bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do the Right Thing: A Privacy Policy Adherence Analysis of over Two Million Apps in Apple iOS App Store
Authors: Alamri Hamad , Maple Carsten , Mohamad Saad , Epiphaniou Gregory
Published: November 2022

Mobile app developers are often obliged by regulatory frameworks to provide a privacy policy in natural comprehensible language to describe their apps’ privacy practices. However, prior research has revealed that: (1) not all app developers offer links to their privacy policies; and (2) even if they do offer such access, it is difficult to determine if it is a valid link to a (valid) policy. While many prior studies looked at this issue in Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and particularly the iOS store, is much less clear. In this paper, we conduct the first and the largest study to investigate the previous issues in the iOS app store ecosystem. First, we introduce an App Privacy Policy Extractor (APPE), a system that embraces and analyses the metadata of over two million apps to give insightful information about the distribution of the supposed privacy policies, and the content of the provided privacy policy links, store-wide. The result shows that only 58.5% of apps provide links to purported privacy policies, while 39.3% do not provide policy links at all. Our investigation of the provided links shows that only 38.4% of those links were directed to actual privacy policies, while 61.6% failed to lead to a privacy policy. Further, for research purposes we introduce the App Privacy Policy Corpus (APPC-451K); the largest app privacy policy corpus consisting of data relating to more than 451K verified privacy policies.
A Study on the Effectiveness of Spatial Filters on Thermal Image Pre-Processing and Correlation Technique for Quantifying Defect Size
Authors: Kim Ho Jong , Shrestha Anuja , Sapkota Eliza , Pokharel Anwit , Pandey Sarvesh , Kim Cheol Sang , Shrestha Ranjit
Published: November 2022

Thermal imaging plays a vital role in structural health monitoring of various materials and provides insight into the defect present due to aging, deterioration, and fault during construction. This study investigated the effectiveness of spatial filters during pre-processing of thermal images and a correlation technique in post-processing, as well as exploited its application in non-destructive testing and evaluation of defects in steel structures. Two linear filters (i.e., Gaussian and Window Averaging) and a non-linear filter (i.e., Median) were implemented during pre-processing of a pulsed thermography image sequence. The effectiveness of implemented filters was then assessed using signal to noise ratio as a quality metric. The result of pre-processing revealed that each implemented filter is capable of reducing impulse noise and producing high-quality images; additionally, when comparing the signal to noise ratio, the Gaussian filter dominated both Window Averaging and Median filters. Defect size was determined using a correlation technique on a sequence of pulsed thermography images that had been pre-processed with a Gaussian filter. Finally, it is concluded that the correlation technique could be applied to the fast measurement of defect size, even though the accuracy may depend on the detection limit of thermography and defect size to depth ratio.
A Generic Image Processing Pipeline for Enhancing Accuracy and Robustness of Visual Odometry
Authors: Sabry Mohamed , Osman Mostafa , Hussein Ahmed , Mehrez Mohamed W. , Jeon Soo , Melek William
Published: November 2022

The accuracy of pose estimation from feature-based Visual Odometry (VO) algorithms is affected by several factors such as lighting conditions and outliers in the matched features. In this paper, a generic image processing pipeline is proposed to enhance the accuracy and robustness of feature-based VO algorithms. The pipeline consists of three stages, each addressing a problem that affects the performance of VO algorithms. The first stage tackles the lighting condition problem, where a filter called Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) is applied to the images to overcome changes in lighting in the environment. The second stage uses the Suppression via Square Covering (SSC) algorithm to ensure the features are distributed properly over the images. The last stage proposes a novel outliers rejection approach called the Angle-based Outlier Rejection (AOR) algorithm to remove the outliers generated in the feature matching process. The proposed pipeline is generic and modular and can be integrated with any type of feature-based VO (monocular, RGB-D, or stereo). The efficiency of the proposed pipeline is validated using sequences from KITTI (for stereo VO) and TUM (for RGB-D VO) datasets, as well as experimental sequences using an omnidirectional mobile robot (for monocular VO). The obtained results showed the performance gained by enhancing the accuracy and robustness of the VO algorithms without compromising on the computational cost using the proposed pipeline. The results are substantially better as opposed to not using the pipeline.
RGBD Salient Object Detection, Based on Specific Object Imaging
Authors: Liao Xiaolian , Li Jun , Li Leyi , Shangguan Caoxi , Huang Shaoyan
Published: November 2022

