Search Results (15)

This study proposes an asynchronous brain–computer interface (BCI) framework based on steady-state motion visual evoked potentials (SSMVEPs), designed to enhance the accuracy and robustness of control state recognition. The method integrates filter bank common spatial patterns (FBCSPs) and filter bank canonical correlation analysis (FBCCA) to extract complementary spatial and frequency domain features from EEG signals. These multimodal features are then fused and input into a dual-classifier structure consisting of a support vector machine (SVM) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). A weighted fusion strategy is applied to combine the probabilistic outputs of both classifiers, allowing the system to leverage their respective strengths. Experimental results demonstrate that the fused FB(CSP + CCA)-(SVM + XGBoost) model achieves superior performance in distinguishing intentional control (IC) and non-control (NC) states compared to models using a single feature type or classifier. Furthermore, the visualization of feature distributions using UMAP shows improved inter-class separability when combining FBCSP and FBCCA features. These findings confirm the effectiveness of both feature-level and classifier-level fusion in asynchronous BCI systems. The proposed approach offers a promising and practical solution for developing more reliable and user-adaptive BCI applications, particularly in real-world environments requiring flexible control without external cues. Full article

This study explored the use of lucuma fruit powder in an ice cream formulation for the US market. Six ice cream prototypes were developed using five different lucuma fruit powder variants. A central location test was conducted with frequent ice cream consumers (n = 106) to assess acceptance, attribute intensity rating, ideal intensity levels, and purchase intent against a control sample with caramel flavor. The mean overall liking score for all lucuma ice creams was moderate. The overall, aroma, and flavor liking scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for lucuma ice cream samples, whereas the control sample was liked significantly more for texture. The Terrasoul variant of lucuma ice cream was the most liked among all samples, and the control was liked the least. Only the Terrasoul ice cream sample was successful in delivering significantly strong caramel, fruit, and sweet flavor levels; the other lucuma ice cream samples were more comparable to the control. The inclusion of lucuma powder increased powdery mouthfeel perception, negatively impacting texture liking. Consumers perceived all ice cream samples to be weak in flavor and fell short of delivering ideal levels. The US consumers had low–moderate food neophobia scores for lucuma fruit, with 57% showing interest in buying lucuma ice creams. Full article

Mackerel is one of the most popular fish in Korea. However, the determinants of consumer purchase behaviors have not been identified, even though mackerel is an important fish to Korean consumers. This study aims to predict the determinants affecting consumer purchase intentions for mackerel in the Korean domestic market. For this, the author conducted a questionnaire survey, predicted the consumers’ purchase intentions for mackerel using PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling), and evaluated the predictions using the TPB (theory of planned behavior) model. Moreover, this study examined whether there is a difference in consumers’ purchase intentions between Korean and Norwegian mackerel. As a result, it is identified that the quality and utility of exogenous constructs indirectly affected the purchase intention (PI) through attitude toward the behavior (AB). In addition, the PI was affected by the subject norm (SN), which was affected considerably by the industrial conditions (IC) of exogenous constructs. Furthermore, the PI was also influenced by perceived behavioral control (PBC), which has the strongest impact on the PI. However, the purchase determinants of consumers were not different between Korean and Norwegian mackerel. In conclusion, Korean consumers consider quality and utility when they purchase mackerel, and their positive attitude can help them make a purchasing decision. Moreover, the more they recognize the conditions of production, business, and culture, the higher their intention is to purchase mackerel because they are forming a positive social atmosphere. Furthermore, whether they have the financial leeway and repulsion also represents factors in their purchase intention for mackerel. Finally, although Korean consumers prefer domestic seafood, they do not have different preferences when purchasing mackerel. Full article

Industrial control systems (ICSs) play a crucial role in managing and monitoring critical processes across various industries, such as manufacturing, energy, and water treatment. The connection of equipment from various manufacturers, complex communication methods, and the need for the continuity of operations in a limited environment make it difficult to detect system anomalies. Traditional approaches that rely on supervised machine learning require time and expertise due to the need for labeled datasets. This study suggests an alternative approach to identifying anomalous behavior within ICSs by means of unsupervised machine learning. The approach employs unsupervised machine learning to identify anomalous behavior within ICSs. This study shows that unsupervised learning algorithms can effectively detect and classify anomalous behavior without the need for pre-labeled data using a composite autoencoder model. Based on a dataset that utilizes HIL-augmented ICSs (HAIs), this study shows that the model is capable of accurately identifying important data characteristics and detecting anomalous patterns related to both value and time. Intentional error data injection experiments could potentially be used to validate the model’s robustness in real-time monitoring and industrial process performance optimization. As a result, this approach can improve system reliability and operational efficiency, which can establish a foundation for safe and sustainable ICS operations. Full article

