bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a Highly Sensitive Piezoelectric Nano-Mass Detection—A Model-Based Concept Study
Authors: Twiefel Jens , Glukhovkoy Anatoly , de Wall Sascha , Wurz Marc Christopher , Sehlmeyer Merle , Hitzemann Moritz , Zimmermann Stefan
Published: April 2021

The detection of exceedingly small masses still presents a large challenge, and even though very high sensitivities have been archived, the fabrication of those setups is still difficult. In this paper, a novel approach for a co-resonant mass detector is theoretically presented, where simple fabrication is addressed in this early concept phase. To simplify the setup, longitudinal and bending vibrations were combined for the first time. The direct integration of an aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric element for simultaneous excitation and sensing further simplified the setup. The feasibility of this concept is shown by a model-based approach, and the underlying parameter dependencies are presented with an equivalent model. To include the geometrical and material aspects, a finite element model that supports the concept as a very promising approach for future nano-mass detectors is established.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for End-to-End Local Motion Planning of Autonomous Aerial Robots in Unknown Outdoor Environments: Real-Time Flight Experiments
Authors: Doukhi Oualid , Lee Deok-Jin
Published: April 2021

Autonomous navigation and collision avoidance missions represent a significant challenge for robotics systems as they generally operate in dynamic environments that require a high level of autonomy and flexible decision-making capabilities. This challenge becomes more applicable in micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) due to their limited size and computational power. This paper presents a novel approach for enabling a micro aerial vehicle system equipped with a laser range finder to autonomously navigate among obstacles and achieve a user-specified goal location in a GPS-denied environment, without the need for mapping or path planning. The proposed system uses an actor–critic-based reinforcement learning technique to train the aerial robot in a Gazebo simulator to perform a point-goal navigation task by directly mapping the noisy MAV’s state and laser scan measurements to continuous motion control. The obtained policy can perform collision-free flight in the real world while being trained entirely on a 3D simulator. Intensive simulations and real-time experiments were conducted and compared with a nonlinear model predictive control technique to show the generalization capabilities to new unseen environments, and robustness against localization noise. The obtained results demonstrate our system’s effectiveness in flying safely and reaching the desired points by planning smooth forward linear velocity and heading rates.
Pedestrian Detection Using Multispectral Images and a Deep Neural Network
Authors: Nataprawira Jason , Gu Yanlei , Goncharenko Igor , Kamijo Shunsuke
Published: April 2021

Pedestrian fatalities and injuries most likely occur in vehicle-pedestrian crashes. Meanwhile, engineers have tried to reduce the problems by developing a pedestrian detection function in Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles. However, the system is still not perfect. A remaining problem in pedestrian detection is the performance reduction at nighttime, although pedestrian detection should work well regardless of lighting conditions. This study presents an evaluation of pedestrian detection performance in different lighting conditions, then proposes to adopt multispectral image and deep neural network to improve the detection accuracy. In the evaluation, different image sources including RGB, thermal, and multispectral format are compared for the performance of the pedestrian detection. In addition, the optimizations of the architecture of the deep neural network are performed to achieve high accuracy and short processing time in the pedestrian detection task. The result implies that using multispectral images is the best solution for pedestrian detection at different lighting conditions. The proposed deep neural network accomplishes a 6.9% improvement in pedestrian detection accuracy compared to the baseline method. Moreover, the optimization for processing time indicates that it is possible to reduce 22.76% processing time by only sacrificing 2% detection accuracy.
Optimized Analog Multi-Band Carrierless Amplitude and Phase Modulation for Visible Light Communication-Based Internet of Things Systems
Authors: Rodrigues Luis , Figueiredo Mónica , Alves Luis Nero
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a multi-user Visible Light Communication (VLC)-based Internet of Things (IoT) system using multi band-Carrierless Amplitude and Phase (m-CAP) modulation for IoT applications. The proposed system uses a digital m-CAP modulator embedded in a ceiling LED light fixture and analog receivers, aiming at low-cost, low-power, and small-sized IoT devices. The performance was evaluated in terms of the filtering stage design and the usage of guard bands. Different pairs of emitter and receiver filters were considered. While Bessel and Butterworth analog filters were tested in the analog receiver, the digital m-CAP modulator pulse shaping filter considered raised cosine filters, as well as digital matched filters for the analog Bessel and Butterworth filters. Regarding the guard bands, two approaches were considered: either by using the raised cosine roll-off factor (bandwidth compression) or by suppressing the even bands. The Bit Error Rate (BER) performance was obtained by simulation. The usage of the Bessel filter in the receiver, along with a digital matched filter, proved to be the best solution, achieving a BER lower than 10−3 for an Eb/No of 6 dB, using a third-order filter. Furthermore, guard bands should be used in order to mitigate inter-band interference in order to have improved performance when multiple users intend to simultaneously communicate.
Credibility Assessment Method of Sensor Data Based on Multi-Source Heterogeneous Information Fusion
Authors: Feng Yanling , Hu Jixiong , Duan Rui , Chen Zhuming
Published: April 2021

