Preg-Robbing in Refractory Gold Ores: A Critical Review of Mineralogical Controls, Pretreatment Strategies and Flowsheet Selection

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Preg-robbing remains a major constraint in the processing of refractory gold ores, particularly those containing carbonaceous matter, fine clays, and iron-bearing phases capable of adsorbing dissolved gold during leaching. This review critically evaluates advances reported between 2020 and 2025, focusing on the mineralogical controls of preg-robbing, its interaction with gold dissolution chemistry, and the effectiveness of current mitigation strategies. Gold adsorption is governed by carbon structure, surface functional groups, sulfide associations, and textural features that control accessibility, determining whether adsorption is reversible or irreversible and, consequently, whether conventional recovery routes remain viable. Pretreatment options, including roasting, pressure oxidation, bio-oxidation, chemical passivation, and selective removal of reactive phases, are assessed in terms of metallurgical performance, operational complexity, energy demand, and environmental impact. The review also examines alternative lixiviants such as thiosulfate, glycine, and ammonia-based systems, highlighting their potential to reduce sensitivity to carbonaceous matter while emphasizing their dependence on mineralogy and process control. Rather than proposing a universal solution, the analysis defines decision-oriented criteria for flowsheet selection based on mineralogical and operational constraints, identifying the conditions under which specific approaches are technically robust and economically justified. Key research gaps are highlighted, particularly in the quantitative characterization of adsorption capacity and kinetics, and in the integration of mineralogical data into predictive process design frameworks.

Relationship Between Knowledge Level About Scabies and Scabies Symptoms Among Students Living in a Sports School Dormitory in Kupang, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Background: Scabies is a neglected tropical disease with high transmission risk in crowded living environments such as dormitories. Knowledge is often assumed to play a protective role, but empirical findings remain inconsistent.

Objective: To examine the association between the level of knowledge about scabies and the presence of scabies symptoms among students living in a sports school dormitory in Kupang, Indonesia.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2025 among 59 students selected using simple random sampling. Knowledge level was assessed using a structured questionnaire, while scabies symptoms were identified through physical examination based on cardinal signs. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Most respondents demonstrated a high level of knowledge about scabies (79.7%). Scabies symptoms were identified in 25.4% of participants. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between knowledge level and scabies symptoms (p = 0.148).

Conclusion: High knowledge levels were not significantly associated with the absence of scabies symptoms. Environmental factors and intensive physical contact related to athletic activities may play a more substantial role in scabies transmission in dormitory settings.

The Predictive Role of Language Proficiency and Non-Cognitive Skills on Mathematical Competence among Maritime Students

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Mathematical competence is a fundamental requirement in the maritime industry, as it supports essential functions such as navigation, vessel operations, safety management, and data-driven decision-making among maritime professionals. This study examined the predictive role of language proficiency and non-cognitive skills on the mathematical competence of maritime students at Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Using a causal research design, data were collected from 88 third-year maritime students using stratified random sampling and adapted research instruments. Data were collected through face-to-face administration, and prior to conducting the linear regression analysis, several critical assumptions were carefully examined. Descriptive statistics revealed that students demonstrated high levels of language proficiency, non-cognitive skills, with reading comprehension and social skills obtaining the highest mean scores. Also, mathematical competence was generally rated as high with applied maritime mathematical skills obtaining the highest mean score. However, only non-cognitive skills significantly predicted mathematical competence with academic behavior emerging as the only significant dimension. The findings highlight the critical role of behavioral and attitudinal factors in strengthening mathematical performance in maritime education and suggest that enhancing students’ study habits, engagement, and responsibility may be more impactful than focusing solely on language proficiency.

