bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Modification of AISI 1018 Low Carbon Steel by Duplex Treatment of Nitrocarburizing and Post-Oxidation
Authors: Sharma Jagdeep , Singh Sidhu Balwinder , Gupta Rajesh
Published: October 2022

The duplex treatment combining the salt bath nitrocarburizing with post-oxidation technique provides an excellent technique for achieving improved hardness, wear and corrosion resistance of the surface of various steels. Arcor® is a merger of Sursulf and a post-oxidation process (Oxynit). In the present research effects of the duplex treatment (nitrocarburizing and post-oxidation) on the surface morphology of AISI 1018 low carbon steel are reported. Observations revealed that by increasing the holding time a considerable improvement in mechanical properties occured. Optical microscopy investigations revealed compound and diffusion zones on the steel surface with approx. 24 Î¼m thick compounds and oxide layer. Furthermore, a significant decrease in specific wear rate has been observed due to the compact and uniform compound layer.
Evaluation of E-Fenton Process in Decolourization of Azo Dye (Congo Red) using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sathish S. , Aravind Kumar J. , Prabu D. , Narendrakumar G.
Published: October 2022

Today there is a great focus on reusing the effluent water in the dyeing process. The objective of this research work is to effectively remove colour from textile wastewater using Electro Fenton (E-Fenton) process. E-Fenton process is the combination of Fenton and electrochemical processes. In this study decolorization of Congo red dye was investigated by E-Fenton process in a continuous reactor equipped with iron electrodes. Experiments were carried out in a reactor of working volume of 1L. The degree of decolourisation varies with the operating parameters. The optimal working conditions were maintained with an electrode potential difference of 2V, 40°C, pH 4. For Electro Fenton's process the parameters giving the highest efficiency were decolourisation percentage of 97%. The process parameters were optimized by using response surface methodology to understand the effectiveness of the interactions of variables when the maximum decolourization can be achieved. The experimental results proved that the combination of Fenton and Electrochemical process was an excellent method for treatment of textile wastewater.
Decolorisation of Azo Dye (Congo red) from Synthetic Solution using Natural Coagulants
Authors: Suresh A. , Ganesh B. , Velmurugan S.
Published: October 2022

The textile dying industry contains effluents which are harmful to human health and environment. In this research work, decolourisation of congo red dye was studied using natural coagulant like Moringa oleifera Seed Powder (MOSP) and Maize Seed Powder (MSP) which are suitable alternative for chemical coagulants in coagulation and flocculation process. Absorbance value was determined for various concentration of congo red dye by using a UV spectrophotometer and the calibration curve was drawn. Experiments were carried out for determining the percentage of decolorisation using MOSP and MSP. The different parameters such as pH, temperature, coagulant dose and flocculation time were optimized. The optimum decolorisation percentage of congo red was observed for natural coagulant MOSP with removal efficiency of 92% at coagulant dosage of 200 mg/l, temperature of 5000C, pH of 7.5 and flocculation time of 60 minutes. For natural coagulant MSP, Congo red decolorisation efficiency was found to be 65% at coagulant dosage of 50 mg/l, temperature 5000C, 5 pH and flocculation time of 90 minutes. Hence, it can be inferred that MOSP gives better decolorisation efficiency than MSP for Congo red removal.
Mn (II) Adsorption on Activated Carbon Derived from Amaro (Spondias pinnata) Seed Stone
Authors: Pradhananga Adhikari Mandira , Thapa Arjun
Published: October 2022

Amaro (Spondias pinnata) seed stone powder was activated using phosphoric acid and carbonized in a muffle furnace at three different temperatures, viz. 300, 400 and 500oC (PAC-300, PAC-400 and PAC-500) to produced Activated Carbons (ACs). Thus, obtained ACs are characterized using Boehm titration, iodine number and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed results attributed that PACs contained irregular sized and shaped particles with well-developed pores, which mostly consisted of carboxyl and phenolic functional groups. Among the ACs, PAC-400 had a highest values of methylene blue number, iodine number and specific surface area, which were 181mg/g, 371.02 mg/g and 582 m2/g, respectively. For the 150 mg/L of methylene blue concentration the adsorption capacity of all the PACs was 100% and the adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir isotherm with Qmax of 256.41 mg/g. Within 2 hours at pH 5, PAC-400 removed as high as 94% of Mn(II) ion from 25 mg/L and up to 40% from 400 mg/L concentration of manganese from an aqueous solution. The adsorption kinetics described pseudo second order kinetics indicating chemisorption. All the results attributed that the phosphoric acid activated amaro seed stone can be used as efficient adsorbent to absorb manganese from an aqueous solution.
Anodising and Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation for the Surface Modification of Aluminium Alloys: Review
Authors: Sahoo Baidehish , Das Tanmoy , Paul Jinu
Published: October 2022

