bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Invisible Workload of Open Research
Authors: Hostler Tom
Published: February 2023

It is acknowledged that conducting open research requires additional time and effort compared to conducting ‘closed’ research. However, this additional work is often discussed only in abstract terms, a discourse which ignores the practicalities of how researchers are expected to find the time to engage with these practices in the context of their broader role as multifaceted academics. In the context of a sector that is blighted by stress, burnout, untenable workloads, and hyper-competitive pressures to produce, there is a clear danger that additional expectations to engage in open practices add to the workload burden and increase pressure on academics even further. In this article, the theories of academic capitalism and workload creep are used to explore how workload models currently exploit researchers by mismeasuring academic labour. The specific increase in workload resulting from open practices and associated administration is then outlined, including via the cumulative effects of administrative burden. It is argued that there is a high chance that without intervention, increased expectations to engage in open research practices may lead to unacceptable increases in demands on academics. Finally, the individual and systematic responsibilities to mitigate this are discussed.
Predicting suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic using a pre-pandemic death rate model
Authors: Wiley James Christopher
Published: February 2023

In 1952, the psychiatrist Erwin Stengel hypothesized that suicide becomes rarer in times when the value of life within a society is lower, when death is more common. In Canada, suicide rates and death rates present with consistent year-over-year data patterns. However, this was broken by the high death rates occurring at unusual times of year during the COVID-19 pandemic. This offers a unique opportunity to observe whether suicide rates follow suit. The present study models weekly Canadian suicide rates using death rates, from time series data spanning 2010 to 2019 (n = 521). Results indicate that suicide rates decrease on average by 0.27 standard deviations per 1 standard deviation increase in the death rate. This model is then used to predict 2020 suicide rates, using 2020 death rates (n = 52). These predictions account for 11.6% of the variation in actual 2020 suicide rates. However, this model does not perform well when predicting 2021 suicide rates. Limited evaluation of incomplete data from 2022 and 2023 was carried out as additional validation. We conclude that the process co-generating suicide and death rates pre-pandemic was maintained during the pandemic in 2020, but was disrupted in 2021.
Predictors of Dropout and Outcome in Cognitive Therapy for Depression in a Private Practice Setting
Authors: Persons Jacqueline
Published: February 2023

The efficacy of cognitive therapy was examined for 70 depressed private practice patients. Although these patients had a broader range of psychopathology thanpatients in controlled outcome studies of cognitive therapy, they had comparably large reductions in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores. Patients who completed treatment had an average reduction in BDI scores of 65.5%. Initial BDI scores, endogenous symptoms, compliance with home-work, and theinteraction between homework and initial BDI scores were statistically significant predictors of end-of-treatment BDI scores. The squared correlation between the observed end-of-treatment BDI scores and the estimated expected value was .81. Controlling for other factors, patients who did homework improved three times as much as those who did not. The effect of homework was substantially larger for patients with high initial BDI scores; thus, studies that include only patients with high initial BDI scores may overstate the importance of homework on a general population. In spite of significant improvement, 50% of patients terminatedtreatment prematurely. Premature termination was most likely in patients with personality disorders, high initial BDI scores, and no endogenous symptoms.
Are Results of Randomized Controlled Trials Useful to Psychotherapists?
Authors: Persons Jacqueline
Published: February 2023

Two clinicians provided opposite answers to the title question: Persons argued that information from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is vital to clinicians, and Silberschatz argued that information from RCTs is irrelevant to clinicians. Persons argued that clinicians cannot provide top quality care to their patients without attending to findings of RCTs and that clinicians have an ethical responsibility to inform patients about, recommend, and provide treatments supported by RCTs before informing patients about, recommending, and providing treatments shown to be inferior in RCTs or not evaluated in RCTs. Silberschatz argued that RCTs do not and cannot answer questions that concern practicing clinicians. He advocates alternative research approaches (effectiveness studies, quasi-experimental methods, case-specific research) for studying psychotherapy.
Investigating Assortative Mating Patterns by Expanding Personality Assessments Beyond Static and Universal Personality Traits: Written Doctoral Preliminary Exam
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Linh Le
Published: February 2023

