bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder mapping to support invasive non-native species management in South America
Authors: Erazo Manuela , García-Díaz Pablo , Langdon Bárbara , Mustin Karen , Cava Mário , Damasceno Gabriella , Huerta Magdalena F. , Linardaki Eirini , Moyano Jaime , Montti Lía , Powell Priscila A. , Bodey Thomas W. , Burslem David F. R. P. , Fasola Laura , Fidelis Alessandra , Lambin Xavier , Marinaro Sofía , Pauchard Aníbal , Phimister Euan , Raffo Eduardo , Rodríguez-Jorquera Ignacio , Roesler Ignacio , Tomasevic Jorge A. , Pizarro J. Cristóbal
Published: July 2024

Effective long-term management of invasive non-native species (INNS) in South America is a pressing yet complex task. Critically, the environmental, historical, cultural, and economic idiosyncrasies of the region call for the inclusion of a plurality of views from those sectors of society receiving the negative and positive impacts of INNS. This is a multifaceted, and often daunting, task that can be aided by an early identification of stakeholders – those affected by or with an interest in INNS and their management – accompanied by targeted stakeholder engagement. Here, we report the procedures and results of a stakeholder mapping activity aimed at identifying stakeholders and designing engagement strategies. Using expert knowledge procedures, we compiled comprehensive lists of stakeholders for six case-studies in South America: (i) invasive grasses (Urochloa spp.) in Brazil; (ii) glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) in Argentina; (iii) lodgepole and Monterey pines (Pinus contorta and P. radiata) in Argentina; (iv) American mink (Neogale vison) in Argentina and Chile; (v) lodgepole and Monterey pines in Chile; and (vi) German yellow-jacket (Vespula germanica) in Chile. Overall, we identified 250 stakeholders, which, based on their interest and influence, were classified into “context settlers” (2%), “key players” (47%), “crowd” (5%), and “subjects” (49%). We outlined strategies to engage with each of these four groups and for each of our six case-studies. Across case studies, communication with stakeholders was the most common engagement strategy proposed (27%; 19 of 70 strategies), followed by active involvement of stakeholders in INNS research and management (23%). Our results highlight the importance of considering power imbalances, as those stakeholders more likely to benefit from INNS were assessed to have more influence over INNS management relative to local and indigenous communities. Our work illustrates how to identify stakeholders in a rigorous and rapid manner, which should be complemented with the involvement of the stakeholders themselves.
A new species of holothuroid from the Labrador Sea (eastern Canada): Pseudothyone labradorensis sp. nov. (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea, Dendrochirotida, Sclerodactylidae)
Authors: Kremenetskaia Antonina , Alvestad Tom , Penney Heather D. , Hamel Jean-François , de Moura Neves Bárbara , Côté David , Mercier Annie
Published: July 2024

A new species of holothuroid, Pseudothyone labradorensissp. nov. (order Dendrochirotida and family Sclerodactylidae), was discovered off the coast of Labrador (eastern Canada) at a depth of 740–969 m. Two specimens were described based on morphological and genetic parameters. Distinctive characters included pinkish body colour, presence of tube feet on a ‘tail’, supporting rod-shaped ossicles in the tube feet, and rod-shaped ossicles in the tentacles. To investigate its phylogenetic relationships, partial sequences of COI were obtained for the new species as well as for the type species P. raphanus and another North Atlantic species P. serrifera. According to the phylogenetic analysis, P. labradorensissp. nov. appeared in a well-supported clade with P. raphanus and P. serrifera. Molecular data also suggest polyphyly of the genus, showing the Northeast Pacific species Pseudothyone belli recovered outside of the clade containing the type species. Pseudothyone labradorensissp. nov. is the first species of the genus from the Northwest Atlantic. A key to the North Atlantic Pseudothyone is provided.
Jacob et Ésaü – Lectures et relectures d’un conflit. Remarques littéraires et historiques sur le début de l’histoire de Jacob (Gn 25,19-34)
Authors: Römer Thomas
Published: July 2024

Thomas R ömer présente une analyse du début de l’histoire de Jacob (Gn 25,19-34) . Le but de cet épisode est d’exonérer Jacob (et Rebecca) de l’initiative qu’ils prennent au chap. 27. L’ajout de l’épisode de la vente d’un plat de lentilles est parfaitement compréhensible dans le contexte de l’ère perse, au cours de laquelle se développaient des discours haineux sur Édom. L’auteur veut fournir une clé à la compréhension de Gn 27 mais aussi de Gn 33, en présentant une image négative d’Ésaü. Dans le même temps, d’autres textes qui dépeignent Jacob sous une lumière moins favorable ne sont pas modifiés. Le résultat est une image complexe de la relation entre les deux frères et les deux groupes ethniques, leur (s) conflit (s) et leur réconciliation.
Pourquoi les professionnels s’engagent comme coordinateurs de conférences familiales ?
Authors: Auger Marie-Pierre
Published: July 2024

