bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coronabekämpfung als Managementaufgabe der Landkreise und Länder
Authors: Meyer Hubert
Published: October 2021

Im März 2020 wurde das öffentliche Leben erstmals in der bundesdeutschen Geschichte binnen weniger Tage heruntergefahren. Die weltweite Corona-Pandemie führte auch in Deutschland zu staatlichen Interventionen in das private Leben nahezu aller Bürgerinnen und Bürger bisher nicht gekannten und kaum für möglich erachteten Ausmaßes. Die Maßnahmen wurden politisch zwischen Bund und Ländern verabredet. Ihre Umsetzung oblag weitgehend den Bundesländern. Diese wiederum griffen für die operative Realisierung in weiten Teilen auf die Landkreise (und kreisfreien Städte) zurück. Nach der Flüchtlingskrise 2015/2016 standen und stehen damit Landkreise und Länder erneut in der Verantwortung, eine Krise zu bewältigen, deren Ursachen und Ausmaß sie nicht beeinflussen können. Der Beitrag geht auf die damit verbundenen Herausforderungen als Managementaufgabe für Land und Landkreise am Beispiel des Landes Niedersachsen ein.
Die Privilegierung der Landwirtschaft
Authors: Jensen Nils
Published: October 2021

Even in an industrialised and service-based economy, agriculture is and remains a sector that is particularly worthy of protection and that operates not only in its own interest, but also in the interest of the general public. However, the social debate shows that the advantages and disadvantages of agriculture are not balanced on every farm. The study deals with the public interest in the privileged treatment of agriculture, i.e. the question of what justifies the special treatment of agriculture and what is "agriculture" in this sense.
Postoperative Pain Management: Efficacy of Caudal Tramadol in Pediatric Lower Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Farahmand Rad Reza , Imani Farnad , Emami Azadeh , Salehi Reza , Ghavamy Ali Reza , Shariat Ali Nima
Published: October 2021

Background: One of the methods of pain control after pediatric surgical procedures is regional techniques, including caudal block, despite their limitations. Objectives: In this study, the pain score and complications of caudal tramadol were evaluated in pediatrics following lower abdominal surgery. Methods: In this study, 46 children aged 3 to 10 years were allocated into two equal groups (R and TR) for performing caudal analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. The injectate contained 0.2% ropivacaine 1 mL/kg in the R group (control group) and tramadol (2 mg/kg) and ropivacaine in the TR group. The pain score, duration of pain relief, amount of paracetamol consumption, hemodynamic alterations, and possible complications at specific times (1, 2, and 6 hours) were evaluated in both groups. Results: No considerable difference was observed in the pain score between the groups in the first and second hours (P > 0.05). However, in the sixth hour, the TR group had a significantly lower pain score than the R group (P < 0.05). Compared to the R group, the TR group had a longer period of analgesia and lower consumption of analgesic drugs (P < 0.05). Heart rate and blood pressure differences were not significant between the two groups (P > 0.05). Similarly, the duration of operation and recovery time were not remarkably different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Complications had no apparent differences between these two groups, as well (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, the addition of tramadol to caudal ropivacaine in pediatric lower abdominal surgery promoted pain relief without complications.
Serum Peptidyl-prolyl Cis-trans Isomerase NIMA-interacted 1 (Pin1) as a Non-invasive Marker for Liver Fibrosis due to Chronic Hepatitis C Virus.
Authors: Cengiz Mustafa , Ozenirler Seren
Published: October 2021

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may remain asymptomatic or cause liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Objectives: We aimed to assess the relationship between serum peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacted 1 (Pin1) levels and liver fibrosis due to HCV. Methods: Serum samples of successive patients with HCV genotype 1b and healthy volunteers were collected, and Pin1 levels were measured using ELISA kits. Liver fibrosis stages were calculated by the Ishak Scoring System and subdivided into two groups; stage < 3 (mild fibrosis) and ≥ 3 (advanced fibrosis). Correlation and area under receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) analysis were used to investigate the relationship between Pin1 and clinical and histopathological properties of HCV infection. Results: Ninety-four patients with HCV and 47 age- and sex-matched volunteers were included. The median age of the participants was 52, and 55% of whom were females. The mean (SD) of Pin1 serum level was significantly higher in the HCV group compared with healthy volunteers (33.94 (21.15) vs. 26.82 (8.85) pg/mL, respectively, P = 0.007). Seventy-seven (82%) and 17 (18%) of the participants showed mild and advanced fibrosis, respectively. Pin1 serum levels were significantly lower in the mild compared with advanced fibrosis group (29 (17.88) vs. 43.59 (7.98) pg/mL, respectively, P < 0.001). We found a significantly positive correlation between Pin1 serum level and liver fibrosis stage (r = 0.71, P < 0.001). The cut off of 33.04 pg/mL of Pin1 serum level showed the best sensitivity (100%) and specificity (68.4%) (AUROC = 0.81 [95% confidence interval: 0.72 - 0.90], P < 0.001) for distinguishing advanced from mild liver fibrosis. Conclusions: Serum Pin1 level may be a relevant marker for predicting liver fibrosis in HCV infected patients.
Value of Quantitative Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Distinguishing Asymptomatic Subacute Thyroiditis from Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Na , Sun Hongguang , Qi Tingyue , Cao Haiyan , Li Nianfen , Zhu Linhai , Ding Yongling
Published: October 2021

