bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working Co-operatively for Sustainable and Just Food System Transformation
Authors: Nicol Poppy , Taherzadeh Alice
Published: April 2020

Co-operative ways of working can be understood as people-centred approaches. This article considers how co-operative ways of working have the potential to support the scaling-out of sustainable and just food systems in the context of Wales through people-centred change. Drawing upon a series of interviews with stakeholders involved in the sustainable and the co-operative food sector within Wales and international case studies, opportunities and challenges facing the scaling-out of sustainable and just food systems are considered. Findings demonstrate the potential of co-operative and community-based approaches to sustainable production, processing, distribution, and trading of healthy food that is affordable, culturally appropriate, and based upon an ethic of justice and care for land, workers, and animals. Community supported agriculture, incubator farms, food hubs, and platform co-operatives are identified as key mechanisms for sustainable and just food systems. Capacity building through education, information, and training are further critical foundations for co-operative and people-centred ways of working. In order to accelerate sustainable and just food futures, community-based participation, networks for training, access to resources and land, and transformative forms of governance, including legislative change, are key. We conclude by highlighting implications for future research into policy transfer and food system transformation.
Cooperation Networks as a Driver of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation
Authors: Melane-Lavado Alberto , Álvarez-Herranz Agustín
Published: April 2020

Companies can contribute to sustainable development in a dynamic and globalized market, such as today’s, through Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (SOI). However, to do this implies meeting specific requirements and dealing with greater complexity because of the higher level of sophistication of cooperation networks for this kind of innovation. In this context, to meet the requirements demanded by SOI, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is considered fundamental. However, it is not known whether their capacity to focus more on heterogeneous knowledge sources, which, thanks to their cooperation networks, are broad and geographically diverse, would have a differential impact on SOIs. Through comparative analysis, this paper attempts to shed light on the possible network differences for companies, with and without FDI, looking to undertake SOI. It focuses on the knowledge framework and geographical scope stemming from cooperation for successfully undertaking sustainable developments. To this end, three networks had to be set up, which include diversity, scope, experience, and frequency of national, European, and global cooperation. The results lend strength to the theory that SOI is favored by European and global cooperation networks if companies have FDI, and by national networks if there is no foreign participation. For this, the role of absorptive capacity is key, understood as a joint analysis of R&D intensity and the skills and education of employees tasked with innovation, and the implementation of new organizational methods. Lastly, it is confirmed that having FDI allows companies to have qualified employees, and better methods and organizational practices in connection with an openness to innovation.
A Systematic Review of Coastal Vulnerability Mapping
Authors: Bukvic Anamaria , Rohat Guillaume , Apotsos Alex , de Sherbinin Alex
Published: April 2020

Coastal areas worldwide represent an aggregation of population and assets of growing economic, geopolitical, and sociocultural significance, yet their functions are increasingly challenged by worsening coastal hazards. Vulnerability assessments have been recognized as one way we can better understand which geographic areas and segments of society are more susceptible to adverse impacts from different stressors or hazards. The aims of this paper are to evaluate the state of coastal vulnerability assessment mapping efforts and to identify opportunities for advancement and refinement that will lead to more cohesive, impactful, and policy-relevant coastal vulnerability studies. We conducted a systematic review of the literature that addresses physical and social vulnerability to coastal hazards and contains corresponding mapping products. The content was analyzed for the scale of analysis, location, disciplinary focus, conceptual framework, metrics used, methodological approach, data sources, mapping output, and policy relevance. Results showed that most Coastal Vulnerability Mapping Assessments (CVMAs) are conducted at the local level using a range of methodologies, often with limited inclusion of social considerations and limited discussion of policy relevance. Based on our analysis, we provide seven recommendations for the advancement of this field that would improve CVMAs’ methodological rigor, policy relevance, and alignment with other vulnerability assessment paradigms.
Time-frequency Connectedness between Coal Market Prices, New Energy Stock Prices and CO2 Emissions Trading Prices in China
Authors: Jiang Chun , Wu Yi-Fan , Li Xiao-Lin , Li Xin
Published: April 2020

This paper aims to examine whether there is inherent dynamic connectedness among coal market prices, new energy stock prices and carbon emission trading (CET) prices in China under time- and frequency-varying perspectives. For this purpose, we apply a novel wavelet method proposed by Aguiar-Conraria et al. (2018). Specifically, utilizing the single wavelet power spectrum, the multiple wavelet coherency, the partial wavelet coherency, also combined with the partial phase difference and the partial wavelet gains, this paper discovers the time-frequency interaction between three markets. The empirical results show that the connectedness between the CET market price and the coal price is frequency-varying and mainly occur in the lower and higher frequency bands, while the connectedness between the CET market price and the new energy stock price mainly happen in the middle and lower frequency bands. In the high-frequency domain, the CET market price is mainly affected by the coal price, while the CET market price is dominated by the new energy stock price in the middle frequency. These uncovered frequency-varying characteristics among these markets in this study could provide several implications. Main participants in these markets, such as polluting industries, governments and financial actors, should pay close attention to the connectedness under different frequencies, in order to realize their goal of the production, the policymaking, and the investment.
Effectiveness Evaluation of Financing Platform Operation of Buildings Energy Saving Transformation Using ANP-Fuzzy in China: An Empirical Study
Authors: Guo Handing , Qiao Wanzhen , Zheng Yuehong
Published: April 2020

