bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vesicoureteral Reflux Grading using Different Imaging Techniques (MCUG, NM, and US): A Comparative Study
Authors: Omer Awatif , ALharbi Norah , Almohammadi Nada , Alsaadi Ali , Alzain Amel , Elbashir Meaad , Ali Sara , Elzaki Maisa
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the different imaging procedures (micturating cystourethrogram [MCUG], nuclear medicine [NM], and ultrasound [US]) in the evaluation of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods and Results: A retrospective study was conducted to compare different radiological investigations in the characterization and grading of VUR. In total, 93 patients (53 boys and 40 girls) with a mean age of 2.2 years were referred to the radiology department for exclusion or diagnosis of VUR. Age, sex, the pathway of obstruction, presence of VUR, degree of obstruction with VUR, presence of hydronephrosis, calcification, and grading according to MCUG were the main variables collected for US, NM, and MCUG. Our results show that according to the frequency distribution, MCUG showed a higher sensitivity for detecting VUR and the degree of obstruction than the other imaging tools. US showed a higher sensitivity for the presence of hydronephrosis. The grading of VUR was more effectively detected by MCUG than by US and NM grading. We revealed a statistical association between VUR grades and the gender of a study's population, with a higher frequency of grade 5 in boys than in girls (P=0.037). Grades 3-5 showed higher frequencies in MCUG, in which the younger patients (0–50 weeks old) were more affected by obstruction and VUR than the other age groups. Moderate hydronephrosis was higher in boys than in girls (P=0.006). Conclusion: The grading of VUR is more effectively detected by MCUG than by US and NM grading.
Characterization of Primary and Malignant Liver Lesions using Texture Analysis
Authors: Mohammed Abdalrafia , Garelnabi Mohammed , Alamin Asma , Abushanab Muna , Sharif Kawthar , Ahmed Amna , Osman Hamid
Published: March 2023

Texture analysis can be used as a classification approach to describe microscopic changes in the liver. In our study, a total of 260 patients aged 4 to 90 underwent successful liver ultrasound examinations using a General Electric ultrasound machine (21045-87) with a 3.5MHz curve-linear transducer, typically used to scan the liver. The liver was scanned in multiple planes (transverse, sagittal, and oblique) to analyze the lesion based on shape, position, size, and echogenicity. Then the pictures were retrieved and classified into 5 categories: normal, a liver cyst, a hydatid cyst, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver metastases. All pictures were 512 x512 pixels with 8-bit gray-level and were encoded in DICOM format; then three FOS features (mean, entropy, and energy, obtained from the intensity function of the images) were calculated for each ROI through all images using a 3x3 window size, and the data were processed for stepwise linear discriminant (SW-LD) analysis. The classification matrix of the original and predicted groups, using the discriminant function, presents the classification accuracy of each class in which 99.2% of normal liver was correctly classified and 75.6%, 81.4%, 100.0%, and 100.0% classification sensitivity for liver cyst, HCC, hydatid cyst, and liver metastases, respectively, with the highest predictive overall accuracy of 89.1%.
Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 4G/5G and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme I/D Polymorphisms with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Sudanese Women: A Case-Control study
Authors: Ahmed Hanan , Elgoraish Amanda , Abdalla Selma , Babker Asaad , Alfeel Ayman , Abbas Amin , Mohamedahmed Khalid , Elzaki Salaheldein
Published: March 2023

The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the ACE I/D and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms and RPL in Sudanese women. Methods and Results: A total of 232 people participated in this case-control study, including 119 women who had been diagnosed with RPL (Case group) and 113 healthy women (Control group). The case group (RPL) consisted of Sudanese women (mean age of 31.3+5.9 years) who had at least three unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Women in the control group (Control) were matched by age (mean age of 30.3+5.4 years), had at least two healthy pregnancies, and had no history of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes or recurrent losses. Genomic DNA samples were isolated from the whole blood by using the GF-1 Blood DNA Extraction Kit (Vivantis Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia) according to the manufacturer`s protocol. The status of the PAI-1 4G/5G and ACE I/D polymorphism was determined by PCR. Analysis of the multiplicative and additive models for the ACE I/D polymorphism showed a significant risk of RPL with the carriage of the D allele (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.28-3.35, P=0.003) and the homozygous DD genotype (OR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.34-4.29, P=0.008). The multiplicative and additive models for the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism showed a significant risk of RPL with the carriage of the 4G allele (OR=3.11, 95% CI: 2.12-4.58, P=0.000) and the homozygous 4G/4G genotype (OR=3.09, 95% CI: 1.77-5.39, P=0.000). However, the carriage of risk-polymorphic markers, the ACE I/D and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms, was not associated with the number of RPL. The combined carriage of the homozygous DD genotype and heterozygous ID genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism with the homozygous 4G/4G genotype of the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism occurs significantly more often in RPL women than healthy women (P=0.000 and P=0.006, respectively). Carriage of the PAI-1 5G/5G genotype in healthy women was not associated with the ACE I/D polymorphism. Conclusion: Testing for the ACE I/D and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms should be part of the standard examination for patients with RPL.
The Impact of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Regulatory Genes on the Development of Severe Acne
Authors: Rumyantsev Alexander , Dеmina Olga
Published: March 2023

