bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations in the Major Nutrient Composition of Dominant High-Yield Varieties (HYVs) in Parboiled and Polished Rice of Bangladesh
Authors: Akhter Kazi Turjaun , Shozib Habibul Bari , Islam Md. Hafizul , Sarwar Sneha , Islam Md. Mariful , Akanda Md. Rubel , Siddiquee Muhammad Ali , Mohiduzzaman Md. , Rahim Abu Torab M. A. , Shaheen Nazma
Published: November 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the principal staple food, a fundamental component of food security, a significant source of energy and major nutrients, and a key player in the overall nutritional status in Bangladesh. Parboiling is a common rice-processing treatment in Bangladesh. Recently, polishing has also become a common practice among millers seeking to attract consumers. Polishing may influence the nutrient composition of rice. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of parboiling and polishing on the nutritional content of the five High Yield Varieties (HYVs) of rice (BR11, BRRI dhan28, BRRI dhan29, BRRI dhan49, and BRRI dhan84) and their percent contributions to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of vitamins and minerals. All of the rice samples were analyzed for proximate parameters, vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, and folate), and minerals (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, K, P). Moisture, ash, fat, and total dietary fiber (TDF) were determined gravimetrically, according to the AOAC Official Methods; protein was measured by the Kjeldahl method; B-group vitamins were measured using Ultra Pressure Liquid Chromatography; and mineral content was determined by ICP-OES. The energy, protein, fat, and total dietary fiber (TDF) content of the samples ranged between 342–357 kcal/100 g, 6.79–10.74 g/100 g, 0.31–1.69 g/100 g, and 2.59–3.92 g/100 g respectively. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxin, and folate content ranged from 0.11–0.25 mg/100 g, 0.01–0.05 mg/100 g, 2.82–6.42 mg/100 g, 0.12–0.30 g/100 g, and 5.40–23.95 g/100 g respectively. In a comparison of parboiling and polishing, macronutrients and vitamin retention were higher in parboiled unpolished rice than in polished unparboiled rice. The minerals (mg/100 g) Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Na, K, and P were in the ranges 32.82–44.72, 30.69–58.34, 0.51–0.70,1.83–2.79, 5.00–5.36, 106.49–112.73, and 162.23–298.03. Minerals of BRRI dhan84 were unaffected by polishing and parboiling. BRRI dhan84 contributed a higher percentage of RDA of all B vitamins and minerals. Therefore, to reduce nutrient loss in rice, industries and consumers should be encouraged to avoid polishing or limit polishing to 10% DOM and to consume unpolished rice, either parboiled or unparboiled.
The Extraction Process, Separation, and Identification of Curcuminoids from Turmeric Curcuma longa
Authors: Slaček Gal , Kotnik Petra , Osmić Azra , Postružnik Vesna , Knez Željko , Finšgar Matjaž , Knez Marevci Maša
Published: November 2023

Turmeric Curcuma longa is a well-known spice with various health benefits, attributed primarily to curcumin. Soxhlet extraction, cold maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and supercritical fluid extraction were performed, and the content of total phenols, proanthocyanidins, and antioxidants was analysed by UV/VIS spectrophotometry. High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was employed to identify and quantify the curcumin content. Supercritical extracts had the highest total phenolic content (538.95 mg GA/100 g material), while the Soxhlet extracts had the highest content of proanthocyanidins (4.77 mg PAC/100 g of material). Extracts obtained by UAE and supercritical extraction have the highest antioxidant potential. Antioxidant activity measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) was 64.27% and 1750.32 mg Trolox per g dry weight by 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6 sulphonic acid) (ABTS+•) for the extract obtained by supercritical extraction. The UAE resulted in the highest amount of curcumin (1.91 mg curcumin/g material). A kinetic study showed that extraction yield in supercritical extracts decreased with increasing temperature and that the content of isolated curcumin was inversely proportional to solvent-to-feed ratio (S/F). The present study has confirmed that turmeric is an excellent source of antioxidants, such as curcumin, that play an important role in reducing cellular stress by neutralising free radicals.
Current Perceptions of Sustainable Diets in Ireland and the Outlook of Circular Eating Practices
Authors: Fox Shelley , Noci Francesco , Kenny Owen , Dermiki Maria
Published: November 2023

Encouraging sustainable dietary practices is a positive step towards alleviating the negative impact of increasing food waste. This study explores consumers’ perceptions of sustainable diets and factors influencing their adoption of sustainable practices, such as circular eating. Fifteen consumers in Ireland aged 18–65+ years were recruited for a qualitative study exploring their views on sustainable diets and their opinions on the use of peels, trimmings, and other by-products from fruit and vegetables as potential new ingredients or new circular food products. Age, gender, dietary preferences and educational background were important considerations during recruitment. Online interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis managed by NVivo 12. The results highlighted two overarching themes impacting circular eating, namely, food choice motives and awareness of food waste. These were linked to the participants’ knowledge of and potential adoption of sustainable diets. Daily trade-offs were evident, linked to the product and the person who was also strongly influenced by their micro-environment. Consumer education from credible sources would be required to create awareness of circular eating. Most respondents were positively disposed to the concept of circular eating, as long as food safety concerns and affordability considerations were addressed through industry transparency.
Characterization of Carbohydrates, Amino Acids, Viscosity, and Antioxidant Capacity in Rice Wines Made in Saitama, Japan, with Different Sake Rice
Authors: Inoue Yutaka , Ueda Sae , Tanikawa Takashi , Sano Aiko , Suzuki Ryuichiro , Todo Hiroaki , Higuchi Yuji , Akao Kenichi
Published: November 2023

