bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bio-cementation by using microbially induced carbonate precipitation technique by using sporosarcina pasteurii with oxidizing agent supplements
Authors: Nguyen Pham Huong Huyen , Nguyen Ngoc Tri Huynh
Published: March 2022

In recent years, the natural biomineralization of bacterial metabolism to form calcium carbonate has drawn researchers and engineers' attention to exploring various applications for industrial purposes. Generally, microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a biogeochemical process that can be applied to strengthen materials, including soil and sand structure, to overcome the chemical soil stabilization technique's limitations. In this study, Sporosarcina pasteurii was used to form CaCO3 by ureolytic MICP for soil-sand reinforcement in LAB-scale. As preliminary results, the increasing of CaCO3 crystals over curing time was an essential parameter for creating strong bonding between the soil-sand particles. Besides, the positive results in the water permeability test with the materials analysis as SEM, XRD demonstrated bacterial bio-cementation of sand specimens. Also, experimental results about oxidizing agent supplements show a positive effect on improving MICP capacity. Despite many challenges, bio-mineralization or bio-cementation is a promising technique for soil-sand stabilization in geotechnical engineering and building material applications, leading to sustainable development
Negotiation, mediation and subjectivities: How migrant renters experience informal rentals in Gurgaon’s urban villages
Authors: Naik Mukta
Published: March 2022

The population of Gurgaon, a city of an estimated 2.5 million people located south of India’s capital Delhi and within the National Capital Region, grew by 73.9 percent in 2001-2011. While Gurgaon’s private sector housing market attracted educated migrants, residents of urban villages built rental housing for low-income migrant workers. Based on qualitative fieldwork conducted in Nathupur village in 2013 and Sikanderpur village in 2017, this paper focuses on the experience of low-income migrant renters in the informal rental markets that are controlled and managed by village landlords. It focuses on living conditions, sense of security and the nature of tenant-landlord relationships. Despite the dominance of landlords, I posit that migrants mediate their housing choices as per their migration strategy and leverage oral contracts to move flexibly through rental housing in different locations at different times. Further, by characterising landlords as benevolent, renters keep their opportunities for employment and reward open while potentially exerting reputational pressures on landlords through criticism of their exploitative practices. Lastly, migrant renters challenge social norms set by landlords by everyday acts of resistance. These strategies of mediation, negotiation and subjectivities enable rural migrants to establish a relationship, however tenuous, with the city and maximise their returns from it.
The fight of housing cooperatives against gentrification in the Historic Centre of San Salvador
Authors: Quiñónez Natalia
Published: March 2022

The Historic Centre of San Salvador, in El Salvador’s capital city, hosts a history of disputes regarding access to land, housing, public spaces and basic services. In this article, the struggle of the centre’s inhabitants for more decent housing is an example of how people can change power relations embedded in cities as contested as those of Latin America. Through cooperative organization, precariously housed inhabitants reclaimed their right to be part of urban transformations despite gentrification and turistification pressures. Inhabitants proposed the collectivization of property and bottom-up decision-making through the establishment of housing cooperatives. Although the central government has faced challenges for assimilating and supporting their proposals, joint coordination is providing results. Allowing space for inhabitants’ participation at the policy-making level has enabled cooperatives to become firm opponents of informal rentiership and land underutilization. Results so far constitute an unprecedented attempt of developing adequate housing from a human right’s perspective, not as a commodity. The housing cooperatives in San Salvador’s Centro Histórico, to this end, provide some insightful lessons of resistance.
Resisting the rentier city: Grassroots housing activism and renter subjectivity in post-crisis London
Authors: Wilde Matt
Published: March 2022

This article aims to open up a new discussion about the political potential of the renter to urban social movements by providing a ground-level view of renter activism in contemporary London. Drawing on participant observation conducted as an activist-researcher between 2015 and 2017, I offer an ethnographic social history of Digs, a private renters’ action and support group based in the east London borough of Hackney. Examining the political and organisational evolution of Digs over a six year period, I explore the group’s struggles to cultivate a coherent collective identity for renters, its innovative approaches to mutual support and relational organising, and the difficulties its participants encountered in maintaining participation in a highly intransigent political climate. I argue that although Digs was a relatively small and largely localised group, its members nonetheless cultivated a vital set of knowledge-practices that provided a conceptual and material framework for a citywide renters’ union in London. The case of Digs demonstrates that urban social movements are more likely to evolve effectively when they create the institutional capacity to retain key activists and pass knowledge on.
A Systematic Review of Autonomous Learning in ESL/EFL in Bangladesh: A Road to Discovery Era (2009-2022)
Authors: Jamila Mariam , Zubairi Ainol Madziah
Published: March 2022