Aluminium (Al) and its alloys are attractive for a variety of applications due to its advantages like light weight, ease of processing and high thermal/electrical conductivities. However, it suffers from shortcomings in terms of strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Anodising is commonly used to improve the surface modification of Al alloys. This paper presents a review of anodising and related processes and updates the current status in this area. The chemical structure and the size of the oxide film are influenced by factors like temperature, type of electrolyte and current density/ applied voltage. Depending on the process parameters, the oxide film formed in this process can be thin, non-porous, thick, and porous. The hardness of the coating in anodizing is influenced by the parameters like coating thickness, voltage, current density, and temperature. Further, it is required to regulate the metal/oxide or film/solution interface at which the barrier film grows. In Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), the modified version of anodising, and the selection of operating conditions influence coating morphology, structure and composition which in turn affect the wear resistance and corrosion properties. The properties of the coating in case of PEO process are influenced by the nature/structure of the base material, type/composition of electrolyte, temperature of the electrolyte during the process, oxidation time, and electrical parameter (current density and voltage). Understanding of the effect of these parameters on coating properties opens new vista for better application prospects.
Dye Adsorption Kinetics and Isotherm Study Using Surfactant-Modified Biomass: Influence of pH Substantiated with Quantum Chemical Validation
Authors: Kanoje Bharatkumar , Dani Unnati , Shirdhonkar Manjusha , Parikh Jigisha , Kuperkar Ketan
Published: October 2022

The current study offers a comprehensive understanding on the adsorption study employing the cost-effective biomass as an effective substitute against high-cost treatment options. The present work put forth the adsorption of hazardous cationic dye: Crystal Violet (CV) from aqueous solution using Rice Husk (RH) and surfactant Modified Rice Husk (MRH). Effect of the adsorbents: RH and MRH onto CV removal is determined considering various experimental parameters viz., mass, volume, dye concentration, contact-time, equilibrium temperature, and pH where maximum CV adsorption was achieved at pH = 8. Results obtained are attributed to the favorable ion-pair formation between CV and anionic surfactant: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) which is validated further using quantum chemical calculations. To counterpart the sorption process onto the adsorbent, the adsorption study was validated employing several kinetic models and isotherms. The thermodynamic conduct concluded the CV adsorption to be spontaneous (negative ?G) and endothermic (positive ?H) in characteristic at ambient temperature i.e., adsorption increases with temperature.
Criteria for internal fixed points existence of discrete dynamic Lotka–Volterra systems with homogeneous tournaments
Authors:   Tashkent State Transport University, Eshmamatova Dilfuza , Tadzhieva Mohbonu ,   National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, Ganikhodzhaev Rasul ,   National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek
Published: October 2022

Purpose of the work is to study the dynamics of the asymptotic behavior of trajectories of discrete Lotka–Volterra dynamical systems with homogeneous tournaments operating in an arbitrary (𝑚 − 1)-dimensional simplex. It is known that a dynamic system is an object or a process for which the concept of a state is uniquely defined as a set of certain quantities at a given time, and a law describing the evolution of initial state over time is given. Mainly in questions of population genetics, biology, ecology, epidemiology and economics, systems of nonlinear differential equations describing the evolution of the process under study often arise. Since the Lotka–Volterra equations often arise in life phenomena, the main purpose of the work is to study the trajectories of discrete dynamical Lotka–Volterra systems using elements of graph theory. Methods. In the paper cards of fixed points are constructed for quadratic Lotka–Volterra mappings, that allow describing the dynamics of the systems under consideration. Results. Using cards of fixed points of a discrete dynamical system, criteria for the existence of fixed points with odd nonzero coordinates are given in a particular case, and these results on the location of fixed points of Lotka–Volterra systems are generalized accordingly in the case of an arbitrary simplex. The main results are theorems 5–9, which allow us to describe the dynamics of these systems arising in a number of genetic, epidemiological and ecological models. Conclusion. The results obtained in the paper give a detailed description of the dynamics of the trajectories of Lotka–Volterra maps with homogeneous tournaments. The map of fixed points highlights a specific area in the simplex that is most important and interesting for studying the dynamics of these maps. The results obtained are applicable in environmental problems, for example, to describe and study the cycle of biogens.
Electrochemical SERS study of some endogenous components of human biofluids
Authors:   Saratov State University, Markina Natalia E. , Zakharevich Andrey M. ,   Saratov State University, Markin Alexey V. ,   Saratov State University
Published: October 2022

