bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Manuscripts to Machines: The Evolution of Book Publishing Devices
Authors: Jabborova Dilbar , Tanieva Guldona , Isakov Bakhadir , Yaxshiyeva Mehrinigor , Sulaymanova Nilufar , Tillakhodjaeva Khurshida , Аkmаlxоnоv Аkmаlxоn , Sattorova Zilola
Published: November 2024

The paper discusses the publishing devices of the book throughout their transformational journey, starting from ancient manuscripts up to modern printing technologies. The study examines early printing techniques-from the laborious process of handwritten manuscripts through woodblock printing and movable type by personalities such as Bi Sheng and Johannes Gutenberg, respectively. With the invention of lithography and offset printing, mass production of books became customary in the 18th and 19th centuries and made books more publicly available. It further examines the effects of digital printing and electronic publishing in this century, which have redefined the production, distribution, and consumption of written material. It looks at the technological developments of these and how each of them has helped democratize knowledge and increased literacy rates globally.
Review of Scientific Literature on Social Networks in Organizations
Authors: Guevara Katty Guevara , Guevara Luis Alberto Rimapa , Gonzales Tony Venancio Pereyra , Neyra-Panta Marlon Joel , Gálvez José Fernando Escobedo , Saavedra Nicol Lisbeth Cedamanos
Published: November 2024

The present investigation aims to analyze the research contributions that support social networks in organizations; a qualitative approach research was developed, with a population of 30 articles whose journals. The results revealed that interaction platforms have become a very important phenomenon with no return that also covers the organizational field opening new possibilities. The opportunities opened by the use of social networks by organizations also cover customer communication, which can improve their satisfaction. Finally, as a conclusion, one of the most important results was that social networks are an innovative tool within the organizational environment because it facilitates the transmission of information to the public due to the fact that there is a massive agreement within which there is a large number of prospects who can obtain advertising information based on their needs through digital segmentation, it is also very important that it allows not only communication with customers.
The Advantages of Adopting the ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 Lab Management System in Calibration and Testing Laboratories
Authors: Manikandan V. , Ramakrishnan P.R. , Shanmugam Harihara
Published: November 2024

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards for testing and calibration laboratories are known as ISO/IEC17025:2017, which is the standard for laboratory certification. The testing laboratory's accreditation, the methods of execution, and the tangible advantages of working with such an organization. This study examined the advantages of ISO/IEC17025:2017 implementation in Chengalpat region's calibration and testing laboratories using a descriptive research design. The advantages of putting ISO/IEC 17025:2017 into practice are the main variable in the current study. The investigator utilized a method called purposive sampling. This research is based on a survey with 180 responses. After the data was gathered, analysis was done using SPSS 20. It has been found that to implement best practices and believe in the benefits, Top Management must fully understand the advantages of enacting the ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 Lab Management System, task and lab managers must fully understand the Lab Management System ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 implementation, the management tools for the Calibration and Testing Labs, the infrastructure that is being developed for the Labs, teams must collaborate, and accountability is linked to the Labs.
Analysis of Local Governance and Legal Protection of Students' Information Security in the Context of Sustainable Development of Digital Education
Authors: Wen Shi
Published: November 2024

Local governments are dealing with student information more and more frequently, resulting in the risk of student information being leaked, so it is necessary to introduce relevant policies, laws and regulations to standardize information collection activities and improve the level of social information governance. Therefore, this study proposes three hypotheses: on the one hand, whether the information policy issued by the local government can guide students' information collection activities, and on the other hand, whether the introduction of local laws and regulations can provide protection for students' information security; Finally, whether public participation can provide supervision for student information collection and governance, and create a good public management environment. The results show that local information laws and regulations can regulate the behavior of students' information collection and clarify the purpose and direction of students' information collection. At the same time, laws and regulations such as privacy protection and local codes of conduct can improve the security of student information and ensure the legal collection of information. The active participation of the public is conducive to the public information collection environment and ensures the overall security of student information. Therefore, local government policies, laws, and regulations can provide assurance and support for students' information security and promote the sustainable development of digital education.
Coordinate and Optimize Political Ideology, Curriculum Reform and Local Governance to Promote Sustainable Development
Authors: Chunli Zhou
Published: November 2024

Local sustainable development is the main content and long-term goal of regional governance, but in the case of the unification of ideas, it is impossible to deeply develop the potential of sustainable development. Local governments should do a good job in ideological and political work and optimize resources in various ways. Therefore, this paper puts forward the following issues: 1) the relationship between the ideological and political curriculum reform and local governance in region A, 2) the synergy of various resources can promote the reform of the political ideology curriculum, and 3) the promotion and importance of synergy resources and political ideological reform to local governance. The results show that the ideological and political curriculum reform in region A can deepen local autonomy, and the optimization of collaborative resources can positively promote the political curriculum reform. However, the relationship between local governance and political thought courses is not a necessary condition. Synergistic resources and political and ideological reform can jointly promote local governance, and political and ideological reform is the main factor.
Inequities in Public Scholarship during the Pandemic
Authors: Long Kyle , Streitwieser Bernhard , Gitter Joy
Published: November 2024

