bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Media and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Cities and Societies: A Water Quality Analysis Use-case
Authors: Ahmad Kashif , Ayub Muhammad Asif , Zamir Muhammad Tayyab , Khan Imran , Naseem Hannia , Ahmad Nasir
Published: December 2024

Crowd-sourcing has been widely explored for monitoring and feedback on infrastructure and services, such as air and water quality analysis. However, the traditional methods of crowd-sourcing for feedback and analysis of water quality, such as offline and online surveys, have several limitations, such as the limited number of participants and low frequency due to the labor involved in conducting such surveys. Social media analytics could overcome these challenges by providing a more sustainable and cost- effective water quality monitoring and analysis tool. This paper explores the potential of social media analytics in such applications by proposing a Natural Language Processing (NLP) framework to automatically collect and analyze water-related posts from social media for data-driven decisions. The proposed framework is composed of two components, namely (i) text classification, and (ii) topic modeling. For text classification, we propose a merit-fusion-based framework incorporating several Large Language Models (LLMs) combined in a late fusion method with optimal weights. In topic modeling, we employed the BERTopic library to discover the hidden topic patterns in the water-related tweets. We also analyzed relevant tweets originating from different regions and countries to explore global, regional, and country-specific issues and water-related concerns. We also collected and manually annotated a large-scale dataset, which is expected to facilitate future research on the topic.
Regulación de riesgos socioambientales en el Sur de Chile: análisis de la tenencia responsable de animales de compañía y de la contaminación urbana por uso doméstico de leña
Authors: Sáez Ardura Felipe , Vallejos Romero Arturo , Boso Gaspar Àlex , Ortiz Noguera Guadalupe , Cordoves-Sánchez Minerva , Cisternas Irarrázabal César , Rodríguez Rodríguez Ignacio , Arias Lagos Loreto
Published: December 2024

Se analizan dos regímenes socioambientales en La Araucanía (Chile), utilizando el enfoque de regulación de riesgos. Aplicando una metodología cualitativa, se caracteriza la configuración regulatoria de la tenencia de mascotas y la contaminación urbana por uso de leña en un espacio regional. La evidencia muestra diferencias regulatorias significativas entre los regímenes, con mayor desarrollo y eficiencia regulatoria en el segundo que en el primero. Así, en Chile se estarían desplegando con mayor intensidad esfuerzos regulatorios para atender dominios donde el riesgo implica la exposición a una externalidad generada por razones económicas y productivas, más que a aquellos provocados, como el caso de los animales de compañía, por razones socioculturales. Se concluye que existen avances regulatorios en ambos casos, con sendos esfuerzos de política, aunque persisten deficiencias en la atención institucional prestada a problemáticas socioambientales como las estudiadas. Es decir, si bien se atiende más a un tipo de riesgo que a otro, en ambas modalidades existen insuficiencias regulatorias. Estos resultados pueden ilustrar otras áreas de la gestión de riesgos socioambientales en distintos países de Latinoamérica, bajo la hipótesis de que en la región las políticas del riesgo son infrecuentes.
IMPORTÂNCIA DA CULTURA DE VIGILÂNCIA NO CONTROLE E PREVENÇÃO DAS IRAS: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA
Authors: Silva Vitória Petri Rosa Santos , Santos Mariana Moura , Neder Giselle de Carvalho , Santos Rafael Garteni Santana , Silva Emilli Kaynne Freire , Oliveira Rafaela Melo , Pinheiro Malone Santos
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are infections acquired during hospital care, which may occur during hospitalization or after discharge. Factors such as age, comorbidities, and inadequate procedures increase the risk of infection. Active surveillance is essential to minimize the consequences of this issue and ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare professionals. In Brazil, this control is carried out through the Healthcare-Associated Infections Control Program (PCIRAS), in an effort to monitor the technological evolution and scientific evidence of healthcare practices. Objective: To analyze the importance of a surveillance culture in the prevention and control of HAI, aiming at improving the quality of health. Methodology: This is a literature review, referring to the importance of surveillance cultures in the control and prevention of HAI. Articles indexed in Google Scholar and in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Nature and Science Direct databases were used, in addition to dissertations/thesis and specialized literary works on the subject. Conclusion: With this study it is possible to observe not only the consequences and the high incidence of HAI in public health, but also the growing increase in the rate of multidrug-resistant microorganisms in the hospital environment, which shows the need for preventive measures to reduce this incidence, such as, for example, the surveillance culture.
CONSTRUINDO HÁBITOS DE HIGIENE COM PARTICIPANTES DO PROJETO AABB COMUNIDADE EM PORTO NACIONAL/TO
Authors: Silva Catharina Noleto Gontijo e , Negreiros Ciro Vieira de , Neves; Fernanda Bandeira Franco , Morais Gabriel Paiva de Souza; Hugo Vitor Gonçalves , Camargos Ingrid Thaís Ribeiro , Bertolini Maria Eduarda Lopes , Sampaio Matheus de Souza , Alves Pamylla Maia Rosal , Benevides Paula Stephany Tavares Santos , Veras Victor Higor Oliveira , Miranda Vitória Batista , Rodrigues Vitória Haylla Andrade , Cunha Edinaura Rios , Ribeiro Nailson Pereira
Published: December 2024

