed Guta variety were treated by dressing with different fungicides (Indotwins, Torpedo 250 FS and Proceding plus) and untreated plots in the two tested site. Seed treatment resulted in highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in days to emergence and flowering, smut incidence and yield, whereas plant height, thousand kernel weight and hectoliter weight were not significantly affected. Minimum (0.00%) loose smut incidence was recorded on seeds treated with Indotwins, Torpedo 250 FS and Proceding plus, while maximum (15%) incidence was recorded for plots sown with untreated seeds. About 3996 kg ha-1 maximum yield was obtained from seeds dressed at two locations. From visual observation, Seed dressed fungicide showed better morphology than untreated plots and it showed best fungicides to resist impacts of other factor (s) like Barley Shoot fly. Therefore, seed dressing fungicides (Indotwins and Torpedo 250 FS) would significantly reduce barley loose smut incidence better than Check Fungicides (Proceeding plus) and needs to be promoted. Furthermore, Developing Resistance cultivars against loose smut would be the better option to keep barley production and quality.
Resilience of Vascular Epiphytes to the Effects of Anthropization in the Djapadji Enclave
Authors: Gnagbo Anthelme , Egnankou Wadja , Pagny Franck , Tiebré Marie , Yao Constant
Published: November 2024

The intensification of agricultural activities has led to a conversion of natural vegetation into fallow land and plantations in the Djapadji enclave. This study is therefore initiated to analyze the reactions of epiphytes to changes in land use, taking into account local microclimates. To achieve this objective, the diversity of epiphytes was characterized in the different biotopes of the Djapadji enclave. The floristic inventories made it possible to identify 16 species of vascular epiphytic plants in the study area. In the cocoa plantations, 12 epiphytic species were identified. Then, 11 epiphytic species were observed in the fallow land. Finally, 8 epiphytic species were collected in the rubber plantations. Of all the collections, the most diverse families are the Polypodiaceae represented by four epiphytic species: Microsorum punctatum, Phymatodes scolopendria, Platycerium angolense and Microgramma owariensis. The Orchidaceae are represented by Ancistrorhynchus capitatus and Solenangis Scandens. The Euphorbiaceae are also represented by two species: Alchornea cordifolia and Croton hirtus. Observations show that the crown area of the host trees influences the abundance of epiphytes. Trees whose branches cover a large horizontal surface have a greater tendency to shelter epiphytes. The Taï National Park, adjacent to the study site, also acts as a seed bank for the inventoried epiphytes. Given the ecological requirements of these epiphytes, it is appropriate to anticipate the degradation of their forest habitats in order to perpetuate them.
A Sociopolitical Approach to Disinformation and AI: Concerns, Responses and Challenges
Authors: Gaborit Pascaline
Published: November 2024

International organizations classify disinformation as one of the main threats to democracy and institutions for more than a decade. Digital technologies reinvent and profoundly transform modern lifestyles, citizens’ and business environments. AI is bringing a new disruption in the way we access knowledge and create, spread and understand information. It can also blur the lines between real information and manipulated information with the emergence of ‘Fake News’, automatic networks’ cross referencing, and ‘Deep Fakes’. AI systems enhance the potential for creating realistic fake content and targeted disinformation campaigns. Disinformation goes beyond simple rumors to deliberately deceive and distort evidence-based information through fabricated data. European institutions have also recently focused on the identification of disinformation linked to FIMI: Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. The article identifies trends and concerns related to disinformation and AI. It explores the perception of disinformation, its impacts, and responses including the EU AI Act and online Platforms’ policies. It provides a first analytical approach to the topic based on the current debates by researchers, the first findings of our 2024 surveys, interviews and the analysis of hundreds of online fake news items. It attempts to understand how citizens and stakeholders perceive disinformation and identifies possible impacts. It also analyzes the current challenges and constraints, opportunities and limitations to tackle manipulation and interference. The article considers the current processes, and impacts of disinformation (2), the presentation of the main findings of our online survey on the perceptions of disinformation (3), the current EU regulatory responses (4) and the Discussion Points (5). We argue in this article that there is a gigantic change in the way that we access information, but that the responses to disinformation are still at an early stage. The article also demonstrates that there is an increased awareness in European countries about the impacts of disinformation, but also a gap between the ability to identify "fake news" and disinformation, and a limited understanding of the processes, threats, and actors involved in spreading disinformation.
The Degree of First-aid Knowledge and First-aid Skill Mastery of Ningbo Residents Case Study
Authors: Xiaomeng Liu , Junjie Tong , Zhekai He , Minghao Shen
Published: November 2024

