bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canons, Customs, Superstitions: The Perception of Orthodox Church Norms and Practices by Clergy and Parishioners of the Mordovia Metropolis of Russian Orthodox Church
Authors: Koval Ekaterina A. , Ushkin Sergey G. , Sychev Andrey A. , Zhadunova Natalia V.
Published: October 2023

Introduction. The canonical norms, customs and superstitions that regulate common church practices are not always clearly differentiated in religious consciousness. As a result, the substitution of superstitions for canonical norms and customs leads to a distortion of the normative foundations of religious practices. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of subjective and objective knowledge of clergy and parishioners about normative and non-normative religious practices based on the results of the authors’ sociological research.

Materials and Methods. The empirical base is the data of a sociological study conducted in October-November 2022 among the clergy and parishioners of the Mordovia Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church with interactive questionnaire. A non-probabilistic approach to sampling was used; respondents were recruited through own networks of researchers. The use of comparative method made it possible to identify differences in the perception of canons, customs and superstitions by two groups of respondents. Within the framework of pilot study, the author’s sociological tools and methods for result processing were tested. Since parishioners and especially clergy are a hard-to-reach group of respondents, a non-probability approach was used to form the sample. This entailed a number of limitations of the study.

Results. Subjective assessments of the level of religious literacy were analyzed, including the knowledge about canons, customs and superstitions. Not only the clergy, but also parishioners demonstrated a comparatively high level of awareness of the normative foundations of religious practices, although some parishioners have an inflated self-esteem. General ideas about the concepts of normative and non-normative were revealed, none of the respondents had any objections to the definition of the concepts of “canon”, “custom”, “superstition”. However, discrepancies were found regarding the assessment of some practices.

Discussion and Conclusion. Four factors were identified, in which variables are grouped, demonstrating the different nature of respondents’ knowledge about canons, customs and superstitions: knowledge to distinguish customs and canons from superstitions; knowledge of the customs relating to events and situations; knowledge of the canons; knowledge of the canons relating to special religious knowledge, including those regulating the life of clergy. The article will be useful to researchers of religious practices and religious consciousness, as well as lecturers of the theological educational institutions.
The key role of early education in an ageing and shrinking population: The example of Germany
Authors: Loichinger Elke , Spiess C. Katharina
Published: October 2023

Germany is currently among the 10 oldest countries in the world, as measured by the share of population aged 70 years and over.With the baby boomer cohorts of the 1950s and 1960s having started to reach retirement ages, a new phase of ageing is about to take place. In this debate piece, we argue that investments in human capital at any age and at any stage of the life course are indispensable for dealing with an ageing population. Investments in early education are most effective and efficient, as early skills beget later skills. We show that in an ageing society, it is most efficient to invest in children from the very beginning to develop their full human potential, and to ensure that no child is left behind. Moreover, investments in early education programmes have benefits in addition to those directly related to children, including benefits related to fertility, maternal employment and the integration of parents with a migration background. Globally, more and more countries are faced with increasing proportions of older people and decreasing proportions of working-age people in their populations. Thus, what we describe here for Germany can in many respects be transferred to other country contexts.
Primary bud necrosis in vine propagation material
Authors: Prodanova-Marinova N. , Belberova Y. , Emurlova F.
Published: October 2023

Abstract. The study was carried out in the period 2019-2021 in the vine nursery of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology, Pleven (43.42°N 24.62°E and 140 m altitude) with Muscat Plevenski and Bolgar varieties, grafted to Berlandieri x Riparia SO4 rootstock. The cuttings were rooted in two-row beds without mulching with polyethylene foil. The planting depth was 0.15 m, at 0.07-0.08 m intra-row distance and 0.5 m between the rows in the bed. The distance between the beds was 2 m. The experiment was conducted in four replicates The buds from the first to the fifth eye were examined twice – in the second half of October (15-20 October) and after the removal of the vines from the nursery (01-08 November). The proportion of necrotic buds was determined from samples of 10 shoots per replicate. The manifestations of primary bud necrosis in Muscat Plevenski and Bolgar were observed without exception during the three years of the experiment. Damage was found, regardless of the bud’s location along the examined length of the shoot, with no specific trend of a particular node being affected.
DYNAMICS OF FATTY ACIDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF TRADITIONAL BULGARIAN DAIRY PRODUCTS
Authors: Lazarova Mariya , Naydenova Nikolina
Published: October 2023

