bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The resilience of rankings in the neoliberal academy
Authors: McKenna Sioux 
Published: August 2024

The multi-billion-dollar university rankings industry purports to offer insights into the quality of institutions, but the extent to which it does so has consistently been refuted. Critics argue that problematic proxies, composite indexing, homogenising effects, and several other issues make them both unscientific and neo-colonial. This article outlines these criticisms and argues that if we are to understand the resilience of rankings, we need to acknowledge the context in which they have become ubiquitous. This article offers the prevalence of university rankings as an example of neoliberalism’s conditioning effects on the sector. It is not enough to demonstrate the problematic nature of rankings; we must also ask the question: what must universities be like for them to support rankings despite repeated evidence of their problematic nature? Answering this question should help us engage with the hold that rankings have over us, and it should also help us to imagine the university we want and need.Contribution: This article brings together literature on neoliberalism in the academy with that on university rankings. It argues that we can only understand the hold that the international rankings industry has by seeing the alignment between the rankings’ methodologies and aims on the one hand and the incursion of a neoliberal ideology across the higher education sector on the other.
La salud del trabajador y las condiciones ocupacionales en las organizaciones relacionado con la pandemia COVID-19 en Morelos, México
Authors: Roque Nieto Nohemí , Pérez Mayo Augusto Renato 
Published: August 2024

En este capítulo se muestra un diagnóstico situacional entre la salud del trabajador y las condiciones ocupacionales en las organizaciones, reflejadas y concretadas con la existencia del estrés laboral del personal operativo de una organización de salud de primer nivel en Morelos, con relación a la pandemia por COVID-19. Y se hace bajo la mirada teórica Karasek, el Modelo Sociocognitivo del Yo, Modelo de Competencia Social de Harrison, Modelo de Cherniss, Modelo de Thompson, Page y Cooper; Modelo de Comparación Social de Buunk y Schaufeli, Modelo de conservación de recursos de Hobfoll y Fredy, entre otros. En este estudio cuantitativo se aplican los instrumentos más efectivos para la medición del estrés laboral, que aportan evidencia para que en un futuro las autoridades colaboren en la implementación de estrategias de intervención, que ayuden a disminuir el nivel de estrés que sufre el personal de salud. Consta de 40 reactivos con respuestas de frecuencia indicativa tipo Likert, en el que se describen situaciones que provocan estrés. Como resultado de la aplicación del instrumento podemos afirmar que la pandemia por Coronavirus SARS-CoV2 no aumentó el estrés laboral del personal operativo, sin embargo, algo que se identificó en los resultados fue la existencia del modelo del desequilibrio entre Esfuerzo-Recompensa de Siegrist que sugiere que altas demandas y bajas recompensas pueden tener un impacto negativo en la salud y el bienestar, puesto que el personal puede estar experimentando o sintiendo una insatisfacción por las condiciones laborales, insatisfacción por el reconocimiento y frustración respecto de las expectativas de crecimiento laboral.
PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ VIEWS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE: AN ANALYSIS OF ESL STUDENTS' GROUP ORAL PRESENTATIONS AT TUMU COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, GHANA
Authors: Wasila Mahamud , Owusu Sefa 
Published: August 2024

Oral presentations are a major pedagogical activity recommended by the curriculum designers of the Bachelor of Education programme, which was implemented in 2018 in Ghana. In light of this, students are frequently called upon to work in groups and participate in oral group work. The study sought to find out the views of pre-service teachers of group oral presentations on their communicative competence and to assess the extent to which they exhibit communicative competence during group oral presentations. 112 third-year Bachelor of Education students at Tumu College of Education were purposively selected for the study. The questionnaire survey was responded to through Google Forms. The data was analyzed through SPSS, and the results were tabulated using percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study findings revealed that the group oral presentations created anxiety for students, though they proved to positively impact their language skills. Based on the students’ general acknowledgement of its positive impact they strongly endorsed the presentations as an important tool for language learning. The study further indicated that the students had knowledge of communicative competence as they rated themselves high in most competencies except a few areas, such as lack of confidence and not considering the socio-cultural background of colleagues during group presentations, among others. Hence, they needed more interactive instructional strategies that could help them boost their communicative competence.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0171/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
THE WASHBACK EFFECT OF THE MOROCCAN ENGLISH BACCALAUREATE EXAMINATION ON TEACHING PRACTICES
Authors: El Ourf Mounir , Marjane Driss 
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the possible influence of the Moroccan English baccalaureate examination on what and how teachers teach in class. This study was carried out in the city of Fes, Morocco, where classroom observations were conducted in three high schools. These were followed by post-observation interviews and a structured questionnaire. The findings indicated that teachers’ choice of teaching materials, the content of their course, and their teaching methodology were affected by the examination. However, the teachers in the study revealed that they were subjected to different degrees of influence. Some teachers thought that it was necessary to adopt exam-oriented activities to meet the demands of the examinations, whereas others were aware of the limitations associated with concentrating on examination preparation and thus were not affected by it to a great extent. Based on those results, it was recommended that any reform of teaching materials or teaching methodology has to go hand in hand with a reform of the format and content of the English baccalaureate examination.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0741/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
THE EFFECT OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT APPROACH ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS IN ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES CONTEXT
Authors: Boubekri Abdelhakim , Rouijel El Hassan 
Published: August 2024

