bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the South American savanna killifish genus Melanorivulus (Teleostei: Rivulidae)
Authors: Costa Wilson , Amorim Pedro , Rizzieri Raisa
Published: February 2023

This study comprises the first molecular phylogeny of Melanorivulus, a genus of small killifishes inhabiting shallow streams draining South American savannas, using segments of the mitochondrial genes 16S and ND2 and the intron 1 of the nuclear S7 gene, total of 2,138 bp, for 26 taxa. Monophyly of the genus is highly supported and some clades previously diagnosed on the basis of colour patterns are corroborated. A biogeographical analysis using event-based methods indicated that the most recent common ancestor of Melanorivulus occupied a region comprising the savannas of the eastern Amazon and the ecotone Amazon-Cerrado, and the present day distribution has been shaped by a series of dispersal and vicariance events through areas today including the upland Cerrado and the lowland Pantanal. The presence of a broad stripe of dense rain forest today separating the savannas of the eastern Amazon, inhabited by M. schuncki, from the savannas located south of the Amazon, from where a clade comprising all other species of the genus is endemic, is regarded as evidence of possible geographical expansion of Melanorivulus lineages through savanna areas during past cooler and drier periods, when South American grasslands and savannas expanded and rain forests were restricted to small areas.
Diversity, biogeography, abundance, and conservation of the birds of Mocha Island National Reserve, Chile
Authors: Hahn Ingo , Römer Uwe , Soto Gerardo , Baumeister Julia , Vergara Pablo
Published: February 2023

The avifauna of Mocha Island is analysed according to species richness, habitat use, and reproductive status, and the first quantitative population estimates of forest landbirds are presented basing on unbiased survey data as a basis for conservation. We recorded a total of 100 species, including non-breeders. Among all recorded taxa, landbirds (n = 48 spp. or 48 %) exhibit higher species numbers when compared to shore- and seabirds (38), and freshwater birds (14). Within the documented breeding avifauna (n = 54 spp.) landbirds take an even relative higher value, amounting to 88 % (or 42 spp.). Austral and Neotropical species are most numerous within the landbird assemblage, reflecting the closest biogeographical realm. When comparing different Chilean avifaunas, southern mainland ecosystems show the highest landbird richness (90), followed by Chiloe Island (61), Mocha Island (42), and remote Juan Fernandez Islands (11). From line transects surveyed, 884 bird individuals belonging to 18 resident forest landbird species were recorded (averaging 10.3 ind/ha). We calculated the total population size of forest landbirds in the reserve (2300 ha) being 23,681 individuals. Two of the three endemic taxa (Mocha Rayadito and Mocha Chucao) show relatively high population sizes of about 4,100 and 3,700 individuals, respectively. The Mocha Thrush shows a population of about 670 individuals in forests, but is equally abundant in anthropogenic pastures around. Future conservation management of Mocha Island should consider richness, composition, and abundance of landbirds reported in this study, with emphasis on breeding ecology of the three mentioned endemics. Priority should be put on controlling illegal timber extraction, bird hunting and chick collecting, as well as on sensitization of local people to avoid introducing alien species.
Chondrostoma esmaeilii, a new cyprinid species from the Tigris basin in Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Eagderi Soheil , Jouladeh-Roudbar Arash , Birecikligil Sevil , Çiçek Erdoğan , Coad Brian
Published: February 2023

A new species of Chondrostoma is described from Iranian part of the Tigris river drainage. This species differs from other species of the genus Chondrostoma in Iran and Euphrates-Tigris river drainage by a combination of characters, including lack of a horny blade on lower jaw; arched mouth; 8 branched dorsal-fin rays (9 in holotype), and 10 branched anal-fin rays; 51 – 58 lateral line scales, 8 – 9 scales above the lateral line, 5 – 6 scales below the lateral line and short, 14 – 16 circum-peduncular scales, and 15 – 17 gill rakers along the entire gill arch.
Two new seasonal killifishes of the Austrolebias adloffi group from the Lagoa dos Patos basin, southern Brazil (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae)
Authors: Costa Wilson , Cheffe Morevy , Amorim Pedro
Published: February 2023

Morphological characters and phylogenetic trees generated by analyses of a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b support two new species from the Lagoa dos Patos basin, in southern Brazil. The phylogenetic analyses indicate that the two new species are each other’s respective closest relatives among species of A. adloffi group. The clade comprising the two new species is supported as being more closely related to A. adloffi than to A. nigrofasciatus that is endemic to the same area. Austrolebias pelotapes Costa & Cheffe n. sp. is distinguished from all other species of the A. adloffi group by having the urogenital papilla base attached by a thin membrane to the anterior margin of the anal fin in males; it is endemic to an area containing temporary pools and swamps associated to small streams tributaries to the northern margin of the São Gonçalo channel, just about 10 km from the area inhabited by A. nigrofasciatus. Austrolebias pongondo Costa & Cheffe n. sp., from temporary pools and swamps in the floodplains south of the São Gonçalo channel, and A. pelotapes are distinguished from all other species of the A. adloffi group by a combination of character states, including the presence of a transverse row of small spots on the middle portion of the dorsal fin in males, unpaired fins with a single row of light blue spots on their basal portion in males, a distinctive dark grey zone on the posterior portion of the dorsal and anal fins, and caudal peduncle in males predominantly dark brownish grey or dark grey to black, with narrow vertical light blue zones.
Grass snakes (Natrix natrix, N. astreptophora) mimicking cobras display a 'fossil behavior'
Authors: Pokrant Felix , Kindler Carolin , Vamberger Melita , Smith Krister , Fritz Uwe
Published: February 2023

