bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nature‐Based Solutions Increase Sowing Success for Mediterranean Grassland Restoration: A First Short‐Term In Situ and Ex Situ Comparison
Authors: Saby Léa , Vidaller Christel , Ramone Hervé , Dutoit Thierry
Published: February 2025

Active ecological restoration of Mediterranean semi‐natural grasslands faces challenges such as limited seed dispersal and poor establishment of dominant perennial species. The aim of our study was therefore to test different seedling type along a gradient of nature‐based solutions including a commercial seed mixture with seeds of regional provenance, hay transfer, and seeds from ant refuse piles both harvested in neighboring non‐degraded grassland. The primary objective was to compare these three mixtures ex situ, in a greenhouse, in order to distinguish the effects of each sowing treatment under controlled common conditions with the same experiment conducted in situ across four sites in the Crau Plain (Southern France). Using a set of soil rehabilitation treatments, we compare alluvial quarries backfilled with former grassland or orchard soils, abandoned orchards treated with normal or deep plowing, and the reference grassland. In the short term (6 months), results already differed significantly between in situ and ex situ experiments. Ex situ, the commercial mixture showed significantly higher density than the other treatments and a high species richness. On the other hand, in situ, sowing from hay transfer and ant refuse piles displayed higher species richness, with a composition more similar to the reference grassland, while the commercial mixture remained similar to controls. These results underline the predominant impact of habitat conditions in constrained ecosystems, highlighting the importance of increasing the use of more nature‐based solutions such as hay transfer or ant refuse piles spreading to maximize grassland restoration success.
Plantar Pressure Distribution Patterns During Gait and Functional Mobility in Early‐Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comparative Study
Authors: Sabet Fereshteh , Ebrahimipour Ehsan , Anbarian Mehrdad
Published: February 2025

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterised by altered gait mechanics, which can lead to significant functional impairments. This study aims to investigate plantar pressure distribution during walking and assess functional mobility in patients with early‐stage KOA, providing insights for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Methods

Eighteen women with KOA were matched with 18 healthy controls for this study. We assessed plantar pressure distribution, relative phase durations during the stance phase, and performance on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Independent sample t‐tests were employed to identify group differences, with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

Patients with KOA exhibited significantly lower maximum plantar pressure in the Toe 1 (p < 0.01), medial heel (p < 0.01), and lateral heel (p < 0.01) regions, while demonstrating higher pressure in the Metatarsal 4 (p < 0.01) and midfoot (p < 0.01) areas. Furthermore, KOA patients spent less time in the initial contact (p = 0.01), foot‐flat (p < 0.01), and forefoot push‐off (p = 0.03) phases but more time in the forefoot plantarflexion phase (p < 0.01). Additionally, KOA patients demonstrated longer TUG times (p < 0.01), indicating reduced functional mobility.

Conclusions

Early‐stage KOA patients display distinct patterns of plantar pressure distribution and impaired functional mobility compared with healthy controls. These findings highlight the necessity for interventions aimed at addressing altered gait mechanics in KOA, which could help mitigate mobility limitations and enhance patient outcomes.
Effect of thermomechanical pulp fibers and clay on the characteristics of high‐ and low‐density polyethylene biocomposites
Authors: Ehman Nanci , Rodríguez‐Fabià Sandra , Andreassen Erik , Persson Anna‐Maria Märta Ruth , Chinga‐Carrasco Gary
Published: February 2025

This study focused on the performance evaluation of clay and thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fiber to reinforce low‐ and high‐density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) biocomposites. A 23 factorial experiment was designed using two levels of clay, TMP fibers, and PE as variables. Mechanical properties, thermal behavior, melt flow index, and water absorption were evaluated. In HDPE, the partial replacement of TMP fiber with 10 wt% clay increased the melting point. Clay also reduced the main polymer degradation temperature in both matrices (LDPE and HDPE). The mechanical properties of the samples with 20 wt% fiber and 10 wt% clay were similar to or better than those containing 30 wt% TMP, that is, tensile strength and modulus of 34 and 2700 MPa, compared to 30 and 2400 MPa, respectively. Although the water absorption increased with the addition of TMP fiber and clay, the water absorption of the composite with 20 wt% TMP and 10 wt% clay was relatively low and similar to the biocomposite containing 30 wt% TMP, that is, 1.15 and 1.07% after 30 days, respectively. The comparable properties of biocomposites with 30 wt% TMP and biocomposites with 20 wt% TMP and 10 wt% clay demonstrate the potential of clay to reduce the cost of the final product.

Highlights

Clay enhances the tensile modulus and strength, and reduces the color darkening, compared to TMP.

TMP fibers and clay reduce the melt flow index, elongation, and impact toughness.

TMP fibers and clay increase the melting point and reduce the degradation temperature.

