bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the potentiality of murumuru husk ash, an amazonian agroindustrial waste, as a filler to structural concrete
Authors: Souza Milleno Ramos de , Teixeira Marcelo Rassy , Cordeiro Luciana de Nazaré Pinheiro , Sousa Fernanda dos Santos , Gonçalves Andrey da Costa , Vieira Filho Arudá Gomes
Published: September 2023

Abstract This research paper focuses on the use of murumuru husk ash (MHA), an agro-industrial waste generated specifically in the Amazon region, as partial replacement of cement in structural concrete. It also evaluates the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the ash to act as filler in concrete and its properties in the fresh and hardened states in concrete. To this end, the MHA performed physical-mechanical characterization tests, such as specific mass, pozzolanic activity with Portland cement, pozzolanic activity with lime, and BET test, also performing the mineralogical and chemical analysis of the ash. The results showed that there is technical feasibility with partial replacement of 6% of MHA in cement using plasticizer additive to improve workability, thus showing an improvement in the physical-mechanical and durability properties of the concrete.
Investigation of an alternative system for monitoring strains in reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Pes Fernanda Petry , Rocha Marcelo Maia , Lazzari Paula Manica
Published: September 2023

Abstract In civil engineering, variations in material properties together with the application of different construction techniques and environmental conditions may not be fully considered in structural designs, which could lead to structural damages. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) makes it possible to follow the behavior of a structure, allowing the evaluation of its conditions and the investigation of its damages and need for interventions. However, SHM is not commonly applied yet due to its high instrumentation cost and the complexity of its procedures. Therefore, the present work aims the development of a low-cost strain measurement system for reinforced concrete structures composed of strain gages, amplifiers, signal converters, and microprocessors. Thus, an easy-to-use and low-cost data system composed of an AD620 amplifier module and an ADS1115 converter was built. Additionally, to facilitate field instrumentations, a steel plate with strain gages arranged in a full Wheatstone bridge was also built. The evaluation of the system was conducted by lab testing a column, four-point bending tests of four beams, and the field monitoring of two columns in a residential building during construction. The results showed that the proposed system performed satisfactorily, being able to accurately measure the strains in reinforced concrete structures.
Investigation of an outbreak of disease compatible with scurvy in a male penitentiary in the state of Ceará, Brazil, 2019-2020: a case-control study
Authors: Freitas Leonardo José Alves de , Camelo Fernanda Sindeaux , Borges Maria Júlia Araújo , Gomes Ricristhi Gonçalves de Aguiar , Almeida Magda Moura de , Silva Danniely Carolinne Soares da , Garcia Márcio Henrique de Oliveira , Santos Elizabeth David dos
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the occurrence of an outbreak compatible with scurvy and exposure factors associated with typical signs/symptoms of hypovitaminosis that occurred in a male penitentiary in Ceará, Brazil between 2019-2020. Methods: this was a population-based case-control study; we used clinical records and interviews with compatible cases - based on sign/symptom onset during the study period - and with controls; we carried out multivariate analysis. Results: out of 62 cases, mean age was 40.6 years (SD = 10.8); main signs/symptoms were edema and pain in the lower limbs (100.0%), difficulty in walking (91.9%), hematoma/ecchymosis in the lower limbs (90.3%) and fever (88.7%); we identified being over 40 years old as an associated factor (aOR = 1.10; 95%CI 1.05;1.17; p-value = 0.001); and as protective factors: working (aOR = 0.11; 95%CI 0.03;0.36; p-value < 0.001) and taking part in classes (aOR = 0.21; 95%CI 0.08;0.59; p-value = 0.003) in the prison. Conclusion: we considered the penitentiary outbreak to be compatible with scurvy due to characteristic signs/symptoms, associated with the identified factors; we recommended regular provision of a diet rich in vitamin C to all male inmates and clinical follow-up of cases.
Clinical-epidemiological characteristics and temporal trend of new cases of grade 2 disability leprosy in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, 2011- 2020
Authors: Moreira Rodolfo José de Oliveira , Bezerra Janaína Miranda , Santos Floriacy Stabnow , Pascoal Lívia Maia , Santos Leonardo Hunaldo dos , Santos Neto Marcelino
Published: September 2023

