bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
دور حوكمة الشركات في الحد من مخاطر الائتمان في المصارف التجارية الليبية
Authors: الشكري عائشة سالم , الجلالي سعد عبد السلام سعد
Published: December 2023

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على دور حوكمة الشركات في الحد من مخاطر الائتمان في المصارف التجارية الليبية. واعتمدتْ على المنهج الوصفي التحليلي. وتكون مجتمع الدراسة من المصارف التجارية الليبية، واقتصرت عينة الدراسة على المصارف التي يزيد حجم الائتمان الممنوح فيها على نسبة 1% من حجم الائتمان الكلي للمصارف، واستخدمت استمارة الاستبيان لجمع البيانات من المشاركين في الدراسة، ووزعت (80) استمارة، رجع منها (61) جميعها صالحة للتحليل. واستُعِينَ ببرنامج Statistical Package for Social Science لتحليل البيانات وأُجريت الاختبـارات الإحصائية اللازمة.

وتوصلت الدراسة إلى أن لحوكمة الشركات دوراً في الحد من مخاطر الائتمان في المصارف التجارية الليبية، وأنه لا توجد فروق ذات دلالة معنوية بين آراء المشاركين حول دور حوكمة الشركات في الحد من مخاطر الائتمان في المصارف التجارية الليبية تعزى إلى متغيراتهم الديموغرافية.

وخلصت الدراسة إلى مجموعة من التوصيات منها حث المصارف التجارية على ضرورة التطبيق السليم لآليات حوكمة الشركات عند منح الائتمان، وضرورة الالتزام بشروط السياسة الائتمانية واسسها والتركيز على التحليل الائتماني والدراسات الكافية قبل منح الائتمان.
Evaluation of the Effects of Artemisia herba-alba on Intestinal Parasite Infections in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia) in Albeida City, Libya
Authors: Saad Kaula A. , Alsanousi Somia A. , Alkailani Hanan A.
Published: December 2023

The first aim of the current study is to investigate the presence of intestinal parasitic infections in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Albeida City, Libya.

 individually faces samples from 100 birds were collected and examined using direct smearing and the flotation method. The majority of the pigeons (60%) were likely to have mixed infections with one or two of intestinal parasites (Eimeria 40%, Capillaria 50%, Heterakis 8% and Raillietina 2%). The second goal is to determine the anti-parasites effects of Artemisia herba-alba aqueous extract on intestinal parasite infection. The birds were divided into 5 groups of ten each for different concentration of Artemisia herba-alba extracts (5 %, 10 %, 15 % 20 % and control group) administered orally once a day for 3 days. The results showed that there was no significant reduction in the numbers of internal parasites (Eimeria oocysts and helminths eggs) in infected pigeons.
Removal of Heavy Metals from Water Accompanied with Oil and Wastewater, Using Natural Dyes and Chemical Compounds.in Elwahate Jalu, Libya
Authors: Matter Hamdy AB. , Ayad Tariq M.
Published: December 2023

Plants, whether leaves, fruits or bark, are characterized by an enormous number of organic compounds that can be used to form complexes with heavy and toxic elements that polluting the environment as these plant extracts are environmentally friendly compounds. In this paper, extracts from plants and the fruits like cloves, cinnamon bark, beet fruits, carrots, oranges, mint leaves, basil, Maringa, red cabbage, and sage have been performed. These extracts have shown different capabilities to precipitate many heavy ions dissolved in water, such as copper, cadmium, nickel, silver, lead, iron, chromium, calcium, zinc and manganese. Precipitation of heavy elements in their solutions. This could be applied to wastewater and water accompanied with oil and industrial waste water. Showing a high ability to precipitate these ions and follow the treatment process in all of its cases using a spectrophotometer.
Bacterial Profile of Urinary Tract Infections and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns among Pregnant Women at the Benghazi Medical Centre, Benghazi/Libya
Authors: Elmanefi Entesar S. , Bozakouk Ismaeel H. , Bleiblo Farag A. , Bumadian Mohamed M.
Published: December 2023

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common diseases caused by bacteria during pregnancy, and it can create serious consequences for both the fetus and the mother, necessitating early detection and prevention of problems. The study aimed to isolate and identify urinary tract infections bacteria among pregnant women at the Benghazi Medical Centre. Initially, a sectional descriptive design was used on 200 pregnant women who attended the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at the Benghazi Medical Centre from June 2018 to October 2018. A purposive sample was employed to collect data utilizing a structured interviewing questionnaire and laboratory test records. Bacterial infection during pregnancy was more frequent within the age range of 25 to 35 years with  25 out of 44 patients (56.8%). The second trimester of pregnancy was the time period most related to the infection with 23 patients (52.3%). The results also showed that housewives were more susceptible to the infection (28 patients; 63.6%). Several varieties of bacteria were related to  UTIs during pregnancy including Escherichia coli (56.8%), which was the most frequently isolated pathogen followed by S. aureus (25%), Enterococcus (9.1%), Klebsiella (6.8%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (2.3%).  Antibiotic sensitivity revealed that the response to antibiotics was variable; most of the isolated pathogens were sensitive to the tested antibiotics specifically to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The isolated bacteria that were sensitive to all the used antibiotics included Escherichia coli and S. saprophyticus. Antibiotic resistance was increasingly seen in amoxicillin, azithromycin, and erythromycin. To avoid UTIs during pregnancy and the complications of infection, which could lead to fetal loss, all pregnant women should be routinely screened for UTIs with urine culture and treated with the appropriate antibiotics as needed as well as reducing the risk of developing a urinary tract infection by increasing the level of cultural awareness. Women confront double dangers with UTIs; the danger of the disease and the risk of anti-microbial treatment. Pre-natal connection to the baby is highlight when preparing to make this choice, weighing both the shorter-term risks from UTIs and the longer-term dangers from anti-microbial use, particularly the chance of AMR.
Western Balkans Salafist Networks and Terrorism in Albania
Authors: Kanellopoulos Anastasios-Nikolaos
Published: December 2023

