bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of family climate and methods of coping with psychological stress among female students
Authors: AL-Momani Mohammad Omar , Banisaeed Rihab Ahmad
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to identify the relationship between family climate and methods of coping with psychological stress among female students at Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan, and their relationship to the variable of specialisation. The study was conducted on a sample consisting of 300 female university students at Al-Balqa Applied University. They were randomly selected, and the study used a survey method for data collection. After statistically analysing the collected data, it was observed that there is a positive statistically significant correlation between family climate and the methods of coping with psychological stress in addition to having statistically significant differences in the mean scores of methods of coping with psychological stress among female students in the study sample according to specialisation (scientific or humanistic), in favour of scientific specialisation. Accordingly, the study recommended working to spread the concept of a healthy family climate among parents within the family.  
Keywords: Family climate, psychological pressures, stress, women
La définition du marché pertinent aux fins des droits marocain et européen de la concurrence: état des lieux et réflexion prospective
Authors: Azhary Mohamed El
Published: September 2022

L’appréhension de l’entrave à l’accès au marché suppose avant tout l’adoption d’une approche qui verrait dans toute atteinte à l’égalité des chances entre entreprises, une restriction au libre jeu de la concurrence au sens de la politique de la concurrence, en général, ainsi que des systèmes juridiques marocain et européen sous examen, en particulier. Cette approche qui est de nature à contribuer à la préservation de l’égalité dans la concurrence voire l’exhortation du dynamisme de compétition entre les acteurs présents sur le marché, demeure tributaire de l’intérêt qui est porté à la définition du marché pertinent lui-même. La présente étude s'inscrit dans une perspective de recherche visant au préalable à apporter une conceptualisation des critères juridiques favorisant l’organisation des afflux concurrentiels au sein du marché via le recours à la définition du marché pertinent au standard des systèmes juridiques marocain et européen. En vue d’atteindre cette finalité, il est nécessaire de mettre en évidence une réflexion affichant un aspect totalisateur, permettant de la sorte de mieux appréhender la nécessité de définir le marché pertinent, de jauger et d’entrevoir sa mise en exergue, notamment, à l’aune de la pensée économique.
Détermination du Potentiel Pastoral Herbacé dans le Bioclimat Soudanien Nord au Mali : Cas de la Commune Rurale de Dièma
Authors: Kanambaye Boureima , Karembe Moussa , Coulibaly Drissa , Hanan Niall , Dembele Fadiala , Diallo Soumana , A. Maiga Abdoulaye Hassane
Published: September 2022

L’élevage contribue environ à 15% du produit intérieur brut de l’ensemble des pays sahéliens de l’Afrique de l’ouest. Au Mali, il est la deuxième activité socioéconomique après l’agriculture. Il est pratiqué de façon extensive avec des mobilités saisonnières des troupeaux à la recherche du disponible fourrager, dans le contexte du changement climatique. Paradoxalement, la production herbacée, dans ces parcours sahéliens, qui équivaut à des milliards de francs, est annuellement consumée par les feux de brousse. C’est dans ce contexte que la présente étude a été initiée pour améliorer la gestion des pâturages naturels dans la commune rurale de Diéma dans la région de Kayes. La méthode de transect a été utilisée dans les parcours naturels suivant les quatre points cardinaux du district de la commune. Les relevés phytoécologiques et des coupes de biomasse herbacée ont été effectués dans les parcelles échantillons. Il a été recensé au total 71 espèces appartenant à 18 familles avec la dominance des Poaceae, Fabaceae et Convolvulaceae. La production de biomasse des parcours est d’environ 3t.ha-1. Une différence significative (P=0,042) a été observée pour la valeur pastorale des parcours et cela en fonction de leur orientation par rapport au District de la Commune. Pour une meilleure gestion de l’environnement et de production animale, il importe de connaitre les caractéristiques de nos parcours naturels.
La Réalisation d’un Modèle Numérique du Terrain Pour la Détermination de L’évolution de L’érosion Hydrique d’une Section Fluviale en Amont du Barrage de Bin El Ouidane (2016 - 2017) – (Haut Atlas /Maroc)
Authors: Ouakhir Hassan , Ennaji Nadia , Ghachi Mohamed El , Goumih Mimoune
Published: September 2022

