bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Application and Traditional Approach for Chinese Stroke Order Instruction in Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Hie-Ling Ting , Looi-Chin Ch’ng , Unin Norseha
Published: July 2020

Learning to write Chinese characters in the correct stroke order is important. However, it is rather challenging for learners especially non-native learners due to the complicated structures and the diversity of Chinese characters. Traditionally, rote learning has perceived as the most preferred used learning strategy in Chinese characters and it is highly recommended for the learners. Nonetheless, the rapid development of technology has changed the mode of learning. Mobile applications are utilized as media learning as it provides more opportunities for learners to learn everywhere and at anytime. This paper aims to investigate the impact of mobile app (MAs) and traditional method on Chinese characters stroke order learning. 100 students from the Faculty of Business and Management at UiTM (Sarawak), Mukah campus have been selected as participants for this study. The findings reported that both methods are able to help participants to pass the tests but the difference of both impacts is small. Although, the differences are not huge, but it is significant to tell mobile application might provide a better outcome compared to traditional method.
AN IDEOGRAPHY OF AMERICAN NATIONALISM
Authors: GHERASIM Gabriel C.
Published: July 2020

The study of American nationalism is a tricky adventure, first because of its deep-seated inconsistency as a self-reliant ideology, and second, because of dispersed and random absorptions of its designations by various and often competing factions and policies. In the first case, it has been said that nationalism could stand as a clarifying description of other self-contained ideologies (e.g., national liberalism); on the other hand, due to its pervasively undetermined ideological contours, any investigation of nationalism results in irresolute paradoxes and baffling contradictions. Still, despite such hindrance, the ideological framing of nationalism might be achieved considering certain valuable traits which hint at its commonsensical profile. In keeping with historical, political and cultural development of nationalism in the United States, one could grasp its certain specific marks as an ideology in the concepts of identity and character, American Creed, Manifest Destiny, assimilationism, American System, messianism. The present study modestly attempts to cope with all the aforementioned traits of American nationalism in order to configure its plausible ideography.
The introduction of spectral methods in the diagnosis of oil-filled high-voltage equipment
Authors: Lyutikova M. N. , Korobeynikov S. M. , Konovalov A. A.
Published: July 2020

Reliable operation of oil-filled high-voltage equipment is based, inter alia, on effective diagnostic methods, which make it possible to obtain information on the state of the internal insulation of electrical equipment and, accordingly, take timely measures to ensure its uninterrupted operation. Traditionally, well-known physicochemical methods of analysis are used in laboratory practice, which enable to determine the electrophysical, physical and chemical parameters of a liquid dielectric. Each parameter, and especially their totality, indicate the degree of thermal and electrochemical aging of the oil, and the formation of ionic impurities in it, which coagulate, accumulate in the most stressful places and form conductive deposits. In general, the presence of such "dangerous" substances in the oil leads to a decrease in electrical insulation properties, which increases the risk of developing a defect that can lead to negative consequences. However, traditional methods are not always able to measure the commencement of formation of the colloid-dispersed inclusions preceding the formation of deposits on the solid internal insulation of electrical equipment. Therefore, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the processes occurring in the isolation of high-voltage equipment, it is necessary to introduce highly sensitive spectral control methods.

This study shows the relevance of the introduction of the spectral method in practical diagnosis of high-voltage equipment with liquid dielectrics, in the case of a study of the elemental composition of deposits and paper insulation in high-voltage bushings. This also explains individual cases in the practice of operation of sealed bushings, which have been rejected as a consequence of the results of chromatographic analysis of dissolved gases in oil. Physicochemical parameters of the oil from the bushings does not cause any concern. However, during the detailed examination of the internal insulation of the bushings, wax-like deposits were revealed, and their composition was established using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In addition, the composition of the paper (OIP) insulation layers of high-voltage bushings was analyzed for the content of organometallic impurities.
PR as a tool for the development of nuclear energy in Russia and abroad
Authors: Mishchenko X. V. , Uzhanov A. E.
Published: July 2020

