Lex localis - Journal of Local Self-Government
Lex localis - Journal of Local Self-Government (ISSN:1581-5374, E-ISSN:1855-363X ) is an international journal for the study of the politics, administration, and management of local affairs published four times a year (in January, April, July, and October). The journal publishes articles that contribute to the better understanding and practice of local self-government and which are of interest to scholars, policy analysts, policymakers, and practitioners. The focus of the journal is on the critical analysis of developments in local governance throughout the world. Lex localis - Journal of Local Self-Government provides a unique forum for the consideration of all issues related to sub-national levels of government. Articles appearing in Lex localis - Journal of Local Self-Government are abstracted and indexed in Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) (Web of Science), Essential Citation Index (Web of Science), CSA Worldwide Political Science Abstracts, Current Geographical Publications, CSA PAIS International, Academic's OneFile (Gale), ERIH Plus, International Political Science Abstracts, ProQuest, Scopus, International Bibliography of Periodical Literature (IBZ), International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS).
CNN WITH OPTIMIZED FULLY CONNECTED LAYER BASED INTELLIGENT DEFECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR FOOD PACKAGE
The quality of food packaging plays a significant role in determining the shelf life of consumer products. This is a good preservative that extends the shelf life of food. In some cases, food packaging may contain some defects, such as blow holes, holes, burrs, shrink defects, mold material defects, metal defects, metal defects, etc., which may affect the purity of the food. To avoid these issues, in this paper, an efficient automatic detection system using a deep learning (DL) algorithm is proposed. The proposed approach consists of two stages namely, pre-processing and defect detection. Initially, the images are collected from the dataset. Median filters are used to remove noise from the images. Once the pre-processing has been completed, the pre-processed images are given to the classifier. Optimised fully connected CNNs are proposed in this paper for classification. With adaptive reptile search optimization algorithm (ARSA), full-connected layer weight parameters are optimized for enhanced performance. The proposed algorithm effectively detects the problem and correctly segments the affected region. The performance of the proposed approach is analysed based on accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision.
Food package, Defect detection, deep learning, CNN, adaptive reptile search optimization.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lex localis - Journal of Local Self-Government https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
OPTIMIZED DECISION TREE ALGORITHM WITH FRA FOR CROP YIELD PREDICTION IN IOT BASED AGRICULTURE
In Internet of Things (IoT) based agricultural environment, crop yield prediction is one of the most desirable but difficult tasks for any country. Farmers are having troubles to achieve a good yield from crops because of unpredictable changes in the climate. To feed India's growing population, agriculture must incorporate cutting-edge technology and tools. Thus, machine learning techniques have been used widely to predict the crop yield. However, this study focuses to enhance the prediction accuracy using enhanced machine learning technique. Namely, for efficient crop yield prediction, an optimized decision tree (DT) classifier with fuzzy ranking algorithm (FRA) is used. At first, FRA is presented to choose the features set from the crop yield dataset. Using the selected features, crop yield is predicted by presenting optimized DT. Using a modified penguin search algorithm (MPSA), the decision node of the DT is optimally chosen. The proposed prediction model improves the prediction accuracy.
Optimized DT, FRA, penguin search algorithm, crop yield prediction
STRENGTHENING DIGITAL LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT THROUGH SECURE IOT INFRASTRUCTURE: A LIGHTWEIGHT COAP-BASED AUTHENTICATION FRAMEWORK FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Local government and sub-national authorities increasingly rely on Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructures to support smart municipal services such as traffic management, waste collection, public lighting and environmental monitoring. The reliability and security of these digital infrastructure are critical for effective local self-government, public service continuity and citizen trust. However, most municipal IoT deployments operate under strict resource constraints, making conventional security mechanisms impractical. This paper proposes a lightweight and secure mutual authentication framework designed for resource-constrained IoT devices used in local government and municipal service environments. By leveraging symmetric cryptographic primitives and the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP), the proposed approach enables secure device authentication without relying on computationally expensive DTLS handshakes. A state-based authentication mechanism is introduced to enhance resistance against replay, impersonation and denial of service attacks. Security analysis and experimental evaluation demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves strong protection against common attack vectors while maintaining low communication, storage and computational overhead. From a local self-government perspective, the proposed approach provides a practical security foundation for scalable and cost-effective deployment of IoT-based municipal services, supporting digital transformation at the sub-national level.
Local self-government, IoT, Mutual authentication, Lightweight protocol, CoAP
Gladson Oliver S, Kalidass J, Suguna T and Aswini C
CRYSTAL GROWTH, SPECTROSCOPIC, DIELECTRIC AND THERMAL INVESTIGATIONS OF BIS (L-ALANINATO) COPPER (II): A PROMISING THIRD-ORDER NLO MATERIAL UNDER LOCAL INDIAN SELF-GOVERNMENT CHEMICAL RULES, 1989
A highly transparent semi-organic material, Bis(L-alaninato) Copper-II (BLALC), was successfully grown using a carefully controlled low-temperature solution growth method. The developed crystals underwent structural, optical, electrical, thermal, and third-harmonic generation studies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was utilized to determine the lattice parameters and validate the crystalline characteristics of the synthesized compound. The presence of the characteristic functional groups in the grown crystal was verified by FT–IR and FT-RAMAN spectroscopy. Fluorescence studies showed that the compound exhibits a prominent green emission. Dielectric measurements were performed to understand the electrical response of the crystal. Thermal behavior and its stability to withstand the temperature were examined through TGA–DSC analysis, which provided insight into the decomposition temperature of the compound. The Z-scan technique was used to assess third-order nonlinear optical properties, validating its nonlinear characteristics under local Indian self-government chemical rules, 1989.
