bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Javanese Language Representation: A Dialogue and Expression ala Kethoprak in the Film Nyumbang
Authors: Ajie Purwoko , Habsari Sri Kusumo , Ardianto Deny Tri , Saddhono Kundharu
Published: November 2023

The research aimed to examine the usage of the Javanese language to represent the discourse of nyumbang (donation) in the film Nyumbang produced by Montase Film Independen Yogyakarta. It focused on analyzing the discourse semantics of the Javanese dialogues, which took the style expression ala Kethoprak. The primary data are the Javanese dialogues in the film Nyumbang. At the same time, the supporting data were taken from journals, books, newspapers, websites, and supporting media (audiovisuals, interview results, and other documentation). Data analysis techniques included reduction, presentation, and verification of conclusions related to the research object. The results indicate the utilization of a strong Javanese accent, mostly found in Kethoprak's performance, to represent the problematic discourse of nyumbang. The actors who are the members of the Sanggar Kethoprak Merbabu Budaya, Magelang, speaking in Javanese with the Mataram accent, highlight the problematization of the ideology behind the discourse of nyumbang. The Mataram accent, which is the language style of Kethoprak, added with the helpless facial expressions of the actors, provides the interpretation of the raising question of the nyumbang tradition, which has been embedded in Javanese culture. Through some word choices that are exaggerated to produce a sense of helplessness, the tradition of nyumbang, formerly developed to help each other, becomes a social burden. Thus, the research finds that the film Nyumbang provides an effort to maintain the Kethoprak tradition without abandoning the characteristics of its traditional performances, which contain criticisms of tradition in modern life.
Banjarese College Students’ Positive Politeness toward Their Lecturers Through Online Chats
Authors: Winiharti Menik , Mubarok Ahmad
Published: November 2023

The research aimed to describe the positive politeness strategy which was applied by undergraduate students toward their lecturers in online conversations. It was also to find the form of violations of politeness that occurred in the conversation and to describe factors that influenced the violation. Data were gathered from online conversations between students and lecturers through chat applications such as WhatsApp and Line on lecturers' and students’ devices. Then the data were grouped and analyzed according to Brown and Levinson's (1987) positive politeness strategy along with their theory on Distance, Power, and Ranking of Imposition. The results show that positive politeness strategies appear in eleven utterances out of forty-three utterances. The violation of politeness is shown in five utterances, all of which threaten the negative face of the addressee. In addition, five factors influence the violation: distance, context, desire to over-praise the addressee, deliberately asking for reasons, and rejection. Overall, social factors still influence the way students communicate online with their lecturers. To some extent, students apply positive politeness strategies toward their lecturers even though the interaction happens through online chat applications.
Escravidão velada no Maranhão: Uma análise acerca da atuação do poder judiciário e das políticas públicas no combate ao trabalho forçado
Authors: Façanha Josanne Cristina Ribeiro Ferreira , Silva Ana Carolina Lima
Published: November 2023

A escravidão deixou marcas e vestígios desse ataque à dignidade da pessoa humana que persistem até os dias atuais, principalmente em um dos Estados mais pobres do país: o Maranhão, que é marcado pela desigualdade social e pela baixa qualidade de ensino educacional, o que o torna um dos polos da escravidão contemporânea. Assim, por meio de uma metologia descritiva, realizada mediante pesquisa bibliográfica e materiais disponíveis na Internet, buscou-se analisar a atuação do poder Judiciário no combate ao trabalho escravo e das políticas públicas no amparo e reinserção social do trabalhador no Maranhão, restando demonstrado que embora haja bastante empenho para erradicar a escravidão por parte do poder Judiciário, ainda há muito a ser feito para combater o trabalho forçado, faltando também políticas públicas que de fato possam garantir que o trabalhador que foi vítima retorne à sociedade de forma digna e com perspectiva de empregabilidade.
Demonstração do Caráter Híbrido da Pandemia da Covid-19 em Relação a Crises Anteriores
Authors: Müller Andressa Petry , Pinto Nelson Guilherme Machado , Coronel Daniel Arruda
Published: November 2023

As crises trazem mudanças para as sociedades e impactam em diversos aspectos, como as crises mundiais, econômicas e sanitárias, as quais provocaram efeitos adversos para toda a sociedade. Em um contexto mais recente, encontra-se a crise ocasionada pela Covid-19, trazendo danos em vários âmbitos, principalmente em relação à saúde da população, mas que ainda demanda maiores investigações e análises. Desse modo, o presente estudo tem por objetivo demonstrar o caráter híbrido da Covid-19 em relação às maiores crises que a humanidade passou, a fim de compreender as particularidades do contexto atual. Utilizou-se, como procedimentos metodológicos, um estudo exploratório, técnica indireta de tratamento de dados e levantamento bibliográfico. A partir disso, pode-se concluir que a crise ocasionada pela Covid-19 possui várias vertentes, sendo uma associação de crises mundiais, econômicas e sanitárias, tendo um caráter híbrido, pelo qual é possível observar de maneira mais adequada seus efeitos, além de contribuir para que medidas mais eficazes sejam adotadas.
Supplying demands of aquatic ecosystems using bivariate optimization of water depletion strategies under uncertainty
Authors: Huang Yuanyuan , Jiang Difei
Published: November 2023

