bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the shade and ground cover influence on the mitigation of water-driven soil erosion in a coffee agroforestry system
Authors: Blanco-Sepúlveda Rafael , Lima Francisco , Aguilar-Carrillo Amilcar
Published: April 2024

Coffee cultivation under agroforestry systems is one of the main agricultural activities in Central America, but climate change is putting its sustainability at risk. Rainfall erosivity has worsened, thus driving soil losses. Although the vegetal covers in coffee agroforestry systems play a crucial role in controlling erosion, the specific influence of each cover layer remains unclear. In this study, we assessed the influence of the canopy (tree and banana cover and coffee cover) and ground cover (weed and litter) on water driven soil erosion, to determine which type of cover has the most influence on soil erosion control. The study site is situated in the core and buffer zones of the Macizo de Peñas Blancas National Park (Nicaragua), where seventeen coffee sampling plots with an agroforestry system composed of an Inga spp and Musa spp canopy cover were analysed. The results showed that the 19.2 ± 3.4% of the soil surface was affected by erosion and it was mainly related to the litter ground cover (r = –0.95, P < 0.001). Also, this cover presented the best partial correlation (ryl.tcw = –0.93, P < 0.001) when the effects of the other vegetal covers were eliminated. Specifically, the litter cover accounted for 90% of the erosion variability, while the impact of the other types of cover was negligible, accounting for just 1% of the erosion. We conclude that litter layer is more important than canopy cover for effective erosion control, and the main function of shade trees is as a source of litter biomass.
Sustainable fish production in Egypt: towards strategic management for capture-based aquaculture
Authors: Abdel-Hady Mahmoud M. , El-karashily Ahmed F. , Salem Ahmed Md. , Haggag Shaimaa M.
Published: April 2024

This study assessed the sustainability of capture-based aquaculture (CBA) practices in Egypt, identified challenges, and proposed solutions to enhance sustainability. It relied on published data and studies, revealing that these practices are globally widespread for cultivating a diverse range of marine and freshwater species based on wild seed collection. The assessment showed that these practices in Egypt cultivate a variety of fish species. In 2021, they contributed to approximately 34% of the total aquaculture production, amounting to an estimated value of USD 1.476 billion, representing about 57% of the total value of the aquaculture sector. Additionally, these practices provided around 106,022 full-time jobs. Official fishery statistics have not indicated any negative impact of CBA on fish stocks over the past 30 years. Measures aimed at enhancing the sustainability of these practices included granting licenses for the collection of wild seeds for specific species under specific regulations. Facilitating licensing procedures for hatcheries, providing incentives, and promoting farmers’ preferences for hatchery seed were also part of these measures. Furthermore, these actions include facilitating access to financing under favorable conditions, selective breeding, training hatchery workers in best management practices, implementing biosecurity measures, and establishing an accurate statistical system. The implementation of the proposed plan to transition from capture-based aquaculture to hatchery-based aquaculture will contribute to achieving sustainability for both aquaculture and fisheries.
An effective aeration system for high performance pond aeration at low energy cost
Authors: Aytac Ayca , Kelestemur Guluzar Tuna , Tuna M. Cihat
Published: April 2024

With the effective use of aerators with low energy cost and high aeration performance, aquaculture areas can be developed and supported. The main objective of this study is to determine the optimal physical parameters of high aeration capacity high head conduits and to ensure low energy costs, thus to present a comprehensive review of its usability for pond aeration. In this study, a high-head gated conduit was used as the aeration unit. After obtaining the design that will maximize the aeration performance of the high-head gated conduit, a prototype model was developed to ensure its effective use in pond aeration. The parameters affecting the performance of this developed aeration system and the corresponding energy cost values were determined. According to the results, the most important parameters affecting the aeration performance are, respectively, flow rate, the opening of the gate, hydrostatic level, and jet plunge angle. In the optimal design, more than three times the unit volume of water circulating in the system is added to the system. The cost value of this operation in terms of energy was measured as 0.10 kWh/m3 air. The developed system was found to have significantly higher energy efficiency values compared to alternatives, based on specific energy consumption data.
Carbon-chain chemistry in the interstellar medium
Authors: Taniguchi Kotomi , Gorai Prasanta , Tan Jonathan C.
Published: April 2024

The presence of carbon-chain molecules in the interstellar medium (ISM) has been known since the early 1970s and $>130$
>
130
such species have been identified to date, making up $\sim 43$
∼
43
% of the total of detected ISM molecules. They are prevalent not only in star-forming regions in our Galaxy but also in other galaxies. These molecules provide important information on physical conditions, gas dynamics, and evolutionary stages of star-forming regions. Larger species of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes (C60 and C70), which may be related to the formation of the carbon-chain molecules, have been detected in circumstellar envelopes around carbon-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and planetary nebulae, while PAHs are also known to be a widespread component of the ISM in most galaxies. Recently, two line survey projects toward Taurus Molecular Cloud-1 with large single-dish telescopes have detected many new carbon-chain species, including molecules containing benzene rings. These new findings raise fresh questions about carbon-bearing species in the Universe. This article reviews various aspects of carbon-chain molecules, including observational studies, chemical simulations, quantum calculations, and laboratory experiments, and discusses open questions and how future facilities may answer them.
Multi-model ensemble of frost risks across East Asia (1850–2100)
Authors: Richards Jenny , Brimblecombe Peter
Published: April 2024