RGBD salient object detection, based on the convolutional neural network, has achieved rapid development in recent years. However, existing models often focus on detecting salient object edges, instead of objects. Importantly, detecting objects can more intuitively display the complete information of the detection target. To take care of this issue, we propose a RGBD salient object detection method, based on specific object imaging, which can quickly capture and process important information on object features, and effectively screen out the salient objects in the scene. The screened target objects include not only the edge of the object, but also the complete feature information of the object, which realizes the detection and imaging of the salient objects. We conduct experiments on benchmark datasets and validate with two common metrics, and the results show that our method reduces the error by 0.003 and 0.201 (MAE) on D3Net and JLDCF, respectively. In addition, our method can still achieve a very good detection and imaging performance in the case of the greatly reduced training data.
FLDID: Federated Learning Enabled Deep Intrusion Detection in Smart Manufacturing Industries
Authors: Verma Priyanka , Breslin John G. , O’Shea Donna
Published: November 2022

The rapid development in manufacturing industries due to the introduction of IIoT devices has led to the emergence of Industry 4.0 which results in an industry with intelligence, increased efficiency and reduction in the cost of manufacturing. However, the introduction of IIoT devices opens up the door for a variety of cyber threats in smart industries. The detection of cyber threats against such extensive, complex, and heterogeneous smart manufacturing industries is very challenging due to the lack of sufficient attack traces. Therefore, in this work, a Federated Learning enabled Deep Intrusion Detection framework is proposed to detect cyber threats in smart manufacturing industries. The proposed FLDID framework allows multiple smart manufacturing industries to build a collaborative model to detect threats and overcome the limited attack example problem with individual industries. Moreover, to ensure the privacy of model gradients, Paillier-based encryption is used in communication between edge devices (representative of smart industries) and the server. The deep learning-based hybrid model, which consists of a Convolutional Neural Network, Long Short Term Memory, and Multi-Layer Perceptron is used in the intrusion detection model. An exhaustive set of experiments on the publically available dataset proves the effectiveness of the proposed framework for detecting cyber threats in smart industries over the state-of-the-art approaches.
Smart Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Using a Bend Sensor like a Human Muscle with a Muscle Spindle
Authors: Saga Norihiko , Shimada Kunio , Inamori Douhaku , Saito Naoki , Satoh Toshiyuki , Nagase Jun-ya
Published: November 2022

Shortage of labor and increased work of young people are causing problems in terms of care and welfare of a growing proportion of elderly people. This is a looming social problem because people of advanced ages are increasing. Necessary in the fields of care and welfare, pneumatic artificial muscles in actuators of robots are being examined. Pneumatic artificial muscles have a high output per unit of weight, and they are soft, similarly to human muscles. However, in previous research of robots using pneumatic artificial muscles, rigid sensors were often installed at joints and other locations due to the robots’ structures. Therefore, we developed a smart actuator that integrates a bending sensor that functions as a human muscle spindle; it can be externally attached to the pneumatic artificial muscle. This paper reports a smart artificial muscle actuator that can sense contraction, which can be applied to developed self-monitoring and robot posture control.
Development of a Toxic Lead Ionic Sensor Using Carboxyl-Functionalized MWCNTs in Real Water Sample Analyses
Authors: Marwani Hadi M. , Ahmed Jahir , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: November 2022

Functional multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) are of significant interest due to their dispersion ability in the aqueous phase and potential application in environmental, nanotechnology, and biological fields. Herein, we functionalized MWCNTs by a simple acid treatment under ultra-sonification, which represented a terminal or side-functional improvement for the fabrication of a toxic lead ion sensor. The f-MWCNTs were characterized in detail by XRD, Raman, XPS, BET, UV/vis, FTIR, and FESEM-coupled XEDS techniques. The analytical performance of the f-MWCNTs was studied for the selective detection of toxic lead ions by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The selectivity of the f-MWCNTs was evaluated using several metal ions such as Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ ions. Lastly, the newly designed ionic sensor was successfully employed to selectively detect lead ions in several environmental water samples with reasonable results. This approach introduced a new technique for the selective detection of heavy metal ions using functional carbon nanotubes with ICP-OES for the safety of environmental and healthcare fields on a broad scale.
A New Mixed-Gas-Detection Method Based on a Support Vector Machine Optimized by a Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Han Yaozhen
Published: November 2022

To solve the problem of the low recognition rate of mixed gases and consider the phenomenon of low prediction accuracy when traditional gas-concentration-prediction methods deal with nonlinear data, this paper proposes a mixed-gas identification and gas-concentration-prediction method based on a support vector machine (SVM) optimized by a sparrow search algorithm (SSA). Principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to perform data dimensionality reduction on the input data, and SSA is adopted to optimize the SVM hyperparameters to improve the recognition rate and gas-concentration-prediction accuracy of mixed gases. For the mixed-gas identification, the classification accuracy is significantly improved under the proposed SSA optimization SVM method (SSA-SVM), compared with random forest (RF), extreme-learning machine (ELM), and BP neural network methods. With respect to gas-concentration prediction, the maximum fitting degrees reached 99.34% for single gas-concentration prediction and 97.55% for mixed-gas-concentration prediction. The experimental results show that the SSA-SVM method had a high recognition rate and high concentration-prediction accuracy in gas-mixture detection.
Hybrid Vibration and UV Fluorescence Technology for Rapid Imaging and Guidance for Manual Removal of Fish Bones from Fish Floss
Authors: Wang Yen-Hsiang , Lee Kuan-Chieh , Wei Wen-Chun , Wang Chung-Huang , Liu Hao-Jie , Hou Jia-Rong , Hsieh Tien-Chen , Chen Ju-Kai , Chen Ting-Yuan , Liaw Shien-Kuei , Lin Choa-Feng , Wu Chin-Cheng , Chieh Jen-Jie , Chang Chin-Hung
Published: November 2022

