Search

Thematic world maps are commonly used in online news media, but rarely optimized for mobile devices. Scaling down world maps to fit small screens makes many smaller countries difficult to identify, introducing readability issues and an area bias when reporting global data. We introduce and evaluate map designs addressing two common use cases in this context: A ‘glorified list’ use case, where the map mainly displays data about many countries and a ‘spatial distribution’ use case, where the spatial distribution of population-related phenomena is the focus. For the former, we propose a choropleth map split by continent and scales-up continents with many smaller countries and for the latter, we propose a graduated circle map split into a Western and Eastern hemisphere. In a user study with 333 readers of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), a daily newspaper in Switzerland, we evaluate these novel map designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the constraints imposed by limited surface water access, coastal communities increasingly understand the requirement to investigate and manage groundwater resources. This study an in-depth investigation of the groundwater potential zones, uncovering the interaction between these communities and the confined aquifers beneath the coastal soil. The integration of Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) has proved revolutionary in this quest. Leveraging remote sensing, we have analyzed the coastal landscape evaluating groundwater potential. Nine thematic maps, viz drainage density, lineament density, geology, geomorphology, land use/land cover, rainfall, slope, elevation, and NDVI, were methodically constructed. Weight for each map were allocated based on an exhaustive literature review and expert judgements. Employing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a pairwise comparison matrix was developed, determining the final weights. Notably, drainage density scored highest, followed by geomorphology, while the slope map obtained the least ranking. AHP systematically examines the elements influencing groundwater potential, enabling prioritizing and mapping for optimal resource utilization. The weighted overlay evaluation, done in the ArcGIS environment, incorporated estimated weights, producing a full output map categorizing areas as very high, high, medium, low, and very low groundwater potential. Consistency of the weights was validated with a consistency ratio of 0.006. Subsequently, the final output map underwent validation using the Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis, validating the excellent accuracy (0.909) of the prediction. The present research emphasizes the intricate relationship between coastal communities and groundwater reservoirs. It also showcases a rigorous methodology integrating advanced technologies and systematic decision-making to delineate and prioritize groundwater potential zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating marine landscape classification with Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) habitat suitability modelling can potentially develop thematic marine habitat models but has yet to be extensively studied. For Marine Protected Area (MPA) spatial planning, the application of such frameworks remains limited, especially in the Coral Triangle region. The absence of a standardised marine habitat mapping framework in this biodiverse area hampers ecosystem-based management for its transboundary MPA networks. This study aims to create a thematic map of potential coral reef habitats in Taman Laut Tioman, Malaysia, combining oceanic data and multiscale high-resolution multibeam echosounder bathymetry and backscatter data for marine landscape classification. Clustered environmental inputs and presence-only data from field surveys and citizen science were then applied in MaxEnt modelling. Despite limitations in spatial resolution, oceanic data—hydrodynamics and ocean colour satellite imagery—notably enhanced the model performance, showcasing the value of these variables even in smaller study areas. The final model identified four distinct marine landscape classes, providing a detailed abiotic profile that surpasses the continuous data controls and establishes a vital baseline for assessing ecological boundaries, serving as a precursor to biodiversity mapping and informing ecosystem-based management. This study provides important insight for developing a standardised framework to establish a transboundary network of MPAs in the Coral Triangle region to conserve its marine biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study conducts a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis to explore the overarching trends, growth trajectories, key themes, significant contributors and scope of research concerning the interplay between foreign capital inflows, institutional quality and the dynamics of financial development. Design/methodology/approach: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines have been followed to identify the articles. A thorough literature review was then conducted, supplemented by a bibliometric analysis using the Biblioshiny software within the RStudio platform. Findings: Empirical research consistently demonstrates a strong correlation between foreign capital inflows, institutional quality and financial development. The bibliometric analysis indicates a 5.56% annual growth rate in this area, alongside a steady increase in scientific output. Regarding country-specific scientific production, China, Malaysia and the United States rank among the world's top 10 most prolific nations. Thematic map analysis further reveals that the keywords "institutional quality," "financial development" and "foreign direct investment" are categorized as "basic themes," highlighting their significant potential for future research. Research limitations/implications: The analysis relies on Biblioshiny software; future studies could incorporate other methods such as cluster analysis, citation and co-citation analysis using VOSviewer. Additionally, a more comprehensive meta-analysis covering a longer time span can be considered for future research. Practical implications: This study shall assist researchers in identifying recent advancements in the components of foreign capital and their direct and indirect effects on financial development through the lens of institutional quality. It provides valuable insights for scholars, aiding in recognizing emerging trends and patterns in the field. Additionally, it highlights key contributors, including leading authors, journals and countries, thereby fostering global academic collaboration. Social implications: This research offers policymakers a clear framework for formulating policies to effectively leverage foreign capital inflows for financial development. It also emphasizes the importance of a strong institutional environment in the relationship between foreign capital inflow and financial market development. Originality/value: The study uncovers key gaps in the multidimensional aspects of financial development and the heterogeneity of foreign direct investment (FDI), thereby deepening scholars' understanding of trends, growth rates and potential future directions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Applied Geospatial and MCDM approaches to identify GWPZ. • The AHP model was used to determine the weights, to identify the GWPZ. • Nine thematic layers were employed for the demarcation GWPZ. • Total 82 % area is suitable for groundwater recharge in the study area. Groundwater is a valuable natural resource, which is extensively used in agricultural, industrial as well as daily activities of human beings. It is an essential source of freshwater need of half of the world's population. In this study Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), along with Multi criteria decision models were used. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to determine the weights of various themes and their classes in the study to identify the groundwater recharge zones in Udham Singh Nagar district. Nine thematic maps/layers were created using GIS methods and employed for the demarcation of groundwater potential zone (GWPZ). It was concluded that around 82 % of the area is very suitable (very good and good) for ground water recharge, which suggests that there is a significant amount of potential for artificial recharge systems to be implemented. This can help to augment the natural recharge process, improve water quality, and reduce the strain on existing water sources. Whereas only 18 % (very poor and poor) of the area has low potential to groundwater recharge is still important to consider, as it may require different approaches or strategies to improve its suitability. Validation shows that, wells data; (n = 38) have water level < 5 mbgl (83 %), whereas only (n = 8) have water less > 5 mbgl (17 %). This area could be prioritized for more extensive data collection or monitoring to better understand its hydrogeological characteristics. The findings will indeed be helpful for decision-makers in selecting suitable locations for groundwater recharge structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital platforms play a vital role in shaping today's labour market, enabling temporary hires and freelance employment in the gig economy. This on-demand, digital economy spans various professions and remote work opportunities. Technological advancements have significantly evolved gig work since the industrial age, improving work-life balance and psychological well-being. Using the Scopus database, a literature analysis on the gig economy was conducted with 1624 documents narrowed to 549 documents based on subject area, document type, publication stage, keywords, and language and examining social, economic and technological factors. This study highlights the evolving nature of non-traditional, online-platform- driven employment through which author's explored the gig economy, its challenges, ethical issues, and career development and workers experiences. The analysis used R Studio Software to visualize keyword themes using a strategic thematic map, which signifies the structure and development of themes within the gig economy. This study used Origin Pro for author analysis which found GRAHAM as the top author. VOS Viewer for bibliographic coupling which identified USA and UK as top collaborating countries and also highlight the eight clusters of keyword analysis. For sustainable growth, further research should explore the platform economy, gig employment, and worker well-being, assessing technological innovations to create adaptable job opportunities. This will help the gig economy to accommodate market dynamics and ensure diverse and stable employment across various sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Construction experts acknowledge the adverse effects of rework on project performance. However, the limited understanding of its underlying causes remains a significant challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to thoroughly investigate the sources of construction rework. