bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
David E. Sutton: Bigger Fish to Fry: A Theory of Cooking as Risk, with Greek Examples
Authors: Jaine Tom
Published: March 2024

David E. Sutton: Bigger Fish to Fry: A Theory of Cooking as Risk, with Greek Examples: Oxford, Berghahn Books, 2021: 130 pp., hardback, £71.99.
Gwarancje praw człowieka w polskim samorządzie terytorialnym: analiza aspektów ustrojowych
Authors: Mamiński Marcin
Published: March 2024

W dzisiejszych czasach coraz większy nacisk kładzie się na poszanowanie praw człowieka i ochronę wolności jednostki. W tym kontekście rola jednostek samorządu gminnego w zapewnieniu tych praw nabiera szczególnego znaczenia. Wykonywanie zadań publicznych przez samorząd terytorialny wpływa bezpośrednio na jakość życia mieszkańców danej gminy, a jednocześnie może mieć wpływ na poszanowanie ich praw człowieka. Państwo realizuje swoje zadania publiczne m.in. poprzez administrację, która posiada określone struktury na szczeblu centralnym i terytorialnym. Do administracji terytorialnej należą jednostki bezpośrednio wypełniające polecenia i wytyczne władz centralnych bądź podmioty, które wykonują powierzone zadania publiczne we własnym imieniu i na własną odpowiedzialność. Drugi rodzaj realizacji zadań państwa w terenie nazywany jest samorządem terytorialnym. Podział administracji państwa na administrację centralną oraz samorząd terytorialny jest charakterystyczny dla większości państw demokratycznych. Obecny model samorządu terytorialnego w Polsce kształtuje się od 1989 roku. Jest jednym z wielu efektów zmiany ustrojowej państwa, jaka wówczas nastąpiła. Celem artykułu jest zwrócenie uwagi na kluczowe aspekty wykonywania zadań publicznych przez jednostki samorządu gminnego w kontekście ochrony praw człowieka.
Uwagi odnośnie do zasadności zmian regulacji normatywnej dotyczącej zwrotu kosztów postępowania administracyjnego, w tym kosztów zastępstwa procesowego, w postępowaniu administracyjnym
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Artur
Published: March 2024

W Kodeksie postępowania administracyjnego przyjęto, że koszty postępowania dowodowego najczęściej obciążają organ administracji, co związane jest z jego obowiązkiem ustalenia prawdy materialnej. Pomimo istnienia regulacji przewidującej obciążanie stron kosztami postępowania poniesionymi w jej interesie lub z jej winy jest ona stosowana przez organy z dużymi oporami. Nie istnieje natomiast żaden przepis ani nawet nie jest dyskutowane rozwiązanie dotyczące zwrotu kosztów zastępstwa procesowego w postępowaniu administracyjnym, co wobec licznych przypadków reprezentacji stron przez profesjonalnych zastępców procesowych wydaje się być istotną luką i co z kolei obciąża budżety stron, nie dając im szansy na odzyskanie nakładów na pełnomocnika. W postępowaniach sądowych sprawy te są uregulowane kompleksowo, a ugruntowana praktyka pozwala obciążać strony kosztami, jeśli sprawę przegrały, zaś stronom odzyskiwać koszty pomocy prawnej, którą opłacały w toku postępowania. O ile różnice w rozliczeniach kosztów postępowania między postępowaniem cywilnym a administracyjnym są, choć jedynie częściowo, uzasadnione odmiennym modelem spraw administracyjnych (brak kontradyktoryjności, model inkwizycyjny), o tyle brak podstaw prawnych zwrotu kosztów zastępstwa procesowego w Kodeksie postępowania administracyjnego autor uważa za poważną lukę prawną i anachronizm. W artykule zamieszczona jest argumentacja uzasadniająca postulat zmian "de lege ferenda" w przedstawionym wyżej zakresie.
Smart kontrakty jako nowe wyzwanie dla systemu prawnego
Authors: Meszka Justyna
Published: March 2024

Wobec rozwoju nowych technologii oraz wciąż galopującej rewolucji cyfrowej dochodzi do nagłego postępu w zakresie zawierania stosunków w powszechnym obrocie, w tym umów. Nowe technologie stają się nierozerwalnym elementem codzienności, ale jednocześnie nie lada wyzwaniem prawnym dla ustawodawców. W ostatnich latach na popularności zyskuje nowatorska technologia blockchain, a wraz z nią – smart kontrakty stanowiące swego rodzaju program komputerowy umożliwiający automatyczne wykonywanie bądź dokumentowanie zgodnie z treścią umowy. Obecnie smart kontrakty jawią się jako jedna z prób zastąpienia tradycyjnych umów nowoczesnymi rozwiązanymi opartymi na technologii łańcucha bloków jako narzędziu umożliwiającym ich wykonywanie. Wskazane „inteligentne umowy” coraz częściej bywają wykorzystywane w obrocie społeczno-gospodarczym, a to nieodłącznie wiąże się z dylematami w obszarze prawnym. W artykule omówiono istotę, cechy charakterystyczne smart kontraktów, a także pokrótce zastanowiono się na ich miejscem w systemie prawa.
Tax authorities’ access to information covered by banking secrecy with regard to the right to privacy
Authors: Sagan-Martko Marta
Published: March 2024

