bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The R.A.S.H. Mentality of Radicalization
Authors: Lienard Pierre , Moncrieff Michael Arthur
Published: February 2023

In the study of the process of radicalization, precedence has been given to answering ‘how’ questions over the exact qualification of the concept of radicalization itself. What does it mean to be radicalized? What are the cognitive entailments of such state? What are the features that makes radicalization recognizable? We rely on a game theoretic model to characterize the essence of what it is to be radicalized. Our model of the radicalized agent’s rational behavior elucidates his construal of typical social transactions. We further propose that the rationality of the radicalized mind entails a cognitive calibration specifying a modality of thought we call the R.A.S.H. mentality. It incorporates a particular risk preference (that action is always optimal) and attitude (that one’s temerity calls for requital) which are both essential aspects of the radicalized mind. The R.A.S.H. mentality throw in a new light core findings of the radicalization literature.
Measuring affect in daily life: A multilevel psychometric evaluation of the PANAS-X across four ecological momentary assessment samples
Authors: Haney Alison Marie
Published: February 2023

While there is strong evidence for the psychometric reliability of the PANAS-X in cross-sectional studies, the between- and within-person psychometric performance of the PANAS-X in an intensive longitudinal framework is less understood. As affect is thought to be dynamic and responsive to context, this study investigated the multilevel reliability of PANAS-X positive affect, negative affect, fear, sadness, and hostility. Generalizability Theory and structural equation modeling techniques (coefficient ω) were employed in four ecological momentary assessment samples (N = 309; 41,261 reports). Results demonstrate that the PANAS-X subscales, including short versions of the positive and negative affect subscales, can reliably detect between-person differences. PANAS-X subscales were also able to reliably measure within-person change, though these estimates may be impacted by scale content and study design. These results support the use of the PANAS-X in daily life research to intensively measure affect in the natural environment.
Money Well Given: Donations Predict Social Capital Gains for Low SES, But Not High SES Individuals
Authors: Sun Rui , Kogan Aleksandr
Published: February 2023

Acting prosocially builds weak social ties; however, it is unclear whether this effect is the same for people from different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. Here, we propose and test the notion that acting prosocially promotes weak ties more for lower SES individuals. In Study 1, we found that among 737 Americans, donating was positively related to having more Facebook friends, but only among people with low income. In Study 2, in an online chat paradigm, 560 people tended to enjoy interacting with strangers they perceived as prosocial than non-prosocial, but only if they believed the partner to have low income. If they believed the partner to have a high income, whether the partner was perceived to be prosocial or non-prosocial did not influence their enjoyment of the conversation. These findings suggest that prosociality acts as a special pathway to building weak ties for those who have few social resources.
Expectations underlie the effects of unpredictable pain: a behavioral and EEG study
Authors: Pavy Fabien , Zaman Jonas , von Leupoldt Andreas , Torta Diana
Published: February 2023

Previous studies on the potential effects of unpredictability on pain perception and its neural correlates yielded divergent results. This study examined whether this may be explained by differences in acquired expectations. We presented 41 healthy volunteers with laser heat stimuli of different intensities. The stimuli were preceded either by predictable low, medium or high cues or by unpredictable low-medium, medium-high or low-high cues. We recorded self-reports of pain intensity and unpleasantness and laser-evoked potentials (LEPs). Furthermore, we investigated whether dynamic expectations that evolved throughout the experiment based on past trials were better predictors of pain ratings than fixed (non-evolving) expectations. Our results replicate previous findings that unpredictable pain is higher than predictable pain for low-intensity stimuli but lower for high-intensity stimuli. Moreover, we observed higher ratings for the medium-high unpredictable condition than the medium-low unpredictable condition, in line with an effect of expectation. We found significant interactions (N1, N2) for the LEP components between intensity and unpredictability. However, the few significant differences in LEP peak amplitudes between cue conditions did not survive correction for multiple testing. In line with predictive coding perspectives, pain ratings were best predicted by dynamic expectations. Surprisingly, expectations of reduced precision (increased variance) were associated with lower pain ratings. Our findings provide strong evidence that (dynamic) expectations contribute to the opposing effects of unpredictability on pain perception, therefore, we highlight the importance of controlling for them in pain unpredictability manipulations. We also suggest to conceptualize pain expectations more often as dynamic constructs incorporating previous experiences.
Fear of Giving Birth Alone: Experiences of Psychological Distress, Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression, and Coping-strategies of Childbearing Women During COVID-19
Authors: Johnson Miriam S. , Skjerdingstad Nora , Ebrahimi Omid V. , Hoffart Asle , Johnson Sverre Urnes
Published: February 2023

