4th International Research Articles

Visual Question Answering Models for Zero-Shot Pedestrian Attribute Recognition: A Comparative Study

Pedestrian Attribute Recognition (PAR) poses a significant challenge in developing automatic systems that enhance visual surveillance and human interaction. In this study, we investigate using Visual Question Answering (VQA) models to address the zero-shot PAR problem. Inspired by the impressive results achieved by a zero-shot VQA strategy during the PAR Contest at the 20th International Conference on Computer Analysis of Images and Patterns in 2023, we conducted a comparative study across three state-of-the-art VQA models, two of them based on BLIP-2 and the third one based on the Plug-and-Play VQA framework. Our analysis focuses on performance, robustness, contextual question handling, processing time, and classification errors. Our findings demonstrate that both BLIP-2-based models are better suited for PAR, with nuances related to the adopted frozen Large Language Model. Specifically, the Open Pre-trained Transformers based model performs well in benchmark color estimation tasks, while FLANT5XL provides better results for the considered binary tasks. In summary, zero-shot PAR based on VQA models offers highly competitive results, with the advantage of avoiding training costs associated with multipurpose classifiers.

Focusing on New Discoveries in Food Technology and Creating a New Future of Nutrition and Health: An Introduction to the 4th International Symposium of Food Science, Nutrition and Health in Dalian, China.

The 4th International Symposium on Food Science, Nutrition and Health (ISFSNH) was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dalian, China, on May 29-31, 2023. The symposium explored the connotations and needs of "The Great Food Perspective" under the theme "Focusing on new discoveries in food technology and creating a new future of nutrition and health" to better address the global emerging diverse food needs. The ISFSNH covered four areas: (1) food processing theory and technology, (2) food safety and quality control, (3) precision nutrition and health, and (4) creation of nutritious and healthy foods. More than 1000 scholars and entrepreneurs from more than 100 colleges and universities globally attended the conference. This special issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry highlights the important topics of the 4th ISFSNH and includes more than 20 papers.

“Indigenous peoples, Business and the state: from the experience of legal regulation in the Russian arctic”

This article examines the role of the Commission on Legal Pluralism and one of its founders, Keebet von Benda-Beckmann (1946–2022), to whose memory I dedicate this analysis of the development of legal anthropology in Russia. In the article, I focus mainly on the indigenous peoples of the North of the Russian Federation. Legal pluralism methodology is important for the rights of indigenous peoples in modern Russia from various perspectives. Introduction to the work of the Commission on Legal Pluralism has been an important step in the formation of an interdisciplinary field of legal anthropology in Russia. Keebet von Benda-Beckmann played a major role in this process, and was involved in the 11th International Congress on Customary Law and Legal Pluralism, which was held in Moscow in 1997. Interdisciplinarity has become a defining trend in the study of the legal status of indigenous peoples in legal anthropology, both for the creation of special legislation and for the protection of indigenous rights. There has also been a significant turn in academic discourse from the study of customary law as a traditional law that existed in the past to the study of it as a regulator of the contemporary life of aboriginal and other communities. Field research in recent decades in the Russian Arctic confirms the need to emphasise the role of the state and globalisation when analysing the legal situation of indigenous peoples in the context of legal pluralism. In this article, two cases are analysed. The first is the development of the Russian Federation Standard on Social Responsibility for Business in the Arctic 2020, with which I was directly involved. My task as a legal anthropologist was to prepare a document that combined international law, national legislation, business standards and regulations, and the customary law of indigenous peoples of the North. The second case is related to the analysis of the regional legislation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) concerning nomadic peoples, and consideration of indigenous customs and traditions in the state legal system. The importance of this perspective for the protection of the rights of these peoples is recognised in the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in response to the complaint filed by Gennady Shchukin, a representative of the Dolgan community of Krasnoyarsk Region, relating to the value of customary law in the regulation of hunting. Such judicial practice is rare, but it is of great importance in determining the status of indigenous peoples in the eyes of the state. This article deals with the possibility of taking into account the customary law of small indigenous peoples of the North based on documents adopted before 2022.