Au Maroc, l’érosion est l'un des phénomènes qui entrave le développement économique et social en général, et agricole en particulier, des zones de montagnes. L'analyse des problèmes de l'érosion hydrique à l'échelle nationale, montre que 12,5 millions d'hectares de terres de culture et de parcours, sont réellement menacées par l'érosion. Sa localisation entre la Méditerranée au Nord, l’océan Atlantique à l’Ouest, le Sahara au Sud et au Sud-Est et sa nature orographique particulière, lui confère une diversité climatique et écologique remarquable. Situé dans le Haut-Atlas Central Marocain, le bassin versant de l’Oued El Abid, évolue dans un contexte climatique méditerranéen semi- aride, avec une pluviométrie très variable dans le temps et dans l’espace. Les versants exposés aux perturbations océaniques d’ouest sont bien arrosés, tandis que ceux faisant face à l’est sont plus secs. Les écoulements sont montagnards, avec un caractère torrentiel. L’occupation des sols est représentée essentiellement par la céréaliculture, avec très peu d’arboriculture qui est pratiquée par les populations locales sur les terrasses fluviales de fonds de ce bassin. Les sols sont de plus en plus dégradés, et la mise en place des accumulations sédimentaires issues de l’érosion, conduisent à l’envasement du barrage de Bin El Ouidane. Cet envasement est le résultat de l’érosion des sols, le sapement et l’incision des berges de l’oued El Abid. Durant les périodes de crues, ce barrage s’envase par les courants de densité. La méthodologie adoptée se concentre sur la réalisation de deux modèles numériques de terrain pour deux compagnes (2016 et 2017), avec une résolution liée à la qualité des mesures, dont la marge d’erreur ne dépasse pas quelques centimètres. Cet article vise à comparer les résultats du processus de l’érosion hydrique de deux modèles réalisés (2016 et 2017), suivre leur évolution, et établir les bilans de la dynamique dans la section étudiée. Cette approche utilisée a permis, la caractérisation de l’état des surfaces, la variation temporelle des facteurs influençant l’érosion fluviale dans l’aval de l’Oued El Abid et de comprendre enfin, les processus de l’érosion hydrique et son influence directe sur la retenue de Bin El Ouidane en aval.
Some New Challenges of Cybercrime and Reasons Why Regulations are Outdated
Authors: Nishnianidze Anri
Published: September 2022

Purpose – The purpose of the research is to show what cybercrime is and how the arsenal of cybercriminals has evolved and legal regulations that exist today no longer respond to the challenges that would make the battle against cybercrime effective. Design/methodology/approach – The author of the research searched for the latest legal and multidisciplinary literature on the issue of cybercrime. Using various scientific methods, the mentioned literature was analyzed and summarized to present the essence and problems of fighting against cybercrime. Findings – In the conditions of modern technological development, there are many benefits along with negative facts. Cyberspace is not a safe place for the majority of the population. During the search process, it appeared that, with the arrival of each new day, the arsenal of cybercriminals is getting richer, to which the law enforcement structures do not have an appropriate response. Consequently, the process of battling cybercrime becomes difficult due to outdated legal regulations. Research limitations/implications – The research examined the latest opinions that are being debated in international legal circles. The problems that are on the agenda and which are important to solve have appeared. Accordingly, the paper offers the latest ways to correct the current situation, make recommendations and solve existing problems. Originality/value – Cyberspace is the most important space for many people, also for private and public structures. Solving the current issues on the agenda is important to make working in cyberspace safe for each person and organization.
A Practical Approach for Supporting Learning in Development Organisations
Authors: Howard Jo , Quak Evert-jan , Woodhill Jim
Published: September 2022

The Knowledge, Evidence and Learning for Development (K4D) Programme, which started in 2016, comes to an end in September 2022. K4D is a programme funded by and for the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (initially with the Department for International Development, DFID, which was merged with the FCO in 2020). To reflect on the processes and approaches of learning that K4D enabled over the years, a special Working Paper series will be published. One important pillar of the programme was to facilitate learning processes through learning journeys. A total of 33 learning journeys took place during K4D. This summary looks back at the K4D concept, the learning journeys, the learning processes it supported, and the outcomes enabled. The paper finds that there is evidence that K4D learning journeys have helped enable sound, informed decision-making through collective understanding of issues and options, and through internal consensus on directions. Effective learning spaces were created and the methods used (including online tools for participation) were able to capture and share internal learning, foster internal connections, present external evidence and bring in other perspectives. However, success in enabling external alliances for decisions and change was more constrained, since most learning journeys engaged only in limited ways with external organisations. Further challenges were encountered when staff were redeployed to respond to political (Brexit) or international development (COVID-19, Ukraine) priorities.
Using Guided Writing Strategy Strategy in Teaching Descriptive Writing to the Tenth Grade Students
Authors: Megawati Nelly
Published: September 2022

The objectives of the study were to find out whether or not there was a significant difference on the tenth grade students’ descriptive text writing who were taught by using Guided Writing Strategy Strategy and those who were not, and to find out whether or not there were significant differences on the tenth grade students’ descriptive writing in excellent, good, average and poor categories by using Guided Writing Strategy Strategy at SMA Muhammadiyah 6 Palembang. The population of this study consisted of 132 students of SMA Muhammadiyah 6 Palembang in the academic year of 2017/2018. There were 64 students taken as sample. Each class consisted of 32 students from class X.IPA A chosen as experimental group and class X.IPA C chosen as control group. The sample of this study was taken by using purposive sampling method. The instrument used in collecting the data was written test. The test was administered twice, as the pretest and posttest for both experimental and control group. The results of the test were analyzed by using independent sample t-test and Two-way ANOVA.  From the result of the independent sample t-test, it was found that there was a significant difference from students’ posttest experimental and control group, since the p-output (0.002) was lower than 0.05. From the result of the Two-way ANOVA, it was found that there were significant differences on students’ descriptive text writing who were taught by using Guided Writing Strategy Strategy, since the p-output (0.197) was higher than 0.05. The result alsho showed that there was no significant interaction effect of students’descriptive writing in excellent, good, average and poor categories.
Using KWL (Know Want Learn) Reading Strategy to Teach Reading Comprehension: A Case in One Public Senior High School in Palembang
Authors: Rohliah Leni , Suryani Hilma
Published: September 2022

