bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human pose evaluation based on full-domain convolution and LSTM
Authors: Zou Yu , Pan Zhigeng , Zhou Xianchun , Wang Yixuan
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we first analyze full domain convolution and LSTM to evaluate human pose by convolutional neural network and LSTM network. Secondly, graph structure skeleton image and skeleton point image classifier based on CNN and LSTM is constructed. The two-dimensional pose assessment method and three-dimensional pose assessment method were used to empirically analyze the human pose assessment. The results show that the average accuracy mAP values of the traditional evaluation methods are 69.7, 72.3, 71.4, and 74.4, respectively, while the average accuracy mAP value of the method used for 2D pose evaluation is 74.6. Where the average error of LReLU is the smallest. This shows that full-domain convolution and LSTM can be effective for human pose evaluation.
Hyper-parameter optimization in neural-based translation systems: A case study
Authors: Datta Goutam , Joshi Nisheeth , Gupta Kusum
Published: September 2023

Machine translation (MT) is an important use case in natural language processing (NLP) that converts a source language to a target language automatically. Modern intelligent system or artificial intelligence (AI) uses a machine learning approach and the machine has acquired learning ability using datasets. Nowadays, in the MT domain, the neural machine translation (NMT) system has almost replaced the statistical machine translation (SMT) system. The NMT systems use a deep learning framework in their implementation. To achieve higher accuracy during the training of the NMT model, extensive hyper-parameter tuning is required. The paper highlights the significance of hyper-parameter tuning in various machine learning algorithms. And as a case study, in-house experimentation was conducted on a low-resource English–Bangla language pair by designing an NMT system and the significance of various hyper-parameter optimizations was analyzed while evaluating its performance with an automatic metric BLEU. The BLEU scores obtained for the first, second, and third randomly picked test sentences are 4.1, 3.2, and 3.01, respectively.
Are labor markets in the Middle East and North Africa recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Krafft Caroline , Assaad Ragui , Marouani Mohamed Ali , Cheung Ruby , LaPlante Ava
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to a health crisis, but also to economic and labor market crises. In an effort to avert the public health threat, countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) initially put in place some of the world's most stringent government responses. This paper explores how labor market outcomes for MENA workers have evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper uses the Economic Research Forum (ERF) COVID-19 MENA Monitor (CMM) phone surveys in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia, with waves spanning November 2020 to August 2021. Analyses examine outcomes of employment, unemployment, and labor force participation, along with hours of work and hourly wages. Results show differences in the evolution of pandemic-era labor markets by workers’ gender, age, and education, along with their February 2020 labor market status and industry, as well as their pre-pandemic income. Employment rates have largely recovered and hours of work generally increased. Inequality in wages was initially exacerbated by the pandemic, but there has been at least some recovery on this margin as well.
Managing Life’s Low Points: Resiliency Interview With Susan Becker, PhD
Authors: Cannon Bradley
Published: September 2023

What determines how people navigate difficult moments in life? Dr. Susan Becker joins us to discuss resiliency, our remarkable ability to manage challenges and stress of all kinds. In this episode, you’ll learn whether we can increase our resiliency, how resiliency changes as we age, and ideas for addressing depression and thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
Perception of the Employees of a State Company About Private Capital as a Solution to the Challenges of the New Legislative Framework of Sanitation
Authors: Marcos Haneron Victor , María Bessy Castillo Santa
Published: September 2023

Purpose: To analyze the perception of the employees of the mixed economy company CASAN regarding the challenges related to the existence of a competitive market in the Brazilian sanitation sector and the preservation of a mostly public management. This article presents the perception of the employees of a Brazilian state mixed economy company regarding its position in a competitive market environment imposed by the new legislation. Remaining mostly public or betting on a greater introduction of private capital is a question answered by employees and which involves the company's ability to overcome the recent challenges in the sector, pressured by privatization movements. The methodology used was the mixed approach, with the case study method, which has considered the internal scenario of the state CASAN, with the participation of 345 employees classified into three functional categories on which the survey technique has been applied, taking as a tool the questionnaire, which is added to the bibliographic review technique. The investigation presents the advance of the phenomenon of privatization in the sector, which has impacted the mission of the state sanitation companies, demanding restructuring that does not deviate from their social and public mission, not associated with the eminent perspective on the profit from the perspective of employees.
 
Theoretical framework: The article presents support in the specialized literature on the sanitation policy and market in Brazil, and on the position of the sanitation service as a human right.
 
Method/design/approach: The survey technique was used, with the questionnaire tool applied to 345 employees of the target Company, compared with the bibliographic review.
 
Results and conclusion: The State Basic Sanitation Companies (CESBs) were launched, especially after Federal Law No. 14,026/2020, to a competitive market, with the requirement of participation in bidding, without resolution of their social charges. However, the majority position of the employees is refractory to privatization or private control of the management of services to overcome the imposed challenges.
 
Research implications: It presents managers and society with the importance of preserving public capital in sanitation management as a human right, and ways for CESBs to overcome the challenges of the sector based on the perception of employees.
 