The credibility of sensor data is essential for security monitoring. High-credibility data are the precondition for utilizing data and data analysis, but the existing data credibility evaluation methods rarely consider the spatio-temporal relationship between data sources, which usually leads to low accuracy and low flexibility. In order to solve this problem, a new credibility evaluation method is proposed in this article, which includes two factors: the spatio-temporal relationship between data sources and the temporal correlation between time series data. First, the spatio-temporal relationship was used to obtain the credibility of data sources. Then, the combined credibility of data was calculated based on the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and back propagation (BP) neural network. Finally, the comprehensive data reliability for evaluating data quality can be acquired based on the credibility of data sources and combined data credibility. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Performance Study of Distance-Weighting Approach with Loopy Sum-Product Algorithm for Multi-Object Tracking in Clutter
Authors: Damale Pranav U. , Chong Edwin K. P. , Ma Tian J.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we explore the performance of the distance-weighting probabilistic data association (DWPDA) approach in conjunction with the loopy sum-product algorithm (LSPA) for tracking multiple objects in clutter. First, we discuss the problem of data association (DA), which is to infer the correspondence between targets and measurements. DA plays an important role when tracking multiple targets using measurements of uncertain origin. Second, we describe three methods of data association: probabilistic data association (PDA), joint probabilistic data association (JPDA), and LSPA. We then apply these three DA methods for tracking multiple crossing targets in cluttered environments, e.g., radar detection with false alarms and missed detections. We are interested in two performance metrics: tracking accuracy and computation time. LSPA is known to be superior to PDA in terms of the former and to dominate JPDA in terms of the latter. Last, we consider an additional DA method that is a modification of PDA by incorporating a weighting scheme based on distances between position estimates and measurements. This distance-weighting approach, when combined with PDA, has been shown to enhance the tracking accuracy of PDA without significant change in the computation burden. Since PDA constitutes a crucial building block of LSPA, we hypothesize that DWPDA, when integrated with LSPA, would perform better under the two performance metrics above. Contrary to expectations, the distance-weighting approach does not enhance the performance of LSPA, whether in terms of tracking accuracy or computation time.
Effect of Nature Walks on Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Lyons Melinda , Vione Katia Correa , Norton Briony
Published: April 2021

The benefits of nature for our health have been an increasing research focus in recent years. In the context of a global increase in mental health diagnoses, the potential health benefits of nature have attracted attention. One practical nature treatment is to walk in nature. However, evidence for this practice on mental health has not been comprehensively appraised to date. This systematic review synthesized the effects of nature walks for depression and anxiety, and evaluated the methodological rigor of studies. Academic databases including ProQuest, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were utilized to identify eligible articles, which were examined using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Of 385 articles initially retrieved, 12 studies met all the eligibility criteria (nine pre-post within-subject studies, two quasi-experimental studies, and one experimental between-subjects study). These studies demonstrated that nature walks were effective for state anxiety but not generalized anxiety and the effects for depression were inconsistent. Findings indicate that nature walks may be effective for mental health, especially for reducing state anxiety. However, the quality of the included studies varied, and sample sizes were small, suggesting a need for more rigorous and large-scale research.
Mehar Approach for Finding Shortest Path in Supply Chain Network
Authors: Bhatia Tanveen Kaur , Kumar Amit , Appadoo Srimantoorao S. , Gajpal Yuvraj , Sharma Mahesh Kumar
Published: April 2021

