bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contested Boundaries and Language Variants in A Balkan Capital City
Authors:   University of Arizona, U.S.A., Fielder Grace
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses the ways in which the vernacular language of the capital city of Sofia, Bulgaria, reflects a history of contested borders. A relatively small but ancient settlement, Sofia became the capital of the new principality when the San Stefano borders were redrawn and contracted by the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In response the capital was relocated in 1879 from Veliko Tarnovo in the eastern dialect area to Sofia in the western, a strategically semiotic move intended to re-center the Bulgarian capital with respect to the prior borders and to position the government for future expansion. The government administration relocated en masse to Sofia thereby establishing a new urban elite with a more prestigious eastern dialect that would eventually become the main basis of the standard language. Despite decades of education in the standard language, however, western variants have persisted in the capital to this day, in part fuelled by 20th century waves of migration from what is today Aegean and North Macedonia. With the post-1989 fall of communism and the end of state-controlled media, this western variant now appears in and often dominates public spaces much to the dismay of language codifiers and purist-minded members of the public. Three theoretical approaches are employed to account for this persistence of the western variant. Social network theory will be used to analyze the sociolinguistic dynamics of language variants in Sofia. Critical discourse analysis recognizes the mutually constitutive nature of social practice and language use and the role of power relations â€” particularly relevant once the western variant of Sofia lost its prestige to the newly arrived eastern variant. Finally, language variation is conceptualized as a social semiotic system in which variants are indexically mutable so that speakers make socio-semiotic moves by deploying variants in certain contexts with certain interlocutors.
Mapping Out Race: How Afro-Iranian Migrations Redefine the â€˜Aryan Mythâ€™
Authors:   California State University, East Bay, U.S.A., Boroujerdi Sarah
Published: February 2024

If maps refer to geographies, the transing of cultural histories, and an arrival of migrant bodies, what might it mean to map out race in Iran? This work examines the ethnocentric biases that stem from the â€˜Aryan Mythâ€™â€”a terminology influenced by The First Persian Empire (550-330 B.C.) and further associations with the ancient Indo-Europeans by 19th century Western scholars. The kindred ties between Iranian identity and homeland through the Aryan label formulated a romanticized narration of race in Iran. The bridge between linguistics, as emphasized by theocratic terminology and ancient language associations, and geography uniformly synthesized racial affiliations between Iranians and the Aryan racial categorization. Aryan ancestry and its association with land as homeland, while formulating a singular Iranian identity, subsequently separated Iranians from Afro-Iranian populations residing north of the Persian Gulf in the next few millennia to come. Limited scholarship has been shown of the Afro-Iranian communityâ€™s presence in southern Iran, particularly during and after the period of the slave trade from East Africa in the 1800s into southern Iran. However, archives on the aftermath of slavery from within Iran and England are critical to scholarship on Afro-Iranian migrations (Mirzai 2002, p. 231), where a reclaiming of multi-ethnic identity and a renovated epistemological lens comes centerfold. This work begins with an analysis of the Indo-European migrations of 4,000 and 3,500 B.C. by examining the Iranian family origins through Nichols (1997) "The epicenter of the Indo-European linguistic spread." This will be accompanied by the Araâ€™s (2005) Eschatology in the Indo-Iranian traditions: The genesis and transformation of a doctrine to define the history of the term â€œAryanâ€ and its rooted ties with Indo-European migrations and geography as homeland during Achaemenid rulership. The concluding section will review Mirzaiâ€™s (2002) â€œAfrican presence in Iran: identity and its reconstruction,â€ with an analysis of the African diaspora during the mid eighteen and early nineteen hundreds, and subsequent growth of Afro-Iranian heritage within southern Iran. Through the establishment of Afro-Iranian societies within southern Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries, socioeconomics resulting from the slave trade, and race relations during the African population settlement of the eighteen hundreds, the blossoming of an Afro-Iranian ethnic heritage led to subsequent ostracism from the larger Iranian host society.
Representations of Refugees, Traffickers and Local People in Greek Literature during the European Migrant Crisis (2014-1018)
Authors:   Advanced Media Institute, Cyprus, Linardaki Christina , Lavrentiadou Marie ,   Hellenic Open University, Greece
Published: February 2024

