bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Akuntabilitas Kinerja Instansi Pemerintah dalam Perspektif Teori Institusional: Sebuah Pendekatan Penelitian Campuran
Authors: Nadila Zuraifa , Ahyaruddin Muhammad , Agustiawan Agustiawan
Published: June 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan menguji faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah Kota Pekanbaru. Selain itu, penelitian ini juga mengeksplorasi secara lebih mendalam praktik pelaporan akuntabilitas kinerja yang terjadi dalam konteks teori isomorfisma institusional. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode survei kepada 103 orang responden serta wawancara kepada tiga orang pejabat senior yang bekerja pada instansi di lingkungan pemerintah Kota Pekanbaru. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan metode campuran (mix method) dengan desain sekuensial eksplanatori. Teknik analisis data kuantitatif menggunakan regresi linear berganda dan analisis data kualitatif menggunakan metode analisis isi tematik. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah adalah kejelasan sasaran anggaran, regulasi dan komitmen manajemen. Sedangkan faktor insentif ditemukan tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah. Hasil temuan kualitatif menunjukkan bahwa isomorfisma institusional dalam bentuk koersif, mimetik dan normatif terjadi dalam praktik pelaporan akuntabilitas kinerja instansi pemerintah Kota Pekanbaru. Temuan ini memberi implikasi bahwa teori institusional khususnya isomorfisma institusional memang hadir dalam tata kelola organisasi pemerintahan khususnya pemerintah daerah Kota Pekanbaru.
El temor de Diógenes: respuesta a los comentadores
Authors: Cadenas Hugo
Published: June 2021

Respuesta a los comentadores
HOUSE PRICES, RENTAL COSTS, AND MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES
Authors: Lin Che-Chun , Tsai I-Chun
Published: June 2021

Studies have typically adopted the price-rent ratio to determine whether housing exuberance exists and the periods of imbalance between house prices and rental costs. Using the price-rent ratio to conduct tests without considering the effects of mortgage interest rates on user costs may overestimate episodes of exuberance. This study uses data of the overall housing market and those of 10 major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States from 1979Q1 to 2018Q1 to evaluate whether housing exuberance exists in the markets; the results indicate that all the MSAs experienced episodes of exuberance at different times and the overall housing U.S. market was overheated from 1998Q2 to 2007Q3. By considering mortgage rates and using the user-cost-rent ratio, we further determine that short-term housing exuberance emerged in only two MSAs, Los Angeles and Miami, in 2006Q2, which was followed by immediate corrections. Thus, the research results of this study signify that only use the price-rent ratio to determine whether or not rational housing tenure choice made by traders exists is not sufficient. This study provides evidence showing that the method incorporating mortgage interest rates tends to obtain an equilibrium relationship between the rental and housing markets, indicating interest rates play an important role in housing tenure choice.
New species and records of the subgenus Libnotes (Laosa) Edwards (Diptera, Limoniidae) from China with a key to world species
Authors: Kang Zehui , Zhang Xiao
Published: June 2021

Twenty species of Libnotes (Laosa) Edwards, 1926 are known worldwide and three are known from China so far. Here, two species of Laosa are added to the Chinese fauna, of which L. (L.) baiyunensissp. nov. is described and illustrated as new to science, and L. (L.) fuscinervis Brunetti, 1912 is newly recorded from China. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to L. (L.) charmosyne (Alexander, 1958) but can be distinguished by the pleura of the thorax, the relative position of the additional cross veins in cell r3 and r5, and the details of the male genitalia. A key to the world species of Laosa is presented.
Commercialisation of African palm weevil larvae for employment creation and nutritional security in rural Ghana: a financial feasibility approach
Authors: Adams F. , Aidoo R. , Mensah J.O. , Mensah A. , Amankwah K. , Kyei B.K. , Gbadago J.E. , Konadu K.A. , Boateng G. , Oduro A.B. , Attobrah C.K.
Published: June 2021

Edible insects are increasingly recognised as a source of nutritional security, poverty reduction and overall household wellbeing, particularly in rural sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, for instance, edible insects such as the African palm weevil larvae are integral part of traditional dishes, which are widely consumed among different strata of the Ghanaian society. Following the limited supply of these larvae from the traditional source, deliberate efforts at domestication are being promoted as an investment option in Ghana. This paper uses the case study approach based on data from a modern weevil larvae (akokono) micro-farm in the Ashanti region to analyse the financial viability of an insect-based business to guide future investment decisions. Standard capital budgeting tools such as net present value (NPV), benefit-cost ratio (BCR), internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period were employed to assess the financial viability of anakokono micro-farm of 5.47×7.62 m dimension. The results show that a capital expenditure of Gh₵ 5,333.17 (US$ 935.61) is required to establish theakokono micro-farm. With a five-year project life and cost of capital of 33.5%, the investment appraisal generates a positive NPV (Gh₵ 6,065.89 = US$ 1,164.3), BCR that is greater than unity (1.34), and an IRR (37%) which is above the current lending rate on the financial market in Ghana. The paper concludes that domestication of palm weevil larvae is financially viable at the micro-scale even in the face of pessimistic assumptions. These findings have practical implications for small-scale enterprise development in addressing problems of malnutrition and unemployment among vulnerable groups like women and youth in the rural economy of Ghana.
Effects of long-lasting cold storage onTenebrio molitor larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Errico S. , Dimatteo S. , Moliterni S. , Baldacchino F.
Published: June 2021