The author estimates the impact of PR technologies on the development of nuclear power in Russia and in a number of foreign countries (USA, China, Japan, France). It is determined that as soon as at the stage of development of nuclear generation projects and other nuclear industry facilities, the use of public relations (PR), with a targeted impact on public opinion and interaction with target audiences (TA) at its core, has a significant impact on decision-making in favor of the construction of nuclear power plants, minimizes the protest behavior of the population. It is shown that the advantages of nuclear power among alternative energy sources for strengthening the socio-economic potential of states and increasing their environmental well-being are most clearly, quickly and effectively disclosed through using public relations tools. PR enables to form an adequate and correct understanding of the physical and chemical foundations of nuclear power engineering, the main threats and systems for their minimization or complete elimination at the conceptual, socio-psychological and socio-logical levels, as well as to form, in terms of specific objects and tools, the technological and organizational facilities for the development of nuclear energy projects both in Russia and in foreign countries. The activities of foreign and Russian companies aimed at ensuring loyal public opinion in relation to nuclear projects are critically described and analytically compared. The chronological framework covers the recent period: from the beginning of the 2000s to 2020. This period is noted as the most significant for the development of nuclear power in the world. Statistical data on changes in the attitude of the public in different countries to the prospects for the development of nuclear energy after the Chernobyl and Fukushima-1 disasters are presented. It is concluded that it is PR in its integrated application that contributes to government decision-making and public support in the construction of nuclear power plants in Russia and abroad.
Recognition of Manipulative Text: Structure and Dominant Language Parameters
Authors: Kenzhebalina Gulmira N. , Shaikova Gulvira K. , Shakenova Maygul T. , Akoyeva Inessa G.
Published: July 2020

The problem of recognition of the manipulative text in the news on the example of Kazakhstani media is posed. One of the most important tasks of text research in the context of manipulativeness is to find something that, although it has a linguistic representation, is obviously pragmatically “obscured”, hidden from the addressee. It is emphasized that in such cases, the danger of manipulation increases at times, since it is addressed both to large social groups and to society as a whole. The relevance of the work is that the destructive nature of manipulation can lead to large-scale social upheaval. The study is based on the hypothesis of a uniform structure of the manipulative text in the context of big data research for further machine processing. Based on the formed working definition of manipulability, an algorithm for analyzing media texts has been developed, which includes a complex of speech and language indicators. The work was carried out on a corpus of 1,000 media texts, selected from 10,000 fragments of manipulative discourses. Both unambiguous and mixed components are distinguished, that is, linguistic units capable of performing dual functions due to their semantic polysemy. A 4-component universal structure of manipulative texts is compiled, including language parameters extracted from manipulative texts.
Feminitives with Suffix ‘-shits(a ) /-chits(a)’
Authors: Mineeva Zoya I.
Published: July 2020

The feminitives (nouns denoting women) of the modern Russian language, formed with the help of the productive suffixal morpheme ‘-shits(a) /-chits(a)’ are considered. The views of scientists of the 19th-21st centuries on the process of derivation of feminine nouns are characterized. The relevance of the study is due to the stable productivity of the suffix formant and the insufficient development of the theory of word formation of feminitives. Structural-semantic and corpuscular methods are used. The novelty and scientific significance of the work is determined primarily by the research material: neologisms, which are included in the dictionaries of new words of 1971-2014, the Russian National Corpus (main and newspaper corps) used in media texts, are analyzed. The specifics of correlates of male and female gender fixing in the explanatory dictionaries of the last years of publication are shown. Particular attention is paid to the semantics of neoplasms, a classification of new feminitives by semantic properties is proposed. Motivating words, morphological features of the compound of the formant with the motivating basis are revealed. The author dwells on potential neologisms. The conclusion is made that the formation of feminitives with suffixes ‘-shits(a ) /-chits(a)’, as well as masculine nouns with value of a person, is carried out using verbs and deverbatives, nouns and adjectives.
Activities of Military Topographers in Western Siberia in Foreign and Domestic Policy of the Russian Empire in 19th Century
Authors: Igumnov Evgeny V.
Published: July 2020

The activities of military topographers in Western Siberia to provide cartographic information on the foreign and domestic policies of the Russian Empire in Central Asia and Siberia in the 19th century are considered in the article. The role of information in the formation of the Russian Empire is emphasized. The contribution of the state to the organization of the study of the Asian regions of Russia and neighboring countries is noted. The establishment of the military topographic service in Western Siberia can be traced taking into account data on administrative transformations in the Siberian region, and on changes in the foreign policy of the Russian Empire. The participation of military topographers in determining and designating the state border with China is described in detail. The question of the role of military topographers in the scientific study of China and Mongolia is raised. The significance of the activities of military topographers for the policy of the Russian Empire on the socio-economic development of Siberia and the north-eastern part of the territory of modern Kazakhstan is revealed. The contribution of topographers to the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, the design of river channels and new land routes is revealed. A large amount of literary sources, materials on the work of military topographers of Western Siberia, published in “Notes of the Military Topographic Department of the General Staff” is used in the article.
Industrial Labour Force of Russia in 20-30s of XX Century in Russian Historiography
Authors: Shekatunov Oleg V. , Malykhin Konstantin G.
Published: July 2020

