bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extremely long nanojet formation from a ballpoint photonic pen
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Ozek Ekin Asim , Abdul Basit , Shafaghi Ali Hosseinpour , Yapici Murat Kaya
Published: December 2022

Certain microelements can facilitate light manipulation in the form of an intense electromagnetic beam known as a “photonic nanojet” (PNJ), which is an emerging candidate in the field of spectroscopy, nanolithography, and bio/chemical sensing. However, inherent limitations of the PNJs such as short jet length, focal point, and working length minimize their application areas. Herein, by considering readily available materials and technologies, we report a simple and physically realizable “photonic pen” (PP)-like microstructure to yield extremely long PNJs under plane-wave illumination. Essentially, by semi-immersing a sphere of certain diameter (acting as pen tip) in a barrel material with the width equal to and height 5 times the sphere diameter, a “ballpoint pen”-like microstructure is formed where illuminated light acts as the ink. Finite-difference time-domain analysis shows the use of low refractive index (RI) spherical tips (

n

=

1.48

) with 10 µm diameter, and a high RI SU-8 barrel (

n

=

1.62

) creating a net index difference of

Δ

n

=

0.14

to effectively form PNJs with extremely long jet length, working distance, and full width at half-maximum of over

330

λ

(121.6 µm),

319.45

λ

(116.6 µm), and

4.22

λ

(1.54 µm) respectively, and a figure of merit of

∼

155

in water environment.

S
i
O

2

/

SU-

8

PPs show over

∼

3

times longer jet length than previous studies. We show that such

SU-

8

/

SiO

2

PPs with extremely long PNJs can act as epidermal photonic imagers to scan biological tissues such as trilayer human skin to detect melanoma (skin cancer), both in contact and in noncontact mode with efficiency enhancement reaching

∼

45

%

compared to plain microspheres without barrels.
Characterization of sidebands in fiber lasers based on nonlinear Fourier transformation
Authors: Chen Fanglin , Lan Hengwen , Wang Yutian , Klimczak Mariusz , Buczynski Ryszard , Tang Xiahui , Tang Ming , Zhu Haiyong , Zhao Luming
Published: December 2022

Phase evolution of soliton and that of first-order sidebands in a fiber laser are investigated by using nonlinear Fourier transform (NFT). Development from dip-type sidebands to peak-type (Kelly) sidebands is presented. The phase relationship between the soliton and the sidebands calculated by the NFT are in good agreement with the average soliton theory. Our results suggest that NFT can be an effective tool for the analysis of laser pulses.
Creating perfect composite vortex beams with a single all-dielectric geometric metasurface: erratum
Authors: Zhang Bolun , Hu Zheng-Da , Wang Jicheng , Wu Jingjing , Sang Tian
Published: December 2022

Erratum to “Creating perfect composite vortex beams with a single all-dielectric geometric metasurface.” [Opt. Express 30, 40231 (2022)10.1364/OE.475158]. Here are some mistakes in the paper, which needs to be revised.
Focusing of partially coherent light by a graded-index lens
Authors: Agrawal Govind P.
Published: December 2022

We use coherence theory to study how the focusing of an optical beam by a graded-index (GRIN) lens is affected when the incoming beam is only partially coherent. The Gaussian–Schell model is used to show that the intensity of a partially coherent beam exhibits self-imaging and evolves in a periodic fashion in a GRIN medium with a parabolic index profile. Spatial coherence of the beam affects a single parameter that governs how much the beam is compressed at the focal point. Our results show that the focal spot size depends on the fraction of the beam’s diameter over which coherence persists. Focusing ceases to occur, and the beam may even expand at the focal point of a GRIN lens, when this fraction is below 10%.
Optical realization of one-dimensional generalized split-step quantum walks
Authors: Yasir P. A. Ameen , Hegde Abhaya S. , Chandrashekar C. M.
Published: December 2022

Quantum walks are more than tools for building quantum algorithms. They have been used effectively to model and simulate quantum dynamics in many complex physical processes. Particularly, a variant of discrete-time quantum walk known as split-step quantum walk is closely related to Dirac cellular automata and topological insulators, whose realizations rely on position-dependent control of evolution operators. Owing to the ease of manipulating multiple degrees of freedom of photons, we provide an optical setup of split-step operators which, in combination with position-dependent coin (PDC) operation, can accomplish a table-top setup of generalized split-step walks. Also, we propose an optical implementation for PDC operation that allows, for instance, realizing electric quantum walks, control localization dynamics, and emulate space-time curvature effects. In addition, we propose a setup to realize any t-step split-step quantum walk involving 2 J-plates, 2 variable waveplates, a half-waveplate, an optical switch, and an optical delay line.
Analysis of the evolution of resistance to multiple antibiotics enables prediction of the Escherichia coli phenotype-based fitness landscape
Authors: Iwasawa Junichiro , Maeda Tomoya , Shibai Atsushi , Kotani Hazuki , Kawada Masako , Furusawa Chikara
Published: December 2022