Insects are an emergent source of proteins in the world nutrition, both for humans and farmed animals, moreover they represent a novel food in Europe. The interest inTenebrio molitor (L.) has particularly grown because its larvae are very rich of high biological value proteins. Although rearing ofT. molitor has lately increased, the long-time conservation of alive larvae, very useful for both production and research, needs more information. Research studies conducted so far have investigated the reactions to low temperature on mealworms pupae and adults, or on larvae at 10 °C and for no more than 48 h. The aim of this study is to test the long-term effects of different times of cold storage at 10 °C on the larval survival and on the ability to become healthy adults and to potentially reproduce normally. The insects, divided in experimental groups, were refrigerated on sterile bran (and 10% of yeast) at 10±1 °C and 63% RH for 4 different periods of storage, from 30 to 120 days. Larval survival (i.e. number of larvae alive and number of pupae, expressed as a percentage), weight gain and presence of pupae were detected at the end of each period. The ability to complete the cycle was assessed by detecting the number of hatched pupae, deformed and well-formed adults. Our research results point out the possibility to storeT. molitor alive larvae for long time (at least 120 days) at low temperature without significant negative effects on their ability to survive, with a relatively small loss (15.81%) and a very small percentage of deformed adults (4.07%). Further researches will be carried out to test the fertility of the well-formed adults and their ability to reproduce.
Depression and Anxiety and Their Associated Factors Among Jordanian Adolescents and Syrian Adolescent Refugees
Authors: Khader Yousef , Bsoul Mayana , Assoboh Labib , Al-Bsoul Maariyha , Al-Akour Nemeh
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety and their associated factors among Jordanian adolescents (
n
= 1,878) and Syrian adolescent refugees (
n
= 1,773) aged 12 to 17 years. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), Patient Health Questionnaire-9-Modified, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire were used in this study. Approximately 27.2% of Jordanian adolescents and 28.3% of Syrian adolescent refugees had depression as assessed by the CES-DC. Among males, 17.6% of Jordanian adolescents and 19% of Syrian adolescent refugees had anxiety. Among females, 28.1% of Jordanian adolescents and 27.3% of Syrian adolescent refugees had anxiety. Overall, Jordanian adolescents and Syrian adolescent refugees had high prevalence of depression and anxiety. Establishing community-based mental health care in Jordan is crucial. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59
(6), 23–30.]
The Importance of Culture in Treating Substance Use Disorder: Example Application With Indigenous People
Authors: Downey Nicole
Published: June 2021

Substance use is a common issue worldwide, but it disproportionately affects the Indigenous population in America. As culture affects many aspects of health and wellness, including the presentation and effectiveness of treatment interventions, it is vital that health care providers look at substance use within a cultural context. The Campinha-Bacote Model: The Process of Cultural Competemility in the Delivery of Healthcare Services model is a helpful tool to assess a cultural group in the context of health care. The knowledge and use of this model may assist health care professionals in providing culturally competent care for the Indigenous population in America, as well as other people from various cultural backgrounds. This model also promotes the consideration of cultural factors in nursing research and evidence-based interventions, which may assist in reducing the current disparities that exist within the Indigenous population. The current article addresses the Campinha-Bacote Model in reference to substance use disorder in the Indigenous population in America and the relation to nursing practice and research. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59
(6), 7–12.]
Kraška presihajoča jezera Pivke (JZ Slovenija) ob visokih vodah novembra 2000
Authors: Kovačič Gregor , Habič Špela
Published: June 2021

Prispevek obravnava značilnosti 17 kraških presihajočih jezer Zgornje Pivke. V času dolgotrajnega deževja v novembru 2000, ko je izmerjena količina dežja več kot trikrat presegala povprečno mesečno količino padavin, se je voda, po več desetletjih, pojavila v vseh jezerih. Izjemoma so bile poplavljene tudi številne druge manjše kraške globeli, kjer ojezeritve še niso bile dokumentirane. S pomočjo terenskih meritev in interpretacijo letalskih posnetkov so bili izmerjeni vodostaji in površine jezer ter prostornina vode v njih. The article presents the characteristics of the 17 intermittent karst lakes of Upper Pivka. During the extended precipitation in November 2000, when the amount of precipitation was more than three times the average, all the lakes were flooded for the first time in several decades. Also several additional small karst depressions were flooded, where overflowing had never been recorded before. By combining field observations with the interpretation of aerial photographs the water level, the extent of the lakes and the volumes of containing water were calculated.
“Gorilas” no imaginário colonial: fantasias sexuais em torno do liame entre o humano e o bestial
Authors: Correa Sílvio Marcus de Souza
Published: June 2021