This paper investigates Greek literature (prose and poetry), written, in its bulk, during the years of the European migrant crisis (2014-2018) to uncover ways in which refugees, traffickers, and locals are presented. Following a literature review and the presentation of methodology, prose is observed, drawing on social representations theory, and a theoretical framework of social exclusion. We analyse poetry through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) (Gee 2011), while also considering social language, situated meaning, intertextuality, figured worlds, and Discourses. The approach employed assists in the eliciting of social perspectives from the sample, as reflected in writersâ€™ or poetsâ€™ views. These views may be hyperbolic, but nonetheless echo the opinion of at least part of the Greek population.
Relationship between the Identity and Language Attitudes toward Mother Tongue among Young Udmurt People and Slovakian Hungarians
Authors:   Constantine the Philosopher University, Slovakia, VanÄo IldikÃ³ , KozmÃ¡cs IstvÃ¡n ,   Constantine the Philosopher University, Slovakia
Published: February 2024

In our paper, we will shortly define the notion of minority, identify the basic issues of a sense of identity, and clarify the role of language in the maintenance of minorities and their identities. The group identity of minorities can be defined along three main factors which occur as historical, linguistic and cultural identity within a certain spatial and time frame. There are various group identities, and groups usually give special attention to some characteristic features, as language, race or religion (CseresnyÃ©si 2004). We will discuss the role of one of these, namely, that of language. We will demonstrate the relationships of language and identity through language attitudes of nationalities, Hungarians in Slovakia and Udmurts in Russia, which are similar in quota but different in their historical past and social situation today) (Shirobokova 2008; KozmÃ¡cs 2008). We will ask what the role of language in different state formations is and whether identity maintenance plays a role in the maintenance of minority languages and linguistic diversity. The aspects of the research are as follows: who considers what a mother tongue is; what is the relation between the mother tongue and the sense of origin; which are the main features of national affiliation; what is the importance of the mother tongue in national affiliation. The data are provided as results of a questionnaire survey. The target groups of the research were university students as future intellectuals and consequently opinion-shapers of the given ethnicity. Four groups were formed: Hungarian university students in Slovakia, Russian university students in Udmurtia, Udmurt university students in Udmurtia, and Hungarian university students in Hungary.
Urban Peripheries in Europe and the Construction of New Semantic Spaces
Authors:   University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, Colaiuda Cinzia
Published: February 2024

Urban peripheries can be defined as a â€˜semiosphereâ€™ (Lotman 1990) in which the construction of a new idea of social integration through the use of bottom-up approaches to public policies and the implicit recognition of the new linguistic communities that populate these public policies becomes possible. This article concerns ethnographic research that focuses on the analysis of urban linguistic landscapes in Europe. As such, the article has two aims. In its first aim, it proposes a reflection of the impact of public policies on the linguistic architecture of the urban centres of the two cities, Rome and London, two urban centres where social diversity often hides behind linguistic homogeneity and social norms imposed from above. In its second aim, it analyses the role that the periphery can play in initiating a revolution from below, largely owing to its cityscape, characterized by linguistic anarchy and hybridisation processes regulated by endogenous social laws. Moreover, this research â€“ starting from the elicitation of the theoretical assumptions on which it is based â€“ underlines the need for a holistic approach to the analysis of complex social ecosystems and the multiple signs that characterise them.
Language Ideology and Language Preservation. Case of A Fala de XÃ¡lima (CÃ¡ceres, Spain)
Authors:   Pedagogical University of Krakow, Poland, Dondelewski Bartosz
Published: February 2024

The object of this paper is a discussion of the A Fala de XÃ¡lima geolect, belonging to the Galician-Portuguese language family. The language is spoken by approximately 5000 (bilingual) people who live at the Spanish-Portuguese border (Costas GonzÃ¡lez 2013). It is a minoritized geolect barely recognized by the state, without any overt signs of sociolinguistic prestige (e.g., official orthography) and with some disappearing vernacular forms and a diminishing number of young natives (Ramallo 2011). I focus on a particular group of A Fala speakers, framed as a community of practice (Rampton 2009; Meyerhoff and Strycharz 2013). The practice which significantly contributes to the community is the common work for the preservation of A Fala. Its members have the social prestige and the abilities to decide on the future of their language. In this paper, informed by the ontological-epistemological principles of socio-cultural linguistics (Bucholtz and Hall 2004 2010), I look into some indexical interactional and essentialist orientations which assist in the grasping of the relation between an observed practice and an underlying language ideology. I ground my analysis in a theory of language ideology, and hence work by Irvine and Gal (2000), and in work concerning sociocultural beliefs of language in indexical iconizations (Carr 2011; Silverstein 2003). The empirical material I present comprises anthropological observations and a 10-hour long semi-directed, transcribed set of interviews with members of the A Fala language community of practice, conducted in situ by myself. In the interviews, we discussed such issues as language preservation and promotion, as well as stance toward researchers interested in the A Fala language and other linguistic minorities in Spain.
Redefining the Concept of Language - On the Example of the Women's Strike "Language" in Poland (2020)
Authors:   University of Warsaw, Poland, Genew-Puhalewa Iliana
Published: February 2024