The institution of banking secrecy is regulated in legislation that is at the interface between the regulations of public and private law. This type of solution may lead to a conflict of interests ‒ private and public ones. The issue of tax authorities’ access to information covered by banking secrecy requires consideration in relation with the provisions of several legal acts. The procedure for obtaining information covered by bank secrecy provided for in Articles 182–185 of Tax Ordinance as well as the duty to take into account the principle of special trust between a client and a financial institution, are directives referring to the principle of conducting proceedings in a way that inspires trust in tax authorities, while the practice of making information available to tax authorities under Article 49(2) of the Act on the National Revenue Administration in fact deprives the parties of procedural safeguards. In the case of competitiveness of protected goods, it is necessary for the legislator to regulate the disputed issues in compliance with the constitutional requirements of standardisation and a clear and legible balance between the interests in conflict. It should therefore be concluded that when introducing new legislation on the matter of interference in the right to privacy, the legislator is obliged to balance the competing valuses with particular care. The balance between the taxpayer's privacy and the public interest does not seem to have been preserved in the scope of the subject matterin question.
Wybrane aspekty europeizacji administracji publicznej w Polsce
Authors: Hoffmann Tomasz
Published: March 2024

Głównym celem badawczym artykułu jest wskazanie wybranych modeli i sposobów europeizacji administracji publicznej oraz przybliżenie aspektów prawnych i społecznych. Dokonana selekcja materiału badawczego powoduje, że w niniejszym opracowaniu próbowano także wskazać, w jaki sposób określone uwarunkowania miały wpływ na procesy europeizacji. Wyeksponowano również kontekst polityczny oraz prawny w przygotowaniu administracji publicznej (zarówno rządowej, jak i samorządowej) do efektywnego uczestnictwa w politykach publicznych Unii Europejskiej.
Triviality and Seriousness in Oscar Wilde's Play 'The Importance of Being Earnest'
Authors: Hasan Mariwan , Ebrahim Bafrin , Mahmud Rangin
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to elaborate triviality and seriousness portrayed in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (1898). The play was considered Wilde’s masterpiece, and it highlights the life in the Victorian era. The play portrays the marriage life also the importance of wealth, land, and beauty. This paper employs textual and historical approaches. The findings revealed that the play exemplifies triviality by treating serious things like trivial objects and vice versa. Marriage was seen as insignificant by the male characters in the play. Lane saw it as the reason for the champagne downgrading and a bargaining part for Algernon and Jack to have their goals. Meanwhile, unimportant thing like the name was treated as if it was life matter. Cecily and Gwendolen saw a particular name as the main requirement for choosing a husband. This paper concludes that Oscar Wilde made use of such a technique on purpose to make fun of the Victorian way of life.
Language Anxiety Experienced by English Department Freshmen of Wijaya Kusuma University Surabaya
Authors: Surjowati Ribut , Sujannah Wahyu Diny , Wirawati Bekti
Published: March 2024

This research aims to describe the language anxiety level and type frequently experienced by English Department first-year students of Wijaya Kusuma University Surabaya. It used a case study as the research design to explain the phenomenon observed. The research participants were twenty-eight English Department first-year students of Wijaya Kusuma University Surabaya. Each of them was given a five-point Likert scale questionnaire adapted from Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale developed by Horwitz et al. (1986). The findings unveiled that most first-year students experienced moderate language anxiety levels in which they frequently experienced the fear of negative evaluation. It is suggested that future researchers explore the students’ anxiety levels and types by considering their learning proficiency and habit.
Students' Problems in the Instruction of English Literature in the EFL Context
Authors: Milal Ahmad Dzoul , Kusumajanti Wahju , Sa'adah Sufi Ikrima , Zainiati Husniyatus Salamah
Published: March 2024

This study reveals student-related problems as an existing phenomenon in the learning of English literature at the English Department. This refers to both the difficulties faced by the students and the students as a part of the problems. Using the qualitative descriptive method, the data were collected using questionnaires, observation, documentation, and Forum Group Discussion. Having been collected, the data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis offered by Miles, Huberman, and Saldana (2020) consisting of reduction, display, and conclusion phases. The findings show that there are external and internal problems. The external problems include students’ external factors, such as the difficulty of teaching materials and the ineffective teaching strategy, whereas the internal problems cover students’ affective factors, such as low reading motivation and inadequate language competence. Due to its limitation, it is suggested that further research be carried out with other subjects in another university context to verify the findings.
Display of Islamic Conflictual Discourses through Logics of Film Discourse Interpretation
Authors: Qudsiyah Zuhriyatun Nur , Nurmansyah Mochamad Andhy
Published: March 2024

