bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
About the character of deification of the Egyptian Queens of the New Kingdom
Authors: Bolshakov Vladimir A.
Published: October 2023

The article analyzes the character of deification of Queens of the New Kingdom on the basis of their official representation in Egyptian pictorial and textual evidence. In order to reveal the nature of the deification of Queens and the essence of their theological role as a whole, the article discusses specific methods and features of assimilation of Queens with the goddesses. (first of all, goddesses Hathor, Isis, Maat, Mut, Nekhbet) or goddess of the solar-Eye (Hathor/Tefnut). By “deification” the author means endowing a Queen with the features of a goddess, and two aspects of this phenomenon are distinguished: the deification of living and dead Queens. The focus of the present study is only the deification of living Queens. The author puts the trend to assimilate them with goddesses in close relationship with the evolution of the ideology of royal power and the so-called “solarization” of the image of the ruling king, which reached its maximal expression under Amenhotep III and Ramses II (the period of Akhenaten’s reign which deserves a special study was deliberately omitted). 
     The bulk of the evidence for this trend is provided by pictorial sources, and in particular, the individual iconography of Queens. The study of the selection of sources allows drawing a fundamental conclusion that there were undoubtedly various semantic parallels between the Queens and the principal goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon. Nevertheless, the assimilation of Queens with the goddesses, with some exceptions, did not reach a level of complete identification with the latter, and these parallels themselves were drawn mainly means of iconography, and not laudatory phraseology.
Falsifications as a source of myth-making in the historiography of Baron R.F. Ungern
Authors: Kuzmin Sergius
Published: October 2023

The article discusses different kinds of falsifications of documents, memoirs and artifacts as one of the sources of making mythologized narratives on the life and activity of Baron R.F. von Ungern-Sternberg (1886–1921), one of well-known warlords during the Civil War in Russia, who restored the independence of Outer Mongolia in the year 1921. Falsifications and hyperbolizations of events became important factors influencing the development of the historiography of Ungern. The most important cause of these falsifications and hyperbolizations was ideologization. Ideological and propagandistic clichés were broadly used by both sides, “red” and “white”, of the confrontation during the Civil War in Russia and the Bolsheviks-aided revolution of 1921 in Mongolia. Studies of documents, memoirs, mass media, scientific and popular publications revealed that these more or less similar labels were introduced into historical discourse mainly as a result of multiyear repetitions of the same ideological clichés. Examples of different kinds of falsifications are given. A number of items of phaleristics connected with the Asiatic Cavalry Division, commanded by R.F. Ungern, are the objects made after this division ceased to exist. Some texts claimed to be documents, related and/or written by R.F. Ungern, which were published in scientific journals, were demonstrated to be fakes. Some of these materials, indicated as documents from Russian state archives, were found to be really absent from these archives. It is concluded that the fact of publication of a document does not mean its authenticity. In some cases a document's published version may also contain falsifications
How Powerfully and Rapidly Are Developing Countries Catching Up with the Advanced Economies?
Authors: Meliantsev Vitalii A.
Published: October 2023

The article, based on a number of author’s calculations and models, shows that if in the advanced economies (AEs), despite their preservation of leading positions in modern technologies, due to the loss of their demographic dividend, deindustrialization and contraction in the rate of capital formation, there is a cascade slowdown in the growth rate of per capita GDP and total factor productivity (TFP), the situation in developing countries (DCs) is on the whole more optimistic.
Although (a) many DCS are experiencing acute social problems, (b) AEs are pursuing a policy of detainment of the growth of a number of DCs, they on the whole, thanks to the success of China, India, other, predominantly Asian DCs that have implemented pragmatic reforms and export-oriented industrialization, have made significant progress. 
In the last two decades DCs on the whole outperformed the AEs in terms of capital investment efficiency by 2.5 times, in average growth rates of industrial production and TFP - by five and two times, respectively. Their share in world GDP, which has risen by a factor of 1.5 to 3/5 over the past forty years, may, according to available forecasts, increase to ¾ by the middle of the century. In about three decades, the ratio of economic power of the countries of the East and the South and the countries of the West (in favor of the former) will quite possibly be approximately the same as it was in the planetary economy before the industrial revolution and colonial enslavement of the former by the latter.
Overseas ports of China: evolution, geography, investment structure.
Authors: Semenova Nelli K.
Published: October 2023

