bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Trach or Not To Trach: Long-term Tracheostomy Outcomes in Infants with BPD
Authors: Kielt Matthew J. , Levin Jonathan C. ,   MBI
Published: November 2023

See Bonus NeoBriefs videos and downloadable teaching slides

Infants born preterm who are diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) demonstrate a wide spectrum of illness severity. For infants with the most severe forms of BPD, safe discharge from the hospital may only be possible by providing long-term ventilation via a surgically placed tracheostomy. Though tracheostomy placement in infants with BPD is infrequent, recent reports suggest that rates of tracheostomy placement are increasing in this population. Even though there are known respiratory and neurodevelopmental risks associated with tracheostomy placement, no evidence-based criteria or consensus clinical practice guidelines exist to inform tracheostomy placement in this growing and vulnerable population. An incomplete knowledge of long-term post-tracheostomy outcomes in infants with BPD may unduly bias medical decision-making and family counseling regarding tracheostomy placement. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of the epidemiology and long-term outcomes of tracheostomy placement in infants with BPD to provide a family-centered framework for tracheostomy counseling.
Parental Incarceration in the United States: 2016–2021
Authors: Muentner Luke , Shlafer Rebecca J. , Heard-Garris Nia , Jackson Dylan B.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Parental incarceration (PI) is both an adverse childhood experience (ACE) and an influencer of pediatric health. Despite evidence that rural America sees the highest incarceration rates and substantial inequities in pediatric health care access and services, it is unclear how the prevalence of PI and associated sociodemographic factors vary across urban, suburban, and rural regions of the United States.

METHODS

This study used data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (2016–2021; N = 145 281). Based on proximity and population, households were categorized as urban, suburban, or rural. Caregivers reported on household income, race/ethnicity, and living arrangements as well as children’s exposure to ACEs, including PI. Chi-squared and t-tests compared the prevalence of PI across communities and assessed regional differences in ACEs and sociodemographic characteristics in the context of PI.

RESULTS

PI was most common in rural (12%) versus urban (8%) and suburban (6%) areas. ACEs were more prevalent among PI children compared with non-PI peers across regions, with slight differences between PI children across locales. Within all regions, PI was highest for Black, Latinx, Native, and multiracial children; those in poverty; and those in nonparent caregiver placements. However, these prevalences were consistently highest among rural children.

CONCLUSIONS

This study points to high rates of adversity and concern racial, economic, and residential disparities for PI children, particularly those in rural communities. Evidence from this study can be used as a foundation for future prevention and intervention pediatric health responses that address inequities and unmet needs for rural populations.
Інформаційні технології як засіб формування громадської думки (на прикладі США)
Authors: Мацьопа Христина
Published: November 2023

Актуальність даної теми обумовлена тим, що сьогодні проблема формування громадської думки є важливою у житті більшості країн світу, особливо з розвитком нових інформаційних технологій. Громадська думка тісно пов’язана з процесами, що відбуваються у соціумі в цілому. Суттєву роль в процесі її формування у наш час відіграють інформаційні технології, які в останні десятиліття значно розширили інформаційний простір, а тому можуть виступати у якості важеля впливу на суспільну свідомість.

Метою дослідження є розкриття інформаційних технологій у формуванні громадської думки на основі практичного досвіду США.

У результаті дослідження було визначено можливості використання інформаційних технологій як засобу формування громадської думки, їх роль та місце в контексті розглянутої проблематики. Охарактеризовано також місце ІТ у політичній структурі сучасного суспільства, особливості їх маніпулятивного характеру,  тематично-змістове наповнення. Встановлено, зокрема, роль ІТ у процесі інформування членів суспільства, створенні суспільної свідомості, налагодженні комунікації між політичними лідерами та пересічними громадянами на прикладі США.

Було зроблено висновки, що розвиток інформаційних технологій у ХХІ столітті сприяв значному розширенню спектру інструментів формування громадської думки, що закріпило за ними статус політичного механізму вироблення останньої. Основну конкуренцію традиційним ЗМІ склав Інтернет, який у сучасному суспільстві виступає у якості як засобу формування громадської думки, так і ресурсу для її вираження. Найпоширенішим засобом впливу на громадську думку за допомогою ІТ у сучасному світі виявилися соціальні мережі. Зокрема, під час виборчих кампаній соціальними мережами активно користуються політики багатьох західних демократичних країн, що було проілюстровано на основі досвіду їхнього використання владними представниками США з метою активного залучення електорату та формування думки останнього.
Механізм спільної міграційної політики ЄС: еволюція та складові
Authors: Костенко Віана
Published: November 2023

Мета – дослідити механізм спільної міграційної політики ЄС та визначити його складові.

