bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of machine learning algorithms to assess soil erosion in Mediterranean farmland: A case‐study in Syria
Authors: Mohammed Safwan , Jouhra Ali , Enaruvbe Glory O. , Bashir Bashar , Barakat Mona , Alsilibe Firas , Cimusa Kulimushi Luc , Alsalman Abdullah , Szabó Szilárd
Published: February 2023

The development of new techniques, such as machine learning (ML), can provide better insight into the processes and drivers of soil erosion and runoff. However, the performance of these techniques to assess soil erosion in agricultural landscapes is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of four machine learning algorithms, generalized linear model (GLM), Random Forest (RF), elastic net regression (EN) and multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS), in predicting soil erosion and runoff in Syria. Soil erosion and runoff were measured on three experimental plots (2.25 m × 1.50 m × 0.50 m, 0.10 m depth in the soil), combined with three different slopes and land use types: RS (8%, olive), SS (12%, citrus), KS (20%, pomegranate). Both erosion and runoff were determined after rainfall events of >10 mm between October 2019 and April 2020. Based on 24 effective rainfall events, the average soil erosion was 0.18 ± 0.14 kg m−2 per event in KS, 0.14 ± 0.11 kg m−2 per event in SS, and 0.12 ± 0.10 kg/m2 per event in RS. Regression analysis indicated strong relationship between the rainfalls and the runoff, the highest connection was recorded in the KS plot (r2 = 0.85; p < 0.05 n = 24). The analysis of covariance indicated that only the runoff had a significant impact on soil erosion (p = 0.02) with a medium effect (ε2p = 0.26). However, the impacts of rainfall events and slope categories on soil erosion were limited (ε2p < 0.01) and not significant (p > 0.05). ML techniques were usually efficient in the prediction, the RF and MARS models were the most accurate: RF had the strongest correlation with the measured values (r = 0.85) with a low estimation error (0.06 kg m−2), but MARS's standard deviation (SD) was closer to the recorded values' SD. GLM and EN were the weakest predictor models. Modeled values of the slightest slope (8%) had the worst accuracies, and the predictions of the 12% slope were the best in all models. This study provides important insights into the usefulness of machine learning techniques and algorithms in predicting the rate of soil erosion and runoff in agricultural dominated landscapes. We highlighted that the RF and MARS algorithms were better predictors of soil erosion and runoff in the coastal region of Syria.
Balloon Sinuplasty and Stenting in the Management of Complex Frontal Sinus Outflow Tract Fractures
Authors: Davis Seth J. , Naguib Mark , Dedhia Raj D. , Bauer Ashley M. , Stephan Scott J. , Russell Paul T.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Classical management of complex fractures involving the frontal sinus outflow tract (FSOT) favors obliteration or cranialization to avoid delayed complications. We aim to exhibit success with a novel application of balloon sinuplasty and frontal stenting in the management of complex injuries disrupting the FSOT, which might have otherwise required more invasive interventions.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Setting

Single institution, level 1 trauma center.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center with fractures involving the FSOT. Outcomes include patency of the FSOT on imaging and endoscopy, rate of complications, degree of residual tabular displacement, and need for revision surgery.

Results

Twenty‐five patients met inclusion criteria, with complete FSOT obstruction seen in all cases on computed tomography. All patients underwent balloon sinuplasty with frontal sinus stenting; 48% underwent concurrent anterior table repair, and 36% open repair of nasoorbitoethmoid complex fractures. The mean follow‐up length was 13.9 months, at which time 91.3% of patients demonstrated radiographic and endoscopic FSOT patency. No residual sinus opacification or pneumocephalus was observed.

Conclusion

Balloon sinuplasty with frontal sinus stenting is a straightforward and minimally invasive technique that can create a safe sinus in complex fractures disrupting the FSOT while avoiding the need for more invasive procedures.
Leveraging federalism for flexible and robust management of social‐ecological systems
Authors: Sims Charles , Armsworth Paul R. , Blackwood Julie , Fitzpatrick Ben , Kling David M. , Lenhart Suzanne , Neubert Michael , Papeş Monica , Sanchirico James , Shea Katriona , Springborn Michael
Published: February 2023

Managing social‐ecological systems (SES) requires balancing the need to tailor actions to local heterogeneity and the need to work over large areas to accommodate the extent of SES. This balance is particularly challenging for policy since the level of government where the policy is being developed determines the extent and resolution of action.

We make the case for a new research agenda focused on ecological federalism that seeks to address this challenge by capitalizing on the flexibility afforded by a federalist system of governance. Ecological federalism synthesizes the environmental federalism literature from law and economics with relevant ecological and biological literature to address a fundamental question: What aspects of SES should be managed by federal governments and which should be allocated to decentralized state governments?

