bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Profile and Hospital-based Outcome of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Patients More than 60 Years and Patients Younger than 60 Years: A Comparative Study
Authors: Paul Protap Kumar , Rahman Mohammad Shafiqur , Hasan Md. Kamrul , Siddique Nure Alam , Sharkar Mohammad Alwalid , Ferdous Md. Abu Raihan , Islam Md. Saiful
Published: November 2023

Background: Acute myocardial infarction refers to a pathological state characterized by the obstruction of blood supply to the myocardium, resulting in the subsequent necrosis of cardiac tissue. It constitutes a significant etiological factor contributing to the development of heart failure and global mortality rates. Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the clinical characteristics of acute myocardial infarction in old and young individuals who sought medical attention at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done from January 2023 to June 2023 at the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. A total of 100 people were observed in this study. Result: We have two age groups: under 60 (60%) and over 60 (40%). We name them A and B. Group A patients are 86.7% male and 13.3% female. Group A patients are 88.3% Muslim and 7% Hindu. This patient group includes 30% service workers and 20% businesses. The remaining 28.3% were patients from diverse jobs and 1.7% were farmers. With 55% male and 45% female Muslim patients, Group B includes domestic workers (45%) and businessmen (22.5%). Service workers 17%, farmers 2.5%, and other patients 12.5%. Group A had 85% chest pain, 46.7% dyspnea, 90% palpitations, and 86.7% nausea and vomiting. Ischemic chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, nausea, and vomiting affected 87.5% of Group B.Top MI risk factors. Group A had dyslipidemia (95%), family history of MI (93.3%), sedentary lifestyle (91.7%), smoking (88.3%), hypertension (86.7%), and diabetes (78.3%). The sedentary lifestyle, 100% family history of ischemic heart disease, 97.5% dyslipidemia, and 77.5% diabetes and hypertension characterized Group B. Lastly, our study reports patients' average pulse and blood pressure. In Group A, the average pulse was 81.73 ± 14.60, systolic blood pressure was 129.50 ± 20.28 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure was 89.41 ± 12.35. Group B had an .......
The Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus Haemolyticus Isolated from Patients in Taif, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alharthi Khalid Atiah , Dablool Anas S , Sarhan Mohammad M , Eidah Abdulmoghni , Bahwerth Fayez Saeed , Alghamdi Saad
Published: November 2023

Background: The spread of antibiotic-resistance genes in ecosystems has led to the emergence of antibiotic- resistant bacteria, leading to various antibiotic-resistant diseases worldwide. Materials and methods: This study aimed to characterize mute-drug resistant Staphylococci isolates from urine and wounds. We obtained 400 bacterial isolates that were tested for their pathogenicity through cultivation on blood agar, Vitek instrument was used for characterization of different antibiotic sensitivity, while PCR was used to detect the resistance gene. Excel and SPSS were used to analyze the data. All samples were obtained after institutional ethics review and participant's-consents Result: Of 400 160=40% females, 60%=240 were males) isolates were carried out from. Out of 1640 twenty-one were beta-hemolysis almost of them were described as extensive Multi-drug resistant isolates were 4(21) as they resist 10 antibiotics, 1(21) resist nine antibiotics, 7(21) resist eight antibiotics, 3(21) against seven, 2(21) six antibiotics, 2(21) resist five antibiotics,1(21) resist four antibiotic and 1(21) resist two antibiotics. These twenty-one were positive in mecA gene amplification through PCR technique but negative for the Vancomycin resistance gene. Conclusion: There are high mecA genes among clinical isolates in our study further studies with a high sample size Staphylococcus haemolyticous is recommended.
Functional Outcome of Anorectal Malformations in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain K. M. Zafrul , Rahman Md. Mijanur , Alam Md. Jahangir , Ullah Md. Hasan , Sakib Md. Safwanur Karim , Ahmad Masfik
Published: November 2023

Background: The survival of anorectal malformation (ARM) patients has increased in the last ten years due to advances in newborn care and surgical methods for ARM patients. As a result, the current therapy of ARM patients is centred on functional results following definitive surgery. Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to determine the type of ARM and measure functional outcomes, such as voluntary bowel movement (VBM), soiling, and constipation, in our patients following final surgery using the Krickenbeck classification. Methods: The current study is a cross-sectional study to retrospectively review medical records of ARM patients who underwent a definitive surgery at TMSS Medical College, Bogura, Bangladesh from 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 in which 45 cases were included. All collected data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Work Sheet and analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 40 paediatric patients underwent hypospadias surgery. Of these, 38 (95%) cases were investigated. Most common type of hypospadias was coronal type (26.3%). Most of our patients did not have any associated urogenital problem (63.2%) and the most common associated anomaly was microphallus (7.9%). Most common surgical techniques was tabularized incised plate (65.8%). Most of our patients did not have any postoperative complications (52.6%) and most common complications was urethrocutanous fistula (31.6%). the presence of severe chordee (AOR=3.09; 95% CI 1.21-7.54; p=0.013) was significantly associated with postoperative problems. Conclusion: Functional outcomes of ARM patients in our institution are considered relatively favourable, with more than half of children showing VBM and just a small number of kids suffering from soiling and constipation. The frequency of VBM may be connected to birth weight and gender, but not ARM type, whereas soiling and constipation did not appear to be related to birth weight, gender, or ARM type. .......
PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE INTERNAÇÕES POR PNEUMONIA EM CRIANÇAS NO PARANÁ ENTRE 2018 E 2022
Authors: Rossi Dayane Lais , Omairi Alexandre , Araújo Nicézio Bruna , Rossi Larissa , Franco Cassio , Rauber Rafael
Published: November 2023