Crystal growth, Thermal analysis, Optical properties, Dielectric, self-government chemical rules
A.Parvathi Priya, V. Srinivasan, R.Subhashini, G.Vinitha
DEEP LEARNING BASED PLANT SPECIES CLASSIFICATION USING DIGITAL MORPHOMETRIC MANAGEMENT
The number of plant species is extremely huge all over the world. Hence, it is impossible to identify and classify all the species. Plant species may be similar to each other, taking a long time to differentiate them. Hence, there is a need to develop an automated system. Deep learning has been widely employed for classification and recognition tasks in the biological fields. An automated plant species identification system could help botanists. Deep learning is used for feature extraction as it provides deeper information of images. Plant species identification includes preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. Here we used many algorithms to analyze the image. The paper aims at understanding preprocessing, extracting the leaf features using contours, and classifying them using deep-learning techniques, namely CNN (AlexNet). It presents the leaves of various plant species from which the vein characteristics are extracted and presented to detect and classify various kinds of plant species and other artificial intelligence techniques used to perform pattern recognition. Here the classifier achieved the best performance of 82% for accuracy.
Deep Learning, Convolutional Network, Leaf Vein Morphometric, Feature Extraction, Classification, Artificial Neural Network
Devi Mahalakshmi S, Dr.Vanitha Sivagami S
ENHANCING LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN INDIAN DIGITAL AGRICULTURE THROUGH THE USE OF GRAPH CONVOLUTIONAL NETWORKS
The agricultural sector involves complex relationships among various entities such as crops, fertilizers, soil types, and seasons. Representing and managing these relationships in a meaningful and structured way is essential for efficient information retrieval and knowledge sharing. RDF-based Agricultural Knowledge Graphs (AKGs) have emerged as an effective solution for modelling these relationships; however, they are often static and lack support for advanced querying, semantic enrichment, and classification. This project presents a comprehensive system that enhances RDF-based AKGs using Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) for structural learning and optimization. The process begins with parsing raw RDF data in Turtle (.ttl) format and constructing directed graphs using NetworkX. These graphs are then converted into PyTorch Geometric objects for training a multi-layer GCN model, which generates meaningful node embeddings. A Top-K pooling technique is applied to filter redundant or insignificant nodes, resulting in a more concise and interpretable graph. The final, enriched graph is exported to Neo4j for semantic visualization and querying, enabling efficient extraction of agricultural insights. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in graph clarity, classification accuracy training: 98.22%, testing: 99.02%, and query effectiveness. This approach supports better data organization, simplifies knowledge retrieval, and strengthens the utility of AKGs in agriculture.
Indian Digital Agricultural Management, Turtle Format, Graph Convolutional Network, Semantic Enrichment, Graph Optimization.
Gayathri Ramalingam, Dr. Thenmozhi Durairaj
ENHANCED TRIBOLOGICAL, MECHANICAL AND CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF MO AND NICR COATINGS ON LMD TI6AL4V ALLOY DEPOSITED VIA ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA SPRAYING IN A SELF -GOVERNMENT- DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGIES
In this study, Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) alloy components were fabricated via Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and subsequently coated with Nickel-Chromium (NiCr 80/20) and Molybdenum (Mo) powders using Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) to enhance their surface durability. The objective was to evaluate the synergistic effects of LMD and plasma spray coatings on the mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties of the Ti alloy. Microstructural and chemical analyses using SEM and EDS confirmed dense, uniform coatings with strong metallurgical bonding and minimal porosity. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed refined surface topographies, with Mo-coated samples exhibiting smoother profiles (Ra = 0.42 µm) compared to NiCr (Ra = 0.51 µm), facilitating better tribological contact. Vickers microhardness tests indicated significant surface strengthening, with hardness values increasing from 368 HV (uncoated) to 584.67 HV (Mo) and 537.66 HV (NiCr). Dry sliding wear tests demonstrated that Mo coatings provided superior wear resistance, with the lowest coefficient of friction (0.32) and specific wear rate (0.5 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/Nm), attributed to the formation of MoO₃ tribolayers. Electrochemical corrosion testing in 3.5% NaCl solution revealed that NiCr coatings outperformed Mo in corrosion protection, exhibiting a more noble corrosion potential (–450 mV) and significantly reduced current density (1.2 × 10⁻⁷ mA/cm²) due to the formation of a stable Cr₂O₃ passive film. These findings establish that integrating LMD with tailored plasma spray coatings enables surface-functionalized Ti alloys suitable for high-performance applications requiring enhanced wear and corrosion resistance.
Ti-6Al-4V Alloy; Laser Metal Deposition (LMD); Plasma Spray Coating; Wear; Corrosion: Government technologies
COATI-OPTIMIZED BI-LSTM FOR ZERO NDZ ISLANDING DETECTION FOR HYBRID SOLAR-WIND SYSTEMS IN PUBLIC SECTOR
The biggest issues prevailing in managing microgrids is the potential for unintentional islanding. This can result in critical risk exposure and technological problem. In these situations, locating and recognizing the defect is essential to equipment maintenance and protection. There are drawbacks to many of the works used in the literature, such as longer tripping times and larger non-detection zones (NDZ). To address these problems, a classifier based on green anaconda optimization with bi-directional long short-term memory (Bi-LTSM) and Fourier Bessel series expansion (FBSE) with empirical wavelet transform (EWT) is proposed. A modified Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 33 bus distribution network with solar and wind integration is used to validate this work on the MATLAB/Simulink platform. Several distribution network defects, such as motor starting, nonlinear load, capacitor bank switching, islanding conditions, etc., are been used to identify islanding. The output gives that proposed method correctly identifies islanding activities and acts correctly in every other situation. According to simulation data, the proposed approach may identify the islanding process in less than 75 milliseconds. The original dataset with zero NDZ delivers 100% accuracy, the proposed approach with the noisy dataset produces an average accuracy of 99.95%.
