bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The activities of the USSR State security agencies to ensure public safety in Lithuania during the interwar period
Authors: Bugaev V. N.
Published: October 2024

Importance. The events taking place in the territory of Lithuania in the interwar period are still controversial among politicians and historians today. Many “blank spots” of that time in this territory were closed for research for a long time, which gave rise to speculation and falsifications. The article examines the activities of state security agencies to ensure public security in the territory of Lithuania in the period from 1921 to 22.06.1941 using historical examples. The purpose of the study is to show the historical events taking place in Lithuania and the activities of the state security agencies to ensure public security in the interwar period in the republic.

Materials and methods. The research is based on declassified archival documents of the State Archives of the Russian Federation and the Russian State Archives of Contemporary History. The materials of the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the USSR – the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR (1934–1960), the 4th Special Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR (1931–1959) and on political repression and rehabilitation of the illegally repressed were studied.

Results and Discussion. As a result of the October Revolution of 1917, Lithuania gained its independence. Starting from 1919, nationalist organizations were created in Lithuania, the task of which was to voluntarily assist the police in the fight against the Communists and to assist intelligence agencies in espionage against the USSR. With the entry of Lithuania into the USSR, the activities of nationalists intensified. Before the attack on the USSR, the state security agencies launched a preventive blow against the nationalist underground and their accomplices, which reduced their activity in the initial period of the Great Patriotic War.

Conclusion. The liquidation of the leaders of the nationalist underground and their accomplices allowed the USSR state security agencies to prevent the destabilization of public order in Lithuania on the eve of the German attack on the Soviet Union.
The British Digital Press Archive as a source on the history of the collective memory of the First World War participants in the interwar period
Authors: Inkin V. V.
Published: October 2024

Importance. The 110th anniversary of the First World War outbreak awakens in the public and scientific community not only discussions about the causes of the conflict, but also forces us to turn to the legacy of this process. In this regard, the work actualizes the theme of historical memory of the “Great War”. The purpose of the study is to reflect the complex of the legacy of the First World War in Great Britain in the 1930s by referring to the British Newspaper Archive.

Materials and Methods. For the analysis of historical memory in the Great Britain, memoirs, monumental art, works of cinema, music, and many others are often involved. Methods of working with the British newspaper Archive are considered and, based on a specific historical method, we will reflect the perception of the First World War in British society and the situation of veterans in the 1930s. The method of quantitative content analysis is used. The necessary database of source material is selected by keywords, then the selected sources are grouped according to a certain topic. Memoirs, monumental art, works of cinema, music and much more are often used to analyze historical memory in Great Britain. In this work, we will look at the techniques of working with the British Newspaper Archive and, based on a specific historical method, reflect the perception of the First World War in British society and the situation of veterans in the 1930s. Due to the free access to a huge mass of English-language sources, this digital archive is of interest to researchers. The work uses the method of quantitative content analysis.

Results and Discussion. During the study of press materials, it can be stated that the following agenda has been identified in the historical memory and legacy of the First World War in Great Britain in the 1930s: 1) the presence of narratives reflecting the pride of British society for the heroism of soldiers and sorrow for the many sacrifices they made in the name of victory in the war; 2) despite the discussions’ existence about the frontline brotherhood during the war period, after the war, veterans rallied into unions and organizations engaged in a wide variety of support (from mediation when applying for a job to appeals to the authorities about pension provision).

Conclusion. Thus, despite the apparent immensity of the digital database of the British Newspaper Archive, the application of the well-known methodological principle of “Occam’s razor” makes it possible to compile a corpus of sources that meet the purpose of the study. Immersion in the press materials themselves allows the researcher to immerse himself more in the socio-cultural context of Great Britain in the 1930s. Due to the complexity of the information from the studied sources.
The impact of religious diversity on the Kurdish identity within a geopolitical framework
Authors: Baravi M. V. , Tarasova D. A.
Published: October 2024

Importance. The Kurds are currently dispersed across four countries (Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq), which are quite negative towards them, trying to suppress expression of their identity. Historiographically, the Kurdish issue is usually perceived as another obstacle to regional stability in the Middle East, but the uniqueness of their position forces us to look at the situation from a different perspective. The aim of the study is to prove that the experience of asymmetric interaction of Kurds with various social actors can be extrapolated to address the problem of long-term stability in the Middle East and the resolution of other conflicts.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on the principles of historicism and objectivity; chronological and structural methods and comparative analysis are used.

Results and Discussion. The novelty of the study is that it allows us to consider the religious heterogeneity of the Kurds as a possible positive factor that can be used to build a new Kurdish identity. The peculiarities of the situation of the Kurds in different territories, including in a religious context, are also analyzed. The trends in ethnic relations in the territories of four nearby countries (Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey) are determined.

