bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF SULFATE ION ENVIRONMENT ON THE CEMENT MATRIX MODIFIED BY REDISPERSIBLE POLYMERS
Authors: KOVALENKO YURII , TOKARCHUK VOLODYMYR ,   National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, KOVALEKO SVITLANA ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (PWI)
Published: May 2023

Injection of sulfate ions into the cement matrix with water by wet spraying due to high moist in the environment is the reason of the deterioration acceleration and durability decrease with time. The effects of introduction of redispersible polymers (RP) and calcium formate on the increasing of the durability and decreasing of the deterioration effect caused by sulfate ions on the cement matrix were studied. Vinyl-acetate/versatate, vinyl-acrylic copolymer and calcium formate were mixed into nine separate cement mixtures at a concentration of additives 1 %, 3 % and 5 % respectively. Three different sulfate ion environment were sprayed through the fog environment at high moist concentration using a salt spray device “Salt Fog Chamber”. Test results showed that different additive in different sulfate environment has various affects both on the deceleration of the structure deterioration and the reduction of the strength of cement matrix. Vinyl-acetate/versatate and calcium formate in concentrations of 1% and 3% have high stability while maintaining strength at the level of exploitational properties of the matrix. While, vinyl-acrylic copolymer at 5 % has more resistance to strength loss after 168 days of withholding in an aggressive environment compared to 1 % and 3 %. Detailed observation of the structure formation of the cement matrix at 168 days shows formation that relate both to the hydrated cement minerals and complexes of organic salts. This formation allowed at the late age of the experiment to decrease the strength loss under intensive impact of SO42– migration through the matrix due to the encapsulating of cement minerals at early ages of hydration in polymer films with RP and active early formation of Ca(OH)2 for formate. This allowed the cement matrix to retain its shape for a long periods, become more stable, reduce the washing out of soluble cement components at early ages, and reduce the content of active Ca by bonding it into semisoluble compositions that cause the decreasing of the negative effect on cement matrix by SO42–.
APACHE WEB SERVER RESPONSE TIME OPTIMIZATION
Authors: LEMESHKO Andrii , ANTONENKO Аrtem , DOBROVOLSKYI Oleksii , ZAVADSKYI Viacheslav ,   State University of Telecommunications
Published: May 2023

This article explores approaches to online optimization of the Apache web server, focusing on the MaxClients parameter (which controls the maximum number of workers). Using both empirical and analytical methods, we show that MaxClients has a concave-upward effect on response time, and hence hill-climbing techniques can be used to determine the optimal value of MaxClients. We investigate two optimizers that use hill climbing—one based on Newton’s method and one based on fuzzy control. A third technique is a heuristic that exploits the relationship between bottleneck utilization and response time minimization. In all cases, online optimization reduces the response time by a factor of 10 or more compared to the static default value. The trade-offs between online schemes are as follows. Newton’s method is well known but does not provide consistent results for highly variable data such as response times. Fuzzy control is more reliable but converges slowly. The heuristic works well in our prototype system, but it can be difficult to generalize because it requires knowledge of resource bottlenecks and the ability to measure their use. This topic is relevant in the context of a rapidly growing number of web applications and high requirements for the performance and efficiency of web servers. This topic explores how to improve the speed and response time of the Apache web server using various techniques and settings, such as optimizing server settings, using caching, data compression, optimizing request routing, and more. The purpose of this research is to improve the performance and response speed of the Apache web server, which can be useful for developers and administrators of web applications and services. The speed and response time of web servers are critical factors in meeting user needs and achieving business goals for web applications and services. Apache is one of the most widely used web servers in the world, so optimizing the response time of the Apache server is an important task for many developers and administrators of web applications and services. This study will examine various approaches and techniques for optimizing the response time of the Apache web server, including configuring server parameters, using caching, data compression, optimizing request routing, and others. The results of the study can be useful for developers and administrators of web applications and services that deal with the use of the Apache web server. Optimizing Apache server response time can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of web applications and services, which in turn can lead to user satisfaction and business goals.
INTEGRATED RADIO SCANNING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Authors: VASYLKIVSKYI MYKOLA , HORODETSKA OKSANA , STALCHENKO OLEXANDER , BUDASH MYHAILO ,   Vinnytsia National Technical University
Published: May 2023

