Dominant Influence Research Articles

Spatial Distribution and Mechanisms of Groundwater Hardness in the Plain Area of Tangshan City, China

Groundwater resources play a critical role in meeting the agricultural, industrial, and domestic water demands of Tangshan, a key industrial city in China. However, with the acceleration of urbanization and the overextraction of groundwater, issues related to groundwater quality have become increasingly apparent. Notably, groundwater hardness has steadily increased over the years, posing risks to human health and elevating industrial water treatment costs. This study analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics and causes of groundwater hardness using 214 groundwater quality samples collected in 2022 from the plain area of Tangshan City, employing inverse distance weighting (IDW), Gibbs diagrams, ion ratios, mineral saturation indices, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicate that, in horizontal distribution, high-hardness groundwater is predominantly concentrated in the southern coastal plain area, with hardness gradually decreasing from south to north. Vertically, shallow groundwater in the coastal plain exhibits significantly higher hardness than deep groundwater, with a non-compliance rate of 94.12%, while deep groundwater hardness remains markedly lower. Mid-depth groundwater (60–300 m) in the alluvial plain exhibits elevated hardness, primarily attributed to mineral dissolution and agricultural irrigation return flow. The spatial distribution pattern of groundwater hardness across the study area is predominantly governed by hydrogeochemical processes and hydrochemical environmental factors, with cation exchange adsorption and evaporation–concentration processes identified as the dominant influences. The analysis of ion sources indicates that Ca2+ and Mg2+, the primary contributors to groundwater hardness in the area, are mainly derived from the weathering and dissolution of carbonate minerals, sulfate minerals, and cation exchange processes. Therefore, an in-depth investigation into the spatial distribution and driving factors of groundwater hardness in Tangshan can provide a scientific basis for regional water resource management, pollution control, and water quality optimization. Such research also supports the development of sustainable groundwater management and optimization strategies.

Analisis Marketing Mix 7P terhadap Minat Kunjungan Ulang Pasien di Klinik Khasanah Medika dan Baitul Syifa Tahun 2024

Number of repeat visits from old patients in 2023 at the Baitul Syifa Clinic is 74%, while at the Khasanah Medika Clinic ber of patient visits has an impact on low clinic income, so that Marketing Mix 7P can be used as an appropriate marketing strategy to increase patient interest in repeat visits. The purpose of this research analyze influence Marketing Mix 7P on interest in re-visiting patients at the Baitul Syifa Clinic and Khasanah Medika Clinic and analyzing the variabels that have the most dominant influence on interest in re-visiting patients. This type of research is quantitative research by design cross sectional. Sampling technique with Purposive sampling. The subjects of this research were outpatients at the Baitul Syifa Clinic and Khasanah Medika Clinic. The number of samples in this study was 100 patients from each clinic. The research instrument uses a questionnaire with statistical tests chi square. The research results stated that Marketing Mix 7P has a significant effect on interest in repeat visits by Baitul Syifa clinic patients, including variabels Product with a value of 81% (p=0,000), Price with a value of 79% (p=0,000), Promotion with a value of 78% (p=0,000), Place with a value of 80% (p=0,000), People (p=0,000), Process with a value of 80% (p=0,000), and Physical Evidence with a value of 78% (p=0.000), whereas Marketing Mix at the Khasanah Medika clinic which consists of Product with a value of 80% (p=0,000), Price with a value of 80% (p=0,000), and Place with a value of 78% (p=0.000) has a significant effect on patient interest in repeat visits, other variabels, namely Promotion with a value of 43% (p=0,909), People with a value of 67% (p=0,970), Process with a value of 68% (p=0,268), and Physical Evidence with a value of 48% (p=0.983).