Frost events can cause the deterioration of a wide range of heritage materials, including stone, brick and earth. In a warming world, the frequency and location of frost events is likely to change, affecting the conservation strategies required at heritage sites. We use a multi-model ensemble approach to investigate three types of frost events in East Asia: freeze–thaw cycles; deep frost days and wet frosts. The study uses nine CMIP6 models for the period 1850 to 2100, with future projections run under the SPS585 scenario. Additional analysis is undertaken for five specific 2° ✕ 2° areas located across East Asia. The three frost event parameters are spatially and temporally distinct. A decrease in all three frost parameters is found in Japan, South Korea and East China, with some areas projected to have no frost events by the end of the twenty-first century. However, Northwest China is distinctive as wet frosts are projected to increase over the twenty-first century, while on the Tibetan plateau of Southwest China, freeze–thaw cycles are projected to increase. This suggests that except in some localised regions, heritage managers can focus on risks other than frost weathering in developing plans to address climate change.

Graphical Abstract
Stable two- and three-dimensional cholangiocyte culture systems from extrahepatic bile ducts of biliary atresia patients: use of structural and functional bile duct epithelium models for in vitro analyses
Authors: Shimamura Ai , Higashi Mayumi , Nagayabu Kazuya , Ono Shigeru
Published: April 2024

We herein report two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture methods of cholangiocytes originating from extrahepatic bile ducts of biliary atresia (BA) patients. Cells were stabilized for in vitro analyses, and 3D culture by two different methods showed the structural and functional features of cholangiocytes in the gel scaffold. First, cells were obtained from gallbladder contents or resected tissues of patients at surgery and then cultured in our original conditioned medium with a cocktail of signaling inhibitors that maintains the immaturity and amplification of cells. Cells were immortalized by inducing SV40T and hTERT genes using lentivirus systems. Immunostaining with CK19 and Sox9 antibodies confirmed the cells as cholangiocytes. 3D organoids were formed in Matrigel in two different ways: by forming spheroids or via vertical growth from 2D cell sheets (2 + 1D culture). Organoids generated with both methods showed the uptake and excretion of rhodamine-123, and duct-like structures were also found. Our culture methods are simpler than previously reported methods and still show the structural and functional characteristics of cholangiocytes. Thus, this system is expected to be useful for the in vitro investigation of cholangiocyte damage or regeneration in BA patients.
Lake food web structure in Teici Nature reserve, Latvia: fish presence shapes functioning of pristine bog lake food webs
Authors: Zagars Matiss , Christoffersen Kirsten S. , Cremona Fabien
Published: April 2024

Studies on the effects of fish presence on lake ecosystems are widespread but only a few have been conducted in pristine aquatic environments. We employed Ecopath model for assessing food web structure in two fish-inhabited and one fishless lake in a pristine bog area. We hypothesized that: (a) fish absence will raise trophic positions of macroinvertebrate predators; (b) fish predation will lead to higher overall predation rates on zooplankton; (c) fish predation on large bodied zooplankton will result in top-down cascading effect, increasing phytoplankton biomasses. We found that fish have direct and indirect effects on zoobenthic communities. Chironomid biomass was greater and predatory macroinvertebrate groups had a higher trophic level in the fishless lake than in fish-inhabited lakes. Consumption rates of the benthic consumer fraction were greater than that of the planktonic fraction in the fishless lake; the opposite was found in the two lakes with fish. No effects of fish presence on zooplankton were found and we explain this partly by the low water transparency masking the impact of fish. Terrestrial insects constituted a crucial part of adult fish diet and we conclude that terrestrial secondary production contributes to the trophic support of fish communities in pristine bog lakes.
Telephone-Assisted Self-Help for Caregivers of Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Observational Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Dose Christina , Roschmann Tina , Kinnen Claudia , Rademacher Christiane , Hautmann Christopher , Döpfner Manfred
Published: April 2024