This paper aims to offer an in-depth review of the current literature on the interplay between personality and the initiation and quality of romantic relationship. I examined personality thoroughly using the three-level model: personality traits, characteristic adaptations, and narrative identity. I further described recent developments in dynamic personality research, which expands static personality traits to incorporate intraindividual processes of personality and emotional states. I presented relevant findings in each area and provided the theoretical background on relationship science to help guide readers in interpreting these patterns of results. In sum, assortative mating is a strong and consistent phenomenon in various domains, including demographic variables and social, political, and spiritual attitudes. Not only are couples generally much more similar than non-couples, but this similarity is predictive of important indicators of relationship quality. On the other hand, the literature is much more mixed for personality traits and emotional processes. I argue that this is partly due to the dominance of traits in personality research, for which the preponderance of evidence favored the actor or partner effects over a dyadic effect; that is, an individual’s or their partner’s personality traits are predictive of their relationship initiation and quality, but their similarity/dissimilarity is not. Nonetheless, other personality constructs, such as values, attitudes, attachment, coping, and motivational units, show much more promising dyadic patterns. In expanding our conceptualization of personality to include constructs across all three levels, we will see that personality as a whole is indeed an important factor in the assortative mating process.
Phenomenological and cognitive features associated with auditory hallucinations in clinical and nonclinical voice hearers.
Authors: Gold James , Corlett Philip R. , Erickson Molly , Waltz James , August Sharon , Dutterer Jenna , Bansal Sonia
Published: February 2023

Background and Hypotheses: Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are central features of schizophrenia. However, AVH also occur in a small percentage of the general population who do not have a need for care, termed nonclinical voice hearers (NCVH). We sought to determine the degree to which the experience of AVH was similar in NCVH and in people with schizophrenia (PSZ) and evaluate the degree to which NCVH shared other features of schizophrenia such as delusional beliefs, cognitive impairment, and negative symptoms.Study design: We recruited 76 people with a DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (PSZ; 49 with current AVH, 27 without), 48 NCVH, and 51 healthy controls. Participants received a broad battery of clinician-administered and self-report symptom assessments and a focused cognitive assessment.Study Results: The AVH of NCVH and PSZ shared very similar sensory features. NCVH experienced less distress, had greater control over their AVH, and, unlike PSZ, rarely heard two voices speaking to each other. NCVH demonstrated a wide range of deeply-held unusual beliefs, but reported less paranoia, and fewer first-rank symptoms such as passivity and alterations in self-experience. NCVH showed no evidence of cognitive deficits or negative symptoms.Conclusions: The AVH in NCVH and PSZ demonstrate important similarities as well as clear differences. Specific features, rather than the presence, of AVH appear to determine the need for care. NCVH do not share the cognitive and motivational deficits seen in PSZ. These results suggest that AVH and unusual beliefs can be separated from the broader phenotype of SZ.
Why does preregistration increase the persuasiveness of evidence? A Bayesian rationalization
Authors: Peikert Aaron , Ernst Maximilian Stefan , Brandmaier Andreas Markus
Published: February 2023

The replication crisis has led many researchers to preregister their hypotheses and data analysis plans before collecting data.A widely held view is that preregistration is supposed to limit the extent to which data may influence the hypotheses to be tested.Only if data have no influence an analysis is considered confirmatory. Consequently, many researchers believe that preregistration is only applicable in confirmatory paradigms.In practice, researchers may struggle to preregister their hypotheses because of vague theories that necessitate data-dependent decisions (aka exploration).We argue that preregistration benefits any study on the continuum between confirmatory and exploratory research.To that end, we formalize a general objective of preregistration and demonstrate that exploratory studies also benefit from preregistration.Drawing on Bayesian philosophy of science, we argue that preregistration should primarily aim to reduce uncertainty about the inferential procedure used to derive results.This approach provides a principled justification of preregistration, separating the procedure from the goal of ensuring strictly confirmatory research.We acknowledge that knowing the extent to which a study is exploratory is central, but certainty about the inferential procedure is a prerequisite for persuasive evidence.Finally, we discuss the implications of these insights for the practice of preregistration.
Sex differences in emotion recognition: Investigating the moderating effects of stimulus features
Authors: Rafiee Yasaman , Schacht Anne
Published: February 2023

Emotion recognition – a prerequisite for social interactions – varies among individuals. Sex differences have been proposed as a central source of individual differences, although the existing evidence is rather heterogeneous. In the current study (N = 426), we investigated the potential moderating effects of stimulus features, including modality, emotion specificity, and the sex of the encoder (referring to the sex of the actor), on the magnitude of sex differences in emotion recognition. Our findings replicated women’s overall better emotion recognition, particularly evident for negative expressions (fear and anger) compared to men. This outperformance was observed across all modalities, with the largest differences for audiovisually expressed emotions, while the sex of the encoder had no impact. Given our findings, future studies should consider these and other potential moderator variables to better estimate sex differences.
Delayed Gratification Predicts Behavioral and Academic Outcomes: Examining the Validity of the Delay-of-Gratification Choice Paradigm in Singaporean Young Children
Authors: Chen Luxi , Yeung Wei-Jun Jean
Published: February 2023

