bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Tension between Money and Culture: Inequality, Economic Capital, Cultural Capital, and High School Students’ Educational Achievements from a Comparative Perspective
Authors: Wu Yuxiao , Wang Jingjing
Published: January 2025

This study investigated how income inequality shapes the role of economic and cultural capital in students’ academic performance. By analyzing a multilevel dataset of 72 countries (economies), we found that (1) the associations between economic capital and academic achievements are stronger in unequal societies than in equal ones, whereas the associations between cultural capital and students’ achievements are stronger in equal societies than in unequal ones, and (2) in more equal societies, the associations between cultural capital and students’ achievements are stronger for students with lower economic capital, whereas the associations between cultural capital and students’ achievements are stronger for students with higher stocks of economic capital in unequal societies. The findings contribute to understanding how social context shapes the processes of intergenerational reproduction from a comparative perspective.
Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) Spectra Characterization of Recycled Carbon Fiber Composites: Mini Review
Authors: Mamanpush Seyed Hossein
Published: January 2025

Post-industrial off-cuts of carbon fiber epoxy and carbon fiber vinyl ester composites recycled mechanically and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of the untreated and heat-treated recycled carbon fiber composites. FT‐IR spectra were recorded with a Bomem MB series FT‐IR spectrophotometer
About the Use of Zero
Authors: Dassonville Patrice F
Published: January 2025

There is an absolute need of making the differentiation between two expressions that seem to have a quite similar signification: « parameter of zero value» and «lack of parameter ». Indeed they have a distinct semantic impact. In that purpose, we have introduced an induction rule which is based on the following observation: Assigning a « parameter of zero value » to a system is necessarily inducing that this system possesses the parameter, and that this parameter can take non-zero values
Advanced Satellite Communications
Authors: Mitra Manu
Published: January 2025

Applications of satellite communications has broader usage; for instance, voice, video calling, internet, fax, television, and radio communications. There are abundant and various types of satellites that has applications from amplification of radio telecommunications to military applications and most importantly its application is globally, and it also allows transmission of high amount of data.

In this paper various types of advanced satellites are discussed; some of them are quantum communication through satellites, metamaterials for better satellite antennas, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) laser communications, ZigBee based inter-satellite communications, quantum encryption network through satellite
Review of Process Improvement Initiatives and Implementation of Lean Six Sigma in Forging and Casting Operations
Authors: M Ali Montazer
Published: January 2025

The implementation of Six Sigma and Lean methods has become more and more commonplace in the traditional manufacturing sector. Traditional manufacturing comprises, predominantly, casting, forging and the adjuvant machining operations. Although much of this work has migrated to developing countries, including India, China and the Eastern European countries, there are still profitable casting/ forging operation in the USA and would benefit from Lean Six Sigma initiatives to be even more cost and quality competitive. The adoption of Lean Six Sigma methodology has accelerated due to the high defect rates at many production facilities, leading to high number of defective parts or parts needing expensive alteration and rework. Despite the increased usage of Lean Six Sigma tools, a guidance for what may be expected as successful implementations LSS in terms of the popular metrics (process capability, sigma level, rejection rate, etc.) is not found in the literature. This paper will review the various works on the subject to analyze the tools and methods used, as well as the results and purposes of the six sigma initiatives to establish a guidance for expected results of such implementations. The findings documented in various works will also be analyzed to identify commonalities and to establish a menu of the most common tools used and the most common performance indicators for speedy and successful Lean Six Sigma implementations in traditional manufacturing
Supporting Career Choices for Women in the Sciences and Engineering
Authors: MacIntyre Phyllis L
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this article is to review of current literature on women’s career growth in the sciences and engineering fields. It became evident quickly that sufficient evidence exists documenting the gender disparities in the Sciences, Engineering, Technologies, and Mathematics (STEM). Essential at this time is the generation of remedies to encourage and promote women as they pursue careers in the hard sciences and engineering fields. The economies of Canada and the US urgently need competent scientists and engineers across domains of business, higher education, and for innovation in the creation of new technologies. The article explains how stereotype threats and biases remain prevalent barriers to both men and women in the sciences and engineering. The author proposes adoption of the growth mindset, the reinforcement of leader identify for engineers, and she recommends urgency on mentoring and coaching approaches to strengthen retention of women in the fulfillment of careers in science and engineering
FOR REVENGE: THE PHENOMENON OF EMO MUSIC PERFORMANCES AND AUDIENCE EMOTIONS
Authors: Ardini Ni Wayan , Wijaya I Nyoman Cahyadi , Mudana I Gede
Published: January 2025