This new research agenda considers the bio‐geo‐physical processes that characterize state‐federal management tradeoffs for biodiversity conservation, resource management, infectious disease prevention, and invasive species control.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Mental health, functional impairment, and barriers to mental health access among cancer patients in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Thinh Toan , Lu Wenhua , Weiss Marina , Nguyen Linh Thi‐Hoai , Ngo Victoria Khanh
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study evaluated the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety symptomatology, barriers to mental health access, and correlates of functional impairment among cancer inpatients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study recruited adult cancer patients (N = 300) in June and July 2022 at the largest oncological hospital in Vietnam. Multivariable linear regression analyses examined the association between demographics, clinical characteristics, and patients' functional impairment.

Results

Approximately 46.3% and 27.0% showed some depression and anxiety symptomatology, while 8.0% and 3.0% experienced major depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Patients reported the most impairment in mobility and capacity for life activities. More functional impairment was identified in patients with gastrointestinal cancers, those receiving radiation therapy alone, and those scoring higher on depression and anxiety than in those with cancers originating in the head, neck, or lung or those receiving chemotherapy alone. Reports of better overall health status were negatively associated with functional impairment. Patients reported extensive perceived barriers to seeking psychiatric care, including not knowing where to get mental health support (86.7%), wanting to manage mental health independently (73.7%), and thinking mental health will resolve on its own (73.7%), and denying mental health concerns (61.0%).

Conclusion

High frequency and severity of depression and anxiety symptomatology underscore the importance of integrating mental health services into existing oncological treatment protocols. Increasing mental health literacy and provision of psychoeducation is critical to addressing barriers to mental health service access. Integration of functional impairment evaluations into hospital admission and discharge planning is also needed.
Factors associated with anxiety and depression in cancer patients: Demographic factors and the role of demoralization and satisfaction with care
Authors: Arvanitou Eleni , Nikoloudi Maria , Tsoukalas Nikolaos , Parpa Efi , Mystakidou Kyriaki
Published: February 2023

Objective

Anxiety and depression are common in cancer patients and seem to affect quality of life, treatment compliance and even survival. Defining factors related to anxiety and depression and exploring the role of demoralization and satisfaction with care, could contribute to the improvement of patients' quality of life and quality of health services as well.

Methods

A convenience sample of 150 cancer inpatients and outpatients from two oncology centers, with various types of solid tumors, participated in a prospective cross‐sectional observational study. The psychometric tools used were the Greek versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, FAMCARE‐Patient Scale and Oncology Palliative Care (FAMCARESCALE) and Demoralization Scale (DEMORALIZATION SCALE II, DS‐II).

Results

Patients mean age was 62 years (20–85 years) and 89 patients (59.3%) were women. Among patients, 33% had breast, 24% gastrointestinal and 15% lung cancer. Eighty‐two patients (54.7%) had metastatic disease. Women showed higher rates of anxiety (p = 0.054). Anxiety was inversely related to age (p = 0.043) and positively correlated with time since diagnosis (p = 0.076). Unmarried patients presented with higher rates of depression (p = 0.026). Multiple linear regression showed a statistically significant impact of Demoralization factor ‘Meaning and Purpose’ on anxiety (p < 0.001, R2 = 36.3%) and depression (p < 0.001, R2 = 49%). Moreover, higher educational level (p = 0.038, R2 = 3.1%) is related to higher levels of anxiety and higher scores of FAMCARESCALE factor‐Information/interaction with the health care professionals, is related to lower levels of depression (p = 0.008, R2 = 2.7%).

Conclusions

The results highlight the significant impact of demoralization on anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Early recognition of demoralization and early referral to mental health professionals will hopefully alleviate the mental burden of cancer patients.
Orbiting Self‐Organization of Filament‐Tethered Surface‐Active Droplets
Authors: Winkens Mitch , Vilcan Alexandru , de Visser Pieter J. , de Graaf Freek V. , Korevaar Peter A.
Published: February 2023

Dissipative chemical systems hold the potential to enable life‐like behavior in synthetic matter, such as self‐organization, motility, and dynamic switching between different states. Here, out‐of‐equilibrium self‐organization is demonstrated by interconnected source and drain droplets at an air‐water interface, which display dynamic behavior due to a hydrolysis reaction that generates a concentration gradient around the drain droplets. This concentration gradient interferes with the adhesion of self‐assembled amphiphile filaments that grow from a source droplet. The chemical gradient sustains a unique orbiting of the drain droplet, which is proposed to be driven by the selective adhesion of the filaments to the front of the moving droplet, while filaments approaching from behind are destabilized upon contact with the hydrolysis product in the trail of the droplet. Potential applications are foreseen in the transfer of chemical signals amongst communicating droplets in rearranging networks, and the implementation of chemical reactions to drive complex positioning routines in life‐like systems.
Molecular Engineering of Colloidal Atoms
Authors: Cui Yan , Wang Jingchun , Liang Juncong , Qiu Huibin
Published: February 2023

