bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Distribution Analysis of Groundwater Quality Parameters in the East Region of Burkina Faso Using GIS Techniques
Authors: Ouedraogo Issoufou , Bambara Apolline , Sandwidi Wennegouda , Lele Rodrigue
Published: November 2024

Groundwater quality assessment is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In Burkina Faso, groundwater is a vital natural resource supporting socio-economic development, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity and quality are significant challenges. Climatic conditions in the country made of a long, hot and dry season followed by a short rainy period, result in considerable variability in water availability. Rapid population growth exacerbates these challenges by increasing water demand in both urban and rural areas; therefore, putting additional pressure on the already limited water resources. Moreover, the expansion of mining and agricultural activities further stresses these resources with contaminations from use of hazardous substances and over-extraction. The use of fertilizers and pesticides contributes to pollution, posing serious risks to human health and local ecosystems. Given the strategic importance of groundwater for Burkina Faso development amidst these growing challenges, a comprehensive understanding of groundwater quality is essential. This study focuses on the Eastern Region of Burkina Faso and aims to analyze the spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters related to groundwater quality in order to support sustainable water resource management and public health initiatives. Water samples from 42 sites were collected and analyzed for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The data were processed using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS 10.8 to produce spatial maps of these parameters. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated to classify groundwater quality as "Excellent" (WQI < 50), "Good" (50 ≤ WQI ≤ 100), or "Poor" (WQI > 100). The results revealed significant spatial variability in groundwater quality with concentrations sometimes exceeding WHO-standards. Specifically, 38.10% of the analyzed samples exceeded the standard for nitrates while 28.57% of the samples show turbidity above recommended thresholds. TDS levels vary considerably, reaching maximum values of 1,336 mg/L and electrical conductivity values reached 1,336 µS/cm. These results demonstrate marked heterogeneity in water quality parameters across the region. The generated maps could serve as valuable tool for decision-makers to enable identification of areas requiring particular attention for groundwater quality management.
Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Measures for Household Food Security Status: A Review in Geospatial Technology Perspective
Authors: Hundessa Terefe , Getu Bahailu
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the implications of climate change, vulnerability, adaptation, and their effects on food security, emphasizing challenges like global warming and shifts in climate patterns threatening agricultural productivity. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate climate change impacts on natural resources, communities, sustainable agriculture, and food security, and community livelihood status emphasizing the significance of GIS and remote sensing technologies for understanding and addressing climate change effects. Utilizing a systematic literature review methodology, the study synthesizes findings from various sources to identify effective adaptation strategies. The study discusses various adaptation strategies, including the adoption of climate-resilient crops and sustainable agricultural practices, while considering the importance of community engagement and local knowledge in developing effective interventions. The role of geospatial technology in solving the problem of climate change is highly considered in this review. Additionally, the review delves into the stage of remote sensing in assessing climate change impacts on agriculture and human populations, highlighting the crucial role of remote sensing and GIS in sustainable natural resource conservation and climate change mitigation efforts. The review calls for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to prioritize climate change adaptation to enhance the resilience of food systems and secure a sustainable future for communities facing the challenges of climate change.
Assessment of the Microbial Contamination of Delivery Boxes of Food Delivery Personnel in Accra
Authors: Adi Doreen
Published: November 2024

Food delivery services have contributed to the food security of its patrons by making ready-to-eat food more accessible. However, sanitary conditions under which food is delivered can threaten this security. This study evaluated the delivery boxes' microbial contamination as an index of hygiene compliance of the delivery personnel. Swaps were taken from the delivery boxes of twenty (20) conveniently sampled food delivery personnel at the beginning and the end of the week. The microbial contamination of the boxes was determined using standard methods. The cleanliness of the boxes was qualitatively evaluated with the aid of an observation guide. The mean ranges of total aerobic count (5.61 – 6.03 LogCFU/cm2), coliforms (5.23 – 6.33 LogCFU/cm2), Escherichia coli (3.00 – 3.60 LogCFU/cm2) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.00 – 3.554 LogCFU/cm2) counts were higher than the acceptable safe limits. The microbial loads were lower at the beginning of the week than at the end of the week; however, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The microbes identified were indicative of human and faecal contamination and poor hygiene by the personnel. The delivery boxes sampled are unsanitary for food transportation, therefore, training and regulatory enforcement are vital to improve hygienic compliance of the food delivery personnel and to ensure consumer protection.
Key Determinates of Private Investment Performance Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Authors: Ayal Betselot , Bekalu Kassa , Ayenalem Mulugeta
Published: November 2024