Background: The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial, and it was traditionally believed that four different processes play a decisive role in the development of the disease: the increased production of sebum, changes in keratinization processes leading to the formation of comedones, bacterial colonization of hair follicles by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes; formerly called Propionibacterium acnes), and synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators in the pilosebaceous unit. The role of genetic factors in the development of acne has been repeatedly discussed and continues to be the subject of discussion among scientists. The currently available data from various studies on genetic associations in acne are contradictory, which makes it relevant to address the problem of searching and analyzing the molecular mechanisms of the influence of regulatory genes in the pathogenesis of acne. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze SNPs in the regulatory genes (GATA1, GATA2, GATA2-AS1 [GATA2 Antisense RNA 1], NFKB2, NFKBIA, and NFKB1) in patients with severe acne. Methods and Results: A prospective, open, non-randomized, single-center comparative study was conducted between 2017-2020. The study included 50 (29 men and 21 women) patients (the main group [MG]) with severe acne aged from 15 to 46 years (the median age of 23.2 years) and 20 (13 men and 7 women) apparently healthy individuals (the comparison group [CG]) aged from 16 to 40 years (the median age of 19.4 years). Molecular genetic diagnostics was performed using high-throughput DNA sequencing—next-generation sequencing (NGS). The results of our study made it possible to identify SNPs in regulatory genes (GATA1, GATA2, GATA2-AS1 [GATA2 Antisense RNA 1], NFKB2, NFKBIA, and NFKB1) associated with the development of severe acne. Conclusion: The revealed SNPs within the GATA1, GATA2, GATA2-AS1 [GATA2 Antisense RNA 1], NFKB2, NFKBIA, and NFKB1 genes in patients with severe acne probably indicate the involvement of regulatory transcription factors in the pathogenesis of acne.
The Color Differences in Cervical, Middle and Incisal Segments of Maxillary Frontal Teeth
Authors: Krasniqi Teuta Pustina Krasniqi , Xhajanka Edit , Krasniqi Zana , Dula Linda , Olloni Tetore Olloni
Published: March 2023

The purposes of our study were to apply criteria of color differences among parameters L*, a*, and b* in three vestibular segments (cervical, middle, and incisal) of the maxillary frontal teeth. Methods and Results: This study included 255 dentistry students who volunteered to participate in this study. The color of the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines of the maxilla was measured by the probe tip of the spectrophotometer Vita Easyshade® (Germany). The color parameters L*, a*, and b* in the maxillary anterior teeth differed not only from one another but also from one segment to another segment of the same tooth. The differences in color between the maxillary anterior teeth are evident; especially, these differences in color were noticed between the maxillary incisors and canines. It was concluded that the differences were of high significance between maxillary incisors and canines. The significant differences in frontal teeth were stronger between the cervical and middle segments than between these segments and incisal segments.
Correlates of Satisfaction among Hospitalized Patients in Kosovo
Authors: Kamberi Haxhi , Jerliu Naim , Burazeri Genc
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of our study was to assess selected sociodemographic correlates of satisfaction among hospitalized patients in Kosovo. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May-June 2022, including a representative sample of 508 hospitalized patients (58.1% women and 41.9% men) aged ≥18 years. A structured 19-item questionnaire about patient satisfaction with hospital services was used for data collection. Each item was measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (very satisfied) to 5 (very unsatisfied). A summary score was calculated for all 19 items related to the level of satisfaction among hospitalized patients ranging from 19 (highest level of satisfaction) to 95 (lowest level of satisfaction). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of the summary score of satisfaction (19-item instrument, dichotomized in the analysis into “satisfied” vs. “unsatisfied” based on the median value of the summary score) with sociodemographic factors, general health status, and duration of hospitalization. In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models controlling in a backward stepwise procedure for all sociodemographic factors, health status, and duration of hospitalization, patients’ unsatisfaction was significantly associated with urban residence (OR=1.52, 95%CI: 1.00-2.31), income level (OR[low vs. high income]=2.44, 95%CI: 1.18-5.06) and health status (OR[poor vs. good health]=7.95, 95%CI: 4.43-14.24. Conclusion: Our findings indicate a significantly higher unsatisfaction level among urban and low-income patients. Healthcare providers and policymakers in Kosovo and other similar countries should be aware of the importance of continuous quality improvement of hospital services to increase, among other things, the satisfaction level of hospitalized patients.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Among the Dental Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kosovo
Authors: Cakolli Vlorë , Hoxha Valë , Ferizi Valbona , Shabani Lulëjeta
Published: March 2023

