bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good fences make good neighbors: Collaborating with families to create employment opportunity
Authors: Chase Bethany
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: Collaboration between supported employment providers and parents/guardians of job seekers with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities is key to employment success. However, parents are often concerned about the efficacy of employment supports or the capacity of the professionals providing the service. Likewise, job coaches may consider certain kinds of parent involvement as detrimental to a successful job match. OBJECTIVE: This article provides context for why parents/guardians may be distrustful of the employment process, as well as why employment specialists may struggle to build strong partnerships with parents/guardians. METHODS: This article will discuss how to implement practices that not only welcome the critical input of families, but also maintain healthy and well-defined boundaries that affirm the autonomy, professionalism, and competence of the worker.
More than memes: Embracing social media for 21st century supported employment
Authors: Kimmel Robert
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: Employment specialists assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment, but the majority of practitioners only utilize techniques, tools, and avenues established in specific research domains from over 20 years ago. New technologies, such as social media, are powerful tools employment specialists can utilize to assist individuals with disabilities seeking employment. OBJECTIVE: This article provides context for why including social media into practice is important, what social media is, opportunities it can provide, and what social media platforms are best for employment specialists to use. This article explores how employment specialists can use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to find new opportunities, expand professional networks, and incorporate social media use into standard practices. CONCLUSION: Social media is a powerful tool used extensively in talent recruitment. Supported employment professionals can use the identified strategies to help individuals with disabilities access employment opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Bot-X: An AI-based virtual assistant for intelligent manufacturing
Authors: Li Chen , Yang Hong Ji
Published: April 2021

In light of recent trends toward introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the Human Machine Interface (HMI), companies need to identify the key issues of the communication between operator and production machines. Despite the fact that the industrial company starts to introduce chatbots to assist the communication between humans and machines, the virtual assistant (or digital assistant) by using human natural language is still widely required in the manufacturing domain. In this paper, we introduce an AI-based virtual assistant, Bot-X, for the manufacturing industry to handle a variety of complex services, e.g., order processing, production execution. This work expands the idea in three directions. Firstly, we introduce the design motivation of Bot-X, e.g., knowledge boundary in the manufacturing context. Secondly, the design principle of Bot-X is presented, including the framework, system architecture, model architecture, and the core algorithm. Then, three scenarios are presented to test the Bot-X usability and flexibility regarding the manufacturing environment.
Adaptive window based fall detection using anomaly identification in fog computing scenario
Authors: Shrivastava Rashmi , Pandey Manju
Published: April 2021

