bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization Technique for Pseudorange Multipath Mitigation Using Different Signal Selection Methods
Authors: Uaratanawong Valanon , Satirapod Chalermchon , Tsujii Toshiaki
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, the use of multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has improved positioning accuracy in autonomous driving, navigation and tracking systems utilized by general users. However, signal quality in urban areas is degraded by poor satellite geometry and severe multipath errors, which may disturb up to a hundred-meter-ranging error as a consequence. In this study, the performance of several satellite selection methods in multipath mitigation was evaluated, based on the concept that better quality signals and more accurate solutions will be obtained, the more multipath signals can be excluded. Three methods were performed and compared: 1) azimuth-dependent elevation mask based on fisheye image technique, 2) receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM), and 3) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) mask in the SPP method. To examine the effect of the satellite selection methods on multipath error, the static test (single-point positioning (SPP) in real-time 1 Hz test) was performed in a multipath environment. The preliminary results showed a possible impact on improving the horizontal positioning accuracy of SPP. Among the three techniques assessed in this study, the results indicated that the SNR mask set at 36 dB-Hz in every elevation showed the most promising result. The SNR mask method could improve positioning accuracy by up to 46.80% compared to the SPP method.
Investigation of Physical and Sensory Properties of Ethiopian Specialty Dry Processed Green Coffee Beans
Authors: Wondimkun Yishak Worku , Emire Shimelis Admassu , Esho Tarekegn Berhanu
Published: July 2020

Ethiopia is known for its specialty Arabica coffees affected by mix-up. Physical and sensory properties of dry processed green coffee beans have been reported for the influence on the sensorial quality and coffee process optimization. The aim of this study was to investigate physical and sensory properties of sixteen varieties and to determine relationship of attributes. Physical properties of coffee beans were taken by measuring linear dimensions, densities and weight. Moreover, professional cuppers were analyzed sensory properties by using standard procedures. In this study, the longest (10.40 mm), the widest (6.82 mm) and the thickest (4.48 mm) varieties were Odicha, Feyate and Challa, respectively whereas the shortest (8.28 mm), narrowest (5.59 mm) and thinnest (3.52 mm) were 74110, Mocha and Bultum, respectively. The shape & make value of variety Bultum was “fair good” whereas variety Feyate was “very good”. Furthermore, the results of “shape & make” were significantly correlated with measured physical properties. The results indicate that most physical and sensory properties of coffee varieties have significant (P ≤ 0.05 differences. These properties were influenced by growing regions and variety difference. The outcome of this study can be used for coffee bean characterization and process optimization to improve beverage quality.
The Quality of Freeze-Dried and Rehydrated Blueberries Depending on their Size and Preparation for Freeze-Drying
Authors: Ochmian Ireneusz , Figiel-Kroczyńska Monika , Lachowicz Sabina
Published: July 2020

A significant increase in highbush blueberry plantings has been observed annually. However, there is a problem with the handling of fruit that does not meet the requirements for dessert berries. One of the methods to use the fruit is drying. The research was conducted in the Department of Horticulture at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. The fruit was harvested at a plantation specialising in the production of highbush blueberry from irrigated and non-irrigated plots. This study aimed to assess how cutting or pricking highbush blueberry fruit affects the duration of the sublimation drying process – freeze-drying. The biological value of fresh, freeze-dried, and rehydrated fruit was assessed. The amount of fruit left on bushes depended on the weather prevailing in the growing season, especially during the harvest period. The mass of fruit left on the bushes was approx. 1 to 2 t/ha. Although these fruits were small, they had a very high biological value. After freeze-drying and rehydration, the blueberry fruit retained their colour, high content of polyphenols and showed high antidiabetic activity and antioxidant capacity. The large fruit reached the moisture content of approx. 12%, which ensures safe storage and the appropriate texture, after 46 hours of drying, and the smaller fruit - after 32 hours. Fruit cutting or pricking reduced the drying time by half. Reducing this time decreased drying costs and increased biological value.
Comprehensive Assessment of the Properties of Cotton Single Jersey Knitted Fabrics Produced From Different Lycra States
Authors: Khalil Amany , Fouda Abdelmonem , Těšinová Pavla , Eldeeb Ahmed S.
Published: July 2020

This research aims to evaluate the properties of cotton single jersey knitted fabrics (SJKF) produced from cotton/spandex yarns at different Lycra states. So, four different SJKF were produced, namely 100% cotton, cotton with additional Lycra (full-platted), core, and dual-core-spun (DCS) yarns with the same loop length. The thermal comfort properties, fabric recovery, total hand value (THV), moisture management parameters, and air permeability were measured. The experimental results showed that the use of DCS yarns in the SJKF improves the fabric elastic recovery by 100%. The obtained values of air permeability, THV, and overall moisture management capacity of stretched SJKF are lower than 100% cotton fabric sample. Thermal absorptivity of core and dual-core samples increased by 27% and the water vapor permeability decreased by 18% compared to 100% cotton fabric sample.
Durability Assessment of Composite Structural Element Reinforced with Fabric due to Delamination
Authors: Marszałek Jerzy , Stadnicki Jacek
Published: July 2020