The work describes electrochemical (EC) protocol suitable for preparation of copper electrodes which can be used as substrates in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). These SERS-active electrodes have been used for electrospectral studies based on the combination of electrochemical and SERS analysis (EC-SRS analysis). Several endogenous bodyfluid components (urea, creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin) have been selected for the study because they can significantly affect the SERS-based determination of other analytes in bodyfluids (for example, drugs). The influence of the SERS-active electrode polarization (applied potential) and the pH level of the analyte solutions on the SERS signal and current value have been investigated. The polarization values corresponded to the maximum SERS signal are observed at negative values for all analytes (below −0.2 V vs. copper pseudo-reference electrode). The maximal SERS signal has been observed for most of the analytes in a neutral medium (at the optimum polarization value of the SERS-active electrode), and the weakest signal has been in an alkaline medium. The diminishing of EC-SERS signal at high pH values is explained by deprotonation of analyte molecules that deteriorates analyte adsorption onto the negatively polarized SERS-active electrodes. Analysis of the current-voltage curves has been used to estimate the possible influence of EC changes of the studied molecules on their EC-SERS signal. The results obtained in this work will be useful for the development of EC-SERS systems suitable for the determination of various endo- and exogenous compounds in human biofluids.
The Impact of the Use of Electronic and Digital Devices before Bedtime on Sleep Sufficiency among Iraqi Young People
Authors: Noaman Aqeel Abbas
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Young people often rely on electronic and digital media devices to accomplish many of their daily tasks, which may interfere with their daily physical activities. This study aims to find out the relationship between the use of electronic and digital devices before bedtime and sleep sufficiency among Iraqi young people.
Methods: This was an analytical, cross-sectional study that was conducted on 383 young adults aged 18-25 years attending in Al-Tahrir Primary Health Care Center for immunization through purposive sampling technique from   September 15, 2019 to January 10, 2020. The tool was a researcher- made questionnaire. The SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis, where the t-test was used to find a possible relationship between the variables. The descriptive statistics included percent, means and standard deviations, independent sample T-test was used to find a possible relationship between the variables. All statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS software version 20 with considering significant level of 5%.
Results: Mean (SD) use of electronic or digital devices at night in terms of watching television, using play station, using computer, using cell phone for gaming, and using mobile for the Internet [2.8 (3.48), 1.20 (2.0), 2.13  (3.16), 5.37 (5.0) and 10.90 (6.08)] respectively. As a result, there was a significant difference regarding the use of the cell phone for games (P-value= 0.011) and for social media (P-value= 0.000). The mean use of cell phone per night was statistically higher (20.38 minutes) than those who reported having sufficient hours of sleep (10.38 minutes) (P- value=0.040). The study also observed that the mean number of cell phone calls (5.16) was statistically associated with inadequate sleep hours per night (P-value=0.022).
Conclusions: This study found that most participants reported adequate sleep hours after electronic or digital devices were turned off. This is because the increase in the mean number of calls and the minutes during calls before going to sleep was significantly associated with a lack of sleep.
Social Acceptance for Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis from Their Own Perspective in Rafsanjan, Iran: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Bidaki Reza , Bagheri Mahonaki Marzie , Shahrbabaki Ziba Shabani , Bakhshi Aliabad Hamid , Sadeh Maryam
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Social acceptance is defined as the support by social network for patients via family, friends and colleagues that often reason the better management and prognosis. If the social acceptance is significantly low in patients with chronic diseases like tuberculosis, an appropriate plan can raise the level of knowledge and the culture of the community to enhance the level of patient and community's acceptance. The authors aim to evaluate social acceptance and related factors in these patients in Rafsanjan.
Methods: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. It was conducted on 29 pulmonary TB (tuberculosis) patients who had referred to Rafsanjan city health center in Iran in 2014. They were selected by census method. The Marlou-Crown questionnaire was completed by patients, and the scores were calculated based on the questionnaire key using SPSS 16. T-test, Fisher and chi-square tests were used for evaluation, and the significance level was P-value <0.05.
Results: Results showed that the frequency social acceptance among patients was moderate to high (62%) and moderate to low (38%). Fifteen (52%) patients were male and 14 (48%) were female whose age range was 8 to 90.  Among the variables of age, sex, education, place of residence, nationality and family history of patients, the relationship between age، nationality, positive family history of TB and social acceptance was significant (P-value <0.05).
Conclusion: This study concludes that older patients, those with a family history of TB, and migrant patients have higher social acceptance (P-value <0.05).
Quién es quién en sensibilización sobre la diversidad sexual y la igualdad de género mediante intervenciones artísticas en contextos universitarios
Authors: VILA MOSCARDÓ DAVID , TORRECILLA PATIÑO ELIA , SÁNCHEZ ARENAS BIBIANA DE LA SOLEDAD
Published: October 2022

En esta comunicación se muestra la investigación artística realizada dentro del proyecto I+D+I ‘Sensibilización en igualdad de género y diversidad sexual mediante intervenciones artísticas en contextos universitarios’, financiado por la Consellería de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital (Referencia: GV/2020/069) de la Generalitat Valenciana (España), cuya investigadora principal es María Amparo Alonso Sanz, de la Universitat de València.

