Publications In International Journals Research Articles

A Review of Trends in Scandinavian Early Childhood Education and Care Research from 2006 to 2021

A Review of Trends in Scandinavian Early Childhood Education and Care Research from 2006 to 2021

About Polish forensic medicine based on archival material described in scientific literature.

The need for medical assessment of murder victims and the establishment of rules for this assessment became the driving force behind the creation of forensic medicine, while the non-medical area of crime assessment, including crime scene examination, became the driving force behind the creation and development of criminalistics. Polish forensic medicine has been developing for over 200 years, and the Kraków Chair of Forensic Medicine is the oldest unit of this type. It is therefore not surprising that the archive which collects protocols of expert and scientific research is quite extensive. This material is a valuable foundation for scientific work including not only numerous publications in national and international journals, but also books. The author of the work selected several books on medical and forensic topics that appeared in recent decades on the Polish publishing market, indicating the value and importance of archival material in the literature of this area of science.

The Role of Probiotics in Children with Diarrhea or Constipation

Probiotics are non-pathogenic living microorganisms and can encourage the growth of other microbes that can benefit the host's health when consumed in sufficient quantities. The aim of this study was to explore the role of probiotics in the management of diarrhea or constipation in children by clarifying their effectiveness, safety and mechanism of action. The type and design of this research is observational analysis with a literature review method. Data was collected from national and international journal publications via scientificdirect.com and pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov which met the inclusion criteria, namely research examining the role of giving probiotics to children suffering from diarrhea or constipation, research that has been published in the last ten years using data primary and secondary data as well as cross-sectional and cohort research designs. The dependent variable in this study is the outcome of diarrhea or constipation, and the independent variable is probiotics. Data analysis was carried out narratively. This research found that in children suffering from diarrhea, giving probiotics can shorten the duration of diarrhea, especially that caused by rotavirus. On the other hand, in children with constipation, probiotics can increase intestinal motility and shorten transit time so that stool consistency changes and the frequency of defecation increases. There is a relationship between giving probiotics to children and diarrhea or constipation.

Cybersecurity in Political Studies: A Scoping Review

In recent years the increasing prevalence of technology has elevated cybersecurity from being a niche focus of interest for a small group of specialised computer scientists to a macro-level concern, attracting the attention of scholars and practitioners in political science and international relations. Today governments and military bodies view aspects of cybersecurity—ranging from preparations for cyberwar (a facet of digital geopolitics) to managing responses to cyber events (a facet of strategic communications)—as critical to their national security. However, while this mounting interest among academics has led to a rise in publications in political science and international relations journals, such rapid growth also results in literature fragmentation, where many studies do not sufficiently communicate with each other, and theoretical development remains relatively limited. In this paper, by reviewing the 113 cybersecurity papers published in 53 prominent journals in political science and international relations, I aim to provide an overview of the current state of research in this domain. Overall, this study has implications for the political science and international relations fields, especially the literature on strategic communications and digital geopolitics.

Development of a Learning Tool using the Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) Model Based on Thunkable

This study aims to develop a Thunkable-based cooperative, integrated reading and composition (CIRC) model for mathematics instructional development in Unimed's PGSD program. Classroom observations revealed that current teaching practices inadequately engage students in fostering reading interest and substantive discussions for mathematical understanding. The study seeks to enhance pedagogical practices by integrating reading diversification through a Thunkable-based instructional framework. The research's overarching objective is to craft a CIRC-guided learning apparatus, utilizing Thunkable for the mathematics instructional development course in Unimed's PGSD program. Following Sugiyono's four-D model, the study employs a Research and Development approach encompassing the Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate stages. Anticipated outcomes include obligatory deliverables like a comprehensive report, indexed proceedings publication, research proposal copyright, and publication in an accredited national journal. Supplementary outputs comprise an ISBN-endowed book, potential copyright or patent, and international journal publication. This research advances mathematics pedagogy within Unimed's PGSD program by integrating cooperative learning and technology-enhanced reading practices via Thunkable. Such an approach aligns with the progressive paradigm of educational development, fostering a conducive environment for comprehensive learning experiences and meaningful academic discourse.

