bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collegiate Experiences of Female Undergraduate Students in an Afghan University
Authors:   , Juya Masoud
Published: February 2024

Amidst the turbulence of political shifts and the re-emergence of the Taliban, this phenomenological research shines a light on the lived experiences, aspirations, and challenges of female undergraduate students in an Afghan university. Through in-depth, qualitative interviews, this study unravels six pivotal themes shaping their collegiate journey: gender-centric oppression, systemic and structural barriers, academic hindrances, family support, and the motivation to endure and prevail amidst profound adversities, such as enforced gender apartheid and stringent clothing mandates. Within an intersectionality framework, this research not only bridges a critical gap in the literature but also serves as a crucial narrative for global academia and policy-making arenas, underlining the imperative for robust advocacy and policy reforms. The stark findings and nuanced insights gleaned from this study underscore the imperative to foster gender equality and educational access, whilst advocating fervently for the re-establishment of inclusive and supportive educational environments for all in Afghanistan.
The Impact of Team Size on Principal Self-Efficacy in Their Role as Instructional Leaders
Authors:   , Graham Ashlee
Published: February 2024

The ever-changing role of public-school principals is complex and overwhelming. Because instructional leadership impacts teaching practices and student achievement, this important principal role should be cultivated with principals having sufficient time to engage as instructional leaders. A generic qualitative inquiry methodology was used to explore how the size of an administrative team impacts principals' instructional leadership self-efficacy. Exploration was achieved through 10 one-on-one, semi-structured interviews and one focus group interview. The data suggest that team size does impact an administrator's ability to serve as an instructional leader. Participants reported that larger teams provided more time for working with individual teachers and collaborative teams. Although interviewed administrators did not always abandon instructional leadership when there was insufficient time, they did often sacrifice personal time to fit it in. Administrators did not believe that they had enough time to be instructional leaders, regardless of the team size, but they shared that there was more time to develop their instructional leadership principal self-efficacy when working on larger teams. Larger teams also provided administrators with greater diversity of perspectives and experiences, which they said cultivated their self-efficacy. Consequently, an opportunity exists for district administrators to consider the specific needs of each campus, the exhaustive list of duties given to campus administrators, and the importance of instructional leadership when making staffing decisions about the number of administrators allotted to each campus.
Instructors and Underrepresented Students in Microbiology: Educational Digital Tool Use, Trends, Perceptions, and Success
Authors:   , Bradshaw-Ward Danita M.
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this three-article dissertation was to expand knowledge and theory regarding digital tool use in biology laboratory courses, such as microbiology, which requires specific laboratory skill development through the perception of instructors and students. Article 1 establishes the broad digital literacy and fluency problem in education by providing definitions and the context behind digital literacy fluency and its impact on acquisition of knowledge in digital learning environments. The study provided a picture of the lack of knowledge about the use of digital tools in education and practical problems around appropriate implementation, infrastructure, and preparedness. Article 2 presents results of a literature research study about the foundational, pandemic-induced, and current digital tool use in biology and microbiology lab courses. Recommendations for improvement in digital tool implementation, pedagogical approach, and appropriate selection to meet learning outcomes were provided. Article 3 describes a 3-layered study to build a new instrument to understand minority-student perceptions of identity and digital literacy and technology barriers on student success in STEM courses. The study identified challenges and benefits of digital tool use in virtual microbiology lab courses, unique challenges of underrepresented populations, and the need to develop an instrument to capture the context of this unique population.
Design and Development of a Paper Spray Air Sampling Device for Use in Clinical, Defense, and Environmental Applications
Authors:   , Murillo Wilbert Alberto
Published: February 2024

Environmental monitoring is becoming increasingly important, primarily in urban areas due to the concentrated levels of human activities. The air sampling device presented is a novel method to sample air which harnesses the power of paper spray ionization paired with the intrinsic advantages of mass spectrometry such as high sensitivity, high selectivity, high throughput, and the ability to monitor multiple compounds at once.
Needs Analysis for the Implementation of Supplemental Educational Videos in the Training of Surgical Residents
Authors:   , Serfin Michael
Published: February 2024

This dissertation aimed to research the possibility of integrating a supplemental video system in a surgical residency for educational use. A needs analysis was to be conducted in order to find if current stakeholders would accept such a system within a surgical residency: (a) surgical residents, (b) teaching physicians, and (c) administrators. The study aimed to research factors that complicate the current educational setting for surgical residents, such as time allotted for learning, fatigue during learning opportunities, teaching physicians time and effort into teaching responsibilities, and the cost of such systems and their perceived value to administrators. Also investigated was the type of learning theories best suited to creating a supplemental video system in a hospital setting. After this, a set of interviews was conducted amongst the stakeholders to evaluate the needs of the residency and the willingness of all parties to accept the system into their educational structure. What was found was a high level of interest in a more centralized learning management system, which is the central depository for all educational materials to be used by the residents. Most agreed that the learning environment lacked structure and optimally required something more substantial than adding supplemental videos to the learning process. These findings demonstrate that surgical residents, teaching physicians, and administrators all perceive a lack of structure in the surgical residency learning process and a significant need to correct the issue.
Social Exchange Theory in the Context of X (Twitter) and Facebook Social Media Platforms with a Focus on Privacy Concerns among Saudi Students
Authors:   , Alqahtani Sameer Mohammed S.
Published: February 2024

