bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Systems in Applications: Managing Data in Selective Catalytic Reduction for Air Pollution Prevention
Authors: Niewiadomski Adam , Kacprowicz Marcin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe article presents our research on applications of fuzzy logic to reduce air pollution by DeNOx filters. The research aim is to manage data on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) process responsible for reducing the emission of nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Dedicated traditional Fuzzy Logic Systems (FLS) and Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Systems (T2FLS) are proposed with the use of new methods for learning fuzzy rules and with new types of fuzzy implications (the so-called ”engineering implications”). The obtained results are consistent with the results provided by experts. The main advantage of this paper is that type-2 fuzzy logic systems with ”engineering implications” and new methods of learning fuzzy rules give results closer to expert expectations than those based on traditional fuzzy logic systems. According to the literature review, no T2FLS were applied to manage DeNOx filter prior to the research presented here.
An Approach to Generalization of the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Topsis Method in the Framework of Evidence Theory
Authors: Dymova Ludmila , Kaczmarek Krzysztof , Sevastjanov Pavel , Sułkowski Łukasz , Przybyszewski Krzysztof 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
A generalization of technique for establishing order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) in the intuitionistic fuzzy setting based on the redefinition of intuitionistic fuzzy sets theory (A IFS) in the framework of Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) of evidence is proposed. The use of DST mathematical tools makes it possible to avoid a set of limitations and drawbacks revealed recently in the conventional Atanassov’s operational laws defined on intuitionistic fuzzy values, which may produce unacceptable results in the solution of multiple criteria decision-making problems. This boosts considerably the quality of aggregating operators used in the intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method. It is pointed out that the conventional TOPSIS method may be naturally treated as a weighted sum of some modified local criteria. Because this aggregating approach does not always reflects well intentions of decision makers, two additional aggregating methods that cannot be defined in the framework of conventional A IFS based on local criteria weights being intuitionistic fuzzy values, are introduced. Having in mind that different aggregating methods generally produce different alternative rankings to obtain the compromise ranking, the method for aggregating of aggregation modes has been applied. Some examples are used to illustrate the validity and features of the proposed approach.
Reciprocity in Czech Light Verb Constructions: The Dependency Perspective
Authors: Kettnerová Václava , Lopatková Markéta 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we draw attention to reciprocity in Czech light verb constructions – a language phenomenon, which has not been discussed yet. Reciprocity is contributed to light verb constructions by predictive nouns, as they are the nouns that represent the semantic core of these constructions. Here we focus on reciprocal light verb constructions derived by the syntactic operation of reciprocalization. We show that the complex mapping of semantic participants onto valency complementations, characteristic of reciprocalization, is reflected in reciprocal light verb constructions in the same way as in reciprocal nominal constructions. The main difference between reciprocal nominal constructions and reciprocal light verb constructions lies in the morphosyntactic expression of reciprocalized participants. We demonstrate that surface syntactic changes in reciprocal light verb constructions are regular enough to be described on the rule basis: the rule based generation of reciprocal light verb constructions requires a cooperation of two sets of rules – rules for deep and surface syntactic structure formation of light verb constructions and rules for capturing reciprocity.
Are risk weights of banks in the Czech Republic procyclical? Evidence from wavelet analysis
Authors: Brož Václav , Pfeifer Lukáš 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
We analyze the cyclicality of risk weights of banks in the Czech Republic from 2008 to 2016. We differentiate between risk weights under the internal ratings-based and those under the standardized approach, consider the financial cycle, and employ wavelet coherence as a means of dynamic correlation analysis. Our results indicate that the risk weights of exposures under the internal ratings-based approach, including risk weights related to exposures secured by real estate collateral, are procyclical with respect to the financial cycle. We also show that the effect of changing asset quality on risk weights is present for the internal ratings-based approach, in line with our expectations based on regulatory standards. Our results can be employed for the purposes of decision-making on the activation of supervisory and macroprudential instruments, including the countercyclical capital buffer.
The Impact of Fiscal Deficit on Inflation in Namibia
Authors: Eita Joel Hinaunye , Manuel Victoria , Naimhwaka Erwin , Nakusera Florette 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper examined the impact of fiscal deficit on inflation in Namibia. The paper employed Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) and Granger causality approach using quarterly data for the period 2002 - 2017. Empirical results showed evidence of a long run positive effect of fiscal deficit on inflation in Namibia. This suggests that fiscal deficit has a direct effect on inflation in Namibia. The study also found a unidirectional causality running from fiscal deficit to inflation in Namibia. The study confirmed that South Africa’s prices have positive effect on inflation in Namibia. The key policy implication drawn for the result is that if not contained, high negative fiscal balances could impair the monetary policy objective of price stability. It is therefore advised that fiscal and monetary policies need to be well coordinated to bring fiscal deficit within acceptable level. Given that the main monetary policy goal in Namibia is to achieve and maintain price stability, the results in this study suggest that monitoring budget deficits and price developments in South Africa to develop informed policies is one way to achieve this objective.
