bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning approach to predict the early-age flexural strength of sensor-embedded 3D-printed structures
Authors: Banijamali Kasra , Dempsey Mary , Chen Jianhua , Kazemian Ali
Published: February 2025

The absence of formwork in 3D-printed concrete, unlike conventional mold-cast concrete, introduces greater variability in curing conditions, posing significant challenges in accurately estimating the early-age mechanical strength. Therefore, common non-destructive techniques such as the maturity method fail to deliver a generalized predictive model for the mechanical strength of 3D-printed structures. In this study, multiple machine learning (ML) algorithms, including linear regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR), and artificial neural network (ANN), were developed to estimate the early-age flexural strength of 3D-printed beams under varying curing conditions, utilizing data collected from embedded sensors. Six input variables were employed for the ML models, including relative permittivity, internal temperature, and curing method. For model development, 144 data points were collected from an extensive experimental study, and multiple statistical metrics were employed to evaluate the proposed models. The ANN model outperformed the other models in predicting early-age strength, achieving a coefficient of determination of 95.1%. Furthermore, the input variable analysis highlighted the curing method as the most influential factor affecting the strength of 3D-printed beams.
Workplace Quality and Exposure to Bullying During a Crisis: The Inhibiting Role of Positive Leadership in Nursing
Authors: Georganta Katerina , Nikolakopoulos Stavros , Glaveli Niki
Published: February 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic created an extremely stressful situation for hospitals by intensifying a range of stressors like workload, death and dying, lack of support, inadequate preparation, uncertainty, and conflict. Stressors like these operate as an avenue for the proliferation of bullying. Grounded on Leymann’s Work Environment hypothesis and Baillien’s et al. Three-Way Model which predict that bullying may develop from work-design factors, but at the same time mitigated as a result of the quality of the work environment, it is explored whether positive leadership styles (ethical, supportive, and authentic) would buffer the relationship between the quality of work environment and bullying in hospitals during a crisis. A cross-sectional study was designed collecting data from 234 hospital nurses working in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderation analyses showed that leadership styles interacted with stressors in the predicted direction in relation to various types of bullying (work-related, person-related, and physical intimidation). Ethical leadership emerged as the style that significantly interplayed with a range of stressors and buffered their effects on all types of bullying behaviors measured. Theoretical and practical implications in terms of leadership development and its role as a higher-order job resource in the development of high-quality hospital work environments, as well as for proactive crisis management, are discussed.
Thermodynamic growth of sea ice: assessing the role of salinity using a quasi-static modelling framework
Authors: Rees Jones David W.
Published: February 2025

Sea ice is a mushy layer, a porous material whose properties depend on the relative proportions of solid and liquid. The growth of sea ice is governed by heat transfer through the ice together with appropriate boundary conditions at the interfaces with the atmosphere and ocean. The salinity of sea ice has a major effect on its thermal properties so might naïvely be expected to have a major effect on its growth rate. However, previous studies observed a low sensitivity throughout the winter growth season. The goal of this study is to identify the controlling physical mechanisms that explain this observation. We develop a simplified quasi-static framework by applying a similarity transformation to the underlying heat equation and neglecting the explicit time dependence. We find three key processes controlling the sensitivity of growth rate to salinity. First, the trade-off between thermal conductivity and (latent) heat capacity leads to low sensitivity to salinity even at moderately high salinity and brine volume fraction. Second, the feedback on the temperature profile reduces the sensitivity relative to models that assume a linear profile, such as zero-layer Semtner models. Third, thicker ice has the opposite sensitivity of growth rate to salinity compared with thinner ice, sensitivities that counteract each other as the ice grows. Beyond its use in diagnosing these sensitivities, we show that the quasi-static approach offers a valuable sea-ice model of intermediate complexity between zero-layer Semtner models and full partial-differential-equation-based models such as Maykut–Untersteiner/Bitz–Lipscomb and mushy-layer models.
Camera trap-based estimates reveal spatial variability in African clawless otter population densities and behaviour
Authors: Lewis Candice B. , Majelantle Tshepiso L. , Haussmann Natalie S. , McIntyre Trevor
Published: February 2025