Mimicking venomous species is widespread among animals, especially snakes. This concerns both visual and behavioral mimicry. Raising the forepart of the body and flattening the neck are characteristic defense behaviors of cobras and mimicked by several non-venomous snake species that co-occur with them. Here we describe the cobra stance for grass snakes (Natrix natrix complex), whose distribution range is largely allopatric to any living cobra species. Among the various defensive behaviors of grass snakes, the cobra stance is uncommon and rarely reported, which raises the questions how effective it is and why it evolved. The fossil record indicates that cobras and grass snakes were abundant and widespread across Europe during the Miocene, where they inhabited the same habitats. They continued to be sympatric in the Mediterranean region until the Pliocene, and in the eastern Mediterranean perhaps until the Middle Pleistocene. Thus, we hypothesize that the cobra stance represents a ’fossil behavior’, which developed when the distribution ranges of grass snakes and cobras broadly overlapped. The absence of cobras in most of the extant distribution range of grass snakes, and hence unfamiliarity of typical predators with these dangerously venomous snakes since the Plio-/Pleistocene, explains its rarity nowadays because displaying the cobra stance is no longer advantageous. Migrating birds from Africa, however, may still serve to some extent as target species for the cobra stance in grass snakes, supporting its survival.
A new species of Hyloxalus Jiménez De La Espada, 1871 ''1870'' (Anura: Dendrobatidae: Hyloxalinae) from a cloud forest near Bogotá, Colombia, with comments on the subpunctatus clade
Authors: Acosta-Galvis Andrés , Vargas-Ramírez Mario
Published: February 2023

A new species of frog of the genus Hyloxalus from a high Andean forest of the central parts of the Cordillera Oriental, Colombia is recognized and described using integrative taxonomy. Using phylogenetic analyses of 2590 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA, Hyloxalus felixcoperari sp. nov. was shown to belong to a lineage of the subpunctatus clade, part of a subgroup that comprises high altitude-occurring lineages (subgroup I) and sister taxa of H. subpunctatus sensu stricto from the Bogotá plateau region. The genetic distance between both taxa is 2.1% and 5.1% for the 16S and cytochrome b gene fragments respectively. Hyloxalus felixcoperari sp. nov. is a medium-sized frog, which can be distinguished morphologically from H. subpunctatus by having dark throat and chest and unwebbed toes, and bioacoustically by emitting an advertisement call consisting of trill-like calls repeated at a rate of 50 – 104 repititions/min, with a dominant frequency ranging from 3028.9 – 3861.2 Hz. Molecular dating analysis revealed that the already known lineages of the subpunctatus clade subgroup I from the middle Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, recently diverged during the lower Pleistocene – Upper Pliocene, most probably due to environmental fluctuations. Threats and main aspects of the natural history of this new species including breeding and habitat are reported in this article.
Long-term effects of arrested metamorphosis on dental systems in Salamandra salamandra (Salamandridae: Urodela)
Authors: Clemen Günter , Greven Hartmut
Published: February 2023

We describe the dental systems of six larvae of Salamandra salamandra hypophysectomized in 1976 under an earlier project to arrest metamorphosis. Larvae cover roughly three developmental stages from early (intrauterine) larval stage to early metamorphosis. Animals survived surgery and lived up to 16 months until fixation. One specimen was studied by histological serial sections. In the period until fixation larvae grew from approximately 3 cm to 7 cm in length (dependent on the developmental stage before surgery) retaining their larval appearance. Changes in the dental systems depended on the stage the larvae had reached before surgery. Generally, after surgery some traits had started or continued development, such as appearance of maxillae as well as resorption of the palatinal tooth patches and the coronoids in the youngest larva examined, whereas other traits had been largely retained and even continued to grow (e. g. larval dentate vomers). In three larvae, the anterior part of the palatines was covered by the posterior margin of the vomer giving the impression of a ‘vomeropterygopalatinum’, known from some newts as temporary fusion of vomer and palatine in consequence of a delayed metamorphosis. However, in the Salamandra-larvae both elements appeared to be connected syndesmotically rather than to be fused by bone tissue The oldest larva (metamorphic stage IV, approximately at the onset of metamorphosis), had lost the palatinal portion of pterygopalatina and had reduced the tooth patches of the vomers to a single row, but outgrowth of the vomerine bar had not taken place.
Geographic variation in the skull morphology of Ellobius lutescens Thomas, 1897 (Mammalia: Rodentia) by geometric morphometric analyses
Authors: Kaya Alaettin , Gharakhloo Mohammad , Coşkun Yüksel
Published: February 2023