Background: Asymptomatic subacute thyroiditis (aSAT) without inflammatory features is often difficult to distinguish from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), even with ultrasonography. Under certain circumstances, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is performed, which is known to increase the patient’s physical pain. Objectives: To investigate the value of quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in discriminating aSAT from PTC nodules. Patients and Methods: A total of 30 aSAT and 23 PTC patients were systematically reviewed. Quantitative CEUS parameters, including the rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), maximum intensity (IMAX), as well as their extension indicators (ΔRT and ΔTTP), were determined in various nodule areas (total, central, peripheral, and control regions of nodules). Chi-square test and independent-samples t-test were performed to compare significant differences between PTC and aSAT. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of each parameter, as well as diagnostic efficacy indices, including sensitivity and specificity, in discriminating aSAT from PTC nodules. Results: Compared to the PTC group, patients with aSAT had a longer ∆RT1 (RT of the control area − RT of the whole area; 0.12 ± 0.69 vs. -0.2 ± 0.57, P = 0.03) and ∆RT3 (RT of the control area − RT of the central area; 0.43 ± 0.72 vs. 0.04 ± 0.94, P = 0.049). Besides, compared to the PTC group, the aSAT group had a shorter RT in the total area (RT1: 4.05 ± 1.56 vs. 4.91 ± 2.09, P = 0.045); a shorter TTP in the total (TTP1: 4.91 ± 1.76 vs. 7.30 ± 3.92, P = 0.005), peripheral (TTP2: 5.06 ± 1.97 vs. 7.00 ± 3.48, P = 0.01), and central (TTP3: 4.90 ± 1.68 vs. 7.57 ± 4.41, P = 0.004) areas; and a lower IMAX in the peripheral area (IMAX2: 0.74 ± 0.36 vs. 1.09 ± 0.57, P = 0.009). Based on the ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve was significantly larger for TTP1 as compared to RT1 (P = 0.027). Conclusion: Conventional ultrasound and CEUS examinations were inadequate in distinguishing PTC from aSAT. Overall, a quantitative analysis may indicate more biological characteristics of nodules, which can be helpful in the differential diagnosis.
Relationship of Physical Activity Level with Quality of Life and General Health Among COVID-19 Recovered Individuals
Authors: Azmodeh Mahnaz , Hoseini Rastegar , Amiri Ehsan
Published: October 2021

Background: New coronavirus (COVID-19) has a major impact on the individual's physical activity level (PAL). The COVID-19 outbreak caused a decrease in the PAL, which might also affect the general health and quality of life (QoL). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of PAL with QoL and general health (GH) among COVID-19 recovered individuals (CRI). Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study in which 890 CRI (men [n = 438] and women [n = 452]) were recruited from volunteers of different COVID-19 testing centers in Kermanshah Province. The participants were chosen by the multi-stage (Cluster) sampling techniques. The consent form and questionnaires (PAL, GH, and QoL) were filled out, and demographic information was evaluated. The short form of international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), GHQ, and the short-form-SF-12 QoL questionnaires were used to appraise the PAL, GH, and QoL. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS version 24.0 at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The findings of the present study showed that men and women with COVID-19 had inadequate PAL (876.11 ± 40.23 and 739.08 ± 27.02, respectively), insufficient GH (50.13 ± 3.11 and 54.15 ± 4.28, respectively), and poor QoL (22.02 ± 2.28 and 19.23 ± 1.87, respectively). The results also showed that men had significantly higher PAL (P = 0.035), GH (P = 0.047), and QoL (P = 0.023) compared to women. Also, the results showed a significant inverse relationship between PAL and GH (men: r = -0.589, P = 0.038 and women: r = -0.685, P = 0.029) and a significant positive relationship between PAL and QoL (men: r = 0.792, P = 0.018 and women: r = 0.824, P = 0.001) in COVID-19 recovered individuals. Conclusions: Considering the prevalence of COVID-19 and its negative impact on GH and QoL, maintaining adequate PAL can be considered as one of the effective strategies for improving QoL and GH.
The Change in Thinking about Social Integration of People with Disabilities in Educational Context
Authors: Lipińska – Lokś Jolanta
Published: October 2021

The idea of social integration of people with disabilities is widely known, accepted and implemented in many areas of social life. It should be noted, however, that in more than forty years history of promoting integration in Poland, significant changes regarding the very concept of integration and understanding the determinants of its effects have been visible. The experience of teachers undertaking integrative teaching and scientific reflection have been the source of these changes, changes regarding: static (state)/dynamic (process) approach to integration, individual/social dimension of integration of people with disabilities, total/fragmentary nature of social integration are the most radical. In the aspect of changes in terms of social integration, particular attention is devoted to the conditions of integration in education of children with disabilities: positive attitudes of children towards disabled peers, preparation of a child with disability for integration, teacher - his knowledge, skills, attitude.
Czech National Identity and the Elements Through Which is Constructed
Authors: Kolaříková Veronika
Published: October 2021

