bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Gelatin Composite Hydrogels Comprised of In Situ Formed Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Ya-Chu , Hu Ming-Hsien , Zhuang Hui-Zhong , Phan Thi Ha My , Jiang Yi-Sheng , Jan Jeng-Shiung
Published: October 2023

We report the feasibility of using gelatin hydrogel networks as the host for the in situ, environmentally friendly formation of well-dispersed zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and the evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the as-prepared composite hydrogels. The resulting composite hydrogels displayed remarkable biocompatibility and antibacterial activity as compared to those in previous studies, primarily attributed to the uniform distribution of the ZnONPs with sizes smaller than 15 nm within the hydrogel network. In addition, the composite hydrogels exhibited better thermal stability and mechanical properties as well as lower swelling ratios compared to the unloaded counterpart, which could be attributed to the non-covalent interactions between the in situ formed ZnONPs and polypeptide chains. The presence of ZnONPs contributed to the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, the alteration of DNA molecules, and the subsequent release of reactive oxygen species within the bacterial cells. This chain of events culminated in bacterial cell lysis and DNA fragmentation. This research underscores the potential benefits of incorporating antibacterial agents into hydrogels and highlights the significance of preparing antimicrobial agents within gel networks.
Enhancing the Potential of Polymer Composites Using Biochar as a Filler: A Review
Authors: Aboughaly Mohamed , Babaei-Ghazvini Amin , Dhar Piyali , Patel Ravi , Acharya Bishnu
Published: October 2023

This article discusses the scope biochar’s uses; biochar is a sustainable organic material, rich in carbon, that can be synthesized from various types of biomass feedstock using thermochemical reactions such as pyrolysis or carbonization. Biochar is an eco-friendly filler material that can enhance polymer composites’ mechanical, thermal, and electrical performances. In comparison to three inorganic fillers, namely carbon black, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and carbon filaments, this paper explores the optimal operating conditions for regulating biochar’s physical characteristics, including pore size, macro- and microporosity, and mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Additionally, this article presents a comparative analysis of biochar yield from various thermochemical processes. Moreover, the review examines how the surface functionality, surface area, and particle size of biochar can influence its mechanical and electrical performance as a filler material in polymer composites at different biochar loads. The study showcases the outstanding properties of biochar and recommends optimal loads that can improve the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer composites.
Influence of Transparent Envelope Parameters on Office Building Energy Use Intensity in the Different Thermal Climate Regions of China
Authors: Chen Demin , He Zihuai , Liu Yinghui , Tao Congxi , Wang Hao , Lu Biao , Li Jiaqi , Lu Yuehong
Published: October 2023

The role of the transparent envelope in energy savings is crucial as it accounts for a significant proportion of the total energy loss (between 30 and 40%). This paper focuses on the identification of reasonable parameters for the transparent envelope in different climatic regions. To achieve this goal, typical urban office buildings from four different climatic regions are used as research objects. A total of 1600 scenarios were simulated to investigate the variation of energy use intensity, including transparent envelope parameters, meteorological parameters and different types of glazing. The results show that for south-facing transparent envelope facades, type D glazing is the most energy efficient in severe cold regions, type C in colder regions and type B in the other two climatic regions. No solar shading is required in the very cold region. Horizontal shading can be an effective method for saving energy in colder climates, while comprehensive shading can be beneficial in other regions. Deep shading is particularly energy efficient if it meets lighting requirements. For example, in Guangzhou, energy savings of 13.46%, 15.47%, 7.01% and 7.02% can be achieved in the east, west, south and north directions, respectively, using B-type glazing and a comprehensive shading depth of 900 mm.
Leveraging High-Resolution Long-Wave Infrared Hyperspectral Laboratory Imaging Data for Mineral Identification Using Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Hamedianfar Alireza , Laakso Kati , Middleton Maarit , Törmänen Tuomo , Köykkä Juha , Torppa Johanna
Published: October 2023

Laboratory-based hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an optical non-destructive technology used to extract mineralogical information from bedrock drill cores. In the present study, drill core scanning in the long-wave infrared (LWIR; 8000–12,000 nm) wavelength region was used to map the dominant minerals in HSI pixels. Machine learning classification algorithms, including random forest (RF) and support vector machine, have previously been applied to the mineral characterization of drill core hyperspectral data. The objectives of this study are to expand semi-automated mineral mapping by investigating the mapping accuracy, generalization potential, and classification ability of cutting-edge methods, such as various ensemble machine learning algorithms and deep learning semantic segmentation. In the present study, the mapping of quartz, talc, chlorite, and mixtures thereof in HSI data was performed using the ENVINet5 algorithm, which is based on the U-net deep learning network and four decision tree ensemble algorithms, including RF, gradient-boosting decision tree (GBDT), light gradient-boosting machine (LightGBM), AdaBoost, and bagging. Prior to training the classification models, endmember selection was employed using the Sequential Maximum Angle Convex Cone endmember extraction method to prepare the samples used in the model training and evaluation of the classification results. The results show that the GBDT and LightGBM classifiers outperformed the other classification models with overall accuracies of 89.43% and 89.22%, respectively. The results of the other classifiers showed overall accuracies of 87.32%, 87.33%, 82.74%, and 78.32% for RF, bagging, ENVINet5, and AdaBoost, respectively. Therefore, the findings of this study confirm that the ensemble machine learning algorithms are efficient tools to analyze drill core HSI data and map dominant minerals. Moreover, the implementation of deep learning methods for mineral mapping from HSI drill core data should be further explored and adjusted.
A Case Study on the Convection Initiation Mechanisms over the Northern Edge of Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, Northwest China
Authors: Abulimiti Aerzuna , Sun Qi , Yuan Lin , Liu Yongqiang , Yao Junqiang , Yang Lianmei , Ming Jie , Abulikemu Abuduwaili
Published: October 2023

