bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capabilities and Opportunities of Flexitarians to Become Food Innovators for a Healthy Planet: Two Explorative Studies
Authors: Sijtsema Siet J. , Dagevos Hans , Nassar Ghalia , van Haaster de Winter Mariët , Snoek Harriëtte M.
Published: October 2021

To support the transition to a more plant-based diet, it is necessary to better understand flexitarians, i.e., individuals who curtail their meat intake by abstaining from eating meat occasionally without fully abandoning meat. Much of the research about eating (less) meat thus far has focused on motivations. However, a dietary shift toward less meat consumption also demands that capabilities and opportunities be taken into account. The present study explores the capability and opportunity variables in terms of enablers and barriers to reduced meat consumption. Focus group discussions (Study 1) and a survey study (Study 2) were conducted. Study 1 provides an overview of what food consumers perceive as capabilities and opportunities in the context of limiting meat consumption. Study 2 quantifies the aspects of capabilities and opportunities with a special focus on enabling and constraining aspects regarding plant-based meat substitutes. Both studies examine what Dutch flexitarians designate as capabilities and opportunities in transitioning to eating less meat in everyday life. More insight into this helps to find and facilitate food choices that make the flexitarian choice an easier and more obvious one and consequently contribute to flexitarians as food innovators for a healthy planet.
A Study on the Sustainable Structural Relations between Social Exchange Relationship Characteristics and Social Contagion Effect in Beauty-Related One-Person Media
Authors: Kang Sungmin , Na Younkue
Published: October 2021

This study examined how members of beauty-related one-person media networks build sustainable ties with other members through various exchange activities and diffuse information based on the social contagion effect. Accordingly, social exchange relationship characteristics of beauty-related one-person media were specified and structural relations through which these characteristics affect group cohesiveness, conformity-based collective intelligence, and fad-like behavior were identified. A sample of 529 users with experience of consuming information on beauty-related one-person media was selected, and research hypotheses were tested via reliability testing, validity testing, measurement model analysis, and path analysis using SPSS ver. 23.0 and AMOS ver. 23.0. First, the path analysis between social exchange relationship characteristics of beauty-related one-person media and group cohesiveness revealed that relational characteristics significantly affected social cohesion, but situational characteristics and personal characteristics did not. Additionally, situational characteristics and personal characteristics significantly affected task cohesion, but relational characteristics did not. Second, the path analysis between group cohesiveness (social cohesion, task cohesion) and conformity-based collective intelligence in beauty-related one-person media revealed that social cohesion and task cohesion significantly affected conformity-based collective intelligence. Third, the path analysis between conformity-based collective intelligence and fad-like behavior in beauty-related one-person media clarified that conformity-based collective intelligence significantly affected fad-like behavior.
Dilemma of Multisubject Co-Governance of Global Marine Ecological Environment and Implementation Path
Authors: Zhang Weibin
Published: October 2021

The governance of the global marine ecological environment is closely related to human life and needs to adopt a multisubject co-governance system. There is a lack of understanding of the need for co-governance by multiple subjects for global marine ecological environment protection. Global marine eco-environmental multisubject governance is characterised by fragmentation, lack of coordination, and other issues. It should be recognised that global marine ecological environment protection is a task for all to protect humankind’s common heritage ergaomnes. At the same time, the idea of a global marine ecological environment protection led by an ocean community with a shared future should be established. A global marine ecological environment multisubject co-governance model is set up by establishing a global marine ecological environment governance model alongside a multisubject co-governance committee.
Key Barriers of Digital Transformation of the High-Technology Manufacturing: An Evaluation Method
Authors: Borovkov Alexey , Rozhdestvenskiy Oleg , Pavlova Elizaveta , Glazunov Alexey , Savichev Konstantin
Published: October 2021

It is acknowledged that quality of life is related to economic development in a country or region. The impact of the ongoing transfer to the digital economy on economic growth, sustainable development, and quality of life has been a recent academic focus, finding that the development of digitalisation of the economy and society is happening at a comparable pace. Yet, despite the availability of governmental support and overall strategic orientation of top managers, there is evidence of low digital/advanced manufacturing technologies adoption readiness across economic sectors. Therefore, the object of the research is the digital/advanced manufacturing technologies adoption readiness, which can be assessed on both industrial and organisational levels. The authors carried out an expert poll that has shown low digital/advanced manufacturing technologies adoption readiness on the industrial level (average readiness of 2.18 across estimated industries). For this reason, the focus subject of the research is the evaluation method for determining barriers of digital transformation on organisational level. The review of the academic literature and available digital maturity assessment models has shown the lack of metrics for barrier evaluation. The objective of the research is to develop a method for digital-transformation barrier evaluation. An analytical research method is used to develop a ready-to-use method in a form of a questionnaire that can be applied to measure an overall digital-transformation barrier level and identify problem areas for a manufacturing enterprise. The developed method is approbated in two large industrial companies. The overall barrier equals 39.3% for a power engineering company, which is a deterrent barrier. The overall barrier equals 75.0% for a machine-building company, which is a limiting barrier. The results of approbation correspond with results of the expert poll: the power engineering company has a lower barrier level, which is in line with the engine building and turbine engineering industry showing higher levels of readiness to adopt digital technologies. This finding supports the hypothesis about the rationality of the author’s method.
Reduction of Lead and Antimony Ions from the Crystal Glass Wastewaters Utilising Adsorption
Authors: Ojstršek Alenka , Gorjanc Natalija , Fakin Darinka
Published: October 2021