Distributed generation (DG), hybrid solar-wind, Wavelet transform-based self-organizing mapping network (WT-SOMN), distributed WT-based artificial neural network (DWT-ANN), convolutional NN-based LSTM (CNN-LSTM) and dual-tree complex WT-based support vector machine (DTCWT-LSTM)
TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON TEACHING NATIONAL HEROES IN MALAYSIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: AN ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
This research examines secondary school teachers' perspectives on the teaching of national heroes in Malaysia while emphasizing the embedding of Islamic moral principles. To study teachers' perspectives on what hinders and aids in the teaching of national heroes, with special reference to the consideration of Islamic values, especially akhlaq (moral character), adl (justice), and jihad ilmu (striving for knowledge), in the curriculum. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions based on ten teachers from the North of Malaysia, the study finds that teachers use various methods to engage their students such as storytelling, project-based learning, and local content. Besides obstacles such as a rigid curriculum and scarce resources, teachers have nevertheless established the integration of Islamic values with critical thinking, student involvement, and moral reflection. It shows that integrating Islamic principles encourages students' understanding of national heroes, paving the road for national unity and character building. The study highlights the need for the enhancement of teachers' professional development to enable them to teach values across the curriculum and gives a fresh perspective on this kind of values teaching in Malaysian history, thus, contributing to a more inclusive and holistic approach toward education.
National heroes, Islamic education, Pedagogy, Malaysian secondary schools, Character development
The Components of Islamic Civilization; A Lasting Heritage and Evolving Visions
This study examines Islamic civilization and its fundamental principles through illustrative examples from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It highlights the core values upon which this civilization is built—mercy, peace, knowledge, and progress—aiming to establish the best approach to balancing worldly pursuits with the mission of developing and sustaining the earth. Using a descriptive methodology, the study analyzes the pioneering role of Islamic civilization in comparison to other civilizations. It explores the foundational aspects of Islamic civilization, how its principles are reflected across different domains and stages of progress, and practical ways to implement these values in contemporary life. This ensures that Islam remains adaptable to emerging global challenges and modern developments.
Qur’an; Sunnah; Islamic civilization; religion and worldly life; knowledge and ethics; sustainable development
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BUREAUCRATIC BLOAT: A CRITICAL LOOK AT MAKASSAR CITY'S REGIONAL APPARATUS FORMATION
The Indonesian constitutional mandate for decentralization, rooted in Article 18 Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution (UUD NRI 1945) , establishes that provinces are divided into regencies and cities , with each region having the authority to regulate and manage its own affairs. This constitutional follow-up is Law No. 23 of 2014 on Regional Government , which emphasizes broad autonomy to achieve successful and equitable regional development, upholding principles of accountability and transparency. Using Effectiveness Theory and Decentralization Theory, this empirical legal research sought to analyze the legal basis for the formation of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPDs) in Makassar City, specifically examining the effectiveness of their functions and aiming to provide recommendations to improve the bureaucratic structure and ensure adherence to right-sizing principles. The study found that the formation of 51 OPDs via Perda No. 8 of 2023, while formally legal, constitutes an ineffective bureaucratic oversizing. This failure is clearly demonstrated by Soerjono Soekanto's Theory of Legal Effectiveness : the Legal Factor was compromised by rigid adherence to numerical scoring, leading to the functional fragmentation of synergistic units, such as separating Public Works and Spatial Planning, thus violating the right-sizing principle ; the Facilities Factor showed severe fiscal inefficiency, evidenced by Capital Expenditure realization of following years , proving the enlarged structure consumed resources as overhead ; and the Public Factor revealed poor service, with 73% of respondents reporting convoluted, multi-office processes due to the fractured structure. Ultimately, the legal compliance failed to produce the intended substantive efficiency and accountability.
Bureaucracy, Decentralization, Regional Apparatus.
The Ksour of Ghardaïa: A Model of Sustainable Saharan Architecture in Algeria
The ksour or kasbahs located in Ghardaïa are perfect examples of new-age, sustainable buildings that have been constructed with an appreciation of the harsh environment of the Saharan Desert. Built by members of the Ibadīt community, ksour are built around a common mosque and consist of densely populated urban areas made up of housing arrangements along small and shaded roads, surrounded by the remnants of large fortifications and located near an oasis.The overall layout of ksour provides the necessary conditions to allow people to adapt to the climate, provide social cohesion within their community, and manage their natural resources effectively. The close proximity of agricultural activities to the ksour allows the two spaces to work together effectively, promoting efficient water use and sustaining agricultural activities. The design characteristics of the ksour—houses built facing inward, courtyards, use of local materials, and compact urban design—all help create buildings and an overall environment that provide thermal comfort and an energy-efficient setting. The ksar of Tafilalt contains these same principal architectural design features, demonstrating that strong cultures inherently develop resilient solutions to urban design issues when guided by their cultural history.