Originality/value: Expands the discussions related to the new legislative framework for sanitation in Brazil (Federal Law No. 14,026/2020) presenting implications that risk the existence of the CESBs and a solidarity management model, from the perspective of the employees of the Water and Sanitation Catarinense Company (CASAN) stratified between operational, administrative and bosses/directors employees.
OPTIMIZED COMPOSITION DIETARY DISHES
Authors:   Russian Biotechnological University, Vadovsky I.K. , Vasyukova A.T. ,   Russian Biotechnological University, Grigoryan A.E. ,   Russian Biotechnological University
Published: September 2023

Deficient concentrations of vitamins and minerals in the existing diets of patients in medical institutions were analyzed. When conducting studies of the state of the organism in patients of health care facilities, a deficien-cy of vitamin D, vitamins of group B, carotenoids is found, in certain categories of patients – antioxidant vit-amins A and E. This deficiency is aggravated against the background of drug therapy. To replenish the defi-cient states of the body, it is recommended to enrich the ATS with a mineral-vitamin complex at a concentra-tion of 50-100% of the daily norm of vitamins and minerals. The diet was enriched with GS-3093 premixes. The discrepancy between the content of the vitamin-mineral complex in the existing diet and the recommend-ed, enriched with GS-3093 premix for four especially deficient minerals and the studied vitamins A and group B ranges from – 0.59 to – 675.215 mg. It should be noted the lack of vitamins A (37%), B2 (14%) and C (52%), minerals Ca (26%), Zn (21%) and I (65%) of the recommended daily intake. This will ensure compli-ance with the requirements for conducting evidence-based dietary nutrition for 800 patients of the health care facility of GBUZ “MONIKI” named after. MF. Vladimirsky, who was assigned the main variant of the stand-ard diet (ATD).
INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF STRUCTURE-FORMERS ON THE GEL QUALITY OF CULINARY PRODUCTS
Authors:   Russian Biotechnological University, Vasyukova A.T. , Kusova I.U. ,   Russian Biotechnological University, Dyshekova M.M. ,   Russian Biotechnological University, Alekseev A.E. ,   K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University), Bondarenko Y.V. ,   K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State University of Technologies and Management (the First Cossack University)
Published: September 2023

Structure-forming agents that are part of sauces, flour suspensions, gelled confectionery products and sweet dishes are analyzed. During the research, reserves for the use of non-traditional structure formers were iden-tified, which affect the consistency of the sauce, batter and gel of jelly-like masses. The purpose of the re-search is to create a stable structure and quality of culinary products. The object of research was algae, gela-tin and pectin, as well as suspensions and colloids based on them. Research methods: viscosity, density, me-dium pH - standard, generally accepted. The recipes of gelled sweet products using pectin and gelatin with natural flavors and berry powders are shown. The dependences of the sensory characteristics of manufac-tured products on the properties of various food systems with their mutual influence in one model structure are revealed. The functional and technological characteristics that are fundamental for this food system have been established. The optimal concentration of structurants is 4-5% (gelatin) and 2.0-2.5% (pectin), berry ex-tract - 0.1-0.2%. Flavors and dyes are introduced in the following proportions: vegetable powder (dye) - 0.1% and natural flavor of roses, raspberries, coffee, amaretto - 0.1%. The most pronounced taste and color of the “Aromatic Jelly” samples was achieved with the introduction of dry raspberry, blueberry, mint, sea buckthorn extracts - 0.1-0.2%, beet, raspberry, spirulina and coffee powders - 0.1% and rose extract, ama-retto – 0.1%.
Public Attitudes Towards Government Surveillance of Social Media in Australia
Authors: Blackmore Holly , Logan Sarah , Chan Janet , Bennett Moses Lyria
Published: September 2023

The widespread availability of personal data on the internet has given rise to significant concerns about the power and reach of state and corporate surveillance of the population. Researchers have suggested that ordinary citizens generally lack knowledge and control over online personal data and this has led to a sense of resignation in relation to such surveillance. This paper conceptualises public attitudes towards state surveillance within Jasanoff’s (2015) “sociotechnical imaginaries” framework and draws on an Australian survey to examine the complexity and contradictory nature of these attitudes in response to hypothetical use cases. Our study provides estimates of the prevalence of competing sociotechnical imaginaries, ranging from sizeable support for the dominant vision that surveillance can prevent/pre-empt crime/terrorism, to smaller but not insignificant support for either a dystopian or an ambivalent vision recognising the risks of such surveillance. Our results also demonstrate how sociotechnical imaginaries vary by demographics, political orientation, and perception of both citizen-state relations and the effectiveness of state surveillance practices.
Unusual Suspects
Authors: Chan Janet
Published: September 2023

The use of artificial intelligence in facial recognition systems has been controversial. Among issues of concerns is the accuracy of such systems for recognising faces of non-white people. This work turns the debate on its head by showing six images of AI generated faces using identical prompts that include the words “Asian woman” and “facial recognition biometrics person technology” via Text 2 Dream in Deep Dream Generator. Rather than investigating the level of accuracy in facial recognition systems, it demonstrates how a particular AI software creates visual representation of “Asian women.” The experiment explores the interaction between text (prompt) and a particular generative algorithm. It raises questions about the data on which the algorithm is trained, how images are labelled/interpreted in training data, and the underlying power AI algorithms have in reproducing/changing stereotypes. Not transparent to the viewers is the role of the artist in selecting/framing prompts and “starter” images.
The “Academicon”: AI and Surveillance in Higher Education
Authors: Swartz Mark , McElroy Kelly
Published: September 2023