This interdisciplinary paper undertakes an in-depth analysis of the intricate dynamics characterizing Salafist networks and their nexus with terrorism in Albania, positioned within the tumultuous milieu of the Western Balkans. The resurgence of Salafist ideologies in the Western Balkans region has engendered apprehensions regarding its conceivable repercussions on regional security and stability. This study concentrates on Albania as a specific case, presenting a meticulous exploration of the diverse factors that underpin the proliferation of Salafist networks and their subsequent engagement in terrorist activities. Through a systematic examination, this research aims to provide a thorough understanding of the complex interplay of elements contributing to the emergence and operationalization of Salafist networks in Albania, contributing to a nuanced comprehension of the broader implications for regional security within the Western Balkans context.
Relative Tree Height in Isolated Populations of Pine Stands
Authors:   Solovki State Historical, Architectural and Natural Museum-Reserve, Sobolev Aleksandr N. , Feklistov Pavel A. ,   Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after N.P. Laverov, Neverov Nikolay A. ,   Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences named after N.P. Laverov, Makarov Sergey S. ,   Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Published: December 2023

The study of relative tree height in lingonberry, bilberry and sphagnum pine forests on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island was carried out. The island is the largest by area in the Solovetsky Archipelago and in the White Sea. The archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Relative height is an important indicator characterizing the growth of woody plants and reflecting how many centimeters of height growth for each centimeter of diameter. We laid 34 sample plots in the most widespread forest types – lingonberry, bilberry, and sphagnum pine forests, occupying 82.0 % of the total pine forest area. At each sampling area we selected survey trees (64 trees each), measured heights, diameters, and took cores with an age drill at the root neck to determine the age. A total of 2176 trees were used in the relative height analysis. The average relative height in lingonberry, bilberry and sphagnum pine forests on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island is 62.5; 61.5 and 54.7 cm/cm, respectively. This relative height is noticeably lower than in pine forests on the mainland in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. There, the values are 84.9; 84.9 and 79.2 cm/cm for the respective forest types. It is not possible to use the existing growth progress tables developed on the basis of mainland trees for island pine forests. Equations for determining the relative height of pine forests on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island were obtained. It is proposed to use tree diameter rather than age as an input parameter, since the determination of age is much more difficult than that of diameter at breast height. For citation: Sobolev A.N., Feklistov P.A., Neverov N.A., Makarov S.S. Relative Tree Height in Isolated Populations of Pine Stands. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 6, pp. 102–113. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-102-113
Geographical Features of Pinus sibirica Du Tour Renewal
Authors:   Botanical Garden of Ural Branch of RAS, Tantsyrev Nikolai V. , Sannikov Stanislav N. , Usoltsev Vladimir А. ,   Botanical Garden of Ural Branch of RAS,   Ural State Forest Engineering University
Published: December 2023

One of the main problems of forest ecology is to identify the patterns of the dynamics of natural populations of woody plants at the stage of their renewal, which programs the entire subsequent structure and development of plant ecosystems. The process of reforestation is determined by both the dynamics of seed production and the peculiarities of the seed distribution of forest-forming tree species. The renewal of five-needled pines of the Cembrae subsection with wingless seeds is due to their close trophic relationships with birds of the genus Nucifraga sp., which spread seeds, creating soil forage stocks. The purpose of this study is to reveal geographical features of the relationship between seed production and renewal of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) with the intermediary participation of the thin-billed nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes macrorhynchos Brehm C.L.). The research was carried out in 3 geographical regions of Pinus sibirica forests: in the forests of the Aldan Highlands in Southern Yakutia (59º40´ N., 125º24´ E.), the Northern Urals in the area of the Denezhkin Kamen mountain (60º25´ N., 59º32´ E.), and the Khamar-Daban Mountain range in the South-Eastern Baikal region (51º32´ N., 103º32´ E.). It is shown that each region of the Pinus sibirica growth differs in the dynamics of both seed production and renewal. It was found that the abundance of Pinus sibirica seedlings in the forests of the Aldan Highlands is positively associated (R2 = 0.46) with the yield of cones the previous year. The number of seedlings in the Northern Urals and Khamar-Daban is negatively related to the yield of cones of last year but is positively (R2 = 0.48–0.49) associated with the yield of cones of the year before last. We believe that seedlings in any case appear from the seeds of last year's yield. But the visible connection is due to the activity of the nutcracker. As a result of the stationary studies conducted in the Northern Urals, we identified a constant close (R2 = 0.81) positive relationship between the number of Pinus sibirica seedlings and the number of nutcrackers during the period of seed storage and dispersal in August-September of the previous year. It is assumed that the nature of the dynamics of seed production in the region affects the change in the number of nutcrackers during the seed harvesting period, which in turn determines the abundance of Pinus sibirica seedlings next year. This determines the revealed differences in the dynamics of Pinus sibirica renewal and its dependence on the yields of tree cones in the regions under consideration. For citation: Tantsyrev N.V., Sannikov S.N., Usoltsev V.А. Geographical Features of Pinus sibirica Du Tour Renewal. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 6, pp. 44–56. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-6-44-56
US Recognition of Israeli Territorial Claims in the Golan Heights and Jerusalem: Implications for the Norm against Acquisition of Territory by Force
Authors: Eiran Ehud , Pressman Jeremy
Published: December 2023

