bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, awareness and practices regarding dietary supplements in Jordan
Authors: Basheer Haneen A. , Elsalem Lina , Jaber Deema , Ibraheem Shorouk M. , Alhamad Hamza , Jum’ah Ahmad A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigative the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs pertaining to dietary supplements (DS) use in Jordan.

Methods: Participants were enrolled from four main cities in Jordan, viz, Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, and Mafraq, to fill a self-administered questionnaire which explored the objectives of the study.

Results: Most participants (80 %) knew what DS are. The prevalence of DS use was high (62.1 %) and significantly higher among females (p = 0.004). The most commonly consumed DS among users were in the form of multivitamins (93.0 %), vitamin D (65.8 %) and vitamin C (57.6 %). About half of the participants (46.2 %) believed that DS have no side effects. The most frequent source of information for participants about DS was from non-reliable references, such as social media. Self-prescription was the most common approach by DS users for supplement intake. Finally, the common hypothesis of associating healthy habits with DS use was not found to be true among Jordanians.

Conclusion: These results highlight the need to implement appropriate awareness programs for the public regarding DS benefits and hazards, and especially to advise the public not to initiate DS use without first consulting an appropriate healthcare professional.
Erratum “Phytochemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity screening of ethanol extract of Acacia ehrenbergiana Hayne grown in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia”
Authors: Makeen Hafiz A. , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Khalid Asaad , Al Bratty Mohammed , Syame Sohier M. , Abdalla Ashraf N. , Homeida Husham E. , Sultana Shahnaz , Ahsan Waquar
Published: January 2022

No Abstract.
Physico-chemical Properties of Mechanically Extracted Banana Juice at Different Ripening Stages
Authors: Mathias Mathayo G , Kaale Lilian D , Kibazohi Oscar
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the findings of a study on physico-chemical properties of low viscosity banana juice from five banana cultivars: Pisang Awak (PSA) an ABB genome, Yangambi km5 (YKM5) an AAA genome and cultivars from AAA-EA genome, namely Mbilabile, Ndeshi and Mlonga. Low viscosity banana juice was extracted using improved mechanical method at five ripening stages. The physico-chemical properties significantly varied according to cultivars and ripening stages (p < 0.05). Yields, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and pH were in the range of 19.50–74.03%, 7.33–27.64 ºBrix, 0.37–0.76% malic acid equivalent and 4.09–4.70, respectively. Yields decreased in the order of Mbilabile > Ndeshi > Mlonga > YKM5 > PSA whereas the total soluble solids increased as follows Mlonga < Mbilabile < Ndeshi < YKM5 < PSA. Furthermore, ashes and mineral contents decreased with ripening stages whereas the low viscosity banana juice was rich in potassium and magnesium. Finally, the study recommends stage 5 of the ripeness as ideal for producing low viscosity banana juice.

Keywords: Mechanical extraction, Banana cultivar, Ripening stage, Tannin, Banana juice
Analysis of the Current and Future Land Use/Land Cover Changes in Peri-Urban Areas of Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
Authors: Mnyali Erick T , Materu Silvia F
Published: January 2022

A rapid increase in population and urban development has direct impacts on the natural environment of peri-urban areas of big cities, especially in the developing countries. This study examined land use and land cover changes (LULCC) of peri-urban areas of Kinondoni Municipality in Dar es Salaam city for the period between 1999 and 2019 and predicted future changes by 2039. The specific objectives were to; (i) map the spatial-temporal land use and cover changes (ii) analyze settlements (built-up areas) patterns and factors influencing their changes (iii) predict changes that might happen for the next two decades. LULCC for 1999 to 2019 were detected through Maximum Likelihood (ML) supervised classification techniques while Cellular Automata based on Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) model was used to predict future changes. Over the past two decades, 33.7% of vegetation has been lost due to increased settlements, as shown by linear development pattern of built-up areas, which has gained about 30% of other land covers. This study predicts that by 2039, built-up areas will increase drastically to occupy 51.6%, while vegetation and water cover will decrease to occupy 40.4% and 1.4%, respectively. Without good planning strategies and land use policies, the control and management of the magnitude and patterns of peri-urban growth and sustainable management of natural and built environments in Tanzania will remain a challenge. This paper seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge required for evidence-based policy formulation and decision making to attain sustainable urbanization through setting suitable management plans for peri-urban areas of Tanzanian cities.

Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Land use/cover changes, Maximum likelihood, Peri-urban, Remote sensing
Atmospheric Instability Conditions during Rainy Seasons over Tanzania
Authors: Mwinuka Pasvolo J , Uiso Christian BS , Chang’a Ladslaus B , Kumwenda Mwingereza J
Published: January 2022

The amount of rainfall and its distribution in time and space is dependent on the atmospheric instability conditions, and on its moisture content. The aim of this study was to determine the atmospheric instability conditions during January to March (JFM), February to April (FMA), March to May (MAM), and October to December (OND) rainy seasons over local climate zones in Tanzania. Zone area average seasonal Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Convective Inhibition (CIN), Precipitable Water (PW) and Lifted index (Li) were calculated and analyzed. Results showed Li < 0 in JFM and FMA over whole Tanzania. During MAM and OND, Li < 0 over the Lake Zone, Western Highlands Zone and Central Zone only. CAPE ranged from 793 J/kg to 1183 J/kg during JFM, and 700 J/kg to 1080 J/kg during FMA. During MAM, CAPE ranged from 170 J/kg to 921 J/kg and from 173 J/kg to 833 J/kg during OND. Results also showed CAPE > 1000 J/kg over the Lake Zone, Western Highlands Zone, Island Zone, and Central Zone. These results show that the atmosphere was moderately unstable during the JFM and FMA and was weakly unstable during the MAM and OND. Therefore, the atmosphere is likely to be more convective during JFM and FMA seasons.

Keywords: Lifted index, Convective inhibition, Precipitable water, Convective available potential energy, Atmospheric instability.
Analogue Sandbox Scaled Modelling of Oblique and Orthogonal Extension Rifting in Rukwa Rift Basin, Tanzania
Authors: Ojok Tonny , Duot John BK , Namaganda Majorine , Sadiki Nasra , Msabi Michael
Published: January 2022

Fault evolution in oblique and orthogonal rift systems in the brittle upper crust of the Rukwa rift basin was simulated using scaled sandbox modelling by varying the angle between the rift axis and the extension direction, α, through 45° and 90°, over a 10 cm displacement. The 45° oblique model exhibits a half-graben architecture bounded by a planar fault, intra-rift faults and a conjugate fault in some vertical sections. The map view of the model’s basin trends in the NW-SE direction, and is comparable with the Rukwa rift basin orientation. The 90° oblique model forms a basin structure which is orthogonal to the extension direction of the model in aerial photos. Its linear fault remains orthogonal to the extension direction, while the flexural side of the model segments into sinuous normal faults. Planar to slightly curved intra-rift faults are observed in vertical sections. The half-grabens have similar geometries in vertical sections for both models, while intra-rift faults elongate in vertical sections. The results of the oblique model are similar to natural examples of rift fault systems like the Rukwa rift. The fault geometries of the sandbox models can serve as examples for recognizing fault styles in oblique rift systems.

Keywords: Analogue Sandbox modelling, Oblique rifting, Orthogonal rifting, Tanganyika-Rukwa-Malawi Rift Segment, Rukwa Rift Basin
Placental Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor, Protein Kinase B and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin are Downregulated in HIV-1 Positive Women on Antiretroviral Drugs
Authors: Kidima Winifrida B , Mukandala Gatambwa D , Leonard Osiana , Nkungu Daniel
Published: January 2022

HIV-1 and ARV drugs uptake during pregnancy may change placental phenotype during pregnancy affecting fetal growth. We investigated the influence of maternal HIV-1 and ARV drugs on expression of placental genes important for fetus growth. A total 51 HIV-1 positives and 46 HIV-1 negative pregnant women were studied. Placental gene expression changes of insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1) R, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (AKT-1), sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters (Slc38a1, Slca38a2, Slc38a4), inhibin A, adrenomedullin and 11 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type (HSD)-2 were assessed by RT-qPCR. There was a significant decrease in mRNA expression of placental IGF-1R, mTOR, and AKT-1 in HIV-1 positive placentas compared to controls (p < 0.0001). There was also significant upregulation of an antiangiogenic molecule, inhibin A and downregulation of angiogenic molecule adrenomedullin in HIV-1 positive placenta (all p < 0.0001). However, the mRNA expression of placental Slc38a1 and Slca38a2 was higher in both HIV-1 positive and negative women delivering LBW babies compared to controls (p < 0.0001). The placental mRNA expression of 11 β-HSD-2 increased by 17 folds in HIV-1 negative and by 3.8 folds in HIV-1 positive women delivering LBW babies. IGF-1-P13-AKT-1-mTOR signaling pathway is dysregulated in placenta of HIV-1 positive women on ARV drugs. Higher mRNA expression levels of inhibin A and lower levels of adrenomedullin occur in placenta of HIV-1 positive women delivering LBW babies. ARV drugs and HIV-1 may be involved in the disruption of vascular tone of the placenta and therefore placental perfusion.

Keywords: Pregnant women, HIV-1, ARV drugs, Placental IGF-1-AKT-1-mTOR signaling, inhibin A, adrenomedullin, amino acid transporters.
Optimal Design of Hybrid Renewable Energy for Tanzania Rural Communities
Authors: Marcel Ester T , Mutale Joseph , Mushi Aviti T
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Rural communities in developing countries lack access to electricity due to high costs of grid extension. This paper proposes a hybrid system of renewable energy (HRES) as solution. The HRES consists of solar, wind, and battery energy storage (BES). The village called Ngw’amkanga in Shinyanga region of Tanzania, East Africa is selected as a case study. An iterative method to determine the size of wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) generation required assuming a project life of 25 years at minimum annualised cost of the system ( ) is proposed. The project life time is fixed on the life span of the main component, solar PV at 25 years. The iteration is undertaken to meet the energy demand ensuring the BES is charged throughout the year. The required BES has three days of autonomy, and a maximum battery depth of discharge 50%. At minimum ACS, the HRES comprises only solar PV and BES, due to insufficient wind at this site. The levelised cost of energy ( ) of the HRES is 27.18 p/kWh, paid by the users. This is cheaper than the grid connected small power producers of Tanzania as discussed in the paper.