Studies on the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescence indicate small to moderate treatment effects (e.g., of parent training). Self-help interventions might overcome structural and personal barriers to treatment utilization. The present proof-of-concept study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a twelve-month, telephone-assisted self-help (TASH) intervention for caregivers of adolescents with ADHD. This intervention comprised 8 booklets on the management of ADHD-related problems and 14 telephone counseling sessions. Sixty-six caregivers participated in the study with a one-group pretest-posttest design (intention-to-treat sample). Of these, forty-three families completed the intervention in accordance with the study protocol (per-protocol sample). Compared to families with early discontinuation (n = 23, drop-out sample), adolescents in the per-protocol sample demonstrated a higher level of caregiver-rated emotional problems and a lower level of quality of life at pre-assessment. Caregivers in the per-protocol sample showed high adherence and reported high satisfaction with the intervention. Analyses of the per-protocol sample yielded significant, moderate to large pre-to-post improvements in caregiver-rated ADHD symptoms (primary outcome; d = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [0.51, 1.11]), oppositional, emotional and behavioral problems and quality of life of the adolescents, and caregiver self-efficacy during the intervention. In intention-to-treat analyses, which considered data of all 66 participants who had originally participated in the study, the pre-post differences in ADHD symptoms, emotional and behavioral problems, and quality of life remained at their significant level. These results provide initial support for the feasibility and effectiveness of the TASH intervention. Its efficacy compared to control conditions remains to be examined.
Structural Origins of the Anisotropic Thermal Expansion of BINOL Crystals
Authors: Waddell Paul G.
Published: April 2024

Measurement of the unit cell of (R)-BINOL over a 200° temperature range (300–100 K) reveals an anisotropic contraction where the c-axis contracts ca. 2.3% compared to a ca. 0.45% contraction of the a and b axes, a ca. six-fold difference in linear thermal expansion coefficient. This contraction corresponds to a decrease in the helical pitch of the 31 screw axis in the [001] direction. The anisotropic nature of the contraction is rationalised by a thorough analysis of intermolecular contacts within the crystal and their impact on the conformation of the molecule and crystal packing.

Graphical Abstract

The crystal structure of (R)-BINOL exhibits a pronounced anisotropic thermal expansion.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Effects of Group Prenatal Care On Identification of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial of CenteringPregnancy
Authors: Kettrey Heather Hensman , Davis Alyssa J. , Britt Jessica L. , Crockett Amy H.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during pregnancy can have serious consequences for maternal, infant, and child health. Importantly, the risk and consequences of IPV are greater for Black and Hispanic pregnant individuals than for White pregnant individuals. Thus, identification of IPV and referral to services during pregnancy is important, particularly for Black and Hispanic patients. Continuity of care and patient-centered care are thought to be essential for the identification of IPV in healthcare settings. Thus, we proposed that group prenatal care, which involves prenatal care providers delivering health, education, and support services to patients in a group setting, would create an atmosphere that is conducive to the identification of IPV. We specifically expected to see this effect among Black and Hispanic patients because group prenatal care has been hypothesized to increase the quality of the provider-patient relationship and reduce clinical bias against patients of color.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of CenteringPregnancy (N = 523).

Results

We found that group prenatal care does have a significant, positive effect on IPV identification among prenatal care patients, but only for White women. Members of other racial and ethnic groups, who are at increased risk of experiencing IPV and its harmful consequences, do not receive this benefit.

Conclusions

Moving forward, researchers and practitioners should establish whether group prenatal care could be improved by intentionally incorporating a curriculum that directly addresses racial and ethnic disparities in quality of healthcare.

Trial Registration Number and Date

NCT02640638 (Prospectively registered 12/29/2015).
A Spectrally Accurate Step-by-Step Method for the Numerical Solution of Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Brugnano Luigi , Burrage Kevin , Burrage Pamela , Iavernaro Felice
Published: April 2024

In this paper we consider the numerical solution of fractional differential equations. In particular, we study a step-by-step procedure, defined over a graded mesh, which is based on a truncated expansion of the vector field along the orthonormal Jacobi polynomial basis. Under mild hypotheses, the proposed procedure is capable of getting spectral accuracy. A few numerical examples are reported to confirm the theoretical findings.
Minimizing usage of silane coupling agent for amine-grafted mesoporous silica CO2 adsorbent
Authors: Li Jinrui , Tsunoji Nao , Kumar Rajesh , Sukmana Ndaru Candra , Sadakane Masahiro
Published: April 2024

Amine-grafted adsorbents are promising CO2 adsorbents; however, the excessive addition of an amino silane coupling agent during their synthesis increases their production cost. Thus, using low amounts of silane, we synthesized 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS)-grafted SBA-15 mesoporous silica and evaluated its CO2 adsorption performance. APTMS-grafted SBA-15 samples were prepared using either impregnation or heating–filtration method (grafting). The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy, magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analysis. The results revealed that the micropores of SBA-15 were preferentially blocked, and APTMS increasingly occupied the mesopores with increasing amine loading. The CO2-adsorption performance of the adsorbents was measured by thermogravimetric analysis under dry conditions. Both synthesis methods achieved high amine immobilization efficiency (78.3–92.2%), as estimated from the amount of silane coupling agents used in the synthesis and that immobilized on the support. The adsorbents prepared by the two methods adsorbed similar amounts of CO2 of approximately 0.5 mmol g− 1 in 400 ppm CO2 and ~ 1.0 mmol g− 1 in 5 vol% CO2. The adsorption amounts attained in this study are comparable to those of previously reported silane-coupling-agent-modified adsorbents that were prepared with more silane. In contrast, the adsorption rate of the samples was affected by the synthesis method, even with similar amine loadings. Nonetheless, the results revealed that even with a low amount of the silane coupling agent, high-performance amine-grafted CO2 adsorbents could be synthesized.
Multi-objective Variational Curves
Authors: Kaya C. Yalçın , Noakes Lyle , Zhang Erchuan
Published: April 2024

