bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon monoxide poisoning can act as a stress test to reveal underlying coronary artery disease: case report
Authors:   Division of Hyperbaric Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, and Intermountain LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah U.S., Weaver Lindell K. ,   Department of Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah U.S.
Published: December 2020

Despite established exposure limits and safety standards as well as the availability of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, each year 50,000 people in the United States visit emergency departments for CO poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur from brief exposures to high levels of CO or from longer exposures to lower levels. Common symptoms can include headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, general malaise, and altered mental status. Some patients may have chest pain, shortness of breath, and myocardial ischemia, and may require mechanical ventilation and treatment of shock. Individuals poisoned by CO often develop brain injury manifested by neurological problems, including cognitive sequelae, anxiety and depression, persistent headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, motor weakness, vestibular and balance problems, gaze abnormalities, peripheral neuropathies, hearing loss, tinnitus, Parkinsonian-like syndrome, and other problems. In addition, some will have cardiac issues or other ailments. While breathing oxygen hastens the removal of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) hastens COHb elimination and favorably modulates inflammatory processes instigated by CO poisoning, an effect not observed with breathing normobaric oxygen. Hyperbaric oxygen improves mitochondrial function, inhibits lipid peroxidation transiently, impairs leukocyte adhesion to injured microvasculature, and reduces brain inflammation caused by the CO-induced adduct formation of myelin basic protein. Based upon three supportive randomized clinical trials in humans and considerable evidence from animal studies, HBO2 should be considered for all cases of acute symptomatic CO poisoning. Hyperbaric oxygen is indicated for CO poisoning complicated by cyanide poisoning, often concomitantly with smoke inhalation.
The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on gene expression: microarray analysis on wound healing
Authors:   The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic, Tlapák Jakub ,   Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Chmátal Petr ,   The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic, Oniščenko Boris ,   The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic,   Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic, Pavlík Vojtěch ,   Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic,   Cell Physiology Research Group, Contipro a.s., Dolni Dobrouc, Czech Republic, Došel Petr ,   The Institute of Aviation Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic, Páral Jiří ,   Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Lochman Petr ,   Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Published: December 2020

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy canhave a positive effect on wound healing, angiogenesis and blood flow. No prior study has described the effects of HBO2 therapy and gene expression of this process. The goal of our research was to show the effects of HBO2 and its impact at the molecular level on angiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and extracellular matrix formation. Live animal subjects were used for simulating the process of wound healing under standard conditions and under the influence of HBO2. Methods: Two experimental groups were created using injured rabbits (N=24), one group (N=12) treated with hyperbaric therapy twice a day and one (N=12) with standard wound care management. Wounds were surgical, uninfected, and in healthy animal test subjects. We compared the whole genomic analysis of the transcriptome with the use of microarray technology at three intervals during treatment. Results: The induction of the wounds in rabbit skin increased expression of hundreds of genes in both treatment groups. The numbers of elevated and decreased genes gradually reduced as the wound healed. Gene expression analysis showed elevated expression of several genes associated with inflammation in both groups of injured animals. Genes connected to the process of angiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, oxidative stress and extracellular matrix formation were without statistically significant changes. Conclusion: The evidence did not support that HBO2 had any significant effect on gene expression during wound healing. Additionally, there was no evidence to support that there were changes in gene expression in either treatment group.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy awareness within a doctor population
Authors:   Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta, Magri Kurt , Bigeni Sarah ,   Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Medicine, Gozo General Hospital, Victoria, Gozo, Malta, Azzopardi Charles Paul ,   Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta, Camilleri Liberato ,   Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Malta, Msida, Malta, Matity Lyubisa ,   Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta, Muscat Stephen ,   Hyperbaric Unit, Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta, Meintjes Willem Albertus Jacobus ,   Department of Global Health, Division of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
Published: December 2020

Hyperbaric medicine is a relatively young specialty that remains in the blind spot of most doctors’ awareness. This study endeavors to identify the level of awareness of the indications for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy among a doctor population in a developed country and factors which may improve referral rates. An anonymized questionnaire was distributed to doctors licensed to practice in Malta. Questions included physician specialty, demographics and previous exposure to diving and/or hyperbaric medicine. Moreover, two scoring systems were used to score subjects on HBO2-related topics. Binomial logistic regression models and generalized linear models were used in the statistical analysis. A total of 152 full replies were obtained and analyzed. Respondents who had visited a hyperbaric unit (HBU) (p=0.002) or attended a lecture on HBO2 (p=0.006) scored better than their counterparts, indicating better awareness of HBO2 indications and local chamber location. A previous HBU visit (p=0.001), being a hospital-based doctor (p=0.027) and a history of scuba diving (p=0.03) were associated with willingness to refer patients for HBO2 in the future. Encouraging visits to an HBU has been shown to be associated with multiple factors, which are expected to result in improved referral rates. Targeted educational sessions to doctors and medical students are likely to be beneficial in improving correct referral of patients for HBO2. The findings from this study may prove useful in improving appropriate referral rates of patients who may benefit from this useful treatment modality.
Reduction of peak expiratory flow after a 5-meter dive with extreme exertion
Authors:   Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Schellart Nico A.M. ,   Foundation for Dive Research (SDR), Aerdenhout, The Netherlands
Published: December 2020