We investigated the physicochemical properties of Japanese rice wines, including their functional properties and carbohydrate and amino acid content in solution and solid state. Three samples were tested. The glucose, allose, and raffinose contents in samples (A, B, C) in g/100 g were (3.47, 3.45, 7.05), (1.60, 1.63, 1.61), and (2.14, 2.75, 1.49), respectively. The total amino acid in µmol/mL was (3.1, 3.5, 4.4). Glutamic acid, alanine, and arginine varied in content across the samples. The viscosity (10 °C) and activation energy (ΔE) calculated using the Andrade equation were (2.81 ± 0.03, 2.74 ± 0.06, 2.69 ± 0.03) mPa-s and (22.3 ± 1.1, 22.0 ± 0.2, 21.3 ± 0.5) kJ/mol, respectively. Principal component analysis using FT-IR spectra confirmed the separation of the samples into principal components 2 and 3. The IC50 values from the DPPH radical scavenging test were (2364.7 ± 185.3, 3041.9 ± 355.1, 3842.7 ± 228.1) µg/mL. Thus, the three rice wines had different carbohydrate and amino acid contents, viscosities, and antioxidant capacities.
Rehabilitation of Soccer Players’ Knee Injuries: Cartilage Reconstruction, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery, and Intensive Recovery—A Pilot Study
Authors: Kacprzak Bartłomiej , Rosińska Karolina
Published: November 2023

Knee injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage and cartilage defects, are highly prevalent among athletes and affect their sports performance and long-term joint function. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive combination therapy approach for individuals with ACL and cartilage injuries. Twelve professional soccer players aged 18 to 30 years underwent bone–tendon–bone ACL reconstruction, microfracture cartilage repair surgery, and hyaluronic acid scaffold treatment. Early postoperative rehabilitation included immediate supervised physiotherapy and complete weight bearing. Follow-up assessments involved clinical evaluations, functional joint assessments, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure cartilage defect repair and symptom alleviation. The results showed that patients resumed pain-free activities within 3–4 weeks and returned to their pre-injury level within 4.5 months. MRI demonstrated the absence of inflammatory reactions, repair of marrow edema, and the emergence of new cartilage. Six months and one year after surgery, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire results demonstrated considerable improvement in patients’ health condition and quality of life. Overall, the study suggests that the combination of Hyalofast membranes, microfracture surgery, tissue adhesive, and intensive postoperative physical therapy may be a potential alternative to commonly used treatments for patients with ACL rupture, allowing them to recover efficiently and return to sports activities.
Mining the Penicillium expansum Genome for Virulence Genes: A Functional-Based Approach to Discover Novel Loci Mediating Blue Mold Decay of Apple Fruit
Authors: Luciano-Rosario Dianiris , Peng Hui , Gaskins Verneta L. , Fonseca Jorge M. , Keller Nancy P. , Jurick Wayne M.
Published: November 2023

Blue mold, a postharvest disease of pome fruits, is caused by the filamentous fungus Penicillium expansum. In addition to the economic losses caused by P. expansum, food safety can be compromised, as this pathogen is mycotoxigenic. In this study, forward and reverse genetic approaches were used to identify genes involved in blue mold infection in apple fruits. For this, we generated a random T-DNA insertional mutant library. A total of 448 transformants were generated and screened for the reduced decay phenotype on apples. Of these mutants, six (T-193, T-275, T-434, T-588, T-625, and T-711) were selected for continued studies and five unique genes were identified of interest. In addition, two deletion mutants (Δt-625 and Δt-588) and a knockdown strain (t-434KD) were generated for three loci. Data show that the ∆t-588 mutant phenocopied the T-DNA insertion mutant and had virulence penalties during apple fruit decay. We hypothesize that this locus encodes a glyoxalase due to bioinformatic predictions, thus contributing to reduced colony diameter when grown in methylglyoxal (MG). This work presents novel members of signaling networks and additional genetic factors that regulate fungal virulence in the blue mold fungus during apple fruit decay.
Decolorization of Textile Azo Dye via Solid-State Fermented Wheat Bran by Lasiodiplodia sp. YZH1
Authors: Borham Ali , Okla Mohammad K. , El-Tayeb Mohamed A. , Gharib Ahmed , Hafiz Hanan , Liu Lei , Zhao Chen , Xie Ruqing , He Nannan , Zhang Siwen , Wang Juanjuan , Qian Xiaoqing
Published: November 2023

