bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POLITICALLY EXPOSED PERSONS IN TERMS OF STATE FINANCIAL MONITORING: ARE THE MODELS OF THEIR REGULATORY DEFINITION SUCCESSFUL?
Authors: Kolomoiets Tatiana , Yevtushenko Daria , Makarenkov Oleksii , Tytarenko Maryna
Published: February 2024

Given the recognition of the priority of the European integration and North Atlantic vectors of modern state-building and law-making processes in most countries of the world, the issue of "high terminological quality", "terminological purity", with the implementation of relevant international and European legal standards for the formation of "basic terminology", the basis for combating the legalisation of "dirty money" is not only relevant, but also of paramount importance, as it plays the role of "key provisions" of the entire regulatory framework. The purpose of the study is to analyse the existing international legal and European standards and national regulatory models for defining "politically exposed persons", with the aim of identifying "defects in their quality" and formulating proposals for their elimination. The object of the study is social relations directly related to the state financial monitoring of politically exposed persons. The subject of the study is the regulatory models for determining politically exposed persons in terms of state financial monitoring. The methodological basis was formed by both general scientific and special research methods, which made it possible to present a comprehensive cross-section of the relevant issue. Results. The "quality" of the regulatory definition of PEPs implies the following: a) consideration of international legal and European standards for preventing and combating the legalisation of "dirty money" as a "basis" for national thematic rulemaking; b) regulatory distinction between "main PEPs", with criteria that allow determining the "uniqueness" of their legal status, and "additional PEPs" (persons who do not have the main features of PEPs, but may potentially be involved in relations with them); c) "criterionality" of the "main PEPs" is directly related to the "influential" position and significant public functions performed by the person (it is mandatory to have these positions enshrined in the law, with the corresponding correlation of functions); d) delimitation of "additional PEPs", with the identification of those persons who are "related" by family and other relations with the "main PEP". For each category of such persons, the guideline is to standardise their list, which makes it impossible to vary the interpretation of the relevant provisions and diversify law enforcement practice.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AS A FACTOR IN ENSURING ECONOMIC SECURITY OF ENTERPRISES
Authors: Kukhar Oleksand , Kravchyk Yurii , Brechko Oleksandr
Published: February 2024

The subject of the research is the study of digital transformation as one of the factors of ensuring the economic security of enterprises. Methodology. The study uses general scientific methods, in particular theoretical generalisation, analysis and synthesis, statistical analysis and graphical methods for the visual presentation of research results. The aim is to analyse the role of digital transformation in ensuring the economic security of companies. Conclusion. Summing up the results, it is determined that the security of enterprises is a crucial element for their successful functioning and stability in the market. The impact of digitalisation on the economic security of enterprise is manifested through the positive impact of advanced digital technologies. Taking advantage of the digital economy leads to numerous positive aspects in business and contributes to achieving strategic goals and strengthening economic security. A conceptual model of the economic security of enterprises has been developed, in which digital transformation is a key tool, covering various aspects, including the conceptual apparatus, objectives, problem vision, subjects and objects of management. The model is aimed at creating conditions for sustainable development and maintaining the economic security of the enterprise at various stages of its life cycle. The programme for ensuring economic security within the framework of this model includes the stages of defining tasks, developing a scenario, implementing and evaluating efficiency. The mechanism of economic security is considered as a system of resources and interactions, with digital transformation as a central tool. Summarising the model and approach, the key aspects of ensuring the economic security of enterprises are revealed, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of the modern business environment. Digital technologies make it possible to increase the level of economic security, which in turn contributes to increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of individual companies, the economy as a whole and the standard of living of the population.
PROVISION OF GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS A FACTOR IN THE FORMATION OF LOCAL WELFARE
Authors: Parkhomenko Olena , Iarmosh Olena
Published: February 2024

