bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Low-Carbon and Highly Efficient Turning Production Equipment Selection Based on Beetle Antennae Search Algorithm (BAS)
Authors: Xiao Yongmao , Chen Guohua , Zhang Hao , Zhu Xiaoyong
Published: March 2023

Reducing carbon emission and raising efficient production are the important goals of modern enterprise production process. The same product can be produced by a variety of equipment, and the carbon emissions and processing time of different equipment vary greatly. Choosing suitable production equipment is an important method for manufacturing enterprises to achieve the efficient emission reduction of production process. However, the traditional production equipment selection mode only gives qualitative results, and it is difficult to provide effective advice for enterprises to choose suitable equipment under the needs of carbon neutrality. To solve this problem, this paper systematically analyzes carbon emission and the time of the turning production process, and a unified calculation model for carbon emission and efficient production of multi-type processing equipment is established. The important point of the article is to research the diversity among between carbon emissions and efficiency levels of the same product produced by different devices. The carbon emissions and efficiency levels of different kinds of equipment can be calculated by the BAS algorithm. By turning a shaft part as an example, the results show that this method can calculate the optimal value of carbon emissions and efficiency of the same product produced by different equipment and can provide suggestions for enterprises to select appropriate equipment for low-carbon and efficient production. This paper provides a reference for further research on the quantitative calculation model for the selection of high-efficiency and low-carbon production equipment.
How Did Evil Come into the World? A Primordial Free-Will Theodicy
Authors: Johnston Mark
Published: March 2023

James P. Sterba has provided a compelling argument to the effect that given the extent of significant, and indeed even horrendous, evil that an all-good and all-powerful being could have prevented, there is no God. There is a hidden assumption in Sterba’s reasoning, involving an inference from God being able to do anything metaphysically possible (omnipotence) to his being, after creation, able to prevent evil. As what follows shows, that isn’t a purely logical matter. It depends on ruling out a determinate theological account of how creation limits what is then metaphysically possible for God, an account set out in detail below. So Sterba’s argument is not deductively valid, unless that account is incoherent. Accordingly, we are back in the realm of total judgments of theoretical plausibility, and the effects of God-given grace on what then will strike one as the right view to live by.
An Integrated Machine Learning-Based Brain Computer Interface to Classify Diverse Limb Motor Tasks: Explainable Model
Authors: Hashem Hend A. , Abdulazeem Yousry , Labib Labib M. , Elhosseini Mostafa A. , Shehata Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Terminal neurological conditions can affect millions of people worldwide and hinder them from doing their daily tasks and movements normally. Brain computer interface (BCI) is the best hope for many individuals with motor deficiencies. It will help many patients interact with the outside world and handle their daily tasks without assistance. Therefore, machine learning-based BCI systems have emerged as non-invasive techniques for reading out signals from the brain and interpreting them into commands to help those people to perform diverse limb motor tasks. This paper proposes an innovative and improved machine learning-based BCI system that analyzes EEG signals obtained from motor imagery to distinguish among various limb motor tasks based on BCI competition III dataset IVa. The proposed framework pipeline for EEG signal processing performs the following major steps. The first step uses a meta-heuristic optimization technique, called the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), to select the optimal features for discriminating between neural activity patterns. The pipeline then uses machine learning models such as LDA, k-NN, DT, RF, and LR to analyze the chosen features to enhance the precision of EEG signal analysis. The proposed BCI system, which merges the WOA as a feature selection method and the optimized k-NN classification model, demonstrated an overall accuracy of 98.6%, outperforming other machine learning models and previous techniques on the BCI competition III dataset IVa. Additionally, the EEG feature contribution in the ML classification model is reported using Explainable AI (XAI) tools, which provide insights into the individual contributions of the features in the predictions made by the model. By incorporating XAI techniques, the results of this study offer greater transparency and understanding of the relationship between the EEG features and the model’s predictions. The proposed method shows potential levels for better use in controlling diverse limb motor tasks to help people with limb impairments and support them while enhancing their quality of life.
An Improved Differential Evolution Adaptive Fuzzy PID Control Method for Gravity Measurement Stable Platform
Authors: Chen Xin , Bian Hongwei , He Hongyang , Li Fangneng
Published: March 2023

In the platform gravimeter, the stabilization accuracy of the gravimetric stabilization platform is crucial to improve the accuracy of gravity value measurements due to its uncertainties, such as mechanical friction, inter-device coupling interference, and nonlinear disturbances. These cause fluctuations in the gravimetric stabilization platform system parameters and present nonlinear characteristics. To resolve the impact of the above problems on the control performance of the stabilization platform, an improved differential evolutionary adaptive fuzzy PID control (IDEAFC) algorithm is proposed. The proposed enhanced differential evolution algorithm is used to optimize the initial control parameters of the system adaptive fuzzy PID control algorithm to achieve accurate online adjustments of the gravimetric stabilization platform’s control parameters when it is subject to external disturbances or state changes and attain a high level of stabilization accuracy. The results of simulation tests, static stability experiments, and swaying experiments on the platform under laboratory conditions, as well as on-board experiments and shipboard experiments, all show that the improved differential evolution adaptive fuzzy PID control algorithm has a higher stability accuracy compared with the conventional control PID algorithm and traditional fuzzy control algorithm, proving the superiority, availability, and effectiveness of the algorithm.
On the Performance of Decode-and-Forward Equal-Gain-Combining Relay Systems over Weibull Fading Channels
Authors: Tilleria Lucero Paula , Carvajal Mora Henry , Orozco Garzón Nathaly , Almeida García Fernando
Published: March 2023