Water monitoring policies are recommended to ensure ecosystem preservation in industrial and agricultural development. Due to the reduction of water resources and the importance of sustainable rice production, it is necessary to develop relevant policies to promote the optimization of water and fertilizer distribution in rice paddy water environments. This article aims to plan the two objectives of water supply and reducing the environmental effects of nitrates in rice cultivation and analyzing the maximum and minimum benefits. By modifying the methods of fertilization and water distribution, the amount of production can be gradually increased by taking into account the harmful effects on the environment. Water and nitrate have a synergistic effect on the growth of paddy rice. However, the amount of runoff that is affected by nitrates is directly related to the pollution of aquatic environments. The results confirmed the correlation between nitrate concentration and production and reported the reduction of its negative effects depending on the management of inflow and outflow to rice fields. Changing the outflow according to the fertilization time and the inflow rate is an effective solution in the fertilizer nitrogen uptake and reducing the nitrate concentration in surface water sources in the long term.
Treatment of food processing industries wastewater using a novel Fuller's earth clay-based tubular ceramic membrane
Authors: Sringari S. Sahana , Raja Vinoth Kumar
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the feasibility of a robust, low-cost tubular microfiltration ceramic membrane fabricated using a mixture of locally available Fuller's earth clay (FEC) and solid waste material, rice husk ash (RHA), to treat effluents generated by a local dairy and palm oil industries. Fabrication of the membrane was carried out by employing the extrusion method followed by sintering at a temperature of 850 °C. Raw materials were characterized using XRD, XRF, FTIR, TGA, and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The membrane that underwent sintering exhibits a 61% porosity level, 43.29 L/m2 h bar water permeability, 0.115 μm average pore size, and relatively good corrosion resistance. Further, the effect of different operating conditions, including pressure (1.03–2.41 bar) and cross-flow rate (30–150 Lph), on the microfiltration of both the wastewaters is studied. The membrane lowered the COD levels below the discharge limit (<200 mg/L) of the Central Pollution Control of India for both wastewaters. Finally, Hermia's fouling models were used to identify the fouling mechanism concerned.
O Voluntarismo de Van Fraassen
Authors: Malavolta e Silva Bruno
Published: November 2023

Em The Empirical Stance, van Fraassen propõe o voluntarismo de posturas epistêmicas: é racional tudo o que é racionalmente permitido, e apenas a incoerência é racionalmente proibida. O voluntarismo de posturas é uma concepção permissiva de racionalidade, que permite a um agente escolher qual postura epistêmica adotar, onde uma postura epistêmica é entendida como um feixe de atitudes avaliativas (e.g. admirar, priorizar) acerca de como formar conhecimento. A vantagem proclamada pelo voluntarismo é a sua capacidade para explicar a racionalidade de revoluções científicas: a aceitação de novos paradigmas não decorre do seguimento de regras metodológicas fixas, mas expressa uma escolha de aderir a um novo sistema de valores e posturas epistêmicas. Defendo que o voluntarismo enfrenta um dilema entre duas situações insatisfatórias: ou assume o conservadorismo epistêmico (i.e. que nossas crenças atuais possuem justificação prima facie) e torna-se incapaz de explicar a racionalidade das revoluções científicas; ou rejeita o conservadorismo epistêmico, e torna-se incapaz de criticar sistemas cognitivos alternativos, por mais absurdos que sejam (desde que coerentes). De um modo ou de outro, o voluntarismo oferece uma epistemologia incompleta para cumprir as finalidades postuladas por van Fraasen.
Model to promote Urban Agriculture based on SDG 2 and 11in the District of Barranquilla
Authors: Pérez Camerano Camilo Ernesto , Borja Barrera Milycen , Gómez Pedroza Fredy
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Urban agriculture has its roots in the 1950s, when the war forced peasants to abandon their land and migrate to the cities, which were dominated by the convenience of canned food. These agricultural traditions have been passed down keeping the legacy of urban agriculture. Objective: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) highlights five crucial points: balance between population growth and economic growth; the detriment of forests, savannahs and wetlands; the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers, the overexploitation of the oceans and the accelerated use of fossil fuels. Reflection: the article seeks to expose the arguments presented by FAO which have led 193 countries to join efforts searching for effective solutions to counteract the devastating impacts of these practices. Conclusion: Among the purposes of this reflection is the generation of awareness to care for the environment to ensure a sustainable future. Therefore, creating models to promote Urban Agriculture as a strategy in the consolidation of the goals of SDG #2 (Zero Hunger) and #11 (Sustainable Development Goal) in the District of Barranquilla, can be one of the proposals to mitigate damage to the environment, help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
Information and Communication Technology for Managing Social Isolation and Loneliness Among People Living With Parkinson Disease: Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: Thangavel Gomathi , Memedi Mevludin , Hedström Karin
Published: November 2023

