bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gamified flipped classroom in education: a systematic review
Authors: Majid Wan Masitah Wan , Zain Farah Mohamed , Ismail Siti Noor
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, gamified flipped classrooms (GFC) are a cutting-edge teaching method. Using gamification techniques with flipped classrooms (FC) significantly positively affects teachers and students. This study reviews the impact of GFC research on education methodically. Hence, the study investigated a comprehensive literature review of 52 empirical research publications published between 2018 and 2022 in various electronic databases and on the web. Note that the review established the foundation for the significance of upcoming research projects by critically assessing and evaluating the different inconsistencies in the literature. In addition to examining the contradictory results of previous research, the study offer a framework as well as guidance for future researchers in terms of theoretical models, methodology, game tools or online platforms, game activity, game elements, variables, and the impact of a GFC.
Analysis of the structural relationship emotional regulation, academic procrastination, and academic burnout
Authors: Setiyowati Arbin Janu , Rachmawati Indriyana , Wiyono Bambang Budi , Indreswari Henny , Laksana Eko Pramudya
Published: March 2024

Academic burnout (AB) is a problem that many students are currently facing since the online learning policy was implemented. This research aims to analyze the structural relationship between emotional regulation (ER), academic procrastination (AP), and student AB. This research used ex post facto causal relationship explanatory design. The research subjects were 417 high school students in East Java. The sampling was cluster random sampling technique. The data analysis technique used the Rasch model and structural equation modelling (SEM). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between ER and AP and AB. The implication of findings on the school guidance and counselling program is that the counsellors must pay attention to the factors that contribute to student AB so that counselling services can be designed to prevent student AB.
Developing a growth mindset in education: a bibliometric analysis and its challenge during pandemic
Authors: Sugiarti Sugiarti , Prihartini Arti , Sari Atika Permata , Zamahsari Gamal Kusuma
Published: March 2024

The growth mindset is essential for learning because students encounter numerous obstacles during the pandemic. However, only a few studies have examined research trends in growth mindset pedagogy. In filling this gap, this study aims to conduct a bibliometric study using the growth mindset pedagogy during the pandemic. Data from 81 Scopus-sourced scholarly articles on growth mindset in education from 2020–2022 was used. VOSviewer qualitatively analyzed the data. Results showed that the research cluster’s growth mindset is diverse and adaptive to learning dynamics, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several research clusters examined instructors, students, and parents’ roles in learning. Another cluster focuses on academic achievement and teacher efforts to improve student performance. The research addresses student issues like depression, academic fatigue, and suicide ideation. Research on a growth mindset in education has grown quantitatively since 2021. Clusters 1, 2, and 4, 5 have the most research on active learning design to improve student academic performance and accomplishment through teachers and other supporting elements. Even though academic fatigue can lead to depression and suicidal ideation, research on academic achievement-related student issues is scarce. In conclusion, a growth mindset can significantly enhance academic performance and solve learning problems.
Museum visit intervention in K-12 education: a scoping review
Authors: Sahani Chatterjee , Prakasha G. S.
Published: March 2024

This scoping review aims to provide an overview of empirical studies on worldwide museum visit intervention in K-12 education. The study employed Mendeley citation software to identify the articles in the database. A meta-analysis PRISMA statement is used for reporting the items. Out of 135 possibly rich articles, the present study reviewed 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to descriptive and content analyses published between 2017 and 2021. Most of the studies are experimental and from primary school contexts. It is revealed that science is the subject matter context majority of the studies, but philosophy, disaster management, language, and environmental science are also represented. The content analysis resulted in the following learning and social outcomes. It states that social outcome is explored chiefly, followed by learning outcome. The findings indicate that museum visit intervention positively impacts students learning and social outcome. The review also identifies the need for further research on museum visit intervention in the Asia Pacific region.
Development of manufacturing engineering program of Bulacan State University using employability tracer study
Authors: Bual Cyrus Lawrence Camancho , Bual Rachel Cunanan
Published: March 2024

Tracer study is one of the continuous quality improvement tools for curriculum development. The graduates are invited to answer the tracer form to determine their employability. Since the Manufacturing Engineering program in Bulacan State University (BuLSU) is the youngest engineering program, there is minimal data on graduates available, especially on the details of their first jobs, such as the first job related to the program, time taken to land their first job, gross monthly salary, and learning competencies. The demographic profile of the manufacturing engineering graduates from 2015 to 2019 is preserved and remains strictly confidential for the safety of their identification. Correspondingly, the study applied a cross-sectional retrospective survey method. Moreover, 67.41% of manufacturing engineering graduates responded. The employment rate of manufacturing engineering graduates was 93.38%, whereas regular or permanent in their current employment was 84.40%. Furthermore, data show that they are employed within less than a month, 50.97% of responses. Lastly, the primary learning competency that manufacturing engineering graduates consider is critical thinking skills, with a response rate of 86.11%, followed by problem-solving skills, with 81.94% responses, while third was communication skills, with a rate of 78.08%. Ultimately, the recommendations for further curriculum and program improvement are exhibited.
The scarce representation of women university professors in research groups
Authors: Rodríguez-Baiget María José , Machado Alexander Maz , Casas del Rosal José Carlos , Vergara-Romero Arnaldo
Published: March 2024

