bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Footstep Detection Thresholds with Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Luckie Thomas W. , Porritt Robert W. , Baker Michael G.
Published: January 2025

The resolution of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) has allowed researchers to detect and analyze a wide variety of seismic and nonseismic sources, such as humans walking. Using preinstalled DAS fibers in telecommunication conduits near human communities makes detecting footstep sources nearly unavoidable. Researchers in the environmental and urban seismology fields see such anthropogenic sources as their signals of interest. However, traditional seismologists may view them as undesirable noise. Targeting or removing such sources requires an understanding of their characteristics. Previous research focused on recording walking signals has demonstrated DAS’s ability to record individual footsteps along a continuous path. Yet, most studies have used footsteps falling immediately above the fiber, with walking paths running parallel to the fiber. Those works provided valuable information on how footstep wavefields propagate. However, previous researchers have not addressed how far away DAS can detect a footstep. Many seismologists use preinstalled DAS with little or no control over array location. Thus, the wider community would benefit from a better understanding of off-fiber footstep detectability. Here, we use wavefields generated by a person walking recorded by a DAS array to locate footsteps through space and time. The footsteps are modeled as a series of discrete impulse forces which are located with backprojection. We explain the recorded amplitudes of a fiber-oblique walking path using a seismic impact model and wave propagation theory. Using this model and the observed amplitudes, we estimate an empirical site-specific maximum footstep detection threshold distance of ≤24 m that is valid for alluvial sites. This threshold can guide researchers in finding ideal DAS array settings, whether they seek to record footstep wavefields or avoid them.
Haunted Summerville: Ghostly Lights or Earthquake Lights?
Authors: Hough Susan E.
Published: January 2025

Among the colorful local lore in the Charleston, South Carolina, area, are a number of ghost stories, shared not only over campfires, but also in published books. Among the most well-known stories is the tale of the Summerville Light. Local lore holds that a strange light sometimes seen in a remote area is a lantern carried by the ghost of a woman who once waited hours for her husband to return (DePoppe, 2023). Extant sources suggest the ghost stories began to circulate in the 1950s to 1960s. So pervasive was the lore that (Old) Sheep Island Road became known among local residents as Light Road, with a local stretch of road known today as Old Light Road. Reviewing the location where the lights appear as well as the nature of accounts, I suggest that many if not all of the anecdotal observations can be most readily attributed to natural phenomena, including earthquake lights from earthquakes that were too small to be felt. Accounts of lights near Summerville cluster in proximity to the generally accepted epicenter of the 1886 Charleston, South Carolina, earthquake, where foreshocks to the 1886 mainshock were apparently concentrated (see Dutton, 1890), and within a few kilometers of three M 3.5–4.4 earthquakes in 1959 and 1960.
Purifying tail gases of sulfur production units at GPPS and refineries. technical and economic aspects of technologies. Experience of the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS
Authors: Khairulin S. R. , Kerzhentsev M. A. , Salnikov A. V.
Published: January 2025

The article provides a brief comparative review of various methods of tail gas treatment in sulfur production at Claus plants. The main directions for improving the quality of the treatment from the point of view of improving the environmental and economic indicators of the process are considered. The practical experience of the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the development of technologies for the treatment of tail gases of Claus installations is presented.
A Somaliland Local Government’s Review
Authors: Abdillahi Mustafe Mahamoud
Published: January 2025

Somaliland is an unrecognized nation in the Horn of Africa, despite being recognized internationally as a de jure nation. Its neighbours are Djibouti to the northwest, Somalia to the east, and Ethiopia to the south and west. It is situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Aden. Its declared area is 176,120 square kilometers or 68,000 square miles, and it will be home to over 6.2 million people by 2024. One way to conceptualize local governments is as an elevated degree of political and administrative division inside a country or state. In general, local administrations carry out their duties by using the authority granted to them by the Somaliland Regions and Districts Self-management Law: Since there are no elected governors in Somaliland, a unitary state, local governments normally occupy the second-highest standing in the administrative hierarchy. This paper aims to address the following subjects: women in Somaliland's local government; challenges faced by Somaliland's local government; strategies for strengthening Somaliland's local government; and the historical background of local government, which integrates global, regional, and local history. This article will provide the audience with a comprehensive overview of the challenges affecting Somaliland's municipal administrations. Lastly, this study will make recommendations.
Legal Nihilism as a Threat to the Russian State and Society
Authors:   Associate Professor of the Department of Theory of State and Law of the Rostov State Transport University, PhD (Law), Sklifus Stanislav V.
Published: January 2025