The effects of physically exerting scuba dives on the airways are expected to affect the respiratory system and therefore the spirometric flow indices directly after surfacing. After on-air open-sea dives, the flow indices were examined with standard spirometry (maximal forced expiration) within 10 minutes pre- and post-dive. Twenty volunteers, age 49±14 years (m±SD) equipped with a dive computer to record the dive profile, cylinder pressures and water temperature (27°C), as well as a hear rate monitor, performed 5-meter dives of 27 minutes at maximal swimming velocity (v). Mean pulmonary ventilation (PV) was 48±10 ambient L/minute (aL.min-1). Mean v was 34±6 meters/minute and mean heart rate 143 beats per minute, about 80% of the on-land theoretical maximum. None of the flow variables changed except a decrease of 7.1%±8.3 (p=0.001) of the peak expiratory flow (PEF), pre-dive of 11.2±2.7 L/minute. A likely major cause of the reduction of PEF is expiratory muscle fatigue. A small contribution of subclinical pulmonary edema cannot be excluded. The inhalation of dry air and the cooling of the airways are expected to affect PEF minimally. Although the change is normally clinically irrelevant, during emergency it may be of importance.
Post-1994 labour legislations: An overview of influence on employment relations in emerging markets
Authors: Ntimba David Isaac , Lessing Karel Frederick , Swarts Ilze
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the primary labour legislation that was promulgated after the democratization of South Africa after 1994. These legislations were introduced as regulatory and corrective measures for workplace relationships in work organizations (Booysen, 2005; Vettori, 2018). The data for this paper was collected through the perusal of scientific journals, newspaper articles, published/unpublished dissertations and theses, textbooks, and other relevant informative documents. The significant and influential role, which these labour legislations played in the development of a new era of employment relations in South Africa, cannot be overstated. The South African perspective of employment relations is also presented and discussed in this paper to reveal its nature and its role-players, such as the state, trade unions, and employers’ organizations (Ehlers & Jordaan, 2016; Smith & Diedericks, 2016). The workplace relationship between employers (through their management) and employees (through their trade unions), and the effects which such an antagonistic relationship has had on the South African labour market are also addressed (Finnemore & Koekemoer, 2018). The main finding of this paper is that there has been an improvement in workplace relationships, since the implementation of the post-1994 labour legislation although such improvement has been gradual.
Pólipo del colon generando un síndrome de ball valve. Reporte de un caso (con video)
Authors: Gómez Zuleta Martín Alonso , Ruíz Oscar Fernando , Marulanda Fernández Hernando
Published: December 2020

La obstrucción intestinal es una patología potencialmente letal y cuyo tratamiento, por lo general, es quirúrgico. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con dolor abdominal y clínica de obstrucción intestinal recurrente, en quien se documenta, durante una colonoscopia, un gran pólipo pediculado que causaba obstrucciones parciales por el fenómeno de ball valve.
Divertículo de Zenker: manejo endoscópico con o sin diverticulotomo
Authors: Gómez Zuleta Martin Alonso , Ruíz Oscar Fernando , Marulanda Fernández Hernando
Published: December 2020