Women university teachers in Spain simultaneously have teaching and research careers that interrelate to develop their competencies in both fields. However, as in other fields, there is not yet gender equality in representation and leadership. This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the presence and role of female university teachers-researchers in the different research groups of public universities in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia that apply for competitive calls for projects, according to the different fields of knowledge to which they belong. A total of 2,445 research groups in nine universities were identified. The largest number of groups belonging to the Humanities field. Among the members of all the groups, there is a lower presence of women compared to men. There is also a negative gender gap in the roles of responsibility and management of research groups, which is reflected in both horizontal and vertical segregation and the existence of a glass ceiling for Andalusian female teachers.
First-generation scholar in Indonesian indigenous family tribe: economic, social, and cultural capital
Authors: Juhaidi Ahmad , Fitria Analisa , Hidayati Noor , Fadillah Ridha
Published: March 2024

Indigenous tribe students have difficulty in their education. Only a few of them managed to complete the tertiary level. This study aims to explore and understand deeply the efforts made by these first scholars in obtaining educational economic, social and cultural capital. This research is qualitative research with a phenomenological approach to understand deeply the economic, social and cultural capital of scholars from the Dayak Meratus Tribe. The data were collected through interviews with 17 participants such as first- generation scholars in the family, their parents, and teachers. The results showed that economic capital was built by parents through great effort on gardening, farming, and trading. Meanwhile, the social and cultural capital built by parents was very limited. Social capital and cultural capital are provided by the extended family, communities and non-profit institutions. Role of school is very limited to build social and cultural capital. The study recommends school administrators implement professional development programs for teachers and counsellors to improve their competence in building student social and cultural capital. Government should decide a policy to support indigenous tribe education not just financial support, but social and cultural capital support, and job opportunity for them in their community.
Education transformation in Indonesia requires the implementation of differentiated learning
Authors: Hidayat Rais , Patras Yuyun Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

This study describes teachers’ perceptions of implementing education transformation after the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The research method uses a mixed-method approach: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data collection using questionnaires. Analysis of quantitative data using the Rasch model. Qualitative data analysis through the collection, reduction, and presentation. The respondents of this research are 389 teachers in Indonesia. The questionnaire instrument contains 21 items of statements. Before being sent to teachers via the Google form, the questionnaire had met the readability test by 10 teachers. This research found that the most effortless education transformation is related to the education ecosystem. However, implementations still challenging to implement are related to pedagogy, especially the implementation of differentiated learning. Therefore, this study implies that the educational ecosystem needs to be maintained. Meanwhile, pedagogics, especially those related to differentiated learning, must be improved with various training to recognize student learning styles, multiple intelligences, learning readiness, teacher socio-emotional, and student socio-cultural.
Predicting preschool moral development with school climate: Fuzzy Delphi approach
Authors: Masnan Abdul Halim , Ismail Nurul Khairani , Usop Wayhidah , Mat Zain Diani Mardiana
Published: March 2024

Education is vital for a person’s development, especially from an Islamic perspective, where the first goal is to foster a servant attitude, talent, personality, and outlook on life. Preschool education is crucial in nurturing a child's nature, emotions, and cognitive and social skills in the first five years. However, the significance of a good school environment, particularly in moral formation, varies among institutions. Therefore, this article aims to build consensus among experts on the role of school environment and classroom management in preschoolers’ moral development. Eleven-panel members validated the survey instrument with items and analyzed it using the Fuzzy Delphi method (FDM). According to the study, the experts agree that the physical school environment and classroom management are essential for promoting healthy moral development. Expert consensus was obtained on 19 out of 20 items in the physical school environment and classroom management dimension with an expert agreement level greater than 75% with an average (d) value less than 0.2. The undeniable consensus is that the school environment and classroom management play a crucial role in fostering the moral development of preschool children.
Exploring the impact of preservice teacher internship programs on students’ perception of the teaching profession
Authors: Dalimunthe Muhammad Bukhori , Aditia Reza , Mardhiyah Ainul , Indriani Riza , Dewi Rosmala
Published: March 2024

