Public Peer Research Articles

Publishing during a pandemic: Resilience and change.

Key points The scholarly publishing industry must be prepared to step back, consider our value, reset our relationships, and be prepared to accept and embrace real change.Three areas of focus during these times should be (1) the importance of community; (2) racism, bias, and structural inequities; and (3) openness, transparency, and trust.We need to recognize the importance of the humanities and social sciences, as well as of science, technology, and medicine in addressing the impacts of the pandemic.

Establishing security of Bitcoins using elliptic-curve cryptography-based protocol

It is undeniable that the growth of the computer and network security is repeatedly increased since the past 40 years. In 1985-1986 encryption was applied as a primary technique for providing security. Network security technology includes authentication and authorisation, data encryption, access control and security auditing. Bitcoin is presently one of the most popular crypto-currencies. The phenomenon of Bitcoin crypto-currencies is based on the public key cryptography and peer to peer network. In the Bitcoin, blockchain is used for storage of the transaction which is also called the public ledger. Digital money or Bitcoin is used in day to day activities, some of which are illicit and illegal. In this paper, the main area is security, i.e., the main focus here is to protect Bitcoin systems from unauthorised access and from various threats using an appropriate scheme (elliptic-curve cryptography, ECC) protocol.

Peer firms’ reporting frequency and stock price synchronicity: European evidence

This study investigates whether and how the amount of firm-specific information incorporated into stock prices changes when there is more quarterly, rather than semi-annual, reporting in the peer group. Using a sample of 33,338 European firm-year observations from 2004 to 2017, we find a significantly negative relation between stock price synchronicity and concentration of quarterly reporting among a firm’s peers. We argue that more public peer disclosure stimulates acquisition of private firm-specific information. Additional tests show that the negative relation is strongest among firms with semi-annual reporting, opaque earnings, and low institutional ownership. We further decompose the synchronicity measure into market and industry co-movement and find that the former is decreasing while the latter is increasing with more frequent peer reporting.

Asteroid treasure, COVID vaccine and public peer review

Asteroid treasure, COVID vaccine and public peer review

The rise to dominance of genetic model organisms and the decline of curiosity-driven organismal research.

Curiosity-driven, basic biological research “…performed without thought of practical ends…” establishes fundamental conceptual frameworks for future technological and medical breakthroughs. Traditionally, curiosity-driven research in biological sciences has utilized experimental organisms chosen for their tractability and suitability for studying the question of interest. This approach leverages the diversity of life to uncover working solutions (adaptations) to problems encountered by living things, and evolutionary context as to the extent to which these solutions may be generalized to other species. Despite the well-documented success of this approach, funding portfolios of United States granting agencies are increasingly filled with studies on a few species for which cutting-edge molecular tools are available (genetic model organisms). While this narrow focus may be justified for biomedically-focused funding bodies such as the National Institutes of Health, it is critical that robust federal support for curiosity-driven research using diverse experimental organisms be maintained by agencies such as the National Science Foundation. Using the disciplines of neurobiology and behavioral research as an example, this study finds that NSF grant awards have declined in association with a decrease in the proportion of grants funded for experimental, rather than genetic model organism research. The decline in use of experimental organisms in the literature mirrors but predates the shift grant funding. Today’s dominance of genetic model organisms was thus initiated by researchers themselves and/or by publication peer review and editorial preferences, and was further reinforced by pressure from granting agencies, academic employers, and the scientific community.

Determinants Influencing Consumers Purchasing Intention for Sustainable Fashion: Evidence from Ho Chi Minh City

This paper investigates factors impacting on sustainable fashion buying intention of consumers by reviewing studies about the topic and conducting a survey with consumers in Ho Chi Minh City. In detail, firstly, an interview with 15 respondents was conducted to check the understanding of concepts and questions and, secondly, the study used the convenient sampling method, with 172 samples collected and analyzed, of which young respondents accounted for the majority of the sample. The respondents tend to go shopping many times in a year, with the number of people buying fashion products from every week to every two months accounting for 65.2% totally. The findings suggest that the firms should prioritize strategies that can improve customer attitude toward sustainable fashion, making them feel good, pleasant, satisfied and favorable when engaging in sustainable fashion consumption. This study concludes that consumers need more information to enable them to make better ethical decisions. This study proposes that the major channels that consumers use to seek sustainable product information include public education, peer influence, and corporate marketing information about the products. This study concludes that public education and corporate marketing information on green consumption education is effective for improving consumer sustainable buying intention.

