Main Problems Research Articles

Międzykulturowa interwencja. Dawid Rogacz rozmawia z Q. Edwardem Wangiem

In this interview conducted at the XXIII International Congress of Historical Sciences in Po-znan, Q. Edward Wang (Professor of History at Rowan University in the US and Changjiang Professor of History at Beijing University in China) addresses the main problems in global and comparative historiography. Elaborating upon the background and impact of his scientific con-tributions, Prof. Wang discusses the modernization of Chinese historical writing, the challenges of comparative historiography, the status of historical studies today, and the future of historical theory. In addition, he refers to his recent studies in culinary history as instances of a new model of global historiography.

Faculty versus students: different perceptions of misconducts at university.

Academic integrity is a goal to be achieved by university institutions, and student academic behavioral misconduct is a phenomenon to be fought and eradicated. Two of the main problems faced by universities in this area are: (1) the lack of consensus among students and faculty on the seriousness of acts considered academic misconduct; and (2) the difficulty of noticing and controlling certain student behaviors. The main aim of this paper is to assess the importance of these two problems. For this purpose, the authors compare, on the one hand, students' and teachers' perceptions of the seriousness of different types of dishonest and inappropriate behaviors and, on the other hand, the frequency with which they report that these misconducts occur. Two samples were taken from the responses of students and teachers of the Economics and Business School of the University of Zaragoza. The first consisted of 333 students and the second of 72 teachers. The academic misconducts asked about were grouped into three categories: academic works, exams, and interpersonal relationships in the classroom. Nonparametric tests were used to study the significance of the differences observed in the responses of students and teachers. Results show that the greatest differences in the assessment of the seriousness of academic misconducts are in the group referring to interpersonal relationships. In terms of frequency, the study reveals that there is a serious problem of moral hazard in some of the behaviors analyzed, since the frequency with which teachers notice these practices is lower than that expressed by students. Based on these results, possible measures to be adopted in universities in order to eradicate the academic misconduct problem are discussed.

A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGY OF BUREAUCRATIC REFORM IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Purpose: This research aim to analysis the main challenges and strategies in the bureaucratic reform process in developing countries. All countries in the world make bureaucratic reform their main agenda, including developing countries. However, the main focus of bureaucratic reform studies is still limited to developed countries. Methodology: Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this research attempts to map the main challenges and strategies in the bureaucratic reform process in developing countries. The PRISMA method is used for the SLR process, from articles from international journals indexed by Scopus from 4 reputable publishers (Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor and Francis, and Emerald). A total of 16 relevant articles were analyzed to mapping bureaucratic reform trends in developing countries. Result: As a result, the main problems of bureaucracy in developing countries are the service was accused of being dysfunctional, fragmented, poorly organized, inefficient, ineffective, evasive, defeatist, delayed, reckless, self-serving, inexplicable, irresponsible, corrupt, non-transparent, irresponsible, and incapable meet citizens' expectations. The challenges faced are politicization, incompetent human resources and a corrupt culture. Conclusion: The strategy carried out by developing countries is mainly to carry out a transparent selection process and improve administrative standards. Originality/Value: Bureaucratic reform in developing countries is still a crucial problem in administrative studies. This research offers analysis of main problems and challenges of Bureaucratic Reform in developing countries.

Source-based Waste Management (Research Study in Bresela Village, Payangan District, Gianyar Regency)

Waste is a problem that is often faced by various countries in the world. The main problem is how to manage waste properly and correctly. Improper waste management can cause pollution, environmental damage, and have a negative impact on human life. Hence a solution is needed to minimize the waste problem. So Bresela Village Regulation No. 3 of 2021 concerning Source-Based Waste Management was issued (Research Study in Bresela Village, Payangan District, Gianyar Regency). The aims of this research are: (1) To find out the implementation of Bresela Village Regulation No. 3 of 2021 concerning Source-Based Waste Management in Bresela Village, Payangan District, Gianyar Regency. (2) And to find out the obstacles faced in the implementation of Bresela Village Regulation No. 3 of 2021 Concerning Source-Based Waste Management in Bresela Village, Payangan District, Gianyar Regency. The results of this research show that: (1) Implementation of Bresela Village Regulation No. 3 of 2021 concerning Source-Based Waste Management with 4 variables, namely communication, disposition, resources, and bureaucratic structure, has not run optimally. (2) Obstacles faced in Implementing Village Regulations Bresela No. 3 of 2021 concerning Source- Based Waste Management in Bresela Village, Payangan District, Gianyar Regency, including the lack of facilities and infrastructure for waste management.
 Keywords: implementation, village regulations, waste management