Background: The current pandemic of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 has affected almost all countries of the world. Dental students are exposed to a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to direct contact with patients. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge, perceived risk, and preventive behaviors regarding COVID-19. Methods and Results: A total of 157 dental students from the first to the fifth year of studies, regardless of gender, were included in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to dental students at the College to ensure unbiased responses. The questionnaire, based on information provided by WHO and the CDC on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, contains sociodemographic questions and 19 questions exploring knowledge about the definition, symptoms, source of infection, routes of transmission, treatment, vaccination, and stress related to COVID-19. Most of the dental students recognized the acronym COVID-19 (51%) and knew all the symptoms of the disease (62.4%), as well as the way of transmission (100.0%). Moreover, 85.4% of them had a lot of knowledge about the preventive measures against COVID-19, and 99.4% thought that dentists were a group at risk of infection. About 64.3% of students had been infected with COVID-19, but most of them (63.5%) were treated only with vitamins and paracetamol. Regarding vaccination, 94.9% of dental students were vaccinated: 75.8% of them had received two doses of the vaccine, 13.4% of them three doses, while 6.4% had received only one dose. A small percentage were not vaccinated at all (5.1%), and the reason for this was their allergies and fear of vaccines (42.8%). Nevertheless, several dental students felt that they did not have enough information about the vaccine and its safety (34.4%). The pandemic affected the depression of 49.0% of dental students, and a large percentage of them felt tired of the continued news about COVID-19 (91.7%). Conclusion: The findings show a very high number of dental students who had good knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we recommend informing and educating dental students about the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of vaccination, but also about mental health care.
Therapy Goal Achievement in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Insulin Pump Therapy Depending on the Glucose Monitoring and Educational Programs
Authors: Tashmanova Akmaral , Rakhimova Gulnara , Berkinbaev Salim , Mansurova Madina , Srailova Kamilla
Published: March 2023

Background: Education and treatment programs can help children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and their parents, to independently carry out the necessary measures to achieve the treatment goals. In this regard, it seems extremely relevant to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a training-modified program, considering national characteristics for children and adolescents with T1D who are devoted to using insulin pumps for insulin administration. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified training program in achieving target levels of glycemia in children and adolescents with T1D on insulin pump therapy in Almaty. Methods and Results: Our study included 125 children and adolescents with T1D who were divided into 2 groups. The main group (MG), with a modified educational program, consisted of 68 children and adolescents with T1D who studied quarterly at the "School of T1D." The comparison group (CG) consisted of 57 children and adolescents with T1D who were on outpatient and inpatient treatment in different clinics and were trained in the "School of T1D" by the traditional method. All surveyed children and adolescents took a training course 2-3 times a year (each session 5 days long) from 2018 to 2021. The patients of MG and CG were divided into 2 subgroups depending on the method of assessing glycemia: self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) using an individual glucometer and FreeStyle Libre Glucose Sensor (FSLGS) for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The modified program included the installation of Flash monitoring and a strategy to increase time in the target range, as well as calculating the insulin bolus dose in bread units, calculated in national dishes, then monitoring treatment correction. After a year of training, the frequency of achieving target levels of HbA1c (≤7.0%) increased to 60.5% compared to 30.6% at the initial stage in the main subgroup with SMBG and 66.4% versus 28.7% in the main subgroup with the FSLGS for CGM; it was significant in both cases (P=0.01). In the comparison subgroups, achieving target levels of HbA1c was less pronounced and not significant (46.2% compared to 29.5% at the initial stage in the subgroup with SMBG and 51.1% compared to 29.1% at the initial stage in the subgroup with the FSLGS for CGM, P>0.05 in both cases). Conclusion: CGM and modified learning significantly contribute to the management of T1D, are associated with lower HbA1c levels and longer stay in the time-in-range, and increase the commitment of patients and their parents to the self-control of glucose.
Mesenchymal Subtype of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Review of Specific Features
Authors: Krakhmal Nadezhda , Babyshkina Natalia , Vtorushin Sergey
Published: March 2023