We aimed to examine the effects of framed mobile messages (messages emphasizing losses or gains because of a behavior) on young adults’ beliefs about their daily Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS), intentions to take their ICS, adherence, and asthma control. College students (18–29 years) who owned a mobile phone and had a diagnosis of asthma with a prescription for an ICS were recruited. Participants (n = 43) were randomized to receive either gain- or loss-framed mobile messages three times per week for eight weeks. Engagement rates with messages were calculated. Outcomes included beliefs, intentions, adherence, and asthma control. Data collection was performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Mixed-design ANOVA assessed whether outcomes improved differentially from baseline to week eight between gain- and loss-framed groups. Twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to the gain-framed group and 21 to the loss-framed group. There was a 100% retention rate. The engagement rate with the text messages was 85.9%. There was a significant difference in participants’ intentions to take medication and asthma control from baseline. There were no significant changes in other outcomes from baseline. There was no difference in changes in all outcomes between participants receiving gain- versus loss-framed messages. Framed mobile messages improved young adults’ asthma control and intentions to take their medication as prescribed. Full article

Hard carbon is regarded as one of the greatest potential anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of its affordable price and large layer spacing. However, its poor initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) and low specific capacity severely restrict its practical commercialization in SIBs. In this work, we successfully constructed abundant oxygen-containing functional groups in hard carbon by using pre-oxidation anthracite as the precursor combined with controlling the carbonization temperature. The oxygen-containing functional groups in hard carbon can increase the reversible Na⁺ adsorption in the slope region, and the closed micropores can be conducive to Na⁺ storage in the low-voltage platform region. As a result, the optimal sample exhibits a high initial reversible sodium storage capacity of 304 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.03 A g⁻¹, with an ICE of 67.29% and high capacitance retention of 95.17% after 100 cycles. This synergistic strategy can provide ideas for the design of high-performance SIB anode materials with the intent to regulate the oxygen content in the precursor. Full article

Security incidents targeting control systems and the industrial internet of things (IIoT) are on the rise as attackers gain a better understanding of the nature of these systems and their increasing connectivity to information technology (IT). Every year, the number of vulnerabilities associated with these incidents increases, making it impractical to apply timely patches for all of them. The current vulnerability assessments, which are the basis for vulnerability patching, have limitations in that they do not adequately reflect the risk of exploitation in the real world after discovery and do not consider operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) environments other than IT environments. This study proposes to evaluate exploit risk in real-world environments by considering OT/ICS environments and calculating three metrics, including exploit chain risk, exploit code availability, and exploit use probability based on cyber threat information, including IIoT vulnerability data, used in OT/ICS environments. In addition, we construct exploitation scenarios in a control system environment to prioritize vulnerabilities with a high risk of exploitation based on the three metrics. We show that by assessing the risk of attackers’ intentions and exploited technologies for attacks against IIoT devices in a control system environment, we can provide defenders with comprehensive attack risk information for proactive defense. Full article

This study investigated the sensory characteristics and overall acceptability of turmeric- and black-pepper-enriched ice creams. For this purpose, a control sample (C) and a series of flavoured ice creams were prepared as follows: samples with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% of turmeric powder (T0, T1, and T2), and samples with a mixture of turmeric (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%), and 0.02% of black pepper (T0p, T1p, and T2p). Participants (n = 103) were asked to rate the acceptability of the ice creams using a nine-point hedonic scale, the liking of attributes by a five-point scale, the evaluation of attributes intensity by a just-about-right (JAR) scale, and attribute characterisation through a CATA test. They were also asked about their purchase and consumption intention of prepared ice cream samples. The addition of turmeric powder significantly (p < 0.05) affected the sensory properties of the ice cream, whereas no correlation was found between the addition of black pepper and consumers’ ratings of the evaluated samples. According to the results, besides the control sample, the ice cream with 0.5% of turmeric powder and 0.02% black pepper (T0p) had the most desired attributes and the highest score for overall liking (6.94). In conclusion, these valuable spices could be used in the production of ice cream with potential functional properties. Full article

