bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUASI RISIKO KESELAMATAN DAN KESEHATAN KERJA PADA PROYEK INSTALASI PIPANISASI DI PT EFE BERBASIS METODE JSA DAN HIRARC
Authors: Wiryawan Muhammad Ricky , Mahbubah Nina Aini
Published: June 2024

Work accidents occur in the work environment, which can occur due to unsafe work environment conditions or human error. PT TKA is a construction services company located in the Gresik Regency, and its work specifications use fiberglass and HDPE materials. In the work activities carried out by PT TKA, several unsafe actions or unsafe conditions were found which caused accidents. This research aims to evaluate the dangers and causes of danger based on the conditions and activities of pipe installation projects based on the risk of unsafe actions and conditions. Job Safety Analysis, Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control were used as research methods. The research respondents were five expert employees on pipeline projects. The research showed that eleven stages of pipe installation project work were identified, resulting in small, medium, and large-scale hazard risks. The research results show that unsafe conditions dominate the occurrence of danger and the risk of work accidents.
A Comparative Statistical Analysis of Foreign Visitors' Volume and Overnights Spent at the Balkan Locale
Authors: Baratsas Vasileios
Published: June 2024

Tourism is an intertemporal field of research due to the sensitive nature of the elements that constitute the field. Heritage, religion, history, art and life make the Balkans a craving destination for tourists to visit. The simplicity of moving across continents through the Balkans enables the growth of movement. The Balkan borders and the way to demarcate them were always a topic of great conflict. Half of the Balkan countries belong entirely to the region and the rest by a small portion to half of their borders. Two clusters have been raised through the history of research, the west-ern and the eastern Balkans. Both locals living out of the country of origin and foreigners are travelling to the Balkan area. Thus, the Balkans is a competitive destination both for its residents and the rest of the visitors. The most visited destinations are Greece and Croatia and the rest follow. An exploratory data analysis (E.D.A.), with secondary data collected from the national statistical offices of each country under study, tourist national organisations, minis-tries, confederations, O.E.C.D. (Organisation for Economic Coop-eration and Development) and the U.N.W.T.O. (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) tourism barometer has been pre-pared. The secondary data analysis presents and compares, through charts, the volume of visitors per country and/or per year, their overnights and the total count for the aforementioned vol-umes by each country either separately or in conjunction with the rest of the Balkan locale. A growth trend in all volume numbers of tourists and their overnights is showcased until the 2019 pandemic outburst, as a progression, and from 2019-2021 the volume num-ber has diminished due to COVID-19 and movement restrictions. From 2021 onwards volume numbers came back to their rise trend surpassing or equivalent in numbers to the benchmarks of 2019. Thus, tourism is returning to the growth numbers with no re-striction assisting the situation. Countries with coastlines receive more tourism than the rest of the countries. Further research is needed to accumulate and compare data for the gender and nation-ality of the tourists arriving in the Balkan locale.
Business Development Through E-Commerce Adoption: A Case Study of an Entrepreneurship Expo at Makerere University
Authors: Katumba Proscovia , Namawejje Hellen , Ndugga Patricia , Ssekyondwa Augustine
Published: June 2024

This study examined students' e-commerce adoption factors using data from an entrepreneurship expo at the College of Business and Management Sciences in 2018. A cross-sectional survey involving 774 students revealed significant predictors of e-commerce adoption. Smartphone ownership and regular internet usage increased adoption (OR = 1.7307, p = 0.043), while exhibitors offering food and beverages saw higher adoption rates (OR = 3.6558, p = 0.047). However, post-purchase reviews, entrepreneurship support participation, and e-commerce application use were associated with lower adoption odds. The findings underscore the shift towards digital models, with smartphones enhancing sales and profitability among university students. This study sheds light on e-commerce adoption drivers among students, emphasizing marketing strategies, internet engagement, and technology accessibility.
The State of the Art of Methodological Research on the Role of the Brand in Local Products
Authors: Polaj Edvina , Kadiu Edmond
Published: June 2024

The products of the territory play an important role in the economic life of a country. They provide the right framework for economic and social development at the local and national levels. In the Albanian literature, there are no in-depth studies regarding the methodology used to increase the value of the local brand, and as a result of not researching this factor, this study helps the brand with local indicators. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the methodology in general and the method used in the research on the role of the brand with indicators of origin in local products in Albania. Methodologies are suggested, which consist of the examination of all methodological approaches for the role of the brand with local indicators and the identification of the method for researching the case study. For the importance of branding agricultural and livestock products with local indicators and preserving their originality and development, the concept of the methodology and method that must be followed in order to give accurate results and the values that the local brand carries in itself in development is important of it and the area that is applied to increasing the economic performance of agro-processing industries. The literature shows that the impact of increasing the value of the territorial brand in our country is based on the case study method and the cross-case research methodology. Meanwhile, in order to prove the importance of the local brand in increasing the consumption of products and increasing the income of the industries in this sector, the STATA program was used to process the data collected from consumers, and the "R" program was used to process the data of the collected industries. From the results of the research, it has been established that the local brand affects the increase in consumption and income in the agricultural and livestock agro-processing industries. This paper serves as a methodology for studies in this field that are necessary for the case of Albania.
Metaphoric Conceptualizations of Georgian Cultural and National Identities in Oliver Wardrop’s The Kingdom of Georgia
Authors: Guliashvili Nino
Published: June 2024

