bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Media Practices of Small and Medium Enterprises in Masbate Province: Impact on Industry Competitiveness
Authors: Toling Rony Saludar
Published: December 2024

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can benefit significantly from social media due to its user-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and widespread accessibility. By leveraging social media platforms, SMEs can effectively communicate with customers, market their products, facilitate internal collaboration, and provide customer sup-port at minimal costs.This research assessed the use of social media among SMEs in the fashion, food, beverages, cosmetics, and clothing industries in Masba-te province to enhance competitiveness. It focused on key areas such as customer engagement, social network marketing, website promo-tion, customer relationship management, and brand management, while also evaluating industry competitiveness based on customer satisfaction, loyalty, operational efficiency, and profitability.A quantitative descriptive approach was employed to evaluate variables and their relationships. Employees from SMEs were ran-domly selected as respondents, while industry customers were cho-sen through purposive sampling. A self-designed Likert-scale survey captured respondents' perspectives on the impact of social media practices on industry competitiveness, combining both quantitative and qualitative insights.The analysis included descriptive statistics, such as percentages and frequencies, to outline respondent profiles, and means and stand-ard deviations to examine trends in social media practices among SMEs. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to assess the effec-tiveness of these practices, while a t-test was used to highlight differ-ences in perceptions between respondent groups regarding social media effectiveness and industry competitiveness.
Evaluating the Pilot Implementation of the DSWD Walang Gutom Program: A Case Study on Its Impact in Addressing Involuntary Hunger in Tondo
Authors: Arcinas Carmelito C. , Jimenez Vincent Patrick L. M. , Mitra Lemuel Joeb N. , Paredes Ferdinand R. , Malang Bernandino P. , Malang Jocelyn DS.
Published: December 2024

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched the Walang Gutom (No Hunger) Program to address involuntary hunger among vulnerable populations in the Philippines. This study evaluates the pilot implementation of the program in Tondo, Manila, focusing on its impact on hunger and the lives of beneficiaries. The program com-bines direct financial assistance through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system with social interventions like job training, nutritional workshops, and community engagement. While the program shows promise in addressing hunger and empowering beneficiaries, challenges such as eligibility criteria, limited funding, and digital literacy barriers need to be addressed. The study recommends strategies to enhance the program's effectiveness and sustainability, including strengthening out-reach efforts, improving digital literacy, and expanding the program's reach to more vulnerable communities. Evaluations of effectiveness have yielded favorable results, with notable improvements in food security observed among beneficiaries. The progress in food security for house-hold beneficiaries is encouraging, and focused interventions can further enhance these positive outcomes. Ongoing assessments allow the pro-gram to adjust to the evolving needs of participants, ensuring sustained effectiveness. Beneficiary feedback emphasizes the program’s respon-siveness and the high quality of services, indicating overall success in achieving its goals.
Factors Associated with Research and Productivity among Faculty of Higher Education Institutions: Input to Enhancing Research Culture
Authors: Camilon Maria Daisy F. , Callo Eden C. , Panoy Julie Fe D.
Published: December 2024

The role of research in an academic institution is significant for its sustainability and development, and it is imperative to have knowledge-driven growth based on innovation. The main objec-tive of this dissertation was to find out the factors associated with research and productivity among faculty of higher education insti-tutions in the LSPU System as input to enhancing research culture. Descriptive correlational research method was used to determine the factors associated with research and productivity among high-er education faculty institutions consisting of 232 regular faculty members among four campuses of Laguna State Polytechnic Uni-versity- San Pablo City Campus, Sta. Cruz Campus, Siniloan Campus and Los Banos Campus. The perceived level of self-motivation of the respondents on knowledge and skills, ability and interest, mo-tivation and drive is “very high”; the perceived level of institution-al support system for research among faculty of Laguna State Poly-technic University System on policies and guidelines, promotion and incentives, research program, budgeting, and external sourc-ing/funding is “highly evident”; perceived level of research- work-ing environment, is “very highly evident”; perceived level of re-search productivity for research reveals that the research produc-tivity is “very high”. Faculty’s research productivity is significantly predicted by self-motivation, an institutional support system for research; and the research working environment; teacher’s per-ceived self-motivation mediated with the institutional support system and the faculty’s research productivity; teacher’s perceived self-motivation mediated with the research working environment and to the faculty’s research productivity. ANOVA result revealed that there is no significant difference in the perceptions of the LSPU respondents on self-motivation, an institutional support sys-tem for research, research working environment, and research productivity when grouped according to their University Campus. In terms of the above findings, this study concluded the hypothe-ses stating that the research productivity of the faculty is not sig-nificantly predicted by self-motivation, an institutional support system for research, and the research working environment is not sustained. The faculty self-motivation does not mediate the effect of the institutional support system and research working envi-ronment on their research productivity is not sustained. There is no significant difference in the perceptions of the LSPU respond-ents on self-motivation, an institutional support system for re-search, research working environment, and research productivity.
Life Skills of Junior High School Teachers in Coastal, Rural and Urban Areas in Albay, Philippines
Authors: Cabiles Roldan C.
Published: December 2024