Private investments are essential for Ethiopian economic success and growth. Despite government reforms aimed at fostering stability and growth, private investment continues to experience a downward trend characterized by volatility and unpredictability. Hence, the Primary objective of this study is to investigate the key determinants influencing the performance of private investment in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. The study used a quantitative approach with an explanatory research design to analyze secondary time series data from 2012 to 2023 using SPSS. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. The main finding of the study indicates that private investment has a significant positive relationship with investment incentives, legal and political, credit facilities, corruption, and infrastructure. However, private investment development has a significant negative relationship with the loan interest rate. Except for the loan interest rate, the selected determinant factors can significantly positively affect the development of private investment in Dire Dawa City, but the loan interest rate has significant negative effects. Moreover, the regression analysis revealed that a combination of investment incentives, infrastructure, corruption, credit facilities, and loan interest rates collectively account for 74.4% of the variance in the outcome variables. Based on the study's findings, appropriate policy measures have been recommended.
Rapid Synthesis of Citric Acid Coated Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles: Electrochemical Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Vardhan Palem , Moorthi Pichumani , Nihitha Palanivel , Kamalikka Sivakumar , Surya Karthikeyan
Published: November 2024

To manufacture nanoscale materials with high surface density, achieving average pore size and volume requires energy-intensive and time-consuming operations. We present a straightforward rapid, and quick approach for synthesizing citric acid coated manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles through chemical co-precipitation with 1 M NaOH as an oxidative solution. The citric acid coated MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were studied by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The powder X-ray diffraction results confirm the spinel structure of MnFe2O4 based on face centred cubic lattice parameters. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirm the vibrational modes of citric acid coated MnFe2O4. The scanning electron microscope results of the as synthesised citric acid coated MnFe2O4 product had a spherical form with an average diameter of 20 nm. The electrochemical properties of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were studied using cyclic voltammetry, charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using 1M NaOH as a electrolyte. Citric-acid coated MnFe2O4 nanoparticles shows pseudo-capacitance behaviour properties and delivers a specific capacitance value of about 381 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 specific current with 15% retention rate at high specific currents. The specific capacitance remained at 92% after 10,000 cycles at a specific current of 2 A g−1 which is clearly showed.
Effect of Irrigation Scheduling and Nitrogen Levels on Yield and Water Productivity of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) at Ambo, West Shoa, Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Selamawit , Frrisa Oli , Degefa Kalkidan
Published: November 2024

Excessive fertilizer use and improper irrigation scheduling can accelerate soil degradation and increase the nitrogen leaching rate. This study, conducted at the Ambo Agricultural Research Center during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 irrigation seasons, aimed to identify optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for wheat production under irrigation. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications, utilizing a split-plot arrangement. The main plot tested three soil moisture depletion levels: 80%, 100%, and 120%, while the sub-plot involved five nitrogen levels with 0, 46, 69, 92, and 115 kg N/ha. Results showed that nitrogen levels significantly influenced grain yield, above-ground biomass, and water productivity but not the irrigation regimes or their interaction with nitrogen levels. The 115 kg N/ha rate produced the highest grain yield, 5213 kg/ha, and water productivity of 1.24 kg/m³, though these values were not significantly higher than those at 92 kg N/ha. Both 115 kg and 92 kg N/ha treatments significantly outperformed the 69 kg N/ha treatment and lower rates. Applying 120% allowable soil moisture depletion levels resulted in high net income and benefit-to-cost ratio values of 197,716.00 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) and 30.89%, respectively. At 120% allowable soil moisture depletion, the highest net income and benefit-cost ratio were observed (197,716 ETB and 30.89%, respectively). The 92 kg N/ha application resulted in the highest marginal rate of return (826.05%), well above the acceptable threshold of 100%, with a net income of 223,655 ETB. Based on grain yield, water productivity, and economic feasibility, we recommend applying 92 kg N/ha with 120% ASMDL for wheat production in this region.
Current-Day and Future Dunkelflaute Risks for Belgium
Authors: Duchêne François , Van Schaeybroeck Bert , Hamdi Rafiq , Van den Bergh Joris , Smet Geert , Caluwaerts Steven , Termonia Piet
Published: November 2024

Dunkelflautes, events of low renewable production and potentially high demand, are the most extreme examples of the susceptibility of a renewable energy system with respect to weather variability. Yet, these events currently lack a precise definition in the literature. Based on 41 years of weather data, we explore the resilience of the Belgian energy system with respect to the duration and extremeness of Dunkelflautes or energy drought. Although the hourly average load cannot be covered 89% of the time in our analysis, we find that Dunkelflaute occurrences are generally independent of the energy mix between photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind energy (WE) production (for fractions between 10% and 60% of PV). However, to cope with Dunkelflautes, a system with full PV or full WE provision is very ineffective. While the optimal mix is found to be independent of Dunkelflaute extremeness, it strongly depends on the Dunkelflaute duration: For subdaily or longer than two-daily events, a high WE fraction is optimal, while a high PV fraction is needed for durations of the order of days. More than 56% of Dunkelflautes over Belgium coincide with those in the surrounding countries. Finally, as opposed to weak changes in the climatological average, future climate projections reveal an increase in Dunkelflaute severity, mainly due to a reduction in WE production.
Evaluation of the Mountain Hydroclimate across the Western United States in Dynamically Downscaled Climate Models
Authors: Adhikari Pramod , Geerts Bart , Rahimi-Esfarjani Stefan , Smith Kaitlin , Shuman Bryan N. , Schneider Timothy L.
Published: November 2024