National identity is still one of the common components of identity of (post) modern people. The image of national identity is always country-specific, but individual national identities can share the same elements - for example they are associated with certain historical events related to national history, or are associated with national personalities. How the Czech national identity looks like may be by its owners more or less consciously formulated or implicit awareness. Some national and international research surveys are devoted to the topic of Czech national identity and bring partial findings concerning this phenomenon. However, a comprehensive overview of which specific elements constitute the Czech national identity and which thus contribute to its construction and reconstruction is missing in the literature. The aim of the study is therefore to find out and describe which elements constructing national identity are used in the concept of contemporary Czech national identity. The study will then use elements constructing the Czech national identity to create a coding key that, by categorizing the elements involved in the process of construction of the Czech national identity, will not only name and describe this identity, but also investigate it in more detail in future research surveys.
Perfil do comportamento de escolares vítimas de bullying e de agressores
Authors: Schenkel Ismael , Borfe Leticia , Elesbão Heloisa , Mayer Sandra Mara
Published: October 2021

O estudo objetivou identificar o perfil do comportamento de escolares vítimas de bullying e de agressores, comparando possíveis diferenças entre os sexos. Estudo transversal com 200 escolares, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 9 a 15 anos. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário com perguntas relacionadas ao bullying. Os dados foram analisados no programa SPSS v. 23.0, considerando um nível de significância de p0.05 e expressos em frequência absoluta e relativa. Em sua totalidade, observou-se elevado percentual de escolares que já sofreram algum tipo de agressão (55,5%), tendo como principal forma a verbal (25,0%), e ocorrendo principalmente no recreio escolar (27,5%). Um menino foi o mais citado como agressor (25,5%). Os achados indicam alta prevalência do bullying escolar tanto para vítimas quanto para agressores e, dessa maneira, destacam a necessidade de ações sociais voltadas à prevenção de atos agressivos e a promoção da convivência escolar de forma saudável e amistosa.
Pacientes coronarios hablando de riesgos nutricionales: etiquetado NutriScore y máquinas de «vending»
Authors: Ferreira Díaz MªJosé , Laguía Ana , Topa Gabriela
Published: October 2021

Este estudio analiza los discursos de una muestra de pacientes coronarios (N = 12) que asisten a un programa de rehabilitación cardíaca. A través de dos grupos focales cómo técnica de investigación se realiza un estudio de metodología cualitativa. Este trabajo tenía dos objetivos principales: en primer lugar, conocer cuánta información manejaban los participantes acerca del nuevo etiquetado nutricional y las claves que perseguía la ley 17/ 2011, de 5 de julio, de seguridad alimentaria. En segundo lugar, valorar la adherencia a las charlas educativas del programa de rehabilitación cardiaca, conocer su opinión acerca del contenido de las máquinas de "vending" de los hospitales y plasmar sus consejos y/o sugerencias a la hora de poder mejorar la calidad de la atención recibida. Los resultados muestran la importancia de seguir reforzando la educación para que los pacientes puedan optar por una conducta más adaptativa en cuanto a la adopción de una dieta cardiosaludable y asuman un papel más activo en su recuperación.
GPS: Trusting Technology
Authors: Hagan Kelly , Asli Özgün-Koca S.
Published: October 2021

Growing Problem Solvers provides four original, related, classroom-ready mathematical tasks, one for each grade band. Together, these tasks illustrate the trajectory of learners’ growth as problem solvers across their years of school mathematics.
Las “Marchas del Silencio” en Uruguay: poética y reivindicación memorial a través de las imágenes
Authors: Sosa González Ana María
Published: October 2021

El presente artículo establece una reflexión acerca de uno de los fenómenos más destacados de reivindicación de la memoria sobre el pasado reciente en Uruguay: las “Marchas del Silencio”. Estas corresponden a una de las principales expresiones multitudinarias vinculadas a la conmemoración y reivindicación memorial sobre ese pasado. Se establece una trayectoria de la misma, el porqué de su origen y desarrollo, poniendo el énfasis en las poéticas de la memoria en torno a esa movilización, tomando como ejemplo las iniciativas del equipo “Imágenes del Silencio” (lo que motivó la exposición de la autora en el IV Seminário Internacional de História do Tempo Presente). A través de las creativas propuestas de este grupo, se analiza la importancia y repercusión de los retratos de detenidos desaparecidos en esas marchas, motivados por los proyectos que desarrolló ese equipo de fotógrafos. Por medio de una serie de entrevistas, notas de prensa y análisis de lo comunicado en la página web de la Asociación de Madres y Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos, se realiza la indagación sobre el uso, circulación y apropiación de esas imágenes por parte de la población. Junto al propio testimonio de quien participa de las marchas, se constató el valor simbólico de esas imágenes a través de sus diversos usos y desdoblamientos como un "arma" de denuncia, reivindicación y lucha por mantener viva la memoria de los detenidos desaparecidos y con ello impedir que tales violaciones a los derechos humanos vuelvan a ocurrir.
Palabras clave: poéticas de la memoria; Marchas del Silencio en Uruguay; imágenes del silencio.
Differentiation of Paratischeria and Neotischeria gen. nov. (Lepidoptera, Tischeriidae), with a description of new, mostly Asteraceae-feeding species from Central and South America
Authors: Stonis Jonas R. , Diškus Arūnas , Remeikis Andrius , Paulavičiūtė Brigita , Katinas Liliana , Cumbicus Torres Nixon
Published: October 2021