Conclusion. The eclectic nature of Kurdistan’s religious composition has greatly influenced Kurdish political identity, and despite external divisive factors, the diverse Kurdish population is united due to its culture of tolerance, which stems from its long history of diverse religious traditions. At the same time, it complicates their interactions with the neighbouring states that are intolerant of dissent and other faiths.
Development of phonetic skills of students in teaching English in a non-linguistic university
Authors: Skripnikova T. I. , Gevorgyan A. G.
Published: October 2024

Importance. The topicality of teaching students the right pronunciation is explained by the fact that phonetic aspect is one of the components of the language competence. The problem of necessity of forming a phonetic competence of students studying a foreign language at a non-linguistic institution is considered. The aim of the study is to consider the difficulties of developing students’ phonetic skills when teaching English in a non-linguistic university, as well as the suggestion of measures to eliminate these difficulties.

Materials and Methods. Within the framework of the research, referring to modern scientific sources on the problem posed, the basic difficulties have been revealed, the material related to measures on solving the difficulties of students in the development of pronunciation skills has been systematized and generalized, various measures to eliminate errors and improve pronunciation skills have been proposed.

Results and Discussion. The examples of traditional phonetic exercises of varying complexity, as well as innovative ones, the use of which is supposed to improve the pronunciation skills of students, are considered; methods for assessing phonetic skills have been defined.

Conclusion. Forming of phonetic competence is an important component of the general language competence of students. By means of a variety of teaching materials, active practice and creating a suitable environment, students can improve their phonetic skills and achieve a higher level of English proficiency. The practical application of the results of the research can be used in teaching English at a non-linguistic university.
About complex operator functions of a complex operator variable
Authors: Fomin Vasiliy I.
Published: October 2024

We consider a family of complex operator functions whose domain and range of values are included in the real Banach algebra of bounded linear complex operators acting in the Banach space of complex vectors over the field of real numbers. It is shown that the study of a function from this family can be reduced to the study of a pair of real operator functions of two real operator variables. The main elementary functions of this family are considered: power function; exponent; trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, cosecant; hyperbolic sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, cosecant; the main property of the exponent is proved. A complex Euler operator formula is obtained. Relations that express sine and cosine in terms of the exponent are found. For the trigonometric functions of sine and cosine, addition formulas are justified. The periodicity of the exponent and trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent is proved; reduction formulas for these functions are provided. The main complex operator trigonometric identity is obtained. Equalities connecting trigonometric and hyperbolic functions are found. The main complex operator hyperbolic identity is established. For the hyperbolic functions of sine and cosine, addition formulas are indicated. As an example of an elementary function from the family of complex operator functions under consideration, a rational function is considered, a special case of which is the characteristic operator polynomial of a linear homogeneous differential equation of n-th order with constant bounded operator coefficients in a real Banach space.
Az optimizmus és a pesszimizmus szerepe és alkalmazási lehetőségei a természetvédelmi kommunikációban
Authors: Móré Zsófia , Zsófi Nikolett , Kohajda Blanka , Nádházi Imre , Németh Attila
Published: October 2024

A természetvédelmi üzenetek megfogalmazásának régi dilemmája, hogy az optimista vagy pesszimista üzenetek képesek-e erősebb hatást elérni az olvasók között. Ugyanakkor a problémát illetően hazai adatok alig állnak rendelkezésre. Vizsgálatunk során kétféle megközelítésből vizsgáltuk a kérdést. Elkészítettük egy természetvédelmi hír pozitív és negatív hangvételű változatát, melyeket a közösségi médiában osztottunk meg, követve mindkettő hatásait. Másrészt két hírportál optimista és pesszimista témájú híreiből készített adatbázist elemeztünk. Míg az átdolgozott hír, valamint a Greenfo oldalairól származó adatok alapján a pesszimista üzenetek látszanak sikeresebbnek, addig a National Geographic Magyarország oldalairól származó információk alapján a pozitív üzenetek szerepeltek jobban. Eredmények rámutatnak, hogy a pozitív vagy negatív hangvétel önmagában nem garantálja a hatékony kommunikációt. A célcsoport igényeinek megfelelően szükséges az optimista és pesszimista üzenetek egyensúlyának megteremtése.
Mire elég 200 év? Van-e spontán löszpusztagyep-regeneráció a Tiszántúlon?
Authors: Molnár Csaba , Máté András
Published: October 2024

