bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
West Nile virus infections in Hungary: Epidemiological update and phylogenetic analysis of the Hungarian virus strains between 2015 and 2022
Authors: Nagy Anna , Horváth András , Mezei Eszter , Henczkó Judit , Magyar Nóra , Nagy Orsolya , Koroknai Anita , Csonka Nikolett , Takács Mária
Published: May 2023

Following the introduction of the West Nile virus (WNV) into Hungary in 2004, it has shortly become one of the most important human arbovirus infections, with a gradually increasing number of cases. The study aimed to summarize the current epidemiological situation in Hungary and sequence the WNV PCR-positive clinical specimens and virus isolates by next-generation whole genome sequencing (NGS) to obtain a detailed phylogenetic analysis of the circulating virus strains. Whole blood and urine samples from confirmed WNV-infected patients and WNV isolates were investigated by reverse transcription PCR assays. Genome sequencing was carried out by Sanger-method, followed by NGS on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Altogether 499 human infections were diagnosed between 2004 and 2022. A particularly remarkable increase in human WNV infections was observed in 2018, while the number of reported cases significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2015 and 2022, 15 WNV isolates, and 10 PCR-positive clinical specimens were investigated by NGS. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the major European WNV lineage 2 clades, namely the Eastern European (or Russian) and the Central European (or Hungarian) clades, are presented in Hungary. Strains of the Balkan and other European clusters within the Central European clade are co-circulating in the country, following a characteristic geographical distribution. In Hungary, the presence and co-circulation of multiple lineage 2 WNV strains could be identified in the last few years. Therefore, in light of the 2018 WNV outbreak, sequence-based typing of the currently circulating strains could highly support outbreak investigations.
Philosophy of Grammar in Ancient India: Reinterpreting the Gārgya Controversy in Nirukta 1.12–1.14
Authors: Visigalli Paolo
Published: May 2023

This paper offers a systematic reinterpretation of the Gārgya controversy, a remarkable episode in the history of early India’s reflections on language. Recorded in Yāska’s Nirukta, this controversy centers on the issue whether all or only certain nouns are ‘born from’ (i.e., derived from) verbs. While Śākaṭāyana and the etymologists, including Yāska, believe that all nouns are derivable, Gārgya and the grammarians maintain that only morphologically regular nouns are derivable. This paper examines the arguments developed in this controversy and argues that Yāska’s belief that all nouns are derivable is not only a linguistic axiom but also reflects non-linguistic concerns pertaining to the raison d’être assigned to the discipline of etymology and to the belief that the Veda transcends history.
A colondaganatok sebészete, az elvárható hazai és nemzetközi standardok
Authors: György Alpár , István Gábor
Published: May 2023

A vastagbéldaganatok előfordulása Magyarországon folyamatosan növekvő tendenciát mutat. A túlélési esélyek javulása elsősorban a korai diagnózistól és a prevenciótól várhatóak. Emellett kiemelt figyelmet igényel a vastagbéldaganatok korszerű multidiszciplináris ellátása is. A folyamatosan fejlődő onkológia mellett a colondaganatok kezelésének továbbra is elengedhetetlen alappilére a sebészi resectio. Közleményünkben kiemelt hangsúlyt fektetünk a vastagbéldaganatok sebészi ellátásának korszerű elveire. Az aktuális standardok áttekintése mellett áttekintjük a jövőbe mutató kezdeményezéseket is. A közlemény alapjául szolgáló előadás a Magyar Sebész Társaság Sebészeti Onkológiai Szekciójának harmadik országos rendezvényén hangzott el.
Striatal ups or downs? Neural correlates of monetary reward anticipation, cue reactivity and their interaction in alcohol use disorder and gambling disorder
Authors: van Timmeren Tim , van Holst Ruth J. , Goudriaan Anna E.
Published: May 2023

Background and aims

Dysfunction of the striatum, a brain region part of the mesolimbic reward system, is a key characteristic of addictive disorders, but neuroimaging studies have reported conflicting findings. An integrative model of addiction points to the presence or absence of addiction-related cues as an explanation for hyper- or hypoactivation, respectively, of the striatum.

Methods

To test this model directly, we investigated striatal activation during monetary reward anticipation in the presence versus absence of addiction-related cues using functional MRI. Across two studies, we compared 46 alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients with 30 matched healthy controls; and 24 gambling disorder (GD) patients with 22 matched healthy controls.

