bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) adapted to work: Psychometric Properties of the Satisfaction with Work Scale (SWWS)
Authors: Merino Mª Dolores , Privado Zamorano Jesús , Durán Rocío
Published: August 2021

El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido adaptar la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) al contest laboral, generando la Escala de Satisfacción con el Trabajo (SWWS). Para ello, los ítems fueron adaptados al context laboral modificando la version original SWLS lo menos possible. Se empleó una muestra de 199 trabajadores de diferentes sectores con una media de edad 33,53 años (DT = 12,78 años). La validez interna, convergente y de constructo fue analizada, también la fiabilidad y la invarianza en función del sexo. Los resultados indican que SWWS es una escala válida y fiable para medir la satisfacción cognitiva laboral además de ser breve, general y de una dimension. Los resultados indican que la SWLS puede adaptarse a contextos específicos como la escuela, la familia o la vida en pareja, algo que hasta ahora no ha sido realizado.

The purpose of this research has been to adapt the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) to the work context, giving rise to the Satisfaction With Work Scale (SWWS). To do this, the items were adapted to the work context by modifying the original version of the SWLS as little as possible. A sample of 199 workers from different sectors with an average age of 37.53 years (SD = 12.78 years) was used. Internal, converge and construct validity were analysed, as well as reliability and sex invariance. The results indicate that the SWWS is a valid and reliable measure of cognitive job satisfaction that has the advantage of being brief, general and one-dimensional. Moreover, these results found, open the way to the adaptation of the SWLS to specific contexts such as school, family or couple life, which until now had not been done.
Prevalencia de la Ortorexia Nerviosa en estudiantes universitarios españoles: relación con la imagen corporal y con los trastornos alimentarios
Authors: Ruiz Maciá Alvaro , Quiles Marcos Yolanda
Published: August 2021

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la prevalencia de la ON, y analizar su relación con la imagen corporal y conductas características de los Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria (TCA), en estudiantes universitarios.
Método. Estudio transversal en el que participaron 534 estudiantes universitarios españoles, 422 mujeres y 112 hombres, con una edad media de 22,04 años (DT = 3,41). Se administraron los siguientes instrumentos: cuestionarios variables sociodemográficas y de hábitos alimentarios, el cuestionario ORTO-11-Es, la Teruel Ortorexia Scale (TOS), el Multidimensional Body Shape Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-45) y el Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26).
Resultados. El 30,5% de los estudiantes presentó un alto riesgo de ON. Se observaron mayores tendencias ortoréxicas en mujeres. El grupo que presentaba alto riesgo de ON frente al de bajo riesgo mostró un IMC medio-alto, seguían en mayor medida una alimentación de tipo vegano/vegetariano y presentaban puntuaciones significativamente superiores en el MBSRQ-45 (p=,00) y el EAT-26 (p=,00)
Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una elevada prevalencia de ON en estudiantes universitarios y su relación con una peor imagen corporal, una mayor preocupación por el aspecto físico y con conductas características de los TCA.

Background. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of ON and analyze its relationship with self-image and ED behavior in university students.
Method. Cross-sectional study with a sample of 534 Spanish university students, 422 women and 112 men with an age mean of 22,04 (SD= 3,41). Questionnaires administered: a sociodemographic and lifestyle questionnaire, the ORTHO-11-Es, the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS), the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-45) and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26).
Results. 30,5% of the sample were on high risk of developing ON. Higher orthorexic tendencies were observed in women. Those at high risk of ON showed higher BMI, higher proportion of veganism/vegetarianism and significantly higher scores on the MBSRQ-45 (p=,00) and EAT-26 (p=,00).
Conclusions. Results showed a high prevalence of ON and its relationship with a worse self-image, concern with physical appearance and ED behaviors.
Los primeros días de la actividad electrodérmica
Authors: Sequeira Henrique , Deren Pascal , Maitte Bernard
Published: August 2021

Este artículo enfatiza las etapas principales del descubrimiento de uno de los marcadores autonómos más destacados de las expresiones mentales, la actividad electrodérmica (EDA). La contribución de las escue-las de fisiología francesa y alemana, orientada por las necesidades clínicas y el deseo de conocer más sobre los mecanismos fisiológicos, constituyen las primeras raíces de dicha actividad. En este marco, Féré y Tarchanoff, des-cubridores franceses y rusos respectivamente, establecieron el vínculo entre la actividad mental y la EDA, por un lado, y sentaron las bases metodoló-gicas de la utilización moderna de este neuromarcador, por el otro. Este le-gado, asociado con medidas neuronales centrales, promete un futuro en expansión en neuropsicología, psicopatología, neurología, criminología y en neurociencia cognitiva y afectiva.

