bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Floristic Similarities between the Lichen Flora of Both Sides of the Drake Passage: A Biogeographical Approach
Authors: Sancho Leopoldo G. , Aramburu Ana , Etayo Javier , Beltrán-Sanz Núria
Published: December 2023

This paper analyses the lichen flora of Navarino Island (Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn Region, Chile), identifying species shared with the South Shetland Islands (Antarctic Peninsula). In this common flora, species are grouped by their biogeographic origin (Antarctic–subantarctic endemic, austral, bipolar, and cosmopolitan), their habitat on Navarino Island (coastal, forest, and alpine), their morphotype (crustaceous, foliaceous, fruticulose, and cladonioid), and the substrate from which they were collected (epiphytic, terricolous and humicolous, and saxicolous). A total of 124 species have been recognised as common on both sides of the Drake Passage, predominantly bipolar, crustaceous, and saxicolous species, and with an alpine distribution on Navarino Island. The most interesting fact is that more than 30% of the flora is shared between the southern tip of South America and the western Antarctic Peninsula, which is an indication of the existence of a meridian flow of propagules capable of crossing the Antarctic polar front.
Microstructure, Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Copper-Nickel 90/10 Alloy Produced by CMT-WAAM Method
Authors: Maleta Marcin , Kulasa Joanna , Kowalski Aleksander , Kwaśniewski Paweł , Boczkal Sonia , Nowak Marek
Published: December 2023

In the case of copper and its alloys, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) 3D printing technology is mainly used to produce elements for the maritime industry and research has focused on the use of Cu-Al alloys. There is little information devoted to the use of Cu-Ni alloys in this technology, which are also widely used in the maritime industry. In this work, tests were carried out on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion properties in a 1M NaCl solution of Cu-Ni 90/10 alloy 3D walls printed using the WAAM method. The obtained objects are characterized by a microstructure with elongated column grains and particles of the Ni-Ti phase, hardness in the range of 138–160 HV10, ultimate tensile strength of 495–520 MPa, yield strength of 342–358 MPa, elongation of 16.6–17.9%, and a low average corrosion rate of 7.4 × 10−5 mm/year. The work shows that it is possible to obtain higher mechanical properties of Cu-Ni 90/10 alloy 3D objects produced using the WAAM method compared to cast materials, which opens up the possibility of using this alloy to produce objects with more complex shapes and for use in corrosive working conditions.
Special Issue “Construction Materials and Other Related Materials: Basic Theory, Applied Technology and Advanced Research Methods”
Authors: Du Xi , Chen Youliang , Azzam Rafig , Fernandez-Steeger Tomas Manuel , Peng Bin
Published: December 2023

The rapid advancement of science and technology has facilitated the creation of new technologies and techniques, leading to the convergence and diversification of fields [...]
Hybrid Polymer–Inorganic Materials with Hyaluronic Acid as Controlled Antibiotic Release Systems
Authors: Lis Kamila , Szechyńska Joanna , Träger Dominika , Sadlik Julia , Niziołek Karina , Słota Dagmara , Jampilek Josef , Sobczak-Kupiec Agnieszka
Published: December 2023

In recent years, significant developments have taken place in scientific fields such as tissue and materials engineering, which allow for the development of new, intelligent biomaterials. An example of such biomaterials is drug delivery systems that release the active substance directly at the site where the therapeutic effect is required. In this research, polymeric materials and ceramic–polymer composites were developed as carriers for the antibiotic clindamycin. The preparation and characterization of biomaterials based on hyaluronic acid, collagen, and nano brushite obtained using the photocrosslinking technique under UV (ultraviolet) light are described. Physical and chemical analyses of the materials obtained were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and optical microscopy. The sorption capacities were determined and subjected to in vitro incubation in simulated biological environments such as Ringer’s solution, simulated body fluid (SBF), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and distilled water. The antibiotic release rate was also measured. The study confirmed higher swelling capacity for materials with no addition of a ceramic phase, thus it can be concluded that brushite inhibits the penetration of the liquid medium into the interior of the samples, leading to faster absorption of the liquid medium. In addition, incubation tests confirmed preliminary biocompatibility. No drastic changes in pH values were observed, which suggests that the materials are stable under these conditions. The release rate of the antibiotic from the biomaterial into the incubation medium was determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of the antibiotic in the incubation fluid increased steadily following a 14-day incubation in PBS, indicating continuous antibiotic release. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the developed polymeric material demonstrates potential for use as a carrier for the active substance.
Polyurethane Glycerolysate as a Modifier of the Properties of Natural Rubber Mixtures and Vulcanizates
Authors: Włoch Marcin , Toruńczak Maksymilian , Datta Janusz
Published: December 2023