Este projeto tem como objetivo promover a educação em saúde bucal para crianças e adolescentes participantes do Programa AABB Comunidade em Porto Nacional/TO. A ação foi desenvolvida por acadêmicos de medicina e odontologia e consistiu em atividades educativas e práticas de higiene bucal. As atividades incluíram palestras, dinâmicas interativas e a distribuição de kits de higiene, reforçando o cuidado com a saúde e incentivando a adoção de práticas diárias de higiene pessoal. A proposta enfatizou a importância da escovação dental e da higiene das mãos, integrando conhecimentos técnicos e acessíveis para o público infantil e adolescente. O projeto visa criar hábitos saudáveis e prevenir problemas de saúde bucal, como cáries e gengivite, frequentemente associados à falta de cuidados preventivos. Espera-se que os participantes adquiram maior consciência sobre a importância da higiene bucal e mantenham esses cuidados ao longo da vida, promovendo um impacto positivo em sua qualidade de vida e desenvolvimento social.
INTERSECCIONALIDADE ENTRE RACISMO E FEMINICÍDIO: O IMPACTO DESPROPORCIONAL DA VIOLÊNCIA SOBRE MULHERES NEGRA
Authors: Santos Alexandre de Souza dos , Silva Luzieli Rodrigues Ferreira , Soares Maria Jozisnaide Portela , Vasconcelos Rafila Talissa Andrade , Fernandes Thiago Gabriel Souza , Costa Júnior Ailton Souza da , Oliveira Adriano Dos Santos
Published: December 2024

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise da interseccionalidade entre racismo e feminicídio no Brasil, com foco nas mulheres negras, grupo desproporcionalmente afetado pela violência de gênero. A pesquisa justifica-se pela crescente preocupação com o aumento dos casos de feminicídio, especialmente entre mulheres de minorias sociais, e a ineficácia das políticas públicas em lidar com esse problema. O objetivo principal é compreender os fatores estruturais que perpetuam essa violência e discutir a necessidade de políticas inclusivas que considerem as diferenças raciais. Para atingir esse objetivo, foi utilizada uma metodologia de pesquisa bibliográfica. Os dados qualitativos foram selecionados com base em sua atualidade e relevância, permitindo uma reflexão crítica sobre o tema. Os resultados indicam que a combinação de racismo e misoginia agrava a vulnerabilidade das mulheres negras ao feminicídio, evidenciando a urgência de abordagens políticas e sociais interseccionais. Conclui-se que é essencial a implementação de políticas públicas mais eficazes, que considerem as especificidades raciais e sociais, para combater de maneira abrangente essa forma de violência.
Institutions-Finance-Growth Nexus
Authors: Smolo Edib
Published: December 2024

This paper empirically investigates the impact of finance and institutions on economic growth using a panel data analysis covering the 2002-2019 period and focusing on three country groups: European Union (EU) member countries, European transition economies, and the overall sample taking all countries together. In contrast to the prevailing view that suggests a positive impact of finance on growth, our findings indicate that finance either decreases growth or is insignificant without evidence of non-linearity. Another finding that comes as a surprise is that institutions play no role in growth either directly or indirectly via finance in all our samples. Our findings, however, support the claim that the finance-growth nexus depends on financial development proxies and the financial and institutional development levels within sample countries.
Enhancing Financial Inclusion through Financial Literacy
Authors: Meskovic Admir , Aydin Šejma , Smolo Edib
Published: December 2024

This paper aims to examine the awareness and perceptions of depositors in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the features of investment deposits in Islamic finance. It evaluates the contribution of mudarabah-based deposits to the financial inclusion of Muslims and identifies factors influencing clients' decisions to place their funds in Islamic banks. The study employs a quantitative research methodology, utilizing an online survey distributed via LimeSurvey to collect primary data. The survey targeted bank clients in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a non-random convenience sample was obtained by promoting the survey link on a Facebook page aimed at users in the region. Paid advertising was used to enhance visibility, and direct outreach was conducted in cities with Islamic bank branches to ensure a representative sample. The survey included questions on demographic information, awareness of investment deposits, understanding of Islamic finance, and attitudes towards banking risks and returns. The structured nature of the survey allowed for effective data collection and analysis to identify knowledge gaps and depositor attitudes. The findings reveal that a significant portion of respondents lack adequate knowledge about investment deposits, posing a critical barrier to their effective use for mobilizing savings and enhancing financial inclusion. Muslim clients identify interest as a significant hurdle to saving in conventional banks, with similar expectations and risk aversion observed in Islamic banking investment accounts. This research underscores the potential role of investment deposits in advancing financial inclusion by addressing knowledge gaps and examining factors influencing clients' decision-making processes. It highlights the need for increased awareness and education about investment deposits to facilitate their wider adoption among depositors, enhancing the understanding of leveraging Islamic finance principles to promote financial inclusion and meet the unique needs of Islamic savers and investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Rise of Green Bonds
Authors: Ibrić Muhamed , Kozarević Emira , Mešković Admir
Published: December 2024