Facilitating and automating usability testing of educational technologies

AbstractUsability evaluation is a key element to ensure a positive user experience with any software and it is especially important in educational software tools where there are many different actors involved (lecturers, students, administrators, etc.). However, evaluating usability is not an easy task for nonexpert evaluators. To facilitate this evaluation task, this article presents a Methodology for Usability Testing (MUT) and a system (CALMUT) that assists nonexpert evaluators in the application of the methodology by automatizing the calculations and facilitating their interpretation. This can be very useful for learning and instructional designers but also to people involved in the decision of introducing or not a new educational software. To develop the proposal, a literature review of different usability metrics, methods, and systems was carried out first, followed by a selection and adaptation for novice usability evaluators. This article also presents a case study where lecturers tested the usability of an educational software following the proposal and shows that using MUT and CALMUT helps people without previous experience detect the main usability problems of educational systems before deciding whether to use them or not.

Assessment of Microbial, Physicochemical and Shelf-life of Sugarcane Jaggery Stored in Various Types of Packaging Materials

The main problems associated with Jaggery storage are liquefaction and deterioration of properties. When compared to fresh Jaggery, the packaging using various packing materials showed that there was a marked increase in moisture (15–22%) in the Jaggery packed in HDPE, but no discernible change in the percentage of moisture in the Jaggery stored in an aluminium pouch and LDPE environment. After six months of storage, Jaggery kept in glass jars and HDPE began to degrade, but Jaggery packed in aluminium pouches maintained levels of sucrose, moisture, reducing sugars, titratable acidity, pore space, and total microbial count comparable to fresh Jaggery at room temperature, and it continued to be significantly improved overall. The hardness of the Jaggery, which led to its lower acceptability, proved to be its main drawback. However, the physico-chemical characteristics and shelf life of the Jaggery under aluminium pouch and LDPE were comparable with fresh Jaggery samples.
 Objectives: The Jaggery industry is one of the largest and oldest in India, and the region in the north is known as the "sugar belt." However, small farmers face significant challenges in storing their Jaggery, which forces them to sell their product at a reduced price during the sugarcane season because it spoils quickly during rainy seasons. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the microbial, physicochemical, and shelf life of sugarcane Jaggery stored in various types of packaging material at room temperature. This was done to determine the impact of different packing materials with preserved properties comparable to fresh Jaggery, as the traditional method of storing Jaggery in villages reduces the product's market value and acceptability by causing microbial spoilage and bad odour.
 Methodology: In April 2022, Jaggery samples were made using sugarcane juice from four certified genotypes (Co 0237, Co 0238, CoS 767, and CoJ 64). The samples were then packaged in glass jars (GJ), aluminium pouches (AP), and low- and high-density polythene (LDPE) bags. After being stored for six months, the samples were examined for physicochemical, microbiological, and general acceptability characteristics. Using potato dextrose agar (PDA) and nutritional agar (NAM) medium, microbial counts for bacteria, mould, and yeasts were assessed.
 Results and Conclusions: The traditional way of storage was compared with future storage ways with improved preservation of properties with an eye on better trade practices. It was found that the Jaggery packed in aluminium pouch showed better preserved properties comparable to fresh for sale in the market.

The economic importance of Euterpe Oleracea Mart. (açaí), for the Arióca Pruanã/Oeiras do Pará extraction reserve