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, commentators in broadly accessible media have offered a surfeit of predictions about the future of higher education. Due to the absence of accountability mechanisms, however, the accuracy of these claims has been heretofore unknown. Research shows that op-eds and other forms of public scholarship influence public policy, heightening the significance of predictions. This paper asks who makes predictions about higher education, in what venues they issue them, on what topics they make predictions, and how accurate they are. It answers these questions by drawing from an original data set of 91 distinct predictions issued by 22 unique authors in 31 separate texts across a 19-month time span from March 2020 to October 2021. It finds that predictions most often appeared in op-eds written by senior academic white men in higher education trade journals. More than half of predictions could not be evaluated a year or more after they were first issued. Still, predictions with determinable outcomes tended to bear out accurately. Enrollment patterns and teaching modalities were the most common topics. Women and people of color were significantly under-represented among predictors. The paper concludes with suggestions for improving equity and performance.
The Development of Intercultural Competence for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language through an Instructional Design Project
Authors: Wu Yu-Chieh
Published: November 2024

Most teaching pedagogies in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes prioritize linguistic skills development over exploring how cultural factors shape language interpretation. To address the gap, this study developed and evaluated an instructional design project using the attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction (ARCS) motivational design model combined with critical pedagogy through computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools. The purpose of this research is to enhance EFL teachers’ intercultural competence. Multimedia resources were used to capture participants’ attention, and news articles were selected to connect to their lived experiences. Online forums were used to build their confidence, and intercultural activities provided satisfaction through practical engagement. Critical literacy pedagogy guided the design of questions to encourage EFL teachers to explore assumptions, challenge perspectives, and critically analyze language. Data from 16 EFL teachers’ questionnaires, online comments, and interviews indicated that task attractiveness and the online environment motivated EFL teachers to develop critical literacy skills. Future studies could explore additional strategies for integrating intercultural competence into EFL teaching and examine how cultural dynamics within groups influence online communication.
Book Review: Shadow Education in the Middle East
Authors: Yan Adrian
Published: November 2024

Since the 1990s, private supplementary tutoring has become increasingly prevalent across the globe. Such form of tutoring is often referred to as ‘shadow education’ because it ‘mimics schooling’ (p. 4). As such, ‘as the curriculum changes in the schools, so it changes in the shadow; and as the school systems expand, so do shadow systems’ (p. 4). This has inspired numerous scholars to explore its contributing factors and their implications for education policymaking, social mobility, and equity. Shadow Education in the Middle East: Private supplementary tutoring and its policy implications, co-authored by Mark Bray and Anas Hajar, is the latest addition the study of shadow education as a global phenomenon. It builds on Mark Bray and others’ existing works on mapping the global landscape of shadow education, including post-Soviet states (Silova et al., 2006), the Mediterranean (Bray et al., 2013), East Asia (Zhang and Yamato, 2018), South Asia (Joshi, 2021), and Africa (Bray, 2021).
Decolonial Language Education and Identity Realization in Africa
Authors: Hassan Mariya
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the relationship between language education and identity realization and the consequences of choosing either an Indigenous or a colonial language education approach. The focus is on the African postcolonial context; however, the arguments are also substantiated by examples from other parts of the world. I argue for a decolonial-multilingual approach to language education, where our conceptualizations of language must be decolonized (freed from colonial rhetoric) so that language use can be explored for its utility. The paper juxtaposes two lines of arguments: the first is an insistence on a return to Indigenous language education as a form of decolonial resistance and warnings against intellectual control through colonial language education. The second line of argument explores the possibilities of compartmentalizing and interrogating language use as an alternative decolonial-multilingual reality, thereby redefining an individual’s relationship with language and its influence on identity realization. As the paper highlights the extent to which language and identity are correlated, I conclude by stressing the need to decolonize language if identity realization is to be decolonized.
In Conversation: Mother Tongue Education and Civic Engagement amongst Ga Youth
Authors: Merlain-Moffatt Kella
Published: November 2024

The role of language in education policies and the importance of civic engagement are well documented. What is less clear is how they converse with one another to inform how to develop active citizens who are empowered in their mother tongues. Building on a conceptual framework of civic engagement and linguistic injustice, this article asks: After the implementation of the 1971–1994 and 2004 medium of instruction education policies in Ghana, what language did Ga youth learn in, in practice? What are the intersections between Ga youths’ relationship to language and civic engagement participation? Together, these questions inform understanding of youth educational experiences, Ga people’s perception of the vitality of their language, and their responsibility to the community. In interviewing 22 Ga people in Ghana during the summer of 2022, I find that despite policy encouraging mother tongue instruction, most participants learned in English during primary school. Additionally, contrary to the notion that there is a disinterest in civic engagement amongst Ghanaian youth, findings show Ga youth find part of their civic responsibility to lie in passing on the Ga language to preserve their culture, land, identity, and the future of their community.
Performance assessment regarding UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals 4 & 5 in Pakistan: Targets, Current Positions & Challenges
Authors: Sharafat Shazia , Nasreen Shagufta , Rukhsana Ms
Published: November 2024