Keywords: Renewable energy; wind energy generation; solar photovoltaic; annualised cost of the system; levelised cost of energy
Smart Electric Meter Deployment in Tanzania: A Survey
Authors: Maziku Theresia B , Ibwe Kwame S , Abdalla Abdi , Kalinga Ellen A
Published: January 2022

Using information and communication technologies (ICT) to make the electrical power network intelligent and smarter (smart grid) has been the focal point in transforming electrical power industry. The idea behind smart grid is to transform the Tanzanian power sector into a secure, adaptive, sustainable, and digitally enabled ecosystem that provides reliable and quality energy for all with active participation of stakeholders. Smart metering is a central segment in realizing smart grid. However, a big question is whether Tanzanian power stakeholders are ready for smart metering technology investments for household applications. Operation and maintenance of a smart metering solution is a relatively new business in Tanzania and requires investment in resources and capacity building. A case study was conducted at the utility company in Dar es Salaam offices, to investigate the deployment status and services offered. Fixed tariff rates, high cost, low rates on returns of investment and non-customization of the features, were some of the shortcomings identified by the study in terms of non-deployment in residential homes. Further, the authors, propose development of standardization document for smart metering technologies and the adoption of software based smart meter for residential applications using Internet of Things platform. Its low cost of development and ease installation would be ideal for residential applications.

Keywords:  Smart grid, Utility Company, Smart meter, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, Deployment Status.
Adaptive Sliding Mode Contouring Control Design Based on Reference Adjustment and Uncertainty Compensation for Feed Drive Systems
Authors: Msukwa Mathew Renny , Kihwele Santos
Published: January 2022

Industrial feed drive systems, particularly, ball-screw and lead-screw feed drives are among the dominating motion components in production and manufacturing industries. They operate around the clock at high speeds for coping with the rising production demands. Adversely, high-speed motions cause mechanical vibrations, high-energy consumption, and insufficient accuracy. Although there are many control strategies in the literature, such as sliding mode and model predictive controls, further research is necessary for precision enhancement and energy saving. This study focused on design of an adaptive sliding mode contouring control based on reference adjustment and uncertainty compensation for feed drive systems. A combined reference adjustment and uncertainty compensator for precision motion of industrial feed drive systems were designed. For feasibility of the approach, simulation using matlab was conducted, and results are compared with those of an adaptive nonlinear sliding model contouring controller. The addition of uncertainty compensator showed a substantial improvement in performance by reducing the average contour error by 85.71% and the maximum contouring error by 78.64% under low speed compared to the adaptive sliding mode contouring controller with reference adjustment. Under high speed, the addition of uncertainty compensator reduced the average and absolute maximum contour errors by 4.48% and 10.13%, respectively. The experimental verification will be done in future.

Keywords:    Machine tools, Feed drive systems, contouring control, Uncertainty dynamics, Sliding mode control.
Application of F-WASPAS in the Ranking of Crops for Agro-Processing: The Case of Ikondo Ward in Njombe, Tanzania
Authors: Mng'ong'o Benito G , Koloseni David
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this work was to develop and apply a Fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (F-WASPAS) method in ranking selected crops for agro-processing at Ikondo Ward in Njombe Region, Tanzania. The fuzzy technique for order preferences by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was applied in determining the fuzzy importance weights of criteria, while the fuzzy WASPAS successfully ranked the crops, and maize was ranked the highest.

Keywords:    F-WASPAS, Linguistic variables, Fuzzy aggregation, Agro-processing, Decision making, Multi-Criteria Decision Making.
Environmental Noise Pollution and its Impacts on the Hearing Ability of Men and Women in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Tunde Afolabi M , Abdulquadri Salamat
Published: January 2022

Noise is an environmental disturbance that has harmful effects on the physiological and psychological lives of human beings and animals. This work examined the perceived health implications associated with noise pollution on both genders in Ilorin, Nigeria. It specifically identified the major sources of noise pollution, assessed noise pollution levels in the selected areas and determined the differences in the impacts of noise pollution on the health of both genders in Ilorin. A total of 384 respondents were sampled. Sound Level Meter (SLM) was used to ascertain the levels of noise in the study areas. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to analyze the gathered data. Findings revealed that 73.2% of the respondents believed that traffic constitutes the highest source of noise pollution while others include music studios (63.3%), hotels/night clubs (52.1%) and power generating sets (50%). Noise levels were higher than the acceptable recommended noise level of 65 decibels for commercial and 55 decibels for commercial/residential locations by NESREA. Findings further revealed that males are more susceptible to the effects of noise pollution than females. Hence, possible mitigation measures such as noise pollution regulatory policy enactment and design of noise absorbing structures are strongly recommended