This study aims to analyze how the preservice teacher internship program influences students’ perception of the teaching profession by examining the variables of reaction, learning experiences, behavior, and the mediating role of results. By examining these variables, the study synthesizes findings from multiple studies and incorporates them. Using a survey conducted among students at a university in Medan, Indonesia, the study collected data electronically through the distribution of a questionnaire via Google Forms. The sample consisted of 252 students, and partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The outer models (measurement) and inner model (structural relations among latent variables) were validated and evaluated. The results indicate significant positive direct effects of reaction, learning, and behavior on results. Moreover, the results from the preservice teacher internship program have a significant positive effect on students’ perceptions. The study also reveals that results act as a partial mediator in the relationships between behavior and perception, learning and perception, and reaction and perception.
Adaptation and validation of the children’s cognitive triad inventory for Indonesian students
Authors: Dianovinina Ktut , Surjaningrum Endang Retno , Wulandari Primatia Yogi
Published: March 2024

Depression causes student learning problems. Depressive symptoms are influenced by automatic thoughts that contain a negative cognitive triad. A valid and reliable instrument to measure the cognitive triad in adolescents is essential to identify one of the risk factors for depressive disorders in adolescents. At the same time, Indonesia has no instrument to measure this. This study aims to adapt the children’s cognitive triad inventory (CTI-C) into an Indonesian version and to examine its psychometric properties. Data were collected from 1,184 students aged 13-19 (mean=15.32, SD=1.62) using the 36-item CTI-C. The CTI-C instrument adaptation process refers to the international test commission (ITC). The results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed comparative fit index (CFI)=0.95, Tucker-Lewis’s index (TLI)=0.94, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.071, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR)=0.056, and goodness of fit index (GFI)=0.82, with a load factor range of 0.43-0.80 for the view of self, 0.43-0.68 for the view of the world, and 0.37-0.70 for the view of the future. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.81 to 0.84 for the subscales and 0.93 for the total score. Thus, the Indonesian version of the CTI-C can measure the cognitive triad in Indonesian students aged 13-19.
The role of peace educators in building a culture of peace in the school: Comparisons between Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Saputra Wahyu Nanda Eka , Handayani Trikinasih , Supriyanto Agus , Waharjani Waharjani , Amat Salleh , Prasetya Arif Budi , Rohmadheny Prima Suci , Rahayu Yuliyanti Indriani
Published: March 2024

A culture of peace is a condition that school members covet. Indonesia and Malaysia are two neighboring countries that support implementing peace education. Even though the two countries are allied and neighbors, each country has uniqueness, including implementing peace education. This study aims to describe the role of peace educators in Indonesian and Malaysian schools. Systematic literature reviews identify the position of peace educators in building a culture of peace in schools. The study uses eight main articles to describe the role of peace educators in Indonesia and Malaysia. The selected articles were analyzed by data extraction. The study results show that peace educators in Indonesia and Malaysia have different characteristics. Peace educators in Indonesia focus more on efforts to suppress student violence. Meanwhile, peace educators in Malaysia focus on building a constructive mindset towards all forms of experiences experienced by students. The study recommends further research to create a unique model of peace education according to the characteristics of students in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Geografia da conservação: abordagens, limites e potencialidades
Authors: Alves Filho Edson , Sartorello Ricardo , Furlan Sueli Angelo
Published: March 2024

Biodiversity loss has been a major issue on the Global Agenda since at least the 1990s. Several scientific fields are in charge of addressing this issue, especially Conservation Biology, Landscape Ecology, and even Geography. Although the scientific and epistemological advances of the first two fields are notorious, the current causes of biodiversity loss have multiple facets, which include territorial, social, and political dimensions. To aid in the thought process of the issue, the present study used documentary research as a method, reviewing specialized literature in journals, theses, and dissertations to cover the main concepts involved in conservation studies and the contribution of related sciences. The literature review also included the perspective of Geography in conservation studies and the emergence of new perspectives, such as Conservation Geography. The main results include the initial intention of Conservation Biology to produce studies with a multidisciplinary focus, observing, however, a predominance of studies of Population Biology and Minimum Areas of Diversity. As a proposal to overcome conservation of the exclusionary type, derived from biological studies, Conservation Geography intends to coordinate the concepts of territory, landscape, and biophysical dynamics to the concept of ecosystems, producing a reading that is closer to the actors that produce the space, as well as the disputes that modify and create the territories, which are the main causes to explain the loss of biodiversity and that, in turn, would allow the production of consistent conservation designs.
Chuvas máximas e a erosividade do período chuvoso (2011-2020) no município de Pau dos Ferros, semiárido potiguar, Brasil
Authors: Silva Ana Beatriz da , Carvalho Andreza Tacyana Felix
Published: March 2024