Bullying in male physical education: a figurational sociological analysis

Dunning and Sheard’s seminal work, Barbarians, Gentleman and Players, illustrates the importance of adopting a sociological approach to understanding the development of modern sport. Their specific analysis of the role of football in public schools and peer and pupil–master relations offered an important perspective on changing relations between these social groups. Since then, research on physical education (PE) from a figurational viewpoint has focused more on teachers’ perspectives and experiences, with fewer articles concerning pupils’ thoughts. In this article, we revisit power relations within male PE by drawing upon data from a recent ethnographic study in the North East of England. We locate contemporary perspectives and experiences of bullying along long-term shifts in people’s attitudes towards violence and conflict resolution. In particular, we consider how the social processes involved in bullying illustrate the nuanced relationships and behaviours young people must navigate and negotiate within increasingly complex contemporary societies. In competitive single-sex PE environments, we demonstrate how young males are required to exhibit heightened levels of control over their emotional and behavioural expression.

Productivity growth of Indian banking sector: A comparative analysis of pre‐ and post‐global financial crisis

This article evaluates the productivity growth of Indian banks during the pre‐ and post‐global financial crisis of 2008. Productivity is calculated across banking groups, such as public, private, and foreign peers, using Malmquist Productivity Index through data envelopment analysis. Empirical findings indicate that the efficiency and productivity growth of Indian banks have declined in the post‐global financial crisis as compared with the pre‐financial crisis. We observe efficiency differences across ownership groups; further results clarify that the total factor productivity growth of public banks is lower than that of private and foreign players, mostly due to the change in technical progress though not driven by technical efficiency. The study suggests that having a base in technological advances might help perform better when encountering a crisis.

Determinants and consequences of voluntary corporate social responsibility disclosure: Evidence from private firms

We examine whether and how private firms differ from public firms in determining corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure policies. We document that private firms are less likely to issue CSR reports compared with their public peers. Adopting a bivariate probit model that accommodates partial observability, we find that the effect is mainly driven by a supply-side force rather than a demand-side force. From a debtholder-oriented perspective, while public firms enjoy more favorable credit ratings and a lower cost of debt due to CSR disclosure, private firms do not reap similar benefits from CSR disclosure. Corporate governance and CSR assurance alleviate debtholders' concern on private firms’ engagements in CSR.

Public Peers, Accounting Comparability, and Value Relevance of Private Firms’ Financial Reporting

We examine whether higher accounting comparability between public and private firms facilitates the valuation of private firms and, in particular, impacts the value relevance of private firms’ financial reporting in M&A transactions. To help develop our hypotheses, we conduct a series of interviews with M&A valuation experts to obtain insights on the private firm valuation process. Using a large sample of private target firm M&As in the European Union, we predict and find that the financial reporting of private firms that follow the same accounting standards as public firms has higher value relevance. This relation is more pronounced for private firms in industries with more public companies. Furthermore, our analysis around the mandatory adoption of IFRS by public companies suggests that private firms that do not adopt the new public standard show a decrease in the value relevance of their reporting. These findings are consistent with higher accounting comparability facilitating a spillover of valuation information from public to private markets.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Deep learning analysis of human behaviour recognition based on convolutional neural network analysis

We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Behaviour & Information Technology, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Behaviour Monitoring and Management of Customers, People and Organizations using Deep Learning: Fuguang Yao (2020) Deep learning analysis of human behaviour recognition based on convolutional neural network analysis, Behaviour & Information Technology, DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2020.1716390 After publication it came to our attention that the person named as the Guest Editor of the Special Issue was impersonated by a fraudulent entity and the articles were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract the articles. The authors have been informed of this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: The role of computer security management in preventing financial technology risks

