bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
System of Biometric Approach for Metro Ticket Expenses Using Finger Print Recognition
Authors: More Prof. Dr. Ninad
Published: June 2023

Abstract: This paper based on automated system for ticketing in the Metro Train System which is based on unique passenger identification. This is a user friendly system, which will automatically identify the passenger and deduct the passenger’s fare according to the distance travelled. Transportation plays a vital role in ones life. The main goal of this paper is to eradicate the day to day and one of the major problems with regard to carrying a ticket during transportation from ones life and make traveling a lot more peaceful. For this purpose, we are proposing a biometric-based ticketing system in the metro railway scenario but not limited to the same. In order to get a unique identifier for each person, we are considering their fingerprint right away from registration, booking tickets and validating the fingerprint on the day of the journey so he/she can travel on a particular day and on the desired train to his/her preferred destination. The fingerprint sensor will be interfaced with Arduino which in turn will store the fingerprint data to the cloud. We are proposing a two-way encryption standard for storing the sensitive fingerprint data in the cloud. This two-way encryption standard involves encrypting the data during data generation at the hardware end and encrypting it again before storing it in the cloud database.
ICT: Resume Builder System Using Full Stack Web Development
Authors: Jadhav Sakshi
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Information and Communication Technology, is a powerful and transformative tool that has revolutionized the way we work, learn, communicate, and access information. It involves the use of cutting-edge digital technologies to manage and process information, and to facilitate communication and collaboration with others over a network. The current placement process for college students faces several challenges. Students lack the necessary experience to create a professional resume, which can affect their chances of getting hired. Some students may get disqualified due to their resume format or template selection, resulting in missed job opportunities. Also, the college currently relies on a third-party application for placement activities, which raises concerns about data security and privacy. The resume builder system is a web-based tool designed to help students create professional resumes effortlessly. It eliminates the need for selecting templates and additional work by providing a well-structured resume in PDF format. The placement calendar is the primary feature, notifying students of upcoming activities such as interviews and pre-placement talks. This project aims to aid students and the placement cell's employees in placement activities by displaying information about new firms and collecting data on students who have applied.
AGRICO - Smart Way of Farming
Authors: Mane Prof. Dipali M. , Gupta Gunja , Shilimkar Akash , Patwardhan Jaai , Shitole Trupti
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Research related to agriculture is growing rapidly, the challenges that lie ahead is solved with the help of advancement in technology. It is found that it is very beneficial for the economic growth and development of any nation. Especially in India, it requires the need for good research in order to improve agricultural productivity. In order to enhance the growth and solve the problems in the agricultural sector, the scientists use a variety of data mining methods. Different data mining techniques, like classification or prediction can be used to predict diseases in crops, and losses incurred as a result of these diseases. The diseases can be bacterial, fungal or viral. Some of the common plant diseases are bacterial wilt, black knot, curly top, etc. These diseases are caused by a variety of insects and micro- organisms. Our main focus in this research is on early identification of the diseases and helps the farmers in taking the decision to use the fertilizers that helps to protect the crops so that the diseases are eliminated in the early stage of production and so the farmers can get maximum yield. Ensemble method combines several classifiers to produce one finest predictive model and it is a very important technique in Machine Learning. In this paper, ensemble methods are used to predict the crop disease and an analyse has been done with the help of different classifiers such as Decision Trees, Naive Bayes Classifier, Random Forests, Support Vector Machine and K- Nearest Neighbour. Ensemble models, improves the performance of the classifiers that are weak. Te proposed machine learning approach that aims at predicting the best yielded crop for a particular region by analysing various atmospheric factors like rainfall, temperature, etc., and land factors like soil type including past records of crops grown. Finally, our system is expected to predict the best yielded crop based on dataset we have collected.
AI and IOT Based Road Accident Detection and Reporting System
Authors: Patil Varsha , More Adesh , Mahajan Mitali , Gholap Hemant
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Road accidents are increasing daily as the number of automobiles rises. An annual global death toll of 1.4 million and an injury toll of 50 million are reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The absence of medical assistance at the scene of the accident or the lengthy response time during the rescue effort are the main causes of mortality. We can reduce delays in a rescue operation that has the potential to save many lives by using cognitive agent-based collision detection and a smart accident alarm and rescue system. To gather and send accident-related data to the cloud or server, the suggested system consists of a vibration sensor, accelerometer, alcohol sensor, IR sensor, GPS module, camera, and Raspberry Pi. When any accident happens, the module immediately sends accident-related data to the cloud and through the Virtuo 6 application.
An Adaptive Beam Forming Algorithm for Reduction of Coexistence- Interference and Improved Performance in 5G Communication Systems
Authors: Ali Syed Atif , Singh Utkarsh , Singh Vishal , Maurya Sanjay Kumar
Published: June 2023