Reduction in production costs of biocomposites by adding inorganic clay filler.
Performance of Building‐Integrated Photovoltaic and Addressing the Challenges of Color, Safety, and Light‐Emitting Diode Integration
Authors: Mohammed Shurouq Abdulqadir , Yousuf Hasnain , Jony Jaljalalul Abedin , Khokhar Muhammad Quddamah , Rahman Rafi Ur , Aida Maha Nur , Alamgeer  , Park Sangheon , Yi Junsin
Published: February 2025

Building‐integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) provide a dual‐purpose solution, functioning as both energy‐generating systems and integral building materials. BIPV adoption has been limited due to a lack of color integration, preventing the panels from being used in building designs. However, efforts to incorporate color into the BIPV layers have been made, but they often reduce panel efficiency. BIPV implementation faces several challenges that hinder widespread adoption, such as fire safety concerns and the integration of color aesthetics and light‐emitting diode technology. This article explores these challenges and recent advancements that enhance the aesthetic versatility and efficiency of BIPV systems, including the use of quantum dots, Bragg reflectors, and silver‐alloyed copper indium gallium selenide cells. The study also highlights critical considerations for optimizing BIPV systems, such as energy performance and fire safety. PVsyst 7.2 simulation results for a 10 kW BIPV system installed in South Korea demonstrate effective strategies for mitigating efficiency losses through investigating the orientation of angles. Results showcase a high‐performance ratio of 0.891, a high production of 14 147 kWh year−1 at a tilt angle of 30° while facing south, and a peak energy of almost 1450 kWh injected into the grid under varying conditions.
Evaluation of Different DFT Functionals and Basis Sets for Predicting Proton Affinity and Gas‐Phase Basicity of Small Organic Molecule MALDI Matrices
Authors: Yan Zhibo , Jiang Chen , Cheng Gang , Qin Lu‐Ping
Published: February 2025

Based on density functional theory (DFT), we conducted an in‐depth evaluation of the protonation energies of matrix molecules in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technology. Various error analysis strategies were employed to explore the discrepancies between theoretical calculations and experimental data. The results showed that, compared to other methods, the M06‐2X functional exhibited lower error and higher linear correlation in predicting the proton affinity and gas‐phase basicity of small organic molecule MALDI matrices, confirming the accuracy and reliability of this functional. Specifically, the mean unsigned error (MUE) for proton affinity under the M06‐2X functional is 2.01, and the MUE for gas‐phase basicity is 2.14. In terms of basis sets, 6–31+G(d,p) performs better than other 3 basis sets. To further validate the reliability of the functional used in molecular structure calculations, the performance of different functionals in predicting the bond length between the amino nitrogen and the adjacent carbon atom in the 4‐nitroaniline (PNA) and 2‐aminobenzoic acid (2‐AA) molecules were compared. The results indicated that most functionals, including M06‐2X, demonstrated good predictive capability.
Binding Affinity and Interaction Mechanism of Chlorhexidine with Lysozyme: Insights from Surface Plasmon Resonance, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Çungur Simay , Taştekil Ilgaz , Ozbek Pemra , Türkoğlu Emir Alper
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the binding affinity and interaction mechanism of chlorhexidine (CHX), a commonly used antimicrobial agent, with lysozyme (LZM), a crucial salivary enzyme in the oral cavity. Chicken egg white lysozyme (CEWLZM) was used as a model LZM. Tri‐N‐acetylchitotriose (NAG3) was applied in redocking analysis to determine the exact binding sites of the CEWLZM. The study elucidates how CHX interacts with LZM at the molecular level, employing surface plasmon resonance (SPR), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The SPR analysis revealed that CHX as an exogenous substance showed significant affinity for CEWLZM, with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 43.39 ± 2.07 µM. Molecular docking and MD simulations further demonstrated that CHX primarily binds at the active site of CEWLZM, stabilizing the complex via hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. These findings suggest that CHX's presence in the oral cavity could impact lysozyme's natural antimicrobial functions, potentially influencing oral health. This research provides insight into optimizing CHX‐containing products, balancing antimicrobial efficacy with minimal interference with host defense enzymes, which may enhance the safety and effectiveness of CHX in oral care applications.
Alkyl Fluorination Aromatic Acetamidine Cation Enhances the Lattice Stability and Performance of 2D Ruddlesden‐Popper Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Yunxin , Wang Rui , Lu Haolin , Chen Mingqian , Wang Hebin , He Tengfei , Shao Tianyin , Liu Yongsheng , Chen Yongsheng , Long Guankui
Published: February 2025