The convection initiation (CI) mechanisms of severe storms have received increasing attention because severe storms have been occurring more frequently around the globe in recent years. In this work, the CI mechanisms of severe convective weather associated with a gust front (GF) which occurred on 9 July 2016, near the Korla at the northern edge of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, is investigated using observational data including Doppler weather radar data and automatic weather stations data, and high-resolution numerical simulation data. The results showed that, during the eastward movement of the GF, a number of convective cells were successively triggered in the vicinity of the GF, which developed rapidly and continuously merged with the convective system from behind, resulting in the further development and maintenance of this convective system. According to the diagnostic analysis of vertical acceleration which can be decomposed into dynamic acceleration (ad) and buoyant acceleration (ab), it was found that both ad (up to ~4 × 10−3 m s−2) and ab (up to ~7 × 10−3 m s−2) made positive contributions to the CI. Further analyses based on the decompositions of the ad and ab revealed that the extension term was the main contributor for the ad, while the warming of the dry air due to the release of latent heat from the precipitation condensate made the major contribution to the ab. The extension term indicates the elevated convergence jointly induced by the airflow of mid-level horizontal convective rolls (MHCRs) and updraft flow near the leading edge of the GF. The jointly induced elevated convergent updraft can be considered to be an important contributor for the CI mechanisms.
Detecting Volcano Thermal Activity in Night Images Using Machine Learning and Computer Vision
Authors: Korolev Sergey , Urmanov Igor , Sorokin Aleksei , Girina Olga
Published: October 2023

One of the most important tasks when studying volcanic activity is to monitor their thermal radiation. To fix and assess the evolution of thermal anomalies in areas of volcanoes, specialized hardware-thermal imagers are usually used, as well as specialized instruments of modern satellite systems. The data obtained with their help contain information that makes it relatively easy to track changes in temperature and the size of a thermal anomaly. At the same time, due to the high cost of such complexes and other limitations, thermal imagers sometimes cannot be used to solve scientific problems related to the study of volcanoes. In the current paper, day/night video cameras with an infrared-cut filter are considered as an alternative to specialized tools for monitoring volcanoes’ thermal activity. In the daytime, a camera operated in the visible range, and at night the filter was removed, increasing the camera’s light sensitivity by allowing near-infrared light to hit the sensor. In that mode, a visible thermal anomaly could be registered on images, as well as other bright glows, flares, and other artifacts. The purpose of this study is to detect thermal anomalies on night images, separate them from other bright areas, and find their characteristics, which could be used for volcano activity monitoring. Using the image archive of the Sheveluch volcano as an example, this article presents the results of developing a computer algorithm that makes it possible to find and classify thermal anomalies on video frames with an accuracy of 98%. The test results are presented, along with their validation based on thermal activity data obtained from satellite systems.
Emotions and Media: Emotional Regime and Emotional Factors of Selective Exposure
Authors: Rivera Otero Jose Manuel , Mo-Groba Diego , Vicente Iglesias Gemma
Published: October 2023

The central objective of this research is to describe the role of emotions in their interaction with the media. It examines how selective exposure to the media is linked to how political emotions influence this process. The research reveals an emotional fracture in media consumers through anger. It is also observed that positive emotions towards leaders and political parties are activated in like-minded media consumers, whereas negative emotions arise when interacting with oppositely oriented media. The importance of positive emotions such as hope and their contrast with negative aversive emotions is highlighted. This study shows how political emotions influence the interaction between citizens and the media. The findings highlight the relevance of emotions in the formation of political attitudes and the configuration of media preferences, contributing to the discussion on the relationship between the media and emotions in contemporary society.
Primary Power Analysis of a Global Electrification Scenario
Authors: Bolson Natanael , Yutkin Maxim , Patzek Tadeusz
Published: October 2023