KWL reading strategy is one of the strategies to improve the ability of comprehending reading text, especially expository texts. The study was conducted to find out whether or not there was a significant difference in the students’ reading achievement in comprehending expository texts between the students who were taught by using KWL Reading Strategy and those who were not. It used one of the quasi-experimental designs--pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design. There were 79 students of SMA N 4 Palembang participating in this study. In selecting the sample, purposive sampling technique was used. The data were gathered through the use of reading comprehension test. T-test analyses namely paired sample t-test and independent sample test were applied to examine the hypotheses. The results of t-test revealed that there was significant improvement in students’ reading comprehension after the intervention. KWL reading strategies helped students to comprehend the expository text and gave a positive influence to the students’ improvement. Furthermore, teachers could apply this strategy as a variation in teaching reading in his/her class to avoid students’ boredom.
EYL Teachers Communication Strategies in Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Teaching and Learning
Authors: Mardiana Wiwik , Afkar Taswirul
Published: September 2022

This current research aims at exploring the teachers communication strategies in online learning context, i.e. synchronous and asynchronous, explaining the challenges and solutions, and finding out the factors influencing. This qualitative research employed observation and interview to collect the data. The participants were two teachers of five grade at one of Bilingual schools in Mojokerto. Source and technique triangulation were carried out to get the validity of the data. In analyzing the data, the researchers displayed the percentage to know the dominant data, then explore the characteristics and interpret the intentions, challenges, solutions, and factors. The findings revealed that translation, praising, code-switching, comprehension check, and other repetition were the most dominant strategy used in synchronous mode. The teachers did not fulfill all components of strategies in explaining the materials in asynchronous mode. The challenges coped by the teachers were not merely due to online classroom; nevertheless, the teachers initiated the solutions. There were four interrelated factors influencing the use of communication strategies. The strategies employed in both synchronous and asynchronous modes were generally to facilitates students in online context. This research suggests that teachers communication strategies are beneficial to encourge students in learning English especially in online context. Some aspects found in this research are further discussed.
Cinquain Poem: A Stimulating Instructional Media in Teaching Writing
Authors: Fadhli Muhammad , Sufiyandi Sufiyandi
Published: September 2022

Writing, a skill that involved multiple facets of a language, is commonly considered to be the hardest skill to master. Using appropriate instructional media in teaching writing may make an enormous contribution to the achievement of students. This study explored the impact of cinquain poems as an instructional media on the ability of students to compose paragraphs by implementing a quasi-experimental research method. Sixty first semester students from English Education Study Program, Bengkulu University, chosen using total population sampling, were evenly divided into experimental and control groups. To assess their writing skills, the students were given a writing test as pre-test at the first meeting and a post-test at the sixteenth meeting. Inter-raters were used to eliminate bias in rating the work of students. The results of the paired sample t-test showed that implementing cinquain poems significantly improves the ability of students to compose paragraphs. In addition, independent sample t-test analysis also showed that the abilities of the students in paragraph writing were significantly higher than those who were not taught using cinquain poems. These findings indicate that it is beneficial to teach writing through cinquain poems to help students develop and organize their ideas, improve their vocabulary, and build an engaging learning atmosphere.
ICT in Indonesian Public Secondary Schools: EFL Teachers’ Attitude and Problems
Authors: Haryanto Eddy
Published: September 2022

Teachers’ attitude toward technology in the classroom plays a significant role to achieve educational goals; this mixed-method study investigates the attitude and problems of secondary school English teachers toward ICT in English teaching. Data of this study were collected from the questionnaire with forty-six English teachers and interviews with five teachers from eleven public secondary schools in Jambi city. The findings indicate teachers have a positive attitude toward the use of ICT. Meanwhile, the problems show that the overall mean rating was 3.11 (uncertain), which means English teachers could not determine whether they encountered problems or not in using ICT in teaching English. However, qualitative results showed that the problems faced by teachers were a lack of funds and support for training from the government.
EFL Students' Course Content Practices between Conventional and Blended Learning
Authors: Hadiyanto Hadiyanto
Published: September 2022

Blended learning has increasingly been applied in higher education. The present study investigated the students' perception toward the practices of course content between conventional and blended learning. The study's design was a survey design conducted on second and third-year students. The students perceived that blended learning allows a wider chance to students to explore and practice their course knowledge and skills than conventional learning. Furthermore, the students perceived that the practices of course knowledge and skills in blended learning significantly contributed to their CGPA. However, the course knowledge and skills practices in conventional learning yielded a low effect on students' CGPA. This study implicates that applying blended learning in a course optimizes EFL students' course content competencies and increases their CGPA.
Students’ Perceptions on the Use of Google Classroom in Writing Activities: A Case Study
Authors: Lestari Adeliya , Manalulaili Manalulaili , Riznanda Winny Agustria
Published: September 2022