Riemannian cubics in tension are critical points of the linear combination of two objective functionals, namely the squared $$L^2$$

L
2

norms of the velocity and acceleration of a curve on a Riemannian manifold. We view this variational problem of finding a curve as a multi-objective optimization problem and construct the Pareto fronts for some given instances where the manifold is a sphere and where the manifold is a torus. The Pareto front for the curves on the torus turns out to be particularly interesting: the front is disconnected and it reveals two distinct Riemannian cubics with the same boundary data, which is the first known nontrivial instance of this kind. We also discuss some convexity conditions involving the Pareto fronts for curves on general Riemannian manifolds.
Numerical study on the characterization of NdFeB permanent magnets with fast-neutrons induced (n, n′γ) reactions
Authors: Meleshenkovskii I. , Mauerhofer E.
Published: April 2024

The potential of prompt gamma analysis based on inelastic scattering of 2.5 MeV neutrons for a rapid characterization of NdFeB permanent magnets is investigated by means of numerical simulations using an HPGe detector and a CZT detector-array. The results show that rapid assay of a 42 g magnet can be achieved in some minutes when the neutron flux at sample position is about 1.6 × 109 cm−2 s−1 and the detector count rate limited to 500 kcps. Such a high neutron flux could be delivered by a compact 5 MeV proton accelerator with a thick beryllium target for neutron production through the 9Be(p,xn)9Be.
Innovative approach for quantitative determination of ingested microplastics by Daphnia magna: use of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry
Authors: Procházková Petra , Kalčíková Gabriela , Maršálková Eliška , Zlámalová Gargošová Helena , Kučerík Jiří
Published: April 2024

Due to the serious environmental impacts of plastic pollution, some conventional plastics have been replaced with biodegradable alternatives. However, these biodegradable options can also fragment and form microplastics, which can be ingested by and harm various biota. The standard methods for quantifying ingested microplastics involve digestion of the gut or the whole organism using acidic, alkaline, or oxidative processes. However, these aggressive methods may destroy biodegradable microplastics, leading to erroneous results. Therefore, in this study, we employed thermal analysis methods, specifically differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG), to quantify the ingestion of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a biodegradable microplastic, by the freshwater crustacean, Daphnia magna. During chronic experiments, we analysed organisms exposed to P3HB with sizes smaller than 125 and 63 μm, at concentrations ranging from 1.56–25 mg L−1. DSC identified an endothermic peak associated with the melting of semicrystalline P3HB, and its enthalpies were utilised to compute the number/mass of P3HB ingested by D. magna. Notably, shifts in melting points suggested that higher concentrations induced particle agglomeration, and these agglomerates could not penetrate deeply into the organism. The TG approach involved subtracting the mass loss between 200 and 400 °C in D. magna specimens exposed to P3HB suspensions from controls without P3HB exposure. Both methods provided comparable data, revealing that, depending on particle size, individual D. magna ingested up to 10% of their body mass. Our findings indicate that both methods effectively detect P3HB (and potentially other plastic fragments), with DSC demonstrating better sensitivity. While the suggested approach did not enable us to calculate the level of determination or quantification, we were able to demonstrate that DSC can detect P3HB in only one specimen of D. magna exposed to the lowest suspension concentration. This indicates that D. magna exposed to the 63 μm fraction ingested approximately 3 μg of P3HB, whereas those exposed to the 125 μm P3HB ingested around 4 μg of P3HB. The introduced methods expand the possibilities for detecting ingested microplastics and probably also nanoplastics, in zooplankton and possibly also other species.
Utilizing reinforcement learning for de novo drug design
Authors: Gummesson Svensson Hampus , Tyrchan Christian , Engkvist Ola , Haghir Chehreghani Morteza
Published: April 2024

Deep learning-based approaches for generating novel drug molecules with specific properties have gained a lot of interest in the last few years. Recent studies have demonstrated promising performance for string-based generation of novel molecules utilizing reinforcement learning. In this paper, we develop a unified framework for using reinforcement learning for de novo drug design, wherein we systematically study various on- and off-policy reinforcement learning algorithms and replay buffers to learn an RNN-based policy to generate novel molecules predicted to be active against the dopamine receptor DRD2. Our findings suggest that it is advantageous to use at least both top-scoring and low-scoring molecules for updating the policy when structural diversity is essential. Using all generated molecules at an iteration seems to enhance performance stability for on-policy algorithms. In addition, when replaying high, intermediate, and low-scoring molecules, off-policy algorithms display the potential of improving the structural diversity and number of active molecules generated, but possibly at the cost of a longer exploration phase. Our work provides an open-source framework enabling researchers to investigate various reinforcement learning methods for de novo drug design.
Learning explanatory logical rules in non-linear domains: a neuro-symbolic approach
Authors: Bueff Andreas , Belle Vaishak
Published: April 2024

