bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Biological Performance of Electrospun PCL Scaffolds Formulated with Silver Sulfide Nanoparticles
Authors: Torres-Pedroza María del Carmen , Martínez-Ávila Ariadna Fernanda , Juarez-Moreno Karla , Estevez Miriam , Álvarez-Contreras Lorena , Cruz-Soto Martha Elena , Granados-López Lucero , Arjona Noé , España-Sánchez Beatriz Liliana
Published: January 2025

Our work describes the green synthesis of silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S NPs) and their formulation into polycaprolactone fibers (PCL), aiming to improve the multifunctional biological performance of PCL membranes as scaffolds. For this purpose, an extract of rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) was employed as a reducing agent for the Ag2S NPs, obtaining irregular NPs and clusters of 5–60 nm, with a characteristic SPR absorption at 369 nm. Ag2S was successfully incorporated into PCL fibers by electrospinning using heparin (HEP) as a stabilizer/biocompatibility agent, obtaining nanostructured fibers with a ca. 500–800 nm diameter. Different amounts of Ag2S NPs (0.05, 0.5, and 1 wt.%) enhanced the nanostructured membranes’ surface polarity and mechanical performance, with a controlled ion release after 6 days submerged in PBS solution, determined by cyclic voltammetry. As a result, PCL/HEP/Ag2S scaffolds exhibit high antibacterial performance (80–90%) at early stages of contact (3 h) against E. coli and S. aureus. Also, cytotoxicity analysis demonstrated that the nanostructured membranes are biocompatible and exhibit high fibroblast cell regeneration, which is optimal for their application as scaffolds. To validate the regenerative response of PCL/HEP/Ag2S scaffolds, controlled wounds were induced in Wistar rats, presenting a favorable healing response by contact with PCL/HEP/Ag2S 1%, compared with the untreated wound. Our results indicated that nanostructured scaffolds enable the development of novel nanomaterials with multifunctional biological performance.
Statewide Forest Canopy Cover Mapping of Florida Using Synergistic Integration of Spaceborne LiDAR, SAR, and Optical Imagery
Authors: Schlickmann Monique Bohora , Bueno Inacio Thomaz , Valle Denis , Hammond William M. , Prichard Susan J. , Hudak Andrew T. , Klauberg Carine , Karasinski Mauro Alessandro , Brock Kody Melissa , Rocha Kleydson Diego , Xia Jinyi , Vieira Leite Rodrigo , Higuchi Pedro , da Silva Ana Carolina , Maximo da Silva Gabriel , Cova Gina R. , Silva Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2025

Southern U.S. forests are essential for carbon storage and timber production but are increasingly impacted by natural disturbances, highlighting the need to understand their dynamics and recovery. Canopy cover is a key indicator of forest health and resilience. Advances in remote sensing, such as NASA’s GEDI spaceborne LiDAR, enable more precise mapping of canopy cover. Although GEDI provides accurate data, its limited spatial coverage restricts large-scale assessments. To address this, we combined GEDI with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and optical imagery (Sentinel-1 GRD and Landsat–Sentinel Harmonized (HLS)) data to create a comprehensive canopy cover map for Florida. Using a random forest algorithm, our model achieved an R2 of 0.69, RMSD of 0.17, and MD of 0.001, based on out-of-bag samples for internal validation. Geographic coordinates and the red spectral channel emerged as the most influential predictors. External validation with airborne laser scanning (ALS) data across three sites yielded an R2 of 0.70, RMSD of 0.29, and MD of −0.22, confirming the model’s accuracy and robustness in unseen areas. Statewide analysis showed lower canopy cover in southern versus northern Florida, with wetland forests exhibiting higher cover than upland sites. This study demonstrates the potential of integrating multiple remote sensing datasets to produce accurate vegetation maps, supporting forest management and sustainability efforts in Florida.
A Transformer Encoder Approach for Localization Reconstruction During GPS Outages from an IMU and GPS-Based Sensor
Authors: Guyard Kévin Cédric , Bertolaccini Jonathan , Montavon Stéphane , Deriaz Michel
Published: January 2025

Accurate localization is crucial for numerous applications. While several methods exist for outdoor localization, typically relying on GPS signals, these approaches become unreliable in environments subject to a weak GPS signal or GPS outage. Many researchers have attempted to address this limitation, primarily focusing on real-time solutions. However, for applications that do not require real-time localization, these methods remain suboptimal. This paper presents a novel Transformer-based bidirectional encoder approach to address, in postprocessing, the localization challenges during GPS weak signal phases or GPS outages. Our method predicts the velocity during periods of weak or lost GPS signals and calculates the position through bidirectional velocity integration. Additionally, it incorporates position interpolation to ensure smooth transitions between active GPS and GPS outage phases. Applied to a dataset tracking horse positions—which features velocities up to 10 times those of pedestrians and higher acceleration—our approach achieved an average trajectory error below 3 m, while maintaining stable relative distance errors regardless of the GPS outage duration.
Web Real-Time Communications-Based Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle-Borne Internet of Things and Stringent Time Sensitivity: A Case Study
Authors: Chodorek Agnieszka , Chodorek Robert Ryszard
Published: January 2025

