bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patcharatnam-Berry metasurfaces with angular orbital momentum generation and combined phase coding for wideband wide-angle RCS reduction
Authors:   Southern Federal University, Institute of the Radio Engineering Systems and Control,  347928, Russia, Taganrog, Nekrasovskyy Lane, 44, Semenikhin A.I. , Semenikhina D.V. ,   Southern Federal University, Institute of the Radio Engineering Systems and Control,  347928, Russia, Taganrog, Nekrasovskyy Lane, 44
Published: May 2024

The phase mechanism of a broadband wide-angle radar cross-section (RCS) reduction is examined, based on the use of non-absorbing Patcharatnam-Berry (PB) metasurfaces (MSs) with the generation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) and a combination of different phase profiles. MS unit cells contain a thin shielded single-layer substrate and meta-particles in the form of perforated rectangular patches with a coded rotation angle. The purpose of the work is to compare the scattering characteristics and scattered field cancelation efficiency for structural elements (modules) of a MS, consisting of the same number of meta-particles, but having different PB-phase profiles. A profile with an azimuthal gradient, which forms broadband scattering of vortex waves with OAM, profiles with radial and linear gradients and anomalous scattering, parabolic profiles with wide-angle scattering, and various combined phase profiles are analyzed. The purpose of the work is comparing the scattering characteristics. The MS modules scattering characteristics are studied using the HFSS (finite element method) for co-polarization and cross-polarization in the case of irradiation with a normally incident plane circular polarized wave. The simulation showed that the scattering diagrams of the co-polarized MS field in these cases have a funnel-shaped vortex character with an intense OAM minus the first order (the order of the OAM remains the same as for an MS with an azimuthal phase gradient). OAM generation significantly suppresses backscattering by co-polarization. The far-field phase in the vortex region depends not only on the azimuthal, but also on the meridional observation angles. The combination of OAM and parabolic profile increases the diffusion of broadband scattering, realizes a wider-angle scattering of the resulting field with a vortex opening angle of about 100° (at an average frequency of 14 GHz), which is important for RCS reduction.
Ser professor de Educação Infantil: motivações, dificuldades e provisão ambiental
Authors: De Carvalho Maria Aparecida , Tosta Rosa Maria
Published: May 2024

Este artigo aborda o lugar do/a professor/a de Educação Infantil, de modo a destacar as motivações da escolha profissional, as dificuldades e as diversas relações estabelecidas entre colegas, família e órgãos reguladores oficiais da Educação. Trata ainda do papel do ambiente e de suas possíveis interferências, ofertando ou não, a sustentação necessária ao cumprimento das tarefas inerentes aos/às educadores/as. Para explanação do tema, foi utilizada a teoria winnicottiana, contribuições de alguns autores que se referem à Educação, bem como excertos de entrevistas realizadas com cinco educadoras de um Centro de Educação Infantil (CEI) da Prefeitura Municipal de São Paulo (PMSP). O/a professor/a ocupa o centro da discussão, na medida em que pode, a partir de cuidados adequados dirigidos à criança, interferir na constituição subjetiva e, assim, prevenir riscos e promover saúde.
Основные направления в создании исходного материала клевера лугового методом полиплоидизации
Authors: Новоселов М. , Дробышева Л. , Старшинова О. , Одноворова А.
Published: May 2024

Представлены результаты многолетних исследований (с 1962 по 2023 г.) по использованию различных направлений метода полиплоидизации в селекции клевера лугового: повышение продуктивности растений, экологическая устойчивость сортов, межвидовая гибридизация, способ биологической изоляции, создание мейотических гибридов. Выявлено, что тетраплоидные генотипы превосходят свои диплоидные аналоги по основным морфо-биологическим показателям: тетраплоидный сорт Тетра-ВИК по урожайности сухого вещества на 13% превышает диплоидный аналог ВИК-7. Полиплоидия как фактор гетерозиготности и, следовательно, стрессоустойчивости позволяет создавать экологически устойчивый исходный материал. Оценка более 30 сортов и сортообразцов на диплоидном и тетраплоидном уровнях в экстремально засушливых условиях показала преимущество последних по урожайности сухой массы на 37% в 1-й год пользования и на 24% – во 2-й год пользования. Межвидовая гибридизация дает широкие возможности при селекции клевера лугового на высокую семенную продуктивность при использовании признака самосовместимости у других видов клеверов. Гибриды, полученные при скрещивании селекционного номера клевера лугового и клевера инкарнатного, отличались высокой способностью к самоопылению (43-56%). Тетраплоидные сорта с рецессивными маркерными признаками стабильны при репродуцировании в ряду поколений. Создание тетраплоидных форм позволяет получать селекционный материал с повышенными показателями хозяйственно ценных признаков, получено около 10 тетраплоидных сортов. Они отличаются высокой кормовой продуктивностью, экологической устойчивостью и стабильностью при репродуцировании в ряду поколений и востребованы в сельскохозяйственном производстве.
Batı Karadeniz Toplumunda 18 Yaş Altı Bireylerde Maloklüzyon Prevalansı
Authors: Hezenci Yasin , Bulut Musa
Published: May 2024

