bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Use of Corpus-Informed Grammar Materials in Indonesian EFL Classrooms
Authors: Oktavianti Ikmi Nur , Eriani Efit , Rolyna Ifa , Prayogi Icuk
Published: December 2024

Despite the growing recognition of corpus in language teaching and learning, the importance of teaching materials informed by corpus investigation has not been widely acknowledged, especially in the EFL context. In teaching grammar, it is essential to provide authentic materials for the learners indicating both grammaticality and appropriateness. This study investigates students’ perceptions of the use of corpus-informed grammar materials and the strengths and drawbacks of these materials. The participants were 40 Basic Structure students at their first-year university level. The data were collected using questionnaires and interviews after the participants attended seven meetings with Real Grammar as the book used in the classroom. The data were then coded, categorized, and analyzed to describe how the students perceived the materials. The present study showed that most students have a positive attitude toward the corpus-informed grammar book since it enables them to know the appropriate context of use related to the register (spoken or written). Corpus-informed materials have several strengths, such as describing the register-specific and frequency information, improving language learning awareness, learning motivation, critical thinking, and many more. However, corpus-informed materials should not be the only thing to rely on, so lecturers or instructors should provide adequate explanations for the materials and corpus research. These results show that it is necessary to promote the use of corpus-informed materials in EFL classrooms, including grammar classes. However, the teachers should also be trained on how corpus works, and corpus-related terms and the use of corpus-informed materials should be reconsidered for the lower level of learners.
Exploring the Indonesian EFL Students’ Reading Anxiety and Attitude Before and After Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Iftanti Erna
Published: December 2024

The shifting mode of teaching reading comprehension from offline through online due to Covid 19 pandemic has changed the EFL students’ anxiety and attitude of reading. This paper is then aimed at revealing their anxiety and attitude of reading and the implication towards their reading performance. This study was done through distributing online questionnaire to seventy-five students of an English Department at a state Islamic University in Tulungagung East Java Indonesia, who attended reading course through online mode dan had ever joined offline reading comprehension class. The online survey was carried out from Mei -June 2021 when the pandemic was at its peak. The collected data which were qualitatively analysed and interpreted exposed three important points. Firstly, the pandemic that leads to physical and social distancing is believed to be able to reduce anxiety among the EFL undergraduate students when they are reading English. It is also believed to improve their positive attitude toward reading English, even though reading is not anymore perceived as their hobby. Moreover, their reading anxiety and attitude after the pandemic implicates to reducing their performance of reading for some conditions, i.e., the increasing number of school tasks, the time limitation, boredom, and the decreasing focus of online reading. This research results are pedagogically implemented to build positive attitude and reduce anxiety in online or offline reading.
Deconstructing Elon Musk's Rhetorical Prowess: A Pragmatic Analysis of Speech Acts in His TED Talk
Authors: Bahrani Bahrani , Irawati Dini , Hadijah Sitti , Erangga Suwarid
Published: December 2024

This research comprehensively analyzes Elon Musk's speech acts during his TED Talk Show episode "Tesla, Twitter and How His Brain Works", employing an integrated speech act theory approach. The identified locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts reveal Musk's strategic tactics for maintaining engagement, shaping perceptions, and influencing decision-making. A qualitative approach with a pragmatics perspective analyzed Musk's speech acts in the Talk Show, using a transcription from YouTube as data source for his utterances. The findings showed Musk's locutionary acts aligned with facework and politeness theories, fostering self-presentation. His illocutionary acts like assertions, accusations, questioning, promises, and commands resonated with persuasive discourse applications of speech act theory. Perlocutionary effects causing concern, amusement, persuasion, inspiration, and curiosity generation reflected perlocutionary act concepts influencing audience perceptions. Integrating these frameworks offers insights into Musk's multifaceted strategies, highlighting speech act components' interplay in achieving outcomes. The findings contribute understandings of effective leadership communication and persuasion. While acknowledging limitations, the research holds pedagogical implications for enhancing English learners' public speaking, persuasive discourse, and cross-cultural communication skills by integrating theory and applications.
Empowering EFL Learners in Translation through Peer Review-based Instruction: A Case Study in Higher Education
Authors: Permana Sudarya
Published: December 2024