Reading comprehension is a crucial component of academic development for students engaged in English for Specific Purposes (ESP). This study investigates the efficacy of alternative assessment methods, specifically performance assessment, in enhancing reading comprehension skills within the ESP context. Given that reading comprehension is a fundamental input skill, deficiencies in this area can significantly impede academic progress. The research employed a pre-test and post-test experimental design with a control group to evaluate the impact of performance assessment on reading comprehension. Participants, after a proficiency test, were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group, each of comparable proficiency levels. The experimental group received continuous assessment and immediate, relevant feedback during the training, while the control group did not receive such assessment or feedback. The experimental group's assessment was facilitated through a detailed assessment grid. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests administered to both groups and analyzed using SPSS (2018). Statistical analyses, including paired samples t-tests and independent samples t-tests, were conducted to measure intra-group progress and inter-group differences. Findings indicate that both groups showed significant improvement in reading comprehension; however, the experimental group exhibited superior performance across all comprehension categories compared to the control group. The results underscore the effectiveness of performance assessment in fostering both higher-order and lower-order reading comprehension skills, suggesting a pronounced advantage over traditional assessment methods. The study affirms the value of performance assessment in ESP contexts while also acknowledging the continued relevance of traditional assessment techniques.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0871/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
STRATEGIES IN ORAL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: A PEDAGOGICAL STUDY OF SOME GHANAIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Authors: Gyasi Emmanuel Appiah , Owusu Sefa 
Published: August 2024

Research on English language instruction, particularly on oral English, is increasingly growing in Ghana and in many countries where the English language is not only used as an official language but also as a language for the medium of instruction and a subject of study in schools. This can perhaps be attributed to the global demand for and use of the English language despite the many difficulties in its instruction. The current study investigates the instructional strategies teachers of English in selected senior high schools in Ghana employ during oral English instruction. Utilizing a mixed-method approach with a convergent parallel design, the study collected data through questionnaires, interviews, and classroom observations involving 43 English teachers from five senior high schools. The findings reveal a predominant reliance on traditional and direct instructional strategies such as question-and-answer sessions and drills in lieu of more interactive and indirect methods like paired conversations, oral reports, debates, etc. Meanwhile, teachers attribute their instructional choices to large class sizes, teaching environment, instructional resources and the teacher’s pedagogical skills. Based on these findings, The study concludes by advocating for the integration of a diverse range of instructional strategies, especially interactive and experiential strategies, to enhance student engagement and improve oral language competencies both inside and outside the classroom.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0770/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
ASSESSING THE REPERCUSSIONS OF DICTIONARY FORMATS ON SCHOLARLY WRITING OUTCOMES: UNDERTAKING MIXED-METHOD APPROACH
Authors: Wei Li-Wei 
Published: August 2024

The complexity of foreign vocabulary and the multifaceted meanings of word combinations often pose significant challenges to language learners, potentially deterring their motivation. Dictionaries, however, serve as pivotal tools in surmounting these obstacles. Extant research has extensively explored the intersection of language acquisition and dictionary utilization, revealing a marked preference among EFL students for online or electronic dictionaries over traditional paper formats. Despite the recognized importance of dictionary use in fostering language proficiency, there remains a notable paucity of research investigating the specific impact of different dictionary formats on learners' writing skills. This study adopted a quasi-experimental between-groups design, including a control group and two experimental groups, involving a cohort of 67 Chinese EFL graduates from an international college in China. Over a ten-week experimental period, participants in the experimental groups utilized digital and paper dictionaries as reference aids for abstract writing, whereas the control group was deprived of any dictionary usage. Following the experiment, a semi-structured interview was conducted to assess the benefits of dictionary use in abstract writing and to elicit learners' perceptions of digital versus print English dictionaries. The weekly abstract writing submissions from all three groups were collected and meticulously analyzed. The findings revealed that both digital and paper dictionaries significantly enhanced the abstract writing performance of the Chinese EFL graduates in the experimental groups. Notably, participants who used digital dictionaries demonstrated a substantial and statistically significant improvement in overall abstract writing quality and language usage compared to those in the print-dictionary group. Furthermore, the study reported that digital dictionaries were particularly favored by Chinese EFL graduates due to their numerous advantageous attributes, including their reliability and efficacy in identifying appropriate linguistic expressions and vocabulary. In conclusion, the empirical evidence underscores the efficacy of digital dictionaries in augmenting the writing skills of EFL learners, suggesting a potential pedagogical shift towards the integration of digital lexicographical resources in language education curricula.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0705/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
Substantiation of wild plants used as functional ingredients in the technology of crisp grain bread
Authors: Izembayeva Assel , Moldakulova Zilikha , Abdreeva Asemgul , Iskakova Galiya , Baiysbayeva Meruyet , Atyhanova Makpal 
Published: August 2024