Results

During monetary reward anticipation, hypoactivation of the reward system was seen in AUD individuals compared to HCs. Additionally, a behavioral interaction was seen where gambling cues made participants, across groups, respond faster for bigger, but slower for smaller rewards. However, no striatal differences were seen in response to addiction-related cues between AUD or GD patients and their matched controls. Finally, despite substantial individual differences in neural activity to cue-reactivity and reward anticipation, these measures did not correlate, suggesting that they contribute independently to addiction aetiology.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our findings replicate previous findings of blunted striatal activity during monetary reward anticipation in alcohol use disorder but do not support the idea that addiction-related cues explain striatal dysfunction as suggested by the model.
Effects of different modes and intensities of exercise on longevity proteins in middle-aged mouse skeletal muscle
Authors: Inoue Shota , Matsuura Kyohei , Eguchi Daisuke , Wakayama Masahiro , Ono Kosuke , Jiang Hanlin , Moriyama Hideki
Published: May 2023

Physical exercise represents one of the most effective approaches to anti-aging. The goal of this study was to verify the effects of different modes and intensities of exercise on longevity proteins in the skeletal muscle in midlife. Middle-aged mice were trained in aerobic or resistance exercise for 8 weeks, and the changes in sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in the skeletal muscle were evaluated by western blotting. Long-term exercise had no effects on skeletal muscle SIRT1 abundance, whereas high-intensity aerobic exercise increased AMPK phosphorylation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Low-intensity resistance exercise facilitated Akt/mTOR/p70 ribosomal protein kinase S6 (p70S6K) signaling but did not induce muscle hypertrophy. Conversely, high-intensity resistance exercise stimulated muscle hypertrophy without phosphorylation of mTOR signaling-related proteins. These results suggest the importance of setting exercise modes and intensities for anti-aging in midlife.
Understanding Religious Experience
Authors: Connolly Peter
Published: May 2023

This work seeks to answer a number of fundamental questions about religious experiences. It thus addresses issues such as what it is that makes such experiences ‘religious,’ whether some religious experiences are more ‘authentic’ than others and whether these experiences provide insights into otherwise inaccessible regions of reality or are products of the brains of those who have them. The author draws upon a number of scholarly perspectives in the course of this project, primarily phenomenological, philosophical and psychological ones, though research from other academic disciplines has also been incorporated.
Time-dependent similarity and micro-mechanism of chloride diffusivity of fly ash concrete in different environments
Authors: Zhang Yurong , Ma Xueqing , Du Sishi , Zhang Yun
Published: May 2023

Based on the exposure test of fly ash (FA) concrete in different environments, chloride diffusion coefficients and main microstructural parameters measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry and their time-dependent properties were analysed. Then, the effect of FA content on time-dependent chloride diffusivity and microstructural parameters was investigated. Finally, according to similarity theory and Jaccard coefficient, the similarities of instantaneous chloride diffusion coefficient and main microstructural parameters between two environments were discussed. Results show the proportion of pores with size ≥100 nm has the best correlation with chloride diffusivity of concrete. Besides, chloride diffusion coefficients and main microstructural parameters decrease with exposure time. The decreasing rate increases with the increase of FA content. Moreover, in the laboratory environment with high temperature and high salinity, an acceleration effect on chloride diffusion can be observed. Results of similarity analysis indicate that chloride diffusivity and the main microstructural parameters at an exposure time of 320 days in the laboratory environment are the most similar to those on site at an exposure time of 840 days. For concrete with FA content not more than 40%, the Jaccard coefficients of similar criterion parameters related to chloride diffusivity and microstructural parameters are all greater than 0.87.
Material characteristics of Ti-6AL-4V samples additively manufactured using laser-based direct energy deposition
Authors: Willemse M.G. , Siyasiya C.W. , Marais D. , Venter A.M. , Arthur N.K.K.
Published: May 2023

Although additive manufacturing is fast gaining traction in the industrial world as a reputable manufacturing technique to complement traditional mechanical machining, it still has problems such as porosity and residual stresses in components that give rise to cracking, distortion, and delamination, which are important issues to resolve in structural load-bearing applications. This research project focused on the characterization of the evolution of residual stresses in Ti-6Al-4V extra-low interstitial (ELI) additive-manufactured test samples. Four square thin-walled tubular samples were deposited on the same baseplate, using the direct energy deposition laser printing process, to different build heights. The residual stresses were analysed in the as-printed condition by the neutron diffraction technique and correlated to qualitative predictions obtained using the ANSYS software suite. Good qualitative agreement between the stress measurements and predictions were observed. Both approaches revealed the existence of large tensile stresses along the laser track direction at the sections that were built last, i.e., centre of the top layers of the samples. This in addition leads to large tensile stresses at the outer edges (corners) which would have the effect of separating the samples from the baseplate should the stresses exceed the yield strength of the material. Such extreme conditions did not occur in this study, but the stresses did lead to significant distortion of the baseplate. In general, the microstructures and spatial elemental mapping revealed a strong correlation between the macro-segregation of elemental V and the distribution of the β-phase in the printed parts.
Tecnologías y accesibilidad en la educación superior virtual. Guías para favorecer la inclusión y la accesibilidad
Authors: Otón Salvador , Ingavélez Paola , Pérez Angel
Published: May 2023