Dynamic Impact of Banking Performance on Financial Stability: Fresh Evidence from Southeastern Europe
Authors: Zeqiraj Veton , Mrasori Flamur , Iskenderoglu Omer , Sohag Kazi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study addresses the issue of whether banking performance impacts financial stability in Southeastern European countries. To answer this question, the GMM approach has been applied in the analyses of the panel data over the period 2000–2015 for Southeastern Europe. The findings reveal the presence of significant positive long-run relationship between ROA, ROE, trade openness, and human capital, while government expenditures have negative impact on financial stability. Trade openness, human capital and government expenditures can keep the financial system stable as a whole. The Granger causality analysis discloses the main hypothesis where the banking system in this part of Europe accounts for more than 80% of the financial system. The study sheds light to the policymakers and research about the role of banking performance on financial stability for this region of Europe.
Monetary Policy Interdependency in Fisher Effect: A Comparative Evidence
Authors: Shobande Olatunji Abdul , Shodipe Oladimeji Tomiwa 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we examine the ability of Fisher effect to describe the subjective behaviour of monetary policy responses for nations constrained by global factors. We developed and estimated a simple DSGE model for appraising the consequence of an integrated financial market predictor on national monetary policy response in Africa’s largest economies – Nigeria and South Africa. The paper integrated the theoretical intuition of the famous Fisher effect on the New Keynesian DSGE model with global predictors to describe national monetary policy response as it influence domestic financial variables and macroeconomic fundamentals. Simulations show that the existence of global factors threatens the abilities of national monetary policy to predict financial variables and macroeconomic fundamentals in their economies.
Implementation of plurilingual approach into the foreign language teaching
Authors: Straková Zuzana 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Teaching foreign languages has adopted various approaches over the history. The last decades of dominance of the Communicative language teaching brought the tendency to insist on the target language use in the classroom in order to allow the immersion into the language. The European Union, however, started to support linguistic diversity more than two decades ago and it has left an imprint on the way foreign language teaching is approached today. Inclusion of plurilingualism in traditional school context requires the readiness of language teachers to use other languages as well as encourage learners to use their prior language experience. The present study presents the results of a questionnaire survey among student teachers measuring their attitudes and readiness to implement more than one additional language in their practice. The participants of the study (n = 118) are all future teachers of English language at both undergraduate and graduate level. The results of the survey indicate a generally positive attitude towards plurilingualism and at the same time ability of the students to rely on more than one language while teaching. The results, however, raise quite a few questions and imperatives for the content of teacher training programmes as well as for the organisation of language education in general.
The perspectives of parents in relation to the concepts of the quality of pre-school education. Analysis of research discourse
Authors: Majerčíková Jana , Horníčková Beata 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This theoretical study analyses interpretation of quality in pre-school education with regard to the position of the children’s parents. This text is supported by research papers, mostly from the last two decades, and is based on three main sub-topics. The importance and benefits of systematic pre-school education for the child and the economic development of society is initially discussed. High-quality pre-school education for children gives them a strong start in their educational career and investment into effective education during the pre-school age provides a social and economic return to the whole of society. The following section defines the term quality and its interpretation in relation to education. Quality is interpreted through structure and process, the multi-dimensionality of quality and the objectiveness and subjectiveness of the interpretation of the quality of pre-school education are reflected. The interesting but undervalued position of parents, the perspectives of which are elaborated on in subsequent passages, appear in these concepts. This paper comes to two main conclusions. The first is that the quality of education is a multi-dimensional, variable and difficult to define concept. The second is that, although the status of parents in relation to pre-school education is strong, it is not adequately taken into consideration during definition of quality. When evaluating quality the perspective of the parents is only utilised to a limited degree, because it usually has different semantics to evaluation by experts.