The beginning of the formation of a targeted process of using overseas Chinese port investments was stimulated by the new national policy of openness to the outside world, the strategy of "Going global". Over the past two decades, China's port industry and shipping have developed rapidly due to integration into the world economy, as well as the rapid development of China's own economy and foreign trade. Taking full advantage of the experience and advantages of building ports inland, China is promoting the improvement of port infrastructure in countries along the Maritime Silk Road, which contributes to the development of the port industry and the economy of the hinterland in the host country.
At present, China regards the 21st century Maritime Silk Road as a new concept and an important strategy for national development, establishing a new international economic and political order. Forms of cooperation with countries in terms of port construction are diverse and effective.
The article provides a periodization of the investment development of foreign port construction by Chinese capital, due to the influence of state policy and development strategies of the PRC. Although the current geographical structure of China's overseas port investment is highly decentralized, it covers the global shipping area and covers strategic maritime regions, straits and bays. The overseas port structure of China is analyzed in the article from the point of view of regional distribution by types of investment projects, the capital ratio of Chinese companies, ways and mechanisms of China's entry into foreign ports.
Calendar and astronomical knowledge of the inhabitants of the Yagnob river valley
Authors: Gulomshoev Silemonsho
Published: October 2023

In order to study the folk calendar and astronomical knowledge of the inhabitants of the Republic of Tajikistan, in summer 2022 an ethnographic expedition was conducted in the Yagnob river valley, where 26 informants from 10 villages were interviewed. In the 1970s, the Yaghnob people were resettled to the plain in the Zafarobod region and the Yaghnob valley became empty. Later, part of the inhabitants returned to their historical places of residence. The collected materials show that the returned population knows, on average, less than the residents of non-relocated villages.
Currently, the Yaghnobis celebrate four traditional calendar holidays. Nawruz is the most famous of them. The answers of the informants testify that in Yaghnob there was no single and fixed date for celebrating of Nawruz. Usually it was celebrated in the interval between March 17 and 21. The date was determined by by the onset by sunrise or sunset near conspicuous stones located on the mountain profile. The holidays of Dzhuft baroron (the first plowing), Sada (beginning of preparation for field work) and Mekhrgon (completion of the harvest) are much less well-known. The last two of mentioned holidays have recently received national status. However, residents most often remember Dzhuft baroron.
 
"Sitorai Hunuk" (Sirius, a cold star), "Parmi" (Pleiades), "Tarozu" (three stars of Orion's belt), as well as the Polaris Star, the constellations Ursa Minor and Ursa Major are the stars which the local population knows. The phenomena of the visibility of stars are associated with the events of everyday life until now.
Dzungar: religion and designation
Authors: Kitinov Baatr
Published: October 2023

The origin of the term ‘Dzungar’ (also known as ‘Jungar’, ‘Zhungar’, ‘Zünghar’, ‘Zungar’) has already received general consideration, but it is still not clear, which events contributed to the first use of the term, and what it could actually mean. Its etymology needs further study. The traditional version does not go beyond the definition of the Dzungars as the “left wing” of the military-administrative division of the Oirats, and claims that the term first appeared in the beginning of the 17th c. However, the main factors and reasons of its usage for the nation’s self-designation and state formation require further clarification. In present research we consider the religious factor of consolidation and self-identification of the Dzungars. The aim of the article is to determine the conditions, causes and time of the occurrence and sustaining of the name Dzungar. Our tasks include: 1) studying the influence of related events and processes, such as Oirats migration (from Western Mongolia and the Northern part of future Dzungaria to Siberian rivers); separation of the Elets; appearance of the Derbets and the rise of Choros clan; adoption of Buddhism and the role of Geluk lamas and Dzungar leaders in the actualization of the people names as Choros and Dzungars; 2) identification of the religious factor in the emergence of the Dzungars and its subsequent influence for Manchus’ policy towards them; 3) definition of the mechanism of the Dzungars’ self-identification and the etymology of the term.
CLASSIFICATION OF QING DYNASTY ALBUMS ON YUNNAN PROVINCE AND THEIR IMPORTANCE AS SOURCES ON SOUTHWESTERN CHINA
Authors: Zavidovskaya Ekaterina A.
Published: October 2023

Two hand-written albums on Yunnan from the collection of the Academic library of Saint Petersburg State University have been produced circa first half of the XIX century. The first album is “Illustrated descriptions of yi-barbarians of the South and the West of Yunnan” (Xyl. F-26, preface 1839, 44 illustrations, republished with commentary in 2020), the second album Xyl F-25 is without original cover, title and date, contains 73 maps of various administrative units of Yunnan province (prefectures, regions, counties). Yunnan albums may roughly be divided into two types: 1. Albums depicting ethnic groups similar to “the Miao Albums” characteristic of Guizhou province; 2. Albums containing maps of various administrative units of the province with textual descriptions on these units, with details on various peoples. Earlier versions of Yunnan albums contained descriptive data from no longer extant Ming period writings on the province, but number of the Yunnan ethnic groups mentioned on the albums increased from about 44 in mid-late XVIII century to over 100 by the second half of the XIX century, this rise in numbers is related to the publication of an extended version of “Bo Lin album” of 1818. Upon comparing descriptions from the Xyl F-25 album and official Yunnan gazetteers (Yunnan tongzhi, 1736 and 1835) we draw a conclusion that data from the gazetteers was not borrowed to this album, and its descriptions may be the original work of their unknown author. Album Xyl F-25 did not pursue a goal of providing detailed information on various peoples of Yunnan.
Ibrahim az-Zakzaky and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria
Authors: Andreeva Larisa
Published: October 2023

