bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFL Students’ Experiences in a Flipped Reading Comprehension Classroom
Authors: Ramadhanty Silvia , Puspitaloka Nina
Published: November 2020

The aim of this research is to investigate EFL students’ experiences that appear in EFL students during the application of the flipped classroom learning model. The research was conducted by using a qualitative approach and descriptive method. The research participants were nine first-grade students at one of the public senior high school in Karawang. The participants were divided into three groups: three low-level students, three middle-level students, and three high-level students. To collect the data, researchers used were observation, interview, and documentation. This research found that the application of a flipped classroom provided positive experiences for students. The use of the video in this learning model made students excited. However, the use of online flipped classrooms appeared several challenges such as students must have internet access while they were learning and the internet connection, they have must be stable so that learning activities run well.
PENERAPAN MEDIA E-LEARNING BERBASIS PROYEK TERHADAP KEMANDIRIAN BELAJAR DAN PEMAHAMAN KONSEP MAHASISWA UNIVERSITAS COKROAMINOTO PALOPO
Authors: Anas Aswar , Permatasari Munir Nilam
Published: November 2020

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui gambaran kemandirian belajar dan pemahaman konsep mahasiswa dalam penerapan E-Learning berbasis proyek dan mengetahui apakah terdapat peningkatan kemandirian belajar dan pemahaman konsep mahasiswa setelah penerapan E-Learning berbasis proyek. Penelitian ini bertempat di Universitas Cokroaminoto Palopo pada Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika dan program studi Teknik Informatika yang disetting sebagai kelas perkuliahan mata kuliah Struktur Data, Logika Informatika dan Media Pembelajaran Matematika. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemandirian belajar dan pemahaman konsep mahasiswa dengan penerapan E-Learning berbasis proyek jauh lebih baik jika dibandingkan dengan sebelum penerapan E-Learning. Terjadi peningkatan kemandirian belajar dan pemahaman konsep mahasiswa dengan penerapan E-Learning berbasis proyek.
Влияние пандемии коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19 на экономическую ситуацию и обеспечение продовольственной безопасности в России и странах-участниках ЕАЭС
Authors: Разин Анатолий Фёдорович , Иванова Мария Ивановна , Шатилов Максим Витальевич , Мещерякова Раиса Анатольевна , Сурихина Татьяна Николаевна , Анатольевич Олег Разин
Published: November 2020

Новая болезнь COVID-19, вызванная коронавирусом SARS-CoV-2, уже через несколько месяцев охватила всю планету. В этих условиях были введены ограничительные меры: в целях обеспечения продовольственной безопасности в период карантина ряд стран ограничили или ввели запрет на экспорт овощей. Это нарушило сложившийся за многие годы товарообмен между странами и привело к росту цен на овощи и их дефициту в странах-импортёрах. Уже в феврале импорт овощей из Китая уменьшился на 11 % в натуральном выражении по сравнению с аналогичным периодом прошлого года. Снижение мировой торговли, по прогнозам экспертов, по итогам года составит 13 – 32 %. В результате закрытия предприятий и прекращения работы бизнеса почти половина работающих людей в мире могут лишиться доходов. Начинающийся глобальный кризис затронет и отрасль АПК. По результатам исследований, из-за снижения доходов домохозяйства сокращают потребление свежей овощной продукции. Для скорейшего восстановления своих экономик страны разрабатывают программы поддержки бизнеса и граждан. При благоприятных обстоятельствах мировая экономика в 2021 г. может частично восстановиться. Рассмотрены меры поддержки, которые ввели страны-участники ЕАЭС. Описаны проблемы, с которыми столкнулись овощетоваропроизводители России, рассказано об уже предпринятых действиях по борьбе с ними и предложены дополнительные варианты для их решения. В том числе рассмотрен рынок органического сельского хозяйства, даны прогнозы по перспективе его развития.
NGOs and Global Trade: Non-State Voices in EU Trade Policymaking
Authors: Potjomkina Diana
Published: November 2020

Erin Hannah offers a timely and thought-provoking analysis of civil society’s participation in the European Union’s trade policy. Relying on two case studies, the book shows that while the EU has created diverse instruments for engaging with civil society, in practice procedural improvements do not necessarily lead to greater influence for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Going beyond a purely technical view on NGOs’ access to policy-makers, we should also consider the ideational factors at play.
Kur’ân’a Göre Musibetler Karşısında İnsanların Psikolojik Tutumları
Authors: YILDIZ İbrahim
Published: November 2020

