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Copyright of Kosmos is the property of Polish Copernicus Society of Naturalists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the past decade, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted increasing attention because of their striking physical properties and extensive applicability. Meanwhile, Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated to be a feasible tool and is extensively employed in research on 2D TMDs. In recent years, the deployment of Raman spectroscopy under extreme conditions has elucidated the physical properties of TMDs. In this review, we focus on the extreme-condition Raman spectroscopy of typical group-VI TMDs, which are classified and discussed under the three extreme conditions of low temperature, high pressure and high magnetic field. The conclusion presents the most pressing challenges and attractive future opportunities in this rapidly developing research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing worldwide demand for antimicrobial agents has significantly contributed to the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance, posing a grave threat to human life. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore uncharted environments, seeking out novel antimicrobial compounds that display exceptionally efficient capabilities. Hot springs harbor microorganisms possessing remarkable properties, rendering them an invaluable resource for uncovering groundbreaking antimicrobial compounds. In this study, thermophilic bacteria were isolated from Mahallat Hot Spring, Iran. Out of the 30 isolates examined, 3 strains exhibited the most significant antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the supernatants of the isolated strains exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity, displaying notable resistance to temperatures as high as 75 °C for 30 min. It was determined that the two strains showed high similarity to the Bacillus genus, while strain Kh3 was classified as Saccharomonospora azurea. All three strains exhibited tolerance to NaCl. Bacillus strains demonstrated optimal growth at pH 5 and 40 °C, whereas S. azurea exhibited optimal growth at pH 9 and 45 °C. Accordingly, hot springs present promising natural reservoirs for the isolation of resilient strains possessing antibacterial properties, which can be utilized in disease treatment or within the food industry.

The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is the most populous mammal on the 'third pole', the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and is presumed to have inhabited the region before the plateau rose up from sea level. Herein we discuss the disrupted circadian rhythm in the plateau pika and the gene polymorphism behind this phenotype, placing these findings in the broader context of circadian rhythms under extreme conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Geology & Exploration is the property of Geology & Exploration Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relevance of the research is due to the growing diversity of forms, pedagogical technologies in conducting the educational process and the evolution of the role of scientific and pedagogical workers in higher education institutions. In higher education, which is developing in the conditions of globalization and internationalization of society, there is an active introduction of pedagogical technologies of distance training and tutoring, updated for modern life conditions and information environment. The extreme challenges of today - the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the beginning of the aggressive war by russia in Ukraine have caused forced organizational changes in the educational process in higher education institutions. The face-to-face form of education has become practically impossible throughout the territory of Ukraine, which actualized distance technology, which was used for a long time in a rather limited way, in particular, in medical education. This required education seekers to independently master the thematic materials, and the traditional function of the teacher acquired the characteristics of mentoring and tutoring. One of the key issues of the introduction of distance pedagogical technology in medical education remains its low effectiveness in forming the praxeological component of professional competence, which is basic for a future doctor, and especially for a dentist. In addition, functional changes in teachers' work that approaches tutoring methodically and psychologically need to be defined. The organization of the educational process in Ukrainian higher education institutions became critically complicated in the conditions of the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, and special conditions were added with the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is these factors that actualized the distance form in medical education, which was used in a rather limited way in the past. Therefore, the traditional role of the teacher changes to a mentor - a tutor who mainly helps the future specialist to master the educational material on his/her own. An important unresolved issue remains the implementation of distance training technology and tutoring related to it under modern conditions in medical education, which is based on the praxeological component of professional competence, and how should a teacher transform methodically and psychologically in order to be realized in the role of a competent tutor? The results of the analysis of scientific sources and own experience give grounds for asserting that it is possible to draw only preliminary conclusions about the results of the introduction of the pedagogical technology of tutoring and distance training in medical higher education institutions of Ukraine. Students prefer face-to-face training even in extreme conditions. They consider the lack of clinical practice to be the biggest problem of distance training. Therefore, we consider the pedagogical technology of tutoring as an auxiliary component of the educational process for the individual correction of the student's educational process in the conditions of distance education, which is acceptable mainly in extreme conditions, which include, in addition to global problems, temporary restrictions for attending an educational institution with personal reasons on the part of the