Ksour of Ghardaïa, Vernacular desert architecture, M’zab Valley, Sustainable urbanism, Climatic adaptation
The importance of infrastructure in developing the tourism sector in Algeria
This study sought to highlight the importance of infrastructure development as the fundamental pillar upon which various economic sectors depend, including the tourism sector, which is considered one of the most promising alternatives to the hydrocarbon sector in Algeria. The study presented and analyzed the main indicators of tourism infrastructure in Algeria over different periods extending from 1995 to 2024. It also included a comparative analysis of these indicators with their counterparts in several neighboring countries. The findings revealed that Algeria does not devote sufficient attention to either the infrastructure sector or the tourism sector, despite their significant role in promoting economic development. The results also showed that Algeria ranks relatively low in several global indicators related to tourism and infrastructure. Furthermore, the comparison with neighboring countries demonstrated that the performance of Algeria’s tourism sector remains limited and does not reflect the country’s abundant resources and potential.
Infrastructure, Tourism Sector, Economic Development
BREAKING THE TAX CHAIN: CHINA’S VALUE-ADDED TAX REFORM AND THE RISE OF CAPITAL DEEPENING
Reducing cascading taxation is a global priority for improving tax efficiency and supporting sustainable growth. China’s nationwide transition from business tax (BT) to value-added tax (VAT), initiated in 2012 and implemented gradually across sectors and regions, represents a landmark reform of its indirect tax system. This study examines the impact of the BT-to-VAT reform on firms’ capital deepening using panel data on A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2021. Using a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we identify the causal effects of the reform on firms’ investment behavior. The results show that the shift from BT to VAT significantly increases capital intensity, with stronger effects among state-owned enterprises, large firms, and highly competitive industries. Mechanism analysis indicates that the reform reduces effective tax burdens and strengthens incentives for fixed-asset investment, thereby promoting capital accumulation and long-term capital deepening.
Business tax to value-added tax reform; Capital deepening; Tax burden
Yawen Xue, Zhaoyuan Chen, Shujing Zhang, Fengjin Chen, Jiachang Liu
DOES FIELDWORK STILL MATTER: EVALUATING THE EMPIRICAL APPROACHES TO POLITICAL GOVERNANCE IN THE AI ERA
Rapid advances in artificial intelligence have transformed empirical approaches to political governance by enabling large-scale data processing and automated analysis. At the same time, traditional fieldwork remains central for capturing contextual, cultural, and institutional nuances that are often invisible in purely computational data. The objective is to evaluate the relative and complementary contributions of fieldwork and AI-based methods to the quality and reliability of empirical governance analysis in the contemporary AI era. The dataset consists of survey responses from 370 political governance professionals, including academics, policy analysts, and public administration practitioners. Data were collected using structured Likert-scale instruments. Fieldwork Engagement (FE) and AI-Based Method Usage (AIU) serve as independent variables. Contextual Understanding (CU) and Data Scale (DS) function as mediating variables. Quality of Governance Analysis (QGA) and Reliability of Findings (RF) represent outcome variables. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Multiple regression analysis was applied to examine direct relationships among variables. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to evaluate the integrated model and mediating effects. FE demonstrated a substantial effect on CU (β = 0.58), which in turn significantly enhanced the QGA (β = 0.48). Similarly, AIU strongly influenced DS (β = 0.62), leading to improved RF (β = 0.51). AIU significantly improves DS, leading to higher RF. The integrated model demonstrates that fieldwork and AI methods contribute through distinct but complementary pathways. Empirical governance analysis benefits most from a hybrid approach in which contextual depth derived from fieldwork is combined with the scalability and consistency enabled by AI-based methods.
Fieldwork, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Political Governance, Empirical Methods, PLS-SEM, Contextual Understanding.
The Impact of Tagging on Patents in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges
In recent decades, the world has been undergoing profound and radical transformations in the digital age, affecting fields of innovation, including the patent system, which is a fundamental tool for protecting creativity and an effective driver of the knowledge economy. In this context, the concept of “tagging” technology has emerged as a modern digital tool used to organize, document, and protect digital information. However, integrating tagging into the patent system presents a set of promising opportunities and challenges, such as enhancing transparency, improving the efficiency of scientific research, tag accuracy, protecting rights, and the potential for information manipulation. Accordingly, this research paper aims to shed light on the impact of tagging in the field of patents in the digital age, by analyzing its advantages and highlighting the problems it raises.
Tags, Patents, Digital Age, Intellectual Property, Legal Protection, Opportunities and Challenges
The Functional Linguistic Repertoire in the Textbook for the Third Year of Primary Education in Algeria: A Study of Content and Organization
This research paper aims to describe and analyze the functional linguistic repertoire employed in the Arabic language textbook for the third year of primary education in Algeria. It seeks to address the following central question: How were the lexical units included in the Arabic language textbook for the third year of primary education selected and organized? Were the pupils’ abilities at this age taken into consideration? The paper presents an inventory and classification of the types of explanations adopted to simplify the meanings of the vocabulary items included in the textbook. This is carried out by focusing on explanation through synonymy, antonymy, and definition, as well as by analyzing selected activities related to linguistic repertoire, such as the activity “My New Words.” The aim is to assess the extent to which pupils assimilate these vocabulary items and understand their meanings through their appropriate use in meaningful communicative situations.
