bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SLOVAK AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN TERMS OF THE INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Authors: KVAPIL Roman , ŠIPOŠOVÁ Martina
Published: November 2024

The article represents a methodological starting point for research on teaching Slovak as a foreign language in the Slovak Republic. After the Slovak Republic joined the eurozone, it was necessary to start understanding Slovak as the state language – as a compulsory subject for Slovaks, but also to start teaching it to different groups of foreigners moving to Slovakia. This need has become even more pressing since February 2022, when the war conflict in Ukraine forced thousands of Ukrainians to leave their homes and seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Slovakia. This raised the question of how to deal with Slovak as a foreign language within the educational system of the Slovak Republic. Legislation (a law on the Residence of Foreigners in Slovakia) is also currently being prepared that will require foreigners asking for living in Slovakia to take a standardized test/exam at an accredited educational institution. However, since very few research studies on this topic have been conducted, this scholarly article lays foundations and poses methodological questions within five key thematic areas (i.e., learners’ motivation, intermediary language, textbooks, testing reference levels and error analysis, particular case studies) when directing a follow-up series of research studies and to justify why these issues are relevant. Therefore, the article explains the starting points that are anchored in previous scientific works in the field. Furthermore, the elaborated theoretical foundations and proposed research studies that will be carried out by university teachers and educational researchers are aimed at deepening scientific knowledge not only in the context of Slovak as a foreign language, but also of other minor foreign languages (e.g. Polish, Czech, Croatian, etc.).
ABOUT THE IMAGERY OF JÁN ONDRUŠ
Authors: STRUHÁROVÁ Terézia
Published: November 2024

The study focuses on the up-to-date theoretical reflection of imagery in the poetry of the Slovak concretist poet Ján Ondruš and on the interpretation and analysis of the elements of imagery in Ondruš's poem from the collection Lunatic Moon (1965). This collection has a significant presence in Slovak modern poetry. At the time of its publication, it was associated with names such as Nezval, Poe, Lautréamont, Rimbaud, Borel, Quincey, Chlebnikov and terms such as exclusivity, esotericism, unrepeatability or originality, and with authenticity, which was also an important characteristic. In the collection consisting of twenty-three poems, the central theme is the tragic feeling of life resulting from the inability, or rather the impossibility, to merge into one essence. For our analysis and interpretation, we decided to choose a poem that we consider to be a representative and supporting poem of the collection and whose poetic statement is interesting to us from the point of view of imagery and imagination. We consider the work with details to be an exceptional element in Ondruš's poetry. The poet concentrates on concrete situations, phenomena and processes and on abstract concepts that he immortalizes. Ondruš's expressive apparatus is unique and sometimes difficult to absorb. Verses are mostly composed of simple sentences, and we could describe such writing as rational. Theoretical knowledge about the imagery of Ján Ondruš is also an important contribution for us. It will become a theoretical prerequisite for the investigation of imagery in his poetry.
HAMLET AND GJORG BERISHA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHARACTERS
Authors: BALAJ Butrint , DIBRA Vjollca
Published: November 2024

The art of literature has brought together the experiences of human society and foregrounded various artistic values. The effort to examine the elements of universalization in literature through the perspective of juxtaposition is an innovation of this study. The purpose of this paper is to highlight this type of universalization, recognizing two characters from different literatures, genres, and cultures. The work is based on the main theme, which is revenge, but it also deals with some key elements such as life, death, justice, honor, love, passion, etc., through which the characters are compared as a whole. The study provides a comparative perspective, where systematic juxtaposition assists in identifying shared and distinctive elements throughout the logical flow of the narrative. The compared elements are of different natures and different in contextual and social aspects (events, situations, psychological aspects, space-time, etc.). For the comparison of these elements, a blend of comparative methodology, juxtaposition, as well as methods of variation and inclusion have been employed. The study holds a novel scientific value, as it extensively delves into comparison through juxtaposition, and aims to explore universal literary issues by recognizing two characters, Gjorg Berisha and Hamlet.
THE SPECIFICITY OF AUTHOR'S REPRESENTATION OF MODERN FAMILY MODELS AND MATERNAL CHARACTERS IN NOWADAYS UKRAINIAN LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Authors: KYZYLOVA Vitalina , VASYLIEVA Marharyta
Published: November 2024