El proyecto "Asistencia tecnológica a la accesibilidad en la Educación Superior Virtual (EduTech)" forma parte del programa Erasmus+ en su Acción clave 2: cooperación para la innovación y el intercambio de buenas prácticas. La acción tiene como objetico apoyar la modernización, accesibilidad e internacionalización de la educación superior en los países asociados, contribuyendo a su desarrollo y crecimiento socioeconómico sostenible e integrador. El proyecto surge para paliar la problemática de la aplicación de la accesibilidad tecnológica en las instituciones de Eduación Superior. La formación de estudiantes desde su ingreso hasta su inserción laboral y la formación de docentes en el ámbito de la accesibilidad en educacion es una de las acciones principales del proyecto.
Üst birinci premolar çekiminin maksiller ve mandibular posterior boşluğa etkisinin değerlendirilmesi
Authors: ÜNVER Hacı Fatih , TORTOP Tuba
Published: May 2023

Amaç: Üst birinci premolar çekiminin maksiller ve mandibular posterior boşluğa olan etkisinin değerlendirilmesidir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmanın materyalini, dişsel Sınıf II maloklüzyona sahip, üst iki birinci premolar çekimi ile sabit apareylerle tedavi edilmiş 20 bireyin tedavi öncesi (T1), sonrası (T2) ve pekiştirme sonrası (T3) lateral sefalometrik radyografileri oluşturdu. Lateral sefalometrik radyografiler üzerinde, yedi boyutsal ve dört açısal ölçüm aynı yazar tarafından yapıldı. İstatistiksel analizde, sürekli sayısal değişkenlerin dağılımının normale yakın dağılıp dağılmadığı Shapiro-Wilk testiyle incelendi. Ölçüm ortalamalarında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değişim olup olmadığı parametrik verilerde Wilks’in Lambda testi, nonparametrik verilerde ise Friedman testiyle incelenerek; Bonferroni düzeltmeli çoklu karşılaştırma ya da Dunn-Bonferroni post-hoc testler uygulandı. p<0.05 değeri anlamlı olarak kabul edildi.
Bulgular: SNB açısı T3’te T1’e göre anlamlı düzeyde arttığı bulundu (p<0.05). ANB açısı T3’te T1’e göre anlamlı düzeyde azaldığı bulundu (p<0.05). T1’e göre hem T2 hem de T3’te U1-NA mesafesinin anlamlı düzeyde azaldığı bulundu (p<0.001). T1’e göre hem T2 hem de T3’te ve T2’ye göre T3’te U6-PTV mesafesinin anlamlı düzeyde arttığı bulundu (p<0.001). T1’e göre hem T2 (p<0.01) hem de T3’te (p<0.001) ve T2’ye göre T3’te CLMD (p<0.05) mesafesinin anlamlı düzeyde arttığı bulundu. T1’e göre hem T2 hem de T3’te ve T2’ye göre T3’te DC mesafesinin anlamlı düzeyde arttığı bulundu (p<0.001). CL1 mesafesi T3’te T1’e göre anlamlı düzeyde artmış bulundu (p<0.05).
Sonuç: Maksiller posterior boşlukta premolar çekimine bağlı olarak artış izlenmiştir. Mandibular posterior boşlukta izlenen artışın maksiller posterior boşluktan daha az olduğu görülmüştür. Maksiller kesici dişlerde retraksiyon ve maksiller molarlarda meziyalizasyon hareketi izlenmiştir.
Intracranial Hypertension after COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Park Woohyun , Song Seungwon , Jung Da Eun , Lee Jung Hyun , Chu Min Kyung
Published: May 2023

Headache is a frequent complaint in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Nevertheless, no detailed information on the pathophysiology of headache in COVID-19 infection is currently limited. We encountered a patient developing headache, diplopia, and intracranial hypertension after COVID-19 infection. The patient no more complained of headache and diplopia after the intracranial pressure was normalized. Our case suggests that intracranial hypertension is a mechanism of headache in COVID-19 infection. We report herein a case of transient intracranial hypertension after COCVID-19 infection.
Aspetti dietetici e farmacologici nelle dislipidemie
Authors: Formisano Elena , Proietti Elisa , Bertolini Almina , Spandonari Barreto Valeria , Pisciotta Livia
Published: May 2023

Il trattamento della maggior parte delle dislipidemie ha come finalità principale la riduzione del rischio cardiovascolare e, nel caso delle gravi ipertrigliceridemie, la riduzione del rischio di pancreatiti ricorrenti. La terapia farmacologica delle dislipidemie, in genere personalizzata sul tipo di dislipidemia e sul rischio specifico per il paziente, deve essere associata ad un corretto stile dietetico. Ad oggi sono stati definiti “patterns” dietetici efficaci nel ridurre il rischio cardiovascolare (dieta mediterranea, dieta DASH, dieta vegetariana) e sono entrati a fare parte delle linee guida per il trattamento dei fattori di rischio cardiovascolari. Di contro, alcune dislipidemie genetiche rare necessitano di una dietoterapia specifica che deve essere impostata da un dietista esperto. I farmaci che si utilizzano per il trattamento delle ipercolesterolemie agiscono attraverso tre noti meccanismi: inibizione della sintesi, inibizione dell’assorbimento, inibizione di PCSK-9. Per il trattamento delle ipertrigliceridemie si utilizzano farmaci in grado di modulare l’espressione genica dei geni regolatori dei livelli di trigliceridi. In questa revisione verranno descritte brevemente tutte le classi di farmaci ipolipemizzanti attualmente disponibili in Italia specificando i dati di efficacia e sicurezza.
Le relazioni pericolose: disglicemia e dislipidemia
Authors: Morpurgo Paola S. , Cerutti Nadia
Published: May 2023