The currently observed development of time-sensitive applications also affects wireless communication with the IoT carried by UAVs. Although research on wireless low-latency networks has matured, there are still issues to solve at the transport layer. Since there is a general agreement that classical transport solutions are not able to achieve end-to-end delays in the single-digit millisecond range, in this paper, the use of WebRTC is proposed as a potential solution to this problem. This article examines UAV-borne WebRTC-based IoT in an outdoor environment. The results of field experiments conducted under various network conditions show that, in highly reliable networks, UAV and WebRTC-based IoT achieved stable end-to-end delays well below 10 ms during error-free air-to-ground transmissions, and below 10 ms in the immediate vicinity of the retransmitted packet. The significant advantage of the WebRTC data channel over the classic WebSocket is also demonstrated.
Comparison of Manual, Automatic, and Voice Control in Wheelchair Navigation Simulation in Virtual Environments: Performance Evaluation of User and Motion Sickness
Authors: Pedroza-Santiago Enrique Antonio , Quiroz-Ibarra José Emilio , Bojorges-Valdez Erik René , Padilla-Castañeda Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2025

Mobility is essential for individuals with physical disabilities, and wheelchairs significantly enhance their quality of life. Recent advancements focus on developing sophisticated control systems for effective and efficient interaction. This study evaluates the usability and performance of three wheelchair control modes manual, automatic, and voice controlled using a virtual reality (VR) simulation tool. VR provides a controlled and repeatable environment to assess navigation performance and motion sickness across three scenarios: supermarket, museum, and city. Twenty participants completed nine tests each, resulting in 180 trials. Findings revealed significant differences in navigation efficiency, distance, and collision rates across control modes and scenarios. Automatic control consistently achieved faster navigation times and fewer collisions, particularly in the supermarket. Manual control offered precision but required greater user effort. Voice control, while intuitive, resulted in longer distances traveled and higher collision rates in complex scenarios like the city. Motion sickness levels varied across scenarios, with higher discomfort reported in the city during voice and automatic control. Participant feedback, gathered via a Likert scale questionnaire, highlighted the potential of VR simulation for evaluating user comfort and performance. This research underscores the advantages of VR-based testing for rapid prototyping and user-centered design, offering valuable insights into improving wheelchair control systems. Future work will explore adaptive algorithms to enhance usability and accessibility in real world applications.
Symmetry Breaking as a Basis for Characterization of Dielectric Materials
Authors: Tomić Dubravko , Šipuš Zvonimir
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces a novel method for measuring the dielectric permittivity of materials within the microwave and millimeter wave frequency ranges. The proposed approach, classified as a guided wave transmission system, employs a periodic transmission line structure characterized by mirror/glide symmetry. The dielectric permittivity is deduced by measuring the transmission properties of such structure when presence of the dielectric material breaks the inherent symmetry of the structure and consequently introduce a stopband in propagation characteristic. To explore the influence of symmetry breaking on propagation properties, an analytical dispersion equation, for both symmetries, is formulated using the Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) combined with the matrix transverse resonance condition. Based on the analytical equation, an optimization procedure and linearized model for a sensing structure is obtained, specifically for X-band characterization of FR4 substrates. The theoretical results of the model are validated with full wave simulations and experimentally.
Welfare Conditionality and Social Identity Effect Mechanisms and the Case of Immigrant Support
Authors: von Deylen Lena , Wichardt Philipp C.
Published: January 2025

The present paper discusses the effects of social identity and self-determination theory and highlights their relevance for welfare conditionality with respect to individual behaviour and well-being. While welfare conditionality may provide economic incentives for certain desired behaviours, e.g., active job search, it is argued that their impact on the claimants’ social self-construal and identity may offset potentially positive effects and increase, for example, social segregation. Taking the integration of immigrants, one of the biggest contemporary challenges for many societies, as a leading example, possible negative effects of welfare conditionality are highlighted and contrasted with the imposed economic incentives. Weighing benefits and potential risks, it is argued that the excessive use of welfare conditionality is likely to backfire in the long run and that this should be taken into account by policy makers. Moreover, it is argued how similar effects can be expected to arise also in different contexts such as the support of child parenting by singles.
Left Bronchial Sleeve Resection for Metastatic Typical Carcinoid: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Mohamed Abdelrahman , Rahouma Mohamed
Published: January 2025