The article considers the specificity of the author’s representation of modern family models and maternal characters in nowadays literature for children and youth on the example of works of Ukrainian writers. The relevance of the research is emphasized, which is caused by the transformation of socio-cultural stereotypes in the maternal sphere. Classical and modern approaches to understanding the concepts of family and motherhood in the socio-psychological context, in folklore and fiction are outlined.
The collection “Mom on Skype” highlights informal family models: children without fathers; children with a father/in the father’s new family; children in a full family after the mother’s return. The problematic and thematic proximity of the stories and the commonality of motifs are emphasized. The artistic means of creating images of children and mothers are characterized. Attention is focused on understanding the fact of a mother’s remote stay as a stressful situation that affects the child’s personal and psychological development.
The book “Maya and Her Mothers” records the transformation of ideas about family and family values. The diversity of children’s families (a child and two mothers, a child in a family of guardians, a child in a family with a stepfather or stepmother, a test-tube child in a full-fledged family) is noted as the author’s fixation of a cross-section of modern society in its gender, social, and mental manifestations. The contrast between the motifs of the work and the collection “Mom on Skype”, their characters, their harmony, the absence of internal contradictions and conflicts are emphasized.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEMPORAL PROSODIC PARAMETERS IN THE SPEECH
OF FOREIGN STUDENTS LEARNING THE BULGARIAN LANGUAGE
Authors: PATSEVA Mirena
Published: November 2024

The work examines the prosodic realization of the Bulgarian word stress in the speech of Chinese Mandarin speakers, with the aim of outlining the parameters that make the comprehensibility of their speech difficult.
Instrumental phonetics methods are used and recordings of read speech are analyzed with the speech signal processing program Praat. The research is focused on the duration of the vowels as one of the acoustic ques of the word stress. To minimize the
"inconsistency" of the binary division of stressed and unstressed units in connected speech (discussed in the literature), taking into account the fact that the acoustic keys of stress are subject to intonational shaping by tonal accents and boundary tones,
we separately compare the duration of stressed vowels, the unstressed non-final and the unstressed final. The results show that the characteristic ratio of stressed and unstressed non-final vowels for Bulgarian language, in which the former outweigh the
latter by about one and a half times, is not reached among Chinese speakers. Therefore, it is difficult to determine which vowel/syllable is stressed in their speech. The unstressed final vowels are longer than the stressed ones in both groups, which
is an expected result due to the final lengthening before pause.
LEXICOGRAPHIC ORGANOLEPTICS: PERCEPTUAL SIGN ‘TASTE’ IN THE DEFINITION OF FRUIT NAMES (BASED ON DICTIONARIES OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES)
Authors: ZHUIKOVA Marharyta , YODLOVSKA Alina
Published: November 2024

223 definitions of lexemes of the thematic group “Fruits” selected from ten dictionaries of eight different languages were investigated in this article. All researched dictionaries were designed for a wide range of speakers and created in the second half of the twentieth century. The analysis showed that all definitions are specific, despite the fact that they provide information about the same objects perceivable by a human via senses. The task was to identify the peculiarities of using the taste marker when describing a particular fruit in different dictionaries.
Two fruits that have the highest marker usage rate for “taste” are date and grapefruit. It can be explained by some deviation from the organoleptic standard (the date is very sweet and the grapefruit is bitter). The tendency towards a significant decrease in the use of the “taste” marker while investigating the group of fruits growing on the territory of the corresponding country was revealed due to the fact that the taste of those fruits is actualized in the speakers' minds and forms a single complex with other perceptual features. The inclusion of the "taste" attribute in the definition can be intuitively perceived as redundant information. Another tendency reflects the increasing use of the “taste” marker in the description of fruits that are not typical for a particular country (territory) and are less likely to occur in the perceptual experience of speakers.
The definition is thus a means of constructing meaningful reality in accordance with some trends in the assessment of extra lingual phenomena.
LANGUAGE OF A BARRIER-FREE SOCIETY: THE EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINE
Authors: MAKARETS Iuliia
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this article is to provide a better scientific understanding of a “barrier-free language”, the concept of which has been developed by Ukrainian politicians, public figures and journalists, and to interpret it as a linguistic phenomenon. The subject of scientific interest is the handbook and the dictionary of the barrier-free language introduced in Ukraine as a part of the strategy for the formation of a barrier-free society, and its object is the suggested linguistic means of implementing the principles of the barrier-free language and argumentation of their expediency.
The compilation of the dictionary of the barrier-free language and the suggested changes in nomination demonstrate a number of important developments: overcoming depersonalisation, rethinking the role of linguistic means that were previously unconditionally perceived as acceptable and desirable (in particular, euphemisms) in communication, understanding affixal derivatives not only in linguistic dimension in terms of word-forming meaning, but also taking into account their social connotations fixed by usage, raising the issue of objectification of a person's sexual and gender identity in the Ukrainian language, etc. In a broader sense, it demonstrates changes in perception of language as a social phenomenon that not only serves the communicative needs of society but also affects the way people live in it, and the gradual formation of a type of speaker who understands freedom of expression as inseparable from the responsibility to respect the rights and guarantee the freedom of others.
Impact of Xylitol chewing gum on levels of oral Streptococcus mutans. A systematic review
Authors:   Department of Prevention, Dental School, Argentina University, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tunes Antonio
Published: November 2024

