Memory -dependent fake news dissemination and control: A fractional SVEIR model with stability analysis

Medical examination of human tissue is preferably performed by imaging the tissue surface. Optical imaging techniques are limited by low penetration depth due to high tissue scattering, whereas sensing techniques can detect changes deeper inside the tissue. Near-infrared sensing methods such as oximetry and fNIRS are already used clinically but have not yet been applied in endoscopy. We investigate the existence of iso-pathlength (IPL) points in endoscopic geometry, with the goal of extending the concept of IPL points from cylindrical and half-infinite geometries into hollow cylindrical tissue relevant to endoscopy. In addition, we demonstrate the ability to extract the absorption properties of a tissue at this structure by the IPL and demonstrate it by ex vivo experiment. The IPL point is a unique position in the full scattering profile, independent of tissue scattering and dependent only on the tissue absorption and geometry. We studied two directions in cylindrical endoscopic geometry: azimuthal and longitudinal. First, diffusion theory with extrapolated zero-boundary conditions was applied to predict IPL positions. These predictions were then tested using Monte Carlo simulations of photon distribution and validated experimentally using phantoms with cylindrical air holes measured by endoscopy. Finally, using the experimentally identified IPL point and applying the same procedure to a standard phantom, a hemoglobin-agar phantom, and chicken breast tissue, we were able to estimate the absorption coefficient of the chicken tissue. Both azimuthal and longitudinal IPL points were identified. The experimental azimuthal IPL point was found at an angle of , whereas the longitudinal IPL point appeared at a distance of from the laser spot center. These findings confirm the theoretical and simulation predictions. Moreover, from the ex vivo experiment of a chicken breast, the IPL point enables us to calculate the absorption coefficient and get , within the range of . The demonstration of IPL points in endoscopic geometry provides a new framework for depth-resolved optical sensing in hollow cylindrical tissues. This approach may enable self-calibrated absorption measurements and open the way for improved diagnostic tools in the digestive system, esophagus, and other hollow organs where conventional endoscopy lacks depth information.

Institutional infrastructure for social innovation: The case of Mexico

This paper presents a digital twin system that facilitates robot operation and combined prediction of state and dynamics of a biped robot with imperfections such as parasitic compliance. The key contribution lies in utilising proprioceptive sensor feedback together with a contact-aware forward-dynamics (shadow) simulation, augmented by a contact-implicit inverse-dynamics controller—assuming MuJoCo's rigid-body contact formulation—to improve the replication of the robot's posture and dynamics. The speed and accuracy of the developed method is demonstrated through physical experiments on a small biped robot standing on flat, steps or inclined ground. The predicted contact forces are validated using the feedback of a force-sensing robot foot via the concept of zero-tilting moment point. For the first time, a systematic design of a robot foot using force-sensing resistors is presented to achieve repeatability, linearity, and sensitivity to small loads.

ABSTRACT Outlier detection and concept drift detection represent two challenges in data analysis. Most studies address these issues separately. However, joint detection mechanisms in regression remain underexplored, where the continuous nature of output spaces makes distinguishing drifts from outliers inherently challenging. To address this, we propose a novel robust regression framework for joint outlier and concept drift detection. Specifically, we introduce a dual‐channel decision process that orchestrates prediction residuals into two coupled logic flows: A rapid response channel for filtering point outliers and a deep analysis channel for diagnosing drifts. We further develop the exponentially weighted moving absolute deviation with distinguishable types (EWMAD‐DT) detector to autonomously detects drifts via dynamic thresholding and further distinguishes between abrupt and incremental drifts. Comprehensive experiments on both synthetic and real‐world datasets demonstrate that our unified framework, enhanced by EWMAD‐DT, exhibits superior detection performance even when point outliers and concept drifts coexist.