Amaç: Çalışmamızın amacı, toplumda artma eğiliminde olan ortodontik tedavi talebi nedeniyle maloklüzyon tiplerinin 18 yaş altı bireylerde prevalansını araştırmaktır.
Yöntem: 18 yaş altı 1043 hasta (547 kadın, 496 erkek) incelendi. Aynı röntgen cihazı (Pax uni 3D; Vatech, Seoul, Korea) ile alınan kayıtlar seçildi. Bilgisayar destekli dijital sefalometrik analiz programı Nemoceph (Nemotec, Madrid, İspanya) ile sefalometrik çizimler yapıldı. ANB (˚) açısı, 0˚- 4˚ arası olduğunda birey iskeletsel Sınıf I, 4˚’den büyük olduğu durumlarda Sınıf II ve 0˚’den küçük olduğunda ise sınıf III olarak kabul edildi.
Bulgular: Yaş aralığı 7 yıl 8 ay ile 17 yıl 10 ay olarak hesaplandı. Yaş ortalamaları en düşük sınıf III kızlarda (12.78±2.15), en yüksek sınıf II erkeklerde (13.62±1.73) bulundu. Kadınlarda Sınıf I, II ve III maloklüzyon sırasıyla %58.5- %32.5 ve %9 oranında, erkeklerde ise %53.6, %36.9 ve %9.5 oranında tespit edildi. Cinsiyet ayrımı yapılmadığında Sınıf I, II ve III maloklüzyon görülme oranları sırasıyla %56.2-%34.6 ve %9.2 olarak hesaplandı. Cinsiyetler arasında maloklüzyonların görülme yüzdelerinde anlamlı fark bulunmadı (p>0.05).
Sonuç: İskeletsel maloklüzyonun lateral sefalometrik radyograf ile incelendiği bu çalışmada, erkek ve kızlarda sınıf I maloklüzyon daha yüksek oranda gözlendi. Sınıf II ve Sınıf III maloklüzyon tipleri erkeklerde daha yüksek oranda gözlense de istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmadı.
Observation of the morphology of Fragilaria pararumpens (Bacillariophyta), a rare diatom species for the Russia
Authors: Genkal S. I. , Komulaynen S. F. , Gololobova M. A.
Published: May 2024

Based on SEM examination of the phytobenthos samples collected in the tributaries of the Svir River (Leningrad Region), a diatom species Fragilaria pararumpens, rare for Russia, was found. As no previous detailed studies of this species using SEM were performed, we provide a description of its morphology, as well as a comparison of our data with the results of previous studies. Also we provide a comparison of specimens of F. pararumpens from the Svir River with similar Fragilaria taxa.
Confessional factor in the domestic and foreign policy of the Cilician state in the 11th—14th centuries
Authors: Kolesnikov Ilya , Kasparyan Konstantin , Osipov Stanislav
Published: May 2024

This article is devoted to the peculiarities of the influence of the religious factor on the formation and development of the internal political course and foreign policy strategy of the Cilician state in the late 11th - late 14th centuries. The authors consider the specificity of relations of the Cilician kingdom with the Catholic states of the Middle East, which appeared in the era of the Crusades. The article examines the influence to which the Cilician legal framework and the system of government were subjected by the state formations of the Crusaders during this period.
Evaluation of generic stem taper function in continuous-cover Norway spruce forests
Authors: Saikkonen Otto , Pyörälä Jiri , Luoma Ville , Valkonen Sauli , Hyyppä Juha , Holopainen Markus
Published: May 2024

In the Nordic countries, rotation forest management (RF) is the dominant silvicultural practice. RF is associated with biodiversity and ecosystem losses and may compromise wood quality. Due to these recognized problems continuous cover forestry (CCF) has been proposed as an alternative, or complementary practice to RF. In CCF the stand succession cycle differs from RF, which influences the rate and rhythm of tree growth, including the allocation of growth resources along the length of the stem. We studied how the generic Finnish stem taper model developed by Laasasenaho (1982) for RF performs in CCF stands, and whether the stem forms differ between RF and CCF. We analyzed the stem form and volume of mature Norway spruces (Picea Abies (L.) H. Karst.) from both RF and CCF using detailed stem data generated from terrestrially laser-scanned point clouds. The analysis entailed re-parametrizing the stem taper model by management, canopy class and stand strata. Re-parametrizing the original stem taper model according to the strata improved the model prediction accuracy slightly, both in CCF and RF. The stem volume allocation didn’t significantly vary between the RF and CCF, although we noted slight stem form differences between the treatments. Trees were less slender and had more buttressed stems in CCF, based on smaller form height values, and higher relative volumes in stems below 50-% height than in RF. These differences were likely due to the more open canopy space and lower stocking density and therefore longer crowns in mature trees in CCF that maintained more rapid growth in the stem basis.
Affective Paternalism
Authors: Västfjäll Daniel , Asutay Erkin , Tinghög Gustav
Published: May 2024

