bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Path Planning of an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle with an Extended-Treatment-Approach-Based Immune Plasma Algorithm
Authors: Aslan Selcuk , Oktay Tugrul
Published: May 2023

The increasing usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their variants carrying complex weapon systems, known as unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), has triggered a global revolution in complex military and commercial operations and has attracted researcher attention from different engineering disciplines in order to solve challenging problems regarding these modern vehicles. Path planning is a challenging problem for UAV and UCAV systems that requires the calculation of an optimal solution by considering enemy threats, total flight length, fuel or battery consumption, and some kinematic properties such as turning or climbing angles. In this study, the immune plasma (IP or IPA) algorithm, one of the most recent nature-inspired intelligent optimization methods, was modified by changing the default plasma transfer operations with a newly proposed technique called the extended treatment approach; extended IPA (ExtIPA) was then introduced as a path planner. To analyze the solving capabilities of the ExtIPA, 16 cases from five battlefield scenarios were tested by assigning different values to the algorithm-specific control parameters. The paths calculated with ExtIPA were compared with the paths found by planners on the basis of other intelligent optimization techniques. Comparative studies between ExtIPA and other techniques allowed for stating that the extended treatment approach significantly contributes to both the convergence speed and qualities of the obtained solutions and helps ExtIPA in performing better than its rivals in most cases.
Operation of Electronic Devices for Controlling Led Light Sources When the Environment Temperature Changes
Authors: Belyakova Iryna , Piscio Vadim , Maruschak Pavlo , Shovkun Oleksandr , Medvid Volodymyr , Markovych Mariya
Published: May 2023

Ambient temperature significantly affects the electrical and light parameters of LEDs, such as forward and reverse current, voltage drop LEDs and luminous flux. With an increase in temperature, the decrease in the intensity of LED radiation is explained by physical processes, including the phenomena of non-radiative recombination due to impurity levels, recombination on the surface, losses carriers in the barrier layers of heterostructures, etc. The increase in temperature is also significantly reduces the useful life of LEDs and the LED device in general. Drivers, which allows to stabilize the operating current with a change in the supply voltage of the device and, as the result is light flux. But in LEDs of various types, current stabilization does not lead to the stabilization of the light flux when the temperature regime of their operation changes. When changing ambient temperature in the range of +40…+60 °C, the luminous flux of LEDs is significant decreases even in the case when their current is kept constant, as we can see from documentation for most of LED types. An article analyzes the effect of temperature on electrical and light parameters LEDs with different types of drivers as part of LED lighting devices, such as LED lamps and LED spotlights, in order to offer possible constructive solutions for partial reduction or elimination of the decline problem luminous flux of LED devices under conditions of their operation at high temperatures.
The Healthcare Experience of Autistic Patients in Orthopaedic Surgery and Closely Related Fields: A Scoping Review
Authors: Criss Steven D. , Kakulamarri Shravya , Xu Raylin F. , Fajardo Maya , Keeney Tamra , Tolchin Dorothy W. , May Collin J.
Published: May 2023

Orthopaedic and related care has the potential to present unique obstacles for patients with a range of autism manifestations. In this review, we aim to describe and analyze the literature on autistic patients’ experience within orthopaedics and closely related fields. This literature search utilized the PubMed, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases. Three major concepts were built into the search terms: (1) patients on the autism spectrum; (2) patient experience; and (3) movement sciences, including orthopaedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT). Our search yielded 35 topical publications, with the major topic areas addressed as follows: (1) clinical and perioperative management, (2) therapy interventions, (3) participation in exercise and social play, (4) sensory management and accommodations, (5) caregiver/parent training and involvement in care, (6) healthcare needs and barriers to care, and (7) utilization of technology. In the current literature, there are no studies that attempt to directly assess autistic patient experience with care practices and clinical environments in orthopaedics. Rigorous, direct examination of the experience of autistic patients within clinical orthopaedic settings is urgently needed to address this gap.
Potential-Field-RRT: A Path-Planning Algorithm for UAVs Based on Potential-Field-Oriented Greedy Strategy to Extend Random Tree
Authors: Huang Tai , Fan Kuangang , Sun Wen , Li Weichao , Guo Haoqi
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes a random tree algorithm based on a potential field oriented greedy strategy for the path planning of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Potential-field-RRT (PF-RRT) discards the defect of traditional artificial potential field (APF) algorithms that are prone to fall into local errors, and introduces potential fields as an aid to the expansion process of random trees. It reasonably triggers a greedy strategy based on the principle of field strength descending gradient optimization, accelerating the process of random tree expansion to a better region and reducing path search time. Compared with other optimization algorithms that improve the sampling method to reduce the search time of the random tree, PF-RRT takes full advantage of the potential field without limiting the arbitrariness of random tree expansion. Secondly, the path construction process is based on the principle of triangle inequality for the root node of the new node to improve the quality of the path in one iteration. Simulation experiments of the algorithm comparison show that the algorithm has the advantages of fast acquisition of high-quality initial path solutions and fast optimal convergence in the path search process. Compared with the original algorithm, obtaining the initial solution using PF-RRT can reduce the time loss by 20% to 70% and improve the path quality by about 25%. In addition, the feasibility of PF-RRT for UAV path planning is demonstrated by actual flight test experiments at the end of the experiment.
Student Dropout as a Never-Ending Evergreen Phenomenon of Online Distance Education
Authors: Elibol Sevgi , Bozkurt Aras
Published: May 2023

