bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative study of long-term measurements of natural gamma absorbed dose rate in outdoor air by TLD and GM detectors
Authors: Mitra Pratip , Sahu S. K. , Kumar A. Vinod
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates and compares two widely employed techniques for measuring natural gamma absorbed dose rate in outdoor air: the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) and the Geiger-Mueller (GM) detector-based environmental radiation monitor (ERM). Over two decades (2003–2023), measurements were conducted at eighteen investigation sites having a wide variation of local dose rate values. The TLDs accumulated quarterly doses, while the ERMs recorded hourly dose rates. The comparison of mean dose rates obtained by the two methods agreed within ± 30% for all sites. A strong positive correlation was obtained between the two methods.
Chicken eggshells as unconventional ESR dosimeters: insight into the influence of particle size and fading characteristic
Authors: Panda Madhusmita , Jakathamani S. , Annalakshmi O. , Joshi Shailesh , Jose M. T. , Srinivas C. V. , Venkatraman B.
Published: January 2025

Dose estimation using unconventional dosimeters during radiological/nuclear emergencies remains challenging and essential for medical triage. In this work, we have explored the potential of utilizing eggshells as an unconventional dosimeter using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Eggshell particle size was optimized (210 to 250 µm) to remove the angular dependence of ESR signal using a Goniometer setup. The radiation induced radicals in irradiated eggshells were identified as orthorhombic

$${\text{CO}}_{2}^{-}$$

CO

2

-

, axial

$${\text{CO}}_{2}^{-}$$

CO

2

-

, and axial

$${\text{CO}}_{3}^{3-}$$

CO

3

3
-

radicals. Among them,

$${\text{g}}_{\perp }=2.0020$$

g
⊥

=
2.0020

component of axial

$${\text{CO}}_{2}^{-}$$

CO

2

-

radical and

$${\text{g}}_{\parallel }=2.0011$$

g
‖

=
2.0011

component of axial

$${\text{CO}}_{3}^{3-}$$

CO

3

3
-

radical were used for dosimetry studies. Dose response was found to be linear up to 1 kGy with a minimum detectable dose of ~ 1 Gy. From fading studies, the signal was found to decay up to 55% within eight days due to ~ 93% fading of axial

$${\text{CO}}_{3}^{3-}$$

CO

3

3
-

radicals. Single aliquot additive dose (SAAD) technique was used for dose reconstruction from irradiated eggshells, and the technique was validated with other standard dosimeters like alanine/ESR and TL (thermoluminescence) discs. The results of the detailed dosimetric investigations showed that eggshells can be potentially used for retrospective dose assessment in case of radiation emergencies by applying proper fading correction.
Study the role of oxygen vacancies and Mn oxidation states in nonstoichiometric CaMnO3-δ perovskite nanoparticles
Authors: Abdel-Khalek E. K. , Mohamed E. A. , Ismail Yasser A. M.
Published: January 2025

In this work, the low cost and eco-friendly CaMnO3-δ perovskite has been prepared by sol-gel method. Rietveld refinement of XRD data indicated that CaMnO3-δ sample crystallized in orthorhombic structure with space group Pnma. Further characterizations of this sample were performed employing TEM, SAED pattern, HR-TEM, and EDS elemental mapping. These measurements show that the CaMnO3-δ sample has polycrystalline nature with high degree of crystallinity and all elements are homogeneously distributed. The oxidation states of Mn ions and the presence of oxygen vacancies in this sample were confirmed by XPS analysis. Optical studies revealed that CaMnO3-δ sample has direct band gap energy (Eg) of 3.63 eV using UV–vis spectroscopy. Asymmetric magnetic hysteresis (M − H) loop in CaMnO3-δ nanoparticles reveals that the presence of exchange bias phenomenon at room temperature. The present work provides the observation of pseudocapacitive behavior in CaMnO3-δ nanoparticles. Furthermore, the presence of oxygen vacancies and Mn oxidation states in CaMnO3-δ sample enhanced the charge storage capability by oxygen intercalation. These results prove that CaMnO3-δ perovskite is a promising material for magnetic and energy-storage applications.

Graphical Abstract
Fostering moral reflectivity in community pharmacists through moral case deliberation using the dilemma method
Authors: Kruijtbosch M. , Floor-Schreudering A. , van Leeuwen E. , Bouvy M. L.
Published: January 2025

Background

Moral case deliberation has been successfully implemented in multidisciplinary groups of secondary care professionals to support ethical decision making. It has not yet been reported for community pharmacists.

Aim

This study investigated whether moral case deliberation fosters moral reflectivity in community pharmacists.

Method

Two moral case deliberations with 14 community pharmacists were guided by two facilitators. One session was described and illustrated with participants’ quotes, detailing each reflection step of the method. An adapted version of the Maastricht evaluation questionnaire was used to understand the effects of the moral case deliberation on participants’ moral reflectivity skills both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results

In a 2-h session, pharmacists reflected on a moral dilemma concerning double anticoagulant therapy of one presenter pharmacist. Participants discussed the pros and cons of two potential actions: dispensing the medication as prescribed without contacting the patient or contacting the patient first. Deliberation highlighted the importance of understanding the patient’s perspective, leading the presenter and two others to shift towards the latter action.