The article discusses ways to optimize the performance of information communication systems, which includes increasing spectral efficiency and reliability while minimizing delay and energy consumption due to the full integration of communication and scanning services. The functioning algorithm of the integrated scanning and communication system and the organization scheme of the communication mode using the scanning process based on the proposed generalized model of the integrated scanning and data transmission system are considered. Ways to improve the efficiency of telecommunication systems due to the joint use of communication and scanning tools with the best compromise between scanning characteristics and the bandwidth of the transmission channel are considered. Peculiarities of improving wireless communication systems with regard to high data transfer rates, low latency and wide connection possibilities are studied. In particular, access to other system functions, such as scanning/visualization and localization, is justified. Due to the considered innovative applications, the possibility of increasing the performance of the integrated wireless scanning and communication system (ISAC) is determined. The researched positioning process in 5G is proposed to be expanded due to additional detection functions, in particular with the use of new metrics such as accuracy and resolution. New KPIs in 6G networks are considered, replacing the KPI of positioning accuracy in 5G. As a result, key performance indicators based on different application scenarios are proposed, the accuracy of which should be from 1 to 10 cm, and the resolution should be up to 1 mm. The potential of the new ISAC technology was investigated, in particular, the features of the coexistence of communication and scanning modules in an integrated solution at the system level and methods of increasing the efficiency of coexistence at the system level were considered; justification of a positive result from an integrated system solution for communication and scanning services; advantages and disadvantages of existing communication and scanning systems with implemented integration at the system level. The obtained results of research on the integration of communication and scanning means, in particular: the analysis of the performance of generalized ISAC networks and the conclusions about the fundamental limits of performance obtained for a simple structure made it possible to determine the best compromise between the characteristics of scanning and the bandwidth of the communication channel, provided an opportunity to create practical schemes, which approximate a compromise of waveforms, coding tables, structures and protocols.
Characteristics of Ambient Air Pollutions in Delhi, India
Authors: Prasetya Tofan Agung Eka , Taufik Muhammad Rifki , Wardani Ratnaningtyas Wahyu Kusuma , Septiarini Tri Wijayanti , Rosanti Eka
Published: May 2023

Air pollution is characterised as the presence of one or more pollutants in the outdoor environment, such as dust, gases, mist, odour, smoke, or vapour. They are harmful to human, plant, or animal life or property or interfere with the healthy nature of life or property in specific amounts, characteristics, or periods. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of ambient air pollution through relations between determinants to each SO2, NO2, PM10, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) by applying linear regression. The data has been obtained from the official websites of the Indian government based on the real-time pollutant concentrations monitored by stations in an urban and resident areas from 2000 until 2015. The data consisted of eight (8) variables; SO2, NO2, PM10, and SPM as outcomes, month, year, area, and monitoring stations as determinants. The model showed that the month, year, monitoring station, and area were correlated to SO2, NO2, and PM10 concentration. Yet, in SPM concentration, month, year, the station was correlated. The area was not correlated to SPM. Investigation of other predictors was needed to gain information about the increasing air pollution on a global scale.
Diversity and Ecology of Non-diatomic Algae in the Middle Hilla River, Iraq
Authors: Kadhim Nuha Falih , Abd Al-Rezzaq Adi Jassim
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to investigate the non-diatomic algae community and some biodiversity indices in the Hilla River during the study period from October 2018 to July 2019 for three sites along the Hilla River. Physicochemical parameters of water quality assessment and the phytoplankton population is measured using a sedimentation technique identified mainly using some diagnostic sources. Where a total of (48) genera and (100) species were diagnosed, belonging to 5 classes as follows: Chlorophyceae (23 genera, 59 species), Cyanophyceae (16 genera, 30 species), Dinophyceae (4 genera and 4 species), Chrysophyceae (3 genera, 5 species) and Euglenophyceae (2 genera and 2 species). The highest and low values recorded for biodiversity were (1.9 and 2.9) at site 3 and 1, respectively, while the richness index ranged between 43 and 48, and the highest value for numerical Evenness Index was (0.77) at site 3 and the lowest values (0.51) at site 1 and 2, Simpson dominance index has recorded the highest value (0,272) at site 1 and 2 and the lowest values was (0.122) at site 3. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to estimate the relationship between environmental factors and algae, water temperature (water temp.) salinity, pH, chloride, and alkalinity were important factors influencing the distribution of phytoplankton community.
Microbial Simultaneous Eradication from Wastewater of Sulphate and Heavy Metals
Authors: Almuslamawy Haider A.J. , Aldhrub Ahmed Hussein Ali , Ahmed Saad Ali , Mouhamad Raghad S.
Published: May 2023