Objectives. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of xylitol in combating Streptococcus mutans, a key bacterium associated with dental caries. Methods. We performed a search across Scopus, Open Grey, PubMed, Science Direct, and EBSCO databases. After screening and excluding articles that did not meet our predefined inclusion criteria, we selected seven out of the eighty-nine initially identified articles. Data extraction was carried out in three stages: identification, screening, and assessment of eligibility. Results. Among the studies included in this review, six were randomized clinical trials, and one was a before-and-after comparison. Most of these studies indicate that xylitol chewing gum may effectively reduce S. mutans counts, potentially lowering the risk of dental caries. Conclusion. The reviewed studies show that xylitol chewing gum positively affects both the quality and quantity of S. mutans. It inhibits S. mutans adhesion to tooth surfaces, reduces the production of sticky substances, and alters the bacteria's morphology. Consequently, this leads to improvements in plaque index, gingival index, and DMFT scores.
GCG dan Budaya Organisasi: Kunci Keberhasilan Koperasi Simpan Pinjam di Kecamatan Gianyar
Authors: Ayu Putu Cita , Pramuki Ni Made Wisni Arie
Published: November 2024

Kinerja merupakan hasil usaha seorang pekerja dalam memenuhi tugas pekerjaannya. Setiap karyawan memiliki harapan yang sama dan konstan akan keunggulan dari perusahaan atau organisasinya. Tata kelola perusahaan yang baik serta Budaya organisasi dan efektivitas koperasi simpan pinjam di Kecamatan Gianyar berpengaruh positif dan signifikan kepada kinerja koperasi simpan pinjam di Kecamatan Gianyar, bahwasanya dampak tersebut tumbuh dengan makin suksesnya penerapan tata kelola perusahaan yang baik di dalam suatu organisasi (KSP). Responden yang berjumlah 45 orang merupakan ketua, sekretaris, dan bendahara dari 15 koperasi simpan pinjam di Kabupaten Gianyar. Dengan jumlah total 45 individu, metode sampling jenuh digunakan dalam penelitian ini. Responden sejumlah 45 orang dipilih karena mengetahui secara lengkap dan jelas mengenai tata kelola dan budaya organisasi KSP. Kuesioner dikirimkan kepada ketua, sekretaris, dan bendahara koperasi untuk mengumpulkan data untuk penelitian ini. Untuk mengevaluasi data penelitian ini, digunakan statistik deskriptif dan analisis kuadrat terkecil parsial (PLS). Hasil Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Tata kelola perusahaan yang baik berdampak positif signifikan kepada kinerja koperasi simpan pinjam di Kecamatan Gianyar menampilkan bahwasanya dampak tersebut tumbuh dengan makin suksesnya penerapan tata kelola perusahaan yang baik di dalam suatu organisasi (KSP). Budaya organisasi dan efektivitas koperasi simpan pinjam di Kecamatan Gianyar berpengaruh positif dan signifikan, karena saat koperasi simpan pinjam mampu menerapakn budaya organisasi dengan baik di dalam organisasi (KSP), maka hal ini menjadi lebih kuat pada kinerja koperasi simpan pinjam tersebut.
Peran Brand Experience dan Experiential Marketing terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan melalui Kepuasan Pelanggan
Authors: Suardana Gede , Madiarsa I Made
Published: November 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh Brand Experience dan Experiential Marketing dalam Membangun Customer Loyalty melalui Customer Satisfaction. Populasi dalam penelitian adalah customer pada Pertenunan Artha Dharma Desa Sinabun Kecamatan Sawan Kabupaten Buleleng, dan sampel penelitian ini berjumlah 150 responden, melalui accidental sampling. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan teknik observasi dengan mengamati seara secara langsung ke Pertenunan Artha Dharma, kuesioner sebagai instrumen penelitian disebarkan kepada responden dalam hal ini pelanggan pada Pertenunan Artha Dharma, interview atau wawancara dan dokumentasi dilakukan dengan owner Pertenunan Artha Dharma. Data dianalisis secara kuantitatif melalui analisis Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Hasil analisis data menunjukkan terdapat pengaruh Brand Experience terhadap Customer Loyalty dapat diterima dengan probabilitas sebesar 0,069 (< 0,05) dengan koefisien 0,041. Terdapat pengaruh Experiential Marketing terhadap Customer Loyalty dapat diterima dengan probabilitas sebesar 0,075 (< 0,05) dengan koefisien 0,053. Terdapat pengaruh Customer Satisfaction terhadap Customer Loyalty dapat diterima dengan probabilitas sebesar 0,059 (< 0,05) dengan koefisien 0,074. Terdapat pengaruh Brand Experience terhadap Customer Loyalty melalui Customer Satisfaction dapat diterima dengan probabilitas sebesar 0,022 (< 0,05) dengan koefisien 19,675. Terdapat pengaruh Experiential Marketing terhadap Customer Loyalty melalui Customer Satisfaction dapat diterima dengan probabilitas sebesar 0,098 (< 0,05) dengan koefisien 1,946.
Shining a Light on Equitable Solar Energy: Addressing Challenges and Enhancing Opportunities for Business Participation in Community Solar
Authors: Ashraf Atif Mohammed , Boehm Matthew A. , Davila Aida , Paduani Melinda , Schnapp Wesley I.
Published: November 2024