The aim of each company/industry is to provide a final product to customers at the minimum possible cost, as well as to protect the environment from degradation. Ensuring the shortest travel distance between involved locations plays an important role in achieving the company’s/industry’s objective as (i) the cost of a final product can be minimized by minimizing the total distance travelled (ii) finding the shortest distance between involved locations will require less fuel than the longest distance between involved locations. This will eventually result in lesser degradation of the environment. Hence, in the last few years, various algorithms have been proposed to solve different types of shortest path problems. A recently proposed algorithm for solving interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy shortest path problems requires excessive computational efforts. Hence, to reduce the computational efforts, in this paper, firstly, an alternative lexicographic method is proposed for comparing interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy numbers. Then, using the proposed lexicographic comparing method, a new approach (named as Mehar approach) is proposed to solve interval-valued Pythagorean fuzzy shortest path problems. Furthermore, the superiority of the proposed lexicographic comparing method, as well as the proposed Mehar approach, is discussed.
Predictors of Anxiety in the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Global Perspective: Data from 23 Countries
Authors: Burkova Valentina N. , Butovskaya Marina L. , Randall Ashley K. , Fedenok Julija N. , Ahmadi Khodabakhsh , Alghraibeh Ahmad M. , Allami Fathil Bakir Mutsher , Alpaslan Fadime Suata , Al-Zu’bi Mohammad Ahmad Abdelaziz , Biçer Derya Fatma , Cetinkaya Hakan , David Oana Alexandra , Donato Silvia , Dural Seda , Erickson Paige , Ermakov Alexey M. , Ertuğrul Berna , Fayankinnu Emmanuel Abiodun , Fisher Maryanne L. , Hocker Lauren , Hromatko Ivana , Kasparova Elena , Kavina Alexander , Khatatbeh Yahya M. , Khun-Inkeeree Hareesol , Kline Kai M. , Koç Fırat , Kolodkin Vladimir , MacEacheron Melanie , Maruf Irma Rachmawati , Meskó Norbert , Mkrtchyan Ruzan , Nurisnaeny Poppy Setiawati , Ojedokun Oluyinka , Adebayo Damilola , Omar-Fauzee Mohd S. B. , Özener Barış , Ponciano Edna Lúcia Tinoco , Rizwan Muhammad , Sabiniewicz Agnieszka , Spodina Victoriya I. , Stoyanova Stanislava , Tripathi Nachiketa , Upadhyay Satwik , Weisfeld Carol , Yaakob Mohd Faiz Mohd , Yusof Mat Rahimi , Zinurova Raushaniia I.
Published: April 2021

Prior and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have resulted in substantial changes to everyday life. The pandemic and measures of its control affect mental health negatively. Self-reported data from 15,375 participants from 23 countries were collected from May to August 2020 during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two questionnaires measuring anxiety level were used in this study—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The associations between a set of social indicators on anxiety during COVID-19 (e.g., sex, age, country, live alone) were tested as well. Self-reported anxiety during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic varied across countries, with the maximum levels reported for Brazil, Canada, Italy, Iraq and the USA. Sex differences of anxiety levels during COVID-19 were also examined, and results showed women reported higher levels of anxiety compared to men. Overall, our results demonstrated that the self-reported symptoms of anxiety were higher compared to those reported in general before pandemic. We conclude that such cultural dimensions as individualism/collectivism, power distance and looseness/tightness may function as protective adaptive mechanisms against the development of anxiety disorders in a pandemic situation.
Promoting Food for the Trash Bin? A Review of the Literature on Retail Price Promotions and Household-Level Food Waste
Authors: Tsalis George , Jensen Birger Boutrup , Wakeman S. Wiley , Aschemann-Witzel Jessica
Published: April 2021

Supermarkets receive criticism for irresponsible marketing practices, such as price promotions, that trigger over-purchasing and seemingly contribute to consumer waste. In the wake of this, retailers have abolished certain price promotions as part of an effort to meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. We aim to investigate whether the underlying assumption that price promotions are positively related to consumer food waste needs to hold true. Through a review of the existing literature, we show that there is no scientific consensus on this assumption. Our findings show that half of the studies conclude that price promotions result in food waste by encouraging over-purchase, while the remaining conclude that consumers buying price-promoted food products show average or even lower levels of household food waste. Unraveling this inconsistency, we contribute by proposing a multi-level model of CSR behavior, where CSR actions at an institutional level (retailer) interact with individual characteristics at a micro (consumer) level leading to demonstrably different outcomes. We argue that the assumption that price promotions necessarily cause food waste has been overly simplistic, as it did not take into account the consumers’ role. We conclude that the relationship between price promotions and consumer food waste is conditional on price consciousness, attitudes, values, household identities, and household roles. Thus, we illustrate that CSR problems are often wicked ones, where first-order solutions often lead to secondary problems that stymie the progress of institutions and policy makers in addressing social needs in business. We derive specific recommendations for retailers seeking to meet CSR goals.
Environmental, Social and Governance Performance of Chinese Multinationals: A Comparison of State- and Non-State-Owned Enterprises
Authors: Khalid Fahad , Sun Juncheng , Huang Guanhua , Su Chih-Yi
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this research is to empirically investigate the effect of internationalization on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and non-SOEs. The study employed an updated panel dataset (6238 firm-year observations) of Chinese multinationals from the period 2010–2019. The initial findings of the study reveal that Chinese multinationals perform better in terms of environmental and governance scores. It suggests that international market forces deal with enhancing ecological problems and concerns of stakeholders. However, results are insignificant when the social performance of multinationals is analyzed. On the other hand, multinational non-SOEs outperformed their counterparts in terms of environmental and governance performance. The findings of the paper are robust regarding the use of proxies of internationalization and endogeneities.
Taking Lead for Sustainability: Environmental Managers as Institutional Entrepreneurs
Authors: Gluch Pernilla , Månsson Stina
Published: April 2021