Electrification scenarios dominate most plans to decarbonize the global economy and slow down the unfolding of climate change. In this work, we evaluate from a primary power perspective the impacts of electrifying the power, transport, residential and commercial sectors of the economy. We also investigate the electrification of industrial intense heat processes. Our analysis shows that, in terms of primary power, electrification can result in significant savings of up to 28% of final power use. However, actual savings depend on the sources of electricity used. For intense heat processes, these savings are very sensitive to the electricity sources, and losses of over 70% of primary power can occur during the conversion of heat to electricity and back to heat. Overall, this study highlights the potential benefits and limitations of electrification as a tool for reducing primary power consumption and transitioning to a more sustainable energy system.
Enhancing Traffic Intelligence in Smart Cities Using Sustainable Deep Radial Function
Authors: Ismaeel Ayad Ghany , Mary Jereesha , Chelliah Anitha , Logeshwaran Jaganathan , Mahmood Sarmad Nozad , Alani Sameer , Shather Akram H.
Published: October 2023

Smart cities have revolutionized urban living by incorporating sophisticated technologies to optimize various aspects of urban infrastructure, such as transportation systems. Effective traffic management is a crucial component of smart cities, as it has a direct impact on the quality of life of residents and tourists. Utilizing deep radial basis function (RBF) networks, this paper describes a novel strategy for enhancing traffic intelligence in smart cities. Traditional methods of traffic analysis frequently rely on simplistic models that are incapable of capturing the intricate patterns and dynamics of urban traffic systems. Deep learning techniques, such as deep RBF networks, have the potential to extract valuable insights from traffic data and enable more precise predictions and decisions. In this paper, we propose an RBF-based method for enhancing smart city traffic intelligence. Deep RBF networks combine the adaptability and generalization capabilities of deep learning with the discriminative capability of radial basis functions. The proposed method can effectively learn intricate relationships and nonlinear patterns in traffic data by leveraging the hierarchical structure of deep neural networks. The deep RBF model can learn to predict traffic conditions, identify congestion patterns, and make informed recommendations for optimizing traffic management strategies by incorporating these rich and diverse data. To evaluate the efficacy of our proposed method, extensive experiments and comparisons with real-world traffic datasets from a smart city environment were conducted. In terms of prediction accuracy and efficiency, the results demonstrate that the deep RBF-based approach outperforms conventional traffic analysis methods. Smart city traffic intelligence is enhanced by the model capacity to capture nonlinear relationships and manage large-scale data sets.
Differential Tail Dependence between Crude Oil and Forex Markets in Oil-Importing and Oil-Exporting Countries during Recent Crisis Periods
Authors: Shang Jin , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: October 2023

The relationship between foreign exchange rates and crude oil prices holds significant importance in comprehending the dynamics of oil markets and their implications for diverse economies. This study utilizes the time-varying copula to examine the interrelationships between foreign exchange rates (FX) and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices, with a focus on time-varying tail dependence and time-varying linear correlation. We found that the tail dependence between foreign exchange rates (FX) and WTI crude oil prices is higher for oil-exporting countries compared to oil-importing countries. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has further amplified the tail dependence for oil-exporting countries while simultaneously increasing the correlation of FXs–WTI for oil-importing countries. However, the 2022 Russian–Ukrainian conflict has exerted a significant receding effect on both the tail dependence and linear correlation of FXs–WTI, reaching or even surpassing levels comparable to those witnessed during the 2008 financial crisis. These results facilitate policymakers, investors, and market participants in making well-informed decisions and developing effective risk management strategies.
Spatiotemporal Dynamic Analysis and Simulation Prediction of Land Use and Landscape Patterns from the Perspective of Sustainable Development in Tourist Cities
Authors: Meng Fanqi , Dong Li , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2023

The unreasonable development of land use and use of landscape patterns are the primary causes of the unsustainable growth of tourism cities. Dawa District, a well-known tourist destination in China, was chosen as the research object in order to scientifically evaluate and simulate the dynamic changes in land use. Landsat remote sensing images of the Dawa District from 2011, 2016, and 2021 were processed, using the development of regional tourism in 2016 as the dividing point. Using Arcgis10.3, ENVI5.3, and Fragstats tools, GIS spatial analysis and landscape index analysis were used to explore the spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics of land use and landscape patterns. The CA-Markov model was used to simulate and predict the land use landscape pattern in 2026. The results show that the rapid expansion of built-up areas in 2011–2021 and the increasing marginal complexity and fragmentation of landscape patterns are the main evolution trends. In 2016, emphasis was placed on sustainable land resources, and the area of forested water gradually recovered. However, the patch density (PD) and number of patches (NP) indices reflecting fragmentation still showed a 1.5–2 fold increase. It is expected that in 2026, the dual pressure of urban development and ecological sustainable construction will enhance connectivity and aggregation, and the ecological environment will gradually recover. At the same time, the competition for various types of land will become increasingly prominent, and agricultural activities will be affected. In summary, optimization strategies are proposed from the perspectives of government, land, landscape, and industry, aiming to promote the sustainable development of land and landscape resources in tourist cities.
A Blockchain-Enabled Approach for Enhancing Synchrophasor Measurement in Smart Grid 3.0
Authors: Jha Amitkumar V. , Appasani Bhargav , Gupta Deepak Kumar , Ainapure Bharati S. , Bizon Nicu
Published: October 2023

