bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents for SPDEs with Fractional Noise
Authors: Blessing Neamţu Alexandra , Blömker Dirk 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We estimate the finite-time Lyapunov exponents for a stochastic partial differential equation driven by a fractional Brownian motion (fbm) with Hurst index

$$H\in (0,1)$$

H
∈
(
0
,
1
)

close to a bifurcation of pitchfork type. We characterize regions depending on the distance from bifurcation, the Hurst parameter of the fbm and the noise strength where finite-time Lyapunov exponents are positive and thus indicate a change of stability. The results on finite-time Lyapunov exponents are novel also for SDEs perturbed by fractional noise.
Akademikerinnen und Akademiker in der Ophthalmologie
Authors: Englmaier Verena Anna , Maier-Wenzel Anna-Karina , Liekfeld Anja , Eter Nicole , Brücher Viktoria Constanze 
Published: December 2024

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund
Die Zahl der Ophthalmologinnen hat in den letzten Jahren stetig zugenommen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Geschlechterverhältnisse an den deutschen Universitätsaugenkliniken zu untersuchen. Auch der Anteil der Frauen an Förderprogrammen, wie dem Clinician Scientist Programm, wird analysiert.

Methodik
Die Datenerhebung erfolgte im August 2023 anhand der offiziellen Internetplattformen der Universitätsaugenkliniken und der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (DOG). Es wurde die Anzahl an männlichen und weiblichen Ärzt*innen in Weiterbildung, Fach‑, Oberärzt*innen und Klinikdirektor*innen, Subspezialisierungen und akademischen Grade ermittelt. Die Informationen zum Clinician Scientist Programm wurden 2022 in einer Umfrage des Medizinischen Fakultätsrats erhoben.

Ergebnisse
Im August 2023 gab es 2 Klinikdirektorinnen an den Universitätsaugenkliniken (5 %), beide mit Schwerpunktbereich der Netzhautchirurgie. Mit 59,9 % gab es mehr Oberärzte als Oberärztinnen (40,1 %). Kein signifikanter Unterschied bestand zwischen beiden Geschlechtern hinsichtlich der Anzahl an Habilitationen (p = 0,554). Es gab mehr Fachärztinnen als Fachärzte für Augenheilkunde an den Universitätskliniken (F: 58,6 %; M: 41,4 %) sowie mehr Ärztinnen in Weiterbildung (F: 56,9 %; M: 43,1 %). Die Fachärztinnen waren signifikant häufiger promoviert als ihre männlichen Kollegen (p = 0,037). Der Prozentsatz an weiblichen Bewerbungen für das Clinician Scientist Programm lag deutschlandweit 2022 bei 46,6 %, der Programmstarterinnen 2021 bei 41,8 % und der Programmabsolventinnen 2021 bei 39,7 %.

Schlussfolgerung
Die oberärztlichen Positionen und die Positionen der Klinikdirektor*innen an den Universitätsaugenkliniken werden weiterhin überwiegend vom männlichen Geschlecht bekleidet. Auch werden Förderprogramme für wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs noch in der Mehrzahl an Männer vergeben.
Fluorescence of various buried fresh and fresh-frozen-thawed tissue types up until the point of active decay: a human taphonomy study
Authors: Charlot Emmanuelle , Gasser Anas , Oostra Roelof-Jan , Aalders Maurice C. G. , Krap Tristan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Forensic taphonomy is the study of postmortem changes of human remains for the purpose of answering legal investigative questions. Many variables can affect the pattern and rate of decomposition of remains, posing challenges for taphonomic studies and estimation of the postmortem interval. Given the gap in knowledge regarding the suitability of using frozen remains to extrapolate conclusions to fresh material, investigating the effects of freeze-thaw cycles followed by burial on human remains is vital for forensic practice and taphonomic research. This study explored the impact of a freeze-thaw cycle and subsequent burial on human tissue decomposition under semi-controlled field conditions. Fresh and fresh-frozen-thawed hands were buried at the Amsterdam Research Initiative for Sub-surface Taphonomy and Anthropology for 31.7 to 340.4 accumulated degree days. Decomposition was assessed using fluorescence measurements targeting protein and fluorescent oxidation products, and broader excitation-emission matrix measurements in skin, adipose, and muscle tissue. Decomposition trends varied primarily by treatment group: fresh samples generally aligned with expectations that protein levels would decrease over time while fluorescent oxidation products increased, whereas fresh-frozen samples deviated significantly from these expectations. Significant differences were found between protein and fluorescent oxidation products levels of fresh and fresh-frozen tissue at corresponding time points, indicating this method’s potential in determining sample state. However, fluorophore peak monitoring in excitation-emission matrices did not prove useful in establishing decomposition trends or potentially distinguishing between sample states. Despite limitations inherent to pilot and human taphonomy studies, this study clearly demonstrates that differences exist in the decomposition of fresh and fresh-frozen tissue, and that these trends vary slightly by tissue type. We therefore conclude that frozen material cannot be considered a proper substitute for fresh tissue regarding taphonomic processes, and the methods used in this study show promise in being used to differentiate between pre-decomposition treatments.
Rainfall variability and drought in West Africa: challenges and implications for rainfed agriculture
Authors: Tefera Meron Lakew , Giovanna Seddaiu  , Alberto Carletti  , Awada Hassan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This research investigates rainfall variability and drought patterns in West Africa and their consequential impacts on rainfed agriculture, with a particular focus on vulnerability linked to weather extremes Utilizing NASA POWER/Agro-climatology data, cross-validated against observed meteorological records in the targeted countries, this study spans the years 1981 to 2021, with a particular focus on Ghana and Burkina Faso. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and different statistical methods were employed to evaluate the variations in rainfall, including intensity and frequency, as well as analyze drought patterns in the study areas. Despite increased rainfall in the last decade, seasonal and decadal shifts have been noticed, and drought and irregular patterns still threaten the study areas. Temporal analysis reveals fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. SPI and SPEI results indicated a decline in drought frequency, aligned with global trends, though the monthly scale showed no evident decline. The spatial analysis highlights regional variations in rainfall and drought dynamics. The study emphasizes the importance of region-specific mitigation and adaptation strategies, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making in West Africa's agriculture and water resource management under climate change. The findings underscore the continued threat of irregular rainfall patterns and drought, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to address these challenges.
Security and privacy in virtual reality: a literature survey
Authors: Giaretta Alberto 
Published: December 2024