Building energy saving transformation is an inevitable requirement to achieve sustainable development, which can bring considerable economic, environmental, and social benefits. The key to healthy development of the market lies in the orderly operation of the financing platform. The effectiveness of the financing platform depends on scientific evaluation. Therefore, it is necessary to design a set of systematic and practical evaluation indicators for operational effectiveness of the buildings energy saving transformation financing platform, so as to provide reference for the effective operation of the financing platform, and provide measurement means for scholars to conduct quantitative research on the financing platform. This paper analyzes the effectiveness evaluation content for the financing platform operation of buildings energy saving transformation from the two levels of operation mechanism and operation subject behavior. Combined with the particularity of the financing platform of building energy saving transformation, the operational effectiveness evaluation index system of the financing platform is designed from three levels. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) method is applied to construct network structure, to describe element correlation, and to calculate index weight. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (Fuzzy) method was used to carry out quantitative evaluation of qualitative indicators. The Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) financing platform in Beijing was taken as an example to make an empirical analysis. The results show that the operational effectiveness evaluation system of the financing platform of buildings energy saving transformation constructed in this paper has certain practicability. In this evaluation system, scores of target consistency, the degree of information sharing among departments and coordination of operation mechanism are low. Finally, some policy suggestions are put forward to optimize financing platform of buildings energy saving transformation in China.
Overtourism and Medium Scale Sporting Events Organisations—the Perception of Negative Externalities by Host Residents
Authors: Poczta Joanna , Dąbrowska Agata , Kazimierczak Marek , Gravelle François , Malchrowicz-Mośko Ewa
Published: April 2020

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of non-mega sporting events on the perception of negative externalities of host residents. The detailed aim of the study was to examine whether the inhabitants of the city feel the negative effects of organizing sporting events (communication problems or inappropriate behavior of supporters) and do they believe that these events increase the level of crime in the city or, despite these inconveniences, they are satisfied with the organization of sporting events in their place of residence. The case study is the city of Poznan and two, well-known events in this agglomeration. The first one is the Poznan Half Marathon—medium scale mass event, the second one is Cavaliada—elite international equestrian event. The theoretical part of this article presents the meaning of sporting events organization for tourism industry and indicates the positive and negative effects this kind of tourism brings to host cities. The whole refers to the theoretical foundations of the term of “overtourism”. The second part of the manuscript presents empirical research results, between 774 active and passive participants, which was conducted by the method of diagnostic survey. The results of this research show that both athletes as well as fans of the Half Marathon said that the Poznan Half Marathon event causes bothersome communication problems in the city and some other social problems. The inhabitants only experience minor inconveniences that felt as a result of organizing sporting events in the city. The negative impact of Cavaliada was very low. For checking the differences between the two examined groups of respondents: Half Marathon fans and Cavaliada fans, Chi-square test and U Mann Whitney’s test was used. The participants feel bothersome communication problems that cause the Half Marathon and have an average level of dissatisfaction higher than the average level of dissatisfaction of Cavaliada participants. Moreover, the participants in the Half Marathon have an average level of satisfaction with the organization of sports events in Poznan significantly lower than the average level of satisfaction of Cavaliada participants. Therefore, an elite equestrian sporting event is less burdensome for its residents and gives them more satisfaction.
Salmon Intake Intervention in the Vulnerable Group of Young Polish Women to Maintain Vitamin D Status during the Autumn Season
Authors: Utri Zofia , Głąbska Dominika
Published: April 2020