Learner autonomy has been a major focus of educational researchers in Bangladesh for more than a decade now. Studies in this area have generated significant themes in ESL/EFL pedagogy in Bangladesh, particularly during the last ten years or so, and the prospect looks promising. This article reviews the research pertaining to learner autonomy in Bangladesh during the years 2009-2022. The review revealed that studies related to learner autonomy in Bangladesh tend to focus on how autonomy facilitates English language teaching, examining teachers’ and learners’ attitudes, perception and readiness, factors affecting the fostering of learner autonomy, its implications, importance, and teachers’ varied roles to exhilarate learner autonomy. However, research on learner autonomy in English language teaching and learning in Bangladesh seems insignificant. During the review process, it has been evident that there is a crucial need for more in-depth empirical studies in autonomy. Moreover, there is significant lack of investigations where learners’ responses are included. Hence, this article examined the gaps, and suggestions for further studies are provided accordingly.
Cambios temporales y voces testimoniales, un encuentro con la memoria histórica colombiana durante el período (1983 – 1993)
Authors: González Rodríguez Luz Dory
Published: March 2022

Resumen en español Al abordar la crónica Un fin de semana con Pablo Escobar (2003) se pretende analizar la propuesta de corte temporal y hacer una lectura crítica de ella prestando atención al camino trazado por el autor y, en él, las resonancias, dadas las estrategias narrativas en este relato de memoria que da cuenta de un contexto histórico de finales de siglo XX, con marcadas coyunturas sociopolíticas en Colombia. Dicho análisis se desarrollará en torno a tres ejes: primero, la perspectiva desde la cual se cuenta la historia focalizada en los narradores. Segundo, los cambios de la línea temporal de la narración (cuenta el presente de la entrevista, pero recuerda episodios del pasado) y, por último, la fragmentación del relato que genera incertidumbre al lector y lo obliga a reconstruir sentidos no explicitados, etc. El objeto de estudio recortado supone un impacto en el ámbito científico colombiano, porque pretende abordar el discurso de Hoyos en el género crónica; un autor que todavía no ha sido trabajado en profundidad por la crítica literaria del país. En consecuencia, este proyecto amplía el horizonte de estudios del periodismo narrativo en América Latina, incorporando nuevos elementos que contribuyen con la complejidad del objeto.
Perbandingan Kadar Immunoglobulin E Serum Pada Pasien Rinitis Alergi Dengan Faktor Risiko Genetik
Authors: X T. Husni T.R. , X Yusni , X Fadhlia
Published: March 2022

Rinitis merupakan masalah kesehatan global, walaupun tidak bersifat serius namun rhinitis alergi harus dipikirkan sebagai keadaan yang cukup serius karena dapat mempengaruhi kualitas hidup penderita akibat beratnya gejala yang dialami dan juga dapat menyebabkan berbagai komplikasi. Prevalensi rinitis alergi terus meningkat sepanjang 50 tahun terakhir. Peningkatan ini disebabkan karena faktor genetik dan lingkungan. Penegakan diagnosis rinitis alergi dapat dilakukan dengan melakukan pemeriksaan kadar IgE serum, kadar eosinofil darah tepi dan eosinofil mukosa hidung. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis perbedaan kadar Immunoglobulin E pada penderita rinitis alergi dan non alergi dengan predisposisi genetik. Hasil dari penelitian ini didapatkan kadar Ig E lebih tinggi dan signifikan pada pasien rinitis alergi dibandingkan non-rinitis alergi. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna antara kadar Ig E pada pasien dengan rinitis alergi dengan non rinitis alergi.
Karakteristik Epilepsi pada Anak yang Menderita Cerebral Palsy di Poli Anak RSUDZA Tahun 2019
Authors: X Dr. Sri Hastuti, Sp.S (K) , Yanti Devi , Suwita Nani
Published: March 2022

Epilepsi merupakan gejala penyerta yang sering terjadi pada anak-anak penderita Cerebral Palsy (CP). EEG merupakan salah satu Gold Standard untuk mendeteksi adanya gelombang aktivitas epilepsi yang terjadi pada anak-anak dengan CP. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui angka kejadian dan prevalensi Epilepsi pada anak penderita CP. Penelitian ini berupa deskriptif analitik, data diperoleh secara retrospektif terhadap penderita yang memenuhi syarat diagnosis CP dengan epilepsi. Diagnosis ditegakkan berdasarkan telaah rekam medis meliputi anamnesis, pemeriksaan fisik dan neurologis serta pemeriksaan penunjang berupa EEG dan MRI Kepala. Prevalensi penderita CP dengan epilepsi pada penelitian ini adalah 108%. Tipe epilepsi terbanyak pada penderita CP adalah general yaitu 160 penderita (83%), sementara tipe fokal hanya 32 penderita (17%). Pada penderita CP dengan epilepsi, tipe CP terbanyak adalah tetraparesis (81%). Pada penderita CP tanpa epilepsi, tipe CP terbanyak adalah tetraparesis (51 penderita; 65.38%). Gambaran EEG terbanyak pada penderita CP dengan epilepsi adalah multifokal (56%), diikuti perlambatan (26%) dan unifokal (18%). Prevalensi penderita cerebral palsy dengan epilepsi pada penelitian ini mencapai 1.08%. Penderita CP dengan epilepsi mengalami epilepsi tipe general lebih banyak dibandingkan fokal. Sebagian besar penderita cerebral palsy dengan epilepsi mengalami tipe tetraparesis. Sebagian besar gambaran EEG pada penderita cerebral palsy dengan epilepsi adalah multifokal.
ass or Fail? Prediction of Students’ Exam Outcomes from Self-reported Measures and Study Activities
Authors: Clavio Christensen Bianca , Bemman Brian , Knoche Hendrik , Gade Rikke
Published: March 2022

