We consider two-person zero-sum semi-Markov games with incomplete reward information on one side under the expected discount criterion. First, we prove that the value function exists and satisfies the Shapley equation. From the Shapley equation, we construct an optimal policy for the informed player. Second, to show the existence of an optimal policy for the uninformed player, we introduce an auxiliary dual game and establish the relationship between the primal game and the dual game. By this relationship, we also prove the existence of the value function of the dual game, and then construct an optimal policy for the uninformed player in the primal game. Finally, we develop two iterative algorithms to compute $\varepsilon$-optimal policies for the informed player and the uninformed player, respectively.

A random variable $\xi$ has a light-tailed distribution (for short, is light-tailed) if it possesses a finite exponential moment, ${\mathbb{E}} \, {\exp}{(\lambda \xi)} <\infty$ for some $\lambda >0$, and has a heavy-tailed distribution (is heavy-tailed) if ${\mathbb{E}} \, {\exp}{(\lambda\xi)} = \infty$ for all $\lambda>0$. Leipus et al. (2023 AIMS Math. 8, 13066–13072) presented a particular example of a light-tailed random variable that is the minimum of two independent heavy-tailed random variables. We show that this phenomenon is universal: any light-tailed random variable with right-unbounded support may be represented as the minimum of two independent heavy-tailed random variables. Moreover, a more general fact holds: these two independent random variables may have as heavy-tailed distributions as we wish. Further, we extend the latter result to the minimum of any finite number of independent random variables. We also comment on possible generalizations of our result to the case of dependent random variables.

It is a privilege to write a preface to this Symposium on Canada before International Courts and Tribunals, which includes many stimulating and insightful contributions. In this preface, I go back to the beginning and focus on Canada’s first cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and before international arbitral tribunals.

For any integer k and any positive integer n, let $\sigma _k(n)=\sum _{d\mid n}d^k$. For any prime p and any positive integer m, let $\nu _p(m)$ be the largest integer $\alpha $ such that $p^\alpha \mid m$ and let $\lceil x\rceil $ denote the least integer not less than x. In 2021, Amdeberhan et al. [‘Arithmetic properties of the sum of divisors’, J. Number Theory 223 (2021), 325–349] proved that $\nu _2(\sigma _1(n))\le \lceil \log _2n\rceil $ for any positive integer n and that $\nu _p(\sigma _1(n))\le \lceil \log _pn\rceil $ for any odd prime p if n satisfies some conditions. Recently, Zhao and Chen [‘p-adic valuation of the sum of divisors’, Front. Math. 20(4) (2025), 795–827] proved this unconditionally. We generalise these results to all k: for any prime p, any n and any $k\ge 2$, $\nu _p(\sigma _k(n))\le \lceil k\log _p n\rceil .$ Let $p^\star $ be an odd prime. We also prove that there are an integer $k\ge 2$ and a prime q satisfying $\nu _{p^\star }(\sigma _k(q))=\lceil k\log _{p^\star }q\rceil $ if and only if $p^\star $ is a Fermat prime.

Drawing from an interpretivist framework, this paper proposes Black Embodied Political Subjectivity (BEPS) as a conceptual framework that foregrounds the body, affect, and historical memory as critical to political subjectivity. BEPS draws on Black political thought to challenge dominant epistemologies that prioritize disembodied rationality and abstract ideological commitments over lived, felt, and corporeal political experiences. Rather than treating the body as an inert vessel or secondary site of politics, BEPS argues that the body is central to the ways Black people negotiate, contest, and reconstitute power in lived political contexts.

The present account describes a new species of alpheid shrimp, Alpheus madhusoodanai sp. nov., belonging to the brevirostris group, collected from the Cochin estuary, the south west coast of India. This represents the first species of alpheid shrimps described from the estuary. The morphological and molecular characteristics of the new species are compared with those of its closely related congeners. The newly described species is separated from its morphological congener A. rapax, by its wider major chela and longer merus of the first cheliped. Molecular data also confirmed the delimitation of A. rapax with A. madhusoodanai sp. nov. Habitat and distribution details are also discussed, highlighting the potential for further taxonomic exploration in the Cochin estuary and the importance in uncovering its hidden biodiversity.

