bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic traits and constraints associated with smallholder farmers in Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan
Authors: Hemida Mohamed , Vityi Andrea , Hammad Zeinab. M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEmpirical evidence of Taungya agroforestry program in Sudan was generated. The objectives were to examine the association between socio-economic characteristics of farmers and Tuangya practice, assess the program’s contribution to farmers' income, and highlight farmers’ major incentives and constraints. The purposive sampling technique was applied targeting 200 Taungya farmers. Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, direct field observations, and document reviews. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and a paired sample t-test were used to analyze the data. Study results showed that 77% of farmers were male, with an average age of 41 years. About 77% of farmers cultivate an average land area of 3.5 hectares. The chi-square result showed that socio-economic characteristics such as marital status, age, family size, year of participation, and educational level had a significant association with Taungya practice, while gender, main occupation, and land size had no significant association. The study revealed that Taungya agroforestry program contributed significantly to farmers’ income. Evidence of that was the sharp reduction in mean annual costs from SDG 32,851.75 to SDG 25,107.50, and a substantial increase in the mean annual net incomes of the farmers from SDG 35,298.52 to SDG 91,839.50 before and after participation, respectively. Farmers’ participation was encouraged by the high productivity within the forest and access to free fertile land. Contrary, lack of extension services and supervision from Forest National Corporation, overgrazing and crop destruction, land size limitation, and crop species restrictions were identified as major challenges. The study suggests that prioritizing extension services, providing live fencing, and reconsidering farmers’ interest in having intercropping sorghum on their farms to improve their sustenance will overcome the constraints and further boost farmers' productivity.
Temporal and Seasonal Variations of Silicate Svratka River and Sediment Characterization, Czech Republic: Geochemical and Stable Isotopic Approach
Authors: Kanduč Tjaša , Geršl Milan , Geršlová Eva , McIntosh Jennifer 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study investigated weathering and hydrobiogeochemical processes in a silicate dominated watershed (Svratka river) in the Czech Republic in comparison with nearby carbonate dominated catchments. Elemental and isotopic analysis of river waters, particulates and sediments provided a more holistic view of weathering contributions, anthropogenic contamination, biological activity and evasion or sinks of CO2 to the atmosphere. In water samples, we determined total alkalinity after Gran 1974, and cations and anions were determined with inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer and ion chromatograph. δ13CDIC in water samples was determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. pCO2 and saturation indexes of calcite and dolomite were calculated with PHREEQC speciation program. Evasion fluxes were calculated after Broecker, 1974. Isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in particulate matter and sediments were determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Mineral composition of sediments was determined with XRD method and elements with XRF method. Further enrichment factors of elements were calculated. The Svratka river, which is the major tributary of the Dyje river, is dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− (as total alkalinity). Partial pressure (pCO2) concentrations range from close to 0–572-fold of atmospheric pressure. Isotopic composition of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) value ranged from − 13.3 to − 8.0‰ reflecting degradation of organic matter and exchange with the atmosphere. Bicarbonate weathering intensity for the Svratka river at its mouth is 11.8 mol/(l⋅km2⋅s), more on par with silicate terrains and lower than nearby carbonate watersheds. Isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and isotopic composition of nitrogen (δ15N) values of river sediment reflect soil and temperate plant (C3 plant) values, while higher δ15N values could be attributed to application of organic fertilizers in lower reaches. The river sediments, which came from weathering of crystalline rocks, are dominated by silt size, geochemically less mature quartz, feldspar and muscovite particles. All the stream sediments examined revealed slightly increased amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb. However, using Al as the normalization element to calculate enrichment factors, Zn, Cu and Pb are only elevated downstream, related to industrial contamination. This study is important for local and global level since it deals with contribution of weathering rates and contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere in silicate watershed.
Extreme climatic events alter the aquatic insect community in a pristine German stream
Authors: Dietrich Jana S. , Welti Ellen A. R. , Haase Peter 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAs a result of ongoing climate change, extreme climatic events (ECEs) are expected to become more frequent and severe. The high biodiversity of riverine ecosystems is susceptible to ECEs, especially to water temperature (extreme heat and extreme cold) and discharge-related (flood and drought) events. Long time series are needed to unravel the effects of ECEs on ecological communities. Here, we used 20 years (1986–2005) of unusually high-resolution data from a pristine first-order stream in Germany. Daily recordings of species-level identified aquatic insect (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera: EPT) emergence, water temperature and discharge data were used to examine the effects of four types of ECEs (extreme heat, extreme cold, flood, and drought events) on insect abundance, common taxonomic diversity metrics, and selected traits after five different time lags (2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months). Extreme heat events increased from 1.8 ± 1.9 SE events per year before 2000 to 5.3 ± 1.9 SE events per year after 2000. Water temperature-related ECEs restructured the EPT community in abundance, species richness, and traits (community temperature index: CTI, and dispersal capacity metric: DCM). The strongest effects on the EPT community were found when it was exposed to multiple ECEs and 1 and 3 months after an ECE. The changing frequencies and durations of ECEs, especially the increasing frequency of extreme heat events and the negative cumulative effects of ECEs, paint a worrisome picture for the future of EPT communities in headwater streams. High-resolution, long-term data across sites is needed to further disentangle the effects of different ECE stressors.
On the equivalence, stabilisers, and feet of Buekenhout-Tits unitals
Authors: Faulkner Jake , Van de Voorde Geertrui 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This paper addresses a number of problems concerning Buekenhout-Tits unitals in