The evaluation questionnaire revealed that all 14 participants felt supported by the deliberation and the facilitator in recognising the dilemma’s moral dimension and understanding their own and others’ values behind arguments and how these influenced different perspectives. They all felt encouraged to critically reflect, to ask open questions and to delay judgements. The method helped all to morally justify their final decision, with six participants arriving at a decision different from their initial perspective towards the dilemma’s resolution.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that moral case deliberation enables pharmacists to critically examine their reasoning and reach morally sound resolutions, supporting pharmacists’ professionalism and ethical decision-making.
Marrying a Billionaire: Studying US American billionaires’ family biographies using the Forbes World’s Billionaires List, 2010–2022
Authors: Wilken Ria
Published: January 2025

Despite the recent findings on the inequality-increasing effect of homogeneous marriages, the growing body of literature on ‘the super-rich’, has missed out on illuminating contemporary global wealth inequality levels from a marital choice perspective. Not much is known about family formation at the top of the wealth distribution. By combining Forbes billionaires rich list data and billionaires’ Wikipedia articles with qualitative data, the paper presents a unique dataset capturing all US American billionaires (n = 948) and their spouses. The results suggest deeply ingrained traditional role allocations in billionaire couples. Female billionaires appear to be more likely to have a partner in the same upper-class fraction than male billionaires, who appear to be more liberal regarding their spouses’ class positions. By shedding light on the unique marriage demographics of the super-rich, the paper supports the importance of dynasty-making family strategies and social closure for understanding the economic elites of our times.
Self-regulated learning and video annotation in a high school acting classroom
Authors: Ellison Jessica Perry , Tang Hengtao
Published: January 2025

This research sought to answer the question about what students learnt from a self-regulated learning (SRL) video annotation tool in a hybrid secondary acting classroom. SRL is an important skill for students to self-direct their own learning processes. For the intervention, students engaged in a series of SRL activities through the video annotation tool, VideoAnt, for six weeks during the distance learning period. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was conducted. Quantitative data was collected using the International Thespian Society – Acting Rubric to assess students’ acting skills. Qualitative data was collected via semi-structured individual interviews. Quantitative findings demonstrated students gained proficiency in acting skills after using the video annotation tool in the acting classroom. Interview data about participants’ perceptions of the intervention were analyzed to triangulate quantitative findings. Implications of these findings for theatre/art educators and academics investing in SRL are discussed.
Problem-solving prior to instructional explanations when learning javelin throwing in primary school
Authors: Leukel Christian , Loibl Katharina
Published: January 2025

Learning of motor skills in physical education classes occurs through different instructional approaches: via instructional explanations from the teacher (I), and via self-determined practice (problem-solving; PS). In our study, we explored whether the sequence of PS and I impacts performance enhancement among primary school children learning javelin throwing. Fifty 4th graders participated and were allocated to either I-PS or PS-I or PS-I with additional practice. Across groups, the children demonstrated improvements in executing movement features, yet there was no significant improvement in throwing distance. The temporal order of PS and I did not mediate these improvements. Additional practice did not lead to further improvements in performance. Our results contrast with earlier results in secondary school children in whom PS-I was more effective than I-PS Loibl & Leukel (2023). The lack of a significant advantage for PS-I over I-PS could stem from the primary children’s limited ability to develop declarative knowledge during PS that links to the content of I.
Strength enhancement of Ca(OH)2 activated ground granulated blast furnace slag-stabilized dredged sediments using Na2CO3
Authors: Ma Ning , Ye Hailong , Choi Clarence Edward , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: January 2025

The efficiency of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag in stabilizing dredged sediments with high water contents is suboptimal because the activators become diluted. To improve stabilization efficiency, additives such as nano-CaCO3 are proposed. However, some of the proposed additives may not be practical owing to their high costs. This study experimentally investigates the addition of Na2CO3 for the stabilization of dredged sediment with high water contents (i.e., 100%) using Ca(OH)2-activated slag. Experimental results show the optimal content of Na2CO3 to obtain the highest 28-day unconfined compressive strength of stabilized sediments is 0.2% gravimetrically. Below the optimal content, the strength increases with Na2CO3 content. Above the optimal content, a decrease in strength is observed. By examining the reaction products and microstructure of the stabilized dredged sediments, it is observed that the coupling mechanism of cation exchange and calcite precipitation promotes the development of finer capillary pores, leading to a reduction in interpore connectivity and lower structural heterogeneity of the fine capillary pores. Experimental evidence from this study broadens the practical applications of sustainable soil stabilization using additives.
Toward structured abdominal examination training using augmented reality
Authors: Schwenderling Lovis , Hanke Laura Isabel , Holst Undine , Huettl Florentine , Joeres Fabian , Huber Tobias , Hansen Christian
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Structured abdominal examination is an essential part of the medical curriculum and surgical training, requiring a blend of theory and practice from trainees. Current training methods, however, often do not provide adequate engagement, fail to address individual learning needs or do not cover rare diseases.

