bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Empirical validation of a new technique (‘select-and-rank’) to measure brand preference
Authors: Karantonis Kosmo , Schnittka Oliver , Farsky Mario , Sattler Henrik 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study introduces and validates a novel quantitative survey-based technique (select-and-rank, SAR) designed to measure brand preference as an outcome of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE). The SAR method combines simplicity with predictive accuracy by leveraging a ranking-based approach leaning on a Zipf distribution—a model demonstrated to effectively represent market shares. Its development addresses the need for a practical and reliable tool in large-scale brand studies, distinguishing itself from traditional methods by offering improved measurement capabilities and reduced cognitive load. Using data from a market representative sample, this initial study demonstrates SAR’s ability to accurately capture brand preference dynamics while comparing its performance against widely used existing measurement techniques. The findings reveal SAR’s enhanced accuracy, robustness, and scalability, making it a valuable addition to the CBBE research toolkit. The study also highlights managerial implications, offering brand managers a technique to capture consumer preferences to assist in optimizing brand positioning and strategy in competitive markets. Finally, recommendations for future research are provided to extend SAR’s application to additional dimensions of CBBE.
Directional transmission of acoustic wave based on sector-shaped structure
Authors: Cai Wentao , Zhao Xinsa , Hao Guodong , Han Jianning 
Published: February 2025

In this paper, three kinds of protocell models were constructed by modulating the steering using a sector structure of the same size, and the artificial acoustic periodic structure was obtained by the array protocell model. At a specific incident frequency, although there are a large number of scatterers, the sound waves do not scatter randomly but can be transmitted directionally along a pre-designed channel, thus achieving the quantum spin Hall effect in acoustics. This structure exhibits broadband characteristics and demonstrates similar directional transmission characteristics at incident frequencies of 127–137 kHz. However, due to the variation in the incident frequency of the sound waves, the wavelength of the incident waves changes accordingly, resulting in different transmission efficiencies. It is found that the incident wavelength of 131 kHz has the best matching coupling characteristics with the structure so as to reduce the acoustic energy loss caused by impedance mismatch. In addition, the sector-shaped acoustic directional transmission model is subject to spin locking, and the channels at different interfaces have different spin locking characteristics. This also provides multiple adjustable degrees of freedom for the directional propagation of sound waves. This research provides new design insights and potential applications for acoustic communication and quantum acoustics.
Transformative possibilities of autoethnography
Authors: Bilgen Wendy 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This chapter presents autoethnography, an increasingly popular albeit controversial research
methodology that draws on the practices of autobiographical writing, narrative inquiry, and ethnography, to
interrogate aspects of the researcher’s own life experiences in order to illuminate and critique personal, social, and
cultural phenomena. After presenting a brief history of autoethnography, this chapter will describe how one might
interrogate one’s own reality, seen as a construct highly dependent on cultural environment and social interactions,
using the tools of self-reflexivity, subjectivity/intersubjectivity, emotionality, and storytelling
to make connections between the inner world of the self and the socio-cultural world out
there. Some of the debates around orientations to analytic, critical, interpretive,
evocative, and artistic styles of autoethnographic research will be considered including
how autoethnographers use a range of narrative forms to tackle sensitive topics and controversial positions sometimes
ignored, distorted, or silenced in traditional research. Finally, the overall purpose of autoethnography — to
represent, break, and remake our personal and shared understandings of individual experiences as
well as systemic practices in need of change — is presented as a transformative pedagogical practice.
Affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics
Authors: Bocanegra-Valle Ana 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This chapter explores the affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in
Applied Linguistics (AL) and assesses if current literature within the fields of ELT/TESOL and of academic literacies
enhances or questions autoethnography as a research method. It first reviews the main approaches to autoethnography
and then moves on to consider the ways autoethnographically-oriented studies from major AL publications meet the goals
of these approaches. At this stage, the contribution of autoethnography to current AL research is examined through
close analysis of 40 studies published in relevant journals and books. In particular, this chapter explores the
affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method that are revealed in these studies. Lastly, the
ethical dilemmas faced by autoethnographers in the studies under review when conducting their research and writing
their narratives are also addressed.
