bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Cultivating International Perspective in Ideological and Political Education of College Students Facing the Challenges of Globalization
Authors: Fan Chuqi , Xin Like
Published: June 2024

As the trend of globalization is further strengthened, ideological and political education in colleges and universities should put its vision into internationalization and examine the development of ideological and political education in Chinese colleges and universities nowadays with an international vision. This paper aims to use structural equation modeling to systematically interpret the realistic composition of ideological and political education’s internationalization. The existing problems and dilemmas are the potential variables of the model, which constitute the structural equation model for internationalizing the ideological and political education of college students under the challenge of globalization. Factor analysis is then used to reduce the dimensionality of the latent variables and find out the internal rules and internal structural relationships of the key factors influencing the internationalization of college students’ ideological and political education. The results show that the place of education and teaching (0.953), the controllability of the network environment (0.956), the learning culture and atmosphere (0.971), and the ideological and political education system (0.953) together construct the “disadvantageous” factors of the internationalization of college students’ ideological and political education. 23.882% of the total variance of the variables can be attributed to its characteristic root, which is 3.445. Therefore, to cope with the challenges of globalization, the international cultivation strategy of ideological and political education for college students should be based on the establishment of a core teaching place and the control of network education environment. Promoting the internationalization of college students’ ideological and political education in the context of globalization must be done in an orderly and effective way.
The Path of Intelligent Teaching Platform Construction for Ideological and Political Education in Colleges and Universities under the Background of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Feng Xinhong
Published: June 2024

Enhancing the pedagogical model of ideological and political education represents a critical endeavor in contemporary educational institutions. With technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, educational platforms encounter formidable challenges. This study proposes an advanced intelligent teaching platform tailored for ideological and political education at higher education institutions, constructed on the foundational principles of consistency, realism, human-centricity, purposefulness, operational feasibility, and systematic integration. This platform innovatively incorporates the Bidirectional Memory Enhancement Network (BMEN), which integrates an attention mechanism responsive to the unique memory and forgetting patterns of students. Consequently, a novel Knowledge Tracking Method Based on Bidirectional Memory Enhancement Attention (BMEAKT) is developed to precisely gauge students’ comprehension levels in ideological and political subjects. Empirical results indicate that this platform surpasses traditional baseline models in tracking knowledge, exhibiting General Area Under the Curve Metric (GAUCM) values between 0.6549 and 0.7234, thereby effectively assessing students’ mastery over the subject matter. A visual case study further validates the platform’s utility, demonstrating a 59.12% accuracy in predicting students’ correct responses to exercises. This research underscores a viable strategy for profoundly enhancing the instruction of ideological and political education in tertiary education settings.
Analysis of the effect of content innovation and public interaction in new governmental media
Authors: Gao Wei
Published: June 2024

With the arrival of the Internet era, the construction of digital government has been deepening, which promotes the continuous updating and development of governmental new media. This study explores the support role of government new media, explores the trust mechanism of government new media from the perspective of its credibility, and proposes a creation strategy based on the trust generation model. Considering the diverse needs of users, a governmental new media matrix platform has been established to increase the interactive effect with the public and to explore the communication innovation path of government new media. One of the manifestations of political new media content. The material splicing video and real clip are higher, the number of comments on the works is more than 2 million, and the traffic peak of public interaction is concentrated in the two stages of 12:00~18:00 and 18:00~24:00. The increase of 440,000 visitors and 3,260,000 fans under the new communication model shows that the actual operation of the government new media model in this paper has excellent performance and can effectively improve the operation of government new media. This study provides a feasible path to improve government credibility and the development of new media for government.
Development of a Novel Suspension System for Electric Vehicles Based on Mechanical Principles
Authors: Guo Junfei
Published: June 2024

The electric vehicle industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years, prompting heightened research interest in its various components. The suspension system, serving as a critical power-transmitting device between the frame and the axle, has garnered particular focus. This system is pivotal in meeting the dual performance objectives of ensuring driving smoothness and enhancing maneuvering stability. Accordingly, this study investigates the structural types of suspension systems and advances the design of a suspension guiding mechanism specifically tailored for electric vehicles. At the same time, the dynamic model of active suspension is constructed, and the algorithm for optimizing and establishing the active suspension system for electric vehicles is used. The simulation experiments on the suspension system, the control optimization method of the system in this paper’s car body spring loaded mass acceleration response, dynamic deflection ring, and the control input are stable between -0.4~0.5m/s², -0.005~0.01m and the suspension system’s between -0.7~0.6N, respectively. Moreover, the car body displacement and speed are gradually stabilized at about ±0 compared to the motion speed. In this paper, the suspension system can effectively solve the problem of automobile damping control and reduce the impact suffered by the body so as to improve the smoothness of the body in the process of driving and the operation of the stability of the new for the development and improvement of the suspension system in the electric vehicle industry to provide a reliable method.
Fibonacci sequences and the aesthetics of nature’s forms in modern design
Authors: He Huiyun , Wang Chang
Published: June 2024