Peer-reviewed publication can be found here: Chen, L., & Yeung, W. J. J. (2024). Delayed gratification predicts behavioral and academic outcomes: Examining the validity of the delay-of-gratification choice paradigm in Singaporean young children. Applied Developmental Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2024.2307366. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Delay-of-Gratification (DoG) choice paradigm in Singapore, a multicultural Asian society. Data were collected over two waves from a nationally representative sample of 2,956 Singaporean young children, a subset of the participants from the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS). DoG, working memory, and parent-rated child self-control were measured during the preschool years (ages 3–6) in Wave 1. Academic achievement and parent-rated child behavior problems were measured approximately two years later in Wave 2. Results evidenced sound psychometric properties of the multi-trial actual choice task as a measure of DoG with Singaporean preschoolers, indicated by (1) excellent internal reliability, (2) development of DoG as a function of age, gender, and parental education, (3) variations in children’s choices by the quantity of the delayed reward, (4) convergent validity with concurrently measured working memory and self-control, and (5) predictive validity with more advanced reading and mathematical skills as well as fewer externalizing and internalizing problems, through working memory and self-control.
A benchmark of individual auto-regressive models in a massive fMRI dataset
Authors: Paugam François , Pinsard Basile , Lajoie Guillaume , Bellec Pierre
Published: February 2023

Dense functional magnetic resonance imaging datasets open new avenues to create auto-regressive models of brain activity. Individual idiosyncrasies are obscured by group models, but can be captured by purely individual models given sufficient amounts of training data. In this study, we compared several deep and shallow individual models on the auto-regression of BOLD time series recorded during a natural video watching task. The best performing models were then analyzed in terms of their data requirements and scaling, subject specificity and the space-time structure of their predicted dynamics.We found the Chebnets, a type of graph convolutional neural network, to be best suited for BOLD auto-regression, closely followed by linear models. Chebnets demonstrated an increase in performance with increasing amounts of data, with no complete saturation at 9 h of training data. Significant subject specificity was found at short prediction time lags. The Chebnets were found to capture lower frequencies at longer prediction time lags, and the spatial correlations in predicted dynamics were found to match traditional functional connectivity networks.Overall, these results demonstrate that large individual fMRI datasets can be used to efficiently train purely individual auto-regressive models of brain activity, and that massive amounts of individual data are required to do so. The excellent performance of the Chebnets likely reflects their ability to combine spatial and temporal interactions on large time scales at a low complexity cost. Individual auto-regressive models have the potential to improve our understanding of the functional interactions in the human brain. This study is based on a massive, publicly-available dataset, which can serve for future benchmarks of individual auto-regressive modeling.
A Functional Approach to Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Echevarría-Escalante Daniel , Pereira Gladis L. , Muñoz Víctor Estal , Froxán-Parga María Xesús
Published: February 2023

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be considered the most effective treatment when attending to problem behaviors that define borderline personality disorder (BPD). This therapy employs chain analysis as the tool for accounting for contextual variables that maintain these behaviors. However, these detected variables are descriptive and temporal rather than strictly functional. That is, the role of contextual variables is analyzed regarding temporal relations with the problem behavior, but not in terms of contingency relations that allow showing their function. Thus, a functional approach to hypothesize these contingency relations between responses and the variables that control them was carried out. Behavior functional analysis was employed as a tool and functional hypotheses of the DSM-5-TR criteria for BPD were conducted. The conclusion is that the proposed approach can be used as a guide to elaborate functional hypotheses about cases displaying the behaviors defined in the diagnosis.
Achieving hypothermia in lucid dreams and transferring it into wakefulness
Authors: Shashkov Andrey , Raduga Michael , Zhunusova Zhanna
Published: February 2023

Objective. Lucid dreams (LDs) are dreams in which people are aware of the unreality of the events taking place and can influence the plot. People can experience lucid dreaming either intentionally or unintentionally and can experience different emotions and perceptions that can lead to psychophysiological consequences upon waking. In this study, we investigated the possibility of achieving hypothermia during LDs and its traces after waking.Method. Through an online experiment, we instructed 92 volunteers to achieve hypothermia while in an LD and then check whether the effect achieved in an LD remained after awakening. If the hypothermia remained, participants reported how long it lasted.Results. Of the volunteers, 88% experienced hypothermia while dreaming – of these participants, 36% were able to transfer hypothermia into wakefulness, though for only a short period.Discussion. We suggest that transferring hypothermia from an LD to wakefulness is mostly possible due to hypnopompic hallucination. The outcomes of our research contribute to the psychophysiological correlations between LDs and wakefulness, their theoretical applications in health treatment, and the nature of lucid dreaming and hypnopompic hallucinations.
The role of maternal depression symptoms and foeto-maternal attachment in predicting exclusive breastfeeding: A multi-site prospective study
Authors: Costin Madalina Ruxandra , Diana Taut , Baban Adriana , Ionescu Thea , Murray Aja Louise , Lindsay Carene , Secară Eugen-Călin , Abbasi Fahad , Acheampong Isaac Sarfo , Katus Laura , Yen Luong Thanh Bao , Hernandez Sandra Concepcion Layla S. , Randeny Shobhavi , Du Toit Stefani , Valdebenito Sara , Eisner Manuel
Published: February 2023