Methods:

In this work, an application for structured Abdominal Examination Training using Augmented Reality (AETAR) is presented. Required theoretical knowledge is displayed step by step via virtual indicators directly on the associated body regions. Exercises facilitate building up the routine in performing the examination. AETAR was evaluated in an exploratory user study with medical students (n=12) and teaching surgeons (n=2).

Results:

Learning with AETAR was described as fun and beneficial. Usability (SUS=73) and rated suitability for teaching were promising. All students improved in a knowledge test and felt more confident with the abdominal examination. Shortcomings were identified in the area of interaction, especially in teaching examination-specific movements.

Conclusion:

AETAR represents a first approach to structured abdominal examination training using augmented reality. The application demonstrates the potential to improve educational outcomes for medical students and provides an important foundation for future research and development in digital medical education.
A Systematic Review of the Digital Divide Experienced by Migrant Women
Authors: Fung Kwok Kin , Lai Chi Yuen , Hung Suet Lin , Yu Yue , He Langjie
Published: January 2025

Digital divide as an academic term captures the inequality involved in the access and usage of digital devices as well as real-life consequences of the imbalance. Concerning migrant women who suffer from the digital divide, there have been extensive studies focusing on the affordances and benefits of having digital access. The problematic side of digital divide and factors leading to such divide, however, are understudied. Therefore, a systematic review is conducted to investigate the digital divide items and factors from the existing literature. Studies (n = 19) were selected by searching through six social science databases of using the search words combination of “digital gap” and “digital divide,” “migrant,” “immigration” and “immigration,” and “female” and “women.” Findings suggest that concerning the access and utilization (level 1, 2 of digital divide), items such as poor network of the home country and factors such as patriarchal ICT culture hamper the access and usage of digital tools. Concerning the outcome of utilization (level 3 of digital divide), migrant service access and urban integration have been undermined. This review shows that digital divide experiences of migrant women have been understudied, and therefore we recommend that more empirical research, with multiple types of data and longitudinal design, in various immigrant-dense countries, should be conducted by adopting the theoretical lenses of lived experience and intersectionality, so that more voices of these women can be heard. In addition, needs assessment based on our identified digital divide factors should be conducted before the training programs for migrant women so as to more effectively bridge the digital divide.
Teacher education students’ emotional intelligence and teacher self-efficacy: a cross-cultural comparison
Authors: Kyriazopoulou Myrto , Metsäpelto Riitta-Leena , Varis Sotiria , Poikkeus Anna-Maija , Tolvanen Asko , Galanaki Evangelia P. , Mikkilä-Erdmann Mirjamaija
Published: January 2025

Existing research has shown that emotional intelligence (EI) and teacher self-efficacy (TSE) play an important role in the work of in-service teachers. However, there is limited research on these variables and their associations among pre-service teachers. Also, the cultural context is expected to influence EI and TSE. Therefore, this study examined the associations between EI and TSE in two cultures, Finland and Greece. A comprehensive evaluation of EI was done by including both trait EI and ability EI measures. Data from primary education student teachers from Finland (N = 82) and Greece (N = 117) were collected online. The measures of EI and TSE exhibited full configural and metric measurement invariance and partial scalar and residual/strict measurement invariance across cultures. Finnish students had significantly higher scores on all EI variables than Greek students, whereas Greek students scored higher on self-efficacy for student engagement. Structural equation modelling showed that trait EI was moderately associated with one facet of ability EI, namely emotional management, but not with emotional understanding, implying that trait EI and ability EI can be considered as partially distinct constructs. A statistically significant positive association between trait EI and TSE was found in Finland, whereas a statistically significant negative association between ability EI and TSE was found in Greece. The findings have important implications for the models of trait and ability EI, for understanding the links between trait and ability EI and TSE during the critical phase of teacher education in the two cultural contexts studied, and for culturally informed teacher education.
Bronze Age monumental earthworks of the Friuli Plain (NE Italy): from LiDAR-based morphometric analysis to the reconstruction of settlement patterns and organization
Authors: Vinci Giacomo , Vanzani Federica
Published: January 2025

