bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Y. R. Chao's Fāngyīn diàochá biǎogé and its role in the evolution of Chinese dialect research methodology
Authors: VanNess Simmons Richard
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: The present study compares and contrasts the phonologies of the Y. R. Chao's Fāngyīn diàochá biǎogé 方音調查表格 and Jerry Norman's Common Dialectal Chinese Hànyǔ fāngyán tōngyīn 漢語方言通音, also with reference to the Fāngyán diàochá zìbiǎo 方言調查字表, for what they reveal about their compilers' approaches to Chinese dialect phonology and it's applicability in dialect fieldwork and related research. We find that both were designed as tools to help shed light on the diachronic relationships between dialects. A significant feature that separates the two is how they treat the issue of dentilabialized initials (聲母的齒唇化) and the zhīxì 知系, or zhī, zhuāng, zhāng 知莊章, set of initials. The Biǎogé can be seen to represent a Qièyùn stage of development prior to the dentilabialization that spread widely through the mainstream dialects but that did not affect the Mǐn dialects, while keeping the zhī, zhuāng, zhāng initial sets separate. In contrast, Tōngyīn (CDC) is a reconstruction that includes dentilabialization as an established feature of the stage of Chinese it represents while also merging the zhī, zhuāng, zhāng initials into a single set. This particular mix of features and their developments is illustrative of the watershed series of changes that took place in the evolution of Chinese dialects from the Hàn 漢 to the Sòng 宋 periods. These changes were key to the shape and variety of Chinese dialects as they are found across the map today and are also reflected in the differences between Jerry Norman's Early Chinese and CDC. 摘要: 在完成其具有里程碑意義的《現代吳語的研究》兩年之後，趙元任於 1930 年出版了《方音調查表格》。 該表格的完成，無疑源自實地調查 的寶貴經驗，因而有意付梓，供全國各地方言調查使用。 例如，在湖 北進行田野調查時——其成果正是趙元任與丁聲樹、楊時逢、吳宗濟、 董同龢一同編纂的《湖北方言調查報告》——趙元任和助手們便一定 使用了這一表格。 可以說，該表格歷來都是漢語方言調查不可或缺的 基礎工具，即《方言調查字表》的範本和靈感來源。 "表格"和"字 表"均採用了《切韻》(成書於 601 年)的語音系統，因此被認為代表 了中古音系。 近年來，趙元任先生的學生羅杰瑞(Jerry Norman)在去 世之前提出了一個與現代漢語方言的《切韻》來源說不同的新概念。 他認為，漢語方言歷史上存在兩個主要的發展階段：一個是早期漢語 (Early Chinese)階段，該階段在中古漢語之前，包含閩方言的祖先語 言；另一個則是其後的一個階段，即漢語方言通音(Common Dialectal Chinese/CDC)，該階段代表那些僅見於除閩語以外其他主流漢語方言 的語音變化。 本研究對"表格"和"通音"的語音系統進行了比較， 力求揭示兩位學者對漢語方言音系的各自理解，並探討兩大系統在領 域內的適用性。 我們發現，兩者都深受歷史因素的影響，且都假定了 祖先語言形式，以揭示方言間的歷時關係。 其中，區分二者的一個重 要特徵是如何處理聲母的齒唇化。 可以看到，"表格"呈現的是齒唇 化之前的語音階段，齒唇化在主流漢語方言中廣泛存在，但在閩方言 中卻沒有發生。 相較之下，齒唇化在"通音"所代表的漢語階段中， 卻是一個重要的特徵。 因此，這一特徵便成為了由漢至宋，漢語方言 在演變過程中發生的一系列分水嶺式變化的例證。 而正是這些變化， 塑造了今天我們所看到的漢語方言形態及其多樣性，而它們也反映在 羅杰瑞的"早期漢語"和"漢語方言通音"的差異中。
The origin of the adjectival and adverbial "mulaolao" in Wu Chinese
Authors: Wang Huayun , Xiong Jianguo , Luo Cenhong
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: The word mulaolao (木佬佬) in Wu Chinese first appeared in written documents published during the period of the former Republic of China. It originated in Hangzhou dialect and spread to other regions such as Ningbo, Taizhou, Jinhua, and Shanghai. In Hangzhou dialect, mulaolao serves both adjectival and adverbial purposes, and it is believed to have derived from the expressive adjective manlaolao (蛮老老). In manlaolao , the suffix - laolao (老老) intensifies the degree of a state or property and is written as "佬佬" due to its uncertain etymology. The man (蛮) part originally meant "rude and unreasonable" or "doughty" but has evolved to also mean "many". In its weakened form, it underwent a checkedization process and was consequently pronounced as mu and written with a homophonous character "木". The adjectival form of mulaolao is widely used, but in adverbial positions, it underwent semantic bleaching to become an adverb and fused into mao (冒). The adverbial usage of mulaolao is less prevalent among younger speakers. 摘要: 吴语的"木佬佬"一词，民国以降始见于书面，源头在杭州方言，扩 散到了宁波、台州、金华、上海等地。杭州方言的"木佬佬"是形容 词/副词，当来自形容词生动形式"蛮老老"：词缀"老老"表示程度 极深，因词源不明被记作"佬佬"；"蛮"由"蛮横/强悍"义引申为 "多"义，轻读促化而被记作同音的"木"。形容词"木佬佬"使用 普遍，在状语位置上虚化为副词而后合音为"冒"。新派使用副词 "木佬佬"较少。
The resumptive view of the Cantonese dummy keoi5 revisited
Authors: Lai Jackie Yan-Ki , Cheung Lawrence Yam-Leung , Sun Yenan
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: This article compares the resumptive and expletive views on an understudied use of the Cantonese pronoun keoi5 . We demonstrate that the resumptive view as recently proposed in Yip and Ahenkorah (2022) raises a number of complications, and the so-called dummy keoi5 is better analyzed as a non-subject expletive, in line with traditional descriptions in Matthews and Yip (1994/2011). 摘要: 本文关注粤语代名词 "佢" 在句尾的一个特殊用法， 并从各个角度比 较了接应词说和虚位说这两种已有观点。 我们指出 Yip and Ahenkorah (2022)将句尾 "佢" 当作接应词的分析存在一系列的问题， 而将其分 析为非主语虚位成分可以避免这些问题。 本文的结论支持了 Matthews and Yip (1994/2011)等传统语法对句尾 "佢" 的描述。
Adaptable random phase with a frequency-based randomness control for computer-generated holograms using a chaotic map
Authors: Cruz Maria , Gilardi-Velázquez Hector
Published: October 2024

