bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the Extent to Which School X Meets Sustainability Standards and Goals set by the School District
Authors: Rose Rachel
Published: February 2024

The intensifying consequences of global warming have recently led to an increase of sustainability assessment tools (SATs) and interest in sustainability testing within local communities, institutions, and schools. This paper analyzes whether School X meets the sustainability goals and standards set by the overarching School System XYZ, which oversees thirty-eight high schools including this one. In order to measure this, a case study methodology, in cooperation with the University of California San Bernardino’s High School Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (HSSAQ), was used to determine whether the school is meeting requirements set by the county. Collection of data and completion of this survey by the researcher revealed that School X is meeting sustainability standards and goals set by School System XYZ to a small extent, as only about one third (1/3) of quantifiable questions in the HSSAQ were answered “yes,” meaning the school is meeting that specific sustainability standard. This data should enable School System XYZ to continue sustainability research in the future, specifically in secondary schools throughout the school system.
The Cost of the increasing Tropical Storms: Examining the Long Run Economic Implications of Climate Change
Authors: Shah Suhani , Vitalin Marina
Published: February 2024

Climate change has altered economics profoundly; it impacts major aspects of the global economy and has consequences that can be unforeseeable in the long run. Atmospheric temperatures have been increasing twice as fast since 1981 and it has caused detrimental impacts globally; one being the increase in the intensity and frequency of tropical storms. Humans have contributed about 95% to this warming of the Earth. This paper explores the long run economic impacts of a specific consequence of this pressing issue to further understand the impacts of individual actions. The warming of the Earth has caused an increase in the frequency of tropical storms as well as the intensity. Severe tropical storms destroy agriculture and demolish infrastructure and commercial buildings. This heavily impacts the economy in various ways, and this paper will focus on the impact of long run economic growth of an economy. To combat this issue, the government and central bank can take corrective actions. However, these actions come with their own economic consequences, and it is important to be aware of the outcomes to make an informed decision on critical issues. Through extensive research, it can be concluded that the best course of action is a united act amongst the central bank and the government to grow the economy while combating climate change.
ADHD Presentation to Adolescent Patients and Influence on Understanding, Acceptance and Ownership
Authors: Floyd Mackenzie
Published: February 2024

With the prevalence of ADHD in the adolescent age group and a lack of current medical literature regarding this disorder, there was increasing significance to explore the way this diagnosis affected adolescents. Further, it was necessary to explore how the way this diagnosis was presented affected the way adolescents perceived the diagnosis. Researchers had previously established the critical period in which ADHD is most commonly diagnosed, and in a study published in 2016 key symptoms displayed by ADHD patients were identified. Still, a highly significant gap remained in the literature concerning pediatrician presentation methods and patient perception based on the way these methods were utilized. This study seeks to fill that gap through a two-part method study of pediatrician diagnosis discussion methods and patient/parent preferences for those methods. It further analyzes which method promotes acceptance, understanding, and ownership of ADHD and how parental presence affects those aspects of patient perception. It was found that there were major discrepancies between patient, parent, and physician preferences for diagnosis discussion procedures depending on the varying aspects of patient perception (understanding, acceptance, ownership). This study points to the significance of further research to explore how reduce these discrepancies and promote better physician-patient relationships.
The Effectiveness of Peer Support to Improve Youth Refugee’s Mental Health
Authors: Yoon Daniel , Nam Rosemari , Lim Stephanie
Published: February 2024

International geopolitical conflicts and climate change have expanded the international population and have produced an ever increasing number of refugees who are in need of help. However, the restrictive access and discriminatory treatment of refugees have contributed to poor mental and physical health. The lack of cultural competence and multicultural effectiveness (the ability to understand and navigate cross-cultural situations) contributes to worse outcomes with refugees, especially among refugee youth. The refugee youth population experience physical, mental, and emotional trauma while having to adjust to a foreign culture and language. The few current programs aimed at improving the health of refugee youth address most obstacles that refugee youth face, but do not address a key component in psychological wellbeing: social support from peers. An examination of the cultural competence of high school males (n=28) showed that scores were similar across ethnic groups and that scores just passed the midpoint (3.29, 3.21, 3.23), suggesting that students have some cultural competence but have areas of improvement. Future research should focus on more rigorous measures of cultural competence for youth populations. Efforts should be made to improve cultural competence among the non-refugee youth population.
Phyllis Schlafly and the Anti-ERA Movement Through an Evaluation of the Media’s Portrayal of Women
Authors: Perlmutter Marlee , Duby Suzana
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses the correlation between anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly and her language in the Equal Rights Amendment (“ERA”) debate and the 1950s media portrayal of women. Schlafly claims anti-feminists were the victims of media representation; she asserts in her December 1979 edition of the Phyllis Schlafly Report, “not a single magazine published an article against ERA -- or even gave equal space to the arguments pro and con.” While this paper did not research coverage of the ERA debate in the media, I did investigate how preceding media shaped Phyllis Schlafly’s advocacy using an inductive thematic content analysis. In her assertion that the anti-feminists were victims of biased media, Schlafly does not consider how the media supported her argument. In this study, I reflected on the media portrayal of women before the ERA debate and the mobilization of Second Wave Feminism by evaluating advertisements in Life Magazine and The Ladies Home Journal. I hypothesized that the depiction of women in 1950s media directly influenced Schlafly’s advocacy and her view of women’s roles, which aided in the success of her advocacy. This paper discusses how the advertisements laid a foundation to support Schlafly’s claim that women do not want/need constitutional equality with men. The findings of this study indicate the consequences of stereotypical media portrayals and their ability to dictate political and social debates, especially in terms of the repercussions of the depiction of the 1950s housewife.
An Analysis of Costs and Solutions to High Recidivism Rates in Florida
Authors: Krivitsky Sofia , Santoshi Aarush , Li Sophia , Diomidous Matthew , Penev Krassimir
Published: February 2024