In this commentary we expand on the special issue themes of applied affective science, ecologically valid data and application, and the need for transdisciplinary collaboration by discussing and exemplifying how affective science can inform behavioral public policy.
Recurrent Negative Autobiographical Memories and Mental Health
Authors: Kredlow Xandra , Fitzgerald Hayley E. , Carpenter Joseph K. , Taghian Nadine R. , Otto Michael , Hofmann Stefan G. , Phelps Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2024

Background: Recurrent symptom-relevant negative autobiographical memories are common in patients with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, even among those without a trauma-related diagnosis. Recurrent negative autobiographical memories may also contribute to distress in non-clinical populations. Methods: To examine the prevalence of recurrent negative autobiographical memories and associated psychological features, we recruited a student sample (n = 101) and a treatment-seeking sample of patients with emotional disorders (n = 123). We hypothesized that recurrent negative autobiographical memories would be associated with higher levels of psychological symptoms and rumination. We also conducted exploratory analyses of participants’ most bothersome memory. Results: In each sample, individuals who endorsed recurrent negative autobiographical memories had significantly higher depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms as well as greater rumination. In the treatment-seeking sample, where memories also had to be identified by patients as symptom-relevant, those who endorsed memories also had significantly higher clinician-rated symptom severity for their primary diagnosis. The majority of participants in each sample endorsed moderate or greater re-experiencing (sample 1: 79%, sample 2: 66%) and avoidance symptoms (sample 1: 78%, sample 2: 58%) related to their most bothersome memory. Conclusion: Recurrent negative autobiographical memories relate to mental health symptoms in both clinical and non-clinical samples. Further research should explore whether targeting such memories reduces distress or improves wellbeing in these populations.
When Should Governments Listen to Social Protests? The Role of Instrumental Considerations and Majoritarian Preferences
Authors: Brummel Lars , Toshkov Dimiter
Published: May 2024

Governments often face social protests contesting their policies and reform plans. In liberal democracies, governments are expected to listen to and consider the demands of the protesters. But in reality, there is often a trade-off between accommodating protesters and enacting timely and effective policies. We study the preferences of citizens for government actions in the context of significant social protests – from canceling and delaying the policies to pushing through with the reforms ignoring protesters to banning protests altogether. To do that, we conduct a survey experiment in the Netherlands in which we manipulate the level of government enacting reforms contested by social protests and whether the reforms are supported or opposed by a majority of the citizens. We also measure whether respondents agree with the substance of the reforms and their trust in government. The results indicate that people are more likely to support governments pushing through with reforms and ignoring social protests when the reforms enjoy majority support and respondents agree with the direction of the reform proposal. Trust in government has a similar effect, but the level of government does not matter. There is very little support for banning protests altogether, and none of the factors we consider predict this attitude. These findings suggest that – even in well-established democracies – citizens’ views on whether governments should listen to, rather than ignore, social protests are contingent on the policy content of the contested government reforms and the existence of majority support for such reforms in society; hence, on a mixture of instrumental and principled reasons, with the principle reflecting a majoritarian view of democracy.
Partial credit trees meet the partial gamma coefficient for quantifying DIF and DSF in polytomous items
Authors: Henninger Mirka , Radek Jan , Sengewald Marie-Ann , Strobl Carolin
Published: May 2024

Partial credit trees (PCtree) from the model-based recursive partitioning framework combine the partial credit measurement model for polytomous items with decision trees from machine learning. This method allows researchers to investigate measurement invariance by detecting differential item and differential step functioning (DIF/DSF) in a data driven way. In this manuscript, we extend PCtrees by an effect size measure for DIF/DSF in polytomous items, the partial gamma coefficient from psychometrics. We evaluate this extension of PCtrees in a series of simulation studies. Our results show that the partial gamma coefficient supports researchers in evaluating whether splits in the tree are meaningful, identifying DIF and DSF items, and can stop the tree from growing in case of negligible effect sizes. Furthermore, we assess and implement a correction for item-wise testing that is particularly crucial in longer tests. Finally, we illustrate the extension of PCtrees using data from the LISS panel to showcase its enhanced interpretability.
Practical Approaches to Lifestyle Interventions for Enhancing Brain Health in Older Adults
Authors: Ownby Raymond L , Caballero Joshua
Published: May 2024