We propose and analyze the use of chaotic maps to generate an adjustable random phase for different computer-generated holograms. Using two parameters and a chaotic map defined by a piecewise linear equation, our method controls the value range and frequency of a two-dimensional random pattern with a circular configuration. With this pattern, we generate a limited bandwidth random phase, which disperses the low-frequency and high-frequency components of the hologram with different randomness. The simulation and experimental results for amplitude Fourier holograms show a speckle contrast reduction to 0.5, preserving a hologram efficiency of around 2.0% with the proposed random phase. Meanwhile, for 3D object reconstruction, using Fresnel-only-phase holograms, the same phase reduces the speckle noise in the object and the dispersed light in the background, preserving the blur effect on unfocused planes.
Editorial
Authors: Brezavšček Pia , Buh Maša Radi
Published: October 2024

This edition addresses the need to rethink the (nature of) creative labour in the field of performing arts because artists’ as well as critics’ and (semi-)professional viewers’ creative outputs often seem extremely obscure or even inaccessible to ‘outsiders’. It may even appear to many that one is required to possess a particular kind of sensibility if they want to be involved in contemporary performing arts practices – in layman’s terms we often equate this with specific ‘knowledge’ or ‘understanding’, or even ‘the way/ how we Watch’; namely, certain (artistic) practices make no sense to an untrained gaze that doesn’t understand them, so this sensibility seems indispensable in processing such practices to prevent a barricade of anticipated rejection or exclusion as a response to misunderstanding.
The vascular system of existence: My social class is my blood group
Authors: Dobovšek Zala
Published: October 2024

The article is a deliberate gesture of attempting to establish a dialogue with the social, extracting its content and arising from the author’s (intimate) experiential perspective, while being aware of the many advantages, as well as traps, in employing this particular format. In the context of questioning social class relations and private-professional positions within them, the author discloses her own personal timeline of transitioning between different social classes, while also uncovering the intellectual (psychological) and emotional impact of this ‘transition’ – everything from pride to success to insecurity and shame.
Theatre as a space of empowerment and emphasis of voices
Authors: Teržan Kaja
Published: October 2024

The theatre looks out from both directions. On the one hand, the artist’s (director’s) gaze determines our (spectator’s) gaze, and on the other hand, there is the question of whether the artist’s gaze is able to see through our eyes and, of course, whose eyes they are. Are they created by the theatre itself – in the name of all its direct creators and thus in its own image and according to its own wishes, or is ‘their studio’ also open to those who come to the theatre from the substance itself – from the living substance of the dramatic texts? So also to those who find it difficult to afford a theatre ticket. Is a theatre that does not look backwards, then, still credible as a universal or legitimate representation of the world and its social relations?
Towards an aesthetic commoning
Authors: Brekke Oda
Published: October 2024

This text detects a current context collapse within the independent scene of dance and choreography. It looks at the political potential of artist-driven spaces and asks if and how they could provide a forum for debate and collective articulation.

With the platform and space höjden studios in Stockholm as the main example, the text connects it to other practical initiatives such as PAF (Performing Arts Forum), ICC (Imaginative Choreographic Center and PIM (Para Institutional Models). The text briefly touches on theories of the commons and aesthetic autonomy in order to raise a concern about the collective attention to art works and artistic practices, and propose a direction where the production of discourse within common spaces centres it.
Making, performing and experiencing improvised work
Authors: Podrzavnik Andreja Rauch , Hamilton Julyen
Published: October 2024

This dialogue between Julyen and Andreja was inspired by the desire to present, more closely, the work that both of them are engaged in, each in their own way and in their collaboration, most recently in the performance titled A Scoreless Time (2024). An integral part of their collaboration is the conversations they have before and after working on stage and within the process itself.