Creation of architectures with exquisite hierarchies actuates the germination of revolutionized functions and applications across a wide range of fields. Hierarchical self‐assembly of colloidal particles holds the promise for materialized realization of structural programing and customizing. This review outlines the general approaches to organize atom‐like micro‐ and nanoparticles into prescribed colloidal analogs of molecules by exploiting diverse interparticle driving motifs involving confining templates, interactive surface ligands, and flexible shape/surface anisotropy. Furthermore, the self‐regulated/adaptive co‐assembly of simple unvarnished building blocks is discussed to inspire new designs of colloidal assembly strategies.
Reduction of Conservativeness of RobustPIDControl System Design Method: An Approach Using the Mapping Theorem and theCremer–Leonhard–MikhailovCriterion
Authors: Terui Ryo , Matsuda Tadasuke , Nakamura Yukinori
Published: February 2023

This paper gives a novel method to design less‐conservative robust PID control systems. The partial model matching method is a design method for PID control systems. That is a method to design a control system that matches a reference model as closely as possible. This method does not guarantee robust stability of a PID control system because it is assumed that there are no uncertainties on the coefficients of the lower‐order terms of the plant. Therefore, in our previous work, a robust design method based on the partial model matching method was proposed. However, the drawback of this conventional method is that the results of stability analysis are conservative. In this paper, we aim to reduce the conservativeness caused by the conventional method. To achieve this goal, we use a robust stability analysis method based on the Cremer–Leonhard–Mikhailov criterion and the mapping theorem. Moreover, we also propose a new method to update the value of a design parameter. A numerical example shown in this paper implies that the conservativeness is reduced by the proposed method. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The ethics of climate activism
Authors: Garcia‐Gibson Francisco
Published: February 2023

Climate activism, and ethical reflection on it, is expanding in line with increased awareness of global warming's destructive effects. The ethics of climate activism has focused on two main questions. First, is there a duty to engage in climate activism? Answers to this question differ regarding how the duty is grounded, how demanding it is, and whether people in certain social roles have special duties to engage in climate activism. The second question is whether certain forms of climate activism are morally permissible, given certain frequently voiced concerns. Prominently, concerns about climate activism being ineffective, uninclusive, undemocratic, and violent. The review ends by pointing to other issues that the ethics of climate activism is likely to address in the near future.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
The Nature and the Policy Added Value of EU Integrated Urban Initiatives: Research Issues and Strategies
Authors: Rodríguez-García María Jesús , Navarro Yáñez Clemente J. , Guerrero-Mayo María José
Published: February 2023

After reviewing the main research strategies applied to analyse urban initiatives promoted by the EU, this chapter proposes the ‘urban policy portfolio analysis’ (CUPPA) approach to perform comparative analyses at the level of local strategies. Previous exercises about EU urban initiatives have analysed their legal framework, applied the classical programme perspective (spending and other aspects) or studied specific case studies. These approaches study the urban dimension of the European Cohesion Policy or national applications as a whole or provide in-depth information about detailed local plans. However, these approaches do not provide systematic information to perform comparative analyses at the local strategies level. The CUPPA approach provided comparative methods to perform bottom-up analyses (from the local strategy level to policy frames) of design and implementation processes theoretically founded in previous research on urban policies. Therefore, this approach is aligned with the multi-level and complex character of integrated urban strategies promoted by the EU. And, therefore, allow for multi-scalar comparative analyses of strategies (at the local level) and the actual character of policy frames (regional, national, and EU levels) from a cross-time and cross-sectional perspective.
Education-based Euphorias! How Happiness & Comfort for LGBTQ+ People in Education Evolves
Authors: Jones Tiffany
Published: February 2023

Affirming affective framings of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) experiences are needed in education research. Drawing on the2021 LGBTQ+ Yousurveys, this chapter explores experiences of euphoria in Australian education institutions among 2407 LGBTQ+ staff, parents, and students participants and how these changed over time. Staff members and out LGBTQ+ participants were more likely to have euphorias; heterosexuals, parents, and those in religious or rural schools were less likely.Community Connection,Institutional Inclusion,AcceptanceandCategory Validation euphoriaswere most common. Change-trends included: (1) expansion ofCommunity Connection euphoriathrough socialisation, (2) gradual building ofAcceptance euphoria,(3) site-specific changes inInstitutional Inclusion euphoria,(4) sudden shifts inCategory Validation euphoria,and (5) removal or addition of euphoria blockers especially the spectre of parental backlash.
LGBTQ+ Parents’ Euphorias! Consistencies in LGBTQ+ parents’ Happiness & Comfort
Authors: Jones Tiffany
Published: February 2023

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) parents’ rights were openly debated around marriage legislation movements. Religious schools can deny their families services. This chapter investigates 208 LGBTQ+ parents’ euphorias in their children’s schools. Under a third of them were euphoric and mostly always or often; gay or lesbian parents were more likely to experience euphorias and parents with disabilities were less likely. Institutional Inclusion, Category Validation, Pride Generativity, and Community Connection euphorias dominated. Most parents reported no changes to their euphorias. Change-trends included: (1) increased expectation for Institutional Inclusion euphoria; (2) steady growth in (Self-) Acceptance euphoria; (3) relationships and relationship views as a moderating factor; (4) learning and teaching euphorias; and (5) time as an enabling factor. Parent euphorias had stable and revolutionary qualities.
$$H^1$$ Solutions for a Kuramoto–Velarde Type Equation
Authors: Coclite Giuseppe Maria , di Ruvo Lorenzo
Published: February 2023