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed review using bibliometric analysis as a quantitative method and content analysis as a qualitative method was performed to understand the current knowledge in the field. The Web of Science (WoS) was selected for its comprehensive collection of major research articles and integrated analytical tools for generating representative data. The study involved an extensive bibliometric analysis of 107 journal articles on rework causes from 1991 to 2023. RStudio Bibliometrix, an R statistical programming package, was used to analyze rework origins. This method involved mapping the research landscape, identifying research gaps and analyzing emerging trends. Findings: The causes of rework can be classified into three main clusters: human- and contractual-based rework causes, design-, quality- and project management-based rework causes and organizational-based rework causes. Originality/value: Although several studies have addressed rework causes from various perspectives and methods, the topic has not been investigated holistically. This study is the first to leverage the quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities of the RStudio Bibliometrix package. Innovative approaches, including the use of metrics, such as the h-index, thematic mapping and trend topic analysis, were employed for a comprehensive understanding of rework causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have recognised the importance of urban green spaces (UGSs) in modern cities. However, the distribution and accessibility of green spaces represent a challenge for the sustainable development of territories in terms of fair distribution, reducing inequalities, and mitigating the effects of climate change, such as urban heat islands and runoff. This research identifies every UGS capable of contributing to people's physical and mental wellbeing in the Milan metropolitan area (MMA), one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. The method allows for the various UGSs to be identified and classified using a comparative approach that considers both formal and informal green spaces through a qualitative territorial analysis and the support of open access databases (satellite and thematic maps). Based on this classification, this contribution establishes an 'accessibility map' of the metropolitan area that determines the actual pedestrian accessibility of a UGS within 300 m. The results show that only 37% of the residential surface of the metropolitan area offers access to a UGS within a five-minute walk. This research aims to identify the most fragile segment of the MMA, which is pivotal for the tree-planting activities sponsored by the Forestami project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontics is a complex field characterized by a constantly growing body of research, which poses a challenge for researchers and stakeholders striving to stay abreast of the evolving literature. Traditional bibliometric surveys, while accurate, are labor-intensive and not scalable to meet the demands of such rapidly expanding domains. In this study, we employed BERTopic, a transformer-based topic modeling framework, to map the thematic landscape of periodontics research published in MEDLINE from 2009 to 2024. We identified 31 broad topics encompassing four major thematic axes—patient management, periomedicine, oral microbiology, and implant-related surgery—thereby illuminating core areas and their semantic relationships. Compared with a conventional Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) approach, BERTopic yielded more contextually nuanced clusters and facilitated the isolation of distinct, smaller research niches. Although some documents remained unlabeled, potentially reflecting either semantic ambiguity or niche topics below the clustering threshold, our results underscore the flexibility, interpretability, and scalability of neural topic modeling in this domain. Future refinements—such as domain-specific embedding models and optimized granularity levels—could further enhance the precision and utility of this method, ultimately guiding researchers, educators, and policymakers in navigating the evolving landscape of periodontics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change presents significant challenges to the demand and availability of irrigation water, resulting in profound consequences for the long-term viability of development that can be sustained. This study utilized a thorough bibliometric analysis to examine the patterns, development, and possible future research paths in this crucial field. The investigation, conducted using 2,211 documents from the Scopus database, demonstrated a steady and rising trajectory in publications. This pattern indicates the growing importance of this subject matter and its worldwide focus. The results emphasized the various topics and subjects investigated, such as climate modeling, water resource management, agricultural practices, and policy consequences. The study identified significant works, industrious nations, institutions, authors, and patterns of collaboration and occurrence. Thematic evolution maps and factorial analyses have identified new research areas, including incorporating advanced technologies like remote sensing, machine learning, and the Internet of Things. Additionally, there is a focus on developing adaptation techniques to improve resilience. Proposed future research areas highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, integrated modeling frameworks, and holistic approaches to effectively tackle the complex difficulties arising from climate change's impact on water demand and availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the spatio-temporal distribution of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases with mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) cases in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) between 2001 and 2011. Method: The incidence rates (IR) of CL and ML were calculated for the cases notified between 2001–2011 in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases for Rio de Janeiro (RJ, and for the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Angra dos Reis, with georeferencing and construction of thematic maps. A negative binomial regression model was used to assess the temporal dependency between CL and ML. Results: Higher IR of CL and ML were observed up to 2006. The cases of CL and ML increased annually concomitantly in the state of RJ and in Angra dos Reis, even when they were controlled by the CL rates of the previous year. The municipality of Rio de Janeiro presented smaller annual CL IR after the occurrence of high ML IR in the two previous years. Conclusion: The temporal association observed between CL and ML suggests that: either the mucosal lesions were already incipient from the beginning of CL manifestation, or the Leishmania species circulating in RJ is able to produce early mucosal lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the spatiotemporal distribution of land use and land cover (LULC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past 50 years (1972–2021) using 72 multi-temporal Landsat satellite images. Three machine learning (ML) classifiers, Classification and Regression Tree (CART), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), were tested, with RF finally chosen for its higher performance. Spectral, spatial, topographic, and object aspect attributes were extracted and used as input for the RF algorithm to enhance the classification accuracy. A dataset comprising 46,146 polygons representing four LULC classes was created, with 80% allocated for training and 20% for testing, ensuring robust model validation. The algorithm was trained to develop a machine learning model that classified the data into four LULC classes namely: built areas, vegetation, water, and desert and mountainous regions, producing eight thematic maps for the years 1972, 1986, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2013, 2017, and 2021. The results reveal the dominance of desert and mountainous regions, with their coverage gradually declining from over 97% in 1972 to nearly 91% in 2021. In contrast, built areas grew from less than 1% to nearly 6%, while vegetation cover increased from 0.71% to 2.85%. Water bodies have exhibited periodic fluctuations between 0.4% and 0.35%. These changes are attributed to extensive urbanization, agricultural expansion, forest plantation programs, land reclamation, and megaprojects. Accuracy assessment of the classified maps showed high overall accuracy, ranging from 85.11% to 98.4%. The study provides a unique long-term analysis of the UAE over 50 years, capturing key developments from the 1970s oil boom through subsequent megaprojects at the onset of the new millennium, leading to reduced reliance on oil. These findings underscore the role of machine learning and geospatial technologies in monitoring LULC distribution in challenging environments, and the results serve as a vital tool for policymakers to manage land resources, urban planning, and environmental conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of digital technologies in higher education has revolutionized educational experiences, processes, and pedagogical methods, particularly in developing countries. Additionally, sustainability in education has become a critical focus, aligning with global efforts to promote sustainable development. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to investigate research trends and patterns in sustainable digital transformation (SDT) within higher education in the context of developing countries from 1991 to 2024. Employing the SCOPUS database, the analysis reveals a significant increase in publications on this topic, highlighting a growing scholarly interest. Key themes identified include digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, and technology-enhanced learning environments. Influential sources and journals contributing to this field are identified, with the Journal of Educational Technology & Society being the most cited. Collaboration networks among researchers are analyzed, showcasing the interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature of this research area. Thematic evolution mapping indicates a shift from addressing challenges and barriers to exploring opportunities and benefits of digital transformation. The findings underscore the need for tailored approaches to address the unique socio-economic and cultural challenges faced by developing countries. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive overview of how SDT is being explored and implemented in higher education institutions in developing countries, offering insights into future research directions and practical implications for sustainable development in this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current problem of the management of new development areas in modern conditions of geopolitical and economic instability is considered. The need to focus on the economic growth and the use of resources in Asian Russia is emphasized. The main thesis is that the new development areas in Russia can become economic growth engines upon the implementation of large resource-based and transport projects. However, difficulties arise due to the dominance of raw materials specialization and insufficient diversity of industry, which can cancel out the results of the development of natural resources. A cartographic approach is proposed to solve the problems of the development of these territories. The study is based on a cartographic technique that includes the analysis of data on natural resources, socioeconomic development, and other factors. It is concluded that there is a need for a more detailed study and mapping of the new development areas to assess their potential and to work out development strategies, especially under conditions of instability and changes in the modern world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important tool for solving currently relevant problems of the socioeconomic development of a country and its regions is thematic maps, published both independently and as parts of atlases. Studying the features of transport development, as one of the key sectors of the economy, is intended to help in researching the problems of optimal, economically balanced development of the country. In this regard, the comprehensive transport mapping of Asian Russia is a relevant task. This article provides an overview of key semantic parameters used in the transport mapping of large regions and entire countries. Currently, efforts to create and update a database, as well as creating some layers of transport maps, are underway for Asian Russia. The developed mapping of Asian Russia relies on the previously created transportation database from the atlas information system of the Baikal region. The article describes the completed transport maps for the Baikal region, to be used as the basis for creating a database of an information system for Asian Russia. The major semantic layers that were used in transport mapping are considered in detail. The types of maps planned to be created for the territory of Asian Russia, as well as the semantic characteristics to be used in their creation, are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop and test geoinformation services for making operational decisions aimed at reducing the health risk to the population when smoke from wildfires is exposed near populated areas and at a considerable distance. Processing services implement spatial analysis methods. The computational models are implemented on the JupyterHub interactive computing platform provided by the infrastructure. That technology was tested on the example of areas the Baikal region in the Republic of Buryatia during periods of significant smoke contamination of the territory associated with local mass fires and remote at 1000–2500 km. The assessment modeling results are presented in the form of thematic interactive maps that change depending on the filtering of results by various criteria, graphs, and tables. A digital environment has been developed that allows one to quickly upload primary data, present it in various schemes, carry out calculations, and obtain information about harmful substances in the air. The calculation methodology is presented as a set of services and Jupyter documents. Visualization of the results of assessing the potential and realized risk in the form of multilayer maps makes it possible to quickly identify the areas of greatest danger. In the Baikal region, the probability of respiratory symptoms associated with air pollution was CO 27.4% and total matter particles 6.7% of the number of exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of the application of modern cartographic works and analysis of land management, special and thematic maps made in earlier periods in the practice of activities and in the process of optimizing the functioning of specially protected natural areas. The development of a series of thematic atlases of specially protected natural areas of the Russian Asian part made it possible for the first time to build individual landscape maps for most of these objects. This, in turn, helped to determine the representativeness of existing territorial environmental protection systems and identify types of landscapes that are not included in the boundaries of protected natural areas. The practical application of the completed maps reflecting the situation in territorial nature protection revealed: the controversial issue of poaching in the refuge (zakaznik) in Tyva, the territorial overlap of natural parks and refuges in Kamchatka and Khabarovsk regions, mistakes made and then corrected during the trial when approving the boundaries of a natural monument in the Irkutsk region, as well as to develop recommendations on the formation of an ecological or green framework for large cities (Ulaanbaatar, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude), about which scientific articles have already been published. The latest example of the formulation of a master plan for the development of the Ust-Kut small city, related to the regions of the far north, is presented in more detail. This city is the center of the administrative district of the same name in the Irkutsk region, an important transport hub, and the most economically developing territory of the region. The project uses cartographic materials specially created for Ust-Kut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their fundamental scientific content and functional capabilities, modern thematic maps, map series, and atlases for large regions, both digital and paper, can be used as a system for obtaining fundamental knowledge, as well as a support for decision making and regional development scenarios. The basic principle of permafrost mapping is to depict separately the main permafrost characteristics and environmental controls. Theoretical foundations for geocryological mapping have been developed under the guidance of V.A. Kudryavtsev as unified principles for classifying the geocryological conditions. The mapping approach commonly used for permafrost studies is that of the landscape system. The Melnikov Permafrost Institute has had much experience in constructing geocryological maps, which are classified as thematic maps in regards to content. Commencing from the Schematic Geocryological Map of the Yakutian ASSR, 1 : 5 000 000 scale [1], a range of thematic maps were compiled by I.A. Nekrasov, P.A. Solovyov, V.M. Piguzova, I.S. Vasiliev, A.N. Fedorov, V.B. Spektor, and others. Original methods for depicting various elements of permafrost were developed, which are reflected in the publications of numerous institutes. Currently, cartographic research is in its most active stage of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Institute for Water and Environmental Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, carries out a wide range of research on water resources and water management, most of which involves cartography. Considerable experience has been accumulated in creating maps of water resource availability, anthropogenic load, water-use systems and assessing the negative impact of natural waters on the population and economic objects of the Ob and Irtysh river basins, as well as the relevant regions of the Russian Federation and water management areas. This article presents methodological approaches to the development and creation of cartographic databases and geoinformation cartographic models that provide clear representations of regional features of water management conditions and the anthropogenic load on water bodies. The key element of the methodological basis of the creation of these maps is the integration of heterogeneous and multilevel information for the purposes of spatial analysis and assessment, as well as forecasting future prospects. The article provides the examples of applications of the cartographic method for problems related to water