The current research examines the use of social media and its security settings using the Social Exchange Theory (SET) within a Saudi student environment. This research includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and conclusion with the results section presenting the findings from the three essays. The first essay employs the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology of SET. PRISMA's systematic and exhaustive approach to literature evaluation increases the likelihood of obtaining high-quality, reproducible findings. In the second essay, which focuses on awareness of X's (Twitter) security settings, a quantitative research approach was utilized. A sample of former and current Saudi students (graduate and undergraduate) at the University of North Texas participated in the investigation. This research provides an empirical examination of the use of X (Twitter) and its security features within this community by employing statistical analysis of the data from respondents. Likewise, the same sample of Saudi students from the University of North Texas was used for the third essay in which the use of Facebook's security settings was examined. Having a consistent sample across both studies enables a comparison and a greater understanding of the security awareness and practices of this group across various social media platforms. The findings across the different studies extend our understanding of the role of culture in privacy and security concerns related to social media.
A Pedagogical Analysis of "Seven Chinese Folk Songs" by Wanghua Chu
Authors:   , Chen Zhaodong
Published: February 2024

Wanghua Chu (b. 1941) is an outstanding Chinese composer and pianist, who has written extensively for piano. This dissertation offers a pedagogical analysis of Seven Chinese Folk Songs (1999), one of his most famous and well-regarded piano solo works. The present study has two broad and related aims: to introduce Wanghua Chu's Seven Chinese folk songs to a broader community of pianists outside of China; and to provide a pedagogical analysis so that pianists of a late-intermediate level and higher can learn it effectively and teachers can teach it successfully. Chapter 2 provides an overview of Wanghua Chu's artistic career and major works, as well as the composition background of Seven Chinese Folk Songs. Chapter 3 introduces the seven original Chinese folk songs that are used in this work, both the actual songs and the song types. Chapter 4 provides an analysis of the musical form of each movement of Seven Chinese Folk Songs. Chapter 5 analyzes the technical difficulties of this work and provides specific practice methods to solve them. Seven Chinese Folk Songs exposes the pianist to the diversity and richness of Chinese folk songs and offers them a different kind of learning opportunity in which they not only broaden their horizons through learning Chinese folk songs and ethnic cultures but also improve their piano playing techniques, as well as enhance their musical expression and imagination abilities.
Kinetics and Thermochemistry of Halogen and Nitrogen Compounds
Authors:   , Rawling George
Published: February 2024

Halogen and nitrogen containing compounds play a key role in the atmospheric chemistry of the Earth. Through a mixed computational and experimental approach, the kinetics of these compounds with radicals common to the atmosphere have been explored. Using fundamental measurements such as the IR absorption cross-section, the rate constants of atmospheric reactions and the properties of product molecules have been derived. These results have been further extended to environmental applications such as the Global Warming Potential for a species. The present results can be used as a calibration for further experiments and as checks on computational predictions of environmental properties. Such modeling can aid in the development of future industrial reagents that are less hazardous to the atmosphere.
The Effects of Specific and Disguised Mands on Staff's Reinforcer Delivery
Authors:   , Richey Caroline Nicole
Published: February 2024

Residential facilities for adults with developmental disabilities offer essential accommodations and support services, with fostering communication for residents as an important aspect of care. Despite the importance of communication, previous research has identified concerns about staff performance (SP) in facilitating positive social interactions, such as engaging in consequent-mediating behavior for residents' mands. Previous research has primarily focused on improving SP through skills-based training. Yet, Skinner's theory of verbal behavior emphasizes the social and reciprocal nature of mands. Skinner suggests that the listener's behavior, engaging in consequence-mediating behavior, must be conditioned by the verbal community. However, empirical investigations into the reinforcing practices of staff in residential facilities, such as the shaping and sustaining of different types of resident mands, is limited. The current investigation sought to address this gap in research by evaluating if distinct mand topographies, disguised or specific mands, influenced the likelihood of staff engaging in consequence-mediated behavior across three staff-resident dyads. Results suggest a low probability of staff responding to, or reinforcing, mands, thus limiting conclusions on the effects of mand topographies on staff performance. Future directions and considerations regarding resident-staff interactions are discussed.
Teacher Perceptions of Innovative Learning Environments: Implications for Leaders
Authors:   , Elliott Robyn Kaye
Published: February 2024