This article explores the use of composition as a methodological tool in ethnomusicology. By reflecting on the creation, rehearsal, and performance of the Suíte Afro-Brasileira—an original piece blending a big band with choir, capoeira, samba, and Candomblé ensembles—the author contends that the knowledge gained through composition parallels that acquired through bi-musicality, the established ethnomusicological practice of learning to perform music for research purposes. The multiple musicalities developed by composer-researchers in cross-cultural projects such as the Suíte Afro-Brasileira result in a form of compositional poly-musicality. This application of composition, however, intensifies the ethical issues of bi-musicality, forcing composer-researchers to rethink representational issues.

Clinical work with people who are seriously unwell and overwhelmed by psychotic functioning can be profoundly rewarding yet uniquely demanding. Beyond visible symptoms lie powerful unconscious forces that affect all involved. Drawing on psychoanalytic theory from Bion, Money-Kyrle, Menzies Lyth and Lucas, this article explores how psychotic processes such as splitting, projection, denial and rationalisation are transmitted to those providing care. Recognising and working with these dynamics not only deepens clinical understanding, enabling meaning to be found in apparently chaotic presentations, but also enhances the capacity to engage therapeutically with distress. Reflective practice, supervision and organisational containment are identified as essential clinical interventions to help clinicians understand the unconscious impact of psychotic processes and to preserve their capacity for thought and compassion.

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are cultivated worldwide for food and feed. Recently, there has been a growing interest in oats in South Korea owing to their nutritional and feed value. To support efficient breeding and genetic resource management, this study evaluated seven agronomic traits of 506 Avena accessions collected globally with two Korean oat varieties as standards. Seven agronomic traits – days to heading (DTH), plant height (PH), plant type, dehulling characteristics, 1,000-grain weight (TGW), seed length, and seed width (SW) – were evaluated over two to three years under Korean spring conditions. An augmented design was employed due to a lack of seeds and the field, and environmental bias was adjusted using Best Linear Unbiased Predictions. Statistical analyses revealed a strong positive correlation between TGW and SW and a moderate positive correlation between PH and DTH. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified that the first two principal components (PCs) explained 66.88% of the total variance, and that PC1 and PC2 were highly correlated with grain characteristics. K-prototype clustering analysis classified the 506 oat genetic resources into four distinct clusters based on the results of PCA, rather than their geographical origins. Cluster analysis indicated that Clusters 1 and 3 have potential for forage oat breeding, particularly in fodder use, whereas Clusters 2 and 4 may be valuable for grain-use oat breeding in South Korea. This study provides a comprehensive phenotypic assessment of oat germplasm obtained globally under Korean spring conditions and provides a useful foundation for germplasm management, cultivar development, and future genetic research.