Background: Previous research shows that 61% of children younger than six months, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not exclusively breastfed. While data on the role of pre- and postnatal depression on breastfeeding exclusivity is mixed, foeto-maternal attachment might foster breastfeeding exclusivity. Thus, we tested the potential mediating role of foeto-maternal attachment and postnatal depression in the relationship between maternal prenatal depression and exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: Data were collected as part of a prospective, cross-cultural project, Evidence-for-Better-Lives-Study, which enrolled N=1208 expectant mothers, in their third trimester of pregnancy across eight sites, from LMICs. Of the whole sample, N=1185 women (Mage=28.32, SD=5.77) completed Computer-Aided-Personal-Interviews on prenatal depressive symptoms, foeto-maternal attachment and socio-economic status. N=1054 women provided follow-up data at 3-6 months after birth, about postnatal depressive symptoms, exclusive breastfeeding and infant health indicators. Path analysis was used to assess parallel mediation. Results: In the whole sample, the effect of prenatal depression on breastfeeding exclusivity was completely mediated by postnatal depression, while foeto-maternal attachment did not mediate the relationship. The full mediation effect was replicated individually in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.Conclusion: The study results indicate that prenatal depression symptoms contributed to the development of depressive symptoms after birth, negatively affecting the probability of exclusive breastfeeding. Future research should explore this in early prevention interventions, increasing the chances of healthy child development in LMICs. Considering the mixed results around the sites, it is important to better understand the relationship between maternal depression, foeto-maternal attachment and breastfeeding behavior in each site’s socio-cultural context. Abbreviations: LMICs, low- and middle-income countries
The Approach-Avoidance Job Crafting Scale: Development and Validation of a Measurement of the Hierarchical Structure of Job Crafting
Authors: Lopper Elisa , Horstmann Kai Tobias , Hoppe Annekatrin
Published: February 2023

The Approach-Avoidance Job Crafting Scale (AAJCS) builds on our adjusted version of a hierarchical structure of job crafting (Zhang & Parker, 2019). In developing and validating the new AAJCS, we, first, developed the German items in a stepwise procedure (Pilot Study). Second, we tested the factor structure and reliability (Study 1). Third, we replicated previous results and tested the construct validity (Study 2). Fourth, we ensured the criterion validity of the AAJCS (Study 3). The results suggested the existence of two independent factors, namely, approach and avoidance crafting, rather than a global job crafting factor. Furthermore, approach and avoidance crafting each consist of four job crafting dimensions, thus reflecting the hierarchical structure of job crafting. Within these dimensions, aspects of previous job crafting concepts are integrated. The distinction between approach and avoidance crafting became apparent in the comparison of their criterion validities as follows: approach crafting was positively related to work-related outcomes, while avoidance crafting was negatively associated with work engagement and performance. Furthermore, approach and avoidance crafting exhibited incremental validity with regard to predict work engagement and performance beyond previous job crafting concepts. Approach crafting was positively associated while avoidance crafting was negatively associated with work engagement and performance.
Statistics in motion: Does the infant motor system predict actions based on their transitional probability?
Authors: Ghilardi Tommaso , Meyer Marlene , Monroy Claire Darlene , Gerson Sarah , Hunnius Sabine
Published: February 2023

Motor theories of action prediction propose that our neural motor system combines prior knowledge about likely action outcomes with current sensory input to predict other people's behavior. This knowledge can be acquired through observational experience, more specifically statistical learning. Recently, it has been shown that infants can detect in a stream of actions two actions that follow each other deterministically and that their motor system uses this knowledge to predict upcoming actions. However, real-life actions are more complex: whereas actions hardly ever follow one another with 100% probability, often certain actions are more likely to follow one another than others (e.g., grasping a mug to drink versus to pass it to someone). Here, we examined whether infants can learn the statistical structure of action sequences through observation and whether the activity of their motor system reflects the specific statistical likelihood of upcoming actions. We trained 18-month-old infants at home with videos of action sequences featuring different transitional probabilities. At test, motor activity was measured using EEG during perceptually identical time windows that linked actions with four probability levels (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%). We found that motor activity was parametrically modulated by the transitional probability of action pairs. Specifically, our results showed the strongest predictive motor activity for deterministic actions and least activity for actions with low levels of probability. These results show that infants’ predictive motor activity reflects the specific statistical likelihood of upcoming actions and thus underline the important role of statistical learning for infants’ developing action understanding.
One for all doesn’t Work: Micromanaging Pro-environmental Behaviour
Authors: Riaz Kashif  , Khan Kamran , Mehmood Kashif
Published: February 2023