Textile dyes are one of the major water pollutants released into water in various ways, posing serious hazards for both aquatic organisms and human beings. Bioremediation is a significantly promising technique for dye decolorization. In the present study, the fungal strain Lasiodiplodia sp. was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Schizophyllum for the first time. The isolated fungal strain was examined for laccase enzyme production under solid-state fermentation conditions with wheat bran (WB) using ABTS and 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol (DMP) as substrates, then the fermented wheat bran (FWB) was evaluated as a biosorbent for Congo red dye adsorption from aqueous solutions in comparison with unfermented wheat bran. A Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the dye removal by FWB and to analyze the interaction effects between three factors: fermentation duration, pH, and dye concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study the changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of wheat bran before and after fermentation. An additional experiment was conducted to investigate the ability of the Lasiodiplodia sp. YZH1 to remove Congo red in the dye-containing liquid culture. The results showed that laccase was produced throughout the cultivation, reaching peak activities of ∼6.2 and 22.3 U/mL for ABTS and DMP, respectively, on the fourth day of cultivation. FWB removed 89.8% of the dye (100 mg L−1) from the aqueous solution after 12 h of contact, whereas WB removed only 77.5%. Based on the Box–Behnken design results, FWB achieved 93.08% dye removal percentage under the conditions of 6 days of fermentation, pH 8.5, and 150 mg L−1 of the dye concentration after 24 h. The fungal strain removed 95.3% of 150 mg L−1 of the dye concentration after 8 days of inoculation in the dye-containing liquid culture. These findings indicate that this strain is a worthy candidate for dye removal from environmental effluents.
Derivative-Free Families of With- and Without-Memory Iterative Methods for Solving Nonlinear Equations and Their Engineering Applications
Authors: Sharma Ekta , Panday Sunil , Mittal Shubham Kumar , Joița Dan-Marian , Pruteanu Lavinia Lorena , Jäntschi Lorentz
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we propose a new fifth-order family of derivative-free iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations. Numerous iterative schemes found in the existing literature either exhibit divergence or fail to work when the function derivative is zero. However, the proposed family of methods successfully works even in such scenarios. We extended this idea to memory-based iterative methods by utilizing self-accelerating parameters derived from the current and previous approximations. As a result, we increased the convergence order from five to ten without requiring additional function evaluations. Analytical proofs of the proposed family of derivative-free methods, both with and without memory, are provided. Furthermore, numerical experimentation on diverse problems reveals the effectiveness and good performance of the proposed methods when compared with well-known existing methods.
On the Height of One-Dimensional Random Walk
Authors: Abdelkader Mohamed
Published: November 2023

Consider the one-dimensional random walk Xn: as it evolves (at each unit of time), it either increases by one with probability p or resets to 0 with probability 1−p. In the present paper, we analyze the law of the height statistics Hn, corresponding to our model Xn. Also, we prove that the limiting distribution of the walk Xn is a shifted geometric distribution with parameter 1−p and find the closed forms of the mean and the variance of Xn using the probability-generating function.
Anodic Oxidation of Tungsten under Illumination-Multi-Method Characterization and Modeling at the Molecular Level
Authors: Bojinov Martin , Penkova Yoanna , Betova Iva , Karastoyanov Vasil
Published: November 2023

Tungsten oxide has received considerable attention as photo-anode in photo-assisted water splitting due to its considerable advantages such as significant light absorption in the visible region, good catalytic properties, and stability in acidic and oxidative conditions. The present paper is a first step in a detailed study of the mechanism of porous WO3 growth via anodic oxidation. In-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) during oxidation of W illuminated with UV and visible light are employed to study the ionic and electronic processes in slightly acidic sulfate-fluoride electrolytes and a range of potentials 4–10 V. The respective responses are discussed in terms of the influence of fluoride addition on ionic and electronic process rates. A kinetic model is proposed and parameterized via regression of experimental data to the EIS and IMPS transfer functions.
An Investigation on the Use of Au@SiO2@Au Nanomatryoshkas as Gap-Enhanced Raman Tags
Authors: Eldridge Brinton King , Gomrok Saghar , Barr James W. , Chaffin Elise Anne , Fielding Lauren , Sachs Christian , Stickels Katie , Williams Paiton , Wang Yongmei
Published: November 2023

Gap-enhanced Raman tags are a new type of optical probe that have wide applications in sensing and detection. A gap-enhanced Raman tag is prepared by embedding Raman molecules inside a gap between two plasmonic metals such as an Au core and Au shell. Even though placing Raman molecules beneath an Au shell seems counter-intuitive, it has been shown that such systems produce a stronger surface-enhanced Raman scattering response due to the strong electric field inside the gap. While the theoretical support of the stronger electric field inside the gap was provided in the literature, a comprehensive understanding of how the electric field inside the gap compares with that of the outer surface of the particle was not readily available. We investigated Au@SiO2@Au nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 35 nm to 70 nm with varying shell (2.5–10 nm) and gap (2.5–15 nm) thicknesses and obtained both far-field and near-field spectra. The extinction spectra from these particles always have two peaks. The low-energy peak redshifts with the decreasing shell thickness. However, when the gap thickness decreases, the low-energy peaks first blueshift and then redshift, producing a C-shape in the peak position. For every system we investigated, the near-field enhancement spectra were stronger inside the gap than on the outer surface of the nanoparticle. We find that a thin shell combined with a thin gap will produce the greatest near-field enhancement inside the gap. Our work fills the knowledge gap between the exciting potential applications of gap-enhanced Raman tags and the fundamental knowledge of enhancement provided by the gap.
Unveiling the Role of Investment Tangibility on Financial Leverage: Insights from African-Listed Firms
Authors: Vengesai Edson
Published: November 2023

