bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SCGNet: efficient sparsely connected group convolution network for wheat grains classification
Authors: Sun Xuewei , Li Yan , Li Guohou , Jin Songlin , Zhao Wenyi , Liang Zheng , Zhang Weidong
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Efficient and accurate varietal classification of wheat grains is crucial for maintaining varietal purity and reducing susceptibility to pests and diseases, thereby enhancing crop yield. Traditional manual and machine learning methods for wheat grain identification often suffer from inefficiencies and the use of large models. In this study, we propose a novel classification and recognition model called SCGNet, designed for rapid and efficient wheat grain classification.

Methods

Specifically, our proposed model incorporates several modules that enhance information exchange and feature multiplexing between group convolutions. This mechanism enables the network to gather feature information from each subgroup of the previous layer, facilitating effective utilization of upper-layer features. Additionally, we introduce sparsity in channel connections between groups to further reduce computational complexity without compromising accuracy. Furthermore, we design a novel classification output layer based on 3-D convolution, replacing the traditional maximum pooling layer and fully connected layer in conventional convolutional neural networks (CNNs). This modification results in more efficient classification output generation.

Results

We conduct extensive experiments using a curated wheat grain dataset, demonstrating the superior performance of our proposed method. Our approach achieves an impressive accuracy of 99.56%, precision of 99.59%, recall of 99.55%, and an F1-score of 99.57%.

Discussion

Notably, our method also exhibits the lowest number of Floating-Point Operations (FLOPs) and the number of parameters, making it a highly efficient solution for wheat grains classification.
Examining the association between peer support and English enjoyment in Chinese university students: the mediating role of regulatory emotional self-efficacy
Authors: Pan Xiaoquan , Yuan Zihan
Published: December 2023

As positive psychology is imported into second language acquisition, we witness the increasing interest in the research of English enjoyment. Therefore, investigating the antecedents of English enjoyment is of paramount importance. Although internal and external factors have been scrutinized by researchers, scarce studies have explored the effect of peer support and regulatory emotional self-efficacy on English enjoyment. Thus, this study was designed to further clarify the association between these two constructs and English enjoyment. A questionnaire involving the three variables of peer support, English enjoyment, and regulatory emotional self-efficacy was administered to 324 non-English major undergraduate students at a comprehensive university in Eastern China. Correlation analysis and mediation effect tests indicated that peer support and regulatory emotional self-efficacy positively predicted English enjoyment, and regulatory emotional self-efficacy played a mediating role between peer support and English enjoyment. This study highlights the significance of peer support and positive emotions in second language learning and extends our understanding of enhancing students’ learning enjoyment through teachers’ positive intervention to facilitate peer support and regulatory emotional self-efficacy.
“I don’t watch that anymore”: an analysis of online comments by German soccer fans on their relationship to their favored clubs
Authors: Kaden Martin , Brandt Christian , Bauers Sebastian Björn , Bunar Jonathan , Hovemann Gregor
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Soccer fans are important stakeholders of their favored clubs; yet, although there is manifold literature on this subject, there are still open questions concerning supporters’ relationship and loyalty to those clubs, such as potential fan exits, where supporters turn away from their preferred team. Existing literature describes diverging evidence as to whether an exit is possible and whether fans’ loyalty prevents that response. Against this background, it is important to examine how the relationship between fans and soccer clubs presents itself from the fans’ perspective. This study focuses on German soccer fans because an increasing number of media reports note problems for the fans in this regard, reporting eroded loyalty, increasing alienation, or turning away.

Methods

By means of a qualitative and explorative approach (thematic analysis), this study analyzes online fan comments associated with the mentioned reports. A purposive sample of 17 media reports with 10,902 associated comments written/published between 2020 and 2023 was included in this study.

Results

The thematic analysis show that fans reflect their relationship to favored clubs in three ways: negative changes in the emotional relationship, negative behavioral changes in the relationship, and no or positive changes in the relationship. A wide continuum of negative emotional and behavioral changes is identified, ranging from a deterioration of the inner bond with the favored club to different levels of ceasing soccer-related consumption. As explanations for the (potential) dynamics and changes in the relationship, fans reflect a broad and diverse field of developments in the context of German soccer. The differentiated developments are systemized within four categories: commercialization, governance, attractiveness, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion

The results are discussed and contextualized referring to the Exit-Voice-Loyalty-Framework and thematically relevant literature. Particularly far-reaching is the finding that there are indeed fans in the field of soccer who are capable of permanently abandoning (exiting) formerly supported clubs. The article concludes with theoretical and managerial implications emerging from the results, as well as limitations and areas of interest for further research.
The impostor phenomenon in the eye of knowledgeable others: the association of the impostor phenomenon with the judge’s accuracy
Authors: Ibrahim Fabio , Brill Erik , Meyberg Tobias , Herzberg Philipp Yorck
Published: December 2023