The Research Design on the Management of Students’ English Learning Assessment Activities at High Schools in Tien Giang Province, Vietnam

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This paper investigates the research design on the management of students’ English learning assessment activities at high schools in the approach of PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Art). It employed Kumar’s (2011) eight-step format in designing the research process and manipulated Taro’s (1973) formula to calculate its sample size. The sampling for two groups of administrators, teachers of English and students was randomly taken from 10 out of 38 high schools in Tien Giang province, Vietnam. As a result, there were 418 educators and 1829 students chosen, which was much higher than its required sample sizes of 213 administrators, teachers and 397 learners in two groups. Besides, the study exploited a mixed research method to effectively collect quantitative data through questionnaires and qualitative ones through in-depth interviews. Additionally, the study applied SPSS 27.0 software for calculating exploratory factor analysis (EFA), total variance explained and Cronbach’s alpha, and then compared them with three accepted values of 0.3, 50.0% and 0.7, accordingly, for confirming their connection and reliability within each group. The findings indicate that all items in questionnaires met the requirements in this research.

Scrub Typhus in Sri Lanka: Assessing the Burden and Spatial Distribution Using National Surveillance Data, 2020–2024

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Background and aim: Scrub typhus is an acute zoonotic infection caused by Orientis tsutsugamushi and transmitted through the bite of infected chigger mites. It is increasingly recognized as a major cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness across the Asia–Pacific region. In Sri Lanka, scrub typhus has re-emerged as an important public health concern, yet comprehensive national-level analyses describing its epidemiological trends and distribution remain limited. This study aims to assess the burden, geographical distribution, and temporal trends of scrub typhus in Sri Lanka over a five-year period from 2020 to 2024.

Method: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using secondary surveillance data obtained from the Weekly Return of Communicable Diseases (WRCD) published by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. Reported scrub typhus cases from January 2020 to December 2024 were extracted and analyzed. Data were summarized using frequencies and percentages to describe annual trends and district-wise distribution of cases.

Results: A total of 5,947 scrub typhus cases were reported nationally during the five-year study period. The annual trend demonstrated fluctuations, with a temporary decline in reported cases in 2021, likely influenced by disruptions to healthcare services and disease surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, case numbers increased again in the subsequent years, indicating a persistent endemic presence. The geographical distribution of cases showed marked heterogeneity, with the northern district of Jaffna accounting for more than 53% of the total national burden. Other districts reported relatively lower case numbers, suggesting possible variations in ecological exposure, diagnostic capacity, and clinical awareness.

Conclusion: Scrub typhus remains an important public health concern in Sri Lanka with a sustained burden and notable geographical clustering. Strengthening laboratory diagnostic capacity, enhancing clinician awareness, improving surveillance systems, and implementing targeted preventive measures for high-risk occupational groups are essential to improve early detection and reduce the disease burden. Geographically stratified surveillance and focused interventions in high-risk districts are recommended to strengthen control efforts.

Configuration of Long Bone Fractures in Canines – Clinical Study of 151 Cases

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Fractures in dogs can be categorised based on clinical information and radiographic appearance of the fracture. Fracture classification systems like AISF /AO serve as an integral role in elucidating fracture biomechanics, predicting associated soft tissue trauma, and formulating an optimal fixation plan. Based on  non-weight bearing lameness on affected limb, aberrant angulation of the limb at the site of fracture, oedema and crepitation at the site of fracture and pain on palpation fracture configuration is done. This is important for the selection of treatment modality.

Digitalization of Performance Measurement Systems and Employee Performance: The Mediating Role of Trust in Supervisors

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This study examines the role of digitalized performance measurement systems in influencing employee performance, with trust in supervisors as a mediating mechanism. The increasing adoption of digital technologies in management control systems has transformed traditional performance evaluation processes, enabling organizations to generate more transparent, timely, and data-driven performance information. However, prior research has reported mixed findings regarding the behavioral consequences of performance measurement systems, highlighting the need to explore underlying psychological mechanisms such as trust.

Using a quantitative survey approach, data were collected from 146 managers working in the banking sector in Indonesia. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that performance measurement technology has a significant positive effect on trust in supervisors, and trust significantly improves employee performance. However, performance measurement technology does not have a significant direct effect on employee performance.