With the continuous progress of society, the people's demand for a better life is getting higher and higher, strengthen the residents' awareness of the importance of first-aid knowledge, and promote high-quality emergency rescue work is the general trend of social development, and is the practical need to protect the safety of people's lives. To explore the status quo of first-aid knowledge understanding and first-aid skills mastery of Ningbo residents, strengthen the publicity and education of first-aid knowledge, find potential problems and risks, and optimize the construction of Ningbo's first-aid system from the root. A multi-stage sampling method was used to select 7 cities and counties under the jurisdiction of Ningbo City, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1030 residents of Ningbo City. The results show that 25% of the respondents know first aid knowledge,68% of the respondents learn first aid knowledge through TV and Internet, 12% of the respondents can calmly cope with emergency situations, 59% of the respondents choose to dial 110 or 120 for rescue. Sixty-seven percent of respondents consider learning first aid to be an essential skill. The study found that the residents of Ningbo City had a low understanding of first-aid knowledge, poor mastery of first-aid skills, insufficient first-aid education and publicity, and need to improve their first-aid awareness and level.
Mechanical Ventilator Development During COVID-19 Crisis: Preclinical Data Analysis from Porcine Bio-model
Authors: Conejo Elian , Calderón Eduardo , Araya Carlos , García Ralph
Published: November 2024

This paper describes a mechanical ventilator prototype with preclinical test performed on 10 bioporcine models, where tests were performed for eight hours for each individuals, giving the respective life support on different scenarios inducing stress and evaluating that each subject physiological parameters remain and return swiftly to the normal values. The results have shown the capabilities to maintain physiological parameters for each subject under test and present also the capability of monitoring the pulmonary parameter, compliance (C), computed from the pressure-volume hysteresis loop measured by the prototype, so that this is the unique proposed prototype to present this capability at this extended subject samples. The ventilator prototype was designed following the Medicine & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from United Kingdom (UK), that was the first guidelines for manufactured ventilator system in the pandemic of COVID-19 emergency. Finally the components used in the mechanical ventilator comes from different industrial applications, that its performances were tested for years and its supply were no affected by the surge of the acquisition of critical electro-mechanical components used by the commercial ventilator factories under pandemic situation as COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigation of Saltwater Intrusion into Freshwater Aquifers in Some Estuary Environment in Niger Delta
Authors: Aghogho Omajene , Chucks Egbai , Chukwuemeka Okolie
Published: November 2024

Groundwater is an important source for Nigerian water balance. Therefore assessing its experimental evidence supporting saltwater intrusion is necessary before initiating developmental plans using this resources. In this research, the extent of saltwater intrusion, physiochemical properties of groundwater samples and suitability was experimented in the study areas. Geophysical and geochemical techniques were employed in a research study to investigate saltwater intrusion in freshwater aquifers in coastal areas of Delta State, Nigeria. The resistivity data from fifty Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) in the aquifer layers revealed high water content and saline intrusion, with resistivity ranging from 0.4 to 769.9 Ωm. The hydraulic resistance values ranged from 2.877m-1 to 27.2831m-1, determining the Aquifer Vulnerability Index (AVI). The findings from the Groundwater Occurrence and Depth (GOD) index classified the study area into low and moderate vulnerability classes, with values ranging from 0.168 to 0.420. Groundwater analysis indicated elevated levels of electrical conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids, exceeding WHO standards. Moreover, high concentrations of chloride, sodium, and potassium confirmed saltwater intrusion.
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics for the Discrimination of Animal Hair Fibers for the Textile Sector
Authors: Chrimatopoulos Christoforos , Tummino Maria Laura , Iliadis Eleftherios , Tonetti Cinzia , Sakkas Vasilios
Published: November 2024