Keywords: Diseases, Gender, Health Risks, Impacts, Noise.
Paleodepositional Environment and Sequence Stratigraphy of Miocene Sediments in Well TN-1, Coastal Swamp Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Osokpor Jerry , Maju-Oyovwikowhe Efetobore G
Published: January 2022

This research focused on the interpretation of paleodepositional environment and development of a sequence stratigraphic framework for the well TN-1 section, located in the coastal swamp depositional belt of the Niger Delta Basin. Integration of interpreted litho- and biofacies data sets that facilitated the interpretation of the paleodepositional environment enabled the erection of a sequence-stratigraphic framework. Three lithotypes (sand, clay, and shale) distributed within fourteen facies variants were integrated with palynomorph components to delineate five paleodepositional cycles ranging from distal delta plain to bathyal. Eight systems tracts (closely related to depositional cycles, but transcended depositional boundaries in some intervals) that hosted three maximum flooding surfaces (MFS), three sequence boundaries (SBs), distributed within four third-order and three second-order sequences, were defined. Age-significant palynomorphs recovered indicated an Aquitanian to Messinian age range (with non-deposition or erosion of Burdigalian, Langhian, Serravallian Stages sediments), distributed within five pollen zones (P628–P840) that correlated with published global cycles. This study demonstrates the significance of integrated studies to erect a sequence-stratigraphic framework applicable for field and basin-scale exploration and exploitation purposes.

Keywords: Sequence stratigraphy, paleodepositional cycles, systems tract, cyclic sedimentation,lithofacies analysis, integrated studies.
Effects of Copper Fungicides Spray on Nutrient Contents in Soils of Cocoa Growing Areas of Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Azeez Musibau O , Adesanwo Olusola O , Adepetu Joseph A
Published: January 2022

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of copper fungicides spray on physical and chemical properties of soils of cocoa growing areas of southwestern Nigeria. Samples were collected from selected cocoa farms and adjacent plots across three states (9 samples from Osun State, 9 samples from Ondo State and 7 samples from Ekiti State), within rainforest zone of Nigeria. The physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were determined. Copper contents of the cocoa plantation soils were significantly higher (16.23 mg Cu/kg) than the adjacent plots (6.31 mg Cu/kg) indicating accumulation of Cu in the soil because of long-term Cu fungicides spray. Other chemical properties determined (pH, Zn, % organic matter, % total N, Ca, Mg and Na) also had higher values in cocoa plantations compared to adjacent plots. Significant decrease was observed in available P in soil samples from cocoa plantations (24.05 mg P/kg) when compared with adjacent plots (30.36 mg P/kg). Management practices like applications of K and P fertilizers are highly recommended for viable cocoa growth and optimum yield in the study areas. Reduction of canopy formed by cocoa trees will allow easy penetration of sunlight into cocoa plantation thereby increase the rate of organic matter decomposition.

Keywords: Copper, fungicide spray, cocoa farms, black pod disease.
Coaching-in-Context With Informal Maternal Care Partners of Children With Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Mulcahey MJ , Gerhardt Nicole , Alpajora Bernadette , Thielen Christina Calhoun , Dunn Winnie
Published: January 2022

Background:

Coaching-in-Context (CinC) is a conversation-based process for working with people that draws on the tenets of positive psychology, is solution-focused and strength-based, and uses evidence-informed coaching techniques that create opportunities for clients to be at their best when engaging in the roles and activities that are desired, required, or expected of them.

Objectives:

To explore the use of CinC with informal maternal care partners (mothers, grandmothers) of children with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods:

This study was a multicenter, single group, pre-post treatment design. Participants received up to 10 sessions of CinC over a 10-week period. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form (PSI-4-SF), and Pediatric Measure of Participation Short Form (PMoP SF) were administered before and after coaching. The number of coaching sessions completed, missed, and rescheduled was recorded. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics and to evaluate changed COPM scores. PSI-4-SF stress percentiles were examined descriptively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant change between baseline and postcoaching COPM and PMoP SF scores.

Results:

Nine caregivers enrolled in the study; two had face-to-face coaching, five had phone coaching, and two dropped out. The seven who completed were mothers with an average age of 37.14 (range, 32–45; SD = 5.15) years, with children an average age of 10 (range, 7–13; SD = 2.89) years with paraplegia (n = 4) or tetraplegia (n = 3) sustained an average of 6.71 (range, 2–13; SD = 3.73) years prior to the study. Fifty-five (average = 7.86, mode = 9; range, 3–10) coaching sessions were provided; two sessions were missed and nine were rescheduled. After coaching, mean COPM performance scores increased by 2.48 (SD = 2.01) (Z = −4.057, p < .001), mean COPM satisfaction scores increased by 2.81 (SD = 1.33) (Z = −4.812, p < .001), and PMoP self scores increased (Z = −2.023, p < .043).