Although peer review can never substitute teacher feedback, it can become an alternative way for assessing EFL students’ completed tasks in view of that teachers often do not have enough time to give immediate feedback to the tasks. The present study aimed at finding out to what extent peer review was able to empower EFL learners, especially in translation classes. The research design was a case study which involved students’ translation analysis and questionnaire completion in data collection. Students’ translations were analyzed by using a content analysis technique which referred to the acceptability of translation, whereas student questionnaire with the technique of frequency count. The result showed that involving peer review in translation was able to empower EFL learners in two dimensions, i.e., lingual empowerment and personal empowerment. Lingual empowerment concerned students’ translation improvement in which it was regarded as an acceptable translation. Personal empowerment dealt with students’ psychological conditions in which they felt capable (empowered) of doing translation acknowledged from their positive responses to the involvement of peer review in translation. Considering the practical implications, teachers are suggested to employ a peer review in their translation classes. Peer review-based activities create translating opportunities where students can empower themselves, either lingually or personally.
Barriers Prevent EGP Teachers from Becoming ESP Practitioners in the Context of an Indonesian Tertiary Education
Authors: Suherman Andri
Published: December 2024

It has been argued by scholars that ESP (English for Specific Purposes) has several absolute features which distinguish it from EGP (English for General Purposes). It is not surprising that many EGP teachers face difficulties when teaching ESP classes. This mixed-method study randomly recruited EGP teachers (N=50) to complete an online survey regarding barriers they have experienced in teaching ESP courses. Some of them (N=20) were then invited to participate in interview sessions to discover their strategies in breaking the barriers. The results from quantitative data in the online survey showed that the teachers have been dealing with five different barriers with Subject Knowledge being the most difficult barrier to handle (M=3.14, SD=0.86). Meanwhile, the qualitative findings from the interview process revealed several strategies employed by the teachers to break the barriers appeared to have been intercorrelated and affected to each other. As this finding revealed, university authorities need to provide EGP teachers with some supports (i.e. training programs, financial aid, and relevant textbooks) to minimize potential barriers when teaching ESP classes. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also presented.
A Systematic Literature Review of Apology and Request Strategies in the EFL Context
Authors: Kulsawang Pikul , Ambele Eric A.
Published: December 2024

This study aims to examine the diverse strategies employed in apology and request, investigate the influence of cultural factors, social power, and social distance on these strategies, and explore the existing limitations and gaps in the literature for future research. Data collection is conducted using the qualitative technique. Qualitative content analysis is employed for data analysis. The SLR process provides a structured framework for analyzing various strategies employed in speech acts and investigates the impact of cultural variables and social distance on these strategies. Through the implementation of a predetermined review procedure, a total of 16 papers published between 2018 and 2022 were identified and analyzed.  The findings demonstrated that many studies examined apologies and requests using different strategies and sub-strategies. Notably, politeness usage by Indonesian English teachers reflected social power dynamics, while linguistic strategies among Thai students and EFL learners were shaped by social distance. Thai study underscored the importance of cultural immersion, variations among interactants, and teaching factors in pragmatic competence. The PRISMA-guided systematic review effectively synthesized existing literature. The gaps, novel insights, and unresolved issues identified provided a roadmap for researchers to propel the field forward. This systematic review contributed a snapshot of current knowledge, charted a course for future investigations, identified gaps, and leveraged the strengths of systematic approaches.
Systems of Government in Islamic Countries: The Dynamics of Sharia Law from the Prophetic Period to the Modern Era
Authors: Sukardi Sukardi , Alfarisi Muhammad Adib , Riyani Riyani
Published: December 2024

This article explores the forms and systems of government practiced by Islamic states from the time of the Prophet to the present day. This research departs from the problem of the debate on the relationship between religion and the state in the practice of Muslim countries that form the diversity of Islamic state administration from classical to modern times. This conceptual research is related to classical to contemporary government practices in Muslim countries. This research uses heuristic and philosophical approaches. Based on the research conducted, this study concludes that four factors cause diversity in the implementation of the constitutional state of Islamic countries, namely: 1) there are no specific rules on constitutionalism in Islamic teachings, 2) the centralized and absolute power of the caliph, 3) the growing tradition of the rule of law, and 4) the influence of Western concepts of democracy through international expansion and the expansion of power in the colonial era. This study contributes practically to offering a more adaptive model of interaction and negotiation of diversity-based governance and constitutions of Muslim-majority countries.
Contradiction Implications of the Receptie a Contrario Theory in Minangkabau Inheritance
Authors: Kusmayanti Hazar , Mulyanto Dede , Yuanitasari Deviana , Assalihee Muhammadafeefee
Published: December 2024

This research explores the application of the receptie a contrario theory in its implementation in the inheritance law of the Minangkabau customary society. This research is a normative juridical research with conceptual and philosophical approaches. Data source analysis is conducted on primary legal materials in the form of expert interviews and laws and regulations, and secondary legal materials in the form of research results on Islamic law and customary law. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the theory of receptie a contrario still applies to inheritance issues in Minangkabau. Although the Minangkabau people are famous for their adherence to customs, they consider breaking customs shameful. However, the Minangkabau community has explicitly stated that their customary inheritance law refers to Islamic inheritance law by recognizing that children and wives are heirs of their parents/husbands. In contrast, previously, the customary heirs recognized were nieces (kemenakan). This research confirms that the application of the receptie a contrario theory still applies to inheritance issues in Minangkabau. In addition, it also contributes to explaining to the broader community that inheritance in Minangkabau, although it adheres to matrilineal kinship lines, has implemented Islamic law.
Settlement of Sharia Economic Disputes: Efficiency of Implementation in Indonesian Religious Courts
Authors: Firdaus Muhammad Irkham , Retnowati May Shinta , M. Abdurrozaq
Published: December 2024