Background

Parkinson disease (PD) is a complex, noncurable, and progressive neurological disease affecting different areas of the human nervous system. PD is associated with both motor and nonmotor symptoms, which negatively affect patients’ quality of life and may cause changes in socialization such as intentional social withdrawal. This may further lead to social isolation and loneliness. The use of information and communication technology (ICT) plays an important role in managing social isolation and loneliness. Currently, there is a lack of research focusing on designing and developing ICT solutions that specifically address social isolation and loneliness among people living with PD.

Objective

This study addresses this gap by investigating barriers and social needs in the context of social isolation, loneliness, and technology use among people living with PD. The insights gained can inform the development of effective ICT solutions, which can address social isolation and loneliness and improve the quality of life for people living with PD.

Methods

A qualitative study with 2 phases of data collection were conducted. During the first phase, 9 health care professionals and 16 people living with PD were interviewed to understand how PD affects social life and technology use. During the second phase, 2 focus groups were conducted with 4 people living with PD in each group to gather insights into their needs and identify ways to manage social isolation and loneliness. Thematic analysis was used to analyze both data sets and identify key themes.

Results

The results showed that the barriers experienced by people living with PD due to PD such as “fatigue,” “psychological conditions,” “social stigma,” and “medication side effects” affect their social life. People living with PD also experience difficulties using a keyboard and mouse, remembering passwords, and navigating complex applications due to their PD-related physical and cognitive limitations. To manage their social isolation and loneliness, people living with PD suggested having a simple and easy-to-use solution, allowing them to participate in a digital community based on their interests, communicate with others, and receive recommendations for social events.

Conclusions

The new ICT solutions focusing on social isolation and loneliness among people living with PD should consider the barriers restricting user’s social activities and technology use. Given the wide range of needs and barriers experienced by people living with PD, it is more suitable to adopt user-centered design approaches that emphasize the active participation of end users in the design process. Importantly, any ICT solution designed for people living with PD should not encourage internet addiction, which will further contribute to the person’s withdrawal from society.
Impact of Facilitation on Cognitive Flow in a Novel Diabetes Management Rehearsal Game for Health Professions Education: Mixed Methods, Open-Label, Superiority Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Tan Jun Wen , Tan Gabriel , Lian Xia , Chong Darren Kai Siang , Rajalingam Preman , Dalan Rinkoo , Mogali Sreenivasulu Reddy
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Though the prevalence of diabetes is set to increase, most serious game solutions typically target patient self-management and education. Few games target health care professions education, and even fewer consider the factors that may increase their efficacies. The impact of facilitation, a prominent feature of health professions education, is examined in the context of a rehearsal-based diabetes management serious game.

OBJECTIVE

In this mixed methods, open-label, superiority randomized controlled trial, we compare student performance, attitudes, and perceptions of a rehearsal-based diabetes management game for health care professionals.

METHODS

Student participants were randomized into 2 groups to play a diabetes management game. The control group played the game alone, and the intervention group played the same game alongside a facilitator tasked to moderate overall challenge levels and address queries. Both groups were administered the Flow Short Scale, a 13-item measure rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (“not at all”) to 7 (“very much”) immediately after the game. Students were then invited to voluntary focus group discussions to elicit their attitudes and perceptions of the game. Findings were subject to between-group comparisons and inductive thematic analysis respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 48 (26 control, 22 intervention) clinical-year undergraduates from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore participated in this study, with 18 continuing to the focus group discussions. Flow Short Scale results indicated the superiority of the intervention group for overall flow (t46=–2.17, P=.04) and the absorption subdomain (t46=–2.6, P=.01). Qualitative results indicated students viewed facilitation as helpful and appropriate, and were able to identify improvable elements of the game’s theoretical foundations and overall design.