Background: Bronchial sleeve resection with complex reconstruction is a rare and intricate surgical procedure, particularly when addressing metastatic carcinoid tumors. This case report details the surgical management of a young male with a typical carcinoid tumor metastasized to the hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old medically fit male presented with cough and occasional blood-tinged sputum for 2 months that was diagnosed to be due to a typical carcinoid tumor involving the left main bronchus, with metastasis to the hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes. The patient underwent a left bronchial sleeve resection with complex reconstruction of the left lower lobe bronchus. The reconstructed bronchus was then anastomosed to the main bronchus followed by hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes dissection. The surgical approach aimed to preserve lung parenchyma while ensuring complete tumor resection. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with the patient demonstrating satisfactory respiratory function. Histopathological examination confirmed the complete resection of the carcinoid tumor and metastatic lymph nodes (hilar and inter-lobar LN (positive 2/5) and subcarinal LN (positive 1/6)). The patient had no signs of recurrence at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: This case highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of bronchial sleeve resection with bronchial reconstruction in managing metastatic carcinoid tumors. The successful outcome underscores the importance of meticulous surgical planning and execution in achieving favorable results in complex thoracic surgeries.
State Compensation Model in Adaptive Event-Triggered Predictive Control: A Novel Approach to Mitigating Moving Bottlenecks
Authors: Yang Jingwen , Wang Ping
Published: January 2025

Moving bottlenecks, characterized by their high frequency and unpredictability, pose significant challenges to timely response and management, often resulting in road congestion and increased risk of traffic accidents. To address these issues, this paper proposes an adaptive event-triggered variable speed limit (AET-VSL) method based on a state compensation model, which emphasizes the concept of symmetry in the optimization of multi-segment speed limits. This symmetry approach facilitates a balanced and efficient control strategy that adjusts speed limits in a way that harmonizes traffic flow across multiple road segments, reducing congestion and improving overall traffic stability. The state compensation model builds on the classical METANET traffic flow model, incorporating coordination between road segments to reduce congestion while minimizing disruptions to traffic flow stability. By dynamically adjusting speed limits using real-time traffic data, the AET-VSL method addresses fluctuations in traffic conditions and ensures adaptive control to manage bottlenecks efficiently. A simulation framework was employed to evaluate the proposed strategy across varying traffic scenarios. Results demonstrate that AET-VSL outperforms traditional methods, providing consistent improvements in traffic performance. For instance, under low-traffic-flow conditions, AET-VSL reduced waiting time (WT) by 41.36%, potential collisions (PCs) by 51.92%, and fuel consumptionfuel consumption (FC) by 34.07%. This study highlights the novelty and effectiveness of AET-VSL, offering a scalable and reliable solution for dynamic traffic management and showcasing its potential to enhance traffic safety and efficiency.
A Robust Kalman Filter Based on the Pearson Type VII-Inverse Wishart Distribution: Symmetrical Treatment of Time-Varying Measurement Bias and Heavy-Tailed Noise
Authors: Liang Shen , Zhang Xun
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces a novel robust Kalman filter designed to leverage symmetrical properties within the Pearson Type VII-Inverse Wishart (PVIW) distribution, enhancing state estimation accuracy in the presence of time-varying biases and non-stationary heavy-tailed (NSHT) noise. The filter includes a shape parameter from the normal distribution and an extra variable from the Gamma distribution, which are used to symmetrically adjust the average and variation measures of the data to fit better under difficult noise conditions. To deal with unknown noise that changes over time, the filter uses the Inverse Wishart distribution to model and estimate the scale matrix deviations, making it easier to adapt to changes. The filter also uses a technique called Variational Bayesian to estimate both the state and the parameters at the same time. The results from simulations show that this new filter greatly improves the accuracy and strength of the estimation compared to the usual Kalman filters that assume a normal distribution, especially when there is non-stationary heavy-tailed noise. The main objective is to improve estimation in signal processing and control systems where heavy-tailed noise is prevalent.
On Symmetrically Stochastic System of Fractional Differential Equations and Variational Inequalities
Authors: Zhang Yue , Ceng Lu-Chuan , Yao Jen-Chih , Zeng Yue , Huang Yun-Yi , Li Si-Ying
Published: January 2025

In this work, we are devoted to discussing a system of fractional stochastic differential variational inequalities with Lévy jumps (SFSDVI with Lévy jumps), that comprises both parts, that is, a system of stochastic variational inequalities (SSVI) and a system of fractional stochastic differential equations(SFSDE) with Lévy jumps. Here it is noteworthy that the SFSDVI with Lévy jumps consists of both sections that possess a mutual symmetry structure. Invoking Picard’s successive iteration process and projection technique, we obtain the existence of only a solution to the SFSDVI with Lévy jumps via some appropriate restrictions. In addition, the major outcomes are invoked to deduce that there is only a solution to the spatial-price equilibria system in stochastic circumstances. The main contributions of the article are listed as follows: (a) putting forward the SFSDVI with Lévy jumps that could be applied for handling different real matters arising from varied domains; (b) deriving the unique existence of solutions to the SFSDVI with Lévy jumps under a few mild assumptions; (c) providing an applicable instance for spatial-price equilibria system in stochastic circumstances affected with Lévy jumps and memory.
Domestic Dogs Exposed to Orthopoxvirus in Urban Areas of Brazil
Authors: de Meneses Débora , Stoffella-Dutra Ana G. , Blaso Vicenzo S. , de Almeida Iara M. , Dias Karolina L. , Domingos Iago José da S. , Ribeiro Gabriela P. , Coura-Vital Wendel , Reis Alexandre B. , Vieira Thallyta M. , Trindade Giliane de S.
Published: January 2025