Fish products are the main dietary source of vitamin D, but due to a low fish intake in the majority of European countries, an inadequate vitamin D intake is common, especially in the vulnerable group of young women for whom it is essential for the osteoporosis prevention. The aim of the presented study was to assess the possibility of applying salmon intake intervention for maintaining vitamin D status in young Polish women during the autumn season, in which in Poland there is not enough sunshine exposure to generate skin synthesis. The dietary intervention within VISA Study (Vitamin D In Salmon) comprised eight weeks of daily consumption of 50 g of Atlantic salmon and was conducted in a group of 47 women aged 20–30 years. Within the study, their changes of total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were analyzed and the effectiveness of the intervention depending on age, body mass index (BMI), and baseline 25(OH)D were assessed. Until the 4th week, 25(OH)D in the studied group decreased from 57.1 nmol/L to 39.9 nmol/L (p < 0.0001), but afterward it increased until the 8th week to 54.1 nmol/L (p = 0.0005), contributing to results not differing from the baseline (p = 0.7964). At the same time, the share of respondents characterized by an inadequate vitamin D status increased until the 4th week, but afterward, it decreased until the 8th week (p = 0.0002). Neither the age (in the assessed range), nor the BMI influenced 25(OH)D during the study, but only the baseline 25(OH)D was correlated with the BMI (p = 0.0419; R = −0.2980). The baseline 25(OH)D was associated with its levels during the intervention, as well as with 25(OH)D change from the baseline values (p < 0.0001). It may be concluded that, in spite of the initial decline of the 25(OH)D observed (probably connected to the starting time of the study), afterward the salmon intake intervention contributed to its increase, while the baseline 25(OH)D status was an important determinant of the intervention effectiveness during the autumn season.
Stakeholders’ Risk Perception: A Perspective for Proactive Risk Management in Residential Building Energy Retrofits in China
Authors: Jia Ling , Qian Queena K. , Meijer Frits , Visscher Henk
Published: April 2020

The implementation of energy retrofit of residential buildings faces many risks around the world, especially in China, leading to low retrofit progress. Stakeholders’ proactive risk management is the key to the smooth implementation of retrofit projects but is normally affected by risk perception. Perceived risks instead of real risks are the motivators of their proactive behaviours. This paper aims to understand and address the present risk perception of stakeholders in order to drive effective proactive risk mitigation practices. Based on a risk list identified through a literature review and interviews, a questionnaire survey was then made to analyse and compare different stakeholders’ perceptions of each risk by measuring the levels of their concern about risks. It is validated that all the stakeholder groups tend to mitigate risks perceived highly proactively. Proactive risk management of risk-source-related stakeholders deserves more attention and responsibility-sharing with transaction costs (TCs) considerations contribute to the enhancement of risk perception. More responsibilities of construction quality and maintenance is taken by the government and contractors should be clarified, and the government should also be responsible for assisting design work. Effective information is beneficial to the decrease in homeowners’ risk perception that can motivate their initiative of cooperation.
Promoting Older Residents’ Social Interaction and Wellbeing: A Design Perspective
Authors: Li Cun , Kang Kai , Lin Xu , Hu Jun , Hengeveld Bart , Hummels Caroline
Published: April 2020

The aging society has arrived, and more and more older adults are living in a nursing home. However, institutional care settings are often described as places where residents suffer from social isolation. Under this context, we describe the process of translating into fieldwork into interactive systems facilitating elderly residents’ social interaction and wellbeing. Comprehensive semi-structured interviews with older residents and caregivers were first conducted in a Dutch nursing home, aiming at understanding the status of their social interaction. The context of a typical elderly resident’s social interaction was then generated, and based on which three interactive systems focusing on different aspects of their social interaction were designed and deployed. The paper finally concludes with design considerations for promoting social interaction and wellbeing of older adults living in the nursing home.
Ecofibers for the Reinforcement of Cement Mortars for Coating Promoting the Circular Economy
Authors: Ramírez Carolina Piña , Barriguete Alejandra Vidales , Muñoz Julián García , Merino Mercedes del Río , Serrano Patricia del Solar
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, nobody can deny that climate change is a reality and that the life cycle of buildings contributes greatly to that reality. Therefore, proposals such as the circular economy must be integrated into the construction sector. This article shows part of the results of a research project whose objective is to introduce circular economy criteria in building materials, seeking new uses for construction and demolition waste from buildings. In particular, this article analyses the possibility of replacing fibres currently used to reinforce cement mortars with recycled fibres. After consulting the bibliography, we can conclude that some studies analyse the behaviour of cement mortars reinforced with different types of fibres, but none has been found that analyses the behaviour of these mortars for the application of continuous coatings. For this purpose, a two-stage experimental plan is designed to test cement mortar samples with different types of fibres, recycled fibres and commercial fibres, taking into consideration the characteristics that these mortars have to comply to be applied as continuous coatings. Moreover, a detailed study about the porosity of these mortars and its influence on how the mortars behave with regard to compression, water vapour permeability and impermeability has been conducted. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the mortars containing recycled fibres have very similar resistance, absorption and permeability values to those containing commercial fibres, so that they might be suitable for application as external coatings.
Discrete Element Modelling of Rubber-Protected Ballast Performance Subjected to Direct Shear Test and Cyclic Loading
Authors: Guo Yunlong , Ji Yameng , Zhou Qiang , Markine Valeri , Jing Guoqing
Published: April 2020