We describe a new genus, Neotischeria Diškus & Stonis, gen. nov., and four new species of trumpet moths. Three of them are trophically associated with Asteraceae plants: Neotischeria ochripennata Diškus & Remeikis, sp. nov. and N. longa Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., discovered from the western part of the equatorial Andes, N. conexa Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., discovered from the eastern part of the central Andes, and N. poseidonia Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., discovered from Guatemala (the host plant is unknown; it is presumed to be a Malvaceae plant). We briefly discuss the diagnostics of Neotischeria gen. nov. by differentiating it from the most similar Paratischeria Diškus & Stonis and Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus. We also newly combine seven formerly Paratischeria species, including P. neotropicana Diškus & Stonis, with Neotischeria and designate the latter species as the type species of a new genus. The new species are illustrated with photographs of the male and, if available, the female genitalia and the leaf mines. We also provide the first documentation of the hitherto little-known Peruvian Neotischeria capnota (Meyrick) deposited at NHMUK (London).
Contribution to the knowledge of the terrestrial isopod fauna of Lithuania
Authors: Šatkauskienė Ingrida
Published: October 2021

The present survey provides records on terrestrial isopods from southern and north-western parts of Lithuania. Isopods were sampled manually by checking substrates in eight habitats (several types of forest and anthropogenic environment) between 2014 and 2016. In total, seven species were recorded. The common European species Trachelipus rathkii was noted as the most frequent isopod in all studied habitats from southern Lithuania. Porcellionides pruinosus, found in the habitat of anthropogenic activity, was recorded for the first time from Lithuania. Based on the data of the present study and previous surveys, the 14 species of terrestrial isopods are recorded in Lithuania and the current state of knowledge about Lithuanian isopod is summarised.
Genetic variability of dairy cattle breeds in Lithuania
Authors: Lapickis Romualdas , Griciuvienė Loreta , Aleksandravičienė Asta , Lipatova Indrė , Paulauskas Algimantas
Published: October 2021

Large numbers of different scientific studies are conducted to preserve the breeds and improve the existing ones by introducing the variability of the plate genes, which best shows the phenotypic characteristics that can improve the health of dairy cattle and the quality of their production. The main purpose of this study was to perform an analysis of genetic variability of Lithuanian cattle breeds. Three subpopulation groups were studied: Lithuanian Black and White (95 individuals), Lithuanian Red (49), and Lithuanian White and Red (48). Bovine genetic material was genotyped using a total of 11 fluorescent microsatellite primers to estimate genetic variability. All loci presented a high degree of polymorphism and a total of 292 different alleles (Na) were detected. Thirty-two private alleles were detected in all evaluated subpopulations. After completing pairwise population assignment, which is based on the distribution of allelic frequencies, three populations showed the tendency to group into three separate clusters. However, the performed Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), which is based on genetic distances, showed no anticipated clear grouping. Bayesian structure analysis revealed three genetic clusters. Analysis of FST (0.001–0.027) and Nei genetic distance (0.029–0.084) revealed that the genetic diversity of inter subpopulation in cattle groups was estimated to be lower than the genetic diversity of intra subpopulation.
Praktični pristop k obravnavi bolnika s primarnim vaskulitisom osrednjega živčevja
Authors: Krajnc Nik , Brecl Jakob Gregor
Published: October 2021

Vaskulitisi so redka in raznolika skupina bolezni, ki prizadenejo male, srednje velike in/ali velike žile. Večinoma gre za sistemske bolezni, vendar lahko v redkih primerih prizadenejo samo žilje v osrednjem živčevju; tedaj jih imenujemo primarni vaskulitisi osrednjega živčevja. Najpogosteje se kažejo z glavobolom, s kognitivnim upadom in z encefalopatijo, neredko pa tudi s sindromom ishemične ali hemoragične možganske kapi ali s prehodno pretočno motnjo. Pri diagnosticiranju se poslužujemo odvzema likvorja, v katerem ugotavljamo limfocitno pleocitozo s povišanimi vrednostmi beljakovin. Vnetni parametri in ostali laboratorijski izvidi krvi (revmatološki, mikrobiološki, citološki izvidi) so praviloma normalni. Magnetnoresonančno slikanje (MRI) glave nam v 90 % pokaže nespecifične spremembe. V primeru negativnega slikovnega izvida in normalnega likvorskega izvida je diagnoza primarnega vaskulitisa osrednjega živčevja praktično izključena. Na angiografiji pri približno 40 % bolnikov ugotavljamo izmenjujoče se stenoze in ektazije, ki so nespecifične najdbe, saj jih lahko opažamo tudi pri drugih boleznih. Zlati standard za postavitev diagnoze je biopsija, ki je zaradi segmentne prizadetosti žilja lažno negativna v 25 %. Zdravljenje pričnemo z indukcijskimi imunosupresivi, izmed katerih največkrat uporabljamo metilprednizolon in ciklofosfamid, v nadaljevanju (po 6–12 mesecih) pa preidemo na vzdrževalno imunouspresivno zdravljenje, največkrat z azatioprinom ali mikofenolat mofetilom. Bolniki s primarnim vaskulitisom osrednjega živčevja so zaradi omejitev pri diagnostičnih preiskavah še vedno velik diagnostični izziv. Ob vsem tem je zgodnja diagnoza ključna za ugoden izid bolezni.
Influence of time delay on dynamics of cell cycle
Authors: Zhao Xin-Jun , Li Jiu-Zhi , Jiang Zhong-Ying ,   Xinjiang Laboratory of Phase Transitions and Microstructures of Condensed Matter Physics, Yi Li Normal University, Yining 835000, China,   Laboratory of Micro-Nano Electro Biosensors and Bionic Devices, Yi Li Normal University, Yining 835000, China,   Department of Urology, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Urumqi 830000, China
Published: October 2021