Human fall detection is a subcategory of ambient assisted living. Falls are dangerous for old aged people especially those who are unaccompanied. Detection of falls as early as possible along with high accuracy is indispensable to save the person otherwise it may lead to physical disability even death also. The proposed fall detection system is implemented in the edge computing scenario. An adaptive window-based approach is proposed here for feature extraction because window size affects the performance of the classifier. For training and testing purposes two public datasets and our collected dataset have been used. Anomaly identification based on a support vector machine with an enhanced chi-square kernel is used here for the classification of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and fall activities. Using the proposed approach 100% sensitivity and 98.08% specificity have been achieved which are better when compared with three recent research based on unsupervised learning. One of the important aspects of this study is that it is also validated on actual real fall data and got 100% accuracy. This complete fall detection model is implemented in the fog computing scenario. The proposed approach of adaptive window based feature extraction is better than static window based approaches and three recent fall detection methods.
Differences in medication usage of dental patients by age, gender, race/ethnicity and insurance status
Authors: Siddiqui Zasim , Wang Yue , Patel Jay , Thyvalikakath Thankam
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have investigated the medication profile of young adult dental patients despite the high prevalence of prescription opioid abuse in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the extent and differences in medication usage of dental patients older than 18 years by age, race/ethnicity, gender, insurance status and mechanism of action in an academic dental clinic setting. METHODS: Using an automated approach, medication names in the electronic dental record were retrieved and classified according to the National Drug Code directory. Descriptive statistics, multivariable ANOVA and Post hoc tests were performed to detect differences in the number of medications by patient demographics. RESULTS: Of the 11,220 adult patients, 53 percent reported taking at least one medication with significant differences in medication usage by demographics. Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (21–36%), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (19–23%) ranked the top two medication classes among patients 55 years and older. Opioid agonists (7–14%), and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (5–12%) ranked the top two medication classes among patients aged 18–54 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the importance of dental providers to review medical and medication histories of patients regardless of their age to avoid adverse events and to determine patient’s risk for opioid abuse.
Analysis of transient response of the human foot based on the finite element method
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Yue Yong , Wu Xuyang , Huang Xianwei , Hao Yanhua , Lu Yong
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: The foot is an important part of the human body. Its functions are mainly walking and load-bearing. It also keeps the human body stable and absorbs ground vibrations to protect important human organs. OBJECTIVE: Many researchers use finite element methods to study the biomechanics of the foot. However, current studies on the finite element of the foot are based on the stress and displacement response analysis of the foot under static or quasi-static conditions, ignoring the movement process of the foot and the impact of vibration. Moreover, the joint application of energy method and finite element analysis in foot biomechanics is rarely reported. METHODS: In this paper, to obtain the foot energy transfer process, the transient response of the foot under neutral position is analyzed based on the energy method. RESULTS: The results show that: (1) In this model, the energy analysis follows the conservation of energy, which indicates that the transient response analysis has obtained a reasonable response. (2) When the foot touches the ground, the strain energy of the calcaneus, second metatarsal and third metatarsal is relatively large, which is consistent with the main stress concentration area of the plantar. (3) The gravity of the human body is mainly transmitted through the talus to the calcaneus, while the effect of transmittal through the scaphoid to the cuneiform bone and metatarsal is weak. CONCLUSION: This study can not only more clearly and intuitively reflect the energy transfer and source of various skeletal foreheads in the foot, but also provide a new research idea for the study of foot biomechanics.
Detection of VOR dysfunction during the gaze stabilization test: Does target size matter?
Authors: Thompson-Harvey Adam , Dutcher Charlotte E. , Monroe Heather A. , Sinks Belinda C. , Goebel Joel A.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: The Gaze Stabilization Test (GST) identifies vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) dysfunction using a decline in target recognition with increasing head velocity, but there is no consensus on target (optotype) size above static visual acuity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal optotype size above static visual acuity to be used during the GST in subjects with unilateral vestibular dysfunction and healthy individuals. METHODS: Eight subjects with unilateral vestibular dysfunction (UVD) and 19 age-matched, healthy control subjects were studied with the standard GST protocol using two optotype sizes, 0.2 and 0.3 logMAR above static visual acuity (ΔlogMAR). Maximal head velocity achieved while maintaining fixation on both optotypes was measured. Sensitivity, specificity and receiver-operator characteristic area under the curve (ROC AUC) analyses were performed to determine the optimal head velocity cut off point for each optotype, based on ability to identify the lesioned side of the UVD group from the control group. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in maximal head velocity between the UVD group and control group using 0.2 ΔlogMAR (p = 0.032) but not 0.3 ΔlogMAR (p = 0.061). While both targets produced similar specificities (90%) for distinguishing normal from subjects with UVD, 0.2 ΔlogMAR targets yielded higher sensitivity (75%) than 0.3 logMAR (63%) and accuracy (86% vs 80%, respectively) in detecting the lesioned side in subjects with UVD versus controls with maximal head velocities≤105 deg/s (p = 0.017). Furthermore, positive likelihood ratios were nearly twice as high when using 0.2 ΔlogMAR targets (+ LR 10) compared to 0.3 ΔlogMAR (+ LR 6.3). CONCLUSION: The 0.2 ΔlogMAR optotype demonstrated significantly superior identification of subjects with UVD, better sensitivity and positive likelihood ratios than 0.3 ΔlogMAR for detection of VOR dysfunction. Using a target size 0.2logMAR above static visual acuity (ΔlogMAR) during GST may yield better detection of VOR dysfunction to serve as a baseline for gaze stabilization rehabilitation therapy.
On a straight path to HCV elimination in children – new prospects for hepatitis C treatment in Poland
Authors: Pluta Magdalena , Pokorska-Śpiewak Maria , Aniszewska Małgorzata , Marczyńska Magdalena
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
Difficulties in achieving elimination targets of the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on viral hepatitis might be overcome through a new micro-elimination approach that allows for a quick, efficient targeting of treatment and prevention services. Particular focus on identification of high-risk and so far marginalized populations, such as children and adolescents, increases chances for HCV elimination on a country, and ultimately on a population level. Therefore, a broad access to safe and highly effective direct-acting antiviral drugs is of upmost importance in the pediatric population.