Technical educations often exhibit poor student performance and consequently high rates of attrition. Providing students with early feedback on their learning progress can assist them in self-study activities or in their decision-making process regarding a change in educational direction. In this paper, we present a set of instruments designed to identify at-risk undergraduate students in a Problem-based Learning (PBL) university, using an introductory programming course as a case study. Collectively, these instruments form the basis of a proposed learning ecosystem designed to identify struggling students by predicting their final exam grades in this course. We implemented this ecosystem and analyzed how well the obtained data predicted the final exam scores. Best-subset-regression and lasso regressions yielded several significant predictors. Apart from relevant predictors known from the literature on exam scores and drop-out factors such as midterm exam results and student retention factors, data from self-assessment quizzes, peer reviewing activities, and interactive online exercises helped predict exam performance and identified struggling students.
Penggolongan Ahlul Kitab dalam Al-Qur’an
Authors: Syakur Abdul , Yusuf Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Penggunaan istilah Ahlul Kitab dalam Al-Qur’an begitu banyak. Ternyata jika dirunut berdasarkan konteks turunnya, dimana istilah tersebut berdiri, dan juga pengistilahannya memiliki beberapa pengertian. Oleh karena itu, artikel ini berusaha memetakan penggolongan Ahlul Kitab, serta bagaimana Al-Qur’an mengajarkan cara memperlakukan masing-masing golongan tersebut.
Kebijakan Sistem Administrasi Kemitraan Sekolah Terhadap Masyarakat
Authors: Arsyam Muhammad , M. Yusri
Published: March 2022

Penelitian berfokus untuk membahas dinamika kebijakan dan sistem administrasi yang menyentuh aspek kemitraan sekolah dalam memperoleh otonomi pengelolaan demi mewujudkan sekolah yang terampil dan tetap mengedepankan aspek kemanusiaan dalam pengelolaannya. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif dan studi lapangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa masih terdapat beberapa kendala administrasi pengelolaan yang menghambat efektifitas pengelolaan kemitraan.
Membangun Keluarga yang Islami
Authors: Nursalam Samad  , Andi Alamsyah Perdana Putera
Published: March 2022

Keluarga merupakan lembaga pendidikan yang pertama dan utama dalam masyarakat, karena dalam keluargalah manusia dilahirkan, berkembang menjadi dewasa. Bentuk dan isi serta cara-cara pendidikan di dalam keluarga akan selalu mempengaruhi tumbuh dan berkembangnya watak, budi pekerti dan kepribadian tiap-tiap manusia. Maka pembinaan pendidikan dalam keluarga sangat penting dalam upaya membangun keluarga yang sakinah, mawaddah wa rahmah. Keluarga sakinah berarti keluarga yang tenang, damai, tidak banyak konflik serta mampu menyelesaikan problem-problem yang dihadapi.
Kedudukan Madrasah Dalam Penerapan Ilmu-Ilmu Islam
Authors: Winda Arianti  , Agus Basri  , Andi Mujaddidah Alwi
Published: March 2022

Madrasah dalam era modern berada dalam kondisi tarik menarik antara keharusan mempertahankan ilmu-ilmu agama secara modern di satu pihak, dan mengembangkan pengajaran ilmu-ilmu non keagamaan di lain pihak. Sikap madrasah yang terlalu konservatif, akan menyebabkan lembaga ini terasing dan bahkan lenyap dari perkembangan modern. Sebaliknya, sikap akomodatif yang berlebihan terhadap kecenderungan pendidikan modern, akan menjerumuskan madrasah ke dalam sistem pendidikan yang lepas dari nilai-nilai keislaman.
Fundamentalisme, Radikalisme dan Gerakan Islam di Indonesia: Kajian Kritis Pemikiran Islam
Authors: Askar Nur
Published: March 2022

Fundamentalisme, radikalisme dan gerakan Islam di Indonesia merupakan segenap perkara yang masih menjadi topik perbincangan di berbagai madrasah-madrasah intelektual baik di tataran perguruan tinggi maupun di organisasi-organisasi keagamaan. Artikel ini berfokus pada aspek lahir dan tumbuh kembangnya fundamentalisme beragama hingga persoalan gerakan islam di Indonesia sebagai upaya counter terhadap segala bentuk tindakan yang mendegradasi nilai-nilai keislaman dan menguraikan sebuah definisi yang dangkal terkait islam. Artikel ini menawarkan sebuah perspektif kritis dalam menanggapi polemik fundamentalisme beragama dan tindakan radikalisme yang selalu diidentikkan dengan tindakan kejahatan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa pemikiran islam berdasarkan Al-Quran dan Hadis memiliki beberapa pendefinisian berbeda di beberapa kalangan khususnya perbandingan antara agama-agama yang diakui oleh Negara padahal islam secara generik merupakan sikap hidup untuk tunduk dan patuh kepada perintah Allah SWT dengan menantiasa menyebarkan kebaikan dimanapun berada. Semangat keislaman demikian telah mengalami proses redefinisi di berbagai organisasi khususnya organisasi yang berasaskan islam.
Penggunaan Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil di Masyarakat Guna Menunjang Perekonomian di Sengkang, Kabupaten Wajo
Authors: Muktadin Adlin , Muhammad Dwi Julianggara
Published: March 2022

Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (BMT) adalah sebuah lembaga ekonomi yang perjalanannya berdasarkan prinsip-prinsip syariah dan prinsip koperasi. Tujuan penilitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana peran BMT selaku lembaga keunagan non bank yang dimana tujuannya untuk meningkatkan taraf hidup masyarakat mikro. Jenis penilitian ini menggunakan penilitian kualitatif deksriptif, repsonden dalam penilitian ini adalah orang-orang yang menggunakan jasa BMT. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian ini di dapatkan bahwa masyarakat Sengkang Kabupaten Wajo sudah banyak menggunakan jasa dari BMT terbilang dari lahirnya BMT di Sengkang sejak 2001 dalam pelaksaannya banyak masyarakat menggunakan jasa BMT dalam bentuk tabungan dan tabungannya adalah tabungan Haji dan Umrah, Tabungan Tamara, Tabungan Zakat, Tabungan Berqurban dan Tabungan Pendidikan bagi santri dan santriwati. Kesimpulannya adalah diharapkan masyarakat yang ingin menabung ataupun meminjam dana untuk usahanya lebih baik menggunakan jasa dari BMT.
Transaksi Jual Beli Online dalam Perspektif Islam (Studi Kasus MH Whitening Skin)
Authors: Ainiyyah Fadillah adella , Wildana
Published: March 2022

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah pelaksanaan transaksi jual beli online yang diterapkan oleh MH whitening skin sudah sesuai dengan prespektif islam. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan studi kasus deskriptif. Studi kasus adalah penelitian kualitatif yang berusaha menemukan makna, menyelidiki proses dan memperoleh wawasan dan pemahaman yang mendalam tentang individu, kelompok, atau situasi. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan wawancara informan dalam penelitian ini adalah agen MH whitening skin. Selain itu, wawancara juga dilakukan dengan beberapa konsumen. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah jual beli online berdasarkan prespektif islam yang dilakukan oleh MH whitening skin terhadap agen atau reseller tidak mempengaruhi beberapa agen MH whitening skin untuk melakukan hal tersebut. Namun MH whitening skin sudah menerapkan transaksi jual beli online sesuai dengan syariat islam dan membuahkan hasil berupa kesenangan konsumen, sehingga konsumen yang pernah bertransaksi di MH whitening skin merasa nyaman, puas dan loyalitas timbul dalam transaksi.
Analisis Hukum Islam terhadap Akad Hutang Piutang Bersyarat di Desa Balangtanayya, Kabupaten Takalar
Authors: Ramadhan Muhammad Fajar , Yuniar
Published: March 2022

Masyarakat Desa Balangtanayya Kabupaten Takalar sebagian besar adalah seorang petani namun tidak jarang para petani tersebut harus berutang di saat masa tanam tiba di karenakan masyaraka di sana sering kali kehabisan dana sebelum masa tanam tiba namun dalam praktiknya utang piutang yang di jalankan masyarakat desa balangtanayya memiliki keunikan tersendiri di mana para pengutang di wajibkan oleh pemberi utang untuk membayarkan sejumlah hasil panen setiap masa panen bila orang yang berutang tersebut belum mampu untuk mengembalikan pinjamannya dari permasalahan ini kami tertarik untuk meneliti lebih jauh di tinjau dari aspek hukum islam tentang fenomena utang piutang tersebut jenis penelitian yang di gunakan adalah penelitian kualitatif dan teknik pengumpulan data dengan cara terjun langsung ke lokasi untuk melakukan wawancara dari hasil penelitian yang di lakukan ternyata praktik tersebut bertentangan atau tidak sejalan dengan hukum islam di karenakan mengandung unsur riba di dalamnya.
Analysis of the HBV Small S Gene Partial Sequences and its Implications for Detection, Prevention and Treatment in Pakistani Patients
Authors: Khokhar Ambreen Masroor , Khan Saeed , Zahid Maria , Lail Amanullah , Khan Bilal Ahmed , Khan Asif Iqbal , Baig Samina , Hanif Shumaila NM , Khan Hizbullah , Ullah Asif , Khan Amjad
Published: March 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world, especially in developing countries. In Pakistan, the HBV infection rate is one of the highest in the world and about one third of infected population is co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV). In the present study, we isolated HBV from 49 HBV mono-infected and 25 HBV/HCV co-infected Pakistani patients and classified them based on the partial sequences of S gene. We further investigated mutations in these sequences that might result in the failure of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection, as well as vaccination and treatment failure. The D and D1 were identified as the most prevalent HBV genotype and sub-genotype respectively in Pakistani samples. The same genotype/sub-genotype pattern was observed for the HBV/HCV co-infected patients. We identified several mutations in small S gene, which are previously reported to have roles in HBV diagnosis and treatment. Especially, the sT127P mutant, previously known to be implicated in vaccine escape, was prevalent with 98 and 96% frequencies in HBV mono-infected and HBV/HCV co-infected patients respectively. The findings of current study have implications with respect to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HBV infections in the Pakistani population.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AMID THE CHALLENGES OF RELIGIOUS RADICALISM
Authors: Asroni Ahmad
Published: March 2022