The subject of the article is the problem of ensuring the welfare of the population in the context of achieving the goals of sustainable development. The authors define the concepts of "sustainable development", "hromadas" (territorial communities), "welfare", and systematise the prerequisites for the formation of welfare at the local level. The paper aims at developing approaches to determining the priority tasks of territorial development in the system of sustainable development goals. It is noted that sustainable development is impossible without achieving a certain level of welfare. To achieve the research goal, the authors analyses and assesses the level of welfare of hromadas, and also considers a set of indicators for assessing welfare based on a combination of "hard" (objective) and "soft" (subjective) factors. The methodology for assessing the welfare of territories (on the example of Ukraine) and studying its impact on the level of sustainable development of the country is applied. The methodology is based on the construction of a non-linear regression model, which demonstrates the high significance of the factors "number of educational institutions" and "number of cultural and sports institutions". The publication also identifies the main reasons that, according to the respondents, impede the development of hromadas in the region under study: poor quality of education; insufficient public initiative and activity of residents; lack of opportunities for self-realisation and meaningful leisure; poor quality (lack of) road surfaces; unemployment; spread of crime, alcoholism, corruption; environmental pollution; drinking water pollution; deterioration of engineering networks; population ageing; lack of investment; lack of entrepreneurship of hromada residents; lack of hromada awareness; unfavourable conditions for business development. The conclusion of the research is that local and regional plans should provide a systematic vision of territorial development and define strategies based on an integrated and multidimensional approach to inclusive and sustainable development. They should be defined, implemented and monitored with the involvement of key territorial stakeholders in the governance process. Based on the analysis, recommendations will be made to identify territorial development priorities in the system of sustainable development goals at local and global levels. In particular, to establish local priorities, existing local and regional programmes should be reviewed to identify the main needs, priorities, gaps and cross-sectoral linkages of the territory and their relationship with the SDGs and national priorities.
Human factors in aviation maintenance: understanding errors, management, and technological trends
Authors: Rajee Olaganathan
Published: February 2024

Aircraft maintenance and inspection are complex systems that work on a time-based schedule and require teamwork of different professionals to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. Errors in maintenance and inspection processes cause in-flight engine shutdowns, flight delays, flight cancellation, sometimes resulting in accidents and incidents that cause significant economic consequences. Due to the substantial impact on both safety and financial aspects of an air carrier, this paper focuses on hangar maintenance as the work is carried out across several shifts by different technicians, addressing various human factor issues that contribute to errors. The paper will also briefly discuss shift work and the health problems of maintenance technicians, human factor issues affecting maintenance, the significance of understanding human factor models, and the impact of maintenance and inspection errors with case studies, particularly aircraft accidents predominantly caused by human factor issues. Additionally, the paper also explores recent advances and trends in aircraft maintenance technologies, highlighting their transformative potential through predictive maintenance, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, big data analytics, blockchain, and additive manufacturing. These technologies promise enhanced efficiency, safety, and effectiveness for maintenance practices. The paper concludes by presenting insights into error management methods and providing recommendations for future research. By integrating traditional insights with cutting-edge technological considerations, this comprehensive analysis aims to significantly contribute to the evolution of safety protocols and practices within the aviation maintenance domain.
Dynamic behavior of pin-free beam with torsional spring and hub at pinned end
Authors: Mohammed Taha Yassin  , Tahseen Taha Othman
Published: February 2024

This paper described the free vibration of a Euler-Bernoulli beam and discovered the first five dimensionless natural frequencies and mode shapes of motion for the pin-free beam model with a helical spring and rotating mass on the pinned side of the beam. The effect of changing the dimensionless torsional stiffness ratios was investigated, as was the effect of changing the dimensionless rotational inertia torque ratios Concerning the vibration properties of the beam. The mathematical equations that regulate the pin-free beam model were constructed using the exact analytical solution, establishing the Admissible Function and the natural frequency equation for the basic pin-free beam system. The approximate Rayleigh-Ritz approach was then used to determine the first five dimensionless natural frequencies, as well as the movement pattern for the pin-free beam model with a helical spring and a rotating mass on the side of the hinge. The results demonstrated that modifying the beam's natural frequencies is dependent on the ratios of the additional torsional spring parameters as well as the ratios rotational moment of inertia. The threshold system frequencies increase when the spring parameters are the major factor, and decrease when the inertia moment parameters are the main factor. Both play a role in influencing natural frequency to varied degrees. Unifying the final distribution of parameters might lead to optimizing the impact of parameters on the natural frequencies of the system.
Fabrication of rapid sand filter for water treatment using sand and activated carbon
Authors: AYOOLA- AKINWUNMI  , ADEWALE-ADESINA- ADEBANWI
Published: February 2024

It is pertinent to provide safe drinking water to the people as quality of water keeps deteriorating. According to World Health Organization (WHO), water and hygiene are the primary drivers of public health. Filtration is a water treatment process used for removal of microorganisms and colloidal matters from raw water, therefore this study aims at comparing the effects of sand and activated carbon when used separately in rapid sand filters for water treatment. Fabrication of two models of the rapid sand filters were carried out with 1.2mm stainless steel plates. One of the filters was loaded with gravel (grain size 5mm) at the bottom and this was followed by coarse sand (grain size 3mm) and fine sand (grain size 1mm) at the top. The second filter was loaded with gravel at the bottom and this was followed by coarse sand, fine sand and capped with activated carbon. Raw water, obtained from borehole was stored in a tank and made to pass through each of these filters independently. Sample of the raw water was collected for laboratory analysis in addition to samples of the treated water from each of the two rapid sand filters. The outcomes of the tests reveal that the filtration processes had positive impact on the raw water but the filter capped with activated carbon produced better quality water. The use of activated carbon as the topmost material in a rapid sand filter is recommended as it enhances the quality of treated water in parameters such as colour, conductivity, chloride, hardness, sulphate, total dissolved solids, sodium, magnesium, iron and total plate count. The rapid sand filters would afterwards be used for students’ practical to explain filtration as a water treatment process.
Reviewing the role of AI and machine learning in supply chain analytics
Authors: Enoch Oluwademilade Sodiya  , Boma Sonimitiem Jacks  , Ejike David Ugwuanyi  , Mojisola Abimbola Adeyinka  , Uchenna Joseph Umoga  , Andrew Ifesinachi Daraojimba  , Oluwaseun Augustine Lottu
Published: February 2024