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high invasiveness, high metastatic potential, proneness to relapse, and poor prognosis. Currently, four subtypes in the classification of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are distinguished, which differ from each other in morphological manifestations, molecular genetic features, survival rates, prognosis parameters, and tumor resistance to therapy. A special place in this breast tumors group is occupied by the mesenchymal subtype, the frequency percentage of which varies from 7% to 28%, according to different data. The mesenchymal subtype of TNBC (M-TNBC) is characterized by the expression of molecular markers related to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and cancer stem cells. M-TNBC has a highly aggressive behavior and worse prognosis due to its invasive and stem-like features, which correlate with metastatic dissemination and resistance to therapies. This review discusses the current knowledge regarding the mesenchymal TNBC subtype and its response to conventional therapeutic strategies. The complex approach to finding effective treatment options to restore immunocompetence in mesenchymal breast cancer patients is the final goal for further extended studies.
Telogen Effluvium, Diagnosis and Management: A Narrative Review
Authors: Hussein Ramadan , Dayel Salman
Published: March 2023

Telogen effluvium (TE) is a type of alopecia characterized by diffuse, frequently acute hair shedding. Another chronic type with a more gradual onset is also observed. TE is the most prevalent cause of non-scarring diffuse hair shedding. It is a reactive process induced by hormonal changes, metabolic stress, or drugs. An increase in telogen hair loss (HL) does not imply a reason because TE may be confused with other hair disorders. Dermoscopy, a modern diagnostic method, can be used to distinguish a variety of hair diseases. This review discusses the putative causal variables, clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic approaches.
Brand Foreignness and Anger Decrease Purchase Intentions of Ethnocentric Consumer for National Icon Products
Authors: YILMAZ Alım , KURDOĞLU Rasim Serdar
Published: March 2023

The marketing literature lacks a thorough understanding of how emotions change purchase intentions of ethnocentric consumers' when there are two different nationality signals about the product evaluated (i.e., product nationality signal vs brand nationality signal). To address this gap, we focus on how ethnocentric consumers' purchase intentions for national icon products (product nationality signal) change due to emotional states. Drawing on signaling theory, social identity theory, and the psychology literature on emotions, we carried out an empirical study (mixed-design ANOVA) with ethnocentric consumers to test whether anger and sadness change purchasing intentions for fictitious brands across two different product types (national icon product vs non-national icon product). The regression analysis indicates that when ethnocentric consumers are induced to feel anger, their purchase intentions for national icon products decrease significantly when the product has a foreign brand image. Because incidental anger triggers stereotypical reasoning, angry ethnocentric consumers seem to focus on brand image rather than the product class (i.e., national icon products) signaling a nation’s heritage. Our study displays the powerful impact of the incidental emotions on the ethnocentric consumer judgment and decision making regarding the brand quality and purchase intention for brands with foreign vs domestic images.
Generalised Henstock - Kurzweil Integral with Multiple Point
Authors: Gangane S. S. , Thange T. G.
Published: March 2023

This paper deals with a new Henstock-Kurzweil integral in Banach Space with Bilinear triple n-tuple and integrator function Ψ which depends on multiple points in partition. Finally, exhibit standard results of Generalized Henstock - Kurzweil integral in the theory of integration.
Exploration of CPCD number for power graph
Authors: Anuthiya S. , Mahadevan G. , Sivagnanam C.
Published: March 2023

Recently, complementary perfect corona domination in graphs was introduced. A dominating set S of a graph G is said to be a complementary perfect corona dominating set (CPCD – set) if each vertex in  is either a pendent vertex or a support vertex and  has a perfect matching. The minimum cardinality of a complementary perfect corona dominating set is called the complementary perfect corona domination number and is denoted by . In this paper, our parameter hasbeen discussed for power graphs of path and cycle.
Nordhaus-Gaddum Type Relations on Open Support Independence Number of Some Path Related Graphs Under Addition and Multiplication
Authors: VITHYA T. MARY , MURUGAN K.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, Nordhaus-Gaddum type relations on open support independence number of some derived graphs of path related graphs under addition and multiplication are studied.
Okullarda Kapsayıcı Liderlik Uygulamaları: Bir Karma Yöntem Çalışması
Authors: CÜLHA Ali
Published: March 2023