Linguistic repertoire; content and organization; Arabic language textbook; My New Words; vocabulary teaching
FISCAL DECENTRALIZATION AND MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY: EVIDENCE FROM NORTH MACEDONIAN MUNICIPALITIES
The impact of decentralization on municipal service delivery has is an area of growing interest, yet existing research remains limited and predominantly based on macro-level evidence. This paper contributes to the literature by examining the relationship between fiscal decentralization and municipal service delivery using a representative panel dataset of municipalities in the Republic of North Macedonia for the period 2015–2024. The econometric results indicate that fiscal decentralization, measured through the share of municipalities’ own-source revenues as an indicator of local fiscal autonomy, has a statistically significant positive effect on service delivery. However, the findings also reveal that inadequately managed operating expenditures can constrain future improvements in service efficiency. Moreover, greater financial independence, lower operating costs, and a controlled level of intergovernmental transfers enhance municipalities’ capacity to invest in long-term profitable projects. The results have important policy implications, particularly regarding the need to strengthen local revenue mobilization. The paper’s main contribution lies in its focus on service delivery efficiency rather than political outcomes, which have dominated prior studies.
fiscal decentralization, municipal service delivery, public finance, North Macedonia
Angela Zafirova, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Petkovski
HUMAN RIGHTS MINING: IS THERE CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO A SAFE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT?
The primary intent of the research is to examine if children can assert their right to a safe digital environment as an autonomous and independent right according to international human rights standards. The aim is to clarify how this concept is currently developed and formed, emphasizing certain key characteristics by examining the responsibilities of States. We are investing in this topic since the pervasiveness of information and communication technology (ICT) has provided children with unprecedented opportunities to learn about their rights. Simultaneously, with the increasing availability of the Internet and digital tools, children are exposed to risks like cyberbullying, privacy breaches, exposure to harmful content, and exploitation. All of those challenges have already been observed from multiple perspectives. However, in contrast to the prevailing focus on children's entitlement to a safe online environment within the security context, we are highlighting the perspective of human rights. The key difference between these legal spheres lies in how they view children's roles. While the security perspective tends to depict children mainly as vulnerable individuals (using a risk-focused approach), the human rights perspective recognizes children as central individuals in realizing their rights (employing a rights-based approach). This divergence in approaches results in different expectations, with the latter emphasizing children's active role in promoting and protecting their rights. Consequently, merging the concepts of 'safe' and 'secure' within the realm of human rights could potentially undermine children's ability to exercise their human rights autonomously, and should be avoided whenever possible. Utilizing this approach, an examination has been conducted to determine whether the entitlement to a safe digital environment could be regarded as an implied right, or if it could be derived from international treaties or secondary legal texts at both universal and regional levels. The findings reveal that children possess the entitlement to a safe digital environment, encompassing well-established substantive and procedural components. The only remaining step is for this right to be acknowledged by an interpreting body.
Information and Communication Technology, Human Rights, Children's Right, Risks of the Digital Environment, Safe Digital Environment.
Bojana Lakićević Ðuranović, Žaklina Spalević
AUTOMATIC PROCESSING OF PHONETIC PHENOMENA IN THE HOLY QUR’AN: SURAT AR-RAHMAN AS A MODEL
Recent advancements in Natural Language Processing have made it possible to perform more accurate analyses of sound and rhythm with respect to the Qur'anic Texts. The analysis presented here uses computational methods to examine the phonetic characteristics of the Qur'an. The case study will focus on Surah "Ar-Rahman". Phonetic characteristics revealed through this synthesis of analysis will to include: Stress-loading, Pauses, and Intonation. The preliminary findings provide evidence that computational means can aid in revealing precise locations at which to place pauses during recitation, identifying types of stresses within words, as well as providing intonational patterns. Ultimately, this has helped provide a greater understanding of phonetic and rhythmic structures within the Qur'anic Texts. Furthermore, it will also demonstrate the utility of computational methodologies when preserving and systematically analyzing the phonetic heritage of the Qur'anic Texts.
Natural language processing, Arabic language, phonetic phenomena, stress, pause, intonation, the Holy Qur’an, Surah Ar-Rahman.
Zeyyan REZIK, Safa MEDJAHED, Fatima ABDERRAHMANE, Fouzia TAIEB AMARA, Yamina HADJHENNI
TIME-DRIVEN ACTIVITY-BASED COSTING (TDABC) AND STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING IN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES – A CASE STUDY OF ALGÉRIE TELECOM, DJELFA AGENCY–
This study aims to illuminate and evaluate the Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) method, recognized as a modern approach in cost accounting. The objective is to underscore its efficacy in bolstering strategic decision-making within economic enterprises by facilitating cost reduction, enhancing competitive advantage, and improving product quality. To substantiate this investigation, the TDABC methodology was applied within the commercial department of Algérie Telecom, Djelfa Agency. Key findings from the study indicate that the TDABC approach yields more reliable and pertinent information for strategic decision-making within economic enterprises by incorporating time equations and emphasizing the concept of idle capacity. This, in turn, enhances the strategic clarity of cost trajectories and contributes to product quality improvement and competitive advantage development. Additionally, TDABC enables the reduction of service costs at Algérie Telecom, Djelfa Agency by identifying and excluding the costs associated with unused capacities (idle time) from service cost calculations.
Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC), strategic decision-making, cost reduction, competitive advantage, product quality improvement, economic enterprises.