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in supply chain analytics has emerged as a transformative force in reshaping traditional logistics and operations. This review critically examines the multifaceted role of AI and ML in optimizing supply chain processes, enhancing decision-making capabilities, and fostering agility in an era of dynamic market demands. AI and ML technologies have revolutionized data analytics by enabling the extraction of actionable insights from vast and complex datasets. The application of predictive analytics, powered by machine learning algorithms, allows supply chain professionals to forecast demand more accurately, identify potential disruptions, and optimize inventory levels. This not only improves overall efficiency but also reduces costs and minimizes the risk of stockouts or overstock situations. Furthermore, the integration of AI-driven automation in supply chain management has streamlined routine tasks, such as order processing, inventory replenishment, and route optimization. This automation not only accelerates processes but also mitigates the risk of human errors, enhancing overall reliability. The ability of AI to continuously learn from historical data and adapt to evolving market conditions contributes to a more agile and responsive supply chain ecosystem. In the context of supply chain risk management, AI and ML play a pivotal role in identifying vulnerabilities and providing proactive strategies to mitigate potential disruptions. Sentiment analysis and predictive modeling enable organizations to assess geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors, thereby enhancing the resilience of their supply chains. However, the adoption of AI and ML in supply chain analytics is not without challenges. This review explores the ethical considerations, data security concerns, and the need for skilled personnel in managing these advanced technologies. Additionally, it delves into the importance of explainability and transparency in AI-driven decision-making processes, emphasizing the need for a balance between automation and human oversight. This review underscores the transformative impact of AI and ML on supply chain analytics, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize traditional practices, enhance efficiency, and fortify resilience in an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment.
Public health perspective of public abattoirs in Nigeria, challenges and solutions
Authors: Nzube Favour Ekpunobi  , Samuel Adesanoye  , Oluwatosin Orababa  , Chiamaka Adinnu  , Chika Okorie  , Samuel Akinsuyi
Published: February 2024

Abattoirs play a vital role in the supply chain of meat in society. However, the processing of meats in these facilities can lead to the spread of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, posing a significant public health and food safety concern. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, global meat production generates about 20 billion tons of animal waste annually, with developing countries accounting for the largest share of this waste and, a significant portion of which comes from abattoirs. This waste contains high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as organic matter, pathogens, and other contaminants that can have negative impacts on the environment and human health. In Nigeria, slaughterhouse effluents have been found to be a significant source of environmental pollution, containing food-borne pathogens and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. This is particularly worrisome in a growing country like Nigeria which heavily relies on meat as a source of protein. The lack of standard waste management facilities in many abattoirs in Nigeria further exacerbates the problem, exposing inhabitants to harmful pathogens and gases. Despite these risks, little attention has been paid to curbing the menace of unhygienic abattoir waste disposal. This paper aims to raise awareness of the public health and environmental implications of unhygienic abattoir waste disposal in Nigeria and recommends solutions to this challenge. Specifically, the paper explores the potential for commercializing bio-waste into energy production as a sustainable solution. The wider significance of this work is that it highlights the urgent need to address the challenges of public abattoirs to ensure public health and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the wider implications of this work are that the findings and recommendations can be adapted to other countries facing similar challenges. Overall, this paper contributes to planetary health by addressing a critical public health and environmental issue and recommending sustainable solutions.
Simocybe centunculus, a new record for the mycobiota of Türkiye
Authors: Yeşilyurt Faruk , Karaduman Yakup , Uzun Yasin , Kaya Abdullah
Published: February 2024

Simocybe centunculus is reported for the first time from Türkiye, based on the identification of the specimens collected from the Beykoz (İstanbul) district. This species is the first member of the genus Simocybe reported from Türkiye. A brief description of the presented species is provided, together with the photographs illustrating its macro- and micromorphologies.
Meningkatkan Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Dengan Metode Mind Mapping Pada Peserta Didik di MTsN 2 Sumenep
Authors: Aji Saputra Mochammad Ronaldy , Nugroho Muttaqin
Published: February 2024