Recently, the fatty acids which are the main component of milk fat have been a subject of extensive scientific studies due to their potential positive and negative effects on human health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the dynamics of fatty acids in the production of traditional Bulgarian dairy products - white brined cheese and yellow cheese, obtained from cow’s milk. During the process of manufacturing and ripening, a general decrease in the amount of saturated fatty acids was found, more obvious in the white brined cheese - by 3.44% and insignificant in the yellow cheese - by 0.59%. There was also a minimal decrease in the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids - by 0.37% in white cheese and by 0.8% in yellow cheese. At the same time, there was a raise in the amount of monounsaturated fatty acids by 3.81% in the mature white cheese and by 1.46% in the mature yellow cheese, and a particularly large increase in the amount of linolenic acid, which turned out to be 54 times more in ripened d white cheese and 40.5 times more in ripened yellow cheese.
Flexural behavior of external reinforced concrete beams by using waste aggregate concrete
Authors: Hiswa Ashraf A. M. R. , Shubber Mustafa Salman , Mezher Thaer Matlab
Published: October 2023

The influence of utilizing waste concrete aggregates on the flexural behavior of external reinforced concrete beams has been studied. Seven mixtures were prepared for this investigation where the concrete mixtures had different waste concrete percentages and admixtures. Also, seven beams were modeled by Ansys program and the properties of the seven mixtures have been used in the models to study their effects. It was found that using waste concrete aggregates has decreased the load bearing capacity and concrete ductility. It was found that the beam bearing capacity was decreased by 10.7% when using only waste concrete. Using admixtures have enhanced the concrete properties where the load capacity of beams has been increased by 39% when using silica fume and superplasticizer and the load capacity has increased by 44.6% when multi-admixtures have been used. Besides, it was found that using additives has enhanced the beam ductility significantly.
From Manuscripts to Moderation: Sundanese Wisdom in Countering Religious Radicalism
Authors: Jaeni Muhamad , Fathudin Ahmad Ubaedi , Burhan Ali , Huda Moh. Nurul , Aini Rofiqotul
Published: October 2023

Deradicalization has been a topic of interest among writers since the 19th century, when religious radicalism began to spread in the Islamic world. Tubagus Ahmad Bakri (TAB) wrote numerous religious texts against religious radicalism. His writings have contributed to developing a harmonious and tolerant social religious order. This writing attempts to map out the religious deradicalization concepts in the writings of Sundanese religious figures who made efforts to develop a comprehensive and tolerant religious ideology. This study shows how the Sundanese manuscripts have contributed to developing a moderate religious ideology that rejects radical religious texts and sets in motion an anti-radicalism social movement in the community. Employing the critical discourse analysis method, this study has revealed that TAB’s religious writings contain three important elements that counter religious radicalism: First, the importance of religious tolerance, the need for moderate religious understanding, and strong adherence to local wisdom. Second, rejection of radical religious texts, such as texts that prohibit having a madhhab, prohibition of istighasa, and declare making a pilgrimage to tombs as a misguided practice. Third, social commitment to religious moderation is marked by a movement of writing and translating religious books, community learning, and anti-radicalism campaign through community religious studies.
Evolution of Sacred Traditions: The Inclusive Transformation of the Besale Ritual among the Suku Anak Dalam, Indonesia
Authors: Asniah Asniah , Ahmad Sulthan , Wahyuni Dwi
Published: October 2023

This research investigates changes in the Besale ritual tradition, a ceremony aimed at cleansing the soul tainted by malevolent spirits. Initially conducted privately and exclusively for the Suku Anak Dalam, the Besale ritual has now become an open event in the Dwi Karya Bhakti Village, even accessible to the general public. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, collecting data through observation, interviews, and documentation, and analyzing it using the Creswell model. The research findings reveal five main patterns of change in the Besale ritual tradition, involving shifts in the value system, cognitive system, interaction system, institutional system, and behavioral acceptance level. These changes did not occur spontaneously but rather through an interactive process involving various social groups within the Suku Anak Dalam. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the dynamics of cultural and traditional changes in society, shedding light on how social factors and intergroup interactions can influence cultural transformations. These findings can serve as a valuable resource for cultural preservation efforts in various evolving societal contexts.
Contestation of Religious Authority in Study Groups: Between Religious Authority and Mass Authority in Aceh
Authors: Noviandy Noviandy , Amin Muhammad , Zubir Zubir , Masri Muhammed Sahrin Bin Haji Masri
Published: October 2023

This article examines the religious authority contestation among study groups in Langsa City, Aceh. The existence of a diversity of study groups does not mean the people there accept the existing plurality. Apart from the growth of religious authority from the Traditional Islamic community, several things also influence it. So the diversity phenomena in religion often become a mass struggle. This research is included in field-library research with qualitative analysis. Data were collected through interviews, documentation, and observation in the study groups. The data were analyzed using a sociology approach and social theory. This article presents two significant findings, including scientific contestation developed by each study group and mass struggle as a confirmation of the authority holder. These two pieces of evidence show that the spread of religious authorities does not necessarily make people accept plurality in religion. Furthermore, Islamic law in Aceh tends to always be in religious contestation.
Rural film festivals: social functions, obstacles and challenges
Authors: Peralta-García Lidia , Gómez-Rosado Raquel , López-Cantos Clara
Published: October 2023