Solar energy plays a vital role in achieving the United States’ decarbonization goals. Enabling community solar projects is an underutilized strategy for increasing renewable energy generation and offers potential solutions for addressing disparities in solar energy distribution. Although community solar use has been initiated through utility-scale platforms, less attention and efforts have gone into facilitating community solar programs that collaborate with businesses who use distributed solar (i.e., rooftop) panels. Engaging businesses in community solar programs provides opportunities for commercial buildings to expand solar energy panels, maximizing use of available space for solar installations and decreasing land-use for solar farms, increasing use and energy resiliency at the residential level, and improving equitable access. We propose three policy recommendations: (1) Renewing and expanding the Sunny Awards recognition program; (2) Modifying tax incentives for businesses to reduce costs of solar installation and encourage energy distribution; and (3) Introducing a new business model for energy distribution. These recommendations provide strategies and insights for encouraging businesses to implement community solar on a broader scale.
International STEM Graduate Students: A Key to Strengthening the American Economy and Building Competitiveness
Authors: Davis Brendon E. M. , Razavi-Mohseni Milad , Soltis John , Zhang Hao Nick , Kavanagh Erin W.
Published: November 2024

The United States (US) is renowned for offering world-class education to thousands of international students seeking advanced degrees in the STEM fields. However, the US is at risk of losing a significant portion of this talent due to limited visa options. While US funds and resources are invested in training international STEM graduate students, many students are compelled to leave the US for other countries with more favorable visa policies. This potential loss of talent is particularly concerning as China is poised to overtake the US in Research and Development (R&D) investment, while countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with China, are seeking to attract foreign high-skilled STEM talents with their visa programs. STEM jobs comprise 48% of the 100 fastest growing jobs in the US while STEM industries such as the semiconductor sector already struggle to meet their growing demand for high-skilled workers. These demands can be alleviated by international STEM graduate students. In order for Congress to leverage this economic opportunity before losing American-trained students to other countries, we propose the following: i) Exempt international STEM graduate students from the visa requirement of proving their intent to leave the US after graduation, ii) Increase or circumvent the annual numerical employment green card cap for international STEM graduate students, iii) Extend the unemployment grace period for H-1B and OPT visa holders to allow sufficient time to find a new job.
Policy Considerations for Canada’s Open Access Publishing Strategy
Authors: Douglas Gavin M.
Published: November 2024

Open access publishing is primarily driven by the motivation to make publicly funded research findings freely available to potential readers. This can entail increased costs for authors, research institutions, and funding bodies, although the relative costs for stakeholders of open access publishing depends on the publishing sub-type. This point is highly relevant to Canada’s research funding agencies, which are reviewing their Open Access Policy on Publications, with a renewed policy to be released before 2026. Here, I review the open access publishing options, and I recommend Canadian funding agencies incentivize a shift to Diamond open access publishing.
On Accountability: Genetic Tools for Justice and Injustice in Criminal Proceedings
Authors: Greenwald Emily , Phiri Linda
Published: November 2024