Analyzing the composition of animal hair fibers in textiles is crucial for ensuring the quality of yarns and fabrics made from animal hair. Among others, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is a technique that identifies vibrations associated with chemical bonds, including those found in amino acid groups. Cashmere, mohair, yak, camel, alpaca, vicuña, llama, and sheep hair fibers were analyzed via attenuated total reflection FT-IR (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques aiming at the discrimination among them to identify possible commercial frauds. ATR FT-IR, being a novel approach, was coupled with chemometric tools (partial least squares discriminant analysis, PLS-DA), building classification/prediction models, which were cross-validated. PLS-DA models provided an excellent differentiation among animal hair of both camelids and eight animal species. In addition, the combination of ATR FT-IR and PLS-DA was used to discriminate the cashmere hair from different origins (Afghanistan, Australia, China, Iran, and Mongolia). The model showed very good discrimination ability (accuracy 87%), with variance expression of 94.88% and mean squared error of cross-validation of 0.1525.
Impact of the February 6, 2023, Turkey earthquake on post-traumatic stress disorder, internet addiction and insomnia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sehlikoğlu Şeyma , Bekircan Esra , Gündüz Abdülkadir
Published: November 2024

Background:

After earthquakes, individuals may increase their internet usage to cope with post-traumatic stress symptoms, potentially leading to internet addiction and sleep disturbances.

Aims:

This study aims to determine the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), internet addiction and insomnia in earthquake survivors 1 year after the event and to explore the relationships between these variables.

Methods:

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between April and June 2024 through face-to-face interviews with 554 individuals who survived the February 6, 2023 earthquake in Turkey, 1 year after the event. Data were collected using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form (YIAT-SF) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Results:

A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between PCL-5, YIAT-SF and ISI based on the Pearson correlation test ( r = .32 and .44, respectively; p < .05). According to the logistic regression analysis, experiencing physical injury during the earthquake and the loss of first-degree relatives were found to predict the severity of PTSD symptoms ( p = .04, OR = 2.44, 95% CI [1.04, 5.65]; p < .001, OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.26, 3.06], respectively). Additionally, the YIAT-SF and ISI variables were found to be statistically significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity ( p < .001, OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01, 1.07]; p < .001, OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.12, 1.23], respectively).

Conclusions:

It is concluded that the severity of PTSD symptoms in earthquake survivors is associated with the severity levels of insomnia and internet addiction. Additionally, it is determined that experiencing injury or loss of a loved one during the earthquake may increase the severity of PTSD symptoms. To protect earthquake survivors from the risk of PTSD, it may be necessary to provide psychosocial support focussed on positive coping strategies for internet addiction and insomnia.
Reconstructing Religious Capital in Exile: The Tibetan Influence on Monastic Education of Buddhists from Ladakh, India
Authors: Coelho Joanna Pereira
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the Tibetan influence in monastic education of Ladakhi Buddhists in India. The reconstructed Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India post the Tibetan exodus in 1959 serve as training grounds for thousands of monastics from Ladakh. The fieldwork for this qualitative research study was conducted in Leh, Ladakh, and the Tibetan settlement of Mungod in Karnataka. On the basis of interview guides, interview schedules, focus group discussions and non-participant observation, this paper argues that the religious capital of Tibetan Buddhism has had an integral role in shaping the spiritual education and life worlds of the Buddhist monastics of Ladakh.
Examining the Relationship Between Positive Thinking Skills and Patience Tendency in Women
Authors: Özbay Ahmet , Demirci Seyrek Özgür , Söylemez Naciye Ece
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the relationship between positive thinking skills and patience tendencies among women in Istanbul, Turkey. A sample of 405 female participants with an average age of 32 years completed measures of positive thinking and patience. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between positive thinking and overall patience tendency, as well as its sub-dimensions (short-term, long-term, and interpersonal patience). Furthermore, positive thinking was found to be a significant predictor of patience disposition. These findings suggest that positive thinking may serve as a valuable resource for enhancing women’s patience tendencies, potentially contributing to improved life quality and resilience. This study highlights the interconnected nature of these psychological traits and their potential importance in women’s psychological well-being.
Religious Belief, Calling, and Marginalized Communities
Authors: Maxheimer Austin , Burnett Perry
Published: November 2024