This study evaluates the ability of 15 CMIP6 global climate models (GCMs), dynamically downscaled to a 9-km grid, to effectively simulate the observed regional hydroclimate across the complex terrain of the western United States. The evaluation focuses on orographic precipitation, surface temperature, and snow water equivalent (SWE), evaluated over a 33-yr period (1981–2014) using gridded gauge- and station-based datasets and a snowpack reanalysis product. Additional comparisons are made against two ERA5-driven climate reconstructions: one at 9-km resolution, with the same physical choices, and one at 4-km resolution. The latter better captures the terrain and orographic processes and uses different physics. Model performance is evaluated in four geographic regions, and mountains are contrasted against the surrounding plains. The evaluation is challenged by the fact that gridded observational estimates of climate parameters in complex terrain have a poorly quantified uncertainty related to measurement and/or representativeness issues. The ensemble mean of the downscaled GCMs overestimates cold-season precipitation, its orographic enhancement, and peak SWE in the mountains. Its diurnal temperature cycle and its mountain–plain temperature contrast are suppressed, compared to observations: its temperature estimates err toward the mean on both sides of both distributions. But the same applies to the identically downscaled (9 km) ERA5, indicating that these biases are due to model physics, not a misrepresentation of the climate system. The 4-km ERA5-based reconstruction has smaller biases in terms of precipitation and temperature, especially over mountains, but underestimates SWE. Model performance differs between mountains and plains, and the differences vary by region.

Significance Statement

In the western United States, much of the precipitation contributing to streamflow falls over mountains. In addition, the mountain snowpack seasonally stores water for consumptive use in the warm season. Amid growing concerns about changing water availability associated with the changing hydrometeorological patterns in a warming climate, it is essential to evaluate how well climate models capture precipitation and the snowpack across the headwater regions. Dynamically downscaled CMIP6 models, on average, capture the historical climate quite well, but uncertainty remains about how well they capture key climate parameters over the mountains. This uncertainty is due, in part, to the paucity of measurements in the mountains. Here, we demonstrate that dynamic downscaling to finer grid resolutions reduces this uncertainty.
Spectroscopic Investigation of the Interaction of Silicate Ions with Lead Carbonates Under Drinking Water Conditions
Authors: Holmes Hailey , Herrera José E.
Published: November 2024

The presence of lead has been identified as a critical health risk in drinking water systems serviced by Pb-bearing plumbing. Among several corrosion control strategies, the use of sodium silicates has attracted interest due to the advantages it offers compared to other approaches, such as phosphate dosage. However, the interaction of silicate ions with lead corrosion scales and other ubiquitous dissolved species such as Al ions in drinking water is not well understood. In this work, surface and bulk spectroscopic analysis of the solid scale is combined with quantitative analysis of the aqueous phase. A detailed spectroscopic probing of the transformations taking place on the solid phase enables us to develop a mechanistic framework for reports published in the last four years in the open literature, suggesting that silicates may not be an adequate corrosion control option in drinking water systems rich in solid lead carbonates. The spectroscopic data obtained demonstrate that in the presence of chlorine residual, silicates inhibit Pb(II) carbonates from oxidizing into less soluble Pb(IV) oxides thus, negatively impacting water quality. Furthermore, aluminum ions interact with silicates resulting in the formation of solid allophane phase over the lead scale surface, extending into the bulk. However, the formation of this new solid allophane phase does not protect against lead dissolution.
Alternating and Modified Alternating Least Squares Applied to Raman Spectra of Finished Gasolines
Authors: White Collin G. , Hancewicz Thomas M. , Fasasi Ayuba , Wright Junior , Lavine Barry K.
Published: November 2024