Innovative Learning Environments are increasingly built and implemented in schools, but are not necessarily being used according to designers' intentions. The goal of this study was to examine teacher perceptions of the innovative learning spaces they were charged with using and to determine if they were being used effectively and as designed. The research was guided by three basic questions: what were the teachers' perceptions of these spaces, was the teacher pedagogy need to change to accommodate the space, and did the teacher feel support by campus leadership. The fourth research question centered around the goals and vision of the design team that created the innovative learning space. The crux of the issue was that the districts vision for the space came to fruition once the teachers were in the actual space with the students. This qualitative study interviewed seven teachers in the educational setting and separately interviewed the design team. The results indicated that some of the teachers were unaware of the definition of an innovative space and believed that they were utilizing the space in ways that met the designs of the campus leadership. Furthermore, teachers felt the new designs caused a classroom management issue as well as safety and security concerns. The design team felt that teachers needed more training on how to use the innovative spaces and that they were not being used as intended. To inform future school and district policies as well as educational leadership practices, more work is needed around what types of training might be more effective in helping teachers make a pedagogical change if assigned to an innovative learning environment.
Glucose-Induced Developmental Delay is Modulated by Insulin Signaling and Exacerbated in Subsequent Glucose-Fed Generations in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors:   , Nahar Saifun
Published: February 2024

In this study, we have used genetic, cell biological and transcriptomic methods in the nematode C. elegans as a model to examine the impact of glucose supplementation during development. We show that a glucose-supplemented diet slows the rate of developmental progression (termed "glucose-induced developmental delay" or GIDD) and induces the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) in wild-type animals. Mutation in the insulin receptor daf-2 confers resistance to GIDD and UPRmt in a daf-16-dependent manner. We hypothesized that daf-2(e1370) animals alter their metabolism to manage excess glucose. To test this, we used RNA-sequencing which revealed that the transcriptomic profiles of glucose-supplemented wildtype and daf-2(e1370) animals are distinct. From this, we identified a set of 27 genes which are both exclusively upregulated in daf-2(e1370) animals fed a glucose-supplemented diet and regulated by daf-16, including a fatty acid desaturase (fat-5), and two insulin-like peptides (ins-16 and ins-35). Mutation of any of these genes suppresses the resistance of daf-2(e1370) to GIDD. Additionally, double mutation of ins-16 and ins-35 in a daf-2(e1370) background results in an increase in constitutive dauer formation which is suppressed by glucose supplementation. Further investigation of the insulin-like peptides revealed that ins-16 mutation in a wild-type background results in upregulation of ins-35 and DAF-16 nuclear translocation regardless of diet; however, unlike daf-2(e1370), this translocation is not associated with resistance to GIDD. Taken together, these data suggest that glucose-supplemented daf-2(e1370) animals maintain developmental trajectory in part through upregulation of specific insulin-like peptide genes and fatty acid desaturation and contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the resistance of daf-2(e1370) animals to GIDD. We also showed another fascinating aspect of GIDD: it becomes more pronounced in subsequent generations exposed to a glucose-supplemented diet, suggesting that the parental glucose diet has an impact on the developmental progression of their offspring.
"Creature from the Unconscious"
Authors:   , Powell Madison Keely
Published: February 2024

Creature from the Unconscious is a reflexive genre hybrid film that follows the process of the director's journey of navigating the process of self-acceptance and self-love in the wake of trauma.
Exploring the Relationship between Mental Health and Substance Use, Stable Housing, and Completion of the RISE Court Program
Authors:   , Smith Paisley Elizabeth
Published: February 2024

This thesis analyzes participants of the RISE Court program, a specialized court in Tarrant County, Texas, focusing on women involved in prostitution. The study investigates the intricate relationship between mental health, stable housing, substance abuse, and successful completion of the court program. Through a comprehensive analysis of participant data, the findings reveal insights into the intersection of mental health and the outcomes of participants in the RISE Court program. Contrary to the initial hypotheses, this study presents compelling evidence that mental health issues do not significantly hinder participants from completing the court program nor acquiring stable housing during their participation. However, the data strongly supports the hypothesis that participants with mental health problems are more likely to engage in substance use during the program. Notably, the study found that a substantial portion (71%) of the sample had documented mental health diagnoses, highlighting the pervasive nature of mental health challenges within this demographic. This research represents a considerable stride towards comprehending the complexities surrounding the criminal justice system's interventions for individuals engaged in prostitution, shedding light on the role of mental health in shaping their experiences within the RISE Court program. The findings have implications for the development of more effective, holistic strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration within specialized courts targeting this vulnerable population.
Exploring the Association of Language Brokering and Parent-Child Relationship in Korean Immigrant Families
Authors:   , Lee Eunkyung
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on investigating the dynamics of language brokering as Korean immigrant families experience environmental challenges associated with immigration. This study was conducted with qualitative research design with purposive sampling of Korean immigrant families. Six parent-child dyads were recruited and participating children were between 12 to 16 years old. Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with parents and children in either English or Korean. Thematic analysis was employed for analyzing the transcribed interviews. The Dedoose software program was applied to assist the coding process. 12 subthemes were revealed under four main themes, which were aligned to the study's research questions. The twelve subthemes included parents' dependence on children, vulnerability and resilience of Korean immigrant families, children's socioemotional development through language brokering, and the role of first-born daughter in the family. Parent and child responses indicated how language brokering affects can be a risk in relation to children's development (i.e., with responsibility of language brokering leading the child to experience stress or experience the responsibility of translation as a burden. Positively, respondents indicated that the parent and child experienced a greater sense of empathy for each other's roles. The results derived from this study were aligned with the results of previous research conducted in the field in that language brokering affects parent-child relationship and the socioemotional development of children. The study adds to the literature with the interviewing both parents and children, thereby hearing both perspectives and experiences of parents and children on language brokering and parent-child relationships could be obtained. This study targeted Korean immigrant families since there is a lack in literature that have studied this population in relation to language brokering.
Aplastic anaemia associated with bendamustine therapy – a rare side effect
Authors: Khan Salman , Yetiskul Ekrem , Khan Malik Waleed Zeb , Chavez Reyna Gabriel , Matra Amanda , Khattar George , Odaimi Marcel A.
Published: February 2024