The article discusses current issues related to the legal consciousness and legal culture of Russian society at the present stage. The categories of legal consciousness and legal culture are highlighted as the basic forms of the social — political system, since they determine not only the level of knowledge about law and legal phenomena, but also form the legal, political maturity of the population.
First of all, the problem of legal nihilism is touched upon, as a factor that destroys the level of trust to the legal and political system, forming a negative attitude of people towards the law, towards legal institutions and values. Legal nihilism is considered from the point of view of a negative component that creates a real threat not only to society, but also to the state as a whole.
This article will also discuss the main measures and methods aimed at increasing the level of legal consciousness and legal culture of the Russian population, various ways to combat legal nihilism at the present stage Russian society and state.
On Delegating the Implementation of Public Actions of Local Self-Government to the Population
Authors:   Professor of the Department of State and Legal Disciplines of the Sochi Branch of the All-Russian State University of Justice, LL.D., Professor, Uvarov Aleksandr A.
Published: January 2025

The article is devoted to the issues of criticism of the limitation of population participation in the implementation of local self-government. It is proposed to differentiate the degree of its participation in solving public affairs depending on the administrative territorial level, leaving "full-fledged" local self-government only at the lower (urban, rural, settlement) levels. In larger territorial units, a system of local government bodies should be established, and local self-government is proposed to be implemented as consultative forms of participation of the population (its structures) in solving public affairs.
The Economic and Legal Regulation of the Integration of the Russian Federation with Friendly Countries
Authors:   Junior Research Scientist of the Center for Research and Expert Examinations of the Law Faculty  of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Ikharov Mikhail M.
Published: January 2025

The article analyzes the general trends in the genesis of modern approaches to the formation of sources of law regulating cross-border relations for the purpose of integrating the Russian Federation with friendly countries under the conditions of sanctions. The question is raised about the consideration of acts of the national legislation of the Russian Federation regulating cross-border relations with individual and legal entitiesof friendly countries as the prevailing source of law.
On hidden procedural rules for review of marriage dissolution cases (part two)
Authors:   Associate Professor of the Department of Civil and Legal Disciplines of the Russian Academy of Advocacy and Notaries, PhD (Law), Associate Professor, Myskin Anton V.
Published: January 2025

The Family Code of the Russian Federation contains a lot of procedural provisions related to the process of
dissolution of marriage between spouses. However, such special provisions hardly exist in the structure of provisions
of civil procedure laws. It turns out that the marriage dissolution procedure does not differ from other civil case
review and resolution procedures from the procedural standpoint. However, this is not the case from the objective
legal standpoint. In this article, the author shows hidden but actually existing procedural rules for review of marriage
dissolution cases that need to be taken into account and observed at resolution of respective civil cases.
Study of inheritance of valuable economic traits in F1 hybrids of sweet pepper under conditions of Astrakhan Region
Authors: Karakadzhiev A. S. , Kigashpayeva O. P. , Gulin A. V.
Published: January 2025

Relevance. The creation of new varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper adapted to the conditions of the Astrakhan region will increase yields, product quality and competitiveness. The analysis of the inheritance of valuable traits in F1 hybrids will also expand the base of the pepper gene pool and create new promising varieties and hybrids that meet the requirements of the modern market and consumers. The purpose of the study was to study the collection and breeding material for the creation of F1 sweet pepper hybrids with a combination of new economically valuable ones in the Astrakhan region.

Methodology. The work was carried out in the Astrakhan region, Kamyzyaksky district in the VNIIOOB branch of the "PAFSC RAS" according to accepted methods and technologies. During 2021-2023, 82 collection samples and 420 breeding lines were studied, with a total area of 0.42 ha.

The objects of research were 4 varieties and 1 line of sweet pepper.

Results. In the collection and breeding nurseries, promising samples were selected, according to which hybridization was carried out. When studying the hybrids obtained, four hybrid combinations are of breeding interest: Cuboid red x Sprinter, Sprinter x Gift of Moldova, Sprinter x Flight, Flight x Sprinter. Inheritance was studied according to the characteristics: the type of bush, the shape of the fruit, color in the technical and biological degree of maturity, wall thickness and insemination of fruits. We studied the parental forms and inheritance of sweet pepper traits in F1 hybrids of four crossing combinations. Description and selection of combinations Cube-shaped red × Sprinter and Sprinter × Podarok Moldovan, exceeding the standard in yield by 5.7-7.3 tonnes/ha, which are of interest for further breeding work. It was determined that in the obtained hybrid combinations, the morphological characteristics of plants were inherited mainly by overdomination of the Sprinter variety.

Conclusion. The research results can be applied in practice when creating the starting material for future varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper, and the resulting hybrids will complement the range of existing varieties and hybrids of sweet pepper.
Effect of gamma irradiation of seeds on the development of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants
Authors: Kotsyubinskaya O. A. , Bondarenko E. V. , Kazydub N. G. , Blinova Ya. A.
Published: January 2025

Relevance. The modern direction of bean breeding is focused on increasing the protein content in seeds and green beans, as well as vitamins, folic acid, biologically active substances and antioxidants, improving organoleptic properties and reducing the content of anti-nutritional substances. When creating the initial material for breeding, the following traits are important: resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, stable high yield, technological effectiveness, bush type and upright form, high symbiotic activity. An effective approach to increasing the genetic diversity of the initial material is radiation mutagenesis.