Layer composites reinforced with fabrics – laminates are construction materials in which mechanical properties can be shaped by designing their microstructure appropriately. However, the multi-phase microstructure of laminates makes it difficult to calculate the strength of the laminate constructions, especially when the reinforcement is a fabric. The article presents a special calculation model for determining the strength of an exemplary construction element made of laminate reinforced with a roving fabric with a plain weave made of carbon fibers. The computational model reflected in a simplified way the laminate microstructure, i.e. the number and orientation of the reinforcement fabric layers and its weave, and enabled a simulation of the behavior of the construction element under load up to fracture, which occurred as a result of breaking the reinforcement and interlayer crack – delamination. The simulation results were compared with the results of experimental stand tests. A method of modifying the computational model for laminates reinforced with non-plain weave was also suggested.
Monitoring vertebrate abundance in Austria: developments over 30 years
Authors: Semmelmayer Katharina , Hackländer Klaus
Published: July 2020

Loss of biodiversity is one of the major challenges of the anthropocene. Various indices are used to quantify biodiversity. For vertebrates, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) uses the Living Planet Index (LPI). It is calculated globally as well as separately for the species occurring in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biomes. Action to prevent biodiversity loss can be taken by countries or provinces, so it is important to understand the changes in biodiversity at local scales. We present LPIs for vertebrates in Austria, both unweighted and weighted, according to species richness. Vertebrate populations seem to have declined strongly in Austria, and their abundance was stabilized at about 60% of the initial population size in the base year 1990—the LPI declined from 1 in 1990 to ~0.6 (unweighted) or ~0.7 (weighted) in 2015. This is almost double the global decline for the same period. LPIs were calculated separately for the terrestrial biome (~0.6), the freshwater biome (~0.9), birds (~0.7), and native species (~0.6). These indices give evidence that conservation measure to halt biodiversity loss in Austria is necessary and show where more data are needed. In Austria, more research is needed especially on populations of reptile species.
Effect of organic residues on soil properties of loamy topsoil of haplic Luvisol in Northern Germany
Authors: Beck-Broichsitter Steffen , Fleige Heiner , Horn Rainer
Published: July 2020

The application of organic residues should ensure a sufficient air capacity (AC) and plant available water capacity (AWC) to improve the soil aeration and water supply for plant roots, whereas the air permeability (ka) primarily depends on the number of functional and, therefore, connected pores. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of digestates derived from maize (Zea mays L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in ratios of 100%, 80%, and 20%, respectively; compost of shrub debris; and sewage sludge on AC, AWC, and ka values, including the pore continuity indices (c2, c3) of a loamy Ap horizon of a haplic Luvisol. The results indicate that AC values increase from 0.142 of up to 0.191 cm3 cm−3, but pore continuities and AWC values decrease from 0.143 down to 0.111 cm3 cm−3, except for wheat-containing digestate (20w80b), which shows an opposite trend. The application of organic residues can compensate low AC values but not the AWC values. The wheat-containing digestate should be preferred for improving the water-holding capacity and, therefore, the water supply for plant roots.
Professor Povilas Snarskis – Life Dedicated to the Research of Lithuanian Flora
Authors: Tupčiauskaitė Jūratė , Rimgailė-Voicik Radvilė
Published: July 2020

The paper presents a brief biography of Professor Povilas Snarskis, and discusses the importance of his work for Lithuania. After defending PhD at Vytautas Magus University, P. Snarskis was able to collect invaluable data on the Lithuanian floristic diversity and distribution. He actively participated in the development of the Lithuanian higher education. In 1947, he became a professor and taught botany at Vilnius University and Vilnius Pedagogical Institute. During his professional career, P. Snarskis has published about 60 research and popular science works. He was a co-author of Flora of Lithuanian SSR and his three guides to native vascular plants still have their high value. The number of Snarskis’ herbarium specimens deposited at Vilnius University Herbarium (WI) and the Nature Research Centre, Institute of Botany Herbarium (BILAS) exceeds 20.000. P. Snarskis was an innovator, who used his logic and creativity, and constructed guidelines to achieve his goals in difficult historical times.
Fuzzy Group Full Consistency Method for Weight Determination
Authors: Ilieva Galina
Published: July 2020