Abstract: A couple of Wi-Fi systems coexisting in a 5G community might produce interference within the same frequency band, degrading the obtained sign's overall performance. This paper proposes a singular set of rules in antenna array processing to address interference-coexistence verbal exchange. We adopt a linear filter which is referred to as a Linearly confined minimal Variance (LCMV) filter out. We impose a log-sum penalty at the coefficients and upload it to the price feature based on traditional singly linearly restrained least suggest square (LC-LMS). The iterative formula for filter weights is derived. We show that the brand-new approach's convergence price is quicker than the conventional one in the usage of simulations in an antenna environment with a signal of hobby, noise, and interference. Furthermore, the proposed approaches suggest rectangular errors (MSE) are shown. Our approach has a lower MSE than the traditional LC-LMS set of rules, in line with the findings of the experiments. The cautioned adaptive beam forming approach may be used in a 5G gadget to cope with sign and interference coexistence.
IOT Based Transformer Monitoring and Controlling
Authors: Murade Prof. G. B.
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Transformers are critical components of electric powersystems, yet precise fault identificationremains difficult. The study presents a novel transformer defect diagnostic approach based on an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring sysem and ensemble machine learning (EML). The IoTbased monitoring system is divided into two parts: data measuring subsystemand a data reception subsystem. To begin, the data measuring subsystem measures transformer vibration signals, which are then relayed to the remote server via the data receipt subsystem. Then an EML is proposed that is made up of deep belief networks (DBNs), stacked denoising auto encoders (SDAs) with distinct activation functions, and relevance vector machines (RVMs). DBN sand SDAs are respectively used to extract features from the signals, and RVMs are respectively employed as classifier. In order to ensure efficient of the EML, a novel combination strategy is proposed. A transformer fault diagnosis experiment is performed
Sign Language Detection without Sensors
Authors: Bhoskar Aman , Azam Moin , Behlim Sohail , Sonawane Asit , Lagdive Prof. Rambhau
Published: June 2023

bstract: The time period time device assists communication between the hearing impaired and the general public. We are proud to present the design and implementation of language learning models. In most cases, we create a trust model that distributes signatures regularly. Also, this method is a good way for beginners to use sign language to practice the language. As part of this study, various human-computer interactions for gesture recognition were investigated and analyzed. It has been found that the best way to detect human movement is layered image processing. Even with very little background, the system can detect certain characters in the language with 70-80% accuracy.
TINGKAT PRODUKSI DAN PROFITABILITAS PENERAPAN SISTEM SADAP FREKUENSI RENDAH DI PERUSAHAAN PERKEBUNAN KARET SUMATRA UTARA
Authors: FAUZI IIF RAHMAT , Lindawati Lindawati
Published: June 2023

Melemahnya harga karet alam dan kelangkaan penyadap merupakan masalah utama yang dihadapi perusahaan perkebunan karet dalam satu dasawarsa terakhir. Merebaknya penyakit gugur daun Pestalotiopsis membuat langkah-langkah peningkatan produktivitas menjadi sulit dicapai. Upaya efisiensi biaya adalah strategi yang harus dilakukan untuk mempertahankan performa perusahaan perkebunan karet saat ini. Sistem sadap frekuensi rendah atau low frequency tapping (LFT) systems adalah salah satu langkah yang ditempuh PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III (Persero) sebagai barometer perusahaan perkebunan nasional untuk merespon situasi tersebut. Penelitian bertujuan menganalisis keragaan penerapan sistem sadap LFT di PTPN III (Persero), menganalisis profitabilitas penerapan sistem sadap LFT, serta membandingkan performanya dengan sistem sadap konvensional. Unit Kebun Tanah Raja dan Gunung Para merupakan lokasi yang dipilih secara sengaja dalam penelitian ini karena dianggap unit percobaan yang mewakili kebun-kebun lingkup PTPN III (Persero). Analisis dilakukan melalui metode deskriptif kualitatif dan kuantitatif dengan pendekatan analisis anggaran parsial berupa revenue and cost ratio (R/C ratio). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa profitabilitas penerapan sistem sadap LFT d4, d5, dan d6 masing-masing dengan nilai sebesar 1,20; 1,08; dan 0,90 belum mampu menandingi profitabilitas penerapan sistem sadap konvensional d3 dengan nilai sebesar 1,39. Sistem sadap LFT d4, d5, dan d6 memiliki keunggulan dalam merespon langkah efisiensi dengan kemampuan menurunkan biaya sebesar 22%, 35%, hingga 43% dibandingkan sistem sadap konvensional d3. Rendahnya kebutuhan hari sadap efektif dalam penerapan sistem sadap LFT juga mengindikasikan kemampuannya dalam menanggulangi masalah kelangkaan tenaga kerja penyadap.
Crusade Reflected in “The Knight’s Tale”
Authors:   Institute of Foreign Literature, Lee Dongchoon
Published: June 2023