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Caixia Chen, Sheng Zhou & Qingqing Chang (2020) The role of computer security management in preventing financial technology risks, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1738664 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Retracted Article: Key technologies of cloud computing-based IoT data mining

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Rongqing Zhuo & Zhongxian Bai (2020) Key technologies of cloud computing-based IoT data mining, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1738665 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Retracted Article: Key technologies of massive concurrent data processing in smart city based on cloud computing

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Yongqiang He & Xuyang Zhang (2020) Key technologies of massive concurrent data processing in smart city based on cloud computing, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1743040 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Based on deep learning in traffic remote sensing image processing to recognize target vehicle

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Dan Wang, Kai Zhao & Yi Wang (2020) Based on deep learning in traffic remote sensing image processing to recognize target vehicle, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1735764 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Track recognition algorithm based on neural network for rail transit

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Pengcheng Li & HuiQin Cheng (2020) Track recognition algorithm based on neural network for rail transit, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1730070 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Use of sachet alcohol and sexual behaviour among adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Availability and affordability of sachet liquor has significantly increased adolescents' access to alcohol in Nigeria. This study investigated use of sachet alcohol and sexual behavior among adolescents in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area(IBSE-LGA), Oyo state, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with three-stage random sampling technique to select 390 adolescents in IBSE-LGA, Oyo state; using quantitative and qualitative instruments(5 IDIs). There were more male adolescents (61.8%); with 14.7±2.6 as mean age; equal proportion of early (10-14years) and late(15-19years) adolescents. Findings show that about 16% of the respondents have not completed Primary School education; half(50%) of the respondents had ever taken alcohol, while 39.5% are current users of sachet alcohol (more males, older adolescents and working class). Many respondents are sexually active(30.5%), out of which 63% did not use any protection in their last sex episode, and 33.6% tok sachet alcohol before sex. There was an association between sachet alcohol use and risky sexual behaviours(p<0.05). Participants of IDI believe alcohol boosts sexual performance. Sex, age and school/work status were related to alcohol use among adolescents. Higher proportion of the adolescents associated alcohol use with heightened sexual performance. Health education strategies (public enlightenment, peer education and life skills training) against adolescent alcohol use is recommended.

Retracted Article: Real-time image recognition algorithm and system design of Android mobile devices

We, the Editors and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Juan Li (2020) Real-time image recognition algorithm and system design of Android mobile devices, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1733791 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Massive information management system of digital library based on deep learning algorithm in the background of big data

We, the Editors and Publisher of the journal Behaviour & Information Technology, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Behaviour Monitoring and Management of Customers, People and Organizations using Deep Learning: Jianhang Wang (2020) Massive information management system of digital library based on deep learning algorithm in the background of big data, Behaviour & Information Technology, DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2020.1730441 After publication it came to our attention that the person named as the Guest Editor of the Special Issue was impersonated by a fraudulent entity and the articles were not reviewed fully in line with the journal’s peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract the articles. The authors have been informed of this decision. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.

Retracted Article: Development of computer-based agricultural remote intelligent information monitoring system

We, the Editor and Publisher of the International Journal of Computers and Applications, have retracted the following article which was part of the Special Issue on Advanced Security Techniques for Cloud Computing and Big Data - New Directions: Hongxiang Zhang, Shaojie Shi, Yongkai Wu & Tong Feng (2020) Development of computer-based agricultural remote intelligent information monitoring system, International Journal of Computers and Applications, DOI: 10.1080/1206212X.2020.1730567 Since publication, it came to our attention that the articles published in this Special Issue were not reviewed fully in line with the journal's peer review standards and policy. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. However, in order to ensure full assessment has been conducted, we sought expert advice on the validity and quality of the published articles from independent peer reviewers. Following this post publication peer review, the Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards to remain published in the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract. The concerns raised have been shared with the authors and they have been given the opportunity to respond. The authors have been informed about the retraction of the article. We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted articles will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but they will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’.