La conférence familiale, née en Nouvelle-Zélande au début des années 1980, lorsqu’elle est mobilisée dans le cadre de la protection de l’enfance, vise à résoudre un problème concernant un mineur en danger. Elle permet à la famille de poser le problème et de choisir, avec tous ceux qui lui sont proches, les ressources à mettre en œuvre pour sa résolution. Durant les différentes étapes du processus, plusieurs acteurs sont mobilisés dont un coordinateur, pierre angulaire d’une conférence familiale. Au regard de l’organisation actuelle des conférences familiales en France, le coordinateur est un travailleur social ayant suivi une formation spécifique assurée par l’un des trois formateurs français. Il a pour fonction d’aider l’enfant et ses parents à préparer la conférence familiale. Ce coordinateur va, par de multiples échanges, favoriser la mise en réflexion des personnes mobilisées. Il ne prend aucune part dans les décisions concernant l’enfant. En relation duelle ou groupale, son principal outil est la reformulation de ce qui est dit sans substitution dans les prises de décisions L’émergence des conférences familiales sur trois départements vient répondre à un sentiment d’échec des dispositifs institutionnels ou de perte de sens en leur mission par les professionnels. Pour ces derniers, sa découverte réveille l’émotion et la volonté d’aide à l’origine de leur engagement dans le travail social mis à mal par les contraintes des dispositifs. Cet outil s’inscrit dans un système de croyances en la nécessité de revisiter les rapports de domination avec les familles. Portée comme un nouveau système de valeurs par ses promoteurs, une conférence familiale s’initie à partir d’une conviction, se construit par la revisite des connaissances de toutes les parties concernées et se conclut par un nouveau savoir d’action.
Despotisme démocratique
Authors: Arens Nicolas
Published: July 2024

Si « l’érosion démocratique » ( backsliding democracy ) fait partie de l’actualité européenne et des débats académiques depuis plus d’une décennie, peu de travaux l’ont approchée par la philosophie politique et la question de la corruption du régime démocratique dans le contexte d’une fédération. L’idée tocquevillienne de « tyrannie de la majorité » permet un tel apport tant du point de vue politique et institutionnel que du point de vue sociétal et historique. De fait, si l’UE veut jouer le jeu de la démocratie, elle doit nécessairement affronter les écueils d’un tel régime.
Honor-shame-cultures et le Nouveau Testament
Authors: Grappe Christian
Published: July 2024

La notion d’honneur a suscité, depuis la seconde moitié du xx e siècle, un profond intérêt de la part d’anthropologues et de sociologues, états-uniens pour la plupart. Ils ont déployé un modèle selon lequel l’idéologie de l’honneur envisagé en tension avec l’humiliation, constitue, avec les représentations et la politique liées au genre et l’alliance matrimoniale endogame, des caractéristiques majeures des sociétés méditerranéennes, sociétés fondées sur les liens de parenté et non pas sur l’économie. Des biblistes se sont emparés du modèle en vue de l’appliquer, avec plus ou moins de souplesse, aux écrits de l’Ancien Testament et, plus encore, du Nouveau Testament. Il suscite également un intérêt dans le champ de la missiologie en tant qu’outil pour le ministère des shame cultures .
L’appréhension de l’honneur par la théologie catholique de l’âge confessionnel ( xvi e - xix e siècle)
Authors: Gay Jean-Pascal
Published: July 2024

Ce texte propose de poser quelques jalons pour penser l’enjeu éthique actuel de l’honneur à partir de l’histoire de son appréhension par la tradition théologique catholique. La place faite à l’honneur par la morale catholique de l’âge classique est significative. Cependant l’honneur y est toujours pensé d’abord comme un bien temporel ou spirituel. Par ailleurs, l’épistémologie qui permet de penser théologiquement l’honneur s’est maintenue durablement jusqu’au début du xx e siècle, de sorte qu’il faut penser l’actuelle mise à distance de l’honneur dans l’éthique catholique par rapport à sa radicale contemporanéité et dans son lien avec la sécularisation. C’est pourtant ici que s’ouvre la possibilité d’une reprise théologique de la question de l’honneur. L’histoire de la tradition théologique catholique sur ce point offre des ressources pour éviter qu’une telle reprise ne vienne survaloriser le lien entre honneur et identités.
Employing combined spatial and frequency domain image features for machine learning-based malware detection
Authors: Bashar Abul
Published: July 2024

The ubiquitous adoption of Android devices has unfortunately brought a surge in malware threats, compromising user data, privacy concerns, and financial and device integrity, to name a few. To combat this, numerous efforts have explored automated botnet detection mechanisms, with anomaly-based approaches leveraging machine learning (ML) gaining attraction due to their signature-agnostic nature. However, the problem lies in devising accurate ML models which capture the ever evolving landscape of malwares by effectively leveraging all the possible features from Android application packages (APKs).This paper delved into this domain by proposing, implementing, and evaluating an image-based Android malware detection (AMD) framework that harnessed the power of feature hybridization. The core idea of this framework was the conversion of text-based data extracted from Android APKs into grayscale images. The novelty aspect of this work lied in the unique image feature extraction strategies and their subsequent hybridization to achieve accurate malware classification using ML models. More specifically, four distinct feature extraction methodologies, namely, Texture and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) from spatial domain, and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and Gabor from the frequency domain were employed to hybridize the features for improved malware identification. To this end, three image-based datasets, namely, Dex, Manifest, and Composite, derived from the information security centre of excellence (ISCX) Android Malware dataset, were leveraged to evaluate the optimal data source for botnet classification. Popular ML classifiers, including naive Bayes (NB), multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF), were employed for the classification task. The experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed framework, achieving a peak classification accuracy of 93.03% and recall of 97.1% for the RF classifier using the Manifest dataset and a combination of Texture and HOG features. These findings validate the proof-of-concept and provide valuable insights for researchers exploring ML/deep learning (DL) approaches in the domain of AMD.
Fully convolutional video prediction network for complex scenarios
Authors: Han Rui , Liang Shuaiwei , Yang Fan , Yang Yong , Li Chen
Published: July 2024