management and substantiates the feasibility and practical significance of such application. Meanwhile, the lack of uniform requirements and methods for creating cartographic models required the development of independent GIS projects based on original thematic databases of initial data. The implementation of a comprehensive landscape–basin approach to solving these problems, as well as cartographic interpretation of water management indicators, often requires original, nonstandard solutions, in particular, for displaying the analyzed and calculated data and for improving the system of map symbols. As a result, the final cartographic models represent the spatiotemporal features of the estimated indicators of water management conditions in the regions of the Ob–Irtysh basin to the fullest degree and with the highest clarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a burgeoning field in education, characterized by rapid growth and diverse research interests. This study employs bibliometric analysis to explore the landscape of AI research in education, focusing on studies indexed in the Web of Science (WOS) database. A comprehensive search identified 1383 articles published between 1981 and 2024, which were analysed using the Bibliometrix R package. The analysis encompassed performance analysis, science mapping, and network analysis, yielding visualizations such as annual scientific production trends, most cited documents, and thematic maps. Key findings reveal a substantial increase in AI research from 2022 onwards, underscoring a shift towards longitudinal studies to track AI's evolution and impacts in educational contexts. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and societal implications emerged as critical areas requiring further investigation. While early studies focused on intelligent tutoring systems, contemporary research highlights topics like ChatGPT, machine learning, and higher education. The interdisciplinary nature of AI in education is evident through its publication in journals spanning educational technology and related fields. Future research directions emphasize the need for comprehensive studies addressing ethical frameworks and guidelines for responsible AI integration in education. Bridging technological advancements with pedagogical strategies is essential for developing integrative models that enhance personalized learning and educational outcomes. Ongoing bibliometric analyses will play a pivotal role in identifying emerging trends and guiding future research endeavours in AI and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion inventory of a river basin is vital for effective soil conservation and sustainable development considering the ongoing Global change. In the current study, gross soil erosion rates (A) are estimated for a mountainous river in a tropical climate, the Karamana River Basin (KRB), southern India by utilizing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE model computes 'A', as a product function of five variables; rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), topographic factor (LS), crop management factor (C), and erosion control practice factor (P). To compute these five parameters, the digital elevation model, slope, normalized vegetation index (NDVI), rainfall and land use/land cover (LULC) are used along with the texture data of soil samples collected from KRB. The estimated A values range between 0 to 738.44 t ha−1 year−1, with an average of 10.22 t ha−1 year−1 whereas the sediment yield (SY) estimated by utilizing the sediment delivery ratio (SDR) model ranges between 0 to 246.68 t ha−1 year−1 with an average of 1.58 t ha−1 year−1 for KRB. For further validation, a soil erosion potential index (SEPI) map is developed to identify the soil erosion-prone zones of KRB using the geo-environmental thematic maps following the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Finally, rainfall impacts on soil erosion are evaluated and quantified for KRB, considering the recent marked variations in rainfall that are induced by the extreme climatic events (cyclones/high rainfall/floods) along the West coast of India. The outcome of this study suggests that increasing rainfall by one standard deviation of the long-term average causes a significant increase in low and medium soil erosion regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation is important for the growth of world agriculture, as it enables greater security in agricultural production. The use of center-pivot for irrigation is very common in Brazil. However, there are some information gaps, mainly related to spatial variability in the water application in variable topography. Thus, the present study aimed to apply the geostatistical approach to characterize and evaluate the magnitude of the pressure head (PH) spatial variability in center-pivot lateral lines operating in plots with variable topography. For this analysis, six different points were installed along the lateral line and measured with PH transducers in 18 lateral line angular positions in the study area. Universal kriging (UK) was used to estimate PH across the whole field. The semivariogram was adjusted by the hole effect theoretical model, indicating a strong spatial dependence on PH. A decision support system tool was developed to assist in the analysis of the PH spatial distribution along the center-pivot lateral line using a geostatistical approach (kriging). The proposed tool can be useful for managers of irrigable areas and to identify zones with high energy use (wasted PH) along lateral lines of center-pivot systems. The estimation of PH distribution using geostatistical and UK techniques was satisfactory, allowing the creation of a thematic map. Precision irrigation and monitoring using a thematic map of PH distribution from kriging can help monitor the operating conditions of a center-pivot, as well as improve the decision-making regarding proper management of the whole irrigation system. Practical Applications: Center-pivot irrigation systems are very common in agricultural production areas around the world. Due to the large area irrigated by center-pivots, it is very important to study the reduction in water and energy use in these equipment. Thus, an important point to be studied is the PH distribution along the center-pivot lateral line in areas with undulating topography, where there is a significant PH variation. In this study, we present an analysis of the PH distribution along the lateral line using a geostatistical approach (kriging) to obtain PH values in the entire irrigated area. For this, PH data collected at six different points along the lateral line were used in a decision support system tool, developed to estimate PH in the entire irrigated area using the geostatistical approach. This estimate was satisfactory, allowing the creation of a thematic map. The proposed tool proved to be useful for easily identifying zones with high energy use (wasted PH). In this way, the use of precision irrigation and the analysis of the equipment through thematic mapping can help irrigators in monitoring the operating conditions of a center-pivot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dorling map, a special type of thematic map, is a widely employed tool for visualizing geospatial statistical data. It transforms regions into circles with areas proportionate to statistical values while endeavoring to maintain regional spatial relationships. Notably, two types of Dorling maps emerge, distinguished by their consideration of regional continuity: continuous and discontinuous Dorling maps. However, as of yet, the discrepancies between these two types remain inconclusive. In this paper, we employ an eye‐tracking method to investigate the efficacy of Dorling maps in two common application scenarios, namely unpurposed browsing tasks and purposeful reading tasks. To this end, we administer tasks involving region search, attribute comparison/recognition/memory, conditional selection, relationship judgment, summary, and subjective evaluation. Subsequently, we perform a statistical analysis of the eye movement data of participants when they complete the above tasks in the continuous and discontinuous Dorling maps. The results indicate that the discontinuous Dorling maps are significantly better than the continuous ones in interpretation time for forward and reverse region search, selecting conditions, and judging adjacent relationships. Continuous Dorling maps significantly outperform discontinuous maps in terms of search efficiency during attribute comparison. Moreover, continuous maps significantly outperformed discontinuous maps in terms of cognitive supplementation or reprocessing of previous regions during conditional selection. This study can help users choose the right form of Dorling map visualization according to their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of disinformation has become a global challenge, exacerbated by the rapid dissemination of information in online environments. The present study conducts a bibliometric analysis of scholarly efforts made over time in the research papers associated with the disinformation field. Thus, this paper aims to understand and help combat disinformation by focusing on methodologies, datasets, and key metadata. Through a bibliometric approach, the study identifies leading authors, affiliations, and journals and examines collaboration networks in the field of disinformation. This analysis highlights the significant growth in research on disinformation, particularly in response to events such as the 2016 U.S. election, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic, with an overall growth rate of 15.14% in the entire analyzed period. The results of the analysis underscore the role of social media and artificial intelligence in the spread of disinformation, as well as the importance of fact-checking technologies. Findings reveal that the most prolific contributions come from universities in the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, and other global institutions, with a notable