bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-photoaging effects of steam-exploded pine (Pinus densiflora) extract in ultraviolet B irradiation-damaged HaCaT keratinocytes
Authors: Jung Ji Young , Yang Si Young Ha , Yang Jae-Kyung
Published: May 2024

Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes photoaging, such as wrinkles, roughness and dryness of the skin, and it activates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines. In this study, the anti-photoaging activity of SEP-E (steam-exploded pine extract) was evaluated in HaCaT keratinocytes damaged by UVB irradiation. SEP-E treatment showed cytoprotective effects in HaCaT keratinocytes irradiated with UVB (40 mJ/cm2). SEP-E treatment reduced ROS overproduction and promoted the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase 1, and superoxide dismutase 2. Additionally, SEP-E treatment suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Consequently, SEP-E shows potential as a natural material for photoaging treatment.
Morpho-physiological traces of exogenous biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles in basil seedlings
Authors: Kilic Semra , Onder Sercan , Onder Damla , Kaya Havva , Sencan Aziz
Published: May 2024

Chemical fertilizers used in plant development and differentiation have become a global problem affecting the entire ecosystem, especially soil pollution. Food production demand with the increasing population has encouraged scientists to use biogenic nanoparticles in the agricultural field. Evaluation of growth, development, and differentiation processes of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings at gradually increasing concentrations of biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles (BIO-NPs) were identified by morphological and physiological parameters in this study. The results showed that growth parameters reached the maximum value at 100 mg/L but were less at other concentrations. At similar concentration, the stomatal density of the leaf was the maximum, while the stomatal area showed the lowest value. The levels of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased in the treated seedlings. BIO-NPs increased the antioxidant defense and supported its growth by changing the antioxidant enzyme activities, H2O2, and MDA contents. The BIO-NP treatment provided positive improvements in phytochemical content in parallel with the growth and development of sweet basil seedlings. Different growth parameters, physiological results, supporting enzyme activities, and biochemical data revealed the contribution of the BIO-NP treatments to the growth and development of sweet basil seedlings. BIO-NPs improved higher phytochemical production of sweet basil, which may be suitable for its propagation on a commercial scale.
Cross-field pitting characteristics of reaction wood in the stem wood of Pinus merkusii and Agathis loranthifolia
Authors: Purusatama Byantara Darsan , Kim Nam Hun
Published: May 2024

This research investigated and compared the pitting type, pit number (PN), and pit diameter (PD) in the cross-field of compression wood (CWD), lateral wood (LWD), and opposite wood (OWD) in stem wood of Pinus merkusii and Agathis loranthifolia growing in Indonesia. Identification and quality evaluation were done using optical and scanning electron microscopy. A piceoid pit type was observed in the CWD of both species. The LWD and OWD of P. merkusii showed window-like and pinoid pits, whereas those of A. loranthifolia showed taxodioid and cupressoid pits. The PN and PD were the smallest in CWD of both species. In P. merkusii, LWD and OWD showed similar PN values, and PN in all parts increased from the pith to the bark. In A. loranthifolia, LWD had higher PN than in OWD, and PN in CWD and LWD decreased from near the pith to the bark, whereas in OWD, it increased. All parts of P. merkusii and CWD and OWD of A. loranthifolia showed a positive correlation between PN and radial tracheid diameter, whereas LWD showed a negative correlation. In P. merkusii, the PD of LWD approximated that of OWD, whereas, in A. loranthifolia, LWD had a larger PD than that exhibited by OWD.
Compression creep characteristics of crushed sugarcane end-leaves
Authors: Lei Ming , Lei Junle , Luo Jiawei , Wang Jia , Li Zhuo , You Binsheng
Published: May 2024

The creep behavior of crushed sugarcane end-leaf (SEL) was studied, with consideration of different loading force, moisture content, and feeding amount. Statistical analysis software was used to develop and fit the regression data to a strain change law as a function of time. The four-element Burgers model was used. A further goal was to analyze the effect of different test conditions on the fitted creep characteristic parameters. The instantaneous elasticity coefficient E0 was found to increase when the loading force increased; the value of delayed elasticity coefficient E1 increased and the value of cohesion coefficient η0 decreased when the feeding amount increased; the value of delayed elasticity coefficient E1 and cohesion coefficient η0 decreased when the moisture content was increased. Therefore, the loading force, moisture content, and feeding amount of crushed SEL all affected the creep capacity of crushed SEL in compression. The results can provide substantial theoretical reference for the silage production of crushed SEL.
Mental health screening in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ropero Diana María Igua , Dallos Deysy Katherinn Manosalva , Sandoval María Alejandra Velásquez , Naranjo Jhon Albeiro Lagos
Published: May 2024