STRESZCZENIE
Wdrożenie nowej strategii, tzw. mikroeliminacji może pozwolić na pokonanie trudności związanych z osiągnięciem celów określonych w Globalnej Strategii Zwalczania Wirusowych Zapaleń Wątroby opracowanej przez Światową Organizację Zdrowia. Mikroeliminacja umożliwia szybkie i efektywne wdrożenie procedur leczniczych i profilaktycznych. Intensyfikacja działań na rzecz identyfikacji grup ryzyka oraz społeczności zmarginalizowanej, w tym dzieci oraz młodzieży, umożliwi zwiększenie szans na eliminację wzw C na poziomie kraju oraz docelowo na poziomie populacji. Zapewnienie szerokiego dostępu do bezpiecznych i wysoce skutecznych leków o bezpośrednim działaniu przeciwwirusowym powinno być jednym z najważniejszych działań podejmowanych na rzecz zwalczania wzw C w populacji pediatrycznej.
Az Európai Parlament működése a koronavírus-járvány idején: valódi megoldás-e a távmegoldás?
Authors: Petri Bernadett
Published: April 2021

Az Európai Parlament eddigi működése során példa nélküli helyzettel találta magát szemben. A  koronavírus-járvány miatt elrendelt közegészségügyi  intézkedésekre tekintettel március közepe óta  lehetetlenné vált az európai parlamenti képviselők  fizikai jelenlétével  megtartani a plenáris üléseket. A  Parlament a kialakult problémát azzal kívánta áthidalni, hogy egy Elnökségi határozat keretében  értelmezte az Eljárási Szabályzat elektronikus  szavazásról szóló rendelkezését. Így jelenleg a Parlament távműködéssel ülésezik, amire  azonban nem rendelkezik megfelelő jogalappal,  gyakorlata pedig szembemegy az Eljárási Szabályzattal,  amelyet a mai napig sem módosított. A 2020-asévben  egyértelműen nem rendeztek meg 12 plenáris ülést  Strasbourgban, ami az EUSZ 6. Jegyzőkönyvének  rendelkezései alapján a Parlament kötelezettsége lenne.  A témáért felelős parlamenti képviselők hónapok  óta alternatívákat keresnek a helyzet megoldása érdekében, a jogszerű működés  helyreállítása azonban akár 2021 tavaszáig is  elhúzódhat, miközben a működéssel szemben  támasztható eljárásjogi kifogásokra való tekintettel az  Európai Parlament akár az EUMSZ 263. cikke szerinti  megsemmisítési keresettel is szembetalálhatja magát.
СТРУКТУРНІ МОДЕЛІ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ МАРКЕТИНГОВОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ НА ПІДПРИЄМСТВІ
Authors: Бондарєва Тетяна Іванівна , Баришева Катерина Володимирівна , Коломієць Карина Володимирівна
Published: April 2021

Formulation of the problem. Questions concerning designing of organizational structure of management of marketing activity of the enterprise are considered. The purpose of the article is to consider the theoretical foundations of construction of marketing management structures and the development of structural models of marketing activities of the enterprise using the theory of systems analysis. The methodological basis of the study were logical methods of information processing, methods of systems analysis and modeling of systems, abstract-logical method for formulating conclusions. The main hypothesis of the study is that to build an effective organizational structure for managing the marketing activities of the enterprise, you can use methods of systems analysis, including process and system approach. Presenting main material. Theoretical and methodological bases of construction of marketing organizational structures are considered. The changes that have taken place in the approaches to the management of marketing activities of the enterprise are analyzed. Flexibility, adaptability, stability of the management system, as well as the consistency of the behavior of all its elements, ensuring high efficiency of marketing management depend on the organizational structure of marketing management of the enterprise. A set of interdependent structural models of the marketing management system of the enterprise is proposed, the use of which will increase the efficiency of the organization of marketing activities of the enterprise. The originality and practical significance of the study is confirmed by the possibility of using the proposed set of structural models as a practical tool for designing the organizational structure of marketing activities of any type of enterprise. The proposed developments can be used as an element of practical guidance for the implementation of marketing management projects in the enterprise. Conclusions and prospects for further research. The proposed rules and a set of appropriate structural models can be used to build a process model that shows the sequence of works to implement the functions of the marketing department of the enterprise. Then, with the help of a matrix projection between the functional and process models, it is possible to analyze the processes of the management system of marketing activities of the enterprise.
Cross-linguistic Analysis of Metonymic Conceptualization of Personality in English and Vietnamese Idioms Containing "Head", "Face" and “Eyes”
Authors: Vu Nguyen Ngoc , Van Nguyen Thi Thu , Lien Nguyen Thi Hong
Published: April 2021