The article examines the history of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IDN), a Shiite religious organization founded by Ibrahim al-Zakzaki in Zaria in Northern Nigeria. IDM consider itself as an independent socio-political actor that does not recognize the legitimacy of the official government of the country. It is shown that the purpose of the IDN is to create a theocratic Islamic state in Nigeria. IDN is most active not only in the northern states of the country, but has also found supporters in neighboring countries – Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Burkina Faso, Ghana. The birth of the Movement and its rapid expansion coincided with the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the ideals of which were promoted by the leaders of the IDN. Over the more than 40-year history of its presence in Nigeria, this organization has been able to achieve a fairly broad support of the population, and the share of its members in the 2010’s was up to 17% of all Muslims in the country. Having originated in the university environment, IDN initially recruited representatives of the educated elite, dissatisfied with social injustice, government corruption and lack of ways of self-realization. Subsequently, by promoting the corresponding egalitarian ideals, IDM attracted broad segments of the population. This was facilitated by the experience of successful implementation of socially significant projects in rural areas. Financial and methodological support in the implementation of various IDN projects, including educational ones, was provided by Iran through various channels. The growing popularity of the Movement, coupled with its politicization, became the main reason for its ban by the Nigerian government. At the same time, the authorities, judging by such decisive steps, saw serious political risks in the existence of the IDM, perceived as an agent of foreign policy influence – in addition to the legal ban, it also used repressive tools to suppress this organization. Despite the efforts of the Nigerian authorities, the IDM continues its "underground" existence. The authors consider that the strategy chosen by the official authorities – control of the activities of foreign states in Nigeria and the repression of IDM members – turned out to be ineffective, and deradicalization and depoliticization of this organization is possible only through solving social problems.
The Bizerte question in Franco-Tunisian relations (1961-1963)
Authors: Voskresenskaya Anna
Published: October 2023

This article discusses the Franco-Tunisian relations during the "Bizerte crisis" in 1961. The conflict arose when France refused to withdraw from Bizerte, its largest military base in Tunisia, leading to a short but violent armed conflict. The status of the base became a major issue after Tunisia gained independence. The French government, due to its interest in maintaining troops in Tunisia because of the events in Algeria, delayed negotiations for the base's evacuation. Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba strongly opposed this policy, leading to further escalation of the conflict. Through analyzing foreign policy documents, the author examines the changes and priorities in the relations between France and Tunisia in the early 1960s. The article highlights the impact of the crisis on the future development of Franco-Tunisian relations. This publication aims to address the lack of works on this topic in national historiography and provide a comprehensive view of the French-Tunisian relations during the Bizerte crisis.
Hannah Arendt e a educação dos recém-chegados
Authors: Andrade de Campos João Pedro
Published: October 2023

Neste artigo, buscaremos refletir sobre como Hannah Arendt concebe um certo tipo de educação ao mesmo tempo conservadora e revolucionária. Este será, assim como a indicação de que pensar sobre a questão educacional das crianças e jovens diz respeito a uma crise mais geral na modernidade, um ponto de tensionamento rumo à hipótese segundo a qual é possível refletir sobre como inserir os imigrantes, refugiados ou apátridas em um local ao qual se dirigiram e que lhes é estranho. Para tanto, o fio condutor desta argumentação será o conceito de natalidade, pois consideramos ser a partir dele que Arendt evoca a radicalidade da qual todos os seres humanos são portadores, isto é, a potencialidade de começar algo novo. Assim, articulam-se os tensionamentos entre conservar um mundo que é precedente aos que lhe são recém-chegados, tanto as crianças como os migrantes, ao mesmo tempo em que estes adicionam algo de si mesmo neste mundo para os que ainda estão por vir.
A sociedade da informação e o niilismo do século XXI
Authors: Ferreira Gabriel Bonesi
Published: October 2023

Byung-Chul Han escreve sobre uma nova forma de niilismo que emerge principalmente a partir do século XXI na sociedade da informação. A partir disso, analiso como esse niilismo decorre da eliminação da verdade como critério orientativo individual e coletivo. Para Han, isso decorreria da emergência da informação como o novo critério de conhecimento, que se impõe como um dispositivo da sociedade atual por meio de sua grande produtibilidade rápida e quantitativa, voltada à aceleração, produção e exploração. Desse modo, as informações passam a assumir o lugar da verdade como narratividade, além de eliminar a diferença entre verdade e mentira, o que tem como principal consequência o abandono de modelos orientativos. Neste artigo, proponho apresentar as características do niilismo da sociedade da informação e classificá-lo, com base em referenciais teóricos de Deleuze sobre tema, como um niilismo ativo, posto que ao passo que nega os modelos de verdade conhecidos e existentes, tem uma postura e ação propositiva na produção de um novo modelo individual e social baseado no poder de afirmar.
A carga horária do ensino de filosofia no novo ensino médio
Authors: Francklin Adelino
Published: October 2023