CONCLUSIONS

While serious games are efficacious means of rehearsing previously learned knowledge, facilitation allows for their efficiency to be greatly increased. Such increases are likely crucial in the coming years with the increased digitization of health care professions education and the prevalence of diabetes.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05637749; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05637749
Analysis on Strengthening the Construction of School Spirit in Private Independent Colleges and Universities
Authors: Ma Yiwen
Published: November 2023

Private independent colleges and universities shoulder the responsibility of training application-oriented talents. Teaching atmosphere, learning atmosphere, research atmosphere is not only related to the quality of talent training and the level of school running, but also related to the healthy development of independent colleges and universities themselves. This paper analyzes and discusses the core connotation and index system of the school spirit construction of China’s private independent colleges and universities: using the method of literature, investigation and research, inclusion and summary and logical analysis, strengthening the construction of the study style, advocating scientific research, and constructing three-dimensional figures of “finding problems, analyzing problems, and solving problems”. Taking nanjing tech university pujiang institute as the research object, this paper puts forward some ideas and countermeasures to strengthen the construction of school spirit. It provides some theoretical and practical guidance for the evaluation system of campus atmosphere construction of private independent colleges in China.
Determinants of Women Empowerment in Bishoftu Town; Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia
Authors: Agazhi Zenaye Degefu
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of women's empowerment and its determinants using women's asset endowment and decision-making potential as indicators. To determine representative sample size, this study used a two-stage sampling technique, and 122 sample respondents were selected at random. To analyze the data in this study, descriptive statistics and a probit model were used. The average women's empowerment index was 0.41, indicating a relatively lower status of women's empowerment in the study area. According to the study's findings, only 40.9% of women were empowered, while the remaining 59.1% were not. The probit model results show that women's access to the media, women's income, and their husbands' education status have a significant and positive impact on the status of women's empowerment, while the family size of households has a negative impact. As a result, it is important to enhance women's access to the media and income, promote family planning and contraception, and improve men's educational status in order to improve the status of women's empowerment.
Teachers Attitudes towards Pupils’ Learning Mathematics Subject in Public Primary Schools in Misungwi District, Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Kitiku Ramadhani Ambayuu , Tangi Felista
Published: November 2023

Mathematics plays a crucial role globally due to its significance in paving the way for the fields of science and technology. The study aimed to investigate teachers' attitudes towards pupils' Mathematics learning; and strategies that can be employed to enhance pupils' positive perceptions of Mathematics in the learning process. The study conducted in Misungwi District in Mwanza Region, focusing on public primary schools. The study was guided by social learning theory and employed a convergent parallel research design. A total of 210 respondents took part in the study, including 168 pupils, 28 teachers, and 14 head teachers. The study used questionnaires and interview guides. Data obtained from the study were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for quantitative data, while qualitative data were coded, categorised, and analysed using thematic analysis. The study's findings revealed that majority of Mathematics teachers exhibited negative attitudes towards pupils, which contributed to the pupils' negative perceptions of Mathematics learning. The study recommends that fostering positive teacher attitudes to promote a favorable environment for learning Mathematics and highlights a range of strategies that can be implemented to improve pupils' positive perceptions of learning the Mathematics subject in public primary schools within Misungwi District.
Decolorization of Distillery Effluent by the Novel Bacterial Strain Bacillus nitratireducens (B2)
Authors: Patel Ajad , Singh Ranjan , Gaur Rajeeva
Published: November 2023

As sugarcane molasses is converted into ethanol, a sizable volume of effluent with high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand(COD) is generated. This effluent contains melanoidin. Melanodin is a chemical broken down by certain bacteria and can produce peroxidases, phenoxidases, laccases, and mono- and dioxygenases. The primary function of these bacteria is to break down complex hydrocarbons, including aromatics such as coloring pigments. This study aimed to identify melanoidin-decolorizing microorganisms in natural resources that are thermally resistant and have the potential to be used in industrial-scale distillery treatment for effluent applications. A total of 55 distinct isolates were tested on a solid medium, including molasses pigments. Three thermotolerant bacterial isolates were identified as melanoidin-decolorizing agents: Bacillus nitratireducens (B2), Bacillus paramycoides (B1), and Brucellatritici (B3). These isolates under went additional optimization for decolorization under various physicochemical and nutritional conditions. At 40°C, B. nitratireducens (B2) exhibited the highest degree of decolorization (86%) among the three species while using 0.5% glucose(w/v), 0.5% peptone(w/v), 0.05% MgSO4, and 0.01% KH2PO4 at a pH of 6.0 over 40 h of incubation under static conditions. In submerged fermentation, the B2 strain of B.nitratireducens can withstand higher temperatures and requires only a small amount of carbon (0.5%, [w/v]) and nitrogen sources (0.5%, [w/v]). Therefore, it is feasible to use melanoidin on an industrial scale to decolorize distilled effluents.
The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fibres Filled with Calcium Carbonate Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites in Coating Treatment Process for Roofing Application
Authors: Suruji Nur Farhana Ahmad
Published: November 2023

