Abstract:

Due to intensified use of fertilizers and inconsiderable organic matter return, the intensive cropping system is evidently changing soil properties. Even though the changes are hardly predictable spontaneously, it could appear with imbalanced soil mineral nitrogen transformation and decreased biological nitrogen immobilization. To address this uncertainty, we investigated the linkage of soil nitrogen transformation and soil microbial community distribution with the mineral nitrogen fertilization in long-term intensive cropping system during 2019-2022. In this study a three-factor (Factor A: rate of nitrogen (100, 150, 180 and 230 kg N ha⁻¹); Factor B: organic fertilizers (0 and 300 kg ha⁻¹); Factor C: liquid biological activator (0 and 0.1 L ha⁻¹)) experiment carried out on a loam soil (Calcaric Luvisol) in intensive cropping system (in rotation: winter wheat, winter wheat, winter rape and winter wheat). At the study site, soil organic carbon was significantly higher at higher rates of nitrogen application combined jointly with application of organic matter and biological activator. Although the rate of nitrogen fertilization was increasing, either in combination with organic matter or biological activator, induced no significant changes in the accumulation of total nitrogen. Thus, with higher rates of nitrogen fertilization, the content of biologically transformed nitrogen significantly increased. As nitrogen is released from organic matter, it was evident that organic matter inputs affected the biological nitrogen transformation. Organic matter inputs also affected the increase soil fungal community, however, with higher nitrogen inputs soil fungal and bacteria ratio was decreasing. This study highlights the significance of sustainably maintaining of nitrogen and organic matter inputs in intensive cropping systems.

Abstract: The Plastino-Plastino Equation (PPE) is essential in non-extensive statistics in the study of systems that exhibit anomalous diffusion and do not fit conventional statistics, thus being a nonlinear extension of the Fokker-Planck Equation (FPE). This equation has been applied in various fields of physics (Cosmology, astrophysics and hadrons, specifically in Quark-Gluon Plasma) and other disciplines. In this work, a relativistic approach will be carried out on a system of particles for which the relativistic Boltzmann equation is obtained. Here, grazing collisions are considered to obtain the FPE integrated with special relativity. Subsequently, through fractal derivations, a modification of the FPE is made, resulting in the PPE in a relativistic context.

Abstract: Circular economy (CE) has become a central policy framework for advancing sustainable urban development; however, evidence regarding the role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in metropolitan CE transitions remains limited, particularly in arid regions. This study examined how private sector firms and MSMEs engage with CE practices within an arid metropolitan context, adopting a place-based and governance-sensitive analytical lens rooted in urban studies scholarship. Using a structured quantitative survey of 180 firms across key urban–industrial sectors, the study analyzed levels of CE awareness, adoption patterns, perceived barriers, support needs, and future expectations. The findings reveal that MSMEs engage in resource-based and efficiency-oriented circular practices, whereas more systemic models involving supply-chain integration and platform-based solutions remain limited. Moreover, capability-related factors exert a stronger influence on adoption than awareness alone. Importantly, the study demonstrated high latent willingness among MSMEs to invest in circular practices under supportive policy and institutional conditions. The discussion reframed CE transitions as governance-mediated urban development processes, emphasizing metropolitan coordination, institutional capacity-building, and spatial infrastructure. These findings contribute to urban studies and CE research by positioning MSMEs as conditionally willing system-building actors whose engagement is critical for advancing inclusive and place-sensitive circular transitions in arid metropolitan regions.

Abstract: Prospecting for a future breeding site is an essential component of informed natal and breeding dispersal. It allows individuals to reduce the uncertainty of their environment by gathering personal and social information about the local quality of alternative breeding areas, and make informed emigration and settlement decisions. Although this process has been studied in territorial and social animal species for decades, it is still understudied and not well-understood. Using 124 empirical studies which have explicitly described prospecting in a context of breeding habitat selection in birds, mammals, fish and invertebrates, I review why, how, when and which individuals prospect according to various life history traits and sociality. Multiple classes of individuals were identified prospecting and they do so at different times of the year, depending on whether they immediately use the information gathered for settling in a new breeding area or delay it for a future breeding season. Spatial patterns and occurrence of prospecting were hard to generalize over taxa or even species due to substantial intra and inter-specific variability. From this synthesis, I identify persisting knowledge gaps related with the different spatial and temporal scales involved with prospecting and provide key objectives and research directions. I notably propose to examine prospecting at the interface of movement and behavioural ecology. This will be possible by combining different methodologies including tracking and biologging devices, field monitoring surveys and experimental approaches. Overall, a better understanding of the spatial and behavioural processes underlying prospecting will significantly enhance our ability to predict species responses to environmental changes and inform more effectively management plans for threatened species.

