Modern Day Research Articles

A Brain-Controlled Quadruped Robot: A Proof-of-Concept Demonstration.

Coupling brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and robotic systems in the future can enable seamless personal assistant systems in everyday life, with the requests that can be performed in a discrete manner, using one's brain activity only. These types of systems might be of a particular interest for people with locked-in syndrome (LIS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) because they can benefit from communicating with robotic assistants using brain sensing interfaces. In this proof-of-concept work, we explored how a wireless and wearable BCI device can control a quadruped robot-Boston Dynamics' Spot. The device measures the user's electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) activity of the user from the electrodes embedded in the glasses' frame. The user responds to a series of questions with YES/NO answers by performing a brain-teaser activity of mental calculus. Each question-answer pair has a pre-configured set of actions for Spot. For instance, Spot was prompted to walk across a room, pick up an object, and retrieve it for the user (i.e., bring a bottle of water) when a sequence resolved to a YES response. Our system achieved at a success rate of 83.4%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first integration of wireless, non-visual-based BCI systems with Spot in the context of personal assistant use cases. While this BCI quadruped robot system is an early prototype, future iterations may embody friendly and intuitive cues similar to regular service dogs. As such, this project aims to pave a path towards future developments in modern day personal assistant robots powered by wireless and wearable BCI systems in everyday living conditions.

Development of a stacked hybrid Decision Tree model leveraging the NSL-KDD dataset

Intrusion detection in information technology as well as operational technology networks is highly required in modern day systems due to the increased spate of cyber-attacks in both number and complexity. Anomaly-based intrusion detection systems which have the capacity to detect novel or zero-day attacks are highly employed in this regard. One important component of anomaly-based intrusion detection systems which ensures their behaviour is artificial intelligence in general and machine learning in particular. The burden in modern day cybersecurity research is to investigate and develop models that can outperform existing ones. This paper is aimed at developing a hybrid decision tree model using the stacking ensemble approach. Performances were measured on the basis of recall, precision, accuracy, F1-score, receiver operating characteristics and confusion matrices. The hybrid model presented a precision of 97%, accuracy of 81%, F1-score of 80% and AUC score of 0.96, respectively.

Communication in the 21st Century: The Effect of Internet Celebrity as the Communication Source in Influencing Generation Z Purchase Intention

The current corporate landscape is characterized by fierce rivalry, prompting marketers to actively seek strategies to effectively differentiate themselves amidst the abundance of information in the digital realm. One current marketing strategy involves the engagement of online influencers, also known as Internet celebrities, to effectively disseminate information and encourage the intended consumer base to purchase the items offered by their respective companies. In the modern day, it has been customary for individuals who have gained fame through online platforms to create video content with the intention of engaging and influencing their audience on various social media platforms. This practice has now become a norm. Hence, the primary objective of this research is to examine the impact of Internet celebrity on consumer purchase intention, with a specific focus on the Generation Z demographic. The study involved the recruitment of 200 participants from the Generation Z demographic. Data was collected using an online questionnaire that employed 5-point Likert rating scales. The research was conducted by gathering feedback from a sample of 200 respondents belonging to Generation Z. Data collection was conducted through the utilisation of an online questionnaire using 5-Likert rating scales. The findings of the study revealed a significant correlation between credibility and meaning transfer and their impact on purchase intention. The research findings of this study provide marketers and scholars with valuable insights into the ways in which Internet superstars might employ persuasive messaging to impact the purchasing intentions of Generation Z. Keywords: Internet celebrities, influencer, generation Z, purchase Intention, communication.

Trace Element Composition of Placer Gold Across the Okanagan Fault, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