Background: Psychological distress experienced during pregnancy is a well-documented risk factor for adverse maternal outcomes. Pandemic-related distress may exacerbate vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes for pregnant women. Aim: To investigate pregnant women's subjective experiences of mental health outcomes, pandemic-related challenges, coping strategies, and positive mental health factors during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Methods: A mixed-methods study investigated anxiety, depression, and burnout, along with qualitative responses to open-ended questions regarding their current experiences with challenges, and buffering factors during the pandemic. Levels of mental health outcomes were calculated, and qualitative data was thematically analyzed. Results: About one-third (24%) of the respondents reported clinically significant levels of depression, 19% reported clinically significant levels of anxiety and 43% reported being burned out. Distress, fear, and worry related to several pandemic-related factors were reported by all of the women, including fear of giving birth alone, fear of the consequences of lockdown restrictions, insufficient information, disruption of prenatal healthcare services, and fear of miscarriage. Social support, financial stability, stable relationships, following daily routines, less stress and a calmer daily life, less social demands, physical activity, as well as less work-related stress and working from home, were experienced as buffering factors that helped the women to cope with the distress associated with the pandemic lockdown. Conclusion: Healthcare providers should emphasize the importance of ensuring stability, predictability, minimizing disruptions to prenatal care and offering broad-based screening to identify women at risk of depression and anxiety. Recommendations for clinical pathways aimed at pregnant women are discussed. Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic; Childbearing Women; Experiences; Fear; Coping Strategies
Four grand challenges for video game effects scholars: How digital trace data can improve the way we study games
Authors: Zendle David , Ballou Nick , Cutting Joe , Petrovskaya Elena
Published: February 2023

The study of video game effects is currently facing four grand challenges. The first is a challenge of causality: research should strive to contribute to our understanding of generalised causal mechanisms rather than isolated effects, but our research methodologies are often misaligned with this goal. The second is a challenge of measurement: use of flawed self-report metrics is common, and phenomena which self-report cannot measure are suppressed. The third is a challenge of interest: personal and professional interests are frequently at odds with normative goals of scientific enquiry. Finally, we face a challenge of speed: horizon-scanning is limited, and available methodologies are slow to address societal challenges. One solution to problems is the use of digital trace data. We describe five distinct methods for the collection of such data, ranging from the development of bespoke data infrastructure to the brokerage of data sharing agreements with industry bodies. Using our challenges as a lens, we provide vision statements highlighting how these methods may exacerbate or resolve each challenge. Finally, we propose next steps to make digital trace data collection strategies more widespread and accessible.
Perceptions of a robot’s mental states influence performance in a collaborative task for males and females differently
Authors: Siri Giulia , Abubshait Abdulaziz , De Tommaso Davide , Cardellicchio Pasquale , D'Ausilio Alessandro , Wykowska Agnieszka
Published: February 2023

With the increasing use of social robots andautomated machines in our daily lives, roboticists need to designrobots that are suitable for human-robot collaboration. Priorwork suggests that robots that are perceived to be intentional(i.e., are able to experience mental life capacities), can, in mostcases, positively affect human-robot collaboration. With studieshighlighting the importance of individual differences and howthey drive our perception. We aimed to investigate howindividual differences in gender moderate the relationshipbetween subjective perceptions of robots and behavioralperformance in a human-robot collaborative task. Participantsrated a humanoid robot (i.e., iCub) on whether it can experiencemental life capacities and completed a collaborative task with it.We correlated their subjective ratings with the completion timeof the collaborative task and found a positive correlationbetween perceiving iCub to experience basic and social emotionwith their performance (i.e., movement times). This relationship,however, was evident for males but not females. The results ofthis study suggest that perceiving humanoid robots as capable ofexperiencing mental states influences collaborative performancedifferently depending on gender. These findings can be relevantfor the field of social robotics and to successfully design robotinteraction partners for workplaces.
Advancing Mental Health Care with AI-Enabled Precision Psychiatry Tools: A Patent Review
Authors: Kleine Anne-Kathrin , Lermer Eva , Cecil Julia , Heinrich Anna , Gaube Susanne
Published: February 2023

The review provides an overview of patents on AI-enabled precision psychiatry tools published between 2015 and mid-October 2022. Multiple analytic approaches, such as graphic network analysis and topic modeling, are used to analyze the scope, content, and trends of the retained patents. The included tools aim to provide accurate diagnoses according to established psychometric criteria, predict the response to specific treatment approaches, suggest optimal treatments, and make prognoses regarding disorder courses without intervention. About one-third of the tools recommend treatment options or include treatment administration related to digital therapeutics, pharmacotherapy, and electrotherapy. Data sources used to make predictions include behavioral data collected through mobile devices, neuroimaging, and electronic health records. The complexity of technology combinations used in the included devices has increased until 2021. The topics extracted from the patent data illuminate current trends and potential future developments in AI-enabled precision psychiatry. The most impactful patents and associated available products reveal relevant commercialization possibilities and likely future developments. Overall, the review highlights the potential of adopting AI-enabled precision psychiatry tools in practice.
Development of Islamic Feminism in Iran Under the Influence of Reformist Discourse
Authors: Vahedi Meisam , Akhtar Iqbal
Published: February 2023