Abstract: The role of the U.S. dollar in central bank reserves is shrinking significatively world-wide. We identify three main reasons; first, U.S. and European financial sanctions, second, the U.S. inflation tax which reduces the real value of the USD, and third, the consequent dollar depreciation which increases the value of other reserve currencies and gold. We estimate several central banks’ diversification away from dollars, mostly towards gold, from 2015 to 2025. Our results suggest that these three factors explain the de-clining share of the dollar in reserves. As a consequence, the U.S. Treasury forgoes new seigniorage, the “exorbitant privilege” and inflation tax revenue.

Abstract: Application of MXene-polymer composites in wearable and implantable medical devices requires the development of hydrophilic and biocompatible MXene-polymer hydrogel composites with high electromechanical response, flexibility, and durability. Here, we formulate low weight percentage MXene-hydrogel copolymer inks enabling direct light printing (DLP) of MXene-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-polyacrylic acid (PAA)-hydrogel composites. The low wt% MXene-PVA-PAA composites demonstrate high biocompatibility, mechanical flexibility, high sensitivity and high precision for sensing acute bending angles. The sub-millidegree angle resolution and sub-microradian stability of these electromechanical sensors demonstrates their suitability for applications such as high precision tracking of joint movements. In addition, the synthesized MXene membranes show promise for applications in osmotic energy conversion, with a harvested electric power density of 6.79 Wm-2.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Cognicise (multicomponent exercise) and Chlorella (microbial food) improve cognitive function independently. However, their combined effect and underlying mechanisms, including antioxidant capacity and metabolite fluctuations, remains unelucidated. We investigated the effect of multicomponent exercise combined with Chlorella intake on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults and assessed changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radical scavenging activity, and blood metabolites. Methods: In this double-blind comparative study conducted over 6 months, 16 older adults randomly received either Chlorella (Ex+C group) or a placebo (Ex+P group) alongside performing multicomponent exercise. Cognitive function (memory, attention, executive, and information processing) was assessed using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool. The scavenging activity against various ROS and free radicals was measured, and a comprehensive metabolomic analysis was performed. Results: A significant interaction was observed for information processing function, improving significantly in both groups post-intervention. The Ex+P group showed a significant executive function decline; no such change was observed in the Ex+C group. The Ex+C group exhibited significantly improved OH· scavenging activity post-intervention. Free radical scavenging activity increased in both groups. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant changes in 29 and 25 metabolites in the Ex+C and Ex+P groups, respectively, between before and after the intervention. Conclusions: Combining multicomponent exercise and Chlorella intake may increase metabolites, thereby improving the scavenging activity of ROS and free radicals. This approach can improve information processing ability while preventing the significant executive function decline of exercise alone.

Abstract: Dengue virus (DENV), comprising four well-established serotypes (DENV 1 to DENV 4) and a potential fifth serotype (DENV 5, first reported in Malaysia in 2013 and has not yet been detected in India as of 2025), remains a major global health concern. It causes dengue fever (DF) and, in severe cases, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Primarily transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, dengue is endemic in over 100 countries, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating 100 to 400 million infections annually. India bears a significant portion of this burden due to rapid urbanization, climate change, inadequate vector control, and people’s mobility. The review study explores viral pathogenesis, serotype diversity, host immune responses, microbiota influences, and how nutritional factors like obesity may influence disease severity. Recent advances in emerging tools such as biomarkers, vector genome research, microbiome, and techniques like the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Wolbachia interventions offer promising directions for disease mitigation. However, persistent challenges, underreporting, limited vaccine access, and vector adaptation continue to challenge dengue control efforts in India, highlighting the need for an integrated, evidence-based strategy.

Abstract:

Nature is often understood as a purely physical or biological entity governed by scientific laws and economic utility. In contrast, perspectives associated with dark green religion draw attention to how nature itself can be regarded as sacred and morally significant, revealing the cultural and ethical dimensions through which humans can relate to the environment. In this context, this paper examines religion as a symbolic and narrative system through which nature is socially constructed as a moral domain. Focusing on Indigenous Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta, this paper explains how rivers, creeks and wetlands are embedded within religious value systems that emphasize moral responsibility, respect and restraint in human-environment relations. Within this worldview environmental harm is understood not only as ecological degradation but also as a moral and spiritual transgression with consequences for communal well-being.