Abstract Objective: to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of new cases of grade 2 disability leprosy and to analyze its trend in the state of Maranhão, from 2011 to 2020. Methods: this was a descriptive cross-sectional and ecological time-series study, using data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System. A descriptive analysis of the event was carried out according to the sociodemographic and clinical-laboratory characteristics of the cases. The temporal trend of event incidence was analyzed using Prais-Winsten regression. Results: of the 2,147 cases, 71.5% were male, 48.9% had up to 8 years of schooling, 66.5% were of mixed race/color, 95.5% had the multibacillary form, 58.8% were borderline, 32.3% had negative bacilloscopy at diagnosis. There was a stationary trend in the state and a falling trend in the São Luís Health Region (annual percentage change = -64.4%; 95% confidence interval: -73.7;-51.9). Conclusion: incidence trend was stable in the state of Maranhão and falling in São Luís.
POSSIBILIDADES E LIMITES DAS ASSESSORIAS DE PARTICIPAÇÃO SOCIAL E DIVERSIDADE NO DESENHO DA ARQUITETURA INSTITUCIONAL DO GOVERNO FEDERAL
Authors: Souza Clovis
Published: September 2023

Diante do desmantelamento da política de participação social no Brasil ocorrido entre 2014 e 2022, o artigo analisa potenciais e limites da criação em 2023 de Assessorias de Participação Social na estrutura ministerial do governo federal. Para conhecer a gênese de tais órgãos, foram analisados documentos e realizadas conversas com integrantes da Comissão de Transição Governamental. Para compreender o posicionamento das Assessorias na arquitetura institucional, foram analisados decretos de organização dos ministérios e do Sistema de Participação Social. A pesquisa dialoga com o contexto de retomada e redesenho de mecanismos de promoção da participação social, entendendo que é possível mobilizar capacidades estatais de ordem institucional, política, administrativa e técnica para efetivar a gestão participativa de políticas públicas. Diante do desafio de identificar quais são as condições de ação para a promoção da participação social, o trabalho verifica que a criação das Assessorias e do Sistema potencialmente mobiliza capacidades estatais, mesmo enfrentando limitações neste início de funcionamento.
Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Breast Ultrasound
Authors: Irmici Giovanni , Cè Maurizio , Pepa Gianmarco Della , D'Ascoli Elisa , De Berardinis Claudia , Giambersio Emilia , Rabiolo Lidia , La Rocca Ludovica , Carriero Serena , Depretto Catherine , Scaperrotta Gianfranco , Cellina Michaela
Published: September 2023

Breast ultrasound has emerged as a valuable imaging modality in the detection and characterization of breast lesions, particularly in women with dense breast tissue or contraindications for mammography. Within this framework, artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered significant attention for its potential to improve diagnostic accuracy in breast ultrasound and revolutionize the workflow. This review article aims to comprehensively explore the current state of research and development in harnessing AI's capabilities for breast ultrasound. We delve into various AI techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, as well as their applications in automating lesion detection, segmentation, and classification tasks. Furthermore, the review addresses the challenges and hurdles faced in implementing AI systems in breast ultrasound diagnostics, such as data privacy, interpretability, and regulatory approval. Ethical considerations pertaining to the integration of AI into clinical practice are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a patient-centered approach. The integration of AI into breast ultrasound holds great promise for improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing efficiency, and ultimately advancing patient's care. By examining the current state of research and identifying future opportunities, this review aims to contribute to the understanding and utilization of AI in breast ultrasound and encourage further interdisciplinary collaboration to maximize its potential in clinical practice.
Frequency dependence of acoustic emission with particle interaction and failure process in dry sands during triaxial compression
Authors: Lin Wenli , LIU Ang , MAO Wuwei , KOSEKI Junichi
Published: September 2023

To investigate the behaviour of sands at the particle-scale during shear failure, a series of triaxial compression tests was conducted on dry sands with varying confining stresses and relative densities. These tests were complemented by acoustic emission (AE) monitoring to analyse the frequency-dependent AE signals and characterise particle interactions in terms of crushing (>100 kHz) and rearrangement (<100 kHz). The results reveal a linear relationship between the relative breakage index (Br) and the logarithm of cumulative high-frequency AE hits, regardless of the relative density. With this, particle crushing, as well as particle rearrangement, is demonstrated to occur throughout the entire shearing. Particle crushing increases more rapidly to prevail from the very beginning to the general yield, thereafter at a slower increasing rate to become less predominant. Its evolution in the post-peak regime is related to the failure pattern, which accumulates at a constant and most rapid rate when the specimen is ‘barrelling’; however, it decays rapidly in the presence of shear banding and eventually reaches an equilibrium state with particle rearrangement once the critical stress state is attained. Accordingly, two types of approximate evolution trends are suggested to estimate particle crushing upon shearing depending on the failure patterns.
Applicants’ Faith in Recruiters’ Intuition Predicts Process Favorability for the Unstructured Employment Interview
Authors: Sinclair Samantha
Published: September 2023