Google classroom is an application for online learning and teaching. The objective of this study was to find out the students’ perceptions on the use of google classroom in writing activities at SMAN 3 Lubuklinggau. The qualitative research method with a case study research design was used in this study. The participants of this study were six students who were obtained by using a maximum variation sampling based on teacher’s recommendation. The study used interview and thematic analysis was selected as analyzing the data in developing categories and sub-categories of the data. The findings showed that there were positive and negative perceptions on the use of Google Classroom in writing activities. They were (1) being easy to acces, (2) saving time, (3) getting feedback, (4) being easy to post writing assignments, (5) having lack of interaction, and (6) increasing problem in writing. The results showed that google classroom used in online learning had advantages and disadvantages for students in learning writing.
Increasing Learning Outcomes through the Student Team Heroic Leadership and Provision of Structured Tasks Strategies
Authors: S Nasir , Mustafa Sriyanti , Ahmad Mamad
Published: September 2022

Learning in schools is not only intended to achieve educational goals for certain lessons but also to equip students to master the concept of material and apply it in everyday life. Moreover, learning is also intended to achieve educational goals as a whole general which is formal, namely, to organize students' reasoning and shape their personalities. This research is classroom action research that aims to improve learning outcomes through student team heroic leadership strategies and the provision of structured assignments. The subjects in this study were students of class X.2 MA DDI Kaballangang, Pinrang. This research is Classroom action research carried out in two cycles. Data collection using learning outcomes tests sheets and observation sheets. The collected data is analyzed using quantitative analysis techniques and qualitative analysis, presenting information, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that there was an increasing learning outcome through student team heroic leadership strategies and the provision of structured assignments which was marked by an increase in the average score of student learning outcomes from cycle 1 to cycle 2, which was 61.28 increasing to 83.72, student learning completeness in the second cycle. I which has not been achieved classically only reached 48.3%, but in cycle 2, classical completeness was achieved, namely 89.7% so there was an increase in the percentage of student activity in the learning process from cycle 1, namely 35.28% to cycle 2, namely 47.32%
The Urgency to Imagine a New Paradigm. The Labour Market between Global Trends and Peculiar Italian Features after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Fontana Renato , Calo Ernesto Dario
Published: September 2022

This paper aims to examine the peculiar characteristics of the Italian working situation after the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, starting from the forecasts on the impact of the Digital Transformation (DT) on the global labour market, the authors try to combine the macro and micro-social risks related to this process with those arising from the pandemic scenario, finding a common thread that seems to return the sign of these times. Observing the Italian context, some reflections are provided to rethink the balances of the world of work, in particular through the use of the digital technologies, the plural forms of remote working (RT) and the prevention of the youth unemployment and great resignation phenomena.
KEMAMPUAN DINAMIS ASPEK PELAYANAN DAN MANAJEMEN PENGETAHUAN SEBAGAI STRATEGI PENINGKATAN KINERJA PDAM KABUPATEN JEMBER
Authors: Setiawan Ady , Rahmawati Rini , Juniar Asrid
Published: September 2022

This study aims to analyze the effect of resources on dynamic capabilities consisting of service and manajemen pengetahuan, as well as the effect of resources on company performance at Municipal Waterworks in Jember Regency. Resources are measured by indicators of production efficiency and distribution efficiency; service aspect is measured by technical service and consumer growth; manajemen pengetahuan is measured by the ratio of employees to consumers, the ratio of education and training, and the ratio of the cost of training and education. Meanwhile, company performance is measured by ROE, ROA, R, and billing effectiveness indicators. The period of this research is 2011-2019, which is the period when all Municipal Waterworks in Indonesia were experiencing debt restructuring. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS. The results of the study indicated that resources had a significant effect on the aspect of service, manajemen pengetahuan, and company performance. Dynamic capabilities that consist of aspects of service and manajemen pengetahuan had a significant effect on company performance. The results also showed that dynamic capabilities were critical as the basis for adapting to changes after debt restructuring.

Keywords: company performance, manajemen pengetahuan, resources, service aspect
CUSTOMER INTENTION SEBAGAI MEDIASI PERCEIVED USEFULNESS DAN PERCEIVED PRICE TERHADAP BUYING DECISION KONSUMEN YOUTUBE PREMIUM DI BALI
Authors: Purnama Sari Desak Made Febri , Marcelina Ignacia Linda
Published: September 2022

This study aims to measure the effect of perceived usefulness and perceived price on buying decisions through customer intention on YouTube Premium services. The number of samples in this study was 119 YouTube Premium users in Bali, who were taken using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Square, one of the Structural Equation Modeling approaches. The results showed that perceived usefulness had a positive and significant effect on customer intention, perceived price had a positive and significant effect on customer intention, and customer intention had a positive and significant effect on buying decisions. Another finding was that customer intention mediated the effect of perceived usefulness and perceived price on buying decisions. The results of this study can be used as a reference for improving the quality of YouTube Premium services by increasing the benefits of using and offering prices through discounted, voucher, or gift card schemes.