In the past few decades, Islamic discourse in Indonesia was turning more problematic, leaving some issues to the conflict between majority and minority discourses (the Muslims’ conception) of Islam. Some of the manifestations of discursive conflict were captured in popular work, such as the movie Ayat-Ayat Adinda. This research tries to unpack the movie using Wildfeuer's Logics of Film Discourse Interpretation (FDI) theory and combine it with the concept of Halliday's ideational metafunction to track the Islamic signs emanated by the movie. FDI is chosen to fill the area which has not been studied by previous research. This study found some rhetorical segment relations: Result, Elaboration, Contrast, Background, Parallel, and Narration, presenting two Islamic discourses being contested. However, the interesting point is indicated at the end of the resolution of the movie that none of the discourses wins. This study interpretation is somehow implicitly parallel to the spirit of 'moderation' of religion when the movie maker hopes that it can stop violence and discrimination which degrade religious practices in Indonesia.
Difficulty Level of Online Learning in The Remote Areas during The New Normal Period
Authors: Condro Tuminah , Wenny Honorita , Asteria Ela
Published: March 2024

Online learning still occurs in many places during the New Normal, along with limited face-to-face learning. However, offline learning in several regions had to be withdrawn because of the new version of the coronavirus. One platform of online learning that is often used is Google Classroom. This study aims to determine the difficulty level of online learning with Google Classroom in STKIP Pamane Talino students in the new normal period. To reach the aim of the study, the researchers used a qualitative descriptive method. Fifty-nine students in the Extensive Reading class of second-semester students of the English Education Study Program, STKIP Pamane Talino, were selected to participate in this study. The data analysis technique used in this study was critical analysis. The data were collected through observation and interviews. The questionnaire results showed that 73% of the respondents agreed with the ease of using the Google Classroom application in online learning, which can be categorized as good. From the result above, it can be suggested that online learning using Google Classroom is one of the alternative ways to online learning in remote areas during the new normal period.
Effect of Culturally Familiar Text on Low-Proficiency Reader’s Reading Comprehension
Authors: Novita Dewi , Hamied Fuad Abdul , Sukyadi Didi
Published: March 2024

The study examines the effect of culturally familiar text on the reading comprehension of low-proficiency readers in Indonesia. There were sixty-two second-year college students involved in the study as participants. The study used reading comprehension tests to gather the data. The results revealed that students with culturally familiar text had outperformed those with culturally unfamiliar text in reading comprehension. It is also found that these low-proficiency readers’ reading comprehension has improved significantly by using culturally familiar text in their reading practices. Interestingly, the students showed good engagement after being taught text that contained familiar culture. Finally, it can be concluded that the research results provide important insights, particularly for EFL educators, researchers, and learners, on the impact of culturally familiar contexts in facilitating reading comprehension achievement for low-proficiency readers in Indonesia.
Relationship between Masculinity and Femininity Depicted in Paulo Coelho's Brida
Authors: Dinurriyah Itsna Syahadatud
Published: March 2024

This research is about gender studies in the tradition of the sun and the tradition of the moon as depicted in Paulo Coelho’s Brida. Both traditions are symbols of masculinity and femininity in witchcrafts. Therefore, besides utilising the concept of gender, this study also applies semiotics approach to comprehend the symbols in the narration. This research is qualitative by using descriptive-analytic since the data collected from the text then analyse them based on the meaning of symbols in gender perspective. As the result, this research finds that masculinity and femininity in witchcrafts shape their personality in society.
Effective Teaching Practices in Higher Education during Covid-19 Pandemic: Lecturers and Students’ Lens
Authors: Wahyuni Sri
Published: March 2024

This article investigates lecturers’ and students’ perspectives on effective teaching practices in Islamic higher education during the Covid -19 pandemic. The pandemic caused the movement of teaching and learning modes from face to face into online/distance teaching and learning. The different modes of teaching and learning processes may raise a different perspective on effective teaching and learning practices, especially in Islamic higher education. Thirteen English lecturers and 262 English students from the third, fifth, and seventh semesters participated in this survey research. Questionnaires are distributed through Google Forms to collect data on lecturers’ and students’ perspectives on effective teaching practices. The results show that the lecturers and students have good perspectives on four aspects of online teaching (pedagogical, managerial, social, and technological roles) as effective teaching practices in higher education during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, lecturers and students have quite different sequences of most frequent responses on the roles. The three sequences of the lecturers’ responses are social roles, managerial roles, and pedagogical roles. Then the three sequences of the students’ responses are pedagogical roles and managerial roles (two positions: the second and third positions). This different perspective can be a consideration in conducting online teaching and learning.
Hedges as A Conversational Strategy in Women’s Gossip in The Bold Type Season 1
Authors: Swasono Endratno Pilih , Maisaroh Hana
Published: March 2024

