High Class Research Articles

Univariate Analysis of Predictors of Substance use and Substance use behaviour among Adolescents

Adolescence is universally a time of vulnerability to different influences when adolescents initiate various behaviours, including substance use. A desire to experiment and explore can manifest in various behaviours exploring sexual relationships, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and other substances use and abused. The objective of this study was to identify the predictors of substance use and substance use behaviour pattern among adolescent students. Data collected from a random sample of 240 adolescent students revealed the majority of the sample had experienced one or the other substances, of which Hookah was at first place, followed by alcohol, cigarette and marijuana, respectively. The univariate analysis of the study revealed that adolescent students studying in a higher class, those above 15 years and male students were more prone to take substances. Parents' lower level of education, Lower family income, and occupation were also significant factors associated with substance use among adolescents (p-value<0.01). Relationship with fathers, children who have authoritarian or liberal parents were found to be more prone to take substances (p-value<0.01). Participants having family members with the habit of taking substance were also found to be more prone to develop the habit of substance use. Also, substance use was significantly lower among those participants whose parents have educated them about substances. The data suggest that experimentation is the major factor associated with substance use among adolescents followed by trends and partying, social media influence, seeing family members and peer influence, respectively.

Classifying coke using CT scans and landmark multidimensional scaling

One factor that limits development of fundamental research on the influence of coke microstructure on its strength is the difficulty in quantifying the way that microstructure is both classified and distributed in three dimensions. To support such fundamental studies, this study evaluated a novel volumetric approach for classifying small (approx. 450 μm3) blocks of coke microstructure from 3D computed tomography scans. An automated process for classifying microstructure blocks was described. It is based on Landmark Multi-Dimensional Scaling and uses the Bhattacharyya metric and k-means clustering. The approach was evaluated using 27 coke samples across a range of coke with different properties and reliably identified 6 ordered class of coke microstructure based on the distribution of voxel intensities associated with structural density. The lower class (1–2) subblocks tend to be dominated by pores and thin walls. Typically, there is an increase in wall thickness and reduced pore sizes in the higher classes. Inert features are also likely to be seen in higher classes (5–6). In general, this approach provides an efficient automated means for identifying the 3D spatial distribution of microstructure in CT scans of coke.

Knowledge and Experience of Sexual Violence among Female Adolescents in Public Schools in Enugu State during the Covid-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Sexual violence among female adolescents is a pervasive problem. This is even worse in periods of unrest such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which heighten the vulnerability of these female adolescents’ victims to the potential perpetrators of sexual violence. This study assessed the knowledge and experience of sexual violence amongst female adolescents in public schools in Enugu State, Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three hundred twenty-five adolescents (aged 10–19 years with a mean age of 12.8 ±2.8) female school students were purposively recruited in this cross-sectional study to complete a scale designed to measure the knowledge and experience of sexual violence among female adolescents. Findings showed a high (90.8%) knowledge level of sexual violence among adolescents. The majority of the perpetrators were their uncles (40.4%) and cousins (28.6%). Among 9.8% of the participants who had forced to have sex, about two-thirds (65.6%) have been raped 2 to 5 times. A significant difference was noted only between the respondent’s class levels and their knowledge of sexual violence (p < .05) with higher classes having better knowledge. Female adolescents showed a good knowledge level about sexual violence, which might explain the low prevalence of sexual violence in the sample population. The study also provides evidence that females are most at risk of sexual violence from closer relations during times of crisis. Thus, these study findings add evidence to the literature that would guide policymakers, health, and social workers toward making campaigns and interventions that would prevent female adolescent sexual violence.

Internet addiction and loneliness among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Internet addiction (IA) by children and adolescents is a concern for parents. The intensity of this problem has increased in the context of COVID-19 pandemic across the world. Here we aimed to evaluate internet usage patterns, addiction to internet use, and mental health among Bangladeshi school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted this cross-sectional study among 502 school-going adolescents. Pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect information related to demographics and the internet usage pattern. We assessed the prevalence of IA and loneliness using the internet addiction test (IAT) scale and UCLA-3 loneliness scale. The prevalence of IA and loneliness among Bangladeshi school-going adolescents were 88.25% and 72.51%, respectively. Individuals with English-medium education, higher classes, high economic status, mobile internet connection, online gaming habits, and living without family showed significantly higher levels of IA. Moreover, a high proportion of loneliness was observed among individuals with high financial conditions, mobile internet connection, and who watch movies on the internet. The present study findings suggest a strong association between demographics, internet usage patterns, IA, and the mental health of adolescents. These results would have practical inferences in clinical psychology, psychotherapy, and related fields. Based on this finding, the healthcare authorities and professionals can develop an inclusive interventional approach for adolescents who suffer from IA and mental health disorders.