Deep neural networks, despite their capabilities, are constrained by the need for large-scale training data, and often fall short in generalisation and interpretability. Inductive logic programming (ILP) presents an intriguing solution with its data-efficient learning of first-order logic rules. However, ILP grapples with challenges, notably the handling of non-linearity in continuous domains. With the ascent of neuro-symbolic ILP, there’s a drive to mitigate these challenges, synergising deep learning with relational ILP models to enhance interpretability and create logical decision boundaries. In this research, we introduce a neuro-symbolic ILP framework, grounded on differentiable Neural Logic networks, tailored for non-linear rule extraction in mixed discrete-continuous spaces. Our methodology consists of a neuro-symbolic approach, emphasising the extraction of non-linear functions from mixed domain data. Our preliminary findings showcase our architecture’s capability to identify non-linear functions from continuous data, offering a new perspective in neural-symbolic research and underlining the adaptability of ILP-based frameworks for regression challenges in continuous scenarios.
The association of FSCN1 (rs852479, rs1640233) and HOTAIR (rs920778) polymorphisms with the risk of breast cancer in Egyptian women
Authors: Galal Eman Reda , Abdelhakam Dina A. , Ahmed Lamiaa Khalaf , Elhusseny Yasmine , Sayed Sherif El Prince , Eltaweel Noha H.
Published: April 2024

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers that contribute to mortality among women worldwide. Despite contradictory findings, considerable evidence suggests that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FSCN1 and HOTAIR genes may have a causative impact on the development of BC. This case–control study was conducted to evaluate the association of genotype frequency in FSCN1 rs852479, rs1640233, and HOTAIR rs920778 with susceptibility and prognosis of BC, as well as the impact of clinical stages and hormonal features.

Methods and results

FSCN1 (rs852479, rs1640233) and HOTAIR (rs920778) were genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR assay in 200 BC patients and 200 cancer-free controls, all representing Egyptian women. Genotypic analyses in association with clinicopathological factors and disease risk were assessed. As a result, a significant association with BC risk was observed for CC genotype frequency of FSCN1 rs852479 A > C (OR = 0.395, 95% CI 0.204–0.76, p-value = 0.005). However, no significant correlation was detected between the FSCN1 rs1640233 C > T and HOTAIR rs920778 C > T polymorphic variants and susceptibility to BC. Interestingly, CC genotype of FSCN1 rs1640233 was more likely to progress tumor size and lymph node invasion in BC cases (p-value = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Moreover, it was revealed that there was a non-significant correlation between the haplotype distributions of FSCN1 rs852479 and rs1640233 and the probability of BC.

Conclusions

Based on the sample size and genetic characteristics of the subjects involved in the present study, our findings indicated that FSCN1 rs852479 may contribute to BC susceptibility in a sample of the Egyptian population.
Consensus Affinity Graph Learning via Structure Graph Fusion and Block Diagonal Representation for Multiview Clustering
Authors: Gui Zhongyan , Yang Jing , Xie Zhiqiang , Ye Cuicui
Published: April 2024

Learning a robust affinity graph is fundamental to graph-based clustering methods. However, some existing affinity graph learning methods have encountered the following problems. First, the constructed affinity graphs cannot capture the intrinsic structure of data well. Second, when fusing all view-specific affinity graphs, most of them obtain a fusion graph by simply taking the average of multiple views, or directly learning a common graph from multiple views, without considering the discriminative property among diverse views. Third, the fusion graph does not maintain an explicit cluster structure. To alleviate these problems, the adaptive neighbor graph learning approach and the data self-expression approach are first integrated into a structure graph fusion framework to obtain a view-specific structure affinity graph to capture the local and global structures of data. Then, all the structural affinity graphs are weighted dynamically into a consensus affinity graph, which not only effectively incorporates the complementary affinity structure of important views but also has the capability of preserving the consensus affinity structure that is shared by all views. Finally, a k–block diagonal regularizer is introduced for the consensus affinity graph to encourage it to have an explicit cluster structure. An efficient optimization algorithm is developed to tackle the resultant optimization problem. Extensive experiments on benchmark datasets validate the superiority of the proposed method.
DialGNN: Heterogeneous Graph Neural Networks for Dialogue Classification
Authors: Yan Yan , Zhang Bo-Wen , Min Peng-hao , Ding Guan-wen , Liu Jun-yuan
Published: April 2024