Актуальність. Виникнення та розвиток міграційної політики ЄС обумовлені інтеграційними процесами в регіоні та факторами глобалізації, яка поступово розширює кордони, інтегрує світ в єдине ціле. Лише комплексний механізм спільної міграційної політики здатний сприяти інтеграції мігрантів та нівелюванню негативних наслідків значних потоків мігрантів.

Результати. Досліджено становлення та сучасну структуру механізму реалізації міграційної політики ЄС, визначені основні підходи, що застосовуються країнами-членами ЄС та самим союзом. З’ясовано чинники, що впливають на розвиток міграційної політики. Визначено, що міграційна політика ЄС розвивалась під впливом різних факторів головними з яких були економічна криза, політична та демографічна нестабільність, розширення Європи.

Висновки. Обґрунтовано, що механізм міграційної політики ЄС включає чотири складові: інститути, політико-правові акти, інформаційне забезпечення, а також економіко-організаційну складову.

На основі аналізу політико-правових актів визначено еволюцію інституційної та інформаційної складових механізму міграційної політики. Встановлено, що була створена важлива для міграційної політики ЄС Візова інформаційна система, запроваджена у 2008 році та Європейська система авторизації і інформації про подорожі (ETIAS), яка має почати працювати з 2024 року. Обґрунтовано, що тільки злагоджена робота всіх елементів механізму міграційної політики дозволить ЄС вчасно реагувати та виклики та налагодити ефективну реалізацію такої політики, особливо в умовах міграційного розколу 2023 року.
Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni brydei, Artiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) aggregation area in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama
Authors: Rasmussen Kristin , Palacios Daniel M.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Even though they occur worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) are one of the most enigmatic of all the balaenopterid species. Previous research has reported the presence of Bryde’s whales off the Pacific coast of Panama, but little is known about their behaviors, abundance, and distribution in these waters.

Objective: We report on an area in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama, where Bryde’s whales have regularly been sighted.

Methods: We conducted small-boat surveys for marine mammals in the Gulf of Chiriqui between 2001 and 2022, during both the austral (26 300 km) and boreal (4 700 km) winter seasons.

Results: We made 25 sightings of 33 Bryde’s whales. Sightings were made in nine of the years surveyed, and most were in the austral winter season (92 %). Most sightings were of one animal (80 %), and one sighting was of a mother-calf-escort trio. The aggregation area appears near the Contreras Islands, where most sightings (84 %) were made. We have photo-identified 14 individual whales using the dorsal fin. One individual has been sighted over two years (2014 and 2015), while the remaining have been documented only once. No photographic matches have been made to other areas.

Conclusions: The persistent use of this aggregation area could indicate it is used for foraging, and the presence of a calf may indicate the area is also used for reproduction. The one inter-annual resight suggests this area may be used repeatedly by some of the same animals. Further research is needed off Panama to better understand this population of Bryde’s whales, its conservation status, and its relationship to the broader eastern tropical Pacific populations. Expanding the marine protected areas in the Gulf of Chiriqui may be warranted in order to protect this aggregation area.
EN General thermodynamic relations for thermal variables formed by first-order partial derivatives and not mixed second-order derivatives
Authors: Троценко О.В.
Published: November 2023

The theory of differential equations is a powerful tool necessary for constructing mathematical models of various applied problems and their solution. The study and analysis of the general differential relations between the derivatives of the thermodynamic functions of substances is a new direction in the theory of their thermodynamic properties. This research is the development of thermodynamics associated with the establishment and use of differential equations. This paper presents two new thermodynamic relationships between thermal variables pressure, absolute temperature, and specific volume. They relate first-order partial derivatives with unmixed second-order derivatives for these variables. Revealing new general relations of thermodynamics made it possible to formulate and solve a number of problems, among which we can note: creation of algorithms for calculating second-order mixed derivatives for a given thermal equation of state; analysis of the features of the second mixed derivatives at the critical point of pure substance; investigations of the general thermodynamic equations with entropy. The procedure for establishing new equations is based on the use of a rigorous mathematical apparatus and Maxwell's differential equations. Therefore, they are of a general nature, that is, they are valid for any pure substance or any mixture of fixed composition. They are also applicable to any model of the equation of state of these substances. With a formal approach to the concept of the term "equation of state", the new relations themselves can be considered as the equation of state of substance. The obtained new relations can be used to develop the theory of the thermodynamic properties of substances. In particular, in this work it is shown that the ratios of two partial derivatives of pressure over the volume, which are zero critical conditions, have no singularities at the critical point itself
Effects and challenges to implement differentiated mathematics teaching among fourth graders in Montenegro
Authors: Mićanović Veselin , Vučković Dijana , Maslovarić Biljana , Šakotić Nada , Novović Tatjana
Published: November 2023

