Search Results (660)

Game meat is recognized as a high-quality food known for its unique sensory properties and numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, the consumption of game meat is still significantly lower compared to other types of meat. The aim of this study was to identify and describe consumer segments that are more inclined to consume game meat. An online survey was conducted with 603 participants from Croatia, and three consumer segments were identified: game meat lovers, occasional consumers of game meat, and consumers averse to game meat. This segmentation was based on consumer attitudes towards game meat, with the groups differing significantly in their consumption behavior, attitudes towards hunting, hunting experience, and sociodemographic characteristics. These results provide valuable insights for game meat producers and the industry, enabling them to develop targeted marketing strategies that cater to the different preferences and requirements of these consumer segments. Full article

Attention Bias Modification (ABM) is a cost-effective mood intervention that has the potential to be used in daily settings beyond clinical environments. However, its interactivity and user engagement are known to be limited and underexplored. Here, we propose Uplifting Moods, a novel mood intervention app that combines gamified ABM and augmented reality (AR) to address the limitation associated with the repetitive nature of ABM. By harnessing the benefits of mobile AR’s low-cost, portable, and accessible characteristics, this approach is to help users easily take part in ABM, positively shifting one’s emotions. We conducted a mixed methods study with 24 participants, which involves a controlled experiment with Self-Assessment Manikin as its primary measure and a semi-structured interview. Our analysis reports that the approach uniquely adds fun, exploring, and challenging features, helping improve engagement and feeling more cheerful and less under control. It also highlights the importance of personalization and consideration of gaming style, music preference, and socialization in designing a daily AR ABM game as an effective mental wellbeing intervention. Full article

Over the last five decades, the modeling of characteristic functions has been the key focus of cooperative game theory research. Solutions for distributing goods among players have been extensively explored, while less emphasis has been placed on examining player interactions. This paper emphasizes the importance of player relationships, with the help of the ‘player interaction index’ to capture coalition formation needs. By representing interactions through a graph, this study deepens the understanding of player relationships and synergies. It elaborates a graphical representation using network analysis to visualize player interactions, enhancing the understanding of the dynamics within the game. Full article

Limited research exists on the breeding ecology of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) in northern Pakistan. This study assessed egg dimensions, clutch size, hatching, fledging, and overall breeding success across different habitats and nests (n = 25) at Totali Game Reserve, Buner. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to analyze the effects of nest site characteristics and nest traits on breeding parameters. Egg dimensions were consistent across sites whereas bush nests had slightly wider eggs. The average clutch size was 5.9 ± 1.7 eggs, with an average of 4.8 ± 1.0 hatchlings per nest. A total of 111 chicks fledged, averaging 4.4 ± 1.0 per nest, yielding an overall breeding success rate of 75.5%. Nests containing six eggs had higher hatching success (76.6%). GLMs results showed a significant positive relationship between clutch size and hatchling, while nest site and traits had no significant effects. However, fledgling success was positively influenced by hatchling numbers, with nests in wetland habitats yielding significantly more fledglings (4.6 ± 0.9) than those from dryland habitats (4.0 ± 1.2). These findings suggest Black Francolins prefer nesting in wetland areas in bushes, likely due to better protection and favorable conditions. Full article

The characteristics of the degrees of freedom (DOFs) of the 3-UPU parallel mechanisms (PMs) are closely related to the orientations of the ending R joints fixed connected with the platforms. The orientations of the ending revolute (R) joints in the Tsai 3-UPU PM cannot naturally realize three translational DOFs. First, this paper gives and proves the geometric conditions of the ending R joint fixed to the platforms that can naturally ensure three translational DOFs of the 3-UPU PMs. Second, based on the common motion/force index and good transmission workspace volume of the 3-UPU translational PMs, the performance map of the PMs is drawn, and the corresponding optimization design area of the PMs is obtained. Finally, combined with the obtained optimization design area, in view of the differences in the constraint and stiffness performance of the 3-UPU translational PMs, the multi-objective optimization is carried out using the game theory algorithm, and the orientations of the ending R joints for the 3-UPU translational PMs with good constraint and stiffness performance are obtained. Full article

In the context of intelligent construction and building industrialization, assembly buildings face many challenges in quality management due to their special design and construction characteristics. Therefore, a comprehensive method for evaluating the quality risk of the whole process of assembly building is proposed. This method is based on game-theoretic combinatorial empowerment and three-dimensional cloud modeling. By identifying the key risk factors, analyzing and classifying the quality risks that may exist in the whole process of the assembly building project, using the game theory combination assignment method to determine its comprehensive weight, establishing the game-theoretic-combinatorial-assignment three-dimensional cloud model, calculating and comparing the distance between the evaluation cloud and the standard cloud, and determining the risk level of the indexes, thereby realizing the comprehensive assessment of the quality risk. Example validation shows that the method yields a risk level of II for the whole project, which is more consistent with the actual situation, and by comparing with the two-dimensional cloud model, it further verifies the effectiveness and advantages of the three-dimensional cloud model in identifying the high hidden risks, and provides a new idea and method for the quality management of the whole process of the assembled building. Full article