This qualitative phenomenological study investigates the lived experi-ences of teachers in rural, urban, and coastal areas of Albay, Philippines, highlighting the challenges and skills that shape their professional lives. Despite the critical role of teachers in education, little research has fo-cused on how geographical context influences their experiences. In-depth interviews and participant observation were employed to gather data from teacher-participants. The study utilized the phenomenologi-cal frameworks of Husserl and Heidegger to analyze the data and cap-ture the essence of the participants' experiences. The findings reveal common life skills among teachers, including adaptability, effective communication, interpersonal skills, pedagogical skills, and practicality. Both rural and urban teachers demonstrated digital literacy, while competitiveness was more pronounced in urban settings. Financial lit-eracy emerged as a strength among rural and coastal teachers, likely due to fewer distractions that lead to excessive spending. Urban teach-ers were found to be more susceptible to overspending due to the influ-ence of commercial establishments and entertainment options in their environments. These outcomes underscore the importance of under-standing how geographical context impacts teachers' experiences and skills, providing insights that can inform educational policy and prac-tice.
Evaluating the Digital Transformation of Lottery Operation: A Case Study on the E-Lotto Applications Impact on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Metro Manila
Authors: Roldan Cynthia T. , Bergancia-Celebrado III Fe T. , Malang Bernandino P. , Malang Jocelyn DS.
Published: December 2024

The introduction of digital platforms has reshaped consumer behavior in various industries, and the lottery sector is no exception. While traditional lottery sales have long been a primary revenue source for PCSO, the advent of E-Lotto provides a new, convenient avenue for lottery. This research aims to evaluate the impact of E-Lotto on the sales performance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) within the National Capital Region (NCR). Further, this study determines whether E-Lotto serves as a complementary or competing channel for traditional lottery ticket sales and explores the implications of this shift on PCSO’s overall sales strategy.
Through a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data on NCR lottery sales were analyzed to identify trends and assess shifts between digital and physical lottery channels. Qualitative interviews with PCSO stakeholders provide additional insights into operational and marketing strategies surrounding E-Lotto implementation. Findings reveal that E-Lotto expanded PCSO’s reach, particularly among younger, urban-based customers who prefer the convenience of online platforms. However, there is evidence that E-Lotto may also cannibalize traditional sales, especially in areas with smartphones and internet penetration.
This underscores the need for PCSO to balance digital and physical sales channels effectively to maximize revenue. Recommendations include targeted marketing efforts, enhancing the user experience, and integrating cross-promotions between traditional and E-Lotto channels. By addressing these factors, PCSO can leverage the benefits of E-Lotto without undermining its established sales network. This study’s insights contribute to the broader understanding of digital transformation in gaming public institutions and its implications for sustainable revenue growth.
Stakeholders’ Awareness and Acceptability of PRMSU’s Revised Vision Statement and Mission and the Goals and Objectives of the Communication and Information Technology Programs
Authors: Mon Anthony M. , Linga Elemae R. , Mistica Sanny Boy M.
Published: December 2024

Vision, mission, goals, and objectives (VMGOs) function as the founda-tion of an educational institution. The Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) underscored that an educational institution is assessed according to the degree how its VMGOs are achieved, but not in comparison with others. This descrip-tive cross-sectional survey research was used to gauge the level of awareness and acceptability of the stakeholders on the PRMSU vision statement and mission and the goals and objectives (VMGO) of the Communication and Information Technology Programs of PRMSU Sta Cruz Campus. The stakeholders are “very much aware” of the universi-ty’s new vision statement, mission, goals, and objectives of the teacher education program, they have full participation in the revision of the vision statement. The VMGO is clear, understandable, and acceptable as perceived by the stakeholders. Massive information dissemination of the new vision statement in all media types is recommended. Further-more, stakeholders must be encouraged to share their part in realizing the university’s VMGO.
The Effect of School Heads' Style in The Utilization of Online Communica-tion in Building Positive Organizational Culture
Authors: Pontanoza Mylene B. , Callo Eden C.
Published: December 2024