Fluorinated organic cations  are used to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of quasi‐2D Ruddlesden‐Popper perovskite solar cells (2DRP PSCs), however, most of them focus fluorine substitution on the benzene ring. Herein, a novel α‐fluorophenylethanimidamide (α‐FPEIA) spacer cation with a fluorine atom at α‐carbon of the amidine group is designed and employed to enhance the performance and stability of 2DRP PSCs. The single‐crystal structure of (α‐FPEIA)2PbI4 exhibits stronger interaction between the organic cations and inorganic skeleton, with a larger angle of Pb‐I‐Pb, thus benefiting the charge transfer and improving lattice stability of perovskite film. Furthermore, the theoretical results indicate that (α‐FPEIA)2PbI4 exhibits a reduction in the quantum confinement effect, which is conducive to carrier transfer. Additionally, the α‐FPEIA‐based perovskite film exhibits excellent crystal quality, suitable energy level arrangement, decreased trap states, and extended carrier lifetime. These enhancements boost the PCE of (α‐FPEIA)2(Cs0.05FA0.8MA0.15)4Pb5I16 (n = 5) device reaching 18.15% (vs phenethylammonium (PEA)‐based PSCs of 15.38%) along with improving the stability of unencapsulated PSCs. The findings demonstrate that introducing a fluorine atom into the alkyl group of the PEA and replacing the ammonium with the amidine group represents a novel approach for fabricating high‐performance and stable inverted 2DRP PSCs.
A Dynamic Deferoxamine Polymer with Exceptional Performance in Mitochondrial Iron Depletion and Cytosolic Protein Delivery
Authors: Zhu Fang , Ren Lanfang , Cheng Wenhua , Zhou Haohan , Li Yuhan , Liu Nan , Rong Guangyu , Liu Yunfeng , Yu Panting , Lv Jia , Cheng Yiyun , Chen Chao
Published: February 2025

Deferoxamine (DFO) is an FDA‐approved naturally occurring iron chelator commonly used to treat transfusion‐induced iron overload. The abundant and flexible hydroxamic acid groups in DFO enable exceptional iron binding capacity and high protein binding via hydrogen bonding interactions. However, the applications of DFO to sequester intracellular iron and to deliver proteins inside cells are limited due to poor membrane‐permeability. Herein, the fabrication of a dynamic DFO polymer is proposed to achieve robust intracellular protein delivery and efficient mitochondrial iron depletion. Specifically, DFO is grafted onto a polycatechol scaffold via dynamic catechol‐boronate chemistry. The obtained DFO polymer shows robust protein binding capacity, and the formed protein complexes show high resistance toward serum proteins. It effectively delivers various cargo proteins into cytosol of treated cells with maintained bioactivity. In addition, the polymer delivers DFO inside cells, and the released DFO efficiently depletes mitochondrial iron, which significantly inhibits mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Remarkable synergistic cytotoxic effects are achieved when the DFO polymer is loaded with toxic proteins. This study provides a general strategy for facile preparation of bioactive polymer toward robust protein delivery, and the designed polymer can be a promising carrier for the delivery of protein therapeutics to treat cancer.
Single particle protein profiling for high myopic cataract lens capsule tissue‐derived extracellular vesicles reveals macrophage involvement and AQP1 correlation
Authors: Su Yun , Wu Xinrui , He Wanzhuo , Yan Chenxi , Wu Yu , Fang Li , Guo Tao , Fan Xianqun
Published: February 2025

High myopia stands as the primary cause of blindness globally, with cataract emerging as one of the most prevalent complications. However, the underlying mechanism of high myopic cataract remains unknown. The lens capsule is the basement membrane enclosing the lens. In this study, we hypothesized lens capsule tissue‐derived extracellular vesicles (Ti‐EVs) play a vital role in the formation of cataract. Ti‐EVs were collected from the lens capsule of high myopic and age‐related cataract patients during cataract surgery, and isolated by ExoDisc. Then, we performed proximity barcoding assay for single‐EV analysis, which enabled us to identify the alteration of Ti‐EV subpopulations associated with high myopic cataract. Among the detected proteins, our findings revealed a predominant immunity cluster within cataracts, characterized by a significantly higher abundance of macrophage‐derived EVs in high myopic cataracts, which strongly correlated with the aquaporin 1 (AQP1) cluster, suggesting a potential interaction between these two components in the progression of high myopic cataract. It was also observed that the eye morphogenesis cluster may also work in concert with AQP1, potentially driving the progression of high myopic cataracts through this pathway. These findings not only shed new light on the underlying mechanisms of high myopic cataract, but also pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat this devastating condition.
Is Primary Surgery Followed by S‐1 Applicable Even for Type 4 or Large Type 3 Gastric Cancer With Positive Peritoneal Lavage Cytology?
Authors: Sakon Ryota , Hayashi Tsutomu , Ogawa Rei , Nishino Masashi , Ishizu Kenichi , Wada Takeyuki , Yamagata Yukinori , Daiko Hiroyuki , Yoshikawa Takaki
Published: February 2025

Background

The recommended treatment for gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology (CY1) is primary surgery and S‐1 chemotherapy, with 5‐year overall survival rates of 24.6%–30.2% reported in previous studies. However, it is unclear whether this strategy is applicable in cases of Type 4 or large Type 3 tumors, which have malignant characteristics and are considered to have different chemosensitivities.

Methods

The present study examined the survival of patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer with CY1, without any other macroscopic distant metastasis, who underwent primary gastrectomy with D2 or more lymph node resection, achieved curative resection except for CY1‐positive, and received S‐1 postoperative chemotherapy between 2000 and 2017. Patients were divided into the S group (Type 4 or large Type 3 GC) and C group (common GC types).