Although original fervor of religious idealism was cooling somewhat and a sense of practicality was taking over, the crusades were far from a dead issue among the commoners as well as the nobles during the fourteenth century. As this century is called 'the real age of propaganda for the crusade,' some writings including late Middle English romances and chivalric treatises stress the justice of the crusades and urge people, in particular, the knights, to action. Chaucer, who was in a precarious position at court and had a perfect understanding of the crusades deeply embedded in the knights' mind, adds two real crusaders in The Canterbury Tales: the Knight and his son, the Squire. While eulogizing crusading as an admirable pursuit of the knight, Chaucer does not ignore a natural contradiction between the brutal violence or killing that military campaigns required and the religious motivation of converting the infidel into Christianity. Such an ambivalence is revealed implicitly in his portrait of the Knight as well as in The Knight's Tale.
Implementation of the School as a Learning Organisation: Latvian Educators’ Experience
Authors:   University of Latvia, Kaulēns Oskars , Lūsēna-Ezera Inese , Siliņa-Jasjukeviča Gunta , Briška Ilze ,   Liepaja University
Published: June 2023

The idea of the school as a learning organisation (SLO) has become a topical issue in many countries due to the rapid changes in curricula and the management of educational institutions. The process of purposeful implementation of SLO has started in the Latvian education system too. Within the framework of the project “Competence Approach to Curriculum” (School2030) implemented by the National Centre for Education (Republic of Latvia), not only the current curriculum documents are reviewed and improved, but also the introduction of SLO in general and vocational education in Latvia is realised – a school where each student’s deep learning is supported, students, teachers, school management and other staff learn individually and together, a school that is constantly changing and ready to meet the new challenges. SLO is also important for ensuring the assessment and monitoring of the quality of education. Consequently, the issue of SLO is also relevant for the Latvian State Education Quality Service in the accreditation and self-evaluation of educational institutions and the improvement of their principals’ professional competence. The aim of the research is to evaluate the mutual coherence and interaction of different levels of policy (education level, municipal level) in the successful implementation of SLO in general education in Latvia. In order to indicate the extent to which the approaches implemented at different levels of educational policy are consistent with the conceptual model of SLO, the theoretical concept of SLO is analysed in the study – key components, operating principles and preconditions for successful school transformation. The study also describes the international experience in the implementation of the SLO model, thus revealing the possible transfer of the experience of other countries to the Latvian educational context.
Teachers’ Emotional Burnout, Psychological Detachment from Work and Self-Reported Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors:   University of Latvia, Ronesala Agrita , Martinsone Baiba
Published: June 2023

The outbreak of the COVID-19 infection has created unprecedented changes in the education system. The emotional burnout of teachers increased during the pandemic, unfavourably affecting their physical and mental health. In this context, teachers’ ability to psychologically detach themselves from work to recharge is of special relevance. Research about the quality of teachers’ professional life and emotional burnout during the pandemic is not sufficient. Therefore, the aim of the current research is to investigate the relationship between teachers’ emotional burnout, their psychological detachment from work, and self-reported health during the pandemic, involving teachers working both face-to-face and remotely. The sample consisted of 506 teachers, with the majority aged from 2−64 years, of whom 472 were female and 34 were male. Of these, 269 teachers worked mainly face-to-face, whereas 237 worked in a hybrid form or mainly remotely. Data were collected from October to December 2021 during periods of varying restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents completed the Teachers’ Burnout and Teachers’ Self-Perceived Health scale, designed for the Erasmus+ project “Teaching to Be: Supporting Teachers’ Professional Growth and Wellbeing in the Field of Social and Emotional Learning”, and the Psychological Detachment from Work scale. It was found that higher emotional burnout in teachers is related to a lower ability to detach themselves psychologically from their work. Moreover, teachers with higher emotional burnout reported lower health indicators. Comparing data from teachers who worked face-to-face and those working mixed or remotely, differences were found in their levels of emotional burnout; specifically, teachers who worked face-to-face reported higher burnout. These results have practical implications supporting the necessity to promote teachers’ mental health and wellbeing in their workplaces.
Ted Talks as a Digital Material in Foreign Language Teaching
Authors:   National University of Food Technologies, Kyiv, Nezhyva Olga
Published: June 2023