This study aims to explore the functions of hedges employed in women’s gossip by all female characters in The Bold Type Season 1. This study applied Coates' (1996) classifications of hedges functions combined with two other functions proposed by Rabab’ah and Rumman (2015) to investigate the hedges function. The researchers employed a descriptive-qualitative method and collected the data by highlighting the transcript of the series to identify the conversations categorized as women’s gossip. The data were then analyzed in several steps; identifying by giving codes, classifying, interpreting or discussing, and making a conclusion. The study revealed that all four hedges’ functions by Coates and two functions by Rabab’ah and Rumman are found in female characters’ utterances in their gossip. Based on the study’s result, using hedges as a conversational strategy in female characters’ utterances smoothens their conversation during gossip. It can facilitate them to convey precise ideas when they exchange information and prevent them from delivering exaggerated information during gossip. It also helps them maintain solidarity and friendship between the participants, which is the overall function of female gossip. To conclude, hedges or hedging can be an influential conversational strategy in women’s gossip.
Absurdism and Superstitions
Authors: Djohar Hasnul Insani
Published: March 2024

Many scholars discussing the pandemic issues tend to use Western perspectives. To question this hegemony, this paper investigates Albert Camus’s The Plague (1947) by using Islamic perspectives to challenge the dominant views in evaluating literary canon and pandemic studies. By engaging with postcolonialism and pandemic studies with the frameworks of Islamic studies, this research investigates what differences in pandemic issues are explored in Camus’s novel and how Islam advocates for Muslims to deal with the pandemic problems. The focus of this novel is mainly on European culture and perspectives, although the setting of the novel is Algeria, which is one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Thus, it is essential to apply the Islamic perspectives in investigating this novel to understand how Islam encourages Muslims to believe and worship God as a way of living instead of being atheists, selfish, and hedonists, as this novel reveals. This research found that the author uses the ideas of absurdism, isolation, and superstitions by depicting the characters as struggling to face the bubonic plague. However, the characters still live in atheism and believe in superstitions instead of worshipping God as Islam advocates.
Optimizing dynamic keystroke pattern recognition with hybrid deep learning technique and multiple soft biometric factors
Authors: Venkatachalam Shanmugavalli , Rajiv Kannan
Published: March 2024

In this work, we propose an optimization approach for dynamic keystroke pattern recognition by leveraging a hybrid deep learning technique and multiple soft biometric factors. Our methodology begins with the introduction of a novel algorithm called dynamic drone squadron optimization (DDSO) to optimize the selection of optimal features from a pool of multiple keystroke features. We then present an enhanced version of the improved sperm swarm optimization (ISSO) algorithm, which effectively combines the optimal weight features derived from multiple biometric responses. Furthermore, we introduce the multi-stage recurrent neural network (MS-RNN) classifier to accurately recognize and classify keystroke patterns. The performance of our proposed ISSO+MS-RNN technique is evaluated using the benchmark KBOC dataset to validate its effectiveness. Comparative analysis is conducted against existing state-of-the-art techniques, employing various evaluation measures, to demonstrate the superior performance of proposed approach.`
Dual attention U-net for liver tumor segmentation in CT images
Authors: Alirr Omar Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

Segmenting liver tumors in CT scans plays a vital role in medical analysis planning. The clinicians require a detailed 3D understanding of the tumor’s location and liver anatomy, to decide about the proper surgical resection approach. Manual segmentation requires a lot of efforts and time also it depends on the expertise of clinicians. An automatic U-net based method for liver tumors delineation in CT images is proposed. It relies on employing attention-based processes to enhance the performance of U-net. Hard attention and soft attention are used to orient the U-net in learning the intended features from the target CT scans. Soft attention mechanisms, spatial and channel attentions, are employed to help in extracting the long-range relationships and allow the network to successfully distinguish tumors from the surrounding parenchyma. The paper addressed the use of region based active contour technique as postprocessing step to improve the predicted segmented tumors. The proposed approach is validated using a challenging big LiTS datasets. The achieved Dice score for the segmenting of liver tumors is 0.81. The suggested method was successful in discriminating liver tumors from surrounding tissue in heterogeneous CT scans, demonstrating its generalizability and reliability to be used for automatic analysis of the liver tumors in daily clinical practice.
Verfassungsrechtliche Grundlagen der „Völkerrechtsfreundlichkeit“ – Österreich
Authors: Vašek Markus
Published: March 2024

Austrian constitutional law theory is slowly but steadily warming up to the concept of “Völkerrechtsfreundlichkeit” (“friendliness towards international law”). Due to its largely technical and unemotional formulations, the Austrian Federal Constitution nevertheless blocks elaborated theories based on the constitutional text. However, some elements of “Völkerrechtsfreundlichkeit” can be filtered out indeed, each of which are significant in their own right but they do not reveal any signs of a coherent and verifiable concept. This article introduces a number of relevant legal rules, including the generally recognised rules of international law, the handling of violations of international law, and the constitutional establishment of treaties – especially in their human rights dimension. The analysis concludes that the Austrian Federal Constitution does not harbour an empathetic, but rather an unpretentious variant of the concept of “Völkerrechtsfreundlichkeit”.
Die „Völkerrechtsfreundlichkeit“ der Bundesverfassung: Zum Zusammenspiel von Erzeugungs- und Aufnahmeebene
Authors: Diggelmann Oliver
Published: March 2024