El divertículo de Zenker se define como un divertículo localizado en la pared esofágica posterior que tiene como cuello proximal al músculo cricofaríngeo. La mayoría de los pacientes presenta síntomas después de los 60 años de edad. Antes el manejo estándar se realizaba la diverticulotomía quirúrgica, pero desde hace más de 20 años se introdujo el manejo endoscópico. Desde hace más de 15 años se introdujo un diverticulotomo que facilita la realización del procedimiento, pero su uso no se ha instaurado ampliamente en Colombia. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar si la diverticulotomía endoscópica con el uso de este dispositivo es más fácil (rápida) que el método estándar. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo evaluando dos métodos endoscópicos para tratar el divertículo de Zenker, con el objetivo principal de conocer en cuál de ellos el tiempo de incisión del tabique era menor. El tiempo del procedimiento se contaba después de la colocación de la sonda en el método estándar o después de colocar el diverticulotomo en posición (método con diverticulotomo), ya que es el momento exacto en el cual se inicia el corte del tabique y se contabilizaba eltiempo (registro en video) cuando este corte terminaba. Resultados: de enero de 2015 a diciembre de 2018 en total se incluyeron 20 pacientes. El diagnóstico de Zenker fue realizado por una endoscopia y esofagograma para clasificar el tamaño del mismo. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 61 años (46-85). En cada uno de los grupos se asignaron 10 pacientes. En 7 pacientes del grupo método estándar se resolvieron los síntomas, en comparación con 9 del grupo del método con diverticulotomo. Los tres pacientes que no respondieron presentaron en el seguimiento a 18 meses un estadio II de la escala de deglución de resultados funcionales. El tiempo promedio del procedimiento fue de 32 (25-45) minutos en el grupo del método estándar y 12 (7-15) minutos en el grupo de método con diverticulotomo (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La miotomía del divertículo de Zenker con el uso de endoscopia flexible utilizando el diverticulotomo tiene beneficios potenciales en términos de tiempos operatorios más cortos, estancias posoperatorias más cortas y un inicio más temprano de la dieta. Desde el punto de vista técnico, permite una mejor exposición del tabique, lo que facilita su corte, pero se necesitan estudios más grandes para confirmar estos resultados.
Symmetric periodic solutions of symmetric Hamiltonians in 1:1 resonance
Authors: Pérez Yocelyn , Vidal Claudio
Published: December 2020

The aim of this work is to prove analytically the existence of symmetric
periodic solutions of the family of Hamiltonian systems with Hamiltonian
function H(q_1,q_2,p_1,p_2)=
1/2(q_1^2+p_1^2)+1/2(q_2^2+p_2^2)+ a q_1^4+b
q_1^2q_2^2+c \q_2^4 with three real
parameters a, b and c. Moreover, we characterize the stability of these
periodic solutions as function of the parameters. Also, we find a
first-order analytical approach of these symmetric periodic solutions.
We emphasize that these families of periodic solutions are different
from those that exist in the literature.
When Recurrent deep vein thrombosis is beyond only a clot- May-Thurner Syndrome
Authors: Alhasson Hussam , Kao Chien-Ting , Alhasson Alhassan , Al-Tikrity Mustafa , Abu-Tineh Mohammad , tirumanisetty pratyusha
Published: December 2020

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS), also known as iliac vein compression
syndrome which results in luminal narrowing and intimal hyperplasia,
which predispose to venous stasis and recurrent deep vein
thromboembolism (DVT) We present a 32-year-old woman with MTS who
developed recurrent deep venous thromboses despite undergoing
thrombectomy and being on recommended anticoagulation.
Excessive distension absorption in patient went through hysteroscopic surgery distended with 5%mannitol solution : a retrospective study.
Authors: Ma Ruowu , Feng Shuying , Xie Meiqing
Published: December 2020

Objective: To estimate the incidence of excessive distension absorption
in the patient went through hysteroscopic surgery distended with 5%
mannitol solution, to evaluate the use of 5% mannitol solution for
hysteroscopic surgical procedure specifically and to testify the safe
threshold for distension absorption. Design: Retrospective. Setting:
Academic medical center. Patients: 10693 patients went through inpatient
hysteroscopic surgery distended with 5% mannitol solution using
monopolar electrosurgical instrument from Jan. 2015 to Sep. 2020.
Intervention(s): None. This study has been approved by the Ethics
Committee of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital. Measurements and Main
Results: Fluid deficit more than 1000mL is defined as excessive
distension absorption. Incidence of excessive distension absorption in
all the inpatient hysteroscopic surgeries is 0.46% (49/10693). It is
2.57% (16/623) in transcervical resection of fibroid (TCRF), 2.36%
(9/381) in retained products of conception (RPOC) removal, 1.20%
(6/501) in hysteroscopic uterine septum resection (HSR), 0.53%
(14/2621) in transcervical resections of adhesion (TCRA) while in the
severe cases it was 2.34% (14/598), 0.48% (4/828) in transcervical
resection of the endometrium (TCRE). Excessive distension absorption
developed within ten minutes in two cases. Twelve of thirty nine
patients with fluid deficit under 2500mL presented with clinical
consequences related to circulation overload. Conclusion: Incidence of
excessive distension absorption could be low generally however it would
be five times higher in TCRP, RPOC removal and TCRA. Resection by needle
electrode may contribute to the excessive distension absorption
developed within short time. 30.77% of the patients could not tolerate
the less than 2500mL distension absorption.
Watching the days go by: asymmetric regulation of caterpillar development by changes in photoperiod
Authors: Lindestad Olle , Haugen Inger Aalberg , Gotthard Karl
Published: December 2020