Islamic feminism in Iran is defined as the radical rethinking of religious and sacred texts from a feminist perspective. This research aims to show how Islamic feminism developed in Iran and discuss the philosophical and epistemological foundations of different discourses influencing that movement. This study utilizes documentary research methods. It shows that central to the development of Islamic feminism is the development of the reformist movement in Iran. Reformists believe that employing justice in Islamic laws requires a novel hermeneutic interpretation of sacred texts that account for absolute equality in men’s and women’s rights. However, traditional and neo-traditional jurists present different interpretations of the notion of justice regarding gender relations. They believe that since men and women have existential and inborn differences, they hold separate rights and duties, especially regarding their social and family roles. Accordingly, two kinds of law are needed to regulate their lives. Using reformist theories, Muslim feminists in Iran have challenged the traditional interpretation of sacred texts and called for women’s rights as equal to men’s in the Islamic constitution.
Defining Cities in the New Normal: A Conjoint Experiment of Livability Attributes
Authors: Vargas Melissa Gabrielle H. , Yamada Kyohei
Published: February 2023

This paper examines attributes of cities that people prefer to live in after the outbreak of the COVID-19. Using an online survey of approximately 700 respondents in the Philippines conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 that incorporated conjoint experiments, we investigate the relative importance of various attributes of a city – such as neighborhood, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance – in influencing people’s willingness to live in the city under the new normal.
Aesthetic Assemblages: Relational Aesthetics of the Israeli Movement Practice Gaga
Authors: Aschenbrenner Lina
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a study of the aesthetics of the free-form improvisational dance practice Gaga as a significant example of contemporary neo-spirituality. The study is based on aesthetically relevant data collected in recreational Gaga classes at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv. The study shows that the aesthetics of practices are relational and depend on a variety of heterogeneous factors; collective and shared aesthetics persist despite individualization. The paper develops assemblage thinking as a theoretical and practical framework for approaching aesthetics. It combines the specific analytical approach of aesthetic analysis with the theoretical concept of assemblage and applies it to an example of neo-spirituality. It evolves the concept of “aesthetic assemblage” to address the challenges of studying practices that focus on movement, body, and experience. It demonstrates that studying aesthetic assemblages of neo-spiritual practices helps to foster an understanding of social and cultural dynamics in the context of religion.
Inequality and socio-economic divides in parental transfers to young adults in the United States
Authors: Floridi Ginevra
Published: February 2023

Parental transfers of money and co-residence to young-adult children can serve as means of status reproduction. Yet, the relationship between inequality and socio-economic gaps in these forms of parental support has not been studied. Inequality may widen socio-economic differentials in monetary and co-residential transfers, potentially hindering social mobility. I test the association between income inequality and socio-economic divides in parental support to children aged 22–35 in the United States (U.S.), a context where the economic dependence of young adults has increased over decades of high or rising inequality. I link state-level inequality data to longitudinal data on 39,626 parent-child dyads from the Health and Retirement Study (1992–2018). Using state fixed-effects models I investigate how changes in income inequality within states relate to changes in wealth, income, and educational gradients in parental transfers over time. Socio-economic differences in the occurrence and amount of money transfers widen with inequality, as the probability of monetary support decreases among lower-class and lower-educated parents, while the amounts transferred increase among upper-class and higher-educated parents. Moreover, in times of higher inequality, co-residence is more strongly concentrated among lower-class, lower-educated parents. Previous research shows that receiving money improves labour and housing market outcomes, while co-residence may restrict economic opportunities among young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. In light of this, my findings suggest that rising U.S. inequality may hinder social mobility by shifting the socio-economic distribution of intergenerational support.
Testing the Popular Belief that Men Have Commitment Issues
Authors: Lange Rense
Published: February 2023

A sample of 36,592 online daters provided data on Commitment Readiness defined as “an individual’s desire and readiness to commit exclusively to one romantic partner” in relation to Age, Gender, and Parental Status (singles with and without children). Consistent with previous research, the women scored higher on Commitment Readiness than did the men. Furthermore, age and Commitment Readiness showed a strong inverted U-shaped relation, with younger and older respondents scoring lower on Commitment Readiness as compared to individuals aged 31-60 yrs. Interestingly, Commitment Readiness evidenced neither a significant effect of Parental Status nor an interaction of Gender by Parental Status. Besides the theoretical import of these results, our study illustrates the potential power of Internet research and provides a curious counterexample to criticisms of over-reliance on significance levels for correlational data.

