Search Results (37)

Economically motivated adulteration of olive oil, coffee and fruit juice is a persistent food-fraud problem for which Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with chemometrics offers rapid screening. Linear partial least squares (PLS) is interpretable but cannot capture non-linear mixing; neural networks add flexibility at the cost of becoming black boxes. We evaluated a Kolmogorov–Arnold network (KAN), which places learnable univariate functions on its edges and is therefore intrinsically interpretable, against PLS, support-vector regression, random forests, a multilayer perceptron and a one-dimensional convolutional network on three attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–FTIR datasets (olive oil + sunflower oil, coffee + malt flour, orange juice + apple juice; approximately 350, 400 and 400 spectra). All models were compared under identical, leakage-free validation that splits spectra by physical sample. The compact KAN was consistently competitive (cross-validated coefficients of determination (R²) = 0.86, 0.93 and 0.69) and yielded closed-form equations whose variables map to recognised vibrational bands and whose importance ranking agrees with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP; Spearman ρ = 0.86–0.90); symbolic conversion costs no accuracy. We also report the following limits: PLS was strongest where the chemistry was linear (coffee) and the multilayer perceptron was strongest on fruit juice, whose equation is the weakest (R² = 0.47–0.75 across seeds); a parameter-matched perceptron matched the KAN’s accuracy; and leave-one-brand-out validation degraded every model. The KAN is therefore a promising, compact and genuinely transparent alternative under controlled multi-matrix conditions, not a deployment-ready method. Full article

Croatia’s diverse agroecological zones, from Mediterranean coastal areas to continental lowlands, enable the cultivation of a broad portfolio of traditional fruit species that contribute simultaneously to biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, and the development of value-added food and beverage products. This review compiles and harmonizes evidence on six economically and culturally relevant crops and product chains—grapevine and wine, apple, pear, quince, sour cherry, mulberry, and plum with the traditional spirit šljivovica—focusing on genetic resources and cultivar diversity, agronomic and environmental performance, bioactive composition and potential health relevance, processing routes and by-product valorization, and the socio-economic roles of geographical indications, gastronomy, and tourism. Across species, the literature highlights recurring sustainability levers: safeguarding indigenous and old cultivars as reservoirs of adaptive traits under climate change; reducing chemical inputs through cultivar choice, organic and low-input systems, cover crops, and resistant genotypes; strengthening circularity by converting pomace and other residues into spirits, vinegars, functional ingredients, feed, compost, or energy carriers; and increasing rural value capture through branding, protected origin schemes, and experiential tourism. At the same time, production systems face shared constraints, including fragmentation of holdings, labour shortages, phytosanitary pressures, and the need to optimize processing technologies to preserve sensory and bioactive quality while meeting safety and regulatory requirements. By integrating crop-specific evidence with cross-cutting sustainability themes, this review outlines a coherent framework for positioning traditional Croatian fruit resources and their derived products within contemporary sustainable food system transitions. Full article

Smartwatches are widely used to monitor physiological responses during exercise; however, their accuracy in measuring heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) across different exercise modalities remains insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the accuracy of HR and EE measurements obtained from four commercially available smartwatches in comparison with gold-standard reference methods. Sixty-two healthy adult men performed standardized endurance and resistance exercise protocols while simultaneously wearing four smartwatches (Apple, Galaxy, Fitbit, and Garmin). HR was measured using electrocardiography (ECG), and EE was determined using indirect calorimetry. Measurement accuracy was assessed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analysis, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Bland–Altman analyses. All smartwatches demonstrated high accuracy in HR measurements during both endurance and resistance exercises. During endurance exercise, HR measurements from all smartwatch brands were comparable to those obtained via ECG, whereas during resistance exercise, only the Apple Watch showed no significant difference from the ECG. HRs showed strong correlations with ECG readings (r = 0.64–0.97), excellent reliability (ICC > 0.94), and narrow limits of agreement (approximately ±10 bpm). In contrast, the EE measurements exhibited limited accuracy across all devices. During endurance exercise, EE was consistently underestimated with wide limits of agreement. EE accuracy further deteriorated during resistance exercise, showing weak correlations with indirect calorimetry (r = 0.10–0.34) and poor reliability (ICC < 0.45). Overall, smartwatches provide accurate HR measurements across endurance and resistance exercise modalities, supporting their use in exercise intensity monitoring and HR-based training. However, smartwatch-derived EE estimates do not accurately reflect the metabolic demands, particularly during resistance exercises. Future research should focus on improving EE estimation algorithms through multimodal biosignal integration and machine-learning approaches, and validating these methods across diverse populations and exercise modalities. Full article