GACEM Hadda, SAIDANI Mohammed Said, ZERGOUNE Mohamed, BOUAKAZ Youcef, CHENINE Abednnour
AI-Augmented Local Governance: A Computational Framework for Enhancing Administrative Efficiency and Participatory Democracy
Background: Local self-governments worldwide face increasing pressure to deliver efficient, transparent, and participatory services while managing limited resources. Administrative bottlenecks, inconsistent decision-making, and low citizen engagement remain persistent challenges. Objective: This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and computational methods can be systematically integrated into local governance structures to improve decision-making, automate routine administrative tasks, and enhance citizen engagement. Methods: We propose a three-layer computational framework called Local Brain comprising (1) a data aggregation and preprocessing layer (using NLP, OCR, and entity recognition), (2) a decision support layer (using supervised learning, rule-based reasoning, and explainable AI techniques), and (3) a citizen interaction layer (using conversational AI, sentiment analysis, and recommendation systems). The framework is validated through a discrete-event simulation based on public data from three municipalities of different sizes over a 12-month period. Results: The framework reduces administrative processing time by 43.2% (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.87), increases decision consistency by reducing variance in approval rates by 60%, and raises citizen participation rates by 28.4% in digital consultations. The chatbot alone resolves 72% of routine inquiries without human intervention. Conclusion: AI offers measurable, statistically significant improvements in local governance efficiency and democratic participation. However, success depends critically on transparent algorithm design, data privacy safeguards, human-in-the-loop oversight, and regulatory alignment. The paper concludes with a detailed policy roadmap and technical recommendations for municipalities considering AI adoption.
artificial intelligence, local self-government, public administration automation, participatory democracy, computational social science, explainable AI, Lex localis
ANTICIPATORY BREACH REVISITED: FROM PREMATURE BREACH TO CERTAIN FUTURE NON-PERFORMANCE
The existence of the obligation and its temporal effect, as breach, from a logical standpoint, can only materialize upon the maturity of the time for performance, not merely upon the formation of the obligation. Accordingly, what is termed “anticipatory breach” does not constitute an accurate characterization, as it presupposes the occurrence of a breach prior to its due time. The more precise description of the situation is that of a certain future breach, evidenced by serious indications emanating from the debtor that render non-performance highly probable. On this basis, granting the creditor the right of termination, or other protective remedies, prior to the maturity of the obligation may be justified on the ground of the existence of a serious cause establishing the likelihood of non-performance, without the need to assume the existence of a present breach. This approach renders the theoretical framework more consistent with the logic of obligations in civil law.
Anticipatory Breach. Right of Retention. Right of Termination. Certain Future Non-Performance.
EPISTEMOLOGICAL ANARCHISM IN THE THOUGHT OF PAUL FEYERABEND
This article aims to shed light on the topic of epistemological anarchism in Paul Feyerabend’s philosophy of science and its role in the advancement of scientific knowledge, based on principles such as the relativity of knowledge and its opposition to methodological monism. Feyerabend rejects all prevailing epistemological orientations and methodologies, standing against empiricism and rationalism alike. In doing so, he revolts against every attempt to rationalize scientific practice, instead establishing new conceptions such as epistemological anarchism and methodological pluralism. This approach opened a new direction in contemporary philosophy of science.
anarchism, epistemology, methodology, methodological pluralism, rationalism.
SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND THE VISUOSPATIAL SKETCHPAD IN CHILDREN WITH ASPERGER SYNDROME: A CLINICAL FIELD STUDY
This study aimed to assess the level of selective attention and visuospatial sketchpad functioning in children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, and to examine the nature of the cognitive performance associated with these two cognitive functions in this population. The study was guided by a general hypothesis positing the existence of deficits in selective attention and visuospatial sketchpad capacity in children with Asperger syndrome compared to typically developing peers. To test this hypothesis, a clinical methodology based on case study design was employed, drawing on a set of instruments comprising direct clinical observation, semi-structured clinical interview, the Stroop Test for selective attention, and the Baddeley Test for the visuospatial sketchpad. The study was conducted at the Autism Unit of the Psychiatric Hospital of Ténès, in the wilaya of Chlef, Algeria, for the purpose of selecting appropriate cases for the main study. The main study comprised four children diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, ranging in age from 6 to 9 years, over the period from 15 March 2025 to 22 March 2025. The findings revealed that children with Asperger syndrome demonstrated relatively high levels of performance in both selective attention and visuospatial sketchpad tasks. The majority of cases achieved good results on the Stroop and Baddeley tests, suggesting the absence of severe impairment in either of these cognitive functions among the cases studied.
selective attention; visuospatial sketchpad; Asperger syndrome; Stroop Test; Baddeley model.
DIGITAL PRIVACY PRACTICES AMONG FEMALE FACEBOOK USERS IN ALGERIA: A VIRTUAL ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY IN LIGHT OF GENDERED AND SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXTS
The rapid proliferation of social media platforms constitutes a worldwide phenomenon, yet it is inextricably linked to fundamental challenges in digital privacy management—particularly in contexts where conservative cultural norms intersect with entrenched gender roles. This study aims to explore the perceptions and practices of digital privacy among female Facebook users in Algeria, and to analyze the influence of gendered and socio-cultural factors on the everyday strategies employed to negotiate and manage digital boundaries. The research adopts a qualitative design grounded in virtual ethnography (Netnography), encompassing digital participant observation and structured online interviews with two participants from the northern and southern regions of Algeria, conducted over a two-week period in May 2025. Data were analyzed through inductive thematic analysis, with strict adherence to ethical standards and systematic documentation of researcher positionality. The findings reveal that participants employ complex negotiation strategies, including the construction of multiple digital identities, precision-targeted audience customization for published content, and preemptive self-censorship. Privacy, it emerges, is not managed as an abstract individual right but rather as a "relational responsibility," shaped through the interplay of familial pressures, reputational norms, and community surveillance. A pronounced "privacy paradox" was also observed, manifesting as a tension between awareness of digital risks and the continued, active engagement with the platform. The study concludes that digital privacy in the Algerian context is a dynamic process at the intersection of technological architectures and social formations—one that necessitates the development of gender-sensitive privacy policies, contextually informed digital literacy programs, and institutional protective mechanisms cognizant of local complexities.
