bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Out-of-time Experiences in Four Iconic Twentieth Century European Modernist Novels Including Zeno's Conscience: A Psychosynthetic Analysis
Authors: Tóth-Izsó Zsuzsanna 
Published: December 2023

On the centenary of the release of Italo Svevo's Zeno's Conscience in 1923, it is opportune to explore the renowned psychoanalytical novel from a fresh perspective—one that not only refrains from contradicting the traditional interpretation but also enhances and complements it. The psychosynthetic approach that I intend to employ in analyzing the transpersonal experiences depicted in "Zeno's Conscience" will demonstrate its efficacy as a valuable tool for attaining a more profound comprehension of the protagonist's—potentially reflecting Svevo's—complex personality. As Assagioli, the founder of psychosynthesis, articulates, it delves into the concept of multiple minds. In this first article of the two, transpersonal experiences of Zeno are identified, followed by descripting similar experiences in three iconic 20th-century European modernist novels, Ulysses, Time Regained and The Man Without Qualities, by using appropriate quotes. The common main feature of these four novels is the steadily flowing time, the natural medium of the "horizontal" processes of personal psychosynthesis (Chronos). My focus here is, however, on the detectable – although rather sporadic – "vertical" episodes of transpersonal psychosynthesis, which are, in a sense, "out of time" (Kairos). Moreover, Zeno's transpersonal experiences are compared with that of the characters’ of the selected three iconic modernist novels.
MONETARY POLICY AND MISERY INDEX IN NIGERIA
Authors: George-Anokwuru Chioma Chidinma 
Published: December 2023

<p>This study investigated the influence of monetary policy on the misery index in Nigeria. The data for the study were collected from the numerical bulletin of Nigeria’s apex bank spanning 1985 to 2019. The misery index was measured by the sum of unemployment, inflation, and lending rates minus the percentage change in Real Gross Domestic Product per capita. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test and Autoregressive Distributed Lag - ARDL model were the main tools of analysis. The outcome of the unit root test indicated that the variables were stationary at order zero and one, which fulfilled the requirement to employ the ARDL Bounds testing method. The ARDL Bounds test revealed the presence of long-run association among the variables. The results revealed that monetary policy rate and exchange rate have a significant relationship with the misery index in Nigeria during the period of study. However, there is no significant relationship between the broad money supply and the misery index in Nigeria during the period of study. The study concluded that though monetary policy has the potential of reducing the misery index in Nigeria but it has not been well managed to reduce the misery index in Nigeria during the period of study. That is, monetary policy has not been effective in reducing the misery index in Nigeria during the period of study. Based on these findings, the study recommended that monetary authority should adopt the monetarists’ ‘monetary rule’ whereby the money supply is increased at a rate equal to the potential annual growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product. The monetary authority should also evaluate her interest rate policies to stimulate investment, increase output of goods and services, employment opportunities and reduce the poverty and misery index in the country. That is, make the financial sector to be strong to provide credit at lower interest rates which in turn will increase investment, output of goods and services, employment opportunities and reduce the poverty and misery index in Nigeria. The authority should maintain a managed floating exchange rate system to redress the problem of exchange rate variation in order to reduce the misery index in Nigeria.</p><p><strong>JEL:</strong> E42; E50; E52</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0021/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
EXTENT OF THE ADOPTION OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PRACTICES AS TOOLS FOR DECISION MAKING IN MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: Okolocha C. C. , Nwagu Eucharia Chinwemma 
Published: December 2023

<p>This study determined the extent of the adoption of management accounting practices as tools for decision-making in manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. Two research questions were answered in the study and four null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of 292 owners and managers of registered manufacturing firms with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Corporate Affairs Commission, Awka, Anambra State. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 228 registered manufacturing firms in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka. Data for this study was collected using a structured questionnaire titled Questionnaire on Adoption of Management Accounting Practices by Manufacturing Firms (QOAOMAPBMF)’ developed by the researchers based on the insight gained from the literature review and the research questions guiding the study. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the Cronbach Alpha co-efficient which yielded a reliability value of 0.95 and 0.81 respectively for the two clusters with an overall reliability value of 0.88. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions to determine the homogeneity or otherwise of the respondents’ views, while the ANOVA was used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that costing systems and budgeting systems are adopted as tools for decision-making by manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria to a great extent. Owners and managers do not significantly differ in their academic qualifications in this regard, but they differ significantly in their years of working experience. The researchers concluded that manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria would benefit immensely from the effective and efficient adoption of management accounting practices which will enhance and boost their decision-making so as to increase their competitive advantage in the long run. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the management of manufacturing firms should update themselves on management accounting practices through training and workshops organized by relevant research institutes and set a benchmark for the adoption of management accounting practices with the aim to improve the adoption of these practices.</p><p> </p><p><strong>JEL</strong>: O12; O14; O20</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0041/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
EFFECT OF BANK LOAN FINANCING POLICIES ON PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN TURKANA COUNTY, KENYA
Authors: Lokopu Julius Ewoi , Cherono Irene , Simiyu Robert 
Published: December 2023