Periodicals beyond Hierarchies: Challenging Geopolitical and Social ‘Centres’ and ‘Peripheries’

This special issue of the Journal of European Periodical Studies emerges from the 10th International European Society for Periodical Research (ESPRit) conference and postgraduate workshop, held in September 2022 at the Museum of Fine Arts – Central European Research Institute for Art History (KEMKI) in Budapest, Hungary, in collaboration with the Petőfi Literary Museum – Kassák Museum. Focused on the theme of ‘Periodicals beyond Hierarchies: Challenging Geopolitical and Social “Centres” and “Peripheries” through the Press’, the conference attracted scholars from diverse backgrounds who explored core–periphery tensions in various contexts. The essays included in this issue, stemming from selected presentations at the Budapest conference, offer an introduction to the spatial breadth and historical dimensions of the centre–periphery lens within periodical studies. Building upon theoretical foundations dating back to Raúl Prebisch’s recognition of core–periphery disparities in the 1920s, and subsequent critiques such as Immanuel Wallerstein’s identification of semi-peripheral regions, these essays critically engage with the evolving discourse surrounding core–periphery dynamics. Ultimately, this collection encourages a nuanced understanding of periodicals as cultural maps that survey the complexities of collaboration, competition, and conflict across diverse geographic landscapes. By doing so, it prompts critical interrogation of the centre–periphery model, questions its utility in enriching our understanding of periodical dynamics, and challenges preconceived notions of centrality and peripherality within periodical studies specifically, and cultural studies more generally.

Selected Abstracts of the 24th International Scientific Students' Conference held at the Hungarian University of Sports Science, April 24–26, 2024, Budapest, Hungary

Selected Abstracts of the 24th International Scientific Students' Conference held at the Hungarian University of Sports Science, April 24–26, 2024, Budapest, Hungary

The 17th International Meeting on Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer (IMPAHC) : May 23-24, 2023 Rockville, Maryland, United States.

The 17th International Meeting on Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer (IMPAHC) : May 23-24, 2023 Rockville, Maryland, United States.

Preface: 5th International Conference on Business Management, Humanities and Education Engineering (BMHEE 2024)

The 2024 5th International Conference on Business Management, Humanities and Education Engineering (BMHEE 2024) was held on April 27-28, 2024, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The aim of this conference is to bring together innovative academics and experts in the fields of business management, applied economics, corporate governance, humanities, education engineering, and social sciences to a common forum. The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences. BMHEE 2024 provides a forum for all attendees to share and exchange ideas and research findings in respective fields. The conference allows the exchange of knowledge between different research domestic and foreign centers representing various fields. We enjoyed 4 keynote speeches and many oral presentations made by the authors which lasted for 10-15 minutes each, and a lot of inspiration sparked during the Q&A parts. Researchers who have contributed their work to BMHEE 2024 shared their findings and experience with other researchers and attendees. Many participants without any contribution of research paper have also been allowed to attend the conference to gain knowledge in their respective areas. This conference is initiated to contribute cutting-edge ideas. Thanks to the dedication of every committee member and the reviewers, we finally made this conference. Organizing Committee of BMHEE 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark

Preface: 5th International Conference on World Trade and Economic Development (WTED 2024)

We want to present the 2024 5th International Conference on World Trade and Economic Development (WTED 2024) held in Miami, USA during May 11-12, 2024. This conference was held both on-site and online. In general, there are two sessions, namely plenary and parallel. The plenary session was given to three keynote speakers, which ends with a Q&A session. Parallel session is for authors who present their papers and is carried out in four groups. As a scientific forum, the WTED 2024 was attended by 56 participants from researcher, scholar, students, teachers, engineers, and practitioners who participate either as presenters or as participants. The main aim of this conference is to share ideas and knowledge and build collaboration with each other. We received many papers that will be selected to be published with the scope of world trade, economic development, and related area. In this volume, we accept a small number of papers for publication after meeting the scope, checking originality, and performing peer review. We are hoping that this event will become a foothold of thinking in welcoming global developments. The organizing and editorial committee of WTED 2024 hopes you enjoy reading this volume. Besides, we would like to fully respect keynote speakers and all the presenters for providing their valuable contributions for this proceeding and the reviewers for their constructive recommendations to improve the presented articles. We, on behalf of the committee, would like to thank all parties for their participation in supporting this publication. WTED Organizing Committees Miami, USA

The 6th International Conference of Palaeogeography held in Nanjing, China

The 6th International Conference of Palaeogeography held in Nanjing, China

17th International Congress on Toxoplasmosis (ToxoXVII) Berlin, Germany, May 26th–29th 2024