This review focuses on ways that clinicians can work with middle-aged and older adults to help them develop brain healthy lifestyles. We emphasize the importance of being proactive in working to reduce middle-aged and older adults’ risks for cognitive decline and dementia. We discuss practical strategies that clinicians can employ in everyday practice, including shared decision-making, psychoeducation, and support for patients’ efforts at behavior change.We begin the discussion by emphasizing the importance of brain health as people age, even when they are typically considered middle-aged. The review continues with a review of three key techniques which, when integrated into clinical practice, may be effective in supporting patients’ efforts at developing brain healthy lifestyles. Shared decision-making is a strategy to work with patients to provide them with the best possible information about their brain health while at the same time taking into consideration their preferences and individual situations. Psychoeducation can be used effectively to help patients learn about activities that can reduce their risk for cognitive decline and dementia. In the section on psychoeducation, a conceptual framework for understanding brain health activity mechanisms is proposed to help organize information given to patients. The last key element of the suggested intervention is an active approach to behavior change strategies, overlapping with psychoeducation but going further with ongoing follow-up about goals, self-monitoring, and problem solving about barriers to change and behavior maintenance.A final section provides a preliminary path diagram that presents hypothesized mechanisms by which an intervention based on the model might be evaluated. It helps integrate the various elements of the model while highlighting potential moderators of intervention effect in implementation. In this integration of these three approaches, this review presents a practical framework for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and middle-aged and older adults to support brain healthy lifestyles.
A large-scale study and six-month follow-up of an intervention to reduce causal illusions in high school students
Authors: Martínez Naroa , Matute Helena , Blanco Fernando , Barberia Itxaso
Published: May 2024

Causal illusions consist of believing that there is a causal relationship between events that are actually unrelated. This bias is associated with pseudoscience, stereotypes, and other unjustified beliefs. Thus, it seems important to develop educational interventions to reduce them. To our knowledge the only debiasing intervention designed to be used at schools, was developed by Barberia et al. (2013), focusing on base rates, control conditions, and confounding variables. Their assessment used an active causal illusion task where participants could manipulate the candidate cause. The intervention reduced causal illusions in adolescents, but was only tested in a small experimental project. The present research evaluates it in a large-scale project through a collaboration with the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and was conducted in schools to make it ecologically valid. It included a pilot study (n = 287), a large-scale implementation (n = 1,668; 40 schools) and a six-month follow-up (n = 353). Results showed medium-to-large and long-lasting effects on the reduction of causal illusions. To our knowledge, this is the first research showing the efficacy and long-term effects of a debiasing intervention against causal illusions that can be used on a large scale through the educational system.
The Multi-Capital Leadership Theory: An Integrative Framework for Human Leadership Diversity
Authors: Garfield Zachary H , von Rueden Chris , Hagen Edward H
Published: May 2024

Human leadership and followership take many forms, shaped by the social, economic, political, and cultural contexts of our groups and societies. Underlying this complexity, we argue, are key elements of human social psychology regarding social comparison and the resolution of coordination and collective action problems. More specifically, the Multi-Capital Leadership (MCL) theory posits that leader emergence and effectiveness depend on perceptions of individuals' abilities to either provide benefits or impose costs in the context of problems associated with group living by deploying different forms of capital. These forms of capital include material capital, social capital, and embodied capital, which encompasses somatic capital (e.g., physical formidability, height, and immune functionality) and neural capital (e.g., knowledge, intelligence, personality, and supernatural abilities). We apply this theory to a review of the diversity of leadership forms, including leadership in non-state and non-industrial societies. Critically, the context-specific requirements for coordination and collective action, as well as the extent to which social comparison is accurate, profoundly affect the structure and dynamics of leadership and followership.
Unveiling the Multidimensional Nature of the Intention-Behavior Gap: Dynamics of Intentions and Behaviors
Authors: Jekauc Darko
Published: May 2024

The intention-behavior gap (IBG) is a central challenge in health psychology, with significant implications for behavior change and health promotion. Prevailing approaches to IBG assessment involve quantifying it as either the proportion of unexplained variance in behavior attributable to intention or the ratio of unsuccessful intenders to all intenders. While these concepts provide insight into IBG variation at the between-person level, the major part in the variation of intentions and behaviors is at the within-person level. This paper addresses these limitations by introducing a novel framework, in which the IBG is mathematically conceptualized as a multidimensional difference between an individual’s behavioral intention and the individual’s subsequent observed behavior. Key tenets of this framework include: (1) Recognizing the dynamic nature of intentions as a fundamental driver of IBG, with the timing of intention measurement playing a crucial role in predicting behavior. (2) Highlighting the importance of within-person factors and contextual intricacies in influencing the translation of intentions into behavior. (3) Emphasizing the need for intensive longitudinal data with frequent measurements within individuals to capture the dynamic intention-behavior relation in daily life. This framework also highlights implications for study designs, theory and interventions in health psychology and offers promising avenues for reducing the IBG and improving health behavior outcomes.
Effect of testosterone administration on the eating and mating behaviours of female albino rats
Authors:   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria., Umoren Okon A. , Opiti Kingsley C. ,   Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