Recidivism affects a significant portion of convicted offenders. It represents the culmination of many factors like social isolation, a lack of work opportunities, and drug abuse. This project evaluates the risks and costs of recidivism in Florida's correctional facilities in terms of the physical cost of incarceration and the social cost that imprisonment has on communities. We derive and analyze data from six main sources: past recidivism trends from the Florida Department of Corrections, data of police employment, data of median income data, drug arrest data, and data of unemployment trends. We then evaluate the feasibility of measures involving drug rehabilitation, educational programs, police employment increases to discourage recidivism and facilitate reentry into society by using symbolic regression to calculate future trends. The R-squared values ranged from 65.4% to 97.3%. A primary component analysis (PCA) was performed with post hoc Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin, which yielded a value < 0.6, and Bartlett’s Sphericity, which yielded a value <<< 0.0001, tests, suggesting a substantial correlation. A Monte Carlo analysis was then performed to predict the total instances of recidivism through 2024. This research showed that increasing police efficiency and investing in drug rehabilitation services should be prioritized by the state of Florida.
Growth of Four different Crop Species in Supplemented Loamy Lunar Regolith
Authors: Thorsen Ava , Petollari Sara , Debrezion Solomon , Thabit-Yousef Sabina , Eeds Angela
Published: February 2024

The ability to sustain crop growth in lunar regolith is imperative for long-term lunar missions. Due to the difficulty of transporting materials, using available lunar regolith for food growth is vital; however, past research has shown that dependence on crude lunar regolith is not feasible due to its absence of necessary nutrients and poor structural composition. Our experiment analyzed the possibility of growing crops in lunar regolith that was modified to have a loamy texture and to imitate the properties of Earth soil. Four crop species were grown in a 52:48 lunar regolith to additive concentration for seven weeks. Fagopyrum esculentum plants had significantly greater biomass in lunar regolith than in the control, which was earth soil. Triticum aestivum L., Solanum lycopersicum, and Pisum sativum crops showed no significant difference in overall biomass. Both lunar regolith and soil-grown crops produced flowers and fruits. We then determined the ideal lunar regolith to additive ratio by growing Fagopyrum esculentum in 52:48, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10, and 100:0 concentrations over a seven-day period. Biomass results indicate that the 90:10 concentration of lunar regolith to additive is the most effective (p<0.01 when compared to all concentrations excluding 80:20). Such results are promising because they suggest a potential for effective crop development in lunar regolith supported by a relatively small quantity of additive.
The Limits of AI Content Detectors
Authors: Wu Hongyu , Flanagan Tom
Published: February 2024

As ChatGPT became a popular and powerful language model used by people worldwide in 2023, the problem of students using it to cheat on schoolwork became palpable. While many existing AI content detectors can detect AI-generated texts, such as GPT-2 Content Detector and GPTZero, the accuracy of an AI content detector in detecting generated essays that have been post-edited by humans is unknown. This research discovered the limitations of the GPT-2 Content Detector and answered the question, “How does human post-editing of AI-generated high school English essays affect the result of an AI content detector?” Ten English essays were generated using ChatGPT Plus based on prompts from high school English teachers. Each essay was then edited in 5 different ways to create pairs of unedited and edited essays. All unedited and edited essays were evaluated using GPT-2 Output Detector Demo, and then the results from the detector were studied and analyzed. It was found that introducing spelling mistakes in generated essays and processing the essays with QuillBot will make the result of AI content detectors less accurate. The findings from this research can be used as a guide for companies developing AI-generated text detectors, making them more accurate when dealing with edited generated text. The findings can also be helpful for schools and educators, because knowing that students can edit essays to bypass AI content detectors, educators can develop new ways to examine students’ writing ability.
The Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth of Apium graveolens
Authors: Pola Shrinidhi , Sethi Saachi , Potdar Maitreyee , Desai Krisa , Brar Prabhjeet
Published: February 2024