Increased consumption of pulses can support healthy and sustainable diets; however, consumption of pulses in Western populations is low. Adolescents are an often overlooked yet important target group as they develop attitudes and behaviours that influence food choices into adulthood. To understand patterns of consumption, this study aimed to analyse characteristics and consumption patterns of Australian adolescents who consume pulses. Secondary analysis of the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey data from 2011–2012 was carried out to identify adolescent (12–17 years, n 1007, nationally representative of n 101 130) pulse consumers, compare their nutritional and demographic characteristics with non-consumers and describe frequency, types and amounts of pulses consumed. Consumption of pulses amongst adolescents is low, with only 6 % of adolescents (48 % males) reporting consumption of pulses. Pulse consumption was associated with healthier weight and diet characteristics. After adjusting for age, sex and socio-economic index, overweight or obese adolescents were less likely to consume pulses than adolescents of a healthy weight or underweight (OR = 0·82; 95 % CI 0·69, 0·99; P = 0·043). Adolescent pulse consumers reported consuming more vegetables, dietary fibre and Fe and less discretionary foods, saturated fat and added sugars than non-consumers. Baked beans were the most commonly consumed type of pulses, followed by pulses as an ingredient in a vegetarian meal such as dahl. Future strategies are recommended to promote the consumption of pulses amongst adolescents due to the low consumption level, with consideration of familiar and appealing dishes to support adolescents in achieving healthier and sustainable diets.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are contaminants of several agricultural crops, and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic AF and a known carcinogen to humans and animals. A practical solution for decontamination of animal feed contaminated with AFB1 is to use bentonite, a natural raw material consisting primarily of the mineral montmorillonite (dioctahedral 2:1 layer aluminosilicate of the smectite group). The aims of this research were to compare mineralogical, structural, chemical, and physico-chemical characteristics of three bentonites from the Balkan region (Beretnica clay from Serbia (B-Clay), Yellow clay (Y-Clay) and Gray clay (G-Clay) from Bosnia) with the characteristics of a commercial pharmaceutical-grade bentonite (P-Clay), and to study the behavior of the bentonites in phosphate buffer at pH 3 and 7 with and without AFB1. AFB1 adsorption by bentonites followed non-linear isotherms with maximum amounts adsorbed from 75.43 mg g–1 at pH 3 and 62.91 mg g–1 at pH 7 for the P-Clay to 100.25 mg g–1 at pH 3 and 78.58 mg g–1 at pH 7 for the B-Clay. The Ca-bentonites (B-Clay-cis-vacant, 83% montmorillonite; Y-Clay-cis/trans-vacant, 98% montmorillonite; and G-Clay-trans-vacant, 88% montmorillonite) were efficient adsorbents of AFB1, with the greater adsorption observed at pH 3. The P-Clay (Na/Ca bentonite, cis-vacant, 63% montmorillonite), exhibited the lowest AFB1 adsorption at both pH values. The behavior of bentonites in buffers, in the presence of AFB1, indicated that ion exchange and AFB1 adsorption by montmorillonite occurred simultaneously. Cations with larger hydrated radii (Mg2+ and Ca2+) represented the primary active sites for AFB1 adsorption. The position of OH– groups in cis-montmorillonites at the same side of the octahedral site enhanced AFB1 adsorption, making them more available for protonation of edge sites and subsequent interaction with AFB1. Specific characteristics of the montmorillonite in bentonites play an important role in AFB1 adsorption, although the buffer composition also affects the adsorption process significantly.

The alternation between wet and dry seasons in tropical regions can dramatically affect parasite infection dynamics by influencing larval survival, intermediate-host density, definitive-host foraging behaviour, and host immune function. Freshwater chelonians are excellent models for studying parasite-host ecology. Their longevity, site fidelity, and dietary breadth make them valuable sentinel species for aquatic ecosystem health. Here, we identified the gastrointestinal helminth fauna of scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) from Marajó Island and evaluated seasonal effects on parasite community dynamics. We observed a 71% reduction in parasite load during the dry season and substantial compositional shifts, in addition to species-specific responses: Spiroxys figueiredoi exclusively during floods and Nematophila grandis peaking during dry periods. Parasite species with flexible transmission pathways may thrive while specialists decline. Kinosternon scorpioides and its parasites function as sentinels, and monitoring helminth community composition could more accurately track ecosystem health than measuring host abundance alone.

Recent years have seen considerable debate about the shifting contours of international order, regarding whether or not there is a “Western liberal world order” and the power and influence of its illiberal challengers. Indeed, the old certainties of the bipolar international system created by the Cold War are an increasingly distant memory, and the unipolar moment of unchecked US dominance is now seen as an interregnum in the seemingly inevitable move toward a multipolar future for global politics. As a country of major geostrategic importance, Iran often has been a key player in the shifts that have occurred in both regional and global geopolitics over the last hundred years. This includes being an arena for Russian tsarist, Ottoman, and British imperial competition during World War I and later being a founding member of the League of Nations. As an important oil producer and a state that saw itself as a leading postcolonial actor, Iran was also one of the founding members of OPEC and the G77. From its experience of imperial penetration by European powers in the early twentieth century to its emergence as a key Western ally and “regional policeman” in the Cold War era, Iran has had to engage with the shifting interests of global powers and associated notions of international order. These have had a critical influence on the development of modern Iran, shaping its politics, society, and international relations and helping to lay the foundations for opposition to the prevailing norms that governed Iran’s relations with the world up until 1979.