Hazardous materials, heavy metals, and organic toxins released into the environment have caused considerable harm to microbes, plants, animals, and humans. Wastewater is one of the most contaminated ecosystems due to heavy metals emitted mostly by human activity. Bioremediation of wastewater is an ecologically acceptable and cost-effective method of removing heavy metals from sewage; the general purpose of this study is to analyse the dependability of anaerobic sludge biomass in removing sulfur compounds and heavy metals from waste water. The anaerobic sludge biomass evaluated in this work was taken from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Al-Rustumiya, Baghdad, and grown in the mineral medium for anaerobic growth. In serum bottles, batch metal removal tests were conducted concurrently with sulphate reduction. The biomass increased from the time of inoculation medium with 20 mg·L-1 (t = 0 day, MLVSS = 688 29 mg·L-1) to the 8th day, when it reached the highest value (MLVSS = 980 48 mg·L-1); more than 90% removal was observed for copper and nickel, almost 80% for lead and cadmium metals, and less than 80% removal for chrome and zinc. In addition, in the case of lead, copper, and nickel, sulphate removal was greater than 50%. Except zinc, all metals have the capacity to remove more than 60% of the COD.
Phytoremediation of Domestic Sewage in Constructed Wetland Integrated with Cultivation of Chlorella sp.: A Novel Technique for Remediation and Resource Recovery
Authors: Giri A.K. , Kumar Vishal , Kiran  , Vyas Vijay , Kumar Ashis , Gautam Dinesh
Published: May 2023

Domestic sewage-based constructed wetland (CW) showed that the effluent from CW-system contain enough plant nutrients and enhanced the growth of microalgae. Hence, a pilot CW system employing Typha latifolia in domestic sewage, integrated with the cultivation wild type Chlorella sp. was investigated. Phytoremediation at 48 hours of detention time caused significant changes in its physicochemical properties and the generated effluent was notably attractive for the cultivation of microalgae. The microalga was grown in 6 treatments: treated-mixotrophic (T1), treated-heterotrophic (T2), treated-autotrophic (T3), control-mixotrophic (T4), control-heterotrophic (T5) and control-autotrophic (T6) conditions for 8 days inside an incubator. The results suggested that phytoremediation effluents integrated with mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae, utilising both light and carbon sources could be the most efficient, environmentally safe, sustainable and novel technique for synergistic resource generation and bioremediation.
Composite Indices of the Color-Picture Version of Boston Naming Test Have Better Discriminatory Power: Reliability and Validity in a Chinese Sample with Diverse Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Li Dan , Yu Yue-Yi , Hu Nan , Zhang Min , Sun Fang-Ling , Liu Li , Fan Li-Mei , Ruan Shi-Shuang , Wang Fen , Rosa-Neto Pedro
Published: May 2023

Background:

The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is the most widely used measure to assess anomia. However, it has been criticized for failing to differentiate the underlying cognitive process of anomia.

Objective:

We validated the color-picture version of BNT (CP-BNT) in a sample with diverse neurodegenerative dementia diseases (NDDs). We also verified the differential ability of the composite indices of CP-BNT across NDDs groups.

Methods:

The present study included Alzheimer’s disease ( n = 132), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA, n = 53), non-svPPA ( n = 33), posterior cortical atrophy (PCA, n = 35), and normal controls ( n = 110). We evaluated psychometric properties of CP-BNT for the spontaneous naming (SN), the percentage of correct responses on semantic cuing and word recognition cuing (% SC, % WR). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to examine the discriminatory power of SN alone and the composite indices (SN, % SC, and % WR).

Results:

The CP-BNT had sufficient internal consistency, good convergent, divergent validity, and criterion validity. Different indices of CP-BNT demonstrated distinct cognitive underpinnings. Category fluency was the strongest predictor of SN (β= 0.46, p < 0.001). Auditory comprehension tests highly associated with % WR (Sentence comprehension: β= 0.22, p = 0.001; Word comprehension: β= 0.20, p = 0.001), whereas a lower visuospatial score predicted % SC (β= –0.2, p = 0.001). Composite indices had better predictability than the SN alone when differentiating between NDDs, especially for PCA versus non-svPPA (area under the curve increased from 63.9% to 81.2%).

Conclusion:

The CP-BNT is a highly linguistically relevant test with sufficient reliability and validity. Composite indices could provide more differential information beyond SN and should be used in clinical practice.
With Teeth, Broken, or Fixed: The Challenges of Linking Periodontitis, Neuroepidemiology, and Biomarkers of Disease
Authors: Noble James M. , Papapanou Panos N.
Published: May 2023

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory, bacterially-driven disease of the tooth-supporting tissues that shares several risk factors and elements of host response with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Epidemiological studies have identified relatively consistent associations between adverse oral health conditions and ADRD. In this issue of the journal, a large study from the UK Biobank further explores these relationships along with MRI cognitive biomarkers. Despite its strength due to the large sample size, challenges in the study of periodontitis and neuroepidemiology markers include potential sampling bias, appropriate assessment of exposures, and the possibility of reverse causality.
Sleep Dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease: Impacts of Current Medications and Prospects for Treatment
Authors: Owen Natalia E. , Barker Roger A. , Voysey Zanna J.
Published: May 2023