This theoretical article explores the contrasting ontologies, axiologies, and political economies of transhumanism and posthumanism. Transhumanism envisions the human as an enhanced, autonomous agent shaped by neoliberal and Enlightenment ideals. Posthumanism challenges this by emphasizing relationality, ecological entanglement, and critiques of commodification. Both engage with technology’s role in reshaping humanity. Drawing on Braidotti’s posthumanism, Haraway’s cyborg figuration, Ahmed’s politics of emotion, Berlant’s cruel optimism, Massumi’s affective modulation, Seigworth and Gregg’s affective intensities, Zuboff’s surveillance capitalism, Fisher’s capitalist realism, Cooper’s surplus life, Sadowski’s digital capitalism, Lupton’s quantified self, Schafheitle et al.’s datafied subject, Pasquale’s black box society, Terranova’s network culture, Bratton’s platform sovereignty, Dean’s communicative capitalism, and Morozov’s technological solutionism, the article elucidates how subjectivity, data, and infrastructure are reorganized by corporate systems. Introducing technogensis as the co-creation of human and technological subjectivities, it links corporate-platform practices to future trajectories governed by Apple, Meta, and Google. These branded technologies function not only as enhancements but as infrastructures of governance that commodify subjectivity, regulate affect and behavior, and reproduce socio-economic stratification. A future is extrapolated where humans are not liberated by technology but incubated, intubated, and ventilated by techno-conglomerate governments. These attention-monopolizing, affective-capturing, behavior-modulating, and profit-extracting platforms do more than enhance; they brand subjectivity, rendering existence subscription-based under the guise of personal optimization and freedom. This reframes transhumanism as a cybernetic intensification of liberal subjectivity, offering tools to interrogate governance, equity, agency, and democratic participation, and resist techno-utopian narratives. Building on this, a posthumanist alternative emphasizes relational, multispecies subjectivities, collective agency, and ecological accountability, outlining pathways for ethical design and participatory governance to resist neoliberal commodification and foster emergent, open-ended techno-social futures. Full article

Color visualization on websites and in apps usually tacitly assumes device-independent sRGB color space, bypassing the essential step of characterization—a process that requires expensive equipment and significant time. This work proposes a pseudo-device-independent approach applicable to Apple displays, one of the most renowned brands in this area, eliminating the need for characterization by leveraging the Mobile Display Characterization and Illumination Model (MDCIM). For this purpose, 11 Apple mobile displays were characterized, analyzing variations in parameters from spectroradiometer measurements and improving their sRGB tone rendering curves. Tested on an iPhone XS Max, the Color for the Average Apple Display model (CAAD) improved reasonable to good color matches from 4.0% to 84.3%, while incorrect matches dropped from 85.3% to 4.9% when compared to sRGB. These results are nearly as strong as those of the device-specific MDCIM, suggesting that an average model is a practical alternative to individual display characterization. Full article

This study compares the physicochemical properties of Royal Gala apple snacks fresh and processed using different methods: solar-dried (SD), oven-dried at 65 °C (OD65°) and 85 °C (OD85°) and two commercial brands (CC—commercial apple C and CF—commercial apple F). Evaluated parameters included color, microstructure, acidity, sugar content, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and the presence of heat-induced compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and acrylamide. Commercial samples showed more pronounced color changes and a denser microstructure, with higher browning index (BI) values. The ratio of soluble solids to titratable acidity, an indicator of sensory acceptance, was more influenced by drying methods than temperature. Total phenolic content was highest in fresh apples (123.68 mg GAE/100 g d.m.) and decreased across all drying methods, particularly in solar-dried (SD) samples (78.57 mg GAE/100 g d.m.). Antioxidant activity followed a similar trend, although SD samples performed better than expected, likely due to the retention of certain bioactive compounds. Fresh apples had the highest sugar content (43.25 mg/100 g d.m.), followed by CC (33.81 mg/100 g d.m.), OD65° (33.37 mg/100 g d.m.), CF (31.56 mg/100 g d.m.), OD85° (25.92 mg/100 g d.m.) and SD (25.01 mg/100 g d.m.). Commercial samples were sweeter and darker, with detectable levels of 5-HMF and acrylamide. The findings highlight that drying method significantly affects snack quality. While solar- and oven-dried samples better preserve bioactive compounds, industrial processes enhance sweetness and visual appeal but increase the formation of potentially undesirable compounds. These results are valuable for both consumers and producers aiming to balance sensory quality with nutritional and food safety considerations in dried apple products. Full article