Teachers’ use of Bloom’s higher order questions in class to augment EFL learners’ listening comprehension and critical thinking ability
Authors: Faravani Akram , Taleb Ensie 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The current emphasis on questioning techniques has inspired many EFL teachers to explore the impact of applying different pedagogical teaching strategies on the enhancement of thinking skills. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the influence of using higher order questioning technique on the listening comprehension achievement and critical thinking ability of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. To reach this end, 40 participants in 4 intact classes in Kish Air Language institute in Mashhad were selected and divided in two groups to be assigned into experimental and control group. The experimental group received higher order questions based on Bloom’s Taxonomy classification for 12 sessions. A pretest and a posttest of English listening comprehension test of TOEFL (TOEFL PBT) and California Critical Thinking Skill Test (CCTST) were administrated in both groups. 2 Independent sample t-tests were utilized to examine the data. Sample t-tests were run to compare the experimental and the control group means on the pretest and posttest of listening comprehension and critical thinking tests. The results surmised that there was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores regarding listening comprehension and critical thinking in the experimental group. The results imply that using higher order questions as an instructional technique can enhance learners’ listening comprehension achievement and critical thinking ability.
Investigating cultural contents in English language teaching materials through textbook evaluation
Authors: Arshad Amna , Shah Syed Kazim , Ahmad Muhammad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The shift in the status of English as a lingua franca has challenged native-speaker culture in English language teaching and learning. That is why it is not enough to expose language learners through monoculture language teaching. Rather being communicatively competent, learners may require inter-cultural understanding. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the representation of cultures through different senses in Oxford Progressive English (OPE), Level-10 (Rachel Redford, 2016). As OPE caters the needs of Pakistani language learners, it is hypothesized that learners’ source culture prevails more than other two cultures (i.e. international, and target). To confirm this hypothesis, a detailed content analysis of cultural senses (prevailed in OPE) is carried out through Adaskou, Britten and Fahsi (1990). The results show that the frequency of reading texts in OPE is highly imbued with learners’ target culture that is followed by the international culture, and least by learners’ source culture. Moreover, culturally neutral texts lack in inter-cultural understanding, and appear to be disseminated to marginalize L2 learners from target and international cultures.
An App-Assisted Travel Survey in Official Statistics: Possibilities and Challenges
Authors: McCool Danielle , Lugtig Peter , Mussmann Ole , Schouten Barry 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Advances in smartphone technology have allowed for individuals to have access to near-continuous location tracking at a very precise level. As the backbone of mobility research, the Travel Diary Study, has continued to offer decreasing response rates over the years, researchers are looking to these mobile devices to bridge the gap between self-report recall studies and a person’s underlying travel behavior. This article details an open-source application that collects real-time location data which respondents may then annotate to provide a detailed travel diary. Results of the field test involving 674 participants are discussed, including technical performance, data quality and response rate.
Survey Mode Effects on Objective and Subjective Questions: Evidence from the Labour Force Survey
Authors: Schork Joachim , Riillo Cesare A.F. , Neumayr Johann 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Web questionnaires are increasingly used to complement traditional data collection in mixed mode surveys. However, the utilization of web data raises concerns whether web questionnaires lead to mode-specific measurement bias. We argue that the magnitude of measurement bias strongly depends on the content of a variable. Based on the Luxembourgish Labour Force Survey, we investigate differences between web and telephone data in terms of objective (i.e., Employment Status) and subjective (i.e., Wage Adequacy and Job Satisfaction) variables. To assess whether differences in outcome variables are caused by sample composition or mode-specific measurement bias, we apply a coarsened exact matching that approximates randomized experiments by reducing dissimilarities between web and telephone samples. We select matching variables with a combination of automatic variable selection via random forest and a literature-driven selection. The results show that objective variables are not affected by mode-specific measurement bias, but web participants report lower satisfaction-levels on subjective variables than telephone participants. Extensive supplementary analyses confirm our results. The present study supports the view that the impact of survey mode depends on the content of a survey and its variables.
Quantifying the Effects of Climate Change on Crop Production
Authors: Tambi Mbu Daniel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study attempts to analyze the impact of climate change on crop production using household consumption survey collected by the national institute of statistics and data imported from the department of statistics of ministry of agriculture and rural development. The main research question is: what is the relationship between climate change and crop production? Methodologically, used is made of instrumental variable and control function models to compute for the data. We realized that to a lesser extent climate change has an effect on agricultural production and more of a fishing phenomenon. In terms of policy, mainstreaming climate change adaptation into national development strategy and budgets could promote proactive engagement on the formulation and implementation of climate change adaptation strategy; this is a wise step towards increasing crop production and malnutrition reduction.
Learnings from the #IndigenousESD Global Research: Twenty-First Century Competencies for All Learners
Authors: Kohl Katrin , Hopkins Charles A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promotes with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 a quality education for all and aims to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable groups, such as Indigenous Peoples. However, most education systems are not yet in a position to embrace a culturally appropriate way of teaching children and youth of their Indigenous communities. The #IndigenousESD research creates a voice for relevant education stakeholder groups, including Indigenous Elders/leaders, ministry officials, parents, students, and teachers from communities with Indigenous students on their perceptions of quality education.