School leaders at all levels play an essential role in shaping school culture. In their daily work, principals communicate core values. Teachers instill values through their actions and words. Parents boost their spirits by visiting schools, participating in governance, and celebrating success. Communication with internal and external stakeholders is part of the school head's daily work. A day is incom-plete unless there is communication between teaching and non-teaching personnel at the school. Thus, this study used the descrip-tive correlational design to determine if the school head's communi-cation style mediates the effect of the utilization of online communi-cation in building a positive organizational culture. The respondents were the 65 school heads and 349 teachers from the 7 districts in the Division of San Pablo City. The validated survey questionnaire was used to gather the data. The data were analyzed using frequen-cy, mean, standard deviation, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression. The results revealed that the school heads and teachers perceived that the level of school heads' utiliza-tion of online communication, school head communication style in utilizing online communication, and building a positive organiza-tional culture were highly manifested. The test of correlation be-tween the school heads utilization of online communication in building a positive organizational culture is significant. The school heads’ utilization of online communication affects building a posi-tive organizational culture. The school head's communication style mediates the school head's utilization of online communication in building a positive organizational culture in terms of being a super-visor, and manager. The study recommends that the school should always capacitate teachers using various online platforms as inter-net communication has been a part of the system ever since the pandemic.
A Feasibility Study on the Offering DITM Doctor of Industrial Technology Management (DITM) at the Graduate School Bulacan State University-Main Campus
Authors: Maroma Allen N. , Galita Warlito M. , Maroma Dolly P.
Published: December 2024

This study investigates whether the Graduate School of Bulacan State University-Main Campus could provide a Doctor of Industrial Tech-nology Management (DITM) program. The study's goals were as-sessing the demand for a DITM program, examining comparable ser-vices in the area, performing financial and managerial analysis, and creating a suggested curriculum. Results indicate strong interest from prospective registrants, supporting the demand for the program. The program was established with additional help from thoroughly exam-ining competing programs, financial sustainability, and operational logistics. To advance technology management education and give stu-dents a variety of abilities to solve market difficulties, BulSU imple-mented DITM. By encouraging cooperation between public and com-mercial organizations, the initiative would cultivate the growth of highly qualified professionals who could lead responsible and sus-tainable technology management practices. As a result, this initiative would contribute positively to the community and the broader indus-trial landscape.
Contribuição ao estudo etiologico da Molestia de Hodgkin
Authors: Ayrosa Alcides , Pessôa Samuel B. , Corrêa Clovis
Published: December 2024

Entidade morbida hoje bem caracterisada, a molestia de Hodgkin, bem conhecida na sua symptomatologia, em grande parte decorrente de phenomenos compressivos determinados por este ou aquelle grupo ganglionar mais affectado, ou pelo apparecimento de nodulos lymphogranulomatosos, neste ou n'aquelle orgão, e de quadro anatomo-pathologico proprio, constitue ainda um enigma na parte referente á sua etiologia, o que tem dado motivo a innumeras pesquizas e á descripção de varios germes apontados como os agentes productores da molestia.
Autoimmune-Like Mechanism in Heart Failure Enables Preventive Vaccine Therapy
Authors: Martini Elisa , Cremonesi Marco , Felicetta Arianna , Serio Simone , Puccio Simone , Pelamatti Erica , van Beek Jasper J.P. , Papadopoulou Vasiliki , Catalano Chiara , Fanuele Francesca , Giuliano Desirée , Basso Gianluca , Bonfiglio Cecilia Assunta , Panico Cristina , Vacchiano Marco , Carullo Pierluigi , Papa Laura , D’Andrea Carla , Tuzger Naz , Marchini Sergio , Magistroni Paola , Deaglio Silvia , Amoroso Antonio , Lugli Enrico , Condorelli Gianluigi , Kallikourdis Marinos
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Heart failure (HF) is strongly associated with inflammation. In pressure overload (PO)–induced HF, cardiac stress triggers adaptive immunity, ablation or inhibition of which blocks disease progression. We hypothesized that PO-HF might fulfill the often-used criteria of autoimmunity: if so, the associated adaptive immune response would be not only necessary but also sufficient to induce HF; it should also be possible to identify self-antigens driving the autoimmune response. Finally, we hypothesized that such an antigen-specific response can be manipulated to preventively reduce the severity of PO-HF in a tolerizing vaccine.

METHODS:

We used the transfer of lymphocytes or serum from PO-HF mice into healthy recipients to assess whether the adaptive response is sufficient to induce disease. We devised a novel pipeline to identify self-antigens driving the response. We immunized healthy mice with novel antigens to assess whether they induce disease. To determine whether these antigens could be present in human patients, we sought to detect existing responses against these antigens in patients with HF. Finally, we used the antigens in an oral tolerance protocol to preventively protect mice from subsequently induced PO-HF, analyzing the results with next-generation sequencing.

RESULTS:

We found that PO-HF fulfills the criteria of an autoimmune disease, albeit partially, and identified novel cardiac self-antigens, capable of inducing cardiac dysfunction. The novel antigens in a tolerizing vaccine formulation preemptively reduced the severity of disease triggered by subsequent application of PO, via induction of effector regulatory T cells, enabling a potent reduction of PO-driven loss of systolic function, cardiac inflammation, and proinflammatory CD4
+
T-cell clonal expansion.