This article reviews the prevailing narrative in Switzerland on the relative openness of the Swiss Federal Constitution towards international law. Two aspects of the topic – which are interlinked – are distinguished: entering international legal obligations on the one hand and reception of international law by the domestic legal order on the other. The article argues that the relationship between the two resembles the relationship be-tween two corresponding pools of water. Generosity in one field leads to restraint in the other. The interplay of all relevant rules aims to find a workable balance between the reliability of Switzerland in external relations in one respect and domestic expectations of high democratic legitimacy of law in another. The article states that the hurdles with respect to entering new obligations are high. Direct democracy constitutes a very sub-stantive obstacle. Reception of international law by the domestic legal order, in con-trast, is relatively generous due to the “moderate monism” of the Swiss Federal Consti-tution. This monism is relativised to some extent, however, by the restrained Swiss practice with respect to the “self-executing” character of norms of international law and the rules and practice concerning collisions of international law with domestic rules. In sum, the well-established Swiss narrative substantively belittles the high hurdles for entering new obligations and needs some correction.
Landesbericht Österreich: Unmittelbare Anwendbarkeit von völkerrechtlichen Verträgen und Völkergewohnheitsrecht
Authors: Stöger Karl
Published: March 2024

This article examines the question to what extent the provisions of the Austrian Federal Constitution on the direct applicability of international treaties on the one hand and customary international law on the other can be regarded as “open” (or “friendly”) towards public international law. The question can, in principle, be answered in the affirmative for both constellations, even if direct applicability is of greater practical importance for international treaty law. On closer examination, the specific Austrian instrument of the “reservation of (statutory) implementation” for international treaties also proves to be an instrument that is potentially “friendly” to international law. Consequently, it can be concluded that, with regard to the direct applicability of international law, the Austrian constitution is “relatively” open (or “friendly”) towards public international law.
Ответ на статью А. С. Андросовой «Формы международного сотрудничества Евразийского экономического союза: международно-правовой аспект»
Authors: Ischenko Natalia
Published: March 2024

Ответ на статью А. С. Андросовой, опубликованную в текущем номере Журнала, в формате научной дискуссии
Optimising Students’ Enjoyment and Engagement in Learning via Scaffolding-fused Digital Game-based Learning
Authors:   Research Scholar, Department of Education, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, 627 012, Tamil Nadu, India, Mary T Sahaya , Raja B William Dharma
Published: March 2024

Objective: To determine how a scaffolding-fused digital game impacted primary school students' enjoyment and engagement in Mathematics. Method: This experimental study was carried out with two groups of primary students. The experimental group was taught using the scaffolding fused digital game-based learning, whereas the control group was taught with the conventional method. The instruments used in this study were pre and post-interviews, and, pre and post-observations. The data were analysed using independent t-tests, matched pair t-tests and a One-way Analysis of Covariance. Findings: The results revealed statistically significant differences concerning enjoyment (F = 34.373, P < .05) and engagement (F = 6.498, P < .05) in mathematics learning at 0.01. The enjoyment and engagement of students in the experimental group were much higher than that of the control group. Novelty: As a result of technological advancement, games play an essential role in mathematics education today. Affective factors, precisely emotions, have been widely recognised as influential elements contributing to enjoyment engagement and achievement in the learning process. Engaged learners are motivated, inspired, and eager to put effort into their learning. Keywords: Scaffolding, Enjoyment, Engagemen, Digital game based learning
Gamma Ray Spectroscopy Analysis of Sediments of Coastal Areas in Ennore, Tamil Nadu
Authors:   PG and Research, Department of Physics, Shanmuga Industries Arts and Science College, Tiruvannamalai, 606603, Tamil Nadu, India, Rajendiran D , Karthikayini S , Veeramuthu K , Harikrishnan N
Published: March 2024

Objectives: This research focuses on the determination of the natural radionuclides radium, thorium, and potassium in the twenty-six sediment samples collected at the sea, beach, and creek regions of Ennore Port. Methods: The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined using gamma ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Findings: The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were in the descending order of 40K (397.58 Bq kg-1) > 232Th (65.83 Bq kg-1) > 226Ra (18.28 Bq kg-1). The estimated average values of radiological parameters such as radium equivalent activity (143.04 Bq kg-1), absorbed dose rate (64.91 nGy h-1), annual effective dose equivalent (0.32 mSv y-1), and external hazard index (0.39) were lower than the respective world average values, reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR, 2000). Moreover, the representative level index and annual gonadal dose equivalent were slightly higher than the world average value. Hence, this research proved that the study area is radiologically safe for humans and the environment. Novelty: A location and sample collection-based novelty is approached to carried out the work. Sea sediments were also collected along with samples from creek and beach regions in order to examine the dispersion of natural radionuclides from land to marine environments. The samples from the beach and creek regions were collected using a Peterson grab sampler. Especially in the sea region, the samples were collected using a Van Veen grab sampler at a depth of 4 m and a distance of 10 m parallel to the shoreline. Keywords: Natural radioactivity, Sediment, Ennore, Gamma ray spectrometry, HPGe detector, Radiological parameters
Study of Active Medium Length Effect on Characteristics of Passive QSwitching and Stokes with Anti-Stokes Pulse
Authors:   Physics Department, College of Science, Thi-Qar University, Thi-Qar, Iraq, Hussein Dunya Saad , Salih Abdul-Kareem Mahdi
Published: March 2024