Results

Among the 352 patients who underwent gastrectomy with CY1, 40 patients were analyzed as the S group and 28 patients as the C group in this study. Both groups were similar in age and ASA‐PS, but the S group had more female patients and larger tumors. The median duration of S‐1 chemotherapy was 273 days in the S group and 358.5 days in the C group, with similar 1‐year continuation rates. The median overall survival of these patients was 24.1 months in the S group and 45.6 months in the C group, with a 5‐year survival rate of 23.7% in the S group and 22.0% in the C group. There was no significant difference. Recurrence occurred in 35 patients in the S group and 20 in the C group, with peritoneal metastasis as the most common recurrence site in both groups.

Conclusions

Primary surgery and S‐1 chemotherapy could be considered a viable treatment option, even for Type 4 or large Type 3 gastric cancer with CY1.
Applying A-PTV to RBC suspension flows
Authors: Sun Ang , Werner Till , Knüppel Finn , Wurm Frank-Hendrik , Torner Benjamin , Hussong Jeanette
Published: February 2025

In strongly confined flow geometries, red blood cells migrate normal to the flow direction, thereby altering the flow rheology of blood. Direct optical measurements can help to gain an improved understanding of these migration processes. In the present study, we demonstrate that astigmatism particle tracking velocimetry is a suitable 3D-particle tracking method that allows to directly measure both 3D concentration and velocity distributions of red blood cells in a flow. Red blood cells assume a non-spherical shape; therefore, the influence of their orientation on the reconstruction of the out-of-plane particle position is evaluated through a ray tracing approach of synthetic, astigmatic images. While for noise-free images, the resulting absolute out-of-plane reconstruction error

$$\sigma _z$$

σ
z

is small for different red blood cell orientations (

$$\sigma _z$$

σ
z

= 0.98 

$$\upmu \text {m}$$

μ
m

), it triples for experimentally relevant signal-to-noise ratios (SNR = 1.2). Reconstruction errors are compared to those of spherical particles. Overall, both the red blood cell orientation and the increase in signal-to-noise ratio induce similar out-of-plane reconstruction error values. Experimental analyses are also performed using both a red blood cell suspension system and a refractive index-matched suspension system of identical volume fraction (

$${1.5\,\mathrm{\%}}$$

1.5

%

). Comparing results from the red blood cell suspension flow with those of the particulate suspension under identical parameters for volume fraction, particle Reynolds number, and bulk Reynolds number, a similarity in lateral migration behavior is observed under the given conditions. The results indicate that the absolute out-of-plane reconstruction error in the red blood cell suspension system (

$$\sigma _z = {4.50\,\mathrm{{\upmu \text {m}}}}$$

σ
z

=

4.50

μ
m

) is approximately 1.5 times larger compared to the refractive index-matched system.

Graphical Abstract
How I do it: surgical resection of micro-arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Corvino Sergio , Alexander A. Yohan , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

Background

Micro-arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a subgroup of AVMs with a nidus smaller than 1- cm. As such, intraoperative localization of micro-AVMs can be challenging. Once identified intraoperatively, however, treatment of the micro-AVM is often straightforward.

Method

We discuss and illustrate the fundamental imaging and intraoperative steps to localize micro-AVMs with the aid of an illustrative clinical case.

Conclusion

Micro-AVMs can be challenging to localize intraoperatively. With the aid of anatomical, clinical, and intraoperative findings, the micro-AVMs small draining vein can be localized and traced in a retrograde fashion to identify and remove the micro-AVM.
Living apart together– public-private cooperation in the field of financial crime
Authors: Meerts Clarissa A. , Huisman Wim , Kleemans Edward R.
Published: February 2025

The focus of this paper consists of the extent to which public-private cooperation and relationships exists between law enforcement actors and private (corporate) investigators in the field of internal financial crime within corporations, and which factors may be identified that hinder or advance cooperation. Only limited public-private cooperation seems to exist. Rather, public-private relationships move on a scale ranging from more to less contact, both in intensity and in longevity. Promoting factors that are identified consist of the importance of mutual interests, shared goals and focus, networking and trust, the dedicated individual and communication and expectation management. Impeding factors include governability, a lack of trust and mutual understanding, the structure of the criminal justice system, the structure of the market for corporate investigations, the use of pre-existing contacts and laws and regulations. This study furthermore suggests that the internal context of the crime may enhance the role of three of these impeding factors: trust may be more difficult to obtain in this context and reasons connected to the structuring of both the criminal justice system and the market for corporate investigations may raise the barriers for cooperation even further than in the case of external crime. Based on the results of this study, a case is made to look beyond the vertical/horizontal conceptual divide used in much (criminological) literature. Rather, public-private relationships can be conceptualised as ‘living apart together’: public and private parties independently attempt to combat internal financial crime, but also manage to find each other when deemed necessary.
Multifaceted stress response in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings: integrative analysis of salinity, ammonia, and stocking density effects on growth, physiology, and gene expression
Authors: Metwaly Sameh , Nasr Hala , Ahmed Khalifa , Fathi Mohamed
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the effects of salinity, ammonia, and stocking density on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings over a 74-days. In three separate experiments, fingerlings (initial weight 25 ± 2.4 g) were exposed to salinity levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 ppt), ammonia concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/L), and stocking densities (10, 15, 20, and 25 fish per 96 L aquarium). Survival, growth performance, biochemical parameters, and gene expression changes were assessed. Salinity ≥ 15 ppt and ammonia ≥ 0.1 mg/L significantly impaired growth (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency) and increased mortality rates, reaching 37% and 56% at 20 ppt salinity and 0.2 mg/L ammonia, respectively. Elevated salinity and ammonia also caused significant increases in the activities of ALT, AST, LDH enzymes, along with higher serum glucose levels, while disrupting serum protein and ion concentrations, indicating considerable metabolic and osmoregulatory disturbances. At the molecular level, the expression of the growth-promoting IGF-I gene was down-regulated, while inflammatory marker TNFα was up-regulated, suggesting compromised health. Stocking density had less pronounced effects, though densities ≥ 20 fish/aquarium led to reduced growth, altered biochemical markers, and gene expression changes compared to 10–15 fish/aquarium. These findings establish salinity and ammonia tolerance thresholds for tilapia fingerlings, emphasize optimal stocking density, and provide insights into the physiological and molecular responses to multifactorial stressors. The study contributes to sustainable management strategies for tilapia aquaculture under variable environmental conditions.
Periodic Variation of Anomalous Cosmic Ray Oxygen During Solar Cycles 23 and 24
Authors: Kotzé Pieter , Mursula Kalevi
Published: February 2025

