bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electoral reform in authoritarian regimes: veto player uncertainty in Jordan
Authors: Farag Mahmoud , Abudalu Muath 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWhat explains the move of Jordan to a proportional representation (PR) electoral system in 2016 but not in 2012? This is puzzling given the high public pressure for electoral reform in 2011–12 in the wake of the Arab uprisings compared to 2016. Applying veto player theory to Jordan, this article argues that the non-adoption of PR in 2012 and the subsequent move to PR in 2016 lies mainly in the regime’s perceived uncertainty associated with the results of elections. In 2012, it was feared that elections under a PR system would replicate the 1989 opposition-dominated parliament. The regime, therefore, opted for a mixed system by complementing the single non-transferable vote system with a national party list. To justify such a system, compared to the demanded PR system, the regime resorted to rhetoric directed at both elite and mass levels. In 2016, however, the uncertainty associated with adopting a PR system ceased to exist. The fragmentation of Jordan’s strongest opposition group, the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood, reduced uncertainty about their electoral strength. At the same time, malapportionment reduced uncertainty regarding the outcomes of the elections. The article shows how electoral reform in authoritarian regimes, as in some democracies, can be explained through the perceived uncertainty of elections’ outcomes.
Professional competence(s) of physical education teachers: terms, traditions, modelling and perspectives
Authors: Baumgartner Matthias 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe effectiveness of (physical education [PE]) teachers on students’ school performance (as well as the effectiveness of PE teacher education [PETE]) has been studied within different research paradigms. The evidence shows that the quality of students’ school performance is strongly dependent on the (PE) teacher and the quality of their teaching. Consequently, research into the effectiveness of PE teachers and the effectiveness of PETE has become a central subject of PE research. In this regard, there has been a competence-orientated shift in research on the effectiveness of PE teachers and PETE over the past 15 years. Focusing on competence-oriented PE teacher research, it becomes apparent that this is in a consolidation phase and that the advantages of the competence construct is not fully understood. In addition, the term ‘competence’ is used differently within PE teacher research. Accordingly, this theoretical article aims to clarify the concepts within competence-oriented PE teacher research, to present the different competence-oriented PE teacher research traditions, and to generate a typology and topology model of Professional Competence of Physical Education Teachers (Compe-PET model). The model assumes that the improvement of real-world performance is achieved through the following three developmental components: (1) the qualitative improvement of the aspects of competency (e.g., professional knowledge); (2) the improvement of the situated perception, interpretation, and decision-making skills (P-I-D); (3) through the deliberative practice of implementation of the quality criteria in one’s own teaching practice. Results are discussed with implications focusing on PETE and PE teacher research.
Mitigation measures preventing floods from landslide dams: analysis of pre- and post-hydrologic conditions upstream a seismic-induced landslide dam in Central Italy
Authors: Cencetti Corrado , Di Matteo Lucio 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe design of engineering measures during emergency phases is crucial in mitigating the river flow impacts on landslide dams, avoiding dam breaks and related downstream flooding. Man-made hydraulic facilities represent a possible mitigation strategy for reducing the occurrence of dam breaching by diverting river inflow. Semi-empirical equations published in the literature may help define the landslide dam evolution and design the discharge to be diverted into the hydraulic works assuring the dam's stability. These approaches need to be carefully validated with case studies, an important step in evaluating the accuracy of predictive models. The work presents and discusses the pre- and post-seismic hydrologic conditions along the Nera River gorge focusing on the role of the pre-existing anthropic works in mitigating the impact of river discharge on the Sasso Pizzuto landslide dam triggered by the October 30, 2016 earthquake (Central Italy). Considering historical data, the upper part of the river catchment has experienced the highest discharge values during the landslide dam lifetime. The discriminant analysis approach of the hydro-geomorphometric characteristics supported the definition of the critical peak flow, avoiding the dam's instability. Thanks to an upstream hydropower bypass, about 80% of the river discharge increase have been diverted into an underground pipeline built in 1928 to feed the Preci hydroelectric plant (located a few kilometers downstream of the landslide dam). The discriminant analysis model, developed in the literature on other landslides worldwide, had a good performance in managing the upstream river discharge of Sasso Pizzuto dam, expanding its validity on other landslide dams.