This paper attempts to identify the Christian religious beliefs that motivate and sustain engagement in neighborhood revitalization efforts with marginalized communities and to identify a possible causal mechanism of these beliefs. The argument of the paper is that a transcendent calling forms consistently salient beliefs that operate on a deontological (versus utilitarian) level through sacred values. Using a mixed-method approach of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews) data, the results find significant differences in beliefs between local congregants and practitioners in Evansville, Indiana, USA. In one-on-one semi-structured interviews, practitioners cite a transcendent calling with deontological language as the reason for their engagement with marginalized communities. Utilitarian language was not entirely absent during these interviews, but it occurred primarily in relation to the sustaining of the behavior, thereby hinting at a hierarchical and sequential structure where the primary and initial motivation is deontological in nature followed and sustained through utilitarian language. Narrative evidence for this initial deontological shift is that of taking a “step of faith.” The large majority of practitioners report receiving this call after their initial engagement with a marginalized community suggesting that increasing this behavior is more a matter of increasing personal exposure rather than articulating better rational arguments.
Growing Up Amidst Active Warfare: Understanding the Experiences of Ukrainian Adolescents Through Chat Data
Authors: Hakala Venla , Mielityinen Laura , Peltonen Kirsi , Laajasalo Taina , Ellonen Noora
Published: November 2024

Armed conflicts violate young people’s rights by exposing them to violence and trauma, disrupting their sense of safety. This study examines how Russia’s war against Ukraine affects Ukrainian adolescents’ lives. The study utilizes data from Let’s Chat, a free, low-threshold support service for Ukrainian-speaking children and youths. We analyzed 185 chat conversations between chat workers and Ukrainian adolescents using data-driven thematic analysis. The war emerged roughly every fourth conversation, affecting discussions on forced relocation, school disruptions, and social relationships. Although youths rarely initiate war-related conversations, its effects are evident. This study highlights the complex impact of war on youth development, adding to other stressors in their lives. War often emerges as an added burden, complicating their already delicate development. Digital channels like Let’s Chat can help adolescents cope with these challenges and plan their futures in a culturally sensitive manner across borders, providing crucial support in difficult times.
Generative AI Prompt Engineering for Educators: Practical Strategies
Authors: Park Jiyeon , Choo Sam
Published: November 2024

Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, produces personalized and contextually relevant content based on user prompts (inputs provided by users). These prompts act as the primary form of interaction between users and AI models, making their quality essential for generating the most relevant outputs. The process of writing, refining, and optimizing prompts, known as prompt engineering, is key to obtaining high-quality desired outputs from generative AI. For educators, proficiency in prompt engineering is crucial for effective interaction with AI as it enhances efficiency and produces the most relevant information. In this paper, we introduce practical strategies for prompt engineering for educators: (a) include essential components, including Persona, Aim, Recipients, Theme, and Structure (PARTS); (b) develop prompts using Concise, Logical, Explicit, Adaptive, and Restrictive (CLEAR) languages; (c) evaluate output and refine prompts: Rephrase key words, Experiment with context and examples, Feedback loop, Inquiry questions, Navigate by iterations, Evaluate and verify outputs (REFINE); and (d) apply with accountability. Examples for special educators and online resources are included.
Pandemic-induced economic stress in an otherwise-privileged sample predicts parents’ socialization of child prosociality and parent coping
Authors: Partington Lindsey C. , Mashash Meital , Hastings Paul D.
Published: November 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated “lockdown” measures spurred adverse employment changes and economic insecurity in U.S. families. Paradoxically, there was a surge in prosocial behavior. Chronically lower socioeconomic status has been associated with adults’ greater prosociality, a counterintuitive phenomenon attributed to heightened sensitivity to others’ needs. It is unclear whether experiencing an acute financial stressor—like the pandemic—would similarly promote prosociality. Following the “tend-and-befriend” theory, pandemic-induced financial stress may have motivated parents to engage their children in prosocial behaviors as a means of coping with the pandemic. Thus, we examined the associations of both pandemic-induced employment and economic stress with parents engaging their children in helping activities during shelter-in-place and whether this supported parents’ coping. A total of 492 parents (443 women; 72% White; income-per-capita range: $833–$87,500) with children ages 2–18 years completed an online survey during May–June 2020, assessing negative employment changes, pandemic-induced economic stress, families’ engagement in helping activities, and parent’s coping. Controlling for demographics and pre-pandemic income, our indirect effects model found that more negative employment changes predicted greater economic stress, which in turn predicted more helping activities with children. Parents who reported more helping activities also had better coping skills. Our findings demonstrate that acute financial stress directly resulting from COVID-19 spurred parents to engage their children in other-oriented, prosocial acts, perhaps as a means of enhancing social support with others experiencing pandemic stress. Moreover, helping others bolstered parents’ overall coping, revealing avenues for promoting well-being during a health crisis.
Proverbial economies of STS
Authors: Singh Ranjit , Lynch Michael
Published: November 2024