Relay-assisted wireless communications, where both the relay and the final destiny employ diversity-combining techniques, represent a compelling strategy for improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for mobile terminals, mainly at millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency bands. In this sense, this work considers a wireless network that employs a dual-hop decode-and-forward (DF) relaying protocol, in which the receivers at the relay and at the base station (BS) use an antenna array. Moreover, it is considered that the received signals are combined at reception using equal-gain-combining (EGC). Recent works have enthusiastically employed the Weibull distribution so as to emulate the small-scale fading behavior in mmWave frequencies, which also motivates its use in the present work. For this scenario, exact and asymptotic expressions for the system’s outage probability (OP) and average bit error probability (ABEP) are derived in closed form. Useful insights are gained from these expressions. More precisely, they illustrate how the system and fading parameters affect the performance of the DF-EGC system. Monte Carlo simulations corroborate the accuracy and validity of the derived expressions. Furthermore, the mean achievable rate of the considered system is also evaluated via simulations. Useful insights regarding the system performance are obtained from these numerical results.
Endoscopic Image Classification Based on Explainable Deep Learning
Authors: Mukhtorov Doniyorjon , Rakhmonova Madinakhon , Muksimova Shakhnoza , Cho Young-Im
Published: March 2023

Deep learning has achieved remarkably positive results and impacts on medical diagnostics in recent years. Due to its use in several proposals, deep learning has reached sufficient accuracy to implement; however, the algorithms are black boxes that are hard to understand, and model decisions are often made without reason or explanation. To reduce this gap, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) offers a huge opportunity to receive informed decision support from deep learning models and opens the black box of the method. We conducted an explainable deep learning method based on ResNet152 combined with Grad–CAM for endoscopy image classification. We used an open-source KVASIR dataset that consisted of a total of 8000 wireless capsule images. The heat map of the classification results and an efficient augmentation method achieved a high positive result with 98.28% training and 93.46% validation accuracy in terms of medical image classification.
Examination of the ZXY Arena Tracking System for Association Football Pitches
Authors: Medbø Jon Ingulf , Ylvisåker Einar
Published: March 2023

Modern analyses of football games require precise recordings of positions and movements. The ZXY arena tracking system reports the position of players wearing a dedicated chip (transponder) at high time resolution. The main issue addressed here is the quality of the system’s output data. Filtering the data to reduce noise may affect the outcome adversely. Therefore, we have examined the precision of the data given, possible influence by sources of noise, the effect of the filtering, and the accuracy of the built-in calculations. The system’s reported positions of the transponders at rest and during different types of movements, including accelerations, were recorded and compared with the true positions, speeds, and accelerations. The reported position has a random error of ≈0.2 m, defining the system’s upper spatial resolution. The error in signals interrupted by a human body was of that magnitude or less. There was no significant influence of nearby transponders. Filtering the data delayed the time resolution. Consequently, accelerations were dampened and delayed, causing an error of 1 m for sudden changes in position. Moreover, fluctuations of the foot speed of a running person were not accurately reproduced, but rather, averaged over time periods >1 s. Results calculated from measured values appeared accurate and were readily reproduced in a spreadsheet output. In conclusion, the ZXY system reports the position with little random error. Its main limitation is caused by averaging of the signals.
Research on the Line of Sight Stabilization Control Technology of Optronic Mast under High Oceanic Condition and Big Swaying Movement of Platform
Authors: Lan Lintao , Jiang Wei , Hua Fangwu
Published: March 2023

To realize high-performance line of sight (LOS) stabilization control of the optronic mast under high oceanic conditions and big swaying movements of platforms, a composite control method based on an adaptive radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and sliding mode control (SMC) is proposed. The adaptive RBFNN is used to approximate the nonlinear and parameter-varying ideal model of the optronic mast, so as to compensate for the uncertainties of the system and reduce the big-amplitude chattering phenomenon caused by excessive switching gain in SMC. The adaptive RBFNN is constructed and optimized online based on the state error information in the working process; therefore, no prior training data are required. At the same time, a saturation function is used to replace the sign function for the time-varying hydrodynamic disturbance torque and the friction disturbance torque, which further reduce the chattering phenomenon of the system. The asymptotic stability of the proposed control method has been proven by the Lyapunov stability theory. The applicability of the proposed control method is validated by a series of simulations and experiments.
Simultaneous Localization and Guidance of Two Underwater Hexapod Robots under Underwater Currents
Authors: Kim Jonghoek
Published: March 2023