This paper emphazises main steps of the discovery of one of the most salient autonomic markers of mind expressions, the electrodermal ac-tivity(EDA). The contribution of French and German schools of physiol-ogy, aimed by clinical needs and the desire to know further about physio-logical mechanisms, constitutesthe very early roots of such activity. In this frame, Féré and Tarchanoff, respectively a French and a Russiandiscover-ers, established the link between mind activity and the EDA on the one hand and laid the methodological foundations of modernutilisation of this neuromarker on the other hand. This heritage, associated with central neu-ral measures, is promised to an expanding future in neuropsychology, psy-chopathology, neurology, criminology and in cognitive and affective neu-roscience.
Un enfoque psicofisiológico de los mensajes de miedo. Respuestas autónomas, subjetivas y conductuales a los mensajes de promoción de la salud.
Authors: González Javier Francisca , Gómez-Amor Jesús , Ordoñana Juan R.
Published: August 2021

Se diseñó un estudio para analizar los efectos que tienen las apelaciones al miedo sobre las respuestas psicofisiológicas, subjetivas y conductuales en la población diana. Para ello, se presentaron, a 98 mujeres de 49-50 años de edad, tres mensajes sobre el cáncer de mama promoviendo la realización de mamografía regularmente. Los mensajes fueron elaborados de manera similar a los utilizados por los programas de promoción de la salud. Los tres tenían la misma longitud, formato y estructura, pero variaban en determinadas claves que diferenciaban su carácter (Amenaza, Sorpresa y Estándar/control). Durante la exposición a estos mensajes, se registraron, de manera continua, las respuestas psicofisiológicas (frecuencia cardíaca y frecuencia de respuestas electrodérmicas inespecíficas). Después de ver los estímulos, se tomaron medidas de autoinforme y de personalidad (STAI y EPQ-A). Se encontraron respuestas significativas a los mensajes para todas las medidas psicofisiológicas. Independientemente del mensaje presentado, el patrón de respuesta psicofisiológica se relacionó significativamente con la conducta preventiva de detección del cáncer.

A study was designed in order to analyze the effects of fear appeals on psychophysiological, subjective and behavioral responses on the target audience. Three messages on breast cancer, promoting regular mammography screening, elaborated in a similar way to those used by health promotion programs, were presented to ninety-eight women aged 49-50. Messages were of equal length, format and structure but varied in specific clues which distinguished their character (Threat, Surprise, and Standard/control). Psychophysiological reactions (heart rate and frequency of non- specific skin conductance responses) were recorded continuously during message exposure. Self-report measures and personality traits (STAI and EPQ-A) were obtained after viewing the stimulus. There were significant responses to the messages for all psychophysiological measures. The pattern of psychophysiological response, independent of the eliciting message, was significantly related to cancer preventive/detection behavior.
Ansiedad social subclínica en adultos jóvenes sanos: cortisol y ansiedad subjetiva en respuesta a estrés agudo
Authors: Mirete Marcos , Molina Sergio , Villada Carolina , Hidalgo Vanesa , Salvadoir Alicia
Published: August 2021

No existe consenso sobre el patrón de liberación de cortisol y su relación con la ansiedad subjetiva en situaciones de estrés en población con ansiedad social. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la respuesta de cortisol y ansiedad subjetiva en individuos con ansiedad social sometidos a un estresor psicosocial agudo. 26 universitarios (58.6% hombres), edad media = 21.62 ± 0.43, fueron expuestos a la versión estrés o control del Maastricht Acute Stress Test. El cortisol salival y la ansiedad subjetiva fueron medidos antes, durante y post-estrés. Los participantes mostraron un incremento en los niveles de cortisol durante las fases de estrés y post-estrés, con una respuesta significativamente mayor en aquellos con ansiedad social. Los participantes con alta ansiedad social mostraron, a nivel muestral, mayores niveles de ansiedad subjetiva, especialmente post-estrés. Sólo en la fase de estrés, el cortisol y la ansiedad subjetiva correlacionaron significativamente en los participantes socialmente ansiosos. Los hallazgos apoyan una hiperresponsividad de cortisol en población no clínica y joven con alta ansiedad social. Futuras investigaciones deberían estudiar los factores involucrados y efectos de esta respuesta fisiológica en la salud. Asimismo, se resalta la necesidad de controlar la ansiedad social en experimentos que utilicen un estresor psicosocial de laboratorio.