Introduction: During treatment for malignant lymphoma, cytopenia can develop for several reasons. This can range from mild cytopenias leading to infection and bleeding to full-blown drug-induced aplastic anaemia. While aplastic anaemia affects individuals of all genders and ages, here, we describe aplastic anaemia after chemotherapy exposure to bendamustine in a 65-year-old female with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Case description: A 65-year-old woman with recurrent indolent marginal zone lymphoma and post-chemotherapy with bendamustine and rituximab, presented with a neutropenic fever and was admitted with a leading diagnosis of sepsis. In the previous two weeks, the patient required regular transfusions of packed red blood cells and platelets and maintained a daily ZARXIO® regimen. Laboratory results revealed pancytopenia, and broad-spectrum antibiotics (cefepime/vancomycin) were given. The patient was subsequently admitted to the hospital under the care of the haematology/oncology team and was ultimately diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, likely as a consequence of bendamustine chemoimmunotherapy. She elicited a positive response to the triple immunosuppressive therapy (IST) regimen (two immunotherapeutic agents plus one anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), after which her cell counts returned to normal. Conclusions: This case underscores the importance of recognising haematologic complications linked to bendamustine and advocates for further research to increase the understanding among healthcare professionals of drug-induced aplastic anaemia. Bendamustine can cause severe autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and aplastic anaemia and may require multiple transfusions and a multidrug regimen for treatment. The use of ATG as a therapeutic intervention is appropriate because it has been effective in treating aplastic anaemia.
POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS E DIREITO À SAÚDE:
Authors: Da Rocha Alonso Joao Pedro , Gomes Casalino Vinícius
Published: February 2024

Esse artigo propõe um estudo que demonstre a abrangência real da eficácia das políticas públicas relacionadas ao direito à saúde. Nessa linha, a partir da tipologia das políticas de Theodore J. Lowi, tratando as políticas de saúde como redistributivas, tem-se como hipótese principal estabelecer uma relação ou não entre as alternâncias nas áreas políticas e arenas de poder nos últimos anos com o nível de eficácia dessas políticas. Para tanto, além da análise profunda dos níveis concretos de eficácia dos direitos prestacionais sociais, com enfoque na saúde, cabe observar as políticas públicas através de um prisma interdisciplinar. Dessa forma, a consideração de elementos do direito financeiro e orçamentário são essenciais no decorrer do trabalho. O objeto principal gira em torno da comprovação da hipótese, recorrendo também a uma análise orçamentária da União dos gastos em saúde de 2010-2019. O método utilizado para isto é o hipotético-dedutivo, somado às normas constitucionais programáticas, toda a disciplina jurídica de saúde, a bibliografia qualificada e os artigos relevantes ao tema. Por fim, a relevância do artigo consiste na constatação do baixo nível de eficácia que as classes sociais mais vulneráveis se beneficiam dessa política redistributiva. No momento de pandemia do Covid-19, com recordes de mortes e colapso do sistema de saúde, a discussão sobre a importância da pesquisa científica e do direito à saúde como um todo se expressa ainda mais fundamental.
Palavras-chave: Políticas públicas. Direito à saúde. Direitos fundamentais. Orçamento público. Tipologia de Theodore J. Lowi
PANORAMA DA OMISSÃO IMPRÓPRIA NO DIREITO PENAL DE EMPRESA
Authors: Johner Marcos Afonso
Published: February 2024

O presente artigo tem por objetivo verificar quais são os pressupostos da responsabilidade penal por omissão imprópria no direito penal brasileiro, particularmente em relação à atividade empresarial. Para cumprir o objetivo proposto, dividiremos o trabalho em duas partes: numa, apresentando um panorama da estrutura da omissão imprópria de acordo com o Código Penal brasileiro; noutra, analisando como os elementos da omissão imprópria podem ser aplicados ao contexto empresarial. O que levará a verificar que a responsabilidade por omissão imprópria, ao nível da tipicidade, depende da posição de garante, da situação típica que ativa o dever de agir, da não realização da ação mandada, apesar da possibilidade de praticá-la, da imputação do resultado e do dolo ou da culpa, nos casos em que esta é admitida.
Palavras-chave: Omissão imprópria. Empresa. Posição de garante.
Educação para pessoas privadas de liberdade: Uma análise de atividades didáticas nas escolas do Tocantins
Authors: Moura Roseli Bitzcof de , Barbosa Laissy Taynã da Silva , Silva Cícero da
Published: February 2024