17th International Congress on Toxoplasmosis (ToxoXVII) Berlin, Germany, May 26th–29th 2024

Preface: 6th International Symposium on Economic Development and Management Innovation (EDMI 2024)

Preface: 6th International Symposium on Economic Development and Management Innovation (EDMI 2024)

Message from the Guest Editors of the Joint 21st International Heat Pipe Conference and 15th International Heat Pipe Symposium Special Issue

Message from the Guest Editors of the Joint 21st International Heat Pipe Conference and 15th International Heat Pipe Symposium Special Issue

Severity of effect considerations regarding the use of mutation as a toxicological endpoint for risk assessment: A report from the 8th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT).

Exposure levels without appreciable human health risk may be determined by dividing a point of departure on a dose-response curve (e.g., benchmark dose) by a composite adjustment factor (AF). An "effect severity" AF (ESAF) is employed in some regulatory contexts. An ESAF of 10 may be incorporated in the derivation of a health-based guidance value (HBGV) when a "severe" toxicological endpoint, such as teratogenicity, irreversible reproductive effects, neurotoxicity, or cancer was observed in the reference study. Although mutation data have been used historically for hazard identification, this endpoint is suitable for quantitative dose-response modeling and risk assessment. As part of the 8th International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing, a sub-group of the Quantitative Analysis Work Group (WG) explored how the concept of effect severity could be applied to mutation. To approach this question, the WG reviewed the prevailing regulatory guidance on how an ESAF is incorporated into risk assessments, evaluated current knowledge of associations between germline or somatic mutation and severe disease risk, and mined available data on the fraction of human germline mutations expected to cause severe disease. Based on this review and given that mutations are irreversible and some cause severe human disease, in regulatory settings where an ESAF is used, a majority of the WG recommends applying an ESAF value between 2 and 10 when deriving a HBGV from mutation data. This recommendation may need to be revisited in the future if direct measurement of disease-causing mutations by error-corrected next generation sequencing clarifies selection of ESAF values.

Preface

The 2024 7th International Conference on Intelligent Manufacturing and Automation (IMA 2024) took place in Changsha, China during 12th to 14th January 2024 (virtual form). The conference in this series has been held for seven sessions, and with the successful experience, great reputation, and strong organization team, IMA 2024 was even more successful than ever before. The aims of the Conference were to provide a platform for the exploration of both fundamental topics and new applications of research fields of and related to intelligent manufacturing and automation, bring different scientific communities together, and facilitate the contacts among science, technology and industry. Everyone interested in these fields were welcomed to join the online conference and to give comments and raise questions to the speeches and presentations. About 130 participants attended the Conference whose agenda included keynote speeches, oral presentations and poster contributions. During the keynote speech part, Prof. Xiaogang Liu (Wuhan University of Technology, China), Assoc. Prof. Weimin Huang (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), Prof. Jinping Liu (Hunan Normal University, China), and Prof. Chenglin Liu (Jiangnan University, China) shared their reports respectively on Intelligent Manufacturing Framework for Key Components of Automobile Chassis, Rapid Manufacturing Anywhere, Anytime, Toward Intelligent Monitoring of Operational Conditions of Complex Processes, and Fixed-Time Consensus Tracking of Multi-Manipulator Systems under Multiple Constraints. It is really a great opportunity to promote academic communication and collaboration worldwide. This volume gathers papers from regular contributions of IMA 2024; each contribution submitted for publication has been peer reviewed and the Editors are very grateful to the referees for their careful support in helping to improve the original manuscripts. The manuscripts accepted for publication cover different topics of intelligent manufacturing and automation: Rapid Manufacturing Technologies, Mold Design and Manufacturing, Intelligent Control Technology, Automated Production Equipment Application, Automatic Control and Information Technology, etc. We would like to thank all the keynote speakers and authors for their efforts in preparing their contributions to this leading international conference. Moreover, we are very grateful to all those, especially the program committee members and reviewers, who devoted time to the evaluation of the papers. It is a great honor to continue with the publication of the proceedings in the prestigious series Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS) from IOP Publishing. Our particular thanks also go to JPCS series editors for once again supporting this Conference. The Committee of IMA 2024 List of Committee Member is available in this Pdf.