Keywords: commitment readiness, gender differences, invented syndromes, pop psychology
Controlled experiments involving Anomalous Information Reception with Mediums:
Authors: Silva Julio , Moreira-Almeida Alexander
Published: February 2023

The study of Anomalous Information Reception (AIR) with mediums, where an individual supposedly has access to data without the use of the basic senses, claiming to have received information from deceased personalities, has the potential to introduce new information about the relationship between mind and brain. Recent studies investigating if AIR occurs in mediumistic procedures have produced conflicting results. This article compares seven studies with greater rigor in the control over information leakage regarding their methods and results, with the aim of identifying the cause of the disparity in results. We found that there seems to be a higher probability of significant results for AIR when the study protocols: select mediums with previous consistent evidence of AIR; select sitters who are strongly motivated for the study; supply the medium with some information about the deceased; allow him/her to speak freely but also ask objective questions; provide scores for both overall readings and individual items; and avoid a large number of readings and items of information to evaluate. This diligence seemingly provides greater equilibrium between ecological validity and control over leakage, favoring the occurrence and detection of AIR.
Experimental Design to Assess the Existence of Chakras
Authors: Sadi John
Published: February 2023

The existence of the chakras and their associated energy field is admitted by oriental tradition but has never been scientifically and convincingly demonstrated. After showing the weaknesses of past attempts toward this goal, the author describes preliminary experiments which enable to better specify the behavior of the chakra energy field. From these empirical results, a new experimental protocol is carefully designed and proposed, along with the relevant statistical analysis. The main experiment detailed here relies on randomly generated trials monitored by a computer to ensure that the double-blind criterion is met.
Occam's Razor and Bayesian Measures of Likelihood Suggest Loch Ness Monsters Are Real Animals
Authors: Bauer Henry
Published: February 2023

Lay Summary—The simplest explanation for all the evidence is that Nessies, the “Monsters” in Loch Ness, are real but as yet unclassified animals — evidence comprising eyewitness reports, sonar results, surface and underwater photography, and surface moving film. The Bayesian approach to estimating probability points to a similar conclusion.            If sonar and photographic evidence had preceded rather than followed intense global interest based on eyewitness reports, the existence of Nessies might have become widely accepted rather than disbelieved.            This analysis points to the need for public policies about science and medicine to be informed by people who understand how science works, for instance historians of science or individuals versed in the modern discipline of Science & Technology Studies.

Abstract—Regarding claims of Loch Ness Monsters, what the simplest explanation might be depends on how the evidence is assembled and judged. Taken individually, eyewitness reports can be simply and plausibly explained away as misperceptions and occasional hoaxes. Many of the claimed surface photographs can be simply and plausibly challenged as misleading representations of natural phenomena, and again some deliberate faking.            Simple explanations are less readily to hand for the underwater photos and the Dinsdale film, yet disbelievers have offered some.            However, when the evidence is taken as a whole, the simplest explanation is that there are real animals responsible for these three or four quite independent types of evidence.            A similar conclusion would be reached by considering the evidence sequentially by a Bayesian approach, progressively modifying the estimated likelihood using each independent type of evidence.            Loch Ness Monsters might be the sort of premature discovery described by Gunther Stent: the best evidence came too late to influence media attitudes and popular belief. The difficulty of changing long-held views is illustrated not only in this instance but also within science overall, where hegemonic theories have for lengthy periods withstood the accumulation of considerable contradicting facts.            Advice to policy makers should come not from practicing scientists but from individuals who know the history of science and understand the many potential pitfalls in advancing knowledge.
The State of Continuing Qualitative Research on the Kennedy Assassination
Authors: Williams John Delane
Published: February 2023

Followers of the Warren Commission’s findings continue to accept Lee Harvey Oswald as the assassin of President Kennedy. Deniers of the Warren Commission’s findings take a contrary view. Herein, the view is that Oswald had involvement with the assassination--- but that involvement was an attempt to stop the assassination. Oswald’s life is explored, focusing on his military service in Japan until his own death on November 24, 1963. Particular emphasis is placed on the writings Ernst Titovets (Oswald’s time in Russia); Judyth Baker (the summer of 1963 in New Orleans); Dick Russell’s writing of the experiences of Richard Case Nagell (in Atsugi Japan, 1957; and in Mexico City, New Orleans and El Paso, 1963); and Douglas Horne, on the medical evidence in the assassination.

     These writers correct the record of Oswald’s life. Baker shows Oswald’s continuing relations with Jack Ruby and David Ferrie, persons that were supposedly not known to Oswald. Baker clearly points out Oswald’s involvement in the project that aimed to eliminate Fidel Castro with a bio-weapon (a fast acting cancer). Russell shows the importance of Richard Case Nagell with Oswald. Horne elucidates the many missteps in the medical evidence in JFK’s autopsy.