This paper contributes to the discussion on Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 by exploring the missing targets of the Millennium Development Goals and the challenges faced while achieving the target in Pakistan. The specific areas have been studied to highlight the status of goals 4 and 5 in the present scenario, which includes education and gender equality in terms of women's empowerment in the economy and politics. The situation in rural and urban areas varies significantly for both the elements, including education and gender equality, as most deprived areas lack school infrastructure, absenteeism of teachers at schools, and many others. However, gender discrimination also persists at all levels due to the patriarchal settings of society. It will take more effort to meet the targets in all such situations. Similarly, this study has produced the status of goals of South Asian regional countries to signify the variations in levels of education and gender equality in comparison with Pakistan. It is projected that developing countries and less per capita income-producing states are a long way to go while triumphing the targets of SDGs. This paper explored that the development of education and gender equality needs significant public spending because these sectors are critical to progress; due to this reason, it requires immediate reforms and policymaking which may increase the country’s capacity to overcome the degraded situation.
MPOX: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS EMERGENCE IN THE ISANGI TERRITORY, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Authors: Dieu-Merci. KOMBOZI YAYA , SINGA Valentin. BOLEKALEKA , Ley. BEFENO LIANDE , Antoine. EPENDJA TOWAKA , Guild. AMOSI KIKWATA , LWANGA. KAKULE , Venance. FERUZI KIKUNI , Théopiste. MALOKO LOTOMBA , Franck MEBWA MOHALA , LONGEMBE Eugène. BASANDJA , TUNGIPAME Alliance. TAGOTO , KITRONZA PANDA LUKONGO , Joris. LOSIMBA LIKWELA
Published: November 2024

Introduction: The Mpox epidemic in non-endemic regions is now attracting global attention. The DRC alone reports nearly 85% of known human cases. In the Tshopo province, the Isangi Territory has experienced outbreaks of this disease in recent years. The objective of this study was to assess the link between the disease and various associated factors. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in three health zones of the Isangi territory (Yakusu, Yahisuli, and Yabaondo health zone) from January 2023 to January 2024. It included 460 subjects, and data was collected using investigation forms and guided interviews with a survey questionnaire. A bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with Mpox infection. With a significance level of 5%, odds ratios were calculated with their corresponding confidence intervals. Results: Factors associated with Mpox infection were hunting, fishing, agriculture, Wildlife Trade, poverty, contact with an infected animal, interaction with a sick person, and sharing a bed with a sick person. Conclusion: Mpox epidemics are recurrent in Isangi due to various identified factors. Community sensitization, case investigation, and notification are essential for the prevention and control of this disease in Isangi.
SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF MALARIA TRANSMISSION IN URBAN AREAS: A CASE STUDY FROM KISANGANI, DRC
Authors: G.H. Amosi Kikwata , S. Bofoe Lokango , Eya F. Badjoko , Amisa A. Bene , Kakunda L. Pami , Fundi J. Katanda , Lifita M. Saliki , Tepungipamea A. Tagoto , Longembe E. Basandja , Kitronza J. Panda
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Malaria remains hyper-endemic in the city of Kisangani due to environmental factors favorable to mosquito vectors and complex socio-economic conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the socio-economic and environmental factors contributing to high malaria transmission in Kisangani. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out from December 1, 2023 to May 15, 2024 in 402 households in Kisangani. Data were collected using the KoboCollect platform, and blood samples were taken from children (791) and pregnant women (135). The ORb and Pearson chi-square tests were used to investigate associations with potential risk factors. Results: Environmental conditions favorable to the development of vectors were observed around households (22%), represented essentially by the presence of refuse (80%) and puddles (68%). The low level of education of the head of household and the low level of household income were associated with an environment favorable to malaria transmission (p<0.05), and a sanitized environment is a protective factor against malaria (p<0.001). The prevalence of malaria was about 5 times higher in pregnant women than in children aged 0-59 months, and the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum was equal between RDT and EW results, with Plasmodium falciparum being the predominant species. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of socio-economic and environmental determinants in malaria transmission in Kisangani. Targeted interventions are needed to improve living conditions and reinforce prevention practices, particularly among the most vulnerable populations.
THERMAL POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH: A REVIEW
Authors: Hassan Najmaldin Ezaldin , Khalil Sonia
Published: November 2024