Objective: To study the effect of active medium length on the characteristics of passive Q-switching pulses, Stokes pulses, and anti-Stokes pulses generated by laser-Raman medium interaction in optical systems, theoretically. Methods: The optical system consists of Nd+3:YVO4, PbWO4, and Cr+4:YAG as active mediums, Raman medium, and saturable absorber materials, respectively. The rate equations model has been used in the study, and the Rung-Kutta-Fehelberg numerical method was used to solve the rate equations. Finding: The result shows that, decreasing of the active medium length leads to emit high power pulses at advanced time. It also leads to increase in initial value and the maximum value of population inversion density, and leads to increase in the energy of passive Q-switching pulses, Stokes pulses, and anti-Stokes pulses. So the decreasing of the active medium length leads to decrease in the pulses duration and the final population inversion density. To increase the power of the three generated pulses, the length of the active medium used in the system must be decreased. Novelty: The characteristics of two pulses generated by Laser-Raman interaction (passive Q-switching pulse and Stokes pulse) have been of interest in some studies. This study investigates the effect of the active medium length on the characteristics of three pulses generated (anti-Stokes pulse with Stokes pulse as well as the passive Q-switching pulses) by the optical system rather than two pulses. Keywords: Laser; Nd+3 :YVO4; passive Q-­switching pulse; Stokes and anti-­Stokes pulses 1
Calibration Estimation of Population Proportion in Probability Proportional to Size Sampling in the Presence of Non-Response
Authors:   School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, 110068, New Delhi, India, Garg Neha , Patel Anant , Pachori Menakshi
Published: March 2024

Objectives: In this article, we addressed the problem of estimation of the finite population proportion under the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling technique, when the complete information is unavailable due to the presence of non-response. We developed calibrated estimators of the population proportion under PPS sampling in the presence of nonresponse based on the availability of auxiliary information. Methods: The expressions for the mean squared errors of the suggested estimators were developed to the first order of approximation. The developed estimators of the population proportion are compared with the design-based Horvitz-Thompson estimator and Horvitz-Thompson type calibration estimator which were obtained on the complete response units along with the design-based Hansen and Hurwitz type estimator in the presence of non-response. A Simulation study has also been conducted to support the performance of the developed estimators of population proportion with the help of two real datasets, by computing Percentage Absolute Relative Bias (%ARB) and Percentage Relative Root Mean Squared Error (%RRMSE) using R software. Findings: The simulation study supported the performance of the developed estimators of the finite population proportion based on %ARB and %RRMSE. The proposed calibration estimators of population proportion are more efficient than the other considered estimators in the presence of non-response. Novelty: The proposed new calibrated estimators have practical implications in the estimation of finite population proportions. Keywords: Auxiliary information, Calibration Approach, Non­response, Population proportion, PPS sampling
Experimental Study on Mechanical and Durability Behaviour of a Sustainable Masonry Block Incorporating Agricultural and Industrial Wastes
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, 627 007, Tamil Nadu, India, Prakash R , Srividhya S , Sivakumar S , Neelamegam P
Published: March 2024

Objectives: The production of conventional cement blocks consumes significant amount of cement. The production of cement, involves significant energy consumption and releases carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to carbon footprint. However, advancements in sustainable masonry block production have been made to minimize these drawbacks. Hence, this research aims to develop a sustainable masonry solid block by incorporating Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Flay Ash (FA). Methods: The manuscript discusses the mechanical and durability properties of sustainable masonry block and comparing the result with the conventional cement blocks. The materials used are FA, Lime, Gypsum, RHA, Marble Dust Powder (MDP), Stone Quarry Dust (SQD). The solid blocks tested for Compressive strength, Density, Water absorption, Initial rate of water absorption, efflorescence, and chemical resistance. Findings: The results showed that, the addition of RHA, FA, and MDP enhanced the compressive strength of the solid blocks upto 46% when compared to convention cement block. A density reduction of 2.5% was achieved. It also exhibited a reduction in water absorption of 29.2%. IRA tests evident that the sustainable solid blocks shows reduced water absorption levels at both the one-minute and two-minute time intervals in comparison to conventional cement solid blocks. At a one-minute time, the rate of absorption for M4 is 69% lower when compared to conventional cement solid blocks. The RHA, FA and MDP admixed blocks showed better durability properties in terms of efflorescence, and chemical resistance. Novelty : This solid block production method is an innovative methodology that supports the conservation of natural resources, reduces pollution, and preserves the environment. As a result, it encourages the advancement of eco-friendly technology. Keywords: Sustainable building blocks, Fly ash, Lime, Rice husk ash, Marble dust, Stone quarry dust
Amplicon Sequencing for Genotyping S. Typhi v1
Authors: Mahindroo Jaspreet , Troman Catherine , Grassly Nick
Published: March 2024