The presented research examined five adsorbents, i.e., zeolite 4A, a mixture of three zeolites (4A, 13X, and ZSM-5), natural zeolite (tuff), activated carbon, and peat, and their potential capability for removal of exceeded ions of lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), sulphates (SO42−), and fluorides (F−) from real wastewater generated in the crystal glass industry, which was previously treated in-situ by flocculation, with the aim to attain the statutory values for discharge into watercourses or possible recycling. The screening experiment evidenced that the tuff was the most suitable adsorbent for the reduction of Pb (93.8%) and F− (98.1%). It also lowered wastewater’s pH sufficiently from 9.6 to 7.8, although it was less appropriate for the reduction of Sb (66.7%) as compared to activated carbon (96.7%) or peat (99.9%). By adjusting the pH of the initial wastewater to pH 5, its adsorption capacity even enlarged. Results from the tuff-filled column experiment revealed reduction of Pb up to 97%, Sb up to 80%, and F− up to 96%, depending on the velocity flow, and thus it could be used for post-treatment (and recycling) of wastewaters from the crystal glass industry. Moreover, the system showed an explicit buffering capacity, but negligible reduction of the SO42−.
Assuaging Microalgal Harvesting Woes via Attached Growth: A Critical Review to Produce Sustainable Microalgal Feedstock
Authors: Rosmahadi Nurulfarah Adilah , Leong Wai-Hong , Rawindran Hemamalini , Ho Yeek-Chia , Mohamad Mardawani , Ghani Noraini A. , Bashir Mohammed J. K. , Usman Anwar , Lam Man-Kee , Lim Jun-Wei
Published: October 2021

Third-generation biofuels that are derived from microalgal biomass have gained momentum as a way forward in the sustainable production of biodiesel. Such efforts are propelled by the intention to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy. Accordingly, growing microalgal biomass in the form of suspended cultivation has been a conventional technique for the past few decades. To overcome the inevitable harvesting shortcomings arising from the excessive energy and time needed to separate the planktonic microalgal cells from water medium, researchers have started to explore attached microalgal cultivation systems. This cultivation mode permits the ease of harvesting mature microalgal biomass, circumventing the need to employ complex harvesting techniques to single out the cells, and is economically attractive. However, the main bottleneck associated with attached microalgal growth is low biomass production due to the difficulties the microalgal cells have in forming attachment and populating thereafter. In this regard, the current review encompasses the novel techniques adopted to promote attached microalgal growth. The physicochemical effects such as the pH of the culture medium, hydrophobicity, as well as the substratum surface properties and abiotic factors that can determine the fate of exponential growth of attached microalgal cells, are critically reviewed. This review aims to unveil the benefits of an attached microalgal cultivation system as a promising harvesting technique to produce sustainable biodiesel for lasting applications.
Brand Personality of Korean Dance and Sustainable Behavioral Intention of Global Consumers in Four Countries: Focusing on the Technological Acceptance Model
Authors: Jung Seung-hye , Kim Joon-ho , Cho Ha-na , Lee Hae-won , Choi Hyun-ju
Published: October 2021

Brand personality is a useful tool that forms a favorable brand image and that ultimately builds powerful brand equity. However, there has been insufficient empirical research on the brand personality of Korean dance. In the context of using culture and the arts to support national competitiveness, we examine traditional Korean dance in terms of a potential brand personality that can influence the perceptions of global consumers. We look at how this brand can affect consumer perceptions of how easy it is to learn Korean dances as well as their perceptions of the physical benefits of these dances. The respondents included global consumers who had listened to or watched Korean dance music and videos on TV and the Internet, searched for and watched Korean dance videos on YouTube, and searched for Korean dance information on social media at least once. A survey was conducted over the course of four months, from October 2020 to January 2021, in four countries: South Korea, the USA, the UK, and South Africa. Valid data were obtained from 649 individuals. We conducted an empirical study by applying and integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM) to the brand personality of Korean dance. A structural equation model was used to analyze the responses. The brand personality of Korean dance enhanced its perceived ease of use and its perceived usefulness among global consumers, which led to positive attitudes toward the dances. Furthermore, it led to a sustainable behavioral intention, that is, interest in learning traditional Korean dances. Since no studies have integrated Korean dance into a single brand personality to use it as a cultural asset, this study makes considerable contributions to the literature.
Construction of the Quality Evaluation Index System of MOOC Platforms Based on the User Perspective
Authors: Su Pei-Yao , Guo Jing-Hong , Shao Qi-Gan
Published: October 2021