This investigation is centred on film festivals within Spain that take the rural world as their reference. A panoramic approach to an emerging trend is presented in the study. The concept of the “social function” is of central importance to the analytical perspective that is adopted, to understand what added value these sorts of festivals specializing in rural topics can contribute, especially in relation to the current challenges of rural depopulation. Qualitative methods are mainly used, based on semi-structured interviews with the people who direct and manage these sorts of events, with the support of digital documents downloaded from web-pages and searches for the digital footprint of rural film festivals on websites and social media. Promoting and financing a rural film festival is, at the very least, both a social and an organizational challenge, but our study distances itself from an economic viewpoint that might measure the success of a festival in terms of marketing, to contemplate its “social profitability.” From this perspective, we ask ourselves through which channels and to what extent are rural film festivals linked into the community. The results showed that, despite the vulnerability of the sector, these festivals represent an opportunity for links with the local area, social cohesiveness, and the revitalization of socio-cultural activities.
Personal Agenda-Public Agenda Congruency: A Contingent Condition for Agenda-setting Effects
Authors: Rodríguez-Díaz Raquel , McCombs Maxwell
Published: October 2023

This paper focuses on the concept of the impact area as the intersection between the common issues of the personal agenda and the public agenda. Expanding the concept of agenda-setting effects, which focuses mainly on the relation between the public and media agendas, we have examined the congruity of the public agenda and the personal agenda as a contingent condition for the strength of these effects. The concept also distinguishes between the top-priority issues of the public and personal agendas, setting out that the general public’s search for information about these top-priority issues highlights the need for orientation. We used data from Spain to focus on the national elections (2011, 2015 and 2019), plus the beginning of the pandemic (2020). The study includes a content analysis of the El País daily newspaper for the four periods and a variety of surveys and representative electoral barometers. To those data we have added an analysis of the main search topics on Google Trends for each of the four years. The results reveal that variations in the relationship between the public and personal agendas are linked to the strength of the agenda-setting effect between the media and public agendas.
Spain’s «national character» in «The Economist»
Authors: Arrese Ángel , Breiner James
Published: October 2023

The image of a country conveyed by the international media is increasingly important in a globalised and interdependent world. Some of these international outlets have a special role to play in this process, and the British weekly The Economist is certainly one of them. For more than a century and a half, the publication founded by James Wilson in 1843 has been a reference for politicians, opinion leaders and businessmen around the world. For this reason, it is of particular interest to understand the magazine’s special way of contextualising news events in different latitudes from the perspective of each country’s ‘national character.’ From this perspective, we analyze the image of Spain offered by The Economist throughout its history from the understanding of the interest that has always had for the professionals of the British weekly the interpretation of current affairs in the context of the so-called ‘national character’ of a country. After the thematic analysis of nine supplements on Spain published by the weekly between 1972 and 2018, six features have been highlighted that would consistently configure the ‘national character’ of this country for the weekly. These six traits are: a country in transition; a diverse country; a festive, hospitable and tolerant country; a country with an inefficient administration; a country with a weak economy; and an artistic and unscientific country. A better understanding of these stable features can be of great importance for better managing a country’s international projection.
The historical coverage of televised media events in print media: The Case of the Eurovision Song Contest
Authors: Greenwald Gilad
Published: October 2023

This study argues that, historically, televised media events managed to become prominent in the public agenda, not only through their live broadcast on television, but also through their long-term, continuous visibility in the print media. This, both on the level of the intensity of their press coverage; and also on the level of their framing as important and significant events for society. In other words, media events have enabled a content-based “coexistence” between print media and television. Through a thematic-qualitative analysis, the study describes how two Israeli, popular and elite newspapers promoted the public discourse on two of the most famous media events in Israel’s history: the 1979 and 1999 Eurovision Song Contests in Jerusalem. Findings reveal an intensive print media coverage of the two shows, from both “soft” (gossip) and “hard” (politics) perspectives. In addition, differences were found in the historical coverage of the contests in popular newspapers, compared to elite ones.
Where is the risk? Inter-reality comparison study of multiple-perpetrator rape assailants in Spain
Authors: Casabó-Ortí María-Ángeles
Published: October 2023