student. Tutoring is available to the vast majority of classical teachers who adjust their activities by increasing the level of methodical competence and psychological readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's primary intent was to investigate the effect of extreme conditions, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, by examining nurses' perceptions of authentic leadership, meaningful work, and job meaning, and to compare this with the nurses' perceptions from before the outbreak. In the study, 458 responses for both periods were analyzed and compared statistically by using the Mann–Whitney U test. The findings showed that nurses' perception of line managers' authenticity decreased during the outbreak. Therefore, in extreme conditions, leadership behaviors can be affected negatively by the context. During the outbreak, nurses attributed more meaning to their work. They felt more self-worth because of working for the greater good, and found greater meaning through the work during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the pandemic. The findings suggest that extreme conditions in a challenging environment can help nurses to find more meaning at work. For nurses, during the COVID-19 outbreak the purpose and meaning of their jobs remained the same as before the pandemic. Nursing requires different skills, talents, and opportunities for self-development, and it is challenging in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional athletes often have to participate in competitions in climatic conditions that differ from the optimal or habitual ones for their place of residence. In this regard, it seems relevant to the question of how borderline and extreme external conditions (low and high ambient temperatures, changes in atmospheric pressure, altitude) affect sports performance and endurance. The review presents the biochemical mechanisms underlying the adaptation of athletes to environmental conditions. The human body maintains a fairly constant internal temperature (in some articles — the core) of the body at a level of 37 ± 10C throughout its life, despite a wide range of environmental parameters. The intensity of the processes providing for the release of heat is reflexively regulated. The neurons responsible for heat exchange are located in the center of thermoregulation of the hypothalamus. In the course of evolution, mammals have developed a variety of mechanisms for regulating body temperature, including nervous and humoral, that affect energy metabolism and behavioral responses. There are two ways of heat generation: contractile thermogenesis, due to contractions of skeletal muscles (a special case — cold muscle tremors), and non-contractile — when the processes of cellular metabolism are activated: lipolysis (in particular, brown adipose tissue) and glycolysis. When exposed to extreme ambient temperatures, the thermoregulatory system adjusts to maintain a stable core body temperature by preventing heat loss and increasing heat production in cold conditions, or increasing heat dissipation if the ambient temperature rises. The ambient temperature corresponding to 20–25 ºС on land and 30–35 ºС in water is considered thermoneutral for humans in a state of relative rest. However, any deviations from these conditions, especially against the background of intense physical exercise, can lead to functional overstrain, decreased endurance and sports performance.

High-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering is an established technique in the synchrotron community, used to investigate collective low-frequency responses of materials. When fielded at hard X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and combined with high-intensity laser drivers, it becomes a promising technique for investigating matter at high temperatures and high pressures. This technique gives access to important thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme conditions, such as temperature, material sound speed, and viscosity. The successful realization of this method requires the acquisition of many identical laser-pump/X-ray-probe shots, allowing the collection of a sufficient number of photons necessary to perform quantitative analyses. Here, a 2.5-fold improvement in the energy resolution of the instrument relative to previous works at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and the High Energy Density (HED) instrument, European XFEL, is presented. Some aspects of the experimental design that are essential for improving the number of photons detected in each X-ray shot, making such measurements feasible, are discussed. A careful choice of the energy resolution, the X-ray beam mode provided by the XFEL, and the position of the analysers used in such experiments can provide a more than ten-fold improvement in the photometrics. The discussion is supported by experimental data on 10 µm-thick iron and 50 nm-thick gold samples collected at the MEC endstation at the LCLS, and by complementary ray-tracing simulations coupled with thermal diffuse scattering calculations.

As global energy demands rise and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, offshore wind energy technology has evolved rapidly, becoming a vital component of the world's energy portfolio. However, offshore wind turbines face new challenges due to complex marine environments. Under extreme conditions such as strong winds and yaw misalignment, parked wind turbines exhibit complex aerodynamic and structural responses that significantly differ from those in normal operating conditions. These responses, crucial to the integrity and safety of wind turbines, demand thorough analysis. This article presents an in-depth aeroelastic analysis of a parked 5 MW offshore wind turbine using a sophisticated and precise numerical model. It explores the impacts of incoming wind speed and yaw misalignment on the aerodynamic loads and structural behaviors of the wind turbine. The findings indicate that gravity plays a significant role in blade structural responses for a parked wind turbine. Additionally, higher wind speeds elevate aerodynamic forces, leading to more pronounced fluctuations in root forces and tip deflections. The increase in wind speed triggers and exacerbates high-frequency edgewise vibrations of the blade, further leading to fluctuations and instability in the loads. The study also reveals that yaw misalignment causes the AOA