Se l’effetto dell’iperglicemia e del diabete mellito conclamato sono ben chiari, negli ultimi anni anche le condizioni di disglicemia (o prediabete) hanno mostrato il loro impatto sull’incremento del rischio cardiovascolare. Dalla letteratura internazionale emerge che un trattamento precoce delle condizioni di disglicemia, soprattutto se associata alla dislipidemia e all’ipertensione arteriosa, è utile per ridurre il rischio cardiovascolare. Le opzioni terapeutiche, oltre alla modifica dello stile di vita e alla terapia dietetica, constano di farmaci con effetti ipoglicemizzante, insulinosensibilizzante e ipolipidemici. In questa condizione, non ancora malattia, però possono avere un ruolo anche i nutraceutici.
Vocatives of Entreaty in Arabic: Evidence for PP Selection
Authors: Abdelhady Saleem , Alkinj Marwa
Published: May 2023

Across languages, it is argued that vocative phrases are composed of a vocative head that selects a noun phrase (NP) or a determiner phrase (DP) as its complement. Based on data from Standard Arabic, in addition to selecting NPs and DPs, the study reveals patterns where a vocative head may select a prepositional phrase (PP). This class of vocative constructions appears in situations where speakers are calling for help and is referred to as nɪdaʔ ʔalʔɪstɪɣaθa ‘Vocative of Entreaty.’ This study focuses on the syntax of nɪdaʔ ʔalʔɪstɪɣaθa ‘Vocative of Entreaty’ and expands the boundaries that limit the selection options of vocative heads to NPs and DPs. For this purpose, the study utilizes the Minimalist program (Chomsky, 1995) for data analysis and follows Hill (2013) in analyzing vocatives as speech act projections. This study is significant because it challenges all previous accounts on vocatives (Haddad 2020; Abdelhady 2020; Al-Bataineh 2019) and reveals new patterns where a vocative particle becomes obligatory in vocative phrases, provided that its complement is a PP. This type of data has implications for proposals related to case assignment patterns of nominals that are c-commanded by VOC.
Insertion Function in Code-Mixing Use on WhatsApp Group Chats Among University Students
Authors: Menggo Sebastianus , Pramesti Putu Dewi Merlyna Yuda , Krismayani Ni Wayan
Published: May 2023

Code-mixing is viewed as using two or more languages in daily interaction. Code-mixing is highly intriguing to investigate as it has become an unquestionable option for particular speech communities worldwide. However, an analysis of insertion in code-mixing phenomenon on WhatsApp Group Chat of university students has not been supported by current empirical studies. The evidence indicates that the insertion of code-mixing usage is a great tactic to show the speaker's communication strategy, intimacy, and limited linguistic competence. This study aimed to analyze the types, functions, and values of insertion in code-mixing use on WhatsApp Group Chat among university students. This study used the descriptive-qualitative method. Twenty-two students of two WhatsApp Group Chats were chosen as respondents in this study. Moreover, the researchers used documentation, interviews, and field observations to obtain data from respondents. The findings demonstrate that insertion functions in code-mixing use on WhatsApp Group Chats are solidarity, intimacy, interjection, a limited vocabulary, clarification, and group identity expressions.
Status of Rungus Language as an Indigenous Language Spoken by Rungus Ethnic Group in Eastern Malaysia
Authors: Al-Khaza’leh Bilal Ayed
Published: May 2023

Language shift and language maintenance as contact phenomena have received considerable attention in the realm of linguistics. The current study investigated the status of Rungus language, language of Rungus ethnic group in east Malaysia, to find out the status of this language within the Rungus local community. Synchronous unstructured interviews were conducted with twenty five Rungus educated speakers (15 males, 10 females) to elicit their attitudes about their Rungus mother tongue. Thematic analysis showed that the low status of the heritage language vis-à-vis Malay and English is evidently shown in the participants’ responses. This low status is due to various reasons such as parents’ lack of literacy, language policy, and absence of the language in the Malaysian educational system. Results of this research could argue that Rungus language is endangered and it is recommended that Rungus minority should try to maintain their language by any means otherwise it will be subject to death.
Indonesian Language Performance of Mentally Retarded Children: Reference for Writing Literacy Text Needs
Authors: Arnawa Nengah , Geria Anak Agung Gde Alit , Arsana I Gusti Lanang Rai , Dartiningsih Made Wery , Susanta I Wayan
Published: May 2023