CONCLUSIONS:

We demonstrate that PO-HF is triggered by hemodynamic stress and then sets off an autoimmune-like response against cardiac self-antigens. The antigens can be used to reduce the severity of future-onset disease, via oral tolerization, effectively acting as a protective vaccine.
A Vaccine Against Fibroblast Activation Protein Improves Murine Cardiac Fibrosis by Preventing the Accumulation of Myofibroblasts
Authors: Yoshida Shota , Hayashi Hiroki , Kawahara Takuro , Katsuki Shunsuke , Kimura Mitsukuni , Hino Rissei , Sun Jiao , Nakamaru Ryo , Tenma Akiko , Toyoura Masayoshi , Baba Satoshi , Shimamura Munehisa , Katsuya Tomohiro , Morishita Ryuichi , Rakugi Hiromi , Matoba Tetsuya , Nakagami Hironori
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Myofibroblasts are primary cells involved in chronic response-induced cardiac fibrosis. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a relatively specific marker of activated myofibroblasts and a potential target molecule. This study aimed to clarify whether a vaccine targeting FAP could eliminate myofibroblasts in chronic cardiac stress model mice and reduce cardiac fibrosis.

METHODS:

We coadministered a FAP peptide vaccine with a cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) K3 oligonucleotide adjuvant to male C57/BL6J mice and confirmed an elevation in the anti-FAP antibody titer. After continuous angiotensin II and phenylephrine administration for 28 days, we evaluated the degree of cardiac fibrosis and the number of myofibroblasts in cardiac tissues.

RESULTS:

We found that cardiac fibrosis was significantly decreased in the FAP-vaccinated mice compared with the angiotensin II and phenylephrine control mice (3.45±1.11% versus 8.62±4.79%;
P
=4.59×10
−3
) and that the accumulation of FAP-positive cells was also significantly decreased, as indicated by FAP immunohistochemical staining (4077±1746 versus 7327±1741 cells/mm
2
; FAP vaccine versus angiotensin II and phenylephrine control;
P
=6.67×10
−3
). No systemic or organ-specific inflammation due to antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity induced by the FAP vaccine was observed. Although the transient activation of myofibroblasts has an important role in maintaining the structural robustness in the process of tissue repair, the FAP vaccine showed no adverse effects in myocardial infarction and skin injury models.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrates the FAP vaccine can be a therapeutic tool for cardiac fibrosis.
GSK3β Deficiency Expands Obese Adipose Vasculature to Mitigate Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Wang Li , Li Jiajia , Tang Ping , Zhu Dongliang , Tai Lixin , Wang Yuan , Miyata Tsukiko , Woodgett James R. , Di Li-jun
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Maintaining a well-developed vascular system alongside adipose tissue (AT) expansion significantly reduces the risk of metabolic complications. Although GSK3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta) is known for its role in various cellular processes, its specific functions in AT and regulation of body homeostasis have not been reported.

METHODS:

GSK3β-floxed and GSK3α-floxed mice were crossed with adiponectin-Cre mice to generate GSK3β or GSK3α adipocyte-specific knockout mice (GSK3β
ADKO
and GSK3α
ADKO
). A comprehensive whole-body metabolism analysis was performed on obese GSK3β
ADKO
mice induced by a high-fat diet. RNA sequencing was conducted on AT of both obese GSK3β
ADKO
and GSK3α
ADKO
mice. Various analyses, including vessel perfusion studies, lipolysis analysis, multiplex protein assays, in vitro protein phosphorylation assays, and whole-mount histology staining, were performed on AT of obese GSK3β
ADKO
mice. Tube-formation experiments were performed using 3B-11 endothelial cells cultured in the conditional medium of matured adipocytes under hypoxic conditions. Chromatin precipitation and immunofluorescence studies were conducted using cultured adipocytes with GSK3 inhibition.

RESULTS:

Our findings provide the first evidence that adipocyte-specific knockout of GSK3β expands AT vascularization and mitigates obesity-related metabolic disorders. GSK3β deficiency, but not GSK3α, in adipocytes activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), leading to increased phosphorylation and nuclear accumulation of HIF-2α, resulting in enhanced transcriptional regulation. Consequently, adipocytes increased VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression, which engages VEGFR2 on endothelial cells, promoting angiogenesis, expanding the vasculature, and improving vessel perfusion within obese AT. GSK3β deficiency promotes AT remodeling, shifting unhealthy adipocyte function toward a healthier state by increasing insulin-sensitizing hormone adiponectin and preserving healthy adipocyte function. These effects lead to reduced fibrosis, reactive oxygen species, and ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress in obese AT and improve metabolic disorders associated with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Deletion of GSK3β in adipocytes activates the AMPK/HIF-2α/VEGF/VEGFR2 axis, promoting vasculature expansion within obese AT. This results in a significantly improved local microenvironment, reducing inflammation and effectively ameliorating metabolic disorders associated with obesity.
Natural Psychological Functions as a Source of Living Consciousness
Authors: Subbotsky Eugene V.
Published: December 2024