changes significantly over time, and generates intermittent fluctuations in lift and drag, leading to extra blade vibrations with the maximum amplitude exceeding 10% of the blade length. This research enhances the current understanding of the operational safety of offshore wind turbines, particularly under extreme conditions. It aims to provide valuable insights and guidance for researchers and developers in designing and monitoring the performance of offshore wind turbines, ensuring their resilience and efficiency in challenging environments. • Parked wind turbines exhibit complex aeroelastic responses differing from those in operating conditions. • In-depth aeroelastic analysis of an idling 5 MW offshore wind turbine under extreme conditions is presented. • Gravity plays a significant role in blade structural responses for a parked wind turbine. • Higher wind speeds lead to more pronounced fluctuations in blade forces and deflections. • Yaw misalignment amplifies the vibrational amplitude of aerodynamic forces and blade deformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contacting bodies in extreme environments are prone to severe wear and failure due to friction and seizure, which are associated with significant thermal and mechanical loads. This phenomenon greatly impacts the economy since most essential components encounter these challenges during machining, an unavoidable step in most manufacturing processes. In machining, stress can reach 4 GPa, and temperatures can exceed 1000 °C at the cutting zone. Severe seizure and friction are the primary causes of tool and workpiece failures. Liquid lubricants are popular in machining for combatting heat and friction; however, concerns about their environmental impact are growing, as two-thirds of the 40 million tons used annually are discarded and they produce other environmental and safety issues. Despite their overall efficacy, these lubricants also have limitations, including ineffectiveness in reducing seizure at the tool/chip interface and susceptibility to degradation at high temperatures. There is therefore a push towards solid lubricants, which promise a reduced environmental footprint, better friction management, and improved machining outcomes but also face challenges under extreme machining conditions. This review aims to provide a thorough insight into solid lubricant use in machining, discussing their mechanisms, effectiveness, constraints, and potential to boost productivity and environmental sustainability.

The design of a river-basin-specific flood hydrograph generator based on gauge records enables the generation of synthetic flood hydrographs for the dimensioning of hydraulic structures. Based on selected flow time series, flood waves can be described using four parameters based on flood characteristic simulations, as described by Leichtfuss and Lohr (1999). After successfully adapting suitable distribution functions, dependencies in the load structure are quantified in the next step using copula functions. This newly developed approach builds on the procedure proposed by Bender and Jensen (2012), which assumes hydrological independence. Using copula functions results in increased accuracy in the extended flood characteristic simulation. Moreover, considerable enhancements are achieved through the utilization of genetic algorithms, wherein the descending branch of the flood hydrograph is adjusted by employing an additional variable factor. Subsequently, any number of synthetic flood hydrographs can be generated by combining these parameters. In keeping with the principle of Monte Carlo simulation, a sufficiently high number of synthetic events results in extreme conditions with a low probability of occurrence being reliably represented. Hence, this endeavor has the potential to enhance result reproducibility and prediction quality. As a result, this expanded approach can be employed to provide dependable assessments regarding inflows aimed at optimizing reservoir capacity, for instance.

The research project illustrates how performance-driven design tools can be conducted as an architectural design methodology that suggests an innovative approach to design a habitation shell in extreme environmental conditions without human assistance. This research study attempts to use environmental data revealed by NASA and its habitat design requirements to develop a conceptual design for an innovative habitation form and then simulate it with Mars conditions to analyze the habitation shell's structural behavior according to finite element analysis. In this regard, research phases, including layout configuration, form-finding, and structural analysis, have been conducted to explore a habitation concept implemented with generative design tools as a decision-maker in extreme conditions. In conclusion, two generated typologies of proposed habitation forms will be compared in terms of their structural performance under extreme loads of the martian environment. Within this research project, due to the numerous extreme challenges of design and construction of habitation in extreme conditions using conventional approaches, a performance-driven design methodology will provide a rational and sustainable design methodology to tackle extreme barriers to Mars's environment.

Penetrating, high-energy synchrotron X-rays are in strong demand, particularly for high-pressure research in physics, chemistry and geosciences, and for materials engineering research under less extreme conditions. A new high-energy wiggler beamline P61 has been constructed to meet this need at PETRA III in Hamburg, Germany. The first part of the paper offers an overview of the beamline front-end components and beam characteristics. The second part describes the performance of the instrumentation and the latest developments at the P61B endstation. Particular attention is given to the unprecedented high-energy photon flux delivered by the ten wigglers of the PETRA III storage ring and the challenges faced in harnessing this amount of flux and heat load in the beam. Furthermore, the distinctiveness of the world's first six-ram Hall-type large-volume press, Aster-15, at a synchrotron facility is described for research with synchrotron X-rays. Additionally, detection schemes, experimental strategies and preliminary data acquired using energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction and radiography techniques are presented.