Thermal pollution, primarily caused by industrial discharges and power plants, significantly impacts both environmental and human health. This review explores the sources, ecological consequences, and emerging concerns regarding human health linked to thermal pollution. Power plants, particularly nuclear and coal-fired, release heated water into natural bodies, disrupting aquatic ecosystems by altering species composition, increasing metabolic rates, and reducing dissolved oxygen levels, which are vital for aquatic life. Urbanization, stormwater runoff, and deforestation exacerbate this issue by increasing surface temperatures and contributing to the degradation of aquatic habitats. Furthermore, climate change intensifies thermal pollution, compounding its environmental effects. This review also investigates the lesser-explored human health implications of thermal pollution, particularly through the contamination of water supplies and disruption of aquatic resources. While much research focuses on ecological impacts, there is a growing need for studies addressing how thermal pollution indirectly affects human populations, such as through compromised food chains and degraded water quality. Mitigation strategies, including cooling towers, green infrastructure, and riparian buffer restoration, offer potential solutions. However, the review highlights significant gaps in understanding the full scope of thermal pollution’s effects on human health and emphasizes the need for future interdisciplinary research to bridge these gaps.
Prevalence of Kala-Azar and Its Contributing Factors Among Rural Population in Selected Community of West Bengal
Authors: Sarkar Pampa , Ray Aparna , Mandal Jaya
Published: November 2024

Background: Kala-azar is a serious form of leishmaniasis. It is a long-term infectious disease. The study was aimed to assess the prevalence of Kala-azar, and it’s contributing factors among the rural population.
Methods: In this retrospective study population was previously treated Kala-azar patients (Visceral Leishmaniasis and Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis) from 2017 to 2021. The settings were villages under Kushmondi and Harirampur Rural Hospital under Dakshin Dinajpur. 90 samples were selected through Non-Probability Purposive sampling technique. Demographic data were collected by applying Semi structured interviewed schedule. Record analysis format was used to identify the prevalence of Kala-azar and the disease profile. An observational checklist and structured interview schedule were used to assess the contributing factors of Kala-azar.
Results: Maximum prevalence of Kala-azar (1.4%) seen in the year 2017. There were statistically significant mean differences among the contributing factors as the ANOVA test calculated F-value (2507.18) is higher than table value of F (2.60) with df (3, 356) at 0.05 level of significance. Environmental factors contributed more than other factors as the mean value (13.00) was more than other factors. There is a statistically significant relation between environmental factor with utilization of services, economic factors with socio- cultural factors & utilization of services, as well as socio- cultural factors with utilization of services as the p-value is <0.05, at 0.05 level of significance. There was a statistically significant association between contributing factors and selected demographic variables like age, gender as the calculated value of chi square 7.391 and 4.888 is higher than table value c² (df)2=5.99 p ,c² (df)1=3.84 p <0.05 at 0.05 level of significance.
Conclusion: The study has implications in nursing practice through the awareness of the rural population about the contributing factors of Kala-azar. The study concluded that the trends of prevalence were decreasing in nature and the environmental factors contributed more than other factors.

Keywords: Prevalence, Kala-azar case, Environmental factors, Economic factors, Socio- cultural factors & Utilization of services.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Writing
Authors: Farhat Karim Hamda , Arafa Mostafa Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved rapidly in the last century. Once a futuristic concept with negative connotations, AI has now begun to permeate various fields, reaching academic and scientific writing. In scientific writing, AI applications promise to significantly improve writing accuracy, provide quality control, and thereby enhance manuscript evaluation, among other possible contributions. It is generally agreed that AI and machine learning tools may become writing assistants if involved in writing tasks.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Writing
Categories of Waste Recovered by Ragpickers from Garbage Dumps in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Adamou Mohamadou , Doumbia Abdou , Guindo David
Published: November 2024

Bamako's landfill sites are becoming more and more like vast construction sites, with several players carrying out different activities. This study was carried out with a view to identifying the players involved and the categories of waste recovered by them from the said landfills.
A participatory descriptive survey was carried out at four (4) landfills in June 2018 in Bamako. Among the interviewed actors we have reclaimers (93.3% of actors), wholesalers and recyclers (artisans) who, together, contribute to giving a second life to reclaimed objects.
The quantity of objects recovered per day by a ragpicker on the dumps was between 10 and 20 kg. Aluminum objects were the most sought-after (60% of cases) among scrap metals. Aluminum, bronze and copper objects were transformed into jewelry and other decorative items by craftsmen. Glass bottles are recovered for reuse. Plastic waste (PET and PVC) was recycled by household goods manufacturing units. Food leftovers were mainly sorted by women. The players set up a recovery system that resembles a circular economy principle.