The article is devoted to the specifics of studying the industrial labour force of Russia in the 1920s - 1930s in Russian historiography. The various stages of study from the 1920s through the 1930s and up to the last years are concerned. The relevance of the study is due to several factors. These include contradictions in the assessments of Bolshevik modernization of the 1920s and 1930s; projected labour force shortages in modern Russia; as well as the existing labour force shortage in industry at the moment. This determines the relevance of studying the historical period, which was characterized by the most acute personnel problems in the country. The novelty of the study is due to the fact that in modern Russian historiography there is no holistic, integrated view of the problems of the labour force potential formation of Russian industry in the 1920s and 1930s. It is noted that there is no research aimed at analyzing the historiography of these problems. The main stages of the study of industrial labour force are highlighted. The analysis of scientific works correlated with each stage of the study of the topic is performed. The problems and methodology of each stage are considered. A review of a wide range of scientific papers both articles and thesis is presented.
Intertextuality of Political Discourse in Germany (on the Example of “Political Ash Wedfnesday”)
Authors: Elizarieva Maria A. , Chigasheva Marina A. , Blahak Boris , Mikhina Maria Yu.
Published: July 2020

The article is devoted to the role of intertext in public speeches of politicians of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria within the framework of the “political ash Wednesday”. On the example of the speeches of M. Söder, A. Scheuer and M. Blume in 2018, the relationship between the type of intertext and its pretext, on the one hand, and the speaker’s intention, on the other, was analyzed. As a result of the analysis of 23 intertextual inclusions, four intentions were revealed, among which (48 %) criticism of political opponents (SDPG, “The Greens”, AfD, “Free Voters”) prevails. Quotes from representatives of these parties, political slogans, a paraphrase of the name of the eco-movement and a quote from an artist are used to express it. As the intertextual analysis showed, to verbalize the second intention (appeal to authoritative opinion and emphasize the continuity of the party course), the former chairman of the CSU F. J. Strauss is cited, while the third intention (opposing Bavaria to the rest of Germany) is implemented using a quote from the Bavarian anthem, a paraphrase of a television commercial and quotations from a literary work. In addition, the authors found that the fourth intention (emphasizing the dialogic nature of communication with ordinary people) is found only in M. Söder’s speech in the form of a retelling of his dialogues with ordinary citizens.
A typology of digital platforms of interfirm interaction
Authors: Popov E.V. , Simonova V.L. , Grishina V.V.
Published: July 2020

Subject. The article addresses economic interfirm interaction and processes that form digital platforms in the context of sustainable development of the society.
Objectives. Our aim is to develop an original typology of digital platforms that provide intercompany interaction.
Methods. The study rests on the system comparative analysis of prior research, taking into account our own findings.
Results. We expanded the essence and substance of the definition of the digital platform in the field of interfirm interaction, defined new categories of types of digital platforms in the business by the level of integration and knowledge-intensity. We also considered parameters of the cost of implementation and the level of digitalization of interfirm interaction, generated a typology of digital platforms in interfirm interaction.
Conclusions. The paper defines aspects of further research aimed at developing a methodology for calculating the digitalization coefficient of intercompany interaction. The theoretical significance of the research is in expanding the theoretical apparatus of digitalization of intercompany interaction. The practical significance of the results is in building a mechanism for evaluating the level of digitalization of intercompany interaction.
Why do the national financial and monetary policies not boost the economy?
Authors: Kulikov N.I. , Kulikova M.A. , Mobio A.A.S.R.
Published: July 2020

Subject. This article assesses the reasons why the economic policy of the Government and Central Bank of Russia does not cause the economic advance. The article tries to find out why the two strategic programmes adopted over the past ten years have not been implemented in most indicators.
Objectives. The article aims to analyze the results of financial and monetary policies in Russia over the past ten years, and establish why the Russian economy has been growing within one percent yearly average all these years, and its share in the world economy has not grown, but got reduced even.
Methods. For the study, we used the methods of analysis and synthesis.
Results. The article proposes certain measures and activities to move to soft financial and monetary policies of the State and corresponding changes in the structure of the Russian economy. This will help ensure six to seven percent GDP growth annually.
Conclusions. High loan rates have become the main obstacle to GDP growth in Russia. It is necessary to accept concrete actions and decisions concerning the Bank of Russia key rate, expansion of the functions of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, industrial policy, support of consumer demand, long-term government contracts for the real sector enterprises, etc.
Regulation and supervision of market derivatives
Authors: Ipatyev I.R.
Published: July 2020