Kuramoto–Velarde equation describes the spatiotemporal evolution of the morphology of steps on crystal surfaces, or the evolution of the spinoidal decomposition of phase separating systems in an external field. We prove the well-posedness of the classical solutions for the Cauchy problem, associated with this equation for each choice of the terminal timeT.
Correction: Non-Self-Adjoint Toeplitz Matrices Whose Principal Submatrices Have Real Spectrum
Authors: Shapiro Boris , Štampach František
Published: February 2023

We announce an error in the proof of Theorem 8 of Constr.Approx.48(2) (2019) 191–226.
On the Exponential Decay of Strongly Interacting Cold Atoms from a Double-Well Potential
Authors: Kościk Przemysław
Published: February 2023

In this article, we study an exponential decay for the gas of bosons with strong repulsive delta interactions from a double-well potential. We consider an exactly solvable model comprising an infinite wall and two Dirac delta barriers. We explore its features both within the exact method and with the resonance expansion approach. The study reveals the effect of the splitting barrier on the decay rate in dependence on the number of particles. Among other things, we find that the effect of the splitting barrier on the decay rate is most pronounced in systems with odd particle numbers. During exponential decay, the spatial correlations in an internal region are well captured by the “radiating state”.
E-Defense 2015 ten-story building: beam–column joint assessment according to different code-based design
Authors: Del Vecchio C. , De Risi M. T. , Del Gaudio C. , Ricci P. , Di Ludovico M. , Kang Jae-do
Published: February 2023

Recent devastating earthquakes worldwide pointed out the importance of seismic detailing and their influence on the observed damage and subsequent repairability of reinforced concrete buildings. Several studies and post-earthquake observations remarked the role of beam–column joints (BCJs) on the global building response and the effectiveness of transverse reinforcement in increasing the joint shear strength and the ultimate deformation. Although number of experimental and theoretical studies focused on the seismic response of BCJs, their mechanical behaviour is still a discussed topic. This resulted in number of design approaches available in worldwide code or standards that lead to different quantity of joint stirrups. This study focuses on the response of BCJs of a 10-story prototype building designed according to Japanese standards and tested in 2015 on the E-Defense shaking table. First the damage assessment at global (building) and local (joint) level is performed at increasing intensities and considering the building in the base slip and base fixed configurations. A refined numerical model is then developed and validated against global and local experimental results. Then, the joint stirrups are re-designed according to different international standards (ACI, EC8, NZS) and different numerical models are developed. The numerical results are then compared in terms of interstorey drift demand and joint shear strain. Finally, a comparison in terms of expected damage varying the design approach of joint stirrups is proposed.
New cryptanalysis of LowMC with algebraic techniques
Authors: Qiao Wenxiao , Yan Hailun , Sun Siwei , Hu Lei , Jing Jiwu
Published: February 2023

LowMC is a family of block ciphers proposed by Albrecht et al. at EUROCRYPT 2015, which is tailored specifically for FHE and MPC applications. At ToSC 2018, a difference enumeration attack was given for the cryptanalysis of low-data instances of full LowMCv2 with few applied S-boxes per round. Recently at CRYPTO 2021, an efficient algebraic technique was proposed to attack 4-round LowMC adopting a full S-box layer. Following these works, we present a new difference enumeration attack framework, which is based on our new observations on the LowMC S-box, to analyze LowMC instances with a full S-box layer. As a result, with only 3 chosen plaintexts, we can attack 4-round LowMC instances which adopt a full S-box layer with block size of 129, 192, and 255 bits, respectively. We show that all these attacks have either a lower time complexity or a higher success probability than those reported in the CRYPTO paper.
Quasi optimal anticodes: structure and invariants
Authors: Gorla Elisa , Landolina Cristina
Published: February 2023

It is well-known that the dimension of optimal anticodes in the rank-metric is divisible by the maximum m between the number of rows and columns of the matrices. Moreover, for a fixed k divisible by m, optimal rank-metric anticodes are the codes with least maximum rank, among those of dimension k. In this paper, we study the family of rank-metric codes whose dimension is not divisible by m and whose maximum rank is the least possible for codes of that dimension, according to the Anticode bound. As these are not optimal anticodes, we call them quasi optimal anticodes (qOACs). In addition, we call dually qOAC a qOAC whose dual is also a qOAC. We describe explicitly the structure of dually qOACs and compute their weight distributions, generalized weights, and associated q-polymatroids.
The Laws of Nature and the Problems of Modern Cosmology
Authors: Gaspar Yves , Tambor Paweł
Published: February 2023