In this study, we examined a total of 43 samples belonging to three Ellobius lutescens populations from Turkey, Iran and Nakhchivan, which are geographically separated by the Zagros, Tendürek and Alborz mountain ranges. We applied geometric morphometric methods (GMMs) to explore the differences in size and shape of the cranium and mandible. Indeed, we intriguingly found that the populations differed in cranium but not mandible size. Comparison of the Iranian and Turkish populations alone revealed morphological differences in the shape of the cranium and mandible that could be used as a barometer to predict the origin of individual animals. Importantly, our findings indicate that the Zagros and Tendürek mountain ranges may have acted as a barrier between these two populations, resulting in evolutionary divergence in these anatomical features. Consequently, we propose that within E. lutescens, subspecies including E. lutescens woosnami exists and in time, genetic, besides geographical barriers, may prevent subspecies from interbreeding with each other.
Population numbers of Amazon river dolphins Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis (Mammalia: Cetaceae: Delphinidae) in the lower Río Tigre region, Loreto, Perú
Authors: Sittig Lisa , Römer Uwe , Gilleman Cédric , Torres Ney Gerver Gongora
Published: February 2023

We conducted a study to assess the populations of the two potentially endangered river dolphin species Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis in the river systems of the Río Tigre and the Río Marañon in the Peruvian Amazon region. Various observation methods were used and evaluated along ca. 353 kilometres of river and 134 to a maximum of 173 dolphins were recorded from 125 sightings and about 2000 photographs. Only about 10% of these dolphins could not be determined to species level, at least 57 individuals were identified as S. fluviatilis, and 89 individuals as I. geoffrensis. The abundance of dolphins along the entire stretch was 0.13 individuals per km for S. fluviatilis and 0.25 individuals per km for I. geoffrensis. Each participant spent an average of 82 working hours on observation. Evaluation of methods used revealed that observation supported by photographic documentation (PSO) increases observation accuracy by 19%. PSO is thus regarded as an ideal method for future population assessments. Perspectives and potential financial costs for conservation of Amazonian dolphin populations are discussed.
Ecological and zoological study of endemic Sri Lankan keelback (Balanophis ceylonensis): with implications for its conservations
Authors: Gabadage Dinesh , Surasinghe Thilina , De Silva Anslem , Somaweera Ruchira , Madurapperuma Buddhika , Madawala Majintha , Karunarathna Suranjan
Published: February 2023

The endemic Sri Lankan keelback (Balanophis ceylonensis) is a snake largely restricted to rainforests of the island. Based on an 11-years field survey covering 83 field sites and rescued specimens, we present an autecology of B. ceylonensis. We recorded 32 individuals of B. ceylonensis at 25 field sites. All snakes were found in 10 – 1000 m altitude range within or in close proximity of rainforests. This snake associated with canopy-shaded forest floor with sufficient leaf litter and a numerous other natural cover objects, and were active mostly during dusk. Our study indicated that B. ceylonensis is a rare species with a patchy distribution within the wet zone of southwestern Sri Lanka, and can be considered a rainforest specialist. The reproductive season spanned from November to February as evident by observations on copulation. The snake laid eggs in clutches of 3 – 4 underneath woody debris or inside the forest floor. Given its rarity, patchy distribution, and estimated extend of occurrence and area of occupancy, and continuing degradation of rainforests, we assessed the conservation status of B. ceylonensis as Endangered.
Morphological adaptation of the eutherian gastrointestinaltract to diet
Authors: Langer Peter , Clauss Marcus
Published: February 2023

Although adaptations of the gastrointestinal tract to diet have been widely documented, statistical evaluations of corresponding correlations between diet and morphology are scarce. We use a dataset that scores the complexity of the stomach, caecum and colon in 599 Eutherian species, with a higher complexity score indicating a higher degree of macroanatomical differentiation, and link these data to information on body mass and the estimated fibre content of the natural diet, controlling for phylogeny. The results indicate that dietary niche differentiation occurs along, rather than within, major Eutherian lineages, and that stomach and large intestine complexity are often positively correlated. Large intestine complexity represents a convergent adaptation to high-fibre diets across lineages (although not all species ingesting high-fibre diets have complex large intestines). By contrast, stomach complexity cannot be linked to diet, but represents a taxon-specific signal in the sense of homoplasies. In particular, the functions of stomach complexity in the smallest and the largest Eutheria with complex stomachs (the Myomorpha and the Cetacea) remain to be elucidated .
Investigation on dynamic response and compaction degree characterization of multi-layer asphalt pavement under vibration rolling
Authors: Shan Hongyu , Dan Han-Cheng , Wang Shiping , Zhang Zhi , Zhang Renkun
Published: February 2023