In this work, based on the Hill dynamics and Michaelis-Menten equation, a theoretical model is built to study the influence of time delay on the oscillation dynamics of a cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1)/ anaphase-promoting complex (APC) system. The theoretical model considers the time delay in the CDK1- polo-like protein kinase (P1K1)-APC pathway. We find that under different time delay conditions, the CDK1, Plk1 and APC exhibit periodic oscillation characteristics over time, indicating cell cycle progression. With the increase of time delay, the oscillation periods and amplitudes of CDK1, Plk1 and APC increase, which indicates that the time delay will change the dynamic characteristics of the system. It implies that during the cell cycle, the status of the CDK1/APC oscillation system will show a long-term correlation with the biochemical reaction time of each component, such as CDK1, Plk1 and APC. This correlation is influenced by its past, and there is a time-delay effect. The additional correction will be made due to time delay. By investigating the time-delay effect in Gaussian white noise environment, we find that in the Gaussian white noise environment, the noise disturbance obviously changes the dynamic characteristics of CDK1 evolution with time. In a low-noise environment, the CDK1/APC system changes the oscillation amplitude or period through self-adjusting time delay, so that the system can restore the stable periodic oscillation, while in a high noise environment, CDK1 exhibits a damped oscillation, indicating that the periodic oscillation dynamics of the CDK1/APC system will be significantly changed by strong noise. In the CDK1/APC system oscillation process, the system adjusts the physiological response through a feedback mechanism. There is a time delay between the perception of the noise effect and the establishment of an appropriate physiological response. By different time delays, the system can adjust complex non-periodic chaotic rhythms with different time delays, and recover to produce a stable periodic physiological process. Owing to the time delay, the CDK1/APC oscillation system changes from the original stable oscillation to a damped oscillation, but the original oscillation mode is difficult to recover. The theoretical results further reveal the time-delay effect in cell cycle processes such as Xenopus embryos, and provide a theoretical basis for designing pathway treatment plans that regulate cell cycle and block tumor transformation.
Practical and Theoretical Implications of Teachers’ Prior Language Learning Experiences for Their Teacher Identity Development
Authors: Egitim Soyhan
Published: October 2021

This article describes the practical and theoretical implications of EFL teachers’ prior language learning experiences for their teacher identity development. Every language teacher possesses different values, beliefs, and underlying assumptions about teaching and learning. To a certain extent, these values, beliefs, and assumptions are shaped up by the language teacher’s prior language learning experiences. Thus, teachers who regularly examine these internal values, beliefs, and assumptions are able to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The awareness of self can help teachers develop a risk-taking attitude and experiment with different pedagogical approaches which can lead to creativity and pedagogical innovation in the classroom.
Narrative Voice Structure in Kole Omotoso’s The Edifice
Authors: Farinde Raifu O. , Oyedokun-Alli Wasiu A.
Published: October 2021

This article offers a reading of Kole Omotoso’s The Edifice in which he exposes the themes of insensitivity, callousness, aggressiveness, oppression, marginalization and racial discrimination of the whites against the black people successfully. It is clear that the most important and highly unique technique that the writer uses to advantage and which projects the theme of the novel forward is the one of conversational speech which contributes highly to the success of the novel. This explains the reason the present writer is picking the novel out of all Omotoso’s novels because it makes it more prone to linguistic analysis more than most African literary works. Using linguistic stylistic analytical tool of narrative voice structure and focusing particularly on free direct speech and free direct thought, this paper examines the themes of racial discrimination and oppression of the whites against the black people in the novel. From the analysis, the paper concludes that the implication of this racial discrimination is that all the expressions used in the novel against the black people by the whites are exaggerated, hyperbolic and highly calculated to depict African race in bad light.
A Modified Version of Bloom’s Taxonomy and Critical Language Awareness: Evaluating EAL Textbooks for Junior High Schools in Ghana Through a Critical Literacy Approach
Authors: Senyo Akrong Brian , Chaka Chaka , Walt Christa van der
Published: October 2021