Subject. This article examines the hypothesis that, due to the evolutionary change in forms, capital structures and derivatives, the role of the self-regulating market in many countries has been called into question in terms of controls.
Objectives. The article aims to prove that the structure of regulated exchanges and their user base has changed, and self-regulation, which affects the mechanism of ensuring the operation of proposed risk-removal and compliance products, can be a viable regulatory method and a valuable means of control.
Methods. For the study, I used the methods of logical analysis, theoretical generalization and systematization.
Results. The article proposes specific methods to improve the role of the self-regulating market. They point to the need for a more precise alignment of regulatory and market interest in market accountability. It can be argued that the hypothesis is proven.
Conclusions. The structure of regulated exchanges, including their user base, has changed. The ability to access trading platforms electronically was a major factor. Self-regulation, which obliges market operators to maintain operational and internal controls, makes the market more responsible for its operation and reduces the amount of regulatory resources expended.
A review on the monograph by S.Sh. Mirzieeva – Methodological Principles for Setting Up the Strategic Direction of the Socio-Economic Development of Uzbekistan. St. Petersburg, RANEPA Publ., 2020, 184 p.
Authors: Beletskii A.A.
Published: July 2020

In this article, I review the monograph Methodological Principles for Setting Up the Strategic Direction of the Socio-Economic Development of Uzbekistan, by S.Sh. Mirzieeva, Researcher of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Moscow State University.
Digital single market - a new impetus on EU social policy?
Authors: Zimmermann Daniel
Published: July 2020

In July 2019 the new president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented her guidelines for the period of presidency 2019-2024. While most proposals perpetuate the current reform agenda, the focus on the social dimension of the single market is remarkable. Von der Leyen has not only announced the full implementation of the European Pillar on Social Rights, but also highlighted new investment in digital competences seen as a key to competitiveness and innovation of the European economy. This paper will discuss whether the dynamics of the digital single market could lead to a new impetus on EU social policy and on European funding of training programmes. Therefore, an overview of significant funding programmes promoting digital skills is given.
Insight into the perception of personal data among law students
Authors: Kardos Vivien
Published: July 2020

In the period of the fourth industrial revolution, it can be established that the issue of data protection has become more important than ever before. There is no doubt that data, especially personal data represents a significant commercial value. Additionally, it has many impacts for the legal profession. In accordance with the increasing role of data protection, the question arises whether law students have appropriate knowledge of privacy literacy.
Based on the results of empirical research, this study has demanded a response to the question of what their attitudes are towards the importance of their personal data, how it works in practice, when, for example, using various kinds of social network sites, and which data protection guarantees are known by them. The aim of this study is to provide a brief insight, based on the results of in-depth interviews, into the reasons behind the specific privacy literacy gaps, which can be ascertained from the findings of the preliminary quantitative research.
Anticipating, it should be emphasised, that law students are not fully aware of how much personal data they may provide about themselves on social network sites. Moreover, identifying personal data through practical examples causes difficulties for law students, such as cookie ID or data concerning health. Consequently, the privacy literacy of law students needs to be improved.
Measuring the development of the Hungarian electronic administration
Authors: Orbán Anna
Published: July 2020

The creation of electronic administration and the measurement of the results achieved have been one of the central themes of research into the development of the information society for two decades. The European Commission publishes annually e-government comparative analyses (eGovernment Benchmark reports), providing insight into the use of ICT in the public sector in the countries examined.
In recent years, the measuring system has been modified and supplemented several times. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the benchlearning approach assess the performance of eadministration on the basis of additional considerations. Hungary's performance is improving, but still below the EU average. Exploring the causes of the underperformance is a priority for catching up.
On the basis of a survey of students at the National University of Public Service, the author analyses user characteristics (digital skills, ICT use) and the characteristics of public administration (quality of electronic administration services) in their context.
E-Governance and the Nigerian tax administrative system
Authors: Odorige Catherine Enoredia
Published: July 2020

Nigeria like most countries who were ‘unfortunate’ to have rich deposits of natural resources has been ‘battered’ greatly by the economic paradox known as resource curse. Dependence on oil exploration and export meant that politics was played with taxation which remains the oldest and most recognized form of generating revenues for the provision of infrastructures and smooth running of the state. The global fall in crude oil prices, high rates of unemployment and agitations from the population for improved service delivery, has awakened the government to the fact that the days of treating tax revenue collection as favour to political faithful are over. This paper takes a look at the application of information technology efforts by the Nigerian government towards reinforcing revenue generation. It will analyze how the present use of information technology in Tax administrative system has helped to check hitherto exploited loopholes of the revenue administration and to make recommendations towards improvements.
Internet accessibility and the ambivalence of transparency
Authors: Dürrschmidt Jörg
Published: July 2020