This paper analyzes the global and European green bond markets from different perspectives. The paper uses data on green bond issues on the global and European green bond market, in the period from 2013 to 2023. Research results show that the issuance of green and other sustainability-related revenue use bonds has increased in recent years. Europe remains the largest issuance region, accounting for more than half of global issuance. Green bond issuance globally and in Europe has experienced a tumultuous couple of years after reaching record highs of USD 575 billion and USD 326 billion in 2021, respectively. In 2023, Europe's green bond issuance recovered 11% year on year to USD 341 billion. It slightly outperformed the global markets, which recorded 10% growth to reach USD 581 billion. In line with 2022, the corporate sector fueled 2023 green volume, contributing 57% of issuance. Corporate issuers in Europe are mostly dominated by the energy, utilities, automotive, transport, and building sectors, all of which have hystorically been dependent on fossil fuels. Analysis of the capital markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) indicates that the green bond market exists, and it started in 2023 when the first issue of green bonds was announced by a commercial bank on the local capital market (Banja Luka Stock Exchange). The key barriers to the development of the green bond market are the lack of appropriate institutional arrangements for green bond management, the issue of minimum size, and the high transaction costs associated with issuing green bonds.
Autonomous Decision Support Based on Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Maintenance Processes
Authors: El-Said Emad , Abdulaziz Mohammed
Published: December 2024

Through the recent digitalization of the industry and the use of technologies and ideas from Industry 4.0, maintenance tasks have altered. Companies are now able to develop knowledge about the production system’s present and future health state by connecting to and talking with it, which enables more effective control over the machinery. Predictive maintenance is a technique whose objective is to minimize unscheduled downtimes and efficiently arrange maintenance tasks before faults and stoppages occur. Several Artificial Intelligence (AI) data analysis tools have been presented in recent decades to construct a prescriptive maintenance system that will aid with the autonomous choice in order to better assist this work. In order to comprehend how artificial intelligence algorithms are affecting maintenance policies and to analyze their implications in strategies, we investigate the state-of-the-art technologies in the prescriptive maintenance system in this study. The findings are compiled in a thorough database that offers illustrations of how to adopt maintenance policies based on descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics using concepts and empirical evidence from the literature. The goal of this study, which is the first in-depth inquiry of these research subjects, is to provide a deeper understanding and awareness of current trends and major challenges while highlighting important aspects and barriers to the adoption of novel policies.
Biochemical Analysis of Persea americana Extract for Mitigating Cadmium-Induced Liver Damage in Rats
Authors: Yakubu Ojochenemi Ejeh , Otitoju Olawale , Danjuma Janya , Ekpo Fidelis Okii , Dauda Maianguwa Abdulrashid
Published: December 2024

This research investigated the effects of methanol seed extract of Persea americana Mill on the liver of Wistar rats exposed to cadmium toxicity. The liver, known for its critical role in metabolism and interaction with the gastrointestinal tract, is predisposed to damage caused by drugs and other harmful chemicals. According to research, P. americana is rich in secondary metabolites with hepatoprotective properties. The seeds of P. americana were obtained from its fruits, procured from a local seller. The seeds were cut, air-dried under shade until crisp, pounded into powder, and extracted in methanol for 72 hours. Exactly 20 rats were subdivided into four groups, each containing five rats. The normal control group was given normal saline. The second group received 20 mg/kg bw CdSO4, the third group received 20 mg/kg bw CdSO4 with 400 mg/kg bw extract, and the fourth group received 20 mg/kg bw CdSO4 with 100 mg/kg bw silymarin. The results showed a significant difference in AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT levels in group 1 compared to the second group, which exhibited an increase. The treated groups demonstrated a considerable decrease in these marker enzymes relative to the induced group. There was no statistically significant difference in the protein levels among the groups. However, albumin levels decreased in group 2 compared to the other groups. MDA levels increased significantly in group 2, while SOD and CAT levels showed a significant decrease in group 2. The plant extract exhibited a promising hepatoprotective effect on the liver of animals induced with cadmium (CdSO4).
Integrating critical-thinking skills into foreign language teaching: Micro-teaching practices of pre-service teachers
Authors: Tunaz Mehmet
Published: December 2024