Smart Grid 3.0 is the latest evolution of the smart grid and incorporates advanced computing and communication technologies. The synchrophasor communication system plays a critical role in wide-area measurement systems (WAMS) for real-time protection and control of power systems, supporting the objectives of Smart Grid 3.0. This system relies on synchrophasor communication technologies, where Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) transmit synchrophasor data to Phasor Data Concentrators (PDCs) over the synchrophasor communication network. The communication infrastructure of this network is based on the TCP/IP protocol stack, which, unfortunately, is susceptible to cyberattacks, posing security threats such as data tampering and false data injection. These vulnerabilities undermine the intended benefits of synchrophasor applications in terms of situational awareness, observability, grid reliability, resiliency, and synchronized monitoring and control in the smart grid. To address these challenges, it is crucial to enhance the security, integrity, and confidentiality of synchrophasor data within the communication system. This paper proposes a blockchain-based synchrophasor communication system that preserves the security and integrity of synchrophasor data. In this paper, an architecture is proposed for a synchrophasor communication system based on blockchain technology. The proposed architecture aims to enhance the security and integrity of synchrophasor measurements. Furthermore, the architecture is developed as a peer-to-peer distributed blockchain network, leveraging the robustness of a distributed, decentralized, hierarchical PDC architecture. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed architecture, two case studies, one using the IEEE 9 bus and the other using IEEE 14 bus systems are considered. Moreover, various challenges with potential solutions are also recommended. The proposed work is envisioned to contribute to the advancement of Smart Grid 3.0 by adopting blockchain technology for synchrophasor applications.
Challenges in Implementing STEM Education: Insights from Novice STEM Teachers in Developing Countries
Authors: Aslam Sarfraz , Alghamdi Abdulelah A. , Abid Nisar , Kumar Tribhuwan
Published: October 2023

Economic growth has been attributed to STEM education in many countries. It is widely recognized as crucial to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, especially for traditionally disadvantaged groups. In this age of the fourth Industrial Revolution, we are going through a rapid change. Several difficulties have been associated with STEM’s implementation, particularly troubling developing countries. In this article, we investigated STEM teachers’ unique challenges in their classroom experiences and how these factors influence their instructional practices and students’ learning outcomes. STEM teachers’ teaching reflections at the secondary level were examined in this qualitative study. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit ten novice STEM teachers. The data were analyzed using NVivo11. Despite their disciplinary expertise and the variety of teaching methods they employed, the teachers faced numerous challenges. Teachers faced difficulties managing classrooms, developing curriculums, and recognizing practical constraints in STEM education. Teacher beliefs about effective STEM education, the tension between these beliefs and the teaching goals of the teachers were closely linked to the teachers’ beliefs about effective STEM education and the educational system’s expectations. For STEM teachers, the mastery of content knowledge is critical. A regular exchange of experience is of significant help to teaching. Teachers’ pedagogy and professional development in STEM education are discussed concerning underdeveloped countries’ contexts. Researchers and educators in developing countries might not understand STEM education’s significance. The reason may also be that STEM education in developing countries faces several challenges.
The Effects of Irrigation with Diverse Wastewater Sources on Heavy Metal Accumulation in Kinnow and Grapefruit Samples and Health Risks from Consumption
Authors: Khan Zafar Iqbal , Haider Rehan , Ahmad Kafeel , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Mehmood Naunain , Memona Hafsa , Akhtar Shahzad , Ugulu Ilker
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in the edible parts of grapefruit and kinnow fruit irrigated with sewage water, tube-well water, and canal water. Preparation of the samples used in the study for metal analysis was carried out by the wet acid digestion method. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for metal determination. All of the studied metals were more abundant in water, soil, and fruit samples from sites irrigated with sewage water than from those irrigated with tube-well and canal water. The concentrations of Pb were established in the range of 0.047 to 0.175 mg/L in water, 12.652 to 47.863 mg/kg in soil, and 0.023 to 0.124 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Cr varied from 0.107 to 0.741 mg/L in water, from 1.121 to 5.835 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.054 to 0.784 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Cd varied from 0.004 to 0.028 mg/L in water, from 1.258 to 4.246 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.012 to 0.131 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Ni varied from 0.384 to 1.815 mg/L in water, from 5.367 to 18.658 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.028 to 1.475 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The pollution load index indicated that Pb exceeded a value of 1, while Cd and Ni exceeded 1 only in sewage-water-irrigated sites. The bioconcentration factor, enrichment factor, daily intake of metal, and health risk index values for all metals were below 1, within permissible limits, indicating no immediate health risks associated with consuming these fruits.
Twenty-Eight Years of Plant Community Development and Dynamics in the Balize Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana, USA
Authors: White David A. , Visser Jenneke M.
Published: October 2023