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are obligate biotrophs, meaning they extract nutrients solely from living plant tissues and cannot grow apart from their hosts (Besemer, 2021). AMF also are symbionts; they are able to form a mutualistic relationship with plants (Tracey Besemer, 2021). To find the ideal amount of fungus that accelerated plant growth, research was conducted on Golden Self-Blanching Celery seeds, also known as ​​Apium graveolens. The hypothesis states that the celery plants with AMF would exhibit more growth than the control because AMF can aid in reducing fertilizer amounts that cause pollution and conserve water during droughts in the future. The experiment was conducted in bins with equal amounts of soil and differing quantities of AMF. The results showed that the control group without any AMF grew the best due to a multitude of reasons such as the altering amounts of water during the experiment and a lack of natural sunlight. One goal for future experiments is to control confounding factors that can inhibit or improve the growth of the Golden Self-Blanching Celery plant.
Discovering the Infinite: Borges's 'The Aleph' and its Implications for Argentine Literature
Authors: Zhang Estelle (Yuanning) , Pan Taoyu
Published: February 2024

In perhaps his most famous short story “The Aleph,” Argentine Jorge Luis Borges presents a captivating narrative spectacle: through a magical, shining square on a basement staircase one experiences the infinite universe. While previous scholarly analysis has focused on the story’s literary references, concepts of spatiality, and connection with the mathematical infinity, the story’s implications for Borges's attitude towards Argentine literature and cultural traditions have been overlooked. This paper argues that through curating the “Aleph” ---a symbolic reflection of infinity, Borges stages two contrasting views on writing about the world and understanding its entirety. Borges suggests that rather than reining experience with established forms, writers (not only Argentine writers) ought to seek their own consciousness and imagination as a means to understand the infinitely diverse and ever-changing world.
The Effects of SKF-835666 on Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Challa Rushil , Babu Pranav , Eliason Jessica
Published: February 2024

Although levodopa is considered the "gold standard" medication for Parkinson's disease, it is flawed as almost 90% of patients contract a side effect known as Levodopa Induced Dyskinesia (LID) after 10 years of treatment. LID manifests as involuntary movements and muscle spasms and presently lacks a cure. Previous studies on Drosophila melanogaster models have found that epigenetically inhibiting the ADCY2 gene reduces LID symptoms as represented by abnormal involuntary movements. Consequently, this study sought to assess the therapeutic potential of SKF-83566, an ADCY2 inhibitor, in ameliorating LID symptoms within a D. melanogaster model. The primary objective was to quantify the drug's impact by implementing Abnormal Involuntary Movements (AIMs) assay. This study found that wild-type flies on a diet of 10 mM of levodopa had a statistically significant increase in AIMs scores when compared to normal flies, implying that they successfully modeled LID. Furthermore, the data from this study supports that SKF-83566 alleviates LID symptoms, as flies with LID had lower AIMs scores when given SKF-83566. Moreover, findings from this study indicate that the locomotion of healthy D. melanogaster remained unaffected when exposed to a 5 mM dosage of SKF-83566 over a 7-day period. This study presents a novel administration procedure of SKF-83566 which could be applied in future research with D. melanogaster. The demonstrated effectiveness of the compound in reducing LID symptoms within a D. melanogaster model highlights its potential as a treatment option for LID, which could be researched further in the future.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Patterns, Causes, and Effects
Authors: Inapuri Medha , Kethar Jothsna , Appavu Rajagopal
Published: February 2024

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a condition that many women suffer during the later phases of their menstrual cycle. To clarify, it is nothing but a severe and less common form of Premenstrual Syndrome. A woman goes through the period cycle every month to prepare for motherhood as she grows older, but the side effects she may experience are not discussed enough since there is usually a discomfort attached to this specific conversation. Moreover, when considering menstrual conditions, most women surprisingly are actually only familiar with PMS. While PMS affects most premenopausal women, PMDD is a condition that can cause much more severe repercussions and has to be recognized. This research paper brings attention to PMDD and provides insight on the causes and effects of this certain condition. A woman suffering from PMDD does not only experience physical symptoms that can have an effect on her daily routine but also has intense emotional symptoms that restrict her control of her behavior. These symptoms can heavily strain a female’s relationships with other people and disrupt her work and/or personal environments. The treatment options available for PMDD currently are temporarily effective, and in fact, experts are still trying to find the exact cause of PMDD to develop a more permanent treatment for the condition. Presently, the best treatment options are SSRIs, and others include hormonal medications and therapy which are helpful in the psychological symptoms of PMDD. This paper explains the extent to which these specific treatments are productive and how they work.
Realitások és irrealitások Örményország európai integrációjáról
Authors: Kránitz Péter Pál
Published: February 2024