Purpose of research. To study the effect of γ-irradiation of seeds on germination, morphometric parameters and duration of phenophases of Russian bean varieties and to determine the optimal dose of γ-radiation for the radiation mutagenesis protocol.

Materials and Methods. Objects of the study – 3 bean varieties bred by Omsk State Agrarian University. The seeds were γ-irradiated (source – 60Co) at doses of 50–200 Gy (dose rate 60 Gy/hour). The seeds were germinated under controlled conditions; germination energy and germination were assessed. The hypocotyl length, number and length of roots were measured in seedlings. The duration of development phases and productivity of plants were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed in R (ver. 4.3.3) and MS Office Excel 2019.

Results. Hormesis effect was noted for 50 Gy γ-irradiation dose, which was manifested in higher values of germination energy and seed germination (variety Pamyati Ryzhkova), hypocotyl length (variety Marusya and Pamyati Ryzhkova) and in a decrease in the phenophases duration (variety Omskiy Rubin). Gamma irradiation at all applicable doses statistically significantly inhibited root development. Root length, as the most sensitive parameter to radiation, was chosen to calculate the dose causing a 50% growth reduction (RD50). For the Marusya variety, RD50 was 40 Gy, for the Pamyati Ryzhkova and Omsky Rubin varieties - 60 Gy.

Conclusion. Variety specificity was established in the reaction to seed irradiation. Doses of 50 Gy or less (10-50 Gy) can be used to study the hormetic effects of γ-irradiation of bean seeds. Doses of 100 and 200 Gy turned out to be lethal. Starting doses of 40-60 Gy are recommended for the radiation mutagenesis protocols of Russian bean varieties.
Use of molecular markers associated with resistance to biotic and abiotic environmental factors in developing breeding material for tomato and pepper in Belarus
Authors: Babak O. G. , Drozd E. V. , Nekrashevich N. A. , Anisimova N. V. , Yatsevich K. K. , Shesteren P. V. , Bayeva I. Е. , Nevestenko N. A. , Puhachova I. G. , Dobrodzkin M. M. , Kilchevsky A. V.
Published: January 2025

Relevance. The development of a system of molecular markers that allows identifying the genetic determinants of resistance to pathogens, as well as the typing of alleles involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation, is the most important condition for increasing the efficiency of the breeding process aimed at enhancing the resistance of cultivated crops to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Methodology. The work involved molecular genetic methods of DNA isolation, PCR analysis, restriction, and evaluation of amplification and restriction products in agarose or polyacrylamide gels. The material used included the diverse collections of Solanum lycopersicum and Capsicum annuum, as well as the specimens of closely related wild species.

Results. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of 25 molecular markers presented in the literature associated with resistance to tomato and pepper diseases caused by fungal, bacterial, viral pathogens, as well as nematodes. Markers to the alleles of MYB transcription factor genes associated with the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in tomato (SlMyb12, Anthocyanin1, Anthocyanin2, An-2-like and Atroviolacium) and pepper (Myb113-like1, Myb113-like2 and ETC3-2), recommended for the breeding process aimed at increasing resistance to stressful biotic and abiotic environmental factors, are presented.
Production and marketing challenges of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Ethiopia. Review
Authors: Hasan J. K.
Published: January 2025

Tomato is one of the most important and widely grown vegetables in the world. The aim is to review the key challenges on tomato production and marketing in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, tomato production is concentrated in river, valleys and lakes, especially in Awash Valley and around Lake Ziway for favorable growing conditions, good access to market outlets and better infrastructure. Tomato production is commercially important for fresh fruit market and processing. Some of tomato varieties that have been in use by farmers are used for processing and for fresh marketing. However, several constraints caused inconsistent of tomato production and low yielding’s are; the shortages of improved varieties, inadequate transport, poor marketing system, poor cultural practices, unreliable rainfall, price fluctuation, product nature (perishability), post-harvest losses, pest and diseases. Lack of market linkages, post-harvest losses, low institutional support, lack inputs and transportation are the key challenges. Small-scale producers are struggling to gain market access, but due to listed challenges the farmers are not selling their produce in an organized system and not getting the right shares. Therefore, critical attentions in harvesting and postharvest operations are very important to reduce losses, to keep quality and market standards. Moreover, addressing both production and market-related challenges are essential to minimize the losses, to access quality goods and to ensure the right shares for producers, distributors, processors and traders.
Turkey’s approach to escalating tensions between the West and Russia in Russia’s “near abroad”
Authors: Tekin O.
Published: January 2025