Deltaic landscapes go through cycles of birth, growth, decline, and death governed by intertwined geological, biological, and ecological processes. In this study, we tracked deltaic lobes in the Balize Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana, USA, over 28 years (1984–2012). Hydrologic and geomorphic patterns as well as sustained patterns of wetland plant richness, diversity, and biomass are described. Plant diversity and biomass were modeled by nMDS ordination. Taxa (53) were harvested and dried (116,706 g) from 965 (0.25 m2) plots and divided into three groups: I. four foundation species, corresponding to 78.9% of the total harvest; II. nine pioneer species, corresponding to 13.6% of the total harvest; and III. all other taxa, corresponding to 7.5% of the total harvest (eight miscellaneous grasses, eight miscellaneous sedges, and twenty-four miscellaneous herbs). Autogenic/allogenic processes (sedimentation, subsidence, plant colonization, and succession events) affected composition and biomass. Eleven important species were identified. Taxon richness increased on mudflats during primary succession (fifteen to twenty-five taxa per site), then declined to fewer than five taxa per site. The niche space theory explained patterns of community change, with a similar total biomass/yr (~500 g/m2/yr) at all study sites. Quantile regression analyses showed that the water quality and quantity of the Mississippi River influenced biomass, especially in springtime waters. Stochastic events (storms, herbivory, salt burn, and flood pulses) impacted biomass. Long-term studies like this are required in a future of climate unknowns.
Adoption of Electric Motorcycles in Pakistan: A Technology Acceptance Model Perspective
Authors: Shaikh Sajan , Talpur Mir Aftab Hussain , Baig Farrukh , Tariq Fariha , Khahro Shabir Hussain
Published: October 2023

Electric motorcycles (EMs) are gaining popularity in densely populated Asian countries, offering environmentally friendly solutions to combat traffic-related pollution. Governments and authorities are eager to promote EMs to reduce reliance on traditional fuel-based motorcycles. While prior research has explored the potential impacts of EMs, limited attention has been given to the adoption intentions of the Pakistani public. This study investigates the factors influencing the behavioral intentions of adopting EMs in Pakistan, employing an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) framework. The extended model incorporates perceived values and environmental concerns, along with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, to assess their impact on EM adoption intentions. Based on data collected from 228 respondents in Karachi, Pakistan, structural equation models were estimated to identify significant factors affecting EM adoption. Findings highlight the substantial influence of perceived value and environmental concern on behavioral intentions, with perceived ease of use playing a mediated role through perceived usefulness. Results suggest that effective marketing and user-friendly EM designs, coupled with well-crafted policies and education, can substantially boost EM adoption by the public, facilitating a shift toward sustainable transportation alternatives.
Erros no uso de dispositivos inalatórios associados ao tratamento da asma: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Alberici Arthur Sebba Rady , Diniz Raphael Helvécio Carvalho de Oliveira , Souza Isabelle Helena Lobão Bentes , Monteiro Radmila Ferreira , Mendonça Vitória Maritzzi Costa , Galvão Leticia de Souza , Brito Gabriel Pereira da Silva , Cunha Maria Luiza Hajjar , Gomes Lydice Marise Cesar , Junqueira Matheus Castro , Musse Lara Queiroz , Pina Guilherme Cristovam , Correa Maria Eugênia Dumont Adams Prudente , De Siqueira Gabriel França , Nepomuceno Gabriela Lima Mendes
Published: October 2023

O objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma abordagem sistemática aos dispositivos avaliados, descrever as variáveis associadas ao seu uso, além de correlacionar as repercussões clínicas com o uso incorreto de dispositivos inaladores, a fim de destacar o erro mais comum no uso dos dispositivos avaliados. Foi desenvolvida uma revisão sistemática da literatura, com uma abordagem qualitativa às informações, com base na coleta de publicações indexadas entre 2010 e 2021, em português e inglês, nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), da Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), da Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), do PubMed, do Science Direct, do Redalyc, do Scielo, do Elsevier e do Cochrane. Constatou-se que os erros no uso dos dispositivos derivam tanto da dificuldade do paciente quanto da falta de instrução prévia adequada pelos médicos. Os principais fatores clínicos apresentados na literatura, resultantes de erros no uso de dispositivos inaladores, estão relacionados à baixa adesão e à técnica inadequada de inalação, entre outros.
Protocolo para inoculação artificial de sementes de soja Fusarium semitectum
Authors: Peña-Medina Alice Beatriz , Pinel-Alvarez Mario Fernando , De Carvalho Luiz Guilherme Lidoino , De Farias Cândida Renata Jacobsen
Published: October 2023

O fungo F. semitectum é patogênico em sementes de soja por afetar negativamente a germinação em laboratório e no campo. Uma das limitações dos métodos de inoculação de sementes é a redução na produção de esporos, o que muita vezes dificulta o desenvolvimento de diversos estudos na área de fitopatologia. Diante da necessidade de esporulação fúngica, o estudo teve como objetivo induzir a produção de conidios de F. semitectum em sementes de soja, inoculadas artificialmente, utilizando BDA e BSA em diferentes tempos de inoculação (6 h; 12 h; 24 h; 48 h e 72 h). Foram avaliados incidência do fungo através do Blotter test e a produção de conídios. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) em arranjo fatorial duplo (meio e tempo) com níveis de 5 e 2 de cada fator, respectivamente, com 4 repetições. A melhor resposta na produção de conidios foi com meio BSA, às 48 e 72 h.
Enhancing the entrepreneurial capabilities of female immigrant entrepreneurs through Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) – The Irish Context
Authors: Akaehomen Toluwanimi
Published: October 2023