This article discusses examples from an extended family of aphorisms, stories, and themes that have circulated widely in STS and remain associated with the formation and integration of the field. Drawing upon Harvey Sacks’s insightful remarks about features of everyday conversation, which he related to ancient practices in oral culture, we argue that familiar citation magnets in STS operate in many respects like proverbs, parables, and an extended family of neatly and memorably packaged viral articulations in ordinary language. After discussing the contingent production of proverbial truth, the article focuses on three well-known examples that combine memorable proverbs and themes with parables: Winner’s account of the low parkway bridges designed by city planner Robert Moses to show that technology has politics; Pinch and Bijker’s concise history of the bicycle to illustrate the social construction of technology, and Star and Griesemer’s viral two-word theme of ‘boundary objects’ as artifacts that sustain collaboration across organizational contexts. The discussion of these cases suggests that different elements of these examples become the focus of subsequent citations and applications, and that ambiguities about the origins and meanings of the cited items opens new avenues for critical reflection on practicing citational justice and the nature of STS as an affiliative discipline.
Behavioral Modeling of Drivers near Speed Control Cameras: A Dual Perspective from Micro and Macro Data
Authors: Sheykhfard Abbas , Haghighi Farshidreza , Saeidi Soheila , SafariTaherkhani Mohammad , Fountas Grigorios , Das Subasish
Published: November 2024

The present study investigates the efficacy of speed cameras in managing vehicle speeds and their influence on various driver demographics within the operational context of the cameras. The research, conducted as a case study in Iran, comprises both macroscopic and detailed analyses, quantifying vehicle speeds at different spatial points relative to the speed camera location—upstream, adjacent to, and downstream of the camera—using a manual laser speedometer. Furthermore, the study examines diverse driver behavior metrics, including vehicle type, speeds at different locations, lane changes, braking actions, and measures such as obscuring license plates. Statistical analyses show that speed cameras effectively reduce speeds across different user groups and lead to increased braking and lane-changing behaviors, particularly among light vehicle categories. Moreover, the study reveals distinct behavioral patterns between indigenous and non-indigenous drivers. In addition, a multi-layer perceptron neural network model successfully approximates user speed selection behaviors within the operational range of speed cameras. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of speed cameras and their impact on diverse driver demographics, contributing to a deeper understanding of advanced speed control mechanisms.
Trading Crossroads: The Historical Journey of Vijayanagara, Portuguese and Nayakdoms
Authors: Kumari Khushboo
Published: November 2024

The Portuguese arrival led to the formation of alliances with the Vijayanagara Empire, initially characterised by cooperation but later marred by conflicts. The trade dynamics experienced a notable transformation following the disintegration of the Vijayanagara Empire. The fall of the Vijayanagara Empire paved the way for the rise of the Nayaks of Madurai, Thanjavur, Gingee and the ruler of Ikkeri, who emerged as successor states, ushering in a new era in the history of trade. After 1565, there evolved a shift from Hampi-oriented trade of the Portuguese to a polycentric commerce, whereby Thanjavur with the seaport of Nagapattinam, Madurai, with the port of Tuticorin in Pearl Fishery Coast, Ikkeri, with the ports of Mangalore, Basrur and Honavar on the South Canara /Kanara coast became the hubs of Portuguese commercial activities in the new turn of events in the Nayakdoms. This article aims to delve into the interconnected and multifaceted historical journey of the Vijayanagara Empire, Portuguese and the Nayaks, which contributed to the enduring continuity in South India. It will examine how trade played a pivotal role in unifying the fragmented economy and fostering economic vibrancy in the region, while also exploring the evolving significance of trade over time.
Analysis of fluid forces impacting on the impeller of a mixed flow blood pump with computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Diallo Abdoulaye Billo , Çınar Hasan , Yapıcı Rafet
Published: November 2024

