Annual Event Research Articles

Public Demonstrations in Bulgaria and the Faces of Bulgarian Activism Today: A Case Study of the 2022 Lukov March and a Counter-Demonstration Organised by Feminist Mobilisations

This article is a case study of the 2022 Lukov March and a counter-demonstration to this march. The Lukov March is an annual event organised in Sofia by the far-right Bulgarian National Union, and the so-called Anti-Lukov March is a counter-demonstration organised by, among others, the group called Feminist Mobilisations. The article is based on two years of research conducted while working on a co-authored master’s thesis, involving netnography, participant observation and narrative interviews with women who identify with feminist or far-right activism. The study aims to analyse both events and both groups in the context of performative activist actions in the urban space of Sofia, with a particular focus on the issue of the performative body and performance in social space. In our work, we use the method of critical discourse analysis and anthropological methods.

Artificial intelligence in biology and medicine, and radioprotection research: perspectives from Jerusalem.

While AI is widely used in biomedical research and medical practice, its use is constrained to few specific practical areas, e.g., radiomics. Participants of the workshop on "Artificial Intelligence in Biology and Medicine" (Jerusalem, Feb 14-15, 2023), both researchers and practitioners, aimed to build a holistic picture by exploring AI advancements, challenges and perspectives, as well as to suggest new fields for AI applications. Presentations showcased the potential of large language models (LLMs) in generating molecular structures, predicting protein-ligand interactions, and promoting democratization of AI development. Ethical concerns in medical decision making were also addressed. In biological applications, AI integration of multi-omics and clinical data elucidated the health relevant effects of low doses of ionizing radiation. Bayesian latent modeling identified statistical associations between unobserved variables. Medical applications highlighted liquid biopsy methods for non-invasive diagnostics, routine laboratory tests to identify overlooked illnesses, and AI's role in oral and maxillofacial imaging. Explainable AI and diverse image processing tools improved diagnostics, while text classification detected anorexic behavior in blog posts. The workshop fostered knowledge sharing, discussions, and emphasized the need for further AI development in radioprotection research in support of emerging public health issues. The organizers plan to continue the initiative as an annual event, promoting collaboration and addressing issues and perspectives in AI applications with a focus on low-dose radioprotection research. Researchers involved in radioprotection research and experts in relevant public policy domains are invited to explore the utility of AI in low-dose radiation research at the next workshop.

Half of Atlantic reef-building corals at elevated risk of extinction due to climate change and other threats.

Atlantic reef-building corals and coral reefs continue to experience extensive decline due to increased stressors related to climate change, disease, pollution, and numerous anthropogenic threats. To understand the impact of ocean warming and reef loss on the estimated extinction risk of shallow water Atlantic reef-building scleractinians and milleporids, all 85 valid species were reassessed under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, updating the previous Red List assessment of Atlantic corals published in 2008. For the present assessment, individual species declines were estimated based on the modeled coral cover loss (1989-2019) and projected onset of annual severe bleaching events (2020-2050) across the Atlantic. Species traits were used to scale species' relative vulnerability to the modeled cover declines and forecasted bleaching events. The updated assessments place 45.88%-54.12% of Atlantic shallow water corals at an elevated extinction risk compared to the previous assessments conducted in 2008 (15.19%-40.51%). However, coral cover loss estimates indicate an improvement in reef coverage compared to the historic time-series used for the 2008 assessments. Based on this, we infer that, although remaining dangerously high, the rate of Atlantic reef coral cover decline has surprisingly slowed in recent decades. However, based on modeled projections of sea-surface temperature that predict the onset of annual severe bleaching events within the next 30 years, we listed 26 (out of 85) species as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List. Each of these species had previously been listed under a lower threatened category and this result alone highlights the severe threat future bleaching events pose to coral survival and the reef ecosystems they support.