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have become a mainstream form of online learning. At present, various countries are vigorously developing MOOC platforms, which provide a helpful platform for people to acquire knowledge and skills. However, the quality of each MOOC platform is different, which is a challenge for learners seeking excellent courses. Since the evaluation of MOOC quality is a multiple criteria decision-making issue, it is important to find the major dimensions and criteria that determine the quality of platforms. This paper determines the weight of each dimension and criterion by using the best worst method (BWM). The results indicate that content accuracy has the greatest impact on MOOC quality. This paper selected five well-known domestic MOOC websites as research objects and used the VIKOR analysis method to rank the platform quality of the five chosen websites. The results show that IMOOC and Xuedong are ranked as the top two websites. This research result helps learners deepen their understanding of MOOC platforms and can serve as a reference for MOOC platforms to improve their quality. Techniques to reduce the uncertainty of expert judgments (such as rough sets, fuzzy theory, grey correlation, etc.) and models that clarify the influence relationship between criteria (DEMATEL-ANP) can be applied in future research.
Evaluation of Land Use and Land Cover Change and Its Drivers in Battambang Province, Cambodia from 1998 to 2018
Authors: Sourn Taingaun , Pok Sophak , Chou Phanith , Nut Nareth , Theng Dyna , Rath Phanna , Reyes Manuel R. , Prasad P.V. Vara
Published: October 2021

The main objective of this research was to evaluate land use and land cover (LULC) change in Battambang province of Cambodia over the last two decades. The LULC maps for 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 were produced from Landsat satellite imagery using the supervised classification technique with the maximum likelihood algorithm. Each map consisted of seven LULC classes: built-up area, water feature, grassland, shrubland, agricultural land, barren land and forest cover. The overall accuracies of the LULC maps were 93%, 82%, 94%, 93% and 83% for 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018, respectively. The LULC change results showed a significant increase in agricultural land, and a large decrease in forest cover. Most of the changes in both LULC types occurred during 2003–2008. Overall, agricultural land, shrubland, water features, built-up areas and barren land increased by 287,600 hectares, 58,600 hectares, 8300 hectares, 4600 hectares and 1300 hectares, respectively, while forest cover and grassland decreased by 284,500 hectares and 76,000 hectares respectively. The rate of LULC changes in the upland areas were higher than those in the lowland areas of the province. The main drivers of LULC change identified over the period of study were policy, legal framework and projects to improve economy, population growth, infrastructure development, economic growth, rising land prices, and climate and environmental change. Landmine clearance projects and land concessions resulted in a transition from forest cover and shrubland to agricultural land. Population and economic growth not only resulted in an increase of built-up area, but also led to increasing demand for agricultural land and rising land prices, which triggered the changes of other LULC types. This research provides a long-term and detailed analysis of LULC change together with its drivers, which is useful for decision-makers to make and implement better policies for sustainable land management.
Economic Policy Uncertainty, National Culture, and Corporate Debt Financing
Authors: Subhani Bilal Haider , Farooq Umar , Bhatti M. Ishaq , Khan Muhammad Asif
Published: October 2021

Financial innovation vis-à-vis economic policy uncertainty (EPU) without due regards being given to debt financing. This paper fills this gap and unveils the dynamic role of national culture in defining debt financing via EPU. We use a sample of 3831 non-financial firms of Asian economies and employ the System Generalized Method of Moments to estimate the regression coefficients. Our findings reveal an inverse relationship between the EPU and debt financing, which suggests that debt finance mitigation strategies are successfully executed in the region. The potential reasons for this include the policies by businesses to reduce business activities and avoid the unfavorable rising financing cost through EPU. On the supply side, the rising EPU induces the banks to accelerate their interest rate due to increased default risk. Similarly, we observe that high uncertainty avoidance (UND) has a negative and significant link with debt financing due to an unpleasant behavior of corporate managers towards debt when they have an alternate source of financing instruments instead of accepting long-term obligations. However, we find that the UND and EPU interaction has a significantly positive impact on debt financing due to the rigid behavior of managers, which forces them to consider cultural traits and converts their risk-averse attitude into risk-friendly behavior. This implies that corporate managers should reflect the sensitivity of the national culture while considering debt financing.
On a Conjecture about the Sombor Index of Graphs
Authors: Das Kinkar Chandra , Ghalavand Ali , Ashrafi Ali Reza
Published: October 2021