Traditional predictive models, often used in simpler settings, face issues like high latency and computational demands, especially in complex real-world environments. Recent progress in deep learning has advanced spatiotemporal prediction research, yet challenges persist in general scenarios: (ⅰ) Latency and computational load of models; (ⅱ) dynamic nature of real-world environments; (ⅲ) complex motion and monitoring scenes. To overcome these challenges, we introduced a novel spatiotemporal prediction framework. It replaced high-latency recurrent models with fully convolutional ones, improving inference speed. Furthermore, it addressed the dynamic nature of environments with multilevel frequency domain encoders and decoders, facilitating spatial and temporal learning. For complex monitoring scenarios, a large receptive field token mixer spatial-frequency attention units (SAU) and time attention units (TAU) ensured temporal and spatial continuity. This framework outperformed current methods in accuracy and speed on public datasets, showing promising practical applications beyond electricity monitoring.
El torques de Villar del Rey (Badajoz) en el marco de la producción de oro del Bronce Final Atlántico peninsular
Authors: Perea Caveda Alicia , Kurtz Schaefer Guillermo S.
Published: July 2024

Un nuevo torques de oro ha sido adquirido por la Junta de Extremadura y ya se expone en el Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Badajoz. Hemos efectuado un estudio micro-topográfico mediante técnicas de observación (MO) y análisis (FRX) con el objetivo de reconstruir la biografía de la pieza. En origen era un torques anular, de aro doble, con pieza de cierre y ornamentación incisa, característico del Bronce Final Atlántico. En la actualidad solo se ha recuperado uno de los aros, muy deformado y con huellas de violencia ritual. Desde el punto de vista artesanal hemos definido un posible taller que denominamos PPSV, en referencia a los torques que han servido para su identificación: Penela, Portel, Sagrajas y Villar del Rey.
The earliest evidence of the Phoenician presence in Lisbon: the Sommer Warehouses interventions (Rua Cais de Santarém, Lisbon)
Authors: Sousa Elisa , Ribeiro Ricardo , Rebelo Paulo , Neto Nuno
Published: July 2024

Archaeological excavations carried out at the ancient Sommer Warehouses, in Lisbon (Portugal), have allowed the identification of a complex phasing related to the Iron Age occupation, incorporating distinct construction phases. In this study, architectural, stratigraphic, and material data from the earliest moments of this occupation (phases II to IV) are analysed. Their chronology seems to span from the second half of the 8th century BC to the beginning of the following century. Elements of both defensive and port-related character were identified. The associated archaeological material is significant, including handmade ceramics and wheel-thrown vessels, with possibly an exogenous origin for the latter. This constitutes a body of evidence of great importance in the context of urban archaeology in Lisbon, allowing for a characterization of the early moments of Iron Age occupation.
De très savants pasteurs
Authors: Roskilly Jack
Published: July 2024

Dans la société byzantine, l'autorité des évêques repose d'abord sur l’institution ecclésiastique, qui leur confie la mission de veiller sur les fidèles de leur diocèse en tant que pasteurs. Depuis les débuts de la christianisation de l’Empire, leur fonction dépasse le cadre strictement religieux, et ils constituent l’un des corps de l’État.Ce livre met à jour une nouvelle forme de l’autorité épiscopale aux xie et xiie siècles, fondée sur un modèle intellectuel en partie charismatique au sens de Max Weber. Elle passe par la reconnaissance de la culture savante des prélats et sa mise en pratique dans le gouvernement épiscopal. La floraison de la rhétorique byzantine à cette époque et la formation intellectuelle poussée d’un grand nombre d’évêques leur offrent un outil de communication, aussi bien dans leur diocèse qu’à Constantinople. L’analyse des discours et des lettres épiscopales met en évidence ce système de gouvernement.Présents dans leur diocèse et dans la capitale, les évêques sont les relais d’un pouvoir de plus en plus centralisé et sont un relais entre les populations provinciales et les autorités centrales de l’Empire. L’étude de la carrière, des conceptions du groupe épiscopal et de leur autorité et des actions des évêques dans leur diocèse fournit un tableau complet de l’épiscopat byzantin à une époque charnière de l’histoire de l’Empire.
Décolonisations ?
Authors: Bancel Nicolas
Published: July 2024