Background: In the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is very prevalent and causes a serious biological and psychosocial impact, for this reason, it is necessary to avoid its appearance and cardiovascular, metabolic, osteomuscular, joint and mental health complications, the latter has also become a public health problem. Objective: this review article provide knowledge from the social determinants of health and risk factors for mental health in patients with type-2 DM, mental health screening tools and intervention strategies. Methods: The literature search was carried out in Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Uptodate. Results: It was found that the imbalance in the gut-brain-microbiota axis (MGBA) generates negative consequences on mental health in patients with type-2 DM and should be intervened early through the screening of tools such as the PH4, the DDS, the SRQ, AUDIT, the fagestrom test and the MOCA, which provide information on the state of mental health. Conclusion: It is necessary to screen mental health in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus with tools that are easy to implement in the outpatient, hospitalization, and institutionalization settings to make an early diagnosis, treatment and avoid the appearance of macro and microvascular complications.
Reserves for combating the bread deficit
Authors: Levoshina Yelizaveta Sergeevna , Petrov Sergey Viktorovich
Published: May 2024

Current information on increasing the volume of baked bread by adding a variety of vegetable substances is reviewed. Recommendations are given for the use of pine bark, acorns, vegetables, herbs, and other plants for cooking.
A falsehood that has been repeated many times becomes true, the origin of the diabesity pandemic, the most lethal of the 21st century?
Authors: Raad Jairo Echeverry
Published: May 2024

The malnutrition pandemic has reached alarming proportions in the 21st century, with nearly 860 million people suffering from obesity, almost 1.8 billion overweight, and around 900 million experiencing malnutrition due to macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies worldwide. This issue affects over 40% of the global population, highlighting a concerning prevalence of malnutrition worldwide and its close association with chronic diseases. With eight out of 10 leading causes of global mortality being non-communicable diseases, predominantly of cardiometabolic origin, the malnutrition pandemic has become a serious threat to global health. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by the parallel increase in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, leading to the coining of the term "diabesity" to describe the interaction between diabetes and obesity, considered the deadliest of the 21st century. Despite nutritional interventions implemented 70 years ago, such as the Food Pyramid and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, there has been an exponential increase in interrelated cardiometabolic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases. This raises questions about the effectiveness of research-based recommendations over the decades, which may have been potentially flawed and deeply influenced modern life and culture, fueling sugar addiction and the pleasure of eating, and capitalizing extensively on the market economy. It is essential to make structural decisions to dismantle particularly erroneous modifications, whether nutritional or otherwise, and educate both new generations and healthcare professionals about a new paradigm of healthier and more flexible lifestyles. This scientific essay focuses on critically reviewing the most prominent evidence supporting modern dietary and lifestyle modifications, and analyzing the historical behavior of clinical conditions that these interventions sought to modify. This allows for inferences about the potential error of research and decisions made, and sowing a new founded theory that promotes paradigm shift after rigorous research in this regard. In the context of the pandemic, these new investigations acquire even greater relevance and urgency to address the global crisis of malnutrition and diabetes.
Improved Speaker Recognition System Using Automatic Lip Recognition
Authors:   Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, Kholiev Vladislav O. , Barkovska Olesia Yu. ,   Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics
Published: May 2024

The paper is focused on the relevant problem of speech recognition using additional sources besides the voice itself, in conditions in which the quality or availability of audio information is inadequate (for example, in the presence of noise or additional speakers). This is achieved by using automatic lip recognition (ARL) methods, which rely on non-acoustic biosignals generated by the human body during speech production. Among the applications of this approach are medical applications, as well as processing voice commands in languages with poor audio conditions. The aim of this work is to create a system for speech recognition based on a combination of speaker lip recognition (SSI) and context prediction. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were performed: to substantiate the systems for recognizing voice commands of a silent voice interface (SSI) based on a combination of two neural network architectures, to implement a model for recognizing visemes based on the CNN neural network architecture and an encoder-decoder architecture for the LSTM neural recurrent network model for analyzing and predicting the context of a speaker’s speech. The developed system was tested on a chosen dataset. The results show that the recognition error in different conditions averages from 4,34% to 5,12% for CER and from 5,52% to 6,06% for WER for the proposed ALR system in 7 experiments, which is an advantage over the LipNet project, which additionally processes audio data for the original without noise.
Research of Models and Algorithms of Systems for Localization of Magnetic Anomalies Sources
Authors:   National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kriachok Olexandr S. , Makarenko Nataliia V. ,   V.M.Glushkov Institute of Cybernetics of the NAS of Ukraine
Published: May 2024

