bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variables generadoras de CO2 en el sector transporte e industria del Paraguay
Authors: Benitez britez Virgilio Noel , Romero-Puente José
Published: November 2024

Las acciones con relación al cambio climático forman parte de los objetivos de las Naciones Unidas. Frenar el avance del incremento de la temperatura media mundial es responsabilidad de todos los países del mundo. Paraguay, a pesar de no ser un gran emisor de dióxido de carbono, será por su ubicación geográfica y sus altas temperaturas, uno de los países más afectados por el cambio climático, razón por la cual, deberá acompañar con vigor las reducciones de las emisiones de los gases de efecto invernadero. Es por eso, que esta investigación tiene como objetivo, analizar las variables de emisiones de Dióxido de carbonos emitidos por los sectores de transporte e industria en el Paraguay, como consecuencia del aumento de la población, crecimiento económico, intensidad y precios de petróleo. Las variables tienen comportamientos distintos en cada uno de los sectores. El incremento del PIB per Cápita genera cambios más importantes en las emisiones de Dióxido de carbono en el sector de transporte que en el industrial.  Sin embargo, en el sector Industria, el incremento de la población ha sido una variable más sensible en la generación de Dióxido de carbono con relación al sector de transporte. Finalmente, se presentan los resultados que se extrajeron mediante modelos de regresión múltiple, utilizando métodos de Mínimos Cuadrados Ordinarios y Mínimos Cuadrados Generalizados.
Efectos del cambio de modalidad pedagógica por la pandemia COVID-19 en estudiantes universitarios de español en los EE.UU
Authors: Mata Rodolfo
Published: November 2024

El objetivo del presente estudio es investigar los efectos del cambio drástico de modalidad pedagógica en estudiantes universitarios en un curso de español en los Estados Unidos. Este cambio de modalidad presencial a virtual tomó lugar durante finales del mes de marzo del 2020 debido a la pandemia COVID-19. Para este estudio se analizaron 25 ensayos informales, correspondientes a un curso universitario de español, de manera cualitativa por categorías emergentes, a fin de extraer los temas que más les preocuparían a los estudiantes al comienzo de la pandemia. Si bien la pandemia pudo haber tenido impacto en todos los aspectos de las vidas de los estudiantes, los resultados de este estudio indican que los temas más sobresalientes fueron los afectivos/emocionales, familiares, académicos, laborales/financieros, así como aquellos relacionados a las responsabilidades de los gobiernos y de los medios comunicación y redes sociales. Llegar a comprender las preocupaciones de los estudiantes ante la pandemia permite al personal docente implementar metodologías orientadas hacia una pedagogía culturalmente relevante, a fin de afrontar inequidades socioeconómicas y culturales relacionadas con el cambio drástico de modalidad pedagógica.
Influencia del Azospirillum brasilense y nitrógeno aplicado en distintos estadios del trigo.
Authors: Colmán Ribelatto Patricia Juana , Melgarejo Arrúa Milciades Ariel , Delvalle Cantero Melina Faviola , Maldonado Leiva Carolina Dominga , Villalba Arriola Alcides Rubén , Peralta Paiva Elida Auxiliadora
Published: November 2024

El nitrógeno es un nutriente que puede influenciar directamente el rendimiento del cultivo del trigo. En la búsqueda de una producción más sostenible, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta del trigo a la inoculación con Azospirillum brasilense en combinación con nitrógeno aplicado en diferentes estadios fenológicos. El ensayo se realizó en el IPTA ubicado en Ybyrarobaná, Canindeyú, Paraguay. Se utilizó el diseño de bloques completos al azar con arreglo bifactorial 2 x 3 y dos testigos (sin inoculación y sin fertilización nitrogenada; con inoculación y sin fertilización nitrogenada). Los factores fueron la ausencia y la aplicación del A. brasilense y la aplicación de fertilizante nitrogenado en: macollaje; macollaje y elongación; macollaje y espigazón. Las variables evaluadas fueron la altura de plantas (AP), número de espigas por m2 (NE), rendimiento (R), peso de mil granos (PMG) y peso hectolitrito de los granos (PH). Los datos fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza y las medias comparadas por el test de Tukey al 5%. La aplicación de A. brasilense en el trigo asociado con el nitrógeno en tres estadios fenológicos no presentó diferencia estadística en las variables AP, NE, R y PMG. Por otro lado, se observó una diferencia significativa en el arreglo factorial. La variable PH, la aplicación del nitrógeno en los estadios fenológicos macollamiento y espigazón, así como la asociación de la inoculación con la aplicación de nitrógeno en el momento de macollamiento y fraccionado en el macollamiento y elongación, resultaron ser superior en términos numéricos, sin embargo, no difirieron de los testigos.
Modelo de innovación para gestión sostenible en contexto de crisis. Caso: Supermercado y Tiendas de conveniencia. Paraguay. Año 2021
Authors: González Ayala Sergio David , Lopéz Rivas Ana Irene
Published: November 2024