The unstructured employment interview is one of the most popular selection tools among employers and applicants alike. Although past research has shed light on some explanations for practitioners’ preferences for unstructured methods, less is known about the reasons for their popularity among applicants. One reason might be that applicants overestimate recruiters’ intuitive abilities to make judgments about applicant characteristics based on resumes and interviews. The results of this study (N = 345) suggest that recruiters are perceived as much better than laypeople at making judgments about applicants based on resume screening and interviews, and that faith in recruiters’ intuition predicts process favorability for unstructured employment interviews. Moreover, this association remained significant when accounting for attitudes to structured interviews, perceived recruiter expertise, and attitudes to holistic versus mechanic methods in general. The results suggest that overestimation of recruiters’ intuitive expertise may help explain why many people prefer unstructured selection methods.
The Body that Writes: Gender, Class and the Abject Female Body in Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites (2013)
Authors: Massoura Kiriaki -
Published: September 2023

Hannah Kent’s debut novel Burial Rites (2013) is a historical true-crime novel that recovers the story of a female perpetrator, Agnes Magnúsdóttir, sentenced to death for her part in a gruesome double murder in nineteenth-century Iceland. This article reads Kent’s novel, which draws on painstaking research, as a work of feminist revisionism that is part of a genealogy of historical fiction by and about women that seeks to adopt and indeed adapt the true-crime genre for the recovery of historical women’s voices from the margins, the best-known example of which remains Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace (1996). However, while Kent’s work shares many features with Atwood’s work, I contend that what sets Burial Rites apart from its predecessors is the way Kent skillfully handles Agnes’s ambiguous body as text. The article consequently models a reading of Kent’s true-crime feminist historical fiction via Julia Kristeva’s theory of abjection and Judith Butler’s theory of gender performance to reveal how the novel unpicks the workings of gender, class and sexuality in nineteenth-century Iceland in a bid to retrieve Agnes from historical archival obscurity and restore her as part of feminist historiography. 
Study of energy dissipation and rigidity of welded joints obtained by pressure butt welding
Authors:   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation, Maytakov Anatoly , Grachev Alexey ,   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation, Popov Anatoly ,   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation, Li Sergey ,   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation, Vetrova Nadezhda ,   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation, Plotnikov Konstantin ,   Kemerovo State University, Russian Federation
Published: September 2023

Introduction. When studying the energy dissipation associated with internal friction in a weld, it is extremely important to choose a measurement technique, since the reliability and integrity of the data obtained depends on it. At the same time, it is necessary to investigate the change in internal friction depending on the presence of defects in the weld. Of the variety of methods for non-destructive testing of joints obtained by pressure welding, only ultrasonic is currently used. However, lightly oxidized lacks of welding penetration are not detected, which can be detected only in the presence of other defects accompanying it. Compounds of dissimilar materials are not controlled by ultrasound at all. Therefore, the development of non-destructive testing methods for such compounds is very relevant. The purpose of the work: to find a procedure for testing the quality of a welded joint in metals and alloys that will be a quick and simple alternative to the known methods of non-destructive testing, by measuring the energy dissipation in the weld of the sample by the static hysteresis loop method. The method of investigation is non-destructive quality control of the welded joint in metals and alloys by measuring the energy dissipation in the weld of the sample by the static hysteresis loop method. Results and discussion. It is established that with an increase in the lacks of welding penetration, the energy dissipation increases at the same values of the torque amplitude under static loading conditions. The rigidity of the qualitative welded joints remains constant, and the joints with lacks of welding penetration decrease with increasing torque amplitude. The relationship of strength with stiffness and damping ability obtained by the static hysteresis loop method is preserved for various structural states of the sample material.
Simulation of the rolling process of a laminated composite AMg3/D16/AMg3
Authors:   Institute of New Materials and Technologies, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Salikhyanov Denis ,   Institute of Engineering Science, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Michurov Nikolay ,   Institute of Engineering Science, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg,   Ural Institute of State Fire Service of EMERCOM of Russia, Ekaterinburg
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Over the past decades, laminated composites based on aluminum alloys have been increasingly used in the aerospace and automotive industries. Laminated composites are usually produced by accumulative roll bonding, which results in the metallurgical bonding of initially prepared sheets. Hence, the main task of accumulative roll bonding is to obtain a reliable bond between materials. However, at present, the process of joining similar or dissimilar materials by plastic deformation is still a poorly understood phenomenon. In this regard, in recent years, methods of finite element modeling of the processes of joining materials have begun to develop intensively. The purpose of the work is to establish a relationship between stress-strain state parameters and the formation of a stable bond between aluminum alloys of different compositions. To achieve this goal, the following tasks are formulated: 1. Simulation of the laminated composite “AMg3/D16/AMg3” rolling process using data corresponding to physical experiments carried out at the Institute of Engineering Science of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; 2. Selection and analysis of the most important stress-strain state parameters of the laminated composite “AMg3/D16/AMg3” rolling process. Research methods. Process simulation system Deform-3D was chosen as the main research tool. Results and Discussion. An analysis of the coordinate grid distortion and velocity vectors of material flow of layers revealed that the deformation is distributed inhomogeneously in the cross section after rolling: the outer layers flow more intensively compared to the middle layer. The maximum scatter of strain intensity ei in the cross section, observed at a maximum reduction ratio of 75%, is 12%. This allows one to accept for analytical calculations in the first approximation the assumption of deformation uniformity. A relationship is established between the beginning of the formation of a bond between composite layers and the threshold expansion of the contact surface and normal pressure at the interlayer boundary. In the final part of the study, future directions for improving the approaches of simulation the laminated composites rolling processes are proposed.
Diseases affecting the coffee crop: Elucidating the life cycle of Rust,Thread Blight and Cercospora Leaf Spot
Authors: Moreira-Morrillo Anthony A. , Vélez-Zambrano Jean P. , Intra Moreira Silvino , Garcés-Fiallos Felipe R.
Published: September 2023