Abstract: The standard mathematical framework of differential topology reveals a profound peculiarity: smooth structures on 4-manifolds are wild, unclassifiable, and form an uncountably infinite set, while in all other dimensions they are either unique or finitely classifiable. This presents a fundamental obstacle to constructing a quantum theory of gravity via a path integral sum over geometries as the configuration space becomes intractably complex. Crucially, this mathematical wildness is not a mere curiosity but a diagnostic signal that our dimension-agnostic mathematical framework is fundamentally inadequate for describing quantum spacetime in our 4-dimensional universe. We argue that this impasse signals not a pathology of 4-dimensional spacetime, but a critical flaw in our mathematical starting point. We propose a radical inversion of priorities: instead of seeking to tame 4D wildness within a dimension-agnostic formalism, we should construct a new mathematical framework whose axioms are explicitly designed so that 4-dimensional spacetime emerges as its unique, natural, and tame solution. The price for this 4D simplicity is that other dimensionalities may appear ill-defined or trivial within the new framework, a price we argue is not only acceptable but necessary for a physical theory of our universe. We outline the philosophical and formal principles of such a 4D-native approach and discuss its embodiment in existing pre-geometric quantum gravity programs where smooth geometry emerges from more fundamental substrates.

Abstract: Accurate, large-scale building-use information at very high spatial resolution is critical for urban, economic, and risk-related applications. We present a nationwide framework for building-use mapping at 50~cm resolution in China by fusing very-high-resolution RGB imagery with points-of-interest (POI) data. A multi-task U-Net with a ResNet-34 backbone jointly predicts building footprints and three building-use classes (residential, commercial, industrial), using POI-based probability maps as additional input channels. We construct a labeled dataset of approximately 100{,}000 buildings from 90 cities and a 351-million-tile inference dataset covering about 54\% of China's land area. Experiments show that POI fusion and multi-task learning significantly improve performance over imagery-only baselines. In the final nationwide product, the residential, commercial, and industrial classes achieve per-class accuracies of 0.9711, 0.9664, and 0.9854, with F1-scores of 0.8416, 0.5828, and 0.8143, respectively. The resulting building-use database can support a wide range of downstream applications, including catastrophe risk assessment, exposure mapping, and urban analytics.

Abstract: The precise determination of the rheological properties of road bitumen types is essen-tial for the reliable prediction of long-term pavement behaviour. The aim of this study is to compare different viscosity determination methods – approximations, capillary vis-cosity, Brookfield measurement, and complex viscosity determined by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) – and to analyse their relationships with each other. Furthermore, the European and Australian bitumen classification standards are compared in terms of dynamic viscosity and penetration, according to which Australian bitumen types show more stable results. The statistical evaluation of the results obtained with the different methods was based on Pearson correlation analysis and relative deviation analysis. The results obtained show that the DSR measurements at 1.6 Hz are most closely related to capillary viscosity and best correlated with the other measurements, while the Heuke-lom equation relationship overestimates the dynamic viscosity. The Brookfield method provided higher viscosities for all tests. The study highlights that the results of different measurement methods can only be compared under shear conditions, and that the DSR-based approach can be more suitable for the introduction of a new European bi-tumen classification.

Abstract: In this article, we prove that for every integer \(n \geq 2\), there exist positive integers \(t\) and \(x\) such that the expression \( E = t^2(4x - n)^2 - 2xtn \) is always a perfect square.