This paper examines the use of AI-driven surveillance technologies in higher education, with a focus on the academic surveillance of students. We begin with an introduction highlighting and exploring the issues related to these tools as used in academia, and then we walk readers through a hypothetical week in the life of a student in university, highlighting applications of AI-driven surveillance technology that are increasingly widespread in higher education in North America. We finish with a reflection on the narrative and suggest some considerations for institutions adopting these types of technologies.
“ОБ’ЄДНАННЯ УКРАЇНСЬКИХ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЙ В АМЕРИЦІ”: ПЕРЕДУМОВИ СТВОРЕННЯ, ЕТАПИ І НАПРЯМИ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ (1922 – 1940)
Authors: БЕГЕЙ Ігор , КРАВЧУК Інна
Published: September 2023

Проаналізувати передумови виникнення, етапи та напрями діяльності “Об’єднання українських організацій в Америці” упродовж його існування у 1922 – 1940 рр. Методологія дослідження базується на принципах історизму, застосуванні загальнонаукових (узагальнення, типологізація) та спеціально-наукових методів дослідження, зокрема, порівняльно-історичного, історико-системного, критичного аналізу джерел. Наукова новизна. На основі комплексного вивчення газети “Свобода” та наявних історіографічних здобутків уперше у вітчизняній історіографії цілісно прослідковано ключові ланки діяльності організації “Об’єднання українських організацій в Америці”. Висновки. Спроби створити єдину організацію, яка би скеровувала діяльність усіх українських громадсько-політичних осередків на американському континенті та представляла їхні інтереси перед суспільством і владою США, беруть початок ще з часу Першої світової війни. Повторно ідея постання такої організації, виникла на тлі поразки Української революції та економічного лихоліття, яке охопили українські терени у перші повоєнні роки. “Об’єднання українських організацій в Америці” упродовж свого існування у 1922 – 1940 рр. була суспільно-політичною організацією українців Америки, яка мала за мету проведення заходів задля визнання української державності, надання матеріальної допомоги розвиткові українського життя на рідних землях та об’єднання української еміграції. Організація широко інформувала громадськість про українську справу, збирала кошти для допомоги народу України, видавала книжки про Україну англійською мовою. За час існування нею було організовано вісім конгресів американських українців за участі сотень представників американського українства та з обговоренням найактуальніших питань української національної справи і міжнародної геополітичної ситуації.
Ключові слова: “Об’єднання українських організацій в Америці”, США, українська діаспора,міжвоєнний час
ЧАСОПИС “WIADOMOŚCI KLUBOWE KRAKOWSKIEGO KLUBU AUTOMOBILOWEGO” (1929 – 1939) ЯК ІСТОРИЧНЕ ДЖЕРЕЛО
Authors: БЕЛІНСЬКА Людмила , АНОХІН Андрій
Published: September 2023

Мета дослідження – здійснити археографічний аналіз газети “Wiadomości Klubowe Krakowskiego Klubu Automobilowego” (1929 – 1939). Наукова новизна. Уперше здійснено аналіз газети “Wiadomości Klubowe Krakowskiego Klubu Automobilowego” як історичного джерела, показано її цінність для дослідження історії громадських організацій у сфері автомобільного спорту і туризму в міжвоєнній Польщі. Методологія дослідження ґрунтується на джерелознавчих методах, зокрема методі внутрішньої критики джерел, а також на вимогах археографії. Висновки. Отже, “Wiadomości…” (1929 – 1939) є надзвичайно цінним джерелом до історії ККА та автомобільно-туристичної сфери міжвоєнної Польщі. Публікації газети можна поділити на декілька тематичних напрямів. Одним із ключових був той, що розкривав структуру і особливості функціонування ККА як громадської організації: управління, членство, напрями діяльності. Велика частина інформації на сторінках “Wiadomości…” присвячена автомобільному спорту, насамперед змаганням різного рівня і діяльності спортивної комісії ККА. Детально описуються ключові для ККА змагання: “Зимова поїздка до Закопаного”, “Трекові перегони” на стадіоні в Закопаному, “Татрянські перегони”. Розповідається про причини занепаду деяких з цих заходів і спробу ККА організувати трекові (кільцеві) перегони у Кракові. У газеті висвітлювалася участь членів ККА у змаганнях, організованих іншими автоклубами Польщі та зарубіжних країн. Члени ККА неодноразово здобували перемоги, зокрема славилися такі спортсмени: Адам Потоцький Ян Ріппер, Станіслав Голуй. Значну кількість матеріалів і заміток у газеті присвячено автомобільному туризму загалом та діяльності туристичної комісії і туристичного бюро ККА зокрема. У газеті описувалося й товариське життя клубу: відкриті лекції, танцювальні вечори, спільні святкування тощо. Увагу редакції привертали питання співпраці ККА з автоклубами Італії, Чехословаччини, Угорщини. “Wiadomości…” є цінним джерелом до історії розбудови автомобільних шляхів у міжвоєнній Польщі, формування правил дорожнього руху. У газеті висвітлювалася й проблема реорганізації системи автомобільних клубів Польщі у другій половині 1930-х рр.
Ключові слова: Краківський Клуб Автомобільний, “Wiadomości Klubowe Krakowskiego KlubuAutomobilowego”, Антоній Потоцький, Пьотр Ростворовський, автомобілізм
ПІЗНЄ ПОЛЬСЬКЕ ПРОСВІТНИЦТВО ТА РУСЬКЕ ПИТАННЯ (КІНЕЦЬ XVIII – ПОЧАТОК ХІХ ст.)
Authors: РАДЕЦЬКИЙ Назар
Published: September 2023