This research is a critique of the efficiency of the sources of material law used in the settlement of sharia economic disputes to see how great the urgency is in creating sources of material law that are more specific and can be used as legally binding in sharia economic cases. This research uses descriptive qualitative research methods. The data collection method is done through observation, interviews, and documentation. Furthermore, data analysis was carried out using the methods of data reduction, data display, and conclusion/verification. The results of this study show that the source of material law in the settlement of sharia economic disputes is less efficient because the settlement of defaults and unlawful acts in the field of sharia economics still refers to the Civil Code (KUHPerdata). This finding confirms that there is a legal vacuum in sharia economic disputes, so dispute resolution only focuses on the agreed aspects of the contract, not on the form and practice of the contract. The implication is that the decision made by the judge does not fulfill the interpretative legal theory that adheres to the values of justice, fairness, and procedural due process. Ideally, the resolution of sharia economic disputes should still be based on Islamic law principles as the basis of the function of the Religious Courts. Practically, this research contributes to the conceptual framework of the source of material law in resolving sharia economic disputes in more effective Religious courts, as well as offering a concept of dispute resolution that follows the principles of the Islamic legal system.
Mortgage Rights for The Sharia Banking Murabahah Akad its Position and Application
Authors: Suran Ningsih Ayup , Fidiyani Rini , Wardhani Harumsari Puspa
Published: December 2024

This research aims to explain the practice of mortgage rights in Islamic banking, the legal position of mortgage rights as a form of collateral in Islamic banking financing, the application/implementation of mortgage rights in Islamic banking financing, and explore whether mortgage rights as a form of collateral in Islamic banking financing have an equal position with credit in conventional banking. This research uses a sociolegal approach with secondary data sources, namely a review of primary legal texts, secondary legal literature, and non-legal sources. This research concludes that: 1) Mortgage Rights' validity in Islamic banking financing can be observed through the institution of Mortgage Rights regulated in Law Number 4 of 1996 concerning Mortgage Rights on Land and Related Objects. 2) In Islamic banking practice, there is a strong emphasis on the existence of collateral in the assessment of providing financing to customers. 3) Mortgage rights as collateral have a different position between conventional and Islamic banks. This research contributes to understanding the legal position and application of mortgage rights as collateral in murÄbaá¸¥ah contracts in Islamic banking. It compares it with the credit system in conventional banking. The research results are expected to provide policy references in the banking sector regarding more effective implementation of mortgage rights in murÄbaá¸¥ah contracts.
Inovações em Psicologia Social e Neurociência: Compreensão da Interseção entre Emoções e Comportamentos Sociais
Authors: Damasio Magda
Published: December 2024

Este ensaio explora a interseção entre a Psicologia Social e a Neurociência, destacando como essas disciplinas colaboram para entender as complexas interações entre emoções e comportamentos sociais. Através de uma detalhada discussão teórica sobre conceitos como empatia, comportamento altruísta, conformidade e preconceito, o artigo revela como a neurociência tem desvendado os mecanismos cerebrais subjacentes a esses fenômenos. Além disso, são discutidas técnicas de regulação emocional e suas aplicações práticas em diversos contextos, como ambientes corporativos e educacionais. A compreensão dessas interações é crucial para promover o bem-estar e a harmonia social.
Stability of the fcc phase in shocked nickel up to 332 GPa
Authors: Walsh James , Pereira Kimberly , Clarke Samantha , Singh Saransh , Briggs Richard , McGuire Christopher , Lee Hae Ja , Khaghani Dimitri , Nagler Bob , Galtier Eric , Cunningham Eric , McGonegle David , Tracy Sally , Vennari Cara , Gorman Martin , Coleman Amy , Davis Carol , Hutchinson Trevor , Eggert Jon , Smith Ray
Published: December 2024