This research paper aims to shed a critical light on the moral panic surrounding multiple-perpetrator rape (MPR) in Spain, by exploring the interplay between official statistics of this type of crime, and the depiction in the media. The concordance between media representation and the statistical reality of crime raises questions: (1) how multiple perpetrator assault and its assailants are represented in media narratives (content analysis) is examined, including the content, framing, and underlying themes within the media coverage, with a particular emphasis on the role of nationality, and (2) this representation is compared to official crime statistics (Ministry of Home Affairs report on crimes against sexual freedom and indemnity in Spain (detentions/accused) and the statistics of the sentences passed by various Spanish Provincial Courts between 2005 and 2020 from criminal justice data), and to what extent, they align. If they do not align, do news portrayals influence a moral panic? In conclusion, the idea of tabloid justice (Fox et al., 2001) is not present in the three largest Spanish daily newspapers from 2005 to 2021. There is a misrepresentation of non-Spanish nationalities having the highest rates, Romanians being underrepresented and the French being overrepresented. Media coverage perceives tourists as a certain danger, and is questioning the idea of certain non-Spanish immigrants as ‘folk devils.’
Green economy and green jobs: a multisectoral analysis by means of Spain’s social accounting matrix
Authors: Chabán-García Omar , Hidalgo-Capitán Antonio Luis
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT During the last decades the green economy has been proposed from different international organizations as an economic model for the 21st century that gravitates around respecting the environment. This paper tries to identify, with criteria of economic efficiency (high economic impact) and social efficiency (high impact on job creation, green jobs), the “potentially green sectors” that can be stimulated by a national strategy to develop a green economy in Spain. For this, we will use the Social Accounting Matrix of Spain 2010, identifying, by means of the normalized absorption and diffusion coefficients and by means of employment multipliers, the key, drivers and with greater capacity for job creation sectors from a group of ten sectors that we have identified as “potentially green sectors”.
NÃO PODEMOS CONHECER TUDO EM RELAÇÃO AOS RISCOS: CONCEPÇÕES EM DISPUTA NO PROJETO DO PARQUE LINEAR DO ONÇA EM BELO HORIZONTE
Authors: Correa Ana Clara
Published: October 2023

O artigo analisa as disputas em relação à apropriação dos significados de risco por parte de um recorte da população que está sujeita à remoção para a realização de uma obra de macrodrenagem no Ribeirão do Onça e em posterior a construção de um Parque Linear no local. Será possível discutir como a inserção de projetos de infraestrutura de cunho ambiental podem se desdobrar na produção do espaço urbano, podendo ocasionar o surgimento de novas desigualdades e riscos ou aprofundamento dos existentes. Não se pretende negar a urgência da implantação de infraestruturas, serviços e acesso ao meio ambiente saudável de maneira igualitária na vida dos cidadãos, mas visualizar como o esforço de implantação de parques lineares e urbanos passaram a ter relevância para gestão urbana e podem representar uma reorientação das políticas públicas nas cidades brasileiras.
Perceived impact of a one-week journalology training course on scientific reporting competencies: prospective survey
Authors: Alves Charles Phillipe de Lucena , Segundo João de Deus Barreto , Franco Marina Christ , De Moraes Rafael Ratto , Moher David , Cenci Maximiliano Sérgio , Pereira-Cenci Tatiana , Montagner Anelise Fernandes
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION: The debate on scientific research and reporting integrity issues in Brazil is incipient. Literature suggests that a journalology training course could help to improve the competencies of the participants. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate impact of a journalology training course on perceived academic competencies, comprised of knowledge, attitudes, and skills.  METHODS: The course was taught in 5 consecutive days to an online audience of individuals from the health sciences. A self-applied questionnaire was employed before and immediately after the course, which included initial and acquired perceived knowledge, attitudes, skills. The Wilcoxon non-parametric test for paired samples was used for analysis.  RESULTS: A total of 45 individuals participated in the course, with a 53% response rate before and after. The number of participants in each course session ranged between 32 and 45. There was an improvement in perceived knowledge of: (1) writing review articles; (2) ethical aspects of research; (3) scientific authorship; (4) predatory practices; (5) publication bias and spin, and (6) researcher evaluation. There was no improvement in self-reported attitudes towards any item. There was an improvement in the perception of skills relating to: (1) writing a response letter and (2) writing an opinion as a reviewer. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, attendees who participated in the survey reported perceived improved knowledge and skills in some items but not in their attitudes. Therefore, the course appears to have been unable to modify perceived scientific reporting competencies.
RAISINs (RNA-seq for Profiling Intact Nuclei with Ribosome-bound mRNA) Nuclei Isolation from Mouse CNS Tissue Protocol v1
Authors: Institute Allen
Published: October 2023

This protocol is used to isolate nuclei from mouse CNS tissue.
Exploring the Influence of Gender and L1 Conceptual Transfer on English Prepositional Usage
Authors: Phuc Tran Huu , Thang Nguyen Tat , Nghi Tran Tin
Published: October 2023