This study explored the integration of critical thinking (CT) skills into the foreign language teaching practices of pre-service teachers in Turkey. Employing a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews and micro-teaching sessions conducted with 60 pre-service English Language Teaching (ELT) students. The participants were selected through a purposive sampling method and consisted of 38 females and 22 males, aged between 20 and 26. The data analysis revealed that while the participants recognized the importance of critical thinking in language teaching, they faced significant challenges in its effective implementation. These challenges were primarily attributed to a lack of adequate training and various pedagogical constraints encountered during their preparation. The findings underscored the necessity of adopting more explicit instructional strategies and implementing targeted teacher education programs to foster the integration of CT into classroom practices. Results were categorized into four key themes: the superficial application of critical thinking, limited student engagement, challenges in balancing curriculum demands with critical thinking, and the essential role of instructional support and teacher training. These findings were discussed in relation to existing literature, providing valuable insights and recommendations for the development of teacher education programs aimed at equipping pre-service teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to promote critical thinking effectively.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ENCOURAGING GOALS ATTAINMENT IN THE SOCIETY
Authors: LADAN O. NASIRUDEEN  , ABUBAKAR O. OSABO
Published: December 2024

The main drivers of women's entrepreneurship span from entrepreneurial framework conditions, socio-cultural influences, gender-specific challenges, and economic contributions to innovation and sustainability. This paper examines the effects of the above elements on growth, resilience, and sustainability in women-owned enterprises through a thematic analysis of empirical studies that investigate how these different aspects have influenced the development of women-owned enterprises. Some findings also show that women entrepreneurs face specific obstacles in establishing and sustaining enterprises, scaled by constraints in accessing finance, induced biases by gender conditions, and inadequacy in managerial training. However, supportive socio-cultural dynamics, the adoption of digital technologies, and targeted policy frameworks have been imperative to foster entrepreneurial success. This study takes cognizance of the role played by women entrepreneurs from an economic and social perspective. This role was targeted to reduce poverty and enhance community development to strategically achieve both Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1-(Poverty Reduction) and SDG 8-(Economic Growth). The theoretical framework for the study is ‘social feminist theory’, which postulates that patriarchal structures in society are one of the avenues for unequal distribution of resources, power, and decision-making, thus shaping the female gender's actions in entrepreneurship. The policy recommendations for this study include identifying enhanced financial access, and digital transformation among others.
WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS, NIGERIA
Authors: ADEMOLA FARINMADE  , OMOBOLANLE AKINOLA  , MOBOLAJI BABALOLA
Published: December 2024

The study delves into the waste management strategies in Alimosho local government area, with Ile Epo as a focal point. The study aims to analyze the current waste generation pattern and disposal methods in the area, evaluate the effectiveness of existing waste management strategies, and assess the health implications of waste management practices in the locale. A total of 155 questionnaires were distributed to gather data on socioeconomic characteristics, waste generation, waste management techniques, and health challenges associated with waste management. A simple random sampling method was employed to select households in the designated buildings. Data analysis involved both descriptive and quantitative statistical methods. The study findings were visually presented through tables and charts. The analysis uncovered that a substantial proportion of respondents are employed (23.23%), with students and unemployed individuals constituting 0.65% and 6.45% respectively. The majority of households dispose of waste on a daily basis (85.16%), predominantly through incineration (79.35%) and open dumping (89.03%), with limited utilization of recycling or composting practices. ANOVA results demonstrated significant discrepancies in satisfaction levels among respondents regarding current waste management practices (p<0.001). Regression analysis indicated a moderate positive correlation between the neutral category and overall satisfaction (R2 = 0.12, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the results revealed an R value of 0.35, indicating a considerably strong positive relationship between satisfaction levels and waste management practices. An overwhelming 99.35% of respondents reported health issues potentially linked to waste management practices, such as skin infections and gastrointestinal problems. The study proposes various recommendations including enhancing infrastructure, increasing waste collection frequency, investing in modern processing facilities, and advocating for community engagement and education to enhance waste management practices and mitigate health impacts.
EMERGING TRENDS IN LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES FOR SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Authors: OYEDAPO, ADEREMI DAVID  , OGUGUA, EMMANUEL ONYEMA  , LAWAL, OLALEKAN JOSHUA
Published: December 2024

This paper critically examined the new trends in innovative technology, enabled by Internet technology, that have simplified the learning of a second language autonomously. After a thorough literature review of emerging information and communication technologies (ICT) for learning a second language, attention is paid particularly to Internet-based applications such as language translators, voice-to-text, and text-to-voice applications as powerful tools for learning a second language. The effective ways of using these tools to maximize both cognitive and psychomotor behavioral changes in second language learners were emphasized. The two-way translation method is one of the strategies presented in this paper to ensure accuracy in the interpretation of the new language. The pros and cons of adopting this technology were highlighted. The indispensable roles of learning a second language in the intellectual and socioeconomic development of an individual were discussed, and finally, recommendations were made.
EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Andira inermis STEM BARK ON SOME REPRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF MALE WISTAR RATS
Authors: GAYUS AMINU PAULINA  , OBIDAH WILSON  , IDRIS ALIYU KANKARA
Published: December 2024