A novel diagnostic model for insulinoma
Authors: Wang Feng , Yang Zhe , Chen XiuBing , Peng Yiling , Jiang HaiXing , Qin ShanYu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe aim is to describe a simple and feasible model for the diagnosis of insulinoma. This retrospective study enrolled 37 patients with insulinoma and 44 patients with hypoglycemia not due to insulinoma at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. General demographic and clinical characteristics; hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin and C-peptide concentrations; and the results of 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were recorded, and a logistic regression model predictive of insulinoma was determined. Body mass index (BMI), HbA1c concentration, 0-h C-peptide concentration, and 0-h and 1-h plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05 each) were independently associated with insulinoma. A regression prediction model was established through multivariate logistics regression analysis: Logit p = 7.399+(0.310 × BMI) − (1.851 × HbA1c) − (1.467 × 0-h plasma glucose) + (1.963 × 0-h C-peptide) − (0.612 × 1-h plasma glucose). Using this index to draw a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.957. The optimal cut-off value was − 0.17, which had a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 86.4%. Logit P ≥ − 0.17 can be used as a diagnostic marker for predicting insulinoma in patients with hypoglycemia.
Assessing vulnerability to soil erosion based on fuzzy best worse multi-criteria decision-making method
Authors: Meshram Sarita Gajbhiye , Hasan Mohd Abul , Meshram Chandrashekhar , Ilderomi Ali Reza , Tirivarombo Sithabile , Islam Saiful 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSoil wearing away or erosion is a chief agent of land loss in agricultural land and is regarded worldwide as a serious environmental hazard. This study performed watershed prioritization using morphometric parameters based on fuzzy best worse method (F-BWM) and GIS integration for Gusru Watershed, India. This study prioritizes sub-watersheds of the study area from viewpoint of soil erosion using five major parameters i.e., stream frequency (Fs), relative relief (Rr), length of overland flow (Lo), relief ratio (Rh) and drainage density (Dd). Fuzzy based Best Worse Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (F-BWM) Method was used to assigning weights to used criteria and combining them to achieve erosion susceptibility for each sub-watershed. Results showed that sub-watersheds 9, 14, and 5 were most susceptible to soil erosion and sub-watershed 3 was the least from the viewpoint of soil erosion ranking.
Improving the visualization of rainfall trends using various innovative trend methodologies with time–frequency-based methods
Authors: Zerouali Bilel , Elbeltagi Ahmed , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Abda Zaki , Chettih Mohamed , Santos Celso Augusto Guimarães , Boukhari Sofiane , Araibia Ahmed Salah 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this paper, the Innovative Trend Methodology (ITM) and their inspired approaches, i.e., Double (D-ITM) and Triple (T-ITM), were combined with Hilbert Huang transform (HHT) time frequency-based method. The new hybrid methods (i.e., ITM-HHT, D-ITM-HHT, and T-ITM-HHT) were proposed and compared to the DWT-based methods in order to recommend the best method. Three total annual rainfall time series from 1920 to 2011 were selected from three hydrological basins in Northern Algeria. The new combined models (ITM-HHT, D-ITM-HHT, and T-ITM-HHT) revealed that the 1950–1975 period has significant wet episodes followed by a long-term drought observed in the western region of Northern Algeria, while Northeastern Algeria presented a wet period since 2001. The proposed approaches successfully detected, in a visible manner, hidden trends presented in the signals, which proves that the removal of some modes of variability from the original rainfall signals can increase the accuracy of the used approaches.
Role of the preferential flow at rock–soil interface in the water leaking process in near-surface fissures filled with soils in the karst rock desertification area