Dentro de este proyecto, la propuesta planteada es la acción titulada “Quién es quién en igualdad y diversidad” que se apropia de las estrategias del conocido juego homónimo (también conocido como “Adivina quién”), para introducir personajes de relevante importancia en el ámbito de la igualdad y la diversidad, tanto de género, como de identidad y sexualidad. Los resultados obtenidos nos demuestran la importancia de este tipo de acciones e intervenciones aplicadas en el contexto universitario, poniendo de manifiesto la necesidad de un lenguaje inclusivo, así como la importancia de visibilizar y resaltar a este conjunto de figuras clave en la cultura queer.

Palabras clave: arte, juego, diversidad sexual, igualdad de género, universidad.
Educação, Complexidade e Sustentabilidade
Authors: Da Conceição de Almeida Maria
Published: October 2022

A consciência de que a fragmentação do pensamento e da ciência operam uma visão distorcida e parcial do mundo começou, sobretudo a partir do início do século passado, a facilitar uma reorganização de nossos modos de ver, compreender e viver. Em certa sintonia com a consciência do provisório e da parcialidade das explicações, o conhecimento científico tem se afastado cada vez mais da convicção de que o que dizemos a partir das teorias e  interpretações corresponde à realidade tal qual ela é. Sabemos hoje que uma tal convicção corresponde a confundir a descrição da realidade com ela própria. Desde 1901 essa ilusão da ciência ruiu, e foi Niels Bohr quem dissenão ser possível afirmar “isto é assim”, mas, “é isso que podemos dizer de tal ou qual fenômeno”.
Investigation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernel septum
Authors: ÖZŞAHİN DELİBAŞ Elif Azize , KIRAY Esin
Published: October 2022

Objectives: Walnut (Juglans regia L.) kernel septum (or septa) (WKS), a traditional nutraceutical material in China, has not been explored in detail. In this study, antimicrobial activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant-oxidant status of WKS was investigated in case it may be clinically important in the management of various complications.
Methods: The WKS was extracted with ethanol in a Soxhlet device. TPC of WKS was analysed by using Folin-Ciocalteu’s method. Antioxidant activity was obtained by using Rel Assay Diagnostics kits. The antimicrobial activity of WKS was evaluated against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis), one Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and one fungus (Candida albicans) strains using the agar diffusion method.
Results: The TPC of WKS was found to be 119.42 ± 2.39 mg GAE/gDW. It was determined that total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were 7.542 ± 0.389 mmol/L, 3.718 ± 0.287 µmol/L and 0.049 ± 0.001, respectively. WKS selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and fungus, while S. aureus was the most susceptible one with 16 mm of inhibition zone. Gram-negative bacteria was resistant to the extract.
Conclusions: As far as we know, this paper is the first work that demonstrates the antioxidant-oxidant status of WKS by using the method described above, and moreover there are no scientific reports which have examined WKS in such a multidisciplinary experimental design. This study strongly supports the reported traditional use of WKS. Results indicated that WKS can be used as a pharmacological natural agent due to its high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Root Nodule Categorization and Their Relation with Plant Growth in Peanut Crop Grown in Alfisols
Authors: Kumar K. Ashok , Reddy B. Sahadeva , Srivastav A. Sai
Published: October 2022

To investigate the relationship between nodule category and plant growth characteristics in peanut, nodules were classified into three categories: large size nodule (LSN) ( greater than 2 mm), medium size nodule (MSN) (1-2 mm) and small size nodule (SSN) ( less than 1 mm) and their position on roots (primary and lateral roots). The number of LSNs on primary roots was found to be much higher than on lateral roots. The number of MSN developed on primary and lateral roots was comparable, whereas, lateral roots had a higher SSN number. In addition, when comparing the LSN and MSN numbers to SSN number, the plant growth parameters showed a high positive correlation. Multivariate regression analysis yielded similar results. This nodule classification technique aids in the identification of peanut nodules and their role in quantification of plant growth characteristics. Further, this technique can be used in identifying/screening of efficient nodulating peanut genotypes.
Performance of Diversified Legume Entailing Ultra High Intensity Rice based Cropping System Models for Higher Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
Authors: Menia Monika , Sharma B.C. , Singh A.P. , Arya Vivak M. , Sharma Manish K. , Kumar Satesh , Vaid Amrish , Gupta Vishal , Sharma Neetu
Published: October 2022