The interspersed railway track is an enhanced timber railway track, spot-replacing damaged wooden sleepers with new concrete sleepers to improve the bearing capacity of existing railway lines. Although this interspersed solution is characterised by low cost and short maintenance time, the interspersed tracks have worse stability than concrete tracks and can deteriorate quickly when exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and floods. In many cases, heavy rains and floods are accompanied by strong winds. Ballast washaway can often be observed under flood conditions while the mass of trains is unevenly distributed on two rails due to the effect of lateral wind load and rail irregularities. The current work is the first in the world to investigate the collective multi-hazard effects of ballast washway and uneven axle loads on the vulnerability of conventional and interspersed railway tracks using nonlinear FEM software, STRAND 7. The train bogie is modelled by two sets of point loads. The maximum displacement, bending moment and twists have been studied to evaluate the worst condition. The novel insights will help the railway industry develop proper operations of interspersed railway tracks against naturally hazardous conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobilization economy is considered as a program-targeted method for solving extremely complex economic problems by concentrating a significant part of the information, intellectual, material, technical and financial resources of the country in key areas. A comparison is made between the radical reform of the Russian economy in the 1990s and anticrisis planning in 2009 and 2015 with the parameters of the mobilization economy. The historical experience of the work of the Commission of the USSR Academy of Sciences for the Urals, western Siberia and Kazakhstan in 1941–1943, the Administration of the Tennessee River Valley (1930s, United States) and the Administration of the Economic Development Program of the Komi Republic (1993–2004) is shown. The elements of the mobilization economy in solving modern regional problems are reflected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme environments are characterized by peculiar conditions, such as hypoxia/anoxia, freezing/heat temperatures, and desiccation. With climate change, more and more habitats are facing extreme conditions and living communities are finding ways to adapt in order to survive. In this study, we show several species which have been shown to adapt to marine extreme conditions also via miRNA-mediated responses. miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that mediate gene regulation via interactions with transcripts. Their action can directly or indirectly regulate pathways that can result in a response to a specific condition. Furthermore, the study of these miRNA-mediated responses could help in the biotechnological field for their application in the development of environmental biomarkers of stress conditions, or in the genetic engineering of algal species for the production of high-value compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the characteristics of stress factors influence on the cognitive and managerial functions of senior year cadets of the National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Chernyakhovsky. Intensive (submaximal) physical exertion (a 5 km forced march carrying all equipment and clothing) at high ambient temperature (+29 °C) and humidity (61%) were considered as stress factors. Aim of the study: to determine the effect of long-term intensive physical activity in high ambient temperature on the intelligent and managerial abilities of cadets. To obtain factual data, we used the following research methods: non-invasive instrumental methods, sociological methods (surveying), and mathematical statistics. Results of the study. The descriptive statistics for the studied indicators included the median (Me), and the 25th and 75th percentiles. The changes in the functional state of the cardiovascular system of military servicemen induced by high-intense physical exertion in the heat were identified. During the 5 km forced march the heart rate was in the range from 162 to 181 bpm (the submaximal intensity level) during 22.14 min.s and above 181 bpm (the maximum intensity level) during 4.55 min.s The minimum and maximum heart rate of servicemen during running in high ambient temperature was 83 bpm and 210 bpm. The analysis of the running pace over the 5km distance indicated a decrease with each subsequent kilometer; the performance decreased on average by 20-25 s, which indicated low endurance and increasing fatigue. The cognitive and managerial functions of the cadets were assessed under the conditions of stress and fatigue. It was found that only 7.7% (n=2) of subjects had maximum short-term memory span scores, 34.6% (n=9) had high attention concentration scores, and 34.6% (n=9) had high scores for attention span and attention switching. The correlation analysis demonstrated that the time for completing the 5 km distance negatively affected the cognitive and managerial functions of the cadets. This indicator was negatively correlated with the short-term memory span, concentration of attention, division and switching of attention, the number of mistakes made during the tests, and self-efficacy: the correlation coefficients (r) were in the range from -0.623 to -0.862 at p<0.001. Work with maximum intensity during the forced march had a negative effect on cognitive functions. In particular, the correlations ranging from r=-0.467 at p<0.05 to r=-0.764 at p<0.001 indicated that it was difficult for servicemen to concentrate and to perform intelligence