P288 Application of a new classification of Fistulizing Perianal Crohn’s Disease (FPCD) in clinical practice: evaluating the correlation between clinician and patient’s assessments and FPCD patient′s quality of life

Abstract Background FPCD remains a challenging condition with negative impact on quality of life. Recently, a novel classification was proposed intending to optimize and standardize the management of these patients (Geldof J, et al. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Jun;7(6):576-584). We aimed to characterize and classify a population of patients with FPCD according to this recent classification, evaluate the agreement between patient and clinician perspectives regarding disease treatment goals and correlate the new classification with patient’s quality of life. Methods Cross-sectional study which consecutively included FPCD’ adult patients (diagnosis &amp;gt; 6 months) followed at a gastroenterology consultation, from September to November 11, 2022. A Portuguese translated diagram of the new classification was presented to included patients, which had to select the class that most faithfully represents the current moment of their disease status. Subsequently, the IBDQ-32 questionnaire was completed. A separate form completed by a senior gastroenterologist include all the demographic and clinical data of each patient and the respective blindly chosen class. Results 23 patients (mean age of 34.4 ± 13.8 years, 60.7% woman) with FPCD were included. Disease location (Montreal Classification) was L1 in 9/23 patients, L2 in 5/23 patients and L3 in 9/23 patients. Two patients had also upper gastrointestinal tract involvement (L4). Crohn’s disease duration was 8.87 ± 8.176 years and fistula duration 4.26 ± 3.063 years (table 1). Therapy data including surgery is shown in Table 2. Most patients had a transphincteric (13/23) and complex fistula (20/23). Mean PDAI was 6±2.6 and HBI 2.2±1.65. Class 2a (repair) was the most frequently chosen by patients and clinician (62.5% and 58.3% respectively) (table 3). Mean IBDQ32 score was 97.6 ± 16.9 (table 4). A slight agreement between patient and clinician regarding the new classification system was found (Cohen’s Kappa of 0.176), and a negative correlation between the class chosen by the patient and the respective IBDQ-32 score (Kendalls’ Tau correlation coefficient -0.359, p = 0.033 (p&amp;lt;0,05)). Conclusion The low level of concordance between patient and clinician (with the limitation of a small sample size) draws attention to a gap in the treatment decision-making process of FPCD patients. A turning point in the management of these patients may occur with a progressive implementation of this classification into clinical practice after its validation, as it may allow for a shared discussion and greater patient responsibility in therapeutic decisions. The significant disease burden carried by these patients is underscored by the progressive lower IBDQ32 scores associated with higher class in this new system classification.

Well-Being and Perceived Competence in School Children from 1 to 9 Class.

Motivational aspects in reading, math, science and physical education are often studied on whole samples and not grouped into different classes. In our study we wish to investigate cross-sectional data across classes. Our research question wishes to investigate what class differences are there in school subject-based well-being and perceived competence? A total of 378 Icelandic pupils in classes 1-9 did answer a survey with nine items, focusing on how are you feeling at school, how do you like and how are you doing in reading, math, science and physical education. There were 163 girls (43%), and 202 boys (53%) ranging from 6 to 15 years of age (M = 10.86, SD = 2.57). The findings, for the whole sample, indicate that girls tend to like reading more than boys do. Additionally, girls feel that they are better in science compared to boys, while boys like physical education more than girls. In terms of classes, multiple items, including reading, math and science, indicated class differences, where higher classes (i.e., eighth and ninth class) tend to have lower average scores in how much they liked a certain topic, and how competent they felt. It is also of great interest that the correlation between 'how do you like' and 'how are you doing' are 0.53, 0.71, 0.66 and 0.66 for reading, math, science and physical activity, respectively. Well-being and perceived competence in all subjects correlate with each other, and well-being at school. This shows the importance of seeing the school as a holistic system, where experiences related to individual subjects coincide with the overall experience (and vice versa). The results are discussed in relation to self-perception, motivation and practice.

Penggunaan Media Pembelajaran terhadap Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis IPS Siswa Sekolah Dasar

This study aims to determine the use of learning media in improving students' critical thinking skills in social studies learning in the Higher Class. This type of research is a literature study with a descriptive qualitative research type with library research from research journals in previous years to be used as research subjects. This research is sourced from several journals that are relevant to the topic of the discussion on Learning Media on Social Studies Critical Thinking Skills for Elementary School Students. The results obtained are the use of learning media is very effective and efficient in its use, depending on what learning media is used and the selection of learning media in accordance with the provisions of the social studies material being taught adds to the usefulness of the use of learning media.