During Lyndon Johnson’s presidency (in 1965), a law was passed naming all materials involved in the JFK assassination were owned by the federal government. Christopher Fulton was the only person convicted under this statute, sentenced to 8 ½ years in prison,  This occurred March 19, 1999.
Social factors and UFO reports: was the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic associated with an increase in UFO reporting?
Authors: Cockrell R Chase , Murphy Linda , Rodeghier Mark
Published: February 2023

The ongoing SARS-Cov-2 pandemic had many drastic effects upon society beyond the illness and death it caused. Pandemic mitigation measures disrupted and altered behaviors related to social mobility, significantly increasing the time spent at home compared to the pre-pandemic period. Further, it was well documented that social anxiety and stress increased at a population level. Early in the pandemic there was speculation in the popular media that reporting of paranormal phenomena (e.g., UFOs, ghosts, etc.) increased due to factors associated with the pandemic. Past research on UFO/UAP reporting has theorized that increases are triggered by social factors, and so the pandemic provided a natural experiment to test these claims. To measure UFO reports we utilized two public databases of UFO reports for sightings in the United States, provided by the National UFO Reporting Center and the Mutual UFO Network. To estimate the impact of the pandemic we utilized two measures, one for social mobility and one for pandemic/disease severity. Google Community Mobility Reports provided a metric of social mobility for people who use Google Maps on their cellular telephone (i.e., amount of time spent at work compared to home), which we aggregated to a state level to estimate time spent at home. Second, we used new weekly SARS-CoV-2 cases and deaths, both absolute counts and per capita, which can be considered to be an indirect measure of anxiety and stress. We find that UFO reports did increase in 2020 compared to 2019 (p<0.001 for both databases); however, the level of UFO reporting had little to no association with the various pandemic-related measures, offering no support for hypothesized social factors that influence reporting. A complicating factor in UFO reporting is the start in 2019 of Starlink satellite launches. These launches include up to 60 small satellites at once, and so are very distinctive and often easily visible. As a result, many people report these as UFOs. We coded and removed these reports from the sighting databases, and the filtered data similarly have no association with the pandemic-related factors. Further, with Starlink reports removed, there was no increase in sightings in 2020 compared to 2019.  Our results contribute to an understanding of large-scale factors that impact the reporting of paranormal events, especially timely given the renewed public and government focus on the UFO phenomenon today.
Study of Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli against Allopathic Drugs as Compared To Natural Herbs
Authors: Loyi Lego Rimmo
Published: February 2023

The Rising Incidents of Antibiotic Resistance has been increasing at an exponential rate in recent years, and since it is often caused by rampant misuse of drugs such as Penicillin, many bacterial species such as E. coli have been able to mutate and gain Multi-Drug Resistance and Extended Drug Resistance (XDR) - to form what is otherwise known as Superbugs. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the efficacy of Allopathic Drugs as Compared to Natural herbs in treating pathogenic bacterial colonies, so as to find an alternative to reduce antibiotic resistance. Using experimental analysis, this study analysed the effectiveness of the allopathic drugs and natural herbs, in treating an E. coli culture. The experiment was carried out over a span of 14 days, with readings taken on every consecutive 2-day period. The efficacy was measured with respect to the zone of inhibition, and the results were compared for any form of resistance developed. The Allopathic drug, Azithromycin, as hypothesized was found to be the most effective in treating the E. coli culture, but a few resistant strains were observed. However, natural herbs like Tea tree oil were not far behind, and only a few colonies of E. coli showed resistance against them. Erythromycin and Garlic were not found to be as effective. This study answers the questions on alternatives to allopathic drugs and resistance to different substances. Further studies are however needed to establish the mechanism of resistance to these substances and to develop preventative measures
North American Monsters: A Contemporary Legend Casebook, edited by David J. Puglia
Authors: Bullard Eddie
Published: February 2023

Who doesn’t love a good monster story? A delicious chill shimmies up the spine and tingles the hairs of listeners huddled around a dying fire on an autumn night as clouds cross the moon and extinguish its light, while the narrator’s hushed voice winds the taut wire of terror to the breaking point. And then dry leaves crackle somewhere off in the dark.  Anyone indifferent to the monster lurking just beyond the firelight is surely a dead soul…though I hesitate even to  think the thought, lest a new monster be born. This world and every world visited by the human imagination comes well-stocked with monsters.  They have always been with us and remain robust in modern times.  The realm of folklore with its giants, witches, trolls, and dragons gave many of us our first unnatural scares, and no scholarly discipline than folklore seems more tailor-made to study their cause.  North American Monsters undertakes that responsibility with an anthology of nineteen articles, fourteen drawn from scholarly journals and five written for this volume, each committed to the understanding of monsters in contemporary legends.