Let G be a graph with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G). A graph invariant for G is a number related to the structure of G which is invariant under the symmetry of G. The Sombor and reduced Sombor indices of G are two new graph invariants defined as SO(G)=∑uv∈E(G)dG(u)2+dG(v)2 and SOred(G)=∑uv∈E(G)dG(u)−12+dG(v)−12, respectively, where dG(v) is the degree of the vertex v in G. We denote by Hn,ν the graph constructed from the star Sn by adding ν edge(s), 0≤ν≤n−2, between a fixed pendent vertex and ν other pendent vertices. Réti et al. [T. Réti, T Došlić and A. Ali, On the Sombor index of graphs, Contrib. Math.3 (2021) 11–18] proposed a conjecture that the graph Hn,ν has the maximum Sombor index among all connected ν-cyclic graphs of order n, where 0≤ν≤n−2. In some earlier works, the validity of this conjecture was proved for ν≤5. In this paper, we confirm that this conjecture is true, when ν=6. The Sombor index in the case that the number of pendent vertices is less than or equal to n−ν−2 is investigated, and the same results are obtained for the reduced Sombor index. Some relationships between Sombor, reduced Sombor, and first Zagreb indices of graphs are also obtained.
Different Mechanisms of Translational Symmetry Breaking in Liquid-Crystal Coil–Rod–Coil Triblock Copolymers
Authors: Osipov Mikhail , Gorkunov Maxim , Antonov Alexander
Published: October 2021

A molecular-statistical theory of coil-rod–coil triblock copolymers with orientationally ordered rod-like fragments has been developed using the density functional approach. An explicit expression for the free energy has been obtained in terms of the direct correlation functions of the reference disordered phase, the Flory–Huggins parameter and the potential of anisotropic interaction between rigid rods. The theory has been used to derive several phase diagrams and to calculate numerically orientational and translational order parameter profiles for different polymer architecture as a function of the Flory–Huggins parameter, which specifies the short-range repulsion and as functions of temperature. In triblock copolymers, the nematic–lamellar transition is accompanied by the translational symmetry breaking, which can be caused by two different microscopic mechanisms. The first mechanism resembles a low dimensional crystallization and is typical for conventional smectic liquid crystals. The second mechanism is related to the repulsion between rod and coil segments and is typical for block copolymers. Both mechanisms are analyzed in detail as well as the effects of temperature, coil fraction and the triblock asymmetry on the transition into the lamellar phase.
Exact Solution for Three-Dimensional Ising Model
Authors: Zhang Degang
Published: October 2021

The three-dimensional Ising model in a zero external field is exactly solved by operator algebras, similar to the Onsager’s approach in two dimensions. The partition function of the simple cubic crystal imposed by the periodic boundary condition along two directions and the screw boundary condition along the third direction is calculated rigorously. In the thermodynamic limit an integral replaces a sum in the formula of the partition function. The critical temperatures, at which order–disorder transitions in the infinite crystal occur along three axis directions, are determined. The analytical expressions for the internal energy and the specific heat are also presented.
Hesitant Fuzzy Linear Regression Model for Decision Making
Authors: Sultan Ayesha , Sałabun Wojciech , Faizi Shahzad , Ismail Muhammad
Published: October 2021

An expert may experience difficulties in decision making when evaluating alternatives through a single assessment value in a hesitant environment. A fuzzy linear regression model (FLRM) is used for decision-making purposes, but this model is entirely unreasonable in the presence of hesitant fuzzy information. In order to overcome this issue, in this paper, we define a hesitant fuzzy linear regression model (HFLRM) to account for multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) problems in a hesitant environment. The HFLRM provides an alternative approach to statistical regression for modelling situations where input–output variables are observed as hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs). The parameters of HFLRM are symmetric triangular fuzzy numbers (STFNs) estimated through solving the linear programming (LP) model. An application example is presented to measure the effectiveness and significance of our proposed methodology by solving a MCDM problem. Moreover, the results obtained employing HFLRM are compared with the MCDM tool called technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Finally, Spearman’s rank correlation test is used to measure the significance for two sets of ranking.
Spontaneous Lorentz Violation from Infrared Gravity
Authors: Illuminati Fabrizio , Lambiase Gaetano , Petruzziello Luciano
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we investigate a novel implication of the non-negligible spacetime curvature at large distances when its effects are expressed in terms of a suitably modified form of the Heisenberg uncertainty relations. Specifically, we establish a one-to-one correspondence between this modified uncertainty principle and the Standard Model Extension (SME), a string-theoretical effective field theory that accounts for both explicit and spontaneous breaking of Lorentz symmetry. This tight correspondence between string-derived effective field theory and modified quantum mechanics with extended uncertainty relations is validated by comparing the predictions concerning a deformed Hawking temperature derived from the two models. Moreover, starting from the experimental bounds on the gravity sector of the SME, we derive the most stringent constraint achieved so far on the value of the free parameter in the extended Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
Spectral Norm Regularization for Blind Image Deblurring
Authors: Sun Shuhan , Xu Zhiyong , Zhang Jianlin
Published: October 2021