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico de internações por pneumonia em crianças no estado do Paraná no período dos anos de 2018 a 2022. MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa e descritiva com abordagem retrospectiva por meio de dados do Departamento de informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DataSUS). As características epidemiológicas foram analisadas a partir de variáveis como categoria CID10, raça, sexo e idade no período de 2018 a 2022 no Paraná. RESULTADO: No período de 2018 a 2022 no Paraná, houve 52.404 internações por pneumonia em crianças de 0 a 14 anos. A principal faixa etária acometida foram crianças de 1-4 anos de idade com 26.362 casos de internações (50,3%) seguida por crianças menores de 1 ano de idade com 16.473 internações (31,4%). O sexo masculino foi o mais frequente com 28.702 internações (54,8%). Além disso, a raça mais acometida por pneumonia foi a branca com 31.933 casos de internações (60,8%) seguida pela raça parda com 6.884 internações (13%). CONCLUSÃO: A pneumonia é uma importante causa de internamento hospitalar, sendo mais comum nos primeiros anos de vida, além disso, há uma predominância no sexo masculino e na cor branca. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoce e adequado causam melhora na condição e reduz a chance de complicações.
AUTISMO E INTERVENÇÕES PRECOCES - O PAPEL DETERMINANTE NA VIDA DA CRIANÇA
Authors: Dias Renan Italo Rodrigues , Palma Aylla Lorena Gomes Lôbo , Costa Matheus Gomes da , Bonifácio Maria Eduarda de Sá , Neves Ogaciano dos Santos , Ferreira Priscila Coutinho , Santos Carlos Miguel dos , Santos Tatiane dos , Bergamaschi Rejane Dutra , Brito Sávio José da Silva , Cerqueira Evany Caroline de Souza , Gomes Grace Kelly Sá
Published: November 2023

O impacto das intervenções precoces no autismo é de suma importância para o desenvolvimento e qualidade de vida das crianças afetadas. A intervenção precoce oferece oportunidades significativas para melhorar as habilidades sociais, comunicativas e comportamentais, além de reduzir possíveis desafios no futuro. Estudos demonstram que o diagnóstico e intervenção precoces, idealmente antes dos três anos de idade, proporcionam uma base fundamental para um progresso mais significativo. As abordagens terapêuticas, especialmente aquelas baseadas na Análise do Comportamento Aplicada (ABA), têm se mostrado altamente eficazes.     As intervenções precoces na ABA geralmente se concentram na criação de um ambiente estruturado, na identificação e reforço de comportamentos desejáveis, na redução de comportamentos problemáticos e no estímulo ao desenvolvimento de habilidades adaptativas. Isso inclui foco na comunicação, interação social, autonomia e habilidades acadêmicas. Os resultados mostram que crianças submetidas a intervenções precoces têm maior probabilidade de melhorar suas habilidades sociais e de comunicação, o que, por sua vez, melhora suas interações sociais e qualidade de vida. Além disso, a intervenção precoce muitas vezes reduz a necessidade de suporte intensivo no futuro, reduzindo potencialmente custos sociais e econômicos. Entretanto, é crucial ressaltar a importância de personalizar a intervenção de acordo com as necessidades individuais de cada criança, levando em consideração a diversidade dentro do espectro do autismo. Também é essencial fornecer suporte e educação aos pais e cuidadores para que possam continuar a promover o progresso da criança em casa e em ambientes sociais. Em resumo, as intervenções precoces, particularmente aquelas fundamentadas na ABA, desempenham um papel crucial no desenvolvimento e na qualidade de vida das crianças com autismo, destacando a importância de identificar, diagnosticar e intervir o mais cedo possível para melhorar os resultados a longo prazo.
Strategi Gereja dalam Mengatasi Praktik Okultisme di Seputar Kematian
Authors: Harefa Gustav Gabriel , Gulo Eirene Kardiani , Gaurifa Mesra Wati
Published: November 2023