Örményország látszólag külpolitikai irányt váltott. Nikol Pasinján miniszterelnök bejelentette, diverzifikálja országa külkapcsolatait és kiépít egy alternatív védelmi-garanciális rendszert. A hagyományos orosz–örmény stratégiai együttműködést Jereván igyekszik az Európai Unióval elmélyítendő kapcsolatrendszerrel kiváltani. A karabahi konfliktust lezárni hivatott, küszöbönálló békeszerződés – amennyiben megállapítja Örményország és Azerbajdzsán közös államhatárát, valamint Karabah státuszát – a Keleti Partnerség államai között különösen előnyös helyzetbe juttathatja Jerevánt európai integrációs törekvéseiben, ugyanis véget vetne a nemzetközi jogi vitákra okot adó, Grúziát, Moldovát és Ukrajnát máig sújtó hadiállapotoknak. Örményország gazdasági és biztonságpolitikai függése Oroszországtól, mindazonáltal, a belátható jövőben nem fog megszűnni, ami ellehetetlenítheti a további európai integrációt.
Motion-induced blindness occurs with a simple motion mask
Authors: Suzuki Masataka , Noda Rikako , Takahashi Kazufumi
Published: February 2024

We present a series of visual illusions, in which a stationary target composed of three dots can be erased in front of the viewer’s eyes by employing a limited number of stimuli moving near or behind the targeted dots. The simplicity of the configurations, including the target and moving stimuli, provides insights into the conditions that are necessary to achieve motion-induced blindness.
Household Demand Analyses in Uyo Metropolis: A Study of Selected Determinants Responsiveness
Authors: IRIABIJE Alex Oisaozoje , LAWAL Suleiman Gbenga , IKOH Itoro Moses
Published: February 2024

The study is an attempt to evaluate household demand analyses in Uyo metropolis: a study of selected determinants responsiveness. The research employed survey data obtained from 200 households via individual interviews utilizing a meticulously designed questionnaire. Information on income, age, sex of household head, household size, educational background was collected to capture household demography. The data were also collected on household expenditure on the selected food and nonfood item, their respective prices and the quantity consumed in a given month. The study adopted the quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) as a model. The result indicated that factors that affect household food expenditure on Rice, Beans and Garri are the prices of the goods, income, household size, level of education and the prices of other goods. Similarly, the study found negative compensated and uncompensated own price elasticity of demand for the food items rice, beans and garri while beer has a positive own price effect. All the goods were found to be price inelastic as their own price elasticity lies between -1 and 1. Again, all food items were found to have negative cross price elasticity and which is less than one indicating that they are substitutes and price inelastic. On the other hand, the study found evidence of complementary relationship between beer and food items like garri and beans. The study recommends that the government subsidize food prices, lower taxes on these goods, provide cash transfers to the poor, or promote the production of these food items by giving preference to farmers who produce them in order to lessen the impact of such price increases on the demand for these commodities.
PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TIPE TWO STAY TWO STRAY UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERPIKIR KRITIS DAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA SMP NEGERI 4 REJANG LEBONG
Authors: Rosdiati Rosdiati
Published: February 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan apakah penerapan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe two stay two stray dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa dan hasil belajar siswa. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian tindakan kelas dengan dua siklus pembelajaran. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VIII. B SMP Negeri 4 Rejang Lebong yang berjumlah 28 orang siswa. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan selama dua bulan pada tahun pelajaran 2022/2023 terhitung dari bulan Agustus 2022 hingga bulan Oktober 2022. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe two stay two stray terbukti mampu meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa dimana pada fase prasiklus persentase minat belajar siswa sebesar 53,57%, meningkat di siklus I sebesar 64,28% dan meningkat pada siklus II sebesar 92,86%. Model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe two stay two stray juga terbukti mampu meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa dimana pada fase prasiklus tingkat ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 50%, meningkat pada siklus I menjadi sebesar 67,86% dan pada siklus II meningkat menjadi sebesar 92,86%.
Corporate social responsibility in the new normal era: review
Authors: Nirojan Kanagasabai
Published: February 2024

A business theory known as "corporate social responsibility" (CSR) places an emphasis on an organization's social and ethical responsibilities in addition to maximizing profits. It entails incorporating social responsibility, moral decision-making, and sustainable practices into the foundation of corporate operations. CSR essentially seeks to strike a balance between financial performance and a favorable influence on the environment and society, demonstrating a dedication to ethical business practices and stakeholder well-being. Businesses are realizing the value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the face of changing global issues in the "new normal" period. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) becomes more important in the new normal era as companies deal with previously unheard-of difficulties. Global events have brought about a paradigm change that requires robust and socially responsible corporate strategies. CSR provides businesses with a strategic framework to meet demands in society, gain the trust of stakeholders, and adjust to shifting expectations. It fosters long-term sustainability in a constantly changing global landscape by positioning firms as responsible contributors to community and environmental well-being, in addition to aligning them with ethical imperatives. A critical analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the new normal age reveals a dynamic business environment where companies adjust their approaches to meet changing needs. Important discoveries highlight how crucial CSR is to boosting long-term sustainability, stakeholder trust, and resilience. The literature emphasizes the value of moral behavior, environmental stewardship, and social contributions while highlighting successful CSR implementations during global upheavals. All things considered, the assessment shows how important corporate social responsibility (CSR) is in helping companies become not just financially sustainable but also socially and environmentally conscious in the face of enormous shifts.
Spiritualité
Authors: Mossière Géraldine
Published: February 2024