Мета статті – розкрити особливості впливу Просвітництва на формування поглядів про націю загалом та руське питання у польському суспільстві наприкінці XVIII – на початку ХІХ ст. Проаналізувати, як закладені Просвітництвом світоглядні основи вплинули на сприйняття русинів поляками. Методологія дослідження ґрунтується на принципах історизму, науковостіа також використано загальнонаукові принципи аналізу, синтезу й узагальнення. Наукова новизна полягає у тому, що руське питання в статті проаналізовано крізь призму польського Просвітництва, а також простежено вплив Просвітництва на польську наукову думку після поділів Речі Посполитої. З’ясовано, як суспільно-політичні погляди вплинули на камералістичні дослідження польських учених. Досліджено значення терміна “Україна” в уявленнях тодішніх польських діячів. Висновки. Розвиток просвітницьких ідей на території Речі Посполитої спричинив кардинальні суспільні трансформації. Відбулася зміна розуміння слова “просвітництво”: від освіти чи навчання без будь-якого релійгіного змісту до його вживання у протиставленні до слів “забобон” і “фанатизм”, що сприяло зростанню в країні віротерпимості. Поширення просвітницьких ідей на польських землях пов’язане також із соціальним запитом населення для розв’язання проблем політичного устрою. З’явилися праці з поміркованою критикою шляхетської демократії та ідей сарматизму, які асоціювалися з традиціями, зв’язок з якими часто негативно трактувався просвітниками. Відбувся перехід від сприйняття особи як суб’єкта, приналежного до певного роду, до ширшої категорії – Вітчизни. Такі концептуальні зміни у свідомості польських інтелектуалів спричинили трактування русинів як частини польської нації. Адже нація для тодішніх польських інтелектуалів була політичною спільнотою, а етнічно-культурні особливості не мали особливого значення. Такий висновок підтверджують проаналізовані листи, праці, акти Ф. Єзерського, Г. Коллонтая, Т. Костюшка, С. Сташиця, Т. Чацького, які показують нам, що віросповідання відступило на другий план, а важливішими ставали державна приналежність та спільна історія. Фактором консолідації мала стати польська мова, поширювана на релігійні обряди, освіту і т. д. В епоху пізнього польського Просвітництва (1795 – 1822) відбулася важлива зміна у свідомості польських суспільних діячів. Вони почали відходити від дидактизму, а головний акцент зробили на доведенні через науку, літературу й освіту життєздатності польської нації в умовах бездержавності. Саме в цей час з’явилися твори Т. Чацького, Т. Свєнцького та В. Марчинського з описами територій колишньої Речі Посполитої. Характерним для цих праць є те, що вони розглядають усі території колишньої Речі Посполитої її невід’ємними частинами та не надають етнічним відмінностям їх мешканців помітного значення. Очевидно, що це відбувалося через політичне сприйняття нації.
Ключові слова: польське Просвітництво, руське питання, Ф. Єзерський, Т. Свєнцький,В. Марчинський
The Relationship between Time Management Tendencies and Employee Productivity in the Insurance Business
Authors: Lydia Jeptoo Maket  , Catherine Muthoni Njeru
Published: September 2023

One of the major priorities for most organizations today is the need to improve employee productivity. Insurance firms have, in the recent past, experienced low levels of employee productivity. Prevalent issues of concern are: absenteeism, prolonged and unproductive meetings, failure to delegate, procrastination, poor quality of work, lack of professionalism, and burnout, amongst others. This paper sought to investigate the effect of time management tendencies on employee productivity. The specific time management dimensions interrogated included: goal setting, planning behaviors, scheduling and prioritizing. An explanatory research design was adopted for the study targeting 150 employees, out of which 108 respondents formed the sample size. The findings revealed that goal setting and scheduling had a significant effect on employee productivity, while planning behavior and prioritization did not affect employee productivity. The paper contributes to knowledge and provides insights into theory and practice.
Depictions of Nature Imagery in Literature: An Eco-critical Perspective
Authors: Rebecca Ufuoma Davies
Published: September 2023

The paper examines the function of nature imagery in literature from an eco-critical viewpoint. It makes the case that nature may be a potent instrument for fostering ecological awareness and responsibility as well as for visualizing more just and sustainable ways for people to engage with the environment. The first section of the paper defines eco-criticism as an interdisciplinary field that was born out of the late 20th-century environmental catastrophe. The use of nature imagery in literature to foster an understanding of ecological interdependence, encourages a sense of location and connection to the environment, and arouses wonder and awe for the natural world is then examined. The study articulates how depictions of nature have been used to support environmental justice and sustainability and criticizes industrialization, urbanization, and the exploitation of natural resources. The paper concludes that natural imagery in literature can help us envision more equitable and sustainable forms of human-environmental interaction and this creative labor is essential for tackling the environmental concerns of our day. It calls for continued attention to nature imagery in literature and integrating eco-critical approaches into literary studies more broadly.
Motivation as a Factor for Enhancing Employees’ Satisfaction: A Case Study of Juba Teaching Hospital, South Sudan
Authors: Atem Biar Lazaro
Published: September 2023

Since issues of employees’ motivation are recorded to be emerging with the current and predicted increases in low salary, delayed salary encourages turnover rates marked that human resources got dehumanized and stopped happiness to people. This study was designed to examine the relationship between motivation and employees’ satisfaction, explore the factors influencing Motivation to enhance employees’ satisfaction and determine the factor structure of Motivation, enhancing employees’ satisfaction in Public Health Hospital. 