A Lei nº 13.415/17, que instituiu o Novo Ensino Médio, classifica a Filosofia como estudos e práticas. Tal redação provoca a seguinte indagação:  A Filosofia está presente ou não na Formação Geral Básica como disciplina nas matrizes curriculares elaboradas pelas 27 Secretarias Estaduais de Educação? O objetivo geral da pesquisa é analisar o quantitativo de aulas semanais de Filosofia no Novo Ensino Médio nos diferentes estados brasileiros, levando em consideração o ensino nas Redes Públicas Estaduais de Ensino. Assume relevância pelo fato de que há uma necessidade de despertar na comunidade filosófica um movimento de luta pela mudança da redação do texto da Lei nº 13.415/17 de estudos e práticas para disciplina. A pesquisa é bibliográfica, documental e com abordagem qualitativa. Além das fontes bibliográficas atualizadas e do referencial teórico na área de ensino de Filosofia, foram consultadas as leis federais e documentos normativos que se relacionam com a temática. Para o levantamento de dados, foi consultado o site do Observatório Movimento pela Base, que conta com informações sobre a implementação do Novo Ensino Médio e da Base Nacional Comum Curricular, a exemplo das matrizes curriculares. Constatou-se que o terceiro ano do Novo Ensino Médio, que possivelmente será implementado no ano de 2024, é o que possui menor carga horária da disciplina de Filosofia semanalmente. No geral, a carga horária da disciplina de Filosofia foi reduzida em 13 estados, nas redes públicas estaduais de ensino.
O estatuto e o papel do intelectual em Benda e Sartre
Authors: Belo Renato
Published: October 2023

Esse artigo pretende explorar os temas do estatuto e da função do intelectual em dois autores significativos para a questão a partir do século XX: Julien Benda e Jean-Paul Sartre. Trata-se de revisitar as noções de autonomia e engajamento, fundamentais para uma compreensão comparativa entre os dois autores. O texto procura caracterizar de forma ampla o tipo de intelectual defendido por Benda no mesmo passo em que procura evidenciar a gênese e as condições de aparecimento do intelectual para Sartre. O Caso Dreyfus, momento histórico de surgimento do intelectual como o conhecemos, é revisitado a fim de estabelecermos um referencial concreto para as posições dos autores em discussão. A partir dos elementos levantados, procura-se argumentar no sentido das divergências entre Benda e Sartre sobre a natureza e o papel do intelectual, mas também propõe-se evidenciar o solo comum em que os dois autores parecem trafegar. O texto, ainda, aponta questões para se pensar o intelectual a partir das novas condições políticas e sociais na contemporaneidade.
Diameter of General Knödel Graphs
Authors: Musawi Seyed Reza , Nazari Esmaeil
Published: October 2023

The Knödel graph WΔ, n is a Δ-regular bipartite graph on n ≥ 2Δ vertices where n is an even integer. In this paper We obtain some results about the distances of two vertices in the Knödel graphs and by them, we prove that [Formula: see text], where Δ ≥ 2 and n ≥ (2Δ – 5)(2Δ – 2) + 4.
Impact of the MIND Diet on Cognition in Individuals with Dementia
Authors: Healy Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) plagues 6.5 million Americans 65+, yet treatments are lacking. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet has been developed to address the expansive impact of dementias on the general public. This systematic review evaluated the impact of the MIND diet on cognition in those with pathologies across the dementia spectrum.

Objective:

To evaluate the application of the MIND diet for prevention and/or treatment of dementia.

Methods:

PubMed was used to conduct a search using the MIND diet and terms related to cognition. Articles were excluded if they were published prior to 2018, studied a population without dementia or significant risk factors, or did not include those 65 + . The overall quality of each source was analyzed based on the cognitive test(s) used, the selection of subjects, and the sample size.