Andira inermis stem bark has been used by herbal practitioners in the treatment of many ailments. Its Pharmacological activities include Anti-oxidant activity, haematological activities, hypoglycaemic activity and antiplasmodia activities. This study seeks to evaluate the effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Andira inermis on some gonadal hormones, sperm count and sperm motility. Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 100-120g were randomized into Four (4) groups consisting eight (8) rats each. The animals were allowed to undergo acclimatization for 14days. Animals in group 1 served as the control, group 2, 3 and 4 were the treatment groups. Group 1 received free animal feed and water. Group 2, 3 and 4 received 100, 250 and 500mg/kg aqueous extract of Andira inermis stem bark administered orally daily for 90days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, rats were sacrificed and cardiac puncture was used to collect the blood for centrifugation. The extract produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone respectively at 100mg/kg body weight but had no significant effect on luteinizing hormone and testosterone hormone at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg bodyweight compared to normal control. At 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg treatment, follicle stimulating hormone was significantly decreased compared to control. Sperm counts decreased significantly from 22.13±0.53million/ml to 13.00±1.16 million/ml and sperm motility from 11.25±0.41 million/ml to 8.00 ± 0.59 million/ml after treatment. Data was expressed as the mean ± SEM. Statistical comparisons between various treatment groups was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Effect of Chlorpyrifos on the Red Blood Cells Morphology of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio): A Hematological Study
Authors: Wasim Akram  , Rab Nawaz  , Kifayat Ullah  , Sayyed Hammad Ullah  , Muhammad Khisroon
Published: December 2024

Chlorpyrifos, a widely applied insecticide, enters waterways through runoff, affecting a wide range of aquatic species. The environmental impact of chlorpyrifos (CPF), a commonly used organophosphate pesticide, on aquatic organisms remains a significant concern due to its toxicity and persistence in ecosystems. This study evaluates the effects of CPF on the morphology of red blood cells (RBCs) in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to better understand its hematological toxicity. Common Carp were exposed to sublethal concentrations of CPF (0, 10, 20, and 30 µL) for duration of seven days. Blood samples were collected and examined for alterations in RBC morphology. Control specimens showed minimal morphological changes which were due to natural conditions, while CPF exposure induced a concentration-dependent increase in cellular abnormalities, including double nucleated cells, nuclear displacement, cell deformation, and fragmentation. The highest CPF concentration (30 µL) resulted in severe RBC damage, including nuclear pyknosis, loss of cell integrity, and necrosis. These findings suggest that CPF exposure leads to significant erythrocyte damage, which may compromise overall fish health and survival. The results underscore the need for stringent environmental monitoring and regulation of pesticide use to mitigate its detrimental effects on aquatic life.
Digital Library Book Recommendation System Based on Tag Mining
Authors: Wang Zihan , Wang Yu
Published: December 2024

Aiming at the problem of low utilization of library resources in the current network information-flooded environment, this paper designs a book recommendation system framework suitable for digital libraries. In the book recommendation system, the recommended candidate set of books is selected by using the reader’s borrowing record combined with the collaborative filtering model. Then, the book and the target reader are labeled. And the content similarity is calculated according to the content characteristics of the book and the reader’s comment information. Finally, the final recommendation result is obtained according to the calculation result and the library collection information. Providing book recommendation services in digital libraries can effectively help users enhance their reading interest and optimize the reader’s experience.
Development and Validation of an AI Literacy Scale
Authors: Nong Yalan , Cui Junjing , He Yunkun , Zhang Peng , Zhang Tong
Published: December 2024

Amidst rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), acquiring AI-related skills has become essential for societal development. Assessing the public’s AI literacy is thus critical for enhancing overall societal competitiveness. This study aimed to develop an evaluation index system for measuring public AI literacy, encompassing five dimensions with 15 specific indicators: application ability, cognitive ability, morality, critical thinking, and self-efficacy. Data were collected through surveys, and quantitative analysis validated the system’s rationality. The constructed AI literacy measurement tool provides a reliable foundation for evaluating core competencies in the AI era, filling a research gap with practical and theoretical significance.
Fusion Cycle GAN: A Multiple Feature Fusion based Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Network for Person Re-Identification
Authors: Li Hang , Zhao Chu
Published: December 2024