Dialogue systems have attracted growing research interests due to its widespread applications in various domains. However, most research work focus on sentence-level intent recognition to interpret user utterances in dialogue systems, while the comprehension of the whole documents has not attracted sufficient attention. In this paper, we propose DialGNN, a heterogeneous graph neural network framework tailored for the problem of dialogue classification which takes the entire dialogue as input. Specifically, a heterogeneous graph is constructed with nodes in different levels of semantic granularity. The graph framework allows flexible integration of various pre-trained language representation models, such as BERT and its variants, which endows DialGNN with powerful text representational capabilities. DialGNN outperforms on CM and ECS datasets, which demonstrates robustness and the effectiveness. Specifically, our model achieves a notable enhancement in performance, optimizing the classification of document-level dialogue text. The implementation of DialGNN and related data are shared through https://github.com/821code/DialGNN.
Estimating the natural disaster ınter-event time defition (NIETD) to define compound natural disasters in South Korea
Authors: Kim Kyunghun , Bae Young Hye , Kim Hung Soo
Published: April 2024

Previous study on natural disaster events has been conducted under the assumption that each event is independent of others, which underestimates the risk of natural disasters by ignoring interactions between events. To solve this problem, the concept of compound natural disaster (CND) which is the combination of events has been proposed; however, there is no quantitative method for defining CND. The aims of this study are to examine the estimation methods for IETD (Inter-Event Time Definition), which separates continuous rainfalls into independent rainfall events, and to define NIETD (Natural disaster Inter-Event Time Definition), which is a criterion for determining the independence of natural disasters. This study used the method of average annual number of events for estimating NIETD. Two natural disasters can be defined as CND if the duration between them is less than the NIETD. We estimated the NIETD as 8 days using natural disasters that occurred in South Korea and identified a total of 89 CNDs of 14 different types such as consecutive rainfall events. The largest number of CNDs was caused by the combination of rainfall and typhoon, which also resulted in the most damage. To examine the randomness of event occurrences, we applied a bootstrapping approach and found that there is no evidence of randomness. The frequency analysis showed that CNDs consisting of rainfall and typhoon (7.6years), and consecutive rainfalls (9.4years) had overwhelmingly more frequent occurrences than other types. The CND definition and concept proposed in this study could be useful in the research on CND.
A modular framework for FAIR shallow landslide susceptibility mapping based on machine learning
Authors: Edrich Ann-Kathrin , Yildiz Anil , Roscher Ribana , Bast Alexander , Graf Frank , Kowalski Julia
Published: April 2024

Machine learning has grown in popularity in the past few years for susceptibility and hazard mapping tasks. Necessary steps for the generation of a susceptibility or hazard map are repeatedly implemented in new studies. We present a Random Forest classifier-based landslide susceptibility and hazard mapping framework to facilitate future mapping studies using machine learning. The framework, as a piece of software, follows the FAIR paradigm, and hence is set up as a transparent, reproducible and modularly extensible workflow. It contains pre-implemented steps from conceptualisation to map generation, such as the generation of input datasets. The framework can be applied to different areas of interest using different environmental features and is also flexible in terms of the desired scale and resolution of the final map. To demonstrate the functionality and validity of the framework, and to explore the challenges and limitations of Random Forest-based susceptibility and hazard mapping, we apply the framework to a test case. This test case conveys the influence of the training dataset on the generated susceptibility maps in terms of feature combination, influence of non-landslide instances and representativeness of the training data with respect to the area of interest. A comparison of the test case results with the literature shows that the framework works reliably. Furthermore, the results obtained in this study complement the findings of previous studies that demonstrate the sensitivity of the training process to the training data, particularly in terms of its representativeness.
The relationship between disaster resilience and household food security in a disaster-prone area in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan
Authors: Han Shuyu , Keeni Minakshi , Fuyuki Katsuhito
Published: April 2024

This study explores the relationship between residents’ disaster resilience and potential household food security in the context of natural disasters. Disaster resilience capacity consists of absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and transformative capacity, while household food security is composed of food availability, accessibility, and utilization. Based on data from 539 questionnaires administered to residents in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, this study examines households’ disaster resilience capacity and food security conditions. The entropy method is adopted as a quantitative assessment approach to integrate the data, and a Tobit model is constructed to detect the correlation between households’ disaster resilience capacity and food security. We draw five main findings from the results. (1) Over half of the respondents do not have good food security; moreover, food accessibility is the poorest dimension, as reflected by low scores for water purification capacity and facility preparedness. (2) Most of the respondents do not have high disaster resilience capacity; their transformative capacity is the lowest, followed by absorptive and adaptive capacity. (3) There is a significant positive correlation between disaster resilience and household food security. (4) Disaster damage experience restrains residents’ food utilization. (5) The elderly and senior population may be exposed to food-borne diseases because of their low food utilization. This study provides insights into the influence of disaster resilience activities on household food security before a disaster hits. The study informs the debate on the association between disaster resilience and household food security so as to aid future disaster risk reduction management.
Dynamical systems for remote validation of very high-resolution ocean models
Authors: García-Sánchez Guillermo , Mancho Ana M. , Ramos Antonio G. , Coca Josep , Jiménez Madrid Jose Antonio
Published: April 2024