The rubber-protected ballast (RPB) is made from natural ballast particles and crumb rubber particles. The crumb rubber is shredded waste tires. RPB was chosen to replace the ballast as it has higher resistance to breakage and abrasion. However, the static and dynamic performance of the RPB has not been confirmed yet. Towards this end, experimental tests and numerical simulations were utilized to study the feasibility of RPB application. Direct shear tests (DSTs) were performed and a DST model and three-sleeper track model with the discrete element method (DEM) were built. The shear strength, settlement, displacement, and acceleration of the RPB were studied. The results show that the RPB has the advantage of increasing the force (stress) distribution and that the smaller crumb rubber size was more suitable for replacing the ballast particles.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Sports Tourism and Sustainability (2002–2019)
Authors: Jiménez-García Mercedes , Ruiz-Chico José , Peña-Sánchez Antonio Rafael , López-Sánchez José Antonio
Published: April 2020

Sports tourism is a relatively recent type of tourism, which has grown significantly in recent times. Not all effects of tourism are positive, so the analysis of its sustainability has particular relevance; especially since the publication of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. The growing concern about tourism and sustainability makes it essential to examine how scientific research has adapted to new realities. This paper uses bibliometric techniques to investigate research trends related to sports tourism and sustainability. VOSviewer and SciMAT software were used. A total of 214 articles from Web of Science (WoS) indexed journals were analyzed. The results confirmed that interest in the study of these concepts has been growing, especially in the last four years. This is a comparatively new field of research (since 2002), so consolidated relations between thematic areas have yet to be observed, and there is a generally low concentration of authors and journals. Increases in several publications in this area are related to the celebration of mega sporting events or the publication of SDGs. The main contribution of this analysis lies in identifying important research issues, such as education and destination planning, which should continue to be addressed.
Heavy Metal Accumulation and Anti-Oxidative Feedback as a Biomarker in Seagrass Cymodocea serrulata
Authors: Aljahdali Mohammed Othman , Alhassan Abdullahi Bala
Published: April 2020

The pursuit of a good candidate to biomonitor environmental pollutants has been on the increase. In this study, the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni in sediment, seawater and seagrass Cymodocea serrulata compartments and antioxidant enzymes activities in C. serrulata were determined. Our results revealed that bioconcentration factors for all the metals were less than 1 (BCF < 1) and concentrations in seagrass compartments were in the order root > leaf > rhizome for Fe and Mn, leaf > root > rhizome for Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni, and root > rhizome > leaf for Cd and Cr. Effect range low concentrations (ER-L) revealed that Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni concentrations were above ER-L values and Cr concentration was below ER-L values while concentrations in seawater for all the heavy metals were above the estimate average element concentrations in seawater (ECS). Significant variation (p < 0.05) was recorded for heavy metals in sediment, seawater, seagrass compartments and heavy metal concentrations across stations. Influence of heavy metals on antioxidant enzymes activities; catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were recorded, and high activities of the antioxidants were recorded in station S8 corresponding to high concentrations of heavy metals in the same station. There is a need for the promotion of biomonitoring networks across the marine environment using C. serrulata and antioxidant enzymes as biomarkers of oxidative stress caused by environmental pollutants.
The Effects of Green Restaurant Attributes on Customer Satisfaction Using the Structural Topic Model on Online Customer Reviews
Authors: Park Eunhye (Olivia) , Chae Bongsug (Kevin) , Kwon Junehee , Kim Woo-Hyuk
Published: April 2020

Although green practice is increasingly adopted in the restaurant industry, there is still little research in terms of investigating the impacts of green practice on customer satisfaction. This study utilized user-generated content by green restaurant customers to identify various aspects of green restaurants, including perceived green restaurant practices. Our data are based on U.S. green-certified restaurants available on Yelp. Structural topic modeling was used to discover latent restaurant attributes from user-generated content. With a longitudinal approach, the changes in customers’ interest in green practices were estimated. Finally, the common restaurant attributes and green attributes were used to predict customer satisfaction. This study will contribute to marketing strategies for the restaurant industry.
Cross-Sector Partnerships for Sustainability: How Mission-Driven Conveners Drive Change in National Coffee Platforms
Authors: van Hille Iteke , de Bakker Frank G.A. , Ferguson Julie E. , Groenewegen Peter
Published: April 2020

