bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence, AI literacy, Digital literacy, AI literacy scale
Authors: ÇELEBİ Celalettin , YILMAZ Fatih , DEMİR Uğur , KARAKUŞ Ferhat
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this research is to adapt the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale (AILS) developed by Wang et al. (2022) into Turkish and study its validity and reliability. The scale aims to measure the artificial intelligence literacy levels of non-expert adults. The research data were gathered from 402 participants, and the researchers did Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the validity of the adapted scale, and to test the reliability, they adopted Cronbach’s alpha technique. The adapted scale consists of 12 items and 4 factors, as is the case in the original version. CFA results indicate that X^2/df =1.82, RMSEA = 0.04, RMR = 0.03, NFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.98, GFI = 0.96 and AGFI = 0.94. Considering CFA results, it is concluded that the adapted scale is a good fit. As for reliability, as far as the factors are concerned, the internal consistency results are 0.72, 0.74, 0.76, and 0.72, respectively. Additionally, α=0.85 for the whole scale. Consideringly, the scale and its factors are adequately reliable, and the adapted scale can be used in Turkish culture.
Diastase Enzyme activity and Hydroxymethylfurfural production during thermal processing of honey
Authors: Mohammad Najat Zaid , Abdoulrahman Kamaran , Karim Abdulkarim Y.
Published: December 2023

The thermal treatment of honey is used to prevent honey crystallization which is one of the main problems that face beekeepers. In this study three samples of honey were heated at 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C, as a function of time in hours (h). Heating the samples at 40 °C did not show any significant effect on hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production or diastase enzyme activity up to 95 hours. Heating to higher temperatures 60, 80 and 100 °C resulted in a regular increase in HMF content and drop-off in diastase activity as a function of time. The HMF content reached 40 mg/kg after 80, 12.5 and 6 hours. For the three samples at 60, 80 and 100 °C respectively. Conversely, diastase enzyme activity reached close to 8 IU after 96, 12.5 and 5 hours. For the following temperatures 60, 80 and 100 °C respectively. The results showed that heating temperatures up to 40 °C is safe for long-term storage, while heating at 60 °C could be used but for a shorter treatment time. Results showed that the must temperature does not exceed 60 °C for 5 hours or 80 °C for one hour to preserve the honey's quality. The reaction rate constants and activation energy Ea of HMF formation in three samples were found 83.07, 91.79 and 89.57 kJ.mol-1 respectively. Therefore, honey can be preserved in this way, while at the same time the HMF remains below the permissible values, and the enzymatic activity remains at its highest level.
Competitiveness and Comparative Advantage of Rice Production in Katsina State, Nigeria
Authors: Sani Abdullahi , Ibrahim Hassan I. , Adeola Segun S.
Published: December 2023

The study was carried out to analyze the competitiveness and comparative advantage of rice production in Katsina state. A total of 196 farmers were sampled using a multi-stage sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire by trained enumerators, while the secondary data on international market prices were collected from various government and non-governmental agencies. Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM), Profit share analysis and farm budgeting techniques were used for data analysis. The result of the financial profitability analysis revealed that a typical rice farmer earned an average revenue and profit of ₦663,799.25/ha and ₦322,356/ha, respectively. The result of the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) indicator (Domestic Resource Cost) showed that the farmers had a comparative advantage in rice production by having a ratio of less than one (0.46). Similarly, the percentage of the Unit Cost Domestic index (UCD) and Unit Cost Export index (UCX) for the farmers were less than 0.51 and 0.57, respectively, showing that the farmers were competitive in domestic and international markets. The Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) ratio of greater than one showed that the farmers were positively affected by the government's agricultural policies. It was recommended that the current combined trade policies in the rice sector should be sustained to strengthen the comparative advantage and increase the competitiveness of the local rice.
Effect Concentration of Water Extract of Nerium oleander and Juglans nigra L. Allelopathy on Seed Germination and Radicle Length of (Silybum marianum)
Authors: Rasul Rozhgar Abdulla
Published: December 2023

An experiment was done to determine the allelopathic effects of Juglans nigra L. and Nerium oleander on the germination and radicle length of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). The experiment was designed according to a completely randomized design (CRD). In this experiment, leaf-, hull-, and root extracts in two concentrations control, 5 and 10g L-1 was utilized. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber with a temperature of 15 C0. After storing the seeds for 14 days, many characteristics were examined, including radicle length cm and germination rate percent. Concentrations of walnut and oleander extract had a substantial impact on every parameter under investigation. The results showed that the (T1) control treatment had the greatest germination and radicle length which were 70% and 20.08, respectively, compared with other treatments. A 10g L-1 extract concentration was used to measure the minimum values for two of the aforementioned parameters. It was found that (Juglans nigra L.) and Nerium oleander %10 extracts inhibit the growth of Silybum marianum and can be utilized to manage it in the field. However, more studies are needed to confirm the results.
Impact of Different Qualities of Colostrum at Different Times on Karadi Calves’ Performances
Authors: Abdullah Shanaz Mustafa , Saleh Ahmed Bahroz Muhammed
Published: December 2023