The intensity and volume of rainfall are determining factors in erosive processes, especially in the semi-arid regions where this phenomenon occurs concentrated during a specific period of the year. In Pau dos Ferros, Rio Grande do Norte, challenges such as floods and soil loss are evident, highlighting the lack of recent studies on erosivity. Thus, considering that this gap compromises the necessary foundation for conservation practices and a thorough understanding of these processes, this work aims to analyze the variation in the monthly erosivity pattern during the rainy season in the municipality, between the years 2011 and 2020. To achieve this, it uses daily rainfall data, application of equations for rainfall coefficient, intensity, duration, and frequency, as well as historical and estimated erosivity indices, and classification of the type of monthly rainfall erosivity. The results showed that the rainy season in Pau dos Ferros was concentrated from February to May, with the first two months being the most significant in annual accumulated precipitation (1,358.5 mm and 1,410.6 mm) and rainfall coefficients, as well as que the rains of, no more that fifteen minutes, represent a bigger immediate erosivity if compared to the ones of thirty-minute-long, which indicates a greater cumulative power. Furthermore, the estimated monthly erosivity for February and March exceeded the historical average, while April and May remained close to expectations. Finally, it is expected that this study can support territorial planning actions, in addition to encouraging additional research on the relationship between erosivity, soil types and land use.
Sabedorias cerratenses em uma epistemologia da Ecologia dos Saberes
Authors: Franco Eduardo Ferraz
Published: March 2024

As formulações filosóficas e científicas compreendidas no interior dos paradigmas ocidentais se dão a partir de uma suposta neutralidade, em que o sujeito do conhecimento  desterritorializa-se e assume uma visão de sobrevôo. A abstração do sujeito do conhecimento favorece a conservação dos privilégios de um mundo organizado a partir das hierarquizações da colonialidade. Romper  com a neutralidade e contextualizar geograficamente os sujeitos do conhecimento promovem uma epistemologia da Ecologia dos saberes. Dentre a biodiversidade epistêmica, os pensamentos situados a partir dos Cerrados goianos fornecem perspectivas que auxiliam a compreensão do sistema-mundo.
A cidade na cultura do Cordel: o caso de Juazeiro do Norte
Authors: Silva Antonio Marcos Gomes da , Silva Valéria Cristina Pereira da
Published: March 2024

Este trabajo involucra literatura e imaginario, trayendo como problema de investigación: ¿cómo la literatura cordel  contribuye  a  la  comprensión  del  imaginario  de  la  ciudad?  Entendemos  por  imaginario,  según Bachelard (2003), el conjunto de imágenes creadas por la imaginación, que es el momento a partir del cual estas imágenes encuentran la ciudad, a través de la literatura. El objetivo es comprender el imaginario de la ciudad de Juazeiro do Norte-CE a través de las imágenes de la literatura de cordel. La metodología resultará del análisis de los versos de cuerda en su interfaz con la ciudad. Se espera identificar la narrativa sobre la ciudad y los aportes de los sujetos que la viven, producen y expresan a través del cordel.
Ens reale, ens rationis, or Something In-Between?
Authors: Andersen Claus A.
Published: March 2024

The ontological status of esse cognitum was at the center of complex debates throughout the Scotist tradition (Alnwick vs. Aesculo, Mastri vs. Punch). This article investigates the Scotist Angelo Volpe’s discussion of esse cognitum enjoyed by possible creatures in the divine intellect. Volpe responds to two religious warnings, one against assuming any eternal real being for merely possible creatures, and a second against depriving God’s eternal knowledge of a corresponding object, since that would endanger this knowledge itself. Volpe opts for a solution that allows possible creatures the status of beings of reason (entia rationis) due to their own ontological merit, and the status of real beings (entia realia) due to God’s knowing that they as possibles are not in opposition to real existence. He rejects the view that esse cognitum is a kind of being that holds a middle position between real being and being of reason. Volpe’s historical significance is emphasized.
The Zoroastrian Manuscripts of the Rostam Jāmāsb’s Family and a New Dating of Videvdād 4100
Authors: Gholami Saloumeh
Published: March 2024

The manuscripts of two sons of Rostam Jāmāsb, Tīrān and Šahrām, are thematized in various works, including Mazdapour, Andrés-Toledo and Cantera, Boroumand Amin, Cantera, Martínez-Porro. One of the important manuscripts of this family is Videvdād 4100. Previous scholarship indicates that this manuscript was copied in 1871 AD. This date has been used as a basis for further orthographical and palaeographical analysis of this family’s manuscripts and for clarifying their relationship to other Avestan manuscripts.

In this article, however, I argue that this date is incorrect. Furthermore, it has led to ambiguities in dating and interpretation of orthographical and palaeographical characteristics of other Rostam Jāmāsb manuscripts. Based on genealogical information from the colophons of the family’s Avestan manuscripts, as well as the results from other Zoroastrian manuscripts newly discovered, I review previous attempts to date the family’s manuscripts and offer a new dating for ms. 4100. I also aim to reconstruct the family tree of the Rostam Jāmāsb family as well as the history of their manuscripts.