Chemical recycling of polyurethanes can be realized in several different ways, but the most important methods are glycolysis and glycerolysis. Both methods permit recovery of polyols (when the process is realized with the mass excess of depolymerizing agent) or substitutes of polyols, which contain urethane moieties in the main chains and terminate mainly in hydroxyl groups (when the process is realized with the mass excess of depolymerized polyurethane). Oligomeric products with urethane groups in the chemical structure can also be used as modifiers of rubber mixtures and vulcanizates. The main aim of the presented work is to study the effect of polyurethane glycerolysate on the performance of natural rubber mixtures and vulcanizates. The influence of the modifier on the vulcanization kinetics and swelling of rubber mixtures, and the thermo-mechanical and mechanical properties of rubber vulcanizates, was studied. The prepared materials were also subjected to accelerated thermal aging in air. It was found that polyurethane glycerolysate affects the vulcanization process of rubber mixtures (for example, promotes the activation of vulcanization) and acts as an antidegradant under thermoxidative conditions (higher stability of mechanical properties was observed in comparison to a reference sample without modifier). The obtained results show that chemical recycling products can be valuable modifiers of natural rubber mixtures and vulcanizates, which extends the possible applications of polyurethane chemical recycling products.
Whole-Body Cryostimulation, a Complementary Treatment for Phantom Limb Syndrome: Preliminary Evidence from a Case Study
Authors: Piterà Paolo , Springhetti Isabella , Alito Angelo , Verme Federica , Fontana Jacopo Maria , Capodaglio Paolo
Published: December 2023

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a challenging condition affecting a significant proportion of amputees. In this article, we describe the case of a 54-year-old Paralympic athlete with phantom limb syndrome following right leg amputation and widespread sports-related enthesitic pain who underwent a whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) cycle, an emerging treatment known for its rapid pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Assessments were conducted before and after a 10-session WBC cycle, including pain and quality of life assessment and use of medications. A substantial reduction in enthesitic pain, PLP intensity, paresthesia, and tingling related to atmospheric events and improved function and quality of life were reported after the WBC cycle and lasted for two weeks. One month after WBC, the enthesitic pain following sports activity and PLP gradually returned, but with lesser intensity. Similarly, the stump’s sensitivity to atmospheric changes returned, but with lower frequency. Pain at night remained lower than before WBC, with significantly improved quality of sleep. This case study suggests that WBC could be a valuable adjuvant treatment for alleviating PLP. Controlled studies are warranted to validate the findings of this case report and elucidate the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of WBC in this condition.
Life-Cycle Assessment of an Office Building: Influence of the Structural Design on the Embodied Carbon Emissions
Authors: de Paula Filho José Humberto Matias , D’Antimo Marina , Charlier Marion , Vassart Olivier
Published: December 2023

In 2020, 37% of global CO2eq. emissions were attributed to the construction sector. The major effort to reduce this share of emissions has been focused on reducing the operational carbon of buildings. Recently, awareness has also been raised on the role of embodied carbon: emissions from materials and construction processes must be urgently addressed to ensure sustainable buildings. To assess the embodied carbon of a building, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) can be performed; this is a science-based and standardized methodology for quantifying the environmental impacts of a building during its life. This paper presents the comparative results of a “cradle-to-cradle” building LCA of an office building located in Luxembourg with 50 years of service life. Three equivalent structural systems are compared: a steel–concrete composite frame, a prefabricated reinforced concrete frame, and a timber frame. A life-cycle inventory (LCI) was performed using environmental product declarations (EPDs) according to EN 15804. For the considered office building, the steel–concrete composite solution outperforms the prefabricated concrete frame in terms of global warming potential (GWP). Additionally, it provides a lower GWP than the timber-frame solution when a landfill end-of-life (EOL) scenario for wood is considered. Finally, the steel–concrete composite and timber solutions show equivalent GWPs when the wood EOL is assumed to be 100% incinerated with energy recovery.
The Promoting Role of HK II in Tumor Development and the Research Progress of Its Inhibitors
Authors: Liu Bingru , Lu Yu , Taledaohan Ayijiang , Qiao Shi , Li Qingyan , Wang Yuji
Published: December 2023

Increased glycolysis is a key characteristic of malignant cells that contributes to their high proliferation rates and ability to develop drug resistance. The glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase II (HK II) is overexpressed in most tumor cells and significantly affects tumor development. This paper examines the structure of HK II and the specific biological factors that influence its role in tumor development, as well as the potential of HK II inhibitors in antitumor therapy. Furthermore, we identify and discuss the inhibitors of HK II that have been reported in the literature.
Titanium and Vanadium Complexes of Tridentate Phenoxy-Imine and Phenoxy-Amine Ligands and Their Application in the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters
Authors: Białek Marzena , Klimasińska Alicja , Spaleniak Grzegorz , Dziuk Błażej
Published: December 2023

Phenoxy-imine and phenoxy-amine proligands, with the additional OH donor groups 2,4-tBu2-6-(2-CH2(OH)-C6H4N=CH)C6H3OH (L1H2), 6-(2-CH2(OH)-C6H4N=CH)C6H3OH (L2H2), and 2,4-tBu2-6-(2-CH2(OH)-C6H4NH-CH)C6H3OH (L3H2), were synthesized and their titanium (Ti-L1–Ti-L3) and vanadium (V-L1–V-L2) complexes were prepared in reactions with Ti(OiPr)4 and VO(OiPr)3, respectively. All new compounds were characterized with the use of FTIR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy; X-ray crystallography was also used to study proligands. All the complexes proved to be active catalysts in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone, rac-lactide, and L-lactide in the melt. The effects of the complex structure (transition metal type, presence of tBu substituents, and type of nitrogen donor group), as well as the polymerization time and temperature, on the monomer conversion and polymer properties were investigated in detail.
Improved Electrical Properties of Organic Modified Thermoplastic Insulation Material for Direct Current Cable Application
Authors: Zhan Yunpeng , Yang Xu , Yang Jiaming , Hou Shuai , Fu Mingli
Published: December 2023