As far as digital communication technologies are concerned, it is commonly assumed that social diffusion levels are high. This means that in terms of social uptake of these technologies generation gap, gender differential and social difference are growing smaller. However, in terms of adaptation and usage social milieus are still important. The first part of the paper shall discuss this general claim with regard to internet accessibility and political/governmental transparency. On the one hand, it has been argued that the internet simply is ‘transparency’. It provides disclosure, information, puts elite behaviour out in the open, and potentially allows everyone to know almost everything about anything. On the other hand, people tend to filter abundant information through their habitus, and the capacity to turn facts to information and eventually in political opinion, tends to vary across social milieu. Seen from this perspective internet accessibility will not automatically improve transparency. Much rather the latter remains tied to the social distribution of social and normative knowledge. Thus while there might be a link between good governance and information availability to the public, government transparency that aims at inviting the public to participate via the net needs a better understanding of the social embeddedness of ‘voice’. Moreover, the ubiquitous norm of virtual transparency as an impulse for more democracy might actually disguise the quest for true representativity in contemporary society, as the second more analytic part of the paper attempts to argue.
E-Government services in Moldova: Value and opportunities
Authors: Grecu Mihai , Costaş Ilie , Reaboi Artus
Published: July 2020

Technological progress in ICT has created conditions for a new government paradigm - from a government that leads to a government providing services to society. Technology changes the nature of the connection between government and citizens: governance becomes more participatory and citizens' interests prevail.
The impact of e-Government solutions is complex, on multiple levels, depending on the maturity of the models applied and the capacity of citizens and business to assimilate e-Government services. In a short time, electronic government services in Moldova have evolved from simple information services to integrated transactional services.
On the one hand, this is due to high performance telecommunications infrastructure (broadband, 2G, 3G and 4G technology) and, on the other hand, to citizens' expectations that boosted recently and determined the government to accelerate the implementation of new e-services, increasingly complex and a better quality.
The paper addresses the issue of e-Government services in terms of the value that it gives to the government and to citizens' lives and analyzes opportunities to develop e-Government services in the new technological and social realities.
OTT Regulation a way of combating cybercrimes
Authors: Mocanu Veronica
Published: July 2020

In the past decade we have witnessed a rapid expansion of the Internet gadgets, Internet services and internet applications. This revolutionary communication network has significantly changed the way people live, communicate, and conduct business. However, from legal perspective all of these new challenges remain under covered, things that frequently could generate harm, abuses and cybercrimes. Therefore, by this research, it is proposed to discuss the main risks, which are generated by using of uncontrolled OTT and present perspectives of regulations. The article includes topics such as description of OTT regulations practices used for the moment, problems generated by chaotic regulations of OTT, perspective that we have to take, need for licensing and certification of new internet applications and services, setting of quality standards, and proposes for involvement in development.
Advanced Biometric Electronic Signature in Practice - Lessons for the Public Administration from a Hungarian Case Study
Authors: Erdὄsi Péter Máté
Published: July 2020

Signing documents is one of the most general requirements in our daily lives, including routines in Public Administration. After significant development of e-Administration, the question arose as to how the clients can sign documents electronically. The European Union legislated this question by the Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC. This Regulation (henceforward: eIDAS) gives a technologyneutral and high-level framework for using electronic signatures in the EU, it refers several implementing acts and standards, records applicable concepts and definitions, and declares several obligations for all Member States. The Regulation does not contain strong provisions for advanced electronic signature, but it defines four requirements for it. All electronic signatures which fulfil these four requirements have to be considered as advanced electronic signatures. In most of the cases, creating an advanced signature is easier and more cost-effective than creating a qualified signature, therefore it may be an alternative solution for signing documents in Public Administration also. This paper intends to summarize the relating legal environment and it demonstrates an implemented solution of advanced biometric signature in the private sector. Finally, we discuss the technical conditions of the applicability of advanced biometric electronic signature in Public Administration by discovering similarities and differences of application and acceptability.
Global identity management for individuals? The right to be forgotten and issues of extraterrioriality
Authors: Láncos Petra Lea
Published: July 2020

The Google Spain ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union has received much attention (and criticism) both in Europe and the other side of the Atlantic. In this paper I present the decision, focusing on it novel elements and the issues of extraterritoriality. I analyse the problems of extraterritoriality as a function of jurisdiction relying on the presence or absence of links to the EU through the location of establishment, equipment or the target of business activity. Next, I discuss the arguments promoting and rejecting the global application of Rtbf by search engine operators. Finally, I consider extraterritoriality as a practical problem, the solutions offered by scholarship and national courts, as well as their effect on corporations.
Comparison Between Confined and Unconfined Laser Peening Effect on the Fatigue Life of Composite Materials
Authors: Al- Khazraji Ahmed N. , Mutasher Ammar A.
Published: July 2020

Mechanical Engineering Department/ University of Technology- Baghdad.

