Why Modern Open Source Projects Fail

Open source is experiencing a renaissance period, due to the appearance of modern platforms and workflows for developing and maintaining public code. As a result, developers are creating open source software at speeds never seen before. Consequently, these projects are also facing unprecedented mortality rates. To better understand the reasons for the failure of modern open source projects, this paper describes the results of a survey with the maintainers of 104 popular GitHub systems that have been deprecated. We provide a set of nine reasons for the failure of these open source projects. We also show that some maintenance practices -- specifically the adoption of contributing guidelines and continuous integration -- have an important association with a project failure or success. Finally, we discuss and reveal the principal strategies developers have tried to overcome the failure of the studied projects.Comment: Paper accepted at 25th International Symposium on the Foundations of Software Engineering (FSE), pages 1-11, 201

Resolving the unresolved: online microdialysis coupled to ICPQQQ for the simultaneous sampling and analysis of dissolved elements in soil solution

Assessing rapid chemical-elemental reactions in soils is significantly inhibited by the spatial and temporal resolution of current sampling techniques [RhizonTM samplers, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGTs)]1 . Soil chemistry is typically investigated over hours-days-weeks and with poor sampling density; the vast majority of reactions occur within seconds-minutes. Microdialysis (MD) is a new technique in the field of soil science that uses small probes to sample compounds dissolved in soil solution, with minimal disturbance to the external environment2 . Initially developed for use in neuroscience, MD has the potential for translation to environmental geochemistry to define soil chemical/physical parameters, and better inform predictive models for soil-to-plant transfer of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) or essential nutrients. One considerable experimental challenge for MD is balancing the target analyte recovery efficiency with the sample volume required for the analytical chemistry technique, which can significantly affect how often elemental speciation changes and soil fixation events can be measured3 . To overcome this challenge, we have begun development of a novel integrated online MD sampling and analysis technique, through direct coupling of MD probes with triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-QQQ) using a microflow total consumption nebulizer with no additional modifications. This poster will present the initial setup, optimisation and application of the technique to the sampling and analysis of multiple elements in soil solution, alongside future perspectives on how information gained from this promising technique can contribute to the management of global societal and agricultural issues (e.g. nutrient supply to staple crops, contaminated land remediation)

Geochemistry and health Kenyan stakeholder workshops 2022

This report summarises an exchange visit carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to disseminate soil geochemical and public health data collated over the previous five years with partners from the University of Eldoret and Moi University to relevant stakeholders. A series of workshops provided a platform for the co-design of digital tool applications to ensure accessible data and to identify end-users with appropriate heads of agricultural and public health offices from 20 County governments. Workshop hubs were held in Kisii, Kisumu, and Eldoret between 23rd June and 3rd July 2022. This report describes a knowledge exchange visit to Kenya by BGS with partners at the University of Eldoret and Moi University leading on the dissemination of consortia data outputs and outcomes via coordinated workshops for leaders in agricultural and public health invited from each of 20 County governments (50+ attendees across three hubs), with additional practitioners familiar with the research-to-government-to-industry interaction in attendance. The geochemistry and public health data resulted from a comprehensive programme of data collection between 2016 and 2019 to inform the geochemical spatial influence on agricultural practices and for future use of a geochemical predictive model in determining the geospatial influence on non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, micronutrient deficiency). Additional focussed meetings with key stakeholders were undertaken to improve data uptake and outcomes, including the Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation and Kenya Forestry Research Institute. Background for the project collation of the data can be found at: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/geochemistry-and-health

Geochemistry and health data to inform public health outcomes in western Kenya

Environmental geochemistry data can reveal spatial differences in dietary intake with implications for health status. For example, soil and subsequently crop chemistry data is influenced by changes in soil type, pH, geology and geographical features (amongst other factors). Specific soil and food composition data can support estimates of dietary mineral supplies (Watts et al. 2019, 2021a). However, additional metrics can supplement the understanding of links between geochemistry and health in Western Kenya. Here we present a summary of data from a survey of soil and crops, but will focus in particular on the private drinking water and urines as an estimate of nutritional status or exposure to potentially harmful elements collected across 20 Counties in Western Kenya. We discuss the potential for interpreting health metrics, including: food dietary estimates, drinking water and biomonitoring data (urine – Watts et al. 2020; 2021b). Comparisons between these metrics will be discussed, along with the limitations in interpreting these data. These datasets were presented to stakeholders from each of the 20 Counties in June 2022 to provide feedback on data outcomes and to co-design the data delivery to assist in dissemination. Stakeholders included the leaders of agriculture and public health offices in each County government office and from academia. This second point of discussion will raise the importance of information flow back and the challenges in doing so e.g. mis-/over-interpretation of data, opportunities to incorporate into decision making and the stimulation of new research. In particular, the value of undertaking a multi-disciplinary research project to encourage stakeholders to plan intervention strategies with a multi-disciplinary consideration