Blind image deblurring is a well-known ill-posed inverse problem in the computer vision field. To make the problem well-posed, this paper puts forward a plain but effective regularization method, namely spectral norm regularization (SN), which can be regarded as the symmetrical form of the spectral norm. This work is inspired by the observation that the SN value increases after the image is blurred. Based on this observation, a blind deblurring algorithm (BDA-SN) is designed. BDA-SN builds a deblurring estimator for the image degradation process by investigating the inherent properties of SN and an image gradient. Compared with previous image regularization methods, SN shows more vital abilities to differentiate clear and degraded images. Therefore, the SN of an image can effectively help image deblurring in various scenes, such as text, face, natural, and saturated images. Qualitative and quantitative experimental evaluations demonstrate that BDA-SN can achieve favorable performances on actual and simulated images, with the average PSNR reaching 31.41, especially on the benchmark dataset of Levin et al.
Characteristic Length Scale during the Time Evolution of a Turbulent Bose-Einstein Condensate
Authors: Madeira Lucas , García-Orozco Arnol D. , Moreno-Armijos Michelle A. , dos Santos Francisco Ednilson Alves , Bagnato Vanderlei S.
Published: October 2021

Quantum turbulence is characterized by many degrees of freedom interacting non-linearly to produce disordered states, both in space and in time. In this work, we investigate the decaying regime of quantum turbulence in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate. We present an alternative way of exploring this phenomenon by defining and computing a characteristic length scale, which possesses relevant characteristics to study the establishment of the quantum turbulent regime. We reconstruct the three-dimensional momentum distributions with the inverse Abel transform, as we have done successfully in other works. We present our analysis with both the two- and three-dimensional momentum distributions, discussing their similarities and differences. We argue that the characteristic length allows us to intuitively visualize the time evolution of the turbulent state.
On the Controllability of a System Modeling Cell Dynamics Related to Leukemia
Authors: Haplea Ioan Ştefan , Parajdi Lorand Gabriel , Precup Radu
Published: October 2021

In this paper, two control problems for a symmetric model of cell dynamics related to leukemia are considered. The first one, in connection with classical chemotherapy, is that the evolution of the disease under treatment should follow a prescribed trajectory assuming that the drug works by increasing the cell death rates of both malignant and normal cells. In the case of the second control problem, as for targeted therapies, the drug is assumed to work by decreasing the multiplication rate of leukemic cells only, and the control objective is that the disease state reaches a desired endpoint. The solvability of the two problems as well as their stability are proved by using a general method of analysis. Some numerical simulations are included to illustrate the theoretical results and prove their applicability. The results can possibly be used to design therapeutic scenarios such that an expected clinical evolution can be achieved.
Using C++ to Calculate SO(10) Tensor Couplings
Authors: Bhagwagar Azadan , Syed Raza M.
Published: October 2021

Model building in SO(10), which is the leading grand unification framework, often involves large Higgs representations and their couplings. Explicit calculations of such couplings is a multi-step process that involves laborious calculations that are time consuming and error prone, an issue which only grows as the complexity of the coupling increases. Therefore, there exists an opportunity to leverage the abilities of computer software in order to algorithmically perform these calculations on demand. This paper outlines the details of such software, implemented in C++ using in-built libraries. The software is capable of accepting invariant couplings involving an arbitrary number of SO(10) Higgs tensors, each having up to five indices. The output is then produced in LaTeX, so that it is universally readable and sufficiently expressive. Through the use of this software, SO(10) coupling analysis can be performed in a way that minimizes calculation time, eliminates errors, and allows for experimentation with couplings that have not been computed before in the literature. Furthermore, this software can be expanded in the future to account for similar Higgs–Spinor coupling analysis, or extended to include further SO(N) invariant couplings.
Several Integral Inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard Type Related to k-Fractional Conformable Integral Operators
Authors: Tariq Muhammad , Sahoo Soubhagya Kumar , Ahmad Hijaz , Sitthiwirattham Thanin , Soontharanon Jarunee
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we present some ideas and concepts related to the k-fractional conformable integral operator for convex functions. First, we present a new integral identity correlated with the k-fractional conformable operator for the first-order derivative of a given function. Employing this new identity, the authors have proved some generalized inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard type via Hölder’s inequality and the power mean inequality. Inequalities have a strong correlation with convex and symmetric convex functions. There exist expansive properties and strong correlations between the symmetric function and various areas of convexity, including convex functions, probability theory, and convex geometry on convex sets because of their fascinating properties in the mathematical sciences. The results of this paper show that the methodology can be directly applied and is computationally easy to use and exact.
Deep Penetration of UV Radiation into PMMA and Electron Acceleration in Long Plasma Channels Produced by 100 ns KrF Laser Pulses
Authors: Zvorykin Vladimir D. , Arlantsev Sergei V. , Shutov Alexey V. , Ustinovskii Nikolay N. , Veliev Polad V.
Published: October 2021