Research on idioms from the point of view of cognitive linguistics, in particular through conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy in cognitive semantics, has been steadily growing. While there have been quite a few investigations into the role of conceptual metaphors in meaning formation, conceptual metonymies are still left underexplored. This article examines the role of metonymic conceptualization of personality in English and Vietnamese idioms containing "head", "face" and “eyes” from the conceptual metonymy theory of cognitive linguistics. With analyzed examples from 713 English languages and 947 Vietnamese idioms of body parts collected, the article shows that metonymic conceptualization plays an essential part in the formation of meaning. There are many similarities in the way "head", "face" and “eyes” are conceptualized for personality in both English and Vietnamese cultures. However, why Vietnamese body part idioms use a lot of symbolic pairs, English idioms do not. The study suggests more attention to conceptual metonymy in teaching idioms in order to help students infer idiomatic meanings. Rather than asking students to learn by heart the composite meaning of idioms, teachers should encourage them to guess the idiomatic meaning. Besides, conceptual metonymy should be explained to students since it helps language learners infer idiomatic meaning and retain it longer.
Professional and Institutional Discourse: A Case Study of Media Discourse
Authors: Hassan Waqar , Thalho Nadia Perveen , Mehboob Yasmeen
Published: April 2021

Professional discourse has established in the last few decades. As a control, many applied etymologists and discourse experts have managed it in an insightful way. The main striking work on professional discourse is The Construction of Professional Discourse (Gunnarson et al., 1997). This quantitative study's objective was to identify the professional discourse and define the types of discourse. For this data was collected from Three Pakistani TV news channels named ARY Digital, Express News and Geo News. The data consisted upon the one week recording of TV news channels. Audio recording transform into text format and one corpus-based file was developed. Further corpus analysis tool AntConc version 3.5.9 was used to get the data's frequencies and concordance. On the base of extracted concordance and frequencies descriptive analysis was done and then subjectively analyzed to get the professional discourse from media channels. The study's findings presented that media is a vast profession and has its own particular vocabulary that identifies their profession. Media discourse has specific domains and topics for discussion. This study's findings will help the learners of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis in their case studies.
Representing the Zeitgeist: A Foucauldian Reading of Jack Kerouac’s The Subterraneans
Authors: Amjad Fazel Asadi , Ahmadgoli Kamran , Sadr Saman
Published: April 2021

This study is an attempt at reading Jack Kerouac’s “The Subterraneans” in the light of the theory of Michel Foucault. “The Subterraneans”, written in 1958, grapples with the life of Leo, the alter ego of Jack Kerouac himself. The actions and interactions of its main characters, Leo Percepied and Mardou Fox, are observed and analyzed, focusing on the political philosophy of Foucault, specifically his conceptions of power, power relations, institutions, and surveillance to shed light on the ideas of Kerouac, the spokesperson of the Beat Generation. Kerouac’s novel represents the spirit of the age of a people who sought change, difference, and disobedience; the main characters are antiheroes who challenge their prisonlike structure of the society. In contrast, the government has the upper hand by means of its distinct and overlapping institutions that not only neutralize such acts or resistances but make normal and ordinary those individuals who were themselves the promoters and examples of abnormality. Jack Kerouac’s “The Subterraneans” is characterized by unfreedom, obedience, unthinking men, individuals without individuality, and disillusionment.
Sonority Principle in French Nominal Loanwords into Moroccan Arabic: An Optimality-theoretic Analysis
Authors: Smirkou Ahmed
Published: April 2021

This paper examines the adaptation of French nominal loans into Moroccan Arabic by adopting the framework of optimality theory. The focus is to unveil the phonological and morphological repair strategies enforced by the phonotactic constraints of the borrowing language to resolve sonority principle in complex codas. The investigated phonological strategy is schwa and a high vowel epenthesis. Schwa epenthesis is triggered to split final biconsonantal codas that violate sonority principle. In three consonantal coda clusters, schwa insertion is conditioned by the sonority value of the consonants, where it is consistently epenthesized before the most sonorous segment. A high vowel behaves differently; it is epenthesized in the final position without splitting the coda cluster, and enforces the cluster to be syllabified as an onset instead of a coda, and as such sonority principle is satisfied. It is also argued that the addition of the morphological marker {-a}, which is primarily morphologically driven, indirectly satisfies sonority principle; by doing so, it blocks the application of schwa or a high vowel epenthesis, which points to the fact that such phonological and morphological strategies conspire to satisfy sonority principle. The study also provides further support for the phonological stance on loanword adaptation.
An Investigation of Factors Causing English Mispronunciation of Students in English for International Communication
Authors: Tabula Rommel Valencia , Suwanaroa Sawitri , Polerk Sutarat
Published: April 2021