In the domain of person re-identification, conventional approaches are often susceptible to interference from shifts of variables such as background, veils, and attire, leading to a degradation in identification accuracy. To mitigate the influences of these shifts on identification performance, this paper introduces a novel person re-identification approach that leverages cycle-consistent generative adversarial networks coupled with multiple feature fusion. This method achieves re-identification by assessing and comparing the measured distances between pairs of persons. The approach is bifurcated into two streams: one for extracting global features and another for capturing local features. Subsequently, these global and local features are integrated. The integrated features are then subjected to contrast metric distance learning, where similarity scores are computed to rank the samples. Extensive experimental outcomes on substantial datasets such as CUHK03 and VIPER demonstrate that this innovative method effectively diminishes the influence of background, veils, attire, and other alterations on identification accuracy.
English Text Sentiment Analysis Network based on CNN and U-Net
Authors: Zhang Weirong , Wang Jinfeng
Published: December 2024

Sentiment orientation analysis of English text is a core issue within the realm of natural language processing. Traditional methods of word segmentation often encounter ambiguity when processing English language texts. In light of this, the present study introduces an innovative approach to English text sentiment analysis that utilizes a convolutional neural network (CNN) coupled with a U-network (U-Net). This method employs parallel convolutional layers to grasp the relationships and interactions between word vectors, which are then fed into a hierarchical attention network based on the U-Net to ascertain the sentiment polarity. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that the model achieves an accuracy of 93.45% in bias classification on an English review dataset, outperforming many existing sentiment analysis models.
Mubadalah in the Transformation of Identity Politics in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Arifin Bustanul , Santoso Rudi , Arsyad Mufid
Published: December 2024

Identity politics in Indonesia is often influenced by social dynamics that are discriminatory towards gender. The concept of Mubadalah, meaning reciprocal or mutual, offers an inclusive approach to addressing gender injustice. This research examines the implementation of Mubadalah in transforming identity politics in Indonesia from 2009 to 2023. This study uses a qualitative approach with literature analysis, in-depth interviews with politicians, activists, and gender experts, as well as policy document analysis and election data. Findings indicate that Mubadalah-based education successfully changes traditional views on gender roles. Public policies adopting Mubadalah principles enhance women's representation in politics. Despite challenges from conservative groups, successes in several regions demonstrate the substantial potential of Mubadalah to achieve gender equality and justice in Indonesia.
Marxist Perspective in “The Chimney Sweeper” by William Blake
Authors: Batool Filza , Lodhi Muhammad Arfan
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The study aims to delineate the idea that the ruling class exploits the working class. According to Marxist ideology, capitalism is the major cause of creating class differences. There is conflict between the two classes i.e. the bourgeoisie and proletariat. The working class is always exploited at the hands of the upper class. Therefore, the study deals with application of Marxist theory of ‘Exploitation of Labor’ to understand the poetic verses of William Blake’s poem the “The Chimney Sweeper”, which highlights the matter of child labor during the 18th century.
Methodology: The research adopts exploratory methods. The data is collected from William Blake’s poems Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Only one poem is selected from the sample out of 19 poems. The data is qualitative in nature.
Findings: The findings of the study reveal sufferings of the oppressed children due to economic burden that befell during the Industrial Revolution. The speaker of the poem is a child who belongs to the downtrodden class and narrates the story of other children working as young sweepers. They all struggle for survival and suffer emotionally and physically.
Conclusion: The study seeks to conclude in the light of showing sympathy for the miseries of the poor children of the 18th century and cruelty of the ruling elites and capitalism. Blake blames the institutions of religion and government for enforcing child labor and showing no sympathy towards the innocent children. Blake reflects the ideas of Marxism through the voice of children.
Analyzing Teacher's Training Effectiveness: A Case of Government of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Paul Zahra Ishtiaq
Published: December 2024

Aims of the Study: The current research was conducted to investigate the factors influencing teacher training effectiveness. The threefold research objectives were to determine perception of trainees towards learning, to study influences on transfer of learning back at workplaces and to discover existence of strategic alignment between trainings and organization's vision and mission.
Methodology: It is a qualitative, descriptive study in which cross-sectional research design was used. The target population comprises of 883 teachers employed all over Punjab and Directorate personnel. The sample of 19 professionals was drawn from G.I.T.T.C for the Teachers of Disabled Children, Lahore. Proportional quota sampling was employed to draw the sample of teachers whereas purposive sampling for administrators. Data is collected through in-depth interviews and non-participant observations of training sessions. Thematic analysis was used to explore and understand data.
Findings: The findings described how perceptions and attitude towards training affects the learning graph of the trainees as well as the effect of the social and task environment surrounding the participants during training and back at their institutions.
Conclusion: The research concludes four main factors that depict the positive attitude of trainees towards the trainings: organizational commitment, personal goal, self-esteem and self-efficacy.
Effects of Anti-Polio Media Campaign on Knowledge Attitude and Proactive: A Case Study of District Vehari
Authors: Ahmad Rizwan , Majid Ul Ghafar  , Khan Noor Nabi
Published: December 2024