This study aims to identify the flaws in current theories and present reasons for their failure. Despite all the efforts, the adaptability of products with sustainability elements remains low. This study analyzed some reasons for low adoption and evaluated the planned behaviour, norm activation model, and goal-framing theory. The study reviewed literature that discussed the critics of all three theories mentioned above. Based on the literature assessment, we have provided some guidelines for a way forward in pro-environmental studies related to consumer behaviour. Some suggestions are also provided to increase the adoption of such products, including, using factors of these theories in conjunction. This study also recommends a proposed solution for the consumers’ low adoption of environmentally friendly products. It is stressed in the study that the three main theories discussed in the pro-environmental area are not enough to understand or gauge consumer behaviour fully. Hence, there is a need to have a holistic approach for viewing and checking consumer behaviour of sustainable consumption.
Predicting Self-determinism: Role of Charismatic Leadership and Mentoring Effectiveness among Physical Education Teachers of Higher Education Institutes
Authors: Sami Abdul , Solomon Vicar , Younas Faiz
Published: February 2023

The current study aimed to find the relationship between charismatic leadership, mentoring effectiveness and self-determination in physical education instructors. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative relationship between charismatic leadership and mentoring effectiveness and a positive relationship between charismatic leadership and self-determination. Charismatic leadership and mentoring effectiveness would be significant positive predictors of self-determination. Data were collected from male physical education teachers from Lahore using a convenient sampling. The research findings indicate that instructors with strategic vision, sensitivity to the environment, and sensitivity to members’ needs have a high awareness of themselves and their perceived choices. There were non-significant family systems, educational differences, and income differences in self-determination among physical education instructors. = This study would help explore leadership styles in connection to mentoring effectiveness and self-determination for better teaching efficacy and the development of academia. Future research can include female teachers and cities other than Lahore.
Effect of Leadership Empowerment on Personnel Creativity in Projects: Moderating Role of Project Culture and Mediating Role of Creative Self-efficacy
Authors: Malik Sidra , Nadeem Aleena , Ahmed Saira
Published: February 2023

Empowering leadership substantively encourages employee creativity and enhances intellectual capital. This study focuses on exploring the impact of leadership empowerment on personnel creativity through moderating the role of project culture and mediating the effect of creative self-efficacy across project-based IT organizations. The questionnaires were distributed to collect data from 264 leaders and subordinates serving in different project-based firms. Convenience sampling was incorporated for data collection from the software houses within the capital of Pakistan (Islamabad). The empirical findings from the descriptive statistical analysis demonstrated that empowering leadership has positively influenced personnel creativity in the projects. Further, the results revealed a significant role of creative self-efficacy as a mediator in boosting human capital within project-based IT organizations. However, the moderating role of the project culture is substantiated to be insignificant in influencing the relationship between empowering leadership and employee creativity.
Work Engagement and Burnout Relationship with Adaptive Job Performance: Role of Psychological Ownership
Authors: Naveed Muhammad
Published: February 2023

This study aims to check the effect of job demands on employees' burnout and job resources on employees' work engagement with the moderating role of psychological ownership. Moreover, the direct and mediating role of burnout and work engagement in adaptive job performance. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire from a total of 311 four and five-star hotel employees and structural equational modeling was employed to test the hypotheses. The findings demonstrate the positive relation of job demands with burnout and job resources with work engagement. Furthermore, burnout has a direct negative as well as mediating relation with adaptive job performance whereas, work engagement has a direct positive as well as mediating relation with adaptive job performance. Lastly, the study has also found that psychological ownership weakens the relationship of job demands and employees’ burnout whereas, it strengthens the relationship among job resources and employees’ work engagement. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Predicting Self-determinism: Role of Charismatic Leadership and Mentoring Effectiveness in Physical Education Teachers
Authors: Solomon Vicar , Younas Faiz , Sami Abdul
Published: February 2023