Influence of language dominance on crosslinguistic and nonlinguistic interference resolution in bilinguals

Abstract We examined how relative language dominance impacts Spanish–English bilinguals’ crosslinguistic and nonlinguistic interference resolution abilities during a web-based Spanish picture-word interference naming task and a subsequent spatial Stroop paradigm, and the relationship between the two. Results show the expected interference and facilitation effects in the online setting across both tasks. Additionally, participants with greater English dominance had larger within-language, Spanish facilitation and marginally larger crosslinguistic (English to Spanish) interference effects reflected on accuracy performance. Similarly, participants with greater English dominance had larger nonlinguistic congruency facilitation effects. Our results are in line with other studies finding a relation between linguistic and nonlinguistic cognitive control. Correlated reaction time performance between the linguistic and nonlinguistic paradigms suggests that overcoming crosslinguistic interference may be partly based on cognitive control processes used outside of language. Modulations by language dominance underline the importance of accounting for relative language proficiency in bilinguals’ two languages when studying bilingualism.

THE INFLUENCE OF FAMILY SOCIO-ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM ON STUNTING (Cases in Families at Risk of Stunting in Purwadadi District, Ciamis Regency, 2024)

The problem of stunting which a part of the double burden of malnutrition has a very detrimental impact both in terms of health and economic productivity. The causes of stunting are divided into specific factors and sensitive factors. Sensitive factors that are considered to have an influence on the incidence of stunting are the family's socio-economic and also the social support provided by the family support team who have an important role in efforts to prevent stunting. The socio-economic factors that influence the incidence of stunting in risk of stunting families in Purwadadi District are the level of education from the parents, family income level, participation in family planning programs as a contraception acceptor and the number of children in the family. All forms of social support provided by the family support team in the form of informational, instrumental, emotional, appreciation and friendship/social integration support have an influence on the incidence of stunting in families at risk of stunting in Purwadadi District. The social support from the family support team on stunting that has the most dominant influence on the incidence of stunting in families at risk of stunting in Purwadadi District was informational support and friendship/social integration support.

The Milky Way’s Rowdy Neighbors: The Effects of the Large Magellanic Cloud and Sagittarius Dwarf on the Milky Way Disk

The Milky Way (MW) is a barred spiral galaxy shaped by tidal interactions with its satellites. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy (Sgr) are the dominant influences at the present day. This paper presents a suite of four 109 particle N-body simulations, illustrating the response of the stellar disk of the MW to the close approach of the LMC and the merger of Sgr into the MW. The suite is intended to provide a resource for others to study the complex interactions between the MW and its satellites independently and together, in comparison to an isolated disk control simulation. The high temporal and mass resolution allows for a quantitative Fourier decomposition of the stellar kinematics, disentangling the individual influence of each satellite on the MW. In our preliminary analysis, we find that the influences from the LMC and Sgr on the disk of the MW appear distinct, additive, and separable within our tailored simulations. Notably, the corrugations induced by Sgr reproduce the large radial velocity wave seen in the data. Overall, our findings emphasise the need to include both satellites when modeling the present-day state of the MW structure and kinematics.

Nasal, dermal, oral and indoor dust microbe and their interrelationship in children with allergic rhinitis