In this paper, the FUll COnsistency Method (FUCOM) is extended to work in a collective manner, to solve a fuzzy optimization problem and to obtain the fuzzy weights of criteria. The employment of a predefined order of criteria decreases the number of fuzzy comparisons needed in the evaluation phase. The defuzzified values of the optimal weight coefficients are calculated by Graded Mean Integration Representation formula. This feature also reduces time complexity without affecting the quality of the solution. Two practical examples are presented to verify the reliability and feasibility of the proposed fuzzy group FUCOM. The obtained results demonstrate that the new fuzzy group weight determination method can obtain appropriate criteria importance.
DevOps Project Management Tools for Sprint Planning, Estimation and Execution Maturity
Authors: Angara Jayasri , Prasad Srinivas , Sridevi Gutta
Published: July 2020

The goal of DevOps is to cut down the project timelines, increase the productivity, and manage rapid development-deployment cycles without impacting business and quality. It requires efficient sprint management. The objective of this paper is to develop different sprint level project management tools for quick project level Go/No-Go decision making (using real-time projects data and machine learning), sprint estimation technique (gamified-consensus based), statistical understanding of overall project management maturity, project sentiment & perception. An attempt is made to device a model to calibrate the perception or the tone of a project culture using sentiment analysis.
Advanced Embedded Control of Electrohydraulic Power Steering System
Authors: Slavov Tsonyo , Mitov Alexander , Kralev Jordan
Published: July 2020

The article presents a developed embedded system for control of electrohydraulic power steering based on multivariable uncertain plant model and advanced control techniques. The plant model is obtained by identification procedure via “black box” system identification and takes into account the deviations of the parameters that characterize the way that the control signal acts on the state of the model. Three types of controller are designed: Linear-Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller, H∞ controller and μ-controller. The main result is a performed comparative analysis of time and frequency domain properties of control systems. The results show the better performance of systems based on µ-controllers. Also the robust stability and robust performance are investigated. All three systems achieved robust stability which guarantees their workability, but only the system with µ-controller has robust performance against prescribed uncertainties. The control algorithms are implemented in specialized 32-bit microcontroller. A number of real world experiments have been executed, which confirm the quality of the electrohydraulic power steering control system.
Growth and Sex Ratio of Octopus Paroctopus Digueti (Perrier & Rochebrune, 1894) in a Wild Population
Authors: Granados-Alcantar Salvador , Escamilla-Montes Ruth , Diarte-Plata Genaro , Fierro-Coronado Jesús A.
Published: July 2020

In Mexico, studies of octopus Paroctopus digueti are scarce, thus the objective of this research is to evaluate some of its biological aspects in Ohuira Bay, Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico. From autumn 2016 to autumn 2017, a total of 217 organisms of P. digueti were collected, from which 166 were females, 31 ovigerous females and 20 males. The lengths of the mantle (ML), tentacles or arms (AL) and total length (TL) were recorded as well as the total weight (TW) of each organism. The software FiSAT II was used to obtain the growth parameters by mediating seasonal size frequencies. Considering both sexes, the average registered mantle length was 40.31±2.5 mm. For the analysis of ML-TL y ML-AL, the data were adjusted to a linear-type model. For the relationship between ML-TL, the minimum determination coefficient was observed during spring R2 = 0.335, and the highest was registered in winter R2 = 0.6452. With regards to the allometry coefficient (b), it was different among the 4 climatic seasons. The theoretical ML growth curve showed both sexes of ML∞= 73.50 mm, K = 1.30 year−1 and t0= 0.10. The estimated values from the growth equation revealed faster growth (ML∞= 63 mm) within the 1.2 years of their lives, reaching a maximum length at 2.5 years of age. The total weight growth curve of P. digueti octopus was formed by an exponential first stage up to six months and the second logarithmic stage from seven months to approximately 1.8 years. In the summer there were slightly lower coefficients and percentages of instantaneous growth coefficients (IGC) for the lengths and total weight of octopus P. digueti. The highest Fulton’s condition index (k) was recorded in winter. The sex ratio was significant in a proportion of 9.85 F:1 M.
Growth, Gut Morphology and Microflora of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus Fed Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) Stalk Meal Supplemented Diets
Authors: Adejonwo Oluwakemi Abimbola , Omitoyin Bamidele Oluwarotimi , Ajani Emmanuel Kolawole , Ogunwole Olugbenga Adeniran , Omitoyin Siyanbola Adewumi
Published: July 2020

