bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new species of the genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861, subgenus Euscorpiops Vachon, 1980 from Thailand (Scorpiones, Scorpiopidae)
Authors: Nawanetiwong Wasin , Košulič Ondřej , Warrit Natapot , Lourenço Wilson R. , Ythier Eric
Published: March 2024

A new species, Scorpiops (Euscorpiops) krachansp. nov., belonging to the family Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905 is described based on three adult males and one adult female collected in the Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. The new species presents most features exhibited by scorpions of the subgenus Euscorpiops and can be characterized notably by a very small size, a sexual dimorphism strongly marked with male pedipalps elongated, a distinct trichobothrial pattern and other morphological features. This new taxon may represent one endemic element for the scorpion fauna of Thailand. Aspects of the ecology and distribution of the new species are discussed and compared with that of other relative Scorpiops species.
A new species of Svistella Gorochov, 1987 from Xizang, China (Orthoptera, Trigonidiidae, Trigonidiinae)
Authors: Hou Jing-Wen , Xu Yue , Hu Tian-Hao , Zhang Zi-Heng , Wu Shi-Yang , Gong Pu , He Zhu-Qing
Published: March 2024

The genus Svistella Gorochov, 1987 includes 10 species from Asia, with nine documented in China. In this study, a new species, Svistella yayun He, sp. nov., is described from Xizang, China. Morphologically, it resembles S. rufonotata (Chopard, 1932) but can be distinguished by a smaller inner tympanum, dark-brown setae on the 5th segment of the maxillary palp, and a rounded apex on the ectoparamere. To validate our morphological inferences and support the description of S. yayunsp. nov. as a new species, we performed a PCA based on bioacoustics parameters and molecular analysis. All Svistella species documented in China are distinguished by integrating their songs and DNA barcoding.
Sustainable plastic bottle recycling: employing zinc-deposited SBA-15 as a catalyst for glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Srisuratsiri Pailin , Chantarasunthon Ketsarin , Sudsai Wanutsanun , Sukprasert Pichet , Chuaitammakit Laksamee Chaicharoenwimolkul , Sakulsaknimitr Wissawat
Published: March 2024

Novel catalysts for recycling PET bottles into monomers have been developed by depositing zinc onto the surface of SBA-15, mitigating ZnO catalyst agglomeration in glycolysis separation processes to enhance reaction yields. Various zinc compounds (Zn(OAc)2, ZnCl2, and ZnSO4) were employed as substrates for catalyst design on the porous, high-surface-area material SBA-15 via impregnation. The presence of distinct Zn species on SBA-15 was confirmed through XRD and EDS analyses. The acidity of the catalyst, a crucial factor in the PET glycolysis process, was assessed using different Zn-containing precursors. NH3-TPD measurement has revealed the highest acidity in ZnCl2, followed by Zn(OAc)2 and ZnSO4, respectively. Glycolysis reactions with a PET:EG ratio of 1:5 and a 1% catalyst at 200℃ for 2 hours revealed the catalytic efficacy of zinc-deposited compounds in the sequence ZnCl2 > Zn(OAc)2 > ZnSO4. Surprisingly, the ZnCl2 catalyst produced the highest yield of bis-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET) at 75% and displayed exceptional recycling capability over three cycles, contributing significantly to resource recovery objectives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Design of a novel multimodal optimization algorithm and its application in logistics optimization
Authors: Gao Weishang , Gao Qin , Sun Lijie , Chen Yue
Published: March 2024

This study was purposed to design a multimodal continuous optimization algorithm based on a scheme agent to address the multidimensional complexity of optimization. An evolutionary sampling method of subarea exploration and multiple exploitations was developed by employing the scheme with variable population size so as to obtain higher optimization speed and accuracy. Second, the distribution plan was quantified into high-dimensional variable parameters based on the characteristics of logistics distribution optimization problems, and a high-dimensional discrete optimization model was constructed. Then, we identified and addressed the prominent issues and malignant virtual changes in the application of continuous algorithms to discrete problems. We have introduced a reasonable mutation mechanism during the optimization sampling process to mitigate this issue. Continuous real coordinate points were transformed across the neighborhood to standard discrete integer coordinate points by normalizing and logicizing the optimization sampling coordinates; also, the discretization of the continuous algorithm was realized. This approach could effectively prevent the algorithm from searching for targets in continuous optimization space, thereby fully reducing the complexity of the objective function distribution after conversion. The experiments showed that the transformed multimodal discrete optimization algorithm effectively addressed the optimization design problem of logistics distribution.
Jointly learning and training: using style diversification to improve domain generalization for deepfake detection
Authors: Li Jicheng , Liu Beibei , Wu Hao-Tian , Hu Yongjian , Li Chang-Tsun
Published: March 2024