The main objective of this paper is to assess the influence of claims suggesting the eco-friendly nature of products present on food product packaging, consumers’ purchase intentions, and brand image. To achieve this, an experimental study was conducted in which participants were presented with packaging prototypes to explore their purchase preferences and attitudes toward the brand. The study involved two types of food products—apple juice and a box of chocolates. Some packaging prototypes featured pro-environmental attributes, while others did not. The results confirm the positive impact of pro-environmental packaging elements on consumers’ purchase intentions and brand perception. “Eco-friendly” brands were perceived as high-quality and more appealing. In both product categories, the majority of respondents preferred brands incorporating pro-environmental elements on packaging. These findings highlight the potential benefits for brand owners of integrating sustainability-focused content into packaging, which can serve as a competitive advantage in the food market. Full article

Globally, fruit breeders and marketers create trademarked brand names for new varieties which can be protected indefinitely, extending returns on breeding investments. Brand names help promote and differentiate fruits, acting as quality signifiers and simplifying consumer choices. This study introduces brand name evaluation criteria, identifies name classification frameworks, and audits North American and international apple names, covering plant varietal denominations and both trademarked and non-trademarked names. Key criteria for a good brand name include trademarkability, memorability (simplicity, distinctiveness, meaningfulness, sound associations, mental imagery, and emotional impact), and marketability (appropriate brand image and marketing support). Two modified frameworks were used to classify apple names. The audit revealed that the prevalence of using ‘Namesake’ names associated with ‘Real or Fictitious Persons/Places’ has significantly decreased (North America: 4.9 times since the 1920s). The use of ‘Compounding’ names has remained frequent (North America: 25% in the 2020s). Some categories have seen an increased usage as follows: ‘Product Unrelated—Metaphoric’ (North America: 17.5 times) and ‘Unusual Spellings’ (not recorded until the 1980s, recently 6%) names. Since the 1960s, the following categories have remained consistent: ‘Sensory’, ‘Product/Benefit Related’, ‘Product Unrelated—Non-Metaphoric’, and ‘Blending’ names. The findings support fruit and vegetable industries in distinguishing their products through effective brand naming. Full article

The prevalence of digital devices in modern society has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of blue-light emissions on eye health and biological rhythms. Research into blue light emissions from digital devices and their potential impact on eye health emphasizes the importance of understanding and quantifying the extent and scope of blue light emissions produced by commonly used screens (smartphones, tablets, and computers). The goal of this study was to implement a set of methodologies to analyze this emission. A comparative study specifically evaluated three popular Apple devices: the iPhone 12 mini^®, iPad Pro 12.9^®, and the MacBook Pro^®. The devices’ spectral power was measured using a spectroradiometer while displaying text and a game at different brightness levels. The laboratory measurements are compared to known solar irradiance, and all devices tested show blue wavelength peaks between 445 nm and 455 nm, with no expected immediate photobiological risk. We quantified the spectral emission from the three device categories and concluded that blue light levels should not significantly affect eye health. The measurements carried out indicated that the blue irradiance received by the human eye during one minute outdoors is greater than the blue light received by digital devices in approximately 24 h. This study also examines the effectiveness of blue-blocking lenses from well-known brands. The research highlights the importance of quantifying blue light emissions and understanding their potential impact on eye health, so appropriate measures can be developed to mitigate, if needed, adverse effects on ocular structures. A need to clarify the efficacy and usefulness of blue-blocking ophthalmic lenses still remains. Full article

