bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
https://www.thecommonwealth-ilibrary.org/index.php/comsec/catalog/book/1080
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

The Strategy, Portfolio, Partnerships and Digital Division (SPPDD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned this independent evaluation of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s current Strategic Plan 2017/18–2020/21 with the main purpose of contributing valuable insights to the development of the next Strategic Plan 2021/22–2024/25. To ensure it could meet this purpose, despite significant delays and constraints, the evaluation was reframed post-inception to take an explicit forward-looking lens.
The evaluation questions listed in the inception report were reframed to become forward looking and learning focused, organised around five dimensions or areas of change identified through the mapping and clustering of recurrent findings from strategy evaluations and reviews conducted in the past 15 years: (1) strategic focus and synergy; (2) strategic leveraging of core assets and mandate; (3) strategic resourcing and budgeting; (4) strategic evaluation and learning; and (5) effective organisation.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Self-assessment Toolkit: Participant Manual
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential to equip youth and adults with the necessary skills for employment and entrepreneurship and to achieve sustainable development. The Nassau Declaration1 at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) in June 2015 highlighted the Commonwealth values of equity and access, and the key role of education for sustainable development. At this conference, Ministers welcomed the significant contributions of the Commonwealth Ministerial Working Group towards achieving the targets among member countries for quality education involving performance, pathways and productivity (3Ps).

The revised Commonwealth TVET Toolkit 2021 includes new responses for vocational education systems in a post-pandemic world to enable knowledge transfer between member countries and facilitate a green recovery through low carbon industries and economies. This Toolkit is expected to support member countries across the Commonwealth to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their TVET systems, identify key gaps in policies and delivery mechanisms, and prioritise areas for further development.
The TVET Toolkit 2021 comprises of a Participant’s Manual and Facilitator Guide. The Toolkit provides resources for participants, through facilitated workshops and other modes to explore the six key features of an effective TVET system: (i) governance; (ii) employer engagement; (iii) occupational standards; (iv) qualification frameworks; (v) quality institutions; and (vi) delivery and assessment; and to assess how well their TVET systems are performing under these areas.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Toolkit
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

High-quality and accessible Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) lays the foundation for healthy and well-functioning societies. Effective ECCE systems equip young children with the means to develop to their fullest potential during their formative years, in a safe and inspiring environment, nurtured by well trained professional teachers and carers.

The Commonwealth’s ECCE Toolkit has been designed as a resource for Ministers of Education and officials to increase access to quality ECCE services, for ages 0 to 8 years, using a multi-sectoral approach. This toolkit outlines five features to support this approach, covering topics including conducting situational ECCE sector analyses, planning and implementing quality services, methods to expand access, and monitoring and evaluating ECCE systems. In addition, it aims to assist governments in ensuring these services are responsive to the rights, needs, and capabilities of children, their families and their communities.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Toolkit: Long form version
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

High-quality and accessible Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) lays the foundation for healthy and well-functioning societies. Effective ECCE systems equip young children with the means to develop to their fullest potential during their formative years, in a safe and inspiring environment, nurtured by well trained professional teachers and carers.

The Commonwealth’s ECCE Toolkit has been designed as a resource for Ministers of Education and officials to increase access to quality ECCE services, for ages 0 to 8 years, using a multi-sectoral approach. This toolkit outlines five features to support this approach, covering topics including conducting situational ECCE sector analyses, planning and implementing quality services,
methods to expand access, and monitoring and evaluating ECCE systems. In addition, it aims to assist governments in ensuring these services are responsive to the rights, needs, and capabilities of children, their families and their communities.
Commonwealth Education Policy Framework 2nd Edn
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Since 2015, when world leaders first committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Commonwealth Education Ministers recognized the importance of the quality and equity for their attainment, education and SDG4 have lain at the heart of realising the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Coordinated action on education policy remains necessary at national and international levels, Therefore, the Commonwealth Secretariat released the first Commonwealth Education Policy Framework (CEPF) in 2017. This second CEPF is designed to inform and enable the development and update of national policies to help Commonwealth countries achieve their targets under SDG 4.

The second edition of the CEPF highlights the lessons learned over the past four years, especially those generously shared by stakeholders in Commonwealth countries. It responds to challenges caused by COVID-19 and recognises the need for resilient, accessible and quality education services and systems. This edition is intended to complement, and not compete with, the strategies of other global education partners and is flexible in its application given the diverse contexts and progress of Commonwealth countries. Rarely has the imperative to prioritise education in the strategies and budgets of Commonwealth governments been greater.
Parametric Climate Insurance Using Blockchain Technology
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Blockchain technology has the potential to drive efficiencies throughout the insurance value chain.