This study examines whether a heightened impostor expression is associated with a judge’s assessment. The sample comprised n = 155 triads (target, mother, and a friend). Results indicated a slightly higher profile agreement between the target and mother (rraw = 0.47; rdistinct = 0.33) than a friend (rraw = 0.41; rdistinct = 0.23). The profile agreement was inversely correlated with the IPP total score, Competence Doubt, Alienation, and Other-Self Divergence (r = ≤ −0.29, p < 0.001), indicating reduced accuracy among judges when confronted with a heightened impostor expression. However, these relationships disappear once controlling for stereotype effects. Overall, this study reveals a negative association between the impostor expression and the other-self agreement, supporting the biasing self-presentation of impostors in the eye of others.
Cognitive CAMSA: an ecological proposal to integrate cognitive performance into motor competence assessment
Authors: Montalt-García Sergio , Estevan Isaac , Romero-Martínez Jorge , Ortega-Benavent Nuria , Villarrasa-Sapiña Israel , Menescardi Cristina , García-Massó Xavier
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To profile the participants using a system of self-organizing maps (SOM) based on their motor and cognitive performance during a dual-task version of the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment (Cognitive CAMSA).

Methods

A total of 169 secondary school students (39.3% girls) volunteered to participate. The original CAMSA, cognitive CAMSA, the Corsi and Digit Span tests were used to assess (a) motor competence, (b) motor competence with cognitive load, and (c) cognitive performance, respectively. SOMs and the k-means clustering algorithm were used to establish the adolescents’ dual-task performance profiles.

Results

Including decision making based on verbal and visual cues in the original CAMSA significantly increased the participants’ total scores but also the time required to complete the test, while the skill score remained unchanged. However, not all the participants showed changes in their performance in the same direction during the cognitive CAMSA. Person-centered analyses by SOMs and k-means clustering identified six performance profiles with variations in the cognitive, motor skill, and time scores (H5 = 146.15, H5 = 102.68, and H5 = 108.07, respectively; all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The cognitive CAMSA was shown to be a feasible field-motor test for assessing motor competence with a cognitive load in an ecological setting. Some of the profiles identified in the SOM approach represented adolescents with similar motor and cognitive performance in dual-task or single-task contexts, although other participants obtained high motor competence in single and dual-tasking while their cognitive performance declined or rose more in dual-task than in single task situations. The cognitive CAMSA emerges as a tool of great potential, applicable in educational and sports environments, to know subjects’ characteristics and try to individualize the interventions accordingly with their dual-task profile.
High doses of a national preschool program are associated with the long-term mitigation of adverse outcomes in cognitive development and life satisfaction among children who experience early stunting: a multi-site longitudinal study in Vietnam
Authors: Robinson J. A. , Dinh Phuong Thi Thu
Published: December 2023

Background

Stunting (low height-for-age) is a marker of cumulative developmental disadvantage that can also contribute to impaired cognitive development and poor psychological wellbeing. Several interventions designed to preserve stunted children’s developmental potential through increasing their cognitive stimulation have proven to be effective. However, their resource-intensive nature limits their sustainability and scalability in the low-and middle-income countries in which 98% of stunted children live. The current study had three aims: to identify the domains of developmental disadvantage associated with stunting at 5 years of age in the Vietnamese context; to examine the relationship between Vietnamese children’s stunting status at 5 years of age, the dose of the national preschool program they received, and their cognitive skills and psychological well-being at 4 ages; and to determine whether some doses of the national preschool program were associated with the mitigation of adverse cognitive and wellbeing outcomes among stunted children.

Method

The Young Lives Study in Vietnam (n = 2,000; 31 sites) provided archival data that allowed calculation of the approximate dose (in hours) of the preschool program received by children, and longitudinal data on children’s growth (1, 5, 8, 12, and 15 years), receptive vocabulary (5, 8, 12 and 15 years), reading skills, mathematics skills and life satisfaction (each at 8, 12, and 15 years).

Results

Stunting at 5 years of age was associated with diverse aspects of financial and social disadvantage, greater exposure to health risks, lower preventive health care, and constraints on maternal care. Scores for all cognitive variables at all ages were positively associated with preschool dose and negatively associated with stunted growth at 5 years of age. That is, effects associated with stunting and preschool dose at 5 years of age continued to be found during the subsequent 10 years. High doses of preschool education (3,000 h or more) were associated with the mitigation of adverse outcomes for most cognitive variables at most ages.