This study explores how gender and first language (L1) conceptual transfer influence the use of English prepositions among 50 Vietnamese university students aged 18 to 25, enrolled in an English language program. The participants' comprehension of English prepositions in terms of usage, meaning, and context was assessed using pre- and post-tests consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions. The data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests. Both the pre- and post-test results revealed a moderate level of English prepositional usage, with all participants displaying improvement. Female participants performed slightly better than males on the post-test, while there were no notable gender differences in pre-test scores. In both tests, participants with high levels of L1 conceptual transfer performed significantly poorer compared to those with low levels. These findings highlight the significant role of L1 conceptual transfer in the English prepositional usage of Vietnamese language learners, while suggesting a minor impact of gender. Further research is needed to delve deeper into this relationship. The results emphasize the importance of addressing L1 conceptual transfer in English language instruction, specifically regarding prepositions, within the context of Vietnam.
The Strategy of Translating Indonesian Texts With Cultural Nuances Into English
Authors: Zuhron  , Saleh Noer Jihad , Kamsinah  , Kuswarini Prasuri
Published: October 2023

This research discussed the strategies for translating Indonesian cultural texts into English. This research aims to 1) to describe the types of translation found in the process of translating Indonesian culture into English, and 2) to analyze the obstacle in translating Indonesian cultural terms into English. The data were collected from two novels, each written by Pramoedia Ananta Toer entitled Bumi Manusia, translated by Max Lane with the title This Earth of Mankind, and Ahmad Tohari with Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk, translated as The Dancer by Rene T.A. Lysloff. Data analysis techniques were carried out through descriptions after receiving respondents' responses. Thus, this research applies reception theory and cultural semantic theory. The application of this theory has led this research to answer the three objectives of this research. The results of the study indicate that the translation of culturally nuanced Indonesian texts into English has complex forms and variations due to the adjustment of the Indonesian cultural context into other cultural contexts in English.
Learning to Write Through Mind Mapping Techniques in an EFL Writing Classroom
Authors: Tarin Saowalak , Yawiloeng Rattana
Published: October 2023

The study aimed at exploring the links between using mind maps and L2 writing development during EFL students engaging in writing processes. Six EFL students in a northern province in Thailand were selected to participate using a purposive sampling method. The students were categorized into three groups depending on their English proficiency: advanced, intermediate, and beginner EFL students. The mixed-method research design was employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data using research instruments: pretest/posttest, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews. The finding revealed that the EFL students used mind-mapping and writing strategies to enhance their writing abilities by translating, memorizing, revising, and evaluating. In addition, mind-mapping strategies also encouraged the EFL students’ English vocabulary skills, writing processes, and positive attitudes towards L2 writing. In conclusion, a mind map is used as a cognitive strategy to assist EFL students in learning to write English.
Domestic or Public? – Position and Role of Sundanese Women in Manglè Magazine (1958-2013): A Critical Review With a Corpus Linguistics Approach
Authors: Ekawati Dian , Yuliawati Susi , Machdalena Susi
Published: October 2023

This research examines how collocations related to women in Sundanese language are displayed and represented in Manglè magazine media. To scrutinize how local media represent and position women in their articles, we conducted this research using a corpus linguistics approach and critical discourse analysis. The dynamics of word occurrences, collocations, and semantic preferences of Sundanese words related to women in Manglè Magazine from 1958-2013 are highlighted using AntCont software. Next, we identify the representational categories that occur in the articles. The results of this identification form the basis for further exploration and analysis of how local Sundanese-language media carry discourse about Sundanese women from the use of the words “wanoja“ and “istri“. From the results of the analysis, it was found that the use of the word “wanoja“ in Manglè Magazine is represented and positioned quite a lot in the public sphere. Meanwhile the word “istri“ collocated more with the position of Sundanese women in the domestic sphere. Further discussion about the differences in the representation of Sundanese women from the use of the two words above is also presented in this study.
The Effect of Prefixation on Syllable Structure in Najdi Arabic
Authors: Alrasheedi Eisa S.
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the effect of prefixation on the syllable and syllabification in Najdi Arabic. It mainly addresses the role of prefixation on the syllable in this variety of Arabic, providing a prosodic representation of it within the context of rule-based phonology. The paper provides a review of the phonological processes that deal with prefixation phenomena in Najdi Arabic, whose domains of application are somewhat subject to syllabification processes and the syllable structure. To achieve this, the paper discusses the three types of prefixation in Najdi Arabic: (a) nominal prefixes, i.e., the definite article /ʔal/ and prepositional prefixes (predominantly fi- ‘in’, and bi- ‘in/at’), (b) the agreement-related prefixes, i.e., verbal prefixes and (c) the adverbial prefix /ʔib-/ ‘with’, which is prefixed to the host noun and changes its grammatical category to an adverb. The results show that each type of prefixation has its own functions, which are essentially related to the type of the host it attaches to. For instance, the prefix /ʔib-/, which is the Najdi Arabic adverbial marker, is a stress-bearing morpheme, given that it is a heavy syllable on its own, which attaches to the initial position at the very beginning of its nominal host.
Who Are Active and Inactive Participants in Online Collaborative Writing? Considerations From an EFL Setting
Authors: Kitjaroonchai Nakhon , Loo Daron Benjamin
Published: October 2023