The paper examines the linguistic and discursive image of the protests that broke out in Poland in late 2020 in reaction to a ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal tightening the law on abortion. Verbal and non-verbal expression of the movement was conceived of in terms of â€˜languageâ€™ (the language of protest) in the debate which surrounded it. Therefore, this paper aims at redefining the term language and the concept behind the term with the use of a cognitive definition within the methodological paradigm of cultural (ethno)linguistics. A set of features attributed to the language of protest is reconstructed on the basis of metalinguistic data, and presented as a specific â€˜text of culture,â€™ emphasizing the close relation mong the notion of language, a given context, experience, and set of values and ideas.
Cinematography â€œsans FrontiÃ¨res.â€ International Cultural Metaphors and Commonplaces in the Romanian Cinema Terminology
Authors:   University of Bucharest, Romania, Roibu Melania , Bogdan Oprea Helga-Iuliana ,   University of Bucharest, Romania
Published: February 2024

The paper deals with cultural conceptualisations of events as they are reflected in the cinematic lexicon. Three main goals are followed throughout the paper: 1) to emphasize that the cinema-related vocabulary involves the same concepts when it denotes extra-linguistic realities specific to the world of film; 2) to illustrate the shift from culture specific, to cross-cultural events (and vice versa), and 3) to indicate that the cinematic lexicon metonymically reflects these complementary moves (globalisation / localisation). In order to achieve these goals, we adopt the analytical tools of Cultural Linguistics, with an emphasis on cultural metaphors. We investigate the relationship between cultural conceptualisations and commonplaces, and reach the conclusion that patterns of thought trigger patterns of language, many of which are cross-cultural, as indicated by the fact that the structures used to convey such shared blocks of knowledge in different languages display either formal resemblance or shared semantic content. Another conclusion is that the cultural conceptualisations within the cinematic field are closely connected with the Oscar Awards Ceremony, which has become a landmark in the film industry, and is often replicated in other international film galas, exceeding the borders of a given culture as a result of multiculturalism and globalisation. â€˜Localisationâ€™ (the shift from cross-cultural to culture-specific events) is also possible. Yet, it should be regarded as an exception, since cinema illustrates interferences and identities which, from a cultural perspective, are common to geographic spaces that are located at significant distance from one another.
Multilingualism and Handwritten Signature: The Case of Palestinian Arab Higher Education Students Israel
Authors:   Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, Israel, Ganayim Deia
Published: February 2024

I examined the relationship between the vitality of language and identity as reflected in the language that Palestinian Arab students of higher education in Israel sign their handwritten signature. To this, I asked the following questions: Do Palestinian Arabs sign in Arabic, their mother tongue and native first language-L1 but still the language of minority for Palestinian Arabs in Israel? Do Palestinian Arabs sign in Hebrew, their second language-L2 but the language of the dominant majority on Israel and the language of most official documents if not all? Do Palestinian Arabs sign in English, the third language-L3 for those in Israel? Or, do Palestinian Arabs sign in a symbolic-logographic manner? I asked 843 Palestinian multilingual Arab students of higher education in northern, central, and southern Israel to sign their own handwritten signature. Their signatures were classified based on the signature language, into Arabic, Hebrew, English and Symbolic-Logographic (difficult to be classified into a specific language). Approximately 81% of the signatures were not in Arabic, the native firs language. The findings were unpredictable and may trigger further investigation of the interplay of multilingualism and majority / minority language interplay.
Navigating Identity Dilemmas in Oral Narratives by Women with Turner Syndrome
Authors:   University of Lodz, Poland, Ciepiela Kamila
Published: February 2024

Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder that affects only females. Its main symptoms are a short stature and gonadal dysgenesis. Such genetically determined physical characteristics impact the positioning of TS women in discourses of femininity, health, and illness, as well as in social relationships. This study aims to uncover and explore the social linguistic identities of women with this condition. The analysis draws on premises of â€˜the narrative practiceâ€™ framework developed by Michael Bamberg (1997, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2020), who claims that in interaction, narrative is not only used to convey meaning, but also to construct the identities of the interlocutors. The linguistic analysis of narratives delivered by Polish women with TS in semi-structured interviews should reveal the extent to which the interviewees enact the creation of or become their identities, the extent to which they align with or distance from others, and the extent to which their identities change or remain constant over the years of hormonal therapy. I draw on functionalism to discuss these narratives, in which their formal structure and content are integrally associated with their use.
Analisis Pengaruh Assurance, Menu, External Environment, Accuracy, Food Quality, Responsiveness, Hygiene Quality, Interior Design, Atmosphere, Price terhadap Customer Loyalty Melalui Customer Satisfaction pada Kafe X Sidoarjo
Authors: Jessica Juventia  , Ronald Suryaputra  , Amelia
Published: February 2024