The aspiration of Georgia to be part of the Western Culture has always been an irrevocable vector. Nevertheless, it is of immense importance to discursively scrutinize how Europeans perceive this aspiration. Metaphors possess an inherent capacity to represent cultural values of a society and communicate established or competing worldviews. From this perspective, the choice of metaphors, which is cognitively reinforced, conceptualizes culture-specific and national-emotive attitudes that are ascribed to certain communities. The aim of the present paper is to explore conceptual metaphors that contribute to the representation of Georgian cultural and national identities in the eye of a beholder - Sir Oliver Wardrop, who was a British Diplomat and the United Kingdom’s first Chief Commissioner of Transcaucasia in Georgia in 1919-1920 manifesting his take on Georgian cultural and national characteristic features in his work The Kingdom of Georgia (1888). Corpus linguistic software tool AntConc® is used for generating concordance lists for a qualitative discourse analysis of a verbal milieu of the target lingual units – Georgia and Georgian. The research reveals that Georgian cultural and national identities manifested in the discursive realm through the observer’s lenses, which could be referred to as Georgian cultural and national eye-dentities, possess signaling and meaning sides. The latter reinforces the idea that identities function as discursive signs in the narrative of a beholder. What is more, a meaning side of cultural and national identities expressed via the conceptual metaphors acknowledge the emergence of a reshaped Georgian identity that prepared a foundation for establishing Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921).
Pre-Settlement and Post-Settlement Stressors and Mental Illness Among Migrants from War-Torn Countries in the Middle East: A Scoping Review
Authors: Musa Mohamad
Published: June 2024

The rising influx of Middle Eastern immigrants from war-torn countries into Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia underscores the urgent need to understand the stressors they face during pre-settlement and post-settlement phases and their consequent impact on mental health. This scoping review addresses this gap by exploring 16 existing studies on Middle Eastern immigrants' experiences in these regions published since 1995. The studies were identified through database searches and selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on Middle Eastern immigrants from war-torn countries resettling in North America, Australia, and Europe. The review reveals that immigrants and refugees encounter significant challenges during resettlement, including acculturative stress, loss of status, and existential struggles. These stressors contribute to higher prevalence rates of psychological disorders compared to the general population. Examining the 16 studies predominantly from North America, Australia, and Europe, our review underscores the complex interplay between pre-settlement and post-settlement stressors and mental health outcomes among Middle Eastern immigrants. However, the limited scope of current research highlights the pressing need for further investigation across different continents and regions.
Transtornos alimentares em indivíduos com Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade
Authors: Bianchini Maria Vitória de Lira , Arcoverde Nathália Gonçalves , Garcia Paloma Popov Custódio
Published: June 2024

Não há dúvida que o número de pessoas que sofrem de doenças relacionadas ao comportamento humano aumentou nos últimos anos. Buscar orientação de especialistas na área é necessário para evitar complicações e a falta de tratamento adequado. Os transtornos alimentares são classificados como transtornos mentais multifatorial e são caracterizados por hábitos alimentares pouco saudáveis e atitudes negativas em relação à alimentação. O estudo abordou a ligação entre transtornos alimentares (TAs) e o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) através de uma revisão de literatura para compreender o tema escolhido com abordagem qualitativa e objetiva, analisando referências, artigos científicos, revistas e livros publicados em um intervalo médio dos últimos 10 anos. Foi feito um destaque para as características da anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa e transtorno de compulsão alimentar, onde foi constatado que a anorexia nervosa apresenta maior taxa de mortalidade, enquanto a bulimia nervosa apresenta uma taxa menor, porém traz um maior comprometimento funcional. Diante das análises, os principais resultados encontrados apontam uma relação entre transtornos alimentares e déficit de atenção, mostrando que aditivos, açúcar, conservantes podem piorar os sintomas. Além disso, aborda a importância de uma dieta equilibrada, rica em nutrientes e vitaminas como uma forma complementar ao tratamento convencional, diminuindo os sintomas e melhorando a qualidade de vida desses indivíduos. Nosso objetivo é fornecer informações científicas sobre a importância da alimentação para melhorar a qualidade de vida de quem sofre de transtornos alimentares (TA) e transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH).
Atualização sobre Gossipiboma: Uma revisão integrativa de literatura
Authors: Lopes Pietro Ghattas Bou Karim , Torres José Henrique Gomes
Published: June 2024