$${{\,\textrm{PG}\,}}(2, q^2)$$

PG

(
2
,

q
2

)

, where

$$q = 2^{2e + 1}$$

q
=

2

2
e
+
1

and

$$e \ge 1$$

e
≥
1

. We show that all Buekenhout-Tits unitals are equivalent under

$${{\,\textrm{PGL}\,}}(3, q^2)$$

PGL

(
3
,

q
2

)

[addressing an open problem in Barwick and Ebert (Unitals in Projective Planes. Springer Monographs in Mathematics. Springer, New York, 2008)], explicitly describe their stabiliser in

$$\textrm{P}\Gamma \textrm{L}(3, q^2)$$

P
Γ
L
(
3
,

q
2

)

[expanding Ebert’s work in Ebert (J Algebraic Comb 6(2):133–140, 1997)], and show that lines meet the feet of points not on

$$\ell _{\infty }$$

ℓ
∞

in at most four points. Finally, we show that feet of points not on

$$\ell _{\infty }$$

ℓ
∞

are not always a

$$\{0, 1, 2, 4\}$$

{
0
,
1
,
2
,
4
}

-set, in contrast to what happens for Buekenhout-Metz unitals Abarzúa et al (Adv Geom 18(2):229–236, 2018).
Exploring Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions and Practices Towards Gender Differences in STEM Play: A Multiple-Case Study in China
Authors: Wang Simeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractVarious gender biases have been demonstrated in early childhood educators (ECEs) with unintentional preferential treatment provided to boys during STEM-related play activities. These biases could impact young girls’ identity formation, resulting in continued underrepresentation of women in STEM domains in future. In China, however, little research has been conducted on how ECEs perceive gender equity of STEM fields. Consequently, this study aims to close this gap by investigating the educators’ perceptions on and responses to gender differences in STEM play, drawing on the cultural-historical theory and incorporating feminist perspectives. Adopting a multiple-case study approach, this study collected perceptions and experiences of six Chinese in-service ECEs regarding STEM play and gender-related issues. The participants recognized and valued children’s equal involvement in STEM play, but failed to preclude ingrained gender preconceptions, leading to contradictory beliefs and performs. Meanwhile, Chinese ECEs considered prejudices from the external environment and peer influence the main obstacles to gender inclusion. Inclusive practices and emphasises are thus discussed relating to ECEs’ multiple roles in supporting gender-neutral environments for STEM play. These preliminary findings shed light on attaining gender equity in STEM within the context of a feminist discourse, and provide Chinese educators, leaders and even the educational system with pioneering information. However, further research on ECEs’ underlying stereotypes and teaching practices is still warranted to examine future professional development possibilities, support ECEs in reducing obstacles to girls’ STEM engagement, and ultimately create a welcoming and inclusive STEM play space for girls.
Using Daily Diary Assessments to Better Understand the Role of Parental Consistency in the Development of Externalizing Child Behavior
Authors: Van den akker Alithe , Leijten Patty , Hoffenaar Peter , Gardner Frances 
Published: May 2023