Coffee (Coffea spp.) is the second most significant commodity worldwide, with C. arabica being its most representative species. The coffee crop is affected by different fungal diseases that reduce the photosynthetically active area of its leaves and the production of grains. In order of agronomic importance, the rust caused by the biotrophic pathogen Hemileia vastatrix is a disease difficult to manage due to its type of reproduction. Another no less important, Thread Blight, caused by the basidiomycetes Ceratobasidium noxium (Syn. Corticium koleroga) and C. chavesanum, affects all aerial tissues of plants. The third disease, Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora coffeicola, affects both leaves and grains, making it difficult to manage. Although there is enough scientific information on Rust, very little is known about the etiology, symptomatology, life cycle, and management of Thread Blight and Cercospora leaf spot. High-resolution photographs and micrographs were used and related with available scientific information. In addition, current scientific information on each disease was compiled, and with that, the life cycles were developed. Likewise, this manuscript describes the management of the three diseases based mainly on the use of genetic, cultural, physical, biological, and chemical measures and their integration as a sustainable alternative in the coffee agroecosystem. Current and future challenges in coffee include the evaluation of cultivars, genetic diversity of Ceratobasidium spp. and C. coffeicola, plant-pathogen interactions, and agroecological management practices.
Dynamics of the incidence of non-melanoma malignant neoplasms in the Republic of Uzbekistan for the 2018–2022
Authors: Polatova D. Sh. , Ibragimova D. А. , Madaminov А. Yu. , Davletov R. R. , Savkin А. V. , Karimova N. M. , Nurjabov А. I. , Аsamedinov N. K. , Xamidullaeva O. O.
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMNCs) are the most common human malignancies and have been on the rise for many years. These tumors is a large heterogeneous group that most often occurs in people over 65 years of age, which is a minority of the population of Uzbekistan. Which means that the calculation of standardized indicators allows us to reveal the true picture of the incidence, adjusted for the age limit.

Aim. To study and analyze the incidence rates of non-melanoma malignant skin tumors at the national level.

Materials and methods. We conducted a retrospective search in the cancer registry databases for the period from 2018 to 2022 at Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Oncology and Radiology using International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10th revision codes C44.0–C44.9. The study included all initially identified patients aged 18 years and older with a histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of basal or squamous cell carcinoma. All patients were divided into 5-year age intervals to calculate standardized indicators according to the world standard.

Results. In total, 4986 cases of NMNCs were detected in Uzbekistan for the period 2018-2022. The results of the analysis of the study showed that the standardized incidence rates were higher than the intensive rates in all years for 2018–2022. From 2018 to 2020, the standardized incidence rate of NMNCs decreased by 33 %. In 2022, it was 3.8 (which is 15 % lower than in 2018). Standardized incidence rates in patients under the age of 40 increased by 50 % from 2018 to 2022, which may indicate a younger incidence of NMNCs.

Conclusion. Studying and understanding current epidemiological trends in NMLCs is critical to achieving early and adequate control of these common skin cancers. Effective strategies for primary prevention and screening of skin cancer need to be developed to reduce morbidity and mortality from NMNCs.
АVERAGE ANNUAL WATER FLOW OF THE RIVERS OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS IN THE HIGH-WATER AND LOW-WATER PHASES OF THE WATER LEVEL
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Lukіanets O.I. , Obodovskyi O.H. ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Moskalenko S.O. ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: September 2023