Keywords: buying decision, customer intention, perceived price, perceived usefulness
THE ROLE OF DISCIPLINE AND LOYALTY ON TAX VOLUNTEERS' WORK PERFORMANCE THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AT THE TAX CENTER OF UNIVERSITY OF JEMBER
Authors: Wicaksono Galih
Published: September 2022

Tax volunteer is one of the programs created by the Director General of Taxes in collaboration with tax centres in higher education, one of which is the Tax Center of the University of Jember. This study aims to analyze the effect of discipline, loyalty, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) on work performance and the role of OCB as an intervening variable towards the effect of discipline and loyalty on work performance. Data were collected by distributing online and offline questionnaires, with the sample consisting of 60 tax volunteers at the Tax Center of the University of Jember. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Square software. The results showed that discipline had a significant positive effect on OCB but had no effect on work performance. Loyalty had a significant positive effect on OCB and work performance. OCB had a significant positive effect on work performance. However, OCB failed to intervene in the effect of discipline and loyalty on work performance. Results of this research indicated that the management of the tax volunteer at the University of Jember's tax centre must continuously increase the loyalty of its members in order to improve OCB and work performance.

Keywords: discipline, loyalty, OCB, tax volunteer, work performance
PERAN BRAND PREFERENCES DAN PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES, DALAM IMPLEMENTASI GREEN MARKETING, TERHADAP VOLUME PENJUALAN LOW COST GREEN CAR
Authors: Sakti Intan Widuri
Published: September 2022

This study aims to identify and explain the effect of brand preferences and product attributes that implement green marketing simultaneously and partially on the sales volume of Low-Cost Green Car (LGCC). The research population was the Brio Satya car buyers at the PT. Imperial Putra Perdana, Bandung, with a total sample of 110 respondents. The sample was taken using a random sampling technique. The data analysis used is path analysis. The results showed that the variable brand preferences and product attribute partially and simultaneously significantly affected LCGC sales volume.

Keywords: brand preferences, green marketing, product attributes, selling volume
PENGARUH CSR PADA KETERIKATAN KERJA: APAKAH KEBERMAKNAAN DAN COMPASSION BERPERAN?
Authors: Kurniawan Bima Aji , Istiqomah Suryandari
Published: September 2022

This study aims to identify the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on employee engagement mediated meaningfulness and compassion in the hotel industry. The population of this research is employees of 3, 4, and 5-star hotels in Surakarta City. The sample was 209 employees collected through an online questionnaire using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using PLS-SEM with the help of SmartPLS 3 software. The results showed that CSR positively affected employee engagement, meaningfulness, and compassion. Meaningfulness positively affected employee engagement and mediated the effect of CSR on employee engagement. However, compassion did not affect employee engagement and did not mediate the effect of CSR on employee engagement. CSR is an added value that sustainably maintains employee engagement and well-being. Therefore, CSR needs to be embedded in the company's work culture and long-term strategic view.

Keywords: compassion, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, meaningfulness
Effects of Bacillus Sp. on The Growth of Immature Plants In Year 1 Robusta Coffee Clones
Authors: Muhammad Ghufron Rosyady  , Subakti Bawafi , Setiyono  , Erwin Kusbianto Dwi
Published: September 2022

Coffee (Coffea sp.) is a plantation crop that is widely cultivated and an export commodity that has an important role for the economy in Indo-nesia. The productivity of coffee cultivation in Indonesia is still not optimal due to several factors, one of which is the lack of innovative tech-nology that can increase the production of coffee plants. An important phase in the cultivation of coffee plants is in the phase of young plants or immature plants in year 1. In this phase, proper maintenance treatment is needed for the purpose of preparing the plant for optimal growth. The application of technology to increase the production of coffee plants can be done through the application of Bacillus sp. which can func-tion as bacteria that can stimulate plant growth and by using superior clones. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Bacillus sp. on the growth of immature plants in year 1 on several robusta coffee clones. The method of this research was using split plot design which was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 2 factors and 3 replications. Factor I as the main plot consisted of several clones with 4 levels, namely the Cabutan clone, BP 409, BP 936, and BP 939. Factor II as the subplot was the concentration of Bacillus sp. consisted of 3 levels, namely 0 gr/l, 30 gr/l and 60 gr/l. The results of this study indicate that there is no interaction between the application of Microbial Bacillus sp. with some of robusta coffee. While the application of Bacillus sp. significantly increase stem diameter and there were differences in the growth characteristics of several coffee clones on all observed variables.
Glocalizing Metamorphosis: A Post-Humanist Critique of Hybrid Romance in The Legend of White Snake and The Little Mermaid
Authors: Meng Shu
Published: September 2022