Background. L.S. Vygotsky’s cultural-historical approach toward children’s psychological development was first developed around one hundred years ago. It now requires re-evaluation in light of new experimental studies that have shown complexity and diversity of the innate psychological abilities of new-borns and infants, as well as other theoretical approaches towards understanding the role of culture and learning in cognitive development. Such a re-evaluation aims to draw our attention to those aspects of human psychology that L.S. Vygotsky, due to the limited empirical knowledge available to him and his early death, was unable or did not have time to illuminate.
Objectives. The aim is to consider L.S. Vygotsky’s concept of natural psychological functions in a new perspective, as a forerunner of the ‘heart’ of human psychology — the living consciousness.
Methods. The research method is a comparative and logical analysis of concepts, illustrated by the results of the author’s and his colleagues’ long-term experimental research.
Results. A distinction between living consciousness, which includes subjective experiences (for example, perceptions, emotions, and creative thinking) and functions according to the laws of magic, and objectified consciousness, into which living consciousness is transformed for consumption by society and culture (for example, scientific concepts, logical thinking, and human artifacts) and which conforms to the laws of nature and formal logic, is proposed. It has been hypothesized that both living consciousness and higher mental functions are genetically related to natural mental functions. Differences between the structure, functions and methods of studying living and objectified consciousness are considered.
Conclusions. Natural mental functions are the psychological basis for two relatively independent but interconnected branches of mental development: living consciousness and higher mental functions. Living consciousness does not obey the laws of formal logic and is the primary source of creative ideas and truly selfless morality.
Bridges or walls: remarks on translating the concepts of cultural - historical theory
Authors: Tunes Elizabeth , Prestes Zoia Ribeiro
Published: December 2024

Background. The problem of translating scientific articles into other languages affects not only translators but also psychologists, since the accuracy of translation determines the adequacy of understanding and transferring of scientific concepts.
Objectives. The article focuses on the critical discussion of different variants in translating some concepts of L.S. Vygotsky's cultural-historical theory into Portuguese.
Study Materials. This article discusses the concepts of the “zone of proximal development”, “learning”, and “speech”.
Results. The paper considers variations in the translations of L.S. Vygotsky's concept of the cultural-historical theory into Portuguese. Insufficient attention of translators to the theoretical and methodological foundations of the original scientific text, which generates substantive errors in translation and distorts (simplifies) the content of the original approach, is critically discussed.
Conclusions. Both literary and scientific translation should be understood as an unfinished process that requires constant revision and improvement. The philosophical, ethical and historical ideas of the translated author should be the basis for this. Only in this case will translation contribute to the communication and connection of people speaking different languages.
Education that leads to development of agency
Authors: Zuckerman Galina A. , Obukhova Оlga L.
Published: December 2024

Background. L.S. Vygotsky’s vision of teaching and learning, which enables child development, remains useful for problems face by the modern-day school. Today, one of the central duties of education is, from the beginning of schooling, to lay the foundations for obtaining the ability to learn. Ability to learn is demonstrated when a person is faced with meaningful task, understands what is needed to solve it and knows how to compensate for their own limitations. Ability to learn is one of the aspects of human agency i.e., the ability to have and the self-perception of the ownership over one’s behaviour. This ability is manifested in children at a very early age and education can both strengthen and weaken, or even totally preclude its development. Agency in learning, which is the basis for future ability to learn, can enter the zone of proximal development (ZPD) as early as primary school age, but only in certain educational environments.
Objective. The current research is focused on the relationship between the teaching, learning, and development of the child as a subject of educational activity in the scientific school of D.B. El’konin and V.V. Davydov, who advanced the cultural-historical theory.
Methods. Clinical studies of setting and solving educational tasks in primary and secondary schools.
Results. This article describes the most significant characteristics of the educational environment, through which the ability to learn can be developed for the majority of students: the content and form of learning activity in the strict, original meaning of this concept, which does not correspond to its everyday use. We highlight the discrepancies between the scientific and everyday meanings of the concepts “learning activity” and “learning task” and clarify the relationship between the structure of the learning task and the structure of the ability to learn. We also describe the characteristic actions of an adult at the stage of designing the learning task and then at the stage of interpsychological interaction with children when setting a learning task and searching for the means to solve it.
Conclusion. Children's initiative in constructing general methods of action and sensitivity to conceptual contradictions manifest themselves systematically, as an age-related tendency, only when students set and solve learning tasks aimed at discovering and mastering theoretical concepts. Education that provides ready-made answers to unasked questions minimizes the opportunity for students to become self-teaching agents.
Practical application of the results. The identified discrepancies between the scientific and everyday meanings of the concepts “learning activity” and “learning task” can protect these fruitful concepts from profanation and save their creative potential.
The Relationship Between Vocabulary Size and Emotion Understanding in Children Aged 5–7 Years
Authors: Bukhalenkova Daria A. , Veraksa Alexander N. , Guseva Uliana D. , Oshchepkova Ekaterina S.
Published: December 2024