This study conducts a comprehensive examination of the Fibonacci sequence’s mathematical model and its integration into contemporary design frameworks. It delineates the morphological aesthetic principles inherent in modern design, accentuating the visual aesthetic attributes governed by the Fibonacci sequence. The investigation further delves into color and contrast as principal aesthetic elements influenced by this sequence. The paper provides a brief analysis of the Fibonacci sequence’s impact on artistic and design practices across Eastern and Western cultures, introducing a concept of art and design communication. A least-squares measurement model is constructed to assess the impact of digital development and communicative elements on public receptivity towards design works that incorporate the Fibonacci sequence. Selected modern sofa designs based on the Fibonacci sequence serve as the focal point of this research, examining market reception and consumer preferences for the embedded mathematical aesthetics. The findings reveal a marked preference for monochromatic sofa upholstery in both Eastern and Western regions, underscoring a significant consistency. This preference suggests that the integration of Fibonacci-based mathematical aesthetics into modern product design is not only viable but also enhances the visual appeal and color coordination of the products.
Application of Big Data Technology in the Study of “UGS” Collaborative Training Mechanism for Musicology Majors in Colleges and Universities in the Context of Professional Accreditation
Authors: Li Chang
Published: June 2024

The traditional education model gradually reveals the corresponding problems and deficiencies in the face of the update of the concept of education frontier and the change of talent cultivation mode. In this paper, we first sorted out the relevant features of the big data and data mining process, mined out the specific needs and realistic development dilemmas of musicology professional certification, and explored the appropriate mechanisms and strategies of UGS collaborative education and training. Using big data Hadoop technology as the infrastructure, a platform for music discipline services is designed to support interoperability and sharing of music education resources among universities, governments, and primary and secondary schools. Specifically, semantic similarity calculation is performed with music resource domain ontology to improve the intelligent retrieval ability, and the recommendation method of user dynamic preference is introduced to provide more accurate music teaching resources for platform users. The effect of cultivating musicology majors in colleges and universities is analyzed in terms of emotional attitudes, knowledge, and skills through the collaborative cultivation mechanism. The accuracy of the semantic similarity intelligent search method based on domain ontology is above 50%, and the mean value of students’ satisfaction with the intelligently recommended music learning resources is 4.3 points. 83.42% of the teaching carried out based on the subject service platform indicated that it met their learning needs, and the overall performance of the students who carried out the platform teaching was 16 points higher than that of the traditional classes. By using big data technology, the UGS collaborative cultivation mechanism can be utilized as a tool to enhance the quality of talent cultivation for musicology majors.
Construction and Application of Adaptive Test Bases for College English Listening Comprehension Based on Natural Language Processing
Authors: Fang Jing , Zeng Wenli
Published: June 2024

The traditional English listening test system does not focus on analyzing students’ strengths and weaknesses, and designing a test bank with targeted exercises will be beneficial for students to grasp their actual situation. In this paper, after combining the twin network structure with the pre-trained language model, the Fusion-LM language matching model is constructed, which is utilized to calculate the matching similarity of students’ language features in the test. The adaptive grouping module and automatic scoring module are designed with constraints in mind and the adaptive test question bank for college English listening comprehension is established together. The validity test of the test question bank revealed that the test results of each module of the system meet the requirements, and the errors generated by automatic scoring are basically less than 2 points. The results of the teaching control experiment on whether to apply the test bank show that there is a significant difference between the post-test scores of the experimental and control classes of college English listening utterance comprehension (P=0.025<0.05) and the listening and pronunciation recognition abilities of the experimental class students have also improved significantly after the teaching. This paper lays a necessary foundation for the effective development of university English listening teaching activities and provides an effective method for improving students’ listening comprehension abilities.
Analysis of Low-Frequency Oscillations in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Power System
Authors: Dedović Maja Muftić , Avdaković Samir , Alihodžić Ajdin , Memić Adin
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a detailed model of low-frequency oscillations and their damping within the Electric Power System (EPS) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). The system is modeled using MATLAB software, analysing the steady state and dynamic responses. This research highlights the challenges and impacts of integrating renewable energy sources, such as wind farms, on grid stability and oscillation damping. The paper utilizes eigenvalue analysis to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the system, emphasizing the need for efficient damping strategies to maintain system stability. The methodology includes a comprehensive review of existing literature, the creation of a detailed EPS model of B&H, and the application of eigenvalue and oscillation amplitude analysis to determine damping ratios. The dynamic responses of hydro power plants, HPP Mostar and HPP Jablanica, to transient disturbances are analysed to validate the model and refine damping strategies. The results indicate that the B&H EPS is well-damped, with all eigenvalues possessing negative real parts, and demonstrate the system’s resilience to small disturbances. The results are compared with the technical report on the integration of the wind power plant WPP Podveležje. This comparative analysis shows consistent patterns between the modeled calculations and empirical data, confirming the robustness of the EPS model. This alignment underscores the effectiveness of current damping mechanisms and provides a foundational strategy for enhancing system stability with increasing renewable energy penetration. The findings highlight the importance of developing advanced control strategies to sustain system stability as the integration of variable renewable energy sources continues to grow.
Ensuring the right to adequate housing through interference on property rights: The case of Albania
Authors: Abdurrahmani Bledar
Published: June 2024