Existen varios modelos de negocios que incorporan la innovación, entre ellos el modelo de Dirección estratégica basado en la Administración de riesgos, el de innovación abierta, pero cabe destacar que más del 90% de todas las innovaciones en modelos de negocios son recombinaciones de ideas, conceptos y modelos previamente existentes. El papel desempeñado por la innovación tecnológica en la resolución de algunos problemas de la sociedad como la contaminación del aire y el agua es fundamental. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer un modelo de innovación para gestión sostenible en contexto de crisis para supermercados y tiendas de conveniencia a través del análisis de los casos que se consideran respondieron de forma efectiva al contexto de crisis desatado por la emergencia sanitaria que establecía el protocolo de distanciamiento como medida preventiva al contagio del COVID 19, los casos fueron el de Biggie y Casa Grutter. El diseño metodológico abarca la modalidad bibliográfica documental y de campo, con niveles exploratorio, descriptivo, explicativo utilizando los métodos analítico, sintético e inductivo. El resultado arroja aportes significativos desde la percepción de los clientes y los criterios de compra como de los gerentes y la gestión en el contexto de emergencia sanitaria. Se concluye que un modelo de compra a través de plataformas virtuales es un modelo efectivo, que tiene un potencial mercado y que la gestión debe ser sostenible, es decir, tener en cuenta el triple impacto de forma trasversal a toda la organización según la afirmación de los clientes
Fertilización Química, Yeso Agrícola y su Efecto sobre la Producción de Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.).
Authors: Ferreira Santiago , Ferreira Anahí , Rasche Jimmy
Published: November 2024

La yerba mate es una planta nativa del Paraguay, la misma se destaca por formar parte de la cultura del país. Actualmente su producción se ve afectada por el deterioro de los suelos, siendo así una necesidad realizar un mejor manejo y una correcta fertilización para satisfacer la demanda. La investigación tuvo por objetivo evaluar el efecto de la fertilización química y del yeso agrícola sobre la producción de yerba mate, año uno. El experimento se realizó en San Alberto, Alto Paraná, en un cultivo de 4 años (primer año de cosecha) en asociación con plantas de paraíso, en diseño de bloques completamente al azar con 3 tratamientos T1: (sin fertilización química); T2: fertilización química (60-40-60 kg. ha-1 de N, P2O5, K2O) y T3: fertilización química con aplicación de yeso agrícola (60-40-60 kg.ha-1 de N, P2O5, K2O + 2 t.ha-1 de yeso agrícola) y 19 repeticiones, totalizando 57 unidades experimentales. Se determinaron los rendimientos comercial, no comercial y total. Se realizó análisis de varianza y se comparó las medias con el test de Tukey al 5%. No hubo diferencia significativa entre tratamientos, la producción de la parte comercial (T1:937 kg. ha-1, T2:972 kg.ha-1 y T3: 1278 kg.ha-1), no comercial (T1:102 kg.ha-1, T2:157 kg.ha-1 y T3: 138 kg.ha-1) y total (T1:1039 kg.ha-1, T2:1129 kg.ha-1 y T3: 1415 kg.ha-1) no fueron influenciadas por la aplicación de fertilizantes químicos ni de la enmienda con yeso agrícola en el primer año del experimento.
Efecto de épocas de siembra del arroz irrigado en la intensidad de enfermedades en el sur de Paraguay
Authors: Zelaya Arce María Sol , Grabowski Ocampos Cristhian Javier , Soilán Duarte Laura Concepción , Ramírez Benítez Héctor Vicente
Published: November 2024

Las enfermedades fúngicas como brusone, mancha parda y el manchado de los granos afectan el potencial productivo y la calidad del arroz. Prácticas de manejo como la época de siembra, pueden tener una influencia positiva o negativa en la intensidad de enfermedades. En ese contexto, el objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de las diferentes épocas de siembra de arroz irrigado sobre la intensidad de estas enfermedades, a través de la cuantificación de la intensidad de daño y la identificación de patógenos asociados al manchado de granos. El experimento se realizó en la zafra 2020/2021 en la estación experimental de la empresa Arrozal S.A, Itapúa, Coronel Bogado y en el Laboratorio de Fitopatología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias-UNA. Cada unidad experimental (UE) consistió en 5 m2, constituida por 8 hileras de plantas espaciadas a 20 cm entre sí, con una densidad de 80 kg/ha de semillas del cultivar Irga 424. El diseño utilizado fue DBCA con 4 repeticiones, en esquema de parcelas subdivididas. Las parcelas consistieron en las épocas de siembra y las subparcelas en áreas sin protección y con protección. Las fechas de siembra fueron: 1/09, 29/09, 23/10, 25/11. La intensidad de daño de brusone en la panícula y mancha parda aumentó en la siembra tardía (25/11), afectando negativamente el rendimiento de granos, sin embargo, la incidencia del manchado de granos no fue influenciada por la época de siembra. Los hongos asociados al manchado de granos fueron Bipolaris, Curvularia, Nigrospora, Alternaria, Fusarium y Epicocum.
Razvoj mehatroničkog sustava niske cijene za procjenu ravnoteže ljudskog tijela
Authors: Vrhovski Zoran , Benkek Goran , Husak Krunoslav , Markota Krešimir
Published: November 2024