Son yıllarda sınıflarda ve okullarda öğretmen ve yöneticiler artan çeşitlilikle birlikte birçok zorlukla karşı karşıyadırlar. Bu çalışma ile okullarda okul müdürlerinin sergilediği kapsayıcı liderlik uygulamalarının gerçekleşip gerçekleşmediğini ve ne ölçüde gerçekleştiği vurgulamak istenmiştir. Buradan yola çıkarak araştırmada gelişmekte ve yakın geçmişte yoğun mülteci akınıyla karşı karşıya kalan bir ülke olarak Türkiye’de okullarda okul müdürlerinin sergilediği kapsayıcı liderlik uygulamalarını ortaya çıkarmak amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada karma yöntem desenlerinden yakınsayan desen kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın nicel boyutu betimsel araştırma yöntemlerinden tarama çalışması deseni ile nitel boyutu ise nitel araştırma desenlerinden fenomenoloji deseni ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın evrenini 2021-2022 eğitim-öğretim yılında Şanlıurfa ili merkez ilçelerinde mülteci öğrencisi olan ilkokul, ortaokul ve liselerde görev yapmakta olan öğretmenler oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada kapsayıcı liderlikle ilgili olarak öğretmenlerin görüşlerine başvurulmuştur. Nicel boyutta veri toplamak üzere Hollander (2008) tarafından geliştirilen, Okçu ve Deviren (2020) tarafından Türk kültürüne uyarlanan Kapsayıcı Liderlik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın nitel boyutundaki veriler toplanırken görüşme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Görüşmelerde yarı yapılandırılmış yaklaşım benimsenmiştir. Veri toplama sürecine başlamadan önce etik kurul onayı alınmıştır. Araştırmanın nicel boyutunun verileri SPSS 26.0 programı kullanılarak, nitel boyutunda elde edilen veriler ise betimsel analiz yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında elde edilen bulgular genel manada dikkate alındığında yoğun göçle ani bir şekilde karşı karşıya kalan bir ülke olarak Türkiye’de yine yoğun göçle karşı karşıya kalan Şanlıurfa ilindeki okullarda görev yapmakta olan okul müdürlerinin kapsayıcı liderlik uygulamalarını başarılı bir şekilde sergilediklerini söylemek mümkündür. Bu sonuç her iki toplumun tarihi, kültürel ve inanç yakınlıklarının bulunması ile ilişkilendirilebilir.
Stylistic directions of accordion-bayan music in modern art
Authors: Kysliak Bohdan
Published: March 2023

The article demonstrates that modern button accordion culture is an important part of the cultural paradigm of society, spiritual self-development and self-expression of peoples and nationalities. The ontological status of bayan and accordion performance is highlighted in the context of various styles, determined by the specifics of national cultural landscapes and historical realities.
Process of Changes with Renewal/Loss of Tenement Houses in densely built-up areas of wooden buildings
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiya
Published: March 2023

Urban regeneration is key to restoring areas damaged by natural disasters. The research of Professor Toshiya Yamamoto, Department of Architecture, Meiji University, Japan, encompasses the promotion of the renovation of rows of houses called Nagaya, urban planning and transformation,
housing reconstruction and regional revitalisation. His research is conducted in the urban area of Kyojima, Sumida Ward, Tokyo, which is a traditional Japanese living environment. A key concern in the restoration of Nagaya is ensuring that the buildings are as safe as possible so that the
impact of earthquakes can be minimised. Another important element of the work is to promote a symbiotic relationship between residents and the community, with strong links between art projects and restoration. Yamamoto and the team's work will include performing analyses of the reconstruction
project underway in the area of the Great East Japan Earthquake, analysing map data and the creation and categorisation of an original database constructed from building information and registration data. This data will then be repeatedly analysed in different relevant contexts. The goal of
the research is to improve the structural understanding of recent urban transformation and evaluate the urban policies and plans that have strongly influenced it. The team also developed a manual for producing so-called 'evacuation maps'.
Constructive career development of Japanese local employees and the human resource employment strategies of Japanese overseas subsidiaries in Asia
Authors: Koizumi Kyomi , Sugiyama Akira
Published: March 2023

Global human resources and overseas local hiring is a concept unique to Japan. Professor Kyomi Koizumi, Sagami Women's University, Japan, is conducting a study on constructive career development of Japanese local employee and human resource (HR) employment strategies of Japanese overseas
subsidiaries in Asia. In this study, she is working closely with Associate Professor Akira Sugiyama, Tokyo University of Social Welfare. Key factors that led the researchers to this project are the anxiety and dissatisfaction experienced by local hires who are neither Japanese expatriates
nor local staff but intermediaries between the two and a lack of understanding of a local subsidiary on the part of the Japanese HQ, which could lead to human resource management issues that could affect performance. Sugiyama and Koizumi are exploring whether establishing an effective strategy
of hiring locally based Japanese nationals could enhance the competitiveness of Japanese companies in overseas markets. The project's focus on Japanese nationals who are already present in a variety of overseas regions and who may offer the best solution to the HR management needs of Japanese
companies expanding overseas makes it truly unique. The researchers want to identify the elements and conditions necessary for Japan to once again become a leading country in Asia and the world. Their intention is that their research will lead to corporate activities and individual career
design.
Parenting support and community development effects of public all-weather playgrounds where children can freely gather indoors
Authors: Tagawa Seiki
Published: March 2023