İnsan, imtihan edilmek üzere gönderildiği dünya hayatında çeşitli musibetler ile karşılaşır. Kur’ân, insana düşen görevin musibet zamanında sabretmek, bolluk zamanında ise şükretmek olduğunu hatırlatır. İn-san, musibetlerle karşılaştığında gerek inancı gerekse psikolojik yapısı nedeniyle çeşitli tutumlar sergiler. Bu tutumların neticesinde Allah’a yakınlaşır veya O’ndan uzaklaşır. Bu çalışmanın amacı insanların musi-betler karşısında sergiledikleri tutumları âyetler ışığında tespit edebilmektir. Musibetler açısından mü’min ve kâfir tutumları birbirinden tamamen farklıdır. Mü’min, musibetler karşısında sabır, dua, tevekkül ve ibret alma gibi tutumlar sergilerken inkârcı alay etme, nankörlük, sorumluluğu başkasının üzerine atma, mazeret arama ve umutsuzluğa düşme gibi tamamen zıt tutumlar sergiler. Kur’ân, insanın başına gelebi-lecek musibetleri önceden haber vermekte ve bu musibetlere hazırlıklı olunmasını tavsiye etmektedir. Fakat bu çalışmada musibetler hakkında önceden bilgi sahibi olmanın sadece mü’minlerin tutumları üzerinde olumlu etki yaptığı tespit edilmiştir. Peygamberlerin musibetler hakkında önceden verdikleri bilgilerin, gösterdikleri mucizelerin ve her türlü ikna çabalarının, inkârcıların tutumlarını değiştirmediği hatta onlarda haktan uzaklaşmayı daha da arttırdığı görülmüştür. Dolayısıyla ulaşılan bu sonuç, Kur’ân’ın açıkça ifade ettiği gibi ancak ruhen ve zihnen hakka açık olan insanların bilgiye ulaştıktan sonra onu ken-di yararlarına kullanabileceğini göstermektedir. Kur’ân, tefsir ve din psikolojisi alanlarında literatür tara-ması metodu kullanılarak hazırlanan bu çalışma, Kur’ân’ın, musibetler karşısında insandan beklediği olumlu ve olumsuz tutumları tespit etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışma, gerek musibet çeşitleri gerekse bun-lar karşındaki insan tutumları açısından Kur’ân’ın bizlere aktardığı hususlar ile sınırlıdır. Her insanın psi-kolojik yapısı ve istenilen seviyede dinî tutum geliştirme gayreti farklı olmakla beraber bu çalışmada müs-lümanın musibetler karşısında nasıl davranması gerektiğini ortaya koyarak musibetler gelmeden onlara hazırlanmalarına katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir.
Citizen ownership of the state: A measure using election promise implementation score
Authors: Azad Abul
Published: November 2020

This paper introduces a measure of citizen ownership of
the state, which works with empirical data. The paper defines citizen ownership
of the state as a condition where whatever the majority of citizens want is implemented.
In the present-day large scale state, whatever the majority of citizens want is
expressed in the election promises of the winning party, alliance or
individuals. The paper argues that the level of implementation of election
promises is a measurement of citizen ownership of the state. It models the
authority of a representative government to a power of attorney. The citizen as
principal awards a power of attorney to the winning party, alliance or individuals
as an agent in their election. In the election, the set of election promises of
the agent becomes the only written part of the power of attorney. The 2008-2012
tenure of US President Barack Obama is used to test how the methodological
approach works with empirical data. The test finds the citizen ownership of the
state in the USA at 70.7 percent and the party intrusion into the ownership at
29.3 percent during the tenure..
SEISMIC RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES: CASE STUDY ON A BLACK CARBON PLANT
Authors: Karagiannakis George
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with state of the art risk and resilience calculations for industrial plants. Resilience is a top priority issue on the agenda of societies due to climate change and the all-time demand for human life safety and financial robustness. Industrial plants are highly complex systems containing a considerable number of equipment such as steel storage tanks, pipe rack-piping systems, and other installations. Loss Of Containment (LOC) scenarios triggered by past earthquakes due to failure on critical components were followed by severe repercussions on the community, long recovery times and great economic losses. Hence, facility planners and emergency managers should be aware of possible seismic damages and should have already established recovery plans to maximize the resilience and minimize the losses. Seismic risk assessment is the first step of resilience calculations, as it establishes possible damage scenarios. In order to have an accurate risk analysis, the plant equipment vulnerability must be assessed; this is made feasible either from fragility databases in the literature that refer to customized equipment or through numerical calculations. Two different approaches to fragility assessment will be discussed in this paper: (i) code-based Fragility Curves (FCs); and (ii) fragility curves based on numerical models. A carbon black process plant is used as a case study in order to display the influence of various fragility curve realizations taking their effects on risk and resilience calculations into account. Additionally, a new way of representing the total resilience of industrial installations is proposed. More precisely, all possible scenarios will be endowed with their weighted recovery curves (according to their probability of occurrence) and summed together. The result is a concise graph that can help stakeholders to identify critical plant equipment and make decisions on seismic mitigation strategies for plant safety and efficiency. Finally, possible mitigation strategies, like structural health monitoring and metamaterial-based seismic shields are addressed, in order to show how future developments may enhance plant resilience. The work presented hereafter represents a highly condensed application of the research done during the XP-RESILIENCE project, while more detailed information is available on the project website https://r.unitn.it/en/dicam/xp-resilience.
LAPORAN PEMBUATAN PETA DESA BONTORAPPO
Authors: Yahya
Published: November 2020