Jaroslava Folbergrová, Dr.Sc. (1932 – 2024)

Jaroslava Folbergrová, an outstanding scientist, passed away on Sunday, January 28 at the age of 91. She was born in 1932 in Nový Bydžov, Czechoslovakia. She studied biochemistry in Charles University, School of Mathematics and Physics in Prague. She started her scientific carrier with studies of the metabolism of ammonia in the brain. She came to the Institute of Physiology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague, in 1958 and she worked there for incredible 65 years till the very end of her life. All the time she was interested in brain metabolism mostly during and after epileptic seizures – at first in Department of Cytochemistry of Nerve Cell, headed by Zdeněk Lodin, where she defended Ph.D. thesis on the „Effect of methionine sulfoximine on brain metabolism“. She defended her „Doctor of Science (Dr.Sc.)“ thesis in 1990 and continued working in this laboratory till 2000 when she entered Department of Developmental Epileptology of the Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Her research was further focused on brain metabolism in relation to epileptic seizures and also to brain hypoxia. Two international collaborations were important for her scientific life: Eighteen months spent in 1965-1967 in Washington University in St. Louis, MO where she worked under the leadership of prof. Oliver Lowry, and longlasting collaboration with prof. Siesjo in Lund University, Sweden. Her stage in prof. Lowry’s Institute resulted in four highly cited papers (including one with 255 citations). Repeated visits in Lund led to nearly 50 primary publications in prestigious international journals (some of these papers also reached more than 200 citations). She progressively extended her field of interest to developing brain and the role of oxidative stress in epileptic seizures and their metabolic and functional consequences. Jarka Folbergrová was fully devoted to her scientific work. It was common to see her leaving the institute in the late afternoon with her notebook and a lot of papers to continue in her work at home. She will be missed in the Institute because she very well represented the tradition both at our country and abroad. She was also very friendly person and an inspiring colleague.

Early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: protocol summary and statistical analysis plan for the ProScreen randomised trial

IntroductionEvidence on the effectiveness of prostate cancer screening based on prostate-specific antigen is inconclusive and suggests a questionable balance between benefits and harms due to overdiagnosis, and complications from biopsies...

Language, research, and publication

Abstract This article shares the story of a locally-educated English as an additional language author who attributed her fledgling research publications in English-medium international journals to an innate interest in languages, extensive experience of text engagement and mediation, and the kindness of “strangers”. The study draws from journal entries, publication records, and correspondence with significant others over ten years, during which the author went from an undergraduate English-major student to an author’s translator and editor before trying to conduct and publish her own research in an English as a foreign language context. From an insider perspective, the personal account reflects on the confusion and struggle of a peripheral author who learnt to navigate her way towards research and publication without the ease of resource access, supervisor guidance, academic training, and support networks. Tracking how the author perceived research and scholarship along her journey, it considers the role of language as a means of academic authors’ self-cultivation and providing egalitarian access to the world of knowledge and research that transcends structural constraints. The article also critically examines the centre-periphery tension in scholarly publishing and offers implications to help engage resource-deprived, disadvantaged authors in an increasingly interconnected world of knowledge construction.

Translating knowledge in the multilingual paradigm: Beyond epistemicide

The term ‘epistemicide’ was first coined by the Portuguese sociologist, Boaventura de Sousa Santos to refer to the systematic eradication by western science of the indigenous knowledges of the Global South. It was later applied to translation by Bennett in order to describe the way that academic texts produced in non-Anglophone cultures often have to be so radically rewritten for publication in international journals that their epistemological infrastructure is effectively destroyed. The long-term consequences of this process included, it was argued, a drift toward an epistemological monoculture, as scholarly discourses in other languages assimilated to the dominant one through a process of calquing. This argument was developed at a time when the hegemony of English appeared unassailable in the world of academic publishing and beyond. Since then, however, the multi- or translingual paradigm has profoundly challenged this assumption. This article focuses on how knowledge is generated and disseminated within this new paradigm and its implications for Translation Studies. Considering the prevalence, in this domain, of second-language writing, self-translation and paratranslational activities (like language revision and editing), and the demands of a readership with multilingual competence, it suggests that a much broader concept of translation might now be in order.