This paper addresses the simultaneous localization and guidance of two underwater hexapod robots under sea currents. This paper considers an underwater environment where there are no landmarks or features which can assist a robot’s localization. This article uses two underwater hexapod robots that move together while using each other as landmarks in the environment. While one robot moves, another robot extends its legs into the seabed and acts as a static landmark. A moving robot measures the relative position of another static robot, in order to estimate its position while it moves. Due to underwater currents, a robot cannot maintain its desired course. Moreover, there may be obstacles, such as underwater nets, that a robot needs to avoid. We thus develop a guidance strategy for avoiding obstacles, while estimating the perturbation due to the sea currents. As far as we know, this paper is novel in tackling simultaneous localization and guidance of underwater hexapod robots in environments with various obstacles. MATLAB simulations demonstrate that the proposed methods are effective in harsh environments where the sea current magnitude can change irregularly.
Dual-View Single-Shot Multibox Detector at Urban Intersections: Settings and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Lenatti Marta , Narteni Sara , Paglialonga Alessia , Rampa Vittorio , Mongelli Maurizio
Published: March 2023

The explosion of artificial intelligence methods has paved the way for more sophisticated smart mobility solutions. In this work, we present a multi-camera video content analysis (VCA) system that exploits a single-shot multibox detector (SSD) network to detect vehicles, riders, and pedestrians and triggers alerts to drivers of public transportation vehicles approaching the surveilled area. The evaluation of the VCA system will address both detection and alert generation performance by combining visual and quantitative approaches. Starting from a SSD model trained for a single camera, we added a second one, under a different field of view (FOV) to improve the accuracy and reliability of the system. Due to real-time constraints, the complexity of the VCA system must be limited, thus calling for a simple multi-view fusion method. According to the experimental test-bed, the use of two cameras achieves a better balance between precision (68%) and recall (84%) with respect to the use of a single camera (i.e., 62% precision and 86% recall). In addition, a system evaluation in temporal terms is provided, showing that missed alerts (false negatives) and wrong alerts (false positives) are typically transitory events. Therefore, adding spatial and temporal redundancy increases the overall reliability of the VCA system.
Deep Learning Enables Optofluidic Zoom System with Large Zoom Ratio and High Imaging Resolution
Authors: Xu Jiancheng , Kuang Fenglin , Liu Shubin , Li Lei
Published: March 2023

Due to the relatively low optical power of a liquid lens, it is usually difficult to achieve a large zoom ratio and a high-resolution image simultaneously in an optofluidic zoom imaging system. We propose an electronically controlled optofluidic zoom imaging system combined with deep learning, which achieves a large continuous zoom change and a high-resolution image. The zoom system consists of an optofluidic zoom objective and an image-processing module. The proposed zoom system can achieve a large tunable focal length range from 4.0 mm to 31.3 mm. In the focal length range of 9.4 mm to 18.8 mm, the system can dynamically correct the aberrations by six electrowetting liquid lenses to ensure the image quality. In the focal length range of 4.0–9.4 mm and 18.8–31.3 mm, the optical power of a liquid lens is mainly used to enlarge the zoom ratio, and deep learning enables the proposed zoom system with improved image quality. The zoom ratio of the system reaches 7.8×, and the maximum field of view of the system can reach ~29°. The proposed zoom system has potential applications in camera, telescope and so on.
Advances of Research on Dual-Frequency Solid-State Lasers for Synthetic-Wave Absolute-Distance Interferometry
Authors: Jiao Mingxing , Jiang Fei , Xing Junhong , Liu Yun , Lian Tianhong , Liu Jianning , Li Guangtao
Published: March 2023

Frequency-difference-stabilized dual-frequency solid-state lasers with tunable and large frequency difference have become an ideal light source for the high-accuracy absolute-distance interferometric system due to their stable multistage synthetic wavelengths. In this work, the advances in research on oscillation principles and key technologies of the different kinds of dual-frequency solid-state lasers are reviewed, including birefringent dual-frequency solid-state lasers, biaxial and two-cavity dual-frequency solid-state lasers. The system composition, operating principle, and some main experimental results are briefly introduced. Several typical frequency-difference stabilizing systems for dual-frequency solid-state lasers are introduced and analyzed. The main development trends of research on dual-frequency solid-state lasers are predicted.
The Successive Next Network as Augmented Regularization for Deformable Brain MR Image Registration
Authors: Li Meng , Hu Shunbo , Li Guoqiang , Zhang Fuchun , Li Jitao , Yang Yue , Zhang Lintao , Liu Mingtao , Xu Yan , Fu Deqian , Zhang Wenyin , Wang Xing
Published: March 2023