Background: An intensive cropping system involving legume and vegetable crops not only highly productive and profitable but should also be stable over time and maintains soil health in present scenario. So, keeping this point in view the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of legume entailing different ultra high intensity rice based cropping system models under irrigated sub-tropics. Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKUAST-Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha for two consecutive years from kharif 2019 to summer season of 2021. The experiment consisting of five legume entailing rice based cropping system models of cropping intensity varying from 300-600% viz. T1: Rice (Basmati-370) - Wheat (HD-3086) - Cowpea (Lobia Super-60) having 300% cropping intensity, T2: Rice (Basmati-564) - Potato (Kufri Badshah) - Wheat (Raj-3765) - Mixed fodder (Maize+Cowpea+Charri in 2:2:1 ratio) having 400% cropping intensity, T3: Rice (SJR-129) - Knol khol (G-40) - Potato (Kufri Sindhuri) - Green gram (IPM 02-3) having 400% cropping intensity, T4: Rice (Pusa-1121) - Radish (CR-45) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - French bean (Anupama) - Okra (Seli special) having 500% cropping intensity in relay cropping from fourth crop onwards and T5: Rice (IET-1410) - Fenugreek (JF-07) - Knol khol (G-40) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - Dry onion (Selection-1) - Black gram (Pant U-19) having 600% cropping intensity in relay cropping from third crop onwards was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. Result: The results obtained under two years research study revealed that treatment T4 recorded significantly highest basmati-370 rice equivalent system productivity followed by treatment T5. Further, treatment T4 also recorded highest system cost of cultivation, system gross returns and system net returns. System soil fertility status in terms of available NPK after completion of second crop cycle was significantly affected. Among different cropping systems, significantly higher available nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in treatment T5 system which was at par with treatment T4.
Comparing Changes in the Levels of Global Citizenship Before and After Taking Courses Supported by Development Awareness Program for Universities: A Preliminary Case Study of Gangwon-do
Authors:   Global Studeis Education Association, Park Bum Hee , Lee Seohyun
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to examine the changes in the levels of global citizenship before and after taking courses supported by the ‘KOICA Development Awareness Program’ To that end, surveys and interviews were conducted with 2 universities in Gangwon province. A total of 70 students participated in both pre- and post-surveys and an individual in-depth interview was performed with 4 students who already had experience in education and activities for global citizenship through other channels.
The paired t-test or the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test results showed that a statistically significant change was found only in the practice factor among the 4 domains of global citizenship. The analysis of individual interviews indicated that the students earned the knowledge, skill and attitude factors from other sources or perceived them as something universal. Therefore, little changes in these factors after taking the course can be expected. The results from this study can be used as preliminary evidence for assessing the outcomes of the government supported program whose purpose is to improve global citizenship and the awareness on international development cooperation.
Philosophy in Russian Higher Education: Mission and Difficulties
Authors:   Bryansk State Technical University, Popkova Natalia V.
Published: October 2022

The solutions proposed in the article are aimed at optimizing the curriculum of philosophy and the effective development of general cultural competencies within the framework of non-humanitarian directions of higher education. The author draws attention to the fact that the basic general cultural competencies, which should be realized as a result of the study of philosophy, coincide with the basic social functions of philosophy. The basic social functions of philosophy (philosophical and methodological) are considered and the main difficulties in the implementation of the relevant competencies are noted. The implementation of the methodological function of philosophy is complicated by the gap between humanitarian and special subjects; insufficient erudition of teachers of philosophy in the field of natural and technical sciences prevents the convincing presentation of the advantages of philosophical thinking. The active participation of teachers of philosophy in scientific research (for the implementation of socio-humanitarian examination) is recommended. Nevertheless, it is concluded that the goal of the philosophy curriculum— the formation of a critically thinking creative personality – is in contradiction with the prevailing social trends; therefore, its achievement is unlikely before the implementation of the humanitarization of the technogenic society. Small improvements in the curriculum and the development of new pedagogical methods do not solve the main problem — the need to reorganize the higher education system in the modern world.
The Concept of Political Myth in Philosophy of Donna Haraway
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Yumartov Dmitry. A.
Published: October 2022

The article examines the concept of “political myth” in Donna Haraway’s essay “A Cyborg Manifesto”. Based on Haraway’s ontology on the material-semiotic unity and interconnection, it’s argued that she understands the political myth as a semantic interpretation of material and social reality, which later becomes a collective consciousness and transforms (customizes) reality for itself. Two types of political myths are distinguished in Haraway’s philosophy. Firstly, these are the myths of the past, hidden and unconscious identities (concept of man, woman, nature, culture, objectivity), where subjects with mythical mind do not reflect myth authenticity. Secondly, the new myth about a cyborg as a creature with no boundaries of human, animal and machine, with blurred lines of gender, racial and other relevancy. A cyborg is understood as, on the one hand, figure that arises and does not exist in reality, on the other hand, as figure that needs to be handled as a reality now for the actual (material) implementation of cyborgization in the future. If Haraway’s views on the “myths of the past” are fully consistent with the concept of political myth in R. Bart, E. Cassirer or C. Flood as an irrational collective image that hides its elusive elements, but the myth of cyborgs is consciously and openly staged by its own heroes, who solidarize with each other with the idea of opposing every forms of rooting and manipulative totalization, who understand their being inside the myth and work together to make it a reality, which brings Haraway’s concept closer to Georges Sorel’s concept of a political myth.
Methodology System for Training University Staff in Foreign Languages to Ensure Education Export
Authors:   National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Lider Andrey M. , Slesarenko Inga V. , Solovyev Mikhail A.
Published: October 2022