The notion that nature is subject to laws is exciting from many different viewpoints. This paper is based on the context of modern cosmology. It will list the significant interdisciplinary implications generated by various aspects of the contemporary scientific discussion about the status of laws of nature, especially their dynamic nature. Recent work highlights how multiple aspects of the observed universe still lack explanation and that several problems of standard cosmology still form the object of debate. Considering these issues, several proposals have been made that entail a revision of the concept of the law of nature, according to which the nature of time and of the relation between causality and natural laws ought to be reconsidered using approaches or viewpoints which point to philosophical issues. We argue that Tim Maudlin’s concept of Fundamental Law of Temporal Evolution (FLOTE) and Nancy Cartwright’s notion of the nomological machine provide new insights and valuable tools that can be used in the analysis of the status of laws in the context of cosmology and of complex systems theory. The limits of the traditional approach to laws of nature and their mathematical formulation are highlighted in this context, as well as the fact that many of the ultimate properties of nature may turn out to be formally unpredictable or uncomputable.
Effect of La substitution on the structural and chemical properties of Barium hexaferrite via Mossbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Nishkala K. R. , Rao Rajat Radhakrishna , Mutalik Srinivas , Daivajna Mamatha D.
Published: February 2023

M-type Barium hexaferrite is a famous hard magnetic material with a hexagonal crystal structure. La substituted Barium hexaferrite, Ba(1-x)La(x)Fe12O19, (where, x = 0.25 and 0.30) were synthesized using ball milling followed by sintering at 1300 °C for 5 hours. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the formation of a single-phase magnetoplumbite structure of barium hexaferrite, which belongs to the P63/mmc space group. Mossbauer spectroscopic studies were carried out to study the magnetic phase, the effect of La doping on the valency of the Fe atom, and charge distribution in the prepared samples. Mossbauer spectra is fitted using 5 sextets, shows there is 5 sublattices present in the system. From the fitting of Mossbauer spectrum, it is observed that, there is no formation of Fe2+ ion even if the doping levels are as high as 30%, as it is expected that Fe3+ ion changes its valance to maintain the charge neutrality. However, there is an increase in s-electron density for number of sites with doping. Quadrupole splitting values shows spherical charge distribution for all the sublattices except 2b, due to asymmetric nature of bipyramidal site. Slightly varied magnetic hyperfine splitting values are observed for 12 k and 4f1 sites shows the effect of La substitution.
Synthesis and thermal characterization of porous polymeric microspheres functionalized with thiol groups
Authors: Maciejewska Magdalena , Grochowicz Marta
Published: February 2023

The paper presents a method of the preparation and functionalization of polymer microspheres consisting of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and crosslinking agents: 1,4-dimethacryloyloxybenzene (1,4DMB) and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM). Poly(GMA-co-1,4DMB) and poly(GMA-co-TRIM) microspheres were obtained by seed swelling polymerization. To introduce thiol groups into the microspheres structure, the reaction with thiocarboxylic acids was performed. The chemical structure of parent and modified microspheres was confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Elemental composition of microspheres after functionalization was determined by elemental analysis. The analysis showed the percentage of sulfur in the range of 2.78–4.51%, which corresponds to a concentration of thiol group in the range of 0.87–1.41 mmol g−1. Additionally, the porous structure of the copolymers was investigated using the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption method. The starting microspheres are characterized by a specific surface in the range of 150–160 m2 g−1, whereas functionalized copolymers indicate slightly lower surface area, of about 130 m2 g−1. The thermal stability of the materials was determined by the method of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The course of the thermal degradation under oxidative conditions of modified microspheres is different from the starting copolymers. The functionalized microspheres showed much higher thermal stability (approximately 270 °C) compared to the starting microspheres (230–250 °C).
Tracing the dominant sources of sediment flowing towards Lake Victoria using geochemical tracers and a Bayesian mixing model
Authors: James Renatus , Amasi Aloyce I. , Wynants Maarten , Nobert Joel , Mtei Kelvin M. , Njau Karoli
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Lake Victoria has been increasingly silting over the past decades, impacting water quality and loss of biodiversity. Sediment control strategies require information on the relative and absolute contributions of sediment from different sources. However, to date, there is no continuous monitoring of sediment flux or water quality in any of the tributaries, prohibiting an assessment of the scale of the problem. The aim of this study was to trace the dominant sources of riverine sediment using geochemical fingerprinting, thereby generating a knowledge base for improving land management and reducing sediment yields in Simiyu River catchment, one of the main contributing rivers to Lake Victoria.

Materials and methods

Geochemical tracer concentrations were analyzed in transported sediment from the main river and two tributaries (riverbed sediments) and from soils in five dominant land use types (agricultural land, bush land, forest land, channel banks, and main river banks). Dominant sources to the Simiyu main river sediment were attributed using the Bayesian MixSIAR model.