English has been recognized as a lingua franca in different aspects of communication such as international business, academic context, science and technology.  Despite the constant efforts of developing English education in Thailand, studies have shown that the achievement of Thai students was still unsatisfactory. Additionally, previous studies revealed Thai EFL learners faced a number of difficulties in pronunciation and speaking. The purposes of this study were to investigate the levels of the factors and the most and least factors causing in English mispronunciation of 2nd and 3rd year students in EIC at RMUTL Tak campus.  Fifty-one students were purposively selected from EIC of 2nd and 3rd year in 2019. The research instrument included questionnaire and adopted Likert scale for data analysis. The results found that 2nd and 3rd year students in English for International Communication (EIC) Program evaluated the factor causing in English mispronunciation found that 1) the first language interference factor have the highest mean value 2) phonetic ability factor 3) experience in studying English factor and 4) motivation factor have the lowest mean value.
A Socio-Pragmatic Analysis of the Impact of Impoliteness and Aggressive Language in Violent Online Games on the Players
Authors: Idrees Fatima Abdul Ghany
Published: April 2021

This study attempted to discover and analyse the impact of violent online games on the players’ language and behavior as well as how these expressions might harm, intimidate, and damage others’ face. It is worth mentioning that online games become the young’s playground where they interact with others and may adopt a certain type of language and behavior.  As players engage in a competitive fight of characters, they use certain communicative styles to express their feelings and emotions, including impolite expressions. Hence, this paper looked into these expressions, their responses to those expressions, and the reasons behind them. In addition, this study identified whether there is any impact in choosing these impolite expressions. Moreover, these violent gaming can provide a good field of investigation because impoliteness is widely occurring in such situations, through which people from various cultures, ages and genders come in contact to fight each other, be uncivil, and criticize and damage the other’s face. Moreover, these games may even encourage certain harmful impolite terminology and aggressive behavior to inter the players ‘repertoire and become the language of everyday use. In gathering the data, impolite expressions were collected by participating in some battles involving abusive and impolite words. Based on the results obtained, the study reached some conclusions that Culpeper’s (2005) and Spencer-Oatey’s (2002 and 2005) models are applicable in the context of violent online games. There is a big tendency that young people adopt and use various impolite expressions according to their gender and their relations for many reasons. In addition, it is widely recognized that most players have limited politeness competence and directly reply to others’ impolite language with hostility. Finally yet importantly, positive impoliteness strategies are used more than the other models, whereas quality of face was the most damaged one in Spencer-Oatey model.
The Use of Manipulative in Teaching Elementary Mathematics
Authors: Abarquez Evangeline Bungao-
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of manipulative (concrete learning materials) in teaching elementary mathematics. The study employed a pretest posttest quasi experimental design. The study was conducted in two grade 3 sections of San Agustin Elementary School in the school year 2016-2017. The experimental group was taught mathematics using the manipulative while the control group was taught mathematics using the conventional method. Data were collected and analyzed from both the experimental and control groups using T-test, Paired T-test, and standard deviation. As a result of the research, the pretest and posttest scores of experiment and control groups were found to differ significantly in favor of posttest in both groups. There was a significant mean gain difference in the pupils’ pretest and posttest scores in mathematics exposed to manipulative and conventional method. Generally, the use of manipulative in teaching mathematics is more effective than the use of conventional method.
“Grammar Scares Me”: An Exploration of American Students’ Perceptions of Grammar Learning
Authors: Vakili Pouya , Mohammed Reda
Published: April 2021

Grammar instruction in SLA contexts has received much scholarly attention ranging from competence levels, teaching methods, learners’ and teachers’ attitudes and perceptions, cross-linguistic transfer, among others. However, research that focuses on American students’ perceptions regarding learning grammar, especially those enrolled in teacher training programs, is still limited. While it is argued that first language learners/users (L1) have the authority of the grammar of their language, it is still important to examine how their antecedent knowledge -naturalistic and/or instructional- of grammar influence their current perceptions and future teaching of grammar. These meanings may leave students with some ambivalent and, at times, misinformed views about grammar. Therefore, in this paper, we report on American students’ perceptions of grammar learning and the extent to which these perceptions are (dis)associated with their grammar performance. Twenty-three American students enrolled in a grammar class in a Midwestern university were given a pre-and post-test divided into three sections, two of which report on their perceptions and one section covers their grammar knowledge. The results of the pre-test suggest that most participants perceived grammar learning as unimportant or irrelevant and such findings correlate with their low performance on the grammar section of the test. However, such perception has been reversed in their post-test responses as they performed higher in the grammar section. The findings suggest that understanding students’ perceptions and using explicit grammar teaching is beneficial in building their scientific knowledge of the world, enhancing their analytic skills, and reducing their fear of grammar.
The Potential of Integrating Social Media in Saudi EFL Context
Authors: Sharifunnessa
Published: April 2021