The research on student dropout demonstrates that there is no consensus on its definition and scope. Although there is an expanding collection of research on the topic, student dropout remains a significant issue, characterized by numerous uncertainties and ambiguous aspects. The primary aim of this investigation is to assess the research trends of student dropout within the distance education literature by employing data mining and analytic approaches. To identify these patterns, a total of 164 publications were examined by applying text mining and social network analysis. The study revealed some intriguing facts, such as the misinterpretation of the term “dropout” in different settings and the inadequacy of nonhuman analytics to explain the phenomenon, and promising implications on how to lessen dropout rates in open and distance learning environments. Based on the findings of the study, this article proposes possible directions for future research, including the need to provide a precise definition of the term “dropout” in the context of distance learning, to develop ethical principles, policies, and frameworks for the use of algorithmic approaches to predict student dropout, and finally, to adopt a human-centered approach aimed at fostering learners’ motivation, satisfaction, and independence to reduce the rate of dropout in distance education.
Pediatric Diabetes Technology Management: An Italian Exploratory Study on Its Representations by Psychologists and Diabetologists
Authors: Tupputi Annamaria , Giardinieri Lucia , Monaco Silvia , Di Trani Michela
Published: May 2023

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has increased by about 3% per year over the last two decades. Continuous Insulin Subcutaneous Therapy (CSII) is widely used in the pediatric population with diabetes; however, it requires more preparation by the treating team and a careful selection of its potential users. Prescriptive provisions vary from region to region, and the perspective of health workers in this regard remains an unexplored area. The aim of this research project is to explore the representations of a group of diabetologists and psychologists working in pediatric diabetology throughout the country, regarding their roles, functions, and activities as part of a multidisciplinary team; it also aims to investigate their views on the potential benefits of CSII and the types of individuals who apply for the use of this technology. A socio-anagraphic data sheet was administered, and two homogeneous focus groups were conducted, one for each profession, which were then audio recorded. The transcripts produced were analyzed using the Emotional Text Mining (ETM) methodology. Each of the two corpora generated three clusters and two factors. For diabetologists, a focus on patient care emerged at different levels, involving collaboration with other health professionals and engagement with the community, often incorporating technology in medical interventions. Similarly, psychologists’ representations highlighted interdisciplinary networking with a stronger emphasis on the psychological processes involved in managing the disease, from acceptance to the elaboration and integration of diabetes into the family narrative. Understanding the representations of health professionals working in pediatric diabetes with new technologies can contribute to the consolidation of a network of professionals through targeted work on possible critical issues that may arise.
Special Issue: Nonlinear Dynamics in Complex Systems via Fractals and Fractional Calculus
Authors: Paun Viorel-Puiu
Published: May 2023

Advances in our knowledge of nonlinear dynamical networks, systems and processes (as well as their unified repercussions) currently allow us to study many typical complex phenomena taking place in nature, from the nanoscale to the extra-galactic scale, in an comprehensive manner [...]
A Self-Similar Infinite Binary Tree Is a Solution to the Steiner Problem
Authors: Cherkashin Danila , Teplitskaya Yana
Published: May 2023

We consider a general metric Steiner problem, which involves finding a set S with the minimal length, such that S∪A is connected, where A is a given compact subset of a given complete metric space X; a solution is called the Steiner tree. Paolini, Stepanov, and Teplitskaya in 2015 provided an example of a planar Steiner tree with an infinite number of branching points connecting an uncountable set of points. We prove that such a set can have a positive Hausdorff dimension, which was an open question (the corresponding tree exhibits self-similar fractal properties).
Can Vitamin D Levels Alter the Effectiveness of Short-Term Facelift Interventions?
Authors: Trifan Daniela Florina , Tirla Adrian Gheorghe , Moldovan Andrada Florina , Moș Calin , Bodog Florian , Maghiar Teodor Traian , Manole Felicia , Ghitea Timea Claudia
Published: May 2023