This research design was cross-sectional and descriptive, using quantitative approaches from a population of 838 persons. The purposive and simple random sampling technique was employed to select 260 respondents using The Likert scale. A set of attitude statements was presented as closed-end structure questionnaires and interview guides. SPSS version (20.0) and EPIDATA Program for coding (CSpro 7.5 version) were used to analyze the data. The results were presented using Spearman correlations coefficient, Regressions, ANOVA of variance and factor analysis structure loading to predict the variable relationship. 

The finding showed that there is a significant positive relationship between motivation and employees’ satisfaction (r=0.003, P-value < 0.01). Enhancing and employees’ satisfaction (r=0.082, p-value <0.01). Motivation is significantly correlated with employees’ satisfaction. However, motivation and employee’s satisfaction (r=0.128, p-value < 0.01)), the staff with more opportunities for motivation are more likely to offer quality services. Indeed, employees with high motivation deliver quality services, indicating that employees’ satisfaction depends on motivation. The regression analysis shows the relationship between motivation, enhanced employees’ satisfaction (F= 1.984, sig=0.000) motivation and enhancing extremely explained employee’s satisfaction of (
Check List, Status, Threat and Perception of Some Wildlife Species in the Three Ecological Zones of Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Saidu Ahmed Bode  , Clestus Akosim  , Zakari Buba Yaduma
Published: September 2023

The study was conducted to produce the status of some wildlife species and determine the threat factors and perceptions of wildlife species in the three (3) ecological zones of Adamawa state. The study tool consists of a structured questionnaire, multi-stage and simple random sampling techniques used for data collection. Descriptive statistics with Kiringe and Okello (2007) model were used for data analysis. Results indicated that 70, 72 and 75 species of wildlife belonging to 36, 38 and 39 families were listed in the Sudan, Northern guinea and Southern guinea savannah zones, respectively. Most of the species in the three zones were either rare, endangered or have gone into local extinction. Only nine (9) species were common in the Sudan savannah zone, eleven (11) in the Northern guinea savannah zone and twenty-two (22) in the Southern guinea savannah zone. There were no abundant species in the three (3) zones. The threat factors which consistently showed the highest prevalent threat index were farming (26.0 - 45.4), hunting (32.2 – 55.4), logging (12.5 - 80) and grazing (11.2 – 17.0). The wildlife habitat susceptibility index was highest in the Sudan savannah zone (100%) but least in the Southern guinea zone (83%). Hunting (0.32 – 0.55), farming (0.26 – 0.45), logging (0.13 – 0.18) and grazing (0.12 – 0.17) consistently showed the highest mean score threat factors in the three zones. Similarly, hunting (0.00033 – 0.00010), farming (0.0023 – 0.00028), logging (0.0009 – 0.00020) and grazing (0.0009 – 0.00013) consistently showed the highest relative threat factors severity index in the three zones. Wildlife species were perceived as something good by the majority of respondents in the three (3) ecological zones. The study recommended the acquisition of skills in areas such as craft making, tailoring, shoe and bag making, motor mechanic, carpentry, mason and modern agricultural practice to prevent the local dwellers from hunting, indiscriminate expansion of agricultural land areas, illegal logging, grazing and wildfires. Policy on population control should be formulated by the government in view of increasing pressure on natural resources, which include wildlife resources. Adequate policy and institutional framework should be put in place for the purpose of management and conservation of wildlife resources at the grass root level. The state government should strengthen its conservation education programmes on the intrinsic value of wildlife to society and stiffer penalties for illegal poachers and hunters to mitigate further illegal harvesting of wildlife.
Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Organization of Accounting in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Anh Dao  , Pham Thanh Tra  , Tran Thao Nguyen
Published: September 2023

The study has summarized some current situations and focused on analyzing the factors affecting the organization of accounting work at SMEs in Tuyen Quang province through the survey results of 335 SMEs in the province. The analysis results show that there are 4 groups of factors affecting the organization of accounting work at SMEs in the province with the decreasing influence level, respectively, including the professional qualifications of accountants, the scale of production and business of the enterprise, facilities for accounting work and legal guidelines on accounting.
Analyzing the Extent of Dollarization and Its Potential Impact on the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania
Authors: Dr. Kaanaeli Gabriel Nnko
Published: September 2023

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dollarization and its potential impact on the progress of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. To achieve this, an extensive review of literature was conducted to explore the various causes, types, trends, and global effects of dollarization. The research specifically focused on the Dar es Salaam region in Tanzania, employing a survey strategy that involved the distribution of questionnaires to gather data. A sample size of 160 SME representatives was chosen using stratified random sampling techniques.

