bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species distribution models for the conservation of a micro-endemic animal: the contribution of regional land cover
Authors: Giachello Simone , Lefosse Sara , Simoncini Andrea , Bonato Lucio
Published: February 2025

Micro-endemic animals face high extinction risks. Species distribution models offer powerful tools for effective conservation strategies, but their implementation is hindered by the resolution of environmental data such as land cover. Here, we assessed the efficacy of one regional versus two continental land cover datasets in predicting habitat suitability for Salamandra atra aurorae, a fully terrestrial amphibian endemic to a ca. 30 km2 area in Northern Italy. We built three species distribution models with the same spatial resolution of 100 × 100 m using the same topographic and climatic predictors but varying the land cover dataset describing forest classes. We used a composite regional dataset assembled from local sources, the Corine Land Cover and the Sentinel-2 Global Land Cover, and compared their capacity to identify the ecological requirements of the species. The models performed comparably, identifying elevation, temperature, and tree composition as primary drivers of habitat suitability and predicting similar suitable areas. However, while all models recognized coniferous forests as more suitable than broadleaf forests, only the land cover classification of the regional dataset allowed to identify different suitability among coniferous forests. Notably, the model using the regional dataset identified old-growth stands with Abies alba as the most suitable, aligning with previous ecological studies. Our case study highlights the limitations of widely used continental land cover datasets in recognising key environmental features influencing habitat suitability for a micro-endemic animal. We showed that incorporating regional land cover data can enhance the accuracy of species distribution models providing more detailed ecological information to guide conservation efforts.
Permissivism, Epistemic Utility, and Arbitrariness
Authors: Eilertsen André
Published: February 2025

The paper addresses the issue of “epistemic permissivism”: does epistemic rationality ever permit more than one doxastic attitude to some proposition, given some body of evidence? One approach has taken up William James’s idea that there are different ways of weighing our two central cognitive goals as believers: Believe truth! Shun error! This motivates an affirmative answer to the question: agents with the same evidence can rationally come to different conclusions about some proposition because they weigh the importance of the goals differently. I examine the consequences of formulating the “Jamesian" argument using epistemic utility theory. This more precise formulation turns out to predict the permissibility of different incompatible doxastic attitudes not just across agents, but for a single agent. That is, we get the possibility of intrapersonally permissive situations, where more than one attitude is rationally open to a single agent. The apparent arbitrariness of rational belief on this picture calls, or so I argue, for serious consideration. I suggest that looking to practical rationality and the practical aspects of belief can explain (away) the arbitrariness worries.
Disentangling Timescales of Molecular Kinetics with spFRET using ALEX-FCS
Authors: Ernst Jeremy , Sane Aditya , van Noort John
Published: February 2025

Single-pair Förster resonance energy transfer (spFRET) probes the dynamics of molecular structures with (sub-)nanometer accuracy. When combined with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), diffusion times and conformation lifetimes can be obtained. Alternating excitation (ALEX) further complements spFRET measurements on freely diffusing molecules, allowing for burst analysis, which can be used to reduce background signal without significant changes to the experimental setup. ALEX is particularly useful for extracting conformational dynamics, but extracting small differences in FRET levels and/or diffusion times can still be difficult for multi-species samples with fast or slow transition rates. Though the combination of spFRET, FCS and ALEX can help to constrain the fits of correlation curves, a rigorous analysis of the range of lifetimes that can be probed with a combination of these methods is lacking. Here, we simulated spFRET-ALEX-FCS experiments of molecules with two conformations that differ both in FRET levels and in diffusion coefficients, representative of fully wrapped and partially unwrapped nucleosomes. We show that we can distinguish small changes in the diffusion coefficient and that burst selection yields accurate lifetimes ranging from 100 us to 100 ms. The simulations provide a framework that can be expanded for more complex systems having a larger number of conformational states, variable stoichiometries from binding interactions and/or other excitation schemes.
The times they are a‐changin’: how venture capital firms change their investment practices under the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ambrois Matteo , Butticè Vincenzo , Croce Annalisa , Grilli Luca , Ughetto Elisa
Published: February 2025

This study examines how venture capital (VC) firms have modified their short-term investment practices in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We categorise VCs’ investment practices according to their level of visibility to external parties and hypothesise that unobservable investment practices are more likely modified than observable ones, since VC firms must comply with the objectives stated in their contracts with limited partners (LPs), and deviations may be viewed negatively by investors. Changing investment practices may have a negative impact on a VC firm’s reputation, but this potential reputational damage could vary along with the reputational capital already possessed by the VC firm and its degree of exposure in a VCs’ network. An empirical analysis based on a global survey of VC firms confirms these theoretical presumptions, shedding light on how the industry operates and responds to unique crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, younger and smaller VC firms are found to be more reluctant than larger and older ones to modify observable investment practices. Similarly, VC firms that are more central in a network of investors are also found to be more hesitant to modify observable investment practices.
Defining and Classifying the Roles of Intelligent Learning Companion Systems: A Scoping Review of the Literature
Authors: Han Yujie , Hong Sumin , Li Zhenyan , Lim Cheolil
Published: February 2025