Polio is a dangerous disease that can destroy the life of our young child and can make them disable for the whole life. In the war of eradicating polio, not only Pakistan but whole the world is fighting against this dangerous disease. In this way, awareness is necessary about this disease. The basic purpose of this research was to know about the awareness and Effects of Anti-Polio Media Campaign on Knowledge Attitude and Proactive. This study conducted in District Vehari and covered the rural and urban areas. The research was conducted on the methodology of survey and data was collected from (200) respondents. A comprehensive and easy to understand questionnaire was prepared by the researcher consisted on 21 close ended questions and 1 open ended question. Research study conducted under the light of “Media Dependency Theory”. To maintain the accuracy of results, SPSS software was used. The research concluded that media has strong effects on people especially electronic media regarding anti-polio campaign. Furthermore, study concluded that people satisfied with the role of media regarding anti-polio campaign and depends on media regarding any information and government utilize large number of funds on campaigns that is beneficial for the public in term of awareness, knowledge and motivation.
Single Motherhood Inflicted by Increased Widowhood and Divorce Amid Corona Virus Pandemic: Reflections to Reduce Women's Vulnerability
Authors: Ajaz Nashia , Tabassum Shahla
Published: December 2024

There has been an evident increase in cases of widowhood and divorce, leading to single motherhood during the Corona Virus pandemic. Data on the global scale shows how men, as a group, have been more vulnerable to death during the pandemic due to the disease and health issues caused by socio-economic problems during pandemic. Existing literature also shows how the divorce rate has surged during the pandemic, mainly due to the lockdown, especially among young couples. This research is built on feminist ontology, and the departure point of this research is the assumption that ‘vulnerability’ is interdependent and relationally constituted. This study explores the vulnerabilities of young and middle-aged Pakistani women, who experienced widowhood or divorce during the pandemic, making them single mothers. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with the participants selected using the snowball sampling technique combined with purposive sampling. The participants were from various cities in Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Findings of our study reveal that most of the participants lost the traditional security network that they had before becoming single mothers, which increased their vulnerability to not only health problems, but also to social, economic issues. Building on our in-depth analysis, we offer the following recommendations: (i) to build safety networks for women who are single mothers; (ii) to introduce income support and/or public work initiatives to provide income-generating opportunities to women who are single mothers; (iii) to help owners of small-businesses re-establish their business after the change in their marital status; and (iv) to offer ‘Single Mother Health Cards’ to women who become single mothers to offer them health-related benefits on no/low cost.
Psychological Outcomes of Early Puberty among Adolescent Girls
Authors: Akram Amber , Maryam Rabia , Kareem Abida
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The current research was conducted to explore the psychological outcomes of early puberty among adolescent girls.
Methodology: Researchers followed cross-sectional research design and random sampling technique in our research. Participants (N=204) were approached from six different grades (i.e. from grade 5-10) and two different schooling systems (i.e. public sector and private sector). Age of the participants was 11-16 years. We administered Urdu versions of Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry 1992), Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ; Moos, 1968), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) along with detailed demographic sheet.
Findings: Results of Pearson Product Moment correlation showed that MDQ had a significant negative correlation with internalizing psychological problems(r= _.161, p<.05), however it was positively correlated with externalizing (r = .228**, p < .01). Regression analysis revealed that two of the subscales of MDQ i.e. Negative Affect and Water Retention significantly predicted DASS in subsequent steps, whereas MDQ total, Water Retention and Autonomic Reaction significantly predicted Aggression among participants. Group comparison for pubertal onset on independent sample t-test revealed a significant mean difference on Negative Affect and Arousal subscales of MDQ and on Depression subscale of DASS. Results of ANOVA revealed that the girls with the feelings of ambivalence and detachement for their fathers had more severe problems of MDQ depicted in the subscales of Concentration, Pain and Arousal than those who were securely attached with fathers.
Implications: These results offer significant evidence regarding possible high-risk behaviors among girls and support future intervention possibilities.
Factors Affecting Stunting Growth of Children in Pakistan: Evidence from Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2017-18
Authors: Nazirullah  , Ullah Rahat , Saleem Muhammad Akhtar , Ahmad Nizar
Published: December 2024