Apple producers are looking for new markets to dispose of their harvest surpluses. One of the solutions may be the production of apple spirits by small distilleries. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of apple cultivars and technological treatments, i.e., pasteurization, depectinization, and deacidification, on the fermentation efficiency and quality of the distillates. Samples for fermentation were prepared from Polish apple cultivars (Antonówka, Delikates, Kosztela, Kronselska). The control samples were raw pulp-based samples. After fermentation, the samples were analyzed for ethanol, residual sugars, and by-product content by the HPLC technique. The distillates were tested for volatile compounds by the GC-MS method and their sensory evaluation was performed. Raw pulp-based samples, independent of the apple cultivar, showed fermentation efficiencies between (75.77 ± 4.69)% and (81.36 ± 4.69)% of the theoretical yield. Depectinization of apple pulp prior to fermentation resulted in the highest ethanol concentration and yield up to approximately 89%. All tested apple distillates were rich in volatile aroma compounds and met the requirements of the EU regulation for hydrogen cyanide content. The obtained results indicate that the tested apple cultivars can be used for the efficient production of apple spirits, providing producers with an opportunity for brand development. Full article

The applications of image classification are useful, especially in the prediction of object categories at a high accuracy rate. The technique helps industrial designers classify the existing products by product appearance and assess the extent to which newly designed products belong to their brand or product family. By doing this, designers classify products by typicality. Yet, the application of image classification of products and brand styles based on typicality is still limited. Thus, we presented a case study in which the extent to which a chair was recognized as a typical Apple product was predicted. In the technique, Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) was used. The results show that the industrial designer can use product typicality for the image classification of products to manage the style of a brand and its products. Full article

Temozolomide (TMZ) is part of the therapeutic armamentarium used in managing pediatric cancers; however, available oral forms (capsules) are not adapted for use in children. Our aim was to assess the dose accuracy and stability of TMZ using capsule contents mixed with food compared with a novel, ready-to-use liquid formulation specifically developed for children (Ped-TMZ, brand name KIZFIZO). Dose accuracy and TMZ stability testing were performed with TMZ capsule contents (90 mg) mixed with food vehicles (apple juice, apple sauce, cream, milk, and mashed potatoes) and compared to an equivalent dose of Ped-TMZ. Acceptance criteria were predefined for TMZ (95.0–105.0%) and its degradation product amino-imidazole-carboxamide (AIC; <1%) content. The delivered dose was significantly higher using Ped-TMZ (96.6 ± 1.2%) and within the predefined criteria for TMZ content, whereas it was systematically under the lower specifications of 95% using capsule-derived preparations with apple juice (91.0 ± 1.5%) and apple sauce (91.6 ± 1.4%), respectively (p < 0.0001). In chemical stability tests, the four food vehicles (apple sauce, cream, milk, mashed potatoes) had a significant effect on TMZ stability (p = 0.0042), and the AIC significantly increased with time in three of the four vehicles (p < 0.0001). Only 1/72 of preparations from capsules met the predefined acceptance criteria, whereas Ped-TMZ showed no TMZ loss, and the AIC remained within specifications. In conclusion, mixing TMZ capsule content with food may result in significant underexposure, possibly even greater in routine practice, as complete food intake by the child is unlikely. Full article