The current study aimed to find the relationship among charismatic leadership, mentoring effectiveness, and self-determination in physical education instructors. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative relationship between charismatic leadership and mentoring effectiveness and a positive relationship between charismatic leadership and self-determination. Charismatic leadership and mentoring effectiveness would be significant positive predictors of self-determination. Data were collected from the male physical education teachers in Lahore using a convenient sampling. The research findings indicate that instructors with strategic vision, sensitivity to the environment, and sensitivity to members’ needs have a high awareness of themselves and their perceived choices. There were non-significant family systems, educational differences, and income differences in self-determination among the physical education instructors. This study would help explore leadership styles in connection to mentoring effectiveness and self-determination for better teaching efficacy and the development of academia. Future research can include female teachers and cities, other than Lahore.
Examining the Factors Affecting Exports Performance: Empirical Evidence from Finland
Authors: Asim Hafiz , Shahzad Adnan Ali , Nafees Bilal , Mubarak Muhammad Faraz
Published: February 2023

The present research is an effort to diagnose the exigent determinants of exports in Finland by using time series data from 1993-2020. The study employs a vector-error correction model (VECM) by using Johansen technique for co-integration. The empirical findings of the co-integration indicate the existence of a significant relationship between exports and its various determinants in the long run. The results of VECM revealed that exchange rate and remittances are significant and positive determinants of Finland’s exports in the long run. In the meanwhile, the impact of the exchange rate and remittances is significant but negative on the exports of Finland in the short run. On the other hand, industrial growth and corruption are incorporated in the model as exogenous factors in the short-run dynamics. The impact of industrial growth is positive and significant on the export's performance while corruption is negatively affecting the exports of the Finnish economy. The study suggests a conducive and stable exchange rate policy and control of corruption to encourage exports.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Challenges and Solutions by using Zero Waste Strategy: Karachi as a Case Study
Authors: Majid Muhammad Imran , Jamal Hamza , Asghar Ali
Published: February 2023

This paper introduces an abridgment of solid waste conditions and their management issues in Karachi. Approach that can be usedto reduce the municipal waste and the management of solid waste produced by the residents of Karachi city is Zero Waste Strategy. Zero waste strategy is a focused approach of conserving all the resources. This approach is beneficial by means of responsible production, valuable consumption, reuse and recovery of product, packaging and materials without burning and with the least discharge to air, water or land that cause an adverse effect on our environment and human health. The budget allocated by governmental bodies for solid waste management is adequate but not allocated properly to the local bodies. Bin services are provided throughout the city is enough but the locations selected for this purpose are not appropriate. Zero waste strategy (ZWS) helps to reduce the solid waste by providing a proper route, with an appropriate recycling plan, adequate management of resources, and public behavior related to solid waste. The research concludes by proposing zero waste strategy (ZWS) as an effective solution of highlighted issues for the management of solid waste in Karachi city. The current research is entirely unique and could affect the society in value-added manner.
Adoption of Blockchain Technology in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain to fight Counterfeit Medicine Market
Authors: Zulfiqar Shahzeb , Lakho Asadullah , Nizam Kehkashan , Fayyaz Benish
Published: February 2023

Blockchain Technology (BT) is recognized as a technology with multiple applications in many industries due to the nature of its utilization. In the pharmaceutical industry, an effective supply chain is crucial to mitigate the counterfeit medicine market, which is currently a big challenge, especially for low or middle-income countries. This research investigates the possibility of implementing blockchain technology solutions in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry by introducing blockchain Application Software. The pharmaceutical industry and General Practitioners from hospitals and clinics were interviewed in the public and private sectors to understand this possibility. Data coding was conducted on the data gathered from the interviews, and from these codes, categories were extracted, these categories were then further refined to extract the final themes. Finally, the paper discusses that based on the need of the current situation, the proposed BT system would present a solution for making the pharmaceutical supply chain more transparent.
Digitization of Taxation System: Content Analysis of Strategic and Experts Perspective
Authors: Muhammad Mubeen  , Zaeema Asrar Mohi uddin
Published: February 2023

The recent wave of modernization and digitization of Federal Board of Revenue and tax evasion culture is in conflict. At one hand, tax payers avoid being fair in tax settlements, and on the other hand, FBR is striving to develop more transparent tax system in Pakistan. In this research, we have explored the strategic and experts’ opinion for later i.e. with respect to digitization of taxation system in Pakistan. For which, panel discussions of industry experts, senior economist, and strategic persons have been utilized. This study may assist tax bodies to understand the causes of avoiding income tax e-filing, which enable them to overcome those causes of tax evasion and will help to formulate new implementable policies in order to minimize the size of undocumented economy. As Tax collection authorities are trying their maximum to increase the revenue collection; hence, the need of documentation of economy is inevitable.
Contributors of Brand Switching: The Mediating Role of Brand Image and Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Fatima Rameen , Billah Usamah Iyyaz
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors contributing to brand switching and how product quality can help to maintain the brands competitive position in the market. The direct relationship of brand quality with brand switching was measured through the mediators of customer satisfaction and brand image. The data was collected from 300 top-tier consumer brands. Findings show that brand availability and perception are intrinsically tied to the brand service or product quality. The results demonstrate the role of product quality in influencing customer loyalty and brand image which leads to less brand switching. The novelty of this research lies in that previous relevant research studies focus on the telecommunication and smartphone sector. Our study is the first application of the framework on the fast moving consumer goods industry. In addition, this paper also makes a novel theoretical contribution by applying the Theory of planned behaviour and the Push and Pull theory to a new area of behavioural research. It provides practical implications to the decision makers on engaging the consumers with multiple marketing techniques, increasing the business productivity.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROJECTS MANAGEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Authors: Vorkut Tetiana Anatoliivna  , Bozhok Yuliia Oleksandrivna  , Lushchai Yurii Volodymyrovych  , Petunin Andrii Volodymyrovych  , Kharuta Vitalii Serhiiovych
Published: February 2023