he assessment of the average annual runoff of the rivers of the Ukrainian Carpathians in the high-water and low-water phases of water was carried out on the basis of a stochastic analysis and the identification of characteristic patterns of alternation of such periods within the boundaries of the Tisza, Dniester, Prut and Siret river systems. The study was carried out using a methodological base based on statistical means of generalization, data systematization, methods for estimating temporal random sequences, methods for analyzing the long-term variability of time series of water runoff characteristics and identifying their structure. As a result of the study, the variability in the structure of the time series of the average annual water discharge of the rivers of the Ukrainian Carpathians is clearly revealed. Such variability is similar for rivers within the studied river systems and is characterized by common patterns of stochastic relationships and cyclic fluctuations. The high reliability of cycles with periods of 29 ± 2 years indicates a stable recurrence of periods of high and low water content. The graphs of the relationships between the average annual water discharges during the periods of high and low water content and their average long-term values for the rivers of the Tisza, Prut and Siret river systems on the right bank of the Dniester showed that the qualitative characteristics of such relationships are assessed as very high. The estimates of water discharge in the water phase for the rivers of the Tisza, Prut, Siret and the right bank of the Dniester basins were checked using regression equations in comparison with empirical data and their high reliability (the probability of not exceeding probable deviations in dry periods was 77%, in high-water periods – 95%), which made it possible to generalize the probable expected average water discharges in the high-water and low-water phases of the cycle, depending on the average long-term values for the rivers of the studied basins of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Such generalizations can be used for prognostic estimates of possible values of water discharge in high-water and low-water phases for any river of the Ukrainian Carpathians. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account in which system of rivers it is located, to know the average long-term water discharge and the time frame and the chronology of the water phases.
MODERN CONDITIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF THE STABILITY OF RIVERBEDS IN THE DNIPRO BASIN AREA (WITHIN UKRAINE)
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Obodovskyi O.H. , Korniіenko V. O. ,   Ukrainian hydrometeorological center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Perevozchykov I. M. ,   Ukrainian hydrometeorological center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Published: September 2023

Assessment of the stability of riverbeds is one of the most important components in the analysis of riverbed processes and is of great practical importance. At the same time, it includes an ecological content, which is primarily related to the analysis and forecast of the intensity of channel deformations, which can significantly affect the conditions of life and management within the river channel-flood complex. The concept of stability of riverbeds consists in their comparison based on the quantitative assessment of conditions and the rate of manifestation of channel deformations. The study of channel processes in rivers and the conditions that shape their stability is closely related to the mechanism of water erosion in their basins. Therefore, for a more objective assessment of channel processes in general and the stability of river channels in particular, it is necessary to take into account all water-erosion processes in the river basin. Research and classification of various approaches to assessing the stability of riverbeds has been carried out. An additional substantiation of the erosion resistance indicator Lo was confirmed and conducted. A retrospective analysis of its spatio-temporal changes in the erosion coefficient and erosion resistance index was carried out based on the data of 17 representative hydrological stations located on the rivers of the Dnieper basin (within Ukraine). The research results confirmed the low variability of the Lo indicator during the last 30 years with the presence of a tendency to increase the stability of riverbeds according to this indicator. A comparative analysis with other indicators of stability shows the best coincidence of the erosion indicator of channel stability Lo and the indicator of relative invariance Mx, which can be recommended for further use in the study of channel formation processes of the indicated rivers.
ASSESSMENT OF THE UNIFORMITY OF SERIES OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE QUANTITY OF ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATION AND WATER LEVELS ON WATER BODIES IN THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE KHMELNYTSKA NPP
Authors:   National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Kholodenko V.S , Basyuk T.O. ,   National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Budz O.P. ,   National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Hopchak I.V. ,   State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, Kholodenko A.O. ,   Kyiv University of Law, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Rivne Institute
Published: September 2023

The energy strategy of Ukraine until 2030 envisages the completion and commissioning of power units 3 and 4 at the Khmelnytskyi NPP. An important factor in the correct, uninterrupted operation of the Khao NPP is the availability of appropriate water resources and water levels that can be restored with the help of precipitation, as well as flow regulation. During the research period from 2019 to 2023, the cooling pond of Khao NPP was not recharged by pumping water from the Horyn River. The research methodology is based on the application of the hydrological-genetic and statistical method. The homogeneity of the series of observations according to statistical parametric and non-parametric criteria was determined; integrated total curves of water levels were constructed; graphs of surfaces are constructed; the precipitation unevenness coefficient was calculated. The possibility and expediency of applying statistical criteria to assess the significance of the presence of trends, which were revealed based on the data of observations of water levels and precipitation for the Horyn River near the village, is substantiated. Yampil and in the Khao NPP cooling pond. It was established that in most cases, the heterogeneity of the observation series can be influenced by anthropogenic factors, such as the regulation of the reservoir, the operation of reclamation systems, agricultural fields, overgrowth of the banks of the pond, siltation and waterlogging, floodplain meadows, and others. In cases of insignificant annual distribution of precipitation in the Yampil River and in the Khao NPP cooling pond, the latter does not have a significant impact on the distribution of water levels in them.
FEATURES OF DISTRIBUTION OF THE EASILY-OXIDIZABLE DISSOLVED ORGANIC SUBSTANCES IN WATER OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF KYIV WATER BODIES
Authors:   Institute of hydrobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Osypenko V.P.
Published: September 2023