Background. Vygotsky’s idea of the affect and intellect unity continues to be developed empirically. Much attention is paid to the child's emotional development, which affects social and academic effectiveness. Knowledge regarding the relationship between language and emotional development within the social situation helps to better understand the developmental characteristics of preschool children in general and create the necessary corrective programs.
Objectives. The aim is to study the characteristics of the relationship between language and emotional development (based on the general and emotional vocabulary size) and the level of emotion understanding at preschool age.
Study Participants. The study involved 341 children aged 57 to 90 months (M = 75.42 months; SD = 7.65 months). 170 children were from the senior groups of the preschool educational institution (M = 69.09 months; SD = 4.4 months), and 171 children were from the preparatory groups of the preschool educational institution (M = 81.67 months; SD = 4.2 months).
Methods. To assess the general vocabulary size the Peabody Test technique was used. To assess the volume of active and passive emotional vocabulary, the Roepstorff “Emotional Vocabulary” test was used. To diagnose ability to understand emotions in preschoolers, F. Pons’s “Test for Emotions Comprehension” method was used.
Results. It was found that age is significantly associated with indicators of general and emotional vocabulary size, as well as with the understanding of emotions in all identified aspects. Different levels of emotion understanding have different relationships with vocabulary, both general and emotional. An important result is the identification of the significance of the contribution of active rather than passive emotional vocabulary to emotion understanding, suggesting a significant role of verbalisation of the emotional state, helping preschoolers to better understand emotion.
Conclusions. The study showed that language development influenced the understanding of emotions in preschool age. At the same time, with age there is an increase in the size of children’s general and emotional vocabulary, as well as their ability to understand emotions.
“On the Question of the Psychology of the Actor's Creativity” by L.S. Vygotsky: the Correlation of the Originality of Personal Characteristics and Professional Activity
Authors: Sobkin Vladimir S. , Lykova Tatyana A.
Published: December 2024

Background. There are very few modern studies on the psychology of the actor and they are mainly based on the study of individual personality traits of actors. The current article discusses L.S. Vygotsky's approach to the psychology of the actor and presents the results of a comprehensive study of the personal characteristics of student actors. Peculiarities of professional activity and the modern socio-cultural situation was taken into account in the interpretation.
Objectives. The research is a complex analysis of personal characteristics of actors during the early stage of mastering their professional activity.
Study Participants. The study involved second and third year students of the acting faculty of the Institute of Contemporary Art (Moscow); a total of 76 people (39 girls, 37 boys), with an average age of 20.2 years
Methods. R.B. Cattell 16 PF personality questionnaire, Eysenck EPI personality questionnaire adapted by A.G. Shmelev, short Big Five portrait questionnaire “B5-10” (authors M.S. Egorova and O.V. Parshikova), short Dark Triad questionnaire (adapted by M.S. Egorova, M.A. Sitnikova, O.V. Parshikova), A.A. Megrabyan empathy questionnaire, and the integral indicator “expert assessment of abilities” were used in the study.
Results. As a result of a factor analysis of the respondents' indicators for all the methods used, the following 10 factors describing 69.9% of the total cumulative dispersion were identified: F1 “emotional excitability, plasticity”, F2 “sensitivity to moral constraints”, F3 “empathy”, F4 “openness to experience, trying oneself out”, F5 “publicity”, F6 “frankness, sincerity”, F7 “emotional joining the group”, F8 “insightfulness”, F9 “individualism”, F10 “free-thinking”. The identified factors are interpreted as specific personal formations involved in the realisation of acting.
Conclusions. The personal characteristics discovered in the study are considered from the point of view of the content and organisation of the actors' training process. They can act as an alternative to the traditional approach aimed at the development of actors' individual mental functions. Consideration of specific psychological vectors of personal development of student-actors as a basis for the proposed in training etudes and exercises shifts the focus of training on the image of character as a semantic unit of psychotechnical training.
The history of development of the cultural-historical theory and its contemporary perceptions: answering questions and questioning answers
Authors: Veresov Nikolai N.
Published: December 2024