This scoping review investigates the roles of intelligent learning companion systems (LCS) within educational settings, as well as the presences artificial intelligence (AI) embodies within these roles, and their application in education. Employing the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews, we analyzed 24 studies on the multifaceted nature of LCS roles and their implications for learning. AI-empowered LCS were identified as adaptive systems that emulate human learning companions, providing a dynamic social context to offer learners support and companionship. By simulating human-like characteristics, AI-empowered companions enhance personalized learning experiences and outcomes, optimizing educational outcomes. Our review categorized 14 roles played by intelligent LCS, underlining their versatility and potential to adapt to and meet learners’ needs and abilities. This review offers a comprehensive classification of LCS roles, elucidating their presences and illustrating their practical applications in educational contexts. The findings highlight the transformative role of AI in education, demonstrating its capability to mimic and augment human teaching and learning interactions.
The Cerebellar Role in Emotions at a Turning Point: Bibliometric Analysis and Collaboration Networks
Authors: Osorio-Becerra Dianela A. , D’Angelo Egidio , Casellato Claudia
Published: February 2025

The neural basis of emotional experience, both in neurotypical and clinical conditions, remains an open research topic. Historically, the cerebellum was considered a purely motor structure; however, studies since the mid-twentieth century and contributions like the cerebellar cognitive-affective syndrome, evidenced its role in emotion. This has led to an expansion of the paradigm, encouraging further research into the cerebellar role in emotion. Understanding this field's development is essential to assessing its current state, identifying knowledge gaps, and exploring emerging areas. This paper analyzes the evolution of scientific production, addressing how scientific interest has changed over time, factors driving growth, dominant topics, leading figures, and collaboration networks. This analysis identifies trends and opportunities, guiding strategies and advancing knowledge through a comprehensive view of the state-of-the-art in this research area. To achieve this, a systematic search was conducted in key databases, identifying 1,162 publications with which an exhaustive quantitative analysis was conducted using bibliometric techniques, network analysis, and visualization tools. The results show exponential growth in the field, evidenced by the increase in publications, researchers, funding sources, and the emergence of new topics. This interest, along with an interdisciplinary approach, has fostered collaboration, with large teams and multicenter projects emerging, although small, isolated teams still predominate. Research mainly focuses on neurological and affective disorders, with a predominance of studies in humans, followed by rodent models. Overall, the analysis reveals a highly interdisciplinary and expanding field. However, challenges remain, including unequal access to resources and limited exploration of some topics.
Characteristic of Essential Oils Extracted from the Industrial-Scale Processing By-Products of Agro-foods
Authors: Güҫlü Hülya
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

Nowadays, more interest has been focused on the efficient use of agricultural and food processing post-products. The remaining wastes accumulate in large quantities, resulting in a burden on the environment. However, they possess potentially valuable compounds, making them suitable to recover essential oil from solid waste. This review evaluates the production of essential oils from apple, citrus fruits, sour cherry, corn, rice, wheat, and barley processing wastes, highlighting high levels of bioactive compounds such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Recent Findings

Agro-food processing wastes are composed of biologically active compounds including essential oil with different functional characteristics such as antibacterial and anti-angiogenic properties. This could be due to the presence of bioactive compounds including phytosterols, tocochromanols, tocopherol, and carotenoids, as well as the natural antioxidants and the higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids.

Agro-food processing by-products are a valuable source of essential oil, which is rich in mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids as well as bioactive compounds. Findings provide a reference for the development of healthy products and open a new horizon for innovative and profitable utilization of the wastes generated from the industrial-scale processing of agro-foods.
Impact of Clerkship Length and Sequence on NBME Subject Exam Performance
Authors: Vaughan Megan , Johnson Kory A. , Bergin Christina R.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Core clerkships are foundational learning experiences, yet variability in duration exists across medical schools. Many institutions adjust core clinical experiences as part of curricular modifications to meet evolving needs in undergraduate medical education. We investigated if shortened Internal Medicine (IM) and Surgery clerkship lengths or if clerkship sequence within the academic year would have any impact on NBME subject exam scores.

Methods

We examined four cohorts of third-year medical students from academic years 2017–2018, 2018–2019, 2019–2020, and 2021–2022. Individual student NBME subject exam data were compared, controlling for MCAT score and clerkship block sequence within the academic year.