The end of the bipolar world order following the Cold War and the challenges in constructing a new international system led developing middle powers such as Turkey to t ransform and adapt their foreign policy strategies. In this process, Turkey emerged as o ne of the significant actors with regional leadership aspirations, owing to its geographical location and extensive relations with both the Western powers and Russia. One of the key pillars of Turkey s development efforts and regional ambitions has been it s balanced, cautious and pragmatic policies in the face of the gradually escalating tensions between Russia and the West in Russia s near abroad, particularly in the Black Sea Region. Turkey’s NATO member ship and its status as a candidate for the European Union membership , on the one and its comprehensive bilateral relations with Russia, on the have made Ankara ’s strategy, adopted amid the tensions that have extended to indirect military confrontation between Western powers and Russia, an impo rtant subject of study in international relations. This article examines the evolution, prospects, and problems of Turkey’ s policies in light of the developments that have spurred tensions be tween Russia and Western powers, including NATO and EU expansion towards Russia s borders, color revolutions in Russia’s near abroad ””, the 2008 Russia Georgia conflict, the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine in 2013 2014, the 2014 Crimea crisis , and the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine backed by the West since 2022. In order to explain the Turkish perspective, the research mainly relies on studies by Turkish academic s and foreign policy experts and on analysis of Turkish official materials and discourse employed by high level politicians It concludes by emphasiz ing Turkey’s growing importance for both sides of the ongoing Russia Ukraine conflict in the region and the broader Russia West confrontation. While Turkey’s strategy towards growing tensions between Russia and the West is expected to be pursued in balanced and pragmatic strategy in the short term , it has a potential to change in favor of the West in the mid-term, if Turkey and its Western allies solve the ir trust problem and if the West backs Ankara in addressing its security concerns. The article presents the research financially supported by MGIMO University, project No. 2025-04-04.
U.S. deliveries of unmanned aerial vehicles to Ukraine during Russia’s special military operation
Authors: Tselitsky S.
Published: January 2025

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the course of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine since 2022 has become widespread on both sides of the conflict. On the basis of open sources, the article provides an overview of a fairly wide range of tactical drones supplied by the United States to Ukraine in 2022–2024. Key performance characteristics, functions, and comparative advantages of respective UAV systems are analyzed. The Russia–Ukraine armed conflict makes it possible to test drones in real combat conditions, and some types of the U.S. UAVs have already been or are being modernized on the basis of lessons gleaned from their use in military operations in Ukraine. While the Biden administration expanded the supply of tactical UAVs to Ukraine, it refrained from supplying heavy high-altitude and medium-altitude drones, due to possible high costs of such a decision. Among such costs, the article identifies U.S. concerns about the possible Russian access to sensitive UAV components if the drones are captured, the significant infrastructure requirements for their deployment, and the vulnerability of such UAVs to attacks by Russian missile defense and electronic warfare systems, inter alia, in view of the losses among Turkish-made heavy drones in Ukraine.
Gaza’s martyrdom: unpacking Israel’s strategy and its humanitarian impact
Authors: Israyelyan A.
Published: January 2025

Review of: Finkelstein N. Gaza: An Inquest into Its Martyrdom (Oakland: University of California Press, 2018; 2021)
Failed states: the end of the road?
Authors: Kuanishbaev A.
Published: January 2025

Review of Ali A. State Failure, Power Expansion, and Balance of Power in the Middle East (Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 2023)
Navigating the waters of crisis: an in-depth look at China’s decision-making
Authors: Kardashidi O.
Published: January 2025

Review of: Kamphausen R. D. (ed.). China’s Military Decision-Making in Times of Crisis and Conflict (Seattle: The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2023)
Juegos artísticos con imágenes recicladas. El collage y el fotomontaje = Artistics plays using recycled images. The collage and the pohotomontage
Authors: Gutiérrez Párraga María Teresa
Published: January 2025

ResumenEl fotomontaje y el collage en sí mismos son un ensamblaje de fotografías, dibujos, colores y algunas veces textos reciclados de publicaciones ya desechadas, en el que lo más importante es transmitir una idea imaginativa; crear una imagen nueva que surja partir de la exploración de las propiedades de las fotografías encontradas, en la que podemos o bien resaltar el valor semántico de las imágenes iniciales o por el contrario descomponer las imágenes buscando nuevos significados. Las asociaciones que se producen al jugar con las imágenes y los materiales reciclados, poseen una gran ductilidad que hace que estas sean unas actividades dinámicas ricas en ideas y simbolismos, de forma que en su parte educativa facilitan la creatividad y la comprensión del lenguaje visual.AbstractCollage and photomontage are by definition an assemblage of photographs, drawings, colors and texts, sometimes recycled and disposed of publications in wich the most important is to convey an imaginative idea, create a new image arising from the exploration of the properties of the photos found. They can either highlight the semantic value of the initial images or otherwise decompose images looking for new meanings. Associations that occur when playing with images and recycled materials have a high ductility, which makes them dynamic activities, rich in ideas and symbolism. That is why their educational aspects facilitate creativity and understanding of visual language.
Resistencias feministas por la justicia socioespacial
Authors: Ulloa Chacha Karla Monserrath
Published: January 2025

