bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Optimization of FDM Parameters for the Manufacturing of Compression Specimens from recycled ASA in the Context of the Transition to the Circular Economy
Authors: Zisopol Dragos Gabriel , Minescu Mihail , Iacob Dragos Valentin
Published: February 2025

The present study investigates the optimization of the FDM parameters, that is, the height of the deposited layer in one pass (Lh) and the filling percentage (Id), for the manufacture of compression specimens from recycled ASA (rASA) in the context of transitioning to the circular economy. The Anycubic 4Max Pro 2.0 3D printer was utilized, where compression specimens were additively manufactured from rASA 45 using the following variable parameters: Lh = 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm, and 0.20 mm, and Id = 50%, 75%, and 100%. All compression specimens were tested on the Barrus White 20 kN universal testing machine. It was found that the Compressive strength (Cs) is influenced by the two considered variable parameters of the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Lh and Id, but the overwhelmingly influencing parameter is Id. According to the results of the FDM parameter optimization for the manufacture of compression specimens from rASA, Lh = 0.10 mm and Id = 100%.
Analysis of the Seasonal Change on the Sediment Transport in the Primary Channel of Saddang Irrigation Area
Authors: Syamsuddin Gatok Hasan , Pallu M. Saleh , Maricar F. , Bakri B.
Published: February 2025

Irrigation channels are a vital component of an agricultural system, functioning to distribute water to agricultural land and support food security. The Saddang irrigation area, one of the main irrigation regions in Indonesia, plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity. However, the sediment accumulation in irrigation channels can significantly impact water distribution efficiency and environmental quality. The current research aims to analyze the influence of flow parameters during the rainy and dry seasons, examine the relationship between seasonal changes and sediment transport, and assess the impact of sediment discharge in the primary channel of the Saddang irrigation area. The tests conducted included sieve analysis, specific gravity, sediment concentration, and hydrometer analysis. Based on the research results, the average sediment discharge during the rainy season in the primary channel of the Saddang irrigation area is 2,702 tons/day, while during the dry season, the average sediment discharge is 100 tons/day. The ratio of the average sediment discharge between the rainy and dry seasons is 27:1. Additionally, linear equations were obtained to predict sediment discharge in the primary channel of the Saddang irrigation area. For the rainy season, the linear equation used is y = 857.67x - 1618.3, while for the dry season, it is y = 38.811x - 79.937. These equations have a validation rate of 98% between the linear equation and the actual calculation results, indicating high accuracy in modeling sediment discharge in the channel.
A Numerical Study of the Behavior of Concrete Columns constructed with Recycled Aggregate reinforced with GFRP Rebars
Authors: Mohammed Ahlam Sader , Abdulkareem Bashar F.
Published: February 2025

This research presents the findings of a numerical simulation conducted using the ABAQUS/CAE Finite Element (FE) software, with the purpose of investigating the behavior of short concrete columns constructed using recycled aggregate reinforced by Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars. The numerical validation technique included an analysis of the experimental data of twenty columns constructed utilizing recycled aggregate reinforced by steel or GFRP rebars. Additional aspects, such as the column length, acting as an indicator of column slenderness, and the configuration of the column section, were also investigated. The results revealed a significant correlation between the failure loads and axial displacement of the computational models and those derived from the experimental methods. It was found that the increase in the column length was inversely proportional to its load carrying capacity. The drop percentage in the load carrying capacity was 6% and 11% for columns with length of 1100 mm and 1500 mm, respectively, compared to the reference square column with 700 mm length. The drop percentage in the load carrying capacity was 6.9% and 12.7% for columns with lengths of 1100 mm and 1500 mm, respectively, compared to the reference circle column with 700 mm length.
Leveraging Deep Reinforcement Learning for Effective PI Controller Tuning in Industrial Water Tank Systems
Authors: Korupu Vijaya Lakshmi , Manimozhi Muthukumarasamy
Published: February 2025

This paper addresses the level control problem in water tank systems by proposing a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithm to automatically tune the parameters of a Proportional-Integral (PI) controller. The integration of the PI controller with the DDPG algorithm leverages the strengths of both methods, enabling the algorithm to learn optimal controller gains through the exploration of the state-action space and reward feedback from the system. The proposed approach eliminates manual tuning, automates gain adaptation to varying system states, and ensures a robust performance under uncertainties and disturbances. The validation results demonstrate that the DDPG-tuned PI controller outperforms the manually tuned controller using the PID Tuner app in Simulink, achieving no overshoot, faster settling times, and enhanced robustness. These findings highlight the potential of Reinforcement Learning (RL) for adaptive control in industrial applications, particularly for systems with dynamic and uncertain environments.
The Impact of Data Preprocessing Order on LASSO and Elastic Net Capabilities
Authors: Tang Geneveive Yii Ven , Pillay Khuneswari Gopal , Mustapha Aida
Published: February 2025