This paper introduces a novel framework by merging the concepts of non-Archimedean generalized Menger spaces and (ϰ-ϝ)-weak proximal contractions. Extending the best proximity point concept to a triple of sets, we establish new existence theorems for these contractions without requiring the probabilistic P-property, representing a meaningful advancement beyond prior findings, which is a significant generalization of existing results. The study leverages two control functions (ϰ and ϝ) within the contraction condition to derive optimal approximate solutions to fixed-point equations for non-self mappings. Consequently, our core results not only extend but also unify a range of established theorems within classical probabilistic and G-metric spaces. We present a significant application to theoretical computer science by proving that a self-mapping acting on infinite words possesses a unique fixed point.

Global land degradation poses a serious threat to ecosystem security and the sustainable development of human society, and the proposal of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target marks a new stage in collaborative governance. In the karst regions of southern China, rocky desertification control is shifting from a singular focus on ecological restoration toward a coordinated transformation integrating “ecological restoration and industrial revitalization,” yet the consolidation of governance achievements and regional sustainable development still face severe challenges. Taking the Zanthoxylum industry in the Huajiang research area of Guanling–Zhenfeng, Guizhou Province, as a representative case, this study applies Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and its core concept of the obligatory passage point (OPP). Through in-depth interviews, field investigation, and related methods, it traces the interactive network of human and non-human actors throughout the evolution of the Zanthoxylum industry from 1991 to the present, thereby revealing its dynamic evolutionary mechanisms. The results show that: (1) the rise and decline of the Huajiang Zanthoxylum industry are essentially processes in which a heterogeneous actor network is constructed, stabilized, shifted, and deconstructed around the OPP, and industrial success depends on the effective translation of diverse demands into a shared objective; (2) in the first stage (1991-2009), “large-scale cultivation” served as the OPP, with local governments acting as the core translators to effectively integrate the dual goals of ecological governance and livelihood improvement; in the second stage (2010-present), extreme climatic shocks and the alienation of cultivation techniques among internal actors led to the breakdown of network consensus, causing the OPP to shift toward “rebuilding quality-based trust and market order”; and (3) the long-term resilience of ecological industries depends on the dynamic maintenance of OPP adaptability and network governance capacity. This requires moving beyond a singular focus on technical restoration and constructing a collaborative governance framework for a “social–ecological network” that emphasizes the agency of non-human actors, cultivates a multi-actor co-governance industrial ecology, and incorporates brand credibility and ecological value into the core elements of translation. This study provides theoretical support for advancing the sustainability of rocky desertification control.

This paper offers an analysis of the DSM validation method, focusing on the role that non-empirical factors play in resolving forms of indeterminacy that cannot be settled by validator evidence alone. It begins by reconstructing the historical development and institutionalization of the DSM validation method, showing that although it emerged as an attempt to ground the classification of mental disorders in empirical evidence rather than in a priori preconceptions or contextual influences, it nonetheless came to rely on extra-empirical considerations at several crucial stages and was, in its very design, shaped by them.The paper addresses this tension by drawing on the concept of a decision point developed in the literature on science and values. By identifying a series of decision points that arise both in the application of the validation method to particular diagnostic categories and in the process of designing and developing the method itself, it argues that the incorporation of value judgments and metaphysical presuppositions constitutes a necessary and epistemically pertinent element that enabled the validation method to take shape and, when applied to specific categories, allows the validation process to move beyond its initial stages and reach a determinate conclusion.

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, the concept of ‘tipping points’ has gained prominence in natural and social sciences. A growing field within social science applies the concept in ways similar to natural science, aiming to identify and amplify societal tipping points in response to ecological ones. The paper examines the use of societal tipping points in the context of climate change, focusing on how the concept is mobilized in public discourse. We analyse how agency and cause–effect explanations are assigned and ordered in representations of climate crisis responses, contributing to debates about the function and adequacy of the tipping point concept. Through a narrative analysis of media articles in Sweden, we identify three public narratives: social, techno-economic and political tipping points. These narratives show how responses to climate are framed, emphasising the roles of social movements, technological innovation and political intervention. Social tipping points, which peaked around 2018, are portrayed as catalysts for societal change driven by collective action and shifts in public norms. The analysis suggests that tipping points operate as both an analytical concept and a rhetorical device shaping understandings of climate change, while also raising concerns about their use in social science and conceptual dilution.