Brazil is among the countries responsible for supplying the açaí market in the world, and this fruit is used in the production of numerous products used for the most different purposes. Açaí, like other Amazonian products, has been gaining notoriety in the international economy not only for its Amazon benefits, but for the economic alternative of producing new market niches for large industries. Pará is the largest producer of açaí at the national level, with a turnover of more than R$460 million year. In the state, the largest production of the fruit is in the municipalities of Limoeiro do Ajuru (42 thousand tons) and Oeiras do Pará (26.5 thousand tons). In this sense, this research aimed to analyze the importance of açaí cultivation for farmers who live in the Arióca Pruanã extractive reserve, and what are the economic benefits that the sale of this fruit brings to the municipality's economy. The present research had as methodological framework the exploratory field investigation carried out in the extractive reserve Arióca Pruanã, at the points of collection of the fruit of the middlemen, as well as an interview with the community located in the reserve that maintains its way of life, from management to commercialization, becoming a fundamental part of the dynamic chain of production and distribution of açaí. The survey was conducted from June to August 2021. A questionnaire was developed and applied to 20 producers and 15 middlemen representing two different classes of individuals working in this trade: 20 to farmers and 15 to middlemen. The research identified that there are 2 main categories of agents that sell açaí within the reserve and that the açaí marketed comes from the floodplain areas surrounding the reserve. And that both the Oeiras and the Arióca rivers have potential for mass production of açaí. One of the main problems that weakens this production is the lack of technical assistance and projects aimed at family farming.

Problems and Optimization Strategies in Enterprise Management of Hualing Group

This paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the problems in enterprise management of Hualing Group and proposes corresponding optimization strategies. Firstly, this article introduces the basic situation of Hualing Group and the importance of enterprise management. Then, it analyzes the main problems in Hualing Group’s enterprise management. Finally, this article proposes specific optimization strategies to address these issues, which can help Hualing Group improve its management level, enhance market competitiveness, and achieve sustainable development.

Pengaruh Disiplin Kerja dan Pengawasan terhadap Peningkatan Produktivitas Kerja Karyawan CV. Chantika Lestari Panyabungan

This research aims to determine and analyze the influence of work discipline and supervision on employee work productivity at CV. Chantika Lestari Panyabungan. This research uses quantitative methods with the main problem being whether work discipline and supervision have a positive and significant effect on increasing employee work productivity at CV. Chantika Lestari Connection. The population in this study was the entire number of CV employees. Chantika Lestari Panyabungan numbered 56 people and the results were analyzed using Multiple Linear Regression. The results of the research show that work discipline does not have a significant effect on employee work productivity, but the supervision carried out has a positive impact and has a significant effect on CV employee work productivity. Chantika Lestari Panyabungan.

Migrant Issues in Contemporary Japan

Japan has an interesting and ambivalent policy toward the migration process; therefore, it is interesting to examine the migration position of a mono-ethnic state, which has also had a history of “closure” and exclusion from the outside world. The research objective is to examine the characteristics of immigration processes in contemporary Japanese society. The research methods used include narrative, comparative, analytical, and structural. As a result, it can be argued that the legislative framework is important in dealing with migrants, which in Japan is recognized as highly effective; in general, the mechanism formed by the Japanese government for dealing with the migrant population copes with all its tasks. In the course of the work, the main problems of adapting to life in Japan were identified, which are the focus of the governing authorities.

Analysis of factors influencing the energy efficiency in Chinese wastewater treatment plants through machine learning and SHapley Additive exPlanations

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contribute significantly to the control of pollution in water. However, they are significant energy consumers. Identifying the factors influencing energy consumption is crucial for enhancing the energy efficiency of WWTPs. To address this, the unit energy consumption (UEC) of WWTPs was predicted using machine learning models. In order to accurately evaluate WWTPs' energy utilization efficiency, a comprehensive energy evaluation indicator, UEC (kWh/kg TODremoved) was utilized in this study. Among the prediction models, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) achieves the highest prediction accuracy. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was adopted as the model explanation system, and the results revealed that UEC was negatively affected by TN concentration, which was the most influential factor. The stoichiometry-based model calculation result indicates that the nitrification consumes average 77 % of the overall oxygen demand. SHAP analysis illustrated that the UEC of main technologies decreases with increasing influential factors. Partial dependence plot (PDP) compared average UEC of these technologies and SBR consumed the least amount of energy. The research also indicated that low influent TN concentration is the main problem in China. Consequently, it is imperative to exert efforts in ensuring the influent TN concentration while simultaneously making appropriate adjustments to the treatment process. This study provides valuable implications and methods for retrofitting and upgrading WWTPs.