Sleep dysfunction is highly prevalent in Huntington’s disease (HD). Increasing evidence suggests that such dysfunction not only impairs quality of life and exacerbates symptoms but may even accelerate the underlying disease process. Despite this, current HD treatment approaches neither consider the impact of commonly used medications on sleep, nor directly tackle sleep dysfunction. In this review, we discuss approaches to these two areas, evaluating not only literature from clinical studies in HD, but also that from parallel neurodegenerative conditions and preclinical models of HD. We conclude by summarizing a hierarchical framework of current medications with regard to their impact on sleep, and by outlining key emerging sleep therapies.
Security-aware resource management approaches in software defined networks: Comprehensive analysis, opportunities and challenges
Authors: Norouzi Monire , Gürkaş-Aydın Zeynep , Ergen Sefer , Şerif Bakır Mehmet
Published: May 2023

Today, with the fast growth of emerging technologies and applying numerous advantages of 5G communications, there is a critical gap between the supporting security of data transmission and resource management of Software Defined Networks (SDN). To provide a secure communication perspective for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart applications, network slicing in resource management is currently an important issue and is widely studied for the SDN. Due to the importance of security-aware resource management in several aspects of the SDN, this research aims to represent a new comprehensive review of existing technical classification and deep-detailed categorization of resource management approaches for SDN communications in the IoT environments. Based on each category, a technical taxonomy is presented to show a variety of security-aware platforms that include resource allocation, service composition, task scheduling, and service offloading in the IoT environments. According to the main state-of-the-art discussed comprehensive technical review, some important evaluation factors, main methodologies, advantages, and disadvantages of each case study are elaborated. Finally, some important new research directions and open challenges are presented for future scientific efforts.
LCNNet: Light-weight convolutional neural networks for understanding the highly congested scenes
Authors: Wang Renjie , Tan Fei , Yang Kunlong , Hao Yuwen , Li Fengguo , Yu Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2023

With the development of convolutional neural networks, many improved algorithms have been successively proposed to promote the accuracy of dense crowd counting. However, these algorithms are deployed with expensive computing resources, which is unbearable for small devices such as embedded systems with limited computing resources. To realize the real-time counting on the small devices, it is of great significance how to trade off the computation cost and processing accuracy of the dense crowd-counting algorithm. Thus, we propose a lightweight dense crowd-counting algorithm (LCNNet) to improve this issue. Specifically, the proposed LCNNet consists of two subnetworks, a feature extraction subnetwork, and a regression subnetwork, with a bottleneck depth-separable convolution with a residuals module as the basic module. The LCNNet effectively improves computational efficiency and reduces the computational cost, which can be performed on small devices. Extensive evaluations on four benchmark datasets well demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LCNNet for dense crowd-counting models. Meanwhile, the proposed LCNNet can maintain a comparable level of computational accuracy and computational cost on Vehicle counting datasets.
Stripping path optimization decision-making of non-performing asset based on integration methods of SUMDII, fuzzy rough sets and PP
Authors: Qiao Lin , Fan Lijun , He Yao , Zhou Yan
Published: May 2023

Aiming at the problem that manufacturing enterprises that rely more on asset projects currently lack effective means of divestiture of non performing assets, starting from incomplete information theory, this paper derives an optimal decision-making model for the divestiture path of non performing assets caused by the quality and safety crisis of manufacturing enterprises in an incomplete information environment, and uses the comprehensive method of SUMDII to establish a comprehensive integrated optimization model that reflects subjective evaluation and objective information. In addition, this study provides specific decision-making methods and implementation steps for optimizing the stripping path of non-performing assets. The empirical analysis results verify and demonstrate the feasibility, operability, accuracy, and applicability of the established model. The results show that the model designed in the study exhibits strong stability in sensitivity testing. When the parameter vectors are taken as (1,0,0,0), (1,1,0,0), (1,1,0,0), and (1,1,1,1), respectively, the ranking results corresponding to the first three parameter vectors are stable, all of which are A2 > A4 > A1 > A3. At the same time, the applied decision-making result of the model is A4 > A1 > A2 > A3, which is consistent with the best scheme evaluated by experts and superior to most comparative models. At the same time, in the analysis of decision-making characteristics, the research and design model has the most comprehensive review of decision-making elements, which is superior to other comparative models. It can be seen that the model designed by the research can lead to higher quality NPL divestiture schemes, which can help manufacturing enterprises improve asset quality and weaken the negative impact of the quality and safety crisis in manufacturing enterprises.
New structures for uninorms on bounded lattices1
Authors: Xiu Zhen-Yu , Jiang Yu-Xiu
Published: May 2023

In this article, we present new methods for constructing uninorms on bounded lattices under the additional constraints and prove that some of these constraints are sufficient and necessary for the uninorms. Moreover, some illustrative examples for the construction of uninorms are provided. At last, we show that the additional constraints on t-norms (t-conorms) and t-subnorms (t-subconorms) of some uninorms in the literature are exactly sufficient and necessary.
Pamrevlumab, a Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Connective Tissue Growth Factor, for Non-Ambulatory Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Connolly Anne M. , Zaidman Craig M. , Brandsema John F. , Phan Han C. , Tian Cuixia , Zhang Xueping , Li Jack , Eisner Mark D. , Carrier Ewa
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disease stemming from dystrophin gene mutations. Lack of dystrophin leads to progressive muscle damage and replacement of muscle with fibrotic and adipose tissue. Pamrevlumab (FG-3019), a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), is in Phase III development for treatment of DMD and other diseases.