Analysis of DNA found at crime scenes has made headlines when used to solve serial killer cold cases. The DNA Identification Act of 1994 approved the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a database that stores profiles of 20 genetic markers for forensic investigations. The CODIS markers were specifically chosen because they were thought to be unlinkable to personally identifiable individual traits. However, advances in genetics research have expanded the traits associated with CODIS markers and increased the tools and applications of forensic genetics, thus further increasing the information investigators could gain from a suspected person’s CODIS profile. This is also true regarding private companies, who may analyze genetic information beyond that included in a CODIS profile. These scientific developments may lead to infringements on genetic privacy rights. Additionally, in 2013, the US Supreme Court held in Maryland v King that people who have been arrested, even if they are acquitted or never indicted, can be added to CODIS databases. Due to racial biases in policing and arrests, this has led to inequity in who is represented in CODIS databases, specifically an over-representation of Black individuals’ genetic profiles. Therefore, the use of genetic tools in criminal proceedings, including but not only from CODIS databases, pose risks to privacy and also serve as a seemingly race-neutral tool that, in practice, promotes racial inequity. We suggest implementation of state-specific research and oversight boards with three charges focused on CODIS and investigations using genetic tools employed by private companies: (1) study uses of genetic tools in criminal investigations; (2) study the impact of genetic tools in criminal proceedings and interface with stakeholders and the general public; and (3) use knowledge from (1) and (2) to inform policy recommendations, for which we make several initial suggestions. These boards will provide accountability to increase accuracy, privacy, and equity when using genetic tools in criminal proceedings.
Reducing Racial Biases within Healthcare Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) With Transparency
Authors: Harve Mishayla , Ramamoorthy Sakthi Priya , Pati Viresh , Bainbridge Garen , Kankolenski Abigayle , Podder Bratee , Sampt Matthew
Published: November 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in healthcare for applications such as drug discovery, diagnostics, disease management, and delivery of services. However, integrating AI and healthcare raises concerns about reinforcing existing societal prejudices: AI systems are known to exhibit racial biases by making inaccurate and unreliable decisions based on race when it is irrelevant to the task. Furthermore, government directives currently lack consistent standards for regulating AI and offer insufficient guidance on preventing the perpetuation of harmful racial biases, especially in healthcare. To improve patients’ quality of life interacting with AI systems, it is essential to ensure transparency regarding these systems. Additionally, it is vital to ensure that innovation dedicated to improving healthcare enhances the integrity of the patient’s experience rather than compounds existing systemic disparities. The authors propose three recommendations to address racial biases in healthcare applications of AI and emphasize the need for legislation placing AI regulation in healthcare at the forefront of healthcare policy agendas.
Policy Solutions for Enhancing Drug Pricing Transparency and Reducing Health Care Costs in the United States
Authors: Marcheskie Rachel L. , Ellis Jeremy R.
Published: November 2024

The excessive cost of prescription pharmaceuticals in the United States is an often-recognized issue for consumers, healthcare providers, and insurance companies alike. A major contributing factor to excess cost is the lack of transparency in drug pricing, which makes it difficult for stakeholders to understand the actual costs of medications. In this article, we look at two basic policy measures to ameliorate this issue. First, we explore providing consumers with clear information on medication costs at the point of prescription, specifically in outpatient doctors' offices. This policy seeks to empower patients and enhance informed decision-making by integrating drug cost information into electronic health records (EHRs), allowing physicians to discuss cost-effective alternatives with their patients. Second, we investigate potential federal regulations that would require pharmaceutical companies to publicly disclose reasons for price hikes, using specific benchmarks as guidelines. These regulations would mandate pharmaceutical companies to report heavy price increases and the factors contributing to these hikes, thereby holding manufacturers accountable and promoting price stability. By addressing these two policy measures, the article aims to enhance drug price transparency and reduce healthcare costs.
From Clandestine to Certified: Shaping a Sustainable and Equitable Future for Bacanora Production in Sonora
Authors: Niffenegger Madison , Ibarra Lea , Hall Caitlyn A.
Published: November 2024

The international popularity of traditional agave spirits, like bacanora, is growing. However, the Sonoran Council’s inaction in ensuring equity among producers and sustainable agriculture practices raises concerns about the product’s future. While bacanora production has transitioned from being outlawed in Mexico to being protected under a Denomination of Origin (DO), social and environmental issues persist due to the Council’s lack of proactive measures. Ensuring sustainable bacanora production is crucial for cultural and economic longevity within the industry. Herein, we recommend that the Sonoran Council implement a funded initiative to reduce small-scale producers' barriers: difficulties in qualifying for certification, overharvesting, and financial strife among small-scale producers. Additionally, policies should be in place to formally expand conservation efforts that support sustainable agricultural techniques. These recommendations seek to ensure the longevity of the bacanora industry and support the traditional knowledge that has persisted throughout history.
Analysis of Historical Federal R&D Priorities: The OMB-OSTP Memorandum and the R&D Section of the Analytical Perspectives in the President's Budget
Authors: Roepke Casey , Zuckerman Brian
Published: November 2024

Each year, the directors of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) jointly produce a memorandum of research and development priorities and how those priorities align with the fiscal year budget. This memo guides the actions of executive branch departments and agencies towards the administration’s science and technology priorities. By presenting these priorities yearly, these memoranda serve as a record of the science and technology priorities of respective Presidential administrations and, in turn, can reflect a changing science and technology policy landscape over the duration of several Presidential terms. This paper assesses how science and technology policy priorities, as established in these memoranda, are reflected in the Presidential budget within and across administrations. Additionally, this paper compares and analyzes priority topic areas from the OMB/OSTP memos with another representation of science and technology areas of emphasis: the research and development (R&D) section of the Analytical Perspectives in the President’s budget. The Analytical Perspectives document highlights items from the Presidential budget requests. This paper discerns the extent to which these two sources of priority-setting become aligned in order to identify trends in which science and technology topics are prioritized by the White House across time and administration. This study addresses two core research questions: 1) How do science and technology priorities change over time, both across and/or within Presidential administrations?; and 2) To what extent, if any, are the ideas in the OMB/OSTP science and technology priorities memoranda and the Analytical Perspectives documents aligned?
Penerapan Metode Stable Diffusion Dengan Fine Tuning Untuk Pola Endek Bali
Authors: Ginantra Ni Luh Wiwik Sri Rahayu , Hendrawati Theresia , Wulandari Dewa Ayu Putri
Published: November 2024