Kuliah kerja lapang plus (KKLP) merupakan suatu kegiatan perkuliahan yang bersifat intrakurikuler dalam bentuk pengabdian pada masyarakat yang dilakukan oleh mahasiswa dalam jangka waktu tertentu. oleh karena sifatnya intrakurikuler sehingga setiap mahasiswa yang akan menyelesaikan studi diperguruan tinggi pada suatu program strata satu (S1) harus mengikuti KKLP.
Within-Person Fluctuations of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Implicit Associations: An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Suicide and Self-Harm Risk.
Authors: Robertson Ryan
Published: November 2020

While a number of studies have demonstrated that those with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) hold greater implicit associations toward self-harm, no study has examined how these associations change daily. The proposed study was threefold: (1) replicate prior findings that those with a history of NSSI score higher on the implicit association test (IAT), (2) explore whether NSSI-IAT scores change daily, and (3) examine how these changes in NSSI-IAT scores relate to thoughts of NSSI and suicide. A sample of eligible participants completed a series of baseline measures assessing NSSI, depression, and completed the NSSI-IAT. Participants then responded to daily prompts on their mobile device about their thoughts of NSSI and suicide and completed the NSSI-IAT daily in a laboratory. Generalized linear mixed models were conducted to assess within-person variability, as well as between-subject variables in the proposed study. Future research using the NSSI-IAT daily and assessing emotional consequences of participation in studies that use daily-prompting are discussed.
UPAYA DIAGNOSA KEPERAWATAN DI RUANGAN IGD
Authors: Hanif Novrial Ahmad Ahmad
Published: November 2020

Seorang perawat Kualitas pelayanan keperawatannya tidak bisa terlepas dari peran klasifikasi pasien diruang rawat inap, karena dengan klasifikasi tersebut pasien merasa lebih dihargai sesuai haknya dan dapat diketahui bagaimana kondisi dan beban kerja perawat di masing-masing ruang rawatan. Dimana kondisi serta beban kerja di instalasi gawat darurat (IGD) perlu diketahui agar dapat ditentukan kebutuhan kuantitas dan kualitas tenaga perawat yang diperlukan dalam ruang IGD sehingga tidak akan terjadi beban kerja yang tidak sesuai yang akhirnya menyebabkan perawat mengalami stres kerja.Maka dari itu bagi perawat yang bekerja di IGD sangat diperlukan menyelesaikan masalah. Tujuan: Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memperoleh informasi atau gambaran yang nyata tentang pelaksanaan studi kasus pasien di IGD. Metode: Metode penelitian deskriptif dimana akan menjelaskan tentang kasus yang dialami oleh pasien di IGD. Hasil: Hasil penelitian ini adalah Pada pengkajian data yang di temukan pada teori tapi tidak ditemukan dikasus yaitu: poliuria (banyak kencing).
FedPerf: A Practitioners’ Guide to Performance of Federated Learning Algorithms
Authors: Semwal Tushar , Mulay Ajinkya L , Agrawal Ayush Manish
Published: November 2020

Federated Learning (FL) enables the edge devices to collaboratively train a joint model without sharing their local data. This decentralised and distributed approach improves user privacy, security, and trust. Different variants of FL algorithms have presented promising results on both IID and skewed Non-IID data. However, the performance of FL algorithms is found to be sensitive to the FL system parameters and hyperparameters of the used model. In practice, tuning the right set of parameter settings for an FL algorithm is an expensive task. In this preregister paper, we propose an empirical investigation on five prominent FL algorithms to discover the relation between the FL System Parameters (FLSPs) and their performance. The FLSPs adds extra complexity to FL algorithms over a traditional ML system. We hypothesise that choosing the best FL algorithm for the given FLSP is not a trivial problem. Further, we endeavour to formulate a single easy-to-use metric which can describe the performance of an FL algorithm, thereby making the comparison simpler.
MENGIKUTI PROKER KECAMATAN
Authors: pratami Andi irmawati
Published: November 2020

Kegiatan ini berlangsung selama 3 hari. Acara pembukaannya di buka oleh Bupati Jeneponto atau yang mewakili pada tanggal 31 oktober dan acara penutupannya di tanggal 1 november oleh wakil Bupati Jeneponto. Ditutup dengan senam bersama pengunjung.
Pengecetan mesjid
Authors: Ferdinas
Published: November 2020

Menciptakan mesjid lebih indah
A method for computerized olfactory assessment and training outside of laboratory or clinical settings
Authors: Niedenthal Simon , Nilsson Johannes , Jernsäther Teodor , Cuartielles David , Larsson Maria , Olofsson Jonas
Published: November 2020

There are currently few ways to reliably and objectively assess olfaction outside of the research laboratory or clinic. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for remote olfactory assessment; in particular, smell training at home is a promising method for olfactory rehabilitation, but further methodological advances might enhance its effectiveness and range of use. Here we present Exerscent, a portable, low-cost olfactory display designed primarily for uses outside of the laboratory and that can be operated with a personal computer. Exerscent includes RFID tags that are attached to odor stimuli and read with a MFRC522 module RFID reader/antenna that encodes the odor in order to provide adaptive challenges for the user (e.g. an odor identification task). Hardware parts are commercially available or 3D printed. Instructions and code for building the Exerscent is freely available online (https://osf.io/kwftm/). As a proof of concept, we present a case study in which a participant trained daily to identify 54 odors, improving from 81% to 96% accuracy over 16 consecutive days. Additionally, results from a laboratory experiment with 11 volunteers indicated a very high level of perceived usability and engagement. Exerscent may be used for olfactory skills development (e.g. perfumery, enology), and rehabilitation purposes (e.g. postviral olfactory loss), but it also allows for other forms of technological interactions such as olfactory-based recreational interactions.
Bringing human-animal interaction to sport: Potential impacts on athletic performance
Authors: Marvin Sutton , Sorenson Kennet , Stevens Jeffrey R
Published: November 2020