The fitness landscape represents the complex relationship between genotype or phenotype and fitness under a given environment, the structure of which allows the explanation and prediction of evolutionary trajectories. Although previous studies have constructed fitness landscapes by comprehensively studying the mutations in specific genes, the high dimensionality of genotypic changes prevents us from developing a fitness landscape capable of predicting evolution for the whole cell. Herein, we address this problem by inferring the phenotype-based fitness landscape for antibiotic resistance evolution by quantifying the multidimensional phenotypic changes, i.e., time-series data of resistance for eight different drugs. We show that different peaks of the landscape correspond to different drug resistance mechanisms, thus supporting the validity of the inferred phenotype-fitness landscape. We further discuss how inferred phenotype-fitness landscapes could contribute to the prediction and control of evolution. This approach bridges the gap between phenotypic/genotypic changes and fitness while contributing to a better understanding of drug resistance evolution.
“Testing for malaria does not cure any pain” A qualitative study exploring low use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests at drug shops in rural Uganda
Authors: Shelus Victoria , Mumbere Nobert , Masereka Amos , Masika Bonita , Kiitha Joackim , Nyangoma Grace , Mulogo Edgar M. , Barrington Clare , Baguma Emmanuel , Muhindo Rabbison , Herrington James E. , Emch Michael , Maman Suzanne , Boyce Ross M.
Published: December 2022

The World Health Organization recommends all suspected malaria cases be confirmed with a parasitological test, typically a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), prior to treatment. Despite recommendations, many fevers presenting at private drug shops are treated presumptively as malaria without diagnostic testing. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe community perceptions of RDTs and explore ways to improve malaria case management at drug shops in Bugoye, western Uganda. A total of 63 in-depth interviews were conducted between September and December 2021 with 24 drug shop clients, 19 drug shop vendors, 12 community health workers, and 8 health and community officials. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and narrative techniques. While drug shop clients valued RDTs, the cost of the test limited their use. Further, mistrust in negative results and fear about treatment options for conditions other than malaria led to nonadherence to negative RDTs. Improvement with antimalarials after a negative RDT, or no RDT at all, was seen as proof an individual had malaria, reinforcing the acceptability of liberal antimalarial use. Drug shop vendors were knowledgeable about malaria case management but financially conflicted between recommending best practices and losing business. While clients viewed drug shop vendors as trusted health professionals, health officials distrusted them as business owners focused on maximizing profits. Study results suggest public-private partnerships that recognize the essential role of drug shops, better incorporate them into the healthcare system, and leverage the high levels of community trust in vendors, could provide greater opportunities for oversight and training to improve private-sector malaria case management. Interventions that address financial barriers to RDT use, emphasize the financial benefits of malaria testing, increase vendor knowledge about illnesses confused with malaria, and improve the quality of vendor-client counseling could increase RDT uptake and improve adherence to RDT results.
Assessing the relationship between domestic work experience and musculoskeletal health among rural Nigerian women
Authors: Osinuga Abisola , Fethke Nathan B. , Story William T. , Ibitoye Segun E. , Baker Kelly K.
Published: December 2022

Background

Women performing strenuous domestic tasks (especially those in developing countries) are at risk of experiencing musculoskeletal pain (MSP). Physical, psychosocial, and social conditions of work in rural environments contribute to women’s domestic work experiences (DWEs) and the risk of MSP. The impact of DWEs on women’s health is especially severe in water-insecure countries like Nigeria. This study examines the relationship between a recently developed measure of DWEs and self-reported pain in the lower back (LBP), neck/shoulder (NSP), and elbow/hand/wrist regions (EHWP) among rural Nigerian women.

Methods

Interviewer-administered survey data were collected from 356 women in four rural communities of Ibadan, Nigeria. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between DWE factor scores, sociodemographic characteristics, and musculoskeletal pain symptoms and severity after controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Effect estimates of association were presented using the odds ratio (OR), and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) at p-value of 0.05.

Findings

Among 356 participants, the 2-month prevalence of LBP was 58%, NSP was 30%, and EWHP 30%. High DWE scores were significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing and having more severe LBP, NSP, and EHWP. Specifically, the odds of LBP [(OR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.64–5.11), NSP (OR = 4.58; 95% CI = 2.29–9.40) and EHWP (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.26–3.77)] were significantly higher among women who perceived their domestic work responsibilities as very stressful (i.e., ‘high stress appraisal’) compared to those with lower stress appraisal scores. Those who were time-pressured and had less autonomy over familial duties (i.e., ‘high demand/low control’) had significantly higher odds of LBP [(OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.64–4.09) and NSP (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.24–2.58)]. Frequently fetching and carrying water over long distances and time (i.e., ‘high water sourcing and carriage’) was also associated with higher odds of LBP [(OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.09–1.79) and NSP (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.08–1.76).

Conclusion

Strenuous and stressful DWEs were associated with MSP among rural Nigerian women. This study provides new evidence on how the physical, social, and psychosocial factors of domestic work can increase women’s risk of MSP.
Association of liver fibrosis biomarkers with overall and CVD mortality in the Korean population: The Dong-gu study
Authors: Choi Seong-Woo , Kweon Sun-Seog , Lee Young-Hoon , Ryu So-Yeon , Nam Hae-Sung , Shin Min-Ho
Published: December 2022