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) subjects might have their microenvironment changed due to pathogenesis and living environment. Whether the nasal microbe in AR children differs from healthy subjects and how it interplays with dermal, oral and indoor dust microbe needs to be elucidated.MethodsIn this case–control study, we analyzed and compared the bacterial characterization and associations in nasal, dermal, oral swab samples and dust samples in 62 children with physician-diagnosed AR(cases) and 51 age- and gender-matched healthy ones with no history of allergic diseases(controls). Full-length 16S rRNA sequencing(swabs) and shotgun metagenomics(dust) were applied. Bacterial diversity, composition, abundance difference characteristics and fast expectation–maximization for microbial source tracking(FEAST) analysis were performed and compared between cases and controls.ResultsThe α-diversity of dust microorganisms in AR was lower than that in control group (P = 0.034), and the β-diversity indices of microorganisms in nasal cavity (P = 0.020), skin (P = 0.001) and dust (P = 0.004) were significantly different from those in control group. At species levels, a total of 10, 15, 12, and 15 bacterial species were differentially enriched in either cases or controls in nasal, dermal, oral, and dust samples, respectively(Linear Discriminant Analysis(LDA) score > 2, P < 0.05). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the single species simultaneously more abundant in nasal, dermal and dust samples in AR children. By FEAST analysis, 8.85% and 10.11% of S. epidermidis in AR dermal and dust samples came from nasal cavity. These proportions were significantly higher than those in controls (2.70% and 3.86%) (P < 0.05). The same significantly higher transfer proportions(P < 0.05) were observed for Staphylococcus aureus enriched in the nasal cavity in AR children. Classification models by random forest regression at species levels showed, bacterial species enriched in indoor dust, nasal and dermal samples had substantial power in distinguishing AR children from healthy ones, with the highest power in the dust samples (AUC = 0.88) followed by nasal(AUC = 0.81) and dermal ones(AUC = 0.80).ConclusionsOur study presented the microbial enrichment characteristics in AR children both in the living environment(dust) and body sites exposed to environment through inhalation(nasal cavity), contact(skin) and ingestion(oral cavity) pathways, respectively. Nasal S.epidermidis and S.aureus had dominant influences on dust and other body sites in AR children.

Pengaruh Tingkat Pengangguran, Pertumbuhan Penduduk dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Terhadap Indeks Pembangunan Manusia di Kota Banjarmasin

This research aims to see the variables of the Unemployment Rate, Population Growth and Economic Growth partially and simultaneously on the Human Development Index in Banjarmasin City as well as the factors that have the most dominant influence on the Human Development Index in Banjarmasin City. This research uses a multiple linear regression model with the Eviews 10 application. The results obtained from this research are that the Unemployment Rate, Population Growth and Economic Growth together have a significant effect on the Human Development Index in Banjarmasin City. This research explains 93% of the dependent variable while the other 7% is explained by other variables outside this research model. The Economic Growth variable is the variable that most dominantly influences the HDI in Banjarmasin City.

Barriers to Smallholder Farmers in Production and Marketing of Wheat in Karatu District, North Tanzania

Smallholder farmers are central to the development of the agriculture sector and they are crucial in contributing to the food security of the majority. Wheat is the fourth most consumed crop in Tanzania. However, the country’s production is only 20% of the consumption demand regardless of the suitable resources for crop productivity. This study aimed to explore the main barriers to smallholder wheat production as the driver in securing national food security and economic development. More specifically, the objectives of this paper were to identify the challenges of Karatu smallholder farmers in the production and marketing of wheat, the extent of the wheat market and the factors that determine farmers' market decisions. Simple random sampling was used to select household respondents from five villages. The collected data from the field, households, and institutions was analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences tool. Estimation of the average yields was done by considering the recorded harvest of farmers and weighing them to a randomly selected number of harvest units. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the level of influence of independent variables on wheat production and marketing by smallholder farmers. The paper derives a significant level of contribution of numerous variables to the farmers’ production and marketing of wheat in the Karatu district. It was found that smallholder wheat production in Karatu is hindered by various challenges while capital and abiotic variables play the most roles. The findings revealed that the amount of yields was less than one tonne per hectare which indicates below average production. Low yields were a result of the intensity of production challenges and constraints. Additionally, wheat price advantage, capital support, and technical and market assurance emerge as the dominant influences on smallholder farmers' market participation. This paper provides useful information for economic development, specifically information for making relevant decisions on the use of scarce agricultural resources in wheat production and reformulation of agricultural development policies through updated wheat production and marketing information