Introduction. The application of modern geophysical methods are caused by the challenges of nowadays Ukraine standing with. The high efficiency of geophysical research is shown by the methods of magnetic exploration. Method of analyzing the array of data from the magnetometer is used to localize the magnetic anomaly’s sources. Such localization is implemented by using various mathematical models and algorithms of software systems. Purpose. The aim of the article is to show an overview of mathematical models and algorithms for the localization of magnetic anomalies’ sources (disturbances). They allow to speed up the processing of magnetometric research’s data and visualize the obtained results. Methods. The article examines the mathematical models of the magnetic anomaly< such as magnetic dipole model, the Gaussian model, the Schwartz model. The multilayer model, and also provides the overview of the main methods for the localization of the described anomaly – the filtering method, the least square method, the gradient analysis method. A list of software and online resources is given, this software is used to analyze magnetometer data and locate magnetic anomalies’ sources. Results. Four mathematical models of magnetic anomalies that allow describing objects of various configurations are considered in the article, and the main methods of determining these objects in the magnetometer data array are given. The article presents the most popular software used for magnetometric data processing. Most of the software is used in geophysics for deep research and requires significant computing resources. A software application was proposed and developed. It allows importing data from the moving platform and magnetometer, analyzing data and visualizing the results. Conclusion. The results of the review emphasize the importance of improving existing mathematical models and developing specialized software for magnetic anomalies’ source localization.
Synergy of Digital Technologies in the Transport and Logistics System
Authors:   International Research and Training Center for Information Technologies and Systems of the NAS and MES of Ukraine, Kucha Dariia O. , Bazan Liudmyla I. ,   International Research and Training Center for Information Technologies and Systems of the NAS and MES of Ukraine
Published: May 2024

Introduction. The relevance of the competitiveness of transport and logistics system in the period of digital transformation of the economy is associated primarily with the widespread introduction of information technologies, which is caused by the progressive complication of logistics tasks and the intensification of transport processes. Purpose. To ensure integration of Ukraine into the global transport space and realization of its transit potential, it is necessary to solve such a problem as: the creation of a competitive transport and logistics system based on a technically and technologically integrated transport and logistics infrastructure, as well as systems for coordinating business processes in supply chains. Methods. The key elements of the further development of the transport and logistics system will be the following tools: digitalization, information technology and innovations. From this point of view, it is necessary to assess the competitiveness of the transport and logistics system according to the methodology of the Institute of Management Development (IMD), the main factors of which are knowledge, technology and readiness for the future. To raise the level of competitiveness of the transport and logistics system during the period of digital transformation of the economy, such digital technologies as big data management, blockchain, cloud computing, the Internet of things, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality are considered. Result. The article is devoted to the study of the synergy of digital technologies in the transport and logistics system, including the effective interaction of components directed at improving the functioning of the system. Digital technologies affecting the development of the transport services market were studied: augmented reality technologies, 3D modeling, cloud services, Internet of Things technologies. It is proved that digitalization is an important factor in increasing competitiveness in the market Conclusions. Thus, to succeed in digitalization, businesses need to implement new information flows and communication chains. Businesses must continually improve their competitive strategy to include automated solutions and use of digital technologies.
Raza e imaginación política de futuro en la Argentina posliberal. Una exploración de Una nueva Argentina, de Alejandro Bunge (1940)
Authors: Gatto Ezequiel
Published: May 2024

Este artículo investiga la relación entre categorías raciales y horizontes de futuro en Una nueva Argentina (1940), de Alejandro Bunge, obra sociológica y político-programática que utilizó variables económicas, demográficas y sociales en función de expectativas, pronósticos y visiones sobre el futuro del país. A diferencia de otros artículos, se sostiene que la propuesta de Bunge era intrínsecamente racista. Explorar la articulación entre raza (blanca) y futuro en Una nueva Argentina permite detectar el valor del racismo en discursos políticos y económicos, como el nacionalismo industrializador, posibilitando comprender la coproducción de discursos racializantes y orientaciones a futuro en la Argentina posliberal.
La visualización de la ciudad portuaria de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico en el siglo XVIII
Authors: Meléndez Mariselle
Published: May 2024

Este artículo examina las reformas impuestas por la corona española durante el siglo XVIII, para hacer del puerto un lugar de orden frente a las amenazas extranjeras que sufría la isla de San Juan Bautista de Puerto Rico como resultado del contrabando rampante que existía. Ancladas en las ideologías de la Ilustración, estas reformas enfatizan la naturaleza geográfica del puerto como espacio de control y manejo social. El artículo discute las reformas militares llevadas a cabo por el mariscal Alejandro O’Reilly con el apoyo de sus ingenieros y cartógrafos Thomas O’Daly y Juan Francisco Mestre.
Renato Cardoso: memória, testemunho e homenagem
Authors: Rodrigues da Luz Hilarino
Published: May 2024