La décolonisation de l'Afrique occidentale française marque-t-elle une rupture ? C’est la question que pose ce livre. En plongeant dans cette histoire complexe, Nicolas Bancel propose une analyse articulant l’histoire politique et institutionnelle de l’AOF à l’histoire moins connue de la formation et de la politisation des élites ouest-africaines. Après 1945, une nouvelle génération devient l’avant-garde politique de l’anticolonialisme, malgré les tentatives des autorités coloniales de la contrôler. Au cours des années 1950, les syndicats se renforcent, la jeunesse entre en ébullition politique alors qu’apparaissent les premiers partis indépendantistes d’Afrique occidentale française, menaçant l’ordre colonial d’un front commun. C’est dans ce contexte que les indépendances sont négociées entre les autorités coloniales et la première génération de lettrés africains, leaders des partis politiques de masse. La nouvelle génération politique a perdu la partie ; pourtant, ses projets politiques et sociaux sont-ils si différents de ceux des autorités coloniales ?En suivant la formation intellectuelle et corporelle de cette élite, on comprend qu’un processus d’hybridation culturelle est à l’œuvre. Ce processus se caractérise par l’incorporation de valeurs, de normes et de styles de conduite qui rapprochent ces anticolonialistes radicaux de leurs adversaires. Porteurs de valeurs et d’outils intellectuels venus d’Occident, ils engagent une concurrence mimétique avec l’Europe, caractérisant toute l’ambiguïté des décolonisations et ouvrant sur une nouvelle perspective pour appréhender la continuité des politiques coloniales menées après les décolonisations.
Les matériaux vivants entre les mains hackers
Authors: Esquivel-Sada Daphne
Published: July 2024

À l’heure où les communautés bio-hackers des quatre coins de la planète s’approprient le monde des biotechnologies, cet article propose de réfléchir à leur rapport aux matériaux vivants. Il s’agit de saisir certaines particularités de ces derniers à partir de leur existence technique en tant que vivant biotechnologique (VB). À la croisée des études sur les sciences et de la théorie critique, l’article propose une analyse de discours d’entretiens conduits auprès de bio-hackers, majoritairement canadiens. L’analyse fait ressortir le mode d’existence du VB selon trois figures principales : l’imaginaire bio-hacker du VB conçu comme la bio-infrastructure commune au bio-hacking, à la biologie synthétique et à la bioéconomie ; le défi que les finalités normatives biologiques constituent pour la matérialisation du VB ; et la fabrique d’une distinction inégalitaire, souvent circonstancielle, entre des organismes, qui participe à la légitimation sociale du mode d’existence du VB.
Le parti pris des choses : sur quelques apories onto-épistémiques du New Materialism
Authors: Wolfe Charles
Published: July 2024

Avec le mouvement théorique nommé New Materialism, apparu à partir du début des années 2000, on assiste non seulement au retour de l’ontologie mais à une affirmation d’un matérialisme dans lequel toutes les oppositions, toutes les contradictions viendraient se dissoudre. Poussant plus loin la prise en compte de l’agentivité des non-humains suggérée notamment par Haraway et Latour, les courants néomatérialistes en viennent à considérer l’ensemble des composantes matérielles de nos sociétés comme autant d’agents actifs dotés, à des degrés divers, d’une forme de vitalité. Dans cette contribution je reviens sur ce que je nomme l’« ontologisme » du New Materialism par rapport au matérialisme « vital », « mécaniste » ou « dialectique », en commentant des auteurs comme Jane Bennett, Karen Barad et Elizabeth Grosz.
Organisation de mouvement social et défense du vivant : une alternative au capitalisme ?
Authors: Sedda Paola
Published: July 2024

Ce travail explore la construction, discursive et organisationnelle, d’une alternative écologique au capitalisme à partir d’une enquête ethnographique portant sur le mouvement social des Soulèvements de la terre et son rôle dans la coordination de deux mobilisations ayant eu lieu en 2023 : celle de Sainte-Soline contre les méga-bassines et celle contre le projet de ligne ferroviaire à grande vitesse entre Lyon et Turin (TAV). L’analyse de la forme organisationnelle du mouvement se fonde sur la mise en tension entre la structure, les processus info-communicationnels et l’idéologie.
Alter-organisation hospitalière : santé environnementale et « communs »
Authors: Delille Pascale
Published: July 2024

L’innovation pour la prévention en santé environnementale à l’hôpital, lorsqu’elle est coconçue entre soignants et chercheurs, dans un « lab d’innovation », génère des formes alter-organisationnelles, qui peuvent se confronter à l’institution centralisée et descendante du système hospitalier. Nous mobilisons l’approche communicationnelle des organisations conjuguée et la théorie des « communs » pour éclairer ces dynamiques alternatives préventives, porteuses d’émancipation et à valeur motivationnelle notamment face à la défection massive de la profession et au chaos sanitaire actuel. Nous montrons que, dans le lab, les effets créatifs du design participatif offre une reconsidération du travail des soignants.
Système d’information : reflet du management dans le secteur social
Authors: Fauché Mathias
Published: July 2024