This study set out to evaluate three English as an additional language (EAL) textbooks used by junior high schools in the Ho West District of Ghana. It adopted a critical literacy framing and employed purposive sampling to select five junior high schools in the Ho West District. It utilised a modified version of Bloom’s (1956) taxonomy of cognitive dimensions and Cummins’ (1999) CALP, respectively, to evaluate the language contents of the three EFA textbooks: Book 1, Book 2, and Book 3. The three evaluated areas were: thinking skills; integration of various school subjects; and critical language awareness. Two of the findings of this study are worth mentioning. First, of the six cognitive dimensions of a modified version of Bloom’s taxonomy that are graded in degrees of cognitive complexity (e.g., from lower-order thinking skills to higher-order thinking skills), knowledge, as the first lower-order cognitive skill, was the most foregrounded in all the three textbooks. It was followed by understanding as the second lower-order cognitive skill. Second, all the three textbooks incorporated elements of other school subjects in their language contents in line with CALP. By contrast, all the three textbooks did not foster or develop critical language awareness. Overall, the three textbooks foregrounded lower-order thinking skills over higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, inventive thinking (synthesis), and evaluation.
Saudi EFL Learners’ Perceptions of the Frequent Use of Spelling Correction Tools in Social Media
Authors: Alsadoon Reem
Published: October 2021

Spelling is an essential skill in EFL writing especially if writing is frequently used in texting through social media and smartphones. The study surveys Arabic EFL learners about their perceptions of using spelling correction tools: spell checkers and auto-correctors. The study focused on the perceived usefulness and ease of use of such tools in social media applications, since they are used frequently by the study’s participants. The questionnaire was sent online to 84 participants at Aljazeerah Academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The data was analyzed quantitively with descriptive and inferential statistics indicating that spell checkers are mostly perceived to be easier to use than auto-correctors. However, no significant difference was found in terms of learning the misspelled words.
Usage Patterns and Meanings of High-Frequency English Verbs: A Multi-Word Expression Approach to Japanese High School EFL Textbook Analysis
Authors: Sakaba Hiroko , Okada Takeshi
Published: October 2021

This article aims to classify the overall uses of high-frequency English verbs in a novel methodology from both a pattern and meaning perspective, which has not be done in previous studies, with special reference to TAKE and MAKE. In the pattern-based analysis, all occurrences of these two verbs were collected from Japanese EFL textbook corpus, and the usage patterns of the extracted two target verbs were categorized into three major multi-word expression types: phrasal verbs, grammatical collocations, and lexical collocations. To further investigate the patterns of uses, some multi-word units consisting of three to seven words were identified as either semi-fixed expressions or fixed expressions. After the pattern-based classification, all the multi-word expressions identified were analyzed from a semantic perspective. This analysis revealed the new finding that all uses of TAKE (352) and MAKE (374) obtained from the corpus could be successfully classified into the three major multi-word expression categories. With respect to the pattern, the proportion of major multi-word expression categories showed similar results; lexical collocations were the most frequent, and phrasal verbs were the least frequent in both target verbs’ usage. In terms of meanings, the uses of TAKE were classified in a larger number of semantic categories (42) than MAKE (25). The obtained results have an implication that the novel methodology employed in this study is a valid way to the further investigation of the usage of high-frequency English verbs.
Syllable-Counting Meter in Soqotri Poetry
Authors: Aloufi Aliaa
Published: October 2021

Within the advance of generative metrical theory that is concerned with the linguistic study of versification, poetry investigation has been undeniably played a significant role in enhancing such progress. The research of linguistic scholars has been mainly focused on the exploration of English poetry with minor concentration on the examination of poetry in other languages, and that clearly implies the need of such research. Thus, the present study aims to examine the meter in Soqotri poetry under the framework of Optimality Theory (OT). It reveals that Soqotri poetry is regulated by poetic meter that constrains the size of the line with a fixed number of syllables with no systematic rhythm or alliteration. The OT analysis offered in this study derives the restrictions on the size of the line with minimality and maximality constraints. It shows the capability of OT in generating the well-formedness of non-rhythmic meter that constrains the phonological constituency in Soqotri poetry.
Revising Trauma Theory: Trauma as Identity Construction and the Discontented Self in Fadia Faqir’s My Name is Salma (2007)
Authors: Ahmad Baaqeel Nuha
Published: October 2021

This essay will examine the concept of traumatic identity in My Name is Salma, exploring theories of traumatic identity and their relationship to the self in Arab Literature, the social context of the text and its historical resonance, and representation and identity via the female traumatic experience. The analysis will seek to reflect upon the impact and convergence of feminism, trauma and post colonialism within issues like the construction of the self, belonging, and the juxtaposition of homeland and exile. This essay argues, in part, that Arab women writers embrace trauma in their texts, while simultaneously critiquing the effects of trauma on the construction of personal identity. In particular, the work of Jordanian author, Fadia Faqir, in her novel, My Name is Salma (2007), provides a first-person narrative of the narrator and protagonist, Salma, who defines her personal identity as constructed from trauma, yet who is unable to process, mediate, or overcome her traumatic past. As she nevertheless attempts to construct a coherent narrative of self, the character of Salma allows readers insights into her thoughts, actions, and the way she views herself. This essay asserts further that the types of trauma that inform Salma’s narrative of self also speak to the experiences of many women in Arab states, such as the social stigmatization of so-called illegitimate birth, the violence of honour killing, racial abuse, Othering, and the dire circumstances and suffering inherent in life as a refugee.
Gandhian Ideology in Satendra Nandan’s Fiction
Authors: Kamal Kumar Khemendra
Published: October 2021