This article investigates the effects of the United States’ recognition both of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and of the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights on the international norm against territorial expansion by force. We conclude that these moves – in 2017 and 2019,
respectively – did not weaken the norm. Our findings are important for the Arab-Israeli conflict itself as well as for the broader question of the strength of international norms in the face of great power's partial withdrawal from them.
Egypt: Cronyism and Elite Capture in Egypt: From Businessmen Cabinet to Military Inc., by Sarah Smierciak (book review)
Authors: Maziad Marwa
Published: December 2023

Cronyism and Elite Capture in Egypt: From Businessmen Cabinet to Military Inc., by Sarah Smierciak. New York: Routledge, 2022. 246 pages. $136 cloth; $42.36 paper, e-book.
Turkey: Turkey under Erdoğan: How a Country Turned from Democracy and the West, by Dimitar Bechev and Erdoğan’s War: A Strongman’s Struggle at Home and in Syria, by Gönül Tol (book reviews)
Authors: Kasaba Reşat
Published: December 2023

Turkey under Erdoğan: How a Country Turned from Democracy and the West, by Dimitar Bechev. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2022. 280 pages. $28 cloth. Erdoğan’s War: A Strongman’s Struggle at Home and in Syria, by Gönül
Tol. New York: Oxford University Press, 2022. 332 pages. $37.50 cloth, e-book.
Turkey: Return to Point Zero: The Turkish-Kurdish Question and How Politics and Ideas (Re)Make Empires, Nations, and States, by Murat Somer (book reviews)
Authors: Romano David
Published: December 2023

Return to Point Zero: The Turkish-Kurdish Question and How Politics and Ideas (Re)Make Empires, Nations, and States, by Murat Somer. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2022. 417 pages. $95 cloth; $34.95 paper.
Modern History and Politics: The One State Reality: What Is Israel/Palestine? edited by Michael Barnett, Nathan J. Brown, March Lynch, and Shibley Telhami (book review)
Authors: Pappé Ilan
Published: December 2023

The One State Reality: What Is Israel/Palestine? edited by Michael Barnett, Nathan J. Brown, March Lynch, and Shibley Telhami. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2023. 364 pages. $125 cloth, $39.95 paper, $25.99 e-book.
The Role of Citizenship Education in Raising Awareness of Complying with Campus Rules and Regulations at UIN North Sumatra Medan
Authors: Toni Nasution
Published: December 2023

This research aims to analyze the role of citizenship education in raising awareness of obeying campus rules and regulations at the North Sumatra State Islamic University, Medan. This type of research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive analysis study method. Data collection used observation, interviews and document study methods. Next, the data was analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of this research conclude that citizenship education plays an important role in shaping student awareness and behavior regarding campus rules and regulations at UIN North Sumatra Medan. Through citizenship education courses, students gain a deep understanding of the rights and obligations as citizens, the importance of active participation in democratic life, and how to transcend differences to achieve understanding and peace. Furthermore, the role of citizenship education in awareness of obeying campus rules and regulations at UIN North Sumatra is to create students who are disciplined, intelligent and responsible in living campus life. Students become more aware of their rights and obligations as citizens, as well as respecting differences and following applicable rules.
Difusión de la Ciberseguridad en un Mundo Financiero para los Adolescentes
Authors: Gómez Díaz María Paula , Aguilar Ramírez Lady Juliana , Ramírez Peña Kelly Johana , Villamil Escobar Leslie Carolina
Published: December 2023

La ciberseguridad se ha convertido en un pilar fundamental de la sociedad actual, especialmente en el sector financiero, donde los avances tecnológicos han expuesto a la sociedad a una creciente cantidad de amenazas. La expansión de plataformas virtuales ha suscitado una inquietante falta de conciencia entorno a la seguridad, lo cual desencadena la proliferación de ciberataques, incluyendo notorios casos de phishing, malware, ransomware y hacking. Estos ataques no solo impactan en ciudadanos, también afectan a empresas que carecen de conocimientos y medidas adecuadas para resguardar su información en el entorno digital. Según el informe de Asobancaria de 2022, el principal delito reportado es el hurto por medios informáticos y el acceso abusivo a sistemas informáticos que crecieron de 2021 a 2022 un 24%, 28% y 39% significativamente. El propósito central de este estudio es la evaluación y cuantificación del conocimiento, comprensión y aplicación de medidas de seguridad frente a ataques cibernéticos. La metodología empleada se caracteriza por su enfoque cuantitativo, que incluye la administración de una prueba diagnóstica y la implementación de talleres educativos en una muestra de 230 participantes. Los resultados revelan que la mayoría de los estudiantes reconoce la importancia de la ciberseguridad, aunque se subraya la necesidad de una formación más detallada sobre medidas específicas para aplicaciones Fintech y dispositivos electrónicos.
Uso Terapéutico del Eucalipto “Eucalyptus Globulus” como Medicina Tradicional en una Comunidad Indígena Otomí
Authors: Márquez Segura Daniela , Mejía Benavides Jorge Emmanuel , Cantú Sánchez Claudia Marcela , Rivera Galván Alejandra , Fuentes Ocampo Lucero , Díaz Cervantes Erik
Published: December 2023