À partir d’une observation participante dans le secteur social et médico-social, nous avons abordé la transformation d’un système d’information avec une attention particulière accordée aux propriétés des objets techniques. Ces derniers, comparables à ceux implantés dans des organisations à but lucratif, entrent pour nous en contradiction avec une activité jugée d’utilité publique à dimension éthique et sociale. Cette poussée non désirée, ce « déferlement numérique » (Flipo, 2020) a pu aussi bien être le pilier d’une refonte managériale de l’organisation qu’une soumission de cette dernière aux éditeurs de logiciels et aux entreprises de gestion informatique qui conservent in fine le contrôle sur les outils dont ils font la promotion.
Smartphone et incivilités numériques en IUT : perceptions étudiantes
Authors: Schlichter Hélène
Published: July 2024

La révolution numérique et l’omniprésence des technologies mobiles bouleversent les organisations et font émerger de nouvelles préoccupations dans le monde du travail. Les universités ne sont pas épargnées par ces outils et les usages du smartphone en particulier, qui parfois s’opposent aux attentes pédagogiques et engendrent des comportements jugés incivils par les enseignants. Aussi, parce que la question des incivilités constitue une expérience subjective, notre recherche exploratoire a pour but d’interroger des étudiants d’IUT sur leurs perceptions de la légitimité d’usages du smartphone en cours et les incivilités numériques qui préoccupent les enseignants.
Compétences et nouvelles pédagogies alternatives en situations d’apprentissage
Authors: Bettayeb Nahema , Bourret Christian
Published: July 2024

Les démarches compétences deviennent centrales dans les universités françaises particulièrement dans les formations en apprentissage. Lorsqu’elles relèvent d’une logique de « plateformisation » normalisant les relations entre les acteurs, les interactions qui en résultent, révèlent de nouveaux écosystèmes ou espaces situationnels frontières, de coopération et de construction de sens. Une « alter-pédagogie » en émerge dont nous présentons ici des éléments pour une approche communicationnelle des compétences centrée sur le développement de la créativité et de l’autonomie des étudiants-apprentis. À partir d’un jeu de création d’entreprise pour développer la confiance, nous débouchons sur les dimensions émotions et intelligence situationnelle.
A Late Neolithic Structured Dwelling: the Automobile Village of Lachaup, Gap (Hautes-Alpes) (Abridged version)
Authors: Dubesset Denis , Bouchet Marie , Garnier Nicolas , Rodet-Belarbi Isabelle , Sargiano Jean-Philippe , Sivan Olivier , Wattez Julia , Bourgarel Nicolas , Guériel Frédéric , Millet Marie
Published: July 2024

The Village Automobile de Lachaup, located about 5 km south of Gap agglomeration, was the subject of a preventive excavation in 2015 executed by Inrap under the direction of D. Dubesset. The site is located on the western slope of a small relief culminating at about 720 m altitude. The study revealed a structured habitat articulated around a ditch. To the east, it delimits an area devoted to the installation and operation of twenty circular heating stone hearths. Organic analyzes realised on the blocks of four hearths made it possible to highlight contact with animal fat and thus confirm their functioning in a culinary context. The domestic space is located west and below the ditch and more precisely in the northwestern part of the excavated right-of-way. In this sector, a house plan of approximately 104 m² was highlighted. The building consists of eighteen post holes. They draw a symmetrical rectangular plan with two naves. The associated domestic space is made up of floor revealed through a micromorphological study, a small hearth with hot stones and other postholes. The small amount of finds collected provides little information. Thus, the chronology was apprehended through the nine radiocarbon analyses. After calibration, these give an overall chronological range between 2886 and 2468 cal. BCE at 95.40% probability. The imprecision can be explained by a plateau phenomenon. The site of the Lachaup automobile village is singular because of the organization of its space. It renews our knowledge of habitat in the South-East of France and allows us to understand in a new light the ways of life of late Neolithic societies in the Hautes-Alpes.
Women’s Devotion to the Prophet as Reflected in the Literary Construction of a Non-Canonical Mawlid Narrative: Abū al-Ḥasan al-Bakrī’s Kitāb al-anwār
Authors: Tondi Arianna
Published: July 2024

The Kitāb al-anwār attributed to Abū al-Ḥasan al-Bakrī continues to be, after many centuries, a mysterious narrative, and his alleged author even more enigmatic. The work narrates the creation and transmission of the prophetic light following the tropes of popular romance. In this article we will focus on one of its most peculiar features, that is, the detailed and emotional representation of female characters and the woman’s realm. We will argue that female empowerment – a typical feature of folklore literature – could be the result of the storyteller’s will to appeal to female audience that attended the celebrations for the birth of the Prophet in medieval times. To support our argument we will compare different versions of the work, manuscripts and printed, to demonstrate how the literary depiction of women-related themes is more elaborated in the latest versions of the work, produced when mawlid festivals were a well-established practice. Popular Mawlid Narrative, Abū al-Ḥasan al-Bakrī, Storyteller, Women, Mawlid ceremonies, Folklore, Sīra Shaʿbiyya
Competitiveness of Sri Lankan Tea in the International Market: A Trade Flow Analysis
Authors: Kamburawala Tharindu Udayanga , Abeyrathne Dilmini Hasintha
Published: July 2024