The collected data underwent analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, and the findings were presented using tables, charts, figures, and percentages. The results indicated that more than 80% of the respondents were aware of dollarization and its potential implications on their businesses, expressing a predominantly negative perception towards it. However, around 20% of the participants exhibited a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding dollarization and remained uncertain about its benefits. Some respondents argued that dollarization contributes to currency instability, leading to fluctuations in prices for goods and services, as well as creating uncertainties in the foreign exchange market.

Based on these findings, it is recommended to conduct further research and analysis to investigate the relationship between SMEs and dollarization within the context of development.
Influence of Customer-Based Brand Equity on the Performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Authors: Charles Rono  , Dr. Peter Simotwo
Published: September 2023

Deposit-taking SACCOs can achieve long-term performance by developing a competitive advantage that gradually builds a core of loyal customers over time through branding. This is supported by the fact that companies that prioritize the brand in their business strategy perform better. However, the credit market is becoming increasingly competitive, requiring deposit-taking SACCOs to offer higher-value products and services to improve performance. The purpose of the study was to find out how the performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County is influenced by customer-based brand equity. The study was guided by the following specific objectives:

To assess the effect of brand loyalty,

To determine the effect of brand awareness,

To evaluate the effect of brand associations, and

To examine the effect of perceived quality on the performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County

Brand equity theory and the theory of reasoned action were used in this research. An explanatory cross-sectional design was used to comprehend the relationships between study variables. 310 members of the deposit-taking SACCO in Uasin Gishu County were the targeted population. A sample size of 175 respondents was determined by the use of the Krejcie and Morgan table. A simple and stratified random sampling technique was adopted. The information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The instruments were tested for validity and reliability after a pilot test. Quantitative data were analyzed by use of both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25. From the findings, customer-based brand equity had a statistically significant influence on the performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County. Brand loyalty, brand awareness, brand associations and perceived quality had a positive and statistically significant effect on the performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County, hence the rejection of the null hypothesis. In conclusion, customer-based brand equity and all its dimensions understudy significantly affect the performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Uasin Gishu County. Therefore, based on the findings, brand equity theory and the theory of reasoned action showed that deposit-taking SACCOs should effectively bundle all the dimensions of customer-based brand equity through their policy framework and consistently improve on them to heighten their performance.
The Impact of Theory U on Corporate Governance as an Essential Risk Management and Performance Improvement Tool
Authors: Oluwatosin Sorunke  , Apanisile Samuel Temitope
Published: September 2023

This paper established the effectiveness of Theory U as a risk management and performance management tool, thereby enhancing an efficient corporate governance system in organizations. The authors provided insights into how organizations can solve corporate governance problems and ascertain a risk management culture that, in turn, optimizes opportunities and minimizes threats to the business. Theory U offers a transformative approach to corporate governance and drive performance improvements. This is attained by fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability, which enhances the effectiveness of governance mechanisms. While implementation may pose challenges, companies that embrace Theory U as an essential risk management and performance improvement tool stand to reap significant benefits, including enhanced resilience, sustainable value creation, and long-term success. The authors outlined the benefits of Theory U and several examples of empirical case studies of organizations that have benefited from this model. Adopting the positivism paradigm of research, this paper has provided examples of how organizations utilized this model. Three hypotheses were tested to validate the data results. In sum, the authors emphasized that critical corporate governance issues can be overcome by adopting this innovative approach, thus enabling organizations to demonstrate enhanced organizational resilience and thrive in today's rapidly changing business environment.
Risk Taking Attitude: Relations with Executive Functions and Sensation Seeking among a Section of Egyptian Adolescents
Authors: Adel M Elsadek  , Ahmed Bakr  , Nagwa Ibrahim A. Mohamed  , Ayman Hasafy
Published: September 2023

Objectives: Adolescence is an uncertain period of one's life. Even with perfect health, there is still a 2–3 times higher danger of injury or sudden demise during adolescence than in childhood. The major factors behind this increased disease and death are more risky behaviors of adolescents, i.e., driving, smoking, drinking, unprotected sexual encounters and drug consumption. Generally, adolescents have been seen to take big risks than others. One likely reason for people's differences lies in their mental capabilities, such as self-monitoring, judgment, planning and impulse control. Evidence has shown that teenagers, owing to less efficiency and integration of the brain system in the prefrontal cortex mainly, may lead to such risky behaviors. This study is also about evaluating the association of sensation performance and seeking as well as risky behavior on tests of the brain (executive) function.

Methods: A total of 250 adolescents (103 males, 147 females) 13 to 17 years of age (mean age 15.36 years, SD1.06 years) were recruited from secondary schools in two Egyptian cities: Tanta and Aswan. A validated Arabic version of the executive functions (BRIEF) and an Arabic-translated and validated version of Arnett's Sensation Seeking Inventory (AISS, Arnett, 1994) were applied to evaluate the sample. Risk-taking attitude was measured using Risk Orientation Questionnaire (Rohrmann, 1997)

Results: Both sensation seeking and executive functions are significantly associated with risk-taking attitudes. Intensity, MCI, BRI, and novelty are all significantly predicted risk-taking attitudes in this order. Finally, a comparison between males and females adolescents revealed a significant difference in favor of males in sensation seeking and risk-taking attitudes, whereas executive functions showed statistically significant differences favouring females.