Application of Spatial Model the Contribution of Land Subsidence Caused by Palm Oil Plantations Land Clearing to the Escalating Flood Risk in the Trumon Area, South Aceh Regency, Indonesia

The Trumon watershed one of critical watershed in Aceh Province had an increase in historical flood episodes during the past 25 years. This is consistent with the expansion of oil palm plantations within the 53,653 Ha watershed basin dominated by peatlands. According to earlier research, changes in land use in peatland regions may cause subsidence. This research looks at the connection between flood events and the subsidence of ground caused by oil palm plantation land clearing. The satellite imagery interpretation reveals a remarkable land use change of previously 5091.25 Ha peatland forest observed in 1995, to become a 13,753.43 Ha palm oil plantation in 2021. From DEMs analysis, those changes are associated with a subsiding land elevation up to 1.23 m. Despite being less than 20% of the watershed area, the land subsidence effect striking change in the watershed boundary, i.e., from only 53,653 Ha to 786,675 Ha which led to an increase in flood inundation from 3,443.04 Ha to 47,924.92 Ha. and flood depth from 0.5 – 1.0 m, to up to 4.0 m. This current situation has made the Trumon area subjected to frequent floods, i.e., from a five-year return period to become an annual event.

Organizing an AORA Conference: Both Inspiring and Challenging!

Oraginzing AORA ((Academy Of Regional Anaesthesia, India ) conferences is inspiring! However, it is also a monumental challenge. This annual event, which is distinguished by its innovative approach, impeccable discipline, and epitome of professionalism, is much more than a collection of lectures, workshops, master classes and yes, the wars. It is a demonstration of unwavering dedication to the demands of anesthesiologists as well as a sign of AORA’s pride and unity. It ensured an exhaustive coverage of all branches and super-specialties within regional anesthesia.The conference meticulously incorporates two main tracks, including PNS (Peripheral Nerve Stimulation) and USG (Ultrasound Guidance) . Also delves into dedicated symposiums on subspecialties such as obstetric regional anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia, chronic pain, and more, However, despite the apparent precision and sophistication of its organization, numerous obstacles continue to exist. These encompass the following: • Ensuring economic feasibility while fostering genuine industry partnerships, • Adapting to the evolving landscape of medical education, and • Balancing the requirements of both faculty and delegates.

Message from General Chair

It is with great pleasure to be the General Chair of the 2023 Conference on Materials Science and Engineering (CoMSE 2023). This annual event was taken place on July 21-July 23, 2023 in Taizhou, China.Materials science and engineering remain at the forefront of technological advancements, driving innovation and progress across various industries. The CoMSE conference aims to bring together academicians, leading researchers, scientists, engineers, and industry professionals from around the world to exchange knowledge, present cutting-edge research findings, and discuss latest advancements in materials science and engineering.CoMSE 2023 features a diverse range of plenary sessions, parallel sessions covering a wide spectrum of topics in materials science and engineering. Participants take the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and gain insights from other scholars in their respective fields. The conference also provides a platform for young researchers, graduate students, and early-career professionals to present their work through oral and poster presentations, fostering an environment of learning, collaboration, and mentorship.Furthermore, the conference hosts renowned scientists and experts as keynote speakers, sharing their invaluable insights and experiences, such as Prof. Yunbo Chen from Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Prof. Qingyan Xu from TsinghuaUniversity, and Prof. Zidong Wang from University of Science and Technology Beijing. I sincerely acknowledge their expertise, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment playing an instrumental role in ensuring the successful outcome we have achieved.Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of the organizing committee, conference chairs, program committee, and the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to underpin the success of CoMSE 2023. Their dedication and contribution have been indispensable in shaping this conference into a significant event within the materials science and engineering community.As a platform for meaningful interactions and fruitful collaborations, I hope CoMSE 2023 will become a spring of inspiration in the future academic path of all attendees.Prof. Jinbin WangXiangtan University, ChinaGeneral Chair of CoMSE 2023List of Conference Organization CoMSE 2023 is available in this Pdf.

Vocal Fatigue Experiences and Mitigation Strategies in the Sacred Harp Singing Community

Sacred Harp singers sing at a high volume for sustained periods of time without collective warm-up or cool-down exercises, ostensibly putting them at elevated risk for vocal fatigue (VF) and associated vocal pathologies. Participants are also likely to lack formal vocal training. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess singers' experiences with VF, (2) document singers' strategies for mitigating VF, and (3) determine whether vocal training was associated with decreased vocal difficulties. Self-reporting via online questionnaire containing quantitative and qualitative items. This study employed an online questionnaire that combined demographic items, open-ended questions, and the Evaluation of the Ability to Sing Easily (EASE). Participants were recruited at one in-person event and via social media and a mailing list. This study returned 134 valid responses. Singers with formal choral experience scored lower on the EASE and two subscales, but length of experience had no impact. There were no correlations between vocal training and EASE scores. Women scored higher on the EASE than men and nonbinary individuals, while age, length of experience with Sacred Harp singing, and frequency of attendance at annual singing events were all negatively correlated with EASE score. Singers reported a wide range of mitigation strategies, most of which are unique to the Sacred Harp context. Sacred Harp singers do not appear to struggle more with VF than other populations of singers. However, a few characteristics of their practice put them at risk, and many singers would benefit from professional guidance concerning vocal health.