Facelifting is increasingly popular among the population. It exceeded the limits of post-traumatic facia-reconstruction. Both the demand and the methods available are getting increasingly diverse. The minimally invasive technique revolutionized the facelift, although it took some time to completely comprehend the mechanics. The roles of vitamin D in numerous physiological processes in which it is involved have mostly been elucidated in the last decade. Our hypothesis is based on one of these roles, that is, vitamin D intervenes in changing the type of collagen by changing its location; therefore, collagen will have a supporting role for the subcutaneous tissue. A group of 156 patients with different facelifting methods was followed: 93 minimally invasive (NC), 49 classical surgery (C) and 14 with the combined technique (NC + C). The change in the subcutaneous tissue was monitored by an elastograph. The level of vitamin D was monitored in order to assess the immediate and long-term effects of vitamin D on the progression of subcutaneous fibrosis. It was proven that an optimal level of vitamin D has a beneficial effect in maintaining the volume of subcutaneous tissue in patients from the NC and NC + C groups, the best results being in the NC + C group. An increase in the subcutaneous volume was recorded, which leads to a decrease in elasticity (statistical significance p < 0.05) and the lowering of the subcutaneous tissue, and an increased amount of lowering corresponds to a lowering of vitamin D levels.
Inter-Device Reliability of a Three-Dimensional Markerless Motion Capture System Quantifying Elementary Movement Patterns in Humans
Authors: Philipp Nicolas M. , Cabarkapa Dimitrije , Cabarkapa Damjana V. , Eserhaut Drake A. , Fry Andrew C.
Published: May 2023

With advancements in technology able to quantify wide-ranging features of human movement, the aim of the present study was to investigate the inter-device technological reliability of a three-dimensional markerless motion capture system (3D-MCS), quantifying different movement tasks. A total of 20 healthy individuals performed a test battery consisting of 29 different movements, from which 214 different metrics were derived. Two 3D-MCS located in close proximity were utilized to quantify movement characteristics. Independent sample t-tests with selected reliability statistics (i.e., intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), effect sizes, and mean absolute differences) were used to evaluate the agreement between the two systems. The study results suggested that 95.7% of all metrics analyzed revealed negligible or small between-device effect sizes. Further, 91.6% of all metrics analyzed showed moderate or better agreement when looking at the ICC values, while 32.2% of all metrics showed excellent agreement. For metrics measuring joint angles (198 metrics), the mean difference between systems was 2.9 degrees, while for metrics investigating distance measures (16 metrics; e.g., center of mass depth), the mean difference between systems was 0.62 cm. Caution is advised when trying to generalize the study findings beyond the specific technology and software used in this investigation. Given the technological reliability reported in this study, as well as the logistical and time-related limitations associated with marker-based motion capture systems, it may be suggested that 3D-MCS present practitioners with an opportunity to reliably and efficiently measure the movement characteristics of patients and athletes. This has implications for monitoring the health/performance of a broad range of populations.
ENSO Impact on Summer Precipitation and Moisture Fluxes over the Mexican Altiplano
Authors: Vega-Camarena José P. , Brito-Castillo Luis , Pineda-Martínez Luis F. , Farfán Luis M.
Published: May 2023

In the warm season, El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) causes periods with more rain in Northern Mexico during its positive phase, while less rainfall is recorded in the southern regions during the negative phase. This research study evaluates the variability of summer (July–September) precipitation and moisture fluxes under different ENSO scenarios in the Mexican Altiplano and coast of the state of Nayarit. The catchment of Rio San Pedro-Mezquital (SPM-RB) connects both regions. Using the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), the years that signal change from El Niño to La Niña (1998), neutral conditions (2005), and strong (moderate) La Niña (1999) were selected to get an insight of ENSO impact on summer precipitation. For anomalies in the Altiplano, two additional contrasting years were analyzed—2006 (mostly dry) and 2010 (wet)—to determine moisture sources. Summer rainfall conditions in 1998 and 1999 had an opposite behavior between coastal Nayarit (wet) and the Altiplano (dry), while in 2005, rainfall deficits were observed in both regions. The moisture fluxes showed large divergence areas over central Mexico and the Southeastern United States in years of intense drought (1998 and 1999) caused by two high-pressure cells at middle levels of the troposphere (500 hPa). The moisture transport mechanisms into the Altiplano were related to atmospheric circulation at the upper level (200 hPa). The variations of the moisture fluxes from 2006 to 2010 are less strong at middle levels. The Eastern Pacific moisture convergence along the western coast of Mexico favors above-average rainfall anomalies in the coastal region but below-average anomalies in the Altiplano.
Unusual Mooring Oscillations: Apparent Foucault–Wheatstone Device in the Deep Ocean?
Authors: van Haren Hans
Published: May 2023

A pressure sensor, located for four months in the middle of a 1275 m-long taut deep-ocean mooring in 2380 m water depth above a seamount with sub-surface top-buoys and seafloor anchor-weight, demonstrates narrow-band spectral peaks of deterministic well-predictable signals with equivalent 0.5 m amplitudes at uncommon sub-harmonic frequencies f*/4, f*/2, 3f*/4 of the local near-inertial frequency f* = 1.085f, where f denotes the Coriolis parameter. None of these sub-harmonics can be associated with oceanographic motions, which are dominated by super-inertial internal waves that are more broadband and less predictable. No corresponding peaks are found in spectra of other observables like current velocity (differences), temperature, and pressure in the top buoy of the mooring. The mid-cable pressure sensor was mounted on a nearly 1 kN weighing non-swiveled frame. Its data are hypothesized to reflect a resonant mechanical oscillation of the high-tensioned elastic steel mooring cable under repeated short-scale Strouhal cable vibrations induced by vortex-shedding due to water-flow drag and/or possibly by tidal baroclinic motions that are about 50% larger near the sloping seafloor of the seamount than mid-depth thereby modifying the mooring-cable in a helical shape. Cable dynamics and mooring-motion considerations yield inconclusive results to explain the observations. Hypothesizing, the observations suggest, cable dynamically, sub-harmonic drainage of helix-shape source at non-tidal semidiurnal center-frequency (M2 + S2)/2 = 3f*/2, physically, the measurement of Earth rotation thereby mimicking a Foucault–Wheatstone device, and, oceanographically, the relative vortex-rotation ζ/2 = 0.085f being possibly induced by water-flow interacting quasi-permanently with the nearby seamount by a topographic obstruction, so that total local near-inertial frequency f* = f + ζ/2.
Matlab-Based Design Consideration of Series ZVS Single-Ended Resonant DC-DC Converter
Authors: Hinov Nikolay , Gilev Bogdan
Published: May 2023