As a transcultural archetype in both Eastern and Western mythology, metamorphosis is the main clue in The Little Mermaid by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen and The Legend of the White Snake rewritten by Feng Menglong, which both demonstrate a cross-species romance between human beings and half-human-half-animal entities. Thus, by paralleling the story of metamorphosis in Eastern and Western cultural contexts, this paper attempts to investigate the “sharedness” rather than “sameness” between the metamorphosis tradition by creating a glocal heterotopia, revealing a possible post-humanistic potential for disrupting the differential human-animal categorization, while the tragic ending of both romances also indicates a shared pessimistic view on the establishment of nature-culture continuum and the underlying anthropocentric conception in the 17th century China and 19th century Europe.
Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics and Short-term Follow-up of Asymptomatic and Non-severe COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Zhao Dong , Guo Siwei , Du Wenjie , Zhang Nuo , Shen Zhiyuan , Ji Qiang , Yang Wei , Mu Xinlin
Published: September 2022

COVID-19 broke out in Wuhan in 2019, and spread rapidly around the world. More than 80% of COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic and non-severe, which may be an important source of infection. Therefore, the infectivity, clinical characteristics and outcome of such patients should be studied. The epidemiological data of 108 COVID-19 patients, as well as the clinical characteristics and treatment conditions of 100 asymptomatic and non-severe patients in Bozhou City, Anhui Province were collected. A retrospective analysis of the infectivity of asymptomatic patients was carried out, and a comparative study on clinical characteristics between asymptomatic patients and non-severe patients was also conducted. Eighty-six non-severe patients mainly had a cough (81.4%) and fever (70.9%), and only a few had the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection such as sore throat (9.3%) and running nose (4.7%). Lymphopenia (20.9%) and elevated C-reaction protein (57.0%) were more frequent in non-severe patients compared with asymptomatic patients which were 0% and 14.3%, respectively. Among 100 asymptomatic and non-severe patients, 84 patients showed abnormal findings on the first chest CT, but meanwhile, 19 patients showed negative results on the viral RNA test. In 14 asymptomatic patients, five had lung abnormalities, which were all pure ground glass opacity. Eleven patients were infected by two asymptomatic patients; in the whole course of the disease, the two patients remained asymptomatic, but chest CT showed multifocal GGO. The time for clearance of SARS-CoV-2 in 12 patients taking methylprednisolone was longer than in other patients (21.2 d vs. 16.4 d). During follow-up, lung lesions found by chest CT in 58.3% of patients completely disappeared. Asymptomatic patients with abnormal chest CT were highly infectious, so SARS-CoV-2 RNA test, combined with a chest CT scan, could discover asymptomatic patients with strong infectivity. The application of glucocorticoids might lengthen the clearance time for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Both asymptomatic and non-severe COVID-19 patients showed a better prognosis.
How to Create a Safe Space When Teaching Controversial Issues in China
Authors: Wang Zhixuan
Published: September 2022

In order to make students adapt to democratic life, educators have a responsibility and obligation to bring controversial topics into the classroom. A safe space is needed for the discussion of controversial topics in the classroom without any intrusion. However, the author of this article found that the concept of safe space is rarely mentioned in China. Therefore, this essay critically analyses five national and regional studies on safe spaces to suggest how safe spaces could be achieved in Chinese classrooms for teachers and students.
Two-stage automatic diagnosis of Flavescence Dorée based on proximal imaging and artificial intelligence: a multi-year and multi-variety experimental study
Authors: Tardif Malo , Amri Ahmed , Keresztes Barna , Deshayes Aymeric , Martin Damian , Greven Marc , Da Costa Jean-Pierre
Published: September 2022

“Flavescence dorée” (FD) is a grape vine disease caused by the bacterial agent “Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis” and spread by the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). The disease is very closely monitored in Europe, as it reduces vine productivity and causes vine death and is also highly transmissible. Currently, the control method used against this disease is a two-pronged approach: i) the spraying of insecticide on a regular basis to kill the vector, and ii) a survey of each row in a vineyard by experts in this disease. Unfortunately, these experts are not able to carry out such a task every year on every vineyard and need an aid for planning their survey.In this study, we propose and evaluate an original automatic method for the detection of FD based on computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms applied to images acquired by proximal sensing. A two-step approach was used, mimicking an expert’s scouting in the vine rows: (i) the three known isolated symptoms (red or yellow leaves depending on variety, together with a lack of shoot lignification and the presence of desiccated bunches) were detected, (ii) isolated detections were combined to make a diagnosis at image scale; i.e., vine scale. A detection network was used to detect and classify non-healthy leaves into three classes: ‘FD symptomatic leaf', 'Esca leaf' and 'Confounding leaf'; while a segmentation network was used for the retrieval of FD symptomatic shoots and bunches. Finally, the association of detected symptoms was performed by a RandomForest classifier for diagnosis at the image scale. The experimental evaluation was conducted on more than 1000 images collected from 14 blocks planted with five different grape varieties. The detection of the isolated symptoms achieved a precision of between 0.67 and 0.82 and a recall of between 0.39 and 0.59. The classification at the image scale obtained very good results when applied to images acquired under the same conditions, with the same grape varieties as the training images (precision and recall of more than 0.89). The results of the tests on the other grape varieties show the importance of having some of them in the training base in these AI-based approaches.
A novel approach to alpha-lipoic acid therapy in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Sementina Alicja , Cierzniakowski Mateusz , Rogalska Julia , Piechowiak Izabela , Spichalski Marek , Araszkiewicz Aleksandra
Published: September 2022