Language learning is going through a new dimension with advancement of new technologies. Social media integration with language learning has added a new insight in this field. The main objective of this study is to determine the position of social media in Saudi Arabia and then verify the probability of its use in language learning. This study is based on quantitative method using a questionnaire to collect data from 50 randomly chosen female students and 10 teachers of King Khalid University. Two different structured questionnaires consisted of eight questions based on different satisfactory level of Likert scale was used among the learners and teachers to know their opinion. Primarily it was assumed that most of the students would not agree to use social media for language learning due to their highly conservative socio –cultural background. However, later on it was found that majority of the students showed their interest to engage social media with language learning for the betterment of their learning skills. They also agreed that social media application would increase their practical knowledge related to real life situations communication. Still a few of them showed disinterest to these intermingling initiatives and thus disagreed with this endeavor. This study suggests a careful implication of suitable language learning features of social media with the EFL students and thus encourage them to be involved actively in language learning procedure.
Man vs Machine: A Comparison of Linguistic, Cultural, and Stylistic Levels in Literary Translation
Authors: Zagood Mohammed Juma , Al-Nuaimi Alya , Al-Blooshi Aysha
Published: April 2021

This study aims to remark the differences between human translation (HT) and machine translation (MT) on linguistic, cultural, and stylistic levels when translating English literary texts into Arabic. To accomplish the goal of this study, a comparison between the Arabic HT and MT of Saki’s (1914) short story ‘The Open Window’ is conducted. The study focuses on comparing the two translations (HT and MT) on linguistic, cultural, and stylistic levels to identify the differences between HT and MT in translating literary texts. Throughout this comparison, it is found out that both HT and MT have their advantages and disadvantages on different levels. It has also been found out that MT is unable to identify cultural items and consequently mistranslate them. It is, therefore, concluded that MT can work proficiently on certain levels besides the intervention of the human mind. The findings of this study provide translators using MT with a clear vision on the points of strength and weaknesses in translating literary texts.
Inclusive Education at the Heart of Mainstream Language Pedagogy: Perspectives and Challenges
Authors: Lacar Jennelyn
Published: April 2021

This research aimed to fill the research gaps surfaced by the dearth of research on implementing inclusive education with regular students in the mainstream language classroom where learners’ diversity and differences exist, and the pedagogical practices and skills of teachers in the delivery of inclusive instruction. It specifically determined the perspectives of the language teachers in explicating their insights about inclusive education which shape the pedagogical practices they employ in the mainstream language classroom amidst the challenges they encounter with regard its implementation. This was further corroborated by the language learners during the cross-validation process of the research. It is an empirical qualitative study that utilised structured interviews crafted through a priori coding as a research instrument. In the data analysis, data member checking for the veracity of interview text was conducted prior to the cool and warm analyses and thematic analysis for the development of codes, themes, or categories essential in the logical arrangement of the information elucidated in this research. The participants’ perspectives highlighted the direct relationship of inclusion and diversity of learners in all aspects. The course facilitators' pedagogical practices emphasised the close association of inclusivity with learner-centered instructional approaches employed in a nurturing climate achieved through inclusive language and threat-free learning atmosphere. The constraints in implementing inclusive education revolved around language, teacher factors (i.e. lack of awareness or inadequacy of training, favoritism or preference, heavy teaching load, etc.), lack of educational resources and facilities, and curriculum.
Teacher-Based Assessment of Speaking in Cameroonian Secondary Schools: The Impact of Teacher Training
Authors: Akongoh Rudolf N.
Published: April 2021

Speaking is an important language skill that deserves a place both in English language teaching and English language assessment. However, the assessment of speaking in Cameroonian secondary schools is still neglected in many teacher-based English language tests. Often, attempts made to assess the skill are done either almost always indirectly or informally, leaving a wide gap between tenets professed in the Competency-Based Approach (CBA) to English language teaching and practice in the field. In 2012, the government of Cameroon officially introduced the CBA as the pedagogic paradigm for the teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL), and by extension, assessment in secondary schools. Eight years down the line, little seems to have changed concerning the way speaking has always been assessed, even though the CBA requires that learners practically demonstrate knowledge, skills and values in testing situations. This article set out to evaluate the contribution of teacher training to the assessment of speaking. Data was collected through qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 259 questionnaires were administered to examiners of the June 2019 marking session of the Cameroon General Certificate of Education (CGCE) as well as members of the Cameroon English Language and Literature Teachers’ Association (CAMELTA). Also, four interviews were conducted with the maximum variation principle in mind. The findings revealed that teacher training, both pre-service and in-service, is a major factor responsible for the neglect of speaking in assessments. It was recommended that teacher-training institutions introduce or expand courses on testing to include direct assessment of speaking and that opportunities be created for in-service teachers to acquire certification on assessment within the framework of the CBA to English language teaching.
Smartphones and the Learning of French as a Foreign Language in the Public Universities in Kenya
Authors: Wasike Stella , Kazadi Muteba , Auma Rose
Published: April 2021