Memorials and shifting meanings of rural revolts in South Africa: the Mpondo rural revolts and insurgent scholarship

This article uses the case of the commemoration of the Mpondo Revolts and the massacre by the state of defenceless villagers in Mpondoland in 1960 to argue that the political elite engage in distortions of history for political gain. The ruling party elite have over time omitted or added narratives about the revolts, thus gradually marginalising their significance. Part of the distortion of the history of the revolts is the gradual attempt to change the conversation during the annual commemoration event of the revolts and the Ngquza Hill massacre. While local people continue to be disenfranchised from their land, ironically now by the post-apartheid government, politicians at the memorial event focus not on the issues that were the causes of the revolts, especially the struggles around land, but on apparent local needs, such as electrification, access to clean water and bringing revenue to the villages through tourism. However, memorialisation of historical events is prone to these contested histories and narratives because of the political and financial support of the government in power, institutionalising both tangible and intangible aspects of the history that is being memorialised. It is only through defiant or insurgent scholarship that more accurate versions of the history of events such as the Mpondo Revolts can help to maintain their significance.

An Exploratory Study of School Staff’s Motivation and Involvement in Relation to the Dubai Fitness Challenge

Purpose: Drawing from self-determination theory, this exploratory mixed-methods study investigated the motivation and involvement of school staff regarding Dubai 30 × 30, an annual event for all Dubai residents, including schools, where the aim is to be physically active for 30 min each day for 1 month. Method: A convenience sample of 18 physical education teachers, 20 classroom teachers, and two principals from three private international schools participated in surveys, focus groups, and interviews following the 2022 Dubai 30 × 30. Results: Both autonomous and controlled motives underlied staff’s involvement in Dubai 30 × 30, and motivation and involvement were significantly related. Themes highlighted physical education teachers’ leadership as well as synergies across staff, parents, and community partners that embodied the ethos of whole-of-school physical activity approaches. Secondary analyses found school size, school level, and teacher gender were significant factors in staff motivation and/or involvement. Discussion/Conclusion: This study provides initial evidence related to school-based implementation of Dubai 30 × 30 and adds to the international literature on whole-of-school physical activity.

Prognostic value of mid-term cardiovascular magnetic resonance follow-up in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe prognostic value of follow-up cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients is unclear. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of cardiac function, structure, and tissue characteristics at mid-term CMR follow-up. MethodsThe study population was a prospectively enrolled cohort of DCM patients who underwent guideline-directed medical therapy with baseline and follow-up CMR, which included measurement of biventricular volume and ejection fraction, late gadolinium enhancement, native T1, native T2, and extracellular volume. During follow-up, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, heart transplantation, and heart-failure readmission. ResultsAmong 235 DCM patients (median CMR interval: 15.3 months; interquartile range: 12.5–19.2 months), 54 (23.0%) experienced MACE during follow-up (median: 31.2 months; interquartile range: 20.8–50.0 months). In multivariable Cox regression, follow-up CMR models showed significantly superior predictive value than baseline CMR models. Stepwise multivariate Cox regression showed that follow-up left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.96; p < 0.001) and native T1 (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.01; p = 0.030) were independent predictors of MACE. Follow-up LVEF ≥ 40% or stable LVEF < 40% with T1 ≤ 1273 ms indicated low risk (annual event rate < 4%), while stable LVEF < 40% and T1 > 1273 ms or LVEF < 40% with deterioration indicated high risk (annual event rate > 15%). ConclusionsFollow-up CMR provided better risk stratification than baseline CMR. Improvements in the LVEF and T1 mapping are associated with a lower risk of MACE.