With the fall of the communist dictatorship, Albania, like all countries of South Eastern Europe, started a new path towards democracy and market economy. During Albania’s transition period, the goal was to reform the ownership system and establish private property rights through a legal process. This objective was based on the principles and values of the new democratic state. Legal reforms were implemented in land privatization, housing, and state asset privatization to achieve this goal.

Since the inception of democracy, numerous individuals have settled in urban areas of the country, occupying both public and private lands and constructing settlements without the authorization of public authorities. The rise and spread of this phenomenon infringed on the principle of the rule of law and the protection of private property. Since numerous informal buildings were constructed on privately owned land, the Albanian authorities faced a significant dilemma: Is the legalization of buildings built without permission which also infringes ownership rights justified? Therefore, is it permissible to infringe on private property rights in favor of individuals who have illegally constructed and own informal buildings? This paper aims to answer these questions through a thorough analysis of legal documents of international law and the ECHR case law.
Prospects for integration and Obstacles to democracy - EU’s role in the Albanian political crisis
Authors: Gjinko Juliana
Published: June 2024

More than three decades after the totalitarian regime collapse, Albania is still categorized as a hybrid democracy despite having made consistent strides toward becoming a liberal democracy. Most local political leaders have remained antagonistic towards liberal democratic principles. In 2019, relations between the European Union (EU) and Albania were at a special stage of development. After a difficult period and tensions in the EU, the European Council decided to postpone the decision to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Apart from this issue, Albania had other challenges in 2019, including institutional and political conflict, justice reform, the fight against corruption, and the consolidation of democratic structures. This article examines the intricate connections that Albanian political representatives and institutions maintain with foreign organizations and entities. It specifically highlights the role that the EU Delegation played in mediating the political and institutional crises of 2019. Although the external incentives models provide a useful foundation for understanding Albania’s Europeanization process, other factors that may be relevant and encourage the ongoing democratization and rule adoption are indicated by the country’s low membership credibility.
Limitation of the right to appeal against the decision to take the case to court
Authors: Nela Xharije
Published: June 2024

The Albanian code of criminal procedure regulated with Law 35/2017, dated 30.3.2017, was amended by bringing a subject to procedural delays. The decision of the judge of the preliminary hearing is related to the acceptance of the request to send the case to trial, the dismissal of the accusation or the case and the change of the legal qualification of the criminal offense.

One of the decisions that the Law has given to the judge of the preliminary hearing is the transfer of the case to the court, which takes this decision if it conclusively considers that there is sufficient evidence to send the case to trial, therefore this decision is not allowed to appeal. Therefore, the lawmaker has limited the right to appeal against this decision.

The right to appeal against a court decision is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution of Albania, Article 43 of which sanctions that: “everyone has the right to appeal against a court decision to a higher court, except when otherwise provided in the law for minor criminal offenses, civil or administrative cases of minor importance or value”, in accordance with the conditions provided for in Article 17 of the Constitution. Referring to the Criminal Procedural Law, the Lawmaker stated that the court has a “decision” and an “order” (paragraph 1, Article 112 CPC). In disciplining appeals, the lawmaker in his article 407, paragraph 1, explicitly provided that “the Law determines the cases in which court decisions and orders may be appealed, as well as the remedy for appeal”. Referring to Article 332/g, it is provided that no appeal is allowed against the decision to refer the case to court. Therefore, due to this provision, the right of appeal is limited. This article will address the problems of bringing the case to trial without completing the necessary investigative actions, as it limits to the individual one of the rights that is not only procedural but also material such as the request for a shortened trial which brings not only economic benefits for the proceeding body but also a 1/3 reduction of the sentence for which he can plead guilty. A decision which cannot be appealed to a higher court.
Onco-Nephrology - The need of the hour for kidney care in cancer patients
Authors: Imeraj Matilda , Çuedari Enkelejda , Agaraj Alba , Idrizi Alma
Published: June 2024