The Food Security Index (FSI) evaluates affordability, accessibility, utilization, and food availability. However, previous research on food security in Malaysia has primarily focused on production, neglecting a detailed analysis of economic factors. The Overnight Policy Rate (OPR), set by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), regulates economic activity by controlling the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow and lend overnight. This study explores the impact of data preprocessing sequences on the performance of LASSO and Elastic Net regression models in predicting Malaysia's FSI. Using macroeconomic data from 2010 to 2023, this study evaluates the effects of different sequences of outlier detection and missing data imputation. The findings reveal that the LASSO model achieves the highest accuracy and the lowest error rates with outlier detection performed after imputation. This study underscores the importance of preprocessing order in enhancing model reliability and provides insight into the economic factors that influence food security in Malaysia. The results show that OPR reduces Malaysia's FSI by 0.151 units, while inflation increases it by 0.022. The LASSO regression model offers a novel perspective on the economic factors influencing food security, providing a more comprehensive understanding of food security in Malaysia.
Blockchain-enabled Secure Data Communication Protocols for 5G Networks
Authors: Sameer Jabar Mohanad
Published: February 2025

With the further expansion of 5G networks, a main priority continues to shift towards secure and efficient protocols for data transmission. Traditional 5G security mechanisms, such as 3GPP AKA protocols, have limitations in scalability, latency, and resilience against cyber threats, making them quite unsuitable for complex high-density 5G environments. This study proposes a Secure Blockchain-based Data Transmission Protocol (SBDTP) with the decentralized and tamper-resistant feature of blockchain, combined with a hybrid consensus mechanism driven by Proof of Stake (PoS) or Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT). In this respect, this study contributes to state-of-the-art research efforts in the field of enhancing data integrity, authentication, and confidentiality with reduced latency and energy consumption in 5G applications. Extensive simulations showed that SBDTP outperformed previous solutions by a large margin. This protocol reduces latency to 50-80 ms, increases throughput to 900 pps, allows up to 1000 nodes without performance degradation, and reduces energy consumption to 0.8 J per node. It also maintains a very close-to-perfection data integrity check rate of ~100% and a very minimal privacy loss rate of less than 1%, showing strong security that could serve well for real-time 5G applications such as IoT networks, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities. These results show that SBDTP offers an efficient and secure solution for data transmission over 5G networks, outperforming traditional and blockchain-based methods while fulfilling the tight requirements posed by next-generation networks. In the future, the protocol should be optimized for scalability, including further advanced privacy techniques to widen its adaptability to diverse 5G applications.
Enhanced Automatic License Plate Detection and Recognition using CLAHE and YOLOv11 for Seat Belt Compliance Detection
Authors: Sutikno . , Sugiharto Aris , Kusumaningrum Retno
Published: February 2025

Traffic accidents caused by seat belt violations remain a severe problem in low-income countries. Identifying the vehicles of these violators is vital for enhancing safety. Therefore, this research develops a vehicle license plate detection and recognition system to support this problem. The proposed system was divided into three subsystems: windshield detection, license plate detection, and character recognition. The windshield detection subsystem used the You Only Look Once (YOLOv11) model. License plate detection combined the determination of the Region Of Interest (ROI) and YOLOv11. Meanwhile, character recognition combined the Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) algorithm and YOLOv11. YOLOv11 is the latest version of YOLO, which is faster and more efficient than the previous version, and CLAHE enhances the contrast of the image dataset, improving its quality. The dataset was collected from highways and toll roads in Semarang, Indonesia. The test results for windshield detection showed that the YOLOv11n model produced higher precision and faster detection time than YOLOv11m and YOLOv8m. The test results for license plate detection showed that the proposed method achieved perfect precision and recall. Meanwhile, the test results for character recognition indicated that the proposed method produced higher precision and average precision than YOLOv11n alone. The proposed method can produce precision and average precision for character recognition of 0.922 and 0.931, respectively. This research can potentially be used for automatic and real-time identification of car license plates for violators who do not wear seat belts on the highway.
Research on the Application of the Model Order Reduction Algorithm in Designing a Robust Controller for the Balance System of a Self-Balancing Two-Wheeled Bicycle
Authors: Trung Ngo Kien , Tham Nguyen Thi , Diep Trinh Thi , Ngoc Vu Thi Anh , Nguyen Hong Quang
Published: February 2025

This paper focuses on the design analysis and control of a Self-Balancing Two-Wheeled Bicycle (SBTWB) model. The difficulty of the two-wheeled bicycle balance control problem is that the two-wheeled bicycle model is uncertain and is continuously affected by disturbances. Many different control methods have been proposed to design an SBTWB balance controller, but the most suitable algorithm is the robust control algorithm. However, the robust controller of an SBTWB is often complex and of higher order, which affects the quality of the control process. This study introduces a Model Order Reduction (MOR) algorithm based on the preserving dominant poles and applies this algorithm to simplify the 15th order robust controller of the balance control system of an SBTWB. Through comparison and evaluation, it is shown that the 5th-order controller or the 4th-order controller can replace the 15th-order robust controller. Through a simulation of the control system using the 4th-order controller, it is demonstrated that the proposed 4th-order controller ensures a stable balance of the SBTWB, while the 4th-order controllers according to other order reduction methods cannot maintain the balance of the SBTWB. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the order-reduction algorithm based on the conservation of dominant pole points and the robust control algorithm for the SBTWB.
Production of Sustainable Foam Concrete using Foam Concrete Block Waste as Partial Cement Replacement
Authors: Salman Ban Abdulkarim , Al-Mulali Mohammed Zuhear
Published: February 2025