La Medicina Tradicional y Complementaria (MTC) incluye una amplia gama de prácticas entre las que destaca la herbolaria, la cual es una de las formas más antiguas para la asistencia a la salud; existen plantas que son utilizadas de forma terapéutica debido a su fácil acceso y bajo costo. La investigación tuvo como objetivo describir el uso terapéutico del Eucalipto “Eucalyptus globulus” en una comunidad Indígena Otomí. Metodología: Descriptiva, y transversal, la muestra estuvo conformada por 70 personas a los cuales se les aplicó el instrumento U-PlanMed respetando lo marcado en el Reglamento de la Ley General de Salud en Materia de Investigación para la Salud. Resultados: El 66% fueron hombres, predominó la religión católica 96%, el 64% contaba con educación básica, referente al uso el 46% lo utilizaba para afecciones de tos y eñ 23% para la gripe. Conclusión: Es de gran relevancia que el área de enfermería tenga conocimiento sobre el uso de las plantas medicinales y como estas son utilizadas en comunidades indígenas para poder brindar un cuidado basado en creencias, valores y modos de vida.
Estudio de la Condición Física durante el deporte asociado a estudiante con Necesidades Educativas Especiales (Motricidad Gruesa). Reporte de Caso
Authors: Guaillas García Juan Carlos , Retete Ochoa Marianela del Cisne , Castillo Gordillo Servilio Meliton , Cajilima Vega Víctor Alexander , Cueva Jiménez Agro. Olger Vinicio
Published: December 2023

Las Necesidades Educativas Especiales del movimiento físico son una de las principales discapacidades que afectan a la población mundial. La conceptualización es un tema complejo que, por sus connotaciones, involucra a expertos de una amplia gama de disciplinas científicas y técnicas, incluidos médicos, psicólogos, educadores, sociólogos, arquitectos, etc. El desarrollo psicomotor es importante para todos los grupos, pero especialmente para los niños, el desarrollo del todo a través de acciones y movimientos, todo lo cual conduce a una progresiva autonomía, personalidad y adquisición de conocimientos. En este artículo nos centramos en la psicomotricidad general de los niños con discapacidad. Las personas con discapacidad intelectual tienen dificultades físicas y actividades vitales limitadas e incluso habilidades de autocuidado. Por otro lado, los ejercicios de equilibrio y coordinación son técnicas utilizadas para mejorar el rendimiento psicomotor en pacientes con trastornos neurológicos. El objetivo principal de este informe es determinar la efectividad de los profesores de educación física de los centros de formación que integran ejercicios de equilibrio y coordinación utilizando ejercicios que ayuden a mejorar su motricidad gruesa y así mejorar la calidad de vida de estos individuos. Mejorar el estilo de vida de las personas con discapacidad intelectual y sus familias.
DIGITALISASI DESA MELALUI PENDEKATAN SIMBOLIS DAN SUBSTANTIF DI DESA MARGAASIH, KECAMATAN MARGAASIH
Authors: Wahyudin Haris , M Fadhlan Akhbari Wildhan  , Muhamad Kamil Mauludin  , Muhammad Luthfi Hijari  , Nur Fadilah Febriani  , Regita Aryaputri Lesmana  , Sahwa Alfitri  , Siti Rahim Mardhatillah  , Syazidah Tulfa Tehupelasury  , Tirani Salmaini Zahirah  , Wulan Pertiwi
Published: December 2023

Desa Margaasih, Kecamatan Margaasih masih terbilang minim dalam ketersediaan informasi terkait desa dari berbagai segi. Secara individu, kapabilitas literasi digital masyarakat desa pun terbilang minim mengingat potensi digital hanya dimanfaatkan dalam ruang-ruang interaksi dan komunikasi. Pelaksanaan Digitalisasi Desa ditujukan untuk mengentaskan permasalahan ketersedian informasi digital serta meningkatkan literasi digital masyarakat melalui pendekatan simbolis dan substantif. Proses pelaksanaan terdiri dari tiga tahap; Perencanaan, Pengukuran dan Pelaksanaan dengan berorientasi pada hasil yang bersifat simbolis dan substantif melalui metode observasi di lapangan secara langsung. Pelaksanaan digitalisasi desa menghasilkan bentuk-bentuk simbolis dan substantif yang terdiri dari website, film dokumenter, poster QR dan poster informasi serta tambahan kegiatan seminar dan pelatihan pada bentuk hasil dari dimensi substansi. Pada hasil pelaksanaannya masih diperlukan pengembangan-pengembangan secara kuantitas maupun kualitas.
Kata Kunci: Digitalisasi; Simbolis; Substantif, Literasi, Desa
MENDORONG KOGNITIF ANAK TUNAGRAHITA MELALUI ALAT PERMAINAN EDUKATIF SERTA PENINGKATAN KESADARAN ORANG TUA MELALUI TALKSHOW PARENTING
Authors: Puji Prana Maulid Puji Prana Maulid , Maula Aulia  , Sopaat Rahmat Selamet  , Astrit Dianasari
Published: December 2023

Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus (ABK) adalah anak yang memiliki keterbatasan dalam fisik, intelektual, emosional, atau sosial. Salah satu jenis kebutuhan khusus yaitu tunagrahita. Anak tunagrahita merupakan anak yang memiliki kemampuan intelektual atau kognitif dibawah rata-rata dibandingkan dengan anak seusianya. Untuk membantu mendorong perkembangan kognitif pada anak tunagrahita, maka diperlukan metode pembelajaran yang sederhana bagi anak, salah satunya yaitu dengan menggunakan Alat Permainan Edukatif (APE). Selain itu juga melalui talkshow dapat memberikan kesadaran kepada orang tua dari anak SLB mengenai strategi pola asuh yang tepat dalam membentuk karakter anak berkebutuhan khusus. Metode yang digunakan ialah pengadaan Alat Permainan Edukatif (APE) dan penyuluhan talkshow melalui penyampaian materi yang dibawakan oleh narasumber. APE dibuat dalam empat macam yaitu color recognition (pengenalan warna), papan warna, alphabet tree, dan kincir angka. Kegiatan program APE dan talkshow berjalan dengan sangat baik, dilihat dari feedback dan antusias pihak SLB dan peserta talkshow selama kegiatan.
Kata Kunci : Anak Berkebutuhan Khusus, Alat Permainan Edukatif, Kognitif, Tunagrahita, Talkshow Parenting
Adhesion evaluation of dental ceramics sintered on novel titanium alloys
Authors:   Technology of dental prostheses, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Tudoran Stefan , Ciocan Lucian Toma ,   Technology of dental prostheses, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Spinu Tudor ,   Prosthetic dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Galbinasu Bogdan Mihai ,   Discipline Morphology of teeth, dental arches and dental materials, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Patrascu Ion ,   Technology of dental prostheses, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Vasilescu Vlad Gabriel ,   Technology of dental prostheses, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2023

Metal-ceramics dental prosthetic restorations are clinically recommended for their advantages related to good aesthetic features along with strength and long-term clinical use. Given the importance of the quality of the metal-ceramic (M-C) bond, the metal substructure analysis has a major importance to the quality of the manufactured dental prosthesis. In the present study was analyzed the behavior of experimentally developed novel titanium alloys (TiZr, TiZrNbTa) comparatively with other frequently used titanium alloys (e.g., Ti Cp, Ti6Al4V) designated for the technology of mixed prosthetic restorations. All samples were been plated, simultaneously in the same conditions, with the same titanium specific compatible ceramic plating material (Ti22 Noritake). The examination of the surface of both components was performed by scanning electron microscopy SEM) analysis and EDS analysis, which showed differences in the characteristics of the oxide layer formed, depending on the composition of the metal substructure. The evaluation of the alloy-ceramic adhesion was performed by mechanical tests, which attest to the fact that the adhesion and the quality of the bond between metal and ceramic depend on the thickness of the oxide films formed. The results showed the superiority of titanium novel titanium alloys (TiZr, TiZrNbTa), having highest hardness values, highest values of shear strength, a continuous thin oxide films, and consequently, a better metal-ceramic adhesion. Comparatively, less ductile titanium alloys (TiZrNbTa/Ti3) are generating lower adhesion forces with values above 30MPa in some samples justifying less predictable clinical results.
Romanian dentists perception about prevalence, diagnosis and restoration of dental caries on adjacent teeth. Part I
Authors:   Department of Restorative Odontotherapy, Faculty of Stomatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Gheorghiu Irina-Maria , Onu Sebastian ,   Dentist, private dental practice, Bucharest, Romania, Iliescu Alexandru Andrei ,   Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Craiova, Romania, Scarlatescu Sanziana ,   Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Stomatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Parlatescu Ioanina ,   Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Stomatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Perlea Paula ,   Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Stomatology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Published: December 2023

Dental caries located on adjacent approximal tooth surfaces represent one of the most widespread clinical situations dentists encounter in dental practice. This article presents a cross-sectional study, using a questionnaire that was distributed to a number of 110 practicing Romanian dentists, regarding the prevalence, etiology, diagnosis and therapeutic approach of this kind of dental lesions. The results highlights that dentists knowledge and practice are up to date with the most recent diagnosis methods and therapeutic approach.
An Analysis of Climate Change Threats to Cultural Practices: A Case Study of the Dikgale Community, South Africa
Authors: Rankoana Sejabaledi Agnes
Published: December 2023

Scientists and policymakers are failing to account for the influence of climate change on many facets of cultural life. Much emphasis is placed on the effects of climate change on agriculture, with less emphasis placed on how low crop and livestock output may affect socio-cultural activities. The current study investigated the effects of climate change on the socio-cultural practices of the Dikgale community in South Africa’s Limpopo Province. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 150 participants purposely selected in a rural community. The study’s findings revealed that cultural activities that foster communities’ cohesion are already under threat from the effects of climate change. Temperature fluctuations and irregular rainfall negatively impacted cultural festivities such as the First Fruit Rituals, Rain-making Rituals, Cultural Entertainments, and bride price payment. To complete the rites and meet marital requirements, subsistence crops and cattle are used. Poor subsistence crop and livestock production has left the rituals obsolete, and as a result, these customs are rarely practised and have been supplanted by western practices. If this cultural heritage is lost, rural communities will lose significant social, cultural, and economic values. The study contributes to the less documented intangible cultural heritage dimensions impacted by climate change.