Constitution of the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” According to latest Global Cancer Data there are more than 20 million new cancer cases and it is predicted to increase to 77% by 2050. The incidence of kidney impairment in patients with cancer is high and it is related with reduced cancer survival. These numbers confirm that both conditions impact health quality of life and need a multidisciplinary approach in order to provide professional care. Onco-Nephrology is a new evolving sub-speciality that addresses the intersection between oncology and nephrology. In this manuscript we aim to highlight the essential role of approved and specialised knowledge as a need of the hour among these patients, to the fullest attainment of health.
Effect of β-hydroxybutyrate acid on gene expression levels of antioxidant biomarkers and growth hormone–related genes in liver cell culture
Authors: Mohsin Muhammad Ali , Zhou Xiaojing , Huiru Yu , Shen Wenxiang , He Baoxiang , Sobiech Przemysław , Pierzchała Mariusz , Ogłuszka Magdalena , Starzyński Rafał , Kalra Garima , Deshmukh Bharti , Thangarasu Revathy , Kashyap Neeraj , Czarnik Urszula , Lepczyński Adam , Woźniakowski Grzegorz , Pareek Chandra S.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

In dairy cattle, oxidative stress is a predominant problem associated with diseases and reproductive health issues. This study aimed to detect the variation in the antioxidant biomarkers by adding different concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and sought to elucidate its effects on the gene expression levels of growth hormone (GH) and antioxidant biomarkers in bovine hepatocytes.

Material and Methods

Four antioxidant biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) were evaluated using commercially available bovine ELISA kits. The expression levels of the bovine GH, its receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and β-actin (as a reference) genes in liver cell culture were determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR assay.

Results

With the increase of BHBA concentration and culture time, the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH Px biomarkers in hepatocytes decreased. However, the content of MDA in hepatocytes increased gradually with the increase of hepatocyte culture time and BHBA concentration. The qPCR results revealed that after adding BHBA, gene expression levels of GSH-Px, SOD and IGF biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ in the culture groups at 12 h, whereas the gene expression level of the CAT and GHR biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ at 6 h.

Conclusion

Quantitative PCR results showed that the BHBA significantly downregulated the expression levels of the GHR gene and CAT, GSH Px and SOD antioxidant biomarker genes.
Chloroquine degradation in aqueous solution under electron beam irradiation
Authors: Kabasa Stephen , Sun Yongxia , Bułka Sylwester , Chmielewski Andrzej G.
Published: June 2024

Pharmaceutically active compounds are the most widely produced and consumed consumer products that pose a substantial threat to the environment and living organisms owing to their pharmacokinetics, side effects, and contraindications. In this study, the degradation of chloroquine (CQ), a popular antimalarial and recently proposed COVID-19 drug, was investigated under electron beam (EB) irradiation of aqueous solutions. Both the hydroxyl radical and hydrated electron generated in the radiolysis of water contribute to the degradation of CQ in aqueous solution. The overall removal efficiency for 125 mg·L-1 of the CQ solution under EB treatment is reported to be >80% at neutral pH at a maximum irradiation dose of 7 kGy. Removal efficiency is further favored by acidic and slightly alkaline conditions where reactions with hydroxyl radicals and hydrated electrons are favored, respectively. Additionally, increments in the applied dose resulted in the increased removal efficiency for the same concentration of CQ. Conversely, the removal efficiency decreased with increasing concentration of CQ at the same irradiation dose. The initial solution pH, applied irradiation dose, and initial pollutant concentration play an important role in the EB-induced degradation of CQ by influencing the available oxidizing and reducing species. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) were not significantly decreased during the treatment process and indicated the formation of organic byproducts, which were not further degraded under the current experimental conditions.
The influence of method precision on assessing radiological hazards for patients using radium water in balneotherapy
Authors: Lemańska Joanna , Isajenko Krzysztof , Wiatr Karol , Piotrowska Barbara , Matysiak Agnieszka , Norenberg Maciej , Jednorog Slawomir
Published: June 2024