O presente artigo parte da análise de alguns depoimentos dados por familiares e amigos do diplomata, compositor, político e jurista cabo-verdiano Renato Silos Cardoso, mais conhecido por Renato Cardoso ao número 124/125 de novembro/dezembro de 2014, do jornal Artiletra, numa homenagem que lhe foi feita por Larissa Rodrigues, com o título “Renato Cardoso: 1/12/1951-29/9/1989)”, por incentivo de Alcídia Araújo, então Presidente da Associação de Amizade e Solidariedade Renato Cardoso (AASRC), fundada no dia 11 de março de 2011, na cidade da Praia, ilha de Santiago, Cabo Verde. Nessa linha, procura contribuir para o resgate de reminiscência da História recente do arquipélago e dos seus heróis.
O outro lado dos fatos: considerações sobre literatura e jornalismo em Lima Barreto, Roberto Alrt e João Antônio
Authors: Ávila Ornellas Clara
Published: May 2024

En este texto se presentan posiciones de Lima Barreto, Roberto Arlt y João Antônio sobre cierta tendencia literaria y periodística que ignora cuestiones de relevancia social en favor de informaciones o producciones estéticas carentes de sentido crítico dirigidas a los problemas de la sociedad. Así, se centran en extractos de las crónicas de los tres autores, en los que se evidencia la preocupación por el lado humano de los acontecimientos. Se pudo constatar la revelación de una prensa sesgada y también de una literatura centrada en el arte por el arte, sin compromiso social. Además, el pensamiento de estos escritores es actual para el pensamiento del siglo XXI.
Between Enchantment and the Image-spirit (utupë): the essence of the image
Authors: Monteiro Penha Izabelle Louise
Published: May 2024

This work develops the first chapter of my doctoral thesis. It presents an unprecedented approach to the relationship between the Enchantment of the Tremembé indigenous people – beings of the forest that are present in the Tremembé cosmogony –, and the Spirit-Image (utupë) of the Yanomani indigenous people – the true interior of forest beings in the Yanomani cosmogony. The central question arises: Is the Spirit-Image (utupë) necessary to see Enchantment? The chapter problematizes indigenous knowledge from these peoples separated by their identity, but who share the belief in forest beings and their representations within each cosmovision.Finally, the connection between these two concepts is questioned, which share the (in)visibility, the representation of mythical ancestors and the ability to keep images as the essence of life.
Imaginar um Corpo Livre: Irrupções artísticas feministas na América Latina. O exemplo de Cosas de Mujeres e Un violador en tu caminho
Authors: Melo Teresa
Published: May 2024

Este artigo propõe a análise qualitativa da arte feminista na rejeição da naturalização ideológica do corpo do feminino. A partir de duas obras artísticas, o filme “Cosas de Mujeres” (1978) e a performance “Un violador en tu camino “(2019), tem como objetivo compreender o lugar quer das artes feministas entendidas como práticas políticas, quer dos feminismos no trabalho artístico produzido em particular na América Latina.
Um ajuste necessário com a fluidez da vida: Considerações lentas sobre: “O Embondeiro que sonhava pássaros” de Mia Couto
Authors: Brito Nuno
Published: May 2024

Este estude incide sobre o conto “O embondeiro que sonhava pássaros” de Mia Couto publicado em 1990 na sua obra Cada homem é uma raça (1990) focando-se particularmente na reflexão em torno da resistência que o conto traz nas suas diferentes camadas. Reflexão que se faz também na forma como o texto é concebido, na sua forma, estrutura e linguagem. O estudo parte de uma análise comparativa com a produção ensaística e poética do próprio autor, sobretudo com o livro “O universo num grão de areia” (2019). Procura-se analisar como a literatura de Mia Couto reconfigura uma visão do humano que é, também por uma nova dignificação, um ato de resistência e um imperativo de uma nova linguagem.
“LA GRAN OBRA” De Ivan Dario Fontalvo
Authors: Caballero Pérez Pablo Emilio
Published: May 2024

Cuando hicimos la presentación de “Ojala la guerra”, novela de Iván Darío Fontalvo dijimos que su autor novel (principiante) ostentaba un prospecto de escritos nobel (premiado). El veredicto del jurado calificador del concurso internacional de novela “Héctor Rojas Herazo” ha corroborado nuestro vaticinio del momento. Hoy, Iván ha dado pasos que lo podrían conducir a Estocolmo si su labor creativa alcanza el cenit de la producción literaria y artística.
Viability of investing in ecological infrastructure in South Africa’s water supply areas
Authors: Webster Kayla M.E. , Turpie Jane K. , Letley Gwyneth K.
Published: May 2024