Conclusions: Our results point to the crucial part that executive control plays in adolescents' risk-taking behaviour.
Efficacy of the Whole Cell Vaccine Streptococcus agalactiae with Vector Artemia sp. for Streptococcosis Prevention in Nila Fish (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Rusli  , Suryati  , Mulyati  , Patang
Published: September 2023

This study aims to examine the efficacy of the oral whole-cell vaccine of S. agalactiae with Artemia sp as a vaccine vector for prevention against Streptococcosis in tilapia fish. The fish seeds used in the study were 2-3 cm in size which did not carry S. agalactiae bacteria and were reared in jars with a volume of 3 liters as many as ten birds/jar. Giving the vaccine to fish orally by first soaking the vaccine in Artemia sp. The soaking times for the vaccine were 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes. Parameters observed were relative percent survival (RPS), antibody titer value, total leukocytes, phagocytic index, and leukocyte differential. The results showed that the treatment between vaccines had no significant effect, while the treatment with the control vaccine had a significant effect (P<0.05). The highest RPS value was obtained in the vaccine soaking treatment in Artemia sp. for 30 minutes and 120 minutes, with a value of 93.33%. Furthermore, the RPS was 86.67% at 15 and 150 minutes of soaking and 80% RPS at 30 minutes of soaking. This shows that the level of vaccine protection against streptococcosis in tilapia fish is very high.
COVID 19 Related Social Stigma among Women of Reproductive Age in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: EA Envuladu , EO Okoh
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Social stigma is when people are labelled, stereotyped, discriminated against, treated separately, and/or experience loss of status because of a perceived link with the disease.
Non-Invasive Imaging of Gene Expression and Protein Secretion Dynamics in Living Mice: Identification of Ectopic Prothrombin Expression as Driver of Thrombosis in Cancera
Authors: Nourse Jamie , Tokalov Sergey
Published: September 2023

The topology of gene expression and protein localization is a crucial characteristic of life, where the spatiotemporal dynamic of secretory proteins instruct higher order organization, including the orchestration of developmental and adaptive programs. However tools to non-invasively interrogate the fate of secretory proteins in vivo are scarce. Here we introduce a genetic tagging strategy for in vivo imaging of the secretion and expression dynamics of secretory proteins in living animals. Applying this to a prototypical liver-derived secretory protein, we demonstrate that this approach, combined with optical in-vivo imaging, uncovers extrahepatic prothrombin expression in multiple novel anatomical sites (including testes, placenta, brain, kidney, heart and lymphatic system) and in emerging tumors, resulting in significant amounts of tumor-derived prothrombin in the blood with procoagulant properties. Syngeneic cell lines from this mouse model enable unravelling regulatory mechanisms in high resolution, and in a scalable format ex vivo. Beyond discovering new functions of proteins in a targeted manner, this model allows identifying rheostats in the cross-talk between gene expression and availability of a secretory protein. It is also a valuable resource for uncovering novel (tissue-specific) therapeutic vulnerabilities.
دور الوعي البيئي لدى سكان مدينة دهوك في التخلص من النفايات
Authors: احمد محمد اسماعيل شيماء , محمد اسماعيل احمد
Published: September 2023

تشهد الكثير من بلدان العالم اليوم تفاقم مشكلة ضعف الوعي البيئي في طريقة التعامل مع النفايات الصلبة وكيفية ادارتها ومعالجتها ثم الاستفادة منها كثروة اقتصادية. تم اختبار مدينة دهوك كاحد مدن اقليم كردستان العراق لدراسة وتقييم مدى وعي الاهالي والاسر في مدينة دهوك مع النفايات، والهدف الرئيسي من الدراسة هو تقييم مستوى الوعي البيئي لدى سكان مدينة دهوك في التخلص في التعامل مع النفايات والتخلص منها. ومعرفة اهم الاليات المتبعة من قبل الانظمة المسؤولة في منطقة الدراسة.
تناولت الدراسة مبحثين، المبحث الاول تم ذكر الجانب النظري وتقديم اهم التعاريف للنفايات الصلبة وانواعها وكيفية التعامل معها. اما المبحث الثاني تضمن الجانب التطبيقي، . تمثلت مشكلة الدراسة في ضعف الوعي البيئي وعدم معرفة الطرق الصحيحة للتعامل مع النفايات وترتيبها بشكل يقلل الجهود المبذولة من قبل الدولة للتعامل معها، وعدم توفر اجهزة تحويل للنفايات إذا يتم نقل هذه النفيات بشكل مباشر الى اماكن الطمر الصحي. لذا افترضت الدراسة وجود تدني في مستوى الوعي البيئي لدى سكان مدينة دهوك في التعامل والتخلص مع النفايات وكيفية الاستفادة منها.
اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي والمنهج التحليلي. اما فيما يخص البيانات فتمت عملية جمع البيانات بالاعتماد على الاستبانة المخصصة لهذه الغاية اذا تم الاعتماد على استمارة الاستبيان بواقع (108(  من افراد العينة. اهم المؤشرات الاحصائية التي تم اختيارها  في اختبار الفرضية المتمثلة هي التكرار، والنسبة المئويه.
توصلت الدراسة لعدد من النتائج من ابرزها التباين الملحوظ في وجود خدمة متكاملة من قبل بلدية منطقة دهوك لجمع النفايات في حين هناك مناطق مازالت غير مخدومة او تعاني خلل في عملية جمع النفايات وايضا عدم الاهتمام من قبل البلدية في فرز النفايات لاغراض طمرها ، بل مازلت النفايات تجمع بشكل مختلط دون الاخذ بنظر الاعتبار اهمية فرزها. توصي الدراسة بعدة مقترحات من اهمها ضرورة اقامة ندوات ودورات وبرامج للناس تعرف لهم اهم الطرق للتعامل الصحيح مع النفايات وكيفية التخلص منها ،اضافة الى اهمية اعتماد طرق حديثة لطمر النفايات وذلك من خلاله الاطلاع على الطرق الحديثة التي تتبعها الدول المتقدمة في معالجة النفايات. واخيرا التاكيد على اهمية فرز النفايات وذلك من خلال تزويد المواطن بحاويات النفايات بانواع محتلفة تتناسب مع فرز النفايات بشكل يسهل عمليه اعادة تدويرها فيما بعد.
PROTOCOLOS DE ATENDIMENTOS AS URGÊNCIAS PSIQUIÁ-TRICAS NO ATENDIMENTO PRÉ-HOSPITALAR: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA
Authors: De Santana Andréia Aparecida , Porcu Mauro , Alécio Reanta , Nacamura Paula Antunes Bezerra , Ribeiro João Vitor Rosa , Paiano Marcelle
Published: September 2023