Domestic animals can share viral pathogens with humans, acting mainly as a bridge host. The Orthopoxvirus genus hosts important zoonotic species that have emerged in urban areas worldwide. Nevertheless, the role of companion animals, such as dogs and cats, in the circulation of orthopoxviruses in urban areas remains poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of neutralizing anti-orthopoxvirus antibodies in serum samples from owned dogs from three municipalities in Minas Gerais, as well as the presence of the C11R and A56R orthopoxviruses genes. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was detected in 14.3% of the animals investigated. However, no sample was positive for the presence of the genes investigated. Further study of the population of dogs in urban areas may prove a valuable tool for understanding the spread of orthopoxviruses in urbanized areas of Brazil.
The Development of a Novel Broad-Spectrum Influenza Polypeptide Vaccine Based on Multi-Epitope Tandem Sequences
Authors: Zhao Song , Luo Junhao , Guo Wenhui , Li Li , Pu Siyu , Dong Libo , Zhu Wenfei , Gao Rongbao
Published: January 2025

Background: Polypeptide vaccines have the potential to improve immune responses by targeting conserved and weakly immunogenic regions in antigens. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the efficacy of a novel influenza universal vaccine candidate consisting of multiple polypeptides derived from highly conserved regions of influenza virus proteins hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and matrix protein 2 (M2). Methods: Immunoinformatics tools were used to screen conserved epitopes from different influenza virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9, H9N2, and IBV). A polypeptide vaccine, P125-H, was constructed by linking multiple epitopes using Ii-Key technology. The immunogenicity of P125-H was assessed in mice using MF59-adjuvanted P125-H via intraperitoneal injection. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralizing antibody responses were measured, along with IFN-γ levels in spleen lymphocytes. Protective efficacy was evaluated using viral challenge with lethal doses of H1N1 and H7N9. Results: Mice immunized with P125-H generated high levels of HI and neutralizing antibodies against multiple influenza strains. IFN-γ production was significantly elevated in spleen lymphocytes upon stimulation with the vaccine. P125-H protected mice from influenza infection, reducing weight loss and the viral load in the lungs, mitigating lung pathology, and decreasing mortality. Conclusions: The P125-H vaccine induced broad cross-protection against multiple influenza strains and elicited robust immune responses. It demonstrates strong potential as a candidate for a universal influenza vaccine.
Water Clarity Assessment Through Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning
Authors: Salas Joaquín , Sepúlveda Rodrigo , Vera Pablo
Published: January 2025

Leveraging satellite monitoring and machine learning (ML) techniques for water clarity assessment addresses the critical need for sustainable water management. This study aims to assess water clarity by predicting the Secchi disk depth (SDD) using satellite images and ML techniques. The primary methods involve data preparation and SSD inference. During data preparation, AquaSat samples, originally from the L1TP collection, were updated with the Landsat 8 satellite’s latest postprocessing, L2SP, which includes atmospheric corrections, resulting in 33,261 multispectral observations and corresponding SSD measurements. For inferring the SSD, regressors such as SVR, NN, and XGB, along with an ensemble of them, were trained. The ensemble demonstrated performance with an average determination coefficient of R2 of around 0.76 and a standard deviation of around 0.03. Field data validation achieved an R2 of 0.80. Furthermore, we show that the regressors trained with L1TP imagery for predicting SSD result in a favorable performance with respect to their counterparts trained on the L2SP collection. This document contributes to the transition from semi-analytical to data-driven methods in water clarity research, using an ML ensemble to assess the clarity of water bodies through satellite imagery.
Ionic Strength and pH-Responsive Ultrafiltration Membrane to Overcome the Typical Permeability-Selectivity Tradeoff
Authors: Chen Yian , Cohen Yoram
Published: January 2025

Stimuli-responsive polysulfone (PSf) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was developed via surface modification with tethered hydrophilic polyacrylic acid (PAA) chains of length greater than the native membrane pore size. The surface nano-structured (SNS) membrane was synthesized via atmospheric pressure plasma-induced graft polymerization (APPIGP) to form a surface tethered PAA brush layer. The SNS-PAA-PSf UF membrane demonstrated hydraulic permeability and selectivity in the ranges of 0.74–2.29 × 1013 m−1 and 1.8–15.0 kDa, respectively, in response to changes in pH (3–11) and ionic strength (~0.02–547 mM). Membrane performance characterization showed that, for the above ranges of pH and salinity, the SNS-PAA-PSf UF membrane can overcome the typical membrane perm-selectivity tradeoff. The above performance is attributed to the swelling of the tethered PAA chains, upon ionic strength decrease or pH increase, which provides a less hindered transmembrane solute transport path, but increased hydraulic resistance. Conversely, at high ionic stress or low pH tethered chain collapse leads to lower molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) but with hydraulic resistance below that of the swollen state. The study results suggest that there is merit for further tailoring and improving the performance of stimuli-responsive UF membranes, developed via APPIGP, for applications over selected ranges of pH and ionic strength.
Representasi Budaya Bali Pada Kemasan Kopi EL’S COFFE
Authors: Swatriani Rinkapati , Arimbawa I Made Gede
Published: January 2025