Artikel ini membahas tentang okultisme yang merupakan kepercayaan terhadap kuasa-kuasa gelap yang dapat memberi keuntungan sekaligus menghancurkan kehidupan manusia yang hidup di dalam praktik tersebut. Praktik okultisme ini sudah ada sejak dahulu kala, dikenal dan dipraktikkan oleh orang-orang tertentu hingga saat ini masih ada yang memelihara, mempraktikkan dan mempercayainya. Masalah tentang praktik okultisme ini sangat erat kaitannya dengan kepercayaan lama tentang percaya kepada roh orang mati serta melakukan berbagai praktik untuk menghormati arwah atau meminta berkat, kesembuhan bahkan menganggap bahwa orang yang meninggal masih ada hubungannya dengan orang yang hidup sehingga mereka masih saja mempraktikkannya. Penelitian lapangan yang dilakukan bertujuan untuk mengetahui praktik okultisme di seputar kematian kemudian bagaimana pemahaman warga jemaat tentang praktik okultisme serta bagaimana mendeskripsikan strategi gereja dalam mengatasi praktik okultisme di seputar kematian. Praktik okultisme ini sangatlah bertentangan dengan ajaran Kristen karena mengajarkan tentang kuasa kegelapan yang dapat membawa orang hidup dalam ketidaktaatan, ketidakpatuhan, dan tidak sesuai dengan firman Tuhan. Namun, hal ini masih saja dipraktikkan oleh sebagian orang yang masih memiliki pemahaman bahwa praktik tersebut dapat memberi keuntungan, kesembuhan, dan berkat.
Dampak Pelaksanaan Ibadah Keluarga terhadap Kerohanian Anak
Authors: Buulolo Suarni , Harefa Gusti Murni
Published: November 2023

Dalam kehidupan keluarga saat ini banyak ditemukan orang tua lebih sibuk kerja dari pada memberikan waktu bersama-sama dengan anak-anak. Kesibukan yang sangat padat membuat ibadah keluarga semakin jarang dilaksanakan di keluarga-keluarga Kristen. Ketika satu praktik spiritualitas yang telah dipraktikkan bertahun-tahun perlahan-lahan menghilang dari kehidupan orang Kristen, kita tentunya mempertanyakan apakah ada yang hilang dalam kehidupan kerohanian kita. Pemikiran ini membawa kita memikirkan ulang kontribusi ibadah keluarga dalam pembentukan spiritualitas kekristenan. Secara khusus penelitian ini menyoroti dampak ibadah keluarga dalam pembentukan kerohanian anak. Penelitian kualitatif ini dilaksanakan di desa Hilimbowo, Nias dengan melakukan wawancara dan observasi terhadap lima orang warga jemaat Hilimbowo yang adalah para orang tua yang sudah tidak lagi mempraktikkan ibadah keluarga di dalam keluarganya. Wawancara kepada mereka ditujukan untuk menjawab pertanyaan penelitian mengapa ibadah keluarga tidak lagi mereka praktikkan. Informan lain adalah lima orang pemuda berumur 20-30 tahun yang di dalam keluarganya secara rutin masih mempertahankan ibadah keluarga. Wawancara kepada mereka bertujuan untuk mendapatkan informasi tentang dampak praktik ibadah keluarga dalam pembentukan kerohanian mereka.
Ini Aku Utuslah Aku: Panggilan di Era Digital
Authors: Gulo Andi Darmin
Published: November 2023

This article discusses how to act as a vocation in the era of digitalization because in this era, fulfilling God'scall tends not to be oriented as a servant of God; but is often carried away by the digitalization of technologicaladvances. The purpose of writing this scientific work is to explain and encourage the readiness of God's servantsto act in their calling to carry out God's vision. In this writing, the author uses a qualitative descriptive writingmethod, where the description method is research that studies problems in society, while the qualitativeapproach is a method that explores and understands the meaning of the social problem itself. In the end, as aform of call to action in the era of digitalization, God's servants must prepare themselves, both spiritually andin synergy with technology, to build and convey God's vision.
Know-How e Ação Básica
Authors: Da Cas Cichoski Luiz Paulo
Published: November 2023

Neste artigo discuto aspectos da proposta Intelectualista sobre know-how a partir de uma perspectiva informada por tópicos da Filosofia da Ação. A tese central do Intelectualista é que há um conhecimento proposicional necessário e suficiente para a instanciação de know-how. Na primeira seção, apresento a argumentação em favor desta tese, a partir de características linguísticas, sintáticas e semânticas, das atribuições de know-how (“S sabe como ?”). Fundamentalmente, será relevante a identificação do tipo de proposição conhecida pelos indivíduos que possuem know-how. Esse tipo de proposição terá a forma geral: “M é um modo para S ?”. Na segunda seção, mostro como essa proposição é idêntica às proposições instrumentais discutidas em Filosofia da Ação. A partir dessa aproximação, apresento na terceira seção a dificuldade que a proposta Intelectualista terá para explicar instanciações de know-how de ações básicas, pois esse tipo de ação não figura adequadamente no tipo de proposição destacada pelo Intelectualista. Por fim, na quarta seção, motivo a tese de que know-how é um termo ambíguo, há uma dimensão teórica do know-how que é adequadamente capturada pela proposta Intelectualista, mas há uma dimensão prática do know-how, intimamente relacionada à execução de ações, que não é contemplada por essa proposta.
OPTIMIZATION OF POWER-ASSISTED ADENOIDECTOMY IN CHILDREN USING SHAVER TIPS OF VARIOUS MODIFICATION
Authors: Kosakovskyi Anatolii L. , Liakh Kateryna V. , Shkorbotun Yaroslav V.
Published: November 2023