This paper presents and investigates a novel methodology for validating high-resolution ocean models using satellite imagery. High-resolution ocean models provide detailed information in coastal areas where other available data products are too coarse. Models are usually fitted by comparing them with observations; However, accessing in situ data in all small coastal areas is not feasible, as in situ observations are scarce and obtained through dedicated ships or instruments in limited and selected regions. Our work aims to use alternative remote sensing information to overcome this challenge. The approach involves establishing connections between the satellite observations and the outcomes of various computational experiments carried out using the Regional Ocean Modeling System, which allows the selection of different parameters to run the ocean model. These choices are not fully determined a priori and each one produces distinct outputs, which are then linked to the images through dynamical systems objects. By defining a performance index, we are able to quantify which experiment provides a better representation of the local ocean state.
Long-term radiological assessment of a Mediterranean freshwater ecosystem surrounding a nuclear power plant
Authors: Corbacho José Ángel , Guillén Javier
Published: April 2024

The radionuclide concentration of man-made radionuclides on non-human biota in freshwater ecosystems has been extensively studied in environments affected by the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, in both humid continental and subtropical climates, respectively. However, there are very few studies that assess the long-term effects of operating nuclear facilities in Mediterranean environments. In the present study, a temporal analysis of the impact on carp, cattail, and bulrushes in the cooling pond of the currently operating Almaraz nuclear power plant was investigated for the period 2000–2020. The results do not show a general trend in man-made radionuclide concentrations. Instead, depending on their availability and the type of organism, trends decrease over time. This is also reflected in the effective half-lives obtained, which are lower than the physical half-life for some radionuclides. Transfer coefficients for the main man-made radionuclides detected were obtained, and it was found that these were significantly lower than the typical ranges found for benthic fish and vascular plants in freshwater ecosystems. Finally, the internal and external doses received by the carp have been evaluated using ERICA tool, and it has been observed that the main contribution to the total dose is due to the internal dose (0.65–7.04) × 10−4 µGy/h.
Environmental performance of an autonomous laser weeding robot—a case study
Authors: Krupanek Janusz , de Santos Pablo Gonzales , Emmi Luis , Wollweber Merve , Sandmann Hendrik , Scholle Karsten , Di Minh Tran Duc , Schouteten Joachim Jietse , Andreasen Christian
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Challenges in sustainable development envisioned in the European Union for the agricultural sector require innovation to raise the efficiency of production and safety of farming processes for farmers and ensure food safety for consumers. One of the key productivity factors in plant production is effective weeding. The WeLASER project aimed to develop a high-power autonomous vehicle with lasers to control weeds. To be sustainable, the invention should have a high environmental performance in the whole life cycle perspective, including its production, use in agriculture, and end-of-life phase. In the publication, a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the WeLASER weeding robot is presented. The aim was to identify weak and strong aspects of the invention in environmental terms and provide suggestions for its improvement.

Methods

The machinery was characterized based on technical data provided by the developers, relevant literature, Ecoinvent 3.8 database, and own calculations. The quantitative assessment of environmental impacts was performed using the Simapro tool. For interpretation Recipe 2016 method (egalitarian perspective) was applied.

Results

The results show that the energy issue related to autonomous laser-based weeding machine operations is the most challenging. It is related to impacts on climate change indicators and fossil fuel depletion. Production phase is characterized with impacts on human toxicity and is related to extensive application of electronic and electric components in the robot.

Conclusion

In comparison with other weeding techniques, the high-power autonomous vehicle with lasers to control weeds shows potential for environmentally efficient use of the machinery in practice. Achieving high performance in the life cycle perspective requires improvements in the design, operational features, and smart application in agricultural practice enhanced through expertise, guidance, and advice.
HealthyPlan.City: A Web Tool to Support Urban Environmental Equity and Public Health in Canadian Communities
Authors: Doiron Dany , Setton Eleanor M. , Syer Joey , Redivo Andre , McKee Allan , Noaeen Mohammad , Patel Priya , Booth Gillian L. , Brauer Michael , Fuller Daniel , Kestens Yan , Rosella Laura C. , Stieb Dave , Villeneuve Paul J. , Brook Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2024

Urban environmental factors such as air quality, heat islands, and access to greenspaces and community amenities impact public health. Some vulnerable populations such as low-income groups, children, older adults, new immigrants, and visible minorities live in areas with fewer beneficial conditions, and therefore, face greater health risks. Planning and advocating for equitable healthy urban environments requires systematic analysis of reliable spatial data to identify where vulnerable populations intersect with positive or negative urban/environmental characteristics. To facilitate this effort in Canada, we developed HealthyPlan.City (https://healthyplan.city/), a freely available web mapping platform for users to visualize the spatial patterns of built environment indicators, vulnerable populations, and environmental inequity within over 125 Canadian cities. This tool helps users identify areas within Canadian cities where relatively higher proportions of vulnerable populations experience lower than average levels of beneficial environmental conditions, which we refer to as Equity priority areas. Using nationally standardized environmental data from satellite imagery and other large geospatial databases and demographic data from the Canadian Census, HealthyPlan.City provides a block-by-block snapshot of environmental inequities in Canadian cities. The tool aims to support urban planners, public health professionals, policy makers, and community organizers to identify neighborhoods where targeted investments and improvements to the local environment would simultaneously help communities address environmental inequities, promote public health, and adapt to climate change. In this paper, we report on the key considerations that informed our approach to developing this tool and describe the current web-based application.
Public support for withdrawal from international organizations: Experimental evidence from the US
Authors: von Borzyskowski Inken , Vabulas Felicity
Published: April 2024