Agar penyebaran kopi-kopi di Inonesia dapat dinikmati oleh penikmat kopi khas Nusantara maka perlu diberi kemasan yang memiliki konsep penerapan budaya Indonesia yang dapat mewakili identitas daerah penghasil kopi tersebut. Salah satu produk kopi yang mengaplikasikan representasi budaya dalam kemasan yaitu El’s Coffee. Dua fokus pada penelitian ini adalah representasi budaya yang ditampilkan dalam kemasan sebagai identitas produk kopi El’s Coffee seri Kintamani dan struktur serta material kemasan.
Hasil analisi dapat disimpulkan bahwa elemen visual yang terdapat dalam kemasan El’s Coffee dapat merepresentasikan unsur budaya Bali yang jamak ditemui dan familiar di masyarakat luas.  Hal yang paling mudah dikenali adalah bangunan pura yang berada di tengah kemasan. Selain itu, visual seorang penari juga memperkuat representasi tersebut. Dari atribut yang digunakan oleh penari merupakan ciri dari penari Bali. Struktur kemasan dirancang untuk mempermudah konsumen saat membawa dan membuka kemasan. Dengan ukuran yang disesuaikan dengan anatomni tangan manusia dewasa. Material yang digunakan berbeda antara kemasan tersier, sekunder, dan primer karena disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan untuk membungkus produk.
PENGARUH HAPPINESS AT WORKLIFE DAN QUALITY OF WORKLFE TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN DENGAN ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR SEBAGAI VARIABEL MEDIASI PADA BADAN AMIL ZAKAT NASIONAL (BAZNAS)
Authors: Dafin Ardiano  , Vivin Maharani Ekowati
Published: January 2025

Happiness at Worklife and Quality of Work Life (QWL) are essential strategies to improve employee performance. The declining quality of service at Baznas Microfinance indicates that the implementation of Happiness at Worklife and QWL has not been optimal, necessitating further research to understand their impact on employee performance, particularly with Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) as a mediating variable. This study aims to analyze the influence of Happiness at Worklife and QWL on employee performance, with OCB as a mediating variable. The study's background lies in the observed decline in service quality at Baznas Microfinance, reflecting suboptimal implementation of Happiness at Worklife and QWL, which has affected employee motivation and performance. The research employs a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design. The study population consists of 66 employees at Baznas Microfinance, with a sample of 50 respondents selected using the purposive sampling method. Data were collected through a Likert scale-based closed questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS software. The results indicate that Happiness at Worklife and QWL significantly influence employee performance. OCB was found to partially mediate the relationship between QWL and employee performance, but the mediating effect of OCB on the relationship between Happiness at Worklife and performance was not significant.This study contributes theoretically by emphasizing the importance of QWL in enhancing performance through OCB, while Happiness at Worklife requires a tailored approach to foster a positive impact on performance. The practical implications of this research highlight the need for Baznas Microfinance management to enhance the quality of work life through policies that support work-life balance, fair compensation, and an OCB-based work culture. Additionally, strategies to improve work happiness should focus on aspects that effectively boost employee motivation and productivity.
OPTIMALISASI DIGITAL ECONOMY DAN BRAND IDENTITY DALAM IMPLEMETASI DIGITALISASI UMKM PETANI KOPI GUNA PENINGKATAN PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT KELOMPOK TANI JAWA BARAT
Authors: Bambang Suprayogi  , Abdur Razak  , Muhammad Ridwansyah
Published: January 2025

Product packaging and Brand of UMKM Coffee Farmers in Cilengkrang District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province greatly influence the way customers view products, and with the implementation of the digital economy, this can help business income and with the running of this business well, it can continue to increase the income of UMKM Coffee Farmers in Cilengkrang District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province. The role of the Digital Economy in terms of product packaging and Brand in UMKM Coffee Farmers in Cilengkrang District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province facilitates the sales process, facilitates payment transactions and helps product marketing. Specifically, UMKM in this study are UMKM Coffee Farmers in Cilengkrang District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province who are not yet productive, economically independent and have not been effective in using technology in the management and Marketing of UMKM Coffee Farmers in Cilengkrang District, Bandung Regency, West Java Province which are still limited.
Using Artificial Intelligence in Virtual Reality
Authors: Gracová Sláva , Graca Martin
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence has been developing in all sectors in recent years. Machine learning was the initial impetus in the emergence of an increasingly advanced version of artificial intelligence. Nowadays, this phenomenon has developed into many sectors of the entertainment industry, healthcare, education and so on. AI can be an effective tool, but it also harbours negatives. For example, one of the negatives is the ethical aspect in training AI or its error rate. Information from AI language models is not 100% correct and does not go through a factchecking process. Generative AI is another form of AI that can create different types of content such as, graphics (generating images, photos, graphic elements, etc.), sounds (creating soundtracks, loop sounds, etc.), or videos (creating videos based on prompts, script, etc.). Therefore, generative AI has the potential to become an effective tool in the creation of content within Virtual Reality. VR has unlimited possibilities in terms of creativity in creating different virtual worlds. In this paper, we will analyze the AI tools that can be effectively used in different areas of Virtual Reality.
Communication Strategies to Influence the Purchasing Behaviour of Young Consumers for Reusable Products Using AI
Authors: Hes Aleš , Varvažovská Pavla
Published: January 2025