Abstract

This article discusses the importance and urgency of the implementation of multicultural religious education. It can be used as an effective instrument and media to reduce religious radicalism and terrorism in Indonesia. Multicultural religious education provides the same space for the growth of differences and religious diversity. Through multicultural religious education, students are expected to have a high commitment to their religion while having a tolerance and appreciative attitude towards other religions. With a multicultural religious education, students are expected to have a sense of plurality. It will only be successful if it is taught by educators who have multicultural awareness. In addition, the curriculum, materials, methods, and evaluation of multicultural religious education learning must also contain and be compatible with multicultural values. Therefore, it needs political will from all stakeholders to jointly formulate a blueprint for multicultural religious education.

Keywords: multicultural religious education, religious radicalism, terrorism, student

 

Abstrak

Artikel ini membahas tentang pentingnya dan urgensi penyelenggaraan pendidikan agama multikultural. Ini dapat digunakan sebagai instrumen dan media yang efektif untuk mengurangi radikalisme agama dan terorisme di Indonesia. Pendidikan agama multikultural memberikan ruang yang sama bagi tumbuhnya perbedaan dan keragaman agama. Melalui pendidikan agama multikultural, peserta didik diharapkan memiliki komitmen yang tinggi terhadap agamanya sekaligus memiliki sikap toleransi dan apresiasi terhadap agama lain. Dengan pendidikan agama multikultural diharapkan siswa memiliki rasa pluralitas. Hal itu hanya akan berhasil jika diajarkan oleh pendidik yang memiliki kesadaran multikultural. Selain itu, kurikulum, materi, metode, dan evaluasi pembelajaran pendidikan agama multikultural juga harus memuat dan selaras dengan nilai-nilai multikultural. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan political will dari seluruh stakeholder (pemangku kepentingan) untuk bersama-sama merumuskan blueprint pendidikan agama multikultural.

Kata kunci: Pendidikan agama multikultural, radikalisme agama, terorisme, peserta didik
Aspectos do pensamento computacional em atividades desplugadas com origami e matemática
Authors: Graciolli Carolina Yumi Lemos Ferreira , Rocha Junior Romário Costa da , Da Silva Ricardo Scucuglia Rodrigues
Published: March 2022

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar algumas das relações existentes entre o origami e o pensamento computacional, discutindo de que forma podem se complementar e servirem de apoio mútuo. Para tanto, contextualiza-se o origami, a arte de dobrar papel, e, também, algumas compreensões acerca do pensamento computacional, especificamente, seus quatro pilares, a saber: decomposição, algoritmo, reconhecimento de padrões e abstração. Como possibilidade recorre-se a atividades desplugadas envolvendo instruções de dobras de animais e de sólidos geométricos que podem ser desenvolvidas tanto no Ensino Fundamental quanto no Ensino Médio ou no Superior. Para finalizar, mostra-se que as propostas podem possibilitar o desenvolvimento dos quatro pilares do pensamento computacional. Desta forma, pode-se ressaltar que as atividades descritas abrem possibilidades para o pensamento computacional quando trabalhado em consonância ao origami.
An Evaluation of Local Mentor Support in AE E-Teacher Educational Technology Integration Online Teacher Training Course
Authors: Yelbay Yilmaz Yasemin , Balbay Seher
Published: March 2022

This study addressed a different approach to online language teacher training programs. The researchers investigated the pros and cons of having local mentor support for an online course titled Using Technology in the English Language Classroom provided by the AE E-Teacher Program. The course was offered to preservice teachers from 24 different universities across Turkey. The study collected data through a pre- and post-online survey and individual semistructured interviews. The results revealed that while local mentoring as a supplement to the main course content contributed to teacher candidates’ emotional and professional attachment to their profession by helping them relate theory to contextualized educational settings, it can still be improved by the integration of more interactive tasks that would help the attendees refer to specific practical implementation of the educational technology tools introduced in the program.
First-Year Experience Course Impact on Undergraduate International Student Retention and Graduation
Authors: Rust Dylan , Singh Raghvendra
Published: March 2022

As institutions look to improve student retention through first-year experience (FYE) courses, some have implemented courses targeted specifically to the international population. A quantitative comparison of international students who took an FYE course with international students who did not take an FYE course was completed to analyze the differences in retention and graduation rates between the two groups. International freshmen who participated in the FYE course were retained and graduated at significantly higher rates than international freshmen who did not take the course. Aspects of the course that likely led to student retention and graduation are discussed.
The Effect of Prediction-Observation-Explanation (POE) Method on Learning of Image Formation by a Plane Mirror and Pre-service Teachers’ Opinions
Authors: Harman Gonca , Yenikalayci Nisa
Published: March 2022