Abstract: Background: Schizophrenia is driven by many common variants, and two biological themes—excessive synaptic pruning and reduced glutamatergic transmission—feature prominently in current models. Yet these mechanisms do not fully account for the early-emerging, severe cognitive difficulties seen in affected individuals. To examine how pruning and plasticity signals diverge or overlap with cognition, we contrasted their genetic footprints in schizophrenia and in general intelligence.Methods: Using identical analytic steps, we processed summary statistics from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium Wave 3 schizophrenia genome-wide association study and a large-scale intelligence study. The pipeline combined three approaches: (1) MAGMA for competitive gene-set enrichment, (2) stratified LD-score regression to partition heritability, and (3) S-PrediXcan to infer transcriptome-wide associations. Seven predefined gene panels anchored the work: three capturing pruning biology, two plasticity and two controls.Results: All three methods converged on a robust enrichment of pruning genes in schizophrenia. For the shortened pruning panel, MAGMA yielded a Bonferroni-corrected p = 1.3 × 10⁻⁵ and LD-score regression indicated extreme enrichment (p ≈ 10⁻¹⁷⁹). Signal persisted after glutamatergic genes were removed, and S-PrediXcan suggested up-regulated expression of key complement components such as C4A. In contrast, glutamatergic pathways showed only modest schizophrenia involvement.Conclusions: A double dissociation emerges. Schizophrenia risk aligns mainly with overactive pruning, whereas successful cognitive performance depends more on balanced glutamatergic-driven plasticity. We outline a “prune-without-repair” model in which unchecked complement activity, combined with weak glutamatergic stabilization, progressively undermines cognitive circuits in schizophrenia.

Abstract: In a sentinel health event investigation of a back disorder claim, the vibration exposure and ergonomic function of a modified suspension seat were assessed. (1) Background: In a forensic occupational injury investigation an after-market altered operator seat in a railroad rail-track tamper machine was evaluated. (2) Methods: Detailed whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure measurements were conducted according to current applicable technical standards and guidelines (i.e., ISO 2631-1; 1997) on a 09-16 DYNACAT Continuous Action Tamper with Stabilizer during routine track repair services. The modified Grammer Mfg. suspension operator seat was evaluated for performance and ergonomic features (i.e., adjustability, posture, and suspension quality); (3) Results: The tested seat appeared to underperform and was overloaded with the aftermarket control devices, attachments and modifications. The suspension system's end-stopper was damaged. The seat system had excessive play and wobbles; it was not firmly braced and attached. The vector sum (av) results ranged from 0.26 m/s² (no tamping) to maximal 0.55 m/s² (tamping). The seat transfer (SEAT) analysis showed magnification of vibration input and variable performance of the suspension depending on operational tasks. (4) Conclusions: The modified suspension seat underperformed and seemed to magnify and worsen the vibration, jolts and shock exposures of the seated operator. The heavy and bulky seat modifications likely limited the suspension function. The malfunctioning seat was more likely than not a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of the spinal disorders for the injured machine operator.

Abstract: This systematic review on intelligent HVAC systems for residential buildings focuses on advanced control techniques and AI applications. Model Predictive Control (MPC) is the most common method (≈40% of studies), achieving 15–20% energy savings and 10–30% peak demand reduction. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) offers a model-free alter-native, reducing energy costs by 15% and comfort violations by up to 98%. Neural networks (LSTM, CNN-BiLSTM, attention mechanisms) significantly improve load pre-diction and thermal comfort modelling, with fusion models boosting accuracy by 66–85%. Comprehensive AI-based systems deliver 22–44% energy savings and 22–86% comfort improvements. Performance varies by climate, building type, and baseline; field trials show lower but more reliable savings than simulations. Hybrid MPC–ML approaches are emerging as best practice. Barriers include model complexity, computational demands, limited training data, and integration with legacy systems. Occupancy-aware strategies save 19–45% energy, while intelligent thermal storage can raise solar fractions from 11% to 61%. Overall, intelligent HVAC control is technically feasible and economically advantageous, but success depends on accurate modelling, tailored control strategies, and robust han-dling of occupancy uncertainty.

Abstract: Accurate distance measurement in outdoor environments remains a challenging problem for mobile augmented reality (AR) systems due to sensor noise, environmental variability, and the limitations of single-modality approaches. Existing consumer AR solutions often prioritize usability over metric robustness, leading to performance degradation in large-scale or heterogeneous outdoor scenarios. This work presents EfMAR, an adaptive framework for outdoor mobile AR-based geospatial measurements that integrates multiple sensing modalities through a structured sensor fusion architecture. EfMAR combines visual SLAM, inertial sensing, depth information, and global positioning cues to improve robustness and consistency in distance estimation across diverse outdoor conditions. Beyond implementation, the framework formalizes a reusable architectural model for adaptive multi-sensor fusion, supporting reproducibility and future comparative research. A dedicated dataset is described, comprising a combination of real-world field measurements collected in representative outdoor scenarios and synthetic data informed by existing literature, enabling structured performance analysis while maintaining methodological transparency. Performance evaluation focuses on analyzing relative behavior, stability, and variability across sensing approaches rather than establishing absolute accuracy benchmarks. Comparative results across multiple distance ranges and environments indicate that hybrid sensor fusion strategies exhibit more stable and consistent performance trends compared to single-modality solutions, particularly in challenging urban contexts. Dispersion analysis further highlights the influence of environmental factors such as lighting conditions and spatial scale on measurement variability. Overall, the results position EfMAR as a flexible and adaptive framework designed to enhance robustness in outdoor AR-based geospatial measurement tasks. By emphasizing consistency, transparency, and architectural generalization, this work contributes a practical foundation for future research and development in mobile AR sensing for real-world outdoor applications.