Population growth is in line with the growth of the economy in Sidoarjo City. In 2022, Sidoarjo City will increase its economy by 7 percent. This is influenced by several factors, one of which is the large number of MSMEs emerging in Sidoarjo. One of the MSMEs that has emerged is in the food and beverage industry, namely The Rooster Coffee and Company Sidoarjo which has a vintage design and was founded in 2018.

The purpose of this research is to determine the influence of Assurance, Menu, External Environment, Accuracy, Food Quality, Responsiveness, Hygiene Quality, Interior Design Atmosphere, and Price on Customer Loyalty through Customer Satisfaction of customers of The Rooster Coffee and Company in Sidoarjo. The benefit of this research is to provide information, knowledge and broaden insight in the field of management regarding the variables used in this research.

Using snowball sampling, 200 respondents in Sidoarjo were collected and processed with the help of AMOS version 22.0 software using the Structural Equation Model (SEM).

The research results show that the variables Assurance, External Environment, Accuracy, Food Quality, Responsiveness, Hygiene Quality, Atmosphere, and Price significantly and positively influence Customer Satisfaction, except for the Menu and Interior Design variables which do not significantly influence Customer Satisfaction. The research results further show that Customer Satisfaction has a significant positive influence on Customer Loyalty.
Analisis Dampak Transportasi Online terhadap Transportasi Becak dan Meningkatkan Pendapatan Pengemudi Becak di Kota Surakarta
Authors: Muhammad Zharfan Dzimar  , Muzakar Isa
Published: February 2024

This study aims is to analyze the impact of online transportation on becak transportation and increase the income of becak drivers in Surakarta City. This type of research uses quantitative method. This research uses primary data. The data collection technique in this research is a questionnaire. The population in this study are those who have characteristics who have used online transportation modes and becak transportation modes, and who have never used online transportation modes or becak transportation modes.  The data analysis technique used in this research is descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis with Smart Partial Least Square (PLS). The result of this study is that tariffs do not have a significant influence on becak drivers' income. The number of passengers has a significant influence on becak drivers' income. Working hours have a significant influence on pedicab drivers' income.
A comparison of some physical abilities between futsal and open football players
Authors: Ayyd Ali Adhab Al-Saedi  , Ali Shakir Obaid Al-Sultani  , Hussein Ali Hasan Al-Taie
Published: February 2024

The aim of the research is to identify the differences in some of the physical abilities of football players in open stadiums and halls (futsal), as the researchers assume that there are significant differences in some of the physical abilities studied. The researchers used the descriptive approach using the comparative survey method to suit the nature of the problem of the study. The researchers reached the conclusion that there are Statistical significance for some of the physical abilities investigated and in favor of futsal players.
Impact of Climate Change on Global Security and Cooperation in Mexico
Authors: Ramirez Sofia
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate impact of climate change on global security and cooperation in Mexico

Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: Climate change exacerbates security risks in Mexico through extreme weather events, economic instability, and social tensions. This poses threats to food and water security, increases vulnerability to natural disasters, and fuels conflicts over resources. To address these challenges, Mexico collaborates with international partners, develops adaptation strategies, and invests in renewable energy. Cooperation at national and global levels is crucial to build resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change on security.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Realism theory, complex interdependence theory & environmental security theory may be used to anchor future studies impact of climate change on global security and cooperation in Mexico. Governments and international organizations should prioritize climate diplomacy as a cornerstone of foreign policy. Governments should conduct climate-security risk assessments to identify vulnerable regions and potential hotspots.
Role of Multilateral Institutions in Managing Regional Conflicts and Crises in Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Lumumba Amina
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate role of multilateral institutions in managing regional conflicts and crises in Democratic Republic of Congo

Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: Multilateral institutions play a crucial role in managing regional conflicts and crises by employing a range of diplomatic, humanitarian, peacekeeping, and development interventions. While facing various challenges, their continued engagement and collaboration remain essential for promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in conflict-affected regions worldwide.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Realism theory, constructivism theory & liberal institutionalism theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of multilateral institutions in managing regional conflicts and crises in Democratic Republic of Congo. Multilateral institutions offer a neutral platform for diplomatic engagement. Multilateral institutions influence policy development by convening member states and experts to craft effective conflict management strategies.
Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Diplomacy and Cyberwarfare in Kenya
Authors: Maina Collins
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate challenges and opportunities of digital diplomacy and cyberwarfare

Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.