Results

We found no statistically significant differences in IM or Surgery NBME subject exam scores between the traditional clerkship length (2017–2019) and shortened clerkship length (2019–2022) groups. Mixed-effect regression analyses that included MCAT and block sequence as additional covariates confirmed there were no statistically significant differences in IM or Surgery exam scores between groups. Despite no change in length, the Psychiatry (p = 0.012) and Pediatrics (p = 0.036) clerkships had increased scores post-intervention on the mixed-effects model. MCAT scores were predictive of overall NBME scores on both ANCOVA and regression analyses (p-values ranging < 0.001 to 0.01). Finally, taking a clerkship later in the academic year was associated with increased NBME scores across all subjects (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Shortened clerkship length is not associated with lower performance on NBME subject exams. Clerkship sequence later in the academic year is associated with higher scores. Curricular reform resulting in reduced core clerkship duration may be undertaken without adverse impact on medical knowledge.
Negatively Marked Elimination-Format Multiple-Choice Questions Are Associated with High Cognitive Load and Poor Student Experience Compared to Single Best Answer
Authors: Newton Philip M. , Furby Katherine H. , Campbell Jude , Salvi Atharva , Santiago Gabriella , Chau Michael
Published: February 2025

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a common form of assessment in medical science education. The traditional MCQ format involves students picking a single best answer (SBA) from four or five options. There are concerns about the ability of SBA formats to reward partial knowledge and their susceptibility to guessing. An alternative to SBA is elimination testing (ET), wherein students eliminate all the incorrect answer options, with negative marking to deter guessing. Cognitive load theory (CLT) is an approach to education that prioritises strategies to minimise the amount of unnecessary ‘load’ placed upon working memory. The cognitive load imposed by assessment design has received little attention. We evaluated the cognitive load of SBA and ET MCQ formats, using an online participant pool and a survey of students at a UK Medical School. We found that partial knowledge was rewarded with the ET format. However, students strongly preferred the SBA format and reported both that it was easier and imposed a lower cognitive load. Removing negative marking reduced the cognitive load of ET style questions and improved the student experience, but the improvement was insufficient to change student preference for SBA questions.
How the characteristics of street color affect visitor emotional experience
Authors: Qi Ziyin , Li Junyi , Yang Xiping , He Zhe
Published: February 2025

Streets play a crucial role in urban tourism. This study examines the impact of urban street landscape color characteristics on visitors’ emotional perceptions, providing insights for landscape planning. Focusing on Xi'an's inner-third ring road area, we use Full Convolutional Neural Network (FCN) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms to create an visitors’ emotional perception dataset of street images. Machine learning techniques are employed to extract color features, construct quantitative color indexes, and visualize them spatially. Key findings include: (1) A spatial pattern where perceptions of beautiful and lively increase and depressing decreases from city centers, suggesting similarities between visitors' and residents' emotional responses; (2) A complex, non-linear relationship between color features and emotional perception, with optimal responses at color complexity 0.86 and coordination 0.84; (3) More pronounced color characteristics positively affect visitor emotions under non-routine conditions. Theoretically, this study confirms that vibrant environments enhance visitor experiences. Methodologically, it extends tourism studies by integrating streetscape big data and machine learning, moving beyond traditional text-based analysis. The results offer city managers valuable insights into visual preferences for streetscapes, aiding in the optimization of urban landscape design.
Stewarding the inappropriate diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection: leveraging the urinalysis to understand true antibiotic overuse
Authors: Hartlage Whitney , Castillo Alyssa Y. , Kassamali Escobar Zahra , Bajenov Maria , Martinez-Paz Natalia , Lynch John B. , Bryson-Cahn Chloe , Chan Jeannie D.
Published: February 2025

We evaluated 249 asymptomatic patients receiving antibiotics for urinary infection: 222 had asymptomatic pyuria and/or nitrituria (ASPN) and 133 had asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB, growth ≥105 colony forming units/ml). ASPN identified 40% more cases of unnecessary antibiotics compared to ASB and may be a more comprehensive measure of unnecessary antibiotic use.
Short versus long treatment duration for streptococcal bloodstream infection
Authors: Gray Julie , Zhang Chong , Earl Ali , Spivak Emily S.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Emerging data surrounding the rise in antimicrobial resistance have prompted a shift towards shorter antibiotic durations. Studies show similar clinical outcomes comparing shorter antibiotic courses to longer ones for uncomplicated Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI). However, there is a lack of data to inform durations of therapy for Streptococcal BSI.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to University of Utah Health with uncomplicated Streptococcal BSI. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to estimate the average treatment effects (ATE) of antibiotics administered for 10 days or fewer (short duration) versus more than 10 days (long duration). The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent BSI, all-cause mortality, and readmissions at 30 days from end of therapy.

Results:

Five hundred patients were screened and 196 were included in the final analysis. The most common sources were skin and soft tissue infections. The median duration in the short and long groups were 8 (IQR, 7–10) and 15 days (IQR, 14–17), respectively. The ATE of short versus long duration of antibiotics was not significant for the composite primary outcome (18% vs 18%; OR = 1.42 [95% CI: 0.57 to 3.53]).