Long (~1 mm), narrow (30−40 μm in diameter) corrugated capillary-like channels were produced in the axially symmetric 2D interaction regime of 100 ns KrF laser pulses with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) at intensities of up to 5 × 1012 W/cm2. The channels extended from the top of a deep (~1 mm) conical ablative crater and terminated in a 0.5 mm size crown-like pattern. The modeling experiments with preliminary drilled capillaries in PMMA targets and Monte Carlo simulations evidenced that the crown origin might be caused by high-energy (0.1–0.25 MeV) electrons, which are much higher than the electron temperature of the plasma corona ~100 eV. This indicates the presence of an unusual direct electron acceleration regime. Firstly, fast electrons are generated due to laser plasma instabilities favored by a long-length interaction of a narrow-band radiation with plasma in the crater. Then, the electrons are accelerated by an axial component of the electrical field in a plasma-filled corrugated capillary waveguide enhanced by radiation self-focusing and specular reflection at the radial plasma gradient, while channel ripples serve the slowing down of the electromagnetic wave in the phase with electrons.
An Assessment of the Hopping Strategy and Inter-Limb Asymmetry during the Triple Hop Test: A Test–Retest Pilot Study
Authors: Davey Kyle , Read Paul , Coyne Joseph , Jarvis Paul , Turner Anthony , Brazier Jon , Šarabon Nejc , Jordan Matthew J. , Bishop Chris
Published: October 2021

The aims of the present study are to: (1) determine within- and between-session reliability of multiple metrics obtained during the triple hop test; and (2) determine any systematic bias in both the test and inter-limb asymmetry scores for these metrics. Thirteen male young American football athletes performed three trials of a triple hop test on each leg on two separate occasions. In addition to the total distance hopped, manual detection of touch down and toe-off were calculated via video analysis, enabling flight time (for each hop), ground contact time (GCT), reactive strength index (RSI), and leg stiffness (between hops) to be calculated. Results showed all coefficient of variation (CV) values were ≤ 10.67% and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranged from moderate to excellent (0.53–0.95) in both test sessions. Intrarater reliability showed excellent reliability for all metrics (CV ≤ 3.60%, ICC ≥ 0.97). No systematic bias was evident between test sessions for raw test scores (g = −0.34 to 0.32) or the magnitude of asymmetry (g = −0.19 to 0.43). However, ‘real’ changes in asymmetry (i.e., greater than the CV in session 1) were evident on an individual level for all metrics. For the direction of asymmetry, kappa coefficients revealed poor-to-fair levels of agreement between test sessions for all metrics (K = −0.10 to 0.39), with the exception of the first hop (K = 0.69). These data show that, given the inherent limitations of distance jumped in the triple hop test, practitioners can confidently gather a range of reliable data when computed manually, provided sufficient test familiarization is conducted. In addition, although the magnitude of asymmetry appears to show only small changes between test sessions, limb dominance does appear to fluctuate between test sessions, highlighting the value of also monitoring the direction of the imbalance.
Performance of Various Deep-Learning Networks in the Seed Classification Problem
Authors: Eryigit Recep , Tugrul Bulent
Published: October 2021

We report the results of an in-depth study of 15 variants of five different Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures for the classification of seeds of seven different grass species that possess symmetry properties. The performance metrics of the nets are investigated in relation to the computational load and the number of parameters. The results indicate that the relation between the accuracy performance and operation count or number of parameters is linear in the same family of nets but that there is no relation between the two when comparing different CNN architectures. Using default pre-trained weights of the CNNs was found to increase the classification accuracy by ≈3% compared with training from scratch. The best performing CNN was found to be DenseNet201 with a 99.42% test accuracy for the highest resolution image set.
The Uncertain Network DEA Model for Two-Stage System with Additive Relationship
Authors: Jiang Bao , Yang Chen , Li Jian
Published: October 2021

When decision making units (DMUs) have internal structures with imprecise inputs and outputs, uncertain network data envelopment analysis (UNDEA) is appropriate to deal with the efficiency evaluation of these DMUs. However, a deep insight into clarifying the power’s differences between the internal structures of DMUs is a deficiency in the current UNDEA model. To address this issue, in this paper, we propose a new UNDEA model by differentiating the power asymmetry of each sub-stage with assumption of a two-stage system and demonstrate an additive relationship between stage 1 and stage 2 of each DMU. Moreover, the equivalent form and its proof of the new model are also presented for accurate calculation. Finally, a numerical example reflecting three different additive relationships between two sub-stages of DMUs is given to illustrate the results of evaluation.
A Puzzle-Based Data Sharing Approach with Cheating Prevention Using QR Code
Authors: Tsai Chwei-Shyong , Chen Hsin-Liang , Wu Hsien-Chu , Ying Josh Jia-Ching
Published: October 2021