To gain an edge in performance, athletes, coaches, trainers, and sport psychologists worldwide leverage findings from psychological research to develop training and performance strategies. The field of sport psychology draws upon research on stress, anxiety, mindfulness, and team building to develop these strategies. Here, we introduce human-animal interaction as a potential area of research that may apply to athletic performance. Structured interactions with animals—particularly therapy dogs—can provide physiological benefits associated with stress and the oxytocin system, psychological benefits for anxiety and motivation, and social benefits through social support. Yet these effects have not yet been systematically investigated in athletes. Integration of human-animal interactions into athletics can occur through external animals’ teams, internal animals’ teams, and athlete pet ownership. Integrating human-animal interactions into athletics presents some unique challenges and limitations that must be considered before implementing these programs, and these interactions are not a panacea that will work in every situation. But, given the amount of human-animal interaction research suggesting benefits in medicine, mental health, and education contexts, it is worthwhile exploring potential benefits not just for athletic performance, but also for injury prevention and recovery.
El Inventario de Desarrollo Infantil y la evaluación sistemática del desarrollo en contextos educativos. Teoría, creación e implementación.
Authors: Vásquez-Echeverría Alejandro
Published: November 2020

El libro "El Inventario de Desarrollo Infantil y la evaluación sistemática del desarrollo en contextos educativos.Teoría, creación e implementación" intenta ser una obra de referencia en la formación de docentes e investigadores en temas de evaluación del desarrollo en primera infancia y en el Inventario de Desarrollo Infantil (INDI).La primera parte trata de aspectos teóricos en disposición para la escolarización, evaluación psicológica y los modelos de respuesta de intensidad graduada, que sirvieron de marco conceptual y metodológico para el desarollo del INDI.La segunda parte expone sobre el proceso de creación y validación del INDI, su marco de referencia, su relación con otros documentos rectores en primera infancia, su así como aspectos de administración en aula e interpretación de los reportes automáticos que genera.
Algorithmes d'apprentissage et modèles statistiques: Un exemple de régression régularisée et de validation croisée pour prédire le décrochage scolaire
Authors: Lacourse Eric , Dupere Veronique , Giguère Charles-Édouard
Published: November 2020

Le chapitre présente les avantages de l'utilisation de la régularisation dans l'analyse de régression linéaire et logistique. Afin d'illustrer les techniques de régularisation, nous donnons un exemple de régression logistique régularisée avec validation croisée cherchant à prédire le décrochage scolaire chez des élèves du secondaire au Québec. Avec 25 variables prédictives et un échantillon simulé de 1000 cas, les résultats de la régression logistique ordinaire sont comparés avec ceux de la régression avec régularisation ridge, lasso et elastic-net.
PENERAPAN METODE PROBLEM SOLVING PADA PEMBELAJARAN PAI UNTUK MATERI IMAN KEPADA QADHA DAN QADAR DI KELAS XII MIPA 1 SMA NEGERI 1 KOTO GASIB
Authors: Mahpuzo Mahpuzo
Published: November 2020

This study aims to determine students' understanding through the use of problem solving methods in learning of PAI for material on faith in qadha and qadar.The research subjects were students of class XII MIPA 1 SMA Negeri 1 Koto Gasib with a total of 31 students. The research method used is Classroom Action Research (PTK). The research design consisted of 2 cycles.Data collection techniques in this study using tests, observation, interviews and documentation studies.Quantitative data analysis uses a statistical approach and qualitative data uses a logical approach. For learning outcomes, there was a significant increase in each cycle, namely: cycle I with a total value of 2243 with an average score of 77.34 and observations proved that students had started to be active but students' understanding of the material was still low. Whereas in the second cycle the total value was 2555 with an average value of 88.10 and the results of observations made through the observation sheet proved that in the second cycle the students had seen that they were very active in their learning and the value obtained was above the minimum score achievement criteria. has been determined.
Phonological study of the Sonaha language
Authors: Chaudhary Anil Dutt
Published: November 2020

The Sonaha is a language which is spoken in Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in Nepal. Sonaha language, henceforth Sonaha, was not identified by the government before the Census 2011. In spite of having its own linguistic features and originality, Sonaha is badly affected by the influence of other neighboring languages. Keeping this in mind, this study mainly aims to explore and present the inventory of the phoneme, syllable structures and vowel sequence or, in short, to highlight the phonological system of Sonaha language. Sonaha 3404 native words were collected from fifty native speakers of Rajapur Municipality and Geruwa Rural Municipality of Bardiya district, Ghodaghodi Municipality of Kailali and Bhimdutt Municipality of Kanchanpur district. The data were presented and analyzed based on minimal pairs to verify phonemes. This study explored six vowels, twenty nine consonants, six types of syllable structures and seven vowel sequences in Sonaha.
Engaging Displaced Nepali Workers in Post COVID-19 Situations: A Call for Action
Authors: Parajuli Mahesh Nath , Gautam Suresh , Dhakal Rebat Kumar , Bajracharya Jiwak Raj , Paudel Tikaram , Acharya Laxman , Paudel Prakash Kumar
Published: November 2020