The asset structure of a firm plays a pivotal role in determining its leverage. A higher proportion of physical assets is often associated with high debt ratios. This study explores the impact of investment tangibility on financial leverage, examining both tangible and intangible investments. Using a dynamic panel data model estimated through the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM), we analyse a dataset encompassing 815 non-financial listed firms from 22 African stock markets. The results show that African firms have higher inclinations to invest in physical assets. We found a statistically significant negative relationship between leverage and tangible and intangible investments. The findings indicate that African firms tend to maintain lower leverages regardless of whether they invest in tangible or intangible assets. The observed relationship aligns with the hypothesis that high-growth firms, in their expansion efforts, strategically tend to opt for low debt to mitigate the agency costs associated with debt and to help prevent underinvestment. This outcome underscores the interconnected nature of financing and investment decisions. This research contributes to the literature on financial leverage and investment by dissecting investments into tangible and non-tangible components and highlighting their distinct impacts on leverage. Moreover, it provides empirical evidence for previously unexplored African firms, shedding light on the reasons behind the relatively low leverage levels observed in African firms.
Detection of Water on Road Surface with Acoustic Vector Sensor
Authors: Kotus Józef , Szwoch Grzegorz
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a new approach to detecting the presence of water on a road surface, employing an acoustic vector sensor. The proposed method is based on sound intensity analysis in the frequency domain. Acoustic events, representing road vehicles, are detected in the sound intensity signals. The direction of the incoming sound is calculated for the individual spectral components of the intensity signal, and the components not originating from the observed road section are discarded. Next, an estimate of the road surface state is calculated from the sound intensity spectrum, and the wet surface detection is performed by comparing the estimate with a threshold. The proposed method was evaluated using sound recordings made in a real-world scenario, and the algorithm results were compared with data from a reference device. The proposed algorithm achieved 89% precision, recall and F1 score, and it outperforms the traditional approach based on sound pressure analysis. The test results confirm that the proposed method may be used for the detection of water on the road surface with acoustic sensors as an element of a smart city monitoring system.
Fast and Reliable Sending of Generic Object Oriented Substation Event Frames between Remote Locations over Loss-Prone Networks
Authors: Saldana Jose , Prada Hurtado Aníbal Antonio , Martinez Carrasco Eduardo , Galve Yasmina , Torres Jesús
Published: November 2023

WAMPAC (Wide Area Monitoring Protection and Control) applications are becoming crucial for granting a stable operation of the electricity transmission grid. These systems use a set of sensors distributed between different electrical substations to gather real-time measurements from the field. These sensors are called Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). Using the gathered data, different monitoring, protection, and control algorithms are run in a Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) located in a central location. These algorithms close the loop via the generation of remedial commands, which are sent back to the field level with stringent delay, security, and reliability requirements. GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Events) protocol, defined by IEC 61850 (IEC stands for International Electrotechnical Commission), is used for that aim and also considers the option of sending these commands over IP networks (this option is called Routed-GOOSE). The present article proposes two alternatives for the tunneling of GOOSE frames over IP. Both options allow the decoupling of the transmission and the security aspects, thus increasing flexibility and allowing for easier deployment. The first option, called VX-GOOSE, is a combination of standard protocols, allowing the sending of these frames over UDP/IP tunnels. The tests that have been carried out demonstrate that, under certain network conditions, the transmission of GOOSE frames over UDP may fail, and in some extreme cases, even a whole burst of GOOSEs could be lost. This may have very bad consequences for a distributed electrical system. It should be noted that this limitation affects both VX-GOOSE and Routed-GOOSE. To overcome these limitations, the second option, called Simplemux blast mode, includes a novel mechanism that provides delivery guarantees and a reduced delay, with the counterpart of a certain degree of redundancy. As shown in the experiments, the incurred delays can be significantly reduced when remote locations are connected via unreliable networks, whereas the bandwidth increase caused by redundancy can be kept at reasonable levels. Finally, it should be remarked that although GOOSE is a relevant example use case, this approach can be applied in other fields where flows require very low delay and delivery guarantees.
Bridging Neuroscience and Robotics: Spiking Neural Networks in Action
Authors: Jones Alexander , Gandhi Vaibhav , Mahiddine Adam Y. , Huyck Christian
Published: November 2023

Robots are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the execution of complex tasks. However, an area that requires development is the ability to act in dynamically changing environments. To advance this, developments have turned towards understanding the human brain and applying this to improve robotics. The present study used electroencephalogram (EEG) data recorded from 54 human participants whilst they performed a two-choice task. A build-up of motor activity starting around 400 ms before response onset, also known as the lateralized readiness potential (LRP), was observed. This indicates that actions are not simply binary processes but rather, response-preparation is gradual and occurs in a temporal window that can interact with the environment. In parallel, a robot arm executing a pick-and-place task was developed. The understanding from the EEG data and the robot arm were integrated into the final system, which included cell assemblies (CAs)—a simulated spiking neural network—to inform the robot to place the object left or right. Results showed that the neural data from the robot simulation were largely consistent with the human data. This neurorobotics study provides an example of how to integrate human brain recordings with simulated neural networks in order to drive a robot.
Multi-Level Optimization for Data-Driven Camera–LiDAR Calibration in Data Collection Vehicles
Authors: Jiang Zijie , Cai Zhongliang , Hui Nian , Li Bozhao
Published: November 2023