Results:

The search generated 33 papers, which yielded 11 articles after screening. Of these studies, one was conducted on those with mild cognitive impairment, one with AD, two with general dementia, and seven with at-risk individuals. All the studies found a positive correlation between adherence and some form of cognitive functioning, but results were mixed for specific cognitive domains.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that the MIND diet may be a useful long-term treatment option for those with various dementia pathologies. However, more research is needed on subjects with onset dementias. Additionally, there is a need for more research into the mechanisms behind the common comorbidities.
Optimization of MLVA loci combination using metaheuristic methods
Authors: Ng Grace Yee Lin , Ang Kim Loon , Tan Shing Chiang , Ong Chia Sui , Ngeow Yun Fong
Published: October 2023

Multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) utilizes short DNA repeat polymorphism in genomes, which is termed variable number tandem repeat (VNTR), to differentiate closely related organisms. One research challenge is to find an optimal set of VNTR to distinguish different members accurately. An intuitive method is to use an exhaustive search method. However, this method is not an efficient way to find optimal solutions from a dataset comprising many attributes (loci) due to the curse of dimensionality. In this study, metaheuristic methods are proposed to find an optimal set of loci combination. Basic genetic algorithm (BGA) and modified genetic algorithm (MGA) were proposed in our previous work for this purpose. However, they require prior knowledge from an experienced user to specify the minimum number of loci for achieving good results. To impose no such expertise requirement for parameter setting, a GA with Duplicates (GAD), which allows the inclusion of duplicated loci in a chromosome (potential solution) during the search process, is developed. The study also investigates the search performance of a hybrid metaheuristic method, namely quantum-inspired differential evolution (QDE). Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory Index (HGDI) is used to indicate the discriminatory power of a loci combination. Two Mycobacterium tuberculosis MLVA datasets obtained from a public portal and a local laboratory respectively, are used. The results obtained by using exhaustive search and metaheuristic methods are first compared, followed by a performance comparison among BGA, MGA, GAD, and QDE by a statistical approach. The best-performing GA method (i.e., GAD) and QDE are selected for a performance comparison with several recent metaheuristic methods using both MLVA datasets by a statistical approach. The statistical results show that both GAD and QDE could achieve higher HGDI than the recent methods using a small but informative set of loci combination.
Determination of multi-UAVs formation shape: Using a requirement satisfaction and spherical fuzzy ANP based TOPSIS approach
Authors: Zhang An , Li Minghao , Bi Wenhao
Published: October 2023

Multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (multi-UAVs) formation shape refers to the geometric shape when multi-UAVs fly in formation and describes their relative positions. It plays a necessary role in multi-UAVs collaboration to improve performance, avoid collision, and provide reference for control. This study aims to determine the most appropriate multi-UAVs formation shape in a specific mission to meet different and even conflicting requirements. The proposed approach introduces requirement satisfaction and spherical fuzzy analytic network process (SFANP) to improve the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). First, multi-UAVs capability criteria and their evaluation models are constructed. Next, performance data are transformed into requirement satisfaction of capability and unified into a same scale. Qualitative judgments are made and quantified based on spherical fuzzy sets and nonlinear transformation functions are developed for benefit, cost, and interval metrics. Then, SFANP is used to handle interrelationships among criteria and determine their global weights, which takes decision vagueness and hesitancy into account and extends decision-makers’ preference domain onto a spherical surface. Finally, alternative formation shapes are ranked by their distances to the positive and negative ideal solution according to the TOPSIS. Furthermore, a case study of 9 UAVs performing a search-attack mission is set up to illustrate the proposed approach, and a comparative analysis is conducted to verify the applicability and credibility.
Operator-based adaptive robust control for uncertain nonlinear systems by combining coprime factorization and fuzzy control method1
Authors: Li Mengyang , Wang Nan , Fu Zhumu , Tao Fazhan , Zhou Tao
Published: October 2023

In this paper, the robust stability of nonlinear system with unknown perturbation is considered combining operator-based right coprime factorization and fuzzy control method from the input-output view of point. In detail, fuzzy logic system is firstly combined with operator-based right coprime factorization method to study the uncertain nonlinear system. By using the operator-based fuzzy controller, the unknown perturbation is formulated, and a sufficient condition of guaranteeing robust stability is given by systematic calculation, which reduces difficulties in designing controller and calculating inverse of Bezout identity. Implications of the results related to former results are briefly compared and discussed. Finally, a simulation example is shown to confirm effectiveness of the proposed design scheme of this paper.
An integrated decision-making method for corporate culture influence evaluation with intuitionistic fuzzy multiple attribute group decision-making
Authors: Sun Peixi , Cui Tong , Qi Shixin
Published: October 2023