This study aims to determine the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of the Cartesian Plane learning media based on the Gobak Sodor game on the coordinate point material for sixth grade students of SDN 107400 Bandar Khalipah. This study uses the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model, which includes the stages of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The validation results show an average percentage of 89%, categorized as very feasible. The practicality aspect obtained a score of 92%, which indicates that the media is easy to use by teachers and students and supports conducive learning. This media presents concrete and interactive visualizations of the concept of coordinate points through game activities, helping students understand the position of points on the Cartesian plane more meaningfully. The effectiveness test was carried out through pre-tests and post-tests, with the average score increasing from 38.25% to 81.85%. The N-Gain calculation result of 0.6643 is included in the fairly high category. Based on these results, the learning media is declared valid, practical, and effective in improving student learning outcomes. Thus, this media has the potential to be applied more widely and developed in other educational materials and levels.

Central configurations are fundamental equilibrium solutions of the Newtonian n-body problem and play a key role in understanding the structure and dynamics of gravitational systems. However, the classification and enumeration of such configurations remain incomplete in the four-body case, particularly for symmetric configurations. In this work, we develop a framework for determining and classifying symmetric four-body Dziobek configurations. The method allows the explicit determination of the number of admissible configurations directly from the mass parameters, without requiring prior knowledge of their geometric structure. Combined with previously established semi-analytical relations, this approach provides a systematic characterization of symmetric configurations in terms of mass ratios. As a physically relevant application, we apply the framework to the Earth–Moon system and determine the possible symmetric four-body central configurations involving Earth- and Moon-mass bodies and an additional object of arbitrary mass. We identify both isolated configurations and continuous families of equilibrium solutions, extending the concept of libration points to the four-body problem. The presented semi-analytical approach contributes to the understanding of equilibrium structures in multi-body gravitational systems and provides a foundation for further studies in celestial mechanics, planetary dynamics, and spacecraft motion in complex gravitational environments.

This themed issue aims to ignite a new dialogue on Nordic penality, moving beyond the traditional benchmark of ‘exceptionalism’. We introduce the concept of ‘pockets of punitiveness’ within the context of Nordic coercive confinement. By examining these pockets within the welfare state, we highlight how certain penal practices, such as (voluntary) isolation, youth punishment and indeterminate sentencing, coexist with and emerge from broader humane policies, despite their painful nature. Such pockets, in other words, expose the inherent complexities and contradictions in Nordic penal philosophy. By showcasing the breadth of Nordic coercive confinement, we argue that these punitive pockets are not anomalies but essential to understanding the multifaceted nature of Nordic penality. This issue thereby offers a fresh conceptual vantage point, encouraging nuanced and empirically rich analyses of punishment practices in Nordic countries.

This study examines the potential impact of using GeoGebra’s dynamic software on the ability of high school students to define the inflection point concept and the development of their mathematical conceptual understanding. By engaging eleventh-grade students from two classes and using qualitative methods, our findings suggest that digital tools like GeoGebra aid students to construct a clear definition of the inflection point concept and further develop their concept definitions and concept images in a way that extends beyond merely identifying prototypical examples. Therefore, this research study shows that the functionalities found within GeoGebra play a crucial role in shaping students’ concept definitions, concept images and more particularly, their ability to identify specific inflection points on function graphs. Uniquely, this study attempts to fill a gap in mathematics education research by investigating how multi-representational dynamic applets facilitate the transition from prototypical understandings to a comprehensive conceptualisation of non-prototypical inflection points. GeoGebra applets can contribute to creating a better integration of different mathematical representations: mental representations, computational representations and semiotic systems. These representations jointly construct a more comprehensive concept image of inflection points.