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bapu, or Mahatma is no longer perceived as a person but a belief now. His views on non-violence, love and care, and the quest for Truth are far reaching than one can imagine. Apart from many virtuous deeds, Gandhi was instrumental in abolishing the Indenture System in India: a system synonymous with narak or hell. In South Africa, he fought for the rights of the Indian indentured labourers. His experiences amongst the labourers shaped Gandhi’s makings and markings. The end of the Indenture System freed over one million Indian bonded labourers in sixteen different colonies (Cohen 63). For a diasporic writer like Satendra Nandan, a descendant of an indentured labourer in Fiji, Gandhi has a particular room in his heart and writings. No other Indo-Fijian writer has given Gandhi the attention in their works like Nandan. Most of his works have direct references or allusions to Gandhi and his ideology. For this reason, Nandan’s view is unique. In this paper, I will discuss two of Gandhi’s ideologies that feature prominently in Nandan’s works: the search for Truth and the act of reading and writing.
Academic English Program Evaluation of the Foundation Year at Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic College: Trainees and EFL Instructors’ Perceptions
Authors: Mahmoud Hamdoun Waleed
Published: October 2021

The main reason of conducting this study is grounded on my rational to provide further guidance to curriculum staff in my professional context, College of Saudi Petroleum Services Polytechnic (SPSP), to develop the current English program taught to vocational trainees to prepare them to their future jobs at petroleum services industry in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the graduates’ spoken language is inadequate at their worksites and therefore their employers are relatively dissatisfied with the language quality of their manpower. Accordingly, I have decided to explore the speaking skill aspects in the existing English curriculum to value its effectiveness in improving and helping the academic staff to produce fluent speakers of English at oil industry workplaces. Based on my study findings, I have found that it is relatively difficult to assign a language course book which meets all the needs of trainees at vocational training institutions because their working environment needs specific learning objectives for learning job-related language. In my research and professional experience, as a researcher in language curriculum development as well as being a language instructor at a vocational training college, I can conclude that the solution to solve language learning and its implication at workplace is to develop EAP/ESP language program based on specific instructional objectives driven from the actual needs assessment at the target workplaces and their intended learning outcomes could be aligned with both learning and teaching activities and assessment tasks using the constructive alignment principles as the constructive alignment framework could be effective in structuring and designing aligned curriculum to meet the intended goals of these contexts, especially vocational training centers and higher education institutions.
The Comparative Effect of Audio-Taped and Written Homework Feedback on EFL Learners’ Speaking Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency
Authors: Mashoura Maryam , Baradaran Abdollah , Nazanin Ghassemi
Published: October 2021

The main focus of the present study was the comparative effect of two various types of homework and feedback (Audio-Taped Homework Feedback and Written Homework Feedback) on EFL learners’ speaking complexity, accuracy and fluency. Also, there are three dependent variables including Speaking Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency. The study offered the same kind of teaching procedures to 60 female EFL learners, selected from a population of 90 individuals. All have been studying at intermediate level of English learning at the same institute for approximately 3 years. The process of participant selection was based on learners’ performance on a sample piloted test called PET, at Zabansara institution. Indeed, Due to the fact that there is a need to be able to generalize the present study’s findings to similar contexts of learning, the piloted PET test was carried out and general language proficiency level of students was measured meticulously. Moreover, the total number of the present research participants (60) was divided into one experimental groups as Audio-Taped Homework Feedback and one experimental group as Written Homework Feedback. Each individual group consisted of 30 members. 10 sessions of treatment (each 2 hours) were held for both experimental groups. The outlook of the present research study was seen as enhancement of language learners’ Speaking Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency. Hence, two models of Homework (by the participants) and Feedback (by the teacher) were carried out. The present research study included one independent variable with two modalities of Audio-Taped Homework Feedback and Written Homework Feedback. What is more, there are three dependent variables as Speaking Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency. It is necessary to point it out that a Pre and Posttest of Speaking was administered to all individuals (participants) considering Speaking Complexity, Accuracy, and Fluency. To this end, the statistical analyses were conducted and the obtained results showed a significant influence of Audio-Taped Homework Feedback on the mentioned dependent variables, comparing with Written Homework Feedback. This research study is hoped to increase students’ general language proficiency level along with the focus on new methodologies of assignment/feedback and implementation of the findings as reference in further educational contexts.
Linguistic Equivalence is Not Sufficient: Saudi Translation Students’ Linguistic Knowledge Compared to their Sociocultural Knowledge of the English Language
Authors: Alqahtani Faisal M.
Published: October 2021