In today’s world full of digitalization, the attitude of the young generation towards environmental sustainability is a fundamental and crucial issue for the future. One way to strengthen this attitude is to create a communication service within the marketing strategy that significantly influences their awareness of the possibilities of returning value to the consumer cycle. Expanding cities and urbanisation, together with climate change and business dynamics, are leading to a reduction in natural spaces and high pressure on the use of natural resources. This is an unsustainable situation for the future. The paper therefore explores the construction of marketing communication strategies to convince young consumers of the necessity of a sustainable approach to the purchase of consumer goods, the use of used product purchases in re-use centres and/or swap events where available resources are used on a barter basis, also with the help of AI. The proposed communication strategies fulfil educational, social, environmental, and economic functions. By appropriately assembling marketing communication tools into a coherent strategy, the awareness of the younger generation can be raised about the return of value to the consumer cycle and thus contribute to a significant reduction of waste and carbon footprint.
Exploring the Link between Positive Online Shopping Experiences and Online Shopping Frequency: Insights for Mobile Marketing Strategies
Authors: Horváth Jakub , Fedorko Richard , Bačík Radovan
Published: January 2025

Mobile marketing is nowadays one of the most popular ways not only to search for information about goods and services, reviews, and experiences of other customers, but also to make the actual purchase. The main objective of the paper is to identify whether there are statistically significant associations between positive experiences with online shopping via smartphone and the frequency of online shopping. Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing revolutionary innovations to e-commerce by enabling personalization of the shopping experience, automation of processes, and more accurate demand predictions. The questionnaire survey included 194 respondents of the Generation Y (Millennials). Data was collected over the course of the first half of 2024. Based on the results, it can be concluded that most respondents have positive experiences with shopping online via smartphone. The Spearman correlation test confirmed the association between the above variables. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes to the buying behaviour of people. The findings of our survey add to the overall picture of the share of mobile marketing in e-commerce, which can be a real game changer for companies that offer their products and services online.
Aggressive Language as a Tool to Increase Popularity on Social Media
Authors: Kapec Miroslav
Published: January 2025

With the beginning of the third phase of the internet and its impact on the way information is disseminated and the dynamics of social media, the way politicians communicate with the public has changed. While in the past electronic media played an important role in such communication, today for some politicians are social media enough. Nowadays, social media do not only serve to bring communities together, but also to create and support opinion bubbles or to spread political messages that largely polarise society. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in shaping these algorithms that govern social media platforms, determining what content is shown to users and how it is prioritized. These AI-driven algorithms often amplify emotionally charged or polarizing content, as such posts tend to drive higher engagement, including likes, comments, and shares. The aim of this case study is to investigate whether the presence of aggressive language in the Facebook posts of the most popular Slovak politicians increases their reach through an increased number of interactions on specific posts.
Political Communication and Artificial Intelligence: Anticipated Problems and Unexpected Solution
Authors: Křeček Jan
Published: January 2025

The paper summarizes and comments on the basic topics related to using artificial intelligence in political communication and journalism. Initially it presents the areas of risk and conflict, as they were identified by journalists in newsrooms and the professional public and authors looking into the ethics of journalism and, in particular, communications. It then goes on to give an overview of the first normative and regulatory initiatives, that being at both the international level and within the news organizations of states. It provides a case study of those Czech media houses (both public and private) that have already reflected the risks of AI in their ethical codes, the issues and problems that were focussed on and how detailed this reflection was (as of September 2024). The second part looks at (potentially) positive areas where AI can improve the quality of journalistic practice and outputs or even the quality of the public sphere overall. It concludes by opening the question of using artificial intelligence to analyse objectivity and balance in political coverage and journalism, as required by the Czech Republic’s legislation concerning radio and television broadcasting.
Usage of AI Tools in the Process of Creating Marketing Communication
Authors: Kollárová Daniela , Kushnarevych Andrii
Published: January 2025

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the process of creating marketing communication is transforming the way businesses view and approach their marketing endeavours. AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics are influencing many fields today, and fields like content creation, team segmentation and campaign optimization are no exception. By optimizing the whole process and providing data-driven deeper insights into consumer behaviour, AI enables marketers to craft more targeted and relevant messaging. This article explores the diverse applications of AI tools in creating more efficient and datadriven marketing teams and campaigns. Theoretical information on the topic of AI in marketing, marketing communication, team building in marketing are discussed. The following parts are dedicated to the research of certain existing solutions and their possibilities as of October of 2024. The paper also addresses potential challenges and the need for human oversight, highlighting how AI should be seen as an enhancer in marketing, rather than replacement of existing workforce. The article shows the current state of AI in the field of marketing communication and underlines the importance of continuous research and innovation in the field.
Selected Reflections on Media Image of Churches and Other Religious Bodies in the Era of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Leśniczak Rafał
Published: January 2025