U ovom radu opisan je razvoj mehatroničkog sustava niske cijene za procjenu ravnoteže ljudskog tijela. Mehatronički sustav sastoji se od ploče za mjerenje centra pritiska ljudskog tijela pomoću četiriju senzora sile, elektroničkog uređaja za prikupljanje podataka i komunikaciju s računalom koji je zasnovan na mikroupravljaču ATmega32U4 te računalne aplikacije koja služi za procjenu ravnoteže ljudskog tijela. Analizom mjerenja centra pritiska ljudskog tijela i njegova maksimalnog otklona tijekom mjerenja procjenjuje se ravnoteža ljudskog tijela. Razvijen je matematički model sustava i dan je detaljan opis razvijenog mehatroničkog sustava. Validacija mehatroničkog sustava za procjenu ravnoteže ljudskog tijela potvrđena je eksperimentalnim rezultatima.
Trabekulektomija u liječenju glaukoma
Authors: Raić Marko
Published: November 2024

Glaukom je progresivna bolest oka koja uzrokuje oštećenje vidnog živca, što često dovodi do oštećenja vida i, ako se ne liječi, eventualne sljepoće. Stanje je često povezano s povećanim intraokularnim tlakom (IOP), što rezultira oštećenjem optičkih živčanih vlakana i posljedičnim gubitkom vida. Glaukom se javlja u nekoliko oblika – glaukom otvorenog kuta, koji je najčešći, i glaukom zatvorenog kuta koji zahtijeva hitnu medicinsku pomoć zbog iznenadnog početka. S obzirom na to da je glaukom vodeći uzrok nepovratne sljepoće na globalnoj razini, ključno je rano i učinkovito liječenje. Jedan od istaknutih kirurških tretmana glaukoma jest trabekulektomija, postupak usmjeren na snižavanje IOP-a kod pacijenata koji ne postižu dovoljno smanjenje tlaka lijekovima ili laserskim terapijama. Trabekulektomija uključuje stvaranje alternativnog puta drenaže za izlazak očne vodice, tekućine u oku, čime se smanjuje IOP i vidni živac štiti od daljnjeg oštećenja. Trabekulektomija se pokazala kao učinkovit kirurški tretman za snižavanje intraokularnog tlaka i sprječavanje daljnjeg oštećenja vidnog živca. Unatoč potencijalnim komplikacijama, kao što su infekcije i hipotonija, dugoročni rezultati potvrđuju njezinu ključnu ulogu u liječenju glaukoma, osobito kod pacijenata s uznapredovalim stadijima bolesti.
Potencijali zapošljavanja i budući trendovi potreba za stručnjacima tehničkih zanimanja
Authors: Zobundžija Adela , Badrov Tatjana
Published: November 2024

Stručni rad istražuje potražnju za stručnim kadrovima i zapošljivost inženjera tehničkih zanimanja na tržištu rada. Nužna znanja i vještine koje traže poslodavci koji zapošljavaju čine: pravovremeno prikupljanje i evaluacija informacija, kreativnost i sposobnost rješavanja problema, samostalnost u radu, primjena informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija, opća pismenost, primjena matematičkih vještina, sposobnost komunikacije i rada u timu, snalažljivost i proaktivnost te prodajne vještine i vještine uvjeravanja. U današnje vrijeme postoji značajan broj pokretača promjena koje izravno utječu na zanimanja koja će biti sve više tražena u budućnosti, a nastale promjene u društvu i okruženju imaju utjecaj na njihova prethodno stečena znanja i vještine. Potencijalno zadovoljavanje potreba potražnje za znanjima i vještinama i mogućnosti aktivnih politika zapošljavanja na državnoj razini Republike Hrvatske zaista mogu biti korisne osobama koje se nalaze na tržištu rada, a pitanja su koja zanimaju privatni i javni sektor, ali i društvo u cjelini.Konkurentnost tehničkih zanimanja na tržištu rada najbolje dokazuje podatak da se studenti nerijetko zapošljavaju još prije stjecanja diplome na prijediplomskoj ili diplomskoj razini, i to putem studentskih ugovora te programa pripravništva ili stipendiranja koje im nude domaći, ali i inozemni gospodarski subjekti. Zato je od iznimnog značaja suradnja obrazovnog i gospodarskog sektora kako bi se osigurala moderna znanja i vještine neophodne za što kvalitetnije i brže snalaženje u suvremenom poslovnom okruženju.
The psychological depression response of Iraqi subfertile wives :a descriptive study
Authors: Mohsin Mousa
Published: November 2024