Conclusion

The current findings raise the possibility that generic preschool programs delivered at high dose may provide a scalable and sustainable intervention to support the life opportunities of children who experience early stunting.
The association of the Affordable Care Act with nutrient consumption in adults in the United States
Authors: Kirk Hilary , Tufuor Theresa A. , Shaver Amy L. , Nie Jing , Devarshi Prasad P. , Marshall Keri , Mitmesser Susan Hazels , Noyes Katia
Published: December 2023

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as the ACA, was legislation passed in the United States in 2010 to expand access to health insurance coverage for millions of Americans with a key emphasis on preventive care. Nutrition plays a critical role in overall wellness, disease prevention and resilience to chronic illness but prior to the ACA many Americans did not have adequate health insurance coverage to ensure proper nutrition. With passage of the ACA, more individuals received access to nutritional counseling through their primary care physicians as well as prescription vitamins and supplements free of charge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a national health insurance reform on nutrient intake among general population, including more vulnerable low-income individuals and patients with chronic conditions. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we identified 8,443 adults aged 21 years and older who participated in the survey before (2011–2012) and after the ACA (2015–2016) implementation and conducted a subgroup analysis of 952 respondents who identified as Medicaid beneficiaries and 719 patients with a history of cancer. Using pre-post study design and bivariate and multivariable logistic analyses, we compared nutrient intake from food and supplementation before and after the ACA and identified risk factors for inadequate intake. Our results suggest that intake of micronutrients found in nutrient-dense foods, mainly fruit and vegetables, has not changed significantly after the ACA. However, overall use of nutritional supplements increased after the ACA (p = 0.05), particularly magnesium (OR = 1.02), potassium (OR = 0.76), vitamin D (both D2, and D3, OR = 1.34), vitamin K (OR = 1.15) and zinc (OR = 0.83), for the general population as well as those in our subgroup analysis Cancer Survivors and Medicaid Recipients. Given the association of increased use of nutritional supplements and expansion of insurance access, particularly in our subgroup analysis, more research is necessary to understand the effect of increasing access to nutritional supplements on the overall intake of micro- and macronutrients to meet daily nutritional recommended allowances.
A study on the prevalence of smoking habits among the student community in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kandasamy Geetha , Sam Gigi , Almanasef Mona , Almeleebia Tahani , Shorog Eman , Alshahrani Asma M. , Almohaimeed Rana A. , Hmlan Amjad , Al Suhaym Atheer Y. , Prabahar Kousalya , Veeramani Vinoth Prabhu , Amirthalingam Palanisamy , Mohammed Shorog Basmah , Mani Vasudevan
Published: December 2023

Objectives

A cross-sectional study was aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking habits among students at King Khalid University (KKU), Abha, KSA.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using a Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ), online survey was carried out among the students of KKU. This tool uses a five-point Likert scale for all seven questions, except one question on smoking during the first 2 h of the day.

Results

The prevalence of smoking among male students was 67% (n = 243) and females 33% (n = 122). Of the current cigarette smokers, 19% had a nicotine dependence score of ≥6 (high), 48% scored 4–6 (moderate) and 33% scored <4 (minimal). Association between mFTQ and the number of cigarettes per day (p < 0.001), first smoke of your cigarettes (p < 0.018), smoking in the morning (p < 0.007), and difficulty refraining from smoking in public areas (p < 0.000). The results of the current study recommend that cigarette smoking habits are a significant risk behavior among young students. The strength of this study signifies that most participants (62%) intend to quit if appropriately supported.

Conclusion

According to the findings of the current investigation, smoking was quite common among males. It raises the alarm about the critical need for adequate education to support health education initiatives, discourage teen smoking, and enhance health outcomes for the community.
The burden of cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis B in children and adolescents: results from global burden of disease study 2019
Authors: Huang Chenyang , Wu Yaxin , Zhang Chao , Ji Dong , Wang Fu-Sheng
Published: December 2023

Background

The global burden of cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases due to hepatitis B (collectively referred to as hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis in this paper) in children and adolescents must be understood and investigated.

Methods

Data were extracted from the GBD database, and calculations were performed at global, regional, and national level. We calculate the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and annual average percentage changes (AAPCs).

Findings

Globally, the prevalent cases of children and adolescents with hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis decreased from 125,053.98 × 10^3 in 1990 to 46,400.33 × 10^3 in 2019. Compared with 1990, the incidence rate of cirrhosis increased in low (95.51%) and low-middle SDI areas (26.47%), whereas it decreased in other SDI areas. The AAPC of incidence has increased in low-middle SDI areas (AAPC 0.12 [95% CI: 0.04–0.20]). At the regional level, the East Asia region has experienced the largest reduction. Conversely, Western Sub-Saharan Africa was the most serious region. Notably, South Asia was the only region where the AAPC of cirrhosis incidence (AAPC 0.77 [95% CI, 0.68–0.86]) increased.