The resistance of cancer and Helicobacter pylori to several drugs reflects a worldwide problem, and it has been the intention of numerous researchers to overcome this problem. Thus, in this study, Acacia nilotica fruits were subjected to HPLC analysis to detect their phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Moreover, A. nilotica‘s anti-H. pylori activity and its inhibitory activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2 cells) were reported. Various compounds with different concentrations, such as ferulic acid (5451.04 µg/mL), chlorogenic acid (4572.26 µg/mL), quercetin (3733.37 µg/mL), rutin (2393.13 µg/mL), gallic acid (2116.77 µg/mL), cinnamic acid (69.72 µg/mL), hesperetin (121.39 µg/mL) and methyl gallate (140.45 µg/mL), were detected. Strong anti-H. pylori activity at 31 mm was reported, compared to the positive control of the 21.67 mm inhibition zone. Moreover, the MIC and MBC were 7.8 µg/mL and 15.62 µg/mL, respectively, while the MIC and MBC of the positive control were 31.25 µg/mL. The concentration of MBC at 25%, 50% and 75% reflected H. pylori’s anti-biofilm activity of 70.38%, 82.29% and 94.22%, respectively. Good antioxidant properties of the A. nilotica flower extract were documented at 15.63, 62.50, 250 and 1000 µg/mL, causing the DPPH scavenging percentages of 42.3%, 52.6%, 65.5% and 80.6%, respectively, with a IC₅₀ of 36.74 µg/mL. HepG-2 cell proliferation was inhibited (91.26%) using 500 µg/mL of flower extract with an IC₅₀ of 176.15 µg/mL, compared to an IC₅₀ of 395.30 µg/mL used against human normal melanocytes. Molecular docking was applied to investigate ferulic acid with the H. pylori (4HI0) crystal structure to determine the best binding mode that interacted most energetically with the binding sites. Molecular docking indicated that ferulic acid was a proper inhibitor for the 4HI0 protein enzyme of H. pylori. A low energy score (−5.58 Kcal/mol) was recorded as a result of the interaction of ferulic acid with the residue’s SER 139 active site caused by the O 29 atom, which was important for its antibacterial activity. Full article

Introduction: The Self-Medication Hypothesis suggests that individuals drink to alleviate undesirable affective states. Behavioral Economics Theory states that individuals deprived of resources (i.e., physically neglected) consume more reinforcing substances when they are available than others. Childhood trauma may indirectly increase impaired control over alcohol (IC; drinking beyond one’s own intentions) and thereby increase alcohol use and problems through the employment of coping-motives. Method: A structural equation model that included sex as a covariate examined mediated paths with 612 university students. Results: Men were less likely to be emotionally abused and were more likely to use greater amounts of alcohol than women did. Physical neglect was directly linked to both more IC and alcohol use. Emotional and sexual abuse were directly linked to more coping motives. Both emotional and sexual abuse were indirectly linked to more alcohol use and its related problems through increased coping motives and IC. Conclusions: Consistent with Behavioral Economics Theory, there was a direct link between physical neglect and IC. We also found partial support for the Self-Medication Hypothesis regarding the emotional and sexual abuse trauma dimensions; they indirectly contributed to alcohol use and its related problems via the mediating mechanisms of more coping motives and IC. Our findings suggest coping motives could be a therapeutic target for intervention among those sexually or emotionally abused. Full article

The Appraisal-Disruption Model (ADM) suggests that individuals use alcohol as a means of dampening negative self-talk. Relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE) emerges from validating one’s self-esteem depending on one’s romantic relationship(s) and is known to predict alcohol-related problems. We hypothesized that RCSE indirectly predicts drinking outcomes through the mediating mechanism(s) of stress and impaired control over alcohol (IC; drinking to excess beyond one’s own intentions). We fit a multiple-group structural equation model with self-report survey data from 479 college students. We used a 20,000 bootstrap technique to examine possible mediated pathways. Consistent with evolutionary theory, our model was moderated by sex: more variance in alcohol-related problems was explained for women (R² = 0.479) than for men (R² = 0.280). RCSE was directly linked to more stress. Furthermore, higher levels of RCSE were indirectly linked to more IC through increased stress, and in turn, more heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems for both men and women. Consistent with the ADM, those with higher levels of RCSE experienced more stress and, in turn, more IC and subsequent adverse alcohol outcomes. Thus, therapists targeting alcohol use disorders (AUDs) may wish to determine if their client’s self-esteem changes dramatically based on their moment-to-moment appraisal of their intimate relationships. Full article