In this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study we examined the effects of differentiated instruction (DI) in within-class ability groupings of 246 Montenegrin fourth-graders and their ability to solve algebraic equations. We assessed 2 parallel student groups at equal achievement levels to compare DI, in which teaching and work modes were adapted to students’ grouping according to previous achievement and pretest scores, and traditional whole-class instruction. Pretest-posttest evaluations were administered to both groups, and observation indicators were evaluated to assess the level and type of student activities, engagement, and individualisation. Students in the homogeneous DI experimental groups with tailored instructions were significantly more successful at solving algebraic tasks than their peers in the traditional whole-class instruction control group. DI improved students’ results, but teachers required specific training and significantly more preparation time.
Impact of corruption risks on the economic security of an automobile dealership
Authors: Slesarev Dmitry , Turgaeva Aksana
Published: November 2023

According to the author, corruption is one of the most serious phenomena that can affect the sustainability and success of an organization. Corruption risks can arise in any organization, regardless of its size and scope of activity. However, there are a number of measures that will help manage the risks of corruption and secure the organization.
One of the first steps in managing corruption risks is to analyze and identify sources of corruption in an organization. At this stage, it is necessary to evaluate all areas of the organization, including procurement, financial transactions, interaction with government agencies, etc. Based on this analysis, it is necessary to develop a plan of measures to reduce the risks of corruption.
The author believes that another important step is the creation of an effective control and monitoring system that will identify and prevent possible cases of corruption. This system may include the monitoring of financial transactions, auditing and the establishment of a disciplinary commission to review possible cases of corruption. It is also important to conduct regular training of employees of the organization in ethics and principles of combating corruption.
One of the strongest factors that can help in the fight against corruption is the culture of the organization. The more the employees of an organization are aware of the danger of corruption and its negative impact on business, the less likely it is to occur. Therefore, creating a culture of zero tolerance for corruption should be one of the top priorities for every organization.
The author notes that in general, corruption risk management is a complex process, but its effective implementation will protect the organization from possible negative consequences. Regular monitoring and analysis of corruption risks, the creation of a control and monitoring system, as well as employee training — all this will help to create a solid corruption risk management system.
Atendimento escolar em creche como política pública de caráter territorial: o caso de Vinhedo (SP)
Authors: Silva Neto Manoel Lemes da , Carandina Thiago
Published: November 2023

Resumo O artigo defende que a efetividade da política pública de educação infantil somente pode ser alcançada por meio da política territorial explícita do Estado. No Brasil contemporâneo, essa política deve ser capaz de integrar unidades de governo, ações setoriais e ação estratégica focalizada no combate da desigualdade socioespacial. O artigo enfatiza especialmente o diálogo geográfico-sociológico entre Milton Santos, Maria Adélia A. de Souza e Ana Clara Torres Ribeiro, em particular o conceito de formação socioespacial, como teoria e método, e a noção de território usado, como categoria analítica central da planificação. O artigo analisa o município de Vinhedo, contextualizado na Região Metropolitana de Campinas e no estado de São Paulo. A partir daí, propõe o desenvolvimento de um índice para subsidiar um teste experimental. Tal índice simula a aplicação prática da noção de território ao potencial de atendimento escolar em creche.
Silencing of FUN14 Domain Containing 1 Inhibits Platelet Activation in Diabetes Mellitus through Blocking Mitophagy
Authors: Wu Qiang , Yu Siwen , Peng Kangkang
Published: November 2023