Authors: Liu Tingting , Peng Xudong , Dai Quanhou , Xu Shengbing 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSoil preferential flow infiltrating rapidly through the rock–soil interface is an important hydrological process in karst rocky desertification area. However, how does the water leakage in the near-surface fissures, especially those filled with soil, proceed? The role of preferential flow at rock–soil interface of those fissures on water leakage process still puzzles us. The goal of this study was to reveal the role of soil preferential flow at the rock–soil interface in the process of water leaking of near-surface fissures. Five typical types of near-surface fissures were selected in an area experiencing severe rocky desertification in Guizhou Province, China. Dye tracer testing was applied, combined with digital image processing techniques. The results indicated that the rock–soil interface flow on both sides of the fissures is the most important preferential flow form in the fissures in karst area. The dyed area ratio of preferential flow varied from 0.12 to 0.48 in the rock + soil profiles, from 0.06 to 0.37 in the soil profiles, and between 0.02 and 0.16 in the rock–soil interface. The rock–soil interface is the smallest in terms of both their variation range of dyed area ratio and preferential flow patterns compared with soil and rock–soil profiles. The soil preferential flow in near-surface fissures mainly occurs in the soil depth range of 0–20 cm. The preferential flow path is mainly affected by the rock–soil interface on both sides and can pass through the clay layer with poor permeability. However, the soil depth of the dyed part was more than 50 cm. The soil preferential flow at the rock–soil interface is the main form of rapid downward leakage of water in near-surface fissures in the karst rocky desertification area, which can flow to the bottom of clay layer with poor permeability.
Administration of some probiotic strains in the rearing water enhances the water quality, performance, body chemical analysis, antioxidant and immune responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Naiel Mohammed A. E. , Abdelghany Mohamed F. , Khames Doaa K. , Abd El-hameed Samah A. A. , Mansour Enas M. G. , El-Nadi Ali S. M. , Shoukry Adel A. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe performance, efficiency of consumed feed, body chemical composition, survival rate, antioxidant and immunity parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in probiotic-treated water were studied. Two hundred apparently healthy Nile tilapia (20 ± 0.3 g) juveniles were reared for 70 days in five different treatments, with five replications as the control group (clean water) and four test groups with two probiotics strains (Bacillus toyonensisandGeobacillus stearothermophilus) at two different levels (1 or 2 × 105 CFU ml−1) applied in rearing water. Fish reared in water supplemented withG. stearothermophilusat low level demonstrated significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) growth performances in terms of final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and relative growth rate (RGR) compared to the control group. In the same context, supplied fish rearing water a lower amount ofG. stearothermophilus(GS1) remarkedly reduced feed conversion ratio values when compared to the control group. In contrary, all other feed efficiency parameters increased significantly whenG. stearothermophilus(GS1) water was added at low amount in the compartment with the untreated group. Moreover, probiotic water additives significantly reduced the range and median levels of unionized ammonia (NH3) in water when compared to the untreated group. According to the findings of the body chemical composition, treated tilapia water with a high level ofB. toyonensishad significantly higher crude protein and fat levels, as well as lower ash levels, than the control group.When compared to the control group, probiotic-water supplementation significantly improved oxidative status and immunological activity at all bacterial dosage levels, with the fish group enriched with a high level ofG. stearothermophilusrecording the maximum values of both antioxidant and immune activity.Finally, results reveal that water treated withB. toyonensisorG. stearothermophilusas a probiotic promoted Nile tilapia growth and health status, and this technology may be applied to stimulate tilapia productivity in culture farms.
Numerical simulation of flow on circular crested stepped spillway
Authors: Parsaie Abbas , Shareef Saleh Jaafer Suleiman , Haghiabi Amir Hamzeh , Irzooki Raad Hoobi , Khalaf Rasul M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe spillways are one of the most important hydraulic structures used in river engineering, dam construction, irrigation, and drainage engineering projects. Recently, a new type of such spillways with a circular crest has been proposed. In this paper, the hydraulic properties of the circular crested stepped spillway (CCSS) including flow pattern, distribution of velocity on the crest and pressure, turbulence intensity, discharge coefficient ($${C}_{d}$$