To achieve exceptional recyclable DC cable insulation material using thermoplastic polypropylene (PP), we have introduced the organic polar molecule styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) into PP-based insulation materials following the principles of deep trap modification. PP, PP/SMA, PP/ethylene-octene copolymer (POE), and PP/POE/SMA insulating samples were prepared, and their meso-morphology, crystalline morphology, and molecular structure were comprehensively characterized. The results indicate that SMA can be uniformly dispersed in PP with minimal impact on the crystalline morphology of PP. The DC electrical properties of the materials were tested at temperatures of 30, 50, and 70 °C. The findings demonstrate that the introduction of SMA can improve the DC properties of the material in both PP and PP/POE. The thermal stimulated depolarization current results reveal that SMA can introduce deep traps into the material, thereby improving its DC properties, which is in agreement with the quantum chemical calculation results. Subsequently, a bipolar carrier transport model was employed for coaxial cables to simulate the space charge distribution in the insulation layer of the four sets of insulation samples as well as the actual cable in service. The results highlight that SMA can significantly suppress space charge in PP and PP/POE systems, and it exhibits excellent electric field distortion resistance. In summary, the results illustrate that SMA is expected to be used as an organic deep trap modifier in PP-based cable insulation materials.
Stress Measurement of Stainless Steel Piping Welds by Complementary Use of High-Energy Synchrotron X-rays and Neutrons
Authors: Miura Yasufumi , Suzuki Kenji , Morooka Satoshi , Shobu Takahisa
Published: December 2023

Probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) is increasingly recognized as a viable approach for evaluating the structural integrity of nuclear components, such as piping, primarily affected by stress corrosion cracking (SCC). PFM analysis requires several input parameters, among which welding residual stress is critically important due to its significant influence on SCC initiation and propagation. Recently, a novel technique involving a double-exposure method (DEM) utilizing synchrotron X-rays was introduced as an effective means for measuring welding residual stress with high spatial resolution. In this paper, we applied DEM to assess the residual stress of a plate specimen, which was extracted from a welded pipe through electrical discharge machining. Consequently, detailed stress maps under a plane stress state were generated. Additionally, the residual stress distributions in the welded pipe under a triaxial stress state were evaluated using neutron diffraction. Based on these findings, we proposed a methodology to acquire detailed stress maps of welded pipes by combining high-energy synchrotron X-rays and neutron diffraction.
Plasma-Chemical Disposal of Silicon and Germanium Tetrachlorides Waste by Hydrogen Reduction
Authors: Kornev Roman , Gornushkin Igor , Shabarova Lubov , Kadomtseva Alena , Mochalov Georgy , Rekunov Nikita , Romanov Sergey , Medov Vitaly , Belousova Darya , Maleev Nikita
Published: December 2023

The processes of hydrogen reduction of silicon and germanium chlorides under the conditions of high-frequency (40.68 MHz) counteracted arc discharge stabilized between two rod electrodes are investigated. The main gas-phase and solid products of plasma-chemical transformations are determined. Thermodynamic analysis of SiCl4 + H2 and GeCl4 + H2 systems for optimal process parameters was carried out. Using the example of hydrogen reduction of SiCl4 by the method of numerical modeling, gas-dynamic and thermal processes for this type of discharge are investigated. The impurity composition of gas-phase and solid reaction products is investigated. The possibility of single-stage production of high-purity Si and Ge mainly in the form of compact ingots, as well as high-purity chlorosilanes and trichlorogermane, is shown.
Vision-Based Object Localization and Classification for Electric Vehicle Driving Assistance
Authors: Medina-Garcia Alfredo , Duarte-Jasso Jonathan , Cardenas-Cornejo Juan-Jose , Andrade-Ambriz Yair A. , Garcia-Montoya Marco-Antonio , Ibarra-Manzano Mario-Alberto , Almanza-Ojeda Dora-Luz
Published: December 2023

The continuous advances in intelligent systems and cutting-edge technology have greatly influenced the development of intelligent vehicles. Recently, integrating multiple sensors in cars has improved and spread the advanced drive-assistance systems (ADAS) solutions for achieving the goal of total autonomy. Despite current self-driving approaches and systems, autonomous driving is still an open research issue that must guarantee the safety and reliability of drivers. This work employs images from two cameras and Global Positioning System (GPS) data to propose a 3D vision-based object localization and classification method for assisting a car during driving. The experimental platform is a prototype of a two-sitter electric vehicle designed and assembled for navigating the campus under controlled mobility conditions. Simultaneously, color and depth images from the primary camera are combined to extract 2D features, which are reprojected into 3D space. Road detection and depth features isolate point clouds representing the objects to construct the occupancy map of the environment. A convolutional neural network was trained to classify typical urban objects in the color images. Experimental tests validate car and object pose in the occupancy map for different scenarios, reinforcing the car position visually estimated with GPS measurements.
Smart Grid Resilience for Grid-Connected PV and Protection Systems under Cyber Threats
Authors: Alasali Feras , Itradat Awni , Abu Ghalyon Salah , Abudayyeh Mohammad , El-Naily Naser , Hayajneh Ali M. , AlMajali Anas
Published: December 2023