The results of study of the easily-oxidizable dissolved organic substances distribution in different Kyiv water bodies are described and discussed. Especially such classes of organic matters as carbohydrates and protein-like substances are investigated. In comparative tables the main hydrochemical characteristics on both the pure water part of lakes and the aquatic overgrowth part of lakes are presented. In particular the indexes of pH, dissolved oxygen concentration, the values of the total dissolved organic substances content according to parameters of chemical oxygen consumption (COC) by permanganat and bihromate oxidizability methods, carbohydrates and protein-like substances concentrations are difined. Also the concentrations of organic carbon (Corg.) and mass parts of different organic compounds in the total dissolved organic substances content are calculated. Among the water bodies studied by us, we observed a slight advantage of the total content of easily-oxidizable dissolved organic substances in overgrowth of higher aquatic plants (an average of 13,0 mg/dm3) over those in pure water (an average of 11,6 mg/dm3). But as all investigated urban water bodies are under significant anthropogenic load, not only natural organic substances but also pollutants could be in the water. The carbohydrates and protein-like substances concentrations, on the contrary, was lower in overgrowth areas of water bodies (an average of 3,10 and 0,58 mg/dm3 respectively). This fact, together with the low content of oxygen dissolved in water (an average of 4,9 mg/dm3), may indicate on the high degree of assimilation by aquatic plants of these organic components necessary for their growth and, as a result, on the ability of the water bodies to self-clean.
The Financial Literacy of College Students
Authors:   , Intoccia Thomas K. , Kong Peggy
Published: September 2023

Financial literacy is a persistent problem in society, exemplified by poor financial knowledge among college students and exacerbated by high student debt and inadequate understanding of savings concepts. The goal of this study was to better understand how college students develop financial literacy. This qualitative exploratory case study was guided by the overarching research question: How do students at a large northeastern university develop their financial knowledge? Sub-questions of this study were: (a) In what ways do students' family experiences influence their financial attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors? (b) How do students describe their financial attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors after completing the financial literacy course at a large northeastern university? To understand how college students develop financial knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, this study focused on 10 college students who completed a financial literacy course and on students' financial experiences with family and non-family socializers. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to illuminate the experiences of the selected college students. Findings from the study suggest that students gain financial knowledge and confidence both from family and non-family members as well as from financial literacy classes. Students described being directly and indirectly financially socialized by family and non-family members. After taking the financial literacy course, students perceived an increase in general financial knowledge, specifically regarding stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts, and debt. Moreover, five of the ten participants described behavioral changes after taking the financial literacy course, including establishing credit, using budgeting apps, opening investment and individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs), and investing in mutual funds. Findings from the study suggest that students have a strong interest in learning about investments and a strong understanding of debt and credit concepts, and that their direct financial socialization may influence both knowledge and behaviors. To bolster college students' financial knowledge and confidence, it is recommended that institutions of higher education provide financial literacy courses. Future research could evaluate financial literacy course effectiveness and explore the concept of indirect financial socialization.
Los obiter dictum como discursos del poder. Estudio a partir del caso Fernández de Kirchner
Authors: Piana Ricardo Sebastian , Arévalo Martín
Published: September 2023

La actividad judicial, diseñada constitucionalmente como un mero control técnico, se ha modificado gradualmente por el control de constitucionalidad, la judicialización de la política y el activismo judicial, aspectos bien estudiados por los necesarios equilibrios de los poderes públicos. Mientras que los obiter dictum en las sentencias suelen estudiarse para descartar lo dicho al pasar de los holding del fallo, sin embargo, pueden resultar un mecanismo más lábil por parte de los jueces, pero eficiente al fin, para introducir consideraciones de tipo políticas. En este artículo se propone estudiar, a partir del análisis hermenéutico y contextual de la causa “Fernández de Kirchner, Cristina en carácter de Presidenta del Honorable Senado de la Nación S/Acción declarativa de certeza”, los obiter dictum de esta sentencia como pronunciamientos políticos de la Corte. Se puede concluir como estos elementos, desdeñados como secundarios, resultan importantes a la hora del estudio de una sentencia judicial por ser un aspecto más que exterioriza la politicidad de la función judicial.
Nivel de conocimiento sobre la artritis reumatoi- de en la población adulta del Paraguay de febrero a marzo del 2022
Authors: Cuellar Verónica , Ibarra Paola , González Iris , Giménez Luz , Vera Iván , Insfran Eliana , Acosta María Eugenia , Aria Laura
Published: September 2023