Keywords: Categories, waste, ragpickers, dumps, Bamako.
Description of Risk Factors Affecting Neonatal Jaundice
Authors: Tampubolon Christine Handayani , Utama Wija Ida Bagus Eka , Pasaribu Thalita Rakhmaniar
Published: November 2024

Background: Bilirubin is a chemical compound that is a product of catabolism by biliverdin reductase. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment compound. Increased bilirubin levels in babies' blood will cause neonatal jaundice and changes in skin and sclera color in babies. This study aims to determine the risk factors that influence neonatal jaundice
Methods: This research used correlational analytical observational research with a cross-sectional design, using medical records of birth and jaundice babies at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Hermina Depok Hospital, and Hermina Kemayoran Hospital in the period January 2023 - June 2023. The total sample was 300 samples. The research instruments and materials used in this study were medical records of babies experiencing jaundice at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Hermina Depok Hospital, and Hermina Kemayoran Hospital.
Results: Based on data analysis of several factors that have the potential to have a relationship with Neonatal Jaundice, namely: gender, type of delivery, birth weight, consumption of breast milk/formula milk, and gestational age, the results of data analysis were obtained using chi-square where for the gender factor the value was obtained. p_value 0.000 < 0.005, meaning that there is a significant relationship between gender and neonatal jaundice; for the type of delivery factor, the p-value was 0.188 < 0.005, meaning that there was no significant relationship between the type of delivery and the incidence of Neonatal Jaundice; For the birth weight factor, data was obtained with a p-value of 0.118 > 0.005, meaning that there was no significant relationship between birth weight and neonatal jaundice; Factors of consumption of breast milk/milk//formula milk on neonatal jaundice; Furthermore, the maternal gestational age factor has a p-value of 0.494>0.005, meaning that there is no significant relationship between the maternal gestational age factor and neonatal jaundice.
Conclusions: Of the six factors studied, two factors have a significant relationship to neonatal jaundice, namely gender and consumption of breast milk/formula milk

Keywords: Bilirubin, Neonatal Jaundice, Risk Factors
Analysis of Mitigation for Landslide Disaster Management in Lumajang Regency, East Java Province
Authors: Faradinah Erna Desi , Badrudin Ali , Ma’rufi Isa
Published: November 2024

This research aims to analyze the mitigation of natural disaster management, specifically landslides, in Lumajang Regency, East Java Province. Natural disasters are undesirable events, making it crucial for the government and the community to understand the processes and factors leading to such disasters. One significant disaster that requires attention from both the government and the community in Lumajang is landslides, necessitating an understanding of their impacts and management strategies. The alternatives for addressing this issue can involve disaster mitigation through various stages, which are the focus of this study, aimed at reducing the ongoing risks associated with landslide vulnerabilities. This research is descriptive in nature, utilizing a quantitative approach, with subjects comprising individuals who can share their knowledge about the phenomena or cases being studied. The findings indicate that the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Lumajang Regency is responsible for disaster management, including landslides. However, their mitigation stages—such as mapping, inspections, investigations, monitoring, and socialization—have not been effectively implemented to reduce disaster risks. The BPBD tends to act only after a disaster occurs, resulting in a lack of proactive risk reduction through disaster mitigation. There is a pressing need for efforts from various stakeholders to enhance awareness of landslide dangers, including the establishment of an early warning system and community education regarding natural disasters through outreach and education before, during, and after landslide events.

Keywords: Mitigation analysis, Disaster, Landslide
Determination of Forest Health using Remote Sensing Techniques in Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Northeast, Nigeria
Authors: A. Dantani,
Published: November 2024

This study was conducted in order to determine the health status of forest vegetation in Gashaka-Gumti National Park. Landsat images were downloaded from the USGS website. The images were pre-processed using radiometric correction since the reflectance values were needed for computing spectral indices, the digital numbers were converted to radiance and reflectance, and analysis was carried out using a raster calculator. The range of NDVI, GNDVI, ARVI and MSI were used for health assessment. Utilizing NDVI, GNDVI, ARVI, and MSI as assessment tools revealed moderate to good health in most forest regions, with higher ARVI, GNDVI, and NDVI indicating healthier vegetation and elevated MSI values suggesting areas under moisture stress. the average values of NDVI, GNDVI, ARVI, and MSI over three decades indicate a potential decline in overall vegetation health, reduced green vegetation, changes in vegetation conditions, and a decrease in moisture stress, suggesting a potential increase in greening and photosynthetic activities in plants. These trends highlight the dynamic nature of the forest ecosystem over the studied period. Positive correlations between ARVI, GNDVI, and NDVI across years indicate a consistent vegetation pattern, while negative correlations with MSI suggest potential inverse relationships, providing valuable insights into forest health dynamics. Higher values of ARVI, GNDVI, and NDVI generally signify healthier vegetation, whereas elevated MSI values may indicate areas experiencing moisture stress, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these indices for sustainable forest management. The study recommends the sustained use of NDVI, GNDVI, ARVI, and MSI for forest health monitoring in the study area, implementing integrated pest management based on identified stress conditions, utilize spatial maps for strategic timber harvest planning, developing climate-resilient management considering moisture stress, and invest in research for enhanced assessment precision and understanding of ecosystem dynamics.
Assessment of Urban Redevelopment Programme in Ondo Town, Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: S. J. Adams, , A. Fagbohunka,
Published: November 2024