Abstract: Newton published his mechanics in the form of an axiomatic system just as the Euclidean geometry. The Newton’s three laws are three axioms, from which, together with the necessary definitions of physical concepts and propositions, all contents of classical mechanics can be derived. Non-Euclidean geometries tell us that one of the axioms in an axiomatic system may take different forms. Modified axioms can lead to new axiomatic systems that are logically rigorous and self-consistent. The fifth axiom in the Euclidian geometry was modified to be two other different form, and consequently, two non-Euclidean geometries were developed. We think that Newton’s second law can be modified. The second law can be simply stated as: force is the cause of acceleration. It can be modified as: force is the cause of deceleration. This results in a new axiomatic system called new classical mechanics. This paper presents the fundamental formulas of the new classical mechanics. The most distinctive feature of the new mechanics is that the direction of momentum is opposite to that of velocity, and the kinetic energy is negative, i.e., a negative sign is attached to usual positive kinetic energy (PKE). Therefore, the new classical mechanics can be called negative kinetic energy (NKE) one, while the existing classical mechanics can be called PKE one. These two parts can be collectively referred to as a whole classical mechanics, which includes both PKE and NKE parts. The formulas of these two parts have symmetry with respect to positive and negative kinetic energy. The PKE classical mechanics describes the motion of macroscopic matter that we can observe, while the NKE classical mechanics describes the motion of macroscopic matter that we cannot observe, i.e., the motion of dark matter. Our universe has symmetry with respect to PKE and NKE, which is also the symmetry with respect to matter and dark matter. The basic equations of quantum mechanics describing the motion of micro-particles also have symmetry with respect to PKW and NKE, which has been elaborated in the author’s previous work. The theory presented in this paper describe the motion of macroscopic NKE matter.

Abstract: It has long been recognized that the oxygen reduction reaction occurs more readily on Pt(111) surfaces that include steps, both (111) and (100), than on near-perfect Pt(111). Theoretical models were developed involving the water structure in the electric double layer and its interactions with adsorbed OH, with the actual O₂ reduction occurring on the (111) terraces adjacent to the steps. However, the present density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirms that O₂ adsorbs strongly at the steps and can undergo dissociation aided by adjacent water molecules to produce adsorbed OH. OH produced at the steps can move to the (111) terraces, where it can be more readily reduced to H₂O and desorbed. This model avoids the scaling relation, which predicts that all oxygen-containing reactants and intermediates are proportional to each other on any given surface. Efforts to develop new O₂ reduction catalysts have been hampered by this assumption, which supposes that the reaction rate can be increased by decreasing OH adsorption strength, even though decreased OH adsorption strength is accompanied by decreased O₂ adsorption strength. This proposed model can explain the experimental results on stepped surfaces and may also be important for the development of Pt nanoparticle catalysts.

Abstract: Based on the dilemma of analyzing the resonance stability of AC power grids using im-pedance models, it is demonstrated that the "negative resistance" mechanism of wide-band oscillation is untenable. A general method for describing power electronic devices using wideband voltage source converter models and wideband current source convert-er models is proposed, thereby representing the nonlinear characteristics of power elec-tronic devices with harmonic voltage sources and harmonic current sources. This allows the new energy power system to still be described by a linear system, and interprets the mechanism of wideband oscillation as a "harmonic amplification" phenomenon caused by network resonance, thus establishing a new framework for explaining the mechanism of wideband oscillation in new energy power systems. Through the analysis of two basic resonant circuits, the relationship between the damping ratio of resonant modes and the harmonic amplification factor is derived, laying a theoretical foundation for the analysis and suppression of wideband oscillation based on the s-domain nodal admittance matrix method and C-type damping filters. Based on the maximum damping criterion, a design method for C-type damping filters is proposed. The designed C-type damping filters ex-hibit strong broadband damping effects.