<p>Loans are considered to be the basic source of financing Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries like Kenya. However, the majority of SMEs continues to face challenges in obtaining loan facilities resulting in poor performance and closures. Hence, the study investigated the effect of bank loan financing policies on the performance of SMEs in Turkana County, Kenya. The study was guided by two research questions: In what ways do collateral requirements affect the performance of small and medium sized enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya? And how does financial information affect the performance of small and medium sized enterprises in Turkana County, Kenya? The study was anchored on correlation research design and targeted a population of 2037 licensed SMEs from different sectors in Turkana County. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 334 SMEs. A questionnaire for SMEs was used as the instrument of data collection that collected data on the independent and dependent variables. The research instrument was tested for validity and reliability before being taken to the field. Analysis of data was done through the quantitative method. Analysis of data to answer the research questions was done by using descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviation. Data analysed was presented in the form of frequencies and percentages, mean, and standard deviation. The research result showed that there existed a significant negative effect of collateral requirements ( and performance of SMEs. However, the second null hypothesis was accepted (p&gt;0.05) because leading to the acceptance that there was no significant effect of financial information on the performance of SMEs. The study concludes that loan financial policies had a significant effect on the performance of SMEs in Turkana County. The study recommends that financial institutions need to revise their loan financing policies to make them attractive to SMEs as they have been found to be influencing their performance.</p><p> </p><p><strong>JEL</strong>: L20; G21</p>
INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY ON FINANCIAL GROWTH OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN LREB-KENYA
Authors: Achola Eunice , Ombok Benjamin , Kiganda Evans 
Published: December 2023

Literature reveals inconsistencies on factors influencing the financial sustainability of local NGOs, with some suggesting such factors as income diversification, incomes from local and external donors as well as own income-generating activities, while others opine that continued external donor funding is required for sustainability. Evidence also shows that for the period under review, the financial growth of the NGOs, as critical vehicles of welfare development in the region has been fluctuating since 2010, but with a declining trend from 2019 to 2022. The purpose of this paper is to establish influence of the financial sustainability on the financial growth of non-governmental organizations in the Lake Region Economic Block- Kenya. A cross-sectional research design is adopted on a sample size of 220 respondents from whom both primary and secondary data were obtained and analyzed using independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression. Guided by the Resource Based View Theory, the results yielded a significant change of 0.033; from 73.7% to 77% after moderation; implying that financial sustainability has a significant moderating effect of 3.3%. The findings of this study are invaluable for innovative and sustainable financial decisions by NGOs, and also scholars and policymakers on matters of revenue growth.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0069/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
EFL STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS ENGLISH TEXTS
Authors: Ngan Nguyen Kim , Chi Nguyen Phuong 
Published: December 2023