The aim: To study the efficacy of surgical treatment of patients with adenoid vegetations by implementing a differential method for choosing a tip for endo¬scopic power-assisted adenoidectomy in children depending on dentition.
Materials and methods: We investigated the presence of nasal air emissions in 127 children (2-12 years old) before and after the operation. We excluded 12 patients due to the presence of nasal air emission before the operation. All patients were divided in 2 groups: I – children with aging primary dentition (55 children), II- children with mixed dentition (60 children). Depending on tips, that were used for the operation, we divided patients into two subgroups: A - 40˚ and B- 60 ˚.
Results: In 9,4% of patients have the presence of nasal air emissions before the operation. The use of 40˚ tips does not allow removal of lymphoid tissue in “hard-to-reach” areas of the nasopharynx (perichoanal and peritubular sections) in 30% of children with aging primary dentition and 42.9% with mixed dentition.
Conclusions: The use 40˚ tips for the adenoidectomy is accompanied by a higher risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children with mixed dentition compared to children who underwent the intervention with a tip with a larger bending angle and a longer working part (60°). In patients with temporary dentition, it is recommended to use a standard tip for adenoidectomy, except when correction of tubal lymphoid tissue is planned (it is necessary to use a tip with a rotating window). In patients with mixed dentition, it is recommended to use a 60° tip.
HEART RATE VARIABILITY AS AN OBJECTIVE CRITERION FOR THE PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE OF COMBATANTS
Authors: Matsyshyn Viktor S. , Kravchenko Anatolii M. , Chaikovsky Illya А. , Apykhtin Kostiantyn O. , Voznitsyna Kseniia B. , Chukhrai Oksana V. , Brozhyk Yuliia V.
Published: November 2023

The aim: To evaluate the functioning of the autonomic nervous system in combatants, the relationship between the heat rate variability (HRV) and ques¬tionnaire indicators, to improve the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to evaluate the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation (TM).
Materials and methods: 57 combatants and 30 civilians, with registering ECG and HRV-analysis, self-questionnaire testing.
Results: The combatants’ group showed an increase in heart rate, in the degree of centralisation of heart rate control and the R. Bayevsky stress index, a decrease in the total HRV value. PTSD score was negatively correlated with pNN50. The indicator «Stress» (by DASS-21), revealed negative relationships with the TP, (LF+HF), RMSSD, HF, HFn. The effects of TM on HRV are to save the work of the cardiovascular system (reduced heart rate), reduce the level of nervous and emotional stress, increase the overall adaptation reserve. After TM, the HRV spectrum retains the same proportions of very low, low, and high frequencies as in the baseline state.
Conclusions: The study objectively proved the presence of neuro-emotional stress and depletion of autonomic regulation reserves in combatants, both by questionnaire surveys and HRV analysis. The high level of correlation between HRV and questionnaire indicators gives grounds for the introduction of HRV analysis for the initial assessment of the psycho-emotional state and tracking its dynamics, as well as for assessing the effectiveness of its correction. Our use of TM has confirmed its effectiveness in correcting the psycho-emotional state.
CLINICAL PROFILES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MENSTRUAL DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN AFTER SUFFERING FROM COVID-19 OR VACCINATION
Authors: Petruk Alla O. , Lytvak Olena O.
Published: November 2023

The aim: To investigate changes in the characteristics of menstrual function in women after suffering from Covid-19 or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
Materials and methods: After the retrospective analysis of 378 medical records patients were divided into: Group 1 (177 women) with menstrual function disorders (MFD) after COVID-19, Group 2 (121 women) with MFD after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, Group C (80 women) without MFD after COVID-19 or vaccination (controls). The study focused on the clinical and hormonal menstrual cycle characteristics and factors influencing MFD.
Results: Dyshormonal thyroid disorders were observed in 63.0% of Group 1 and 45.7% of Group 2 patients; hyperprolactinemia - in 31.0% and 39.4%, hyper¬estrogenia - in 50% and 21%, and hyperandrogenism - in 39% and 20%. MFD was associated with hyperandrogenism with concurrent hyperprolactinemia, in the context of thyroid dysfunction; and with changes of gonadotropin production, along with normal and elevated estrogen concentrations and worsening of mental health that suggest disruption of central regulatory and feedback mechanisms in the pituitary-thyroid-ovarian system under the stressors influence.
Conclusions: There are changes in the menstrual cycle associated with disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary system and thyroid function in women after suffering from Covid-19 or vaccination. To reestablish reproductive homeostasis, employing a personalized diagnostic strategy is recommended, encompassing the evaluation of thyroid gland status, hormonal profiling, and the consideration of psychosocial facets.
MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR PREDICTING FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL IN DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS
Authors: Zyukov Oleg L. , Оshyvalova Оlena О. , Biloshytska Oksana K.
Published: November 2023