In this study, we use high-resolution data from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) acquisitions to comprehensively analyse late prehistoric earthwork structures in the alluvial plain of Friuli (NE Italy). By comparing LiDAR-derived models with direct topographic surveys of the structures carried out in the past we provide a detailed overview of the main characteristics of the structures. The new documentation, including Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles and 3D models of the preserved structures, refines the topographic information collected by previous scholars and offers new insights into the development of sophisticated building techniques by Bronze Age communities. Additionally, by converting earthwork volumes into energetics and combining workforce investment analysis with other archaeological proxies—particularly site size and distribution—we have supported the analysis of settlement patterns and organization. Assuming 100 hypothetical full-time workers, the construction of burial mounds would have required from 1 week to 2 months; phase 3 monumental embankments at Sedegliano, Savalons, and Galleriano forts would have taken 4–10 months while 2.5–4 years at Udine. The Udine mound would have demanded up to 28 times the labour needed for other forts’ embankments, requiring approximately 11 years to complete and likely necessitating additional workforce from nearby settlements. This approach reveals the emergence of a defined hierarchical settlement system in the Friuli plain during the Recent Bronze Age, with the fort of Udine serving as a top-order settlement within a polity of smaller ones, akin to those recognized in the nearby regions of the Po Plain.
Enhancing Gas Diffusion in Antiresonant Hollow-Core Fiber Gas Sensors Using Microchannels
Authors: Kozioł Paweł , Bojęś Piotr , Jaworski Piotr , Wu Dakun , Yu Fei , Krzempek Karol
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we analyze the performance of diffusion-based gas distribution in antiresonant hollow-core fiber-based gas absorption cells. Performed theoretical analysis was based on Fick’s second law using the OpenFOAM® software and finite volume method (FVM), followed by an experimental verification of the obtained simulations. The diffusion time was tested for a 1.25 m long fiber, with laser-micromachined microchannels. Full analysis of the correlation between the microchannel count, position, and separation on the rate at which the fiber-based gas cell was filled with the target gas was presented. Experimental results showed that with the proper microchannel configuration, the purely-diffusion-based gas exchange time in the 1.25 m fiber could be reduced from 6 h, down to 330 s. Obtained results correlated with the simulations, giving perspective for the development and implementation of novel miniaturized passively filled gas absorption cells for compact laser spectrometers.
Characterization of daytime resting sites of New England and eastern cottontails
Authors: Boland Kaylee , Eline Drew V. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Whipps Christopher M. , Cheeseman Amanda E.
Published: January 2025

For cottontails (genus: Sylvilagus), suitable resting cover provides essential food and protection, leading to higher survival rates. As such, resting cover is a common target for management actions. In the Northeastern United States, efforts to conserve New England cottontails (Sylvilagus transitionalis) have focused on habitat restoration, yet their resting cover needs remain uncharacterized. Current management practices for resting cover borrow from guidelines from eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus), risking unintentionally favoring this non-native competitor. Furthermore, invasive plants alter the composition and structure of resting habitat potentially impacting species like cottontails that rely on shrubs for forage and protection. This study characterized daytime resting site use for New England and eastern cottontails and examined the impacts of resting site use on their survival. We specifically examined factors contributing to use of a common, potentially harmful invasive shrub, Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) for both species. We showed both species used a diversity of resting cover types and use was similar between species. Cottontails relied heavily on vegetative cover, with dense vegetation used more frequently than less dense vegetative cover. Invasive/ non-native plant species were used as resting cover more than other cover types. Use of Japanese barberry appeared to be linked to the lack of other suitable native cover and was associated with reduced survival. We demonstrated that recommendations for eastern cottontail resting cover may suit New England cottontails and emphasize the complex tradeoffs inherent in invasive species management. Invasive shrub cover provides crucial resources in the absence of other cover but may also increase vulnerability of at-risk populations.
Mechanized HFMI for improved fatigue life in complex weld shapes
Authors: Stenberg T. , Hultgren G. , Banno Y. , Barsoum Z.
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the implementation of mechanized high-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatments to enhance the fatigue life of complex welded structures. Digital visual inspection and path planning are utilized through digital laser scanning system to automate the HFMI process for more complex weld shapes in S355 steel grade, such as circular weld seams, which are more challenging to treat consistently. The mechanized HFMI setup was calibrated to ensure precise alignment and consistent application of the HFMI tool along the weld toe line. Finite element analysis was used to simulate the HFMI process, focusing on the effects of multi-pass HFMI treatments and optimizing treatment parameters. The simulations identified fatigue initiation sites which were confirmed with the mechanized HFMI treated specimens. Fatigue testing of both as-welded and HFMI-treated samples was conducted, revealing significant improvements in fatigue strength for the HFMI-treated specimens, which is in line with IIW recommendations. The fatigue test results were also compared with previous testing of manually treated samples. It was concluded that the fatigue life scatter, expressed in log C (load capacity), resulted in a smaller standard deviation for the mechanically HFMI-treated samples than the manually treated samples. Geometric measurements from laser scanning post-HFMI treatment also indicated reduced scatter in weld toe radius and HFMI groove depth compared to manual treatments, demonstrating the robustness and consistency of the mechanized process.
A survey on point-of-interest recommendations leveraging heterogeneous data
Authors: Wang Zehui , Höpken Wolfram , Jannach Dietmar
Published: January 2025