Extraction of components from individual refinery streams (e.g., reformates and alkylates) in finished gasoline was undertaken using Raman spectroscopy to characterize the chemical content of the finished product. Modified alternating least squares (MALS) was used for separating Raman spectroscopic data sets of the finished product into its pure individual components. The advantages of MALS over alternating least squares (ALS) for multicomponent resolution are highlighted in this study using three Raman spectroscopic data sets which provide a suitable benchmark for comparing the performance of these two methods. MALS is superior to ALS in terms of accuracy and can better resolve components than ALS, and it is also more robust toward collinear data. Finally, components near the noise level usually cannot be extracted by ALS because of instability when inverting the covariance structure which inflates the noise present in the data. However, these same components can be extracted by MALS due to the stabilization of the least squares regression with respect to the matrix inversion using modified techniques from ridge regression.
Book review: Dylan M H Loh, China’s Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy
Authors: Kumar Devendra
Published: November 2024

Dylan M H Loh, China’s Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2024), pp., 221, $75, ISBN: 9781503638204.
Book review: Gi-Wook Shin and Ho-Ki Kim (Eds.), South Korea’s Democracy in Crisis: The Threats of Illiberalism, Populism and Polarization
Authors: Raghavan Vyjayanti
Published: November 2024

Gi-Wook Shin and Ho-Ki Kim (Eds.), South Korea’s Democracy in Crisis: The Threats of Illiberalism, Populism and Polarization (Stanford: Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, 2022), pp. 451, $9.99. ISBN 978-1-931368-71-1 (ebook)
Point cloud-based 3D round hole detection
Authors: Yang Hao , Li Haoyu , Yang Yunjie , Zhang Yuegang , Fang Yu
Published: November 2024

Aiming at the limited fitting conditions of existing 3D circle feature extraction algorithms, a 3D circle feature extraction algorithm based on nonparametric estimation is proposed. Firstly, kd-tree is used to establish topological relationship and define the distance threshold. Edge points are extracted by K-nearest neighbor search. Then use DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) to cluster edge points for calculate the maximum distance between edge points in the cluster. Finally, the optimal interval of the maximum distance value is calculated using nonparametric estimation. The center point is obtained by extracting the circular hole feature points. The degree of dispersion from the edge point in the cluster to the center point is analyzed to determine whether the cluster is a three-dimensional circle feature. The algorithm is verified using the grid assembly printed parts (arch circular hole) and rectangular flange (plane circular hole) as the test workpiece. The results show that the algorithm can effectively extract three-dimensional round hole features.
Establishment of a measuring unit based on Arduino board for recording vibrations on an agricultural tractor during tillage process
Authors: Almady Saad S. , Al-Janobi Abdulrahman A. , Marey Samy A. , Al-Sager Saleh M. , Aboukarima Abdulwahed M. , Gaddal Yahia H.
Published: November 2024

When it comes to agricultural tractor ergonomics, vibration is one of the most important factors to consider. However, little research has been done to evaluate this parameter and its impact on workers’ health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to fabricate a portable vibration measurement unit (PVMU) based on an Arduino microcontroller and a vibration sensor (accelerometer ADXL335). The PVMU performance was tested in combination with a commercially available three-axis USB vibration measurement device (VB10). Furthermore, the vibration measurements were used to calculate the tractor driver’s whole-body vibration load according to ISO 2631-1 along three perpendicular axes (X, Y, and Z) during soil tillage using a disk harrow under different tillage speeds of 4.0, 5.5, and 7.0 km/h at a tillage depth of 15 cm in a sandy loam soil. Performance tests of the PVMU and the commercially available three-axis USB vibration meter (VB10) revealed a highly significant level of agreement based on a correlation coefficient of 0.9822. It was found that the vibration level increases with increasing tillage speed. The highest vibration level, 0.80 m/sec2, was observed in the vertical direction (Z-axis) at a tillage speed of 7.0 km/h. The lowest vibration level, 0.12 m/sec2, was observed in the lateral direction (Y-axis) at a tillage speed of 4.0 km/h. The dominant frequency range of vibration transmitted to the tractor seat was found to be between 2.04 Hz and 20.14 Hz. The daily exposure values that is, A (8) determined during this study to assess the health hazards due to vibration for tractor drivers ranged from 0.01 m/sec2 to 0.06 m/sec2 lower than the recommended exposure action value (EAV) limit that is, 0.5 m/sec2. This means that there is no health risk for the driver during the soil tillage using a disk harrow plow. The PVMU proposed in this study is very reliable and can be used as a vibration assessment tool for other agricultural tractor-implement combinations.
Innovative hip-knee health evaluation: Leveraging pose estimation for single-leg stance postural stability assessment
Authors: Rehman Safee , Sultan Nadia , Fatima Joddat , Islam Muhammad Najam ul , Khalid Madiha
Published: November 2024