We investigate the evolution of the Rieger periodicity at 152 – 156 days, the 27-day synodic rotation period as well as the 13.5- and 9-day harmonic periodicities in anomalous cosmic ray (ACR) oxygen (O) fluxes at the energy range between 8 – 25 MeV/n observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) satellite during Solar Cycles 23 and 24. The ACR oxygen flux data is analysed using the Lomb–Scargle periodogram and Morlet wavelet spectral analysis techniques. Daily mean oxygen fluxes during solar quiet times are used to identify how the ACR oxygen at different energies varies with the Rieger periodicity and the solar rotation periodicities in each year. This is the first investigation of the periodicity evolution of ACR oxygen ions. Previous investigations have mostly concentrated on the spectral behaviour of GCR particles during various solar cycles of opposite polarities, in particular the 27-day and 13.5-day periodicities. Our analysis revealed a significant temporal and energy dependence in the spectral behaviour of ACR oxygen during both cycles. An important finding of this investigation, not reported before in the literature, is the significant increase in the power of the different ACR oxygen periodicities during the minimum of Cycle 24/25 (characterised by a positive solar polarity) in comparison to the minimum of Cycle 23/34 (dominated by a negative solar polarity).
Enhancing Object Release Fluency in Robot to Human Handover Using Proprioceptive and Exteroceptive Information
Authors: Penzotti Mattia , Controzzi Marco
Published: February 2025

Object handover is the fundamental collaborative action requiring robots and humans to physically interact. When the robotic partner plays the giver role, it assumes the responsibility of safely and fluently conducting the handover, aiming to enhance the quality of the action perceived by the human receiver. In these terms, complex scenarios, such as conditions for which the robot must reach the partner to present the object to handover, really pose the challenge of preserving good coordination concerning the observed intention of the human. A crucial aspect is gaining the correct timing for the beginning of the object release and controlling its duration. Here we show that robot proprioception and observation of the human partner kinematics are key aspects to successfully deal with these issues. We present a handover control policy based on two modules. The first consists of a filtering technique which guarantees the correct reactivity of the robot by estimating and interpreting the interaction forces generated during the handover. The second module is a bio-inspired control law for the object release, aiming for the best possible coordination with the human partner. The control policy has been implemented in a robot arm equipped with a sensorised artificial hand and assessed by 15 participants asked to hand over a test object using different reaching dynamics. The control policy proved to be reliable since we did not record failures of the handover in 180 trials, and coordinated to the handover dynamics of the receiver, although it did not outperform fast feed-forward releases.
Telescopic alluvial fans and pleistocene-holocene temporary lakes in the quebradas del Río Toro and Tastil (Salta, NW Argentina): main sedimentary features
Authors: Colombo F. , Salfity J. A. , Sánchez M. C.
Published: February 2025

The Toro and Tastil Quebradas (river valleys) present different terrace-like geoforms made up of deposits of coarse-grained clastic materials. These terraces display convex-upward surfaces, a highly variable distribution, have a small lateral extension and depend on the lithology of the geological basement, which differs significantly along the quebradas. The number of terraces between one area and another indicates that these terraced geoforms should not be ascribed to one single cause, but rather to a variety of factors, i.e. local variations at base-level. The coarse-grained materials of the terraces are usually arranged in roughly horizontal layers that characterize the outcrops. These are interfingered with fine-grained mud-rich materials. The freshwater gastropod remains in the mud-rich materials indicate that they accumulated in lacustrine-like sedimentary environments. These developed from alluvial fans that spread out from the lateral quebradas to occupy the entire main valley (quebrada), giving rise to natural dams and temporary lakes upstream. Absolute data obtained by radiocarbon (14C) methods strongly suggest that the alluvial fans were coeval with the temporary lakes in the Upper Pleistocene - Middle Holocene. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects could have brought about the local variations in base-level that generated the younger temporary lakes, whereas the older ones were probably controlled by precession cycles (at about 21,000 y). The large number of temporary lakes scattered across the region suggests the overlapping of forcing factors at local and regional scales.
Desire and agency: posthuman perspectives of becoming a ‘rebel teacher’ on a wounded planet
Authors: Ward Kumara San
Published: February 2025