Modification of Inclusions by Rare Earth Elements in a High-Strength Oil Casing Steel for Improved Sulfur Resistance

Steel casing pipes used in the construction of deep oil wells usually require both high strength and corrosion-resistant behavior. Due to the exploration of deep H2S-bearing oil reservoirs, sulfide stress cracking (SSC) is becoming an increasingly serious concern for casing steel. The nonmetallic inclusions in the steel are among the key reasons for its service failure. The rare earth element Ce can be used to modify the inclusions in casing steel and improve its SSC resistance. Here, taking C110 grade casing steel (the highest class currently in service) as the investigated object, the modification behavior of Ce inclusions in the steel and the effect of the addition of Ce in varying amounts (0.01, 0.024, and 0.042 wt.%) on the modified products were studied through high-temperature tube furnace experiments and thermodynamic calculations. The results showed that Ce had an obvious modification effect on the CaO·Al2O3 inclusions in casing steel, and the diffusion of dissolved Ce in the steel was the limiting step of the modification reaction. With the extension of reaction time, the sequence describing the modification of inclusions in the steel was determined as follows: CaO·Al2O3 → CeAlO3 → Ce2O3/Ce2O2S. The final stable product after modification depended on the amount of Ce added. With 0.01 wt.% Ce, the stable phase in molten steel was Ce2O3; on the other hand, upon adding ≥0.024 wt.% Ce, the stable phase became Ce2O2S. In addition, the thermodynamic stability of Ce2O3 decreased, and it was transformed into CeAlO3, Ce2O2S, Ce2S3, and CeS during solidification. On the basis of our results and the considerations for smooth casting, the addition of a proper amount of a rare earth element is suggested for industrial trials, following the achievement of a significant and surprising improvement in the qualified rate of SSC resistance for the final steel products. The relevant mechanism is also analyzed.

ANALYSIS FLAT MECHANISM OF THE FOURTH CLASS WITH A MOVING CLOSED LOOP AND THREE COMPLEX LINKS

The study of complex structural groups of links of flat mechanisms allows to improve the existing technological equipment and design new machines. Such mechanisms, based on structural groups of the fourth and higher classes, can ensure the implementation of innovative technological processes of production. Kinematic studies of complex flat mechanisms of the fourth class and higher are certainly relevant, if we take into account the individual approach to their research. The use of such mechanisms is increasingly observed in modern equipment that ensures the execution of technological processes at enterprises of the fashion industry. The work developed a sequence of actions for finding the velocity vectors of the points of the fourth-class mechanism with a moving closed loop, which is formed by four links, three of which have the form of complex links, is developed. The linear vectors of the velocities of the points coinciding with the geometric centers of the kinematic pairs of the structural group of links of the fourth class of the third order were determined. We conditionally changed the input mechanism to another structurally possible in a flat mechanism. The research was carried out using the graph-analytical method. In order to carry out a kinematic analysis of the mechanism, it is proposed to take into account the presence of complex links in its structure, namely the structural feature of the formation of a sequential connection of three links in a kinematic chain of the type “rocker arm – connecting rod – rocker arm”. This made it possible to determine the position of the instantaneous center of velocity of the link, which has plane-parallel motion. Conditional rotation of another conditionally leading link around such an instantaneous center of rotation made it possible to simplify the graphic constructions of the study. The application of the graph-analytical method made it possible to perform vector graphic constructions in an arbitrarily chosen scale for the entire mechanism, and after their completion, to perform detailed calculations of the scale of a certain vector construction.

Randomised Controlled Trial of Self-Affirmation Intervention on Students' Academic Performance: Promising Impacts on Students from Migrant Hukou Status.