Corporate culture is an objective existence that arises with the rise and development of enterprises. It originates from enterprise practice and influences the behavior of employees. Whether it is intentional identification or unintentional avoidance, corporate culture is not a question of absence, but a question of quality; It’s not about non-existent issues, but about the magnitude of their influence. Therefore, building a corporate culture that conforms to the characteristics of the enterprise and is recognized by the majority of employees, continuously enhancing the influence of corporate culture, is a very important topic in the construction of corporate culture. The corporate culture influence evaluation is looked as the multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problem. The intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) are easy to depict the uncertain information during the corporate culture influence evaluation. Then, intuitionistic fuzzy Combined Compromise Solution (IF-CoCoSo) method is designed under IFSs. Furthermore, IF-CoCoSo is used to cope with the MAGDM. At last, an example is supplied for corporate culture influence evaluation to prove the practicability of the IF-CoCoSo method and some comparative analysis are conducted to verify the effectiveness of IF-CoCoSo method. Thus, the main objectives of this paper are outlined as follows: (1) the CRITIC method is used to obtain the weight information; (2) intuitionistic fuzzy Combined Compromise Solution (IF-CoCoSo) method is designed under IFSs; (3) IF-CoCoSo is used to cope with the MAGDM based on CRITIC weight information and Euclidean distance; (4) At last, an example is supplied for corporate culture influence evaluation to prove the practicability of the IF-CoCoSo method and some comparative analysis are conducted to show the effectiveness of IF-CoCoSo method.
Forecast stock price based on GRA-LoGo model of information filtering networks
Authors: Liu Qingyang , Yahyapour Ramin
Published: October 2023

The considerable fluctuation of the stock market caused by COVID-19 tends to have a tremendous and long-lasting adverse impact on the economy. In this work, we propose a novel methodology to investigate this impact on the Chinese medical stock market. We examine changes in the stock network structure using the Triangulated Maximally Filtered Graph (TMFG), which is computationally faster and more adaptable to enormous datasets. Additionally, we develop the LoGo model, which combines a local-global approach in its construction, to predict the stock prices of the Chinese medical stock market. In addition to traditional predictors, we incorporate daily new infected numbers as an additional predictor to reflect the impact of COVID-19. We select data from the 2019-2020 period and divide it into two datasets: one for the period during COVID-19 and another for the period before COVID-19. Firstly, we compute the grey correlation coefficients between stocks instead of standard correlation coefficients. We use these coefficients to build the TMFG, enabling us to identify which stocks played the leading roles. Subsequently, we choose six stocks to build the price prediction models. Compared with the LSTM and SVR models, the LoGo models demonstrates higher accuracy, achieving an average accuracy of 71.67 percent. Furthermore, the execution time of the Logo models is 200 times faster than that of the SVR models and 50 times faster than that of the LSTM models.
Extended TODIM technique based on TOPSIS for county preschool education resource allocation level evaluation under interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy sets
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Lu Chang-e , Cheng Zhihong , Wang Juan
Published: October 2023

Optimizing the allocation of preschool education resources and improving the efficiency of resource allocation is of great strategic significance for the universal and inclusive development of preschool education and the realization of “education for young children". In recent years, the shift from high-speed development to high-quality development of the social economy has significantly improved the balanced development level of China’s preschool education industry. However, preschool education remains the weakest link in China’s education system and the most unfavorable aspect of educational resource allocation. Problems such as shortage of preschool education resources, insufficient investment, uneven regional development, imbalanced supply and demand structure, low resource allocation efficiency, and “difficult to enter, expensive to enter” are still prominent. How to optimize resource allocation and improve resource utilization efficiency in the limited resources of preschool education is the key to achieving balanced, fair, coordinated, and high-quality development of preschool education. The county preschool education resource allocation level evaluation is MAGDM problems. Recently, the TODIM and TOPSIS technique was employed to cope with MAGDM issues. The interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy sets (IVPFSs) are employed as a tool for characterizing uncertain information during the county preschool education resource allocation level evaluation. In this manuscript, the interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy TODIM-TOPSIS (IVPF-TODIM-TOPSIS) technique is built to solve the MAGDM under IVPFSs. Finally, a numerical case study for county preschool education resource allocation level evaluation is given to validate the proposed technique. The main contribution of this paper is managed: (1) the TODIM and TOPSIS technique was extended to IVPFSs; (2) Information Entropy is employed to manage the weight values under IVPFSs. (3) the IVPF-TODIM-TOPSIS technique is founded to manage the MAGDM under IVPFSs; (4) Algorithm analysis for county preschool education resource allocation level evaluation and comparison analysis are constructed based on one numerical example to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the IVPF-TODIM-TOPSIS technique.
Enhanced EDAS technique for colleges business English teaching quality evaluation based on Euclid distance and cosine similarity measure
Authors: Yuan Yuan
Published: October 2023