For more than 150 years, Sri Lanka has had a significant influence on the world market for tea. Sri Lanka is one of the world's top producers and exporters of tea. However, Sri Lanka's tea industry encounters a number of challenges due to internal and external market conditions, including governmental regulations, rising labour costs, and supply chain disruptions. These challenges can affect the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s tea exports in the global market. Therefore, it is important to understand how the competitiveness of Sri Lankan tea exports in the global tea market changed over time. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the relative contribution of Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the international market and to assess the level of competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s tea exports. Based on the positivist research philosophy and quantitative approach, this study adopted four indexes to assess the level of competition. These indices include export market share (MS), export unit price (EUP), revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and revealed trade advantage (RTA). The study's findings demonstrated that while the export unit price exhibited an upward trend, Sri Lanka's market share in the world tea market has decreased over time. According to the findings of the RCA and RTA indices, Sri Lanka's competitiveness in terms of international tea exports has continuously decreased. Kenya, on the other hand, has witnessed a rise in tea export competition, while China and India have seen a decline in tea export competition. This study emphasizes the need for implementing efficient production methods in order to provide Sri Lankan tea to the global market at a lower price. Additionally, government policies ought to focus on offering technical assistance to boost productivity in the Sri Lankan tea industry.
The effect of Z-Score on Year Grade Point Average (YGPA) and Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) in Faculty of Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU)
Authors: Nawarathne N. G. S. A. , Nawarathne N. G. R. M. , Udara W. I. N.
Published: July 2024

A collection of 182 Intake 35 day scholar undergraduates who had followed the Local GCE Advanced Level examination from the Faculty of Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), was selected. Data was collected from the several departments and units of KDU. The Grade Point Average (GPA) was considered the scale of a student’s academic performance in the study. A descriptive analysis was performed to differentiate the configuration of the data and the relationship between the Year Grade Point Average (YGPA), and Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) variables with the Z-Score. Spearman and Kendall rank correlation tests were performed in the analysis. The results indicated that the Z-score has a comparatively strong positive relationship with student’s performance at the university in their first year and the class selection.
PERMA Profiler: Adaptation to Sinhala
Authors: Solomons T. H. , Katriarachchi S. , Galante J. , Waas D.
Published: July 2024

Recent history has seen an increased interest in wellbeing. This interest has been observed in clinical settings as well as at the level of state policies and at corporate levels. Following this interest, many models of wellbeing have been developed. The PERMA model of wellbeing was a more recent development forwarded by Martin Seligman, which measures the five core elements of wellbeing that are referred to as PERMA. The acronym stands for positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. This model is based on the conceptual framework of positive psychology. PERMA profiler is a psychometric measure of wellbeing, which is based on the PERMA model. This tool has been gaining recognition as a reliable and valid tool for the measurement of wellbeing, especially in occupational settings. The current study aimed to adapt the PERMA profiler to Sinhala, which is the language used by the majority of Sri Lankans. The tool was translated by two psychologists and was synthesised to one single translated version by a panel of three experts, and it was evaluated for clarity and relevance by another panel of experts. The pre-testing was done in a sample of 15 individuals and the back translation was carried out by a professional translator. The adaptation was completed in consultation with the original authors of the scale. Results indicated that the Sinhalese adaptation of the PERMA profiler was deemed to be well-suited to be used with Sinhalese speaking populations with an average education.
Integrating Socio Cultural Theory and Bloom’s Taxonomy to Overcome Xenoglossophobia and Anxiety in English Language Speaking in Sri Lankan Undergraduates
Authors: Wijetunge M. T. N.
Published: July 2024

The importance of knowing a second or a foreign language today has become a pivotal factor with regard to education, travel, trade, business, information, communication and most importantly to acquire a recognizable occupation. Even so, obtaining a job related to a graduate’s educational background in the Sri Lankan context at present, is a challenging task. Having realized this, the local government of Sri Lanka have been taking measures in teaching English at local government schools from Grade 3 onwards since 1950’s. Nonetheless, even by the time the Sri Lankan local government school children enter university after engaging in English language learning for over a decade and subsequent to Ordinary and Advanced level examinations, their English-speaking skills stand at a marginal level with traits of xenoglossophbia and anxiety. Thus, the aim of the study is to find out the main factors that influence xenoglossophobia and suggest strategies to overcome them. A sample of 32 Engineering undergraduates from the first year of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) was selected based on purposive sampling technique. The selection process was performed based on an Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI). After having exposed the students to a teaching process for 15 academic weeks, they were re-administered through a post-OPI. The lesson plans were set according to Blooms Taxonomy knowledge-based objectives. Socio-Cultural Theory (SCT) was incorporated when designing the lessons. Data was analyzed via a mixed approach. The findings revealed that the students had increased motivation and confidence to speak English as they were exposed to a gradual process of self-autonomy. Paving way for authentic speaking opportunities via Task Based Activities (TBA) and making students aware of the importance of English language communication for employment purposes from school levels is highly important. Further, teacher, learning environment and material play a considerable role in motivating language learners while self-negativity is a main reason for the majority to possess xenoglossophobia which adversely affects their future employability.
Factors Influencing Behavioral Intention to Adopt Mobile Banking: With Special Reference to Gampaha District Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayamali M. A. C. , Gunaratna A. G. D. L. K.
Published: July 2024