Further analysis reveals that trust fully mediates the relationship between performance measurement technology and employee performance. These findings suggest that digitalized performance measurement systems influence performance primarily through psychological and relational mechanisms rather than through direct effects.

This study contributes to the management accounting literature by integrating digitalization and behavioral perspectives, demonstrating that the effectiveness of performance measurement systems depends not only on technological capabilities but also on their ability to foster trust within organizations.

Deep Learning as a Transformative Pedagogical Model for Critical Thinking Development in Indonesian Vocational English Education

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The integration of critical thinking in vocational English education is increasingly urgent for 21st-century workforce preparation. However, vocational schools in developing countries like Indonesia struggle to move beyond rote memorization toward reflective learning. This study investigates how deep learning is enacted to develop critical thinking in English classrooms and identifies implementation challenges in Indonesian vocational education. Using a qualitative design, in-depth interviews were conducted with five English teachers at vocational high schools in Tana Toraja, Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. Findings reveal that teachers enact deep learning through contextualized materials aligned with students’ vocational fields, higher-order questioning, collaborative activities (project-based learning and discussions), facilitative teaching roles, and supportive classroom climates. These practices foster students’ ability to analyze problems, question information, defend arguments, and transfer critical thinking beyond the classroom. However, implementation faces significant challenges: teacher-level factors (time limitations, conceptual gaps, administrative burden); student-related challenges (mixed abilities, low confidence, unpreparedness for independent learning); institutional barriers (limited technology, assessment complexities); and cultural factors where respect for authority hinders questioning. The study implies that sustainable critical thinking development requires multi-level interventions: context-specific professional development, reduced administrative workload, improved infrastructure, curriculum reforms prioritizing depth over breadth, and culturally responsive pedagogies.

Tax Risk Management: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda

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The recent financial scandals (Enron, WorldCom…) have contributed to placing corporate governance at the heart of the productive organization and to presenting it as the new reality of management. Today, these initiatives are gaining ground in several countries. In this context, researchers emphasize the importance of and the need to develop an increased awareness of enterprise risk management and internal control. Although it is now identified as an integral part of corporate governance, tax risk management has received less attention than risk management in general, and research in this area is still very limited. The aim of this article is two-fold. First, it attempts to analyze the current state of the literature on tax risk management, and second, to propose some avenues for future research in this area. Using a systematic review process, we collected 57 articles published in highly regarded journals listed in the Web Of Science and Google Scholar databases. The review highlights that the results of this literature can be presented in two sections: (I) A discussion of current studies on TRM, including the conceptualization of tax risk, the determinants of the TRM implementation, its tools and mechanisms, and the adoption effects of its process; and (II) recommendations for future research programs. This article makes significant contributions to the academic literature, which can be used by researchers to explore gaps in TRM research. Not only that, practitioners can also draw on the findings presented to gain insight into the importance of a TRM process within their organizations.

Strategic HRM in Digital Transformation: Haier’s ‘Rendanheyi’ Model

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Digital transformation is a major challenge for many companies. They have clear strategies, but they fail to implement them in practice. This study explores how human resource management (HRM) can connect strategy and execution. It takes Haier as a case study. Haier developed the Rendanheyi management model to address the gap between strategy and execution. The study aims to clarify how strategic HRM turns digital strategy into actual results. It adopts a single case study method. Data is collected from public reports and in-depth interviews with six Haier employees. Two key findings are drawn. First, Haier’s HRM has undergone three stages of transformation. It started with basic digital tools for HR work, then shifted to improved digital services for employees, and finally developed into digitalized human capital operation. Second, the HRM transformation succeeds because it is closely aligned with Haier’s digital strategy. The HRM system acts as a bridge. It links the company’s top-level digital strategy with employees’ daily work. This study shows that HRM plays a key role in corporate digital transformation. It is not just a support function. It can drive corporate change in the digital age.