Workshop on dynamics of land to lake transfers in the Winam Gulf

This report describes a stakeholder engagement workshop carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and research partners from the University of Eldoret and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute in December 2023. This workshop was co-funded by a Royal Society International Collaboration Grant (ICA\R1\191077 entitled ‘Dynamics of Environmental Geochemistry and Health in a Lake-wide Basin’) and a NERC NC-International grant (NE/X006255/1, entitled ‘Geoscience to tackle global environmental challenges’). The aim of this workshop was to disseminate our most recent research findings on soil erosion and sediment source apportionment in the Winam Gulf, Kenya. We also built upon previous stakeholder engagement meetings where discussions were held to identify the most effective methods of delivering outputs where they can be used to inform strategies to mitigate soil erosion and sediment transfers in the catchment resulting from poor land management. All the information collected from participants will be used to inform future workshops, planned for June 2024 and final data distribution tools. Furthermore, it was recommended by the workshop participants that the need for greater capacity building could be achieved through the formation of a committee which oversees and plans the coordination of land-lake activities through the communication and sharing of the latest activities, interests and needs of the combined land/lake communities in the Lake Victoria basin. The formation of such a committee could be facilitated through this research project and would be the first step towards creating an impactful management framework. This could provide an exemplar for other land-lake systems

Public health assessment of Kenyan ASGM communities using multi-element biomonitoring, dietary and environmental evaluation

The Kakamega gold belt's natural geological enrichment and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) have resulted in food and environmental pollution, human exposure, and subsequent risks to health. This study aimed to characterise exposure pathways and risks among ASGM communities. Human hair, nails, urine, water, and staple food crops were collected and analysed from 144 ASGM miners and 25 people from the ASGM associated communities. Exposure to PHEs was predominantly via drinking water from mine shafts, springs and shallow-wells (for As>Pb>Cr>Al), with up to 366 µg L−1 arsenic measured in shaft waters consumed by miners. Additional exposure was via consumption of locally grown crops (for As>Ni>Pb>Cr>Cd>Hg>Al) besides inhalation of Hg vapour and dust, and direct dermal contact with Hg. Urinary elemental concentrations for both ASGM workers and wider ASGM communities were in nearly all cases above bioequivalents and reference upper thresholds for As, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Sb, with median concentrations of 12.3, 0.4, 1.6, 5.1, 0.7 and 0.15 µg L−1, respectively. Urinary As concentrations showed a strong positive correlation (0.958) with As in drinking water. This study highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in integrating environmental, dietary, and public health investigations to better characterise the hazards and risks associated with ASGM and better understand the trade-offs associated with ASGM activities relating to public health and environmental sustainability. Further research is crucial, and study results have been shared with Public Health and Environmental authorities to inform mitigation efforts

Iodine status in western Kenya: a community-based cross-sectional survey of urinary and drinking water iodine concentrations

Spot urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) are presented for 248 individuals from western Kenya with paired drinking water collected between 2016 and 2018. The median UIC was 271 µg L−1, ranging from 9 to 3146 µg L−1, unadjusted for hydration status/dilution. From these data, 12% were potentially iodine deficient ( 300 µg L−1). The application of hydration status/urinary dilution correction methods was evaluated for UICs, using creatinine, osmolality and specific gravity. The use of specific gravity correction for spot urine samples to account for hydration status/urinary dilution presents a practical approach for studies with limited budgets, rather than relying on unadjusted UICs, 24 h sampling, use of significantly large sample size in a cross-sectional study and other reported measures to smooth out the urinary dilution effect. Urinary corrections did influence boundary assessment for deficiency–sufficiency–excess for this group of participants, ranging from 31 to 44% having excess iodine intake, albeit for a study of this size. However, comparison of the correction methods did highlight that 22% of the variation in UICs was due to urinary dilution, highlighting the need for such correction, although creatinine performed poorly, yet specific gravity as a low-cost method was comparable to osmolality corrections as the often stated ‘gold standard’ metric for urinary concentration. Paired drinking water samples contained a median iodine concentration of 3.2 µg L−1 (0.2–304.1 µg L−1). A weak correlation was observed between UIC and water-I concentrations (R = 0.11)