The objective of the proposed human–machine cooperation (HMC) workstation is to both rapidly detect calcium-based fish bones in masses of minced fish floss and visually guide operators in approaching and removing the detected fish bones by hand based on the detection of fingernails or plastic-based gloves. Because vibration is a separation mechanism that can prevent absorption or scattering in thick fish floss for UV fluorescence detection, the design of the HMC workstation included a vibration unit together with an optical box and display screens. The system was tested with commonly used fish (swordfish, salmon, tuna, and cod) representing various cooking conditions (raw meat, steam-cooked meat, and fish floss), their bones, and contaminating materials such as derived from gloves made of various types of plastic (polyvinylchloride, emulsion, and rubber) commonly used in the removal of fish bones. These aspects were each investigated using the spectrum analyzer and the optical box to obtain and analyze the fluorescence spectra and images. The filter was mounted on a charge-coupled device, and its transmission-wavelength window was based on the characteristic band for fish bones observed in the spectra. Gray-level AI algorithm was utilized to generate white marker rectangles. The vibration unit supports two mechanisms of air and downstream separation to improve the imaging screening of fish bones inside the considerable flow of fish floss. Notably, under 310 nm ultraviolet B (UVB) excitation, the fluorescence peaks of the raw fillets, steam-cooked meat, and fish floss were observed at for bands at longer wavelengths (500–600 nm), whereas those of the calcium and plastic materials occurred in shorter wavelength bands (400–500 nm). Perfect accuracy of 100% was achieved with the detection of 20 fish bones in 2 kg of fish floss, and the long test time of around 10–12 min results from the manual removal of these fish bones.
Benthic Fluxes of Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Material, Salt, and Heat Measured by Multiple-Sensor Aquatic Eddy Covariance
Authors: Hu Irene H. , Hemond Harold F.
Published: November 2022

Aquatic eddy covariance (AEC) is an in situ technique for measuring fluxes in marine and freshwater systems that is based on the covariance of velocity and concentration measurements. To date, AEC has mainly been applied to the measurement of benthic oxygen fluxes. Here, development of a fast multiple-channel sensor enables the use of AEC for measurement of benthic fluxes of fluorescent material, salt, and heat at three distinct sites in Massachusetts, USA, including the Connecticut River, the Concord River, and Upper Mystic Lake. Benthic fluxes of salt, useful as a tracer for groundwater input (submarine groundwater discharge), were consistent with independent measurements made with seepage meters. Eddy fluxes of heat were consistent with the balance of incoming solar radiation and thermal conduction at the sediment surface. Benthic eddy fluxes of fluorescent dissolved organic material (FDOM) revealed a substantial net downward flux in the humic-rich Concord River, suggesting that microbial consumption of dissolved organic carbon in the sediment was significant. Simultaneous measurement of several fluxes expands the utility of AEC as a biogeochemical tool while enabling checks for mutual consistency among data channels.
A Novel Computer-Vision Approach Assisted by 2D-Wavelet Transform and Locality Sensitive Discriminant Analysis for Concrete Crack Detection
Authors: Gharehbaghi Vahidreza , Noroozinejad Farsangi Ehsan , Yang T. Y. , Noori Mohammad , Kontoni Denise-Penelope N.
Published: November 2022

This study proposes FastCrackNet, a computationally efficient crack-detection approach. Instead of a computationally costly convolutional neural network (CNN), this technique uses an effective, fully connected network, which is coupled with a 2D-wavelet image transform for analyzing and a locality sensitive discriminant analysis (LSDA) for reducing the number of features. The algorithm described here is used to detect tiny concrete cracks in two noisy adverse conditions and image shadows. By combining wavelet-based feature extraction, feature reduction, and a rapid classifier based on deep learning, this technique surpasses other image classifiers in terms of speed, performance, and resilience. In order to evaluate the accuracy and speed of FastCrackNet, two prominent pre-trained CNN architectures, namely GoogleNet and Xception, are employed. Findings reveal that FastCrackNet has better speed and accuracy than the other models. This study establishes performance and computational thresholds for classifying photos in difficult conditions. In terms of classification efficiency, FastCrackNet outperformed GoogleNet and the Xception model by more than 60 and 80 times, respectively. Furthermore, FastCrackNet’s dependability was proved by its robustness and stability in the presence of uncertainties produced by network characteristics and input images, such as input image size, batch size, and input image dimensions.
Response Characteristics of Contactless Impedance Detection (CID) Sensor on Slug Flow in Small Channels: The Investigation on Slug Separation Distance
Authors: Wang Chenxu , Huang Junchao , Ji Haifeng , Huang Zhiyao
Published: November 2022