Platelet hyperactivity represents a deleterious physiological phenomenon in diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to explore the role of FUN14 domain containing 1 (FUNDC1) in platelet activation within the context of DM and to uncover relevant mechanisms, with a focus on mitophagy. A mouse model of DM was established by high-fat feeding and streptozotocin injection. Platelets isolated from whole blood were exposed to carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluo-romethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) to induce mitophagy. The relative mRNA expression of FUNDC1 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Western blotting was employed to measure the protein levels of FUNDC1, the ratio of LC3-II toLC3-I, and cleaved caspase-3. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were performed to assess LC3-positive mitochondria and platelet activation factor CD62P, respectively. Additionally, serum levels of β-thrombo-globulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. FUNDC1 expression was elevated in DM mice, and its silencing decreased the body weight and fasting blood glucose. Inhibition of FUNDC1 also significantly attenuated FCCP-induced platelet mitophagy, as evidenced by the down-regulation of the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, up-regulation of Tomm20, and diminished presence of LC3-positive mitochondria. Moreover, platelet activation was noted in DM mice; this activation was mitigated upon FUNDC1 silencing, which was confirmed by the down-regulation of cleaved caspase-3 and CD62P as well as reductions in β-TG and PF4 serum levels. Silencing of FUNDC1 inhibited platelet hyperactivity in DM by impeding mitophagy. As such, FUNDC1-midiated mitophagy may be a promising target for the treatment of DM and its associated cardiovascular complications related cardiovascular events.
Revisiting Communicative Language Teaching Approach in Teaching ESL Speaking Skills
Authors: Hui Soon Ming , Yunus Melor Md
Published: November 2023

As the world heads into modernisation, English is widely spoken by non-native speakers due to the globally competitive market. Teaching speaking in ESL classrooms has always been a massive problem since many learners are struggling to utter simple sentences despite years of learning English. By introducing the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) into the existing curriculum, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach is being prioritised to teach spoken interaction among ESL pupils. This systematic review aims to investigate the implementation of the CLT approach in teaching speaking skills in ESL classrooms. By adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) review methodology, 37 were extracted out of 360 CLT-related articles from Google Scholar and ERIC databases based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Based on the selected articles from 2018 to 2022, the findings reveal that teachers and pupils view the CLT approach positively regarding its effectiveness in sustaining speaking skills in ESL classrooms despite the challenges faced. Future research is suggested to fill in the gap of this study by investigating the perceptions of the education stakeholders towards implementing the CLT approach under the ESL context.
Trait Emotional Intelligence and Willingness to Communicate in Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Zhang Junchao , Zhang Weiyi
Published: November 2023

Over the last decades, the integration of interdisciplinary theories and methodologies in the study of foreign language learning has gained significant attention. In contrast to the cognitive approach, an innovative psychological perspective is adopted to understand the influence of emotions in the learning process. Inspired by such a new turn, this paper investigated the relationship between learners’ Trait Emotional Intelligence (Trait EI) and their Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in foreign language classes. 181 first-year Chinese students majoring in English participated in the study. By using quantitative methods, it was found that participants’ Trait EI and its four sub-items all significantly correlated with their L2 WTC level. Moreover, the regression analysis indicated that Trait EI can have a predictive effect on L2 WTC. In terms of the four facets of Trait EI, only welling-being and sociability could predict participants’ L2 WTC.
The Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Self-Efficacy Awareness on EFL Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices: A Qualitative Study in the Saudi EFL Context
Authors: Al-Otaibi Sarah Muidh , Alshaikhai Abdullah
Published: November 2023

The study aims to explore the EFL Saudi teachers’ perceptions of awareness of emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy. It aims to explore the EFL teachers’ awareness of EI and self-efficacy that might influence their performances in EFL classrooms. Moreover, the study examines EI and self-efficacy strategies used by EFL teachers to aid them in their classrooms. The study uses a qualitative paradigm by collecting data using two tools: a workshop and follow-up semi-structured interviews. The data were collected at a Saudi university’s English Language institute. The sample consisted of six Saudi EFL teachers. The findings reveal that teachers have positive perceptions of the awareness of EI and self-efficacy. In addition, teachers utilized their social surroundings in attempting to understand their students’ needs to facilitate the learning process. Despite being unfamiliar with technical terms, teachers’ responses were aligned with the cornerstones of EI and self-efficacy. Teachers emphasized the role of gaining knowledge through their experiences which thus helps them in their pedagogical practices. Based on the findings of the study, pedagogical implications and future research recommendations were suggested.
Interference: Affixation of Mongondow Dialect in Indonesian Learning
Authors: Ratu Donal Matheos
Published: November 2023