Iodine soil dynamics and methods of measurement: a review

Iodine is an essential micronutrient for human health: insufficient intake can have multiple effects on development and growth, affecting approximately 1.9 billion people worldwide. Previous reviews have focussed on iodine analysis in environmental and biological samples, however, no such review exists for the determination of iodine fractionation and speciation in soils. This article reviews the geodynamics of both stable 127I and the long-lived isotope 129I (t1/2 ¼ 15.7 million years), alongside the analytical methods for determining iodine concentrations in soils, including consideration of sample preparation. The ability to measure total iodine concentration in soils has developed significantly from rudimentary spectrophotometric analysis methods to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Analysis with ICP-MS has been reported as the best method for determining iodine concentrations in a range of environmental samples and soils due to developments in extraction procedures and sensitivity, with extremely good detection limits typically <mg L_1. The ability of ICP-MS to measure iodine and its capabilities to couple on-line separation tools has the significance to develop the understanding of iodine geodynamics. In addition, nuclear-related analysis and recent synchrotron light source analysis are discussed

Spatial distribution and loss of micronutrients in soils from two different land use management

Land use – land cover changes affect the ecosystems' status and integrity to support and supply the services. Agricultural activities and attendant soil erosion, leaching or depletion of nutrients may result in increased soil degradation. The study investigated micronutrient spatial distribution and concentration in soils within two different agricultural land use management. The study employed RUSLE equations to determine the erosion rate within the selected plots. Topsoils (5-10cm) from different points within the plots were collected and analyzed for micronutrients using ICPMS(QQQ). The plots are located in high potential soil erosion places with soil erodibility (K) factor OF 0.031-ton ha-1MJ-1mm-1 within the Ombeyi river catchment. The soil erosion was estimated to be > 50t ha-1 year-1 , implying the high loss of nutrients; hence, over 52 elements were analyzed. The two plots compared micronutrients iodine (I), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo). In Plot 1(no terraces), micronutrients were concentrated at the base of the plot, while in plot 2 ( terraces), some elements were evenly distributed. There is a significant difference in the concentration of elements between the plots; I, Se, Cu, Ca and Mg, depicting a p-Value of 0.05. Elements in plot one were mapped with high concentration at the lower part of the plot as related to plot two which most of the elements were evenly distributed hence reduced micronutrients in plot 2. This encourages educating farmers on the importance of good terrain soil management

Considerations for environmental biogeochemistry and food security for aquaculture around Lake Victoria, Kenya

The impact of population expansion through economic growth and development has been identified as one of the key drivers of both water and sediment contamination from potentially harmful elements (PHEs). This presents a major hazard not only to aquatic ecosystems but local riparian communities and beyond who rely heavily on this natural resource for drinking water and fish—a valuable source of dietary micronutrients and protein. The present study measured biogeochemical concentration of PHEs in water, sediment and fish from locations pooled into four zones within Winam Gulf and Lake Victoria area of Kenya. Captured fish were used as a sentinel receptor of lake health to evaluate potential risks to fisheries and aquaculture food security. In water, concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) were observed above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) maximum contamination level drinking water guidelines (MCL), with aluminium (Al) observed above the Aquatic Life Criteria in all four zones. Similarly, sediment concentrations in all four zones exceeded the US EPA Effects range low (ERL) threshold guidelines for Cu, nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and Pb, with Cu, Zn and Pb classed at moderate contamination levels using the contamination factor. Fish tissue concentrations from the four zones were calculated using recommended daily intakes (RDI) and for PHEs as provisional maximum tolerable intakes (PMTIs) and indicated most macro- and micronutrients were at or below 10% RDI from aquaculture and wild fish, with Se indicating a greater RDI (16–29%) in all the zones. Contributions of PHEs to PMTIs were below threshold guidelines for both aquaculture and wild fish with only Cd, Cr and Pb levels being above the PMTI thresholds. There is a need to assess the long-term effects of persistent anthropogenic PHE input into Winam Gulf and the wider Lake Victoria basin. Continued monitoring of PHEs using both historical and more recent data will enable future management policies to be implemented through improved mitigation strategies to reduce their impact on water quality, fish health and subsequent human health