increase in publications since 2018. Through thematic maps, a keyword analysis, and collaboration networks, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving field of disinformation research, offering valuable insights for future investigations and policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of water as a vital resource and development factor is well known all over the world, and its conservation has led to the assessment of morphometric parameters that play an important role in the flow of surface waters. This study emphasizes the morphological analysis of the Wadi Boussaada sub-basin in Algeria, leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance the understanding of its hydrological dynamics. The watershed and its geomorphological and hydrometric characteristics were identified using a digital terrain model (DTM) derived from SRTM images with a 30-meter resolution. These data were utilized to generate detailed cartographic representations in GIS (ArcGIS), aiding in the development of morphometric databases (BD), geographic, and thematic models. The application of GIS facilitates the extraction of the hydrographic network and sub-watersheds, enabling the calculation of physical watershed characteristics such as shape, relief, and network structure. The study produces thematic maps--including slope, flow direction, and drainage maps--that aid in identifying potential hazard areas within the basin. This approach underscores the importance of morphological analysis while illustrating how GIS can enhance the evaluation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented study explored approaches on the formation of cartographic and attribute information using the GIS technology for management of arable lands. This research included the development of advanced methodology for organizing agriculture lands using modern geoinformation technology through developing a digital cartographic environment. It further contained the database for agroecological soil properties, thematic maps for land management, and creation of a plan for using land in the study area. The latest research also revealed the foundation of the methodology for the land management of modern agro-formations, considering the requirements of the landscape approach to land use. An analysis of the agro-ecological state of the soil cover also ensued, obtaining the data from the analysis of thematic maps and land structure. The study revealed that 52.5% of the total assessed area consisted of chestnut ordinary soils, and 43.1% were floodplain meadow-chestnut soils. The proposed approach of arable land management can also apply in other regions of Kazakhstan for improving soil fertility and reducing degradation levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high amount of food loss and waste significantly challenges the sustainable development. The agriculture needs rapid and fundamental transformation to enhance its efficient and sustainabile operation. However, to measure precisely the effect of the new policies and practices is also difficult. The present study analyses the applied methods' data sources, as one of the key factors regarding the effective estimation of food loss and waste. By conducting a systematic literature review using the PRISMA approach, a lack of scientific focus was found related to the new data collection methods. Based on the selected articles reasonably slight amount joined the application of image processing to food loss estimation related purposes. The reviewed studies principally used the image-based solutions for the prevention and reduction of on-farm food loss. This recognition lighted up the application of image processing in agriculture, but only the thematic map analysis revealed the privileged status of "plant disease detection" within the studied area. The results suggest the possibility of applying image-based data sources to quantify food loss. Even though the limitations of agricultural image processing, the application of new data sources, and methods could considerably improve the accuracy of food loss and waste quantification in addition to the operation on farm level in short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an in-depth examination of the evolving trends at the crossroads of conversational artificial intelligence (AI) and brand management, using bibliometric analysis. Additionally, it identifies significant emerging patterns and outlines potential future pathways in this domain. Conversational AI in branding is a focused research area. Keywords like “brand, conversational AI, AI, voice AI, generative AI, and voice assistants” were used to analyze and track global trends in research output. A total of 209 Scopus-indexed papers for the period 2002 to 2023 were extracted by applying relevant inclusion criteria limited to business, social science, decision science, and psychology subject areas. Further, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework was used for systematically excluding the nonrelevant papers. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using open-source tools like Bibliometrix powered by R Studio and VOS Viewer visualizations. The analysis reveals remarkable traction among researchers within this field over recent years, especially since 2019, with more than half of the research publications emerging after 2022. 209 papers were published by 523 authors, and only 16.7% of the papers were single-authored, which highlights the fact that this a hugely collaborative research area with co-authorship per doc of 3.04. This paper can be used as a ready reference, as it provides a quick overview of the bibliographic coupling of journals, most influential papers, and authors, including the most relevant themes, using Thematic Map Analysis. New areas where research can be chartered have been unraveled. The paper also contributes to current research in this field and identifies key directions and significant areas of future research based on empirical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on export promotion and foreign market entry strategies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach: This study incorporates systematic literature review by using bibliometric technique and content analysis of 195 scholarly papers published between 2000 and 2024 obtained from Scopus database, using the PRISMA principles and a methodological framework. Findings: The use of quantitative analysis has shown dynamic patterns in publication trends, characterized by notable increases in recent years. These trends align with the changing dynamics of the global economy and shifting priorities in international commerce. The study reveals thematic frameworks using author collaboration analysis, word cloud visualizations and a thematic map, providing insights into a significant motor, niche and developing issues that shape the discussion on the international growth of SMEs. Research limitations/implications: It offers significant insights that can benefit academics, policymakers and practitioners who are interested in understanding and navigating the intricate terrain of export promotion and market access strategies specifically tailored for small firms. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, the study is the first of a kind that presents a systematic examination of the existing body of knowledge on the internationalization of SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the gap in the comprehensive literature on the intersection of readiness technology and changes in the manufacturing sector. This study employs a hybrid review (bibliometric analysis and conceptual framework) to offer a panoramic overview of the field. We scrutinised 77 publications from peer-reviewed journals, from 2005 to 2023, using methodological lenses such as keyword co-occurrence networks and thematic maps. The review reveals the major contributors (publication trends, themes, and topics) to integrating 3D printing, additive manufacturing, Tech Competition and Lifecycle Assessment in Manufacturing, and Smart Manufacturing Strategies. Based on these insights, we advocate a focused research agenda to expand scholarly contributions to this field. We introduce a framework that offers a theoretically robust tool for scholars and practitioners studying the impact of technology readiness in the manufacturing sector. Consequently, this study not only distils the existing literature, but also sets the stage for future research. This study places significant emphasis on the implementation of technological solutions as a means to improve production operations. Additionally, this research emphasises the significance of ensuring that investment strategies follow the organisation's technological preparedness. An additional crucial implication concerns the cybersecurity protocols. This is consistent with the research's emphasis on investigating cybersecurity concerns in the manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine scientific studies on artificial intelligence (AI) in educational research from the past to the present, based on the Web of Science database. In this context, 1465 scientific articles containing AI in education from the past to the present were evaluated. Articles accessed from the WoS database were examined using a bibliometric analysis method according to productivity, network analyses, conceptual structure, and thematic map titles. Within the scope of productivity, authors, institutions, countries, citations within the scope of network analysis, authors, institutions, sources, and countries were included in the analysis. In addition, thematic changes over the years, word cloud, collaborations, conceptual formations, and thematic mapping were carried out based on keywords. In this context, 1465 scientific articles published by 3783 authors representing 86 countries were included in the research. According to the research findings, the number of studies and citations on AI in education has increased significantly, especially in the last five years. The Education