The paper considers the opportunity of practical use of TED Talks as a digital material in the process of foreign language teaching and learning in educational institutions of different types. It has been shown that TED Talks are quite a significant and powerful tool for developing students’ speaking skills. The students improve their communication skills in a foreign language; definitely, it provides further professional opportunities for getting and sharing information, experience, ideas and views. The paper illustrates that the spheres of influence of TED Talks materials, which will be used in the educational process, can be conditionally divided into four groups such as socio-cultural dimension, competence dimension, language dimension and psychological dimension. It is emphasized that TED Talks can be multifunctional, satisfying almost any didactic request. However, the teacher should take into account the certain criteria for choosing a video watching. These criteria are: what video is about, the usefulness of the topic video; the appropriateness of the video to the academic environment and the length of the video. All of these criteria help to create the video to be successful and effective. If the teacher neglects these choosing criteria, the teacher will have a negative result after the video watching and during the discussion of this video among students. The paper also highlights that the use of TED Talks during foreign language teaching helps the teacher to solve a number of problems, in particular, to overcome the negative impact of interlanguage interference, and to increase students’ motivation to learn a foreign language. Furthermore, it helps to make foreign language teaching more interesting and creative.
Mentors’ Perceptions of Supervising Student English Language Teachers During One-Year Clinical Practice
Authors:   University of Pardubice, Černá Monika , Reimannová Irena
Published: June 2023

Mentoring in initial teacher education programmes is believed to play one of the primary roles in student teachers’ professional development, as it enhances the professional learning of student teachers in the context of their classroom and school experience. The purpose of the article is to explore mentors’ perceptions of their readiness, expectations, and relationship with student teachers during one-year clinical teaching practice. The article defines and discusses mentoring in an initial teacher education programme at a Czech university and reports the findings of a qualitative study which was conducted in a group of mentors who provided mentoring to student English language teachers during their one-year clinical practice. The clinical teaching practice is conducted in selected schools at primary and lower-secondary levels of education and mentors, student teachers, and university teacher educators communicate and cooperate closely. The study offers insights into the mentors’ perceptions of various aspects of mentoring, including the relationship of the mentors and the student English language teachers in the specific clinical practice model. The findings of the study are interpreted in the light of the proposed reform of initial teacher education in the Czech Republic and as such might be recognised by the education community and policymakers.
Changes in the Mathematics Curriculum for Grades 10–12 in Latvia
Authors:   Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Optometry of the University of Latvia, Avotiņa Maruta , Zīlīte Agnese
Published: June 2023

In the school year 2021/2022 in all schools and for all grades in Latvia ends the gradual transition from the previous mathematics standard (that was used since year 2008) to the new mathematics standard. This standard is developed within the ESF project “Competence Approach to Curriculum (School 2030)”. The mathematics subject in the secondary school is divided into two parts: Mathematics I (optimal level for every secondary school student) and Mathematics II (advanced level for secondary school students who plan to study exact sciences at the university). The final exam also is different and will focus not only on solving problems but also on the correct use of mathematical language and justification. These changes also have effect on the learning process, now emphasis is on the competency-based learning that will provide pupils with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for modern life. The aim of our study is to compare standards, curricula, and final exams to analyse the differences in mathematics content for grades 10–12. The method used in this article is document analysis as documentary research as well as analysis of pupils’ results in final mathematics exams. As the education system in Latvia is in the process of transition, it is important to understand how the changes might affect pupils’ knowledge and skills in mathematics.
The Power Of Storytelling in Improving Students’ Emotional Well-Being
Authors:   Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, Medne Dace
Published: June 2023

The emotional well-being of students in the higher education space as a subject of the research forms is an important part of the research both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and as well as before and after the pandemic. One of the dimensions of research is students’ emotional well-being in performance-oriented curricula. Performance-orientated curricula include the acquisition of interdisciplinary competencies that can reduce students’ subjective indicators of emotional well-being. In turn, storytelling as a method of pedagogical support has confirmed its effectiveness. Therefore, the research focus of this study is students who are studying in one of the programs of the performance-orientated subgroup; the study context is formed by the period of the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the research is to identify the effectiveness of storytelling as a method of pedagogical support in promoting students’ emotional well-being. This article presents the results of a case study in one higher education institution in Latvia. Qualitative approach has been selected for the research. Once a week during four-month period, 12 participants shared stories about their current issues. Session transcripts were encoded and then analysed in the qualitative data processing program NVivo 12. The results of the research were interpreted within the framework of the theory of self-determination. The transcripts of the sessions identified all the indicators formulated within the theory of self-determination: competence, relatedness, and autonomy, which were improved using storytelling. The results suggest that study courses on stress and emotional burnout management should also be included at the higher education level, which would allow to increase students’ skills to manage uncertainty situations. This study is a small, but research-sensitive indicator for promoting student well-being.
Future Preschool Teachers’ Experiences of Mutual Learning in the Work Environment
Authors:   University of Latvia, Šūmane Ilze , Āboltiņa Līga
Published: June 2023