As the battle against COVID-19 is on-going, it may not be suitable a time to worry about the world of work in post-COVID-19 situations. Nevertheless, it is logical for academics to envision ways out in response to the socio-economic challenges that we have to face. Through this editorial, we portray some strategies for engaging the displaced Nepali workers in post-COVID-19 situations.
Student Cabinet and Curricular Activities: A Case Study of a Secondary School in Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Sodip
Published: November 2020

Student leadership is well-known for enhancing student engagement in extra-curricular activities of the schools. But very little research has been pursued- particularly in Bangladesh on how the student leadership contributes to curricular activities and improves better learning experiences of students in secondary schools. In 2015, the Government of Bangladesh introduced Student Cabinet in the secondary schools with a view to inculcate democratic values among the pupils and to foster learning environment in schools. And, in this study, I examine how the Student Cabinet as a leadership tool influences academic activities: classroom and non-classroom activities and supports for an effective learning atmosphere in the school. To that purpose, I follow the qualitative methodology of in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and observation of the student cabinet’s actions in a selected school in Dhaka city. After an examination of its activities, the study reveals that it promotes many curricular activities of the school and minimizes the gaps of learning experiences at least a bit; however, their several activities are likely to link to traditional student politics in Bangladesh in future.
Re-Examining the Value of UK University Business Studies Courses for Post- Graduation Nepalese Graduates
Authors: Gilliam Paul H. , Pratt-Adams Simon , Kerrigan Mark J. P.
Published: November 2020

This research analyses the reflections of post-graduation Nepalese Business Studies undergraduate and postgraduate graduates from UK universities. It follows their return to Nepal, where the graduates were facing a scarcity of employment opportunities. The primary research was undertaken at a time when UK universities were facing increasing competition to recruit international students and numbers of Nepalese students choosing the UK were decreasing. The mixed methods research was based primarily on semi-structured interviews in Nepal with twenty-three Nepalese graduates, their Nepalese employers and Nepalese education consultancies. Data were analysed using the five systems model of Bronfenbrenner (1979) and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s (2012) Intercultural Awareness Profiling. Although the overall expectations of Nepalese students and employers towards UK higher education remained positive, results indicated a lowering estimation of the quality and reputation of UK universities and increasing Nepalese University and regional competition. The outcomes make a further contribution to the knowledge of why Nepalese students choose overseas higher education but why Nepalese employers are struggling to see clear benefits from employing UK educated Nepalese business graduates.
Data Mining Applications Used in Education Sector
Authors: Shrestha Sushil , Pokharel Manish
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this work is to study the usage trends of Data Mining (DM) methods in education. It discusses different data mining techniques used for different types of educational data. The related papers were initially selected from the metadata containing words like Online Learning (OL) and Educational Data Mining (EDM). The papers were then filtered on the basis of DM algorithms, the purpose of study, and the types of data used. The findings suggested that EDM is the most commonly used technique for the prediction of students’ academic success, and the most used purpose is classification, followed by clustering and association. Further, this research also contains the study conducted on moodle data to find anomalies. K-means clustering was applied to find the optimal number of clusters on moodle data that consists of log and quiz dataset. The growth in the number of Internet users has increased learning through the online process. Hence, several activities are performed in OL systems, which generate a massive amount of data to be analysed to obtain useful information. Therefore, this type of research is very beneficial to academicians and instructors to identify the learner’s behaviors and develop suitable models.
Impact of Dual Role of Teaching and Practice on School Counsellors’ Productivity in Nigeria
Authors: Muhammed Shuaib A. , Imam Saudat
Published: November 2020

The dual role of teaching and professional counselling practice is a common trend in Nigerian school system. Much research has not been conducted on the impact of this dual role on school counsellors’ efficiency and performance. The study investigated the impact of dual role of teaching and practice on counsellors’ productivity in Ilorin, Nigeria. A mixed method approach was employed on a sample of 149 school counsellors in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria using the snow ball sampling. A scale tagged “Impact of Dual Role on Counsellors’ Productivity” was used to gather quantitative data from 149 school counsellors while an interview was further conducted to gather qualitative data from 10 school counsellors. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using percentage, mean and ranking order analysis, t-test and ANOVA while the qualitative data was coded and narrated thematically. The findings revealed that dual role negatively affects the counsellors’ effective communication with the client; competence in handling client issues; prompt follow- up of client cases and having time to study client cases among others. Counsellors also hold the opinion that dual role affects proper record keeping, efficient organisation of guidance programme, proper follow-up of client cases among others. The study also found that the perception of respondents on influence of dual role varies based on length of year in service but they share similar views based on gender. The study concluded that dual role affects counsellors’ efficient service delivery in the school system.
Book Review: The Politics of Language Contact in the Himalaya
Authors: Poudel Tikaram
Published: November 2020