This research was conducted for the purpose of identifying the character of emo (emotional hardcore) music performances and their relationship to the emotional situation of the audience watching them, especially in the case of a music group in Indonesia named for Revenge. This qualitative research, which relies on document studies, observations and interviews, found that this underground group with an emo (emotional hardcore) character, with themes of inner conflict, suffering and rebellion, especially in matters of love, deserves to label itself as "for revenge” or “untuk balas dendam” in Indonesian. Apart from being musically aesthetic, the emo lyrics created in many cases are truly capable of piercing the deepest hearts of audiences who have experienced love problems. In today's era of social media, this group is favored by a fairly large segment of the youth market. This means that in Indonesia for Revenge has increasingly succeeded in blurring the boundaries between underground entities and the popular music industry.
An Analysis of High School Students' Brain Activation During a Metaverse-based Biological Classification Activity
Authors: Kim Tae-Bum , Lee Su-Min , Jung Da-Kyong , Kim Bo-Mi , Kwon Yong-Ju
Published: January 2025

This study aims to analyze the brain activity of high school students during a metaverse-based biological classification activity using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). For this study, we developed a biological classification inquiry activity by modifiying a metaverse environment featuring a tidal pool and coastal dune, each populated with seven species of animals and plants. This activity was compared with a video lecture covering the same content. Brain activity analysis showed a significant increase in activation in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and frontal pole cortex (FP) during the metaverse-based biological classification activity compared to the video lecture. When analyzing the sub-stages of the metaverse-based biological classification activity,there was a noticeable decrease in activation in the left VLPFC and right FP during the planning stage. Furthermore, group activities resulted in more channels being activated in the bilateral DLPFC compared to individual activities. These results indicate that metaversebased biological classification activities more effectively stimulate motivation and goal-directed thinking, as well as the cognitive processes necessary for devising classification criteria.
An Analytical Study for Digital Transformation in an Egyptian Public University: A Case of Zagazig University
Authors: Ghonemy Tamer Ahmed Gouda , Lee Kwangho
Published: January 2025

This study examines the requirements for digital transformation (DT) in Egyptian public universities, focusing on Zagazig University as a case study. It analyzes the current state, essential needs, and challenges associated with implementing DT. A descriptive methodology was employed using an electronic survey involving 584 faculty members and administrators. The findings revealed that key factors for successful DT include cultural awareness of its importance, an effective administrative and organizational structure, and supportive legislative frameworks. However, challenges such as limited practical knowledge, resistance to change, and insufficient financial resources were identified. The study recommends establishing a dedicated DT office within the university to oversee planning, implementation, and continuous evaluation, ensuring the success of transformation efforts.
A Study on the Science-Affective Domain of Students Participating in a Chemistry Experience Camp
Authors: Kim Hyunjung
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the affective domain of science among students who participated in a chemistry experience camp. To this end, a survey was conducted on students who participated in the camp to draw graphs related to the affective domain of science and their attitudes toward chemistry. The results of the study are as follows: first, students who participated in the chemistry camp generally showed an increasing interest in science as they advanced in grade levels. This trend was closely related to an improvement in their confidence in science. Participatory experiences, such as experiments and achievements in science, had a positive impact on their interest in and confidence regarding science. Second, the students' interest in science, confidence in science, career interests, and career choices were found to be closely interconnected. Third, students perceived chemistry as both satisfying and challenging, but also complicated. They responded that mathematical calculations, such as the quantitative relationships in chemical reactions, and various laws could contribute to negative feelings toward chemistry.
Teachers' Perceptions of the Usage of Digital Contents on Intelligent Science Lab Platform for Science Class
Authors: Byeon Jung-ho
Published: January 2025

The rapid advancements in digital technologies and their integration into education have reshaped teaching and learning practices, particularly in science education. Despite the increasing emphasis on digital tools like simulation content for inquiry-based learning, effectively utilizing these tools in schools remains challenging. This study aims to explore the current usage and perceptions of the intelligent science lab platform and its simulation content among science teachers, identify key factors affecting its application, and suggest strategies for improvement. The survey was conducted with 74 science teachers across elementary, middle, and high schools in South Korea, focusing on their experiences with the platform and content characteristics to investigate teachers' perceptions of intelligent science lab platform content. The collected data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to assess usage frequency, identify perceived advantages and disadvantages, and explore improvement needs. The results revealed that many teachers do not use the platform due to low usability and difficulties in lesson integration. Also, while the simulation content was recognized for its potential to support virtual science inquiry and save time, it was criticized for insufficient implementation of inquiry activities and limited realistic experiences. However, teachers emphasized the need for simulation content that is closely aligned with scientific inquiry, user-friendly, and has diverse themes and topics in this survey. Also, it can be revealed that the balance of effectiveness and efficiency for scientific activity using simulation content is the most essential factor in the development of digital content. Consequently, providing assistance with scientific inquiry, enhancing usability, and improving learning motivation is essential to increasing the digital content's effectiveness in supporting science education. Future research should further investigate the impact of digital simulation tools on student engagement and learning outcomes to refine their development and application in educational settings.
A Study on a Deep Learning-Based Approach for Automated Scoring Solutions of Korean L1 Essays
Authors: Kim Surim , Choi Sookki
Published: January 2025