The use of ICT in education has become increasingly important in the education systems of both developed and developing countries. ICT as a course has been introduced in the university programmes. Several researchers have identified a Smartphone as a promising form of ICT in education systems which can revolutionalize career formations. However, there is need for a profound reflection on its possible use in the learning of French as a foreign language in the public universities. This study explored the use of a Smartphone in the learning of French as a foreign language by undergraduate students of the public universities in Kenya. The study focused on the following objectives: First, it assessed the use of a Smartphone in the learning process of French as a foreign language by undergraduate students in universities in Kenya. Secondly, it established when undergraduate students turn to the use of Smartphones in the learning of French as a foreign language. Lastly, it evaluated if the frequent use of a Smartphone by undergraduate students of the public universities in Kenya, adds value to their oral and written linguistic competence. The new knowledge derived from this study would enhance and contribute to new learning techniques of French in the context of the use of a Smartphone. This knowledge would also guide on how this device can be integrated in the learning of French as a foreign language.
Investigating the Match and Mismatch between Students’ Learning Styles and Teacher’s Teaching Styles in a Saudi School: A Case Study
Authors: Alhourani Alaa Q.
Published: April 2021

This study examines if there is a match or mismatch between students’ learning styles and the teacher’s teaching styles in a classroom at Khalid Bin Alwlid School, Tabarjal, Saudi Arabia. The main objectives of this study are to determine dominant learning styles of the whole secondary grade students and the teacher’s teaching style. This study was carried out as a case study, and the data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Participants of this study were a class of 15 students and their English language teacher to the first secondary stage. The instruments used for collecting data were Reid’s Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire (1995), Teachers Teaching Style Preferences Questionnaire (Peacock 2001), and semi-structured interview. The findings of this study indicated that the majority of the students had multiple learning styles with at least auditory and group as their major learning style preferences, followed by kinesthetic, tactile, and visual as their minor learning style preferences. They showed negative preference towards individual style. The major learning style preferences of the English language teacher were visual and individual, followed by tactile and kinesthetic as his minor style preferences, while his negligible teaching style preferences were auditory and group. There was a mismatch between the teacher’s teaching style and the students’ learning style at Khalid Bin Alwlid School, Tabarjal, Saudi Arabia
Development of Fiji English
Authors: Ali-Chand Zakia
Published: April 2021

This paper traces the development of Fiji English as a variety of English distinct from standard British English.  This variety of English has been used colloquially; however, in the recent past, it has been slowly creeping in to students’ academic papers. Some of its vocabulary may be seen to be quite distinct from standard British English. This paper will first discuss the classifications and models of World Englishes that have been proposed by scholars such as Kachru, Schneider, Quirk and Bolton, among others. These classifications try and explain the differences in the ways English developed its own varieties in different countries. It will then attempt to explain the stages Fiji English went through to give birth to its own distinct variety of English. Finally, it will examine some of the sources of Fiji English lexis.
A Comparative Analysis of Muhammad and Oe’s Novels
Authors: Sarip Hasmina Domato
Published: April 2021

This is a comparative analysis of two novels entitled “The Son of Mad Mat Lela,” which is written by Ishak Hadji Muhammad, a famous Malaysian writer and the other one is “Teach us to Outgrow our Madness,” by a Japanese novelist Kenzaburo Oe. This study compared the literary styles of Muhammad and Oe through the lens of their vocabulary and language use. Muhammad’s literary styles is simple, clear and vivid. One reads the story with delight because the words that strung together sound on the air like music. He does not use metaphor; his style is still striking in his own way. Many readers still notice his style no matter how plain it is. This is to say that Muhammad could write lucidly, simply and lively by observing grammar rules in writing. He uses common phrases of the day not with artificially but with naturalness. While, Oe’s literary style is more of long and complex sentences or two that occupy  a paragraph. Most of his passages convey strong emotion describing an intimate knowledge of the lives of the characters.
Assessing the Effects of Teaching Vocabulary in Developing Receptive Skills: A Review Article
Authors: Amirzai Gul Ahmad
Published: April 2021