I argue that uncertainty of the calendar era in the colophons and marginalia yields incorrect results, highlighting the importance of considering all calendar era variants for correct evaluation of data.
A review of Agnoshydrus Biström, Nilsson & Wewalka, 1997 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Hyphydrini), with descriptions of two new species from Thailand
Authors: OKADA RYOHEI
Published: March 2024

The genus Agnoshydrus Biström, Nilsson & Wewalka, 1997 is reviewed and two new species are described from Thailand: A. thailandicus sp. nov. (Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai provinces) and A. wewalkai sp. nov. (Nan Province). Agnoshydrus schillhammeri Wewalka, 1999 is recorded from Cambodia for the first time. A key to species and a distribution map of all known Agnoshydrus species are provided.
The Association Between Leukocyte Parameters and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pu Ting-yi , Cui Man , Li Hao-di , Gao Xi , Liu Ding-hua
Published: March 2024

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of disorders with a high incidence which can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome. Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein have been proved to be associated with MetS, but they are often used in disease diagnosis rather than in routine health screening. Instead, leukocyte is a convenient inflammatory marker. However, the association between leukocyte-related parameters and MetS remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between leukocyte parameters and MetS. Materials and Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched for articles published from September 2012 to September 2022 for studies on the association of leukocyte with MetS patients. Outcome data were extracted and the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. STATA software version 16.0 was utilized to conduct meta-analyses and assess publication bias. Results: A literature search of all major databases retrieved 2661 studies. After screening, 11 studies were analyzed including a total of 13301 MetS patients. Pooled analysis showed that elevated leukocyte level was significantly associated with MetS (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI (0.23-0.38), Z = 8.07, P <0.001). Conclusion: Elevated leukocyte level may be a potentially useful clinical marker for predicting the possibility of developing MetS in healthy populations.
Digestive Tract Cancers: Epidemiological, Anatomical and Clinical Aspects and Management at Conakry Hospital
Authors: Sandaly Diakite , Lansana Camara Fode , Yaya Diakite Saikou , Naby Fofana , Yawo Kondano Saa , Ansoumane Condé , Mariame Camara , Ousmane Condé , Aly Cisse , Aboubacar Toure
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Digestive cancers represent between 10 and 50% of all cancers and therefore occupy a preponderant place in digestive surgery departments. Our general objective was to study the epidemiological, anatomo-clinical and therapeutic aspects of cancers of the digestive tract at the Conakry University Hospital. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study covering a period of 6 years, from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019. Result: the hospital prevalence of cancers of the digestive tract was 6.34% with a male predominance of 54% and a sex ratio of 1.17. The average age was 52.7 years with the extremes of 13 and 84 years and 57% resided in Conakry. Alcohol and tobacco are the most popular stimulants. The most frequent reasons for consultations were epigastralgia 64.31%, vomiting / nausea 44.11%, Stomach and colon cancers were the most represented, i.e. 40.07% and 30.30% respectively. The treatment was curative (surgery) in 85.19% of cases and the outcome was favorable in almost three quarters of cases, or 71.04% of cases. We have 71 registered death cases. Conclusion: Cancers of the digestive tract remain non-negligible in our country and that of the stomach is the most common. The hope lies in equipping structures with proximity and adequate infrastructure for diagnosis and with consequent therapeutic means (radiotherapy), as well as raising awareness of early diagnosis within the community.
Study on the Hemostatic Effect of Semen Vaccariae Before and After Charcoal Preparation
Authors: Zhang Yaosheng , Liu Zeqiang , Liu Jia , Zhou Guohong
Published: March 2024

Aims: This study is aimed to verify the records in ancient Chinese classics that semen vaccariae was mainly used for traumatic hemorrhage caused by metal sharp weapons but need to be burned into ash first. Methods: The bleeding time and clotting time of tail-amputated bleeding experiment and capillary coagulation experiment of mice were measured to evaluate the hemostatic effect of semen vaccariae before and after charcoal preparation. Results: While semen vaccariae was used topically to mice, the bleeding time of charcoal group was significantly shortened (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in raw group. While semen vaccariae was used orally to mice, the bleeding time and clotting time in the low and high dose groups of raw groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.01). In addition, the bleeding time in the high dose of raw group also decreased significantly (P < 0.05). However, animal death and animal weight loss were found in the raw group during the experiment. The clotting time was also decreased significantly in low, middle and high dose charcoal groups (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions: Semen vaccariae used topically after charcoal preparation has hemostatic effect, while semen vaccariae used orally both before and after charcoal preparation shows hemostatic effect, but raw semen vaccariae used orally has potential risk. This study to some extent verifies the records in ancient Chinese classics.
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks with Augmentation for Chest X-Ray Classification
Authors: Kariuki Hannah , Mwalili Samuel , Waititu Anthony
Published: March 2024