Worldwide about 15% in the childbearing years have subfertility problems. [1]   Many studies demonstrated that men and women have abnormal emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety and depression. Around 5% of couples living in the developed countries experience primary subfertility (inability to have any children or secondary subfertility. [1]   Experts say that only half of all subfertility cases had a physical origin, the rest were unexplained. But researcher notice that most cases of subfertility attributed to physiological cause in the man or woman. About one-third from those physiological problems is identified in the woman, one-third in the man, and about one-tenth of the time in both. Half of the women and 15% of the men said that infertility was the most upsetting experience of their lives. [2]  In Iraq and because of the social regulations and ideas about the female and male thinking the females was under huge psychological pressure towered the pregnancy. In our community less research to examine both men’s and women's reactions to subfertility, men's tend to report experiencing less distress than women. When the problem is diagnosed in their wives, men do not report being as distressed as the women do. Treat infertility by more advanced assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) studies suggest that they may also add to the stress, anxiety, and grief that patients are already experiencing from infertility itself.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of psychological stress (depression) experienced by subfertile wives
Material and methods: DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective study held in between March 2018 until March 2020   
SETTING: Face-to-face and online interviews were conducted in study participants
PARTICIPANTS:498 subfertile women were interviewed all suffering from primary or secondary infertility only 433 of them were accept to participating in our study and answered the questionnaire they are from subfertility units in maternity hospitals in Kerbala, Najaf and Babylon and in privet clinics and on social media
METHODS: A structured questionnaire were used and filled by direct interviewed and/or by social media chatting 
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The correlation between depression score and subfertility
RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was very high among infertile women in Kerbala, Najaf and Babylon/Iraq, where 93.5% were depressed
Anti-müllerian Hormone Associated with Antral Follicular Count in Cases of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Adnan Maysaloon
Published: November 2024

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a glycoprotein, synthesized in the “granulosa cells” of the graffian follicles of the ovaries and can suppress the growth of primordial follicles.
Objective: to assess the association of concentration of AMH with antral follicular count (AFC) on day 2-3 of the menstrual cycle, in cases of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs).
Patients and methods
This case-control cross-sectional study was piloted on two groups of total hundred infertile women. The first group included fifty cases with PCOS, while the control group included 50 non-PCOS infertile cases. A detailed history was obtained from all candidates, and on days 2-3 of the cycle underwent the following hematological tests: testosterone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2). As well, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) was performed to assess hormonal/follicular association evaluated by the count of early antral follicles (2–9mm diameter).
Results
The AMH levels in the PCOS women were significantly (P-0.001) higher compared to the control group (13.8±5.9 vs. 6.0±2.6ng/ml), correspondingly. A significant increase (P-0.001) in the count of follicles measured (2-9 mm) in size at TVUS in PCOS women compared to control (17.6±6.8 vs. 8.0±3.8), respectively. AMH correlated significantly high (P-0.001) with AFC in the PCOS group. The plasma levels of AMH and testosterone were significantly correlated in the PCOS group (P-0.05).
Conclusion
During the initial follicular phase, serum AMH in PCOS is strongly correlated with the antral follicle status. Such a link is stronger when compared with other hormones affecting follicular function. Serum AMH concentration in PCOS on days 2-3 of the cycle is a superior predictor of the early AFCs than traditional hormonal assays. Hence, AMH serum levels offer a good diagnostic potency in the definition of PCOS.
knowledges, attitudes and practices of breast self examination among female students in University of kerbala 2021
Authors: Mohammed Estbraq
Published: November 2024

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among females worldwide. Early detection of breast cancer plays the leading role in reducing mortality rates and improving the patients' prognosis.
Aim of the study
To assess the level of female university students’ knowledge attitude and practice of breast self-examination among Kerbala University student at 2021.
Subject & Methods: A cross-sectional study. It was conducted in University of Kerbala. Four colleges were chosen randomly as two medical and other two non-medical colleges. The study samples include 389 female students from 18 to 26 years. Data were collected in a period between 25th March to 2nd of August 2021.
Results:
The mean age of the responders was 19.9± (1.45) years. Most of the participants 310 (79.9%) were aware about BSE. The highest accurate responses were observed (91.0%) following the question “Is BSE important to diagnose early breast cancer?”, mean±SD (0.91±0.290), and 95% Cl (0.88-0.94). The awareness rate of this section was calculated as (61.1%).  Similarly, the overall proportion of positive attitude and BSE practice were found (71.0%) and (39.0%), respectively.
Sociodemographic chrematistics such as subject of education, high financial wellbeing, and urban resident were found to correlate positively with BSE practice, (P=0.017), (P=0.029), and (P=0.01), respectively.
Conclusion:
Although the study documented good level of awareness among the university students of Kerbala, practicing BSE was relatively low. This is mostly to not knowing the exact technique to follow and/or students do not trust themselves in finding any medical benefit from practicing.
Antibiotic resistance in E. coli Antibiotic resistance in E. coli
Authors: May.aljilawi
Published: November 2024