Tourism is an important application domain for recommender systems. In this domain, recommender systems are for example tasked with providing personalized recommendations for transportation, accommodation, points-of-interest (POIs), etc. Among these tasks, in particular the problem of recommending POIs that are of likely interest to individual tourists has gained growing attention in recent years. Providing POI recommendations to tourists can however be especially challenging due to the variability of the user’s context. With the rapid development of the Web and today’s multitude of online services, vast amounts of data from various sources have become available, and these heterogeneous data represent a huge potential to better address the challenges of POI recommendation problems. In this work, we provide a survey of published research on the problem of POI recommendation between 2021 and 2023. The literature was surveyed to identify the information types, techniques and evaluation methods employed. Based on the analysis, it was observed that the current research tends to focus on a relatively narrow range of information types and there is a significant potential in improving POI recommendation by leveraging heterogeneous data. As the first information-centric survey on POI recommendation research, this study serves as a reference for researchers aiming to develop increasingly accurate, personalized and context-aware POI recommender systems.
SPH-FE coupling for the simulation of confined flow through permeable deformable membranes
Authors: Brugger Matthias , Traxl Roland , Lackner Roman
Published: January 2025

We present an extension of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) toward fluid flows involving the interaction with permeable deformable membranes. For this purpose, a coupled SPH-FE method based on a variational formulation of the immersed boundary (IB) method is developed. In the proposed method, weakly compressible SPH is used for the discretization of the fluid and a finite element (FE) method for thin structures for the discretization of the membrane. We consider confined flow in a two-dimensional fluid domain, with the membrane being represented as an elastic beam. Adopting the framework available for the IB method, the flux through the permeable membrane as described by Darcy’s law is considered. Finally, the proposed SPH-FE method is applied to two benchmark problems, i.e., the contraction of a circular membrane and the deformation of a membrane in a channel flow, comparing the numerical results with available analytical solutions.
Multidimensional integrable systems from contact geometry
Authors: Sergyeyev Artur
Published: January 2025

Upon having presented a bird’s eye view of history of integrable systems, we give a brief review of certain recent advances in the longstanding problem of search for partial differential systems in four independent variables, often referred to as (3+1)-dimensional or 4D systems, that are integrable in the sense of soliton theory. Namely, we review a recent construction for a large new class of (3+1)-dimensional integrable systems with Lax pairs involving contact vector fields. This class contains inter alia two infinite families of such systems, thus establishing that there is significantly more integrable (3+1)-dimensional systems than it was believed for a long time. In fact, the construction under study yields (3+1)-dimensional integrable generalizations of many well-known dispersionless integrable (2+1)-dimensional systems like the dispersionless KP equation, as well as a first example of a (3+1)-dimensional integrable system with an algebraic, rather than rational, nonisospectral Lax pair. To demonstrate the versatility of the construction in question, we employ it here to produce novel integrable (3+1)-dimensional generalizations for the following (2+1)-dimensional integrable systems: dispersionless BKP, dispersionless asymmetric Nizhnik–Veselov–Novikov, dispersionless Gardner, and dispersionless modified KP equations, and the generalized Benney system.
Is Child Maltreatment Painful? An Exploration of Peritraumatic Pain in Child Maltreatment
Authors: Tsur Noga , Katz Carmit , Shemesh Nofar
Published: January 2025

Substantial findings point to the risk of chronic pain following child maltreatment (CM). However, a coherent explanation for the mechanisms underlying pain following CM is lacking. Although peritraumatic pain may encompass a significant role in these processes, a systematic quantification of peritraumatic pain in CM has never been conducted. This study was conducted to provide an initial exploration of peritraumatic pain characteristics in CM, and its links with CM characteristics, pain expression, and later posttraumatic outcomes. Two samples of adult CM survivors (N = 160 and N = 120, respectively) filled out self-report questionnaires assessing peritraumatic pain characteristics, CM characteristics, peritraumatic dissociation, and complex posttraumatic-stress symptoms (cPTSD). Peritraumatic pain was reported by 42.2% (76 participants) and 57% (69 participants) in Samples 1 and 2, respectively. While pain was most prevalent in physical abuse (90%), it was also prevalent in sexual (63%) and emotional abuse (37.5%; X2(3) = 14.65, p = .002). Peritraumatic pain was most prevalent when the perpetrator was a family member (X2(3) = 14.65, p = .002), longer CM duration (p < .001), and in fight-or-flight peritraumatic responses (X2(2) = 7.13, p = .028). Peritraumatic pain expression did not differ for CM type (p > .083), and most participants reported that the perpetrator ignored their pain (73.9%). Explicit and concealing expressions of pain were associated with later cPTSD symptoms (p < .047). The findings provide an initial understanding of peritraumatic pain characteristics and phenomenology, demonstrating that pain is a substantial constituent of CM experiences and potential posttraumatic outcomes.
A Novel Real-Time Fuzzy-Based Optimal Control of the Charging Cycle of a Renewable Energy Microgrid Storage System
Authors: Osama Ahmed , Allam Dalia , Eteiba Magdy B.
Published: January 2025