The reflections recorded in the interview open up some key questions about the experience of performance works, as well as about relationships and expectations; both of the audience and the performers.

Common questions that arise in the field of instant composition, i.e. improvisation, are: how imperative is it, in our opinion, that the audience knows the performers are improvising? Is it possible to see the work of performing as such?
The dualities of artificial presence and authenticity
Authors: Buh Maša Radi
Published: October 2024

Reflecting on Katja Legin’s piece A House a Home (Hiša Dom), Maša Radi Buh pays less attention to the concretization of individual moments, but rather focuses her thoughts on the relationship between the theatrical, the performative, and the movement. In both the language of the performance and the presence of Legin the text recognizes a (co)existence in dualities which in no way simplify, but rather reflect the complexity of maternal and other care work in relation to the contemporary woman.
Choreographic Turn #8: Notes and reflections
Authors: Arhar Nika , Bombač Jaka
Published: October 2024

In December 2023, Nika Arhar and Jaka Bombač participated in Choreographic Turn #8 (CT). Here they reflect on the dance practices of Liza Šimenc, Tina Rozman, Tina Benko and Ema Križič, as well as on the parameters of their own work and ways of adopting a more autonomous research position within the constellation of CT.
Trends in admission to the Wildlife Screening Center in Espírito Santo State, Brazil, from 2011 to 2021
Authors: Santos Hellen Alves dos , Müller Rosângela Aparecida , Pettan-Brewer Christina , Torezani Josiano Cordeiro , Fux Blima , Vicente Creuza Rachel
Published: October 2024

Background and Aim: The Wild Animal Screening Center in Espírito Santo State (CETAS-ES), Brazil, treats wildlife from trafficking and illegal trade, accidents, captivity, and rescue from out of their habitat. The present study described the trends in wildlife admission to the CETAS-ES over the past 10 years and discussed the impact of animal exploitation.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study used a database provided by the CETAS-ES with data on animals admitted between 2011 and 2021, including admission year, origin, place of captivity, taxonomic category, sex, life stage, and health status.

Results: Over 10 years, 23,176 animals were admitted, with an annual average of 2,106 admissions. Seizing was the most common origin (60.39%), followed by rescues/collections (22.60%) and voluntary delivery (11.7%), whereas 5.3% had unidentified origins. Birds were the most frequently admitted animals (80.6%) and were predominant among those seized (97.5%), rescued/collected (46.7%), and voluntarily delivered (73.2%). Mammals represented 45.0% of rescues/collections and reptiles represented 19.0% of voluntary deliveries.

Conclusion: The admissions reveal a vulnerable scenario for wildlife in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest of Espírito Santo State, mainly affecting birds. Seizing was a common occurrence over the decade, reinforcing the necessity of actions to prevent wildlife trafficking and illegal trade.

Keywords: Atlantic Rainforest, biodiversity, fauna, wildlife trade.
Why do employees feel stressed? Evidence from tellers
Authors: Kim Long
Published: October 2024

Minimizing job stress can help organizations promote both work satisfaction and productivity. Therefore, many organizations try to evaluate some specific factors influencing job stress among their workers in order to discover new methods for developing healthier working environments. Thus, this study aimed to examine the impacts of work-family conflict, role conflict, and workloads on bank tellers’ job stress. Researchers applied a snowball sampling method to survey 649 tellers who were working at different banks around Cambodia. All valid data were analyzed using the SEM method. Results of this research highlight that work-family conflict was significantly caused by workload and role conflict. Meanwhile, bank tellers felt stressed when facing high role and work-family conflicts, but not workload. Moreover, work-family conflict mediated the relationship between workload and job stress. Thus, this outlined the significant role of work-family conflict in escalating high stress among bank tellers. Hence, the stress attitudes among bank tellers rely upon the degree of work-family conflict, as this determinant demonstrates the biggest impact on job stress. Therefore, this study strongly recommends that all related banks develop a new working policy in order to lower work-family conflict among their bank tellers.
Cognitive mapping of the economy of trust
Authors: Lyeonov Serhiy , Brychko Maryna , Korpysa Jarosław , Bács Zoltán
Published: October 2024