the treatment of bacterial illnesses is a complicated task because this micro-organism have the ability to develop a wide spectrum of antibiotic resistance  and in different mechanisms. Antimicrobial drugs are typically categorized according to their primary mode of action . for example   β-lactams and glycol-peptide agents  may interfere with cell wall synthesis, while macrolides and tetracycline  disturb bacterial protein synthesis  , another group (fluoroquinolones and rifampin)  can inhibit    nucleic acid and genetic material synthesis,  while inhibition of a metabolic pathway is a mechanism of trimethoprim_sulfamethoxazole agents ,   interference of the structures of     bacteria  membranes structure and function is a characteristics of     -polymyxins anddaptomycin .
Antibiotic resistance can develop in bacteria in a variety of ways. They may be naturally resistant to antimicrobial treatments, or they may be resistant due to genetic alterations or the transmission of a resistance allele from another species. The development of effluxing systems that protect the medicine from accomplishing its aim intracellularly, adapting the medication's area of action, or providing a substitute biosynthetic activity that avoids the drug's effects could all be possible with a new resistant allele.   By conjugation, transformation, or transduction, antimicrobial-inclined microorganisms can gain current genetic material from resistant bacteria, with transposons commonly assisting the inclusion of multiple resistance genes into the host's genome or plasmids. Antibacterial therapies provide selection stress, which allows new bacteria to emerge.
Knowledge and Practice towards Self -Medication among University of Kerbala Students
Authors: Abid Eman mohammed
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground:In general, the use of medicines divided into prescription-only medicines and over-the-counter drugs. The former requires a medical prescription; the latter are available for self-medication of common minor and easily treated illness. However, in the developing countries, prescription-only medicines can easily be purchased without a prescription, resulting in potential misuse and unnecessary risk for individuals.Objectives:Evaluate the knowledge and practice among University of Kerbala students of about self-medication.Subjects and Methods:A cross-sectional study has been implemented in the University of Kerbala among seven colleges included both medical and non-medical colleges selected by a multistage cluster sampling technique while the students were chosen by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaire papers in Arabic during April & May 2019.Results:The selected sample have a low mean knowledge score (4.83 ± 2.16) about the proper use of medications and drug safety. Especially regarding appropriate antibiotic use, with a correctness rate of 25.4. Two thirds of the sample (62.1%) practiced self-medication with no significant difference between medical and non‑medical students. Conclusion:This study showed that selected sample from the University of Kerbala has low level of knowledge about the proper use of medications and drug safety. About two-thirds of selected sample practiced self-medication for both over the counter and prescription-only medications. There is an irrational use of antibiotics, which needs attention by health institutions in Iraq.
Workshop on Modification and Innovation of Processed Banana Products by the MBKM Program of Indo Global Mandiri Students
Authors: Sadana Afdan Mifta , Hertati Lesi , Asharie Asmawati
Published: November 2024

Natural resources are resources acquired from the environment and can be utilized to fulfill human needs. One agricultural commodity that is abundant in this region is bananas. However, bananas that are sold directly tend to have a lower price and cannot be stored for a long time after being harvested due to their rapid ripening process, which leads to spoilage. Therefore, diversifying the product is necessary, and one way to do this is by processing bananas into chips. In this endeavor, we utilized the ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) method. Our activities aim to support the MBKM 2023 program, with a focus on creating positive change around km 20 Palembang. The assistance process involves several steps, starting from studying scenarios, uncovering the past (discovery), envisioning the future (dream), planning actions (design), engaging in participatory action (define), and finally monitoring and evaluating activities (destiny). By utilizing easily accessible raw materials, such as bananas, and adding innovative flavors, we hope to enhance the community's skills and creativity, as well as provide entrepreneurial opportunities to increase the selling value of bananas. The evaluation results indicate that the banana chip business is profitable, with an R/C ratio of 3.4. However, further evaluation and assistance in overall marketing strategy are still required.
Intellectualisation of indigenous language Sesotho at a South African university and implications for the speakers
Authors: Ngubane Nomalungelo
Published: November 2024

The persistent underdevelopment of African indigenous languages in South Africa denies students who are the speakers of these languages access to education in their mother tongues. Denying students access to education in their preferred languages is an infringement of their birth right enshrined in the Constitution. The circumstances are even worse when a foreign language English is the only language recognised for teaching and learning in South African higher education. Learning in a foreign language has been identified as a major barrier to effective learning, a cause for academic under-achievement and high attrition rates in higher education. Underpinned by the Language Management Theory, this conceptual paper discusses an institutional language policy plan of a university in South Africa, whose intention is to develop and intellectualise an African indigenous language Sesotho as an academic language so that it can be used by the speakers for epistemological access and success. There is limited literature on the intellectualisation of Sesotho. The paper draws from the work of other scholars who have written on the intellectualisation of African indigenous languages to strengthen the arguments on the importance of the intellectualisation of Sesotho in one university in South Africa, the processes followed, and the implications for the speakers. The paper hopes to make contributions to the ongoing debates on the intellectualization of African indigenous languages, especially in South Africa.
Student Perceptions of Multilingual Learning and Teaching in Two Faculties at a South African University
Authors: Kluyts Marike , De Klerk Danie , Dlamini Phiwokuhle , Padayachee Kershree
Published: November 2024