The aim of the paper is to attempt to answer the question of the consequences of artificial intelligence for the media image of churches and other religious bodies. This is an issue from the area of research on the relationship between media and religion, including the processes of mediatization of religion. The following detailed issues will be discussed in the paper: artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes; using ChatGPT to create religious content; creating and distributing opinions and comments in social media using AI; reference to the sacred; modifying human religiosity. The paper is of a review nature and indicates the positive and negative consequences of AI for the determinants of the media image of churches and other religious bodies. The paper uses the analysis method, the literature criticism method, and the literature review method. The research idea of, e.g., such representatives of social sciences as Cameran Ashraf, Beth Singler, Noreen Herzfeld, Randall Reed, Krzysztof Stępniak, was taken into account.
AI in Slovak Journalism: A Threat or an Opportunity?
Authors: Mikušová Simona
Published: January 2025

This study examines the role of artificial intelligence in Slovak journalism. It focuses on whether and to what extent journalists and middle management in media organizations utilize artificial intelligence tools. It also addresses the question of whether media employees perceive AI as an opportunity or rather as a threat to the future of the journalism profession. Answers to these and other questions were gathered through a survey distributed to editorial teams across all types of media – ranging from television, print, and radio to online platforms. Findings reveal cautious yet growing integration of AI, as journalists leverage its efficiency for operational tasks, but remain hesitant to employ it for creative or editorial purposes. Gender and experiencebased differences highlight nuanced adoption patterns, as female journalists and mid-career professionals emerge as key adopters. The questionnaire had a broader scope, covering not only AI but also other challenges currently faced by Slovak media. The study thus offers a thought-provoking comparison of how contemporary issues are perceived in the Slovak media landscape.
AI & Media in Slovakia: Challenges, Opportunities, Risks. The Solution: AI News Agency Editor
Authors: Prokeš Jakub , Brach William , Ries Michal
Published: January 2025

Which media to trust at the moment? Which sources of news and information are truthful? Nowadays, the reliability of information sourcing and verification is crucial for any media – news agency, website or television. Their audience, readership and therefore commercial success stand and fall on the credibility of the content and its delivery as quickly as possible. This study reflects the fact that the media see the implementation of AI as a cure-all for all their ills related to the long-term decline of traditional revenues and the transformation of the industry. Moreover, with the emergence of new competition, especially in the form of social networks, traditional methods of collecting and verifying information are insufficient and time-consuming. Added to this is the growing threat of misinformation. All this poses a major problem for the credibility of the media. The AI News Agency Editor project – a student research project at Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies (FIIT STU) – aims to address these challenges by creating a special tool – an intelligent AI agent that will help automatically generate sanitized and relevant news with minimal human intervention. And to do it quickly, reliably, interestingly, attractively and cheaply. It will find application in various types of media. The results of the research will be verified directly in practice.
Selected Ethical Problems in Journalistic Practice in Slovakia
Authors: Rožňová Jitka , Kozárová Zuzana
Published: January 2025

The media has undergone a dynamic development in the past decades, which was, among other things, conditioned by the development of new information technologies, social, political, economic, and cultural changes, as well as changes in lifestyle, value orientation, or the perception and thinking of individuals and society. Under the influence of these dynamic social, political, and cultural changes, but also due to the impact of old and new ideologies, the anchoring of current mass communication trends and media approaches in ethical frameworks is becoming increasingly challenging. To limit/eliminate the emergence of disinformation and manipulative media content and to reduce their potential threat to recipients and society, several platforms were created in Slovakia, the aim of which is to prevent the occurrence of misleading, false information in society/the media and to initiate projects aimed at increasing media literacy/critical thinking of recipients. The article maps the most frequent forms of violations of journalistic ethics in the Slovak media space, the most frequent disinformation narratives in 2021 – 2023 (with an overlap to the present), and selected tools for eliminating hoaxes and conspiracy theories in practice.
The Relation of Eye Tracking and AI Technologies with an Accent on Business: Bibliometric Insights of Web of Science
Authors: Štefko Róbert , Rigelský Martin , Ondrijová Ivana , Fedorko Richard
Published: January 2025