A descoberta científica do gorila ensejou nova polêmica em torno da classificação dos primatas. Como classificá-lo entre os hominídeos? A curiosidade científica e popular deu azo a fantasias em torno do maior primata. Qual seria o seu comportamento sexual? No imaginário colonial, o gorila esteve por muito tempo entre o humano e o bestial. Para alguns, o gorila era o elo perdido da evolução humana, para outros uma raça degenerada. Essa ambiguidade marca a produção de sentidos, notadamente aquela de viés racista. Discute-se também sobre eventuais permanências e desdobramentos dessas fantasias em meados do século XX.
Mapeando as autoidentificações, a construção das identidades e as subjetividades das “manas trans” da cidade de Maputo
Authors: Mugabe Nelson André
Published: June 2021

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar os processos de descoberta da sexualidade e identidade de gênero das “manas trans” destacando como e em que contextos aprenderam as categorias de identificação sexual e de gênero e também entender as suas subjetividades. Mostro que alguns sujeitos aprenderam a nomear suas identidades sexuais e de gêneros ao longo do tempo de acordo com as fontes de informação que tiveram disponíveis, tais como através da rotulação pela sociedade, mídia e pesquisando na internet. Outros aprenderam suas identificações quando passaram a frequentar uma organização LGBT que busca institucionalizar os termos, os conceitos e as expressões que promovem as melhores formas de falar sobre identidade sexual e de gênero. Para nomear as minhas interlocutoras que fizeram transição de gênero de masculino para feminino, cunhei a expressão “manas trans”. Porém, argumento que as “manas trans” compartilham um gênero com as mulheres, constroem seus corpos, identidades e suas vidas na direção do que consideram femininos e articulam signos femininos dispostos na cultura moçambicana, mas reconhecem que não são biologicamente iguais às “mulheres”. A pesquisa é de carácter etnográfico e baseou-se na observação participante e conversas informais.
A África Queer cruza o Atlântico: contrapondo histórias únicas
Authors: Mathias Jéssica , Venancio Vinícius
Published: June 2021

As experiências queer africanas são múltiplas em suas narrativas, vivências e debates. Ao mesmo tempo em que a sua multiplicidade encontra barreira nas estruturas heteronormativas e patriarcais, ela as subverte a partir das suas sexualidades e gêneros dissidentes. Dessa forma, o presente ensaio bibliográfico tem como objetivo apresentar diferentes abordagens sobre existências e resistências e existências LGBTIQs africanas, assim como as implicações políticas, religiosas e sociais que acompanham esses sujeitos. Para elencar essas questões, partimos da discussão feita nos dois volumes da coletânea Traduzindo a África Queer, que traz ao público brasileiro a tradução parcial do já clássico Queer African Reader.
Inauguração da Casa Sagrada Mau Suma – Rai Alas. Revivendo tradições e alianças em Timor-Leste
Authors: Oviedo Carlos Andrés
Published: June 2021

Este ensaio explora, através de uma narrativa visual, a festa de inauguração da Casa Sagrada Mau Suma – Rai Alas na aldeia de Samatrae, município de Ermera, Timor-Leste. Tal inauguração recria o valor de pertencimento a uma Casa Sagrada e a manutenção de redes de aliança através da troca de bens entre grupos ou “casas”. Guiado pela voz de alguns dos filhos das “casas” que participam do evento, este ensaio busca registrar o repertório cosmológico que estrutura as relações entre pessoas, grupos e ancestrais no Timor-Leste contemporâneo. As imagens foram produzidas durante os três dias da festa de inauguração da Casa Sagrada, entre 18 e 20 de agosto de 2017.
Le virus, la chauve-souris et le totem. Ethnographie des relations inter-espèces dans le contexte biosécuritaire australien
Authors: Morvan Arnaud
Published: June 2021

Cet article examine la perception des frontières inter-espèces entre humains et chauves-souris au regard du dispositif de biosécurité déployé autour du virus Hendra (HeV) en Australie du nord-est. La zoonose hautement létale provoquée par le HeV circule entre les chauves-souris, les chevaux et les humains et reconfigure les relations entre ces trois espèces en désignant les chauves-souris comme des réservoirs de pathogènes, à l’origine de possibles épidémies. Pourtant, ces mammifères sont aussi considérés comme des espèces clés, jouant un rôle vital dans l’équilibre écologique de la forêt australienne. En s’appuyant sur l’anthropologie des zoonoses et les études interspécifiques, l’article analyse les pratiques et les représentations de différents groupes aborigènes et non aborigènes en contact avec les chauves-souris, et interroge la notion de distance aux animaux comme variable de contamination. Il apparaît que l’ontologie totémique, présente chez les Aborigènes, soutient des pratiques cynégétiques et médicinales qui remettent en cause certains principes de la biosécurité et font émerger une conception spatiale de la maladie, proche des agencements de la santé environnementale.
Pesticides et récits de crise dans le monde paysan cambodgien
Authors: Bureau-Point Eve
Published: June 2021