In recent years, CID sensors have displayed great development potential in parameter measurement of gas–liquid two-phase flow in small channels. However, the fundamental/mechanism research on the response characteristics of CID sensors is relatively insufficient. This work focuses on the investigation of the influence of separation distance between slugs on the impedance (real part, imaginary part and amplitude) response characteristics of slug flow in small channels. Experiments were carried out with the CID sensors in four small channels with inner pipe diameters of 1.96 mm, 2.48 mm, 3.02 mm and 3.54 mm, respectively. The experimental results show that for a CID sensor, the slug separation distance has significant influence on the impedance response characteristics. There is a critical value of slug separation distance. When the slug separation distance is larger than the critical value, the impedance response characteristics of each slug can be considered independent of each other, i.e., there is no interaction between the slugs. When the slug separation distance is less than the critical value, the impedance response characteristics show obvious interaction between the slugs. It is indicated that the ratios of the critical values to the pipe inner diameters are approximate 100.
Biometric Security: A Novel Ear Recognition Approach Using a 3D Morphable Ear Model
Authors: Mursalin Md , Ahmed Mohiuddin , Haskell-Dowland Paul
Published: November 2022

Biometrics is a critical component of cybersecurity that identifies persons by verifying their behavioral and physical traits. In biometric-based authentication, each individual can be correctly recognized based on their intrinsic behavioral or physical features, such as face, fingerprint, iris, and ears. This work proposes a novel approach for human identification using 3D ear images. Usually, in conventional methods, the probe image is registered with each gallery image using computational heavy registration algorithms, making it practically infeasible due to the time-consuming recognition process. Therefore, this work proposes a recognition pipeline that reduces the one-to-one registration between probe and gallery. First, a deep learning-based algorithm is used for ear detection in 3D side face images. Second, a statistical ear model known as a 3D morphable ear model (3DMEM), was constructed to use as a feature extractor from the detected ear images. Finally, a novel recognition algorithm named you morph once (YMO) is proposed for human recognition that reduces the computational time by eliminating one-to-one registration between probe and gallery, which only calculates the distance between the parameters stored in the gallery and the probe. The experimental results show the significance of the proposed method for a real-time application.
Self-Supervised Action Representation Learning Based on Asymmetric Skeleton Data Augmentation
Authors: Zhou Hualing , Li Xi , Xu Dahong , Liu Hong , Guo Jianping , Zhang Yihan
Published: November 2022

Contrastive learning has received increasing attention in the field of skeleton-based action representations in recent years. Most contrastive learning methods use simple augmentation strategies to construct pairs of positive samples. When using such pairs of positive samples to learn action representations, deeper feature information cannot be learned, thus affecting the performance of downstream tasks. To solve the problem of insufficient learning ability, we propose an asymmetric data augmentation strategy and attempt to apply it to the training of 3D skeleton-based action representations. First, we carefully study the different characteristics presented by different skeleton views and choose a specific augmentation method for a certain view. Second, specific augmentation methods are incorporated into the left and right branches of the asymmetric data augmentation pipeline to increase the convergence difficulty of the contrastive learning task, thereby significantly improving the quality of the learned action representations. Finally, since many methods directly act on the joint view, the augmented samples are quite different from the original samples. We use random probability activation to transform the joint view to avoid extreme augmentation of the joint view. Extensive experiments on NTU RGB + D datasets show that our method is effective.
A Study on Fast and Low-Complexity Algorithms for Versatile Video Coding
Authors: Choi Kiho
Published: November 2022

Versatile Video Coding (VVC)/H.266, completed in 2020, provides half the bitrate of the previous video coding standard (i.e., High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC)/H.265) while maintaining the same visual quality. The primary goal of VVC/H.266 is to achieve a compression capability that is noticeably better than that of HEVC/H.265, as well as the functionality to support a variety of applications with a single profile. Although VVC/H.266 has improved its coding performance by incorporating new advanced technologies with flexible partitioning, the increased encoding complexity has become a challenging issue in practical market usage. To address the complexity issue of VVC/H.266, significant efforts have been expended to develop practical methods for reducing the encoding and decoding processes of VVC/H.266. In this study, we provide an overview of the VVC/H.266 standard, and compared with previous video coding standards, examine a key challenge to VVC/H.266 coding. Furthermore, we survey and present recent technical advances in fast and low-complexity VVC/H.266, focusing on key technical areas.
Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescence of CdS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots for Temperature Sensors
Authors: Tang Luping , Zhang Yangyang , Liao Chen , Guo Yingqing , Lu Yingtao , Xia Yixuan , Liu Yiwei
Published: November 2022