Abstract: In Malaysia's construction industry, reinforced concrete utilisation is not a recent development. However, the problem of overuse of construction material including steel, bricks and cement are not environmentally friendly as it will lead to greenhouse effect. On the other hand, bamboo is a natural resource which have a big population and promising material to be used in construction due to the strength, durability, and ability to replace steel in concrete. To solve the issues, bamboo fibre will be utilised as reinforcement in concrete. The research objective of this study is to determine the value of maximum and minimum force of bamboo with different arrangement of layer orientation for usefulness in roofing construction and to determine the effect of water absorption in bamboo-composite reinforcement for long term effects in roofing structure. The effect of using flame retardant materials in mechanical properties for bamboo laminate composites also has been studied. The experimental work focuses on the fabrication method which is hand layup technique. Then, the physical and mechanical test to determine workability and strength between coated and uncoated bamboo laminate composite were compared. The chemical treatment may enhance surface interaction, and at coated bamboo fibre, it alters the fibres' capacity to compact, which improved stress distribution and resulted in minimal void formation. This study is also to encourage the usage of natural renewable material as an alternative construction material.
Certificate Verification and Counterfeit Detection using Blockchain
Authors: Wadhwani Sahil
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Certificates help students not only to prove their achieved goals and milestones but also ensure that he/she maintains a high level of knowledge in that particular field. An estimated total of 25.57 crore Indian students have been enrolled for primary to higher education in 2020–21 and nearly 65 lakhs of them graduate each year. Throughout this journey, a student generates a myriad number of certificates that may include results, transcripts, degrees, diplomas, etc. A student has to submit these certificates to apply for a job or seek higher admission in any particular organization. A major problem today is manually verifying and authenticating these certificates. Many hardworking people with genuine certificates get rejected and suffer because of the lack of a system that can differentiate original certificates from fake ones. With easy access to cheap and advanced software, document forgery has become a matter of concern nowadays. This scenario demands an updated system that could not only store documents safely but also help verify and authenticate them, their issuers, and holders in a way that is much simpler, effective, and secure. Blockchain technology comes up as a solution to all these problems. Blockchain has recently emerged as a potential means for the document-authentication process and can be easily used to tackle document forgery and counterfeiting as it follows a decentralized approach. Our proposed model includes several methods such as unique hash generation, key cryptography, digital ledgers, proof of work, digital signatures, and distributed storage which has made the document-verification process easier and more secure for both the certificate-generating organization and the holder of the certificate. The SHA-256 algorithm has been used to assign a unique hash to each uploaded document which can be used to validate its authenticity. Thus, this system meets up all the criteria for a document verification system by overcoming the drawbacks and difficulties currently faced in the traditional methods of document verification.
Blockchain and Smart Contract System for Digital Certificate
Authors: Nikam Payal
Published: November 2023

Abstract: An millions of students Graduates per year. A student generates lots of certificates during their education. For further studies or Apply for job at any company requires these certificates. So sometimes student need these certificate on urgent basis. But according to university guidelines generating certificate process takes time. This problem is solved by Digital Certificate System. While recruiting employees in company, company needs to verify their certificate because issue of fake certificate is very common in India. Anyone can get fake certificate very easily. Many companies spend large amount of money on verifying this certificate. To overcome these problem Blockchain technology is used. Blockchain is decentralized distributed ledger. Blockchain is immutable in which no one can easily modify the data.
Software Quality Assurace
Authors: Goel Animesh , Deshmukh Dr. Amarjit R , Kumar Mr. Yashwant , Soi Mr. Anmol
Published: November 2023

Abstract: Software Quality Assurance (SQA) plays a pivotal role in the software development lifecycle, ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products. This abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in Software Quality Assurance methodologies, practices, and tools. The evolving landscape of software development, characterized by agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and continuous integration, has necessitated a reevaluation and enhancement of SQA processes. The abstract begins by elucidating the fundamental principles of SQA, emphasizing its critical role in detecting and preventing defects throughout the software development process. It explores the shift-left approach, where quality assurance is integrated early in the development cycle, and the benefits of this approach in terms of cost reduction and accelerated time-tomarket. Furthermore, the abstract delves into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques in SQA processes. The use of AI-driven testing tools for automated test case generation, anomaly detection, and predictive analysis is explored as a means to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of quality assurance activities. The abstract also discusses the challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in SQA. Additionally, the abstract highlights the importance of comprehensive test automation strategies in modern SQA. It outlines the advantages of continuous testing, test-driven development (TDD), and behavior-driven development (BDD) methodologies in ensuring robust software quality. The abstract also addresses the challenges of maintaining test automation suites and advocates for a balanced approach that combines automated and manual testing. The abstract concludes by emphasizing the need for a holistic and adaptive SQA framework that aligns with the dynamic nature of software development. It calls for ongoing research and collaboration in the SQA domain to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities for improving software quality
Proposal of standards for Reading Comprehension Multidimensional Battery
Authors: Ferraz Adriana Satico , Santos Acácia Aparecida Angeli , Noronha Ana Paula Porto , Almeida Leandro S.
Published: November 2023