Au Cambodge, l’intensification de la production agricole, par le recours à des semences à haut rendement, l’utilisation d’intrants chimiques et l’amélioration des systèmes d’irrigation, s’est accélérée à partir des années 1990. Les acteurs du secteur agroalimentaire se sont insérés dans des marchés plus complexes, interdépendants et mondialisés. Si les intrants issus de la chimie de synthèse représentent pour les paysans une avancée majeure pour améliorer les rendements agricoles, ils font également l’objet de remises en question croissantes, à l’instar des sociétés occidentales où leurs usages massifs sont de plus en plus controversés. Des récits de crise émergent à l’échelle des scientifiques, des médias, du politique, des organisations non gouvernementales, mais aussi au niveau plus intime des paysans et de la population générale exposée dans son quotidien. Après avoir retracé au préalable l’histoire du développement de l’agrochimie au Cambodge et de sa régulation, cet article rend compte de l’expression de la crise à ces différentes échelles dans le pays.
La crise environnementale et sanitaire des « boues rouges » dans la presse locale en Provence
Authors: Juanals Brigitte
Published: June 2021

Dans le contexte des pollutions industrielles dans le sud-est de la France, cet article analyse le rôle joué par la presse écrite locale dans la circulation de l’information sur la crise des déchets industriels (nommés « boues rouges ») de l’usine d’alumine de Gardanne. Le traitement médiatique des débats environnementaux et sanitaires sur ces déchets est étudié, de manière transversale, dans les cadrages médiatiques et les stratégies de nomination dans la presse locale sur la période 2010-2019. Il apparaît que la construction médiatique d’un problème commun associant la pollution marine et terrestre avec la santé humaine et animale s’est développée au cours de la dernière décennie. Dans la presse locale, la lexie « boues rouges » porte la mémoire de l’accumulation des déchets industriels de l’usine et reste l’expression de la contestation sociale et militante d’une pollution industrielle de grande ampleur.
The Effects of Population Aging and Life Expectancy on Economic Growth
Authors: Kiziltan Mustafa
Published: June 2021

This study examines the effects of gross saving rates, gross capital formation, population aging, and life expectancy on income growth between 1985 and 2018 for selected emerging market and middle-income economies. The estimates by feasible generalized least squares (FGLS), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), canonical cointegrating regressions (CCR), and Driscoll-Kraay methods show the impact of population aging on income growth is positive. However, life expectancy gives positive results for gross domestic product per capita growth and negative results for gross domestic product growth. The results confirm that there is still an increasing population for emerging economies in general. In this respect, they also point to the neutral view approach for these countries. This situation highlights the importance of considering the effects of population aging on sustainable economic growth in emerging countries. For this reason, decision makers in these economies must monitor population structures closely and carefully.
Exploring Elderly Customer-Employee Rapport in Services
Authors: Tosun Petek
Published: June 2021

The increasing share of older people in the population has influenced the economic and social life and services sectors. Banking services are integrated into almost all of the daily transactions and inevitable for older consumers. This study aims to examine the special needs and expectations of older customers in retail banking. A survey was conducted on frontline salespeople in branches. The findings have shown that older consumers expect special attention from their customer relationship managers. The relationship managers have positive attitudes toward older consumers and high customer-employee rapport levels. Attitude and rapport constructs are positively and significantly correlated. In addition, relationship managers were divided into three clusters depending on their rapport levels and perceived branch visit reasons. This chapter has provided current empirical findings, insights, and managerial recommendations about customer-employee relationships in the older consumers and services contexts.
The Societal Transformation Framework Applied to Analyse the Evolution of Demographics in the Mediterranean Area for Geopolitical Analysis (EDMA4GA)
Authors: Trad Antoine
Published: June 2021

The Mediterranean area is probably the oldest structured and urbanized group of different civilizations. These civilizations have various roots, like the Latins; various types of Semite-tribes, North-Europeans, Celtics, Indo-Europeans, Turco-Asians, Persians, Byzantines, and many others nations. This specific mixture of ethnic-groups battled to occupy the Mediterranean area (MA), and many factors played major roles in the evolution of the mentioned area, like the role of economy and demography. Demography is the most important factor is related to the MA's colonization campaigns, which started with the Semite Phoenicians (SP). Many conditions affect demography, like, for example, aging, standard of life, medicine, culture, geographical conditions, and conflicts. In this chapter, the author presents a geopolitical analysis (GA) to analyse the reasons for the MA's and Middle Eastern area's (MEA) actual demographic configurations and tries to predict major future evolutions and probable decline.
How to Age Successfully
Authors: Egilmez Ozum , Koca Gozde
Published: June 2021