Findings: Climate change exacerbates security risks in Mexico through extreme weather events, economic instability, and social tensions. This poses threats to food and water security, increases vulnerability to natural disasters, and fuels conflicts over resources. To address these challenges, Mexico collaborates with international partners, develops adaptation strategies, and invests in renewable energy. Cooperation at national and global levels is crucial to build resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change on security.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Realism theory, constructivism theory & cybersecurity deterrence theory may be used to anchor future studies impact of climate change on global security and cooperation in Mexico. Invest in capacity building for diplomats and foreign service personnel in the field of digital diplomacy and cybersecurity. Implement robust national and international cybersecurity legislation that includes provisions specific to the protection of diplomatic communications and infrastructure.
The Return of Organic Soft Tissue Preservation Abilities and the “Bog Body” Phenomenon in MLTT Restored Peatlands
Authors: Kibler Lillian , Solomon Robin
Published: February 2024

Climate change and human manipulation in peatlands threatens peatland health, presaging the loss of instrumental peatland functions including carbon sequestration or the bog body mummification function.  In response, peatland ecologists are studying restoration methods  to revive degenerating bogs, including the Rochefort Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT). Since the advent of these studies, questions regarding the return of lost peatland functions have arisen. This study employed a  qualitative experimental study of mammal soft tissue samples in a controlled incubatory environment mimicking an MLTT restored peatland to discern if the MLTT method induced the return of the bog body mummification function. The findings indicate that the function does appear to return, which crucially implies that restorative efforts in peatland ecology have a valid prospect with promising returns, therefore this field is worthwhile to continue because this study shows that it is possible to save peatlands and their functions, further permitting the archaeological community to save the artifacts found in peatlands.
Beyond Traditional Treatments: Exploring Cutting-Edge Approaches for Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Garg Kavya , Casper Steve
Published: February 2024

Androgenetic Alopecia is a genetically predetermined disorder resulting in hair loss from an excessive sensitivity to androgens. Several treatment options have been investigated for androgenetic alopecia, yet only topical minoxidil and finasteride have received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. This review article examines and evaluates the efficacy of new, cutting-edge techniques for treating AGA, including Low-Level Laser Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Micro needling, and Topical Growth Factors and Peptides. Several essential factors are stimulated by minoxidil, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1. IGF-1 also plays a significant role in regulating follicular differentiation, which makes it a vital regulator of hair follicle development and function. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) uses low-intensity light at red or near-infrared wavelengths to induce changes in cellular activity, which improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and boosts cellular energy, ultimately leading to improved hair follicle density and diameter. Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is used in dermatology for acne scar treatment, lipid transplantation, wound healing, and hair regeneration. It involves a centrifugation process that increases the platelet concentration and reduces the red blood cell ratio. Micro needling is a minimally invasive procedure that stimulates the production of collagen, growth factors, and neovascularization, which promotes tissue rejuvenation. It is most utilized for individuals who are unable to achieve successful results using medical therapy. These approaches have shown positive outcomes in terms of hair regrowth, improved hair density, increased hair shaft thickness, and patient satisfaction.
Evaluating the Effect of the Opioid Epidemic on Pregnant Women and Newborns in America
Authors: Prabhu Samikshaa , Bharath Hema
Published: February 2024

The opioid epidemic in America has emerged as a critical public health challenge, affecting various parts of the population. Among the vulnerable groups impacted, pregnant women and newborns bear a significant burden of the crisis. This literature review aims to evaluate the effects of the opioid epidemic on pregnant women and newborns in America, by investigating the prevalence of opioid use during pregnancy, existing healthcare interventions, and socioeconomic and psychological factors that play a role in this crisis. Adverse maternal outcomes, such as mortality and morbidity, and neonatal challenges, including Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, are also examined. Based on the findings, the best strategies to combat these issues are improving access to treatment and support services, integrating mental health care with prenatal services, and enhancing medical education and training for healthcare providers involved in the care of pregnant opioid users. This study seeks to highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and the public to address the impact of the opioid epidemic on pregnant women and newborns effectively.
Free Trade: A Policy Reformation
Authors: Bai Helen
Published: February 2024