The internet and technological advances mean children are spending more and more time in front of screens and are increasingly engaged in online rather than in-person interactions. Digital interactions are different to those that take place in the physical world. Public indoor playgrounds
have been found to be beneficial for children and communication and interactions in public indoor playgrounds can be effective in supporting the rearing of children. This is the premise of Professor Seiki Tagawa's latest research, in which he and his team in the Department of Community Development,
Tokai University, Japan, are exploring how these playgrounds can help support parents and improve community development. Tagawa believes in the potential of public indoor playgrounds that are tailored to the circumstances of different countries to help improve the environment for families
struggling with child rearing and marginalised children. There is also potential to link these playgrounds with social work service to help address more difficult challenges. Tagawa's research is based on questionnaire surveys of local governments and thorough observational surveys in the
field to verify the most effective kinds of playgrounds, identify operational problems and assess maintenance costs. Beyond fun playground equipment, comprehensive design is important. So far, Tagawa has confirmed links between playgrounds and effective social work.
Compilation of Japanese-Berber dictionary
Authors: Ishihara Tadayoshi
Published: March 2023

'Berber' refers to a minority ethnic group originating in North Africa and to a group of languages also known as the Amazigh languages. Berber is also called Tamazight and is one of a set of minority languages reported to be in decline. Professor Tadayoshi Ishihara, Department of Humanities,
which is part of the Faculty of Letters at Soka University, Japan, is working to compile a Japanese-Berber dictionary with a view to highlighting the existence of the Berber script in Japan. Variations in vocabulary are a factor behind the lack of existing lexicon. There is no such dictionary
that deals with all of the variations of the vocabulary of the Berber language and Ishihara hopes his project will ensure Berber lexicon is attempted by future scholars and that the dictionary will represent a useful tool for showcasing the Berber language to Japanese linguists. Ishihara and
his team have conducted many questionnaire surveys with Berber speakers in order to determine the high-use words to include and, given that 'Berber' refers to a family of languages, Ishihara narrowed down the focus of his dictionary to cover 'Riffian Berber'. In his lectures on linguistics
and Middle Eastern studies, Ishihara highlights the existence of the Berber people and gives his students the opportunity to present hypotheses on the possible relationship between the Berber and the Ainu peoples.
Comprehensive mathematics education development research for the development of basic computational skills in developing countries
Authors: Watanabe Koji
Published: March 2023

Mathematics and particularly computational thinking skills are important. Effective mathematics education is key to this, which is why it's important to ensure that skills are being effectively taught to and learned by children in school. Few studies clarify the state of children's
mathematical abilities in developing countries and Dr Koji Watanabe, Miyazaki International College, Japan, wants to improve the situation. To do this, he will first establish a clear understanding of the current situation surrounding mathematics material in developing countries and then move
onto creating educational materials, including effective teaching materials, implementing educational practices and evaluating their effects. Ultimately, this will help inform mathematics education policies and improve mathematics education. A recognition of the importance of quantity is at
the heart of the teaching materials and educational practices that Watanabe is developing as he believes that academic achievement can be improved through a focus on numbers alongside a focus on quantity. To measure childrens' academic achievement and understanding, Watanabe and the team are
employing quantitative and qualitative methods, interviews and analysis. This includes the creation of tests using test theory, interviews and analysis of the mathematics education curricula and textbooks to improve validity.
Contextualisation of CEFR and its application to the study of Japanese language and Japanese language teaching
Authors: Ono Masaki
Published: March 2023

In 2001, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) began to be used to validate individuals' language abilities. It began as a European initiative but has grown to incorporate other languages, including Chinese, and many are calling for it to be adopted in Japan.
Given that learning Japanese is a daunting idea for many foreigners, it would be beneficial to develop a form of the Japanese language that is easier to understand and can serve as a gateway to traditional Japanese. Professor Masaki Ono, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University
of Tsukuba, Japan, and his team are conducting research on the relationship between an easy-to-understand form of Japanese and the more traditional form. Ono believes the development of a more easily understood Japanese would enable foreigners to better communicate with Japanese citizens and
also benefit Japanese society. The project was motivated by the positive potential social aspects and Ono's interest in the mechanisms and functions of verbal communication, which was sparked by his experience of 'semantic satiation' while practising Aikido in college. Another inspiration
for the project was a comment from an international student at the University of Tsukuba who said that he was practising conversation in his Japanese class, but did not know how to use what he had learned in real life. The project seeks to address this disconnect between learning something
'properly' and 'academically' and applying it in practical settings by developing a Japanese that is easy to speak and easy to understand.
Development and demonstration of a method for assessing learners' English speaking ability
Authors: Onaka Natsumi , Newbury Daniel , Petersen Jacob B
Published: March 2023