Conclusion

Globally, the overall burden of hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis in children and adolescents has declined significantly, but the number of cirrhosis incidence cases in low-middle and low-SDI areas has increased. The incidence in South Asia is rising, and the burden on Africa remains serious. Prevention and treatment of hepatitis B-associated cirrhosis in children and adolescents should not be ignored.
Critical analysis of the use of white-box versus black-box models for multi-objective optimisation of small-scale biorefineries
Authors: De Buck Viviane , Sbarciog Mihaela I. , Cras Jef , Bhonsale Satyajeet S. , Polanska Monika , Van Impe Jan F. M.
Published: December 2023

Biorefinery systems that are embedded in their local setting provide an attractive framework for the valorisation of locally available food- and other bio-waste streams. They can aid in the provision of local bio-waste processing facilities as well as the targeted revalorisation of local bio-waste feedstocks by converting them in locally desired biorefinery products. Since food- and other bio-waste feedstocks are often diffuse feedstocks, small-scale biorefineries that are tailored for their local setting are the most suitable biorefining system for their processing. Whereas small-scale biorefineries cannot rely on the economy-of-scale to be an economic sustainable endeavour, they need to be meticulously optimised according to multiple sustainability objectives. These objectives can be of economic, societal, or environmental nature. A commonly used optimisation criterion in these problems is the energy requirements of the entire biorefinery system. For many commonly used biorefinery processes mass balance models are available (which are often mechanistic models), however, energy balances are difficult to obtain. Chemical process simulators, like Aspen Plus, provide an extensive toolkit to easily model the mass- and energy balances of a multitude of chemical processes. However, especially in the context of multi-objective optimisation, the obtained white-box models are too complex to simulate the considered processes efficiently consecutively. Therefore, in this contribution, a critical analysis is presented of the use of white-box versus the black-box models in the context of the multi-objective optimisation of a small-scale biorefinery. An in-house developed biorefinery network is re-modelled in Aspen Plus and used as a digital twin for the development of a surrogate model. Eventually, the modelled biorefinery network is optimised using both models and a comprehensive evaluation is drafted.
Daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease: a multifaceted symptom
Authors: Di Laudo Felice , Baldelli Luca , Mainieri Greta , Loddo Giuseppe , Montini Angelica , Pazzaglia Caterina , Sala Monica , Mignani Francesco , Provini Federica
Published: December 2023

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom experienced by more than one-third of patients with Parkinson's disease and is associated with disease duration and severity, dopaminergic therapy, and several non-motor symptoms. In recent years, growing evidence has been suggesting “primary” sleepiness as a symptom in Parkinson's disease due to common pathophysiological features: for this reason, it is crucial to recognize sleepiness in these patients and to investigate and exclude other conditions possibly leading to sleepiness (e.g., heavy dopaminergic therapy or breathing disorders during sleep). For both inpatients and outpatients, the key to a correct diagnosis is a structured clinical interview, together with questionnaires, for a better characterization of symptoms and the use of objective measures as the most precise method to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. Finally, there are some therapeutical approaches that may be attempted for these patients, and although there is still no consensus on a standardized therapy, clinical trials with new drugs are currently persevered on.
EntangleVR++: evaluating the potential of using entanglement in an interactive VR scene creation system
Authors: Chen Mengyu , Peljhan Marko , Sra Misha
Published: December 2023

Interactive digital stories provide a sense of flexibility and freedom to players by allowing them to make choices at key junctions. These choices advance the narrative and determine, to some degree, how the story evolves for that player. As shown in prior work, the ability to control or participate in the construction of the narrative can give the player a high level of agency that results in a stronger sense of immersion in the narrative experience. To support the design of this type of interactive storytelling, our system, EntangleVR++, borrows the idea of entanglement from quantum computing. Our use of entanglement allows creators and storytellers control over which sequences of story events take place in correlation with each other, initiated by the choices a player makes. In this work, we evaluated how well our idea of entanglement enables creators to easily and quickly design interactive Virtual reality narratives. We asked 16 participants to use our system and based on user interviews, analyses of screen recordings, and questionnaire feedback, we extracted four themes. From these themes and the study overall, we derived four authoring strategies for tool designers interested in the design of future visual interface for interactively creating virtual scenes that include relational objects and multiple outcomes driven by player interactions.
Positional and between quarter differences in physical demands of elite female field hockey players during international matches
Authors: Powell Colin , Sparks Martinique , Pienaar Cindy
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The main aims of this study were to examine whether there are positional- and between-quarter differences in the physical load of elite female field hockey players during international matches.

Methods

Twenty-three international female field hockey players were equipped with Global Positioning Systems devices, while competing over nine international matches.