Este trabalho tem como objetivo refletir acerca de uma proposta de atividades didáticas, com o tema consciência negra, em uma perspectiva interdisciplinar aplicada para pessoas privadas de liberdade nas unidades prisionais do estado do Tocantins. Para tanto, optou-se pela análise documental e de conteúdo dos planos de aula de uma proposta de educação utilizada nas prisões do estado. A partir dos gêneros discursivos selecionados e dos diálogos dos docentes presentes no final e início de cada atividade, verificou-se a interligação dos componentes curriculares, envolvidos no desenvolvimento da proposta, reverberando assim possibilidades de interdisciplinaridade na abordagem do assunto proposto, com tentativas de distanciamento de atividades centradas, apenas, em questões fechadas ou com foco normativo, mas que permitiam ao estudante refletir sobre o tema. Os resultados indicam ainda que as atividades não são majoritariamente interdisciplinares, de modo que se percebe haver ainda equívoco em relação ao conceito de interdisciplinaridade, bem como a necessidade de estudos teórico-metodológicos e formação docente mais abrangentes para que essa proposta aconteça de forma eficaz na organização das práticas educacionais, especialmente na modalidade de educação prisional.
Práticas antirracistas na sala de aula de Língua Inglesa
Authors: Melo Glenda Cristina Valim de , Silva Karoline dos Santos Silva , Santos Tayene Mendonça
Published: February 2024

Este artigo tem como objetivo propor uma reflexão sobre o ensino de língua inglesa nas escolas públicas e as questões raciais, a partir de duas práticas educacionais antirracistas realizadas por duas professoras negras, na aula de LI, em duas escolas públicas da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Para tal, apresentamos, brevemente, o ensino de LI, a BNCC e a lei 10.639. Depois, tratamos da linguagem e a questão racial com base em Butler (1997), Fanon (2008) e hooks (2013). Mostramos, após, dois exemplos de práticas antirracistas realizadas por duas professoras da rede pública, na sala de aula de inglês, em diferentes contextos na cidade do Rio de Janeiro.
Calcium supplementation for the prevention of hypertension: a synthesis of existing evidence and implications for practise
Authors: Hamer Oliver , Mohamed Areej , Ali-heybe Zundus , Schnieder Emma , Hill James
Published: February 2024

In this commentary, Oliver Hamer and colleagues critically appraise the methods and findings presented in a Cochrane systematic review exploring the effectiveness of calcium dietary supplementation in preventing hypertension.
Enhancing patient outcomes: 2023 focused clinical update on heart failure
Authors: Lehane Mairead , Docherty Antonia , Hyland Becky , Simpson Maggie , Macklin Leeanne
Published: February 2024

This article provides an overview of the European Society of Cardiology 2023 focused clinical update on heart failure and considerations for practice. The latest focused clinical update provides an overview of up-to-date recommendations based on all major clinical trials and meta-analyses exploring heart failure that were published since 2021. The update outlined recommendations on treatment and management of chronic heart failure, acute heart failure, and comorbidities (including chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, iron deficiency) and the prevention of heart failure.
SEND support flaws exposed
Authors: Hayes Derren
Published: February 2024

Rising appeals over provision and furore over councillors' remarks reveal wider system problems
Practice examples: Charity supports care leaver apprentices
Authors: Jacobs Nina
Published: February 2024

IN SUMMARY

Project that develops dedicated housing for care leavers also offers apprenticeships to help young people take the first steps into employment
Research on STEM in Early Childhood Education from 1992 to 2022: A Bibliometric Analysis from the Web of Science Database
Authors: Bui Thi-Lam , Nguyen Thanh-Huong , Nguyen Manh-Tuan , Tran Thi-Tham , Nguyen Thi-Luyen , Tran Viet-Nhi , Dang Ut Phuong , Vu Cam-Tu , Hoang Anh-Duc
Published: February 2024

STEM education is an irreplaceable movement of educational systems across the globe in the 21st century. Both Pre-K, K-12, and higher education institutions consider STEM as an innovative approach to integrate and reform the teaching and learning processes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of studies on STEM in the Early Childhood Education context from 1992 to 2022. We investigated a dataset of 308 scholarly works from the Clarivate Web of Science database and figured a diversified collection of research focuses on topics such as children’s readiness, outcomes, teachers’ competency in designing and implementing STEM activities, and the role of computational thinking and robotics. The findings of this paper revealed the dominant contribution of researchers from the USA regarding research quantity and impact, as well as their collaborations with researchers from Western countries. In addition, we also figured out the top influencing authors, documents, and journals as a suggestion for scholars who are new to this topic. However, we would like to note that our findings depended on the quality of the imported database from the WoS system, which covers top-tier journals only.
Analisis Perbandingan Metode Hierarchical dan Non-Hierarchical dalam Pembentukan Cluster Provinsi di Indonesia Berdasarkan Indikator Women Empowerment
Authors: Aselnino Pikata , Wijayanto Arie Wahyu
Published: February 2024