203 évvel ezelőtt, 1820-ban gróf Semsey Lajos átadta Balmazújvárosnak Magdolna területén lévő gyepeit, szántóit, melyet a város közlegelőként hasznosított, és amelyet azóta is legelőként használnak. Korábban a területet viszonylag rövid ideig, hozzávetőlegesen 50-80 évig szántották. Magdolnát két szikes tó/lapos, ill. körülöttük szikes gyepek és nagy kiterjedésű löszpusztagyepek (Salvio-Festucetum) alkotják. A parlagok mellett kis méretű, felszántatlan löszgyepfoltok is vannak. Feltűnő a különbség a magas természetességű felszántatlan ősgyepek és a legfeljebb közepes természetességű óparlagok között, pedig mind a propagulum, mind az azokat szállító legelő állat rendelkezésre állt az elmúlt 203 évben. A parlagok és az ősgyepek közötti különbséget 17 térsorozati mintavétellel vizsgáltuk, mérve az alfa- és béta-diverzitást. Eredményeink szerint a parlagoknak nincs önálló fajkészletük, az ősgyepek szegényebb változatainak tekinthetőek. A faj-area görbék alapján minden térléptékben élesen elkülönülnek az ősgyepek és a parlagok. Ősgyeppel érintkező parlag estében a határvonaltól távolodva szerkezeti grádiens nem figyelhető meg. Azok a fajok, amik átléptek a parlag területére, azon bárhol megjelenhetnek, de az ősgyepek felé kissé nő a gyakoriságuk. Kolonizáló front nincs. Az óparlagok nem egységesek, van közöttük jobb (kis térléptékben az ősgyepekét megközelítő, de azt el nem érő) szerkezetű is, de ez is fajszegény. A vizsgált területen 203 év kevés volt a regenerációra. Úgy tűnik, a Tiszántúlon a máig megmaradt ősi Salvio-Festucetum foltokra emberi léptékben nem tekinthetünk propagulumforrásként a löszgyep-specialista fajok tekintélyes része esetében, ha természetvédelmi célú spontán regeneráció a célunk. A továbblépést – és talán a megoldást – a spontán nem terjedő fajok dokumentált és nyomon követett betelepítésének kísérletei jelenthetik.
Talajmagbank-vizsgálatok eltérő ideje felhagyott vadászati célú etetőhelyeken
Authors: Rusvai Katalin , Kispál Luca , Házi Judit , Czóbel Szilárd
Published: October 2024

A vadászati célú etetőhelyek felhagyását követő változások eddig kevéssé ismertek, különösen a talajmagbankot érintően. A Mátra hegységben ezért 3 db, eltérő ideje (1, 8 és 10 éve) felhagyott etetőhelyen egy korábbi tavaszi mellett egy őszi magbankmintavételt is végeztünk. Eredményeink alapján jól kimutatható volt, hogy az őszi mintákban több faj több magja volt jelen, s minden esetben nagyobb volt a gyomfajok és magvaik aránya is. A legjelentősebb eltéréseket a felszíni vegetációt és a magbankot illetően is a leginkább zavart, egy éve felhagyott szórón tapasztaltuk. A növényzetben jellemző évközi változások jól kimutathatóak voltak a magbankból is, azaz feltehetőleg az egykori használatból eredő perzisztens gyommagbank mellett a helyi magszórásnak is szerepe lehet e helyszíneken. Mindezek jelentősen hátráltathatják az érintett gyepterületek regenerációját, illetve – egy esetleges újabb zavarás esetén – a klímaváltozás hatásai mellett akár egy újabb invázióhoz is vezethetnek.
Zagyva menti folyóparti tájak természetességének és esztétikai értékének lakossági megítélése kérdőíves felmérés alapján
Authors: Erdei Tímea , Boromisza Zsombor
Published: October 2024

A városi folyószakaszok rehabilitációja gyakran kedvezőtlen állapotuk és a zöldinfrastruktúra-rendszerben elfoglalt szerepük miatt napjainkban egyre fontosabbá válik. A helyi lakosság bevonása hasznos lépése lehet ezeknek a projekteknek. Jelen kutatásban célunk a lakosság által érzékelt természetesség és esztétikai érték, illetve ezek összefüggéseinek feltárása folyóparti tájak esetében. Fényképeket tartalmazó online kérdőíves felméréssel végeztük vizsgálatainkat három Zagyva menti település bevonásával. Eredményeink alapján a lakosság számára fontos a táj esztétikai értékének megítélésében az észlelt természetesség, főként a meder és a vegetáció esetében; azonban az épített elemek esztétikai értéke pozitívabb, mint a természetességük megítélése. Az észlelt természetesség a legtöbb vizsgált szempont esetében megfelel az ökológiai természetességnek (pl. part menti fás vegetáció aránya és természetessége, mederbeli növényzet aránya, épített elemek jelenléte). A holtfák mederben való jelenlétét azonban kimondottan kedvezőtlennek ítélik esztétikai szempontból, ezért ennek természetvédelmi előnyeit környezeti nevelési, szemléletformálási projektek keretében is fontos lehet bemutatni.
Economia circular, sustentabilidade e indústria da moda: uma análise bibliométrica
Authors: Andreatta Tanice , Toillier Bruna Heinen , Camara Simone Bueno
Published: October 2024