The analysis of the Hip and Knee (HK) joint angles during single-leg stance (SLS) activity contributes to a great understanding of the bio-mechanical mechanisms and balance maintenance across different age groups. Comprehending how these joints operate in the dynamic state is critical for identifying age-related changes in joint control and stability which can contribute to reducing the risk of falls and improving mobility among people. The possibility of revealing the health of HK joints without resorting to an MRI scan is the significance of this work. By obtaining the data on joint angles during the SLS test, we succeeded in identifying those with a higher risk of HK issues and thus the possibility of early intervention and treatment. Our proposed work is going to use a pose estimation technique that will track the trajectories of HK angles followed by association with instabilities or compromised balance in this way, we can detect the affected joint and evaluate the severity of the issue. The study found stable mean and standard deviation values for HK joints in a young participant, both hips (107.14 ± 5, 96.42 ± 7) and both knees (36.76 ± 7, 44.30 ± 4), these values align with the expected norm (110–120° for the hip and 45–65° for the knee) which indicates stable results. while elderly participants showed high variability and low mean values for both hips (65.42 ± 77, 85 ± 76.67) and both knees (4.15 ± 10.8, 7 ± 18) indicating concerns about joint health and stability. The evaluation of HK joint angles through SLS activity offers new insights.
Punishment Trumps Warning in Prebunking Misinformation: Evidence From Survey Experiments in Taiwan
Authors: Sheen Greg Chih-Hsin
Published: November 2024

There have been many attempts to use prebunking strategies to address the problem of misinformation. While extant research supports their efficacy, it also finds that they could make people suspicious even of true information. This study employs survey experiments in Taiwan to assess the effect of warning messages, with or without mentioning punishments one might incur if spreading misinformation, on people’s beliefs in false and true news, and their subsequent intention to share the information with others. The findings suggest that warning messages mentioning monetary punishments are the most effective in affecting people’s beliefs and intentions to behave.
Reviewing victories, renewing struggles: The ACTU Congress, Adelaide, South Australia, 4–6 June 2024
Authors: Scalmer Sean , Macdonald Fiona
Published: November 2024

The Australian Council of Trades Unions gathered in Congress in Adelaide, June 4th - 6th 2024. This article provides a detailed report on the Congress: drawing out key themes in debate and decision, providing an account of major speeches, and reviewing the industrial and political context. The report devotes special attention to the Congress's collective consideration of recent changes to industrial law, to the issue of artificial intelligence, to the problem of ‘working time’, and to the prospects of a green industrial transformation. It also seeks to place the Congress in historical context.
The permanent adjustment process: A theoretical approach to structural change in commercial ports from the nineteenth century onwards
Authors: Marnot Bruno
Published: November 2024

This article proposes a theoretical approach to the development of Western commercial ports from the Industrial Revolution onwards. It is based both on a bibliographical corpus devoted to port history and on personal research into the main French ports of the nineteenth century. This work was based on two main sources: firstly, the Annales des Ponts et Chaussées, which recorded the experiments and theoretical work carried out by the engineers of this government body; and secondly, the Actes législatifs et Dépenses concernant les Travaux de Navigation Intérieure et Maritime de 1814 à 1900, a document published by the Ministry of Public Works which provides information on the budgets allocated to the main French ports. This reflection shows that since the nineteenth century the development of ports has been subject to a permanent adjustment process, with four main characteristics: disruptive innovation, spatial adaptation, selective adaptation and one-way adaptation.
Impact of agricultural extension services on rice productivity and profitability in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Mohammad Jahangir , Sarma Paresh Kumar , Begum Ismat Ara , Crase Lin , Tama Riffat Ara Zannat , Kader Md. Abdul
Published: November 2024

Agricultural extension services play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing countries where many farmers are resource-poor. Enhancing farmers’ profitability and productivity is essential to meet the increasing demand of a growing population. This study aims to examine the impact of agricultural extension services on the profitability and productivity of rice farmers in Bangladesh. The analysis uses unbalanced panel data from the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey for 2015 and 2018. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess whether the differences between the participant and non-participant groups were statistically significant. Additionally, a probit regression model is used to identify the determinants of participation in agricultural extension services. The findings reveal that participation is positively influenced by access to subsidies, distance to market, occupation and livelihood vulnerability. The impact of agricultural extension services on farm productivity and profitability is assessed using difference-in-difference and random effect generalized least squares models. The results show that agricultural extension services significantly contribute to both farm profitability and productivity. This suggests that governments should intensify and monitor the delivery of agricultural extension services, particularly focusing on the timely provision of support resource-poor farmers.
Special Education Teachers’ Perspectives on Race and Restorative Justice
Authors: Presberry Cierra
Published: November 2024

Restorative justice has become a widely used intervention in urban schools to address the ways that students of color and students with disabilities disproportionately face punitive disciplinary action. As such, understanding the perspectives of teachers of these students is of the utmost importance. Using Dis/ability Critical Race Studies as a theoretical framework, this interpretivist interview study centers the perspectives of three special education teachers as restorative justice is implemented at a predominantly Black urban school. This work has implications for more culturally relevant implementation of restorative justice. It also highlights the ways that race and disability impact school culture.
Book review: N. Sukumar. 2023. Caste Discrimination and Exclusion in Indian Universities: A Critical Reflection
Authors: Lal L. David
Published: November 2024