Successful aging is a multi-faceted term with continuous attention while the human population is aging around the globe. The aging components differ while the world is changing, such as an increase in life expectancy or dramatic affection of the general COVID-19 pandemic. As aging is investigated in many disciplines, this research's focus is interdisciplinary to be able to reveal the acknowledgment of the benefits of the potential aging country. Therefore, aging is to be determined as a societal issue in this research under the lenses of continuous engagement with life. To that, the authors use fuzzy BWM approach to reveal the relations of components adopted from the MacArthur model of successful aging. Findings revealed that human capital development was the best factor whilst the relevance of successful aging was the worst factor in adopting relevant policies for successfully aging.
Information Management in a Relational Context Innovation and Digitalization
Authors: Salgado Cátia Sofia
Published: June 2021

Digitalization is changing the way we live, work, our relationships, and it couldn't be otherwise if we talk about competitiveness in the maritime transport sector. The world faces considerable technological challenges; so does the maritime sector, turning information technologies into opportunities by using countless data inputs, thus allowing more control, better planning, and a reduction in operational costs while enhancing environmental sustainability. According to Carbone and Martino, ports have been naturally used for transhipment, consisting of the transference of cargo from one mean of transport to another, which has led to a series of new demands and challenges in port management concerns, since goods temporarily remain within the area under the influence of the port. Before its expedition, port activity faces diverse challenges in the management of storage, availableness, and handling, among other issues.
Analysis and Evaluation of Lean Culture Adoption
Authors: Pereira Denise Lopes
Published: June 2021

With increased competition, speculation, changes in customer expectations, and world events that significantly disturb the markets, managers have more technical difficulties in coordinating/monitoring organizational processes and practices. The lean philosophy made it possible, through the identification of the most recurring problems within the company under study, to understand the restructuring needs of the organizational culture, the revision of fundamental key processes, the significant improvement in response times, and the assumption of a commitment by stakeholders from the various areas of activity in the company. In this context, this work, carried out in the scope of internship, aims to analyze and evaluate the importance of adopting the lean concept in a multinational company, inferring about the benefits achieved and the improvements felt with regard to competitiveness and service level. In this sense, it was clear that the adoption of lean allows the optimization of key processes.
A Lean-Kaizen Implementation
Authors: Silva Pedro , Braga Alexandra , Mota Sara , Soares Miguel , Ferreira Marisa R.
Published: June 2021

Sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges facing our generation and the next, and achieving this goal will force society to continuously challenge and overcome itself. In order to attain the required sustainable objectives, many companies are investing in new methodologies, such as the Kaizen-Lean methodology. This chapter focuses on a case study in the food retail industry, a strategic and one of the largest and oldest industries in the world able to thrive even in the face of substantial adversity. The authors systematized the case study in three different stages via an action-research intervention. In a first stage, they identified the most sensitive areas, which enabled them to detect and target the intervention. In a second stage, they implemented and monitored several actions supported by the Kaizen/Lean methodologies. In a third stage, a survey was applied to workers whose work areas had changed in order to analyze and assess the impact of the implemented measures.
Change Management in Digital Transformation
Authors: Geada Nuno
Published: June 2021

Digital transformation is a process in which entities make use of technology to improve their performance, reach, and guarantee better results. It is a structural change in organizations, giving an essential role to the technology. Digital transformation engages processes where organizational actors engage in digital innovation and transform their organizations in order to respond to change in their business and technology environments. So, just like all changes must have models and frameworks that support transition, it is a path in this case, under constant pressure, to achieve goals and have efficient management of the processes that it contains.
Analysis of Research on Knowledge Management in Universities
Authors: Gonzalez-Zamar Mariana D. , Abad-Segura Emilio
Published: June 2021

The teaching management of higher education institutions (HEIs) has traditionally focused on processing compliance with regulated curricular conditions rather than normalizing the learning and knowledge developed to be transferred to society. The motivation of knowledge management in HEIs should be oriented to the strengthening of knowledge preservation strategies. In recent decades, this model has been a growing interest on the part of academics and academic institutions at the international level. The main objective of this study is to analyze the research trends on knowledge management in HEIs worldwide during the period 2000-2019. Bibliometric techniques were applied to a sample of 1,836 articles from scientific journals selected from the Scopus database. The study documented a rapidly growing knowledge base, mostly written by academics located in developed societies. This chapter provides a point of reference for future research on this topic, as well as revealing the intellectual structure of this interdisciplinary field.
Examining the Intention to Invest in Cryptocurrencies
Authors: Pham Quoc Trung , Phan Hiep Hai , Cristofaro Matteo , Misra Sanjay , Giardino Pier Luigi
Published: June 2021