The paper presents a model-based design consideration of a series single-ended transistor resonant DC-DC converter with zero voltage switching (ZVS). A characteristic of this converter is that it is highly efficient due to the resonant nature of electromagnetic processes in the power circuit and operation with soft commutations. The manuscript proposes that the determination of some of the circuit elements of the device be carried out with optimization procedures based on the application of artificial intelligence techniques. For this purpose, an objective function is used with additional constraints, such as equalities and inequalities, for both the optimization parameters and the state variables. The use of the proposed method is justified in cases where there is no methodology for the design of the specific power electronic device or there is, but it is too complicated to apply. This is usually due to the increasing complexity of power circuits and their possible modes of operation and the inevitable assumptions and limitations in the analysis and the relevant methodologies based on that analysis. In this way, a natural combination, complement and development of classical design methods with innovative ones based on the application of artificial intelligence techniques is carried out.
FedISM: Enhancing Data Imbalance via Shared Model in Federated Learning
Authors: Chung Wu-Chun , Lin Yan-Hui , Fang Sih-Han
Published: May 2023

Considering the sensitivity of data in medical scenarios, federated learning (FL) is suitable for applications that require data privacy. Medical personnel can use the FL framework for machine learning to assist in analyzing large-scale data that are protected within the institution. However, not all clients have the same distribution of datasets, so data imbalance problems occur among clients. The main challenge is to overcome the performance degradation caused by low accuracy and the inability to converge the model. This paper proposes a FedISM method to enhance performance in the case of Non-Independent Identically Distribution (Non-IID). FedISM exploits a shared model trained on a candidate dataset before performing FL among clients. The Candidate Selection Mechanism (CSM) was proposed to effectively select the most suitable candidate among clients for training the shared model. Based on the proposed approaches, FedISM not only trains the shared model without sharing any raw data, but it also provides an optimal solution through the selection of the best shared model. To evaluate performance, the proposed FedISM was applied to classify coronavirus disease (COVID), pneumonia, normal, and viral pneumonia in the experiments. The Dirichlet process was also used to simulate a variety of imbalanced data distributions. Experimental results show that FedISM improves accuracy by up to 25% when privacy concerns regarding patient data are rising among medical institutions.
Explicit Properties of Apostol-Type Frobenius–Euler Polynomials Involving q-Trigonometric Functions with Applications in Computer Modeling
Authors: Rao Yongsheng , Khan Waseem Ahmad , Araci Serkan , Ryoo Cheon Seoung
Published: May 2023

In this article, we define q-cosine and q-sine Apostol-type Frobenius–Euler polynomials and derive interesting relations. We also obtain new properties by making use of power series expansions of q-trigonometric functions, properties of q-exponential functions, and q-analogues of the binomial theorem. By using the Mathematica program, the computational formulae and graphical representation for the aforementioned polynomials are obtained. By making use of a partial derivative operator, we derived some interesting finite combinatorial sums. Finally, we detail some special cases for these results.
Aetiopathogenesis of Rotator Cuff Tear in Patients Younger than 50 Years: Medical Conditions Play a Relevant Role
Authors: Gumina Stefano , Mezzaqui Lorenzo , Aimino Rossana , Rionero Marco , Spagnoli Alessandra , Campagna Vincenzo , Candela Vittorio
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives: Studies on rotator cuff tears (RCT) in patients younger than 50 years have focused on the post-operative outcomes. Little is known about cuff tear etiopathogenesis, although it is a common belief that most tears are due to trauma. We have retrospectively verified the prevalence of medical conditions, whose role in tendon degeneration development have been widely demonstrated, in a group of patients younger than 50 years with postero-superior RCT. Materials and Methods: 64 patients [44M-20F; mean age (SD): 46.90 (2.80)] were enrolled. Personal data, BMI, smoking habit, diseases (diabetes, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, thyroid diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were registered. The possible triggering cause and the affected side and tear dimensions were recorded, and statistical analysis was then performed. Results: 75% of patients had one or more diseases and/or a smoking habit for more than 10 years. In the remaining 25%, only four patients referred had had a traumatic event, while in the other eight patients, both medical condition and trauma were registered. The presence of two or more diseases did not affect RCT size. Conclusions: In our series, three quarters of patients with RCT had a smoking habit or medical conditions predisposing them to a tendon tear; therefore, the role of trauma in RCT onset in patients younger than 50 years is markedly resized. It is plausible that in the remaining 25%, RCT may be due to trauma or to genetic or acquired degeneration. Level of Evidence: IV
Evaluation of Rouxiella badensis Subsp Acadiensis (Canan SV-53) as a Potential Probiotic Bacterium
Authors: Novotny-Nuñez Ivanna , Perdigón Gabriela , Matar Chantal , Martínez Monteros María José , Yahfoufi Nour , Cazorla Silvia Inés , Maldonado-Galdeano Carolina
Published: May 2023