test tasks efficiently. Conclusion. Successful performance of professional tasks under stressful conditions depends on the level of physical working capacity and stability of higher nervous activity of military personnel. The target-oriented development of aerobic endurance in servicemen is necessary for the effective performance of intelligence test tasks that assess the memory, attention, thinking, perception, and processing of information during high-intensity physical activities in high ambient temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing tunable and highly efficient electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers with low density is crucial for the development of wireless telecommunications devices in extreme conditions. SiC ceramic has received much attention because of its dielectric tenability, low density, and chemical stability. However, the present SiC‐based materials usually show limited EMW absorbing performance than they are expected. Herein, an ultralight and resilient bicontinuous Si3N4/SiC network (8 mg cm−3) composed of EMW‐transparent Si3N4 microbelts and EMW‐absorption SiC nanowires is designed and prepared to achieve improved impedance matching and EMW attenuation capacity. The optimized bicontinuous network exhibits a broad effective absorption bandwidth of 8.62 GHz and a strong RLmin of −52.31 dB. Furthermore, the resulting bicontinuous Si3N4/SiC network, with thickness of 6 mm, shows a tunable absorption bandwidth ranging from 5.36 to 18 GHz by resilient action. It also exhibits excellent thermal stability (up to 1000 °C), thermal shock resistance (from −196 to 900 °C), and thermal insulation performance (32 Mw m−1 K−1), enabling it to be an ideal candidate for EMW absorption in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme temperatures and pressures were applied to systems based on stabilized zirconia, ZrO2, doped with Ce4+ ions as surrogate for tetravalent Actinides in order to conclude on their long‐term stability in deep geological underground. Both tetragonal and cubic yttrium‐stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) exhibit excellent phase and structural stabilities up to 1150 K. In addition, incorporated guest Ce4+ did not show any increase in their mobility at elevated temperatures. Application of external pressure did not induce any structural or phase changes in cubic YSZ doped with 5 at.% Ce as well. However, a corresponding tetragonal analog with lower yttrium content exhibits a second‐order phase transition toward higher cubic symmetry around 9 GPa. Remarkably, no discharge of the guest Ce4+ ions was observed throughout the transition and further upon increase in pressure. This together with T‐dependent data indicates excellent affinity of guest Ce atoms with the host YSZ matrices. The parent YSZ phases are, therefore, promising candidates as host materials for long‐term underground immobilization for radiotoxic tetravalent elements like U, Th, or Pu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinobacteria have frequently been reported in the Andean Puna, including strains of the genus Micrococcus. These strains demonstrate resistance to high levels of UV radiation, arsenic, and multiple antibiotics, and possess large linear plasmids. A comparative analysis of the sequences and putative functions of these plasmids was conducted. The presence of large regions with high sequence identity (exceeding 30 kb in total) in all three studied Micrococcus megaplasmids indicates a clear evolutionary link among these elements. Genes related to essential plasmid functions were primarily found within these conserved regions, while genes associated with resistance to metals and antibiotics resided in accessory regions. Moreover, the abundance of open reading frames related to transposition and recombination, along with local deviations from the average GC content, provides evidence for the mosaic nature and considerable genetic plasticity of these plasmids. This study presents evidence of a common ancestor for linear plasmids in Micrococcus and suggests that horizontal gene transfer likely occurs frequently within Andean lakes, providing the native microbial community with a beneficial gene pool to withstand extreme conditions. Additionally, the successful transfer of the linear plasmid pLMA1 by a DNase-insensitive, conjugation-type mechanism and its potential use as a genetic vector is demonstrated., (© 2025 The Author(s). Environmental Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aiming at the problem that it is difficult to ensure the trajectory tracking accuracy and driving stability of driverless racing car under the extreme conditions of high-speed turning with different road adhesion coefficients, a trajectory tracking control strategy is proposed. Firstly, the road adhesion coefficient is estimated using the extended Kalman filter algorithm. Draw the phase plane diagram of the vehicle’s centroid sideslip angle-centroid sideslip angular velocity. Use the two-line method to determine the phase plane stability area and obtain the expected limit vehicle speed under different road adhesion coefficients and different front wheel steering angle. Tracking of the desired limit travel speed is achieved through drive and brake control. Secondly, a predictive control algorithm based on adaptive prediction horizon model is designed as a lateral motion control strategy to improve the trajectory tracking accuracy. Finally, using MATLAB/Simulink and CarSim co-simulation, the results show that the proposed control strategy can ensure the driving stability of the driverless racing car and improve the trajectory tracking accuracy under extreme conditions.