Endek Bali fabric is a cultural heritage of Bali renowned for its traditional decorative motifs, including floral, fauna, patra, and diamond patterns. Although rich in cultural value, artisans often face challenges in creating new designs that align with market trends while preserving cultural authenticity. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, particularly text-to-image generation models, offers a solution to this issue by streamlining the design process and enabling the exploration of new motifs. The Stable Diffusion model, introduced by Stability.AI in 2022 and open source, can be utilized to generate Endek Bali patterns through Fine Tuning techniques. Fine Tuning allows the model to be adapted to specific domains, enhancing its performance in generating textile patterns based on textual descriptions. This study aims to apply the Stable Diffusion model and Fine Tuning techniques to create new patterns and motifs. By using this model, it is hoped that innovative designs can be produced while maintaining the authenticity and local cultural values of Bali. The research demonstrates that the Fine-Tuned Stable Diffusion model is effective in creating Endek Bali patterns with high accuracy, as evaluated by Clip Similarity, with the highest scores achieved for Floral Patterns (92.43), followed by Decorative (free-form motifs) Floral (88.77), Decorative (free-form motifs) Geometric (87.94), and Decorative (free-form motifs) (85.79). These findings indicate the model’s flexibility and effectiveness in producing intricate textile designs, enabling designers and artisans to generate complex and innovative patterns solely from textual descriptions while preserving Bali’s cultural values.
Transnational Discourses of Masculinity and Desire in
Les Cenelles
, an Afro-Creole Anthology of Romantic Poetry in French
Authors: Adele Okoli K.
Published: November 2024

This article contextualizes
Les Cenelles
and its poets of French expression in the shifting historical landscape of mid-nineteenth-century New Orleans, examining the formative roles of gender-segregated Catholic education, patriarchal order, and racial discourses in the first known African American literary anthology. The author then provides close feminist readings of the anthology’s figurations of masculine desire in the cultural context of
plaçage
– diverse formations of extra-legal liaisons between Creole women of colour and white lovers or ‘protectors’. Through this detour, the poets ultimately express their layered spatialized desire for another mother –
la mère France
. The Catholic fraternity constituted in and through the poetic anthology as a communal literary object thus contests overlapping American socio-economic formations operating to the exclusion and oppression of its authors. It actualizes collective contention not only through textual performances of masculine rage and mourning, but also through transatlantic affiliation with French Romantic literary conventions and canon.
Subversive Sketching: Intratextual Debate in British Accounts of China, 1797–1805
Authors: Hargrave Jennifer L.
Published: November 2024

This article focuses on the intratextual relationship between written and visual representations within George Staunton’s and John Barrow’s travel narratives (1797 and 1804 respectively) and William Alexander’s pictorial volumes (1797 and 1805) to underscore the ambiguity undergirding Romantic-era appraisals of China. These competing depictions disrupt narratives – beginning in the mid-nineteenth century – that expunge equivocal representation to perpetuate false teleological narratives of Anglo-Sino relations, culminating in familiar orientalist models.
Review Forum:
The Violence of Colonial Photography
Authors: Cook Susan E. , Dell Simon , Rushohora Nancy , Foliard Daniel
Published: November 2024

For this review forum, Susan Cook, Simon Dell, and Nancy Rushohora were invited to explore issues raised in Daniel Foliard’s
The Violence of Colonial Photography
. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2022. pp. 368. £16.99. ISBN 9781526163318. Foliard was then asked to respond.
Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers: A review
Authors: Yasin Muhammad , Khan Amna , Qayyum Mirza Abdul , Yousuf Hafiz Muhammad Bilal , Mehfooz Areej , Hunter David
Published: November 2024

Locusts and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are pests of agricultural importance, devastating crops and pastures. This group includes hundreds of pest species and affects the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide. Their outbreaks can be chronic or episodic, with alternating periods of invasion and recession. Here, we review the natural enemies of locusts and grasshoppers in both their native and invaded ranges across the globe to assess the need for their conservation and maintenance as part of the natural suppression of outbreaks and to augment outbreak suppression as potential biological control agents. More than 70 natural enemies have been reported to attack locusts and grasshoppers, including entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predatory insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Particular attention is given to the well-studied species of locusts and grasshoppers for which more information is available and to natural enemies in the locust-affected countries as part of the recent trend of looking for indigenous natural enemies. Such organisms can play a vital role in integrated pest management strategies for locusts and grasshoppers, particularly entomopathogens that can be incorporated with chemical pesticides into the management system. Among the organisms considered, Metarhizium acridum is noteworthy for inclusion in integrated pest management programs.
Evolutionary history of Chinese karst loaches (Nemacheilidae, Karstsinnectes): new insights from mitochondrial-based genomes and description of a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: Luo Tao , Luo Fang-Wei , Lan Chang-Ting , Xiao Ming-Yuan , Zhou Jia-Jun , Liao Mei , Xiao Ning , Zhou Jiang
Published: November 2024