Exploring the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) properties of quantum dots (QDs) is not only important for understanding the carrier recombination processes in QD-based devices but also critical for expanding their special applications at different temperatures. However, there is still no clear understanding of the optical properties of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs as a function of temperature. Herein, the temperature-dependent PL spectra of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs were studied in the temperature range of 77–297 K. It was found that the band-edge emission (BEE) intensity decreases continuously with increasing temperature, while the surface-state emission (SSE) intensity first increases and then decreases. For BEE intensity, in the low temperature range, a small activation energy (29.5 meV) in the nonradiative recombination process led to the decrease of PL intensity of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs; and at high temperature the PL intensity attenuation was caused by the thermal escape process. On the other hand, the temperature-dependent variation trend of the SSE intensity was determined by the competition of the trapping process of the surface trap states and the effect of thermally activated non-radiative defects. As the temperature increased, the PL spectra showed a certain degree of redshift in the peak energies of both band-edge and surface states and the PL spectrum full width at half-maximum (FWHM) increases, which was mainly due to the coupling of exciton and acoustic phonon. Furthermore, the CIE chromaticity coordinates turned from (0.190, 0.102) to (0.302, 0.194), which changed dramatically with temperature. The results indicated that the CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs are expected to be applied in temperature sensors.
Capabilities Approach Application in the Development of Regional Rehabilitation Systems in Russia
Authors: Shoshmin Alexander , Besstrashnova Yanina , Petrishcheva Kristina
Published: November 2022

In Russia, the rehabilitation system for people with disabilities (PwD) is developing rapidly, as resources allocated by the federal and regional authorities are increasing. The policy aims to integrate PwD into society through providing equal access to assistive technologies. To create a well-balanced regional rehabilitation system, the development measures include both indicators of actual life improvements (satisfaction of PwD with assistive technologies, comprehensive rehabilitation, facilitating access, etc.) and resources (staffing, costs, legislation, cross-sectoral cooperation, etc.). Panel data from 85 regions were collected (2018–2020). The analysis demonstrates that most systems need to be improved by applying the capabilities approach for cost-effectiveness.
Human Resource Management, Employee Participation and European Works Councils: The Case of Pharmaceutical Industry in Greece
Authors: Triantafillidou Eleni , Koutroukis Theodore
Published: November 2022

Employee participation is a broad notion that encompasses sets of practices that enable employees to participate in the decision-making process on issues affecting them leading to a committed workforce. According to the 2009/38/EC Directive, a European Workers’ Council (EWC) is established in all undertakings and all community-scale groups of undertakings for the purpose of informing and consulting employees. This study investigates the impact of employee participation on employees and organizations and more specifically the potential benefits and the added value of participation for employees and organizations, the potential costs and threats of employee participation and the added value of EWCs in multinational subsidiaries in the pharmaceutical industry in Greece. The data gathering was carried out through in-depth semi-structured interviews with management, HR executives, trade union representatives and EWC representatives using a semi-structured questionnaire based on the state-of-the-art literature review. Organizations participating in the study are subsidiaries of multinational companies with an active European Works Council in the pharmaceutical industry in Greece. Findings suggest that there are potential benefits of employee participation practices for the employees and added value for the pharmaceutical companies and provide a useful perspective for managers and researchers in the field of labor relations and human resource management.
Analysis of the Perception of Conflict and Its Positive Resolution in University Students
Authors: Martínez-López José Ángel , Molina Cano Jerónimo , Munuera Gómez Pilar , Silva Ana Maria Costa e
Published: November 2022

This research aimed to analyze the perception of conflict in universities and the ways of dealing with it in relation to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The research was developed from a quantitative approach in three universities in two European countries: the University of Murcia and Complutense University of Madrid (Spain) and University of Minho (Portugal). The sample consisted of 247 university students and the technique used was an ad hoc survey administered online. Among the main research results we can highlight that (a) the perception of conflict is mostly negative; (b) there are predictive variables in the positive view of conflict; and (c) university students clearly identify the peaceful resolution of conflicts with some of the Sustainable Development Goals. The main conclusions are that conflict is inherent to any organization and the university must be sensitive to the conflicts that occur within it. It is therefore necessary to create intra-university mediation services as a conflict resolution resource for the entire university community. Training and a positive view of conflict favors the construction of a citizenry capable of dialogue and of resolving the conflicts that arise in their adult life.
A Place at the Table: Sex Workers and Allies in the Redefinition of Brazil’s Anti-Trafficking Law
Authors: Blanchetteç Thaddeus Gregory
Published: November 2022