METHODS:

MISSION (Study 079; NCT02606136) was an open-label, Phase II, single-arm trial of pamrevlumab in 21 non-ambulatory patients with DMD (aged≥12 years, receiving corticosteroids) who received 35-mg/kg intravenous infusions every 2 weeks for 2 years. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (ppFVC). Secondary endpoints included other pulmonary function tests, upper limb function and strength assessments, and changes in upper arm fat and fibrosis scores on magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS:

Fifteen patients completed the trial. Annual change from baseline (SE) in ppFVC was –4.2 (0.7) (95% CI –5.5, –2.8). Rate of decline in ppFVC in pamrevlumab-treated patients was slower than observed in historical published trials of non-ambulatory patients. MISSION participants experienced slower-than-anticipated muscle function declines compared with natural history and historical published trials of non-ambulatory patients with DMD. Pamrevlumab was well-tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate, and none led to study discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS:

nti-CTGF therapy with pamrevlumab represents a potential treatment for DMD. The lack of internal control group limits the results.
Sex Differences in Brain Structure in de novo Parkinson’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study
Authors: Li Hui , Jia Xuejia , Chen Min , Jia Xiuqin , Yang Qi
Published: May 2023

Background:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) varies in occurrence, presentation, and severity between males and females. However, the sex effects on the patterns of brain structure, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, are still unclear.

Objective:

We aimed to compare sex differences in brain features cross-sectionally and longitudinally using grey matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness in a large sample of newly diagnosed drug-naive PD patients.

Methods:

Cognitive assessments and structural MR images of 262 PD patients (171 males) and 113 healthy controls (68 males) were selected from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative. Of these, 97 PD patients (66 males) completed 12- and 24-month follow-up examinations. After regressing out the expected effects of age and sex, brain maps of GMV and cortical thickness were compared using two-sample t tests cross-sectionally and were compared using repeated measurement analyses of variance longitudinally.

Results:

At baseline, male PD patients exhibited a greater extent of brain atrophy and cortical thickness reduction than females, which mainly occurred in the cerebellum, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe. At follow-up, female and male PD patients showed similar dynamics of disease progression, as both groups declined over time while the females maintained the advantage. The cortical thickness of the right precentral gyrus at baseline was negatively associated with the longitudinal changes of motor function in male PD patients.

Conclusion:

The current findings might demonstrate sex effect in neuroanatomy during the course of PD, provide new insights into the neurodegenerative process, and facilitate the development of more effective sex-specific therapeutic strategies.
Substituting some unassisted practice with robotic guidance: Assessing the feasibility of auditory-cued mixed practice for music-based interventions
Authors: Mostofinejad Amin , Goodman Rachel , Loria Tristan , Thaut Michael , Tremblay Luc
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND: There is equivocal evidence regarding the effectiveness of robotic guidance on the (re)learning of voluntary motor skills. Robotic guidance can improve the performance of continuous/ tracking skills, although being seldom more effective than unassisted practice alone. However, most of the previous studies employed robotic guidance on all intervention trials. Recently, we showed that mixing robotic guidance with unassisted practice (i.e., mixed practice) can significantly improve the learning of a golf putting task. Yet, these mixed practice studies involved self-paced movements in a standing posture, thus less applicable to rehabilitation contexts. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to investigate the influence of mixed practice on the timing accuracy of an upper-limb, rhythmic, sequential task. The goal was to assess the feasibility of integrating mixed practice with music-based interventions. METHODS: Two groups of participants performed circle-drawing sequences in synchrony with rhythmic auditory signals. They completed a pre-test and an acquisition phase, followed by immediate retention and transfer tests. One group received robotic guidance on 50% of the acquisition trials (i.e., mixed practice), whereas another group always practiced unassisted. The pre-test, retention, and transfer tests were performed unassisted. RESULTS: Both groups significantly improved their timing accuracy and precision between the pre-test and the retention test. CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence that mixed practice can facilitate the (re)learning of voluntary actions, especially with the type of externally paced upper-limb movements employed in music-based interventions.
Astronauts eye-head coordination dysfunction over the course of twenty space shuttle flights
Authors: Kolev Ognyan I. , Clement Gilles , Reschke Millard F.
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND: Coordination of motor activity is adapted to Earth’s gravity (1 g). However, during space flight the gravity level changes from Earth gravity to hypergravity during launch, and to microgravity (0 g) in orbit. This transition between gravity levels may alter the coordination between eye and head movements in gaze performance. OBJECTIVE: We explored how weightlessness during space flight altered the astronauts’ eye-head coordination (EHC) with respect to flight day and target eccentricity. METHODS: Thirty-four astronauts of 20 Space Shuttle missions had to acquire visual targets with angular offsets of 20°, 30°, and 49°. RESULTS: Measurements of eye, head, and gaze positions collected before and during flight days 1 to 15 indicated changes during target acquisition that varied as a function of flight days and target eccentricity. CONCLUSIONS: The in-flight alterations in EHC were presumably the result of a combination of several factors, including a transfer from allocentric to egocentric reference for spatial orientation in absence of a gravitational reference, the generation of slower head movements to attenuate motion sickness, and a decrease in smooth pursuit and vestibulo-ocular reflex performance. These results confirm that humans have several strategies for gaze behavior, between which they switch depending on the environmental conditions.
FLICM clustering with matrix factorization based course recommendation in an E-learning platform
Authors: Madhavi A. , Nagesh A. , Govardhan A.
Published: May 2023