The aim: To substantiate the use of data on patients’ lifestyle, parameters of blood glucose, heart rate, blood pressure and bread units to build a mathematical model for predicting fasting blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus patients to improve existing measures for diabetes prevention.
Materials and methods: An open database consisting of the studied parameters of 359 people was used in the research. The linear regression method was used to predict fasting blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus patients. The statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23 was chosen for calculations.
Results: To calculate the coefficients of the linear regression equation, stepwise elimination of parameters was chosen. The analysis of the coefficients of influence of independent variables on dependent showed that the greatest effect on the change in glucose level had value of consumed bread units. The model for women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes showed the highest accuracy.
Conclusions: Mathematical modeling made it clear that any malnutrition or health disorders can lead to a significant change in glucose levels. The obtained models consist of a number of parameters, some of which might depend on the presence of concomitant diseases. Further studies should focus on the optimal combination of various parameters taking into account methods of treating comorbidities.
HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS AFTER GYNECOLOGICAL SURGERIES AND ASSOCIATED ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN UKRAINE
Authors: Kostikov Valerii V. , Netskar Iryna P. , Artyomenko Volodymyr , Rud Victor O. , Korniyenko Svitlana M. , Zarichanska Khrystyna , Salmanov Aidyn G.
Published: November 2023

The aim: To determine the prevalence of healthcare-associated bacterial vaginosis after gynecological surgeries and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes in Ukraine.
Materials and methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021 in eleven medical centers from eight regions of Ukraine. Vaginal cultures were obtained preoperatively from 3,502 women undergoing gynecologic surgery. Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis is based on the Nugent and Amsel criteria.
Results: Healthcare-associated bacterial vaginosis (HA BV) was diagnosed in 1,498 of 3,502 women, giving a prevalence rate of 42.8%. HA BV was significantly associated with preterm birth (risk ratio [RR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–4.98), miscarriage (RR, 6.11; 95% CI, 3.22–14.11), low birth weight (RR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.29–7.94), and premature rupture of membranes (RR, 6.75; 95% CI, 3.11–14.67).
Conclusions: The HA BV after gynecological surgeries prevalence is high in Ukraine, with a concomitant adverse pregnancy outcome, including preterm birth, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes, and miscarriage. A significant number of cases of bacterial vaginosis are associated with long-term use of antibiotics to treat post-operative infections.
Toward Self Reliant Communities A Cultural Comparison of Disaster Response in Thailand, Guyana and the United States
Authors: Vance Deborah Clark
Published: November 2023

This research provides a cross-cultural look at communication’s role in community disaster preparation and recovery. Cultures in three diverse sites were investigated: Individuals and community groups in Thailand’s Phuket and Phang-na provinces which experienced a tsunami in December 2004; in eastern Guyana where flooding devastated coastal areas in January 2005; and in New Orleans, Louisiana, where tens of thousands of people were displaced by the winds of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the waters that breached levees in fall 2005. Analyzing data from in-depth interviews and focus groups with individuals; members and leaders of faith-based and community organizations; and members and representatives of governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), this study theorizes about the need for community members to strengthen interpersonal and community communication networks as preparation for and survival during disasters.
Is Culture Something We Have or Something We Do? From Descriptive Essentialist to Dynamic Intercultural Constructivist Communication
Authors: Dahl Øyvind
Published: November 2023

The descriptive understanding of culture is essentialist. One assumes that a group of people share values, codes and norms. Culture is according to this understanding something people have. People belong to this or that culture, and once one has learned the cultural codes one may predict how people behave. In the global world this understanding of culture has become more problematic. Cultures are mixed and more or less shared across the globe. Cultures have become hybrids where some elements are shared, others are not. The dynamic understanding of culture is constructivist. Culture is not something people have, but something they construct in specific human encounters where mutual relations and power are part of the context. Meanings are shared, interpreted and created when people do something together i.e. when they communicate.
Cultural Values and Digital Discourse An Intercultural Communication Approach to the Transactional Discourse of Spanish and US Sales Websites
Authors: Pérez Francisco Miguel Ivorra
Published: November 2023

The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of the cultural dimension of masculinity (Hofstede 1991) on the linguistic variables that shape the transactional discourse of Spanish and US sales websites when transmitting information about their products. It is hypothesized that the different cultural orientations that both countries hold with respect to Hofstede’s masculinity indexes may promote different professional discourse cultures. The corpus consists of 100 sales websites from the toy industry (50 from Spain and 50 from the USA). Both a qualitative and quantitative analysis is followed. The results obtained reveal significant differences in the way Spanish and US companies describe and promote their products on-line as a result of their different cultural values.
Reflective Journaling Exploring EFL Students' Ethnocentric Perspectives through Cultural Self-inquiry
Authors: Maria Prikhodko
Published: November 2023

The purpose of the study is to synthesize how reflective journal writing may facilitate English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) students with exploring their ethnocentric framing of learning activities. The paper is divided into four sections. The first contextualizes EFL students in zone of proximal development (ZPD) to be able to internalize learning activities, and challenges with mediating support of interlocutors or cultural artifacts. The second defines educational objectives for EFL students to acquire intercultural skills of interpreting their ethnocentric perspectives while studying internationally. The third reviews how reflective journaling has been utilized as a students' meaningful examination of L1/L2 learning practices across academia in order to delineate the ways through which EFL students can employ this tool. Finally, based on the research reviewed, this paper proposes some ways to encourage EFL students to implement reflective journaling for interrogating their ethnocentric standpoints in light of international educational settings.
Sensual Shock Promoting the Study of Sentience in Theorizing Culture Shock
Authors: Hastings Sally O.
Published: November 2023