Based on a participatory research approach developed together with Indigenous communities and researchers from around the world, dialogues held in 54 research settings in 26 countries show a focus on the acquisition of twenty-first century competencies for learners amongst the most important aspects of a quality education.
For this article, the authors focused on knowledge, attitudes and skills, providing recommendations for policy makers in education to better address the needs and priorities of Indigenous communities. Findings from the research indicate that teaching twenty-first century competencies are at the center of concern in all stakeholder groups, yet want these competencies taught in a context to which Indigenous students can readily relate. Adjusting the pedagogy of delivering these common competencies in the classroom could be an important step towards a feasible and affordable path within existing education systems to better serve Indigenous students and all learners.
Clinical use of the parasympathetic tone activity index as a measurement of postoperative analgaesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Hernández-Avalos Ismael , Valverde Alex , Antonio Ibancovichi-Camarillo José , Sánchez-Aparicio Pedro , Recillas-Morales Sergio , Rodríguez-Velázquez Desiderio , Osorio-Avalos Jorge , Armando Magdaleno-Torres Luis , Chavez-Monteagudo Julio , Manuel Acevedo-Arcique Carlos 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction
While the current tools to assess canine postoperative pain using physiological and behavioural parameters are reliable, an objective method such as the parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) index could improve postoperative care. The aim of the study was to determine the utility of the PTA index in assessing postoperative analgaesia.

Material and Methods
Thirty healthy bitches of different breeds were randomly allocated into three groups for analgaesic treatment: the paracetamol group (GPARAC, n = 10) received 15 mg/kg b.w., the carprofen group (GCARP, n = 10) 4 mg/kg b.w., and the meloxicam group (GMELOX, n = 10) 0.2 mg/kg b.w. for 48 h after surgery. GPARAC was medicated orally every 8 h, while GCARP and GMELOX were medicated intravenously every 24 h. The PTA index was used to measure the analgaesia–nociception balance 1 h before surgery (baseline), and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, and 48 h after, at which times evaluation on the University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) was made.

Results
The baseline PTA index was 65 ± 8 for GPARAC, 65 ± 7 for GCARP, and 62 ± 5 for GMELOX. Postoperatively, it was 65 ± 9 for GPARAC, 63 ± 8 for GCARP, and 65 ± 8 for GMELOX. No statistically significant difference existed between baseline values or between values directly after treatments (P = 0.99 and P = 0.97, respectively). The PTA index showed a sensitivity of 40%, specificity of 98.46% and a negative predictive value of 99.07%.

Conclusion
Our findings suggest that the PTA index measures comfort and postoperative analgaesia objectively, since it showed a clinical relationship with the UMPS.
Studies on the inhibitory properties of leaf ethanolic extracts obtained from Ficus (Moraceae) species against Aeromonas spp. strains
Authors: Pękala-Safińska Agnieszka , Tkachenko Halyna , Kurhaluk Natalia , Buyun Lyudmyla , Osadowski Zbigniew , Honcharenko Vitaliy , Prokopiv Andriy 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Introduction
The most frequently isolated bacteria in Polish aquaculture are of the Aeromonas genus; also pathogenic to human fish consumers, they cause substantial economic losses, and require antibiotic therapy to treat. Antibiotic residues in animal-derived food provoke concern. The aim of the study was to appraise the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts of Ficus plant species against Aeromonas strains.

Material and Methods
Leaves of 41 Ficus species were collected from two Ukrainian botanic gardens. They were crushed, washed, homogenized in ethanol and centrifuged, and the supernatants were applied in the Kirby–Bauer disc-diffusion method to assess the susceptibility to them of Aeromonas hydrophila, A. sobria, and A. salmonicia subsp. salmonicida isolates confirmed as K886, K825, and St30 strains. Analogous assessment was also made of these bacteria’s susceptibility to sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, and one amphenicol. Data were analysed statistically.

Results
The majority of the extracts considerably inhibited bacterial growth, A. sobria being susceptible to 14 Ficus species, A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida to 13, and A. hydrophila to 10.

Conclusion
Treatment with plant extracts has promise as an alternative to antibiotic therapy. Botanic gardens may offer new sources of plant-derived agents with a broad spectrum of biological and antimicrobial action. Further research will be useful to broaden knowledge of Ficus’ therapeutic potential.