Dunia yang semakin terus berkembang dan kompetitif menjadi tantangan bagi peserta didik tingkat menengah pertama. Peran guru yang signifikan harus membekali peserta didiknya agar memiliki kemampuan untuk mempersiapkan mereka untuk sukses. Salah satu langkah untuk membekali mereka adalah meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kreatif. Namun, berdasarkan pengamatan peneliti ketika mengajar di MTsN 2 Sumenep masih kurang. Peserta didik kurang inisiatif, tidak bisa mengabstraksikan ide-idenya, dan kurang berpikir out of the box dalam pembelajaran. Metode Mind Mapping merupakan salah satu metode yang dapat meningkatkan berpikir kreatif. Metode ini diujicobakan kepada peserta didik agar dapat meningkatkan berpikir kreatif melalui penelitian tindakan kelas. Hasil penelitian menunjukan pada siklus I menghasilkan 66%, dan siklus II yaitu 83%. Ada peningkatan berpikir kreatif dengan rata-rata 17% dengan indikasi, yaitu peserta didik mampu mengelaborasi, mengasosiasikan, dan membuat ide secara orisinil ketika diberikan metode mind mapping.
Karakteristik Karakter Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Widiyani Erdea , Fakhriyah Fina , Ismayam A Erik Aditia , Firmasyah Rangga , Putri Shinta Meyza , Kartika Anisa Surya
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui perkembangan karakteristik anak usia sekolah dasar. Tujuan penelitan ini untuk memahami setiap karakteristik karakter siswa. Memahami dan mengenali karakteristik siswa sangat penting  bagi guru. Setelah guru memahami dan mengenali karakteristik karakter siswa , proses belajar mengajar bisa berlangsung dengan lebih baik. Jenis penelitian ini adalah systematic literature review. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan yaitu proses identifikasi, mengkaji, mengevaluasi serta menafsirkan semua penelitian yang sudah ada. Hasil analis dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan penelitian yang telah dilakukan yaitu karakteristik karakter siswa Sekolah Dasar mempunyai peranan yang sangat penting terhadap prestasi belajar  anak. Berdasarkan penelitian yang   telah dilakukan  anak  mempunyai karakteristik yang berbeda-beda . Orang tua juga terlibat dalam membentuk karakter siswa yang lebih baik, orang tua harus bisa mendidik anak-anaknya agar terbentuknya karakter siswa yang baik.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: FACULTY MEMBERS PERSPECTIVE IN SAUDI UNIVERSITIES
Authors:   The National Research Center for Giftedness and Creativity, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, AlAli Rommel , ABOUD Yusra Zaki ,   The National Centre of Giftedness and Creativity at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Published: February 2024

Sustainability in higher education involves the integration of sustainable principles, practices, and values into the fundamental functions of educational institutions, addressing environmental, social, and economic dimensions. This study aims to evaluate sustainability practices in Saudi higher education institutions, focusing on faculty members' perceptions. The primary objective is to assess the extent of sustainability implementation across academic, research, social, and environmental dimensions in Saudi universities. By leveraging faculty members' insights, the study seeks to identify areas of strength and weakness in current sustainability practices. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing an electronic questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. A random sample of 275 faculty members from diverse Saudi universities actively participates in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods are applied for data analysis and hypothesis testing. The findings indicate a limited implementation of sustainability practices within Saudi universities across various dimensions, as perceived by faculty members. Weaknesses are identified in academic, research, social, and environmental spheres. The study recommends that universities prioritize sustainability by establishing dedicated committees and drawing inspiration from successful institutions in the field. A clear strategic vision for sustainability is crucial for advancing these practices within higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia.
Stabilizing regenerator characteristics
Authors: Matsaev А.S.
Published: February 2024