Desde la crisis del 2008, España vive una nueva situación de emergencia habitacional, siendo las mujeres las más afectadas; pese a ello, son quienes protagonizan las resistencias por la vivienda. En este contexto, se analiza en qué medida el Sindicato de Inquilinas de Madrid genera procesos de resistencia feminista por el derecho a la vivienda desde su origen en 2017, hasta ahora. Para ello, se ha partido del marco analítico de justicia socioespacial de Álvarez de Andrés, que se complementa desde un enfoque feminista, con la propuesta de Biosindicalismo Feminista de Pimentel et al. y el Urbanismo Feminista de Col.lectiu Punt 6. Desde sus discursos se demuestra el reconocimiento de las causas estructurales del actual ciclo de financiarización enfatizando en la feminización de la crisis habitacional. En cuanto a sus prácticas, se demuestra que han logrado hacer efectivo el derecho a la vivienda de muchas familias incidiendo en el ámbito político, mediático y social. Finalmente, en las estructuras, se demuestra su intención de formar una organización horizontal y sostenida para enfrentarse al problema estructural. El análisis señala a las mujeres como sujeto político clave en sus resistencias.
Transformación urbana de las ciudades basadas en recursos desde una perspectiva de salud.
Authors: Hong Zhizhong
Published: January 2025

A medida que el desarrollo económico y social de algunas ciudades basadas en recursos entra en una fase de declive, cómo promover la transformación y modernización de las industrias económicas urbanas, lograr un desarrollo saludable y sostenible desde el bienestar público y los servicios se ha convertido en un reto Este artículo toma como ejemplo la transformación y el desarrollo urbano de la ciudad de Taiyuan, provincia de Shanxi, en China. El análisis comparativo de los datos socioeconómicos, medioambientales y de construcción, así como de las políticas y estrategias públicas desde 2006 hasta 2022, refleja la tendencia de desarrollo y la interrelación de las industrias económicas saludables con su entorno ecológico, la construcción urbana y los servicios de salud pública. Se concluye que es necesario promover el desarrollo sinérgico de la salud pública y la transformación urbana para el desarrollo de políticas y estrategias de transformación adecuadas.
Macroeconomic and demographic impacts on Islamic life insurance demand in Indonesia
Authors: Tilova Tari Yulia , Wiliasih Ranti , Nursyamsiah Tita
Published: January 2025

Purpose – This study examines the influence of macroeconomics and population demographics on demand for Islamic life insurance in Indonesia.Methodology – This study uses time-series data analysis using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)method. The study period is from January 2015 to December 2022.Findings – According to the ARDL model, inflation and education levels have a positive effect on the demand for Islamic life insurance in the long run, while the Muslim population has a negative effect. In the short term, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita has a positive effect, while inflation and the Muslim population have a negative effect on the demand for Islamic life insurance in Indonesia.Implications – This study provides valuable insights for the Islamic life insurance industry and policymakers. The industry should develop inclusive and affordable products tailored to diverse financial capacities and preferences, including those of the younger generations. Policymakers should promote public awareness and collaboration with financial institutions in order to expand access. These findings can guide strategies to enhance market penetration and financial inclusion.Originality – This study fills the research gap by analyzing the relationship between Islamic life insurance demand, macroeconomics, and population demographics, where Muslim population has never been discussed by previous studies.
The effect of environmental disclosure on stock return of Islamic and conventional banks
Authors: Widayanti Mega Ayu , Rusgianto Sulistya , Setianingsih Hesti Eka , Kefeli Zurina
Published: January 2025

Purpose – We examine the effects of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure and green building policies on the stock returns of Islamic and conventional banks. Methodology – Data were obtained from 17 Islamic banks and 17 conventional banks from eight countries (Arab Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Bahrain) over seven years from 2017 to 2023. We conducted panel least squares with fixed effects (dummy variables) for cross-sections using EViews to process the data.Findings – The estimated results show that the green building policy variable is statistically significant to the stock return of Islamic banks, while the environmental, social, and governance variables are not. Meanwhile, the social dimension is statistically significant for the stock returns of conventional banks, but environmental, governance, and green buildings are not. Implications – Investors and policymakers should consider the implementation of ESG and green building policies to contribute on sustainability issues and gain financial return.Originality – This study tests non-financial performance, such as ESG disclosure and green building policy, on the stock returns of Islamic and conventional banks, which has not been extensively studied by the existing literature.
Classification Framework for Assessing Anthropogenic Sedimentary Facies
Authors: Russell Catherine E.
Published: January 2025