Conclusion:

This study provides preliminary support for CinC with informal care partners of children with SCI. It also highlights several factors that are important to consider when implementing a coaching program, namely mode of delivery and time commitment.
Conformance Relations and Hyperproperties for Doping Detection in Time and Space
Authors: Biewer Sebastian , Dimitrova Rayna , Fries Michael , Gazda Maciej , Heinze Thomas , Hermanns Holger , Mousavi Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2022

We present a novel and generalised notion of doping cleanness for
cyber-physical systems that allows for perturbing the inputs and observing the
perturbed outputs both in the time- and value-domains. We instantiate our
definition using existing notions of conformance for cyber-physical systems. As
a formal basis for monitoring conformance-based cleanness, we develop the
temporal logic HyperSTL*, an extension of Signal Temporal Logics with trace
quantifiers and a freeze operator. We show that our generalised definitions are
essential in a data-driven method for doping detection and apply our
definitions to a case study concerning diesel emission tests.
On the Axiomatisability of Parallel Composition
Authors: Aceto Luca , Castiglioni Valentina , Ingolfsdottir Anna , Luttik Bas , Pedersen Mathias R.
Published: January 2022

This paper studies the existence of finite equational axiomatisations of the
interleaving parallel composition operator modulo the behavioural equivalences
in van Glabbeek's linear time-branching time spectrum. In the setting of the
process algebra BCCSP over a finite set of actions, we provide finite,
ground-complete axiomatisations for various simulation and (decorated) trace
semantics. We also show that no congruence over BCCSP that includes
bisimilarity and is included in possible futures equivalence has a finite,
ground-complete axiomatisation; this negative result applies to all the nested
trace and nested simulation semantics.
Research on height network adjustment using GNSS - CORS point data
Authors: Hoang Ha Ngoc ,   Faculty of Geomatics and Land Administration, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, Vietnam
Published: January 2022

Currently, in our country, we are completing the national elevation control network based on applying traditional technology and GNSS technology and using the Geoid model. Therefore, there is a requirement to solve the traditional geodetic network mixed correction problems and combine data obtained from GNSS technology, including information from the Continuous Reference Station (CORS). In the article, an algorithm to process a mixture of height network with elevation measurements and data from the CORS station was studied based on applying the theory of adjustment with the error of the original data and the recurrence adjustment. The proposed algorithm allows to calibrate the leveling network with the CORS point and can be divided into steps to analyze and evaluate the measurement quality of the network. The calculation results confirmed the reliability of the algorithm.
Geometric Refutations of Prospective Secondary Mathematics Teachers
Authors: Creager Mark A.
Published: January 2022

Increasing students’ exposure to mathematical reasoning (Lannin, Ellis, Elliot, 2011) has been a constant call from mathematics education reform efforts. However, studies have raised concerns about whether teachers are prepared to teach reasoning. This paper explores one aspect of reasoning, refutations, by examining the geometric refutations of thirteen pre-service secondary teachers (PSTs). Findings suggest that the PSTs did struggle to create culturally accepted refutation, but their results were less concerning than previous studies suggest. Primary challenges include that the PSTs separate the work they do for the different subprocesses of reasoning, reason differently depending on the subprocess, and favor non-culturally accepted means of refutations. Additionally, when the PSTs created culturally accepted refutations, they often used specific counterexamples, which are less pedagogically powerful than general counterexamples (Zaslavsky Peled, 1996). However, the PSTs in this study did provide general counterexamples more often than the participants of other studies (Potari, Zachariades, Zaslavsky, 2009). Suggestions for ways to improve PSTs understanding of reasoning are provided.
A Comparison of U.S. and Chinese Geometry Standards through the Lens of van Hiele Levels
Authors: Zhou Lili , Liu Jinqing , Lo Jane-Jane
Published: January 2022

The present study aims to compare the geometry standards in U.S. Common Core State Standards of Mathematics (CCSSM) and Chinese Compulsory Education Mathematics Curriculum Standards (CMCS) through the lens of van Hiele levels. The study considered a standard unit as one or multiple learning expectation(s) and placed each learning expectation into van Hiele levels. By examining the van Hiele level distributions of the learning expectations and major topics, this study investigated how CCSSM and CMCS propose the students' development of geometric thoughts. The findings reveal different emphases in geometry learning expectations of CCSSM and CMCS. Specifically, (a) Geometry standards in CCSSM are more general, whereas geometry standards in CMCS are more specific; (b) CMCS shows a more consistent progression through grade bands than CCSSM; (c) CCSSM makes more connections between various aspects within a topic and across multiple topics than CMCS; (d) CCSSM highlights Dynamic Geometry Environments (DGEs), whereas CMCS underscores abstract and rigor at the upper level. Implications of this study and suggestions for future revisions for both standards are discussed.
Nature Inspired Algorithm for Pixel Location Optimization in Video Steganography Using Deep RNN
Authors: Salunkhe Shamal , Bhosale Surendra
Published: January 2022