The article relates to the field of research of the physics of the transition of the amplifier from the aggregate state of amplification to the aggregate state of generation. The aim of the study is to find the possibility of controlling the process of transition from one state of aggregation to another, to implement a stable retention of the device at a given point. The latter will make it possible to implement the construction of stable regenerators. A theoretical conclusion is obtained about the possibility of stable signal regeneration, for which the stabilization coefficient of negative feedback on a constant, zero component should be greater than the regeneration coefficient or gain in gain due to positive feedback at the maximum gain frequency, and for a resonant amplifier – at a resonant frequency. The information confirming the theoretical conclusions and conditions on the example of some technical solutions and implementations of practical devices is given. The multiple technical advantages of stable regenerators over traditional amplifying devices are demonstrated, including resistance to excitation of parasitic generation in a wide dynamic range and temperature range. This is explained by the fact that a stable regenerator cannot be excited twice, a stable excitation is a normal state of aggregation of the regeneration of the input signal. There is also a significant increase in sensitivity and, accordingly, a decrease in intrinsic noise by 9-10 orders of magnitude, an improvement in the width of the linear dynamic range by 8-9 orders of magnitude. An improvement in the amplified frequency bandwidth is demonstrated, not only in the area of minimization, but also in the region of significant expansion, more than an order of magnitude, relative to the maximum achievable for specific samples of the amplifying element, the transistor. The fact that the dependence of the regeneration coefficient and the quality factor of the LC circuit is a special case, only for LC regenerators, is shown and explained. The presented broadband regenerators use strip valves or broadband transformers without an LC circuit and have a regeneration coefficient, which does not contradict the theory and is useful in practice. Multiple improvements are predicted in the construction of systems and devices for low-power signals, as well as an improvement by several orders of magnitude of the main technical characteristics of communication and location systems, measuring systems and devices.
LUDOTERAPIA INFANTIL NO CONTEXTO HOSPITALAR: uma revisão integrativa da literatura
Authors: Carvalho Anna Cristina Barbosa Ribeiro de , Alencar Lívia Maria de Sousa , Costa Maria Vitória Magalhães , Batista Pedro Venicius de Sousa , Magalhães Juliana Macêdo , Cardoso Saraí de Brito , Campelo Thais Portela Teixeira , Rodrigues Ana Beatriz Mendes
Published: February 2024

Introdução: As atividades lúdicas estão presentes em locais de recreação, principalmente em brinquedotecas existentes no hospital, considerado essencial para a criança se distrair durante a internação. Objetivo: Analisar a importância da ludoterapia no contexto hospitalar, por meio da literatura científica, descrever as estratégias e técnicas da ludoterapia no contexto hospitalar e discutir as limitações encontradas na assistência do enfermeiro durante a realização da ludoterapia. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura de abordagem qualitativa, norteadora através da seguinte pergunta “Qual a importância da ludoterapia infantil no contexto hospitalar?” As buscas foram realizadas nas bases de de dados: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online via PUBMED, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde e Base de Dados em Enfermagem, utilizando-se dos descritores Criança; Ludoterapia; Hospitais e Criança Hospitalizada com auxílio dos operadores booleano “AND” e “OR”. Resultados: Foram identificados 76 artigos, dos quais 16 foram selecionados para esta revisão. Os estudos foram agrupados em três categorias temáticas: Importância da ludoterapia no contexto hospitalar; Estratégia e técnica da ludoterapia no contexto hospitalar; e  Limitações encontradas na assistência do enfermeiro durante a realização da ludoterapia. A ludoterapia busca desenvolver atividades englobando o contexto do trabalho em equipe, tornando humanizado o trabalho no contexto hospitalar. Considerações finais: Conclui-se que a ludoterapia tem benefícios positivos, sendo um método não farmacológico eficaz, reduz o medo, estresse e angústia, bem como o favorecimento da aprendizagem e da criatividade, facilitando uma melhor adesão ao tratamento.
Analysis of Scientific Literacy Through PISA 2015 Framework
Authors: Arsyad Muhammad
Published: February 2024

This study aims to measure the quality of teaching in secondary schools in the city of Bandung. The quality in question is with the emergence of scientific literacy indicators according to the PISA 2015 study was conducted in three schools using 12 kinds of instruments to see the indicator-indicator scientific literacy on the Lesson Plan (LP), Teaching and Learning Process (TLP), and Midterm Exam (MTE). Subjects were students aged 13 years at three schools, three documents LP, and three documents of MTE. The results show that the data analyst aspects most often arise is the aspect of competencies with a total accumulation 1428 poins. The results also show that the school is located in the central of city shows the emergence of sub-scientific literacy than schools in the north and south.
Threat-induced prosocial behavior: Enhanced exogenous attention to protect others from harm.
Authors: Lojowska Maria , Lucchi Federica , mulckhuyse manon
Published: February 2024

As social animals, humans tend to voluntarily engage in pro-social behavior to prevent harm to others. However, to what extent prosocial behavior can be reflected at the level of less voluntary cognitive processes remains unclear. Here, we examined how threat to others modulates exogenous attention. Fifty-four participants performed an exogenous spatial cueing task where the participant’s performance determined whether electric shocks would be delivered either to themselves or to their anonymous co-participant. Threat of shock to the co-participant elicited orienting and reorienting responses that were faster than in the safe condition and did not differ from performance when participants avoided shocks to themselves. This attentional improvement was not due to speed-accuracy trade off and was associated with arousal, i.e., increased pupil dilation in both threat conditions. Together, these findings suggest that pro-social behavior triggers automatic attentional processes which may be relevant for providing immediate help without relying on reflexive processes.
Flexibility in Conceptual Combinations: A Neural Network Model of Gradable Adjective Modification
Authors: Carter Georgia , Keller Frank , Hoffman Paul
Published: February 2024