Keywords: Climate Change, Socio-Cultural Practices, Cultural Heritage, Limpopo Province
Digitalization, Politics, and Governance in Africa
Authors: Ojakorotu Victor
Published: December 2023

In an era dominated by the omnipresence of digital technologies, the intersection of digitization, governance, and politics has emerged as a pivotal focal point shaping the contours of modern society. The advent of the digital age has revolutionized not only the way we communicate, interact, and conduct business but also fundamentally altered the landscape of governance and political discourse. Digitalization has brought about unprecedented disruptions in governance and politics. The unprecedented flow of information through digitalization has turned the world into what McLuhan[1] predicted as a ‘global village’ into fruition.[2] Therefore, the governance and politics of hitherto compartmented nations have become global in terms of interest and attention.
Survival in a Hostile Global Environment: Zimbabwe’s Alternative Gold Trade as a Soft Power Interventionist Tact
Authors: Maeresera Sadiki
Published: December 2023

This paper examined the trajectory of Zimbabwe’s gold trade as a soft power strategy towards survival in the brutal global economic environment and explored the concomitant implications this has had on the country’s relations with the global North. Moreover, the paper demystified the Gold Mafia documentary as a means to taint Zimbabwe’s economic survival efforts. Of particular importance is how the neo-imperialist forces co-opted, criminalised and demonised Zimbabwe’s efforts to engage in gold trade with friendly states including China, United Arab Emirates and South Africa among others. In the Aljazeera documentary dubbed Gold Mafia, an attempt was made through plain media propaganda to make Zimbabwe’s governmental institutions accomplices in illicit gold trade and leakages. The idea was to make Zimbabwe appear as a country that lacks transparency and accountability in addition to non-conformity to the so-called international standards which are a mere popularisation of the Western established monopoly. Against this backdrop, it can be argued that the documentary was a means to a political end; the end being to demonise Zimbabwe’s soft power interventionist tact. Furthermore, the objective of the propaganda was to further isolate Zimbabwe as well as to chase away potential investors. With this said, this paper constitutes an epistemic contribution to knowledge on Zimbabwe’s soft power survival strategies, neo-imperialist counterstrategies and the way forward towards sustaining survival in the hostile global environment.

Keywords: Gold Trade, Soft Power, Zimbabwe, Gold Mafia.
Rethinking the Role of Local Government in Service Delivery in South Africa: Towards Digital Transformation
Authors: Hofisi Costa , Chigova Lewis Edwin
Published: December 2023

The article provided insights into why local government and service delivery must be rethought in light of digital transformation. It exposed the significance of digital transformation in solving local government and service delivery challenges. The article followed a qualitative research approach. It employed document analysis and literature review as data collection instruments. It argued that digital transformation can help local governments in South Africa fulfil constitutional obligations and meet policy goals. It demonstrated how digitally transformed local government can solve service delivery problems through the deployment of digital technologies that improve decision-making, cut costs, streamline operations, and offer efficient services. The article revealed that the digital divide, lack of technical expertise, data security concerns and resource constraints are some of the challenges that can affect the digital transformation of local government and service delivery in South Africa. These challenges must be resolved for digital transformation to play a significant role in improving the effectiveness of local government in service delivery. The article recommended that local governments in South Africa digitally transform in ways that foster equality and deliver local government services to all citizens. The article contributes to scholarship advocating for public sector innovation broadly, and specifically, illustrates the criticality of embracing digital transformation of local government and service delivery.

Keywords: Digital Transformation, Digital Technologies, Local Government, South Africa, Service Delivery
DNA Barcoding Based Identification of Rosa x Damascene and Prunus dulcis Herbs Using ITS2 Barcoding Gene Amplification.
Authors: Rizwan Syed , Bari Hakim Abdul , Saleem Arshad , Jingyuan Song , Tianyi Xin , Jahanzeb Muhammad
Published: December 2023

The considerable risk of adulteration in the herbs has raised commercial interest in the identification of medicinal herbs globally. DNA barcoding is the primary techniques for identifying the herbs at genetic level. This technique's key benefit is that it can identify the material's purity. This study focuses on the accurate identification of species utilizing Polymerase chain reaction-based nuclear universal internal transcribed spacer region (a barcode region) amplification and sequencing in 2 medically significant plants (Rosa damascene and Prunus dulcis) procured from the local herbal market of Karachi in the year 2022. Results suggest that the ribosomal nuclear ITS2 region of the selected plant species shows the 100 % identity with the reference genome, therefore it has shown a good rate of identification at the species level. The findings of this concludes that ITS2 is the novel standard barcode that involve in species identification, genomic conservation, and secure utilization of the medically significant plant species.
The Americanization of Spanish and Indigenous Vocabulary in the Seventeenth Century: A Case Study of the
Historia del Huérfano
(1621)
Authors: CÁCERES-LORENZO MARÍA-TERESA
Published: December 2023