Deep-learning-based registration methods can not only save time but also automatically extract deep features from images. In order to obtain better registration performance, many scholars use cascade networks to realize a coarse-to-fine registration progress. However, such cascade networks will increase network parameters by an n-times multiplication factor and entail long training and testing stages. In this paper, we only use a cascade network in the training stage. Unlike others, the role of the second network is to improve the registration performance of the first network and function as an augmented regularization term in the whole process. In the training stage, the mean squared error loss function between the dense deformation field (DDF) with which the second network has been trained and the zero field is added to constrain the learned DDF such that it tends to 0 at each position and to compel the first network to conceive of a better deformation field and improve the network’s registration performance. In the testing stage, only the first network is used to estimate a better DDF; the second network is not used again. The advantages of this kind of design are reflected in two aspects: (1) it retains the good registration performance of the cascade network; (2) it retains the time efficiency of the single network in the testing stage. The experimental results show that the proposed method effectively improves the network’s registration performance compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
Glucose Biosensor Based on Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on BSA Cross-Linked Nanocomposite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Li Yang-Yang , Ma Xin-Xin , Song Xin-Yan , Ma Lin-Lin , Li Yu-Ying , Meng Xin , Chen Yu-Jie , Xu Ke-Xin , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar , Xiao Bao-Lin , Hong Jun
Published: March 2023

Glucose sensors based blood glucose detection are of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes because diabetes has aroused wide concern in the world. In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to cross-link glucose oxidase (GOD) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified by a composite of hydroxy fullerene (HFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and protected with a glutaraldehyde (GLA)/Nafion (NF) composite membrane to prepare a novel glucose biosensor. The modified materials were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The prepared MWCNTs-HFs composite has excellent conductivity, the addition of BSA regulates MWCNTs-HFs hydrophobicity and biocompatibility, and better immobilizes GOD on MWCNTs-HFs. MWCNTs-BSA-HFs plays a synergistic role in the electrochemical response to glucose. The biosensor shows high sensitivity (167 μA·mM−1·cm−2), wide calibration range (0.01–3.5 mM), and low detection limit (17 μM). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant Kmapp is 119 μM. Additionally, the proposed biosensor has good selectivity and excellent storage stability (120 days). The practicability of the biosensor was evaluated in real plasma samples, and the recovery rate was satisfactory.
A Survey on Air-Gap Attacks: Fundamentals, Transport Means, Attack Scenarios and Challenges
Authors: Park Jangyong , Yoo Jaehoon , Yu Jaehyun , Lee Jiho , Song JaeSeung
Published: March 2023

Major public institutions and organizations that handle sensitive data frequently enforce strong security policies by implementing network separation policies that segregates their internal work networks and internet network using air gaps to prevent the leakage of confidential information. Such closed networks have long been considered the most secure technique for protecting data; however, studies have shown that they are no longer effective in providing a safe data protection environment. Research on air-gap attacks remains in its infancy stage. Studies have been conducted to check the method and demonstrate the possibility of transmitting data using various transmission media available within the closed network. These transmission media include optical signals such as HDD LEDs, acoustic signals such as speakers, and the electrical signals of power lines. This paper examines various media used for air-gap attacks by analyzing different techniques and their essential functions, strengths, and limitations. The findings of this survey and the follow-up analysis aim to assist companies and organizations in protecting their information by providing an understanding of air-gap attacks and their current trends.
Recent Advancements in Sensor Technologies for Healthcare and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zheng Wenfeng , Yang Yichao , Liu Chao , Zhou Wenshuo
Published: March 2023

Biomedical sensors are the key units of medical and healthcare systems [...]
Network QoS Impact on Spatial Perception through Sensory Substitution in Navigation Systems for Blind and Visually Impaired People
Authors: Real Santiago , Araujo Alvaro
Published: March 2023

A navigation system for individuals suffering from blindness or visual impairment provides information useful to reach a destination. Although there are different approaches, traditional designs are evolving into distributed systems with low-cost, front-end devices. These devices act as a medium between the user and the environment, encoding the information gathered on the surroundings according to theories on human perceptual and cognitive processes. Ultimately, they are rooted in sensorimotor coupling. The present work searches for temporal constraints due to such human–machine interfaces, which in turn constitute a key design factor for networked solutions. To that end, three tests were conveyed to a group of 25 participants under different delay conditions between motor actions and triggered stimuli. The results show a trade-off between spatial information acquisition and delay degradation, and a learning curve even under impaired sensorimotor coupling.
Different Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Techniques as Novel Imaging-Based Approaches for Quantitative Evaluation of Hepatic Steatosis—Preliminary Findings
Authors: Platz Batista da Silva Natascha , Scharf Gregor , Lürken Lukas , Verloh Niklas , Schleder Stephan , Stroszczynski Christian , Jung Ernst Michael , Haimerl Michael
Published: March 2023