Estimating the population size of shy and elusive species is challenging but necessary to inform appropriate conservation actions for threatened or declining species. Using camera-trap surveys conducted during 2017–2021, we estimated and compared African clawless otter Aonyx capensis population densities and activity times in six conserved areas in southern Africa. We used two different models to estimate densities: random encounter models and camera-trap distance sampling. Our results highlight a general pattern of higher estimated densities and narrower confidence intervals using random encounter models compared to camera-trap distance sampling. We found substantial variation in densities between study areas, with random encounter model estimates ranging between 0.9 and 4.2 otters/km2. Our camera-trap distance sampling estimates supported the relative density estimates obtained from random encounter models but were generally lower and more variable, ranging from 0.8 to 4.0 otters/km2. We found significant differences in otter activity patterns, with populations either being nocturnal, mostly nocturnal or cathemeral. As all study areas experience little human disturbance, our results suggest that there are large natural variations in otter densities and activity patterns between regions. When densities are converted to metrics that are comparable to previous studies, our estimates suggest that African clawless otter population numbers are generally lower than previously reported. This highlights a need for broader spatial coverage of otter population assessments and future studies to assess potential environmental drivers of spatial, and potentially temporal, variation in population numbers and activity patterns.
Gender and social class dynamics in intergenerational financial transfers among older adults: national trends over two decades in Sweden
Authors: von Saenger Isabelle , Dahlberg Lena , Silverstein Merril , Fritzell Johan , Lennartsson Carin
Published: February 2025

Despite the universal social policies of Sweden’s welfare state, recent decades have seen decreasing public benefits and increasing socio-economic disparities, affecting the financial wellbeing of older adults and their younger family members. This repeated cross-sectional study explores the development of intergenerational financial transfers in Sweden over the past two decades, examining transfers involving older parents and their children and grandchildren, and patterns related to gender and social class. It utilises data from the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old, from 2002 to 2021, along with descriptive statistics and logistic regression models, to study shifts in donor–receiver proportions and gender/social-class disparities. The findings revealed that approximately one in four parents provided financial support to younger generations, while very few received such support. Downward financial transfers increased over time, with growing focus on grandchildren. No significant gender differences in providing were identified; however, women’s contributions increased in frequency and amount, compared to previous cohorts of women. Men’s contributions remained relatively stable over time. Parents in higher social classes were more inclined to provide financial support than parents in lower classes; this difference grew over time. Additionally, parents in higher social classes more frequently provided higher amounts than their counterparts. In conclusion, this study underscores changing gender and social-class patterns in financial contributions made by parents to their children and grandchildren in contemporary Sweden. Understanding these levels and subgroup differences is crucial for shaping policies and mitigating the potential growth of socio-economic inequality in future generations.
Assessment of the Performance of SWOT for Observing the Static Ocean Topography
Authors: Nilsson Bjarke , Andersen Ole Baltazar , Knudsen Per
Published: February 2025

Marine geodetic references, such as the mean sea surface (MSS), are currently limited by the spatial resolution of conventional satellite altimeters. We analyze the new swath‐altimetry data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, to determine the performance of SWOT for mapping the static ocean topography, and possible benefit of inclusion in future reference models. By determining how well SWOT observes the static features in the ocean surface during SWOTs fast‐sampling phase, we have determined the expected performance during the science phase of the mission. We observe a 50% reduction in variability of the static surface compared with Sentinel‐3, whilst resolving up to 36% shorter wavelengths (down to 8 km) compared to the current state‐of‐the‐art Hybrid23 MSS reference model. Comparisons with Sentinel‐3 show that SWOT will benefit the current altimetry record.
Hypoxia-mediated SUMOylation of FADD exacerbates endothelial cell injury via the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling axis
Authors: Yang Liming , Wen Yilin , Yuan Zhiyi , Zhao Dezhang , Weng Ping , Li Yueyue , Chen Qingyang , Zhang Wanping , Hu Hui , Yu Chao
Published: February 2025

Vascular endothelial cells are the predominant cell type in the cardiovascular system, and their dysfunction and death following hypoxic injury contribute to vascular lesions, playing an essential role in cardiovascular disease. Despite its importance, the mechanisms underlying vascular endothelial cell injury under hypoxia and potential therapeutic interventions remain poorly understood. Here, we constructed both an in vivo hypoxia model in C57BL/6 mice and an in vitro hypoxia model in HUVEC cells. Our findings demonstrated that hypoxia induces necroptosis in vascular endothelial cells and exacerbates inflammatory injury in vivo and in vitro, as evidenced by immunofluorescence and western blot. We identified FADD as a critical regulator of hypoxia-mediated necroptosis, with FADD knockdown significantly reversing hypoxia-induced necroptosis. Mechanistically, hypoxia affected protein conformation through SUMOylation of FADD and competitively inhibited its ubiquitination, leading to an increase in protein half-life and protein level of FADD. Furthermore, SUMOylation increased the interaction between FADD and RIPK1 and induced the formation of the FADD-RIPK1-RIPK3 complex, thereby promoting necroptosis in vascular endothelial cells. The SUMOylation inhibitor ginkgolic acid (GA) notably reduced hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial injury and inflammatory responses in male mice. Taken together, our research has uncovered a new process by which SUMOylation of FADD regulates hypoxia-induced necroptosis in endothelial cells, providing potential therapeutic targets for hypoxia-related cardiovascular diseases.
Distorted learning from local metacognition supports transdiagnostic underconfidence
Authors: Katyal Sucharit , Huys Quentin JM , Dolan Raymond J. , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: February 2025

Individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression have been shown to exhibit persistent underconfidence. The origin of such metacognitive biases presents a puzzle, given that individuals should be able to learn appropriate levels of confidence from observing their own performance. In two large general population samples (N = 230 and N = 278), we measure both 'local' confidence in individual task instances and 'global' confidence as longer-run self-performance estimates while manipulating external feedback. Global confidence is sensitive to both local confidence and feedback valence—more frequent positive (negative) feedback increases (respectively decreases) global confidence, with asymmetries in feedback also leading to shifts in affective self-beliefs. Notably, however, global confidence exhibits reduced sensitivity to instances of higher local confidence in individuals with greater subclinical anxious-depression symptomatology, despite sensitivity to feedback valence remaining intact. Our finding of blunted sensitivity to increases in local confidence offers a mechanistic basis for how persistent underconfidence is maintained in the face of intact performance.
Calcium titanate nanoparticles-induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress in human non-small lung cancer cells
Authors: Mohamed Hanan R. H. , Shaheen Shahd E. E. , Ibrahim Esraa H. , Hussein Nesma O. E. , Safwat Gehan
Published: February 2025

Calcium titanate nanoparticles (CaTiO3NPs) have garnered significant attention due to their unique properties and excellent biocompatibility, which have led to their increased use in various fields and consumer products. This rise in application necessitates a better understanding of their biological and toxicological effects. However, there is limited data on the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of CaTiO3NPs in human normal skin fibroblasts (HSF) and non-small lung cancer (A-549) cells. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the effect of 48-hour exposure to CaTiO3NPs on cell viability, genomic DNA integrity, and oxidative stress induction in human cancer A-549 cells, compared to normal HSF cells. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of CaTiO3NPs were assessed using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) cytotoxicity and Alkaline Comet assays, respectively. To estimate possible oxidative stress induction and variation in apoptotic gene expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were also performed. Our findings demonstrated that exposure to CaTiO3NPs for 48 h resulted in low toxicity toward both normal HSF and cancer A-549 cells, with cell death observed only at high concentrations (100 and 1000 µg/ml). The IC50 value of CaTiO3NPs in both HSF and A-549 cells was greater than 1000 µg/ml; specifically, the IC50 value in A-549 cells at 48 h was 1670.65 µg /ml. However, treatment with CaTiO3NPs for 48 h at the IC50 concentration of 1670.65 µg /ml resulted in significant genomic DNA damage and excessive ROS generation, along with a notable disturbance in the expression level of apoptotic (p53 and Bax) and anti-apoptotic Bcl2 genes in A-549 cells. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in HSF cells treated for 48 h with the same concentration (1670.65 µg /ml) of CaTiO3NPs. Collectively, these findings indicated that despite short-term exposure to CaTiO3NPs causing low cytotoxicity in both normal HSF and A-549 cells. CaTiO3NPs were selectively genotoxic toward A-549 cells. This genotoxicity was mediated through excessive ROS generation, which disrupted genomic DNA integrity and altered the expression of apoptotic genes, triggering apoptosis in A-549 cells. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to fully understand the toxicological and biological properties of CaTiO3NPs.
Rethinking the words hostspot reservoir and pristine in the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Helliwell Richard , Ewin Isabel , Williams Alexander D. , Levine Diane T. , Singer Andrew C. , Raman Sujatha , Morris Carol , Stekel Dov J.
Published: February 2025

We assess three words commonly used to represent the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – ‘hotspot’, ‘reservoir’ and ‘pristine’ – through two questions: how are these terms used in published research; and how do these terms shape research being conducted? We advocate for the community to reflect on and improve its use of language, and suggest four potentially more productive and precise terms for AMR hazard: presence; transmission; evolution and connectivity.
Assays of DNA-encoded Libraries Against Protein Targets on and Within Living Cells
Authors: Nia Siavash Shahbazi , Krusemark Casey J.
Published: February 2025

Assay platforms available for DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) are largely limited to an in vitro selection assay for binding to a biochemical pure protein on a solid support. Extending DEL assays to proteins on the cell surface and within live cells offers the ability to assay targets that cannot be reconstituted biochemically and to assay targets in a more physiologically relevant state. Significant challenges exist that hinder the cellular application of DELs. In this review, we summarise the various approaches that have been applied to date that enable DEL assays against protein targets both on the cell surface and within live cells. We discuss the benefits and limitations of these approaches and how they address the unique challenges of live cell DEL assays. We explore the potential for molecular discovery from libraries of varying complexity. We highlight some of the molecules discovered successfully with live cell DEL assays and lastly offer an outlook for the future.
On-DNA Medicinal Chemistry: Focused Libraries, Fragment Expansion, and Hit Optimisation
Authors: Stanway-Gordon H. A. , Waring M. J.
Published: February 2025