As the global population continues to grow, the cost and environmental challenges associated with traditional construction materials, like cement and river sand, are becoming increasingly significant. The present study examines an alternative environmentally friendly approach to typical building materials. It thus aims to evaluate the feasibility of using foam concrete block waste as a partial replacement for cement to create eco-friendly foamed concrete products. The experimental program involved the deployment of specific machines to prepare finely ground foam concrete waste with a particle size equivalent to that of cement. The replacement levels were 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight of cement. The effects of the different replacement ratios on the foamed concrete properties were investigated and compared with the control cement-foamed concrete.
Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm for Dynamic Optimal Power Flow with Renewable Energy Penetration
Authors: Widarsono Kukuh , Soeprijanto Adi , Wibowo Rony Seto
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes the Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm (IWOA) method to solve the Dynamic Optimal Power Flow (DOPF) problem in Renewable Energy Systems (RES), taking into account the influence of Energy Storage (ES). The convergence performance of the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) algorithm is enhanced by incorporating Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) in the exploration phase. The FLC assists the IWOA agents in finding the optimal weight values more quickly. The weights generated by the IWOA method are dynamic, continuously adjusting based on the deviation or error in the agents' movement during each iteration, which is essential for locating the global optimum. This paper primarily uses FLC to determine the weights, accelerating the IWOA optimization process. The effectiveness of this method is tested on the IEEE 30-bus system with the integration of PV and ES. The findings of this study demonstrate the superiority of the IWOA method over the WOA algorithm, resulting in a lower generation cost of $25/day and a faster convergence time.
A Control Strategy for Salient-Pole Permanent Magnet Axial-Gap Self-Bearing Motors Considering Stator Inductance Variation
Authors: Trung Ngo Kien , Tuan Duong Anh , Van Tran Thuy , Vinh Vo Quang , Duong Quoc Tuan
Published: February 2025

Axial-Flux Self-Bearing Motors (AFBMs) are distinguished by considerable variations in inductance resulting from axial displacement. Conventional controllers are frequently engineered to accommodate a wide range of inductance changes. Nevertheless, this methodology is often suboptimal, particularly when inductance is not accurately determined. This paper puts forward a novel inductance approximation function for the stator, designed to minimize modeling errors. Furthermore, an advanced control strategy is presented, based on a sliding mode controller with online adaptive parameter tuning. The experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control strategy, exhibiting enhanced performance, stability, and robustness across a range of operating conditions.
A Review on the Performance of Concrete Beams reinforced with GFRP Bars and Internally reinforced with Different Meshes
Authors: Khudhair Ban Abd Abbas , Al-Khafaji Hayder Mohammed
Published: February 2025

The incorporation of geogrid or Glass-Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) mesh into concrete structures presents a novel approach to leveraging the geosynthetics and Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites in structural components. Geogrid, steel, and GFRP mesh can enhance the post-cracking ductility and load-bearing capacity of Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams, depending on the specific type and properties of the mesh utilized. The use of reinforcing meshes offers the advantage of reducing the size of structural elements due to their lower weight compared to steel bars, thereby decreasing the overall weight of the structure.
Properties of GFRP Bars Subjected to High Temperature
Authors: Saeed Maan Hatam , Al-Ahmed Ali Hussein Ali
Published: February 2025

This study evaluates the properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars exposed to high temperatures. An experimental program was carried out, which investigated 30 samples burned at different temperatures, 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C, and compared them with additional unburned samples. The chosen parameters in this study consist of the concrete cover thickness and the burning temperature. The experimental results demonstrated that at a temperature of 300 °C, burning did not significantly affect the tensile strength of the covered samples, as it exhibited a decrease between 0% and 7%. In contrast, at a temperature of 500 °C, burning significantly influenced the specific samples’ tensile strength, as its decrease ranged between 0 and 30%. At 700 °C, burning substantially impacted the covered samples’ tensile strength, causing a reduction ranging from 2% to 58%, contingent on the concrete cover thickness. It was generally observed that the samples’ tensile strength decreased as the burning temperature increased, and that although significant alterations in the tensile characteristics of the uncoated GFRP bars were noted at 300 °C, the critical threshold for the coated GFRP bars was identified around 500 °C.
Optimization of Rubber Sheet Rolling Machine Parameters using a Taguchi-based TOPSIS Linear Programming Model
Authors: Phokha Surasit , Sasen Chailai , Nasawat Pariwat , Kanchanaruangrong Nattapat
Published: February 2025