The influence of uncertainty on the method adopted for the determination of radioactive radium concentration in water was analyzed due to the assessment of the radiation hazards of balneotherapy. For the calculation, we considered the influence of the bath in radioactive water containing only 226Ra. 226Ra concentration was determined with two γ-spectrometers armed with HPGe detectors with different relative efficiencies. Both spectrometers were energy-efficiency calibrated with a calibration source and based on numerical simulations. Different methods for qualitative γ-spectrum analysis were adopted. The emanation method and the liquid scintillation method were also used. The uncertainty of humans hazard assessment linearly depends on the adopted radiometric method precision. For effective dose calculation, two models were adopted: the model of external exposure proposed by ICRP Publication 144 and the Reference Men model proposed by ICRP Publication 23, respectively.
Radioactivity characteristics of lignite and hard coals: Case study of Zonguldak (Kozlu), Konya (Karapınar) and Antalya (Pamucakyayla) in Türkiye
Authors: Ozmen Suleyman Fatih , Güllüdağ Cevdet Bertan , Karadirek Selin , Aksoy Ercüment
Published: June 2024

In this study, the radioactivity contents of Carboniferous Zonguldak-Kozlu hard coals, Carboniferous Antalya-Pamucakyayla hard coals and Pliocene Konya-Karapınar lignites were determined, then compared with the limit values determined by the authorized institutions and their hazard indexes were determined. The range of measured activity concentrations was from 16.2 Bq·kg−1 to 227.6 Bq·kg−1 for 238U, 20.6 Bq·kg−1 to 67.5 Bq·kg−1 for 232Th and 211.9 Bq·kg−1 to 515.5 Bq·kg−1 for 40K. The calculated mean absorbed gamma dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual equivalent dose (AED) were 105.7 nGy·h−1, 227.9 Bq·kg−1 and 129.6 μSv·h−1, respectively. Although 238U and 232Th radionuclide activity concentrations are comparable to literature values, 40K activity concentrations were around three or four times higher than in UNSCEAR (2000) reports. As it poses a radiological risk, it is necessary to take the necessary precautions to reduce the negative effects on the environment and human health due to use of coals from Konya-Karapınar, Antalya-Pamucakyayla basins and to burn in a controlled manner.
Effectiveness of a Life-Skills Based Intervention during Physical Education on Body Image and Goal Setting Skills in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Klimas Nela , Maciaszek Janusz , Laudańska-Krzemińska Ida
Published: June 2024

Background: Negative body image in female adolescents is a sign of the times, but it is also a current global issue due to its implications for the onset of health-compromising behaviours and the increasing power of appearance-based social media. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective role of a life-skills based intervention during PE classes in adolescent girls against increasing body dissatisfaction resulting from body composition changes and to assess the impact of intervention on the skill of setting goals.

Method: The study involved 81 female students aged 12–14 years and used a pre-test/post-test control group design. Students participating in a 15-lesson programme (experimental group) were compared to those who had regular PE lessons (control group). Students completed self-reported measures of the analysed life skills. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were also taken.

Results: Despite more rapid biological changes during the programme (significantly higher waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, BMI at post-test compared to the control group, not observed at baseline) the experimental group stayed at the same level of body dissatisfaction as at baseline (“mild concern”). In goal setting, lack of participation in the programme produced a negative change in the performance-avoid goal orientation (PAGO) dimension (p=0.005) in the control group.

Conclusions: The study suggests that a preventive intervention targeting life skills can be successfully implemented in PE settings and have a probable mitigating effect on body image dissatisfaction, even in situations when subjects experience intensive biological changes.
An Innovative Floating System with a Savonius Rotor as a Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Grzelak Joanna , Carrillo Lara Guijarro , Nakielski Jacek , Piotrowicz Michał , Doerffer Krzysztof
Published: June 2024

In this project, an innovative wind turbine was designed for a floating plant. A large Savonius rotor was replaced with a double-rotor wind turbine implemented as a horizontal-axis turbine. This double rotor was positioned on the tip of a thrust plate and fixed to the deck of a catamaran. Simple 2D numerical simulations were performed to confirm the effectiveness of the concept. An analysis of the floating system configuration was carried out, and the loads and stresses on the system components were verified. Next, floating supports with appropriate sizes were selected to counteract the forces on the wind turbine system. Finally, an anchoring system with full rotational freedom was selected for the floating platform. The present work was conducted as part of a Master’s thesis.
Stability Analysis of Dual-Lifting Vessels under Collaborative Lifting Operation
Authors: Li Dejiang , Li ShuMin , Tan Qiutong , Liu Jiwei , Fu Qiang , Sun Yuhai , Hu Chao
Published: June 2024