Many insects possess the plastic ability to either develop directly to
adulthood, or enter diapause and postpone reproduction until the next
year, depending on environmental cues (primarily photoperiod) that
signal the amount of time remaining until the end of the growth season.
These two developmental pathways often differ in co-adapted life history
traits, e.g. with slower development and larger size in individuals
headed for diapause. The developmental timing of these differences may
be of adaptive importance: if pathways diverge late, the scope for
phenotypic differences is smaller, whereas if pathways diverge early,
the risk is higher of expressing a maladaptive phenotype if the
selective environment changes. Here we explore the effects of changes in
photoperiodic information during life on pupal diapause and associated
life history traits in the butterfly Pararge aegeria. We find that both
pupal diapause and larval development rate are asymmetrically regulated:
while exposure to long days late in life (regardless of earlier
experiences) was sufficient to produce nondiapause development and
accelerate larval development accordingly, more prolonged exposure to
short days was required to induce diapause and slow down pre-diapause
larval development. While the two developmental pathways diverged early
in development, development rates could be partially reversed by altered
environmental cues. Meanwhile, pathway differences in body size were
more inflexible, despite emerging late in development. Hence, in P.
aegeria several traits are regulated by photoperiod, along subtly
different ontogenies, into an integrated phenotype that strikes a
balance between flexibility and phenotype-environment matching.
The U.S. Space Force in a geopolitical context: Peaceful development or arming of outer space?
Authors: Stojanovic Bogdan
Published: December 2020

The main research question in this article is how much the establishment of
the U.S. Space Force has influenced other countries to accelerate their
space activities and whether future technological development in space will
be peaceful. The newly formed U.S. Space Force is the result of new
geopolitical reflections on the importance of outer space as a new type of
battlefield between states. International norms forbid weapons of mass
destruction in outer space, but not conventional weapons. The author
examines the justification and the possibility of establishing an
international regime that would limit the future space ambitions of a few
capable states. The author uses a comparative method and analysis of state
practices to examine who could be the most serious competitor of the United
States in the struggle for space domination. The author concludes that space
nationalism dominates the practices of states and their aspirations to
increase their own power. Although it is too early to reject classical
geopolitical views, geopolitics must respect outer space as a new arena of
competition. The author also predicts that there will be a place for private
actors in that arena, but with strict state supervision. The main conclusion
and answer to the research question are that American activities will
introduce the race to conquer space to a new speed, including the armament
and militarization of outer space.
Logos in Philo of Alexandria: Synthesis of two traditions
Authors: Djakovac Aleksandar
Published: December 2020

In this paper, our intention is to present the main aspects of the
understanding of the logos in Philo of Alexandria. Philo?s reception of this
notion is especially important because his insights significantly influenced
the development of patristic philosophy, and these influences, through the
mediation of scholasticism, reached the modern age. Philo has a very
important role in creating the Judeo-Christian heritage, and represents an
important link for understanding the formation of the basic matrices of this
worldview. For the first time, a thorough synthesis of Semitic and Hellenic
heritage was performed with him. The use of the term logos in that synthesis
proves to be one of the key ones, since it is precisely this term, which has
never lost its philosophical significance, partly and thanks to Philo, that
is identified with the Son of God of the Christian tradition.
Extended self
Authors: Milojevic Miljana
Published: December 2020

In this paper I aim to show that in the debate about the nature of the self
one concept, the concept of the cognitive self, has a theoretical primacy
over other conceptual alternatives because of its connection with the
concept of a person in the debate about personal identity. Consequently, I
will offer a defence of the hypothesis that the Extended Mind thesis implies
the Extended Cognitive Self thesis if we additionally assume Parfit?s
Psychological criterium of personal identity. After I consider several
counterarguments to the claim that the Extended Mind implies the Extended
Self, I will offer their criticism and show that they either distort the
original Extended Mind thesis or introduce hardly defensible metaphysical
assumptions. To one such assumption, that claims that one mind can contain
another, I will pay special attention. By careful examination it will be
shown that such assumption can be kept only if the relation between the
mereologically connected minds is such that prevents psychological
continuity between them, while it has to be abandoned if there is a
psychological continuity between such minds because it would produce
numerous problems such as the problem of too many thinkers, the
proliferation of minds, the concept of the person would become useless, etc.
Also, these considerations will lead us to the clear demarcation line
between those approaches that claim the possibility of group minds and those
that claim that there are extended minds. Their key difference will be in
taking contrary stances towards the relation of psychological continuity
when it comes to different wide minds and their biological constituents.
This will be one of the main results of this paper, together with the
defence of the Extended Cognitive Self thesis.
Is specificity of testimony a factor of its coherence? An example of equivalent statements
Authors: Nedeljkovic Adam
Published: December 2020