O presente estudo gravita em torno da abordagem da Economia Circular, sustentabilidade e a indústria da moda, tendo como cenário a preocupação com os impactos decorrentes do fenômeno do fast fashion. O objetivo consistiu em realizar uma análise bibliométrica acerca da economia circular, sustentabilidade e a indústria da moda. O procedimento de pesquisa utilizado foi a bibliometria, e, guardadas as devidas proporções, permitiu mapear o estado da arte em relação à produção científica internacional sobre Economia Circular e indústria da moda na plataforma de dados bibliográfico Scopus. A amostra foi composta por 81 documentos publicados entre os anos de 2016 e 2021 e, para a análise, foi utilizado o Bibliometrix. Por intermédio dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que há uma tendência de aumento das publicações sobre o tema nos últimos anos. Os estudos investigados se assemelham ao compreenderem a Economia Circular como um avanço para a indústria da moda. As publicações condicionam-se para um cenário otimista, com pesquisas e inovações que permitam a ultrapassagem do modelo fast fashion e a adoção de práticas sustentáveis e circulares. Por isso, é imprescindível que a temática seja cada vez mais discutida, não somente no meio empresarial, mas especialmente com o mercado consumidor e a sociedade.
Innovative smart coatings: advancing surface protection and sustainability across industries
Authors: Yelwa Jibrin Muhammad , Musa Haruna
Published: October 2024

Smart coatings are advanced materials engineered to autonomously respond to external environmental stimuli and offer strong protection against different types of degradation through their self-healing properties. The paper canvases the present state and future prospects of smart coatings within a wide span of applications across industries: automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, and healthcare. This review clearly points out the potential opportunities of transformative coatings, like nanomaterials, advanced polymers, and hybrid systems, by using new manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing and layer-by-layer assembly. This can be done in spite of the obvious challenges related to scalability, durability, and environmental impact through interdisciplinary research and collaboration that will drive this emerging market’s growth. Smart coatings promise a longer service life, lower maintenance costs, and sustainability, essentially by developing eco-friendly alternatives that revolutionize protection and maintenance.
Challenges and Security Risks in the Red Sea: Impact of Houthi Attacks on Maritime Traffic
Authors: Rodriguez-Diaz E. , Alcaide Juan Ignacio , Garcia-Llave R.
Published: October 2024

This study examines the significant impact of Houthi insurgent activities on maritime traffic within the strategic Red Sea and Suez Canal routes, essential conduits for global trade. It explores the correlation between regional instability, exemplified by Houthi actions from November 19, 2023, to February 5, 2024, and changes in maritime traffic patterns and operational efficiency. This study seeks to answer a critical question in transport geography: How does regional instability, exemplified by Houthi insurgent activities, affect maritime traffic patterns and the operational efficiency of the Red Sea and Suez Canal? Using descriptive statistics, qualitative analysis, and geospatial methods, the research highlights recent trends in maritime traffic and incidents, revealing spatial and geopolitical challenges in this crucial trade route.Findings indicate a notable decline in maritime activity in the Gulf of Aden and Suez Canal due to security concerns from Houthi attacks, prompting a significant shift to alternative routes, particularly around the Cape of Good Hope. This shift underscores the broader implications of regional instability on global trade and the importance of maintaining uninterrupted maritime flow. The study also emphasizes the economic ramifications, such as increased operational costs and freight rates due to longer transit times and enhanced security measures.The research concludes with a call for improved maritime security protocols and international cooperation to protect these strategic maritime pathways. It contributes to the discourse on transport geography by quantifying the direct impacts of regional conflicts on maritime logistics and proposing strategies for future resilience, highlighting the interconnected nature of global trade and security and the need for collective action against evolving geopolitical challenges.
Using Artificial Neural Networks to Evaluate the Capacity and Cost of Multi-Fiber Optical Backbone Networks
Authors: Freitas Alexandre , Pires João
Published: October 2024

A possible solution to address the enormous increase in traffic demands faced by network operators is to rely on multi-fiber optical backbone networks. These networks use multiple optical fibers between adjacent nodes, and, when properly designed, they are capable of handling petabits of data per second (Pbit/s). In this paper, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is investigated to estimate both the capacity and cost of a multi-fiber optical network. Furthermore, a fiber assignment algorithm is also proposed to complement the network design, enabling the generation of datasets for training and testing the developed ANN model. The model consists of three layers, including one hidden layer with 50 hidden units. The results show that for a large network, such as one with 100 nodes, the model can estimate performance metrics with an average relative error of less than 0.4% for capacity and 4% for cost, while achieving a computation time nearly 800 times faster than the heuristic approach used in network simulation. Additionally, the network capacity is around 5 Pbit/s.
Incentive Based Continuum of Care for People Living With HIV including Orphan Vulnerable Children- The Delhi Model
Authors: Darswal Mrinalini , Gupta Anil Kumar , Joshi Bipin Chandra , Kumar Parveen
Published: October 2024