Since their inception thirty years ago, DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) have proven to be a formidable technique for naïve hit finding, with their implementation facilitating the generation of lead-series across a wide range of target classes. In recent years however, it has been demonstrated that the utility of DELs within drug discovery need not be restricted to this purpose, with a variety of strategies being adopted to broaden the impact of encoded libraries within the field. Discussed herein are the current applications of DELs to the wider medicinal chemistry pipeline, including the application and impact of focused libraries; the use of encoded libraries for fragment discovery and expansion; and the potential of DELs for facilitation of hit optimisation processes. The current state of the field is assessed, and potential future directions for the technology within the area are explored.
Temperature-stable tunneling current in serial double quantum dots: insights from nonequilibrium green functions and Pauli spin blockade
Authors: Kuo David M. T.
Published: February 2025

We theoretically investigate charge transport through serial double quantum dots (SDQDs) with strong electron correlations using nonequilibrium Green's function techniques.
Transformative chelation pathways unveiling NiMOF-LDH hybrids on MgO for high-efficiency photocatalysis
Authors: Aadil Mohammad , Safira Ananda Repycha , Alkaseem Mohammad , Choi Taekjib , Kaseem Mosab
Published: February 2025

Tailoring NiMOF growth via EDTA sequencing for enhanced photocatalysis; controlled EDTA addition directed NiMOF or NiMg LDH formation on MgO, where NiMOF exhibited superior crystallinity, stability, and photocatalytic efficiency.
Introduction to the circular economy themed collection
Authors: Davies Matthew L.
Published: February 2025

Matthew L. Davies introduces the RSC Sustainability Circular Economy themed issue.
Adaptive Vibration Control of the Moving Cage in the 4 ×$\times$ 4 Hyperbolic PDE‐ODE Model of the Dual‐Cable Mining Elevator
Authors: Aarabi Elham , Ghadiri‐Modarres Mohammadali , Mojiri Mohsen
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes an adaptive output‐feedback boundary control scheme to stabilize the vibrations of the moving cage in the dual‐cable mining elevator system assuming the damping coefficients of the cage axial and roll motions are unknown. The mathematical formulation of the system in the Riemann coordinates is described by a hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE) on a time‐varying domain coupled with an ordinary differential equation (ODE) anti‐collocated with the control input. At first, the nominal non‐adaptive output feedback scheme is formulated by composing a state‐feedback controller with the PDE state observer, utilizing the infinite‐dimensional backstepping technique. Specifically, we apply two backstepping transformations to design the nominal state‐feedback controller. This significantly facilitates the adaptive solutions of the backstepping kernel equations, when unknown parameters are replaced by their time‐varying estimates. Then, a Lyapunov‐based approach is followed to design the update laws for the unknown damping coefficients and to prove the closed‐loop stability. It is shown that all states in the closed‐loop system are uniformly bounded and the cage dynamics is asymptotically stable. A numerical simulation is presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller.
Cyberversicherung: Hohe Hürden für Kliniken
Authors: Lang Michael
Published: February 2025

Viele Krankenhäuser sind nicht gegen Cyberangriffe versichert – entweder weil sie keine Versicherung wollen oder weil sie nicht versicherbar sind. Über einen schwierigen Markt und den steinigen Weg vieler Kliniken zur Cyberversicherung.
Propulsion contribution from individual filament in a flagellar bundle
Authors: Zhu Jin , Qiao Yateng , Yan Lingchun , Zeng Yan , Wu Yibo , Bian Hongyi , Huang Yidi , Ye Yuxin , Huang Yingyue , Hii Russell Ching Wei , Teng Yinuo , Guo Yunlong , Li Gaojin , Qu Zijie
Published: February 2025

Flagellated microorganisms overcome the low-Reynolds-number time reversibility by rotating helical flagella [E. M. Purcell, Am. J. Phys. 45, 3–11 (1977); D. Bray, Cell Movements: From Molecules to Motility, 2nd ed. (Garland Publishing, New York, NY, 2001); Lauga and Powers, Rep. Prog. Phys. 72, 096601 (2009); and E. Lauga, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech. 48, 105–130 (2016)]. For peritrichous bacteria, the randomly distributed flagellar filaments align in the same direction to form a bundle, facilitating complex locomotive strategies [Berg and Brown, Nature 239, 500–504 (1972); Turner et al., J. Bacteriol. 182, 2793–2801 (2000); and Darnton et al., J. Bacteriol. 189, 1756–1764 (2007)]. To understand the process of flagellar bundling, especially propulsion force generation, we develop a multi-functional macroscopic experimental system and employ advanced numerical simulations for verification. Flagellar arrangements and phase differences between helices are investigated, revealing the variation in propulsion contributions from individual helices. Numerically, we build a time-dependent model to match the bundling process and study the influence of hydrodynamic interactions. Surprisingly, it is found that the total propulsion generated by a bundle of two filaments is constant at various phase differences between the helices. However, the difference between the propulsion from each helix is significantly affected by a phase difference, and only one of the helices is responsible for the total propulsion when the phase difference is equal to π. Building on our experimental and computational results, we develop a theoretical model considering the propulsion contribution of each filament to better understand microbial locomotion mechanisms, especially the wobbling behavior of the cell. Our work also sheds light on the design and control of artificial microswimmers.
Laser-drawn silicon core fibers for nonlinear photonics
Authors: Huang Meng , Ghosh Amar N. , Harvey Clarissa M. , Fokine Michael , Peacock Anna C.
Published: February 2025