Asphalt mixture is composed of asphalt binder with aggregates of different sizes and compacted under static or dynamic forces. In practical engineering, compaction is a critical step in asphalt pavement construction to determine the quality and service life of pavement. Since the dynamic response characteristics of asphalt pavement can reflect the compaction state of asphalt mixture in the process of compaction, the establishment of the relationship between dynamic response characteristics and compaction degree is definitely significant. In this paper, a series of vibration sensors were adopted to capture the dynamic response signal of the vibration drum and asphalt mixture in the process of vibrating compaction for different surface courses of pavement. Then, the change regulations of vibration acceleration of vibrating drum and asphalt mixture were analyzed, and the quantitative linear relationship was established between accelerations of vibrating drum and asphalt pavement compactness. Further, the concept of evaluation unit (i.e., within 2 meters along the driving direction of the roller) and prediction method of compaction degree were proposed as well. The results showed that under the same vibration compaction condition, the compaction degree values of the top, middle and bottom layers have obvious differences, which should be taken seriously into consideration in the compaction process. Meanwhile, there is little difference which respectively are 2.8, 1.3 and 0.82% for the top, middle and bottom layers between the compaction degrees obtained by the proposed method and measured test. Therefore, the average value of the acceleration peak value of vibration drum within the evaluation unit can be adopted as the characterization index of the compaction degree of asphalt pavement. The investigation of this study can provide the technical reference for compaction control of asphalt pavement to a large extent.
Counting the number of dissociation sets in cubic graphs
Authors: Tu Jianhua , Xiao Junyi , Lang Rongling
Published: February 2023

Let $ G $ be a graph. A dissociation set of $ G $ is a subset of vertices that induces a subgraph with vertex degree at most 1. The dissociation polynomial of $ G $ is $ D_{G}(\lambda) = \sum_{D \in \mathcal{D}(G)} \lambda^{|D|} $, where $ \mathcal{D}(G) $ is the set of all dissociation sets of $ G $. In this paper, we prove that for any cubic graph $ G $ and any $ \lambda \in(0, 1] $,

   \begin{document}$ \frac{1}{|V(G)|} \ln D_{G}(\lambda) \leq \frac{1}{4} \ln D_{K_4}(\lambda) $\end{document}

with equality if and only if $ G $ is a disjoint union of copies of the complete graph $ K_{4} $. When $ \lambda = 1 $, the value of $ D_G(\lambda) $ is exactly the number of dissociation sets of $ G $. Hence, for any cubic graph $ G $ on $ n $ vertices, $ |\mathcal{D}(G)|\leq|\mathcal{D}(K_4)|^{n/4} = 11^{n/4}. $
Fixed point results on triple controlled quasi rectangular metric like spaces
Authors: Mehmood Mazhar , Shoaib Abdullah , Mlaiki Nabil
Published: February 2023

In this article, by utilizing the idea of controlled functions, we present a novel notion of triple controlled quasi rectangular metric like spaces and prove Banach fixed point principal in such spaces. A topology in such spaces and its topological properties have been discussed. The result, presented here is a new contribution to the field of fixed point theory. Examples of this new structure are given.
Intelligent personalized diagnosis modeling in advanced medical system for Parkinson's disease using voice signals
Authors: Wen Pengcheng , Zhang Yuhan , Wen Guihua
Published: February 2023

Currently, machine learning methods have been utilized to realize the early detection of Parkinson's disease (PD) by using voice signals. Because the vocal system of each person is unique, and the same person's pronunciation can be different at different times, the training samples used in machine learning become very different from the speech signal of the patient to be diagnosed, frequently resulting in poor diagnostic performance. On this account, this paper presents a new intelligent personalized diagnosis method (PDM) for Parkinson's disease. The method was designed to begin with constructing new training data by assigning the best classifier to each training sample composed of features from the speech signals of patients. Subsequently, a meta-classifier was trained on the new training data. Finally, for the signal of each test patient, the method used the meta-classifier to select the most appropriate classifier, followed by adopting the selected classifier to classify the signal so that the more accurate diagnosis result of the test patient can be obtained. The novelty of the proposed method is that the proposed method uses different classifiers to perform the diagnosis of PD for diversified patients, whereas the current method uses the same classifier to diagnose all patients to be tested. Results of a large number of experiments show that PDM not only improves the performance but also exceeds the existing methods in speed.
Characteristics of vegetation in the Ročica Gorge in the southwestern Julian Alps / Značilnosti rastja korit Ročice v jugozahodnih Julijskih Alpah
Authors: Dakskobler Igor , Martinčič Andrej
Published: February 2023

In the gorge of the Ročica creek in the southwestern Julian Alps we documented (with phytosociological relevés and tables) six plant communities of moist rock crevices and nine forest and shrub communities that belong in four Natura 2000 habitat types. The studied gorge is unique for the stands of syntaxa Astrantio carniolicae-Pinguiculetum alpinae var. Valeriana saxatilis, Palustriello commutati-Veronicetum urticifolia, Veronico urticifoliae-Saxifragetum cuneifolii, Saxifrago petraeae-Tilietum platyphylli tilietosum cordatae var. Taxus baccata and Saxifrago cuneifolii-Fagetum fraxinetosum orni var. Phyllitis scolopendrium.