Colostrum gives the newborn calf maternal antibodies that help it fight disease. A calf that does not receive colostrum has a higher risk of illness until it develops antibodies of its own at around 6 weeks of age. This study aims to evaluate the immunity background of Karadi calves, measuring physiological responses to different qualities of colostrum and testing Karadi calves for survival in the herd. Twelve females local Karadi calves (0-day olds) were divided into two treatments with two levels for each. Using low and high colostrum quality before 6 hours and after 6 hours from parturition. Regarding calf body weight, withers height, immunoglobulin G concentration, and dry matter intake, there is no significant difference between low- and high-quality colostrum feed. However, our results show that calf body weight, withers height, and respiration rate were higher (P < 0.01) when colostrum was fed six hours after birth compared to those fed six hours after birth. However, there is no significant difference in the rectal temperature of the calf fed before six hours and six hours after birth. Results show that the total white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil numbers were unaffected by treatment, time and the interaction between treatment and time. Monocyte numbers have a tendency toward significant by treatment. Total plasma protein was not affected by treatment and time, but it tends significant treatment over time.
Effect of Compaction Energy on Selected Physical and Hydraulic Properties of Soils Amended With Different Sources of Organic Matter
Authors: Abdulkareem Jabir Haruna , Abdulkadir Aisha , James Tse Terna
Published: December 2023

Soil compaction has been recognized as a severe problem in mechanized agriculture and influences soil properties and processes. A study evaluated the effect of different energy levels on selected properties of Alfisols treated with different sources of organic amendments. The treatments consisted of soils with compost (10 pots), cow dung (10 pots), and control. These were laid out in a completely randomized design and replicated two times. All pots (soil ± amendment) were saturated and allowed to drain freely for 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively, and compacted to 0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 Joules of energy. Bulk density (BD), penetration resistance (PR), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), particle size distribution (PSD), gravimetric moisture content (GMC), and moisture retention (MR) was determined from treated plots. Results obtained indicated that the soil is sandy. BD and PR were highest in control, with mean values of 1.803 g cm-3 and 1.762 kg F cm-2, respectively. Treatment with compost improved the BD and PR with lower mean values of 1.320 g cm-3 and 1.283 kg F cm-2 respectively, compared to cow dung and untreated control. With increasing energy inputs, there was a highly significant difference amongst the studied soil properties at all the energies at p<0.0001. Minimum tillage is recommended to reduce the stress caused by heavy energy inputs on these soil properties. The organic matter will directly contribute to plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and micronutrients.
Effect of Leveling and Tillage Equipment on Soil Bulk Density and Yield of Maize
Authors: Jasim Abdulrazzak Abdullatif , Alathami Zaidoon Ahmad , Yousif Ali J.
Published: December 2023

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of leveling and tillage equipment on the soil bulk density and the growth and production of maize. Three landscaping types of equipment, namely laser, pelvic, and grader equipment, and three tillage equipment, namely moldboard plow, chisel plow, and no-till farming system. Soil bulk density, practical productivity, plant height, weight of 100 seeds, number of seeds per ear, and the yield of maize were measured. The results can be summarized as follows: The interaction between the pelvic leveling equipment and the no-till farming system was superior in obtaining the lowest soil bulk density, while the interaction between the laser leveling equipment and chisel plow was superior in obtaining the highest plant height, the highest weight of 100 seeds stood 36.70 g, the highest number Seeds per ear stood 371.30 seeds per ear and the highest yield of the plant stood 6.36 tons ha-1 compared to the other interventions.
The Reform Process of Introducing the Licensing of Primary and Secondary School Principals
Authors: Tuzlak Lejla , Ražnatović Ivona
Published: December 2023

To improve the quality of pre-university education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is necessary to start a reform process aimed at increasing the competence of school principals. In accordance with the practice implemented in most countries of the region and many countries of the European Union, it is necessary to introduce the licensing of principals of primary and secondary schools. The paper provides a brief overview of the names of the modules in the training programs and the duration of the training after which school principals are licensed in the countries of the region, as well as the activities carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina that preceded the introduction of principal licensing in the field of primary and secondary education. It is stated in the paper that the current regulatory changes should enable the licensing of principals of primary and secondary schools. Recommendations were given for adopting the occupational standards of school principals, as well as all the other steps that need to be taken. By implementing the process of licensing for school principals, the state would receive a significant resource of highly educated staff who have acquired competencies through an interdisciplinary training program for the management of primary and secondary schools.
Specificity of Non-tax Revenues of the State With Reference to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Handalić Plahonjić Merdža , Bugari Ensar , Kozadra Amar
Published: December 2023

The aim of the paper entitled „Specifics of Non-tax Revenues of the State with a Focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina“ is an analysis of non-tax (non-fiscal, parafiscal) revenues with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as those are generated by BiH institutions and their multy-year comparation. As part of this paper secondary data related to the theoretical settings, emporical data from the budget’s dokuments and legislation relevant to this topic as well are analyzed.

The main goal of the research is to point out the specifics of parafiscal charges, which very often in the most significant forms are not correlated with the basic theoretical characteristics of non-tax revenues but could be an additional burden for economic entities.