English as a foreign language (EFL) and translation studies have argued that linguistic equivalence is not sufficient to transfer intended cultural meanings of the target language (TL) text. Unlike previous studies, this study investigates and compares the knowledge level of the linguistic and sociocultural competencies of selected Saudi translation students (STSs) at King Saud University. A multiple-choice test questionnaire was developed and used to examine the respondents’ knowledge level of two areas of linguistic competence: grammatical functions and grammatical forms of key elements of English language tense and aspect, and two areas of sociocultural competence: knowledge of native speakers’ culture and the cultural dimension of the TL. The results were compared to determine any statistically significant differences. These results suggest that the respondents’ linguistic competence is more developed than their sociocultural competence, and their knowledge of the forms is more developed than that of the functions of key elements of English language tense and aspect.
Spinsterization of Women or Spinster Women in the Arab Women’s Literature: An Imposed Reality or a Rejected Choice? Hayfā’ Bayṭār’s Novel, Nisā’ bi Aqfāl/Women in Locks1, as a Sample
Authors: Bishara Hanan
Published: October 2021

In my opinion, the art of the novel is an invented female art. It is a product of the hidden depths and interiors of the woman’s suffering. “Every woman is pregnant of her ‘novel’ as one critic argued and therefore, she does not see it necessary to write it on paper as long as she lives sit. The woman is a creator and an artist in her nature and it is sufficient for us to say the mistress of narrators is a woman called Scheherazade, who is the mistress of the tales the Arab nights, namely, Alf Laila wa Laila. What proves my view strongly is the historical error that literary historians and critics committed when they argued that the author of Alf Laila wa Laila is an ‘anonymous author’ instead of analyzing it stylistically in order to understand that its author is an ‘anonymous woman’ who could not put her name on the tales under a religious oppressive culture that is full of taboos. In my opinion, Hayfā’ Bayṭār is the mistress of female narration in her search of ‘lost freedom’. Nothing was left for the woman through which she could achieve her existence except talking and writing, after she had been raped physically and spiritually. In my opinion, the novel of this study, Nisā’ bi Aqfāl/Women in Locks is a novel of yearning for freedom for the women who live under norms and traditions that escalate with the escalation of extremism and fanatism, and suppression of the prohibited trilogy of religion, sex and politics. The man managed to imprison the woman and captivate her with his taboos behind invisible bars that made her live in an exile, and alienation within her homeland. Like Scheherazade, she can either talk or die, and ‘death’ here is in a memory that rapes one’s soul as the body is raped. By the written ‘word’, she exposes ‘rape’ and protests against injustice, and by self-revelation, the woman’s presence overcomes her absence. Writing is a medical instrumentality that grants the woman liberation, emancipation, and purification with which, she reveals the psychological accumulations and piled bitter memories, and denude a reality which resembles a play that is repeated on the ears of history and its thresholds.
The Impact of Students’ Cultural Capital on their Learning Experiences in an EFL Programme in Higher Education
Authors: Assulaimani Turki , Althubaiti Haitham Ali
Published: October 2021

Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital is a potent theoretical device in the analysis of the correlation between familial educational background and individual student performance and outcomes in higher education. The theory of cultural capital enables culture to be conceived as an asset that furnishes its possessors with advantages that can be transferred from parent to child. This paper explores how the possession of cultural capital by students of English as a foreign language at a Saudi university can influence their subsequent learning. Specifically, this study examines how familial education shapes student outcomes in an EFL programme. This relationship has been investigated extensively in different contexts around the world, but not sufficiently within the Saudi context. The findings of the current study are significant as they indicate that Saudi students accrue certain advantages from the educational experiences and resources available to them in their social environments. Furthermore, the study reveals that students with a deficit of cultural capital and no family history of higher education encounter more problems in the EFL programme and demonstrate overall lower levels of language proficiency.
Heronry distribution and site preference dynamics of tree-nesting colonial waterbirds in Tamil Nadu
Authors: Frank Sadrack Jabaraj Dhanaraj , Gopi Govindan Veeraswami , Pandav Bivash
Published: October 2021

Anthropogenic disturbance and climate change have significantly affected the distribution of wetlands globally and particularly in Asian countries. Various types of wetlands are harboured across all the biogeographic zones in India. These wetlands provide vital ecological services and are rich in biodiversity. However, anthropogenic pressures continue to be a threat to these wetlands by affecting the flora and fauna that depend on them. Tree-nesting colonial waterbirds are vulnerable to these pressures as their colonies are typically located in wetlands and associated areas. Disturbances to these areas have resulted in the loss or shifting of many heronries. The present study was conducted in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu during the period of 2017–2019 to document the existing and previously unknown heronries of the landscape. A total of 101 heronries were documented in 22 districts. The Little Cormorant was the most dominant species, occurring in 79% of the sites, with relative abundances of 24% and 26% during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively. A total of 23 tree species were utilized by the birds for nesting and Vachellia nilotica trees were used for nesting in about 25% of the heronries. 19% of the heronries were situated inside protected areas and 81% were located outside protected areas. Out of the 58 active nesting sites reported in 2005, 43 have been lost or are no longer active. Species distribution modelling with presence only data indicated that the sites with a high probability of occurrence were confined to the major waterbodies and rivers. Spatial correlation showed that the heronries were dispersed randomly across the landscape. The population dynamics within heronries and colonial nesting waterbirds’ response to various environmental factors must be monitored continuously to conserve these heronries.