Most existing deepfake detection methods often fail to maintain their performance when confronting new test domains. To address this issue, we propose a generalizable deepfake detection system to implement style diversification by alternately learning the domain generalization (DG)-based detector and the stylized fake face synthesizer (SFFS). For the DG-based detector, we first adopt instance normalization- and batch normalization-based structures to extract the local and global image statistics as the style and content features, which are then leveraged to obtain the more diverse feature space. Subsequently, contrastive learning is used to emphasize common style features while suppressing domain-specific ones, and adversarial learning is performed to obtain the domain-invariant features. These optimized features help the DG-based detector to learn generalized classification features and also encourage the SFFS to simulate possibly unseen domain data. In return, the samples generated by the SFFS would contribute to the detector's learning of more generalized features from augmented training data. Such a joint learning and training process enhances both the detector's and the synthesizer's feature representation capability for generalizable deepfake detection. Experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art competitors not only in intra-domain tests but particularly in cross-domain tests.
Long-time dynamics of nonlinear MGT-Fourier system
Authors: Wang Yang , Wu Jihui
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we consider the long-time dynamical behavior of the MGT-Fourier system

   \begin{document} $\left\{ {\begin{array}{l} u_{ttt}+\alpha u_{tt}-\beta\Delta u_t-\gamma\Delta u+\eta\Delta\theta+f_1(u,u_t,\theta) = 0,\nonumber\\ \theta_t-\kappa\Delta\theta-\eta\Delta u_{tt}-\eta\alpha\Delta u_t+f_2(u,u_t,\theta) = 0.\nonumber \end{array}} \right. $ \end{document}

First we use the nonlinear semigroup theory to prove the well-posedness of the solutions. Then we establish the existence of smooth finite dimensional global attractors in the system by showing that the solution semigroup is gradient and quasi-stable. Furthermore, we investigate the existence of generalized exponential attractors.
Numerical solutions of Troesch's problem based on a faster iterative scheme with an application
Authors: Ahmad Junaid , Arshad Muhammad , Ma Zhenhua
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this manuscript was to introduce a new iterative approach based on Green's function for approximating numerical solutions of the Troesch's problem. A Banach space of continuous functions was considered for establishing the main outcome. First, we set an integral operator using a Green's function and embedded this new operator into a three-step iterative scheme. We proved the main convergence result with the help of some mild assumptions on the parameters involved in our scheme and in the problem. Moreover, we proved that the new iterative approach was weak $ w^{2} $-stable. The high accuracy and stability of the scheme was confirmed by several numerical simulations. As an application of the main result, we solved a class of fractional boundary value problems (BVPs). The main results improved and unified several known results of the literature.
Managing heat transfer effectiveness in a Darcy medium with a vertically non-linear stretching surface through the flow of an electrically conductive non-Newtonian nanofluid
Authors: Alrehili Mohammed
Published: March 2024

This study encapsulated the research methodology utilized in the flow behaviors of Williamson nanofluid and analyzed the associated mass heat transfer. The study concentrated on examining the magnetohydrodynamic behavior of nanofluids in the presence of heat generation effects and the inclusion of dissipative energy on a vertical nonlinear stretching surface submerged within a Darcy porous medium. The rationale for including variable viscosity and variable conductivity in this research was to precisely evaluate the mechanisms of heat and mass transfer, particularly with regard to the fluctuations in fluid properties. The objective was to enhance the understanding of how these varying properties impact the overall heat and mass transfer processes. The initial formulation of the phenomenon, initially presented as partial differential equations, was transformed into ordinary differential equations by employing appropriate dimensionless variables. The ultimate streamlined version of the model was then numerically solved utilizing the shooting method. By employing the numerical shooting method, we portrayed nanofluid patterns in velocity, temperature, and concentration fields, alongside essential parameters such as skin friction coefficient, Sherwood number, and Nusselt number. The significant key findings highlighted that both the porous parameter and the magnetic number increasingly affected temperature and concentration distributions. Additionally, increasing the thermophoresis parameter resulted in higher concentration and corresponding temperature levels. Graphical presentation and physical explanations were used for analysis, and the study's outcomes were compared to existing literature, affirming a strong agreement that validated the solutions.
Pinning clustering component synchronization of nonlinearly coupled complex dynamical networks
Authors: Liu Jie , Sun Jian-Ping
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the clustering component synchronization of nonlinearly coupled complex dynamical networks with nonidentical nodes was investigated. By applying feedback injections to those nodes who have connections with other clusters, some criteria for achieving clustering component synchronization were obtained. A numerical simulation was also included to verify the correctness of the results obtained.
Quadrature-free polytopic discontinuous Galerkin methods for transport problems
Authors: Radley Thomas J. , Houston Paul , Hubbard Matthew E.
Published: March 2024