Confinement layer is considered as the most important parameter during the laser shock peening (LSP) treatment.  In this paper, its effect on the surface treatment effectivity of composite materials was investigated. The composite used in this research was fabricated using hand lay-up as a manufacturing process. The matrix material was built from unsaturated polyester resin and reinforced with 2.5% volume fraction of micro particles of aluminum powder. Fatigue test was conducted at room temperature with constant amplitude stress and a stress ratio of R =-1, before and after LSP treatment. LSP was applied with and without confinement layer at the same level of energy after the specimens were coated with a black paint. The results manifested that the laser peening without confinement layer increased the endurance limit by about 13.296% compared with the untreated state. Whereas using water as a confinement layer during treatment reduced the endurance strength by about 18.133% compared to the untreated state. Also, it was observed that the difference between confined and unconfined LSP effects on the endurance limit was about 31.429%.
Determination of DynamicElastic Properties of Anah Formation, Near Rawa city / Western Iraq Using Ultrasonic Technique
Authors: Khorshid Salman Z. , Al-Awsi Munther D. , Kadhim Emad H.
Published: July 2020

The aim of the current  study is to determine the elastic properties  of carbonate rocks using ultrasonic method.  Forty rock samples of  Anah formation  were collected at  different depths from  four wells drilled at the study area . The relationship between wave velocities and elastic properties of rocks was defined. Regression analyses to define these relations were applied. The results indicate that the elastic properties of the rocks show a linear relationship with both P- and S-wave velocities. The best relationship was obtained between both Young's modulus and Shear modulus with Vs in the determination of the coefficient ( R2  ), with values of 0.91 and 0.94,  respectively.  Bulk modulus and  Lameâ€™s constant were  better correlated with Vp than with Vs  in the determination of R2,with values of 0.92 and 0.83, respectively. Poissonâ€™s ratio  showed a good correlation using the ratio of Vp/Vs in the determination of R2, with a value of 0.81. The main output of this  study shows that the ultrasonic method is a useful tool for the prediction of the elastic dynamic properties of sample rocks and that it can be used as an economical , simple and  non- destructive method, especially for engineering purposes.
Use of Two Aquatic Snail Species as Bioindicators of Heavy Metals in Tigris River-Baghdad
Authors: Al-Warid Harith Saeed , Ali Hayder Z , Nissan Ghassan , Haider Abbas , Yosef Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Thirty individuals of Bellamya bengalensis and Physella acuta were collected and identified from the Tigris River in Baghdad during the period between October to November 2017. The efficiency of bioaccumulation of the two species as bioindicators for aquatic heavy metal pollution with Cd, Ni, Pb and Cu was investigated. Both snail species had the ability to accumulate heavy metals. The mean of Ni concentration in soft tissues of both snails was 1.53 ppm while the mean concentration of other heavy metals was significantly lower; they reached 0.51 ppm, 0.36 ppm and 0.29 ppm, respectively. While no significant differences between B. bengalensis and  P.acuta were noticed in the ability to accumulate the heavy metals. It is concluded that both snails shared the features of good bioindicators due to their sensitivity to pollution.:
High AdiponectinHormone Modulation ofBlood Erythroid Parameters and its Relation with Erythropoietin in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Hayder Zhian Sherzad , Kareem Zrar Saleem
Published: July 2020

Background: Serum adiponectin is a hormone of adipose tissue that activateslipid metabolism and exertsphysiological functions. Its level usually fluctuates in several metabolic diseases,including renal insufficiency and diabetes; it loses its protective role against diseases and becomes a potentially risk factor for erythroid abnormalities.

Objectives: The study was designed to assess the association between adiponectin  hormone, blood erythroid and various parameters in groups of patients.

Method:The study included 130 patientsand 42 healthy subjects. Parameters of serum adiponectin, erythropoietin (EPO), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), renal function, serum insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin % (HbA1c%) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were estimated in all groups.

Result: Statistical analysis showed that high level of adiponectin was significantly associated with erythroid-related variables (EPO, RBC, Hb and Hct) in patients groups when compared with the control. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that adiponectin is a significant risk factor for anemia progression in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), end stage renal disease (ESRD)and diabetic nephropathy patients.