Analysis of marketing strategies in the context of revitalizing the tourist destination of Senggigi West Lombok

The purpose of this study is to analyze and identify marketing strategies for the revitalization of West Lombok’s Senggigi Tourism Destination. The research method used in this study is a mixed method between qualitative and quantitative. The strategy analysis pattern used in analyzing marketing strategies in the Framework for Revitalization of Senggigi Tourism Destinations is SWOT analysis. The findings of this research show that the main strengths for marketing Senggigi tourism are that “Accommodation and supporting facilities are readily available in Senggigi” and “The Senggigi tourism destination has several attractions, including beaches, hills, and forests.” The main weaknesses were “ Tourism management has not been optimal for all tourism objects in Senggigi” and “accessibility on public transportation is not adequate for tourists.” Based on the SWOT Matrix, there were alternative marketing strategies that could be implemented, such as “improving and making attractive promotions for tourists; managing and maintaining well the tourism object area as the destination main product, and adding interesting annual events as a valuable addition to the product.”

Daya Dukung Biofisik Sub Daerah Aliran Sungai Ciujung Hulu, Provinsi Banten

Landuse changes without soil and water conservation-based, especially in the upstream watershed, can drive erosion and degraded land. It affects watershed management. Flood, sedimentation, and discharge fluctuation downstream of Ciujung Watershed are the effect of the degraded land upstream. It affects biophysical carrying capacity. The carrying capacity of the watershed becomes the basis for consideration in the watershed management plan. The purpose of this research is to study the biophysical carrying capacity of the upstream Ciujung Sub-basin. Biophysical aspects of watershed include percentage of degraded land, percentage of vegetation, erosion index, runoff regime coefficient, annual runoff coefficient, sedimentation, flood events, and water use index. It was scored based on Indonesia Forestry Minister Regulation No. P.61/Menhut-II/2014. The result showed that degraded land percentage, erosion index, yearly runoff coefficient, sedimentation, and flood event were severe, vegetation belongs to the very bad category, and water use index were in a medium stage. The carrying capacity in Ciujung Hulu Watershed was in poor condition with a score total of 140,5.

조선·근대시기 연하장의 종류와 설날 인사 풍속연구

This paper studied the New Year's card(年賀狀, Yeonhajang), one of the representative customs of Lunar New Year. The New Year's card is a writing expression of New Year's blessings in accordance with a certain style, and it is a culture that contains the linguistic thinking of Koreans who consider the language itself to have divine power. The hajeon(賀箋) presented to the king from Jeongjo Harye(正朝賀禮) during the Joseon Dynasty can also be said to be a New Year's card of this era. First, how to write a hajeon is written in the order of (1)a story about nature and the season, (2)a content that praises the king, and (3)a concluding word that celebrates the new year. Documents posted by officials or low-ranking people to their superiors show a similar structure. In addition, sending a New Year's card appears to be a major annual event in the execution of public affairs. Next, the document life style and Lunar New Year holiday customs, which became common in the late Joseon Dynasty, were also dealt with lightly. In addition, the relatively common New Year's greeting customs, Seham(歲銜)and Munanbi (問安婢) were reviewed.&#x0D; The documents containing New Year's greetings in the next modern period focused on a collection of letters and practical book. In these popular books, it was confirmed that the pre-modern method continued to affect moderntimes. However, through the scope of sending and receiving letters, the expanded social network could be identified, and there were parts that could capture fragmentary but new changes in the times. The Lunar New Year custom that attracts attention in the modern period is the appearance of “Yeonhajang”. With the introduction of the postal system, the custom of sending greeting cards begins to revitalize. In addition, the New Year's greeting “謹賀新年(Happy New Year)” is also a new term that emerges in modern times. 謹賀新年 a short phrase used in Japanese 年賀狀, later flowed into Joseon and began to become popular as a phrase representing New Year's celebrations.

The topic of climate change in Polish media coverage on the example of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference

Climate change is one of the most critical global issues, engaging not just researchers and activists but also members of the power elite responsible for political decisions. A key annual event for discussing the challenges of climate change is the UN Climate Conference. Its 26th edition, held in Glasgow in 2021, received widespread coverage in both traditional and online media, earning the moniker “last chance summit.” This article presents a study on the media portrayal of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). Concept: The research focused on news published during the Conference in three primary TV news broadcasts (“News”, “Events”, “Facts”) and on the main pages of three internet news portals (Interia, Onet, WP). Results: The study found that COP26, while competing for media attention with other significant events (such as protests against anti-abortion laws and the migration crisis on the Polish-Belarusian border), was featured by all surveyed media organizations. Additionally, each TV news outlet, through actions like sending reporters to Glasgow, and each online portal, through initiatives like participating in Greenpeace-organized events, emphasized the conference’s importance.