C
d

) and energy dissipation ratio (EDR) were investigated numerically. To model the free surface of flow the volume of fluid technique, and for modeling the turbulence of flow, k − ε (RNG) was utilized. Results declared that there is a good agreement between the laboratory observations and numerical simulation. The $${C}_{d}$$

C
d

of the CCSS changes between 0.9 and 1.4 considering the range of relative upstream head ($${h}_{up}/R$$

h

up

/
R

) between 0.33 m and 2.67. The observation of the flow streamlines showed that they are tangential to the curvature of the crest and there is no separation of the flow from the crest. Examination of the pressure distribution on the CCSS model shows that just downstream part of the crest, the pressure is partially negative. Of course, the same partial negative pressure is observed on the edge of the steps. The steps increase the maximum intensity turbulence by 50%. The CCSS can dissipate the energy of flow between 90 and 30%, and in the skimming flow regime, the portion of each step in the energy dissipation regardless of their position is almost identical.
Realizing the potential of metallic iron for the mitigation of toxics: flee or adapt?
Authors: Konadu-Amoah Bernard , Hu Rui , Cao Viet , Tao Ran , Yang Huichen , Ndé-Tchoupé Arnaud Igor , Gwenzi Willis , Ruppert Hans , Noubactep Chicgoua 
Published: August 2022

AbstractMetallic iron (Fe0) has been increasingly used to remove toxics from water over the past three decades. However, the idea that metallic iron (Fe0) is not an environmental reducing agent has been vigorously refuted. Researchers presenting their findings in a scientific journal have to accept the burden of proving that their argument has any validity. This 30-year-lasting discussion within the Fe0 remediation community is alien to electro-chemists, as it is a century-old knowledge. Nevertheless, the peer-reviewed literature on “remediation using Fe0” seems to be dominated by evaluators thinking that Fe0 is a reducing agent. This communication challenges the view that Fe0 donates any electron to any dissolved species. The sole goal is to reconcile a proven efficient technology with its scientific roots and enable the design of better Fe0 remediation systems.
Investigation of fire risk zones using heat–humidity time series data and vegetation
Authors: Rabiei Javad , Khademi Mahboube Sadat , Bagherpour Sahar , Ebadi Negin , Karimi Akram , Ostad-Ali-Askari Kaveh 
Published: August 2022