In this article we consider the application of Euler's homogeneous function theorem together with Stokes' theorem to exactly integrate families of polynomial spaces over general polygonal and polyhedral (polytopic) domains in two and three dimensions, respectively. This approach allows for the integrals to be evaluated based on only computing the values of the integrand and its derivatives at the vertices of the polytopic domain, without the need to construct a sub-tessellation of the underlying domain of interest. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm and show that this depends on three key factors: the ambient dimension of the underlying polytopic domain; the size of the requested polynomial space to be integrated; and the size of a directed graph related to the polytopic domain. This general approach is then employed to compute the volume integrals arising within the discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximation of the linear transport equation. Numerical experiments are presented which highlight the efficiency of the proposed algorithm when compared to standard quadrature approaches defined on a sub-tessellation of the polytopic elements.
Adaptability of Buckwheat in vitro
Authors: Borovaya Svetlana A. , Klykov Alexey G. , Boginskaya Natalia G.
Published: March 2024

The research goal was to study the morphogenesis of common buckwheat plantlets obtained using different stressors in vitro. The research object was common buckwheat variety Izumrud – single-node cuttings (1.0-1.5 cm in length; two-three lowest internodes) of the plantlets that were obtained by subculturing on a hormone-free MS medium and of the lines that showed tolerance to CuSO4 Å~ 5H2O (161 and 184 mg/l) at the Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology. Selective media were prepared based on the Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with a zinc salt (ZnSO4 Å~ 7H2O) at concentrations of 808, 909, 1010, 1111, 1212, and 1313 mg/l. To evaluate the morphological characteristics of the studied genotypes, their parameter values were calculated relative to the control and expressed as percentage. The genotypes were compared in the following groups depending on the exposure to a certain stressor: group 1 – the genotypes obtained without exposure to copper, group 2 – the genotypes obtained on the media containing the copper salt at a concentration of 161 mg/l, and group 3 – the genotypes obtained on the media containing the copper salt at a concentration of 184 mg/l. Plants from different groups demonstrated dissimilar growth rates under the toxic conditions caused by the studied concentrations of zinc. The morphological parameter values of the copper-tolerant plants (groups 2 and 3) were significantly higher than those of the plantlets obtained without exposure to copper. The plantlets tolerant to CuSO4 Å~ 5H2O (161 and 184 mg/l) showed a heightened resistance to the selective factor (Zn) as evidenced by their high regeneration and survival rates (95.7-100%).
Odranci and buckwheat groats
Authors: Pšajd Jelka
Published: March 2024

The village of Odranci (Prekmurje, Slovenia) is still remembered for its production of buckwheat groats. A special feature were the groats sellers, mainly women, who carried buckwheat groats (kasha or kaša) on foot or by bicycle from house to house or to fairs in various villages in the surrounding area, and further afield.
Social Learning Theory and the Health Professions Educator
Authors: Mangal Jed P. , Clark Abigail E. , Hildenbrand Jordan D.
Published: March 2024

Social learning theories posit that individuals learn in part by observing others and modeling their behavior. An additional key component is that learning occurs in a social context through interaction, shared experience, and reinforcement. Thoughtfully incorporating principles of social learning theory will enrich health professions education and help develop professionals ready for today's team-based, collaborative clinical practice. The social environment is a key determinant of what and how students learn. By harnessing the power of observation, modeling, social reinforcement, and experiences, educators can maximize their impact. Social learning theory provides an important framework for understanding learning in the health professions and optimizing professional preparation.
The Role of the International Community in Turning Afghanistan Into a Failed State and Its Impact on International and Regional Security
Authors: Alaverdov Emilia , Tchabashvili Zurabi
Published: March 2024

Afghanistan has long been a country that is easy to enter by external forces, but then very difficult to leave. As a result of the struggle with various conquerors, in the minds of the Afghans, the idea of any foreign troops as occupiers, with whom it remains only to fight, has firmly established itself. The invasion of the Soviet Union turned it into a Cold War battlefield, and the end of that war and the collapse of the Soviet Union turned Afghanistan into the arena of a new rivalry, this time between regional actors. Approximately 50 years before the communist takeover, Afghanistan was perhaps the most peaceful country on the Asian continent. The consequences of international and regional rivalry and inaction of the international community turned the country into a failed state, which poses a threat to international security.
Neutrality
Authors: Gärtner Heinz
Published: March 2024