Key words: vegetation, synsystematics, Krn Mountains, Upper Soča Valley, Slovenia

 

Izvleček

V koritih Ročice v jugozahodnih Julijskih Alpah smo s fitocenološkimi popisi in preglednicami dokumentirali šest rastlinskih združb vlažnih skalnih razpok in devet gozdnih in grmiščnih združb, ki sodijo v štiri Natura 2000 habitatne tipe. Posebnost preučenih korit so sestoji sintaksonov Astrantio carniolicae-Pinguiculetum alpinae var. Valeriana saxatilis, Palustriello commutati-Veronicetum urticifolia, Veronico urticifoliae-Saxifragetum cuneifolii, Saxifrago petraeae-Tilietum platyphylli tilietosum cordatae var. Taxus baccata in Saxifrago cuneifolii-Fagetum fraxinetosum orni var. Phyllitis scolopendrium.

Ključne besede: vegetacija, sinsistematika, Krnsko pogorje, Zgornje Posočje, Slovenija
The Role of Entrepreneurial Thinking in Promoting Supply Chain Performance
Authors: Elgarhy Aya , Abdelbary Islam , Ashraf Remonda
Published: February 2023

The secret behind achieving competitive supply chains is mastering the art of finding innovative solutions to face global challenges. In a world full of significant and rapid global changes that face the supply chain industry as well as a dynamic complex environment and due to the fact of the increased number of startups that could provide innovative solutions for existing pains in the supply chain despite the existing global challenges, it becomes indispensable to study the impact of entrepreneurship on the supply chain industry to be able to adapt and survive in the market. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to investigate the disruption caused by startups to the supply chain industry in Egypt and how the traditional supply chain could benefit from the entrepreneurial mindset of startups to be able to respond to the rapid global challenges as well as to improve the supply chain performance.
Recent Trend of Renewable Energy From Agricultural Wasted Biomass
Authors: Choiron Miftahul , Rusdianto Andrew Setiawan , Amilia Winda
Published: February 2023

The environmental issue occurs along with the waste released from the agricultural or agroindustrial sector. Biomass waste from agricultural or agroindustrial activities has potential value due to its composition and cost. The extraction and treatment of biomass could convert the organic compound into valuable material or energy source. A pretreatment or preprocessing needs to be applied before the application of biomass waste. Biogas, biohydrogen, and bioethanol are the most energy-providing source products from agricultural waste biomass. The technology is developed to obtain successful fermentation and generate optimum biogas and bioethanol. Biopellet production from biomass waste is also promising for a solid energy sources that recently developed. Conversion and utilization of biomass waste from agricultural or agroindustrial sectors not only promote environmentally friendly process results, but also deliver a circular economy.
iTCLab Temperature Monitoring and Control System Based on PID and Internet of Things (IoT)
Authors: Rahmat Basuki , Waluyo Minto , Rachmanto Tuhu Agung , Afandi Mohamad Irwan , Sari Ni Ketut , Widyantara Helmy , Harianto Harianto
Published: February 2023

The rapid increase in applications that combine modern concepts and innovations, due to the development of the internet of things (IoT) and cloud computing around the world, make all areas of life continue to move towards an advanced and intelligent society. This innovation continues to enter almost all fields, ranging from simple to complex innovations. In this chapter, IoT is used as a means for tuning PID parameters, when the error does not converge to zero. The experimental results show that the PID parameter tuning process can be done through IoT. And the results are quite encouraging, as an alternative way of tuning PID parameters.
Socio-Cultural and Historical Influences on 20th to 21st Century Internationalization of Higher Education
Authors: Cairns Leonard G.
Published: February 2023

In the last half of the 20th century, higher education institutions, mostly universities, developed widespread activities to “internationalize” their offerings, campuses, and impact from bases in many “western” economies and nations. As the new millennium unfolded this trend was impacted by the 4th Industrial Revolution, where technology advances became more pervasive. At the beginning of the 3rd decade of the 21st century, the advent of an international pandemic as a major disruptor led to a dramatic impact on social, political, economic, educational, and international aspects; leading to a more revolutionary set of changes and issues across higher education and its international activities in aspects of learning and teaching as well as work. This chapter examines this major shift in higher education through a socio-cultural and cultural-historical lens, and offers as an example the case of the impacts on Australian higher education.
Turkey's Efforts on Global Higher Education Marketisation
Authors: Durnali Mehmet , Ayyildiz Pinar
Published: February 2023

A good deal of higher education market reports indicates that the global higher education market size is reaching USD 100 billion and the total number of international students in the world is reaching 7 million. Recently, almost 300.000 international students enrolled at nearly 200 universities contributed roughly $1 billion to Türkiye's economy annually. Aggressively, we see that high-level political bodies of university education intend to increase it more. In this conjunction, we think that Turkiye's efforts on global education policies, strategies, and actions to increase its share in the global higher education economic market need to be discussed timely and critically.
Big Data-Driven Socioeconomic Development
Authors: Sun Zhaohao , Wu Zhiyou , Strang Kenneth David
Published: February 2023