The concept of trust has been extensively explored by governments, researchers, and academic communities focusing on public authorities and the financial system, albeit in separate contexts. Trust plays a vital role in both sectors, influencing various aspects of governance, economic stability, and societal well-being. However, the relationship and interdependencies between trust in the government and trust in the financial system remain relatively unexplored. In addressing this gap, this study aims to improve the understanding of the role of trust in the socio-economic system and provide a framework for analysing the complex causal mechanisms between developments in the financial and public sectors using trust concepts. To achieve this, the study adopts the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) method in combination with the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) as the methodological approach. The results highlight that even a small decline in trust can have severe repercussions on the stability of the financial system, deposit levels, exchange rate stability, and the prevalence of non-performing loans. Additionally, violations of trust in the financial sector also impact the development of the public sector, resulting in decreased trust in the government, fiscal stability, tax revenues, and government bond purchases. The study also demonstrated that when trust in both the financial sector and the government is eroded simultaneously, the complexities and the extent of negative consequences are amplified. These findings emphasize the interconnected nature of trust dynamics in both sectors and underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to addressing trust-related challenges.
Healthcare professional motivation in Poland and Ukraine: The role of profession, gender, and country
Authors: Goncharuk Anatoliy G. , Lewandowski Roman A. , Rogers Heather L.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation among medical students, doctors, and nurses in two countries – Ukraine and Poland. As a secondary aim, gender differences were considered as well. During 2019, until the beginning of 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic started, healthcare professionals from two hospitals and medical students from one university in Poland and healthcare professionals from two hospitals and medical students from one university in Ukraine were recruited to participate in the study. The Wilcoxon test for paired samples was used to compare each participant’s score on the intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation sub-scales. Differences were examined by country, gender, profession, and combinations of these factors. In Poland, 142 doctors, nurses, and medical students were recruited. In Ukraine, 126 doctors, nurses, and medical students were recruited. Respondents completed an anonymous paper-and-pencil survey that required minimal socio-demographic information (age, gender, profession, and years of experience) so that the respondent would remain unidentifiable. The results show that male doctors were more extrinsically vs. intrinsically motivated (p=0.003), while female doctors and students were more intrinsically vs. extrinsically motivated in both Ukraine and Poland (p=0.023). Male students and nurses from both countries were equally motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Polish female doctors were more intrinsically vs. extrinsically motivated than Ukrainian ones (p=0.001), whereas Ukrainian and Polish male doctors were more extrinsically vs. intrinsically motivated (p=0.002). There were statistically different motivational patterns concerning gender, occupation, and nationality, which may have important implications for the construction of motivational systems in both organizational and healthcare systems.
Women leaders in logistics for the economy 5.0
Authors: Brzozowska Marta , Kaczmarska-Krawczak Jadwiga , Kolasińska-Morawska Katarzyna , Stroińska Ewa , Sułkowski Łukasz
Published: October 2024

The complexity of the technologized socioeconomic reality poses a number of challenges for today's managers. Many times their actions are a test of their leadership. A particularly interesting area of research in this regard is the logistics sector, which so far has been regarded as typically male and which has been undergoing a transformation in favor of an increasing representation of women for some years now. The authors sought to answer questions such as: what qualities, skills and competences will enable women working in logistics to pursue their careers and achieve their goals in the face of the challenges of a 5.0 economy. The aim of the article is to identify those leadership skills and competences of women in logistics that predispose them to lead on their way to business success in enterprises. In the research process, mixed research methodologies were used, combining the results of secondary source analysis obtained from Scopus and Web of Science databases with information obtained from a quantitative survey based on the CAWI diagnostic survey method. The analyses resulted in a model of an exemplary image combining traits, skills and competencies, as well as attributes of effectiveness, which may be helpful for women in shaping their leadership position in the management structures of companies in the logistics industry. The resulting material complements the existing body of research on the role and importance of women in business including, in particular, the inclusion of women in logistics. The main strength of the work is to identify areas that women should improve in order to increase their participation in managerial positions in the logistics industry.
Next step for bitcoin: Confluence of technical indicators and machine learning
Authors: Máté Domicián , Raza Hassan , Ahmad Ishtiaq , Kovács Sándor
Published: October 2024

Cryptocurrencies are quickly becoming a key tool in investment decisions. The volatile nature of bitcoin prices has spurred the demand for robust predictive models. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different machine learning models with the combination of technical indicators in predicting bitcoin prices. The study used 27 critical technical indicators to evaluate four machine learning techniques, namely Artificial Neural Network (ANN), a Hybrid Convolutional Neural Network and Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest. The results showed that ANN and SVM achieve a significant prediction accuracy of 81% and 82%, respectively, which is higher than the results of traditional models such as standard ARIMA. In practical applications, these methods often improve prediction accuracy by 20-30% over traditional models. The novelty of the analysis lies in the use of temporal and spatial trends via momentum, ROC, and %K features, making for a holistic approach to cryptocurrency market forecasting. This study underscores the critical importance of specific technical indicators and the imperative role of data mining in revolutionizing cryptocurrency market navigation. The research results highlight opportunities to improve investment strategies and risk management policies in the bitcoin market using machine learning models, making the latter valuable to investors and financial experts.
Influence of education on improving the employment prospects of individuals with disabilities
Authors: Jarząbek Kinga , Stolarska-Szeląg Elżbieta
Published: October 2024