For 100 years, placer gold has been important to the settlement, economic development, and, recently, recreational geology of the Kelowna, British Columbia, area. It is best-known to occur in modern-day, Mission Creek and Lambly Creek sedimentary rocks, as well as a paleoplacer occurrence in Miocene sediments of the historical Winfield mine. The Mission Creek and Winfield localities are east of the west-dipping, low-angle, normal Okanagan Fault, which has been active since the Eocene. Lambly Creek is west of the fault. Late Paleozoic to Eocene igneous and metasedimentary rocks occur in the Lambly Creek catchment but Eocene gneiss units, unroofed by the fault, occur on the Okanagan Valley’s east side. This study tests the hypothesis that native placer gold compositions vary across the Okanagan Fault reflecting different sources and histories for the gold. A modest number of Au and Ag analyses (23 analyses) in usefully representative placer gold samples were determined on a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). Spots analyzed for Au and Ag were also analyzed for 19 trace elements using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Mercury was semi-quantitatively determined in ‘unknown’ gold grains by first estimating its concentration (~3.69 ppm) in the AuRM2 external standard. Proportions of Au:Ag:Cu in grain cores indicate all the gold came from mesothermal/hypogene or possibly Au porphyry bedrock deposits though primary signatures may have been obscured by metamorphism or weathering. Winfield and Mission Creek grains tend to have higher siderophile Fe, Ni, Pd and Pt and chalcophile elements As, Se, Te, Hg, Pb and Bi but lower Cu and Sb concentrations than Lambly Creek gold. Mercury is distinctly higher in Winfield and Mission Creek gold than in Lambly Creek gold from the west side of the valley; the element appears particularly useful for ‘fingerprinting’ gold. Lambly Creek gold compositions indicate derivation from two orogenic/hypogene sources from greenstone and plutonic/hydrothermal rocks present in the catchment area. Modern day Mission Creek and Miocene paleoplacer Winfield grains have a similar hypogene trace element signature but there are no known local bedrock gold sources. The Mission Creek and Winfield gold grain cores are surrounded by < 10 µm, Au-rich, Ag- and trace element-poor, rims. Lambly Creek grains lack such rims. The Au-rich rims on modern day Mission Creek and Miocene Winfield gold may reflect prolonged near-surface exposure with surficial electrochemical dissolution of hypogene trace elements or the biological precipitation of gold. Low Ag and red colouration on the surface of grains support the biological precipitation hypothesis. The shared trace element signature, together with the Au-rich rims indicate that modern day placer gold in Mission Creek was multiply reworked from Miocene paleoplacers similar to the Winfield occurrence as a result of uplift and erosion of rocks on the east side of Okanagan Fault.

IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN BUSINESS

In the modern day, businesses face many challenges: from economic recessions to political and social trends, no wonder, that the modern enterprise should not just be aiming at earning profits but also at complying with the social norms and trends of the modern world. Sustainability is a vast term that describes many different things, therefore it is important for businesses to clearly define it, know what the examples of it are and which practices to use to stay sustainable. This article aims to provide theoretical basis for sustainability in businesses and evaluate the level of sustainability of some enterprises in Europe and to provide the theoretical basis for sustainability in business and conduct the analysis of levels of sustainability of four enterprises based in Lithuania and Ukraine.

From Ink to Impact: Language’s Journey in the World of Media

The dynamic development of language’s function in media is examined in this abstractly, which follows language’s transformational path “From Ink to Impact.” It explores the transition from traditional pen-based communication to the significant influence language has in today’s media world, both historically and in the present. The study explains how ink on paper acted as the foundation of mass communication, influencing public discourse and societal narratives, starting with the era of the printing press. A significant shift occurred with the introduction of broadcasting, as spoken language gained a potent ally in radio and television, expanding its usage and impact. The abstract then moves smoothly into the digital era, examining how language has become a dynamic force in online places by overcoming physical limitations.The interaction of language and media in the modern day is marked by an unprecedented level of accessibility and immediacy. The limitations of language impact and expression are being redefined by social media platforms, internet journalism, and user-generated material. The abstract examines the benefits and problems brought about by this digital paradigm, taking into account things like linguistic variety, disinformation, and the democratization of story creation.

Home: Depiction Of Social Reality In Manju Kapur’s Novel

The portrayal of women in Indian English fiction as the silent sufferers and upholders of the tradition and traditional values of family and society has undergone tremendous change in the post independence period. Manju Kapur’s novel, Difficult Daughters, A Married Woman and Home, displays a new confidence in using the fictional mode for creative expression and depicting social reality. Taking into account the complexity of life, different histories, cultures and different structures of values, women’s question, despite basic solidarity, needs to be tackled in relation to the socio-cultural situation. The impact of patriarchy on the Indian society varies from the one in the west. Manju Kapur has her own concerns, priorities as well as her own ways on dealing with the predicament of women protagonists. Kapur, being one of the modern day women authors, has expressed herself freely and boldly on a variety of themes without adopting feminist postures. Her novels furnish examples of a whole range of attitudes towards the importation of Indian tradition. However, the novelist seems to be aware of the fact that the women of India have indeed achieved their success in sixty years of Independence, but if there is to be true female independence, too much remains to be done. The present paper attempts to portray the reality of a typical Indian family in Manju Kapur’s Home.