Explainable artificial intelligence and agile decision-making in supply chain cyber resilience

Although artificial intelligence can contribute to decision-making processes, many industry players lag behind pioneering companies in utilizing artificial intelligence-driven technologies, which is a significant problem. Explainable artificial intelligence can be a viable solution to mitigate this problem. This paper proposes a research model to address how explainable artificial intelligence can impact decision-making processes. Using an experimental design, empirical data is collected to test the research model. This paper is one of the pioneer papers providing empirical evidence about the impact of explainable artificial intelligence on supply chain decision-making processes. We propose a serial mediation path, which includes transparency and agile decision-making. Findings reveal that explainable artificial intelligence enhances transparency, thereby significantly contributing to agile decision-making for improving cyber resilience during supply chain cyberattacks. Moreover, we conduct a post hoc analysis using text analysis to explore the themes present in tweets discussing explainable artificial intelligence in decision support systems. The results indicate a predominantly positive attitude towards explainable artificial intelligence within these systems. Furthermore, the text analysis reveals two main themes that emphasize the importance of transparency, explainability, and interpretability in explainable artificial intelligence.

A Hybrid Group Multi-Criteria Approach Based on SAW, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COPRAS Methods for Complex IoT Selection Problems

The growth of Internet of Things (IoT) systems is driven by their potential to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and create new business opportunities across various domains. In this paper, the main selection problems in IoT-type systems, criteria used in multi-criteria evaluation, and multi-criteria methods used for solving IoT selection problems are identified. Then, a Hybrid Group Multi-Criteria Approach for solving selection problems in IoT-type systems is proposed. The approach contains the Best Worst Method (BWM) weighting method, multi-criteria Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), and Complex Proportional Assessment Method (COPRAS), and a method that combines the solutions obtained using the four considered multi-criteria methods to obtain a single solution. The SAW, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COPRAS methods were analyzed in relation to their advantages, disadvantages, inputs, outputs, measurement scale, type of normalization, aggregation method, parameters, complexity of implementation, and interactivity. An application of the Hybrid Group Multi-Criteria Approach for IoT platform selection and a comparison between the SAW, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COPRAS solutions and the solution of the proposed approach is realized. A Spearman correlation analysis is presented.

Основные проблемы обеспечения кадрами инжиниринговых предприятий химической промышленности России

The issues of the personnel training for the engineering companies in the domestic chemical industry are researched in the article. The main problems have been identified, and priority areas for the improving staff training have been determined.

Ultrabroadband high-resolution silicon RF-photonic beamformer

Microwave photonics aims to overcome the limitations of radiofrequency devices and systems by leveraging the unique properties of optics in terms of low loss and power consumption, broadband operation, immunity to interference and tunability. This enables versatile functions like beam steering, crucial in emerging applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5/6G networks. The main problem with current photonic beamforming architectures is that there is a tradeoff between resolution and bandwidth, which has not yet been solved. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel switched optical delay line beamformer architecture that is capable of achieving the desired maximum resolution (i.e., 2M pointing angles for M-bit coding) and provides broadband operation simultaneously. The concept is demonstrated by means of a compact (8 × 3 mm2) 8 (5-bit) delay line Silicon Photonic chip implementation capable of addressing 32 pointing angles and offering 20 GHz bandwidth operation.

The Profile of Undergraduate Students' Ability in Writing Exposition Text

This study was aimed to identify the ability of first-semester students' class of 2023/2024 in writing analytical exposition texts according to CEFR level at UNK Semarang and identify the problems faced as well as solutions to these problems. The data were taken from 35 students' writing products and the results of interviews with several students. Data analysis for assessment writing will use Ratnaningsih' theory and CEFR. This research uses mixed methods, in the first stage the researchers will carry out a quantitative method first (calculating writing test scores) and then the researchers will carry out a qualitative method (interviews). The results of this study showed that the writing skill level of participants is at level C1, where the highest aspect obtained by most students is content and the lowest aspect is mechanics. Apart from that, the main problems in writing analytical exposition text are grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Lastly, researchers can propose for the problems in this study is to increase or diligently practice writing in English, note down a new vocabulary that has never been known before and increase knowledge with various kinds of references found, for example from YouTube.