Results and discussion

The mixing model outputs showed that the Simiyu tributary was the dominant source of sediment to the Simiyu main river with 63.2%, while the Duma tributary accounted for 36.8%. Cultivated land was shown to be the main land use source of riverine sediment, accounting for 80.0% and 86.4% in Simiyu and Duma sub-tributaries, respectively, followed by channel banks with 9.0% in both sub-tributaries. Direct unmixing of the Simiyu main river sediment to the land use sources yielded 64.7% contribution of cultivated land and 26.5% of channel banks.

Conclusion

The demonstrated application of sediment source tracing provides an important pathway for quantifying the dominant sources of sediment in the rivers flowing towards Lake Victoria. Eroded soil from agricultural areas is the biggest contributor to transported sediment in the Simiyu River. This information is vital for the design of catchment wide management plans that should focus on reducing soil erosion and sediment delivery from farming areas to the river networks, ultimately supporting both food security and water quality in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Predictive Role of Ki67 Proliferative Index in Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Neoplasms: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: La Rosa Stefano
Published: February 2023

The introduction of Ki67 immunohistochemistry in the work-up of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has opened a new approach for their diagnosis and prognostic evaluation. Since the first demonstration of the prognostic role of Ki67 proliferative index in pancreatic NENs in 1996, several studies have been performed to explore its prognostic, diagnostic, and predictive role in other neuroendocrine and endocrine neoplasms. A large amount of information is now available and published results globally indicate that Ki67 proliferative index is useful to this scope, although some differences exist in relation to tumor site and type. In gut and pancreatic NENs, the Ki67 proliferative index has a well-documented and accepted diagnostic and prognostic role and its evaluation is mandatory in their diagnostic work-up. In the lung, the Ki67 index is recommended for the diagnosis of NENs on biopsy specimens, but its diagnostic role in surgical specimens still remains to be officially accepted, although its prognostic role is now well documented. In other organs, such as the pituitary, parathyroid, thyroid (follicular cell-derived neoplasms), and adrenal medulla, the Ki67 index does not play a diagnostic role and its prognostic value still remains a controversial issue. In medullary thyroid carcinoma, the Ki67 labelling index is used to define the tumor grade together with other morphological parameters, while in the adrenal cortical carcinoma, it is useful to select patients to treated with mitotane therapy. In the present review, the most important information on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive role of Ki67 proliferative index is presented discussing the current knowledge. In addition, technical issues related to the evaluation of Ki67 proliferative index and the future perspectives of the application of Ki67 immunostaining in endocrine and neuroendocrine neoplasms is discussed.
The behavior of micropiled raft foundations subjected to combined vertical and lateral loading: numerical study
Authors: Elsawwaf Ahmed , Nazir Ashraf , Azzam Waseim , Farouk Ahmed
Published: February 2023

The micropiled raft offers a foundation system that combines the advantages of the conventional piled raft and the efficient installation of micropiles. In this paper, a comprehensive numerical analysis was conducted on the behavior of micropiled rafts under combined vertical and lateral loading using finite element modeling. A numerical model calibrated against full-scale axial and lateral field tests is used to conduct the analysis. The soil profile was soft clay soil underlain by a layer of dense sand. Numerous cases were analyzed to assess the lateral performance of micropiled rafts while considering several factors that may affect the performance, such as micropiles spacing, raft thickness, the magnitude of vertical loading, micropiles length, and their arrangement. The difference between the lateral performance of a primary micropiled raft and that of an existing raft enhanced by underpinning micropiles was also investigated. The lateral load capacity of the micropiled raft, the bending moment, and the shear force along the micropiles depth were estimated. Moreover, the load-sharing ratio between the micropiles and the raft was assessed. Based on the parametric study results, significant guidelines for choosing suitable micropiled raft configurations for initial design purposes were provided.
Factor structure of the Young Positive Schema Questionnaire in an eating disorder sample
Authors: Huckstepp Tyrone J. , Allen Andrew , Maher Anthea L. , Houlihan Catherine , Mason Jonathan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YPSQ) measures early adaptive schemas (EAS) which could be used to develop positive psychology and schema-based interventions to benefit the treatment of eating disorders (EDs).

Methods

The present study investigated the factor structure of the YPSQ in a sample of 826 participants (18–73 years; n = 753 women) with ED symptomatology (e.g., restricting, binging, and purging). The sample was randomly split into two groups for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Full sample analysis using Pearson correlations was conducted to explore convergent validity of the new YSPQ factor structure with ED symptomatology, emotional regulation, and cognitive flexibility.

Results

A nine-factor model was found, demonstrating good fit indices and internal consistency (α = 0.77–0.92). The YPSQ showed an inverse relationship to ED symptomatology and emotional suppression, and a positive relationship with cognitive flexibility and emotion reappraisal.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to explore the clinical benefits of the YPSQ to identify EAS deficits in individuals with EDs to improve treatment outcomes.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive study.
Contemporary screen use and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among a national sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults
Authors: Ganson Kyle T. , Hallward Laura , Rodgers Rachel F. , Testa Alexander , Jackson Dylan B. , Nagata Jason M.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Screen time has been previously linked to body dissatisfaction and eating disorder behaviors. However, less is known about whether use of common forms of screen technology is associated with symptoms of muscle dysmorphia (MD), which was the aim of this study.