The focus on improving the quality of women’s live to lessen discrimination and gender inequality is set in the fifth’s goals of SDGs. In Indonesia, the RPJMN 2020-2024 contains measure to improve the contribution of women to equitable development. The Central Bureau of Statistics has developed several indicators related to gender, including Gender Development Index (GDI) an Gender Empowerment Index (GEI), which contain women’s improvement on education and health as well as their participation in economic and political fields. The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection did a quadrant analysis to split Indonesia’s 34 provinces into four categories based solely on GDI and GEI using the national average as a constraint. This study compares the Hierarchical, K-Means, and Fuzzy C-Means method to form number of clusters in Indonesia based on the gender development and empowerment in 2021 in order to complement the quadrant analysis. To choose the number of optimum cluster, Elbow method and Calinski-Harabasz Index were used and the best k value is five. From the validation with Silhoutte Index, K-Means was chosen as the best clustering model.

Keywords: clustering; fuzzy; k-means; hierarchical; women empowerment
K-Medoids Clustering dan Mean-Value at Risk untuk Optimasi Portofolio Saham Jakarta Islamic Index
Authors: Puspaningsih Eka Sri , I Maruddani Di Asih , Tarno Tarno
Published: February 2024

The problem of the portfolio is how to choose stocks and determine their weights in order to generate maximum returns with minimal risk. Portfolios are formed by selecting stocks that have different characteristics. K-Medoids Clustering can be used to group data sets that contain outliers. Validate cluster results using the Davies Bouldin Index to determine the best number of clusters. Portfolio weighting is determined using the Mean-VaR method by taking into account the expected return value and minimizing the VaR risk value. Stocks are grouped based on Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Debt to Asset Ratio, and Debt to Equity Ratio. The results of cluster formation on the Jakarta Islamic Index stocks obtained six portfolio constituent stocks based on the highest expected return value from each cluster, consisting of PTBA, ADRO, AKRA, EXCL, PTPP, and UNVR. The results of calculating the weight of the optimal portfolio with Mean-VaR obtained a weight for PTBA of 0.46536; AKRA of 0.24018; EXCL of 0.25421; and UNVR of 0.25392. ADRO and PTPP stocks have a negative weight value of -0,07775 and -0,13593 this indicates the occurrence of short selling in the weighting. At the 95% confidence level, the VaR portfolio value is 5.06%.

Keywords: Clustering; K-Medoids; Daveis Bouldin Index; Portfolio; Mean-VaR
Penerapan Metode Fuzzy Time Series (FTS) Cheng dan Markov-Chain untuk Peramalan Indonesia Crude Oil Price (ICP)
Authors: Fakhriyana Deby , Brilliant Indira Ihnu
Published: February 2024

In Indonesia, crude oil plays a significant role in the country’s economy as it serves as a source of income and meets the country's energy needs. Therefore, fluctuations in crude oil prices have a significant impact on the economic activities of the society. Forecasting the price of Indonesian crude oil is thus crucial. The international price of crude oil in Indonesia is known as the Indonesian Crude Oil Price (ICP). One commonly used statistical method for forecasting is the ARIMA method. However, the ARIMA method has certain assumptions that need to be fulfil, and many real-world data cannot meet these assumptions. Hence, forecasting using the Fuzzy Time Series (FTS) method, which does not rely on assumptions, is employed. Some popular FTS methods include the Cheng FTS method and the Markov Chain FTS method. This study implements the Cheng FTS and Markov Chain FTS methods on the ICP data from May 2018 to June 2023 to determine the most appropriate method for forecasting. The analysis results using the Cheng FTS method on the testing data yield a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value of 4,083%, while the Markov Chain FTS method has MAPE value of 4,585%. The Cheng FTS method selected as the appropriate model for forecasting the ICP data since it has a smaller MAPE value. Using the Cheng FTS method, the predicted ICP value for July 2023 is US$72,907 per barrel.

