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The aim of the article is to present the results of assessing the occurrence intensity of mudflow phenomena in the territory of the Charyn State National Natural Park (SNNP). The assessment and mapping of mudflow phenomena was carried out using field methods, comparative analysis of field materials, and a cartographic method. Based on indicators such as lithological composition of rocks, vertical dissection, surface slope and vegetation the assessment using number score was carried out and map of the territory of the Charyn SNNP was created. Thus, areas of tourist and recreational activity are susceptible to a high degree of mudflow phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There has been extensive research conducted on open defecation in Ethiopia, but a notable gap persists in comprehensively understanding the spatial variation and predictors at the household level. This study utilizes data from the 2021 Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia (PMA-ET) to address this gap by identifying hotspots and predictors of open defecation. Employing geographically weighted regression analysis, it goes beyond traditional models to account for spatial heterogeneity, offering a nuanced understanding of geographical variations in open defecation prevalence and its determinants. This research pinpoints hotspot areas and significant predictors, aiding policymakers and practitioners in tailoring interventions effectively. It not only fills the knowledge gap in Ethiopia but also informs global sanitation initiatives. Methods: The study comprised a total weighted sample of 24,747 household participants. ArcGIS version 10.7 and SaT Scan version 9.6 were used to handle mapping, hotspots, ordinary least squares, Bernoulli model analysis, and Spatial regression. Bernoulli-based model was used to analyze the purely spatial cluster detection of open defecation at the household level in Ethiopia. Ordinary Least Square (OLS) analysis and geographically weighted regression analysis were employed to assess the association between an open defecation and explanatory variables. Results: The spatial distribution of open defecation at the household level exhibited clustering (global Moran's I index value of 4.540385, coupled with a p-value of less than 0.001), with significant hotspots identified in Amhara, Afar, Harari, and parts of Dire Dawa. Spatial analysis using Kuldorff's Scan identified six clusters, with four showing statistical significance (P-value < 0.05) in Amhara, Afar, Harari, Tigray, and southwest Ethiopia. In the geographically weighted regression model, being male [coefficient = 0.87, P-value < 0.05] and having no media exposure (not watching TV or listening to the radio) [coefficient = 0.47, P-value < 0.05] emerged as statistically significant predictors of household-level open defecation in Ethiopia. Conclusion: The study revealed that open defecation at the household level in Ethiopia varies across the regions, with significant hotspots identified in Amhara, Afar, Harari, and parts of Dire Dawa. Geographically weighted regression analysis highlights male participants lacking media exposure as substantial predictors of open defecation. Targeted interventions in Ethiopia should improve media exposure among males in hotspot regions, tailored sanitation programs, and region-specific awareness campaigns. Collaboration with local communities is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital health is being used as an accelerator to improve the traditional healthcare system, aiding countries in achieving their sustainable development goals. Burkina Faso aims to harmonize its digital health interventions to guide its digital health strategy for the coming years. The current assessment represents upstream work to steer the development of this strategic plan. Methods: This was a quantitative, descriptive study conducted between September 2022 and April 2023. It involved a two-part survey: a self-administered questionnaire distributed to healthcare information managers in facilities, and direct interviews conducted with software developers. This was complemented by a documentary review of the country's strategic and standards documents on digital transformation. Results: Burkina Faso possesses a relatively comprehensive collection of governance documents pertaining to digital transformation. The study identified a total of 35 digital health interventions. Analysis showed that 89% of funding originated from technical and financial partners as well as the private sector. While the use of open-source technologies for the development of the applications, software, or platforms used to implement these digital health interventions is well established (77%), there remains a deficiency in the integration of data from different platforms. Furthermore, the classification of digital health interventions revealed an uneven distribution between the different elements across domains: the health system, the classification of digital health interventions (DHI), and the subsystems of the National Health Information System (NHIS). Most digital health intervention projects are still in the pilot phase (66%), with isolated electronic patient record initiatives remaining incomplete. Within the public sector, these records typically take the form of electronic registers or isolated specialty records in a hospital. Within the private sector, tool implementation varies based on expressed needs. Challenges persist in adhering to interoperability norms and standards during tool design, with minimal utilization of the data generated by the implemented tools. Conclusion: This study provides an insightful overview of the digital health environment in Burkina Faso and highlights significant challenges regarding intervention strategies. The findings serve as a foundational resource for developing the digital health strategic plan. By addressing the identified shortcomings, this plan will provide a framework for guiding future digital health initiatives effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural rubber is one of the four main raw materials of industry and a globally important strategic material. Rubber plantations with agroforestry attributes have undergone rapid growth in the northern part of mainland Southeast Asia (including Xishuangbanna) since the 1990s, leading to a series of eco-environmental effects on biological diversity, climate change, carbon stocks, and hydrological processes. Accurate, detailed, and updated spatial information on rubber plantations, therefore, is fundamental for developing efficient management strategies. Currently, the booming rubber plantations are being experienced new changes in Xishuangbanna. The commonly used coarser spatial resolution satellite data (e.g., 250-m MODIS and/or 30-m Landsat) have limited applications because most plantations are often small and scattered, especially in the mountainous areas. Here, we developed a straightforward and effective re-normalization of red green normalized difference vegetation index (ReNDI) approach based on finer resolution (10-m) Sentinel-2 imagery, and then mapped the first annual 10-m rubber plantations in the entire Xishuangbanna during 2018–2021. Interestingly, rubber plots no longer expanded as rapidly as in past decades and even decreased slightly. The latest area of rubber plantations was 2514.7 km2, a decrease of 31.9 km2 comparing since 2018, with an average overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of four-year reached up to 95.37 % and 0.90, respectively. Among them, Jinghong city and Menghai county increased by 52.4 km2 and 14.8 km2 respectively, and Mengla county decreased by 99.1 km2. The main area of rubber expansion was around the Jinghong city, where rubber was initially planted. More importantly, owing to pursuing increased economic benefits and requirements of environmental protection, a considerable portion of the rubber encroachment has disappeared, particularly near roads and rivers. Our phenology-based ReNDI algorithm not only enriches the remotely-sensed methods for other industrial plantations mapping, but also provides a new chance to understanding the current patterns of rubber plantations (i.e., increase and decrease), which will contributed to rational planting planning and agroforestry management in the future, especially in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on converting complex 3D maps created by LiDAR and SLAM technology into simple 2D maps to make them easier to understand. While 3D maps provide a lot of useful details for robots and computer programs, they can be difficult to read for humans who are used to flat maps. We developed a new system to clean up these 3D maps and convert them into intuitive and accurate 2D maps. The system uses three steps designed to correct different kinds of errors found in 3D LiDAR scan data: clustering-based denoising, height-based denoising, and Statistical Outlier Removal. In particular, height-based denoising is the method we propose in this paper, an algorithm that leaves only indoor structures such as walls. The paper proposes an algorithm that considers the entire range of the point cloud, rather than just the points near the ceiling, as is the case with existing methods, to make denoising more effective. This makes the final 2D map easy to understand and useful for building planning or emergency preparedness. Our main goal is to map the interior of buildings faster and more effectively, creating 2D drawings that reflect accurate and current information. We want to make it easier to use LiDAR and SLAM data in our daily work and increase productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop yield is heavily influenced by soil salinity. The objective of the research is to assess the depth wise soil salinity distribution pattern and groundwater quality by measuring physico-chemical parameters in the agricultural land of Nijhum Island, Noakhali, Bangladesh. This study also explicates the spatial variation of soil salinity in the study area. Soil samples were collected from three different depths to estimate the Electrical Conductivity (EC) using a paste of 1:5 soil and distilled water suspension (1:5 weight-to-volume method). Spatial analyst tool of ArcGIS was used and observed that the land of Nijhum Island was affected with severe salinity in almost 85% of sampling plots and 15% of sampling plots were extremely saline. The soil salinity process has been noticed due to seawater intrusion from the Bay of Bengal through the Meghna estuary which threatens crop production and soil fertility, threatening the population's