The study utilized 401 data points categorized into upper, middle, and lower levels. The model development process included five stages: 1) data purification and preprocessing, 2) embedding, 3) data segmentation and shape conversion, 4) model training, and 5) model performance evaluation. The research employed BERT, a pre-trained model, to develop the grading model. Performance evaluation of the trained model yielded an accuracy of 0.7377, precision of 0.6514, recall of 0.7377, and an F1 score of 0.6717. These results demonstrate a relatively high level of performance compared to previous studies on scoring Korean written and essay answers by L1 learners. As a result, the feasibility of developing an automatic scoring model using the BERT language model with small-scale data from a specific domain. Also, the model’s performance shows some generalizability, but further exploration is needed for improvement. Limitations of the study include the use of writing samples graded without considering grade levels, limited test data, difficulties in processing unregistered tokens, and the inherent unexplainability of deep learning techniques. Further discussions and considerations on how to more effectively utilize artificial intelligence in Korean language education should continue. Ongoing research on automatic grading is necessary to provide accurate and detailed educational feedback to students. As automatic grading research in the field of Korean language education advances, it is expected that high-quality educational interventions for students will become possible in the future.
The Study of Student Support System Operation in the Suvarnabhumi Prakan Consortium under the Samut Prakan Secondary Education Area Office
Authors: Kongnawang Teerapon , Noisawat Jukkrit
Published: January 2025

This research focused on the operation of the student care and support system in Suvarnabhumi Prakan, under the Samut Prakan Secondary Educational Service Area Office. The objectives were to 1) examine the level of performance of the student care and support system, and 2) compare the level of operation across schools of different sizes within the same area. The sample consisted of 254 administrators and teachers. The research instrument was a questionnaire using Likert scale. Data analysis was conducted using mean, standard deviation, and One-Way ANOVA. The research findings were as follows: 1. The overall operation of the student care and support system in Suvarnabhumi Prakan, under the Samut Prakan Secondary Educational Service Area Office, was at a very high level. When considering each aspect, the average scores were ranked from highest to lowest in the following order. student referral, student support, individual student knowledge, and student screening; 2. A comparison of the operation of the student care and support system, categorized by school size, were difference.
Are people equally willing to trade different dimensions of democracy for material and physical security?
Authors: Bordeleau Jean-Nicolas
Published: January 2025

To what extent are citizens willing to support undemocratic practices? With the recent waves of democratic backsliding around the world, the answer to this question has become increasingly important. Existing studies find that citizens are willing to trade democratic institutions and political rights for better economic and physical security. But are individuals equally willing to trade different dimensions of democracy? Using a pre-registered conjoint experiment in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom (N = 3,033), I test the willingness of citizens to trade five different dimensions of democracy in exchange for better material and physical security. The results of the experiment demonstrate that citizens are less willing to compromise on elections and political rights, but more open to forgo accountability mechanisms. These findings make a substantial contribution to the literature on citizen support for democratic backsliding by identifying which dimensions of democracy people are least (and most) likely to abandon.
A possibility to measure universal space expansion on the Earth’s surface
Authors: Sorli Amrit S.
Published: January 2025

Today, technology allows the precise measurement of 113 km at 1 nm. This high precision allows us to verify the declared rate of universal space expansion, which states that a distance of 113 km on the Earth’s surface should grow by 23 nm per day.
Does In-Group Favouritism Lead to In-Group Voting? An Experimental Study of Vote Choice among Minority and Majority Voters
Authors: Nadler Anna-Lena , Hepplewhite Matthew , van Oosten Sanne
Published: January 2025

Empirical evidence suggests that ethnic minority voters favour co-ethnic candidates, while ethnic majority voters discriminate against minority candidates. However, most of these studies focus on ethnicity as a salient identity marker but fail to examine the role of religion in candidate choice. Further, little research has explored identity dynamics in minority and majority candidate choice simultaneously. Using original survey experiment data from the Netherlands, France, and Germany, we address these gaps by examining the role of ethnic and religious in-group favouritism for candidate choice among minority and majority voters. We find that ethnic majority voters display a preference for co-ethnic majority candidates over minority candidates and that this effect is reinforced by ethnic in-group favouritism. Yet, ethnic in-group favouritism has no effects for minority voters’ candidate choice. Thus, we conclude that, contrary to the reigning paradigm, ethnicity plays a greater role in candidate choice among ethnic majority than minority voters. On the other side, religious minority voters are more likely to engage in religious in-group voting, i.e. choosing co-religious candidates over candidates of other religious denomination. Moreover, we find that religious in-group favouritism is crucial for Muslim minority voters, but religious in-group favouritism among majority voters does not imply a positive bias towards co-Christian candidates. These findings have significant implications for parties and descriptive representation.
Symmetric Sampling and the Discrete Laws of Physics (3): The Mathematics of Discrete Physics
Authors: van Heel Marin
Published: January 2025

The Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem was refuted in part-1 of this series due to its mathematical flaws, including its circular proof. The theorem implicitly assumes the input signals to be already known deterministically, which makes the signals fundamentally not measurable. In part-2, the problems with the early sampling ideas are explained in verbal detail, while minimizing on the mathematics. This part-3 focuses primarily on the mathematical side of the measurement problem. This problem affects not only sampling, but all Laws of Physics including: Classical Mechanics; Quantum Mechanics; and General Relativity; since these are all based on determinism. Resolving this problem, requires the Laws of Physics to be rephrased in discrete form. The logical information flow in Physics must start with measurements, from which to derive discrete operators to replace the deterministic operators of Classical Physics (including Quantum Mechanics). Symmetric-sampling provides the rules for conducting discrete measurements on a physical system. From a large set of noisy physical measurements, we can derive the best-fit discrete operator and its main eigenvectors which best cover the physical experiment. Such discrete operators, can predict future experimental outcomes. New results can be appended to earlier datasets to further improve the discrete operator, taking advantage of the increased size of the “learning-set”. This “measurement-first” approach unifies Physics under a small set of postulates. The hypothetical “pre-collapse” QM wavefunction Ψ(r,t) in the Schrödinger equation gives way to a five-dimensional “post-collapse” mutual-current-density J(x,y;x',y',t) wavefunction (MCD), a successor to Zernike’s 5D mutual-intensity function: I(x,y;x',y',t). The Schrödinger equation itself will be replaced by a new partial differential equation operating on the MCD.
Processing accuracy of microwave photonic signal processors based on microcombs for different input signal waveforms
Authors: Moss David
Published: January 2025

We experimentally demonstrate the capability of microcomb-based microwave photonic signal processors to handle diverse input signal waveforms. We quantify the processing accuracy for different input signal waveforms, including Gaussian, triangle, parabolic, super Gaussian, and nearly square waveforms.
The Way To Solve ‘Dark Energy’ Problem Use Black Hole Property without Ad Hoc Dark Energy Solution
Authors: shek tom
Published: January 2025

In the vast cosmos, our comprehension of black holes has been incomplete, overlooking their significant influence on the universe. Neglecting the unseen energy within black holes has led to misconceptions, especially regarding dark energy.Our research sheds light on a crucial disparity between observable and black hole energy-momentum tensors, offering a plausible explanation for dark energy's enigmatic properties. By integrating black hole energy contributions, we unveil a new perspective that aligns with the universe's hidden truths.This groundbreaking explanation reveals how neglecting black hole energy-momentum tensors can mimic dark energy's effects—like negative pressure and isotropy—introducing self-referential inconsistencies. Observational evidence further supports the pivotal role of supermassive black holes in cosmic evolution and dark energy phenomena.While this study is a starting point, it provides a promising path to understanding dark energy authentically, without makeshift solutions. Future research is vital to refine our framework, validate predictions, and explore the broader implications. This approach offers a bridge between black hole physics and cosmology, addressing a profound mystery in modern science.In a journey of cosmic exploration, let us embrace curiosity for the unknown, seeking to unravel the universe's secrets through the integration of black hole truths and the enigma of dark energy.
Experiences and attitudes toward working remotely from home in a time of pandemic: A snapshot from a New Zealand-based online survey
Authors: Pacheco Edgar
Published: January 2025

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, employees from around the world were compelled to work remotely from home and, in many cases, without much preparation. A substantial body of international research has been conducted on the experiences and attitudes of remote workers as well as the implications of this phenomenon for organisations. While New Zealand research evidence is growing, most existing inquiry is qualitative. This paper provides a quantitative snapshot of remote working using survey data from participants whose jobs can be done from home (n=415). Data collection took place when the country was facing Covid-related measures. Based on descriptive and inferential statistics, it was found that, not only was remote working common, but that hybrid working arrangements were also more prevalent. While half of the participants wanted to work from home more frequently, age, but not gender, was significantly associated with this preference. Another relevant finding is that perceived change in the workplace culture due to flexible work arrangements was significantly associated with preference for working remotely more often. Finally, the most common perceived barriers to working from home were slow internet speed, the need to attend face-to-face meetings, and limited space at home to work. The implications of the results are discussed and some directions for future research are proposed.
The conspicious (conspiracist and suspicious) mindset trap: Longitudinal bidirectional relationships between precarity, institutional trust and conspiracy beliefs
Authors: Adamus Magdalena , Chayinska Maria , Šrol Jakub , Adam-Troian Jais , Mikušková Eva Ballová
Published: January 2025