The paper presents Tomsk polytechnic university experience in the field of forming and realization the methodology system of in-house training of university staff in foreign languages for education export. Under discussion are the formed by foreign languages professional competences of the main categories of university staff —research and teaching staff; administrative staff including heads of departments and divisions and university top-managers. These groups of competences serve for sustaining professional performance — teaching, research, managerial work, verbal and written communication in foreign language. The complete cycle of in-house training of university staff in foreign languages is presented; it embraces the university demand in trained staff up to integration of training results into professional performance and feedback provision. Didactic principles of teaching and learning process organization are formulated. There is described the portfolio of programs for various staff categories taking into consideration the levels of foreign language proficiency and goals of training. The characteristics of the professional enhancement programs portfolio are discussed; they allow for continuous training and free access to the required level of proficiency. Among the main characteristics of the system is the outcome-based approach which is discussed taking the example of final attestation paper and language portfolio of university staff — the participants of programs. There are formulated the perspective goals for development of the system of professional enhancement in foreign languages.
Paul’s Ethics of Reconciliation in Dialogue with Ndebele and Shona Ethnic Cohesion
Authors: Gusha Ishanesu Sextus
Published: October 2022

The tension between the Ndebele and Shona people dates back to the pre-colonial era and this has been one of the major threats to Zimbabwe’s peace. Ethnic tensions have resulted in the loss of thousands of lives since the country’s independence in 1980, especially during the Entumbane clashes and Gukurahundi massacres. The government has in several ways tried to bring social cohesion between the two ethnic groups but with limited success. Four examples are: the initiatives done through the 1980 reconciliation pronouncement by Prime Minster Robert Mugabe, 1987 Unity Accord between PF ZAPU and ZANU PF, the Government of National Unity, and the Commission on National Healing and Reconciliation of 2008. The failures are mainly attributed to amnesia and the unwillingness to repent from past evils by the perpetrators. Seemingly, the major problem may be attributed to the fact that interested parties often played the mediatory role; and one cannot objectively be both player and referee. In addition, over the years, the church through her ecumenical bodies has tried to build bridges between the two ethnic groups but all the efforts were also fruitless due to the unwillingness by the government to take recommendations from the church and civic organisations. The thesis proposes Pauline ethics regarding reconciliation in the Corinthian correspondence as inspiration for social cohesion between the Ndebele and Shona tribes. As hermeneutical tools, Paul’s key symbols such as Christ, the Cross of Christ, Ambassador, New Creation, and Baptism shall be deployed as epistemological lenses in promoting identity tags that go beyond ethnicity. I propose that, for these symbols to be effective, the following recommendations should be taken seriously; setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), refraining from using ethnic offensive language, introduction of Ndebele and Shona languages in primary and secondary schools in the provinces dominated by these two ethnic groups, substituting ethnic provincial names with neutral ones, substituting ethnic registration system of people with a neutral one, and the devolution of power.
Government bureaucrats and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s fourth republic: Implications for good governance
Authors: Oni Samuel , Abasili Celestine Okwudili , Dele-Dada Moyosoluwa , Osarumwense Charles
Published: October 2022

The recognition that ethical conduct is fundamental to accountability, transparency, fairness, equity, and quality service delivery which are the cornerstones of good governance is the reason for rules and regulations in the Nigerian government’s bureaucracy. This governmental administrative machinery, however, continues to face a crucial challenge of inefficiency and unethical practices. This study interrogates how ethical conducts in Nigerian Civil Service have impacted the country’s quest for good governance. The study anchors on the Weberian bureaucratic theory and engaged secondary data from fifty-one (51) articles gathered and analyzed using systematic review (SR) conducted between August 2021 and February, 2022. Findings reveal the misdemeanor and objectionable manifestations among civil servants despite legal instruments, efforts and reforms by the various successive governments aimed at repositioning it for effective and efficient service delivery. The consequence is the continuous weakening of public institutions, collapse of infrastructures, public distrust of government agencies and a sense of despair by the public. The study argues that building a vibrant civil society through public enlightenment and active and independent media is necessary to perform the crucial oversight role on civil servants in the country. This is pivotal to achieving the much needed good governance in the country.
The local-wisdom-based social capital for strengthening social resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Armawi Armaidy , Limbongan Samuel Asdianto
Published: October 2022