This study evaluated the associations of liver fibrosis biomarkers [non-alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI), and BARD score] with mortality in Korean adults aged ≥50 years. We analyzed 7,702 subjects who participated in Dong-gu Study. The associations of liber fibrosis biomarkers with mortality were investigated using Cox proportional hazards models. Overall mortality increased with increasing NFS level [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–5.5 for high risk vs. low risk], increasing FIB-4 level (aHR 3.5, 95% CI 2.9–4.4 for high risk vs. low risk), and increasing APRI level (aHR 3.5, 95% CI 2.1–5.8 for high risk vs. low risk) but not with BARD score. The Harrell’s concordance index for overall mortality for the NFS and FIB-4 was greater than that for the APRI and BARD score. In conclusion, NFS, FIB-4, and APRI showed a significant relationship with the overall mortality, and NFS and FIB-4 showed a significant relationship with the CVD mortality after adjustment for covariates. In addition, the NFS and FIB-4 were more predictive of overall mortality than the APRI and BARD score in Korean adults aged ≥50 years.
Catastrophic health expenditure on chronic non-communicable diseases among elder population: A cross-sectional study from a sub-metropolitan city of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Rai Sangita , Gautam Swotantra , Yadav Gopal Kumar , Niraula Surya Raj , Singh Suman Bahadur , Rai Rajan , Poudel Sagar , Sah Ram Bilakshan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This study was conducted with the objective to analyze the out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure and catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) on chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) among the elderly population, and the association of CHE on CNCD with associated factors among the same population.

Materials and methods

We collected data from the elderly population of Dharan Sub-metropolitan city of the Eastern Nepal via door-to-door survey and face-to-face interview. The ten wards out of twenty were chosen by lottery method, and the equal proportion out of 280 samples was purposively chosen from each of ten wards (28 participants from each selected ward). The data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2019 v16.0 and statistical analysis was performed by using statistical package for social sciences, IBM SPSS® v21. The chi-square test was used to test the group differences. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with CHE (all variables with P < 0.20), and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated at 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The median household, food and health expenditures were 95325 (72112.50–126262.50), 45000 (33000–60000) and 2100 (885.00–6107.50) NPR respectively. The proportion of the participants with CHE was 14.6%. The single living participants had 3.4 times higher odds of catastrophic health expenditure (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2–9.6, P-value = 0.022) than those who are married. Similarly, those who had cancer had 0.1 times lower odds of CHE (AOR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.0–0.2, P-value = <0.001) than those without cancer.

Conclusion

The elder population had significant financial health shocks due to chronic health ailments. There should be the provision of mandatory health insurance programmes for elderly to cut down the catastrophic healthcare expenditure. Similarly, there should be the provision of exemption scheme for vulnerable elderly who are more likely to face catastrophic expenditure from all available health facilities.
Digitalizáció-vezérelt innovációk a turizmusban – fókuszban a fogyasztói magatartás
Authors: Csordás Tamás , Irimiás Anna , Kiss Kornélia
Published: December 2022

A digitalizáció hatására az elmúlt három évtizedben a turizmus makrokörnyezetében, valamint fogyasztói és kínálati oldalán is jelentős változások történtek. A digitalizáció és a digitalizáció-vezérelt innovációk napjainkra az utazástervezés teljes folyamatát és az utazás előtti, alatti, illetve az azt követő fogyasztói magatartást is átalakították. A szakirodalom szintetizálására épülő jelen tanulmányban elsősorban a fogyasztói oldalt vizsgáljuk. Elemzésünk célja a digitalizáció fogyasztói magatartásra gyakorolt hatásainak azonosítása az utazási döntés egyes szakaszaiban. A tanulmányban az utazást megelőző, az utazás alatti és az utazást követő fogyasztói magatartást vizsgálva megállapítjuk, hogy a korábban szekvenciálisnak tekintett utazási döntési szakaszok mára időben és térben egyre inkább összemosódnak, ebből adódóan egyre kiszámíthatatlanabbá és kevésbé előrejelezhetővé válnak. A közösségimédia-használat nemcsak az utazási döntés folyamatára, hanem az élmény befo gadá-sára és a benne való elmerülésre is hatással van.
A SIMULAÇÃO DAS ORGANIZAÇÕES INTERNACIONAIS NA GEOGRAFIA ESCOLAR: CONTEXTOS E EXPERIÊNCIAS SOBRE A PRÁTICA NO CHÃO DE SALA
Authors: Santos Alan Fernandes , De Morais André Vagner Peron , De Aguiar André Ruas
Published: December 2022

O presente artigo visa a apresentar os contextos e experiências sobre as simulações das organizações internacionais na educação geográfica escolar. Para o mesmo, aborda-se primeiramente o contexto pedagógico e geográfico no qual esta prática de ensino está inserida, relacionando-a à metodologia ativa, à aprendizagem baseada em problemas e ao raciocínio geográfico. Na sequência, as simulações são vislumbradas no contexto mundial, compreendendo seu contexto histórico, a criação da ONU, sua hierarquização e como esta se insere em um cenário globalizado, em que os embates geopolíticos e hegemônicos revelam aos estudantes aspectos da sua realidade, identidades e possibilidades de compreensão e intervenção sobre sua vida cotidiana e no mundo. Por fim, relata-se a experiência das simulações das organizações internacionais no âmbito escolar, através do olhar docente, entre os anos de 2011 e 2019, em escolas particulares e públicas. A experiência docente integra um projeto de extensão do curso de Relações Internacionais da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Nela é possível constatar seu vínculo aos contextos apresentados anteriormente e a relevância das simulações aos estudantes participantes, estimulando o raciocínio geográfico, a criticidade, a reflexão e a proposição ativa sobre a sociedade. Assim, evidencia-se esta prática como uma aprendizagem qualitativa e significativa aos mesmos.
Educação Ambiental e as Novas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação
Authors: Rodrigues Gelze Serrat Souza Campos , Colesanti Marlene Teresinha Muno
Published: December 2022