One of the main tasks of teachers is to improve their professional competence, which begins with their education prior to teaching. During the education process, when the identity of a future teacher is formed, their attitude should include a commitment to continuous professional development. Therefore, teacher training programmes aim to increase young teachers’ readiness to engage in the development of their professional competences throughout their working lives. One of the best approaches to professional development is learning in the workplace as part of a team (i.e. mutual learning between employees). Pre-primary learning is important because a common understanding of the existing educational institution and a desire to learn from one another promote change in teachers’ personal approaches and in educational institutions at the organisational level. The theoretical framework of this research consists of theories on social learning, mutual learning, characterisation of preschool teachers’ professional competence in knowledge, skills, values and social behaviour and unity. Notably, it has been found that preschool teachers learn best and gain experience by learning from one another in their communities, which is reflected in their practices. This research aimed at examining the experience and opinions gained during the pedagogical practice of future teachers regarding the opportunities, advantages and disadvantages of mutual learning. The research methods included a literature review, and content analysis. The sample included 280 students from a preschool teacher study programme. This study uses a qualitative research method and the qualitative data processing programme NVivo. The results show that prospective teachers have developed different experiences of mutual learning during the implementation of study practice tasks. In general, students describe mutual learning in relation to the theoretical principles acquired in the study process.
Assessing Levels of Empathy among Undergraduate Medical Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in a Medical College in Sohar, Oman
Authors:   Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar Campus, Oman., Qureshi Abdul Hafeez , AlHabsi Ramitha ,   Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Alghatrifi Sharifa ,   Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, AlHabsi Sara ,   Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, AlHarrasi Omnia ,   Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar Campus, Oman.
Published: June 2023

OBJECTIVE: Empathy is an essential aspect of communication skills for physicians, especially primary care physicians. The study aims to explore the empathy scores among medical students at different stages of medical training and to analyze the effect of gender and career choice on the empathy scores of medical students. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to January 2022 in a medical college in Sohar, Oman. All the students were eligible to participate in this study. Simple random sampling was employed, and participants were administered a 20-item Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Student (JSE-S) Version. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Mean and standard deviation were reported for continuous variables. Subgroup comparisons were conducted using t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Out of 424 participants, the majority were female (n=390,92%), and over half of the students (56%) were less than 22 years of age. The mean empathy score of students on the JSE-S scale was 104.6 ± 17.43 (range: 37-140). Subgroup analysis revealed that males had a slightly high score on JSE-S (male: 105.7+14.56, female: 104.5+17.6, p-0.23). Empathy scores showed an increasing trend as the student progressed through medical school (6th year: 106.2+16.16). Empathy scores were almost similar for students who had preferred people or procedure-oriented fields as their career pathway (p-0.59). CONCLUSION: The study reflects the need to include empathy in teaching communication skills to medical students as an integral part of the medical school curriculum, which could assist them in becoming compassionate physicians and increasing patient satisfaction. KEYWORDS: Empathy, empathy scores, JSPE, Medical Students, Physicians, Undergraduate Medical Students.
O MOMENTO DA PESQUISA SOBRE O BUDISMO NO BRASIL
Authors: Franca Nirvana
Published: June 2023

O budismo surge no mundo há cerca de vinte e cinco séculos, corresponde à quarta maior religião do mundo. Contudo, segundo o CENSO de 2010, o Brasil possui apenas 243.966 autodeclarados budistas, correspondendo a 0,13% da população. Existem problemas nessa quantificação, em grande parte derivados da questão cultural de múltipla pertença religiosa, parâmetro não levantado pelo CENSO. Outra questão versa sobre a produção acadêmica sobre essa religião. O budismo chega tardiamente ao Brasil, somente no século XX, e a vertente que acompanha os imigrantes japoneses, Budismo Shin, não é acadêmica. Dessa maneira, o budismo demora para despertar o interesse nas pesquisas. Buscando mapear e apresentar essa questão, em 2006, Frank Usarski realiza um levantamento sobre o “momento da pesquisa sobre o budismo no Brasil”. A proposta do presente artigo é verificar como se encontra tal situação, passados quinze anos. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa nas plataformas de dados da Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações e da plataforma de Currículo Lattes.
Marias na Holanda
Authors: Godoy Adriano
Published: June 2023