Diverse problems abound in Ondo town, such as slums, floods, dilapidated buildings, and a poor road network; consequently, an urban redevelopment programme was introduced by the government to address these problems. This study, therefore, aimed at assessing urban redevelopment programmes in Ondo town, Ondo State, Nigeria. The sample for the study was chosen through a multi-stage sampling. In the first stage, 7 political wards were purposively selected from a total of 12 wards. The second stage involved the selection of 3 wards out of the prior 7, being the wards where the urban redevelopment program took place. Thereafter, Taro Yamane Sample Size Calculation was adopted to arrive at 399 out of the total population of 115,000. Secondary data were sourced not only through textbooks, journals, and the internet but also from the National Population Commission, where the three selected wards' population projection figure for the year 2021 was obtained. The research has revealed that urban redevelopment took place in Ondo town; especially redevelopment of drainage canals, road expansions, and construction of roundabouts was extensively carried out amongst others. The findings revealed public/private partnership efforts in the urban redevelopment of Ondo town. Also, bulldozing and rehabilitation approaches were adopted in the urban redevelopment of Ondo town. The study further showed that urban redevelopment has contributed significantly to boosting the socio-economic development of the town. The research has also revealed the negative consequences of urban redevelopment in the form of demolition of structures which posed hardships to the occupants. The hypothesis was tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The Chi-square test indicated that the nature of the urban redevelopment programme in Ondo town is not significantly responsible for socio-economic development in Ondo town (X2 = 11.32, P > 0.05. The study concluded that the redevelopment programme should be further encouraged and strengthened for the positive transformation of Ondo town.
Influence of WhatsApp Online Phishing Messages on Data Security among Undergraduates in Anambra State
Authors: N. B. Ezeaka, , E. I. Ewetuobi,
Published: November 2024

Due to the widespread sharing of phishing emails on WhatsApp, university students face a high risk of data breaches. This study examines the impact of WhatsApp phishing messages on data security among students at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Anambra State. The research collected survey data from 375 students out of 17,055 based on their population and adopted Social Cognitive Theory as the theoretical framework. The findings indicate that most students are aware of these phishing messages, with scam emails and fake login pages being the most common forms. Additionally, most students believe these messages threaten their data security. The study suggests holding regular educational campaigns to address this problem. This study sheds light on the alarming risks of online phishing, revealing the vulnerabilities that university students face every day. The study aims to educate, empower, and protect students from cyber threats, fostering a safer digital campus community.
Model Predictive Control of Uncertain Switched Systems with A Linear Nominal Model
Authors: Maryam Baluchzadeh
Published: November 2024

This paper presents the model predictive control of an uncertain linear switched system that includes external disturbance, parametric uncertainty, and generally, every uncertainty due to modeling error. Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been efficiently applied to certain systems as an optimal control. Since the MPC is model-based, there are difficulties in applying the MPC procedure to uncertain switched systems with linear nominal models. To overcome these problems, this paper presents a novel optimal control of uncertain switched systems with linear nominal models. For this purpose, a control-oriented model is introduced to apply the proposed MPC while the modeling error is estimated and compensated by a robust time-delay controller. Then MPC is performed for designing the control input and switching the signal. The proposed control design is verified by a stability analysis. The simulation results on a mass-spring-damper system verify the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
The Role of Technology in Enhancing the Effectiveness of Integrated Performance Appraisal Frameworks
Authors: Sarika Sharma, S. Prakash, Devchand
Published: November 2024

The role of technology in enhancing the effectiveness of integrated performance appraisal frameworks has become increasingly important in modern organizational management. As businesses strive for improved productivity, engagement, and employee satisfaction, traditional performance appraisal methods have shown limitations in providing real-time, accurate, and constructive feedback. This research explores how technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cloud-based human resource management software contribute to the enhancement of performance appraisal systems. By integrating these technologies, organizations can automate data collection, reduce bias, offer personalized feedback, and continuously monitor employee progress. This study investigates the impact of such technological integration on the accuracy, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of performance appraisals, ultimately linking these improvements to organizational performance, employee development, and retention. The findings aim to provide organizations with actionable insights into adopting and leveraging technology to create more robust, fair, and dynamic performance appraisal systems.
DIVERSIDADE DE COLEOPTERA, HEMIPTERA E LEPIDOPTERA ASSOCIADOS À CULTURA DA SOJA NO SUDESTE DE GOIÁS
Authors: Heinzelmann Matheus Carneiro , Da Silva Ana Beatriz Cruz , Clélia Aparecida Iunes Lapera
Published: November 2024

A soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) é uma planta de origem asiática que desempenha um papel crucial na segurança alimentar global devido à sua grande versatilidade. Essa cultura é frequentemente utilizada para a nutrição humana, nutrição animal e para a produção de biocombustíveis, tornando essa leguminosa um componente fundamental na segurança alimentar global. Atualmente, essa cultura se mostra como uma commodity agrícola de suma importância no Brasil. Diversos insetos relacionam-se com essa cultura, muitas das vezes, apresentando caráter danoso, como frequentemente observado em algumas espécies pertencentes às ordens Coleoptera, Hemiptera e Lepidoptera. O presente estudo realizou um levantamento das espécies de coleópteros, hemípteros e lepidópteros associados à cultura da soja na região sudeste de Goiás, utilizando a plataforma “iNaturalist” para coleta colaborativa de dados georreferenciados. De todas as 40 espécies de besouros, cigarrinhas, percevejos, borboletas e mariposas identificadas como frequentemente associadas à cultura da soja, 19 foram relatadas no espaço amostral adotado. Os danos desses animais são os mais diversos possíveis sobre a sojicultura. A diversidade encontrada ressalta a complexidade do controle de pragas na produção de soja na região, além da necessidade de métodos de manejo integrado de pragas, visando práticas agrícolas mais sustentáveis e menos prejudiciais ao meio ambiente, conciliando a produção agrícola com a ecologia.
NOVAS PRAGAS AGRÍCOLAS E AS MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS: UM ESTUDO DE CASO NA BANANICULTURA DE SANTA CATARINA
Authors: Haro Marcelo Mendes , Trabaquini Kleber , Pereira Maria Luiza Tomazi , Bruno Krauss Salvador
Published: November 2024

Tem crescido o relato do ataque de pragas agrícolas até então desconhecidas nos pomares de banana do Litoral Norte Catarinense. Dada a importância da cultura para o estado é necessário identificar essas espécies e os mecanismos por trás desses surtos populacionais. A hipótese é de que mudanças climáticas podem ser o fator chave para esses fenômenos. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a espécie e as possíveis alterações climáticas que estejam relacionadas ao aparecimento de moscas-brancas em pomares de banana catarinenses. Insetos foram coletados sob plantas de banana nos municípios de Itajaí, Luiz Alves, Massaranduba, Piçarras e Jaraguá do Sul. Os indivíduos foram levados a laboratório para identificação. Os dados climáticos para anomalias térmicas, temperaturas mínimas e máximas registradas nos últimos 40 anos na região, foram analisados por meio de modelos lineares de efeitos mistos. Foi identificada pela primeira vez a espécie de mosca-branca Aleurothrixus floccosus Maskell 1896 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae, Aleyrodinae) atacando plantas de banana nos diversos pontos da região produtiva do Litoral Norte Catarinense. O modelo ajustado à série temporal das anomalias demonstrou desvios consistentes das médias históricas, de aproximadamente 0,5°C nos últimos 40 anos em Santa Catarina. Reforçando a hipótese de que possíveis alterações climáticas estariam permitindo a propagação deste artrópode na região. Esses resultados sublinham a importância de monitorar a expansão de novas pragas, bem como a necessidade urgente de adaptação das práticas agrícolas para mitigar os riscos associados às mudanças climáticas.
IMPORTÂNCIA FORENSE DA ENTOMOFAUNA DE CALIFORÍDEOS (DIPTERA, CALLIPHORIDAE): UMA REVISÃO
Authors: Carvalho Silvestre Santos , Da Conceição Welson Rodrigues , Luiz Raimundo Campos da Silva e Cunha Junior  , Maria Josinete Araújo Costa  , Darcy Alves do Bomfim
Published: November 2024

A Entomologia Forense utiliza o conhecimento sobre os insetos para determinar parâmetros relacionados à morte, fornecendo informações que auxiliam em investigações forense. Os insetos da ordem Diptera, especialmente as moscas da família Calliphoridae, são fundamentais, sendo os primeiros a colonizar tecidos em decomposição. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta revisão foi avaliar a importância forense da entomofauna de califorídeos (Diptera, Calliphoridae) e sua aplicação na determinação do intervalo Post mortem (IPM) em investigações criminais. Foi realizada uma busca abrangente na literatura científica utilizando bases de dados como Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed e Google Acadêmico. Os termos de busca incluíram "Calliphoridae", "entomologia forense", "intervalo Post mortem" e "investigação criminal". Apenas artigos publicados em inglês e português foram considerados. A seleção final dos estudos baseou-se na relevância do conteúdo para o objetivo da revisão. Os estudos revelaram que os califorídeos são os primeiros insetos a colonizar carcaças em reservas e sua sucessão ecológica podem fornecer informações valiosas sobre o IPM. Várias espécies de califorídeos foram identificadas como importantes indicadores forenses em diferentes regiões geográficas. Fatores ambientais, como temperatura, umidade e habitat, influenciam significativamente a composição e a sucessão da entomofauna de califorídeos em carcaças. A entomofauna de califorídeos desempenha um papel crucial na determinação do IPM em investigações criminais. O conhecimento da biologia, ecologia e distribuição dessas moscas é essencial para sua aplicação eficaz na medicina legal. Mais pesquisas são necessárias para estabelecer dados de referência regionais e aprimorar as técnicas de amostragem e identificação de califorídeos em cenários forenses.
Between Form and Emptiness: An Exploration of Buddhist Theme in the Novel The Book of Form and Emptiness
Authors: He Yuemin
Published: November 2024