This research examines the Indonesian language performance of mentally retarded children by identifying the vocabulary and sentence patterns. These two elements have implications for effective reading speed, which is needed in implementing the school literacy program. Identifying the vocabulary and sentence patterns of mentally retarded children is important to show the causes and overcome the low effective reading speed problems. Based on the data and discussion, the vocabulary is dominated by concrete nouns – monomorphemics, and the dominant sentence pattern is a monoclause – active. Meanwhile, the limitations of abstract thinking trigger the dominance of vocabulary characteristics and sentence patterns. Hence they fail to apply grammatical aspects in forming polymorphemic words and sentences with multiclauses. Text interventions are needed following their Indonesian language performance and repertoire to support their involvement in the school literacy program.
Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitude Towards Medical Writing Skills in the English Language
Authors: Banafi Norah
Published: May 2023

Medical Writing skills in the English language is challenging for those having English as their second language. Hence, this study focuses on understanding the knowledge and attitude toward medical writing skills in the English Language among undergraduate nursing students in Saudi Arabia. This study adopted an exploratory study design. It included all nursing students enrolled in the first year of the undergraduate nursing program in Abha (n=80) and Muhayil (n=80) female campuses of King Khalid University (KKU), Saudi Arabia. Those students were administered with a self-structured online questionnaire measuring the nursing students' knowledge and attitude toward English medical writing skills. Out of the total students (N=160), 137 responded to the questionnaire. Most nursing students were able to write medical questions (88.3%), abbreviations (92.7%), patient information (91.2%), reports (85.4%), and prescriptions (88.3%) in English. They felt that English medical writing creates a good impression on themselves (95.6%) and makes them professional (97.1%). Most of them liked English medical writing (91.3%) and felt that knowledge of it offers advantages in their future career (99.2%). They can read the medical report in English though it is in Arabic (78.9%). Nursing students of KKU presented a good knowledge and positive attitude towards English medical writing skills. Their knowledge is significantly associated with their attitude toward English medical writing skills. Saudi nursing schools should continue their strategies to improve students' English medical writing skills to improve the quality of the nursing profession and their ability to compete with the global labor market.
Arabic-Speaking EFL Learners’ Pronunciation of British English Vowels: A Production-Based Study
Authors: Naji Mohammed Hezam S. , Almakrob Ahmed Yahya
Published: May 2023

The present study investigated the production of British English (BrE) vowels by Yemeni-Arabic learners of English. Specifically, the most problematic BrE vowels for those learners were explored in relation to Lados’ (1957) contrastive analysis hypothesis (CAH) and Flege’s (1995) Speech Learning Model (SLM). Sixty-seven Yemeni EFL learners at different proficiency levels completed a questionnaire, which mainly explored how difficult the BrE vowels are for them, and a vowel production test, which measured the learners’ production accuracy of the BrE vowels. Overall, the results revealed that Yemeni EFL learners encountered some difficulties when pronouncing BrE vowels, but their production accuracy rates increased as their levels grow. It was found that the same vowels, /e/, /ɒ/, /eə/, /ɔ:/, /ʊ/ & /u:/, were found to be the most inaccurately produced sounds by learners at all levels. The subtle differences between vowels might have caused the learners’ production problems. Findings also showed that learners’ L1 vowels that are different from the BrE vowels were easier to produce, and this is congruent with the SLM.
Polysemous Verbs Break, Run, and Draw Within Prototype Theory From the Perspective of Saudi Learners of English
Authors: Alkhelaiwi Sahar
Published: May 2023

This paper attempts to explore the nature of polysemous verbs using a cognitive linguistic framework from the perspective of second-language (L2) users: specifically, English as a foreign language (EFL) students in a Saudi Arabian university context. Drawing on Pulman (1983), this analysis examines multiple senses of the verbs break, run, and draw using prototype theory and seeks to identify any semantic patterns in the priority accorded to the polysemous senses attached to each verb by the learner. A questionnaire with sentences as placeholders embodying different senses of each verb and a 4-point goodness-of-fit scale were prepared. The results of this study show that non-native learners of English (EFL learners) are aware that there is a semantic network of meanings for polysemous verbs, and that these meanings exist on a continuum from more central (about three to four senses for each verb, which could be considered core/generic meanings) to more peripheral (between one to three senses, which could be considered more specific meanings). Correlation analyses between learners’ perceptions of a verb’s polysemy and vocabulary size and years of learning English were performed, yielding few positive relationships, and those only weakly significant.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Microstructure of Covid-19 Health-Protocol Advertisements in Tourist Facilities
Authors: Budiarta I Wayan , Kasni Ni Wayan
Published: May 2023

To alleviate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism, tourist facilities in Bali are informing visitors of the relevant health protocols, using posters to describe the appropriate behaviours. Using critical discourse analysis, this study examines the microstructure of the texts in these posters to identify their semantic, syntactic, lexical, and rhetorical elements. The study findings show that the semantic aspects consist of background, intention, and detail. The syntactic elements involve coherence and the use of the pronouns ‘you’ and ‘we’, and of the imperative, and the declarative. The lexical aspects include abbreviations and vocabulary, related to the health protocol. The textual messages are delivered in official language, supported by pictures and photographs.
The Effect of Android Application on EFL Students’ Mastery of Research Method for Applied Linguistics Course
Authors: Hariyanto Sugeng , Rohani Siti , Lestari Pritantina Yuni
Published: May 2023