Contemporary enthusiasm for spirituality is largely based on the opposition between religion and spirituality, which remains above all a construct of secularized societies of Christian heritage. The genealogy of the concept shows its historical articulation with established religious traditions, as well as its recent cultural and political appropriation. As a category of thought, the term refers to the experiential dimension of religion, as well as to lifestyles and ethical orientations, and is part of the reign of the self that characterizes postmodern societies. However, its epistemological indeterminacy poses a problem when considering phenomena outside the Western context.
Automate facial paralysis detection using vgg architectures
Authors: Khalifa Abbas Nawar , Ali Hadi Raheem , Abdulazeez Jebur Sabah , Jahefer Sabah Abdulazeez
Published: February 2024

Facial Paralysis (FP) is a debilitating condition that affects individuals worldwide by impairing their ability to control facial muscles and resulting in significant physical and emotional challenges. Precise and prompt identification of FP is crucial for appropriate medical intervention and treatment. With the advancements in deep learning techniques, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), there has been growing interest in utilising these models for automated FP detection. This paper investigates the effectiveness of CNN architectures to identify patients with facial paralysis. The proposed method leveraged the depth and simplicity of Visual Geometry Group (VGG) architectures to capture the intricate relationships within facial images and accurately classify individuals with FP on the YouTube Facial Palsy (YFP) dataset. The dataset consists of 2000 images categorised into individuals with FP and non-injured individuals. Data augmentation techniques were used to improve the robustness and generalisation of the approach proposed. The proposed model consists of a features extraction module utilising the VGG network and a classification module with a Softmax classifier. The performance evaluation metrics include accuracy, recall, precision and F1-score. Experimental results demonstrate that the VGG16 model scored an accuracy of 88.47% with a recall of 83.55%, precision of 92.15% and F1-score of 87.64%. The VGG19 model attained level of precision of 81.95%, with a recall of 72.44%, precision of 88.58% and F1-score of 79.70%. The VGG16 model outperformed the VGG19 model in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score. The results indicate that VGG architectures are effective in identifying patients with facial paralysis.
Analyzing the Influence of Microstructure on the Mechanical Properties of TIG Welded Joints processed by Friction Stir considering the sampling Orientation
Authors: Msomi Velaphi , Mabuwa Sipokazi
Published: February 2024

The contribution of the microstructural arrangement to the mechanical properties of friction stir processed Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welded joints is reported in this work. The TIG-welded joints were subjected to a single pass of Friction Stir Processing (FSP). The friction stir processed joint was sampled transversally and longitudinally, and different tests were conducted and studied comparatively. The microstructural analysis showed refined grains with varying degrees. The mean grain size for the transversally sampled specimen was found to be 11.48 µm, while the longitudinally sampled specimen had varying mean grain size from 7.32 µm to 15.09 µm. The varying mean grain size of the longitudinally sampled specimen is caused by the staggered arrangement of the microstructure. The tensile properties and the microhardness of the transversally sampled specimen were lower than those of the longitudinally sampled specimen. The ultimate tensile strength of the transversally sampled specimen was found to be 87.88 MPa which is lower than that of the longitudinally sampled specimen (133.83 MPa). The microhardness of the longitudinally sampled specimen fluctuated between 30 HV and 80 HV while the transversally sampled specimen had a maximum microhardness of approximately 57 HV.
An Application of Neural Network-based Sliding Mode Control for Multilevel Inverters
Authors: Tran Quang-Tho
Published: February 2024

Multi-level 3-phase inverters using cascaded H-bridges are becoming prominent in the electric drive and renewable energy sectors due to their high capacity and ability to withstand high voltage shocks. Therefore, the modulation and control techniques used in these multilevel inverters have a crucial influence on the quality of the output voltage they produce. The significantly high common-mode voltage amplitude they generate is one of their disadvantages, causing leakage currents and harmonics. This article proposes a new technique using sliding mode control combined with neural networks to manage a three-phase multi-level inverter. The research objective of this innovative technique is to eliminate the need for current controllers and conventional modulation that relies on carrier signals, reducing hardware calculations and enhancing dynamic response. In addition, it demonstrates the ability to minimize harmonics, common mode voltage, and the number of switching counts, thereby limiting the inverter switching losses and increasing device performance. Simulation results performed on a 5-level 3-phase inverter using cascaded H-bridges have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Critical Risk Factors influencing Time Schedule of Residential Projects in Pakistan
Authors: Sohu Samiullah , Kassim Tahara Ramadzan Binti Md. , Khan Omar Shahid
Published: February 2024