livelihood. This study provides a baseline understanding of soil salinity in Nijhum Island to help decision-makers and smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods. Thus, groundwater depth did not affect soil salinity significantly. The result contradicts most studies that found a strong influence on soil salinity. Because the study area is coastal, most of the salt comes from seawater inundation and capillary rise, which reduces groundwater availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporobolus cryptandrus is a C4 perennial bunchgrass native to extensive areas of North America. As a non-native species, it has been reported from several continents, and it has been described as a transformer species in sand steppes of Central and Eastern Europe. However, its spreading ability across the landscape and within habitats has not been quantified, and factors determining its success have not yet been assessed. In this study, we focused on the largest stronghold of S. cryptandrus invasion in Hungary, where the species was first recorded in 2016, and investigated its present distribution in the landscape by mapping along dirt roads. In a separate local study in a heavily infested sand dune site of 2 km2, we assessed the infestation level and factors affecting the species' establishment. Our landscape-scale mapping found that in April 2023, the distribution of S. cryptandrus encompassed a largely contiguous 600 km2, with documented presence from 282 1-km2 mapping units. The species occurred more than 5 m away from roads in 71 mapping units, mostly in the centre of its distribution area. Sporobolus cryptandrus presence was negatively related to soil organic matter content and positively related to sand content. At the local scale, we found the species in 39% of vegetation plots in a sand dune site originally covered by Pannonic sand steppes, a priority habitat in the EU Habitats Directive. Sporobolus cryptandrus presence at this site was negatively related to the total cover of resident grassland but, surprisingly, was unrelated to the distance from roads. Collectively, these results suggest that primary spread occurs mostly along roads; these roadside populations likely serve as sources for establishment in neighbouring grasslands, but subsequent mass invasion becomes independent from roads. Together with the species' broad macroclimatic tolerance in North America and reported mass invasion events in Ukraine and Russia, our results suggest that S. cryptandrus likely poses a broad-scale threat to Eurasian dry grasslands, in particular on coarse-textured sandy soils with low vegetation cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to provide an analysis of English animal-related terms used figuratively with reference to types of parenting. To be more precise, we make an attempt to investigate the scope of the conceptual metaphor PARENTS ARE ANIMALS. What ignited our interest was the ubiquity of linguistic metaphors featuring animal terms employed with reference to types of parenting present in everyday language, thus we have decided to delve into what types of animals are typical source domains in metaphors of this type. The methodology adopted is the Conceptual Metaphor Theory, originally proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and further developed in numerous subsequent publications, especially those by Kövecses (2003, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017a, 2017b). Our results are supported by evidence from the online Corpus of Contemporary American English and News on the Web Corpus, which may be said to corroborate not only the conceptual nature of metaphors as such, but also their impact on social cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Batanes archipelago -- a province designated by the Philippine government as a protected area -- possesses abundant marine resources and diverse ecosystems that serve as optimal habitats for marine turtles to forage, reproduce, and nest. Ivatans, the native inhabitants of Batanes who are also indigenous peoples, possess knowledge of the existence of marine turtles in their coastal waters; however, published reports are still unavailable. This study provides significant data on species identification, observations, and the distribution of nesting areas across the province. This study presents novel findings, revealing that green sea turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata thrive in the coastal waters of Batanes. A household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 90), 48 key informant interviews, and site monitoring were utilized as data collection methods and examined using descriptive data analysis. We randomly selected respondents from the household surveys from each municipality and pre-identified key informants based on their roles in each municipality (e.g. government officials, fisherfolk leaders). Likewise, 45% of the respondents claimed that they usually encounter marine turtles a few times a week, specifically during their fishing operations. The mapped nesting sites showed a wide range across the province; three were already established by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. The data gathered, and findings of this study serve as a basis for local resource managers -- particularly in implementing initiatives for sustainable management, conservation, and protection of marine turtle biodiversity in Batanes. Before developing conservation and management strategies, involving the community in decision-making is crucial to address potential concerns -- significantly when a specific ethnic group such as the Ivatans on Batanes Island -- is affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production and productivity can be adversely affected by the presence of excessive salts in soils particularly in semi-arid and arid areas. Knowledge of the salinity/sodicity of the soil and the quality of the irrigation water is essential for managing agricultural fields effectively and increasing the output and productivity of the lands. This research was initiated with the objectives of characterizing and Mapping of soil salinity status at small scale irrigated areas of Fantale district and identifying the most affected irrigation scheme so as to design appropriate soil salinity management. The study was conducted at Fentale district of Galcha, Gola and Dire Sade irrigation schemes. Soil samples were collected from the surface using augur, and from pits at different depth interval and analyzed for pH, EC, Na+, ESP, SAR, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and CEC. The result was compared with the standards set by FAO system to classify soil and water salinity. Accordingly, it was identified that Galcha irrigation scheme was characterized as sodic due to very strong sodium concentration with average ESP of 53.2% and EC 3.95 mmhoms/cm and pH about 9.25. On the other hand, Gola and Dire Sade Irrigation schemes were characterized as moderately and slightly sodic respectively. Sodium was the dominant soluble cation, followed by calcium, magnesium, and potassium in all soil depths and schemes. Beside primary Salinization of natural processes such as physical or chemical weathering parent material, and discharge Basaka Lake to the downstream, was the main source of salt build-up in the upper layers of the soil at Galcha irrigation scheme. On the other hand, irrigation water analysis indicated that water used for irrigation at all irrigation schemes were slightly sodic. Therefore, the study underscores the need for a scientific reclamation of sodic soils primarily at Galcha Irrigation scheme where sodium concentration in the soil was very strong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I propose a cartographic approach to literature that privileges the study of personal itineraries through the city. More specifically, my proposal consists of tracing these itineraries and analyzing how they subvert the dominant narratives of the city. My hypothesis is that the representations that emerge from such an analysis allow for a reconceptualization of the city that dislocates and actualizes the hegemonic imaginaries of urban settlements. To demonstrate the insights that can flow from this approach, in this article I analyze the itineraries of Salvador Novo through Mexico City as depicted in La estatua de sal. In doing so, I trace the complex network of queer circuits in post-revolutionary Mexico and present a more holistic understanding of the city that corrects the dominant representations of the capital as hyper-masculine and heterosexual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of ablation of ventricular tachyarrhythmias using high-density mapping in patients with non-ischemic etiology. This study analyzed 60 patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, using diagnostic tools like electrocardiography and MRI. Treatment involved epicardial ablation following the E. Sosa method, with efficacy evaluated through the SF-36 survey and MRI. Success rates were categorized, and post-treatment care included troponin monitoring and aspirin. Data was analyzed using Excel and Statistika 11.0. Of the 60 patients, 30 underwent surgery at the City Cardiological Center in Almaty and 30 patients were operated on at the National Research Cardiac Surgery Center in Astana. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent a standard clinical diagnostic examination followed by ablation of ventricular tachyarrhythmias using high-density mapping. After six and 12 months from the beginning of the study, all patients underwent a follow-up examination, with an assessment of the effectiveness of the above treatment. After 12 months, follow-up examination of patients showed good results. Left ventricular ejection fraction in patients after 12 months increased from 47 ± 2.4 to 58 ± 4.5%. The end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle decreased from 61.2 ± 2.31 to 50.1 ± 1.9 mm. In summary, the study highlights the efficacy and safety of high-density mapping ablation in treating ventricular tachyarrhythmias, especially from the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The success rate of the procedure was 95%. This approach proves beneficial for patients unresponsive to antiarrhythmic therapy, enhancing both the quality of life and potentially reducing mortality in patients with ventricular arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a DC-free technique that used dark-mode scanning capacitance microscopy (DM-SCM) with a small-area contact electrode to evaluate and image equivalent oxide thicknesses (EOTs). In contrast to the conventional capacitance–voltage (C–V) method, which requires a large-area contact electrode and DC voltage sweeping to provide reliable C–V curves from which the EOT can be determined, the proposed method enabled the evaluation of the EOT to a few nanometers for thermal and high-k oxides. The signal intensity equation defining the voltage modulation efficiency in scanning capacitance microscopy (SCM) indicates that thermal oxide films on silicon can serve as calibration references for the establishment of a linear relationship between the SCM signal ratio and the EOT ratio; the EOT is then determined from this relationship. Experimental results for thermal oxide films demonstrated that the EOT obtained using the DM-SCM approach closely matched the value obtained using the typical C–V method for frequencies ranging from 90 kHz to 1 MHz. The percentage differences in EOT values between the C–V and SCM measurements were smaller than 0.5%. For high-k oxide films, DM-SCM with a DC-free operation may mitigate the effect of DC voltages on evaluations of EOTs. In addition, image operations were performed to obtain EOT images showing the EOT variation induced by DC-stress-induced charge trapping. Compared with the typical C–V method, the proposed DM-SCM approach not only provides a DC-free approach for EOT evaluation, but also offers a valuable opportunity to visualize the EOT distribution before and after the application of DC stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Spatial assessments of Ecosystem Services (ES) are increasingly used in environmental management, but rarely provide information on the prediction accuracy. Uncertainty estimates are essential to provide confidence in the quality and credibility of ES assessments for informed decision making. In marine environments, the need for uncertainty assessments for ES is unparalleled as they are data scarce, poorly (spatially) defined, with complex interconnectivity of seascapes. This study illustrates the uncertainty associated with a principle‐based method for ES modelling by accounting for model variability, data coverage and uncertainty in thresholds and parameters. Location: Tauranga, New Zealand. Methods: A sensitivity analysis was applied on ES models for marine bivalves (Austrovenus stutchburyi and Paphies australis) and their contribution to Food provision, Water quality regulation, Nitrogen removal and Sediment stabilisation. ES estimates from the sensitivity analysis were compared against baseline ES predictions. Spatial uncertainty patterns were analysed for individual ES through bi‐plots and multiple ES through spatial prioritisation using Zonation. Results: Our study showed spatially explicit differences in uncertainty patterns for ES and between species. Food provision had highest maximum uncertainty (>5 points) but also the largest area of high ES and high certainty conditions. Zonation analysis conducted on baseline and conservative ES values showed overall robust outcomes of top 30% area, but important nuances through shifts in top 5% and 10% areas that allowed for a consistently better representation of ES when accounting for uncertainty. Main Conclusions: The spatial prioritisation in combination with the ES uncertainty biplots provide tools for spatial planning of individual and multiple ES to focus on area of highest value with highest certainty and can thereby help reduce risk and aid decision‐making at acceptable confidence levels. This type of information is urgently needed in marine ES assessments and their management, but likewise extends to other environments to improve transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present surface and structural models of a swarm of dm-scale subparallel faults exposed in a ∼2000 m2 glaciated outcrop near Franz Josef Glacier, in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. These structures are inferred to have slipped at ∼20 km depth in the hanging-wall Alpine Schist of the Alpine Fault under conditions that were variably brittle to ductile as the Pacific Plate was tilted and uplifted. Using field mapping, real-time kinematic GPS and digital images from a remotely piloted aircraft system, we have created a digital surface model of the outcrop and orthophotographs at a ground resolution of ∼1 cm to map compositional layering in the metasediments and the array of brittle-ductile faults displacing them. In order of decreasing relative age (and average thickness), displaced markers in the schist include primary psammite and pelite beds, quartz veins, and a deformational foliation. The surface models have been used to create 2-D transects and a 3-D model where faults are projected down-dip, to determine the connectivity, topology and intersection types of the fault swarm. Lithological variations, particularly the interface between pelitic and psammitic schist, were a primary control on the topology of the fault network and the spacing between faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to carpabenems in burns is rapidly spreading in many countries. Therefore identification of carbapenemase pathogen carriers is imperative in order to establish adequate infection control precautions and stop outbreaks of these multidrug-resistant bacteria. The aim of our study was to evaluate the distribution of carbapenemase producers in burn patients admitted to a burn center in Tunisia over 9 months. PCR for carbapenemase portage was performed in all patients within 48 hours of admission. Seventeen patients carried a single carbapenemase, 11 carried two, and 25 carried three. The enzymes detected were VIM (n=41), NDM (n=41) and OXA48 (n=32). Enzyme mapping revealed two main areas of carriage in central western Tunisia: Kairouan (NDM/OXA48) and Kasserine (NDM/VIM). Predictive factors for carriage of carbapenemase were: prior antibiotic therapy (n=24); mechanical ventilation (n=30); vascular catheterization (n=31) and a previous stay in intensive care (n=11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ecosystems play a vital role in supporting human well-being and coastal communities, offering essential ecosystem services (ES). This study focuses on the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan, aiming to assess and map marine ecosystem services by leveraging stakeholder perceptions. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive survey was conducted with 64 participants representing diverse demographics. The survey, coupled with Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) exercises, gathered data on the awareness and valuation of ecosystem services. The integration of PGIS, a participatory mapping methodology, facilitated stakeholder involvement in spatial mapping exercises. This approach not only captured local knowledge but also enhanced the mapping process, providing a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of stakeholder perspectives on marine ecosystem services in the Gulf of Aqaba. The results contribute to evidence-based decision-making, sustainable resource management, and the implementation of international agreements and policies for marine conservation and development in this ecologically important region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk analysis is essential for promoting hiking-based tourism. Our objective in the present study was to map 395 mountain hikers' positions on risk judgment and risk taking, according to how they integrated three antecedent factors of confidence (environment, team, and self). For integrating information, people can develop an additive rule whereby they apply the same weight to all information or use interaction rules (i.e., conjunctive or disjunctive), to give different weights to information. In the questionnaire our participants completed, there were eight scenarios that combined the three confidence antecedent factors as information cues. We applied cluster analysis, repeated-measures analyses of variance, chi-square tests, and bivariate correlation analyses to the questionnaire results to identify three participant risk positions. In the first risk position (cluster 1), participants used a disjunctive integration rule for both risk judgment and risk taking. In the second risk position (Clusters 2 and 4), they used an additive integration rule for risk judgment while they used a disjunctive integration rule for risk taking. In the third risk position (cluster 3), they used an additive integration rule for both risk judgment and risk taking. In each risk position, confidence in the three antecedent factors (environment, team, and self) negatively affected risk judgment and positively affected risk taking. We found the compositions of the clusters to be related to the participants' sex, and we discuss various advantages of applying information integration for mountain hiking practitioners and promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disability is often an essentialised and oversimplified concept. We propose refining this while incorporating the multidimensional nature of disability by increasing the use of existing survey questions and their corresponding data to enrich, broaden and inform understandings of disability. Methods: We combined patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) with focus groups and concept mapping to collaboratively map disability survey questions into conceptual models of disability with six members of the public with lived experiences of disability. Results: Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified three qualitative themes and eight subthemes through a series of four PPIE activities: (1) understanding concepts of disability based on individual experience, subthemes: 1.1—preference for the biopsychosocial model, 1.2—'Reviewing' instead of mapping survey questions and 1.3—comparing questions to real life; (2) consistency between understanding needs and implementing adjustments, subthemes: 2.1—connecting preparation and operation, 2.2—inclusivity and adjustments in activities and 2.3—feedback for improving activities and (3) real‐world applications—targeted awareness raising, subthemes: 3.1—who, where, what and how to share activity findings and results, 3.2—sharing with human resource and equality, diversity and inclusion professionals. Conclusion: Members of the public who collaborated in these activities felt empowered, engaged and supported throughout this study. This approach offers a model for other researchers to cede power to the public over the research aspects typically reserved for researchers. Patient or Public Contribution: We involved members of the public with lived experience throughout this study—co‐design, co‐facilitation, collaboratively mapping the disability