Covid-19 pandemic has forced online classes to be conducted mostly without proper introduction and preparation. This shift also made teachers and students gradually accustomed to independent learning. Several mobile applications have been developed for foreign language learning. However, only few Android applications were developed for non-linguistic courses offered by foreign language departments at the university level. The effectiveness of such an application to improve students’ learning in universities, therefore, has not been conducted. This article reports the finding of a quasi-experimental research on the effect of using an Android application tailored for Research Method for Applied Linguistics students at an English department on their mastery of the course. The research data were collected through tests and a documentary study and calculated using ANCOVA statistical calculation. With the course mastery as the dependent variable, the use of Android application as the independent variable, and reading skills as covariates, the research revealed that the use of Android Learning Application significantly improves the EFL students’ mastery of Research Methods for Applied Linguistics course. Further researchers are suggested to study the effect of the use of Android learning application on EFL students’ mastery of a non-language course with significantly different students’ levels of reading skills.
A Review of Studies on the Selective Attention Strategy During Language Comprehension: The Present and the Future
Authors: Qiu Linlin , Ismail Norhiza Binti
Published: May 2023

Selective attention (SA) is an important strategy for language comprehension both in L1 and L2. Much of the existing research on L2 listening and reading has identified SA as a distinctive ability of effective and skilled L2 listeners and readers. However, extensive and intensive research on this specific strategy is relatively sparse. Therefore, this article provides an in-depth review of previous research involving the SA mechanism in both L1 and L2 language comprehension. As a result, this article identifies that there are two-levels of SA existing in previous academic research: the word level and sentence level SA. They may represent different cognitive processes as well as different SA strategies in real practice. However, this kind of classification on SA has not been fully recognized and specifically pinpointed by previous literature, since previous studies focused on only one type of SA while ignoring the other. Therefore, this article proposes to classify these two kinds of SA and then reviews previous literature according to this novel classification. In addition, this article summarizes the most frequently investigated modulators of SA as well as commonly used research methods for SA-related research. Some possible research gaps are pinpointed accordingly. Finally, this article illustrates several concepts and models that could explain the SA mechanism from psychological and linguistic perspectives, which could serve as a theoretical framework in future study. This article may offer some inspirations for future academic research in this field and listening or reading practices in the real world.
The Effects of the Communicative Approach and the Use of Information Technology on Students’ Motivation and Achievement in Indonesian Language Learning
Authors: Mudiono Alif , Wiyono Bambang Budi , Maisyaroh  , Supriyanto A , Wong Kung Tech
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explain the structural influence of the implementation of the communicative approach and the use of information technology in Indonesian language learning on students’ motivation and learning achievement. This research was conducted in Blitar, Indonesia, and 186 students were chosen as the samples. An explanatory research design was used in this research. The data collection techniques used questionnaires and documentation, while data analysis techniques used descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. The results of the analysis showed that there was a direct effect of the communication approach and the use of information technology on students’ learning motivation. There was a significant direct effect of students’ learning motivation on students’ achievement in the Indonesian language class. The communicative approach had an indirect effect on students’ achievement and showed a stronger coefficient of the effect on learning motivation compared to the use of information technology. These findings were discussed in depth based on the theory and results of previous studies.
A Comparative Linguistic Study on Ambai, Ansus, Menawi and Biak Languages in Papua
Authors: Arwam Hendrik , Baru Yosefina
Published: May 2023

This study is historical-comparative linguistic research of the languages of indigenous peoples in Saireri Bay, Papua province, namely the Ambai, Ansus, Menawi, and Biak languages. These languages are classified as non-Austronesian languages (SIL, 2000) and are hypothesized to be closely related. This study aims to find accurate evidence to reveal the genetic relationship level between these four languages. The study's data consisted of the Swadesh list's 200 basic words. The method applied in this study is a comparative method, supported by observation, interview, and documentation techniques. Based on the lexicostatistics technique, it was found that the quantitative evidence indicated that the highest related cognates reach 47% and the lower-level reach 38%, based on the lexicostatistics from the Swedish’s 200 basic vocabularies. The percentage of the related vocabulary is higher than in the other languages in the regency. The qualitative evidence found is the exclusive shared phonological and lexical innovation, strengthening the quantitative evidence. The innovation that phoneme PAAMB *j turns into/z/and/d/, *h turns into/O/on Biak. Besides that, metathesis, omission, and phoneme addition. In addition, after the reconstruction, the phoneme system of Proto-language Ansus-Ambai-Menawi and Biak (PAAMB) with segmental phonemes is five vowels and 15 consonant phonemes. The vowels of PAAMB are *i, *e, *a, *o, and *u, which have complete distribution, and the consonants that are (1) consonants that have complete distribution *p, *m, *h, (2) consonants that have distribution in the initial and middle of words *b, *w, *f, *t, *d, *n, *s *r, *j, *k, *g, *y, dan *h.
The Effects of Extensive Reading Strategy Training on Enhancing First Year Undergraduate EFL Learners’ Level of Autonomy
Authors: Yerukneh Yenenesh , Olana Tamiru , Zewdie Mekuria
Published: May 2023