Indonesia is renowned for its diversity and various local wisdom that live and flourish among the society. In preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic especially when the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM), the people of the Special Region of Yogyakarta employ an adaptive mechanism consisting of the manners and ways of behaving, acting, and serving in the social order. The local wisdom emerges from the knowledge of the local culture and establishes the wisdom of individuals, groups, and society. The objective is to describe the people’s condition, analyze the social capital and explain the social resilience of the people. The current study is a descriptive qualitative study and adopts a phenomenology to find meaning in society. The research location is in Sleman Regency, more precisely in Pogung Rejo, Sinduadi Village, Kapanewon Mlati. The process of collecting data by observation, interviews, and documentation. This study finds that society appears in social behavior and actions to strengthen social resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study concludes that social resilience has been built in the people of the Special Region of Yogyakarta with its local wisdom has been embedded in the community.
Adaptation of the political economy of the grassroots Tionghoa ethnic in Bangka Island, Indonesia
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim , Hidayat Arief , Herza Herza
Published: October 2022

Since the 17th century, various Tionghoa ethnic groups migrated from mainland China to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. These ethnic groups migrated in accordance with the power in government. In Bangka Island, the Tionghoa had become part of the tin exploitation process hundreds of years before colonization. When new policies and changes are made on tin mining by the government, it negatively affects the socioeconomic life of this ethnic group, which was initially known as tin laborers. This study aims to determine the adaptation of the Tionghoa political economy in Bangka Island. The research method used is qualitative with literature review, interview, and observation as the data collecting technique conducted from January to December 2021. The result showed that the government largely determined the rule of tin by the Tionghoa ethnics. They became partners, administrators, illegal and main players during the Palembang Sultanate, colonial period, Old and New Orders, and the post-1998 reform period. This study discovered that Tionghoa at the elite and grassroots levels are actually different. In general, this study concludes that the Chinese at the grassroots tend to be distant from the advantages of tin due to limited capital and access.
Development of a hybrid method for calculation of software complexity
Authors: Kazimov Tofig , Bayramova Tamilla
Published: October 2022

The use of code metrics allows software developers and project managers to evaluate various features of the software (to be built or already in existence), predict workload, determine software complexity and reliability, and quantify the quality of software systems being developed. Articles written in recent years have proposed various methods for solving this problem. However, there is still no very effective approach to measuring software complexity. This article provides a brief overview of existing software complexity metrics and proposes a new hybrid method for computing software complexity. The proposed hybrid method for evaluating software complexity combines the key features of the Halsted, Maccabe, and SLOC metrics and also allows for a more efficient assessment of complexity.
MiR-378a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer via directly targeting RAB31 and inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway proteins GLI1/2
Authors: Xu Xinxin , Li Yang , Liu Guoxiao , Li Kai , Chen Peng , Gao Yunhe , Liang Wenquan , Xi Hongqing , Wang Xinxin , Wei Bo , Li Hongtao , Chen Lin
Published: October 2022

Objective: To improve the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC), more effective therapeutic targets are urgently needed. Increasing evidence indicates that miRNAs are involved in the progression of various tumors, and RAS-associated protein in the brain 31 (RAB31) is upregulated and promotes the progression of multiple malignant tumors. Here, we focused on identifying RAB31-targeted miRNAs and elucidating their potential mechanism in the progression of GC. Methods: RAB31 and miR-378a-3p expression levels were detected in paired fresh GC tissues and GC cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the miRNAs targeting RAB31 and the relationships between RAB31 and other genes. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were applied to verify the targeted interaction relationship. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to assess the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Tumorsphere formation assays were performed to assess the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells. Related proteins were detected by Western blot. Xenograft assays in nude mice were performed to explore the effect of miR-378a-3p in vivo. Results: We report the first evidence that miR-378a-3p is downregulated in GC, whereas its overexpression inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration as well as promotes apoptosis in GC cells. Mechanistically, miR-378a-3p inhibits the progression of GC by directly targeting RAB31. Restoring RAB31 expression partially offsets the inhibitory effect of miR-378a-3p. Further research revealed that miR-378a-3p inhibits GLI1/2 in the Hedgehog signaling pathway and attenuates the stemness of gastric cancer stem cells. Finally, xenograft assays showed that miR-378a-3p inhibits GC tumorigenesis in vivo. Conclusions: MiR-378a-3p inhibits GC progression by directly targeting RAB31 and inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling pathway proteins GLI1/2.
Design of Demountable Reciprocal Frames with New Geometric Properties
Authors: Özen Gülçin , Kiper Gökhan , Korkmaz Koray
Published: October 2022

This study aims to develop missing geometric knowledge for demountable reciprocal frames (RF). While designing a demountable RF, one should know the initial, in-process and final form of the RF. These processes require some specific geometric knowledge. There are some deficiencies about
geometric properties in the previous studies about demountable RFs. In this study, the positions and the orientations of the nexors are found by using the Denavit-Hartenberg parameters. This information gives where the joints are placed, how they are oriented and take position according to
one another. Besides, the influence of engagement length on the fan height and the base edge are analyzed. Thereby one will be able to find out how much space the RF covers with the known base edge. With the geometric knowledge obtained from this study, demountable RFs having different engagement
lengths can be produced with the same nexors.
South African Communists and elections
Authors: Lodge Tom
Published: October 2022