Conclusion: We suggest that high serum adiponectin level is dependently associated with EPO level and erythroid abnormalities in NIDDM, kidney failure and diabetic nephropathy patients. The present findings regarding ROC curve analysis of adiponectin suggested that this hormone could represent a risk factor for erythroid abnormality in diabetic nephropathy at ESRD.
Field, petrographical and geochemical characterization of a layered anorthosite sequence in the Upper Main Zone of the Bushveld Complex
Authors: Bourdeau J.E. , Zhang S.E. , Hayes B. , Logue A.
Published: July 2020

A sequence of eight poikilitic anorthosite layers (labeled 1 to 8), within the Upper Main Zone in the eastern lobe of the Bushveld Complex, are exposed along a road-cut, 5.3 km northeast of the town of Apel, Limpopo Province. The anorthosite layers are meter-scale in thickness (0.4 to 10 m), have sharp contacts and are defined on the size and shape of pyroxene oikocrysts they contain. The anorthosite sequence is bounded by typical Main Zone gabbronorites. Euhedral, zoned primocrystic laths of plagioclase (An62.5-80.6; 0.2 to 4 mm long) are morphologically identical throughout the anorthosite sequence and define a moderate to strong foliation that is typically aligned parallel to the plane of layering. Interstitial clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene typically occur as large (0.8 to 80 cm) oikocrysts enclosing numerous partly rounded plagioclase chadacrysts. Rarely, orthopyroxene appears as subophitic crystals enclosing few and significantly smaller (0.08 to 0.4 mm), equant plagioclase inclusions. Detailed plagioclase and pyroxene mineral compositions for layers 2 to 5 show minimal variations within layers (0.1 to 2.3 mol% An and 0.7 mol% Mg#), whereas compositional breaks occur between layers (0.5 to 3.8 mol% An and 1.3 mol% Mg#). In layers 2 to 5, the An-content of plagioclase cores and the Mg# of both clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene crystals decrease by 2.5 mol%, 8.6 mol% and 13.0 mol% upwards, respectively. Bulk-rock incompatible trace element concentrations and patterns are similar for all analyzed anorthosite layers indicating that they are related to the same parental magma. However, bulk-rock major element oxides (e.g. Al2O3, TiO2, K2O) and atomic Mg# become more evolved upwards, consistent with magmatic differentiation. Based on the consistent plagioclase crystal morphologies and relatively constant chemistries within each anorthosite layer, we propose that each layer was formed by the intrusion of a plagioclase slurry. The upwards-evolving mineral chemistries, bulk-rock major element oxides and atomic Mg# suggests that each plagioclase slurry injection, that yielded an anorthosite layer, was derived from a slightly more fractionated parental magma prior to emplacement.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR ORGANIZATION’S INFORMATION SECURITY CULTURE LEVEL ASSESSMENT
Authors: Vitalii Lytvynov , Dorosh Mariia , Bilous Iryna , Voitsekhovska Mariia , Nekhai Valentyn
Published: July 2020

Relevance of the research. Ensuring the effectiveness of the information security systems requires creation of an appropriate information security culture for the employees of the organization in order to reduce human-related risks. Target setting. The techniques currently available for assessing information security risk are excluded as a source of the potential vulnerability. Considering the role of the personnel in the organization's information security systems, there is a need to create automated systems of human-machine interaction assessment through the level of the personnel information security culture, and to determine the integral indicator of the organization's information security culture. Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Open access publications on the problems of integrating the information security culture into the corporate culture of the organization as a tool for ensuring the proper information security level of business processes are considered.
Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. The absence of formalized models for assessing the organization's information security culture level, as well as an automated process for its assessing were revealed by source analysis. The research objective. The purpose of the article to build a model that describes the process of obtaining an organization's information security culture level assessment in IDEF0 notation. Then, to create an architecture and database for system of information security culture assessment to support the general organization's information security system.
The statement of basic materials. According to functional requirements, a conceptual model of «The organization`s ISC level determination» development process was created. Input information, governing elements, execution elements and mechanism, and output information were defined. To accomplish these tasks, an architecture and database of information system for assessing the information security culture level of the organization were proposed. Conclusions. The functional model of top-level development process was proposed. Formed functional requirements became the basis for development of information system architecture with description of its modules and database structure.
РОБОТИЗОВАНІ МАНІПУЛЯТОРИ ОСОБЛИВОГО ПРИЗНАЧЕННЯ
Authors: Litvin Oleksandr , Pankov Serhii
Published: July 2020