The United States has helped create and lead many international organizations (IOs). Yet in the last six years, the US announced its withdrawal from several IOs including the World Health Organization, UNESCO, and the Universal Postal Union. Do Americans care about US withdrawals from IOs? When do Americans support withdrawing from IOs and support candidates who propose this? We argue that Americans’ support for multilateralism tends to divide along party lines, and that IO withdrawal can activate those preferences. We also argue that framing an IO withdrawal as benefiting US national interests can make Americans more likely to favor IO exit. Data from four US survey experiments during the 2016–2020 Trump administration support these arguments. Democrats tend to oppose IO withdrawals while Republicans tend to support them. Further, results show that IO withdrawal (and how it is framed) affects candidate choice and policy support. This suggests that announcing IO withdrawal can be used to rally domestic electoral support. Still, the data also show that a large proportion of the US public values remaining in IOs, even when IOs are imperfect or challenging. In these cases, we note that sunk cost fallacies, status quo bias, and loss aversion may pose friction points for supporting withdrawal. Our findings have important implications for research on public opinion about international cooperation, backlash against IOs, and their life cycles.
Werte in fachübergreifenden Lehrplantexten für das gegliederte Schulwesen in Bayern
Authors: Scheunpflug Annette , Abele-Brehm Andrea , Osterrieder Martina , Banze Anne-Christine
Published: April 2024

In diesem Beitrag geht es um Wertekonfigurationen in Lehrplantexten unterschiedlicher Schularten. Mit der empirischen Studie werden die fachübergreifenden Richtlinien von vier Lehrplänen in Bayern inhaltsanalytisch untersucht und die darin vorfindlichen Wertespektren nach Schulart verglichen. Die Studie knüpft an einen in den letzten Jahrzehnten kaum empirisch bearbeiteten Diskurs zu Werten in Lehrplänen an und ist in diesem Sinne explorativ. Das Kategoriensystem wurde auf Basis der Schwartzschen Theorie der „Basic individual values“ entwickelt. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass über alle Schularten hinweg, die Werte der Selbstbestimmung, des Universalismus, der Benevolenz, der Leistung und der Konformität bedeutsam sind. Unterschiede lassen sich zwischen den Schularten im Stellenwert dieser Werte aufzeigen. In den fachübergreifenden Lehrplantexten bayerischer Gymnasien werden häufiger als in Realschulen und Mittel‑/Hauptschulen Werte der Selbstbestimmung thematisiert; hier steht im Vergleich die Entfaltung der eigenen Persönlichkeit häufiger im Mittelpunkt als die Orientierung am Gemeinsinn. Umgekehrt spielen für fachübergreifende Lehrplantexte an bayerischen Mittelschulen/Hauptschulen Benevolenzwerte eine größere Rolle. In den Texten werden für alle Schularten antagonistische Werte thematisiert; hier unterscheidet sich der Lehrplan für das Gymnasium leicht von den anderen dreien hinsichtlich einer häufigeren Nennung der Gleichzeitigkeit von Offenheit für Veränderungen und Erhaltung des Gegebenen sowie von persönlichem und sozialem Fokus. Die Befunde werden diskutiert und die methodischen Implikationen sowie der weitere Forschungsbedarf dieser explorativen Studie identifiziert.
Influence of Cooling Rate After Destabilization on Microstructure and Hardness of a High-Cr Cast Iron
Authors: Le Nué Charline , Gallo Santiago Corujeira , Vahid Alireza , Taherishargh Mehdi , Attar Hooyar , Fabijanic Daniel , Barnett Matthew
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the impact of cooling rate after destabilization at 980 °C on the microstructure of 23 wt pct Cr–2.7wt pct C hypoeutectic high-Cr cast iron. Lowering cooling rate intensifies the secondary carbides formation, depleting carbon in austenite. This raises the martensite start temperature and lowers the bulk hardness. We thereby provide evidence explaining the origin of the sensitivity to cooling rate in high-Cr cast irons.
Lymphatic Chyle Duct Injury and Identification During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Preventing Postoperative Chylous Ascites
Authors: Abokhozima Ahmed , Zidan Mohamed H. , Abo Elmagd Ahmed , Alokl Mohammed , Altabbaa Hashem , Al Sayed Mohamed , Selim Aliaa
Published: April 2024

We present a case of intraoperative detection of an iatrogenic chyle duct injury during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. The chyle duct injury was identified and managed by ligature, preventing postoperative chylous ascites.