Background: Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) addressed critical integration of services for Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in context of HIV. They bridged the policy and implementation divide by formulating a multisectoral-strategy in April 2012, creating a model of "Continuum-of-Care for People-Living with HIV (PLHIV), OVC & Children-Affected-by-HIV (ChABH)” in Delhi. With input from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, DSACS sensitized political and administrative machinery about needs and challenges related to HIV/AIDS. DSACS developed an incentive-based system for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence, incorporating safeguards and robust monitoring. Delhi Government's sustained financial commitment and DSACS programmatic-innovation provide a scalable blueprint for India and global initiatives.
Description: This ongoing Delhi Government's scheme focuses on household-economic-strengthening of PLHIV as an incentive for broader behaviour change based-on specific eligibility conditions. Beneficiaries fall into four categories: PLHIV, including children on ART; double orphan HIV positive children (OCI); destitute children living with HIV/in institutional care (DCI); and double orphan ChABH in community-based care in Delhi. Category-wise fixed-monthly financial assistance is released to beneficiaries via direct-bank-transfers leveraging Aadhaar-platform to eliminate corruption. Adherence to treatment is mandatory to continue cash-transfers. Linkages with other schemes established to maximize impact.
Lessons learned: In its 11-year evolution, Delhi model has grown from 1110 to 6467 beneficiaries, including 6383 PLHIV, 34 double OCI, 50 DCI, and 27 double orphan ChABH, with 5875 (90.8%) currently active excluding beneficiaries who expired (n=328), migrated/ transferred out of Delhi (n=115), opted-out ART/or lost-to-follow-up (n=135), and 14 CABA who turned major. Steady progress and 98% ART adherence mark positive outcomes. DSACS eased eligibility criteria in 2018, facilitating hurdle-free enrollment, while responding to cost-inflation by enhancing financial assistance, showcasing program adaptability. Achieving >95 ART adherence has significantly boosted survival rates, underscoring program's positive impact on beneficiary health. The scheme's INR 14,69,35,600 expenditure in 2022-23, just 0.13% of Delhi Health Department's plan-outlay, signals a cost-effective investment. Extrapolating this nationally would represent 1.5% of India's Health Ministry's current plan-outlay.
Conclusions/Next steps: This innovative model is implementable on large-scale in India and around the globe but requires not only financial commitment but also coordinated efforts, policy adjustments, and collaboration between various stakeholders.
Underwater Network Time Synchronization Method Based on Probabilistic Graphical Models
Authors: Ouyang Yujie , Han Yunfeng , Wang Zeyu , He Yifei
Published: October 2024

In underwater clustering and benchmark networks, nodes need to reduce the rate and energy consumption of acoustic communication while ensuring synchronization accuracy. In large-scale networks, the improvement of the efficiency of existing network time synchronization often relies on optimization of topological structures, and the improvement in efficiency within local areas is limited. This paper proposes a method to synchronize underwater time using the probability graph model. The method utilizes the positional and motion status information of sensor networks to construct a factor graph model for distributed network synchronization. By simplifying the marginal probability density function of the system clock difference, it can quickly calculate the clock difference parameters of nodes, thereby effectively improving the synchronization efficiency. Experimental results show that the method can complete global time synchronization within a cycle while achieving a clock difference correction accuracy higher than seconds, significantly optimizing the synchronization period and efficiency, and reducing the energy consumption of acoustic communication.
Relationship of Oxidative Balance Score to Gallstone Prevalence and Gallbladder Surgery in American Adults: Evidence from NHANES 2017–2020
Authors: Wei Shouxin , Yu Sijia , Xu Zhengwen , Qian Chuan , Jia Yingdong
Published: October 2024

Background: Gallstones represent a common gastrointestinal disorder, affecting approximately 10-20% of the global population. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of gallstones; however, there remains a lack of effective clinical indicators to predict their formation. This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between oxidative balance score (OBS) and the incidence of gallstones and gallbladder surgery, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2020. Methods: This study investigated the association between OBS and the occurrence of gallstones and gallbladder surgery by analyzing data from NHANES for the period 2017–2020, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, race, and comorbidities. Various statistical analyses were applied, including multivariate logistic regression, subgroup analyses, and smoothed curve-fitting models.Results: The results revealed a significant negative correlation between OBS and the risks of both gallstones and gallbladder surgery, with each one-unit increase in OBS associated with a 2.6% reduction in gallstone risk (OR=0.974, 95% CI: 0.958-0.990) and a 3.3% reduction in the risk of gallbladder surgery (OR=0.967, 95% CI: 0.950-0.983). Subgroup analyses confirmed the consistency of these associations across various demographic and health-related factors. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed between higher OBS and a reduced risk of gallbladder surgery.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a higher OBS is associated with a lower incidence of gallstones and reduced rates of gallbladder surgery, offering new insights into the link between oxidative stress levels and gallstone formation as well as surgical intervention. The findings underscore the potential of OBS as a valuable tool for identifying at-risk populations and informing personalized prevention strategies for gallstone disease.
Investigation into the Energy Consumption Characteristics of the Pump Control System for Electric Excavator Arms
Authors: He Ai Huan , Wei Lie Jiang , Lu Quan Feng , He Peng Fei
Published: October 2024