The Effect of Safety Training and Technology on Ship Officers Performance and Its Implications on Human Resource Competency on Dynamic Positioning 2 Ship at PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the influence of training and safety technology on the performance of ship officers and its implications for human resource (HR) competence on the Dynamic Positioning 2 (DP2) vessel at PT Wintermar Offshore Marine Indonesia. The issues raised include significant investments in training, the use of outdated DP2 technology, and challenges in implementing training and compliance with safety procedures. The population of the study consists of ship crew members on board in 2024, with a sample of 80 Dynamic Positioning Officers (DPOs). The research method employs a quantitative approach, using questionnaires for data collection, and analysis is conducted using SMART PLS. The results indicate that training and safety technology significantly influence the performance of ship officers, positively impacting HR competence. The dimension that best reflects training is the relevance of the material, while for safety technology, the IoT system has a dominant influence. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the company adopt innovative approaches to problem-solving and update the satellite communications system to support field operations.

Dominant Role of Surface Peak-Valley Features in Droplet Infiltration Dynamics.

In this study, droplet infiltration dynamics on microtextured surfaces is explored to demonstrate the dominant role of surface peak-valley features in the capillary-driven wetting process. Even though two rough surfaces have nearly the same roughness, the microtopography and distribution of surface peaks and valleys may be completely different, leading to variations in liquid infiltration characteristics. Experimental results show that under the same surface roughness (Sa = 12.0 μm), the positively skewed surface dominated by micropillars (Ssk > 0) is more conducive to liquid infiltration compared with the negatively skewed surface dominated by micropits (Ssk < 0). The physical mechanism is fully analyzed in terms of the equilibrium of the air-liquid interface by constructing a hydrodynamic model. This study also demonstrates that the dominant influence of surface peak-valley features on droplet infiltrating dynamics is independent of the materials. Moreover, the cooling efficiency of the prepared surfaces is compared, and the results indicate that the micropillar surfaces with positive skewness exhibit superior heat dissipation performance under similar conditions because of their excellent infiltration features and large spreading area, proving that positively skewed surfaces have high utilization potential in high-density heat dissipation technology.

Good Corporate Governance Principles and Performance of Local Finance Institutions

The purpose of this research is to find empirical results on the influence of GCG principles on the performance of local finance institutions in Bali. The local finance institution in Bali is popular called Lembaga Perkreditan Desa (LPD). The GCG principles used in this study are transparency, accountability, responsibility, independence, and fairness. The population in this study was 557 employees. There are 102 respondents collected using the purposive sampling method which consists of the head of LPD, the head of the supervisory board, and the head of the accounting of each LPD in Denpasar. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis. The research results show that independence positively influences the performance of LPD. In contrast, transparency, accountability, responsibility, and fairness do not affect LPD performance. The LPD’s management has an important role in increasing the principle of independence because independence has the most dominant influence on the performance of LPD in Denpasar

Warming effects on pelagic carbon metabolism is related to substrate composition and bacterioplankton community history

Investigating the critical role of carbon cycling feedback to warming is essential for understanding future biosphere development. One of the current challenges is that the warming effect on carbon cycling is inconsistent across various aquatic ecosystems. It was postulated that the composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the microbial community influenced the response of carbon metabolism to warming. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a microcosm study in which three key factors were manipulated: initial DOM composition (adjusting the ratio of autochthonous and allochthonous substrates), bacterioplankton community history (characterized by two distinct sources of bacterioplankton community), and temperature (ambient and 4 °C warming). The results demonstrated that the initial composition of DOM exerted a dominant influence on carbon metabolism. In contrast, the history of bacterioplankton community influenced the active taxa and functional traits. The log-response ratio approach revealed that the warming treatment affected bacterial carbon demand (BCD) and bacterial growth efficiency (BGE). A piecewise structural equation model further validated the paths by which warming altered BCD, particularly by changing the consumption of fluorescent DOM, and altered BGE, by affecting the active bacterioplankton. Our study demonstrated that the impact of warming on carbon cycling was context-dependent, with particular relevance to the history and dynamics of bacterioplankton community in this process. Given ongoing changes in lacustrine environments, a more comprehensive understanding of the interactions between DOM and microbes is essential for the accurate prediction of future carbon cycling.