Conclusions:

We found no appreciable difference in outcomes between patients treated with short versus long antibiotic durations for uncomplicated Streptococcal BSI. Given low absolute rates of mortality and recurrent BSI, along with the lack of evidence indicating a significant difference related to treatment duration, it is reasonable to consider shorter durations. Future research is needed to confirm our findings.
Drawing a Line: Rejecting Resultant Moral Luck Alone
Authors: Demirtas Huzeyfe
Published: February 2025

The most popular position in the moral luck debate is to reject resultant moral luck while accepting the possibility of other types of moral luck. But it is unclear whether this position is stable. Some argue that luck is luck and if it is relevant for moral responsibility anywhere, it is relevant everywhere, and vice versa. Some argue that given the similarities between circumstantial moral luck and resultant moral luck, there is good evidence that if the former exists, so does the latter. The challenge is especially pressing for the large group that exclusively deny resultant moral luck. I argue that rejecting resultant moral luck alone is a stable and plausible position. This is because, in a nutshell, the other types of luck can but the results of an action cannot affect what makes one morally responsible.
A sharp threshold for Trudinger–Moser type inequalities with logarithmic kernels in dimension N
Authors: Cannone Alessandro , Cingolani Silvia
Published: February 2025

In the article, we investigate Trudinger–Moser type inequalities in presence of logarithmic kernels in dimension N. A sharp threshold, depending on N, is detected for the existence of extremal functions or blow-up, where the domain is the ball or the entire space

$\mathbb{R}^N$

. We also show that the extremal functions satisfy suitable Euler–Lagrange equations. When the domain is the entire space, such equations can be derived by a N-Laplacian Schrödinger equation strongly coupled with a higher order fractional Poisson’s equation. The results extends [16] to any dimension

$N \geq 2$

.
Public Participation as Decentralization of the History-Making Process: The HistorEsch Project in Luxembourg
Authors: Cauvin Thomas
Published: February 2025

In this article, I explore how public participation affects the research and production of history. As a way of making history more accessible, more participatory, and more connected to present-day public engagement with the past, public history fully belongs to the public humanities. In public participation as decentralization of the history-making process: the HistorEsch project in Luxembourg, I discuss the collaboration among historians, artists, and local residents to co-construct new public historical narratives of the town of Esch-sur-Alzette, in Luxembourg. As a paradigm, public history questions and reinvents the role of professional historians who share authority with other actors in the history-making process.
An acoustic and articulatory investigation into Liverpool and Wirral lateral production in female and male adolescent speech
Authors: Lewis Scott , de Leeuw Esther
Published: February 2025

Liverpool English, commonly known as ‘Scouse’, is often reported to be a low prestige variety of English. Despite its low prestige, it has been suggested that Scouse has displaced the traditional variety of the neighbouring Wirral peninsula. To this end, this study's objective was to investigate whether Liverpool and Wirral speech differ from one another as revealed through both an ultrasound and acoustic analysis of the lateral phoneme in teenage speech. The acoustic results showed that, surprisingly, teenagers from both Liverpool and the Wirral produced clear onset and dark coda laterals. Interestingly, the ultrasound findings revealed that both Liverpool and Wirral males displayed a preference for ‘less standard’ velarisation as a darkening mechanism, whilst females showed a preference for ‘more standard’ pharyngealisation. Differences between these darkening strategies were only evident through the ultrasound analysis. Therefore, in general, our findings showed that covert articulatory variation was evident between male and female adolescent speakers on the Wirral and in Liverpool.
Multilingual English teachers in Asian Expanding Circle ELT
Authors: Hiasa Ayako
Published: February 2025

This paper surveys studies that explore the experiences of multilingual English teachers (MET) teaching English to learners from the Eastern part of Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand). By MET, I refer to teachers who speak English as one of their multilingual repertoires and teach English to students from different linguistic backgrounds than their own (Galloway 2014). Studies have recently shown that Outer Circle has been establishing a role in providing English education to Expanding Circle learners. Moreover, it is also becoming common for teachers from Expanding Circle to cross national borders in order to teach English in another Expanding Circle country. This paper reviews studies specifically addressing those teachers and identifies three contact zones: (a) study abroad programs in Asian Outer Circle; (b) EFL classrooms; and (c) digital space. As there are some distinctive characteristics pertaining to different contact zones, I first briefly review the previous studies by each zone, followed by a synthesis of the research findings with a focus on how environment influences teachers' experiences based on the lens of intersectionality and situated power dynamics. Then, I conclude the review by discussing the problematic nature of treating this unique teacher population as pseudo-native speakers from a pedagogical perspective.
Non-curative care options for patients with advanced-stage head and neck cancer: Current state of the science and future opportunities
Authors: White Melissa C. , Canick Julia E. , Mowery Yvonne M. , Rocke Daniel J. , Ramos Katherine , Osazuwa-Peters Nosayaba
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Head and neck cancer (HNC) often requires complex management and care. While the primary goal of treatment is curative, some advanced cases require consideration of non-curative pathways to optimize patients’ quality of life (QOL) and survival. This narrative review describes important aspects of palliative care and highlights strategies for employing these non-curative options in HNC.

Methods

We identified peer-reviewed articles on the state of palliative care in HNC and its implementation. We searched for articles using terms including “palliative care,” “non-curative care,” “comfort care,” “head and neck cancer,” and “head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.”