The information technique has developed rapidly. The technique of QR codes is widely applied in our daily life, and the mechanism is suitable to share data. A QR code uses symmetric encryption to store and retrieve data efficiently. However, the security issues of QR codes are seldom discussed by the wider community. Moreover, if the sender wishes only the authorized participant to attain the private data which are shared, the data must be encrypted. Furthermore, we do not know who should be censured when problems arise. In view of this, to maintain the integrity and the confidentiality of information security, this paper proposed a new puzzle-based data sharing scheme to share the private information safely. Firstly, we generated the digital signature of the information, then applied the random grids algorithm to obtain the shares. Then, we disarrayed the shares which contain the information and the digital signature with a puzzle-based encoding method. Afterwards, we concealed them into the cover QR codes. With the QR code mechanism of error correction, the marked QR code remain meaningful. Finally, we could send marked QR codes via transmission. The receiver could use XOR operation to obtain the private information after solving the puzzles and verify whether it was tampered with by the digital signature. The proposed system can recover the lossless data and protect them from being divulged. To deal with the potential hazard of transmission in a public environment, there are more and more studies on data hiding and image authentication.
Inequalities for Laplacian Eigenvalues of Signed Graphs with Given Frustration Number
Authors: Anđelić Milica , Koledin Tamara , Stanić Zoran
Published: October 2021

Balanced signed graphs appear in the context of social groups with symmetric relations between individuals where a positive edge represents friendship and a negative edge represents enmities between the individuals. The frustration number f of a signed graph is the size of the minimal set F of vertices whose removal results in a balanced signed graph; hence, a connected signed graph G˙ is balanced if and only if f=0. In this paper, we consider the balance of G˙ via the relationships between the frustration number and eigenvalues of the symmetric Laplacian matrix associated with G˙. It is known that a signed graph is balanced if and only if its least Laplacian eigenvalue μn is zero. We consider the inequalities that involve certain Laplacian eigenvalues, the frustration number f and some related invariants such as the cut size of F and its average vertex degree. In particular, we consider the interplay between μn and f.
Exploring Neurobehaviour in Zebrafish Embryos as a Screening Model for Addictiveness of Substances
Authors: Havermans Anne , Zwart Edwin P. , Cremers Hans W. J. M. , van Schijndel Maarten D. M. , Constant Romy S. , Mešković Maja , Worutowicz Laura X. , Pennings Jeroen L. A. , Talhout Reinskje , van der Ven Leo T. M. , Heusinkveld Harm J.
Published: October 2021

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide and is highly addictive. Nicotine is the main addictive compound in tobacco, but less is known about other components and additives that may contribute to tobacco addiction. The zebrafish embryo (ZFE) has been shown to be a good model to study the toxic effects of chemicals on the neurological system and thus may be a promising model to study behavioral markers of nicotine effects, which may be predictive for addictiveness. We aimed to develop a testing protocol to study nicotine tolerance in ZFE using a locomotion test with light-dark transitions as behavioral trigger. Behavioral experiments were conducted using three exposure paradigms: (1) Acute exposure to determine nicotine’s effect and potency. (2) Pre-treatment with nicotine dose range followed by a single dose of nicotine, to determine which pre-treatment dose is sufficient to affect the potency of acute nicotine. (3) Pre-treatment with a single dose combined with acute exposure to a dose range to confirm the hypothesized decreased potency of the acute nicotine exposure. These exposure paradigms showed that (1) acute nicotine exposure decreased ZFE activity in response to dark conditions in a dose-dependent fashion; (2) pre-treatment with increasing concentrations dose-dependently reversed the effect of acute nicotine exposure; and (3) a fixed pre-treatment dose of nicotine induced a decreased potency of the acute nicotine exposure. This effect supported the induction of tolerance to nicotine by the pre-treatment, likely through neuroadaptation. The interpretation of these effects, particularly in view of prediction of dependence and addictiveness, and suitability of the ZFE model to test for such effects of other compounds than nicotine, are discussed.
Pharmaceutical Compounds in Aquatic Environments—Occurrence, Fate and Bioremediation Prospective
Authors: Fernandes Joana P. , Almeida C. Marisa R. , Salgado Maria A. , Carvalho Maria F. , Mucha Ana P.
Published: October 2021

Various contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) have been detected in different ecosystems, posing a threat to living organisms and the environment. Pharmaceuticals are among the many CECs that enter the environment through different pathways, with wastewater treatment plants being the main input of these pollutants. Several technologies for the removal of these pollutants have been developed through the years, but there is still a lack of sustainable technologies suitable for being applied in natural environments. In this regard, solutions based on natural biological processes are attractive for the recovery of contaminated environments. Bioremediation is one of these natural-based solutions and takes advantage of the capacity of microorganisms to degrade different organic pollutants. Degradation of pollutants by native microorganisms is already known to be an important detoxification mechanism that is involved in natural attenuation processes that occur in the environment. Thus, bioremediation technologies based on the selection of natural degrading bacteria seem to be a promising clean-up technology suitable for application in natural environments. In this review, an overview of the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals is carried out, in which bioremediation tools are explored for the removal of these pollutants from impacted environments.
Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Aspergillus flavus Strains Producing or Not Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Josselin Laurie , De Clerck Caroline , De Boevre Marthe , Moretti Antonio , Jijakli M. Haïssam , Soyeurt Hélène , Fauconnier Marie-Laure
Published: October 2021