In this research, we examined the effect of the prediction-observation-explanation (POE) method on learning of image formation by a plane mirror and pre-service teachers’ opinions. Twenty pre-service science teachers studying at first grade in the Department of Science Education in Turkey participated in the research. We used a one group pretest–posttest design. In the teaching process, carried out in accordance with the POE method, the pre-service teachers made their own plane mirror by using glass and mirror-effect spray paint, and then analyzed the image of a cube by using these mirrors. We analyzed the data by using the SPSS software and content analysis. As a result of the research, we found that the POE method is effective in the learning of image formation by a plane mirror. Thirteen (65%) pre-service teachers expressed only positive opinions about making a plane mirror by using glass and mirror-effect spray paint; seven (35%) pre-service teachers expressed both positive and negative opinions. The entertaining production process (learning by practicing that mirrors can be made from glass) and gaining experience (like preparing material, learning, and implementing safety rules) were the most common positive opinions, although the irritating smell of the spray paint was the most common negative opinion. Seventeen (85%) pre-service teachers expressed positive opinions and three (15%) pre-service teachers expressed both positive and negative opinions on the organized activity in accordance with the POE method. In consideration of the obtained positive and negative opinions, we found teachers could do such activities to provide a better learning environment.
Sources of Information About COVID-19 Among Older Adults in Ghana, 2019-2021
Authors: Adu-Gyamfi Samuel , Asante Emmanuel Akwasi
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a worldwide search for information. Information about COVID-19 is crucial and it could be the first step toward designing practical disease-control strategies. Misinformation amid the widespread information about COVID-19 has undoubtedly caused psychological distress, especially among older adults. We present an empirical and descriptive study of the sources of information among older adults and how they perceived the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 58 participants were recruited and interviewed using an in-depth semi-structured interview and structured questionnaire for our study. The study participants were recruited using purposive and convenience sampling in their respective homes from Mallam, a community in Ghana. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed, and themes were created for analysis. Our study revealed multiple sources of information regarding COVID-19, including radio, television, social media, family members, and friends. The COVID-19 information consisted of precautionary measures, effects, causes, symptoms, daily reported cases, and regarding vaccination. Our study revealed that the perception of COVID-19 information via social media, traditional media, families, and friends increased psychological distress among older persons by causing fear and panic. We contend that having a reliable source of information about COVID-19 is essential for older adults in mitigating the burden of the disease. Ultimately, our study substantiates the need for researchers, advocates, and policymakers to partner with social workers and healthcare workers to develop effective and practical policy interventions to address language and access difficulties for older adults seeking to obtain health information.
Composing Spacetime
Authors: Baron Sam , Le Bihan Baptiste ,   Journal of Philosophy Inc.
Published: March 2022

According to a number of approaches in theoretical physics, spacetime does not exist fundamentally. Rather, spacetime exists by depending on another, more fundamental, non-spatiotemporal structure. A prevalent opinion in the literature is that this dependence should not be analyzed in terms of composition. We should not say, that is, that spacetime depends on an ontology of non-spatiotemporal entities in virtue of having them as parts. But is that really right? On the contrary, we argue that a mereological approach to dependent spacetime is not only viable, but promises to enhance our understanding of the physical situation.
The Republic of Serbia repo market
Authors: Jeremić Ivana
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the following aspects of the Republic of Serbia repo market: legislative frame in order to identify all documents related to repo market, the main repo market features and its role, institutional frame and participants, determination of the scope of the domestic repo market, the way of negotiating, processing and settlement of repo transaction, acceptable collaterals in the securities form, price aspects of repo transactions, transaction costs of completing repo transaction and suggestions for the improvement of this market. After analysing the facts, it is to be expected to gain ability to project future development trends of this segment of financial markets which has already become international.
Submission of a copy of personal data
Authors: Antonić Nenad
Published: March 2022

The right to submit a copy of personal data was regulated for the first time in the legal system of the Republic of Serbia by the Law on Personal Data Protection (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Nos. 87/2018 of 13/11/2018), as part of the legal institute "Right to Access Personal Data''. This legal institute was assumed from the European Union, namely from Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council as of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). From the beginning of implementation of the above law until today, the question of the form in which a copy of personal data is delivered to the data subject has been raised, i.e., whether the obligation to submit a copy of personal data necessarily means the obligation to submit a copy of documents containing personal data.
Osmium: The latest precious metal on the rise
Authors: Jakić Ljuba
Published: March 2022