The recent release of large amounts of Chest radiographs (CXR) has prompted the research of automated analysis of Chest X-rays to improve health care services. DCNNs are well suited for image classification because they can learn to extract features from images that are relevant to the task at hand. However, class imbalance is a common problem in chest X-ray imaging, where the number of samples for some disease category is much lower than the number of samples in other categories. This can occur as a result of rarity of some diseases being studied or the fact that only a subset of patients with a particular disease may undergo imaging. Class imbalance can make it difficult for Deep Convolutional Neural networks (DCNNs) to learn and make accurate predictions on the minority classes. Obtaining more data for minority groups is not feasible in medical research. Therefore, there is a need for a suitable method that can address class imbalance. To address class imbalance in DCNNs, this study proposes, Deep Convolutional Neural Networks with Augmentation. The results show that data augmentation can be applied to imbalanced dataset to increase the representation of the minority class by generating new images that are a slight variation of the original CXR images. This study further evaluates identifiability and consistency of the proposed model.
9-10-Year-Old Children’s Understanding of Climate Change
Authors: Kim Mijung , Jin Qingna
Published: March 2024

Recognizing the need to educate young students about climate change, there is ongoing debate regarding the appropriate age and pedagogical approaches for its introduction. Scholars differ in their views on whether to postpone climate change education until higher grade levels due to concerns about children’s cognitive and emotional readiness or to advocate for earlier involvement as a means of fostering civic engagement. To contribute on this discussion, this small-scale case study engaged 7 Grade 3-4 students to explore their perspectives and understandings about climate change. Over a two-month period, these students actively engaged in five one-hour sessions focused on climate-related topics, including weather, climate, and greenhouse effects. Group conversations and drawing activities were employed to foster an environment where the children could freely express their perspectives and experiences. The collected data included both students’ drawings and video recordings capturing session activities and group interactions. The children in this study demonstrated critical awareness and concerns about climate change. They also expressed diverse conceptual understandings spanning from misconceptions and evolving ideas to sophisticated insights rooted in their experiences. Based on the findings, efforts are made to comprehend whether and how discussions about climate change can be initiated with Grade 3-4 students. The research concludes by highlighting the need for more comprehensive studies to investigate age-appropriate K-6 approaches and curriculum that address both the cognitive and emotional aspects of climate change education.
Learning Strategies: A Resource for Clinical Neuropsychopedagogical Intervention
Authors: Grehs Bruna da Motta Signori , Guerin Cintia Soares , Loureiro Vitor da Silva , Souza Samuel Pereira de , Cardoso Fabricio Bruno
Published: March 2024

Learning strategies can be understood as deliberate processes aimed at achieving a certain level of learning effectively. The objective is to explore the application of learning strategies as a tool in neuropsychopedagogical intervention within a clinical setting, particularly in the context of teaching or stimulating brain functions where the patient can contemplate their own mental processes. Our aim is to present an intervention that enhances learning opportunities, thus broadening cognitive assumptions. This research contributes knowledge about cognitive and metacognitive processes related to learning strategies within the framework of learning how to learn, suggesting that the Neuropsychopedagogue, informed by neuroscience, selects appropriate stimuli to facilitate learning and evaluates the effectiveness of this process. The majority of studies focused on Neuropsychopedagogy and specific functions such as attention, memory, and executive functions. Another notable observation was the lack of studies utilizing or developing an instrument to assess learning strategies in a clinical-individual context, with the emphasis primarily on studies within an institutional-collective context. Hence, it can be concluded that learning strategies hold promise for enhancing learning and aiding in the organization and utilization of various information from our environment, thereby justifying their classification as a tool for clinical neuropsychopedagogical intervention. This comprehensive understanding underscores the significance of integrating diverse strategies into clinical practice, ensuring tailored interventions that address individual learning needs effectively.
The Effects of Dividend Policy on the Growth of Micro Financial Institutions in Bamenda
Authors: Ngong Tosam Joseph , Thomas Ndamsa Dickson
Published: March 2024