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have deployed various strategies in motivating businesses to source sustainably, such as the co-development and promotion of sustainability certification and direct collaboration in cross-sector partnerships (CSPs). This is an important current-day priority, given the ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG 17 in particular. Increasingly, NPOs have taken up a role as conveners of such CSPs. Research on CSPs has, to date, often considered conveners as a ‘resource’ to the CSP, contributing to its effectiveness. In this study, we shift the focus towards the convener by considering a case of a ‘mission-driven convener’, an NPO that initiates CSPs as a strategy to realize its own sustainability objectives. Our explorative case study—comparing the NPO’s efforts across six countries in setting up national coffee platforms—reviews the concept of a mission-driven convener vis-à-vis established notions on convening and identifies which strategies it applies to realize a CSP. These strategies comprise productively combining certification-driven efforts with CSPs, combining process and outcomes of CSPs, and drawing on cross-level dynamics derived from outsourcing of convening work to local actors. With our study, we contribute to research on CSP conveners by offering an alternative interpretation to the relation between the CSP and the convener, attributing more agency to the convener as a mission-driven organization. Strengthening our understanding of CSPs and conveners is an important means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Design and Implementation of Virtual Private Storage Framework Using Internet of Things Local Networks
Authors: Lee Hwi-Ho , Kwon Jung-Hyok , Kim Eui-Jik
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a virtual private storage framework (VPSF) using Internet of Things (IoT) local networks. The VPSF uses the extra storage space of sensor devices in an IoT local network to store users’ private data, while guaranteeing expected network lifetime, by partitioning the storage space of a sensor device into data and system volumes and, if necessary, logically integrating the extra data volumes of the multiple sensor devices to virtually build a single storage space. When user data need to be stored, the VPSF gateway divides the original data into several blocks and selects the sensor devices in which the blocks will be stored based on their residual energy. The blocks are transmitted to the selected devices using the modified speedy block-wise transfer (BlockS) option of the constrained application protocol (CoAP), which reduces communication overhead by retransmitting lost blocks without a retransmission request message. To verify the feasibility of the VPSF, an experimental implementation was conducted using the open-source software libcoap. The results demonstrate that the VPSF is an energy-efficient solution for virtual private storage because it averages the residual energy amounts for sensor devices within an IoT local network and reduces their communication overhead.
Position Dependent Planck’s Constant in a Frequency-Conserving Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Dannenberg Rand
Published: April 2020

There is controversial evidence that Planck’s constant shows unexpected variations with altitude above the earth due to Kentosh and Mohageg, and yearly systematic changes with the orbit of the earth about the sun due to Hutchin. Many others have postulated that the fundamental constants of nature are not constant, either in locally flat reference frames, or on larger scales. This work is a mathematical study examining the impact of a position dependent Planck’s constant in the Schrödinger equation. With no modifications to the equation, the Hamiltonian becomes a non-Hermitian radial frequency operator. The frequency operator does not conserve normalization, time evolution is no longer unitary, and frequency eigenvalues can be complex. The wavefunction must continually be normalized at each time in order that operators commuting with the frequency operator produce constants of the motion. To eliminate these problems, the frequency operator is replaced with a symmetrizing anti-commutator so that it is once again Hermitian. It is found that particles statistically avoid regions of higher Planck’s constant in the absence of an external potential. Frequency is conserved, and the total frequency equals “kinetic frequency” plus “potential frequency”. No straightforward connection to classical mechanics is found, that is, the Ehrenfest’s theorems are more complicated, and the usual quantities related by them can be complex or imaginary. Energy is conserved only locally with small gradients in Planck’s constant. Two Lagrangian densities are investigated to determine whether they result in a classical field equation of motion resembling the frequency-conserving Schrödinger equation. The first Largrangian is the “energy squared” form, the second is a “frequency squared” form. Neither reproduces the target equation, and it is concluded that the frequency-conserving Schrödinger equation may defy deduction from field theory.
Bayesian Inference for Skew-Symmetric Distributions
Authors: Ghaderinezhad Fatemeh , Ley Christophe , Loperfido Nicola
Published: April 2020

Skew-symmetric distributions are a popular family of flexible distributions that conveniently model non-normal features such as skewness, kurtosis and multimodality. Unfortunately, their frequentist inference poses several difficulties, which may be adequately addressed by means of a Bayesian approach. This paper reviews the main prior distributions proposed for the parameters of skew-symmetric distributions, with special emphasis on the skew-normal and the skew-t distributions which are the most prominent skew-symmetric models. The paper focuses on the univariate case in the absence of covariates, but more general models are also discussed.
Copy-Move Forgery Detection Using Scale Invariant Feature and Reduced Local Binary Pattern Histogram
Authors: Park Jun Young , Kang Tae An , Moon Yong Ho , Eom Il Kyu
Published: April 2020