Dynamics of markers of oxidative stress during the complex use of therapeutic physical factors in patients with true eczema associated with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Among various pathological conditions associated with true eczema, metabolic syndrome occupies a special place, the high social significance of which is determined by its dominant influence on the main demographic indicators — life expectancy and mortality of the population. AIM: Assessment of the dynamics of parameters of pro- and antioxidant systems in patients with true eczema in combination with metabolic syndrome during the course application of broadband medium-wave phototherapy, mesodiencephalic modulation and their combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, controlled, comparative, randomized study was performed involving 115 patients with true eczema combined with metabolic syndrome, who were divided into 4 groups using simple randomization. The first group (control) received only basic drug therapy. In the second (comparison 1), third (comparison 2), and fourth (main) groups, patients additionally underwent courses of broadband medium-wave phototherapy, mesodiencephalic modulation, and their combination, respectively. The results of the course application of physiofactors were assessed by the dynamics of pro- and antioxidant system indices before and after the end of therapy. RESULTS: When comparing the main markers of oxidative stress between the group of healthy people and patients with true eczema in combination with metabolic syndrome, a pronounced imbalance in the "prooxidants-antioxidants" system was established, which indicates the development of oxidative stress. Conducting complex therapy had a corrective effect on the parameters of the lipid peroxidation process. More pronounced shifts in lipid peroxide metabolism indicators were revealed in the groups with the additional use of physiotherapeutic factors. The maximum corrective effect in relation to oxidative stress was established in the group with the complex use of physiofactors. An integrative assessment of the dynamics of oxidative stress markers using the antioxidant protection coefficient confirmed the results obtained. CONCLUSION: The use of therapeutic physical factors in the therapy of true eczema and metabolic syndrome is largely based on their ability to act as redox regulators of intracellular processes, exhibiting a stress-limiting effect and restoring oxidation-reduction homeostasis. The most promising in this regard are broadband medium-wave phototherapy and mesodiencephalic modulation.

Identity Negotiation And Resistance In The Short Story 'Rose In The Tiger Canal': A Review Of Feminism Poscocolonial

This study examines the negotiation of identity and female resistance in the short story Mawar di Kanal Macan by Iksaka Banu, focusing on the dual oppression faced by women in colonial and postcolonial contexts. Using a descriptive-analytical method and a postcolonial feminist approach, the research explores how colonial and patriarchal power structures shape women's identities and incite resistance. Drawing on theories of identity, subalternity, and hybridity, the analysis investigates how women in subaltern positions negotiate their identities within dominant power structures. Furthermore, it examines how hybridity and intersectionality create spaces for resistance through both subtle and overt actions. The findings reveal that the main character, Adelheid Ewald, navigates complex identity negotiations due to the intersecting influences of colonial and patriarchal dominance, with resistance manifesting in legal and symbolic forms. These insights contribute to postcolonial feminist discourse in Indonesia, offering a deeper understanding of how women assert their agency despite operating within layered systems of oppression. The study suggests further exploration of other literary works that engage similar themes to expand discussions on identity and resistance in postcolonial societies.

Cardiometabolic risk factors and coronary atherosclerosis progression in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: the influential role of quantity over type.

Individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are critical to identify and manage. We aimed to assess whether the risk of CVD in patients with MASLD differed according to the type or number of cardiometabolic risk factors. This longitudinal cohort study involved 5674 adults who underwent at least two health checkups between 2004 and 2021. Steatotic liver disease (SLD) was assessed using ultrasonography and participants with SLD were classified as having either non-MASLD or MASLD. CVD risk was evaluated using coronary artery calcium (CAC) progression as measured using multidetector computed tomography scans. Over an average 5.8-year follow-up period, patients with MASLD exhibited faster CAC progression than those with non-MASLD (18% vs 11%, P<0.01). MASLD with any cardiometabolic risk factor exacerbated CAC progression; however, the degree of CAC progression was similar among the different risk components. The adjusted ratios (95% CI) of CAC progression rates comparing non-MASLD with MASLD with one, two, three, four, and five cardiometabolic risk factors were 1.02 (0.99, 1.06), 1.04 (1.01, 1.08), 1.07 (1.03, 1.10), 1.08 (1.05, 1.11), and 1.11 (1.07, 1.15), respectively. In individuals with MASLD, all cardiometabolic risk factors contributed to the deterioration of coronary atherosclerosis, with no specific factor exerting a dominant influence. Coronary atherosclerosis progression is directly associated with the cumulative number of cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, identifying and managing an increasing number of these factors is imperative in clinical practice, even when MASLD is diagnosed based on only one risk factor.

Research on the psychology, physiology and cognitive ability of the work efficiency of special vehicle members

The combat effectiveness of special vehicles is related to the comprehensive national strength of the country. In addition to the performance of the vehicle itself, the combat capability of the crew is also crucial, and the work efficiency will affect the combat capability of the crew.This paper summarizes the effects of thermal and noise environments on crew efficiency and the evaluation methods of work efficiency using special vehicles as experimental platforms. A total of 12 environmental conditions were designed, the experimental temperature covers 25 °C, 29 °C, 33 °C, 37 °C, noise covers 50 dB, 70 dB, 85 dB. The effects of temperature and noise on the physiological, psychological and cognitive abilities of the occupants were quantitatively analyzed through human ergonomics simulation experiments. The results show that the noise has a significant effect on the occupant's work efficiency in a low-temperature environment, while the temperature becomes the dominant influence factor in a high-temperature environment. When operating temperatures reached 29 °C, occupant combat performance was optimal, whereas at 33 °C and above, the efficiency decreased significantly. This research provides a theoretical basis for optimizing the environment of special vehicle cabins, and offers a scientific temperature control scheme to improve the crew's efficiency.

Influence of cloudy and clear-sky partitions, aerosols, and geometry on the recent variability in surface solar irradiance components in northern France

Abstract. Surface solar irradiance (SSI) is a fundamental parameter whose components (direct and diffuse) and variabilities are highly influenced by changes in atmospheric content and scene parameters. The respective importance of cloudy-sky conditions and atmospheric aerosols on SSI evolutions is region dependent and only partially quantified. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of SSI variabilities recorded in northern France, a region with extensive variability in sky conditions and aerosol loads. Through the application of automatic filtering methods to 1 min resolution SSI ground-based measurements over Lille, sky conditions are classified as clear-sky, 11 %; clear-sun-with-cloud, 22 %; and cloudy-sun situations, 67 % from 2010 to 2022, for which we analyze the statistics and variabilities in the global horizontal irradiance (GHI), beam horizontal irradiance (BHI), and diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI). Coincident photometric measurements of aerosol properties and radiative-transfer simulations provide the means to conduct a multivariate analysis of the SSI observed trends and year-to-year evolutions and to estimate aerosol and cloud forcings under clear-sun conditions. The analysis of the record value of all-sky GHI in spring 2020 attributes 89 % of the changes to the exceptional sunlight conditions (57 % of clear-sun situations). It highlights also for that season the importance of solar zenith-angle changes, whose positive effects on clear-sun conditions surpass those due to aerosols. Our results show all-sky GHI and BHI positive trends of around +4.0 and +4.4 Wm-2yr-1, respectively, in both spring and summer, which are explained by more than 60 % by an increase in clear-sun occurrences of +1 % yr−1. Additional significant BHI increases under clear-sun conditions are mainly explained in spring by the negative trend in aerosol optical depth (−0.011 yr−1) and partly by angular effects in summer. Moreover, we find that clear-sun-with-cloud situations are frequently marked by irradiance enhancement due to clouds, with 13 % more GHI on a monthly average and 10 % additional diffuse proportion than in clear-sky situations. Under such conditions, clouds add on average 25 W m−2 of diffuse irradiance that sets the GHI at the remarkable level of pristine (aerosol-and-cloud-free) conditions or even higher, by more than +10 W m−2 in summer and for low aerosol loads. Overall, our results highlight the dominant and complex influence of cloudy conditions on SSI, which precedes or combines with that of aerosols and geometrical effects, and leads to a remarkable global level of SSI in clear-sun-with-cloud situations.