Results

HNC is associated with a high disease burden; patients report high levels of pain, and both disease and treatment often compromise ability to carry out activities of daily living. There exist several non-curative routes of treatment, including palliation of symptoms, acute end-of-life (EOL) care, and hospice and home care. These care options provide comfort and optimize QOL of patients. Unfortunately, non-curative care could be misconstrued as withdrawal of treatment, or the provider team “giving up” on patient; these misconception can discourage patients from embracing palliative measures designed to alleviate symptom burden. Proper physician–patient communication, normalization, and early incorporation of these non-curative strategies into mainstream treatment could potentially ease patient concerns, and, eventually in EOL cases, help patients achieve dignified deaths.

Significance of results

Patients with HNC have unique palliative care needs due to their complex treatment and symptom burden. Early incorporation of non-curative plans such as palliative care alongside active treatment could help reduce symptom burden. Clinicians should strive to build trusting relationships with patients with HNC and effectively communicate with them about palliative care options. Guidelines that include such recommendations can help physicians regularly introduce palliation into the realm of active HNC treatment for advanced/incurable disease.
Aerosol Retrievals From SPEXone on the NASA PACE Mission: First Results and Validation
Authors: Fu Guangliang , Rietjens Jeroen , Laasner Raul , van der Schaaf Laura , van Hees Richard , Yuan Zihao , van Diedenhoven Bastiaan , Hannadige Neranga , Landgraf Jochen , Smit Martijn , Knobelspiesse Kirk , Cairns Brian , Gao Meng , Franz Bryan , Werdell Jeremy , Hasekamp Otto
Published: February 2025

We present the first Spectropolarimeter for Planetary EXploration ‐ one (SPEXone) aerosol retrieval results over land and ocean using the Remote sensing of Trace gas and Aerosol Products algorithm, covering the period 23 February–31 August 2024. We validate the retrieved Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Angstrom Exponent (AE), and Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) with AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) data. The validation results show that SPEXone provides products of good quality, with comparable performance over land and ocean. For AOD, the Root‐Mean‐Square Error (RMSE) is 0.053 over land and 0.043 over ocean, while respectively 77% and 75% of the retrievals are within the requirement formulated by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). For AE, the RMSE is 0.25 over land and 0.26 over ocean. For SSA, the RMSE is 0.036 over land and 0.036 over ocean, with respectively 69% and 69.4% within the GCOS requirement. After a gap of more than 10 years, this is the first new global Multi‐Angle Polarimeter aerosol dataset.
Prediction of Energetic Electrons in the Inner Radiation Belt and Slot Region With a Double‐Layer LSTM Neural Network Model
Authors: Yang Ling , Li Liuyuan , Cao Jinbin
Published: February 2025

The prediction of high‐energy radiation belt electrons is vital for preventing their damage to satellites. Previous machine learning models mostly predict the fluxes of high‐energy electrons (hundreds of keV to MeV) in the outer radiation belt and slot region (L > 2.6). Here, we trained a double‐layer long short‐term memory (LSTM) neural network model and successfully predicted the spatial and temporal variations of the 108–749 keV electrons in the inner radiation belt (L ∼ 1.2–2.2) and slot region (L ∼ 2.2–3.2). Under different solar or geomagnetic conditions, the prediction efficiency of the present model maintains 0.6–0.99 in the inner belt and slot region, and its prediction error is less than 0.48. The high‐resolution (∼11 s) LSTM model could predict the rapid injection events of high‐energy electrons within several minutes in the radiation belts.
Global Applicability of the Kappa Distribution for Rainfall Frequency Analysis
Authors: Strong Robert , Borgstroem Olivia , Nathan Rory , Wasko Conrad , O’Shea Declan
Published: February 2025

Extreme rainfall events have profound implications across various sectors, necessitating accurate modeling to assess risks and devise effective adaptation strategies. The common practice of employing three‐parameter probability distributions, such as the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) and Pearson Type III distributions, in rainfall frequency analysis often encounters limitations in capturing rare, heavy‐tailed events with a lack of consensus as to which distribution is the most applicable. In this study, we explore the applicability of the four‐parameter Kappa distribution (K4D) for modeling extreme daily rainfalls using annual maxima from the Global Historical Climatology Network‐Daily database. Quality checks and thresholds were used to remove erroneous and poor‐quality data, retaining 20,500 stations with 50 or more years of data. The variation in the second shape parameter () was examined across regime characteristics, geospatial regions, and climate regional groupings to identify where the K4D is best able to model extreme rainfalls. Consistent with theoretical expectations, converges toward zero (i.e., toward the limiting GEV distribution) as the average number of rainfall events per year increases (here approximated by rain days). However, in arid regions with a limited number of annual storm events, we observe average values of greater than zero, with a strong regional and climatic coherence in . Our results suggest that there is merit in using the K4D for modeling heavy tail behavior, particularly in regions with a small number of events per year. These findings will contribute to advancing statistical modeling techniques for extreme rainfall, benefiting hydrological modeling and risk assessments.
Tailored bimetallic Zn/Ni and Zn/Ag MCM-41 photocatalysts for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic tetracycline degradation
Authors: Wahba Mohammed Ahmed , Khaled Rabab K. , Dawy Magdah
Published: February 2025