This study aimed to investigate the likely customer demand for, technical feasibility and economic viability of blockchain-based climate catastrophe insurance (BBCCI) in Fiji. The report analysed BBCCI’s application in the context of Fiji by undertaking a technical feasibility assessment, which was followed by an economic feasibility assessment. Based on these assessments, a roadmap for the implementation of BBCCI in Fiji is recommended.
The Consequences of Inaction: The Case for Accelerating Trans Fat Elimination efforts in the Commonwealth
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, resulting in more than 36 million deaths annually, principally from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases (WHO 2013). Commonwealth countries have a high burden of NCDs, with nearly 400 million individuals living there currently diagnosed with at least one (WHO 2018). In 2015, NCDs accounted for over 10 million deaths across the Commonwealth, with the highest prevalence among Small Island Development States (SIDS). The rise of NCDs has been primarily driven by four key modifiable risk factors: physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive use of alcohol and unhealthy diets.

Taking action to prevent the rise in NCDs through, for example, policies and legislation, which are low cost, will play an important role in reducing the risks of NCDs and addressing the rising burden (Kluge et al. 2020). For instance, recent systematic reviews on the impacts of different policy options to reduce trans fats in the food supply – including voluntary reductions and labelling – confirm that setting a legislative mandatory limit is the most “effective, economical, and equitable policy approach” (Downs et al. 2017). This evidence indicates that the benefits of addressing unhealthy diets by lowering the prevalence of trans fatty acids (TFAs) are not just health-related but also economic (Collin et al. 2020).
Mine Tailings Management and Regulation: An Overview
Authors: Lily Hannah , Nwapi Chilenye , Ndakorerwa Charlotte
Published: June 2023

This briefing note addresses an issue of critical importance in mineral development: the management of mining waste (known as ‘tailings’). It is aimed at Commonwealth policymakers seeking a better understanding of mine tailings and the policy/ regulatory options available for addressing related concerns. The document will cover the following: why the issue is important, the impact of tailings on communities, how the management of tailings is relevant to governments, the emergence of a global standard for tailings management and the role governments can play in promoting best practice.
Addressing Online Violence Against Women and Girls in the Commonwealth Africa Region: The Role of Bystanders
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

This report provides a summary of the phenomenon of online violence against women in various African Commonwealth member
countries and describes the legal frameworks and their limitations and the challenges these present. The report also makes suggestions on how to tackle these issues in order to find solutions to the problem of online violence against women and girls.
Towards a Green Steel Ecosystem in the East African Community
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Steel remains globally foundational for economic and human development. It underpins all sectors of any growing economy, including infrastructure, energy, construction and both capital and consumer goods manufacturing. Steel is also a critical component in green technology, with recycled scrap steel already an integral component of modern steel, which helps close the loop for proactive circular economy transitioning towards decarbonisation. There is no substitute for steel in the foreseeable future.

A major finding of this study is that the volatile strategic environment for global iron ore and steel production creates both paradoxical trends and opportunities for the East African Community.

Given some existing comparative advantages and some potential policy adjustments, the East African Community could find that apparent the ‘missed opportunity’ creates improved prospects for regional economic development while meeting global and regional decarbonisation goals.
Environmental, Social and Governance Practices for Value Creation in the Commonwealth
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

The concept of ESG is used to effectively assess longer-term environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities for firms. It has gained traction in recent years with the public sector and with international finance institutions.

Three key challenges remain to ensure effective ESG sector outcomes and growth. First, the most common criticism of ESG is that it provides opportunities for companies to engage in ‘greenwashing’ – inflating their sustainability credentials while continuing business-as-usual. Second, the application of ESG lacks a clear or standardised definition or assessment methodology. This results in high uncertainty around scoring and impact. Finally, although ESG has been growing in all regions, the maturity of regulatory and policy frameworks is highly unequal.
Enabling Sustainable Trade in the OECS: The Ocean and Digital Economies
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Following the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an opportunity to build back better by establishing sustainable economies that are more resilient to external shocks. For the countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), achieving this will require addressing their unique vulnerabilities as small island developing states, including by focusing on opportunities to diversify and strengthen their economies. The book contains three different analyses on the sustainable blue economy, the digital economy and the impact of climate change and natural disasters, providing guidance to the OECS countries as they pursue their economic recovery efforts.

Enabling Sustainable Trade in the OECS is both timely and topical, providing a ready reference guide to some of the dynamics, opportunities, challenges and policy options associated with the ocean and digital economies.
12th Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Corruption is acknowledged as an obstacle to economic development and democracy worldwide, although for the most part the impacts are bigger in developing countries. Meanwhile, during the COVID-19 pandemic, insufficient accountability and inadequate oversight mechanisms in crisis response and recovery significantly increased the risks of corruption and fraud in various countries.
Consequently, the fight against corruption must be a collective responsibility, and Commonwealth countries have put in place a number of strategies to this end.