This theoretical essay examines the need for greater understanding of the cultural mind of sojourners by examining the role of embodiment and sentience in our theorizing of “culture shock” and cultural adaptation. Theoretical and empirical/experiential bases for treating sensual experiences as a basis and form of human discourse are provided, followed by a brief historical overview of the theorizing of culture shock and cultural adaptation. “Sensual shock” is advanced as sensitizing concept that serves as a corollary to existing theories of adaptation. A brief exemplar from previous research demonstrates the relevance of sensual shock to intercultural sojourns. Finally, the theoretical and practical benefits of this shift toward understanding cultural discourses in theorizing are explored.
Cross-cultural Metaphor Awareness as a Key component in Intercultural Communication Competence
Authors: Heidari Adeleh , Dabaghi Azizollah
Published: November 2023

The main purpose of this study is to take the first step in raising foreign language learners’ cultural awareness through comparing ECONOMY conceptual metaphors in Persian and English economic articles. It is hoped that in this way we can pave the way for the development in language learners’ intercultural awareness. In this paper, the authors explored English and Persian economic articles for the source domains of ECONOMY AS A LIVING ORGANISM. The results revealed that linguistic realizations of ECONOMY IS A LIVING ORGANISM metaphor are largely shared by English and Persian, the difference being mainly in terms of frequency. This paper has also made an effort to demonstrate that focusing on conceptual metaphors may have a useful function in raising learners' linguistic and intercultural awareness.
A comparative study of the utility of new media technologies and power distance in doctor-patient communication in the Philippines and the United States
Authors: Lawton Bessie , Mahoney Meghan , Pelliccio Lukas
Published: November 2023

This study’s purpose was to examine the role of power distance in physicians’ desired impression by patients, as well as doctors’ attitudes toward utilizing new media technologies. Qualitative interviews were conducted in the United States and the Philippines - which have divergent power distance scores. Results revealed three major themes. First, power distance was manifested in how each country’s doctors wanted to be perceived by patients. The second theme was that doctors perceived today’s patients to be more informed than in the past; however, Philippine doctors viewed this as a challenge while U.S. doctors viewed it as an opportunity to initiate conversation. The third theme identified differences in litigation concerns, which influenced attitudes toward using new media technologies in their practice.
East Meets West The Discourse of Japanese American Cookbooks as Intercultural Communication
Authors: Keri  , Matwick Keri
Published: November 2023

This study explores the discourse of cookbooks as intercultural communication through the examination of a corpus of recipes in order to describe their linguistic features and the communicative strategies employed by the authors. The analysis is of recipes from two cookbooks written by two well-known Japanese chefs for an American audience. By nature, cookbooks are a didactic text and accordingly exhibit recognizable features of a manual. That is, recipes include cooking-related lexicon, imperative verbs, and descriptive clauses. However, the recipes from the data also incorporate speech-like elements, such as first person and second person pronouns, and ambiguous and contemporary language. Findings suggest that the written features provide ways to maintain the integrity of the recipe genre while the spoken features provide ways for the authors to align themselves with their foreign readers. Thus, new insights into how writers can relate to their foreign audience through cookbooks, an everyday text yet rich with different practices of communication, can be inferred as more and more cookbooks become platforms for intercultural communication.
Ethnocentrism and intercultural willingness to communicate - A study of New Zealand management students
Authors: Campbell Nittaya
Published: November 2023

The author investigated the level of ethnocentrism and the willingness to communicate interculturally of management students (N = 438) at a university in New Zealand. The 22-item Generalized Ethnocentrism (GENE) scale and the 12-item Intercultural Willingness to Communicate (IWTC) scale were used. Results show that respondents were not highly ethnocentric and were moderate in their willingness to communicate with people from other cultures. Respondents were also asked additional questions regarding intercultural interaction on campus and in the workplace. The results suggest that they recognized the importance of intercultural communication in the workplace but that their attitudes toward interaction with students from other cultures were not conducive to developing intercultural communication skills. Implications for educators are discussed.
Communication Apprehension, Self-Perceived Communication Competence, and Willingness to Communication in Singapore
Authors: Croucher Stephen M. , Hample Dale , Rahmani Diyako , Sakkinen Kari
Published: November 2023

Based in the assertion that different cultures value aspects of communication differently, this study explored the position of Singapore on the continuum of communication apprehension (CA), self-perceived communication competence (SPCC), and willingness to communicate (WTC). Responses were obtained from 209 self-identified ethnic-Chinese born in Singapore and 105 Malay immigrants. The results revealed ethnic-Chinese to have low self-reported CA, while Malays had high CA in comparison to regional neighbors. Malays and ethnic-Chinese both had low WTC and low SPCC levels in comparison to regional neighbors. The findings show a potential “immigrant effect,” as Malay immigrants had much higher CA than ethnic-Chinese. Moreover, further studies on these communication traits should explore ingroup differences in CA, SPCC, and WTC.
A Reflection on Identities, Culture Models and Power
Authors: Rodrigo-Alsina Miquel , Medina-Bravo Pilar
Published: November 2023