Methods

Data from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors (N = 2538) were analyzed. Associations between hours of use of six contemporary forms of recreational screen time, as well as total screen time, and symptoms of MD were determined using multiple linear regression models, stratified by gender, and adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Among both men and women, greater total screen time and texting were associated with greater symptoms of MD; however, differences emerged across the screen time modalities by gender. Among women, video chatting was most strongly associated with symptoms of MD, while social media use was most strongly associated with symptoms of MD among men.

Conclusion

Findings add to the growing literature documenting the potentially harmful correlates of screen time by including MD symptomatology. Findings have important implications for health care, public health, and policymaking professionals.

Level of evidence

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Engineering HOF-Based Mixed-Matrix Membranes for Efficient CO2 Separation
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Ren Yanxiong , Cao Yu , Liang Xu , He Guangwei , Ma Hanze , Dong Hongliang , Fang Xiao , Pan Fusheng , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: February 2023

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have emerged as a new class of crystalline porous materials, and their application in membrane technology needs to be explored. Herein, for the first time, we demonstrated the utilization of HOF-based mixed-matrix membrane for CO2 separation. HOF-21, a unique metallo-hydrogen-bonded organic framework material, was designed and processed into nanofillers via amine modulator, uniformly dispersing with Pebax polymer. Featured with the mix-bonded framework, HOF-21 possessed moderate pore size of 0.35 nm and displayed excellent stability under humid feed gas. The chemical functions of multiple binding sites and continuous hydrogen-bonded network jointly facilitated the mass transport of CO2. The resulting HOF-21 mixed-matrix membrane exhibited a permeability above 750 Barrer, a selectivity of ~ 40 for CO2/CH4 and ~ 60 for CO2/N2, surpassing the 2008 Robeson upper bound. This work enlarges the family of mixed-matrix membranes and lays the foundation for HOF membrane development.
Magmatism in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Marsh Bruce
Published: February 2023

The mechanisms of magma movement, chemical differentiation and physical development, are derived from the geochemistry of igneous rocks, and from studying exposures of deep magmatic systems that have since solidified and been uplifted and exposed at the Earth's surface. The Ferrar Magmatic System of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica provides an unparalleled example of a complete magmatic-volcanic system exposed in unprecedented detail. This book provides a unique and usual three-dimensional detailed examination of this system, providing insight into many magmatic processes normally unobservable, in particular how basaltic magma moves upwards through the crust, how it entrains, carries and deposits loads of crystals from great depths, and how this all contributes to Earth's evolution. Providing an explanation of how magmatic systems operate and how igneous rocks form, this is an invaluable resource ideal for researchers and graduate students in magma physics, igneous petrology, volcanology, and geochemistry.
Inventing an African Alphabet
Authors: Sarró Ramon
Published: February 2023

In 1978, Congolese inventor David Wabeladio Payi (1958–2013) proposed a new writing system, called Mandombe. Since then, Mandombe has grown and now has thousands of learners in not only the Democratic Republic of Congo, but also France, Angola and many other countries. Drawing upon Ramon Sarró's personal friendship with Wabeladio, this book tells the story of Wabeladio, his alphabet and the creativity that both continue to inspire. A member of the Kimbanguist church, which began as an anticolonial movement in 1921, Wabeladio and his script were deeply influenced by spirituality and Kongo culture. Combining biography, art, and religion, Sarró explores a range of ideas, from the role of pilgrimage and landscape in Wabeladio's life, to the intricacies and logic of Mandombe. Sarró situates the creative individual within a rich context of anthropological, historical and philosophical scholarship, offering a new perspective on the relationships between imagination, innovation and revelation.
Interculturality, Criticality and Reflexivity in Teacher Education
Authors: Dervin Fred
Published: February 2023

Preparing teachers to work with and for diversity in their classrooms and beyond is an objective that seems to be globally accepted in pre-service and in-service teacher education. However, what diversity means, what it entails and how to engage with diverse individuals in educational contexts can take on multiple shapes in different parts of the world. This Element suggests that the multifaceted and polysemic notion of interculturality could be useful to unthink and rethink (ad infinitum) working with diverse people in education. The Element surveys the different meanings and ideologies attached to the notion, using a multilingual perspective to do so. Recent research published internationally on the topic and its companions such as multicultural is also reviewed. The main addition to the field is a critical and reflexive perspective which is proposed for teacher educators, (students) teachers and researchers. The proposal draws from Dervin's most up-to-date theoretical and pedagogical work.
The Whistling Blackbird
Authors: Morris Robert
Published: February 2023

A collection of essays on new music, composers, and issues in American music criticism and aesthetics on by composer and music theorist Robert Morris.
SATURATED MODELS FOR THE WORKING MODEL THEORIST
Authors: HALEVI YATIR , KAPLAN ITAY
Published: February 2023