The Multi-Response Optimization (MRO) problem is a critical aspect of the engineering design, particularly in improving process efficiency and product quality. This study focuses on optimizing the parameters for a rubber sheet rolling machine, a vital component of Thailand's natural rubber industry. The objective is to enhance its operational efficiency and product consistency by addressing key criteria, such as production time and rubber sheet thickness. A novel approach integrating the Taguchi method and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Linear Programming (TOPSIS-LP) model is proposed. The Taguchi method systematically designs experiments, while the Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model consolidates multiple performance indicators into a single optimal solution. Optimal roller gaps of 4.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 2.0 mm, and 0.1 mm for the first, second, third, and fourth roller pairs, were, respectively, identified. The results demonstrated a reduction in rubber sheet thickness to 2.06 mm (5.94% improvement) and production time to 9.71 seconds per sheet (1.33% improvement) compared to the original settings. The qualitative analysis confirmed the robustness and reliability of the optimized parameters, achieving consistent results across various evaluation methods. This study presents a significant advancement in the MRO problem, offering a robust framework applicable to similar challenges in industrial settings. The findings provide a foundation for future automation and optimization efforts, driving sustainable improvements in the manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
Evaluating AES Security: Correlation Power Analysis Attack Implementation using the Switching Distance Power Model
Authors: Mestiri Hassen
Published: February 2025

Cryptographic circuits play a critical role in safeguarding confidential information and ensuring secure communication, contributing to the resilience of digital infrastructure under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). These circuits store encryption keys for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm, including AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256, which are widely used in applications such as online banking and secure messaging platforms. This paper examines the effectiveness of Correlation Power Analysis (CPA), a side-channel attack technique that exploits power consumption patterns in cryptographic circuits, to highlight the challenges of implementing secure encryption systems. The study illustrates the CPA attack procedure against AES implemented on the SASEBO-GII FPGA platform. Experimental results reveal that while the CPA attack based on the Hamming Weight (HW) power consumption model fails to extract the encryption key, the Switching Distance (SD) power consumption model successfully recovers the entire key with a 100% success rate using approximately 4000 power traces. These findings underscore the vulnerability of cryptographic circuits to advanced side-channel attacks and emphasize the need for robust countermeasures to ensure secure data protection, thereby advancing secure and sustainable digital environments under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
AI-driven Modeling for the Optimization of Concrete Strength for Low-Cost Business Production in the USA Construction Industry
Authors: Sobuz Md. Habibur Rahman , Saleh Mohammad Abu , Samiun Md. , Hossain Mohammad , Debnath Anupom , Hassan Mahafuj , Saha Sanchita , Hasan Rakibul , Kabbo Md. Kawsarul Islam , Khan Md. Munir Hayet
Published: February 2025

The need to develop ecologically friendly sustainable building materials is made apparent by the worldwide construction industry's substantial contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The use of supplemental materials in concrete is one potential solution to lessen the environmental footprint. Thus, the purpose of this work is to use Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to forecast and create an empirical formula for the Compressive Strength (CS) of concrete with supplemental materials. Six distinct ML models—XGBoost, Linear Regression, Decision Tree, k-Nearest Neighbors, Bagging, and Adaptive Boosting—were trained and tested using a dataset that included 359 experimental data of varying mix proportions. The most significant factors used as input parameters are cement, aggregates, water, superplasticizer, silica fume, ambient curing, and supplemental material. Several statistical measures, such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), coefficient of determination (R2), and Mean Square Error (MSE), were used to evaluate the models. XGBoost model outperformed the other models with R2 values of 0.99 at the training stage. To ascertain how the input parameters affected the outcome, feature importance analysis using Shapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was conducted. It was demonstrated that curing age and cement type significantly affected the strength of concrete with high SHAP values. By eliminating experimental procedures, reducing the demand for labor and resources, increasing time efficiency, and offering insightful information for enhancing sustainable manufacturing of concrete, this research advances the low-cost production of concrete in the USA construction industry.
A Study on the Nonlinear Characteristics of Hydro-Pneumatic Suspension Systems for Mining Dump Trucks
Authors: Long Le Xuan , Van Quynh Le , Tuan Nguyen Van , Chau Nguyen Minh , Minh Nguyen Khac
Published: February 2025

In the current study, nonlinear characteristics of Hydro-Pneumatic Suspension (HPS) systems for mining dump trucks are proposed and analyzed for the ride comfort of off-highway vehicles. To analyze these characteristics, a mathematical HPS model was used to determine the vertical elastic and damping forces. Then, a two-degrees-of-freedom (2-DOF) quarter-vehicle dynamic model of a mining dump truck was proposed to analyze the nonlinear characteristics of the HPS systems implemented in a MATLAB/Simulink environment under low-frequency excitations of road surfaces. An experiment was set up to measure the vibration accelerations at the upper and lower positions of the HPS systems to verify the proposed HPS mathematical model. The experimental and simulation results demonstrated that both the time- and frequency-domain accelerations were consistent with the laws of physics and exhibited errors within acceptable ranges, thereby demonstrating the reliability of the proposed mathematical model. The simulation results showed that the elastic force increased rapidly during the compression process and increased slowly during the rebound process, whereas the damping force increased very slowly during the compression process but increased rapidly during the rebound process owing to the effect of the backflow valve. The results of the force characteristic curve analysis of the HPS systems with different excitation frequencies also revealed that when the vibration excitation frequency increased, the elastic, damping, and vertical total forces of the front and rear HPS systems increased quite rapidly.
Investigation of the Optimal Output Parameter Equation in a Small Ethanol-Fueled Engine
Authors: Khoa Nguyen Xuan , Hung Chu Duc , Vinh Nguyen Thanh , Chuc Le Huu , Han Nguyen Tien
Published: February 2025