The study investigated the effect of testosterone administration on the eating and mating behaviour of female albino rats. Nine (9) female Wister (albino) rats and three (3) stimulus male albino rats were obtained from the Faculty Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo. The female albino rats weighed 165 to 215 g before administration of testosterone, and 173 to 235 g during the experimental week. The age range of the rats was from 10 to 12 weeks with a mean age of 11 weeks. A within-subject design was used in the study, with a judgmental/purposive non-probability sampling technique adopted. The females were grouped in threes and labelled group 1, group 2, and group 3 while the 3 males were housed in one cage and labelled accordingly. Before the commencement of the experiment, the rats were allowed to acclimatize for a period of two weeks of which food and waters were given ad libitum. After the first nine days, two female albino rats were sampled from the cages – group 1 (rats B and C), group 2 (rats D and E), and group 3 (rats G and H) for blood samples collection to determine their testosterone levels before administration of testosterone propionate. During the experiment, the females’ rats were administered difference level of testosterone concentration. Group 1 was administered 0.5 ml testosterone concentration (low dose), group 2 received 1 ml testosterone concentration (medium dose), and group 3 received 1.5 ml testosterone concentration (high dose). Thereafter, testosterone analysis was carried out on the blood samples collected from the female rats; testosterone concentration in the rats after administration was greater than testosterone concentration before administration. The paired sample t-test and one-way MANOVA was used to analyse the data generated. Results obtained showed that when testosterone levels of the female albino rat increased following testosterone administration, their mean eating behaviour increased from 36.77 to 85.44, while their mean mating behavior also increased from 34.44 to 44.88. Thus, the H1 paired sample t-test showed a t-value of -3.091 with df of 8. The result was significant with p<0.0005, so H1 was accepted. For H2, t-value was also significant at t = -2.74, p<0.005, df of 8 and also accepted. H3 was also significant and accepted at [f (2, 8) = 21.57; p < 0.05] and [F = (2, 8) 7.706; p < 0.05] respectively. In conclusion, the female albino rats eat more after testosterone administration. They also engaged more in mating behaviour after testosterone administration. Hence, the study recommends that married women who have a sexual desire should use testosterone replacement therapy for better results. This should, however, be used moderately.
Boko-Haram insurgency in Borno State and its challenge to the Nigerian Army
Authors:   Department of Religious Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria., Anjorin Henry K.
Published: May 2024

The paper describes Islam in the Sahel region, prior to the advent of Usman Dan Fodio, who through Jihad, upset the established Islam and replaced same with a new form of Islam, which was said to be purer. He believed that, the Islamic ideology which had been in place around the Sahel region had been syncretic and should therefore be replaced. It does appear that, this development had formed the foundation for the present puritan struggle, led by the insurgents in the North East of Nigeria, where Islam had initially started off in Nigeria. The paper traces the basic beliefs and teachings of members of the Boko-Haram and their splinter groups, which clearly contradict the known Islamic standards. To this end, members of Boko-Haram had thrown caution to the winds as regards western education. It totally abhors and condemns western education and all its attendant paraphernalia. This belief system has set the extremists in collusion with the law enforcement agencies of Nigeria. The war has dragged on for so long, despite the fact that the leadership of the insurgency had been decimated severally. The lesson learnt has been that it would be very difficult to defeat the insurgents, as they continue to metamorphose and develop into splinter groups. To make the situation worse, the researcher discovered that, the insurgents are now internationally affiliated.
The contextuality of African methods of biblical interpretation with particular reference to post-colonial interpretation and African feminist hermeneutics: Issues and challenges
Authors:   Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria., Eton Clement Usen , Eyo Vincent Etim ,   Department of Religious and Cultural Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

Today the Christian churches and Christianity are thriving in Africa as almost cannot be found elsewhere. There are at least 685 million Christians on the continent. While Christianity is traversing the multi-coloured cultures of Africa, points of departure from the old western classical interpretation of the Bible exist. The work employs the historical description of the Bible to analyse the post-colonial interpretation of the Bible and the African feminist hermeneutics. It highlights the strands, issues and challenges facing the interpretation of the Bible in African context. The work shows that such interpretation of the Bible are threatened by issues like syncretism, universalism, Christo-paganism, elitist and separatist tenor of feminist theology, and feminist liberation theology that is too far rooted in gender and sex issues without being sufficiently concerned with other issues that affect women which include: underdevelopment, hunger, disease, political, economic, and religious exploitation. The last twenty one years have witnessed more progress towards developing African Christian theology; interpreting the Bible in African context, than in the past century. Hence, the translation of the one faith of Jesus Christ to Africans being it's very nature and motif, and the terrain should be tread with caution.
Politics of conversion and inter-faith marriages among Christians and Muslims in Nigeria: An analysis in religious contest and conflict
Authors:   Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria., Nwaezeigwe Nwankwo T.
Published: May 2024