The steganography is applied on text, image, video, and audio files. The steganography is useful for safe and secure data transmission. Video steganography is used to preserve confidential information of security applications. To improve security of the message, pixels locations are optimized using nature inspired algorithm. As conventional algorithms have a low convergence rate a new algorithm is proposed. A New algorithm is developed by combining two model algorithms namely, Water wave optimization (WWO) and Earth worm optimization (EWO) and is renamed as proposed Water-Earth Worm Optimization (WEWO) algorithm. The frames are preprocessed and extracted using Discrete Cosine transform (DCT) and Structured Similarity index (SSIM), respectively, as regular processing. For pixel prediction, the fitness function is obtained from neighborhood entropies in proposed algorithm. In this method, secret message is embedded with two level decomposition of Wavelet Transform (WT). In the proposed work is tested with ‘CAVIAR’ dataset. The Proposed WEWO-Deep RNN algorithm performance is tested with modular noises such as, pepper, salt and pepper noises. The proposed method gives enhanced performance, which is seen with the parameters, Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Correlation Coefficient (CC) which defines image quality indices.
A Modified Method for Beam-Forming Using Covariance Matrix in MIMO Radar System
Authors: Kadam Vivek , Bhosale Surendra
Published: January 2022

A MIMO radar provides solution for beamforming, since transmit beampattern synthesis is well proven method for stimulating the antenna array to develop the beampattern. It is close to the desired one which can give minimum error between these two. A covariance matrix in beamforming contains the direction of invariable data and magnitude distribution in multidimensional space which decides the closeness with the desired beampattern. Here, selection of an optimal covariance matrix is constrained optimization problem with minimization of cost function. In high directivity radar systems, the antenna beam is needed to be steered to cover a large area for detection. In this proposed work, minimization of convex function and transmit beampattern synthesis is carried out with modifications of the covariance matrix ‘Rcov’ for minimum and maximum transmission power utilization constraints. The beampattern design problem is reformulated here, as semi-definite programming optimization problem and solved using convex optimization, with MATLAB simulation platform. The results show that the beampattern generated using this modified covariance matrix is optimally close to desired pattern.
Teachers’ Epistemological Beliefs and Inclination Towards Traditional or Constructivist Teaching
Authors: Letina Alena
Published: January 2022

This paper presents the results of research whose aim was to investigate the relationship between teachers' epistemological beliefs and their inclination towards either traditional or constructivist learning and teaching paradigm. The study was conducted on a sample of 126 primary school teachers in Croatia. The results show that primary school teachers understand learning as a process in which the connection between students' effort and learning outcomes is expressed and that learning ability is not innate, but on its development student and teacher can affect. Also, a positive correlation was found between teachers inclination towards the traditional paradigm of learning and their beliefs that the ability to learn is genetically innate, and between teachers` inclination towards the constructivist paradigm of learning and their beliefs about the learning process in which students' effort and learning outcomes are interdependent. Research has shown that teachers' epistemological beliefs significantly affect their inclination towards a particular learning paradigm. It has also shown that teachers are significantly more inclined towards the constructivist learning paradigm than the traditional one. Based on these findings, specific implications of such results in primary education and formal education of future teachers are discussed.
STEM, iSTEM, and STEAM: What is next?
Authors: Razi Atiya , Zhou George
Published: January 2022

The historical and political emergence of STEM has changed the educational paradigm. Researchers, educators, and frontline professionals consider STEM as their savior. However, the ambiguity surrounding STEM and its successors, Integrated STEM education, and STEAM has created confusion for educators and frontline workers about which framework and concept they have to adapt to support their nation in the global financial crisis. Unfortunately, limited research offers insight into the historical, political, and educational development of STEM, iSTEM, and STEAM. This literature review fills this gap by addressing the historical, political, and educational development and uncertainty surrounding STEM, iSTEM, and STEAM. Also, the study explores the purpose, significance, and limitations of STEM, iSTEM, and STEAM individually and current pedagogical practices in this domain. Moreover, this literature review exposes the historical and current Canadian perspective of STEM, iSTEM and STEAM, and Canada's position and response to current global needs. Finding from the study reveal that there is a need for curriculum reform that involves adding STEM, iSTEM, STEAM domain and pedagogical practices in national/provincial curricula; professional development for teachers; support for the teachers and post-secondary institutions to increase STEM, iSTEM, STEAM- proficiency and their career interest among students to survive in the global economic race. Furthermore, the study highlights a need for further research and discussion about the STEM, iSTEM, STEAM domain and consensus among scholars on one platform. Moving forward, after STEM →iSTEM→ STEAM, What's next?
Blended Learning in Rural and Remote Schools: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Ghimire Bharat
Published: January 2022