In recent years, the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and communication networks has presented significant challenges to power system control and protection, primarily as a result of the emergence of smart grids and cyber threats. As the use of grid-connected solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems continues to increase with the use of intelligent PV inverters, the susceptibility of these systems to cyber attacks and their potential impact on grid stability emerges as a critical concern based on the inverter control models. This study explores the cyber-threat consequences of selectively targeting the components of PV systems, with a special focus on the inverter and Overcurrent Protection Relay (OCR). This research also evaluates the interconnectedness between these two components under different cyber-attack scenarios. A three-phase radial Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) is employed for grid modeling and transient analysis under different cyber attacks. The findings of our analysis highlight the complex relationship between vulnerabilities in inverters and relays, emphasizing the consequential consequences of affecting one of the components on the other. In addition, this work aims to evaluate the impact of cyber attacks on the overall performance and stability of grid-connected PV systems. For example, in the attack on the PV inverters, the OCR failed to identify and eliminate the fault during a pulse signal attack with a short duration of 0.1 s. This resulted in considerable harmonic distortion and substantial power losses as a result of the protection system’s failure to recognize and respond to the irregular attack signal. Our study provides significant contributions to the understanding of cybersecurity in grid-connected solar PV systems. It highlights the importance of implementing improved protective measures and resilience techniques in response to the changing energy environment towards smart grids.
Optimizing Phosphorus Fertilizer Use on the Loess Plateau: Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Production Efficiency
Authors: Liang Chutao , Liu Xiaoqi , Feng Lei , Jin Ning , Lv Jialong , Yu Qiang
Published: December 2023

Various phosphorus (P) fertilizers are commonly utilized in agricultural production on the Loess Plateau. However, there exists a widespread issue of improper matching between P fertilizers, crop types, and soil types. This study proposes a scientifically based approach to managing phosphate fertilizer through a matching experiment. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different P fertilizers on soil P profiles in a wheat–corn rotation between October 2017 and September 2021. The experiment adopted a randomized block design. P fertilizer was applied as a basal fertilizer at rates of 115 kg P2O5 ha−1 during the wheat season and 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 during the maize season. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates were 120 kg N ha−1 for wheat and 180 kg N ha−1 for maize. N fertilizer was divided into two applications, with 60% applied at pre-planting and 40% at the jointing stage of wheat or the V12 stage of maize. P fertilizer variants utilized in the study included ammonium dihydrogen, ammonium phosphate, calcium-magnesia phosphate fertilizer, calcium superphosphate, and ammonium polyphosphate. The transformation process of phosphate was examined, revealing that the commonly considered dominant diammonium phosphate fertilizer was not the optimal choice in this production system. Ammonium polyphosphate, calcium superphosphate, and ammonium dihydrogen were deemed more suitable for application in Loess soil. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on the relationship between P fractions, soil properties, and soil Olsen-P. This research emphasizes the significance of strategic phosphate fertilizer use in agriculture to ensure efficient production and to help address the global P scarcity.
Contributions of the Swift/UV Optical Telescope to the Study of Short Gamma-ray Bursts
Authors: De Pasquale M.
Published: December 2023

Before the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, we knew little about short-duration Gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs). Their briefness led to the suspicion that they resulted from mergers of compact objects, e.g., two neutron stars or a neutron star and a black hole. However, proof was lacking. sGRB post-prompt emission, or afterglow, was undetected; thus, we could not apply essential investigation tools. Swift was the first to pinpoint sGRB afterglows. sGRBs were found to differ from long GRBs in terms of host galaxies, offset from host, environment, energy and progenitors. The Swift UV/Optical Telescope (UVOT) has greatly contributed to these discoveries with its unique combination of fast repointing capabilities and UV sensitivity. But the long-sought proof of the sGRB–merger connection arrived in 2017. The gravitational signal GW 170817A caused by two NSs collision was associated with sGRB 170817A. Swift/UVOT discovered that its early optical emission was—unusually for GRB afterglows—thermal. It was interpreted as an emission from the merger’s hot debris: the kilonova. Kilonovae have seemingly been found in other sGRBs and—puzzingly—in long GRBs. Over almost 20 years, Swift/UVOT observations have also been pivotal to understanding peculiar events. In this review, I will summarize UVOT’s major contributions in the fields highlighted.
A Mulher a Oriente e a guerra do Pacífico. Uma leitura da figura feminina na literatura de Macau e Timor Leste
Authors: D'Alte Pedro
Published: December 2023