O termo gossipiboma refere-se a uma complicação cirúrgica devido ao esquecimento não intencional de material cirúrgico, como compressas ou gazes, na cavidade corporal pós-procedimento. A incidência é maior na cavidade abdominal, na pelve e no tórax, especialmente em cirurgias ginecológicas, como cesáreas. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar os casos de gossipiboma descritos na literatura quanto a aspectos epidemiológicos, quadro clínico, principais sítios de acometimento, exames para o diagnóstico, complicações e formas de prevenção. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa que utilizou dados das bases de dados Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Elsevier, Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO) e National Library of Medicine (PubMed), e realizou o cruzamento dos descritores "Gossipiboma", "Epidemiologia", "Tratamento" e "Complicações". Resultados: Um total de 20 casos foi abordado, observando-se um maior acometimento em mulheres. Os procedimentos de emergência confirmaram ser um fator de risco. O quadro clínico foi inespecífico, variando conforme o local de esquecimento do material. Perfurações e fístulas foram complicações observadas. Discussão: A tomografia computadorizada foi o método mais utilizado para o diagnóstico de gossipibomas, embora não exista nenhum achado patognomônico em nenhum método. A formação de fístulas está associada ao processo asséptico e ao tempo de permanência do material. O tempo médio para diagnóstico foi de 9,5 anos, semelhante ao de outros estudos analisados. Conclusão: Gossipibomas correspondem a um erro médico passível de penalização médico-legal. A contagem e o uso de gazes radiopacas são imprescindíveis, uma vez que o diagnóstico é difícil devido ao quadro clínico inespecífico.
Desempenho de sementes de cevada tratadas sob períodos curtos de armazenamento
Authors: Rosa Cariane Pedroso da , Martins Angelita Celente , Barbosa Benhur Schwartz , Rolim Jessica Mengue , Waskow Jader Tomaschewski , Martinazzo Emanuela Garbin , Pedó Tiago , Aumonde Tiago Zanatta
Published: June 2024

O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar o desempenho fisiológico e bioquímico de sementes de cevada tratadas e armazenadas por curtos períodos de período. Foram utilizadas as cultivares BRS Cauê e BRS Rubi, a testemunha e os tratamentos de sementes Fipronil BRT 250 FS, Baytan FS, Certeza N, Cruiser Opti e Standak Top e os tempos de armazenamento de 0, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias, sendo um experimento trifatorial (2x6x5), no delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Foram avaliadas a germinação, o comprimento e a massa seca de parte aérea e de raiz, a atividade antioxidante enzimática de SOD, CAT e APX, a peroxidação lipídica, quantificação de peróxido de hidrogênio e o teor dos açúcares solúveis totais. A cultivar BRS Rubi foi mais sensível quanto a qualidade fisiológica para os tratamentos de sementes utilizados, principalmente Baytan, e ao lango dos períodos de armazenamento. Já o desempenho bioquímico foi afetado pelo tratamento Standak Top para a cultivar BRS Cauê, diminuindo a atividade antioxidante, aumentando a peroxidação lipídica e a quantidade de peroxido de hidrogênio. O armazenamento de sementes de cevada tratadas por curto período de período alterou o desempenho fisiológico e bioquímico das sementes. A cultivar BRS Rubi se apresenta mais sensível aos tratamentos de semente empregados e aos períodos de armazenamento quanto a germinação. O tratamento químico pode reduzir a germinação, comprimento de parte aérea e raiz e modificar negativamente a resposta enzimática da SOD, CAT e APX. O tratamento das sementes em até 14 dias pode contribuir para uma semeadura mais segura.
THE SIMULTANEOUS SPECTRAL DETERMINATION OF CANDESARTAN CILEXETIL AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE IN TABLETS USING THE TRIVARIATE CLASSICAL LEAST SQUARES METHOD
Authors: Üçer Asiye , Üstündağ Özgür , Saklı Uğur , Dinç Erdal
Published: June 2024