In this paper, the material point strength reduction method is used to investigate the stability of soil–rock mixture (SRM) slopes and the whole process of large deformation occurring after destabilization. A comparative study with homogeneous soil slopes is conducted. First, a material point slope model with typical shapes, a homogeneous soil slope, and an SRM slope with stones of different sizes distributed inside is established. Next, gravity is linearly added to establish the initial state of the slopes. Then the material strength of the slope is discounted according to the criterion of strength discounting. The material point method (MPM) simulations of the two slopes are carried out separately until the slope's displacement changes abruptly to determine the slope's safety factor. The final accumulation form of the slope after the damage is studied. Finally, the deformation characteristics of the two slopes under extreme conditions are explored. The research shows that the stones are beneficial to the slope in maintaining slope stability, and due to the presence of stones, the slope presents different characteristics from the pure soil slope when damage occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkey, almost half of which has semi-arid conditions, steppe areas have continuously been increasing. These areas need to be afforested to prevent desertification. For this purpose, this research presents specifically the Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. pallasiana /Lamb./ Holmboe) as a suitable forest tree species for afforestation activities, due to wide distribution both in Turkey and the broader region. After a thorough investigation of past and recent literature, and onsite activities, the review focuses on the production of seeds and seedlings of the species, land preparation and planting technique, post-planting site maintenance, success in the afforestation areas and considerations on Anatolian black pine seed transfer regioning. In conclusion, local ecological conditions regarding the species should always be taken into consideration. Another important issue for the success of afforestation in semi-arid lands is that the preparation activities of the land for afforestation are carried out with appropriate techniques timely and painstakingly. Moreover, after the 2000s, Turkish forestry focused on afforestation in semi-arid and anthropogenic steppe areas. Anatolian black pine is the most widely used tree species in semi-arid lands and anthropogenic areas and plays the major role in successful afforestation.

Introduction From 2014 to the present, Ukrainian military personnel have been fighting in Eastern Ukraine against illegal armed formations of separatists. The resulting combat stress negatively affects servicemen’s mental health status. This study aimed to examine the factor structure of a scale to assess the psychological safety of a soldier’s personality (PSSP), taking into account changes in the conditions of military service to improve the professional and psychological training of military personnel. Material and methods The study involved 118 officers of the National Guard of Ukraine. The semantic differential method, expert judgment, and exploratory factor analysis were used to determine the factor structure of the PSSP. Results The PSSP model to maintain combat readiness in daily activities includes four components: “Moral and communicative”, “Motivational and volitional”, “Value and meaning of life” and “Inner comfort”. For activities in extreme conditions (during combat deployment), the personality potential of four structural components is used: “Moral and volitional regulation”, “Coping strategies”, “Value and meaning of life” and “Post-traumatic growth/regression”. Conclusions The PSSP model consists of four components that have different content depending on the conditions for performance of professional tasks by military personnel. It is advisable to use the obtained results of the content of the PSSP model in the development of professional and psychological training programs for the purposeful formation of the resilience of military personnel, taking into account the conditions of their activities.

Introducing the new Section Editor for Acta Cryst. B [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LSTM modeling on each intrinsic mode function improves prediction accuracy. • CEEMDAN is optimized by calculating fuzzy entropy. • Deeper network structure is constructed by combining residual networks and LSTM. • The residual learning mechanism and gating structure increase prediction accuracy. • Hydrodynamic forecasting is considered for electric fields under extreme conditions. As the global trend of frequent extreme weather grows more pronounced, and factors such as wind and light grow more uncertain, the power system encounters a severe test of extreme operating conditions. Hydraulic scheduling, as a factor that can be controlled by humans, requires an accurate and feasible method of predicting future hydraulic demands. This work proposes a hydrodynamic scheduling demand forecasting method that combines fuzzy entropy, complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise, residual networks, and long short-term memory networks. By introducing fuzzy entropy in complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise, more complex signals in modal components can be extracted and classification accuracy can be increased. The combination of residual and long short-term memory networks contributes to a better representation of the features in the data, thus model expressive power is improved. The experimental results show that the mean square error of the results of the method in this work reaches 141.6576 and the mean absolute error is 6.2101, with 98.4 % and 91.6 % reduction than the optimal results of the compared methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current construction object detection models are vulnerable in complex conditions, as they are trained on conventional data and lack robustness in extreme situations. The lack of extreme data with relevant annotations worsens this situation. A new end-to-end unified image adaptation You-Only-Look-Once-v5 (UIA-YOLOv5) model is presented for robust object detection in five extreme conditions: low/intense light, fog, dust, and rain. The UIA-YOLOv5 adaptively enhances the input image to make image content visually clear and