The current market for the assembly and disassembly of offshore platforms exceeds $100 billion. However, existing methods face limitations that reduce their efficiency. To address these limitations, we propose a dual-vessel collaborative assembly and disassembly system with multiple motion-compensated lifting arms. The compensation system enables the lifting arms to isolate the topside module from the wave-induced loads, and specifically the torque, transmitted from the lifting vessel. Through theoretical derivations based on hydrostatics principles, a mathematical model of the topside module is established. We consider the effects of lifting load, tidal changes and the ballast water system on stability, and develop a stability analysis model for the dual-vessel system. The intact stability and loss-of-load stability under dual-vessel collaborative lifting conditions are analysed to verify compliance with stability requirements for lifting a 30,000 ton topside module. The results conclusively demonstrate that the proposed system with multiple motion-compensated lifting arms meets the stability performance needs for dual-vessel collaborative offshore assembly and disassembly operations.
Optimisation of the Energy Consumption of a Small Passenger Ferry with Hybrid Propulsion
Authors: Kunicka Magdalena
Published: June 2024

The main goal in the design phase is to create a safe ship with a very efficient (and preferably zero-emission) propulsion system. To obtain such ships, new concepts are being developed for both propulsion systems and individual components. The choice of a propulsion system is not straightforward. To optimise the selection of the propulsion system, it is valuable to optimise the energy demand of this unit, which can be done by creating operational movement profiles that indicate the differences in energy demand needed to cover the same route within similar times. Optimisation can be performed based on many different criteria, especially for crowded waterways, and can not only reduce the amount of energy needed to power the propulsion system but also increase navigational safety. In this work, optimisation is carried out by searching the space of all possible solutions, which allows for an in-depth analysis according to various criteria.
Effect of Overflowing by Seawater on the Power of a Ship’s Photovoltaic Panels under Extensive Sea Waves
Authors: Zeńczak Wojciech , Zapałowicz Zbigniew
Published: June 2024

Since the International Maritime Organization has paved the way towards zero emissions, more frequent applications of transition fuels in newly constructed ships have been observed. Fuels such as LNG or methanol are characterised by lower emissions when burned in engines. In order to diminish fuel consumption, and hence the rate of emission, support for the performance of a ship’s engines with energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic (PV) installations is increasingly common. The efficiency of PV panels decreases with an increase in temperature, and it is therefore important to cool them. However, the cooling systems for PV panels impose additional financial outlays as well as a higher demand for electric power, which is needed to run the circulating pumps. A natural cooling process can occur in some vessels via high sea waves, when the ship’s decks are flooded by outboard water, although such cooling has an accidental and periodic character, as it results from weather conditions. Despite this, its potential demands a closer examination. This paper presents experimental research carried out with an experimental setup that allowed us to simulate the process of flooding of a PV panel with water waves of various frequencies, resulting from choppy periods at sea. Depending on the weather conditions and the character of flooding, our results indicate that an increase in the power of the PV module of about 18% is obtainable. Our research shows that when the intervals between flooding are longer, the periodic character of the temperature changes obtained by flooding the front surface of a PV panel with water is more distinctive.
Auto-berthing Control for MSVs with a Time-based Generator under Actuator Faults: A Concise Neural Single-Parameter Approach
Authors: Chen Liping
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we study the control problem of auto-berthing marine surface vessels (MSVs) within a predefined, finite time in the restricted waters of a port, in the face of internal and external uncertain dynamics and actuator faults. We first use radial basis function neural networks to reconstruct the internal uncertainties of the system; then, using the minimum learning parameter method, we transform the weights of the neural networks, the external disturbances of the system, and the bias fault factors into an indirect single-parameter neural learning mode. We also apply a robust depth information adaptation technique to estimate the upper bound on the composite disturbances online. Dynamic surface control technology alleviates the burden of virtual control derivative calculations. Finite-time convergence of the system is guaranteed by a predetermined finite-time function based on a time-based generator (TBG). Based on these methods, we design a finite-time fault-tolerant auto-berthing control scheme based on TBG. The stability of the system is analysed based on Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme through simulation.
Are We Ready for Digitalisation? A Study of the Challenges and Barriers to Digitalisation and Technology Use in the Turkish Maritime Sector
Authors: Koca Yasemin Nemlioğlu , Erdoğan Selma
Published: June 2024

With each passing day, maritime organisations are equipped with more technology, and these systems form a structure that creates international networks. Digitalisation will have implications and effects on value creation, business models, horizontal and vertical integration, services and work organisation. While digital technologies in the maritime sector reduce risks owing to transparency, adaptability, traceability, flexibility and scalability, can also give discernible improvements in terms of operational processes, cost reductions, etc.. In the developing maritime sector, there are a variety of digital technology-related challenges that remain to be overcome, but there is no structured overview of the main types of challenges/barriers encountered by specialists. In this study, we explore the challenges/barriers to digitalisation in the maritime sector and how these are perceived by employees in this sector. The aim of our research is to identify these challenges/barriers and understand the relationships between them. To categorise the challenges/barriers, the DEMATEL approach was used. As a result of the analysis, it is seen that the main hindrances to digitalisation in the maritime sector are the problems of complexity, integration and interoperability. In contrast, the difficulties of performance appraisal and scalability emerge as the least important issues affecting the implementation of digital technologies in this area. Our results indicate that economic problems exert a significant causal influence on the other challenges/barriers.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Port Operation Efficiency
Authors: Dinh Gia Huy , Pham Hoang Thai , Nguyen Lam Canh , Dang Hai Quoc , Pham Nguyen Dang Khoa
Published: June 2024