or disability‐related survey questions into conceptual models of disability, evaluation of the activities, co‐analysis and co‐authorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Phenylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PNMT)‐expressing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) contribute to the regulation of autonomic functions. However, the neural circuits linking these neurons to other brain regions remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the connectivity mechanisms of the PNMT‐expressing neurons in the NTS (NTSPNMT neurons). Methods: The methodologies employed in this study included a modified rabies virus‐based retrograde neural tracing technique, conventional viral anterograde tracing, and immunohistochemical staining procedures. Results: A total of 43 upstream nuclei projecting to NTSPNMT neurons were identified, spanning several key brain regions including the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, cerebellum, diencephalon, and telencephalon. Notably, dense projections to the NTSPNMT neurons were observed from the central amygdaloid nucleus, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, area postrema, and the gigantocellular reticular nucleus. In contrast, the ventrolateral medulla, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and lateral hypothalamic area were identified as the primary destinations for axon terminals originating from NTSPNMT neurons. Additionally, reciprocal projections were evident among 21 nuclei, primarily situated within the medulla oblongata. Conclusion: Our research findings demonstrate that NTSPNMT neurons form extensive connections with numerous nuclei, emphasizing their essential role in the homeostatic regulation of vital autonomic functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review examines development of techniques used in lunar crater mapping between 1965 and 2022. Using the Web of Science and Google Scholar databases, the systematic review adhered to specific criteria that focus on post-1965 research articles in English. Through using Boolean operations and guided by the PRISMA Framework, the search yielded 20 pertinent articles. The findings reveal that from 1965 to 1980, techniques like radar and infrared mapping were used, alongside the Lunar Radar Sounder for subsurface studies and terrain mapping to analyse surface roughness and topography. Contour maps helped in understanding lunar magnetic fields. Between 1981 and 2000, lunar mapping evolved to include gamma-ray spectrometry for elemental analysis, electron reflection studies for crustal magnetic field analysis, cratering records for comparative planetology, lander-rover systems for resource exploration and laser ranging for asteroid studies. From 2001 to 2022, advancements included automatic crater detection algorithms, comprehensive lunar characteristic reviews from recent missions and remote sensing for detailed crater analysis. High-resolution data provided views into crater composition and morphology and aid in small crater cataloguing and depth-to-diameter measurements mainly at the Lunar South Pole. The discussion section highlights those initial telescopic observations gave way to quantitative studies during the Space Age. Modern developments include rovers, high-resolution cameras and advanced algorithms for geological analysis. Calibration methods (e.g., the Robotic Lunar Observatory ROLO model, GIRO (Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System), and radiance calibration) have also been critical. This technological evolution has enhanced understanding of the Moon and its role in the solar system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with a systemic and local inflammatory response with edema. However, their role at the tissue level is poorly characterized. This study aims to characterize T2 values of the noninfarcted myocardium (NIM) and surrounding tissue and to investigate prognostic relevance of higher NIM T2 values after STEMI. A total of 171 consecutive patients with STEMI without prior cardiovascular events who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance after primary percutaneous coronary intervention were analyzed in terms of standard infarct characteristics. Edema of the NIM, liver, spleen, and pectoralis muscle was assessed based on T2 mapping. Follow-up was available for 130 patients. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unplanned coronary revascularization or rehospitalization for heart failure. The median time from primary percutaneous coronary intervention to cardiac magnetic resonance was 3 days (IQR: 2-5 days). Higher (above the median value of 45 ms) T2 values in the NIM area were associated with larger infarct size, microvascular obstruction, and left ventricular dysfunction and did not correlate with C-reactive protein, white blood cells, or T2 values of the pectoralis muscle, liver, and spleen. At a median follow-up of 17 months, patients with higher (>45 ms) NIM T2 values had increased risk of MACE (P < 0.001) compared with subjects with NIM T2 values ≤45 ms, mainly caused by a higher rate of myocardial reinfarction (26.3% vs 1.4%; P < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, higher NIM T2 values independently predicted MACE (HR: 2.824 [95% CI: 1.254-6.361]; P = 0.012). Higher NIM T2 values after STEMI are independently associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes, mainly because of higher risk of myocardial infarction. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of bat guano deposition rate in caves can be an important research tool for estimation of colony size, for monitoring the record of long-term bat population trends, and for allied studies of guano invertebrate ecology, environmental contaminants, and paleoecology. However, previously published methodologies have lacked consistency. In the context of our recent studies of insectivorous bat guano deposition rates in Deer Cave, Sarawak, Borneo, we review some past studies and offer suggestions for best practises, along with proposed experimental design considerations for future studies (e.g., design of guano catchers, optimum deployment of catchers in relation to specific site characteristics, data reporting standards, and examples of mapping techniques). Consistent techniques will facilitate inter-site comparisons, and determination of intra-site changes over time. As a case study, and the first publication of detailed mapping of spatial variability in guano deposition rates, we present spatially explicit guano deposition rates for Deer Cave, ranging up to 88 g (dry weight)/m2/day in the main cave, and up to 540 g (dry weight)/m2/day in the northern extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focal and rotational activations have been demonstrated in atrial fibrillation (AF), but their relationship to each other and to structural remodeling remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of focal and rotational activations to underlying low-voltage zones (LVZs) (<0.5 mV) and to determine whether there was a temporal (≤500 ms) and spatial (≤12 mm) relationship between these activations. Patients undergoing catheter ablation for persistent AF were included. All patients underwent pulmonary vein isolation. Unipolar signals were collected to identify focal and rotational activations using a wavefront propagation algorithm. In 40 patients, 105 activations were identified (57 [54.3%] focal; 48 [45.7%] rotational). Rotational activations were co-localized to LVZs (35/48 [72.9%]) whereas focal activations were not (11/57 in LVZ [19.3%]; P <.001). The proportion of the left atrium occupied by LVZs predicted rotational activations occurrence (area under the curve 0.96; 95% confidence interval 0.90–1.00; P <.001). In patients with a relatively healthy atrium, in which the atrium consisted of ≤15% LVZs, only focal activations were identified. Thirty-two of the 35 rotational activations (91.4%) located in LVZs also showed a temporal and spatial relationship to a focal activation. The presence of a LVZ within 12 mm of the focal activation was a strong predictor for whether a paired rotational activation would also occur in that vicinity. Rotational activations are largely confined to areas of structural remodeling and have a clear spatial and temporal relationship with focal activations suggesting they are dependent on them. These novel mechanistic observations outline a plausible model for patient-specific mechanisms maintaining AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) may be caused by a primary atrial myopathy. Whether HOCM-related atrial myopathy affects mainly electrophysiological properties of the left atrium (LA) or also the right atrium (RA) has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to characterize atrial conduction and explore differences in the prevalence of conduction disorders, potential fractionation, and low-voltage areas (LVAs) between the RA and LA during sinus rhythm (SR) as indicators of potential arrhythmogenic areas. Intraoperative epicardial mapping of both atria during SR was performed in 15 HOCM patients (age 50 ± 12 years). Conduction delay (CD) and conductin block (CB), unipolar potential characteristics (voltages, fractionation), and LVA were quantified. Conduction disorders and LVA were found scattered throughout both atria in all patients and did not differ between the RA and LA (CD: 2.9% [1.9%–3.6%] vs 2.6% [2.1%–6.4%], P =.541; CB: 1.7% [0.9%–3.1%] vs 1.5% [0.5%–2.8%], P =.600; LVA: 4.7% [1.6%–7.7%] vs 2.9% [2.1%–7.1%], P =.793). Compared to the RA, unipolar voltages of single potentials (SPs) and fractionated potentials (FPs) were higher in the LA (SP: P75 7.3 mV vs 10.9 mV; FP: P75 2.0 mV vs 3.7 mV). FP contained low-voltage components in only 18% of all LA sites compared to 36% of all RA sites. In patients with HOCM, conduction disorders, LVA, and FP are equally present in both atria, supporting the hypothesis of a primary atrial myopathy. Conceptually, the presence of a biatrial substrate and high-voltage FP may contribute to failure of ablative therapy of atrial tachyarrhythmias in this population. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economica: Revistă Ştiinţifico-Didactică is the property of Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (AESM) / Academia de Studii Economice din Moldova (AESM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rice black-streaked dwarf disease (RBSDD) is one of the most serious crop diseases in Asia, causing serious damage to rice production. Therefore, reducing the harmful effects of RBSDD is vital to the food security of China and other Asian countries. In this study, 248 rice varieties from different countries were screened for resistance to RBSDD, and 19 varieties with high resistance to RBSDD were found. Among them, H185, an indica variety, showed stable and high resistance to RBSDD. Using an F2:3 population of H185 and Wuyujing 3 (WYJ3, a highly susceptible japonica rice variety), three QTL conferring resistance to RBSDD, namely qRBSDD2, qRBSDD7, and qRBSDD11 were identified, and they explained 53.6% of the total phenotypic variation. Among them, qRBSDD2 and qRBSDD7, with LOD scores of 4.26 and 4.25, respectively, were repeatedly detected in artificial inoculation conditions, accounting for 28.0% and 29.8% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively. Resistant alleles of the two QTL were all derived from H185, and several BC5F2 lines possessing single or two QTL of qRBSDD2 and qRBSDD7 exhibited higher resistance for RBSDD. The QTL detected in our study open new possibilities for breeding rice cultivars with RBSDD resistance through resistance gene pyramiding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, education is facing a new reality in which technology and new teaching methods are being quickly introduced into educational systems and institutions. Educational institutions are now dealing with the challenge of providing continuity to e-learning, turning it into a more flexible and up-to-date field, and considering assessment as a quality element in this transition. Therefore, with the aim of determining the current state of the research focused on assessment in digital environments (e-assessment), a mapping of the literature has been carried out. After examining 1,771 results extracted from Web of Science and Scopus and after the application of seven inclusion criteria, a total of 159 publications from the period of the past five years were read. The answer four research questions on the evolution of publications, the authors, the tools used, the contexts, the objects of study, and the future avenues of research, among others. The results show the increasing importance of e-assessment in this new context, moving toward a new reality in which technology plays a decisive and fundamental role in the teaching and learning processes. Thus, educational systems are heading towards a new context in which both teachers and students should rethink their roles and functions leading education to a more flexible, current, and digitally mediated context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of VAD: Veredes, Arquitectura y Divulgación is the property of Alberto Alonso Oro and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The reliable exchange of data is a crucial issue for the loose coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural mechanics (CSM) modules in fluid–structure interaction (FSI) applications. This paper presents a comparison between two methods for mapping the traction field across mismatching grids, namely the RIBES method and the preCICE algorithm, both based on radial basis function (RBF) interpolation. The two methods demonstrate different degrees of control over balance preservation during mapping, with the RIBES algorithm exhibiting greater efficacy. Test benches are a parametric double curved geometry and a wind tunnel mock-up. In this second case, forces from mapping are used to load a CSM model to retrieve stress and displacement fields. Differences in FEM results are appreciable although not significant, showing a correlation between the accuracy of balance preservation during data mapping and the structural output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The targeted resorption of socio-economic deficits at the local (municipal) level requires the use of a cartography of development in the multidimensional sense of the term, combined with that of the causes structural factors of its possible delay. This article provides for this purpose a municipal cartography of the development of M’sila province, and its sources assimilated to education, standard of living, economic activity, housing and social services. To ensure a certain objectivity in our research, we have chosen an automatic technique following the essential steps (choice of variables, normalization, weighting and aggregation) in the hierarchical classification of municipalities. This mapping of multidimensional local development clearly shows the development deficits at the municipal level, due to the delays accumulated for years, despite the generalization of basic education and attempt the local authorities to improve the economic and social conditions of the population. The results obtained show that on the whole, the urban municipalities have a local development index higher than 0.7 and rank in the first places, this index goes from a minimum (0.310) observed in the rural municipalities Tamsa, Zerzour, Sidi M’hammed and the ones located south of the province where the climate is dry and hot, the maximum index (0.860) recorded in two urban municipalities at namely M’sila and Bousaada, The high variability of development deficits shows that any development strategy would benefit from being rethought in order to provide more effective to the different situations experienced by rural municipalities in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are destructive geohazards to people and infrastructure, resulting in hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars of damage every year. Therefore, mapping the rate of deformation of such geohazards and understanding their mechanics is of paramount importance to mitigate the resulting impacts and properly manage the associated risks. In this paper, the main outcomes relevant to the joint European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) Dragon-5 initiative cooperation project ID 59,339 "Earth observation for seismic hazard assessment and landslide early warning system" are reported. The primary goals of the project are to further develop advanced SAR/InSAR and optical techniques to investigate seismic hazards and risks, detect potential landslides in wide regions, and demonstrate EO-based landslide early warning system over selected landslides. This work only focuses on the landslide hazard content of the project, and thus, in order to achieve these objectives, the following tasks were developed up to now: a) a procedure for phase unwrapping errors and tropospheric delay correction; b) an improvement of a cross-platform SAR offset tracking method for the retrieval of long-term ground displacements; c) the application of polarimetric SAR interferometry (PolInSAR) to increase the number and quality of monitoring points in landslide-prone areas; d) the semiautomatic mapping and preliminary classification of active displacement areas on wide regions; e) the modeling and identification of landslides in order to identify triggering factors or predict future displacements; and f) the application of an InSAR-based landslide early warning system on a selected site. The achieved results, which mainly focus on specific sensitive regions, provide essential assets for planning present and future scientific activities devoted to identifying, mapping, characterizing, monitoring and predicting landslides, as well as for the implementation of early warning systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multisubstructure-based method for assessing the deformation and stress of a fine-meshed model according to a coarse model was proposed. Integrating boundary conditions in a local fine-meshed model, a displacement mapping matrix from the coarse model to the fine-meshed model was constructed. The method was verified by a three-level panel in a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) framework by integrating the steady vortex lattice method (VLM). A comparison between the inner deformation distribution of the coarse model and that of the global fine-meshed model obtained from MSC.Nastran was carried out, and the results showed that the coarse model failed to demonstrate reliable strains and stresses. In contrast, the proposed method in this paper can effectively depict the inner deformation and critical stress distribution. The deformation error was lower than 8%, meeting engineering requirements. Moreover, the results of different working conditions can achieve a similar relative error of displacement for an identical position. The easy storage of the displacement mapping matrix and the convenience of the boundary information transformation among all substructure levels are prominent aspects. As a result, there is a solid foundation for addressing the time-dependent problem in spite of the simultaneity and region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentinel-2 data are crucial in mapping flooded areas as they provide high spatial and spectral resolution but under cloud-free weather conditions. In the present study, we aimed to devise a method for mapping a flooded area using multispectral Sentinel-2 data from optical sensors and Geographical Information Systems (GISs). As a case study, we selected a site located in Northern Italy that was heavily affected by flooding events on 3 October 2020, when the Sesia River in the Piedmont region was hit by severe weather disturbance, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. The method developed for mapping the flooded area was a thresholding technique through spectral water indices. More specifically, the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) were chosen as they are among the most widely used methods with applications across various environments, including urban, agricultural, and natural landscapes. The corresponding flooded area product from the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) was used to evaluate the flooded area predicted by our method. The results showed that both indices captured the flooded area with a satisfactory level of detail. The NDWI demonstrated a slightly higher accuracy, where it also appeared to be more sensitive to the separation of water from soil and areas with vegetation cover. The study findings may be useful in disaster management linked to flooded-area mapping and area rehabilitation mapping following a flood event, and they can also valuably assist decision and policy making towards a more sustainable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is focused on the study of forest habitats of Svoge Municipality, situated in the western part of the country. The total area of Svoge Municipality is 868 km². 134 relevés were collected during the period of 2015-2019, following the Braun-Blanquet approach and 445 field points were verified, as well. As a result, nine forest habitat types, included in Directive 92/43/EEC, were identified, representing a habitat diverse municipality. They are covering 135.89 km² or 15.7% of the total municipality’s area. The habitat type of the Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests (9130) covers the largest area (57.86 km²), followed by the habitat type of the MedioEuropean limestone beech forests of the Cephalanthero-Fagion (9150) (31.03 km²). The dominance by beech forest is typical for the Western Balkan Range where these types of forests expanded due to climatic and anthropogenic factors, which led to the reduction of the belts, dominated by the common hornbeam, the spruce and the fir. Major threats include forest degradation and loss, because of logging activities, pests, presence of invasive species, quarries and illegal household disposing. Measures, including afforestation with local species and forest regeneration, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an intriguing clinical entity characterized by transient myocardial dysfunction. The precise pathophysiological mechanism of TTS is still unknown, but recent evidence suggests a central role of systemic inflammation associated with adrenergic discharge. Although initially considered benign, TTS has shown several potential short-term and long-term complications and adverse outcomes. To improve understanding and management, advanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques, such as feature tracking (FT) and parametric mapping, have gained attention. Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on the clinical applications of CMR-FT and mapping in TTS. Additionally, the most significant and recent findings will be discussed. Recent Findings: FT-CMR enables the parametric quantification of myocardial deformation, allowing a comprehensive evaluation of left ventricular, right ventricular, and atrial function. It provides an accurate definition of areas of myocardial dysfunction and potentially serves as a superior prognostic tool compared to ejection fraction. Tissue mapping techniques enable precise and comprehensive tissue characterization by quantifying areas of oedema, and myocardial fibrosis. Summary: FT-CMR and mapping techniques serve as valuable prognostic tools both in the acute and chronic phases of TTS. They can detect subtle alterations and pan-cardiac involvement, while also providing important insights into the complex underlying mechanisms of the syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Orenburg Region is located in the South Urals, mostly in the steppe zone and is characterised by various landscapes suitable for many Chenopodiaceae. The species of Chenopodiaceae are present in all major plant communities (saline vegetation, steppes, on limestone, chalk and sand, and as degraded or ruderal communities). In the steppe zone, many native subshrubby species (Atriplex cana, Caroxylon laricinum, Suaeda physophora) playing a crucial role in semi-deserts (known as southern steppes in the recent Russian literature) located southwards of Orenburg Region are locally found, and several annuals (Salicornia perennans, Suaeda spp.) are most common dominants in plant communities. Some typical semi-desert species (Kalidium foliatum, Bassia hyssopifolia, Soda foliosa, Spirobassia hirsuta) are found in the easternmost part of the region. New information: We compiled a checklist of Chenopodiaceae in Orenburg Region, with two new records ( Chenopodium virgatum, Corispermum laxiflorum), based on our critical revision, comprehensive inventory of herbarium specimens and documented observations and field research. In total, we report 76 species in the Region, which is the third-highest number of the Chenopodiaceae species compared with other administrative territories of European Russia, North Caucasus and West Siberia. Alien and native taxa are distinguished. Zonal patterns of species distributions are confirmed. A preliminary conservation status is proposed for each native species. Three species are recommended for exclusion from the Red Data Book of Orenburg Region: Petrosimonia triandra (because of its extensive distribution), Kalidium foliatum and Anabasis salsa (because of the lack of actual threat to their populations). Arthrophytum lehmannianum and Salsola rosacea are considered threatened (Vulnerable) because of their restricted occurrence and population size and because their localities are under anthropogenic pressure. Atriplex hortensis, Atriplex rosea, Chenopodium acuminatum, C. karoi, C. praetericola, C. vulvaria, Climacoptera affinis, C. crassa, Halimocnemis karelinii, Salsola paulsenii and Xylosalsola arbuscula are excluded from the checklist, based on various reasons as discussed in the paper. Point distribution maps are provided for each species. Agriophyllum pungens (Vahl) Link is accepted as the correct authorship instead of "M.Bieb. ex C.A.Mey." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanoid robots still have a low-level perception of their surroundings, which is a formidable obstacle to performing complex tasks. To improve their perceptual capabilities, high-level semantic information can be incorporated into their perceptual framework so that they can gain the ability to infer and understand their environment accurately. Among the various techniques available, semantic Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) becomes a promising avenue for achieving this perception enhancement. While semantic SLAM can enhance a robot's ability to perform tasks, the accurate perception, and association of semantic objects in complex and dynamic environments remain challenging. Hence, the need arises for a solution that swiftly and precisely associates object measurements with landmarks, considering their motion properties, and promptly rectifies erroneous associations in real time. To this end, we propose a semantic perception approach designed explicitly for dynamic environments, adept at distinguishing between dynamic and static objects. Furthermore, we propose two association strategies: dynamic object association based on semantic map points and static object association based on object pose information. And as the number of object measurements associated with the landmarks increases, we perform the association validation algorithm to verify the association for the landmark to improve the accuracy of the association. The proposed method is extensively evaluated on both simulated indoor sequences obtained from humanoid robot viewpoints and the KITTI dataset. Experimental results show that our approach significantly improves the robustness and accuracy of object association and trajectory estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-Help Agricultural Training Centers (SARTC) is an institution established by advanced farmers with a willingness to share their successful farming experiences and create a learning community with peers. Mapping and classifying SARTC informs farming excellence and training service capability standards so that governments, communities, and farmers can obtain technologies that are more appropriate to the region's conditions. Therefore, this study aims to map and categorize SARTC in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data collection was conducted through interviews and observations by combining spatial analysis, interview results, and secondary data. The results showed that SARTC are spread across each geographical zone and classified based on their ability to provide training services independently. Based on this finding, SARTC have functioned as farmer-to-farmer extension institutions that are specifically organized and not individualized. The capability class of SARTC was found to be more dominant in the intermediate and primary classes. Therefore, the policy to be pursued is to upgrade the SARTC capability class to the primary class to make participatory extension more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the perspective of current climate variability and the impact of human activities on water overexploitation, it is essential to analyze dry and wet episodes for a better prevention and rationalization of water resources. The Mediterranean region and particularly the southern shore, is a drought sensitive area. Algeria, like most Mediterranean countries has experienced alternating dry and wet periods in recent decades. Several climatic events have had a negative impact on agriculture, industry and drinking water supply. As a result, human societies and ecosystems are under increasing threat requiring new adaptations of life and economic models to support these upheavals. The present study focuses on monitoring of the meteorological drought evolution in the Isser wadi watershed, located in the north-central part of Algeria, based on available rainfall data covering a 43-year period from 1973 to 2016. The current study has made it possible to account for the extreme variability of rainfall in this watershed. In order to do this, different indices were studied in this work, namely the normalized precipitation index SPI, the rainfall deficit index RDI, and the drought index DI. All The obtained results have highlighted the severe and sustainable character of the climatic drought observed in the Isser basin from 1973 to 2002 as well as the return to a wet phase, well pronounced in the north of the basin from 2003 to 2016. Finally, in order to better understand this work, index maps tools for decision-making have been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the participation of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) as a partner in both the ARIADNE and ARIADNEplus projects and the SEADDA COST Action. The article examines both the workflow and the results obtained when modifying and mapping part of the national site and monuments information system, also known as the 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (AIS AKB). The article's focus is mainly on the technical preparation of data shared through the ARIADNE portal. The main workflow followed throughout the projects included mapping terms to the Getty AAT thesaurus, adding Bulgarian archaeological chronologies to PeriodO, and mapping metadata to the ARIADNE catalogue data model (ACDM) in ARIADNE and to the AO-cat ontology in ARIADNEplus. In 2016, a mapping of AIS AKB to the CIDOC CRM was also undertaken, and the first steps towards creating the geographic information system, 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (GIS AKB), were taken. The experience gathered by the NAIM-BAS team members throughout the whole project was important for moving towards FAIR-ness in Bulgarian archaeology.