The occurrence of disparities in income among various social groups is defined by the economic term social inequalities. In the subject literature, this term is often used in association with the individuals with disabilities and their uncertain position in the job market or the barriers that they face in the education process. Thus, this paper attempts to fill an existing research gap by answering the research question of how the employment level will change among individuals with disabilities with a specific level of education if the number of individuals with disabilities with higher education changes. The main goal of the conducted study is to analyse the impact of the population size of individuals with disabilities of working age on their employment level in Poland, taking into account differences in the level of education. Particularly, the focus is on the relationships between the level of education and earning potential. To obtain answers to the research question, a national and international literature analysis was conducted, and in the empirical part, a panel regression model was employed. The results of the panel regression analysis indicate a significant impact of the interaction between the population of individuals with disabilities and the level of education on employment in Poland. Education plays a significant role in the employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities, and this dependency is also influenced by the demographic factor of population size. The interpretation of indicators may indicate a significantly higher demand for vocational and technical skills in the labour market, compared to contributing to higher employment rates of individuals with disabilities possessing these specific qualifications.
The impact of corporate governance on firms' propensity to innovate - multidimensional and cross-country analysis
Authors: Alsqour Moh’d , Ananzeh Husam , Jurczuk Arkadiusz , Kędziora Paweł
Published: October 2024

The study examines the correlation between corporate governance ratings, a crucial element of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) index provided by Thomson Reuters, and companies' inclination towards innovation. Employing a cross-country analysis, the research explores how governance ratings influence corporate innovation decisions. The results reveal a positive association between corporate governance scores and the implementation of innovative practices. Notably, board effectiveness, commitment, vigilance, and compensation structure significantly impact firms' innovation levels. The study further demonstrates that the positive relationship between ESG ratings and innovation is particularly pronounced in companies with larger, more diverse boards, active audit committees, and well-structured compensation systems. This research enhances our understanding of how robust corporate governance frameworks can drive innovation by fostering transparency, accountability, and a positive work environment. Such governance structures mitigate risks, deter unethical behavior, and promote long-term corporate sustainability. Consequently, the study suggests that organizations should prioritize strong corporate governance practices to bolster their innovation capabilities. The findings underscore the pivotal role of corporate governance in shaping firms' innovative potential, contributing valuable insights to the intersection of governance and innovation in the corporate landscape.
Network analysis of contractors’ assessment factors
Authors: Kazemilari Mansooreh , Streimikiene Dalia
Published: October 2024

The effect of assessment management and selecting the appropriate contractor is growing interest in research because of ‎the change in preferences of contractors’ behaviour and the growth of competitiveness. The assessment of contractors is a continuous process that demands ongoing ‎monitoring to maintain high quality ranks. In this study, the factors behaviour of contractors' assessment for a construction engineering company and a method of topological analysis are examined to a) aid in the interpretation of existing relationships among all factors and b) find influencing factors of contractors’ assessment. The method begins with the network construction of factors considering some criteria or standards. We then propose a method of network analysis and describe the results of studies undertaken to apply the correlation network-based approach and discuss the implications of the methodology. As a result of this study, all influencing factors are involved in a category. The most influential factor is the specialized training of staff that can improve the contractors' productivity and competitiveness.
Atlas of Microscopic Images of Raw Biomass Used in Fuel Production
Authors: Drobniak Agnieszka , Jelonek Zbigniew , Mastalerz Maria , Lis Grzegorz , Knauth William , Jelonek Iwona
Published: October 2024

As nations strive toward achieving sustainability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, biomass has emerged as an indispensable component of worldwide energy portfolios. Biomass, derived from organic materials such as plants, agricultural residues, forestry byproducts, and organic waste, is a renewable energy source and abundant resource with significant potential across various sectors. Responsible biomass energy production can aid in waste management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate environmental pollution by utilizing organic materials that would otherwise be discarded.
With the anticipated growth in biomass use for energy, it is essential to establish analytical techniques for assessing the quality of the fuel feedstock materials. This will enable to better comprehend the implications of using biomass fuels on public health and our ecosystem. One such technique is reflected light microscopy, which has the potential to significantly enhance the conventional (physical and chemical) quality assessment of biomass-derived fuels. This technique enables rapid observations of material constituents and identification of impurities, and it can be applied not only to fuels but also to biomass-based pellets used in animal feed and bedding.
Given the scarcity of publicly accessible microscopic images of biomass materials, the “Atlas of Microscopic Images of Raw Biomass” fills this gap by offering a comprehensive collection of 553 images. These photomicrographs capture the optical characteristics of a diverse array of biomass feedstock, demonstrating unique morphological and structural features. This visual documentation can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, educators, and enthusiasts interested in investigating the complexities of biomass forms.
Flexible Job-shop Scheduling Problem with parallel operations using Reinforcement Learning: An approach based on Heterogeneous Graph Attention Networks
Authors: Lv Q.H. , Chen J. , Chen P. , Xun Q.F. , Gao L.
Published: October 2024