Beyond the four basic language skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing – other communication skills, including body language and eye contact, are important for communication and should be included as rating criteria in the assessment of interaction. Also, using
technology in novel ways for purposes such as remote assessment is possible in the 21st century. Professor Natsumi Onaka, Associate Professor Daniel Newbury and Associate Professor Jacob B Petersen are striving to create a cost-effective peer-to-peer interaction English assessment system that
supports foreign language education and testing through widely-used technology and an assessment system that places interaction as central to effective communication. In the context of globalisation, Onaka, International Education Center, Iwate University, Japan, believes that the focus of
English education should be meaningful interaction rather than rote memorization of grammar and vocabulary for testing purposes. She is heading up this research and is a proponent of 'spontaneous interaction'. She and the team are developing a simple and standardised method for evaluating
English-speaking skills by creating tasks and related rubrics focused on interactional situations. Videos of a subject's English speech and communication are recorded and stored in a Learning Management System (LMS) and then evaluated by a third-party, off-site evaluator. The focus is on CEFR
(Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A2 to B1 level speaking skills. By focusing on novice-level interaction, the researchers are able to observe nascent interactional competence among university-aged students and they are attempting to apply some rating criteria to identify
differences in ability. By using video as the text format, non-verbal communication such as gestures can be taken into consideration, along with important traditional factors such as grammatical accuracy.
How to establish junior high school English: Development of learning system with neuroscience verification using language processing technology
Authors: Yokokawa Hirokazu
Published: March 2023

There is a need for better communication as globalisation continues apace and, therefore, learning a foreign language could be considered more important than ever before. Professor Hirokazu Yokokawa is a psycholinguistic expert based at Kobe University and believes that improving one's
English language ability is essential to living better in a global society. He is currently working to utilise knowledge communication technology to develop a learning training system in collaboration with engineering and neurology researchers. When it comes to communicating in a foreign language,
Yokokawa's approach is to offer the text during the retelling task so that the learner can focus on training in grammar coding processing as the initial conceptualisation sub-task has been reduced, thereby promoting the automation of language processing and improving social skills. Yokokawa
and his collaborators have carried out a user survey to determine users' preferences with regards to feedback on their learning and they plan to conduct further investigations to decipher the type of virtual agent behaviour that is preferred by the majority of users and whether this has an
impact on training. The researchers' learning system includes interaction with avatars with a view to increase users' subjective assessment of their own speaking abilities and decrease nervousness associated with interacting with an unfamiliar person, ultimately helping users to feel more
at ease.
Research work of Professor Fang-Mei Lin
Authors: Lin Fang-mei
Published: March 2023

Sinophone (Chinese speaking) Studies was first fully explored by Professor Shih Shu-Mei at University of California with the intention of challenging China-centrism. Professor Fang-Mei Lin, Department of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan,
is teaching and researching gender and nationalism, popular culture, post-colonial studies and Sinophone Studies. She is questioning and de-constructing the idea that a homogenous group of people who speak the Chinese language is Chinese and Sinophone Studies support this, emphasising the
importance of place and location and specific social and historical backgrounds. Lin is also emphasising the importance of becoming native in the place one has settled down for decades or even centuries. The Chinese diaspora sent migrants across the globe and their descendants don't consider
themselves to be Chinese, despite some of them still speaking and writing in Chinese. This concept is supported by a novella called 'Ambon Vacation,' written in Chinese by Singaporean writer Chia Joo-Ming, which Lin is exploring. She is also exploring the multidimensional history of the island
Ambon and its important metaphors, with Ambon helping with reflections on the complicated history of migration, displacement and colonialism. Lin's approach to studying literature is sociological, with emphasis on the literary text in question as a symbolic construction was created, distributed
and consumed in certain historical, cultural, economic and social conditions.
Research documentation of unpublished materials of Kitaro Nishida and the process of philosophical formation
Authors: Asami Hiroshi
Published: March 2023

Prominent Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida founded the Kyoto School of philosophy and is considered the most influential Japanese philosopher of the 20th century. However, there are unrecorded works and materials with untapped potential that researcher Yuta Nakajima wanted to share
with the world. Nakajima and Professor Hiroshi Asami, Ishikawa Prefectural Nursing University, Japan, are working to restore and organise recently discovered materials by Nishida. Asami is Principal Investigator on this project and is also Director of the Ishikawa NISHIDA KITARO Museum of
Philosophy. He has extensive experience in this area and embarked on this research after a large number of unpublished notebooks from the home of a descendant of Kitaro Nishida were deposited at the Museum. Through this work, the researchers want to widely disseminate the philosophy of Nishida
and Nishida's materials, including unpublished materials, and in doing so, deepen the study and understanding of Nishida's philosophy and Japanese philosophy as a whole. In one group of unpublished materials called 'thought notebooks', Nishida himself seems to have written down his own original
thoughts and these may contain ideas that have yet to be turned into papers. Asami and Nakajima are also collaborating with curator Sachiko Yamanada. There are a total of 50 water damaged notebooks and memos that the team has been working to restore and they are now published online. Restoration
involved vacuum freeze-drying and the use of SMART-GS software.
The impact of birth weight on life: constructing twin data
Authors: Yamane Chisako
Published: March 2023