Among investors of cryptocurrencies there are supporters and detractors; this claims for the identification of the behavioral and socio-demographic factors that push to invest (or not) in cryptocurrencies. A survey has been administered to 275 Italian investors. Together with socio-demographic features (gender, income, age, and education), behavioral factors derived from the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived control behavior) and from the financial behavior literature (illegal attitude, herding behavior, perceived risk, perceived benefit, and financial literacy) have been collected and analyzed. While attitude, illegal attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, herding behavior, and perceived risk have a positive impact on investors' intentions. Socio-demographic factors and financial literacy have no influence on the intention to invest in cryptocurrencies. This is the first study that comprehensively investigates the influence of behavioral and socio-demographic factors on the intention of investors to invest in cryptocurrencies.
Modern Subsampling Methods for Large-Scale Least Squares Regression
Authors: Li Tao , Meng Cheng
Published: June 2021

Subsampling methods aim to select a subsample as a surrogate for the observed sample. As a powerful technique for large-scale data analysis, various subsampling methods are developed for more effective coefficient estimation and model prediction. This review presents some cutting-edge subsampling methods based on the large-scale least squares estimation. Two major families of subsampling methods are introduced: the randomized subsampling approach and the optimal subsampling approach. The former aims to develop a more effective data-dependent sampling probability while the latter aims to select a deterministic subsample in accordance with certain optimality criteria. Real data examples are provided to compare these methods empirically, respecting both the estimation accuracy and the computing time.
An Innovative Method to Unravel Neutroshopic Transportation Problem Using Harmonic Mean
Authors: Prabha S. Krishna
Published: June 2021

As a simplification of fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets to symbolize hesitant, conflicting, and curtailed information about factual world tribulations, neutrosophic sets have been established. There are many existing techniques accessible to solve transportation problems in neutrosophic environment. Among those existing routines, the harmonic mean scheme is applied to obtain the optimal resolution to neutrosophic transportation problem. A numerical example is publicized that the proposed technique gives an improved estimate when compared with the existing techniques.
Emotion Recognition Using Facial Expressions
Authors: Jasuja Arush , Rathee Sonia
Published: June 2021

Emotion recognition is an important aspect of human interaction, and this ability of humans to interpret emotions based on facial expressions is a basic element for effective communication. Machine learning can help automate this complicated task with the help of feature engineering. This work proposes some pipelines trained on the JAFFE dataset using feature extraction methods, namely principal component analysis (PCA) and local binary pattern (LBP) combined with Fisher discriminant ratio (FDR) as a feature selection method. In order to build a classification scheme capable of successfully identifying face images related to the six universal emotions and neutral expression, all possible combinations have been empirically analyzed. In the final model, PCA combined with FDR has been used on the support vector machine classifier with a linear kernel. The results obtained are encouraging and this work may also prove important for disciplines other than computer science such as for management purposes.
Securing the Physical Layer in the OFDM-Based Internet of Things (IoT) by Using Frequency Hopping Technique
Authors: Alsadi Ali Subhi , Mohan Seshadri
Published: June 2021

The physical layer security in the context of the internet of things is still one of the challenges due to the resource constraints of the end terminals and the IoT network heterogeneity. Although it has been adopted by different wireless applications due to its high spectral efficiency, the OFDM physical layer remains a challenge. The frequency hopping technique is used to protect the nodes from jamming and eavesdropping attacks. The cyclic prefix manipulation has been simulated against different time-delayed paths and the simulated results compared to the theoretical ones. The comparison shows a close match and the guard width encryption mechanism worked as desired.
An Optimized Bandwidth Estimation for Adaptive Video Streaming Systems Using WLBWO Algorithm
Authors: Agal Sanjay , Gokani Priyank K.
Published: June 2021

The increasing popularity of streaming video is a cause of concern for the stability of the internet because most streaming video content is currently delivered via UDP without any end-to-end congestion control. Since the internet relies on end systems implementing transmit rate regulation, there has recently been significant interest in congestion control mechanisms that are both fair to TCP and effective in delivering real-time streams. Streaming video over the internet requires dealing with bandwidth and delay that vary over time. Many video streaming applications address this problem by adapting the quality of the scalable video. But it produces poor quality service, and sending data on this channel results in buffering time. To trounce these issues, this paper proposed optimized bandwidth estimation for adaptive video streaming systems using the WLBWO algorithm. Originally, the input video is compressed by using the UHE algorithm. Next, the system proposes a KEECC to securely transfer the data. Then, the encrypted data is sent to the receiver via a multipath channel. Before sending the data to the receiver, the bandwidth is estimated by using the WLBWO. Finally, the inverse process is performed. Extensive experimental results showed the effectiveness of the proposed system than conventional methods.
Financial Literacy as Strategy for Enhancing Financial Inclusion of Small Entrepreneurs
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: June 2021

Small entrepreneur performance is always seen along with the complete proportions of financial, strategic, and structural development. The socioeconomic function performed by them is widely known. Yet there is concern regarding their financial literacy due to declining public and private to support and large developments in the financial marketplace. The concern is also deep due to the financial challenges and dearth of financial literacy of them. This may be a major factor for poor financial decision making and even deprived financial inclusion. Further, poor financial literacy causes not only business failures but has a penury multiplier effect. Thus, there is a global reckoning that financial literacy is not only vital for economic-financial stability and development but also as a strategy for financial inclusion. Hence, adopting a conceptual analysis approach, the aim of this study is to deliberate on financial literacy as a strategy for enhancing the financial inclusion of small entrepreneurs in the Indian context.
Labour Emigration From Ethiopia
Authors: Mengistu Ebabu Chekole
Published: June 2021