Over the past two decades, sustainability professionals have entered the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. However, little attention has been given to the actual professionalization processes of these and the leadership conducted by them when shaping the pace and direction for sustainable development. With the aim to explore how the role of sustainability professionals develops, critical events affecting everyday sustainability work practices were identified. Based on a phenomenological study with focus on eight experienced environmental managers’ life stories, and by applying the theoretical lens of institutional entrepreneurship, the study displays a professionalization process in six episodes. Different critical events both enabled and disabled environmental managers’ opportunity to engage in institutional entrepreneurship. The findings indicate how agency is closely interrelated to temporary discourses in society; they either serve to support change and create new institutional practices towards enhanced sustainability or disrupt change when agency to act is temporarily “lost”. To manage a continually changing environment, environmental managers adopt different strategies depending on the situated context and time, such as finding ambassadors and interorganizational allies, mobilizing resources, creating organizational structures, and repositioning themselves.
Towards Sustainable Mobility? The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Romanian Mobile Citizens in Spain
Authors: Marcu Silvia
Published: April 2021

Using the case study of Romanians in Spain, this article highlights how the COVID-19 crisis presents both challenges and opportunities when it comes to human mobility and sustainability. Drawing on in-depth interviews with mobile people during the period of lockdown and circulation restrictions, and in accordance with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the paper advances and contributes to the relevance of sustainability and its impact on people’s mobility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I argue that even in the midst of the crisis, sustainable ways may be found to promote and protect human mobility. The paper raises the way sustainability acts as a driver, gains relevance and influence, and contributes to the creation of new models of resilient mobility in times of crisis. The conclusions defend the respect for the SDGs regarding human mobility and emphasise the role of people on the move as sustainable actors learning to overcome distance and the barriers to their mobility during the pandemic.
An Economic Equilibrium Model for Optimizing Passenger Transport Corridor Mode Structure Based on Travel Surplus
Authors: Wang Xu , Song Jingni , Wu Qunqi
Published: April 2021

Proper corridor configuration is the basic prerequisite for meeting demand to the maximum extent and optimally configuring transport resources. As the existing studies only pursue quantitative balance, without good understanding of the decision-making mechanism of passenger travel, they can hardly be used to guide effective infrastructure planning. The aim of this study was to put forward a new planning concept from the perspective of economics. Firstly, the decision-making mechanism of travel behavior was considered based on the demand subject, and the travel demand was classified. Next, the travel surplus of the demand subject was analyzed, and the travel decision-making criterion of maximizing the travel surplus was put forward. Then, a discrete economic equilibrium model for structural optimization of the passenger transport corridor was constructed and solved by the GlobalSearch algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness of the model and algorithm was verified through examples. The results indicate the good convergence of the algorithm. Different corridor travel demand, time value distribution and fixed cost of service mode all have great influence on the service mode configuration of the comprehensive transport passenger corridor and basically conform to the internal mechanism of supply and demand. The results show that the model and algorithm proposed in this paper are valid and can provide effective reference for the design and policy making of passenger transport corridor mode supply.
Using Blockchain-Enabled Solutions as SDG Accelerators in the International Development Space
Authors: Aysan Ahmet Faruk , Bergigui Fouad , Disli Mustafa
Published: April 2021

As the world is striving to recover from the shockwaves triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, all hands are needed on deck to transition towards green recovery and make peace with nature as prerequisites of a global sustainable development pathway. In this paper, we examine the blockchain hype, the gaps in the knowledge, and the tools needed to build promising use cases for blockchain technology to accelerate global efforts in this decade of action towards achieving the SDGs. We attempt to break the “hype cycle” portraying blockchain’s superiority by navigating a rational blockchain use case development approach. By prototyping an SDG Acceleration Scorecard to use blockchain-enabled solutions as SDG accelerators, we aim to provide useful insights towards developing an integrated approach that is fit-for-purpose to guide organizations and practitioners in their quest to make informed decisions to design and implement blockchain-backed solutions as SDG accelerators. Acknowledging the limitations in prototyping such tools, we believe these are minimally viable products and should be considered as living tools that can further evolve as the blockchain technology matures, its pace of adoption increases, lessons are learned, and good practices and standards are widely shared and internalized by teams and organizations working on innovation for development.
Using Conceptual Mapping for Learning to Affect Students’ Motivation and Academic Achievement
Authors: Almulla Mohammed Abdullatif , Alamri Mahdi Mohammed
Published: April 2021