If we have, on the one hand, two witnesses who, independently of one another,
testify that the killer is male, and on the other hand, two witnesses who
claim independently of one another, that the killer is blond, blue-eyed and
overweight man, which of the two testimonies is more coherent? Could it be
that the more coherent testimony is the one which offers more information?
Or are they equally coherent? In short, can the amount of information, i.e.
specificity of testimony, raise its coherence ? In this paper, we will
defend the claim that the coherence of a set of logically equivalent
statements is independent of their specificity.
Technology vs. sublime: Critique of contemporary cultural and entertainment industry
Authors: Vuksanovic Divna , Calovic Dragan
Published: December 2020

Drawing on traditional understanding of the concept / category of the
sublime, the authors approach to the concept / category of the sublime in an
interdisciplinary manner, that is, from the perspective of contemporary
philosophy of media. In this way, the text maintains a connection both to
traditional aesthetics, on the one hand, and to critical theory of society,
on the other. The authors problematize ?technologically sublime? as well as
contemporary cultural and entertainment industry, both within the current
social and economic constellations of relationships. The current
transformation of the concept / category of the sublime, understood beyond
the interpretation of nature and art, finds its new path of realization in
the domain of technology, which is based on the capitalistic social and
economic order, together with the industrialized, profitable world of
entertainment. This technologically mediatized world, brings into relation
the sublime and the world of entertainment in a dialectical way.
Pulse-to-pulse evolution of optical properties in ultrafast laser micro-processing of polymers
Authors: Rahaman Arifur , Du Xinpeng , Zhou Boyang , Kar Aravinda , Yu Xiaoming
Published: December 2020

Polymers were one of the first materials to be processed by ultrafast lasers. However, the nature of absorption for near-infrared laser beams is not fully understood, and therefore it remains challenging to process polymeric materials with high energy efficiency. In this study, the pulse-to-pulse evolution of optical properties (reflectance, transmittance, and absorptance) of polypropylene (PP), which is an important polymeric material widely used in many industrial applications, is determined by performing time-resolved measurements for a wide range of pulse energies. The goal is to differentiate between linear and nonlinear absorption in different laser-matter interaction regimes and select the processing condition that yields the highest energy efficiency. The experiment is performed by recording the reflection and transmission of each laser pulse in an ellipsoidal mirror-based setup, which enables the collection of scattering reflection with nearly full coverage. Absorption is calculated from the experimental data, and a model consisting of linear and nonlinear absorption is used to analyze the results. It is found that PP undergoes a dramatic morphological change from pulse to pulse, which is accompanied by changes in optical properties, that is, the tuning of the laser condition to fully utilize the laser energy. Their results could help increase energy efficiency in ultrashort-pulsed laser processing of polymers toward the high-throughput operation.
Six Sigma as a Method for Controlling and Improving the Quality of Bed Series Products
Authors: Untoro Octa Bimansyah , Iftadi Irwan
Published: December 2020

The research was conducted at PT. XYZ where there were defect problems in bed series products so that additional time is needed to repair a product. One way to make improvements and improve quality in a production process is the Six Sigma method with the stages of DMAIC. The results of the calculated average of DPMO values and Sigma Level have the result 58558.56 and 3.07 which are still not good because still far from 6 sigma. After that analyzing the root causes of defect product problems, then the priority problem is carried out using (RPN) where the highest value is at the assembly work station because the material that has been used up in the warehouse has an RPN of 405 so that it becomes a top priority for repairs. With the standardization and documentation, proposed improvements that have been given then the possible defects of Electric Lovina Bed 3 Motor will be reduced.
Understanding Behavior of Household Food Waste Management: Food Waste Hierarchy Context
Authors: Ariyani Luthfina , Ririh Kirana Rukmayuninda
Published: December 2020

The determinant factor identification of behavior considers as an important means in order to develop effective intevention towards household waste management in Indonesia. This study extended the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by using the following construct: intention, attitude, subjective norm, perceive behavioral control, government intervention, environmental knowledge and awareness, as well as household planning and buying habit; to understand household waste management behavior from the ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ point of view. The structural equation modeling (SEM) were used in this study and the result showed that the model accounted for relatively substantial amount (61.7%) of the variance in intention, with the attitude, subjective norm, and environmental knowledge and awareness emerge as significant predictor.  Above findings could be used by both governmental and non-governmental organization to formulate strategies to manage food waste at the household level.
Kashubian Lake Calling
Authors: Murawska Oliwia
Published: December 2020