The concept of neutrality has evolved over time, with various definitions emerging since the 19th century. Initially, neutrality was associated with non-participation in foreign wars and military conflicts. However, after the onset of the Cold War, the focus shifted towards non-participation in military alliances. In the context of “engaged neutrality,” neutral states should also take principled positions. Neutrality does not imply value-neutrality, and in times of conflict, neutral states must condemn serious human rights violations, genocide, and warfare. However, neutral states are not compelled to adopt the stances of great powers or alliances. Unlike alliances, they do not pose a threat to major powers. Engaged neutrality, therefore, stands in contrast to mere detachment. It signifies active involvement whenever feasible and abstention when necessary. This approach can constitute a valuable contribution to mediation and de-escalation during periods of escalating international tensions.
Organised Crime and the Role of Law and Law Enforcement Agencies in Ghana
Authors: Yin Elijah Tukwariba
Published: March 2024

This chapter brings together the various components of organised crime in Ghana and analyses the role of law and law enforcement agencies. It is argued that organised crime in Ghana undermines the emerging fragile democratic institutions in the country. Rooted in transparency, press freedom, rule of law, and free and fair elections, some elected and/or appointed officials who have taken oaths of office to defend the Constitution without fear or favour have largely been compromised to do the bidding of criminal syndicates at the expense of citizens. Despite the improvement in legislation and the coordinated efforts of mandated state agencies, the influence of affluent organised criminal syndicates on some law enforcement agencies has weakened state-agency collaboration. The undermining role of politicians presents a paradox of power subversion that aids and abets organised criminal activities. Sophisticated technology, political preparedness, and individual alertness are crucial in dealing with organised crime in Ghana.
Empowering Community Actors
Authors: Abdel-Haq Mohammed , Danielsson Alicia
Published: March 2024

This chapter explores the integral role of taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) services in combating organized crime, with a specific focus on child sexual exploitation as highlighted by cases like Operation Stovewood. The research scrutinizes the socio-economic impacts of organized crime on individuals and communities, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach to address these issues. It particularly examines the involvement of the taxi and PHV industry in these crimes and advocates for effective public-private collaboration in tackling organized crime. Organized crime, including activities like human trafficking and extortion, undermines societal stability, fostering violence and eroding public trust in institutions. The chapter presents a disturbing dimension of this crime: the exploitation of certain taxi/PHV drivers in child sexual exploitation scandals, as seen in investigations across cities like Rotherham. This revelation has led to a critical inquiry into taxi and PHV licensing, aiming to address regulatory gaps and ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. The research adopts a comprehensive methodology, analyzing Operation Stovewood as a case study and reviewing academic and government reports on the effectiveness of policies and legal frameworks governing taxi and PHV licensing. It also explores the ethical and legal responsibilities of regulating taxi and PHV services, balancing safety measures with privacy rights. Key to this discourse is the necessity of public-private collaboration in combating organized crime. The strategic positioning of taxi and PHV drivers as local surveillance agents offers a unique opportunity in this fight. The chapter proposes comprehensive training, legal structures, and ethical guidelines to empower drivers in this role, supplemented by technological advancements like CCTV in taxis and PHVs.
Towards a Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Authors: Jiménez-Sánchez Roxana , Raygoza-L María E. , Orduño-Osuna J. Heriberto , Limón-Molina Guillermo M. , Murrieta-Rico Fabian N.
Published: March 2024

This chapter is focused on the interest that the industry has placed in recent years regarding the environmental repercussions derived from the various industrial processes in general, which over time have triggered multiple negative impacts on the environment, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the atmosphere and direct discharges to effluents, which probably contribute to global warming, causing a series of negative externalities such as chronic serious diseases such as asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (EPOC), among many others, leading the industry to take intelligent measures and actions based on sustainable consumption and production, which contribute to the fulfillment of the sustainable development objective (SDG) 12 of the 2030 agenda. For this reason, the authors will focus on the study and analysis of supply chain management, offering significant guidance in the implementation of practices for sustainable management.
Voyage Virtuoso
Authors: Manoharan Geetha , Rao C. V. Guru , Ashtikar Sunitha Purushottam , Kumar Sanjeev , Nivedha M.
Published: March 2024

AI employs complex algorithms and processing power to mimic human reasoning and perform tasks like recognition, interpretation, and decision-making. Artificial intelligence is helping more commercial and industrial sectors boost capacity, optimize operations, and provide better products and services to customers. Tourism has being transformed by AI. The travel industry has created adaptable and responsive environments using AI, machine learning, and deep learning to meet customer needs. The chapter discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in tourism to enable information processing, intelligent predictive applications, social media opinion deciphering, accommodation, personalized experiences, and destination management. AI's real-time data analysis has revolutionized how travelers plan and start their trips. AI will likely improve traveler experiences and sector organizations' management and services. AI-powered technology also assigns realistic responsibilities to employees, saving time, money, and effort, allowing firms to establish more competitive rates.
Do Restaurants Promote Their Sustainable Practices Online?
Authors: Koupaei Sara Naderi , Ballantine Paul , Ozanne Lucie
Published: March 2024