Ecological infrastructure (natural ecosystems that provide important services and save on built infrastructure costs) can have an important role in securing water supply, particularly in water-scarce areas, but this importance is not reflected in investment decisions, partly due to a lack of evidence. In South Africa, one of the main threats to water supply is the proliferation of woody invasive alien plants which significantly reduce stream flow and water yields. We used existing spatial data and estimates of the impact of woody invasive plants on flows and water yields and on restoration costs to analyse the viability of investing in ecological infrastructure at the scale of major water supply areas. The analysis involved comparison of the costs and effects on water yields of catchment restoration with those of planned built infrastructure interventions designed to meet increasing water demands in the medium to long term. The cost-effectiveness analysis used the unit reference value as a measure of comparison, which is based on the discounted flows of costs and water supplied over a defined time. Restoration could supply 24% of the combined yield of planned built infrastructure interventions by 2050, and is not only cost-effective but has the added advantage of a range of co-benefits delivered by improving ecosystem health. This finding suggests that investing in ecological infrastructure should be considered ahead of new built-infrastructure projects.
Association between serum galectin-3 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiangyu , Han Bo , Tang Wentao , Ji Shanshan , Wang Lie , Huang Jinbao , Hu Yizhong , Li Jie
Published: May 2024

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant public health issue characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the association between changes in serum galectin-3 levels and COPD and to assess the relationship between serum galectin-3 levels and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Relevant observational studies were retrieved from electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). A random-effects model was used to combine the data, incorporating the influence of between-study heterogeneity. Twelve case-control studies were included. The pooled results showed a significantly higher serum level of galectin-3 in patients with COPD compared to controls (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40 - 0.80; P < 0.001; I2 = 68%). Further meta-analysis suggested higher levels of serum galectin-3 in patients with AECOPD compared to those with stable COPD (SMD 0.33; 95% CI 0.20 - 0.46; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses according to the mean age of the participants, the proportion of males, and study quality scores did not significantly change the results (P for subgroup differences all > 0.05). In conclusion, patients with COPD were found to have higher serum levels of galectin-3, with levels further elevated in patients with AECOPD compared to those with stable COPD.
Adapt, Survive and Evolve: Changing Environment in Two Post-Apocalyptic Novels The Stand and Earth Abides
Authors: Rajendran Saranya , Baghavandoss Evangeline Priscilla
Published: May 2024

The following research which is grounded on natural selection uses text analysis to find out the significance of survival in the post-apocalyptic narration mainly with reference to Stephen King's The Stand. The intertextuality of this work with Earth Abides is also pointed out. The saga of survival in the post-apocalyptic period, Darwin’s concept of survival of the fittest and the human ability for adaptation are elucidated in the article. The survival stories teach us how to reconstruct the fallen society, providing an insight into how the affected people handle the situation (Leon C Megginson). It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. The pandemic narratives can serve as an important area in the classic to contemporary literature in throwing light on future survival issues, teaching how to overcome the precarious situations. It can be reiterated that the post-apocalyptic narratives speak volumes about the above-mentioned significant areas. Ipso facto, the popularity of Pandemic literature should make humanity sure-footed in prevailing over the pandemic threats, and assuring new life and hope.
A Discourse Analysis of the Ideological Knowledge of EFL Learners in Reading Skills
Authors: Hmood Saddam S.
Published: May 2024

This research aims to help English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers prepare for the actualizing of the basic methodologies used in teaching EFL reading skills. The current research set out to accomplish three goals. First, it intended to explore Iraqi EFL students’ perspectives on the use of basic critical thinking strategies in scholastic reading. Second, it set out to analyze the students’ views towards using basic mindfulness methods in EFL reading lessons. Third, it attempted to show whether or not logical reasoning and thinking were gender-related. As a result, the current investigation attempted to encourage student perception using inventive models dependent on the fundamentals of basic reading skills and basic speech assessment to highlight the standards of language mindfulness. In presenting reading entries, the knowledge and critical thinking of the students motivated them to better understand the writings presented in the research. Students who participated in this research stressed the need to learn different methods to improve their comprehension and appreciation of English reading material. Thus, the aftereffects of the examination demonstrated that the students liked to be taught using a basic way that presented them the option of improving their basic perception and understanding of the viewpoints and belief systems behind the writings. They added that improving their cognizance would prepare them to have the option to allow them to comprehend the significant implications of the writings.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Indian Cultural Tapestry and Societal Norms: An In-Depth Analysis of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Literary Canon
Authors: Rajendran Anu. , Deepa P.
Published: May 2024