Nos últimos vinte anos o desenvolvimento das novas tecnologias da informação e comunicação, bem como a ampliação de seus usos têm criado enormes expectativas e possibilidades na educação escolar. Em relação à  Educação Ambiental, o uso das novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação representa um avanço no Ensino Formal, já que a integração da informática e dos multimeios propiciam a sensibilização e o conhecimento de ambientes diferenciados e dos seus problemas intrínsecos, por parte dos alunos, por mais distantes espacialmente que eles estejam. A partir da concepção de uma Educação Ambiental vinculada à pedagogia da complexidade, esse artigo procura discutir a potencialidade do uso dos princípios da Educação Ambiental no suporte digital por meio do uso de imagens, textos e sons, implementados pela hipermídia, tecnologia não sequencial, cujas informações são acessadas de modo associativo.
“Tell them local control is important”: A case study of democratic, community-centered school boards
Authors: Sutherland Daniella Hall
Published: December 2022

Democratically elected school boards in the United States play a crucial role in school governance because they enable community voice in educational practices and programs. Research on locally controlled boards finds they can be undemocratic and unproductive. However, little research has been conducted in rural or small towns, where local control persists through formal and informal means. This qualitative case study examines two rural, locally controlled school boards to understand how they engage in community-centered democratic governance, and the extent that they influence the technical core of schooling. The process of developing and approving school district budgets is used as illustrative examples of the enactment of local control. The findings from this study explain how small, locally controlled school boards employ elements of democratic governance, and that their community governance influences the technical core of schooling. The study provides a rural counter-narrative to previous research on local control, demonstrating that local control enacted by school boards can be an effective democratic practice that shapes teaching and learning in public schools. The article concludes with recommended practices non-rural school boards and communities can employ to expand democratic participation in their schools, as well as future directions for research.
Trever Hagen, Living in the Merry Ghetto: The Music and Politics of the Czech Underground
Authors: Skořepová Zita
Published: December 2022

A review of the book by Trever Hagen.
Maria Sonevytsky, Wild Music: Sound and Sovereignty in Ukraine
Authors: Verbuč David
Published: December 2022

A review of the book by Maria Sonevytsky.
Susanna Trnka, Traversing: Embodied Lifeworlds in the Czech Republic
Authors: Slavková Markéta
Published: December 2022

A review of the book by Susanna Trnka.
Editor's Notes
Authors: Verbuč David
Published: December 2022

Next year will be 15 years since we added English editions to Lidé města / Urban People (the journal itself has existed since 1999, and in its first seven years was only published in the Czech language). During these years of maturation, we have graduated into a high-quality interdisciplinary and international journal of urban anthropology, as we continue raising our standards. Part of this process of transformation involves some recent innovations that we initiated last year, which can also be directly or indirectly observed in our new issue (23/2).
The Reform for Secured Transactions Regime with the Doing Business Indicator: A Case of Laos
Authors: Irie Katsunori
Published: December 2022

The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, intervened to recommend strongly that Laos adopt a system of computerized registration of secured transactions for movable assets into a new Civil Code. Central to the IFC’s preference for its digital system was the assertion that it would immediately raise Laos’ ranking in the Doing Business indicator prepared by the World Bank Group. A higher ranking would, in turn, significantly increase the amount of inward foreign investment in Laos. This article examines the issues raised by the IFC’s involvement in two categories. The first part focuses on concerns about the substance of the IFC’s interventions, namely the fact that the IFC paid little attention to Lao legal tradition, implementation, and social reality. The second part focuses on the reform process and the fact that the IFC placed undue pressure on the government to adopt its favored approach.
The crystal structure of 1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-cycloheptylurea, C14H19BrN2O
Authors: Gao Kai , Zha Su-E. , Liu Chang-Ying , Wang Qiao-Juan , Wang Er-Qiang
Published: December 2022

C14H19BrN2O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.9782(8) Å, b = 9.1447(6) Å, c = 11.8842(8) Å, β = 98.214(6)°, V = 1395.97(16) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0637, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1876, T = 293 K.
“It’s way too intriguing!” The fuzzy status of emergent intensifiers: A Functional Discourse Grammar account
Authors: Portero-Muñoz Carmen
Published: December 2022

This article seeks to explore the function and linguistic status of non-central members of the class of “degree words,” focusing on specific cases in English and Spanish, namely, the English adverbswayandproper, the Spanish trendy phrase “Adjno, lo siguiente” and the adverbmuy.These intensifiers will be explored in the light of the architecture of Functional Discourse Grammar (FDG), specifically in relation to the levels of linguistic representation that are distinguished in this theory, mainly the Interpersonal (or pragmatic) Level (IL) and the Representational (or semantic) Level (RL) and in terms of FDG’s distinction between lexical and grammatical units. It will be shown that the various functional properties of these expressions can be easily accommodated in this theory. As intensifying devices, these expressions are represented as units specifying the Lexical Property at the RL. In addition, some of these expressions can be used with an emphatic function, pertaining to the set of pragmatic distinctions that are represented at the IL.
CD7 CAR-T therapy for an AML patient with CD7 expression
Authors: An Lihong , Hou Ruifeng , Guan Huanhuan , Li Zhihui , Wu Tong , Liu Shuangyou
Published: December 2022