Past, present, and future
Authors: Tan Jing , Chang Xiali 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Exploring how to teach languages effectively in educational research is an ongoing process. In
order to contribute to language education research, this chapter introduces and demonstrates how to apply the research
approach of Currere (Pinar, 1994) in developing critical pedagogy for language
educators by deconstructing the past, co-constructing the present, and reconstructing the future.
Currere provides a methodological framework for the researchers to follow when they examine their
teaching pedagogy, and serves as a counter-narrative for traditional language teaching methods through a
transformative lens. This collaborative research project has four main parts based on the methodological framework:
the regressive step of the past language learning and teaching experiences; the progressive step of the future goals
for social justice and educational democracy; the analytical step of how our past, present, and future reshape our
teaching practices and critical pedagogy; and the synthetical step of reconstructing Applied Linguistics and language
education research (Pinar, 1994). Through this research, we advocate for
the Currere approach and argue that the transtemporal and trans-conceptual steps within
Currere can bring an inner critical perspective for researchers and educators in the field of
Applied Linguistics and language education to advance their teaching pedagogy and related research.
Low-dose CT reconstruction using cross-domain deep learning with domain transfer module
Authors: Han Yoseob 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Objective: X-ray computed tomography employing low-dose X-ray source is actively researched to reduce radiation exposure. However, the reduced photon count in low-dose X-ray sources leads to severe noise artifacts in analytic reconstruction methods like filtered backprojection. Recently, deep learning-based approaches employing uni-domain networks, either in the image-domain or projection-domain, have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in reducing image noise and Poisson noise caused by low-dose X-ray source. Furthermore, dual-domain networks that integrate image-domain and projection-domain networks are being developed to surpass the performance of uni-domain networks. Despite this advancement, dual-domain networks require twice the computational resources of uni-domain networks, even though their underlying network architectures are not substantially different.&#xD;&#xD;Approach: The U-Net architecture, a type of Hourglass network, comprises encoder and decoder modules. The encoder extracts meaningful representations from the input data, while the decoder uses these representations to reconstruct the target data. In dual-domain networks, however, encoders and decoders are redundantly utilized due to the sequential use of two networks, leading to increased computational demands. To address this issue, this study proposes a cross-domain deep learning approach that leverages analytical domain transfer functions. These functions enable the transfer of features extracted by an encoder trained in input domain to target domain, thereby reducing redundant computations. The target data is then reconstructed using a decoder trained in the corresponding domain, optimizing resource efficiency without compromising performance.&#xD;&#xD;Main Results: The proposed cross-domain network, comprising a projection-domain encoder and an image-domain decoder, demonstrated effective performance by leveraging the domain transfer function, achieving comparable results with only half the trainable parameters of dual-domain networks. Moreover, the proposed method outperformed conventional iterative reconstruction techniques and existing deep learning approaches in reconstruction quality.&#xD;&#xD;Significance: The proposed network leverages the transfer function to bypass redundant encoder and decoder modules, enabling direct connections between different domains. This approach not only surpasses the performance of dual-domain networks but also significantly reduces the number of required parameters. By facilitating the transfer of primal representations across domains, the method achieves synergistic effects, delivering high quality reconstruction images with reduced radiation doses.
Shortcuts to Adiabaticity in Anisotropic Bose-Einstein Condensates
Authors: Mishra Chinmayee , Busch Thomas , Fogarty Thomás 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We propose shortcut to adiabaticity protocols for Bose–Einstein condensates trapped in generalized anisotropic harmonic traps in three dimensions. These protocols enable high-fidelity tuning of trap geometries on time scales much faster than those required for adiabatic processes and are robust across a wide range of interaction strengths, from weakly interacting regimes to the Thomas–Fermi limit. Using the same approach, we also design STA paths to rapidly drive interaction strengths in both isotropic and anisotropic traps. Comparisons with standard linear ramps of system parameters demonstrate significant improvements in performance. Finally, we apply these STA techniques to a unitary engine cycle with a BEC as the working medium. The STA methods significantly enhance the engine’s power output without reducing efficiency and remain highly effective even after multiple consecutive cycles.