The growth of the restaurant sector has meant problems of waste disposal, emissions, and business costs. However, in addition to traditional back-of-house (production, preparation, provision) and front-of-house (dining room, serving) categories, restaurants have a virtual front-of-house, given the extent that online presence is now a part of marketing and menu promotion, ordering, and feedback. Nevertheless, little is known of what sustainable restaurant practices, e.g. waste reduction, are promoted online. Following a discussion of restaurant sustainability practices and virtual front-of-house, this chapter presents the results of content analyses of the online presence of restaurants to identify which characteristics of restaurant sustainability, e.g., waste reduction practices, are promoted to customers. The results suggest that local food and seasonality are prominent, but other practices, such as waste management, receive limited attention even from restaurants that promote themselves as green. The implications for restaurant and food service sector sustainability are discussed.
Green Revolution in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Islam Md. Tariqul , Kumar Jeetesh , Soeiro Joaquim Dias , Garg Anshul
Published: March 2024

This comprehensive exploration of sustainable food waste management in the hospitality industry reveals a pressing need for transformative change. Examining key findings, including staggering statistics, environmental impacts, and regulatory frameworks, underscores the issue's complexity. The industry's commitment to change is evident through innovative approaches like farm-to-table initiatives and emerging technologies, while education and awareness emerge as catalysts for meaningful transformation. Practical steps, from inventory management to circular economy integration, offer a roadmap for implementation. Fostering a sustainability culture within individual establishments and industry-wide collaborations proves essential for lasting change. The conclusion emphasises the hospitality sector's potential to lead a shift towards a more responsible and environmentally conscious future, where conscious practices and waste reduction become integral to the culinary experience.
The Attitudes and Approaches to the Food Waste Management of Hospitality Businesses in Oxford, UK
Authors: Rosenthal Arielle , Cripps Karen , Lvovich Stephanie
Published: March 2024

This chapter analyses the food waste management behaviour of the hospitality industry, based upon empirical research of businesses in the historic city of Oxford, United Kingdom (UK). The findings identify trends and commonalities between food waste management in the hospitality industry, as well as best and innovative practices. It is evident that businesses are aware of the problem of food waste but are not clear on how to manage it. There appears to be a reliance on redistribution to staff and high wastage in animal protein products such as meat and fish, by the businesses. In addition to enhanced training on food waste and stock management, there is an opportunity for more businesses to engage in consumer behaviour change campaigns. At the local level, this study identified best practices among community food networks for sustainable food management, particularly food redistribution. This provides illuminative insights for impactful knowledge sharing between these organisations, hospitality businesses and governmental bodies at local, national, and global scales.
Indispensable Source of Risk Contagion With Big Data Analysis From a More Comprehensive View on Shadow Banking
Authors: Li Peijin , Yi Xiutong , Zhang Chonghui , Baležentis Tomas
Published: March 2024

Although shadow banking widely exists in the financial systems of various countries, their definitions vary significantly due to specific economic and financial characteristics. This paper classifies Chinese shadow banking into six categories: securities, trust, private lending, banking, fund, and insurance. The AR-GARCH-DCC model is used to measure systemic risk spillover through from an industrial and institutional perspective. The network topology index is employed to analyze risk contagion and further explore influencing factors. Firstly, based on the results of the AR-GARCH-DCC, the estimated dynamic volatility (σ) indicates that shadow banking risk spillover is time-varying, especially in trust and securities. Second, according to the static risk spillover analysis, various institutions play different roles and can transform between risk spillovers and overflowers. Thirdly, eigenvector centrality, leverage, assets, CPI, and macroeconomic prosperity significantly impact shadow banking systemic risk spillover.
Perception of Expectation States and Teaching Diversity in Higher Education: Insights from a Qualitative Study
Authors: Fu Jun , Jacobs Sue
Published: March 2024

There are many benefits from fostering interaction among students of diverse backgrounds in classrooms. To enhance students’ potential psycho-social and intellectual development, instructors need to do more than foster group interaction. They need to encourage and teach skills for diverse students to be able to genuinely communicate their differences in knowledge, perspectives, and expectation states. An expectation state is defined as an anticipation of the quality of group members’ future task performances and is shaped by socially ascribed characteristics. Researchers who based their studies on Expectation States Theory found ample evidence that expectation states exert multi-level effects on social dynamics, competence beliefs, and outcome perceptions between individuals with different cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic backgrounds. The present study was a qualitative exploration into the perception of expectation states and teaching of diversity in faculty at two higher-education institutions in the south-central United States. The sample consisted of ten faculty members. The methods employed comprised a combination of qualitative techniques. The focus was to identify how and where the themes of expectation states arose in the teaching and learning of diversity, what the attitudes were toward these themes and topics, and how these attitudes informed faculty’s pedagogy. A thematic analysis of the data collected revealed four main themes: 1) considering broader contextual factors to understand potential challenges in group learning involving diverse learners, 2) recognizing expectation states stemming from socially ascribed attributes, 3) striving to break presumed or preconceived expectations, and 4) incorporating experiential learning strategies towards effective diversity education. The implications of these findings for diversity training and multicultural education are discussed.
Perceived Competence and Agreeableness Predict Positive Behaviors Toward Mexican Immigrants: Less Acculturated Hispanics are More Welcoming of Immigrants
Authors: Bueno Elia Hilda , Mendez Roque
Published: March 2024