then feeds the enhanced image to the YOLOv5 for object detection. Sufficient extreme images are synthesized via the neural style transfer (NST) and mixed with conventional data for model training to reduce domain shift. An extreme construction dataset (ExtCon) containing 506 images labeled with 13 objects is constructed for real-world evaluation. Results show that the UIA-YOLOv5 keeps the same performance as the YOLOv5 on conventional data but is more robust to extreme data with an 8.21% mAP 05 improvement. • UIA-YOLOv5 is presented for robust object detection in extreme conditions. • It is validated in low/intense light, fog, dust, and rain. • An extreme condition test set (ExtCon) with 506 images is created and released. • Using a shallow network enhances accuracy and inference speed. • UIA-YOLOv5 achieves an 8.21% mAP 05 improvement on the ExtCon set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research given may be similar to the situation created in nature, after heavy dew, after rain, after irrigation, for rice plants, which grow in water, etc., when the leaves of the plants are wet and the pest's eggs are in the water. Our experience has shown that in watery conditions Trichogramma evanesces can move on water, find the pest's eggs and parasitize them, where the percentage of parasitism was 71%. In extreme conditions the moth eggs of cereals aged 24-26 hours were treated at a temperature of 40-70°C, the time of treatment with hot water was: 20 and 40 seconds each variant, where the hatching of the larvae continued until the temperature of 60°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design steps of a coaxial dipole antenna for telemetry applications under extreme conditions of accelerations and centrifugal forces. Both, electromagnetic and mechanical designs are explained, as well as performance compromises that have to be made between both domains. The experimental results are given in the following part of the article, before some details on the instrumented firings and the receiving station; at last a few examples of projectiles equipped with such antennas are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering is an established technique in the synchrotron community, used to investigate collective low-frequency responses of materials. When fielded at hard X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) and combined with high-intensity laser drivers, it becomes a promising technique for investigating matter at high temperatures and high pressures. This technique gives access to important thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme conditions, such as temperature, material sound speed, and viscosity. The successful realization of this method requires the acquisition of many identical laser-pump/X-ray-probe shots, allowing the collection of a sufficient number of photons necessary to perform quantitative analyses. Here, a 2.5-fold improvement in the energy resolution of the instrument relative to previous works at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation, Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and the High Energy Density (HED) instrument, European XFEL, is presented. Some aspects of the experimental design that are essential for improving the number of photons detected in each X-ray shot, making such measurements feasible, are discussed. A careful choice of the energy resolution, the X-ray beam mode provided by the XFEL, and the position of the analysers used in such experiments can provide a more than ten-fold improvement in the photometrics. The discussion is supported by experimental data on 10 mm-thick iron and 50 nm-thick gold samples collected at the MEC endstation at the LCLS, and by complementary ray-tracing simulations coupled with thermal diffuse scattering calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An urgent issue of the state (level) of safety of Ukraine’s nuclear power industry in extreme conditions is the situation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest in Europe, due to the station’s location in the war zone and difficulties in its management and operation, as well as the safety regulation of the station in the occupied territory. In the proposed article, the possibility of Zaporizhia NPP industrial site flooding is analyzed from the elaborated hydrodynamic model and justifying calculation; the conditions of ZNPP industrial site possible flooding are determined depending on the warhead power producing a corresponding destructive effect. Probabilistic approaches to assessing the Zaporizhia NPP safety objective state (level) in extreme conditions are insufficiently justified taking into account the lessons of the largest nuclear and radiation accidents. On the basis of a deterministic approach, the conditions of Zaporizhia NPP industrial site critical flooding due to extreme military action are identified. Flooding of the plant’s industrial site may cause two initial emergency events: a complete long-term de-energization of power units and violation of heat exchange conditions in spent nuclear fuel dry storage facilities. Prevention of flooding of the Zaporizhia NPP industrial site can be based on the construction of protective flood barriers on the cooling pond coast. Prospective directions to increase the accident management efficiency related to the nuclear power units’ passive safety systems modernization and improvement of operational symptom-oriented emergency instructions/manuals for managing severe (nuclear) accidents have been identified. An effective accident management strategy with complete long-term de-energization of WWER power units can be based on a comprehensive modernization of emergency recharge systems of steam generators with steam driven pumps and natural circulation circuits of passive heat removal systems from the pressurized reactor unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the theoretical and empirical study of athletes' psychological health involved in extreme sports, the definition of psychological and social factors of its preservation problem. The essence and indicators of psychological health of a person have been clarified. The analysis of the study results made it possible to single out stable (the degree of awareness and positivity of the "I-concept", the ability and desire for self-development, satisfaction with life) and variable (reflexivity, level of self-regulation, communication, locus