In recent years, the magnitude and complexity of movements have brought increased attention to the phenomenon of emigration which affects nearly all countries in the world. In developing countries, labour emigration is extremely complex. The main objective of the study is to explore the trends, causes, and challenges of labour emigration from Ethiopia. In-depth interview, key informant interview, observation, and document analysis were used as methods of data collection. Content and document analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. The results of the study show that there is a high level of labour emigration from Ethiopia. Labour emigration from Ethiopia is mostly associated with economic factors such as unemployment, underemployment, and the search for better life in the destination countries. The institutional structure and inter-institutional collaboration in relation to labour emigration are informed by a fragmented framework. As a result, Ethiopian migrant workers are highly vulnerable to human rights violations.
An Ensemble of Hybrid Search-Based Algorithms for Software Effort Prediction
Authors: Rhmann Wasiur
Published: June 2021

Software organizations rely on the estimation of efforts required for the development of software to negotiate customers and plan the schedule of the project. Proper estimation of efforts reduces the chances of project failures. Historical data of projects have been used to predict the effort required for software development. In recent years, various ensemble of machine learning techniques have been used to predict software effort. In the present work, a novel ensemble technique of hybrid search-based algorithms (EHSBA) is used for software effort estimation. Four HSBAs—fuzzy and random sets-based modeling (FRSBM-R), symbolic fuzzy learning based on genetic programming (GFS-GP-R), symbolic fuzzy learning based on genetic programming grammar operators and simulated annealing (GFS_GSP_R), and least mean squares linear regression (LinearLMS_R)—are used to create an ensemble (EHSBA). The EHSBA is compared with machine learning-based ensemble bagging, vote, and stacking on datasets obtained from PROMISE repository. Obtained results reported that EHSBA outperformed all other techniques.
Customer Involvement Facets Stimulating Customers' Intention to Use Internet-Only Bank Services in China
Authors: Li Mei-Lan , Lin Shu-Ping , Chan Ya-Hui , Wu Chia-Huei
Published: June 2021

In this study, the authors extended the perceived risk-value model to include customer involvement to conceptualize an adoption intention model in the context of internet-only bank services (IOBSs). Hypotheses were tested using survey data collected in China. A total of 252 valid questionnaires were returned. Structural equation modeling was used to test two models, an antecedent model, and moderating model, constructed by assuming that customer involvement affects the perceived risk-value model in different ways. The findings verified that the perceived value could explain customers' intention to adopt IOBSs, whereas the influences of perceived risk were discovered to be nonsignificant, reducing the fitness of the perceived risk-value model. However, the opposite result was obtained when customer involvement was considered to exert a moderating effect rather than an antecedent effect. The implications of this research for IOBS service operators are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.
Research on Risk Analysis and Countermeasures of Micro Store Operation Model
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Li , Han Changgen
Published: June 2021

With the rapid development of e-commerce and the increasing popularity of smartphones, online shopping has become a trend of the times, and various online shopping platforms have emerged endlessly. As a new type of shopping platform, the micro store has gradually occupied a place in online shopping with its unique characteristics. In this context, the dissertation first introduces the management of micro-store operation models; then, it summarizes the causes of micro-store operation model risks into seven aspects.
Efficient VM Selection Strategies in Cloud Datacenter Using Fuzzy Soft Set
Authors: Baskaran Nithiya , Eswari R.
Published: June 2021

A cloud data center is established to meet the storage demand due to the rate of growth of data. The inefficient use of resources causes an enormous amount of power consumption in data centers. In this paper, a fuzzy soft set-based virtual machine (FSS_VM) consolidation algorithm is proposed to address this problem. The algorithm uses four thresholds to detect overloaded hosts and applies fuzzy soft set approach to select appropriate VM for migration. It considers all factors: CPU utilization, memory usage, RAM usage, and correlation values. The algorithm is experimentally tested for 11 different combinations of choice parameters where each combination is considered as fuzzy soft set and compared with existing algorithms for various metrics. The experimental results show that proposed FSS_VM algorithm achieves significant improvement in optimizing the objectives such as power consumption, service level agreement violation rate, and VM migrations compared to all existing algorithms. Moreover, performance comparison among the fuzzy soft set-based VM selection methods are made, and Pareto-optimal fuzzy soft sets are identified. The results show that the Pareto-based VM selection improves the QoS. The time complexity of the proposed algorithm increases when it finds best VM for migration. The future work will reduce the time complexity and will concentrate on developing an efficient VM placement strategy for VM migration since it has the greater impact on improving QoS in VM placement.
Understanding the Health Information Sharing Behavior of Social Media Users
Authors: Hong Ying , Wan Meng , Li Zheng
Published: June 2021