Esse ensaio reúne uma seleção de fotografias de imagens da Virgem Maria em diversas cidades da Holanda. Parte de um exercício mais abrangente, através do acúmulo desse tipo de fotografia busco registrar as materialidades da devoção a santa e, por consequência, das práticas católicas. Nesse caso, por se tratar de um país europeu secularizado e de tradição protestante, o exercício etnográfico levou a um contraste com as materialidades que encontro em minhas prévias pesquisas de campo.
PRESENCE as an actor
Authors: Ann-Sofie Nurmi
Published: June 2023

During my master in Performing Arts at Stockholm University of the Arts, I have been looking into finding a greater presence, in a text based theatre rehearsal and workshop context. I have tried to look at things how they appear in front of me. A dilemma is, that when I afterwards try and look at presence, it has already gone. Therefore, I used different tasks/exercises, that can be recreated in order to try and catch presence again.
When exploring presence in a rehearsal and workshop context, I found a few clues how to find/create presence and doing tasks in order to find/create a greater presence. In this exposition you can find some of these clues. They are all entangled with each other so one will not work without the other so please see them all as a whole. This exposition is a tangible ans embodied complement to my master essay.
SoK: Decentralized Finance (DeFi)-Fundamentals, Taxonomy and Risks
Authors: GOGOL KRZYSZTOF , KILLER CHRISTIAN , SCHLOSSER MALTE , BOCEK THOMAS , Stiller Burkhard
Published: June 2023

Financial services that are not only related to crypto-currencies but
rely on blockchain for security and integrity are jointly referred to as
Decentralized Fiance (DeFi) and are evolving rapidly. Given their novel
applications of DLT and sophistical economical designs, the distinction
between DeFi services and understanding the involved risk are often
complex. This paper systematically studies the major classes of DeFi
protocols, including risk and security. The selection of DeFi categories
is based on a quantitative approach, covering over 80% of total value
locked (TVL) in DeFi. Further, a structured methodology is provided to
differentiate between DeFi protocols based on the algorithmic design and
blockchain-network architecture. The findings indicate that every DeFi
protocol falls into one of the three classes of DeFi algorithms:
liquidity pool, synthetic asset or aggregator protocol. This work
concludes with the risk analysis that is derived from the DeFi protocol,
underlying tokens and agents. Certain DeFi assets, such as crypto-backed
stablecoins, liquid staking tokens, and wrapped tokens of bridges, are
synthetic assets, similar to derivatives in traditional finance, and
bore similar risk exposure.
Alternating Block Linearized Bregman Iterations for Regularized Nonnegative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Chen Beier , Zhang Hui
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we propose an alternating block variant of the linearized
Bregman iterations for a class of regularized nonnegative matrix
factorization problems (NMF). The proposed method exploits the block
structure of NMF, utilizes the smooth adaptable property of the loss
function based on the Bregman distance, and at the same time follows the
iterative regularization idea of the linearized Bregman iterations
method. Theoretically, we show that the proposed method is a descent
method by adjusting the involved parameters. Finally, we end with
several illustrative numerical experiments.
Motion detection or time lapse? A comparison of camera trap triggers in the monitoring of elusive ground dwelling birds
Authors: Nykänen Milaja , Pöysä Hannu , Matala Juho , Kunnasranta Mervi
Published: June 2023

Wildlife cameras have emerged over the recent years as an effective
research tool for collecting various types of data on wild animals, and
they are used increasingly also in avian studies. However, choosing the
best method to collect data depends on the aim of the research and the
characteristics of the target species and its habitat. Here, we compared
the performance of game cameras taking images by passive infrared motion
sensitive (PIR) and time-lapse triggering in gathering occurrence and
relative abundance data of the taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis fabalis)
in peatlands across Finland in 2020-2021. We found the time lapse
trigger mode to be more efficient in collecting data on goose presence
than PIR triggering. However, there was no significant difference in the
goose numbers between the two trigger modes. We also found the capture
probability and relative abundance to vary between years, but this could
be attributed to random inter-annual variation. In general, we find time
lapse to be a more suitable method to study elusive ground dwelling
birds like the taiga bean goose due to fewer required visits to camera
sites compared to motion triggered cameras that may produce a lot of
empty images due to false triggering. This reduces the disturbance to
the geese and other wildlife during the sensitive breeding period.
Blockchain Applications for Engineering Systems
Authors: Rehmani Mubashir Husain
Published: June 2023