The resettlement of immigrants who have fled their countries because of dire consequences at home and better opportunities elsewhere, has given rise to a range of prejudices toward them in their host countries. We examined prejudices and discrimination toward immigrants, specifically Mexican immigrants, as a function of their perceived competence and warmth within the context of the Stereotype Content Model. We also examined perceiver’s agreeableness, openness to experience, attitudes and acculturation level, and their links with prejudices toward immigrants. We found that an immigrant’s competence elicited strong and more positive feelings and responses than warmth. More competent immigrants were more likely to be liked and welcomed. Of the Big Five variables, Agreeableness was strongly linked with positive sentiments and actions toward immigrants. However, Attitudes toward immigrants showed the strongest correlations with the criterion variables, of how individuals will feel and intend to behave toward immigrants. Finally, acculturation within Latinos correlated negatively with positive feelings and actions toward immigrants. More acculturated Latinos were less welcoming of immigrants. The findings serve to inform policymakers of the varied prejudices held of immigrants and the types of discrimination they are likely to face in order to help them implement humane policy options.
Improvement of Surimi Gel Quality Using Protein Cross-Linker, Hydrocolloids and Protease Inhibitor
Authors: Buamard Natchaphol , Singh Avtar , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: March 2024

Surimi and its products have been consumed widely, especially in Japan and Southeast Asia. Market value and consumer acceptability are mainly determined by the textural properties of surimi gel. Textural and gelling properties are governed by the type of fish, lipid content, processing conditions, and presence of endogenous protease and transglutaminase. In addition, several additives such as protein cross-linkers, hydrocolloids, protease inhibitors, etc. have been used in surimi to improve their gelling properties. Cross-linking is the promising method for protein modification to obtain desirable surimi-based gel products possessing unique textural properties. Endogenous transglutaminase (TGase) plays a profound role in protein cross-linking during setting in surimi paste. For surimi from fish with low setting phenomenon, microbial TGase (MTGase) has been widely used. Plant polyphenols have also been employed for protein crosslinking to strengthen the surimi gel. Polysaccharides mainly the hydrocolloids also strengthen the gel network and increase water holding capacity (WHC) of gel. During heating, endogenous heatactivated proteases that are firmly attached to muscle proteins are active in hydrolyzing myofibrillar proteins. This results in a weaker gel with low WHC. Protease inhibitors form plants as well animals could impede the protease activity, thus maintaining the myofibrillar proteins responsible for the gelation. In addition to the additives, processing methods such as highpressure technology or ohmic heating in combination with those additives have a positive impact on the gel properties. For this review, the role of various kinds of additives namely protein crosslinkers, hydrocolloids and protease inhibitors in surimi gel improvement was revisited.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of
Abutilon
indicum
Fiber-Based Polyester Composites under Alkali Treatment for
Automotive Sector
Authors: Kaliappan Seeniappan , Natrayan L. , Mohammed Ali H. , Kumar Pankaj
Published: March 2024

Natural fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly used in the automotive and
aerospace industries since more studies focus on them because they are
environmentally benign. The primary benefit of natural fibers over synthetic
fibers is their biodegradability. In addition to meeting other standards,
natural fiber-reinforced composites have high thermal and mechanical qualities.
The current study’s main objective has been to investigate one such natural
fiber-reinforced polymer. Biomaterials constructed of Abutilon
indicum fiber reinforced with polyester were created in the current
work. The test samples with the materials above underwent mechanical and thermal
investigations to determine their strengths. The impact of alkali treatment
(NaOH) on the fibers was also investigated and assessed. Compared to other
samples such as 5, 10, and 15 g of fiber loadings the 20 g of fiber loading
reveals the highest mechanical properties such as 59.21 MPa tensile, 72.45 MPa
of bending, and 11.25 kJ/m2 of impact strength. Scanning electron
microscopy results showed that a composite made of alkali-treated fibers had
superior mechanical properties. Thermal behavior of materials measured with
differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetric equipment Abutilon
indicum fiber-reinforced polyester polymers was thus characterized,
and their properties were evaluated for their suitability to the aircraft and
automobile industries, among others.
On the road to FID – creating value chains for the hydrogen economy in Europe
Authors: Borning Martin
Published: March 2024