This article examines the role of Buddhist ideas in Ruth Ozeki's The Book of Form and Emptiness, with an emphasis on the central concepts of form and emptiness. Using qualitative methods, this study involves an in-depth analysis of the novel's text to explore how Ozeki integrates Buddhist teachings in the narrative and characters. In the novel, the concept of “form is emptiness, and emptiness is form” is not only a philosophy, but also reflects the dynamics of the characters' lives. Through the depiction of experiences and internal conflicts, the author highlights how Buddhist practices serve as tools to deal with personal and social challenges. This study found that Ozeki effectively utilizes multiple narrative voices to illustrate the complexity of spiritual beliefs, while creating space for readers to reflect on the application of the teachings in a modern context. Moreover, Buddhism has broader potential than just a spiritual dimension, it also enriches the literary experience by providing emotional depth and philosophical reflection. This article emphasizes that fiction serves not only as a form of entertainment, but also as a powerful medium for Buddhists to share wisdom and address contemporary issues, such as identity crisis, loss, and social uncertainty. As such, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and spirituality, as well as opening a dialogue on how literature can be a means to understand and deal with the complexities of life in a modern context.
The Appamāda as a Foundation for Ethical and Spiritual Development in Modern Mindfulness Practices
Authors: Medhacitto Tri Saputra , Mahatthanadull Sanu , Busro Busro
Published: November 2024

This research explores Appamāda as a mindfulness concept with strong ethical and spiritual foundations rooted in Buddhist teachings. The study investigates how integrating Appamāda can enhance modern mindfulness practices, particularly addressing the moral and ethical dimensions often overlooked in secular mindfulness trends.  The research utilizes a qualitative approach through library research, gathering data from primary sources such as the Sutta Piṭaka and commentaries and secondary sources from scholarly works on Appamāda. Content analysis examines how Appamāda functions as a foundation for moral and spiritual development within Buddhist teachings and how it can be integrated into contemporary mindfulness practices.  The research identifies Appamāda as not merely mindfulness but a profound ethical framework that fosters the cultivation of wholesome qualities and moral awareness. It highlights the gap in modern mindfulness practices, which focus on psychological benefits like stress reduction but often neglect ethical self-awareness. Appamāda enriches mindfulness by incorporating ethical and spiritual elements, guiding individuals towards holistic personal development and liberation from suffering.  Integrating Appamāda into modern mindfulness practices offers a more holistic approach to mental and spiritual well-being. It addresses the ethical responsibility that contemporary secular mindfulness lacks, contributing to developing a balanced and ethically conscious mindfulness practice. This has implications for mental health, ethical behavior, and spiritual growth in modern contexts.  This study contributes to the growing body of research on mindfulness by reconnecting contemporary practices with their ethical and spiritual roots in Appamāda. It offers a new perspective on mindfulness that extends beyond emotional regulation to include moral development and ethical accountability, providing a comprehensive framework for holistic well-being.
Religiosity Among ARMY Fans: Examining the Intersection of Islamic Values and K-Pop Fandom
Authors: Lazuardi Fakhrul
Published: November 2024

This study examines the religiosity of ARMY community members in Tasikmalaya, focusing on how they navigate Islamic values within the cultural framework of K-Pop fandom. The purpose is to understand how fandom engagement influences their religious beliefs, practices, and identity.  The study employs a qualitative descriptive method with a sociological approach. Data was gathered through interviews, observations, and document analysis, capturing personal experiences and perspectives on balancing religious identity and fandom.  The findings reveal that ARMY members actively maintain their belief in God and participate in religious practices. However, their engagement with fandom presents both challenges and opportunities for expressing religiosity. The study identifies a blend of personal belief and social influences shaping members’ approach to faith, revealing a dynamic space where cultural and religious identities coexist.  The results highlight the need for religious and community programs that integrate cultural interests, like fandom, with religious education, aiming to reinforce faith relevance among youth.  This study contributes to understanding how youth integrate religious values into secular subcultures, providing a unique insight into the adaptability of Islamic identity within contemporary fandoms.