Novel bimetallic-doped-MCM-41(Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) (Zn/Ni-MCM-41 (ZNM)) and (Zn/Ag-MCM-41 (ZAM)) catalysts were synthesized and characterized for their structural, textural, morphological, and optical properties. XRD analysis confirmed metal incorporation into the MCM-41 framework, while N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms indicated a decrease in specific surface area (1210 in pure MCM-41 to 722.86 and 700.36 m2/g for ZNM and ZAM, respectively) due to partial pore filling. TEM images verified this finding. Boosted absorption extending into the visible light region was detected in the metal incorporated (ZNM and ZAM) samples with additional band gaps, related to transitions in Zn2+, Ag+ and Ni2+ ions. Photoluminescence studies revealed efficient charge carrier separation in ZNM and ZAM. Both catalysts exhibited superior tetracycline (TC) removal from aqueous solution with efficiency (95.59% and 95.30% within one hour for ZNM and ZAM, respectively) with pronouncing visible light photocatalytic capability compared to pure MCM-41. The degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZNM and ZAM is attributed to the synergistic effects of metal incorporation, increased light absorption, and efficient charge carrier dynamics. Additionally, a possible photocatalytic mechanism for degradation of TC over ZNM and ZAM has been proposed and involvement of superoxide radicals (O2
•−) and holes (h+) as reactive species is elucidated by radical trapping experiments. A distinct pH-dependent trend was observed in TC degradation efficiency using the ZAM photocatalyst. The efficiency gradually increased with increasing pH until reaching a maximum at pH 7, followed by a decline at higher pH values. These results demonstrate the potential of ZNM and ZAM as promising materials for removal of tetracycline antibiotic from water.
Correction: Fluorescent carbon dots from birch leaves for sustainable electroluminescent devices
Authors: Tang Shi , Liu Yongfeng , Opoku Henry , Gregorsson Märta , Zhang Peijuan , Auroux Etienne , Dang Dongfeng , Mudring Anja-Verena , Wågberg Thomas , Edman Ludvig , Wang Jia
Published: February 2025

Correction for ‘Fluorescent carbon dots from birch leaves for sustainable electroluminescent devices’ by Shi Tang et al., Green Chem., 2023, 25, 9884–9895, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3GC03827K.
Pyramid-shaped quantum dot superlattice exhibiting tunable room-temperature coherent emission via oriented attachment
Authors: Liu Zheng , Chen Xiya , Yao Ruizhao , Li Lihui , Luo Huanteng , Li Guangcan , Liu Xiao
Published: February 2025

Oriented attachment drives perovskite superlattices to form mesocrystals, which exhibit coherent optical properties due to long-range ordering and strong dipole interactions, enabling coherent emission at ambient conditions.
Two decades of materials research excellence at NIMTE: celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Authors: Lu Zhiyi , Chen Tao , Wang Liping
Published: February 2025

Zhiyi Lu, Tao Chen and Liping Wang introduce this Materials Horizons collection celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE).
Membrane-mediated interactions between arc-shaped particles strongly depend on membrane curvature
Authors: Bonazzi Francesco , Weikl Thomas R.
Published: February 2025

The membrane-mediated interactions of arc-shaped particles adsorbed to tubular and spherical membrane vesicles were determined from particle distributions observed in simulations and shown to strongly increase with decreasing membrane curvature.
Stable antiparallel domains in 3D corrugated magnetic thin films
Authors: Delgado-García Rafael , Guerrero Ruben , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Gabriel , Gálvez Fernando , Arranz Miguel Ángel , Colino Jose Miguel
Published: February 2025

Corrugated Permalloy Films – Shape Anisotropy – Stable Antiparallel Magnetic Domains – Magnetooptical Enhanced Properties.
Multi-dimensional composite catalyst NiFeCoMoS/NFF for overall electrochemical water splitting
Authors: Tan Zhaojun , Guo Shuaihui , Wang Wen , Li Gang , Yan Zhenwei
Published: February 2025

A complex 1D–2D–3D composite structure (NiFeCoMoS/NFF) was prepared by vulcanizing the CoPVP/NFF (NiFe foam) and Mo–CoPVP/NFF precursors synthesized sequentially in a hydrothermal procedure using NiFe foam as substrate.
Evaluation of a chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel loaded with graphene oxide and nano TiO2 for bone defect reconstruction in a dog model
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed , Hassanein Khaled M. A. , Hussein Shereen Ibrahim Zakaria , Semieka Mohammed M. A. , Elshahawy Abdelnaby M.
Published: February 2025

Implantation of bone defects with the CS/PVA/GO/nano TiO2 hydrogel represents a promising bone graft substitute for accelerating bone healing.
Rosé or white, glass or plastic: computer vision and machine learning study of cavitation bubbles in sparkling wines
Authors: Aliev Timur , Korolev Ilya , Yasnov Mikhail , Nosonovsky Michael , Skorb Ekaterina V.
Published: February 2025