University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong stand out as productive institutions. While China, England, and the USA stand out as the countries of responsible authors, Hwang, G. J., stands out as the author of network analysis, and the Computer Education journal stands out as the journal. As a thematic change in the studies, there has been an evolution towards new technological developments such as deep learning, machine learning, ChatGPT, chatbots, learning analytics, blockchain, and generative AI. According to the factor analysis conducted on the conceptual structure of AI-related studies in education, it was determined that it explained 48% of the total variability. According to the study findings, studies on AI applications in education should be enriched from a disciplinary perspective, and efficiency should be increased regarding their reflections on teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light pollution of the night sky is already a widespread phenomenon, the spatial extent and magnitude of which are increasingly represented in the form of thematic maps and cartographic visualization. Its leading cause needs to be correctly designed or adequately installed outdoor lighting. The problem of excessive artificial light emission at night, together with its adverse effects, has already reached such a level that it has become necessary to develop usable and comprehensible methods for the cartographic representation of the distribution of the phenomenon. In practice, there are several ways to measure the intensity of this pollution. However, there are no uniform legal standards for the use of outdoor lighting and no guidance and guidelines for the visualization of measurement data. Such visualization should provide a consistent, reliable, and, above all, readable picture of the phenomenon adapted to the needs of different audiences. Examples of the representation of the results of measurements of light pollution of the night sky can be found in the literature or a few atlases. Still, they often differ in color scales, value divisions, and measurement units used. This paper reviews the scales and units available in the literature to describe this phenomenon. The differences between the approaches of specialists from different branches and their influence on the final interpretation of the data are also presented. In addition, an authorial solution is proposed to standardize methods of cartographic visualization of the spatial distribution of light smog measurement results. The article attempts to draw attention to the importance of the graphical description of light smog, which will shortly be the subject of increasing research and work on the unification of cartographic communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of settlement under the Wallachian Law in the Polish Carpathians. The article aims to present the temporal and spatial evolution of settlements on the basis of the Wallachian law in the Polish part of the Carpathian Mountains. A series of thematic maps have been prepared that show the distribution of settlements over a period of more than 300 years, from the second half of the 14th century to the second half of the 17th century. A total of 479 settlements based on Wallachian law or with a certified Wallachian presence have been documented in the physical-geographical area of the Polish Carpathians. They accounted for 28% of all settlements in the region. It should be noted that 70% (339) of these settlements disappeared as a result of the forced population relocations of 1945–1950. Two phases can be distinguished in the history of Wallachian settlement in the Polish Carpathians. The first (from the second half of the 14th century to the end of the 15th century) was mainly related to the military, guardian function of the settlements – 87 new sites were established at that time. The second phase (from the 16th to the end of the 17th century) was rather determined by economic factors, stimulated by climatic changes during the so-called Little Ice Age. During this period, there was an increase in the dynamics of Wallachian settlement, which resulted in the creation of 392 settlements in the mountainous zone, which had poor conditions for farming (above 500 meters above sea level). Settlement under Wallachian law lost its originally ethnic character, becoming a tool for effective colonization of the Carpathians based on pastoral or pastoral-agricultural economy. Streszczenie. Celem artykułu jest prezentacja czasowej i przestrzennej ewolucji osadnictwa na prawie woło-skim w polskiej części Karpat. Przygotowano serię map tematycznych, które przedstawiają rozmieszczenie osad w okresie ponad 300 lat, od drugiej połowy XIV wieku do drugiej połowy XVII wieku. Na obszarze fizycznogeograficznym polskich Karpat łącznie udokumentowano 479 miejscowości opartych na prawie wołoskim lub z poświadczoną obecnością Wołochów. Stanowiły one 28% wszystkich miejscowości w tym regionie. Należy podkreślić, że 70% (339) tych osad zniknęło w wyniku przymusowych przesiedleń ludności z lat 1945–1950. W historii wołoskiego osadnictwa w polskich Karpatach wyróżnia się dwie fazy. Pierwsza (od drugiej połowy XIV wieku do końca XV wieku) była związana głównie z militarną, strażniczą funkcją osad — powstało wówczas 87 nowych lokalizacji. Druga faza (od XVI do końca XVII wieku) była raczej uwarunkowana przez czynniki gospodarcze, stymulowane zmianami klimatycznymi podczas tzw. Małej Epoki Lodowej. W okresie tym doszło do zwiększenia dynamiki osadnictwa wołoskiego, co zaowocowało stworzeniem 392 osad w strefie górskiej, mającej złe warunki do prowadzenia gospodarki rolnej (powyżej 500 m n.p.m.). Osadnictwo na prawie wołoskim straciło swój pierwotnie etniczny charakter, stając się narzędziem umożliwiającym efektywną kolonizację Karpat w oparciu o gospodarkę pasterską lub pastersko-rolniczą. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-harm is a growing problem in young people. GPs are usually the first point of healthcare contact for young people aged 16–25 years, after self-harm. GPs can experience barriers to supporting young people and behaviour change theory can help to understand these, and the influences on, GP behaviour. Aim: To explore the capabilities, opportunities, and motivations (COM-B model of behaviour) of GPs, and their perceived training needs, to help young people aged 16–25 years avoid future self-harm. Design and setting: This was a qualitative study of GPs in England. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with NHS GPs who were purposively sampled. Interviews occurred in 2021. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and mapped onto the COM-B model domains. The study's patient and public involvement group supported data analysis. Results: Fifteen interviews were completed. Four themes were generated. GPs described mixed capabilities, with many feeling they had the physical and psychological skills to support young people to avoid future self-harm, but some felt doing so was emotionally tiring. GPs identified opportunities to better support young people, such as use of electronic consultation tools, but cited lack of time as a concern. GPs reported motivation to help young people, but this can be influenced by their workload. Unmet training needs around communication, knowledge, and optimising safety were identified. Conclusion: GPs are supported by their practice teams to support young people after self-harm, but a lack of time hinders opportunities to do so. Future effective GP-led interventions may improve GP motivation to support young people after self-harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the connection among Top Management Team (TMT) characteristics and audit quality, focusing on how leadership attributes such as expertise, diversity, tenure, and risk management influence corporate governance and audit outcomes. Given the increasing demands for transparency, accountability, and robust financial reporting, the involvement of TMTs in guaranteeing audit quality has become more critical. We reviewed 255 articles published between 1996 and 2021 to analyze key trends, core publications, and influential themes related to TMT characteristics and audit quality. The study uses bibliometric analysis tools, including co-occurrence networks and thematic maps, to uncover the central themes in the literature. Audit quality, corporate governance, and audit fees emerged as dominant topics, while emerging areas such as board quality and internal audit quality suggest new opportunities for future research. The findings underscore the pivotal role of TMT characteristics in shaping governance practices, demonstrating that strategically shaping TMT composition through board size, diversity, and expertise can significantly enhance audit quality, reduce aggressive earnings management, and improve overall governance frameworks. This research provides practical insights for industries, particularly large enterprises and the banking sector, where audit quality is critical for maintaining financial stability. It also contributes to the academic literature by underscoring the interconnectedness of TMT characteristics and audit quality, offering valuable recommendations for scholars and practitioners. Organizations can optimize leadership structures to ensure stronger governance and reliable financial reporting by understanding how TMT attributes influence audit processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is an essential water resource utilized for agricultural, industrial, and home applications. Evaluating the variability of groundwater is essential for the conservation and management of this resource, as well as for mitigating the reduction in groundwater levels resulting from excessive extraction. This study aimed to define the groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Western Saudi Arabia, utilizing remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques, alongside meteorological data. Seven thematic maps were produced based on the regulatory characteristics of geology, drainage