Fast Restoration Algorithm Model for Membrane Diffraction Imaging
Authors: Wen Lianghua , Li Jiaxun , Du Zhengcong , Liu Hankui , Cheng Xiang , Li Qing , Ran Bing 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Membrane diffraction imaging is a crucial technology for lightweight and large-diameter space-based telescopes. However, the image quality of membrane diffraction imaging system is deteriorating sharply owing to the multiple diffraction orders of diffraction elements and wavefront distortion of the imaging beam. This study successfully determined the optimal solutions of the imaging model parameters of Fresnel zone plates (FZPs) using the stochastic parallel gradient descent (SPGD) algorithm. Subsequently, we proposed a fast restoration algorithm based on the deconvolutions of the FZP imaging model. We conducted image sampling and restoration experiments on the FZP imaging system. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the contrast and gradient of the restored image, leading to enhanced texture and detail in the images.&#xD;
Interaction of Physical and Narrative Experiencing of Heat Transfer Phenomena by Kindergarten Children
Authors: Pahl Angelika , Fuchs Hans U , Zanella Sara , Corni Federico 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We investigate the interaction of physical and narrative forms of experiencing in the construction of concepts by young children in their early encounters with thermal phenomena. 24 children, aged between 4.6 and 6.6 years, were involved in both types of experience: first the physical one, consisting in heating of water by immersion of hot stones, then the narrative one, the listening of an illustrated story told by the teacher. We will present the outcomes of a qualitative investigation aimed at observing the conceptual development of the children by analysing their language in individual interviews performed before and after the intervention. The results in the post-test show that the children improved in their ability to describe the thermal phenomena they observed and developed a better understanding of the processes involved compared to the pre-test.
Teachers’ Perspectives and Practices on Teaching the Properties of Matter
Authors: Ünal Ayçin , Michelini Marisa , Gianni Santi Lorenzo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
This study investigates the perspectives and practices of teachers regarding teaching the properties of matter in elementary and middle schools in Italy and Turkey. The study employed a quantitative research design, utilizing questionnaire to gather data from a sample of teachers. The findings indicate that there are differences in the subtopics and concepts that teachers prioritize when teaching about the properties of matter, as well as in the methods and techniques they use. The study also found that there was a significant difference in the perspectives of teachers based on the country they worked in, but no significant difference was observed in the practices of teachers based on the country and school they worked in. These findings suggest that the country in which a teacher works has a greater impact on their perspectives on teaching the properties of matter than the level of school they work in. Future research may explore additional factors or variables that could influence teachers’ perspectives and practices on teaching the properties of matter in different countries.
Learning Using Mentors: A proposal of a learning method
Authors: Šmahel Jaroslav , Kácovský Petr 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Despite a growing number of research on different types of non-traditional learning methods and their widely known benefits, the integration of these approaches into mainstream educational systems is not as widespread as would be desirable. The implementation of non-traditional learning methods often appears to assume specific school settings significantly tailored for such an implementation (in terms of human resources, time allocation, financial issues, etc.), making them less easily transferable to broader educational practices. The proposed method Learning using mentors was designed to be easily implemented and to help teachers bridge the gap between the usual school settings and the benefits of modern learning methods. This paper provides a summary of the results obtained from two years of experimental implementation of the Learning using mentors method within the physics lessons at a high school.
Building an Autonomous Car: A STEM Teaching/Learning Sequence by Project-Based Learning for the Training of Future Secondary School Teachers
Authors: Portillo-Blanco Ane , Zuza Kristina , Guisasola Jenaro 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In recent years, the use of STEM educational methodology in the classroom has been increasingly promoted, but due to the heterogeneity of approaches and the lack of knowledge on the part of teachers, it is necessary to accompany this process through the design and implementation of research-based STEM Teaching/Learning Sequence (TLS). This study presents the design of a STEM TLS for secondary school that integrates the disciplines of physics and robotics with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) methodology and its implementation and evaluation with future secondary school trainee teachers. For this TLS students have to design and evaluate the programs for the mBot robot depending on different challenges related to kinematics. The impact of this implementation has been analyzed from the content and procedures point of view as well as focusing on the future teachers’ attitudes towards the implementation of the TLS. The results we got were overall positive, highlighting the change registered on their emotions when talking about the project topic.