            Ah, the scholarly anthology.  It often suggests a dutiful assemblage of dust-dry writing where the reader soon sleeps a sleep akin to coma and where all hopes of joy and excitement go to die.  Well, this one is quite something more.  Far from dull and dreary, here is a collection worthy of its subject.  Editor David Puglia has chosen lively articles based on the authors’ field research to introduce a range of fearsome creatures, some long-lived, some deceased, some recent and still walking among us.  Beyond passing acquaintance, these articles familiarize the reader with their subjects, how these monsters are born and grow and die, the environments that favor them, the human energies that feed and sustain them.  We get to know them.  Sometimes they are villains, forces of nature, even tragic figures, but all of them have a purpose in the human realm that goes beyond eating people or leaving tracks and turds in the forest.
A Guardian Angel Gone Astray: How NOT to Do Survival Research
Authors: Nahm Michael
Published: February 2023

In a recent commentary on an essay competition regarding the best evidence for the survival of human consciousness, Keith Augustine prominently criticized the award-winning essay I submitted to this competition. As demonstrated in the present article, Augustine’s critique is specious as evidenced by specifically two aspects of it: 1) On multiple occasions, Augustine misrepresented contents of my essay by attributing statements to me I never made and by presenting quotes out of context and contorting their original meaning. Due to Augustine’s misrepresentations of my essay’s content, it is unavoidable to conclude that his entire commentary is permeated by biased reasoning. 2) Although Augustine caviled at numerous formulations he drew from all over my essay, he did not mention that I singled his work out for profound criticism on numerous pages of my essay. He did not even attempt to counter my critique of his writings on factual grounds. In conclusion, Augustine’s commentary is a good example of a bad contribution to the survival debate.
Reply to Champagne's Comments on "Empirical Analysis of the Hugh Gray 'Nessie' Photograph"
Authors: Watson Roland
Published: February 2023

The matter of Hugh Gray stating he saw no head versus what others see in his photograph is indeed a conflict requiring resolution. The simple solution is to discount all but Gray’s words as flawed. But this makes the assumption that eyewitnesses always perfectly describe what they see. Normally the imperfections of human observation and recall is used to reject all eyewitness testimony as inadmissible as evidence. But what I propose is that one can be an eyewitness to a large creature but still describe it imperfectly. Indeed, it should be the default position that every account has some degree of inaccuracy.
Frank Drake, “The Father of SETI”, May 28, 1930, to September 2, 2022
Authors: Drake Jeremy
Published: February 2023

Frank Drake was a hero, a legend, an icon. His eponymous Drake Equation was the catalyst forSETI—the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. It is often called the second most famousequation in physics, right up there with E = mc2. His name is recognized by highschoolstudents—a pantheon that includes names such as Newton, Einstein, Gauss, Maxwell, Planck,Boltzmann.
The Effect of Current Ratio and Total Assets Turnover on Stock Prices and Return On Assets as Intervening Variables
Authors: Ratnaningtyas Heny , Nurbaeti Nurbaeti
Published: February 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of the current ratio (CR) and total assets turnover (TAT) on stock prices and return on assets (ROA) as intervening variables in Hotels, Restaurants, and Tourism Companies during the Covid-19 Pandemic. This type of research is quantitative with a path analysis method using SmartPLS. The sampling technique used is saturated sampling because the population is the same as the sample, namely, ten companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The results showed that: (1) The variables that have a significant effect on ROA are CR and TAT; (2) The variables that have a significant effect on stock prices are CR and ROA; (3) The variable that has no significant effect on stock prices is TAT; (4) The CR variable has a significant effect on stock prices through ROA; (5) The TAT variable has a significant effect on stock prices through ROA.
Business development through digital marketing for the Pothil business
Authors: Khikmah Siti Noor , Fauzi Imam Agus , Riama Anggia , Dewi Aprilia Kusuma , Fitrilia Aziza Daning , Mutiarani Salma Shafiyya Ayu
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this community service is to increase digital marketing knowledge and skills for pothil MSME actors so they can develop their business. This program method consists of several stages, namely observation, outreach, digital marketing training, and mentoring. The result of this training is that MSMEs already have Facebook (Pothilinaja) and Instagram (Pothilin_aja) accounts which can be used to market their products widely.
Application of the digital marketing ecosystem to MSME Batik Rajah, Magelang City
Authors: Kurnia Marlina , Handayani Tri Wahyu , Wijayanti Erika Putri , Riyanto Ahmad , Hidayat Fajar Shidiq , Septiana Reni
Published: February 2023

