SOME ARTISTIC SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE XO DANG EPIC AND THE BAHNAR EPIC

The epics told by two ethnic groups, the Xo Dang and the Bahnar, belong to the Central Highlands epic region and have similarities in content and form. This article introduces some basic general features of the Xo Dang and Bahnar epics in terms of theme, plotline, and characterization, and analyzes the cause and meaning of the similarities. We use comparative, interdisciplinary research methods to clarify the similarities in the epic art of the two ethnic groups, thereby showing the unity in the diversity of the epic region of the Central Highlands.The epics told by two ethnic groups, the Xo Dang and the Bahnar, belong to the Central Highlands epic region and have similarities in content and form. This article introduces some basic general features of the Xo Dang and Bahnar epics in terms of theme, plotline, and characterization, and analyzes the cause and meaning of the similarities. We use comparative, interdisciplinary research methods to clarify the similarities in the epic art of the two ethnic groups, thereby showing the unity in the diversity of the epic region of the Central Highlands

INDIA-CHINA STRATEGIC COMPETITION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

The XXI is considered by major countries in the Asia-Pacific region as ‘the century of sea and ocean’ and is accompanied by fierce competition among the nations to gain interest in the sea regions. On the basis that previously only considered the competition for military objectives, geostrategic bases and traffic channels through the straits, nowadays, countries worldwide have stepped up the competition for economic interests and marine resources. The development of military power and the competitive activities for resources at sea show clear the tendency to use the sea to contain the continent. In that context, the Indian Ocean, as the world’s third largest ocean, has an important geographic location and rich and diverse natural resources; the arterial sea route is gradually becoming the center of new world geopolitics and an important area in the strategic competition between two ‘Asian giants’ - India and China. The competition between these countries in the Indian Ocean is growing and profoundly impacts the region’s stability and security. This article focuses on the position and important role of the Indian Ocean in the policies of India and China, the fierce competition between the two countries in nearly two decades of the XXI century.    &nbsp

Stabilizing Parameterization for Uncertain Delay Systems

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

EFL teachers’ perceptions of professional development activities and their effects in a non-anglosphere context

Providing teachers with adequate professional development (PD) is a central tenet to enhance education quality. In Vietnam, despite the blossoming of PD activities promoted over the past decade, the central question of how effectively these existing activities facilitate changes in teachers’ practice has been under-researched. This mixed-method study responded to the scarcity in understanding the effectiveness of PD activities in the Vietnamese setting by employing a questionnaire administered to 80 high school teachers and six semi-structured interviews. Evidence from the questionnaire and interviews revealed that EFL teachers participated in PD activities on an occasional basis. Institution-internal or in-house professional activities were most common, while joining a professional affiliation such as a TESOL association was the rarest. Also, PD activities have positively reinforced the teachers’ language proficiency, teaching practice, and planning practical lessons to meet students’ learning needs. The discussions and recommendations are made for enhancing the quality of PD activities

Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Cracked Beam on Elastic Foundation Subjected to Moving Mass

This paper presents a finite element algorithm for nonlinear dynamic analysis of cracked beams on an elastic foundation subjected to moving mass. Quantity surveying with parameters of varied cracks, foundation and loads shows their influence levels on the nonlinear dynamic response of the beams. The findings of the paper are the basis for the analysis, evaluation, and diagnosis of damages of beam structures on the elastic foundation subjected to moving loads, in which the common defects of the beams such as cracks are considered in order to improve the system's operational efficiency in a wide range of engineering applications

India-China strategic competition in the Indian Ocean

The XXI is considered by major countries in the Asia-Pacific region as ‘the century of sea and ocean' and is accompanied by fierce competition among the nations to gain interest in the sea regions. On the basis that previously only considered the competition for military objectives, geostrategic bases and traffic channels through the straits, nowadays, countries worldwide have stepped up the competition for economic interests and marine resources. The development of military power and the competitive activities for resources at sea show clear the tendency to use the sea to contain the continent. In that context, the Indian Ocean, as the world's third largest ocean, has an important geographic location and rich and diverse natural resources; the arterial sea route is gradually becoming the center of new world geopolitics and an important area in the strategic competition between two 'Asian giants' - India and China. The competition between these countries in the Indian Ocean is growing and profoundly impacts the region's stability and security. This article focuses on the position and important role of the Indian Ocean in the policies of India and China, the fierce competition between the two countries in nearly two decades of the XXI century

Application of Self-Supervised Learning to MICA Model for Reconstructing Imperfect 3D Facial Structures

In this study, we emphasize the integration of a pre-trained MICA model with an imperfect face dataset, employing a self-supervised learning approach. We present an innovative method for regenerating flawed facial structures, yielding 3D printable outputs that effectively support physicians in their patient treatment process. Our results highlight the model's capacity for concealing scars and achieving comprehensive facial reconstructions without discernible scarring. By capitalizing on pre-trained models and necessitating only a few hours of supplementary training, our methodology adeptly devises an optimal model for reconstructing damaged and imperfect facial features. Harnessing contemporary 3D printing technology, we institute a standardized protocol for fabricating realistic, camouflaging mask models for patients in a laboratory environment