AbstractConsistent discipline is thought to reduce early child externalizing behavior. It is unclear, however, whether consistency is important mainly within episodes of misbehavior (e.g., threatening with discipline but then giving in) or across episodes of misbehavior (e.g., disciplining each instance of misbehavior). Using a daily diary approach, we examine whether these two types of consistency are associated with disruptive child behavior, concurrently and prospectively. We included two samples (Sample 1: N = 134, Magechild = 30 months, 44% girls; Sample 2: N = 149, Magechild = 5.88 years; 46% girls, at-risk sample) with daily reports of child disruptive behavior and parental responses (Sample 1 = 7 days; Sample 2 = 14 days). Sample 1 parents additionally reported on their reactions over the past month and their child’s externalizing behavior one year later. Within-episode consistency was assessed by the average number of parental reactions per episode; across-episode consistency by the Index of Qualitative Variation; and general consistency by parents’ report of how they had responded to child disruptive behavior in the past month. In both samples correlations between within- and across-episode consistency were significant, but not so strong that they were not differentiated. Again in both samples, regression analyses provided evidence for unique predictive value of across-episode, not within-episode, consistency for daily disruptive behavior. Parental general consistency was longitudinally associated with fewer externalizing problems, whereas within- and across-episode consistency were not. It appears meaningful to differentiate within- from across-episode consistency to better understand the relevance of different aspects of consistency.
Variation in the Outcome of Plant-Mediated Pathogen Interactions in Potato: Effects of Initial Infections on Conspecific vs. Heterospecific Subsequent Infections
Authors: Quiroga Gabriela , Aguiño-Domínguez Naila , Piperakis Nikos , Martín-Cacheda Lucía , Abdala-Roberts Luis , Moreira Xoaquín 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPlants are often attacked sequentially by multiple enemies. Pathogen sequential co-infections can lead to indirect interactions mediated by plant induced responses whose outcome is contingent on differences in the magnitude and type of plant induced defences elicited by different species or guilds. To date, however, most studies have tested unidirectional effects of one pathogen on another, not discerning between conspecific vs. heterospecific infections, and often not measuring plant induced responses underlying such outcomes. To address this, we conducted a greenhouse experiment testing for the impact of initial infection by two leaf pathogens (Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans) on subsequent infection by each of these pathogens on potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants, and also measured induced plant defences (phenolic compounds) to inform on interaction outcomes. We found contrasting results depending on the identity of the initially infecting pathogen. Specifically, initial infection by A. solani drove induced resistance (lower necrosis) by subsequently infecting A. solani (conspecific induced resistance) but had no effect on subsequent infection by P. infestans. In contrast, initial infection by P. infestans drove induced resistance to subsequent infection by both conspecifics and A. solani. Patterns of plant induced defences correlated with (and potentially explained) induced resistance to conspecific but not heterospecific (e.g., in the case of P. infestans) subsequent infection. Overall, these results further our understanding of plant-mediated pathogen interactions by showing that plant-mediated interactions between pathogen species can be asymmetrical and in some cases not reciprocal, that pathogen species can vary in the importance of conspecific vs. heterospecific effects, and shed mechanistic insight into the role of plant induced responses driving such interactions.
Sequential Image Recovery Using Joint Hierarchical Bayesian Learning
Authors: Xiao Yao , Glaubitz Jan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractRecovering temporal image sequences (videos) based on indirect, noisy, or incomplete data is an essential yet challenging task. We specifically consider the case where each data set is missing vital information, which prevents the accurate recovery of the individual images. Although some recent (variational) methods have demonstrated high-resolution image recovery based on jointly recovering sequential images, there remain robustness issues due to parameter tuning and restrictions on the type of sequential images. Here, we present a method based on hierarchical Bayesian learning for the joint recovery of sequential images that incorporates prior intra- and inter-image information. Our method restores the missing information in each image by “borrowing” it from the other images. More precisely, we couple sequential images by penalizing their pixel-wise difference. The corresponding penalty terms (one for each pixel and pair of subsequent images) are treated as weakly-informative random variables that favor small pixel-wise differences but allow occasional outliers. As a result, all of the individual reconstructions yield improved accuracy. Our method can be used for various data acquisitions and allows for uncertainty quantification. Some preliminary results indicate its potential use for sequential deblurring and magnetic resonance imaging.