Актуальність теми дослідження. Дослідження дистанційно керованих маніпуляційних роботів особливого призначення є досить актуальним на сьогодні, оскільки вони використовуються для виконання робіт у недоступних або небезпечних для здоров’я людини умовах. Постановка проблеми. Вивченню та дослідженню роботизованих маніпуляторів особливого призначення приділено недостатньої уваги. Тому дослідження роботизованих пристроїв особливого призначення дозволить вдосконалити системи з урахуванням їхніх особливостей, що забезпечить більш швидке їх пристосування до виконання робіт у недоступних або небезпечних для здоров'я людини умовах.
Аналіз останніх досліджень і публікацій. Проведений аналіз показав, що науковцями широко досліджуються промислові роботи, водночас вивченню сервісної робототехніки приділено меншої уваги. Виділення недосліджених частин загальної проблеми. Одним з основних недоліків наявних класифікацій є те, що не відокремлюється в окремий підклас робототехніка спеціального призначення, що уможливлює розгляду систем за подібними характеристиками, екстремальним середовищем та умов їх використання. Постановка завдання. Основним завданням на початку розробки нових прототипів роботизованих механізмів є конкретизація параметрів майбутнього робота, відповідно, до сфери та умов його застосування. В цьому безсумнівну допомогу надає їх класифікація. Виклад основного матеріалу. Представлення класифікації робототехніки спеціального призначення, де основними параметрами є функція роботів, сфера, умови та середовище застосування, а також спеціальні характеристики маніпулятора дозволить вирішити проблему відсутності єдиного термінологічного апарату, в тому числі забезпечить їх поділ на категорії для подальшої диференціації.
Висновки відповідно до статті. За результатами проведеного аналізу, буде поставлена концепція по вдосконаленню існуючих чи створенню нових прототипів роботизованих механізмів. Аналіз та диференціація спільних ознак буде в подальшому використана для створення методики синтезу конструктивних елементів роботизованих маніпуляторів особливого призначення.
THE DIFFUSION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN KENYA
Authors: Gikenye Wakari , Ocholla Dennis N.
Published: July 2020

The informal sector plays a key role in the economies of developing countries, through the creation of jobs; the production of affordable goods and services; and poverty reduction. However, the sector faces many challenges which include limited access to markets, lack of finance, and lack of access to new and changing technology. The purpose of this article is to report on the current diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the informal sector in Kenya by showing the current access, use, impact and its potential. This study used a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The survey research method was used to collect data by using structured and unstructured questionnaires from a sample of 390 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) participants. Data was obtained from different clusters of MSEs in Nairobi Province and Central Province in Kenya. The study found that over 70 per cent of the MSEs studied had between one and five employees, and mainly relied on themselves and fellow traders for business information. Their use of computer-based ICTs was found to be low with the majority of those studied using relatively inexpensive mobile phone technology. The researchers observed that government involvement in making the ICTs more accessible to the MSEs is yet to be felt, and more needs to be done in promoting their use and providing infrastructure that can support the use of ICTs.
TOWARDS A VOCABULARY FOR VISUAL ANALYSIS: USING PICTURE BOOKS TO DEVELOP VISUAL LITERACY WITH PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS
Authors: Du Toit Christine
Published: July 2020

This article brings together the connectedness between words and images. It discusses the increasing impact of semiotics in the field of childrenâ€™s literature as well as the way children are thinking and living in the 21st century. The present literacy landscape demands that teachers understand multimodal texts and are able to interpret and teach these texts. A central aim of psychology and education is to develop an understanding of how children learn and how to present teaching materials in ways to help children learn. Using visual material does not mean that all visually composed teaching materials will necessarily lead to understanding. Visual literacy skills must be taught, especially in diverse environments where every child brings to the class his/her own cultural experiences. Using picture books with diverse beginner readers needs clear and specific principles to be able to critically interpret the interaction between text and images. The article explores the integration of text and images through Prellerâ€™s picture book Babalela (2000), illustrated by Andries and Erica Maritz. To explore visual literacy skills, Lohrâ€™s (2008) principles, actions and tools (PAT) design framework will be used to analyse the picture book in order to understand the visual sign system and how the visual and the written text interact to create meaning. This knowledge will enable pre-service teachers and in-service teachers to build a vocabulary for visual analysis and to develop critical reading skills, â€˜which is essential for any sort of critical thinking in the 21st centuryâ€™ (Burmark 2002:v).
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESOURCES IN RURAL SCHOOLS OF LIMPOPO PROVINCE: A SMALL STUDY
Authors: Mojapelo Maredi Samuel , Fourie Jacqueline A.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this article is to report on a small study that investigated the availability of library and information resources in rural schools of Limpopo Province, South Africa. For the school curriculum to be successfully implemented, adequate library facilities, collections, staff and funds are required to support it. Data was collected by means of questionnaires directed to all teacher-librarians and principals in the high schools of the Lebopo Circuit, Capricorn District. The study found that most schools do not have functional school libraries. Converted classrooms serving as libraries are unorganised making it difficult to retrieve and access information. Some schools use staffrooms and storerooms to house library materials but learners cannot use these materials because of limited space. Unqualified teacher-librarians lack library skills and cannot guide learners to use resources. A few schools are without electricity making it impossible to operate electronic equipment. The authors recommend that schools should be provided with library-based resources managed by professionally qualified teacher-librarians to meet the needs of learners and the aims of the school curriculum.