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) is a multibillionaire market that keeps growing, year after year. As VR is becoming prevalent in households and small businesses, it is critical to address the effects that this technology might have on the privacy and security of its users. In this paper, we explore the state-of-the-art in VR privacy and security, we categorise potential issues and threats, and we analyse causes and effects of the identified threats. Besides, we focus on the research previously conducted in the field of authentication in VR, as it stands as the most investigated area in the topic. We also provide an overview of other interesting uses of VR in the field of cybersecurity, such as the use of VR to teach cybersecurity or evaluate the usability of security solutions.
The true identity of the strigiform species Ninox dubiosa Weick, 2006, with comments on a skull feature shared by the Ieraglaucinae and Surniinae
Authors: Mayr Gerald , Richter Adrian , Racicot Rachel A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe revisit the holotype of Ninox dubiosa Weick, 2006, and show the species to be a junior synonym of the White-throated Screech Owl, Megascops albogularis (Cassin, 1849). Micro-CT scans of the specimen reveal the absence of a dorsal process on the jugal bar, which precludes its assignment to the taxon Ninox. The presence of a temporal fenestra is shared with species of the taxon Megascops. We detail that the process of the jugal bar is likely to represent a synapomorphy of a clade formed by the Ieraglaucinae and Surniinae, and its absence in Aegolius challenges the current placement of this taxon within the clade.
Enhancing Crop Resilience to Drought and Salinity: the Potential Role of Extremophiles in Mitigating Food Insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Sibanda Timothy , Selvarajan Ramganesh , Reinhold-Hurek Barbara 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAgriculture forms the cornerstone of food security across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), serving as a fundamental pillar that sustains livelihoods, supports economic resilience, and underpins regional stability. This region’s population is projected to reach 2.4 billion by the year 2050, which will increase its food demand by 60%. However, recurrent droughts, temperature extremes, and increasing soil salinity are emerging as threats to present and future food security as they restrict agricultural productivity. The biggest challenge facing the SSA region lies in finding ways to adapt its agricultural practices to climate change. This article explores the potential role of extremophile microorganisms in enhancing crop resilience to abiotic stress. Research has so far shown that extremophiles alleviate drought stress in plants by increasing the expression of an array of novel genes, including genes responsible for induced drought, heat and salt stress tolerance, increased production of enzymatic antioxidants, as well as increased production of plant growth promoting phytohormones. Importantly, research shows that (i) extremophile-induced plant growth promotion and stress alleviation is triggered by the presence the stressor (ii) phylogenetically diverse microorganisms isolated from different desert plants can induce stress tolerance in heterologous crop hosts. These findings raise hopes of proofing crops against climate change-induced drought stress and hence ensure food security. However, research on the role of extremophiles in agriculture in the SSA region still lags behind. There is need to build capacity in extremophile agricultural biotechnology in this region, primarily in the form of bioprospecting for isolates exhibiting strong plant growth promoting capabilities.
Guessing less and better: improved attacks on GIFT-64
Authors: Canale Federico , Naya-Plasencia María 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGIFT-64 is a block cipher that has received a lot of attention from the community since its proposal in 2017. The attack on the highest number of rounds is a differential related-key attack on 26 rounds. We studied this attack, in particular with respect to some recent generic frameworks for improving key recovery, and we realised that this framework, combined with an efficient parallel key guessing of interesting subsets of the key and a consequent list merging applied to the partial solutions, can improve the complexity of the attack. We propose two different trade-offs, as a result of the improved key-recovery. We believe that the techniques are quite generic and that it is possible to apply them to improve other differential attacks.
The Help-Seeking Scale for Online Learning Environment (HSOLE): Validity and Reliability
Authors: Şahin Muhittin , Müftüoğlu Cennet Terzi , Yurdugül Halil 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHelp seeking is a critical psycho-educational structure that facilitates learning and ensures the potential and sustainability of online learning environments (OLE). This research aims to develop a scale for measuring help seeking behaviour in two contexts: (1) learning process help seeking and (2) assessment process help seeking. The motivation behind this research is to understand help seeking behaviours in OLE, which can potentially enhance these environments’ effectiveness and learning outcomes. Help seeking involves learners recognizing difficulties and actively seeking assistance to overcome them, making their learning processes more efficient. The study group consists of 843 undergraduate students. The data collection tool was developed through three key processes: design, application, and validation. The design process begins with creating an item pool. The scale validity is tested through factorial validity, and its construct validity is measured based on convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability is tested using construct reliability and Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients. In conclusion, a valid and reliable measurement tool was developed with 58 items in total. This scale is an important tool for identifying help seeking tendencies in OLE. It contributes to the design of appropriate help systems to enhance the potential and sustainability of these environments. This research offers significant contributions to the literature on online learning and provides insights into strategies for making learning environments more effective.