Digital Privacy; Virtual Ethnography; Gender; Facebook; Socio-Cultural Context.
THE ALGERIAN ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN GREEN HYDROGEN PROJECTS
The study aims to analyze and highlight Algeria's tendencies to develop green hydrogen production within the strategy of achieving energy diversification, thanks to its natural and material capabilities in the field of renewable energies, through the embodiment of many programs whose horizons extend to 2035, and this is to mitigate the increasing consumption of traditional energy sources. The use of which is linked to unstable and safe economic and environmental variables on a one hand, and the exploitation of the large energies it enjoys in the green hydrogen industry in order to achieve local development goals and enhance Algeria's place in the global energy market. The study reached a set of results, the most important of which was that Algeria is aware of the importance of activating Algeria's role to be an active and essential party in the production of green hydrogen within the directions of interest in developing renewable energies in achieving sustainable development as a safe and clean source, through its integration into the country's energy policy. Implementing these programs and achieving the desired results from them still raises many questions in light of the current financing and investment challenges.
renewable energies, green hydrogen, fossil energy, energy transition, energy security.
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGING AND SUPERVISING E-BANKING RISKS
This study aims to highlight the importance of e-banking risk management principles in enhancing the security and efficiency of digital banking operations amid the rapid digital transformation witnessed by the financial and banking sector. The study addressed the various risks associated with e-banking, including technical risks, cyber threats, electronic fraud, as well as legal and regulatory risks that may affect the stability of financial institutions and customers’ trust in digital services. The study also sought to analyze the most important internationally recognized principles and standards adopted in e-banking risk management, with a focus on the role of banking governance, internal control systems, and cyber security mechanisms in mitigating risks and enhancing the protection of data and electronic transactions. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach through reviewing theoretical literature and analyzing the regulatory and technical frameworks related to the subject. The findings revealed that the effectiveness of e-banking risk management represents a fundamental factor in achieving financial stability and ensuring the sustainability of digital banking services. Moreover, the success of banking institutions in confronting cyber threats is closely linked to their ability to develop digital protection systems, adopt proactive risk management strategies, and enhance digital awareness among employees and customers. The study also confirmed that digital transformation in the banking sector requires an integrated regulatory and technological environment that balances financial innovation with banking security.
E-Banking, Risk Management, E-Banking Risks, Cyber security, Digital Transformation, Banking Governance, Electronic Transactions, Financial Institutions, Banking Security, Internal Control.
STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE, WATERPROOFING AS A PREVENTIVE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BARDO-ALGIERS
This paper examines the importance of strengthening the resilience of architectural heritage through preventive construction techniques, focusing on waterproofing at the National Museum of Bardo in Algeria. In the face of growing environmental challenges, historical structures are at risk from issues such as flooding and humidity. The adoption of preventive techniques is essential to safeguard these buildings and their collections. Waterproofing involves designing effective drainage and protection methods to prevent water accumulation around the foundations, thus avoiding damage. The study presents the specific methods implemented at the Bardo Museum, which houses a valuable collection of artifacts. The results show that the implementation of these systems has significantly reduced flooding risks and improved the durability of the structures. These interventions use sustainable materials, respecting the environment. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among decision-makers regarding preventive techniques. Preserving cultural heritage requires a proactive approach to anticipate and manage risks, ensuring the sustainability of historical sites for future generations.
Resilience, Heritage, Waterproofing, National Museum of Bardo.
CORRELATION BETWEEN SPOKEN LANGUAGE AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS
The study aimed to investigate the relationship between spoken language and executive functions in children with cochlear implants. The study sample included 10 children with cochlear implants, aged 6 to 10 years, who did not suffer from any accompanying diseases or disabilities, whose hearing ages ranged from 5 to 7 years, and who were enrolled in an integrated section of the primary school. To achieve the study's objective an oral language production and comprehension assessment (ELO) was applied in addition to an executive functions assessment frontal assessment battery (FAB). The results showed a statistically significant relationship between oral language and executive functions in children with cochlear implants.
spoken language, executive functions, cochlear implants, child.
Dr. Sarra Hizir, Dr. Yahia Hadj Mahammed, Pr. Khemis Mohammed salim, Pr. Khemis Abdelaziz
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL OVERSIGHT IN ENHANCING LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING FOR THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
One of the most essential safeguards for the protection of public rights and freedoms is the notion of competent legal drafting of legal texts. It is primarily designed to methodically control principles and ideas in a legal form arranged in language that are simple, clear, and exact, are consistent with the Constitution, and do not contradict it in accordance with the principle of the Constitution's primacy. It is not in conflict with other laws, yet it is simple to read, apply, and comprehend by the law's intended recipient. Given the complexity of the principle demanding the authority's accurate functioning based on the legislative drafting process, a higher body of authority has been established.
rights, freedoms, constitution, drafting, laws ,courts.
HAPPINESS AND HOPE AMONG A SAMPLE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: A STUDY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Happiness and hope are important topics in positive psychology because of their many positive outcomes for adolescents’ mental health. Therefore, the present study aimed to reveal the levels of happiness and hope among a sample of secondary school students, as well as to identify the nature of the relationship between happiness and hope and to examine differences in the two variables according to gender and age. The study sample consisted of (357) male and female students, selected by a simple random method from some secondary schools in El Oued Province, Algeria, during the academic year 2025-2026. Their ages ranged between 14 and 22 years, with a mean age of 16.85 and a standard deviation of 1.5. The two researchers used the Oxford Happiness Inventory, Arabized by Abdel-Khalek (2003), and Snyder’s Hope Scale, Arabized by Abdel-Khalek (2004). The study found an average level of happiness and a near-average level of hope. The results also revealed a statistically significant correlation at the significance level of 0.01 between happiness and hope, while no statistically significant differences appeared in these two variables according to gender. However, statistically significant differences were found in happiness and hope according to the age variable.
happiness, hope, mental health, psychology, secondary school students.