Under-represented groups, such as female immigrant entrepreneurs, experience entrepreneurship differently to the mainstream population. In view of this, it is necessary that entrepreneurship policies and supports are tailored, in order to effectively address their unique and specific needs, thereby becoming more inclusive. This would guarantee some degree of level playing field in entrepreneurship. Thus, if female immigrant entrepreneurs are to successfully maximise the opportunities within their host nations and manage the challenges they potentially face, especially as it relates to entrepreneurship, it is imperative that they receive the kind of support, which recognises and considers their uniqueness and entrepreneurial potentials in its design, development and delivery, and which increases the likelihood of their entrepreneurial success. Essentially, Entrepreneurship education and training (EET) has value in creating opportunities for their socioeconomic inclusion and for fostering and facilitating entrepreneurial capability development.

This empirical study presents findings on the extent to which the current provision of entrepreneurship education and training in Ireland meets the entrepreneurial capability needs of female immigrant entrepreneurs. Study 1 is a systematic analysis of documentation on the current provision of EET in Ireland from 2011 – 2021, while Study 2 is based on findings from semi-structured interviews with 21 female immigrant entrepreneurs resident in Ireland. The research questions were centred on their experience of entrepreneurship in Ireland, what entrepreneurial capabilities they require to start and grow their businesses, as well as their perception of the extent to which the current EET provision meets their need.
Critical Success Factors of Remote ERP Implementation: From System Users’ Perspective
Authors: Kodithuwakku Kasun , Madhavika Naduni
Published: October 2023

The study explores critical success factors of remote ERP implementation in the Sri Lankan context from system users’ perspective. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, ERP implementation has become more complicated, and ERP software vendors have shifted to remote ERP implementations. Although, there are several studies on identifying Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in ERP implementation, there is a void in the literature on identifying CSFs in remote ERP implementation. As a result of the literature review, it was discovered that only a small amount of research has been done on remote ERP implementation. Therefore, the current study tries to bridge these gaps by identifying the CSFs of remote ERP implementation during Covid-19 by taking Sri Lanka as a case study.
Sillyon Terriyoryumunda Kepez Yerleşimi: Kentleşme ve Seramik Buluntuları Üzerinden Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: BİLGİN Mustafa , TAŞKIRAN Murat
Published: October 2023

Kepez Yerleşimi, Antalya ili Serik ilçesi Yanköy Mahallesi sınırlarında yer almaktadır. Başka bir ifadeyle, Sillyon’un yaklaşık 4 km kuzeyinde ve halk arasında Kepez olarak bilinen kayalık bir tepenin güneydoğu kesiminde ana kente hâkim bir şekilde konumlanmaktadır. Sillyon antik kenti territoryumunda yer alan Kepez Yerleşimi, Roma İmparatorluk Çağı’ndan Bizans Dönemi içlerine kadar yerleşim görmüş kırsal bir alandır. Yerleşim dokusu, tarım terasları, nekropolisi ve üretim alanlarıyla bu dönemlerden bildiğimiz ana kentleri ekonomi ve üretim anlamında besleyen bir kome örneği olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Yüzey araştırmaları ile detaylı bir şekilde çalışılan bu kırsal yerleşimin hem konumunun belirlenmesinde hem de kentleşme planı oluşturulma aşamasında ana kent Sillyon’un örnek alındığı anlaşılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Kepez’in tüm detayları başlıklar halinde ele alınarak yerleşim tanıtılmakta ve Sillyon’la olan ilişkisi irdelenmektedir. Böylece antik bir kırsal yerleşimin kentleşme dokusu, kronolojik görünümü ve ana kentle olan ilişkisel durumu tüm yönleriyle ortaya konulmaktadır. Bunun yanında, seramik buluntuları çalışılarak, örneklerin kronolojik durumunun yerleşimin tarihsel sürecinin belirlenmesine katkı vermesi sağlanmıştır. Sonuçta konut alanları, işlikler, nekropolis, sarnıçlar, taş ocağı ve tarım teraslarıyla kendi kendine yetebilen ve dahası tarımsal üretimiyle ana kenti destekleyebilen bir kırsal yerleşme özelliği sergilediği görülmektedir
Introduction. Conflicts as property
Authors: Bombini Gabriel , Kostenwein Ezequiel
Published: October 2023