To better understand how extensive reading strategy training (ERST) affects the degree of learner autonomy (LA) in an EFL university setting, a mixed-method experimental study was conducted. The study's participants were split into two groups at random: experimental and control. While individuals who took part in the experimental group received ERST treatment, those who took part in the control group merely received conventional instruction. Data from both groups were gathered using pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, and an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine whether group variations in the degree of LA were caused by the ERST therapy. The experimental group also received a post-intervention questionnaire on views toward ERST, and descriptive statistics were used to examine the findings. Additionally, a thematic analysis was done on the information gathered through teacher-trainer interviews regarding how the treatment affected the students' attitudes and degree of autonomy. Results demonstrated that as compared to the control group, participants in the ERST treatment considerably increased their level of autonomy. Additionally, the experimental group ultimately displayed a very positive attitude regarding the therapy. In general, the study's findings showed that encouraging autonomy through ERST led to successful outcomes in the development of autonomous English language learners. To assist students to become lifelong autonomous learners, EFL teachers are expected to provide training on extensive reading strategies (ERS) by integrating them with communicative language courses.
The Impact of Note-Taking Strategy on EFL Learners’ Listening Comprehension
Authors: Al-Ghazo Abeer
Published: May 2023

The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of note-taking strategy on EFL learners’ listening comprehension. Eighty participants were chosen to participate in this study. The participants were allocated to both an experimental (20 female and 20 male) and the control group (20 female and 20 male). The researcher used a listening comprehension test. The results revealed that there is a noticeable statistical difference (p<.05) between the means of the experimental and control groups in the listening post-test. This means that the note-taking strategy affects the EFL students' listening comprehension levels effectively and positively. The results of the t-test for the experimental group also show that there is an observed difference between the males’ and females’ scores regarding the impact of note-taking strategy on the participants’ listening comprehension in favor of the female learners.
The Extent of Effective Learning Skills From Perceptions of Arabic Teachers at Primary Schools
Authors: Asiri Ahmad Abdullah
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the levels of practising effective teaching skills by Arabic language teachers in the primary schools of Abha. The study also aimed to explore the variations in the levels to which Arabic language instructors use efficient teaching techniques according to experience and gender. The study sample included 183 Arabic language teachers from primary schools in Abha city, who were randomly elected. The study used a scale to measure planning skills, implementation skills, and assessment skills as an instrument to collect data. The results showed planning skills ranked first among effective teaching skills of Arabic language teachers, followed by evaluation skills in the second rank, while implementation skills were in the third and last rank among Arabic language teachers. However, the results showed the absence of statistically significant differences in the levels of using effective teaching techniques from the perspectives of Arabic teachers because of gender and years of experience.
An Ecoliterature Approach to Environmental Conservation: Take Four Selected Literary Works as Examples
Authors: Manugeren M. , Arafah Burhanuddin , Purwarno Purwarno , Siwi Purwanto , Ekalestari Susi , Wulan Sri
Published: May 2023

The reciprocal relationship between humans and nature is determined based on their respective natures. This mutualism symbiosis is based on a relationship of use for mutual prosperity. Living together with nature means living in cooperation, mutual help and tolerance. The whole relationship becomes an inseparable entity; all things are interrelated and functional and have the same goal of protecting and preserving nature. Protecting the environment is key to the survival of fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and even humankind. However, the endless human needs often make humans act excessively, exploiting the environment as much as possible to meet the needs of life, resulting in severe environmental damage. This is the rationale for raising the theme of environmental conservation through literary media by referring to the concept and theory of eco-literature. The whole research is conducted using a qualitative descriptive method that focuses on content analysis, revealing the concept of nature conservation. The data sources are obtained from literary works randomly taken: Lines Written in Early Spring, a poem by William Wordsworth, Ode to Nightingale, a poem by John Keats, Nature, an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson and An Enemy of the People, a drama by Henrik Ibsen. The results show that all the literary works chosen stand as the representative of literature on environmental conservation and literary works are sure to become an appropriate medium to teach and awaken people’s consciousness of the importance of nature conservation.
Dynamics of level of the tumor-associated marker SCCA in neoadjuvant superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sergeeva N. S. , Marshutina N. V. , Maltsagova Kh. R. , Karmakova T. A. , Alentov I. I. , Mukhtarulina S. V. , Dezhkina T. I. , Rerberg A. G. , Kaprin A. D.
Published: May 2023

Background. Evaluation of a tumor-associated marker SCCA (squamous cell carcinoma antigen) level is used in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CC) to predict the course of the tumor process, monitor the effectiveness of chemo- and chemoradiotherapy, and for preclinical detection of recurrence in follow-up of patients after the completion of primary treatment. However, publications devoted to the study of the possibility of using SCCA level as an additional criterion for the effectiveness of neoadjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy (IACT) are still rare.