CIVIL-MILITARY ECONOMIC RELATIONS IN ALGERIA: AN ANALYSIS OF MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY
In many countries including Algeria, the army is not just a beating heart but also a vein. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the contribution of the military institution in supporting the Algerian economy by highlighting shapes of its involvement, and assessing its impact on economic stability and development. Furthermore, it demonstrates the mechanisms of the Algerian military’s economic engagement through direct productive and industrial activities, the provision of security, border protection, and safeguarding citizens and properties, thereby creating an environment for investment. The significance of the study lies in understanding the relationship between the military establishment and the economy in Algeria, alongside its subsequent implications for governance and institutional balance. Given the limited public disclosure and the inherently sensitive nature of certain security-related information, the study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology and a case-study approach. The study concludes that the Algerian army's contribution to supporting the national economy is not confined to direct productive dimensions; rather, it extends to indirect roles with substantial economic impact, particularly through sustaining stability and securing both national territory and vital infrastructure. Conversely, this contribution raises a series of challenges concerning governance, transparency, competition, and the overlap between civil and military entities. All in all, dealing with a vein is challenging but its role should be highlighted and elevated.
Military Institution, Algerian Economy, Development, Governance, Civil-Military Relations.
Sahnoune Djamel, Benkaddour Khadidja, Bennadji Mohammed, Bekihal Cherif
A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: A CLINICAL STUDY IN ADRAR PROVINCE, ALGERIA
This study aimed to distinguish between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biological analysis in southern Algeria. The study adopted a comparative clinical design to analyze four clinical cases (pure ASD, pure ADHD, dual diagnosis, ADHD with autistic traits) and one control case. Results revealed clear differences: ADHD showed reduced caudate nucleus volume with elevated dopamine levels; ASD showed amygdala enlargement with decreased serotonin levels. The multimodal model achieved 100% accuracy in case classification. Despite these promising results, they remain exploratory due to the small sample size (N=5). The study recommends larger samples and standardized imaging protocols before any clinical application.
Autism; ADHD; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Biological Analysis; Diagnostic Distinction; Caudate Nucleus; Serotonin; Dopamine.
The Role Of Sustainable Entrepreneurship In Promoting Sustainable Tourism: Different International Experiences
This paper aims to analyze the pivotal role of sustainable entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable tourism through the examination of selected international experiences from Iceland, Costa Rica, and Kenya. These countries were selected as successful models in integrating sustainable entrepreneurship practices within the tourism sector. The study highlights how entrepreneurial initiatives contribute to environmental protection, community participation, and economic development. The findings reveal that sustainable entrepreneurship plays a significant role in preserving natural resources, enhancing social equity, and supporting the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of tourism destinations.
Sustainable Tourism; Sustainable Entrepreneurship; Tourist Destinations.
EDGE-IOT ASSISTED ACTIVE GRID MANAGEMENT FOR REAL-TIME CONTROL OF DER-RICH DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS – ENERGY POLICY
The increasing proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs) requires active grid management (AGM) solutions which allow real-time monitoring, analytics and decentralized control. Nevertheless, classical centralized AGM architectures are subject to high communication latencies, low scalability and slow reaction in presence of dynamic grid perturbations, especially for distribution networks with large penetration of DERs. As a way forward, this paper introduces an edge–IoT active grid management framework that leverages edge computing and cloud-based coordination for low-latency decision making and resilient grid operation. The processing of high-resolution field readings at the edge is envisioned by the architecture to enable quick event detection and local control. Subsystem-specific optimization, prediction, and visualization are handled by individual services at the cloud level. Experimental results show significant performance gains including a 75% reduction in voltage variation (± 8% to ±1.25%) while achieving over 90% reduction in the fault-finding time (to <2 s). Results demonstrate that the incorporation of edge intelligence and coordinated cloud control leads to considerable reliability, operational efficiency and renewable energy integration improvement on the grid, offering a promising path towards data-driven autonomous distribution networks.
Active Grid Management, Internet of Things (IoT), Edge Computing, Distributed Energy Systems, Smart Grid, Real-Time Analytics, Renewable Integration, Decentralized Control, Smart Sensors, Energy Efficiency.
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN ALGERIA
This study aims to analyze the institutional, economic, and administrative factors that shape economic development in Algeria. It demonstrates that the quality of institutions, particularly political stability, regulatory efficiency, and transparency, directly impacts policy effectiveness and the business environment. Economic variables, along with fiscal reforms including modernizing tax administration and adjusting tax policies, are crucial for boosting public revenues and financing development initiatives. Despite challenges such as political instability and widespread corruption, recent institutional reforms within the framework of modern growth programs have resulted in tangible improvements in economic performance. The findings confirm that development in Algeria depends on coordinated institutional, economic, and fiscal reforms, underpinned by the rule of law, accountability, and transparency.
Institutional Factors, Economic Factors, Fiscal Policy ,Economic Development.
Dr. Bentayeb Radhia, Bentayeb Fatima Zohra, Pr. Bentayeb Hidayat Khadidja