Results

Players covered a mean relative distance, relative player load, and distance covered in the form of low-, moderate-, and high intensity activities of 107.5 m/min, 10.3 AU/min, 41.6%, 47.9%, and 9.9%, respectively. Defenders achieved the lowest relative Player load (ES: 0.8–1.1) and greatest distance covered in the form of low intensity activities compared to Midfielders and Forwards (ES: 0.8–0.9). Forwards and Midfielders covered significantly greater distance in the form of high intensity activity compared to Defenders (ES: 1.6–2.2). Significant reductions in relative distance, relative Player load, and moderate intensity activity are observed for all positions between Quarters 1–4 despite the availability of unlimited substitutions. However, players were able to maintain their high intensity activity throughout the match with no significant differences between Quarters 1–4. The majority of variables were higher (ES > 0.2) during Quarter 2 compared to Quarter 3, especially for Midfielders and Defenders.

Conclusions

Current findings provide further evidence on the positional- and between-quarter external match load of international female field hockey players that coaches should consider when designing training programs and drills to better prepare players for match demands. The results also provide some insight into the fatigue experienced by players and the possible pacing strategies they employ during matches. These findings support the need for re-warm-ups and may further influence how coaches time their substitutions to enhance running performance in future.
Effect of period of receptivity and air temperature on parthenocarpic phenomenon of ‘Assiane’ date palm cultivar (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
Authors: Zahiri Imane , Alla Fouzia , Alzain Mashail N. , Alhalmi Abdulsalam , Noman Omar , Parvez Mohammed Khalid , Elhoumaizi Mohammed Aziz
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In hot arid regions, the productivity of certain date palm cultivars faces a significant challenge wherein non-fertilized flowers can give rise to parthenocarpic singular or triplet fruit.

Aims

The aims of this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of delayed pollination on date palm yield and fruit quality, while also examining the influence of temperature on these processes.

Methods

We conducted this research using 10 15-year-old ‘Assiane’ palm trees, all situated within the Figuig Oasis environment. Pollination was performed on the same day of spathe opening, as well as up to 16 days after the initial opening. Additionally, we utilized 30 palm trees to analyze the effect of daily average temperatures.

Results and Discussion

Our findings reveal that the optimal period for achieving maximum yield and fruit quality falls between the sixth and eighth day following the cracking of the female spathe. Furthermore, we observed that relatively lower temperatures, ranging from 5 to 20°C, promote the formation of parthenocarpic fruits while inhibiting the development of normal fruits. Moreover, the insights gained from investigating these issues could have broader implications for date palm cultivation in arid regions and offer valuable lessons for the preservation of oasis ecosystems worldwide.
The Incidence of Antibody-Mediated Rejection Is Age-Related, Plateaus Late After Kidney Transplantation, and Contributes Little to Graft Loss in the Older Recipients
Authors: Betjes Michiel G. H. , Kal-van Gestel Judith , Roodnat Joke I. , de Weerd Annelies E.
Published: December 2023

It is not known whether antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is age-related, whether it plateaus late after transplantation, and to what extent it contributes to graft loss in older recipients. Patients transplanted between 2010 and 2015 (n = 1,054) in a single center had regular follow-up until January 2023. Recipients were divided into age groups at transplantation: 18–39 years (“young”), 40–55 years (“middle age”), and >55 years (“elderly”). Ten years after transplantation the cumulative % of recipients with ABMR was 17% in young, 15% in middle age, and 12% in elderly recipients (p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of ABMR increased over time and plateaued 8–10 years after transplantation. In the elderly, with a median follow-up of 7.5 years, on average 30% of the recipients with ABMR died with a functional graft and ABMR contributed only 4% to overall graft loss in this group. These results were cross-validated in a cohort of recipients with >15 years follow-up. Multivariate cox-regression analysis showed that increasing recipient age was independently associated with decreasing risk for ABMR. In conclusion, the cumulative risk for ABMR is age-dependent, plateaus late after transplantation, and contributes little to overall graft loss in older recipients.
Are Default Rate Time Series Stationary? : A Practical Approach for Banking Experts
Authors: Szigel Gábor , Gyűrűs Boldizsár István
Published: December 2023

As the IFRS 9 accounting standard requires banks to recognise impairments based on a forward-looking expected loss concept, banks must estimate the quantitative relationship between default rates and macroeconomic indicators (GDP, unemployment, etc.). In such models, the stationarity of the (usually short) default rate time series is often the most critical issue. In this article, we provide practical advice for banking experts on how (under which circumstances) they can still use short default rate time series in OLS regressions even if those fail regular stationarity tests. We argue that if margin of conservativism is requested for the underlying default rate projections, then applying (seemingly) non-stationary default rate time series in OLS models might not necessarily be problematic.
Trends in Income Inequality and Its Impact on Economic Growth
Authors: Vitkovics Réka
Published: December 2023