This study leads the reader to some remote Kashubian villages, located on the shores of Lake Słupino, Poland. The residents of these villages have witnessed uncanny transformations of their once familiar lake in recent years. Through changes in color, odor and matter, Słupino has obtruded itself to call out the problem of pollution. How does the lake express itself? How does it affect the everyday life of the inhabitants? To approach the specific interaction between the lake and the inhabitants (thus non-human and human), the author conducted sensory ethnography and conversed with residents affected by the problem. The categories call, care and Stimmung are used to analyze the gathered empirical material. These categories enable a variety of perspectives on the phenomenon and, thus, let us approximate what can be characterized as posthuman: First, the lake-problem is viewed from the activity of the calling lake, and then the argumentation is built up from the activity of the caring inhabitants. Finally, both perspectives are integrated with the category Stimmung, into which the lake and the inhabitants are immersed. The present study shows that the posthuman is not merely an artificial category but can be found in the research field by an (European) ethnologist, as intersecting with everydayness, memory and activity and, thus, be perceived from an emic perspective.
Optimizing Public Private Partnership in Implementation of Railway Transport Projects in Kenya: A Case of the National Standard Gauge Railway
Authors: Kinyua Rose Wanja , Mwenda Mary Nyawira
Published: December 2020

All over the world, the growing demand for transport infrastructure is on its high and with it comes overstretched and widened fiscal constraints, leading governments to seek specialized financing cooperation between the public and private sectors, known as Public-Private-Partnership (PPP). This study sought to investigate the influence of public-private-partnership on implementation of railway transport project: A case of Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the influence of public-private-partnership’s financing and private consortium on implementation of railway transport project. The study was grounded on the Agency and Game theories. The study adopted both descriptive survey and interview research designs. The study’s target population was the staff working at Kenya Railways, standard gauge railway consultant, standard gauge railway consultant contractor and PPP Unit, totalling to 100 respondents. The study’s sample size was 94. The study adopted purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected through closed ended questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through interview guides. The quantitative data was coded by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The statistical tools of analysis used for descriptive data were arithmetic mean and standard deviation, with the variables attaining a composite mean ranging between 3.885 and 4.195 and standard deviation ranging between 0.864 and 0.932. The statistical tools of analysis used for inferential statistics was Pearson Moment Correlation, with the variables attaining a strong positive correlation ranging between 0.735 and 0.889. The study concluded that public-private partnership’s financing and private consortium influence implementation of railway transport project. The study recommended that governments adopt public-private-partnership as the way forward to railway projects’ implementation and private consortium to have organization cultures that are simple to understand.
Repatriation as a Solution of Afghan Refugee Crisis: A Critical Overview
Authors: Auntu Sumaya Khan , Promee Afia Tasnim
Published: December 2020

Since 1979, the Afghan refugee crisis is the second largest refugee crisis in the world which is termed as “Protracted Refugee Situation”. Since then, the neighboring countries, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have provided support in terms of sheltering the refugees and conducting the measures of durable solutions. Last year, it marked the fourth decade of the crisis, and there is still no permanent solution. Different measures have been taken, among them, Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) is the most significant one. In this paper, a qualitative approach involving secondary data sources critically evaluates the effects of repatriation as a solution to the Afghan refugee crisis. This paper had tried to illustrate significant initiatives taken by UNHCR and the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran along with the international community. In conclusion, some policies are recommended to make voluntary repatriation more effective.
Efektivitas Sistem Informasi Kearsipan Dinamis dalam Pengelolaan Arsip Dinamis di Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kota Pekanbaru
Authors: Mailanda Nera , Sudiar Nining , Hakim Triono Dul
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine how effective the use of SIKD in managing archives in the Pekanbaru City Library and Archives Service. The research method used is quantitative descriptive method, with data collection done through observation, questionnaires, interviews, documentation and literature study. The questionnaire was distributed to the archive manager with a research sample of 6 people. The results of this study indicate that the average score is 3.35, based on preparations using the Likert scale at intervals of 3.26 - 4.00, that the archive manager is very positive and effective using SIKD in managing the archives at the Department of Library and Archives of Pekanbaru City . And the obstacle faced by managers in using SIKD is one of the network problems, where in the Pekanbaru City Library and Archives Service the network is sometimes unstable.
Evaluating risk-based selection methods for tax audits in Poland
Authors:   Department of Public Finance Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland, Hybka Małgorzata Magdalena
Published: December 2020