This article proposes a solution to the challenges posed by free trade on domestic industries, particularly in the United States' manufacturing sector. The solution involves implementing a progressive tax system to tax corporations benefiting from free trade more heavily and utilizing the additional revenue to enhance Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs. The TAA programs will offer resources and training to displaced workers, facilitating their transition to other industries and increasing reemployment rates and wage replacement. Despite potential drawbacks, such as resistance from high-earning individuals and implementation costs, the overall benefits of the proposed TAA expansion outweigh the negatives. The article emphasizes the policy's alignment with Rawls' theory of justice as fairness and suggests that it is politically feasible and likely to gain international support due to its commitment to trade liberalization. The proposed approach aims to strike a balance between promoting free trade and protecting worker welfare.
Theoretical Effects of Government Funding Through Central Bank Money Creation
Authors: He Tim
Published: February 2024

The primary objective of this essay is to present an analysis of the effects of the implementation of the government policy described in the title, in which government expenditures are funded by money newly created by the central bank. The analysis is firmly grounded on modern economic theory and models, backed up by statistics from authentic sources, and based on historical events replicating a similar situation; it draws economic concepts from the Keynesian school of thought, is supported by government data, and references the period of hyperinflation in Weimar Germany in 1921. The essay emphasizes the less obvious existence of short term advantages while breaking down the more obvious long term disadvantages as a consequence of the implementation of the aforementioned government policy. Clear definitions of ambiguous terms and vocabulary are provided.
A Thorough Dissection on Lactic Acid Enantiomers
Authors: Ding Virginia
Published: February 2024

The fermentation process is a wonder of nature. It has been applied by our ancestors for transforming food, such as converting milk to yogurt and cheese, grapes to wine, and wheat to beer. In this study, three brands of store-bought yogurt, Ahmoulé, Junlebao, and Classy Kiss, will be analyzed to quantitatively determine the total lactic acid (LA) concentration in yogurt, as well as the ratio of L to D lactic acid enantiomers using liquid and gas chromatography. The novelty of this paper lies in the versatility of lactic acid and its enantiomers. Understanding lactic acid also stems out into the environmental and medical fields. In the environmental aspect, the polymerized form of lactic acid, polylactic acid, is proficient for producing biodegradable plastics, alleviating urgent issues like plastic waste. In the medical aspect, lactic acid enantiomers can be studied to improve medicine and medical polylactic acid (PLA) can be used in various ways, such as drug-controlled release materials. The conclusions drawn from the sample preparation of the total lactic acid concentrations supported previously published results. However, there was a shocking discovery in the data regarding the L to D enantiomer ratio in commercially available yogurts that differed from past studies, showing significant progress that manufacturers have made in the nutritional value of yogurt. These novel findings and routes of thinking about how to fully utilize lactic acid are beneficial advancements for the scientific field.
Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Growth of E. coli: A Study Examining Various Antibiotic Factors
Authors: Rajagopalan Sahaana , Agrawal Ria
Published: February 2024

Nanomedicine, an emerging and revolutionary scientific field, warrants greater scientific investigation on the antibacterial applications of AgNPs; hence, this research serves to assess AgNPs’ antibacterial effectiveness on the growth of E. coli while establishing the antibiotic’s optimal conditions for drug delivery. The hypothesis expects that optimal drug delivery of AgNPs will occur at higher concentrations of AgNPs and neutral pHs. To demonstrate this, 1:10 serial AgNP dilutions were placed in E. coli cultures and were treated with the varying environmental factors of concentration and pHs. The results supported our hypotheses with the exception of our pH hypothesis, for the data showed that having a basic pH increased the efficiency of the nanoparticles for all concentrations, except for the 500 µg/L concentration. Nevertheless, higher concentrations of nanoparticles have the highest and fastest increases in their zones of inhibitions. The concentration and pH experiments yielded statistical significance. With nanomedicine’s ability to diagnose, detect, and deliver drugs, its research applications are endless, proving it has a significant impact in the fields of cancer drug delivery, E. coli toxicity, and ectopic pregnancies, and ultimately, having the potential to save over two million lives every year.
A Comparative Case Analysis of Parkinson’s Disease Patients' Experience with Boxing for Exercise
Authors: Flowers Alyssa , Lang Taylor Luciana
Published: February 2024

Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disease, affecting about 10 million people worldwide. This case study aims to examine the different effects of boxing as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in men and women with the disease. There are two times as many men as there are women with Parkinson’s disease, and women are overlooked in many studies because of this. This study aims to understand how exercise affects women differently than men and to amplify their voices and experiences for the rest of the community to better assist them. Method. Four men and four women with Parkinson’s Disease were interviewed after classes at Rock Steady Boxing, and cross-case analysis was implemented to compare the results. Thirteen questions and sub-questions were asked, ranging from simple to thought-provoking and complex. Answers to questions were analyzed separately, in the male case and the female case, as well as together to compare the analyses. Results. Women appeared to reap physiological benefits of boxing, like increased confidence and decreased anxiety. Men and women alike reported the alleviation of some symptoms due to boxing. Discussion. This study allows the community to understand the many reasons why someone with PD may want to exercise, as it benefits both physical and mental health, making a progressive and debilitating disease more livable, improving quality of life in patients.
The Hollywood Undead: Zombies Interpreted Scientifically
Authors: Ahn Rebecca , Iweka Chinyere
Published: February 2024

Modern media is fascinated by the undead. Zombie movies and shows comprise an entire genre by themselves, and there are many different renditions of the creatures in pop culture. This review was performed with the goal of analyzing the characteristics of zombies from The Walking Dead. This is organized around four major topics: organization of the biological hierarchy, energy and matter, interactions between systems, and evolution. These are the unifying principles of biology, and thus appropriate for assessing the biological principles behind zombie physiology. This review aims to show that some common features of zombies are simply exaggerations of preexisting human functions, and that they are not so removed from what we perceive as normal human behavior.
Drone-Based System to Reduce Air Pollution Using Inexpensive Materials
Authors: Kadakia Varini , Nguyen Thuy-Anh
Published: February 2024

Outside, polluted air contains many particles that are harmful to all organisms. Currently, there are no reliable, efficient, or effective ways to clean outside air pollution. This paper describes an early attempt to create a drone-based pollution vacuum cleaner that uses inspiration from the tornado’s Fibonacci spiral shape’s ability to create powerful vacuums. By mounting various Fibonacci spirals onto a drone, the aim was to create a vacuum that can collect, and filter simulated polluted air. The reduction in pollution particles was measured with an Air Quality Index (AQI) meter.
The engineering process involved:

3D printing and designing Fibonacci-shaped spirals with varying degrees of curvature.
Testing various motors and spirals and their efficacy in vacuuming air into the filters.
Testing the vacuum effect on the drone’s ability to fly

The process compared the effectiveness of the spirals based on their improvement of the AQI in the simulated polluted environment. The wide spiral (Spiral #1) is 1.5cm in width, and 1cm in height with 5729.57 degrees of curvature resulting in the most reduced AQI, from 500 to a healthy breathable number in 15 minutes. In addition, the drone ascended 3 meters while withstanding the vacuuming effect coming from the attached spiral. The project utilizes natural designs such as the Fibonacci spiral shape of a tornado on a smaller scale as a prototype for an improved air filter. For further research, the plan is to make the drones autonomous and test more spirals using different materials.
Overcoming Academic Procrastination: A Behavioral-Cognitive Approach
Authors: Lee Joshua , Thomas Riya
Published: February 2024

Procrastination, the act of delaying tasks, is an issue affecting students regardless of skin color, age, or gender. Notably, these young students are a significant proportion in the United States that struggle with academic procrastination. This research paper adopts the framework of a behavioral-cognitive psychology approach, employing both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and operant conditioning to uncover how academic procrastination occurs. CBT is the forefront instrument proposed to identify the cognitive processes contributing to the behavior procrastination. The role of operant conditioning serves as a tool to unlearn the behavior. The aim of the study was to explore the potential of a behavioral-cognitive approach to addressing the external distractions that can cause academic procrastination. Based on the current literature available regarding how CBT and operant conditioning are applied, a conclusion was formed. The study contains a preliminary model that aims to reduce academic procrastination by unlearning the behavior and addressing the underlying causes. Further research on the impact operant conditioning holds to influence an individual is required to solidify the findings.
Improving Deforestation Detection Accuracy in Noisy Satellite Images with Contrastive Learning-based Approach
Authors: Kim Jitae , Lee Lim , Park Sihu , Musungu Lenny
Published: February 2024