The research questions related to the conceptual determination of non-tax revenues, from which sources they are collectedand what their purpose is, what is the difference between tax and non-tax revenues, and what non-tax revenues occur in theory and which in practice with a special attention on the forms exi st in BiH.
ÇOCUKLARA OKUMA ALIŞKANLIĞI KAZANDIRMA BAĞLAMINDA KURUMSAL SOSYAL SORUMLULUK REKLAMLARININ GÖSTERGEBİLİMSEL ANALİZİ: KARNENİ GÖSTER KİTABINI AL KAMPANYASI ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: KIRTAY Ozan
Published: December 2023

Çocukların okuma alışkanlığı kazanması, hem çocukların hem de toplumun gelişimi açısından önemli bir husustur. Bu nedenle gerek kâr amacı güden, gerekse kâr amacı gütmeyen kurumlara, çocuklara bu alışkanlığın kazandırılması hususunda çeşitli görevler düşmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye İş Bankası’nın 2007-2008 eğitim öğretim yılından itibaren kesintisiz olarak devam ettirdiği, ‘Karneni Göster Kitabını Al’ adlı sosyal sorumluluk projesinin reklamlarının göstergebilimsel analizi yapılmıştır. Analizler yapılırken, Ferdinand De Saussure ve Roland Barthes’ın geliştirdiği göstergebilim modellerinden faydalanılmıştır. Saussure’ın göstergebilim modeline göre hedef kitleye verilmek istenen esas ileti olan gösterilen kavramının, bu çalışmada incelenen reklamlarda karşılığının ‘mutluluk, huzur, heyecan, bilgi ve paylaşım’ olduğu görülmektedir. Makalede incelenen reklamların, Barthes’ın göstergelerin nasıl temsil edildiğini ifade eden yananlam kavramına göre ise karşılığının, şu iletiler olduğu anlaşılmıştır: ‘kitap okumak mutluluk verir’, ‘kitap okumak huzur verir’, ‘kitap okumak bireyler üzerinde heyecan ve merak duygusu oluşturur’, ‘kitap okumak öğreticidir ve bilgi verir’, ‘kitap okumak birliktelik ve paylaşım duygusunu pekiştirir’.
Applying Distributional Semantic Models to a Historical Corpus of a Highly Inflected Language: the Case of Ancient Greek
Authors: Keersmaekers Alek , Speelman Dirk
Published: December 2023

So-called “distributional” language models have become dominant in research on the computational modelling of lexical semantics. This paper investigates how well such models perform on Ancient Greek, a highly inflected historical language. It compares several ways of computing such distributional models on the basis of various context features (including both bag-of-words features and syntactic dependencies). The performance is assessed by evaluating how well these models are able to retrieve semantically similar words to a given target word, both on a benchmark we designed ourselves as well as on several independent benchmarks. It finds that dependency features are particularly useful to calculate distributional vectors for Ancient Greek (although the level of granularity that these dependency features should have is still open to discussion) and discusses possible ways for further improvement, including addressing problems related to polysemy and genre differences.
Swap distance minimization in SOV languages. Cognitive and mathematical foundations
Authors: Ferrer-i-Cancho Ramon , Namboodiripad Savithry
Published: December 2023

Distance minimization is a general principle of language. A special case of this principle in the domain of word order is swap distance minimization. This principle predicts that variations from a canonical order that are reached by fewer swaps of adjacent constituents are lest costly and thus more likely. Here we investigate the principle in the context of the triple formed by subject (S), object (O) and verb (V). We introduce the concept of word order rotation as a cognitive underpinning of that prediction. When the canonical order of a language is SOV, the principle predicts SOV < SVO, OSV < VSO, OVS < VOS, in order of increasing cognitive cost. We test the prediction in three flexible order SOV languages: Korean (Koreanic), Malayalam (Dravidian), and Sinhalese (Indo-European). Evidence of swap distance minimization is found in all three languages, but it is weaker in Sinhalese. Swap distance minimization is stronger than a preference for the canonical order in Korean and especially Malayalam.
Modality of verbs as stylometric feature in Czech genres
Authors: Kubát Miroslav , Chen Xinying
Published: December 2023

The goal of the study is to analyze modality of verbs from the perspective of its usage in different types of Czech texts. The analysis is based on data from the Czech National Corpus, specifically the balanced corpus of contemporary written Czech SYN2020, which contains 100 million words. The proportion of modal verbs to all verbs is used to measure modality. Furthermore, different types of modality are considered: necessity and possibility. The findings reveal distinct patterns in the use of modal verbs in different genres. Thus, index of modality seems to be a promising stylometric feature. Non-fiction literature, especially administrative texts, exhibits the highest modality. In contrast fiction texts, namely poetry, has the lowest modality.
Düldül Dağı’nın (Osmaniye/Düziçi) Alternatif Turizm Potansiyeli Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma
Authors: TÜRKSEVEN Yusuf Çağrı
Published: December 2023