Objective: Candesartan cilexetil (CDS) is a member of the sartan group of drugs and is widely used to lower blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) is the most commonly used diuretic group of drugs and is prescribed together with candesartan cilexetil in cases where blood pressure cannot be reduced. Pharmaceutical preparations containing these two active compounds in combination are preferred today to provide a more effective pharmacological effect. Therefore, it is of great importance to determine the quantities of these combined pharmaceutical preparations with new analytical methods that are fast, easy, and sensitive in quality control and routine analysis. In this study, a new trivariate classical least squares calibration method (TCLS) was developed for the simultaneous quantification of candesartan cilexetil (CDS) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in binary mixtures and commercial tablets without using a preliminary separation step.
Material and Method: CDS and HCT compounds were kindly donated by National Pharm Ind., Turkey. HPLC-grade methanol (J.T. Baker, Netherlands) was used as a solvent for the spectrophotometric analysis. In the application of the TCLS method, the determination and quantification of CDS and HCT were carried out using UV spectrophotometric measurements with 1 cm quartz cells in the 200-310 nm spectral region (slit range 2 nm). The newly developed TCLS method was tested using a validation set consisting of eight synthetic mixture solutions within the working ranges of 4.0-20.0 μg/ml for CDS and HCT. Simultaneous quantification analyses of CDS and HCT were performed on ATACAND PLUS® Tablet supplied by Astra Zeneca İlaç Ltd Şti.
Result and Discussion: The method is based on the application of TCLS to the absorbance measurements at three different wavelength points (223.5, 240.0, and 268.5 nm). The absorptivity values (µg-1mlcm-1) of pure CDS and pure HCT were 6.67x10-2, 2.76x10-2, 2.33x10-2, and 11.41x10-2, 0.46x10-2, 6.42x10-2 at the selected wavelengths, respectively. Recovery values and relative standard deviation values were calculated as 97.2% and 1.61% for CDS and 99.7% and 3.67% for HCT, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the spectrophotometric quantitative analysis of tablets containing CDS and HCT, and then, a good agreement was reported.
Nature and Extent of Electronic Security Surveillance Systems in Secondary School Safety in Kenya
Authors: Kerich Nancy , Omuterema Prof. Stanley O. , Pepela Dr. Maurice Manyonge
Published: June 2024

Secondary safety is paramount to the sustainability of school performance; however, threats leveled against schools globally are interfering with safety. Schools in Kenya have experienced a horde of threats such as fire and theft coupled with radicalization. There is hardly the use of electronic security surveillance systems to mitigate threats. In Trans Nzoia County, secondary schools have been a recipient of security threats threatening the safety of the school community. Against this backdrop, this study assessed the influence of electronic security surveillance systems on the sustainability of secondary school safety in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to establish the nature and extent of electronic security surveillance systems in secondary schools in Kenya. The descriptive survey research design was used to study electronic security surveillance systems in secondary school safety in Trans Nzoia County. The study population was composed of 14 secondary schools that had previous security threats and had installed electronic security surveillance systems (unit of analysis). The sampling strategy in this study was simple random and purposive sampling. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially with the aid of SPSS version 25. The data was analyzed at a 0.05 probability level and presented in tables and figures in percentages and frequencies. Results: CCTV was installed in all the secondary schools surveyed sampled. It was agreeable by the respondents (76.9%) that the nature and extent of electronic security surveillance systems in secondary schools promoted safety in the school community. The interaction between the electronic security surveillance systems installed in schools and the implementation of national ICT policy and school safety policy had a 29.9% impact on promoting safety in secondary schools (R2 = 0.299, (F (2, 75) = 15.966, p = 0.000). About 80.8% of the respondents agreed that electronic security surveillance systems effectively promote safety in secondary schools.
Yükseköğretimde Kadın Akademisyenlerin Yaşadığı Eşitsizlik Deneyimleri Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma
Authors: Karadere Gamze
Published: June 2024

Bu çalışmada, kadın akademisyenlerin akademik yaşamda deneyimledikleri çeşitli engel ve eşitsizlikleri ortaya koymak amaçlanmaktadır. Deneyimleri ortaya koyabilmek adına, nitel araştırma kullanılmıştır. Derinlemesine görüşmeler sonucunda elde edilen veriler, betimsel analiz kullanılarak sunulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, anlam ve yorumlamanın önemi noktasında fenomenoloji araştırma deseni kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgulara göre, akademik alanda kadınlar erkeklere göre dezavantajlı konumda yer almaktadır. Bu durumun nedeni ise bireylerin sosyalleşme süreçlerinden gelmektedir. Kadınlara ve erkeklere atfedilen roller ve beklentiler birbirinden farklılaşmakta ve bu durum kadınların gündelik yaşamına olduğu gibi akademik yaşamına da yansıyarak toplumsal cinsiyet eşitsizliklerini oluşturmaktadır. Dolayısıyla ataerkil toplum yapısı nedeniyle, kadın akademisyenlerin akademik yaşam içerisinde yönetim mekanizmalarında yer alamama ve mobbinge maruz kalma vb. sorunlarla karşılaştığı sonucuna ulaşılmaktadır.
A Study on the Impact of Khan Academy Videos: Enhancing Grade 11 Thermodynamics Learning in a Rural High School
Authors:   Department of Physics, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa, Bhaw Nishaal , Hungwe Rudorwashe ,   Department of Physics, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa, Kriek Jeanne ,   Department of Physics, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
Published: June 2024