The advent of omic platforms revealed the significant benefits of probiotics in the prevention of many infectious diseases. This led to a growing interest in novel strains of probiotics endowed with health characteristics related to microbiome and immune modulation. Therefore, autochthonous bacteria in plant ecosystems might offer a good source for novel next-generation probiotics. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Rouxiella badensis acadiensis Canan (R. acadiensis) a bacterium isolated from the blueberry biota, on the mammalian intestinal ecosystem and its potential as a probiotic microorganism. R. acadiensis, reinforced the intestinal epithelial barrier avoiding bacterial translocation from the gut to deep tissues, even after feeding BALB/c mice for a prolonged period of time. Moreover, diet supplementation with R. acadiensis led to increases in the number of Paneth cells, well as an increase in the antimicrobial peptide α defensin. The anti-bacterial effect of R. acadiensis against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was also reported. Importantly, R. acadiensis-fed animals showed better survival in an in vivo Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge compared with those that received a conventional diet. These results demonstrated that R. acadiensis possesses characteristics of a probiotic strain by contributing to the reinforcement and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.
The Effects of Different Feeding Regimes on Body Composition, Gut Microbial Population, and Susceptibility to Pathogenic Infection in Largemouth Bass
Authors: Zheng Yao , Zhu Haojun , Li Quanjie , Xu Gangchun
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the effects of dietary commercial feed (n = 50,025 in triplicate, named group PF for soil dike pond, sampling n = 7; n = 15,000 in triplicate, WF for water tank, n = 8), iced fish (n = 50,025 in triplicate, PI, n = 7), and a combination of both (n = 50,025 in triplicate, PFI, n = 8) on different metabolic parameters of the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (0.67 ± 0.09 g, culture period from June 2017 to July 2018). Throughout the experimental period, different areas of water (including input water of the front, middle of the pond, and from the drain off at the back) and their mixed samples were simultaneously analyzed to find the source of the main infectious bacteria. Various feeding strategies may differentially affect body composition and shape the gut microbiota, but the mode of action has not been determined. Results showed that no significant differences were found in the growth performance except for the product yield using a different culture mode (PFI vs. WF). For muscle composition, the higher ∑SFA, ∑MUFA, ∑n-6PUFA, and 18:3n-3/18:2n-6 levels were detected in largemouth bass fed with iced fish, while enrichment in ∑n-3PUFA and ∑HUFA was detected in largemouth bass fed with commercial feed. For the gut microbiota, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla among all the gut samples. The abundance of Firmicutes and Tenericutes significantly decreased and later increased with iced fish feeding. The relative abundance of species from the Clostridia, Mollicutes, Mycoplasmatales, and families (Clostridiaceae and Mycoplasmataceae) significantly increased in the feed plus iced fish (PFI) group relative to that in the iced fish (PI) group. Pathways of carbohydrate metabolism and the digestive system were enriched in the commercial feed group, whereas infectious bacterial disease resistance-related pathways were enriched in the iced fish group, corresponding to the higher rate of death, fatty liver disease, and frequency and duration of cyanobacteria outbreaks. Feeding with iced fish resulted in more activities in the digestive system and energy metabolism, more efficient fatty acid metabolism, had higher ∑MUFA, and simultaneously had the potential for protection against infectious bacteria from the environment through a change in intestinal microbiota in the pond of largemouth bass culturing. Finally, the difference in feed related to the digestive system may contribute to the significant microbiota branch in the fish gut, and the input and outflow of water affects the intestinal flora in the surrounding water and in the gut, which in turn affects growth and disease resistance.
Study on the Influence of Underwater LED Illumination on Bidirectional Underwater Wireless Optical Communication
Authors: Sun Kelin , Han Biao , Yang Jingchuan , Li Bo , Zhang Bin , Liu Kaibin , Li Chen
Published: May 2023

Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) is acknowledged as a useful way to transmit data in the ocean for short-distance applications. Carrying a UWOC device on mobile platforms is quite practical in ocean engineering, which is helpful to exploit its advantages. In application, such a platform needs a camera to observe the surroundings and guide its action. Since the majority of ocean is always dark, active illumination is necessary to imaging. When UWOC works in such an environment, its performance is affected by the illumination light noise. In this paper, we study the influence of underwater LED illumination on bidirectional UWOC with the Monte Carlo method. We simulate forward noise from LED illumination to the opposite receiver in the cooperative terminal, and the backscattering noise on the adjacent receiver in the same terminal. The results show that the forward noise is reduced with the increase of theabsorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, transmitting distance, and separated distance between receiver and the optical axis of LED. However, it becomes greater with the field of view (FOV) of the receiver. The backscattering noise is reduced with the increase of the absorption coefficient and separated distance between receiver and LED. However, it becomes greater with the FOV and scattering coefficient, while it has little relation with transmitting distance. In order to reduce these two kinds of noises, besides inserting an optical filter in the receivers and narrowing their FOV, the optical axis of LED light should keep away from the receivers. The results in this paper are helpful for UWOC application.
Photonic Signal Processing in Phase-Coded Lidar System
Authors: Chen Shuyu , Wu Long , Xu Lu , Zhang Yong , Zhang Jianlong
Published: May 2023

The next generation of lidar systems needs to adapt to variable environments with broadened bandwidth for increased resolution. Due to their digital components, conventional lidar systems, especially imaging lidar systems, suffer from limited detector bandwidth and sampling frequency. However, photonics devices can provide a reliable technical solution with high precision and ultra-broad bandwidth. This paper presents a photonic signal processing structure for a phase-coded lidar system. Two acousto-optic modulators (AOMs) are adopted in the proposed architecture. One is used for phase-coded laser signal modulation, and the other is used for demodulation. The echo laser signal is directed to the AOM performing demodulation before the sampling of the detector, accomplishing the multiplication of the echo laser signal and the electric reference signal. The detector is controlled to accumulate the demodulated laser signal. The AOM and detector transfer the correlation calculation from electrical signals processing to photonic signals processing. This photonics-based structure greatly decreases the sampling frequency of the detector without extending the width of the laser pulses, which achieves high resolution with low sampling speed. Photonic signal processing has the promising potential of simultaneously processing signals of multiple pixels. It is going to be an effective solution for imaging lidar systems to increase resolution with available low-cost devices.
Background Rejection in Two-Photon Fluorescence Image Scanning Microscopy
Authors: Sheppard Colin J. R. , Castello Marco , Tortarolo Giorgio , Zunino Alessandro , Slenders Eli , Bianchini Paolo , Vicidomini Giuseppe , Diaspro Alberto
Published: May 2023

We discuss the properties of signal strength and integrated intensity in two-photon excitation confocal microscopy and image scanning microscopy. The resolution, optical sectioning and background rejection are all improved over nonconfocal two-photon microscopy. Replacing the pinhole of confocal two-photon microscopy with a detector array increases the peak intensity of the point spread function. The outer pixels of a detector array give signals from defocused regions, and thus the processing of these, such as through subtraction, can further improve optical sectioning and background rejection.
Effect of Regional Cultural Diversity in Senior Executives on Environmental Protection Investment
Authors: Li Yibing , Cui Yongmei , Huang Jue
Published: May 2023

With the increase in the seriousness of environmental issues and investors’ increasing concern for corporate environmental performance, more and more scholars are paying attention to the impact of executive diversification on corporate investment decisions. This study empirically examines the impact of regional cultural diversity in executive teams on corporate environmental investment and its moderating effect on different industries and regions, using companies listed in China from 2009 to 2019 as research samples, from the perspective of informal cultural systems. The research results indicate that: regional cultural diversity in executive teams can significantly promote corporate environmental investment; regional cultural diversity in executives is more conducive to increasing environmental investment in competitive industries, while the promotion effect of environmental protection investment in monopolistic industries is not significant; and diversity in regional culture in top management teams is more conducive to the promotion of environmental investment by coastal enterprises, while the promotion of environmental investment by non-coastal enterprises is not significant.
Mitochondrial Toxic Effects of Antiepileptic Drug Valproic Acid on Mouse Kidney Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Minsu , Ahn Changhwan , Kim KangMin , Jeung Eui-Bae
Published: May 2023

Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that is used mainly as an antiepileptic and anticonvulsant drug. The side effects of VPA usually appears as hepatic injury and various metabolic disorders. On the other hand, it is rarely reported to cause kidney injury. Despite the many studies on the influence of VPA exposure on the kidneys, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study examined the changes after VPA treatment to the mouse kidney stem cells (mKSCs). VPA triggers an increase in mitochondrial ROS, but there was no change in either mitochondrial membrane potential or the mitochondrial DNA copy number in mKSCs. The VPA treatment increased the mitochondrial complex III but decreased complex V significantly compared to the DMSO treatment as a control. The inflammatory marker (IL-6) and the expression of the apoptosis markers (Caspase 3) and were increased by VPA. In particular, the expression of the podocyte injury markers (CD2AP) was increased significantly. In conclusion, VPA exposure has adverse effects on mouse kidney stem cells.
Inter-Population Genetic Diversity and Clustering of Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (pkmsp-1) of Plasmodium knowlesi Isolates from Malaysia and Thailand
Authors: Noordin Naqib Rafieqin , Lau Yee Ling , Cheong Fei Wen , Fong Mun Yik
Published: May 2023