The paper reports findings of a preregistered longitudinal replication examining the extent to which institutional trust mediates the relationship between individuals’ sense of precarity and their adherence to conspiracy beliefs. Across three waves, 925 participants (50.2% female) between the age of 18 and 85 (M = 49.53; SD = 15.81) reported subjective appraisals of their financial situation (precarity), trust in eight institutions (e.g., Slovak government and president, European Union), and adherence to conspiracy beliefs. The results point to a self-enhancing nature of the relationship between the variables which show to be intrinsically intertwined and, with time, reinforce their aversive effects on one another. Unlike cross-sectional studies replicated here, the current results support the view that the sense of precarity is an outcome of adherence to conspiracy beliefs rather than its cause, while institutional (dis)trust and conspiracy beliefs show a consistently bidirectional pattern jointly contributing to the formation of conspicious (conspiracist + suspicious) mindset. As a consequence, conspiracy theorists may fall into a trap of conspiracy beliefs, suspicions, and pessimistic appraisal of their living (economic and institutional) circumstances. The paper discusses theoretical and practical consequences of the bidirectionality as the findings may substantially contribute to our understanding of conspiracy beliefs and consideration of potential interventions aimed at mitigating their real-life ramifications.
Beyond the Panels: Comics as Tools for Learning
Authors: Sarris Konstantine
Published: January 2025

This paper explores powerful ways that comics can promote learning. The introduction offers context about the history of comics. It shows how comics transitioned from a form of entertainment to a tool that enhances academic success. The section on comics as learning tools discusses their general benefits, the impact of digital comics, and their subject-specific applications in science and math. The paper also examines areas for further research, such as creating comics to improve learning and using them collaboratively in classrooms. Overall, comics can bridge disciplines and make learning accessible to diverse student populations. This paper therefore advocates for exploring the full potential of comics to help students thrive.
Rethinking the Anatomy and Architecture of the Neoproterozoic Gneiss Domes in the Nubian Shield: Are they Extensional Metamorphic Core Complexes?
Authors: Mohammad Abdullah , El Kazzaz Yahia
Published: January 2025

The Nubian Shield features amphibolite-grade, gneiss-cored domes surrounded by greenschist-grade island arc and ophiolitic assemblages. These structures exhibit anomalous intense ductile deformation and higher metamorphism than the surrounding rock units; yet, their nature, geometry, and origin remain controversial. The present study integrates field data, remote sensing, and detailed structural and microstructural analyses to reevaluate the nature, architecture, and formation of these metamorphic domes, focusing on the Meatiq dome in Egypt's Central Eastern Desert. Our findings reveal: (1) Meatiq Dome comprises a domed thrust shear zone originating at mid-crustal depths, initially oriented sub-horizontally. Microstructural analysis shows the dominance of crystal plastic deformation with non-coaxial strain and varying metamorphic conditions. (2) The granite plutons in the dome (Um Baanib and Abu Ziran) were emplaced syn-kinematically during NW-ward tectonic transport, strongly supported by the sub-magmatic microstructures that reflect concurrent magmatic and solid-state deformation. Both plutons exhibit sheet-like geometries and were emplaced along distinct rheological contacts. (3) While the Meatiq Dome shares some attributes with metamorphic core complexes (MCCs), such as low-angle shear surfaces and mylonitic rocks, it lacks typical MCC features like low-angle and rotational normal faults. Structural analysis indicates that the domiform geometry of these structures is better explained by thrust-related folding rather than by MCC models. The deformation history of the Meatiq Dome comprises five key phases related to different tectonic stages with ages ranging from Precambrian to Cenozoic. The results provide new insights into the 3D geometry and structural history of the gneiss domes in the Nubian Shield, with implications for deformation processes in mid-crustal shear zones.
Thermax 1-2-3: A modelling platform For optimisation analyses of fluid-thermal systems using MS Excel
Authors: El-Awad Mohamed Musadag
Published: January 2025

This power-point presentation describes an effective learning/teaching method for energy-related undergraduate subjects: Thermodynamics, Fluid-dynamics, and Heat-transfer by:
- Encouraging computer-aided analytical methods
– Enabling design analyses of fluid-thermal systems
– Adopting problem and project-based learning (PBL), and 
– Facilitating student research
Strategic variability in humans, pigeons, and rats.
Authors: Reynders Janne , Verguts Tom , Braem Senne
Published: January 2025