Nigeria is a country where Christianity and Islam compete for dominance in the political realm. This competition which often degenerates into physical confrontation is rooted in the 1804 jihad tradition of the Fulani-driven Sokoto Caliphate which is founded on the immutable request for the conversion of their non-Muslim neighbours. Unfortunately, this quest found itself frontally confronted by the fledging advance of Christianity and westernization from the south, with both eventually meeting at the Middle Belt region, which is home to non-Hausa-Fulani minority ethnic groups. Although Islam in Yoruba land no doubt predated the Fulani Jihad of 1804, the later advent of Christianity in the 19th century with its superior sophistication, soon overwhelmed Islam there. Thus Islam subsequently found itself in retreat. With this retreat came resistance against the domineering influence of Western civilization which is often associated with Christianity. It consequently elicited a state of conversion and counter-conversion between these two competing religions which often extends to inter-personal relations, one of which is inter-marriage. The present work looks at the subject of this confrontation from the barometer of conversion through inter-marriages between members of both faiths. Focusing on the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria—the mainly Muslim Hausa-Fulani of the North, the mixed Christian-Muslim Yoruba of the West, and the mainly Christian Igbo of the East, it explores their respective trajectories of response to Christian-Muslim marriages within the context of their religious traditions and by extension assesses their respective levels of inter-religious tolerance and accommodation.
Inculturation in Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches in Igboland, 1857 to 1960
Authors:   Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria., Ogbuehi Friday Ifeanyi
Published: May 2024

The Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches have stayed for more than a century, yet the gospel had not taken root in Igboland. These churches were selected for this study owing to the fact that they were the foremost churches that evangelized Igboland. The legacies laid by the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) and Church Missionary Society (CMS) on inculturation have created problem for the present churches and other denominations. This problem is the negative attitude of these churches to inculturation. The work examined the negative attitude of the RCM and CMS to inculturation and proffered solution to the problem for the gospel to be more relevant for the people. This work used primary source like observation and secondary sources which included books, Internet materials and newspapers. It used historical approach. The data collected were described and analyzed. It was discovered that the RCM and CMS’ nonchalant attitude to inculturation had deprived the people the opportunity of receiving the gospel that was more relevant to their situations and context. It was discovered that the negative attitudes of the RCM and CMS on inculturation are still affecting the contemporary Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches. The work recommended that the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches should expedite action in employing inculturation as a strategy for evangelization in Igboland which would make the gospel to adapt to their situations and cultural context.
The language factor in the politics of ethnic identity among the West Niger Igbo of Nigeria
Authors:   Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka., Nwaezeigwe Nwankwo T.
Published: May 2024

The West Niger Igbo forms one of the six sub-cultural groups of Igboland. The other five sub-groups include: Northern, Southern, Northeastern, or what Afigbo called Ogu-Ukwu, Southeastern or Cross River, and Riverain. In fact substantial parts of West Niger, Northern, and Southern sub-groups constitute the Riverain sub-group. Although all the six sub-groups have cultural interfaces at their borderlands with neighbouring ethnic groups which often generate multi-cultural identity characteristics, yet in most cases Igbo remains the major spoken language. Under such circumstances there has always been the question of identity definition founded on the three ethno-historical variables of origin, culture, and language. And among the six sub-groups there is nowhere this question of identity definition runs higher than among the West Niger Igbo. This question has often been centred on which among the three variables forms the fundamental basis of identity definition. In other words, what defines a man as an Igbo by ethnic classification? In this paper, we have decided to look into this fundamental question of identity definition among the West Niger Igbo in the midst of denials and counter-denials of Igbo identity by some members of the sub-group. It is expected that the work will go a long way in resolving some fundamental aspects of this intractable controversy. In pursuing this objective, the work adopts historical methodology constructed on diachronic approach within the circles of linguistic and ethnographical sources.
Prank as social media comedy in Nigeria: Chibuike’s African Snake Man Prank and Iboji Grave Prank as examples
Authors:   Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria., Tekena Gasper Mark , Anyanwu Remigius Anayochi ,   Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