There is no consensus about the pattern of cortisol release and its relationship with subjective anxiety in situations of stress in the population with social anxiety. Our aim was to determine the cortisol and subjective anxiety response in individuals with social anxiety subjected to an acute psychosocial stressor. 26 college students (58.6% males), mean age = 21.62 ± 0.43, were exposed to the stress or control adaptation of the Maastricht Acute Stress Test. Salivary cortisol and subjective anxiety were measured before, during, and after stress. Participants showed an increase in cortisol levels during the stress and post-stress phases, with a significantly higher response in those with high social anxiety. Participants with high social anxiety also showed, as a tendency, higher levels of subjective anxiety, especially in the post-stress phase. Only in the stress phase, cortisol and subjective anxiety correlated significantly in socially anxious participants. The findings support a cortisol hyperresponsiveness in a young, non-clinical population with high social anxiety. Future research should focus on the factors involved and the effects of this physiological response on health. Furthermore, the need to control social anxiety in experiments using a laboratory psychosocial stressor is highlighted.
Capturing multisensoriality
Authors: Goico Sara , Gan Yumei , Katila Julia , Goodwin Marjorie Harness
Published: August 2021

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Toward a praxeological account of performing surgery
Authors: Kuroshima Satomi , Ivarsson Jonas
Published: August 2021

Surgical operations are fundamentally comprised of multisensorial and multimodal activities. As surgical work involves professional and technical skills that entail a multitude of sensorial information, various methodological difficulties and technical constraints emerge for analysts. Subjective sensations and feedback received during the participants' constructed actions may not be available to outsiders, and the privilege of studying surgical operations is not always guaranteed for the fieldworker. However, as practical surgical tasks are constructed from the routine progression of mundane activities, technical and methodological difficulties can be overcome, confirming the perspicuous nature of surgical operations for social scientists as outsiders. In this report, the researchers describe their fieldwork experiences in two different types of operating rooms—gastroenterology surgical operations in a Japanese context and endovascular aortic repairs in a Swedish context—with a specific focus on how they controlled the technical challenges. This demonstrates the value of surgical operations as a site for scientific investigation independent of expert knowledge about surgery.
Capturing the nurse’s kinesthetic experience of wearing an exoskeleton
Authors: Katila Julia , Turja Tuuli
Published: August 2021

In this study, we introduce a video-ethnographic study of a research process in which nursing students try on exoskeletons—wearable forms of technology that are meant to decrease lower back strain when lifting something. We adopt microanalysis of video-recorded interaction to analyze moments in which a nurse tests how her body feels with the exoskeleton. Moreover, we explore how the nurse simultaneously makes accountable—observable and reportable (Garfinkel, 1967, p. vii)—to others how her body feels “inside,” i.e. her experience of kinaesthesia, or the ability of the human body to perceive its own movements and states as a ”body-in-motion” (Sheets-Johnstone, 2002, p. 138). We reflect on how the fact that we video recorded the whole process of testing the exoskeleton with three cameras and complemented our video analysis with observations and post-questionnaires enabled us to capture some of the kinesthetic, interactive, and context-specific aspects of trying on the exoskeleton.
Co-sensoriality, con-sensoriality, and common-sensoriality
Authors: Meyer Christian
Published: August 2021

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Data collection at height
Authors: LaBonte Andrew , Hindmarsh Jon , Vom Lehn Dirk
Published: August 2021

Coordination, communication and practice in a range of extreme and highly specialised work settings rest upon orientations to sensory resources. For researchers to collect interactional data and to make sense of the embodied conduct of participants in these settings, we therefore argue that particular forms of researcher competence are critical. While the importance of a researcher’s competence in a setting has been widely discussed in ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, the types of embodied competence required to study these settings demand further consideration. Here we spotlight ways in which various types of setting-specific participation and embodied competence have informed (i) our data collection strategies and (ii) our abilities to make sense of the recorded data in a study of rope access work, otherwise known as industrial climbing.
Achieving mutual accessibility through the coordination of multiple perspectives in open, unstructured landscapes
Authors: Smith Michael Sean
Published: August 2021

Whenever actors perceptually engage with the surrounding world in concert with others, they routinely attend to the degree to which their perceptions (whether visual, aural, tactile, etc.) do or do not overlap with their co-participants. In making a perception publicly accessible then, participants must not only attend to potential perceptual gaps, but have-at-hand a range of discursive and embodied practices for closing those and making what is perceived by one mutually accessible to others. In this paper, using data collected from a geological field-school, I investigate the embodied and mobile practices that participants use for coordinating perception via perspective in open, wilderness settings. I focus in particular on the visual practices that participants use for making what one “sees” in the landscape or activity “seeable" for others. These practices are in turn analyzed with regard to how they highlight the camera’s role in documenting the embodied means by which these practices work. In the analysis of data, we will see the participants’ perspective or line of sight, i.e., the axis of their gaze become a more explicit and salient feature for coordinating the interaction. Field geology provides a perspicuous setting for not just investigating how participants reconfigure themselves vis-a-vis local features in the landscape in order to perceive those features, but also for examining the relationship between the videographer’s perspective as documented on camera and that of the participants.
Prostate cancer topography and tumour conspicuity on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Satish Pranav , Freeman Alex , Kelly Daniel , Kirkham Alex , Orczyk Clement , Simpson Benjamin , Giganti Francesco , Whitaker Hayley , Emberton Mark , Norris Joseph
Published: August 2021