Our ability to combine simple constituents into more complex conceptual combinations is a fundamental aspect of cognition. Gradable adjectives (e.g., ‘tall’ and ‘light’) are a critical example of this process, as their meanings vary depending on the noun with which they are combined. For example, a dark diamond is less dark than dark charcoal. Here, we investigate how a neural network encodes the flexible nature of gradable adjectives in adjective-noun pairs, using the perceptual feature of brightness as a test case. We trained a neural network to predict human brightness ratings for unmodified nouns and adjective-noun pairs and assessed its ability to generalize to untrained combinations (e.g., ‘light paint’ vs. ‘dark paint’). We also explored how this information is encoded. We found that flexible learning of gradable adjectives was possible, with neural networks first making predictions based on the adjective alone, and then modulating these with information from the noun later in learning. We also found that model outputs mimicked the kind of non-additive feature modulation present in human data. Our results have implications for understanding how semantic composition occurs and generate testable predictions for future work.
Brain mechanisms discriminating enactive mental simulations of running and plogging
Authors: Brevers Damien , Baeken Chris , Billieux Joël , Harris James , Maurage Pierre , Muela Ismael , Oz Irem Tuğçe , Pabst Arthur , Sescousse Guillaume , Vögele Claus
Published: February 2024

Enactive cognition emphasizes co-constructive roles of humans and their environment in shaping cognitive processes. It is specifically engaged in the mental simulation of behaviors, enhancing the connection between perception and action. Here we investigated the core network of brain regions involved in enactive cognition as applied to mental simulations of physical exercise. We used a neuroimaging paradigm in which participants (N = 103) were required to project themselves running or plogging (running while picking-up litter) along an image-guided naturalistic trail. Using both univariate and multivariate brain imaging analyses, we find that a broad spectrum of brain activation discriminates between the mental simulation of plogging versus running. Critically, we show that self-reported ratings of daily life running engagement and the quality of mental simulation (how well participants were able to imagine themselves running) modulate the brain reactivity to plogging versus running. Finally, we observed increased positive and negative patterns of insular-centered functional connectivity in the plogging condition (as compared to the running condition), suggesting a key role of the insular cortex in action simulation involving complex sets of mental mechanisms. Taken together, the present findings provide new insights into the brain networks involved in the enactive mental simulation of physical exercise.
Examining Differences of Invariance Alignment in the Mplus Software and the R Package sirt
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: February 2024

Invariance alignment (IA) is a multivariate statistical technique to compare the means and standard deviations of a factor variable in a one-dimensional factor model across multiple groups. To date, the IA method is most frequently estimated using the commercial Mplus software. IA has also been implemented in the R package sirt. In this article, the performance of IA in the software packages Mplus and R is compared. It is argued and empirically shown in a simulation study and an empirical example that differences between software packages are primarily the cause of different identification constraints in IA. In line with previous work, the simulation study also highlighted that the tuning parameter $\varepsilon=0.001$ in IA is preferable to $\varepsilon=0.01$. Moreover, an empirical example raises the question of whether IA, in its current implementations, behaves as expected in the case of many groups.
Daily dynamics and weekly rhythms: A tutorial on seasonal ARMA models combined with day-of-week effects
Authors: Haqiqatkhah MohammadHossein Manuel , Hamaker Ellen
Published: February 2024

Daily diary data of emotional experiences are typically modeled with a first-order autoregressive model to account for possible day-to-day dynamics. However, our emotional experiences are likely to be affected by the weekly rhythm of our activities, which may be reflected by: (a) day-of-week effects (DOWEs), where different days of the week are characterized by different means; and (b) week-to-week dynamics, where weekday-specific activities and experiences have a delayed effect on the emotions that we experience on the same weekday a week later. While DOWEs have been studied occasionally, week-to-week dynamics have been largely ignored in psychological research. To gain more insight in the various regularities that may exist in daily diary data, we begin with presenting a set of complementary visualization techniques that can help to detect and characterize weekly rhythms and day-to-day dynamics in time series data. Subsequently, we introduce the family of seasonal autoregressive--moving average (SARMA) models from the econometrics literature, and extend this with models for the DOWEs. We illustrate how the different model components show up in the various visualizations of the time series data. We then provide a tutorial on fitting these models in R, discussing model fit and model selection, and apply this to a daily diary dataset consisting of 56-101 daily measures from 98 individuals. The results suggests that most individuals in the sample are characterized by patterns and dynamics that the current practices in psychological research cannot capture adequately. We discuss the implications of our findings for current psychological research practices.
Reverberation Time and Musical Emotion in Recorded Music Listening
Authors: Wilkie Hannah , Harrison Peter M. C.
Published: February 2024