Maritime transport forms the backbone of international logistics, as it allows for the transfer of bulk and long-haul products. The sophisticated planning required for this form of transportation frequently involves challenges such as unpredictable weather, diverse types of cargo kinds, and changes in port conditions, all of which can raise operational expenses. As a result, the accurate projection of a ship’s total time spent in port, and the anticipation of potential delays, have become critical for effective port activity planning and management. In this work, we aim to develop a port management system based on enhanced prediction and classification algorithms that are capable of precisely forecasting the lengths of ship stays and delays. On both the training and testing datasets, the XGBoost model was found to consistently outperform the alternative approaches in terms of RMSE, MAE, and R2 values for both the turnaround time and waiting period models. When used in the turnaround time model, the XGBoost model had the lowest RMSE of 1.29 during training and 0.5019 during testing, and also achieved the lowest MAE of 0.802 for training and 0.391 for testing. It also had the highest R2 values of 0.9788 during training and 0.9933 during testing. Similarly, in the waiting period model, the XGBoost model outperformed the random forest and decision tree models, with the lowest RMSE, MAE, and greatest R2 values in both the training and testing phases.
Massive sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with an associated bicuspid aortic valve: A rare clinical image
Authors: English Kevan
Published: June 2024

A sinus of Valsalva aneurysm is a rare cardiac anomaly characterized by an abnormal dilatation of the aortic root. This occurs due to a weakened elastic lamina at the junction of the aortic media and the annulus fibrosus. The aneurysm can be congenital or acquired and comprises up to 3.5% of all congenital cardiac defects. Due to the aneurysm’s physiologic function and location, it can present significant clinical consequences in both the rupture and unruptured state. We present the case of a middle-aged male with no significant medical history who was found to have a massive unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. He was treated surgically with no postoperative complications.
A Perspective on a Two-stent Approach in Bifurcation Cases
Authors: Gherasie Flavius-Alexandru , Chioncel Valentin
Published: June 2024

Bifurcation lesions are the cause of 20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions, representing a complex category associated with lower procedure success rates and higher restenosis rates. However, the optimal approach to bifurcation needs further research. This paper aims to determine the optimal method for implementing a two-stent strategy in bifurcation cases. It desires to identify the characteristics that can guide our approach and the outcomes that can be expected. This paper also highlights relevant trials that support the findings.

In nontrue bifurcation cases (Medina 1-1-0, 1-0-0, 0-1-0, 0-0-1), a one stent strategy, eventually with the provisional approach, is preferable. When treating a left main or non-left main bifurcation in a Medina classification of 1-1-1, 1-0-1, or 0-1-1 without meeting at least one major and two minor criteria and of DEFINITION II Classification (simple true bifurcation), the layered provisional approach is the appropriate strategy.

In cases of left main or non-left main complex true bifurcation (Medina 1-1-1, 1-0-1, 0-1-1) meeting the Definition II Classification criteria, a two-stent strategy could be a suitable option in cases where the SB is more than 2.5 mm and has a lesion length of more than 16 mm.
Precarious Industrial Labour at the Edge of the European Union: The Case of Baia Mare
Authors: Perneș Raluca
Published: June 2024

Tens of thousands of labourers work in the factories in and around Baia Mare, a city that is being reindustrialized after an initial industrialization under state socialism. In 2021, most workers were being paid about 280 euro a month, as companies were aiming to achieve the lowest possible production costs while remaining within the European Union. Workers and their families, unable to make do on their low wages alone, constantly scramble for means to supplement their income. Many work overtime systematically; some choose to migrate for work abroad for a few months every year; yet others quit their factory jobs for more lucrative opportunities during the summers, only to return to the factories in the autumn. In this paper, I look at the industrial history of Baia Mare and the work lives of labourers to understand how the workers in the region were impacted by the politics of dispossession. I use two complementary lenses: on the one hand, I understand their position at the junction of global, national, and local forces; on the other hand, I underline the ways in which this specific case speaks to the workings of global capital, not as an exception, but as one of many interconnected stories of human experience.
Reindustrialization and Transnational Labour Regimes in Maramureș County: Between National Deregulation and Export-Dependence
Authors: Mihály Zoltán , Földes Ionuț
Published: June 2024