The linear and nonlinear properties of laser-drawn silicon core fibers (SCFs) are characterized in the telecom band for the first time. We show that the SCFs produced with micrometer-sized core diameters exhibit low optical losses (∼1 dB/cm) straight from the drawing tower, indicating a high-quality of the crystalline core materials. Moreover, by using an adapted fiber tapering method, the core diameter of these fibers can be precisely tailored to obtain longitudinal profiles optimized for low loss coupling, with uniform waist regions over lengths up to ∼7 cm and a further reduction in the linear losses to ∼0.2 dB/cm. Characterization of the nonlinear parameters reveals values in good agreement with previous measurements of single-crystal silicon. By exploiting the long lengths and low losses, an on–off Raman gain up to 9 dB was obtained when pumping with a continuous wave power of only <0.1 W. The high Raman gain achieved in this work highlights the potential of using these fibers for compact nonlinear signal amplification or laser systems.
Machine learning based predictive model for bond strength of FRP reinforced concrete at high temperature
Authors: Li Songtao , Gao Yanlong , Wang Baolin , Li Jianxin , Yu Yong
Published: February 2025

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have better tensile strength and durability than normal steel bars. The use of FRP bars to replace steel bars in traditional concrete structures has attracted much attention in recent years. Similar to steel bars, the bond strength between FRP bars and concrete is a very important parameter in FRP-reinforced concrete structures, which directly affects the bearing capacity and safety of the structure. At present, the accuracy of calculating the bond strength between FRP bars and concrete under the action of high temperature still needs to be improved. In this study, a prediction model of bond strength between FRP bars and concrete at high temperatures was constructed by collecting 151 sets of experimental data, and six machine learning algorithms were used to construct the prediction model and perform parameter importance and sensitivity analyses. The results show that the XGBoost model can predict the bond strength between FRP bars and concrete more accurately. The conclusions obtained can provide a reference for the design of the specification to a certain extent.
Flow-induced vibration and noise in automobile refrigeration system and flow pattern identification under different environmental thermal loads by multilayer perceptron
Authors: Zhu Xin-Gang , Zhao Qin , Zhang Long-Fei , Liang Yong , Liu Bing , Zhou Zhi-Fu
Published: February 2025

Refrigerant-induced vibration and noise near thermal expansive valve (TXV) in automobile air conditioning has gradually disturbed the driver and negatively affected the passenger experience. Nevertheless, the effect of environmental thermal load on vibration and noise is unclear and flow pattern identification of refrigeration needs to be accurate but low cost. In this paper, an experimental setup is conducted so as to investigate the effect of thermal load on flow patterns, vibration, and noise near TXV. Both vibration and noise are closely related to the flow pattern conversion during the starting process under different thermal loads. Besides, the vibration characteristics are analyzed on the frequency spectrum at different positions and axes. Increasing thermal load can raise the amplitude of vibration peaks but almost not affect the peak distribution. Finally, according to the connection of time-varying vibration signals and flow patterns, statistical features of triaxial vibration are used to train multilayer perceptron to identify flow patterns in TXV-inlet tube and TXV-outlet tube. The highest average accuracy for all flow patterns is found to be 99.8% (inlet) and 98.2% (outlet) for the test set. Besides, the specific accuracy for each flow pattern is found to be above 99% (inlet) and 96% (outlet), illustrating the model is capable of identifying flow patterns with few samples. The ensemble features of triaxial vibration can more accurately reflect the flow pattern transition compared with single-axis vibration. As seen in the above results, the specific flow patterns inducing larger vibrations can be avoided by adjusting thermodynamic parameters and redesigning refrigeration equipment in future designs.
Simulation study of enhanced condensate recovery by gas injection in gas condensate reservoirs with natural water influx from lab to field
Authors: Wang Junlei
Published: February 2025