The influence of room acoustic parameters on musical emotion has to a degree been studied musicologically and empirically. However, there remain large gaps related to limitations in emotion measures and aspects of acoustic setting, with various iterations of digital acoustic reproduction represented in research. This psychological study explores the ways in which systematic alterations to reverberation time (RT) may influence the emotional experience of music listening over headphones. A quantitative approach was adopted, whereby musical stimuli with parametrically altered RTs were heard over user headphones. These were compared for domain-specific musical emotions on the Geneva Emotional Music Scale (GEMS). The main findings showed that the RTs and related acoustic features did not have a strong effect on ‘Unease’ or ‘Vitality’ components of the GEMS, but rather longer RTs had a significant positive effect on aspects of ‘Sublimity’ (i.e., ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Transcendence’, ‘Wonder’). These results suggest that subjective percepts beyond pleasantness or emotional impact are affected by reverberation-based manipulations to room acoustic sound. The study outcomes have particular relevance to recorded music with artificial reverberation, and create scope for complex interactions between reverberation time and emotion more broadly.
Variability in Verbal Eyewitness Confidence
Authors: Pennekamp Pia , Mansour Jamal K. , Batstone Rhiannon
Published: February 2024

Typically, an eyewitness’ verbal confidence is used to judge the reliability of their lineup identification. Across three experiments (N = 3976), we examined identifiers’ confidence in their lineup decision using their own words (n = 1099). For identification decisions, we identified 781 quantitatively unique responses representing 132 qualitatively unique statements that could be categorized into low, medium, and high confidence. For rejectors (n = 781), we identified 599 quantitatively unique responses representing 143 qualitatively unique responses that could be categorized into low, medium, and high confidence. Most participants provided a verbal phrase (e.g., pretty sure) but a significant proportion—34.19% of identifiers and 29.05% of rejectors—provided numbers (e.g., 80%). The present data highlight the variability in how confidence is expressed. The criminal justice system would benefit from guidance for interpreting verbal confidence. We provide a picture of eyewitnesses’ verbal confidence as a first step.
Confidence Lexicon: An Evidence-Based Approach for Communicating Eyewitness Confidence
Authors: Pennekamp Pia , Mansour Jamal K. , Batstone Rhiannon
Published: February 2024

We developed an evidence-based tool (a lexicon) which comprises verbal and numeric information for gathering and communicating eyewitness confidence. With two studies, we obtained interpretations of frequently used verbal confidence statements made by eyewitnesses that we used to derive the lexicon. We expected that a distinct set of phrases would span the range of confidence levels eyewitnesses express. Participants rated how well each of 11 percentage values (e.g., 0%, 60%, 100%) represented 13 verbal expressions of confidence previously obtained from participant-eyewitnesses (e.g., moderately confident) on a scale (0 = Not at all to 100 = Absolutely). Based on density plots (membership functions) for each phrase, we selected phrases that best represent the range of confidence levels eyewitnesses may wish to express. The lexicon comprises four phrases and three synonyms: Not very confident, moderately confident/somewhat confident, quite confident/pretty sure, very confident/confident. The phrases’ membership functions are distinct and together span 0-100% scale. There is broad agreement about the meaning of common verbal phrases for expressing confidence; we leveraged this agreement to produce a tool that can create greater common ground between eyewitnesses and triers of fact than simply asking the eyewitness to express their confidence in their own words.
Residential mobility and strength of social ties: Regional analysis in Finland
Authors: Jokela Markus , Soini Eetu , Laakasuo Michael , Parikka Suvi , Rotkirch Anna , Hämäläinen Hans
Published: February 2024

Multiple factors can influence the rates of residential mobility flows between different subregions of a country. Studies have often focused on demographic and economic factors, but social conditions may be relevant as well. We examined whether the strength of social ties (i.e., social support, loneliness, social trust, community and cultural activities, and meeting other people) were associated with population migration rates across 299 municipalities of Finland. Data for the social characteristics were derived from the large Regional Health and Wellbeing study (n=100,750 respondents) aggregated to the level of municipalities using multilevel regression with post-stratification. Residential mobility rates were derived from census data. Municipalities with higher levels of social support, higher social trust, more cultural activities, and more frequent social contacts had higher net migration rates, that is, more people moving in than out of the municipality. Social support and cultural activities were more strongly associated with (higher) in-migration than with out-migration rates. Social trust and frequency of meeting people were more strongly associated with (lower) out-migration than with in-migration. The findings provide empirical support for the hypothesis that regions with stronger social ties are more attractive destinations for within-country residential mobility.
The Politics of Faith: Religious Nationalism and Nepal's Democratic Landscape
Authors: Acharya Abinav
Published: February 2024