This community service aims to overcome the problems of UKM Batik Rajah, Magelang City in terms of marketing, packaging, and financial records. The methods used are outreach, training, and mentoring. The result of this program is repackaging by changing product packaging to utilizing marketplaces and social media for product promotion and sales. With the consistent use of digital marketing, it is believed that the Batik Rajah market will expand so that it can improve people's welfare. In addition, MSMEs Batik Rajah have also updated their financial books so that they can simplify the process of estimating profit and loss and recording daily transactions
Education on clean living behavior and rational use of vitamins through comic media as an effort to empower RA IT Cendekia students, Demak Regency
Authors: Sulistyaningrum Indriyati Hadi , Muin Donna , Pribadi Prasojo , Latifah Elmiawati , Santoso Arifin
Published: February 2023

This community service's goal is to prepare children for the New Normal by educating them about the corona virus, media and transmission methods, signs of infection, physical and social isolation, and how to adjust to and discipline strict measures to prevent transmission. The method of this dedication is by socializing and practicing how to wash hands according to WHO, cleaning objects that can be intermediaries for transmission, wearing masks, keeping a safe distance, increasing self-immunity by exercising diligently, taking vitamins and consuming nutritious food. Every person, including children, should take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the Corona virus. The presence of discipline in this prevention effort and the ability to adjust to the new normal will be a turning point in the battle against the corona virus.
Community empowerment in an effort to improve health in the new normal era in Gombong Hamlet, Magelang Regency
Authors: Yuliastuti Fitriana , Salamah Nurul Umi , Indraswari Ashichach , Nurjanah Ratfika , Kholiq Muhammad , Fidian Athia , Muliawanti Lintang
Published: February 2023

In the new normal era, clean and healthy living practices include always following health protocols like keeping a safe distance, washing hands, and donning masks. This Integrated Community Service Activity aims to increase public knowledge and awareness regarding clean and healthy lifestyles and improve the health and hygiene status. Implementation of this activity is carried out with outreach, training, and mentoring. As a result, more people are aware of the importance of health protocols in the New Normal era, the latest variant of Covid-19 to the therapy needed, how to make hand sanitizer, and an increase in children's knowledge about herbal candies. All activities are expected to be able to enhancing the community's health and standard of living.
Increasing the income of SMEs in Maju Jaya women farmers Group (KWT) with e-commerce
Authors: Waliyansyah Rahmat Robi , Nurdyansyah Fafa , Siswanto Joko
Published: February 2023

This community sercive is carried out to provide understanding and skills to the target audience about internet media (e-commerce) as an effective and efficient means of selling/promoting products; encourage the target audience to use the internet as a means of business development; provide knowledge and skills to the target audience in creating advertising or promotional content on the internet such as on social media; provide assistance to the target audience in utilizing various internet-based market places as a means of selling products. The approach in this program is through the PALS (Participatory Action Learning System) method. The result of this program is the good understanding of partners about marketing through e-commerce; partners are able to create stores on the marketplace and promote through social media independently. The results of internet user assessments state that product marketing through e-commerce has high informative, persuasive (convincing) and intentional (attractive) values.
Training on making flipbook-based digital module for junior high school Javanese language teachers in Purworejo District
Authors: Aryanto Aris , Widiyono Yuli , Murhadi Murhadi
Published: February 2023

The technological prowess of most junior high school Javanese teachers in Purworejo District is still lacking, especially in the development of innovative digital modules. The purpose of this community service is to provide additional knowledge and skills in developing innovative teaching materials in the form of flipbook-based digital modules for Middle School Javanese teachers in Purworejo Regency. The training implementation method consists of four stages, namely planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. All activities ran smoothly and the teachers enthusiastically participated in the training series. The result of this program is an increase in knowledge, motivation and enthusiasm in making flipbook-based learning modules.
Education scientific poster training with Canva assistance for UPI Purwakarta students
Authors: Riani Dwi Wahyu , Fuada Syifaul , Putri Isni , Arini Eka Novelia Putri , Ulfa Husnul , Setiani Delia Fitri , Pradiptya Eildila Shalsadiza , Gianti Mahmudah Salwa
Published: February 2023

Scientific poster training with Canva aims to increase students knowledge and skills in making scientific posters as well as being a competition for participants in implementing their new skill. The method used is to form a training concept as well as a scientific poster competition involving the role of LEPPIM management and members as the committee. This training and competition activity was attended by 20 students online using the Zoom Meeting platform and the Google Form link as a means to collect works. The result of this training is increasing the knowledge and sportsmanship of the participants in competing to produce scientific poster works.
Social innovation of Kampung Kopi Luwak Prangat Baru Village (Kapak Prabu) East Borneo
Authors: Busyairi Muhammad , Kahar Abdul , Rafii Akhmad , Saputra Dharma , Soenarih Asih , Apriliyani Vivi , Aprilia Dita , Andriani Muthia , Jannah Aulia Miftahul
Published: February 2023