In the realm of science education, traditional teaching methods face challenges in catering to diverse learning preferences. This study investigates the efficacy of Khan Academy Videos (KAVs) in improving educational quality, specifically in rural thermodynamics instruction. The research involved 88 students and one teacher, with one group taught using traditional methods (control group [CG]) and the other using KAVs (experimental group [EG]). Results show significant improvements in learning outcomes and engagement with KAV integration, with EG scores improving by 61% compared to 31% in the CG. Pre-tests and post-tests were conducted to establish baseline understanding and measure academic performance, while a mixed-method approach analyzed results and feedback. Findings indicate that KAV integration positively influences student performance, offering valuable enhancements for resource-limited rural schools. This study underscores the transformative potential of KAV-integrated teaching in addressing educational challenges and elevating teaching quality.
A Comparative Study on the Roles of Science Teachers Published in English and Chinese
Authors:   Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China, Wang Xin , Zhang Baohui ,   Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China, Yan Ziwei ,   Department of Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
Published: June 2024

Science teachers play a crucial role in the science education system, significantly influencing the development of students. However, existing research highlights issues such as a wide age span and uneven quality among science teachers, which undermines the effectiveness of science education. In addition, the role of science teachers can be ambiguously defined, leading to confusion about their responsibilities. To better understand the current situation and future development trend of research on the role of science teachers in China and overseas, this study compares and analyses a total of 30 documents on the role of science teachers in Chinese or English. The documents were from Web of science or CNKI databases. Content analysis was applied on time of publication, number of papers, research topic, and similarities and differences of the role development of science teachers in China or overseas. Results show that: (1) At present, the development trend of research on the role of science teachers published in English and Chinese is relatively flat and has not received due attention. Most mainstream research paradigms are still in the stage of theoretical exploration; (2) Research themes of the role of science teachers mainly included five aspects: Role expectation, role orientation, role identification, role transformation, and role; (3) the “should be” research published in Chinese and the “real” research published in English should be combined and form a positive interaction. This study is helpful to systematically analyze the current situation of research on the role of science teachers, with a view to providing a basis for subsequent research on the role of science teachers.
Primary Students’ Views toward STEM Education in Greece
Authors:   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Stefanidou Constantina , Mandrikas Achilleas ,   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Kyriakou Kyriakos ,   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Stavrou Ioanna ,   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Boikos Ilias ,   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, Skordoulis Constantine ,   Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Published: June 2024

This paper presents the findings from a survey conducted on primary students to map their views toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in Greece according to their urban or rural setting and gender. The sample included 281 primary students from different public schools in Attica and 69 primary students from a Greek province. A close-ended questionnaire was digitally distributed to collect the data. The findings revealed that most students, from both settings, consider themselves good at mathematics and science. At the same time, they do not report it to be very likely that they would follow a career that is related either to these subjects or engineering and technology. Regarding their personal skills, most of them stated that they have communication and cooperation skills. Concerning differences between the two settings, there were statistically significant differences in favor of rural students in whether they believed they could improve, both in mathematics and science, their belief that their knowledge in STEM subjects could be useful in their adult life, and their views on the causes and effects of environmental issues. Finally, limited gender differences emerged in favor of the boys’ responses regarding future STEM careers. The implications for further research on geographical, gender, and socioeconomic disparities in STEM education are discussed.
The Pre-service Teachers’ Perceptions of Integrated Teaching, Inquiry Learning, using ICT and Real-life Examples in Science Classes
Authors:   Centre for Science Education, University of Tartu, Estonia, Laius Anne , Presmann Minna ,   Centre for Science Education, University of Tartu, Estonia
Published: June 2024

The study was conducted as a case study to enhance pre-service science teachers’ readiness for integration, inquiry-based learning (IBL), the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and the application of real-life examples during their teacher training courses. The objective of the research was to explore pre-service science teachers’ perceptions of integrated teaching, inquiry learning, and the use of ICT in science education, drawing on their experiences in teacher training. It also aimed to examine potential differences in their viewpoints and the evolution of their perceptions over time. A questionnaire was developed to gather insights from 50 pre-service science teachers regarding their views on the integration of science subjects before and after their 2-year teacher training courses. The collected data were analyzed using a qualitative approach with the QCAmap software, followed by a quantitative analysis utilizing the Microsoft Excel software. The findings revealed significant variances in perceptions among pre-service teachers based on the number of science subjects they studied during their training. Those who studied two or more subjects placed greater emphasis on the value of integration, IBL, ICT use, and real-life examples in science education, and exhibited more significant changes in their views throughout the 2 years of teacher training. Furthermore, the study found that nearly half of the pre-service teachers did not view IBL in science classes as crucial, and only about a quarter recognized the importance of ICT utilization.
Identification of Science Teacher Profiles Based on Lesson Observation Data
Authors:   The Interdisciplinary Center for Educational Innovation, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, Greitans Karlis , Namsone Dace ,   The Interdisciplinary Center for Educational Innovation, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
Published: June 2024