Because digitized images are easily replicated or manipulated, copy-move forgery techniques are rendered possible with minimal expertise. Furthermore, it is difficult to verify the authenticity of images. Therefore, numerous efforts have been made to detect copy-move forgeries. In this paper, we present an improved region duplication detection algorithm based on the keypoints. The proposed algorithm utilizes the scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) and the reduced local binary pattern (LBP) histogram. The LBP values with 256 levels are obtained from the local window centered at the keypoint, which are then reduced to 10 levels. For a keypoint, a 138-dimensional is generated to detect copy-move forgery. We test the proposed algorithm on various image datasets and compare the detection accuracy with those of existing methods. The experimental results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed scheme is superior to that of other tested copy-move forgery detection methods. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibits a uniform detection performance for various types of test datasets.
Evaluating Performance of Software Durability through an Integrated Fuzzy-Based Symmetrical Method of ANP and TOPSIS
Authors: Khan Suhel Ahmad , Alenezi Mamdouh , Agrawal Alka , Kumar Rajeev , Khan Raees Ahmad
Published: April 2020

Acceptance of any new approach by the organizations depends upon the users’ needs. Currently, reducing the cost and time invested in maintenance is a major challenge for the practitioners. Moreover, symmetrical and optimal maintenance is the need of the hour and it can be achieved by increasing the durability of software. Many attributes of the quality may affect the durability of the software and identification of durability attributes is a crucial task at the early stage of software development. Thus, it is a problem that contains multi-criteria within it. With the help of quantitative estimation, software durability may be assessed symmetrically and increased. In this row, the authors of this article have attempted to posit an effective technique to assess the durability of software. Based on empirical data through research, the presenters of this article suggest that fuzzy-based symmetrical method of Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) would be an accurate methodology for assessing the durability of software. For determining the efficacy of this assessment, the researchers took six alternative software of a University. The results, as presented in this paper, would serve as guidelines for the practitioners who aim at achieving the preferred software durability.
Image Simulations for Strong and Weak Gravitational Lensing
Authors: A. Plazas Andrés
Published: April 2020

Gravitational lensing has been identified as a powerful tool to address fundamental problems in astrophysics at different scales, ranging from exoplanet identification to dark energy and dark matter characterization in cosmology. Image simulations have played a fundamental role in the realization of the full potential of gravitational lensing by providing a means to address needs such as systematic error characterization, pipeline testing, calibration analyses, code validation, and model development. We present a general overview of the generation and applications of image simulations in strong and weak gravitational lensing.
Machine Learning and Big Data in the Impact Literature. A Bibliometric Review with Scientific Mapping in Web of Science
Authors: López Belmonte Jesús , Segura-Robles Adrián , Moreno-Guerrero Antonio-José , Parra-González María Elena
Published: April 2020

Combined use of machine learning and large data allows us to analyze data and find explanatory models that would not be possible with traditional techniques, which is basic within the principles of symmetry. The present study focuses on the analysis of the scientific production and performance of the Machine Learning and Big Data (MLBD) concepts. A bibliometric methodology of scientific mapping has been used, based on processes of estimation, quantification, analytical tracking, and evaluation of scientific research. A total of 4240 scientific publications from the Web of Science (WoS) have been analyzed. Our results show a constant and ascending evolution of the scientific production on MLBD, 2018 and 2019 being the most productive years. The productions are mainly in English language. The topics are variable in the different periods analyzed, where “machine-learning” is the one that shows the greatest bibliometric indicators, it is found in most of motor topics and is the one that offers the greatest line of continuity between the different periods. It can be concluded that research on MLBD is of interest and relevance to the scientific community, which focuses its studies on the branch of machine-learning.
Numerical Solution of Direct and Inverse Problems for Time-Dependent Volterra Integro-Differential Equation Using Finite Integration Method with Shifted Chebyshev Polynomials
Authors: Boonklurb Ratinan , Duangpan Ampol , Gugaew Phansphitcha
Published: April 2020

In this article, the direct and inverse problems for the one-dimensional time-dependent Volterra integro-differential equation involving two integration terms of the unknown function (i.e., with respect to time and space) are considered. In order to acquire accurate numerical results, we apply the finite integration method based on shifted Chebyshev polynomials (FIM-SCP) to handle the spatial variable. These shifted Chebyshev polynomials are symmetric (either with respect to the point x = L 2 or the vertical line x = L 2 depending on their degree) over [ 0 , L ] , and their zeros in the interval are distributed symmetrically. We use these zeros to construct the main tool of FIM-SCP: the Chebyshev integration matrix. The forward difference quotient is used to deal with the temporal variable. Then, we obtain efficient numerical algorithms for solving both the direct and inverse problems. However, the ill-posedness of the inverse problem causes instability in the solution and, so, the Tikhonov regularization method is utilized to stabilize the solution. Furthermore, several direct and inverse numerical experiments are illustrated. Evidently, our proposed algorithms for both the direct and inverse problems give a highly accurate result with low computational cost, due to the small number of iterations and discretization.
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-Violating and Magnetic Hyperfine Interactions in Atomic Thallium
Authors: Fleig Timo , Skripnikov Leonid V.
Published: April 2020