Conceptual mapping tools have been used more and more for various educational purposes in recent years by academicians and educators. In addition, developments of technology that include conceptual mapping have a significant influence on education sustainability. Nevertheless, students’ understanding and motivation in using conceptual mapping in the context of education sustainability has rarely been assessed. Thus, this study could be useful for developing and testing theories related to using conceptual mapping, as well as for practitioners who use conceptual mapping in education sustainability. Besides being used as a method of assessment, these mapping tools are used to improve the students’ critical and analytical thinking skills and to facilitate the demonstration of relationships among concepts. Instead of using written or verbal descriptions, these tools utilise various diagrammatic relationships. The use of pictures, diagrams and visual illustrations are believed to facilitate the understanding of complex topics more readily. Therefore, this research aims to develop a new model that employs conceptual mapping for improving the motivation and achievements of students. A survey was distributed to 247 participants who are using conceptual mapping tools for learning, and the data were quantitatively analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM-Amos). The results of this study show that conceptual mapping can be used to increase students’ understanding and motivation to improve their academic achievements.
The Intra- and Inter-Regional Economic Effects of Smart Tourism City Seoul: Analysis Using an Input-Output Model
Authors: Lee Hyunae , Hlee Sunyoung
Published: April 2021

A competitive smart tourism city can be a solution for building resilience to address current and future crises and even be a booster of the economic effects of tourism, since it has an economic ripple effect both inside and outside of the city. This study tried to estimate the intra- and inter-regional economic effects of the smart tourism city Seoul, which has high competitiveness as a smart tourism city. First, this study tried to objectively clarify the scope of smart tourism based on a Delphi survey and then adopted the inter-regional input–output model. The results showed that smart tourism city Seoul is expected to create high income, high value-added, and job creation effects inside the city, and will greatly contribute to securing tax revenue. Outside of the city, smart tourism city Seoul is expected to induce high production effects. Based on these results, this study highlights the economic effects of a smart tourism city, which describes the convergence of technology and tourism.
How to Measure Environmental Performance in Ports
Authors: Vega-Muñoz Alejandro , Salazar-Sepulveda Guido , Espinosa-Cristia Juan Felipe , Sanhueza-Vergara Jonathan
Published: April 2021

Oceans, seas, and marine resources are highly relevant for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Such relevance has given rise to the blue economy approach, where scholars and policymakers see activities carried out in cargo ports from a different perspective. The blue economy approach stresses the emergence of multiple transnational networks in relation to these topics and the development of green ports plus environmental measurements at seaports in general. In this context, our study aimed to review the various scientifically documented methods for measuring environmental performance in ports, ports companies, or port authorities in the maritime transport and inland waterways framework. The study followed a scientometric meta-analytic methodology to accomplish its goals. The study strictly referred to the Environmental Performance in Ports (EPP) and extracted the corpus to analyze data held in five databases embedded in the Web of Science Core Collection. Then, the selection was processed and refined with the PRISMA guidelines to establish the eligibility criteria for articles with the PICOS (Population, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study) tool. A limited study set was identified. This included port environmental performance indicators and studies that were strongly influenced by the European Sea Ports Organization and Green Marine networks. These were compared based on the ecological Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), scale structure, and diversity in application. Finally, we assessed two measurement forms documented in the scientific research on the subject at a global level and discussed their pros and cons.
Fuzzy Logic Testing Approach for Measuring Software Completeness
Authors: Iqbal Nayyar , Sang Jun
Published: April 2021

Due to advancements in science and technology, software is constantly evolving. To adapt to newly demanded requirements in a piece of software, software components are modified or developed. Measuring software completeness has been a challenging task for software companies. The uncertain and imprecise intrinsic relationships within software components have been unaddressed by researchers during the validation process. In this study, we introduced a new fuzzy logic testing approach for measuring the completeness of software. We measured the fuzzy membership value for each software component by a fuzzy logic testing approach called the fuzzy test. For each software component, the system response was tested by identifying which software components in the system required changes. Based on the measured fuzzy membership values for each software component, software completeness was calculated. The introduced approach scales the software completeness between zero and one. A software component with a complete membership value indicates that the software component does not require any modification. A non-membership value specifies that the existing software component is no longer required in the system or that a new software component is required to replace it. The partial membership value specifies that the software component requires few new functionalities according to the new software requirements. Software with a partial membership value requires partial restructuring and design recovery of its components. Symmetric design of software components reduces the complexity in the restructuring of software during modification. In the study, we showed that by using the introduced approach, high-quality software that is faultless, reliable, easily maintained, efficient, and cost-effective can be developed.
The New Zoonotic Malaria: Plasmodium cynomolgi
Authors: Bykersma Alexander
Published: April 2021