The arguments of The Politics of Language Contact in the Himalaya are grounded in the multidisciplinary nature of area studies i.e., linguistics, political science, anthropology and geography. Focusing on the area study of the trans-border region of the Himalaya, the contributors enrich their arguments through specific case studies of their respective areas. For all the contributors, the issues of language contact are central and all of them provide contextual analyses of this issue. The contributors raise placing their issues in the emerging discourse of language contact making the collection accessible not only to linguists but also to scholars interested in anthropology, sociolinguistics, political science and Asian studies.
Macro-Economic Variables and Stock Market Performance: Empirical Evidence from Colombo Stock Exchange
Authors: Amaresh M. , Anandasayanan S. , Ramesh S.
Published: November 2020

Stock market performance is considered as a significant indicator of financial and economic circumstances of a country. In a nutshell, a secured and regulated financial environment is being provided by the stock market where shares can be transacted at lower operational risk. The stock market also functions as a platform through savings, and investments of individuals are channelized into productive investment proposals. It allows capital formation and economic growth for the nation. The ultimate objective of this study is to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables on stock market performance. The macroeconomic variables (independent variables) used in this research study are Inflation, Interest Rate, and GDP. Stock market performance (All-Share Price Index) is the dependent variable. 120 Monthly observations from January 2009 to December 2018 had been taken for the study. The Augmented Dickey Fuller’s unit root test, Ordinary Least Squares Regression and Correlation analysis were applied to the variables. The results of correlation analysis indicated that inflation and Stock market performance are positively associated meanwhile interest rate, and GDP and Stock market performance are negatively correlated. The Ordinary Least Square results showed that nearly 75% of the variation in all share price index is explained by the three macroeconomic variables, GDP, TB and WPI. The study suggested some of the possible reasons for the positive impact of Inflation on the Colombo Stock market performance, and negative impact of Interest Rate on Stock market performance and recommended that efforts should be made to improve the Stock market performance.
Sociodemographic Profile, Contraceptive Practice and Awareness of HIV Infection among Unmarried Postpartum Women in a Tertiary Centre in Malaysia
Authors: KB Mustafa , N Ibrahim , AW Noraziana , AS Ayu , A Suhaiza , M Awang
Published: November 2020

Introduction: To describe the sociodemographic profile, contraceptive practice, and awareness of HIV infection among unmarried post partum women in the biggest government hospital in Pahang. Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire-proforma-based study was conducted for one year duration from August 2010 until July 2011 by identifying and recruiting all the unmarried women upon admission for delivery. Basic information were obtained from the use of patients’ case notes, and further related and necessary information were obtained from a direct face-to-face interview based on a proforma. Results: A total of 121 unmarried women were identified and recruited. The age ranged from 13 to 36 years with a mean age of 21.6 years. 31.4% were teenagers. Only 16% of patients have tertiary education, and 2.5% never had any formal education. About one third of the women were smokers or ex-smokers, 7.5% had consumed alcohol, but none denied ever use of any recreational drugs. Almost 9% has prior history of being sexually assaulted. About three quarter of the women never used any contraceptive method. Majority of the patients (85.1%) were aware of HIV transmission risk; 75% never had any antenatal checkup or booked at late gestation (> 20 weeks); and 45.8% were not aware of any support groups for single mothers. Conclusion: Single unmarried women are associated with disadvantaged sociodemographic profile. Contraceptive practice was also very low despite significant awareness towards risk of HIV infection. Further follow up, support and care should be offered to these women.
Medical Specialist Training: Views from Stakeholders
Authors: MA Md Tahir , AM Noor Hazilah , O Azura
Published: November 2020

Introduction: In Malaysia, medical specialisation training is mainly carried out by the public universities. Methods: A survey was carried out to explore the views of medical specialists in the country on issues such as structure of medical specialty training, availability of human resource, public/private sector competition, competency and apprenticeship, and its impact on assurance and quality of medical specialty training. Results: Altogether 238 medical specialists from 30 hospitals and medical institutions in the country participated in the survey. Conclusion: Among the findings, competition for human resource between public and private sector and lack of uniformity on medical specialty training across universities in the country are among the issues found to be of concern. There is also a need to address governance issue which necessitates to clearly delineating what constitutes medical specialty and what constitutes a subspecialty so that an agreed uniformed nomenclature is exercised across all stakeholders. The respondents also strongly agreed on the need to ensure competence in medical specialist training.
Pedunculated Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Distinguishing Features from Conventional Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: AB Norzila , MPK Wong
Published: November 2020

Malignant pedunculated (exophytic) hepatocellular carcinoma (P-HCC) is a rare entity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to its unique characteristics, it gives a different spectrum of clinical findings, radiological presentation and different management approach with reported better outcome to the patients. We present a case report of a lady diagnosed with malignant pedunculated hepatocellular carcinoma.
An Unusual Cause of Lobulated Lung Mass
Authors: AH Mohamed Faisal , HL Tan , BYL Andrea
Published: November 2020