This study investigated learners’ online collaborative writing (CW) behaviours. The participants were 115 EFL students from different Asian countries at a private international university in Thailand. The quantitative data was collected from students’ writing contributions on two collaborative writing tasks: descriptive and argumentative essays. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Bonferroni Post Hoc Test. The analysis from the one-way ANOVA test revealed a significant difference between groups regarding percentage of text contribution in CW tasks. Qualitative data was also collected from students’ reflective journals and observations, where factors that influenced team collaboration were examined. The qualitative findings showed that students with higher language proficiency levels were the prominent authors who contributed more text to their group tasks. Elements affecting learners’ active and inactive participations in team collaborations include student language proficiency, individual goal, designated roles, collaboration platforms, learning preference, topic familiarity, and influence of teacher. Some implications of the findings are discussed.
The Middle Ages’ Influence on Women’s Role in Romantic Poetry
Authors: Shoqairat Wasfi , Kraishan Majed
Published: October 2023

Women in the medieval period suffered from abuse and inequality. The pressure on women was so noticeable that they were treated as a marginal component of society in all aspects, an important one of which is the literary aspect. The literary role of women has largely disappeared from the European society in general and the English one in particular. Therefore, women, at every stage, struggled to show themselves amid these great pressures; their struggle led them to reach and succeed in the feminist movement. They attempted to counter the stereotypical image of the medieval women being helpless and subservient in the warrior societies depicted in Old English texts and the evil shrews responsible for men’s failings in Middle English texts. Their new adapted literary role focuses on showing their strength, intelligence, agency in society, and the extent of women’s impact on society and its change, despite the fact that this change came in secret. This study sheds some light on the women’s role in the literary social movement by critically examining the relevant literary works through which the role and effectiveness of women are revealed. This study contributes to dispelling some of the myths surrounding the perspectives assumed about women by providing greater clarity for their cultural and historical settings. Also, this study offers a feminist reading to the female characters in the selected works which clearly illustrates women’s role and the impact of feminist literature on English literature and English society at that period using the famous old legendary epic in English literature, Beowulf.
Enhancing Grammar Competency Through WhatsApp: An Experimental Study in Saudi Arabian Education
Authors: Al-Durayhim Saad bin Abdullah bin Ahmad
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to delve into the impact of utilizing the WhatsApp application as an educational tool in developing students' grammatical skills, specifically for a language course at the College of Science and Humanities in Al-Aflaj Governorate, Saudi Arabia. Acknowledging the potential of digital communication tools in the learning process, the research deployed a quasi-experimental design encompassing 160 students. These students were equally divided into control and experimental groups. While both groups were subjected to conventional teaching methods, the experimental group received additional support through WhatsApp, receiving clarified grammar rules and supplementary materials. The study spanned an entire semester, with a pre-test and post-test administered to evaluate student performance. Through the careful analysis of the average scores and standard deviations, significant findings were revealed. In the experimental group, post-test scores experienced a considerable elevation from 10.625 (pre-test) to 16.075, reflecting a substantial effect size of 37%. This improvement was attributed to the effective use of WhatsApp. Contrarily, the control group, not benefiting from the application, scored lower in both tests, implying a stark contrast between the two methods. The results of this study strongly advocate for the integration of mobile applications, such as WhatsApp, into the educational process. It suggests that the strategic use of such applications could serve as an effective supplement to traditional teaching methods, with the potential to significantly enhance learning outcomes.
The Development of Wattpad Digital Fiction Story Ideas in Response to Readers’ Feedback
Authors: Darlis Tiara Saputri , Muliastuti Liliana , Leiliyanti Eva
Published: October 2023