density, height, slope, precipitation, soil, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The influence of each theme and subunit/class on groundwater recharge was evaluated by weighted overlay analysis, including previous research and field data. The groundwater potential map was created via the weighted index overlay approach within a GIS. The groundwater potentials were classified into three categories: very poor, moderate, and good zones. The low groundwater potential regions encompass 805.81 km2 (44.91%) of the research area, located in mountainous basement rocks, characterized by high drainage density and steep gradients. The moderate zones comprise 45.67% of the total area, covering 819.31 km2, and are situated in low-lying regions at the base of mountainous mountains. Conversely, the favorable zones, comprising 9.42% of the total area, span 169.06 km2 and are located within the alluvial deposits of the lowlands next to the Wadi Al-Hamd basin and agricultural farms. The results' accuracy was confirmed by overlaying data from 26 wells onto the designated groundwater potential categories, revealing that all wells corresponded with regions of high groundwater potential. The generated map would contribute to the systematic and efficient management of groundwater resources in this area to meet the rising water demands of Al-Madinah. The groundwater potential map is one aspect of groundwater management. It is also very important to assess this potential further via groundwater temporal monitoring, groundwater balance, and modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on sustainable dynamic capabilities is becoming increasingly relevant in business research. In this study, we adopt a bibliometric approach to analyze the development of the literature, provide an overview of its theoretical and empirical evolution, and identify future research paths. To reach this goal, we collected 602 scientific documents from Scopus published between January 2002 and May 2023. The analysis is based on a two‐step process. First, we created and analyzed thematic maps for two different time periods (2002–2016 and 2017–2023) to assess the changes in the themes investigated. Second, we used bibliographic coupling to measure the influence and similarity between 147 scientific documents that were selected from leading scientific journals. Results show the adequacy of the dynamic capabilities framework for understanding the integration of sustainability within business strategies while opening up new perspectives (i.e., stakeholder engagement) and themes. Overall, we observe an increasing interest in reconceptualizing dynamic capabilities while considering their sustainability dimension, with reference to the identification of new micro‐foundations and the level of analysis (from an individual or organizational level to an inter‐organizational level). This study also proposes avenues for future research, including an exploration of new contexts, such as new industries, through a cross‐sectoral analysis approach or the underexplored context of family firms. We also highlight the need to advance our understanding of sustainable dynamic capabilities by focusing on the social dimension, which remains understudied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies 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.)

Changing societal needs means that new or existing maps need to be continuously developed. It is important that these maps are interpreted in the right way, to avoid misinterpretations and bad decision-making. The map design choices are based upon experience and cartographic theory, and in the end, are a product of expert opinions. This in-house research project aims to test and communicate the impact of these design choices to support the development processes for two Norwegian geoscience maps: Possibility of marine clay and the national Radon susceptibility map. Interviews were conducted with the map owners and based on known challenges with the maps, a web-based experiment was set up to measure intuitiveness for a series of map alternatives. A total of 450 participants, from novices to experts, took part in the experiment. By analyzing and visualizing amounts of correct answers, confidence in the map reading tasks and uncertainties, it was possible to conclude about map intuitiveness and how accessible the map is expected to be. The results show that including an experiment like this can improve cartographic work processes, support map design choices with empirical evidence, and that seemingly small improvements in design significantly improve the participant scores. Key policy highlights: Map experiments performed as part of thematic map development processes give room for focus, learning, and advancement in cartographic work. Minor differences in symbolization can have a significant impact on how easily the map is intuitively understood. Thus, the value of optimizing symbology to strictly follow cartographic rules should not be underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of landslide susceptibility is one of the most important steps in disaster management and the implementation of land use planning and development measures. We propose an approach to modelling landslide susceptibility based on statistical methods, namely frequency ratio (FR), information value (IV), weighted factor (Wf), and weight of evidence (WoE), using GIS software for the Wilaya de Mila (northeastern Algeria). As the Wilaya of Mila is highly affected by landslides, the main objective and expected impact of this study is to provide local authorities and decision-makers in this Wilaya with a decision-making tool. Prior to modelling, a landslide inventory map was prepared based on satellite imagery from various sources, documentary analysis, and field surveys. In addition, several thematic maps (lithologies, slopes, exposures, precipitation, distances to roads, etc.) were created. The recorded landslides (429 bodies) were divided into two samples: 80% for model training and 20% for model validation using ROC–AUC curves. The main results of the susceptibility maps showed a better accuracy of the AUC curve for the WoE model compared to FR, VI, and Wf, with success rate values of 0.774, 0.767, 0.754, and 0.749, respectively, and predictive values of 0.808, 0.785, 0.782, and 0.770, respectively, implying better decision making based on the WoE results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the main threats to the sustainable management of water in various regions of the world, especially in mountainous watersheds like the Mantaro River basin, located in the highland region of Peru. This basin is vital for agriculture and hydroelectric energy production in the area, but it faces significant challenges due to the variability of water resources and climate change. To mitigate these effects, there is a recognized need to identify suitable areas for the storage and distribution of rainwater. In this study, thematic maps of the basin were created using the technique of multi-criteria analysis, considering factors such as precipitation, soil type, slope, texture, and watershed order. Four climate change scenarios (RCP 2.5, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5) were also included to assess their impact on potential areas for rainwater harvesting. It was identified that approximately 54% of the lower lands in the basin, with a flat topography, are suitable for the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. However, the low amount of precipitation in these areas, compared to the highlands, represents a significant challenge. Regarding the climate change scenarios, it was determined that under the RCP 2.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, the upper areas of the basin, which comprise approximately 11% of it, would be the most suitable for the implementation of these infrastructures. On the other hand, with the RCP 4.5 and RCP 6.0 scenarios, the mid-altitude areas, which cover about 35% of the basin, would be the most strategic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) measure people's views of their health status whereas patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are questionnaires measuring perceptions of their experience whilst receiving healthcare. PROMs/PREMs have the potential to enable children and young people (CYP) to be involved in decisions about their care and improve the quality of their care but it is not clear how often PROMs/PREMs are incorporated as part of standard care of CYP in the hospital setting. The aims of this scoping review were to understand the extent of the literature and map available evidence on the use, benefits, barriers and facilitators of PROMs/PREMs as part of standard care and treatment of CYP in hospitals. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute review process was used to map existing evidence on the use of PROMs/PREMs in routine care of CYP in different hospital settings worldwide. Key search terms were developed and Ovid (Emcare, Embase MEDLINE, APA PsychInfo), Scopus and Web of Science were searched. Data were analysed using frequency counts and basic content analysis for thematic mapping according to the research questions. We undertook an initial search in February 2021 and updated this in April 2023. Results: The search yielded 68,004 studies, 388 were eligible for full text review and 172 met the inclusion criteria. PROMs were more commonly used than PREMs in routine care of CYP in hospitals; these were mostly collected using electronic collection and concentrated in specific specialities, settings, contexts and countries. The findings mapped the use of PROMs/PREMs, including how data are applied in clinical practice and used for service development, but this was not consistently reported. There are specific challenges in the implementation of PROMs/PREMs in routine care of CYP that need to be considered. Conclusion: PROMs/PREMs have the potential to improve care for CYP in hospital settings contributing to different aspects of care. A better understanding of their use, how results can be applied in clinical practice and contribute to service development will enable meaningful employment. The popularity of electronically collected and captured PROMS/PREMs warrants further investigation to enable their meaningful use in routine care of CYP. Systematic review registration: Not pre-registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental challenges in Kosovo are intensified by extensive anthropogenic activities, leading to significant pollution and degradation of natural resources. This study examines inadequate waste management practices, a major contributor to environmental harm, by analyzing heavy metal concentrations – Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Mn, and Fe – in the water and sediment of Lake Henci and the surrounding soils. We used Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP OES) for precise metal determination. To quantify pollution levels, we calculated indices such as the Heavy Metal Index (HMI) and the Contamination Factor (CF). This approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of metal contamination in the region. The findings are illustrated through thematic maps, developed using interpolation techniques within a Geographic Information System (GIS) at a spatial resolution of 10 meters. Furthermore, spatial analyses were conducted to deepen our understanding of contamination patterns and inform regulatory frameworks. The results show slight pollution in the water samples, with some metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Ni) exceeding EPA and WHO guidelines. In contrast, sediment and soil samples showed heavy metal levels within normal ranges. These findings underscore the necessity for ongoing monitoring and the implementation of comprehensive oversight and regulatory measures to address the environmental challenges in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to evaluate the current research landscape and identify future directions in fishing vessel safety. Using the Scopus database, 285 relevant documents were collected and analyzed using the Biblioshiny app version 4.1 in the bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer version 1.6.20. The analysis generated an authors' collaboration network, a three-field plot, and a keyword Thematic map, which were used for citation analysis, while VOSviewer was utilized to build networks between journals, articles, affiliations, countries, and keywords, enabling bibliographic coupling. The results identified four primary research clusters: Accident/Risk Analysis, Human Errors, Stability, and Operation. A detailed review of selected studies within these clusters was conducted, focusing on accident and risk factors, analytical methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and potential improvements. Based on these findings, a discussion was provided on future research directions in fishing vessel safety. The results suggest that future research should prioritize the integration of advanced technologies, enhancement of real-time monitoring capabilities, and promotion of international collaboration to ensure the safety of fishermen in hazardous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates multidisciplinary education and specialization at the master's level, analyzes assessment methods, and proposes a technique for evaluating geospatial technology education. It emphasises is on pedagogical approaches, and highlights the importance of capacity building to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in spatial information management. The research provides guidelines for improving course content, structure, and teaching methodologies, aiming to enhance the quality and relevance of geospatial education for both students and stakeholders. This paper is based on online data gathered from 115 universities across the globe, who are imparting geospatial education, campus-based and e-learning, also a survey was conducted of two thousand students. It supported in analysis and suggestion to develop a specific robust technique for assessment of the geospatial technology education and provides the corrective measures to the users of the technique. It proposed a framework aimed at enhancing the course content, organization, and teaching methods substantially. Further an attempt was made to adopt AHP model for investigating the statistical approach. It was aimed to know the actual values and significance of each parameter used for analysis of the study. In order to prepare a common guideline for improving the course structure, course content and teaching methodology, ANFIS architecture (Artificial Neural Fuzzy-Inference System) was adopted. Spatial information represented in the form of thematic maps in relation with the respective attribute data in Geographical Information System (GIS) environment is now used by all spectrum of the society, be it government organizations, industry, and academia. The result of the study has designed the criteria and common guidelines, which may be implemented, would able to help and curtail the challenges of the geospatial education as global vision for Local Action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomatics, also known as geospatial technology and geomatics engineering, analyzes spatially referenced geographical information. Geomatics is a scientific term. It consists of tools and techniques. Technology is advancing, and modern Geomatics has the utility of maps by analyzing it with many coverages, each with interrelated themes combined to give meaningful answers for decision-makers. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to analyze spatial and nonspatial parameters together for decision-making at the local and global levels. Spatial information represented in the form of thematic maps about the respective attribute data, the system called, Geographical Information System (GIS), has been more popular during the last decades in government and private sectors. The decision support system can take input of data from these sources and analyze multiple parameters together to plan and manage available resources. This training program was intended for women scientists, researchers, academia, and professionals who were engaged and using spatial information, and who wanted to add and upgrade their skills. It was anticipated that a proportion of the trainee participants would come from research and academia. This training program helped participants generate interest in the use of GIS technology in their respective research and professional domains. This paper elaborately describes the process, and structure of the short-term capacity-building training program, and its usefulness for young scientists and professionals, specifically a target group is 'women in science' who have not been able to remain in the continue its use and are interested in building a career in geospatial technology field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient monumental complexes need continuous analysis and monitoring operations to preserve a good conservation status. For this reason, the analysis of decay and alteration phenomena represents one of the main activities for their preservation. At the same time, the diffusion of Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) methodology opens new scenarios for the management of Architectural Heritage. The paper describes the workflow based on a Scan-to-BIM approach for the generation of a decay map in an HBIM model. The workflow was applied to a significant case study, the church of "Santa Maria della Grotta" in Marsala (Italy). This church, partially excavated in a sandstone bank, is part of a larger heritage site consisting of a series of hypogea and a Punic necropolis dating back more than a thousand years. The Scan-to-BIM process, relying on an integrated survey combining mobile laser scanning and photogrammetric technologies, enabled the achievement of a complete 3D parametric model of the monument and, altogether, a detailed decay map in a BIM environment. The mapping process focused on the production of thematic maps of perimetral walls according to an abacus of decays implemented in a BIM system, useful for the analysis and conservation of the church. The work demonstrates how the Scan-to-BIM process is an efficient approach for 3D data collection and how it could facilitate the identification and mapping of pathogenic phenomena. Furthermore, the inclusion of this kind of information in the BIM model represents an effective tool for the maintenance and restoration of built heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildland fuel distribution and characteristics are critical components for the development of a national integrated wildfire management strategy. This study presents a methodological framework for the mapping of fuels in Mediterranean ecosystems in the different levels of a new fuel hierarchical classification scheme, using a spectral–spatial approach based on Sentinel-2 timeseries and auxiliary thematic maps. Furthermore, in the context of this research, a novel approach is proposed for separating Mediterranean shrubland vegetation into three broad height categories, using Sentinel-2 images, landscape variables, and climatic data. Two areas in Greece, namely Attica and Euboea, with major wildfire events over the past 3 years were selected as the study areas. The mapping methodology was designed to consist of three complementary mapping processes, each for the identification of specific types of fuels (i.e., urban, agricultural, and vegetation). The results are validated in a two-step approach for different levels of the classification scheme. The results for the first level display an overall accuracy of 88% and kappa of 0.84, while for the second level, overall accuracy was 71.64% and kappa was 0.68. Our research demonstrates the capacity to map fuel types with promising accuracy at different depths, highlighting a viable method that can be potentially exploited for the large-scale fuel mapping of Mediterranean biomes at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]