Background: Modern ultrasound (US) shear-wave dispersion (SWD) and attenuation imaging (ATI) can be used to quantify changes in the viscosity and signal attenuation of the liver parenchyma, which are altered in hepatic steatosis. We aimed to evaluate modern shear-wave elastography (SWE), SWD and ATI for the assessment of hepatic steatosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the US data of 15 patients who underwent liver USs and MRIs for the evaluation of parenchymal disease/liver lesions. The USs were performed using a multifrequency convex probe (1–8 MHz). The quantitative US measurements for the SWE (m/s/kPa), the SWD (kPa-m/s/kHz) and the ATI (dB/cm/MHz) were acquired after the mean value of five regions of interest (ROIs) was calculated. The liver MRI (3T) quantification of hepatic steatosis was performed by acquiring proton density fat fraction (PDFF) mapping sequences and placing five ROIs in artifact-free areas of the PDFF scan, measuring the fat-signal fraction. We correlated the SWE, SWD and ATI measurements to the PDFF results. Results: Three patients showed mild steatosis, one showed moderate steatosis and eleven showed no steatosis in the PDFF sequences. The calculated SWE cut-off (2.5 m/s, 20.4 kPa) value identified 3/4 of patients correctly (AUC = 0.73, p > 0.05). The SWD cut-off of 18.5 m/s/kHz, which had a significant correlation (r = 0.55, p = 0.034) with the PDFF results (AUC = 0.73), identified four patients correctly (p < 0.001). The ideal ATI (AUC = 0.53 (p < 0.05)) cut-off was 0.59 dB/cm/MHz, which showed a significantly good correlation with the PDFF results (p = 0.024). Conclusion: Hepatic steatosis can be accurately detected using all the US-elastography techniques applied in this study, although the SWD and the SWE showed to be more sensitive than the PDFF.
Interaction of Lead and Cadmium Reduced Cadmium Toxicity in Ficus parvifolia Seedlings
Authors: Li Yan , Cheng Xiaomao , Feng Chengcheng , Huang Xiaoxia
Published: March 2023

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution occurs widely in soils due to various anthropogenic activities. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) coexist in soil frequently, threatening plant growth. To explore the interaction effect between Pb and Cd in Ficus parvifolia and the response of plant physiological characteristics to Pb and Cd stress, we designed a soil culture experiment. The experiment demonstrated that Pb stress improved leaf photosynthesis ability, while Cd stress inhibited it. Furthermore, Pb or Cd stress increased malonaldehyde (MDA) content, but plants were able to reduce it by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities. The presence of Pb could alleviate Cd phytotoxicity in plants by inhibiting Cd uptake and accumulation as well as increasing leaf photosynthesis and antioxidant ability. Pearson correlation analysis illustrated that the variability of Cd uptake and accumulation between Pb and Cd stress was related to plant biomass and antioxidant enzyme activities. This research will offer a new perspective on alleviating Cd phytotoxicity in plants.
Modeling the Spread of COVID-19 with the Control of Mixed Vaccine Types during the Pandemic in Thailand
Authors: Intarapanya Tanatorn , Suratanee Apichat , Pattaradilokrat Sittiporn , Plaimas Kitiporn
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can spread rapidly. Controlling the spread through vaccination is one of the measures for activating immunization that helps to reduce the number of infected people. Different types of vaccines are effective in preventing and alleviating the symptoms of the disease in different ways. In this study, a mathematical model, SVIHR, was developed to assess the behavior of disease transmission in Thailand by considering the vaccine efficacy of different vaccine types and the vaccination rate. The equilibrium points were investigated and the basic reproduction number R0 was calculated using a next-generation matrix to determine the stability of the equilibrium. We found that the disease-free equilibrium point was asymptotically stable if, and only if, R0<1, and the endemic equilibrium was asymptotically stable if, and only if, R0>1. The simulation results and the estimation of the parameters applied to the actual data in Thailand are reported. The sensitivity of parameters related to the basic reproduction number was compared with estimates of the effectiveness of pandemic controls. The simulations of different vaccine efficacies for different vaccine types were compared and the average mixing of vaccine types was reported to assess the vaccination policies. Finally, the trade-off between the vaccine efficacy and the vaccination rate was investigated, resulting in the essentiality of vaccine efficacy to restrict the spread of COVID-19.
Bovine Leptospirosis in Caatinga Biome, Brazil: New Insights into Diagnosis and Epidemiology
Authors: Barnabé Nathanael Natércio da Costa , Soares Rafael Rodrigues , Barros Deivyson Kelvis Silva , Nogueira Denise Batista , Costa Flávia Teresa Ribeiro da , Araújo Júnior João Pessoa , Malossi Camila Dantas , Ullmann Leila Sabrina , Costa Diego Figueiredo da , Silva Maria Luana Cristiny Rodrigues , Higino Severino Silvano dos Santos , Santos Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista , Azevedo Sérgio Santos de , Alves Clebert José
Published: March 2023