This paper tells the story of my journey as a teacher and my attempts to understand and shape my education for sustainability practices over a period of 40 years. It is also an attempt to speak to younger teachers and to exemplify a process of becoming an educator that may be useful for others in navigating the urgent need to transform teaching to respond to the current climate crisis. Using autoethnography, this paper reflects on the process of becoming a ‘rebel-teacher’ on a wounded planet. I use Deleuzian concepts of desire, becoming and multiplicities and Barads posthumanist concepts of agential realism and diffraction, interpreting key moments in time defining my engagement with the natural world through arts-based pedagogies, outdoor education, curriculum development and research. I trace a progression from anthropocentric theories and pedagogical practice related to sustainability, to understanding through diffractive posthumanist perspectives. I situate these reflections beginning in the 1980s when environmental concerns were filtering into education in Australia, to the present time where the climate crisis demands all educators take a rebel stance to imbue pedagogy with approaches for ameliorating and living with climate change. I posit that the arts, creative curriculum and posthumanist viewing of the world can effect an activist attitude, highlighting place-based perspectives and offering the possibility for considered decisions on action toward education for regenerative living.
The 2016 Reform of French Contract Law: Some Recent Developments
Authors: Rowan Solène
Published: February 2025

This article focuses on the impact of the reform of the contract law section of the French Civil Code in 2016 in two key areas: remedies for breach of contract and regulation of unfair terms. In particular, it draws a contrast between the ways in which two of the most controversial provisions introduced by the reforms have been applied in practice. While new Article 1221, which limits specific enforcement where it is disproportionate, has been accepted by the courts, Article 1171, which deems unfair terms as not written, has been interpreted narrowly to the point of being marginalised.
A Sense of Belonging in Regional Queensland Special Schools From the Perspective of School Leaders, Teachers, and Teacher Aides
Authors: Hayward Marie , Marshman Margaret
Published: February 2025

Sense of belonging is a complex construct that we all strive for in our daily lives. Sense of school belonging influences educational outcomes and is vital for cognitive, behavioural, and socio-emotional success at school. Sense of belonging for students with disability in special schools has rarely been examined and is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role special school leaders, teachers, and teacher aides play in building a sense of belonging for themselves and their students. Two hundred and sixty-two participants from 10 state special schools within a regional area of Queensland, Australia, completed a survey to determine their perceptions of how special school staff promoted school belonging as well as their knowledge of policy documents. Responses consistently indicated a positive sense of school belonging across all schools. Findings highlight what school leaders, teachers, and teacher aides do in their everyday practices to promote a strong sense of belonging at their special schools, including building positive trusting relationships with all stakeholders, learning environments that valued diversity and difference, inclusive practices that met the social and academic needs of students, and schools’ organisational practices.
The Effects of Interactive Requests on the Quantity and Quality of Survey Responses: An International Methodological Experiment
Authors: Ghassim Farsan
Published: February 2025

A perennial issue of survey research is that some participants do not answer all questions. Interactive follow-up requests are a novel approach to this problem. However, research on their effectiveness is scarce. I present the most comprehensive study yet on the effects of interactive requests on item non-responses. Theoretically, I outline different pathways whereby follow-up requests may effectively increase response rates and improve data quality: reminding, motivating, instructing, monitoring, and sanctioning. To test my hypothesis that interactive requests increase item response rates, I conducted an online survey experiment in 2021 on diverse samples of around 3,100 respondents in ten countries worldwide. I find that follow-up requests generally increase response rates, although effects vary by country. Depending on the question and survey design, interactive requests reduce item non-responses by up to 47 per cent across countries, while not adversely affecting data quality. I thus recommend response requests to increase survey data efficiency.
Genetic diversity and population structure of maize landraces from Huancavelica and Cajamarca provinces of Peru using SNP markers
Authors: García-Mendoza Pedro J. , Saldaña Carla L. , Pérez-Almeida Iris B. , Prieto-Rosales Gino P. , Medina-Castro Darío E. , Taramona-Ruíz Luis A. , Arbizu Carlos I.
Published: February 2025