Biofuels are increasingly recognized as an urgent solution to reducing engine emissions and achieving sustainable development goals. Among them, ethanol fuel stands out as a promising candidate due to its clean combustion properties and high energy regeneration potential. This study investigates the optimal equations for the engine output parameters to enhance power and improve the overall engine performance. The findings demonstrate that optimizing the ignition angle allows the engine to achieve a higher power output, significantly reduce the fuel consumption, and minimize the emissions of harmful pollutants, such as CO, NOx, and HC. This research provides a solid foundation for the application of ethanol as a viable alternative fuel in internal combustion engines, paving the way for cleaner and more environmentally friendly engine technologies that meet stringent emission standards. Furthermore, the derived equations and insights offer practical implications for improving the existing engine systems and guiding the development of advanced biofuel-powered engines for future applications.
Numerical Simulation of Natural Convection in a Chamfered Square Cavity with Fe3O4-Water Nanofluid and Magnetic Excitation
Authors: Nciri Rached , Awouda Ala Eldin A. , Musa Amir Abubaker , Ghorm Alshomrani Hamod , Nasri Faouzi
Published: February 2025

This study delves into the numerical exploration of the MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) characteristics of an Fe3O4-Water nanofluid contained within a chamfered square enclosure under the influence of an external magnetic field. The enclosure, characterized by distinct hot and cold imposed temperatures on its side walls, features both straight and chamfered sections. The orientation of magnetic field lines was manipulated by varying the angular placement of the magnetic source. The computational framework for nanofluid dynamics is mathematically formalized through a dimensionless formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations derived from their dimensional counterparts. A comprehensive numerical analysis was conducted employing the Finite Element (FE) method, a. The interaction between the Hartmann number and the angular placement of the magnetic source was analyzed, with a specific focus on nanofluid isotherms, temperature profiles, and velocity magnitude distributions. The results were thoroughly investigated and extensively discussed.
Machine Learning-Driven Soft Sensor Implementation for Real-Time Fault Detection in CDU of Oil Refinery
Authors: AlRijeb Mothena Fakhri Shaker , Othman Mohammad Lutfi , Ishak Aris , Hassan Mohd Khair , Albaker Baraa Munqith
Published: February 2025

Soft sensors in oil refineries provide operators with important insights into the behavior and performance of processes using real-time and historical data to generate predictions. This data-driven strategy makes it easier to make wise decisions for detecting faults, thus improving process optimization and control. The Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) imposes very harsh working environments for measuring instruments, imposing both the use of a very robust sensory system and periodic maintenance procedures, which are time-consuming and costly. Notwithstanding such precautions, faults in those measuring devices, such as temperature and pressure sensors, still occur, and the presence of a sensor fault deteriorates the efficiency, productivity, and reliability of the refinery process. Recent works focused only on some fault types (e.g., bias and drift), ignoring others. This study presents the design of a soft sensor to detect all possible fault types in the real-time processing of an oil refinery. This method used actual data collected from the Salahuddin oil refinery in Iraq, several preprocessing methods, and a machine-learning approach. The proposed soft sensor was designed using several stages, including data collection, preprocessing, clustering, and classification. In the classification stage, an approach based on a Bagged Decision Tree (BDT) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) was implemented to classify the detected faults. The proposed soft sensor was trained and tested using actual data, achieving a high fault detection and classification result of 99.96%.
Utilization of a Deep Convolutional Neural Network for the Binary Classification of Chest X-Ray Pneumonia
Authors: Al-Azzawi Haydr Nataq Taha , Ghandour Ahmad , Ali Haider , Azar Ahmad Taher , Althuniyan Najla , Ibraheem Ibraheem Kasim , Hammadi Yousif I. , Humaidi Amjad J. , Haider Zeeshan , Ahmed Saim
Published: February 2025

Pneumonia remains a significant global health concern, necessitating efficient diagnostic tools. This study presents a novel Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture, CuDenseNet, designed for the binary classification of Chest X-Ray (CXR) images as either having pneumonia or normal (healthy). Unlike models that rely on transfer learning from pre-trained architectures, CuDenseNet is trained from scratch and incorporates three parallel DenseNet paths of varying depths, enhancing feature extraction and classification accuracy. The model was evaluated on a combined dataset of 11,708 CXR images, achieving exceptional performance metrics of 99.1% accuracy, 99.7% precision, 99.1% recall, and an AUC of 99.7%. The comparative analysis demonstrates that CuDenseNet outperforms state-of-the-art pre-trained models such as VGG19 and ResNet50 while providing superior adaptability. These results underscore the potential of CuDenseNet as a robust and reliable tool for automated pneumonia diagnosis, with significant implications for clinical applications and future research in medical imaging.
A Blockchain-based Landslide Mitigation Recommendation System for Decision-Making
Authors: Hindarto Djarot , Hariadi Mochamad , Rachmadi Reza Fuad
Published: February 2025