As the mass of human-made materials now surpasses that of Earth’s total dry biomass, there is a critical need for sedimentologists to account for anthropogenic materials when analyzing depositional environments. To address this, a classification scheme is presented that extends traditional sedimentological models to encompass the diversity of modern sediments and their complex dynamics. Through relying on established sedimentological principles, the framework incorporates bed-scale, grain-scale, and sedimentary structure descriptors, as well as a methodology for describing the composition of a deposit and flexible nomenclature. It is designed to be integrative and adaptable, permitting the incorporation of additional descriptions as necessary, and is applicable across depositional settings that are dominated by either natural or anthropogenic processes. The scheme offers a practical, systematic approach to categorize and analyze the textures and structures of anthropogenic sediments, facilitating the reconstruction of modern and geologically recent environments. This unifying starting point enables more detailed predictions of material behavior and their environmental impacts, with implications for recycling, reuse, and management strategies. Furthermore, standardized nomenclature will enhance the capacity for data comparability across field sites, facilitating further understanding of our environment. Applications of this classification scheme include many interdisciplinary possibilities, overlapping with archeology, environmental monitoring, and engineering. By adopting this classification, sedimentologists can forge a deeper understanding of the stratigraphic record of the Anthropocene, contribute to developing more comprehensive strategies to manage Earth’s changing landscapes, and better understand our future geological record.
Efecto del tamaño del folículo dominante sobre la calidad del cuerpo lúteo al día 7 post monta evaluado mediante ultrasonografía doppler en alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors:   , Arrayas Mansilla Almudena Isabel
Published: January 2025

La alpaca (Vicugna pacos) es un camélido sudamericano conocido por su fibra de alta calidad y su carne nutritiva, siendo una fuente crucial de ingresos para los pobladores altoandinos del Perú. Sin embargo, la crianza y conservación de alpacas se ve afectada por su peculiar fisiología reproductiva, siendo la alta tasa de mortalidad embrionaria una de las principales limitantes. Existen muchos factores que estarían involucrados en el proceso, siendo fallas en el establecimiento del cuerpo lúteo (CL) un factor determinante que puede afectar la supervivencia embrionaria. El tamaño del folículo dominante durante la fase de crecimiento folicular y al momento de la ovulación puede tener un impacto significativo en la calidad del cuerpo lúteo resultante, crucial para el mantenimiento de la gestación. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto del tamaño del folículo dominante sobre la calidad del CL al séptimo día post monta, día en que se realiza la transferencia de embriones en alpacas. Se utilizaron 24 alpacas hembra, las cuales fueron evaluadas diariamente mediante el uso de ultrasonografía transrectal con el propósito de encontrar folículos dominantes (FD) con un tamaño de ≥ 7mm de diámetro. Las hembras fueron divididas en 2 grupos de 12 animales en base al tamaño del FD al momento de la inducción de la ovulación: grupo FD 7-8mm y grupo FD 9-10mm. Las hembras fueron empadradas (Día 0) y recibieron 2ml de acetato de buserelina. Al Día 2, se verificó la ovulación mediante ecografía transrectal en ambos grupos. Al Día 7, se evaluó la calidad del CL resultante mediante ecografía bidimensional vía transrectal, tomando en cuenta el tamaño (mm), área (mm2) y la circunferencia (mm) del CL; y mediante ecografía Doppler para evaluar el flujo sanguíneo dentro del mismo...
Applying behavioural frameworks to contextualise reported influences on clinical trial recruitment and retention: A secondary analysis of three qualitative evidence syntheses
Authors: Doidge-Harrison Lya-Solange , Coffey Taylor , Gillies Katie
Published: January 2025

Background
Recruitment and retention to clinical trials are key processes underlying their success. Methodological work in this area has identified a number of influences, from both participant and trial staff perspectives, on what drives recruitment and retention. Collation of this evidence is crucial for these findings to be translated into actionable changes in how trials are conducted. Initial efforts to do so have resulted in qualitative evidence syntheses that summarise recurrent themes in recruitment and retention. However, many of these primary studies, and the evidence syntheses themselves, lack a theoretical basis to understand the reported influences. The objective of this paper was to apply theoretical frameworks to these evidence syntheses and assess whether they captured reported influences in their theoretical domains.
Methods
Two behavioural theoretical frameworks were used to code reported influences on recruitment and retention from three qualitative evidence syntheses. The syntheses summarised participant and trial staff-reported influences on recruitment and participant-reported influences on retention. These influences were coded into the relevant behavioural domains of the two frameworks. Each behavioural domains’ relative coverage of influences across the papers were calculated. The most and least often coded domains were identified, with potential interventions targeting the most frequent domains suggested.
Results
Both frameworks were able to categorise influences from all three papers. The most-often coded domains were “reflective motivation” and “beliefs about consequences”. The least-often coded were “physical capability” and “behavioural regulation”. These findings are largely consistent with other work using behavioural frameworks to categorise influences on recruitment and retention.
Conclusions
The selected frameworks demonstrated their utility in contextualising reported influences on recruitment and retention. These frameworks offer advantages in collation of evidence and for their integration in intervention development to target problem areas. Future work could continue their application, producing a significant and accessible evidence base on what drives recruitment and retention to trials.
The complexity and power of urban floristic diversity in the arid zone (in Central Asia)
Authors: Gulamov Mukhamad I. , Gafarova Saida M.
Published: January 2025