The genus Karstsinnectes of blind fishes known as karst loaches from China was established in 2023 during a revision of the genus Oreonectes (Nemacheilidae). Six species are recorded in this study and some taxonomic progress has been made; however, the lack of genetic data for some species (e.g., K. anophthalmus) may have weakened our current understanding of Karstsinnectes. This study reassessed the phylogeny and evolutionary history of Karstsinnectes by integrating a combination of previously published and newly sequenced mitochondrial genomic data. A phylogenetic tree was developed that was able to divide Karstsinnectes into two clades corresponding to drainages and clarify the phylogenetic position of K. anophthalmus. Divergence times show that Karstsinnectes originated at the Oligocene/Miocene boundary (~22.37 Mya), with the most recent common ancestor occurring in the early Miocene (~18.87 Mya) and interspecific divergence occurring in the late Miocene. Ancestral area reconstruction suggests that the most recent common ancestor of Karstsinnectes most likely inhabited the Hongshui River basin and dispersed into the Zuojiang-Yujiang, Beipanjiang, and Youjiang river basins during the early Miocene (~18.87 Mya), middle Miocene (~12.78 Mya), and late Miocene (~6.71 Mya), respectively. The dispersal under the influence of orogenesis and a monsoon climate drove the speciation and diverse distribution of Karstsinnectes. Such findings are important for conservation considering that Karstsinnectes strictly inhabits deep caves. Additionally, the taxonomic status of the distributed Karstsinnectes population in Leiping Town, Daxin County, Guangxi, China was revised by combining genetic and morphological differences to describe this population as a new species, Karstsinnectes daxinensis Luo, Zhou & Zhou, sp. nov. The definition of the phylogenetic position of K. anophthalmus emphasizes the importance of using type locality material for the identification of cryptic species.
Navigating AI Transformation: Human Resource Development Strategies for Corporate Learning
Authors: Seufert Sabine , Spirgi Judith
Published: November 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised knowledge work through generative AI like ChatGPT, impacting coordination, creativity, and problem-solving. As AI adoption accelerates, understanding its implications for Human Resource Development (HRD) becomes crucial. This paper introduces a conceptual framework for HRD strategies in AI transformation, addressing the dearth of research in this area. Utilising a case study approach, we distinguish five strategies: Acceleration, Culture-driven Transformation, Data-Driven Agility, Personalized Learning, and Immersive, emotional Learning at the workplace. Each strategy caters to distinct organisational needs. Challenges include balancing rapid upskilling, managing cultural shifts, ensuring data quality, promoting self-directed learning, and implementing immersive technologies. The framework offers insights for organisations navigating AI-induced transformations in HRD practices. Further research and refinement are essential as AI technology evolves.
Using a Random Controlled Trial to Explore the Impact of AI-Enabled Learning
Authors: Lynch Doug , DeGenarro Mark
Published: November 2024

Much is being made of AI’s role in learning. However, there have been few studies that evaluate AI’s ability to make learning more efficient or more effective and specifically the learner’s willingness to embrace and use AI-enabled learning tools over conventional learning methodologies.
Working with a manufacturing company, we used a randomized control trial approach (matching pairs) to present two groups of employees with a course on design thinking, one presented via a traditional learning management system (LMS Group) and other through an AI enabled tool (AI Group), with the content being identical in order to compare completion rates, time to completion, learning outcomes (subject matter knowledge retained) and the learner’s perceptions of value and experience. We also were able to compare the AI enabled version of the course to the same version with the addition of a face-to-face instructional component.
While we found that those participants in the AI Group completed the course in a shorter period of time, had better learning outcomes and expressed higher perceptions of course value, the AI Group significantly underperformed the LMS Group in terms of course commencement and completion rates. Our finding suggest that the adoption of AI enabled learning tools may follow similar patterns of adoption rates of new technologies -- and require educating learners regarding the use, benefits, value and limitations of new AI enabled tools before widespread acceptance and usage.
Upskilling for the Modern Workplace
Authors: Buckley Claudia , Castro Jorge Maria Fernanda
Published: November 2024