Bovine leptospirosis causes economic losses and raises public health concerns. It is possible that there are peculiarities in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in regions with a semiarid climate, such as the Caatinga biome in Brazil, where the climate is hot and dry, and the etiological agent require alternative routes of transmission. This study aimed to close knowledge gaps to the diagnosis and epidemiology of Leptospira spp. infection in cows from the Caatinga biome, Brazil. Samples of the blood, urinary tract (urine, bladder and kidney) and reproductive tract (vaginal fluid, uterus, uterine tube, ovary and placenta) were collected from 42 slaughtered cows. Diagnostic tests included were the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial isolation. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were found in 27 (64.3%) of the animals analyzed using MAT at a 1:50 dilution (cut-off 50), while 31 (73.8%) animals had at least one organ/fluid where the presence of Leptospira spp. DNA was identified, and 29 animals (69%) were positive at bacteriological culture. The highest sensitivity values for MAT were obtained at the cut-off point of 50. In conclusion, even under hot and dry climate conditions, it is possible that Leptospira spp. can spread through alternative routes such as venereal transmission; moreover, a cut-off of 50 is recommended for the serological diagnosis of cattle from the Caatinga biome.
Monitoring the Milk Composition, Milk Microbiota, and Blood Metabolites of Jersey Cows throughout a Lactation Period
Authors: Gathinji Peter Kiiru , Yousofi Zabiallah , Akada Karin , Wali Ajmal , Nishino Naoki
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to determine how milk composition, milk microbiota, and blood metabolites may change during the lactation period in Jersey cows. Milk and jugular blood samples were collected from eight healthy cows every other month from the beginning to the end of their lactation period. Samples of airborne dust were also collected to determine whether the cowshed microbiota could affect milk microbiota. Milk yield peaked in the first two months and gradually decreased as the lactation period progressed. Milk fat, protein, and solids-not-fat contents were low in the first month, and then increased during the middle and late lactation periods. In the first month, plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), haptoglobin (Hp), and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were elevated, and high abundances of Burkholderiaceae and Oxalobacteraceae were observed in milk and airborne dust microbiota. The finding that contamination of the environmental microbiota in milk was coupled with elevated plasma NEFA, Hp, and AST levels indicated that impaired metabolic function during the early lactation period may increase the invasion of opportunistic bacteria. This study can affirm the importance of feeding and cowshed management and should provide a helpful addition to improving Jersey cow farming.
Rytų, vidurio ir Mažosios Lietuvos raštijos sandūros 1863, 1865 m. reformatų religinės didaktikos knygelėse
Authors: Kabašinskaitė Birutė
Published: March 2023

T H E CONFLUENCE OF THE WRITING OF EASTERN, CENTRAL LITHUANIA, AND LITHUANIA MINOR IN REFORMER BOOKS ON RELIGIOUS DIDACTICS FROM 1863 TO 1865

The article looks into five books on religious didactics published by the Calvinists in
Eisleben in 1863–1865: Atsiminimas da geroje adijnoje, Nusidawimas biedna Joniuka, Prisiwertimas grieszna żmogaus ing Diewą, Wartojmas arba meginimas patis sawę and Gromata Naszłaitela ing sawa mieła Iszganitoja, which bibliographers and historians claim to have been written by Alexander Raphael Moczulski. A textological analysis has revealed Prisiwertimas not to have been drafted by Moczulski. This is evidenced in the differences in the spelling and the language of the texts covered by the analysis, the mismatched hypernormalisms, and the specific characteristics of the edits made to Biblical quotes and hymns. Certain qualities of the language in Prisiwertimas demonstrate that, unlike Moczulski, the editor of this text was under the influence of both the subdialect of Biržai and the subdialects of the northern Panevėžys region further to the west. Furthermore, Prisiwertimas features a much larger number of unique morphological forms not recorded elsewhere, which indirectly reflect the typical truncation of the ending of the Panevėžys subdialect and the resultant uncertainty on the editor’s part with regard to how certain parts of the text were to be written.
Simono Daukanto 1846‑ųjų Pasakų Fedro rankraščio ir spaudinio ortografija
Authors: Subačius Giedrius
Published: March 2023

T H E ORTHOGRAPHY OF BOTH MANUSCRIPT AND PRINTED BOOK (1846) OF SIMONAS DAUKANTAS’S LITHUANIAN TRANSLATION OF THE FABLES OF PHAEDRUS

Simonas Daukantas prepared two manuscripts of his Lithuanian translation of the Fables
of Phaedrus: one in the first half of 1836 (PaP), and another ten years later in about the first half of 1846 (PaPhr). Daukantas exploited two different orthographic tactics in tapping the first manuscript (PaP) as the source for the second one (PaPhr): (1) either to substitute older orthographic peculiarities for his own more recently introduced spelling equivalents
(more frequent approach), or (2) just to keep them (more seldom).
„Witaj, Ojczyzno!” – akcenty litewskie w lirykach Franciszka Dionizego Kniaźnina zawartych w R ękopisie Puławskim
Authors: Bednarek Beata
Published: March 2023

‘WELCOME, HOMELAND!’ LITHUANIAN ELEMENTS IN FRANCISZEK DIONIZY KNIAŹNIN’S LYRICS IN RĘKOPIS PUŁAWSKI

The paper is devoted to a discussion of Lithuanian elements in lyrics written by Franciszek Dionizy Kniaźnin (1750–1807), a poet, playwright and translator from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Considered one of the most distinguished poets of the Enlightenment, Kniaźnin occupied himself in the last stage of his work with editing writings he had finished earlier, which he included, together with completely new poems, in a previously unpublished autograph entitled Poezyje Franciszka Dionizego Kniaźnina ręką własną pisane, which constituted his literary swansong. In the lyrics included, there appear various references to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. These are, among others, allusions to contemporary and past events, and to famous historical figures. In the manuscript, the poet also included a poem entitled Do Litwy, as well as writings dedicated to people connected with the Grand Duchy. The aim of the paper is to indicate and discuss these references, and to attempt to determine the literary image of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that arises from the manuscript by the poet from Puławy.
Les Russes de l'étranger proche : le thème diasporique et ses lobbies en Russie
Authors: Laruelle Marlène
Published: March 2023