This paper examines the effect of dialect distance on firm performance in underdeveloped counties within urban agglomerations, using dialect similarity as a conceptual entry point and firms as the primary unit of analysis. Drawing on a panel of 33,228 firm-year observations from underdeveloped counties from 2012 to 2015, we employ a fixed-effects model to identify the causal influence of dialect similarity on firm performance and explore the underlying mechanisms. We document several key findings: (a) greater dialect similarity significantly improves firm performance in these regions; (b) this effect is stronger among older firms and more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises; (c) the positive impact is amplified in urban agglomerations with higher internet development, greater urban primacy, and higher per capita GDP; (d) dialect similarity enhances performance through increased sales, lower sales and financing costs, higher capital investment, and improved human capital; (e) further analysis suggests that cultural effects, rather than communication effects, drive the results. The study offers theoretical insights and policy implications for promoting common prosperity at the urban agglomeration level.

As of 2025, 85% of the world population lives in countries typically associated with the Global South. Fifty percent of the world's population is under age 30. This article introduces the special issue on "Young Adult Life Courses in the Global South." It aims to provide a conceptual entry point for globally comparative research on young adult life courses. We systematize and contextualize key insights from the twelve contributions to this special issue, which were selected through an open call, on 1) relevant macro-structural conditions for young adult life courses in the Global South, 2) conceptualizing adulthood processes, including implications for young adults' agency. Based on the contributions to this special issue, we propose a comparative framework that focuses on the locally specific interplay between economic, normative, and temporal conditions for navigating social adulthood. Second, we summarize the authors' critiques of established concepts of young adulthood and highlight alternative conceptualizations that they employ, including their implications for young adults' agency. We close by outlining avenues for future research for a globally comparative research agenda on young adult life courses.

Purpose Facilitated savings groups (SGs) are self-managed groups whose members pool their savings and lend money to each other. Over the past three decades, they have become one of the most widespread financial inclusion models in rural areas, primarily through NGOs facilitation. Yet, early scholars such as Bouman (1995) and Schreiner (2000) warn that external intervention may threaten their long-term sustainability. This study aims to investigate the factors that make facilitated SGs sustainable. Design/methodology/approach The study reviews the existing literature on facilitated SGs, examining the mechanisms through which NGO facilitation shapes sustainability. Findings The review identifies three interrelated dimensions of facilitated SGs sustainability – institutional, financial and social – and highlights the trade-offs they often face, such as inclusion versus financial performance and autonomy versus external support. These insights form the basis for a conceptual framework and point to priority areas for future research. Practical implications The results underscore the need for balanced facilitation strategies that strengthen internal governance, support effective financial management and integrate social interventions without undermining core savings and lending functions. Originality/value The paper advances a three-part, trade-off-based framework for analysing SGs sustainability, integrating insights from microfinance, grassroots development and organizational theory.

ABSTRACT This article explores how political elites use reference-point framing in democratic transitions to reduce uncertainty, thereby enhancing the credibility of commitment to democracy during periods of regime change. Drawing on the concept of reference points, primarily applied in political science to voters’ evaluation of government performance, this study examines its applicability in democratization. A case study of Georgia’s Rose Revolution demonstrates how elites effectively reference historical instances of democratization to garner domestic and international support and reduce the risks associated with political transitions. Using a dataset on reference-point framing in democratic transitions, the paper reveals several key patterns. Elites select precedents to demonstrate their regime change as democratic, peaceful, and gradual. Specifically, they tend to select precedents based on familiarity, connectivity, and similarity. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of how elites mitigate uncertainty in democratization and opens avenues for future research on the empirical effects of reference-point framing on citizens and international perceptions.