Glioblastomas (GBMs), among the most aggressive and resilient brain tumors, characteristically exhibit high angiogenic potential, leading to the formation of a dense yet aberrant vasculature, both morphologically and functionally. With these premises, numerous expectations were initially placed on anti-angiogenic therapies, soon dashed by their limited efficacy in concretely improving patient outcomes. Neovascularization in GBM soon emerged as a complex, dynamic, and heterogeneous process, hard to manage with the classical standard of care. Growing evidence has revealed the existence of numerous non-canonical strategies of angiogenesis, variously exploited by GBM to meet its ever-increasing metabolic demand and differently involved in tumor progression, recurrence, and escape from treatments. In this review, we provide an accurate description of each neovascularization mode encountered in GBM tumors to date, highlighting the molecular players and signaling cascades primarily involved. We also detail the key architectural and functional aspects characteristic of the GBM vascular compartment because of an intricate crosstalk between the different angiogenic networks. Additionally, we explore the repertoire of emerging therapies against GBM that are currently under study, concluding with a question: faced with such a challenging scenario, could combined therapies, tailored to the patient’s genetic signatures, represent an effective game changer? Full article

As the medical information systems continue to develop, the sharing of electronic medical records (EMRs) is becoming a vital tool for improving the quality and efficiency of medical services. However, during the process of sharing EMRs, establishing mutual-trust relationships and increasing users’ participation are urgent problems to be solved. Current solutions mainly focus on incentive mechanisms for users’ honest and active participation, but often ignore the potential impact of research institutions’ behavior on users’ trust and participation. To address this, this paper proposes an incentive mechanism based on evolutionary game theory. It combines the unchangeable nature of blockchain and the dynamic adjustment characteristics of evolutionary games to build a secure and trustworthy incentive system. This system considers the potential malicious behaviors of both users and research institutions, encouraging research institutions to protect users’ privacy, reduce users’ concerns, and guide users to actively contribute data. At the same time, it ensures data security and system trust through clear rewards and punishments. Based on this, we have carried out a comprehensive simulation using game theory. The results confirm that our designed incentive mechanism can effectively achieve its expected goals. Full article

Herein, an evolutionary game model involving the government and practitioners during the registration phase was constructed based on the bounded rationality assumption of prospect theory. The evolutionary stability of equilibrium points was explored under scenarios of ineffective, effective, and highly effective regulation, respectively. The construction industry is a vital pillar of the national economy, and the credit regulation of practitioners in the engineering and construction sector is an essential component of the social credit system. This model forges the foundation for maintaining a well-ordered construction market. In order to illustrate the dynamic decision-making process of working professionals in the engineering and construction fields, numerical experiments were hereby conducted to examine important factors influencing the evolutionary stable outcomes, and comparative experiments were performed by adjusting the discount factor parameter settings. The research findings include the following: (1) evolutionary trends are consistently influenced by the risk preferences of the subjects; (2) inspection intensity exerts a stronger short-term impact on low-credit groups, yet unilaterally increasing inspection intensity has limited policy effectiveness; (3) process restructuring and technological advancements significantly influence the behavior of high-credit groups but have a limited impact on low-credit groups. Additionally, this paper suggests specific regulatory strategies from three perspectives: the role of industry associations, the design of short-term disciplinary mechanisms, and the adjustment of long-term regulatory costs. These strategies are grounded on the experimental results and adapted to the distinct characteristics of high- and low-credit groups. Full article

With the emergence of artificial intelligence and advancements in network technologies, the imminent arrival of 6G is not very far away. The 6G technology will introduce unique and innovative applications of the Tactile Internet in the near future. This paper highlights the evolution towards the Tactile Internet enabled by 6G technology, along with the details of 6G capabilities. It emphasizes the stringent requirements for emerging Tactile Internet applications and the critical role of parameters, such as latency, reliability, data rate, and others. The study identifies the important characteristics of future Tactile Internet applications, interprets them into explicit requirements, and then discusses the associated design considerations. The study focuses on the role of application characteristics of various applications, like virtual reality/augmented reality, remote surgery, gaming, smart cities, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, brain–machine interface, telepresence/holography, and requirements in the design of 6G and the Tactile Internet. Furthermore, we discuss the exclusive parameters and other requirements of Tactile Internet to realize real-time haptic interactions with the help of 6G and artificial intelligence. The study deliberates and examines the important performance parameters for the given applications. It also discusses various types of sensors that are required for Tactile Internet applications. Full article