Plasmodium cynomolgi is a simian malaria parasite that has been a central model parasite since it was first described in 1907. Recently it has made the zoonotic jump and started naturally infecting humans. In this paper, the interactions between Plasmodium cynomolgi and humans, the environment and the non-human animal intermediates or definitive host will be discussed, with a particular focus on the clinical implications of infection and approaches to management of this novel zoonotic parasite.
What Is the State-of-the-Art in Clinical Trials on Vaccine Hesitancy 2015–2020?
Authors: Pires Carla
Published: April 2021

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is related to a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination. Aim: to perform a systematic review of clinical trials on vaccine hesitancy (2015–2020). Methods: a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria (PRISMA). Five databases were screened—PubMed, Cochrane Library, DOAJ, SciELO and b-on—which comprise multiple resources. Keywords: “Vaccine hesitancy” and (“randomized controlled trial” or “clinical trial”). Inclusion criteria: trials about “vaccine hesitancy” enrolling patients and/or health professionals (2015–2020). Exclusion criteria: studies about other topics, repeated and qualitative studies, reviews and papers written in languages other than English, Portuguese, French or Spanish. Results: a total of 35 trials out of 90 were selected (19 PubMed, 14 Cochrane Library, 0 DOAJ, 0 SciELO and 2 b-on). Selected trials were classified into five topics: children/pediatric (n = 5); online or electronic information (n = 5); vaccination against a specific disease (n = 15) (e.g., influenza or COVID-2019); miscellaneous (n = 4); and educational strategies (n = 6). Conclusion: the provision of online or electronic information (e.g., through virtual reality, social websites of experts, or apps), communication-based interventions and training of health professionals, residents or subjects seemed to improve vaccine hesitancy.
The COVID-19 Vaccines: Recent Development, Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Yan Yuxin , Pang Yoongxin , Lyu Zhuoyi , Wang Ruiqi , Wu Xinyun , You Chong , Zhao Haitao , Manickam Sivakumar , Lester Edward , Wu Tao , Pang Cheng Heng
Published: April 2021

The highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated with the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to become a global pandemic. At present, the world is relying mainly on containment and hygiene-related measures, as well as repurposed drugs to control the outbreak. The development of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial for the world to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, and a collective global effort has been invested into protection against SARS-CoV-2. As of March 2021, thirteen vaccines have been approved for application whilst over 90 vaccine candidates are under clinical trials. This review focuses on the development of COVID-19 vaccines and highlights the efficacy and vaccination reactions of the authorised vaccines. The mechanisms, storage, and dosage specification of vaccine candidates at the advanced stage of development are also critically reviewed together with considerations for potential challenges. Whilst the development of a vaccine is, in general, in its infancy, current progress is promising. However, the world population will have to continue to adapt to the “new normal” and practice social distancing and hygienic measures, at least until effective vaccines are available to the general public.
Assessment of Critical Shear Stress and Threshold Velocity in Shallow Flow with Sand Particles
Authors: Shahmohammadi Reza , Afzalimehr Hossein , Sui Jueyi
Published: April 2021

In this study, the incipient motion of four groups of sand, ranging from medium to very coarse particles, was experimentally examined using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) in different water depths under the hydraulically transitional flow condition. The transport criterion of the Kramer visual observation method was used to determine threshold conditions. Some equations for calculating threshold average and near-bed velocities were derived. Results showed that the threshold velocity was directly proportional to both sediment particle size and water depth. The vertical distributions of the Reynolds shear stress showed an increase from the bed to about 0.1 of the water’s depth, after performing a damping area, then a decrease toward the water surface. By extending the linear portion of the Reynolds shear stress in the upper zone of the damping area to the bed, the critical shear stress, particle shear Reynolds number, and critical Shields parameter were calculated. Results showed that the critical Shields parameter was located under the Shields curve, showing no sediment motion. This indicates that the incipient motion of sediment particles occurred with smaller bed shear stress than that estimated using the Shields diagram in the hydraulically transitional flow region. The reason could be related to differences between the features of the present experiment and those of the experiments used in the development of the Shields diagram, including the approaches to determine and define threshold conditions, the accuracy of experimental tools to estimate critical shear stress, and sediment particle characteristics. Therefore, the change in the specifications of experiments from those on which the Shields diagram has been based led to the deviation between the estimation using the Shields diagram and that of real threshold conditions, at least in the hydraulically transitional flow region with sand particles.
Analytical Solution of Saltwater Intrusion in Costal Aquifers Considering Climate Changes and Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Abd-Elaty Ismail , Zeleňáková Martina , Krajníková Katarína , Abd-Elhamid Hany
Published: April 2021