Accurately calibrating camera–LiDAR systems is crucial for achieving effective data fusion, particularly in data collection vehicles. Data-driven calibration methods have gained prominence over target-based methods due to their superior adaptability to diverse environments. However, current data-driven calibration methods are susceptible to suboptimal initialization parameters, which can significantly impact the accuracy and efficiency of the calibration process. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes a novel general model for the camera–LiDAR calibration that abstracts away the technical details in existing methods, introduces an improved objective function that effectively mitigates the issue of suboptimal parameter initialization, and develops a multi-level parameter optimization algorithm that strikes a balance between accuracy and efficiency during iterative optimization. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively mitigates the effects of suboptimal initial calibration parameters, achieving highly accurate and efficient calibration results. The suggested technique exhibits versatility and adaptability to accommodate various sensor configurations, making it a notable advancement in the field of camera–LiDAR calibration, with potential applications in diverse fields including autonomous driving, robotics, and computer vision.
A Cloud Detection Method for Vertically Pointing Millimeter-Wavelength Cloud Radar
Authors: Lin Hai , Wang Jie , Ge Junxiang
Published: November 2023

A new method using three dimensions of cloud continuity, including range dimension, Doppler dimension, and time dimension, is proposed to discriminate cloud from noise and detect more weak cloud signals in vertically pointing millimeter-wave cloud radar observations by fully utilizing the spatiotemporal continuum of clouds. A modified noise level estimation method based on the Hildebrand and Sekhon algorithm is used for more accurate noise level estimation, which is critical for weak signals. The detection method consists of three steps. The first two steps are performed at the Doppler power spectrum stage, while the third step is performed at the base data stage. In the first step, a new adaptive spatial filter combined with the Kuwaraha filter and the Gaussian filter, using the ratio of mean to standard deviation as the adaptive parameter, is applied to initially mask the potential cloud signals to improve the detection performance at the boundary of cloud and noise. Simulations of boundary cases were performed to compare our adaptive filter and normal Gaussian filters. Box filters are used in steps two and three to remove the remaining noise. We applied our method to cloud radar observations with TJ-II cloud radar at the Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology. The results showed that our method can detect more weak cloud signals than the usual methods, which are performed only at the Doppler power spectrum stage or the base data stage.
EvacuAI: An Analysis of Escape Routes in Indoor Environments with the Aid of Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Rosa Anna Carolina , Falqueiro Mariana Cabral , Bonacin Rodrigo , de Mendonça Fábio Lúcio Lopes , Filho Geraldo Pereira Rocha , Gonçalves Vinícius Pereira
Published: November 2023

There is only a very short reaction time for people to find the best way out of a building in a fire outbreak. Software applications can be used to assist the rapid evacuation of people from the building; however, this is an arduous task, which requires an understanding of advanced technologies. Since well-known pathway algorithms (such as, Dijkstra, Bellman–Ford, and A*) can lead to serious performance problems, when it comes to multi-objective problems, we decided to make use of deep reinforcement learning techniques. A wide range of strategies including a random initialization of replay buffer and transfer learning were assessed in three projects involving schools of different sizes. The results showed the proposal was viable and that in most cases the performance of transfer learning was superior, enabling the learning agent to be trained in times shorter than 1 min, with 100% accuracy in the routes. In addition, the study raised challenges that had to be faced in the future.
A Combined Virtual Electrode-Based ESA and CNN Method for MI-EEG Signal Feature Extraction and Classification
Authors: Lun Xiangmin , Zhang Yifei , Zhu Mengyang , Lian Yongheng , Hou Yimin
Published: November 2023

A Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) is a medium for communication between the human brain and computers, which does not rely on other human neural tissues, but only decodes Electroencephalography (EEG) signals and converts them into commands to control external devices. Motor Imagery (MI) is an important BCI paradigm that generates a spontaneous EEG signal without external stimulation by imagining limb movements to strengthen the brain’s compensatory function, and it has a promising future in the field of computer-aided diagnosis and rehabilitation technology for brain diseases. However, there are a series of technical difficulties in the research of motor imagery-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI) systems, such as: large individual differences in subjects and poor performance of the cross-subject classification model; a low signal-to-noise ratio of EEG signals and poor classification accuracy; and the poor online performance of the MI-BCI system. To address the above problems, this paper proposed a combined virtual electrode-based EEG Source Analysis (ESA) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) method for MI-EEG signal feature extraction and classification. The outcomes reveal that the online MI-BCI system developed based on this method can improve the decoding ability of multi-task MI-EEG after training, it can learn generalized features from multiple subjects in cross-subject experiments and has some adaptability to the individual differences of new subjects, and it can decode the EEG intent online and realize the brain control function of the intelligent cart, which provides a new idea for the research of an online MI-BCI system.
Deep Network-Assisted Quality Inspection of Laser Welding on Power Battery
Authors: Wang Dong , Zheng Yongjia , Dai Wei , Tang Ding , Peng Yinghong
Published: November 2023