The prevalence of impaired mental health (MH) has increased in recent decades. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of impaired MH amongst registered Spanish golfers using the GHQ-28 questionnaire. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in Spain between March and August 2024 using a self-administered questionnaire on 298 adult participants. The participants were mainly men (75.1%) over 60 years of age (50.7%) who were married or with a partner (79.5%), and who were active in the job market (56%). Of the participants, 73.5% reported an improvement in MH levels attributed to the game, and 77.2% recommended golf as a way to improve MH. The prevalence of impaired MH was 6.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.1–10.2%). Differences in impaired MH were found according to age (<=45 years: 28.6%; 46–60 years: 5.0% and >60 years: 4.0%; p = 0.001), marital status (married or with a partner: 4.6% vs. other: 14.8%; p = 0.009) and time of play (morning: 3.3% vs. other: 10.3%; p = 0.015). The prevalence of impaired MH detected was low and these results indicated that such playing habits and characteristics may have a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of golf players. Full article

In rugby sevens, multiple high-speed matches in quick succession make effective workload monitoring essential to support decision-making around athlete preparedness and competition strategy. Match characteristics like score differential, player’s competition experience, match type, and opponent may influence workload. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationships between match and player characteristics and three workload measures, session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), mechanical work, and an alternative speed–deceleration–contact (SDC) model. Twenty-two female rugby sevens athletes were monitored across 103 international matches. Data from GNSS-derived playing times, speeds, accelerations, athlete mass, and self-reported ratings of perceived exertion were collected. sRPE and mechanical work were computed, and the SDC model produced predicted values. Associations between player experience, game category, opponent rank, and score differential with each workload measure were tested using ANOVAs with Tukey’s post hoc test. Player experience and match category were significant for all three workload measures. Opponent was significant associated with sRPE and the SDC model, and match outcome was only associated with sRPE. All three workload measures, sRPE, mechanical work, and the SDC model, are valuable but differ in response to contextual and experiential factors. Full article

Brand typicality is crucial in shaping consumer perceptions of brands and poses challenges for novice designers to capture due to their limited tacit knowledge. Using Weka’s image classification, we developed a brand product classification model. A dataset with 600 images was obtained from Asus and MSI, the leading eSports brands, covering various products such as controllers, mouse devices, headsets, and PC gaming components. The random forest classifier achieved an accuracy of 81 to 85%, slightly higher in the PC gaming category. The design features from Asus ROG and MSI game series products were extracted to generate 36 test images. We used keywords as prompts in Midjurney and Stable Diffusion to generate 36 test images. The developed brand product classification model in this study correctly classified 30 images. However, in the OP category, two graphics card images and one casing image were misclassified. In the PC category, two mouse images and a laptop picture were misclassified. Discrepancies between AI-generated images and personal expertise were improved in terms of the efficiency of the model for new designers. The developed model deepens the understanding of brand characteristics, maintains brand coherence, and strengthens product design innovation and market competitiveness. The model effectively assesses brand characteristics in product appearances using AI, highlighting its role in improving early design processes and new product development strategies. Full article

To explore the coupling relationship between information propagation behaviors and evolution dynamics in swarm systems, this paper establishes the SEBAR model based on mean field theory with a macroscopic view of information dissemination. Then, the balance points and basic reproduction number are calculated and a proof of equilibrium stability from the point of view of system stability is given. In addition, the influence of model parameters on propagation behaviors is also analyzed. To stimulate the emergence of cooperative behaviors in a swarm system, a repeated “prisoner’s dilemma” game based on controllable individuals is proposed under the framework of bionic “soft control”. The combination of information propagation and game strategies is used to realize information regulation. The simulation results show that the proposed models and methods can reflect the information communication patterns and evolution characteristics. It also illustrates the viability and effectiveness of regulating information through the evolutionary game. Full article

In the big data era, global business competition focuses on industrial chain coordination. The whole rural e-commerce industry chain, as an advanced system characterized by digital transformation, is experiencing rapid growth. This paper aims to explore the evolutionary mechanism of collaborative behavior in the digital transformation of platform enterprises and participating enterprises across the whole rural e-commerce industry chain. To achieve this, this paper combines prospect theory and evolutionary game theory, introduces the value function and decision weight of prospect theory, and constructs a two-party game model between platform enterprises and participating enterprises. Based on the demonstration of the impact of individual changes in major objective factors, such as the cooperative innovation benefit coefficient, as well as major behavioral characteristic factors, such as decision-makers’ risk attitude coefficients, on enterprises’ strategic choices, we further reveal the influence of the interaction of key factors on the evolutionary results through case simulations. The findings indicate that when the behavior characteristics of the players are introduced, the threshold interval of the cost–benefit ratio of the two sides to reach the optimal state of decision-making is obviously reduced. Under moderate risk attitudes and degrees of loss sensitivity, enhancing the resource absorption capacity of enterprises in the chain and reducing the potential risk loss of platform enterprises to alleviate the influence of subjective behavior characteristics on cooperation willingness are effective measures. Improving innovation ability is the key factor in alleviating the negative impact of uncertainty on the decision-making of both parties. This paper is one of the few studies to integrate prospect theory with evolutionary game analysis in examining the collaborative behaviors between platform enterprises and participating enterprises. Effective strategies are proposed to promote enterprises achieving synergy. Full article