In recent years, climate change and the pandemic have brought the issue of the link between inequality and economic growth to the fore. In my essay, I examine this relationship, focusing on whether inequality has a positive or negative effect on economic growth. I approach the issue through the lens of income inequality without seeking to explore all aspects of inequality. Starting from the relevant conceptual framework, I present the link between global inequality and long-term growth. Since inequalities affect both developed and developing countries, I compare them and show why the latter cannot repeat the economic progress achieved by earlier industrialisers. Finally, I conclude that the clear objective should be to reduce excessive inequalities.
Changes in the Attitudes of Hungarian Shoppers in Times of Crisis
Authors: Törőcsik Mária , Csóka László , Németh Péter , Neulinger Ágnes
Published: December 2023

The world is currently facing at least four simultaneous crises, including the still relevant shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, the consequences of the Russia–Ukraine war, an economic crisis with significant inflationary pressures and a climate crisis that has been a decades-long source of anxiety for many. Each of these crises influences consumer and shopping behaviour and attitudes towards the future, with spill-over effects on the work of economic actors. Our study aims to contribute to an understanding of the relationship between crisis situations and shopping. Our findings are based on the results of an online survey conducted between 7 July and 20 July 2022. The online sample of 1,000 respondents is representative of the Hungarian population aged 18–74 in terms of gender, age, type of municipality, educational level and region. The aim of this study is to show how the four crises affect attitudes towards shopping, while it also touches upon the role of pleasure in shopping and the significance of anxiety about the future.
Reduced-Order Observer-Based Position Control of a Magnetic-Geared Servo Drive
Authors: Verbanac Nardi , Jungmayr Gerald , Marth Edmund , Bulić Neven
Published: December 2023

Magnetic gears (MGs) emerged as an interesting alternative to conventional mechanical gears, owing mainly to their high torque densities and contactless operation. This paper presents a novel observer-based position control system for a magnetic-geared servo drive. The presented control system is based on two well established control strategies—field-oriented control (FOC) and state feedback control. The former is used to achieve effective torque control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) which is considered as an actuator that drives the high-speed rotor, whereas the latter is used to control the position of the low-speed rotor. A reduced-order extended state observer is used to estimate the position and speed of the low-speed rotor, thereby reducing the number of sensors required for the implementation of the controller. The whole control system is implemented on a microcontroller and tested on an existing prototype with a gear ratio of 18:1. The experimental results show that the presented control system guarantees precise positioning within a short amount of time and excellent disturbance rejection.
Lateral Trajectory Tracking of Self-Driving Vehicles Based on Sliding Mode and Fractional-Order Proportional-Integral-Derivative Control
Authors: Zhang Xiqing , Li Jin , Ma Zhiguang , Chen Dianmin , Zhou Xiaoxu
Published: December 2023

The tracking accuracy and vehicle stability of self-driving trajectory tracking are particularly important. Due to the influence of high-frequency oscillation near the sliding mode surface and the modeling error of the single-point preview model itself when using sliding mode control (SMC) for the trajectory tracking lateral control of self-driving vehicles, the desired tracking effect of self-driving vehicles cannot be achieved. To address this problem, a combination of sliding mode control and fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative control (FOPID) is proposed for the application of a trajectory tracking lateral controller. In addition, in order to compare with the trajectory tracking controller built using the single-point preview model, 12 real drivers with different levels of proficiency were selected for operational data collection and comparison. The simulation results and hardware-in-the-loop results show that the designed SMC + FOPID controller has high tracking accuracy based on vehicle stability. The trajectory accuracy based on SMC + FOPID outperforms the real driver data, SMC controller, PID controller, and model prediction controller.
Agricultural Land Suitability Assessment at the County Scale in Taiyuan, China
Authors: Xu Juan , Jiao Cuicui , Zheng Dalun , Li Luoxin
Published: December 2023

Conducting agricultural land suitability assessments (ALSA) scientifically is crucial for ensuring food security and fostering sustainable agricultural development. This study assessed the suitability of agricultural land in Taiyuan using a geographic information system (GIS) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), integrating factors such as topography, soil, water sources, and social conditions at a 1 km spatial resolution. The primary aim was to map the spatial distribution of agricultural land suitability and understand county-level variations. Given the irreversible impact of urban development on land use and the critical importance of ecological conservation, corresponding subtractions for urban and natural protected areas have been applied in this study during the assessment of agricultural land suitability. The findings revealed that Taiyuan’s agricultural land suitability generally falls within an intermediate range, without areas classified as completely unsuitable (lowest rank) or suitable (highest rank). The agricultural land suitability does not reach the extreme conditions of being “unsuitable” (lowest rank) nor “suitable” (highest rank), reflecting an overall intermediate potential for agricultural production across the entirety of Taiyuan. The spatial distribution indicates higher suitability in the east and lower in the west, with 33.1% of Taiyuan’s territorial area deemed relatively suitable, 61.3% moderately suitable, and only 5.6% generally suitable for agricultural production. Recommendations include focusing on high-economic-return crops in suitable areas, adopting drought-resistant varieties and enhancing agricultural infrastructure in moderately suitable areas, and prioritizing ecological conservation in generally suitable areas. Additionally, county-level strategies suggest differentiated agricultural models: agritourism and boutique agriculture in urban conflict areas like Qingxu and Wanbailin; cultivation of cold-resistant crops in ecologically fragile areas like Loufan; and sustainable agricultural practices like planting drought-resistant crops in water-scarce regions like Yangqu. This comprehensive assessment offers valuable insights for optimizing agricultural land allocation in Taiyuan, balancing economic development with ecological sustainability.
An Overview of Recent Advances in Greenhouse Strawberry Cultivation Using Deep Learning Techniques: A Review for Strawberry Practitioners
Authors: Yang Jong-Won , Kim Hyun-Il
Published: December 2023