Ecosystem benefits and services assessments are widely used in the current urban ecological management strategies to enhance benefits of ecosystems to urban residents, but ecosystems are not benign entities that exist solely for human benefit. Plagues, diseases, and other ecosystem-generated health risks (EHRs) have caused huge losses of life and property. In promoting systematic and comprehensive urban development and the quality of life for residents, Risk reduction for EHRs cannot be ignored. As existing studies of EHRs mapping remain relatively few. This paper proposed a mapping method based on vegetation census data for two EHRs: human-bat contact infection risk (HBCIR) and human-pollen contact sensitization risk (HPCSR). Results showed that: (1) The bat distribution risk (SBR) and the pollen sensitizing plant distribution risk (ROSDmean) were higher in woodlands and areas around reservoirs where habitat conditions are better across the city. (2) The areas with higher HBCIR and HPCSR were mainly located in the central and western parts of Shenzhen, especially in the surrounding densely populated areas with better habitat conditions. (3) All streets differed significantly from each other in HBCIR and HPCSR distribution characteristics, three streets, Huafu, Meilin and Donghu, had higher risk values. The results can provide guidance to policymaker in their work on biodiversity conservation, health risk control, and tree species application. Additionally, the methodology adopted in this study may inspire future researches on the spatialization of other EHRs.

Virtual fieldtrips enable the teaching of field geology remotely or in classroom-settings by leveraging video-game technologies. We describe the development of a virtual fieldtrip to Kinlochleven in Scotland to teach undergraduate students geological mapping skills in a structurally complex, polyphase deformed metamorphic terrain. An area of ∼4 km2 of the Highlands was digitally replicated within the game engine Unity and featured 82 outcrops digitized from field data by photogrammetry. Key concepts in the development were: (1) usability on low-specification computers, (2) participant communication within-app, (3) multiscale visualisation of localities, (4) contextualisation of localities within terrain, and (5) a high degree of immersion to replicate the outdoor fieldwork experience. Technology constraints, however, required compromise between the number of localities used and their resolution. Evaluation and assessment data suggests the virtual fieldtrip was effective in delivering the key learning objectives of the course. Student behavioural indicators, furthermore, suggest that the immersive strategy successfully produced a high degree of engagement with the activity. A major limitation of the virtual fieldtrip was in the development of skills requiring spatial visualisation, in particular, the spatial association of features across multiple scales. The virtual fieldtrip had benefits for inclusivity, making fieldwork more accessible than its outdoor equivalent. However, a digital divide was observed to exist between groups depending on experience with gaming and virtual worlds. In addition, neurodiverse group of students required adaptations to assist with spatial awareness in virtual environments. The data obtained suggests that virtual fieldtrips cannot fully replace their outdoor equivalents, however, they are valuable in supplementing and supporting outdoor fieldtrips, in particular by increasing inclusivity and enabling field time to be used optimally.

Some specific lipid molecules in the brain act as signaling molecules, neurotransmitters, or neuromodulators, by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) for neurolipids. One such receptor, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 1 (S1P1), is coupled to Gi/o proteins and is involved in cell proliferation, growth, and neuroprotection. S1P1 constitutes an interesting target for neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which changes in the sphingolipid metabolism have been observed. This study analyzes S1P1 receptor-mediated activity in healthy brains and during AD progression using postmortem samples from controls and patients at different Braak's stages. Additionally, the distribution of S1P1 receptor activity in human brains is compared to that in commonly used rodent models, rats and mice, through functional autoradiography, measuring [35S]GTPγS binding stimulated by the S1P1 receptor selective agonist CYM-5442 to obtain the distribution of functional activity of S1P1 receptors.S1P1 receptor-mediated activity, along with that of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, is one of the highest recorded for any GPCR in many gray matter areas of the brain, reaching maximum values in the cerebellar cortex, specific areas of the hippocampus and the basal forebrain. S1P1 signaling is crucial in areas that regulate learning, memory, motor control, and nociception, such as the basal forebrain and basal ganglia. In AD, S1P1 receptor activity is increased in the inner layers of the frontal cortex and underlying cortical white matter at early stages, but decreases in the hippocampus in advanced stages, indicating ongoing brain impairment. Importantly, we identified significant correlations between S1P1 receptor activity and Braak stages, suggesting that S1P1 receptor dysfunction is associated to disease progression, particularly in memory-related regions. The S1P signaling via S1P1 receptor is a promising neurological target due to its role in key neurophysiological functions and its potential to modify the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, rats are suggested as a preferred experimental model for studying S1P1 receptor-mediated responses in the human brain.

Abstract Management decisions often focus on the habitat selection of marked individuals without considering the contribution to demographic performance in selected habitats. Because habitat selection is not always adaptive, understanding the spatial relationship between habitat selection and demographic performance is critical to management decisions. Mapping both habitat selection and demographic performance for species of conservation concern can help guide population‐scale conservation efforts. We demonstrate a quantitative approach to differentiate areas supporting selection and survival at large spatial extents. As a case study, we applied this approach to greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, sage‐grouse), an indicator species for sagebrush ecosystems. We evaluated both habitat selection and survival across multiple reproductive life stages (nesting, brood‐rearing) in the Bi‐State Distinct Population Segment, a genetically distinct and geographically isolated population of sage‐grouse on the southwestern edge of the species' range. Our approach allowed us to identify both mismatches between selection and survival and trade‐offs between reproductive life stages. These findings suggest resource demands vary across time, with predation risk being a dominant driver of habitat selection during nesting and early brood‐rearing periods when chicks are smaller and flightless, whereas access to forage resources becomes more important during late brood rearing when resources become increasingly limited. Moving beyond identifying and managing habitat solely based on species occupancy or use by incorporating demographic measures allows managers to tailor actions to their specific goals; for example, protections of areas that support high selection and high survival and restoration actions focused on increasing survival in areas of high selection and low survival.