The present article is a brief account of the representational politics surrounding the insertion of the Brazilian prostitutes’ movement into anti-trafficking policy-making, following the 2013 death of Gabriela Leite, one of the founders and principal leaders of the movement. Leite’s death left an organizational hole in the attempts by one of Brazil’s oldest sex worker NGOs, Davida, to secure a place for sex workers at the policy-making table in the rewriting of the country´s anti-trafficking laws. Here, we relate how sex workers, academics, journalists, and activists came together to attempt to patch that hole, successfully fighting for sex worker representation in the governmental organs overseeing the struggle against human trafficking in Rio and, more broadly, Brazil. The re-organization of this project following the death of Gabriela highlights how multifaceted alliances between differently positioned actors can leverage the visibility and power of sex workers in culture and politics, creating opportunities to implement policies that favor prostitute rights.
A Mixed-Methods Approach to Identify Farmers’ Perception and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use in Vietnam
Authors: Thu Tran Thi Anh , Chambers Mary , Trung Nguyen Vinh , Parker Michael , Hoa Ngo Thi
Published: November 2022

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is one of the greatest global health concerns. The growth of food animal farming has challenged efforts to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use (ABU) and is linked to the rapid increases in ABR. This mixed-methods sociological study was conducted between 2016 and 2017, in a sample of 100 animal farmers in southern Vietnam, aiming to characterize their perception of ABU and identify factors influencing their practice. Data were collected from a structured questionnaire investigating characteristics of social demographics and farm style, farmers’ ABU perception and practices, sources of ABU information and the intention to reduce ABU. Generalized linear models were built to investigate potential influencing factors associated with ABU perception and practices. The results show a majority of farmers had an unfavourable perception of ABU. Only 13% correctly knew antibiotics were used for treating bacterial infections. The inappropriate practice of ABU for non-therapeutic purposes was found in almost two-thirds of the farmers (59.4%). Data from the multivariate analysis showed: (1) a significant association between an unfavourable perception of ABU and inappropriate practices, (2) an inverse influence of participation in training workshops to a favourable perception of ABU, but also (3) an inverse influence of participation in training workshops to inappropriate practices of ABU. The results suggest that the local training events that are usually put on by commercial companies do not assist farmers to effectively reduce ABU. On the contrary, these events seem to promote their use. We recognize the complexity of effectively managing appropriate ABU on farms in order to reduce ABR in Vietnam. We conclude that legislation and enforcement needs to be tightened to reduce sale of antibiotics to farmers without veterinarian prescription, and advertising and influence of commercial stakeholders needs to be highly moderated so that they do not unduly promote the unregulated use of antibiotics on farms. Household farmers are important stakeholders in the efforts to reducing ABU and preventing ABR, and therefore should be engaged more effectively.
Misogynistic Influences of Female Managers in Local Governments: A Social Construction or Lived Experience
Authors: Ahiante Josephine , Ndaguba Emeka
Published: November 2022

There is a disdain for women in leadership positions in South African local government, and this can be attributed to manifold factors. Some of these factors may include distrust of women’s capacity or capability and leadership styles, flexibility and consultation in decision-making, issues of values and ethos, demography and social class, and political considerations in South African local government system. The objective of this article is to (1) explore gender roles in South African local government systems, (2) assess distrust of women in leadership positions in South African local government, and (3) explore how the male boss syndrome suppresses the creativity and efficiency of women in leadership positions in South African local governments. Data for this study were derived from female managements in several municipalities in the Northwest Province of South Africa. The findings demonstrate that innovation and a creative mindset are overlooked by male leaders in local government, simply because they emanate from a woman. Further, while women are hailed and acknowledged for their successes in business, science, technology, and innovation, and even have been considered for the presidency, at government levels, the sentiments are different, in that males in the sector consider the local parlance as a settlement for the liberation struggle. In conclusion, the transformation of gender relations may not be dramatic, but disruptions can quicken the process.
An Investigation of the Nature of Fear within ACL-Injured Subjects When Exposed to Provocative Videos: A Concurrent Qualitative and Quantitative Study
Authors: Little Cameron , Lavender Andrew P. , Starcevich Cobie , Mesagno Christopher , Mitchell Tim , Whiteley Rodney , Bakhshayesh Hanieh , Beales Darren
Published: November 2022