Enfocando as produções romanescas de Luís Cardoso e de Rodrigo Leal de Carvalho, o presente artigo coloca em diálogo a literatura de Macau e de Timor. O intuito é o de explicitar e de contextualizar a representação que ambos os autores fazem da figura feminina em ambientes bélicos semelhantes – espacial e temporalmente -, como é o caso da Guerra do Pacífico. O exercício é particularmente relevante porque contribui (i) para construção de conhecimento sobre regiões e literaturas em português; (ii) para o estudo de autores algo periféricos no panorama académico e (iii) para a explicitação de imagótipos femininos localizados histórica, social e culturalmente.
Sensos e contrassensos do Exílio
Authors: Calil Marco , Tenório da Motta Leda
Published: December 2023

acompanhado de introdução crítica, este artigo traduz o ciclo de poemas Exílio 1-4, do livro Feito flores de amêndoa ou mais além, do ano de 2005, de Mahmud Darwich. O objetivo é ampliar a recepção no Brasil deste importante poeta da catástrofe palestina, enfatizando-se a surpreendente esquiva ao sentido e o particularíssimo modo de pertencimento ao Testemunho de sua prosa poética. Sem ser Literatura de Testemunho (no caso, da Nakba), postos entre a resistência à ocupação israelense e o verso modernista árabe, os fluxos de depoimento confundem não apenas o poético e o prosaico, mas o tom e a forma, o som e o sentido, o realismo e o simbolismo, com consequências éticas e estéticas, um estar fora de lugar do sujeito na vida e na palavra. Convidam-se os leitores a considerar novas visões da tradução como operadora do desarme da suficiência da palavra, nas sendas das desconstruções, das semiologias do contrassenso e das negatividades.
Interim Report on the Great Salt Lake Lithium Resource
Authors: Rupke Andrew
Published: December 2023

This report documents a brief evaluation of the potential lithium resource (or mass) in Great Salt Lake (GSL) based on currently available data. The analysis presented here leans heavily on historical data from the Utah Geological Survey’s GSL brine chemistry database from the 1960s through the 1990s; limited recent data are also available. The estimates in this report are not intended to be used as a resource estimate for potential mineral production and are not intended to represent indicated, measured, or inferred resources as they are legally defined. Ideally, this report will be updated in the future with more extensive recent data. The impetus behind this report is to begin to understand the lithium resource in GSL and how it has evolved over time as companies begin to explore and evaluate the lake as a source for lithium production. One company, US Magnesium, is already producing lithium as a byproduct at the lake and another company, Compass Minerals, intends to begin producing lithium from the lake in the next few years.
Mudstone diagenesis and sandstone provenance in an Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous evolving half-graben system, Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland
Authors: Olivarius Mette , Kazerouni Afsoon M , Weibel Rikke , Kokfelt Thomas F , Hovikoski Jussi
Published: December 2023

The influence of rifting on the composition of Kimmeridgian to Barremian mudstones from northern Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland is investigated by petrographic and mineralogical analyses of the Brorson Halvø-1 and Rødryg­gen-1 cores, and provenance of analysis by zircon U-Pb age dating of nearby sandstones. Mudstone composition varies systematically as a function of the timing of rifting progression and position in the half-graben depositional system. Pyrite primarily precipitated in the early rift to rift climax phases. Euhedral pyrite overgrowths on framboids formed only during the rift climax phase (Lindemans Bugt Formation). Dolomite is the dominant carbonate cement, except for the sediments deposited in the early waning rift phase (Palnatokes Bjerg Formation) where calcite is dominant, and in the late waning rift phase (Stratumbjerg Formation) where siderite dominates. The highest-temperature reactions with precipitation of illite, quartz, ankerite and barite signify sediment burial depths of >2 km prior to exhumation. Uplift-induced fracturing occurred mainly in the early rift to rift acceleration succession (Bernbjerg Formation). Mudstones in the proximal part of the half-graben (Rødryggen-1) include more detrital kaolinite than the distal mudstones (Brorson Halvø-1), which contain more mixed-layer illite-smectite and illite. Vermiculite was deposited only in the proximal part of the basin in the rift climax and waning rift successions. Chlorite was deposited proximally and distally during the waning rift phase, though supply began earlier in the distal part. Fine-grained sediment in the distal part of the half-graben was therefore probably supplied by axial transport from Palaeoproterozoic crystalline rocks and Meso- to Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks located to the north and north-west. This agrees with the zircon provenance signature from outcropping sand-rich facies, where zircon grains with U-Pb ages of 2.0–1.6 Ga are dominant, in addition to common 1.6–0.9 Ga ages, and fewer 2.8–2.6 Ga and 0.47–0.36 Ga ages.
Organic geochemistry of an Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous mudstone succession in a narrow graben setting, Wollaston Forland Basin, North-East Greenland
Authors: Bojesen-Koefoed Jørgen A , Alsen Peter , Bjerager Morten , Hovikoski Jussi , Johannessen Peter N , Nøhr-Hansen Henrik , Petersen Henrik I , Piasecki Stefan , Vosgerau Henrik
Published: December 2023