This paper titled the effects of dividend policy on the growth of micro financial institutions in Bamenda has the objectives to look at the effects of dividend rate on the growth of MFIs Bamenda and the effect of decision of dividend payment on the growth of MFIs in Bamenda. The paper employed the use of secondary data which was accumulated through from 49 Micro Financial Institutions in Bamenda which was the population, the ordinarily least squares model was used. Descriptive statistics was utilized and analysis was done using the SPSS25 program application. Moreover, interpretations were made based on the results gotten. The study demonstrated that dividend rate and decision of dividend payment had a positive and significant effect on the growth of Micro Financial Institutions in Bamenda, the results also revealed that Access to capital markets has a negative insignificant effect on assets, therefore policies that enhance participation in capital markets will lead to a decrease in assets. The paper suggests that MFIs should set appropriate dividend rates so as to continue growing their institutions. MFIs that don't pay dividend but aim to grow ought to begin paying dividend to members.
Examining Factors Affecting Presumptive Tax Voluntary Compliance (A Case Study in Gedeo Zone)
Authors: Orkaido Kanbiro , Beyene Tamirat , Mitiku Solomon , Tesiso Yisehak
Published: March 2024

This research study aimed to analyze the factors influencing presumptive tax voluntary compliance in Gedeo Zone. The dependent variable, presumptive tax voluntary compliance, was examined in relation to various independent variables including collection enforcement, tax evasion, taxpayers' awareness, existence of corruption, tax incentives, transparency and fairness, and a supportive tax environment. A positivism research philosophy was adopted, utilizing a quantitative research approach and a cross-sectional research design. Primary data was collected through a Likert scale questionnaire from 318 targeted category "C" taxpayers. The findings of the ordered logistic regression indicated that collection enforcement, taxpayers' awareness, tax incentives, transparency and fairness, and a supportive tax environment have a statistically significant and positive influence on presumptive tax voluntary compliance in Gedeo Zone. Conversely, tax evasion and the existence of corruption were found to have a negative and statistically significant impact on taxpayers' compliance with presumptive tax. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of implementing effective collection enforcement mechanisms, enhancing taxpayers' awareness programs, tax incentives, promoting transparency and fairness, and creating a supportive tax environment to enhance presumptive tax voluntary compliance. Furthermore, efforts should be made to tackle tax evasion and address issues related to corruption in order to improve compliance rates. The results of this study will aid policymakers and tax administrators in formulating strategies to enhance presumptive tax compliance in Gedeo Zone and potentially inform similar tax systems in other regions.
Evaluation of Environmental Radioactivity and Estimation of Radiation Exposure in the Niankhene Agricultural Field in Senegal
Authors: Dione Djicknack , Faye Papa Macoumba , Sy Moussa Hamady , Ndiaye Oumar , Ndiaye Nogaye , Traoré Alassane , Ndao Ababacar Sadikhe
Published: March 2024

The presence of radioactivity, originating from both natural and human-induced sources, is widespread in varying degrees throughout the Earth's crust. Soil, as a fundamental component of the Earth's crust, serves as an ongoing source of exposure to humans. The level of radioactivity in soil is influenced by factors such as soil composition and land usage. It is expected that barren soil exhibits distinct radioactivity levels compared to cultivated soil. To investigate the radioactivity levels within barren soil, a study was conducted on approximately 11 hectares of soil samples located in Niankhene. Utilizing gamma ray spectrometry methodology with a high purity germanium gamma-ray detector, activity concentration levels of radionuclides including 40K, 137Cs, 226Ra, and 232Th were evaluated. A total of 16 soil samples were collected at depths ranging from 0 to 40 cm with 20 cm intervals. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides were observed as follows: 40K ranged from below the limit of detection to 34.7 Bq.kg-1; 137Cs varied from 0.06 to 0.80 Bq.kg-1; 226Ra measured was between 7.49 and 101.56 kg-1; and 232Th ranged 0.33 and 12.68 Bq.kg-1. The total dose radiation exposure were 27 nGy/h in this study. Before conducting radiometric measurements, chemical analyses were performed to determine the concentrations of Na, Ca, and Mg, along with measurements of electrical conductivity and pH levels of the soil samples.
Social Communication Traits in Typical Hispanic Infants and Toddlers for Use in Autism Screening
Authors: Linares-Orama Nicolás , Fossas Hillary , Torres Valeria
Published: March 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the first Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening of development and behavior for all children can be completed as early as 9 months of age. To address this recommendation this study was aimed at describing the gestural and oral receptive and expressive social communicative behavior of typical Puerto Rican Hispanic children, using skills in the Early Social-Communication Scales (ESCS). Twenty Puerto Rican infants and toddlers, 10-14 months of age, were studied. Each participant was examined and observed (using video-audio recordings), by a trained speech-language pathology graduate student and a speech-language pathologist of the FILIUS Center. One clinician elicited while the other observed each child’s responses to the ESCS items. At the end, the recorded sessions were analyzed and discussed by the two observers to assign values to observed abilities on a scale of from 1 to 5 for each skill (1= does not execute; 5=very frequent execution). The strongest indicators of typical social communication in these Hispanic infants and toddlers demonstrate that, at that very early age, infants and toddlers are driven to interact with a stranger when accompanied by their mothers as a confirmation of their empathic dispositions. These strong indicators of social communication in typical Hispanic infants and toddlers can be observed by health professionals to identify difficulties in interaction skills as signs to refer children at-risk of autism.
Updated Observations Provide Stronger Evidence for Increases in Subhourly to Hourly Extreme Rainfall in Canada
Authors: Cannon Alex J. , Jeong Dae-Il , Yau Ka-Hing
Published: March 2024