This article conducts a meticulous exploration of Indian cultural heritage and societal norms through an in-depth analysis of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's diverse literary works. The research scrutinizes the intricate details of Indian traditions, shedding light on the multifaceted tapestry of cultural nuances and societal expectations depicted in Divakaruni's narratives. Key thematic areas include identity, familial dynamics, gender roles, and the intersection of tradition with modernity. Through a comprehensive examination of the author's insightful narratives, this study aims to contribute to a profound understanding of the rich cultural heritage and evolving societal norms within the context of contemporary Indian literature.
Effective Instructional Strategies to Enhance Chinese EFL Learners’ Engagement in a Blended Learning Environment
Authors: Huang Min , Kuang Fangtao
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effective instructional strategies perceived by EFL students to enhance their engagement in a blended learning environment. Data from an English Reading and Writing blended course at a Chinese university were collected and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 162 non-English majors responded to a survey and 10 were interviewed to express their views. The results identified 16 instructional strategies either online or face-to-face, which could enhance students’ behavioral, emotional, cognitive or social engagement. These strategies were further categorized into four groups, namely instructor presence, process monitoring and feedback, learning assessment and group cooperation. Student interviews were analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of the strategies. Pedagogical implications have been provided, with an emphasis on the fundamentals of developing effective instructional strategies for teachers in blended learning environments.
Sowing the Gospel in the southern "Vorstenlanden"; Wonogiri in the Protestant evangelists’ travelogues in the early twentieth century
Authors:   Institut Seni Indonesia Surakarta, Indonesia, Wardhana Adi Putra Surya , Pradita Dennys ,   Universitas Jambi, Indonesia
Published: May 2024

The goal of this study is to analyse the travelogues of Protestant evangelists in Wonogiri, a topic so far barely touched upon. Despite being a predominantly Muslim community, Wonogiri was one of the areas in the principalities of Surakarta targeted by the zending. Therefore, this study explores various aspects, including the purpose behind the visits of Protestant missionaries, the discourses presented in the travelogues, and the perspectives of these evangelists on the belief system prevalent in the community in the early twentieth century. Based on several travel accounts, this research utilizes a critical discourse analysis approach. The evangelists built a discourse which intertwined Christianity and identity discourse. The narratives reveal stark differences between the abangan communities and the stricter Muslims identified as putihan. The indigenous people who embraced Protestantism were perceived as the chosen ones, while those who remained unconverted were considered as the others. This reality highlights the inherent European-Christian perspective adopted by the travelogue writers.
Cross-cultural encounters of Italian travellers in the Malay world; A perspective on the languages spoken by the local populations
Authors:   University of Napoli “L’Orientale”, Italy, Soriente Antonia
Published: May 2024

This paper describes the encounters that Italian travellers, explorers, and traders had with the peoples of the Malay world at the turn of the century. In particular, it focuses on the linguistic descriptions and observations made by Italian explorers of the languages spoken in the places they visited and included in their travel writings. In addition to the pioneering work of Pigafetta, the Italian scribe who followed Magellan on his voyage around the world and produced the first “Italian-Malay vocabulary” in 1521, other linguistic descriptions and observations were made by Giovanni Gaggino, a merchant who compiled an Italian-Malay dictionary in Singapore, Odoardo Beccari, a naturalist who offered reflections on the Malay spoken in Borneo, and Celso Cesare Moreno, a ship captain and adventurer. Elio Modigliani, in his travels to Nias, Enggano, Mentawai, and the Batak country, provided detailed information on the local languages spoken in these islands in North and West Sumatra, while Giovanni Battista Cerruti, an explorer and ship captain who visited Singapore, Batavia, and the Malay Peninsula, commented on the languages, as did Emilio Cerruti, who travelled to the Moluccas and Papua. This paper focuses on how these languages were described and perceived by these nineteenth-century Italian travellers. It concludes that these explorers were all united by a common necessity, namely the importance of speaking local languages in order to be able to interact with the people they met on their travels. Malay, in particular, was always viewed positively as an international language, a powerful tool for communicating, learning, and interacting with others, and a beautiful language. Conversely, the other minority languages were seen as poor and simple, but still a powerful tool to overcome barriers and lay the foundations for intercultural communication.
"Merdeka"! and the dynamics of extreme violence; The first year of the Indonesian Revolution through the eyes of three Dutch journalists
Authors:   Leiden University, the Netherlands, van 't Veer Coen
Published: May 2024

In the first year after World War II, there was a power vacuum in Indonesia. The Indonesians had declared their independence. The Allies had assigned the administration of the former Dutch colony to the British. The Dutch thought they could continue their colonial ambitions. It was a year of utter chaos and extreme violence. While most Dutch journalists remained in Jakarta, three went to the war zones: two of them as reporters and the other as a soldier. The analysis of three texts on the first year of the Indonesian War of Independence by Dutch eyewitnesses shows the importance of subjecting them to closer scrutiny. In the massive focus on the violence in the Indonesian freedom struggle, literary texts of this kind are too often not taken into consideration, even though they are crucial to gaining an insight into the thinking about this war at that time. Because of their hybrid nature, this type of text is pre-eminent in revealing the tension between clashing conceptions, realities, and truths.
Letters of Indonesian nationalist Sjahrir to his beloved Maria Duchâteau; A transcultural case of travel writing
Authors:   Sorbonne Université, France, Snoek Kees
Published: May 2024