There is a risk that babies born with a low birth weight may die during the first month of life and for those that survive, potential lifelong consequences include increased risk of stunted growth, lower IQ and conditions like obesity and diabetes later in life. Therefore, preventing
low birth weight is important. There has been little research on the impact of low and high birth weight on overall quality of life and, specifically, marriage and happiness. Assistant Professor Chisako Yamane, Faculty of Economics, Hiroshima University of Economics, Japan, is seeking to fill
this research gap by providing insights into the wider aspects of birth weight that will help give researchers a deeper understanding of the potential negative impacts and encourage policy makers to introduce initiatives to prevent incidence of low birth weight in Japan and beyond. Yamane
and the team are using the 'twin effect model' which is a method based on the premise that unobservable factors are almost the same for twins to identify the causal relationship between birth weight and subsequent life. Japan has the highest proportion of low-birth-weight babies among OECD
countries and Yamane and the team are working to better understand this phenomenon. The researchers suspect cultural elements such as a desire to be skinny among women and children are at play here. The team therefore want to convey the health risks associated with being underweight both for
individuals and their offspring.
Marine Industry Promotion Strategy Study
Authors: Chen Ching-Hui , Chu Pei-Chi , Chen Hsuan-Wen , Lin Shin-Yi , Kao Shih-Ming
Published: March 2023

There is a keen focus in Taiwan on the country's Blue Economy and establishing and developing ocean sustainability and, alongside this, promoting economic growth, jobs and livelihoods. Ching-Hui Chen, Pei-Chi Chu, Hsuan-Wen Chen and Shin-Yi Lin are industry researchers of the Metal
Industry Research and Development Centre (MIRDC), an agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and are collaborating with Professor Shih-Ming Kao of National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU) and Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) to help develop the local marine industry. The team is working to establish
an assessment and guidance mechanism for local governments that will push forward marine development. This involves far-reaching collaboration to improve understanding of the current status of the 19 coastal counties and cities in Taiwan, each of which has its own different marine resources
and characteristics, and identifying potential areas for development and bottlenecks. The researchers are building inventories of local marine industries using the PEST (politics, economy, society and technology) overall environmental model. They are using different data, including relevant
procurement bids from the past decade and organised five marine industry focus symposiums to which representatives from industry, government, and academia were invited to discuss and identify the developmental needs and directions of local marine industries.
Interdisciplinary research on the lynx that inhabited the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Sato Takao
Published: March 2023

The excavation of archaeological remains improves understanding of past societies and their influence on the societies of today. It can also teach us about the changing climate and its impact on the migration of mammals. Professor Takao Sato, Department of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Japan, has extensive experience in performing excavations and interdisciplinary research that combines archaeology, physical anthropology, palaeontology and geology on the Shitsukari-Abe Cave in Aomori, Japan. A key focus is on the large wild cats that
once lived in the Japanese archipelago, with a focus on the extinction of the lynx. Sato believes that one of the factors that led to the local extinction of the lynx was human activity. He and his team set out to excavate Shitsukari-Abe Cave in an effort to discover the first Palaeolithic
human bones associated with stone tools and animal bones in the four major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu). In a world first, the researchers have obtained the numerical age of the Japanese lynx and are also shedding light on the previously unknown phylogenetic information and
diet. The team is employing an interdisciplinary approach that involves specialists in different fields of zooarchaeology, archaeology, palaeontology and phylogeography to comprehensively discuss the phylogeny and ecology of the lynx that inhabited the Japanese archipelago and their relationship
with humans.
Bringing research closer
Authors: Annette Lucy
Published: March 2023

Getting young people inspired by and excited about science and research is crucial for nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators. Two flagship European initiatives are highlighting the importance of European research for the future and connecting researchers and children
to share the wonders of science. The European Researchers' Night is an annual European sci-comm and promotion event that connects scientists and the general public, particularly young people and brings research to life through educational and entertaining activities. The goal is to showcase
the diversity and impacts of science and inspire young people to pursue science and research careers. By demonstrating the tangible, day-to-day impacts, the event seeks to increase the general public's appreciation of research and innovation. The event took place in 25 European countries this
year. The new 'Researchers at Schools' initiative implemented by European Researchers' Night projects as of the 2022-23 editions will bring top researchers to schools and provide the opportunity for teachers and pupils to engage with them on important topics. In doing so, teachers and pupils
can better understand societal challenges and how research is key to overcoming these, while access to STEAM (science, technology, arts and mathematics) subjects can be improved.