Effects of dietary supplementation of Pleurotus pulmonarius stalk meal on growth, gut microflora and intestinal morphology of Clarias gariepinus were assessed in this study. The stalk meal was incorporated at 0.0 g/100 g (Control), 2.5 g/100 g (PSM 2), 5.0 g/100 g (PSM 3), 7.5 g/100 g (PSM 4) and 10.0 g/100 g (PSM 5). Clarias gariepinus (n=375), with an initial weight of 10.84±0.04 g, were allotted at 25 fish/60 litres of water in a completely randomised design for each diet treatment in triplicate. Feeding trial was conducted for eight weeks. Weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different across all diet treatments. However, the production performance index of the fish and protein efficiency ratio were higher in fish fed PSM 3 diet than other treatments. Total viable bacteria count in the gut ranged from 7.56 (PSM 2) to 8.34 log10 cfu/g (PSM 4), while lactic acid bacteria count was between 5.00 (control) and 7.03 log10 cfu/g (PSM 3). Escherichia coli were identified in the gut of the control group but were not detected in those fed supplemented diets. More colonies of Salmonella and Vibrio species were observed in the control but fewer colonies in the diets supplemented groups. The proximal, middle and distal villus length, proximal, middle and distal cryptal depth, proximal and distal absorption area of fish fed supplemented diet were higher than those of the control. Conversely, proximal, middle and distal villus width and middle absorption area were not significantly different. In spite of observable favourable gut microflora and gut histomorphology of fish fed supplemental P. pulmonarius stalk meal diet, these attributes did not manifest in growth performance indices.
Farmers’ Attitude Towards Organic Agriculture: A Case of Rural Sri Lanka
Authors: Pushpa Malkanthi S. H.
Published: July 2020

Organic agriculture has the potential to reduce the negative impacts of conventional agricultural practices and enhance rural economic development. Since research on Sri Lankan farmers’ attitude towards organic agriculture has been rare, this research aims to explore the farmers’ viewpoint on organic agriculture. Two main rural districts were purposely selected for this investigation since these districts have a high potential for organic agriculture. Two Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions from each district and 75 farmers from the farming community of each DS division were randomly selected to form a sample of 300 farmers. Data were collected from July 2017 to April 2018 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that a majority of the farmers (74%) were well-aware of organic agriculture and agricultural extension programs, while training was the primary information source in both districts. As per the mean analysis, the farmers had a positive attitude towards health-related and environmental protection aspects. However, they had a negative attitude towards the complexity of organic agriculture and unavailability of a suitable market for organic products. Results of the binary logistic regression revealed that the education level of the farmers significantly affect their attitude towards organic agriculture. The availability of traditional knowledge and technology relevant to organic agriculture, favorable climatic condition, and some government support were the main potentials, while labor intensiveness was the main challenge. Thus, creating better marketing facilities for organic products, providing the required amenities for producing organic food, processing, and value addition will promote organic agriculture among more farmers, supporting sustainable development.
Prolonged life and good death in Antiquity
Authors: Martynova Svetlana , Bugaev Denis
Published: July 2020

This paper studies the connections between the notions of prolonging life and a good death in Antiquity. It is demonstrated that while prolonged life generally meant forestalling the human constitution’s death, ancient philosophers also pointed to the limitations of prolongation. The paper shows how philosophers welcomed prolonged life when it was shown to foster movement toward the good, such as self-realization and social usefulness. Yet, they rejected prolongation when it led to the perpetuation of evil, such as social uselessness and suffering. We ask whether a contemporary good death is a mercy killing or an improvement of prolonged life, as the ultimate end of “goods practicable for man”.
Geodiversity and Landscape Services in the Region of Ogulinsko-Plašćanska Zavala, Croatia
Authors: Butorac Valerija , Buzjak Nenad
Published: July 2020

In terms of spatial planning and environment protection procedures in Croatia, geomorphological features as a component of geodiversity are mostly considered marginally. They are considered locally in the scope of certain operations such as urban development, mining, or activities that are being assessed in the environment impact assessment procedures or spatial and strategical planning. Regarding the protection and the planning processes connected with it, geomorphological features should be considered in the right scale and with all of its values and services that are being provided to the environment on a landscape scale. In this paper, geodiversity and its role in landscape evolution will be connected and explained with the example of subgeomorphological region Ogulinsko-plašćanska Zavala, in the mountainous Dinaric karst part of Croatia. As it has been a region with long human and nature interaction, and a region with preserved natural and seminatural landscapes, it is a suitable area for such an analysis. In order to properly assess the geomorphological features as one of the determinants of landscape, the basis for environment impact assessment procedures and spatial planning procedures, geoecological analysis of geodiversity and landscape services occurrence and spatial distribution is carried out.
An assessment of the coastal ecosystem services of Jayapura City, Papua Province, Indonesia
Authors: Rumahorbo Basa T. , Hamuna Baigo , Keiluhu Henderina J.
Published: July 2020