Reliable quality control of laser welding on power batteries is an important issue due to random interference in the production process. In this paper, a quality inspection framework based on a two-branch network and conventional image processing is proposed to predict welding quality while outputting corresponding parameter information. The two-branch network consists of a segmentation network and a classification network, which alleviates the problem of large training sample size requirements for deep learning by sharing feature representations among two related tasks. Moreover, coordinate attention is introduced into feature learning modules of the network to effectively capture the subtle features of defective welds. Finally, a post-processing method based on the Hough transform is used to extract the information of the segmented weld region. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed model can achieve a significant classification performance on the dataset collected on an actual production line. This study provides a valuable reference for an intelligent quality inspection system in the power battery manufacturing industry.
Visualization of Subcutaneous Blood Vessels Based on Hyperspectral Imaging and Three-Wavelength Index Images
Authors: Hamza Mohammed , Skidanov Roman , Podlipnov Vladimir
Published: November 2023

Blood vessel visualization technology allows nursing staff to transition from traditional palpation or touch to locate the subcutaneous blood vessels to visualized localization by providing a clear visual aid for performing various medical procedures accurately and efficiently involving blood vessels; this can further improve the first-attempt puncture success rate for nursing staff and reduce the pain of patients. We propose a novel technique for hyperspectral visualization of blood vessels in human skin. An experiment with six participants with different skin types, race, and nationality backgrounds is described. A mere separation of spectral layers for different skin types is shown to be insufficient. The use of three-wavelength indices in imaging has shown a significant improvement in the quality of results compared to using only two-wavelength indices. This improvement can be attributed to an increase in the contrast ratio, which can be as high as 25%. We propose and implement a technique for finding new index formulae based on an exhaustive search and a binary blood-vessel image obtained through an expert assessment. As a result of the search, a novel index formula was deduced, allowing high-contrast blood vessel images to be generated for any skin type.
Separations—Scope Update
Authors: Dorman Frank L.
Published: November 2023

The journal Separations (ISSN: 2297-8739) was launched in 2014 [...]
Avaliação da qualidade dos serviços turísticos nos parques Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães e Estadual da Serra Azul (MT)
Authors: Lima Leandro Carvalho , Viegas Luciana Pinheiro , Beserra Diego Augusto Orsini
Published: November 2023

A prática de atividades turísticas em Unidades de Conservação no país vem se intensificando nos últimos anos pela representatividade que essas áreas possuem. Espaços territoriais destinados à conservação da biodiversidade e de características relevantes, mas que devem possuir estrutura e serviços adequados para que as experiências turísticas os potencializem ainda mais como locais de visitação sustentável, assim como os destinos do entorno. Desse modo, este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um estudo comparativo entre os parques Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães (PNCG) e Estadual da Serra Azul (PESA), ambos detentores de atrativos naturais com alto poder de visitação e ambos localizados no estado de Mato Grosso, tendo, como categoria de análise, a avaliação da qualidade dos serviços turísticos. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de abordagem quantitativa e descritiva, como também revisão bibliográfica e foi fruto da parceria entre o Observatório de Desenvolvimento do Estado, a Rede Brasileira de Observatórios de Turismo (RBOT) e pelo Protocolo Tourqual. Os dados foram coletados entre os dias 22 de setembro de 2021 e 30 de abril de 2022, de forma online por meio de posts com QR-CODE disponibilizados nos atrativos, como também por um link de acesso enviado pelos colaboradores da pesquisa através de aplicativos de mensagens após a utilização dos serviços. Assim, os parques da Chapada dos Guimarães e da Serra Azul tiveram 52 e 74 questionários respondidos, respectivamente. Os resultados ainda evidenciaram que as melhores avaliações foram na categoria experiência, em ambos os parques, como também há uma maior intensidade da atividade turística nas cidades do entorno do PNCG, principalmente de visitantes de outros estados do país. Contudo, como resultado da pesquisa, foi constatado que os serviços turísticos do PESA foram melhor avaliados.
Comment aborder dans un stage les problèmes généraux de l’immigration des travailleurs ?
Authors: Verbunt Gilles
Published: November 2023

Peut-on devenir un « bon » travailleur social auprès des migrants sans savoir qu'il y a 4 millions d'étrangers en France ? Peut-on être un « bon » formateur sans connaître avec précision les mesures les plus récentes prises par les pouvoirs publics sur l'immigration ? Quelqu'un a-t-il le droit (moralement) de « faire de l'alphabétisation » sans savoir d’où vient, en définitive, le financement du cours ?
Du bon usage de la linguistique dans la formation des moniteurs
Authors: Portine Henri
Published: November 2023

La linguistique n’a pas réussi à faire l’unanimité dans les esprits malgré un règne absolu (au moins en tant qu’objet fétiche) au niveau de l’édition et des productions à but commercial. Aussi peut-on distinguer trois attitudes face au problème des rapports linguistique/enseignement des langues. La première se caractérise par un refus pur et simple de ces études encombrantes sur le langage. La seconde ne voit dans l’enseignement des langues qu’une application de la linguistique. La troisième, enfin, aperçoit bien des rapports entre les deux domaines, mais estime que ces rapports sont plus complexes que ne peut l’être une simple application. Pour des raisons qui, je l’espère, apparaîtront clairement dans la suite, je nommerai ces trois positions respectivement pré-linguistique, linguistique, et post-linguistique. J’essaierai d’abord d’éclairer sur quoi se fonde la première attitude. Puis je passerai en revue les réalisations dues à la seconde. Et, après avoir essayé de montrer leurs lacunes, je poserai le problème de la troisième orientation qui proclame la spécificité de ce domaine que l’on appelle « enseignement des langues ».
Découverte de la place de la technologie dans la formation de formateurs
Authors: Vigneron Jacques
Published: November 2023

Depuis trois ans, une de mes tâches principales consiste dans la formation de formateurs, soit à l’intérieur de l’IRAP, où je coordonne la pédagogie du cycle « formation des travailleurs immigrés » pour la région parisienne, soit dans des entreprises industrielles qui ont confié à l'IRAP, la formation de leurs propres formateurs.