Landslides are catastrophic natural disasters that could threaten the structural integrity of a building, imposing hazards to engineering and human life. This study proposes a TOPSIS landslide disaster mitigation recommendation system integrated with blockchain. New approaches to data provenance, transparency, and informed decision-making are explored in the context of geospatial blockchain. The decision-making process is carried out using the multicriteria evaluation method, which considers soil stability, rainfall, vegetation density, proximity to rivers, and slope. The results yielded promising precision, recall, accuracy, and F1 scores (91%, 93%, 95%, and 95%, respectively), suggesting that the model could make accurate and impartial prioritization predictions. Blockchain ensures data transparency, immutability, and security, and TOPSIS ranks mitigation strategies from worst to best to determine the better solution. The proposed approach is essential to predict regions that are prone to landslides and enables the appropriate management of relaxation measures. This application of blockchain technology can provide trust, reliability, and speed in decision-making while reducing landslides.
The Role of Economic and Environmental Variables in Green Growth: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abid Ihsen
Published: February 2025

Saudi Arabia, as one of the world’s leading oil producers, faces critical challenges in transitioning to sustainable economic growth. The heavy reliance on oil exports, coupled with rapid urbanization and environmental degradation, underscores the urgent need for green growth strategies tailored to the Kingdom’s unique socioeconomic and environmental context. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the Green Growth Index (GGI), which measures sustainable economic growth, and analyze the short-term and long-term relationships between key variables such as environmental technology diffusion, carbon emissions, financial development, GDP per capita, and urbanization. The research employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to assess the effects of various explanatory variables on the GGI, considering both immediate and delayed impacts. The model also incorporates an Error Correction Model (ECM) to evaluate the short-term dynamics and long-term equilibrium adjustments. It is found that the diffusion of environmental technologies and urbanization positively influence GGI in the short term, while CO2 emissions are also linked to growth in the short run. However, financial development negatively impacts green growth in the long term, and GDP per capita has no significant effect. The ECM indicates that urbanization and emissions are major short-term drivers, while other factors show minimal short-run influence. This paper provides new insights into the dynamics of green growth by highlighting the roles of urbanization, environmental technologies, and emissions, offering valuable policy implications for sustainable development. The findings contribute to the understanding of the complex relationships that shape green growth in both the short and long term.
Enhancing Place Identity Through Food Customization and Customer Delight: Evidence from Healthy Food Restaurants
Authors: Alhumud Abdullah Abdulaziz , Amer Sally Mohamed , Hasnin Eman AbdelHameed , Alsahely Maha Ali
Published: February 2025

Nowadays, customization allows customers to become co-designers of a product by add- ing symbolic and emotional values to the product. Thus, customers' lives are shaped by the customiz- ing process and the decisions they must make. Despite, the extensive body of research on customiza- tion. The influence of food customization and customer delight on place identity has not received enough empirical investigation, this study aims to fill this gap. This study aims to evaluate how food customization influences customer delight and place identity. In addition, we examine the mediation role of customer delight in the relationship between food customization and place identity. Partial- least squares structural equation modelling (Warp-PLS V.7) and SPSS 26.0 were used to analyze the data collected from 432 customers of healthy food restaurants in Riyadh. The findings show that food customization has both direct and indirect effects on place identity, given that customer delight serves as a partial mediator. The study's findings offer insightful guidance that could help restaurant manag- ers do more to foster customers’ place identification by offering them customized services that strengthen their sense of customer delight.
Pendekatan Guru dalam Mengidentifikasi dan Mendukung Peserta Didik Berkebutuhan Khusus Slow Learner di Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Alfia Hikma Namira , Hafidzah Zahra Marta , Dewina Zulfa
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini membahas strategi guru dalam mengenali dan membantu siswa slow learner di tingkat sekolah dasar. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif, data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa guru memanfaatkan tes diagnostik, pengulangan materi, media visual, serta pendekatan multisensori untuk mendukung proses belajar siswa slow learner. Dukungan orang tua dan kolaborasi dengan tenaga profesional menjadi elemen penting dalam keberhasilan pendidikan inklusif. Meski demikian, penelitian ini mengidentifikasi tantangan seperti keterbatasan fasilitas, kurangnya pelatihan guru, dan pengelolaan kelas yang beragam. Oleh karena itu, disarankan adanya peningkatan pelatihan guru dan kebijakan sekolah yang mendukung pendidikan inklusif guna mengoptimalkan potensi siswa slow learner.
« Remember home » : genre, syndicalisme et consumérisme urbain sous l’apartheid en Afrique du Sud
Authors: Gibbs Timothy
Published: February 2025