The following protocol is for amplifying and sequencing amplicons targeting Salmonella Typhi. It is primarily for use with samples that are already suspected to be positive for S. Typhi and has been designed for use with DNA extracted from environmental surveillance samples. The resulting sequences can be analysed and used for genotyping (given that the genotype is targeted by the primer panel) and determining antimicrobial resistance. The genotypes targeted in the panel in this protocol are listed but primers can be designed for other S. typhi genotypes of interest. The library preparation steps of this protocol are adapted from the Oxford nanopore protocol "Ligation Sequencing Amplicons - Native Barcoding Kit 24 V14 (SQK-NBD114.24)" which is available on the Nanopore community.
BTI plant phenotyping system: Raspi computer and image collection v1
Authors: Yu Li'ang
Published: March 2024

Instructions on how to set up automated synching between Raspberry Pi operated PhenoRig and the server through WiFi connections
Fish eRNA: water sampling and filtrationthrough Sterivex filter unit v1
Authors: Vautier Marine
Published: March 2024

The objective of this protocol is the sampling and the filtration of water samples through 0.45 µm Sterivex™ filter units with the necessary precautions for environmental RNA (eRNA) analysis. This protocol is used upstream to molecular biology analysis (e.g. qPCR, metabarcoding, ddPCR) to specifically target fish eRNA. eRNA is easily degraded, so special precautions must be taken. These include: limit RNase contamination by working with decontaminated equipment, proceed very quickly to filtration after sampling, and freeze the samples very quickly after filtration, either in liquid nitrogen or in a freezer at -80°C. Preservation buffers are available to stabilise RNA at room temperature, but are not used in this protocol. This protocol allows approximately 0.5 L to 5 L to be filtered through a Sterivex‱ filter unit, depending on the characteristics of the water sample and the chosen filtration method (syringe or vacuum pump).
One step RT-ddPCR for probes to target eRNA samples : from sample preparation to droplet reading v1
Authors: Vautier Marine , Chardon Cecile , Galiegue Cyrielle , Domaizon Isabelle
Published: March 2024

The aim of this protocol is the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) quantification of RNA target(s) using primer and probe sets. Reverse transcription and amplification are carried out in a single step, using the One Step RT-ddPCR Advanced kit for probes (Bio-Rad). This protocol is optimised for the analysis of environmental RNA (eRNA) samples (water, sediment, biofilm and soil matrices) and then rare DNA targets. The ddPCR can be performed using a QX600 or a QX200 droplet reader system (Bio-Rad), and this protocol begins after the RNA extraction step and ends with the droplet reading. Multiple eRNA targets can be specifically targeted using multiple primer and probe sets that are compatible. The advantages of using the ddPCR are: the absolute quantification, the sensitivity, the efficiency and the specificity of the method for RNA target quantification.
Literary and Sufi Analysis of Ibn al-Fāriḍ’s Poem “al-Tā’iyyat al-kubrā”: A Philosophical Educational Approach
Authors: Scattolin Giuseppe , Anwar Ahmed Hasan , Hassanin Shaimaa Mohamed
Published: March 2024

The present paper offers a new approach to the poetry of the Egyptian Sufi poet ‛Umar Ibn al-Fāriḍ (576-632AH/ 1181-1235AD). This approach is based on the text of Ibn al- Fāriḍ’s Great Sufi Poem, al-Tā’iyyat al-kubrā, in which the poet expresses in full his spiritual experience. First, the basic hermeneutical question is discussed, e.g., what is the way of approaching a literary text in order to understand the experience of the poet? Also, it deals with a Sufi text, its context and the relationship between text and experience. To what extent does the author express his inner world verbally? In the end, there is a distance between the interior experience of a Sufi and his verbal expression. Eventually, this method is applied to the poetry of Ibn al-Fāriḍ. He describes his Sufi experience as a journey through three steps: from separation (farq) to unity (ittiḥād) to universal union (ǧam‛). On such a partition, ten basic units are highlighted, forming the structure of his Sufi poem.
The Portrayal of Spring in English and Arabic Poetry: A Comparative Stylistic Study of Selected Poems
Authors: Abuhammam Emad A. , Al-dabbagh Zaid M. , Ibrahim Abdullah M. , Almazaidah Ismail S.
Published: March 2024

This comparative study highlights many romantic affinities in some poems by modern and classic English and Arabic poets. These romantic poets represent spring similarly as a source of pleasure, peace, and comfort. They see spring as their place of sharing compassion, love, and happiness. The study is mainly based on the Parallelism theory of the American School of Comparative Literature which focuses on the parallel themes, linguistic devices, and images of different authors whose social, historical, traditional, and linguistic aspects are different (Bressler, 2011, p. 42). It also adopts the New Criticism’s methodology of analyzing poetic metaphors, symbols, structures, and similes. Their romantic compositions connect spring spiritually, aesthetically, and invisibly with these poets’ souls. They glorify and adopt spring and its influence on them as a symbol of pleasure and comfort.
Effects of Using the Jolly Phonics Programme in Teaching English Literacy and Its Influence on Reading Motivation
Authors: Shawaqfeh Adawiya Taleb
Published: March 2024