To date, no ideal CAR-T product is available for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recently, CD7 CAR-T therapy has shown promising efficiency in treating T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Because the CD7 antigen is also expressed on the myeloid blasts of some patients with AML, it might serve as a target for immunotherapy in AML. Herein, we administered CD7-specific CAR-T cells into a 20-year-old woman with AML with CD7 expression. She had a history of multiple relapses (with extramedullary disease, EMD) and treatments (radiation and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation). The most recent relapse indicated a high disease burden with multifocal EMD. After a combination regimen of azacytidine, venetoclax and ruxolitinib, she showed minimal residual disease-positive remission in the bone marrow (BM), and EMD remained present. Subsequently, donor-derived CD7 CAR-T cells infused at a dose of 5.5×105/kg completely eliminated all disease in the BM and extramedullary areas. Grade I cytokine release syndrome occurred with no neurotoxicity. CD7 CAR-T cells were detectable in the peripheral blood and BM. Fifty-five days after T-cell infusion, she underwent a second allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and has survived in disease-free remission for more than 7 months.
The effect of milling parameters and thermal modification on power input during the milling of thermally modified spruce and oak wood
Authors: Sedlecký Miroslav , Kvietková Monika Sarvašová , Kubš Jiří , Kubová Pavla
Published: December 2022

Effects of material, tool, and technological parameters were assessed during planar milling of thermally modified spruce (Picea abies L.) and oak (Quercus cerris L.) wood relative to the energy intensity of machining. The milling took place under the following conditions: cutting speeds of 20 m/s, 30 m/s, and 40 m/s; feed rates of 4 m/min, 8 m/min, and 11 m/min; and rake angles of 15 °, 20 °, and 25 °. Another change factor was the temperature of the thermal modification (20 °C – reference; 160 °C; 180 °C, and 210 °C). Each factor (cutting speed, rake angle, temperature, and feed rate) was found to have a statistically significant effect. The change in cutting speed had the greatest effect. The lowest power consumption was achieved with a cutting speed of 20 m/s, feed rate of 4 m/min, and rake angle of 25 °. In terms of thermal modification, thermally modified wood was machined with a lower power input. This result can be explained by the chemical processes in the wood and the reduced density in comparison with untreated wood. In comparison with density, the influence of changes in wood chemical composition did not have as great an impact on power input.
Likelihood-Based Inference for the Asymmetric Exponentiated Bimodal Normal Model
Authors: Martínez-Flórez Guillermo , Pacheco-López Mario , Tovar-Falón Roger
Published: December 2022

Asymmetric probability distributions have been widely studied by various authors in recent decades, who have introduced new families of flexible distributions in terms of skewness and kurtosis than the classical distributions known in statistical theory. Most of the new distributions fit unimodal data, others fit bimodal data, however, in the bimodal, singularity problems have been found in their information matrices in most of the proposals presented. In contrast, in this paper an extension of the family of alpha-power distributions was developed, which has a non-singular information matrix, based on the bimodal-normal and bimodal elliptic-skew-normal probability distributions. These new extensions model asymmetric bimodal data commonly found in various areas of scientific interest. The properties of these new probabilistic distributions were also studied in detail and the respective statistical inference process was carried out to estimate the parameters of these new models. The stochastic convergence for the vector of maximum likelihood estimators could be found due to the non-singularity of the expected information matrix in the corresponding support.
COVID-19, the Russo-Ukrainian War, the global sustainable development project and post-crises demography
Authors: MacKellar F. Landis
Published: December 2022

The global sustainable development project as currently conceived is foundering, and the twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian War have driven a stake through its heart. Some of the reasons for this failure are fundamental design flaws, while others are practical. The resources to bring the project – or its successor, and any other global sustainable development project of similar design and ambition that might emerge – to a successful conclusion do not exist, and never did. What lessons are we learning, and how can they inform post-2030 sustainable development goals? In this essay, the effects of the catastrophes of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the global sustainable development project are enumerated, SDG by SDG, with special attention being paid to the implications for demography. In closing, recommendations for reforms of the project are presented, as are some suggestions for the field of demography in the changed global context. The most concrete, feasible immediate recommendations are to make up recently lost ground, specifically in the areas of vaccination and education; and to reform the profoundly flawed international asylum and refugee system.
User adoption and value of e-government services (Citizen-centric empirical study from Hungary)
Authors: Aranyossy Márta
Published: December 2022

This paper looks at the adoption of e-government technologies from a citizen-centric, value-based point-of-view. We analyse e-government technology adoption and value creation on a large, representative Hungarian sample, using the data of the Good State Public Administration Opinion Survey. The paper examines the near total spectrum of the Hungarian government-to-citizen administration service areas: 11 e-government services, with a special focus on personal income tax administration and the use of government issued documents. The technology acceptance model and an e-government-specific adaptation of the DeLone – McLean information system (IS) success model are used as the theoretic base. Factor analysis, traditional association metrics and statistical tests are used for the analysis. Results confirm the relevance of the technology adoption factors suggested by the mainstream IS literature, while citizen-level value creation – in the form of cost or time saved, satisfaction level raised – was less demonstrable. Increasing citizens' internet trust or improving facilitating infrastructural conditions, as well as a significant value proposition in terms of time savings and ease of use would help increasing e-government service adoption levels and value creation potential.
A gamerek és e-sportolók személyes jellemzői, motivációi, valamint életminőségük vizsgálata a játszási szokások tükrében
Authors: Kányai Zsófia Tea , Osváth Mátyás , Kósa Karolina
Published: December 2022