La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que afecta las articulaciones, con una etiología poco conocida. Alrededor del 1% de la población mundial padece esta enfermedad sin distinción de etnias, con preferencia en mujeres de 40 a 50 años de edad. Objetivo: Describir el nivel de conocimiento sobre la artritis reumatoide en adultos del Paraguay de febrero a marzo del 2022. Métodos: se diseñó un estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, se realizó una encuesta a personas residentes en Paraguay. Se aplicó un muestreo no probabilístico, de tipo bola de nieve para la recolección de datos que consistió en una encuesta online difundida por vía WhatsApp. Resultados: se analizó 103 encuestas recolectadas de ciudades urbanas y rurales del Paraguay sobre el conocimiento de la artritis reumatoide, la mediana de edad fue de 23 años +/- RI 12, el máximo de edad fue de 78 años y el mínimo fue de18 años. En cuanto al conocimiento de la enfermedad, el 67,6%conoce sobre la enfermedad, el 80% la definieron correctamente; el 81% conoce los síntomas y el 54% conoce las causas de la artritis reumatoide. Conclusiones: se debe tomar importancia y dar una mirada a la cuestión del conocimiento que la población posee acerca de la artritis reumatoide, a pesar de que existe un nivel mayoritario de conocimiento aún, sigue persistiendo un desconocimiento de cierta proporción de individuos, por ende, la integración de ciertos métodos didácticos o un plan que facilite el aprendizaje de la sociedad sobre este tema sería un objetivo y una meta fundamental.
Development of Mobile-Based Digital Learning Materials in Blended Learning Oriented to Students' Mathematical Literacy
Authors:   the Universitas Pasundan, Indonesia, Yaniawati Poppy , Fisher Dahlia , Permadi Yudi Dwi , Yatim Siti Ainor Mohd
Published: September 2023

This study aims to analyze the development and effectiveness of mobile-based sequences and a series of digital learning materials through a blended learning model for students’ mathematical literacy. This research is Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate (ADDIE) model development research with the mixed method, the convergent parallel design. The population was from class X State Vocational School (SMK) in Majalengka, Indonesia, with a sample of 36 students of class X SMK. The instruments used were validation sheets, questionnaires, and tests of mathematical literacy skills. The results of this study indicate that: 1) mobile-based digital learning materials through blended learning models are oriented towards students’ mathematical literacy skills, including appropriate use; 2) the implementation of blended learning in the use of digital materials with mobile-based sequences and series materials oriented towards mathematical literacy has great effectiveness; and 3) students’ mathematical literacy using mobile-based digital learning materials in blended learning is in the moderate category.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Empirical Insights from Students about Using ChatGPT
Authors:   the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket 83120 Thailand, Fuchs Kevin , Aguilos Veronica
Published: September 2023

The world has evolved dramatically in the last several decades and continues to do so. ChatGPT has sparked intense speculation and interest among academic stakeholders about how this emerging technology will transform higher education. In particular, there is ambiguity among researchers and teaching professionals on how to deal with the integration of natural language processing models (e.g., ChatGPT) practically and ethically. The use of ChatGPT is an emerging area of interest that presently lacks the perspective of students on this new technology. Thus, an exploratory study design was applied as a methodological frame to investigate the problem empirically. Semi-structured interview data was gathered from current university students to thematically analyze the phenomenon. The thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) support for autonomous learning, (2) digital and artificial tutoring, and (3) academic misconduct and ethical considerations. The article presents theoretical and managerial implications and advances the discussion about natural language processing models in higher education. Moreover, the study contributes to the body of knowledge by closing a theoretical gap in the literature on how university students utilize artificial chatbots for and during their studies.
Designing and Developing Video Lessons in Mathematics Using Code-Switching: A Design-Based Research
Authors:   the College of Education, West Visayas State University, Iloilo City, Philippines, Sagge, Jr. Roberto G. , Segura, Jr. Rufino T.
Published: September 2023

Unlike books and audio clips, videos provide stronger visual cues. They are made to help learners comprehend the events particularly when situations call for language interpretation. This design-based research developed a module in the form of video lessons covering the least-mastered competencies in Mathematics for Grade 9 students. This study identified the least-mastered competencies through a survey. Using the snowball sampling method, the researcher chose fifty public school teachers as participants in the study. The module was designed and developed with five video lessons, each lesson covering one competency. During the implementation stage, the lecturer employed code-switching to facilitate instruction. Forty Grade 9 learners had utilized the said module, which was evaluated by both learners and experts according to various criteria. Overall, the module was rated “acceptable” by both learners (M=4.44) and experts (M=4.65). Moreover, the module was deemed “highly acceptable” in terms of learning outcomes (M=4.58), and style and presentation (M=4.61). Code-switching as the medium of instruction, was also evaluated and rated by learners as “highly acceptable” in terms of attention (M=4.62), attitude (M=4.53), and success (M=4.74). The developed module achieved its objectives and opened opportunities for technology integration to cater to 21st-century learners. This approach to education caught the learners’ attention in helping them improve their knowledge and critical thinking ability, which are the goals of the secondary school mathematics curriculum. The output of this research may be used by other Mathematics educators as instructional material, and further assessment of its effectiveness is recommended.
The Power of Digital Storytelling: Students’ Perceptions about Its Utilization in Developing Practical Understanding in an Instructional Technology Context
Authors:   Instructional Technology Department, Faculty of Education, Fayoum University, Egypt, Shemy Nader S.
Published: September 2023