The Oxfordian–Ryazanian was a period of widespread deposition of marine organic-rich mudstones in basins formed during the early phases of the rifting that heralded the formation of the present-day North Atlantic. Occasionally, uninterrupted deposition prevailed for 20 million years or more. Today, mudstones of this time interval are found on the shelves bordering the North Atlantic and adjacent areas from Siberia to the Netherlands. Here, we report data on two fully cored boreholes from Wollaston Forland (North-East Greenland, approx. 74° N), which represent an uninterrupted succession from the upper Kimmeridgian to the Hauterivian. The boreholes record basin development at two different positions within an evolving halfgraben, located at the margin of the main rift, and thus partially detached from it. Although the overall depositional environment remained an oxygen-restricted deep-shelf setting, rifting-related changes can be followed through the succession. The Kimmeridgian was a period of eustatic highstand and records the incipient rifting with a transgressive trend straddling the transition to the lower Volgian by a gradual change from deposits with high levels of total organic carbon (TOC) and kerogen rich in allochthonous organic matter to deposits with lower TOC and a higher proportion of autochthonous organic matter. This is followed by a slight regressive trend with lower TOC and increased proportions of allochthonous organic matter until rifting culminated in the middle Volgian–Ryazanian, indicated by increasing autochthonous organic matter and higher TOC, which prevailed until basin ventilation occurred towards the end of the Ryazanian. The properties of the reactive kerogen fraction remained rather stable irrespective of TOC, underlining the effect of terrigenous matter input for TOC. These variations are also captured by biological markers and stable carbon isotopes. The deposits are very similar to equivalent successions elsewhere in the proto-North Atlantic region, albeit the proportion of terrigenous kerogen is greater.
Stratigraphy of the Upper Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous in the Rødryggen-1 and Brorson Halvø-1 boreholes, Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland
Authors: Alsen Peter , Piasecki Stefan , Nøhr-Hansen Henrik , Pauly Sebastian , Sheldon Emma , Hovikoski Jussi
Published: December 2023

Two shallow cores drilled in northern Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland, provide a combined section covering the upper Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) – Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) and comprising the Bernbjerg, Lindemans Bugt, Palnatokes Bjerg and Stratumbjerg Formations. A new lithostratigraphic unit, the Storsletten Member, is defined within the Lindemans Bugt Formation. The black mudstone-dominated intervals are dated primarily by dinoflagellate cysts and ammonites, whereas the calcareous mudstones of the Palnatokes Bjerg Formation – sandwiched between the black mudstones – are dated by calcareous nannofossils. The stratigraphy demonstrates an almost complete succession in the Rødryggen-1 core, representing a deeper position in the basin, where the hiatus at the latest Jurassic rift climax predicted in previous models for the eastern Wollaston Forland Basin is absent. In contrast, the Brorson Halvø-1 core represents a position closer to a block crest where unconformities developed. In combination, the cores provide a key biostratigraphic reference section for the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary interval in the Arctic.
Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous of eastern Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland: a distal marine record of an evolving rift
Authors: Hovikoski Jussi , Ineson Jon R , Olivarius Mette , Bojesen-Koefoed Jørgen A , Piasecki Stefan , Alsen Peter
Published: December 2023

Two drill cores covering the Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous succession in Wollaston Forland, NE Greenland, offer an exceptional insight into mud-accumulation in an evolving distal fault block.  Previous studies have revealed the presence of long-lasting black mudstone accumulation extending through the oxygen-restricted early rift and rift climax phases (Bernbjerg and Lindemans Bugt Formations). Here, we revisit the depositional evolution recorded in these cores to present a detailed description of the sedimentary succession extending into the late syn-rift settings (Palnatokes Bjerg and Stratumbjerg Formations). The results indicate that the Kimmeridgian – lower Volgian early rift-phase was characterized by suspension settling, laminae-scale event deposition in a tectonically-affected, prodeltaic offshore setting. The event-related depositional processes are expressed by starved wave-ripples, scour-and-fill structures, putative mud floccule ripples, and mud-dominated gravity-flow deposits. During the middle Volgian – Ryazanian rift climax phase, the depositional environment evolved into a narrow half-graben that was detached from the proximal depocentre flanking the coarse sediment fueled deltaic coastline. The correlative sedimentary facies in the detached half-graben are bioclastic and pyrite-rich black mudstones documenting suspension settling and gravity flow/mass wasting deposition in sub-storm wave-base slope and basin-floor environments. Black shale sedimentation ended abruptly in the late Ryazanian when the accumulation of condensed, bioturbated deep sea marls was initiated linked to broader oceanographic reorganization concomitant with waning rift activity in the west. Deposition of red bioclastic mudstones with a common gravity-flow component characterized the Hauterivian, potentially representing final draping of the submerged fault block crest. The top of the cored succession is demarcated by the appearance of dark grey bioturbated mudstones of Barremian age, reflecting the onset of regionally continuous deep-sea mud accumulation in thermally subsidizing basins.  Although superficially monotonous, the mudstone-dominated succession reveals a highly dynamic depositional system that reflects shifting marine processes during almost a full rift cycle.
Effects of environmental enrichment on ostrich behaviours
Authors: YILMAZ DİKMEN Bilgehan
Published: December 2023