The skills gap represents a significant challenge in today’s ever-evolving workplace, affecting various industries and age groups. This gap leads to increased recruitment costs, hinders innovation and growth, and reduces productivity and efficiency. Leaders worldwide agree that upskilling is essential for addressing this issue and building a future-ready workforce. However, significant barriers persist, particularly budget constraints and low engagement in training programs. This article presents a case study on a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth and vulnerable community members develop job readiness skills using the GoSkills course library and learning management system (LMS). Through interviews with the organization's program director and learners, and an analysis of the platform’s reports, the study identifies best practices for upskilling and assesses their effectiveness. The findings provide actionable recommendations for organizations to create a more engaging and effective upskilling strategy without necessarily increasing their training budget.
Nymphoplastie
Authors: Piazza Sara
Published: November 2024

Après le visage, les seins ou les fesses, le sexe féminin est l'un des nouveaux territoires de la chirurgie esthétique. La nymphoplastie de réduction consiste à réduire la taille des petites lèvres de la vulve à des fins esthétiques ou de confort. Sara Piazza, psychologue clinicienne, sonde cette pratique. Esquissant d'abord une histoire des actes chirurgicaux sur le sexe féminin, elle convoque ensuite un ensemble de représentations de la vulve, de l'histoire de l'art à celles, plus contemporaines, où le sexe est réduit à une fente, tel le « sexe de petite fille » ou le « sexe net » que les femmes souhaitent obtenir. L’image infantile interroge la confrontation à certains enjeux psychiques – la sexualité féminine comme incontrôlable et démesurée, le danger que peut représenter la vulve, le rapport au sexe maternel, et enfin la dimension de la vieillesse et de la mort. Ce livre, éclairé par les sciences humaines et sociales, porte un regard psychanalytique sur une pratique encore méconnue, où sexualité, identité et représentation se mêlent.
Composites Recycling by Using Intumescent Flame-Retardant Concept
Authors: Kachouri Oussema , Bardon Julien , Ruch David , Laachachi Abdelghani
Published: November 2024

A structural composite material is obtained by incorporating continuous and strong fibres in a polymer matrix. Such a design leads to materials with exceptional mechanical properties over a very small density. This family of composite materials can be extended further by combining special designs of composite sub-parts, like in honeycomb structures. Thanks to their performances, these composites are increasingly used in a range of applications mainly in the energy, construction, automotive and aerospace sectors. However, it is very difficult to dismantle composite materials in multi-material structures for recycling purposes; currently, they are mainly incinerated to produce energy. The present paper proposes adding “smart chemical additives” during composite manufacturing and assembly, which will facilitate both the separation of multi-material structures into single blocks, and the separation of composite sub-parts into raw materials. This innovative “debonding on-demand” function provides a significant incentive to using composite materials in a circular economy, i.e. promoting the repair, reuse and recycling of these materials.
Manufacturing Aluminum-Based Nanocomposites via Stir-Squeeze Casting Combined with Ultrasonication
Authors: Al-Maharbi Majid , Al-Subhi Ziyad
Published: November 2024

This study successfully produced aluminum nanocomposites using a stir-squeeze casting process, both with and without ultrasonication (US) assistance. The matrix material utilized was scrap automobile wheel aluminum alloy (A356), with 1% SiC nano particles, averaging a size of 40 nm, serving as the reinforcement material. A comparison was made by also producing A356 aluminum casts with and without the use of US. The produced casts underwent thorough chemical and mechanical characterization, including optical and scanning microscopy, porosity measurement, hardness measurement, compression and tensile testing, as well as wear testing. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to assess compositions and confirm the presence of SiC nano particles in the aluminum matrix. Porosity levels were slightly higher in the nanocomposite samples compared to pure matrix samples, attributed to the tendency of pore formation due to improper distribution of ceramic particles, resulting in clustering and agglomeration. However, significant reduction in porosity was observed with the application of ultrasonication, effectively breaking up clusters and agglomerations of reinforcement particles. Regarding mechanical properties, the A356+SiC sample with US exhibited the highest hardness (70.8 HRB), tensile strength (163.25 MPa), and compressive strength (387.2 MPa), along with the lowest abrasive wear loss (0.0017 g) among all types of casts produced in this study.
Improvement of Fatigue Characteristics of Friction Stir Welded A6061-T6 Applying Shot Peening
Authors: Park Sang Hyun , Nam Hyungseok , Nam Ki Woo
Published: November 2024

Recently, researchers have developed the method as a harmless the crack by the surface modification. For the purpose of contributing to reliability improvement of the A6061-T6 structure by harmless method, the following research was carried out: The tensile residual stress of friction stir welding was added by shot peening, resulting in a more significant compressive residual stress than that of the base metal. The effect of the surface crack aspect ratio on the maximum harmless crack depth (ahml) of A6061-T6 was evaluated for residual stress distribution. The detectable depth was evaluated in the relationship between ahml and the maximum detectable crack depth (aNDI) by non-destructive inspection (NDI).