Strategically variable behavior can be advantageous in various fields such as sports (unpredictability), art (creativity), science (innovation), and problem-solving (thinking outside the box). Although previous studies identified experimental conditions under which humans and non-human animals show increased variable decision-making, we have only a limited understanding of its underlying cognitive mechanisms. Using a reinforcement learning model, we simulate the use of three different theorized strategies in an adversarial reward learning environment that requires very high variability. Model simulations with a policy-gradient meta-learning algorithm show that agents could respond more optimally in such environments by (1) relying on a stochastic generator, (2) increasing one’s learning rate to allow for faster interactions between reinforcement learning and extinction, or (3) strategically upvalue unchosen actions using a frequency-based memory. After demonstrating the theoretical benefit of each of these strategies, we fitted our model on existing datasets of human-, pigeons- and rat behavior in adversarial environments. We show that, while all three species can engage in highly variable behavior, only humans strategically upvalue unchosen actions as a strategy to achieve variability.
How many factors to retain in exploratory factor analysis? A critical overview of factor retention methods.
Authors: Goretzko David
Published: January 2025

Determining the number of factors is a decisive, yet very difficult decision a researcher faceswhen conducting an exploratory factor analysis. Over the last decades, numerous so-calledfactor retention criteria have been developed to infer the latent dimensionality fromempirical data. While some tutorials and review papers on EFA exist which giverecommendations on how to determine the number of latent factors, there is nocomprehensive overview that categorizes the existing approaches and integrates the resultsof existing simulation studies evaluating the various methods in different data conditions.With this paper, we want to provide such an overview enabling (applied) researchers tomake an informed decision when choosing a factor retention criterion. Summarizing themost important results from recent simulation studies, we provide guidance when to relyon which method and call for a more thoughtful handling of overly simple heuristics.
The emergence of emotional sensitivity: Consistency guides social engagement in older toddlers
Authors: Fang Wei , Xiao Naiqi G
Published: January 2025

This study investigated toddlers’ sensitivity to emotional consistency and its influence on their social engagement. Sixty-eight toddlers of diverse ethnic backgrounds (39 females; 338-908 days; 79.4% White) watched videos depicting adult informants expressing emotions towards novel objects. These expressions were either consistent (e.g., always positive toward Object A) or inconsistent (e.g., both positive and negative toward Object A). Eighteen- to 24-month-olds exhibited distinct looking patterns in response to the consistent versus inconsistent informants (Cohen’s d = 0.42), demonstrating greater gaze following toward the emotionally consistent adult. Conversely, 12- to 18-month-olds did not differentiate between these conditions. Findings suggest that the ability to detect and utilize emotional consistency as a cue for social engagement emerges during the second year of life.
STRATEGI DAN MOTIVASI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEPATUHAN PAJAK KENDARAAN BERMOTOR PAJAK MASYARAKAT DI DKI JAKARTA
Authors: Ferawati Ferawati , Magdalena Febriani Cristina Susianti
Published: January 2025

This research aims to determine the effect of motor vehicle tax waiver policy, Transfer of Title Fee Exemption, E-Samsat System, and Motivation on vehicle tax payer compliance in DKI Jakarta. A quantitative methodological framework was adopted, involving the administration of questionnaires to a sample of 146 vehicle proprietors. The data was subjected to multiple linear regression analysis for comprehensive evaluation. The findings indicate that the motor vehicle tax waiver policy, Transfer of Title Fee Exemption, and motivational factors exert a positive influence on the compliance of vehicle taxpayers. Nevertheless, while the Transfer of Title Fee Exemption demonstrates a positive yet statistically insignificant effect, the E-Samsat System exhibits an insignificant impact on the compliance of vehicle taxpayers
Growth Zones in South Asia: The Potential of the South Asian Growth Quadrangle
Authors: Sobhan Rehaman
Published: January 2025

Not available.
Book Review: Theories of Economic Development
Authors: Karna Sohan Kumar
Published: January 2025

Not available.
A Note on Magnitude of Computers from Kirtipur
Authors: Nepal Pashupati
Published: January 2025

Not available.
Assessment of the National Health Insurance Program in Nepal: Policyholders’ Experiences, Satisfaction, and Repurchase Intentions
Authors: Gautam Prakash Kumar
Published: January 2025