Elméleti háttér: Manapság a videójátékok számos ember életének fontos részét képezik. 2020-as hazai adatok szerint a videójátékosok száma legalább 3,8 millió fő, a jellemző játékidő hétköznapokon 2–3 óra. A játékosok (angolul „gamers” vagy magyarosan gamerek) egy része profi módon, szervezett versenyeken játszik, napjában több órát fordítva játékra és képességei fejlesztésére; őket e-sportolóknak nevezik. A videójátékokkal való rend-szeres időtöltés – mint minden szokás – befolyással van a játékosok lelki működésére. Cél: kvalitatív módszertannal, valós időben, strukturált online interjúkkal feltárni a videójátékkal rendszeresen játszók pszichés jellemzőit. Módszerek: A 18 éven felüli interjúalanyok hólabda módszerrel kerültek azonosításra (n = 22; 77% férfi, átlagéletkor: 24,9 [SD = 3,8] év). Eszközök: az alanyok 5 témakörbe tartozó kérdésekre válaszoltak: 1. demográfiai adatok, 2. általános játszási szokások, 3. a játék (gaming) jelentősége az alany számára, 4. a játékra való motivációk, 5. a játékos társas kapcsolatai. A hangrögzített interjúk átgépelésével kapott szövegeket tartalomelemzésnek vetettük alá. Eredmények: Összesen 22 fővel készült interjú, amelyek teljes időtartama 598 perc (átgépelés után 51 193 szó) volt. Az interjúalanyok többségükben húszas éveik elején járó fiatalok voltak, akik átlagosan 10,7 éves (SD = 5,5 év) korban kezdtek el játszani. A válaszadók átlagosan napi 5,2 órát (SD = 2,3 óra) töltenek játékkal; nagy részük (91%) gamernek vallja magát, de többségük az ellenőrző kérdések eredményei alapján e-sportolónak tartható. A tevékenység kialakulását vizsgálva 64% vallotta, hogy társas kapcsolatai hatására, illetve 41% az unaloműzés miatt kezdett játszani, és ezek, valamint a fejlődés lehetősége ösztönözte a tevékenység folytatására. A motivációk közül kiemelt jelentőségű a győzelem és a vereség, valamint a fejlődés igénye. A válaszadók 32%-a problémásnak („toxikusnak”) vélte saját játékát, habár ezt a viselkedést másnál elítélte. Az alanyok barátainak java része a gamerek szubkultúrájából kerül ki; a játéktevékenységet nem végző környezetük pedig többségében negatívan vélekedik a játékos hobbijáról vagy általában a videójátékokról. Következtetések: A káros következményekkel járó videójátszás legfontosabb megelőzési lehetősége a társas készségek fejlesztése, a valóságos társas kapcsolatok minél korábban kezdődő építése és erősítése.
A Spirituális Egészségés Életorientáció Kérdőív (SHALOM) magyar nyelvű adaptációja és pszichometriai elemzése
Authors: Tornóczky Gusztáv József , Bánhidi Miklós , Karsai István , Nagy Henriett , Rózsa Sándor
Published: December 2022

Elméleti háttér: A nemzetközi szakirodalomban több, a spiritualitás mérését célzó mérőeszköz is fellelhető. Ezek közül az egyik legszélesebb körben alkalmazott és megbízható önjellemző kérdőív a Spirituális Egészségés Életorientáció Kérdőív (Spiritual Health and Life-Orientation Measure, SHALOM). A kérdőív a spirituális jóllétet holisztikusan ragadja meg, ezért mind a vallásos, mind pedig a nem vallásos személyek körében egyaránt jól alkalmazható. Célkitűzés: Vizsgálatunk elsődleges célja a SHALOM magyar nyelvre történő adaptálása és részletes pszichometriai vizsgálata, beleértve a faktorszerkezet, a megbízhatóság és az érvényesség tesztelését. Módszerek: A validáláshoz használt kérdőívcsomagot (SHALOM, WHO Jóllét Kérdőív, Élettel való Elégedettség Skála) összesen 437 egyetemi hallgató töltötte ki (férfi: 24,2%, nő: 75,8%, átlagéletkor = 21,6 év; SD = 1,8 év). Eredmények: A SHALOM kérdőív tételein végzett feltáró és megerősítő faktorelemzések a bifaktoros (4 elsődleges és 1 általános faktor) szerkezetet erősítették meg, alátámasztva a mérőeszköz elméleti faktorstruktúráját. Az elsődleges faktorok a következők: Személyes, Társas, Környezeti és Transzcendens skálák, mindkét értékelési aspektus esetében (fontosság és megvalósultság). Akadt azonban 6 tétel, amely nem illeszkedett tökéletesen a négy elsődleges faktorhoz: a fontosság értékelés esetében 4, a megvalósultság nézőpontjából pedig 2 tétel. A fontosság értékelés során a kérdőív dimenziói a teljes variancia 66,6%-át, a megvalósultság esetében pedig a 64,9%-át magyarázzák. A faktorszerkezetek mindkét értékelési aspektus esetében elfogadható illeszkedési mutatókat adtak (CFIfontosság = 0,99 és CFImegvalósultság = 0,97; valamint RMSEAfontosság = 0,057 és RMSEAmegvalósultság = 0,068). A Cronbach-α értéke 0,69–0,97 között változik, ami összességében elfogadható belső konzisztenciát jelez, a kérdőív időbeli stabilitása is megfelelő. Az érvényességi vizsgálatunk szerint a SHALOM két értékelésének skálái szignifikáns, pozitív irányú kapcsolatban vannak a WHO Jóllét Kérdőívvel és az Élettel való Elégedettség Skálával (kivételt képez a fontosság értékelésének Személyes skálája), a korrelációk értékei gyenge és közepes mértékek között változnak. Következtetések: Az eredményeink alátámasztják a SHALOM kérdőív magyar változatának bifaktoros struktúráját, igazolják a skálák belső konzisztenciáját, valamint támogatják a mérőeszköz hazai változatának érvényességét. A konstruktum validitás tesztelésének területén azonban a jövőben további vizsgálatok indokoltak.
Pengelolaan Strategi Pemasaran Lembaga Pendidikan Berbasis Sosial Media di SMKN 1 Sragen
Authors: Salsa Widya
Published: December 2022