Investigation of Coca-Cola products (Coke and Fanta Orange) involving (the raw materials, simple syrup, final syrup and final products) was carried out using the hazard analysis critical control point concept. The production environment was also monitored for microbial quality. The total viable counts (TVCs) of the water samples varied from raw water to water obtained from polishing filter with the highest (7.5 x l02 cfu ml-1) occurring in the former. Coliform counts of the water samples also showed variations ranging from 1.0 x 102 cfu m1-1 to 5.0 x 102 cfuml-1 The total viable counts (TVCs) of the sugar samples (2.0 x 102 cfug-1) while the fungal counts 1.5 x 102 cfumg-1. The total viable counts (TVCs) of simple syrup ranged from 5.0 x102 cfum-2 to 7.0 x 102 cfuml-1 while the fungal loads ranged from 5.0 x 102 cfuml-1’ to 8.0 x 102 cfum-l. The total viable counts (TVCs) of final syrup were different for Coke and Fanta Orange, with the higher counts of 2.0 x 102 cfum-1 occurring in Fanta Orange while the fungal counts were 4.0 x 102 cfuml-1’. The total viable counts of the final products (Coke and Fanta Orange) differed on the day of production with the former (Coke) showed higher populations of 5.0 x 102 cfuml-1. The total viable counts and fungal loads were higher in Fanta than in Coke ten days of ambient storage after production. The production environment (simple syrup room, final syrup room, washer II outlet and filler line II area) showed variations in microbial profiles with filler line II showing the maximum (14.0 x 102 cfum3 for fungal counts, 7.0 x 102 cfum-3 for coliform and 25.0 x 102 cfum-3 for total viable counts respectively) and the minimum in simple syrup room 1.1 x 102 cfum3 for fungi; 5.0 x 102 cfum-3 for coliform and 1.0 x 102 cfum3 for total viable counts respectively. The carbonation level of the product (Coke! Fanta) differed also with Coke having 3.80 and Fanta 2.80. The isolated samples were identified as Bacillus spp, Leuconotsoc spp and Lactobacillus spp with Bacilis spp being more predominant in the environment. The fungi were identified as Fusarium spp, Penicilliurn spp, Aspergillus spp and Geotrichum spp with Fusariurn spp being more predominant. The pH of raw water (Borehole water) to final product (Coke and Fanta) ranged from 5.00 borehole water, 6.60 sand filtered water, 6.80 carbon filtered water, 4.00 Coke and 4.11 for Fanta Orange respectively. This work has shown that the microbial characteristics of the final product (Coke and Fanta Orange) are influenced by the quality of the raw materials and the measures employed in the production process.

Based on a survey testing people’s intuitions about questions, Lani Watson has recently claimed that the act of seeking information captures the nature of genuine questions and what distinguishes them from rhetorical ones. In this paper, I will argue that Watson’s account fails to provide an accurate theory of questions. By revisiting the survey cases and results, and using Searle’s conception of the illocutionary point of directives, I will first argue that the cases support and confirm a simple and straightforward aim-constitutivist theory of the speech act of asking: One asks a real question by uttering an interrogative sentence only if one’s utterance is an attempt that aims to get the addressee to answer the question it expresses. Otherwise, one is asking a fake or rhetorical question. Moreover, based on Friedman’s perspective on inquiring attitudes as states in which one has a question open in one’s thought, I will argue that the survey cases can be taken to expand and deepen the sincerity conditions for questions that Searle had initially proposed: One sincerely asks a question if one wants the addressee to answer the uttered question to settle an inquiring state of mind, or to make a target audience enter into it. Finally, in the cases in which the survey participants recognise the presence of a question despite the absence of any apparent speech act of asking, I will argue that they recognise an inquiring state of mind rather than simply an information-seeking act: They recognise that one is in a mental state in which one is asking oneself a particular question.

We generated the first chromosome-level genome assembly for California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis, using PacBio HiFi long reads and Omni-C chromatin-proximity sequencing, yielding a 0.917 Gb genome with a scaffold N50 of 35Mb and a BUSCO completeness score of 99.37. This beach-spawning marine silverside is the target of a unique recreational hand-grab fishery during its nocturnal spawning runs. Regulation of this fishery, initiated in 1927, remained unchanged from 1949 to 2022, when recent data suggesting a stock decrease led California Department of Fish and Wildlife to reduce the fishing season length. California grunion are endemic to the coast of California and northern Baja California, but within the last two decades the northern limit of spawning has expanded roughly 470 kilometers from Point Conception to north of San Francisco Bay. This genome will facilitate studies addressing the temporal and spatial genetic stock structure, and recent range expansion, of this unique charismatic native species and will also allow assessment of genetic responses to present and future environmental challenges such as changing temperature, and pollution as well as the impacts of harvest and effects of management.