Language can create multifaceted and complex dilemmas for higher education stakeholders, as language remains a gateway to epistemological access. This is especially true in a multilingual country like South Africa, where the language of learning and teaching (LoLT) at universities is typically English. Nevertheless, many South African universities have adopted multilingual language policies. The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) implemented its current language policy in 2015. In this article, the authors share findings from a cross-faculty multilingualism research project, focusing on the perceptions and insights registered students had of the Wits Language Policy. The aim is to inform and support continuing policy implementation strategies that are appropriate and aligned to students’ learning needs and preferences. Data was collected from registered students in the Faculties of Science and Commerce, Law and Management, using a questionnaire. The findings suggest that not all students know of the institution’s Language Policy or what the official Wits LoLTs are. There also appears to be a preference for English as the language of teaching in formal, lecturer-led spaces, and more openness to multilingualism in less formal, peer-to-peer learning interactions. The authors conclude by briefly discussing the implications of these findings for learning and teaching, before addressing limitations and outlining plans for further research.
Thinking in my home language and writing in a second language: towards decolonizing business writing
Authors: Nyangiwe Bulelwa , Sibisi Muhle
Published: November 2024

Navigating the practice of thinking and writing in two separate languages is a reality in South African Higher Education. This reality manifests when isiZulu first language (L1) university students studying through a medium of English (L2) write business correspondence tasks in English, the dominant language in the business world. These tasks necessitate good business writing skills, including the use of speech acts and politeness strategies. However, currently, business communication disregards the diversity of cross-cultural communication. Research indicates that second language students think in their L1 when engaged in L2 writing. This paper interrogates the students’ use of negative politeness strategies in English request business letters and explores how African politeness strategies need not be regarded as negative transfer in intercultural business communication. Through random sampling, we quantitatively analysed English business letters written by first-year tertiary isiZulu L1/English L2 students (n=40). The findings reveal the use of negative politeness and impoliteness strategies in the request letters. This paper argues that the transference of politeness strategies from isiZulu to English need not be categorised as negative pragmatic transfer. However, their recognition promotes the decolonization of corporate communication in the South African context and embraces cultural and linguistic diversity in professional English interactions.
Tutors’ experiences of implementing a bilingual language policy at the university of KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Nsele Sanele , Mthembu Bheki , Mhlongo Bonakele
Published: November 2024

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) identifies with the goals of South Africa’s Higher Education Institutions multilingual language policy and seeks to be a key player in the implementation thereof. The multilingual policy recognizes the need to develop and promote the use of indigenous languages as languages of teaching and learning alongside English and Afrikaans. In pursuit of this policy, the University has embarked on a number of programmes, one of which is the Bilingual Tutoring Programme which promotes the use of English and isiZulu as languages of teaching and learning. This paper explores implementation challenges and opportunities experienced by tutors within selected academic programmes. Data were generated through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study including its inductive thematic analysis was undergirded by Vygotsky’s (1978) construct of the Zone of Proximal Development. The study’s findings were both positive and negative. According to participants, findings indicate that tutors and lecturers lack understanding of the UKZN Language Policy as a result of what appears to be the University’s lack of will to champion its policy. However, the findings also revealed that the use of bilingualism revitalizes student centered learning and animated interactions and raises interest among students. Among the recommendations, is the importance of encouraging the co-operation of all university stakeholders so as to promote success and engender an ultimate sense of ownership.
Translanguaging as a decolonial pedagogic strategy for South African universities
Authors: Madiba Mbulungeni
Published: November 2024

This article explores the persistent challenges posed by colonial pedagogies in South African universities, with a specific focus on the University of Cape Town (UCT). The imposition of colonial languages such as English and Afrikaans in South African universities has perpetuated a linguistic hierarchy wherein these two languages dominate, sidelining the indigenous African languages. Despite democratic changes in 1994, the continued dominance of the two colonial languages in teaching and learning reinforces a coloniality of language, knowledge, and power. In response to this, the article advocates for translanguaging as a decolonial pedagogy to disrupt existing power dynamics and promote linguistic inclusivity and justice in teaching and learning. The concept of translanguaging is introduced, and its potential as a transformative pedagogy for leveraging multilingual competence among students is explored. The article contends that translanguaging introduces a decolonial framework for learning and teaching for multilingual and multicultural students. An example from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is provided to demonstrate how translanguaging pedagogy can serve as a decolonial pedagogic strategy in the classroom. Methodologically, the study employed linguistic ethnography techniques to gather data. The data analysis illustrates the strategies employed by multilingual students to challenge and navigate the dominance of English academic language through the practice of translanguaging.
International non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development: current state and development prospects
Authors: Goncharov Vitalii Viktorovich , Blinnikova Anna  Valer'evna , Malinovskii Oleg Nikolaevich , Cheshin Andrei Vladimirovich , Petrenko Elena Gennad'evna
Published: November 2024