Preface

7th International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Sustainability 9 - 10 October 2023 Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia https://intl-conference.com/iconcees2023 Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Introduction The 7th International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering for Sustainability (IConCEES 2023) was held on the 9th and 10th of October 2023 at Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. This conference was held for the seventh time since 2009. With the theme “Engineering A Better Future: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Sustainable Development,” was set the stage for profound discussions, ground-breaking insights, and a shared vision for world’s future. This 7th IConCEES 2023 is an ideal platform to share current ideas and findings on topics related to civil and environmental engineering. The fields of civil and environmental engineering have long stood as pillars in the evolution of societies. But as the planet grapples with unprecedented challenges, from climate change to urban sprawl, it has become abundantly clear that engineering solutions must be broader, deeper, and more interdisciplinary than ever before. IConCEES2023 is not just a conference; it’s a testament to global commitment to sustainable development. “Engineering A Better Future” is more than a slogan. It embodies the collective responsibility and the pressing need for innovation. It reminds that the blueprints, designs, and structures are not just for the present but are footprints for the generations to come. This conference aims to encourage all prominent scientists and researchers as well as industrial players together in one place so that can share and exchange ideas, knowledge, and expertise, widen networking among each other, and promote new technology towards a sustainable future. The two days conference was transcend borders and bridge disciplines. The topics that merge the technical, ethical, practical and visionary. From sustainable urban planning to eco-friendly construction materials, water resource management to renewable energy integration; the conference was showcase the amalgamation of expertise from different spheres, all with a singular goal. Namely, a sustainable tomorrow. This conference was conducted physically and virtually with 53 and 46 participants present physically and virtually, respectively. We used a conventional presentation set, such as a laptop and LCD projector, during the physical presentation. For the virtual presentation, we used the Microsoft Teams platform. The hybrid conference was held due to travel restrictions from several countries. There were no technical difficulties, as the setup was reliable, and the internet connection was stable throughout the session. For each presentation, either physical or virtual, a maximum of ten (10) minutes and five (5) minutes were allocated for each presentation, and a Question and Answer (Q&A) session. The Q&A was conducted immediately after each presentation. List of Organizing Committee, International Scientific Committee, Advisory Board, Editorial Board, Keynote Speaker, Reviewers and Authors / Participants are available in this pdf.

Report on the 7th International Workshop on Narrative Extraction from Texts (Text2Story 2024) at ECIR 2024

The Seventh International Workshop on Narrative Extraction from Texts (Text2Story'24) was held on March 24 th , 2024, in conjunction with the 46 th European Conference on Information Retrieval (ECIR 2024) in Glasgow, Scotland. Over the day, more than 50 attendees engaged in discussions and presentations focused on recent advancements in narrative representation, extraction, and generation. The workshop featured two invited keynote addresses, fourteen research paper presentations, and a poster session. The workshop proceedings are available online. 1 Date : 24 March 2024. Website : https://text2story24.inesctec.pt/.

Preface

Abstract To promote academic exchanges and cooperation on a global scale and explore the latest research results and development trends in three major engineering fields of machinery, electrical and materials, the 2024 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Electrical and Material Application (MEMA 2024) came into being in Changsha, China from February 23rd to 25th, 2024 (virtual event). The conference aimed to provide a high-level and international academic exchange platform for global experts, scholars and engineers to jointly promote the development of related fields. The conference was hosted by Shenyang Ligong University. In addition, Fuzhou University, South China University of Technology, Hunan University, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Dalian University of Technology and many other universities and institutions also gave strong support to the conference. This fully demonstrates the wide influence and high recognition of this conference. In terms of the conference agenda, this conference mainly focused on the three major engineering fields of machinery, electrical and materials and set up a number of special forums, involving Mechanical Dynamics, Mechatronics, High Voltage Insulation Technology, Power Systems and Their Automation, Electronic Materials, and other frontier fields. Experts and scholars at home and abroad delivered dramatic keynote speeches and oral presentations, sharing their latest research achievements and experience. While listening to these excellent and wonderful presentations, the attendees participated in in-depth academic discussions with the speakers and people around, jointly exploring the development and challenges in related fields. All their enthusiastic participation has laid a solid foundation for the success of this conference. The call for papers for the proceedings of MEMA 2024 is also very encouraging. Since the publication of the call for papers, experts and scholars worldwide have responded positively, and therefore we have received a large number of high-quality paper submissions from all over the world. After rigorous review and screening, a bunch of excellent papers were finally selected to be included in this proceedings. The high inclusion rate of papers and a stable EI search of this conference series for six consecutive years fully demonstrates the influence and authority of MEMA 2024 in the academic community. At the same time, it also provides a good platform for participants to present their research results, expand professional networks, and establish cooperative relationships. Overall, the 2024 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Electrical and Material Application is an academic event of great significance. Through the virtual form of the conference, we have successfully built a high-level academic exchange platform for global experts and scholars. It is believed that with the joint efforts of everyone, this conference series will be even more successful in the future years, making positive contributions to promoting the development of machinery, electrical and materials and their relevant domains. List of Committee Member is available in this pdf.