This study presents four different impeller designs to compare hydrodynamic forces. Numerical simulation studies are performed via computational fluid dynamics to specify and investigate the hydraulic forces impacting the impeller of the mixed-flow blood pump with a volute. The design point of this pump is that the flow rate is 5 L/min, the rotational speed is 8000 rpm, and the manometric head is 100 mmHg. The designed impellers are placed in the same volute and simulation studies are performed with the same mesh size (17.3 million cells) of the pumps. The simulation studies have been conducted in setting 1050 kg/m3 blood density, 35 cP fluid viscosity, and SST-kω turbulence model. Additionally, this study examines the changes in hydraulic forces and hydraulic efficiency with fluid viscosity. As a result of experimental simulation studies, the highest hydraulic efficiencies of 40.87% and 39.5% are achieved in the case of the shaftless-grooveless and shafted-grooveless impeller, respectively. The maximum axial forces are obtained from the pump with the shaftless-grooveless impeller. Whereas radial forces, maximum values are calculated in the pump with the shaftless-outer groove impeller for all flow rates. Finally, the wall shear stresses, which are important for blood pump designs, are evaluated and the maximum value of 227 Pa is observed in the pump impeller with a shaftless-grooved.
Improving the decision-making for sustainable demolition waste management by combining a BIM-based life cycle sustainability assessment framework and hybrid MCDA approach
Authors: Han Dongchen , Kalantari Mohsen , Rajabifard Abbas
Published: November 2024

Increasing efforts have been devoted to promoting sustainable demolition waste management (DWM) from a life cycle-thinking perspective. To this end, facilitating sustainability-oriented decision-making for DWM planning requires a sustainability assessment framework for assessing multifaceted criteria. This study develops a building information modelling (BIM)-based DWM sustainability assessment approach to facilitate the life cycle assessment (LCA) and decision-making by coupling the enriched Industry Foundation Classes model with hybrid multi-criteria decision-aiding (MCDA) methods using Dynamo visual scripting. To streamline the data-intensive LCA process, this study enriched the BIM properties and accommodated them into the LCA data template to enhance data interoperability, thus achieving seamless data transfer. Moreover, hybrid MCDA methods are integrated into the decision-making workflow for DWM scenario ranking. A pilot study is employed to verify the applicability of the decision-aiding framework. The results unveil that the sustainability score ascended with the recycling rate. The optimal DWM alternative with the highest recycling rate yields the highest sustainability score at 91.63. Conversely, a DWM alternative reflecting the ‘status quo’ in China’s recycling industry has the lowest score at 8.37, significantly lower than the baseline scenario with a 50% recycling rate. It is worth noting that the ‘growth curve’ of the sustainability score continuously flattens as the target recycling rate escalates. The increment in recycling rate from the ‘Australian standard’ scenario to the optimal scenario is 18.4%, whereas the sustainability score merely increases by 2.3%, signalling that the former scenario arrived at an optimum point for maximising the cost-efficiency of DWM under the predefined framework and contexts.
Investigating the Effect of Role-Play Activity With GenAI Agent on EFL Students’ Speaking Performance
Authors: Chen Angxuan , Jia Jiyou , Li Yuzhen , Fu Lingyu
Published: November 2024

Role-play activities are considered a useful instructional design in enhancing the speaking performance of foreign language learners. However, in the traditional classroom context, learners may not readily have access to interlocutors for role-play activities. In this study, we proposed a designed method that integrated the GenAI agent into role-play activities and conducted a quasi-experiment at a Chinese university. A total of 53 Chinese students in an English course were assigned to an experimental group ( n = 29) that engaged in role-playing with a GenAI agent and a control group ( n = 24) that engaged in role-playing with their class peers. The results showed role-play activities with GenAI could facilitate students’ speaking performance, and one-way ANCOVA showed there was no significant difference in speaking performance improvement when compared with traditional role-play activities with peers. Moreover, the paired-sample Wilcoxon test showed that the treatment students had significant intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy improvement, which were higher than the control group. The findings provide important implications for the design and implementation of GenAI-integrated role-play activities for foreign language speaking learning.