Digital literature is literature in electronic/digital media. Such literature offers a forum for intensive communication, in which readers may provide suggestions, ideas, opinions, and comments. This feedback can provide new insights for a digital fiction storyline. This is what is called as a collaborative idea. The information transfer process on Wattpad uses the circular model of communication created by Osgood and Schramm during 1954. This research is conducted using the phenomenological method. The data is taken from a popular novel entitled The Devil's Own. The data is grouped using the theory of readers’ comments patterns on digital literature. The results of this study show that the transfer of information on the Wattpad digital platform can be in the form of ideas, criticism, opinions, suggestions, and information, each of which represents a two-way form of interaction between the readers and the writer. This interaction continues until the work is complete. In the collaborative idea phase, the digital literary work is enriched through the process of combining the writer’s and the readers’ ideas. The combined ideas may contribute to further development of the story.
Probing the Meaning Loss in the Translation of Arabic Qur’ānic Connotative Words Into English: A Linguistic Semantic Perspective
Authors: Abdelkarim Majda B. A. , Alhaj Ali A. M.
Published: October 2023

Linguistic, cultural, and lexical knowledge is essential when rendering the Arabic Qur’ānic connotative words into English. The existing renderings show that the translation of Arabic Qur’ānic connotative meaning is an arduous task and presents sometimes insurmountable challenges. This study endeavored to probe the meaning loss in the translation of some selected Arabic Qur’ānic connotative words into English that is from linguistic and semantic perspectives by examining three notable translations of the Noble Qur’ān which have been extracted from The Qur’ānic Arabic Corpus. They are the works of Abdelhaleem (2004), Al- Hilali and Khan (1996) and Pickthall (1930). This study, which is qualitative descriptive in nature, utilized Nord's (2005) model of text analysis in translation. Findings showed that a literal or word-for-word rendering is not the appropriate method to use when translating the Arabic Qur’ānic connotative words into English. The semantic translation method may be more useful in conveying the connotations of The Noble Qur’ān into English and in coping with this phenomenon that is commonly met in the translations of the Arabic Qur’ānic connotative words, due to causes such as the dearth of equivalence of some connotative words in English language.
The Use of English Pragmatic Markers by Learners of English in Interlanguage Communication
Authors: Pan Zhaoyi
Published: October 2023

This research examined two interpersonal-centered pragmatic markers, well and you know, used by Thai ESL learners at two levels of English proficiency. It used a quantitative approach to determine the difference in the use of the two pragmatic markers between the two proficiency levels, and it used a qualitative approach to identify each function of the two pragmatic markers. From an examination of the use of the two pragmatic markers by 60 Thai ESL learners, this research found a significant difference of using well between the two proficiency levels, while no significant difference of using you know between the two proficiency levels. This finding indicates a dissimilarity of the use of the English pragmatic markers by Thai ESL learners in interlanguage communication. The analysis of the pragmatic functions used by Thai ESL learners in this research suggested that a more limited range was used compared to previous research. Finally, this research found no significant difference in the use of each function of both pragmatic markers, which can be explained by the rare use of both pragmatic markers and their pragmatic functions by Thai ESL learners. Overall, the findings revealed that Thai ESL learners had a deficiency in the use of the pragmatic markers in interlanguage communication in English, which may lead to a lack of pragmatic competence among Thai ESL learners.
Barriers of Culture Integration Into Distance EFL Teaching: Teachers’ Perspectives
Authors: AlQbailat Naji M. , Hicham Khalid B. , Qattam Msallam F. Abu
Published: October 2023

The present study aims to investigate teachers’ attitudes toward the integration of culture within the distance English language education process. With relevant theoretical background, this paper will particularly probe EFL teachers’ perceptions of the barriers hindering them from integrating culture into their distance learning (DL) classes. Data was collected from 66 teachers of secondary schools in different cities in Morocco and Jordan following the mixed method research design (questionnaires and interviews). The findings demonstrated that teachers exhibited enough willingness to support the cultural objectives, yet limited is the culture integration in the distance teaching of the English language. Based on the study findings, this study offers some inferences and recommendations for curriculum developers, material designers, teachers, and practitioners who already use or are considering using online tools with regard to culture learning and the teaching process.
A CiteSpace-Based Analysis of the Application of Discourse Analysis in Legal Texts
Authors: Guo Run , Song Xinyue , Lu Shan
Published: October 2023

Discourse analysis has been applied for several decades in legal text research. To clarify the development tendencies and research foci of this field, this study takes the Web of Science core collection as the data source and deploys CiteSpace scientometric analysis technology to clarify the development tendencies and research foci of this field. As it turns out, the research status, hotspots, and frontiers in this field have been identified. The analysis of recent literature reveals that: (1) Universities in Europe and the United States, particularly renowned law schools, are the most active research institutions, while there is little close contact between writers and institutions. (2) The interaction between law and society is the research’s primary focus, and critical discourse analysis reveals a significant development trend. (3) Cross-legal and cross-linguistic integration are the main areas of research that coincide with global demands. To throw some light on potential future studies, this article uses a bibliometric technique to review prior publications on the topic.
Unpacking Language Hybridity: Functions of Code-Switching in Diasporic Arab Texts
Authors: Djeghoubbi Mouna , Abusalim Nimer , Rayyan Mohammad
Published: October 2023