Reflections on the development of education in Argentina and the current education system

The role of education is crucial to the advancement of societies, as it is a key means of nurturing future leaders and innovators and reflects a country's culture and values as well as its social system. As a large country located in South America, Argentina's education system has undergone many rounds of reform and evolution, resulting in a unique and distinctive trajectory and model. This study will analyze in depth the growth of education in Argentina, including the structure of education from the colonial period to the modern day, and will discuss the problems encountered and potential opportunities for development.

New maximum constraints on the era of martian valley network formation

A number of studies have constrained the cessation of martian valley network activity to around the Noachian-Hesperian boundary, but the total time period over which these features formed remains poorly constrained. Most attempts to ascertain valley network formative timescales rely on an intermittency factor that varies widely for terrestrial rivers and is unknown for Mars. In this contribution, superposition relationships are used to identify crater populations that pre- and postdate valley network incision, resulting in maximum cumulative valley formation times of ∼108 years. These timescales correspond with long-term erosion rates of ∼0.25 m/Myr, similar to those calculated for the Middle to Late Noachian as well as the central Atacama Desert since the Late Miocene. Assuming sediment transport rates previously calculated for other martian valley networks, this implies a minimum fluvial intermittency of ∼10−5, several orders of magnitude lower than modern day Earth rivers but similar to values independently calculated for some martian fluvial deposits. This low intermittency suggests that martian valley incision may have been significantly hindered by erosion into existing bedrock or by boulder armoring of the valley floor. Alternatively, unlike river valleys on Earth, runoff events driving martian valley network activity may have been non-seasonal, Milankovitch-like cycles, with long eras of quiescence between periods of intensified fluvial activity.

Toxic Components of Plastic Pose Carcinogenic Threat to Public Health

The toxicity of plastics and its components is increasing day by day for human needs. In modern days, plastics are widely used in every product in our daily life. In 2021, it was predicted that the world would produce 390.7 million metric tons of plastic. A year's worth of plastic waste is produced in India at 3.4 million tons. Many products are manufactured with plastic due to its impressive characteristics such as inert, flexibility, durability, versatility, lightweight, and less costly. They encourage dangers to the planet and human health. Numerous chemical and toxic contaminants, including Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, antimonitroxide, brominated flame retardants, poly-fluorinated chemicals, nonylphenol, polychlorinated biphenylethers, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, phenanthrene, among others, are found in plastics and pose a major risk to human health and the environment. These chemical and hazardous compounds are used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles, containers, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, baby toys, etc. The impact of plastics on the environment gets more dangerous day by day. Not only the environment but also exposure to plastics leads to various human health risks. Toxic components of plastics lead to several serious cancers even;they are also possessing their genotoxic effects on human health. This review contains the toxicity of plastic components on human health and the environment by low-level exposure and gives a proper awareness about the health problems and focuses on degrading ways to reduce its effects.

Effectiveness of GBL in the Engagement, Motivation, and Satisfaction of 6th Grade Pupils: A Kahoot! Approach

In the modern day, educational demands necessitate student-centered instructional approaches at all levels of educational institutions. Through the integration of digital technology, these frameworks incorporate up-to-date teaching methods, encourage social engagement, and promote cultural values. Gamification in digital technologies assists in establishing an educational environment that is engaging, entertaining, personalized, and constantly available. This educational environment is based on digital learning resources and draws on stored human knowledge, articulating education by removing geographical and temporal boundaries. Kahoot! is a platform that allows the creation of and access to gamified assessment quizzes while integrating technology into the teaching and learning process. In this article, we present the results of a study based on a Kahoot! quiz used in a classroom with 27 6th-grade pupils in a Greek elementary school. Our objective is to determine the effectiveness of game-based learning by using Kahoot! as a supplementary element to traditional teaching methods. With the inclusion of a post-activity questionnaire for overall interest and motivation to learn while using Kahoot! and the Driscoll Questionnaire, we aim to explore the potential benefits of Kahoot! in the learning process, pupil engagement, and assessment. The analysis of the collected data from the questionnaire demonstrated a positive attitude toward Kahoot! as an alternative educational method and learning approach. It also revealed positive feedback on the motivation, enjoyment, sense of autonomy, creativity, and pupil interest in the learning process. In addition, the study indicated a moderate positive effect on pupils’ understanding of the learning content and a slight inclination towards the technology-based, non-traditional approach compared to traditional teaching. Based on the findings, by fostering an encouraging and creative environment, we can improve pupil engagement and overall motivation while promoting autonomous learning through a game-based experience.