This research investigated whether Jolly Phonics enhances pupils' literacy and communication abilities. Thus, the principal objective was to determine how Jolly Phonics improves students' speaking, English proficiency and literacy ability, phonemic awareness, and reading motivation. This study of English competence and reading ability is limited to Jolly Phonics. A qualitative study design was used, and data were sourced through secondary sources. The findings of the study support previous conclusions that Jolly Phonics is crucial to children's literacy development. This article's lack of a statistical evaluation of the strategy was a drawback, even when the results demonstrated that the tactics worked. Notwithstanding these limitations, children's interactions and accomplishments in learning Jolly Phonics' functionality, as explained previously in this article, showed that they are indeed growing and improving their English language proficiency, as they grew up knowing many alphabet sounds, remember many complicated utterances, combined utterances on their own, learned and started writing independently, etc. The fourth technique wrap-up English is the worldwide language of communication. Therefore, children should learn to read and write in it early on. Due to reading's complexity, teaching kids to read took time. The five Jolly Phonics skills, given in various ways as proposed in this study, have been shown to increase young learners' English ability. Teachers must prepare for each student's needs and ability level to succeed.
Challenges and Drawbacks of Smartphone-Based Language Learning for Vietnamese EFL Learners in Higher Education Settings: Perspectives on Mobile Apps and Curriculum Design
Authors: Nghi Tran Tin , Thang Nguyen Tat
Published: March 2024

This study explored the opinions of Vietnamese EFL learners on m-learning challenges and drawbacks in Vietnamese higher education settings. The study also investigated the uses of mobile apps and curriculum design for English language learning and their impacts on students' learning experiences. The author used an exploratory design which included a 12-question survey and semi-structured interviews with 185 EFL students from a public university in Vietnam. The results revealed that while smartphones were perceived as a convenient and useful tool for learning English, there were several shortcomings associated with their use. These negative factors were technical issues, distractions, lack of motivation, and difficulty in finding suitable English learning apps. The results also highlighted the importance of integrating mobile apps into the curriculum design, and university management should provide training for students and teachers on using mobile apps for learning English as one of the necessary handbooks. The findings of this study may be beneficial to EFL teachers, curriculum designers, and policymakers in Vietnam and other similar contexts where mobile apps are becoming increasingly prevalent as a language learning tool.
Second Language Arabic Knowledge Useful for Learning Hebrew Vocabulary
Authors: Uni Kazuhito
Published: March 2024

Arabic and Hebrew belong to the Semitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family, and thus, they are semantically and phonetically similar in many lexical aspects. This study examined the benefits of Malaysian university students having prior knowledge of Arabic while learning Hebrew. A two-page questionnaire was administered to two groups of 30 and 40 students at advanced and fundamental Arabic proficiency levels, respectively. Page 1 contained a checklist with Yes/No columns about 30 Hebrew words to examine the participants’ prior knowledge. If participants answered yes, they were asked to write the meaning of the word in English or Malay. They then answered multiple-choice questions about the 30 Hebrew words on Page 2. Arabic counterparts were not shown on the questionnaire to prevent cuing the participants. The first group of participants, 30 Malaysian students with advanced Arabic proficiency, learned an average of 23.07 Hebrew words. The vocabulary items most correctly identified by Group 1 were ‘olam “world” (30 correct answers), katavti “I wrote” (28), mavet “death” (28), melekh “king” (27), moakh “brain” (27), shabat “Saturday” (27), shen “tooth” (27), shamayim “sky” (26), shana “year” (26), ahavti “I loved” (26), and ozen “ear” (26). The second group, 40 Malaysian students with basic Arabic knowledge, acquired 12.83 words on average. The scores of the two groups differed with statistical significance at the 5% level (p < 0.001, df = 68, t = 14.26). From these results, it appears that Arabic lexical knowledge significantly facilitates Malaysian students’ acquisition of Hebrew vocabulary.
Heritage Language Maintenance Among Immigrant Youth: Factors Influencing Proficiency and Identity
Authors: Alshihry Mona A.
Published: March 2024

Focusing on the importance of family linguistic practices and social support, this study investigates the complex link between immigrant youths' heritage language competence and the development of their sense of self. The research, which makes heavy use of quantitative methods, looks at the interplay between fluency in one's heritage language and one's feeling of cultural and ethnic belonging. The results highlight the significance of language usage among families of immigrants. Positive and robust associations between family language use and legacy language competence highlight the central role of the family context in language transmission. Youth of immigrants who hear their heritage language spoken often at home benefit not just in linguistic but also in cultural and ethnic identity development. This, in turn, helps immigrant families feel more at home and strengthens their commitment to maintaining their cultural traditions. Although the favorable association between community support and heritage language competency is less, it is still considerable. Community support supplements family efforts by offering extra resources and opportunities for language development. Heritage language schools and cultural festivals are examples of community-driven projects that provide a framework for language study and cultural immersion. Youth who share a same language and cultural background benefit from the existence of welcoming immigrant communities, which strengthens their sense of cultural identification and fosters a feeling of belonging.