It is characteristic that besides other duties teacher competence management and development is becoming a part of school responsibilities. Still, school leaders lack the experience and instruments to accomplish these duties. From a teacher’s perspective competence management and development can be seen as the process of identification and implementation of professional development (PD). An effective competence management approach that is widely used in business environments is the identification of required and actual competence profiles to judge which development is needed. Such a competence management approach isn’t characteristic of school environments, still a promising perspective on how to solve challenges regarding teacher PD (TPD). TPD interventions are often criticized as being too general (“one size fits all” dominates); therefore, the search for practices on how to “tailor” PD initiatives to individual teacher needs is topical for TPD research. An effective way to personalize TPD could be the determination of TPD profiles and the design of the PD around these profiles. Person-centered approaches dominate in the identification of science teacher profiles, as surveys and tests are commonly used. Examples, of how the identification of science teacher profiles can be done using lesson observation data are missing. Science teaching is a complex process; to limit the complexity of this study, the authors focus on teaching that promotes student conceptual understanding (CU). A mixed method study was designed and conducted in a sample of 26 science teachers, who represented urban municipalities’ science teacher population. The study included science teacher lesson observation and analysis, and determination of science teacher performance regarded teaching that promotes student CU. Science teacher performance data were used to identify teachers with similar performance across the selected criteria and to create science teacher profiles. A methodology for how lesson observation data can be used to identify teacher profiles in small teacher samples is described. Six various science teacher profiles in teaching that promote student understanding were identified, characterizing the variety of science TPD needs.
Studying Students’ Representations of the “Orbital” and “Electron Cloud” Concepts
Authors:   Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece, Zarkadis Nikolaos , Papageorgiou George ,   Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece, Markos Angelos ,   Department of Primary Education, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
Published: June 2024

The study investigates secondary students’ understanding of “orbital” and “electron cloud” concepts in different quantum contexts (for values of the ʽprincipal quantum number n = 1 and n = 2) on the basis of their verbal and pictorial representations, evaluating also their consistency. Participants, which were 192 12th-grade students from six urban secondary schools of Northern Greece, represented these two concepts through two corresponding tasks of a paper-and-pencil assessment tool, each of which comprised two parts for verbal and pictorial representations, respectively. Results provide evidence that although students struggle to express verbally the orbital and electron cloud concepts, their competences in the corresponding pictorial representations are relatively better, exhibiting inconsistencies between verbal and pictorial representations. Inconsistencies also exist between representations of the orbital and electron cloud concepts, since students appear to have verbally a better understanding of the electron cloud than the orbital, whereas the opposite holds true for their pictorial representations. Comparing verbal and pictorial representations, the pictorial ones appear to be more consistent tools, whereas a quantum context defined by n = 2 seems to be more challenging for students compared to that of n = 1. Furthermore, an analysis of student profiles leads to their categorization in four classes, providing additional relevant information. Implications for science education are also discussed.
Socio-Scientific Issues in Focus: A Meta-analytical Review of Strategies and Outcomes in Climate Change Science Education
Authors:   1 College of Teacher Education, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, 2 Institute for Research in Innovative Instructional Delivery, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, Sanchez Joje Mar , Picardal Marchee ,   1 College of Teacher Education, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, 2 Institute for Research in Innovative Instructional Delivery, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, Fernandez Sunny ,   College of Teacher Education, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, Caturza Reginald Raymund ,   1 College of Teacher Education, Cebu Normal University, Cebu, Philippines, 2 Maricopa Unified School District, Maricopa, Arizona, USA
Published: June 2024

This meta-analysis looked at how well students' conceptual understanding, environmental attitudes, and pro-environmental conduct were improved by the Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI) approach based on the literature (2017-2021). The research demonstrated the efficacy of SSI techniques such as argumentation, case-oriented approaches, and problem-based learning by analyzing a wide range of studies. The findings showed a strong positive influence on students' understanding of intricate environmental concerns and their propensity for sustainable conduct. While the study found that the SSI approach fosters critical thinking and involvement in several noteworthy ways, it also uncovered potential publication biases in certain aspects. Furthermore, to improve the robustness and application of SSI-based interventions in climate change education, the research stressed the necessity of context-specific strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Overall, the results highlight how the SSI approach can cultivate proactive, environmentally conscientious, and knowledgeable citizens who are ready to take on urgent global concerns.
Integrating Aquaculture to Support STEM Education: A Qualitative Assessment to Identify High School Students’ Attitudes, Interests, and Experiences
Authors:   Department of Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, USA, Thompson Kenneth , Webster Carl ,   Department of Aquatic Animal Health Research Unit, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Auburn, AL, USA, Pomper Kirk ,   Department of Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, USA, Wilhelm Jennifer ,   Department of STEM Education, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA, Krall Rebecca ,   Department of STEM Education, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
Published: June 2024