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) has been widely accepted as the “Queen of Fruits”. It has been identified as having high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants that are beneficial for maintaining cardiovascular health and maintaining blood sugar levels. The implementation of advanced techniques like precision agriculture (PA) is crucial for enhancing production compared to conventional farming methods. In recent years, the successful application of deep learning models was represented by convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in a variety of disciplines of computer vision (CV). Due to the dearth of a comprehensive and detailed discussion on the application of deep learning to strawberry cultivation, a particular review of recent technologies is needed. This paper provides an overview of recent advancements in strawberry cultivation utilizing Deep Learning (DL) techniques. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the most up-to-date techniques and methodologies used in this field by examining recent research. It also discusses the recent advanced variants of the DL model, along with a fundamental overview of CNN architecture. In addition, techniques for fine-tuning DL models have been covered. Besides, various strawberry-planting-related datasets were examined in the literature, and the limitations of using research models for real-time research have been discussed.
Development and Investigation of HRM Markers to Discriminate Two Ogura Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Restorer Genes in Radish
Authors: Ahn Hong-Il , Han Koeun , Yang Hee-Bum , Lee Eun Su , Lee Ye-Rin , Kim Jinhee , Park Han Yong , Kim Do-Sun
Published: December 2023

Ogura male sterile cytoplasm is widely used for radish breeding. In this study, high-resolution melting (HRM) markers associated with Rft and Rfo, major restorer-of-fertility genes in Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in radish, were developed. Genetic mapping was carried out using F2 populations derived from crosses between male-sterile Ogura CMS lines and male-fertile lines. Identification of the Rft and Rfo loci was achieved through SNP-based genotyping and linkage grouping. HRM markers were subsequently developed based on flanking sequences of SNPs linked to these loci. For the Rft gene, a set of 117 SNPs was selected within a candidate region on chromosome 5, and 14 HRM markers were successfully developed. Genotyping of F2 showed high correlation between three markers and the phenotype. Regarding the Rfo gene, a set of 27 HRM markers was designed based on flanking sequences of SNPs located on chromosomes 9 and 0. Genotyping in the Rfo segregating population identified a single marker, RSRF27, that accurately distinguished the male sterility phenotype. Validation of the developed markers was performed in populations containing both Rft and Rfo genes, confirming their utility for genotyping and demonstrating that these two genes independently contribute to male sterility recovery. Overall, this study provides HRM markers that can be used for genotyping Rft and Rfo and contributes to a deeper understanding of male sterility restoration mechanisms in Ogura CMS.
Application of YOLOv8 and Detectron2 for Bullet Hole Detection and Score Calculation from Shooting Cards
Authors: Butt Marya , Glas Nick , Monsuur Jaimy , Stoop Ruben , de Keijzer Ander
Published: December 2023

Scoring targets in shooting sports is a crucial and time-consuming task that relies on manually counting bullet holes. This paper introduces an automatic score detection model using object detection techniques. The study contributes to the field of computer vision by comparing the performance of seven models (belonging to two different architectural setups) and by making the dataset publicly available. Another value-added aspect is the inclusion of three variants of the object detection model, YOLOv8, recently released in 2023 (at the time of writing). Five of the used models are single-shot detectors, while two belong to the two-shot detectors category. The dataset was manually captured from the shooting range and expanded by generating more versatile data using Python code. Before the dataset was trained to develop models, it was resized (640 × 640) and augmented using Roboflow API. The trained models were then assessed on the test dataset, and their performance was compared using matrices like mAP50, mAP50-90, precision, and recall. The results showed that YOLOv8 models can detect multiple objects with good confidence scores. Among these models, YOLOv8m performed the best, with the highest mAP50 value of 96.7%, followed by the performance of YOLOv8s with the mAP50 value of 96.5%. It is suggested that if the system is to be implemented in a real-time environment, YOLOv8s is a better choice since it took significantly less inference time (2.3 ms) than YOLOv8m (5.7 ms) and yet generated a competitive mAP50 of 96.5%.
Findings Related to Cerebrospinal Fluid and Central Nervous System Disorders in Small Ruminants—A Retrospective Study on Sheep and Goats
Authors: Schöb Leandra C. , Gerspach Christian , Stirn Martina , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Riond Barbara
Published: December 2023