Every year, the Commonwealth Secretariat organises a Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa to discuss countries’ experiences in the fight against corruption and challenges encountered. The 12th Regional Conference took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 3 to 6 May 2022. During the Conference, every ACA Head presented an innovative project implemented in the fight against corruption (a success story). Experts in the fight against corruption also presented their experiences.
Assessment of Radiological Hazards in Some Foods Products Consumed by the Malian Population Using Gamma Spectrometry
Authors: Coulibaly Adama , Kpeglo David O. , Darko Emmanuel O.
Published: June 2023

Background: Food consumption is one of the most important routes for radionuclide intake for the public; therefore, there is the need to have a comprehensive understanding of the amount of radioactivity in food products. Consumption of radionuclide-contaminated food could increase potential health risks associated with exposure to radiation such as cancers. The present study aims to determine radioactivity levels in some food products (milk, rice, sugar, and wheat flour) consumed in Mali and to evaluate the radiological effect on the public health from these radionuclides.Materials and Methods: The health impact due to ingestion of radionuclides from these foods was evaluated by the determination of activity concentration of radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs using gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium detector and radiological hazards index in 16 samples collected in some markets, mall, and shops of Bamako-Mali.Results and Discussion: The average activity concentrations were 9.8±0.6 Bq/kg for 238U, 8.7± 0.5 Bq/kg for 232Th, 162.9±7.9 Bq/kg for 40K, and 0.0035±0.0005 Bq/kg for 137Cs. The mean values of radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose, internal hazard index, and risk assessment from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and national standards.Conclusion: The results show low public exposure to radioactivity and associated radiological impact on public health. Nevertheless, this study stipulates vital data for future research and regulatory authorities in Mali
'Pooped in my yard and ate my grass last night': Wild burros and tales of belonging in Riverside County, California
Authors: Hunold Christian , Britton Jennifer L.
Published: June 2023

Riverside County, California is home to several hundred free-roaming burros (donkeys) who frequent the open spaces surrounding and between the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Loma Linda, and Redlands, as well as the public parks, private properties, residential developments and roadsides in these towns. Tales of more-than-human belonging (and not-belonging) in Riverside County render visible how multispecies places are mediated by infrastructures of consumption and infrastructures of reciprocity. Where infrastructures of consumption generate callousness, infrastructures of reciprocity sustain responsibility. We investigate these dynamics by tracing how two geographically close but infrastructurally distinctive spaces frequented by the area’s wild burros are storied. The semi-rural Reche Canyon Road connects California Highway 60 and the City of Moreno Valley to Riverside and San Bernardino County communities to the north. Burros who inhabit the canyon as their home range must contend with automobiles traveling at highway speeds and are frequently injured or killed there. The road’s design makes neither space nor time for the burros. In this setting, interspecies relationalities are embedded in, and curtailed by, the mundane violence of “roadkill” and its associated narratives of victimhood and tragedy. Infrastructural violence subsides notably in residential neighborhoods of the City of Moreno Valley frequented by the burros. How people and donkeys co-inhabit these neigborhoods is consistent with non-dualist practices of mutual accommodation theorized in multispecies urbanism literature. Here, more reciprocal infrastructures decelerate human and nonhuman animal mobilities, making both space and time for the emergence of more convivial patterns of multispecies cohabitation.
The Russia’s Far East: Traditional Routes of Spatial Development and Their Modern Transformation
Authors:   The Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Department of State Administration and Public Policy, Savchenko Alexander , Borodina Tatiana ,   Institute of Geography of the RAS, Treivish Andrei ,   Institute of Geography of the RAS
Published: June 2023

The experience of exploration and development of the Russia’s Far East from different directions, at different scales of time and space is summarized, starting from the foundation of Vladivostok in 1860, the most remote large city from both Russian capitals. It is shown that the maritime (eastern) route in the past and the space route today play no less a role in the development of the macroregion than the traditional overland (western) path. The sea ways played a decisive role until the launch of the Trans-Siberian Railway entirely across the territory of Russia in 1916, and since the beginning of the 1970s, the symbiosis of digital and space technologies makes it possible to remove restrictions on the spatial accessibility of an ever wider range of functions, land and water areas, concurrently expanding the opportunities for their consolidation and integration into both the national territory of Russia, and Greater Eurasia. Exploration of Space as a part of geosphere laid the foundation for the transformation of the traditional model of the Far East spatial development, with competition and alternating dominance of the land and sea routes. Since the early 1970s, within the framework of this transformation, the division of labor between modes and systems of transport and directions of communication has been gradually harmonized, when the development of the macroregion from the sea and by land are increasingly acting not as competing, but as complementary
Dynamics of Spatial Dependences of Prices for Vegetables and Fruits
Authors:   Ufa University of Science and Technology, Timiryanova Venera , Lakman Irina ,   Ufa University of Science and Technology, Krasnoselskaya Dina ,   Ufa University of Science and Technology, Stol Anna ,   Institute for Strategic Studies, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Bashkortostan
Published: June 2023