This study aims to describe the description of the management of educational marketing strategies using social media in SMK Negeri 1 Sragen. Social media is considered appropriate and effective to be used as a marketing medium for school education because it is easily accessible to all groups and has great opportunities in building relationships with consumers (students). This study uses qualitative research methods with data collection techniques carried out through interviews, documentation and analysis of social media content. The results show that the previous school's marketing strategy using traditional strategies by distributing pamphlets, brochures, and oral information has now evolved with the times by switching to using social media. The most effective social media used in the education marketing process at SMK Negeri 1 Sragen are 3, namely: instagram, youtube, and website. The supporting factors for the education marketing strategy include a supporting internet network, human resources and complete facilities and the inhibiting factors for the educational marketing strategy include the reach and time for promotion.
Keistimewaan Bahasa al-Qur’an: Studi Tentang Dugaan Ketidaksempurnaan dan Ketidakbenaran al-Qur’an
Authors: Djamaluddin Burhan , Nurlailah
Published: December 2022

Terdapat dugaan dari sebagian kalangan masyarakat bahwa bahasa al-Qur’an memiliki beberapa kelemahan atau kekurangan. Diantara kekurangan bahasa al-Qur’an, adalah adanya susunan bahasa  al-Qur’an yang tidak lazim, misalnya mendahulukan maf’ul dari fi’il  dan fa’il, ‘adad yang tidak sesuai dengan ma’dud,  dhamir yang tidak sesuai dengan isim yang dirujuk,  ketidaksesuaian antara tamyiz dan mumayyiz, ketidaksesuaian antara mubtada’ dan khabar,  ketidaksesuaian antara sifat dan mawsuf, ketidaksesuaian antara hal dan shahib al-hal, ketidaksesuaian antara fi’il dan fa’il,  kesalahan dalam kaidah nahwiyyah,  penggunaan kata kerja madhi yang digunakan untuk waktu yang akan datang, dan  penggunaan fi’il mudari’ untuk waktu yang telah lalu, dan ketidakbenaran informasi dari al-Qur’an, khususnya informasi tentang akan terjadinya sesuatu pada masa yang akan datang. Dugaan-dugaan tersebut ternyata tidak benar, karena muncul dari ketidakpahaman terhadap bahasa al-Qur’an pada khususnya, dan bahasa Arab pada umumnya, yang memiliki ciri khas dibanding dengan bahasa lainnya. Dugaan ketidakbenaran informasi al-Qur’an, boleh jadi disebabkan oleh ketidakpahaman tentang pemilik bahasa al-Qur’an itu sendiri, yaitu  Allah, yang Maha Mengetahui, baik yang telah terjadi maupun yang belum terjadi. Khusus sesuatu yang belum terjadi, yang diinformasikan lebih dahulu oleh al-Qur’an, boleh jadi diragukan oleh sebagian orang, adalah karena informasi tentang sesuatu yang akan terjadi yang muncul dari manusia, seperti dari tukang ramal, sering tidak sesuai dengan kenyataan.
Strategi Pemasaran Madrasah Berbasis Digital Hubungannya dengan Minat Peserta Didik
Authors: Jannah Nina Nurul , Suryana Yaya , Khoeruddin Heri
Published: December 2022

Media digital dalam pemasaran madrasah merupakan media yang baik di era serba digital saat ini. Akar masalah pada penelitian ini rendahnya optimalisasi madrasah dalam memanfaatkan media digital sebagai media untuk melakukan pemasaran. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode deskriptif inferensial dan menggunakan jenis data deskriptif. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui penyebaran angket dan dokumentasi. Adapun teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis parsial per indikator, uji normalitas, uji linearitas, uji korelasi, uji hipotesis, dan uji pengaruh. Strategi pemasaran madrasah berbasis digital terdapat korelasi atau hubungan dengan minat peserta didik, hasil perhitungan analisi koefisien korelasi diperoleh nilai 0,411. Terdapat pada tingkat kekuatan yang sedang, karena terdapat pada kategori 0,40 – 0,60. Hasil pengujian hipotesis menyatakan bahwa hipotesis H0 ditolak dan Hα diterima. Hasil uji pengaruh diperoleh koefisien determinasi (R square) sebesar 0,411 yang memiliki  arti dalam penilaian bahwa kontribusi strategi pemasaran madrasah berbasis digital terhadap minat peserta didik di Madrasah Aliyah se-Kabupaten Majalengka sebesar 41%.
Perilaku Asertif Kepala Sekolah Perempuan Menunjang Mutu Pendidikan dan Kinerja Guru
Authors: Budi Nabilah Permata
Published: December 2022