We reflect on interrelationship patterns between cultures and identities, first focusing on what we mean by culture and then analysing four cultural models — monocultural, multicultural, intercultural and transcultural and their impact on identity construction. Pointing to the dangers of the monocultural model that promotes essentialist and homogenizing identity classifications, we discuss the specific weight of national identity in the multicultural paradigm. We also describe the fundamental characteristics of the intercultural perspective and the view of identities understood as a result of cultural hybridization. We conclude by considering a proposal for a transcultural perspective.
Was Malinowski Norwegian? Norwegian Interpretations of Phatic Talk
Authors: Rygg Kristin
Published: November 2023

From time to time, there is a public debate in Norway about Norwegian lack of politeness. The most recent debate started with a female Norwegian-American reader’s letter to a Norwegian newspaper. Her critique especially targeted Norwegian lack of phatic talk (greetings and small talk) towards strangers; something that she thought was both arrogant and impolite. The corpus in this article is based on responses from the Norwegian public and social media. A qualitative content analysis of their metapragmatic comments gives clues into two different views on phatic talk and why some Americans and Norwegians, or even fellow Norwegians, may misunderstand each other’s intent on this account.
Men and women in positions of responsibility - A qualitative analysis of organizational readiness in France and Finland
Authors: Galy-Badenas Flora , Croucher Stephen M.
Published: November 2023

This paper examines whether male and female managers hold different opinion on women in managerial and higher level positions, depending on their different cultural background. Furthermore, the paper deals with managers’ perception of organizational readiness to accept women in managerial positions. The paper is looking at this aspect from a cultural perspective, by comparing France to Finland. The research is based on 16 interviews, 9 from France and 7 from Finland, with individuals in different managerial positions in 10 private companies located in both countries. Findings indicate that regardless of the country and of the cultural backgrounds, organizations are not ready to let women climb the hierarchical ladder as men do. Results also show that despite a positive mind-set toward gender-equality, Finnish women still face a strong masculine corporate culture.
Sex Symbols - A Pilot Study Examining the Effects of a Content Analysis of Gendered Visual Imagery in Cross Cultural Road Signs
Authors: Motel Laura
Published: November 2023

Despite the general global consistency of road signs, the depicted human icons possess varying degrees and types of gender by country. This paper proposes that greater gender typing in road signs communicates greater inequality in a cultures’ attitude towards women. Leveraging theoretical concepts from semiotics and Bandura’s social cognitive theory, this pilot study creates and measures a visual gender scale and completes a content and semiotic analysis, providing the requisite foundation for investigating the effects of gender presentation. Results highlight the absence of gender neutral icons, internal validity of the gender scale, and pilot outcomes. A full scale study is warranted to formally measure degree of visual gender and social effect. Limitations include the novelty of a gender scale and inhibited ability to discuss effects theoretically as a result of small sample size.
A study on advanced EFL learners’ intercultural encounters
Authors: Dombi Judit
Published: November 2023

There is an increasing conviction that foreign language teaching should focus not only on making students achieve native-like proficiency but on enabling them to function as competent communicators in situations involving speakers of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Real-life experiences are of utmost importance in forming language learners’ intercultural awareness and competences. This study explores advanced Hungarian EFL learners’ accounts of their intercultural encounters and their opportunities for meeting speakers of other languages. The study follows the qualitative research paradigm, the detailed, contextualized quotes aim to provide thick description of participants’ experiences. Data were collected through a short background questionnaire and a qualitative data collection instrument employing stimulated recall: students were requested to write narrative accounts of their previous intercultural encounters. Findings reveal that although participants had limited opportunities for meeting native speakers of English, the language of intercultural interactions was almost exclusively English, even if only non-native speakers were involved. Results also show that there are enormous differences between students’ opportunities to acquaint with members of different cultures, which highlights the influence of learners’ socioeconomic backgrounds on their studies.
International Film and Audio-Visual Translation - Intercultural Experience as Moderator in Audience Recall and Enjoyment
Authors: Rader Kara , Neuendorf Kimberly A. , Skalski Paul D.
Published: November 2023

This study examines cognitive and affective outcomes of exposure to subtitled vs. dubbed international film content. Past research has investigated issues of valid language translation, the challenges of cultural reference transference, and the benefits of subtitling for foreign language learning. Based on previous research (e.g., Wissmath, Weibel, & Groner 2009), this study queried whether recall and enjoyment outcomes differ between subtitled and dubbed versions of the same filmic content. Results show no superiority of either version in simple outcomes; however, significant interactions demonstrate the moderating impact of intercultural experience constructs. Specifically, those spectators with family foreign language experience have higher visual and dialogue recall outcomes with subtitling, and those with greater cosmopolite contact report greater enjoyment with subtitling.
A Comparative Look at Chinese and American Stereotypes - A focus group Study
Authors: Zhu Lin
Published: November 2023