Moving mass over a viscoelastic system: asymptotic behaviours and insights into nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Argenziano M. , Cutolo A. , Babilio E. , Carotenuto A. R. , Fraldi M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMoving masses are of interest in many applications of structural dynamics, soliciting in the last decades a vast debate in the scientific literature. However, despite the attention devoted to the subject, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is a lack of analysis about the fate of a movable mass when it rolls or slips with friction on a structure. With the aim of elucidating the dynamics of the simplest paradigm of this system and to investigate its asymptotic response, we make reference to a two-degree-of-freedom model made of an elastically vibrating carriage surmounted by a spherical mass, facing the problem both theoretically and experimentally. In case of linear systems, the analytical solutions and the laboratory tests performed on ad hoc constructed prototypes highlighted a counterintuitive asymptotic dynamics, here called binary: in the absence of friction at the interface of the bodies’ system, the mass holds its initial position or, if nonzero damping acts, at the end of the motion it is in a position that exactly recovers the initial relative distance carriage–sphere. While the first result might be somewhat obvious, the second appears rather surprising. Such a binary behaviour is also confirmed for a Duffing-like system, equipped with cubic springs, while it can be lost when non-smooth friction phenomena occur, as well as in the case of elastic springs restraining the motion of the sphere. The obtained analytical results and the numerical findings, also confirmed by experimental evidences, contribute to the basic understanding of the role played by the damping parameters governing the systems’ dynamics with respect to its asymptotic behaviour and could pave the way for designing active or passive vibration controllers of interest in engineering.
Advanced spraying systems to improve pesticide saving and reduce spray drift for apple orchards
Authors: Xun Lu , Campos Javier , Salas Bernat , Fabregas Francesc Xavier , Zhu Heping , Gil Emilio 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNew spraying systems embedded with different technologies have been developed for pesticide application in 3D crops. However, while applied to specific tree crops, the potential spray drift mitigation for advanced spraying systems needs to be classified due to the great variability of spray equipment and canopy structure. Here a precision spraying system was developed and compared with two typical spraying systems (conventional system, optimized system following the best management practices) for the applied volume/pesticide and spray drift in an apple orchard at two growth stages following the ISO22866-2005 protocol. Compared to the conventional system, the other two advanced systems significantly reduced the amount of ground drift (> 60%) at most of the sampling distances at the growth stage BBCH 72, while the precision system demonstrated the best drift mitigation (57.3% reduction) at the stage BBCH 99. For the airborne drift, a remarkable drift reduction was also achieved with the two advanced systems. Specifically, the optimized spraying system exhibited a drift reduction by approximately 80% at the first growth stage, and the precision application demonstrated its considerable advantages in minimizing drift loss for the sparse canopy at the stage BBCH 99. Moreover, the saving of applied volume/pesticide was achieved by 12% with the optimized system and 43% with the precision system. This study revealed the necessity and prospect of the advanced spraying systems to reduce the environmental contamination and health risk from pesticide applications in fruit tree production.
Parent-reported health-related quality of life in pediatric childhood cancer survivors and factors associated with poor health-related quality of life in aftercare
Authors: Winzig Jana , Inhestern Laura , Paul Verena , Nasse Mona L. , Krauth Konstantin A. , Kandels Daniela , Rutkowski Stefan , Escherich Gabriele , Bergelt Corinna 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Despite advances in cancer treatment, there is a prevalence of pediatric childhood cancer survivors still at risk of developing adverse disease and treatment outcomes, even after the end of treatment. The present study aimed to (1) explore how mothers and fathers assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of their surviving child and (2) evaluate risk factors for poor parent-reported HRQoL in childhood cancer survivors about 2.5 years after diagnosis.