Fear is a factor contributing to poor return to sport after an anterior cruciate (ACL) injury, however the identification and assessment of fear is challenging. To improve understanding of fear, this study qualitatively and quantitatively assessed responses to videos depicting threat to knee stability in people who had experienced an ACL injury. ACL-injured participants who had above average fear on the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and were at least 1-year post-injury/surgery were eligible. Participants were shown four videos depicting sequentially increasing threat to their knee stability (running, cut-and-pivot, feigned knee injury during cut-and-pivot, series of traumatic knee injuries). Qualitative interviews explored participants feeling related to viewing the videos. Participants quantitatively self-rated fear and distress in response to each video. Seventeen participants were included in this study (71% female, with an average time since last ACL injury of 5 ½ years). Five themes were identified: (1) Evoked physiological responses, (2) Deeper contextualisation of the meaning of an ACL injury influencing bodily confidence, (3) Recall of psychological difficulties, (4) Negative implications of a re-injury, and (5) Change to athletic identity. Quantitatively, direct proportionality was noticed between threat level and reported fear and distress. Specifically, participants reported increasing levels of fear and distress as the videos progressed in threat level, with the largest increase seen between a cut-and-pivot movement to a feigned injury during a cut and pivot. The results support the notion that in addition to being a physical injury, an ACL injury has more complex neurophysiological, psychological, and social characteristics which should be considered in management. Using video exposure in the clinic may assist identification of underlying psychological barriers to recovery following an ACL injury, facilitating person-centred care.
Lifestyle of Italian University Students Attending Different Degree Courses: A Survey on Physical Activity, Sleep and Eating Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mulè Antonino , Galasso Letizia , Castelli Lucia , Ciorciari Andrea , Michielon Giovanni , Esposito Fabio , Roveda Eliana , Montaruli Angela
Published: November 2022

The current study aimed to evaluate the Italian university students’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the degree courses, chronotype, and sex. Five-hundred thirty-three participants (21.46 ± 0.18 yrs, 335 females) filled out: Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSL-TPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to assess physical activity, sleep, nutrition and chronotype. Use of electronic devices, smoking, and drinking habits were also evaluated. Sports science students were more active (60.92 ± 2.96), slept better (4.40 ± 0.15), showed greater Mediterranean diet adherence (5.98 ± 0.31), and smoked less (smokers: 14.5%) than nursing students (GSL-TPAQ: 38.62 ± 2.92, PSQI: 5.29 ± 0.18, KIDMED: 4.23 ± 0.33, smokers: 27.9%). They displayed a higher percentage of beer drinkers (40% vs. 28.7%) and lower use of electronic devices (5.92 ± 0.17 vs. 9.07 ± 1.17). Evening-type students showed worse sleep (5.96 ± 0.30) and lower Mediterranean diet adherence (4.32 ± 0.52) than Neither- (PSQI: 4.58 ± 0.13, KIDMED: 5.13 ± 0.28) and Morning-types (PSQI: 4.33 ± 0.33, KIDMED: 6.71 ± 0.64). Evening-types also showed a higher percentage of smokers (29.9%) and drinkers (beer: 53.3%, wine: 45.8%, alcohol: 40.2%) than Neither- (smokers: 20.3%, beer: 31.4%, wine: 31.4%, alcohol: 23.5%) and Morning-types (smokers: 8.9%, beer: 19.6%, wine: 19.6%, alcohol: 8.9%). Evening-type males used electronic devices longer (9.10 ± 3.05) than females (6.71 ± 0.41). Females showed fewer drinkers (beer: 26.6%, wine: 29.6%) than males (beer: 49.0%, wine: 38.9%). Maintaining a correct lifestyle even in this unusual condition is essential, in particular among the Evening-type students.
Enhancement of Wheat Growth by UV-Mutagenesis of Potential Chromium Tolerant Bacillus sp. Strain SR-2-1/1
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Usman Muhammad , Shahzad Tanvir , Ali Iftikhar , Hassan Muhammad Umair , Mahmood Faisal , Qari Sameer H.
Published: November 2022

UV mutagenesis has long been known to improve bacterial strains in their physiological capacity. In the current study, we used the UV mutagenesis approach to increase the PGPR characteristics of a pre-characterized metal-tolerant PGPR strain Bacillus sp. strain SR-2-1/1 (KY315919), with the objective of increasing the physiological outcome of its PGPR traits in vitro and post inoculation on wheat plants. After UV irradiation, the results implied a substantial in vitro increase in the phosphate solubilization and ammonia production of two selected mutant strains (M1 and M2) as compared to the wild-type strain SR-2-1/1; however, the ACC deaminase enzyme activity was completely lost in the mutant strains, which were originally present in the wild-type strains. However, the UV mutagenesis did not affect the taxonomy of these mutant strains. Moreover, the mutant strains M1 and M2 survived in the rhizosphere of wheat plants up to 30 days at an optimum (approximately 7–7.5 Log CFU/mL of rhizosphere soil) population density. The fresh and dry biomass, as well as root and shoot length, of wheat plants inoculated with one of the mutant strains M2 were significantly higher than in the wheat plants inoculated with wild-type strain SR-2-1/1. The overall results imply that the resulted mutant M2 was a physiologically competent PGPR strain, which could be tested in field experiments as an inoculum.
Research on the Influence of Socially Regulated Learning on Online Collaborative Knowledge Building in the Post COVID-19 Period
Authors: Lu Jia , Chen Xiaohui , Wang Xiaodan , Zhong Rong , Wang Hanxi
Published: November 2022