Deforestation, the large-scale destruction of trees, has far-reaching biological and environmental consequences that pose a significant threat to the environment. Accurate deforestation detection is crucial for successful conservation initiatives and effective land management. Over the last decade, numerous deforestation detection methods utilizing spaceborne photography have been proposed. However, these methods tend to be sensitive to unique image noise in the satellite domain by virtue of the diverse aerial characteristics and air qualities in different regions. To solve this problem, we propose a novel noise-robust deforestation detection framework with a contrastive-learning based approach. The proposed framework consists of two phases: contrastive learning, which aims to extract similar feature embeddings for the same category, proceeded with transfer learning in order to develop the deforestation classifier. Remarkably, the proposed contrastive learning approach successfully handles noisy input satellite images during the feature extraction process. Upon conducting validation, we have found that the proposed method outperforms existing deforestation detection methods by a significant performance gap, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed contrastive learning approach.
What Impact Can Financial Engineering Have On Hastening The Transition To Sustainable Energy?
Authors: Dondisch Liam , Montanez Samuel
Published: February 2024

Growing global recognition of the urgency posed by climate change demands strategies balancing economic growth and ecological sustainability. To limit global warming below 2°C, international accords like the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement have set the standards for greener economies. ESG investments are becoming a popular trend in the financial world, embracing climate change and other sustainability concerns across different asset classes. Green bonds in particular are driving the green finance movement, with issuance leaders like the US and China. The size of the green bond market is expected to surpass the trillion-dollar threshold by 2023. Instruments like green bonds can bridge the funding gap for a net zero economy. Financial engineering can develop appealing financial products guided by investment practices focused on sustainability goals. Despite challenges, tax policies and fiscal measures can boost green investment participation and returns, pushing toward a greener future.
The Handover of 1997 and Its Effects on the Hong Kong Aviation Industry
Authors: Fung Gareth , Nair Suraj
Published: February 2024

This paper explains the logistics behind the Handover Hong Kong on July 1st, 1997— an event transition Hong Kong from a sovereign British state to the special administrative region status of the People’s Republic of China. More importantly, it propounds that the Handover of Hong Kong had an indirect but nevertheless negative effect on Hong Kong’s Aviation Industry— most notably affecting the leading Hong Kong airline and air transport company Cathay Pacific. It explores this idea through a critical secondary literature review— intended to analyse the events occurring in Hong Kong prior and during the year 1997 alongside its effects on the industry. Furthermore, employing a case study design on Cathay Pacific enables the research paper to carry out a more structural analysis of the company’s performances in the late 20th century. It takes a macro-to-micro approach for its structure; first explaining the general trends and resilience of the global aviation sector, through developing an analytical lens. Then it uses Cathay Pacific’s performance to evidence the generalised theories. Overall, Hong Kong’s aviation industry saw only slightly deviated results to both empirical and theoretical behaviours of global aviation and air transport airlines following events often causing what is known as a career shock: a disruptive and extraordinary event caused by factors outside an individual’s control.
The Pandemic’s Impact on the Intersections of Financial Literacy, AI, and Behavioral Economics
Authors: Julakanti Shreeya
Published: February 2024

In the present day of artificial intelligence and technology’s boom during the recovery stages of the pandemic, there has been a significant impact on our economy. The decision-making biases of those affected by the COVID-19 epidemic have changed due to an increased reliance on e-commerce sites and technology in general. Additionally, the socioeconomic statuses of individuals have been affected by the pandemic, and this has been a big factor in the mental well-being of these people. Studies on both the correlation between consumer behavior and online shopping as well as the relationship between an individual's mental health and their income level have been analyzed and presented by this paper. This publication will also look into the implications and limitations of technology’s impact on the economy, considering the effects of the pandemic.
Landfill Management: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Uppal Bhrigu
Published: February 2024

Landfill management is one of the most common techniques to manage the waste disposal process, perhaps this is the reason behind the current inefficiencies in the landfill management processes used by the Indian authorities and local municipalities. The increasing burden of safely managing and disposing the incoming waste is one of the most important reasons to reassess the landfill management techniques used in India. Therefore this policy paper tries to examine the importance of sustainable management of landfills along with examining the general framework of rules and regulations surrounding the practice of landfill management in India.
Solving Food Insecurity and Agricultural Challenges with Hydroponics
Authors: Paige Kenz , Gell Leon
Published: February 2024

In the face of an ever-expanding global population and the impending threat of food insecurity, the limitations of conventional agricultural methods have become evident. However, hydroponics–a crucial agricultural development–could present a sustainable and efficient solution to address the challenges posed by overpopulation. By cultivating food in smaller spaces with higher yields, hydroponics offers a potential remedy to improve food security and nourish the world. This research paper delves into the impact of hydroponics in Ontario, and provides insights into hydroponics' potential to reduce water consumption, mitigate environmental impact, and optimize land use. This paper will also provide lessons for enhancing traditional agriculture's sustainability. Ultimately, this comparison enables informed decisions and promotes environmentally conscious approaches to crop production, fostering a resilient and ecologically harmonious future.