Over the past four decades, people around the globe have experienced unprecedented escalations in the frequency, intensity, magnitude, and location of anomalous hydrometeorological (hydromet) hazards attributed in large measure to the direct and indirect effects of global climate-change-related variability and extremes. The WMO, impelled by an unabated warming of the global climate system and its related extremely anomalous hydromet impacts, chose in March 2022 “Early Warning, Early Action” (EWEA) as the theme for its World Meteorology Day. The theme was praised in a press release by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for the development of a new EWEA initiative to ensure that “every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years”. By mid-2022, several meetings and workshops had already been held by the WMO to forge the new initiative on its road to the UN Climate Conference of Parties (COP27) in November in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. COP27 provided a suitably prominent venue for launching the new USD 3.1 billion, 5-year EWEA initiative; there, Secretary-General Guterres formally tasked the WMO, in partnership with the UNDRR, to lead it. But COP27 proved to be interesting as well as illuminating in other, less publicized ways having to do with EWEA. There, what had been the working title of the new initiative was officially changed to EW4A, “Early Warning for All”. Despite the seemingly perfunctory nature of this change, the reality is that it will almost certainly have outsized impacts on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints (SWOC) met specifically in planning and implementing the new initiative’s “early action” strategies and tactics. It is particularly important to bear in mind that, as things now stand, various unanticipated challenges having to do with the lack of organizational experience and capacity with regard to “early action” are likely to arise with the WMO-led implementation of the new initiative. Considering the new EW4A acronym as if it was a commercial brand can, like this, be instructive in thinking about how the seemingly perfunctory name change—from EWEA to EW4A—will impact the initiative’s implementation of “early action”. Doing so can be instructive because, just as the logos of companies like Apple, Nike, or Starbucks eventually became the face of their respective products, so too have branded acronyms like NASA, IOC, WHO, and INTERPOL become the face of their governmental institutions’ or global initiatives’ respective commissions and commitments. It follows then that if “consumer” interest is to be taken seriously and is (hopefully) long-lasting, then the branding of a new product or initiative must be undertaken with great consideration before a final identifier—be it a logo, a catchphrase, or an acronym—is selected. The question in the case of the new WMO-led initiative, then, is the following: Was this issue seriously taken into consideration before EWEA was so abruptly replaced by EW4A at COP27 in Egypt in November 2022? This pointed question is especially meant to highlight how the continued use of the original EWEA acronym by way of developing regional EWEA centers under the “Early Warning for All” umbrella has the possibility of turning regional potential energy into kinetic energy which will be essential if the theoretical gains of future “early warning” (EW) forecasting science are to be effectively translated into “early action” (EA) strategies and tactics that actually, finally, protect people and property across the entirety of the earth from the impending severe impacts of our changing climate future. Thus does this paper raise valid concerns about the balance between support and funding for EW and EA. Full article

OTT (over-the-top) streaming is a subscription-based video service model that delivers video-on-demand content, films, and series directly to end-users over the Internet, bypassing the need for traditional satellite receiver systems. The most popular OTT service providers include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the viewership rates and subscriber numbers for OTT platforms rapidly increased. Like various other products and systems, usability problems can substantially impact user satisfaction, loyalty, and the intention to continue using OTT services. Therefore, this study aimed to conceptualize the usability of OTT platforms and develop an OTT Usability Measurement Scale for the usability evaluation of OTT platforms based on the Apple tvOS Guidelines and the literature. OTT platform usability was conceptualized with nine constructs, including Accessibility and Customization, Account Management, Data Entry and Search, Branding, Privacy, Navigation, Help, Content, and Design, and the concepts were measured with a scale including 48 items. The validity of the developed scale was tested through two separate survey studies conducted with Netflix web application users. The first survey involved 650 participants. At this stage, an exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate the scale’s measurement properties, and the developed factor structure was confirmed. In the second stage, a survey with 600 participants was conducted, and a confirmatory factor analysis was applied to validate the scale properties. Furthermore, a nomological validation of the developed scale was performed, examining the relationship between the acquired OTT factors and elements such as continued intention to use, satisfaction, and brand loyalty. As a result of the nomological validation, it was observed that the privacy and design factors significantly affected each of the three dependent variables. Full article

Studies developed in the last two decades indicate that environmental product innovations can potentially generate competitive advantages. However, the ethical dimension, now increasingly involved in evaluations for consumer decision-making, has received less attention in academic research. Considering the above, our study investigates the mediating role of ethical aspects in the relationship between environmental product innovation and perceived brand value. To this end, we carried out a quantitative study with 336 university students who are end users of Apple and Microsoft products and services. In addition to investigating the main effect of environmental product innovations on perceived brand equity, we explore the possible mediating effects of ethical behaviors: (i) open-mindedness and (ii) concerns with privacy practices. Our results indicate that environmental product innovations need to be supported by the ethical aspects of companies to have a positive effect on perceived brand equity. Crucially, customers perceive value in environmental product innovation when they can confirm that organizations exhibit ethical correctness, particularly in the sector under study. We understand that our research provides advancement in the field of sustainable innovation. The study confirms that broader approaches, mainly centered on corporate commitments beyond environmental issues, are critical for environmental product innovations to generate perceived brand value. Full article