Background: Small ruminants often suffer from central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can be used as a diagnostic tool in this regard. In small animals and cattle, specific CSF patterns have been defined for specific disease categories. No data exist regarding CSF results obtained from small ruminants and their association with certain CNS diseases. Objectives: The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate CSF findings obtained from sheep and goats and to identify possible CSF patterns associated with disease categories. Methods: CSF samples and medical records from 44 sheep and 27 goats were included in this study. All animals were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Zurich of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Zurich of the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Zurich between 2003 and 2016 and had either a confirmed CNS diagnosis or showed CSF changes without a specific CNS diagnosis. Results: Mixed mononuclear pleocytosis was the most common CSF pattern in sheep (25%), followed by monocytic pleocytosis (21%). Lymphocytic pleocytosis was most frequently found in goats (37%). In 75% of sheep and 56% of goats, infectious CNS diseases were diagnosed, with listeriosis being the most common infectious disease in both species, followed by parasitic disorders (nematodiasis and coenurosis). Conclusions: The cytologic CSF patterns in small ruminants are mainly based on the increased presence of monocytic and lymphocytic cells with variable quantitative expression, whereas neutrophilic pleocytosis and cytoalbuminologic dissociation were rare findings. Infectious diseases of bacterial origin were the most common underlying causes for CSF alterations in sheep and goats, followed by parasitic disorders. The pleocytosis type is not helpful for differentiating disease types.
Trihexyphenidyl Alters Its Host’s Metabolism, Neurobehavioral Patterns, and Gut Microbiome Feedback Loop—The Modulating Role of Anacyclus pyrethrum
Authors: Baslam Abdelmounaim , Azraida Hajar , Aboufatima Rachida , Ait-El-Mokhtar Mohamed , Dilagui Ilham , Boussaa Samia , Chait Abderrahman , Baslam Marouane
Published: December 2023

Trihexyphenidyl (THP)—a synthetic anticholinergic medication used to manage parkinsonism and extrapyramidal symptoms—has gained significant clinical recognition. However, there is a critical gap in understanding its withdrawal effects. This study investigates the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and oxidative stress during THP withdrawal. Furthermore, it explores the therapeutic potential of Anacyclus pyrethrum (AEAP) for alleviating the associated adverse effects. This comprehensive research combines behavioral tests, biochemical analysis, gut microbiome assessment utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and oxidative stress measures. The results reveal that the chronic administration of THP leads to severe withdrawal syndrome, marked by heightened anxiety, depressive-like behaviors, increased cortisol levels, elevated oxidative stress, and gut dysbiosis. However, the administration of AEAP alongside THP shows a significant capacity to mitigate these deleterious effects. Co-treatment and post-treatment with AEAP increased bacterial density and diversity, promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria associated with improved gut health. Furthermore, AEAP administration reduced cortisol levels and exhibited potent antioxidant properties, effectively countering the THP-induced oxidative damage. This study highlights the withdrawal effects of THP and underscores the therapeutic potential of AEAP for managing these symptoms. The findings reveal its promising effects in alleviating behavioral and biochemical impairments, reducing oxidative stress, and restoring gut microbiota, which could significantly impact the clinical management of THP withdrawal and potentially extend to other substance withdrawal scenarios.
Multi-Head Self-Attention-Enhanced Prototype Network with Contrastive–Center Loss for Few-Shot Relation Extraction
Authors: Ma Jiangtao , Cheng Jia , Chen Yonggang , Li Kunlin , Zhang Fan , Shang Zhanlei
Published: December 2023

Few-shot relation extraction (FSRE) constitutes a critical task in natural language processing (NLP), involving learning relationship characteristics from limited instances to enable the accurate classification of new relations. The existing research primarily concentrates on using prototype networks for FSRE and enhancing their performance by incorporating external knowledge. However, these methods disregard the potential interactions among different prototype networks, and each prototype network can only learn and infer from its limited instances, which may limit the robustness and reliability of the prototype representations. To tackle the concerns outlined above, this paper introduces a novel prototype network called SACT (multi-head self-attention and contrastive-center loss), aimed at obtaining more comprehensive and precise interaction information from other prototype networks to bolster the reliability of the prototype network. Firstly, SACT employs a multi-head self-attention mechanism for capturing interaction information among different prototypes from traditional prototype networks, reducing the noise introduced by unknown categories with a small sample through information aggregation. Furthermore, SACT introduces a new loss function, the contrastive–center loss function, aimed at tightly clustering samples from a similar relationship category in the center of the feature space while dispersing samples from different relationship categories. Through extensive experiments on FSRE datasets, this paper demonstrates the outstanding performance of SACT, providing strong evidence for the effectiveness and practicality of SACT.