Aim. Study of the tumor marker SCCA level in patients with locally advanced squamous CC during neoadjuvant IACT as an additional factor in assessing its effectiveness.

Materials and methods. 53 patients with locally advanced squamous CC IB—IVB stages (T1b-3bN0-1M0-1) were included to the study. The mean age of patients was 45.6 years (25-64 years). All patients underwent superselective neoadjuvant IACT with cisplatine (in combination with intravenous administration of docetaxel or paclitaxel). Serum SCCA levels in CC patients were assessed before the first and after the second course of neoadjuvant IACT compared to the clinical effect of treatment after two courses (RECIST 1.1 criteria).

Results. SCCA level after 2 courses decreased in all patients with initially increased its level, while the proportion of SCCA-positive cases decreased from 71.7 to 26.4 %. When baseline SCCA values were normal, a complete response was achieved more often than with initially elevated levels (26.7 % vs 15.8 %), while distribution by tumor stages was similar in both subgroups. It has been established that if, after 2 courses of neoadjuvant IACT, SCCA levels exceeds 2.1 ng/ml and/or (for patients with initially increased SCCA value) it decreased by less than 60 % from the baseline, probability to achieve complete response after realization of effect of 2 courses of IACT was extremely small. Strong correlation (R = 0.829) between initial level of SCCA and degree of its decrease after 2 courses of IACT was discovered in the group of patients with complete response after the second course of IACT. It was getting lower in partial response group (R = 0.778) and stabilization group (R = 0.750).

Conclusion. Dynamics of SCCA level after 2 courses of IACT in squamous CC patients can be used as additional criterion of the degree of treatment effectiveness.
Features of ovarian steroidogenesis and endometrial hypertrophy during adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen in premenopausal patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer
Authors: Goryainova A. Yu. , Stukan A. I. , Trofimenko A. I. , Meshcheryakov A. A.
Published: May 2023

Background. Difficulties in the prevention and treatment of endometrial pathology in hormone-positive breast cancer are associated with the lack of an unambiguous understanding of the mechanisms of the effect of tamoxifen on target tissues and the development of possible hyperestrogenism.

Aim. To study the effect of ovarian steroidogenesis on the endometrium during adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen in pre-menopausal patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Materials and methods. All patients at inclusion in the study had intact menstrual function and received adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen. Group 1 included 42 patients without chemotherapy, group 2 included 41 patients with chemotherapy. Depending on the safety of the menstrual function, each group was divided into 2 subgroups. At the control points (3, 6 and 9 months from the start of tamoxifen therapy) patients underwent transvaginal ultrasound with measurement of endometrial thickness, and also determined the content of follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol in peripheral blood. When menstruation persisted, blood sampling and measurement of endometrial thickness were performed on days 5-8 of the menstrual cycle.

Results. In subgroups 1A and 2C, patients with preserved menstrual function showed a trend towards higher values of estradiol levels and endometrial thickness, compared with subgroups 1B and 2D of patients with amenorrhea. Against this background, the absence of statistically significant intergroup differences in the content of follicle-stimulating hormone in patients receiving tamoxifen with a preserved menstrual cycle (1A and 2C) and amenorrhea (1B and 2D) attracts attention. An intragroup analysis of follicle-stimulating hormone dynamics in patients with amenorrhea without chemotherapy in subgroup 1C shows an increase in its content by 162 %, without statistically significant changes in endometrial thickness and estradiol concentration. The statistically significant increase in endometrial thickness by 25 % and the proportion of patients with increasing endometrial wall thickness in 63.3 % in the 2D subgroup in patients receiving tamoxifen, with amenorrhea and previous chemotherapy treatment are cause for concern.

Conclusion. The results of the study indicate a possible additive effect of such factors as intact menstrual function before the start of treatment for hormone-positive breast cancer, chemotherapy, and the development of amenorrhea on the progressive increase in endometrial thickness when using tamoxifen in premenopausal patients.
Malignant endometriosis-associated ovarian and extraovarian neoplasia (review of literature)
Authors: Kotiv Kh. B. , Gorodnova T. V. , Lavrinovich O. E. , Berlev I. V.
Published: May 2023

Malignant transformation of endometrioid heterotopias develops in 0.7-2.5 % of cases; 75 % of cases have an ovarian localisation and 25 % an extraovarian one. As it has been suggested that malignant endometriosis-associated neoplasia (MEAN) is developed in foci of atypical endometriosis. The review describes the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, the clinical and morphological features of the disease, and the principles of therapy. MEAN usually occur in younger women, are detected at stages I-II, and are mostly represented by clear cell and endometrioid carcinomas, but rare histological types have also been described. CTNNB1, PTEN, PIK3CA and ARID1A mutations are often detected in MEAN. The treatment of MEAN is not standardised, there are no prospective randomized trials assessing treatment. Patients with ovarian MEAN receive therapy similar to epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients with extraovarian localisation represent a subgroup that of patients that may require a personalised approach.