This study was aimed to investigate the behavioural differences of ostrich (Struthio camelus) breeders reared under environmental enrichment with natural vegetation in farm conditions. The effect of enriched environment with vegetation on eating, drinking, foraging, pecking, defecation, walking, running, alert, standing, sitting, sleeping, dust bathing, preening, head shake, thermoregulation, kantel, mating, laying, threat and fight behaviours of ostriches were found similar (P > 0.05). The ratio of boom, courtship and displace behaviours were found higher in enriched than in gravel floor (P=0.050; P=0.028 and P=0.001). The foraging, dust bathing, boom, laying and displace behaviours of ostriches were affected by gender (P=0.029, P=0.040, P=0.050, P=0.025 and P=0.001). The eating, foraging, standing, sitting, dust bathing and laying behaviours of ostriches were affected by time of day (P=0.010, P=0.023, P=0.049, P=0.026, P=0.018 and P=0.009). There was a significant interaction of enriched environment and gender effect on eating, standing, boom and displace behaviours of ostriches (P=0.047, P=0.031, P=0.050 and P=0.001). The pecking and standing behaviours of ostriches were affected by enriched environment and time of day interaction (P=0.027 and P=0.023). As a conclusion, enriched environment with natural vegetation in paddock only affected ostriches’ courtship behaviours, also affected male and female eating and standing behaviours differently.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION IN ADOLESCENTS FACING BULLYING: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Agustiningsih Nia , Karimah Hidayatul
Published: December 2023

Emotional intelligence in adolescents is one of the main keys to determining the success of controlling emotions in dealing with stressful events or occurrences such as bullying. The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and emotional regulation in adolescents facing bullying. The research design uses a cross-sectional method. The population of this study was all students at one junior high school, totaling 146 respondents using purposive sampling. The number of samples was obtained by screening according to the specified criteria, and 50 respondents were found.The variables in the research are emotional intelligence and emotional regulation. Data were collected using the Olweus bullying/victims scale questionnaire, emotional intelligence questionnaire, and emotion regulation questionnaire. For data analysis techniques, use the Spearman rank test. From the results of the data analysis, the p-value is 0.000 (p-value < 0.05), which means that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and adolescent emotional regulation in dealing with bullying. Emotional intelligence in teenagers is important to train through training programs. The role of mental health nurses is very important in providing education and training to increase teenagers' emotional intelligence so that teenagers have the ability to regulate emotions.Key words: Adolescentt; Emotional Regulation; Emotional Intelligence; Mental Health
Determinants of green purchase behaviour of university students in South Africa
Authors: Fatoki Olawale
Published: December 2023

The unsustainable level of consumption globally is one of the major causes of the environmental challenges that the world currently faces. The purchase of green products is one of the ways to promote environmental sustainability globally. The study examines the determinants of green purchase behaviour of university students in South Africa. The study merges the Value-Attitude-Behaviour (VAB) theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to develop a new theoretical model to predict GPB. The study uses a quantitative research design, and data is collected from students at two South African universities. The study adopts the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling for data analysis. The findings support the applicability of the merged theories in predicting GPB. Recommendations to improve the GPB of students include the introduction of environmental education as a subject in universities.
Can a sustainable agriculture policy lead to improved human well-being?
Authors: Kowalczyk Stanisław , Sobiecki Roman
Published: December 2023

This paper is a scientific review of Czyżewski and Kryszak's book entitled Sustainable Agriculture Policies for Human Well-being. Integrated Efficiency Approach (2022). The work concerns one of the most important issues today, which is the sustainability of economic development, including the sustainability of agriculture and the consequences of such a process for current and future generations. This paper presents the main views and findings of the Authors of the reviewed book. It also includes their confrontation with other researchers' views, including this paper's authors.
Credit - inequality nexus: the role of natural resources
Authors: Magwedere Margaret Rutendo
Published: December 2023

This article offers a contribution to the understanding of the links between credit, inequality and natural resources, using panel data from 2002 to 2021 for 31 countries. A system-generalised method of moments was employed to determine the dynamic relationship between the variables of the study. The findings of the study suggest inequality and natural resources have a negative and significant relationship with credit. Higher inequality levels and natural resources rents are associated with a lower ratio of private credit to gross domestic product. The study offers an insight into the three pillars of sustainability, namely economic, social and environmental. It is essential for policymakers to integrate environmental factors such as natural resources in the relationships between inequality and the financial sector.
Pathologies of contemporary wars. Children in the military
Authors: Kubiak Mariusz
Published: December 2023

The article presents the results of research on one of the most terrifying and drastic contemporary war pathologies: the phenomenon of child soldiers. The evolution of this phenomenon from the end of the Second World War to recent years is analyzed, with particular attention paid to the causes, nature, and specificity of the use of minors in military operations. The scale of the phenomenon and the countries where children are used as juvenile soldiers are described. The article also examines legal assessments of this pathology, as well as legislative regulations aimed at countering this practice.
Skauting a niepodległość Polski. Elementy militarne i proobronne w harcerstwie
Authors: Giczela Piotr
Published: December 2023