Nitel araştırma desenlerinden keşfedici-bütüncül tek durum deseni olarak tasarlanan bu araştırmanın temel amacı, Düldül Dağı’nın alternatif turizm potansiyelini yerel paydaşların perspektifinden ortaya koymaktır. Ayrıca, Düldül Dağı’nda alternatif turizmin geliştirilebilmesine yönelik öneriler sunmak araştırmanın alt amacı olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın örneklemini amaçlı örnekleme tekniğine göre belirlenmiş 10 yerel paydaş oluşturmaktadır. Belirlenen amaçlara yönelik olarak yerel paydaşlarla yarı yapılandırılmış soru formu aracılığıyla 2023 yılı Haziran-Temmuz aylarında derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, mevcut durumu ortaya koyabilmek amacıyla saha gezileri kapsamında gözlemler yapılmıştır. Görüşmelerden elde edilen veriler, betimleyici içerik analizi ve güçlü-zayıf-fırsat-tehdit (SWOT) analizi yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre, Düldül Dağı ekoturizm ve termal turizm başta olmak üzere alternatif turizm kaynakları bakımından oldukça zengindir. Ancak ekonomik sorunlar, Covid-19, deprem gibi unsurlar nedeniyle alternatif turizme yönelik planlamalar faaliyete geçirilememiştir. SWOT analizi sonuçlarına göre; Düldül Dağı'nın en güçlü yanı doğal turizm kaynakları bakımından zengin olmasıdır. En zayıf yönleri ise altyapı ve üstyapı olanaklarının yetersiz oluşu ve tanıtım eksikliği olarak tespit edilmiştir. Diğer taraftan, Düldül Dağı'na yapılan teleferik tesisi ve alternatif turizme yönelik talep artışı en büyük fırsatlar olarak değerlendirilirken; planlanan projeler için finansal destek bulunamaması, bölgenin zamanla kitle turizmi etkisi altında kalabilme ihtimali ve deprem en büyük tehdit unsurları olarak belirlenmiştir.
Mimarlık Öğrencilerinin Deprem ve Konut Algısı Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: ELMALI ŞEN Derya , YETİM Evşen
Published: December 2023

Çalışma, 2023 Kahramanmaraş depremlerinin ardından büyük ölçüde harabeye dönen kentlerdeki yıkımdan en çok etkilenen yapı grubu olan konutun kavramsal olarak üniversite öğrencileri tarafından nasıl algılandığını belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Deprem yaşamış, sarsıntı hissetmiş ve deprem yaşamamış toplam 183 öğrencinin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilen anket çalışmasında; depremin, deprem öncesi konutun ve deprem sonrası konutun zihinlerinde hangi kavramları çağrıştırdığını belirtmeleri istenmiştir. Öğrencilere “deprem” dendiğinde korku/panik kavramı çok baskın bir şekilde öne çıkmaktadır. Öğrencilerin zihninde “deprem” imgesinin oluşmasında en çok tekrarlanan ilk 10 çağrışım; korku/panik, yıkım/felaket, ölüm, sallantı/sarsıntı, enkaz/yıkıntı, endişe, kayıp, çaresizlik, karanlık, acı olarak sıralanmaktadır. Öğrencilere “deprem öncesi konut/ev” denildiğinde zihinlerine gelen ve en çok tekrarlanan ilk 10 çağrışım ise güven/güvenli alan, yaşam/yaşam alanı, aile, huzur/rahat, yuva, barınma/barınak, sıcak/samimi, aidiyet, sığınak/sığınma, sağlam/dayanıklı olarak sıralanmaktadır. Öğrencilere “deprem sonrası konut/ev” denildiğinde ise korku/panik, dayanıklı/sağlam, güvensizlik, yıkıntı/enkaz, endişe, aile, yıkım, yaşam/yaşam alanı, mezar, güven şeklinde bir sıralama yapmaktadırlar. Sonuç olarak, bu analizler ile ortaya koyulan çağrışım ve sonuçların depremzede ya da deprem korkusu olan bir bireyin psikolojik desteğe ihtiyaç duyduğu andaki hassasiyetine ve iyileşmesine katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir. Bunun yanı sıra birey ve toplumun fiziksel çevresinin oluşumuna yönelik beklenti içinde olduğu sağlam ve güven tesis eden tasarım ve planlamalara da ışık tutması beklenmektedir.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE TYPE OF FERNS IN THE FOREST AREA OF NOONGAN VILLAGE
Authors: Linu Yosua , Lawalata Helen J , Djarang Rievo
Published: December 2023