Eventration of the diaphragm is caused by weakened musculature of the diaphragm. This can occur in one or both hemidiaphragms. Symptoms may be minimal and it is usually detected incidentally on chest radiograph which would show an elevation of the diaphragm. We report and discuss a case of eventration of right diaphragm in a patient presented with a lobulated lung mass on chest radiograph.
Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Commonly used for Diabetes in Tarlac of Central Luzon Philippines
Authors: Mina Erwin C. , Mina Josefina F.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Plants have been used for the treatment of diabetes in Philippine system of medicine and in other countries. They provide clues for the development of new and better oral drugs for diabetes due to the fact that prevalence of diabetes is on a steady upsurge worldwide and identified as one of the leading causes of mortality in Philippines. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Tarlac of Central Luzon Philippines to evaluate the relative efficacy of the plants used to treat diabetes. A total number of 450 respondents medically diagnosed of having diabetes were interviewed using a previously prepared questionnaire. Fidelity levels (FLs) and use values (UVs) were calculated to identify and verify most preferred plant species used in study areas. Results: A total of 25 plant species are utilized by the respondents to treat diabetes. Medicinal plants commonly utilized are Momordica charantia Linn., Moringa oleifera Lam, Annona muricata Linn., Psidium guajava Linn., Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., Hibiscus esculentis Linn., Amomum zingiber Linn., Myrtus cumini Linn., Garcinia mangostana Linn., and Aloe vera Linn. Decoction process is used to prepare the leaves of the medicinal plants for medical consumption in the form of tea. Conclusion: This study confirms the use of different plant species to treat diabetes. It further affirms that most people with diabetes in the study areas rely on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs.
Investigating the Potential of Nigella Sativa and Thymoquinone in Salvaging the Embryo from Effects of Toxic Paternal Exposure to Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Abdul Rahman Suzanah , Abdul Samat Nadia Hanis , Ahmad Nur Amalina , Abdullah Afif Raihan , Mohamad Zahri Syazana , Kamarzaman Saheera
Published: November 2020

Background: Exposure to cyclophosphamide (CPA) for cancer treatment results in over-production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress thus affecting the DNA in male germ cell inducing sperm defects. Our goal is to assess the potential effects of Nigella sativa extract (NSE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on sperm and embryo quality following fertlization of sperm produced from germ cells which have been exposed to the damaging alkylating effects of CPA. Methods: Thirty six male ICR mice were divided into six groups; (I) Vehicle-treated control (normal saline), (II) CPA-only, (III) TQ-only, (IV) NSE-only, (V) CPA followed by TQ and (VI) CPA followed by NSE. Treatment with 200mg/kg CPA and 10mg/kg of both NSE and TQ were given by intraperitoneal injection. Animals were sacrificed at 33 days by cervical dislocation and sperm from caudal epidydymis were taken for analysis and in vitro fertilization (IVF) with eggs from untreated female. Fertilization rates and embryo development were monitored for 5 days. The result were analysed by using SPSS 16.Results: TQ and NSE supplementation to CPA-exposed male mice have no significant effect (p>0.05) on the total number of sperm if compared to CPA-only exposed mice. NSE and TQ supplementation have been shown to have significant effect (p<0.05) on the percentage of motile sperm as well as the number of abnormal sperm. Four types of abnormalities of the sperm were found which includes folded sperm, amorphous, banana-like and the head lacking of the usual hook. Finally, the embryo quality shows a significant improvement by the supplementation of TQ and NSE to CPA-exposed male mice (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, both NSE and TQ have indicated chemopreventive potential against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide on the reproductive capacity and fertility.
Prevalence of Hypertension and Glycaemic Control in Adult Type-2 Diabetes Patients: A Preliminary Retrospective Cohort Study in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Authors: Abdullah Fa’iza , Han Tin Myo , Mat Nor Mohd Basri , MA Mohd Aznan , Ismail Ida Zuriaty
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Hypertension (HPT) is the most common co-morbidity among type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients which ominously increased their morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We aimed to determine the prevalence and control status of HPT, and also the glycemic control among T2DM patients in a primary care clinic in Kuantan, Pahang. Methods: It was a retrospective study of 154 T2DM patients’ records, aged ≥18 years selected by random sampling. The statistical analysis is done by using Chisquare test, paired sample “t” test and ANOVA “F” test. Results: Among T2DM patients; 47% were Malay, 45% Chinese and 9% Indian. The prevalence of HPT was 72.1% and majority of T2DM patients were women (60%). Out of 82 T2DM aged >60 years, 80.5% were hypertensive. 67.2% of T2DM patients between the age of 40-60 years and 25% age <40 years were also hypertensive (p= 0.003). BP-controlled status were classified into controlled, uncontrolled, systolic and diastolic HPT. All patients were compared between the last visit and one year before, which reported 55.8% versus 33.1%, 14.9% versus 51.9%, 20.1% versus 10.4% and 9.1% versus 4.5% respectively. There were significant rises in percentage of systolic BP (by 9.7%) and diastolic HPT (by 4.6%) p<0.0001, from the first visit. BP controlled status for aged group >60 years showed increments in systolic HPT and diastolic HPT which were significant (p<0.0001). Regarding glycemic parameters, 71.4% T2DM patients had poor controlled level of Hb1Ac (≥6.5) and only 20.1% remained controlled after one year (p<0.0001). Conclusions: This pilot study found high prevalence of HPT, increasing prevalence of systolic HPT and diastolic HPT in older age group as well as poor glycemic control among T2DM patients.
Chronic Lactiferous Fistula: A Case Report
Authors: S Sharini , AK Norie , H Haida
Published: November 2020