In South Africa the Communist Party has a one-hundred-year history of contesting elections, making it the oldest electoral campaigner in Africa. South Africa’s elections were increasingly racially restrictive and segregated until 1994. Even so, from the mid-1920’s the Party began to focus on the concerns of its black membership though it continued to seek support from white workers. This article explores the Party’s reasons for continuing to participate in elections, and the circumstances that helped it achieve occasional victories at the polls. It also considers the effects of electoral participation on an ostensibly revolutionary movement.
Zimbabwe’s port-2000 elections: more hotly contested yet less democratic than in the past
Authors: Nyandoro Mark
Published: October 2022

This article investigates Zimbabwe’s post-2000 elections, why they have been more hotly contested than previously, and whether they have been undemocratic. The post-2000 period marked what is arguably the most turbulent phase in the electoral history of the country since independence in 1980, and Zimbabwe’s elections were de facto degraded, becoming a means of sustaining incumbents in power. The paper asserts that Zimbabwe’s elections are mainly a front for hoodwinking both the electorate and observers. They are not used to provide for the free expression of the will of the people, but to endorse the incumbents rather than effectively challenge them. To this extent, they are manipulated to produce a pre-determined outcome confirming the current leaders, irrespective of their performance. Supported by empirical data from interviews and primary sources together with statistical records from electoral institutions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMS TAT), and Afrobarometer, the article concludes that elections are mainly for show, to entrench the incumbents.
Surface Water under Growing Anthropogenic Loads: from Global Loads to Regional Consequences: A Review
Authors: Moiseenko Tatyana I.
Published: October 2022

The paper presents a review of currently available evaluations of the effects of continuously increasing anthropogenic loads on water resources. The increase in the fluxes of elements and compounds into the environment, such as the emission of greenhouse gases and dispersion of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), acidifying gases, and toxic elements and compounds that adversely affect the water quality are considered. The significance of fresh waters as a life support factor of the human populations is demonstrated. Examples are presented to illustrate how key anthropogenic induced processes develop in land waters under the effect of anthropogenic loads, as exemplified by the Russian Kola regions. Climate warming and the increasing dispersion of elements are demonstrated to result in the eutrophication of surface waters even in areas remote from anthropogenic impacted regions. Although the emissions of acidifying gases diminish, the waters are still acidified in acid-vulnerable areas, and the chemical compositions of the waters have been significantly modified over the past decades, which indicates that the changes in the chemical composition of the waters are of irreversible. A new feature of the waters is distinguished: the toxicity of the habitats for aquatic organisms. Arguments are presented for establishing a theoretical approach for evaluating critical loads.
From Twitter to Aso-Rock: A Natural Language Processing Spotlight for Understanding Nigeria 2023 Presidential Election
Authors: Olabanjo Olusola , Wusu Ashiribo , Asokere Mauton , Padonu Rebecca , Olabanjo Olufemi , Ojo Oluwafolake , Afisi Oseni , Folorunso Olusegun , Mazzara Manuel , Aribisala Benjamin
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, among others have been used as a tool for staging protests, opinion polls, campaign strategy, medium of agitation and a place of interest expression especially during elections. Past studies have established people’s opinion elections using social media posts. The advent of state-of-the-art algorithms for unstructured text processing implies tremendous progress in natural language processing and understanding. Aim: In this work, a Natural Language framework is designed to understand Nigeria 2023 presidential election based on public opinion using Twitter dataset. Methods: Raw datasets concerning discourse around Nigeria 2023 elections from Twitter of 2,059,113 18 dimensions were collected. Sentiment analysis was performed on the preprocessed dataset using three different machine learning models namely: Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Recurrent Neural Network, Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) and Linear Support Vector Classifier (LSVC) models. Personal tweet analysis of the three candidates provided insight on their campaign strategies and personalities while public tweet analysis established the public’s opinion about them. The performance of the models was also compared using accuracy, recall, false positive rate, precision and F-measure. Results: LSTM model gave an accuracy, precision, recall, AUC and f-measure of 88%, 82.7%, 87.2% , 87.6% and 82.9% respectively; the BERT model gave an accuracy, precision, recall, AUC and f-measure of 94%, 88.5%, 92.5%, 94.7% and 91.7% respectively while the LSVC model gave an accuracy, precision, recall, AUC and f-measure of 73%, 81.4%, 76.4%, 81.2% and 79.2% respectively. Conclusion: The experimental results show that sentiment analysis and other Natural Language Processing tasks can aid in the understanding of the social media space. Results also revealed the leverage of each aspirant towards winning the election. We conclude that sentiment analysis can form a general basis for generating insights for election and modeling election outcomes.