Background. The identification of key periods of development in culturalhistorical theory is not just a task of historical interest. It may help to reconstruct
the logics and the moving forces in the development of Vygotsky’s theoretical
approaches at different periods and may thereby help to improve understanding of
key concepts and principles. The area of dialogue to which this article contributes
is contemporary perception of cultural-historical theory.
Objective. The aim is to analyse and reconstruct the evolution of theoretical
thought of L.S. Vygotsky.
Methods. The research involved analysis of texts by L.S. Vygotsky, relating to
different stages of his scientific path, biographical materials, analytical publications
of authors studying the works of L.S. Vygotsky.
Results. As literature shows, there is a tendency to highlight some periods of Vygotsky’s theoretical path while underestimating others. In some cases, this limits
the development of a holistic evolutionary approach to cultural-historical theory.
The article begins with a description of the key stages of Vygotsky’s theoretical
evolution with an emphasis on continuity and discontinuity. Then it presents and
critically discusses two examples of perception of Vygotsky’s legacy, which are
Gonzales Rey’s (2011) identification of “defining moments in Vygotsky’s work”,
and Engeström’s (1987, 1990) account of “three generations of CHAT”.
Conclusions. Cultural-historical theory is a powerful living and developing theory
which provides rich and strong theoretical and experimental tools for contemprary generations of researchers. New dialogues are required: however, a holistic
evolutionary approach to the history of cultural-historical theory should remain
on the agenda.
Lev Vygotsky: letters to Emma
Authors: Savchenko Nina L. , Siyan Marina V.
Published: December 2024

Background. The current publication presents the text of three previously unknown letters from L. S. Vygotsky to E.I. Heifetz, which were written by him in 1918, 1920 and 1921. A psychological analysis of the letters was carried out in the context of the author’s life at the time of their writing.
Objectives. The goal is to disclose previously unknown aspects regarding the personal and professional development of L.S. Vygotsky.
Methods. Analysis of archival documents in comparison with biographical materials from the period of Vygotsky’s life under study.
Results. The letters represent a unique source for understanding the experiences and moral and ethical views of the young Vygotsky: in them he provides reflections on his “Life’s Work”, the personal choices and social “sacrifices” required for its realisation and talks about the mystery of personal feelings. The analysis shows how these feelings and Vygotsky’s life views changed over time.
Conclusions. The analysed letters, along with characteristics of relationships within the family and in the microsocial environment, reveal the uniqueness of Vygotsky’s self-perception and personal self-determination in his youth.
Imaginaries of Loss: the Case of Grief Memoirs
Authors: Fabry Regina E.
Published: December 2024

Recently, grief memoirs have gained momentum in the storytelling boom. They have also inspired and shaped current theorising in the philosophy of grief. However, the possibilities and limitations of memoirs for capturing grief experiences have received limited philosophical attention and critical reflection. In redressing this issue, I propose that memoirisation can help navigate and negotiate the recurrent temporal dynamics of grief by offering opportunities for configuring self-referential narrative structures. Specifically, memoirisation can give narrative form to the connections between the re-imagined past, the immediate present, and the pre-imagined future in response to the irrevocable loss of a significant person.
Coupling Imagination with Emotion: Methodological Problems and Opportunities
Authors: Sha Richard C.
Published: December 2024

Coupling emotion and imagination can be very dangerous. In eighteenth-century Europe, the imagination’s tendency to fantasy was much feared. Adding emotion was and is risky. Yet there are ways to combine them without having to give up on imagination.
The Changing Nature of Convection over Earth’s Tropical Oceans from a Water Budget Perspective
Authors: Leitmann-Niimi Nicolas M. , Kummerow Christian D. , Hsiao Wei-Ting , Maloney Eric D.
Published: December 2024

The water budget components of an atmospheric column are precipitation, evaporation, and horizontal water vapor divergence. This study finds that when precipitation from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP), evaporation from the SeaFlux product, and water vapor divergence from ERA5 are employed, the degree of budget closure depends strongly on the location and time period. Variations in this error are not random, and this study seeks to better understand these biases as the climate system evolves. Errors are particularly significant over ocean regions in and near the west Pacific warm pool, where there are multiyear budget residuals of roughly 10% of the magnitude of precipitation. Biases in other tropical ocean basins are more seasonal and smaller in magnitude. Time-varying budget errors are strongly linked to variations in convective organization that vary with the large-scale environment; errors correlating with deep organized rain show coefficients of 0.62 and 0.56 in the west Pacific and central Pacific, respectively. Errors are linked to a lesser extent with cloud microphysical structures in the East Indian. Both factors affect rainfall retrievals through well-known precipitation bias mechanisms (beam-filling, convective/stratiform effects). Characteristics of the large-scale environment that produce changes in convective organization and precipitable ice water content are explored.
The Distinct Spatial Patterns and Physical Mechanisms of Coastal Boundary Layer Jets over the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Du Tianrui , Zhi Xiefei , Wang Yuhong , Zhou Liqun , Zhang Ling , Zhu Shoupeng
Published: December 2024