Vocabulary is central to English language teaching. Through vocabulary, students can understand, communicate, and write well. Without sufficient vocabulary knowledge, students cannot understand others or express their own ideas. The aim of this topic is to find out if teaching vocabulary can help students in improving reading or listening or not? Behind this question, there are some reasons in the Afghan context. First, students mostly have basic vocabulary knowledge and a mass of vocabulary, but the reading power is weak. This is especially true in most university students having a problem reading fluency and accuracy. Second, while students listen to native speakers, they have problems catching ideas and comprehension from their speech. Hence, it is vitally important to teach vocabulary accurately to improve sub-skill (vocabulary) and receptive skills (reading and writing). For these reasons, I have reviewed ten different articles discussing the importance and effects of teaching vocabulary to improve students’ receptive skills (reading and listening). This issue is vital in the Afghan context for acquiring receptive skills and sub-skill (vocabulary). The current study conducted to find out appropriate answers for the following research questions: What are the effects of teaching vocabulary in developing receptive skills? How teaching vocabulary influences the development of receptive skills? The ten articles reviewed show that teaching vocabulary influences the development of receptive language learning skills, especially learning English as a foreign language. The findings of the study indicate that vocabulary teaching not only influence the development of one skill of learning a language, but it can have multi-dimensional effects regarding the development of language skills, particularly the development of the primary skills of learning a language, for example; listening, speaking, reading and writing. For this reason, the articles strongly support the statement that vocabulary is one of the vital skills through which a learner can be able to develop performance skills and comprehension (receptive) skills.
The Perceived Vocabulary Strategies and Motivation Used by Learners of Chinese as a Foreign Language
Authors: Kwarteng Michael , Acheampong Dorcas Oteng
Published: April 2021

In learning a language, vocabulary forms the cornerstone of the whole process since vocabulary influences speaking, reading, and writing ability. This study involved the observation of CFL learners who are students in Nanjing-China. It aimed to critically assess the perceived challenges of CFL learners across various universities in Nanjing learning Chinese vocabularies, their adopted strategies and motivation in learning Chinese vocabularies and explore ways to improve CFL learner’s proficiency. The study used a survey questionnaire to collect the data from 120 male and female Bachelor, Master and PhD students with different ages of 20 to 43 who are enrolled in 20 universities in Nanjing China. Based on certain Descriptive analysis and calculations, the findings of the study indicate that the participants indeed experience difficulties in learning Chinese vocabularies. Moreover, the results also revealed the participants’ already laydown initiatives and strategies that are mostly influenced by their motivation to learn Chinese vocabularies. In addition, the researcher investigated the motivational levels of respondents towards learning Chinese vocabularies and how their source of motivation influences their adopted strategies. The findings showed that CFL learners are extrinsically motivated than intrinsically. The study recommends that teachers and educational authorities in China and for that matter Nanjing, should create more favorable conditions to boost the motivation level of foreign students to adopt and use appropriate strategies in learning Chinese vocabularies and consequently become proficient in Chinese language as a whole. The study ends in several recommendations to Chinese teachers and educational authorities as well as to foreign Chinese language learners with regard to the pedagogy of Chinese vocabularies.
DEM Modeling of Crushable Grain Material under Different Loading Conditions
Authors: Benmebarek M. Amine , Movahedi Rad Majid
Published: April 2021

This paper deals with the effect of contact conditions on the crushing mechanisms and the strength of granular materials. The computation of crushable grain material under different loading conditions is performed using 3D model of discrete element method (DEM). The crushable macro-grain is generated from a large number of identical spherical micro-grains which are connected according to the bonded particle model. First, the parameters of the proposed DEM model are calibrated to match the force-displacement curve obtained from Brazilian Tests performed on cylinders made of artificially crushable material. The damage profile right at the point when the force-displacement curve reaches its maximum is seen to replicate the same crack patterns observed in Brazilian test experiments. Then, parametric investigations are performed by varying the coordination number, the contact location distribution, and the contact area. The results show that these parameters play a significant role in determining the critical contact force and fracture mechanism of crushable particles compared to a traditional macro-grain crushing test. Increasing distribution and coordination number of the macro-grain increases particle strength when large area contact is permitted. However, for linear contact area, the effect of increasing coordination number on particle strength is marginal.
Long COVID
Authors: Editor in Chief The
Published: April 2021

Abstract not available

Birdem Med J 2021; 11(2): 80-83
BIRDEM News Vol 11(2)
Authors: Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: April 2021

Abstract not available

Birdem Med J 2021; 11(2): 155
Arte Urbano: ¿arte para todos o arte reivindicativo? El fenomeno Bansky.
Authors: Alonso Arroba Patricia
Published: April 2021

El arte urbano como expresión artística.

De esta forma se puede afirmar que esta corriente artística nace de una necesidad de expresar desde el acto artístico una rebelión e inconformismo con el sistema establecido del mundo del arte, donde el monopolio de museos y galerías no eran accesibles a todos aquellos futuros artistas que empezaron a usar los muros de los edificios callejeros como soporte donde poder mostrar su obra y hacer visible su mensaje.

El caso de Bansky y su repercusion a nivel global. Una riqueza para el patrimonio artistico.