Dans les années 1980, les syndicats sud-africains en plein essor ont été comparés à la génération montante de mouvements démocratiques qui s’attaquaient aux gouvernements autocratiques. L’industrialisation par substitution aux importations (ISI) a transformé les villes du Sud global en sociétés de consommation. Cet article se concentre sur la main-d’œuvre de l’industrie manufacturière de Durban et du KwaZulu-Natal. Il est frappant de constater qu’alors que les intellectuels radicaux espéraient que ces usines deviendraient des sites de mobilisation socialiste, les archives (pamphlets, essais photographiques et mémoires) révèlent à quel point les militants syndicaux étaient profondément imprégnés des évolutions de la société de consommation de l’apartheid. Les analystes déplorent aujourd’hui une nouvelle culture de l’individualisme et de l’enrichissement patriarcal au sein des syndicats contemporains, en contradiction avec leurs traditions radicales. En analysant la littérature grise et les archives produites par les syndicats, j’affirme que ces questions de mobilité sociale, de consommation et d’enrichissement patriarcal ont semé le trouble au sein des syndicats depuis leur création.
Traduit de l’anglais par Françoise Blum, Camille Mathy, Ophélie Rillon et Elena Vezzadini.
Grèves à Conakry (1950 et 1953)
Authors: Tagourla Abdrahmane
Published: February 2025

Cet article se concentre sur les grèves générales de 1950 et 1953 en Guinée. Il s’intéresse aux aspects économiques de ces deux mouvements, à savoir le pouvoir d’achat des salariés guinéens et les revendications pour une augmentation salariale. Introduit en Afrique occidentale française (AOF) au milieu des années 1930, le salaire minimum vise à maintenir le pouvoir d’achat des salariés en fonction de l’inflation des prix. Au fil des années, la hausse des prix provoque un fort mécontentement des travailleurs guinéens qui exigent une révision des salaires leur permettant de vivre dans la dignité. L’article met également en lumière les difficiles négociations entre les syndicats de travailleurs et l’administration coloniale, ainsi que les mobilisations des employés lors des grèves, les réunions publiques se succédant pour déjouer les provocations des autorités.
La formation des syndicalistes africaines au sein des mouvements syndicaux inter/nationaux
Authors: Harisch Immanuel R.
Published: February 2025

Cet article prend pour objet l’agency et le rôle des femmes africaines en tant que responsables syndicales, participantes à des cours, éducatrices et militantes syndicales dans les années 1950 et 1960. S’appuyant sur plusieurs archives de syndicats et de partis, cet article montre que l’essor de la formation et de la mobilité syndicales n’a pas profité aux femmes. Au-delà des clivages idéologiques du syndicalisme en contexte de Guerre froide, le taux de participation des femmes aux différentes écoles de formation syndicale est resté faible. Les aspirantes à des postes de direction syndicale, telles que Hilda Otieno au Kenya, Agnes Adenowo au Nigeria et Joyce Chanda en Rhodésie du Nord, ont dû lutter contre nombre de comportements patriarcaux au sein du mouvement syndical et au-delà. L’article montre que la domination masculine s’est maintenue au sein du mouvement syndical, indépendamment des différents profils, orientations politiques et idéologiques des acteurs masculins impliqués.
Traduit de l’anglais par Françoise Blum, Camille Mathy, Ophélie Rillon et Elena Vezzadini.
L'action du Syndicat des cheminots éthiopiens (1946-1977)
Authors: Imbert-Vier Simon
Published: February 2025

En 1946, les cheminots éthiopiens de la Compagnie du chemin de fer franco-éthiopien se mobilisent contre les discriminations internes à l’entreprise. Ils constituent alors la première organisation syndicale du pays, qui agit d’abord de concert avec le gouvernement éthiopien en soutien à un projet nationaliste. Mais les intérêts divergent rapidement, et définitivement après la nationalisation de la compagnie en 1960, jusqu’à la disparition de la société et du syndicat à la fin des années 1970. Durant ses trente ans d’existence, le Syndicat des cheminots éthiopiens combine des actions collectives, parfois violentes, et une pratique quotidienne de défense individuelle des salariés de l’entreprise. Leur description nous informe sur la façon dont le syndicalisme est appréhendé par une société africaine après la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
Conflictualité syndicale et révolution sankariste
Authors: Banguian Abdoul Latif
Published: February 2025

Cet article analyse la construction de la mémoire syndicale sous le Conseil national de la révolution (CNR). Le CNR a dirigé le Burkina Faso du 4 août 1983 au 15 octobre 1987 sous le leadership du capitaine Thomas Sankara et a initié une expérience politique qui rompt avec celles qui avaient cours jusque-là. Il fut cependant confronté aux syndicats très présents dans le jeu politique du pays, qu’il réprima sévèrement. Pourtant, près de quarante ans après la chute de ce régime, le CNR et son leader sont l’objet d’une légende dorée qui tend à occulter certains aspects de leur gestion politique. Ce qui pousse les syndicats à une construction mémorielle autour de la période. Cette mémoire met l’accent sur la répression dont ils ont été victimes mais aussi sur la grande capacité de résilience dont ils ont fait preuve.
Construire une nouvelle voie pour le socialisme et l'indépendance
Authors: Siracusano Gabriele
Published: February 2025