Introduction The implications of tumour location on mpMRI conspicuity are not fully understood. Identifying topographical correlates that influence conspicuity may improve outcomes. Here, we present the first systematic review and meta-analysis describing the effect of tumour location on prostate cancer conspicuity on mpMRI. Methods Medline, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were systematically searched and results were assessed as per the PRISMA statement. Differential tumour conspicuity on mpMRI was compared between cancers in the peripheral zone (PZ), transitional zone (TZ), base, apex, anterior and posterior. Meta-analysis was conducted to compare diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) of mpMRI detection for tumours in the PZ and TZ. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021228087. Results Thematic synthesis showed apical and basal tumours had reduced conspicuity compared to mid-gland tumours. Cancer in the TZ demonstrated increased conspicuity on T2-weighted imaging, whilst PZ cancers had higher conspicuity on diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast enhancement imaging. mpMRI had better diagnostic accuracy for PZ lesions, albeit higher specificity for TZ lesions. Meta-analysis showed an increased DOR for PZ tumours (OR: 7.206 [95% CI: 4.991;10.403], compared to TZ (OR: 5.310 [95% CI: 3.082; 9.151]). However, the test for subgroup differences was not significant (p = 0.2743). Conclusions Cancer in the apex or base of the prostate may be less conspicuous than mid-gland tumours. Similarly, TZ cancer appears to have reduced conspicuity compared to PZ cancer, however, meta-analysis did not show a significant difference between DOR. Future larger studies with prospective datasets are required to clarify the relationship between tumour position and conspicuity.
Endoloops in Laparoscopic Appendicectomy: a Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Hale Emily , Bowen Joel , Sheen Jonathon , Bowling Kirk
Published: August 2021

Introduction Over 50,000 appendicectomies are performed in the UK annually with significant associated costs to the healthcare system.The aim of this study was to investigate whether a significant difference in complication rate exists where different numbers of endoloop ligatures have been applied to the appendiceal base during laparoscopic appendicectomy, and to analyse for potential cost saving. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of appendicectomies at our centre in one year, providing a sample of 254 patients. Cases were analysed against exclusion criteria, operative method, and histological findings. Each was followed up for complications in the 30 days post discharge and graded using the Clavien-Dindo system. Our null hypothesis of no difference in complication rate was tested using Fisher’s exact test. Results Of 254 patients, 59 were excluded due to open approach, non-endoloop method, or lack of available record, leaving a population of 195. The result of the two-tailed P value equalled 1.000, indicating no statistically significant difference in complication rate whether one or two endoloops were used. Regarding cost effectiveness, an endoloop costs £13.59. If the 62 cases in which 2 endoloops were used to secure the base had utilised a single endoloop, this would amount to a saving of £842.58. Conclusion Our study set out to assess whether the complication rate differs in cases where one or two endoloops have been applied. Retrospective statistical analysis found no significant difference between groups. Based on these findings, we recommend use of one endoloop to secure the base in laparoscopic appendicectomy.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL BURDEN OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF QUETTA CITY, PAKISTAN
Authors: Ul Haq Rooman , Saeed Abid , Lashari Waheed Ahmed , Ahmed Nazir , Ramzan Tabish , Kannar Aqil
Published: August 2021

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sand-flies and is considered one of the most neglected diseases in the world. It mostly affects the poorest of the poor. People living in poor situations are more susceptible. Leishmaniasis includes several variants. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) presents as a localized lesion at the site of the sand-fly bite after a period of several days to months. The nodule then increases in size and progressively ulcerates. In immunocompetent persons, CL lesions are slowly self-healing but often form scar tissue. The disfiguring scars can lead to substantial psychological disturbance, social suffering, and economic losses. Community awareness on the spread and control of disease, reducing social stigma, vector control, public-private partnership, and substantial surveillance indicators to measure the exact burden of the disease is needed.
Imaging cytoplasmic lipid droplets in vivo with fluorescent perilipin 2 and perilipin 3 knock-in zebrafish
Authors: Wilson Meredith H , Ekker Stephen C , Farber Steven A
Published: August 2021

Cytoplasmic lipid droplets are highly dynamic storage organelles that are critical for cellular lipid homeostasis. While the molecular details of lipid droplet dynamics are a very active area of investigation, this work has been primarily performed in cultured cells. Taking advantage of the powerful transgenic and in vivo imaging opportunities available in zebrafish, we built a suite of tools to study lipid droplets in real time from the subcellular to the whole organism level. Fluorescently tagging the lipid droplet-associated proteins, perilipin 2 and perilipin 3, in the endogenous loci permits visualization of lipid droplets in the intestine, liver, and adipose tissue. Using these tools, we found that perilipin 3 is rapidly loaded on intestinal lipid droplets following a high-fat meal and later replaced by perilipin 2. These powerful new tools will facilitate studies on the role of lipid droplets in different tissues, under different genetic and physiological manipulations, and in a variety of human disease models.
Rad53 checkpoint kinase regulation of DNA replication fork rate via Mrc1 phosphorylation
Authors: McClure Allison W , Diffley John FX
Published: August 2021