Professeur de langue étrangère, j’ai orienté dès le début mon travail vers des objectifs linguistiques à savoir l’apprentissage du français. Ayant à l’étranger, dans le cadre de l’Université, participé à la formation de futurs professeurs de français destinés à l’enseignement secondaire, je suis donc parti de mon bagage « méthodes audio-visuelles » : figurines, dialogue, correction phonétique, exercices structuraux, réappropriation ; mais peu à peu, j’ai perçu que la situation de stagiaires immigrés (souvent non scolarisés) apprenant le français, ou se perfectionnant était beaucoup plus complexe que celle des élèves d’un collège si démuni soit-il.
L'alphabétisation en Afrique Noire
Authors: Chalendar Pierrette , Chalendar Gérard
Published: November 2023

Toutes les nations africaines ayant accédé à l'indépendance développent une politique d'alphabétisation. Malgré les divergences de régimes et d'idéologies, il est possible de dégager un certain nombre de constantes tant au niveau des problèmes qui se font jour qu'à celui des objectifs à atteindre.
Les élèves du Sud-Est asiatique
Authors:   Migrants-Formation
Published: November 2023

Au pied des grandes tours Helsinki, Olympiades, Tokyo, de la porte de Choisy, dans le XIIIe arrondissement de Paris, au bout d’un petit triangle d’herbe planté de sapins, une jolie école moderne ronde, rouge et bleue. C’est l’école maternelle de la rue de la Pointe d’Ivry, ouverte en septembre 1977. Dès la première année de fonctionnement, un tiers de son effectif était constitué d’enfants étrangers.

La seconde année, elle en comptait 50 %. À la rentrée 1979, plus de 100 enfants sur 193 inscrits.

En 1979-1980, 27 nationalités sont représentées dans cette école : Iraniens, Turcs, Camerounais, Mexicains, Chiliens, Algériens, Marocains, Anglais... mais surtout, en écrasante majorité, Vietnamiens, Laotiens, Cambodgiens, ou plus exactement Chinois venant de ces trois pays. Six enseignantes se partagent l’éducation de ces enfants.

Chaque classe accueille en moyenne 32 enfants, en fait 35 dans les deux sections des petits, un peu moins chez les moyens et chez les grands. 63 enfants sont inscrits sur une liste d’attente.

Le jour où nous sommes allées à l’école, en avril 1980, les deux institutrices des classes des petits étaient en congé de maladie pour 21 jours chacune, et non remplacées. La directrice, aidée de la dame de service, s’occupait donc de 60 enfants momentanément sans maîtresse. Après l’heure du lait (chaque enfant reçoit un quart de litre chaque matin) les pailles à l’aide desquelles ils doivent boire sont placées dans les petits trous des cartons de lait. C’est un bon exercice d’affinement du geste. Après l’heure de « faire pipi », voici la récréation et Madame la Directrice peut nous recevoir quelques instants.
Une troupe de théâtre chilienne : « Mateluna, ouvre ta valise »
Authors: Charlot Martine
Published: November 2023

Le théâtre Aleph est actuellement scindé en deux : une partie de la troupe continue à travailler au Chili, une autre s’est reconstituée à Paris, en exil, autour d’Oscar Castro. Elle nous a présenté en mai 1980, à la Cartoucherie de Vincennes, une comédie musicale dont la majeure partie des textes sont en français : « L’incroyable et triste histoire du Général Pegnalosa et de l’exilé Mateluna ». La pièce raconte les difficultés de l’insertion des réfugiés latino-américains en France, leur déracinement culturel, tout en nous renvoyant au développement des régimes militaires dans le continent latino-américain.

Nous en parlerons plus loin après avoir présenté la troupe du théâtre Aleph.
Réalisation d'un plan de quartier (construction, organisation et représentation planaire d'un quartier)
Authors: Hedrich Vérène
Published: November 2023

Ce travail a été réalisé avec un public de femmes de niveaux 1 et 2 et de nationalités très variées : portugaise, espagnole, indienne etc...

Les séances étaient assez courtes, regroupant une dizaine de participantes à chaque fois. Le public de niveau le plus faible ne faisait qu'une partie du travail – par exemple placer les étiquettes – mais participait à l’ensemble de l’expérience.
La justice des mineurs et les institutions éducatives face aux jeunes d'origine immigrée
Authors: Cirba Laurence
Published: November 2023

L'Éducation Surveillée dont la mission est d'accueillir et d'aider les mineurs en danger ou délinquants, se trouve depuis plusieurs années confrontée à la prise en charge des jeunes d'origine étrangère. Ceux-ci, sans être plus que les jeunes français prédisposés à la délinquance, connaissent souvent une situation socio-économique et culturelle particulièrement défavorisée. Loin de bénéficier de l’attention qui aurait dû leur être portée, car la majorité est née dans notre pays, ils ont parfois dû affronter dès l'enfance de multiples réactions d’indifférence et de rejet. Leurs difficultés, lorsqu'elles ne peuvent se résoudre, dans une insertion sociale satisfaisante, se cristallisent dans certains cas par des actes délictueux qui doivent être entendus corme un appel et non provoquer un ultime rejet. La Direction de l'Éducation Surveillée a demandé à Laurence CIRBA de mener une enquête sur ce problème auprès de différents agents institutionnels. Cette enquête a été effectuée dans les départements du Nord et du Pas-de-Calais.