Two distinct spatial patterns of coastal boundary layer jets in the northern South China Sea (CBLJ-NSCS) in June 2015–22 are investigated using hourly output data from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with a horizontal grid spacing of 9 km and ERA5 data. Spatial pattern 1 shows a high-incidence core on the east side of Hainan Island, while pattern 2 features dual high-incidence cores covering both the east side of Hainan Island and the waters south of Guangdong, with the latter being stronger and more extensive. Unique diurnal cycles have been observed in different high-incidence cores of CBLJ-NSCS: the western core, on the east side of Hainan Island, peaks at night and shows a secondary afternoon subpeak, while the eastern core, located south of Guangdong, reaches its maximum intensity at night with a morning subpeak. Inertial oscillations triggered by large-scale perturbation wind circulation and momentum propagation from upstream Indochina Peninsula CBLJs explain the nocturnal enhancement of both cores. The thermal effect exerted by Hainan Island largely contributes to the afternoon enhancement in the western core. The formation of the morning subpeak of the eastern core results from strong convergence and lifting in the northeast region of it. When upstream CBLJs along the Annamite Range intensify, more momentum is propagated to the eastern core instead of the western one due to wind field changes, which promotes the transition from spatial pattern 1 to pattern 2.

Significance Statement

Two spatial patterns of coastal boundary layer jets in the northern South China Sea have been identified. Spatial pattern 1 shows a high-incidence core on the east side of Hainan Island, while pattern 2 features dual high-incidence cores covering both the east side of Hainan Island and the waters south of Guangdong. The transition between these two spatial patterns is related to low-level westerly winds along the coast of the Annamite Range. This study has uncovered the novel spatial pattern of coastal boundary layer jets in the northern South China Sea and provides new insights into precipitation research in southern China, considering the substantial influence of these jets on coastal weather.
Diet interventions for depression: Review and recommendations for practice
Authors: Staudacher Heidi M , Teasdale Scott , Cowan Caitlin , Opie Rachelle , Jacka Felice N , Rocks Tetyana
Published: December 2024

Objective:

this paper aims to present the evidence for the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of depression, review the potential underlying mechanisms and provide practice recommendations for mental health clinicians.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted through searches of PubMed with the search terms ‘depression’, ‘diet’, ‘prevention’, ‘treatment’ and ‘mechanisms’ and combinations thereof. Additional articles were identified through hand searching.

Results:

Greater adherence to several healthy dietary patterns, traditional diets such as the Mediterranean diet and other diets such as the DASH diet are associated with or can treat symptoms of depression. Several limitations of the research were noted, many of which relate to inherent challenges of studying diet. Mechanisms by which dietary intervention can influence mood include the gut microbiome, modulation of inflammatory processes, reduction in oxidative stress and modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function. Recommendations for mental health clinicians to enable translation of the evidence into practice are provided.

Conclusion:

Diet can play an important role in preventing and treating depression. Mental health clinicians are well placed to provide dietary counselling and to use clinical judgement in choosing the specific approach that reflects the needs of the patient but are encouraged to refer to a specialist dietitian where necessary.
Book review: Joshua Ehrlich, The East India Company and the Politics of Knowledge
Authors: Banerjee Prathama
Published: December 2024

Joshua Ehrlich, The East India Company and the Politics of Knowledge. Cambridge University Press, 2023, 243 pp.
Optimizing mHealth Interventions for Children’s Oral Hygiene: A Factorial Trial
Authors: Ihab M. , El-Sherif Y. , Yassin R. , Nabil N. , Quritum M. , Balbaa N. , Tantawi M. El
Published: December 2024

Behavioral interventions can improve children’s oral hygiene practices. The multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) offers a framework to prepare, optimize, and evaluate behavioral interventions. This optimization trial tested 3 intervention components—brief motivational interviewing (MI), storytelling videos (STVs), and oral health promotion messages (OHPMs)—in enhancing mother’s self-reported brushing of their preschool children’s teeth. A total of 128 mothers with children <5 y old were included in a 23 factorial trial. The primary outcome was children’s plaque accumulation, assessed using the modified Plaque Index of Silness and Löe, with scores ranging from 0 to 3. The secondary outcome was mothers’ self-reported frequency of brushing their children’s teeth, categorized as at least once daily or less than once daily. Mothers were randomized to 8 experimental conditions based on combinations of on-off levels of the 3 components. Linear regression and generalized linear regression with logit link function were used to assess the impact of the components and their interactions on plaque score and daily toothbrushing after 3 mo. Multiple imputation was used for missing values. The principle of effect hierarchy guided the selection of components for inclusion in the optimized package, giving priority to main effects and 2-way over 3-way interactions. Plaque was reduced from mean = 1.8 at baseline to mean = 1.5 and daily toothbrushing increased from 50.8% to 69.5% after 3 mo. MI led to non-significantly less plaque and non-significantly more daily toothbrushing. Combining OHPMs and STVs together without MI canceled each other. Neither the main effects nor the 2- or 3-way interactions significantly affected the 2 outcomes. Individual or combined components did not significantly reduce plaque or increase daily toothbrushing. MI had the greatest promise for behavior change, and the m-oral health components need modification before they can be combined with MI in a health promotion package.