The relevance of the research topic is due to the need for improvement and further development of scientific and methodological support for portfolio management processes in the context of the introduction of portfolio-oriented management in the field of local (territorial) self-government project management, including public participation (PP) projects.
IN TEA PICKING MACHINES, THE PROSPECT OF USING A NEW CUTTING MACHINE
Authors: Mamuladze Merab
Published: February 2023

Tea represents the economy's main field in agriculture and plays a crucial role in growing and cultivation, proper performance and operation of machine technologies. In the areas where small peasant farms and cooperatives have been formed, and operation of heavy-duty machines is inappropriate, the labor costs should be decreased. Therefore, analysis of machines, which allow high tea leaf plucking quality without destroying the inefficient and unnecessary shoots should be refined and become technically perfect. In this scientific research presents interaction of bearing-less cutting machines with a rubber finger with the stem as a working cutting device, this gives opportunities of a lossless and high tea leaf harvesting quality in the small contoured sloped areas by using machines, based on light-duty engines
Hedges and Boosters in Research Article Abstracts of Turkish and Chinese Scholars
Authors: EKOÇ ÖZÇELİK Arzu
Published: February 2023

In the reviewed literature, many studies have compared the research articles written by L1 and L2 speakers of English. In this regard, comparing L2 speakers of English from two different linguistic backgrounds distinguishes this study from similar studies. While writing research article abstract, writers need to calculate what weight to give to their arguments while showing credibility and authority at the same time. Given these reasons, the use of hedges and boosters in RA abstract is a worthwhile topic to be searched. The goal of this study is to investigate the hedging and boosting strategies in research article abstracts of Turkish and Chinese scholars. They were identified and analyzed in accordance with Hyland’s (2000) hedging and boosting list. The results of this study showed that Turkish and Chinese academics didn’t show much statistical difference in their frequency of hedges, but they preferred to choose different hedging strategies in some instances.
The (Non-)Teaching of Pragmatics in an EFL Context
Authors: KANIK Mehmet , YOUBİ Gaelle Makougang , SHARON Tasong Tsofac , KASAPOĞLU Mustafa
Published: February 2023

Pragmatics is an area that may be underrepresented in ESL/EFL teaching. This study aims to investigate to what extent pragmatics is taught in an international EFL setting. For this purpose, 28 class sessions taught by 17 teachers from seven different cultural backgrounds were observed for their inclusion of pragmatic features in their classes. The results indicate, despite teaching in an international school setting, these teachers did not make pragmatics an important component of their teaching. Pragmatics accounted for only 8.5 percent of the total observation time and when dealt with, it was handled incidentally when there was a moment to emphasize a pragmatic feature or when the textbook included a section or task relevant to pragmatics. Teachers’ incidental treatment of pragmatics signals its importance in language teaching. Thus, suggestions are made to include pragmatics in materials in EFL programs and in teacher education programs.
THE ROLE OF CRIMINAL TACTICS IN THE ACTIVITIES OF PRIVATE DETECTIVES
Authors:   “KROK” University, Frantsuz A.J. , Kulinich K.S.
Published: February 2023