Nous avons choisi de présenter le chapitre VI de cette enquête intitulé : «Le juge des enfants et le travail avec les familles».
Enseignants, assistants sociaux associations... partenaires dans les ZEP. Entretien entre un ethnologue et un formateur d’enseignants
Authors: Gokalp Altan , Boulot Serge , Lacaze Rose-Marie , Tonnelier Véronique
Published: November 2023

Migrants-Formation a réuni Alton Gokalp, ethnologue, chercheur au CNRS, et Serge Boulot, formateur au Credif, pour analyser, au moment où les ZEP se mettent en place, les rôles respectifs et la spécificité des différents partenaires qui doivent y collaborer : municipalités, parents d'élèves, associations, enseignants et travailleurs sociaux.
Écriture, lecture et gestuel
Authors:   CREPT - Centre Régional d' Etudes et de Promotion du Travail
Published: November 2023

Nous présentons aux lecteurs de Migrants-Formation un ouvrage collectif consacré à « la prise en compte du gestuel dans la Préformation des migrants ». L'objectif de ce document , selon la commande des Pouvoirs Publics - Fonds d' Action Sociale pour les Travailleurs migrants et Direction de la Population et des Migrations - a été de présenter les résultats de la recherche-action sous une forme pratique qui puisse être utilisée par des formateurs de préformation.

Ce document, selon nous, dépasse largement le cadre de la préformation. En analysant les gestes requis dans l'apprentissage de l'écriture par des analphabètes, il peut concerner les moniteurs d'alphabétisation.

Nous reprenons ici des fragments de la première et de la troisième partie de ce document, consacrées respectivement à une étude théorique du gestuel et aux exercices et techniques permettant de gérer celui-ci. Partant d'une définition spécifique du geste inscrite dans celle de l’habileté manuelle et motrice, les auteurs soulignent le caractère déterminant de l’histoire de l'individu et spécialement du développement de son auto-contrôle pour la formation de cette habileté. Ils montrent ainsi comment l'écriture, organisation gestuelle élaborée, nécessite une structuration complexe et un ajustement extrêmement précis à la tâche .
À St Quentin en Yvelines : une politique globale en direction des jeunes. Interview
Authors: Djemad Jean , Maisonneuve Jean-Claude , Lacaze Rose-Marie , Jeanmougin G.
Published: November 2023

La plus jeune des villes nouvelles, St Quentin en Yvelines, compte 80 000 jeunes sur une population totale de 180 000 habitants. Migrants-Formation a rencontré trois des animateurs de l'APASC, qui ont accepté, en mai 1982, de livrer l'état de leur réflexion sur l'évolution des jeunes de cette ville nouvelle et en particulier, des jeunes d’origine étrangère, portugais et surtout maghrébins.
Un livre des cuisines nationales réalisé par des élèves de S.E.S.
Authors: Moindrot Denise , Tonnelier Véronique
Published: November 2023

Lorsque Migrants-Formation a rencontré il y a six mois les élèves de La classe de Denise Moindrot dans le XXe arrondissement de Paris, ceux-ci avaient choisi d'entreprendre ensemble une animation culturelle autour de la cuisine. Cette animation devait déboucher sur la réalisation d’un livre de cuisine – qui pouvait prétendre être utilisé comme tout autre livre de cuisine déjà existant.

Mais il devait exprimer surtout cette rencontre interculturelle vécue quotidiennement par les élèves d'une SES (Section d'Éducation Spécialisée). Aujourd'hui, ce livre est achevé – (dessins – mise en page – illustrations – explications) et nous sommes heureux de publier quelques extraits de ce bel exemple de travail inter-disciplinaire et interculturel.
Construire des phrases : Quelle place donner à l'apprentissage systématique des structures dans un cours d'adultes immigrés ?
Authors: Dhoukar Chantal
Published: November 2023

Le service pédagogique du CLAP (1) vient de publier un livre d'exercices destiné aux formateurs d'adultes migrants de niveau avancé. Nous avons choisi de présenter ces pages extraites de l'introduction.
Petit à petit des grands font leur lire. Petit à petit des grands les font lire
Authors: Diaz Violette , Gardivaud Brigitte , Joubert Anne , Armanet Bernadette
Published: November 2023

Des adolescents, élèves en formation professionnelle, viennent animer la bibliothèque dans une maternelle, racontent ou lisent des histoires aux enfants, une fois par semaine.
Un didacticiel d'aide à l'apprentissage de la lecture : ELMO Ø
Authors: Foucambert Jean
Published: November 2023

Par des exercices d'écriture de textes, d'entraînement et de jeux, qui s'appuient sur une bibliothèque dont les textes peuvent être composés par ses utilisateurs, ce didacticiel aide à l'apprentissage de la lecture un public d'enfants ou d'adultes débutants.