Delays in residential construction projects are common issues in both developing and developed countries. This research aims to identify the key reasons behind these delays in Pakistan. When the projects run behind schedule, this can lead to problems such as exceeding the budget, reduced productivity at the construction site, and potentially lower quality work. The study involved a detailed survey using questionnaires that were addressed to industry professionals. Their responses were used to rank the critical factors causing delays. The most significant factors were found to be fluctuating material prices, financial challenges for contractors, underestimating project duration, poor site management, inexperienced contractors, ineffective project management, communication gaps among project stakeholders, shortage of skilled workers, changes in project design, unqualified contractors, and inadequate project planning. Identifying these critical factors through the Relative Importance Index (RII) method can help in addressing and preventing delays in Pakistan's construction projects, ensuring timely completion and better project outcomes in the future.
Rotor Bearing Casing with added Polymer Particle Composite
Authors: Murcinkova Zuzana , Pollak Martin
Published: February 2024

The trend of production machines with higher operation speeds brought the issues of vibration amplitude and acoustic emissions to the surface. To solve this problem, a standard approach requiring mass and/or stiffness increase, and utilizing high-damping polymer composite materials, e.g. by adding them to the empty spaces of the original structures is employed. The presented polymer composite application is for rotor bearing casing in which the polymer particle composite is added into the mechanical system by filling the empty space between the rotor bearing casing and the housing body. Before this application, an analysis of four polymer composite samples with different compositions was made. Then the logarithmic decrements were measured by two experimental methods and one composite was selected. The application showed acoustic emission maximum amplitude reduction of 67% and 33% when excitation amplitudes are low (up to 5 g) and large (above 10 g), respectively. In the case of the FFT spectrum of acoustic emissions, the reduction was 85% and 51%.
A T-S Fuzzy Approach with Extended LMI Conditions for Inverted Pendulum on a Cart
Authors: Nguyen Thi Van Anh , Tran Ngoc Hiep
Published: February 2024

The Inverted Pendulum On a Cart (IPOC) system poses a challenge in control engineering due to its inherent instability, nonlinearity, and underactuation. This addresses the fundamental issues arising from its underactuated nature and introduces an approach that combines Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy control with an awareness of real-world constraints to create a control system ensuring both stability and practicality. By aligning theoretical insights with extended considerations, the Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI)-based control design is demonstrated in a comprehensive framework. Theorems are introduced and validated, leading to the derivation of LMI conditions. The simulation results are assessed with accompanying comments to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theorems. Through this integration of T-S fuzzy control with additional considerations, the paper aims to bridge the gap between theory and practical applications, advancing the field of control engineering.
Discharge Coefficient of a Two-Rectangle Compound Weir combined with a Semicircular Gate beneath it under Various Hydraulic and Geometric Conditions
Authors: Alsaydalani Majed O. A.
Published: February 2024

Two-component composite hydraulic structures are commonly employed in irrigation systems. The first component, responsible for managing the overflow, is represented by a weir consisting of two rectangles. The second component, responsible for regulating the underflow, is represented by a semicircular gate. Both components are essential for measuring, directing, and controlling the flow. In this study, we experimentally investigated the flow through a combined two-rectangle sharp-crested weir with a semicircular gate placed across the channel as a control structure. The upper rectangle of the weir has a width of 20 cm, while the lower rectangle has varying widths (W2) of 5, 7, and 9 cm and depths (z) of 6, 9, and 11 cm. Additionally, three different values were considered for the gate diameter (d), namely 8, 12, and 15 cm. These dimensions were tested interchangeably, including a weir without a gate (d = 0), under different water head conditions. The results indicate that the discharge passing through the combined structure of the two rectangles and the gate is significantly affected by the weir and gate dimensions. After analyzing the data, empirical formulas were developed to predict the discharge coefficient (Cd) of the combined structure. It is important to note that the analysis and results presented in this study are limited to the range of data that were tested.
A Deep Learning Model to Inspect Image Forgery on SURF Keypoints of SLIC Segmented Regions
Authors: Diaa Uliyan
Published: February 2024

Copy-Move Forgery (CMF) is a common form of image manipulation attack that involves copying and pasting a part of an image to another position within the same image. This study proposes a Deep Learning (DL) model for detecting CMF, particularly in the presence of various malicious attacks. The proposed approach involves several steps, including converting the input image to grayscale, preprocessing the image using the Simple Linear Iterative Clustering (SLIC) algorithm to generate superpixel partitions, and then extracting keypoint features using the Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) detector. Finally, a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) is employed for feature description and matching. To assess the effectiveness of the approach, the types of features used for copy-move forgery were addressed. The proposed approach was examined under rotation, blurring, jpg compression, and scaling attacks. Furthermore, experimental results showed that the proposed approach can detect multiple CMFs with high accuracy. Finally, the proposed method was compared with recent state-of-the-art methods.
Cooperative Spectrum Sensing Performance Assessment using Machine Learning in Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks
Authors: Venkatapathi Pallam , Khan Habibulla , Srinivasa Rao S. , Immadi Govardhani
Published: February 2024