Prangat Baru Village is located in a hilly area, with rainfall of 194.5 and an altitude of 150 meters above sea level. The majority of the community work as garden farmers. Farmers are encouraged to innovate in search of other plantation crop commodities, namely the cultivation of liberika coffee plants by naturally fermenting coffee beans by civets. The main objective of this program is to increase the economic level of the members of the Kopi Luwak Village farmer group through 3 (three) basic foundations, namely (1) liberika coffee cultivation, (2) civet care which pays attention to animal welfare, and (3) edutour of Kampung Kopi Luwak with various educational tourism activities. Through deliberations on the preparation of the 2021 Renja with the management of Pertamina Hulu East Borneo, it was agreed upon the activities of the Kapak Prabu 2021. Among them are a comparative study of coffee cultivation in Pangalengan Malabar, West Java, assistance for PIRT powder & coffee beans with more marketable packaging, procurement and development of liberika coffee seeds, as well as the addition of cages and pandanus civet. Based on the results of the implementation of assistance in the kapak prabu social innovation program, the basic problems of the Prangat Baru Village community were resolved and the need for social innovation had been properly achieved.
Education on drug use during Ramadan
Authors: Fatiha Chilmia Nurul , Firdaus Muhammad
Published: February 2023

The holy Ramadan season offers the best chance to maintain a healthy lifestyle because a Muslim can control his eating habits by fasting. Fasting during Ramadan is healthy for a variety of conditions, including those that affect pregnant women, people with diabetes, kidney disease, high cholesterol, obesity, hypertension, the hormone cortisol, the immune system, people who have peptic ulcers, and people who have cancer. This community service aims to educate people about drug use during Ramadan and drug use that does not break fasting. The program's results highlight that patients comprehend facts about drug use and the kinds of medications that don't break the fast during Ramadan.
Stunting education using the brainstorming method to increase mother literacy in Banyumas Regency
Authors: Pantiawati Ika , Wulan Widya Ratna , Widianawati Evina , Fani Tiara
Published: February 2023

The limited information obtained by mothers is one of the obstacles in producing correct stunting information. This community service aims to increase mother literacy about stunting toddlers in the stunting locus village, Banyumas Regency using the brainstorming method. The stages of the program start from preparation, pre-test, giving material and post-test. The results of the pre-test and post-test showed that mothers' knowledge about stunting increased by 37% compared to before assistance. Knowledge that has increased the most is about how to handle stunting in toddlers (79%). However, there is no increase in knowledge about how to vary food that is good for stunting toddlers. Stunting education assistance activities using the brainstorming method need to be carried out routinely for mothers of stunting toddlers to increase their knowledge and change the behavior in handling stunting in their toddlers so that the prevalence of stunting can decrease.
Family empowerment to increase Covid-19 vaccination coverage for elderly in Bedoro Village, Sragen
Authors: Susilowati Tri , Noorratri Erika Dewi
Published: February 2023

Data up to March 6 2021 show that 18,131 of the 37,154 COVID-19 patients who passed away in Indonesia were elderly. The findings of a preliminary study that involved interviewing 10 elderly residents of Sragen Regency revealed that the majority of the elderly claimed to be afraid and unaware of the advantages and risks of the Covid-19 vaccination. In order to increase vaccination coverage, this community service aims to increase residents' knowledge of the Covid-19 vaccination. Pre-tests, counseling sessions, and post-tests are all part of the implementation method. The outcome of this activity is an improvement in residents' knowledge. Residents' knowledge of the significance of the Covid-19 vaccination was only 15% in the good category prior to counseling and increased to 41% after counseling.
Midwife skill training as a family assistance team in preventing stunting in Tegal City
Authors: Damayanti Fitriani Nur , Astuti Rahayu , Istiana Siti , Paramitha Avisa Zahra
Published: February 2023

Stunting is still a health problem that requires attention because it affects physical growth and interferes with children's intelligence. Midwives are one of the personnel who provide oversight to ensure that nutrition and reproductive health education programs continue in the first 2 years of a baby's life, as well as monitoring the growth and development of the baby, which can help prevent stunting. The purpose of this community service is to increase the knowledge and skills of the family assistance team in collecting data and identifying the risk of stunting in Tegal city. The results of the activity show that training on data collection and identification of stunting risks using lecture and practice methods can increase midwives' knowledge in preventing stunting in Tegal City.
Stunting prevention education at Posyandu Bintang Keluarga
Authors: Laely Khusnul , Oktafiani Erta , Handayani Dwi , Ariana Melati , Usmazafi Rifka Aina , Ismawanti Anik
Published: February 2023

Stunting is a health problem that is a priority for resolution in Indonesia to create quality human resources. The purpose of this community service is to find the root causes and solutions in preventing stunting for the people of Dusun Glagah I RT/RW 04/03. This activity was carried out in the form of stunting education. The results of this program are increasing partners' knowledge about the characteristics of stunting toddlers and the causes of stunting and the prevention of stunting. In addition, participants became more aware of the importance of growth and development and nutritional intake of children.