Bubbles in rosé and white sparkling wines were studied with computer vision analysis and machine learning to distinguish between different types of wine.
Investigation of macrokinetic parameters and flame propagation limits in a gas diesel
Authors: Lopatin Oleg
Published: February 2025

The work shows that the most important property of a flame is its ability to propagate in a combustible mixture in the form of a combustion wave. It has been proved that flame propagation is characterized by critical phenomena, when in certain cases minor changes in pressure, temperature or concentration can dramatically change the rate of the process. The concentration limits of flame propagation and the concentration limits of ignition are considered, depending on the presence of additives, the effect of which can be positive (promotion, expansion of limits) and negative (narrowing of limits, inhibition). The results of calculating the concentration limits of methane flame propagation in a stoichiometric fuel-air mixture and in a fuel-oxygen mixture are presented.
Turbulent convection simulation in a square cavity
Authors: Kurbanaliev Abdikerim , Kalbekova Makburat , Alieva Chinara , Murzakmatova Ziiada , Suyumkan Myktarbek kyzy
Published: February 2025

The significance of this study pertains to the development of alternative energy sources, including solar panels, the optimization of thermal management in contemporary computer system microcomponents, safety protocols for nuclear reactors. The investigation addressed the numerical simulation of natural convection executed in a two-dimensional approximation. A comparative analysis of the mean temperature and vertical velocity component profiles derived from these simulations indicated that the OFv8 and OFv9 versions of OpenFOAM yielded congruent results, whereas the outputs from OFv7 deviated. It was observed that the SGG model in OFv7 provided velocity component profiles at mid-height that were more accurate compared to the LRR model. Conversely, for the OFv8 and OFv9 versions, the accuracy of the numerical results declined. It was demonstrated that for the SGG model, the accuracy of the velocity profile is enhanced when employing the bounded Gauss limitedLinear 1 scheme for discretizing the convective term of the equations for R and ε, as opposed to using the upwind scheme. OFv7, OFv8, and OFv9 versions of the OpenFOAM suite were found to underestimate the maximum kinetic energy and Reynolds stress near the cold, left cavity wall. The findings are applicable to mathematical modeling of heat and mass transfer processes.
Production of silicon-based thermodiffusion layer in tube furnace coil weld after long-term operation
Authors: Lemeshko Nikita V. , Rubtsov Aleksey V. , Shermatov Jamshed N. , Chertovskikh Sergei V. , Tazetdinov Ruslan M.
Published: February 2025

The article shows the results of research work on the formation of a thermodiffusion protective layer based on silicon on the surface of the welded joint of the coil tube of the reaction furnace after long-term operation. The object of study is the welded joint of the reaction furnace coil made of 10Kh23N18 steel. The article presents the results of a study to determine the depth of the protective layer at different siliconizing times. Silicification was carried out at a temperature of 1000 ° C for 6, 8 and 10 hours using a powder mixture, the dimensions of the samples 38 × 10 × 9 mm with a weld cut out of the welded joint of the reaction furnace coil pipe. Analysis of the siliconized layers showed that the depth of the protective coating depends on the temperature and heat treatment time. Metallographic examination of samples conducted in the furnace for 6 hours established that the thermal diffusion coating was not formed. When examining the surface of samples with heat treatment for 10 hours, a smaller protective layer based on silicon is formed. The maximum thickness of the thermal diffusion protective layer is formed when heated for 8 hours.
Magnetic properties and concentration of heavy metals in soils and street dust
Authors: Yazikov Egor , Osipova Nina , Talovskaya Anna , Osipov Konstantin , Novikov Sergey
Published: February 2025

Magnetic susceptibility values of different dust fractions were determined by the kappametry method for the Mezhdurechensk city territory (Kemerovo oblast) exposed to coal mining enterprises. The mineral composition of the dust was studied. The magnetic susceptibilities of soil samples were determined as reference values. The analysis of iron group elements in road dust (size fraction < 1 mm) showed the positive noticeable correlation between the dust magnetic susceptibility and amount of Fe, Co, Cr contained in it. The measurement of the road dust magnetic susceptibility by the kappametry method allows quick assessment of pollution with the heavy metals of the iron group and can be recommended for monitoring.
Selecting the neural network architecture in the problem of geomagnetic SME index modeling
Authors: Polozov Yurii
Published: February 2025

The paper solves the problem of selecting the recurrent neural network architecture to construct geomagnetic SME index architecture. The description is given for the architectures providing the processing of longterm dependencies in data. Neural network performance quality was estimated on the basis of errors. The Dropout layer effect on the modeling results is shown separately. The constructed neural network models can be used to forecast the SME index variations.
Variation of metal corrosion rate during cyclic loading in potential failure zones
Authors: Tyusenkov Anton , Abramovskikh Darina , Shermatov Jamshed , Pudakova Valeriya , Rubtsov Alexey
Published: February 2025