Dynamic Coupling Between Intensified Physical Erosion and Asian Dust Activity Under Late Cenozoic Global Cooling

AbstractDistinguishing the independent contributions of tectonic denudation and climate‐driven erosion on the production and supply of clastic materials of Chinese eolian deposits is important in understanding the dynamic links between global climate changes, tectonics, and Asian dust emission. Here, multi‐proxy rock magnetic records of detrital fractions of Chinese eolian deposits since ∼6 Ma, combined with further comparison with dust accumulation rates and geochemical data, suggest that limited production and supply of clastic materials of Chinese eolian deposits were observed between 5.6 and 4.4 Ma in a warmer climate, and thereafter an increasing trend is evident during a cooler world. We propose that intense physical erosion under cooler conditions caused increasing production of fresh detrital components, exerting dominant influences on the sediment supply to Asian eolian deposits. This study provides direct evidence of dynamic coupling between intensified physical erosion and Asian dust activity under late Cenozoic global cooling.

Language Dominance in the Input and Use Patterns of Cameroon’s Special Bilingual Students

This paper examines dominance in the language input and use patterns of students of Cameroon’s Special Bilingual Education Programme (SBEP). The participants were 373 bilingual students from 10 schools set in French-speaking Cameroon, who submitted self-ratings via an adapted version of the Bilingual Language Profile questionnaire by Birdsong, Gertken and Amengual (2012). The data were analysed using the subtraction method to determine dominance. The results showed a consistent pattern of OL1-dominance for all the three domains considered under language input (viz. listening, reading, and watch time), but a more contrasted pattern for language use, as the respondents were found to be French-dominant (or slightly OL1-dominant to balanced) in the outer circle of relationships (circle of friends and school environment) and OL1-dominant in the inner circle (self-talk and family circle). The findings of this study suggest that individual language use is more significantly impacted by societal dominance than language input is, most likely because the latter is less constrained by relationships and offers a greater possibility of choice. They equally suggest that there is a directionality in the influence of societal dominance, with a decreasing effect from the public to the private sphere. Lastly, the study underscores the powerful negative impact the lack of official recognition can have on the maintenance of local ethnic languages in a multilingual context.

Fear, extreme fear and U.S. stock market returns

This paper investigates the multiscale co-movement between the levels and changes in VIX and SKEW indices and the returns of the S&P 500 market indices at the aggregate and sector levels of data. By utilizing the wavelet localized multiple correlation (WLMC) method over the most recent time period (January 3, 2006 - October 26, 2023), we demonstrate that very short-term market participants, such as traders and speculators, are watchful about the combined information from the VIX and SKEW levels; while the changes in VIX and SKEW are more informative for stock returns in the medium- to long-term, which should concern the decisions of investors and portfolio managers. We also show that VIX in general exerts a more dominant influence on the S&P 500 Index returns than SKEW, but more for VIX changes than for VIX levels. The very short-run informativeness of VIX and SKEW for stock returns is markedly pronounced around the European debt crisis (2012) and the COVID-19 meltdown (2020). The stock sector analysis reveals that defensive sectors are sensitive to the SKEW index, whereas the cyclical sectors are predominantly related to the fluctuations in the VIX index. Overall, our findings provide useful new insights into the stock market sentiment and the resulting market participants’ behavior at the market microstructure level. As such, they may be of interest not only to traders and investors, but also to financial analysts and government policy-makers in their attempts to understand the multiscale relationship between monetary policy and the stock market.