Indigenous peoples as trustees of forests: a bio-socio-cultural approach to international law
Authors: Lizarazo-Rodriguez Liliana , Fabris Alice Lopes , Montag Doreen 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Forests are an essential part of Mother Earth within the Earth system. Deforestation is a widespread practice due to systematic land-use change. The international community is concerned, but no instrument explicitly protects forests, which are essential to avoid overshooting planetary boundaries and protect planetary health. Indigenous peoples (IP) and forests have a long-standing relationship, and both are affected by deforestation and biodiversity loss. The intrinsic and existential relation of some IP with forests needs recognition and the establishment of mechanisms to protect their rights, society, and culture, to address the disappearance of these ecosystems. The role of IP in forest governance has been mainly assessed outside international law, from multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary fields. The multidimensional nature of the interaction between IP and forests could explain this phenomenon. This article uses a bio-socio-cultural approach to assess whether protecting the bio-socio-cultural rights of IP, which are intertwined with their ecosystems and territories, is a way to protect forests, and whether this view is consistent with international law. The article presents a multidisciplinary narrative literature review and identifies the main gaps in international law and policy on the protection of forests and IP. It makes three contributions. First, it shows the convergence of scientific evidence that IP are undoubtedly essential actors in the conservation of the ecosystems in which they live. Second, it discusses how this empirical evidence on the pluralist view of forests implies a transnational approach to involving peoples in the governance of their natural resources. This is, IP views on forests should be considered when addressing governance gaps of the Earth system. Third, it assesses how states need to recognise the plurality of their peoples and the need to prioritise the protection of key ecosystems and IP. In the same week that the Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD-COP16) acknowledged the multi-ethnic nature of the world's populations and recognised people of African descent and IP as key stewards in conservation efforts, this article was accepted for publication. Without this recognition of plural visions, Mother Earth will collapse.
Detailed Analysis of the Superconducting Gap with Dynes Pair-Breaking Scattering
Authors: Lebedeva Anastasiya , Herman František 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe study the energy gap within the Dynes superconductor theory. This model generalizes the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) approach by including the pair-breaking scattering, introducing the tunneling in-gap states up to a Fermi level. We analytically solve the energy gap equation in various limit cases. The solution provides simple tools for further studies, compared to more complex numerics, and highlights the basic characteristics of the theory. First, in the critical limit of pair-breaking scattering, we derive an analytical form of zero-temperature gap to transition temperature ratio. Next, we derive the dependence of the energy gap close to critical temperature and look at its behavior for general and critical pair-breaking scattering rate. Furthermore, we compare our result with the numerical solution of the gap equation assuming general temperature. We show the range of temperatures, for which the analytical approximation is valid. In the end, we provide the approximative formula of the gap, assuming general pair-breaking scattering, emphasizing its exact behavior close to transition temperature.
Exploring the dynamics of reactive oxygen species from CaviPlasma and their disinfection and degradation potential — the case of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins
Authors: Odehnalová Klára , Čech Jan , Maršálková Eliška , Sťahel Pavel , Mayer Barbora , Santana Vinicius Tadeu , Rudolf Pavel , Maršálek Blahoslav 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We investigated the production of highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) in solutions undergoing treatment using CaviPlasma (CP) technology. This technology combines plasma discharge with hydrodynamic cavitation. This study focused on factors such as pH, conductivity, presence of salts and organic matter affecting ROS formation and their stability in solutions. Depending on the used matrix, CP produces 450–580 µg L−1 s−1 of hydrogen peroxide and 1.9 µg L−1 s−1 of hydroxyl radicals dissolved in liquid. Using cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins as example, we proved that CP technology is a highly efficient method for destroying microorganisms and persistent toxins. The biocidal effect of the CP treatment was confirmed on two species of cyanobacteria, Synechococcus elongatus and Merismopedia minutissima. The effectiveness of the technology in degrading microcystins was also demonstrated. The potential of this technology is based on its high energy efficiency, G(H2O2) ≈ 10 g kWh−1 and G(O3) ≈ 0.03 g kWh−1 (in deionised water), realistic applicability with throughput rates (> 1 m3 h−1), and comparatively easy scalability system.
Evolving treatment paradigms after CDK4/6 inhibitors in advanced breast cancer
Authors: Gnant Michael , Balic Marija , Singer Christian F. , Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Pfeiler Georg , Suppan Christoph , Grünberger Birgit , Strasser-Weippl Kathrin , Castagnaviz Vanessa , Heibl Sonja , Bartsch Rupert 
Published: December 2024