Lactiferous or milk fistula is a tract between the skin and lactiferous duct. Chronic lactiferous duct is uncommon and generally formed during lactating period. It commonly result from complication of the surgical intervention, such as excision biopsy of breast mass or incision and drainage (I&D) for breast abscess. We reported a case of chronic lactiferous fistula secondary to previous I&D for breast abscess in 31 year old lactating woman.
THE FAMILY AND HUMAN ECOLOGY: HAVING REGARD FOR THE NATURE OF FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Kampowski Stephan
Published: November 2020

The idea of a “human ecology” is gaining ever more significance in the human sciences, where it indicates an interdisciplinary approach to the relation between human beings and their environment. It is important, however, to remember that the expression “human ecology” also has a significant history in the documents of the Catholic Church, beginning with Pope Paul VI. It was Pope John Paul II who identified the family as the first and fundamental structure of a human ecology. It is therefore important to protect family relationships, since the person’s genealogy is inscribed in them. The present essay argues that to guard family relationships, one has to guard human sexuality as the power by which human beings are conceived and inserted into the familial network. For persons, the lines of origin and descent have a tremendous significance and any practice that renders these lines ambiguous is unecological from a human perspective. Ultimately it is a question of rediscovering indissoluble marriage as the context that alone is capable of providing the proper human environment for the conception, birth and education of new human beings, because here alone there is clarity about who is whose.
LA INMACULADA, OBRA MAESTRA DE LA CREACIÓN SEGÚN SAN MAXIMILIANO MARÍA KOLBE
Authors: Bartosik OFMConv Grzegorz
Published: November 2020

El propósito de este artículo es mostrar cómo San Maksymilian Maria Kolbe (1894–1941) veía la belleza de la creación, especialmente cuando trataba de la persona de María Inmaculada, a la que consideraba una obra maestra de la obra creadora y salvadora de Dios.

En la primera parte, se presenta la admiración que sentía San Maximiliano por la creación. Su visión de la creación de Dios se sitúa dentro de la tradición franciscana, arraigada en el amor y el respeto de San Francisco de Asís a todas las criaturas.

En la segunda parte, la Virgen Inmaculada es presentada como la creación más perfecta de Dios. San Maximiliano enseña que esta singularidad de María se basa en tres pilares: a) el hecho de haber sido creada (como todo hombre) a imagen y semejanza de Dios; b) otorgándole favores únicos, es decir, el don de la maternidad divina y el privilegio relacionado con la Inmaculada Concepción; c) la respuesta perfecta que María dio al amor de Dios que se expresó en la conformidad de su voluntad con la voluntad de Dios. Es por eso que la Virgen Inmaculada en su belleza sobrenatural es un modelo a seguir para cada ser racional.

La última parte ofrece un modelo original de la economía salvadora de Dios. San Maximiliano presenta la obra creadora y salvadora de Dios como la „acción” de la Santísima Trinidad que debe ser acompañada por la „reacción” de las criaturas. El punto de contacto de la „tierra con el cielo” es la Virgen Inmaculada unida al Espíritu Santo. El Padre Kolbe pone de manifiesto la importancia de esta unificación tanto en el misterio de la Encarnación del Hijo de Dios como en el compromiso constante del Divino Paráclito y de la Inmaculada con la vida espiritual diaria de los hombres. El propósito de este compromiso es devolver criaturas racionales a la casa del Padre, es decir, a su Creador.
LA CAUSALITÀ DELLA TRINITÀ NELLA CREAZIONE – IL PENSIERO TEOLOGICO-ESEGETICO DI SAN TOMMASO D’AQUINO
Authors: Dąbrowski Wiesław
Published: November 2020

Il pensiero teologico di san Tommaso d’Aquino viene quasi sempre presentato secondo la sua opera più matura, cioè la Summa Theologiae, perciò spesso non conosciamo il suo pensiero, altrettanto maturo, importante e valido, contenuto nelle altre opere, soprattutto in quelle esegetiche, visto che egli non ha mai insegnato la Summa, ma, essendo magister in Sacra Pagina, durante le lezioni in classe commentava la Bibbia. In questo studio presenteremo lo sviluppo storico del pensiero teologico-biblico dell’Aquinate circa la causalità trinitaria nella creazione, cominciando dalla Somma di Teologia, per passare ai commenti al Vangelo di Giovanni e quello al Corpus Paulinum. Per evitare il freddo intellettualismo in cui si potrebbe cadere nell’esposizione sistematica della dottrina di san Tommaso, presenteremo il suo pensiero teologico-biblico sulla causalità trinitaria nella creazione, riportando le lectiones sui rispettivi testi biblici, confrontandole con l’esegesi odierna (solo alcuni autori), per dimostrare la ricchezza e la chiarezza del suo pensiero.