Every investor knows of precious metals - they have been reliable asset classes for years and have been a means of payment for centuries. Most popular and widely known are gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. But there are in fact eight precious metals. Today we will introduce you to the latest and rarest of the precious metals, osmium. Its outstanding characteristics have catapulted it from out of the shadows of its famous siblings right into the spotlight. And for good reasons: being the densest of all non-radioactive elements on earth, osmium is absolutely unforgeable. This, combined with its incredible rarity and beauty, increases its popularity on the investors' market. If there ever was a good time to secure our money it is now. And if there ever was the perfect time to invest in the last precious metal, it is now.
Corporate social responsibility of commercial banks in Serbia: Reporting practice, implemented activities and perception of stakeholders
Authors: Panić Vladimir , Veljković Saša
Published: March 2022

The contemporary phase of marketing development emphasizes the increasingly important role of economic entities as an integral part of society and a catalyst for positive changes. Researchers mainly focus their attention on large companies and sectors that significantly impact the local community and society. In that sense, this article addresses the Serbian banking sector. The authors analyzed the corporate social responsibility activities of 24 banks and their reporting practices. The analysis included a study of the content of publicly available documents and reports and news published on banks' websites and Facebook profiles. In addition, the authors explored stakeholders' perceptions of socially responsible banking activities. A survey of 30 banks stakeholder representatives showed: what are the critical issues in local communities; what are the respondents' attitudes about banks and the way they operate in Serbia; to what extent have stakeholders noticed the social marketing activities of commercial banks; what is the attitude of stakeholders regarding the issue of rewarding banks for socially responsible behavior. After reviewing and discussing the main findings, the authors provide key recommendations and possible directions for further research.
Features and possibilities of small and medium enterprises development in modern economies
Authors: Ljajić Samir
Published: March 2022

The importance and development opportunities of small and medium enterprises have changed over time depending on technological innovations, volatile market conditions, growing living standards and changes in consumer habits and requirements. The emergence of global demand, which is easily accessed through new information technology platforms, has enabled small and medium-sized enterprises to dramatically expand their markets and business practices. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) promote private property and entrepreneurial skills. They are a driving force of development, not only in developed market driven economies countries, but also in developing countries, and especially so in countries that have progressed in the transition towards a real market driven economy. If developed, the SMEs enable increase of the gross national product and the number of economic entities, creation of new jobs, growth of the population income, higher living standards, substitution of imports and greater domestic economy export competitiveness, better market functioning, etc. Although it is difficult to predict the development prospects of small and medium enterprises due to the number and complexity of factors affecting their running and development, current trends allow one to assume that in the future small and medium enterprises will also play a significant role in modern economy functioning and development.
Portable Ultraviolet-C Chambers for Inactivation of
SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Claytor Shelby , Campbell Roger , Hattori Ashton , Brown Eric , Hollis Christopher , Schureck Max , Atchley Howard , Stone John , Grady Michael , Yang Benjamin , Harris T. Robert
Published: March 2022

The goal of this project was to create and optimize the performance of portable
chambers for reliable ultraviolet (UV) disinfection of personal protective equipment
(PPE) and enable its safe reuse. During unforeseen times of high demand for PPE, such as
during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), single-use PPE supply can be quickly
depleted. UV radiation has been shown to disinfect materials with high efficacy. This
paper reports the design and construction of two 280 nm ultraviolet-C (UV-C)
disinfection chambers in the form of portable chambers with 46 cm × 46 cm × 46 cm
interior dimensions, one using light-emitting diodes and the other using mercury vapor
lamps. This paper summarizes and presents a review of SARS-CoV-2 UV deactivation
research during 2020 to 2021. Additionally, this paper discusses efforts to increase the
uniformity and overall intensity of the UV-C radiation within the chambers through the
installation of a UV-reflective, porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. A
calculator prototype was additionally designed to calculate the reduction of SARS-CoV-2
as a result of UV-C disinfection, and the prototype code is presented. The paper
describes the selection of UV-C radiation sources for the chambers and the chambers’
mechanical and electrical design, PTFE installation, testing, and safety
considerations.
RADICULAR GROOVE OF MAXILLARY PREMOLAR: IS A “DANGER ZONE"?
Authors: YANIK Deniz , NALBANTOĞLU Ahmet Mert
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of radicular groove and dentin thickness on the palatal aspect of the buccal root of maxillary first premolars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and methods: Images of 312 maxillary first premolars belonging to 187 patients (between 18-69 years, 94 females and 93 males) who were referred to the clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Root canal treatment, periapical lesion, and post-core were excluded. One and three-rooted premolars were also excluded. CBCT images were viewed on the axial plane to detect grooves. The concave area on the palatal aspect of the buccal root was recorded as a groove. Buccal and palatal dentin thicknesses were measured by two observers at the level of 3 mm below furcation. Statistical analyses were performed.
Results: Buccal and palatal thicknesses were 1.28(±0.25) and 0.87(±0.13) mm, respectively. According to Student’s t-test, buccal dentin thickness was statistically higher than palatal dentin (p=0.016). The prevalence of groove was 82.05%. While palatal thickness without groove was 0.93(±0.14) mm, palatal thickness corresponding to groove was 0.82(±0.12) mm. One-way ANOVA showed palatal and buccal thickness in group 1 (18-35 years) was statistically lower than group 3 (>65 years) (p=0.012 and p=0.003). No statistical difference in thickness was observed between sex and left or right side (p>0.05).
Conclusions: Palatal thickness related to groove can be considered a “danger zone” for post-core and endodontic treatment. Considering the high prevalence (82.05%) and thin dentin of the groove, more conservative canal and post space preparation and CBCT examination are recommended to avoid perforation.
The effect of the initial months of the COVID-19 national lockdown on MMed training activities at the University of the Free State, South Africa
Authors:   School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, Meyer C , Barrett C ,   School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, Joubert G ,   Department of Biostatistics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, Mofolo N ,   School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Published: March 2022