Despite making up 5–20 wt.% of Earth's predominantly iron core, the melting properties of elemental nickel at core conditions remain poorly understood, due largely to a dearth of experimental data. We present an in situ X-ray diffraction study performed on laser shock-compressed samples of bulk nickel, reaching pressures up to ~500 GPa. Hugoniot states of nickel were targeted using a flat-top laser drive, with in situ X-ray diffraction data collected using the Linac Coherent Light Source. Rietveld methods were used to determine the densities of the shocked states from the measured diffraction data, while peak pressures were determined using a combination of measured particle velocities, shock transit times, hydrodynamic simulations, and laser intensity calibrations. We observed solid compressed face-centered cubic (fcc) Ni up to at least 332(30) GPa along the Hugoniot---significantly higher than expected from the majority of melt lines that have been proposed for nickel. We also bracket the partial melting onset to between 377(38) GPa and 486(35) GPa.
The Utility of Flexible and Navigable Suction Access Sheath in Patients Undergoing Same Session Flexible Ureteroscopy for Bilateral Renal Calculi: A Global Prospective Multicenter Analysis by EAU Endourology
Authors: Gauhar Vineet , Somani Bhaskar , Castellani Daniele , Fong Khi Yung , Gadzhiev Nariman , Persaud Satyendra , Hamri Saeed Bin , Chai Chu Ann , Tursunkulov Azimdjon , Tanidir Yiloren , Soebhali Boyke , Shrestha Anil , Ragoori Deepak , Elshazly Mohamed , Gokce Mehmet Ilker , Malkhasyan Vigen , Farahat Yasser , Herrmann Thomas , Traxer Olivier , Yuen Steffi Kar Kei
Published: December 2024

Purpose
To assess the 30-day stone-free rate and peri-operative outcomes of flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) with flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths (FANS) in adults undergoing same-sitting bilateral retrograde intrarenal surgery (SSB-RIRS).
Methods
Prospectively data of 115 adult patients with bilateral kidney stone disease undergoing SSB-RIRS across 14 global centers between July 2023 and March 2024 were analyzed. Patient demographics, stone characteristics and operative outcomes were recorded. A low-dose non contrast CT scan was performed at 30 days to assess the stone-free rate and clinical outcomes.
Results
Overall bilateral zero residual fragment(ZRF) was 42.6%; unilateral ZRF was 75.7%. Only two patients were noted to have residual fragments > 4mm. 1.7% experienced Traxer grade 1 ureteric injury which was managed with a ureteral stent for four weeks. No pelvicalyceal injury occured. Postoperative mean loin pain score was 1.7 ± 1.0. None had sepsis nor required blood transfusion. 4.3% required readmission within 30 days of surgery. Multivariate analysis indicated longer total operation time correlated with lower odds of achieving a 100% bilateral stone-free (ZRF) (OR 0.978, 95%CI = 0.959–0.994, p = 0.013).
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first multicenter study demonstrating the use of FANS in SSB-RIRS can achieve bilateral ZRF with low complication and re-intervention rates. However, prolonged surgical time may negatively impact outcomes. The indications of bilateral renal stones management with FURS can be expanded in appropriate chosen patients.
A review of implementation challenges and potentials of an interoperable e-health system in LMICs
Authors: Dhakal Rohan , Khadka Aditya , Adhikari Saugat , Bhandari Amrit , Shrestha Sushil
Published: December 2024

E-health solutions in low-income countries are isolated, cater to specific institutions , and cannot share data across organizations. Existing interoperability frameworks don’t work well in these contexts due to various factors. This research investigates the levels of interoperability frameworks for eHealth data integration and data sharing across the globe and how they are in use in different developing countries. Also, the research suggests the potential of FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) in LMICs (Low-and middle-income countries) for interoperability of EHR (Electronic Health Records). The research uses PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) of various articles, papers, and research available on web databases, Google Scholar, JMIR (Journal of Medical Internet Research) and PubMed, etc. of the e-health and interoperability in healthcare to analyze the FHIR potentials in LMIC’s like Nepal for interoperability. The result of the research highlights the levels of inter-operability frameworks for healthcare systems, analyzes the potentials of HL7 FHIR, and suggests its implementation in LMICs like Nepal for interoperability.
Impact of Non-Standard Unicode Characters on Security and Comprehension in Large Language Models
Authors: Daniel Johan S , Pal Anand
Published: December 2024