Global warming is expected to lead to increases in atmospheric moisture and intensify subhourly to hourly rainfall extremes. However, signal-to-noise ratios are low, especially at the local scale, making detection of changes in the observational record difficult. For Canada, previous studies based on short data records from 1965 to 2005 did not show conclusive evidence of increases in short-duration extreme rainfall. This study updates single-site and regional trend analyses of 5-min–24-h annual maximum rainfall in Canada using data from 1950 to 2021. Estimates of temporal trends are extended to also consider the association between rainfall intensity and dewpoint temperature, a measure of moisture availability. With longer records, evidence for increases in extreme rainfall at individual sites is stronger. Field significant increasing trends are found for the majority of durations, whereas before results were mixed and typically not statistically significant. Intensification is even more pronounced in single-site scaling of rainfall intensity with summer mean dewpoint temperature. Field significant positive scaling rates are detected for all durations. When data are pooled in space—irrespective of choice of regionalization—the results are even more clear. Notably, the strongest and most spatially homogeneous intensification of short-duration extreme rainfall is detected in subhourly to 2-h durations. When data are pooled across Canadian climate regions, field significant positive scaling is found in 72.7%–81.8% of regions for 5-min–2-h durations, with median scaling rates ranging from 5.3% to 9.4% °C−1. For durations ≥ 6 h, this falls to 27.3%–53% of regions, with scaling rates less than 4% °C−1.
A Conceptual Model for the Development of Tornadoes in the Complex Orography of the Po Valley
Authors: De Martin Francesco , Davolio Silvio , Miglietta Mario Marcello , Levizzani Vincenzo
Published: March 2024

The Po Valley in northern Italy is a hotspot for tornadoes in Europe in spite of being surrounded by two mountain ridges: the Alps in the north and the Apennines in the southwest. The research focuses on the case study of 19 September 2021, when seven tornadoes (four of them rated as F2) developed in the Po Valley in a few hours. The event was analyzed using observations and numerical simulations with the convection-permitting Modello Locale in Hybrid Coordinates (MOLOCH) model. Observations show that during the event in the Po Valley, there were two surface boundaries that created a triple point: an outflow boundary generated by convection triggered in the Alpine foothills and a dryline generated by downslope winds from the Apennines, while warm and moist air advected westward from the Adriatic Sea east (ahead) of the boundaries. Tornadoes developed about 20 km northeast of the triple point. Numerical simulations with 500-m grid spacing suggest that the development of supercells and drylines in the Po Valley was sensitive to the elevation of the Apennines. Simulated vertical profiles show that the best combination of instability and wind shear for the development of tornadoes was attained within a narrow area located ahead of the dryline. A conceptual model for the development of tornadoes in the Po Valley is proposed, and the differences between tornado environments over a flat terrain and over a region with complex terrain are discussed.

Significance Statement

The Po Valley is a highly populated area where some of the most violent tornadoes in Europe have developed. We investigated a tornado outbreak that occurred on 19 September 2021 in this region, in order to identify its main environmental characteristics. High-resolution numerical simulations revealed that values of instability and wind shear were compatible with the development of several tornadoes only in a narrow area close to the intersection of two surface boundaries (a triple point). Moreover, the atmospheric environment during the tornado outbreak was strongly influenced by the presence of mountain ridges surrounding the plain. We have summarized our results in a conceptual model that can potentially be used for forecasting applications.
Social Justice Activism as Interpretation in a Loewaldian World
Authors: Rao Jyoti M.
Published: March 2024

At a time when many questions are arising about the nexus between psychoanalysis and social justice, the writings of Hans Loewald open an avenue for broadened conceptualizations of psychoanalytic activity and the role of interpretation within it. The pursuit of social justice, it is argued, is integral to psychoanalytic ethics, and the relation between activists and society can be formulated in Loewaldian terms. Using Loewald, and considering case examples from social justice informed advocacy, direct action, and protest speech in AIDS activism, social justice activism can be understood as a spontaneously emergent psychoanalytic interpretation delivered by activists to their social surround, effectively accomplishing multiple forms of therapeutic action. The therapeutic action includes a working through in two phases of the negative social transference, a concept proposed here to elaborate a mechanism for the transformation, through the interpretive aspects of activism, of psychic material directed toward marginalized subjects and those expressing marginalized subjective positions. Resistance to social justice activism is examined using the forms of resistance identified by Freud.