The effectiveness of the public healthcare system indicates the nation’s socioeconomic prosperity and the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) should be the cornerstone. This study explores policyholders’ experience, satisfaction, and repurchase intentions. It followed a quantitative approach with a causal-comparative research design using survey data from 403 policyholders from Gandaki and Lumbini provinces using convenience and snowball sampling. A five-point Likert scale was used to collect the data, which were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the mediation model. Results revealed moderate experience and satisfaction from the NHIP and examined the significant effect of policyholders’ experience on predicting policy repurchase intention. Further, the enhanced satisfaction from the policy benefits increases the impact of experience predicting repurchase intentions. This study contributes to the theory and practical implications of public health policy.
Policyholder Surrender Behavior in the Nepalese Life Insurance Market During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ghimire Rabindra , Thapa Bharat Singh , Waikar Vilas
Published: January 2025

The Nepalese life insurance industry is facing a significant challenge due to its high surrender rate, which became particularly alarming during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, this study aims to explore the different reasons behind the life insurance policy surrenders and examine the association between the policy holding period and the demographic characteristics of policyholders. Primary data were collected during 2020-2021 through a questionnaire survey from 445 policyholders who had already surrendered the policy. The survey was conducted in eight major cities in Nepal. The findings reveal several key insights into policyholders’ surrender behavior. The most influential factors contributing to surrender include advice from family and friends, lack of knowledge about the policy, and insufficient information provided to policyholders. The study concludes that economic factors are the most significant driver of surrender behavior, followed by knowledge gaps, social influences, company-related factors, and, to a lesser extent, agent-related factors. Notably, no demographic variables were found to have a significant association with surrender reasons. The study recommends implementing tighter financial underwriting procedures, enhancing customer education and awareness about policies, and fostering stronger customer relationships to mitigate the incidence of policy surrenders.
Philosophy: The First Science
Authors: Rai  Bimalendra
Published: January 2025

There is a bifurcation between philosophy and science: a derogative word, impractical and dead discipline; and a laudatory term for objectivity, and utmost necessity of the modern world respectively. Many articles highlight higher paying jobs and enrollment in STEM fields indicating it has a solely existing discipline for a long; however, philosophy makes it possible for science to exist, including language and communication a lineage. This paper shows before science, philosophy came into play with objectivity facts; and applications, meaning philosophy was the first science. The fallacy of science as empirical and superior for its attainability measurement is countered through backings. The rebuttals and qualifiers expose such fallacy, failure of Newtonian science (three-body problems), and quantum emersion, for instance, break its objectivity and truth; which occur is the interplay of time and relevance like philosophy; however, unlike pure science, philosophy holds its ground firm for more than two millennia. The ether of philosophy, unlike science, goes beyond stating reality or truth, rather for a much larger implication to seek. Thus, science is the ripest of the ripe and most delicious of the delicious fruit of philosophy.
Assessing the Contribution of Nutrients to Yield of Rice Varieties through Omission Plot Techniques in Lamjung, Nepal
Authors: Subedi Sambriddhi , Pokhrel Alina , Awasthi Kabi Raj , Dhami Jagdish Chandra , Adhikari Bishnu Bilash
Published: January 2025

As fertilizers are considered productivity-enhancing inputs of agriculture, field research was conducted to canvass the contribution of fertilizers through meticulously designed omission plots. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season 2018 at Sundarbazar-7, Lamjung. The experiment's main objective was to evaluate soil's nutrient-supplying capacities and estimate nutrient requirements in hybrid (US312) and inbred (Sukhadhan-2) rice varieties. The experiment was carried out in RCBD with three replications and 10 treatments.: US 312+60:30:20kg NPKha-1 (T1), US312+0:30:20kg NPKha-1 (T2), US312+60:0:20kg NPKha-1 (T3), US312+60:30:0kg NPKha-1 (T4), US312+0:0:0kg NPKha-1 (T5), Sukhadhan-2+60:30:20kg NPKha-1 (T6), Sukhadhan-2+0:30:20kg NPKha-1 (T7), Sukhadhan-2+60:0:20kg NPK ha-1 (T8), Sukhadhan 2+60:30:0kg NPK ha-1 (T9), Sukhadhan-2 +0:0:0kg NPKha-1 (T10). Results revealed that the highest grain yield was obtained from T1 (4.98 t ha-1) followed by T4 (4.76 t ha-1) and T3 (4.54 t ha-1), while the lowest grain yield was obtained from T10 (2.47 t ha-1) which were statistically significant. The highest grain yield of T1, T3, and T4 was positively supported by effective tillers/m2, effective grains/panicle, flag leaf area, green leaf number per culm, panicle length, root length, and weight. Soil test data showed that organic carbon (1.63%) and total nitrogen (0.15%) were also found highest in T1 while the lowest was found in T10 and T7, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was also highest in T1 (1.98). The use of a hybrid rice variety (US312) with a balanced dose of fertilizer under rainfed conditions would be better to get a higher yield in the western mid-hills of Nepal.
Germination and Seedling Vigour of Soybean (Glycine max) and Blackgram (Vigna mungo) as Affeced by Priming Methods in Lamjung
Authors: Khanal Sugam , Shrestha Sudikshya
Published: January 2025