In this report, we present a comparative analysis of the performance of 15 large language models (LLMs). Each model underwent a standardized test comprising 38 queries obfuscated using alphanumeric symbols of non-standard Unicode characters. The responses of each model were analyzed using three key metrics: jailbreaks (prompt injections that cause a large language model to follow instructions contrary to its intended use), hallucinations (generating incorrect or misleading information), and comprehension errors. Our work reveals the inherent vulnerabilities of LLMs when they encounter non-standard character sets. Our findings show that non-standard Unicode characters reduced the efficacy of guardrails implemented through Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF) and challenged the notion of "human-level language comprehension" in these models. On average, 42.44% of character sets trigger jailbreaks, 32.22% trigger hallucinations, and 24.34% of character sets are not understood by the models. Consequently, these models exhibit heightened vulnerability to content policy breaches and prompt leakage using non-standard Unicode characters. Our study highlights the need to incorporate non-standard Unicode text in LLM training data and algorithms to enhance the safety and capabilities of these models.
Global genomic population structure of wild and cultivated oat reveals signatures of chromosome rearrangements
Authors: Bekele Wubishet A. , Avni Raz , L.	Birkett Clayton , Itaya Asuka , Charlene	P.	Wight  , Bellavance Justin , Brodführer Sophie , Francisco	J.	Canales  , Carlson Craig H. , Fiebig Anne , Li Yongle , Michel Steve , Nandety Raja Sekhar , Waring David J. , Juan	D.	Arbelaez  , D.	Beattie Aaron , Caffe Melanie , Blanco Isabel A.	del , Jason	D.	Fiedler  , Gupta Rajeev , Gutierrez Lucia , John	C.	Harris  , A.	Harrison Stephen , Matthias	H.	Herrmann  , Yung-Fen		Huang  , Sanchez Julio Isidro y , Michael	S.	McMullen  , Fetch Jennifer	W.	Mitchell , Kirby	T.	Nilsen  , P.	Parkin Isobel	A. , YuanYing		Peng  , Kevin	P.	Smith  , Sutton Tim , Weikai		Yan  , Zwer Pamela , Diederichsen Axel , Klos Kathy Esvelt , Yong-Bi		Fu  , Howarth Catherine	 J. , Jannink Jean-Luc , Jellen Eric N. , Langdon Tim , Maughan Peter J. , Paczos-Grzeda Edyta , Prats Elena , Taner	Z.	Sen  , Martin		Mascher  , Nicholas	A.	Tinker
Published: December 2024

The genus Avena consists of approximately 30 wild and cultivated oat species. Cultivated oat is an important food crop, yet the broader genetic diversity within the Avena gene pool remains underexplored and underexploited. We characterized over 9,000 wild and cultivated hexaploid oat accessions of global origin using genotyping-by-sequencing. We explored population structure using multidimensional scaling and population-based clustering methods. We also conducted analyses to reveal chromosome regions associated with local adaptation, sometimes resulting from large scale chromosome rearrangements. Here, we report four distinct genetic populations within the wild species A. sterilis, a distinct population of cultivated A. byzantina, and multiple populations within cultivated A. sativa. Some chromosome regions associated with local adaptation are also associated with confirmed structural rearrangements on chromosomes 1A, 1C, 3C, 4C, and 7D. This work provides evidence suggesting multiple polyploid origins, multiple domestications, and/or reproductive barriers amongst Avena populations caused by differential chromosome structure.
Characterization of HIV Peer Support Based on The Dennis Peer Support Model - Accounts from Transwomen in Ghana, BSHG-018
Authors: Shamrock Osman Wumpini , Abu-Ba'are Gamji Rabiu , Hosseini Fatemeh Sadat , Dakpui Henry Delali , Zigah Edem Yaw , Boakye Francis , Guure Chris , Nelson LaRon E. , Wilton Leo
Published: December 2024

Transwomen women in Ghana face significant challenges in accessing HIV prevention and care services due to the immense marginalization and discrimination they encounter from the healthcare system and professionals. Given these challenges, it is imperative to have change agents and advocates in the form of peer educators to support transwomen and ease their difficulties, particularly for those in under-resourced communities, in accessing and utilizing HIV care services. To understand the role of peer educators in facilitating HIV prevention and care services in slum communities in Ghana, we employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques to recruit 20 transwomen for in-depth qualitative interviews in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. Based on our utilization of the Dennis Peer Support Model, our results revealed that peer educators play significant roles in the lives of transwomen in the defining attribute of providing support. The emotional support for trans women indicated the mere presence of peers and their willingness to listen, show empathy by accompanying trans women to the HIV testing facilities were motivation enough to get tested. The information support attribute showed peers motivated transwomen to improve HIV health outcomes by providing information on antiretroviral therapies and dispelling misconceptions about HIV. Within the appraisal support attribute, peers provided transwomen with information on HIV which heightened their sense of responsibility in HIV prevention and care. This study highlights the crucial role of peer educators in supporting transwomen accessing HIV prevention and care services in urban slums to enhance positive health outcomes, emphasizing that transwomen can live fulfilling lives while living with HIV.
Establishment of machine translation model based on asymmetric Encoder-Decoder structure and its application in English grammar error detection
Authors: yu zhi
Published: December 2024