With the development of national economy and the increase of foreign trade, Business English has become one of the most popular majors in universities. In order to cultivate business English talents for the national society and adapt to the requirements of the times, the innovation of English teaching concepts and the reform of teaching techniques are the only way for business English majors teaching in universities. The colleges business English teaching quality evaluation is considered as a multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM). In this paper, the EDAS technique is expanded to the single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNSs) and the single-valued neutrosophic number EDAS (SVNN-EDAS) technique based on Euclid distance and cosine similarity measure (CSM) is constructed to manage MAGDM. The CRITIC technique is employed to achieve the weight information based on Euclid distance and CSM technique under SVNSs. Finally, the colleges business English teaching quality evaluation is employed to demonstrate the SVNN-EDAS technique and some comparative analysis is employed to demonstrate the SVNN-EDAS. Thus, the main research contribution of this work is then constructed: (1) the CRITIC technique is built to get the attribute’s weight based on Euclid distance and CSM technique; (2) the SVNN-EDAS technique is constructed under SVNNs based on Euclid distance and CSM technique; (3) an example for colleges business English teaching quality evaluation is employed to verify SVNN-EDAS technique and several decision comparative analysis are employed to verify the SVNN-EDAS.
A novel three-value grid scheme and rescue path planning algorithm for building fire
Authors: Xu Le , Wang Jinghua , Kuang Ciwei , Xu Yong
Published: October 2023

The 0-1 grid method is commonly used to divide a fire building into fully passable and fully impassable areas. Firefighters are only able to perform rescue tasks in the fully passable areas. However, in an actual building fire environment, there are three types of areas: fully impassable areas (areas blocked by obstacles or with heavy smoke and fire), fully passable areas, and partially passable areas (areas without obstacles or fire, but with some smoke risk). Due to the urgency of rescue, firefighters can consider conducting rescue tasks in both fully passable and partially passable areas to save valuable rescue time. To address this issue, we propose a three-value grid method, which classifies the fire environment into fully impassable areas, fully passable areas, and partially passable areas, represented by 1, 0, and 0.5, respectively. Considering that the ACO algorithm is prone to local optimum, we propose an enhanced ant colony algorithm (EACO) to solve the fire rescue path planning problem. The EACO introduces an adaptive heuristic function, a new pheromone increment strategy, and a pheromone segmentation rule to predict the shortest rescue path in the fire environment. Moreover, the EACO takes into account both the path length and the risk to balance rescue effectiveness and safety. Experiments show that the EACO obtains the shortest rescue path, which demonstrates its strong path planning capability. The three-value grid method and the path planning algorithm take reasonable application requirements into account.
Application of focus theory of choice in large scale multi-criteria group decision making
Authors: Jiang Le , Liu Hongbin
Published: October 2023

Some risky multi-criteria group decision making problems include payoff and probability information. To deal with these problems, this study introduces a large scale multi-criteria group decision making model based on focus theory of choice. In this model, a group of experts’ linguistic evaluations on multiple criteria are first collected to form linguistic distributions. The positive foci of the linguistic distributions are computed and aggregated into the alternatives’ scores. It is noted that in this process the linguistic terms and probabilities are aggregated by using different rules. The positive foci of the alternatives’ scores are computed and the optimal alternative is selected. A pollution treatment evaluation problem is solved by using the proposed model, and simulation experiments and comparative analysis are given.
Pesticides and the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Convergent Pathways in the Pathogenesis of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kulcsarova Kristina , Bang Corinna , Berg Daniela , Schaeffer Eva
Published: October 2023

The increasing global burden of Parkinson’s disease (PD), termed the PD pandemic, is exceeding expectations related purely to population aging and is likely driven in part by lifestyle changes and environmental factors. Pesticides are well recognized risk factors for PD, supported by both epidemiological and experimental evidence, with multiple detrimental effects beyond dopaminergic neuron damage alone. The microbiome-gut-brain axis has gained much attention in recent years and is considered to be a significant contributor and driver of PD pathogenesis. In this narrative review, we first focus on how both pesticides and the microbiome may influence PD initiation and progression independently, describing pesticide-related central and peripheral neurotoxicity and microbiome-related local and systemic effects due to dysbiosis and microbial metabolites. We then depict the bidirectional interplay between pesticides and the microbiome in the context of PD, synthesizing current knowledge about pesticide-induced dysbiosis, microbiome-mediated alterations in pesticide availability, metabolism and toxicity, and complex systemic pesticide-microbiome-host interactions related to inflammatory and metabolic pathways, insulin resistance and other mechanisms. An overview of the unknowns follows, and the role of pesticide-microbiome interactions in the proposed body-/brain-first phenotypes of PD, the complexity of environmental exposures and gene-environment interactions is discussed. The final part deals with possible further steps for translation, consisting of recommendations on future pesticide use and research as well as an outline of promising preventive/therapeutic approaches targeted on strengthening or restoring a healthy gut microbiome, closing with a summary of current gaps and future perspectives in the field.
Assessing upper extremity-cognitive dual-task ability in neurological populations: A systematic review
Authors: Bachar Kirshenboim Yishai , Weitzer Tal , Rand Debbie
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND: Dual-task involves performing cognitive and motor tasks together, which requires executive functions that may be impaired in individuals with neurological conditions. Therefore, it is important to accurately assess executive functions to plan a therapeutic intervention. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the use of upper extremity-cognitive dual-task assessment and to describe variables correlated with dual-task ability. METHODS: An electronic search of databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was carried out using a combination of the following terms: upper-extremity, dual/concurrent task, and cognitive/motor tasks. Two reviewers independently completed data extraction and assessed study quality. RESULTS: 1,946 studies were identified; 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. The purpose of using an upper extremity-cognitive dual-task assessment varied between studies as well as the upper extremity motor tasks used: pegboard (N = 14), arm curl (N = 9), finger-tapping (N = 3), and reaching (N = 1) tests. Dual-task ability was reported as the motor-cognitive interference (N = 15) and as motor cost (N = 12). Dual-task ability was correlated to cognition, brain activity, and daily function, and was significantly different between healthy and neurological individuals. CONCLUSION: Upper extremity cognitive dual-task paradigm is gaining popularity in clinical research, but lacks standardized tools, testing procedures, and calculations. A structured assessment procedure is needed for clinical use and future research.
Implications of Large Class Size on Effective Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: Lecturers’ Perception
Authors: Ayanwoye Olubunmi Kayode
Published: October 2023