This article is devoted to the analysis of the current state and prospects of development of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development. The existence of any modern democratic state is impossible without the presence of a developed civil society, which, on the one hand, acts as the foundation and support for the apparatus of public power, thereby ensuring its stability, and on the other hand, is a legal guarantee for the implementation of both the system of legal principles enshrined in national and international law and the entire system of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities. The institute of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development plays an important role for the development of civil society in nation States, which, on the one hand, generalize at the international level the experience of civil society development in nation States, and on the other hand, contribute to scaling up the successful experience of this development everywhere. In this scientific work, a number of research methods were used, in particular: formal-logical; historical-legal; comparative-legal; statistical; sociological; method of analyzing specific legal situations. The authors identified and analyzed the main problems that hinder the organization and activities of international non-governmental organizations in the field of civil society development, among which the following can be distinguished: a) the dependence of most international non-governmental organizations on national governments or on transnational corporations; b) the politicization of the activities of a significant part of them; c) a huge number of them (more than 75,000 for 2024), which complicates, on the one hand, the processes of regulating their activities, and on the other hand, complicates the mechanism of their organizational, technical, legal and financial support from the international community; d) the presence in a number of countries of regulatory restrictions on the activities of their branches and representative offices; e) the lack of proper public control over their activities, acts and decisions at the national and international levels. The work has developed and justified a system of measures to resolve these problems.
The chromokinesin Kid (KIF22) forms a homodimer, moves processively along microtubules and transports double-strand DNA
Authors: Niwa Shinsuke , Furusaki Natsuki , Kita Tomoki , Suzuki Yuki , Chiba Kyoko
Published: November 2024

During prometaphase in mitosis, chromosomes are pushed toward the spindle equator. The chromokinesin Kid, also known as KIF22, moves chromosomes along spindle microtubules during prometaphase. Kid has long been considered as a monomeric and non-processive motor, different from typical kinesins. In this study, we demonstrate that the full-length Kid forms a homodimer and moves processively along microtubules. A conserved coiled-coil domain within the stalk region of Kid is not only capable of homodimer formation, but is also required for the processivity of Kid. Furthermore, the neck linker and coiled-coil domains of Kid could add processive activity to the motor domain of KIF1A, suggesting that Kid contains a functional neck linker and dimerization capability, a prerequisite for the processivity of kinesin motor domains. The full-length Kid, containing a helix-hairpin-helix domain, can transport double-strand DNA along microtubules in vitro. These findings collectively suggest the reclassification of Kid as a processive motor that transports DNA along microtubules.
Slovak morphological tokenizer using the Byte-Pair Encoding algorithm
Authors: Držík Dávid , Forgac Frantisek
Published: November 2024

This study introduces a new approach to text tokenization, SlovaK Morphological Tokenizer (SKMT), which integrates the morphology of the Slovak language into the training process using the Byte-Pair Encoding (BPE) algorithm. Unlike conventional tokenizers, SKMT focuses on preserving the integrity of word roots in individual tokens, crucial for maintaining lexical meaning. The methodology involves segmenting and extracting word roots from morphological dictionaries and databases, followed by corpus preprocessing and training SKMT alongside a traditional BPE tokenizer. Comparative evaluation against existing tokenizers demonstrates SKMT’s outstanding ability to maintain root integrity, achieving 99.7% root integrity compared to SlovakBERT (90.5%) and a pureBPE tokenizer (93.1%). Further validation involved fine-tuning models on a sentiment classification NLP task, where models trained with SKMT achieved an F1-score improvement of 3.5% over those trained with conventional BPE tokenization, followed by a focus on the Semantic Textual Similarity (STS) task. These findings suggest that training language models on the SKMT tokenizer significantly enhances model performance and quality.
Honey bee inspired resource allocation scheme for IoT-driven smart healthcare applications in fog-cloud paradigm
Authors: Akram Aasma , Anjum Fatima , Latif Sajid , Zulfiqar Muhammad Imran , Nazir Mohsin
Published: November 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm is a foundational and integral factor for the development of smart applications in different sectors. These applications are comprised over set of interconnected modules that exchange data and realize the distributed data flow (DDF) model. The execution of these modules on distant cloud data-center is prone to quality of service (QoS) degradation. This is where fog computing philosophy comes in to bridge this gap and bring the computation closer to the IoT devices. However, resource management in fog and optimal allocation of fog devices to application modules is critical for better resource utilization and achieve QoS. Significant challenge in this regard is to manage the fog network dynamically to determine cost effective placement of application modules on resources. In this study, we propose the optimal placement strategy for smart health-care application modules on fog resources. The objective of this strategy is to ensure optimal execution in terms of latency, bandwidth and earliest completion time as compared to few baseline techniques. A honey bee inspired strategy has been proposed for allocation and utilization of the resource for application module processing. In order to model the application and measure the effectiveness of our strategy, iFogSim Java-based simulation classes have been extended and conduct the experiments that demonstrate the satisfactory results.
Powerless: The People’s Struggle for Energy
Authors: Hernández Diana , Laird Jennifer
Published: November 2024

Energy insecurity grips millions of households across the U.S., primarily impacting populations already grappling with socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities. In this book, Diana Hernández and Jennifer Laird shine a light on this hidden hardship. Using a dual approach, they rely on both narratives and numerical data to tell the untold story of energy insecurity in the U.S. They delve into the complex reality of energy insecurity, guided by a set of questions: How do individuals find themselves in the struggle to provide energy for their families? What factors contribute to household energy insecurity? Why do existing government programs and policies fall short in addressing the growing number of people ensnared by this pervasive problem? Why does energy insecurity not occupy a more central role in scholarly literature and public policy discourse—and can this be changed? In weaving together stories and statistics, the authors aim to illuminate the shadows of energy insecurity and inspire a collective movement toward a more equitable and secure energy future for all.
Hipotaxis en las interrogativas indirectas en las Categorías de Aristóteles
Authors: Rego Thomas
Published: November 2024