Ferns (Pteridophyta) are spore-forming cormophytes that can live in a variety of habitats both as epiphytes, terrestrial and aquatic. In the forest area of Noongan Village, many potentials play an important role in developing forest ecosystems. One such potential is ferns. The results of the study were eight types of ferns in the forest area of Noongan village which were divided into two plots of 50x50 meters at different heights, namely plot I at an altitude of 610 masl with a total of 380 ferns with the percentage: Paku Garuda (Pteridium aquilinium) 0.20 %, Elephant fern (Angiopetris avecta Hoofm) 0.01%, Red rane fern (Selaginella australis) 0.01%, Paku Kikir (Stenosomia Sp.) 0.14%, Ferret fern (Nephrolepis biserrataSchott.) 0, 21%, cecerenean fern (Nephrolepis falcata) 0.16%, suplir fern (Adiantum.) 0.12%, andam fern (Dicranopetris linearis) 0.12%. And plot II at an altitude of 869 meters above sea level with a total of 179 ferns with a percentage of: Garuda fern (Pteridium aquilinium) 0.21%, elephant fern (Angiopetris avectaHoofm) 0.01%, miserly fern (Stenosomia Sp.) 0, 17%, Paku harupat (Nephrolepis biserrate Schott.) 0.21%, Paku cecerenean (Nephrolepis falcata) 0.15%, Suplir (Adiantum.) 0.10%, Paku andam (Dicranopetris linearis) 0.12%. In the plot I, the types and number of ferns were higher than the types and numbers of ferns in plot II. No red fern (Selaginella australis) was found in plot II. And the plant species Paku Harupat (Nephrolepis biserrata Schott). The red fern has the highest number, and the red fern (Selaginella australis.) has the least amount. The difference in altitude greatly affects the surrounding environment. So that these differences greatly affect the number of types and numbers of ferns
DIVERSITY OF THE ORDER HYMENOPTERA IN RICE PLANTATION IN MANEMBO-NEMBO DISTRICT AS AN ECOLOGICAL INDICATOR
Authors: Idris Gulbudin Hikmatiar , Rompas Christny Ferdina Evie , Satiman Utari , Wantania Johanna Zusye
Published: December 2023

This research aims to determine habitat conditions as an ecological indicator and measure the level of diversity of insects of the order Hymenoptera on rice plantations in the Manembo-nembo sub-district. The method used in this research is quantitative descriptive. Insect samples were collected using the sweeping net and yellow pan trap methods. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index formula, Pielou's similarity index (E), and Simpson dominance index (C) are used to measure the level of diversity. The results of research on rice plantations found insects of the Hymenoptera order as many as 35 genera, 16 subfamilies and 14 families with a total of 470 individuals with normal habitat conditions where Hymenoptera insects can still carry out activities on rice plantations. Wasp insects from 24 genera also have functions as biological control agents, most of which are parasitoid and predatory wasps, which have potential as ecological indicators in rice plantations in the Manembo-nembo sub-district. The level of diversity is included in the medium criteria, as is the evenness index value. In contrast, the dominance index is included in the low criteria even though the Pimplinae family dominates rice cultivation in the Manembo-nembo sub-district.
Informação em saúde em tempos de pandemia: análise das tendências de buscas relacionadas a medicamentos para Covid-19 no Brasil
Authors: Araujo Ronaldo Ferreira , Gontijo Marília Catarina Andrade
Published: December 2023

Introdução: A internet é uma das principais formas interativas de busca de informação em saúde no mundo. No contexto de uma pandemia como a da Covid-19, inúmeras pessoas a utilizam como fonte de informação, seja para se inteirar de medidas de prevenção, protocolos de segurança ou mesmo de possíveis tratamentos medicamentosos. Método: O presente trabalho tem por objetivo analisar as tendências de buscas relacionadas a medicamentos para Covid-19 no Brasil. Por meio de técnicas da webometria, foram monitoradas as buscas realizadas na internet pelos termos azitromicina, cloroquina, ivermectina, nitazoxanida e remdesivir via Google Trends, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2020. Resultados: Todas as regiões do país registraram buscas sobre os medicamentos com diferenças de popularidade entre os estados. Os termos relacionados às buscas indicam interesses sobre a bula dos medicamentos, formas de uso e seus efeitos. Conclusão: Considera que o comportamento da população em relação às buscas foi influenciado por figuras públicas e agentes políticos, principalmente por orientações nas esferas municipal, estadual e federal para o uso dos medicamentos, com destaque aos recomendados pelo “Kit-Covid”, mesmo com ausências de estudos que confirmassem sua eficácia.
Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management Efficiency, Earnings Ability, Liquidity and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya
Authors:   California Miramar University San Diego, California, Mirichii John Mwaniki
Published: December 2023

The study sought to examine the effect of capital adequacy, asset quality, management efficiency, earnings ability, liquidity and financial performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya. The study originates from the Doctoral dissertation of the first author in which the co-authors served as supervisors. Descriptive and panel regression analysis were applied based on secondary data obtained for the period 2013 to 2022. The study established that capital adequacy has insignificant effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. It was established that asset quality has significant effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. It was established that management efficiency has insignificant effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. It was established that earnings ability has significant effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. The study established that liquidity has insignificant effect on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. Effective credit risk system should be put in place to ensure proper identification, assessment, monitoring as well as control of credit risks. The study recommends that the managers of SACCOs should strive towards increasing the business net worth while ensuring competitiveness in the business environment. This can be achieved through continuous product innovation alongside having leverage on emerging technology. Additional studies can be done specifically on the effect of capital adequacy, management efficiency and liquidity on financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. This is in view of their insignificant predictive effect on financial performance. As such, additional researches on these variables can be based on different methodological approaches. Keywords: Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management Efficiency, Earnings Ability, Liquidity and Financial Performance
The Carolingian Epic in Traditional Liège Puppet Theatre: A Case Study of “Huon de Bordeaux” and “Quatre fils Aymon”
Authors: Kor Yanna
Published: December 2023