The letters Indonesian nationalist Sjahrir wrote between 1932 and 1940 to his Dutch beloved Maria Duchâteau illustrate a transcultural case of travel writing. They also illustrate how much he was convinced that Western ideas and attitudes could assist Indonesian people to develop and gain sufficient self-confidence to shake off the colonial yoke. Born into an elite Minangkabau family, Sjahrir studied in Java and The Netherlands, before taking up campaigning for a non-cooperative political party which emphasized the importance of education. This article discusses the period between early 1932 and 26 February 1934, before Sjahrir’s arrest and following imprisonment and exile. In this period of relative freedom (but without Maria, who on 14 May 1932 had been extradited to Holland), Sjahrir travelled a lot throughout Java. In his letters, he gives examples of social injustice and colonial abuse, of the contrast between the beauties of nature and the poverty-stricken inhabitants of Java, and of differences along the lines of ethnicity, social class, and gender.
Setting sails to sundry shores; Transnational memories of the Netherlands East Indies in the eyes of Danish writer Aage Krarup Nielsen
Authors:   University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Arps Arnoud
Published: May 2024

The Danish travel writer Aage Krarup Nielsen (1891-1972) journeyed to the Netherlands East Indies on multiple occasions. Even though his translated work was popular in the Netherlands and beyond, so far it has been paid scant attention in the fields of travel-writing studies and the study of Netherlands Indies literature. Yet, it is valuable in its views on transnational power dynamics within the Netherlands East Indies society. This article examines two distinct patterns in Krarup Nielsen’s 1928 travelogue, Mellem kannibaler og paradisfugle (Between cannibals and birds of paradise): the comparisons he makes between the different ethnicities and nationalities who lived in the Netherlands East Indies and the memories he includes in the descriptions of his travels. Analysing this travel account from within the framework of postcolonial studies and transnational memory studies, this article answers the question how encounters with the “Other” – colonized as well as colonizer – are represented in the Netherlands East Indies. Drawing on earlier work describing representations by colonialists in “their” colony, this article focuses on the outsider perspective offered by Krarup Nielsen and takes into account how his European background shaped his descriptions of the “Others”.
Türk Basınında Gagavuzlar (1931-1938)
Authors: Uslu Ahmet
Published: May 2024

Cumhuriyet dönemine kadar Gagavuzlar hakkında pek fazla bilgiye sahip olmayan Türk halkı, Atatürk’ün Hamdullah Suphi Bey’i Bükreş Büyükelçisi tayin etmesi ile birlikte verdiği bilgilerden ve raporlardan Gagavuzlar hakkında bilgi sahibi olmaya başladı. Bu durum aynı zamanda dönemin basınının da konuya eğilmesine sebep oldu.
Hamdullah Suphi Bey’in 1931 yılında büyükelçi olarak atanması sonrasında orada yaptığı çalışmalar basında haber olarak yayınlanmaya başladı. Ayrıca dönemin önde gelen bilim adamları ile gazetecileri de makaleleri ve köşe yazıları ile Gagavuzlardan söz etmeye ve onların tarih ve kültürleri hakkında yazılar kaleme aldılar. Bu yazılarda Gagavuzların yaşadığı bölgeler, dinleri, dilleri ve Anadolu Türkleriyle benzerlikleri en çok vurgulanan konular olmuştur. Gagavuzların Hıristiyan olmaları basına cazip bir konu olarak yansırken, kullandıkları öztürkçe de en çok ilgi uyandıran konuların başında geldi. 1931-1938 döneminde basında yer alan haberler ve bilgiler çerçevesinde Gagavuzlar Türkiye’de ilgi uyandıran bir halk oldu ve hatta Türkiye’ye göç etmeleri konusu da tartışılan ve konuşulan konuların başında yer aldı.
Bu makalede 1931-1938 yılları arasında Türk basınında Gagavuzlar hakkında çıkan yazılar araştırılarak, Türk halkına Gagavuzların ne şekilde anlatıldığı ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF LEGAL REGULATIONS OF FORENSIC EXPERTISE AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN UKRAINE
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kostiuchenko Olena , Akhtyrska Nataliia ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: May 2024

At the beginning of the 19th century, there was a belief that eventually investigators, prosecutors and judges would have the knowledge to evaluate evidence without the involvement of "scientific judges" (experts). The unconditional forecast was refuted by the rapid development of science, as a result of which a stable awareness of the need to develop the theory of expertise and improve the methodology of conducting various types of expertise, which requires scientific and technical capabilities and regulatory as well as legal support, was formed. John Brockman justified the future of science in the 21st century, assessing it as a grand breakthrough in physics, chemistry, cybernetics, biology, artificial intelligence and psychology, and as one determining the pace of expertise development. A deeper understanding of the processes of existence and interaction of matter becomes an instrument for a more detailed analysis of a person's activity, which can be considered as an intervention in his personal life. Balancing the observance of individual rights, the state's performance of functions to ensure the safety of society and scientific opportunities requires an appropriate timely legal response, in order to avoid the risk of violating such a balance. Almost 30 years have passed since adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Forensic Expertise", therefore, in order to make proposals for the legal regulation of the use of forensic expertise in criminal proceedings, an analysis of statistical data, judicial practice and the practice of the ECtHR was carried out. It is considered expedient: to determine the terms of the expert examination at the legislative level; to eliminate departmental dependence of experts when conducting an examination (in accordance with the practice of the ECtHR); to establish the grounds for conducting an examination on the initiative of the court (without a request from the parties); to create a state register of human genomic information and streamline its management in accordance with international standards; to determine the status of the specialist's conclusions in criminal proceedings.
Simulation of Downhill Skiing Areas
Authors: Zhang Buchuan , Dressler Tim , Maurer Alexander , Nader Michael , Schadschneider Andreas
Published: May 2024