El propósito de este artículo es estudiar un aspecto de la lengua de Aristóteles: el uso de las interrogativas indirectas. Primero, reseñamos brevemente las relaciones de yuxtaposicióncoordinación- subordinación en el indoeuropeo y en el griego antiguo, y rescatamos cinco marcas de hipotaxis, siguiendo especialmente a Humbert. Luego, examinamos las Categorías de Aristóteles para identificar sus proposiciones interrogativas y analizar sus relaciones paratácticas e hipotácticas con sus oraciones principales. Son abundantes los casos de proposiciones interrogativas indirectas y el análisis de sus marcas de hipotaxis puede ser útil para acrecentar el conocimiento de la lengua de Aristóteles. Por último, proponemos la hipótesis de que la recurrencia de las proposiciones interrogativas indirectas se justifique por la transformación en tratados de una forma dialogada de filosofar.
La escritura en el aula como estrategia de aprendizaje en estudiantes de cuarto año de Educación General Básica de la provincia de Manabí, Ecuador
Authors: Palacios Briones Fátima Elizabeth , Montesdeoca Arteaga Deborah Valerie , Gómez Parra María Elena , Espejo Mohedano Roberto
Published: November 2024

El cambio de polaridad se considera uno de los problemas más desafiantes dentro del ámbito de la minería de opiniones. Los operadores de cambio de polaridad son elementos lingüísticos contextuales que pueden aumentar, reducir o neutralizar la polaridad de una palabra denominada “foco” que se incluye en la expresión de una opinión. La detección automática de tales elementos mejora el rendimiento y la precisión de los sistemas computacionales para la minería de opiniones. Desde un enfoque simbólico, este artículo presenta un avance en el procesamiento automático de los operadores contextuales que afectan la polaridad de las opiniones expresadas en tuits escritos en inglés. Con este fin, proponemos un nuevo modelo basado en el conocimiento relativo a la cuantificación en inglés, la cual puede incrementar o reducir la polaridad de las opiniones. En concreto, describimos las reglas lingüísticas de cada categoría de operador asociado a la cuantificación, incluyendo información sobre el alcance y la dirección del operador con respecto al foco. Además, indicamos las fórmulas matemáticas que calculan la fuerza del efecto sobre la polaridad previa. Finalmente, presentamos las matrices asociadas a las reglas lingüísticas, las cuales facilitan la modelización del conocimiento en un sistema de minería textual.
Methodologies and models in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language
Authors: Belda-Torrijos Mónica , Palfreeman Linda
Published: November 2024

In this paper, the evolution of the main language teaching methods and their treatment of learning difficulties is succinctly presented. The different methodologies that have been tested throughout the history of the teaching of a second language (L2) are supported by different theoretical principles and hypotheses. The different theoretical linguistic models have presented, each one from their particular methodology, their approaches on how to develop such a process.
Evaluación de la influencia de un guía en prácticas de inmersión en la Naturaleza: conexión y actitudes de valoración de la Naturaleza en espacios verdes urbanos
Authors:   , Aguilar Loyola Patricio Ignacio
Published: November 2024

La desconexión entre las personas y la naturaleza ha afectado negativamente tanto el bienestar humano como los esfuerzos de conservación ambiental, subrayando la necesidad de reconectar con los entornos naturales. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue evaluar el impacto de un guía en prácticas de inmersión en la naturaleza urbana sobre la conexión de los participantes con la naturaleza y sus actitudes hacia ella. Específicamente, se buscó identificar el impacto de la exposición a entornos naturales urbanos en la conexión con la naturaleza, evaluar la influencia del guía en esta conexión y examinar la relación entre esta conexión y las actitudes de valoración ambiental. Treinta estudiantes universitarios, de entre 18 y 24 años, fueron asignados aleatoriamente a grupos de inmersión guiada, inmersión no guiada o control. Durante ocho semanas, los grupos de inmersión asistieron a sesiones semanales de 35 a 45 minutos en áreas verdes del campus, a la hora de almuerzo. El grupo guiado siguió actividades estructuradas de “baños de bosque”, mientras que el grupo no guiado interactuó libremente con la naturaleza. El grupo control continuó con sus actividades habituales. Se administró una versión modificada de la Encuesta de Conexión con la Naturaleza (CNS) al inicio, a la mitad y al final del estudio, junto con otros métodos cualitativos de evaluación. Los resultados mostraron que, de acuerdo con la escala CNS modificada, tanto el grupo guiado como el no guiado aumentaron su conexión con la naturaleza de un nivel moderado a alto, mientras que el grupo control se mantuvo en un nivel moderado. Solo se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos guiado y control. Sin embargo, el guía condujo a respuestas cognitivas más complejas, que incluyeron una mayor profundidad emocional y percepciones más profundas sobre la naturaleza, y menos variabilidad en condiciones externas como el ruido y el clima. Se concluyó que el guía mejoró el enfoque y promovió un compromiso cognitivo más profundo, lo que llevó a una conexión más fuerte con la naturaleza.