This work explores the biodiversity of urban flora in the arid zone of Bukhara city, Republic of Uzbekistan. The research is based on novel methods proposed by the authors – the study of complexity and power of biodiversity. The research also relies on established biodiversity indices: species abundance equalization (probability of species occurrence frequency) and Shannon index. The values of complexity and power of biodiversity indicators for real ecological systems are calculated for the first time. The results of the study show the following: The biodiversity of Bukhara’s urban flora is characterized by uneven abundance of species. A significant dominance of a few species (5) of trees, (3) of shrubs, and (16) of herbs was established. A high level of complexity in biodiversity structure was identified, indicating a robust association between species, accompanied by low biodiversity power. This reflects low stability, adaptation, and recovery capabilities of the flora. These findings lead to the conclusion that the general principle of biodiversity transformation in nature (absence of identity, unified logic, harmony, purpose, and order) is disrupted in urban ecosystems, as they introduce subjective logic, harmony, purpose, and order.
A Tungsten Polyoxometalate Mediated Aqueous Redox Flow Battery with High Voltage of 2 V
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Weipeng , Xu Weizhuo , Sun Zhaopeng , Tang Linning , Xu Guohao , He Xinyue , Deng Yulin , Sun Wei , Zhou Bingjie , Song Jianfei
Published: January 2025

As a promising stationary energy storage device, aqueous redox flow battery (ARFB) still faces the challenge of low voltage output, due to the limitation of the potential of water splitting (1.23 V theoretically). Herein, we present an ultra-low potential anolyte design by using Na substituted phosphotungstic acid (3Na-PW12) for an aqueous redox flow battery with the voltage output as high as 2.0 V. The 3Na-PW12 can store 5 electrons in the charging process and simultaneously capture Na+ or protons from the dissociation of water, resulting in the increase of electrolyte pH to 11. Because of the high pH value, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly suppressed and the 3Na-PW12 is partially degraded into a lacunary structured PW11 with extremely low potential down to -1.1V (vs. SHE). After discharging, the captured protons are re-released into the solution, therefore, pH and the structure of 3Na-PW12 are recovered. Based on the cyclic pH change and self-regulation process of 3Na-PW12 in the charge and discharge process, the aqueous flow battery offered a high-power density of 200 mW cm-1 and 160 mW cm-1 coupled with Br2/Br- and I2/I- catholyte respectively.
Anomalous CO Saturation at 26% on Cu(111) Governed by Long-range Collective Quantum Compression
Authors: Yao Nan , Chen Pengcheng , Fan Dingxin , Selloni Annabella , Fan Jianqing
Published: January 2025

CO adsorption on transition metal surfaces has been extensively studied for over a century. However, the challenge known as the CO puzzle persists due to the failure of density functional theory and a lack of extensive high-quality experimental data. This study investigates CO adsorption on Cu(111) using statistical analysis of atomic-resolution images. We observe a counterintuitive conservation of surface CO coverage, which remains constant at 26%, significantly lower than the theoretical maximum, regardless of patterns and temperature. We attribute this anomaly to surface-mediated collective quantum compression, which refers to enhanced localization of surface electrons as CO coverage increases, weakening the Cu-CO binding strength. We determine the effective radius of these long-range interactions as 5.3 nm, far exceeding the spatial range of direct C-Cu interactions. Our work provides new insights into the CO puzzle, advancing the understanding of adsorption phenomena and offering implications for surface chemistry and interfacial science.
An automated pipeline to generate initial estimates for population pharmacokinetic models
Authors: Huang Zhonghui , Fidler Matthew , Lan Minshi , Cheng lek L , Kloprogge Frank , Standing Joseph F
Published: January 2025