The Rad53 DNA checkpoint protein kinase plays multiple roles in the budding yeast cell response to DNA replication stress. Key amongst these is its enigmatic role in safeguarding DNA replication forks. Using DNA replication reactions reconstituted with purified proteins, we show Rad53 phosphorylation of Sld3/7 or Dbf4-dependent kinase blocks replication initiation whilst phosphorylation of Mrc1 or Mcm10 slows elongation. Mrc1 phosphorylation is necessary and sufficient to slow replication forks in complete reactions; Mcm10 phosphorylation can also slow replication forks, but only in the absence of unphosphorylated Mrc1. Mrc1 stimulates the unwinding rate of the replicative helicase, CMG, and Rad53 phosphorylation of Mrc1 prevents this. We show that a phosphorylation-mimicking Mrc1 mutant cannot stimulate replication in vitro and partially rescues the sensitivity of a rad53 null mutant to genotoxic stress in vivo. Our results show that Rad53 protects replication forks in part by antagonising Mrc1 stimulation of CMG unwinding.
Intracellular functions and motile properties of bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8 are regulated by neck linker docking
Authors: Goldstein-Levitin Alina , Pandey Himanshu , Allhuzaeel Kanary , Kass Itamar , Gheber Larisa
Published: August 2021

In this study, we analyzed intracellular functions and motile properties of neck-linker (NL) variants of the bi-directional S. cerevisiae kinesin-5 motor, Cin8. We also examined – by modeling – the configuration of H-bonds during NL docking. Decreasing the number of stabilizing H-bonds resulted in partially functional variants, as long as a conserved backbone H-bond at the N-latch position (proposed to stabilize the docked conformation of the NL) remained intact. Elimination of this conserved H-bond resulted in production of a non-functional Cin8 variant. Surprisingly, additional H-bond stabilization of the N-latch position, generated by replacement of the NL of Cin8 by sequences of the plus-end directed kinesin-5 Eg5, also produced a nonfunctional variant. In that variant, a single replacement of N-latch asparagine with glycine, as present in Cin8, eliminated the additional H-bond stabilization and rescued the functional defects. We conclude that exact N-latch stabilization during NL docking is critical for the function of bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8.
Our skin is trouble: Racial discourse in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Wole Soyinka’s ‘Telephone Conversation’
Authors: Addai-Mununkum Theresah , Gyasi Rexford Boateng
Published: August 2021

The recent incident in Minneapolis, United States, where George Floyd, an African-American man, was manhandled by a police officer has brought about the resurgence of racial awareness as championed by the Black Lives Matter Movement. The concept of race has shaped the lives of so many generations and continues to do so in the 21st century. Racial segregation as well as the public hysteria on racism has had so much influence on societies and has led to discrimination and racial slurs across races. Using Critical Race Theory, this study examines racial discourse in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Dead, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and Wole Soyinka’s ‘Telephone Conversation’. The analysis of the discourse reveals racial tendencies in the description of the black race through white-black (Self/Other) binary (racial segregation), race-based discrimination and animal metaphors. The paper contributes to scholarship on racial discourses and foregrounds the function of language in depicting the racial orientation of characters in literary texts.
The Mythopoetics of Atogun’s Fight Against Political Corruption in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Taduno’s Song and Orpheus Myth
Authors: Sanka Confidence Gbolo , Issaka Charity Azumi , Siaw Portia
Published: August 2021

The aim of this paper is to examine the correlation between the Orpheus Myth and Atogun’s novel Taduno’s song through the lense of mythopoetics. It also aims at analysing the manner in which the eponymous hero fights against political corruption in particular in Nigeria. The study is important because it enables us discover the ways in which Atogun adapts the Orpheus myth and marries it to his own strategy of fighting corruption so as to address the contemporary political situation in his country, Nigeria. The primary data for this paper is the novel Taduno’s song and the Orpheus myth. Secondary data in the form of works and papers on myth and mythmaking as well as on political corruption have been reviewed and used to support arguments in this paper. A close reading method has been used to analyse words, expressions, situations and contexts in the primary sources in terms of themes and style. The secondary sources have mainly been used to adduce evidence in support of arguments in the paper. The study establishes that Atogun adapts the Greek myth to the Nigerian situation in order to bring the contemporary political situation of his country to the fore. This is because the Orpheus myth encapsulates universal themes that allow it to be adapted to the present century. The study also concludes that evidence from the narrative indicates that in addition to stronger institutions, Africa also needs stronger, morally principled, courageous and selfless citizens who can rise against political corruption anywhere it rears its ugly head in the continent.
A Conceptual Paper on Future Development of Literacy Theories and Language Learning among Contemporary Chinese College EFL Students
Authors: Su Huanan , Ma Fengyi
Published: August 2021