Objetivo: identificar na literatura o conhecimento produzido acerca de protocolos de atendimentos as Urgências Psiquiátricas no atendimento pré-hospitalar. Método: Estudo de revisão integrativa realizada entre os meses de fevereiro e abril de 2023 nas seguintes  base de dados : Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde; Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature ; EMBASE; Web of Science e US National Library of Medicine e pelos sites das secretarias de Estado da Saúde de todos os estados brasileiros, utilizando combinações com os seguintes Descritores em Ciência da Saúde: Assistência Pré-hospitalar ; Protocolos; Serviços de Emergência Psiquiátrica, combinados por meio do operador booleano “AND” em seis bases de dados, visando responder à seguinte questão: “Quais as publicações relacionadas aos protocolos de atendimentos as Urgências Psiquiátricas no atendimento pré-hospitalar?”. Resultados: Foram construídos cinco protocolos que contemplam os seguintes procedimentos: atendimento as urgências psiquiátricas, agitação e situação de violência, contenção física, comportamento suicida e urgências envolvendo substancias psicoativas. Conclusão: acredita-se que a construção do procedimento operacional padrão possa ser utilizado como um recurso fundamental para que as equipes de atendimento pré-hospitalar consigam planejar e executar suas atividades com segurança.
EVOLUÇÃO TEMPORAL DA VIA DE PARTO E OS FATORES MATERNOS ASSOCIADOS NO BRASIL (2011-2021)
Authors: Ferreira Carine Vitória Lemes , Pereira Iara Aires , Assoni Maria Aurélia da Silveira , De Santana Jesus Vagner , Conceição Mirian Santos Silva , Dos Santos Adelcio Machado , Camacho Beatriz Angieuski , Correia Eriselma Alves , Espindola Castro Denise , Dos Santos Katia da Silva , Moreira Sara Ribeiro , E Silva Iago Gouvêa do Carmo
Published: September 2023

O processo de parto é um evento fisiológico fundamental na vida reprodutiva das mulheres. No entanto, o parto cirúrgico tem se tornado cada vez mais comum, tanto no Brasil como em outros países, resultando em preocupações com a medicalização excessiva do parto. O estudo visa fornecer informações abrangentes sobre o tema, considerando diferentes regiões geográficas do Brasil. Trata-se de estudo é ecológico e retrospectivo, utilizando dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC) disponíveis no Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS). Foram analisados dados de 2011 a 2021, com ênfase nas taxas de parto vaginal e cesariano, fatores sociodemográficos e obstétricos. Durante o período analisado, foram registrados 31.702.562 nascimentos no Brasil. Dos registros válidos, 43,9% foram partos vaginais e 56,1% foram cesarianos. Houve um aumento geral nas taxas de cesariana em todas as regiões brasileiras. A região Norte teve o maior percentual de partos vaginais (53,5%) e o menor de cesarianas (46,5%), enquanto as regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste apresentaram as maiores taxas de cesárea. O estudo revela um aumento nas taxas de cesariana ao longo da última década no Brasil, com diferenças regionais significativas. A prevalência de cesarianas nas regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste levanta preocupações sobre a medicalização do parto. Essas informações podem subsidiar ações de melhoria da qualidade da assistência ao parto e nascimento, com o objetivo de reduzir intervenções desnecessárias e promover melhores desfechos materno-fetais.
The role of US financial institutions in the international economic sanctions mechanism
Authors: Tawfeeq Assist.Prof.Dr. Saif  Nussrat , Karar Nouri Hameed  , Jumana Khaldon Saadoun
Published: September 2023

The scope of the sanctions regime imposed by the United States against countries and entities has expanded with the imposition of the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury (OFAC), and the impact of these sanctions imposed by the United States made a clear challenge, as it prevented countries, entities and individuals from formally accessing global financial networks, which led to Vibration of financial systems and threatening the economic system of countries and entities, which achieves American hegemony without returning to the use of international law and the use of the UN Security Council, which caused the decline of the influence of the international authority represented by the United Nations.