This chapter will examine big data-driven socioeconomic development from an interdisciplinary approach. More specifically, it explores the big characteristics of big data from a fundamental, technological, and socio-economic perspective. It reviews digital computing and digital technologies. This chapter looks at digital industry, trade, and economy, and analyzes the role of electronic, social, mobile, analytics, cloud, and security (eSMACS) goods and services in digital trade and economy. This chapter presents gross domestic data products (GDDP) as a GDP-like data metric for measuring economic performance and social progress. It proposes big data-driven socioeconomic development, supported by big data-driven technologies, services, economies, and societies. This research demonstrates that big data-driven eSMACS technologies, services, economies, and societies underpin the big data-driven socioeconomic development. The proposed approach in this chapter might facilitate the research of big data, big data analytics, socioeconomic development, AI, and digital society.
Promises and Challenges Relating to Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Areas at Risk of Desertification
Authors: von Schoenborn Marie-Isabelle , Bick Markus
Published: February 2023

Land degradation and desertification are considered substantial issues in ecological and social research; hence the need for a quantitative, reliable, and repeatable methodology to evaluate desertification processes is urgent. This chapter aims to review the advances and limitations of existing work seeking to predict desertification through the use of automated, data-driven methods (i.e. machine learning). Using the CRISP-DM framework, existing research was classified into classic (supervised) ML models using field data, classic ML models using remote sensing data, and deep-learning models using remote sensing data. However, more research is needed to incorporate feedback effects and human intervention, as well as to make the distinction between desertification risk and desertification in ML models. Finally, the chapter suggests that existing research should be collated and formed into a “desertification warning system,” addressing the need to harmonize data, better understand desertification, and aim for the greater inclusion of local end-stakeholders.
Vendor-Managed Inventory and Its Support Technologies
Authors: Smith Alan D. , Racic Stanko
Published: February 2023

Vendor managed inventory (VMI) is a prevailing service many suppliers offer their customers. By being on site with their customers, suppliers are better able to meet their customers' needs as well as expand their own business. This makes suppliers the experts of their commodity for their customers. This is beneficial to both parties. The customer sees a reduction of stockouts, improved on-time delivery, and increased visibility in multiple areas. Suppliers will see increased sales and better client relations. As VMI continues to become more common, both parties need to become partners in order to see the full extent of benefits. In this chapter, the authors will discuss the benefits, drawbacks, and implementation of VMI via AI and big data techniques from both the supplier and customer perspective.
Social Media Analytics for Non-Governmental Organizations
Authors: Li Shanghao , Chiu Dickson K. W. , Kafeza Eleanna , Ho Kevin K. W.
Published: February 2023

Social media has provided promotion and communication channels for organizations to reach their target audience efficiently and cost-effectively. Despite wide social media analytics applications in different areas, scant studies focus on NGOs. This research analyzes the use of social media by a well-known NGO, the Hong Kong Generation Next Arts Limited (HKGNA), on its presence and user sentiment on Twitter and Facebook to evaluate the brand image, engagement conditions, and promotion effectiveness. These findings showed a low usage frequency of their Twitter channel. Despite the overall positive sentiment, there are some deviations from their charity mission. Yet, their Facebook channel serves well for publicity, and the interaction is relatively active. Thus, more measures are necessary to improve the digital relationship between HKGNA and its targeted audience. Moreover, this methodology for data analysis serves as an example for other NGOs to improve their communication.
How Important Is It to Be Beautiful?
Authors: Li Linyan , Chiu Dickson K. W. , Ho Kevin K. W.
Published: February 2023

To explore the effect of beauty on income in the Chinese labor market and its impact, this chapter uses the Chinese family panel studies (CFPS2018) open-access data to conduct a regression to explore the correlation of “beauty premium” in China's labor market. The authors use gender, age groups, educational levels, and individual characteristics such as height and body mass index (BMI) as independent variables. The authors show that appearance directly affects income through cognitive and non-cognitive abilities.
Neutral Approach at Dividend Policy Modeling
Authors: Krylov Sergey
Published: February 2023

The article treats a concept of the formalized modeling of the dividend policy scores and company marketing performance scores derived (stock market position) within neutral dividend policy implementation approach conditions. It has been stated that a formalized approach of the dividend policy implementation presumes a construction of the basic relevant scores models characterizing the company dividend policy and its marketing performance. The formalized models of the scores mentioned are applicable for a forecast-analytical scores evaluation and their variances as well as by estimating an impact of the model-defining factors exercised by the appropriate factoring analysis method within the neutral dividend policy implementation approach conditions. The conclusion is drawn that the formalized models of the dividend policy scores and company marketing performance scores derived, having been developed, are an effective instrument for their forecasting and analysis so that proactive decisions to manage the company dividend policy implementation within neutral approach conditions can be made.
Connecting the Dots Through the Adoption of Blockchain Technologies in Library Services
Authors: Kayode Sunday John Dada  , Mohammed Hadiza Talatu
Published: February 2023