N. Sukumar. 2023. Caste Discrimination and Exclusion in Indian Universities: A Critical Reflection. New York: Routledge. xx + 193 pp. Appendix, index. ₹1,295 (hardback—ISBN: 9780367556891)
Illustrations and text in Bðr Singh’s Rāmāyaṇa
Authors: Brockington John
Published: November 2024

This note focuses on the value of looking into the visual culture embodied in India’s epic manuscripts during the medieval period—which combined Persian, Mughal and Rājput styles—for a sociology of India. It demonstrates how illustrations and text were blended in the case of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, commissioned by the ruler of Orchā and Datia, Bīr Singh Bundela, borrowing from the earliest extant illustrated manuscripts of the Persian translation of the Rāmāyaṇa commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 1580s as well as Bīr Singh’s own Vaisnava leanings.
Book review: Nirmal Kumar Mahato. 2020. Sorrow Songs of Woods: Adivasi-Nature Relationship in the Anthropocene in Manbhum
Authors: Deo Aditya Pratap
Published: November 2024

Nirmal Kumar Mahato. 2020. Sorrow Songs of Woods: Adivasi-Nature Relationship in the Anthropocene in Manbhum. Delhi: Primus Books. xiii + 197pp. Bibliography, index. ₹995 (hardback—ISBN: 9789390022172)
Book review: Venugopal Maddipati. 2021. Gandhi and Architecture: A Time for Low-Cost Architecture
Authors: Tewari Saurabh
Published: November 2024

Venugopal Maddipati. 2021. Gandhi and Architecture: A Time for Low-Cost Architecture. Oxon: Routledge. xxi + 202 pp. Notes, figures, bibliography, index. ₹995 (hardback—ISBN: 9780367723330)
Scholarly worlds and popular texts: The Bhagavad Gðtå’s vernacular communities in early modern India
Authors: Ravishankar Akshara
Published: November 2024

The Bhagavad Gītā is often thought of as the popular religious text par excellence in modern Hinduism. A substantial amount of scholarship has argued that its modern status as the central text of Hinduism is grounded in its 19th-century colonial and nationalist receptions. However, recent work on late premodern Indian philosophy has raised the possibility of constructing alternative genealogies for modern religious textual practices, though the methodologies that may allow the characterisation of premodern texts as ‘popular’ canonical works remain uncertain. This article asks how we may further interrogate the idea of the Gītā’s status as a classic or canonical text by looking at the ways in which this status was historically constructed, maintained and mediated in 18th-century North India. In order to reflect on the conditions that historicise the idea of the Gītā as scholarly, public or popular text in premodern and modern India, this article engages with two different approaches to the question of the Gītā’s social worlds during that period. One, it analyses histories of production and circulation, and two, it examines the genres of some Gītā adaptations. It does so by drawing from manuscripts containing translations and adaptations of the Bhagavad Gītā from Sanskrit into Hindi that were copied and composed between the 16thand 18thcenturies.
Book review: Saurabh Dube. 2023. Disciplines of Modernity: Archives, Histories, Anthropologies
Authors: Sunandan K. N.
Published: November 2024

Saurabh Dube. 2023. Disciplines of Modernity: Archives, Histories, Anthropologies. Oxon: Routledge. xiv + 136 pp. References, index. £45.99 (hardback—ISBN: 9781032389394).
Spiritual therapy’s impact on death anxiety in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mahdavi Abed , Sobhani Zahra Ramezanpour
Published: November 2024

Recently, spirituality-based interventions for modulating death anxiety in both unhealthy and healthy individuals have increased. However, the effectiveness of this treatment approach in reducing death anxiety remains controversial. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the impact of spiritual therapy interventions on death anxiety in Iran. We searched for all randomised and controlled trials related to the research topic in national and international databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, ScienceDirect, SID, Civilica, IranDoc and Noormags. Fifteen studies with 772 participants that were found relevant and fulfilled the defined exclusion and inclusion criteria were included in the analyses. Stata 17 software was used to analyse the data. The results showed a significant difference between the average death anxiety scores in the experimental and control groups after receiving spiritual therapy (standardised mean difference = –5.97, 95% confidence interval: –9.51, –2.44). In addition, the results of the Q and I2 tests indicated significant heterogeneity among the studies (p < 0.001; Q = 411.45; I2 = 99.50%). Thus, although the findings show that interventions based on spiritual therapy can reduce death anxiety, the high heterogeneity and publication bias of some trials limit the validity and generalisability of their effects. The findings of this meta-analysis will help in elucidating the effectiveness of spiritual therapy and open new horizons for this therapeutic approach for psychologists, counsellors and educational planners, thereby creating a relative consensus between advocates and critics of therapeutic spirituality.
Other Worlds Just Like This One: Enchantment at Meow Wolf’s “The House of Eternal Return”
Authors: Harvey Alhelí
Published: November 2024

Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of the most iconic cities in the United States, devoted to its distinctive architectural image. Meow Wolf (MW), a Santa Fe–based art collective that began in 2008, has gained widespread attention for their acid-dipped large-scale immersive installations because their first permanent location opened in their home city in 2016. This article interrogates what ideals the attraction depends on and unwittingly encourages, integrating architectural history, cultural, and ethnic studies, to challenge MW’s self-narration against their flagship product in a close reading of the attraction itself, blending ethnographic description, art reviews, and journalism. This article situates MW within a longer history of New Mexico’s tourist image and considers the relationship between artists and how we imagine or script fantasies about place.
Parent language proficiency is a source of variance in CDI scores for bilingual children
Authors: Core Cynthia , Pfister Joanna , Rumiche Rosario , Hoff Erika
Published: November 2024

We investigated the role of bilingual parents’ language proficiency in their reports of their children’s vocabulary size. Sixty-four Spanish-English bilingual mothers whose L1 was Spanish reported their bilingual children’s English and Spanish vocabularies and 37 monolingual L1 English-speaking mothers reported their monolingual children’s English vocabularies—both using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development inventories. Expressive vocabularies were also assessed with a standardized, examiner-administered test. Spanish L1 mothers with limited English proficiency provided lower estimates of their children’s English vocabulary than those with higher English proficiency—relative to the examiner-administered test score. Despite this effect of language proficiency on parent reports, the size of the observed difference in English vocabulary between monolingual children and bilingual children was not significantly different when estimated with a parent-report instrument than when estimated with an examiner-administered test.
Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies for Frontline Nurses Caring for COVID-19 Patients: A Path Analysis
Authors: Sun Wenxiu , Zhang Lin , Chen Wei-Ti , Arbing Rachel , Shen Lei , Zhang Jing , Jiang Rongrong
Published: November 2024

Aim:

This cross-sectional study explored the relationships among perceived stress, social support, positive coping, and mental health in frontline nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in China.

Design:

A quantitative cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 339 eligible frontline nurses was identified from a designated hospital for COVID-19 in Shanghai, China, between May 2022 and August 2022. Data from nurses were collected through an online survey that contained 4 measurement domains: perceived stress, social support, coping strategies, and mental health. Path analysis was used to analyze the data in SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 23.0.

Results:

The model tested in the path analysis fit the data well. The results demonstrated relationships among perceived stress, social support, positive coping, and mental health among frontline nurses caring for patients with COVID-19. Social support had a positive effect on positive coping strategies and a negative effect on perceived stress and mental health. In addition, path analysis indicated that social support moderated the relationship between perceived stress and mental health in nurses.

Conclusions:

Nurses experienced work-related mental stress while providing COVID-19-related care. Based on study findings, social support is expected to play a key role in stress management in nurses. Expanding opportunities for social support is an essential step for nurses to improve their mental health and quality of life.
Estimating the Target-Consistent Carbon Price for Electricity
Authors: Newbery David M.
Published: November 2024

The target-consistent price of carbon for an electricity sector decarbonizing through massive variable renewable electricity (VRE) depends sensitively on the VRE penetration level, as the marginal curtailment of VRE rises rapidly beyond a certain level. This article develops a simple linear model to illustrate the relation between the shadow carbon price (SPC) and VRE penetration, illustrated for the island of Ireland’s 2026 target VRE penetration of 55%. The SPC rises rapidly with increased VRE investment beyond a certain point, and can be used to direct mitigating investment in storage, interconnectors, and other flexibility options. The SPC for the final efficient portfolio will be the target-consistent carbon price for electricity that is useful for comparing future decarbonization scenarios and their need for complementary investments.