The conventional hydraulic system of excavators suffers from significant valve throttling losses and inadequate matching between the hydraulic power source and the load, which substantially impacts the overall energy consumption of the system and severely impedes the trends toward electrification and energy efficiency in construction machinery. To address this issue, a pump-controlled hydraulic cylinder system has been implemented to replace the original valve-controlled hydraulic system that utilizes a single pump with multiple actuators. Focusing on a specific model of electric-driven excavator arm as the research subject, we completed parameter matching design for the pump-controlled hydraulic cylinder system. Based on typical operating conditions of the boom, experimental results revealed how energy conversion efficiency and hydraulic pump speed are influenced by varying load power.Furthermore, control over hydraulic cylinder position was achieved by adjusting pump displacement. A combined control strategy involving both displacement adjustment and motor speed modulation to align with load power is applied within this boom's pump-controlled hydraulic cylinder system. Research findings indicate that this combined control approach enhances efficiency by approximately 18.9% compared to traditional variable speed pump-controlled hydraulic cylinder system, while the energy consumption is reduced by about 39% compared with the traditional valve-controlled hydraulic system. under the hydraulic pump pressure of p=16 MPa and a working flow demand of Q=85 L/min, the efficiency of the hydraulic pump increases first and then decreases, that is, the efficiency spaceΔη=26.7% can be improved in the speed range.This study holds both theoretical and practical significance for enhancing energy utilization efficiency across entire excavator systems as well as optimizing their configurations.
The Variation of G and Λ in Cosmology
Authors: Beesham Aroonkumar
Published: October 2024

The idea of varying constants of nature is very old, and has commanded a lot of attention 1 since first mooted. The variation of the gravitational parameter G and cosmological parameter Λ is still an active area of research. Since the idea of a varying G was introduced by Dirac almost a century ago, there are even theories that have variable G such as Brans-Dicke theory and the scale covariant theory. Both these theories also have a varying Λ in their full generalisations. A varying Λ was also introduced around the same time as that of varying G. It is interesting to note that a possible solution to the cosmological constant problem can be realised from a dynamic Λ. In this work, we focus on a varying Λ and G framework. In almost all studies in the simplest framework of variable Λ and G, it is found that one of them has to increase with time. However, observations and theoretical considerations indicate that both Λ and G should decrease with time. In this paper, we propose a solution to this problem, finding theories in which both Λ and G decrease with time.
Synergistic Effect of Influence Factors on Ammonia Volatilization in Fertilizer Solution: A Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Xie Jie , Chen Yuanhua , Yang Tao , Li Jianguo , Xu Changxu , Dong Aiqin
Published: October 2024

Ammonia volatilization, which is a main way for nitrogen gaseous loss of farmland, restricts the promotion of the utilization rate of nitrogen fertilizer, and contains some potential environmental risks. To investigate the general pattern of ammonia volatilization under actual paddy field conditions, researchers designed an indoor simulated system to measure the amount of ammonia volatilized within a single time period by controlling the pH and concentration of NH4+ (c(NH4+)) in the solution, the gas-liquid interfacial gas velocity, and the ambient temperature. In this paper, the influence of these factors, the synergistic effect on ammonia volatilization and their quantitative relationship were discussed. Researchers use the resolution of ammonium bicarbonate (SAB) and diammonium phosphate (SDP) for simulation experiments, and the results show that, there are significant linear relationship between amount of ammonia volatilization and c(NH4+). The correlation coefficient is between 0.9214 to 0.9897 and 0.8932 to 0.9904 for SAB and SDP, respectively. The quantitative relationship between temperature, pH and the influence factor (CIF), the initial ammonia volatilization fluxes (IAVF) was analyzed by least-squares method, and the degrees of polynomial were one and two respectively. The regression equations of the SAB and SDP among the amount of ammonia volatilization with the concentration of ammonium nitrogen, the temperature and the pH were gotten by using MATLAB. Considering the effects of temperature and pH on CIF and IAVF under individual conditions, we use binary cubic model to fit the relationship between temperature, pH to CIF and IAVF, the simulation results show that the correlation coefficients between CIF and IAVF for SAB are 0.9980 and 0.9680, however the correlation coefficients are 0.9946 and 0.9708 for SDP, respectively. The quantitative equation takes into account coefficient of determination and degrees of polynomial, and the ammonia volatilization fluxes can be calculated by using these equations.
Advancements in Materials for 3D-Printed Microneedle Arrays: Enhancing Performance and Biocompatibility
Authors: Razzaghi Mahmood , Alexander Ninan Joel , Akbari Mohsen
Published: October 2024