Asymmetric codecs have been successful in many deep learning tasks recently. It is a forward-looking research to apply this deep learning neural network to English grammar error detection tasks. The traditional machine translation model has poor semantic analysis ability, which leads to the low accuracy of the results when using the model to detect English grammatical errors. To solve this problem, this paper designs a deep learning neural network model based on asymmetric Encoder-Decoder. Firstly, English sentences need to be pre-processed and converted into a tuple probability table recognizable by the model, which is subsequently fed into the model of the encoder decoder. In the encoder: Pre-embedding is first implemented with the help of temporal convolutional network infrastructure to initially obtain the word mapping relationships in the sentences and then connected to BiLSTM for accurate word embedding to capture the word-to-word relationships in the sentences. In addition, for the context intermediate vector output by the encoder, in order to more accurately and adaptively extract relevant features with global information, the attention mechanism is used to process the features output from bilstm according to their corresponding weights. In the decoder, bigru is used to decode the context intermediate vector output from the encoder. And outputs the translation result after the decoding is completed. After training the machine translation model, word analysis is performed through the process of decoding the model. Finally, the experiment detected English grammatical errors, such as articles, prepositions, nouns, verbs and subject predicate agreement. The experimental results show that the designed model outperforms the comparison method in terms of evaluation metrics such as precision, recall and F1 values for English grammar detection. The necessity of each component of the model is verified, and it is shown that the m odel can effectively improve the accuracy of English grammar error detection. The research in this paper provides an important theoretical guidance for applying deep learning neural networks with asymmetric codecs to English grammar error detection.
A neuromorphic multi-scale approach for heart rate and state detection
Authors: De Luca Chiara , Tincani Mirco , Indiveri Giacomo , Donati Elisa
Published: December 2024

With the advent of novel sensor and machine learning technologies, it is becoming possible to develop wearable systems that perform continuous recording and processing of biosignals for health or body state assessment. For example, modern smartwatches can already track physiological functions, including heart rate and its anomalies, with high precision. However, stringent constraints on size and energy consumption pose significant challenges for always-on operation to detect trends across multiple time scales for extended periods of time. To address these challenges, we propose an alternative solution that exploits the ultra-low power consumption features of mixed-signal neuromorphic technologies. We present a biosignal processing architecture that integrates multimodal sensory inputs and processes them using the principles of neural computation to reliably detect trends in heart rate and physiological states. We validated this architecture on a mixed-signal neuromorphic processor and demonstrated its robust operation despite the inherent variability of the analog circuits present in the system. We show how the system can estimate both instantaneous heart rate and its long-term states discretized into distinct zones, effectively detecting monotonic changes over long time periods for recognizing pathological states such as agitation. This approach paves the way for a new generation of energy-efficient stand-alone wearable devices that are particularly suited for scenarios that require continuous health monitoring with minimal device maintenance.
Working Women: Their perceived stress levels and nonpharmacological yoga intervention for management
Authors: Khindri Nidhi , Yadav Jyotsna
Published: December 2024

Background:
Work-related stress significantly impacts women’s mental health, leading to associated health issues requiring pharmacological interventions. With 37% of working women globally affected by stress, effective and accessible interventions are urgently needed.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama (BP) in managing stress among working women using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and a validated self-help tool: Bhramari Pranayama Standard Operating Procedure (BPSOP).
Methods:
A single-arm clinical trial was conducted on 67 women aged 22–40 years with moderate to severe stress (PSS scores: 14–40). Exclusion criteria included low-stress scores (<13), severe psychological or systemic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and ear infections. Participants underwent a 3-day in-person BP training followed by 20 days of intervention via the online Zoom platform. BP was practiced for 30 minutes daily (15 rounds) in the evenings. Pre- and post-intervention PSS-10 scores were compared.
Results:
The mean pre-intervention PSS score was 22.51, while the post-intervention mean was 14.28, showing a significant reduction. The calculated p-value (.000) was statistically significant, and the effect size (1.7) indicated a large magnitude of improvement, with post-intervention scores at the 95.5 percentile of pre-intervention values.
Conclusion:
Bhramari Pranayama is effective in reducing stress among working women. This effort is in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 and highlights the need for action towards the fulfillment of SDG 5,8,10. Limitations include the single-arm design, small sample size, and online delivery. Future studies can explore its impact on hormonal stress markers and expand the findings through randomized controlled trials. The validated BPSOP tool offers a promising, accessible self-help intervention for stress management. The clinical trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) on 17th April 2023 with the registration number CTRI/2023/04/051650.
Effect of Organic Fertilizer on Growth and Physiology of Brachychiton populneus (Schott& Endl) Seedlings under Drought Conditions
Authors: Shaymaa Hani Mahmood  , Sirwa Anwar Qadir  , Evan Anaeat Mohammed  , Chnar Najmaddin Fathulla  , Aven Alaalddin Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Drought stress negatively impacts plant growth and agricultural productivity. This study investigates whether organic fertilizer can mitigate these effects by improving the growth and physiological responses of Brachychiton populneus seedlings under drought conditions. Thus, local compost added to Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl) to determine whether it could aid the growth of the seedlings during drought conditions. Two drought stress levels (D1 and D2), or 60% and 30% of the soil water holding capacities (SWHC%), were applied to the seedlings compared to the control (C0). There were two additions of local compost (C1 and C2), 2000 and 4000 ppm, respectively, in comparison to the control treatments. D1C2 (soil water holding capacity of 60% and 4000 ppm compost) was the usual treatment combination. Which resulted in the longest shoot and root lengths. By registering the maximum dry matter content in the roots and shoots, the same combination also greatly increased the biomass of the seedlings. A general decline in the relative water content appears when biomass increases. The consequences of drought stress are lessened by the addition of compost, which also improves chlorophyll production and overall plant growth. Growth and physiological parameter correlations are shown by the component plot in rotated space. The highest variance is explained by component 1, and the second largest by component 2. A positive association was seen between root length, shoot height, and total dry weight, as they clustered together. Conversely, there is a negative association observed between the components of relative water content and shoot dry weight. However, component 2 and the leaf chlorophyll content (a, b, and total) showed a significant correlation. Compost provides a sustainable solution for improving drought resilience in Brachychiton populneus, making them crucial for forest nurseries and reforestation efforts in arid and semi-arid regions.
In vitro characterization of some of the anti-cancer effects of Borage officinalis flower extracts on human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line, (AGS), cell line
Authors: Salih Mohamad Trefa
Published: December 2024