Mobile phones have created a platform to expand commercial transactions and it has created a wide array of business opportunities. With the emerge of mobile commerce, the concept of mobile banking has emerged. Mobile banking offers ubiquitous and hassle-free access for banking customers. Nevertheless, it has been observed that Sri Lankan banking customers are sometimes cautious to conduct their financial activities through mobile devices. Therefore, this research study has been carried out with the objective of identifying the factors influencing behavioral intention to adopt mobile banking with special reference to Gampaha district, Sri Lanka. The dependent variable of this research study is the behavioral intention towards mobile banking adoption and the dimensions of the independent variable includes perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, relative advantage, perceived risk and compatibility. 310 mobile banking users in the Gampaha district has been utilized as the sample for this study and data collection has been performed through an online questionnaire. Both quantitative method and deductive approaches were utilized to identify the determinants that influence on behavioral intention. Regression analysis has been conducted to analyze data and the results indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, relative advantage and compatibility depicts a positive and significant impact on behavioral intention towards mobile banking adoption of customers. On the contrary, perceived risk depicts a negative and significant impact on behavioral intention. Therefore, banks should align their product offerings to the needs of their customers in the process of developing mobile banking products. It will be much more convenient to provide banking customers with a service in order to deliver a superior value and retain them in the long run.
Idiopathic Eruptive Macular Pigmentation: An Uncommon Hyperpigmentation Disorder in Children
Authors: Wee Lynette Wei Yi , Gan Emily Yiping , Koh Mark Jean Aan , Chong Jin Ho
Published: July 2024

The diagnosis and management of pediatric hyperpigmented lesions can be challenging, given the vast list of differentials to consider. We report a case of a 13-year-old Chinese girl who presented with a 1-year duration of generalized hyperpigmented macules and was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic eruptive macular pigmentation, a rare and benign melanosis, characterized by an eruption of brown, nonconfluent asymptomatic macules in children and adolescents. The clinical and histopathological features, differential diagnoses, and management are discussed in this article to raise awareness of this condition among pediatricians and general practitioners.
Development and In vitro Evaluation of a Nanoemulsion Containing Piroxicam for Topical Drug Delivery
Authors: Mustafa Muhammad Abid , Rashid Mahnoor , Jabeen Nabeela , Munwar Maria , Malik Mahnoor , Azhar Mahnoor , Shafiq Aqsa , Khan Iqra Noor , Saleem Nosheen , Idrees Saiqa , Awan Yousra , Latif Muhammad Usama
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

A specific type of emulsion with a compatible droplet size of 20–500 nm and a submicron size range is termed nanoemulsion (NE), often referred to as mini emulsion. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as piroxicam are employed to treat discomfort after surgery, acute gout, degenerative arthritis, and arthritis with inflammation.

Objectives:

With the aim of minimizing adverse medication reactions as well as enhancing compliance among patients, the study intends to develop and assess a piroxicam NE that includes oleic acid and Tween 80. It will do this by investigating the impact of the oil phase, surfactants, and cosurfactants on the product’s chemical and physical characteristics.

Materials and Methods:

After being homogenized, Tween 80, oleic acid, and paraffin oil are emulsified with ethanol and water. Zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, spreadability, viscosity, pH evaluation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are being employed for the characterization of the dosage form. The procedure involves the dropwise addition of ethanol and continuous mixing.

Results:

According to accelerated experiments, four of the six formulations displayed good stability, suggesting their stability. This strategy is viable for NE formulations, with the entrapped drug percentage varying from 99.51 to 101.01. The range included additional factors such as drug release, texture, entrapment efficiency, spreadability, SEM zeta sizer, and polydispersity index value.

Conclusions:

Because of its potential negative effects, the study aimed to develop a stable NE of piroxicam for topical use by combining oleic acid, tween, paraffin, and ethanol. Because of their repelling characteristics, the charges strengthen stability, and the pH’s modest acidity helps to prevent skin infections. The study promotes spontaneous emulsification as the most suitable technique for producing NEs.
An Insight into Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity Screening, Molecular Dynamic Simulation, and Molecular Docking of Glycitein as Hepatoprotective Isoflavone
Authors: Mittal Payal , Chowdhury Aritri , Arya Girish Chandra
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Several chemicals and metals, as well as a number of pharmaceutical preparations, are reportedly thought to have a major impact on the emergence of liver disease. According to postcommercialization regulatory considerations, it has been regarded as the most predisposing factor for acute liver failure. Thus, according to recent statistics, nearly 1 in 10 people have a liver illness of some form. 5.5 million of them suffer from chronic liver disease. Any type of viral infection, immune system abnormalities, ingestion of too many poisons, cancer, or other genetic condition may result in liver disease. In addition, the liver may get toxified through some drugs Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), chemicals, radiation, and ions.

Objective:

This study involves an in-silico evaluation of one of the soy isoflavones glycitein targeting interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and estrogen receptors (ERs) in hepatological disorders by the computational method. The docking result of glycitein is being compared with silymarin as a standard hepatoprotective agent. As a final step, two molecular dynamics (MD) simulation experiments for 150 ns were carried out as a refinement step for the proposed approach.