Keywords: ICP; FTS Cheng; FTS Markov Chain; MAPE
Efficacy of probiotics and coconut oil-based mouthrinses to improve oral health
Authors: Kim Yun-Jeong , Yang Jin-Ju , Lee Hyun-Ah , Kim Seon-Yeong
Published: February 2024

Objectives: We analyzed the relative beneficial impacts of probiotics and coconut oil-based mouth rinses on oral health. Methods : A total of 33 subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups. Coconut oil and probiotics were given to the experimental group, and distilled water to the control group. We evaluated the possession site of Gingival index, CPITN index, BOP, Pocket depth, and PHP index. Results: In the coconut oil and probiotic groups, Gingival index significantly decreased on both days 15 and 30. CPITN significantly decreased on days 15 and 30 in the coconut oil group (p<0.01), and on day 30 in the probiotic group (p=0.002). There was a significant interaction between group and time for BOP and PHP index (p<0.001), and the coconut oil group was more effective in improving BOP and PHP index. Conclusions: The above results showed that the mediation effect of coconut oil and probiotics was more effective with coconut oil.
Finding the American Revolution in France: François-Jean de Chastellux's Private Papers and Beyond
Authors: de Rode Iris
Published: February 2024

Abstract: With the exception of the renowned Marquis de Lafayette and, to a lesser extent, General Rochambeau and Admiral de Grasse, French soldiers and officers have historically received little attention in the literary of the American War for Independence. This is due to a number of factors, including restricted or closed access to private archival collections in France. This essay will demonstrate that it is possible, under certain conditions, to study personal, unpublished source material of "forgotten" French officers who participated in the American Revolutionary War, thereby providing new opportunities for research into early American history. To demonstrate the historical significance of such materials, this paper will concentrate on the (mainly) unpublished papers of François-Jean de Chastellux (1734-1788), an influential major general who served directly under Rochambeau. The Chastellux family has preserved his private papers for more than 240 years in their Château de Chastellux. This article details the contents of this private archive as well as the history of its creation and preservation. Additionally, the existence of Chastellux's archive raises questions about the possible existence of similar unpublished French archival collections, which may also offer new perspectives on the American Revolutionary War. Furthermore, in the contemporary digital era, families that choose to preserve their records in private archives may now make them digitally accessible to the academic community. This introduces new circumstances and opportunities for the access and translation of previously inaccessible information.
Kafkaesque Cinema in the Context of Post-fascism
Authors: Koutsourakis Angelos
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This article discusses Kafkaesque cinema as a response to historical conditions of post-fascism through the close-reading of three films: Chris Marker's La Jetée (1962), Béla Tarr's Werckmeister harmóniák ( Werckmeister Harmonies , 2000), and Christian Petzold's Transit (2018). Important interlocutors are the Hungarian philosopher Gáspár Miklós Tamás and the Italian historian Enzo Traverso; both understand post-fascism as a historical condition that perpetuates fascism's hostility to the Enlightenment, but which, however, permeates even mainstream politics. Drawing on their work, the article shows how the films' Kafkaesque aesthetic and themes invite us to consider the link between post-fascism and the defeat of the radicalized Enlightenment thought.
Factors Affecting Theatre Faculty Job Satisfaction: A Thematic Analysis
Authors: Stoytcheva Biliana , Horissian Kevork , You Wei
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Of the main factors that influence faculty experiences, job satisfaction has received significant attention from scholars. However, very little research has focused on the arts, with no studies examining the impact of these factors on theatre faculty. Using a national survey that included open-ended questions and was completed by 153 faculty in the spring of 2022, we evaluated factors specifically important for theatre faculty job satisfaction. We examined the qualitative data through thematic analysis, and the results showed that clear and reasonable criteria for tenure and promotion, mentorship, department chairs, collegiality, work load, and campus climate all affect morale and theatre faculty job satisfaction. The specific suggestions we provide on how to improve faculty experiences can guide institutional leadership in their efforts to create welcoming, supportive, diverse, and inclusive environments.
Wellness, Community, and Aging: Refocused and Renewed
Authors: Gaines Andrew , Hughes Erika , Bowers Georgia Grace
Published: February 2024

Abstract: The Wellness, Community, and Aging (WCA) Focus Group has flourished over the past five years at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). In this article, we recount the history of this focus group, document its transformation, and look to future directions.
Identifying Common Ground between US and International Scholars of Theatre and Performance: Some Thoughts from the Point of View of a Peruvian Artist-Scholar
Authors: Béjar Marissa
Published: February 2024

Abstract: As an artist-scholar based in Perú, I reflect on the challenges and rewards of engaging in scholarly conferences in the Global North and offer thoughts on how academic spaces can be more inclusive and mutually enriching.
Multiplicity, Divergence, and Commonality: Reflections on the International Experience in US Academia
Authors: Huang Yizhou
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This essay calls for local actions and broader allyship to recognize the layered experience of being international in the US academy.
Die Auswirkung von Managemententscheidungen: Wie Fachbereichs- und IT-Verantwortliche ihre IT-Kosten effektiv steuern können
Authors: Riedinger Constanze , Huber Melanie , Prinz Niculin
Published: February 2024