This dossier is part of the special issue of Oñati Socio Legal Series titled Conflicts as property. Explorations about forms of alternative resolution to legal punishment. In this, it is intended to incorporate alternative approaches to state punishment to address problematic social situations, their normative limits and their idiosyncrasies.
Zona Franca- Nº 20 (2011) [Parte VI]
Authors: CEIM UNR
Published: October 2023

Zona Franca- Nº 20 (2011) [Parte VI]
Zona Franca- Nº20 (2011) [Parte VII]
Authors: CEIM UNR
Published: October 2023

Zona Franca- Nº20 (2011) [Parte VII]
Decarbonisation: A Case Study of Malaysia
Authors: Lee John CG , Gunawan Juniati , Aliya Putri Aghnia Nadhira , Tin Se
Published: October 2023

Limiting global warming to well below 2°C demands an urgent acceleration of decarbonization efforts, posing challenges in multiple sectors like transportation, energy efficiency, and steel production. The feasibility of achieving these targets, akin to the transformation seen during the collapse of the Soviet Union, is being questioned. Yet, hope lies in leveraging tipping points within complex systems for rapid change. Internal carbon pricing (ICP) emerges as a pivotal tool in this endeavor, enabling companies to assess investments, manage risks, and align strategies towards a low-carbon future (Riedel et al., 2021; Trinks et al., 2022). ICP drives decarbonization across industries and influences capital investment decisions by estimating carbon costs. Companies like LG Electronics, Microsoft, and Royal Dutch Shell have adopted ICP, further reinforcing its value in transitioning to sustainability. Major economies have implemented carbon pricing policies, yielding significant emissions reductions. In China, aggressive carbon pricing strategies could drive notable energy consumption reductions (Fan et al., 2014). Meanwhile, Malaysia faces a challenge in reducing carbon emissions, with strategies like renewable energy integration, energy efficiency enhancement, and sustainable transportation promotion (Farabi et al., 2019). This study focuses on Malaysia's decarbonization efforts, aiming to illuminate factors influencing corporate decarbonization in alignment with national climate targets. Addressing gaps in sector-specific decarbonization studies and exploring strategies that make decarbonization a competitive advantage will provide critical insights for effective policymaking and sustainable practices, contributing to global climate action.

Keywords: Decarbonization, Malaysia, Net-zero emissions, corporate practices.
The Role of Moral Disengagement in the Relationships between Ethical Ideology and Unethical Pro-Organizational Behaviour
Authors: Zulkifli Faizal , Mustamil Norizah
Published: October 2023

There is growing research by a group of researcher on unethical pro-organisation behaviour (UPB) especially after the misconduct of carbon emission by Volkswagen, the researchers have trying to understand why, how and when employees would conduct UPB by using various theories (Mishra et al., 2021) including moral disengagement theory (Mishra et al., 2021). Drawing from moral disengagement theory (Bandura, 1990) we argue that moral disengagement mechanism mediates the relationships between ethical ideology and UPB. As the literature of moral disengagement in unethical behaviour and UPB heavily tested and rely on moral disengagement as unidimensional construct, so less is known which mechanisms of moral disengagement influence employees behaviour (Ogunfowora et al., 2021). So, this paper will examine how idealist and relativist adopting moral disengagement mechanisms in justifying their immoral act of UPB. The study is a cross sectional study which the data was collected through paper and pencil survey. A total of 387 responses were collected from private sectors employees in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The respondents received RM10 KFC voucher as a token. The data quality measures were used by including attention check questions and marker variable (Moore et al., 2021). All the responses were measured using 7-likert scale, where 1 – strongly disagree and 7-strongly agree. Employees ethical ideology was measured using 20 items by (Forsyth, 1980), moral disengagement was measured using 32 items by (Bandura, 1990), and UPB was measure using 6 items by (Umphress et al., 2010), The analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 27, and the mediation analysis was tested using PROCESS.

Keywords: Unethical pro-organizational behaviour, moral disengagement, ethical ideology
User's Benefit Perceptions and Privacy Concerns for the Personalised Recommendation Service on Taobao: A Privacy Calculus Perspective
Authors: Aina Maria , Irene Bridget , Xie Wenjun
Published: October 2023

First proposed in 1992 by Goldberg, Nichols, Oki, and Terry, Recommendation System (RS) was regarded as an efficient tool for filing electric documents. Personalised recommendations are defined as a personalised list of items that the recommendation algorithm process the massive data to produce results (Wang et al., 2020). After decades of research and development, it has been utilised in fields such as social networks, streaming services, and e-commerce. (Ko et al., 2022). Promotion of customer satisfaction is one of the most mentioned goals of recommendation systems with its capability to deal with overloaded information and find relevant items that may interest customers. According to Abdollahpouri et al. (2020), a recommendation system is economically beneficial and sustainable for service providers and capable of creating values for users and perhaps further stakeholders. To balance customer satisfaction with personalised and targeted services economic-oriented goals like conversion rates, higher revenues, and client retention, personalised recommendations are provided in various contexts (Jannach and Jugovac, 2019). However, a great portion of data processed is collected from users causing risks of privacy leakage and users' concerns about privacy violations (Meng et al., 2018). It is prevailing for users to perceive privacy invasions due to the possibility of data sharing, renting, or selling to third parties (Liu et al., 2017). Malicious user attacks may occur with data collected from users and results from learning these data (Du et al., 2018). Discrimination issues and merchant-beneficial results also arise with the underlying data provided by users (Ekstrand et al., 2019; Ricci et al., 2022). As the Privacy Calculus Theory indicates, interests and privacy risks perceived from the Internet jointly influence users' willingness to personal information disclosure (Dinev and Hart, 2006).