The rapid advancement of 3D printing technology has revolutionized the fabrication of microneedle arrays (MNAs), which hold great promise in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions. This review provides an exploration of the diverse materials used in the production of 3D-printed MNAs, including photopolymer resins, biocompatible materials, composite resins, and cutting-edge materials designed to improve mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and functional performance. By analyzing recent research and technological innovations, this paper presents an assessment of material characteristics, fabrication techniques, and their alignment with application-specific requirements. Additionally, it discusses future directions and addresses potential challenges in advancing the field of 3D-printed MNAs.
Assessment of the Impact of the COVID‑19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Emphysema Based on Computed Tomography Data Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors:   Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Health Care Department, Arzamasova L. N. , Vasilev Y. A. ,   Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Health Care Department, Vladzymyrskyy A. V. ,   Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Health Care Department, Arzamasov K. M. ,   Research and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow Health Care Department
Published: October 2024

Respiratory diseases represent the most prevalent class of diseases in the Russian Federation, accounting for up to 25.0% of the total morbidity structure according to various authors. Several authors suggest that the proportion of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with emphysema has increased in recent years. One of the reasons for the rising prevalence of emphysema is the aftermath of COVID‑19. The aim of this study is to analyze the changes in the incidence of emphysema before, during, and after the COVID‑19 pandemic. Materials and methods. The study included the results of chest computed tomography (CT) scans processed using artificial intelligencebased software, enabling the assessment of the volume of emphysematous lung tissue damage. Patient samples were divided into four periods: the «pre-COVID period» (625 studies), the «COVID period» (6,809 studies), the «post-COVID2023» period (101,872 studies), and the «post-COVID2024» period (78,539 studies). Results. The proportion of studies indicating emphysema in the pre-COVID period was 5.60%, increasing to 9.37% during the COVID period, and then decreasing to 6.63% in the first post-COVID year (2023), with a subsequent increase to 7.67% in the second post-COVID year (2024). Statistically significant differences in the percentage of emphysema were found in 2022, 2023, and 2024 when analyzed pairwise. Notably, when categorized by the severity of the disease, significant emphysema (>6% lung involvement) was more prevalent in 2024, with an average percentage of 25.79% in this group. Conclusion. Our study confirms a significant increase in cases of emphysema in the population in recent years, which may be associated with the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic. The proportion of patients with signs of emphysema in 2024 was 7.67%, which is 1% higher than in 2023.
AMEP and the Burden of Compliance
Authors: Corbel Chris
Published: October 2024

This article explores the ‘burden of compliance’ experienced by providers and teachers in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), a large national English as an Additional Language (EAL) program in Australia. It shows how compliance requirements have been shaped by the relationship between two groups, those who make and operationalise relevant policies (mainly politicians and public servants) and those engaged in the practice of developing and teaching English courses (mainly teachers, program providers, and academics). These two groups are engaged in a struggle for the control of a metaphoric ‘pedagogic device’ (Bernstein, 2000) which shapes curriculum documents such as the frameworks, scales and teaching resources used in the AMEP. The article examines three key teaching and assessment documents and shows how the compliance requirements attached to each have been shaped by the relationship between these two groups over time. A crucial dynamic governing this relationship is the level of trust between and within them. The article argues that changes in levels and types of trust account for many of the tensions within the AMEP. It begins by describing how compliance was raised as an issue and introduces the key concepts that inform the discussion. The second part of the article tracks changes in approaches to compliance as manifested in three AMEP curriculum documents over 75 years. The third part identifies three policy trends that contributed to compliance becoming the burden currently experienced by providers and teachers. The article concludes that there are signs that trust between stakeholders may be changing, with a potential reduction in the burden of compliance.
Implementation of Coupled 3D Geomechanics and Pore Pressure Model in Field Development Optimization: A Case Study from Depleted Sand Reservoir Interbedded with Weak Shale Intervals, Safa Field, Egypt
Authors: El-Khawaga M. A. , Abdelghany W. K. , Abdelhalim K. B. , Naidu R. , Morsy A. M. , Eid T. , Emara A. A. , Guerra J. , Saad A.
Published: October 2024