Technological equipment of oil and gas processing under certain technological processes is simultaneously operated both in conditions of corrosive working media and in cyclic loading mode. Under such conditions, the probability of premature destruction increases significantly. Corrosion wear contributes to the exhaustion of the safety margin, and cyclic loading contributes to the formation of fatigue cracks. Regulatory documents regulate control methods for detecting the degree of corrosion wear and fatigue cracks. However, the most interesting scientific topic is the study of the relationship between the rate of metal corrosion and the level of accumulated damage in the aggregate. Therefore, research on the development of new methods, as well as diagnostic features to determine the zones of possible destruction under operating conditions of objects with simultaneous exposure to corrosion wear and cyclic loading, is relevant. The authors suggest that in metal zones with the maximum level of accumulated damage, the corrosion rate may be the most intense.
Atomic force and electron microscopy of silicone composites with nanostructured iron
Authors: Valiev Hammat , Stepanov Gennady , Bakhtiyarov Anton , Kirichenko Svaytoslav , Kudryavtsev Andrey , Minaev Andrey , Vlasov Aleksandr , Karnet Yuliya , Kornilova Alla , Bazin Andrey
Published: February 2025

Novel magnetoactive thin film composites based on silicone elastomer with nano-structured iron fillers have been synthesized. Atomic force microscopy studies have established these composites surface topography unique sensitivity to restructuring induced by the atomic force microscope probe. Application low external magnetic field also resulted in changing the initial composites surface wrinkled structure. Scanning electron microscopy research allowed determine the filler agglomerates average size from about 100 nm to 5 μm and their distributions in the polymer matrix. These composite systems with variable surface properties, possess tunable microstructure morphology as a result of controlling small external influences. Such magnetoactive thin film smart surfaces with dynamic wrinkles can find wide practical applications in tunable optical and electronic devices with responsive microstructures.
Microtexturing of TiZrN-Coated Si3N4 cutting inserts for machining nickel alloy
Authors: Volosova Marina A. , Okunkova Anna A. , Mustafaev Enver S. , Gkhashim Khasan I. , Malakhinsky Alexander P.
Published: February 2025

Insulating cutting ceramics exhibit outstanding mechanical and thermal properties but have electrical conductivity below the percolation threshold. It does not allow sophisticated shapes to be obtained by diamond grinding and polishing. The developed innovative technique is based on choosing the wear-resistant coating based on the chemical composition of the cutting ceramics and its behaviour at 1000–10 000°C, including changing the electrical conductivity from insulating to conducting level, dissociation/sublimation of its components and forming new conductive compounds during cooling that improves the conductive conditions in the interelectrode gap. Thus, the coating plays a wear-resistant role and serves as a technological asset in shaping methods based on the electrical destruction of the materials under discharges. TiZrN coating was deposited on a Si3N4 cutting insert using the vacuum-plasma method, with a thickness of 3.8–4.0 μm. The ceramics was microtextured by powder-mixed wire electrical discharge machining in TiO2-suspension, dw = 0.25 mm. The coated samples were subjected to adhesion and wear-resistance tests. Failure criterion in machining XH45MBTJuBP alloy was chosen a chamfer of 400 μm. The durability of the TiZrN-coated Si3N4 ceramic insert was improved by 1.33.
Spectrum of Reynolds stress for anisotropic turbulence and Taylor expansion of small-scale velocity
Authors: Balonishnikov Alexander
Published: February 2025

Solution of the small-scale velocity transport equation for incompressible fluid in anisotropic turbulence as Taylor series in time is used for obtaining of explicit expression for the Reynolds Stress spectra. The initial condition is isotropic with a given turbulent energy spectrum. It is assumed that low-order terms are sufficient for correct description for the period about the time turnover of large-scale eddies. The averaging is taken over this period, the integral scale of turbulence and three uniformly distributed random phases of initial isotropic velocity. It is assumed that isotropic energy spectrum is given. The Craya-Herring components of small-scale velocity (polarization Fourier components) are used. Obtained Reynolds stress contain the mean dissipation rate of kinetic energy.
Construction of systems of kinematics and dynamics equations in mathematical rigging models for immersive environments
Authors: Grace Amelia , Kovalev Igor , Kovalev Dmitry , Voroshilova Anna , Borovinsky Dmitry
Published: February 2025

The article discusses key aspects of constructing rigging equation systems in immersive environments based on physical laws, including kinematics and dynamics equations. It examines the mathematical models and methods underlying these systems, as well as their integration to create realistic and efficient virtual worlds. Special attention is given to the development of equations for mathematical rigging models that determine the operator's movement in a virtual nuclear power plant simulator. Taking into account the laws of physics in mathematical rigging models based on determining the structure of the user's skeleton and objects, as well as constructing kinematics and dynamics equations, allows characters to move naturally and react to interaction with the environment. The article is of interest to virtual reality specialists, and researchers involved in computing, mathematical modeling novel physics in virtual reality labs and computer graphics.