Obstacles to scientific publishing in scientific journals classified within the (ISI) and (Scopus) databases from the point of view of faculty members in some universities in Arab countries

This study sought to identify the most prominent obstacles to publishing in international refereed scientific journals classified within the (ISI) and (Scopus) databases from the faculty members' point of view, the extent of their interest in conducting research and publishing it in international refereed journals. It also shed light on the significance of publishing in refereed journals for faculty members and the most important opportunities that publishing in journals provides for faculty members and most of the bodies in which studies, research and books are published. The study used the descriptive-analytical approach. The researcher used a questionnaire to reveal the obstacles to scientific publishing in international refereed scientific journals. The questionnaire consisted of (20) phrases using a five-point scale (agree, strongly agree, neutral, disagree, Strongly Disagree). The study sample was limited to 200 faculty members in some Saudi and non-Saudi universities. The study found several obstacles to publication in international refereed journals, including the lengthy period spent in the research refereeing process, the high cost of publishing in international refereed scientific journals, the large teaching load, and the multiplicity of routine procedures associated with submitting and receiving research for publication in international refereed scientific journals classified, and the length of time taken in the process of receiving research published in international scientific journals. The study came out with several recommendations, the most important of which is the need to launch a unified website for Arab universities that includes fixed and transparent standards that serve as the primary reference for researchers in the Arab world concerning the rules of scientific authorship and publication.

Andrés Posada Arango. The scientist, the naturalist, the doctor, the historian

A hundred years after Andres Posada Arango’s departure, his life is recognized, which, in some way, is part of that of all the doctors graduated from the Antioquia Medical Schools; He was one of the pioneers in the creation of the first School of Medicine in this region and one of its first professors. Through his writings you can discover his great interest in medicine, natural sciences, anthropology and history. His scientific spirit allowed him to recognize in hookworm the etiology of a disease known in the region as the Tun-tun; identify the origin and characteristics of the poison used by the Indians in the Choco; study the aborigines that inhabited the Antioquia territories and deserve that a plant bear its name Posadaea Sphaerocarpa, to transcend time as part of the characters who left their mark on universal history. The 148 publications in national and international journals and being a member of 18 national and international scientific Academies and Societies are the best presentation of the legacy left by this doctor and naturalist from Antioquia.

Gender Inequality in Higher Education and Research

Significant economic and social differences in the living and working conditions of men and women, structural changes in society actualize the need to research the prerequisites and consequences of the existence of gender inequality in the country. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the causes and nature of gender inequality in the long term. The object of the research is the sphere of education and science of certain countries of Europe and America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The main hypothesis of the study is the assumption of a relationship between gender inequality in the field of education and indicators of the country’s social development (Human Development Index and level of education). Methodological tools of the conducted research are methods of trend and structural analysis. The information base of the research is data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations, the research period is 1950-2021. The results of the analysis of the Gender Equality Index during 1950-2000 in terms of its four dimensions (health, socio-economic resources, gender disparity in households and gender disparity in politics) proved the presence of a significant gender gap in some countries of the world: the countries of Eastern and Western Europe are more developed compared to other regions of the world (South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa). According to the results of empirical calculations, the dependence between the level of human development and gender inequality has been proven: the higher the level of human development of the country, the lower the inequality in education. The study of gender inequality in the field of scientific research was carried out based on the analysis of publications in 50 international journals, book collections of Bengal Economic Association, Indian Economic Association and other professors of reputed institutions in India and abroad. Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the publishing activity of women is lower than that of men: only 22.07% of publications in national and international journals, 23.65% of volumes of book collections and 27.90% of book chapters were published by women. The reasons for the low activity of women in the field of scientific research include: low opportunities for visiting the sites of scientific research institutions, field surveys or laboratory work; limited opportunities for training and advanced training at seminars and classes; lack of time to carry out research activities; discrimination based on personal interests and gender bias; much less interest in regular research due to social, psychological and physical reasons; excessive family load, etc.