Aspergillus flavus is a phytopathogenic fungus able to produce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a carcinogenic mycotoxin that can contaminate several crops and food commodities. In A. flavus, two different kinds of strains can co-exist: toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. Microbial-derived volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) emitted by toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of A. flavus were analyzed by solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in a time-lapse experiment after inoculation. Among the 84 mVOCs emitted, 44 were previously listed in the scientific literature as specific to A. flavus, namely alcohols (2-methylbutan-1-ol, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol), aldehydes (2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal), hydrocarbons (toluene, styrene), furans (2,5-dimethylfuran), esters (ethyl 2-methylpropanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate), and terpenes (epizonaren, trans-caryophyllene, valencene, α-copaene, β-himachalene, γ-cadinene, γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene). For the first time, other identified volatile compounds such as α-cadinol, cis-muurola-3,5-diene, α-isocomene, and β-selinene were identified as new mVOCs specific to the toxigenic A. flavus strain. Partial Least Square Analysis (PLSDA) showed a distinct pattern between mVOCs emitted by toxigenic and non-toxigenic A. flavus strains, mostly linked to the diversity of terpenes emitted by the toxigenic strains. In addition, the comparison between mVOCs of the toxigenic strain and its non-AFB1-producing mutant, coupled with a semi-quantification of the mVOCs, revealed a relationship between emitted terpenes (β-chamigrene, α-corocalene) and AFB1 production. This study provides evidence for the first time of mVOCs being linked to the toxigenic character of A. flavus strains, as well as terpenes being able to be correlated to the production of AFB1 due to the study of the mutant. This study could lead to the development of new techniques for the early detection and identification of toxigenic fungi.
Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Recombinant Crotamine in Mouse Models of Pain
Authors: Park Jong Yeon , Do Bich Hang , Lee Ju-Seung , Yang Hyun Cheol , Nguyen Anh Ngoc , Krupa Martin , Kim Chong Jai , Jang Yeon Jin , Choe Han
Published: October 2021

Crotamine, a toxin found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, has been reported to have antinociceptive effects. We purified recombinant crotamine expressed in Escherichia coli and investigated its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects using the hot-plate test, acetic-acid-induced writhing method, and formalin test in mice. Recombinant crotamine was administered intraperitoneally (0.04–1.2 mg kg−1) or intraplantarly (0.9–7.5 μg 10 μL−1) before the tests. The paw volume was measured with a plethysmometer. To evaluate the antagonistic and anti-inflammatory effects of naloxone, subcutaneous naloxone (4 mg kg−1) or intraplantar naloxone (5 μg 10 μL−1) was administered before recombinant crotamine. For tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α assays, blood was drawn 3 h after formalin injection and measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intraperitoneal and intraplantar recombinant crotamine had antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, neither of which were affected by pre-treatment with naloxone. The mean serum TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the intraperitoneal recombinant crotamine (0.4 and 1.2 mg kg−1) or intraplantar (2.5 and 7.5 μg 10 μL−1) recombinant crotamine groups than in the saline group and were not affected by naloxone pre-treatment. In conclusion, recombinant crotamine possesses significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects that do not appear to be related to the opioid receptor. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of intraperitoneal or intraplantar recombinant crotamine are related to TNF-α.
Space-Based Photometry of Binary Stars: From Voyager to TESS
Authors: Southworth John
Published: October 2021

Binary stars are crucial laboratories for stellar physics, so have been photometric targets for space missions beginning with the very first orbiting telescope (OAO-2) launched in 1968. This review traces the binary stars observed and the scientific results obtained from the early days of ultraviolet missions (OAO-2, Voyager, ANS, IUE), through a period of diversification (Hipparcos, WIRE, MOST, BRITE), to the current era of large planetary transit surveys (CoRoT, Kepler, TESS). In this time observations have been obtained of detached, semi-detached and contact binaries containing dwarfs, sub-giants, giants, supergiants, white dwarfs, planets, neutron stars and accretion discs. Recent missions have found a huge variety of objects such as pulsating stars in eclipsing binaries, multi-eclipsers, heartbeat stars and binaries hosting transiting planets. Particular attention is paid to eclipsing binaries, because they are staggeringly useful, and to the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) because its huge sky coverage enables a wide range of scientific investigations with unprecedented ease. These results are placed into context, future missions are discussed, and a list of important science goals is presented.