Online teaching has become an important initiative to maintain normal educational order in the post COVID-19 period. However, learners face multiple challenges in the online learning process, which cannot be successfully carried out without the support of socially regulated learning (SoRL). This study designed SoRL intervention strategies from the perspective of shared metacognitive scripts. A total of 77 undergraduate students participated in this study and were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The students in the experimental group received an SoRL intervention, and the students in the control group learned with the traditional online collaborative learning approach. The results showed that there was variability in the supply of SoRL intervention scripts and the actual selection status of the learners. The regulation foci activated in this study were time management, content monitoring, and atmosphere activation. Atmosphere activation drove collaborative learning activities to continue. Time management and content monitoring drove collaborative knowledge building (CKB) to a deeper level. This study is of great significance in revealing the impact mechanism of SoRL on CKB.
Industrial Support of the Energy Projects as a Part of the Blue Economy Development in the Arctic
Authors: Fadeev Aleksey M. , Vopilovskiy Sergey S. , Fedoseev Sergey V. , Zaikov Konstantin S. , Kuprikov Nikita M. , Kuprikov Mikhail Y. , Avdonina Natalia S.
Published: November 2022

The article discusses a range of economic issues related to the efficient use of the industrial potential of coastal territories (by the example of the Murmansk region) in the development of shelf deposits. A comprehensive analysis of the industrial complex and an objective assessment of conditions for the development of the oil and gas industry in the Murmansk region are given. Considerable attention is paid to the formation of organizational and economic mechanisms for using the industrial potential of regional enterprises in the implementation of oil and gas and large industrial projects in the territory of a new producing area.
Total Factor Productivity of Herdsmen Animal Husbandry in Pastoral Areas: Regional Differences and Driving Factors
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Xinling
Published: November 2022

In the context of China’s implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, it is essential to study the total factor productivity of animal husbandry in pastoral areas under the grassland ecological compensation policy, which is essential for promoting the harmonious development of animal husbandry production and grassland ecology in pastoral areas and helping the rural revitalization strategy. Based on the survey data of pastoral areas in Inner Mongolia, this paper measured and comparatively analyzed the differences in the changes in total factor productivity of pastoral households in each region and its convergence and discussed the main factors driving the total factor productivity of animal husbandry. The results of the study show that: (1) Except for Ulanqab City, the annual average total factor productivity of animal husbandry in the region as a whole and in each region is greater than 1, indicating that the animal husbandry production level of herdsmen has been improved to some extent during the policy implementation period. From the phased situation, the overall total factor productivity of animal husbandry in the Inner Mongolia region shows a characteristic of decreasing first and then increasing, while each region shows a different trend of change. (2) In terms of convergence, there is a certain degree of convergence during the policy period for both the region as a whole and each region, indicating that as the grassland compensation policy advances, the spatial differences in herdsmen total factor productivity in animal husbandry show a trend of gradual reduction, and the overall sample represents the sample of all the investigated areas. (3) In terms of driving factors, herdsmen education level, the degree of travel convenience, the degree of by-business, whether they participate in the subsidy policy, and whether they are fined have significant positive effects on their total factor productivity in animal husbandry, while the family dependency ratio and the degree of government regulation have significant negative effects on total factor productivity in animal husbandry. This paper takes the total factor productivity of animal husbandry in pastoral areas as the starting point, providing a new perspective for the research on the effect of the grassland ecological compensation policy. At the same time, it expands the driving factors of total factor productivity in animal husbandry. The conclusion provides a reference for improving the grassland ecological compensation policy and coordinating the harmonious development of production, life, and ecology in pastoral areas.
Long-Term Strategies for Multimodal Transportation of Block Rubber in Thailand
Authors: Pongsayaporn Pimnapa , Chinda Thanwadee
Published: November 2022

Thailand is one of the world’s leading exporters of block rubbers, mainly used in the automobile industry. The country strives to produce a better quality of block rubber and deliver the products to the industry, at competitive prices, to maintain its competitiveness and move ahead with sustainable growth. The government promotes a multimodal transportation to reduce logistics costs and increase the transportation network efficiency. This study develops a system dynamics (SD) model of the multimodal transportation of block rubber transportation in Thailand, to examine the different mode combinations of block rubber transportation in the long term. The results confirm using multimodal transportation (i.e., truck-ship and truck-train modes) to minimize the final logistics cost of the block rubber transportation from the growing areas to the export point, in the long term. Multimodal transportation can save up to half the final logistics costs, compared to the truck-only mode. The truck-ship and truck-train mode combinations are preferred in the southern and northeastern regions, respectively, as they provide the lowest logistics costs, in the long term. With government supports in port expansion, double-track enlargement, and access roads to ports and railway stations, multimodal transportation is expected to reduce the final logistics cost by half each year. All of these raise the country’s competitiveness on a global scale and achieve a sustainable growth and development of block rubber products in the long term. The developed SD model provides a guideline for the multimode selection of block rubber and other agricultural products with bulk transportation, to achieve the lowest logistics cost and enhance the transport efficiency, in the long term.