The bilingual backgrounds of speakers, the lack of loyalty to the target language, the limited knowledge of the vocabulary of the target language, the need for synonyms, the taking into consideration of prestige and style, and the inadequate command of the target language are just a few of the things that contribute to language interference. One type of language interference that occurs is interference where a native speaker uses a pattern or rule that leads to an error or incorrect form in the target language. The use of two or more languages by a speech community causes deviations in morphology, syntax, phonology, and even semantics. This deviation will result in a linguistic phenomenon known as interference. This research aimed to determine whether the Mongondow dialect can interfere with students' learning of Indonesian. The researcher wanted to investigate the impact of students’ Mongondow dialect particularly when communicating in diverse cultural environments. The researcher described the difficulties students had in forming verbs with affixation in the Mongondow local dialect in their learning of the Indonesian language. The researcher also identified factors that indicate how the local dialect can interfere with students' language skills. A qualitative descriptive method was chosen for the study because it is suitable for collecting data on the students' perceptions through semi-structured interviews. The researcher interviewed Indonesian teachers and students to understand why they ask certain types of questions during the teaching and learning process. The analysis of students' interferences in Indonesian learning revealed that the use of the Mongondow dialect in communication had a positive impact on the oral performance of students. Moreover, it also increased their motivation to learn and helped teachers build their self-confidence. Additionally, utilizing various media and facilities proved to be beneficial in promoting active learning among students.
Tayeb Salih's Season of Migration to the North: Investigating Stereotypes and the Dehumanizing Effects of Colonialism
Authors: Jamshed Mohammad
Published: November 2023

Long before colonialism emerged as an imperial project, cultural stereotypes and myths have fed the Western discourse about the Orient. Even during the medieval ages and Renaissance period, the discourse about Muslims and Islam was deeply informed of the distorted images, fabricated views, and overgeneralizations rooted in racial and religious prejudices. These myths were popularized through European art and literature to construct a particular narrative later used to legitimize the imperial designs and economic control of the native people. The research views this dehumanization of people and the vicious cycle of psychological trauma as a direct result of colonial enterprises by imperial forces. Using anti-colonial theories and postcolonialism as a framework of the study and building on the works of anticolonial theorists like Fanon, Memmi, and Césaire, the research seeks to investigate how these dehumanized images form the core of imperial designs and how colonialism dehumanizes people, distorts perspectives, engenders alienation and perpetuates a cycle of psychological violence across cultures and regions.
Language Learning Difficulties of Students With Dyslexia: A Case Study at a Primary School
Authors: Vizhi PA Kayal , Rathnasabapathy Maya
Published: November 2023

Dyslexic learners have trouble learning English as a foreign language because of their difficulties in reading, focus, and sensory motor skills. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability derived from neurological deficits. This research aims at investigating the Language Learning Difficulties of learners with Dyslexia: A Case Study at a Primary School, Chennai District. This study is a descriptive research design. The subjects of the research are 19 teachers of dyslexic students at primary school, Chennai, District. The data were collected using a questionnaire and it was analyzed through the descriptive statistics technique. The result of the data analysis shows that students with dyslexia have challenges with reading, spelling, identifying sounds and letters, and decoding and recognizing words (vocabularies). In addition, the finding explored that teachers implement learners-center teaching methods and collaboratively work to enhance their students’ reading skills. Furthermore, the result showed that the use of assistive technology, multi-sensory instruction, and individualized support are effective interventions for enhancing the reading ability of dyslexic students. This study helps future researchers as a benchmark for further exploration.
The Impact of Verbal abuse and Vindictive Customer Behaviors on Food Rider Job S tress: The Moderating of Social Support to Employee Job Stress
Authors:   People&Global Business Association, Redzuan Nursyuhada , Shahril Aslinda , Chik Tamby , Aziz Abdul
Published: November 2023

Purpose: This study investigated whether food delivery riders experienced stress due to verbal abuse and vindictive customer behavior in food delivery services. Furthermore, moderating effects of social support were tested to see whether they decreased the job stress caused by verbal abuse and vindictive customer behaviors. This study exam-ined if real-time feedback can reduce employee job stress. Finally, this study evaluated whether real-time feedback influences employee engagement.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper presented descriptive research to examine the relationship between ver-bal abuse and vindictive customer behavior, employee job stress, social support, real-time employee feedback, and engagement in Malaysia's food delivery services. This study focused on individual employees who have experience dealing with verbal abuse and vindictive customer behaviors in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Online surveys by Google forms and printed questionnaires were distributed to the respondents to obtain the information. To examine the relationship, the analysis was done using SPSS and AMOS for empirical analysis.
Findings: The findings showed that verbal abuse was negatively related to employees' job stress, except vindictive customers have positively related and confirmed that social support moderates the relationship between vindictive customers and employees' job stress. Besides that, social support also moderates the relationship between vindictive customers and employees' job stress. The study succeeded in supporting the relationship between employee job stress and real-time employee feedback. Also, the results indicate positive support for the relationship between real-time feedback and employee engagement.
Research limitations/implications: The study only focused on the food delivery sector; therefore, this study sug-gests that future studies should cover wide areas of the service industry. It is because jay-customer behaviors are known not only within the food delivery sector, future studies could replicate similar investigations in other service organizations such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, banks, and hospitals in the Malaysian context. Also, for the im-plication, to respond to events involving verbal abuse and vindictive customer, management can gather important information from workers who experience these behaviors and develop solutions based on their experience.
Originality/value: The study is novel in its application of the conservation of resources (COR) theory to the study of verbal abuse and vindictive customer from food delivery employee's perspective and with social support from supervisors in Malaysian food delivery services scenario.
Islamic Social Reporting in Indonesian Islamic Bank: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors:   People&Global Business Association, Wijayanti Rita , Aryani Anni , Setiawan Doddy
Published: November 2023