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a heterogenic disorder prevalent amongst patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM), with symptoms comprising neuropathic pain, paresthesia, and numbness in distal lower limbs. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is proposed as a pathogenesis-oriented treatment option, targeting underlying causes of neural lesions such as hyperglycemia, metabolic and microvascular dysfunctions, and cellular oxidative stress. We performed a comprehensive review of controlled clinical trials demonstrating the clinical usefulness of ALA in the treatment of DPN, published in the last 5 years to determine the benefits of ALA monotherapy and combined treatments with other known antioxidants. We also investigated the differential efficacy of oral versus intravenous ALA administration. Clinical trials show the efficacy of ALA treatment, attributed to its anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, and antioxidant properties, as well as its function in the endothelial activation and lipid metabolism parameters. ALA supplementation is associated with amelioration in nerve conduction velocity scores, clinically significant reduction of reported neuropathic pain, burning and paresthesia, as well as a decrease in serum triglycerides, improved insulin sensitivity, and quality of life.
Light Speed Expanding Hubble-Hawking Universe
Authors: U.V.S. Seshavatharam , S. Lakshmanarayana
Published: September 2022

Based on three major cosmological and astrophysical coincidences, it seems possible to develop a new model of Hubble-Hawking Universe having light speed expansion. First Coincidence is - distance travelled by light in 14 billion years seems to equal to the currently believed cosmic Hubble radius. Second Coincidence is - Product of currently believed cosmic critical density and cosmic Hubble volume seems to be equal to the black hole mass of the current Hubble universe. Third Coincidence is - Currently believed cosmic temperature seems to be equal to the geometric mean of Hawking temperature of Planck mass and Hawking temperature of current Hubble mass. Considering the analysis of 740 super novae data, it is possible to consider a constant rate of cosmic expansion. As there is no physical reasoning for the observed speed of light and all the cosmological observations are completely based on speed of light-by considering ‘light speed expansion’ concept as a characteristic nature of the universe, big bang, inflation, dark energy, quintessence and lambda term like ideal and unidentified concepts can be reviewed and relinquished at fundamental level and a practical model of expanding universe can be developed with ease and clarity. In this context, we encourage the reader to see Figure 1 pertaining to light travel distances prepared with [z/(1+z)](c/H0). For a comparison, readers are encouraged to visit https://cosmocalc.icrar.org/ and http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/cosmodis.c. It may be noted that, considering 200 million solar masses as a cut off for ordinary gravity, dark matter can be considered as an effect of power law based super gravity of galactic baryonic mass. It is well believed that, Hawking’s findings about black holes are the most important contributions to physics in recent decades. Hence, we appeal the science community to recommend our Hubble-Hawking model for further research and study.
Multidimensional Machine Learning on 2173 COVID-19 Patients in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen * Tue Trong , Ho * Tu Cam , Bui * Huong Thi Thu , Protzer Ulrike , Ta Van Thanh
Published: September 2022

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to determine (a) the overall preclinical character; (b) the cumulative cutoff values and the risk ratio, and (c) the factors associated with severity by a unidimensional and multidimensional analysis on 2173 Sars-Cov2 patients. METHODS: The machine learning study population consisted of 2173 patients (1587 mild and non symptoms patients, 377 moderate patients, 209 severe patients). The status of the patients was recorded from September 2021 to March 2022. RESULTS: The Covid19 Severity directly links with a significant correlation to Age, Score index of the chest X-ray, percentage and quantity of neutrophils, Albumin, C reactive protein, and ratio of Lymphocytes. Their important cut off values (from regression analysis) respectively are: 77.56 years old (the mild-moderate group), 5.53 (the mild-moderate group) and 10.51 (the moderate-severe group), 84.80% (the mild-moderate group) and 87.74%(the moderate-severe group), 11.77G/L (the moderate-severe group), 29.73g/L (the moderate-severe group), 7.46mg/dL (the mild-moderate group), 6.32% (the moderate-severe group). Their significant (p<0.0001) R score correlation with the severity of Covid19, are: 0.44, 0.52 and 0.52, 0.33 and 0.44, 0.42, -0.43, 0.40, -0.41. Their significant risk ratio (p<0.00001) from the meta-analysis, respectively are: 4.19 [3.58-4.95], 3.29 [2.76-3.92] and 3.03 [2.4023;3.8314], 3.18 [2.73-3.70] and 3.32 [2.6480;4.1529], 3.15 [2.6153;3.8025], 3.4[2.91-3.97], 0.46 [0.3650;0.5752] (p<0.00001), 0.34 [0.2743;0.4210]. The pair ALT – Leucocytes and Transferrin – Anion Chloride get the most important correlation shift. ALT – Leucocytes show the important negative link (R=-1, p<0.00001) in the mild group to the significant positive correlation in the moderate group (R=1, p<0.00001). Transferrin–anion Chloride has an important positive association (R=1, p<0.00001) in the mild group with a significant negative correlation in the moderate group (R=-0.59, p<0.00001). The network map and HCA show that in the mild-moderate group, the closest neighbors with the Covid19 severity are ferritins, Age. Then there is C-reactive protein, SI of X-ray, Albumin, and Lactate dehydrogenase, which are the next close neighbors of these three factors. In the moderate-severe group, the closest neighbors with the Covid19 severity are Ferritin, Fibrinogen, Albumin, the quantity of Lymphocytes, SI of X-ray, white blood cells count, Lactate dehydrogenase, and quantity of neutrophils. CONCLUSIONS: Complete multidimensional study in 2173 Covid19 patients in Vietnam shows the whole picture of all the preclinical factors, which may become the clinical reference marker for surveillance and diagnostic management
Detour Polynomials of Generalized Vertex Identified of Graphs
Authors: Ali Ahmed M. , Ahmed Haveen J. , Saleh Gashaw A. Mohammed
Published: September 2022