Engineering systems have been designed to facilitate society. These
systems can be seen everywhere in our daily lives ranging from
electrical systems to mechanical systems, and from bio-medical systems
to industrial systems. With tight coupling with information and
communication technology (ICT), these engineering systems can be even
controlled and monitored remotely. These systems are supported massively
with sensors through which they capture enormous data, which is then
used to improve the performance of the systems. Moreover, complex
processes are involved in the overall functioning of these engineering
systems. The management of data and processes within these engineering
systems has been done through traditional ways such as database
management systems or spread sheets, however, involvement of multiple
parties makes these engineering systems more complex to operate, track,
and audit. Blockchain technology has the potential to replace
traditional database systems and offers a level of trust in an untrusted
environment. With features of immutability, traceability, transparency,
availability, and decentralization, blockchain technology is a good
match for engineering systems. Blockchain technology can help in supply
chain in these engineering systems, but it can also be used to
facilitate data, process, and parties. Considering enormous applications
of blockchain technology in engineering systems, this Special Issue in
Wiley Engineering Reports invited for the original scientific and
technical contributions.
Food shopping preferences in the context of logistic chains of food supplies on the example of consumers from the Podkarpackie voivodeship
Authors: Kud Krzysztof , Woźniak Marian
Published: June 2023

The article focuses on consumers' dilemmas regarding the choice of food products. Growing consumer awareness is reflected in everyday choices and has both economic and public health significance. Public awareness is generating a tendency to pay attention to health aspects by choosing fresher, better quality and less processed products. Consumers are increasingly interested in short food supply chains and shortening the time it takes to move food “from the field to the table”. Purchasing behavior is conditioned, inter alia, by the individual hierarchy of values professed by the consumer, in which short food supply chains are identified with better quality, lower price and reduced trade margins. Preferences for local and regional products are also observed. The market provides such opportunities, as legal changes introduced in Poland in 2016–2017 enabled farmers to legally sell food products directlyin an unprocessed as well as processed state. Such sales are carried out in short supply chains. A similar phenomenon is also observed among farmers in many EU countries. Short food supply chains play an important role in the process of creating market advantage of agricultural producers, as food products are quickly delivered to the final recipient. Local markets become very important in this case and direct selling, which lost its importance at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, is gaining popularity again. Logistical food supply chains are considered in various scientific fields. They combine organizational and technical, economic, social as well as cultural, and health dilemmas. The aim of this study was to identify preferences of food supply chains in the context of consumer behavior of the inhabitants of south-eastern Poland. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method. The survey shows that respondents associate food quality with the length of the supply chain, in the declarative sphere, they prefer short food supply chains, but do not use them. A sizeable proportion of respondents said they were willing to pay slightly more for safe and wholesome food. Research has confirmed that the modern consumer increasingly recognizes the importance of the healthiness of products, and links this to shortening the food supply chain.
PRMT4 facilitates white adipose tissue browning and thermogenesis by methylating PPARγ
Authors: Zhong Yi , Wang Yilong , Li Xiaoguang , Qin Haojie , Yan Shu , Rao Caijun , Fan Di , Liu Duqiu , Deng Fei , Miao Yanli , Yang Ling , Huang Kai
Published: June 2023

Obesity is a global health threat, and the induction of white adipose tissue (WAT) browning presents a promising therapeutic method for it. Recent publications revealed the essential role of protein arginine methyltransferase 4 (PRMT4) in lipid metabolism and adipogenesis, but its involvement in WAT browning has not been investigated. Our initial studies found that the expression of PRMT4 in adipocytes was upregulated in cold-induced WAT browning but downregulated in obesity. Besides, PRMT4 overexpression in inguinal adipose tissue accelerated WAT browning and thermogenesis to protect against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and metabolic disruptions. Mechanistically, our work demonstrated that PRMT4 methylated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) on Arg240 to enhance its interaction with the co-activator PR domain-containing protein 16 (PRDM16), leading to the increased expression of thermogenic genes. Taken together, our results uncover the essential role of PRMT4/PPARγ/PRDM16 axis in the pathogenesis of WAT browning.
Modeling of Stress Concentration Factor Using Artificial Neural Networks for a Flat Tension Bar with Opposite V-Shaped Notches
Authors: EREN Mehmet , TOKTAŞ İhsan , ÖZKAN Murat Tolga
Published: June 2023