Russians from the "near abroad":

The theme of the diaspora and its lobbies in Russia

The place of Russians from the "near abroad" in Russian Federation politics is examined by studying the evolution of the theme of the "diaspora" since 1990 and the means used by lobbies for defending Russians. Since the second half of the 1990s, political authorities have addressed this issue. The implementation of the Repatriation Program in 2006-2007 provides evidence that the compatriots' issue in the near abroad has become part of the Russian state's new strategy to recover power. The theme of the diaspora is slowly being normalized as it leaves the field of radical nationalism to become the subject of a pragmatic approach.
Les Russes d'Ukraine : un enjeu lié à la définition de l'identité nationale
Authors: Dafflon Denis
Published: March 2023

Russians in the Ukraine: An issue related to a national identity

Contrary to the fears of many political analysts at the time of independence, interethnic conflict has not occurred in Ukraine since 1991. The cultural proximity between Ukrainians and Russians has made it easier to integrate the latter, who make up nearly 20% of the population. Except for Crimea, Russians have voiced few demands over the past sixteen years. However the issue of the Russian language divides public opinion. This very emotional debate is related to the definition of a national identity and to the question of Ukraine's geopolitical orientation. Political parties, fully aware of the situation, are exploiting this issue for electoral purposes; and this has polarized voters.
Logiques de territorialité et de régionalisation en Europe de l'Ouest
Authors: Cole Alistair , Palmer Rosanne
Published: March 2023

Territorially and regionalization in western Europe

In pursuit of a twofold, empirical and theoretical, objective, a panorama of regional phenomena in western Europe is presented that distinguishes four patterns in administering territories. A region's political capacity cannot be reduced to institutional resources; it fits into the larger history of relations between center and periphery. Following a critical review of the major studies in English and French on regional phenomena in Europe, three theoretical approaches are presented: the ethno-territorial constructivist current of thought, neoregionalism and multi-level governance. Light is shed on the advantages and limits of each.
The effectiveness of Simulation-Based Learning on radiologic students training: A preliminary result
Authors: Hoang Ngoc Thanh , Nguyen Thao Van , Le Van Chung , Nguyen Thanh Thao
Published: March 2023

Information technology and artificial intelligence have been applied in practical training worldwide. Especially in the setting of the COVID pandemic, teaching and learning online while ensuring to provide basic knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills for future health workers must be warranted. Concerning the characteristics of the radiologic technological training, while commercial simulation software and machinery systems are unaffordable and the current practice facilities do not meet the training needs, self-making simulation software can be a potential solution. Our study aimed to evaluate students’ satisfaction and the
training effectiveness of using the “Made in Hue” X-ray simulation software.
Key words: Xray simulation, Radiographer training, Simulation-Based Learning
Value of ALBI, PALBI classification in assessment of liver function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis at Nghe An Friendship General Hospital
Authors: Nguyen Huy Toan , Tran Huy Kinh , Ho Duy Tuan Anh
Published: March 2023