The paper addresses to a spatial analysis of daily prices for 6 types of fruits and vegetables in 81 regions of Russia from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022. The study set of information was formed by the Federal Tax Service with extraction data from fiscal registrars; it contains up to 95 332 observations for each type of fruit and vegetable products. Within the indicated data array, we explore the presence of a spatial correlation of prices and their growth rates by assessing the global Moran’s index and local Moran’s indices, in daily, weekly and monthly dynamics. To analyze the presence of cyclic changes in spatial dependencies, we use a correlogram, which was evaluated by various special tests. Our analysis showed that the level of data aggregation (in the form of daily, weekly or monthly values) affects the possibility of interpreting the results. The rate of spatial price change at the regional level usually exceeds one day. At the same time, in certain periods, it can be significantly registered within a week and it shows the synchronism of price changes on monthly data. Different Spatial dependence was revealed in the context of the considered goods types. We revealed the most stable spatial dependences for potatoes. Significant seasonal and weekly cycles of spatial dependence, determined by seasonal price fluctuations, were identified for potatoes. Our findings will be interesting to wide range of people dealing with issues of spatial measurements and problems of interregional interaction, as well as macroeconomic problems of pricing
Bacterial Resistance in Hospital-Acquired Infections Acquired in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review
Authors: Loaiza Walter Martinez , Ruiz Anny Katheryne Rivera , Patiño Cristian Camilo Ospina , Vivas Mónica Chavez
Published: June 2023

Purpose: In this review we present the status of the prevalence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics and the main antibiotic resistance genes that are reported in infections acquired in intensive care units (ICU) around the world. Methods: A systematic review based on the PRISMA guide was carried out, from the Science Direct, Redalyc, Scopus, Hinari, Scielo, Dialnet, PLOS, ProQuest, Taylor, Lilacs and PubMed/Medline databases. Inclusion criteria of this review were original research study published in a scientific journal in a 10-year time span from 1 January 2017 and 30 April 2022. Results: A total of 1686 studies were identified, but only 114 studies were considered eligible for inclusion.Klebsiella pneumoniaeandEscherichia coliresistant to carbapenems and producers of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) are the most frequently isolated pathogens in ICUs in Asia, Africa and Latin America. TheblaOXA andblaCTX were antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) most commonly reported in different geographic regions (in 30 and 28 studies, respectively). Moreover, multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were reported in higher frequency in hospital-acquired infections. Reports of MDR strains vary between continents, with the majority of publications being in Asia and between countries, with Egypt and Iran being highlighted. There is a predominance of few bacterial clones with MDR phenotype, for example, clonal complex 5 Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(CC5-MRSA) circulates frequently in hospitals in the United States, clone ST23-K. pneumoniaeis reported in India and Iran, and clone ST260 carbapenemase-producingP. aeruginosain the United States and Estonia. Conclusion: Our systematic review reveals that ESBL- and carbapenemase-producingK. pneumoniaeandE. coliare the most problematic bacteria that are reported, mainly in tertiary hospitals in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We have also found propagation of dominant clones with a high degree of MDR, becoming a problem due to its high capacity to cause morbidity, mortality and additional hospital costs.
Wireless Monitoring of Gastrointestinal Transit Time, Intra-luminal pH, Pressure and Temperature in Experimental Pigs: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bureš Jan , Radochová Věra , Květina Jaroslav , Kohoutová Darina , Vališ Martin , Rejchrt Stanislav , Žďárová Karasová Jana , Soukup Ondřej , Suchánek Štěpán , Zavoral Miroslav
Published: June 2023