Penalty rates and probability of fraud detection are among the most important factors shaping taxpayer’s compliance. While the first of those factors may be directly controlled by tax authorities the second is usually indirectly influenced by the amount and efficiency of resources employed to detect tax evasion (Allingham, Sandmo 1972, p. 330). In order to increase fraud detection rate tax authorities may implement diversified strategies. They include inter alia the application of various methods to select taxpayers for tax audits. In most of the cases these methods are used interchangeably or complement each other. Although applied quite often in practice by tax authorities they are comparatively rarely addressed by the economists in their publications. In fact, literature sources on this topic are sparse and published mainly by the OECD. One of the methods used to select taxpayers for tax audits is based on the so-called external risk areas. In Poland, this method was introduced shortly after accession to the European Union as a tool of the external risk management strategy in the public administration. Both this strategy and audit targeting tools have evolved tremendously since its first implementation. This article attempts to evaluate the application of external risk areas to select taxpayers for tax audits in Poland. The author uses various indicators to measure the efficiency of tax audits and compare this efficiency taking into account different tax audit selection methods.
Reimagining the Ever-Changing Construct of Saudi Writerly Identity: A Heuristic Approach
Authors: Alharbi Majed
Published: December 2020

This paper takes on a heuristic approach (Crowley & Debra, 2004) to the study of Saudi writerly identity. In this critical review paper, the author argues that little work has been carried out to study Saudi English as a second langauge (ESL) writers' identity, for most of the empirical studies approach their writing as substandard writers. Therefore, this paper adds critical insights to the exciting literature about L2 Saudi writers and invite second language (L2) researchers to deconstruct the essentialized view towards peripheral writers. The paper also was guided by the question: how are ESL Saudi writers perceived in the Western educational system? Throughout the paper, the researcher problematizes that most studies about L2 Saudi writers are rife with references to phenomena in these student writings as negative transfers and linguistic errors. Other empirical studies were blinded from Saudi L2 discourse by the minutia of mechanism and look at students' writings as illegitimate. However, studies like Canagarajah’s (2013) and Saba’s (2013) can forward the conversation into a deeper understanding of these students’ writing identities and how they perceive themselves as writers and knowledge constructors. The article briefly explores the current definition of identity and how it is related to second language writing, followed by an explanation of Ivanić’s framework of writer identity. Then, the paper reviews previous research on how ESL Arab students negotiate and construct their written identities in Western educational settings. Finally, the author proposes directions for future empirical research and promising windows for studying the identity of Saudi ESL writers.
Exploring the Effect of Using WhatsApp on Saudi Female EFL Students' Idiom-Learning
Authors: Almogheerah Ameera
Published: December 2020

The study aimed at investigating the effect of using WhatsApp-based learning activities on developing idiom knowledge among Saudi university English as a foreign language (EFL) students compared to conventional method. It also examined the students’ perceptions towards the application of WhatsApp in idiom-learning. The rationale for conducting this study is to provide students with useful learning tools that may improve their idiomatic knowledge and also help them to practice English idioms anytime and anywhere outside the classroom. It also aimed to help teachers to streamline EFL instruction, making it more efficient, effective, and user-friendly. As such, the main research questions are what is the effect of WhatsApp-based learning activities on developing university female EFL students? and what are Saudi female EFL students’ perceptions on learning idioms using WhatsApp?. To answer these questions, 70 EFL female students in the Department of English Language and literature at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) involved in the study. They were assigned into two groups; experimental group, who was taught English idioms via WhatsApp-based learning activities, and control group, who was taught English idioms conventionally in classroom. Two instruments were used to collect the data; a pre-post idioms achievement test and a post-study questionnaire. The findings demonstrated that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group in idioms achievement post-test. Moreover, the results showed that the majority of the experimental group had a positive perception towards learning English idioms via WhatsApp.
Challenges of e-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic Experienced by EFL Learners
Authors: Mahyoob Mohammad
Published: December 2020

COVID-19 has disrupted most of the industries in the world. Education is the only industry that is completely transferred to online mode in most countries around the world. Online learning was the best solution for continuing education during the pandemic, especially in tertiary education. This study aims to determine the challenges and obstacles confronted by English language learners (EFL) in Science and Arts College, Alula, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia, during switching to online learning in the second semester of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The contribution of this study is to evaluate the learners’ new experiences in online education and to assess the feasibility of the virtual methods of learning. This is achieved by analyzing 184 learners’ responses to the survey-based questionnaire. A descriptive statistical method was used to test the validation of the study. It is found that the main problems that influence and impact online EFL learning during COVID-19 are related to technical, academic, and communication challenges. The study results show that most EFL learners are not satisfied with continuing online learning, as they could not fulfill the expected progress in language learning performance.
Inculcating Learners’ Listening Motivation in English Language Teaching: A Case Study of British Education and Training System
Authors: Ajmal Muhammad , Kumar Tribhuwan
Published: December 2020