Objectives: To assess the relationship between ALBI and PALBI grades with clinical and subclinical characteristics in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis at Nghe An Friendship General Hospital. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 82 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma at Nghe An General Friendship Hospital from January 2020 to June 2021. Results: The age group is mainly from 50 - 69 years old (63.4%); Male/Female ratio = 3.54/1; The rate of esophageal varices levels: non-varicose, 1,2,3 grade were 59.8%, 26.8%, 8.5% and 4.9%, respectively; The rate of Child-pugh A, B, C are: 73.2%, 20.7% and 6.1%, respectively; The rate of ALBI of grades 1,2,3 is 54.9%, 32.9% and 12.2% respectively; The PALBI-1 subgroup was the majority with 41.5%; PALBI-2,3 together accounted for 29.3%; There is a meaning correlation between ALBI, PALBI index and BCLC stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer); The threshold value of PALBI for diagnosis of esophageal varices is -2.219 with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 83.7%. Conclusion: PALBI and ALBI grade are good, simple tools for assessing the stage, severity, and risk of esophageal varices in HCC patients with cirrhosis.
Key words: PALBI, ALBI, HCC,cirrhosis.
Evaluating outcomes of semi-rigid ureteroscopy for renal stone
Authors: Hoang Duc Minh , Nguyen Khoa Hung
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To ascertain the safety and efficacy of Semi-rigid Ureteroscopy for treating renal stones. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective descriptive study for 69 cases with renal stones have been treated by Semirigid Ureteroscopy from January 2016 to June 2020 at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Results: Out of a total of 69 patients, 58.0% (n=40) were males and 42.0% (n=29) were females. The age ranged from 25 - 75 years, with the mean age of 48.5 years. The average stone size was 20.3 mm (9 - 30 mm). Treatment were completely successful in 66/69 cases (95.7%). Surgery failure includes 3 cases (4.3%): inability to reach the renal stone in 2 case (2.9%), stone retropulsion in 1 case (1.4%). A average operative time was 48.2 minutes (20 - 75 minutes). All of cases (100%) was put the residual stent into the ureter. The mean post-operation hospital stay
was 4.1 days (1 - 8 days). About early post‑operative complications, there were 11/66 cases (16.7%), include: 4 cases (6.1%) of hematuria; 5 cases (7.6%) of fever; 2 cases (3.0%) of urinary tract infection. The stone-free rate (assessed with X-ray) following S-URS was 72.7% after 1 month. We found significant differences between the size of the stone and early stone-free rates with p < 0.05. Conclusions: Semi-rigid Ureteroscopy is a safe and effective method of managing renal stones with low rate of intra‑ and early post‑operative complications. Success depends on the experience of surgeons and judicious selection of cases.
Key words: Semi-rigid Ureteroscopy, renal stones, treatment
Gastric cancer in young adults
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hoa , Hoang Huu , Pham Hung Cuong
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To analyse differences in clinicopathological features and prognosis between gastric cancer patients less than 40-year-old and older. Patients and Methods: Medical records of 299 cases of gastric carcinoma treated from January, 2016 through December, 2017 in Surgery Department No 2, HCMC Oncology Hospital were studied retrospectively. Results: Gastric cancer patients less than 40-year-old were 8.7% (95% CI: 5.5 - 11.9%). Compared to older patients, gastric cancer patients younger than 40 years: more frequently had grade 3 tumors (77% with grade 3 tumors vs 52%, p=0.013), had no difference in other clinicopathologic features, had an inferior median overall survival (5 vs 12 months, p=0.044). TNM stage was an independent
prognostic factor in young patients with gastric cancer. For stage IV disease, young adults had overall survival 3.6 times less than older patients (p=0.019). Conclusion: Patients with young-onset gastric cancer were more likely to have grade 3 tumors. Yet, their other clinicopathological features were comparable to older patients. They had an inferior median overall survival
Key words: gastric cancer, young adults
Assess the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis
Authors: Phan Anh Chi , Bui Ngoc Phuong Nga , Nguyen Thi Dao
Published: March 2023

Background: Dental implants are the most effective and modern method to replace missing teeth.The implant’s success rate and long-term survival depend on many factors, in which the peri-implantitis plays an important role. Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. Materials and methods: Descriptive, prospective study design of clinical trial without control group. The sample included 38 patients with 40 single restorations on the implant with mild peri-implantitis. The patients received oral hygiene instructions, management of screw loosening and cleaning of the implant surface. Data collection included gingival bleeding index (BOP), plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD), and bone loss (BL) in intraoral periapical X-rays recorded at baseline. Three months and six months after treatment, the indices of gingival bleeding (BOP), pocket depth (PD), bone loss (BL) were recorded. Results: After three months and six months, a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) could be demonstrated for clinical indicators (BOP, PD, BL). Conclusion: Non-surgical treatment has a positive impact on peri-implantitis.
Key words: Non-surgical treatment, peri-implantitis
Assessing the readiness of medical students for blended learning model using virtual reality
Authors: Ho Dac Truong An , Le Ho Thi Quynh Anh , Che Thi Len Len , Duong Quang Tuan , Nguyen Minh Huy , Huynh Van Minh , Nguyen Minh Tam , Le Van Chi
Published: March 2023

Background: Assessing students’ learning readiness has become more important to establish on-target learning and teaching environments, particularly since blended learning and online learning are widely implemented in medical education. This study aims (1) to examine the reliability and validity of Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS) and (2) to identify the levels of online learning readiness for blended learning methods using virtual reality and its associations. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 102 fifthyear medical students was conducted. The data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to investigate the relationships among
dimensions of OLRS. Results: The VN-version of the OLRS scale consists of 16 items in four dimensions, namely Self-directed learning - SDL, Motivation for learning - MFL, Computer & Internet self-efﬁcacy - CIS, Online communication self-efﬁcacy - OCS. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates the model fit of the OLRS scale in a blended learning course context. The composite reliability and construct validity of the scale was found to be within the acceptable range. Students showed high readiness for blended learning course, of which SDL was the dimension having the highest score of readiness, followed by MFL and CIS dimensions. There were positive correlations across all dimensions of OLRS (p<0.001). Statistically significant associations were found between gender, health professional orientation, computer self-efficacy and their experience of medical education environment and dimensions of OLRS. Conclusion: The results indicate that the OLRS
is a reliable and valid measurement tool in the assessment of online learning readiness levels of blended learning course using virtual reality. It is recommended to develop a reliable scale to assess the perceptions and readiness of instructors undertaking the move to blended teaching.
Key words: confirmatory factor analysis, blended learning, Online Learning Readiness Scale, virtual reality, medical education