The Detour distance is one of the most common distance types used in chemistry and computer networks today. Therefore, in this paper, the detour polynomials and detour indices of vertices identified of n-graphs which are connected to themselves and separated from each other with respect to the vertices for n≥3 will be obtained. Also, polynomials detour and detour indices will be found for another graphs which have important applications in Chemistry.
The Middle Paleozoic Magmatism of the Central Tuvinian Trough (Eastern Altai–Sayan Fold Area): Petrogenesis, Tectonics, and Geodynamics
Authors: Vetrov E.V. , Uvarov A.N. , Andreeva E.S. , Vetrova N.I. , Zhimulev F.I. , Stepanov A.S. , Vishnevskaya I.A. , Chervyakovskaya M.V.
Published: September 2022

—The Tuvinian trough is one of the large grabens of the rift system formed in the Devonian–Carboniferous in the eastern part of the Altai–Sayan fold area. Based on the results of comprehensive studies, the age was refined, and the geochemical features of igneous rocks formed during two stages of tectonic and magmatic activity within the Tuvinian trough were studied. In the Early Devonian (397 Ma, Emsian), at the stage of the initiation of the Tuvinian trough in the stretching setting, the volcanic and subvolcanic rocks of the Kendei Formation formed, which make a bimodal series. The Early Devonian igneous rocks of mafic composition have geochemical features of both intraplate (low values of Mg#, high contents of K2O (up to 2.9 wt.%) and TiO2 (up to 2.2 wt.%), and enrichment in LREE relative to HREE) and suprasubductional (enrichment in Pb and Sr and depletion in Ta and Nb) formations and are characterized by high values of εNd(T) (+5.9 to +8.0). They are assumed to have formed from a mixed source including the depleted mantle and components modified by subduction. The Early Devonian felsic volcanic rocks, which are the extreme member of the bimodal sequence, also combine the geochemical features of rocks of intraplate (high Fe, low Sr, P, and Ti contents, Zr and Hf enrichment) and island arc (Ta and Nb depletion) origin. These rocks with εNd(T) values from +4.0 to +7.0 resulted from the melting of a heterogeneous source corresponding in composition to the lower continental crust. In the Middle Devonian–early Carboniferous (390–350 Ma), the Tuvinian rift trough evolved into a mature stage, at which the mafic rocks of the Torgalyk complex were intruded. The Middle Devonian–early Carboniferous mafic rocks are similar in isotope and geochemical characteristics, including the Nd isotopic composition (εNd(T) = +6.7), to the Early Devonian formations. In contrast to the Early Devonian rockes, the magmas for the Middle Devonian–early Carboniferous mafic rocks were generated a relatively homogeneous mantle source without significant metasomatic transformations, the features of which are better manifested in the Kendei rocks.
Prioritizing the indicators responsible for sustainable municipal solid waste management using SF-AHP and SF-TOPSIS
Authors: KAUR MANBIR , Yadav Rakesh
Published: September 2022

Municipal corporations of small cities in India are struggling with the challenges that emerge from the unstructured solid waste management system. For successful implementation of the Municipal solid waste management system, all the basic components of this system need to work effectively and efficiently. Identification of performance indicators is completed with the help of a literature review and experts information. Interviews were conducted with the experts working in the field of solid waste management and three decisions criteria i.e., importance, performance, and understandability were defined to evaluate the selected performance indicators. For uncertainties, criteria weights were established using the spherical fuzzy analytical hierarchy process approach and the combined pairwise comparison matrix was aggregated by applying the spherical fuzzy TOPSIS method. Eventually, the indicators responsible for sustainable waste management were selected and ranked. An assessment of the conceptual framework of MSWM is also proposed for practical implementation of the ranked indicators for the MSWM system in Dinanagar and other cities with similar situations.