Technology-enabled learning has progressively grown for research areas with wide application of information and communication technologies for numerous standard-compliant Learning and Open Educational Resources. This provides formidable support to users for the selection of courses when they want to develop the course with available learning materials. But selecting a course via searching learning objects is an inherently complex operation having various repositories. In an E-learning Platform, many complexities arise due to various software tools and specification formats that hinder the success of the course. In this paper, many obstacles in the E-learning platform are eradicated by utilizing Fuzzy Local Information C-Means (FLICM) clustering with matrix factorization for the selection of courses. The dataset utilized in this work is E-Khool review data, from which an agglomerative matrix is generated. Here, the agglomerative matrix consists of the learner series matrix and course series matrix along with their binary matrix. After this process, course grouping is carried out by FLICM clustering with matrix factorization. Moreover, group course bilevel matching, followed by relevant learner retrieval and group user is done by Minkowski and Chebyshev distance. From this learner’s preferred course is retrieved and then a recommendation using matrix factorization is carried out. Finally, the course is recommended for the user based on maximum rating. Furthermore, the performance of developed FLICM_matrix factorization is achieved by performance metrics, like precision, recall, and f-measure with values 0.915, 0.850, and 0.882, accordingly.
Mixed quantum-classical simulations of intersystem crossing in the exit channel and vibrational adaptive sampling configuration interaction
Authors:   , Lesko Emrah Ethan
Published: May 2023

A computational study using mixed quantum-classical surface hopping simulations was performed for the reaction of O(3P) with dimethylamine and trimethylamine. These reactions produce an OH radical and while the OH radical is in the exit channel of the reaction, the triplet excited electronic state can undergo a transition via intersystem crossing (ISC) to a singlet state. This occurs near the point where the potential energy curves for the two excited states cross due to spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The simulations used the trajectory surface-hopping method to model these ISC processes. These simulations were performed utilizing the SHARC code and methodology, which can include arbitrary couplings between the Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surfaces (PES). The calculations on these systems were performed with the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set and the CAM-B3LYP exchange-correlation functional. We computed the ratio of tripletto- singlet states within the exit channel as a function of time to obtain the triplet-to-singlet crossing rate. For both systems significant ISC from the triplet surface to the singlet surface is observed, which provides further evidence that ISC can occur in the exit channel for these systems.
The Latter Days and the Time of the End in the Book of Daniel
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Pfandl Gerhard
Published: May 2023

This study attempts to investigate the two temporal expressions be'aharit hayyamim (the latter days) and cet qes (the time of the end) in the book of Daniel. Its main objective is to determine the precise meanings ofthese phrases and the relationship between them. Chapter 1 presents an historical review of literature on the expression "the latter days" and "the time of the end." The four major schools of interpretation (Historical-critical, Preterist, Historicist, Futurist-dispensational) and their understanding of these phrases are outlined and the great divergence of opinions among scholars concerning them is noted. Furthermore, the issues and problems which this study addresses are pointed out. The investigation of the phrase "the latter days" in chapter 2 shows that only in the Akkadian literature do we find any parallel phrases to be'aharit hayyamim. However, the Akkadian phrases ana ahrat ume and ina arkat ume never appear in a religious context and lack an eschatological meaning. In the OT be'aharit hayyamim can refer to various periods in thehistory of Israel some of which are eschatological, e.g., Deut 4:30; Jer 23:20; 30:24, and others which are not, e.g., Deut 31:29; Jer 48:47; 49:39. In the book of Daniel the expressions be'aharit hayyamim (10:14) and be'aharit yomayya' (2:28) are equivalent. Both phrases refer to the future which began in the time of Daniel and which reaches down to the time of the Messianic kingdom. The investigation in chapter 3 indicates that the words cet and qes by themselves can have an eschatological meaning, e.g., cet in Jer 3:17; 8:1-8; 18:23; 33:15 and qes in Amos 8:2; Lam 4:18; and Ezek 7:2,3,6. The phrase cet qes or a cognate equivalent does not appear anywhere in the ancient Semitic literature outside of the book of Daniel. It is an apocalyptic terminus technicus found five times in the latter half of the book of Daniel (8:17; 11:35,40; 12:4,9) and always refers to the apocalyptic end of world history, the final period of time leading up to the absolute End. The final chapter presents an overall summary and presents certain conclusions concerning the two phrases "the latter days" and "the time of the end" and their interrelationship.
The Definition and Function of Markan Intercalation as Illustrated in a Narrative Analysis of Six Passages
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Shepherd Tom
Published: May 2023