AI-based optimal power management and online control of the storage system of the renewable energy microgrid in conjunction with the main grid that can respond instantaneously to any change in the load demand optimally and economically are the main target of this work. A novel online optimal control methodology depending on crossbreeding between the fuzzy logic and a nature-inspired technique has been proposed to determine the optimal time of carrying out the charging or discharging of the microgrid storage system and the required percentage of both of them in addition to the determination of the source of charging and the destination of discharging dynamically and economically at each time step to meet the varying of the load demand with minimum operating costs. A developed mathematical formula has been introduced to control the dynamic operation of the microgrid’s storage system. It has changed relying on the created fuzzy rules which provides outstanding accuracy for this complicated time-varying process. Furthermore, simultaneous optimal power management between the power generation as well as the storage system of the renewable microgrid and the main grid has been accomplished optimally and economically via a meta-heuristic optimizer named hunger games optimizer. The accuracy of the new methodology has been proved via a fair comparison with the previously published methods after implementing them on the same bases.
Railway Transition Zones: Energy Evaluation of a Novel Transition Structure for Critical Loading Conditions
Authors: Jain A. , Metrikine A. V. , Steenbergen M. J. M. M. , Dalen K. N. van
Published: January 2025

Railway transition zones (RTZs) are subjected to amplified degradation leading to high maintenance costs and reduced availability of tracks for operation. Over the years, several mitigation measures have been investigated to deal with the amplified degradation of these zones. However, to ensure the robustness of a design solution, it must be evaluated for critical conditions arising due to certain loading and track conditions. In this paper, the critical load conditions arising due to different velocities (sub-critical, critical and super-critical), the direction of the moving load, the combination of inertial effects and track imperfections (non-straight rail and hanging sleepers) and passage of multiple axles (using a comprehensive vehicle model) are investigated for an embankment-bridge transition. The results are then compared against the recently proposed design of a transition structure called SHIELD (Safe Hull Inspired Energy Limiting Design) to evaluate its performance under these critical conditions using various vehicle models and finite element models of the RTZs. It was found that the novel design of the transition structure effectively mitigates dynamic amplifications and results in smooth strain energy distribution across sub-critical, critical, and super-critical velocity regimes in both directions of movement implying that the expected operation-induced degradation will be as uniform as possible in longitudinal direction. Furthermore, even though this transition structure is designed to deal with initial track conditions (perfectly straight track), its superior performance is not confined to tracks in perfect condition; it also efficiently addresses adverse effects from track imperfections such as hanging sleepers and non-straight rail. In the end, this work demonstrates the robustness of the design solution for all the critical conditions under study.
Determining probability density functions with adiabatic quantum computing
Authors: Robbiati Matteo , Cruz-Martinez Juan M. , Carrazza Stefano
Published: January 2025

The two main approaches to quantum computing are gate-based computation and analog computation, which are polynomially equivalent in terms of complexity, and they are often seen as alternatives to each other. In this work, we present a method for fitting one-dimensional probability distributions as a practical example of how analog and gate-based computation can be used together to perform different tasks within a single algorithm. In particular, we propose a strategy for encoding data within an adiabatic evolution model, which accommodates the fitting of strictly monotonic functions, as it is the cumulative distribution function of a dataset. Subsequently, we use a Trotter-bounded procedure to translate the adiabatic evolution into a quantum circuit in which the evolution time t is identified with the parameters of the circuit. This facilitates computing the probability density as derivative of the cumulative function using parameter shift rules.
From “Airway scares me” to “I would say I’m pretty comfortable”: quality improvement for reducing time to obtain equipment for adult advanced airway management in a rural emergency department
Authors: Butler Ava , Chen Michael , Kaushik Shruti , Lee Terra , Raudaschl Liam , Giles Audrey
Published: January 2025

Background

Management of the adult airway is one of the most stressful and time-critical procedures in emergency medicine. In the Cowichan District Hospital, a rural hospital in British Columbia, Emergency Department (ED) staff were uncomfortable with acquiring the equipment needed for adult advanced airway management and the mean length of time to acquire the equipment was 319 s. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to decrease the time to obtain the equipment needed for adult advanced airway management by nurses and physicians in the Cowichan District Hospital ED to less than 90 s by May 2023.

Methods

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement model of improvement was used to reduce the amount of time required to obtain the equipment for adult difficult airway management in the ED, which was measured using a standardised tabletop simulation every 2 weeks. Change ideas included using a colour-coded airway cart and employing translational simulation. Qualitative interviews with emergency department staff after intubations of patients in the ED captured process measures by examining provider comfort.

Results

From December 2022 to May 2023, the mean time to obtain equipment for adult advanced airway management decreased from an initial value of 319 s to 76 s, a 76% improvement from the baseline. Qualitative interviews obtained pre-intervention, mid-intervention and post-intervention reflected themes of initial discomfort, shifting discomfort to comfort and finally to comfort.