Although Carolingian epics are at the heart of the traditional Liège puppet repertoire, they remain a little explored field of research. This essay focuses on two epics, Les quatre fils Aymon and Huon de Bordeaux, which serve as case studies to examine the transition from narrative to dramatic text and its transposition for the regional puppet stage. Following the stories from the,annotated novels to the modern plays, the first part shows how the dramatisation of the prose text gradually developed. The second part examines the creation process of staging the story of the paladins of France from the point of view of regional identification, focusing on the role of Tchantchès, the typical character of the Liège puppet theatre.
The Legend of Biton and Faaro: A Reinterpretation of a Creation Myth from the Epic of Bamana Segu Performed with Puppets and Masks in Mali
Authors: Den Otter Elisabeth
Published: December 2023

This contribution calls attention to Malian masquerades that reinterpret narrative material drawn from the epic of Bamana Segu through puppets and masks. After providing a general overview of African puppetry, the essay zooms in specifically on the Malian village of Kirango, located on the bank of the Niger River about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Ségou. The inhabitants of this village (Bamana farmers and Bozo fishermen) celebrate masquerades in which puppets and masks are made to dance by puppeteers whose performance is accompanied by drum-mers and singers. In this context, no difference is made between puppets and masks: both are called sogo (‘animal’), because many of them represent animals such as the hippopotamus, the crocodile, various types of fish (Bozo), antelopes and the buffalo (Bamana). The essay then introduces two characters from the epic of Bamana Segu, Faaro (water spirit and creator god) and Biton (Mamari Coulibaly, a historical Bamana king who, according to a widespread legend, acquired power with the help of Faaro); and it goes on to discuss Faaro’s role in Bozo and Bamana masquerades and explain how a 2009 Bozo performance recreated the legend of Faaro and Biton. The final sections of the essay reflect on the masquerades’ significance with respect to collective memory and cultural identity as well as their possible evolution in the future.
"Shunkan on Devil Island": Domesticating Political Exile in the Japanese Puppet Play “Heike nōgyo no shima”
Authors: Oyler Elyzabeth
Published: December 2023

This essay discusses the scene entitled Shunkan on Devil Island from Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s early modern puppet play  The Heike on the Island of Women  as a commentary on social and political strictures of the early modern Tokugawa shogunate, which increasingly regulated social and commercial life as it sought to maintain control of the burgeoning cities of Edo and Osaka in the early 1700s. The play is loosely based on the medieval epic war tale Tale of the Heike (Heike monogatari), a beloved and foundational text that has found numerous afterlives in Japan’s theatrical, narrative and cinematic traditions. Shunkan on Devil Island  refashions the Heike’s story of the Buddhist prelate Shunkan (banished to Devil Island following a botched coup attempt) as a specifically early modern tale by introducing a female character, Chidori, who becomes the wife of one of Shunkan’s two fellow male exiles and therefore a member of the "family" that they, as aristocrats banished to a distant island, create. Through exploring the idea of family relations on the remote Kigaigashima, Chikamatsu recasts the well-known tale of Shunkan on Devil Island to create a utopic staged space that comments on the oppressiveness of the early modern polity experienced acutely by the urban audiences of the early 18th century.
Traditional Puppetry, Changing Times: The Ramayana in Indonesian and Malay Puppetry
Authors: Foley Kathy
Published: December 2023

The story of Rama has been known on Java and mainland Southeast Asia since before the 9th century. The strong divergences in West Java and Malaysian puppet versions from Valmiki show patterns of intensification and localization that make the narrative at home in the region. In the 1960s, the Ramayana was not seen as bearing overt religious or political implications for Muslim performers, and its trans-Southeast Asian popularity boosted its currency. In 1965 the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a pan-Southeast Asian Ramayana festival – spurring countries where this epic, preserved in puppetry/mask performance, was only modestly popular (e.g., Indonesia and Philippines) to increase attention to this central narrative for traditional Southeast Asian mainland puppetry. Since the 1990s, however, transnational religio-political forces, including the Hindu revival in India (which sees Rama as proto-ruler of a Hindu realm) and the Islamic revival in the Muslim world (which sees the story as shirk, worshipping a god other than Allah), may problematize the narrative in Indonesian and Malaysian puppetry.
Review of Michal Grover-Friedlander's "Staging Voice" (2022)
Authors: Verstraete Pieter , Sound Stage Screen
Published: December 2023

Review of Michal Grover-Friedlander, Staging Voice (New York: Routledge, 2022), 129 pp., ISBN 978-1-032-03427-0.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND CONSUMPTION OF JUNK FOOD AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF DISTRICT SIALKOT
Authors: NAEEM W , ASHRAF S , FATIMA R , MALIK A , KHARL HAA , SHABBIR A
Published: December 2023