of control) indicators for psychological health of extreme athletes. Based on the study in the content of the psychological health of athletes' characteristics, its social and psychological factors were determined. The main psychological factors of maintaining psychological health include satisfaction with activities, internality, positive "I-concept", the ability of self-government, self-regulation, subjective well-being. The main social factors include extreme conditions of activity, high professional and family status, availability of social support. It has been proven that the presence of the maximum extreme experience leads to a significant decrease in all indicators of psychological health, causing severe maladjustment, emotional and personal problems. The main directions of improving the process of preserving psychological health of extreme sportsmen have been proposed. Allocation of the components of psychological health and determination of socio and psychological factors that determine its preservation, made it possible to form tasks for psychological prevention and correction: teaching positive self-attitude and acceptance of others; learning reflexive skills; the formation of the need for self-development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae have been considered as a potential feedstock for biomaterial compounds production. In the southern Mediterranean region, which suffers from water scarcity, using wastewaters as culture media for microalgae cultivation is recommended. Hence, an algal strain is needed, which exhibits high growth under the prevailing temperature and light conditions. To obtain such strains, natural samples were collected from a maturation pond in the Peri-Urban Area of Marrakech (Morocco) and cultivated in different types of wastewaters at light intensity of 1,500 µmol m-2 s-1 and temperature up to 45°C in a batch system. Three types of wastewaters were used: raw, treated, not sterilized treated domestic wastewater from muti-soil layering system and tap water, started with the same concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. Results showed Chlorella was the only strain able to grow under the cultivation conditions established. This microalgae was identified by partial rbcL-gene as Chlorella sorokiniana with a genetic similarity of 98.8%, and registered under UCAM 001 (GenBank number MT999855). This finding indicates that the strain can be used for biomass production and phycoremediation process in semi-arid area. In addition, microalgae isolation by dominance could be a fast approach to obtain adapted strains for outdoor mass cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wave climate is highly variable temporally and spatially, depending mainly on the atmospheric conditions and on fetch extensions. Wave climate is one of the main causes of coastal erosion processes, together with anthropogenic pressure and with coastal and river sedimentary balance. Therefore, a detailed spatial and temporal knowledge of wave climate is very important in managing coastal areas and in planning coastal defense works. This paper describes an analysis of the wave climate carried out along the Calabrian coasts in over 50 areas, each of them covering an average of 15 km of coastline. For each area, over 40 years of wave data were analyzed to calculate over 20 parameters, representative of annual and seasonal average and maximum wave conditions. The large number of areas is related to the geomorphological and climatic complexity of Calabria. This analysis mainly highlighted that the two Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts are very different from the wave climate point of view. Indeed, the Ionian coast is heavier in ordinary wave conditions, while the Tyrrhenian coast is heavier in extreme wave conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out evaporation experiments on a B-type calcium–aluminium-rich inclusion (CAI) melt in a gas-mixing aerodynamic levitation laser furnace, at 1873 K and an oxygen partial pressure of $10^{-9.1}$ atm, for durations ranging from 60 to 600 s. Evaporation of SiO2 and MgO follow the same trend as those observed in vacuum furnace experiments at the same temperature and starting composition, showing that their evaporation relative to one another from the melt is independent of pressure, oxygen fugacity, and hydrodynamical regime specific to the furnace. Isotopic ratios of Mg and Si in evaporation residues are used to derive fractionation factors of $\alpha ^{26/24}\mathrm{Mg}_{\mathrm{vap-liq}}=0.9906\pm 0.0004$ and $\alpha ^{30/28}\mathrm{Si}_{\mathrm{vap-liq}}=0.9943\pm 0.0003$, which are both significantly closer to unity than those found for evaporation in a vacuum, which translates to less isotope fractionation. The residues are also less isotopically fractionated than expected for cases in which transport of the gas species away from the melt is diffusion-controlled at 1-atm. By analysing the flow regimes in our furnace, we find that advection by the levitating gas is the primary mode of mass transport away from the melt surface, as opposed to diffusion-limited transport in a vacuum or 1-atm tube furnace. A modified Hertz–Knudsen–Langmuir formulation accounts for this process, and shows that isotopic fractionation of both Si and Mg reflect a saturation factor (ratio of the pressure of the evaporating species to vapour saturation pressure) equal to 0.75. This is in perfect accord with recent measurements of Cu isotopic fractionation using a similar furnace. The fact that three elements (Mg, Si, Cu) with varying equilibrium vapour pressures, activity coefficients in the liquid, and diffusion coefficients in the gas have the same scaling behaviour to saturation pressure is a strong indication that the mechanism controlling evaporation is driven by the hydrodynamical regime imposed in the furnace. Therefore, this class of experiments can be used to constrain processes in which advection dominates over diffusion, such as (but not limited to) planetary ejecta, tektites, giant impacts, nebular condensation in a turbulent flow, or nuclear fallout material. Finally, the possibility to reach high temperatures (in excess of 3500 K) in this furnace allows it to be used to evaluate the activity coefficients of melt components in extreme conditions relevant to molten planetary interiors (i.e., magma oceans), with a specific focus on refractory elements.