Worldwide, gastric cancer is considered to be a major health issue, which is common in eastern Asia, with high death rates recorded, that calls for immediate attention and investigation. This article is exploring the effects of methanol and acetone extracts of borage, Borage officinals, flowers with a range of concentrations (10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μg/ml)  on the human gastric cancer, AGS cell line. Fifteen gm of flower powder was suspended separately in 300ml of 50% acetone and placed on shaker in dark for 24 hours at room temperature. The results showed that in a dose dependent manner, methanol extract exhibit anti-proliferative effects whereas acetone extract revealed an inhibitory effect only at a higher dose 500 μg/ml. The clonogenicity of AGS cells was revealed to be significantly (p˂0.001) diminished where production of holoclone was reduced where cells treated with both extracts as compared to control group. AGS cells apoptosis levels were induced by both extracts when compared to control group. RT-PCR results depicted significant (p˂0.001) upregulation of both p21 and EGR1 when cells treated with both methanol and acetone extracts respectively, while both of NDRG1 and PTEN genes were upregulated when acetone extract was used, it’s worth mentioning, that these genes, p21, PTEN, and NDRG1 are considered to be tumor suppressors. In conclusion, borage, Borage officinals, extracts had anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects on AGS cell line and apoptosis was induced. Thus, this plant might be suggested as a future candidate for cancer treatment therapy.
The fast-follower advantage: leveraging intellectual property as driver of economic growth
Authors: Pidpala Mariia , Zhylinska Oksana
Published: December 2024

The object of research. The research focuses on the factors driving the rapid growth in patent applications globally, with a particular emphasis on China’s patenting dynamics. It seeks to explore the economic mechanisms that enable a sustained increase in patent activity despite the significant costs of intellectual property (IP) development and maintenance. Additionally, the study highlights the role of the "fast follower" strategy and its interplay with the scale effects of large domestic markets in shaping such growth.
Investigated problem. Over the past two decades, the number of patent applications has surged, particularly in emerging economies such as China. However, this growth raises significant questions about sustainability. On one hand, IP creation and management demand substantial financial investment, while on the other, regions like China invest more in acquiring IP than they gain from selling it. This paradox is compounded by disparities in global patenting dynamics, where countries face challenges in balancing innovation-driven competitiveness with cost management. Moreover, understanding how this approach is scalable to markets with differing economic structures remains underexplored.
The main scientific results. This study proposes that China's strategy hinges on the "fast follower" model, emphasizing the acquisition of existing IP over conducting costly in-house R&D. The analysis demonstrates that leveraging vast domestic markets and reducing production costs create efficiencies that sustain patenting growth. Furthermore, by focusing on commercialization, rather than invention, this approach provides insights into optimizing IP management across different economies.
The area of practical use of the research results. The findings are applicable for policymakers, organizations, and economies aiming to enhance their IP strategies. By adopting targeted IP acquisition models and aligning innovation with market dynamics, entities can maximize their competitive positioning.
Innovative technological product. A framework for leveraging intellectual property commercialization using the fast-follower model, allowing firms to reduce R&D costs, capitalize on domestic market scale, and achieve sustainable innovation-driven growth.
Scope of the innovative technological product. The study’s insights are particularly relevant to industries where knowledge-intensive products dominate, such as electronics, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing
Determination of the frequency of natural vibration of rubber shock absorbers during compression
Authors: Assin Igor , Zybailo Serhii
Published: December 2024