Intercalation of stories is a stylistic feature of the Gospel of Mark which has been recognized in scholarly research since the early twentieth century. However, two problems have not been satisfactorily solved in relation to intercalation in Mark. The first is obtaining a focused definition of this storytelling pattern. The second is to explain its function in the Markan story. The purpose of the current research was to resolve these two questions by a narrative analysis of six passages commonly accepted as illustrating intercalation. The six passages are Mark 3:20-35; 5:21-43; 6;7-32; 11:12-25; 14:1-11; and 14:53-72. These passages were each analyzed with respect to common categories of narrative analysis--settings, characters, actions and plot, time, narrator and implied reader, and stylistic features. The data generated by this analysis were presented and common features of all of the intercalations were noted. A series of narrative characteristics which all the intercalations share was established, leading to a narrative definition of intercalation. The Evangelist has brought two stories together in intercalation, while maintaining their separateness. It was established that the purpose, or function, of this pattern was to create a dramatized irony between two or more characters and their actions in the separate stories. The ironies produced by this pattern speak to major theological themes in Mark, especially Christology and discipleship.
The Background, Formation, Development, and Presentation of Ellen White's Concept of Forgiveness From Her Childhood to 1864
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Bissell Ronald
Published: May 2023

Problem. Ellen White's early writings reveal a pronounced emphasis on sanctification and holiness. They do not set forth a clear and comprehensive presentation of her concept of forgiveness. The purpose of this study is to explicate her concept of forgiveness as presented in her writings to 1864 in the light of the background, formation, and early development of her religious views. Method. Ellen White wrote little about forgiveness during her early years. Her concept of forgiveness can best be deduced from inferences found in her writings. Examination of factors that contributed to her religious thought is carried forward by means of documentary and historical research and analysis. Comparative analysis is used to examine similarities and differences between religious concepts presented in her writings and the religious opinions prominent in her religious environment. Findings. Ellen White was reared in a devout Methodist home. During the early 1840s she became involved with the Millerite Adventist movement. In 1846 she accepted the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath. Methodism, Adventism, and Sabbatarianism (to a lesser extent) appear to have been the primary conceptual factors which influenced her early views concerning the need for forgiveness, the availability of forgiveness, the functions of Christ in forgiveness, the conditions for forgiveness, and the assurance of forgiveness. Conclusions. While Ellen White retained many religious perceptions gained during her childhood and youth as a Methodist, some views were abandoned and others were added. Many of her earliest views were modified and reset in a new theological framework shaped largely by her Adventist eschatological perspective. Her concept of forgiveness appears to have developed from her own unique synthesis of soteriological and eschatological concepts derived from Methodism, Adventism, her study of the Scriptures, and other less identifiable sources. This synthesis was substantially influenced by religious "visions" which she received. Ellen White believed that human beings are sinful by nature and that they can only be forgiven and saved through the blood of Christ. She believed that salvation consists of both justification and sanctification. While she placed a pronounced emphasis on holiness, she consistently presented a theology of grace rather than human achievement.
Effects of Adventist Engaged Encounter on Role Expectations and Growth in Premarital Relations
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Jeffrey Brown
Published: May 2023