The depletion of water-driven gas condensate reservoirs is frequently accompanied by active aquifer water intrusion, which contributes to the loss of gas well productivity and the reduction in condensate recovery. Based on laboratory experiments and numerical simulations, this study aims to establish a framework from lab to field for investigating displacement mechanism and the potential to enhance condensate oil recovery in water-driven gas condensate reservoir through the gas injection. First, the phase behavior and fluid properties of condensate oil mixed with various injected gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and cyclic-injected gas were elucidated by incorporating pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) tube experiment and tuned state of equations (EOS). Then, the mechanisms of gas injection recovery were examined by conducting the long-core flooding experiment and numerical compositional simulation. Finally, a field case involving a waterflooded gas condensate reservoir was presented to demonstrate the feasibility of gas injection on increasing condensate recovery factor. The results show that: 1) the injection of CO2 has the best ability of dissolution enhancement, retrograde evaporation mitigation, interfacial tension reduction, and viscosity reduction of condensate oil; conversely, injecting N2 or cyclic-injection gas yields only minor difference. 2) In comparison with CO2 injection, injection of N2 and cyclic-injected gas exhibits a more pronounced effect in providing pressure support and retarding the influx of the aquifer. 3) The presence of heterogeneity accelerates the breakthrough of injected gas; additionally, the aquifer intrusion renders a volume of trapped gas immobile. Consequently, compared with the primary depletion scenario, gas injection has limited potential for recovering an additional 2%–4% of condensate oil. It is observed that when the condensate oil is dispersed throughout the formation that is highly waterflooded due to natural water influx, enhancing condensate recovery through gas injection becomes challenging.
Quantum tunneling and its absence in deep wells and strong magnetic fields
Authors: Fefferman Charles L. , Shapiro Jacob , Weinstein Michael I.
Published: February 2025

We present results on quantum tunneling between deep potential wells, in the presence of a strong constant magnetic field. We construct a family of double-well potentials containing examples for which the low-energy eigenvalue splitting vanishes, and hence quantum tunneling is eliminated. Further, by deforming within this family, the magnetic ground state can be made to transition from symmetric to antisymmetric. However, for typical double wells in a certain regime, tunneling is not suppressed, and we provide a lower bound for the eigenvalue splitting.
A Ge-doped sandwiched ring-core photonic crystal fiber supporting orbital angular momentum modes for broadband dispersion compensation
Authors: Ma Fuxiao , Li Peili
Published: February 2025

In order to solve the limitation of data transmission speed and transmission distances of the communication system due to the accumulated dispersion in orbital angular momentum(OAM) transmission system, a Ge-doped sandwich ring-core photonic crystal fiber(SR-PCF) is proposed for OAM modes’ broadband dispersion compensation. SR-PCF is divided by the Ge-doped sandwich ring-core into two regions of the inner and outer claddings with periodic triangular lattice air holes, which is conducive to negative dispersion. By optimizing the cladding air-hole diameter, air-hole spacing, sandwich ring-core’s thickness and mole fraction of GeO2, the dispersion compensation properties of SR-PCF are improved. The proposed SR-PCF are numerically analyzed by the finite element method. The results show that SR-PCF has broadband negative dispersion values of −57.87 ∼ −65.60 ps/(nm·km) and negative dispersion slope values of the OAM1,1∼3,1 modes in the range of 1530 ∼ 1570 nm. The high negative dispersion values of −63.31, −62.14 and −60.11 ps/(nm·km) at 1550 nm can be used to compensate dispersion with 1:15.8, 1:6.9 and 1:3.8 length ratios in OAM modes fiber optic transmission links. In addition, it has the confinement loss as low as 2.18 × 10−7 dB·km−1, the effective mold field area as high as 123.92 μm2, and the nonlinear coefficient as low as 0.89/W·km. The proposed SR-PCF can be used for low-order of OAM modes’ broadband dispersion compensation in the mode division multiplexing systems and the construction of passive all-optical networks.
School science models of energy and their representation in in-service training
Authors: Tison Estelle , Rollinde Emmanuel
Published: February 2025

Energy is both a concept of everyday life linked with strong societal issues and an abstract scientific concept particularly complex to teach. Teaching energy requires the use of scientific school models and can be facilitated by the use of energy chains. Through guided interviews, models and associated chains proposed by academic trainers (in-service education) have been clarified. These models and their representations are diverse, and only a few are derived from those promoted by research in didactics. In particular, they generally do not take into account the degradation of energy, a property which is nevertheless fundamental to talk about energy in a societal context.
Conceptual approaches to teaching
Authors: Sands David , Kozelková Katarína
Published: February 2025