This paper aims to further understand the future development of literacy theory and language learning in contemporary Chinese universities through the research on the current situation of EFL students’ literacy in Chinese universities and the teaching characteristics of contemporary Chinese teachers. In this study, literature analysis method, literature comparison analysis method, literature synthesis method and other analytical methods were used to obtain the results. Based on our results, the lack of literacy training is an extremely important reason for the defects of literacy skills of contemporary Chinese college EFL students in the process of language learning. The strengthening of literacy training is one of the key measures to improve the comprehensive level of literacy of contemporary Chinese college EFL students in the process of their language learning. Theoretically, the future development of literacy theories and language learning among contemporary Chinese college EFL students is bound to closely connect with the new theory of multiliteracies and critical literacy in literacy development and the multiliteracies teaching methodology in language learning. Practically, the new theory of multiliteracies puts forward a series of hypotheses for school literacy education to cope with the drastic changes facing the world today. At the same time, the critical literacy theory is rooted in critical education theory, focusing on the important role of literacy in the formation of individual human values. Besides, the multiliteracies teaching methodology in language learning explores how to change traditional teaching methods, effectively using multimedia resources, and cultivating language learners’ skills of multiliteracies.
What Is Efficient Social Studies Instruction?
Authors: Kan Çiğdem
Published: August 2021

Effective social studies instruction should intend to train young individuals who are interested, are capable of participating in the learning process, are capable of utilizing technology, have a good memory, look forward to the future with confidence, and transfer the knowledge they acquire at school to daily life. The aim of the present research is to determine the problems experienced in the instruction of social studies course based on teacher views and the means for an efficient social studies instruction. Thus, the case study method, a qualitative research design, was employed in the present study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 teachers, employed in five middle schools in Elazığ province urban center, during the 2016-2017 academic year, and the data were analyzed with descriptive analysis. Thus, it was determined that the inadequacy of course hours and the redundancy and complexity of the topics were the main problems experienced in social studies courses and these were identified as the factors that led to the lack of student interest. According to the views of the teachers, efficient social studies instruction requires a focus on current issues, requires employment of available technologies, and should allow the individuals to transfer content knowledge to life. It is concluded that an efficient social studies instruction would be possible through the transfer of knowledge to real-life situations, the employment of technological tools, active student participation, the simplification and the elimination the discontinuities between textbook content.
The Role of Agile Teams in the Delivery of Distance Education in Saudi Universities Amid the COVID-19 Crisis: Qualitative Data Analysis
Authors: Al-Hamdan Amal Rashed , Alsulami Sami G.
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study is to investigate the role of agile teams in the service delivery of Saudi higher education amid the COVID-19 crisis. The qualitative design of this study allows for an open-ended data collection instrument defined by a semi-structured interview process and thematic data analysis. The study employs a purposive strategy to sampling whereby direct engagements are administered between the author and individual participants. The study therefore analyzes data inductively and reports results where codes are defined, patterns are identified, and themes are generated. The first theme is that the future of Saudi higher education is learner-focused. The second theme is that the value of agile teams increases in the level of operational complexity of distance education. The Fourth theme is that the COVID-19 crisis is leaving a permanent impact on the way higher education is delivered. The fifth theme is that the agility features of adaptability and responsiveness are highly desirable in Saudi higher education settings. The sixth theme is the great potential for agile teams in the delivery of distance education is to enhance learners’ labor market competitiveness while augmenting their sense of responsible citizenship. The study implies that agile teams have great potential in the service delivery of Saudi higher education.
Supporting the Needs of Children through Arts and Culture: An Interview with Anabel Negrín (Librarian of El Parnaso, Uruguay Services for Children and Teenagers)
Authors: Lo Patrick , Allard Bradley
Published: August 2021

El Parnaso is an interesting cultural center in the small city of Young, which is located a bit north of Trinidad, Uruguay. This center is a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the information needs of its population, and it contains a children’s library and a music library. El Parnaso hosts a wide variety of activities for children and young people, including music, origami, and even Greek language. Anabel Negrín is the librarian of El Parnaso, and she is responsible for managing the library’s resources and offers information services to users who visit. A native Youngenese, Negrín has returned to her birthplace after working in various academic libraries in Uruguay. In this interview, she introduces her library, gives an overview of various education issues in Uruguay, and provides interesting stories about her experience at El Parnaso.
Role of English Language as a Literacy Tool in Shaping the Perception of Women’s Empowerment
Authors: D Lydia , S Vighnarajah
Published: August 2021