Conclusion

The change ideas of using a colour-coded airway cart and translational simulation were associated with a reduction in time to obtain equipment for management of the adult advanced airway as well as improved provider comfort with the procedure in a rural ED.
German Phonology
Authors: Féry Caroline
Published: January 2025

Drawing on an optimality-theoretic framework, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the phonology of German, with its idiosyncratic array of sound patterns. It starts with the consonants and vowels and the distinctive features they consist of, moving on to account for allophonic changes in detail, as well as syllables and their weight units. Phonological processes are then explored in depth, with chapter-length explorations of feet, prosodic words, prosodic phrases, and intonation phrases, showing that the prosodic hierarchy provides the domains of most phonological processes. It also includes discussions of the interfaces of morphology and syntax with phonology, as well as prosodic phrasing and intonation. The constraint-based approach allows a new holistic perspective, simultaneously encompassing all aspects of German phonology. Wide-ranging yet accessible, it is essential reading for advanced students of both linguistics and German, as well as individual scholars seeking a one-stop resource on the topic.
The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám
Authors: Coumans Jos
Published: January 2025

Since the collected poems of eleventh- and twelfth-century Persian philosopher Omar Khayyám were first translated into English in 1859 by Patrick Fitzgerald, the Rubáiyát has become one of the most popular books of verse in the world. In addition to English, it has been translated into Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Russian, Urdu, and many other languages. It has been published in numerous editions: precious volumes with bejeweled bindings, artist's books, scholarly and critical editions, forgeries and fake editions, making it a perfect object for both book collectors and lovers of poetry. This comprehensive volume is the first bibliography of Khayyám's classic work since the first Rubáiyát bibliography by A. G. Potter, which was published in 1929.
What Was Homer Honing in the Odyssey?
Authors: Tsonis Anastasios A. , Zerefos Christos , Carvalho Leila M. V.
Published: January 2025

We summarize the data provided in Homer's the Odyssey concerning Odysseus' journey and suggest a completely new view of what was Homer trying to convey to us. We suggest that Homer was honing the idea of synergy between rules (determinism) and chance (randomness), an idea deeply rooted in natural processes as well in mathematics.
Four Generations of ECMWF Reanalyses: An Overview of the Successes in Modeling Precipitation and Remaining Challenges for Freshwater Budget of Ocean Models
Authors: Dussin Raphael
Published: January 2025

This study reviews the progress made in modeling precipitations in four generations of reanalyses from the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts, using traditional metrics and a new set of regional metrics. Regional metrics at oceanic basin scales and large land catchment areas over the continents allow for a more comprehensive analysis of the performance of the reanalyses. This leads to the conclusion that significant progress has been made in the past several decades in both the atmospheric model and the assimilation system at the ECMWF, leading to more realistic precipitation. The most recent ERA5 reanalysis outperforms ERA‐Interim and its predecessors by all metrics considered. ERA5 is then used to force a modern ocean general circulation model, and the results show an improvement in terms of the freshwater budget, particularly after the year 2000. However, uncertainties remain about the magnitude and trends of the modeled evaporation.
Impacts on Indian Agriculture Due To Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention Using Agroclimatic Indices
Authors: Grant Nina , Robock Alan , Xia Lili , Singh Jyoti , Clark Brendan
Published: January 2025

Climate change poses significant threats to global agriculture, impacting food quantity, quality, and safety. The world is far from meeting crucial climate targets, prompting the exploration of alternative strategies such as stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) to reduce the impacts. This study investigates the potential impacts of SAI on rice and wheat production in India, a nation highly vulnerable to climate change given its substantial dependence on agriculture. We compare the results from the Assessing Responses and Impacts of Solar climate intervention on the Earth system with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection‐1.5°C (ARISE‐SAI‐1.5) experiment, which aims to keep global average surface air temperatures at 1.5°C above preindustrial in the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2‐4.5 (SSP2‐4.5) global warming scenario. Yield results show ARISE‐SAI‐1.5 leads to higher production for rainfed rice and wheat. We use 10 agroclimatic indices during the vegetative, reproductive, and ripening stages to evaluate these yield changes. ARISE‐SAI‐1.5 benefits rainfed wheat yields the most, compared to rice, due to its ability to prevent rising winter and spring temperatures while increasing wheat season precipitation. For rice, SSP2‐4.5 leads to many more warm extremes than the control period during all three growth stages and may cause a delay in the monsoon. ARISE‐SAI‐1.5 largely preserves monsoon rainfall, improving yields for rainfed rice in most regions. Even without the use of SAI, adaptation strategies such as adjusting planting dates could offer partial relief under SSP2‐4.5 if it is feasible to adjust established rice‐wheat cropping systems.
Subducted Carbon From Mantle Plume in Mid‐Ocean Ridge Basalts
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Yan Quanshu , Shi Xuefa , Li Chuanshun , Huang Fang , Wen Qiuyu
Published: January 2025