Research on the nutritional content of wild plant fruits in Kazakhstan, including Hawthorn fruit (Crataegus laevigata), rosehip fruit (Rose canina L. variety), sea buckthorn fruit (Hippophae rhamnoides - Altai variety), and black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa), has determined that these fruits possess a combination of properties essential for maintaining human health, attributed to the presence of bioactive substances (BAS) and other components. The technological process for obtaining extracts and concentrates from wild-growing raw material fruit has developed. The following extraction modes were proposed: ultrasonic wave frequency 40 kHz, extraction time 30 minutes, temperature 500С, and concentration of the obtained extracts was carried out by vacuum evaporation method, using IKA RV-10 apparatus at 40-50°С and pressure 800 mbar. Found that extracts and concentrates have a higher concentration of nutritional substances when compared to the fruits themselves. Thus, the vitamin C content in hawthorn fruits was 27.8 mg, while in the extract, it was 47.84 mg, and in the concentrate – 62.19 mg. The vitamin C content in rosehip fruits, extracts, and concentrates was 578.01 mg, 811.8 mg, and 1101.3 mg, respectively. The vitamin C content in sea buckthorn fruits, extracts, and concentrates was 285.05 mg, 518.8 mg, and 640.9 mg, respectively. The vitamin C content in black chokeberry fruits, extracts, and concentrates was 86.2 mg, 128.8 mg, and 160.5 mg, respectively. A similar increase was observed for the content of vitamin E and other components. Furthermore, the obtained concentrates meet the safety parameters required by regulatory documents. A technology for producing grain crispbread using the extrusion method has developed, incorporating whole grains, groats, flavouring additives, and concentrates derived from wild fruits such as hawthorn, rosehip, sea buckthorn, and black chokeberry into the recipe.
Urinary and gynecologic adverse events associated with SSRI use
Authors: Grzyb Chloe , Durrani Kulsoom , Martin Taylor , Boyd Sarah 
Published: August 2024

Background Selective Serotonin Receptor Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most prescribed psychiatric drug in the United States. However, the adverse effects of SSRIs related to the genitourinary and reproductive systems in real-world settings remains unclear. The aim of this study is to identify a comprehensive profile of adverse events (AEs) associated with SSRIs in females using data from the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) and variability of adverse events across individual SSRIs. Methods A software designed to analyze adverse drug events, OpenVigil 2.1, was used to query the FAERS data. We defined 445 genitourinary and reproductive system related adverse events related to genitourinary and reproductive systems. Proportional reporting ratio (PRR) was utilized to assess the strength of association between adverse events and SSRIs. Subgroup analysis was conducted to stratify adverse events by age. Results The majority of AEs were related to sexual dysfunction, such as issues of arousal, libido, and orgasm. Additional significant findings were related to gynecologic bleeding, urinary retention and incontinence, and hypersexuality. Citalopram exhibited the strongest signal strengths, as evidenced by the highest proportional reporting ratios (PRRs), particularly in relation to sexual dysfunction. The strongest signals related to sexual dysfunction were found in the 40-59 years age group. Urinary symptoms were most prevalent in the over 60 years age group. Conclusion According to our findings, the potential for genitourinary and reproductive system related AEs of SSRIs warrants further investigation of underlying mechanisms and monitoring in clinical practice. AEs are important considerations for clinical practice as side effects of SSRIs can impact treatment compliance and patient quality of life.
KELIMPAHAN FITOPLANKTON SEBAGAI PENENTU INDIKATOR KUALITAS EKOSISTEM PERAIRAN ESTUARI DI KAWASAN KONSERVASI MANGROVE BAROS, BANTUL, D.I.YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Sifa ul Janah  , Rahmawati Laila , Nisa Ananda Choirun , Wulandari Husni , Nisa Chalwa Ainun , Apriyanti Zalsa Nurlinda , Febriyantiningrum Kuntum 
Published: August 2024