Cet article est consacré à un regard extérieur porté sur certains syndicats progressistes d’Afrique de l’Ouest et d’Afrique centrale depuis 1958 jusque 1968. Il s’agit du point de vue de la Confederazione generale italiana del lavoro (CGIL), le plus important syndicat italien, proche du Parti communiste et de la gauche socialiste. Les sources syndicales italiennes et leurs perspectives montrent l’importance de la lutte anticoloniale pour la CGIL. La CGIL établit des relations étroites avec les syndicats de Guinée, du Mali et du Ghana, liés aux partis au pouvoir dans ces pays, encourageant ainsi leurs ambitions panafricaines. Parallèlement, ils entretiennent des relations étroites avec les syndicats clandestins du Cameroun et de l’ancien Congo belge, en devenant leur intermédiaire auprès de la Fédération syndicale mondiale et en les aidant par le biais d’une coopération concrète. La CGIL utilise les catégories interprétatives du mouvement syndical italien pour analyser les syndicats africains et, en dialoguant avec eux, tente de renforcer sa position au sein de la FSM. Les documents de la CGIL contiennent également un noyau de correspondance produite par les syndicats africains eux-mêmes et envoyée en Italie.
Devenir historienne des femmes et militante syndicale au Togo
Authors: Bouilly Emmanuelle
Published: February 2025

Dans cet entretien, Agnélé Lassey, maîtresse de conférences au département d’histoire et d’archéologie de l’université de Lomé, revient sur son parcours d’enseignante-chercheuse et de syndicaliste. Elle détaille la manière dont elle est devenue historienne, s’est spécialisée en histoire des femmes et a intégré le genre comme catégorie d’analyse afin de visibiliser les Togolaises dans l’histoire politique, économique et syndicale de leur pays. Elle livre les résultats de ses recherches et son expérience personnelle des dynamiques heurtées de féminisation du champ politique, syndical ou académique. Cet entretien offre des enseignements sur l’histoire du militantisme politique et syndical des femmes togolaises, la production des savoirs sur le genre, ou encore les carrières et conditions d’exercice des femmes universitaires en Afrique.
Alain Kassanda (2020) - Trouble Sleep
Authors: Cissokho Sidy
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Alain Kassanda, 2020, Trouble Sleep, France Nigeria, film de 41 minutes.
Eileen Boris, Dorothea Hoehtker et Susan Zimmermann (dir.) (2018) - Women’s ILO
Authors: Demeule Maxence
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Eileen Boris, Dorothea Hoehtker et Susan Zimmermann (dir.), Women’s ILO : Transnational Networks, Global Labour Standards and Gender Equity, 1919 to Present, Leyde, Brill, 2018, 412 p.
Jansen (2019) - Like Family
Authors: Tisseau Violaine
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Ena Jansen, Like Family. Domestic Workers in South African History and Literature – From 1658 to the Present, Johannesbourg, Wits University Press, 2019, 359 p.
Ian M. Hartshorn (2019) - Labor Politics in North Africa
Authors: Henry Mélanie
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Ian M. Hartshorn, Labor Politics in North Africa after the Uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, New York, Cambridge University Press, 2019, 232 p.
Signié (dir.) (2022) - Activités de production et syndicalisme en Afrique et au Cameroun XIXe & XXe siècles
Authors: Blum Françoise
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Christophe Signié (dir.), Activités de production et syndicalisme en Afrique et au Cameroun XIXe & XXe siècles. Mélanges en hommage au professeur Léon Kaptué, Paris, L’Harmattan, 2022, 323 p.
Richard Sandbrook et Robin Cohen (dir.) (2023) - The Development of an African Working Class
Authors: Roy Alexis
Published: February 2025

Recensé : Richard Sandbrook et Robin Cohen (dir.), The Development of an African Working Class. Studies in Class Formation and Action, Londres, Routledge, 2023 [1975], 344 p.
Strategi Fundraising Dana Zakat Fitrah di Laz Persada Pamekasan
Authors: Mamluur Rohmah
Published: February 2025

Fundraising zakat adalah kegiatan menghimpun dana dan mempengaruhi calon muzakki, baik perseorangan maupun badan usaha agar menyalurkan dana zakat, infak, dan sedekahnya kepada Lembaga Pengelola Zakat. Penelitian dilakaukan untuk mengetahui strategi dan manjemen fundraising dana zakat fitrah yang dilangsungkan beserta analisis keduanya. Penelitian ini bersifat deskriptif kualitatif dengan jenis penelitian lapangan. Sumber data berupa informan yaitu pengelola zakat itu sendiri, selain itu juga mengkaji dari berbagai referensi baik dari buku, jurnal, dan website yang berkaitan dengan manajemen fundraising zakat. Pengumpulan data dengan metode wawancara. Teknik analisis data berupa reduksi data, penyajian data, dan kesimpulan. Triangulasi sumber juga perlu digunakan dalam penelitian untuk kredibilitas informasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan strategi fundraising dana zakat fitah di LAZ Persada Pamekasan mengenakan metode direct fundraising dengan mendatangi dan presentase langsung ke tempat donatur atau muzakki dan indirect fundraising melalui media sosial dan pamflet yang disebarkan. Disamping itu juga LAZ Persada Pamekasan telah mengimplementasikan fungsi manajemen fundraising dengan baik meliputi perencanaan, pengorganisasian, pengarahan dan pengawasan.
Kata kunci : Fundraising, Manajemen, Zakat Fitrah.