Religious nationalism is a significant force in politics that has a profound impact on a nation's democratization process. This research focuses on the case of Nepal and aims to explore the historical context of the country to understand the influence of religious identity on democratization. Instead of relying on public opinion surveys, the study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing historical records and case studies. The research examines the role of religious actors in shaping the political landscape and highlights the challenges posed by religious nationalism to democratization. It emphasizes the need for institutional resilience and legislative measures to protect pluralism and inclusivity. The research concludes that religious nationalism emerges as an ideology and an identity-driven political force that will shape the course of Nepal’s democratization, requiring a deep comprehension of its consequences and actions to strengthen the country for the future.
Factors Affecting the Use and Understanding of Nutrition Labeling on Food Labels among Nepalese Youths
Authors: Pokhrel Sudip , Subedi Sila
Published: February 2024

Nutrition labeling, crucial for informing consumers about food content, faces significant gaps in Nepal's regulatory framework. These gaps impact how the nutritional information is understood and used by consumers, contributing to challenges like obesity and chronic diseases in the country. This study aims to uncover the factors affecting the use and understanding of nutrition labeling on food labels among Nepalese youths. Conducted through a cross-sectional approach, this research involved administering a structured questionnaire to 225 participants in June 2023, targeting regular consumers of packaged foods. Data analysis, employing both descriptive and multivariate principal component analysis using SPSS 25, revealed that 24% of respondents always read nutrition labeling on food labels in packed food items. The Principal Component Analysis identified four key factors affecting the use and understanding of nutrition labeling: "perception of the nutritional information", "motivations in dietary decisions", "awareness" and "health priority interest in nutritional attributes". These factors collectively explained over 54% of the variance in the data, as validated by the scree plot and Kaiser Criterion. The study underscores the necessity of initiatives aimed at enhancing the accessibility, clarity, and appeal of nutritional labeling on food labels in packaged food products. Such initiatives are pivotal for policymakers, educators, and marketers striving to encourage healthier dietary practices among Nepalese youths.
Impact of Employees’ Turnover on the Performance of Five Star Hotels of Kathmandu
Authors: Shrestha Bijaya , Thapa Roshan
Published: February 2024

This study examined the Impact of Employee Turnover on the Performance of Five five-star hotels. Data was collected from the 120 hotel employees from six hotels in Kathmandu using the questionnaire. The employees were randomly sampled. Jamovi was used to run the analysis. While collecting the data among the respondents, 91 (75.8%) were Male, and 29 (24.2%) were female. Likewise, 64 (53.3%) were staff, 36 (30.0%) were supervisors, and 20 (16.7%) were heads of departments. Out of 120 respondents, 51 respondents (42.5%) had worked in the respective hotel for <5 years, followed by those who had worked for 6–10 years were 22 respondents (18.3%), while 12 respondents (10.0%) had worked for 11–15 years and 35 respondents (29.2%) had worked for more than 16 years. Employee turnover has highly affected the Organizational performance of the hotel. So, for that reason, the hotel has used various strategies related to employee retention. Likely examining employee turnover and its impact on organizational performance, the researcher uses correlation and regression, which shows the negative impact on organizational performance.
Optimizing throughput value through re-examining of 4G LTE infrastructure link budgets: A Case Study in Lubuk Kilangan
Authors: Yuhanef Afrizal , Chandra Dikky , Nabilla Sisri , Ilham Dirja Nur , Setiawan Herry
Published: February 2024

Broadband wireless access technology has taken the lead in communication technology development, enabling users to communicate with fast data speeds and extensive coverage.. Problems that frequently arise in mobile communication systems are the wide range of services and the level of network service quality. Thus, optimization is carried out to improve network quality in the Lubuk Kilangan area by using the drive test method to determine the quality of the network and bad spot areas and analyzed using terms discovery software. The reason behind the findings of this study is that the optimal link budget value for 4G LTE infrastructure in Lubuk Kilangan is higher than the current industry standard due to the unique characteristics of the area. According to the analysis and calculation of the link budget, power additions, and antenna tilting alterations were carried out for optimization. The power quality of the RSRP parameter increased from the fair (orange) area of 2.58 to 0.29. For the SINR parameter, For the SINR parameter, there was also an increase in quality at poor category locations in the KPI parameters (Range RSRP) locations from 0.08% to 0.05%, resulting in SINR bad spots decreasing. The proportion for Throughput after optimization remains the same, at 100%. Indicating that there had been a good increase in the coverage area, making the coverage in the Lubuk Kilangan area good. It is necessary to conduct a deeper study by comparing several types of antenna orientation, including tilt, depending on various factors such as the deployment scenario, coverage requirements, interference considerations, and the specific characteristics of picocells, femtocells, and repeaters. Future research could explore the impact of other factors, such as network topology and user behavior, on link budget optimization of 4G LTE infrastructure in different contexts