Background. Shortly after the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) had been reported in South Africa, a national lockdown was declared. Subsequently, the University of the Free State (UFS) changed from a contact delivery mode to remote multimodal teaching, learning and assessment. Objectives. To determine the effect of the initial months of the COVID-19 lockdown on MMed training activities at the UFS, specifically the demographic and health profile of students, research progress, academic activities and the clinical training environment. Methods. A cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. All registered MMed students at the UFS were eligible to participate. Results. A response was obtained from 134 (51.9%) of 258 registrars, most of whom were included in the analysis (n=118; 45.7%). Significant associations between the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on day-to-day clinical work and the ability to work on MMed research (p<0.01) and self-directed learning time (p<0.01) were noted. Changes in domestic circumstances affecting MMed research were reported by 26.9% of respondents. Worsening or new symptoms of stress were reported by 40.0% of respondents. Conclusion. The initial months of the COVID-19 lockdown might have far-reaching implications for registrars’ academic progress. Registrars experienced adverse psychosocial consequences that might impede their academic progress.
Mode-locked fiber laser with coexistence of m ultiple solitons and noise-like pulses
Authors: Yang Ya-Tao , Zou Yuan , Zeng Qiong , Song Yu-Feng , Wang Ke , Wang Zhen-Hong ,   College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Published: March 2022

Dissipative solitons (DSs) usually play an important role in understanding the intricate phenomena in various nonlinear systems. As a special regime in the dissipative system, noise-like pulses (NLPs) can have typical characteristics of ultra-broad and smooth spectrum, high pulse energy and low temporal coherence, making them a good candidate for many applications, including supercontinuum generation, industrial micromachining and optical metrology. In this paper, a noteworthy observation concerning the dynamics on coexistence of the multiple solitons and NLPs operation in a net-normal-dispersion passively mode-locked fiber laser based on nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) is reported. In the experiment, the stable DSs can be easily obtained at a proper pump power. When appropriately increasing the pump power and changing the polarization state, the DS operation can change to the NLP regime. When the fiber laser operates in an NLP state, the single soliton bunch contains multiple pulses with different temporal spacings. And the temporal interval between the adjacent pulses is in a range of several hundred picoseconds, which decreases from left to right with time changing, indicating that there are long-distance interactions among these multiple pulses and they gradually become stronger and stronger. Besides, the pulse number of single soliton bunches on the NLP operation increases almost linearly with pump power increasing. At a maximum pump power, there are eight pulses inside the single soliton bunch. With the increase of pump power, the average output power and pulse energy of these multiple solitons in the NLP state increase. The maximum average output power and pulse energy are 12.3 mW and 1.65 nJ, respectively. In addition, the real-time dynamic evolution of these multiple solitons in the NLP state is investigated by using the time-stretch dispersive Fourier-transform method. The results show that all the pulses in NLP regime actually consist of chaotic noise waves with stochastic intensities. We believe that this paper will be of significance in studying ultrafast fiber lasers and nonlinear optics. Moreover, we hope that these findings will be helpful in understanding the physical mechanism of NLPs and paving the way for exploring other complex soliton dynamics.
A gradual path to mortality
Authors: Yang Na , Sen Payel
Published: March 2022

Many of the features associated with senescence appear steadily over time before cells stop dividing.
Complete chloroplast genome studies of different apple varieties indicated the origin of modern cultivated apples from Malus sieversii and Malus sylvestris
Authors: Li Xueli , Ding Zhijie , Miao Haoyu , Bao Jinbo , Tian Xinmin
Published: March 2022

Background

Apple is one of the most important temperate deciduous fruit trees worldwide, with a wide range of cultivation. In this study, we assessed the variations and phylogenetic relationships between the complete chloroplast genomes of wild and cultivated apples (Malus spp.).

Method

We obtained the complete chloroplast genomes of 24 apple varieties using next-generation sequencing technology and compared them with genomes of (downloaded from NCBI) the wild species.

Result

The chloroplast genome of Malus is highly conserved, with a genome length of 160,067–160,290 bp, and all have a double-stranded circular tetrad structure. The gene content and sequences of genomes of wild species and cultivated apple were almost the same, but several mutation hotspot regions (psbI-atpA, psbM-psbD, and ndhC-atpE) were detected in these genomes. These regions can provide valuable information for solving specific molecular markers in taxonomic research. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Malus formed a new clade and four cultivated varieties clustered into a branch with M. sylvestris and M. sieversii, which indicated that M. sylvestris and M. sieversii were the ancestor species of the cultivated apple.