IT-Kosten machen heute einen immer größeren Anteil an den Gesamtkosten von Unternehmen aus. Die Verantwortlichen sind aufgefordert die IT-Kosten zu senken oder zumindest ein effizientes Management sicherzustellen. Oftmals fehlt es dafür an Transparenz und Verständnis für diese Ausgaben. Die Analyse der IT-Kostentreiber ermöglicht ein tieferes Verständnis der Ursachen und Auswirkungen strategischer Entscheidungen. Dieser Beitrag zielt darauf ab, die strategischen IT-Kostentreiber bezüglich des Wirkungshorizonts und des Entscheidungsortes zu analysieren. Die durchgeführte Delphi-Studie zeigt, dass Entscheidungen über diese Kostentreiber größtenteils mittel- bis langfristige Auswirkungen haben. Zudem wird deutlich, dass die IT-Abteilung zwar in den Entscheidungsprozess eingebunden ist, während die finalen Entscheidungen häufig stärker im Fachbereich liegen. Zusammenarbeit und effektive Kommunikation sind deshalb entscheidend und die Verantwortung für IT-Kosten sollte von allen EntscheidungsträgerInnen getragen werden. Dieser Beitrag erweitert die Forschung im IT-Kostenmanagement und sensibilisiert PraktikerInnen für Kostenbeeinflussungshebel und die strategische Diskussion über IT-Kosten und das Wertversprechen der IT.
Examining cancer screening disparities by race/ethnicity and insurance groups: A comparison of 2008 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data in the United States
Authors: Sun Jingjing , Frick Kevin D. , Liang Hailun , Chow Clifton M. , Aronowitz Sofia , Shi Leiyu
Published: February 2024

Background

Pervasive differences in cancer screening among race/ethnicity and insurance groups presents a challenge to achieving equitable healthcare access and health outcomes. However, the change in the magnitude of cancer screening disparities over time has not been thoroughly examined using recent public health survey data.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the 2008 and 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) database focused on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening rates among race/ethnicity and insurance groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between cancer screening rates, race/ethnicity, and insurance coverage, and to quantify the changes in disparities in 2008 and 2018, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Colorectal cancer screening rates increased for all groups, but cervical and mammogram rates remained stagnant for specific groups. Non-Hispanic Asians continued to report consistently lower odds of receiving cervical tests (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.32–0.55, p<0.001) and colorectal cancer screening (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.42–0.72, p<0.001) compared to non-Hispanic Whites in 2018, despite significant improvements since 2008. Non-Hispanic Blacks continued to report higher odds of recent cervical cancer screening (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.47–2.68, p<0.001) and mammograms (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02–1.71, p<0.05) than non-Hispanic Whites in 2018, consistent with higher odds observed in 2008. Hispanic individuals reported improved colorectal cancer screening over time, with no significant difference compared to non-Hispanics Whites in 2018, despite reporting lower odds in 2008. The uninsured status was associated with significantly lower odds of cancer screening than private insurance for all three cancers in 2008 and 2018.

Conclusion

Despite an overall increase in breast and colorectal cancer screening rates between 2008 and 2018, persistent racial/ethnic and insurance disparities exist among race/ethnicity and insurance groups. These findings highlight the importance of addressing underlying factors contributing to disparities among underserved populations and developing corresponding interventions.
Progress on SDG 7 achieved by EU countries in relation to the target year 2030: A multidimensional indicator analysis using dynamic relative taxonomy
Authors: Walesiak Marek , Dehnel Grażyna
Published: February 2024

In 2015, 193 UN members adopted the resolution “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which set out 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. The aim of the study is to assess progress towards meeting SDG 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by individual EU countries in 2010–2021 and to determine their distance in relation to the target set for 2030. Eurostat monitors and assesses progress towards SDG 7 using seven indicators. These indicators were used to create an aggregate index. In order to limit the impact of the compensation effect on the ranking of EU countries, we applied dynamic relative taxonomy with the geometric mean to create an aggregate measure that takes into account target values for the indicators with adjusted data. The study reveals systematic progress towards reaching the EU’s SDG 7 in the period 2010–2021, with differences between individual EU countries clearly decreasing. The smallest distance in relation to the target set for SDG 7 can be observed for Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, and Austria. By far the greatest progress in period 2010–2021 has been achieved by Malta, and significant for Cyprus, Latvia, Belgium, Ireland, and Poland.
Underwater object detection method based on learnable query recall mechanism and lightweight adapter
Authors: Lin Xi , Huang Xixia , Wang Le
Published: February 2024

With the rapid development of ocean observation technology, underwater object detection has begun to occupy an essential position in the fields of aquaculture, environmental monitoring, marine science, etc. However, due to the problems unique to underwater images such as severe noise, blurred objects, and multi-scale, deep learning-based target detection algorithms lack sufficient capabilities to cope with these challenges. To address these issues, we improve DETR to make it well suited for underwater scenarios. First, a simple and effective learnable query recall mechanism is proposed to mitigate the effect of noise and can significantly improve the detection performance of the object. Second, for underwater small and irregular object detection, a lightweight adapter is designed to provide multi-scale features for the encoding and decoding stages. Third, the regression mechanism of the bounding box is optimized using the combination loss of smooth L1 and CIoU. Finally, we validate the designed network against other state-of-the-art methods on the RUOD dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed method is effective.