Background: There is no single gold standard for investigation of gastrointestinal motility function. Wireless motility monitoring involves a novel concept which provides a complex information on gastrointestinal function (gastrointestinal transit time, intra-luminal pH, pressure and temperature). Gastrointestinal motility functions of experimental pigs are very similar to those of humans. That is why porcine studies have already provided suitable experimental models for several preclinical projects. Aims: The aim of our study was to adopt methods of non-invasive wireless monitoring of gastrointestinal functions in experimental pigs. Methods: Five experimental adult female pigs were enrolled into the study. Wireless motility capsules were delivered into the porcine stomach endoscopically. Gastrointestinal transit and intra-luminal conditions were recorded for five days. Results: Records of animals provided good (3 pigs) or very good quality files (2 pigs). 31150 variables were evaluated. Mean time of the presence of capsules in the stomach was 926 ± 295 min, transfer of a capsule from the stomach into the duodenum lasted 5–34 min. Mean small intestinal transit time was 251 ± 43 min. Food intake was associated with an increase of gastric luminal temperature and a decrease of intra-gastric pressure. The highest intra-luminal pH was present in the ileum. The highest temperature and the lowest intra-luminal pressure were found in the colon. All data displayed a substantial inter-individual variability. Conclusions: This pilot study has proven that a long-term function monitoring of the gastrointestinal tract by means of wireless motility capsules in experimental pigs is feasible. However, both ketamine-based induction of general anaesthesia as well as long-lasting general anaesthesia (> 6 hours) should be avoided to prevent retention of a capsule in the porcine stomach.
Profesor Zygmunt Ruta (1932–2021), historyk wychowania krakowskiego środowiska naukowego
Authors: Ślęczka Ryszard
Published: June 2023

Profesor Zygmunt Ruta (1932–2021), historyk wychowania krakowskiego środowiska naukowego
Exploring the cultural intelligence levels of bilinguals and multilinguals
Authors: Aksak Kübra , Çubukçu Feryal
Published: June 2023

There have been numerous studies conducted on the importance of multiple intelligence levels of learners and the significance of language learning. By contrast, this study dwells on exploring cultural intelligence, its components and the relationship between cultural intelligence and language learning. To achieve this aim, bilingual and multilingual primary school students were selected and administered a cultural intelligence questionnaire to detect whether or not there is a relationship between these two aspects. The results yield the fact that multilinguals have higher scores in cultural intelligence, showcasing that those who are open to other cultures and can easily adapt to new patterns of thinking are likely to learn languages with ease.
From family to university: Best practices for inclusive tertiary education
Authors: Baider Fabienne , Karpava Sviatlana
Published: June 2023

This article investigates practices and integration strategies implemented by a European network of universities with regard to refugees and international students, in particular, integration practices at two levels: governance and policies, regarding the institutional initiatives used and their relative success; second, the experience of such policies by international students. Our study revealed that in relation to refugee integration there is an overall lack of organisation, with too little, scattered information with respect to a bottom-up policy. In contrast, with regard to international students the system works fairly well, due to the top-down policy promoted by the EU. We propose that the EU put in place a specific program for refugee integration, such as ERASMUS+, focused on strengthening links with refugee families and schools with a high proportion of refugees.
The role of short supply chains and local food systems in the concept of food sovereignty and food democracy
Authors: Kapała Anna
Published: June 2023

The article discusses the role that short supply chains (SSCs) and local food systems (LFS) play in the implementation of food sovereignty and food democracy. The question asked is whether it is justified to seek alternatives to global and industrial food systems, bearing in mind, on the one hand, their negative effects and, on the other hand, food challenges as well as the objectives and assumptions of the EU policy expressed in the “Farm to Fork” strategy. The conducted analysis has shown that SSCs and LFS play a key role in food sovereignty and food democracy, as they contribute to building sustainable and equitable food systems that provide nations with control over the way they produce, and control of the food self-sufficiency and sovereignty over food supply, social bonds, choice of alternatives to industrial products, as well as information on food and its origin.
Effects of EMI-CLIL on secondary-level students’ English learning: A multilevel meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Jang Ho , Lee Hansol , Lo Yuen Yi
Published: June 2023

This meta-analysis synthesized the effects of the English medium instruction and content and language integrated learning (EMI-CLIL) approach on secondary-level students’ English learning. The dataset included 44 samples (N = 7,434) from 38 primary studies. The results revealed EMI-CLIL’s overall effectiveness for the development of English competence compared to the mainstream condition in the short term (d = 0.73, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.61, 0.86]) and longer term (d = 1.01, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.88, 1.15]). Additionally, we found that EMI-CLIL’s overall effectiveness was influenced by several moderator variables. Its effectiveness was significantly: (1) higher for learners whose first language (L1) was linguistically related to English; (2) lower for primary studies which confirmed the homogeneity of the EMI-CLIL and comparison groups; (3) lower when studies targeted the productive (rather than receptive or overall) dimension of English learning; and (4) higher when outcome measures focused on vocabulary. Implications for pedagogy and future research are discussed.
Unraveling EMI as a predictor of English proficiency in Vietnamese higher education: Exploring learners’ backgrounds as a variable
Authors: Nguyen An
Published: June 2023