Deciphering the Earth's deep carbon cycle, from mantle plumes to mid‐ocean ridges, remains incompletely understood. In this study, we analyze the magnesium isotope composition of basalts collected from the South Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (SMAR), which have been influenced by the off‐axis Saint Helena plume originating from the core‐mantle boundary. The magnesium isotope composition of SMAR basalts falls within a similar range (−0.22 to −0.32‰; average −0.25‰ ± 0.03‰) to that of known global oceanic basalts. However, isotope mixing calculations suggest that the lighter magnesium isotope composition in the SMAR basalts is due to the incorporation of approximately 5%–10% recycled carbonate material carried by the Saint Helena plume into the SMAR asthenosphere. This finding not only highlights the interaction between ridges and off‐axis plumes but also proposes a comprehensive model for the Earth's deep carbon cycle, spanning from the subduction zone through the core‐mantle boundary to the mid‐ocean ridge system.
Observation and Simulation of Chorus Waves in Middle Magnetotail (r > 20 RE)
Authors: Fu W. D. , Fu H. S. , Wu Y. F. , Tao X. , Yu Y. , Zhang W. Z. , Cao J. B.
Published: January 2025

Whistler‐mode chorus waves, characterized by repetitive frequency‐chirping elements, have traditionally been considered to be confined to near‐planet dipolar magnetic fields. In contrast to this long‐held belief, here we present the first observation of whistler‐mode chorus waves in the middle magnetotail beyond 20 RE from Earth, based on MMS measurements. These rising‐tone chorus waves exhibit significantly higher chirping rates compared to those in radiation belts. Using the PIC simulation, we demonstrate these chorus waves can be locally generated, driven by perpendicular flux anisotropy and magnetic field inhomogeneity inside the pileup region. This region, resembling a magnetic bottle, shares shape similarities with the inner magnetosphere but provides a much greater inhomogeneity, resulting in higher chirping rates. These discoveries provide new inspirations for the generation of chorus waves and may lead to new insights into their behavior in space.
Development and Evaluation of a New Correlated K‐Distribution Scheme for BCC_RAD Radiative Transfer Model
Authors: Liu Liting , Zhang Hua
Published: January 2025

With the significant increase in the abundance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over recent decades, more of the weak gaseous absorption bands are required to be incorporated in the gas optics model to improve the computational accuracy of radiation, and thus the warming effect of gases. Based on the latest HITRAN2020 spectroscopic data, a new 36‐band correlated k‐distribution (CKD) scheme is developed with high spectral band resolution for radiative transfer model. By considering errors of both radiative fluxes and atmospheric heating rates, optimizations are made to select the overlapping method and the number of k‐distribution quadrature points in each band. The new CKD model exhibits a remarkable improvement in heating rates and radiative fluxes relative to the previous 17‐band model when performing the identical radiative transfer calculations under 50 atmospheric profiles. The heating rate root‐mean‐square errors (RMSEs) of the 36‐band model are 0.101 and 0.075 K d−1 below 4 hPa for longwave and shortwave, respectively, when validated against the line‐by‐line benchmarks. The longwave irradiance RMSE is 0.47 W m−2 at the top of atmosphere, and the shortwave RMSE is 2.15 W m−2 at the surface. Furthermore, the cases simulating radiative forcing induced by varying gas concentrations demonstrate the ability of the 36‐band model to study the warming effect of greenhouse gases.
Medium‐Scale Thermospheric Gravity Waves in the High‐Resolution Whole Atmosphere Model: Seasonal, Local Time, and Longitudinal Variations
Authors: Malhotra Garima , Fuller‐Rowell Timothy , Fang Tzu‐Wei , Yudin Valery , Karol Svetlana , Becker Erich , Kubaryk Adam Marshall
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a study of the global medium‐scale (scales620 km) gravity wave (GW) activity (in terms of zonal wind variance) and its seasonal, local time, and longitudinal variations by employing the enhanced‐resolution (50 km) whole atmosphere model (WAMT254) and space‐based observations for geomagnetically quiet conditions. It is found that the GW hotspots produced by WAMT254 in the troposphere and stratosphere agree well with previously well‐studied orographic and nonorographic sources. In the ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) region, GWs spread out forming latitudinal band‐like hotspots. During solstices, a primary maximum in GW activity is observed in WAMT254 and GOCE over winter mid‐high latitudes, likely associated with higher‐order waves with primary sources in polar night jet, fronts, and polar vortex. During all the seasons, the enhancement of GWs around the geomagnetic poles as observed by GOCE (at 250 km) is well captured by simulations. WAMT254 GWs in the IT region also show dependence on local time due to their interaction with migrating tides leading to diurnal and semidiurnal variations. The GWs are more likely to propagate up from the MLT region during westward/weakly eastward phase of thermospheric tides, signifying the dominance of eastward GW momentum flux in the MLT. Additionally, as a novel finding, a wavenumber‐4 signature in GW activity is predicted by WAMT254 between 6 and 12 local times in the tropics at 250 km, which propagates eastward with local time. This behavior is likely associated with the modulation of GWs by wave‐4 signal of nonmigrating tides in the lower thermospheric zonal winds.