This study explored the impact of an active project-based, aquaculture constructivist-learning program, as perceived by high school students. The purpose of this case study was to discover if participation in the program influenced students’ interest, engagement, and future educational and career aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) when integrating aquaculture in and outside the classroom. Likewise, the study also wanted to explore students’ knowledge about aquaculture and skill development after their participation in the program. The study employed a qualitative methods approach to explore students’ attitudes and experiences. Qualitative data were collected from post-student focus groups at three different public, rural high schools in Kentucky. Other qualitative data included teacher journal reflections (e.g., personal documents) and public newspaper articles (e.g., public documents). Four emergent themes were found: (1) Students show excitement and enthusiasm in the hands-on, aquaculture program; (2) students show attention to detail in the hands-on, aquaculture tasks, it sticks, and are more responsible; (3) students are collaboratively engaged with their peers; and (4) greater interest and confidence in STEM through practical application. Results demonstrated that the program engaged learners in real-world problem-solving and decision-making situations while working collaboratively in small works. It also appears that students gained an important life skill, responsibility, as well as self-confidence in STEM, after participating in the program.
Investigating the Effects of Virtual Laboratories on Students’ Motivation and Attitudes Toward Science
Authors:   Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, The British University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Alnaser Dareen , Forawi Sufian ,   Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, The British University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Published: June 2024

Allowing students to practice science inquiry in the classroom is fundamental for science education. Students should master investigation skills, promoting their understanding of science concepts. Virtual laboratories have emerged as a powerful interactive tool that can be a suitable alternative to real laboratories, especially when lacking enough equipment and safety measures. This mixed approach study investigates the effects of virtual science laboratories on students’ motivation and attitude toward science (ATS). Students (n = 237) from grades (7, 8, 9, 10, and 11) were surveyed to evaluate their virtual laboratory experience in an American curriculum private school in Dubai with the theoretical basis of motivation theories. The study reported that virtual laboratories positively impact students’ overall motivation in terms of intrinsic motivation, perceived usefulness (U), effort (E), perceived self-efficacy (SE), and ATS. Students, perceived SE and U significantly impact student attitudes toward science (p < 0.001). Students’ perceived SE is a predictor of their E in the laboratory by 6.1%. Students with high SE put more E into completing a virtual laboratory task than students with low SE.
Особенности палеодемографии населения г. Белыничи XVII–XIX вв. (Беларусь) / Paleodemography of the Belynichi Population in 17th–19th Centuries (Belarus)
Authors: Боруцкая С.Б. , Васильев С.В. , Вашанов А.Н. , Ткачева М.И, , Винникова В.Е. , Марфина О.В.
Published: June 2024

Было проведено палеодемографическое исследование остеологического материала из раскопок могильника XVII–XIX вв. города Белыничи Могилевской области Республики Беларусь. Средняя продолжительность жизни захороненных индивидов составила 27 лет, тогда как продолжительность жизни взрослого населения была в среднем 38,5 лет. То есть, примерно столько же, что и во множестве российских городов позднего средневековья и нового времени. В группе наблюдается ненормальное соотношение по полу: взрослых мужчин было около 39%, женщин — почти на 23% больше. Причину такой разницы в количестве между мужчинами и женщинами, вероятно, следует искать в исторических событиях. Процент детской смертности очень высок, — немногим более 50%. То есть, по меньшей мере половина населения умерла в детском возрасте, причем почти четверть из них до 5 лет, а 10% — до одного года. Высокая детская смертность в группе из Белыничей аналогична таковому в Нижнем Новгороде (могильник Нижегородского Кремля) и засечной крепости Блохино-1 XVII–XVIII вв. Финальная возрастная когорта не представительна, ни в мужской, ни в женской части группы. Мужчин, доживших до 50 лет, было на 64% меньше, чем женщин. Таким образом, основной пик смертности в группе — 0–5 лет. Второй, также высокий пик смертности, наблюдается уже во взрослой возрастной когорте — 40–45 лет. Особенностью группы из Белыничей является крайне низкая смертность в ранних взрослых возрастных когортах 15–20 и 20–25 лет.
The paper presents a paleodemographic study of a 17th–19th centuries population from the town of Belynichi, Mogilev region, Republic of Belarus. The average life expectancy was 27 years, while the average life expectancy of the adult population was 38.5 years. That is consistent with the data on the population of many Russian cities of the late Middle Ages and New Age. The sex ratio in the group was unusual: about 39% adult men and almost 23% more women. The reason for such difference should probably be sought in historical events. The percentage of child mortality is very high — just over 50%. That is, half of the population died in childhood, with almost a quarter of them under 5 years of age, and 10% under one year of age. The high infant mortality in the group from Belynichy is similar to that in Nizhny Novgorod (burial ground of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin) and the Blokhino-1 fortress of the 17th–18th centuries. The final age cohort is not representative, neither in the male nor in the female part of the sample. 64% fewer men than women lived to the age of 50. The main peak of mortality in the group is 0–5 years of age. The second-high mortality peak is observed between 40 and 45 years. The extremely low mortality in the early adult age cohorts of 15–20 and 20–25 years in the studied group is unusual for its time and location.
Восстановление внешнего облика гоминин второй половины среднего плейстоцена с территории Китая (Хуалундун, Цзиньнюшань, Дали, Харбин) / Facial Reconstruction of Hominins of the Second Half of the Middle Pleistocene Period from China
Authors: Григорьева О.М. , Алехина О.И. , Го Линь
Published: June 2024