Preface

Welcome to the proceedings of the The 10th International Seminar on Tropical Animal Production (ISTAP X) organized by Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada. In the midst of escalating concerns about the environmental impacts of animal production and the imperative to ensure global food security, this symposium serves as a crucial platform for scholars, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to converge and deliberate on pressing issues. The title of our symposium, “Sustainable Animal Productivity and Environmental Footprint Toward Global Halal and Food Security,” encapsulates the multifaceted challenges we face today. As the world’s population burgeons and economies expand, the demand for animal products escalates, placing immense pressure on our environment and resources. Yet, this surge in production comes at a cost—degradation of ecosystems, deforestation, habitat loss, and a myriad of environmental woes. Concurrently, the burgeoning demand for halal food, driven by the expanding Muslim population, necessitates innovative approaches to ensure the sustainability and integrity of supply chains. The backdrop against which this symposium unfolds is one characterized by urgency and complexity. Traditional agricultural practices, marked by inefficiencies and resource-intensive methods, are no longer tenable in the face of escalating global challenges. The need of the hour is a paradigm shift towards sustainable animal production systems that reconcile productivity with environmental stewardship. Throughout this symposium, esteemed experts from diverse disciplines will engage in rigorous discourse, sharing insights, methodologies, and innovative solutions aimed at fostering sustainable animal productivity while mitigating environmental footprints. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, we aspire to chart a path towards a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for animal production systems worldwide. The contributions contained within these proceedings represent the culmination of rigorous research, thought-provoking insights, and practical applications. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the authors, presenters, attendees, and organizers whose collective efforts have made this symposium a resounding success. As we embark on this intellectual journey, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to forge a harmonious balance between the imperatives of productivity, environmental sustainability, halal integrity, and global food security. List of Committee of ISTAP X 2023 is available in this Pdf.

6th International Paediatric Ultrasound Course London 27–28 June

6th International Paediatric Ultrasound Course London 27–28 June

Preface

This significant increase in population has caused food availability in the world. Food is to become increasingly limited and it is not surprising that the world will experience a food crisis. There are many things that cause a food crisis, including increasing population growth, environmental damage, land conversion and a decline in the quality of agricultural land, changes in consumption patterns. The mindset of farmers which is completely practical and not in accordance with market predictions as well as the conversion of agricultural land into residential and industrial areas are several factors for the occurrence of a food crisis in the future. Efforts to fulfill food needs have been made by the government. Starting with the green revolution. It was used as a way to increase food production. Then continued with the blue revolution in order to meet human needs, especially the need for protein originating from fish. Apart from the two efforts above, efforts continue to be made to search for superior seeds, which is one of the efforts to increase agricultural production, using genetic engineering technology. Based on this, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro would like to address issues around resilience of the agricultural sector in the global food crisis. It is our hope that the results from this seminar may form the basis for the decisions that policy makers and other stakeholders need to consider to improve food sovereignty in global world system. This seminar also places to discuss the solutions on achieving resilience of agricultural sector in the global food crisis. Therefore, on behalf Universitas Diponegoro, we believe that this conference will be a good place to share recent discoveries in the respective fields, to build partnership, so that we can move closer to answer the world feeding challenge, together. We would like to congratulate the committee for a job well done preparing this seminar. Special gratitude goes to keynote speakers, all participants, and all other parties supported this event. List of Committee and Participants of the 6th International Seminar on Agribusiness are available in this Pdf.