We present state-of-the-art string-based relativistic general-excitation-rank configuration interaction and coupled cluster calculations of the electron electric dipole moment, the nucleon–electron scalar-pseudoscalar, and the magnetic hyperfine interaction constants ( α d e , α C S , A | | , respectively) for the thallium atomic ground state 2 P 1 / 2 . Our present best values are α d e = − 558 ± 28 , α C S = 6.77 ± 0.34 [ 10 − 18 e cm], and A | | = 21172 ± 1059 [MHz]. The central value of the latter constant agrees with the experimental result to within 0.7% and serves as a measurable probe of the P , T -violating interaction constants. Our findings lead to a significant reduction of the theoretical uncertainties for P , T -odd interaction constants for atomic thallium but not to stronger constraints on the electron electric dipole moment, d e , or the nucleon–electron scalar-pseudoscalar coupling constant, C S .
Testing Relativistic Time Dilation beyond the Weak-Field Post-Newtonian Approximation
Authors: Friedman Yaakov , Yudkin Esra
Published: April 2020

In General Relativity, the gravitational field of a spherically symmetric non-rotating body is described by the Schwarzschild metric. This metric is invariant under time reversal, which implies that the power series expansion of the time dilation contains only even powers of v / c . The weak-field post-Newtonian approximation defines the relativistic time dilation of order ϵ (or of order ( v / c ) 2 ) of the small parameter. The next non-zero term of the time dilation is expected to be of order ϵ 2 , which is impossible to measure with current technology. The new model presented here, called Relativistic Newtonian Dynamics, describes the field with respect to the coordinate system of a far-removed observer. The resulting metric preserves the symmetries of the problem and satisfies Einstein’s field equations, but predicts an additional term of order ϵ 3 / 2 for the time dilation. This term will cause an additional periodic time delay for clocks in eccentric orbits. The analysis of the gravitational redshift data from the Galileo satellites in eccentric orbits indicates that, by performing an improved satellite mission, it would be possible to test this additional time delay. This would reveal which of the coordinate systems and which of the above metrics are real. In addition to the increase of accuracy of the time dilation predictions, such an experiment could determine whether the metric of a spherically symmetric body is time reversible and whether the speed of light propagating toward the gravitating body is the same as the speed propagating away from it. More accurate time dilation and one-way speed of light formulas are important for astronomical research and for global positioning systems.
Parallel Spatial-Data Conversion Engine: Enabling Fast Sharing of Massive Geospatial Data
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Li Manchun , Chen Zhenjie , Huang Tao , Li Sumin , Li Wenbo , Chen Yun
Published: April 2020

Large-scale geospatial data have accumulated worldwide in the past decades. However, various data formats often result in a geospatial data sharing problem in the geographical information system community. Despite the various methodologies proposed in the past, geospatial data conversion has always served as a fundamental and efficient way of sharing geospatial data. However, these methodologies are beginning to fail as data increase. This study proposes a parallel spatial data conversion engine (PSCE) with a symmetric mechanism to achieve the efficient sharing of massive geodata by utilizing high-performance computing technology. This engine is designed in an extendable and flexible framework and can customize methods of reading and writing particular spatial data formats. A dynamic task scheduling strategy based on the feature computing index is introduced in the framework to improve load balancing and performance. An experiment is performed to validate the engine framework and performance. In this experiment, geospatial data are stored in the vector spatial data defined in the Chinese Geospatial Data Transfer Format Standard in a parallel file system (Lustre Cluster). Results show that the PSCE has a reliable architecture that can quickly cope with massive spatial datasets.
Ulam’s Type Stability and Generalized Norms
Authors: Manolescu Laura
Published: April 2020

A symmetric functional equation is one whose form is the same regardless of the order of the arguments. A remarkable example is the Cauchy functional equation: f ( x + y ) = f ( x ) + f ( y ) . Interesting results in the study of the rigidity of quasi-isometries for symmetric spaces were obtained by B. Kleiner and B. Leeb, using the Hyers-Ulam stability of a Cauchy equation. In this paper, some results on the Ulam’s type stability of the Cauchy functional equation are provided by extending the traditional norm estimations to ther measurements called generalized norm of convex type (v-norm) and generalized norm of subadditive type (s-norm).
Inertial Extra-Gradient Method for Solving a Family of Strongly Pseudomonotone Equilibrium Problems in Real Hilbert Spaces with Application in Variational Inequality Problem
Authors: Rehman Habib ur , Kumam Poom , Argyros Ioannis K. , Deebani Wejdan , Kumam Wiyada
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we propose a new method, which is set up by incorporating an inertial step with the extragradient method for solving a strongly pseudomonotone equilibrium problems. This method had to comply with a strongly pseudomonotone property and a certain Lipschitz-type condition of a bifunction. A strong convergence result is provided under some mild conditions, and an iterative sequence is accomplished without previous knowledge of the Lipschitz-type constants of a cost bifunction. A sufficient explanation is that the method operates with a slow-moving stepsize sequence that converges to zero and non-summable. For numerical explanations, we analyze a well-known equilibrium model to support our well-established convergence result, and we can see that the proposed method seems to have a significant consistent improvement over the performance of the existing methods.
On Geodesic Behavior of Some Special Curves
Authors: Treanţă Savin
Published: April 2020