Drawing from the sociocultural-self model, this study aims to examine the influence of self-affirmation on the academic outcomes of lower-class migrant students, as well as the psychological mechanism underlying this phenomenon. A field experiment was conducted at a comprehensive secondary school in the southern region of China. Our study sample comprised 1534 immigrant students from diverse regions across the country, with an average proportion of 59.6% of students registered with a rural hukou. The hukou system plays a pivotal role in measuring social class in China, thus it was used as a proxy for lower and higher social class, with rural hukou students considered to be lower-class and urban hukou students considered to be higher-class. Prior to the English test, students in the self-affirmed group were engaged in a brief writing exercise that focused on their core values, whereas the control group wrote about a neutral topic. The primary outcome of interest was the effect of self-affirmation on English test scores, whereas the secondary outcome was the students' survey stereotype threat. The results exhibit that self-affirmation more significantly improved the English test performance of lower-class students compared to higher-class students, and this positive effect was mediated by reducing stereotype threat. Our findings unravel the impact of self-affirmation on the academic performance of migrant students from different social classes and signify the mediating role of stereotype threat in this process. The present study extends previous findings to students from immigrant families in the Chinese cultural context, and these findings demonstrate that self-affirmation can constitute a promising intervention for stereotype threat and achievement gaps due to social class differences in immigrant family groups. Considering that this intervention takes only about 15 minutes of time, entails almost zero cost, does no harm, and that it focuses on disadvantaged immigrant students, it may provide valuable insights for educational policies to be implemented in a new type of migrant city such as Shenzhen.

Pious Children Profile in The Views of the Parents and The Teachers in Elementary Schools

Understanding the objective conditions of the children's development in schools is the main thing for determining educational goals, content, and strategies. This study aims to provide an overview of the profile of pious children in elementary schools based on the views of the parents and the teachers. This study uses a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. The research subjects were 355 parents, 83 teachers, and 355 students. The object of this research is the character of pious children which consists of five aspects, starting from Jismiyah, Fikriyah, Qolbiyah, Amaliyah, and Maslakiyah. The constructs and instruments used to reveal the data were developed by Riyadi, which has comprehensively involved 20 Panellists and has been empirically tested to have adequate Goodness of Fit (GoF), including standardized instruments that meet high validity and reliability. The results of this study illustrate that the profile of pious children in elementary schools based on the views of parents and teachers is not significantly different, including based on gender and class level (lower and higher class). Several indicators show different results in the view of parents and teachers, especially in the Jismiyah aspect in the body hygiene indicator, then in the Fikriyah aspect, which both agreed to be in the above-average category. This research is directed to become the basis for developing prophetic pedagogy to optimize its goal and significantly develop the character of pious children in elementary schools.

I feel so embarrassed, still, I want it! The self-presentational dilemma of counterfeit luxury buyers

PurposeThis study aims to examine whether counterfeit luxury buyers’ tendency to impress others overrides their anticipation of embarrassment or whether the anticipation of embarrassment delimits their self-presentational goals.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on three studies – a survey and two experiments that test the predictions. This study adopts a mix of moderation and mediation analyses to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe findings reveal a greater counterfeit purchase likelihood and embarrassment aversion among publicly (vs privately) self-conscious consumers. Furthermore, a higher (vs a lower) audience class and a conspicuous (vs an inconspicuous) brand lead to lower counterfeit purchase intention, and anticipated embarrassment mediates both these effects. To mitigate the threat of embarrassment, publicly self-conscious consumers are more likely to buy counterfeits among a higher-class audience when the brand is inconspicuous (vs conspicuous). They, however, are indifferent to brand conspicuousness among a lower-class audience.Practical implicationsTo deter counterfeit consumption, anti-counterfeiting campaigns must invoke consumers’ tendency to overestimate the degree of public attention. Ad appeals must accentuate the anticipation of embarrassment by enhancing self-consciousness through a higher-class audience involving a conspicuous brand.Originality/valueThis paper makes a novel contribution to counterfeiting literature by demonstrating that counterfeit luxury consumption is driven by countervailing motives of gaining approval and avoiding disapproval. The paper departs from mainstream theorizing by demonstrating that counterfeit luxury buyers engage in a protective self-presentation style by choosing inconspicuous counterfeits.

A Lower-Class Advantage in Face Memory.

People remember what they deem important. In line with research suggesting that lower-class (vs. higher class) individuals spontaneously appraise other people as more relevant, we show that social class is associated with the habitual use of face memory. We find that lower-class (vs. higher class) participants exhibit better incidental memory for faces (i.e., spontaneous memory for faces they had not been instructed to memorize; Studies 1 and 2). No social-class differences emerge for faces participants are instructed to learn (Study 2), suggesting that this pattern reflects class-based relevance appraisals rather than memory ability. Study 3 extends our findings to eyewitness identification. Lower-class (vs. higher-class) participants' eyewitness accuracy is less impacted by the explicit relevance of a target (clearly relevant thief vs. incidental bystander). Integrative data analysis shows a robust negative association between social class and spontaneous face memory. Preregistration (Studies 1 and 3) and cross-cultural replication (Study 2) further strengthen the results.

Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Tanah Adat Suku Bugis/Tolotang Di Kabupaten Sidenreng Rappang

The Towani Tolotang people still retain their beliefs from their ancestors, even though living in modern times today they are able to prove their existence by consistently maintaining their religious and cultural activities. Land is very important for the Towani Tolotang people because the land is not only a place to live and grow crops, but as a place to carry out religious or customary activities carried out throughout their existence. This research will examine the legal protection of land from Towani Tolotang in Sidenreng Rappang Regency. This type of research is empirical legal research, data sources are primary and secondary data and are analyzed descriptively. The results of the study found that preventive legal protection of towani Tolotang customary land until now has not existed, either the land registration or the recognition/regional regulations that protect the Towani Tolotang customary land. However, physical control of the land has been carried out from hundreds of years by their ancestors and there is recognition by the surrounding community of the control. The land that has strong legal evidence in this case the land certificate is the lands of the Towani Tolotang community which are used individually. The second type of legal protection is repressive, although the Towani Tolotang and Islamic people coexist in Amparita Lama (Amparita Village, Toddang Pulu Village, Arateng Village and Baula Village) they have different problem solving. In the Towani Tolotang society those who have disputes such as land can settle in Uwa' or Uwatta' which is the highest class among them. It was the fatwa of Uwa' or Uwatta' that was made legal by the Towani Tolotang people. Meanwhile, when the community is both Islamic or Islamic with Towani Tolotang, the dispute will be resolved in the village of the community or even can go to court in Sidenreng Rappang Regency.

Academic Achievement in Grades 1 to 6: Association with Child, Parental and Socio-Familial Characteristics 5 Months After Birth

This exploratory study investigated patterns of children's relative ranking of academic achievement in the classroom from grade 1 to grade 6 and their association with child, parental and socio-familial characteristics assessed 5 months after birth in a population birth-cohort (92% White of European ancestry, N = 1538, 48.1% boys). Using teacher ratings, latent growth modeling revealed four distinct patterns reflecting different levels and developmental courses of relative academic achievement, with each pattern representing between 17.3% and 38.2% of the sample. Twenty-two risk factors from the prenatal period to age 5 months differentiated these longitudinal patterns. In particular, low parental education and family income, male sex, and poor parental behaviors and attitudes towards the child (OR = 1.19–2.53) were associated with a lower trajectory of relative academic achievement. Furthermore, children's patterns of relative academic achievement reflected a gradation in their association with many early risk factors, where children in the lower class differed from their peers in the Moderate-Low class, and the latter from children in the higher classes. Results of the present study show that performance at school entry is a robust indicator of a child's relative academic achievement throughout elementary school. Findings show that many at-risk children can be identified prior to or shortly after birth based on child, parental, and socio-familial characteristics. Preventive interventions aimed at reducing school difficulties should start in early pregnancy, before they lead to negative outcomes culminating in academic failure and potentially to social integration difficulties, as well as health and mental health problems.

Why do hotels go green? Understanding TripAdvisor GreenLeaders participation

PurposeMore hotels are beginning to embrace green practices given increasing awareness of sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to hotels’ participation in TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders program.Design/methodology/approachBased on a sample of 48,064 hotels from 328 destinations in 29 countries, the authors leverage a multi-level logit model to examine antecedents of GreenLeaders participation. A multi-level ordered logit model is then estimated to uncover factors influencing the ranking of this participation.FindingsEmpirical results indicate that hotels with a larger size, a higher class, a better online reputation, greater reliance on business travelers, fewer neighboring hotels and a more long-term-oriented culture are more apt to join the program. Online reputation factors, hotel size and the number of neighboring hotels explain GreenLeaders hotels’ rankings. A series of robustness checks reinforces the results.Practical implicationsThe results shed light on green program design and promotion. These findings can help hotel practitioners identify ideal target markets and better use their organizational resources to establish green programs. Several strategies can be implemented to promote hotels’ commitment to sustainability and to encourage guests’ awareness of and involvement in green practices.Originality/valueThis study enriches knowledge of sustainable hospitality and tourism. The findings of this study also address corporate social responsibility by analyzing factors that can promote and inhibit GreenLeaders program participation. Further, as a complement to hotel- and location-specific factors, the authors scrutinize the effects of cultural features in shaping green strategies.