Prank videos have become the new-normal on social media. Pranks like smashing a stranger's phone, eating cow dung, and eating poisonous insects, have gone viral on social media sites like Facebook and Tiktok, and because social media offers content creators quick fame, stardom and wealth, content creators are ready to do anything including risking their lives just for the views, likes, shares, and the money, fame and notoriety that comes with creating contents on social media. While many have raised concerns over viral prank videos that are anti-social on social media, some Nigerian comics which we call ‘social media comedians’ have been able to create comedy from prank videos. This qualitative study examines prank as a form of social media comedy using Ubani Zion Chibuike’s African Snake Man Prank and Iboji Grave Prank, and employs the digital qualitative research method and netnography as its methodology. The findings reveal that both acts had strong online audience engagement, according to comments by viewers on Chibuike's YouTube channel - Zfancy. However, 6,000 likes, 1,246,990 views, and 2,891 comments on the African Snake Man Prank outperformed 12,000 likes, 376,606 views, and 1,221 comments on the Iboji Grave Prank in terms of viewers' engagements. Also, their comments indicated they liked both pranks and identified with the situations they portrayed. Furthermore, Chibuike's prank rely heavily on natural situations than scripted scenarios. This kind of approach cuts down on production costs and time, eliminating the need for elaborate scripting, directing, and editing. The study recommends further investigation on the various forms of comic pieces on social media.
Ethnic and cultural diversity in Nigeria: A panacea for national development or decapitation?
Authors:   Public Policy and Administration, Walden University, USA., Oluwadele Lalekan Bolutife , Adediran Adedapo ,   International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy (MA), Hochschule Furtwangen University, Germany., Olaogun Sunkanmi Micheal ,   Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

Divisive tendencies are not uncommon in many heterogeneous societies. While the factors responsible for the tendencies may be as diverse as they can be, one common denominator is that if such tendencies are not well managed, they may produce unintended consequences for any society, which in most cases lingers beyond imagination. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state with diverse cultural practices and affiliations. The dichotomous leaning of these elements of ethnicity and culture have the dual capabilities to enhance society's well-being or cause irreparable damage to the entity. Whichever outcome becomes mainly prevalent depends on how well-managed these issues are. Having witnessed too many unpalatable consequences elicited by the dual concepts of ethnicity and culture, this research sought to explore the possibility of attaining other outcomes that may not have negative consequences. This qualitative research is anchored on interviews with scholars across purposely selected academic institutions to elicit perspectives to determine if something can be done to tame the tide of many untoward incidences that have plagued Nigeria due to its diverse ethnicity and cultural pluralities. The outcome of the study is indicative that the outcomes of these dual phenomena can be rechannelled to produce desirable significance by deliberately institutionalizing some pillars that can become the backbone of society. These pillars or institutions will harness the upsides of ethnicity and culture by creating alignment capable of producing synergetic outcomes for the betterment of society. Neglecting such pillars will only mean we continue on the ignominious paths.
An appraisal of the impact Russia and Ukraine conflict on the global economy and peace (2021-2022)
Authors:   Department of Political Science, National Open of Nigeria University, Abuja, Nigeria., Yahaya Jibrin Ubale
Published: May 2024

The unannounced war between Ukraine and Russia has taken the world politics, peace, economy, and global market systems by storm and the diplomatic efforts by world leaders to resolve the crisis have shown no sign of progress. Ukraine became an independent nation with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. It was earlier part of the Russian empire and later became the Soviet Republic and did away with its Russian imperial legacy, thereby forming close ties with the West. Since its independence, the country has been battling with corruption and internal divisions. The objective of the paper is to examine the implication of the Ukraine and Russia crisis on the global economy and peace. The paper has adopted using secondary sources of information by consulting relevant literature on the subject matter. The paper has two major findings firstly, the sovereignty of Ukraine as an independent country was not fully respected by Russia and secondly, superpower countries are playing politics with the conflict which led to further destruction of human beings and facilities between conflicting countries. The researcher recommends that neighbouring countries of Ukraine needs to recognize its statehood independence as an independent country and the superpower countries and other global communities need to show concern and make serious commitment to end the conflict between the two countries to restore the fate of global peace and economy in a good time.
The poetics of rivers and the intertextual practices in Joe Ushie’s ‘Bekwang River’ and Gabriel Okara’s ‘The Call of the River Nun’
Authors:   Department of English, Akwa Ibom State University, Nigeria., Etim Eyoh
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the imagery of rivers and their semantic significance in Joe Ushie’s ‘Bekwang River’ and Gabriel Okara’s ‘The Call of the River Nun’ were investigated. The study is necessitated by the assumption that given the geographic commonalities between Ushie and Okara, there are bound to be corresponding continuities in their topographical verses, specifically in terms of how they depict the bodies of water in their immediate environs. The paper adopts the eclectic approach; drawing critical tools from ‘postcolonial formalism’ as its conceptual framework in combination with the ideas and concepts drawn from the intertextual theories of Mikhail Bakhtin, Roland Barthes and Julia Kristeva, in an attempt to establish the intertextual practices – possible convergences and divergences – in the poem/s of Ushie and Okara. The analysis of the selected poems, Okara’s ‘The Call of the River Nun’ and Ushie’s ‘Bekwang River’, reveals that the river motif, which is strongly present in the poems of Ushie and Okara, does not only serve as a poetic representation of the state of their physical landscapes but is also used to make important poetic commentaries that touch on human nature and the political circumstances of their milieu. The poetics of Ushie and Okara also intertextualise at the level of tropes, as can be seen in the personification and metaphorisation of rivers in the poems analysed, which are deployed to make major statements on the flow of time and its implications on human actions. The study then is indicative of poetry and poets’ place in society as the watchers of the times, preservers of traditional norms and values, pathfinders in a directionless universe, prophets who warn and exhort the people, and the defenders of the oppressed.
The playwright and social justice in Nigeria: A study of Femi Osofisan’s ‘Once Upon Four Robbers’
Authors:   Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Rivers State University, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria., Opara Kelvin Chibenumoso
Published: May 2024