Motivation plays a significant and crucial role in ELT and it boosts up the level of aplomb and interaction during learning English language. It creates sense of respect inside learners and makes them on the right direction. This research attempted to identify the impact of motivation on listening skills of students enrolled in English Language Course at British Education and Training System (BETS) Lahore, Pakistan during January to February, 2020. The learners for this class look forward to hone their speaking skills by listening as much as they can. The results show that there is a positive correlation between listening strategy instruction and motivation. Listening motivation was recorded utilizing the English Listening Comprehension Motivation Scale (ELCMS) and strategy use was tracked with the Metacognitive Awareness Listening Questionnaire (MALQ). Pre- and post-test scores of 36 participants (control group, n=20; experiment group, n=16) were analyzed using a mixed-effects regression and paired t-test to determine differences after a four-week treatment period. The results revealed that the participants’ motivation level in both groups decreased over the treatment period, with the experiment group seeing a smaller decrease than the control group.
A Semantic and Rhetorical Study of Manipulation in Two English and Arabic Political Speeches
Authors: Muhammad Jasim Raid , S. Mustafa Sabah
Published: December 2020

Manipulation is a discursive phenomenon used by speakers to affect the thoughts ( and indirectly the actions) of the recipients. This study is concerned with manipulation in two political speeches; one in English delivered by the American President Donald J. Trump, while the other in Arabic delivered by the Iraqi President Barham Salih to be the study's data. Each one of these two speeches is divided into serial-numbered extracts( henceforth Ext.). The study aims at investigating the semantic and rhetorical devices utilized as manipulation strategies in these speeches. To this end, the qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis will be followed in this study. The significance of the study stems from how the ideological dimension based on bettering off the speaker's image and derogating others' image plays a vital role in the political speeches. This study draws on Van Dijk's ideological approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of political discourse, and accordingly, it is adopted as a model. Results revealed that both speakers use lexicalization, a list of three, repetition, and citing as effective techniques in their two speeches to affect their recipients' minds. The study concluded that the ideological framework of "positive self-presentation" and "negative other-presentation" is the central umbrella under which manipulation can exist and work freely. The findings might help linguists and political analysts to understand how politicians use the linguistic features in their discourse to affect the audience's thoughts and behaviors manipulatively.
Contribution of Meta-Cognitive Competence in Preserving Student Self-Regulation in Algerian Higher Education: A Case from ENS of Laghouat
Authors: ROGTI Maroua
Published: December 2020

The processes of teaching and learning the English language have reached a globalized turn to the extent that educators and learners became highly exposed to teaching materials and classroom strategies to ensure long-life, independent, and self-guided learning. Ultimately, in a language class, learners may confront difficulty in understanding a literary text which can derive from the limited language proficiency, and presiding over lack of linguistic, cultural, and academic competence. In order to affirm this hypothesis and answer the question of the extent to which can self-directed learning be achieved and improved through metacognitive competence in performing a task in literature, this study aims at highlighting the effectiveness of incorporating certain innovative teaching activities and management practices, notably self-cognition and self-reflection on pursuing learners’ metacognition in understanding a literary text. By adopting a quasi-experimental methodological design, this study uses a participant observation with twenty- six subjects at Higher College of Teachers of Laghouat, they are assigned into two groups to measure their level of meta-cognitive competence and self-regulation, and prove their impact on achieving independent learning in studying a literary text. Results assured learners’ enthusiasm, high competence, and positive responses upon compiling metacognition and self-reflection which are not only learning strategies, but also learning paradigms for increasing learners’ self-directed learning and performance in class. Further studies may include engaging in improving independent learning and self-regulation of post-graduated learners through compensation and memory-related strategies.
Analisis Gaya Bahasa Dalam Cerpen “Maryam” Karya Afrion
Authors: Ningsih Angle Widya , Hutabarat Gusni , Hutahaean Juliani Rosmaida , Karlina Junita , Hutagalung Trisnawati
Published: December 2020

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif-analitis, artinya data yang diperoleh dianalisis. Subjek penelitian adalah gaya bahasa cerpen Maryam karya Afrion. Kode sastra, tergambar pada ragam gaya bahasa penegasan, sindiran, perbandingan, dan gaya bahasa lainnya. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa gaya bahasa penegasan terdapat majas hiperbola, polisendon, retorika, pararelisme, pleonasme, dan repetisi. Gaya bahasa perbandingan terdapat majas alegori, eufemisme, simbolik dan personifikasi. Sedangkan gaya bahasa sindiran terdapat majas sinisme, dan sarkasme. Dan ada gaya bahasa lainnya yaitu majas eklamasio. Di dalam cerpen Maryam, terdapat gaya bahasa yang bervariasi. Kata Kunci: Gaya Bahasa, cerpen