The principal cause of early death throughout the world is cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It has been found that, in young adults, high blood pressure (BP) is considered a significant public health concern, with approximately 26.4% of global prevalence. A diet containing junk food is the preliminary cause of obesity, which leads to hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in adults. The risk factors are prevailing at an alarming rate and have affected university students' physical and mental health. Moreover, these health concerns have caused low productivity among students as well. This problem has not been studied and analyzed in sufficient profundity. This cross-sectional and correlational study investigated the relationship between fast food consumption, obesity, and hypertension among university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample size of three hundred participants aged twenty-five to forty. To calculate the BMI, the weight and height of the participants were measured, along with the measurements of their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and age, through standard tools and procedures. Their dietary intake was assessed using a questionnaire of food intake that records a 168-hour food intake. The study results revealed that significant positive correlations of high strength between fast food consumption and obesity were found using Spearman rank order correlations (rs = 0.81) and moderate strength of positive correlation between frequent fast-food consumption and hypertension (rs = 0.58). The resultant conclusion of the study shows that junk food is strongly linked with obesity and prehypertension. The findings of the study can reduce the prevalence of obesity and hypertension.
ESTIMATING THE PHOTOSYSTEM’S EFFICIENCY, ANTIOXIDANTS ACTIVITY AND PLANT WATER RELATIONS OF TOMATO UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITIONS
Authors: GHAFFAR R , SHAHEEN MR , HUSSAIN R , ANJUM S , RASHID S , SAEED MA , SHABBIR A , AMJAD MU
Published: December 2023

Due to physiological repercussions, the tomato crop has decreased productivity caused by drought throughout its entire life cycle. The tomato harvest has exceeded expectations due to a worldwide water resource limitation. The objective of subjecting the tomato cultivars Flanto and Sahel, to a self-imposed drought was to investigate the interrelationships among biochemical, physiological, enzymatic, and water-related factors. Five varying levels of moisture strongly impacted all plant attributes: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% when subjected to drought stress. The lack of water resulted in notable improvements in some metrics. Some examples of these traits include linear electron flow (LEF), photosynthetic efficiency (PSE), inward light dissipation ratio (qP), catalase activity (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX), and leaf water potential (LEWP). Consider, for example, the intriguing discoveries concerning photosystem II, non-photochemical quenching, chlorophyll levels, leaf osmotic potential, and leaf turgor potential.
The Effect of Adding Soil Amendments on Some Soil Physical Properties and the Growth of Sunflower Crop in Clay Soil
Authors: Talal J. Al khanfous  , Nihad Sh. Al-Wally  , Sadiq J. Muhsin
Published: December 2023

The experiment was conducted in clay soil at the Agricultural Research Station affiliated with the College of Agriculture, University of Basra, during the spring of 2021. Research aimed to study the effect of soil amendments on soil physical properties such as (bulk density, total porosity, and electrical conductivity) and some growth and yield of sunflowers such as (plant height and dry weight). The soil amendments used in the experiment were cattle manure and synthetic polymer. The amendments were added to the surface layer of the soil at a depth of 15 cm, using individual and mixed application treatments with six levels of addition (Cont, P4, O4, P3O1, O3P1,  and P2O2). The field was divided into plots measuring 2.5 m in length and 1.5 m in width, and then the plots were planted with sunflower seeds. The results showed that all the amendment treatments outperformed the treatment without amendments, improving the soil's physical properties by reducing bulk density, increasing total porosity, and decreasing electrical conductivity. Additionally, the amendment treatments showed improvement in growth and yield characteristics, indicated by increased plant height and dry weight of the plants.
Potential Antibacterial Effects of Ethanol Extract and Essential Oil of Origanum vulgare on Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Amri Indah Amalia , Ramadani Nurul Fitri , Hamidah Farah , Dameanti Fidi Nur Aini Eka Puji , Adrenalin Sruti Listra
Published: December 2023

Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are pathogenic bacteria causing various infectious diseases in humans and animals. Currently, herbal ingredients are widely used as antibacterial agents to combat bacterial infections due to their lower side effects, compared to chemical drugs. One such plant with medicinal promise as an antibacterial agent is the oregano plant (Oregano vulgare). It contains substances, such as tannin, flavonoids, carvacrol, thymol, and saponin. Therefore, the current study was conducted to regularly compare the in vitro antibacterial potential of ethanol extract essential oil oregano (Oregano vulgare) on K. pneumonia and S. aureus. In this research, the diffusion method using discs was employed to observe the inhibition zones, while the dilution tube method was utilized to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol extract and essential oil of oregano against the test bacteria. The bacterial treatment group received the test material at concentrations of 100%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5%. The obtained data were analyzed descriptively in terms of zone inhibition and MIC values. According to the disc diffusion test, the essential oil of oregano demonstrated greater efficacy as an antibacterial agent against K. pneumoniae at a concentration of 100%, resulting in an average inhibition zone of 18 mm. Conversely, for S. aureus, a concentration of 1.5% of the essential oil exhibited higher effectiveness, yielding an average inhibition zone of 30 mm. Based on the MIC values, the essential oil was more effective as an antibacterial for K. pneumonia at a concentration of 0.2% (2 mg/mL), while for S. aureus it was more effective at a concentration of 0.19% (1.9 mg/mL).
The Composition of Zoophilic Fly Species in Eastern Ukraine
Authors: Paliy Anatoliy , Sumakova Natalia , Bohach Olena , Bogach Mykola , Perotska Ludmila , Pavlichenko Olena , Bohach Denis
Published: December 2023