The object of the research: The work used rubbers of different hardness, which are model samples for testing cylindrical shock absorbers with a coefficient of 0.42, which was carried out under compression on a laboratory stand.
Investigated problem: Determining the limits of operational loads of rubber shock absorbers is an important task in the development of methods for non-destructive testing of rubber shock absorbers. Therefore, the object of the study is the influence of the limit values of the parameters of rubber shock absorbers during compression to determine the frequency of their natural vibrations under harsh operating conditions. One of the most problematic issues is cylindrical shock absorbers with a shape factor of less than 1.0: where the height is much greater than the diameter.
The aim of the study is to establish the patterns of influence of the rubber shock absorber material, compression conditions and boundary conditions of atmospheric aging on the frequency of natural vibrations to determine their boundary conditions of operation.
The main scientific results: According to the indicators of relative deformation during compression, the use of rubber shock absorbers from the high hardness group is recommended for more severe load conditions during operation. Soft rubbers are characterized by increased relative deformation of the geometric size (height) of the shock absorber during compression, which, under increased loads, can lead to their destruction.
The results obtained on model samples can be verified on rubber shock absorbers manufactured in industrial conditions.
The area of practical use of the results of the study: The conducted studies allow creating methods for selecting rubber shock absorbers for certain operating conditions depending on its shape coefficient and to simulate aging in atmospheric conditions.
Innovative technological product: rubber shock absorber with increased operational reliability.
Scope of the innovative technological product: designed for vibration isolation of industrial equipment and engines.
The role of grievance handling styles on employee performance
Authors: Nyongesa Wesonga Justus , Van Der Westhuizen Johan
Published: December 2024

Organizations cannot avoid receiving complaints from individual employees or groups of employees who are unsatisfied with their existing working conditions or interactions with colleagues. Despite the decentralization of the health sector following the adoption of the new constitution in 2010, the difficulty of settling employee grievances has grown. This study aimed to investigate how grievance processing affects staff performance at Kenyan public hospitals, specifically Longisa referral hospital in Bomet County. The study's specific objectives were to examine the effect of grievance handling procedures on staff performance at Longisa referral hospital. This study employed a case study design. The study's target population included 307 Longisa referral hospital professionals. Performance. This investigation employed the census, since the sample size was small and readily available. A questionnaire was used to gather primary data. The data was evaluated using descriptive statistics for frequency and percentages, Pearson correlation analysis, and Chi-square analysis to summarise and classify data, uncover relationships between variables, and assess the strength of those relationships. The data was presented as frequency tables. The study discovered a positive and statistically significant correlation (r = 0.547, P-value = 0.000) between grievance handling procedures and staff performance at Longisa Referral Hospital. The three null hypotheses that guided the inquiry were tested using Chi-square analysis, and all of them were rejected due to their Chi-square values. Respondents typically believed that grievance processing affected employee performance.
As a result, the study concluded that in order to improve employee performance, businesses should establish wise and sound grievance resolution processes. According to the report, organizations should implement effective grievance-handling approaches to improve employee performance. The study is expected to enhance grievance handling
Unity sings against apartheid’s injustice: probing the historical consciousness and memory in three selected anti-apartheid songs
Authors: Diko Mlamli
Published: December 2024

South African history bears the painful legacy of apartheid and systemic oppression, destructively affecting Black South Africans, especially women and children of the lower class, who were, and still are, vastly sidelined. Various apartheid or silencing policies systemically dismissed the majority Black population and condemned their ancestral languages, depriving them of basic human rights. Forced community removals disrupted basic family structures and displaced individuals. Women and children not only faced racial segregation but also encountered gender-based discrimination, obstructing their access to key and strategic opportunities. In response to these violent challenges, South African music and songs emerged as powerful conduits to defy and reject imperialist mentalities, contributing to the struggle for transformation and liberation. Despite facing rejection from the state, anti-apartheid music and songs played a central role in contesting imperialist mentalities. In view of these indications, this article unmasks three anti-apartheid songs, applying post-colonial theory to uncover their interplaying meanings concerning historical consciousness and memory as they pertain to three selected anti-apartheid songs. Three notable findings emerge. First, South Africa’s apartheid-era music and songs played an imperative role in dismounting oppressive or imperialist systems, despite continuous rejection from the colonial and apartheid governments. Second, the selected songs evoke socio-economic and political commentaries in the post-colonial and post-apartheid contexts, underscoring the enduring elements of imperialism even in contemporary settings. Third, while there may be a temptation to escape South Africa’s bitter history, it remains crucial not to obliviate it as it offers critical lessons for contemporary contexts and beyond. Conclusively, this article underlines the necessity of recurrently examining South Africa’s history to uncover significant historical meanings and lessons, contributing to a profound discernment of the country’s rich past.