Purpose: This study aims to provide a systematic review of research on Islamic social reporting (ISR) in the context of Islamic banks in Indonesia.
Design/methodology/approach: A total of 32 articles published in international journals indexed by Scopus and Indonesian journals indexed by the Science and Technology Index (SINTA) were selected using a mapping approach.
Findings: This study found that most ISR research used a quantitative explanatory approach. Most of the ISR re-search uses legitimacy and stakeholder theory as a basis for exploring the phenomenon. The mapping shows that the profitability variable is mainly used as a determinant and consequence of ISR.
Research limitations/implications: This study was conducted only for empirical research articles based on Scopus and SINTA 1 and 2 databases and is in business, management, and accounting research. These findings are expected to finalize the conceptual framework related to ISR, especially in Islamic companies in Indonesia, considering that Indonesia adheres to a dual board governance system.
Originality/value: This paper has successfully mapped ISR research in its determinants and consequences in two different streams. ISR determinants are further analyzed in two groups, financial and non-financial.
The Application of Theory of Planned Behaviour in Pedestrian Safety: A Literature Approach
Authors:   Jabatan Kejuruteraan Awam, Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Zainal Siti Khairunisa , Borhan Muhamad Nazri ,   Jabatan Kejuruteraan Awam, Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Mat Yazid Muhamad Razuhanafi ,   Pusat Penyelidikan Pengangkutan Bandar Mapan (SUTRA), Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Hakimi Ibrahim Ahmad Nazrul ,   Jabatan Kejuruteraan Awam, Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Road accidents among pedestrian become an important issue that needs to be mitigated due to high injuries and fatalities cases. Pedestrian is a weakest group of people compared to the drivers because they are not fully protected. The accidents involving pedestrian may occur due to their own negative crossing behaviour. This study is purposely to identify the effectiveness of theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting pedestrian behaviour. TPB has three main constructs which are attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control that significant to behavioural intention. Some studies used extended TPB by adding other constructs such as moral norms, perceived risk, conformity tendency, perceived severity, and past behaviour to predict pedestrian behaviour more accurately. This study used a literature approach where some of the previous studies are examined and the results of the studies are being analysed using descriptive analysis. The results show that TPB is suitable to predict pedestrian behaviour because the constructs are significant and comply with its fit. This study also shows that pedestrian behaviours are differ according to their age and gender. Most of previous studied states that young people tends to perform risky behaviours compared to old people. Children pedestrian are more vulnerable and have a high tendency to involve in road accidents and have a high fatality risk. Men are more risk-taking compared to women and men have high tendency to violate road regulations and exposed to injuries and fatality while women have more positive crossing behaviour.
Dynamic Insulation Systems to Control Airborne Transmission of Viruses in Classrooms: A Review of ‘Airhouse’ Concept
Authors:   Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, Mohd-Sahabuddin Mohd Firrdhaus , Dahlan Ammar Sadik ,   Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia, Mohamad Jamil Azli ,   Architecture Department, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Muhammad-Sukki Firdaus ,   School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom
Published: November 2023