The nature of concepts and conceptual understanding is discussed in relation to approaches to teaching which enhance conceptual understanding. The role of qualitative relationships, mental models, discussion, team work and the use of different kinds of representations are all considered with reference to their use in scientific reasoning and, by extension, learning to reason in science. Participants in the workshop were given the opportunity to put these ideas into practice by, first, explaining or discussing difficult concepts. Approaches applicable to both higher and secondary education were examined through the use of appropriate examples.
Exploring the impact of answer-until-correct on group discussion of readiness tests
Authors: Irgens Børge
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the use of the answer-until-correct (AUC) format with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as a tool to enhance student discussions in the context of readiness testing in a Team-Based Learning setting. The study reveals ways AUC can foster productive group discussions, encouraging students to explore new resources and alter group dynamics. However, it also shows limitations in how students use the feedback from the AUC format and other aspects of the discussions that require careful consideration to maximize educational outcomes. The paper further suggests instructional implications and suggests directions for future research into the use of AUC, particularly in readiness testing.
Decision-making by students in lab courses: stimulating students’ reasoning when choosing apparatus in experiments
Authors: Logman Paul , Rog Matthijs , Sedghinejad Nazly
Published: February 2025

Making substantiated decisions is an important critical thinking skill. In this exploratory longitudinal study with limited means we look at students substantiating their choice of apparatus for experiments. In our undergraduate lab we gave students the opportunity to choose from two different sets of equipment in experiments on oscillations and waves. Students’ choices were registered and they were asked about the reasoning behind their choice. Their reasonings were compared to Svenson’s 4 levels of decision making. The results show that when given the chance just under 20% of the students take decisions on the lowest level 1. More than half of the students take decisions on level 2 and about 20% of the students take a decision on level 3: valid (technical) reasons for their preference. This number appears to increase when students are asked not to perform two experiments with their chosen set of equipment but only one. Giving students the opportunity to make their own decisions is therefore recommended for other lab courses.
The construction of PET bottle rockets with water propulsion were means used to develop a Meaningful Learning of Newton’s Third Law in a High School class
Authors: Graziele Ap. Correa Ribeiro , Thais Rafaela Hilger
Published: February 2025

This article highlights the importance of understanding the fundamental laws of physics, focusing on Newton’s Third Law, which establishes the action and reaction relationship between bodies in the physical universe. Recognizing the challenges in teaching this law, especially in translating abstract concepts into tangible experiences, the practical application of the theory is proposed through the construction of rockets made from PET bottles. This innovative approach not only illustrates the law but also aims to stimulate active student engagement, promoting more meaningful learning. The choice of rockets as a pedagogical tool not only overcomes traditional teaching challenges but also makes learning more relevant and enduring. By exploring Newton’s Third Law in a practical and playful manner, the article seeks to provide students with a deeper understanding and a meaningful connection to the fundamental principles of Newtonian physics. Experimenting with PET bottle rockets offers a unique opportunity for students to directly observe forces in action, facilitating the internalization of concepts and contributing to more effective knowledge construction.
To teach or not to teach Quantum Physics? Revisiting goals and practices of instruction in secondary schools
Authors: Onorato Pasquale , Di Mauro Marco , Malgieri Massimiliano
Published: February 2025

We report on the results of a series of interviews conducted with some experts on Quantum Physics (QP) concerning aspects of its teaching at the secondary school level, specifically: the overall appropriateness of this teaching, the historical approach, the needed mathematical background and the topics that should be included. Some foundational and controversial aspects of QP, which concern potentially includable topics, are addressed as well. Utilizing the insights obtained from the interviews, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to an additional 31 experts. The main aim was to investigate the experts’ viewpoints on the inclusion of QP in secondary school curricula and the rationale behind their positions. The secondary objective was to delve deeper into the examination of the fundamental topics that experts consider crucial for secondary level education. Additionally, the questionnaire aimed to explore foundational and contentious aspects of QP relevant to high school curricula, including assessing the consensus among experts on these subjects. However, a notable lack of consensus emerged on these matters.
PhysLab Break – escape games for physics education
Authors: Janiga Ladislav , Haverlíková Viera
Published: February 2025

Increasing popularity of the escape rooms leads to using escape games in educational process. The paper presents educational escape game PhysLab Break and experiences from its developing process. The goal of the game is to develop students’ teamwork skills, problem-solving skills, experimental skills, divergent thinking, logical reasoning and understanding of physical phenomena. Upper secondary or higher education students are the target group of the game. The game development process involved several iteration cycles of testing and modifying of the game. Plans for further research are outlined in the conclusion.
Could Physics teaching and Sustainability challenges be linked?
Authors: Persano Adorno Dominique , Koliakou I. , Bratitsis Tharrenos , Komorek Joanna , Pizzolato Nicola
Published: February 2025

Sustainability is getting mandatory for the continuing human development, where living conditions and resources are used to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system. Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary concept, including the Environmental, Health, Energy, Economic, and Socio-Cultural areas. Empowering young learners to create a sustainable future is critical in educating future responsible citizens. Education at Sustainability can also act as a vehicle to inspire the next generation of students to pursue a career in science. Physics plays a key role in the achievement of the SGDs, in particular regarding the sustainability in the Environmental, Health and Energy areas. The Erasmus+ GREEN-EDU project supported the development of new interdisciplinary approaches and teaching practices in science classrooms, enhancing the efficacy of teaching/learning physics by means of novel fields such as sustainable engineering, robotics and green biotechnology. Green education allows connecting abstract physics concepts to real-world technologies that are responding to environmental challenges. Under the umbrella of a green education curriculum, difficult physics concepts can be introduced and explained within a more interesting context, relevant to the everyday (and future) life of the students.
Discussing climate protection measures in physics classroom – Expert ranking on the importance of possible teaching beliefs
Authors: Fasching Matthias , Hopf Martin
Published: February 2025