To address poor germination and seedling establishment in legume cultivation this study explored the impact of seed priming with different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) compared to hydropriming on soybean and blackgram. Two separate experiments were conducted with four replications each in Completely Randomized Design. The seeds underwent hormonal priming with varying concentrations of GA3 - 50 ppm, 75 ppm, 100 ppm and 125 ppm and hydro-priming at the Agronomy laboratory of Lamjung Campus. For soybean, 100 ppm GA3 produced the best results (P<0.05) in terms of germination rate (99%), root and seedling length, and seedling vigor index (2054.20). Meanwhile, 50 ppm GA3 showed the fastest germination and better germination index (237.00) compared to other treatments (P<0.05). In blackgram, 50 ppm GA3 treatment resulted in 100% germination and significant effects on various parameters, including coefficient of velocity of germination and germination index (244.75) while 75 ppm GA3 exhibited the fastest germination time and longest length of root (10.85 cm) (P<0.05). Hydropriming improved overall seedling characteristics like seedling length and seedling vigor index (2074.16) (P<0.05). This highlights the effectiveness of hydro-priming, priming with 50 ppm GA3 for blackgram and 100 ppm GA3 for soybean, emphasizing the importance of priming methods.
Evaluation of Clinical and Hematological Effect of Xylazine-Ketamine and Xylazine-Atropine in Rabbit
Authors: Sah Pradeep Kumar , Gautam Manish , Sapkota Swastika , Shah Shambhu
Published: January 2025

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and hematological changes during Xylazine-Ketamine (XK) and Xylazine-atropine (XA) anesthesia in rabbits. Ten healthy and well-fed Rabbits of 1.6 to 2.0 kg BW were selected and divided into two groups: Group I (XK) and Group II (XA). Rabbits in Group I (n=5) were anesthetized with a combination of Xylazine HCl @ 5 mg/kg BW (IM) and Ketamine HCl @ 35 mg/kg BW (IM), whereas Xylazine HCl @ 5 mg/kg BW (IM) and Atropine Sulphate @ 0.2 mg/kg BW (IM) were used for anesthesia in Group II (n=5). In both groups, various clinical parameters like heart rate, respiration rate and temperature were collected from the rabbits before induction of anesthetic agents (control) and thereafter on 15, 30, 45, 60,75, and 90 minutes of post-induction and blood parameters at 0 minute and 30 minutes to evaluate hematological changes. In addition, clinical changes in temperature, respiration and heart rate were also assessed in both groups.  RBC, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in Group I(XK), temperature, respiration and heart rate were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in both groups during the experiment. There were no significant differences in lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocyte, HCT, platelets values from baseline in group I(XK) and Group II(XA). The rabbits recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. This result showed that the combination of Xylazine and Ketamine would give better anesthetic results in terms of clinical and hematological parameter and general anesthesia compare to Xylazine and Atropine in healthy rabbits. Rabbits should be carefully monitored by the veterinarians during surgical interventions to avoid anesthesia-related risks and complications.
Comparative Growth Analysis of Crossbred Progenies of Boer Goats in Nepal
Authors: Tamang Dawa Tshiring , Sharma Mohan Prasad , Devkota Naba Raj , Bhattarai Nirajan , Barsila Sankar Raj
Published: January 2025

Boer breed of goat is renowned for its excellence in meat production, robust body structure, rapid growth and superior carcass quality. A sample of 898 Boer goats from 5 different blood groups were taken from 15, 17 and 19 wards of Bharatpur Metroposis in Chitwan district of Nepal in order to perform comparative analysis among different genetic groups of Boer goats on their productive performance. The collected data were analyzed by using Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and RStudio. Results revealed that the 87.5% Boer goats consistently had exhibited superior growth performances of across multiple parameters indicating a robust genetic foundation inherited from the Boer breed. This was evidence by its highest average litter weight at birth (4.74 ± 0.08), litter weight at weaning (23.40 ± 0.72) and its massive body confirmation in terms of length (L), heart girth (G) and wither height (H). In contrast, bloodlines with lower percentages of Boer genetics such as 37.5% and 50% Boer goats had shown comparatively lower growth performances but showed potential adaptability to extensive grazing conditions. Therefore, these findings suggest systematic cross breeding program that may better focus on specific production targets according to suitable production system and breed in favorable season showing highest genetic performance which could improve the efficiency and sustainability of goat production in similar regions of Nepal.