The article analyzes the scientific approaches of criminologists to determine the nature, essential features of the concept of forensic tactics, the problems of the limits of its application, conducted a critical analysis. The current problems of defining the concept of "forensic tactics" and the possibility of using its tools in various types of law enforcement activities, including the activities of private detectives. Consideration of forensic tactics in a broad and narrow sense is proposed, highlighting the theoretical and practical aspects. Forensic tactics is considered as a scientific field, as well as the use of practical tools of forensic tactics in the activities of a private detective. It is proposed to define the concept of "forensic tactics" in the aspect of the activities of private detectives and outlines areas for further research. The role of forensic tactics in detective work is one of the steps that should be covered and described by many scientists, because forensic tactics is the basis of detective work - this is its important feature which holds almost all the effectiveness of a private detective, his strategy, strategy his behavior, the truth of his versions of a situation, systematics, psychological influence, analytical skills. That is why calling the topic relevant, I can say that many scientists have already studied the subject of forensic tactics, but due to the legal uncertainty of the institution of private detective work, such research is incomplete, because they do not contain the experience of detectives, precisely on the territory of Ukraine, subject to the Ukrainian regulation of this activity. Analyzing current trends in forensic tactics, determining the main innovative direction of research and problems of using tactical tools in law enforcement activities of detectives, which ensure its effectiveness and efficiency, is extremely important for direct business. The study established the relationship of forensic tactics with practice, modern advances in science and technology, trends in forensics and other sciences, pointed to the integrative nature of forensic knowledge, considered the modern understanding of forensic tactics, proposed its definition taking into account traditional and innovative approaches in crime. science.
MODELS OF MEDIATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR APPROACH TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF UKRAINE
Authors:   “KROK” University, Frantsuz A.J. , Marina Yu.Yu.
Published: February 2023

This article is devoted to the analysis of mediation models and the possibility of their approximation to the legal system of Ukraine. It has been established that different states use different models of mediation, which provide the basis for formulating different approaches to mediation, as well as their relationship with each other. Media models do not pretend to be universally applicable and at the same time serve as a conceptual reference point. The criteria by which mediation models are classified are considered. After analyzing various sources of research, it was noted that there is no single approach to the classification of mediation models in the scientific space. As a rule, in foreign practice, scientists focus their attention on several models of mediation, between which there is no clear difference. It is investigated that the most common argument in favor of the implementation of the institution of mediation in the legal system of Ukraine is that the domestic judicial system is not able to effectively and quickly resolve legal disputes. Also, among the reasons, one can name a significant problem with the execution of decisions, a rather lengthy consideration of cases, as well as cases of incompetence or abuse, etc. At the same time, a fairly significant factor in relation to the duration of the consideration of cases is the burden per judge in Ukraine. It has been established that at the stage of implementation of mediation in the legal system of Ukraine, the most important issue is the choice of the most suitable mediation model, characterized by the degree of interconnection with the judicial process. The factors influencing the consolidation and implementation of a certain structure of mediation in the legal system in Ukraine are underlined. Proposals have been formulated on the possibility of approximation, as well as further improvement of favorable models of mediation in the modern conditions of the development of civil society. Consequently, it is indicated that there is no officially defined mediation model in Ukraine yet. Referring to the experience of foreign countries, one can tend to the conclusion that the most common way to introduce alternative methods of reconciling conflicts and disputes is to consolidate several models of mediation at the same time, which can be used in Ukraine as well.
THEORETICAL AND LEGAL PARADIGMS OF BANKRUPTCY REGULATION
Authors:   “KROK” University, Frantsuz A.J. , Holovata N.V.
Published: February 2023

The article analyzes the legal problems regulation and practical application of legislation that regulate the bankruptcy procedure. National instability economy and declining production predicts a clear the trend of the payment crisis and a significant increase in the number enterprises that are being liquidated in bankruptcy proceedings. The Law of Ukraine "On Bankruptcy" was one of the first laws that were adopted in the CIS countries and regulated relations insolvency of economic entities. Unfortunately, the above law is not a model of the normative act in in the field of legal regulation of bankruptcy. A large number of shortcomings were identified by case law. Regulatory framework, which regulates the institution of bankruptcy, needs both expansion and improve. To date, no changes have been made to many legislation governing bankruptcy proceedings, as well as legal relations of the parties and participants in the bankruptcy. In addition, it is missing bylaws that would be properly regulated the mechanism of practical application of this procedures in Ukraine. Formation of national legislation in Ukraine is facing difficulties that are causing it legal problems caused primarily by objective ones (economic, social, political) and subjective factors. One of the main objective causes legal problems are manifested in the fact that the adoption of some legislative acts took place in the conditions of the existence of obsolete pre-reform legislation, which developed during the reign state property as the basis of the economic system and principle democratic centralism in the management of the economy. And though the conducted economic reform nevertheless brought certain democratic principles in the legal regulation of economic relations, however, some inconsistencies with the legislation of the period administrative-command economy has not been eliminated. Contradictions of the law not only lead to legal problems in regulating economic relations, but sometimes is directly the cause of offenses and abuses by business entities. In addition, the lack of clear and unambiguous concept on the way to further market development economy in Ukraine puts the legislator in a difficult position and causes problems in the development and adoption of new, modern bills. It was found that some regulations on at the time of adoption were designed to regulate non-existent or underdeveloped social relations.