Playwrights play a pivotal role in championing equal justice within society. Through the dynamic medium of drama, they address pressing social issues and work towards catalyzing positive societal change. This qualitative study examines the playwright's role in advocating for social justice in Nigeria using Femi Osofisan's Once Upon Four Robbers with a Marxist theoretical framework. The research unveils the moral ambiguity surrounding the government-sponsored military execution of the armed robbery gang leader. It contends that this action lacks justification, given that these individuals turned to crime due to the government's failure to provide opportunities for the youth, raising questions about the government's legitimacy in administering justice while perpetuating conditions of injustice. In response, the study recommends that in societies riddled with social injustice, playwrights must diligently fulfil their role as social commentators, fostering positive change for the greater good. It stresses that playwrights should not compromise their societal responsibilities but instead advocate for constructive reforms and offer solutions to prevailing societal challenges. This can only be achieved when writers fully recognize their roles as change agents in society. This research therefore underscores the vital role of playwrights in advocating for social justice, especially in contexts where systemic issues threaten equality and fairness.
Assessment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) 1999 and 2001 protocols in the resolution of the Gambian post-election crisis
Authors:   Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Abuja, Nigeria., Halidu Agaba , Cornelius Seniyi Sogo ,   Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Abuja, Nigeria., Olaiya Luke ,   Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

This study sought to appraise two Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols; the Protocol on Conflict Prevention (1999) and the Democracy and Good Governance Protocol (2001), and how they address the political security challenge in Gambian. In resolving the Gambian crisis, ECOWAS adopted some of its already established protocols such as the ECOWAS Mechanism on Conflict Management, Resolution, Security, and Peacekeeping and the ECOWAS Protocol on Good Governance and Democracy. The study relied on the documentary method. So, data were collected from secondary sources by reviewing various newspapers, journals, textbooks, and online sources. The findings of the study reveal that ECOWAS was very successful in its Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in West Africa especially the use of the Protocol on Conflict Prevention (1999) and the Democracy and Good Governance Protocol (2001) as these helped to address the Political Security challenge in the Gambia. Consequently, this study concludes and recommends that other sub-regional bodies should emulate ECOWAS in adopting their conflict resolution mechanisms within their sub-region. Finally, the paper recommends that ECOWAS should ensure that democratic governance through free, fair, and credible elections, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are fully respected and implemented in her sub-region.
A comparative analysis of morphosyntactic features of Nigerian English and Ghanaian English
Authors:   Department of English, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria., imram Mary Daniel , Jowitt David Roger ,   Department of English, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria., Daniel Nanlir Nimram ,   Department of English, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Published: May 2024

This study analyses aspects of lexis and morpho-syntax of Nigerian English and Ghanaian English. It also compares the data from the International Corpus of English (ICE), Nigeria and Ghana components respectively, that are used in the same or similar way in the two varieties. A total of fifty-three lexical items are analysed in this study. All the data were drawn from ICE Nigeria and Ghana respectively. Corpus linguistics was used as a method of data analysis. The AntConc software was used to authenticate the data that are present in both corpora. This study adopts an eclectic approach of Structural Semantics, alongside the theory of Contrastive Analysis (CA), using Bamiro’s tools of lexico-semantic variation for the categorization of the data. The study also uses ideas from Jowitt for this morphosyntactic analysis. The study found out among other things that, some irregular plurals are made regular in NE and GhE (+,-) for example, “…look for qualified staffs…”, “…top officials and other staffs who…” respectively. Also, uncountable nouns are frequently made countable and used in the plural: “advice, agenda, jewelry, offspring, property, machinery” in both varieties (+,-): “…we’ll uphold your advices…” and “…selfish agendas…”. This work has identified some NE and GhE morphosyntactic features/usages from ICE Nigeria and Ghana which have not been mentioned in existing works in NE and GhE. The study has further provided raw materials for researchers interested in the study of these two varieties and also West African English and is of immense importance to the development of NE and GhE lexicon. The study concludes that NE and GhE are separate varieties and have quite a number of distinctive features in common. These two varieties are not errors or deviations.