This study aims to assess and quantify the economic value of coastal ecosystem services (CES) in the coastal areas of Jayapura City based on the perceptions of Papuan indigenous peoples. Data collection was conducted from March to April 2018 using the direct interview method based on questionnaires to 228 respondents in Enggros, Tobati, and Nafri villages. The CES value in Jayapura City is estimated to be around USD 5,427,212.34/year, which consists of service values of mangrove, coral reef, and seagrass ecosystems that are USD 4,447,802.85/year or USD 19,079.46/ha/year, USD 424,333.06/year or USD 11,303.49/ha/year, and USD 555,076.43/year or 5,008.36/ha/year, respectively. The value of CES as a provider of fishery products is quite high because of the high desire of the community to exploit and utilize natural resources such as fish, crabs, shrimp, and shellfish in coastal ecosystems to as a food resource. Therefore, with the description of the CES value in this study, good coastal ecosystem management and integrated coastal area development policies are needed to maintain the quality of the environment and the sustainability of coastal ecosystems, as well as efforts to increase public awareness of the importance of coastal ecosystems and the important role that they play in improving the welfare of the Papuan indigenous people.
The dynamics of forest species composition in the Eastern Moscow Region
Authors: Kiseleva Vera , Stonozhenko Leonid , Korotkov Sergei
Published: July 2020

The forests of urbanised areas provide multiple ecosystem services and are highly dynamic. Determining the trends in species composition changes can help to predict their future capacity to fulfil ecological and resource-maintaining functions. We examined the direction of forest successions in the Northeast Moscow region under the canopy of different tree species. Field data were obtained from 78 permanent test plots monitored for more than a 15-year period; field studies were complemented by archival data. The cluster analysis made it possible to divide all plots into five groups by current species composition and structure and into eight groups by the importance of broadleaved species in the undergrowth. Gradual evolution (cohort dynamics) was found to be typical for middle-aged secondary forests; patch dynamics was described in mature stands of late succession species after non-critical natural disturbances; drastic changes were observed in spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands after pest attacks. Two main trends were revealed in species composition shift: restoration of mixed spruce-broadleaved forests and development of lime-dominated broad-leaved forests, the latter being the prevailing one in the stands of composite forest types. Intensive development of oak-associated species is probably related to the climate conditions in the Moscow megacity.

The content of this article may be of interest for researchers studying natural forest dynamics and can be used for prospective planning of target species composition in the forestries of the Moscow region.
Prevailing forest types in the river catchments within the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe zone, Ukraine
Authors: Bondar Oleksandr , Rumiantsev Maksym , Tkach Liudmyla , Obolonyk Iryna
Published: July 2020

The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of prevailing forest types within the catchment areas of the biggest rivers in the north-east of Ukraine. During the allocation of the catchment areas of the studied rivers, the MapInfo Professional 12.5 program and the vector map of Ukraine were used. The research covered the forest area (more than 502,000 ha) of the state forest enterprises managed by the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine. The studied area located on the tributaries of the Sula, Psel, Vorskla and Siversky Donets rivers within the Poltava, Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kyiv and Cherkasy administrative regions of Ukraine. The analysis of the forest fund was carried out based on the electronic subcompartment database of the Ukrderzhlisproekt Production Association, using the application software and geoinformation technologies. It was revealed that a large variety of forest types in the tributaries of the Sula, Psel, Vorskla and Siversky Donets rivers as well as the prevalence of fresh fertile maple-lime oak and fresh fairly infertile oak-pine forest types (in 75 tributaries of Psel, Vorskla and Siversky Donets rivers) and fresh fertile maple-lime oak and fresh fertile hornbeam oak forest types (in 20 tributaries of the Sula River) are due to the relief, hydrological and soil-climatic conditions of the studied area, as well as anthropogenic factor. Assuming homogeneous natural conditions, an insignificant number of forest types are formed (up to five). For a large variety of natural conditions, there are at least six forest types that should be taken into account during forest management, along with the characteristics of the catchment areas of tributaries. The analysed data on the total number of forest types in the catchments of rivers would be appropriate to use in the future when creating a single list of forest types for the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. The prevalence of certain forest types within the catchment areas of tributaries of the Sula, Psel, Vorskla and Siversky Donets rivers directly depends on the soil and climatic conditions, geomorphological structure, relief and anthropogenic influence in the forests. The results should be used in forest management activities to preserve and restore the species diversity of forests within the river catchments.
In Vivo Assessment of Zearalenone Toxicity
Authors: Harčárová M. , Čonková E. , Proškovcová M. , Falis M.
Published: July 2020

The microscopic filamentous fungi of the genus Fusarium are capable of producing secondary metabolites—mycotoxins. Fusarium fungi synthesize trichothecenes, zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins under appropriate environmental conditions. In this biological experiment, we studied the effects of zearalenone on a model organism called Artemia franciscana. During the three-day in vivo tests, we used five different concentrations of zearalenone (0.08 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 2 ppm, 10 ppm and 50 ppm). The results of this study showed that as the zearalenone concentration and the duration of the mycotoxin exposure increased, the lethality of artemia also increased. Our study showed that the toxicity of zearalenone to Artemia franciscana was relatively low.
Linking sustainability and happiness. What kind of happiness?
Authors: Petrovič František , Murgaš František
Published: July 2020