The paper examines Maramureș County’s labour regime and describes its transformation from a heavily unionized formation under socialism to today’s deregulated, transnational condition. The region’s former mining cluster and current furniture production hub are posited as sectoral focal points. Union militantism prevented the mining sector’s accelerated decline in the 1990s, but liberalisation and conformity with the European Union’s regulatory frameworks gradually eroded labour rights and shifted the region’s economic profile to export-oriented sectors. Among these, domestic and foreign furniture manufacturers emerged as dominant economic actors in the early 2000s. While the county is well-known for its wood processing, the companies in question tap into IKEA’s global production network and employ low-cost, flexible labour in just-in-time supply schedules. Recent developments include the use of immigrant agency workers as a solution to the county’s skilled and unskilled labour shortage.
Airplane Parts and Covid Masks: Labour Commuters of North-Western Romania Between Central and Eastern European “Re-Industrialisation” and the Global Market
Authors: Ferenț Andreea
Published: June 2024

This article aims to uncover two main features of ‘re-industrialisation’ in Central and Eastern Europe: the reconfiguration of the economic geography in Northwest Romania and the multiple ways in which the Romanian working class is being integrated into the new economy. Post-socialist shifts towards a low-skilled, flexible, and generally insecure economy have underlined the need for cheap, easily disposable labour, and the emergence of the new economic geography has changed the accumulation of capital in the region and the patterns of labour mobility. Despite massive migration, many have continued to work in the region or have combined migration periods with work close to home. This study explores the different mobilities individuals engage in and seeks to understand why some workers choose to stay and live in the region and how the available opportunities for workers aiming to stay in the region influence their prospects. This study traces the patterns of labour commuting and how this is structured by individuals’ strategies and motivations, as well as the social relationships that support this work. The article analyses labour commuting to two major industrial hubs in the region: one which manufactures aerospace components, and one that produces medical textiles. Both companies are foreign-owned and concentrate a significant proportion of the region’s workforce. The micro-dynamics revealed will contribute to understanding the patterns of work in the specific form of re-industrialisation in contemporary Romania.
Racialized Housing and Proletarization Policies as Internal Socialist Contradictions: Roma Relocations Between 1975-1989 in Baia Mare, Romania
Authors: Zamfir George Iulian
Published: June 2024

The emergence of the ghetto as an urban social formation is regularly conveyed as a specific neoliberal capitalist product. Based on interviews with inhabitants and policymakers and archival data covering more than two decades, this article brings another dimension to the debates on ghetto formation. It traces the urban spatial politics of managing and containing Roma communities in the Romanian NW city of Baia Mare from the late 1970s until 1989. To this aim, it uncovers the debates and decisions regarding the last stages of socialist urban systematization focused on Hatvan, a Roma neighbourhood, and the subsequent relocation projects. Initially, the socialist administration aimed to assimilate the Roma population into the working class. However, a peculiar segregationist policy followed the failed experiment of expropriation and rehousing into low-quality apartments. In the early 1980s, authorities relocated most Roma in the newly built Vasile Alecsandri district to four new specifically designed apartment buildings nearby. The four blocks on Arieșului Street lacked central heating to prevent the accumulation of arrears – a materialization of the decade-long austerity policies. Other urban Roma were funnelled there as well, thus revealing the racialization policies assembled at the local level. . Just before 1990, Arieșului was abandoned, and many people decided to relocate in what became Craica, a ghetto that is still in existence today.
Greening the Region
Authors: Medicoff Joshua , Béland Daniel
Published: June 2024

Recognizing that biodiversity loss and climate change are twin crises, urban regions across the world are seeking to implement biodiversity strategies through specific forms of urban governance embedded in existing institutional legacies. To understand the effects of metropolitan institutions on the governance of urban biodiversity, we examine the institutional and regional structures of Canada’s two most populous metropolitan regions, Greater Montreal and Greater Toronto. This article compares the distinct policy consequences of the institutional set-up of Greater Montreal and Greater Toronto. This includes understanding how a second tier of government in Montreal (the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal), which sets biodiversity protection and conservation targets in the Montreal region, contrasts with the Toronto region, whose larger region is more directly governed by the Province of Ontario. Drawing on both the work of Elinor Ostrom on metropolitan governance and interviews with urban actors in both urban areas under consideration, we show how fragmented institutional arrangements are dominated by provincial management (as the case is for the Toronto region), and lead to worse outcomes for biodiversity.