Philosophy at Leisure: How Is Festivity Possible?

The article explores the conditions enabling the celebration within the context of philosophical, enlightening, and educational activities. The authors contemplate the role of leisure in human life, referencing Plato’s view of leisure as a prerequisite for philosophical discussion, Aristotle’s concept of intellectual leisure for the free citizen, Josef Pieper’s understanding of leisure as a means for personal and spiritual development, and Sebastian de Grazia’s perspective on the interconnection between leisure and creativity, culture, individual freedom, and society. It is argued that leisure as an intellectual activity has not become customary in society since Aristotle’s time and, in the modern world, the definition of this concept is confined merely to the realm of entertainment. This limitation necessitates the search for new forms of intellectual leisure that are relevant in the context of contemporary mass culture. The authors analyze the philosophical ball as a form of intellectual leisure, particularly focusing on the years of experience in organizing annual festive events by the family philosophical club “School of Socrates” at the Central House of Artists in Moscow. The external, attributive form of the philosophical ball is linked with Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of the carnivalization of culture: its spectacles, theatricality, the presence of masks and costumes, and the involvement of all participants in a unified action. The internal content of the philosophical ball is determined by philosophical concepts, historical figures, or artistic images relevant to the specific era and culture, facilitating the perception and discussion of the proposed philosophical ideas. The narrative is further enriched by a case study detailing the methodological orchestration of a philosophical ball themed around Russian Symbolism. The authors conclude that the philosophical ball, as a form of intellectual leisure, addresses epistemological tasks and serves enlightening and educational functions: it engenders an authentic milieu of philosophical festivity, nurturing the creative impetus of its participants and facilitating a profound and universally accessible experiential odyssey into the realms of worldview and cognition.

Cultural Tourist Attractions at The Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang City

Cultural tourism is one of the supporting or driving factors for the Indonesian tourism sector which plays quite an important role. Culture can be an attraction that can attract domestic and foreign tourists to learn about a culture in a particular area, one of which is the Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang City. The Cap Go Meh Festival has now become an annual event that has been seen by the eyes of the world since 2008 and was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) 2020 and then named as one of the best events in Indonesia's Top 10 in 2023. Through the Cap Go Meh Festival as a cultural attraction , apart from being an entertainment event, it is also a cultural communication tool that represents traditions, history, culture, and introduces the regional culture of a place. The research was conducted to determine the attractiveness of the Cap Go Meh Festival cultural tourism which will be held in 2023 using the qualitative descriptive method. The research subjects used key informants, namely the Deputy Chief Executive, Dayak Traditional Institution, and Participants of the 2023 Cap Go Meh Festival. The research results showed that the Cap Go Meh Festival met the criteria as an attraction that had aspects of uniqueness, beauty and value contained in it.

From smart to caring technologies – The development of a guideline for Caring Technology implementation in elderly care.

Summary: As a shift from 'smart' to 'caring' technologies is needed, which puts the end-user's care needs at the forefront, we developed the Caring Technology guideline which is an added value for caring technology implementation in healthcare organisations. &#x0D; Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the needs and expectations associated with the implementation of caring technologies in elderly care and use this information to inform the development of a Caring Technology guideline. The Caring Technology guideline (developed in the context of the Interreg 2Seas project ‘EMPOWERCARE’) provides an eight-step procedure, supported tools and best practices to support a care organisation in the implementation of technology, and takes the 8 ‘Caring Technology Principles’ (developed by the King Baudouin Foundation) as an ethical reference. &#x0D; Design: Questionnaires and online in-depth interviews were conducted with EMPOWERCARE partner organisations to investigate the current use and relevance of the Caring Technology Principles, important aspects to be considered for the Caring Technology guideline, the contribution of technology trials to the guideline and the influence of the region of technology implementation on the interpretation of the principles or technology implementation. To include perspectives on these topics from outside the EMPOWERCARE project, we organised an online EMPOWERCARE Annual Event workshop with both EMPOWERCARE partners and external organisations, and an online workshop with care organisations in Zeeland. Lastly, a focus group with EMPOWERCARE partner organisations was conducted to discuss the most relevant target group for the Caring Technology guideline and to collect feedback on the proposed process guidance.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: The region of technology implementation did not influence the use of principles or the implementation of technology. Participants currently focus on centralising end-users in healthcare technologies and on increasing digital literacy and technology acceptance for both end-users and the workforce. Principles such as quality assurance, democratic and participatory governance, and responsible innovation were less represented by the participants. Participants struggle with the theoretical aspect of the Caring Technology Principles. The reported challenges can be translated into the following tools in the Caring Technology guideline: a process guide, good practices and workshop formats. To this end, the Caring Technology guideline is an added value compared to existing initiatives. &#x0D; Conclusion: The present study elucidates the needs and expectations associated with technology implementation in elderly care. This input was used to inform the development of a Caring Technology guideline, based on the Caring Technology Principles. As there is, to our knowledge, no current initiative that is both based on guiding principles and provides a process guide for the practical implementation, the Caring Technology guideline that we propose is an added value for caring technology implementation in healthcare. Next steps include further testing and dissemination of the Caring Technology guideline. &#x0D;