Grasslands, which cover approximately 40 % of the global land surface, are crucial to the global carbon cycle due to their substantial carbon storage capacity and sensitivity to environmental changes. Net primary productivity (NPP) serves as a critical indicator of ecological function, representing the net carbon input to terrestrial ecosystems. Accurately quantifying and understanding grassland NPP, particularly below-ground net primary productivity (BNPP), and its responses to environmental changes are essential for assessing carbon sequestration potential and predicting future dynamics under varying environmental conditions. However, this remains challenging at large spatial scales. In our study, we integrated observations of above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) with satellite-derived total net primary productivity (MODIS NPP) products across 508 individual locations in the diverse grasslands of Northern China. Plot-level BNPP was derived by subtracting field-measured ANPP from MODIS NPP and has been rigorously validated using field-measured BNPP from 68 ground sites. We then explored how climate, soil characteristics, topography, and grassland types influence ANPP and BNPP using machine learning models. Our results indicate that ANPP and BNPP averaged 154 g m−2 and 273 g m−2, respectively, exhibiting significant variations across different grassland types. Furthermore, national mapping revealed regional disparities, with higher ANPP and BNPP values in the northeast compared to the southwest of Northern China. Climate was identified as the predominant driver of ANPP, explaining 41 % of the variance, followed by topography (26 %) and soil conditions (25 %). Conversely, topography had the most substantial impact on BNPP, accounting for 44 % of the explained variance, with climate and soil each contributing 25 %. These findings underscore the vulnerability of ANPP to climate change impacts such as droughts and temperature increases, and highlight how landscape features, such as elevation, slope, and aspect significantly influence BNPP, with crucial implications for soil carbon inputs and sequestration. Overall, this comprehensive study advances our understanding of the spatial patterns and environmental determinants of ANPP and BNPP in Northern China’s grasslands. It offers valuable insights for developing sustainable management practices and for the preservation and effective management of these crucial ecosystems, especially in the context of ongoing environmental changes.

IntroductionAtrial tachycardia (AT) frequently occurs after cardiac surgery or surgical ablation procedures. The novel charge density-based mapping system (CDM) provides global chamber mapping and can detect crucial pathways of conduction; therefore, it has potential added value in catheter ablation (CA) of post-surgical ATs. We aimed to test the hypothesis that CDM-guided CA procedures are safe, feasible, and may improve outcome compared to conventional sequential 3D mapping (CARTO)-based CA.Methods and resultsConsecutive patients undergoing CA for post-surgical AT guided by CDM or CARTO were enrolled. Procedural safety and efficiency were analyzed. Acute success, one-year outcome was assessed. A total of 35 patients (mean age 60.8 ± 10.6 years, 42.9% female) underwent CA of AT using CDM (n = 20) and CARTO (n = 15). A total of 61 ATs were mapped (35 in CDM and 26 in CARTO group). Four patients had focal ATs, 22 macro re-entrant, and 8 patients had ATs with both mechanisms. No differences were found in procedural complication (CDM 3 vs. CARTO 1 patient, p = 0.61). There were no differences in procedure duration (185.9 vs. 147.9 min, p = 0.09), fluoroscopy dose (165.0 vs. 155.0 mGy, p = 0.31), RF application number (28.0 vs. 18.0, p = 0.17) or duration (1,251.5 vs. 1,060.0 s, p = 0.54). Acute success was 95.0% in CDM and 73.3% in CARTO group (p = 0.14). Cumulative AT recurrence rates were lower in CDM group compared to CARTO group (10.0% vs. 46.7%, p = 0.02).ConclusionsThe CDM system is feasible. Our data suggest that patients treated with CDM-guided CA developed fewer AT recurrences as compared to CARTO-guided procedures.

Abstract Global awareness about the threats of ecosystem degradation in the Amazon is growing. While state‐managed protected areas remain key instruments for forest conservation, private actors are increasingly funding and implementing a broad range of conservation initiatives. Private actors are transforming the Amazonian conservation landscape and its governance, however, many aspects of private conservation, especially the diversity of local practitioners and the challenges they face, remain understudied. Drawing on a case study of Madre de Dios in the Peruvian Amazon, we aim to generate a better understanding of private conservation practitioners and their various approaches to conservation on private and public land. We used an extensive review of literature and databases, in addition to 13 semi‐structured interviews with various private conservation practitioners, to map privately conserved areas, and to gather perceptions about challenges, opportunities, and future pathways for private conservation. A total of 590 privately conserved areas, covering over one million hectares, were identified and mapped in Madre de Dios. We find that, while most initiatives are managed by individuals and families, for‐profit companies manage half of the total area privately protected. Furthermore, we find that private conservation initiatives face significant barriers and pressures. These barriers include complex bureaucratic processes, legal contradictions and incoherencies, corruption, weak law enforcement, and financial insecurity. Conservation policies largely favor national and international actors and less so local, grassroots initiatives run by individuals and communities. Finally, we highlight the need for more accessible and inclusive policies that recognize the contribution of less powerful actors, to foster more effective conservation efforts for the future of the Amazon.

IntroductionYam is an important crop for food security in East and West Africa due to its high market value and customer demand. High tuber quality with yield and disease resistance are the main traits for acceptability of yam cultivars across the tropical zone. There has been limited progress in enhancing the production and quality traits of yams, despite the significant socio-economic significance of this crop.MethodTo expedite the development of high-quality yam cultivars in Uganda, traits association study was conducted to identify genomic regions associated with key traits such as disease resistance, high yields, and dry matter content. The association mapping was conducted with multi-random mixed linear model (mrMLM) to compute the associations using five genetic models.ResultsA total of 16 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) markers were identified to be associated with the traits studied. Gene identification analysis revealed the presence of key putative genes such as Vicilin-like seed storage protein At2g28490 (ARATH)and Growth-regulating factor 1 involved in a variety of functions ranging from storage and gene regulation for disease resistance.DiscussionThe results obtained from this work have significant implications for the in-depth analysis of the genetic structure underlying key traits in yam. Additionally, this study emphasizes the identification of SNP variants and genes that may be utilized for genomic-informed selection in order to enhance yield and disease resistance in yams.

BackgroundFertility rates are key indicators of population health and demographic change, influencing economic development, healthcare planning, and social policies. Understanding subnational variation in fertility rate is important for effective geographical targeting and policy prioritization. This study aimed to identify geographic variation, trends, and determinants of fertility rates in Ethiopia over the past two decades.MethodsWe estimated total fertility rates (TFRs) and age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) using five nationally representative cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys collected in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2019. ASFRs represent the number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49 during the 3 years before each survey, while TFRs indicate the average number of children a woman would have by the end of her reproductive years, calculated as the sum of ASFRs over five-year intervals. We developed model-based geostatistics by incorporating demographic and healthcare access data with spatial random fields to produce high-resolution fertility rate maps. These results were then aggregated to produce fertility rate estimates at local, sub-national, and national levels in Ethiopia.ResultsThe national TFR gradually declined from 4.8 live births in 2000 to 4.2 live births in 2019, but it is still above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. There were sub-national and local variations in TFR, ranging from 5.7 live births in Somalia and 5.3 Oromia regions to 2.7 live births in Addis Ababa and 3.6 live births Dire Dawa cities. Geographical areas with high TFR were mostly associated with a high proportion of Muslim women and low access to health facilities.ConclusionDespite a decline in fertility rates among women of reproductive age over the past two decades, marked spatial variation persists at sub-national and local levels in Ethiopia, with demographic factors determining the spatial distribution and rate of decline, highlighting the need for tailored programs and strategies in high-fertility areas to increase access to family planning.