Kawasan Mangrove Baros merupakan ekosistem mangrove buatan yang tumbuh pada perairan estuari. Zona estuari merupakan pertemuan air sungai dan air laut yang memiliki salinitas berbeda karena dipengaruhi oleh pasang surut air laut. Perairan estuari termasuk salah satu habitat yang baik bagi fitoplankton dan zooplankton. Fitoplankton berperan penting sebagai makanan bagi organisme lain. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui kualitas perairan estuari terhadap kelimpahan fitoplankton di Kawasan Konservasi Mangrove Baros, Bantul, Yogyakarta. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif eksploratif dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling dengan menentukan 3 titik stasiun dengan jarak antar stasiun yaitu 10 meter. Analisis data dihitung menggunakan rumus statistik Shannon Wiener dan Simpson. Hasil penelitian diperoleh indeks kelimpahan fitoplankton berkisar antara 0,06 - 0,01 ind/L, indeks dominansi fitoplankton berkisar antara 0,08 - 0,15 ind/L dan indeks keanekaragaman fitoplankton berkisar antara 2,25 - 1,94 ind/L. Komposisi jenis fitoplankton yang paling mendominasi adalah spesies Microcystis sp. Kualitas perairan estuari Mangrove Baros termasuk dalam kategori mesotrofik atau tingkat kesuburan sedang.
Bibliometric analysis of the scientific output on autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Gallardo-Pons Gleddys , Cabrera-Torres Osvaldo , Cabrera-Gallardo Marcos Alejandro , Rivera-Alonso Juana 
Published: August 2024

Introduction: the transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of the teams for the care of patients with autism spectrum disorders means that scientific production is broad and covers several areas of knowledge. Objective: to characterize the scientific output on autism spectrum disorders in Spanish language in the Scopus database between 2013 and 2022. Methods: a bibliometric study of the scientific output on autism spectrum disorders published in Spanish in Scopus between 2013 and July 2022 was carried out. The study universe consisted of 365 articles. Productivity and impact indicators were used. SciVal and Vosviewer were used. Results: 365 articles were published in Spanish, with a predominance of research articles (n=278). There was an increase in scientific output with a decrease in the number of citations. Forty-eight percent of the articles were published in Q2 journals and 33,3 % in Q4 journals, with the Revista de Neurología being the most productive (Ndoc=64). National authorship accounted for 41,6 % of the articles and 7,1 % with international collaboration. Spain (Ndoc=230) was the most productive country and the most productive institution was the University of Valencia (Ndoc=28).Conclusions: although there was an increase in the number of articles, the scientific output on autism spectrum disorders published in Spanish-language journals in Scopus was low, centered mainly on original articles. A high percentage of articles were published in journals in the first quartiles; the most productive journals and institutions belonged mostly to Spain
Enlargement policy of the European Union in the Balkan region. The Kosovo case: Integration?
Authors: Rodríguez Castellón Laura Beatriz , Medina Crespo Jeniffer 
Published: August 2024

Since the 1990s, the European Union began to develop a process of expansion throughout the rest of Europe, which is still actively carried out today. In this sense, one of the focuses of the EU enlargement policy was, and still is, the Balkan region and, in particular, Kosovo, a territory of acute conflicts for ethno-religious reasons. Consequently, this paper aims to analyze the implementation of the European Union's enlargement policy in the Balkan region and, specifically, in Kosovo. Therefore, it will be approached from its origin to its deployment in Southeastern Europe, in order to then demonstrate the implementation of the different mechanisms that sustain this policy, based on the case study of Kosovo. The enlargement policy in the Balkan region is one of the most effective instruments of the European Union's political action. It responds to the strategic interests of the organization in terms of stability, security and conflict prevention.
Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Diagnosed with Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Koujane Radwa , Pudar Julia , Fernandez Ryan , Jackson Nancy M , Flynn Jeffrey C , Sankari Abdulghani 
Published: August 2024

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, it is unclear if mild Covid-19 infection is a significant risk factor for VTE. Our goal was to investigate the overall incidence of VTE in Covid-19 patients at our community hospital and assess its correlates. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients 18 years and older who tested positive for Covid-19 at our hospital between March 2020 and September 2021. Results A total of 5926 patients aged 18 to 99 years had Covid-19. Of these patients, 64 (incidence of 1.08%) had VTE; 63% were male and 58% were African Americans. The highest rate of VTE was seen in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (n=47, 73%) followed by a history of thromboembolism (n=19, 30%); patients (n=6, 9%) with mild Covid-19 also developed VTE. Conclusions In our study of a predominantly African American population, the VTE incidence (1.08%) was ten times higher than the general population’s rate of 0.1%. Covid-19 infection, even mild category, not requiring hospitalization was a risk factor for VTE. The risk was increased in men and those who have cardiovascular risk factors and/or prior history of thromboembolism.