Pakistan is one of the pioneer countries, who agreed-upon Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’s global agenda in 2016. UNO set the country-based targets to eliminate stunting by 40% by 2025 (Branca et al., 2015a). As a developing country, Pakistan faces an untoward situation and strives to achieve the commitments and targets. Stunting growth is a multi-layered problem. Stunting, along with severe physical effects of stunting, casts lifelong shortcomings among children and militate their natural potential and mental growth. Furthermore, stunting can cause up to a 3% loss in GDP. The situation and stakes attached with the issue make it conspicuous enough to be addressed. This paper’s core objective is to explore the effects of socio-economic factors on stunting growth in Pakistan. Secondary data analysis was conducted on nationally representative cross-sectional survey data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS), 2017-2018. The given analysis was limited to children stunting growth with sample (N=5360). Notably, data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that children’s stunting growth was associated with mother education obtaining, locality (less developed area), children's incomplete immunization status, father’s education level, mother earnings types, food diversity, drinking water source, and language-based ethnicity. The study concluded that stunting growth halted the government of Pakistan's efforts to achieve sustainable development goals regarding health and well-being. The problem is multi-dimensional; thus, a collaborative strategy is required to intervene at various levels (individual, family, organizational, and community). It has also been recommended that the parents be aware of their role in the mother’s timely child immunization and diet in the pre and postnatal period. Community sensitization through local influencers’ engagement would catalyse behaviour change toward child immunization programs. The government and social sector provide complete immunization, food provision, health facilities in less developed areas, and education for the parents.
Implementation of John Dewey’s Pragmatic Philosophy at the University Level: Perspective of University Teachers
Authors: Rashid Sumera , Safdar Samina , Batool Syeda Beenish
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The purpose of the present study was to know whether John Dewey's pragmatic philosophy was implemented at the university level because students at this level are expected to be problem solvers who can critically analyse things and reflect on logical reasoning and abstract thinking in their daily lives.
Methodology: All university teachers teaching at public sector universities of Lahore were considered the population of the study. A total of (N=160) teachers were selected as participants in the study through a stratified random sampling technique. The descriptive research design was used for the study. An already developed research instrument, "John Dewey's Educational Philosophy Questionnaire" by Khasawenh (2014), was used to collect data from the participants.
Findings: Generally, university teachers perceived that the philosophy of John Dewey was implemented at the university level in terms of the provision of help to students to become responsible citizens, freedom to students’ opinions, and emphasizing students to discover knowledge through experimentation. However, teachers were less agreed that the university implements Dewey's pragmatic philosophy in terms of reflecting outside reality in the educational process of the university, considering classes as laboratories rather than lecture rooms, and addressing real needs rather than indulging in the past. Moreover, significant difference found between the perspective of teachers with reference to their teaching experience and different disciplines. However, no significant difference ascertained based on their designation.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, more focus might be given to outside realities because schools are expected to prepare students for accepting the outside realities that exist in society and performing their roles accordingly. Moreover, the educational process might be modified by considering students' present and future needs to bridge the gap between the demands of society and the school.
Exploring Psychosocial Factors of Delinquency in Juveniles: A Survey Investigation
Authors: Younas Faiz , Hasan Syeda Salma , Qayyum Shazia
Published: December 2024

Owing to its peculiar indigenous socio-cultural, economic and legal conditions, juvenile delinquency in Pakistan is bound to have a unique complex facet. Our study aimed to explore the psychosocial factors that contributed to the development of delinquency in juveniles. Through the non-probability purposive sampling technique, a sample of (N= 40) late adolescent juvenile boys with an age range of (16-18) years, (M = 17, SD = .78) were recruited from the District Camp Jail of Lahore city. By applying a Sociodemographic Information Sheet, a Self-constructed Survey Questionnaire on Psychosocial Causes of Delinquency, the Parenting Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991), and Urdu translated Psychopathic Deviation Scale (Mirza, 1977), the data were collected and further analyzed through SPSS. Results showed the significance of sociodemographic characteristics including education, family dynamics, peer relations, substance abuse, parental education and family income. Moreover, the majority of the participants reported the authoritarian parenting style for both parents while their psychopathic deviation scores were also found to be above the cutoff score. These findings have eclectic and interdisciplinary implications that are not limited to intra-psychology fields of forensic, clinical and counselling settings, with a focus on adolescent development and behaviour, but can add value addition to the research scholarship to quite a few fields of social sciences, primarily sociology, social work and development studies. Moreover, these findings will further provide awareness and insight to law enforcement agencies, legislatures and public or private sector-based policymakers regarding the issues of delinquency.
Human Communication from the Biological and Neurological Perspective: A Review Study
Authors: Pasha Saadia Anwar
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: Communication in human life is a continuous and life-long process. The importance of communication can be determined by the fact that it is one of the factors behind survival and existence. By keeping in view, the importance of communication, this article also focuses on highlighting and discussing communication from biological and neurological perspectives.
Methodology: The researchers have addressed these relevant bases by using the applied-descriptive method to provide support to communication, particularly human communication.
Findings: Both biological and neural perspectives revealed the complexity and importance of different features and organs playing a significant role in sustaining the human communication process.
Conclusion: Study concluded that communication is a complex phenomenon particularly, and human communication involves biological and neurological basis that run the relevant process through different organs and brain cells.