Sustainability is part of the scientific mainstream; in the following paper we connect it with the phenomenon of happiness, which is becoming a discussed concept not only among researchers but also amongst public. This is due to the fact that today’s society has become a consumer society. This knowledge has provoked criticism of the prevailing lifestyle. The unprecedented growth of prosperity in the second half of the last century and at the beginning of the 21st century was achieved at the cost of environmental devastation. This presented the urgent question of how to improve the quality of life or bring happiness to a growing number of people. At the same time, efforts to replace GDP as a general measure of development with quality of life began to grow. In connection with happiness, it is important that it is defined in two ways: hedonic or eudaimonic. The aim of the paper is to find out which form of happiness is sustainable on the basis of the analysis of relevant works. Happiness is understood as part of the subjective dimension of quality of life, it represents the highest level of well-being. The combination of sustainability and quality of life or happiness is not new, some authors consider quality of life as the fourth pillar of sustainability. A key criterion for assessing which happiness is sustainable and which is not is the following assumption: The happiness of us – contemporaries − cannot be achieved at the expense of future generations. The knowledge-which of the forms is sustainable - is the result of the analysis of both forms of happiness.
Detection of Microorganisms with an Electronic Nose for Application under Microgravity Conditions
Authors: Reidt Ulrich , Helwig Andreas , Müller Gerhard , Lenic Joachim , Grosser Jan , Fetter Viktor , Kornienko Andrei , Kharin Sergey , Novikova Natalia , Hummel Thomas
Published: July 2020

In this work, we report on the construction, training and functional assessment of an electronic nose (called ‘E-Nose’) that is capable of monitoring the microbial contamination onboard space ships under microgravity conditions. To this end, a commercial electronic nose was modified to allow for the sampling of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emitted from relevant bacterial and fungi species. Training of the modified ‘E-Nose’ was performed by establishing an MVOC database consisting of two Gram-positive bacteria strains (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus warneri) and two fungi strains (Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillium expansum). All these strains are known to exist onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and to form important parts of its microbial contamination. All cultures were grown on four kinds of structural materials also in use onboard the ISS. The MVOCs emitted during the different growth phases of these cultures were monitored with an array of ten different metal oxide gas sensors inside the ‘E-Nose’. Principal component analysis of the array data revealed that B. subtilis and S. warneri form separate clusters in an optimized score plot, while the two fungi strains of A. versicolor and P. expansum form a large common cluster, well discriminated against to the bacteria clusters.
International legal regulation of the education quality
Authors: Vladimirovich Martynenko Evgeny
Published: July 2020

The category of education quality in the system of higher professional education acts as providing high competitiveness, optimal organization and management of the educational process, as well as access to the world market of educational services. We can talk about the international legal regulation of the quality of education relatively arbitrarily, bearing in mind the practical absence of normative legal acts regulating the relations of subjects of international educational law in the field of regulating the quality of education. We can talk about the international component of assessing the quality of education in the context of the Bologna Declaration, because the Bologna process strengthens the European emphasis on assessment and quality control, accreditation, takes a course towards convergence of standards and assessment procedures. Among the most important reforms proclaimed by the Bologna Declaration, the development of European cooperation based on developed comparable criteria and methods is named. In a resolution of the Congress of European Rectors of Universities (Salamanca, March 29–30, 2001), quality is defined as the “cornerstone”, the “fundamental condition” of trust, relevance, mobility, compatibility, and attractiveness. Rectors reaffirmed their intentions to seek mutually recognized mechanisms for assessing, controlling and certifying quality.
Calvin's only prayer: piety and pastoral care in early Reformed thought and practice
Authors: Paylor Nathan
Published: July 2020

Many of the sixteenth-century Reformers were pastors before being anything else. Despite this, it can be easy for us to miss the extent to which practices of piety dominated their personal and theological lives. In this article we will briefly detail the emphasis early Reformed authors placed on piety and pastoral care. We will identify this trait in the works of Ursinus and Bullinger, after which we will focus specifically on Calvin's treatise On the Christian Life.
‘Storying the leading’: curating narratives of leadership in conversation with Vaughan S. Roberts and David Sims, Leading by Story
Authors: Stobart Andrew
Published: July 2020

This article has been developed from a conversation held and recorded at the Wesley House community in January 2018, as part of its regular Thursday evening Methodist Studies sessions. The session used Roberts’ and Sims’ recently published book Leading by Story to consider how leadership is embodied in ministry. Sharing stories of leadership in Wesley House's cross-cultural community led to significant insights, which arose as one particular leadership story was explored using Roberts’ and Sims’ central concept of ‘curating stories’. This article offers the conversation as a reflective review of the book. Staff, students and friends of Wesley House present at the conversation represented many different contexts, including Methodist churches in the USA, Britain, Fiji, Hong Kong, Kenya, South Korea and Zambia.