The new national physics curriculum for lower secondary schools in Austria requires that students in 8th grade should learn how to classify and discuss the implementation of climate protection measures. Physics teachers can have different attitudes about teaching such socio-scientific issues and face multiple challenges. For example, it is unusual for them to link physics content with political and economic dimensions, as it is the case in discussing climate protection measures. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, the ERTE-model, and the Refined Consensus Model of PCK, addressing salient teaching beliefs in teacher training could foster their willingness and intention to implement educational innovations in their classroom. This contribution is about a preliminary study to an in-service teacher questionnaire, for which we want to reduce a large amount of diverse teaching belief items. Therefore, experts (n=25) ranked 74 belief items regarding the expected importance for teachers and reported unclarities about the items. Accordingly, 18 items will be used in the main study as they were considered “important”. In addition, we justify the inclusion of 16 more items with a lower rating in the final questionnaire due to theoretical reasons or our interest in developing a teacher training program.
Teaching gain: a measure of Physics teachers’ improvements
Authors: Bologna Valentina , Peter Leban Simon , Longo Francesco , Peressi Maria , Sorzio Paolo
Published: February 2025

In Physics Education Research (PER), Hake’s learning gain is widely used to measure students’ improvements. As learning gain tries to emphasise students’ progression in learning, in the same manner, we used teaching gain to measure the trend in changing teaching practices. To define teaching gain, we referred to teachers’ development of new habits of mind and practices when they start to adopt the ISLE approach in their classrooms. We report the results from the analysis of case studies of eight Physics teachers involved in an in-service training program, which guided them to reflect on and change their tasks of teaching.
Supporting physics teachers in the implementation of innovative teaching methods and inspiring learning environments
Authors: Juhásová Antónia , Kireš Marián
Published: February 2025

Education for employment in the information society requires a targeted development of students’ skills and competences. Innovative teaching methods and an appropriate learning environment are essential for the development of skills. Digital technologies make it possible to combine online education with face-to-face teaching. Our aim is to introduce lower and upper secondary school physics teachers to the blended learning method and its practical application in a stimulating future classroom lab (FCL) learning environment. Through an online survey, we mapped the attitudes of STEM teachers towards the teaching methods they use and the current state of the school laboratory in which they teach. In this paper we present the requirements for blended learning activities. We emphasise personalised education, a project-based approach and peer collaboration to develop skills and conceptual understanding. We offer teachers professional collaboration in the design of a flexible learning environment with the involvement of an industrial partner supporting the FCL concept. We highlight the importance of specific learning zones to achieve the stated learning objectives. We present the results of an anonymous survey on the state of physics specialist classrooms as a starting point for school management and teacher initiative in intended changes to the school learning space.
Elixir to Schools - 10 years of continuous support for teachers
Authors: Dvorakova Irena , Proskova Petra
Published: February 2025

Elixir to Schools started 10 years ago as a project aimed at improving physics education in the Czech Republic. Four years later it became an independent non-profit organisation. Nowadays it organizes more than 60 regional centres in the whole country for teachers of mainly physics and chemistry but also from primary schools and kindergartens. Currently, almost 3,000 teachers are involved in Elixir to Schools. Thus Elixir makes continuous and long-lasting in-service teachers’ training. The paper describes support provided to leaders of the centres, annual conferences of Elixir and specific experience from the project as well as teacher feedback gathered through the annual evaluation.
E^4: Professional learning for science teachers on using imaginative tools for teaching about energy
Authors: Puecher C , Altiero T , Amoruso M , Cantó Doménech J , Fuchs H U , Giovannini I , Grazzini B , Jaime Lahoz J , Karwasz G , Piccinetti L , Santoro D , Wyborska K , Corni F
Published: February 2025

Faced with current environmental and technological challenges, we believe it is necessary to support and reform teacher education at academic institutions—especially for primary and lower secondary school teachers—in matters concerning energy. Here, we present the Erasmus project e^4, where we aim at (1) creating a higher education course with innovative resources for teacher training in the field of energy technologies, (2) establishing a network of academic institutions and partners from (energy) industry, agriculture and public institutions dealing practically with these matters (from hereon called stakeholders); and lastly, (3) making these results available on a web platform. In this paper, we outline the project and its contents, and report about experimenting with one of its resources, i.e. Lego® Serious Play® storytelling.