Keywords: User's Benefit Perceptions, Privacy Concerns, Privacy Calculus
Alternative Teaching and Learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wan Lee Yee , Dorasamy Dr. Magiswary , Ahmad Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin
Published: October 2023

Online learning is a common learning mode for adult learners, but this may not be the case for Malaysian full-time undergraduate learners before the COVID-19 pandemic. Synchronous online learning was introduced as a temporary solution to ensure continuity in learning during the 2020 Movement Control Order (MCO). However, the infrastructure, facilities, and course programs in most mainstream universities in Malaysia are not built for synchronous online learning during MCO. As a result, the effectiveness of synchronous online learning during MCO was affected, especially learners' engagement. Engagement is a very important component of effective learning. Nevertheless, promoting and sustaining a learner's engagement is not an easy task, especially in a synchronous online learning class during MCO. Therefore, how to promote learners' interest and sustain their engagement are two key concerns. This is because the nature of synchronous online learning requires learners to be more committed to independent learning (Kahn et al., 2017) and it also reduces the in-person interaction between learners and their instructors as well as with other fellow learners (Friedman, 2020; Dhawan, 2020). Learning from home has also posed some challenges to learners. Learners find it harder for them to focus on synchronous online learning during MCO due to distractions from unconducive home environments, weak infrastructure (i.e., availability of electronic devices, poor Internet connection) and flexibility to social media (Alam 2020; Vardhaman, 2020; Friedman, 2020). In addition, the sudden migration from physical face-to-face classroom learning to synchronous online learning may also require new pedagogies to ensure learning effectiveness (Flynn-Wilson, 2021). Therefore, two underlying theories related to effective learning namely, engagement theory and interest theory were adopted to understand how to improve the effectiveness of synchronous online learning in the context of Malaysia's private higher learning institutions during MCO.

Keywords: Synchronous Online Learning, Engagement, Interest, Higher Learning Institutions
Linking ESG and Tax Compliance: Stakeholders' Perspectives
Authors: Mustapha Mohd Zulkhairi , Zakaria Zarina , Md Rahin Nurliana , Abdul Wahab Noor Sakinah
Published: October 2023

This is an exploratory study to gain insight among tax and ESG practitioners on the linkage between ESG and tax compliance. Prior studies used secondary data to examine the association between ESG and tax avoidance and reported inconclusive results. This leads to speculative discussion to support the results, among which are corporate ethics and corporate hypocrisy. This motivates the study to examine the perception among parties involved to understand their views on the relationship. A total of 22 personnel representing firms, consultants, and regulator from various categories of organisations were interviewed. We found a gap between firms and tax regulators and consultant perception of the link between ESG and tax compliance. There is also an inconsistent perception among sustainability and tax personnel in firms. Interestingly, we found only the government-linked companies perceived tax compliance to be part of social components. Our study implies that there is evidence to support negative and no relationship between tax avoidance and ESG but no evidence to support corporate hypocrisy.

Keywords: ESG, tax, hypocrisy.
Company Performance Impacts Employee Engagement through Individual Benefit of Senior Management as a Mediator
Authors: Ning Zhu, Zi , SPR Ramendran , Charles  , Wong  , Soon Lai
Published: October 2023

The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to persist. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on numerous Chinese companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), resulting in substantial challenges for their business growth and development. The employees experience heightened levels of tension and unease as they are concerned about potential job loss in the event that their respective companies fail to achieve sustained recovery and business growth. This, in turn, has a direct impact on employee performance and engagement. Simultaneously, a multitude of worker strikes emerged in the western world with the objective of securing higher wages and salaries. Notably, certain strikes were predominantly instigated by public sector employees during the current year. An illustration of this phenomenon can be observed in the United Kingdom during the first half of 2023, where an extended period of public sector strikes occurred. These strikes were initiated by teachers, doctors, and other workers in response to their demand for increased wages in light of high inflation (M & James, 2023). All of them had an impact on and worsened both company performance and employee engagement. In a context characterized by instability, it is crucial for companies, particularly those who regard senior management as critical personnel, to effectively mitigate employee anxiety and foster a positive work attitude. The research framework is constructed and the relationships among variables are explained using the expectancy theory of motivation (Vroom et al., 2015). The main research problem in this study is to determine the relationship between company performance on employee engagement in the presence of individual benefit of senior management as a mediator.

Keywords: Company Performance, Employee Engagement, Individual Benefit of Senior Management, Expectancy Theory