With the development of technology in education, various methods of teaching have been adopted across the world. Many countries have made technology an integral part of their classroom, and some nations have worked hard to incorporate it in various ways. Through a literature review, this paper investigates the challenges and opportunities of blended learning in rural and remote schools. This study finds how blended learning helps school districts balance teacher demand and supply issues in rural and remote areas. The present study revealed that blended learning is considerably more favorable than face-to-face only, home-schooling, and pure online education and offers several benefits for learners such as no teacher retention issues and schools available in their community. This research concludes that blended learning is an excellent approach to teaching and learning in rural areas regarding teachers’ availability, students’ time to travel to the city, and students’ interaction with their teachers and colleagues.
Activities of the Consular Missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the First Years of the Austro-Hungarian Occupation 1878 – 1881
Authors: Kasumović Amila
Published: January 2022

The system of capitulations was dominant from the 16th century in economic

and political relations of the Ottoman Empire and the European countries. Capitulations

had always emphasized the right of foreign consuls to execute consular jurisdiction in

the territory of the Ottoman Empire. Since the Eyalet of Bosnia was an integral part of

the Ottoman Empire, the consular jurisdiction of foreign consuls included that area,

which had especially become significant in the 19th century when the leading European

powers increasingly started to open their consulates in this part of the Empire. However,

after Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia in 1878, it aimed at terminating everything the

capitulations contained regarding this area. The paper analyses the dynamics of termination

of the consular jurisdiction of foreign consuls, the termination of the Austro-Hungarian

consulates and the establishment of the new practice of appointment of foreign consuls in

Bosnia and Herzegovina after 1878.
A Divided Past for a Divided Future!?
Authors: Forić Plasto Melisa
Published: January 2022

The paper problematises the issue of the current BiH history textbooks about

the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a theme that has been reintroduced to

the BiH curricula after 18 years. Different approaches in interpretation of the war, as well

as in representation of war crimes and mass suffering, continues to deepen divisions among

school children as well.
Ovid and Illyricum
Authors: Mesihović Salmedin
Published: January 2022

The famed Roman poet Ovid was banished from Rome, for unknown

reasons in 8 CE, by the first emperor Augustus, to the remote town of Tomis on the

Black Sea coast, at the then-outmost eastern border of the Roman Empire. Ovid himself

emphasised to have been banished for a mistake and a poem, but did not provide more

elaborate details as to what the cause had exactly been. That was the period when the

Roman Empire fought a difficult war against the Illyrian rebels and their military and

political Alliance led by Bato the Daesitiate. For that reason, Ovid was sent to Tomis not

through the Adriatic shore but rather through roundabouts, via Greece and Moesia. Ovid

was very sad in Tomis, constantly pleading for amnesty. For that reason, he kept sending

letters to influential friends and members of the ruling Augustus family, asking them to

advocate for his return. In one of the letters to Germanicus, Ovid described in detail the

triumphant procession honouring the victory over the rebelled Illyrians, mentioning also

the captured Bato the Daesitate and the kind treatment he had received.
Vlachs and Stećak Tombstones
Authors: Kurtović Esad
Published: January 2022

On the basis of data from preserved archival sources and epigraphic

inscriptions that provide information on the deceased individuals who were buried under

the stećak tombstones, the author confirms the presumptions and insufficiently elaborated

positions that Vlachs were, among others, also buried under the stećak tombstones in

medieval Bosnia. The text emphasises the Vlahovići, Pliščići, Predojevići, Bobani and

Drobnjaci groups that confirm the thesis entirely.
Writing History in a Globalising World
Authors: Kasumović Fahd , Kasumović Amila
Published: January 2022

This paper examines the challenges and methodological concerns which stand before historians wishing to engage in the endeavour of writing history in an increasingly globalising world of research and education which is interconnected and interdependent today more than ever before. Having in mind these challenges, it argues that the future of the discipline lies in a constant reassessment of dominant paradigms, historiographic narratives, primary and secondary sources, scholarly methods, but, more importantly, ourselves, our own cultural and social values, as well as of the disciplinary boundaries and limits of knowledge. Together with examining the mentioned challenges, this paper specifically pays attention to the future of writing history of the Western Balkans in the global era, particularly the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whilst it also critically reassesses the current level of knowledge in the English-speaking world on the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, the authors of this paper argue that the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina is being increasingly integrated in the global academic landscape, whilst simultaneously pointing out to the issues which still lie ahead of researchers. The purpose of this paper on the future of writing history in a globalising world was to provide a context for twelve scholarly articles published in the special issue of Journal of the Faculty of Philosophy (History, History of Arts, Archaeology), Vol. 7, No. 2, 2020, as well as to point out to the ways these articles might fit into the global repositories of the historiographic knowledge.
Pregled arheoloških istraživanja ranokršćanskih lokaliteta na hercegovačkom prostoru / A Survey of Archaeological Research Concerning Early Christian Sites in Herzegovina
Authors: Zadro Ana
Published: January 2022