Common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a novel edible plant with a succulent and savory flavor. The plants display prominent epidermal bladder cells (EBCs) on the surface of the leaves that store water and sodium chloride (NaCl). The plants have high nutritional value and are adapted to saline soils. Previous research has determined the impact of NaCl on the growth and mineral content of ice plant, but as NaCl has an impact on a food’s sensory properties, an interesting question is whether saline growth media can affect the plant’s taste and texture, and if this alters consumers’ sensory response to ice plant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory aspects of ice plant, as well as consumer liking in response to increasing NaCl concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution. Four-week-old seedlings of ice plant were transplanted into deep water culture (DWC) hydroponic systems and treated with five NaCl concentrations (0 M [control], 0.05 M, 0.10 M, 0.20 M, and 0.40 M NaCl). Eight-week-old plants (after four weeks of NaCl treatment) were harvested, and the middle leaves of each plant were sampled for consumer testing. A total of 115 participants evaluated various flavor, texture, and appearance aspects of ice plant and provided their liking ratings. The consumers were able to discriminate differences in salt intensity from the plants based on NaCl treatment in the hydroponic nutrient solution. Low NaCl concentrations (0.05–0.10 M) did not have obvious adverse effect on consumer liking, which aligns with the result of previous research that 0.05–0.10 M NaCl could largely stimulate the growth of ice plant. NaCl concentrations higher than 0.20 M are not recommended from both a production and consumer perspective. With increased NaCl level in plant samples, the consumers detected more saltiness, sourness, and fishiness, less green flavor, and similar levels of bitterness and sweetness. NaCl treatment had no effects on leaf appearance and texture, and the consumers’ overall liking was mainly determined by flavor. Overall, ice plant presents some unique attributes (salty and juicy) compared to other edible salad greens; however, consumer awareness of ice plant is very low, and purchase intent is relatively low as well. Consumers picture ice plant being used mainly in salads and in restaurants. Full article

Incredible as it is, researchers have now the awareness that even the most extreme environment includes special habitats that host several forms of life. Cold environments cover different compartments of the cryosphere, as sea and freshwater ice, glaciers, snow, and permafrost. Although these are very particular environmental compartments in which various stressors coexist (i.e., freeze–thaw cycles, scarce water availability, irradiance conditions, and poorness of nutrients), diverse specialized microbial communities are harbored. This raises many intriguing questions, many of which are still unresolved. For instance, a challenging focus is to understand if microorganisms survive trapped frozen among ice crystals for long periods of time or if they indeed remain metabolically active. Likewise, a look at their site-specific diversity and at their putative geochemical activity is demanded, as well as at the equally interesting microbial activity at subzero temperatures. The production of special molecules such as strategy of adaptations, cryoprotectants, and ice crystal-controlling molecules is even more intriguing. This paper aims at reviewing all these aspects with the intent of providing a thorough overview of the main contributors in investigating the microbial life in the cryosphere, touching on the themes of diversity, adaptation, and metabolic potential. Full article

To establish peer-to-peer connections and achieve real-time web-based communication, the Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) framework requires address information of the communicating peers. This means that users behind, say, Network Address Translation (NAT) or firewalls normally rely on the Interactive Connectivity Establishment (ICE) framework for the sake of negotiating information about the connection and media transferring. This typically involves Session Traversal Utilities for NAT (STUN)/Traversal using Relays around NAT (TURN) servers, which assist the peers with discovering each other’s private and public IP:port, and relay traffic if direct connection fails. Nevertheless, these IP:port pieces of data can be easily captured by anyone who controls the corresponding STUN/TURN server, and even more become readily available to the JavaScript application running on the webpage. While this is acceptable for a user that deliberately initiates a WebRTC connection, it becomes a worrisome privacy issue for those being unaware that such a connection is attempted. Furthermore, the application acquires more information about the local network architecture compared to what is exposed in usual HTTP interactions, where only the public IP is visible. Even though this problem is well-known in the related literature, no practical solution has been proposed so far. To this end, and for the sake of detecting and preventing in real time the execution of STUN/TURN clandestine, privacy-invading requests, we introduce two different kinds of solutions: (a) a browser extension, and (b) an HTTP gateway, implemented in C++ as well as in Golang. Both solutions detect any WebRTC API call before it happens and inform accordingly the end-user about the webpage’s intentions. We meticulously evaluate the proposed schemes in terms of performance and demonstrate that, even in the worst case, the latency introduced is tolerable. Full article

A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a tool to communicate with a computer via brain signals without the user making any physical movements, thus enabling disabled people to communicate with their environment and with others. P300-based ERP spellers are a widely used spelling visual BCI using the P300 component of event-related potential (ERP). However, they have a technical problem in that at least $\sqrt{2N}$ flashes are required to present N characters. This prevents the improvement of accuracy and restricts the typing speed. To address this issue, we propose a method that uses N100 in addition to P300. We utilize novel stimulus images to detect the user’s gazing position by using N100. By using both P300 and N100, the proposed visual BCI reduces the number of flashes and improves the accuracy of the P300 speller. We also propose using N100 to classify non-control (NC) and intentional control (IC) states. In our experiments, the detection accuracy of N100 was significantly higher than that of P300 and the proposed method exhibited a higher information transfer rate (ITR) than the P300 speller. Full article