Problem. There is a growing concern in present society over what have come to be known as 'family values.' At the heart of these values lies marriage, and the erosion of this ancient institution has caused practitioners and researchers alike to focus on possible opportunities afforded by premarital intervention. With the proliferation of enrichment programs, there is a need in the church for an evaluation of Adventist Engaged Encounter (AEE), the largest group premarital intervention program in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, especially as it relates to two of its primary foci: role expectations and growth. Method. Demographic details were obtained from 128 engaged persons, 99% of them Seventh-day Adventists. These persons also completed the Interpersonal Relationship Attitude Scale in the pretesting, with 80 persons completing data collection procedures at posttest. Of these, 57 were in the experimental group and 23 were in the control group. The SPSS MANOVA procedure, involving the two-sample t test, was the major statistical method employed to analyze the data. The.05 level was set as the significance criterion for the research. Findings. AEE is a very private and individualistic program and appears to attract those of Caucasian background, from above-average income brackets, and acquainted only a short period of time. While experimental couples expressed overall satisfaction with AEE, no significant difference over time was found between experimental and control group either in role relationship attitudes (companionship/traditional) or in growth attitudes. The experimental group recorded less realistic posttest scores, however, on the Relationship Expectations scale (realism/idealism), and this was statistically significant at p $\le$.019. Conclusions. This study supports a large body of research which has found no significant difference in engaged couples attending an enrichment experience. AEE would do well to focus upon those features that make it unique, namely its claim to have a strong biblical foundation, and be more discerning concerning the intrusion of unacknowledged humanistic theories incompatible with an overtly Christian, peculiarly Adventist theology of marriage and family living. The resulting premarital program could operate in a format conducive to other cultures, an untenable option under the present constraints of the Encounter movement.
A Cross-Cultural Study of the Collectivism-Individualism Paradigm: the Influence of Confucian Values on the Conflict-Handling Behavior of Male Graduate Business Students in Hong Kong and the United States
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Chiu Randy
Published: May 2023

Problem. The Collectivism-Individualism literature argues that there is a difference in the way that Americans and the Chinese handle conflict based on differences in culture. It is also speculated that these differences have been influenced by Confucian values. However, these positions have not been conclusively supported by empirical findings. Method. Both the Chinese Value Survey and Thomas and Kilmann's Management-of-Differences Exercise were administered to 124 U.S. White American graduate business students and 142 Hong Kong Chinese graduate business students. Three null hypotheses were formulated. These hypotheses stated that there is no linear combination of Integration, Human-heartedness, Confucian work dynamism, and Moral discipline that significantly discriminates between the two sample groups; that there is no linear combination of Competitiveness, Collaborativeness, Avoidance, and Accommodation that significantly discriminates between the two sample groups; and that there is no significant canonical correlation between Integration, Human-heartedness, Work dynamism, and Moral discipline and Avoidance, Accommodation, Competitiveness, and Collaborativeness. The data were analyzed by t-test, discriminant function analysis, and canonical regression analyses. Results. Hypothesis 1 was rejected because the Hong Kong Chinese male graduate business students were placed higher than the White American male graduate business students on Moral discipline. Hypothesis 2 was rejected because the Hong Kong Chinese subjects were placed higher than the U.S. White American subjects on Competitiveness, Accommodation, and Collaborativeness. Hypothesis 3 was rejected because those who scored higher on Moral discipline, Integration, and Confucian work dynamism tended to score higher on Avoidance and Accommodation. Conclusion. The results of the study indicated that the Hong Kong Chinese subjects were more collectivistic than the White American subjects and could have been influenced by Confucian values more than their White American counterparts. The Hong Kong subjects employed Avoidance, rather than Competitiveness and Collaborativeness, in conflict situations. Finally, the results implied that the people who were labelled as collectivists tended to avoid conflicts.
Kinetic Family Drawings of Chinese-American Children
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Chuah Verna
Published: May 2023

Problem. America is a country enriched with a diversity of cultural backgrounds. Information on Chinese-American children and their families is limited even though the Chinese are one of the main minority groups in America and increasingly more Chinese are migrating here. This study sought to use the Kinetic Family Drawing (KFD) as a tool to gain information about how Chinese-American children perceive themselves and their family relationships. Method. The KFD was administered to 146 Chinese-Americans from three schools in Northern California: one in Oakland Chinatown, one in San Francisco Chinatown, and one private suburban San Francisco school. The 71 Caucasian-American subjects were children from two private schools in nearby areas. Both sample groups were non-clinic children from grades 3 through 6. The data were analyzed qualitatively, descriptively, and quantitatively by t-tests and analysis of variance. Results. The KFD depicted the type of family that reflects Chinese culture. The overall communication level was low, and the mother was the most nurturing figure. Drawings depicting families doing things together or parents playing with children were rare. The most common mother and father actions were mother cooking and father reading the newspaper. The girls drew themselves most often doing homework, and the boys drew themselves playing ball. The findings showed that some of the traditional Chinese family values have been replaced by American values. The variables of place of birth, length of time lived in America, and language preference all have a relationship with the acculturation process for the Chinese-American children. The findings confirm that there were differences between the KFDs of the Chinese-American and Caucasian-American children. The Caucasian-American families were more interactive and communicative. Boys were most often drawn playing ball while girls were drawn reading and eating. Conclusions. The KFD reflects both the values of children and their culture and appears to be useful for cross-cultural comparisons. Chinese-Americans, though still holding some of the traditional cultural values, have assimilated the American culture. Recent immigrant families appear to be more traditional than families who have lived in the United States a longer period of time.