The Americanization of Spanish vocabulary and the incorporation of Indigenous American terms in Spanish texts follows a process that began in the sixteenth century and continued into the following century. Criollo society showed lexical preferences as well as other processes that went on to shape Latin American Spanish. The aim of this study is to present textual evidence through a case study of the literary and historiographical work Historia del Huérfano (1621) written by a Spanish clergyman who was involved in Lima society at the time when he was writing. The text does not evince an author who was interested in the Indigenous peoples and their culture. The use of a comparative methodology with texts from different repositories has allowed us to find evidence of a vocabulary that can be defined as American due to the extent to which it is spread among different authors.
De la conciencia a la autoconciencia: el ecofeminismo como respuesta poética
Authors: ABRIL JUAN CARLOS
Published: December 2023

Desde una reivindicación activa del feminismo, y ante el empuje del neoliberalismo y el pragmatismo de las últimas décadas, hace falta reconsiderar el concepto de sororidad, vinculado a la fraternidad, y analizarlo en su reduccionismo y esencialismo: desenmascararlo. Las mujeres representan un punto de vista necesario e imprescindible en la sociedad, y por tanto también su poesía. Teniendo en cuenta ese componente dialógico o polifónico ineludible, se abordan cuatro libros de poetas españolas significativos del último lustro, donde las voces se liberan del ‘nosotras’, como Irigaray quería, para construir una poesía que desde el ecofeminismo aúna autoconciencia, ecocrítica, lirismo y equilibrio estético. Solo desde la dialogía podrán superarse estas problemáticas ya que, tal y como rezaba el lema, lo personal es político pero, sobre todo, lo personal es ideológico.
On the Total CR Twist of Transversal Curves in the 3-Sphere
Authors:   Politecnico di Torino, Italy, Musso Emilio , Nicolodi Lorenzo ,   Università di Parma, Italy
Published: December 2023

We investigate the total CR twist functional on transversal curves in the standard CR 3-sphere $\mathrm S^3 \subset \mathbb C^2$. The question of the integration by quadratures of the critical curves and the problem of existence and properties of closed critical curves are addressed. A procedure for the explicit integration of general critical curves is provided and a characterization of closed curves within a specific class of general critical curves is given. Experimental evidence of the existence of infinite countably many closed critical curves is provided.
Galaxy Morphological Classification of the Legacy Surveys with Deformable Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Wei 卫 Shoulin 守林 , Lu 陆 Wei 伟 , Dai 戴 Wei 伟 , Liang 梁 Bo 波 , Hao 郝 Longfei 龙飞 , Zhang 张 Zhijian 志坚 , Zhang 张 Xiaoli 晓丽
Published: December 2023

The ongoing and forthcoming surveys will result in an unprecedented increase in the number of observed galaxies. As a result, data-driven techniques are now the primary methods for analyzing and interpreting this vast amount of information. While deep learning using computer vision has been the most effective for galaxy morphology recognition, there are still challenges in efficiently representing spatial and multi-scale geometric features in practical survey images. In this paper, we incorporate layer attention and deformable convolution into a convolutional neural network (CNN) to bolster its spatial feature and geometric transformation modeling capabilities. Our method was trained and tested on seven classifications of a data set from Galaxy Zoo DECaLS, achieving a classification accuracy of 94.5%, precision of 94.4%, recall of 94.2%, and an F1 score of 94.3% using macroscopic averaging. Our model outperforms traditional CNNs, offering slightly better results while substantially reducing the number of parameters and training time. We applied our method to Data Release 9 of the Legacy Surveys and present a galaxy morphological classification catalog including approximately 71 million galaxies and the probability of each galaxy to be categorized as Round, In-between, Cigar-shaped, Edge-on, Spiral, Irregular, and Error. The code detailing our proposed model and the catalog are publicly available in doi:10.5281/zenodo.10018255 and GitHub (https://github.com/kustcn/legacy_galaxy).
Reflection from Inclined, Relativistic Light Sails
Authors: Bari Refath
Published: December 2023