Healthcare's Catch-22

Over the decades, hospitals have slowly evolved from humanitarian foundations to business ventures and the impact of this dramatic shift can be seen in modern day healthcare. In the United States, hospitals typically establish arbitrary pricing methods, instruct staff to offer the highest priced services, and demand intense labor from residents without offering a fair compensation. These changes in vision and action have resulted in an ample number of Americans in tremendous medical debt. Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal anecdotes, and research journals, this manuscript demonstrates that hospitals are run with the intention of generating the most profit and revenue rather than with the noble purpose of philanthropy from which the idea of hospitals were first conceived. It argues that hospitals have long benefitted from generous tax breaks, there is a need for an intervention of checks and balances from policymakers, and for more reasonable compensations for hospital staff's strenuous labor.

“Is my culture influencing me?”: Client experiences of mental illness and psychotherapy in a transitional Indian culture

The client therapy experience has been the focus of many bodies of literature in psychotherapy, even across cultures. While researchers have emphasized on the use of indigenous approaches in Indian psychotherapy, how much of this is applicable in the present scenario? The experience has become increasingly tricky to understand given the complexities arising from the influence of urbanization and westernization. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the experience of mental illness and psychotherapy in modern day India. Using the integrated, holistic idea of the person and their needs, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with ten cis-gender, urban Indian participants between 21 and 39 years of age. Data analysis using thematic analysis uncovered the global theme of “Transitional Culture Impacting the Therapeutic Experience.” The major organizing themes and basic themes have been elaborated as well. In essence, the study concludes that the increased awareness and acceptance of psychotherapy in urban India, combined with the exposure to Western methodologies, may be related to an increase in the expectations for similar therapeutic services. Implications and recommendations have been discussed.

¬The Development of Student Collaboration Competency in Learning National Defense Path of the Vietnamese Communist Party

Cooperation competency is not only one of the many vital capabilities for people living in the modern day society, but also assists the formulation of an energetic, creative, communicative and adaptive personality. There has been ample evidence on the fact that studying with continuous cooperative work can promote the growth of working skills, which in turn creates opportunities for mutual learning and the discovery of personal abilities. Furthermore, cooperation also helps enhance the sense of responsibility, autonomy and social activeness. Through group work, people can take advantage of their strength in numbers to resolve complicated matters and achieve significant results. This proves the essential role of cooperation competency in creating an all-round personality and developing such traits in the contemporary society - this is the basis for academic achievement. This article defines the framework of students’ cooperation competency in learning National Defense and Security (NDS), investigates the ongoing situation of teaching National Defense Path of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) and suggests several solutions to further boost this characteristic while studying these subjects in accordance with current requirements on reforming the education system of Vietnam.

A Qualitative Study of Disability in Minority Veterans and Their Utilization of the VA Health System

Over time, as the United States army increased, white and minority citizens joined the military forces. This led to the establishment of the Veterans Bureau, and later the Veterans Administration, to care for the wounded soldiers. Although the nation had developed a system to provide services to veterans since the late 1700s, there has been a decline in utilization of y veteran service members in the modern day. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to investigate the causes behind the limited use of the mental health services provided by the VHA by minority veteran service members and to propose ways to improve these services. Additionally, another purpose was to examine any cases of discrimination against minority veteran service members based on interviews with participants and previous empirical literature. After conducting multiple interviews, the status of patient satisfaction, degree of reliance on VHA medical facilities, perception of efficiency of services, and patronage XIII were analyzed. In summary, previous empirical literature had indicated that minority veteran service members were more likely to face discrimination because of racial bias. However, today, that is not largely the case. Rather, most of the minority veteran service members interviewed did not face discrimination and they were content with the health services offered. While some of the interviewees did claim that they faced some acts of discrimination, the overwhelming majority did not. These findings suggest that most minority veteran service members do not face discrimination and that they are actively interested in seeking VH healthcare services. Nevertheless, understanding minority veteran service members may enable healthcare providers to provide them with customized healthcare sections.