JEL Classification: H23, L94, Q28, Q42, Q48
Modeling Survey Time Series Data with Flow-Observed CARMA Processes
Authors: Joyce Patrick M. , McElroy Tucker S.
Published: November 2024

Published survey data often are delivered as estimates computed over an epoch of time. Customers may desire to obtain survey estimates corresponding to epochs, or time points, that differ from the published estimates. This “change of support” problem can be addressed through the use of continuous-time models of the underlying population process, while taking into account the sampling error that survey data is subject to. The application of a Continuous AutoRegressive Moving Average (CARMA) model is investigated as a tool to provide change of support applications, thereby allowing interpolation for published survey estimates. A simulation study provides comparisons of competing estimation methods, and a synthetically constructed data set is developed in order to elucidate real data applications. The proposed method can be successful for change of support problems, despite modeling challenges with the CARMA framework.
Anarchic Unfreedom: Critical International Theory Versus Neoliberalism and the New Right
Authors: Schindler Sebastian
Published: November 2024

In recent years, a number of voices have raised concerns about the role of critical theory in the contemporary political crisis. Critical theory has been accused of providing intellectual resources for the global rise of the new right, whether in Trump’s America or in Putin’s Russia. While acknowledging the ostensibly critical, even emancipatory appearance of the new right, my paper insists on the need for critical theory. Indeed, a desire for liberation is expressed not only by the new right, but also by the ruling neoliberal discourse. Both neoliberalism and the new right make emancipatory use of a key modern political distinction: the distinction between hierarchy and anarchy, or inside and outside. Both promise liberation from hierarchies and want to achieve freedom through anarchic competition, either on globalized markets or in international relations. However, upon close examination, the promised freedom is an anarchic unfreedom. It submits all competitors to a powerful competitive logic, justifies hierarchic submission and harbors an enormous potential for violence. Critical International Relations theory is uniquely suited to diagnose this problem and to point us into an alternative direction.
Development of an ultra-low-cost wireless data acquisition system for monitoring strain and deflection
Authors: Abazeed Amgad , Abdelshakor Mohamed , Othman Ayman , Tee Kong Fah , Lorenzana Antolin
Published: November 2024

Strain gauges are gaining popularity for monitoring stress and strain within structural elements and for detecting and identifying structural damage. Although they are relatively inexpensive, they are not as widely used as accelerometers in structural health monitoring. This is due to several factors, such as the high cost of data acquisition systems required to collect strain data and the need for a large number of gauges to monitor a structure. Therefore, this research aims to develop a low-cost wireless strain gauge data acquisition system with acceptable accuracy and a high sampling rate. This system is composed of commonly available electronic components and open-source software, with a cost of $20. The system’s precision in measuring displacement was assessed in a laboratory experiment, and further experiments were conducted on an aluminum beam to investigate its response under both static and dynamic conditions. Additionally, the accuracy of the system for measuring deflection and strain in reinforced concrete elements was assessed through a bending test on a reinforced concrete beam. The findings indicated that the developed data acquisition system can accurately measure displacement, with a root mean square error of 0.1 mm, as well as strain values within the range of a few micro-strains.
Numerical and experimental study of the effect of an innovative trailing-edge flap on the aerodynamic performance of small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbines
Authors: Yin Rui , Xie Jian-Bin , Yao Ji
Published: November 2024

The impact of an innovative trailing-edge flap (blended TEF) on the aerodynamic performance of small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbines is numerically and experimentally studied. The blended TEF is characterized by both the pressure surface of the hinged TEF and the suction surface of the morphed TEF. The wind speed, rotational speed, and power coefficient of four wind turbines were measured in a wind tunnel. The results show that the wind turbines with the morphed and hinged blades were respectively the easiest and hardest to start, and respectively had the lowest and highest output axial thrust. Moreover, the wind turbines with the hinged and blended blades were found to have the lowest and highest output power, respectively. Compared with the original wind turbine, the wind turbine with the blended blade respectively resulted in additional power and thrust increases of 130.95% and 113.49% at the wind speed of 1.29 m/s.
Toward Robust Car-Following Dynamics Modeling via Blackbox Models: Methodology, Analysis, and Recommendations
Authors: Bilal Shahid Muhammad , Fleming Cody
Published: November 2024

The selection of the target variable is critical for the performance of classical car-following (CF) models. There is a vast body of literature on which target variable is optimal for classical CF models, but there is no study that evaluates the selection of optimal target variables for black-box models prevalent in machine learning, which are increasingly being used to model CF behavior. This paper evaluates different target variables, for example acceleration, velocity, and headway, for three models: Gaussian processes (GP), kernel ridge regression, and long short-term memory (LSTM). These models have different objective functions and work in different vector spaces, for example, GP work in function space, and LSTM in parameter space. Furthermore, this paper evaluates the efficacy of black box and classical CF models across datasets, including diverse traffic scenarios and human versus automated control. Finally, this paper evaluates the coupling of design choices across selection of model type, target variable during model calibration, and dataset characteristics. The experiments show that the optimal target variable recommendations for black-box models differ from classical CF models, depending on the objective function and the vector space. Statistical analysis indicates that selection of models couples greatly with target variables, while recommended target variables do not depend on the datasets used during model calibration. These results provide a path toward more robust CF models, potentially resulting in more accurate and generalizable capacity and/or traffic flow estimates for roadways, even as driving behaviors change with the introduction of new types of automation.