This paper employs a focus group approach to examine stereotypical perceptions of Chinese and U.S. Americans from each other's perspective. Eight focus groups were conducted involving 34 undergraduate participants from two universities in the U.S. and China. Group discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for emerging themes. Results showed that there were converging and diverging perceptions between Americans and Chinese. Specifically, both Americans and Chinese perceived Americans to be individualistic and independent, and Chinese to be family oriented and collectivistic. However, Americans and Chinese differed in the extent to which Americans are perceived as social and Chinese as quiet. Sources of people's stereotypical perception were also explored. Theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed.
Fashion's engagement with Politics and the role of Politics in Fashion
Authors: Kvasnytsia Roksoliana
Published: November 2023

This study aims to identify and analyse the influencing factors on the processes of diffusion between fashion and politics as well as to determine forms and methods of their interaction which now appear to emerge as a separate topic for scientific research (e.g. aestheticism within political life and political dimension of the fashion itself). On the basis of an interdisciplinary approach, politics and fashion are comprehensively analyzed as two important social regulators. This analysis uses historical sources, theoretical and methodological developments of Ukrainian and foreign scientists who studied the process of diffusion between fashion and politics. Such processes of diffusion were identified and considered accordingly within the most significant factors of influence: politics is the dictator of fashion; fashion is a symbol of a political movement; political leaders are dictators of fashion; fashion is the language and weapon of fashion designers. A comprehensive analysis showed that over the centuries in all contries of the world fashion performed the role of an identifier of the social stratification of society, was an indicator of social status, a reflection of political processes. Fashion is considered as an ideological imagery of a political movement and a symbol of the idea represented by an image. Also, functions of fashionable symbols have been revealed. It was determined that national revolutionary movements and wars influence fashion innovations, in particular, the development of patriotic clothing style (national clothing style; revolutionary fashion; military fashion). The process of diffusion is considered based on the analysis of the visual image of political leaders. It has been determined that the visual image plays an important role in the formation of the image of the state, as it is shaped within the consciousness of society and with the help of associative connection. Fashion also plays an important role in the evolution of political identities. Conceptual presentations of fashion collections have been proven to be a spectacular and an effective form of diffusion between fashion and politics. Such shows present a scenographic character of protest and manifest and are powerful and effective in influencing collective political consciousness of a society.
Since the visuality is a priority in postmodern culture, one of the relevant topics for further research will be the issue of design and fashion in the field of political imagelogy of the post-war period in Ukraine, which will also encompass topics on development strategies and methods as well as influencing factors and effective tools.
Asymptotic Probability Expansions for Random Elements in a Hilbert space
Authors: Konane Victorien F. , Yaméogo Claude , Baguian Wahabo
Published: November 2023

In this article, we approach a class of problems in probability theory, namely, the asymptotic expansion of probability. We consider an independent, identically distributed, and normalized stochastic process in a separable Hilbert space H, and associate it with the normalized partial sum.As a result, we built on the ball with a fixed center asymptotic expansion of non-uniform probabilities; our conditions on the moments are minimal, and the dependency of estimates on the covariance operator is expressed with the terms of the eigenvalue series. Likewise, the covariance operators of the random elements do not coincide. In the open ball set with fixed center a and radius , we estimate the optimal result of the Berry-Esseen type of the remainder, and the terms of the probability by the Fourier method.
A New First Finite Class of Classical Orthogonal Polynomials Operational Matrices: An Application for Solving Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Ahmed H. M.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, new operational matrices (OMs) of ordinary and fractional derivatives (FDs) of a first finite class of classical orthogonal polynomials (FFCOP) are introduced. Also, two algorithms are proposed for using the tau and collocation spectral methods (SPMs) to get new approximate solutions to the given fractional differential equations (FDEs). These algorithms convert the given FDEs subject to initial/boundary conditions (I/BCs) into linear or nonlinear systems of algebraic equations that can be solved using appropriate solvers. To demonstrate the robustness, efficiency, and accuracy of the proposed spectral solutions, several illustrative examples are presented. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithms exhibit higher accuracy compared to existing techniques in the literature. Furthermore, an error analysis is provided.
Polyvinyl Alcohol/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite Membrane for Highly Efficient Oil/Water Mixture Separation
Authors: Davardoostmanesh Maryam , Ahmadzadeh Hossein
Published: November 2023

The growing amount of oily wastewater caused by frequent oil spill accidents poses a severe threat to the ecological environment. Therefore, the development of highly efficient oil/water separation methods is highly necessary. This work reports the preparation of a nanocomposite membrane using graphene oxide (GO)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated on steel meshes for oil/water mixture separation. PVA firmly anchors GO nanosheets onto the mesh surface through strong hydrogen bonds using glutaraldehyde (GA) as a crosslinker. This nanocomposite membrane exhibited superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic properties, with the highest oil contact angle of 158º due to its highly rough structure. The synergistic effects of GO and PVA further improved the superhydrophilicity of the prepared membrane, due to the hydrophilic nature of both GO and PVA. The separation efficiencies and water flux for a variety of oil/water mixtures were above 97.8% and 6000.0 L m−2 h−1, respectively. The prepared membrane showed excellent chemical resistance under harsh conditions without evident change in its surface wettability. Moreover, its underwater superoleophobicity was maintained after 10 cycles of abrasion testing.