In this paper, geometric structures on an open subset D ⊆ R 2 are investigated such that the graphs associated with the solutions of some special functions to become geodesics. More precisely, we determine the Riemannian metric g such that Bessel (Hermite, harmonic oscillator, Legendre and Chebyshev) ordinary differential equation (ODE) is identified with the geodesic ODEs produced by the Riemannian metric g . The technique is based on the Lagrangian (the energy of the curve) L = 1 2 ‖ x ˙ ( t ) ‖ 2 , the associated Euler–Lagrange ODEs and their identification with the considered special ODEs.
Parametric Model for Kitchen Product Based on Cubic T-Bézier Curves with Symmetry
Authors: Sun Xin , Ji Xiaomin
Published: April 2020

The parametric method of product design is a pivotal and practical technique in computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and used in many manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we presented a novel parametric method to design a kitchen product in the residential environment, a kitchen cabinet, by using cubic T-Bézier curves with constraints of geometric continuities. First, we introduced a class of cubic T-Bézier curves with two shape parameters and derived the G1 and G2 continuity conditions of the cubic T-Bézier curves. Then, we constructed shape-controlled complex contour curves of the kitchen cabinet by using closed composite cubic T-Bézier curves. The shapes of the contour curves can be adjusted intuitively and predictably by altering the values of the shape parameters. Finally, we studied shape optimization and representation of ellipses for the contour curves of the kitchen cabinet by finding optimal shape parameters and applicable control points respectively. The provided modeling examples showed that our method in this paper can improve the design and scheme adjustment effectively in the conceptual design stage of kitchen products.
Analysis of Priority Scale for Watershed Reforestation Using Trapezoidal Fuzzy VIKOR Method: A Case Study in Semarang, Central Java Indonesia
Authors: Sunarsih Sunarsih , Pamurti Rahayuning Dwi , Khabibah Siti , Hadiyanto Hadiyanto
Published: April 2020

Recently, resolving a problem based on multi-criteria decision-making systems has become an attractive method. One of recent techniques is trapezoidal fuzzy VIKOR method which was used for selecting the best option among criteria. This research is aimed to utilize the VIKOR method in prioritization of watershed reforestation in Semarang City, Indonesia. Several criteria have been set for the prioritization of reforestation areas to select watersheds as reforestation targets. In this case, the six criteria and six alternatives were used in order to determine the best priority of reforestation. The result showed that VIKOR method was successfully applied to determine the best option and Kali Garang watershed was the top priority as it has the highest rank and it meets reforestation criteria compared with other watersheds criteria.
MGD Dirac Stars
Authors: da Rocha Roldão
Published: April 2020

The method of geometric deformation (MGD) is here employed to study compact stellar configurations, which are solutions of the effective Einstein–Dirac coupled field equations on fluid branes. Non-linear, self-interacting, fermionic fields are then employed to derive MGD Dirac stars, whose properties are analyzed and discussed. The MGD Dirac star maximal mass is shown to increase as a specific function of the spinor self-interaction coupling constant, in a realistic model involving the most strict phenomenological current bounds for the brane tension.
Some Identities on Type 2 Degenerate Bernoulli Polynomials of the Second Kind
Authors: Kim Taekyun , Jang Lee-Chae , Kim Dae San , Kim Han Young
Published: April 2020

In recent years, many mathematicians studied various degenerate versions of some special polynomials for which quite a few interesting results were discovered. In this paper, we introduce the type 2 degenerate Bernoulli polynomials of the second kind and their higher-order analogues, and study some identities and expressions for these polynomials. Specifically, we obtain a relation between the type 2 degenerate Bernoulli polynomials of the second and the degenerate Bernoulli polynomials of the second, an identity involving higher-order analogues of those polynomials and the degenerate Stirling numbers of the second kind, and an expression of higher-order analogues of those polynomials in terms of the higher-order type 2 degenerate Bernoulli polynomials and the degenerate Stirling numbers of the first kind.