Composition and cheese suitability of milk of cows of different breeds

The aim of this work was to compare the quality of milk and its suitability for processing into cheese in cows of the local Ukrainian black-and-white dairy (UBW) breed and their crossbreeds with the Swiss breed. The research was conducted on a commercial farm in Vinnytsia region. The first farm keeps purebred cows of the Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed and crossbreeds of the first generation obtained as a result of crossing with the Brown Swiss breed. Two groups (purebred and local) analog cows were formed with 20 heads each. It was found that crossbreeding had a positive effect on the content of fat and protein in milk in crossbreeds UBW and Brown Swiss cows, these values were 0.21 and 0.13% higher than in purebred cows. At the same time, the crossbreeds lost some of their productivity - the average daily yield of UBW and Brown Swiss cows was 1.83 kg lower than that of purebred counterparts. The crossbreeds of UBW and Brown Swiss cows were dominated by purebred analogues in terms of energy value of 1 kg of milk and theoretically possible yield of rennet cheese by 0.141 MJ and 0.53 kg. The duration of the coagulation phase of milk obtained from crossbred cows was shorter than that of purebred analogues: in crossbreeds of UBW and Brown Swiss cows by 1.23 minutes. Samples of milk obtained from crossbreeds had the highest class on the characteristics of the rennet clot. Out of 20 studied samples of milk of UBW cows of breed 15 samples (75%) are referred to I and 5 (25%) - to II class; in the milk of UBW and Brown Swiss breeds of cows 17 (85%) - up to I and 3 (15%) - up to II class.

Trends in Assortative Mating and Offspring Outcomes

Abstract We study assortative mating of Norwegian parents over five decades and its consequences for offspring outcomes. Parents are characterised by the earnings decile of their parents (the offspring's grandparents) as an indicator of social class. While assortative mating has remained stable across decades, parenthood has become more skewed toward the higher classes. Examining the influence on offspring education and employment, we find that the marginal effect of one parent's class is smaller the higher is the class of the other. Overall, mating trends have contributed to slight improvements in average education and employment and reduced inequality in the offspring generation.

Action Research on Use of Bilingualism (English &amp; Dzongkha) as Medium of Educational Instruction for Teaching Social Studies in Grade Six Students

The Education System of our country, Bhutan has initiated for intersection of Geography and History curricula as Social Studies in lower classes for providing opportunities to explore students’ prior learning with historical and geographical content designed to support in acquisition goals of learning History and Geography as segregated subjects in higher classes. Such integration of subject is deemed as socio-cultural, geographical and historical knowledge are gathered and accumulated from home and community settings.&#x0D; Therefore, to instill concepts and facts in the children at early stage, bilingual educational instruction has felt very necessary for primary students so that they can grasp the essential and core concept of subjects to determine for enhancing their cultural and historical facts. This miniature action research will evaluate the outcome of using bilingualism as an educational instruction for imparting concept of social studies contents. The targeted population for this action research was grade VI children studying in Dangchu Primary School under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag.&#x0D; This study will also explore the benefits of using bilingualism as an educational instruction for teaching social studies by adopting National Language (Dzongkha) as an alternative medium of instruction for explaining and discussing for clarifying contents in subject. The Scaffolding and Trans-language strategies were applied during the social studies teaching periods and positive results were recorded after the intervention strategies were used and the academic performance was drastically improved with intervention strategies and also encouraged students for more classroom participation and concepts were clarified. Bilingualism as medium of educational instructions proved to be the best teaching strategies to improve herself/herself in teaching in turn it enhances learning outcome of the students.

Role of social status factors & religion/secularization factors in views of homosexuality in five nations of the Middle East

Examining how social status factors, religion factors, and secularization factors affected attitudes about homosexuality held by residents of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, the present study also asked whether national origin moderated how the 3 factor groups were or were not associated with these attitudes. The study employed data drawn from Wave 6 of the World Values Survey. Measures for independent and dependent variables in that survey differed by nation; the most-positive attitudes belonged to respondents from Lebanon, followed by Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey, and Jordan. Respondents from Lebanon and Bahrain had higher incomes, more education, and higher class. Lebanese respondents’ values were the most secular of the 5 subsamples. A multiple regression model was developed to evaluate attitudes on homosexuality separately for each country involved. Overall results of the analysis showed social status factors, religion factors, and secularization factors to demonstrate an association with attitudes about homosexuality. Some associations took directions that differed from expected ones for some nations but not necessarily all 5; additionally, a moderating role for national origin was confirmed. This suggests that the countries of the Middle East do not represent a monolith. Each features cultural, political, and/or social differences that make it unique.