Wszystkie organizacje harcerskie działające współcześnie w Polsce odwołują się do angielskich skautowych korzeni. Skauting jest systemem wychowawczym opracowanym przez oficera armii brytyjskiej i – choć prowadzić ma do zgoła innych celów niż cele armii – jest oparty na elementach wojskowości. Współtwórcy harcerstwa na ziemiach polskich wzmocnili te elementy w swej idei, gdy w końcowym okresie zaborów postanowili wykorzystać nowy ruch młodzieżowy do działań narodowowyzwoleńczych, w tym również militarnych. W obliczu rosnącego poziomu mobilizacji Polaków do ewentualnej obrony kraju w przypadku konfliktu zbrojnego, podobnego do wojny w Ukrainie, pojawia się możliwość ponownego wykorzystania harcerstwa do realizacji celów militarnych państwa. Artykuł prezentuje wnioski wypływające z krytycznej analizy dostępnych dokumentów źródłowych oraz zebranych wypowiedzi działaczy harcerskich. Uwzględniwszy wpływy polityczne, autor ustalił katalog zhierarchizowanych oczekiwań społecznych stawianych obecnie organizacjom harcerskim w Polsce.
Impact of Ukraine War on NATO Development. NATO Vision 2030
Authors: Rublovskis Raimonds
Published: December 2023

The aim of the article is to analyze potential scenarios for the outcome of the armed conflict in Ukraine and its political and military consequences for NATO, taking into account the political and military decisions associated with the NATO Summit in Madrid in 2022, the new NATO Strategic Concept (NSC) of 2022, and the NATO 2030 Agenda. The outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will unequivocally determine the political, institutional, and military capacity of the NATO Alliance. Furthermore, non-Western political and military integration platforms such as CSTO, BRICS, and SCO will enhance the level of political, economic, and military cooperation among their member states. Therefore, the strategic perspective of a possible decline in the political, economic, and military capabilities of the United States and NATO, and an increase in the political, economic, and military capabilities of BRICS and SCO, becomes plausible. Agenda 2030 presents strategic development proposals for NATO, including deeper political and military consultations among the Allies, strengthening deterrence and defense capabilities, upholding the rules-based international order, enhancing resilience, maintaining technological superiority, continuing the NATO Open Door Policy, increasing training and capacity-building efforts, addressing and adapting to climate change, investing in NATO's financial capabilities, and allocating resources to the defense budgets of member states within the Alliance. A political challenge that remains is the political coherence of the Alliance regarding NATO's Open Door Policy, including Ukraine's accession as a member state, as well as political, economic, and military cooperation between the Russian Federation and China.
Obraz wojny w twórczości pisarzy z czeskiego Śląska Cieszyńskiego
Authors: Raclavská Jana
Published: December 2023

Obraz II wojny światowej w literaturze dotyczy najczęściej wydarzeń frontowych, bohaterstwa żołnierzy, tragizmu ludności cywilnej dotkniętej bezpośrednio działaniami wojennymi lub znajdującej się w obozach czy wywiezionej na roboty przymusowe. Wszystkie powyższe wątki znajdziemy w twórczości autorów z czeskiego Śląska Cieszyńskiego. Obraz wojny w literaturze został zaprezentowany na przykładzie tekstów dwu pisarzy: Henryka Jasiczka i Wiesława Adama Bergera, reprezentujących odmienne postawy artystyczne i polityczne oraz różną porę zaistnienia w świecie artystycznym. Łączyło ich przeżycie wojny w okresie wczesnej młodości i niezwykła wrażliwość na ludzkie nieszczęście nią spowodowane.
Consociational democracy and green consumerism in function of the plural society
Authors: Slijepčević Dušanka , Dąbrowska-Prokopowska Ewa , Vejnović Duško
Published: December 2023

The problem is the lack of consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).The subject are the characteristics of plural society (PS) in B&H and pluralist society, with a focus on consociational democracy (CD) and green consumerism (GC). Unresolved pre-political issues of B&H even in the 21st  century condition the application of CD and alternative development solutions-GC and green and circular economy (GE,CE). Scientific goals are: description, understanding, explanation and prediction. Analytical-deductive and comparative methods are used, along with a case study of B&H. The main result is the discovery of GC, as a requirement of PS for sustainable development.
Casus Hamasu w Strefie Gazy wobec Palestyńskiej Władzy Narodowej
Authors: Tarasiuk Renata
Published: December 2023

Głównym celem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza i ocena roli, jaką odgrywa Hamas w perspektywie rywalizacji o ustanowienie i utrzymanie władzy na terytoriach palestyńskich. Narracja obejmuje analizę: struktur władzy, okoliczności ustanowienia rządu Hamasu w Strefie Gazy, ambicji politycznych Hamasu, rywalizacji o władzę w perspektywie diachronicznej. Deskrypcji poddano struktury władzy, główne założenia polityki zewnętrznej i wewnętrznej oraz determinanty, które wpłynęły na ich kształt. Eksplanacji poddano implikacje walki o władzę w procesie destabilizacji wewnętrznej środowiska politycznego i społecznego na terytoriach palestyńskich oraz skutki dwuwładzy na terytoriach palestyńskich. W konkluzjach wskazano też możliwości przezwyciężenia obecnej sytuacji. Zwrócono również uwagę na postrzeganie palestyńskiej „gry o tron” przez znaczących „aktorów” środowiska międzynarodowego.