This chapter describes a systematic investigation of blockchain technology and its applications across various domains with the main focus on libraries. The concept and working of blockchain technology are discussed with respect to multiple domains to emphasize how the peculiar attribute of this technology can revolutionize ‘library practices'. The chapter presents the opportunities available for library professionals and awareness of this emerging technology and assist them in taking some initiatives for its appropriate application in libraries. It therefore concludes by recommending that the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian library professionals set up a blockchain website, blogs, and webinars to engage researchers, students, and information professionals to harness their inputs towards developing a whitepaper (policy) and promotion of emerging technologies for better services delivery in the libraries, adding value to libraries and the communities they serve.
Application of Computer Load Optimization Model in an Aircraft Load Planning Process
Authors: Sahun Yelyzaveta , Sikirda Yuliya , Tymochko Oleksandr
Published: February 2023

Success in the air freight sector is closely tied to the ability to consolidate freight shipments. The essence of the load planning algorithm consists of a predetermined arrangement of cargo containers relative to the cargo compartment, considering the general aircraft limitations and the priority of the cargo. The visualized load planning model enables flight planning staff to predict additional re-loading on other sections of the route. The model serves as the basis for a rule-based expert system in order to prevent containers from being overloaded at intermediate routes. The results aimed at increasing the efficiency and safety of ground handling services as well as intensification of use of the air company's fleet.
CEO Greed and Firms' Environmental Performance in Environmentally Sensitive Sectors of China
Authors: Saif-Ur-Rehman  , Elshareif Elgiliani , Khan Hashim
Published: February 2023

In the current study, the authors explored how CEO greed concerning bonuses and rewards on restricted stock affects a firm's environmental performance (EP) in environmentally sensitive sectors of China. Moreover, they empirically tested the constraining role of the quad director on the relationship between CEO greed and EP. Findings indicate that (a) CEO greed negatively affects the strategic firm's environmental performance, particularly the negative relation is augmented by the person-pay interactionism rationale (bonus), (b) the presence of one quad director in the board does not constrain CEO greed and EP negative relation, and (c) the presence of two or more quad directors in the board significantly constraints the negative relation between CEO greed and EP. Thus, having at least two quad directors is more effective than combining directors with multiple features. Our results are robust to different CEOs' power dynamics. Our research has important practical implications for corporate governance and business strategy formulation.
FinTech Adoption in Palestine ‎
Authors: Awwad Bahaa
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which financial technology (Fintech) is adopted in Palestine from the perspective of bank customers. The researcher meant to analyze various, significant dimensions such the barriers, advantages, components and risks of adopting the (Fintech). The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach using a questionnaire as a main tool for the study. The study population consisted of bank clients or customers; and a sample of (500) customers of the most important Palestinian banks was selected randomly. The study concluded that the level of total adoption of financial technology in Palestine is medium; the main findings of the study also showed a high relative significance of both the barriers and risks of using Fintech, especially with regard to the preference of traditional banking operations or transactions over the use of electronic services due to the absence of clear laws and legislations that aim to protect banking transactions and dealings using electronic services. Furthermore, the study results showed that the relative importance of the advantages and components of (Fintech) has decreased despite the reduction in transaction costs by exempting electronic banking services from any commissions and / or fees. With regard to the demographic variables, the researcher found that there were no differences in the adoption of financial (Fintech) in Palestine that could be attributed to participants' gender, age or the bank they work for, while there were differences attributed to the variables of the city in which the bank is located and educational level of the study participants. The study concluded with several recommendations; the most important of which was the need for banks and bank administrations to enhance their customers' confidence in electronic banking services by providing an adequate technical infrastructure for the adoption and use of financial technology in Palestine.
Pe(e)rfectly Skilled
Authors: Rusman Ellen , Nadolski Rob
Published: February 2023

Higher education is faced with the question of how large numbers of students can be supported to learn complex skills without increasing teachers' supervision time proportionally and while preserving, or preferably improving, quality. Practicing skills only once does not work. Students need repetitive practice, feedback, and structured support to master a skill. They need to gain insight into what went well and what could be improved, so that they can further direct their attention while practicing. However, teachers cannot provide feedback after every practice session of students because their time is scarce. To solve this problem, an online formative assessment method for interactive and practice-oriented skills' training, Pe(e)rfectly Skilled, was developed. The Pe(e)rfectly Skilled method provides structured support for self-regulation, goal setting, feedback, and reflection. This method affords practicing skills repetitively, both individually and collaboratively, at students' own time, pace, and location. In this article, theoretical and practical underpinnings underlying the Pe(e)rfectly Skilled method are described.
Users' Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence-Based Chatbots
Authors: Goli Mahendar , Sahu Anoop Kumar , Bag Surajit , Dhamija Pavitra
Published: February 2023

This research examines the effects of factors such as perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, innovativeness, perceived information quality, and perceived customisation on behavioural intention to use Chatbots. The research model designed is empirically validated using structural equation modelling with the aid of AMOS software. A five-point Likert scale-based structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 378 Chatbot users in an online method. The results indicated that the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, innovativeness, perceived information quality, and perceived customisation have positive effects on intention to use Chatbots, whereas perceived enjoyment is found to exert no effect. The research further discussed implications and future directions of research.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Job Automation
Authors: Peng Gang , Bhaskar Rahul
Published: February 2023