The discovery of the Covid-19 virus in China at the end of 2019 has drastically altered the global landscape. The virus, which has now become a pandemic, has wrought devastation on the world, infecting over 500 million people and killing over 6 million. The virus’s mutation into a few variations, however, has enabled the world’s alarming situation to continue until now. Airborne particles and viruses including the new Covid-19 variant - Omricon, is not only extremely contagious but also can be transferred by airborne transmission, putting vulnerable people like children at risk, particularly in classrooms. Amongst the strategies to control airborne transmission of viruses and to improve indoor thermal and air quality is using ventilation strategies - such as dynamic insulation. Thus, this paper will review at how dynamic insulation systems in conventional farming and residential buildings, cleanrooms and other controlled environments work to reduce airborne viruses and particles in a room. An innovative “Airhouse” concept that combines with activated carbon has been researched and investigated with regard to the dynamic insulation systems.This system has a high potential to reduce the air temperature, humidity, and airborne viruses including Covid-19 whilst maintaining a steady airflow rate in a normal room. Therefore, it has a great deal of potential to decrease or eliminate concerns about the transmission of airborne viruses and adapt ventilation systems to new pandemic threats.
A Review on Challenges in Telerehabilitation and Human Activity Recognition Approaches during Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors:   Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rahman Md. Mahmudur , Beng Gan Kok ,   Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan  Malaysia, Malaysia, Aziz Noor Azah ,   Department of Family Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic is widespread imposing limitations on the healthcare services all over the world. Due to this pandemic, governments around the world have imposed restrictions that limit individual freedom and have enforced social distance to prevent the collapse of national health care systems. In such situation, to offer medical care and rehabilitation to the patients, Telerehabilitation (TR) is a promising way of delivering healthcare facilities remotely using telecommunication and internet. Technological advancement has played the vital role to establish this TR technology to remotely assess patient’s physical condition and act accordingly during this pandemic. Likewise, Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is a key part of the recovery process for a wide variety of conditions, such as stroke, arthritis, brain injury, musculoskeletal injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Different approaches of human activity recognition can be utilized to monitor the health and activity levels of such a patient effectively and TR allows to do this remotely. Therefore, in situations where conventional care is inadequate, combination of telerehabilitation and HAR approaches can be an effective means of providing treatment and these opportunities have become patently apparent during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, this new era of technical progress has significant limitations, and in this paper, our main focus is on the challenges of telerehabilitation and the various human activity recognition approaches. This study will help researchers identify a good activity detection platform for a TR system during and after COVID-19, considering TR and HAR challenges.
Influences of Lightweight Foam Concrete Roof Tile Hollow Sections and Thermal Reflective Coating in Cool Roof System
Authors:   Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, ee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia, Ling Ho Mun , Chian Yew Ming ,   Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, ee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia, Ming Kun Yew ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia, Lip Huat Saw ,   Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, ee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia, Wei Hong Yeo ,   Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering, ee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Modern civilization is increasing the commercial and residential buildings demand, while a big part of the energy consumed in buildings is for cooling purposes. Modern building design requires sustainable cooling facilities when an excellent roofing system plays an important role. This paper investigates the performance of a cool roofing system that integrates lightweight foam concrete roof tile and a passive cool roofing system. The concrete fabrication process introduced the concrete roof tile hollow sections to improve the roof’s thermal resistance. The densities of the lightweight foam concrete roof tile were varied at 1300 kg/m3 and 1100 kg/m3, respectively, to determine a better performance of roof tile than a basic concrete roof with a density of 2500 kg/m3. Two spotlight lamps that imitated solar irradiation in the afternoon were used as the heat supplied on four roof prototypes. The results showed that the attic temperature dropped from 40.8 °C to 33.5 °C (-7.3 °C) after 60 minutes of heat exposure when the roof was a foam concrete, the roof density was lower, with hollow longitude sections and thermal reflective coating. Furthermore, the average attic temperature increment rate was reduced by 70.2 % when an ideal cool roofing system was applied.
Microstructural and Thermal Analysis of Warm-Modified Bitumen with Palm Oil Boiler Ash
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Selangor, Malaysia, Mohd Akhir Norliza , Harun Shuhaida ,   Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Selangor, Malaysia, Memon Naeem Aziz ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Indus Hwy, Jamshoro, Sindh 76062, Pakistan, Milad Abdalrhman ,   College of Engineering and Architecture, University of Nizwa, P.O. 33 Postal Code 616, Sultanate of Oman, Khan Muhammad Imran ,   Department of Transportation and Geotechnical Engineering, Risalpur Campus, National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan, Borhan Muhamad Nazri ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Selangor, Malaysia, Md Yusoff Nur Izzi ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Selangor, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the results of an investigation to evaluate the effect of Palm Oil Boiler Ash (POBA) and a chemical warm mix additive, Rediset on the physicochemical and thermal properties of bituminous binders. Modified binder preparation was carried out by varying the composition of POBA (0, 3, 5, 7, and 9%) and Rediset with 2% by total weight of the binder, into a 60/70 penetration grade of bitumen through a wet mixing method. The physicochemical properties of the POBA/Rediset modified binders were examined using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR), while the thermal analysis was conducted using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) techniques. Based on FTIR analysis, POBA/Rediset modified binders have almost similar functional groups as for the control sample (0%) which indicate the compatibility of POBA in the bituminous binder. Meanwhile, the thermos-grams shows an insignificant effect of POBA on the thermal stability of the binder. Overall, the inclusion of POBA as bitumen modifier in warm mix asphalt (WMA) for pavement construction is a promising and potential alternative in lowering the asphalt production temperature without compromising the binder properties.
The Design of a New 3D Print-in-place Soft Four-Legged Robots with Artificial Intelligence
Authors:   Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Katholik, Jalan 10/3, Seksyen 10, 46000 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia, Saan Cern Yong , Sheng Ze Yeoh ,   Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Katholik, Jalan 10/3, Seksyen 10, 46000 Petaling Jaya,Selangor, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Soft and flexible robots are designed to change their flexibility over a wide range to perform tasks adequately in real-world applications. Current soft robots require cast moulding, high assembly effort and large actuators. Soft origami structures exhibit high levels of compliance. In this paper, we designed a new 3D print-in-place soft four-legged robot (3DSOLR). Our soft legged robot is an endurance application adapted from the soft origami zigzag gripper. This novel and innovative design are inspired by the rigid joint Theo Jansen legged robot with highly adaptive 3D print-in-place soft origami legs capable of fluid motion and even surviving drop tests. The robot mechanism consists of four soft origami flexible legs driven by two DC motors. The 3DSOLR is lightweight and semi-autonomous using two Hall effect sensors and a wireless Bluetooth module. Being 3D print-in-place using Thermoplastic polyurethane also increases its durability while having flexibility, simplicity and safety. The robot also has a gripper inspired by the mandible of male European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). These features make this robot suitable to be used in social robotics and rescue robotics applications. The transmitter program is implemented in Bluetooth serial communication using MIT App Inventor 2 smartphone apps and a microcontroller Arduino ATMEL is used as the main controller and code in Arduino IDE. It has artificial intelligence (AI) capability with ESP32 CAM onboard which has an object classification accuracy of 95.5% using custom Edge Impulse neural network MobileNetV1 96 x 96. This AI capability enhanced the robot’s capability in object classification for grasping.
Genetic diversity of the Rhododendron subsection Ledum species in Sakhalin Island: data from chloroplast DNA markers variability
Authors:   Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS, Iunusova Diana R. , Polezhaeva Maria A. ,   Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology UB RAS, Marchuk Elena A. ,   Botanical Institute-Garden FEB RAS
Published: November 2023