The main aim of this research was to establish preliminary standards for the Self-Regulation for Reading Comprehension Multidimensional Battery (BAMA-Reading), consisting of nine scales. The study sample comprised 910 Middle School students from Brazilian public schools. Norms for the BAMA-Reading scales, which have a Likert-type response format, were established based on percentiles, with the sample classified into four subgroups divided by gender, repetition history, and school year. For the EAC-CL (Educational Assessment Battery for Reading Comprehension and Learning), whose response format differs from the other scales in the battery, separate standards were established. It was found that not all scales in the battery demonstrated measurement invariance for gender, repetition history, and school year. Variances were identified in the EAC-CL concerning these variables. The results suggest caution when applying group comparison analyses in BAMA-Reading. Future studies on the battery should involve new samples and employ advanced statistical techniques to establish more definitive standards.
Brain activation patterns in the executive function of children and adolescents after an exercise intervention
Authors: Li Bo , Zhang Yan
Published: November 2023

This study explored brain activation patterns in the executive function of children and adolescents following an exercise intervention. After computer retrieval of relevant studies, we independently screened the studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality. We used Ginger ALE 2.3
software to conduct activation likelihood estimation, then we discussed and calculated the activation cluster and activation probability of the brain regions of children and adolescents who completed an exercise intervention. After the exercise intervention, children and adolescents achieved
five peak activation enhancement points (total volume = 2,070 mm3) and six peak activation reduction points (total volume = 1,352 mm3) in the process of completing executive function tasks. The results indicate that the improvement in executive function
caused by an exercise intervention is the result of synergetic changes in multiple brain regions with increased and decreased activation.
Synergetic quantum error mitigation by randomized compiling and zero-noise extrapolation for the variational quantum eigensolver
Authors: Kurita Tomochika , Qassim Hammam , Ishii Masatoshi , Oshima Hirotaka , Sato Shintaro , Emerson Joseph
Published: November 2023

We propose a quantum error mitigation strategy for the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithm. We find, via numerical simulation, that very small amounts of coherent noise in VQE can cause substantially large errors that are difficult to suppress by conventional mitigation methods, and yet our proposed mitigation strategy is able to significantly reduce these errors. The proposed strategy is a combination of previously reported techniques, namely randomized compiling (RC) and zero-noise extrapolation (ZNE). Intuitively, randomized compiling turns coherent errors in the circuit into stochastic Pauli errors, which facilitates extrapolation to the zero-noise limit when evaluating the cost function. Our numerical simulation of VQE for small molecules shows that the proposed strategy can mitigate energy errors induced by various types of coherent noise by up to two orders of magnitude.
Staff turnover and organizational performance: The case of a microfinance organization
Authors:   Human Resources and Responsible Organizations Warocqué School of Business and Economics University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, Giuliano Romina , Godfroid Cécile ,   Management and Organization Studies Warocqué School of Business and Economics University of Mons, Mons, Belgium, Radermecker Laure ,   Management and Organization Studies Warocqué School of Business and Economics University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
Published: November 2023

Aim/purpose – This study examines the relationship between staff turnover and perfor- mance in the microfinance industry in a dynamic perspective and investigates some contingency factors that moderate this relationship. Design/methodology/approach – We ran random-effects and GMM models based on a database of 2,814 branch-month observations from a specific microfinance organization. Findings – It takes three months to see a significant negative impact of turnover on the volume of a branch’s loan portfolio. Moreover, it takes four months after the turnover event for this negative impact to be counterbalanced. After four months, turnover stops having negative consequences and even becomes advantageous in terms of loan portfolio growth, but this positive effect lasts only one month. The effect of turnover thus appears to be particularly limited in time. Finally, we find that the negative relationship between turnover rate and performance is weakened by the seniority level of departing loan offic- ers and by the recruitment rate. Originality/value/contribution – First, this paper examines the duration of the conse- quences of turnover event, which is poorly studied in the literature. Second, it focuses on microfinance, an industry where relational capital is of high importance. Third, it ex- tends the theory on turnover by highlighting that the seniority level of departing employ- ees is a moderator in the relationship between turnover and organizational performance. Keywords: staff turnover, performance, context-emergent theory, microfinance, GMM. JEL Classification: J63, G21
A New Format of Interaction between Public Authorities on the Implementation of the Regional Investment Standard
Authors: Medvedeva N. V. , Maslyuk N. A.
Published: November 2023