Groundwater contamination due to saltwater intrusion (SWI) has an extreme effect on freshwater quality. Analytical and numerical models could be used to investigate SWI. This study aims to develop an analytical solution to investigate SWI into coastal aquifers which was applied to a real case study at the Middle Nile Delta aquifer (MNDA). The study presented a new formula to predict the difference in depth of freshwater to seawater interface due to a change in boundary conditions. A Computer Program for Simulation of Three-Dimensional Variable-Density Ground-Water Flow and Transport (SEAWAT) is used for groundwater flow simulation and SWI and the results compared with the developed analytical solution. Four scenarios are considered in the study, including; the sea-level rise (SLR), reduction in recharge, over abstraction, and combination after 50 years (2070). The analytical solution gave good results compared to the numerical one where Equiline 1 intruded to 103 and 101.66 km respectively at the base case. The results also gave a good agreement between numerical and the analytical solution for SLR due to climate changes by 52.80 cm where the Equiline 1 reached to 105 and 103.45 km. However, the reduction in aquifer recharge by 18.50% resulted in an intrusion for the Equiline-1 to 111 and 108.25 km from the shoreline. Over pumping due to the increase in population by 89% has increased the SWI to reach 121,110.31 km, while it reached 131 and 111.32 km at a combination of the three scenarios, which represents the highest threatening scenario. Also, the difference between the two solutions reached 1.30%, 1.48%, 2.48%, 8.84%, and 15.02%, respectively for the base case and four scenarios. For the current case study, the analytical model gave good results compared to the numerical one, so that the analytical solution is recommended for similar studies, which could save the time and capabilities of computer required for the numerical solutions.
Formation of information on social sustainability in the integrated reporting of agricultural enterprises
Authors: Khoruzhy Lyudmila Ivanovna , Tryastsina Nina Yuiryevna
Published: April 2021

The article deals with the methodological and practical issues of the formation of information about social sustainability in the integrated reporting of agricultural enterprises. The proposed format for the block «Social sustainability» of the integrated report, which allows more fully disclose information on the policy of agricultural enterprises in the field of social responsibility and sustainable development. In this block, the indicators are structured according to the groups recommended by the GRI G4 Guidelines, in the context of the characteristics of the company’s human and social-reputation capital. For each of the groups, indicators are recommended that reflect the directions of the company’s social policy.
The main trends in the development of agriculture in Russia in the context of economic sanctions
Authors: Romantseva Julia Nikolaevna
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study is to examine the main trends in the development of agriculture in Russia in the light of trade and economic sanctions, which had a significant impact on the development of the industry. The analysis showed that despite the decrease in the growth rate of value added in the agricultural sector, the production volumes of certain types of products increased significantly. This made it possible not only to ensure food security within the framework of the import substitution policy, but also to plan a significant increase in the export potential of the agricultural sector. The traced processes of concentration and centralization lead to a reduction in the number of enterprises of various categories of farms with an increase in the profitability of the remaining ones, with a significant level of state support. In general, the industry is developing at a much higher pace than the country’s economy, which gives reason to make favorable forecasts.
Organization of primary, analytical and synthetic accounting of biological assets and agricultural products
Authors: Alborov Rolan Arkhipovich , Khoruzhy Lyudmila Ivanovna , Kontsevaya Svetlana Mikhailovna , Alborov Gregory Rolanovich
Published: April 2021

The article substantiates the provisions of appraisal, primary, analytical and synthetic accounting of biological assets and agricultural products at fair value less costs of sale. The methodology is recommended for determining the fair value less costs of selling biological assets and the commercial and non-commercial agricultural products collected (received) from biological assets. Forms of primary documents, accounting registers and, accordingly, recommendations for the organization of primary, analytical, synthetic accounting and analysis of biological assets assessed at fair value less costs of sale and results from their biotransformation (agricultural products, income, expenses and financial results) have been developed. A method is proposed for determining the aggregate financial results (aggregate income, aggregate expenses and aggregate profit) from the biotransformation of biological assets. The methodology for assessing changes in the fair value of biological assets as of the end of the next reporting period is recommended.
On the method of calculating the cost of sugar beet
Authors: Bobryshev Alexey , Kempf Andrew
Published: April 2021