The burden of recurrence acute pancreatitis and annual event rates are underestimated because of high rates of home self-management

Background/objectivesThe event-rate of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) in patient populations is critical for powering research studies. We hypothesize that some patients manage RAP attacks at home, reducing event rate estimations based on counting emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations only. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of home self-management of recurrent acute pancreatitis compared to ED visits and hospitalizations. MethodsAn anonymous 8-question survey was sent to 1825 individuals on an email list of individuals with a history of acute pancreatitis (AP) or chronic pancreatitis or interest in pancreatic diseases. Question were designed to identify subjects with RAP within the past 2 years and to subdivide patients based on having a chronic pain syndrome or not. ResultsAfter an initial email request and one reminder a total of 194 subjects responded with 98 RAP subjects suitable for analysis. Annual AP events included an average of 1.44 hospitalizations, 1.37 ED visits, 2.46 disrupted work/school/social engagements, and 3.95 pancreatitis-like pain attacks per year. Patients with RAP average 6.8 RAP events per year with 58.4 % managed at home. ConclusionsThe burden of disease in patients with RAP is significantly underestimated, especially for patients with chronic pain. Future studies should include measures to capture RAP events managed at home and utilize methods of documenting RAP events.

Exploring Modernity, Nurturing Tradition: The Pesantren Leaders' Journey in Japan

The COVID-19 pandemic, from early 2020, compelled rigorous border restrictions among nations. Travel between countries became virtually impossible to curb the virus's rampant spread. All plans involving face-to-face human interactions had to be abandoned except for essential pandemic-related activities. Consequently, the scheduled leaders' visits from Indonesian Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) to Japan during this period had to be withdrawn as well.This annual event, initiated in 2004 through collaboration between the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta and the Government of Japan, aims primarily to enhance understanding and cultivate friendship between Japan and Indonesia, particularly among the Muslim community. Over nearly two decades, this program facilitated the participation of 157 leaders (kiai and nyai) from diverse regions in Indonesia, enabling them to observe contemporary developments in Japanese society while exchanging insights into the characteristics of Indonesia's Muslim community with the local people. Domestically, this initiative also desired to strengthen networks among pesantrens.

Developing A Robot to Improve The Accuracy of Ring Retrieval and Throwing at The ABU Robocon Indonesia Robot Competition

This article outlines the creation and application of a technologically improved robot designed to amplify the precision and effectiveness of ring retrieval and projection tasks in the ABU Robocon Indonesia Robot Challenge. The ABU Robocon competition is an annual event that tasks teams with crafting robots capable of accomplishing specific assignments under a predetermined time limit. The ring retrieval and projection task, historically known for its precision requirements, has proven to be quite demanding. Our strategy entailed the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies into the robot's design, encompassing computer vision and machine learning algorithms, to augment its accuracy and performance. We equipped the robot with cameras and sensors for the detection and analysis of ring positions and orientations. Real-time decisions regarding the optimal approach for retrieving and accurately projecting the rings were made using machine learning models that had undergone training. The outcomes of our experiments reveal a marked enhancement in the robot's performance when compared to conventional methods. The tech-enhanced robot consistently exhibited a heightened success rate when performing ring retrieval and projection tasks. This development not only boosts the competitiveness of our robot in the ABU Robocon competition but also underscores the potential of advanced technologies in enhancing the performance of robotics systems when confronted with intricate tasks.