We present a new formula for relativistic reflection of solar radiation from a light sail moving at a velocity v inclined at an arbitrary angle θ, using an elementary two-body analysis. The formula is shown to reduce to the formulas of Euclid, Einstein, and Gjurchinovski in the relevant limits. Our results are of relevance for computing optimal geometries for relativistic light sails.
Coronal Heating and Solar Wind Generation by Flux Cancellation Reconnection
Authors: Pontin D. I. , Priest E. R. , Chitta L. P. , Titov V. S.
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we propose that flux cancellation on small granular scales (≲1000 km) ubiquitously drives reconnection at a multitude of sites in the low solar atmosphere, contributing to chromospheric/coronal heating and the generation of the solar wind. We analyze the energy conversion in these small-scale flux cancellation events using both analytical models and three-dimensional, resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. The analytical models—in combination with the latest estimates of flux cancellation rates—allow us to estimate the energy release rates due to cancellation events, which are found to be on the order 106–107 erg cm−2 s−1, sufficient to heat the chromosphere and corona of the quiet Sun and active regions, and to power the solar wind. The MHD simulations confirm the conversion of energy in reconnecting current sheets, in a geometry representing a small-scale bipole being advected toward an intergranular lane. A ribbon-like jet of heated plasma that is accelerated upward could also escape the Sun as the solar wind in an open-field configuration. We conclude that through two phases of atmospheric energy release—precancellation and cancellation—the cancellation of photospheric magnetic flux fragments and the associated magnetic reconnection may provide a substantial energy and mass flux contribution to coronal heating and solar wind generation.
The Carbon-deficient Evolution of TRAPPIST-1c
Authors: Teixeira Katie E. , Morley Caroline V. , Foley Bradford J. , Unterborn Cayman T.
Published: December 2023

Transiting planets orbiting M dwarfs provide the best opportunity to study the atmospheres of rocky planets with current facilities. As JWST enters its second year of science operations, an important initial endeavor is to determine whether these rocky planets have atmospheres at all. M dwarfs are thought to pose a major threat to planetary atmospheres due to their high magnetic activity over timescales of several billion years, and might completely strip atmospheres. Several Cycle 1 and 2 General Observers and Guaranteed Time Observations programs are testing this hypothesis, observing a series of rocky planets to determine whether they retained their atmospheres. A key case study is TRAPPIST-1c, which receives almost the same bolometric flux as Venus. We might therefore expect TRAPPIST-1c to possess a thick, CO2-dominated atmosphere. Instead, Zieba et al. show that it has little to no CO2 in its atmosphere. To interpret these results, we run coupled time-dependent simulations of planetary outgassing and atmospheric escape to model the evolution of TRAPPIST-1c's atmosphere. We find that the stellar wind stripping that is expected to occur on TRAPPIST-1c over its lifetime can only remove up to ∼16 bar of CO2, less than the modern CO2 inventory of either Earth or Venus. Therefore, we infer that TRAPPIST-1c either formed volatile-poor, as compared to Earth and Venus, or lost a substantial amount of CO2 during an early phase of hydrodynamic hydrogen escape. Finally, we scale our results for the other TRAPPIST-1 planets, finding that the more distant TRAPPIST-1 planets may readily retain atmospheres.
Lost in hostile lands: moths of conservation concern in cultivated and suburban areas of south Italy
Authors: Bevacqua Laura , Zucco Giada , Garofalo Kevin , Muzzalupo Innocenzo , Scalercio Stefano
Published: December 2023

Cultivated and suburban areas are usually considered unfavourable to the vulnerable components of biodiversity and regarded as not interesting from a conservation point of view. However, remnants of semi-natural vegetation can be embedded in such areas, becoming possible refuges for wild biodiversity despite the high anthropogenic pressures. With the present study, we raise awareness that, in some cases, these areas can be regarded as biodiversity treasure chests, even when apparently poor and with low appeal for conservationists. We demonstrate the importance of urbanised and cultivated landscapes by providing new records of two lepidopteran species rare for the Italian Peninsula, namely Amphipyra (Pyrois) cinnamomea and Boudinotiana notha. The European range of A. cinnamomea has become strongly reduced, seeming extinct in some Central European regions and the few Italian records mostly date back several decades. B. notha has very few relict populations in Mediterranean Europe, some of which are in peninsular Italy, where it is threated by urbanisation and reduced precipitations expected in the next decades. Our findings confirm the importance of small and highly fragmented patches of semi-natural vegetation for biodiversity conservation, as they can allow species of conservation interest to persist in hostile lands.
Vegetation changes along an urbanisation and atmospheric pollution gradient in Mexico
Authors: Meléndez-Jaramillo Edmar , Sánchez-Castillo Laura , Segura Martínez Ma. Teresa de Jesús , Sánchez-Reyes Uriel Jeshua
Published: December 2023

Green areas are important places for biodiversity conservation within cities, but their vegetation is affected by various anthropogenic factors. This study used an exploratory approach to examine the influence of urbanisation and air pollution-related factors on the indicators for the composition and structure of vegetation in an urban area in northeast Mexico. Based on the spatial analysis of the major air pollutants, four sampling categories were delimited (rural, low, moderate and high urbanisation). The differences between categories, based on vegetation structure, were determined using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests. The Importance Value was calculated for the species. The floristic similarity was compared using NMDS and PERMANOVA unidirectional. The relationship between environmental variables and abundance of species was evaluated using CCA. One hundred and ten plant species were collected, including ten alien species. The highest abundance and species richness were registered in the rural site. The general tendency of vegetation structure is to plants decreasing with respect to the increase in the levels of urbanisation and air pollution present in the study area. The association between the environmental variables and plant communities along the urbanisation gradient was significant, being the relative humidity, the particles lower than 2.5 μm, the dew point and the heat index as the most important variables. The understanding of the nature and variability of vegetation within green areas contributes to increasing our knowledge about the distribution of the environmental services they provide and the composition of the faunal communities that depend on them. For this reason, this study relates the plants of a specific area of northeast Mexico with the environmental quality present in an urban area.