Penelitian bertujuan mendeskripsikan perilaku asertif kepala sekolah perempuan, mutu pendidikan, kinerja guru dan dampak. Lokasi penelitian di SD Khadijah 3 Surabaya. Jenis penelitian deskrptif kualitatif, teknik pengumpulan data; wawancara, observasi dan dokumentasi. Subjek penelitian ada 8 orang; kepala sekolah perempuan, waka kurikulum, waka kesiswaan, guru tetap, dua orang tua peserta didik dan dua peserta didik. Analisis data; reduksi data, penyajian data; kesimpulan dan verifikasi. Hasil penelitian perilaku asertif kepala sekolah perempuan dirasakan melalui pembangunan dan pengembangan sekolah berupa fisik maupun program sekolah; peningkatan mutu pendidikan melalui pengembangan kurikulum, sarpras yang memadai, dan adanya jaringan kerja sama dibangun tidak hanya dalam sesama lingkup pendidikan; peningkatan kinerja guru melalui Program Penilaian Kinerja Guru, memfasilitasi guru dalam mengembangkan potensi diri dan profesionalisme melalui pelatihan dan workshop; dampak yang timbul mampu menunjang produktivitas sumber daya secara optimal dan terus-menerus, mutu pendidikan dan kinerja guru dapat mengalami peningkatan di SD Khadijah 3 Surabaya.
Comparative Study on the Theoretical Development of Functions of Language with Reference to Bühler, Jakobson, and Halliday
Authors: Markandan Rubavathanan
Published: December 2022

This paper attempts to describe and compare the functionalist explanations of the language of Bühler, Jakobson, and Halliday. These three functionalists are not the leading figures to propose the theory of functions of language, but their descriptions of the theoretical framework and the natural selection of language usages have proven to be more credible and therefore accepted by the linguistics community today. Since these functional insights are original conceptions, there have been significant theoretical developments, and there is now a large evidence base to authenticate the contemporary theoretical development. This study, thus, discusses the specific claims of the theoretical framework of the three functionalists, highlights their similarities, and differentiates major characteristics on the queries of how the functionalists explain their observations of functions of language and theory of language explain the multiplicity of language functions. This comparison has revealed that the functionalists initially have perceived the importance of an individual’s language as a social need and the ubiquity of these comparisons. The complexity of social comparisons presents a potentially fruitful explanation. Further, this paper recommends that explanations be considered for studying languages and other semiotic resources.
A NUMERICAL FORMULATION FOR THE SIMULATION OF HIGHLY HETEROGENEOUS POROUS MEDIA
Authors: Dias R. A. C. , Barboza R. P. , Moraes A. O. S. , Fernandes P. D. , Thompson R. L. , Nieckele Angela O.
Published: December 2022

Although it is a tradition to investigate porous media flow with the aid of Darcy's law, there are several applications in which heterogeneity makes this approach inadequate. Carbonate reservoirs found in the pre-salt layer in Brazil are examples of highly heterogeneous naturally fractured formations, with severe variations in their petrophysical properties. Rocks submitted to acidifying treatments are another example of highly heterogeneous porous media, where, by the injection of an acid system in the rock matrix, wormholes (highly conductive channels) are created. In this work, we numerically compare the employment of Darcy's equation with a more general formulation based on the average conservation equations for highly heterogeneous porous media. The coupled continuity and momentum equations are solved employing the open source software OpenFOAM. We apply the new formulation to three cases. The first is more academic, followed by two more applied situations associated with 2D and 3D flows. Different values of the Reynolds number (Re) and different permeability ratios were tested. Since the pressure drop was imposed, an error measure based on the flow rate was computed. We show that higher values of Re and permeability ratios lead to more discrepant results between the two approaches. Analyzing the Brinkman model for one of the cases, which takes into account diffusive effects, we found that the error with respect to the complete model, which in addition considers inertial effects, decreases but is still significant. Hence, the classical extension of the Darcy model, namely Brinkman and Forchheimer, cannot handle alone the situations of high Re and/or high heterogeneity, since both effects neglected in the Darcy model are important. As a consequence, a formulation that generalizes Darcy's law is required for more accurate results in these cases.
Loyalty in Cooperatives Through the Service Dominant Logic View
Authors: Klafke Renata , Moreira Pinto Guilherme , Tânia Picinin Cláudia
Published: December 2022

This paper offers a theoretical analysis of agricultural cooperatives´ assistance to its members to innovate as a value proposition of loyalty. The Service Dominant Logic (SDL) is used as the theoretical background. Through a logical reasoning we infer that value generation through a fundamental service provision like innovation sharing could strengthen cooperator’s loyalty. This is for its relational perceived value, where actions and interactions occur to cocreate. This paper provides correlations from the theory and practice which help the reader to get a better picture of the idea exposed here. The understanding about whose actors cocreate value and what values propositions are important for associates and cooperative as an institution to survive allow cooperatives to orient efforts towards its service offer as a way of enhancing loyalty and strengthening improvement and commitment.
“I’m really not assessing the language”
Authors: Rodriguez Melchor Maria Dolores , Walsh Andrew Samuel
Published: December 2022

This study aims to explore the attitudes and practices of Spanish university lecturers towards their use of EMI, and more specifically, their implicit and explicit assessment of their students’ English production. The research is based on an initial survey which was completed by teaching staff from a medium-sized university in Madrid, as well as the findings of two subsequent focus groups consisting of a one-hour moderated discussion on the topic. The results were then processed through NVivo software. The participants in both the survey and the focus groups were drawn from a variety of academic disciplines and had different levels of experience in delivering their classes and their assessment in English. The most significant findings of the research were centred on the distinction between EMI lecturers’ implicit and explicit assessment of their students’ use of English in their assignments and exams.