Zoophilic Diptera plays a leading role in the epizootic foci formation of many infectious and parasitic diseases and directly affects the quality of livestock products. The current study aimed to analyze the number and species composition of parasitic Diptera in industrial, farm, and homestead agrobiocenoses of large and small cattle, pig, and poultry farms in Eastern Ukraine. The research involved entomological collection during the peak activity daylight hours in early May, July, and early September 2021-2022 per farm. A total of 360 entomological collections were made, and 4310 zoophilous flies were examined. In livestock farms of five districts of the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, 28 species of zoophilic flies were registered, among which Musca domestica, Muscina stabulans, Stomoxys calcitrans, Lucilia sericata, Protophormia terraenovae, and Drosophila species were dominant species. The analysis revealed that cattle biocenoses hosted 27 fly species, pigs had 8 species, and poultry and small cattle each had 7 species. The study indicated an increase in the population of Musca autumnalis, the main species in the pastures, near livestock premises during the summer. Stomoxys calcitrans was also recorded in livestock agrobiocenoses. The species Musca domestica, Musca autumnalis, and Stomoxys calcitrans account for 78.8% to 88.3% of the entire complex of zoophilous flies. The two species of Ortellia caesarion (shiny dung beetle) and Ortellia cornicina (green dung beetle), known for their role as manure mineralizers and deemed non-threatening to animals, were completely absent during the research period. The findings indicated the species of Eristalis tenax in agrobiocenoses in 2021. Therefore, it can be concluded that zoophilic flies are physical irritants to animals and potential carriers of many infectious diseases, especially diseases caused by unicellular organisms.
Carrageenan-Induced Acute Inflammation on Back-Skin of Mice: Histopathological Features, Number of Inflammatory Cells, and Expression of COX-2, COX-1, and IL-6
Authors: Widyarini Sitarina , . Sugiyono , Akrom Afif Muhammad , Paryuni Alsi Dara
Published: December 2023

Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide obtained from red seaweed (Rhodophyceae) and can trigger inflammatory activation in both humans and laboratory animals. This study aimed to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the number of inflammatory cells (neutrophil) involved in a carrageenan-induced acute inflammatory model in the back skin of mice. Paraffin blocks from the back skin of female Swiss mice aged 8 weeks were used in this study. The back-skins of 4 groups of 5 mice in each group were subcutaneously injected with 1%, 2%, and 4% carrageenan powder in 0.9% buffer saline and 0.9% buffer saline as control. Skin samples on paraffin blocks were taken 6 hours after carrageenan injection. Furthermore, paraffin blocks were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) to count the number of inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry staining using anti-COX-2, COX-1, and IL-6 antibodies was performed to determine the role of inflammatory mediators. The results showed that the number of inflammatory cells (neutrophils) increased significantly following an increase in carrageenan concentrations. The COX-2, COX-1, and IL-6 expressed by inflammatory cells increased significantly at carrageenan concentrations of 1% to 4%. Histopathological features supported the results obtained from the calculation of the number of inflammatory cells and the expression of COX-2, COX-1, and IL-6. The inflammatory markers consisting of COX-2, COX-1, and IL-6 were expressed on the back skin of mice at 6 hours post-injection with 1% to 4% carrageenan. It can be concluded that carrageenan can be used for an acute inflammatory model of the back skin of a mouse. This inflammation model is intended to facilitate the evaluation or measurement of therapeutic and inflammatory responses when test substances are administered topically or transdermal.
The Modulation of in Vitro Differentiation of Monocyte-derived Macrophage by Trypanosoma evansi Antigens in the Dromedary Camel
Authors: AL-Hilal Essa Ali , Alkuwayti Mayyadah Abdullah , Alrabiah Noof Abdulrahman , Al-Jabr Omar , Hussen Jamal
Published: December 2023

Studies on the camel immune response to Trypanosoma (T.) evansi, the causative agent of Surra, are very limited. In the present study, flow cytometry was employed to investigate the modulatory effects of different T. evansi antigens on the in vitro differentiation of camel blood monocytes into macrophages. For this, in vitro, separated camel monocytes were differentiated into monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) in the presence or absence (control) of formalin-fixed (inactivated) T. evansi whole parasite (T. evansi group) or the purified Ro Tat 1.2 antigen (Ro Tat 1.2 group). The analysis of the antimicrobial functions of MDM (phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production) revealed reduced phagocytosis activity of camel MDM generated in the presence of T. evansi antigens. In addition, a lack of ROS-response was observed in camel MDM generated in the presence of T. evansi antigens after stimulation with PMA. These results indicated a compromising effect of T. evansi on the innate defense mechanisms in camels. Phenotypic analysis revealed the upregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules together with the lower abundance of the scavenger receptor for haptoglobin–hemoglobin complexes (CD163) on MDM generated in the presence of whole T. evansi parasites, indicating a polarizing effect of T. evansi on the differentiation of camel monocytes into an M1 phenotype. However, the reduced antimicrobial functions of these cells argue against their pro-inflammatory nature. Although both MDM generated in the presence of whole T. evansi antigens or their purified Ro Tat 1.2 proteins indicated similar expression levels of CD14 and MHCII molecules, the different abundance of the cell surface molecules CD172a, CD163, CD45, and CD44 indicated different phenotypes of the two MDMs. The results of the present study revealed compromising effects of T. evansi antigens on camel macrophages differentiated in vitro from blood monocytes. Whether these effects contribute to the in vivo pathogenesis of T. evansi in camels remains to be determined in future studies.