Работа посвящена восстановлению и изучению внешнего облика гоминин эпохи второй половины среднего плейстоцена с территории Китая. Были исследованы черепа из местонахождений Хуалундун, Цзиньнюшань, Дали и Харбина. С использованием программы антропологической реконструкции «Алгоритм внешности» по ним выполнены контурные и графические реконструкции и составлены словесные портреты с учетом индивидуальных особенностей черепов. Находки относятся к среднему плейстоцену примерно от 330 до 146 тыс. лет. В результате проведенного исследования данных четырех находок обнаруживается их значительное сходство, несмотря на довольно существенный разброс во временном интервале. Можно предположить, что изученные индивидуумы, вероятно, принадлежат к одной монофилетической группе. Все четыре индивида, несомненно, являются досовременными гомининами, отличающимися от Homo sapiens. Портреты индивидов из Дали, Цзиньнюшань и Харбина сходны между собой. Индивид из Хуалундун, разделяя с ними многие черты, все же несколько выделяется на их фоне, что может объясняться его юным возрастом, большей древностью или индивидуальной изменчивостью. Не исключается возможность существования в Азии особой линии гоминин, которая может представлять денисовского человека, что требует дальнейших доказательств, в том числе на основе генетического материала.
The work is devoted to the facial reconstruction and study of hominins of the second half of the Middle Pleistocene period in China: the skulls from the Hualongdong, Jinniushan, Dali, and Harbin sites. Contour and graphic reconstructions were performed using the "Appearance Algorithm" facial reconstruction program, and verbal portraits summarizing the specific features of each skull were composed. The finds date back to the Middle Pleistocene period (around 330–146 kyr). The study revealed a significant similarity between the four finds. All four individuals are undoubtedly pre-modern hominins, distinct from Homo sapiens. The portraits of individuals from Dali, Jinniushan and Harbin are similar to each other, while the one from Hualondong is somewhat different, which may be explained by his younger age, greater antiquity, or individual variability. The study suggests that they belong to the same monophyletic group. The possibility of the existence of a distinctive hominin lineage in Asia, which may represent Denisovans, is not excluded, which requires further evidence, including new genetic investigations.
Development and application of molecular markers in fisheries, aquaculture, and industry of representative temperate and tropical sea cucumbers: a review
Authors: Liu Xinghai , Tang Xinyue , Chen Muyan , Ni Gang , Yang Yujia
Published: June 2024

Sea cucumber has emerged as a crucial economic species in aquaculture in China because of its remarkable nutritional and medicinal value. However, wild sea cucumber populations have experienced a decline due to overfishing and environmental factors, underscoring the urgent need for genetic resource conservation and biotechnology innovation within the sea cucumber aquaculture and breeding industry. The development of the sea cucumber industry is still impeded by challenges and difficulties. Nevertheless, significant progress has been made through the utilization of molecular markers, which have effectively addressed a number of fisheries and aquaculture issues. In recent years, diverse types of molecular markers including mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, and SNP markers have been developed and extensively applied in various aspects of sea cucumber research. These markers play vital roles in genetic sex identification, germplasm resource evaluation, population structure assessment, as well as marker-assisted breeding in marine ranching and sea cucumber aquaculture and breeding industry. This review provides an overview of the fundamental principles, functions, and characteristics associated with various markers employed across various sea cucumber species while also discussing their applications within different aspects of the sea cucumber fisheries, aquaculture, and breeding industry.