The Flexible Job-shop Scheduling Problem (FJSP) has received considerable scholarly attention as a classic problem. However, in practical industrial manufacturing scenarios, it is common for an operation to have multiple preceding parallel operations. This not only necessitates adhering to the sequential relationships inherent in FJSP but also requires ensuring that preceding operations are completed simultaneously whenever feasible. We term this scenario as the Flexible Job-shop Scheduling Problem with Parallel Operations (FJSP-PO), a pervasive challenge encountered across nearly every production line in real-world discrete manufacturing applications. Despite its prevalence, there is a noticeable scarcity of research on FJSP-PO in existing literature. Given the objective of synchronizing multiple preceding operations, FJSP-PO presents a broader solution space and more intricate optimization challenges compared to traditional FJSP. To address this, we propose an Attention Restart method based on Heterogeneous Graph Attention Networks (AR-HGAT). Leveraging a heterogeneous graph network structure and reinforcement learning, AR-HGAT learns the implicit features of operations and machines through node-level and semantic-level attention mechanisms. The AR mechanism is utilized to determine the optimal scheduling of operations at specific time slots. Compared to existing FJSP methods, our AR-HGAT approach demonstrates superior performance in terms of inference time and solution effectiveness. Furthermore, we conducted a comparative analysis using authentic operational data from companies and contrasted it with results obtained from an online tree search algorithm, thereby providing empirical validation of the effectiveness of the proposed AR-HGAT method.
PGRMC1 and PAQR4 are promising molecular targets for a rare subtype of ovarian cancer
Authors: Kozłowska-Tomczyk Kamila , Borski Norbert , Głód Paulina , Gogola-Mruk Justyna , Ptak Anna
Published: October 2024

The heterogeneity of ovarian cancer (OC) has made developing effective treatments difficult. Nowadays, hormone therapy plays a growing role in the treatment of OC; however, hormone modulators have had only limited success so far. To provide a more rigorous foundation for hormonal therapy for different OC subtypes, the current study used a series of bioinformatics approaches to analyse the expression profiles of genes encoding membrane progesterone (PGRMC1, progestins and the adipoQ receptor [PAQR] family), and androgen (zinc transporter member 9 [ZIP9], OXER1) receptors. Our work investigated also their prognostic value in the context of OC. We found differences in expression of ZIP9 and OXER1 between different OC subtypes, as well as between patient tumour and normal tissues. Expression of mRNA encoding PAQR7 and PAQR8 in a panel of OC cell lines was below the qPCR detection limit and was downregulated in tumour tissue samples, whereas high expression of PGRMC1 and PAQR4 mRNA was observed in rare subtypes of OC cell lines. In addition, chemical inhibition of PGRMC1 reduced the viability of rare OCs represented by COV434 cells. In conclusion, PGRMC1 and PAQR4 are promising targets for anticancer therapy, particularly for rare subtypes of OC. These findings may reflect differences in the observed responses of various OC subtypes to hormone therapy.
Study of vowel formant data using Gabmap: A pilot analysis of a Lithuanian dialect
Authors: Bakšienė Rima
Published: October 2024

The article reviews the possibilities of applying the web application Gabmap developed by researchers at the University of Groningen to the analysis of vowel formant data based on the results of the study of one Lithuanian dialect. The Western Aukštaitian dialect of Kaunas is traditionally considered the basis of Standard Lithuanian. The study was based on the data of 18 male speakers from six dialectal localities representing distinctive areas. The normalized mean values of the first two vowel formants (F1, F2) were analyzed in certain word positions illustrating distinguishing features, which were processed using Gabmap tools designed for analyzing numeric sequences.

Gabmap tools most beneficial for the researchers of experimental phonetics along with the aspects of their application to research were emphasized in the study; it also underlined those tools the use of which requires additional application of other conventional methods of experimental sound analysis, such as sound spectrum analysis, planimetric models, etc. In the study of the Western Aukštaitian of Kaunas, the Gabmap analysis confirmed significant horizontal variation within the dialect area and foregrounded the most tightly related sites sharing the greatest number of common features in their vocalism.
Compound prepositions in Irish and Scottish Gaelic
Authors: Watson Seosamh
Published: October 2024

The subject of this study is a particular type of compound preposition found in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The compound consists of a simple preposition followed by a noun which it governs, the noun in question often pertaining to human perception or activity. The membership of this ‘nominal’ prepositional class, as will be seen, is quite extensive, so that the category in question, as well as refining the reach, and extending enormously the range, of prepositional activity, adds a separate, often somewhat picturesque, dimension to syntax in the languages in question.
Pluralizers through time in the Basque dialect of Labourd
Authors: Camino Iñaki
Published: October 2024

This article discusses the innovations that have arisen during the last several centuries in three pluralizing morphemes in the Basque dialect of Labourd (continental Basque Country). First, I will present the characteristics of Basque auxiliary and synthetic verbs so that we may better understand the three developments that I will then address and analyze: 1) a pluralizer used with transitive verbs that has moved to present tense intransitive verbs by analogy with its occurrence in past tense forms, driven by phonetic similarity; 2) a pluralizer that shows a complex development in its grammar, time and geography, and that we find in the continental Basque Country, but also in the peninsular Basque Country; and 3) a pluralizer that arose in verbs with dative and that came to be used in the transitive verb without dative jakin ‘to know’ only in Labourd.
Does the Adjustment of Industrial Structure Restrain the Income Gap between Urban and Rural Areas
Authors: Han Jun , Jiang Shicheng
Published: October 2024