AbstractForest fires destroy these areas and have devastating and harmful socio-economic and environmental effects. One of the methods of preventing and managing the hazards created in the field of forest fires is to determine the range of fire risk. The purpose of this study is to determine the high-risk areas of fire in the forests of Golestan province using remote sensing data and field information. For this purpose, the data of MODIS satellite during the years 2005 to 2020 for the middle of November to mid-February, which is the peak of the fire occurrence, were prepared. (NDVI) vegetation index, (NDMI) plant moisture stress index and (LST) land surface temperature were extracted as a 15-year average in these months. Then, using precipitation data from meteorological stations, precipitation index (SPI) was calculated as an average to estimate the amount of drought for the mentioned years. By combining the mentioned indices, the areas with fire risk were extracted. Then, previous fire reference data were used to validate the obtained results of the study. The results of fire potential map evaluation showed that about 6.39% of the area has very high potential, indicating that about 65.78% of fire risk points have been located in this area and about 56.32% of the area is in moderate-fire-risk position, encompassing about 23.16% of the areas with fire risk. Finally, a low-risk zone encompassing 36.34% of the area, which about 11.06% of the high-fire-risk areas are located in this area. Also, the indices of NDMI, NDVI, SPI and LST precipitation have a degree of correlation of 74. 58%, 60.1%, 47.11% and 41. 02% with the map of fire points, respectively.
An integrated source rock potential, sequence stratigraphy, and petroleum geology of (Agbada-Akata) sediment succession, Niger delta: application of well logs aided by 3D seismic and basin modeling
Authors: Diab A. I. , Sanuade Oluseun , Radwan Ahmed E. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWe investigated the source rock potential, sequence stratigraphy, and characterized hydrocarbon reservoirs at Otumara field, Niger delta, using integrated 3D seismic, wireline log analysis, and basin modeling. The burial history and thermal maturity were modeled, the reservoirs were delineated, and the petrophysical parameters were also estimated from the wireline logs. The Passey “ΔLog R” method for estimating the preliminary evaluations of the total organic carbon (TOC) from integrating sonic, neutron, and density with resistivity has been used. The results indicate that the primary source rock of hydrocarbons is the Upper Akata Formation, despite a higher TOC percentage in the Agbada Formation. Based on sequence stratigraphy analysis, TA4, TB1, TB2, and TB3 second-order supercycles were obtained in the studied well TD46. The results also revealed that the field has two large net pays with high-quality reservoir facies: a deltaic slope fan at the upper shoreface and a river mouth sandbar at the lower shoreface. Furthermore, the reservoirs were faulted by a series of growing faults that faulted the basin slope. The reservoir facies are characterized by an average of 18% porosity, 1200 mD permeability, 16% volume of shale, and high hydrocarbon saturation of about 85%. Finally, the petroleum system elements have been defined for improved hydrocarbon exploration. In the absence of complete or partial core samples, this case study emphasizes the importance of using wireline logs to estimate organic richness and investigate sequence stratigraphy in clastic sediments.
The potential of offshore Nile Delta Basin natural gas reserves: a case study of Messinian reservoir in Baltim field
Authors: Sarhan Mohammad Abdelfattah 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe offshore part of the Nile Delta Basin (NDB) is a prolific provenance for gas exploration. The present study aims to perform a geophysical evaluation for the Messinian Abu Madi sandstones along the Messinian paleo-valley in Baltim field as a case study. The seismic interpretation step exposed that the Abu Madi incised valley displays NNW-SSE trend with width ranges from 5 to 8 km and a length of 32 km. The petrophysical appraisal for five drilled wells (BE-2, BE-3, BE-5, BN-1 and BN-2) in Baltim Field has been performed. The findings of this assessment revealed that the most promising intervals in the studied wells have gross-thicknesses vary between 25 and 49 m; net pay thicknesses range within 15 m and 38.5 m; net/gross ratio of 0.54–0.90; effective porosity of 15–40%; shale volume is less than 20; and water saturation ranges between 25 and 50%. Such notably talented and converging values of these parameters across the examined zones reflects the relative homogeneity and lateral continuity of the Abu Madi reservoir across the inspected paleo-valley. The results of this study can help for a better understanding of the petrophysical characteristics for the Messinian reservoir over the offshore NDB. Therefore, the Messinian sandstones could exhibit possible targets for future gas exploration over the offshore NDB together with the Pliocene sandy levels, which represent the main and the recent discoveries of gas accumulations.
Pediatric Sialendoscopy
Authors: Brodie Kara D. , Czechowicz Josephine A. , Rosbe Kristina W. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Purpose of Review
To describe the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of sialadenitis as well as the indications for and outcomes of sialendoscopy in the pediatric population.

Recent Findings
Pediatric sialadenitis makes up a small proportion of all salivary gland disease. Acute viral sialadenitis and juvenile recurrent parotitis are the most common forms of the condition. Juvenile recurrent parotitis is thought to be multifactorial in etiology with infectious, behavioral, autoimmune, and structural contributions. Review of the current literature supports a potential benefit from sialendoscopy for children with recurrent acute or chronic sialadenitis. Sialendoscopy can provide both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits with very low associated risks. The most common sialendoscopy findings include intraductal sludge or debris, sialoliths, and ductal strictures.

Summary
In the select pediatric population, sialendoscopy is a safe and effective procedure with associated decreased rates of recurrent acute sialadenitis including juvenile recurrent parotitis.