The Invisibility of Male Witches in British Culture from the Early Modern Period to Modern Day

The Invisibility of Male Witches in British Culture from the Early Modern Period to Modern Day

Analysis of the Variability in Land Surface Temperature due to Land Use/Land Cover Change for a Sustainable Urban Planning

Abstract In modern days, a sustainable urban planning system requires a balance of vegetation, water, and settlement. The proportions of these surface features directly influence the land surface temperature (LST) in an urban area. LST primarily depends on the emittance of land use/land cover (LULC) categories. In an urban area, changes in LULC categories as well as local warming are the prime regulators of LST change. The study analyses the LULC change and its impact on LST in Imphal City, India. Landsat satellite data for the summer season and winter seasons for 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021 have been used in this study. Results show that the mean LST of the study area increased at >1% rate/decade. The green area and water area decreased the LST values whereas the built-up area and fallow lands increased the LST values. The study indicates the consequences of proper land conversion to regulate the LST change. Moreover, the influence of population on LST is also determined. The continuous rising trend of population is a positive factor of increasing LST. The study may help the town and country planners to generate sustainable urban land.

Study of wear and tensile behavior of 3D printed CM 247 super alloy

CM247, a nickel-based superalloy derived from MAR M247 initially designed for gas turbine blades, continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency for aerospace and gas turbine vane blade applications. There are lot materials and other alloys are used to increase the efficiency for aerospace and gas turbine vane blade applications. In modern days manufacturing of super alloys are increased. Ni based super alloys and Co based super alloys are introduced to increase the strength of the alloys. Like this, a lot of unknown superalloys are being manufactured and used for aviation and industrial purposes. Most of the unknown super alloys are used in aerospace industries like CM 247. CM247 will be used to increase or improve the mechanical properties of the material. This is a characteristic of normal superalloy. To increase efficiency to the maximum, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is used. The methodology is manufacturing the material 3D printing process, the normal super alloy is replaced by 3D printed super alloys to attain maximum strength. It is highly corrosion- and wear resistant. It is brittle by nature since it is 3D printed. Despite inherent brittleness due to the 3D printing process, these alloys exhibit remarkable corrosion and wear resistance. Their application, particularly in scenarios demanding high strength and durability, remains viable with judicious post-processing. The tensile for the material have been studied as CM 247 obtained maximum peak load. Same as wear behaviour of 3D printed CM 247 has been studied and dry wear has been conducted by various conditions.

Evaluation of the Potential for Curcumin from Turmeric to be Used Against Pathogenic Bacteria

Turmeric is a natural product used for centuries in alternative medicine in various cultures around the world. It is a multi-faceted natural remedy that may assist in combating a variety of microbial threats, harboring an impressive array of health-promoting properties. Turmeric is recognized to have bacterial properties as this spice has an active ingredient curcumin with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant benefits. This bioactive compound has been the focus of extensive scientific research for this reason. Among its many beneficial attributes, curcumin stands out for its potential as a natural antibacterial agent, effectively combating common pathogens including both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as MRSAs. This study reveals that the curcumin from turmeric is effective to be used in clinical settings against pathogenic bacteria, as it has many bactericidal properties which are proven to be equal, if not more effective than that of our modern day antibiotics. A challenge seen with the usage of curcumin would be its low bioavailability due to its solubility. In order to counter this, there are various methods involving transforming the chemical into a different form called nanocurcumin. As an antibiotic, it works by using cell wall damaging mechanisms in order to be an bactericidal agent. Further studies are needed to determine the appropriate dosages, formulations, and safety profiles for using curcumin as an antibiotic in clinical settings for humans.

Intelligent Traffic System (ITS)

Abstract: One of the main issues of the modern day is effectively monitoring traffic. The influence on automobiles has increased in step with the population's exponential growth during the past century. The current transportation systems are under a great deal of strain as a result of this. Several traffic systems still operate today, ignoring the amount of traffic at that intersection, by assigning set timeslots to each traffic light. Millions of people lose valuable time in traffic as a result, while noise and air pollution also negatively impact the environment. In order to address these issues, we provide a system that controls traffic by using the main element of taking into account traffic density in real time. In order to accomplish its objective, this system makes use of cameras in addition to image processing.