Industrial structure adjustment is a process that involves reconfiguring input factors to enhance productivity and efficiency. A crucial aspect of this adjustment is the transformation of the labor force composition, which subsequently affects the employment structure. Consequently, variations in productivity levels lead to the cross-departmental migration of workers, resulting in changes to the income disparities among employees. This article examines the impact of China’s industrial structure adjustment and labor mobility on the urban–rural income gap between 1990 and 2019. Employing an empirical approach, the study investigates the influence of industrial structure adjustment and the direction of labor mobility on the urban–rural income gap. The findings indicate that the quality of industrial structure adjustment contributes to the widening of the urban–rural income gap, whereas labor mobility helps to narrow it. In regions experiencing a net influx of labor, superior industrial structure adjustment amplifies the urban–rural income gap, whereas labor migration diminishes it. Conversely, in regions witnessing a net outflow of labor, superior industrial structure adjustment reduces the income gap, while labor mobility widens the urban–rural income disparity. Notably, in more developed areas of China, the quality of industrial structure adjustment has widened the income gap, whereas labor mobility has narrowed the urban–rural income gap. However, in less developed regions, labor mobility exacerbates the urban–rural income gap.
Talent Allocation in European Football Leagues: Why Competitive Imbalance May be optimal?
Authors: Garcia-del-Barrio Pedro , Reade J. James
Published: October 2024

Professional sports are part of the entertainment industry; as such, its business is developed based on the perceived interest in sporting events, which in turn depends on features like: the (i) degree of competitive balance that determines the uncertainty of the outcome; the (ii) concentration of gifted players in a team, whose interaction of talents on the field enhances the quality of the ‘product joint’ that is a sporting event; the (iii) joint aggregate quality of rival teams; the (iv) appeal of rivalries associated with fans’ feelings of empathy and loyalty; etc. This paper focusses on the first three points by modelling the success of team-sport competitions as the result of the overall quality, which encompasses more than the mere sum of individual talents. Sport economists and practitioners generally acknowledge that competitive balance must be fostered to protect uncertainty about the outcome and thus achieve greater interest in sport competitions by fans and the media. In this paper, we argue that certain degree of imbalance in allocation of talent between teams may be preferable – rather than a perfect competitive balance – to broaden the interest of fans on the sport events and, thus, maximise economic outcomes. The paper also examines the discrepancies across the main European football leagues in this regard.
Effect of combination of uterine artery doppler and vitamin D level on perinatal outcomes in second trimester pregnant women
Authors: Tosun Gokhan , Akar Ayca Nazli , Burkankulu Derya , Ceyhan Venhar , Aydin Emine
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To investigate the effect of the combination of uterine artery (UtA) Doppler and vitamin D levels on perinatal outcomes in second trimester pregnants was aimed.

Methods

UtA Dopplers and vitamin D levels of 226 pregnant women in the second trimester were measured. Patients were followed for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The relationship of this combination with these pregnancy outcomes was evaluated.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity values ​​are respectively; Left UtA-S/D ratio for preeclampsia was 85.29 and 81.77 %, left UtA-RI was 90.62 and 43.30 % for preterm birth, and 76.19 and 66.34 % for the development of fetal distress had the best predictive effect. Vitamin D values ​​had no predictive value for any parameter (p>0.005).

Conclusions

UtA Doppler has a good predictive value for many adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, in order to correlate these results with second trimester vitamin D levels, more homogeneous and specific groups are needed.
New data on the poorly known Andean rodent Abrocoma uspallata (Rodentia: Abrocomidae)
Authors: Tammone Mauro N. , Nivelo-Villavicencio Carlos , Voglino Damián , Soto Erika Cuellar , Pardiñas Ulyses F.J.
Published: October 2024

The caviomorph rodent Abrocoma uspallata Braun, J.K. and Mares, M.A. (2002). Systematics of the Abrocoma cinerea species complex (Rodentia: Abrocomidae), with a description of a new species of Abrocoma. J. Mammal. 83: 1–19, doi: 10.1093/jmammal/83.1.1, stands as the most recently described species within its genus and remains one of the least studied. Known from two localities in northwestern Mendoza Province, Argentina, this elusive rodent has been the subject of four field studies conducted during 2022. The obtained evidence, including craniodental remains and fecal samples, suggest a moderate abundance of the species and a broader geographical range spanning at least 1,050 km2. Abrocoma uspallata has scattered occurrences at mid-elevations, typically around 2,000 m, across the Sierra de Uspallata and adjacent hilly systems. These findings point the species as a pre-Andean Abrocoma Waterhouse, 1837, together with Abrocoma schistacea Thomas, O. (1921). On mammals from the Province of San Juan, Western Argentina. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8th Series 9: 214–221, which occurs in the nearby province of San Juan. In addition, although treated as Vulnerable according to the last Argentinean conservation assessment, the species should be considered Least Concern.
Computing the matrix exponential with the double exponential formula
Authors: Tatsuoka Fuminori , Sogabe Tomohiro , Kemmochi Tomoya , Zhang Shao-Liang
Published: October 2024