The Cognitive Radio (CR) is an imminent technology, intended to make more effective use of the available spectrum by giving access to licensed frequency bands by unlicensed Secondary Users (SUs) without affecting Primary licensed Users (PUs). Depending on the region where the energy is being observed, each CR communicates local decisions or the seen energy to the Fusion Center (FC). This study presents the many plots that discuss an enhanced double threshold through the Cooperative Spectrum Sensing (CSS) approach. The FC then combines local decisions with the measured energy values to reach a final decision. The usage of several machine learning methods in spectrum decision with the myopic decision is estimated. The system seeks to enhance the long-term overall performance of the SU.
The Feasibility Study Report as an Effective Tool to Evaluate Investment Projects: A Solid Waste Treatment Project as a Case Study
Authors: Burhan Abbas M. , Mahdi Hayder A.
Published: February 2024

Hundreds of infrastructure investment projects are inserted into the Iraqi government budget annually. Many of these projects suffer from suspension, delay in completion, corruption, or other negative issues known in Iraqi construction projects. This may harm the country's economic recovery due to allocating funds to useless projects from one or more feasibility studies' components. Therefore, the best solution is to pay attention to the feasibility study reports. This study highlights the importance of feasibility studies reports for investment projects and their effective role in evaluating project ideas to ensure an equitable distribution of a country's financial resources to the most feasible investment projects. This importance was highlighted through a practical case study for a solid waste treatment project. The results of the case study showed that feasibility studies provide very important information on which investors and governments can rely to make the appropriate decisions for investment projects. The study also addressed the risks that investors can be exposed to in Iraq and how to include them in the economic analysis of feasibility studies.
Participants With Acquired Brain Injury Realized They “Could Still Do Things” After a Yoga Intervention: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Weaver Jennifer A. , Richard Abby K. , Press Denny , Gupta Kalpana , Schmid Arlene A. , Stephens Jaclyn A.
Published: February 2024

Importance: Occupational therapy practitioners use yoga in practice to achieve holistic care, and the American Occupational Therapy Association has provided guidance on the use of yoga in occupational therapy. For people with acquired brain injury (ABI), however, it is unknown whether yoga affects occupational performance.

Objective: To explore the perceived impact of an adapted yoga intervention on occupational performance using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (4th ed.; OTPF–4) for participants with ABI.

Design: Qualitative descriptive study using virtual, semistructured interviews. An inductive, holistic, open-coding process, followed by a deductive process to map open codes to the OTPF–4.

Participants: Nine individuals with ABI were recruited from a yoga intervention study.

Results: The theme generated from the data—“Yoga participants with ABI realized that they could still do quite a bit”—was supported by two major categories from the OTPF–4: Occupations and Performance Skills. Participants described improvements in their functional performance (i.e., motor skills, process skills) and how these factors were synergistically connected to their occupational performance (i.e., self-care, leisure).

Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides novel insight into how functional performance improved so participants could “still do things,” such as engaging in occupations. When participants described improved performance skills, they simultaneously described re-engagement with their meaningful occupations. Participants also perceived an improvement in their mind–body connection, which should be further explored in future studies. This study generated original findings about participants’ perceptions of an adapted yoga intervention as they relate to the OTPF–4.

Plain-Language Summary: This study reports individuals’ perceptions of their re-engagement with occupations and changes in occupational performance skills after participating in an adaptive yoga intervention. We highlight the distinct contribution that adaptive yoga—an intervention modality that can be used by occupational therapy practitioners—may have, using the OTPF–4 to connect the participants’ perceptions about their improvements in occupational performance.
Effectiveness of the Scientific Inquiry Learning Model Based on Local Malay Cultural Wisdom on Student Learning Interests
Authors: Putrini R Harahap Saima
Published: February 2024

The aim to be achieved through research is to see the effect of implementing the Malay Culture-based scientific inquiry learning model on increasing student interest in learning. This study employed a quantitative approach and included 55 students in their third semester, divided into two sample groups. The experimental class (Class A) consisted of 27 students, while the control class (Class B) comprised 28 students.. This research was conducted in the context of the Hydrology course. Data was collected through tests and analyzed using IBM SPSS 23. After implementing the scientific inquiry learning model based on Malay culture and conventional learning, the average pretest score for student interest in learning in the experimental class was 59.77 and after being given treatment using the scientific inquiry learning model, The student's posttest score was 80.55. The results of the independent sample-test showed a significant value of 0.000, where the value was <0.05. Thus, it can be deduced that the use of the Malay Culture-based scientific inquiry learning model has a positive impact in increasing students' interest in learning.
Analysis of Social Interaction of Deaf Children in Special Schools
Authors: Fitriyani Fitriyani , Amalia Mega , Pratama Muhammad Virgi , Pratiwi Niken Ayu
Published: February 2024