This article discusses the practice of interaction between public authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation and municipalities in the process of creating a favorable investment climate in the implementation of the regional investment standard. The comparative analysis of the implementation of municipal investment standards in various subjects of the Russian Federation, including the rating of municipalities based on the results of the assessment of the investment climate, was carried out. The problems of heterogeneous rating methods and requirements established by regional authorities for municipalities to ensure a favorable investment climate are identified. A number of universal indicators of the municipal investment rating are listed. Based on the conducted research, the authors confirmed the need to develop and adopt at the federal level a municipal investment standard with a minimum set of requirements for working with investors.
«Russia — the Country of Opportunities» As an Ecosystem for Creating Equal Starting Opportunities for Citizens
Authors: Frolov A. A. , Sokolov A. V. , Palagicheva A. V.
Published: November 2023

In the modern socio-political process, there is a tendency to introduce digital ecosystems into various spheres of life. The article analyzes approaches to the definition of digital ecosystems and concludes that most often this phenomenon is understood as a set of interacting digital platforms, technologies, applications and users that establish relationships based on the exchange of data and information at various levels, and also include various technologies and services. In the paper, using a set of desk research methods, including the case-study method, the ecosystem of creating equal starting opportunities for citizens “Russia is a country of opportunities” is considered. «Russia is a country of opportunities» is a system of social elevators, where professional competitions act as channels of mobility. Their system provides citizens with mechanisms for comprehensive development, personal and career growth. The platform is aimed at supporting, accompanying and promoting participants of different ages and status — from schoolchildren to managers and managers of senior government positions. The platform unites projects («Leaders of Russia», Recruitment Agency, Senezh Management Workshop, TOPblog, Project «My Country — my Russia», the All-Russian competition for schoolchildren «Big Change», the Program of student expeditions «Rediscovering Russia», the Project «Russian Student Spring», the International Engineering Championship «CASE-IN», Competence Centers, «Another Thing», the Program «More than a journey», the competition «Your move») able to reveal the personal and professional potential of the participant, to form competencies and knowledge, to give the opportunity to express themselves within the chosen specialization to the employer, to change their social status. The paper examines in detail and details the key characteristics of the digital ecosystem “Russia is a land of opportunities”: access to a wide range of services based on a single platform; interaction with project organizers and partners; brand and infrastructure elements; multi–channel representation and interaction; deliberative discussion and participation; openness and modularity. As part of the study, it was concluded that the Russia — the Land of Opportunities platform could transform into a full-fledged digital ecosystem in the future.
Análisis de los sistemas tributarios de los países que conforman la Alianza del Pacífico
Authors: Duran – León Isaí , Pinto – Arrieta Carlos Alberto
Published: November 2023

La Alianza del Pacífico, dio sus inicios en el mes abril de 2011 y se formalizó en el mes de junio de 2012 por Colombia, Chile, México y Perú, donde se busca crear una zona de integración compuesta por libre circulación de bienes, servicios, capitales y personas. Teniendo como objetivo fomentar el crecimiento, desarrollo y competitividad para lograr mejorar las condiciones de vida y reducir las brechas socioeconómicas que afectan a la población.

Desde su inicio, la alianza ha logrado avances notables, como el Acuerdo Complementario al Marco Principal (2014) para ampliar acuerdos comerciales y el Mercado Integrado Latinoamericano (MILA) para la integración financiera. Sin embargo, la liberalización del comercio enfrenta desafíos, incluyendo barreras fiscales que afectan sectores como el cinematográfico y editorial.

Los países han implementado reformas fiscales para cumplir con los acuerdos, pero la baja recaudación en comparación con el PIB plantea desafíos. Factores como la informalidad económica y la complejidad del sistema tributario contribuyen a esta situación. Para desarrollar la investigación se utilizó una metodología descriptiva enfocada en realizar una revisión documental para lograr cumplir con los objetivos propuesto en la investigación, como primer objetivo es analizar los tipos de impuestos que existen en los países miembros de la Alianza del Pacífico, segundo objetivo,  describir las características de sus sistemas fiscales (Chile, Colombia, México y Perú) y tercer objetivo es el de examinar la conexión entre sus sistemas fiscales y el actual Acuerdo Marco que los rige.