Job automation is a critical decision that has brought about profound changes in the workplace. However, the question of what drives job automation remains unclear. This study conducts an interdisciplinary review of five theoretical frameworks on job automation, paying particular attention to the role played by artificial intelligence and machine learning. It highlights the concepts and mechanisms underlying each of the frameworks, compares and contrasts their similarities and differences, and highlights challenges and suggests opportunities of job automation. It also proposes an integrated framework on job automation by addressing the research gaps in extant frameworks and thereby contributes to the research and practice on this important topic.
High-Speed Rotorcraft Pitch Axis Response Type Investigation
Authors: Berger Tom , Tischler Mark B. , Horn Joseph F.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a systematic investigation of high-speed rotorcraft pitch-axis response types, command models, and handling qualities specifications. The investigation was done using two future vertical lift-relevant rotorcraft configurations—a lift offset coaxial helicopter
with a pusher propeller and a tiltrotor. Five response types were investigated, consisting of a pitch rate-command/attitude-hold response type typically used for rotorcraft, a pitch rate-command/attitude-hold response type using a higher-order command model based on the conventional airplane
pitch rate transfer function, a normal acceleration command/angle-of-attack hold response type, a flight path rate command/flight path hold response type, and a "blended" flight path rate command response type which varies the command model bandwidth based on stick input size. Designs of varying
levels of pitch attitude bandwidth, flight path bandwidth, control anticipation parameter, and pitch attitude dropback were evaluated in a piloted simulation experiment conducted at the Penn State Flight Simulator facility using two high-speed mission task elements. The results of the piloted
simulation suggest that both the pitch attitude bandwidth and the pitch attitude dropback requirements must be met for Level 1 handling qualities. A set of recommended specifications and associated updated level boundaries is provided in the Appendix.
Migración venezolana reciente en Chile: inserción socioeconómica, comercio y redes intra e interétnicas en Santiago (2018-2021)
Authors: Gissi Nicolás , Andrade Eduardo
Published: February 2023

El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar la inserción socioeconómica venezolana en Santiago, a partir de los modos de incorporación y los límites presentes en las redes intra e interétnicas frente al acceso y el control de recursos; esto es, información sobre empleo y vivienda, comercio y manejo de dinero. Se analizan las relaciones entre tres actores: venezolanos(as), chilenos(as), chinos(as) y, en menor medida, se refieren vínculos con personas peruanas. Metodológicamente, el texto se basa en un trabajo de campo etnográfico realizado entre los años 2018 y 2021 en el centro de Santiago. La información obtenida de las entrevistas se analizó mediante Ucinet y Netdraw, observando elementos estructurales en la conformación de las redes y, para identificar transversalidades de carácter cualitativo, se emplearon los softwares Geno Pro y Atlas.ti 7.5.4. Se concluye que hay repercusiones negativas en materia de vivienda y empleo, con raíz en la política migratoria restrictiva implementada desde 2018, que se incrementaron por la pandemia de 2020-2021, tendiendo al empobrecimiento, segmentación laboral y emergencia de enclaves étnicos.
Cortical Activation During Single-Legged Stance in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Ma Tengjia , Xu Xiaoyun , Li Moxin , Li Yunxia , Wang Yiran , Li Qianru , Xue Xiao’ao , Tao Weichu , Hua Yinghui
Published: February 2023

Context

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) has been considered a neurophysiological condition, with dysfunctional somatosensory and motor system excitability. However, few researchers have explored the changes in cortical activation during balance tasks of patients with CAI.

Objective

To compare the cortical activity during single-legged stance among CAI, copers, and uninjured control participants and to compare dynamic balance across groups.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Biomechanics laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 22 participants with CAI (median [interquartile range]; age = 34.5 [11.0] years, height = 170.0 [15.8] cm, mass = 67.0 [16.2] kg), 17 copers (age = 27.0 [14.0] years, height = 170.0 [9.5] cm, mass = 66.5 [16.5] kg), and 21 uninjured control participants (age = 25.0 [10.5] years, height = 170.0 [11.0] cm, mass = 64.0 [16.5] kg).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Participants performed single-legged stance while cortical activation was tested with functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The peak oxyhemoglobin response of the activated cortex was calculated and compared across groups. The Y-Balance test outcomes and patient-reported outcomes were assessed and compared across groups.

Results

The CAI group had worse Y-balance test and patient-reported outcomes than the coper and uninjured control groups. Differences in the peak oxyhemoglobin response were observed for the primary somatosensory cortex (S1; F2,57 = 4.347, P = .017, ηp2 = 0.132) and superior temporal gyrus (STG; F2,57 = 4.548, P = .015, ηp2 = 0.138). Specifically, copers demonstrated greater activation in S1 and STG than the CAI (d = 0.73, P = .034, and d = 0.69, P = .043, respectively) and uninjured control (d = 0.77, P = .036, and d = 0.88, P = .022, respectively) groups. No differences were found in the cortical activation between CAI and uninjured control participants.

Conclusions

Copers displayed greater cortical activation in S1 and STG than CAI and uninjured control participants. Greater activation in S1 and STG suggested a better ability to perceive somatosensory stimuli and may represent a compensatory mechanism that allows copers to maintain good functional ability after the initial severe ankle sprain.