One key objective of English medium instruction (EMI) programs in non-Anglophone countries is to improve students’ English skills in both academic and professional environments. Despite the high cost and the popularity of the program policy, there remains a lack of empirical studies on the link between attending an EMI program and students’ English proficiency. This paper employs data from 111 students majoring in international business from a top Vietnamese university to compare English competency, measured by the Duolingo Test, between students enrolled in an EMI program and their counterparts who are taught the same curriculum but in the native language, through Vietnamese medium instruction (VMI). Controlling for different social backgrounds, the study shows that participation in EMI is associated with better English test performance. Analysis using multiple interaction terms shows that male EMI participants, or students coming from lower-income households, having lower English scores in high school, and attending more English private tutoring would benefit more from EMI. The analysis sheds light on potential socioeconomic obstacles to accessing EMI and English skill development. Follow-up interviews similarly show the relevance of demographic backgrounds to the students’ perceptions of EMI and their English proficiency. The study provides clear evidence of substantial associations between EMI and English skills. Further studies are needed to establish the causality of the results.
Teacher questions, wait time, and student output in classroom interaction in EMI science classes: An interdisciplinary view
Authors: An Jiangshan , Childs Ann
Published: June 2023

Past research has often shown a lack of student output in English medium instruction (EMI) classes (e.g., An et al., 2021; Lo & Macaro, 2012) and this study seeks to identify possible reasons. Guided by literature on wait time (Rowe, 1986) and teacher higher-order thinking questions (Chin, 2007), this study explores whether these two pedagogical moves have the same impact on classroom interaction in EMI science classes. 30 EMI science lessons were recorded from seven EMI high school programs in China, taught by 15 native speakers of English to homogenous groups of Chinese students. Correlation tests showed that when there was more wait time after a teacher question, the students produced lengthier responses with more linguistic complexity, took up more talk time, and asked more questions. However, greater use of teacher higher-order thinking questions, coded by Chin’s (2007) framework of constructivist questions, did not correlate with any student output measures. This suggests that wait time may be a more effective factor leading to more student output in EMI classes than asking higher-order thinking questions. Qualitative analysis showed teachers’ follow-up moves may have also played a role in the limited success of higher-order thinking questions.
Analytical and numerical analysis of damped harmonic oscillator model with nonlocal operators
Authors: Alharthi Nadiyah Hussain , Atangana Abdon , Alkahtani Badr S.
Published: June 2023

Nonlocal operators with different kernels were used here to obtain more general harmonic oscillator models. Power law, exponential decay, and the generalized Mittag-Leffler kernels with Delta-Dirac property have been utilized in this process. The aim of this study was to introduce into the damped harmonic oscillator model nonlocalities associated with these mentioned kernels and see the effect of each one of them when computing the Bode diagram obtained from the Laplace and the Sumudu transform. For each case, we applied both the Laplace and the Sumudu transform to obtain a solution in a complex space. For each case, we obtained the Bode diagram and the phase diagram for different values of fractional orders. We presented a detailed analysis of uniqueness and an exact solution and used numerical approximation to obtain a numerical solution.
Mubīnand Its Cognates in the Qurʾān
Authors: Stewart Devin
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the meaning of the termmubīnand its cognates in the Qurʾān. It examines the debate over whethermubīnhas the basic meaning of “clear” or “clarifying,” weighing the various arguments that have been made for the two sides. Consideration of the requirements of qurʾānic end-rhyme and the distribution of the adjectivesbayyin(masc.) andbayyinah(fem.) “clear” suggest thatmubīnmeans “clear” and not “clarifying.” The meanings of the other cognates ofmubīnare examined as well. It is argued that the feminine singularmubayyinah, an anomalous form that occur three times in the reading of Ḥafṣ, might instead be renderedbayyinahormubīnah, both attested variants meaning “clear.” It is also suggested that a possible way to resolve the anomaly of the feminine pluralmubayyināt, which also occurs three times in the reading of Ḥafṣ, would be to emend it to the feminine pluralbayyināt“clear,” which occurs frequently in very similar contexts.
Clinical observation on the efficacy of Tongdu Tuina manipulation in the treatment of primary enuresis in children
Authors: Jie Li-Pu
Published: June 2023