This research intends to shed light on the functions of literary code-switching in diasporic Arab texts with a focus on De Niro’s game (2006) by Rawi Hage and Salt Houses (2017) by Hala Alyan. The aim was to provide an insightful analysis of the functions of literary code-switching. Accordingly, a combination of Callahan's (2004) and Montes-Alcalá's (2012) models was adopted for the sake of the analysis. The combination of both models resulted in a total of ten categories of functions of literary code-switching. The findings of this paper revealed that literary code-switching in Arab diasporic fiction achieved all the ten proposed functions with varying degrees of frequency. Further, the results of this research demonstrated that literary code-switching is not a random or unsystematic practice. Rather, it is seen as a valid literary device exploited by diasporic writers to achieve certain literary functions and stylistic effects.
STATE OF RESEARCH ON E-ASSESSMENT IN EDUCATION: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS
Authors: TONBULOGLU Betul
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to reveal the trend of research on e-assessment in the field of educational sciences through scientific mapping and bibliometric analyses. For this purpose, the numerical distribution of research on e-assessment, citation analysis, research themes and the change of trend topics were examined. The publications to be examined were selected from WoS database according to PRISMA model, and 911 studies were included in the analysis. VOSviewer, Biblioshiny, Smart Bibliometrics and Leximancer software were used in data analysis. Apparently, there has been a significant increase in the number of research since 2005, and publications have been mostly produced in form of articles and papers. The most cited and the most productive countries are the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia, while the most cited journals are Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education and British Journal of Educational Technology. An analysis of the keyword map revealed that the themes of technology and motivation, blended learning and collaboration, interaction and innovative approaches, validity and reliability, higher education, quality, basic disciplines and Covid-19 were frequently emphasized in the studies on e-assessment. An analysis of trend topics by years showed that, between 2010 and 2021, the trend topic distribution changed to include topics such as Covid-19, academic integrity, engagement, cheating, case study, and higher education. All these findings reveal that e-evaluation activities have displayed a development and transformation over time with the effect of developing technology, the pandemic, the spread of e-learning, the expansion of communication opportunities and many other factors.
ASSESSMENT OF SYNCHRONOUS ONLINE ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION FROM STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE
Authors: ALTINTAS KAPTAN Meric , EDIS Ecem , UNLU Aslıhan
Published: October 2023

This research aims to identify and investigate different dimensions and underlying factors influencing the successful implementation of e-Learning, from participants’ viewpoint, i.e. architecture students. To examine the constituents of an effective e-Learning experience in education, evaluation themes were formulated as overall substitutability level, cognitive performance, social interaction and engagement, student comprehension and comfort, personal preference, and learners’ satisfaction. Through literature survey and review of mostly referred factors affecting e-Learning efficiency, four dimensions were designated for further elaboration in this study: (i) course characteristics, (ii) participant characteristics, (iii) e-Learning environment, and (iv) prior acquaintance, with each category including several sub-measures. Survey method was employed and a questionnaire was administered to 122 architecture students at both undergraduate and graduate levels to investigate participant perspectives in reference to particular synchronous lectures delivered online. Out of ten potential influencing factors hypothesized, seven were verified to be critical determinants of e-Learning effectiveness in architectural education.
A study on association between non alcoholic fatty liver disease and ischemic heart disease in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: A Ranjan , B Banerjee , S Das , L Biswas , SK Pal
Published: October 2023

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often an incidental finding in a large subset of Indian population, who because of their sedentary life style are more prone to ischaemic heart disease (IHD). This study was aimed at determining the association between NAFLD and IHD, with and without traditional risk factors for ischemic heart disease and to determine the relationship between the ischemic heart disease and severity of NAFLD. Materials and methods: It was a prospective comparative study among patients who got admitted in General Medicine ward or visited OPD of our institute from February 2020 to September 2021. Patients selected were divided into two groups- Study arm included patients with clinical features and investigations suggestive of ischemic heart disease. Control arm patients were age (+/-5years) matched people coming to hospital with infections/ illness not affecting liver, and without any history of ischaemic heart disease. We did check for NAFLD in these patients and tried to determine the association with IHD. Results: Significant number of patients (68.5%) had NAFLD in the study arm patients who were admitted for IHD in comparison to only 33.3% (p value-<0.001). Study arm had 31% patients with grade 2 or more NAFLD in comparison to 17% of control arm patients. There was significant association present between IHD and Severity of NAFLD (p value<0.05). Conclusion: NAFLD should be considered a risk factor of IHD, and should prompt clinicians to search for other cardiovascular risk factors and intervene at earliest.