Leading by Story: Rethinking Church Leadership, Vaughan S. Roberts and David Sims (London: SCM Press, 2017), 256 pp, £25.00 pbk
Foraging Behavior of Honeybees (Apis Mellifera L.) and Ground Bumblebees (Bombus Terrestris L.) and its Influence on Seed Yield and Oil Quality of Oil Tree Peony Cultivar ‘Fengdan’ (Paeonia Ostii T. Hong et J. X. Zhang)
Authors: He Chunling , Zhang Kaiyue , Han Dongbo , Wang Shuaibing , Hou Xiaogai , Zhu Chaodong
Published: July 2020

Oil peony (Paeonia spp.) is a new type of woody oil crop in China with a large cultivation area. Inadequate pollination is one of the main reasons for low seed yield. A pollination net room was built at an oil tree peony base, the numbers of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and ground bumblebees (Bombus terrestris L.) were artificially increased and the foraging behaviors and daily activities of the two bees on the plants were observed. Four different pollination methods (honeybee pollination, ground bumblebee pollination, natural field pollination and pollination without insects) were applied. The visit interval, single-flower visit time, number of single-flower visits, number of flowers visited per minute and number of stigma contacts were compared. Meanwhile, the effects of honeybee and bumblebee pollination on the oil yield and quality of peony seeds were compared. There were noticeable differences in daily activity between honeybees and ground bumblebees. Significant differences in the single-flower visit time, visit interval and visit frequency were also observed; honeybee and ground bumblebee pollination increased the seed yield of oil tree peony by 78.74% and 31.88%, respectively. Therefore, both honeybees and ground bumblebees are effective pollinators of oil tree peony. These results provide a theoretical basis for further utilization of bee resources for oil tree peony pollination.
The Compound F2-index and the Compound H-index as Extension of the f2 and h-indexes from a Dynamic Perspective①
Authors: Fassin Yves
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Elaboration of an indicator to include the dynamic aspect of citations in bibliometric indexes.

Design/methodology/approach

A new bibliometric methodology—the f2-index—is applied at the career level and at the level of the recent 5 years to analyze the dynamic aspect of bibliometrics. The method is applied, as an illustration, to the field of corporate governance.

Findings

The compound F2-index as an extension of the f2-index recognizes past achievements but also values new research work with potential. The method is extended to the h-index and the h2-index. An activity index is defined as the ratio between the recent h’-index to the career h-index.

Research limitations

The compound F2 and H-indexes are PAC, probably approximately correct, and depend on the selection and database.

Practical implications

The F2- and H compound indexes allow identifying the rising stars of a field from a dynamic perspective. The activity ratio highlights the contribution of younger researchers.

Originality/value

The new methodology demonstrates the underestimated dynamic capacity of bibliometric research.
Acknowledgment of Libraries in the Journal Literature: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Hubbard David E. , Laddusaw Sierra
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study examines acknowledgments to libraries in the journal literature, as well as the efficacy of using Web of Science (WoS) to locate general acknowledgment text.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-methods approach quantifies and characterizes acknowledgments to libraries in the journal literature. Using WoS's Funding Text field, the acknowledgments for six peer universities were identified and then characterized. The efficacy of using WoS to locate library acknowledgments was assessed by comparing the WoS Funding Text search results to the actual acknowledgment text found in the articles.

Findings

Acknowledgments to libraries were found in articles at all six peer universities, though the absolute and relative numbers were quite low (< 0.5%). Most of the library acknowledgments were for resources (collections, funding, etc.), and many were concentrated in natural history (e.g. zoology). Examination of Texas A&M University zoology articles found that 91.7% of the funding information came from “acknowledgments” and not specifically a funding acknowledgment section. The WoS Funding Text search found 56% of the library acknowledgments compared to a search of the actual acknowledgment text in the articles.

Research limitations

Limiting publications to journals, using a single truncated search term, and including only six research universities in the United States.

Practical implications

This study examined library acknowledgments, but the same approach could be applied to searches of other keywords, institutions/organizations, individuals, etc. While not specifically designed to search general acknowledgments, WoS's Funding Text field can be used as an exploratory tool to search acknowledgments beyond funding.