The outline of a hydrogen economy is slowly taking shape in Europe. While the time of press releases about new hydrogen projects is not over, the development has passed the age of announcements. Moreover, it has passed the age of pure hydrogen projects. Today, projects relating to ammonia, methanol and other so-called hydrogen derivatives are also being developed, not to mention carbon capture, utilization and storage projects which slowly emerge as a complementary necessity in the development of a hydrogen economy. For these developments, the European Union (EU) is an important centre where relevant regulation is devised. However, such regulation is still not finalized. Uncertainty about the regulatory framework is a big hurdle to the final investment decision (FID) of project developers and investors. Unfortunately, it is not the only hurdle. Other equally serious issues need to be resolved in order for developers to actually invest and establish the value chains for the hydrogen economy and to reach the development targets set by politicians across the EU.
Navigating ESG arbitrability challenges in energy and climate: an in-depth analysis and future perspectives
Authors: Giupponi Belén Olmos , Figueroa Raul Partido
Published: March 2024

Over the past few years, there has been a notable surge in the inclusion of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) clauses within both domestic and international agreements and contracts. This trend places a distinct focus on aspects related to climate change and energy. Implementation and enforcement challenges have emerged, prompting the exploration of remedies and procedural channels, wherein commercial and investment arbitration has gained recognition as a suitable dispute resolution mechanism.

Against this backdrop, this article examines ESG clauses from both substantive and procedural perspectives, emphasizing their relevance to climate change and energy issues in light of the Paris Agreement. The study presents a thorough analysis of conceptual frameworks, content, scope, and implementation of ESG clauses. Additionally, it explores procedural pathways for enforcement, encompassing commercial and investment arbitration, highlighting their advantages and downsides. A critical analysis of recent arbitration cases involving ESG clauses provides insights into future implications.

The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and significance surrounding the implementation of ESG clauses, particularly in the context of climate change and energy considerations, within contemporary international investment agreements and in the evolving landscape of commercial arbitration.
The three core strategies for successful negotiations
Authors: Rock Hermann
Published: March 2024

Professional negotiators always use three core strategies1: a team strategy (the boss does not negotiate); a behavioural strategy, which is based on the Behavior Change Stairway Model (BCSM); both strategies are developed for crisis negotiations and should also be used in Business-to-Business (B2B) negotiations. Furthermore, professional negotiators use a process strategy which is based on the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) and conflict research.
Recommendations of the Polish-speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG-PL) regarding the disclosure of biological traces and the handling of evidence for identification tests
Authors: Pawłowski Ryszard , Branicki Wojciech , Kupiec Tomasz , Grzybowski Tomasz , Parys-Proszek Agnieszka , Abreu-Głowacka Monica , Droździok Kornelia , Ciesielka Marzanna , Woźniak marcin , Ossowski Andrzej , Jacewicz Renata
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this paper is to formulate recommendations for the disclosure of biological traces in the laboratory and the handling of forensic evidence submitted for identification tests, recommended by the Polish Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics. The paper organizes the knowledge of the most relevant stages of preliminary analysis of biological traces based on both literature sources and those resulting from years of research practice. Recommendations formulated in the course of multi-stage expert consultations contained in this study should be used in the development of laboratory procedures applied during the execution.
Signatures as an object of autoforgery (self-forgery)
Authors: Koziczak Anna
Published: March 2024

The study presents the results of research aimed at isolating the graphic features most frequently and least frequently modified by people committing autoforgery (self-forgery) of signatures in situations where the appearance of their natural signatures is not known to the recipient. The research covered a total of over 12,000 signatures from 200 individuals. The most successful attempts at autoforgery of legible and illegible signatures of each test subject were selected for the final evaluation. It was found that autoforgery changes are most often focused on the most striking features of the signatures, such as the structure of letters in the initial part of the signature, size, readability, impulse, and slope. Secondary features, more difficult to notice or those whose existence the writers are not aware of (such as the presence or absence of additions, the arrangement of letters in relation to each other, the shape and direction of signature lines, the format of legible signatures) are usually omitted in autoforgery activities. Detecting autoforgery can be a big challenge for experts, because in practice, any significant differences between the questioned signature and comparative signatures are often mistakenly considered to be the result of forgery. Therefore, in order to detect autoforgery, it is necessary to analyze the structure of easily noticeable features that most influence the so-called pictorial effect of the signature in combination with the unattractive features that remain unchanged in most cases of autoforgery. The more characteristic the latter are, the more their consistency in the questioned and comparative material proves self-forgery, regardless of the differences in the primary features. In the case of a forged signature, the opposite is true: the most easily noticeable features of the signature are imitated by the forger, and the differences occur mainly in secondary features.
The Crucial and Contested Concept of the Endonym/Exonym Divide
Authors: Jordan Peter
Published: March 2024