Land use land cover dynamics and its implications for ecosystem services and livelihoods of Budongo Forest adjacent communities
Authors: Kule Cosmus , Waiswa Daniel , Obua Joseph , Twinomuhangi Revocatus , Babweteera Fred , Eryenyu David 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
A deeper understanding of land use land cover (LULC) dynamics is essential for the sustainable management of the environment and natural resources, and importantly how the changes affect the provision of ecosystem services and community livelihoods. This study examined the spatio-temporal LULC dynamics around Budongo Central Forest from 1995 to 2022 and the implications these changes have on provision of ecosystem services and livelihoods of the local communities. Data were collected using a hybrid approach involving satellite image classification, post-classification change detection, interviews with 156 respondents and 17 key informants. Survey data were subjected to descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H tests and Ordinary Least squares (OLS) regressions. The study results reveal a decline in areas covered by wetlands, forests and grasslands due to expansion of commercial sugarcane plantations, compounded by an increase in population emanating from migrant workers. While the area under subsistence agriculture had a marginal expansion, local communities perceived that the changes in LULC resulted in a decline in households’ food availability, water availability and soil fertility. The study concludes that changes in LULC are associated with significant losses in natural assets and ecosystems. These loses in natural assets have significant effects on the livelihoods of community members. Therefore, there is need for instituting a participatory land use planning approach in the affected communities to mitigate the effects of the LULC changes. This will also help in fostering sustainable natural resource management within the affected communities.
Vegetation influence level on the water resources effectiveness over China
Authors: Lu Tianwei , Han Yong , Deng Ximing , Wu Yonghua 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Water resources play an extremely important role in sustainable development. The hydrological processes from evapotranspiration to precipitation reshape the distribution of surface water resources, and a thorough understanding of these processes can contribute to water resources management. China has experienced vegetation greening in recent years. How China's evapotranspiration, particularly vegetation-related evapotranspiration (transpiration and interception loss), regulates its own water resources effectiveness and the precipitation in surrounding countries remains unclear. Using a high-quality global atmospheric moisture connectivity, evapotranspiration, and precipitation dataset, we find that the regulatory effect of evapotranspiration on precipitation is most pronounced in summer. Annually in China, 57% of the moisture generated by evapotranspiration stays within China, accounting for 39.54% of precipitation sources. The remaining moisture is transported abroad, providing an important source of precipitation for the neighboring countries, especially North Korea and Mongolia. Although grass and bare ecosystems contribute much less moisture than farm and forest ecosystems, they serve as critical moisture sources for the arid interior of China and Mongolia. Vegetation in China has a negative net hydrological effect domestically, which tends to increase across most parts of the country from 2000 to 2020. This research highlights the critical role of vegetation in the transboundary distribution of water resources through moisture transport and provides new insights for sustainable development of water resources.
Simultaneous Reduction of Radiation Dose and Scatter-to-Primary Ratio using a Truncated Detector and Advanced Algorithms for Dedicated Cone-Beam Breast CT
Authors: TSENG HSIN WU , Vedantham Srinivasan , Fu Zhiyang 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Objective. To determine the minimum detector width along the fan-angle direction in offset-detector cone-beam breast CT for multiple advanced reconstruction algorithms and to investigate the effect on radiation dose, scatter, and image quality. Approach. Complete sinograms (m × n = 1024 × 768 pixels) of 30 clinical breast CT datasets previously acquired on a clinical-prototype cone-beam breast CT system were reconstructed using Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm and served as the reference. Complete sinograms were retrospectively truncated to varying widths to understand the limits of four image reconstruction algorithms – FDK with redundancy weighting (FDK-W), compressed-sensing based FRIST, fully-supervised MS-RDN, and self-supervised AFN. Upon determining the truncation limits, numerical phantoms generated by segmenting the reference reconstructions into skin, adipose, and fibroglandular tissues were used to determine the radiation dose and scatter-to-primary ratio (SPR) using Monte Carlo simulations. Main Results. FDK-W, FRIST, and MS-RDN showed artifacts when m < 596, whereas AFN reconstructed images without artifacts for m>=536. Reducing the detector width reduced signal-difference to noise ratio (SDNR) for FDK-W, whereas FRIST, MS-RDN and AFN maintained or improved SDNR. Reference reconstruction and AFN with m=536 had similar quantitative measures of image quality. Significance. For the 30 cases, AFN with m=536 reduced the radiation dose and SPR by 37.85% and 33.46%, respectively, compared to the reference. Qualitative and quantitative image quality indicate the feasibility of AFN for offset-detector cone-beam breast CT. Radiation dose and SPR were simultaneously reduced with a 536 ×768 detector and when used in conjunction with AFN algorithm had similar image quality as the reference reconstruction.