Studies have focused on elucidating the sharing behavior of media users. However, few studies have specifically investigated users' health information sharing behavior in the social media context, especially WeChat. This study proposes a theoretical research model that integrates social capital and user gratification with the theory of planned behavior to explore health information sharing behavior of WeChat users. Based on online survey data collected from 616 WeChat users, correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were sequentially performed. It was found that both social capital and gratification factors play important roles in influencing WeChat users' health information sharing. Social interaction, acting both as social capital and gratification factor directly and indirectly generated positive effects on health information sharing intention. In conclusion, this study revealed the key determinants of health information sharing intention among WeChat users and examined the mediation effects to effectively understand users' health information sharing behavior.
Potential effect of fish oil to preserve expression of cell cycle and tight junction regulating genes in colon after di-isononyl phthalate ingestion in albino Wistar rats
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed S. , Ibrahim Hoda A. , Hantash Ehab M.
Published: June 2021

Di-isononyl phthalate (DIP) is considered a high molecular-weight subtype of phthalates that are commonly used and could easily affect the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the main active components of fish oil (FO), and their anti-inflammatory potential was previously documented. The current study was designed to investigate the protective potential of fish oil against the impacts of DIP exposure on the colon of albino Wistar rats. Sixty albino Wistar rats were divided into Control group received corn oil for ten days. Di-isononyl phthalate treated group received DIP. Di-isononyl phthalate + fish oil treated group received both DIP and FO. FO was found to preserve the histological architecture, tight junction and cell cycle of the colon. In conclusion, the current study provided an evidence that FO has a protective potential against DIP further examinations to be done to fully understand the molecular basis of this potential as a step for further clinical applications.
On the effectiveness of treatment options in epistaxis: an analysis of 678 interventions
Authors: Soyka M.B. , Nikolaou G. , Rufibach K. , Holzmann D.
Published: June 2021

Background: Epistaxis represents one of the most common emergencies in ENT clinics around the world. It creates great physical and emotional stress to the patient as well as a financial burden on health-care systems. A lot of research has been performed with regard to aetiology and possible treatment, however, not much effort has been put into analysing the effectiveness of common treatment forms. It is the objective of this study to clarify which of these treatment forms is reliable. Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Level of evidence: 2b. Methods: Between 03/2007 and 04/2008, all epistaxis therapies including relapses and treatment failures at the University Hospital of Zurich have been documented using a computerised questionnaire. Different treatments were compared to each other. Results: An analysis of 678 interventions in 537 patients was performed with emphasis on failure proportions and time to occurrence. The estimated failure proportions of coagulation in anterior epistaxis accounts for 14%. Successful treatment of epistaxis in posterior bleedings could be achieved in 62% by packing and in 97% by surgery with a statistically significant difference between the respective groups. Conclusion: Using our treatment options, anterior epistaxis can be cured reliably by cauterisation. Surgical therapies in posterior bleedings are able to successfully salvage failed packing therapies.
Treatment of epistaxis without the use of nasal packing, a patient study
Authors: Vis Esther , van den Berge Herbert
Published: June 2021

We questioned how many patients with epistaxis can be treated by cautery without the use of nasal packing, as cautery is more effective and efficient. To investigate this, we performed a retrospective study of a cohort of 418 patients with epistaxis who presented to one ENT consultant at the ENT department of Medisch Centrum Leeuwarden (the Netherlands) between 1997 and 2007. Main outcomes were the treatment modality (cautery and/or nasal packing), recurrence of epistaxis and need for hospitalization. In 98% of all patients the bleeding site could be found and treated by cautery. The incidence of recurrent bleeding was 6%. Two percent of all patients had to be admitted to the hospital. This is considerably lower compared with recurrence rates and hospitalization after treatment by nasal packing known from the literature. Therefore we concluded that nearly all patients can be effectively treated by cautery with a low recurrence rate. In addition, this method of treatment is very cost effective. Because cautery requires skill and appropriate facilities, we recommend special attention for this in ENT training programs.
Assessment of chemosensory function using electroencephalographic techniques
Authors: Rombaux Ph. , Huart C. , Mouraux A.
Published: June 2021

Electroencephalographic techniques are widely used to provide an objective evaluation of the chemosensory function and to explore neural mechanisms related to the processing of chemosensory events. The most popular technique to evaluate brain responses to chemosensory stimuli is across trial time-domain averaging to reveal chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERP) embedded within the ongoing EEG. Nevertheless, this technique has a poor signal-to-noise ratio and cancels out stimulus-induced changes in the EEG signal that are not strictly phased-locked to stimulus onset. The fact that consistent CSERP are not systematically identifiable in healthy subjects currently constitutes a major limitation to the use of this technique for the diagnosis of chemosensory dysfunction. In this review, we will review the different techniques related to the recording and identification of CSERP, discuss some of their limitations, and propose some novel signal processing methods which could be used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of chemosensory event-related brain responses.