The genetic diversity of pkmsp-1 of Malaysian Plasmodium knowlesi isolates was studied recently. However, the study only included three relatively older strains from Peninsular Malaysia and focused mainly on the conserved blocks of this gene. In this study, the full-length pkmsp-1 sequence of recent P. knowlesi isolates from Peninsular Malaysia was characterized, along with Malaysian Borneo and Thailand pkmsp-1 sequences that were retrieved from GenBank. Genomic DNA of P. knowlesi was extracted from human blood specimens and the pkmsp-1 gene was PCR-amplified, cloned, and sequenced. The sequences were analysed for genetic diversity, departure from neutrality, and geographical clustering. The pkmsp-1 gene was found to be under purifying/negative selection and grouped into three clusters via a neighbour-joining tree and neighbour net inferences. Of the four polymorphic blocks in pkmsp-1, block IV, was most polymorphic, with the highest insertion–deletion (indel) sites. Two allelic families were identified in block IV, thereby highlighting the importance of this block as a promising genotyping marker for the multiplicity of infection study of P. knowlesi malaria. A single locus marker may provide an alternate, simpler method to type P. knowlesi in a population.
Mujeres STEM. Motivaciones de las niñas chilena de Educación Secundaria para escoger áreas de profundización relacionadas con las disciplinas STEM
Authors: Quispe Contreras Katherine
Published: May 2023

La subrepresentación femenina en STEM puede definirse como el bajo porcentaje de mujeres que opta por una Educación Superior vinculada a las ciencias, tecnología, ingeniería o matemática, lo que hace que los cargos profesionales en estas áreas estén ocupados principalmente por varones. Este poco interés viene desde la Educación Primaria y Secundaria, que es donde los y las estudiantes definen sus intereses y áreas de conocimiento a profundizar. El propósito de esta investigación cuantitativa piloto es explicar las motivaciones de las niñas de Educación Secundaria de colegios de Chile en la elección de las áreas de profundización asociadas a STEM. Como instrumento de recolección de datos se utilizó una encuesta en línea autoadministrada.
Analysis of Signalless Four-way Intersection Congestion at Jalan Kyai Sampang, Demak Regency
Authors: Hakim Daffa Nurul , Rizal Khoirur
Published: May 2023

Persimpangan adalah bagian dari ruas jalan dimana arus dari berbagai arah atau jurusan bersilangan. Hal ini mengakibatkan terjadinya kemacetan di sepanjang lengan simpang. Simpang ini berada di pusat Kabupaten Demak, simpang tak bersinyal dengan 4 lengan di jalan Kyai Sampang, jalan Kyai Singkil, jalan Sultan Fatah arah Kudus dan jalan Sultan Fatah arah Semarang yang berada pada daerah pasar, perkantoran, pemukiman dan sekolah .

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui kinerja simpang terutama yang berkaitan tentang kondisi operasional simpang yang ditunjukan dengan nilai kapasitas, derajat kejenuhan, tundaan, dan peluang antrian. Kemudian setelah di analisis, didapat pula nilai kapasitas yang ada di persimpangan tersebut berjumlah 1634 smp/jam. Analisa nilai derajat kejenuhan (DS) didapat hasil DS berjumlah 0,79 smp/jam. Analisa tundaan (D) didapat hasil tundaan 13,33 smp/jam. Kemudian analisa peluang antrian didapat hasil peluang antrian sebesar 64,6% - 132,5.
Poétique et éthique du dialogue latin tardif : quelques remarques sur la Consolation de Philosophie de Boèce (1-3)
Authors: Goldlust Benjamin
Published: May 2023

This paper tries to analyse the ethical purpose of the poetics of dialogue used by Boethius in the Consolatio Philosophiae. After putting in context the work of Boethius in the traditions of Late-Antique and Christian dialogue, it presents the various faces of dialogue at work and finally focuses on the symbolical use of the dialogue form, in connection with the Neoplatonic theory and the material conditions of the work’s composition.
La colère dans les Métamorphoses d’Ovide : un motif d’interprétation
Authors: Delbey Évrard
Published: May 2023

The interpretations of the Metamorphoses written by Ovidius are numerous : interpretations of the myths, interpretations of the descriptions and the narratives, interpretations of the genres. We wish to propose a new one by privileging the motive for the anger whose recurrence could allow the poet to ask the question of the exercise of the power by Augustus when comparing it with Jupiter.
Manipulations du temps dans les Annales de Tacite
Authors: Cogitore Isabelle
Published: May 2023

In the first two books of the Annals, Tacitus appears to be a master of manipulation of time : indeed, references to the past are involved in a non-continuous chronology, and many flashbacks interrupt the storyline in a dramatic movement. In addition, two events are recalled on several occasions : the defeat of Varus and the death of Augustus appear several times, leading to assumptions about the reason for these repetitions.
Boèce et Augustin : la Consolation de Philosophie comme nouveau De ordine ?
Authors: Bouton-Touboulic Anne-Isabelle
Published: May 2023

Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy has often been compared to Augustines’ Cassiciacum Dialogues. This paper intends to establish this comparison with Augustine’s Dialogue De ordine, in which Augustine asks himself how evil is included in the order of divine Providence. Concerning the issues of Fortune, chance, destiny and evil, one tries to compare their point of view. Each of them asserts that divine order keeps evil at bay. Apart from this important issue of theodicy, both works share other common themes like poetry, liberal arts and ethical education. They combine in a different way neoplatonic and stoic sources. Even if it is difficult to be sure, it can be presumed that this Dialogue had a real influence on Boethius.
Quand, pour qui, pourquoi le De pallio ? ou de l’intérêt de lire les textes avant de les interpréter.
Authors: Turcan Marie
Published: May 2023

The De Pallio is regarded as a difficult work. And yes, it is. However, for anybody who agrees to read it without prejudice, it is clear concerning the date to be assigned to it as well as the aims of Tertullian when he wrote it. Doubtless, the historic allusions lead to set the treatise in the years 205-211, probably about 209 ¢ and not at the end of the African’s career, nor in its very beginning. And it is a paraenetical text, cheerful and not gloomy, directed to the pagan polite society in Carthage : taking the mantle is not a sign of asceticism, but a claim for freedom ¢ at first for freedom of speech, to castigate the vices and bring to the truth, biblical and Christian.
Tullus Hostilius fondateur de Rome
Authors: Cairo Giambattista
Published: May 2023

On the base of archaeological and literary sources it is possible to state that the origin of Rome as urban centre is datable under the reign of Tullus Hostilius. The saga on Horaces and Curiaces is a foundation’s legend.
Le livre XXI à la lumière de la philosophie livienne de l’histoire
Authors: Mineo Bernard
Published: May 2023

Livy’s Book XXI describes events, which happen to have a particular significance within a cyclical conception of history. Because of this war, which Rome, in the long run, is going to win, Romulus’ city will engage itself into the imperatores era in such a way as to follow Carthage’s steps. But before being successful, Rome endures paradoxical defeats. For the historian, this is due to a new flaring-up of discordia within the city, an historical accident, which will let place in time, after Cannes, to perfect national unity (concordia).
De la couleur des choses : Lucrèce, De rerum natura II, 730-864, entre poésie et philosophie
Authors: Corradi Michele
Published: May 2023

The article aims to analyze the section of Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura concerning the

problem of the color (II, 730-864) from a double perspective : firstly, it will confront the passage with other sources about the Epicurean doctrine of color, in order to verify the orthodoxy of Lucretius’ presentation ; secondly, it will try to highlight the literary, rhetorical, didactic strategies the Latin poet carries out to adequately and persuasively display that doctrine to his public.
Du protreptique à l’auto-exhortation : l’exemple des Lettres à Lucilius de Sénèque
Authors: Pià Comella Jordi
Published: May 2023

This paper tries to show how Moral Letters to Lucilius aim at adapting protreptic topics to the reader’s, Lucilius’ and Seneca’s own moral ascesis. The originality of the epistles consists in being a self-exhortation : the author is in fact the reader and the patient who needs to be cured. Haunted by the fragility of his life, Seneca gives a dramatic dimension to the exemplum and religious images : he has to eradicate urgently his passions since he’s old and will soon be sentenced to death.
Piété philosophique, pietas impériale dans l’À soi-même de Marc Aurèle
Authors: Pià Comella Jordi
Published: May 2023

This article aims at showing that, in The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Book I and chapter 30 of Book VI create a synthesis between the roman pietas and the stoic piety of Books II-XII. Book I is a list of what Marcus owes to his relatives, masters and gods ; it represents an act of pietas towards them as well as a spiritual exercise which helps the author to memorize and imitate their virtuous actions. Chapter 17 of Book I and chapter 30 of Book VI dedicated to Emperor Antoninus, give provisional utterance to a piety that cannot be reduced to the conceptual categories of stoicism, having been inspired by the entirely Roman pietas of the Emperor who was Marcus’ predecessor and model.
Le Catilina de Salluste : une histoire du progrès et de la décadence de Rome
Authors: Vassiliades Georges
Published: May 2023

The idea that Rome was engaged in a process of moral and political degeneration runs through the literature of the Late RepubliC. Nevertheless, in Sallust, this theory is translated, for the first time, into a history proper of the progress and the decadence of the

res publica. This article aims to examine the concrete narrative means by which Sallust constructs his first monograph, the Catilina, as a history of decadence, attributing to this moralising conception of history the status of the central theme of a continuous narrative.
La función de los versos de cierre en Terencio Entre dramaturgia y pragmática
Authors: López Gregoris Rosario
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the constitutive elements of the epilogue in Terence’s comedies,

in order to analyze them from a dramaturgical and pragmatic perspective, and to establish its functions in the closing of the work. In comparison with Plautine epilogues, those of Terence show certain differences, which imply a radical change in the palliata, especially the striking absence of a transition space between the fiction of the work and the reality of the audience. In the achievement of these effective closings, Terence introduces an innovative element : to dramatize the end of play, instead of presenting it as a narration told by an actor.