Students who learn business or economics subjects might read different business texts related to their majors. However, many English as a Foreign language (EFL) students are still struggling with their reading comprehension abilities The objectives of the study are to identify students’ perceptions of common difficulties when reading Business English texts and to explore their attitude towards a number of solutions. The participants were ninety-six Business English students who enrolled in a Business English Reading course at a public economics university in Ho Chi Minh City. A five-Likert questionnaire and a semi-structured interview were employed to collect the data for the study. The results show that EFL students often encountered difficulties in reading Business texts. The most prominent factors influencing Business English reading comprehension generally are Vocabulary, Timing, and Background Knowledge. To address those issues, Business English students proposed six solutions regarding lexical and grammatical knowledge enhancement, regular practice, metacognitive strategies, participation in business courses, and online dictionary use. These recommendations collectively aimed to empower students in mastering the skills of Business English reading comprehension.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0101/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
JOB SATISFACTION AND TURNOVER INTENTION OF BPO WORKERS: THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF SERVICE PERFORMANCE
Authors: Cole Princess G. , Castro Reynaldo C. 
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the mediating effect of service performance on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention of BPO workers in Davao City. In order to do so, this study employed the quantitative research design using the descriptive and correlational method via mediation analysis. Using proportionate stratified random sampling, primary data were gathered through the use of online survey questionnaires addressed to 373 respondents working in selected BPO companies in Davao City. In addressing the hypotheses of the study, correlation analysis using Pearson product-moment correlation and mediation analysis using Sobel z test were used. The level of job satisfaction and service performance was very high among BPO workers, while the turnover intention was low. Results also revealed job satisfaction to have significantly predicted turnover intention and service performance which satisfied the ground for mediation. However, service performance did not significantly predict turnover intention. Further analysis through the Sobel z test confirmed that the mediating effect of service performance on the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention is not significant.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0205/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
WHAT DOES THE ONLINE CHAT BOX TELL: A MIXED STUDY OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION INDICATED BY ONLINE CHAT DATA AND OTHER VARIABLES IN AN ONLINE ENGLISH COURSE
Authors: Huang Qiang 
Published: December 2023

Student participation is essential to both teaching and learning, especially in the online instruction mode. The present study aims to examine student participation and their relations with other variables such as learning outcome and teaching performance in a university English course online. Participants were 84 sophomores of English Education majors at a university who learned an English course on an online learning platform. Both qualitative data from the chat box of the online learning platform and quantitative data of students’ final scores and their scores of course evaluation were employed. Follow-up semi-structured interviews were also conducted to provide further insights into the findings. Results showed that student participation indicated by the online chat data was extensive and active, with all participants engaged and an average of 112 messages sent per student over the semester in the online English course. Further correlational analyses found that student participation was not significantly correlated with either learning outcome indicated by students’ final scores or teaching performance indicated by their course evaluation scores. However, interview data revealed that online chat boxes had contributed to lower-risk and more active online participation in several ways including attenuating participation apprehension, improving concentration on instruction and building a learning community. Implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions for future research were provided.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0011/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
CONTRIBUTION OF COORDINATION, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY, ARM MUSCLE STRENGTH TO THE 'KIZAMI-GYAKU ZUKI' PUNCH: ANALYSIS OF FEMALE KARATE ATHLETES
Authors: Almas Kurnia Zatta , Lismadiana L. , Tomoliyus T. , Hariono Awan , Danardono D. , Prabowo Trisnar Adi , Hikmah Nur 
Published: December 2023

<p>The purpose of this research is to analyze the contribution of coordination, balance, flexibility, arm muscle strength to the <em>kizami-gyaku zuki</em> punch of female athletes. The background to this research is from observations of the qualifying round at the 2023 National Sports Week (PON), on average female athletes earn points from punches. This research is an analytical survey to test the contribution of the independent variables. The sample was 50 female athletes with characteristics namely age 19.8±1.2 years, training experience 8.3±0.6 years, weight 50±1.5 kg, height 160.4±1.5 cm. The tests carried out included coordination using the <em>Hand-Wall Toss Test</em>, balance using the <em>Modified Bass Test of Dynamic Balance</em>, flexibility using the <em>sit and reach test</em>, arm muscle strength using <em>push up</em> for 1 minute, <em>kizami-gyaku zuki</em> punches using a punching bag during 30 seconds. The results of this research show that coordination, flexibility, and arm muscle strength have an effect on <em>kizami-gyaku zuki</em> punches. However, balance has no effect on the <em>kizami-gyaku zuki</em> punches. Adjusted R Square results, the contribution from coordination (r = 0.341) or 34.1%, balance (r = 0.235) or 23.5%, flexibility (r = 0.490) or 49%, arm muscle strength (r = 0.465) or 46.5%, contribution overall against <em>kizami-gyaku zuki</em> punch (r = 0.674) or 67.4%. The conclusion is that it is important for trainers, athletes, and sports karate academics to focus on these four physical components so that the kumite abilities of female athletes can be improved. However, it is important to train in other physical components, such as endurance, technique and tactics and mental. Future research is expected to add variables or update the types of tests used in this research.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0078/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
DURATION, INTENSITY, AND CONTENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES IN A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF CHILDREN ATTENDING 5TH AND 6TH GRADES OF PRIMARY EDUCATION
Authors: Tambalis Konstantinos D. 
Published: December 2023