A high genetic variability was revealed in the populations of the Rhododendron subsection Ledum species complex in Sakhalin. In total, 94 individuals from natural populations of the four sympatric species of Labrador tea (R. tomentosum, R. subarcticum, R. tolmachevii and R. hypoleucum) were analyzed to evaluate the genetic variation in the territory of the Sakhalin Island and in two mainland populations. The haplotype diversity of five chloroplast intergenic spacers (trnH–psbA, petB–petD, 3’trnV (UAC)–ndhC, K2R–K707, atpB–rbcL) was quite high. There were 16 haplotypes (h1–h16) identified; h1, h2 and h4 are the most common, the rest were rare and no species-specific ones were found. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicate that about 37 % of the genetic diversity is due to among population differences (FST = 0.37, p < 0.001). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast DNA data did not reveal a clear species structure, but revealed a trend towards the isolation of two genetic groups: including a group of samples from the southern and the middle parts of Sakhalin Island.
Floristic survey of Karaginskii Island (southwest Bering Sea) revealed predictably high diversity of aquatic plants and unexpectedly overlooked terrestrial species
Authors:   Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS, Ivanova Maria O. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Volkova Polina A. ,   Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS, Yakubov Valentin V. ,   Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity FEB RAS, Kopylov-Guskov Yury O. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University,   Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Dadykin Ivan A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Bakhmarin Stepan V. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Bobrov Alexander A. ,   Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters RAS
Published: November 2023

Given the high diversity of aquatic habitats with favorable microclimate, surprisingly low number of aquatic vascular species was reported from Karaginskii Island. Therefore, we conducted its extensive field inventory. Terrestrial and bog plant species were also registered on the island whenever possible to check for general completeness of floristic knowledge. We also performed preliminary survey of aquatic flora of adjacent mainland as a reference. We revealed 26 aquatic vascular taxa, new for the flora of Karaginskii Island among which 17 were new to the Karaginskii District. Ten of them were also found on the adjacent mainland; 6 taxa revealed only on the mainland were new for the Karaginskii District. We found 27 terrestrial and bog vascular species, new for the island flora (14 new for the Karaginskii District). The documented deficiency of data on northern Kamchatka (Koryakia) flora hampers informed protection of endangered species and prevents sound biogeographic zonation of Kamchatka.