Based on video analysis of downhill skiing areas a model for ski traffic is developed. The video analysis uses PeTrack to determine the trajectories of individual skiers which are then statistically analysed. A stochastic cellular automaton model is proposed that can reproduce the basic observed features. The empirical data are used for validation and calibration of the model. In the future, the model may help to analyse comfort and safety on skiing slopes, especially the risk of collisions.
Using ICG navigation in resection of a horseshoe kidney
Authors: Kozlov Yury A. , Poloyan Simon S. , Marchuk Andrey A. , Rozhanski Alexander P. , Byrgazov Anton A. , Muravev Sergey A. , Kovalkov Konstantin A. , Kapuller Vadim M. , Narkevich Artem N. , Savvina Valentina A. , Kupryakov Sergey O.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND: In this publication, we present a new area of application of indocyanine green (ICG) imaging in pediatric surgery. We used this advanced method to evaluate the resection margins of a functional segment of the horseshoe kidney after intravenous indocyanine green.
CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: The article presents a case of treatment of a horseshoe kidney complicated by vesicorenal reflux in the left segment and loss of function of the left segment. Resection of the left half of the horseshoe kidney was performed using fluoroscopic control with intravenous administration of indocyanine green. The surgery was performed using the RUBINA™ endovideosurgical system manufactured by KARL STORZ (Germany). RUBINA™ components offer a variety of ICG in near-infrared fluorescence signal imaging modes. Depending on the surgeon and the application, ICG in near-infrared fluorescence data can be used in different modes: image overlay mode, backup mode, color mapping mode. After confirming the boundaries of the perfused part of the kidney, laparoscopic resection of the functional half was performed at the level of the isthmus.
The use of ICG imaging was very important in identifying healthy tissue that stained intensely green 2 minutes after intravenous indocyanine green administration. This margin check verifies the functioning renal parenchyma and allows the correct selection of the nephrectomy margin. The next day after the operation, an ultrasound examination of the renal remnant and perinephric space was performed — the rotation to the right hour of the horseshoe-shaped kidney was good and no accumulation of fluid was detected in the bed of the removed segment. A control ultrasound examination 6 months after the operation showed the preservation of the parenchyma of the right half of the kidney, which indicates the positive effect of the surgical procedure.
CONCLUSION: ICG navigation is a promising method for noninvasive assessment of resection margins in patients with horseshoe kidneys.
A magnet foreign body in the vermiform process in a child aged two years and eight months
Authors: Okuneva Aleksandra I. , Kalabkin Nikolai A. , Mamyshev Mammetnur А. , Okuneva Anna N.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND: Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract is a fairly common pathology in pediatric surgery. The proportion of all cases is about 80%; in 20% of cases, foreign bodies can stuck in the physiological colon narrowings and in 0.005% — in the appendix. It is thought that magnetic foreign bodies pose a danger, if they are two or more because they can be attracted to each other at different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A foreign body can get into the vermiform process, if its mass exceeds the mass of caecum content. Under the gravity mechanism, the foreign body penetrates into the dilated appendix lumen, but lumen peristalsis may not be strong enough to push it back into the large intestine. Swallowed foreign bodies may be asymptomatic in the vermiform process, and can manifest clinically as the inflammation either after few hours or after many years.
CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: In patient X., aged 2 years and 8 months, a magnet foreign body (a piece of magnetic pen) got into the vermiform process. The independent discharge of this object was under control, but no results. Patient's general state was satisfactory. No pathologies were observed in organs and systems. After a series of X-ray examinations of the abdominal organs, suspicion appeared that this foreign body was in the appendix. Diagnostic laparoscopy with intraoperative radiography and then laparoscopic appendectomy were performed. Macropreparation: unchanged vermiform process 6 cm long. The appendix lumen was opened, a foreign body was found — a magnetic rod with size 0.5 cm x 0.2 cm.
CONCLUSION: The postoperative period was uneventful. The child was discharged from the hospital in the recovering state after the performed surgical intervention — an elective laparoscopic appendectomy.