Physical Education (PE) is an educational process that develops the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and well-being of children, through games, sports, exercises, etc. The study aimed to evaluate the parameters of physical activity (PA) during PE class and to investigate the content, time, and intensity of children who participated in PE class, by gender and obesity status. PA and PE items were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist, proper for children. A representative sample of Greek boys and girls aged 10 to 12 years (N=3195) participated in the study. Boys incorporated higher levels of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (62 ± 45 min/d) than girls (27 ± 33 min/d, p&lt;0.05). Students, who participated in PE classes, presented increased total PA (139 ± 2 vs. 116 ± 51 min/d, p&lt;0.05) and MVPA (62 ± 38 vs. 40 ± 32 min/d, p&lt;0.05), and a higher percentage of them met (77 vs. 66%, p&lt;0.05) the recommended PA levels than those who didn't participate. Among participants in PE classes, boys reported higher time of MVPA than girls (19.4 ± 23.9 vs. 10.3 ± 17.7 min/d, p&lt;0.05), while girls had more time in light PA as compared to boys (15.1 ± 18.1 vs. 20.5 ± 21.3 min/d, p&lt;0.05). There were no significant differences between normal-weight and overweight/obese participants in PE classes neither in PA sub-components (total PA, LPA, and MVPA) nor in sports/games did they participate. PE classes play a significant role in students' levels of PA, especially for overweight/obese children.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0012/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
COMPARISON OF UPPER LIMB REACTION SPEED BETWEEN YOUNG TABLE TENNIS AND BADMINTON ATHLETES USING THE LYMMIC ELECTRONIC SYSTEM
Authors: Nikolakakis Andreas , Telopoulos Pavlos 
Published: December 2023

<p>The aim of the present study was to compare the upper limb reaction time between young athletes (boys) of table tennis and badminton. Two groups of 14 table tennis and badminton athletes (a total of 28 athletes) with a mean age of 14±1.65 and mean involvement in these sports of 5±1.32 were the sample of the study. The visual stimulus tests used to record reaction times were as follows: a) left hand simple reaction time test, b) right hand simple reaction time test, c) left hand choice reaction time test, d) right hand choice reaction time test. The tools used for the measurements were a special light sensor and other technological means. ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (p&lt;0.05) were applied for statistical data processing. The analysis of the results showed no statistically significant differences in any of the 4 tests of the athletes. The findings and the way of measuring reaction speed could be used by the athletes’ coaches to enrich and improve the training process.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0091/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION: A SERIOUS THREAT TO GLOBAL SECURITY
Authors: Rahman Mohammed Mahafuzur 
Published: December 2023

Climate change and environmental degradation have been considered global issues apart from being graded as emerging issues. Climate change is a significant trend because of the adverse conditions witnessed already, and the implications likely to result when the situation is not addressed. The main causes of climate change and environmental degradation are human activities such as burning fossils, deforestation, and human settlement. The decline of the environment has led to national and international security risks as it is linked to food shortages, climate change calamities such as floods or famine, drought, loss of lives, soil erosion, and crop failure due to limited water resources. Countries have had to come together to find lasting solutions to climate change and the decline of the environment as it has raised concern across the world. Besides, there have been solutions that have been agreed by researchers that would minimize the risks of climate change and the decline of the environment, such as afforestation, avoiding the use of plastics, and recycling of waste products. Therefore, environmentally friendly activities have been encouraged in countries across the globe.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0015/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF NGUYEN AN NINH’S POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND THE MEANING OF THAT IDEOLOGY
Authors: Nhi Nguyen Thi Lien 
Published: December 2023

The late 19th and early 20th century was a special historical period for the Vietnamese people, a period of transformation that changed the nature of society. Our country was invaded by the French colonialists and became a semi-feudal, colonial country. It can be said that Nguyen An Ninh was a typical thinker of Vietnam in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He introduced political ideas consistent with the reality of the Vietnamese revolution in this historical period. Based on an overview of the basic contents of Nguyen An Ninh’s political ideology, this study aims to clarify the basic characteristics of Nguyen An Ninh’s political ideology such as (i) Deep nationality in Nguyen An Ninh’s political ideology; (ii) Vivid practicality in Nguyen An Ninh’s political ideology; (iii) Nguyen An Ninh’s political ideology represents the transition from bourgeois-democratic ideology to Marxism-Leninism. On that basis, clarify the values of that characteristic in Vietnam’s revolutionary process.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0058/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>