The objective was to explore the efficacy of Tongdu Tuina manipulation in the treatment of primary single-symptom enuresis in children. A total of 102 children aged 5–16 with primary single-symptom enuresis were included in this study and randomly assigned to the Tuina group, the medication group and the control group, with 34 children in each group. The Tongdu Tuina group included manipulation of the Guanyuan, Qihai, Zhongji, Mingmen, kidney, Baihui, Sishencong and bladder acupoints, five times a week, the medication group was treated with 0.1 mg desmopressin acetate every night, and in the control group, the patients were given foods with high water content and underwent water deprivation 2 h before bedtime every night. The intervention time of each group was 1 month. The participants were followed up on Day 1 following treatment, as well as half a month, 1 month and 3 months after the implementation of the intervention measures, and the effective rate, the incidence of enuresis per week and the recurrence rate were calculated. As a result baseline demographic characteristics were comparable among 102 patients. Overall, 32 patients in the Tongdu Tuina group, 30 patients in the medication group and 34 patients in the control group completed the intervention. After half a month of treatment, there was no significant difference in the therapeutic efficacy among the three groups (P = 0.158), but each treatment could effectively reduce the frequency of weekly enuresis. The frequency of weekly enuresis in the Tongdu Tuina group was 3.8 ± 1.1 times, while that in the medication group was 4.0 ± 2.0 times. The frequency of weekly enuresis in the control group was 4.7 ± 1.8 times, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.016). After 1 month of treatment, the effective rates of the Tongdu Tuina group and the medication group were significantly increased (87.5% vs 83.33%, P < 0.0001), which was not the case with the control group. The frequency of enuresis was 1.9 ± 2.1 times per week in the Tongdu Tuina group, 2.4 ± 1.8 times per week in the medication group and 4.0 ± 0.9 times per week in the control group after 1 month of treatment. The difference between the three groups was statistically significant (P = 0.021), and there was a difference between the Tongdu Tuina group and the medication group (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse events (P = 0.837, P = 0.856). In conclusion, both Tuina manipulation and desmopressin treatment can effectively improve children’s primary single-symptom enuresis with safety. However, Tongdu Tuina therapy may be superior to desmopressin treatment.
Cheetah optimization algorithm for optimum design of heat exchangers
Authors: Sait Sadiq M. , Mehta Pranav , Gürses Dildar , Yildiz Ali Riza
Published: June 2023

Thermal system optimization is always a challenging task due to several constraints and critical concepts of thermo-hydraulic aspects. Heat exchangers are one of those devices that are widely adopted in thermal industries for various applications such as cryogenics, heat recovery, and heat transfer applications. According to the flow configurations and enhancement of fins, the heat exchangers are classified as plate-fin heat exchangers, shell and tube heat exchangers, and tube-fin heat exchangers. This article addresses the economic optimization challenge of plate-fin heat exchangers using cheetah optimization (CO) algorithm. The design variables were optimized using the CO algorithm, and statistical results were compared with eight well-established algorithms. The study revealed that the cheetah algorithm is prominent in terms of realizing minimizing the overall cost of the plate-fin heat exchanger with a 100 % of success rate. Furthermore, the study suggests adopting the cheetah optimizer for solving optimization challenges in different fields.
How Bosnia and Herzegovina Was Bordered: The Supervised Making of a Border/Mobility Assemblage in the European Semiperiphery
Authors: Jansen Stef
Published: June 2023

This article has an empirical and a conceptual aim. The first aim is to provide additional historical depth to recent analyses of the “Balkan Route” through Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with a reconstruction of the making of a border/mobility assemblage during the first two and a half decades of that state’s existence. These processes occurred under direct foreign supervision and were framed in terms of the conditionality of the “Road into Europe” specific to the European semiperiphery. The second aim concerns a prominent feature in recent studies of borders and mobility: the use of assemblage theory. I use my historical analysis to reflect on the implications of that theory’s programmatic call to foreground heterogeneity and provisionality. Specifically, in tracing patterns and tensions in the bordering of BiH I call attention to the importance of actors’ encounters with already-assembled hierarchical configurations, provisional but effective at the time of the encounter.
Klaus Hallof und die Berliner Inscriptiones Graecae
Authors: Thür Gerhard
Published: June 2023

Klaus Hallof and the Berlin Inscriptiones Graecae. This contribution is a review of two volumes of the Berlin edition of the Corpus of the Ancient Greek Inscriptions. Especially one of them, number XII 4 (the islands Kos and Kalymna), has luckily come to an end after more than one century’s work. Klaus Hallof, who has overseen the ‘Arbeitsstelle’ of the IG at the Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences since 1990, gave a final report of the problems in publishing that volume, the political and the objective ones. The paper is resuming these problems as far as legal historians are concerned. The technical problems of IG X 2,1s2 (Thessaloniki) are mentioned too.
A Catholic Perspective: Dissociative Identity Disorder and Experiences of Diabolical Possession
Authors: Madere Jennifer A.
Published: June 2023