Los resultados obtenidos permitieron distinguir cuales son las leyes, normas y decretos que rigen los sistemas tributarios objetos de estudio, además de conocer y determinar cuáles son las naturalezas de los impuestos y quienes los manejan en cada país y por último analizar la relación que existe en los sistemas tributarios.
Corporate governance and firm performance in listed companies: Evidence from China
Authors: Yip Peter Chi Wan , Pang Elvy
Published: November 2023

This research examines the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance in listed companies within China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), analyzing data from the Hang Seng and Shenzhen Component Indices from 2015 to 2021 (Alzubi & Bani-Hani, 2021). A sample of 30 firms from Hong Kong and Shenzhen is investigated, considering corporate governance as the independent variable and return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin’s Q as dependent variables. Control variables include firm size, age, board size, and the engagement of an external auditor from the Big Four. Findings reveal a 58 percent governance level in the Hong Kong and Shenzhen exchanges, consistent with prior studies (Buallay et al., 2017). Despite this, the research shows no significant impact of corporate governance on operating and financial performance, and factors such as the largest shareholder’s ownership, board independence, and board size do not significantly influence firm performance. In light of these findings and limitations such as aggregated data and limited sample size, the necessity for further research is underscored.
A Review of Password-less User Authentication Schemes.
Authors: Arabo Abdullahi , Oduguwa Tunde
Published: November 2023

Since the demise of the password was predicted in 2004, different
attempts in industry and academia have been made to create an
alternative for the use of passwords in authentication, without
compromising on security and user experience. This review examines
password-less authentication schemes that have been proposed since after
the death knell was placed on passwords in 2004. We start with a brief
discussion of the requirements of authentication systems and then
identify various password-less authentication proposals to date. We then
evaluate the truly password-less and practical schemes using a framework
that examines authentication credentials based on their impact on user
experience, overall security, and ease of deployment. The findings of
this review observe a difficulty in balancing security with a user
experience compared to that of passwords in new password-less schemes,
providing the opportunity for new applied research to leverage existing
knowledge and combine technologies and techniques in innovative ways
that can address this imbalance.
Fusion estimation for state-saturated multi-rate systems with integral measurement and sensor resolution
Authors: Shi Changcheng , Xu Long , Yu Hui , Hou Ling
Published: November 2023

The fusion estimation problem for a class of multi-rate systems (MRS)
subject to state saturation is examined in this paper. varying sensors
have varying sensor sampling rates (SSRs), and in MRS, the system’s
status update rate (SUR) and the SSR can differ from one another. In
addition, to incorporate the requirements of actual engineering
practice, the measurement output of sensors is influenced by the sensor
resolution and the phenomenon of integral measurements. The aim of this
paper is to design an appropriate set of local estimators for each
sensor node, taking into account the effects of integral measurement,
sensor resolution and multi-rate sampling mechanism. Then, Design of the
upper bound on the error covariance of the estimator can be obtained by
solution of the matrix difference equation, and the relevant filter
parameter is determined by minimizing the obtained upper bound. For
local state estimation, an acceptable fusion estimating approach based
on the covariance intersection (CI) method is given, and its consistency
is demonstrated. Lastly, the effectiveness and appropriateness of the
suggested multi-rate fusion estimation approach are confirmed by a
simulated example.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Peripheral Nerve Injury and Regeneration: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study
Authors: Aisaiti Aikebaierjiang , Aierxiding Shalayiding , Shoukeer Kutiluke , Jiang Kan , Shu Li , Muheremu Aikeremujiang
Published: November 2023

[Abstract] Purpose: This study employed bibliometric methods to
analyze the research hotspots and future development trends regarding
the application of mesenchymal stem cells in peripheral nerve injury and
regeneration. Methods: We screened relevant articles published between
January 1, 2013, and October 1, 2023, by using the search
TS=(“Mesenchymal stem cells” AND “Peripheral nerve injury”) OR
TS=(“Mesenchymal stem cells” AND “Peripheral nerve regeneration”)
through the Web of Science database. Subsequently, we conducted a
comprehensive evaluation using visualization analysis software
CitesSpace and VOSviewer from various perspectives, such as publication
quantity, authors, countries, institutions, keywords, and popular
research topics. Results: In this study, we extensively searched the Web
of Science database and obtained 350 relevant literatures. These
documents were written by 2049 collaborative authors from 41 countries,
who were affiliated with 585 different research institutions. These
collaborative authors published their research findings in 167 different
journals and cited 21,064 literatures from 3,339 journals. Conclusion:
In the past decade, the number of publications and citations related to
mesenchymal stem cells in the field of peripheral nerve injury and
regeneration has shown an overall increasing trend. Stem cell therapy
for nerve injury has become a highly focused research field, especially
mesenchymal stem cell therapy, which has enormous potential in nerve
injury treatment and may provide better treatment and rehabilitation
opportunities for patients, as well as making important contributions to
the progress and innovation of medicine.