Dependence on technological concepts and applications to improve learning outcomes and learners’ performance has broad positive effects on deepening students’ understanding, especially in higher education and postgraduate studies. Digital storytelling (DST) is a high-value-added tool for achieving many learning goals. This study aims to explore students’ perceptions about the use of DST in strengthening the understanding of practical concepts among students on a master’s program in instructional technology at the Arab Open University in Oman. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather the required data. A total of 67 students participated in the study through a questionnaire, and a semi-structured personal interview format was used to gather qualitative data from ten of these participants. The results indicated that the students used DST for the purpose of learning and deep understanding of some practical concepts in an effective, fun, useful and constructive way in order to achieve targeted learning. The students’ most positive perception was of the technique when used in the following categories: information stability, application of concepts in a variety of contexts, and problem-solving skill development (M = 4.186, SD = 0.7371; M = 4.051, SD = 0.7558; and M = 4.023, SD = 0.7531 respectively). At the same time, the students’ perception was the least positive for DST in the analysis and discussion categories (M = 2.056, SD = 1.209). Most of the participants supported the idea that DST was a perfect and enjoyable tool for learning and deep understanding in their specialization. They also agreed that DST helped them to fix what they had learned and helped them to achieve broad interaction with the content and that it also contributed effectively to the application of the concepts in various learning contexts. DST developed students’ ability to solve any instructional problems but mainly contributed to raising the motivation toward learning.
The Efficacy of Students‟ Knowledge Construction Process in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) Environment: A Malaysian View
Authors:   the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Johor, 86400, Malaysia, Hashim Suhaizal , Masek Alias , Zahir Nur Zahira Mohamed , Khamis Nurhani
Published: September 2023

The present educational system must be digitalised in light of the growth of communication technology and the current confined lifestyle caused by the pandemic’s expansion. However, efforts to digitise education usually encounter two major issues: first, the applications developed are more likely to emphasise the qualities of graphics and animations; second, the multimedia presentation highlighted in the application is a stereotype that causes users to become bored. Thus, the purpose of this research was to look into the effects of Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) as a medium for knowledge construction in the School Based Assessment (SBA) environment using the Collaborative Portfolio Assessment (CPA) learning system. The sample comprised 61 students from two Malaysian secondary schools partaking in the History teaching and learning (T&L) process utilising the CPA learning system. The value of Sig. (p-value) was 0.000, less than 0.05, based on the results of the pre and post-test evaluations for both groups of students. In essence, there is a substantial difference in the average test scores of the children before and after the intervention. According to the data, all selected students received an average grade of 80% or better on their 13 task question marks, indicating a good grade on the task questions. Finally, all students interviewed believed that the CPA learning system helped with their studies, especially in learning more about the History subject through quizzes, group projects, and discussion sessions.
Difficulties in Comprehending Japanese Fukugoudoushi of the Japanese Language Learners from Indonesia
Authors: Puspitosari Dwi
Published: September 2023

Compound verbs, or Fukugoudoushi in Japanese, are unique verbs formed by combining two or more verbs or free morphemes. The Japanese language has around 2,700 compound verbs used daily. According to Morita (1991)'s survey in "Reikai Kokugo Jiten," 11.4% of the documented words are verbs, with compound verbs accounting for 39.29%. Compound verb proficiency presents three hurdles, according to Matsuda (2004). These problems include comprehending the variables that control compound verb combination, distinguishing the nuanced meaning differences between single and compound verbs, and designing effective learning strategies to help achieve compound verb acquisition. In this study, researchers used written assessments, questionnaires, and interviews to determine the factors that affect Fukugoudoushi comprehension and how to remedy them. According to test results, students' difficulty understanding compound verb semantics can be categorized into the following categories:1) Compound verbs encompassing acquired and unacquired information. 2) Verb compounds with different frequency in spoken and written language. 3. Compound verbs for physical or intangible notions. The methods for understanding compound verbs are: Three compound verb interpretation strategies exist. First, understand each verb individually, starting with 1 and then 2. The noun nearest to a compound verb might also indicate its meaning. The second way to interpret compound verbs is to look at the sentence as a whole. Finally, the third method infers compound verb meanings from known verbs.