We put in print a classical result that states that for most purposes, there is no harm in assuming the existence of saturated models in model theory. The presentation is aimed for model theorists with only basic knowledge of axiomatic set theory.
Ramsey numbers of cycles versus general graphs
Authors: Haslegrave John , Hyde Joseph , Kim Jaehoon , Liu Hong
Published: February 2023

The Ramsey number

$R(F,H)$

is the minimum number N such that any N-vertex graph either contains a copy of F or its complement contains H. Burr in 1981 proved a pleasingly general result that, for any graph H, provided n is sufficiently large, a natural lower bound construction gives the correct Ramsey number involving cycles:

$R(C_n,H)=(n-1)(\chi (H)-1)+\sigma (H)$

, where

$\sigma (H)$

is the minimum possible size of a colour class in a

$\chi (H)$

-colouring of H. Allen, Brightwell and Skokan conjectured that the same should be true already when

$n\geq \lvert H\rvert \chi (H)$

.

We improve this 40-year-old result of Burr by giving quantitative bounds of the form

$n\geq C\lvert H\rvert \log ^4\chi (H)$

, which is optimal up to the logarithmic factor. In particular, this proves a strengthening of the Allen–Brightwell–Skokan conjecture for all graphs H with large chromatic number.
“Two Courts” for One Constitution: Fragmentation of Constitutional Review in the Law of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague
Authors: Hasani Enver , Korenica Fisnik
Published: February 2023

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers embody a remarkable project involving elements of the domestic law of the Republic of Kosovo, the EU’s external relations law, and international criminal law. The Chambers’ hybrid nature is not only unique, but also atypical in regards to its influence in Kosovo’s constitutional order. The Specialist Constitutional Chamber is one of the instances of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers sitting in the Hague. The Specialist Constitutional Chamber resembles Kosovo’s Constitutional Court on a specific, though exclusive, area of law—the law surrounding the court in general. The two courts not only exercise the same generic function—on the basis of exclusive material criteria—but also possibly parallel and compete with each other. The relationship between the “two courts” is at best explained with the term “fragmentation of constitutional jurisdiction.” While the two courts are forced to endure under the same normative roof—the Constitution—they inherently exercise often conflicting functions and protect irreconcilable ideological perspectives. The article examines the interaction between the two courts primarily in a normative and jurisdictional perspective. It also presents recent tendencies of both courts to divert in divergent pathways. The article concludes that while the two courts present an unobserved case in comparative constitutional law, they also reveal an interesting and unconventional constitutional controversy appearing in the context of a sovereign country’s relationship with international law obligations.
La colonización española en Sudamérica: Estudio del primer asentamiento en la Cuenca del Plata mediante el registro de los microrrestos biosilíceos
Authors: Colobig María de los Milagros , Zucol Alejandro Fabián , Passeggi Esteban , Azkarate Agustín , Cocco Gabriel , Sánchez-Pinto Iban
Published: February 2023

Se analizan los microrrestos biosilíceos recuperados en el sitio Fuerte Sancti Spiritus, primer asentamiento español que se estableció en la cuenca del Río de la Plata en el período de la colonización y conquista europea en América. Está emplazado en Puerto Gaboto, provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina, y consiste en una ocupación breve que se produjo entre mayo de 1527 y septiembre de 1529. La excavación se realizó de acuerdo con la metodología open area, por lo cual el muestreo estuvo distribuido en diferentes rasgos localizados en la planta del emplazamiento. Se analizaron 20 muestras según dos variables: tipo de rasgo y cronología, lo que permitió establecer que se cultivaba maíz, junto con trigo y probablemente cebada, introducidos, concordante con las fuentes etnohistóricas. El análisis permitió, también, estimar el contenido de los rasgos de acuerdo con el sedimento muestreado, posibilitando la caracterización de zonas de descarte, rellenos, niveles de uso y sedimento acumulado con posterioridad al abandono del asentamiento.
Scaffold: A Causal Concept for Evolutionary Explanations
Authors: Neto Celso , Meynell Letitia
Published: February 2023

The concept of scaffold is widespread in science and increasingly common in evolutionary biology. While this concept figures in causal explanations, it is not clear what scaffolds are and what role they play in those explanations. Here we present evolutionary scaffolding explanation as a distinct type of explanatory strategy, distinguishing it from other types of evolutionary explanation. By doing so, we clarify the meaning of “scaffold” as a causal concept and its potential contribution to accounts of evolutionary novelty and major transitions.
Scurvy and the Ontology of Natural Kinds
Authors: Magnus P.D.
Published: February 2023

Some philosophers understand natural kinds to be the categories which are constraints on enquiry. In order to elaborate the metaphysics appropriate to such an account, I consider the complicated history of scurvy, citrus, and vitamin C. It may be tempting to understand these categories in a shallow way (as mere property clusters) or in a deep way (as fundamental properties). Neither approach is adequate, and the case instead calls for middle-range ontology: starting from categories which we identify in the world and elaborating their structure, but not pretending to jump ahead to a complete story about fundamental being.