Materials and Methods:

The proteins were created using PubChem and viewed by PyMol software. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the selected isoflavone glycitein, selection, and modeling of the target enzymes accompanied by the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis using swissADME and pkCSM software was conducted. Furthermore, molecular docking studies using the Auto dock Vina software were carried out to anticipate the binding affinities of Glycitein to the active sites of the intended targets. The proposed method was then refined by the execution of two 150 ns MD simulations and molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) studies.

Results:

All the protein structures were good quality and within the acceptable range. Glycitein exhibited an excellent docking score against IL-6 (−6.4 kcal/mol), IL-1 β (−6.4 kcal/mol), ER (−6.8 kcal/mol), and TNF-α (−6.5 kcal/mol) in comparison with Silymarin which were further screened for drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic parameters including ADMET. Glycitein was found to be the best possible TNF inhibitor hereunder indicated by the MD and MM-PBSA outputs because it demonstrated greater stability and average binding free energy for the ligand-enzyme complex in comparison to Silymarin.

Conclusion:

The results from the chosen database proved that glycitein is a potent hepatoprotective isoflavone possessing a favorable ADMET profile, lesser or no toxicity, and higher bioavailability which can be further used as a lead compound for preclinical screening.
Redefining the Envelope of Discrepancy in Contemporary Orthodontics: A Narrative Review
Authors: Biyani Shruti S. , Swami Vinit D. , Swami Vasanthi V.
Published: July 2024

Redefining the envelope of discrepancy with temporary anchorage devices (TADs) refers to the use of mini-implants, miniplates, or miniscrews in orthodontics to expand the range of possible tooth movements and correct complex dental discrepancies. By strategically placing TADs in specific locations, orthodontists can create an augmented anchorage system that enables them to move teeth in ways that were previously not feasible. This expanded envelope of discrepancy allows for more efficient and effective treatment of complex malocclusions, including retraction of teeth, correction of severe crowding, open bites, deep bites, and cases with missing teeth. TADs allow orthodontists to have greater control over tooth movements, as they provide stable and reliable anchorage points. Orthodontists can tackle more challenging cases that were considered difficult or even impossible to treat. TADs minimize the dependence on patient cooperation since they provide additional anchorage independent of patient compliance. They can accelerate treatment by allowing orthodontists to move teeth more efficiently and effectively. Thus, treatment duration can be shortened, reducing the overall time patients spend in braces or aligners. Overall, redefining the envelope of discrepancy with TADs has significantly expanded the possibilities in orthodontic treatment, allowing for more precise and efficient correction of complex dental discrepancies.
Clinical Problem Solving: Management Conundrums in Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Bende Tejas , Jana Partha , Hunge Shivraj , Sunavala Ayesha , Rodrigues Camilla , Soman Rajeev
Published: July 2024

Tuberculosis involving the central nervous system is a treacherous disease. Resistant TB, vasculitis, raised intracranial pressure, and paradoxical response add to the problems faced by the patient. Adverse effects of drugs, interactions, and uncertainties in management mean that a multidisciplinary approach involving infectious diseases physician, neurologist, and microbiologist is needed for optimal management.
Tigecycline as Salvage Therapy in a Neonate with Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Meningitis and Ventriculitis – Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Arora Ananya , Qureshi Shariqa , Jajoo Mamta
Published: July 2024

Multi drug resistant (MDR) infections especially in paediatric population, with already limited treatment options, often leave clinicians at loss for an effective antimicrobial treatment making us as helpless as in pre-antibiotic era. Tigecycline is an ‘immature’ antibiotic for children. According to FDA, tigecycline is only indicated in patients 18 years of age and older for the treatment of complicated MDR infection. According to the published literature, the youngest patient on whom Tigecycline treatment has been attempted was 73 day old baby born at 27 weeks gestation with a birth weight of 1028 grams having Acinetobacter baumanii ventriculitis . Here, we discuss use of Tigecycline in a neonate with MDR Klebsiella Pneumoniae meningitis and ventriculitis who presented to us on day 12 of life. Child was born preterm at 34 weeks and 3 days by Lower Segment Caesarean Section in view of foetal distress, maternal preeclampsia and gestational hypothyroidism in a private hospital. On 12thday of life the baby presented to our hospital after being referred with complaints of abnormal body movements, lethargy, difficulty in taking feeds and difficulty in breathing. The complaints had been documented to be present since birth but were increasing over time. Aerobic culture of CSF led to isolation of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to most empirical antibiotics, with intermediate susceptibility to Amikacin susceptibility to Colistin and Tigecycline. We found our isolate produced both NDM and OXA-48 contributing to the increased virulence and resistance of the strain. Considering the paucity of knowledge of Tigecycline’s efficacy and safety in children less than 8 years, lack of FDA approval and the fact that CSF bioavailability is considered low, Tigecycline therapy was deferred and infant was continued on injection Meropenem and injection Amikacin. Condition of child did not improve and marginal weight gain was documented over next 10 days. CSF culture from repeat LP again grew Klebsiella pneumoniae with same susceptibility pattern. On day 23 due adverse affects, and injection Tigecycline was added. A total of 42 days of Meropenem and 21 days of Tigecycline were completed and child was discharged after 42 days of hospital stay. Child was gaining weight, taking feeds orally and no abnormal body movements were present. The child is being followed up for long term sequelae of HIE 2 and meningitis on OPD basis