Summary
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have transformed the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‑negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer, becoming the standard in first-line endocrine therapy (ET). However, evidence supporting the optimal sequencing post-CDK4/6i progression remains scarce. Liquid biopsy and comprehensive genomic profiling enable tracking of resistance and identifying actionable mutations like ESR1, PIK3CA, AKT or PTEN. So far, post-CDK4/6i therapies include PARP inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), PI3K inhibitors, AKT inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, chemotherapy, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), while rechallenging CDK4/6 inhibitors also offers additional avenues for molecularly targeted care. This position paper emphasizes the importance of biomarker-driven, individualized treatment strategies, highlights the need for collaborative efforts to ensure broad access to innovative therapies, and provides guidance for clinical practice, paving the way for more precise and personalized care in HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer.
Standoff at the four-way stop sign: late-night diplomacy at the fourth session of negotiations (INC-4) on the global treaty to end plastic pollution
Authors: Tiller Rachel , Cowan Emily , Ahlquist Ina Helene , Tiller Theodore 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWithin the final session of negotiations inching forward, the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) completed its fourth session of negotiations (out of five) on an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) to “end plastic pollution.” This paper examines the results of the fourth session of negotiations INC-4, which took place from April 23 to 29th, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada. In this perspective paper, we analyze the trends, barriers, and themes shaping the emerging treaty text. Progress towards consensus on financial mechanisms and waste management was prevalent. This paper is based on close participant observations and document analysis throughout the negotiations, it became apparent that nearly all of the core obligations of the treaty came into brackets, which means states do not agree on text. There was additional divergence when it came to the inclusion of the production side of plastics in the treaty. We conclude by looking towards the fifth and expected final session round of negotiations in Busan, South Korea, in December 2024 by discussing if and how the plastic treaty will be effective when the full life cycle starting from production is not taken into account.
Using Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Backfilling Works Beneath the Structures
Authors: Mostafa Ahmed Mahmoud A. , Morsi Ahmed Gamal M. , Hegazy Alnos Aly E. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is produced in significant amounts. Nevertheless, the use of RAP is limited due to the absence of laboratory and field performance data. This research addresses laboratory and field tests to evaluate the use of RAP and various adapted mixtures in constructions such as road-bed layers and substitution layers. Modified proctor compaction, California bearing ratio, unconfined compression test, and static plate loading tests have been conducted on RAP, a mixture of RAP and crushed stone aggregates (CSA), and RAP stabilized with cement to satisfy the objective. Results have shown that 100% RAP material is suitable for use as a sub-base material. The ability of RAP material to be utilized as a cement-treated base layer is more pronounced when it is stabilized with cement (100% RAP + 8% and 10% cement). Utilization of 100% RAP stabilized with cement has been demonstrated to be economical in comparison with 100% CSA without cement. Finally, RAP material has shown good performance as a substitution layer.