Environmental and human toxicology studies on explosive chemicals leaking from submerged munitions

AbstractThis review provides an overview of 15 years of munitions research by the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists, University Medical School Schleswig‐Holstein, Kiel, Germany. As early as 2009, it was possible to detect the TNT metabolite 4‐ADNT in a quantity of 250 ng/g (wet weight) in blue mussels collected directly on munition items in the Kolberger Heide dumping area (Bight of Kiel, Baltic Sea, Germany). Based on these results, biomonitoring with blue mussels was established, in which uncontaminated mussels were exposed at certain distances from munition items and then retrieved after a few weeks in order to then be analyzed in the laboratory for energetic compounds (EC) including TNT and metabolites thereof. In following studies – in addition to mussels – also fish, sediments, water samples and passive samplers from specific locations were examined for the presence of EC. The study areas included dumping site regions from both the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, and were then extended to appropriate shipwrecks in the North Sea. The field studies were completed with laboratory investigations, which dealt with the development of a molecular biomarker as a kind of “early warning system” and with aspects of microbial degradation of EC. Finally, risk assessments for the marine environment and the human seafood consumer were carried out. The sections below are based on results from more than 10 scientific research projects and more than 20 publications in primary international research journals.

A Meta-Synthesis Study of Forelearn Apperception Process: Strategy to Overcome Jetlag Issues in Early Learning Activities

This study offers a metasynthesis analysis of Forelearn Apperception strategies, shedding light on their diverse applications in educational contexts. With a focus on the jetlag issue between regional Indonesian and international journal publications, this research delves into the nuances of strategies deployed by educators to integrate aperception into instructional practices. Methodologically, this research employed metasynthesis to extract and analyze data from a range of sources. By synthesizing insights from various studies, a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted aspects of Forelearn Apperception strategies was achieved. The analysis also unveiled a progression in strategy emphasis across educational levels, from enthusiasm generation in early education to the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in higher education. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of educational practices, with strategies adapted to cater to the cognitive development and educational levels of students. The application of diverse aperception approaches emerges as pivotal in creating an engaging learning environment. The study substantiates its conclusions with theoretical underpinnings such as Constructivist Learning and Intrinsic Motivation theories. In conclusion, this metasynthesis analysis provides valuable insights into the versatile utilization of Forelearn Apperception strategies in diverse educational settings. By integrating these strategies, educators can nurture engaging learning experiences, deeper comprehension, and lifelong learning skills while addressing the multifaceted jetlag issue.
 Keywords: Forelearn Apperception, Metasynthesis Study, Jetlag Issue Early Learning

Strategic digital city: Concept, model, and research cases

Cities, in addition to being physical, are also digital, requiring the use of information technology resources and strategies, information, and services to make appropriate decisions. The objective is to present the strategic digital city (SDC) concept and project model and its research considering the subprojects: city strategies; city information; public services to citizens; and information technology resources applied in cities. The research methodology comprises approaches mixing techniques in respective phases, including bibliometrics assignment, and model theory applied in SDC cases with more than 11 doctoral, 100 master’s, undergraduate, scientific initiation, and postdoctoral program orientations obtained from more than 300 cities since 2003. The results showed that the SDC can be understood as a social project of public policy and is on the city managers’ agenda, as demonstrated in the 8 cases researched and in the more than 86 publications in different scientific international journals in the recent decade. The conclusion reiterates the importance of the participatory and democratic SDC original project accepted to contribute to the proper city management and the citizens’ quality of life expansion, including infrastructure, policy, and city development. Then, the SDC contemporary concept and model have been maintained regularly over the 10 years.

A Comparison of Scimago Institutional Ranking and profile of Scopus-Indexed Publications of Sri Lankan Universities