Deaf is a term used to describe the symptoms and symptoms of someone who is hearing impaired or deaf. Deaf children interact through a variety of methods, including sign language, facial expressions, and body, as well as the use of hearing aid technology. They can also utilize visual communication approaches, peer support, and participation in group activities to strengthen social skills. Social interaction is a dynamic in which individuals or groups communicate, act, or influence each other in a particular environment or situation. Social interaction involves the exchange of information, emotions, ideas, or behaviors between individuals or groups. This research makes a valuable contribution to improving our understanding of the benefits of social interaction for deaf children in Special Schools, opening up opportunities for the development of more inclusive educational strategies and supporting their holistic development. This study aimed to analyze social interactions between deaf children. An observational approach and interview, this study explores the dynamics of communication, information exchange, and emotional understanding in interactions between both groups of children. Qualitative analysis methods are used to identify unique communication patterns and understand the challenges faced by deaf children in communicating. The subjects in this study were interviewing homeroom teachers and counseling teachers at the school, the number of subjects to be studied were children with deafness. The results highlight adaptation efforts and communication strategies developed by deaf children to interact. The results of these findings can provide valuable insights for educators, parents, and health practitioners in supporting the development of social skills of deaf children so that they can engage more effectively in society.
The Influence of Peer Groups on the Emotional Maturity of Eighth-Grade Adolescents at Al-Ikhlasiyah Junior High School Sei Buluh Academic Year 2020/2021
Authors: Pasaribu Lwi Sindria , Lubis Widya Utami
Published: February 2024

The study aims to investigate the influence of peer groups on the emotional maturity of adolescents in the eighth grade MTs Al-Ikhlasiyah Sei Buluh in the 2020/2021 school year. An unripe emotional condition in adolescents can cause them to be vulnerable to a group of peers in performing certain actions, although not all of them have a positive impact on themselves or others. The research method used is quantitative descriptive with a quantitational approach that emphasizes the analysis of numerical data. The primary data was obtained through the filling of the elevator by the pupils of the eighth grade MTs Al-Ikhlasiyah Sei Ten Years of Education 2020/2021, consisting of 123 students. The sampling technique was performed randomly, with 30 students as samples of research. The results of simple linear regression analysis showed a significant influence between peer groups (X) on adolescent emotional maturity (Y) with a F significance count of 0.055 and a significance level of 0.016 < 0.05. Therefore, it can be concluded that the regression model can be used to predict the participation variable, suggesting that peer groups have an influence on adolescent emotional maturity in Al-Ikhlasiyah Sei Buluh T.A 2020/2021.
„Die Arbeitgeber müssen sich bewegen“
Authors: Bender Hanno
Published: February 2024

Die Gewerkschaft Verdi kündigt in der aktuellen Tarifrunde bundesweite Streiks im Handel an. Bundesvorstandsmitglied Silke Zimmer äußert sich in der LZ zu den Hintergründen.
Berninghaus im Visier
Authors: Biehl Bernd
Published: February 2024

Der schweizerische Handelskonzern Migros prüft, ob der Manager Ernst Dieter Berninghaus in seiner Zeit als Vorstand gegen Compliance-Richtlinien verstoßen hat.
Migros stutzt die Produktion zurecht
Authors: Stockburger Manfred , Brändlein Philip
Published: February 2024

Der Kosmetikhersteller Mibelle steht zum Verkauf. Auch hochrangige Mitarbeiter der Migros-Tochter wurden von der Ankündigung überrascht.
Streit mit Handel setzt Kellogg’s zu
Authors: Mende Jan , Lattmann Christian , Fries Tanja , Bender Hanno , Sachsenröder Delphine
Published: February 2024

Der Kellogg’s-Hersteller Kellanova legt sich mit Edeka und Rewe gleichzeitig an. Vor allem das Geschäft mit Cerealien leidet unter dem Dauer-Streit. Die gesamte Kategorie schrumpft.
Green Kebab mag es heiß
Authors: Murmann Christoph
Published: February 2024

Die Nachfrage nach warmen Mahlzeiten aus dem Supermarkt wächst, das Problem ist die Rentabilität. Green Kebab liefert schon seit 2016 Drehspieße in die Läden, zwischenzeitlich gab es jedoch Rückschläge. Nun demonstriert das Unternehmen unter neuem Namen eine Modullösung.
Handel fürchtet Kosten der Bezahlkarte
Authors: Bender Hanno
Published: February 2024

Die Anforderungen der Bundesländer zur Bezahlkarte für Flüchtlinge laufen auf eine Prepaid-Karte von Visa oder Mastercard hinaus. Das führt zu Problemen, warnt der Handelsverband HDE.