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main staples in the Peruvian Andes. Phenotypic diversity is extremely high in terms of plant morphology, grain colour, grain size and uses. However, little is known about the genetic component of the Peruvian maize. Genotyping-by-sequencing was used, for the first time, to infer the genetic diversity and population structure of 25 accessions of maize collected from two ecoregions of the departments of the Peruvian highlands, Cajamarca and Huancavelica, to provide a basis for the conservation and breeding of this crop genetic resource. A total of 29,332 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified along all 10 chromosomes of maize. STRUCTURE analysis revealed two clusters (open-pollinated cultivars and landraces). Principal coordinate analysis and our dendrogram showed that these accessions of Peruvian maize do not group based on their geographic origin but on their improvement status, however, this is weakly supported. Average genetic diversity was very high (0.35). Analysis of molecular variance showed a reduced variation between populations (2.85%) and indicated that variability within populations is 97.15%. The lowest population divergence was zero for populations of Colcabamba versus Pichos and Daniel Hernandez versus Colcabamba and the highest population divergence (0.041) was observed for population Cajamarca versus Santiago de Tucuma. As expected, FIS values were positive. Additional samples from other Andean and west coast Peruvian localities are needed to provide a better understanding of the genetic components of this important crop aiming to develop a modern breeding programme of maize in Peru.
Observation of Electric Field Enhancement at Ion Composition Boundary at Mars and Its Relation to Oxygen Acceleration
Authors: Shuvalov Sergey D. , Andersson Laila , Hanley Kathleen Gwen , Halekas Jasper S. , Mitchell David L. , Espley Jared R.
Published: February 2025

Direct electric field measurements during certain ionosphere‐magnetosheath transitions on the dayside of Mars reveal a presence of localized (20 km thickness along vertical direction) strong (40 mV/m) electric field located at the solar wind stagnation point. This electric field is nearly collocated with the ion composition boundary where ionospheric oxygen ions are observed to be accelerated up to 1 keV, forming a layer of higher temperature plasma around the stagnation point. Simulations demonstrate that the observed localized electric field enhancement can create this hotter plasma layer population on either side of the boundary. This plasma layer can have an impact on the solar wind coupling with the planet and forms a reservoir for heavy ion escape.
Pre-AttentiveGaze: gaze-based authentication dataset with momentary visual interactions
Authors: Jeon Junryeol , Noh Yeo-Gyeong , Kim JooYeong , Hong Jin-Hyuk
Published: February 2025

This manuscript presents a Pre-AttentiveGaze dataset. One of the defining characteristics of gaze-based authentication is the necessity for a rapid response. In this study, we constructed a dataset for identifying individuals through eye movements by inducing “pre-attentive processing” in response to a given gaze stimulus in a very short time. A total of 76,840 eye movement samples were collected from 34 participants across five sessions. From the dataset, we extracted the gaze features proposed in previous studies, pre-processed them, and validated the dataset by applying machine learning models. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the dataset and illustrates its potential for use in gaze-based authentication of visual stimuli that elicit pre-attentive processing.
Autonomous password generation and setting system with cosmic coding and transfer (COSMOCAT) and cosmic time calibrator (CTC)
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M. , Cantoni Elena , Cerretto Giancarlo , Duffy Alan , Holma Marko , Krishnan Shanti , Oláh László , Sellone Marco , Steigerwald Sara , Varga Dezső
Published: February 2025

As wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with Internet of Things (IoT) devices become increasingly widespread and more complex, the threat of cyber-attacks is also increasing. One of the most common ways WSNs can be hijacked is when passwords/IDs are leaked. If the passwords do not frequently change, it is easier for the system to be compromised. However, many organizations and individuals retain old passwords to avoid the hassle and challenge of continually remembering and managing new passwords. COSMO-PASS is a new technique that combines COSMOCAT and CTC to enable hardware-level protection of the WSN nodes. It removes the inconvenience of having its users create, remember, and change multiple passwords. Based on the test experiments and simulations with a 102-cm2-sized (a smartphone-sized) detector, 6–7-digit passwords are automatically generated and transferred to the sensor node within the time range from 1 s to 1 min, depending on the nodal distance (10–50 cm). Consequently, it is confirmed that automatically generated and frequent password updates are possible with COSMO-PASS, which will effectively protect the data and network. Although applications of COSMO-PASS are limited to a short range, since users do not have to know or physically input the password to their system, the phishing risk is greatly mitigated. It is anticipated that the enhanced security level capabilities of COSMO-PASS can easily be applied to the next generation of secured short-haul wireless sensor networks to achieve the realization of safer and smarter communities.
A First Look at Coding in Chemistry
Authors: Bansagi Tamas
Published: February 2025

Do you have a project that requires some coding skills and don’t know where to start? Are you fitting a curve to your experimental data and need tools to help? Trying coding to solve maths problems in chemistry for the first time? This book will uncover all the help you need to apply these skills.

Focusing on developing basic coding skills in chemistry, this concise introductory text takes a problem-based approach and is organized in a workbook style for helping those new to programming. Discussions on coding are viewed from a chemistry perspective and embedded in solving problems familiar to most first-year undergraduate chemistry students. While primarily building programming and broadly-applicable related skills, some topics in data analysis and presentation, uncertainties in measurements, and areas of mathematics relevant to these and chemistry are also briefly surveyed.