This article considers the computation of the matrix exponential

e

A

{{\rm{e}}}^{A}

with numerical quadrature. Although several quadrature-based algorithms have been proposed, they focus on (near) Hermitian matrices. In order to deal with non-Hermitian matrices, we use another integral representation including an oscillatory term and consider applying the double exponential (DE) formula specialized to Fourier integrals. The DE formula transforms the given integral into another integral whose interval is infinite, and therefore, it is necessary to truncate the infinite interval. In this article, to utilize the DE formula, we analyze the truncation error and propose two algorithms. The first one approximates

e

A

{{\rm{e}}}^{A}

with the fixed mesh size, which is a parameter in the DE formula affecting the accuracy. The second one computes

e

A

{{\rm{e}}}^{A}

based on the first one with automatic selection of the mesh size depending on the given error tolerance.
Infinite distributive laws for the lateral operations on a Riesz space
Authors: Kamińska A. , Krasikova I. , Popov M.
Published: October 2024

We prove analogues of the well known infinite distributive laws for the lateral infima and suprema instead of order ones. The proofs are more involved than that for the original laws. We show that one of the laws holds true whenever both sides of the equality are well defined. The other one is false in general, even if both sides are well defined, but true for finite sets. The proofs of two laws are completely different. The question of under what assumptions on the Riesz space and objects involved in, the second distributive law is valid for infinite sets, remains unsolved.
Conocimiento y valoraciones sobre los derechos humanos de estudiantes universitarios en Puerto Rico
Authors: Yudkin Suliveres Anita , Moscoso Álvarez Margarita
Published: October 2024

This article presents the key findings of a study on the knowledge and perceptions of human rights among first-year students at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus. This mixed-methods research comprised two phases: a quantitative survey and qualitative focus group discussions. The investigation indicates that the students had varied higher education experiences regarding exposure to human rights education. Moreover, they have limited formal knowledge of these rights, though they are well-acquainted with human rights principles. The students identify the country's situation as a violation of this matter, particularly in relation to the events that unfolded after 2016. They express a willingness to recognize, defend, and advocate for both their own rights and the rights of others. They place significant importance on the right to education and the necessity of human rights education at both the school and university levels. They advocate for relevant and dynamic instruction in these rights, incorporating social networks and information technologies.
Desafíos apremiantes para enseñantes comprometidos con una educación en ciudadanía y derechos humanos desde los Modelos de Naciones Unidas
Authors: Penhos Matías
Published: October 2024

Model United Nations (MUN) role-playing simulations serve as an exceptional tool for applying pedagogical principles rooted in global citizenship and human rights education. When teachers undertake pedagogical guidance to various high school student groups, they are aware that the process culminating in the UN staging is fraught with unforeseen occurrences, despite thorough planning. The possibilities of sustaining non-formal education activities in the medium term largely depends on the commitment and unwavering dedication of the teaching staff. This article focuses on that commitment. Rooted in a socio-community framework with careful attention to territorial articulation, collective efforts were made to meet the expectations of the student groups involved. The collaborative initiative took place at Secondary School No. 5 in Ezpeleta, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, which is one of the most representative venues for the Model United Nations of the National University of Quilmes (MONUUNQ). Throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic, an extraordinary capacity for contextual adaptation enabled the sustaining of on-site workshops, training sessions, and role-playing simulations. Particular attention was focused on enhancing the pedagogical-didactic strategies of the institution's educators, who had highly heterogeneous profiles in relation to the practice of MUN. The records and testimonies of the student participants enable us to reinterpret, in a highly positive manner, the experiences and practices that have had a significant impact on the school.
El proceso de creación de la Biblioteca Interseccional de Imágenes Uruguayas
Authors: Ferreiro Xavier de Mello María Eugenia
Published: October 2024

This article discusses methodological aspects and reflections on a project that is currently being developed: The creation of the Intersectional Library of Uruguayan Images, a bank of images featuring non-hegemonic characters. One of the library’s goals is to serve as a public resource for architecture and design professionals. The research question arises from the automatic and uncritical use of corporalities and poses that conform to representations based on stereotypes and imported images. The question is far from being solved with new technologies. It includes biases and automatic assumptions that need to be made visible by focusing on the production of meaning, considering that certain sectors of society are currently excluded from all visual representation in significant spaces of public life. The study incorporates surveys and analyses of the digital platforms most commonly used by design professionals in Uruguay, considering gender, generation, rights-based, and diversity perspectives to detect and overcome the problem. The work team comprises teachers and students from the Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urbanism of Udelar. The images for the repository are produced using participatory design methodologies, with the essential contribution of activists and social groups.