Safa Field is a newly established onshore oilfield located in the southern central region of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. It features a complex Miocene stratigraphic reservoir known as the "Hawara Sandstone Formation," which is capped by thick layers of shale and carbonate that act as a cap rock. After 22 years of production, the field has begun to show signs of water-cutting. Significant depletion has occurred within the sandstone layers due to continuous production. As a result, the reservoir pressure has dropped from an initial 4,200 psi at 9,600 feet to approximately 2,200 psi. Initially, using high mud weight was not problematic when drilling the reservoir. However, with the significant drop in pressure, it has become impossible to drill through all formations as before. The shale formations require high mud weight to prevent collapse, while the sandstone layers need lower mud weight to avoid mud losses. This paper emphasizes the role of high-resolution 3D geomechanical modeling in optimizing well costs for the Safa Oil Field. By integrating geological, geophysical, petrophysical, reservoir pressure, and drilling data, the study introduced a new casing set and optimized mud weight design tailored to the current stress conditions following depletion. The revised mud weight calculations positively influenced the casing design for two new wells. Additionally, an extensive uniaxial compressive strength analysis was conducted on the reservoir, resulting in the development of a new unconfined compressive strength equation. This equation, derived from an empirical relationship with total porosity, helped to reduce uncertainties in calculations for the reservoir section.
Extensive Development of Highly Diverse and Multi-Reservoir Field Using Numerical/Analytical Modeling Yields Significant Production and Recovery Boosts in Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Shrief , Elshafei Ahmed , Fathy M. , Adel Ahmed , Gad Ramy , Mahmoud W. , Eldash A. , El Gendy Y. E. , Osman M. , Gomaa R.
Published: October 2024

The good characterization of reservoir properties and extensions simplifies its development plan including appraisal/infill drilling, completion type, and reserves estimation, especially, in fields with multi-layered reservoirs characterized by complicated geology environment where abrupt changes in stratigraphy are expected in vertical and lateral directions. And all those layers need to be developed at the same time with different completion type causing surface complexities, which makes the challenges of field development plans reach its peak.

This paper will demonstrate the development study of field producing from six separate reservoirs. All of them are sandstones that are formed mainly due to stratigraphic trapping, forming different pressure systems within the same reservoir, and characterized with different drive mechanisms with different aquifer strengths. In addition, all sand bodies are of high heterogeneity in terms of permeability, porosity, and initial water saturations. Moreover, all reservoirs are subject to water flooding projects and many wells are subject to commingle production/injection. Aforementioned, each reservoir has its own characterization and hence its own development plan.

A numerical simulation model was constructed to match each well and reservoir in terms of production, injection, and pressure profiles. All possible analytical tools (MBE, RTA, & DCA) were used to estimate STOIIP, compartments and their volumes, and drive mechanisms. Then, those analyses and OHLs were used to adapt sand extensions in the numerical model. Also, PTAs were used to provide permeability ranges in each pressure system and define its share of production. Besides, different FDPs were tested to choose the optimum one with highest RF and least NPV. The development strategies adapted to suit each reservoir, as in some cases it was better to out run the aquifer at the initial phase of production, then start injection in the next phase, while in other cases applying heavy water flooding is the best to sweep oil and increase recovery. Moreover, surface networks were optimized using nodal analysis to perform with maximum efficiency to minimize pressure losses and corrosion. After doing so, it is managed to save the cost of drilling four wells, increase the production profile by more than 10,000 BOPD, and RF is expected to reach exceptional values +/- 50%.

The transition of development optimization from reservoir scale to multi-discipline field scale is a mandatory step to achieve optimum, extensive, and inclusive project's plan. And to do so, all concerned departments should collaborate together and all available tools (analytical and numerical) should be used and combined together to facilitate production and injection from/to reservoir passing by different completion types and surface flow lines.
Enhancing Nutritional Care in Palliative Care Units: Assessing Nurse Knowledge and Quality Perception in Enteral Nutrition Practices
Authors: BATU Zehra , MARAŞ Gül BÜLBÜL , TURAN Kadriye
Published: October 2024

Background: Sufficient and well-balanced nutrition is pivotal in sustaining essential functions among patients in palliative care units.
Aim: To determine the knowledge levels of nurses working in palliative care units regarding enteral nutrition practices and their perceptions of nutritional care quality in their units.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 palliative care units located in Izmir, Türkiye, between June and September 2022. The study sample consisted of 205 nurses working in palliative care units. Data were collected using a general information form, an Enteral Nutrition Practices Knowledge Form, and the Nurses' Perceived Nutrition Care Quality Assessment Scale. STROBE checklist was used.
Results: The study found that the majority of participating nurses (94.6%) were female, with 78.5% holding bachelor's degrees. The median knowledge score for enteral nutrition: 15 (range: 2-27), perceived care quality score: 36 (range: 9-45). Those with enteral nutrition training had significantly higher knowledge scores (p <.001); palliative care certificate showed no difference (p = .846). Nurses lacking nutrition counseling knowledge had lower perceived care quality scores (p = 0.001). Monthly tube feeding applications correlated positively with knowledge scores (r = .173, p = .013), unlike professional experience duration (p= .126) and time spent in palliative care (p = .839).
Conclusion: Nurses working in the palliative care unit find the quality of nutrition care provided to patients in their clinics to be sufficient, and the level of knowledge regarding enteral nutrition is at a moderate level. However, in questions related to nursing care such as fluid requirements during enteral nutrition with enteral solutions that affect both nutritional care and medical treatment, maintaining the opening of the jejunostomy tube, and enteral drug administration, correct response rates were low. Low correct response rates on specific issues highlight a need for targeted educational interventions.