In the current economic system of Russia, agricultural production occupies a predominant place as a tool for improving the country’s national security. Agricultural production is characterized by a number of features that are manifested, among other things, in the accounting and analytical activities of economic entities aimed at forming the cost of various types of products, its analysis and subsequent management, which makes it possible to ensure the necessary level of agricultural output at the minimum allowable level of costs. The article presents the results of research on cost accounting and cost calculation on the example of sugar beet products, as well as measures to improve the accounting support of calculation processes in the field of beet farming.
Adapting management accounting and budgeting to the spread of the virus COVID-19
Authors: Khoruzhy Lyudmila Ivanovna , Katkov Yury Nikolaevich , Katkova Ekaterina Alekseevna
Published: April 2021

The article proposes a scheme for the movement of accounting and analytical information at the enterprise, taking into account the spread of coronavirus infection. A modernized accounting department for management accounting has been proposed, and a system of budgets has been developed in the context of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which allows minimizing the economic consequences of the pandemic, as well as laying the foundation for a more favorable development of the organization.
Use of target-costing and kaizen-costing to ensure effective cost management in interorganizational relations of agribusiness organizations
Authors: Khoruzhy Lyudmila Ivanovna , Katkov Yury Nikolaevich , Romanova Anastasiya Alekseevna
Published: April 2021

The article, based on the theoretical analysis, gives definitions of inter-organizational cooperation, inter-organizational management accounting, cost calculation system within the framework of interorganizational relations. Peculiarities of calculation of cost of interorganizational cooperation are disclosed, accounting practices of target-costing and kaisen-costing calculating system are described. The advantages of introducing and using inter-organizational accounting and a cost calculation system based on target costing and kaisen costing have been identified. Possible problem areas are identified when introducing these calculation systems into the practical activities of agro-formations.
Generating reports on the efficiency of the use of production resources in the corporate reporting system
Authors: Dzhikia Mary Konstantinovna
Published: April 2021

This article discusses the issues of reporting the use of production potential in the corporate reporting system. Formed the requirements for corporate and integrated reporting organizations proposed reporting on effectiveness of using production resources: production and management report segment and consolidated management report segment information, operational monitoring report of the process of formation cost and market price for manufactured products; reports with the results of factor analysis of the use of material, labor and other types of production resources, a list of cost items is defined to assess margin income, operating profit and break-even of production.
Procedures for conducting an internal audit of current assets at agricultural enterprises
Authors: Musaev Taigib Kamilovich , Dzhikiya Konstantin Akakievich
Published: April 2021

The article reviews the features of using procedures for organizing and conducting an internal audit of current assets — the most mobile types of property of agricultural enterprises. The internal audit procedures are based on the principles of normative and legal acts, regulating the rules for accounting, valuation and control of current assets. The forms of working documents of internal audit are presented, which suggest ways of performing accounting and control procedures at agricultural enterprises.
Analysis of the results of the Russian agricultural census using machine learning methods
Authors: Kharitonova Anna Evgenievna , Sundupey Alina Alekseevna , Skachkova Svetlana
Published: April 2021

The article provides a comparative analysis of the results of the Russian Agricultural Census of 2006 and 2016. As a result, there is a decrease in the number of agricultural producers, a decrease in the size of agricultural land and equipment in organizations. Against this background, one can see an increase in the concentration of production in both crop and livestock production. Machine learning models have been built to classify subsidy organizations using Python libraries. The accuracy of the constructed models was up to 86 %, which proves the possibility of their use. In the future, the use of machine learning methods will reduce the number of Russian agricultural census indicators and classify organizations with high accuracy according to qualitative characteristics.
Statistical analysis of trends in the role of agriculture in the Russian economy in the context of digital transformations
Authors: Kagirova Maria Vyacheslavovna
Published: April 2021

The multifunctionality of modern agriculture defines this industry as the base for both the traditional and digital economy. At the same time, the need for overall use of digital technologies creates for agricultural production a number of promising opportunities for increasing the efficiency of activities and transition to a new stage of development, but also a number of threats and risks of increasing disparity in relation to the industry in the distribution of incomes and the digital social divide of urban and rural areas, as well as a decrease in the competitiveness of the industry in the global and domestic markets. The paper analyzes changes in the position of agriculture in the country’s economy in various qualitatively unique periods from 2002 to 2018 for a number of characteristics, including ensuring food independence, employment, value added production, participation in building the country’s export potential using methods of mechanical and analytical alignment of time series. The directions of specifying the system of indicators for monitoring digitalization processes in agriculture are given.
Forecasting the main indicators of human resource development for use in agricultural organizations in the region
Authors: Steklova Tatyana Nikolaevna , Steklov Alexandеr Nikolaevich , Dzhikiya Konstantin Akakievich
Published: April 2021

The article discusses the features of forecasting human resources at different levels (organization, region, industry). The possibility of using existing methods of forecasting the main indicators of human resource development for the formation of strategic management decisions for the development of agricultural organizations in the region is evaluated.