Doing Good Business? Design Leaders' Perspectives on Ethics in Design

Design is not neutral but involves ethical aspects, from addressing power dynamics to enabling broader accessibility and inclusion. In industry settings, design leaders can play an essential role in promoting ethical design by, for instance, setting visions, developing and advocating values, and providing guidance for design. Through co-design workshops with ten design leaders working in Sweden, we investigated how these professionals envision the cultivation-that is, the development, promotion, and dissemination-of ethically responsible design. Our study outlines what the participants regard as the main problems that stifle ethical design and designing, and how to practically address them. The findings highlight that design leaders consider the lack of awareness about the ethical dimensions of design to be one of the main problems. Additionally, they point to various strategies for addressing the problems, such as communicating compelling reasons for prioritizing ethics, creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for collaborative problem-solving and learning about ethics, and folding ethics into current practices. This could involve, for instance, adding the dimension of ethics to 'design critique' sessions, or re-evaluating portfolio reviews to prioritize diversity in recruitment. We conclude by discussing design leaders' potential for furthering ethically responsible design, and provide a practical tool, a design brief, to support this endeavor.

INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS' EPISTEMOLOGICAL BELIEFS AND SCIENCE ACTIVITY COMPETENCIES IN TERMS OF SOME VARIABLES

The aim of the study is to examine the epistemological beliefs of preschool teachers and their proficiency in science activities in terms of some variables, and also to investigate the relationship between their epistemological beliefs and their proficiency in science activities. The population of the study consists of 213 preschool teachers working in public schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in the province of Gaziantep in the 2021-2022 academic year. The "relational screening model", which is one of the quantitative research models, was used in the study. In the thesis study, in addition to the personal information form containing some demographic information, two scales, "Scale for Determining Preschool Teachers' Competence in Science Activities" and "Epistemological Beliefs Scale", were chosen as data collection tools and SPSS 26 package program was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the measurement tool. With this research, statistical answers were sought to the main problem question and sub-problem questions determined in the study. According to the results obtained from the data analysis of the research, it has been determined that preschool teachers have developed/mature epistemological beliefs and their proficiency in science activities in line with these beliefs is high. These results show that preschool teachers are more efficient and competent in putting science activities into action when they search for knowledge, investigate how knowledge is obtained, add and apply their own interpretations. In addition to these results, as a result of the regression analysis, it was determined that epistemological beliefs predicted and explained their proficiency in science activities.

A tolerant hydrologic technique for real-time selection of optimum QPFs from NWPMs for flood warning applications.

The most important information required to successfully issue a flood warning is the quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs). This is important to run subsequent rainfall-runoff simulations. A rainfall-runoff simulation derives its accuracy mainly from the accuracy of the input QPFs. The dynamically based global numerical weather prediction models (NWPMs) are strong candidate sources of QPFs. A main problem is the real-time selection of which NWPM should be used to provide the QPFs for flood warning simulations. This paper develops an automated technique to solve this problem. The technique performs real-time comparisons with measured rainfall fields using a novel 'tolerant' hydrologic approach. The 'tolerant' approach performs the comparison on the basin scale and allows for timing shifts in the forecasts. This is because QPFs can be good but only a few hours early or late. Two events are used for illustration, and the proposed real-time application in flood warning is presented. The developed technique, employing the tolerant approach, could eliminate the effects of the timing shifts and, accordingly, succeeded to select the QPFs to be used. A Python package was developed for automation. The developed technique is expected to also be useful for offline assessments of historical performances of NWPMs.

The Effectiveness of the New Rice Planting Program and its Impact on Community Welfare (Study in East Lombok District)

The aim of this research is to find out the effectiveness of the policy program for creating new rice fields in East Lombok Regency and the impact of the program for creating new rice fields on the welfare of the people in East Lombok Regency. This research is empirical legal research and uses qualitative research methods. The results of this research show that the policy of printing new rice fields in East Lombok Regency is not effective, because new rice fields that have been printed cannot be cultivated for planting food crops, this is because the location of the printed rice fields does not have an irrigation network. Increasing welfare for the people in East Lombok Regency through the policy of creating new rice fields as a food security program does not have an impact in accordance with the objectives of this policy. It is not possible to cultivate new rice fields that have been printed to grow food crops such as rice because there is no irrigation network at the location of the new rice fields, which is the main problem so that the new rice fields are not optimal.