The paper presents an overview of archaeological research of early Christian sites in Herzegovina (in Herzegovina-Neretva County and West Herzegovina County) in the period from the end of the 19th century to the present day. The aim of the paper is to remember and once again pay trbute to those who laid the foundation of archeology

as a scientific discipline in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thus to early Christian scientific discipline, as well as to all archaeologists and their associates who contributed to the study of early Christian sites and who, with their field work and publications, brought these sites closer to the general public.
“Sad svejedno da li je istinito – glavno da je logično” Društveno angažirano umjetničko djelovanje Mice Todorović / “Now, it doesn’t matter if it’s true – the main thing is that it’s logical” Socially engaged artistic work of Mica Todorović
Authors: Bogojevic Anja
Published: January 2022

In the Yugoslav cultural and artistic space between the two world wars, engaged artistic activity with a pronounced social function represents a reaction to complex

and generally unfavorable socio-political circumstances, economic crises, social misery, and moral agony. Although it is possible to talk about the uniformity of artistic ideas and phenomena in Yugoslav social art in the period in question, in order to understand them, it

is necessary to keep in mind the peculiarities of local communities (republics) and specific socio-political, economic, and cultural and artistic constellations that directly caused

different forms of resistance through art. The text deals with the analysis of the cycle of drawings by the Bosnian-Herzegovinian artist Mica Todorović (1900-1980) from 1933 and

its setting in thematic contexts. The drawings represent a solitary example of socially engaged artistic activity in her entire artistic opus. These drawings will be interpreted in relation to

the main trends of Yugoslav and international art of the period, and special attention will be paid to stylistic and thematic similarities and differences with the artistic expression of the

Association of Artists “Zemlja” (1929-1935). The text, a segment of the broader doctoral research on socially engaged activity in fine arts, architecture, and synthetic theater in the

interwar period in Bosnia and Herzegovina, opens new possibilities for interpreting and evaluating Bosnian-Herzegovinian social art in the said period.
Salmedin Mesihović, Iliri – Postanci. Sarajevo: Udruženje za proučavanje i promoviranje ilirskog naslijeđa i drevnih civilizacija BATHINVS, 2021, 121 str.
Authors: Huseinović Edin
Published: January 2022

Book Review
Amir Duranović (ur.), Nacije i migracije: Studije iz bosanskohercegovačke historiografije. Sarajevo: UMHIS, Sarajevo, 2019, 201 str.
Authors: Borić Alen
Published: January 2022

Book Review
Zašto nam je teško usvojiti engleske složene imenice / Why We Struggle with the Acquisition of English Nominal Compounds
Authors: Okicic Melisa
Published: January 2022

The paper deals with the problem of poor acquisition of English nominal compounds in EFL university students who are native speakers of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BCS). The problem was tackled by a brief comparison of noun morphology and declension suffixes in English and BCS, the introduction of negative transfer in the process of foreign language acquisition, and the analysis of BCS translation equivalents. The discussion revealed that the productivity of compounding largely depends on the complexity of noun morphology. Put simply, the more complex noun morphology is, the less productive compounding will be. In addition, the analysis of the translation equivalents also highlighted that a vast majority of problems related to poor acquisition of English nominal compounds stems from the fact that EFL learners usually translate L1 phrases word-forword into L2. Finally, it was pointed out that teaching English nominal compounds to EFL learners could be improved by tailored-made instructions provided in L1.
Konceptualizacija koronavirusa u online novinskim člancima na bosanskom/hrvatskom/srpskom / Conceptualization of Coronavirus in Online Articles in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian
Authors: Ristanovic Tatjana
Published: January 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in Wuhan in late 2019 has had far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The world, both literally and metaphorically, stumbled into a war against COVID-19. War metaphors and metaphorical linguistic expressions such as naći se na prvoj liniji, boriti se, nevidljivi neprijatelj have flooded the media. The war metaphor has become an inevitable concept in the discourse of world officials and served them as a part of the scenario by which they legitimized and optimized the measures implemented to protect people and their lives. The paper analyses metaphorical linguistic expressions associated with coronavirus disease. Since the metaphor is not only a linguistic but also a cognitive phenomenon, these metaphorical linguistic expressions indicate the existence of the conceptual metaphor. Thus, it deals with an analysis on two levels: linguistic and cognitive. The research corpus consists of three corpora: (1) in Bosnian, (2) in Croatian and (3) in Serbian language. The first consists of online articles from Večernji list, the second from online articles from Dnevni avaz and Oslobođenje and the third from online articles from Nezavisne novine. The aim of the paper is to determine the dominant conceptualization of coronavirus disease in the above-mentioned articles. The approach to the analysis is cognitive and the method of analysis is the conceptual metaphor theory. In order to check metaphorical linguistic expressions, we will use the MIPVU procedure devised by a group of authors from the Vrije University (Steen et al. 2010: 25-26). For research purposes, we formulated three research questions the results of which have been in accordance with the expectations. In two corpora listed above, the dominant conceptualization of coronavirus is that of an enemy, while in one corpus the dominant conceptualization of coronavirus disease is that of a force.