Neuromarketing techniques, particularly eye tracking, offer valuable tools for exploring consumer behaviour, optimizing marketing strategies, and enhancing e-commerce practices, areas where conventional methods often fall short in precision and depth. This study aimed to evaluate the intersection of neuromarketing techniques and Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in business research from 2014 to 2023, employing bibliometric analysis of data from the Web of Science database. The methodology included frequency analysis and network visualization, focusing on techniques such as fMRI, EEG, eye tracking, biometrics, and facial coding, as well as AI technologies like Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Neural Networks. Results revealed that eye tracking was the most frequently used neuromarketing technique, often integrated with AI to analyse visual attention and decision-making. Journals such as IEEE Access, Scientific Reports, and Sensors led the publication output at this intersection. Conceptual structure maps highlighted the thematic connections between eye tracking and AI, emphasizing its interdisciplinary potential. The findings suggest that integrating neuromarketing and AI not only enhances academic research but also provides actionable insights for businesses, particularly in personalized marketing and consumer behaviour prediction.
Wartości etyczne i etniczne w kulturze organizacyjnej na Łotwie. Część II
Authors: Volkov Vladislav , Timoshchenko Yulija , Buka Stanislav , Ratanova Inese
Published: January 2025

Autorzy artykułu wskazują na wagę badania środowiska gospodarczego, kultury organizacyjnej na Łotwie jako kraju zróżnicowanego etnicznie, z uwzględnieniem wpływu czynnika etnicznego. Ponieważ w różnorodności etnicznej Łotwy wyróżnić można dwa bieguny etno-kulturowe – etnicznych Łotyszy, którzy stanowią trzon łotewskiego państwa narodowego, oraz Rosjan jako największą mniejszość w kraju, autorzy artykułu skupili się na zagadnieniu charakteru różnic etnicznych w łotewskiej kulturze organizacyjnej. Złożoność takiego podejścia do opisu wynika z faktu, że zdecydowana większość prac naukowych na Łotwie, uwzględniających wpływ czynnika etnicznego na życie społeczne, należy do obszaru nauk politycznych i badań socjologicznych. Podczas gdy nieliczne publikacje z zakresu nauk ekonomicznych traktują ugruntowaną kulturę organizacyjną w tym kraju głównie jako jednorodną całość etniczno-kulturową. Aby potwierdzić hipotezę, że czynnik etniczny odgrywa również ważną rolę w życiu gospodarczym Łotwy, autorzy artykułu w 2021 r. zorganizowali badanie socjologiczne w ramach projektu „Interakcja jednostki, społeczeństwa i państwa w ogólnym procesie historii Łotwy: konflikty wartości i kształtowanie się wspólnych wartości w historycznych punktach zwrot-nych”. Celem tego badania była identyfikacja etnicznych cech kultury organizacyjnej na Łotwie poprzez naturę relacji etycznych pomiędzy Łotyszami i Rosjanami w życiu gospodarczym kraju. Jako kluczowy wskaźnik integralności kultury organizacyjnej dla wieloetnicznego środowiska Łotwy autorzy wybrali wartość uniwersalnych norm moralnych, przede wszystkim sprawiedliwości, do regulowania stosunków między etnicznymi Łotyszami i Rosjanami, do wzajemnej oceny ich zawodowych i osobistych cech w życiu firm i organizacji. Dane z tego badania wykazały, że wysoka ocena ideałów sprawiedliwości jest charakterystyczna dla świadomości moralnej zarówno respondentów łotewskich, jak i rosyjskich. Jednocześnie stosunek do realizacji tych ideałów, a także innych wartości moralnych, w zachowaniach ekonomicznych, komunikacji biznesowej, w przyjmowaniu etyki korporacyjnej oraz poszanowaniu ustalonej hierarchii w przedsiębiorstwie i organizacji, w postrzeganiu zawodowych, moralnych, psychologicznych cech pracowników o różnych tożsamościach etnicznych ma pewne różnice między przedstawicielami tych grup. Wskazuje to na istotne miejsce faworyzowania etnicznego zarówno w świadomości etnicznych Łotyszy, jak i Rosjan przy ocenie strony przeciwnej, a co za tym idzie, na istnienie subkultur etnicznych w obrębie kultury biznesowej i kultury organizacyjnej na Łotwie.
Smart Village as an action system supporting people with special information and communication needs
Authors: Tchórzewski Jerzy , Marlęga Radosław
Published: January 2025

The paper presents selected results of theoretical research regarding the concept of a smart village as an intelligent operating system oriented to supporting people with special information and communication needs. Such a system is a developing system of socio-technical nature, which in its area enables the cooperation of its inhabitants as a local society. The presented idea of Smart Village is therefore based on the combination of modern tools and information and communication technologies to improve the qualityof life and raise the standard of public services for citizens with much better use of resources and with less negative impact on the environment. It was pointed out that before proceeding with the design of the Smart Village as an intelligent operating system, it is important to identify the needs and capabilities of subsystems in a specific village and commune, and then, on this basis, design a model of an operating system supporting people with special information and communication needs as a hybrid system. The concept of Smart Village as a system of action is therefore very important for the development of rural areas, both because of new opportunities to create new jobs, as well as from the point of view of the quality of life and work in the countryside. More and more attention is paid to these problems, especially in terms of practical aid programs, but so far no one has defined a smart village system. For these reasons, this study is pioneering and awaited due to the need to develop a modeling method and possible subsequent implementation of the Smart Village system model in system practice.