Over the centuries, the notion of women’s empowerment has created an immense effect on both women and men. This research aims to study the influence of the English language in shaping the concept of women’s empowerment amongst undergraduate students in a private university in Malaysia. The objectives of this study are to identify male and female undergraduates’ perception towards women’s empowerment and to investigate the correlation between the role of the English language and the undergraduates’ perceptions towards women’s empowerment. This study is based on a correlational research design that includes 570 undergraduates from 6 distinct faculties. T-test and regression analysis were done to test the correlation between the variables and their significance. The findings of this study established that there is a significant difference between male and female students’ perceptions that indicates that female and male participants have varying perceptions towards women’s empowerment. With the English language playing a significant role in shaping the perception of women’s empowerment, the female participants were self-aware of how engagement in the English language can enhance the extent of their empowerment. Projection of the findings also addressed the growing importance of literacy as a mediator in the relationship between the English language and women’s empowerment.
Students’ Perception of Lecturers’ Behaviors in the Learning Environment
Authors: Noori Abdul Qawi , Orfan Sayeed Naqibullah , Nawi Abdullah Mohd
Published: August 2021

This study aims to investigate the perception of undergraduate students about their lecturers’ behaviours in their learning environment. Behaviour is the explanation of observable outcomes and interaction between students and instructors. Behaviour can be positive, negative, effective or ineffective, and the way in which lecturers behave with their students in the learning environment may affect their learning experience and motivation. A Quantitative research design was employed in conducting the study. A questionnaire with 27 items was used to collect data from 140 randomly selected respondents from Takhar University, Afghanistan. SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, i.e., Independent Samples t-test and One-Way ANOVA were employed in data analysis. The findings indicate that the students had a positive perception about their lecturers’ behaviours in the learning environment. The study also revealed that there did not appear to be any statistically significant differences in participants’ responses by their gender or the classes they took. The findings of the current study may lead to policies with regard to lecturers’ behaviours and inform instructors to improve classroom practices in the learning environment.
The Views of Students Towards Foreign Language Literacy Through Synchronous Distance Education
Authors: Dolmacı Mustafa
Published: August 2021

The process of education has been affected mostly by the COVD-19 pandemic process, and distance education methods are getting popular. In line with this situation, the aims of this study are to examine the opinions of prep-class university students on foreign language literacy via synchronous distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic process, to analyse their experiences, and to make forward-looking suggestions. This research has been designed as a case study which consisted of 78 university students (43 male, 35 female) studying at the preparatory classes comprised of different faculties of a state university in Turkey during 2019- 2020 academic year. The data of the study were collected with a questionnaire form consisting of open-ended questions. The data obtained from the research were subjected to content analysis, and the findings were supported by direct quotations from students’ statements. The results showed that comfortable learning atmosphere at home and easy time management are appreciated whereas technical problems and distraction factors affect learning process negatively. Practical applications like online dictionaries increase motivation and transform learning process into a fun activity. On the other hand, decreased participation and lack of face-to-face language practice opportunities cause low motivation and affect the language learning process adversely. In terms of acquiring language skills, it has been found out that SDE slows down skill training, time allocated for speaking practice is not sufficient, and traditional teaching methods are preferred; however, reading is thought to be relatively more appropriate for SDE compared to other language skills. Last but not least another positive finding of the study is that lecturers’ time management skills, professional knowledge, and technological competence are appreciated by the students.
Hybrid rule-based botnet detection approach using machine learning for analysing DNS traffic
Authors: Al-mashhadi Saif , Anbar Mohammed , Hasbullah Iznan , Alamiedy Taief Alaa
Published: August 2021

Botnets can simultaneously control millions of Internet-connected devices to launch damaging cyber-attacks that pose significant threats to the Internet. In a botnet, bot-masters communicate with the command and control server using various communication protocols. One of the widely used communication protocols is the ‘Domain Name System’ (DNS) service, an essential Internet service. Bot-masters utilise Domain Generation Algorithms (DGA) and fast-flux techniques to avoid static blacklists and reverse engineering while remaining flexible. However, botnet’s DNS communication generates anomalous DNS traffic throughout the botnet life cycle, and such anomaly is considered an indicator of DNS-based botnets presence in the network. Despite several approaches proposed to detect botnets based on DNS traffic analysis; however, the problem still exists and is challenging due to several reasons, such as not considering significant features and rules that contribute to the detection of DNS-based botnet. Therefore, this paper examines the abnormality of DNS traffic during the botnet lifecycle to extract significant enriched features. These features are further analysed using two machine learning algorithms. The union of the output of two algorithms proposes a novel hybrid rule detection model approach. Two benchmark datasets are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach in terms of detection accuracy and false-positive rate. The experimental results show that the proposed approach has a 99.96% accuracy and a 1.6% false-positive rate, outperforming other state-of-the-art DNS-based botnet detection approaches.
Living shorelines achieve functional equivalence to natural fringe marshes across multiple ecological metrics
Authors: Isdell Robert E. , Bilkovic Donna Marie , Guthrie Amanda G. , Mitchell Molly M. , Chambers Randolph M. , Leu Matthias , Hershner Carl
Published: August 2021