After quick overviews of coding in chemistry and the MATLAB language and programming environment, the basics of assigning variables and arrays are introduced. Writing simple scripts and functions, step-by-step through chemistry and environmental chemistry examples, is then employed to present scientific data. Coding skills are further developed in the next set of chapters while fitting curves to experimental data and handling measurement uncertainties. Using coding to organise information in chemistry representing various types of transformations, spatial effects and interactions is covered in the chapters on vectors and matrices. Next, user-defined functions are utilized to predict the concentrations of chemicals during reactions, before looking into developing code for enhanced workflows that allow computers to make decisions while executing programs. In the final two chapters, coding is extended to tackling common maths problems in chemistry including unit algebra, rearranging expressions, solving equations, differentiation and integration.
Isoxazoles as efficient alkyne amination reagents in divergent heterocycle synthesis
Authors: Zhu Xin-Qi , Meng Zhi-Xu , Zhou Bo , Teng Ming-Yu , Ye Long-Wu
Published: February 2025

This review summarizes the latest trends and developments of isoxazole-enabled alkyne amination reactions and their applications in divergent heterocycle synthesis.
Recent advances in the effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion and encapsulation on peptide bioactivity and stability
Authors: Chen Chenlong , Yu Wancong , Kou Xiaohong , Niu Yujia , Ji Jiaxin , Shao Ying , Wu Shuqi , Liu Mengyi , Xue Zhaohui
Published: February 2025

Bioactive peptides may experience changes in bioactivity during digestion, depending on their stability and the bioactivity of their digestion products. Encapsulation enhances their gastrointestinal stability.
Transfer printing of perovskite nanocrystal self-assembled monolayers via controlled surface wettability
Authors: Kajino Yuto , Tanaka Yuta , Aida Yukiko , Arima Yusuke , Tamada Kaoru
Published: February 2025

Employing viscoelastic stamps and wettability-controlled substrates, transfer printing of LHP NC monolayers were developed. For uniform assembly and multistep transfer, spin-coating substrates were treated with a fluoroalkyl–alkyl silane mixture.
The kinematics of 30 Milky Way globular clusters and the multiple stellar populations within
Authors: Leitinger E. I. , Baumgardt H. , Cabrera-Ziri I. , Hilker M. , Carbajo-Hijarrubia J. , Gieles M. , Husser T. O. , Kamann S.
Published: February 2025

Aims. The spectroscopic and photometric classification of multiple stellar populations (MPs) in Galactic globular clusters (GCs) has enabled comparisons between contemporary observations and formation theories regarding the initial spatial configurations of the MPs. However, the kinematics of these MPs is an aspect that requires more attention. We investigated the 3D kinematics of 30 Galactic GCs, extending to 3–5 half-light radii, as well as their MPs, in order to uncover clues of the initial conditions of GCs and the MPs within.

Methods. We have combined Hubble Space Telescope and Gaia DR3 proper motions together with a comprehensive set of line-of- sight velocities to determine the 3D rotation amplitudes, rotation axes, and anisotropy profiles of the clusters. We include additional radial velocities from new IFU observations of NGC 5024 and an analysis of archival MUSE data of NGC 6101. We compare our kinematic results with structural and orbital parameters of each cluster, reporting the most significant correlations and common features.

Results. We find significant (>3σ) rotation in 21 GCs, with no significant differences between the total rotational amplitudes of the MPs, except for NGC 104. We find no significant differences in the position angles of the rotation axis or inclination angles. We find that the 3D rotational amplitude of the clusters in our sample is strongly correlated with their mass, relaxation time, enriched star fraction, and concentration. We determined the anisotropy profiles of each cluster and the MPs where possible. We investigated correlations with the structural parameters, orbital parameters, and accretion history of the clusters from their progenitor systems, finding that the dynamically young clusters with the highest central concentrations of primordial stars exhibit radial anisotropy in their outer regions (>2 half-light radii). The dynamically young clusters with a central concentration of enriched stars show significant tangential anisotropy or isotropy in their outer regions.
Development of the hybrid information and analytical system for management reporting in the organization
Authors: Dudchenko Anastasiia , Karaseva Tatiana
Published: February 2025

There is an increasing emphasis on improving the efficiency of management reporting systems due to the development of information technologies. This paper describes the experience of implementing a hybrid reporting management system. The paper substantiates the choice of system components and presents a model of the proposed solution.
Search method for optimal interpolation of thermomechanical coefficients for non-ferrous metals and high-alloy steels
Authors: Yashmetov Evgeniy , Kazakovtsev Lev
Published: February 2025

This study explores the optimization of interpolation techniques for thermomechanical coefficients in non-ferrous metals and high-alloy steels. These coefficients, including the temperature coefficient (Kt), deformation degree coefficient (Kε), and deformation rate coefficient (Ku), play a crucial role in characterizing the deformation resistance of materials under varying conditions. The challenge lies in the non-linear nature of these coefficients and their current representation in graphs and tables, which hinders their integration into automated control and optimization systems. To address this issue, we propose the development of smooth interpolation functions using the least squares method. Our research aims to identify the most precise interpolation approach for a wide range of non-ferrous metals and high-alloy steels, facilitating more accurate mathematical modeling of their thermomechanical properties. This advancement will enable improved prediction and control of material behavior in complex manufacturing processes, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and precision of metal forming operations