Originality/value

There are a few studies that have examined library acknowledgments in the scholarly literature, though to date none of those studies have examined the efficacy of using the WoS Funding Text field to locate those library acknowledgments within the journal literature.
Is there Always a Positive Relationship Between Workplace Diversity and Organizational Performance, or Does Diversity Fatigue Imply a Suppressing Effect?
Authors: Farmanesh Panteha , Vehbi Asim , Zargar Pouya , Sousan Arman , Bhatti Feyza
Published: July 2020

Performance of employees has been a vital matter for all organizations regardless of their sector. As organizations become more diverse, maintaining high performance becomes a challenge. This study examines the relationship between workforce diversity and organizational performance in educational sector of Cyprus through moderating effect of diversity fatigue. Mixed Method is used for the purposes of this study to analyze data from university academic staff, through survey and senior-level interviews (semi-structured). Qualitative measures were used to develop dimensions for diversity fatigue, which further were tested through quantitative approach. Results imply that extent of diversity fatigue can suppress the relationship between overall performance and workforce diversity, which is positive and significant prior to interaction of fatigue. Furthermore, our study expands the literature regarding the topic within educational sector. Managers can have an enhanced decision-making process regarding diverse workforce and degree of fatigue, which yields in a higher performance level for the firm.
Valuation of Lithuanian Cities’ Smartness
Authors: Jurevičienė Daiva , Biekšaitė Augustė
Published: July 2020

Research purpose. To assess the level of smartness of Lithuanian cities. The article systematizes the theoretical background of a smart city and its criteria, develops the methodology for measuring the level of smart cities and assesses the level of smartness of Lithuanian cities.

Design/Methodology/Approach. Methods used for the study: systematization, comparison, generalization, multi-criteria methods (COPRAS, EDAS and TOPSIS). The criteria for the assessment of smartness of cities were distinguished from the analysed scientific literature. Multi-criteria methods are used to determine the smartest city in Lithuania since they allow you to rank alternatives according to various criteria that are rendered dimensionless.

Findings. A multi-criteria assessment of the level of smartness of Lithuanian cities has shown that the capital city is leading. However, different results were obtained using different multi-criteria assessment methods in ranking the remaining cities.

Originality/Value/Practical implications. Usually, the smartness is analysed for major cities of the world, and Lithuanian cities were not assessed to the knowledge of the authors. The selected criteria for the assessment of the smartness of the cities represent the most often used (foreign direct investment; emission of the pollutant; the number of international immigrants; the ratio of people registered as unemployed to the working-age population; the number of crimes; the number of specialists trained at universities; the number of universities; the number of bus routes; the number of road traffic accidents; the number of IT companies and forest cover). The results could help for policy creators to make decisions on increasing the intelligence of Lithuanian cities, which would help to develop the economy not only in the capital but also in other important cities of the country and raise the quality of life of the inhabitants of those cities.
Travellers, Easter Witches and Cunning Folk: Regulators of Fortune and Misfortune in Ostrobothnian Folklore in Finland
Authors: Kouvola Karolina
Published: July 2020

This article* is about the distinct groups that practised malevolent and benevolent witchcraft in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia in late-modern Finland according to belief legends and memorates. Placing belief legends and memorates in Mary Douglas’ tripartite classification of powers that regulate fortune and misfortune illuminates the social structure of agents who posed a threat or regulated it by means of their supranormal powers. Powers that bring misfortune dwell outside or within the community, whereas powers that bring fortune live within it but nevertheless may be ambivalent and pose a threat to its members as well. Threat towards the community was based on the concept of limited good, in other words the belief that there was a finite amount of prosperity in the world. The aim is to paint a detailed picture of the complex social structure and approaches to witchcraft in late-modern Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia.
Disease Burden, Mechanism and Management of Obesity – Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Shakoori Irfan Sharif , Ashraf Gohar , Aslam Fauzia , Akram Hammad
Published: July 2020

The role of increased body mass index in general morbidity and mortality is well documented. This global public health issue continues to represent a major burden and threat to health systems and the population’s wellbeing. Global statistics show that the prevalence of obesity has increased about three times since the mid-1970s, and an upward trend is still observed, not only in developed but also in developing countries. We used several databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, to perform a literature search and review on obesity. Keywords such as “obesity”, “overweight”, and “BMI” were used in combination with multiple keywords such as “mechanism”, “factors”, “socio-economic”, “environmental”, “social determinants”, “management”, “treatment”, “non-traditional treatment”, “alternative therapies”, “non-pharmaceutical treatment” etc. and related phrases. According to the literature, the management of obesity is difficult due to the complex nature of this problem in terms of its course, complications, risks, and etiological factors. The role of alternative therapies in obesity management is still unclear, and further research is needed in this area. Recently introduced weight-loss and -management devices can also help in losing excess bodyweight. The present article summarizes relevant information related to obesity, collected from different regions of the world, and discusses diverse interventional approaches to treat obesity.