This study aims to explore the SCImago Institutional Ranking (SIR) 2022 to gain insight into the profile of Sri Lankan universities. Additionally, the study aims to investigate whether there was consistency between Scopus profiles and SIR. Furthermore, the research delves into various factors that impact the research ranking of an academic institution as defined by SCImago, which goes beyond just the number of publications. The data for the study were retrieved from SIR (2022) and Scopus database (2022) and were systematically analyzed. The author chose the following options to extract the data for overall ranking, Universities as a sector, Sri Lanka as the country and 2022 as the year based on all subject areas. The study found that the number of Sri Lankan universities eligible for the SCImago ranking has gradually increased from 2013 to 2022. According to SIR, the University of Colombo is the top-ranked academic institution in Sri Lanka, followed by Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the University of Jaffna. Out of the fourteen universities in Sri Lanka, eight were ranked by SIR, with six being in the Q1 (first cluster) and two in the Q2 (second cluster). Interestingly, the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka was ranked 1st in SIR 2022 for its research performance among Sri Lankan universities with their 105 publications indexed in Scopus. Analysis of data shows that there is no relationship between the Scopus profile and the SIR. It is also suggesting that having a high number of articles in the Scopus database does not necessarily guarantee a high rank in SIR. The SIR not only depends on the number of publications but also on other factors related to the quality of the publications. Therefore, universities cannot assume their SIR position by considering only the quantity of Scopus indexed publications. SIR mainly considers the quality of the publications to measure the institutional research performance. The SCImago ranking evaluates the institutional whole performance through three of its indicators, and research performance is measured only through Scopus indexed publication. Sri Lankan publications in local and international journals which are not indexed in Scopus and conference papers were not counted for research performance. The findings of this study will facilitate the institutions to compare their position with other institutions, standardize their research practices, improve the international collaboration to uphold the academic benchmark, regulate their research publications and promote their visibility and finally support government bodies and policymakers regarding fund allocations and strategic planning.

Using Nominal Group Technique to Explore Publication Challenges and the Usefulness of AI-Based Writing Technologies: Insights From Indonesian Scholars

In the current academia landscape, academics, particularly those from non-native English speaking (NNES) countries, face formidable challenges in gaining publication in reputable international journals. The dominance of English as the language of scientific dissemination, coupled with limited resources and research infrastructure, hinders NNES academics from meeting the standards of high-impact journals. This issue is particularly pronounced in Indonesia, where most scholars face the additional challenge of conducting research in Bahasa Indonesia and writing manuscripts in English. The purposes of this study were to elicit the obstacles encountered by Indonesian scholars in gaining international publication, and the extent to which the advancement of AI-based writing technologies can provide solution. The study is expected to provide valuable insights into their experiences and contributing to a better understanding of the publishing landscape in Indonesia. The study utilized the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to capture the opinions of four Indonesian academics pursuing their doctoral degrees overseas. The findings highlight the need for user-friendly, comprehensive technology solutions, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based software and applications, to assist academics in English academic writing in the Indonesian context. Despite the limitations of current digital writing assistants, they are recommended as useful aids in overcoming language barriers. Access to human consultants was unanimously considered crucial. Initiatives such as advocating for multilingualism and providing language editing services, as well as the availability of online resources and support, are important steps towards addressing disparities in academic publishing. The findings of this research have the potential to inform policies and initiatives aimed at supporting and promoting Indonesian academics in their pursuit of reputable international publications.

What is the current state of research concerning self-efficacy in exercise behaviour? Protocol for two systematic evidence maps

IntroductionKnowing about a risk factor is not sufficient to ensure corresponding behaviour as additional psychological factors play a role. Self-efficacy is one of the major factors. This also applies to...

Single-centre, non-randomised clinical trial at a tertiary care centre to investigate 1-year changes in social experiences and biomarkers of well-being after bariatric surgery in individuals with severe obesity: protocol for the Bariatric Surgery and Social Experiences (BaSES) study

IntroductionObesity is linked to increased loneliness and less enjoyment of social interactions. While bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment targeting severe obesity, there is limited understanding as to whether...

Improving Journal Article Writing Competence for Communication Students and Lecturers

The competence to write journal articles is fundamental for Communication Science lecturers and students. Unfortunately, this ability is not mastered among lecturers and students of Communication Studies. Even though the number of publications in international journals is essential to improving university rankings, this program involves the Chairperson of the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah in China through a series of activities. First, the mapping of international journals in communication science. Second, the utilization of Mendeley's application to prepare research articles. Third, the increase of the competence of lecturers and students in compiling articles for international journals. Finally, the article is submitted to international journals. The result of this program is that the participant can submit an article to a journal.