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and its Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) include experiences of diabolical possession and human relationships with spirits as a cultural variation of dissociative identity disorder (DID). Consideration of potential cultural factors is essential to making an accurate diagnosis and employing ethical treatment. However, the DSM and existing literature offer little to assist professionals making a differential diagnosis when these “cultural factors” may be present and someone does not otherwise meet criteria for DID. A Catholic Christian perspective allows for instances of possession and dissociative disorders to be distinct or to coincide. Each diocese/bishop is required to appoint a priest to function in the role of exorcist and to minister to people who are seeking spiritual help, including for possession. When the Roman Catholic Church concludes that the rite of exorcism may be warranted, mental health professionals are appropriately tasked to assess whether the symptoms experienced by the person can be explained and treated psychologically. Given the current DSM criteria, mental health professionals in this role must be equipped to rule in or rule out a diagnosis of a dissociative disorder. This article discusses relevant history, current literature, diagnostic criteria, and assessment tools for dissociative disorders, and DID in particular, from a Catholic lens.
Evaluation of new and net community production estimates by multiple ship-based and autonomous observations in the Northeast Pacific Ocean
Authors: Niebergall Alexandria K. , Traylor Shawnee , Huang Yibin , Feen Melanie , Meyer Meredith G. , McNair Heather M. , Nicholson David , Fassbender Andrea J. , Omand Melissa M. , Marchetti Adrian , Menden-Deuer Susanne , Tang Weiyi , Gong Weida , Tortell Philippe , Hamme Roberta , Cassar Nicolas
Published: June 2023

New production (NP) and net community production (NCP) measurements are often used as estimates of carbon export potential from the mixed layer of the ocean, an important process in the regulation of global climate. Diverse methods can be used to measure NP and NCP, from research vessels, autonomous platforms, and remote sensing, each with its own set of benefits and uncertainties. The various methods are rarely applied simultaneously in a single location, limiting our ability for direct comparisons of the resulting measurements. In this study, we evaluated NP and NCP from thirteen independent datasets collected via in situ, in vitro, and satellite-based methods near Ocean Station Papa during the 2018 Northeast Pacific field campaign of the NASA project EXport Processes in the Ocean from RemoTe Sensing (EXPORTS). Altogether, the datasets indicate that carbon export potential was relatively low (median daily averages between −5.1 and 12.6 mmol C m−2 d−1), with most measurements indicating slight net autotrophy in the region. This result is consistent with NCP estimates based on satellite measurements of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll a. We explored possible causes of discrepancies among methods, including differences in assumptions about stoichiometry, vertical integration, total volume sampled, and the spatiotemporal extent considered. Results of a generalized additive mixed model indicate that the spatial variation across platforms can explain much of the difference among methods. Once spatial variation and temporal autocorrelation are considered, a variety of methods can provide consistent estimates of NP and NCP, leveraging the strengths of each approach.
Seasonality of zooplankton communities in the Hudson Bay system
Authors: Schembri Sarah , Bouchard Caroline , Pontbriand Tommy , Maps Frédéric
Published: June 2023

The strong seasonality of sub-Arctic seas needs to be considered to understand their ecosystems. The Hudson Bay system undergoes strong seasonal changes in 1) sea ice conditions, alternating between complete ice cover in winter and open water in summer; 2) river discharge, which peaks in the spring and influences the stratification of the bay; and 3) surface circulation that consists of a weak double gyre system in spring and summer and a cyclonic system in the autumn. Recent studies that included data collected during spring have shown that the annual primary productivity in the Hudson Bay system is higher than previously reported. Similarly, the regional zooplankton assemblages have been studied mostly in late summer, possibly leading to an underestimation of the annual secondary production. Here, we use data collected during five one to six week-long expeditions of the CCGS Amundsen in the Hudson Bay system between 2005 and 2018 to describe the seasonality in mesozooplankton assemblages and investigate how it depends on environmental variables. In general, small pan-Arctic and boreal copepods such as Microcalanus spp., Oithona similis and Pseudocalanus spp. dominated the assemblages. From spring to summer, the relative abundance of the Arctic-adapted Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus glacialis decreased, while the proportion of the boreal Pseudocalanus spp. and Acartia spp. increased. The day of the year and the ice break-up date explained most of the variation in mesozooplankton assemblages. Physical processes explained most of the species distribution in spring, while the lack of lipid-rich zooplankton species in late summer and autumn, especially in coastal regions, suggests some top-down control. This lack of lipid-rich zooplankton late in the season contrasts with other seasonally ice-covered seas. More data are needed to fully understand the implications of these dynamics under climate change, but this study establishes a baseline against which future changes can be compared.