Nature-based shoreline protection provides a welcome class of adaptations to promote ecological resilience in the face of climate change. Along coastlines, living shorelines are among the preferred adaptation strategies to both reduce erosion and provide ecological functions. As an alternative to shoreline armoring, living shorelines are viewed favorably among coastal managers and some private property owners, but they have yet to undergo a thorough examination of how their levels of ecosystem functions compare to their closest natural counterpart: fringing marshes. Here, we provide a synthesis of results from a multi-year, large-spatial-scale study in which we compared numerous ecological metrics (including habitat provision for fish, invertebrates, diamondback terrapin, and birds, nutrient and carbon storage, and plant productivity) measured in thirteen pairs of living shorelines and natural fringing marshes throughout coastal Virginia, USA. Living shorelines were composed of marshes created by bank grading, placement of sand fill for proper elevations, and planting ofS. alternifloraandS. patens, as well as placement of a stone sill seaward and parallel to the marsh to serve as a wave break. Overall, we found that living shorelines were functionally equivalent to natural marshes in nearly all measured aspects, except for a lag in soil composition due to construction of living shoreline marshes with clean, low-organic sands. These data support the prioritization of living shorelines as a coastal adaptation strategy.
Comparative Physiology of Drought and Salinity Stress in Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Seedlings
Authors: Chettri P. , Atta Kousik , Pal A. K.
Published: August 2021

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iso-osmotic potentials of drought and salinity on physiological parameters of grass pea seedlingsas well as to compare varietal responses.

Study Design: Completely randomized design.

Place and Duration of Study: In the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, laboratory research on grass pea varieties BK-14 and Pratik was conducted in the Department of Plant Physiology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal, India.

Methodology: The effect of iso-osmotic potential of salinity and drought stress was studied using NaCl (50, 100 and 200 mM ) and PEG 6000 (10, 12 and 18%) solutions with -0.2, -0.4, and -0.8 MPa osmotic potential, and the experiment was carried out in sand culture using modified Hoagland solution under diffused light, at about 80±1% relative humidity (R.H.) and a temperature of 22±1oC. Data on different physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded after ten days of seedling growth in sand culture. Statistical analysis was performed on the mean data in all cases following completely randomized design (CRD) by application of INDOSTAT version 7.1 software.

Results: The germination of grass pea seeds was more severely affected by drought stress than salinity. Both stresses had a negative impact on most of the parameters studied except for leaf proline and sugar The impact became  more pronounced as the severity of the stress increased. The highest intensity of drought stress was found to be more detrimental to leaf protein and relative water content in BK 14, while Pratik was more drastically affected by the highest level of salinity. Drought was found to have a significant negative impact on leaf starch in both the grass pea varieties. The highest concentration of PEG led to a remarkable increase in leaf proline.

Conclusion: The mild to moderate levels (-0.2 and -0.4 MPa)  of stress did not produce much severe effects on the grass pea seedlings, but the highest intensity of stress with an osmotic potential of -0.8 MPa mostly produced drastic effects. There were varietal differences in response to two abiotic stresses. In general, drought stress was found to cause more negative effects on seedling than iso-osmotic potential of salinity stress.
The Effect of Irrigation to the Amount of Bacterial Colony Formation in Open Fracture
Authors: Nefihancoro Udi Heru , Putra Muhammad Fariza Audi
Published: August 2021

Aims: To determine the effectiveness of 3, 6, and 9 liters of physiological saline for                   wound irrigation in grade II open fracture at lower extremity in reducing the number of bacterial colonies

Study Design:  This observational study determined the quantity of physiological saline for wound irrigation in grade II open fracture at lower extremity which is effective in reducing the number of bacterial colonies.

Place of Study: Moewardi Hospital Emergency Room and the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sebelas Maret.

Methodology: 16 patients with grade II open fracture at lower extremity who came and received treatment was included. Patients with grade II long bone open fracture less than six hours, patients with multiple open fractures of the long bones taken only in one place, patients who had not received medical treatment since the incident were included. Patients suffering from previous bone and/or soft tissue infections at the fracture site and suffering from multiple trauma who should receive immediate life-saving measures were included.

Results: There were 12 patients who met criteria inclusion. After 3 L irrigation, there was a decrease in the amount of bacterial colony, same as 6 L irrigation, while there was no increase in the number of bacterial colonies in 9 L irrigation. There were significant differences in 3L, 6L, 9L irrigations (p = 0.001), but the most effective irrigation fluid was in 9 liters compared with 6 liters (p <0.05).

Conclusion: Wound irrigation with 3, 6, and 9 liters of normal saline will significantly reduce the number of bacteria. However, irrigation with 9 liters of normal saline dilution in grade II open fracture at the lower extremity is the most effective.