Large class sizes in Nigerian postsecondary institutions are a necessity due to the country’s population expansion and recent economic collapse. In almost all of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions today, the lecturer-to-student ratio exceeds the outlined guidelines. The circumstance must be addressed for enhanced student academic progress because it cannot be avoided. In order to find workable solutions to the issue, the study investigated the impact of large class sizes on teaching and learning at Nigerian academic institutions.

The study was guided by the theory of continuous improvement, and a non-experimental descriptive survey type was used with 2538 lecturers from the faculty of education and college of education who were purposefully and randomly chosen from state and federal government-owned institutions in southwestern Nigeria. In the study, a validated tool called the Large Class and Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (LCTAQ; r=0.93) was applied. The results of a study topic that was addressed and four hypotheses that were evaluated at a significance level of 0.05 using descriptive and inferential statistics revealed the detrimental impact of large class sizes on teaching and learning in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Additionally, lecturers’ perceptions were unaffected by differences in gender, qualifications, institutions, or years of experience.

The implications on students’ academic performance and methods for adhering to the lecturer-to-student ratio requirement were discussed. It was suggested, among other things, that the Nigerian government hire more teachers, build additional tertiary institutions with comparable infrastructures, and admit students based on the amount of space and amenities that are available.
Facilitating Outstanding Engineering Faculty Members in India through Training from Recruitment to Retirement
Authors: Vedhathiri Thanikachalam
Published: October 2023

Faculty Development Courses are required for all engineering faculty members from entry to exit to facilitate meritocracy. A critical review of the literature revealed that almost all researchers have focused their research on entry-level faculty members. Hence, this study focused on lifelong faculty development courses. The assessment was based on the feedback from 396 entry-level faculty members who were purposefully included in this research. The following are seven research parts: 1. Entry-level faculty development programs, 2. Getting recognized, 3. Middle-level faculty development programs, 4. Student personnel administration, 5. Senior-level faculty development programs, 6. Advanced-level faculty development programs, and 7.Radical innovations. This research provides a 360-degree assessment and creates a guide both for the educational administrators and faculty members to reach excellence. Learning is a lifelong process. The suggestions were validated through a set of institutions. The long-term process of faculty development from recruitment to retirement has been appreciated but it may take several years to implement. Limitation of this study has been indicated and suggestion for future research has also been indicated.
Analysis Of The Influence Of Islamic Banking Knowledge, Social Values, Religiousness, And Perceptions On Student Career Interest In Islamic Banking (Study Of Islamic Banking Study Program Students In Semarang City)
Authors: Afristina Rosana Dika , Asrori Muhammad , Sam'ani Sam'ani
Published: October 2023

This study aims to analyse the significance of Islamic banking knowledge, social values, religiosity, and perceptions of career interest of students of the Semarang City Islamic Banking Study Program in Islamic Banking both simultaneously and partially. The population in this study were students of the Islamic Banking Study Program in Semarang City. Using a sampling technique, namely purposive and accidental sampling, 100 respondents met the criteria. The data used in this study are primary data obtained through distributing questionnaires. The analysis model used in this study is a multiple linear regression analysis model. In contrast, the analysis technique uses the F statistical test, the coefficient of determination (R2) test, and the t statistical test, which is processed using the SPSS 25.00 program. The hypothesis proving and discussion results show that Islamic Banking Knowledge, Social Values, Religiosity, and Perceptions significantly affect student career interest in Islamic Banking. Sharia Banking Knowledge and Social Values partially have a positive effect but do not substantially affect student career interest in Islamic Banking. Religiosity partially has a positive and significant impact on student career interest in Islamic Banking. Perception partially has a positive and significant effect on students' career interest in Islamic Banking.