Machine parts are exposed to stress accumulation due to geometric differences. Determining the stress accumulation locations is crucial to the design procedures. Studies on stress concentrations have been conducted in the past using a variety of theoretical and experimental methodologies, and distinct interpretations have been offered depending on the geometry of the machine part to be produced. The ability to complete activities with the least amount of effort and in the shortest amount of time has emerged as a result of the new computer technologies and software that have impacted many aspects of our everyday lives. One of these methods is the artificial neural networks (ANN) model, which is a branch of artificial intelligence. It is argued as a thesis in this study that fast and low-cost solutions can be found to problems in the field of solid mechanics by using the ANN model. For this purpose, a model has been developed to determine the SCF value with the ANN model of a plate with symmetrical V-shaped notch. The graphs obtained from previous experimental studies were converted to digital format and the Kt values obtained for the V-shaped notch problem with different parameters were converted into a data file. In this file, the SCF values to be obtained according to the strength upper limit safety factor value of the machine part, depending on the dimensional dimensions and material type required for the design, are calculated numerically in the form of an Excel file. An ANN-based code was created in MATLAB software and a new solution method was presented for parts containing a V-shaped notch.
The roles of interleukin-17A in risk stratification and prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Jin Heng , Wei Wei , Zhao Yibo , Ma Ai , Sun Keke , Lin Xiaoxi , Liu Qihui , Shou Songtao , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of interleukin (IL)-17A in risk stratification and prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SAKI). Methods: We enrolled 146 sepsis patients (84 non-SAKI and 62 SAKI patients) admitted to the emergency department from November 2020 to November 2021. Patients with SAKI were differentiated based on the severity of acute kidney injury. All clinical parameters were evaluated upon admission before administering antibiotic treatment. Inflammatory cytokines were assessed using flow cytometry and the Pylon 3D automated immunoassay system (ET Healthcare). In addition, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to determine the prognostic values of IL-17A in SAKI. Results: The levels of creatinine, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin (PCT) were significantly higher in the SAKI group than in the non-SAKI group (p < 0.05). The level of IL-17A revealed significant differences among stages 1, 2, and 3 in SAKI patients (p < 0.05). The mean levels of PCT, IL-4, and IL-17A were significantly higher in the non-survival group than in the survival group in SAKI patients (p < 0.05). In addition, the area under the ROC curve of IL-17A was 0.811. Moreover, the IL-17A cutoff for differentiating survivors from non-survivors was 4.7 pg/mL, of which the sensitivity and specificity were 77.4% and 71.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Elevated levels of IL-17A could predict that SAKI patients are significantly prone to worsening kidney injury with higher mortality. The usefulness of IL-17A in treating SAKI requires further research.
Fractional Brownian motion in financial engineering models
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Yanishevskyi V. S. , Nodzhak L. S. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: June 2023

An application of fractional Brownian motion (fBm) is considered in stochastic financial engineering models. For the known Fokker–Planck equation for the fBm case, a solution for transition probability density for the path integral method was built. It is shown that the mentioned solution does not result from the Gaussian unit of fBm with precise covariance. An expression for approximation of fBm covariance was found for which solutions are found based on the Gaussian measure of fBm and those found based on the known Fokker–Planck equation match.
Machine learning for the analysis of quality of life using the World Happiness Index and Human Development Indicators
Authors:   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Jannani A. , Sael N. ,   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca, Benabbou F. ,   Laboratory of Information Technology and Modeling, Faculty of sciences Ben M'Sik, Hassan II University of Casablanca
Published: June 2023

Machine learning algorithms play an important role in analyzing complex data in research across various fields. In this paper, we employ multiple regression algorithms and statistical techniques to investigate the relationship between objective and subjective quality of life indicators and reveal the key factors affecting happiness at the international level based on data from the Human Development Index and the World Happiness Index covering the period from 2015 to 2021. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that happiness is related to the HDI score and GNI per capita. The best-performing model for forecasting happiness was the random forest regression, with a R2 score of 0.93667, a mean squared error of 0.0033048, and a root mean squared error of 0.05748, followed by the XGBoost regression and the Decision Tree regression, respectively. These models indicated that GNI per capita is the most significant feature in predicting happiness.
REMEDIASI MISKONSEPSI PENGGENERALISASIAN MEMPERGUNAKAN LKPD BERBASIS REFUTATION TEXT
Authors: Megawaty Rosinda , Hartoyo Agung , Nursangaji Asep , Yusmin Edy , Halini Halini
Published: June 2023

This research aims to determine whether remediation using LKPD based on refutation text can fix generalization misconceptions suffered by students on substance of fractional operations in class VII MTs. Al-Muhajirin Kubu Raya. The form of the research applied was pre-experimental with one group pretest-posttest design. The instruments used are diagnostic tests and interview guidelines. The resultan of the initial diagnostic test showed that there were five variations of generalization misconceptions from simple to complex suffered by students. The total research subjects who were given remediation were five students who suffered from the simplest generalization misconceptions when completing all initial diagnostic tests using the pattern of adding or subtracting the numerator by numerator and denominator with denominator. The resultant of the final diagnostic test revealed a change in the generalization misconceptions suffered by the research subjects, with one student still suffering from generalizing misconceptions on two of the four question indicators, while four students already had a correct understanding of the concept on all question indicators. Therefore, it can be inferred that the generalization misconceptions of the research subjects can be eliminated through the implementation of LKPD based on refutation text.