Methods
We assessed parent-reported HRQoL of 305 child and adolescent survivors < 18 years diagnosed with leukemia or tumors of central nervous system (CNS) with the KINDL-R questionnaire in a prospective observational study with a longitudinal mixed-methods design.

Results
In agreement with our hypotheses, our results show that fathers rate their children’s HRQoL total score as well as the condition-specific domains family (p = .013, d = 0.3), friends (p = .027, d = 0.27), and disease (p = .035, d = 0.26) higher than mothers about 2.5 years after diagnosis. Taking variance of inter-individual differences due to family affiliation into account, the mixed model regression revealed significant associations between the diagnosis of CNS tumors (p = .018, 95% CI [− 7.78, − 0.75]), an older age at diagnosis, (p = .011, 95% CI [− 0.96, − 0.12]), and non-participation in rehabilitation (p = .013, 95% CI [− 10.85, − 1.28]) with poor HRQoL in children more than 2 years after being diagnosed with cancer.

Conclusion
Based on the results, it is necessary for health care professionals to consider the differences in parental perceptions regarding children’s aftercare after surviving childhood cancer. High risk patients for poor HRQoL should be detected early, and families should be offered support post-cancer diagnosis to protect survivors’ HRQoL during aftercare. Further research should focus on characteristics of pediatric childhood cancer survivors and families with low participation in rehabilitation programs.
Wildfires in Australia: a bibliometric analysis and a glimpse on ‘Black Summer’ (2019/2020) disaster
Authors: Haque K M Shamsul , Uddin Minhaz , Ampah Jeffrey Dankwa , Haque Md. Kamrul , Hossen Md. Shahadat , Rokonuzzaman Md. , Hossain Md. Yeamin , Hossain Md. Sazzad , Rahman Md. Zillur 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA wildfire, an unplanned fire that is mainly uncontrolled and originates in combustible vegetation in rural or urban settings, is one of the most pervasive natural catastrophes in some areas, such as Siberia, California and Australia. Many studies, such as standard reviews, have been undertaken to look into the works of literature on wildfires or forest fires and their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Regrettably, conventional literature reviews failed to identify the important researchers, evolving complexities, emerging research hotspots, trends and opportunities for further research on the ground of wildfire study. The present study employs bibliometric analysis to investigate this study area qualitatively and quantitatively. The Scopus database systems and Web of Science Core Collection yielded 78 qualifying papers, which were then evaluated using Biblioshiny (A bibliometrix tool of R-studio). According to the statistics, the discipline is expanding at a pace that is 13.68% faster than average. So far, three key periods of transformation have been documented: preliminary evolution (8 articles; 1999–2005), gentle evolution (14 articles; 2006–2013) and quick evolution (56 articles; 2014 to 2021). Forest Ecology and Management and Science journals have the highest number of publications, accounting for 7.70% of total wildfire-related articles published from 1999 to 2021. However, recent data indicate that investigators are shifting their focus to wildfires, with the term ‘Australia’ having the highest frequency (91) and ‘wildfire’ having the second highest (58) as the most appeared keywords. The present study will provide a foundation for future research on wildfire incidence and management by receiving information by synthesising previously published literature in Australia and around the world.