Nonlinear mixed-effects models rely on adequate initial parameter estimates for efficient parameter optimization. Poor initial estimates can result in failed model convergence or termination with incorrect parameter estimates. Non-compartmental analysis (NCA) and other manual methods have typically been used to derive initial estimates for pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. However, NCA struggles with sparse data and recent advances in automated modeling increasingly emphasize the need for initial estimates that require no user input. This study aimed to develop an integrated pipeline for the computation of initial estimates applicable to various data types and model structures. Multiple methods were involved in this pipeline: the adaptive single-point method using individual-level data, graphic methods, and NCA performed after naïve pooling, as well as parameter sweeping on model-specific parameters. The relative root mean square error (rRMSE) was used as a metric to select the most appropriate initial estimates from candidates generated by the pipeline. The pipeline’s performance was evaluated across twenty-one simulated datasets and thirteen real-life datasets. The results suggested that this pipeline performed well in all test cases. Initial estimates recommended by the pipeline resulted in final parameter estimates closely aligned with pre-set original values in simulated datasets or aligned with literature references in the case of real-life data. This study provides an efficient and reliable tool for delivering PK initial estimates for population pharmacokinetic modeling in both rich and sparse data scenarios, and an open-source R package has been created.
Comparison of early periprosthetic femoral complications following cementless total hip arthroplasty between fit-and-fill stems and tapered-wedge stems: a propensity score matching study from a single center
Authors: Ikemura Satoshi , Shiomoto Kyohei , Motomura Goro , Hamai Satoshi , Fujii Masanori , Kawahara Shinya , Sato Taishi , Yamaguchi Ryosuke , Hara Daisuke , Utsunomiya Takeshi , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: January 2025

Background: Few reports have focused on major perioperative complications, including periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF) and stem subsidence in cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), after standardizing the patient’s background and comparing different femoral component design at a single center. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the incidence of PFF and stem subsidence in patients undergoing THA between two types of cementless femoral component.
Methods: Between January 2013 and June 2020, 753 primary cementless THAs using a fit-and-fill stem and 526 using a tapered-wedge stem were performed at our institution. The patient’s background characteristics, radiographic findings, and perioperative complications were compared using univariate, multivariate, and propensity score analyses, matching sex, age, body mass index, and femoral morphology (Dorr type) between the two groups.
Results: In the univariate analyses, the rates of perioperative PFF and ≥ 2-mm stem subsidence were significantly higher in the fit-and-fill stem group than in the tapered-wedge group (P = 0.290 and P = 0.0001, respectively). The mean age and proportion of female in the fit-and-fill stemgroup were also significantly higher than those in the tapered-wedge group (P = 0.0274 and 0.0009, respectively). Four hundred and seventy-eight THAs were extracted from both groups on the basis of propensity score matching. After matching, the rates of perioperative PFF and ≥2-mm stem subsidence in the fit-and-fill stem and tapered-wedge stem groups were 2.3% and 0.6%, and 7.2% and 1.5%, respectively. The rate of PFF was significantly lower in the tapered-wedge stem group than in the fit-and-fill stem group (P = 0.0264; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–13.5, odds ratio [OR]: 3.7), and the same results was observed for ≥2-mm stem subsidence (P = 0.0001; 95% CI: 2.2–11.7, OR: 5.2).
Conclusion: Tapered-wedge stem is more suitable for any age, gender, and type of physique or femoral morphology than the fit-and-fill stem to avoid early perioperative complications, such as a PFF and stem subsidence in cementless THA.
Deep Learning for Automated Dental Plaque Index Assessment: Validation Against Expert Evaluations
Authors: Jeong Jin-Sun , Kim Kyeong-Seop , Gu Yu , Yoon Da-Hyun , Zhang Meng , Wang Ling , Kim Jeong-Hwan
Published: January 2025

Background
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare has led to promising advancements in clinical decision-making and diagnostic accuracy. In dentistry, automated methods to evaluate oral hygiene measures, such as dental plaque detection, could improve patient care and streamline remote assessments.
Objective
This study aimed to develop and evaluate a deep learning (DL)-based system that automatically detects and quantifies dental plaque, using a standardized plaque index, from intraoral images.
Methods
Seventy participants were assessed using the Quigley-Hein plaque index, a clinical measure of plaque accumulation, following the application of a plaque-disclosing agent. Images were captured before and after dye application. Each tooth was labeled using the LabelMe software, indicating both tooth number and plaque presence for training and validation of the DL model. The performance of the DL-based system was statistically compared to the assessments of a highly experienced dentist (10 years) and a dental hygienist (1 year).
Results
After data augmentation, the DL model achieved a micro-average accuracy of 73.67% and a macro-average accuracy of 65.15%, with a precision of 76.34%, recall of 65.15%, and an F1 score of 66.15%. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the DL model’s performance and that of the experienced dentist (P > 0.05), supporting its clinical reliability.
Conclusion
The DL-based system successfully automated the evaluation of dental plaque from images, performing comparably to an experienced clinician. These findings underscore the potential for AI-driven plaque assessment tools to enhance digital dentistry, support tele-dentistry services, and improve oral healthcare delivery.