Paul Woodman has called it the “great toponymic divide”, but the endonym/exonym distinction is not a concept confined solely to toponymy; it can be transferred to all name categories where the name used by insiders may differ from the name used by outsiders, for example, to ethnonyms, anthroponyms, names of institutions, where we frequently meet for instance nicknames and derogative designations used by outsiders. But there is no doubt that this divide has its focus on toponymy, since it corresponds there to two basic human attitudes: (1) to the distinction between ‘mine’ and ‘yours’, ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’, and (2) to territoriality, the desire to own a place, which appears at all levels of the construction of human community – from the level of the family up to that of nations. Thus, it has always a political, social, and juridical meaning and is frequently a reason for dispute and conflict. However, even after long and intensive discussions, for example, in the UNGEGN Working Group of Exonyms, to date we can still see rather divergent approaches to this divide. There is the linguistic approach regarding the endonym and the exonym rather as poles of a continuum, with various intermediate stages. Alternatively, there is the cultural-geographical approach that accepts no other criteria than the spatial relation between the name-using community and the geographical feature denoted by the name. The article elaborates on these points, mainly on the basis of the discussions and publications of the UNGEGN Working Group on Exonyms since 2002.
Use of Toponym Ontologies in Web Gazetteer Entities
Authors: Nyangweso Daniel Orongo , Gede Mátyás
Published: March 2024

Toponyms presented in web gazetteers have various applications such as land registration, defense mapping, cultural heritage, memory inscription and topographic representation. This study aims to demonstrate the application of geographical ontology in the study of toponyms in a multilingual space of individual entities or classes in gazetteers and user interactions. The display of toponyms on the web platforms must be appealing and easy to read for ease of comparison of entities. To capture user attention, processes that users are familiar with and knowledge systems for geographic information retrieval must be used to efficiently present toponym information. In reviewing the user experience, the gazetteer service was evaluated based on the language, the country, acquisition, platform, browser, and operating system. Content, type, location, regularity, extinction, and ethnographic associations in Kenya were integrated as part of mappings to form an integrative approach in dealing with open data. The study’s findings show that users’ perceptions of toponym gazetteer services are influenced by the visual features and information given. The results of this study may help in the future design of gazetteer entities that incorporate toponymy aspects in dealing with the increasing complexity of searching for entities and retrieval geographic information gazetteer.
The Next Stop Is… – Naming of Bus Stops in Two Nordic Capital Regions
Authors: Syrjälä Väinö
Published: March 2024

This paper discusses the names of bus stops in two Nordic capital regions: Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden. These names can be defined as official, urban toponyms, and the naming is also characterised by the reuse of existing nomenclature whereby the names gain a secondary referent as a label for a bus stop. The choice of names is analysed from a sample of bus stops from the two regions. Street names are the most used source for names of bus stops. Other sources include names of train and metro stations, names of areas, other official urban nomenclature (e.g., names of squares, parks), and names of various potential destinations and urban landmarks. As the names themselves cannot reveal information about the actual use and perception of the names, the paper also outlines potential research questions for further socio-onomastic approaches.
UJI KELAYAKAN ALAT PERAGA KINCIR AIR SEDERHANA PADA MATERI FLUIDA DINAMIS SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN FISIKA
Authors: Azizah Dinda Nur
Published: March 2024

Penelitian uji kelayakan media pembelajaran berupa kincir air sederhana pada materi fluida dinamis ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kelayakan media kincir air berdasarkan teknik penilaian yang terdiri dari aspek efisiensi, ketahanan, keamanan, estetika, dan nilai pendidikan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian dengan model pengembangan 4D, yaitu define, design, develop, dan disseminate. Teknik pengumpulan data dari instrumen penelitian dengan analisis data kuantitatif. Uji kelayakan diadakan di Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta dengan subjek mahasiswa aktif Jurusan Pendidikan Fisika FMIPA UNY sebagai validator ahli. Setelah diadakannya penilaian, diperoleh hasil uji kelayakan terhadap aspek efisiensi sebesar 80%, ketahanan 75%, keamanan 91,67%, estetika 81,25%, dan nilai pendidikan 82,5% dengan kriteria sangat sesuai pada masing-masing aspek. Uji kelayakan media kincir air sederhana pada materi fluida dinamis ini menunjukkan kriteria sangat layak. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, media kincir air sederhana pada materi fluida dinamis dapat diuji cobakan terlebih dahulu sebelum digunakan sebagai media pembelajaran di kelas XI SMA.